The Rebellion Against God’s Law Began in Heaven

The rebellion against God’s law was begun by Satan in heaven. By this rebellion sin was brought into existence. There is only one definition of sin. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’  — {17LtMs, Ms 1, 1902, par. 1}

Vital interests were at stake in the worlds that God had created. Would these supposed defects be made so apparent that the inhabitants of the heavenly universe would be justified in claiming that the law could be improved? Would Satan succeed in undermining their confidence in the law?  — {17LtMs, Ms 1, 1902, par. 3} 

Not the smallest jot or tittle of the law has ever been given over to Satan, to be manipulated according to his fancy. If this could have been done, it would have been when the matter was first agitated in the heavenly courts. But there the first intimation of a change in God’s law was met by a decided No. This led to a battle in heaven, and Satan, next to Christ the most exalted being in the heavenly courts, was overcome, and with his sympathizers cast out of heaven.  — {RH August 9, 1898, par. 7}; 1898}  

He, [Satan] the originator of sin, worked with all his deceptive powers and satanic subtlety to become equal with God in heaven, as the Son of God was. Then, he thought, he could sway the heavenly angels as he desired. This specious, deceptive work was carried on secretly. The archdeceiver himself concealed his identity, so far as was possible, and the Lord permitted this rebellion to develop before anything was done to save the angelic host from apostasy.  — {18LtMs, Lt 271a, 1903, par. 7}

It was the highest crime to rebel against the government of God. All heaven seemed in commotion. The angels were marshaled in companies, each division with a higher commanding angel at their head. Satan was warring against the law of God, because ambitious to exalt himself, and unwilling to submit to the authority of God's Son, heaven's great commander. — {ST January 9, 1879, par. 8} (SR 17.2) (1SP 22.1)

They (holy angels) told Adam and Eve that the most exalted angel, next in order to Christ, refused obedience to the law of God which he had ordained to govern heavenly beings; that this rebellion had caused war in Heaven which resulted in the rebellious being expelled therefrom, and every angel was driven out of Heaven who united with him in questioning the authority of the great Jehovah; and that this fallen foe was now an enemy to all that concerned the interest of God and his dear Son. — {1SP 33, 34} — {SR 30, 1870}

The question is asked, How is the existence of sin reconcilable with the government of a wise, merciful, and omnipotent God? Why was sin permitted to enter heaven? Why was it permitted to take up its abode on the earth to cause discord and suffering? — {RH June 4, 1901, par. 1}

It certainly was not God's purpose that man should be sinful. He made Adam pure and noble, with no tendency to evil. He placed him in Eden, where he had every inducement to remain loyal and obedient. The law was placed around him as a safeguard. — {RH June 4, 1901, par. 2}

Evil originated with the rebellion of Lucifer. It was brought into heaven when he refused allegiance to God's law. Satan was the first lawbreaker. — {RH June 4, 1901, par. 3}

The fact that God had to give his only begotten Son to die for a race condemned by the law, is sufficient to prove that the law could not be altered one jot or tittle.  — {RH July 24, 1888, par. 7}

Lucifer ... sought to abolish the law of God. He claimed that the unfallen intelligences of holy heaven had no need of law, but were capable of governing themselves and of preserving unspotted integrity. — {ST, April 28, 1890}