Angels at Christ’s Baptism and in the Wilderness
123
barren wilderness into bread.—
Redemption or the First Advent of
Christ With His Life and Ministry, 48
.
Satan told Christ that He was only to set His feet in the blood-
stained path, but not to travel it. Like Abraham He was tested to show
His perfect obedience. He also stated that he was the angel that stayed
the hand of Abraham as the knife was raised to slay Isaac, and he had
now come to save His [Christ’s] life; that it was not necessary for Him
to endure the painful hunger and death from starvation; he would help
Him bear a part of the work in the plan of salvation.—
The Review and
Herald, August 4, 1874
.
[173]
He [Satan] then called the attention of Christ to his own attractive
appearance, clothed with light and strong in power. He claimed to
be a messenger direct from the throne of Heaven, and asserted that
he had a right to demand of Christ evidences of His being the Son of
God.—
The Review and Herald, August 4, 1874
.
It was by ... [Satan’s] words, not by his appearance, that the Saviour
recognized the enemy.—
The Review and Herald, July 22, 1909
.
In taking the nature of man, Christ was not equal in appearance
with the angels of heaven, but this was one of the necessary humilia-
tions that He willingly accepted when He became man’s Redeemer.
Satan urged that if He was indeed the Son of God He should give him
some evidence of His exalted character. He suggested that God would
not leave His Son in so deplorable a condition. He declared that one
of the heavenly angels had been exiled to earth, and His appearance
indicated that instead of being the King of Heaven He was that fallen
angel. He called attention to his own beautiful appearance, clothed
with light and strength, and insultingly contrasted the wretchedness of
Christ with his own glory.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 2:91
.
The Second Temptation
“Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him
on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of
God, cast Thyself down: for it is written: “He shall give His angels
charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up,
[174]
lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.”—
The Desire of
Ages, 124
.