God's Love and Justice
Sabbath School Lesson 10
Rules of Engagement
You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.
------------------------------
> Download the notes for Lesson 10 video here.
-----------------------------
> Download 1st Quarter 2025 Lessons: God's Love and Justice
-----------------------------
The Bible presents the origin of Lucifer’s sin as a mystery, emphasizing that sin is fundamentally irrational and unjustifiable.
Lucifer Was Created Perfect but Free
Ezekiel 28:15: "You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you."
Lucifer was created sinless but with free will, allowing him the choice to rebel.
The Mystery of Iniquity
2 Thessalonians 2:7: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work..."
Sin is not logical or justifiable; it is a mystery because it has no rational cause.
Pride and Self-Exaltation
Isaiah 14:12-14: Lucifer sought to elevate himself above God: "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High."
His fall began with pride and self-centered ambition.
Deception and Self-Corruption
Ezekiel 28:17: "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor."
Lucifer deceived himself, convincing himself that God was unjust.
Explaining vs. Justifying Sin
Explaining Lucifer’s fall (his pride, self-deception, and rejection of God) does not justify it. Sin has no valid reason; it is rebellion against a loving God.
If sin had a justifiable cause, God would be responsible for it—but Scripture affirms that sin is the result of a free but wrong choice.
Ultimately, sin’s origin is unaccountable because it is a departure from the perfect love and order of God’s creation.
From a Seventh-day Adventist perspective, the origin of Lucifer's sin is a mystery because sin is fundamentally irrational and lawless (1 John 3:4).
Created Perfect but Free – Lucifer was created sinless (Ezekiel 28:15) but with free will. True love requires freedom, which allows the possibility of choosing against God.
The Mystery of Iniquity – Sin has no logical justification. If it could be fully explained, it could be excused. Instead, it is described as the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
Pride and Self-Exaltation – Lucifer's sin began with pride and self-exaltation (Isaiah 14:12–14). He desired to be like God in power, not in character.
Deception and Self-Corruption – Lucifer convinced himself that he was being treated unfairly, despite having no reason for rebellion (Ezekiel 28:17).
God’s Justice and Love – God did not prevent Lucifer’s fall because doing so would have violated free will, but He provided a way for sin to be ultimately eradicated through Christ.
Sin remains unaccountable because it has no reasonable cause—only a self-chosen rebellion against God's love.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 9 - The Cosmic Conflict
The Bible presents a clear and sobering depiction of the devil, revealing both his character and his strategy in deceiving humanity. Two key passages—John 8:44-45 and Revelation 12:7-9—offer insight into Satan’s nature as a deceiver and adversary of truth. By examining these scriptures, we can better understand his methods and the spiritual battle that takes place between good and evil.
The Character of the Devil
In John 8:44-45, Jesus directly addresses the nature of the devil in His conversation with the Pharisees. He declares:
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” (NIV)
This passage reveals several defining characteristics of Satan. First, he is a murderer from the beginning, referring to his role in bringing sin and death into the world through his deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Second, he has no truth in him; he is inherently deceitful. Jesus emphasizes that lying is Satan’s very nature—his “native language.” As the “father of lies,” he is the originator of deception, using falsehood as a tool to lead people away from God’s truth.
Revelation 12:7-9 further illustrates Satan’s character, describing his rebellion against God and his ultimate expulsion from heaven:
“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (NIV)
This passage portrays Satan as a rebellious being who sought to challenge God’s authority. His defeat in the heavenly war and subsequent casting down to earth signifies his status as a fallen angel who continues his work of deception. He is called the “ancient serpent,” directly connecting him to his first act of deception in the Garden of Eden. Additionally, he is described as the one who “leads the whole world astray,” reinforcing his role as the ultimate deceiver.
The Devil’s Strategy
By analyzing both passages, we can identify Satan’s primary strategy: deception. His tactics involve:
Lying and Distorting the Truth: As seen in John 8:44, Satan’s main weapon is falsehood. He twists God’s words and plants doubt, as he did with Eve in Genesis 3:1-5. He misrepresents reality to lead people away from God.
Accusation and Opposition to God’s People: Revelation 12:10 refers to Satan as “the accuser of our brothers and sisters.” He seeks to condemn believers before God, bringing accusations against them in an attempt to weaken their faith.
Creating Division and Rebellion: The war in heaven (Revelation 12:7) indicates that Satan thrives on conflict and seeks to divide. He instigates rebellion, both in the spiritual realm and among people on earth.
Blinding People to the Truth: In John 8:45, Jesus highlights how Satan’s lies make people resistant to the truth. His deception works to keep individuals in spiritual darkness so they reject God’s message.
The Bible paints a vivid picture of the devil as a liar, murderer, and deceiver whose ultimate goal is to lead people away from God. John 8:44-45 and Revelation 12:7-9 reveal his character as the originator of lies and his strategy of deception, accusation, and rebellion. Understanding these biblical truths equips believers to stand firm against Satan’s schemes by clinging to God’s truth, resisting his lies, and trusting in Christ’s victory over evil.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 9 - The Cosmic Conflict
Matthew 4:1–11 describes Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, revealing the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a cosmic battle between good and evil. This passage illustrates Satan's attempt to undermine Jesus' mission and authority, while Jesus demonstrates unwavering faithfulness to God.
