TEMPTATION NUMBER 3

JESUS TEMPTED WITH BEING GIVEN
THE WORLD’S KINGDOMS
30 YEARS PLUS 40 DAYS

AND


THE DEVIL

(SAID) (TO) HIM,


ALL THESE THINGS WILL I GIVE (YOU), (and)

ALL THIS POWER (or domain, or authority) WILL I GIVE (YOU), AND THE GLORY (or splendor) OF THEM: FOR THAT IS DELIVERED (or has been given) (TO) ME; AND TO (WHOMEVER) I (WISH) I GIVE IT (or I can give it to anyone I want to-NIV)..
































IF (YOU)


THEREFORE

(WILL)


FALL (or bow) DOWN


AND

WORSHIP ME.




ALL SHALL BE (YOURS).





AND

THEN

(SAID) JESUS (TO) HIM, GET THEE HENCE (or Be gone, or Away from Me), SATAN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, (YOU) (SHALL) WORSHIP THE LORD (YOUR) GOD, AND HIM ONLY (SHALL) (YOU) SERVE.






















Commentary Bible continues on pg. 192

OBEDIENCE
SATAN KNOWS SCRIPTURE BUT INTENTIONALLY AND SKILLFULLY MISUSES IT
TEMPTATION NUMBER 3
(Satan tempts people with their desire for power, wealth, and fame)


  Mt 4:8 (pt 5).                (IN ALL THEIR GLORY-JNT) (or splendor).  These were actual events that took place. 


TEMPTATIONS.  HOW SATAN DECEIVES PEOPLE

4.  All you have to do is something that you may not believe is sin, or perhaps is only a little sin that will not be found out by anyone.

   Satan is able to put great, wondrous, and enticing thoughts and visions in our thinking in a moment of time.  We may think, how wonderful it would be if we could only have this or that, or go here or there, or do this or that, or have more friends.  As we dwell on these thoughts from Satan, other thoughts may arise as to what to do so we may obtain our hearts desires.  First arises the thoughts.  Then arises the way.  Satan can and does offer people things, but it is often the beginning of backsliding which costs them their soul.  So many people sell their soul to Satan for nothing more that some worldly desire.  Once the thoughts are put in our minds we often dwell on them.  The wrong, worldly thoughts can begin to dominate us.  They can cause us to go astray from God in our attitude and in the things we do.  They can cause us to sin, and sin when it is finished can spiritually kill us-ref Ja 1:15. 

   Mt 4:9 (pt 1), ref Lk 4:6 (pt 1). AND


   Lk 4:6 (pt 2).    THE DEVIL
   
   Mt 4:9 (pt 2), ref Lk 4:6 (pt 3). (SAID) (TO) HIM,


   Mt 4:9 (pt 3).    ALL THESE THINGS
   WILL I GIVE (YOU).  He gives people things—but there is a catch also.  The verse continues—

   Lk 4:6 (pt 4).    (and) ALL THIS POWER (or domain, or authority)
   WILL I GIVE (YOU),
  AND THE GLORY (or splendor) OF THEM.  Note the temptation consisted of fame, power, authority, glory, and riches.  Satan was offering to Jesus the world.  What else could a man want?  This temptation of giving a person their heart’s desire has led multitudes to hell.  It is Satan’s most powerful temptation when all else has failed.  The verse continues—
   FOR THAT IS DELIVERED (or has been given) (TO) ME.

   Why has all these things been delivered to Satan?  Jesus did not dispute the claim Satan made about being able to give Him these things.  Satan is the god of this world (or age)-ref 2 Cor 4:4; the prince and power of the air-ref Eph 2:2; the prince of this world-Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11.  At this time he has the power to do what he said, but once Jesus returns that time will end.  When Jesus returns, He will rule the world as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Satan was telling Jesus you can have all this right now—no waiting. 
   Satan tries to make us doubt God.  Then he gives us visions of the desires of our hearts.  Then he puts in our hearts what to do to achieve these desires.  It is written, FOR WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN-Ro 14:23.  We all need to ask ourselves, is our trust centered in Jesus Christ, or in ourselves, or other things?
   He received this power to fulfill God’s purpose.  When the Antichrist comes forth all whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will worship him-ref Rev 13:8.  It will last 3 ½ years.  How and when he received this power is not clear from the Scriptures.  This question can be said to be debated among scholars.  There are varied opinions.  One is that because the world has willingly given themselves to Satan through deception, that he can indeed cause them to do whatever he wishes.  It is estimated that 1/5th of the world claims to be Christian.  Out of these, only a very few “truly trust in and follow” Christ, and obey His Word.  Most of the rest follow so called Christian religions, or self, or their own distorted ideas of God.

