Mt. 16:22-23 π Mt. 26:74 π Lk. 22:31 π 2 Cor. 11:13-15 π Rev. 2:9 π Rev. 2:24
With the advent of Christ, the veil which had hidden the active workings of the supernatural powers of evil, for centuries since the garden catastrophe, is still further removed, and their deception and power over man is clearly revealed, and the arch-deceiver himself appears in the wilderness conflict of the Lord, to challenge the "Seed of the woman," as it is not recorded that he appeared on earth since the time of the Fall. The wilderness of Judea, and the Garden of Eden, being parallel periods for the testing of the first and second Adam. In both periods Satan worked as Deceiver, in the second instance wholly failing to deceive, and beguile the One who had come as his Conqueror.
Traces of the characteristic work of Satan as deceiver can be discerned among the disciples of the Christ. He deceives Peter into speaking words of temptation to the Lord, suggesting His turning from the path of the Cross ( Mt. 16:22-23 ), and later on takes hold of the same disciple in the Judgment Hall ( Lk. 22:31 ), prompting him to the lie, "I know not the Man," with the very purpose of deception. ( Mt. 26:74 ) Further traces of the work of the deceiver may be seen in the epistles of Paul, in his references to the "false apostles," "deceitful workers," and Satan's workings as an "angel of light," and "his ministers as ministers of righteousness" among the people of God. ( 2 Cor. 11:13-15 ) In the messages to the Churches, also, given by the ascended Lord to His servant John, false apostles are spoken of, and false teachings of many kinds. A "synagogue of Satan" ( Rev. 2:9 ), consisting of deceived ones, is mentioned, and "deep things of Satan" are described as existing in the Church. ( Rev. 2:24; top )
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