My only answer is that Jesus died for us to teach us that of which we were completely ignorant and could not understand in another way.

The angels, however, had full knowledge of God and His character, and in full view of the facts, they had made their choice in Heaven prior to being cast out. Jesus had pleaded with them, but they had rejected His offer of restoration. Lucifer was too proud to admit he was wrong--and therefore refused to repent. What they did knowingly, we did in ignorance. Their sin was magnitudes greater, and the cross forever sealed their fate.

When Christ hung in agony upon the cross, while evil spirits rejoiced and evil men reviled, then indeed His heel was bruised by Satan. But that very act was crushing the serpent's head. Through death He destroyed "him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Hebrews 2:14. This act decided the destiny of the rebel chief, and made forever sure the plan of salvation. In death He gained the victory over its power; in rising again, He opened the gates of the grave to all His followers. In that last great contest we see fulfilled the prophecy, "It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15. {PK 701.3}

Many were disposed to heed this counsel, to repent of their disaffection, and seek to be again received into favor with the Father and His Son. But Lucifer had another deception ready. The mighty revolter now declared that the angels who had united with him had gone too far to return; that he was acquainted with the divine law, and knew that God would not forgive. He declared that all who should submit to the authority of Heaven would be stripped of their honor, degraded from their position. For himself, he was determined never again to acknowledge the authority of Christ. The only course remaining for him and his followers, he said, was to assert their liberty, and gain by force the rights which had not been willingly accorded them.

So far as Satan himself was concerned, it was true that he had now gone too far to return. (PP 40, 41)

MM:If explaining that the Son of God would one day pay our sin debt of death on the cross was sufficient to safeguard Enoch, Moses, and Elijah for eternity

TE:Why are you making this assumption?

MM:Because they received eternal life in heaven without witnessing the actual life and death of Jesus.

TE: So do we. My point was the we, no less than Enoch, Moses and Elijah, receive eternal life without having witnessed the actual life and death of Jesus.

1. "Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan." 2. "Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds."

TE: Remember there are two principles involved in the Great Controversy. To believe one is to have doubts about the other. To the extent that the angels were not sure about Satan's character, they were unsure about God's. This quote makes clear their minds weren't settled in regards to Satan until the cross.

MM: What if God had decided not to implement the plan of salvation? What would have happened to the loyal angels and loyal FMAs? Did God have to go through with the plan of salvation in order to prevent the loyal beings from rebelling, too?

TE: The above quotes make it clear that the Plan of Salvation benefited them just as it benefited us.

[MM:Because they received eternal life in heaven without witnessing the actual life and death of Jesus.

TE: So do we. My point was the we, no less than Enoch, Moses and Elijah, receive eternal life without having witnessed the actual life and death of Jesus.

The difference is that they received it before Jesus died on the cross.

They were in heaven for hundreds of years before Jesus died on the cross.

If Jesus had failed on the cross, the human race would have ended at that point. My question then is - What would have happened to Enoch, Moses, and Elijah?

Also, the second quote simply says the loyal FMAs finally saw through Satan's deceptions. It cannot mean they were insecure in the law and love of God until Jesus died on the cross. They were convinced God is right and Satan is wrong from the moment they chose to side with God and not with Satan. The cross confirmed their faith; it did not establish it.

The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God.

The death of Christ upon the cross made sure the destruction of him who has the power of death, who was the originator of sin. When Satan is destroyed, there will be none to tempt to evil; the atonement will never need to be repeated; and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the universe of God. That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Shall we not then exalt the cross of Christ? The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God. {5BC 1132.8}

The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come. Oh, we do not comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would talk more about it. The gift of God in His beloved Son was the expression of an incomprehensible love. It was the utmost that God could do to preserve the honor of His law, and still save the transgressor. Why should man not study the theme of redemption? It is the greatest subject that can engage the human mind. If men would contemplate the love of Christ, displayed in the cross, their faith would be strengthened to appropriate the merits of His shed blood, and they would be cleansed and saved from sin (ST Dec. 30, 1889). {5BC 1132.9}

That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Shall we not then exalt the cross of Christ? The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God.