The Delusive Glory of This World's Kingdoms

 

By A. W, Tozer

 

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.     -  -  -  Matthew 4:10

 

    The delusive quality of all human glory is taught

throughout the Bible, and with bold emphasis in the

New Testament.  It has been taught also with great

clarity by the saints and faithful brethren since the

days of the apostles.

 

    Satan once tried to bring about the downfall of Christ

by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world and the

glory in them.

 

    In presenting to the Man Jesus the glory of the world

he was shrewdly taking advantage of a known weakness

in the human race.  The trick should have worked, and it

would have worked but for one thing: This was no fallen

man Satan was attempting to seduce.  It was a sinless

Man full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whose penetrating

glance  pierced  the  world's  attractive exterior.

 

    Beneath its gaudy allurements He saw the corruption

and the decay.  He knew its glory was but bait to catch

foolish victims.  He knew its bright promises were all

lies.  Our Lord saw what other men could not see.  He

saw not beauty but death, a garish death that must be

purchased at the price of the soul. What He saw revolted

Him---He would have no part of it!

 

    All this Jesus knew; and Satan for all his wisdom did

not know that He knew it. The devil is familiar with the

Bible, but still he did not know or he would not have

attempted the impossible, and that to his own confusion

and permanent loss of face!

 

    Here is sufficient proof that the devil is wise---but not

wise enough! 

---

Yours in Christ,

Paul N. F.