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The Rebellious Prince
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Absalom
was the most handsome, cunning, and ambitious of David's sons. The Bible
says, "But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom
for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head
there was no blemish in him." 2 Samuel 14:25.
But this determined young prince wanted more than just the admiration of
the people for his stunning appearance. He wanted the power of his
father's throne. He wanted to be king of Israel--at any price. First
Absalom killed his older brother, Amnon, after Amnon mistreated his
sister Tamar. Amnon was David's firstborn son and in line to follow
David as king. Then, after Absalom wormed his way back into his father's
favor he began to sow subtle seeds of doubt throughout the kingdom about
David's leadership, judgments, and laws until he "stole the hearts of
the men of Israel." 2 Samuel 15:6.
Finally, his sinister plan erupted into a full-blown rebellion as
Absalom tried to assassinate his own father and kidnap the kingdom.
David and his followers were forced to flee from Jerusalem. But after a
severe battle a few days later, David was once again secure on his
throne, and handsome Prince Absalom was slain.
A sad story indeed, but this was not the first such royal family feud.
In another great kingdom long ago, very similar events led to the most
tragic rebellion of all time. The kingdom was called--heaven!
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 1. What
was the name of the rebellious prince in heaven, and why did he rebel?
Isaiah
14:12 . How art thou fallen from heaven, O ______________, son of
the morning!
Isaiah 14:13, 14 For thou hast said in thine heart, ...
I will be like the most High.
Ezekiel 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy
beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy
brightness.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Lucifer
was the most powerful and beautiful of God's creatures. He was the
highest of the angels and most likely led the heavenly choir. But he
allowed his beauty to fill him with pride. (See supplement entitled
"Satan Symbolized by the Kings of Tyre and Babylon.")
 2. Did
God make a devil when He created Lucifer?
Ezekiel
28:15 . Thou wast ______________ in thy ways from the day that thou
wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: God
made a perfect angel who, of his own free will, chose to be a devil.
It may be hard to imagine, but if we knew Lucifer before his fall, we
would have loved him. We don't know exactly how long, but Lucifer may
have joyfully served God for eons before he began to cherish seeds of
pride and resentment in his heart. The Lord could have made all of His
creatures like robots, but a robot cannot love. True love must be
willing to take risks. This is why parents decide to have children,
knowing that at some time they may choose to disobey.
God allowed Lucifer to carry out his rebellion for several reasons.
First, to forever settle any question of whether or not God makes His
creatures with freedom of choice. Second, if God had destroyed Lucifer
as soon as he began spreading doubts about God's love and government,
the other intelligent creatures would have forever had lingering
questions. They might have thought, "Perhaps Lucifer was right."
Therefore, Lucifer was allowed to demonstrate the horrible results of
sin. Finally, God does not want His creatures to obey Him merely
because He will punish them if they don't. He wants us to obey from
principles of love rather than from fear.
 3. What
finally happened?
Revelation
12:7 . And there was ______ in heaven: Michael and his angels
fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his
angels.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Eventually
Lucifer and the angels who sided with him were expelled from heaven.
 4. What
powerful beings work under the devil's command?
Revelation
12:9 . He was cast out into the earth, and his ____________ were
cast out with him.
Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the
stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Satan
is so cunning that he was able to deceive one-third of the angels of
heaven into following him in his rebellion against God. Now called
"devils" and "demons," these fallen angels carry out Satan's plans. In
our story of Absalom, we notice that he likewise did very little of
his own dirty work. Absalom ordered his servants to execute his
wishes.
2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants,
saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, ... then
kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you?
2 Samuel 14:30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See,
Joab's field is near mine, ... go and set it on fire.
 5. What
methods does Satan use in his work?
Revelation
12:9 . Satan, which __________________ the whole world.
B. Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days,
tempted of Satan.
C. Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working
miracles.
D. Revelation 12:10 For the accuser of our brethren is
cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
E. John 8:44 He was a murderer from the beginning. ...
For he is a liar, and the father of it.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: In
one respect, Satan has an advantage over God in the battle between
good and evil. God uses only truth, but Satan can use truth or lies in
any combination, to best serve his purposes. (See supplement entitled
"Expect the Unexpected.")
 6. When
is the devil most dangerous?
2
Corinthians 11:14, 15 . And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an __________ of light.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Just
as the devil did, Absalom pretended to love the people and displayed
an interest in their welfare in order to deceive them.
2 Samuel 15:5, 6 And it was so, that when any man came nigh
to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and
kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to
the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of
Israel.
Satan is most dangerous when he poses as a spiritual being working
inside the church. (See supplement entitled "A Brilliant Angel.")
 7. Does
Satan know the Bible?
Matthew
4:5, 6 . Then the devil ... saith unto him, If thou be the Son of
God, cast thyself down: for it is _____________, He shall give his
angels charge concerning thee.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: The
devil is an expert at quoting and misquoting the Bible for the purpose
of deceiving people. That is why it is essential that God's people
know the Scriptures for themselves to avoid being misled.
 8. Whom
on earth does the devil hate most?
Revelation
12:17 . And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to
make war with the ______________ of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Answer:
___________________________
 9. What
two deadly animals does the Bible use to portray Satan?
1 Peter 5:8
. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring ________, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and Satan.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Both
lions and snakes use stealth and diversion to capture their prey. Like
the devil, they spring suddenly upon their victims and are ruthless
and indifferent to suffering.
 10. What
is the only way we can resist Satan?
James 4:7,
8 . ____________ yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh
to you.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: The
best ways to draw near to God are through prayer and seeking to know
Him through His Word.
 11. How
did Jesus fight the assaults of the devil?
Matthew
4:10 . Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it
is ______________.
Ephesians 6:17 The sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Our
only safety from Satan's clever deceptions is in storing God's Word in
our minds to keep us from sin. The same tools Jesus used to fight the
devil are needed and available to us today.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 12. How
will the final fate of Satan resemble that of Absalom?
2 Samuel
18:17 . And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great ______ in
the wood.
Isaiah 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the
sides of the pit.
Answer:
___________________________
 13. Will
Satan ever reappear to tempt God's people?
Ezekiel
28:19 . ______ shalt thou be any more.
Nahum 1:9 Affliction shall not rise up the second time.
Answer:
___________________________
 14. How
does God feel about the destruction of the wicked?
Ezekiel
33:11 . Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no
pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked ________
from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways;
for why will ye die?
Answer:
___________________________
Note: It
hurts God to have to destroy the wicked. Infact, the Bible calls the
destruction of the wicked His "strange act" because it is foreign to
His loving nature. (see Isaiah 28:21)
 15. How
did David respond when he learned that his rebellious son Absalom had
been slain?
2 Samuel
18:33 . And the king was much __________, and went up to the chamber
over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son
Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee,
O Absalom, my son, my son!
Answer:
___________________________
 16. Will
you choose now to love and serve Him?
. This
touching picture displays how our heavenly Father feels about His lost
children. Not only was He willing to die in our place; He went one
step further--He gave His greatest gift, His Son! God is not willing
that any should perish. He is desperate for you to be saved. This is
why Jesus died in your place. Most of the world has joined Satan in
rebellion against the heavenly Father.
Answer:
___________________________
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