Frequently asked questions and answers:

Question 216: Did Satan own the kingdoms which he offered in the temptation?

Answer:

No; Satan did not own them. But it is still true that they were in his hands to offer to Moshiach; he had usurped them. At Creation, Man was placed in the Garden of Eden as Saviour over all. "Thou hast put all things under his feet," was true of the first Adam (see Psalm 8:4-9), while it will only be carried out permanently under the second Adam. (See 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:6-9.) But when Adam listened to Satan and fell, he transferred his allegiance and through that Satan became the "prince of this world." (See John 14:30; 16:11:18:36; Luke 22:53; 2 Corinthians 4:4). The consequence of this has been that the empires of the world have been truly delineated as wild beasts. (Daniel 7:3.) It was universal empire Satan offered to Yeshua, but which He refused to take from his hand. When Satan said, "To whomsoever I will I give it" (Luke 4:6), Elohiym did not deny it, but was content to go on in the path of obedience until the time should come for the Father to give it to Him. (Matthew 11:27.) Then "the kingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdoms of our Saviour and of His Moshiach and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). The fact that "the powers that be are ordained of YHVH" Romans 13:1, does not conflict with this. YHVH did put authority in the hands of Noah, Genesis 9:6, but this has been usurped by Satan, through the willingness of man to be led by him. The fact that the devil has so much to do with the affairs of men in the world is a proof of this. On the other hand, the kingdoms and glory of the world were not his to give. He has no valid claim or right to anything in YHVH's material universe. "The earth is Elohiym's and the fullness thereof." The temptation of Moshiach in the wilderness, according to the best critical authorities was of a subjective character. That is to say, it was a mental appeal to do wrong. It was a fantasy, a deception, a sham. This is the way Satan tempts us and Moshiach was in all points tempted as we are. Satan does not need to take us up on a high mountain to show us the kingdoms of the world. He can put a mental picture before us. When we are tempted to do as he bids us and think that certain things will come to pass, we soon discover that the devil has deceived us. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of lies. His tempting promises of glory, greatness and prosperity are all false. Obedience to him, in the end only pierces the soul with many sorrows. He makes the thief believe that his acts will never be known. But YHVH says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." The sensualist, who gratifies his lust, in the end becomes a moral leper. Lastly, he makes the sinner believe a lie that he may be eternally ruined.