THE KINGDOM OF THE EVIL ONE.
If there is progression, there may also be retrogression; if there is
good, there may be evil. Everything has its opposite.
**Descending Beings.** In a universe containing eternal, intelligent,
personalities possessing free agency, there may be beings who are in
opposition to the general law of progress. In fact, such opposing
intelligent spirits or men have always and everywhere been found.
Naturally, those who devote themselves to the opposition of law are
waging a hopeless battle, and lose their strength as time goes on.
Nevertheless, since many of them have acquired great knowledge before
they turn against the truth, they may long continue active in their
opposition to righteousness. The final end of such beings is not
known. As they are eternal, it is doubtful if they can ever fully
destroy themselves. Nevertheless, as they oppose law, they will at
last shrivel up and become as if they were not. Beings who would stand
in the way of progress, also use the forces of the universe, as best
they can, and must be considered, in the ordering of life, whether in
or out of the earth.
**The Devil.** The number of descending spirits in the universe is
not known. In fact, little is known about the whole matter, which
probably is for the good of man. The scant knowledge that we have,
comes largely from the account of the Great Council. One of the great
spirits there present, proposed to save men without the use of their
free agency. When he and his numerous followers failed to secure the
adoption of this plan they left the Council, and set themselves
thenceforth against the plan adopted by the majority. The leader in
this rebellion was Lucifer, said to be a prince of the morning, who,
undoubtedly, through much diligence, had acquired a high position
among the spirits. Even those of high degree may fall. No man is sure
of himself, unless from day to day he can keep the germ of opposition
from settling within his breast.
Lucifer and his followers, who fell from the Great Council, are the
devil and his angels, possessing definite wills and free agencies, who
are still continuing the battle that originated in the heavens. The
fundamental conceptions of eternalism, including eternal beings, make
reasonable the existence of a personal devil, with personal agents,
whose indestructible wills are used to oppose the Great Plan through
adherence to which man entered upon his earth career.
**Man and the Devil.** In a measure, God and all other intelligent
beings are affected by the active will of man. If man wills not to be
helped by God, it is difficult for God to send him divine help. Even
so, in the face of the will of man, the devil has little or no power.
It is only when man so wills that he hears fully the voice of God; and
it is only when man so wills that he hears the message of the devil.
The doctrine that a request must initiate the gift is as true in the
relationship that may be established between man and the devil as
between man and God. God sends his messages throughout the universe;
so does the devil as far as his knowledge permits him. However, the
messages of the evil one need not be heard unless man so desires. In
reality, therefore, man does not need to fear the evil one. He is not
a force that can work harm, unless man places himself under the
subjection of evil; but, if the devil be allowed a hearing, he may
become the master of the man, and lead him downward on the road of
retrogression.
**The Devil Subject to God.** Though the free agency of man is
supreme with respect to himself, under the direction of a perfected
intelligence, it must not interfere with the free agencies of others.
This law holds for all ascending or descending intelligent beings. For
that reason the devil is subject to God, and is allowed to operate
only if he keeps within well-defined limits. He can suggest ways of
iniquity, but he cannot force men to obey his evil designs. A man who
sincerely desires to walk in righteousness need have no fear of the
devil.
By the knowledge of opposites, man may draw conclusions of
far-reaching importance in his course of progression. The operations
of the devil and his powers may, therefore, serve some good in giving
contrasts for man's guidance. This does not mean that it is necessary
for man to accept the suggestions of the evil one, or to commit evil
to know truth. On the contrary, every rational impulse resents the
thought that a man must know sin so that he may know righteousness
better. Unfortunately, the works of the evil one may be plentifully
observed in the world, among those who have forsaken the Great Plan
and the path of progression.
MAN AND THE CHURCH.