Victory on the Mountian

Oops: upsetting the equilibrium

We have seen thus far in the temptation of Jesus that satan’s attempt in all of them is to get Jesus to reject the mission that He has willingly chosen. Each of the temptation have dealt with the issue of authority in the life of Jesus. Although these have been addressed in various ways the question of authority and or rulership is central. This question of authority that Jesus faces is what we face each day as well. In Matthew reference to kingdoms and authority goes back to where it says that Jesus Christ, the Son of David, this direct link to the kingship of David begins to address and set up the battle that has been raging since the fall of satan. This battle is further expressed and intensified when king Herod has all the children under the age of two killed because it has come to his attention that a King for the Jews has been born. The fact that there is a new king on the scene means that the kingship or rulership of Herod is at stake.

When we read of John the Baptist in what was His message? saying, in the wilderness, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Once again, we have the imagery of a kingdom, rulership. Something that has come to upset the status quo. Here we see the rise of a power that threatens the current government. Which government? The government of satan.

When we read of John the Baptist in what was His message? saying, in the wilderness, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Once again we have the imagery of a kingdom, rulership. Something that has come to upset the statues quo. Here we see the rise of a power that threatens the current government.

Ugh: The Plot Thickens

Do you find that in your own life there is a tug of war going on? Do you find that you struggle with control? Do you find that you struggle being helpful, kind, courteous? Do you struggle with knowing that the right thing to do is help but that you just do not want to? Do you struggle with wanting to take care of only yourself and to look at only what you want? This is the war of the two kingdoms. This is what Jesus battled with in these temptations and this is what He battled with all His life. As satan approaches Jesus, he sees a frail weakened person who when he thinks of the fall of Adam believes that Jesus will not have the strength of character to with stand his enticements. Satan further expresses his authority by taking Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain . Now we might not think much about this but in the biblical times mountains were symbols of power, : says, Who, stablished the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power; mountains also referred to government or kingdoms , And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands.

In the light of this when satan takes Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain the implication is that he is saying my power, my government is the greatest most powerful. But not only does it refer to the present, but there is also an end time surveying. says, and he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. On this high mountain eternal destinies were at stake. Universal governments where held in the balance. In the Desire of Ages, we read, “he was proposing that Christ should yield up the real kingship of the world and hold dominion subject to Satan.”

In the light of this when satan takes Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain the implication is that he is saying my power, my government is the greatest most powerful. But not only that, it is not only the present but there is also an end time surveying. says, and he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. On this high mountain eternal destinies were at stake. Universal governments where held in the balance. In the Desire of Ages, we read, “he was proposing that Christ should yield up the real kingship of the world and hold dominion subject to Satan.”

As satan approaches Jesus, he sees a frail weakened person who when he thinks of the fall of Adam believes that Jesus will not have the strength of character to with stand his enticements. Satan further expresses his authority by taking Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain . Now we might not thing much about this but in the biblical times mountains were symbols of power, Who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power; ., government or kingdoms , And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands .

Who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power; .,

44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands

Being clothed with power;

In the light of this when satan takes Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain the implication is that he is saying my power, my government is the greatest most powerful. But not only that, it is not only the present but there is also an end time surveying. says, And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, . On this high mountain eternal destinies were at stake. Universal governments where held in the balance. In the Desire of Ages we read, “he was proposing that Christ should yield up the real kingship of the world, and hold dominion subject to Satan.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .,

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Aha: Disclosing the clue to resolution

Great spiritual battles have been fought on the tops of mountains. We thing of Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac, a battle of trust to believe that God would provide , Moses prays on a hill for victory . Elijah on Mount Carmel and one of the greats showdowns between God and satan. It is also on top of a mountain that Jesus is transfigured and encouraged for His continued ministry. Moses was a witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death, he represented those who were to come from the grave at the resurrection. Elijah was translated without seeing death and represented those who would be alive at the Second Coming of Jesus. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature, Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones. The Desire of Ages, 422.

On this mountain where satan and Jesus are standing satan offers Jesus what He came for. He was offering Him a view of the earthly kingdom with no defect of sin. Jesus saw the world in all its glory. Everything Jesus came for could be achieved right there and then. All He had to do was to bow down to satan. I do not know if there is anything that can compare to that.

Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.

On this mountain where satan and Jesus are standing satan offers Jesus what He came for. He was offering Him a view of the earthly kingdom with no defect of sin. Jesus saw the world in all it’s glory. Everything Jesus came for could be achieved right there and then. All He had to do was to bow down to satan. I do not know if there is anything that can compare to that.

Yes, we can be offered all that our hearts desire by satan. We can stand in the crossroad of our life. Thinking that greatness and success in the world is the greatest prize to have. Jesus wants us to realize that there is a different kingdom. One that runs opposite to that of satan’s. says, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. There was not sign of suffering and sin. This is the allure of satan. He does not tell you that his kingdom is filled with heartache and troubles. All he paints is glory and riches. Satan said to Jesus you can have all this glory and you will not have to die for it. But, Jesus knew that “He must bear the sins of the whole world. He must endure the separation from His Father’s love.” Desire of Ages, 129.

Yes, we can be offered all that our hearts desire by satan. We can stand in the crossroad of our life. Thinking that greatness and success in the world is the greatest prize to have. Jesus wants us to realize that there is a different kingdom. One that runs opposite to that of satan’s. says, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. There was no sign of suffering and sin. This is the allure of satan. He does not tell you that his kingdom is filled with heartache and troubles. All he paints is glory and riches. Satan said to Jesus you can have all this glory and you will not have to die for it. But Jesus knew that “He must bear the sins of the whole world. He must endure the separation from His Father’s love.” Desire of Ages, 129.

Ellen Gould White, The Desire of Ages, vol. 3, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 422.

the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory

Yes, we can be offered all that our hearts desire by satan. We can stand in the crossroad of our life. Thinking that greatness and success in the world is the greatest prize to have.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Whee: Experiencing the Gospel

The world in all its splendor did not appeal to Jesus. One being asked to bow down and worship satan Jesus says words to live by. “Away with you, satan for it is written, you shall worship the Lord you God, and Him only you shall serve.” These are the words that give us victory. Turning from the kingdom of satan and letting the kingdom of God rule in our lives. Jesus was placing God first in His life. This is what takes place in our lives if we choose to let Jesus reign in us. The words of Jesus were unconditional and satan had now power to withstand them. He was compelled without another word instantly to desist and leave the world’s Redeemer.

The same experience is possible for all mankind. says, “if the Son sets you free you shall be free indeed.” Why? The words of Jesus come with power and authority that we do not have. The authority with which Jesus speaks causes satan to separate himself from Jesus. Why does this separation take place? Jesus gives the foundation for power over satan. He says that He only worships God and He only serves Him. Worship of God and service to Him are the key. In other words, to have God and King and Ruler in our lives is that which drives satan away. Christ is this victory for us. It is His imputed righteousness that drive satan out of our lives.

The same experience is possible for all mankind. says, “if the Son sets you free you shall be free indeed.” Why? The words of Jesus comes with power and authority that we do not have. The authority with which Jesus speaks causes satan to separate himself from Jesus. Why does this separation take place? Jesus gives the foundation for power over satan. He says that He only worships God and He only serves Him. Worship of God and service to Him are the key. In others words to have God and king and ruler in our lives is that which drives satan away. Christ is this victory for us. It is His imputed righteousness that drive satan out of our lives.

Yeah: Anticipating the Future

In Jesus claiming God as His ruler in His life. In Jesus saying that He only severs, and worships God resulted in satan leaving Him. The anticipation that we can have for our future is that as we submit to the kingdom of God so satan will flee. Yes, he will come back as some other time. But this we do not need to fear. Why? Because God will never forsake us. The beauty in this passage is that as Jesus clung to God and remained steadfast, He did it for us. He trusted explicitly in His Fathers provision for His life when tempted to turn stones to bread, He did not flinch at the thought of His death on Calvary for us and remained steadfast and resolute in the second temptation. Then finally we see the desperate attempt by satan to get Jesus to worship him. We also see the key to Christ’s success. That being remaining true to His Worship of His Father and unquestioned service. These victories Jesus freely offers us every single day. As we are assailed by satan Jesus pleads with us to let Him reign in us. To let His victory be ours.