The Desire of Ages Audiobook Chapter 13: The Victory

Summary

The script from 'The Desire of Ages' details the spiritual battle between Jesus and Satan during the temptation in the wilderness. Jesus, steadfast in faith, resists Satan's ploys to test God's promises and refuses to be swayed by the offer of worldly power. The narrative underscores the importance of faith, obedience, and the victory over temptation through submission to God's will. It also emphasizes that while Satan can tempt, he cannot compel, and true faith protects against his deceptions.

Takeaways

• 😇 The script describes the second temptation of Jesus by Satan, where Jesus is taken to the pinnacle of the temple and urged to prove His divinity by casting Himself down.
• 📜 Satan quotes scripture to deceive, using God's words to tempt Jesus, showing his knowledge of the Bible and his ability to manipulate it for his purposes.
• 🛡️ Jesus resists the temptation by refusing to entertain doubt and by not allowing Satan to compel Him to sin, demonstrating the importance of faith and trust in God's will.
• 🙅‍♂️ The narrative emphasizes that no one can be forced to sin; it requires a voluntary consent of the will, highlighting the power of choice in the face of temptation.
• 🚫 Jesus rejects the path of presumption, choosing to obey God rather than to test God's promises, showing the distinction between faith and presumption.
• 📖 The script contrasts the true nature of faith, which is grounded in obedience and trust, with presumption, which Satan uses to justify transgression.
• 🌏 Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, revealing his desire to be acknowledged and his deceitful tactics to gain control.
• ✝️ Jesus' mission is one of suffering and redemption, not of worldly power or glory, and He rejects Satan's offer, affirming His commitment to God's plan.
• 🛑 The script warns against the dangers of presumption and the allure of worldly success, urging believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
• 🙏 The importance of prayer and meditation is highlighted as a means to avoid unnecessary temptation and to maintain a close relationship with God.
• 🌟 Jesus' victory over Satan is complete, demonstrating that through submission and faith in God, even the weakest can resist and overcome the tempter.

Q & A

What is the significance of angels ministering to Jesus after His victory over temptation?

The angels ministering to Jesus signifies divine support and care, showing that even though He was tested, He was not alone and was sustained by heavenly beings, highlighting His humanity and divinity.

How does Satan attempt to deceive Jesus by using scripture in the script?

Satan quotes scripture, specifically Psalm 91:11-12, to suggest that Jesus should test God by throwing Himself off the temple, implying that angels would protect Him. This is a misinterpretation meant to manipulate Jesus into a dangerous act of presumption.

What does Jesus' refusal to cast Himself down from the temple demonstrate about His character?

Jesus' refusal shows His obedience to God's will and His understanding that faith does not involve testing or presuming upon God's protection without His direction.

How does the script describe the nature of temptation and its impact on individuals?

The script describes temptation as an attempt to lead individuals away from God's will, using deception and manipulation. It emphasizes that temptation can only succeed if the individual's will consents to it.

What is the difference between faith and presumption as depicted in the script?

Faith is based on trust in God's promises and results in obedience, while presumption is a counterfeit of faith that misuses God's promises to justify disobedience or transgression.

Why does Jesus refuse to worship Satan in exchange for the kingdoms of the world?

Jesus refuses because His mission is to establish a kingdom of righteousness, not to gain power through evil means. Worshipping Satan would contradict His purpose and surrender to the principles of rebellion.

How does the script illustrate the power of faith in overcoming temptation?

The script shows that Jesus overcomes temptation through submission to God and faith in His word, demonstrating that faith provides the strength to resist and defeat the tempter.

What does the script suggest about the role of prayer and meditation in resisting temptation?

The script suggests that prayer and meditation are protective practices that keep individuals from unnecessarily rushing into dangerous situations and help in avoiding defeat by temptation.

How does the script portray the relationship between Jesus and the angels?

The angels are portrayed as watchers and supporters of Jesus during His time of trial, coming to His aid after His victory over temptation, providing physical and emotional sustenance.

What message does the script convey about the ultimate cost of redemption?

