Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-03

the rightful possessions OF the Lord Jesus
tPsalms .i10 now alienated from him
through sin. To recover what was lost
was the great purpose of his advent. Matt.
xVhi;lD Standing by His side Satan pro-
poses to deliver the kingdoms of the world
10 Jesus; There and then he will settle
d 10 the supremacy over the Inhabitants
OF the earth. ending the struggle and CIV
ing title to the property. Verse o. One
oonaltion was imposed. There was to be
1s purc sho, The price to be paid was that
him as chief, thereby becoming vice
regent The age-long struggle might thus
DISMISSAL.-Th real issue was blunt
~ stated in this last solicitation. In the
first and second, as well as in the third.
satan had sought supremacy. Now that
his motive is uncovered Jesus deals with
him in summary manner Get thee
hence" was the command. The very pres
ence of the foul spirit was offensive and
could not be longer endured. (Verse 10)
perior dignity He exercised authority
over one who proposed to ciothc Him with
authority. Jesus will some day possess all
power Matt xxviii:1Sl. and He will rule thu
world as Its rightful king (Phil. lilo, but
this result Will not be attained by com
promise or subordnation Before the fend
departed another Scripture text was
hurled at him Deut, vi:l3), declaring tnac
ell worship should be paid to God. This
struck the vital spot, for Satan Il
traitor, seeking for himself honor and do
minion. No wonder on hearing that he
departed. There was nothing to be hoped
from one who denied his right to be served.
Games iy:Tk
MINISTRY. Satan retired heaven
ly visitors appeared on the scene (verse III.
Previously they had been present on i'm
portant occasions duke. HOO, and suosel
quently they came when his interests were
involved Matt, xxviii:2l. But now they
come to monoster unto Him. service which
they offered to religious men GIeb. i:14),
under all dispensations Gen, xix:D. We
are not told precisely what assistance they
rendered to Jesus IN the wilderness. IL
may be that they supplied Him with food
even as the ravens fed the prophet. Il
Kings xvii:6) 1t may be that they gave
that approval and sympathy which COM
forted and strengthened Him. II may be
that they brought messages from the heav-
emily world, glad tidings, the rejoicing OF
pure spirits over the signal victory
achieved. But speculation IS unnecessary.
perhaps improper The plain Scripture
record is beautiful In it's brevity. and an
nounces the fact of supreme concern. De-
spite every effort to read out of the pas
sage certain words and change the mean
ing, a practice INDUCED by some, il must
stand as proof of intimate relation between
Jesus and the beings of light. (Matt.'
xxvi:5S)
JESUS resisted the evil. Only in part was
His temptation and victory an example for
His disciples I'VE share His first expert
ence when poverty tempts us to violate
Gods low that We may provide our daily
wants We share the second experience
when we are tempted to neglect duties
which Providence lays upon us, or to run
into needless dangers, or to assume I'M
called-for hazards, or when, in performing
duties, we make ostentatious displays OF
faith in God, and fall to follow the path
marked out for us. We share the third
experience when. for the sake of power or
wealth, we conform to worldly customs or
employ Satans instruments, in seeming to
do Gods service" The one weapon In all
conflict is the world of God. Eph., VIII
Let every man expect to be tempted but
let him remember that every victory brings
him nearer to the kingdom of light.
Games, i:12)