The Wicked One Redoubles His
- Efforts To Defeat The Work Of Christ
- THE great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man's behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and impenitence till the Saviour's mediation is ended, and there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.
When there is no
special effort made
to resist his power,
when indifference
prevails in the
church and the world,
Satan is not concerned;
for he is in no
danger of losing
those whom he is
leading captive
at his will. But
when the attention
is called to eternal
things, and souls
are inquiring, "What
must I do to be
saved?" he is on
the ground, seeking
to match his power
against the power
of Christ and to
counteract the influence
of the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures declare
that upon one occasion,
when the angels
of God came to present
themselves before
the Lord, Satan
came also among
them (Job 1:6),
not to bow before
the Eternal King,
but to further his
own malicious designs
against the righteous.
With the same object
he is in attendance
when men assemble
for the worship
of God. Though hidden
from sight, he is
working with all
diligence to control
the minds of the
worshipers. Like
a skillful general
he lays his plans
beforehand. As he
sees the messenger
of God searching
the Scriptures,
he takes note of
the subject to be
presented to the
people. Then he
employs all his
cunning and shrewdness
so to control circumstances
that the message
may not reach those
whom he is deceiving
on that very point.
The one who most
needs the warning
will be urged into
some business transaction
which requires his
presence, or will
by some other means
be prevented from
hearing the words
that might prove
to him a savor of
life unto life.
- He Tempts Men To The Indulgence Of Appetite
- Or To Some Other Form Of Self-Gratification
- Again, Satan sees the Lord's servants burdened because of the spiritual darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears their earnest prayers for divine grace and power to break the spell of indifference, carelessness, and indolence. Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts. He tempts men to the indulgence of appetite or to some other form of self-gratification, and thus benumbs their sensibilities so that they fail to hear the very things which they most need to learn.
Satan well knows
that all whom he
can lead to neglect
prayer and the searching
of the Scriptures,
will be overcome
by his attacks.
Therefore he invents
every possible device
to engross the mind.
There has ever been
a class professing
godliness, who,
instead of following
on to know the truth,
make it their religion
to seek some fault
of character or
error of faith in
those with whom
they do not agree.
Such are Satan's
right-hand helpers.
Accusers of the
brethren are not
few, and they are
always active when
God is at work and
His servants are
rendering Him true
homage. They will
put a false coloring
upon the words and
acts of those who
love and obey the
truth. They will
represent the most
earnest, zealous,
self-denying servants
of Christ as deceived
or deceivers. It
is their work to
misrepresent the
motives of every
true and noble deed,
to circulate insinuations,
and arouse suspicion
in the minds of
the inexperienced.
In every conceivable
manner they will
seek to cause that
which is pure and
righteous to be
regarded as foul
and deceptive.
But none need be
deceived concerning
them. It may be
readily seen whose
children they are,
whose example they
follow, and whose
work they do. "Ye
shall know them
by their fruits."
Matthew 7:16. Their
course resembles
that of Satan, the
envenomed slanderer,
"the accuser of
our brethren." Revelation
12:10.
The great deceiver
has many agents
ready to present
any and every kind
of error to ensnare
souls--heresies
prepared to suit
the varied tastes
and capacities of
those whom he would
ruin. It is his
plan to bring into
the church insincere,
unregenerate elements
that will encourage
doubt and unbelief,
and hinder all who
desire to see the
work of God advance
and to advance with
it. Many who have
no real faith in
God or in His word
assent to some principles
of truth and pass
as Christians, and
thus they are enabled
to introduce their
errors as Scriptural
doctrines.
- Many Willfully Pervert The Word Of God
- The position that it is of no consequence what men believe is one of Satan's most successful deceptions. He knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver; therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false theories, fables, another gospel. From the beginning the servants of God have contended against false teachers, not merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that were fatal to the soul. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and fearlessly opposed those who were turning men from the word of God. That liberality which regards a correct religious faith as unimportant found no favor with these holy defenders of the truth.
