The Plan of Redemption

Lesson # 6 – The purpose and scope of the plan of Redemption

After the war in heaven and Satan and his angels were expelled, what plan made before the rebellion of Satan did the Father and the Son carried out?

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 24.2 -“After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now God says to his Son, “Let us make man in our image.” As Adam came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of noble height, and of beautiful symmetry.”

Note: When Satan and his angels lost in the war and they were cast out, they were not cast down immediately into this earth for this earth was not yet created. Having no home of their own, they must have spent their time visiting the many worlds or dominions that were already in existence to induce them to join them in their rebellion against God. But they had no success as these inhabitants chose to remain faithful and loyal to God. However, when this new world and man was created, they found a new target to tempt and conquer.

What was the position of Adam in the kingdom of this world (the earth) – the last one of many worlds that God has created?

Gen.1:27, 28 – “So God created man… male and female… and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply…and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Amazing Grace, p. 40. 2 -“Adam was crowned king in Eden. To him was given dominion over every living thing that God had created. The Lord blessed Adam and Eve with intelligence such as He had not given to any other creature. He made Adam the rightful sovereign over all the works of His hands.”

What did God foresee will happen to man through the deceptive work of Satan? What plan did the Godhead put in place to solve the problem?

Desire of Ages, p. 22 “The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of “the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal.” Rom. 16:25, R. V. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency.”

What provisions were included in the plan of redemption for man? How broad is the plan of redemption?

God foresaw that Adam and Eve will commit sin and the whole world will become guilty before God. Thus, the plan of redemption made provision that Christ shall take the penalty of man’s transgression and will be the one to die to save man from eternal death which is the penalty of transgression.

Counsels on Health, p. 222 “The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. In order fully to carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, should give Himself an offering for sin.”

Review and Herald, April 23, 1901

“Adam listened to the words of the tempter, and yielding to his insinuations, fell into sin. Why was not the death penalty at once enforced in his case?–Because a ransom was found. God’s only begotten Son volunteered to take the sin of man upon Himself, and to make an atonement for the fallen race. There could have been no pardon for sin had this atonement not been made. Had God pardoned Adam’s sin without an atonement, sin would have been immortalized, and would have been perpetuated with a boldness that would have been without restraint”. {1BC 1082.6

The plan of redemption provides that through Christ’s atoning death, He would secure for man another trial — a second probation – where man could make a choice between eternal life and eternal death.

Faith and Works, p. 21

“The moment the workmanship of God refused obedience to the laws of God’s kingdom, that moment he became disloyal to the government of God and he made himself entirely unworthy of all the blessings wherewith God had favored him.

“This was the position of the human race after man divorced himself from God by transgression. Then he was no longer entitled to a breath of air, a ray of sunshine, or a particle of food. And the reason why man was not annihilated was because God so loved him that He made the gift of His dear Son that He should suffer the penalty of his transgression. Christ proposed to become man’s surety and substitute, that man, through matchless grace, should have another trial–a second probation–having the experience of Adam and Eve as a warning not to transgress God’s law as they did.”

Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 484.1

“Infinite wisdom devised the plan of redemption, which places the race on a second probation by giving them another trial.”

Testimonies to Ministers, p. 134.1

“Death entered the world because of transgression. But Christ gave His life that man should have another trial. He did not die on the cross to abolish the law of God, but to secure for man a second probation.”

Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 53.

“To man… unswerving obedience is required. Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation; their happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the Creator’s law. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish… should they disregard His will, He who spared not the angels that sinned, could not spare them; transgression would forfeit His gifts and bring upon them misery and ruin.” –

God foresaw that by transgression man will forfeit immortality, eternal life, and it was the object of the plan of redemption to make a way for man to receive immortality as the gift of God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John 3:35, 36

35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 17: 1, 2

1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

2 Timothy 1:9, 10

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Great Controversy, p. 533

“Immortality, promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess; and there could have been no hope for the fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach…And only through Christ can immortality be obtained.”

Our Father Cares, p. 205

“Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistakable language He presents obedience to it as the condition of eternal life—the same condition that was required of Adam before his fall. . . . The requirement under the covenant of grace is just as broad as the requirement made in Eden—harmony with God’s law, which is holy, just, and good.”

God foresaw that through disobedience man would be brought in bondage to sin and Satan. The plan of redemption was devised to make man free from the slavery of sin and of Satan. This work of deliverance from bondage would be in two phases. Phase one would be for the human race as a whole to be undertaken by Christ alone without man’s consent and cooperation. Phase two would be accomplished for the individual person with his own consent and cooperation through faith. Unbelievers will not experience actual deliverance from bondage to sin.

