Satan wants to "be like the Most High." He desires worship. By substituting another day for God's true worship day, he has hoped to get worship and allegiance through deception. Jesus was very clear on this:
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]" Matthew 4:10
But he also wants to deny Christ divinity and step into his place with man. Lets start at the begining, as I found these gems in a lesson:
"..Lucifer's claims began in the heart—that is, in the mind. God created the mind as the seat of all emotions, decisions, and actions. As is the mind, so is the life. "Your word I have hidden in my heart," says the psalmist, "that I might not sin against You" (Ps. 119:11, NKJV). A mind filled with God's thoughts and His will serves as a shield against sin. But Lucifer filled his mind with rebellious, prideful thoughts:
" ' "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" ' "(Isa. 14:13, NKJV). Lucifer's ultimate presumption was that he could seize the sovereignty that Christ had above all other created thrones. His presumption was not only false but in direct revolt against the basic law of the created order: Only the Creator can be sovereign.
" ' "I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north" ' " (vs. 13, NKJV). Psalm 48:2 describes Mount Zion as being "on the sides of the north." Lucifer's ambition was to sit on the mount of the congregation—an ambition that once fulfilled would no doubt win the angels' allegiance and their worship. But worship is the prerogative of God and Him alone (see 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 96:9; Rev. 14:7). Upon what other presumption did Lucifer dare to act?
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
Isa. 14:14
What is wrong with this particular presumption of Lucifer's? After all, doesn't the Bible itself tell us we should seek to be like God, to love like Him, to serve like Him, to forgive like Him, to hate sin like Him, to be a source of hope like Him? (Gal. 5:22-26; Col. 3:12-14). The problem, instead, is what it was about God that Lucifer wanted for himself. Lucifer desired God's power, position, authority, and glory; not His love, His benevolence, His mercy.
Lucifer's rebellion did not begin as a full-blown revolt; it rarely does, even in us. It starts small, unperceived, a little doubt here, a little hatred there, a little greed or jealousy somewhere else. Soon it all adds up into something that we never imagined at first. Unless we guard our minds with God's Word and commit ourselves daily to Him, revolt will not be far away...."
Now Lucifer wants to deny that Jesus really was God so he can make assert himself as god to mankind, many claim the belief that Jesus did not claim to be God while on earth, the Bible clearly teaches that He did. In John 8:58 Jesus says of Himself, "...Verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM." The term I AM, is of course one that God has assumed as His name, and was recognized by the Jews as a title of deity (see Ex. 3:14; cf. Isa. 44:6; 47:8). Also, the high priest's reaction to Jesus' use of the title, in the Gospel of Mark, suggests that he considered Jesus' utterance of it as being a blasphemous claim to deity (Mark 14:61-63). Jesus makes it perfectly clear in John 8 that He is most certainly God (cf. John 3:13; 5:18; 10:33; 17:5). Noted American theologian A.A. Hodge, speaks truly on this matter of the Person of Christ:
"Jesus of Nazareth was very God, possessing the divine nature and all its essential attributes. He is also true man, His human nature derived by generation from the stock of Adam. These natures continued united in His Person, yet ever remain true divinity and true humanity, unmixed and as to essence unchanged. So that Christ possesses at once in the unity of His Person two spirits with all their essential attributes, a human consciousness, mind, heart and will.... Yet it does not become us to attempt to explain the manner in which the two spirits mutually affect each other, or how far they meet in one consciousness, nor how the two wills cooperate in one activity, in the union of one person. Nevertheless, they constitute as thus united one single Person, and the attributes of both natures belong to the one Person."8
The Scripture most widely used to support the view that Christ emptied Himself of His divinity is Philippians 2:7: "But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." The Revised Version has it, 'But emptied Himself, taking the form...' The Greek here means literally to empty. The question we have before us is: In what manner did Jesus empty Himself? Some contend that the kenosis (an emptying), was merely a concealment, a veiling of His divine attributes, not unlike the sun as when veiled by clouds still gives its light but the full radiance is concealed. John 1 shows clearly that Jesus, the second Person of the Godhead, was made flesh, maintaining His divinity and attributes. The Unger's Bible Dictionary informs us that, "The ancient Church, with but few exceptions, taught that the Son did not retain the divine glory for Himself, for His own advantage, while yet He did not cease even in the flesh to be what He eternally was." Luke 2:49, "How is it that ye sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" indicates that even as a Child, Jesus was conscious of His divinity, as well as during the years of His ministry (John 8:58; 10:30; 14:9-11; 17:25).
