"It was God's purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of Heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system and government. He had claimed that these were superior to God's principles. Time was given for the working of Satan's principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe.
"Satan led men into sin, and the plan of redemption was put in operation. For four thousand years, Christ was working for man's uplifting, and Satan for his ruin and degradation. And the heavenly universe beheld it all.
"Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion." D.A.759,758.
What the angels and the unfallen worlds understood at the cross is little understood by mankind. That explains why time has elapsed. During the loud cry the earth will be lightened with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Then the end of probation will come!
This light was to shine ater 1844 but because of unbelief the work was delayed. G.C.457,458. Again in 1888 there came another opportunity and again in 1901, but the beginning of that light which was to lighten the earth with its glory was resisted by the action of our own brethren (1 S.M.234,235) and kept away from the world in a large degree! T.M.96,97.
So time has continued. But a time is coming, and it may be even now, for the light to shine and the earth will be lightened with the knowledge of the goodness and mercy of God and Satan's principles will be exposed for what they really are!
God will have an army of believers who will be as fair as the moon and as bright as the sun! "The whole earth, wrapped as it is in the darkness of sins, and sorrow, and pain, is to be lighted with the knowledge of God's love. From no sect, rank, or class of people is the light shining from heaven's throne to be excluded." C.O.L.418.
"The wealth of His mercy, His love, His grace, is to appear in full and final display." T.M.18.
"The divine fullness will flow from the consecrated human agent, to be given forth to others... The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity will bring Heaven so near to men that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Savior dwells. Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. And in currents of praise and thanksgiving, from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow back to the great Giver." C.O.L.420.
[ January 28, 2002: Message edited by: adventbeliever ]