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fruits of Christ's victory。
Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds。 The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles。 They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion。
It was a being of wonderful power and glory that had set himself against God。 Of Lucifer the Lord says； 〃Thou sealest up the sum； full of wisdom； and perfect in beauty。〃 Ezek。 28：12。 Lucifer had been the covering cherub。 He had stood in the light of God's presence。 He had been the highest of all created beings； and had been foremost in revealing God's purposes to the universe。 After he had sinned； his power to deceive
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was the more deceptive； and the unveiling of his character was the more difficult； because of the exalted position he had held with the Father。
God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth； but He did not do this。 Rebellion was not to be overcome by force。 Compelling power is found only under Satan's government。 The Lord's principles are not of this order。 His authority rests upon goodness； mercy； and love； and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used。 God's government is moral； and truth and love are to be the prevailing power。
It was God's purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security； and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government。 He had claimed that these were superior to God's principles。 Time was given for the working of Satan's principles； that they might be seen by the heavenly universe。
Satan led men into sin； and the plan of redemption was put in operation。 For four thousand years； Christ was working for man's uplifting； and Satan for his ruin and degradation。 And the heavenly universe beheld it all。
When Jesus came into the world； Satan's power was turned against Him。 From the time when He appeared as a babe in Bethlehem； the usurper worked to bring about His destruction。 In every possible way he sought to prevent Jesus from developing a perfect childhood； a faultless manhood； a holy ministry； and an unblemished sacrifice。 But he was defeated。 He could not lead Jesus into sin。 He could not discourage Him； or drive Him from a work He had come on earth to do。 From the desert to Calvary； the storm of Satan's wrath beat upon Him； but the more mercilessly it fell； the more firmly did the Son of God cling to the hand of His Father； and press on in the bloodstained path。 All the efforts of Satan to oppress and overcome Him only brought out in a purer light His spotless character。
All heaven and the unfallen worlds had been witnesses to the controversy。 With what intense interest did they follow the closing scenes of the conflict。 They beheld the Saviour enter the garden of Gethsemane； His soul bowed down with the horror of a great darkness。 They heard His bitter cry； 〃Father； if it be possible； let this cup pass from Me。〃 Matt。 26：39。 As the Father's presence was withdrawn； they saw Him sorrowful with a bitterness of sorrow exceeding that of the last great struggle with death。 The bloody sweat was forced from His pores； and
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fell in drops upon the ground。 Thrice the prayer for deliverance was wrung from His lips。 Heaven could no longer endure the sight； and a messenger of comfort was sent to the Son of God。
Heaven beheld the Victim betrayed into the hands of the murderous mob； and with mockery and violence hurried from one tribunal to another。 It heard the sneers of His persecutors because of His lowly birth。 It heard the denial with cursing and swearing by one of His best…loved disciples。 It saw the frenzied work of Satan； and his power over the hearts of men。 Oh； fearful scene！ the Saviour seized at midnight in Gethsemane； dragged to and fro from palace to judgment hall； arraigned twice before the priests； twice before the Sanhedrin； twice before Pilate； and once before Herod； mocked； scourged； condemned； and led out to be crucified； bearing the heavy burden of the cross； amid the wailing of the daughters of Jerusalem and the jeering of the rabble。
Heaven viewed with grief and amazement Christ hanging upon the cross； blood flowing from His wounded temples； and sweat tinged with blood standing upon His brow。 From His hands and feet the blood fell； drop by drop； upon the rock drilled for the foot of the cross。 The wounds made by the nails gaped as the weight of His body dragged upon His hands。 His labored breath grew quick and deep； as His soul panted under the burden of the sins of the world。 All heaven was filled with wonder when the prayer of Christ was offered in the midst of His terrible suffering；〃Father； forgive them； for they know not what they do。〃 Luke 23：34。 Yet there stood men； formed in the image of God； joining to crush out the life of His only…begotten Son。 What a sight for the heavenly universe！
The principalities and powers of darkness were assembled around the cross； casting the hellish shadow of unbelief into the hearts of men。 When the Lord created these beings to stand before His throne； they were beautiful and glorious。 Their loveliness and holiness were in accordance with their exalted station。 They were enriched with the wisdom of God； and girded with the panoply of heaven。 They were Jehovah's ministers。 But who could recognize in the fallen angels the glorious seraphim that once ministered in the heavenly courts？
Satanic agencies confederated with evil men in leading the people to believe Christ the chief of sinners； and to make Him the object of detestation。 Those who mocked Christ as He hung upon the cross were imbued with the spirit of the first great rebel。 He filled them with vile
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and loathsome speeches。 He inspired their taunts。 But by all this he gained nothing。
Could one sin have been found in Christ； had He in one particular yielded to Satan to escape the terrible torture； the enemy of God and man would have triumphed。 Christ bowed His head and died； but He held fast His faith and His submission to God。 〃And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven； Now is come salvation； and strength； and the kingdom of our God； and the power of His Christ： for the accuser of our brethren is cast down； which accused them before our God day and night。〃 Rev。 12：10。
Satan saw that his disguise was torn away。 His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe。 He had revealed himself as a murderer。 By shedding the blood of the Son of God； he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings。 Henceforth his work was restricted。 Whatever attitude he might assume； he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts； and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin。 The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken。
Yet Satan was not th