God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power.

Gud kunne have tilintetgjort Satan og hans medskyldige lige så let, som man kaster en sten til jorden; men han gjorde det ikke. Oprør skulle ikke overvindes ved magt. Tvangsforanstaltninger finder man kun under Satans herredømme. Herrens fremgangsmåde er ikke af denne art. Hans myndighed støtter sig til godhed, barmhjertighed og kærlighed, og forkyndelsen af disse grundregler er det rette middel at bruge. Guds herredømme er åndeligt, og sandhed og kærlighed skal være drivkraften deri.