As I read this chapter anew today, I was blessed by the last paragraph again:
"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." {DA 131.2}
I realize we are counseled to contemplate heaven more than we even now do--and as I think about how soon we will be standing upon the sea of glass, it can really help to break the hold that the world seeks to wield over our affections. I remember how Ellen White made clear that the third temptation--the one involving gaining the whole world by simply acknowledging Satan's supremacy, was the most alluring/tempting to Jesus Christ:
"This last temptation was the most alluring of the three. Satan knew that Christ's life must be one of sorrow, hardship, and conflict. And he thought he could take advantage of this fact to bribe Christ to yield His integrity. Satan brought all his strength to bear upon this last temptation, for this last effort was to decide his destiny as to who should be victor. He claimed the world as his dominion, and he was the prince of the power of the air. He bore Jesus to the top of an exceeding high mountain, and then in a panoramic view presented before Him all the kingdoms of the world that had been so long under his dominion, and offered them to Him in one great gift. He told Christ He could come into possession of the kingdoms of the world without suffering or peril on His part. Satan promises to yield his scepter and dominion, and Christ shall be rightful ruler for one favor from Him. All he requires in return for making over to Him the kingdoms of the world that day presented before Him, is, that Christ shall do him homage as to a superior." {1SM 286.1}
"The eye of Jesus for a moment rested upon the glory presented before Him; but He turned away and refused to look upon the entrancing spectacle. He would not endanger His steadfast integrity by dallying with the tempter. When Satan solicited homage, Christ's divine indignation was aroused, and He could no longer tolerate the blasphemous assumption of Satan, or even permit him to remain in His presence. Here Christ exercised His divine authority, and commanded Satan to desist. 'Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve' (Matthew 4:10)." {1SM 286.2}
What a marvel--to fully understand the risk involved in Christ experiencing this temptation, and yet to see how steadfastly He resisted it, is wonderful comfort to us in any temptation. This morning I was also listening to Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 64, "David a Fugitive," and realize the truth of these words:
"Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of faith. When shadows encompass the soul, when we want light and guidance, we must look up; there is light beyond the darkness. David ought not to have distrusted God for one moment. He had cause for trusting in Him: he was the Lord's anointed, and in the midst of danger he had been protected by the angels of God; he had been armed with courage to do wonderful things; and if he had but removed his mind from the distressing situation in which he was placed, and had thought of God's power and majesty, he would have been at peace even in the midst of the shadows of death; he could with confidence have repeated the promise of the Lord, 'The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed.' Isaiah 54:10." {PP 657.2}
This truth clearly dispels the false doctrine that Christians can be in a saving relationship while committing a known sin--for it reveals that they have not exercised the faith available to them in the word of God. But praise God--He extends our probation long enough for us to repent (as David would). But it is presumptuous to sin and hope that we will live long enough to repent for it--for each moment is a gift, but we know not what will come the next. We need to constantly cling to Jesus Christ, and through abiding in Him, receive the promise that all the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing. Unbelief is really a violation of love, which prompts true obedience (Galatians 5:6; John 14:15). Hence why Paul's counsel, which is one of God's most blessed promises to us in temptation, is so needed:
"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" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Let us manfully overcome in the strength and victory provided us in Christ! His victory is to be ours by abiding in Him, and exercising the same faith--the loving dependence upon our Father whose word will not fail us! Hallelujah!!!
