God is creator, the great planner of the universe. He brought his plan to a triumphant conclusion when he saw everything that he had made and pronounced it good. God made man and woman a “them;” “male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:27–28). So God has given to men and women the ability to procreate new beings in his image, little humans with bodies and minds.

Man: The Image of God by John Rendle Short, Answers in Genesis Magazine

“Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good!” (Genesis 1:31). Thus, the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was made exactly how God desired. As explained in part 4 (Skimming the Peaks: Creation to Christ), God gave Lucifer the highest-ranking position over all angelic beings and God gave Adam a unique role as His representative on the earth.

In the middle of the beautiful garden God planted two very important trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God wanted Adam to enjoy everything that was good. Adam was dependent upon God to lead and guide him in everything. God clearly instructed Adam concerning the trees in the garden, so he knew what he must not do, or he would surely die.

God clearly instructs us, as well, through the written Word, the Bible.

In all the endless varieties of trees that God planted only of one tree Adam was not to eat. It was Adam’s choice to obey or disobey. If he chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it would be Adam choosing to live independent of God and the result would be death and separation from God forever (Genesis 2:17).

The Bible tells us that Lucifer became very proud of his beauty, intelligence, and position and wanted to be like God. “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn . . . You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit . . . I will ascend . . . I will make myself like the Most High,’” (Isaiah 14:12-14, NASB). “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; . . . You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created, Until unrighteousness was found in you. . .. And you sinned . . . Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor” (Ezekiel 28:14-17).

Lucifer fell from perfection and his desires were evil (evil is anything that is different from what God wants or agrees with).

The question is, “if Lucifer was created perfect, how could he rebel?” The Bible gives many examples of the fact that God allows choices to be made regarding our obedience. Lucifer repeatedly said – “I Will” (Isaiah 14:13&14). His rebellion was an act of the will, a conscious choice.

God does not “program” His created beings like robots but allows them to make meaningful choices to obey or to disobey.

Many of God’s angels followed Lucifer, their Leader in rebelling against God (Matthew 25:41; Luke 8:30; Ephesians 6:12; II Peter 2:4).

Nothing surprises God. He knew what Lucifer and his evil companions were thinking and planning. He knew that Lucifer became proud and wanted to take the throne in overthrowing Him (Hebrews 4:13).

God knows everything; nothing can be kept secret from Him.  God is everywhere present. God sees everything.  Thus, God removed Lucifer and his followers from their position as God’s servants. No one can take God’s place; He is the only true God.

Lucifer is now called Satan; He fights against God and His will. Satan is a liar and a deceiver (John 8:44). He hates man (I Peter 5:8; II Corinthians 2:11; Revelation 12:9-10).

Satan retaliated by tempting Eve in the garden with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and consequently, Eve fell to the methods of Satan, and Adam disobeyed by eating the fruit.

But God . . .