Lost in Eden, part 2

And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. Adam and Eve were lost in Eden but, horrifying thought, could it be possible that while we are within God’s true church, surrounded with the loving care of God and His marvelous doctrines of truth and His precious standards, that we might personally become separated, disconnected from God and totally lost? Well, let me awaken you to reality; this is what will happen to millions within the Adventist church. We have been warned of this by God’s servant. The majority within our church will think they are connected with God but will believe the lies that are now being preached from some of our pulpits, and they will find out too late that, while they thought they were connected to God, they have become separated from Deity and are under a power and a control of another spirit.

Ellen White wrote of this because she saw in vision that it would happen in the end time. “I saw that Satan was working through agents in a number of ways. He was at work through ministers who have rejected the truth and are given over to strong delusions to believe a lie that they might be damned. While they were preaching or praying, some would fall prostrate and helpless, not by the power of the Holy Ghost, but by the power of Satan breathed upon these agents, and through them to the people. While preaching, praying, or conversing, some professed Adventists who had rejected present truth used mesmerism to gain adherents, and the people would rejoice in this influence, for they thought it was the Holy Ghost. Some even that used it were so far in the darkness and deception of the devil that they thought it was the power of God, given them to exercise. They had made God altogether such a one as themselves and had valued His power as a thing of nought.” Early Writings, 43, 44.

Just a few days ago I had one of our good, faithful Seventh-day Adventist ministers phone me from the East. He said, “You don’t know me. We have never met, but I have listened to some of your tapes.” He said, “Let me tell you what is happening in the area where I live. In one of our large churches they have brought in a minister who has so many degrees back of his name that whenever he speaks they think that he talks as God. They believe everything that he tells them.

“On Sabbath afternoon he is now having healing services. He strikes these people who come forward to be healed, on the head, and they fall backward. Somebody has to grab them, and they lay on the floor sometimes for 30 minutes. I just couldn’t believe that this would ever happen in my church. If you don’t have any idea what I’m talking about,” he said, “just turn on the television and look at some of these Pentecostal healing programs, and this is exactly what this man is doing in the Seventh-day Adventist church today.” I said, “Elder, I believe we are beginning to come into a great false revival within this church. Not only will there be healing such as you have seen, but you will see these men speaking in tongues and preaching doctrines of devils in these last days.”

“I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to distract, deceive, and draw away God’s people, just now in this sealing time. I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet sliding, because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling. Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were, until the sealing was past, until the covering was drawn over God’s people, and they left without a shelter from the burning wrath of God, in the seven last plagues.” Ibid., 44.

“I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth.” Ibid., 45. If ever we needed a Divine power, we need it today to discern error from truth in the coming crisis that is breaking upon this church. In last month’s article, “Lost in Eden” part one, we discovered that the human race, whether before or after the fall of Adam, must reach above the level of humanity by divine power in order to maintain a vital connection with God. This connection is absolutely necessary if we are to overcome Satan’s masterful temptations. Why did Adam fall? “Adam did not reach above his humanity for divine power.” Signs of the Times, December 3, 1902. You see, he believed Satan when he said, “Each of you are gods.”

Jesus left heaven, came down to earth, and took upon Himself fallen, human nature. Yet, because He maintained a daily connection with God His Father, He never once broke His Father’s law. He accomplished this wonder, which Satan said was impossible, because He daily partook of the Holy Spirit.

Earnest Prayer

“Christ during His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed grace.” Acts of the Apostles, 56. This is why we read in the Scriptures that Christ often spent the entire night in communion with God. We read of Him getting up early before the sun came up, spending time with God.

Jesus did not come to earth to demonstrate that a man, separated from God, sold into sin, could live a sinless life. Jesus came to demonstrate just the opposite—that only humanity connected with divinity would find it possible to overcome as He overcame. “Christ left His heavenly home and came to this world to show that only by being connected with divinity can man keep the law of God. In itself humanity is tainted and corrupted, but Christ brought moral power to man and those who live in communion with Him overcome as He overcame.” Signs of the Times, December 3, 1896.

