Sabbath: Victory in the Wilderness
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 1:20-23, John 9:39, Matt. 3:7-12, Matt. 4:1-10, Deut. 34:1-4, Rev. 21:10.
Memory Text: “‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’” (Luke 19:10, NKJV) .
Image © Lars Justinen Goosalt.com
“When Satan heard that enmity should exist between himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that his work of depraving human nature would be interrupted. . . . Yet as the plan of salvation was more fully unfolded, Satan rejoiced with his angels that, having caused man’s fall, he could bring down the Son of God from His exalted position. He declared that his plans had thus far been successful upon the earth, and that when Christ should take upon Himself human nature, He also might be overcome, and thus the redemption of the fallen race might be prevented.”-Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 66.
This week, as we look at the temptations in the wilderness, we can see, as perhaps never before so clearly revealed in the Bible, the great controversy between Christ and Satan as it is openly battled out between them. Satan had claimed the world as his, and Christ came to win it back. And central to His winning it back was the plan of salvation. Having failed to kill Jesus after His birth, Satan tried another way to sabotage the redemption of the race. This we see unfold in the wilderness temptations.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 6.
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When Satan succeeded in drawing away 1/3 of the angels, none of them were won back. These angels had fallen away with so much light and experience, that they were not recoverable to God. Satan felt confident that Adam and Eve were in the same proverbial "boat" : these two people were also non-recoverable, and they were now simply part of the 1/3.
In his strategy at the tree, Satan had "counted on securing their allegiance and cooperation in all his enterprises against the government of Heaven". (EGW, TMK p.16)
It seems that Satan expected/assumed that his new 'acquisitions' would simply yield, and start working for him... just as his angels did. He didn't expect to hear that "ENMITY" (i.e. hostility, dis-satisfaction, and discontent) would be brought into the equation.
And that "enmity" was manifest almost straight away. Neither Adam nor Eve were happy with their new found "knowledge" of evil. They wished that they had not gained it. They hated what they had done. And it was not long before the Devil saw that he had lost his new found "reinforcements". But still, he knew that he had a foothold, and as he saw Cain's character developing, he understood that his work was firmly established upon the earth.
Amen.But through the redemption of Jesus' blood we can be reconciled back to the Father. Hallelujah!
please tell me where I can find this reading. I want to read further about cain
Anna-Kay, the things I've written here are based on my reading of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. I would suggest that the chapter in Patriarchs & Prophets, "Cain and Abel Tested", might be helpful for you. It begins with the words, "Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, differed widely in character..." (p.71)
In the beginning God put enmity between the devil and the woman
Paul tells that in our own mind we are at enmity against God
The Good News is that God, through Jesus, reconciles us to Himself
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
Rom 8:5-10 For they who are according to the flesh mind the things of flesh, but they who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (7) because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be. (8) So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ is in you, indeed the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
2Co 5:19-21 whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us. (20) Then we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as God exhorting through us, we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (21) For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
When the Holy Scripture says that 1/3 of the angels were cast down from heaven, I used to wonder: why one third? Until someone explained it this way: 1/3 followed Satan, 1/3 followed God, and the other 1/3 were neutral or undecided. I think it makes sense. And only after Calvary the neutral 1/3 finally understood the love of God, and Satan was wrong. I also believe that some inhabitant of “unfallen worlds” were affected the same way. And only after seeing the ultimate sacrifice by Jesus, did they accept the perfection of Justice and Mercy and the true nature of God.
Does it have a biblical or prophetical reference? help
God is real love,angels tried their level best to tell our first parent about this deceiver but finally they lost the battle,
God did not let us perish but he dusplayed a new plan to restore us back to him, tjis is in uncounted love
The difference is; +Adam and Eve disobeyed. 2/3's of Angel's obeyed. "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" Exodus 20:3. I would like to think the 1/3 were recoverable before they were cast out of heaven. But once they were cast out as was the case with Lucifer, they wanted to go back, God read there Heart's which had not changed, therefore couldn't allow them back.
Yes, John, I'm sure God work hard to win the angels back. As I understand it, originally more than one through were inclined to believe Lucifer. It was rejection of God's grace that finally settled the characters of Satan and his followers fully into a pattern of evil.
