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When Satan declared to Christ； The kingdom and glory of the world are delivered unto me； and to whomsoever I will I give it； he stated what was true only in part； and he declared it to serve his own purpose of deception。 Satan's dominion was that wrested from Adam； but Adam was the vicegerent of the Creator。 His was not an independent rule。 The earth is God's； and He has committed all things to His Son。 Adam was to reign subject to Christ。 When Adam betrayed his sovereignty into Satan's hands； Christ still remained the rightful King。 Thus the Lord had said to King Nebuchadnezzar； 〃The Most High ruleth in the
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kingdom of men； and giveth it to whomsoever He will。〃 Dan。 4：17。 Satan can exercise his usurped authority only as God permits。
When the tempter offered to Christ the kingdom and glory of the world； he was proposing that Christ should yield up the real kingship of the world； and hold dominion subject to Satan。 This was the same dominion upon which the hopes of the Jews were set。 They desired the kingdom of this world。 If Christ had consented to offer them such a kingdom； they would gladly have received Him。 But the curse of sin； with all its woe； rested upon it。 Christ declared to the tempter； 〃Get thee behind Me； Satan： for it is written； Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God； and Him only shalt thou serve。〃
By the one who had revolted in heaven the kingdoms of this world were offered Christ； to buy His homage to the principles of evil； but He would not be bought； He had come to establish a kingdom of righteousness； and He would not abandon His purpose。 With the same temptation Satan approaches men； and here he has better success than with Christ。 To men he offers the kingdom of this world on condition that they will acknowledge his supremacy。 He requires that they sacrifice integrity； disregard conscience； indulge selfishness。 Christ bids them seek first the kingdom of God； and His righteousness； but Satan walks by their side and says： Whatever may be true in regard to life eternal； in order to make a success in this world you must serve me。 I hold your welfare in my hands。 I can give you riches； pleasures； honor； and happiness。 Hearken to my counsel。 Do not allow yourselves to be carried away with whimsical notions of honesty or self…sacrifice。 I will prepare the way before you。 Thus multitudes are deceived。 They consent to live for the service of self； and Satan is satisfied。 While he allures them with the hope of worldly dominion； he gains dominion over the soul。 But he offers that which is not his to bestow； and which is soon to be wrested from him。 In return he beguiles them of their title to the inheritance of the sons of God。
Satan had questioned whether Jesus was the Son of God。 In his summary dismissal he had proof that he could not gainsay。 Divinity flashed through suffering humanity。 Satan had no power to resist the command。 Writhing with humiliation and rage； he was forced to withdraw from the presence of the world's Redeemer。 Christ's victory was as complete as had been the failure of Adam。
So we may resist temptation； and force Satan to depart from us。 Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God； and by
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the apostle He says to us； 〃Submit yourselves therefore to God。 Resist the devil； and he will flee from you。 Draw nigh to God； and He will draw nigh to you。〃 James 4：7； 8。 We cannot save ourselves from the tempter's power； he has conquered humanity； and when we try to stand in our own strength； we shall become a prey to his devices； but 〃the name of the Lord is a strong tower： the righteous runneth into it； and is safe。〃 Prov。 18：10。 Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name。
After the foe had departed； Jesus fell exhausted to the earth； with the pallor of death upon His face。 The angels of heaven had watched the conflict； beholding their loved Commander as He passed through inexpressible suffering to make a way of escape for us。 He had endured the test； greater than we shall ever be called to endure。 The angels now ministered to the Son of God as He lay like one dying。 He was strengthened with food； comforted with the message of His Father's love and the assurance that all heaven triumphed in His victory。 Warming to life again； His great heart goes out in sympathy for man； and He goes forth to complete the work He has begun； to rest not until the foe is vanquished； and our fallen race redeemed。
Never can the cost of our redemption be realized until the redeemed shall stand with the Redeemer before the throne of God。 Then as the glories of the eternal home burst upon our enraptured senses we shall remember that Jesus left all this for us； that He not only became an exile from the heavenly courts； but for us took the risk of failure and eternal loss。 Then we shall cast our crowns at His feet； and raise the song； 〃Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power； and riches； and wisdom； and strength； and honor； and glory； and blessing。〃 Rev。 5：12。
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Chapter 14
〃We Have Found the Messias〃
John the Baptist was now preaching and baptizing at Bethabara； beyond Jordan。 It was not far from this spot that God had stayed the river in its flow until Israel had passed over。 A little distance from here the stronghold of Jericho had been overthrown by the armies of heaven。 The memory of these events was at this time revived； and gave a thrilling interest to the Baptist's message。 Would not He who had wrought so wonderfully in ages past again manifest His power for Israel's deliverance？ Such was the thought stirring the hearts of the people who daily thronged the banks of the Jordan。
The preaching of John had taken so deep a hold on the nation as to demand the attention of the religious authorities。 The danger of insurrection caused every popular gathering to be looked upon with suspicion by the Romans； and whatever pointed toward an uprising of the people excited the fears of the Jewish rulers。 John had not recognized the authority of the Sanhedrin by seeking their sanction for his work； and
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he had reproved rulers and people； Pharisees and Sadducees alike。 Yet the people followed him eagerly。 The interest in his work seemed to be continually increasing。 Though he had not deferred to them； the Sanhedrin accounted that； as a public teacher； he was under their jurisdiction。
This body was made up of members chosen from the priesthood； and from the chief rulers and teachers of the nation。 The high priest was usually the president。 All its members were to be men advanced in years； though not aged； men of learning； not only versed in Jewish religion and history； but in general knowledge。 They were to be without physical blemish； and must be married men； and fathers； as being more likely than others to be humane and considerate。 Their place of meeting was an apartment connected with the temple at Jerusalem。 In the days of Jewish independence the Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the nation； possessi