Satan’s work was to discourage Jesus as He strove to save the depraved race, and Peter’s words were just what he wished to hear. They were opposed to the divine plan; and whatever bore this stamp of character was an offense to God. They were spoken at the instigation of Satan; for they opposed the only arrangement God could make to preserve His law and control His subjects, and yet save fallen man. Satan hoped they would discourage and dishearten Christ; but Christ addressed the author of the thought, saying, “Get thee behind me, Satan” (The Review and Herald, April 6, 1897).{5BC 1095.6}

Satans gerning var at tage modet fra Jesus, idet han kæmpede med at frelse den faldne slægt, og Peters ord var præcis hvad han ønskede at høre. De var i modsætning til den guddommelige plan; og uanset hvad bar dette karakterpræg en forhånelse mod Gud. De blev sagt under tilskyndelse af Satan; for de var imod den eneste ordning, som Gud kunne gøre for at bevare Sin lov og styre Sine undersåtter, og dog frelse faldne mennesker. Satan håbede på at de kunne bedrøve Kristus og gøre Ham modløs; men Kristus henvendte sig til tankens ophav og sagde: “Vig bag mig, Satan” (RH 6. april, 1897).