The script conveys that the cost of redemption is immense, requiring Jesus to endure suffering and separation from God. It also suggests that the full realization of this cost will come when the redeemed stand with Jesus before God's throne.

How does the script use the imagery of a high mountain to depict Satan's temptation of Jesus?

The high mountain serves as a vantage point from which Satan shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world in their glory, using their beauty and prosperity as bait to entice Jesus to worship him and gain dominion over them.

Outlines

00:00

🛡 Triumph Over Temptation

This paragraph narrates the story of Jesus' encounter with Satan during the temptation in the wilderness. It emphasizes Jesus' unwavering faith and reliance on God's word to resist the devil's deceptive tactics. The text highlights the importance of faith and obedience to God's will, as well as the futility of Satan's attempts to compel Jesus to sin. It concludes by teaching that no one can be forced to sin without their consent, and that faith in God is the key to overcoming temptation.

05:04

🙏 The Nature of Faith and Presumption

The second paragraph delves into the distinction between faith and presumption, using the biblical story of Jesus' temptation as a backdrop. It explains that faith is grounded in God's promises and leads to obedience, while presumption is a counterfeit that misuses God's promises to justify sin. The paragraph also discusses the consequences of presumption, contrasting it with genuine faith that trusts in God's love and commands. It concludes with the importance of prayer and meditation to avoid unnecessary temptation and the assurance that God will provide a way to escape it.

10:06

🌏 The Temptation of Worldly Power

This section of the script describes the third temptation of Jesus, where Satan offers him the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. It underscores the conflict between the principles of righteousness and rebellion, highlighting Christ's mission of suffering and redemption. The paragraph explains that Satan's dominion is limited and usurped, and that Christ, as the rightful King, rejects the offer. It also warns that Satan continues to deceive people by offering worldly success at the cost of integrity and obedience to God.

15:07

🌟 Victory and Redemption

The final paragraph concludes the narrative of Jesus' temptation and victory over Satan. It portrays the moment when Jesus, having resisted all temptations, commands Satan to depart, demonstrating divine authority and power. The text then shifts to the aftermath, describing the angels' ministry to the exhausted Jesus and the assurance of heaven's support. It concludes with a reflection on the cost of redemption and the future acknowledgment of Christ's sacrifice, culminating in the redeemed's praise and worship of the Lamb of God.

Keywords

💡Temptation

Temptation refers to the enticement to do something, often something morally wrong or against one's principles. In the script, it is the challenge that Jesus faces in the wilderness, where Satan tries to lead Him astray from His divine mission. The concept is central to the theme of spiritual struggle and the triumph of faith over evil.

💡Faith

Faith, in this context, is the trust and confidence in God's power, wisdom, and benevolence. It is depicted as the force that sustains Jesus during His temptations and is the cornerstone of the script's message about overcoming trials through belief in divine guidance and protection.

💡Satan

Satan is portrayed as the adversary, the embodiment of evil and the tempter of Jesus in the desert. He represents the forces of deception and rebellion against God. His role in the script illustrates the conflict between good and evil and the tactics of temptation used to test spiritual integrity.

💡Angels

Angels are depicted as divine messengers and protectors in the script. They come to minister unto Jesus after His victory over Satan, symbolizing heavenly support and care. Their presence underscores the spiritual warfare theme and the assistance available from the divine realm.

💡Pinnacle

The pinnacle, in the script, refers to the high point or summit, specifically the pinnacle of the temple where Satan takes Jesus to test His faith. It serves as a metaphor for the high stakes and the extreme challenges faced in the spiritual journey.

💡Scriptures

Scriptures are the sacred texts that Satan and Jesus both use in their discourse, with Satan misquoting to deceive and Jesus using them to uphold His faith. The term highlights the importance of proper understanding and application of divine teachings in resisting temptation.

💡Presumption

Presumption is portrayed as an overconfident claim or assumption, often without justification. In the script, it is contrasted with faith, illustrating the difference between trusting in God's promises and recklessly assuming God's intervention to justify wrongdoing.

💡Obedience

Obedience is the act of following orders, commands, or requests, particularly those of a superior or authority. In the context of the script, it is the path that Jesus chooses, emphasizing the importance of following God's will even in the face of temptation.