   Our own research has produced the following.  People that forsake God for their heart’s desires (or Satan’s lies) seldom receive what they want, the way they wanted it.  In addition some begin to go through horrible things.  Accidents happen.  Their health fails.  Bad things they never anticipated begin to take place.  Some die.  In a few rare cases the person may get what they want but often it lasts only a short time, then the unexpected happens.  There was always a heavy price to be paid that Satan never told them about.  In addition a hardened heart and spiritual blindness engulfed them.  Usually the person’s heart becomes so hardened to the things of Christ that they could never again be reached. 
   The verse continues—

   AND TO (WHOMEVER) I (WISH) I GIVE IT (or I can give it to anyone I want to-NIV).  When Jesus was tempted by the devil and was offered ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD-Mt 4:8, He did not dispute the devil’s claim.  Satan has the authority and power to tempt people with all manner of temptations, often offering them the desires of their hearts. 

   Mt 4:9 (pt 4), ref Lk 4:7 (pt 1). IF (YOU)


   Lk 4:7 (pt 2).    THEREFORE

   Mt 4:9 (pt 5), ref Lk 4:7 (pt 3). (WILL)


   Mt 4:9 (pt 6).    FALL (or bow) DOWN.  The falling down would be a sign or type of humility and reverencing to Satan.  Regretfully, most people fall down to Satan everyday yet they are so spiritually blind they do not know it. 

   Mt 4:9 (pt 7).    AND

   Mt 4:9 (pt 8), ref Lk 4:7 (pt 4). WORSHIP ME.  Here is Satan craving worship.  Will you have thoughts of worshipping the devil for riches?  Does a person when they yield to Satan’s temptations ever consider that they are committing sin?  Do they ever consider that it can lead to eternal death?—or do they just make excuses to justify their actions and make their sinful actions seem right?  The verses continue—

   Lk 4:7 (pt 5).    ALL SHALL BE (YOURS).  The three temptations Jesus overcame successfully were in some ways like those in the garden of Eden which caused Adam to disobey God.  They were in some ways like some things the children of Israel went through as they wandered in the wilderness. 
  Satan’s cover now comes off.  He offers Jesus everything he can offer.  He asked just one thing in return-WORSHIP
ME—

   Lk 4:8 (pt 1).    AND

   Mt 4:10 (pt 1).    THEN

   Mt 4:10 (pt 2), ref Lk 4:8 (pt 2).  (SAID) JESUS (TO) HIM, GET THEE HENCE (or begone, or away from Me),
   SATAN:
   FOR IT IS WRITTEN, (YOU) (SHALL) WORSHIP THE LORD (YOUR) GOD,
   AND HIM ONLY (SHALL) (YOU) SERVE.  The answer Jesus gave shows that He is Lord and He is God.  Satan is not.  It appears He did not even hesitate to respond to this temptation.  He rebuked Satan.
   Again, Jesus gives the example of what to do when tempted: He used the Word of God as it was written in the Old Testament-THEN SAITH JESUS UNTO HIM, GET THEE HENCE, SATAN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE-Mt 4:8-10.  (ref Deut 6:13,14; 10:20). 
   Jesus did not get in a long dialog with Satan.  He did not meditate on the wrong thinking, thus giving a place to the devil.  He did not use worldly wisdom.  He used God’s written Word.  It was short and to the point.  There was no place given to Satan for a comeback.  This is how Satan was defeated these three times.
   Adam was tempted and failed the test of the devil.  The children of Israel were led into the wilderness and failed the tests they went through.  Jesus was led into the wilderness and successfully withstood every test.  He overcame Satan.  Nevertheless, many more temptations would follow during the next 3 ½ years.  The battle had begun.  Jesus would even be tempted on the cross-ref Mt 27:40.
   Jesus commanded Satan, GET THEE HENCE...FOR IT IS WRITTEN.  Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is Christ come in the flesh.  Jesus uses similar words later in His ministry as it is written: Mk 8:33-HE REBUKED PETER, SAYING, GET THEE BEHIND ME, SATAN: FOR THOU SAVOUREST NOT THE THINGS THAT BE OF GOD, BUT THE THINGS THAT BE OF MEN.
   These words are for all Christians.  We are to WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE.
   Again, Jesus overcomes Satan's deceptions. 
   Satan offered Jesus everything he possibly could, but it had no effect.
   Man seeks after fame, glory, power, pleasures, lusts of the flesh, money, and possessions.  The very things that Jesus rejected, man seeks after.  Satan has led billions of people down the road to hell using these temptations. 

