Gospel Reflections #265: God Respects our Free Will

Revelation 12:7 "Now a battle took place in heaven. Michael and his messengers challenged the dragon to battle. And the dragon and his angels returned the fight."

Why was there a battle in heaven?  Who started the battle?

Lucifer, the chief of the angels, determined to be the first equal with God, began a rebellious work among the angels under his charge to spread the spirit of his discontent among them.

Since those who break the heavenly order and oppose God's law are those who are far from God, the end result will be that they will not live in the same place.

Lucifer and those who followed him were consequently cast out of heaven.

God did not wage war with Lucifer and win, but respected Lucifer's free will.

God does not curse or punish those who choose to leave Him, but only reaps the consequences of our choice to leave Him.

God gave Lucifer many chances to repent, but he never accepted them.

Satan is "the adversary.

Lucifer, the chief of the angels, came to be called Satan as "the adversary of God.

Nevertheless, God prepared a period of opportunity for Satan to turn until Jesus' death on the cross.

We, too, may rebel against God or disobey Him, but God does not require us not to do so, but He leads us to turn around whenever we realize that we have turned away from Him.

There are no small or large sins. No matter how big or small the sin, it is no substitute for separation from God.

God does not stop at our sins, but waits at our turning toward Him.

He is waiting for us to return to Him of our own volition.

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.