We must never, however, presume upon the Father's love and patience. When the fullness of time comes, when the last overcomer has laid down his life that God's perfect will may be done in the earth, the righteous angels shall be commissioned to cast down Satan and his followers from the heavenlies.

Then there will be singing and dancing in the heavenlies because the mouth of the accusers of the brothers has been stopped. But woe to the sinners and hypocrites in that day! The wrath of God that has been contained since it came into Satan's mind to set his will against the will of God shall be poured out without mixture. Only those who are under the protection of the blood of the Lamb, Christ, will be spared the terrible Divine wrath.

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:10,11)

Those who worship the Beast and his image include people who, while they may participate in some aspects of Christianity, insist on maintaining their own independence of thought and action. They are self-ruled people. Like Antichrist, they are their own God.

The rebellion in Heaven took place in ages past. But all that is in Satan's personality and the consequences of what is in his personality have not as yet been revealed fully.

The ruling spirits of the heavens that followed Satan into the assertion of their own wills, resulting in the array of abominable behaviors that we see today, were at one time valued members of the family of God. Satan was perfect in all his ways.

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (Ezekiel 28:14,15)

"You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created."

The "iniquity" that was found in Satan and proved to be his downfall was the assertion of his will, his independence of thought and action, his desire to be like God but not part of God.

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13,14)

To be continued.