The Universal Problem

The universal problem, the problem of the angels and of mankind, is that of will. God has made angels and men with wills, with the ability to make choices, with the capacity for personal ambition and direction.

Christians have assumed there will be no self-will or sin in Heaven or in the ages of eternity that follow the Church Age because angels and people cannot rebel any more.

There is no scriptural basis for this assumption.

The truth is, rebellion originated in Heaven. The reason there will be no sin in Heaven or in the ages to come is that Christ, Head and Body, will enforce righteousness, holiness, and obedience to God. Angels and people always will retain the ability to rebel against God and His laws.

In order for sin and rebellion to be impossible God would have to remove from the heavenly creatures and from man the power of choice. If God did this His creatures would be different in kind from what they are.

The reason there is a huge wall surrounding the new Jerusalem is to prevent rebellion and wickedness from entering the Paradise of God.

God trains us and deals with us as He does so we will not sin in the future. We always shall be able to choose to disobey God. Our guarantee that we shall not disobey God is not that God will remove our power of choice but that Christ is dwelling in us and His Nature is free from disobedience. If we are saved and yet are so weak we cannot be trusted not to rebel against the Father, being taken captive by Satan at his pleasure, we will be governed by victorious saints who can be trusted.

The origin of the problem. The problem began in Heaven.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

"I will ascend into heaven."

"I will exalt my throne above the stars of God."

"I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north."

"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds."

"I will be like the most High."

I will! I will! I will! I will; I will! Sickening! Disgusting! The cause of six thousand years of insanity, agony, frustration, violence, perversion, destruction, ruin, death.

I will elevate myself in the spirit realm (Heaven).

I will raise my authority and power over all the other sons of God.

I will reign over the congregation of Zion in the sides of the north. (But God has made His choice as to who shall rule in Mount Zion—Christ and His saints.)

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (Psalms 48:2)

I will elevate myself in the material realm (above the heights of the clouds).

I will be an imitation, a usurper of God.

To be continued.