God could employ only such means as were consistent with truth and righteousness. Satan could use what God could not-- flattery and deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrepresented His plan of government, claiming that God was not just in imposing laws upon the angels; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself. It was therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabitants of heaven, and of all the worlds, that God's government is just, His law perfect. Satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper and his real object must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by his wicked works.

Gud kunne kun anvende midler, der var i harmoni med sandhed og retfærdighed. Satan kunne bruge det, Gud ikke kunne, nemlig smiger og bedrag. Han havde prøvet at forfalske Guds ord og havde fremstillet hans regering i et forkert lys, idet han hævdede, at Gud ikke var retfærdig, når Han påtvang englene love. Han påstod, at når Gud krævede underkastelse og lydighed af sine skabninger, var det blot for at ophøje sig selv. Derfor var det nødvendigt at bevise over for Himmelens og alle verdeners beboere, at Guds regering er retfærdig og hans lov fuldkommen. Satan havde fået det til at se ud, som om han selv prøvede at fremme det gode i universet. Magtranerens sande karakter og virkelige mål måtte derfor forstås af alle. Han måtte have tid til at afsløre sig selv gennem sine onde handlinger.