Holy angels often visited the garden, and gave instruction to
Adam and Eve concerning their employment and also taught them
concerning the rebellion and fall of Satan. The angels warned
them of Satan and cautioned them not to separate from each other
in their employment, for they might be brought in contact with
this fallen foe. The angels also enjoined upon them to follow
closely the directions God had given them, for in perfect obedience
only were they safe. Then this fallen foe could have no power
over them.
Satan commenced his work with Eve, to cause her to disobey. She
first erred in wandering from her husband, next in lingering around
the forbidden tree, and next in listening to the voice of the
tempter, and even daring to doubt what God had said, "In
the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
She thought that perhaps the Lord did not mean just what He said,
and venturing, she put forth her hand, took of the fruit and ate.
It was pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the taste. Then she
was jealous that God had withheld from them what was really for
their good, and she offered the fruit to her husband, thereby
tempting him. She related to Adam all that the serpent had said
and expressed her astonishment that he had the power of speech.
I saw a sadness come over Adam's countenance. He appeared afraid
and astonished. A struggle seemed to be going on in his mind.
He felt sure that this was the foe against whom they had been
warned, and that his wife must die. They must be separated. His
love for Eve was strong, and in utter discouragement he resolved
to share her fate. He seized the fruit and quickly ate it. Then
Satan exulted. He had rebelled in heaven, and had gained sympathizers
who loved him and followed him in his rebellion. He had fallen
and caused others to fall with him. And he had now tempted the
woman to distrust God, to inquire into His wisdom, and to seek
to penetrate His all-wise plans. Satan knew that the woman would
not fall alone. Adam, through his love for Eve, disobeyed the
command of God, and fell with her.
The news of man's fall spread through heaven. Every harp was hushed.
The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow. All heaven
was in agitation. A council was held to decide what must be done
with the guilty pair. The angels feared that they would put forth
the hand, and eat of the tree of life, and become immortal sinners.
But God said that He would drive the transgressors from the garden.
Angels were immediately commissioned to guard the way of the tree
of life. It had been Satan's studied plan that Adam and Eve should
disobey God, receive His frown, and then partake of the tree of
life, that they might live forever in sin and disobedience, and
thus sin be immortalized. But holy angels were sent to drive them
out of the garden, and to bar their way to the tree of life. Each
of these mighty angels had in his right hand something which had
the appearance of a glittering sword.
Then Satan triumphed. He had made others suffer by his fall. He
had been shut out of heaven, they out of Paradise. -