💡Redemption

Redemption is the act of saving or being saved from sin or its consequences. The script discusses the cost of redemption, highlighting Jesus' sacrifice and His role as the Redeemer of humanity, offering salvation through His victory over sin and death.

💡Kingdom of the World

The kingdom of the world, as mentioned in the script, refers to the earthly power and glory that Satan offers to Jesus in exchange for worship. It represents the allure of worldly success and the choice between divine righteousness and worldly gain.

💡Victory

Victory in the script signifies Jesus' triumph over Satan's temptations, demonstrating the power of faith and obedience. It is a central theme, showing that through steadfast belief and submission to God, one can overcome the forces of evil.

Highlights

Angels ministered unto Jesus after His victory over the temptations.

Satan uses scripture to deceive, quoting 'He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee'.

Jesus refuses to entertain Satan's insinuation of doubt, 'If Thou be the Son of God'.

Satan cannot compel sin; the will must consent to his influence.

Sinful desires provide Satan a foothold; failure gives him power to reproach Christ.

Jesus rejects the path outside obedience, refusing to test God's promises.

Faith is distinct from presumption; faith obeys while presumption misuses God's promises.

True faith is founded on Scripture's promises and avoids the path of presumption.

Satan offers worldly kingdoms to Christ in exchange for worship, which Christ rejects.

Christ's mission requires suffering; Satan's offer contradicts this purpose.

Satan's dominion is usurped and limited by God's permission.

Jesus commands Satan to depart, asserting His divinity and authority.

Satan's offer to men is deceptive, requiring the sacrifice of integrity and conscience.

Jesus' victory over Satan demonstrates the power of submission and faith in God.

The angels' ministry to Jesus after His victory shows divine support and care.

The cost of redemption is immense, reflecting the depth of Jesus' sacrifice for humanity.

Transcripts

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 13: The Victory

And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 

"Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city,  and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,  

and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of  God, cast Thyself down: for it is written,—

"He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee:

And in their hands they shall bear Thee up,

Lest at any time Thou dash  Thy foot against a stone." 

Satan now supposes that he has met Jesus on His  own ground. The wily foe himself presents words  

that proceeded from the mouth of God. He still  appears as an angel of light, and he makes it  

evident that he is acquainted with the Scriptures,  and understands the import of what is written.  

As Jesus before used the word of God to  sustain His faith, the tempter now uses  

it to countenance his deception. He claims that  he has been only testing the fidelity of Jesus,  

and he now commends His steadfastness. As the  Saviour has manifested trust in God, Satan urges  

Him to give still another evidence of His faith. But again the temptation is prefaced with the  

insinuation of distrust, "If Thou be the  Son of God." Christ was tempted to answer  

the "if;" but He refrained from the slightest  acceptance of the doubt. He would not imperil  

His life in order to give evidence to Satan. The tempter thought to take advantage of Christ's  

humanity, and urge Him to presumption. But while  Satan can solicit, he cannot compel to sin.  

He said to Jesus, "Cast Thyself down,"  knowing that he could not cast Him down;  

for God would interpose to deliver Him. Nor could  Satan force Jesus to cast Himself down. Unless  

Christ should consent to temptation, He could not  be overcome. Not all the power of earth or hell  

could force Him in the slightest degree  to depart from the will of His Father. 

The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He  cannot control minds unless they are yielded  

to his control. The will must consent,  faith must let go its hold upon Christ,  

before Satan can exercise his power upon us.  But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a  

foothold. Every point in which we  fail of meeting the divine standard  

is an open door by which he can enter to tempt  and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our  

part gives occasion for him to reproach Christ. When Satan quoted the promise,  

"He shall give His angels charge over Thee," he  omitted the words, "to keep Thee in all Thy ways;"  

that is, in all the ways of God's choosing. Jesus  refused to go outside the path of obedience.  

While manifesting perfect trust in His Father, He  would not place Himself, unbidden, in a position  

that would necessitate the interposition of His  Father to save Him from death. He would not force  

Providence to come to His rescue, and thus fail  of giving man an example of trust and submission. 

