And now we ask the reader to ponder carefully the question how he can exalt himself _above_ God.

Search through the whole range of human devices; go to the extent of human effort; by what plan, by what move, by what claim, could this usurper exalt himself above God?
He might institute any number of ceremonies, he might prescribe any form of worship, he might exhibit any degree of power; but so long as God had requirements which the people felt bound to regard in preference to his own, so long he would not be above God.

He might enact a law and teach the people that they were under as great obligations to that as to the law of God.

Then he would only make himself equal with God.

But he is to do more than this: he is to attempt to raise himself above him.