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The Beginning of the End
Christ dying for the salvation of humanity would justify God and
His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan, establish the
law of God, and reveal the nature and results of sin.
From the beginning, the great controversy had been over the law
of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, His law
faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed.
In attacking the law he aimed to overthrow the authority of God, its
Author.
When Satan overcame Adam and Eve, he thought he had gained
possession of this world, “because,” he said, “they have chosen me
as their ruler.” He claimed it was impossible for forgiveness to be
granted; the fallen race were his rightful subjects, and the world was
his. But God gave His own Son to bear the penalty of transgression
so that sinners might be restored to His favor and brought back to
their Eden home. The great controversy, which began in heaven,
was to be decided in the very world, on the same field, that Satan
claimed as his.
It was amazing to all the universe that Christ would humble
Himself to save fallen men and women. When Christ came to
our world in the form of humanity, all were intensely interested
in following Him as He traveled the blood-stained path from the
manger to Calvary. Heaven noted the insult and mockery that He
received and knew that it was at Satan’s instigation. They watched
the battle between light and darkness as it grew stronger. And
as Christ cried out upon the cross “It is finished!” (
John 19:30
),
a shout of triumph rang through every world and through heaven
itself. The great contest was now decided, and Christ was conqueror.
His death answered the question whether the Father and the Son
had sufficient love for the human race to exercise self-denial and a
spirit of sacrifice. Satan had revealed his true character as a liar and
murderer. With one voice the loyal universe united in praising the
divine administration.
But if the law was abolished at the cross, as many claim, then
the agony and death of God’s dear Son were endured only to give
to Satan just what he wanted; then the prince of evil triumphed,
and his charges against the divine government were sustained. The
fact that Christ bore the penalty for human disobedience is a mighty
argument that the law is changeless; that God is righteous, merciful,