The following statement makes it very clear. “Christ came to this earth taking humanity and standing as man’s representative to show in the controversy with Satan that man, as God created him, connected with the Father and the Son, could obey every divine requirement.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 926. We can understand how Christ demonstrated by His connection with His Father that a man having a fallen, human nature is enabled to obey every divine requirement if he truly becomes a partaker of divine nature. “He [Christ] assumed the liabilities of human nature, to be proved and tried. In His humanity He was a partaker of the divine nature.” Selected Messages, vol. 1, 226. “In Christ were united the human and the divine.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 2, 201.

Born of the Spirit

Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit, and as we compare inspired writings, we discover that “a connection with God” and the new birth are synonymous terms. “There must be a new birth, a new mind through the operation of the Spirit of God . . . This connection with God fits man for the glorious kingdom of heaven.” Signs of the Times, November 15, 1883.

Are you following me? When sinful man repents and chooses to connect with God, we refer to this experience as a new birth, having been born of the Spirit, which makes it possible to declare such a person as being “a new man in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus was born with a connection with God. Notice how clearly this is revealed as to the source of His power. “The Father gave the Spirit without measure to His Son.” Signs of the Times, February 24, 1888. That is tremendous. All heaven was given, but then notice these words, “And we also may partake of Its fullness.” Ibid. Marvelous, how God has made provision for us to be overcomers. “In Christ dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily. This is why although He was tempted in all points like as we are, He stood before the world from His entrance into it untainted by corruption, though surrounded by it.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 907. Then these words, “Are we not also to become partakers of that fullness and is it not thus, and thus only, that we can overcome as He overcame?” Ibid.

The divine secret of Christ’s victory over sin, from the moment of His entrance into this world as a human, was because He was filled with the Holy Spirit. “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:7, 8. Jesus was connected with God, not sold unto sin, even though He voluntarily bore our sins. “Satan charmed the first Adam by his sophistry . . . He believed the words of Satan. But the second Adam was not to become the enemy’s bondslave.” Signs of the Times, December 3, 1902.

Fallen Man to Have Power Over Sin

Christ proved that man bearing a fallen, sinful nature may obey and live without sin. “The only begotten Son of God came to our world as a man, to reveal to the world that men could keep the law of God.” Selected Messages, vol. 3, 136. “Christ came to this world as a man to prove to the angels and to men that man may overcome; that in every emergency he may know that the powers of heaven are ready to help him.” Signs of the Times, December 3, 1902. What a promise! Oh, praise God!

All the fullness of the power of God is available to us. “The Lord Jesus declares, ‘I have kept My Father’s commandments.’ ” Selected Messages, vol. 3, 138. And then Mrs. White continues. “How? As a man.” Ibid. “He [God] sent His Son to this world to bear the penalty of sin. Why? To show men how to live a sinless life.” Signs of the Times, March 30, 1904. Why am I dwelling on the fact that we must have in our humanity the power of divinity connected with us? Because I believe that Jesus is coming soon and we must get ready. The sealing will soon be over, and only those who have taken of this divine power and learned to live as Jesus lived are going to make it. “His life declares that humanity, combined with divinity, does not commit sin.” Ministry of Healing, 180. “Christ came to reveal the Source of His power, that man might never rely on his unaided human capabilities.” Review and Herald, February 18, 1890.

Do not let anyone ever mislead you by reading the following passage which may at first appear to contradict what I have just said. “Let every human being be warned from the ground of making Christ altogether human such a one as ourselves for it cannot be. The exact time when humanity blended with divinity is not necessary for us to know.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1129. We do not need to know the exact moment, but if this quotation perplexes you in any way, would you notice the clue: In Christ “humanity was blended with divinity. In His humanity He was a partaker of the divine nature.” Selected Messages, vol. 1, 226. “Christ did not possess the same sinful, corrupt, fallen disloyalty we possess, for then He could not be a perfect offering.” Selected Messages, vol. 3, 131.