The vague and fanciful
interpretations
of Scripture, and
the many conflicting
theories concerning
religious faith,
that are found in
the Christian world
are the work of
our great adversary
to confuse minds
so that they shall
not discern the
truth. And the discord
and division which
exist among the
churches of Christendom
are in a great measure
due to the prevailing
custom of wresting
the Scriptures to
support a favorite
theory. Instead
of carefully studying
God's word with
humility of heart
to obtain a knowledge
of His will, many
seek only to discover
something odd or
original.
In order to sustain
erroneous doctrines
or unchristian practices,
some will seize
upon passages of
Scripture separated
from the context,
perhaps quoting
half of a single
verse as proving
their point, when
the remaining portion
would show the meaning
to be quite the
opposite. With the
cunning of the serpent
they entrench themselves
behind disconnected
utterances construed
to suit their carnal
desires. Thus do
many willfully pervert
the word of God.
Others, who have
an active imagination,
seize upon the figures
and symbols of Holy
Writ, interpret
them to suit their
fancy, with little
regard to the testimony
of Scripture as
its own interpreter,
and then they present
their vagaries as
the teachings of
the Bible.
Whenever the study
of the Scriptures
is entered upon
without a prayerful,
humble, teachable
spirit, the plainest
and simplest as
well as the most
difficult passages
will be wrested
from their true
meaning. The papal
leaders select such
portions of Scripture
as best serve their
purpose, interpret
to suit themselves,
and then present
these to the people,
while they deny
them the privilege
of studying the
Bible and understanding
its sacred truths
for themselves.
The whole Bible
should be given
to the people just
as it reads. It
would be better
for them not to
have Bible instruction
at all than to have
the teaching of
the Scriptures thus
grossly misrepresented.
- God Gave To Men The Sure Word Of Prophecy
- The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ Himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters that concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery. They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the Lord by the prophet Habakkuk: "Write the vision, and make it plain, . . . that he may run that readeth it." Habakkuk 2:2. The word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. "Light is sown for the righteous." Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure.
By the cry, Liberality,
men are blinded
to the devices of
their adversary,
while he is all
the time working
steadily for the
accomplishment of
his object. As he
succeeds in supplanting
the Bible by human
speculations, the
law of God is set
aside, and the churches
are under the bondage
of sin while they
claim to be free.
To many, scientific
research has become
a curse. God has
permitted a flood
of light to be poured
upon the world in
discoveries in science
and art; but even
the greatest minds,
if not guided by
the word of God
in their research,
become bewildered
in their attempts
to investigate the
relations of science
and revelation.
Human knowledge
of both material
and spiritual things
is partial and imperfect;
therefore many are
unable to harmonize
their views of science
with Scripture statements.
Many accept mere
theories and speculations
as scientific facts,
and they think that
God's word is to
be tested by the
teachings of "science
falsely so called."
1 Timothy 6:20.
The Creator and
His works are beyond
their comprehension;
and because they
cannot explain these
by natural laws,
Bible history is
regarded as unreliable.
Those who doubt
the reliability
of the records of
the Old and New
Testaments too often
go a step further
and doubt the existence
of God and attribute
infinite power to
nature. Having let
go their anchor,
they are left to
beat about upon
the rocks of infidelity.
Thus many err from
the faith and are
seduced by the devil.
Men have endeavored
to be wiser than
their Creator; human
philosophy has attempted
to search out and
explain mysteries
which will never
be revealed through
the eternal ages.
If men would but
search and understand
what God had made
known of Himself
and His purposes,
they would obtain
such a view of the
glory, majesty,
and power of Jehovah
that they would
realize their own
littleness and would
be content with
that which has been
revealed for themselves
and their children.
- Every Conceivable Form Of Error Will Be
- Accepted By Those Who Willfully Reject The Truth
- It is a masterpiece of Satan's deceptions to keep the minds of men searching and conjecturing in regard to that which God has not made known and which He does not intend that we shall understand. It was thus that Lucifer lost his place in heaven. He became dissatisfied because all the secrets of God's purposes were not confided to him, and he entirely disregarded that which was revealed concerning his own work in the lofty position assigned him. By arousing the same discontent in the angels under his command, he caused their fall. Now he seeks to imbue the minds of men with the same spirit and to lead them also to disregard the direct commands of God.
Those who are unwilling
to accept the plain,
cutting truths of
the Bible are continually
seeking for pleasing
fables that will
quiet the conscience.
