42
The Great Controversy 1888
is a masterpiece of Satan’s power,—a monument of his efforts to seat
himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.
Satan once endeavored to form a compromise with Christ. He
came to the Son of God in the wilderness of temptation, and, showing
him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, offered to
give all into his hands if he would but acknowledge the supremacy
of the prince of darkness. Christ rebuked the presumptuous tempter,
and forced him to depart. But Satan meets with greater success in
presenting the same temptations to man. To secure worldly gains and
honors, the church was led to seek the favor and support of the great
men of earth, and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield
allegiance to the representative of Satan,—the bishop of Rome.
It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the
visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme
authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More
than this, the pope has arrogated the very titles of Deity. He styles
himself “Lord God the Pope,” assumes infallibility, and demands that
all men pay him homage. Thus the same claim urged by Satan in the
wilderness of temptation is still urged by him through the Church of
Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him homage.
[51]
But those who fear and reverence God meet this Heaven-daring
assumption as Christ met the solicitations of the wily foe: “Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [
Luke 4:8
.]
God has never given a hint in his Word that he has appointed any
man to be the head of the church. The doctrine of papal supremacy is
directly opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures. The pope can have
no power over Christ’s church except by usurpation.
Romanists have persisted in bringing against Protestants the charge
of heresy, and willful separation from the true church. But these
accusations apply rather to themselves. They are the ones who laid
down the banner of Christ, and departed from “the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints.” [
Jude 3
.]
Satan well knew that the Holy Scriptures would enable men to
discern his deceptions and withstand his power. It was by the Word that
even the Saviour of the world had resisted his attacks. At every assault,
Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, saying, “It is written.”
To every suggestion of the adversary, he opposed the wisdom and
power of the Word. In order for Satan to maintain his sway over