24
Confrontation
As Satan had led man to sin, he had hoped that God’s abhorrence
of sin would forever separate Him from man, and break the connecting
link between heaven and earth. The opening heavens, in connection
with the voice of God addressing His Son, was like a death knell to
Satan. He feared that God was now to unite man more fully to Himself,
and give power to overcome his devices. And for this purpose Christ
had come from the royal courts to the earth. Satan was well acquainted
with the position of honor Christ had held in heaven as the Son of God,
the beloved of the Father. And that He should leave heaven, and come
[30]
to this world as a man, filled him with apprehension for his safety. He
could not comprehend the mystery of this great sacrifice for the benefit
of fallen man. He knew that the value of heaven far exceeded the
anticipation and appreciation of fallen man. The most costly treasures
of the world, he knew, would not compare with its worth. As he had
lost through his rebellion all the riches and pure glories of heaven,
he was determined to be revenged by causing as many as he could to
undervalue heaven and to place their affections upon earthly treasures.
It was incomprehensible to the selfish soul of Satan that there
could exist benevolence and love for the deceived race so great as
to induce the Prince of heaven to leave His home and come to a
world marred with sin and seared with the curse. He had knowledge
of the inestimable value of eternal riches that man had not. He had
experienced the pure contentment, the peace, exalted holiness, and
unalloyed joys of the heavenly abode. He had realized, before his
rebellion, the satisfaction of the full approval of God. He had once
a full appreciation of the glory that enshrouded the Father, and knew
that there was no limit to His power.
Satan knew what he had lost. He now feared that his empire
over the world was to be contested, his right disputed, and his power
broken. He knew, through prophecy, that a Saviour was predicted
and that His kingdom would not be established in earthly triumph
and with worldly honor and display. He knew that ancient prophecies
foretold a kingdom to be established by the Prince of heaven upon
the earth, which he claimed as his dominion. This kingdom would
embrace all the kingdoms of the world, and then his power and his
glory would cease and he would receive his retribution for the sins
[31]
he had introduced into the world, and for the misery he had brought
upon man. He knew that everything which concerned his prosperity