The less spiritual,
self-denying, and
humiliating the
doctrines presented,
the greater the
favor with which
they are received.
These persons degrade
the intellectual
powers to serve
their carnal desires.
Too wise in their
own conceit to search
the Scriptures with
contrition of soul
and earnest prayer
for divine guidance,
they have no shield
from delusion. Satan
is ready to supply
the heart's desire,
and he palms off
his deceptions in
the place of truth.
It was thus that
the papacy gained
its power over the
minds of men; and
by rejection of
the truth because
it involves a cross,
Protestants are
following the same
path. All who neglect
the word of God
to study convenience
and policy, that
they may not be
at variance with
the world, will
be left to receive
damnable heresy
for religious truth.
Every conceivable
form of error will
be accepted by those
who willfully reject
the truth. He who
looks with horror
upon one deception
will readily receive
another. The apostle
Paul, speaking of
a class who "received
not the love of
the truth, that
they might be saved,"
declares: "For this
cause God shall
send them strong
delusion, that they
should believe a
lie: that they all
might be damned
who believed not
the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness."
2 Thessalonians
2:10-12. With such
a warning before
us it behooves us
to be on our guard
as to what doctrines
we receive.
Among the most successful
agencies of the
great deceiver are
the delusive teachings
and lying wonders
of spiritualism.
Disguised as an
angel of light,
he spreads his nets
where least suspected.
If men would but
study the Book of
God with earnest
prayer that they
might understand
it, they would not
be left in darkness
to receive false
doctrines. But as
they reject the
truth they fall
a prey to deception.
Another dangerous
error is the doctrine
that denies the
deity of Christ,
claiming that He
had no existence
before His advent
to this world. This
theory is received
with favor by a
large class who
profess to believe
the Bible; yet it
directly contradicts
the plainest statements
of our Saviour concerning
His relationship
with the Father,
His divine character,
and His pre-existence.
It cannot be entertained
without the most
unwarranted wresting
of the Scriptures.
It not only lowers
man's conceptions
of the work of redemption,
but undermines faith
in the Bible as
a revelation from
God. While this
renders it the more
dangerous, it makes
it also harder to
meet. If men reject
the testimony of
the inspired Scriptures
concerning the deity
of Christ, it is
in vain to argue
the point with them;
for no argument,
however conclusive,
could convince them.
"The natural man
receiveth not the
things of the Spirit
of God: for they
are foolishness
unto him: neither
can he know them,
because they are
spiritually discerned."
1 Corinthians 2:14.
None who hold this
error can have a
true conception
of the character
or the mission of
Christ, or of the
great plan of God
for man's redemption.
- Worldly Wisdom Teaches That
- Prayer Is Not Essential
- Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast-spreading belief that Satan has no existence as a personal being; that the name is used in Scripture merely to represent men's evil thoughts and desires.
The teaching so
widely echoed from
popular pulpits,
that the second
advent of Christ
is His coming to
each individual
at death, is a device
to divert the minds
of men from His
personal coming
in the clouds of
heaven. For years
Satan has thus been
saying, "Behold,
He is in the secret
chambers" (Matthew
24:23-26); and many
souls have been
lost by accepting
this deception.
Again, worldly wisdom
teaches that prayer
is not essential.
Men of science claim
that there can be
no real answer to
prayer; that this
would be a violation
of law, a miracle,
and that miracles
have no existence.
The universe, say
they, is governed
by fixed laws, and
God Himself does
nothing contrary
to these laws. Thus
they represent God
as bound by His
own laws--as if
the operation of
divine laws could
exclude divine freedom.
Such teaching is
opposed to the testimony
of the Scriptures.
Were not miracles
wrought by Christ
and His apostles?
The same compassionate
Saviour lives today,
and He is as willing
to listen to the
prayer of faith
as when He walked
visibly among men.
The natural cooperates
with the supernatural.
It is a part of
God's plan to grant
us, in answer to
the prayer of faith,
that which He would
not bestow did we
not thus ask.
Innumerable are
the erroneous doctrines
and fanciful ideas
that are obtaining
among the churches
of Christendom.
It is impossible
to estimate the
evil results of
removing one of
the landmarks fixed
by the word of God.