The Three Temptations and Jesus’ Response
Turning Stones to Bread (Matthew 4:3-4)
Temptation: Satan challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, appealing to His physical hunger after fasting for 40 days. This represents the temptation to rely on self-sufficiency rather than trusting God.
Jesus' Response: He quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus affirms that spiritual sustenance is more important than physical needs.
Jumping from the Temple (Matthew 4:5-7)
Temptation: Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and urges Him to jump, citing Psalm 91:11-12, implying that God will protect Him. This represents the temptation to force God’s hand and seek validation through miraculous signs.
Jesus' Response: He counters with Deuteronomy 6:16, saying, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Jesus refuses to test God, demonstrating true faith and obedience.
Worshiping Satan for Worldly Power (Matthew 4:8-10)
Temptation: Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He will bow down and worship him. This represents the temptation to gain power and glory without the suffering of the cross.
Jesus' Response: He rebukes Satan with Deuteronomy 6:13, saying, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” Jesus affirms exclusive devotion to God and rejects worldly compromise.
Revealing the Great Controversy
This passage showcases Satan’s strategies—deception, distortion of Scripture, and appealing to human desires (physical needs, pride, and power). Jesus, however, overcomes temptation by relying on Scripture, obedience, and trust in God, revealing His victory in the great controversy. His triumph foreshadows His ultimate victory over Satan through the cross and resurrection.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 9 - The Cosmic Conflict
The Origin of the Controversy in Heaven
In Genesis 1:31, God declares His creation to be “very good.” This indicates that everything He made was perfect, without sin, suffering, or evil. The world was in harmony, reflecting God’s goodness and design.
However, in Genesis 3:1–7, we see the entrance of evil into human experience. The serpent (Satan in disguise) deceives Eve by questioning God's word and character, leading her and Adam to eat from the forbidden tree. Their choice to disobey God introduced sin, shame, and separation from Him.
This passage shows that evil did not originate from God but entered the human world through deception and disobedience. Evil was already present in the universe before humanity sinned, as suggested in Revelation 12:7–9, where a cosmic battle took place in heaven. Satan, a fallen angel, rebelled against God and was cast down to earth with his angels. This cosmic conflict explains why Satan was present in the Garden of Eden to tempt humanity.
These passages together reveal that evil began with a rebellion in heaven and later entered the human race through deception. This highlights the nature of the great controversy between God and Satan—a battle over truth, love, and obedience. It also underscores the importance of free will: both angels and humans had the choice to follow God or turn away. The entrance of sin into the world was not God’s doing but resulted from a misuse of the freedom He granted to His creation.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 9 - The Cosmic Conflict
Matthew 13:24–30 contains the Parable of the Weeds (Tares), in which Jesus tells of a farmer who sows good seed in his field, but an enemy comes at night and sows weeds among the wheat. When the plants grow, both wheat and weeds appear. The farmer's servants ask if they should pull out the weeds, but the farmer advises against it, lest they uproot the wheat as well. Instead, he instructs them to wait until the harvest, at which point the weeds will be gathered and burned, while the wheat will be collected into his barn.
Matthew 13:24–30 teaches that evil exists in the world because of the enemy (Satan), but God allows both good and evil to coexist until the final judgment. This explains why we see injustice and wickedness around us—God is patient, giving people time to repent. However, evil will not last forever; at the end of time, God will separate the righteous from the wicked, bringing justice and establishing His kingdom. This reminds us to trust in God's timing and remain faithful despite the presence of evil.
Understanding Evil in the World
This parable helps us understand why evil exists alongside good in the world. Jesus acknowledges that both righteous and wicked people will coexist until the final judgment. The presence of evil is not due to God’s failure or neglect but rather the work of the enemy (Satan). However, God allows this coexistence for a time, ensuring that the righteous are not harmed in the process.
Jesus' Explanation (Matthew 13:36–43)
Later, Jesus explains that:
- The farmer represents Himself (the Son of Man).
- The field is the world.
- The good seed represents the children of God’s kingdom.
- The weeds symbolize the children of the evil one, planted by the devil.
- The harvest represents the final judgment.
- The reapers are angels who will separate the righteous from the wicked.
At the end of the age, the wicked will face judgment (symbolized by being thrown into the fire), while the righteous will shine in God’s kingdom.
Key Lessons for Us
God is patient – He allows time for people to repent and for righteousness to grow.
Evil has an end – Though evil is present now, God will ultimately bring justice.
Judgment belongs to God – It is not our role to separate the righteous from the wicked; God will do so at the appointed time.
Faithfulness matters – The righteous should remain steadfast, knowing that God's justice will prevail.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 9 - The Cosmic Conflict