   Note the following verses showing that Satan wants worship and even wants to overthrow God.  It is written, O LUCIFER...THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART, I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD: I WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION, IN THE SIDES OF THE NORTH: I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS; I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH-Isa 14:12-14.

   The Old Testament clearly predicted the order of events that had to take place.  Jesus’ first coming had to be at a specific time.  He must be cut out of the land of the living.  His resurrection had to take place.  There had to be a time many days down the road when Israel would be reborn (the latter days).  Many other events had to take place following this event. 

   The resurrection of “thy people” had to take place.  The one known as the Antichrist must come forth.  There had to come a great time of trouble (which we know of as the coming tribulation).  The 70th week of Daniel must take place.  There must be a Russian (Magog) invasion of Israel in which five-sixth of the invasion forces would be killed through God’s intervention. The Temple must be rebuilt.  Finally, the great world war must take place which we now know is Armageddon.  Jesus would return.  (As we now know, that time, and only at that time will Jesus Christ return).  There would be a great time of peace on the earth as the Son of God would reign and rule. 
   These are not New Testament prophecies.  They and many more supporting Scriptures are from the Old Testament.  Jesus knew the order of events that would occur.  Neither Satan, or all his forces, neither the priests or people understood these things. 
   Should Jesus have given in to Satan’s temptations, perhaps the universe might have collapsed.

   This temptation of a person thinking they can have everything they want right now—no waiting, has led many people down the road to destruction.  Followers of Christ need to learn to have patience-ref Heb 10:36 and wait on the Lord-ref Ps 27:14, 37:34; Pv 20:22.  Phil 4:11-13-FOR I HAVE LEARNED, IN WHATSOEVER STATE I AM, THEREWITH TO BE CONTENT.  I KNOW BOTH HOW TO BE ABASED, AND I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND: EVERY WHERE AND IN ALL THINGS I AM INSTRUCTED BOTH TO BE FULL AND TO BE HUNGRY, BOTH TO ABOUND AND TO SUFFER NEED.  I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.

   Satan talked to Jesus, tempted Him, and dared Him.  He tried to entice Him by using worldly desires such as people have.  Satan attacked Him when He was at His weakest, used God’s Word, used the desire for food, took Jesus places, and showed Him things.  Satan can show us things in our minds also such as the desires of our hearts.  Satan offered Jesus power, things, glory, and the kingdoms of this world.  Satan offered Him all that man’s heart could desire.  In addition to this, Satan offered Eve special food that would result in knowledge, that is that she could be as God.  Satan is so cunning that when he puts thoughts in our minds that are in line with our hearts desire, that very few people recognize where the thoughts are coming from and very few resist them in the way that God’s word commands.  As time progressed Satan tempted Jesus in all ways as we are, and yet he never sinned-ref Heb 4:15.  Never did He use his powers of deity to fight Satan.  He used the same weapons to fight Satan that born-again Christians have.  Because Jesus defeated Satan, so can born-again Christians do the same.  They can overcome by faith-ref 1 Jn 2:13, 1 Jn 4:4, “through Christ” Jesus”-ref Phili 4:13.  It is written: (1) SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. In other words-submit yourself to obeying the Word of God, (2) RESIST THE DEVIL, (then the result is) AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU-Ja 4:7. 
   Satan wants our worship.  He wants us to follow him, to do his will, to follow our own personal hearts desires and the ways of the world.  Satan does not want people to read, or study, or live by God’s Word.  And if we do read God’s Word, Satan does not want us to obey it.  Satan is an expert at making people believe in their heart that God’s word does not mean what it really says.  He is skillful at putting wrong thoughts in our mind so that God’s Word is misunderstood and is
darkened. 

