There is Help for the Tempted !
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
There is no warfare between Satan and his agents, between fallen angels and those who have yielded themselves to evil. Both possess the same attributes; both, through sin, are evil. But between Christ’s followers and the powers of darkness there is an unwearied conflict, which is to have no end till Christ shall come the second time without sin unto salvation, to destroy him who has destroyed so many souls through his deceptive power.
This enmity (hatred) was spoken of in Eden. God declared to Satan, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman (Zion, Yehuwah’s people), and between thy seed and her Seed (Christ, ref: Galatians 3:16); It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” This enmity was revealed as soon as man transgressed God’s law. His nature became evil. He formed a confederacy with the enemy of God. Fallen men and fallen angels have united in a desperate companionship against good. Satan does all in his power to lead men to work with him. Christ has pledged Himself to engage in conflict with the prince of darkness, and Christ’s soldiers, the chosen of GOD, war against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ref: Ephesians 6:12-18.
Satan tempts men and women in many ways. On the right hand and on the left he works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. To some he comes in a winning garb, and with a friendly air. To others he comes in garments of darkness, to scatter and slay. By torturing fears he seeks to dishearten and distract.
Again and again he came to the children of Israel, and at no time was he completely repulsed. He always found some soul ready to entertain him. The very men who had seen the glory of GOD from the mount received him as a welcome guest. Two hundred and fifty princes, men of renown, fell under his subtle power. Members of the priesthood, connected with the sacred work of God, were deluded by his devices, and were found fighting against the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah).
These men mixed the cup of gall (bitterness) for Moses. They thought they were serving the Hebrew host by opening to them a door of “freedom.” What a terrible delusion they cherished! How fearfully they were deceived!
“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants (slaves) of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome (yields himself in submission), of the same is he brought in bondage !” II Peter 2:19.
The history of the children of Israel was recorded for the benefit of those upon whom the end of the world is come! We are to take warning from their experience, that we may not dishonour God as they dishonoured Him. Satan was continually inciting them to rebellion, but he is even more active today. He attacks first one and then another, and when men are unguarded he succeeds in his purpose.
Christ saw that Satan’s power was exercised upon the human family, and that he claimed the whole race as his own. The Saviour pledged (Promised) His Word to give His Life in man’s behalf.
Note: Not only upon Calvary 2000 years ago, but He has given His Life each and every day, since that fall of man in Eden, to work for the Redemption, Salvation, Deliverance and Restoration of man to union once again with his Father in heaven !
“In all their affliction, He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old !” Isaiah 63:9
He laid aside His royal robe and clothed His Divinity with humanity, that He might clothe humanity with His garment of righteousness. “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (Adoni Yehushua ha Moshiac), and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts (carnal desires) thereof !” Romans 13:14
“For sin shall not have dominion (reign) over you, for you are not under the law* but under Grace (the Divine Influence upon the heart) . . . . For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death !” Romans 6:14 & 8:2
Jesus came to the world as a human being, that He might become acquainted with human beings, and come close to them in their need. He was born a babe in Bethlehem. He grew up as other children grow. And from youth to manhood, during the whole of His earthly life, He was assailed by Satan’s fiercest temptations.
Adam was tempted by the enemy, and he fell. It was not indwelling sin which caused him to yield; for God made him pure and upright, in His own image. He was as faultless as the angels before the throne. There were in him no corrupt principles, no tendencies to evil. But when Christ came to meet the temptations of Satan, He bore “the likeness of sinful flesh.” Romans 8:3. In the wilderness, weakened physically by a fast of forty days, He met the adversary. His dignity was questioned, His authority disputed, His allegiance to His Father assailed by the fallen foe.
All heaven watched the conflict between the Prince of Light and the prince of darkness. Angels stood ready to interpose in Christ’s behalf should Satan pass the prescribed limit. Oh, what love burned in their hearts as they saw their Commander apparently in the power of His foe. When the last temptation came, when as Satan offered Christ all the world and the glory of it, if He would fall down and worship him, Divinity flashed through humanity, and the enemy was resisted, the love of the angels knew no bounds. Their sympathy could no longer be restrained.
“To whom GOD (Yehuwah Elohim) would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ (The Anointed, the Anointing) in you, the hope of glory !” Colossians 1:27
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever !” Daniel 12:1-3
Christ overcame Satan on every point. The wily foe could not induce Him to swerve from His allegiance to the Father. “Get thee behind Me, Satan,” Christ said; “for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”
Note: It is the LORD’s Promise, not only to write this upon tables of stone, but It (His Word) is verily written
upon the tables of our heart. “For this is the Covenant (Oath) that I will make with the house of Israel; After thos days, saith the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah), I will write My laws in their inward parts, and write It upon their hearts !” Jeremiah 31:33
“. . . . written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart !” II Corinthians 3:3.
The Captain of our Salvation overcame for us; Satan left the field a conquered foe. But the strain upon Christ had left Him as one dead. “And, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.” Their arms encircled Him. Upon the breast of the highest angel in heaven His head rested. Divine consolation flowed into His soul. The foe was vanquished. Humanity was placed on vantage ground. Christ had conquered. Those who became partakers of the Divine nature would be able to resist the temptations of the enemy. ref: II Peter 1:4
Christ lived a human life that He might be man’s example in all things. He endured temptation even as every human being must endure. He believed GOD as we must believe. He learned obedience even as we are required to learn obedience. And He overcame as we must overcome. His path lay through manifold temptations; therefore He knows how to succour (rescue, deliver) those who are tempted.
Wonderful, indeed, is God’s work in behalf of man. Let the tempted soul remember that he is a representative of Christ. It is only by coming in contact with obstacles and difficulties and overcoming them that we become strong. Our necessity is God’s opportunity. If we will hold fast to Christ, every trial will work out for our good.
“We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses); but He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
“In all things it behoved 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 succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:17-18.
Mrs. E. G. White. {BEcho, September 3, 1900 par. 15}