In this opening history, the divine government is presented as resting upon the Father and the Son, with Christ being the only being who could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God linkPP 34.1. The Holy Spirit is characterized as the divine agency through which Christ’s presence and power are manifested to His creatures, effectively acting as His representative and the means of His omnipresence linkPP 34.2 PP 36.2.

The Unique Unity of the Father and the Son

The foundational relationship of the Godhead in the beginning of the great conflict consists of the eternal Father and His associate linkPP 34.1.

• The Shared Throne: The Son of God shared the Father’s throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-existent One encircled both linkPP 36.2.

• The Associate in Creation: Christ was the co-worker who could appreciate the Father's purposes and share His joy in giving happiness to created beings linkPP 34.1.

• The Exclusive Counsel: As the Word and the only begotten of God, Christ was one with the Father in nature, character, and purpose, making Him the only being capable of entering into all God’s counsels linkPP 34.1.

The Spirit as a Divine Manifestation and Agency

While the Father and Son are the central figures of the heavenly council, their presence and authority are extended throughout the universe via a divine light and power linkPP 34.2.

• Radiance from His Presence: The angels are described as being radiant with the light ever flowing from God's presence as they speed to execute His will linkPP 34.2.

• The Word of His Power: Christ upholds all things by the word of His power, exercising a supremacy that reaches every part of the created universe linkPP 34.2.

• Service of Love: God’s government seeks a voluntary service of love from all intelligent beings, which is fostered by an appreciation of His character as revealed through His Spirit and law linkPP 34.3.

The Role of the Spirit in the Great Conflict

The nature of the conflict highlights that the power and presence of God are not merely physical but are manifested through influence and truth linkPP 36.3.

• Internal Influence: During the struggle in Lucifer’s heart, the influence of the holy angels and the "unutterable love" that thrilled his being suggest a spiritual manifestation of God's grace working within him linkPP 36.3.

• Ubiquity of the Divine Law: The law of love is the foundation of God's government, and this principle is meant to abide in the hearts of all created beings to maintain universal harmony linkPP 34.3 PP 35.1.

• The Spirit of Discontent: Rebellion began when Lucifer allowed a "spirit of discontent" and "a change" of heart to replace the "allegiance of love" that had previously linked him to his Creator linkPP 35.1 PP 37.1.

God's Wisdom and the End of Rebellion

The ultimate goal of the divine administration is to ensure that the entire universe—including all worlds—understands the justice and benevolence of the Father and the Son linkPP 42.1 PP 42.3.

• A Lesson to the Universe: God permitted the experiment of rebellion so that the working out of Satan's rule could show the results of setting aside divine authority linkPP 42.4.

• Perfect Wisdom: He that ruleth in the heavens sees the end from the beginning, and through His Spirit and providence, He guides the universe back to a state where righteousness and judgment are recognized as the foundation of His throne Psalms 97:2 linkPP 43.1.

• The Eternal Manifestation: Eventually, all inhabitants of the universe, both loyal and disloyal, will understand that God is a God of truth and without iniquity Deuteronomy 32:4 linkPP 43.1.