   Satan talks to us.  He tempts us.  He dares us.  He uses our personal desires.  He hits us when we are at our weakest.  He uses God’s Word.  He can take us places.  He can show us things.  He can offer us the world and all our heart’s desires.  He offers us power.  He can give us things.  He offers us glory. 
   Satan wants worship.  Satan wants us to follow him and not deny our self. 
   Satan does not want us to follow God, or to live by every word of God (the Bible), or study it, or understand it. 

   Yet the Bible tells us Ja 1:14-16-BUT EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED.  THEN WHEN LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH.  DO NOT ERR, MY BELOVED BRETHREN.
   Ja 4:1-4-FROM WHENCE COME WARS AND FIGHTINGS AMONG YOU?  COME THEY NOT HENCE, EVEN OF YOUR LUSTS THAT WAR IN YOUR MEMBERS?  YE LUST, AND HAVE NOT: YE KILL, AND DESIRE TO HAVE, AND CANNOT OBTAIN: YE FIGHT AND WAR, YET YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK NOT.  YE ASK, AND RECEIVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS, THAT YE MAY CONSUME IT UPON YOUR LUSTS.  YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY (or hatred) WITH GOD?  WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.
   Mt 16:26-FOR WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL? 

   Satan is a created being-ref Ezek 28:12,15.  He was THE ANOINTED CHERUB…and God SET THEE SO-Ezek 28:14.  Ezek 28:13-Satan was FULL OF WISDOM, AND PERFECT IN BEAUTY.  Satan’s heart was lifted up BECAUSE OF his BEAUTY-Ezek 28:17.
   Satan, WAST PERFECT IN THY WAYS FROM THE DAY THAT THOU WAST CREATED, TILL INIQUITY WAS FOUND IN THEE-Ezek Ezek 28:15.
   Satan sinned-ref Ezek 28:16.  Satan is a murder and the father of lies as it is written in Jn 8:44-THE DEVIL,…HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, AND ABODE NOT IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE SPEAKETH A LIE, HE SPEAKETH OF HIS OWN: FOR HE IS A LIAR, AND THE FATHER OF IT.
   He, Satan, is a real being, and has certain powers which God gave to enable him to accomplish God’s will.  He has a kingdom-ref Lk 11:18.  He greatly influences every person’s life from Adam and Eve to the present-ref Gen 3:1-10; Lk 22:3; 2 Cor 11:14; 1 Thes 2:18; Rev 12:9.  He and his forces have an uncanny ability to put all kinds of thoughts in people’s minds-ref Acts 5:3; Eph 6, but people think that they are their own thoughts.  He is able to tempt us-ref Mk 1:13.  He is able to take God’s Word out of people’s hearts-ref Mk 4:15.  He is able to make people doubt and question God’s Word-ref Gen 3:1; Lk 8:12-14.  He has an incredible way of making people angry and making people hate.  The unsaved, and even saved people often have a difficult time identifying Satan’s schemes and thoughts in their heads.  He is the enemy of God and all mankind.  The temptations that Satan use to come against a born again Christian can sometimes be hard to bear, yet God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure-ref 1 Cor 10:13.
   Why is there so much evil in the world?  Note these words in Eph 2:2-THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR.
   Who is Satan?  The one that is called the devil, and Satan was created as Lucifer-Isa 14:12.  He is: anointed cherub-ref Ezek 28:14; Beelzebub-ref Mt 10:25; brightness-Ezek 28:17; Devil (a slanderer or accuser)-Rev 12:9, 20:10, dragon-Rev 12:7; full of wisdom-Ezek 28:12; god of this world (or age)-ref 2 Cor 4:4; great dragon-Rev 12:9; king of Tyrus-Ezek 28:2; Lucifer or light bearer)-ref Isa 14:12; old serpent-Rev 12:9; perfect in beauty-Ezek 28:12; power of darkness-Col 1:13; prince and power of the air-ref Eph 2:2; prince of the kingdom of Persia—Den 10:13; prince of this world-Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; prince of Tyrus-Ezek 28:2; Satan (or adversary, or devil)-Rev 12:9; serpent-ref Gen 3:1, son of the morning-ref Isa 14:12; spirit-Eph 2:2; wisdom (full of wisdom-Ezek 28:12) and the whole world lies in wickedness (in his power)-1 Jn 5:19. 
