He repented not of his rebellion because he saw the goodness of God which he had abused. It was not possible that his love for God had so increased since his fall that it would lead to cheerful submission and happy obedience to his law which had been despised. The wretchedness he realized in losing the sweet light of Heaven, and the sense of guilt which forced itself upon him, and the disappointment he experienced himself in not finding his expectations realized, were the cause of his grief. To be commander out of Heaven, was vastly different from being thus honored in Heaven. The loss he had sustained of all the privileges of Heaven seemed too much to be borne. He wished to regain these. {1SP 30.1}

Han angrede ikke sit oprør fordi han anerkendte Guds godhed, som han havde misbrugt. Det var ikke muligt at hans kærlighed til Gud havde tiltaget siden faldet så at den ville lede ham til villig underdanighed og oprigtig lydighed mod hans lov, som han hade foragtet. Den elendighed som han følte ved tabet af himmelens søde lys, den følelse af syndeskyld som kom over ham, og den skuffelse han undergik idet hans forventninger ikke blev opfyldte var årsag til hans sorg. At være en fyrste udenfor himmelen var meget forskelligt fra at nyde en sådan ære i himmelen. Tabet af alle himmelens privilegier syntes at være for meget for ham at bære. Han ønskede at få dem igen.