John 8: 32, 35, 36

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

35 Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Bible Echo, November 1, 1892 par. 2 “Christ came to this world, and clothed his divinity with humanity, taking upon Him the nature of man. He came to pass through the experiences of humanity, to pass over the ground on which Adam had fallen, to redeem his failure, to meet and conquer the adversary of God and man, that through his grace man might be an overcomer, and finally have a place with Him upon his throne. He took the field of conflict, and on this atom of a world the controversy between Christ, the Prince of life, and Satan, the prince of darkness, was to be waged. By transgression man had become the child of evil, the captive of Satan, the enemy of God. Satan misrepresented the character of God, and man, who had been made in the divine image, doubted his Heavenly Father’s love, distrusted his word, and set himself in stubborn unbelief and rebellion against his requirements.”

Romans 7:14-25

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from *the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin

God foresaw that through sin man shall lose his rights and privileges as son of God. Thus, the plan of redemption was devised to restore to man all his rights and privileges as son of God through the merits of Christ.

Galatians 4:4 -7

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

John 1:10-13

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Ephesians 1:4-6

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Romans 8:22, 23

22 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

23 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

God foresaw that sin will mar the moral image of God in man and one of the purposes of the plan of redemption is to restore the image of God in man and to bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created.

Genesis 1:26, 27

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Romans 8:29

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Education, pp. 15, 16

“To restore in man the lost image of His maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind and soul, that the divine purpose of his creation might be realized – this was to be the work of redemption.”

Christian Education, p. 63

“The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul. In the beginning, God created man in his own likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was well-balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this [lost image of God] that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created, is the great object of life,–the object that underlies every other.”

Amazing Grace, p. 246.3

“Through sin the divine likeness was marred, and well-nigh obliterated. Man’s physical powers were weakened, his mental capacity was lessened, his spiritual vision dimmed. He had become subject to death. Yet the race was not left without hope. By infinite love and mercy the plan of salvation had been devised, and a life of probation was granted. To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized–this was to be the great work of redemption.”

2 Corinthians 3:17, 18

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. “

Education, p. 125.2

“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God.”

RH, June 10, 1890 par. 6

“Though the moral image of God was almost obliterated by the sin of Adam, through the merits and power of Jesus it may be renewed. Man may stand with the moral image of God in his character; for Jesus will give it to him. Unless the moral image of God is seen in man, he can never enter the city of God as a conqueror.”

God foresaw that through man’s transgression the kingdom of this world that was originally given to man was taken over by Satan. The plan of redemption made provision for the kingdom of this world to be restored back to man. This was to be accomplished by Jesus Christ.

Luke 4:5, 6

5 And the devil [Satan], taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”

Selected Messages, Book 1, pages 285, 286

“In a panoramic view [Satan] presented before Christ all the kingdoms of the world in the most attractive light, while he claimed to be the prince of the world… He claimed the world as his dominion, and he was the prince of the power of the air. He bore Jesus to the top of an exceeding high mountain, and then in a panoramic view presented before Him all the kingdoms of the world that had been so long under his [Satan’s] dominion…”

The Faith I Live By, p. 361

“Satan, by means of his success in turning man aside from the path of obedience, became “the god of this world.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. The dominion that once was Adam’s, passed to [Satan] the usurper. But the Son of God proposed to come to this earth to pay the penalty of sin, and thus not only redeem man, but recover the dominion forfeited. . . . The apostle Paul has referred to it [the restoration of the lost dominion] as “the redemption of the purchased possession.” Ephesians 1:14. Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the wicked one, and was to be restored by the plan of redemption.”

Psalms 37:9-11

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Daniel 7:26, 27

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy [it] unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

Collosians1:12, 13

12 Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

Adventist Home, p. 539 (PP 342)

“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. “The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even for ever and ever.”

Patriarch and Prophets, p. 67

“Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the wicked one, and was to be restored by the plan of redemption. At his creation Adam was placed in dominion over the earth. But by yielding to temptation, he was brought under the power of Satan. “Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19. When man became Satan’s captive, the dominion which he held, passed to his conqueror. Thus Satan became “the god of this world.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. He had usurped that dominion over the earth which had been originally given to Adam. But Christ, by His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin, would not only redeem man, but recover the dominion which he had forfeited. All that was lost by the first Adam will be restored by the second. Says the prophet, “O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8. And the apostle Paul points forward to the “redemption of the purchased possession.” Ephesians 1:14. God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. The Lord “formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isaiah 45:18. That purpose will be fulfilled, when, renewed by the power of God, and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall become the eternal abode of the redeemed. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.” “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him.” Psalm 37:29; Revelation 22:3.”