   Fighting Satan.  Do not try to reason with the devil but use God’s Word to defeat him as Jesus did.  It is written, 2 Cor 10:4, 5-(FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONG HOLDS;) CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.  Ja 4:7-SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.  God’s Word shows us how to fight Satan and what to do, but very few people obey these Scriptures.  For much more on fighting Satan see Eph chapter 6.
   What is Satan and what does he do?  Satan tempted angels and tempts people.  Satan fights God’s angels-Dan 10:13,20; Rev 12:7.  He has an army of angels-Rev 12:7-9.  The everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels-My  25:41.
   The answers to what he does and can do can be summarized in the various descriptions of him in the Bible.  Afraid-he causes people to be afraid-Mt 25:25; accuser-Job, accuser of our brethren-Rev 12:10; Rev 12:10; afflicts-Mk 4:17; beguiles-Gen 3:13; Believes he is a god-Ezek 28; binds with sickness-Lk 13:16; blasphemes-Rev 13:5,6; blinds peoples minds-2 Cor 4:4; buffets-2 Cor 12:1; causes people to attack you-Job 1:15; causes fire from heaven to destroy-Job 1:16; causes destructive weather-Job 1:19; condemns people-1 Tim 3:6; deceives-Rev 20:10; deceiveth the whole world-Rev 12:9; desires-Lk 22:31; destroyer-Job 1:16; Jn 10:10; devises-2 Cor 2:11; enters people-Lk 22:3; entices people-Mt 4:4; exalts himself-Isa 14; father of lies-Jn 8:44; fills thine heart to lie-Acts 5:3; goes to and forth, up and down in the earth-Job 1:7; hinders-1 Thes 2:18; hurts-Job 1:15-19; 2:7; kills-Jn 10:10; leads the world astray-Rev 12:9 NIV; liar-Jn 8:41; lusts-Jn 8:44; masquerades as an angel of light-2 Cor 11:13; murderer-Job 1:15,19; Jn 8:44; not in mind the things of God, but of men-Mt 16:23; opposes-Acts 10:38; 2 Thes 2:4; persecutes-Rev 12:13, Mk 4:17; pain-Job 2:7; pride-Isa 14:10-15; Ezek 28:2; prince of the power of the air-Eph 2:2; promises things to people-Lk 4:6; provokes-1 Chr 21:1; puts people in bondage-Lk 13:16; resists-Zech 3:1; schemes-Eph 6:11; seduces-Acts 10:38; shows people things their heart may desire and tells them what to do to get them-Mt 4:8,9; sickness-Job 2:7; snares-2 Tim 2:26; sows tears-Ecc 4:1; steals-Job 1:15,17; Jn 10:10; ; takes people places-Mt 4:5; takes the Word out of people’s hearts-Mk 4:4,15; tempter (tempts)-Mt 4:1-3; thief-Jn 10:10; torments people-Job 2:7; understands the things that be of men-Mt 16:23; uses people, women, men, children, employees, employers, agencies, friends, relatives, offspring, wives, husbands, our own thoughts and emotions to attack us-Job 3:9; Jn 7:3 and many more; walks up and down-Job 1:7; wants to be as God is-Isa 14; wilds-Eph 6:11; when tormented, sends people to make it worse-Job 4:1; whole world lies under his control-1 Jn 5:19; and works in the children of disobedience-Eph 2:2, 1 Jn 3:8.  Wrath-(has great wrath)-Rev 12:12.  He is your enemy-1 Pe 5:8. 
   He does not understand the things that be of God-Mt 16:23; Mt 12:7; 1 Cor 2:8; Mic 4:12.  He misunderstands the parables of God and Bible prophecy-ref Mt 13:13,14.  He thinks he sees but does not see correctly-Mk 4:11,12; Jn 8:43,44.  He thinks he understands but does not understand correctly the things that be of God.  As mentioned above, he does understand people and their worldly desires-Mt 16:23.
