{"id":64188,"date":"2021-10-03T23:22:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-03T20:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=64188"},"modified":"2025-12-15T19:27:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:27:11","slug":"who-gave-you-the-authority-to-do-this","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/10\/03\/who-gave-you-the-authority-to-do-this\/","title":{"rendered":"WHO GAVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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WHO GAVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever considered the devil\u2019s strategy in accusing Jesus\u2014the argument strong enough to lead to His crucifixion? Understanding this reveals how Satan sets traps for believers, particularly in the end times.<\/p>\n

The Bible tells us that the Jewish leaders searched for reasons to condemn Jesus but found none that could legitimately stick. It wasn\u2019t until the final moments that they resorted to an accusation that carried weight: the Temple.<\/p>\n

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Matthew 26:59-61 (ESV)<\/strong>:
“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last, two came forward and said, \u2018This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.\u2019”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

At first glance, this may seem like a simple statement about the Temple. But theologically, it highlights several key points:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Satan\u2019s cunning:<\/strong> There were many statements Jesus made that could have justified His death in the minds of His accusers, such as when He called them children of the devil instead of Abraham (John 8:44 ESV). Yet the Temple statement had a specific weight\u2014it touched on God\u2019s dwelling place<\/strong>, the spiritual heart of Israel. Satan\u2019s strategy was to use human pride and misunderstanding to bring Jesus to the cross.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    The Temple as a spiritual symbol:<\/strong> The Temple in Jerusalem represented God\u2019s presence among His people. When Jesus spoke of destroying and raising it in three days, He was not referring to Herod\u2019s stone structure but to His body<\/strong>, the true dwelling place of God (John 2:19-21 ESV). This reveals Christ\u2019s ultimate purpose: the establishment of the new covenant<\/strong> through His death and resurrection, where believers become God\u2019s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Historical preparation by God and opposition by Satan:<\/strong> During Zerubbabel\u2019s time, the rebuilding of the Second Temple was opposed by enemies, and the Spirit guided the Jewish leaders to refuse their help (Ezra 4:1-3 ESV). Centuries later, Herod the Great extensively renovated the Temple, spending 46 years and immense resources (John 2:20 ESV). While this made the Temple magnificent in appearance, Satan\u2019s hand was at work: turning God\u2019s house into a place of commerce and human control.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Herod\u2019s Temple became a center of economic exploitation and human authority<\/strong>, where strict regulations meant anyone wishing to innovate or challenge the system needed Herod\u2019s permission\u2014or faced death. The priests and the people were silenced by fear, a spiritual warning that human authority can obscure God\u2019s authority when corrupted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    When Christ entered this Temple, He disrupted all commercial activity, showing that true worship must be pure and holy<\/strong>, not corrupted by profit or human agendas (Matthew 21:12-13 ESV). This angered the Jewish leaders, who asked:<\/p>\n

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    Luke 20:2 (ESV):<\/strong>
    “\u2018Tell us by what authority you are doing these things. Who gave you this authority?\u2019”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Their question reveals a human tendency to confuse earthly authority with divine authority<\/strong>. The ultimate authority belongs to God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, acts with divine authority\u2014not human permission.<\/p>\n

    Theological lessons for believers today:<\/strong><\/p>\n