I imagine the evil one must have pouted and thrown a tantrum following the miserable failure of his attacks in the form of three cunningly devised temptations he presented during his showdown with Jesus in Gethsemane. He seemed to have forgotten who is Creator and Owner and Ruler of all creation. Imagine the gall he had to offer to the King of the universe what is already entirely His and His only to give, in exchange for worship! Worship of whom? The created being,Lucifer,fallen from grace, who was dismissed and expelled from the heavenly environs as "persona non grata"for ever,attempting to lure the Son of God to break His own commandment written on tables of stone (Ex.20:2-3, Deut.5:6). He may have even thought that the Savoir would be deterred by the persecution ,scorn, contempt and suffering He endured and ultimately by the imminent death on a cross. But thanks be to God who gives to all who believe, Jesus won! Yes He has won the battle on our behalf because He did not come down from the cross but died alone for you and me. I say amen. Praise the Lord for Immanuel - God with us!! Soon we will be with Him.
Let us not allow Satan to tempt us in a similar fashion as he tempted our Savior, saying "IF, thou be the Son of God". Jesus had His Father's own declaration from His baptism 40 day previously as encouragement and an affirmation of who He was. We also have the word of God as affirmation and an encouragement as we approach the coming crisis.
Romans 8: 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
We have a heavenly Father mighty in power and faithful in all His dealings with His people. We are indeed children of a mighty King, princesses and princes to one day stand as kings and queens on the new earth where we shall reign with Christ our Brother. Hold fast that promise, never lose sight that we have a Father who loves us so much He gave His own Son to honor a covenant made thousands of years ago with our first parents. Such faithfulness! We can surely trust Him to see the current controversy comes to a safe and sure conclusion for His children.
God has always had a plan to restore us back to His image. But today the church is in the same battle we are studying. The controversy is brewing in the church itself were we see the 1/3 who are standing for what's right (the Biblical standards, ) the 1/3 who are against whatever issue ( And they are powerful in their beliefs.) and that 1/3 who does not have the guts to take a stand, they wait to see who's gonna win the fight before choosing sides.( I'm not familiar with this group mentioned by Mr. Binsar, but if we are in this group today, our fate may not be the same.) We must use these lessons to build our faith in the word of God. There will always be a controversy but, fear not, I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will be with you." Isaiah 41:13. God is mighty, awesome, and compassionate when dealing with us, His children. Immanuel will always be with us!!
God bless you Henrietta Bishop for the powerfull contribution
May I comment on the idea that 1/3 of the angels were neutral or undecided?
Personally, I think this is a mistaken view.
In the time Deborah (Judges 5) there was a place called "Meroz". The people of that place were non-committal in a time of emergency, and their neutrality drew a curse upon them. (Judg 5:23.) By not committing one way or the other, they were, by default, on the side of the enemy.
The Spirit of Prophecy says that "many of our people... occupy the position of Meroz, neither for nor against, neither hot nor cold. They hear the words of Christ, but do them not. If they remain in this state, He will reject them with abhorrence." (5Testimonies p.77)
If a group of angels had wished to remain neutral in the war in heaven, I believe that in the end they would have aligned themselves with the Devil's forces, and they would not have been able to remain in heaven.
I cannot see that there would have been any middle-ground in heaven when the war broke out there.
Crafts i strongly agree with you supported by Rev 3 verses 15&16, anyway lets not be distracted from the lesson, if what you think,say & do does not spiritually edify you or the next person for salvation then stop, rethink guided by sincere prayer and reform
Stewart, for intelligent beings there is always a period of indecision before a final decision is made when a new situation presents itself. Otherwise decisions would be made without thoughtful reflection, and that is not making good use of the intelligence God gave us.
I believe there is no virtue in being so confident of ourselves that we take no time to reflect before making a decision.
I need help on last week's lesson concerning David, he had many wives, and it is after when he killed Uriah that's when a prophet was sent to advice him, does it mean all along was right before God
God is always patient with us,unless and until we repent with contrite hearts,He's always ready to forgive us from all our righteousness.
In Adam and eve, Satan achieved 100 percent of his mission having failed in heaven. His ambition might have been 50 percent (I.e.Eve only) but he was excited when Adam yielded too. With this he was encouraged and comforted that in Christ, he did not have a challenge of convincing two or or more as the Angels in heaven but only one, then the whole world would forever be lost and pay homage to him. Thank God for the Victory of one Man, even the begotten son of God, by his stripes we are healed Ron 5:17
im really impressed with the love of God man had fallen and was to rise no more but God provided Jesus the one to save us from sin.
For our salvation Jesus labored and was tortured why should we not olso endure for his name's sake pliz God give us power!