   While this word is not mentioned in the KJV, Satan also slanders people.  He brings false charges against people.  He mixes truth with lies.  He takes truth and twists it and distorts it making it mean something that is wrong.  He uses that which is good and makes it look bad.  He uses that which is evil and makes it look good.  He uses the positive and makes it look negative.  He uses the negative and makes it look positive.  He makes people believe the truth (the Bible) is not true and other things which are lies are really truth.  He uses these things in a hateful, malicious, insidious manner with hostility to destroy.  He does it looking like an angel of light and we may say, with a loving smile on his face.  He looks like a sheep, but is really a wolf that is out to destroy-ref 2 Cor 11:15, Mt 7:15.
   Satan, his army; angels he tempted, and he fights God’s angels
   Satan tempted the angels.  Many sinned and followed him and now are awaiting the judgment.  It is written, 2 Pe 2:4-…GOD SPARED NOT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED, BUT CAST THEM DOWN TO HELL, AND DELIVERED THEM INTO CHAINS OF DARKNESS, TO BE RESERVED UNTO JUDGMENT.
   Jude 1:6-THE ANGELS WHICH KEPT NOT THEIR FIRST ESTATE, BUT LEFT THEIR OWN HABITATION, HE HATH RESERVED IN EVERLASTING CHAINS UNDER DARKNESS UNTO THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT DAY.
   Yet Satan still has a formidable army of angels and they fight against God’s angels.  In Daniel’s time it is written-Dan 10:13,20-BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA WITHSTOOD ME ONE AND TWENTY DAYS: BUT, LO, MICHAEL, ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES, CAME TO HELP ME; AND I REMAINED THERE WITH THE KINGS OF PERSIA.  THEN SAID HE, KNOWEST THOU WHEREFORE I COME UNTO THEE?  AND NOW WILL I RETURN TO FIGHT WITH THE PRINCE OF PERSIA: AND WHEN I AM GONE FORTH, LO, THE PRINCE OF GRECIA SHALL COME.
   About 3 ½ years before the end of the tribulation the following happens.  Rev 12:7-9-AND THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN: MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHT AGAINST THE DRAGON; AND THE DRAGON FOUGHT AND HIS ANGELS, AND PREVAILED NOT; NEITHER WAS THEIR PLACE FOUND ANY MORE IN HEAVEN.  AND THE GREAT DRAGON WAS CAST OUT, THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD: HE WAS CAST OUT INTO THE EARTH, AND HIS ANGELS WERE CAST OUT WITH HIM.
   Why was Satan created the way he is?  He was created the way he is and with the powers he has to accomplish God’s purpose (already covered previously).
   Why was Satan created?  Why are we tempted as we are?  Why does Satan have such power to seemingly control people’s thoughts?  The answer to these questions can be summed up easily.  Satan was created for the purpose of doing exactly what he does.  He was created for God’s purpose and pleasure.  It is written-Col 1:16-FOR BY HIM WERE ALL THINGS CREATED, THAT ARE IN HEAVEN, AND THAT ARE IN EARTH, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, WHETHER THEY BE THRONES, OR DOMINIONS, OR PRINCIPALITIES, OR POWERS: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM, AND FOR HIM.
   Rev 4:11-THOU ART WORTHY, O LORD, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOUR AND POWER: FOR THOU HAST CREATED ALL THINGS, AND FOR THY PLEASURE THEY ARE AND WERE CREATED.
   If Satan was never created, how could we know just how much evil and sin is in our hearts.  During the millennium, Satan is chained up so he can deceive the nations no longer.  There is peace and love even with people that have a stubborn and rebellious heart.  The world loves the Jews.  Sin almost ceases as Satan is not present to tempt people and put evil thoughts in their hearts.  It appears everyone looks like they have a good and honest heart.  However, after the millennium when Satan is let loose, and tempts people, once again their is rebellion and war.
