A Threat to Satan’s Kingdom
At the birth of Christ, Satan saw the plains of Bethlehem illumi-
nated with the brilliant glory of a multitude of heavenly angels. He
heard their song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men.” The prince of darkness saw the amazed shepherds
filled with fear as they beheld the illuminated plains. They trembled
before the exhibitions of bewildering glory which seemed to entrance
their senses. The rebel chief himself trembled at the proclamation of
the angel to the shepherds, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” He
had met with good success in devising a plan to ruin men, and he had
become bold and powerful. He had controlled the minds and bodies of
men from Adam down to the first appearing of Christ. But now Satan
was troubled and alarmed for his kingdom and his life.
The song of the heavenly messengers proclaiming the advent of the
Saviour to a fallen world, and the joy expressed at this great event, Sa-
tan knew boded no good to himself. Dark forebodings were awakened
in his mind as to the influence this advent to the world would have
upon his kingdom. He queried if this was not the coming One who
would contest his power and overthrow his kingdom. He looked upon
Christ from His birth as his rival. He stirred the envy and jealousy of
Herod to destroy Christ by insinuating to him that his power and his
kingdom were to be given to this new King. Satan imbued Herod with
the very feelings and fears that disturbed his own mind. He inspired
the corrupt mind of Herod to slay all the children in Bethlehem who
were two years old and under, which plan he thought would succeed
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in ridding the earth of the infant King.
But against his plans, Satan sees a higher power at work. Angels
of God protected the life of the infant Redeemer. Joseph was warned
in a dream to flee into Egypt, that in a heathen land he might find an
asylum for the world’s Redeemer. Satan followed Him from infancy
to childhood and from childhood to manhood, inventing means and
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