The Prophet's Code

The Origin of Evil

You can see that the center of the book, chapter twelve, is written in the same perfect order as the entire book. The second half mirrors the first half with similar words and phrases. This would make Revelation 12:10, 11 the very center of the book. These two verses therefore point to the central issue in the great controversy between good and evil. What do we see? We see that the central issue is over the authority of the Son of God. Satan has challenged the authority of Jesus and refused to submit to it. Let us consider the fall of Satan and the origin of evil.

The great law of life is to receive that we may give to others. In the things of nature we see this lesson taught. As the sun shines upon our little world, the flowers, trees, and shrubs receive the life-giving rays, and in return these plants not only breathe a fragrance but also pour forth life-giving elements that support life to both people and animals. The ocean receives from rivers, lakes, and streams, and in return, rain is formed to shower upon the earth.

In heaven itself, Jesus, the Son of God, receives all things from His Father, but He always takes to give to others. The angels themselves give unselfishly and tirelessly to help the human family. They work in close communion with God to bring light and love to our world.

But in the heart of man there is selfishness. Our sinful natures are bent to live for ourselves. However, this behavior of self-serving did not begin on planet Earth. In heaven itself, Lucifer, better known as the devil or Satan, broke the law of receiving to give. In Lucifer the law of self-seeking originated.

At one time, Lucifer was the most honored of all created beings. When he came forth from the Creator’s hand he was perfect in all his ways. The Lord said, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. . . . Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness [you allowed your beauty and wisdom to corrupt you by giving yourself all the credit].” Ezekiel 28:15, 17.