Few who venture
to do this stop
with the rejection
of a single truth.
The majority continue
to set aside one
after another of
the principles of
truth, until they
become actual infidels.
The errors of popular
theology have driven
many a soul to skepticism
who might otherwise
have been a believer
in the Scriptures.
It is impossible
for him to accept
doctrines which
outrage his sense
of justice, mercy,
and benevolence;
and since these
are represented
as the teaching
of the Bible, he
refuses to receive
it as the word of
God.
- Satan Stands At The Head Of
- The Great Army Of Doubters
- And this is the object which Satan seeks to accomplish. There is nothing that he desires more than to destroy confidence in God and in His word. Satan stands at the head of the great army of doubters, and he works to the utmost of his power to beguile souls into his ranks. It is becoming fashionable to doubt. There is a large class by whom the word of God is looked upon with distrust for the same reason as was its Author--because it reproves and condemns sin. Those who are unwilling to obey its requirements endeavor to overthrow its authority. They read the Bible, or listen to its teachings as presented from the sacred desk, merely to find fault with the Scriptures or with the sermon. Not a few become infidels in order to justify or excuse themselves in neglect of duty. Others adopt skeptical principles from pride and indolence. Too ease-loving to distinguish themselves by accomplishing anything worthy of honor, which requires effort and self-denial, they aim to secure a reputation for superior wisdom by criticizing the Bible. There is much which the finite mind, unenlightened by divine wisdom, is powerless to comprehend; and thus they find occasion to criticize. There are many who seem to feel that it is a virtue to stand on the side of unbelief, skepticism, and infidelity. But underneath an appearance of candor it will be found that such persons are actuated by self-confidence and pride. Many delight in finding something in the Scriptures to puzzle the minds of others. Some at first criticize and reason on the wrong side, from a mere love of controversy. They do not realize that they are thus entangling themselves in the snare of the fowler. But having openly expressed unbelief, they feel that they must maintain their position. Thus they unite with the ungodly and close to themselves the gates of Paradise.
God has given in
His word sufficient
evidence of its
divine character.
The great truths
which concern our
redemption are clearly
presented. By the
aid of the Holy
Spirit, which is
promised to all
who seek it in sincerity,
every man may understand
these truths for
himself. God has
granted to men a
strong foundation
upon which to rest
their faith.
Yet the finite minds
of men are inadequate
fully to comprehend
the plans and purposes
of the Infinite
One. We can never
by searching find
out God. We must
not attempt to lift
with presumptuous
hand the curtain
behind which He
veils His majesty.
The apostle exclaims:
"How unsearchable
are His judgments,
and His ways past
finding out!" Romans
11:33. We can so
far comprehend His
dealings with us,
and the motives
by which He is actuated,
that we may discern
boundless love and
mercy united to
infinite power.
Our Father in heaven
orders everything
in wisdom and righteousness,
and we are not to
be dissatisfied
and distrustful,
but to bow in reverent
submission. He will
reveal to us as
much of His purposes
as it is for our
good to know, and
beyond that we must
trust the Hand that
is omnipotent, the
Heart that is full
of love.
- All Who Look For Hooks To Hang
- Their Doubts Upon Will Find Them
- While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God's word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light.
Distrust of God
is the natural outgrowth
of the unrenewed
heart, which is
at enmity with Him.
But faith is inspired
by the Holy Spirit,
and it will flourish
only as it is cherished.
No man can become
strong in faith
without a determined
effort. Unbelief
strengthens as it
is encouraged; and
if men, instead
of dwelling upon
the evidences which
God has given to
sustain their faith,
permit themselves
to question and
cavil, they will
find their doubts
constantly becoming
more confirmed.
But those who doubt
God's promises and
distrust the assurance
of His grace are
dishonoring Him;
and their influence,
instead of drawing
others to Christ,
tends to repel them
from Him. They are
unproductive trees,
that spread their
dark branches far
and wide, shutting
away the sunlight
from other plants,
and causing them
to droop and die
under the chilling
shadow. The lifework
of these persons
will appear as a
never-ceasing witness
against them. They
are sowing seeds
of doubt and skepticism
that will yield
an unfailing harvest.
