Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

God wants the service of love from all His creatures--service
that springs from an appreciation of His character. He has no
pleasure in forced obedience. He grants freedom of will to everyone,
that they may freely give Him service. So long as all created beings
were loyal through love, there was perfect harmony throughout the
universe of God. There was no note of discord to mar heaven's
harmonies.
But a change came over this happy situation. There was one
who wrongly used the freedom that God had given to His creatures.
Sin began with him who, after Christ, had been the most honored of
God and was highest among all those in heaven. Lucifer, "son of the
morning," (Isaiah 14:12) was holy and undefiled. "Thus says the
Lord God: 'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and
perfect in beauty. ... You were the anointed cherub who covers; I
established you. You were upon the holy mountain of God; you
walked back and forth in the midst of the fiery stones. You were
perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was
found in you.'"
Little by little, Lucifer indulged the desire to exalt himself.
"Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted
your wisdom for the sake of your splendor" (Ezekiel 28:12-15, 17).
"You have said in your heart ... 'I will exalt my throne above the
stars of God ... I will be like the Most High'" (Isaiah 14:13, 14).
Though honored above the heavenly host, he dared to covet worship
due only to the Creator. This prince of angels wanted power that
was the right of Christ alone.
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