   What is Satan’s future?  During the tribulation, it is written—Rev 12:7-10-AND THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN: MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHT AGAINST THE DRAGON; AND THE DRAGON FOUGHT AND HIS ANGELS, AND PREVAILED NOT; NEITHER WAS THEIR PLACE FOUND ANY MORE IN HEAVEN.  AND THE GREAT DRAGON WAS CAST OUT, THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD: HE WAS CAST OUT INTO THE EARTH, AND HIS ANGELS WERE CAST OUT WITH HIM….THE ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN IS CAST DOWN, WHICH ACCUSED THEM BEFORE OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT.
   Immediately after the tribulation and for a thousand years following, it is written— Rev 20:1-3-AND I SAW AN ANGEL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, HAVING THE KEY OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND A GREAT CHAIN IN HIS HAND.  AND HE LAID HOLD ON THE DRAGON, THAT OLD SERPENT, WHICH IS THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, AND BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS. 
   AND CAST HIM INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT, AND SHUT HIM UP, AND SET A SEAL UPON HIM, THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE.  Satan will be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit-Isa 14:10-16.  TILL THE THOUSAND YEARS SHOULD BE FULFILLED: AND AFTER THAT HE MUST BE LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON-Rev 20:3.
   What is the end of Satan?  God will ultimately destroy him soon after the millennium is finished and he is loosed a little season.  Ezek 28:16. 18,19-THEREFORE WILL I BRING FORTH A FIRE FROM THE MIDST OF THEE, IT SHALL DEVOUR THEE, AND I WILL BRING THEE TO ASHES UPON THE EARTH IN THE SIGHT OF ALL THEM THAT BEHOLD THEE.  ALL THEY THAT KNOW THEE AMONG THE PEOPLE SHALL BE ASTONISHED AT THEE: THOU SHALT BE A TERROR, AND NEVER SHALT THOU BE ANY MORE.  Satan’s ultimate end is as follows: Rev 20:10-AND THE DEVIL THAT DECEIVED THEM WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, WHERE THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE, AND SHALL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOR EVER AND EVER.
   Satan still tempts all people and wins most.  Despite people knowing these Scriptures, Satan is able to put deceiving and lying thought in people’s minds to tempt and mislead them in their weakest areas over and over.  Satan is able to blind people from understanding that many of the thoughts they have are really from him—thus they do not cast them down as they are commanded to do.
   The church makes a deathly mistake in taking Satan lightly.  They make a big mistake saying they can stomp Satan under their feet.  They make a big mistake saying they can bind Satan and the things he is doing.  As the church says these things and others like them, Satan continues to run to and fro, up and down deceiving the nations and the people.  Jesus defeated Satan at the cross, but now each person has to fight his own good fight of faith.  Some will overcome Satan and win as they love not their lives unto death.  Most will fail.  Many Christians will fall because of a lack of knowledge.  Bible colleges, crusades, seminars, preachers, priests, rabbi, friends, television and radio preaching, the Internet and thousands of books people write about the Bible, leave people very poorly equipped to fight Satan.  Regretfully, too many people rely on these sources rather than the one source they should use-THE BIBLE.
   May you take heed to these words which are seldom heard and which runs counter to much of today’s preaching regarding the devil: Ezek 28:3-BEHOLD, THOU ART WISER THAN DANIEL; THERE IS NO SECRET THAT THEY CAN HIDE FROM THEE.  1 Pe 5:8-BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.  You are his target.  He knows how to kill you spiritually in such a way that you may never know it has happened.