Lesson 3.

Mutiny in Heaven

Today’s
Inspiration
“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the
dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was defeated, and
there was no longer any place for them in heaven.”

Revelation 12:7, 8 ESV

Looking Forward
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
 Recognize that Lucifer and his followers declared war on God, did not prevail, and were expelled from
heaven.
 Understand why God permitted Satan to live and demonstrate his form of government.

The
CAUSE AND EFFECT

Write what is the possible effect of the cause and then explain why the outcome.
If there is…
a) Pride
Effect:_____________________________________________________________________________
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b) zWar
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c) Love
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d) God
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Guide Questions:

a. What have observed about the results of the negative words?

b. How could we learn to love and have God in us?

Every cause has some good and bad effects. If we love, we find peace and joy. But if we put self, we
find separation, anger, and conflicts. When Lucifer chose self over God’s love, you can imagine how
destructive the results are. Today’s pain, sorrows, and problems are the results of Satan’s rebellion, but
even though it is true today, God never stopped reaching out to us.
In this lesson, we will continue to learn what had happened in the great conflict in
heaven. Lessons of humbleness and pride will be our focus.

Adapted From: Mountain View College page 1|5

 The Journey

followers by lying to them that he knew God’s lawGOD’S

and if they
LOVE would return to God, God will stripped them
DENIED
off from their ranks. God loved Lucifer and all those who followed him.
Satan won the hearts of many angels, especially those
Many in times,
the higher
did ranks.
God askedWith Lucifer
the fear to
of change
losing their honor,
his ways
degraded in their ranks, and humiliation in front ofand
other angels, they stood with Satan. Ellen G.
so to his followers. But Lucifer’s pride prevailed. White wrote,
He
“When Satan succeeded in winning many angels to his side, he took his cause to God, representing that it was
denied God’s offer of forgiveness. It us by humbling
the desire of the angels that he occupy the position that Christ held” (Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 222). Satan
ourselves and by admitting our mistakes that we truly
wanted the position of Michael. But God, in His love, explained to Lucifer that he is a created being and
Michael was their Creator. However, Lucifer refused.submitted our will to God. Yet, Lucifer did not want to
THE “STAR WARS” submit, but wanted to omit his love for God for his love
As Lucifer and his followers proved that of himself.
their cause isNow, Godthey
correct, cannot do anything
started to accuse more for angels
the loyal
Lucifer. Lucifer’s firm decision to oppose
as foolish angels. He blamed them in the dividing conflicts of heaven. He convinced them that he would God is his get
choice. God will never force Lucifer, for
them to other worlds if they would follow him. With him as their commander, he would restore order and if God force
grant them true freedom. The revolt now is out of Lucifer, it is nostarted
hand. Many longertolove but selfishness.
question God pleaded
God’s character. So,
with Lucifer with every possible way
God acted to the matter. “All the heavenly host were summoned to appear before the Father, to have to win him back,
each case determined” (The Story of Redemption, but p.
without avail.that,
18). After Lucifer, now become
God knew Satan. were to
that if Lucifer
God’shost.
stay in heaven it will cost trouble to all the heavenly loyalAndangels
so, also
Godcame
madetotheLucifer to plead
declaration thatwith
him and convince him that he is wrong.
Lucifer and his followers will have no more place in heaven. But Lucifer challenged God’s authority. With love, these
He is making a statement that he is ready to make war
loyal with God.
angels, cameAnd so, there
to each was war
of Lucifer’s in heaven
followers and tell
(Revelation 12:7). them that God loves them and that God is willing to
There were no records as to how they fought with each other.
forgive There
all their wrongs wereif no
onlylaser
theyswords
wouldorcomelasertoguns
God
used in this battle. But for sure, there was war in the heavens. Ultimately, Michael and His angels
and admit their mistakes. Almost, they were convinced.
prevailed against the armies of Satan. They were defeated in the battle and they were cast down to earth.
This lost became the tool of Satan in his lies, thatBut Satan,
they wereknown as Lucifer
cast down because before,
God wasoncea again
tyrant-God.
prevailed
He continues deceive many so God’s character will be broken. in the hearts of his

