Required reading
A treatise on Satan's temptations by Richard Gilpin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 3 and 4.
My summary
Firstly today Gilpin teaches us about Satan's power. Satan's power is great because:
(i) he is an angel;
(ii) he is a devil with commission and authority;
(iii) he is effective in his authority;
(iv) he has advantages in the management of all this power.
Secondly Gilpin discusses Satan's knowledge. We have proof of Satan's great knowledge from:
(i) comparing it with the knowledge of Adam;
(ii) Satan's titles;
(iii) the nature of Satan's knowledge.
What grabbed me
Scary chapters to read. But I'm guessing that will be a common reaction to the chapters in this work.
Nevertheless Gilpin also reminded us that Satan's authority is not unlimited: 'His authority is not absolute or unlimited. He cannot do what he pleaseth, and therefore we do find him begging leave of God for the exerting of his power in particular cases, as when he was ' a Iying spirit' in the mouth of Ahab's prophets, and in every assault he made upon Job ; nay, he could not enter into the swine of the Gadarenes till he had Christ's commission for it. '
Satan may have great power, but God's power is far greater.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 5.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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