Jesus declared to Satan, "It is written  again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."  

These words were spoken by Moses to the children  of Israel when they thirsted in the desert,  

and demanded that Moses should give them  water, exclaiming, "Is the Lord among us,  

or not?" Exodus 17:7. God had wrought marvelously  for them; yet in trouble they doubted Him,  

and demanded evidence that He was with them. In  their unbelief they sought to put Him to the test.  

And Satan was urging Christ to do the same thing.  God had already testified that Jesus was His Son;  

and now to ask for proof that He was the Son  of God would be putting God's word to the  

test,—tempting Him. And the same would be true  of asking for that which God had not promised.  

It would manifest distrust, and be really proving,  or tempting, Him. We should not present our  

petitions to God to prove whether He will fulfill  His word, but because He will fulfill it; not to  

prove that He loves us, but because He loves us.  "Without faith it is impossible to please Him:  

for he that cometh to God must believe  that He is, and that He is a rewarder of  

them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. But faith is in no sense allied to presumption.  

Only he who has true faith is secure  against presumption. For presumption is  

Satan's counterfeit of faith. Faith claims God's  promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience.  

Presumption also claims the promises, but uses  them as Satan did, to excuse transgression.  

Faith would have led our first  parents to trust the love of God,  

and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to  transgress His law, believing that His great love  

would save them from the consequence of their sin.  It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven  

without complying with the conditions  on which mercy is to be granted.  

Genuine faith has its foundation in the  promises and provisions of the Scriptures. 

Often when Satan has failed of exciting distrust,  he succeeds in leading us to presumption.  

If he can cause us to place ourselves  unnecessarily in the way of temptation,  

he knows that the victory is his. God  will preserve all who walk in the path of  

obedience; but to depart from it is to venture  on Satan's ground. There we are sure to fall.  

The Saviour has bidden us, "Watch ye and pray,  lest ye enter into temptation." Mark 14:38.  

Meditation and prayer would keep us from  rushing unbidden into the way of danger,  

and thus we should be saved from many a defeat. Yet we should not lose courage when assailed  

by temptation. Often when placed in a trying  situation we doubt that the Spirit of God has been  

leading us. But it was the Spirit's leading that  brought Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by  

Satan. When God brings us into trial, He  has a purpose to accomplish for our good.  

Jesus did not presume on God's  promises by going unbidden  

into temptation, neither did He give up  to despondency when temptation came upon Him.  

Nor should we. "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." He says,  

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows  unto the Most High: and call upon Me in the day  

of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt  glorify Me." 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 50:14, 15. 

Jesus was victor in the second temptation, and  now Satan manifests himself in his true character.  

But he does not appear as a hideous monster, with  cloven feet and bat's wings. He is a mighty angel,  

though fallen. He avows himself the leader  of rebellion and the god of this world. 

Placing Jesus upon a high mountain, Satan caused  the kingdoms of the world, in all their glory,  

to pass in panoramic view before Him. The  sunlight lay on templed cities, marble palaces,  

fertile fields, and fruit-laden vineyards. The  traces of evil were hidden. The eyes of Jesus,  

so lately greeted by gloom and desolation, now  gazed upon a scene of unsurpassed loveliness  

and prosperity. Then the tempter's voice  was heard: "All this power will I give Thee,  

and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto  me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If Thou  

therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine." Christ's mission could be fulfilled only through  

suffering. Before Him was a life of sorrow,  hardship, and conflict, and an ignominious death.  

He must bear the sins of the whole world.  He must endure separation from His Father's  

love. Now the tempter offered to  yield up the power he had usurped.  

Christ might deliver Himself from the dreadful  future by acknowledging the supremacy of Satan.  

But to do this was to yield the  victory in the great controversy.  

It was in seeking to exalt himself above the Son  of God that Satan had sinned in heaven. Should he  

prevail now, it would be the triumph of rebellion. 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 kingdom of men, and  giveth it to whomsoever He will." Daniel 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 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." Proverbs 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."  

Revelation 5:12.