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12 Minutes Hebrews 11:3 It was in order that the heavenly universe might see the conditions of the covenant of redemption that Christ bore the penalty on behalf of the human race...By the sacrifice Christ was about to make, all doubts would be forever settled, and the human race would be saved if they would return to their allegiance. Christ alone could restore honor to God’s government. The cross of Calvary would be looked upon by unfallen worlds, by the heavenly universe, by Satanic agencies, by the fallen race, and every mouth would be stopped...Who witnessed these scenes? Of Christ’s crucifixion—The heavenly universe, God the Father, Satan and his angels...Satan’s charge in regard to the conflicting attributes of justice and mercy was forever settled beyond question. Every voice in heaven and out of heaven will one day testify to the justice, mercy, and love of God. The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God. The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. All heaven triumphed in the Saviour’s victory. Satan was defeated and knew that his kingdom was lost. To the angels and the unfallen worlds the cry, “It is finished,” had a deep significance. It was for them as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished. They with us share the fruits of Christ’s victory. Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or the unfallen worlds... They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion... All heaven and the unfallen worlds had been witnesses to the controversy. With what intense interest did they follow the closing scenes of the conflict...Heaven viewed with grief and amazement Christ hanging upon the cross... Well, then, might the angels rejoice as they looked upon the Saviour’s cross; for though they did not then understand all, they knew that the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain, that the redemption of man was assured, and that the universe was made eternally secure. Through the plan of salvation, a larger purpose is to be wrought out even than the salvation of man and the redemption of the earth. Through the revelation of the character of God in Christ, the beneficence of the divine government would be manifested before the universe, the charge of Satan refuted, the nature and result of sin made plain, and the perpetuity of the law fully demonstrated. The angelic host who watched the scenes in the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ, knew that it was Satan who entered into Judas and led him to betray Christ into the hands of the murderous mob; they knew, too, that it was he who impelled the throng to cry out, “Crucify him; crucify him;” and “release unto us Barabbas.” Satan has now revealed his true character as a liar and a murderer. It is seen that the very same spirit with which he ruled the children of men who were under his power, he would manifest if permitted to control the intelligencies of heaven. The question is settled in all the worlds that there is no place for him in their dominions.... Now that the issue is determined, all are free to express their indignation at Satan’s rebellion; and with one voice unite in extolling the divine administration. But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. To this result of His great sacrifice--its influence upon the intelligencies of other worlds, as well as upon man--the Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said: “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me.” John 12:31, 32. The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin. The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; the science that is the study of the angels and of all the intelligencies of the unfallen worlds; the science that engages the attention of our Lord and Saviour; the science that enters into the purpose brooding in the mind of the Infinite—‘kept in silence through times eternal’ (Romans 16:25); the science that will be the study of God’s redeemed throughout endless ages. This is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no other study can, it will quicken the mind and uplift the soul. That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels...The heavenly intelligencies were prepared for a fearful manifestation of Almighty power. Every move was watched with intense anxiety. The exercise of justice was expected. The angels looked for God to punish inhabitants of the earth... The heavenly universe was amazed at God’s patience and love... To save fallen humanity, the Son of God took humanity upon Himself...All who comprehend the spirituality of the law, all who realize its power as a detector of sin, are in just as helpless a condition as is Satan himself, unless they accept the atonement provided for them in the remedial sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is our atonement—at-one-ment - with God. It was not alone His betrayal in the garden or His agony upon the cross that constituted the atonement. The humiliation of which His poverty formed a part, was included in His great sacrifice. The whole series of sorrows which compassed humanity, Christ bore upon His divine soul. Many seem to have the idea that this world and the heavenly mansions constitute the entire universe of God. Not so. God has worlds upon worlds that are obedient to His law. These worlds are conducted with reference to the glory of the Creator. As the inhabitants of these worlds see the great price that has been paid to ransom man, they are filled with amazement. These endured the test of obedience. They are noble, majestic, and lovely. They bear the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beam with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. The work of God's dear Son in undertaking to link the created with the Uncreated, the finite with the Infinite, in His own divine person, is a subject that may well employ our thoughts for a lifetime. This work of Christ was to confirm the beings of other worlds in their innocency and loyalty, as well as to save the lost and perishing of this world. He opened a way for the disobedient to return to their allegiance to God, while by the same act He placed a safeguard around those who were already pure, that they might not become polluted. I Corinthians 4:9 “Spectacle”, Greek meaning, “theatron”, “a show”; the English word theatre is derived from theatron. The word refers to the thing exhibited. God’s servants who witness faithfully for Him become centers of interest for the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds and the heavenly beings. This whole world of ours is a stage on which the conflict between sin and righteousness, truth and error, is being carried on before an intensely interested audience composed of inhabitants of the universe. Now the roles, not referencing the writer, producer, or director: the audience is the unfallen beings, the eyes focused upon us; the stagehands, those who help or hinder through the manipulation of light, sound, positioning, veiling, queing; and the actors, the inhabitants of earth. For those who stand with Christ, our language must be mild and circumspect, for our holy faith requires us to represent Christ to the world. As we abide in Christ, we will manifest the kind, forgiving courtesy that characterized his life. Our works will be works of piety, equity, and purity. We will have the meekness of wisdom and will exercise the gift of the grace of Jesus. We will be willing and ready to forgive, earnestly seeking to be at peace with our brethren. We will represent that spirit which we desire to be exercised toward ourselves by our Heavenly Father. The enemy has been at work seeking to control the thoughts and affections of many who claim to be led by the Spirit of truth. Many cherish unkind thoughts, envyings, evil surmisings, and pride - and manifest a fierce spirit that leads them to do works like those of the evil one. They have a love of authority, a desire for pre-eminence, a longing for a high reputation, a disposition to censure and revile others, and they wrap about themselves the garment of hypocrisy, calling their unsanctified ambition zeal for the truth. It is no time to be ashamed of our faith. We are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. The whole universe is looking with inexpressible interest to see the closing work of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. At such a time as this, just as the great work of judging the living is to begin, shall we allow unsanctified ambition to take possession of the heart? What can be of any worth to us now except to be found loyal and true to the God of heaven? What is there of any real value in this world when we are on the very borders of the eternal world? What education can we give that is so necessary as a knowledge of "What saith the Scripture"? Christ's identity with man will ever be the power of His influence. He became bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh…He clothed His divine nature with the garb of humanity, and demonstrated before the heavenly universe, before the unfallen worlds, and before the fallen world how much God loves the human race. Hebrews 1:2