But Jesus said, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” This was to Christ just what the Bible declares it to be—a temptation. Before His sight the tempter held the kingdoms of the world. As Satan saw them, they possessed great external grandeur. But Christ saw them in a different aspect, just as they were—earthly dominions under the power of a tyrant. He saw humanity full of woe, suffering under the oppressive power of Satan. He saw the earth defiled by hatred, revenge, malice, lust, and murder. He saw fiends in the possession of the bodies and souls of men (Manuscript 33, 1911).{5BC 1083.5}

Men Jesus sagde: “Vig bag mig, Satan, for der står skrevet: Du skal dyrke Herren din Gud, og tjene ham alene.” For Kristus var dette præcis hvad Bibelen erklærer dette for - en fristelse. Fristeren holdt alverdens riger for Hans øjne. Da Satan så dem, havde de stor udvortes pragt. Men Kristus så dem i et andet perspektiv, præcis som de var - jordiske besiddelser under en tyrans magt. Han så alle menneskers veer, lide under Satans undertrykkende kraft. Han så jorden tilsmudset af had, hævn, ondsindethed, lyster for mord. Han så at djævle havde besat menneskenes kroppe og sjæle (MS 33, 1911).