Why did Satan so fiercely oppose the coming of the Messiah?
Satan knew that the child Jesus, whom he wanted to kill, would overthrow him as the prince of this world. Satan knew that God planned to save humankind from guilt and punishment for sin and return the earth to his Dominion. Therefore, Satan was determined to employ his most venomous evil to ensure he would retain the world as his principality. Consequently, Satan wanted to ensure that the child Messiah did not grow, defeat Satan, and redeem the people from slavery to sin and darkness. Because he was not a sovereign ruler, Satan knew that he could not attack Jesus. So, he enlisted the earth’s inhabitants, who were not in God’s camp, to carry out his plan to kill the child Jesus.
After King Herod had died, God instructed Joseph to return with Jesus to Palestine. Matthew 2:20. Because Herod’s son ruled Judea, Joseph returned to Galilee without going through Jerusalem. Matthew 2:22 – 23. God educated the representative of the old humankind concerning the Enemy. God loved the newly created humanity. He would not keep them in darkness and have them face the Enemy without proper knowledge. In the same manner, God prepared Jesus to meet the same temptation the first Adam did. Jesus grew strong in spirit, and God was with him. Luke 2:40. Jesus, in the desert, while being tempted by Satan, made a correct decision. He conquered temptation, and his life became perfect. Hebrews 2:10.
Thus, Jesus made it impossible for the Enemy to establish his brand of long-enduring life on earth. “So the dragon became enraged at the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony about Jesus.” Revelation 12:17, NET. Satan, because he could not prevent the birth of the Messiah and could not kill the child Jesus, is determined to lead as many as possible away from Jesus Christ. His method is to entice the people to turn their eyes to self instead of on Jesus Christ. To avoid Satan’s evil snare, all should heed God’s advice. “Turn to me and be saved all you ends of the Earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:22.
Why did the Messiah have to come? Read the next blog.