God foresaw that through man’s transgression the kingdom of this world was cut-off from the continent of heaven and communication between man and his maker was also cut-off. The plan of redemption seeks to open the communication channel so that man could once again have access to God and also to reconnect earth as part of the continent of heaven.

John 14:6

6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

1 Timothy 2:3-5

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Review and Herald, February 28, 1888 par. 5

“This earth because of transgression had been struck off from the continent of heaven. Communication had ceased between man and his Maker; but the way has been opened so that he may return to the Father’s house. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Review and Herald, June 10, 1890 par. 4

“After the transgression of Adam, God no longer communicated directly with man; earth was separated, as it were, from the continent of heaven; but Jesus was made our substitute, our surety, that he might bring us back to the Father, and his human arm encircles the race, while his infinite arm reaches to the highest heavens, and thus he unites finite man to the infinite God, and connects earth with heaven.”

God foresaw that through transgression man shall be brought down to the lowest level of human shame and degradation. The plan of redemption aims to lift man up from the lowest level of degradation to an exalted position of honor and exaltation far higher than the angels that have never fallen.

Psalms 8:4-6

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little (a little while) lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

Hebrews 2:6-9

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

7 Thou madest him a little (margin: a little while) lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Note: Then Greek word “brachus” actually means “a little while.” Thus man was made a little while lower than the angels indicating that there will come a time that man will not be lower than the angels, but shall even be higher than the angels that have never fallen. This was the original purpose of God for man and although this was not realized because of sin has degraded man to the lowest level of degradation, the plan of redemption was devised to make it possible for man to be exalted to a high level of honor and exaltation that is even higher than the angels who have never fallen.

Christ Object Lessons, p. 163

“Great is as the shame and degradation through sin, even greater will be the honor and exaltation through redeeming love. To human beings striving for conformity to the divine image there is imparted an outlay of heaven’s treasure, an excellency of power, that will place them higher than even the angels who have never fallen.”

Sons and Daughters of God, p. 243.3

“The work of redemption involved consequences of which it is difficult for man to have any conception. There was to be imparted to the human being striving for conformity to the divine image an outlay of heaven’s treasures, an excellency of power, which would place him higher than the angels who had not fallen. The battle has been fought, the victory won. The controversy between sin and righteousness exalted the Lord of heaven, and established before the saved human family, before the unfallen worlds, before all the host of evil workers, from the greatest to the least, God’s holiness, mercy, goodness, and wisdom.

Great Controversy, p. 483, 384

“The deepest interest manifested among men in the decisions of earthly tribunals but faintly represents the interest evinced in the heavenly courts when the names entered in the book of life come up in review before the Judge of all the earth. The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to “the first dominion.” Micah 4:8. Satan in his efforts to deceive and tempt our race had thought to frustrate the divine plan in man’s creation; but Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne.”

Note: At creation God endowed man with “mental powers” that is a “little lower than those of the angels,” but unlike the angels, “his mind was capable of continual cultivation, expansion, refinement and noble elevation.” RH, February 24, 1874 par. 9.

God foresaw that Satan in his rebellion would destroy the his reputation by false accusations and will bring doubts in the minds of the angels and the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds. The plan of redemption was devised, not only to save man, but also to vindicate His character before the universe.

Patriarch and Prophets, p. 68

“But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe… The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin.”

RH, May 19, 1904 par. 4

“Christ said of the Spirit, “He shall glorify me.” As Christ glorified the Father by the demonstration of his love, so the Spirit was to glorify Christ by revealing to the world the riches of his grace. The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of his people.”

Why must God need to vindicate His character and his law before the universe?

Patriarch and Prophets, p. 338 “From the opening of the great controversy it has been Satan’s purpose to misrepresent God’s character and to excite rebellion against His law, and this work appears to be crowned with success. The multitudes give ear to Satan’s deceptions and set themselves against God. But amid the working of evil, God’s purposes move steadily forward to their accomplishment; to all created intelligences He is making manifest His justice and benevolence.”

Prophets and Kings, p. 311 “Long had Satan sought to lead men to look upon their Creator as the author of sin and suffering and death. Those whom he had thus deceived, imagined that God was hard and exacting. They regarded Him as watching to denounce and condemn, unwilling to receive the sinner so long as there was a legal excuse for not helping him. The law of love by which heaven is ruled had been misrepresented by the archdeceiver as a restriction upon men’s happiness, a burdensome yoke from which they should be glad to escape. He declared that its precepts could not be obeyed and that the penalties of transgression were bestowed arbitrarily.”