Adapted From: Mountain View College page 2|5

THE EFFECTS OF BATTLE
Once the battle ended in heaven, just like the time after the storm, there was peace. The feeling of relief
started to flow in the loyal angels’ hearts, but sadness came over them too. Losing their friends in heaven,
brought them to sorrow. It was the first time the joyful host of heaven felt grief in their hearts.
The pen of inspiration said after the lost of Satan, “Satan stood in amazement at his new condition. His
happiness was gone. He looked upon the angels who, with him, were once so happy…Now all seemed
changed” (The Story of Redemption, p. 24). Now, Satan and his followers realized their mistakes. They
were no longer happy and they are at a lost.
Lucifer himself, was sorry of his mistakes. The consequences were too much for him to carry yet he did not
regret from his rebellion against God. Tearfully, God the Son explained to him that it was too late to return.
He and his followers had learned the incurable lesson of rebellion against the unchangeable law of God.
They could not be trusted to submit their wills to authority of God. Heaven must not be put in danger with
their evil schemes. With this, Satan began to be very angry with God that he positioned himself in the gates
of heaven and insulting all the angels who would pass by the gate. He would make them share his misery.
WHY
v DIDN’T GOD WIPED SATAN IMMEDIATELY?
This is our question. Because if Satan were to die, the human race would not fell to sinning. God can
destroy Satan and his followers immediately but why didn’t He do it? When Satan accused God as an
unfair and unloving God, many of the host in heaven questioned God’s character. Whether Satan’s words
were true or not, it is God who can give the right answer.
God is a God of love. If He were to destroy Satan and his host, then Satan’s accusations will be correct.
This will lead to the host of God’s creation to serve God not in love but in fear. God let Satan live so that,
we and all the host of heaven, will understand that what Satan is telling us about God is a lie. When the
host of heaven have these questions in their minds, God wanted to show them that He is not what Satan is
telling them.
In Jesus’ sacrifice here on earth, He was able to demonstrate what God is really liked. Even us, who chose
to rebel against God by our choice to sin, God is still willing to save us from the hands of Satan
unconditionally. That is how God is love. Time will reveal that Satan’s words are lies. Time will reveal that
Satan is wrong. Time will reveal God’s true character of love. Time will tell that we should rejoice in
serving God.

Apply the concepts by doing Activity 1.

Adapted From: Mountain View College page 3|5

 Deeper Look

ACTIVITY #1: SATAN’S FALL

1. The Son and His loyal angels won the battle in heaven. Lucifer, with his follower, was abolished. Find
two pictures the Bible uses to describe Satan’s fall. Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9.
a.
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b.
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2. In Revelation12:4, the “dragon” represents Satan, and the “stars” represent the angels who followed
him. Read this verse to find the number of angels who chose Satan’s side. This large number of angels
obviously made a disastrous mistake in choosing to give their loyalty to Satan. When we have
something important to decide, what can we do to make sure our decision is the right one? Read the
following verses and list four steps in making a right choice.

a. Step ONE – 1 Kings 22:5

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b. Step TWO – Psalm 119:24

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c. Step THREE – Proverbs 1:8

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d. Step Four – Proverbs 20:18a (the “a” means the earlier part of the text)
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3. Satan wanted to exalt himself and become like God in power and authority.

a. What happened to him instead? Isaiah 14:12

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b. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. At one point in time, Satan and
his followers could have confessed and been forgiven. What might have happened if they had done so
before it was too late?
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Adapted From: Mountain View College page 4|5

 4. God gave Lucifer many opportunities to confess his sin and repent. But he refused and rebelled
against God’s authority over him.

a. What is rebellion? Use a dictionary to help you define it.

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b. What should our attitude as Christians be toward authority? Romans 13:1-3.

___________________________________________________________________________________
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5. Why was there no plan of salvation for Satan and his followers? Refer to the story of our lesson and
the following quotation to help you answer this question.

“Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God’s glory. To him as to no other created being was given
a revelation of God’s love. Understanding the character of God, knowing His goodness, Satan chose to
follow his own selfish, independent will. This choice was final. There was no more that God could do to
save him” (The Desire of Ages, pp. 761, 762).
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BOOSTERS

THE
FOLLOW
ERS OF
LOVE
As the
God of
Love,
those who
would like
to follow
God
should
learn how
to love.
Again,
love is not
focus on

Adapted From: Mountain View College page 5|5