- The Spirit Of Truth Has Been
- Sent To Guide Men Into All Truth
- There is but one course for those to pursue who honestly desire to be freed from doubts. Instead of questioning and caviling concerning that which they do not understand, let them give heed to the light which already shines upon them, and they will receive greater light. Let them do every duty which has been made plain to their understanding, and they will be enabled to understand and perform those of which they are now in doubt.
Satan can present
a counterfeit so
closely resembling
the truth that it
deceives those who
are willing to be
deceived, who desire
to shun the self-denial
and sacrifice demanded
by the truth; but
it is impossible
for him to hold
under his power
one soul who honestly
desires, at whatever
cost, to know the
truth. Christ is
the truth and the
"Light, which lighteth
every man that cometh
into the world."
John 1:9. The Spirit
of truth has been
sent to guide men
into all truth.
And upon the authority
of the Son of God
it is declared:
"Seek, and ye shall
find." "If any man
will do His will,
he shall know of
the doctrine." Matthew
7:7; John 7:17.
The followers of
Christ know little
of the plots which
Satan and his hosts
are forming against
them. But He who
sitteth in the heavens
will overrule all
these devices for
the accomplishment
of His deep designs.
The Lord permits
His people to be
subjected to the
fiery ordeal of
temptation, not
because He takes
pleasure in their
distress and affliction,
but because this
process is essential
to their final victory.
He could not, consistently
with His own glory,
shield them from
temptation; for
the very object
of the trial is
to prepare them
to resist all the
allurements of evil.
Neither wicked men
nor devils can hinder
the work of God,
or shut out His
presence from His
people, if they
will, with subdued,
contrite hearts,
confess and put
away their sins,
and in faith claim
His promises. Every
temptation, every
opposing influence,
whether open or
secret, may be successfully
resisted, "not by
might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit,
saith the Lord of
hosts." Zechariah
4:6.
- No Man Is Safe For A Day
- Or An Hour Without Prayer
- "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers. . . . And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" 1 Peter 3:12, 13. When Balaam, allured by the promise of rich rewards, practiced enchantments against Israel, and by sacrifices to the Lord sought to invoke a curse upon His people, the Spirit of God forbade the evil which he longed to pronounce, and Balaam was forced to exclaim: "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?" "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" When sacrifice had again been offered, the ungodly prophet declared: "Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and He hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them." "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!" Yet a third time altars were erected, and again Balaam essayed to secure a curse. But from the unwilling lips of the prophet, the Spirit of God declared the prosperity of His chosen, and rebuked the folly and malice of their foes: "Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee." Numbers 23:8, 10, 20, 21, 23; 24:9.
The people of Israel
were at this time
loyal to God; and
so long as they
continued in obedience
to His law, no power
in earth or hell
could prevail against
them. But the curse
which Balaam had
not been permitted
to pronounce against
God's people, he
finally succeeded
in bringing upon
them by seducing
them into sin. When
they transgressed
God's commandments,
then they separated
themselves from
Him, and they were
left to feel the
power of the destroyer.
Satan is well aware
that the weakest
soul who abides
in Christ is more
than a match for
the hosts of darkness,
and that, should
he reveal himself
openly, he would
be met and resisted.
Therefore he seeks
to draw away the
soldiers of the
cross from their
strong fortification,
while he lies in
ambush with his
forces, ready to
destroy all who
venture upon his
ground. Only in
humble reliance
upon God, and obedience
to all His commandments,
can we be secure.
No man is safe for
a day or an hour
without prayer.
Especially should
we entreat the Lord
for wisdom to understand
His word. Here are
revealed the wiles
of the tempter and
the means by which
he may be successfully
resisted. Satan
is an expert in
quoting Scripture,
placing his own
interpretation upon
passages, by which
he hopes to cause
us to stumble. We
should study the
Bible with humility
of heart, never
losing sight of
our dependence upon
God. While we must
constantly guard
against the devices
of Satan, we should
pray in faith continually:
"Lead us not into
temptation."
The Great Controversy
Between Christ
and Satan - Chapter
32 - Pg. 518-529
If you liked this
chapter and want
to see the
whole book, click
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The Great Controversy
Preparing For Eternity
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