Paradise Regained (Novel version)

Chapter 6 - The Temptation of Kingdoms

Satan led Jesus through the wilderness for a short distance until they came up to a great mountain. And from the mountain, they could see the kingdoms of the world, all that were upon the hemispheres of the Earth, they could see. They saw Rome, they saw Greece, they saw China, they saw India, and all groups of peoples that had tribes in other stretches of land across the Earth. And all were there, and Jesus could have rule over all.

And Satan spoke. "Beautiful is it not?"

Jesus responded. "The Earth under them is. The kingdoms are ugly with pride."

And Satan spoke. "Indeed. And thus I say prophecy without action is nothing. So far, the prophecy given by the prophets of old to talk of your entrance into the Earth has meant nothing. You are supposed to be the ruler of the world are you not? What sign have you shown of that? Even if you rule with peace, if you have this power to be the perfect benefactor for man, how will you accomplish it, and how long do you truly think it would last? Do you truly think that the Romans will be okay with that? Or the empires of the east, when they come over to this land, do you think they'll hear what you have to say? If I were you, I would start conquering right now. First, I would indeed invade the Parthians, for their armies and riches are great, and you can use them as your holy armada. Then, would you not have the power to attack Rome? If you so want that throne of David that you were prophesied to take so long ago, I can help you take it indeed."

Jesus responded. "You neither persuade me to seek wealth for the sake of empires, nor empire for glory's sake. Your argument is mute to my ears. What is glory but the blaze of fame? When my time comes, tempter, it will not be like this. It will not be a conquest, it will not be by force. There will not be a destruction of kingdoms, nor will there be torment. There will simply be peace, something that you, the devil, clearly do not understand. You would truly understand these things if you were still at God's side. But now, your sight is so diminished from your lack of glory that you cannot see the truth anymore."

And the devil, insulted, snapped back. "Don't think so little of fame or glory, Son of God! Is not God, your Father in Heaven, nothing but seeking of glory? Is not His entire purpose for the world to worship Him? Does He not want everyone to love and praise Him above all things? You think so little of glory, then perhaps you should talk thus with the father!"

And Jesus responded. "With reason, too, deceiver, since it was through His words that all things were made. But it was not for glory, as you so believe or say, but simply to show forth His goodness and impart His good graces upon every soul freely who wishes to accept it. And those who accept it, what could He less expect than glory and benediction? But the greatest of these I tell you is simply thanks, for it is the slightest, easiest, and readiest recompense for the human soul. From those who accept Him, who could return Him nothing else, and if they not returned it, they would likely render themselves contempt instead, and dishonor themselves as well? For He wishes only to share His soul with others, so they may come back to the love and peace that they left behind so long ago, because you were the one who ruined it for humanity indeed!" And Satan, dumbfounded, stayed silent. Jesus continued. "And indeed, as for someone who loves to mention the throne of David and the lineage of my forefathers, I did not hear thus from you when you were trying to kill them for thousands of years. Remember when you tried to murder my ancestor David through the Lord's servant Saul? Did you not possess the people of Israel in order to try and bring about his end? Did you not possess the people to of Israel to make them to worship false gods, your servants the demons of Hell? So why, do tell, deceiver, does it bother to cross your mind now that I should take the throne now?"

And Satan, taken aback, could not speak. This temptation worked so easily on Eve in the beginning, but surely the difference was that Eve was indeed Eve, and Eve was a human. And now, he was standing before the Son of God. And for he could not answer, he only spoke thus. "Then let us look at Rome's kingdom for you to rule." And Satan took Jesus to the other side of the mountain, and He was given a much closer look at Rome. Satan spoke. "The king of Rome has fallen into temptation. He is full of lust and full of pride. He is indeed a horrible leader to rule in this world. Instead of conquering, perhaps you could take his throne? You would have dominion over the world, at least the largest empire of it. You would indeed be a just ruler than he who sits on the throne now."

And Jesus rebuttaled. "Tempted, you say? Tell me, whom tempted him? You talk of the emperor as he is a monster, and than I can expel him as such. What if I were to first expel a devil who made him a monster? My kingdom is beyond Rome, it is beyond the world. And truly I say, you were supposed to be a part of the kingdom as well, Lucifer. But you lost your chance. And clearly, I say it well, you are not repenting of it, so it is too late for forgiveness."

Then Satan responded. "You think I offer you nothing? I'm offering you the entire world! Forget Rome and all these other kingdoms. I'll offer you the world indeed! I have power and dominion over it for I have been given it for a time, and it is my power to grant it to you. All you must do is bow down and worship me."

(Author's note: this comes from Luke where it says, "And the devil said to Him, 'All this power I will give to you, and the glory of them, for it is given to me and to whoever I give it. If you will worship me, all shall be yours.'")

Jesus shook His head and responded. "I never liked your talk, for it truly offers less than the heart's needs. Now, you have dared to utter these abominable terms to me? I endured the time with you, which now I feel has truly expired for I wish you'd truly depart from me, but you are given permission here amongst me and I will not deny the Father's will. It is written as the first commandment, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and only Him you shall serve.' And you have dared to ask the Son of God to worship you, you cursed creature. Now you have become even more accursed just for this, and I surely say that you are even bolder than what you did with Eve! You are merely a steward and not an owner, and thus you should act like it."

And Satan responded. "Truly you are right, that you are beyond anything that I give you. I have watched you from a child to now you as a man, and I have seen your glory rise as you've aged. I saw how you spoke to the leaders, and I saw how you taught the scriptures and I see that you have wisdom upon your years. You have no need for wealth or power, and I should have realized this. Perhaps I could offer you Greece, let me show you it!"

(Author's note: there's Milton with his Greek love. Had to leave it in there just cause it's funny.)

And Satan showed Him Greece and said to Him, "This land is full of philosophers over wealth. Surely you would wish to be upon these people."

Jesus responded. "Truly they have done great things, but it is nothing compared to that of an existence with God. They are smart indeed, but it is no comparison to wisdom from divinity."

And Satan frustrated, spoke. "Then what do you want?! I offer you everything, from wealth to armies to even power among the world and you want nothing that I give you! Are you not a king?! Are you not to reign?! Thus I truly say that the wilderness is better for you, for that is where I found you wasn't it? But mark my words, Son of God, there will be a time that you wished you had not rejected my offers! Thus I look to the stars now, and I truly see that there is nothing but suffering in your future, and you will wish that you had not rejected me!"

And thus Satan turned back into his true demonic form, and flew Jesus back to the wilderness. And thus he departed Him. And soon night began to fall, and Jesus needed to rest.

But it was not over yet.