so satan was saying that, first angels and then men, could determine if killing was necessary, for example, (which would include the thoughts and feelings that precede the actual physical act)?

so instead of taking Gods word that no one was ever to kill, which again would include the thoughts and feelings that lead up to the acts themselves, angels first, then men, would be the judges of whether it was necessary?

or was satan saying that without the "law" first angels, then men would automatically do right and needed no guidelines?

Yes.

Regarding the title of this thread - The Law and God's Character - what do you have in mind?

I think it's true that, as originally created, no guidelines were needed. Indeed, this seems to be obvious, since none were given. It was only after rebellion began that the guidelines became necessary.

No guidelines were needed? Tom, have you forgotten about these texts?

Adam and Eve, at their creation, had a knowledge of the law of God. It was printed on their hearts, and they understood its claims upon them (MS 99, 1902). {1BC 1104.1}

The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it. After the fall, the principles of righteousness were unchanged. (ST April 15, 1886). {1BC 1104.2}

After Adam's sin and fall nothing was taken from the law of God. The principles of the ten commandments existed before the fall, and were of a character suited to the condition of a holy order of beings. After the fall, the principles of those precepts were not changed, but additional precepts were given to meet man in his fallen state (3SG 295). {1BC 1104.3}

The law of Jehovah dating back to creation, was comprised in the two great principles, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.' These two great principles embrace the first four commandments, showing the duty of man to God, and the last six, showing the duty of man to his fellowman. The principles were more explicitly stated to man after the fall, and worded to meet the case of fallen intelligences. This was necessary in consequence of the minds of men being blinded by transgression (ST April 15, 1875 [Reprinted in RH May 6, 1875]). {1BC 1104.4}

The two principles of love have always existed and been known by God's creatures. Even in the case of angels, the case wasn't that they didn't know the law, but that their obedience was so spontaneous that they didn't think about it.

But in heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of. In their ministry the angels are not as servants, but as sons.... Obedience is to them no drudgery. Love for God makes their service a joy. So in every soul wherein Christ, the hope of glory, dwells, His words are re-echoed, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." {Mar 79.6}

"As a guideline" I took to mean "in written form." Since it was in their hearts, they didn't need it written out.

These insights may be helpful:

The law of Jehovah dating back to creation, was comprised in the two great principles, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." These two great principles embrace the first four commandments, showing the duty of man to God, and the last six, showing the duty of man to his fellowman. The principles were more explicitly stated to man after the fall, and worded to meet the case of fallen intelligences. This was necessary in consequence of the minds of men being blinded by transgression (ST April 15, 1875). {1BC 1104.4}

The law of God existed before the creation of man or else Adam could not have sinned. After the transgression of Adam the principles of the law were not changed, but were definitely arranged and expressed to meet man in his fallen condition. Christ, in counsel with His Father, instituted the system of sacrificial offerings; that death, instead of being immediately visited upon the transgressor, should be transferred to a victim which should prefigure the great and perfect offering of the son of God (Ibid., March 14, 1878). {1BC 1104.5}

Could we say that in obeying God, holy beings were only carrying out their own impulses?

Perhaps there are different ways that we think of the law:

1) speed limit law - dangerous to break it, but generally harmless if you don't get caught

2) law of gravity - really hard to break it, but opens up many possibilities if you do

3) law of cosines - that's just the way God made things to work

I prefer #3.

Did God have any choice when they made FMAs?

everyone is agreed that there is, and has always been, a "law" so that is not an issue.

what tom, and roseangelas quotes, point out may contribute to an understanding of just what satan was trying to get at.


As Satan had done in heaven, so he did on earth,--declared God's government unjust, the restrictions of His law unnecessary, and bade men, as he had angels, to throw aside the yoke and let the dictates of their own nature be their only guide and law.{ST, December 15, 1914 par. 8}

what exactly was satan referring to? what were his complaints?
what exactly about the law, as given in the op, did he dislike?

from roseangelas contribution:

The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it. After the fall, the principles of righteousness were unchanged. (ST April 15, 1886). {1BC 1104.2}

After Adam's sin and fall nothing was taken from the law of God. The principles of the ten commandments existed before the fall, and were of a character suited to the condition of a holy order of beings. After the fall, the principles of those precepts were not changed, but additional precepts were given to meet man in his fallen state (3SG 295). {1BC 1104.3}

The principles were more explicitly stated to man after the fall, and worded to meet the case of fallen intelligences. This was necessary in consequence of the minds of men being blinded by transgression (ST April 15, 1875 [Reprinted in RH May 6, 1875]). {1BC 1104.4}

and this one.
But in heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of. In their ministry the angels are not as servants, but as sons.... Obedience is to them no drudgery. Love for God makes their service a joy. So in every soul wherein Christ, the hope of glory, dwells, His words are re-echoed, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." {Mar 79.6}

what form of the law did holy beings have? is it the paraphrase moses and Jesus gave? was it this one?
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

these questions are in the light of the op.