The entire Plan of Salvation is no short story; it’s more like a saga.

Each part of the bigger story involves several events and concepts that inspire profound exploration and study.

It’s also a story that isn’t finished yet… though God Himself has declared how it will end.

Fortunately for us human beings, the ending God has planned is in our favor. In its finality, it will matter most on the personal level. It all comes down to a choice: Where do you really want to be, and Who do you really want to be with?

All the rest is taken care of by Jesus Christ. Wow. That’s a pretty simple deciding factor for whether or not we receive salvation. All we have to do is choose? It seems unbelievable—too good to be true. It’s almost too easy.

But there’s a reason God allows it to be this way (see 2 Peter 3:9). Remember, God wants us to choose Him—He wants to save us! All of us!

And He’s promised unimaginably wonderful things for those who genuinely accept His gift of salvation.

“’…What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him’” (1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV).

So what’s going on behind the scenes in this Plan of Salvation, and why does it all depend on Jesus?

The answer to that question—among many others—was diligently studied by the group of Christians who eventually helped organize the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And it remains a key topic of study and reflection today.

PART I – THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED FROM?
Sin. Selfishness. Corruption. Fear. Evil has many faces, but it’s rooted in one thing—separation from God, the creator of the entire universe.

The saga starts at the first recorded sin. It happened in Heaven.

The angel who sinned is now known as the Devil, or Satan…but before all this he was Lucifer, an angel in heaven known for his vibrant appearance. The name “Lucifer” even means “light bringer.”

Revelation 12:7 tells us “war broke out in heaven.” This war was the result of Lucifer letting pride and selfishness overcome him.

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!

For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:12-14, NKJV).

Lucifer allowed himself to think he was superior to the Most Holy God. He planted thoughts of fear and doubt into the minds of the other angels. He spread lies against God and deceived one third of the heavenly beings into darkness.

Lucifer demonstrated to all those in heaven that he no longer belonged in the presence of God. God had no choice but to cast Lucifer out.

He turned his back on Heaven, on God, and on the other angels. This was when he lost the right to the name Lucifer and became known as Satan, the accuser.

But why the name “Satan?” Who is he accusing? God.

Satan began to publicly accuse God of being unjust and selfish. And the only way to combat accusations of injustice is to show justice.

God spared Satan to show that He is just and will allow everyone the opportunity to either accept or deny Him. Satan’s choice was utter denial.

And even today, he’ll stop at nothing to try to coax human beings away from God and keep them focused on themselves. The process of doubt, temptation and sin had begun.

--This article is an excerpt from the website - www.adventist.org/who-are-seventh-day-adventists/salvation-in-jesus-alone/
To see the full article use the above link.