Comments on "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Jude 1:6
"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved [preserved?] in everlasting chains under darkness [willing ignorance] unto the judgment of the great day".

Consider that fact that God preserves while Satan destroys. Revelation 7:1-3.

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This is often how God works. Silently - waiting for us to see and appreciate.

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1 Timothy 2:14
"And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression". Here we are being told that Adam was not with his wife at the time.

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No one, not even the highest created being, can read another creature's mind. Only God can do this but He is very careful not to embarrass us with untimely revelations.

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Eve was not present when Adam was first given the advice. She was still a part of him. Genesis 2:16-17 and 2:22.

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This precaution was for their benefit. God knew that for them to live forever as sinners would be be a nightmare they would rather be without. The flaming "swords" (which EGW calls beams of light further on) were similar in principle to that barrier Lucifer found when he tried to enter into the immediate presence of God the Father. "The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God's unchanging love". PP 33.

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The Garden of Eden is now part of the city of New Jerusalem.

PP.062.002
The Garden of Eden remained upon the earth long after man had become an outcast from its pleasant paths. The fallen race were long permitted to gaze upon the home of innocence, their entrance barred only by the watching angels. At the cherubim-guarded gate of Paradise the divine glory was revealed. Hither came Adam and his sons to worship God. Here they renewed their vows of obedience to that law the transgression of which had banished them from Eden. When the tide of iniquity overspread the world, and the wickedness of men determined their destruction by a flood of waters, the hand that had planted Eden withdrew it from the earth. But in the final restitution, when there shall be "a new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1), it is to be restored more gloriously adorned than at the beginning. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

It is now revealed that the creation of Adam and Eve was a direct result of Lucifer and his followers' sin. While the renovating of this earth was going on in preparation for that event, Jesus was pleading with them to repent before it was too late. Genesis 1:2-25. Then man was created to produce children, a hitherto unknown species in the universe, and with them replace the fallen angels. Eve's peculiar creation from inside Adam had a direct bearing on Satan's ambition "to be like God". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Numbers 35:25-28
"And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; and the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

He who is "not willing that any should perish", does not willingly leave any of His children. They MUST leave Him and positively reject Him over and over again. Then He reluctantly leaves them to the choice they have made. He cried over Jerusalem a few days before they crucified Him.

DA.575.003
Jesus gazes upon the scene, and the vast multitude hush their shouts, spellbound by the sudden vision of beauty. All eyes turn upon the Saviour, expecting to see in His countenance the admiration they themselves feel. But instead of this they behold a cloud of sorrow. They are surprised and disappointed to see His eyes fill with tears, and His body rock to and fro like a tree before the tempest, while a wail of anguish bursts from His quivering lips, as if from the depths of a broken heart. What a sight was this for angels to behold! their loved Commander in an agony of tears! What a sight was this for the glad throng that with shouts of triumph and the waving of palm branches were escorting Him to the glorious city, where they fondly hoped He was about to reign! Jesus had wept at the grave of Lazarus, but it was in a godlike grief in sympathy with human woe. But this sudden sorrow was like a note of wailing in a grand triumphal chorus. In the midst of a scene of rejoicing, where all were paying Him homage, Israel's King was in tears; not silent tears of gladness, but tears and groans of insuppressible agony. The multitude were struck with a sudden gloom. Their acclamations were silenced. Many wept in sympathy with a grief they could not comprehend.

Hosea 4:17 "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone".

Hosea 12:14; 13:1 "Ephraim provoked Him to anger [= sadness] most bitterly: therefore shall He leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

There was nothing more God could show them in an effort to get them to change their minds. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

RH.1890-04-15.012
... Christ has said, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." But the question of Sabbath and Sunday observance is to be agitated everywhere, and the deceptions of Satan will flood the world. The man of sin has instituted a spurious sabbath, and the Protestant world has taken this child of the papacy and cradled and nurtured it. Satan means to make all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of the fornication of Babylon. Men are binding themselves together in bonds of union to show their disloyalty to the God of heaven. The first day of the week is to be exalted and presented to all for observance. Shall we be partakers of this cup of abomination? Shall we bow to the authorities of earth and despise God? The powers of darkness have been gathering their forces to bring this crisis about in the world, so that the man of sin may exalt himself above God.

