penalty of the law fell upon Him who was equal with God , and man was free to accept the righteousness of Christ and by a life of penitence and humiliation to triumph , as the Son of God had triumphed , over the power of Satan . Thus God is just and yet the justifier of all who believe in Jesus .
But it was not merely to accomplish the redemption of man that Christ came to the earth to suffer and to die . He came to “ magnify the law ” and to “ make it honorable .” Not alone that the inhabitants of this world might regard the law as it should be regarded ; but it was to demonstrate to all the worlds of the universe that God ’ s law is unchangeable . Could its claims have been set aside , then the Son of God need not have yielded up His life to atone for its transgression . The death of Christ proves it immutable . And the sacrifice to which infinite love impelled the Father and the Son , that sinners might be redeemed , demonstrates to all the universe — what nothing less than this plan of atonement could have sufficed to do — that justice and mercy are the foundation of the law and government of God .
In the final execution of the judgment it will be seen that no cause for sin exists . When the Judge of all the earth shall demand of Satan , “ Why hast thou rebelled against Me , and robbed Me of the subjects of My kingdom ?” the originator of evil can render no excuse . Every mouth will be stopped , and all the hosts of rebellion will be speechless .
The cross of Calvary , while it declares the law immutable , proclaims to the universe that the wages of sin is death . In the Saviour ’ s expiring cry , “ It is finished ,” the death knell of Satan was rung . The great controversy which had been so long in progress was then decided , and the final eradication of evil was made certain . The Son of God passed through the portals of the tomb , that “ through death He might destroy him that had the power of death , that is , the devil .” Hebrews 2:14 . Lucifer ’ s desire for self-exaltation had led him to say : “ I will exalt my throne above the stars of God : ... I will be like the Most High .” God declares : “ I will bring
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