God foresaw that Satan in his rebellion would misrepresent God’s law of love as a law of selfishness and declare that it is impossible to obey its precepts. The plan of redemption provides that God shall demonstrate that it is a law of love, that it is immutable, and it could be obeyed.

Desire of Ages, p. 24

“Satan represents God’s law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look to God as the author of sin, suffering, and death.”

Desire of Ages, p. 29

“Thus Satan worked to discourage the people, to lower their conception of the character of God, and to bring the faith of Israel into contempt. He hoped to establish the claim put forth when he rebelled in heaven, – that the requirements of God were unjust, and could not be obeyed. Even Israel, he declared, did not keep the law.”

Patriarch and Prophets, p. 69.1

“From the first the great controversy had been upon the law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, that His law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the law he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author. In the controversy it was to be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change, or perfect and immutable.”

Patriarch and Prophets, p. 69.2

“When Satan was thrust out of heaven, he determined to make the earth his kingdom. When he tempted and overcame Adam and Eve, he thought that he had gained possession of this world; “because,” said he, “they have chosen me as their ruler.” He claimed that it was impossible that forgiveness should be granted to the sinner, and therefore the fallen race were his rightful subjects, and the world was his. But God gave His own dear Son–one equal with Himself–to bear the penalty of transgression, and thus He provided a way by which they might be restored to His favor, and brought back to their Eden home. Christ undertook to redeem man and to rescue the world from the grasp of Satan. The great controversy begun in heaven was to be decided in the very world, on the very same field, that Satan claimed as his.”

Patriarch and Prophets, p. 70

“If the law could be changed, man might have been saved without the sacrifice of Christ; but the fact that it was necessary for Christ to give His life for the fallen race, proves that the law of God will not release the sinner from its claims upon him. It is demonstrated that the wages of sin is death. When Christ died, the destruction of Satan was made certain. But if the law was abolished at the cross, as many claim, then the agony and death of God’s dear Son were endured only to give to Satan just what he asked; then the prince of evil triumphed, his charges against the divine government were sustained. The very fact that Christ bore the penalty of man’s transgression is a mighty argument to all created intelligences that the law is changeless; that God is righteous, merciful, and self-denying; and that infinite justice and mercy unite in the administration of His government.”

God foresaw that the apostasy of Satan and his supporters would l create a vacancy in heaven. The plan of redemption made provision that the vacancies made in heaven by the fall of Satan and his angels will be filled by the human family.

Bible Commentary, EG White Comments, vol. 1, p. 1082

“God created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was God’s purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family. {TA 48.7}

Review and Herald, May 29, 1900

“Those who walk even as Christ walked, who are patient, gentle, kind, meek and lowly in heart, those who yoke up with Christ and lift His burdens, who yearn for souls as He yearned for them–these will enter into the joy of their Lord. They will see with Christ the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. Heaven will triumph, for the vacancies made in heaven by the fall of Satan and his angels will be filled by the redeemed of the Lord.”

Christ Triumphant, p. 26

“It was God’s purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family if they would show themselves obedient to His every word. Adam was to be tested, to see whether he would be obedient, as the loyal angels, or disobedient. If he stood the test, his instruction to his children would have been only of loyalty. His mind and thoughts would have been as the mind and thoughts of God. . . .”

The Faith I Live By, p. 114

“Those who walk even as Christ walked, who are patient, gentle, kind, meek and lowly in heart, those who yoke up with Christ and lift His burdens, who yearn for souls as He yearned for them–these will enter into the joy of their Lord. They will see with Christ the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. Heaven will triumph, for the vacancies made in heaven by the fall of Satan and his angels will be filled by the redeemed of the Lord.”

Upward Look, p. 61

“By the power of His love, through obedience, fallen man, a worm of the dust, is to be transformed, fitted to be a member of the heavenly family, a companion through eternal ages of God and Christ and the holy angels. Heaven will triumph, for the vacancies made by the fall of Satan and his host will be filled by the redeemed of the Lord.”

God foresaw that the rebellion of Satan would threaten the stability of the government of God. The Plan of redemption makes provision to safeguard the stability of the whole universe to effectively prevent another rebellion among the unfallen worlds and among the redeemed.

Signs of the Times, Dec. 30, 1889

“The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”

Signs of the Times, Dec. 30, 1889 (5BC 1132.8)

“The death of Christ upon the cross made sure the destruction of him who has the power of death, who was the originator of sin. When Satan is destroyed, there will be none to tempt to evil; the atonement will never need to be repeated; and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the universe of God. That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Shall we not then exalt the cross of Christ? The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God.”