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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
God in as much greater degree as his character was superior to that of
fallen man.
When Adam was assailed by the tempter he was without the taint
of sin. He stood before God in the strength of perfect manhood, all the
organs and faculties of his being fully developed and harmoniously
balanced; and he was surrounded with things of beauty, and conversed
daily with the holy angels. What a contrast to this perfect being did
the second Adam present, as he entered the desolate wilderness to
cope with Satan, single-handed. For four thousand years the race had
been decreasing in size and physical strength, and deteriorating in
moral worth; and, in order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him
where he stood. He assumed human nature, bearing the infirmities and
degeneracy of the race. He humiliated himself to the lowest depths of
human woe, that he might fully sympathize with man and rescue him
from the degradation into which sin had plunged him.
“For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are
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all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of
their salvation perfect through sufferings.” “And being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor
them that are tempted.” “For we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
When Christ entered the wilderness his countenance was changed,
its glory had departed, the weight of the sins of the world was pressing
upon his soul, and his features expressed unutterable sorrow, a depth
of anguish that fallen man had never realized. The indulgence of
appetite had increased with every successive generation since Adam’s
transgression, until the race was so feeble in moral power that they
could not overcome in their own strength. Christ in behalf of the race
was to conquer appetite, by enduring the most powerful test on that
point. He was to tread the path of temptation alone, with none to help
or comfort him. Alone he was to wrestle with the powers of darkness,
and exercise a self-control stronger than hunger or death. The length