At first he was exhilarated. True, he had lost the latest battle and had been cast out of heaven, but now Lucifer had his own kingdom with more than one third of the heavenly angels under his direct control. Surely with this kind of a beginning he would soon be able to regroup and make another attack-and the next battle might end in his favor.

But before long the problems in his government began to manifest themselves. There was no unity in the ranks. Now that direct conflict with the Son of God had ended, the fallen angels began scrapping among themselves. Their constant bickering was a source of discomfort even for Satan!

But an even deeper conflict was going on in his heart. Satan was lonely. He felt it most keenly at the hour when the heavenly choirs would be leading out in praising God. He used to be the leader of those choirs. And the awfulness of the choice he had made began to make itself felt. He looked ahead to a future that was blacker than anything he could ever have imagined.

The book The Story of Redemption gives this description:

“Satan trembled as he viewed his work. He was alone in meditation upon the past, the present, and his future plans. His mighty frame shook as with a tempest. An angel from heaven was passing. He called him and entreated an interview with Christ. This was granted him. He then related to the Son of God that he repented of his rebellion and wished again the favor of God… . Christ wept at Satan’s woe but told him, as the mind of God, that he could never be received into heaven. Heaven must not be placed in jeopardy. All heaven would be marred should he be received back, for sin and rebellion originated with him. The seeds of rebellion were still within him.” - Page 26.

Satan went forth from this interview with Christ with the determination to try another ploy. He determined to bring about the fall of mankind. This would accomplish what he had failed to accomplish by other methods. Satan’s first charges against God had questioned His justice. Now he would have a test case to prove his point.

If mankind sinned, this would prove that the law of God was unjust and could not be obeyed. At the very least, Satan could then take over the rulership of Earth. But if God should offer some plan to restore mankind to Heaven’s favor, then Satan would have the opportunity he was really after-a chance to be reinstated himself. For if God could allow mankind another chance, it would be only fair for Satan to receive another opportunity as well.

But the mind of God already held provision for just such an emergency. From eternity a plan had existed to accomplish both the recovery of fallen mankind and the vindication of God from Satan’s charges.

Through the death of Christ on the cross, God

“might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:26.

The sacrifice of Christ in our behalf enabled God to maintain both justice and forgiveness. The cross revealed God’s justice, while at the same time it provided a method by which man could be forgiven without destroying God’s justice.

For Satan, who had sinned deliberately in the full light and knowledge of the love of God, no greater manifestation of that love was possible to change his rebellious heart. But to mankind, deceived and confused, God could offer another chance. For those who were willing to accept it, the love and justice and mercy of God revealed in the death of Christ would make a difference. For those who are willing to accept it, a way of salvation has been provided.