God does not force the conscience of any man, but the powers of darkness have been trying to compel the consciences of men ever since Abel fell under the murderous blow from the hand of pitiless Cain because Abel's works were righteous and his own were sinful. God had respect unto the offering of Abel, but he had no respect for Cain's offering, and this made Cain very angry, and the Lord said, "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." God was not at fault that Cain's offering was not respected. It was valueless because it was destitute of the thing that gave it virtue, and that was the blood that was to be shed for the sins of the world,--the blood of Jesus Christ.

Thus we see that "his own plan" included Sunday-keeping! That which "showed dependence on another" is the essence of Sabbath-keeping. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

6T.392.001

Enoch and his translation to heaven were a convincing argument to all who lived in his time. These things were an argument that Methuselah and Noah could use with power to show that [all] the righteous could be translated. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Satan cannot compel, not even in his own kingdom. He must persuade his followers to join with him in his dark plans. This comparatively easy because they have the same desires as he. But occasionally they rebel and "do their own thing" which is the main characteristic of the sinner.

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DA.048.005
The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Rom. 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden.

But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.

DA.049.001
Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every [Christian] child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.

DA.049.002
The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life's peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. "Herein is love." Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!

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1 Corinthians 15:26
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death [and its originator]".

Winning all the early battles does not mean winning the war!!! It is the last battle that counts.

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DA.117.002
Many claim that it was impossible for Christ to be overcome by temptation. Then He could not have been placed in Adam's position; He could not have gained the victory that Adam failed to gain. If we have in any sense a more trying conflict than had Christ, then He would not be able to succor us. But our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear which He has not endured.

DA.117.003
With Christ, as with the holy pair in Eden, appetite was the ground of the first great temptation. Just where the ruin began, the work of our redemption must begin. As by the indulgence of appetite Adam fell, so by the denial of appetite Christ must overcome. "And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

This was the first of three occasions on which this was to happen. The third time it killed Him. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Isaiah 63:1-9
"Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength?"

"I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save".

"Wherefore are You red in Your apparel, and Your garments like him that treads in the winefat? "

"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in My anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed is come".

"And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold [Me]: therefore My own arm brought salvation unto Me; and My fury, it upheld me"

"And I will tread down the people in My anger, and make them drunk in My fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth".

"I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. For He said, 'Surely they are My people, children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Christ, in His humanity, did not know that He was the one who had done this. (See next comment, from DA 119). Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

DA.119.001
The words from heaven, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17), were still sounding in the ears of Satan. But he was determined to make Christ disbelieve this testimony. The word of God was Christ's assurance of His divine mission. He had come to live as a man among men, and it was the word that declared His connection with heaven. It was Satan's purpose to cause Him to doubt that word. If Christ's confidence in God could be shaken, Satan knew that the victory in the whole controversy would be his. He could overcome Jesus. He hoped that under the force of despondency and extreme hunger, Christ would lose faith in His Father, and work a miracle in His own behalf. Had He done this, the plan of salvation would have been broken. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Revelation 14:12
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and [have] the faith of Jesus". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Note that this exclusion was self-imposed as it is written, "O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in Me is your help". Hosea 13:9. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

1 Peter 2:11
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul".

1T.469.004
One important part of the work of the ministry is to faithfully present to the people the health reform as it stands connected with the third angel's message as part and parcel of the same work. They should not fail to adopt it themselves, and should urge it upon all who profess to believe the truth.

1T.486.001
I was shown that the work of health reform has scarcely been entered upon yet. While some feel deeply and act out their faith in the work, others remain indifferent and have scarcely taken the first step in reform. There seems to be in them a heart of unbelief, and, as this reform restricts the lustful appetite, many shrink back. They have other gods before the Lord. Their taste, their appetite, is their god; and when the ax is laid at the root of the tree and those who have indulged their depraved appetites at the expense of health are touched, their sin pointed out, their idols shown them, they do not wish to be convinced; and although God's voice should speak directly to them to put away those health-destroying indulgences, some would still cling to the hurtful things which they love. They seem joined to their idols, and God will soon say to His angels: Let them alone. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Practise makes perfect!!! Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

The "Great Controversy" is ALL on Satan's side. God says,

"Yes, My own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread, has lifted up his heel against Me". Psalm 41:9.

"And He said to him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless". Matthew 22:12. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Jacob recognised the ladder as leading to "the gate of heaven", and it still does. Genesis 28:17.

