Rebellion

By Kim Larsen

We have been born into a world of rebellion. The definition of rebellion is the action or process of resisting authority, control or convention. I see it rising up in small children, they really don’t know why they rebel, it really doesn’t seem to matter that the reason has no significance. They want to do the exact opposite of what I have asked them to do! What awful feelings it produces and for why? I can remember having the same problem when I was young. I wanted to do things by myself, make my own decisions. Well, I made some decisions against my parents’ wishes and because of those choices, I have to suffer the consequence. They didn’t force my will, they knew it wouldn’t do any good. Isn’t that the way our Heavenly Father is? He gives us free will and because of that gift, he let’s us go our own way, in rebellion knowing that we will finally get it someday, when we are living with our mess that we have created.

God has handled the rebellion the same way every time. God does not change. Let’s take a look at the very first rebellion. Isaiah 14:12-14, “How you are fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.” Rebellion against God’s law and trying to usurp God’s power led Satan to leave his exalted position in Heaven, next to the throne. God could have destroyed Satan, but He did not. He could not allow him to remain in his position any longer. Satan CHOSE to rebel. He CHOSE to leave his position. God in his mercy has allowed him to carry his rebellion to this planet waiting until his true character will be realized not only by human beings but also by his fellow angels who loved him.

Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority.

We see rebellion again in Genesis 4 with Cain which led to the murder of his brother Abel. Again God in his mercy allowed Cain to choose, and live with his decision.  It may have been easier for Cain to be killed then to have to live with his guilt. We know that it didn’t end there. It has continued even until our day. We see other examples as well. Each time God withdraws from the presence of the individual and allows them to suffer the consequences of their actions. We see the very same thing in our lives don’t we? It pains us to watch our kids make mistakes, knowing from our own experience that those decisions will lead to lifelong pain and suffering. But we can’t intervene, it’s the only way that they will learn the lesson that is intended. God is the same way. Ultimately, we begin to understand and hopefully have an aha moment when we finally get it, and we turn to God and repent for our rebellion. He loves us with an everlasting love. His reassuring presence is there to comfort us when we come back to Him in sweet surrender. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever!