C. THE POWER OF THE CROSS

The cross has power to redeem man and restore him to his divinely appointed place of authority. This is a wonderful truth that threads its way all through the Holy Scriptures. We already have seen that God’s plan for a sacrificial lamb (as an offering for sin was in His purpose before the world began.

1. The Cross Pictured In The Passover

The Passover played an important part in bringing about the release of the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. They had suffered as slaves for some 400 years. God was going to use Moses to set them free from the authority and dominion of the Egyptians.

The devil, sensing this, stirred up Pharaoh to kill all the male children of the Israelites (Exo 1:15,16) – just as he would do some fourteen centuries later before the birth of Christ.

It is of note that the Egyptian Pharaoh wore a gold crown. On the front of it was the image of a deadly cobra serpent, poised, ready to strike death. This shows us Pharaoh and the people in his kingdom were under the crown of Satan (governed by the devil).

This is an accurate picture of how the whole world lived until Jesus came. We were slaves of sin, in bondage and under satanic government.

a. Satan:

The Destroyer. Through Moses, God told each Israelite family to kill a lamb and place its blood upon the frame of the door which led into their house. Then Moses said:

“When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood upon the top and sides of the doorframe. The Lord then will pass over that door. He will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses and kill your first-born” (Exo 12:23 smf).

Satan is the “destroyer.” From the fall of man to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the power of death was in the hands of the devil. In Revelation 9:11 he is called Abaddon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek). Both terms mean “destroyer.” In the words of Jesus, ‘The thief [the devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).

The Pharaoh had refused God’s words of warning, and therefore Egypt faced a terrible judgment. through it they would be made willing to let the Israelites go.

That “passover” night, God was going to use the devil’s power of death for His own purposes. It was to be a dark night indeed -a night of death and destruction.

b. Blood:

The Protection. The presence of the Lord protected those “under the blood” from the destroyer.

When the Lord saw the blood on the doorframe of a house, the Lord Himself “passed over” the door. His presence overshadowed the family within and kept them from all harm.
One wonders how each family member must have felt that night as the evening shadows cast a deathly gloom across the land. Perhaps the Psalmist best expressed it in his words some centuries later:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and place of safety – my God, in whom I will trust. “Surely he will save you… from deadly danger.

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the dangers of the day.

“Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, it will not come near you. Only with your eyes will you see the punishment of the wicked” (Ps 91:1-8 smf).

Yes, for the Israelites, protection from the destroyer on that dark night of death was blood – the blood of a perfect, little lamb! Its blood was splashed on the doorframe in the form of a cross. it was symbol of death, but it also was the gate way to life.

What a vivid picture of our salvation. Jesus is God’s sacrificial lamb for us, and His cross becomes our doorway to eternal life.

Truly, the blood and the cross provide all the protection we will ever need against all the forces of evil. The devil’s power over our lives has been broken at Calvary. Christ has won the victory, and we need no longer fear.

2. Jesus Has All Power And Authority

After His resurrection, Jesus plainly put this truth in these words: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given unto me. Therefore go and make disciples in all nations…

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20 smf).

The word “power” means power to rule, to take authority and have dominion. Now if Jesus has all power and authority that means the devil has none.

Through His death on the cross, Jesus dethroned the devil and took away his power of death. Jesus strongly stated this truth again to the Apostle John in his heavenly vision.

“Don’t be afraid, I am the first and the last. I died, but see, I am alive for evermore. I have the keys [authority] of death and the grave” (Rev 1:17, 18 smf).

D. WE CAN LIVE IN VICTORY!

1. Jesus Gave His Disciples Authority Over The Devil!

Not only does Jesus have all power and authority, but He has given that power to His disciples – of all ages!

“The seventy disciples returned with great joy. ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘even the demons submit to us when we use your name.’

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, I saw Satan falling from heaven like a lightening flash. And I have given you authority over all of the power of the enemy. You have power to crush underfoot scorpions and serpents [demonic powers]. Nothing shall harm you!”‘ (Luke 10:17-19 smf).

‘These signs shall follow those who believe: they shall use the authority of my name to cast out demons..” (Mark 16:17 smf).

“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).

2. Don’t Retreat!

Yes, we are sons and daughters in the family of God. We have the privilege and authority of Christ’s Name. Why then are so many Christians living defeated lives? Where is our victory in Christ? The words sound good, but where are the works?

The answer can be found in one of Peter’s Epistles. He was writing to those who soon would be facing a time of great distress and severe testing. His words, therefore, are very personal, powerful and practical:

“Be watchful and careful. Your enemy the devil prowls and roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour – to gear apart and eat. Be firm in the faith and resist him ..”(1 Pet 5:8,9 smf).

a. A Phony Lion.

Carefully note that the above scripture does not say the devil is a roaring lion. It says he roams around like a roaring lion. In other words, he is acting like something he is not. Actually, he is only a fake or phony lion. Or, as the Chinese would say, “a paper tiger.”

Who is the real lion? Jesus is!

The Scriptures refer to Him as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev 5:5). Because we abide in Him, and He in us, we also share in His “lion-nature”: We who believe on Jesus become “lion-like.”

“The wicked flee when no one is chasing them. The righteous, however, are as bold as a lion” (Prov 28:1 smf).

“Now when the Council saw the boldness of Peter and John, they were amazed. They could easily see that they were common men without learning. Then they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 smf).

b. Don’t Give Him Power.

What are we trying to say? Simply this: The devil can have only as much power over our lives as we allow him to take. He no longer has the authority to control our attitudes and actions for his own purposes.

He will, however, take as much control as we will let him have. He cannot overpower us anymore than he could have overpowered Adam and Eve. He will seek to deceive us, however, in the same way he tempted them.

No, the devil is not a real lion. His roar, however, can be very loud and very long. A roar cannot bite but it can scare you.

If we retreat every time the devil roars, we will never learn how to stand firm in the faith and resist him. If we never resist the devil, we will never see the tail-end of the devil heading over the nearest hill.

c. Run Toward The Roar.

A preacher from Africa told this story about lions. When the lions go hunting, they are very clever. All the younger, strong lions gather down-wind from the herd of animals they are going to attack. In this way, the animals do not pick up the scent of the lion.

The old worn-out lions, whose teeth are almost gone, and who cannot run fast enough to catch prey, are put upwind where their scent and roar will frighten the animals. Those who are frightened by the roar, run toward the young lions.

The animals who “run towards the roar” are safe and cannot be hurt by the old lions. The animals who flee from the roar run into the trap and are injured or killed by the strong younger lions.

The point is obvious. Don’t run from your adversary the devil and his roaring. Run toward the roar. Resist him and he will flee from you.

d. Seeds Of Deceptions.

How does the devil roar his way into our daily lives? He does so by way of our thoughts and feelings. He sows seeds of doubt and fear into the ground of our hearts and minds. If he can tempt us to cultivate or nurture these seeds – they will grow into very large weeds. When they do our Christian life can be greatly weakened, or even destroyed.

There are all kinds of seeds which the devil sows: seeds of doubt, fear, disobedience, greed, lust, jealousy, pride, anger, resentment, self-pity and many more.

He will try to sow the same seed over and over again until some take root and grow. Once the roots grow deep, it’s hard to pull the weed out.

The devil will even deceive us into thinking it is a natural part of our life. We then give in and put up with it, even though it may be painful to us – and to others. When we do, the enemy has taken control over that part of our lives, even though he has no authority to do so.

3. Resist The Devil!

a. Stand Firm In Faith.

How then can the watchful Christian stand firm in the faith and resist the devil? The same way Jesus did in His humanity while here on earth:

1. By the authority of God’s Word;
2. By the power of God’s Spirit.

We now know that the devil no longer has dominion or the right to rule over our lives. The scepter is now in Jesus’ hand, not that of the enemy. As we, by the Spirit, speak out our confession of faith, ‘JESUS IS LORD’ – Satan must bend his knee and bow his head. It is demon powers who will tremble in torment when we face them in the mighty Name of Jesus.

b. Speak the Word In Faith.

As we submit and come under the authority of God’s Word and God’s Spirit, that authority comes upon us. We then speak that word as follows:

1. To God in prayer;
2. In the confession of our mouth;
3. To the devil in reproof.

The Spirit Himself then moves to energize the word, and the enemy flees – along with his lying thoughts and feelings.

We submit to God by filling our minds with His Word and our hearts with prayer. For every wrong, evil, negative thought the enemy would sow into our minds, there is a right, good positive thought from God’s Word.

The Scripture says we can “overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Every time the devil seeks to give us a push in the wrong direction, we need to push him back- twice as hard – with the truth and power of God’s Word.

c. The Laugh Of Faith.

It is true, we should not take our enemy lightly or under-rate his ability. He is both smart and strong. Apart from God’s Spirit and His Word we will lose every battle. Satan can outsmart us every time. The Scripture says that we are always to be aware of his clever tricks and scheme (2 Cor 2:11).

We are not to fear the Devil. In fact, we can boldly oppose him in the strong Name of Jesus and be assured of victory.

Our enemy has a loud roar, but his is a big bluff. He will act like he is not hurt, and even mock the Name of the Lord, hoping we will give up. If we respond with the royal laugh of faith and press our attack, he will flee in fear.

There is a sense in which every Spirit-filled saint ought o have a gift of contempt for the devil. He is very proud, and greatly dislikes being looked down upon. When we really know who we are in Christ Jesus, we are in a position of high authority, and the enemy is truly beneath our feet.

I believe Martin Luther came to a place in faith where he looked upon the devil in that way. The story is told of how he awoke in the middle of a very dark night. There wasn’t even a candle in his room. As he turned over in his little cot, he saw the devil standing in the corner.

Now, what would you do if you awoke tonight and found that Satan had come to visit you? I asked that question of a fellow one time and he replied, “I would call the preacher!”

That really wasn’t the best answer he could have given. Martine Luther’s response was much different. He simply said to the devil, “Oh, it’s you!” and rolled over and went back to sleep.

d. Putting Principles Into Practice.

A good friend of mine tells of a personal experience which shows us how these royal principles work in practice. Here is the story in his own words:

“After the Lord divinely healed me when I was a young Christian, I have always been very healthy.

“However, one day about ten years ago I suddenly felt a terrible pain in the upper part of my body.

“The pain grew worse, and I actually heard the voice of the devil saying. ‘Cancer, cancer, cancer.’ for about six hours that was all I could hear: ‘Cancer, cancer, you have cancer!” I was terrified.

“I finally went to the Lord in prayer and said, ‘Lord, do I have cancer?” the Lord didn’t answer me. Again I cried out, ‘Lord, do I have cancer?’ then I heard the Lord laugh. He was really laughing. He showed me how I had been fooled and deceived by the devil. Satan had sown a lie in my heart.

“The next time I heard the word ‘ cancer,’ I really got angry. I rose up and I said ‘Devil, I smite you with that cancer!’ I have never had that pain again in my life. This is the word of the Lord, friends. This is for real!”

e. You Are Free.

Yes, faith rises up and resists, but unbelief gives up and accepts the lies of the devil.

I am reminded of a little parrot at a Bible school in Argentina. His name was Arturo. He was brought to the school when he was just a young bird. He was tied to his perch by a little leather strap from his leg.

As Arturo grew into a full-sized bird, he would stretch his wings and try to fly into the heavens. However, he could go no farther than the length of the strap before being jerked back to his perch again. Arturo kept this up for several months. One day, he finally gave up and folded his wings for the last time. He never tried to fly again.

At that time, Arturo’s leather strap was cut. He was really free to fly away into the heavens like any other bird, but he did not know this. He was deceived, and did not believe or accept his freedom. Because of this, the story has a rather sad ending.

If only we could have gotten the truth of his freedom down into his little bird brain, he might be alive today. As it was, an angry caretaker came after him with a club for a foul deed he had done. Still thinking he could not fly away from his perch, Arturo did not try to escape, and was struck dead!

How much more tragic is the truth of this story as it relates to some of us as Christians. At Calvary, Jesus Christ – the Lion of Judah – defeated the devil and stripped him of his power. We were set free from his dominion and given a place of authority in the royal family of God.

Many, however, are so used to living in fear, doubt and defeat they can’t accept the freedom which is rightfully theirs. They allow the one Jesus destroyed, to destroy them.

Rise up and fly away, oppressed one. The heavens watch in wonder and amazement that you submit to that which you should resist. Your strap of bondage has been severed. Fly free!

E. CONCLUDING CHALLENGE

Perhaps, dear reader, your heart has been touched by the truth of these words. For the first time you are beginning to believe that life can be different. And it is true, your lot in life is not forever fixed. Things can change, and you can play a part in that change.

You don’t have to give in and give way to the lies of the devil. In Christ Jesus you have the power and authority to stand firm and resist his attacks on your heart and mind.

You are a son or daughter in the beloved family of God. The Lord does love you, and desires that you take the scepter in your hand and confess the liberty which is rightfully yours. No longer do you need to shrink back in fear or hang your head in shame. Jesus came to set you free, and he whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

“.. the devils also believe, and tremble” (Jas 2:19). It is demon powers who tremble when you stand fast and confess the Lordship of Jesus.

It is the devil who bends his knee and bows his head, for Christ has won the victory. The power of the enemy has been broken forever.
DEVIL HAS BEEN DESTROYED!

A friend of mine had this Rober Schuller quote in her office “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”

It is disheartening to see how many people walk in the fear of failure because of the devil when they already have the victory through Jesus. In Hosea 4: 6 (KJV), the bible says “My people perish from a lack of knowledge”.

The devil is a defeated foe and in this two part teaching titled “The Devil is destroyed”, we learn about the benefits and implications of the victory that Jesus won for us.

What would you do for God if you knew you could not fail?

Introduction

You will never walk in victory until you know your enemy is defeated!

As Christians, we do not move from defeat into victory. We do not move from doubt into faith. The Scriptures tell us, however, that there is a way of faith which leads to greater faith “from faith to faith” (Rom 1:17).

Likewise, our starting point for victory is not one of defeat, but victory – Christ’s victory. “But thanks be unto God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57).
We must begin in victory if we are going to have victory. Doubt, defeat and despair are not the kinds of stuff from which we can build strong victorious life.

We can never be a winner as long as we see ourselves as helpless, hopeless victims of the devil. Satan no longer has the power or authority to defeat the sons and daughters of God’s royal family. However, he does have the ability to deceive the children of God if they do not understand who they are in Christ Jesus.

A. FREED FROM FEAR OF DEATH AND THE DEVIL

The children in a family share in the same physical nature. Therefore, Jesus – as our Redeemer Brother – took upon himself our human nature.

“He did this that he might die. By dying, he gained access to the realm of death to destroy the one who had the power of death. That one is the devil. Jesus did this to release us from fear of death. We were slaves to that fear; now we are free” (Heb 2:14,15 smf). Note: smf = simplified.

1. The Devil Is Destroyed

Jesus died that the devil might be destroyed. This is a strong, sure statement which is absolutely and totally true. It rests upon the full authority of Scripture. The devil IS destroyed!

“To Destroy.” Now that does not mean the devil no longer exists. He is still around, as we well know.

The Greek word for “destroy” is katargeo. It means to:

1. make powerless;
2. bring to naught;
3. reduce to zero, make inactive;
4. make of no effect;
5. 5. paralyze.

Through His death, Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sins, He made the devil powerless, reduced him to zero and paralyzed him.

Therefore, we no longer need to fear the devil or the judgment which follows death (Heb 9:27,10:27).

2. Death Lost Its Sting

Through His death, Jesus also showed us we need not fear the physical effects of death. It cannot destroy the soul or spirit of man. We will even have a glorified body like that of the Lord Himself when Christ returns in resurrection power.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?… But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:55,57).

3. Christ Reigns

Yes, the death himself was stripped of his earthly authority. His right to rule over Creation was taken away by the crucified Christ. The scepter or royal symbol of authority was stripped from his hand. After defeating the devil, the Lord Jesus took His rightful place upon the throne.

B. HOW IT ALL BEGAN

This is an amazing story, however, which can only be understood by going back to the very beginning of Creation. Join me as we review what was in the heart and mind of God at the very dawn of history.

1. Man Was Created For Dominion

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. Let them rule and have dominion … over all the earth…”‘ (Gen 1:26 smf).

“What is man that you are mindful of him? And the Son of Man that you care for him? You made him for a little time lower than the angels… You made him to rule and have dominion over all the works of your hands…” (Ps 8:4a-6 smf).

“You… have put everything under his feet” (Heb 2:8).

The above scriptures show us that God had a plan for Adam and Eve. To that first family was given the right to rule or have dominion over all of Creation.

They had authority over every living thing on the face of the earth. For a time, they ruled wisely and well. Everything was peaceful and in divine order.

The lion and the lamb laid down together in perfect harmony. There were no thorns or thistles. Fragrant flowers and delightful fruit trees grew everywhere. It was a wonderful and lovely world in which to live. Sadly, the divine beauty of those sinless days was not to last.

2. Man Lost Dominion Through Disobedience And Deception

The Bible teaches that Satan had originally been created as a beautiful and anointed cherub or angel. He was probably the choirmaster of Heaven. He had great ambitions to rule the world. But God gave this privilege to Adam and Eve.

Through pride and rebellion he fell from his heavenly position of beauty, authority and power. Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall as lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18; see also Ezekiel 28:11-17 and Isaiah 14:12-15).

He next appeared in the Garden of Eden in the form of a beautiful serpent. There was an evil purpose, however, in his coming. In a wise and clever way, he sought to take away from Adam and Eve the right to rule – the dominion which had been given to them as co-regents over the Creation.

Now, he could not overpower or force himself upon the first members of God’s earthly family. Adam and Eve had authority or ruler-ship over every living creature, and that included serpents. The only power Satan had was the power of influence. All he could do was seek to influence their behavior through lies and deception.

Therefore, he came to Eve when she was alone. In a very sly and subtle way, he planted seeds of doubt in her heart about God’s love, honesty and authority. He finally got her to believe that he was right and God’s word was wrong.

As a result, she chose to eat of the tree of knowledge instead of the tree of life. Adam was not deceived, but chose to follow Eve into her fallen state (1Tim 2:14).

The Sad Results. Three very sad and tragic things happened as a result of their doubt and disobedience:

1. Lost The Covering And Authority Of God. They came out from under the covering and authority of God, and the image of God was marred.
2. Lost The Right To Rule. They lost their right, therefore, to rule over God’s Creation.
3. Came Under A New Authority. They then came under the authority of Satan himself.

Satan was very quick to pick up the scepter that slipped from their hand and the crown which fell from their head. These symbols of authority were now rightfully his.

The devil had taken over the dominion of the earth as he had desired. He had won not by force, but by deception. The right to rule over God’s Creation had shifted from man to the serpent – the devil himself.

3. God Planned to Restore Dominion

Satan not only deceived others, but was under a deception himself. He thought he was right when he was wrong. He really believed he had won a victory over both God and man.

There was, however, an aspect of God’s nature he knew nothing about. It is called grace.

It is based on an unselfish love that seeks to redeem that which was lost, no matter what it might cost. One redeems or buys back only things which are of value.

In the case of man’s life, the price would be the death of another man – one called the Son of Man! I am sure Satan had not counted on God going so far as to give His only begotten Son, Jesus, for fallen man. Yet that gift had been given even before man had been created. The Bible says that Jesus was “… the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8). This means that God, in His foreknowledge, saw that man would sin and need a Savior. So Jesus was chosen for this purpose before man was created.

“God paid a price to save you from the empty way of life… However, you were not redeemed with something that will pass away like silver or gold. You were bought back with the precious blood of Christ – a pure and perfect lamb.

“Christ was chosen for this purpose before the world was made. But he was revealed and shown to the world in these last times for you” (1 Pet 1:18-20 smf).

When man fell, God did not change His mind about His plan for a beloved and royal family. It was still His purpose to fill the whole earth with sons and daughters whose lives would reflect the beauty of their God.

Through their love and obedience, the glory of God’s Kingdom would yet cover the whole earth as the waters cover the sea. Yes, the scepter would again return to the hand of man.

a. Seed Of The Woman.

As soon as man sinned and fell from his place of royal authority, God’s plan of redemption was set in motion. It is of some interest that this plan was first revealed to Satan himself. From the record it would appear that Adam and Eve were also there. The word of the Lord, however, was spoken directly to the serpent:

“And the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this , you are cursed above all the animals … From now on you and the woman will be enemies. this will also be true of all of your seed [offspring] and her Seed [Jesus]. You will strike his heel, but he will crush your head’” (Gen 3:14,15 smf).

The “Seed of the woman” refers to the family line from which Jesus would come in His humanity. The serpent is told he would strike at His (Jesus) heel, but the wound would not be fatal in a final way. This is a reference to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Death could not keep Jesus in the grave!

The Seed (Jesus) would use the occasion of His death to crush the serpent’s head. This refers to a fatal wound from which there would be no recovery. The defeat and death of the serpent would be final.

The phrase “crush your head” has an added meaning of great importance to our theme of authority. The term “head” includes the thought of headship or governmental authority (covering). Paul so uses the term in setting forth the lines of spiritual authority and responsibility:

“Now, I want you to know that the head [governmental covering] of the woman is man. the head of man is Christ and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor 11:3) smf).

Our story in the Garden of Eden now becomes most dramatic. God Himself is telling the devil that someday the Seed of the woman (Jesus) would wrench the scepter from the devil’s hand. Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, man would be redeemed, Satan would be defeated, and dominion would be restored to the family of God.

b. Royal Redeemer.

God’s Son – as the Son of Man- would regain for redeemed man the authority to govern that which he had lost through sin.

The Kingdom of Heaven will one day rule the earth through God’s family of sons and daughters, Jesus, our Redeemer Brother, is the “first-born” of that glorious family. Through Him we have a victory which will last forever.

This theme of restored righteous government through God’s royal Seed can be traced all through Scripture. Listen o Paul’s Letter to the Galatian churches:

When the right time had come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman and live under the law. He did this to redeem those who were also under the law. In this way we were bought and brought back into God’s family as his very own children.

“For this reason he sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. From our hearts to his, the Spirit now cries out. “Father, dear Father. ‘No longer are we slaves, but God’s beloved children. As his children everything that belongs to him now belongs to us too” (Gal 4:4-7 smf).

Clearly. Paul is linking the birth of the Lord Jesus to the promised Seed in Genesis 3:15. Jesus Christ came to this earth, born of a woman.

He came for the purpose of redeeming mankind, and restoring him (man) to a place of authority in the family of God. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy given the serpent in the Garden of Eden. When the right time came, through the cross of Christ, Satan was defeated and dethroned.

The authority which he had cleverly taken from the first family has been returned to the redeemed sons and daughters of God.

4. Satan Tried To Avert The Plan

This truth helps us understand what was happening in the temptations of Jesus at the outset of His earthly ministry. The devil first seeks to challenge the source of Jesus’ divine authority by questioning His divine son-ship. “If you are the Son of God…” (Matt 4:3 smf)

a. Satan Tempts Jesus.

It is the last temptation, however, that brings the issue of authority and dominion into sharp focus.

“Then the devil took Jesus to the top of a very high mountain. There he showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him. ‘All these things I will give to you if you will fall down and worship me.’

“But Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve. ‘Then the devil left him, and angels came and ministered to him” (Matt 4:8-11 smf).

It is interesting to note that we come under the authority of the one we worship. Actually, what we worship becomes our authority. What the devil was really saying was this: “If you will come under my authority, I will give you ruler-ship over all the kingdoms of earth.” Jesus saw through the deception and refused.

1. Temptation Was Real. There is another important point here which gives further understanding of the main theme of this study.

Was Satan’s offer for real? Did he truly have that kind of authority to give?

If he did not, then his offer to Jesus was not a valid offer. Thus there would have been no real temptation involved.

The temptations Jesus faced were real. The devil was offering Jesus a way to avoid the cross – but at the cost of disobeying His Father in Heaven. It took real strength to resist. Jesus’ struggles with these temptations were so stressful, angels had to come and help Him recover.
2. Satan Had Authority. Yes, at that point in time Satan actually had dominion and authority over the kingdoms of this earth. It was the authority which he took from Adam when he disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve submitted themselves to the lies of the devil, they came under his authority and gave up their own.

It was this authority and dominion which Jesus came to regain for the true worshippers of the one true God. Jesus knew that – and Satan did too. God had told Satan this back in the Garden of Eden. Since that time, the devil had sought to destroy the line from which that royal Seed would come.

b. Satan Tried To Destroy Jesus.

He tried to destroy Jesus at His birth. Satan stirred up King Herod to kill all the infants under two years of age. Only a demon-possessed man would do such a thing as that.

What was Satan after? He was seeking to destroy Jesus – the Seed of the woman. Satan knew that when Jesus became a man there would be a battle for the power and authority which had been in his possession since the fall of man.

When the use of force failed, the devil tried to cause Jesus to sin, the same way he had tempted Adam and Eve. He sought to get Him to move apart from the will and word of His Father. He hoped Jesus would act in His own self-interest.

Yes, Satan was aware that Jesus Christ was the “Seed of the woman” Who had come to take away his dominion- his right to rule. Satan’s offer of world authority was an effort to avoid that loss by bringing Jesus under his very control first.

c. Satan Didn’t Understand The Cross.

While Satan knew his kingdom and power was threatened by Jesus, it is possible he didn’t know the method and means Jesus would use to defeat him.

The Apostle Paul tells us that the plan of man’s salvation through the cross was not understood by the rulers or princes of this world.

“None of the rulers or princes of this world understood it. If they had they would not have killed the Lord of glory on a cross ” (1 Cor 2:8).

Since the Bible calls the devil “… the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), most Bible scholars believe 1 Corinthians 2:8 is referring to the devil and his ruling princes.

Earthly rulers are agents who serve under demonic princes. The demonic princes and powers behind these earthly rulers were not aware of the power and purpose of the cross.

Jesus was fully aware that He must first suffer before entering into His glory (Luke 24:26). He was “the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8). (Calvary and the cross must come before the kingdom and the crown. The devil’s offer of world dominion would have been a temptation for Jesus to rule the world without the pain and suffering of the cross.