DA.311.005
Christ is the ladder that Jacob saw, the base resting on the earth, and the topmost round reaching to the gate of heaven, to the very threshold of glory. If that ladder had failed by a single step of reaching the earth, we should have been lost. But Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Made "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (Rom. 8:3), He lived a sinless life. Now by His divinity He lays hold upon the throne of heaven, while by His humanity He reaches us. He bids us by faith in Him attain to the glory of the character of God. Therefore are we to be perfect, even as our "Father which is in heaven is perfect." Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Psalm 9:12-13"
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse You me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression".

2 Peter 2:10
"... Presumptuous are they, selfwilled...."

1T.294.001
If Satan can so befog and deceive the human mind as to lead mortals to think that there is an inherent power in themselves to accomplish great and good works, they cease to rely upon God to do for them that which they think there is power in themselves to do. They acknowledge not a superior power. They give not God the glory which He claims, and which is due to His great and excellent Majesty. Satan's object is thus accomplished, and he exults that fallen men presumptuously exalt themselves as he exalted himself in heaven and was thrust out. He knows that if man exalts himself, his ruin is just as certain as was his own.

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To look, and even greatly desire, is NOT giving in to temptation!!

Youth's Instructor. 1899-07-20.010 [Bible Commentary Vol 5, page 1082].
Christ's heart was pierced by a far sharper pain than that caused by the nails driven into his hands and feet. He was bearing the sins of the whole world, enduring our punishment, - the wrath of God against transgression. His trial involved the fierce temptation of thinking that he was forsaken by God. His soul was tortured by the pressure of great darkness, lest he should swerve from his uprightness during the terrible ordeal.

Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation.

Temptation is resisted when man is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action; and, knowing that he can do it, resists, by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power.

This was the ordeal through which Christ passed. He could not have been tempted in all points as man is tempted, had there been no possibility of his failing. He was a free agent, placed on probation, as was Adam, and as is every man. In his closing hours, while hanging on the cross, he experienced to the fullest extent what man must experience when striving against sin. He realized how bad a man may become by yielding to sin. He realized the terrible consequence of the transgression of God's law; for the iniquity of the whole world was upon him.

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This means it was as difficult for Him to depend on a Saviour as it is for us. He who had the power to overcome must not use it, while we who do not have the power, can not use it! We must both rely on someone else.

Hebrews 5:7-9
"Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him..." Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

PP.056.002
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind. He mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But now the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society had been his joy. How could he have it thus? Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels. He had looked upon the glory of the Creator. He understood the high destiny opened to the human race should they remain faithful to God. Yet all these blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in his eyes outvalued every other. Love, gratitude, loyalty to the Creator--all were overborne by love to Eve. She was a part of himself, and he could not endure the thought of separation. He did not realize that the same Infinite Power who had from the dust of the earth created him, a living, beautiful form, and had in love given him a companion, could supply her place. He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with her. After all, he reasoned, might not the words of the wise serpent be true? Eve was before him, as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater love for him than before. No sign of death appeared in her, and he decided to brave the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Ezekiel 18:31-32
"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby you have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live you". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

1 Corinthians 11:28-30
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [in death]". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Ezekiel 33:10-11
"Therefore, O you son of man, speak to the house of Israel; Thus you speak, saying, 'If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?' Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn you, turn you from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?" Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

As so his agents will come to us.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

1T.283.004
The experience of Christians in these days is much like the travels of ancient Israel.

Please read 1 Corinthians 10, especially from the 6th to the 15th verse:

1T.284.001
"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. . . . Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say." Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Luke 9:23-24
"And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me, for whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Isaiah 58:6-9
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; [and] the glory of the LORD shall be your rearward [behind you]. Then shall you call, and the LORD shall answer; you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am, if you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Hebrews 2:17-18
"Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted".

This really means that WE know that He can do this. Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Hebrews 2:14.
It is the devil "who has the power of death". To deviate in any way from God's instructions is to place ourselves where we can come under Satan's dominion. This is so because it is only in obedience to law that God can protect. It was in this manner that Nadab and Abihu died.

Levitcus 10:1-2
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD". Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"

Zechariah 13:6
"And one shall say to Him, 'What are these wounds in Your hands?' Then He shall answer, 'Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends'." Return to "Temptation in the Wilderness"