Satan, by means of his success in turning man aside from the path
of obedience, became “the god of this world.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. The
dominion that once was Adam's, passed to the usurper. But the Son of God
proposed to come to this earth to pay the penalty of sin, and thus not
only redeem man, but recover the dominion forfeited.... The apostle Paul
has referred to it [the restoration of the lost dominion] as “the
redemption of the purchased possession.” Ephesians 1:14. Prophets and
Kings, 682.
Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the
wicked one, and was to be restored by the plan of redemption. Patriarchs
and Prophets, 67.
The cross of Calvary, while it declares the law immutable,
proclaims to the universe that the wages of sin is death. In the
Saviour's expiring cry, “It is finished,” the death knell of Satan was
rung. The great controversy which had been so long in progress was then
decided, and the final eradication of evil was made certain. The Son of
God passed through the portals of the tomb, that “through death he might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews
2:14. Lucifer's desire for self-exaltation had led him to say, “I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will be like the most
High.” Isaiah 14:13, 14. God declares, “I will bring thee to ashes upon
the earth.... And never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:18, 19.
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth....” Revelation 21:1.... Every trace of the curse is swept away....
One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the marks
of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and
feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says
the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory, “He had bright beams coming
out of his side: and there was the hiding of his power.” The Great
Controversy, 503, 504, 674.
The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. The Great Controversy, 651.
Note: In
some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever
reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of
the author may be given.
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