Temptation of Christ
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frustrate his cherished plan of gaining dominion over the whole world
and its inhabitants. But, instead of desponding under his discourage-
ments, he redoubled his efforts to accomplish his purpose, and the
ages were marked with his hellish triumphs. Indulgence of appetite
and passion, war, intoxication, and crime spread over the earth as its
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inhabitants increased. God destroyed the people with the waters of a
great flood, and rained fire and death upon the wicked cities; but the
great adversary was still free to pursue his scheme of demoralization.
Satan is a diligent student of the Bible, and much better acquainted
with the prophecies than many religious teachers. He has ever kept
well-informed concerning the revealed purposes of God, that he might
defeat the plans of the Infinite. It was plain to Satan that the sacrificial
offerings were typical of a coming Redeemer who was to ransom man
from the powers of darkness, and that this Redeemer was the Son
of God. Therefore he laid deep plans to control the hearts of men
from generation to generation, and to blind their understanding of the
prophecies, that when Christ should come the people would refuse to
accept him as their Saviour.
From the time when Christ was born in Bethlehem, Satan had
never lost sight of him. He had set on foot various plans to destroy
him, in all of which he was unsuccessful, as the Son of God was upheld
by the strong arm of his Father. Well-aware of Christ’s position in
Heaven, Satan was filled with apprehension when this powerful Prince
of light left the royal courts of his glory and became a simple man on
earth. Satan now feared that, not only would he fail in his cherished
purpose of reigning supreme over the whole earth, but that the power
he already possessed would be wrested from him. Therefore when
he went out into the wilderness to beset Christ with temptations, he
brought every force and artifice at his command to bear upon the Son
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of God that he might allure him from his allegiance.
The great work of redemption could be carried out only by the
Redeemer taking the place of fallen man. Burdened with the sins of
the world, he must go over the ground where Adam stumbled. He must
take up the work just where Adam failed, and endure a test of the same
character, but infinitely more severe than that which had vanquished
him. It is impossible for man to fully comprehend the strength of
Satan’s temptations to our Saviour. Every enticement to evil, which
men find so difficult to resist, was brought to bear upon the Son of