THE ORIGIN OF STUBBORNESS, DISLOYALTY AND REBELLION
MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
June 24, 2026
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
THE ORIGIN OF STUBBORNESS, DISLOYALTY AND REBELLION,
Text: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft
Stubborness is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Sam. 15: 23, KJV.
We resume quoting from E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 edition, pp. 499-500 (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):
“With one accord, Satan and his host [one third of the angelic host] threw the blame of their rebellion wholly upon Christ, declaring that if they HAD NOT BEEN REPROVED, they would never have rebelled. Thus STUBBORN and DEFIANT in their DISLOYALTY, seeking vainly to overthrow the government of God, yet blasphemously claiming themselves to be the INNOCENT VICTIMS of oppressive power, the ARCH-REBEL and all his sympathizers were at last banished from heaven. [Rev. 12: 7-9].
“The SAME SPIRIT that prompted rebellion in heaven, STILL INSPIRES rebellion on earth. Satan has continued with men the same policy and strategy] which he pursued with the angels. HIS SPIRIT NOW REIGNS IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE [See Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6]. Like him they seek to break down the restraints of the law of God [the Decalogue], and promise men LIBERTY THROUGH TRANSGRESSION of its precepts.
“REPROOF OF SIN STILL AROUSES THE SPIRIT OF HATRED AND RESISTANCE. When God’s messages of warning are brought home to the CONSCIENCE, Satan leads men to justify themselves, and to seek the sympathy of others in their course of sin. [‘Misery loves company;’ ‘Birds of the same feather flock together.’]. Instead of correcting their errors, they EXCITE INDIGNATION AGAINST THE REPROVER, as if he were the sole cause of the difficulty.
“From the days of the righteous ABEL to our own time, SUCH IS THE SPIRIT which has been displayed toward those who DARE TO CONDEMN SIN [not the sinner!].”
“By the same misrepresentation of the CHARACTER OF GOD as he had practiced in heaven, causing Him [God] to be regarded as SEVERE AND TYRANNICAL, Satan induced man [Eve, then Adam] to sin. And havjng thus SUCCEEDED THUS FAR, he declared that God’s unjust restrictions had led to MAN’S FALL, as they had led to his own rebellion [in heaven].” – End extract.
NOTE: Satan is also identified in the end as “the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Rev. 12: 10.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.