Equal With the Father

[Daily Devotional]

Equal With the Father 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Phil. 2:5, 6. 

Lucifer in heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next
in honor to God's dear Son. His countenance, like those of the other angels,
was mild and expressive of happiness. His forehead was high and broad,
showing a powerful intellect. His form was perfect; his bearing noble and
majestic. A special light beamed in his countenance and shone around him
brighter and more beautiful than around the other angels; yet Christ, God's
dear Son, had the preeminence over all the angelic host. He was one with the
Father before the angels were created. Lucifer was envious of Christ, and
gradually assumed command which devolved on Christ alone. 

The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that He might in the presence
of all the angels confer special honor upon His Son. The Son was seated on
the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was
gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by
Himself that Christ, His Son, should be equal with Himself; so that wherever
was the presence of His Son, it was as His own presence. The word of the Son
was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son He had
invested with authority to command the heavenly host. Especially was His Son
to work in union with Himself in the anticipated creation of the earth and
every living thing that should exist upon the earth. His Son would carry out
His will and His purposes but would do nothing of Himself alone. The
Father's will would be fulfilled in Him. 

Lucifer was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ. Yet when all the angels
bowed to Jesus to acknowledge His supremacy and high authority and rightful
rule, he bowed with them; but his heart was filled with envy and hatred. . .
. 

Angels that were loyal and true sought to reconcile this mighty, rebellious
angel to the will of his Creator. They justified the act of God in
conferring honor upon Christ, and with forcible reasoning sought to convince
Lucifer that no less honor was his now than before the Father had proclaimed
the honor which He had conferred upon His Son. They clearly set forth that
Christ was the Son of God, existing with Him before the angels were created;
and that He had ever stood at the right hand of God, and His mild, loving
authority had not heretofore been questioned; and that He had given no
commands but what it was joy for the heavenly host to execute. They urged
that Christ's receiving special honor from the Father, in the presence of
the angels, did not detract from the honor that Lucifer had heretofore
received. The angels wept. They anxiously sought to move him to renounce his
wicked design and yield submission to their Creator; for all had heretofore
been peace and harmony. . . . Lucifer refused to listen (The Story of
Redemption, pp. 13-16). 

>From Lift Him Up - Page 18