The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and prostrating themselves before Him, poured out their love and adoration. Lucifer bowed with them, but in his heart there was 37 a strange, fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy and jealousy. The influence of the holy angels seemed for a time to carry him with them. As songs of praise ascended in melodious strains, swelled by thousands of glad voices, the spirit of evil seemed vanquished; unutterable love thrilled his entire being; his soul went out, in harmony with the sinless worshippers, in love to the Father and the Son. But again he was filled with pride in his own glory. His desire for supremacy returned, and envy of Christ was once more indulged. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as God's special gift, and therefore, called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He glorified in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God. He was beloved and reverenced by the heavenly host, angels delighted to execute his commands, and he was clothed with wisdom and glory above them all. Yet the Son of God was exalted above him, as one in power and authority with the Father. He shared the Father's counsels, while Lucifer did not thus enter into the purposes of God. "Why," questioned this mighty angel, "should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He honored above Lucifer?"

Lucifer forlod sin plads i Faderens umiddelbare nærhed og begyndte at sprede en utilfredshedens ånd blandt englene. Han arbejdede i dybeste hemmelighed og skjulte for en tid sin virkelige hensigt bag en tilsyneladende ærbødighed for Gud. Han begyndte at vække tvivl med hensyn til de love, der gjaldt for de himmelske væsener, og antydede, at mens disse love måske nok kunne være nødvendige for klodernes beboere, så behøvede englene, der jo var mere ophøjede væsener, ikke sådanne bånd, for deres egen visdom var tilstrækkelig vejledning for dem. De var ikke væsener, der kunne bringe Gud vanære; alle deres tanker var hellige; de havde ikke større mulighed for at fejle end Gud selv. Guds Søns ophøjelse til ligestilling med Faderen fremstilledes som en uretfærdighed mod Lucifer, der påstod, at han også var berettiget til ærbødighed og ære. Hvis blot denne englefyrste kunne opnå den ophøjede stilling, der virkelig tilkom ham, ville det betyde et stort gode for hele Himmelens englehær: for hans mål var at sikre alles frihed. Men nu var selv den frihed, de hidtil havde nydt, i fare, for nu var der sat en enevældig hersker over dem, og hans myndighed skulle alle bøje sig for. Det var sådanne underfundige bedrag, den listige Lucifer udbredte i de himmelske sale.