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Commentary on "Jealousy"
Day 7: Friday, March 4, 2011 - Further Study
Overview
The core of today’s lesson is centered the writings of Ellen White taken from Early Writings, p. 145 and Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 650. While there is much that could be said in response to the lesson discussion questions, we will restrict our commentary to the written statements of Ellen White.
Each of the headings in our commentary for today is an extract taken from these two lesson quotes.
Observations
Statement that contradict scripture or are simply not stated in the bible:
”Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Christ”
According to John 1:1-3 “all things” were made by Jesus and that he always existed from the beginning of time and is why he rightfully declares himself as the “Alpha and the Omega” in Rev. 1:8. Satan, along with all the other angels, both good and bad, were created beings. Therefore, Satan could never have been or hope to have been equal with Jesus. Since Jesus always existed it is heresy to suggest that he was ever a co-equal on the same level as someone who was created.
”His forehead was high and broad, showing great intelligence.”
Satan is the chief of the evil spirits or demons which means he inhabits a spiritual realm, not the physical. That is why evil spirits are called ‘spirits’. As such, he is without physical form or attributes. Therefore, it is pure nonsense to attribute his intelligence to physical form he does not naturally possess. Such a statement as this exposes Ellen’s acceptance of the precepts of the nineteenth century notion of phrenology.
“But when God said to His Son, ‘Let us make man in our image,’ Satan was jealous of Jesus.”
The creation account found in Genesis does not detail conditions or sequence of events relating to creation of the angelic beings. We only know that all things were created by Jesus. This quote is more extra-biblical speculation of what the bible does not say.
“One great defect in the character of Saul was his love of approbation.”
No, this is not true. Saul’s one great defect was that he simply could not bring himself to believe and obey God. See 1 Samuel chapter 15.
Summary
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Official Adventist Resources
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