Why Did Satan Offer Jesus the World? Unlocking the Bible’s Forgotten Legal Drama

Why did Satan offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world? That moment in the wilderness temptation, recorded in Luke 4 and Matthew 4, puzzles Christians.

How could Satan tempt the Son of God with something that already belonged to Him? Isn’t Jesus the Creator and rightful Ruler of all?

That question is more than just a riddle—it's a thread that runs through the entire Bible. And the answer, believe it or not, leads us to one of the most profound and often forgotten doctrines in Scripture: the Kinsman Redeemer. It’s a legal concept from the Old Testament that unlocks the logic behind Satan’s claim, Jesus’ mission, and the scroll in Revelation that only one person is worthy to open.

In this post, we’re going to trace the storyline that ties it all together. From Adam’s failure to Christ’s final victory, we’ll see how Jesus isn’t just our Savior in a general sense—He’s our legal Redeemer, the only One qualified to take back what was lost.

Let’s unravel this together and discover a forgotten masterpiece of divine justice, grace, and glory.

What Is a Kinsman Redeemer?

The concept comes from the Old Testament Law, particularly in Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25, and is demonstrated beautifully in the book of Ruth. A "kinsman redeemer" (Hebrew: goel) was a close relative who had the legal right to:

• Buy back land that a family member had sold

• Marry a childless widow to carry on the family line

• Redeem a family member from slavery

  
  

This wasn’t just a social safety net—it was a divinely instituted provision that protected inheritance, restored brokenness, and preserved identity within Israel -- God’s covenant people.

The role had three core requirements:

1. He had to be related by blood to the one needing redemption.

2. He had to be able to pay the price of redemption.

3. He had to be willing to redeem.

   
   

These weren’t just laws—they were shadows of a greater reality that would be fulfilled in Christ.

Ruth and Boaz: A Beautiful Foreshadow

In the story of Ruth, Naomi's husband and sons die, leaving her and Ruth destitute. Ruth, a Moabitess, chooses to stay with Naomi and finds favor in the eyes of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi. Eventually, Boaz agrees to redeem Ruth by marrying her and restoring her late husband's inheritance.

Boaz is the textbook example of a kinsman redeemer:

• He’s a relative.

• He’s wealthy enough to redeem.

• He’s willing to redeem.

This story is not just a romantic tale—it’s a prophetic illustration. Boaz represents Christ. Ruth, a Gentile outsider brought into the blessing of Israel’s promises, is a picture of humanity's need for redemption. And Boaz’s legal act points forward to something far bigger.

Temptation of Jesus: The Fall and the Legal Transfer of Earthly Authority

Now let’s zoom out.

In the Garden of Eden. God gave the earth to Adam — gave him dominion, authority, the ability to rule over creation. But when Adam sinned, that authority was forfeited. Satan claimed it. That’s why, later, when Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness, he offers Him “all the kingdoms of this world.” It wasn’t an empty offer — Satan had gained dominion of the earth because of Adam’s failure. Romans 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 both affirm that Adam’s sin had cosmic consequences, plunging the whole world under the curse of sin and death.

Luke 4:6

"All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it."

Jesus didn’t correct Satan’s claim. Why? Because Satan was right. The authority of the earth had been delivered to him, legally, through Adam’s failure.

So now we have a legal dilemma. God owns everything, but He gave man dominion. Man lost it to Satan. Now someone must reclaim it—legally.

The Scroll in Revelation: The Deed to the Earth

This is where it gets even more fascinating.

In Revelation 5, we see a scene in heaven with a scroll that is sealed with seven seals. No one is found worthy to open it, and John weeps—until the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb, steps forward. He alone is worthy to open the scroll.

What is this scroll? It is the title deed to the earth—the legal documentation of ownership, inheritance, and redemption. But it’s sealed, waiting for the rightful heir, the kinsman redeemer.

Only Christ can open it. Why?

• He became a man—related to Adam.

• He lived sinlessly and paid the price—through His blood.

• He is willing—to redeem not just people but the entire creation (see Romans 8:19–23).

Jesus is not just redeeming individuals. He is reclaiming what was lost at the Fall. And He does it by the book, in full legal compliance with God’s righteous standards.

The Body of Christ: A Heavenly People, Already Redeemed

Now here’s where the Mid-Acts dispensational perspective brings critical clarity.

While the redemption of the earth and Israel’s kingdom program are still future and unfolding in the book of Revelation, the Body of Christ—that is, believers saved under Paul’s gospel—have already been redeemed spiritually.

Ephesians 1:7 – "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

Colossians 1:13 – "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

We are not waiting to be redeemed in the same way Israel and the earth are. We are not part of the earthly kingdom program. Our position is heavenly, seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6).

So when Revelation speaks of Christ reclaiming the earth, it’s not about us, the Body of Christ. That’s about Israel and creation itself.

Why Didn't God Just Take the Earth Back?

Here’s a big question: If God has all power, why didn’t He just take it all back by force? Why go through this legal process of redemption?

Because God is just.

He operates within the structures He Himself has established. He gave dominion to man. When man forfeited it, the only way to reclaim it was through a legally qualified redeemer. He wouldn’t just snatch it back—He would win it back the right way.

God isn’t arbitrary. He’s not sloppy. He’s righteous in all His ways. That’s why Christ had to come in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3), fulfill the law perfectly, die a substitutionary death, and rise again.

A Glimpse of the Old Testament Pattern

There’s a fascinating story in Jeremiah 32, where the prophet buys a field in a land about to be conquered. He seals the deed in a scroll and stores it in an earthen vessel as a witness. Why? Because Jeremiah knew God would restore Israel. It was an acted-out prophecy of future redemption.

This imagery—a sealed scroll, a legal transaction, a future claim—matches the Revelation 5 scene almost perfectly. It's another breadcrumb pointing to the legal and prophetic nature of redemption.

Wrapping It All Together

The concept of the Kinsman Redeemer is not just a quaint Old Testament idea. It is a central legal structure in God’s redemptive program.

• Adam lost legal dominion of the earth.

• Satan claimed ownership and authority.

• Jesus became the Kinsman Redeemer, paying the price of redemption.

• The Body of Christ is already redeemed spiritually and placed in heaven.

• The earth and Israel are yet to be reclaimed, which is what unfolds in Revelation.

  
  

Understanding this doesn’t just make Revelation clearer—it makes the cross more glorious, the Bible more cohesive, and the plan of God more awe-inspiring.

And this is why Right Division is so important. If you believe this redemption story is meant for us—the Body of Christ—you’ll naturally focus on earthly signs, kingdoms, and covenants. You’ll start looking for fulfillment in places God never intended for the church. But if you rightly divide the Word of Truth, you’ll see that this drama belongs to Israel’s prophetic program. That doesn’t make it less relevant—it makes it more precise. We, the Church, are a redeemed people: spiritually. We have no earthly promises or hope. Our promises are heavenly.

Understanding the Kinsman Redeemer and the scroll isn’t about confusing programs. It’s about magnifying the grace and order of God’s plan. While we, the Body of Christ, are already seated in heavenly places and redeemed spiritually, God is not done with the earth. He will reclaim what was lost. The scroll will be opened. The seals will be broken. And Christ, the only worthy Redeemer, will execute the legal redemption of the land that Adam forfeited.