Philippians 2:6 speaks of Jesus, being in the form of God... The word "form" (morph), is best defined by Gifford in his book The Incarnation, "morph is...properly the nature or essence, not in the abstract, but as actually subsisting in the individual, and retained as long as the individual itself exists...Thus in the passage before us morph Theou is the Divine nature actually and inseparably subsisting in the Person of Christ."
Perhaps the strongest verse which attests to Christ's divinity is Colossians 2:9: "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." This verse plainly states that the fullness of the Godhead ie., divinity or divine essence, became incarnate and indwelt the body of Jesus Christ. It does not mean that only the will of God dwelt in Him, nor even of the divine knowledge alone, but that the whole deity had become incarnate and dwelt in human form. Jesus was not just a man who had God dwelling in Him, He was wholly God and wholly man. Hebrews 13:8, an oft used verse by both Faith movement teachers and followers alike, is proof that Jesus was wholly divine, and yet in human form during His ministry on earth, for He is forever unchangeable. According to Philippians 2:6-8, Jesus came to earth in the form of God, and in the form of a servant. "The eternal, infinite form of God took upon Himself flesh" (John 1:1, 14).....Atonement Where? by Moreno Dal Bell"
But Satan wants to be like God even to the end of time, he wants to be worshipped and thus uses substitutes like the pagan worship of the sun and its day. This is why Sunday will assume such a critical importance as we come to the end of days as it will be made a clear choice by the evil one himself so that everyone will have to choose between worshiping the evil one or God:
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. (Rev. 1:13-15). The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" {LDE 163.2}
The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed.--GC 624 (1911). {LDE 163.3}
It is all begining to become clear as to the evil one's purpose in the great controversy with God....
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]" Matthew 4:10
But he also wants to deny Christ divinity and step into his place with man. Lets start at the begining, as I found these gems in a lesson:
"..Lucifer's claims began in the heart—that is, in the mind. God created the mind as the seat of all emotions, decisions, and actions. As is the mind, so is the life. "Your word I have hidden in my heart," says the psalmist, "that I might not sin against You" (Ps. 119:11, NKJV). A mind filled with God's thoughts and His will serves as a shield against sin. But Lucifer filled his mind with rebellious, prideful thoughts:
" ' "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" ' "(Isa. 14:13, NKJV). Lucifer's ultimate presumption was that he could seize the sovereignty that Christ had above all other created thrones. His presumption was not only false but in direct revolt against the basic law of the created order: Only the Creator can be sovereign.
" ' "I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north" ' " (vs. 13, NKJV). Psalm 48:2 describes Mount Zion as being "on the sides of the north." Lucifer's ambition was to sit on the mount of the congregation—an ambition that once fulfilled would no doubt win the angels' allegiance and their worship. But worship is the prerogative of God and Him alone (see 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 96:9; Rev. 14:7). Upon what other presumption did Lucifer dare to act?
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
Isa. 14:14
What is wrong with this particular presumption of Lucifer's? After all, doesn't the Bible itself tell us we should seek to be like God, to love like Him, to serve like Him, to forgive like Him, to hate sin like Him, to be a source of hope like Him? (Gal. 5:22-26; Col. 3:12-14). The problem, instead, is what it was about God that Lucifer wanted for himself. Lucifer desired God's power, position, authority, and glory; not His love, His benevolence, His mercy.
Lucifer's rebellion did not begin as a full-blown revolt; it rarely does, even in us. It starts small, unperceived, a little doubt here, a little hatred there, a little greed or jealousy somewhere else. Soon it all adds up into something that we never imagined at first. Unless we guard our minds with God's Word and commit ourselves daily to Him, revolt will not be far away...."
