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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou,
therefore, wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and
said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Here Satan showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world. They were
presented in the most attractive light. He offered them to Jesus if he
would there worship him. He told Jesus that he would relinquish his
claims of the possessions of earth. Satan knew that his power must
be limited, and finally taken away, if the plan of salvation should be
carried out. He knew that if Jesus should die to redeem man, his power
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would end after a season, and he would be destroyed. Therefore it
was his studied plan to prevent, if possible the completion of the great
work which had been commenced by the Son of God. If the plan of
man’s redemption should fail, he would retain the kingdom which he
then claimed. And if he should succeed, he flattered himself that he
would reign in opposition to the God of heaven.
Satan exulted when Jesus left heaven, and left his power and glory
there. He thought that the Son of God was placed in his power. The
temptation took so easily with the holy pair in Eden, that he hoped he
could with his satanic cunning and power overthrow even the Son of
God, and thereby save his life and kingdom. If he could tempt Jesus
to depart from the will of his Father, then his object would be gained.
Jesus bid Satan get behind him. He was to bow only to his Father. The
time was to come when Jesus should redeem the possessions of Satan
by his own life, and, after a season, all in heaven and earth should
submit to him. Satan claimed the kingdoms of earth as his, and he
insinuated to Jesus that all his sufferings might be saved. He need not
die to obtain the kingdoms of this world. But he might have the entire
possessions of earth, and the glory of reigning over them, if he would
worship him. Jesus was steadfast. He chose his life of suffering, his
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dreadful death, and, in the way appointed by his Father, to become
a lawful heir to the kingdoms of earth, and have them given into his
hands as an everlasting possession. Satan also will be given into his
hands to be destroyed by death, never more to annoy Jesus, or the
saints in glory.
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