Now Lucifer wants to deny that Jesus really was God so he can make assert himself as god to mankind, many claim the belief that Jesus did not claim to be God while on earth, the Bible clearly teaches that He did. In John 8:58 Jesus says of Himself, "...Verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM." The term I AM, is of course one that God has assumed as His name, and was recognized by the Jews as a title of deity (see Ex. 3:14; cf. Isa. 44:6; 47:8). Also, the high priest's reaction to Jesus' use of the title, in the Gospel of Mark, suggests that he considered Jesus' utterance of it as being a blasphemous claim to deity (Mark 14:61-63). Jesus makes it perfectly clear in John 8 that He is most certainly God (cf. John 3:13; 5:18; 10:33; 17:5). Noted American theologian A.A. Hodge, speaks truly on this matter of the Person of Christ:
"Jesus of Nazareth was very God, possessing the divine nature and all its essential attributes. He is also true man, His human nature derived by generation from the stock of Adam. These natures continued united in His Person, yet ever remain true divinity and true humanity, unmixed and as to essence unchanged. So that Christ possesses at once in the unity of His Person two spirits with all their essential attributes, a human consciousness, mind, heart and will.... Yet it does not become us to attempt to explain the manner in which the two spirits mutually affect each other, or how far they meet in one consciousness, nor how the two wills cooperate in one activity, in the union of one person. Nevertheless, they constitute as thus united one single Person, and the attributes of both natures belong to the one Person."8
The Scripture most widely used to support the view that Christ emptied Himself of His divinity is Philippians 2:7: "But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." The Revised Version has it, 'But emptied Himself, taking the form...' The Greek here means literally to empty. The question we have before us is: In what manner did Jesus empty Himself? Some contend that the kenosis (an emptying), was merely a concealment, a veiling of His divine attributes, not unlike the sun as when veiled by clouds still gives its light but the full radiance is concealed. John 1 shows clearly that Jesus, the second Person of the Godhead, was made flesh, maintaining His divinity and attributes. The Unger's Bible Dictionary informs us that, "The ancient Church, with but few exceptions, taught that the Son did not retain the divine glory for Himself, for His own advantage, while yet He did not cease even in the flesh to be what He eternally was." Luke 2:49, "How is it that ye sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" indicates that even as a Child, Jesus was conscious of His divinity, as well as during the years of His ministry (John 8:58; 10:30; 14:9-11; 17:25).
Philippians 2:6 speaks of Jesus, being in the form of God... The word "form" (morph), is best defined by Gifford in his book The Incarnation, "morph is...properly the nature or essence, not in the abstract, but as actually subsisting in the individual, and retained as long as the individual itself exists...Thus in the passage before us morph Theou is the Divine nature actually and inseparably subsisting in the Person of Christ."
Perhaps the strongest verse which attests to Christ's divinity is Colossians 2:9: "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." This verse plainly states that the fullness of the Godhead ie., divinity or divine essence, became incarnate and indwelt the body of Jesus Christ. It does not mean that only the will of God dwelt in Him, nor even of the divine knowledge alone, but that the whole deity had become incarnate and dwelt in human form. Jesus was not just a man who had God dwelling in Him, He was wholly God and wholly man. Hebrews 13:8, an oft used verse by both Faith movement teachers and followers alike, is proof that Jesus was wholly divine, and yet in human form during His ministry on earth, for He is forever unchangeable. According to Philippians 2:6-8, Jesus came to earth in the form of God, and in the form of a servant. "The eternal, infinite form of God took upon Himself flesh" (John 1:1, 14).....Atonement Where? by Moreno Dal Bell"
But Satan wants to be like God even to the end of time, he wants to be worshipped and thus uses substitutes like the pagan worship of the sun and its day. This is why Sunday will assume such a critical importance as we come to the end of days as it will be made a clear choice by the evil one himself so that everyone will have to choose between worshiping the evil one or God:
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. (Rev. 1:13-15). The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" {LDE 163.2}
The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed.--GC 624 (1911). {LDE 163.3}
It is all begining to become clear as to the evil one's purpose in the great controversy with God....