Again and again this is so plainly revealed. “Laying aside His royal crown, He condescended to step down, step by step, to the level of fallen humanity.” Ibid., 128. “His human nature was created, it did not even possess angelic powers.” Ibid. He did not even have the power when He was here as a human that the angels have. “It was human, identical with our own.” Ibid. Never could it be written more plainly. In Romans 1:3 the Scripture says the same; “Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” And in Romans 8:3, “God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”

Not a Lesser God

The obedience of Christ was not that of a god, but that of a man who was connected with divine power. “Christ’s overcoming and obedience is that of a true human being. In our conclusions we make many mistakes because of our erroneous views of the human nature of our Lord. When we give to Him, His human nature, a power that it is not possible for man to have in his conflicts with Satan, we destroy the completeness of His humanity. His imputed grace and power He gives to all who receive Him by faith. The obedience of Christ to His Father was the same obedience that is required of man. Man cannot overcome Satan’s temptations without Divine power to combine with his instrumentality. So with Jesus Christ, He could lay hold of divine power. He came not to the world to give the obedience of a lesser god to a greater, but as a man to obey God’s holy law and in this way He is our example. The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do through faith in God’s power to help in every emergency.” Manuscript Releases, vol.1, 1892.

That is wonderful! We have an example Jesus has shown us. “Man is through faith to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset. The Lord now demands that every son and daughter of Adam through faith in Jesus Christ, serve Him in human nature which we now have. The Lord Jesus has bridged a gulf that sin has made. He has connected earth with heaven and finite man with the infinite God. Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, could only keep the commandments of God in the same way that humanity can keep them.” Ibid. That gives me courage. And I trust it gives you courage. Wonderful! Oh, praise God! We are assured that every son and daughter of Adam when connected with the infinite God through faith may obey God in the human nature which we now have.

Forever let it be known that the Spirit of Prophecy clearly makes a distinction between sinful nature and sinfulness. “In Him was no guile or sinfulness; he was ever pure and undefiled, yet, He took upon Him our sinful nature.” Review and Herald, December 15, 1896. “He began life, passed through its experiences and ended its record with a sanctified, human will. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet, because He kept His will surrendered and sanctified, He never bent in the slightest degree toward the doing of evil or toward manifesting rebellion against God.” Signs of the Times, October 29, 1894. Here then is the key that unlocks this mystery. Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Of every true Christian it must be said before He comes that “We have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16. Why? Because Christ came to this earth. “That He might restore to man the original mind which he lost in Eden through Satan’s alluring temptations.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 926.

I would like to recap for you what Christ did when He came to this earth to demonstrate victorious living. What did Christ come to earth to demonstrate? Christ came to this earth to show that man, as God created him, connected with the Father and the Son, could obey every divine requirement. His life declares that humanity, combined with divinity, does not commit sin.

And so my friends, this is no time to be lost in the church. We need a connection with Christ that the divinity of God can be combined with our humanity; for in such an experience we will not commit sin. How is it with you, brother? How is it with you, sister? Young man? Young woman? Are you reaching out for this divine power? The divinity of God is promised to us in its fullness that we might be ready to meet Jesus. I appeal to you now to make this most important decision. Give your heart fully to God; allow the Holy Spirit to write His law within you and fill you with the power of divinity.

The End

Insights from the Book of Isaiah (2) – The Crisis in Heaven

December 31 – January 6, 2018

Key Text

“I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isaiah 13:11, last part).

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 33–43.

Introduction

“The bulwarks of Satan will never triumph. Victory will attend the third angel’s message. As the Captain of the Lord’s host tore down the walls of Jericho, so will the Lord’s commandment-keeping people triumph, and all opposing elements be defeated.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 410.

Sunday

1              WHO IS JESUS, REALLY?

  • What must we realize about the role of Jesus Christ in the creation of the universe and its inhabitants? John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1, 2.

Note: “The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 34.

  • What contrast exists between all creatures and Christ who was, by decree, to become our Saviour? Hebrews 1:6–8, 13, 14; Luke 1:30–35.

Note: “From Jesus is our life derived. In Him is life that is original—unborrowed, underived life. In Him is the fountain of life.” The Review and Herald, August 6, 1914.

“In speaking of His pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God.” The Signs of the Times, August 29, 1900.

Monday 

2              THE HEAVENLY GOVERNMENT

  • What are some attributes of the government with which the Creator has always ruled the universe? Psalm 89:14; Romans 7:12.

Note: “The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it.” The Signs of the Times, April 15, 1886.

“The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.

“So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 34, 35.

  • What has always been the attitude of the unfallen, holy angels with regard to Christ? Revelation 5:11, 12. What did the Father, as King of the Universe, also declare concerning Christ? Hebrews 1:3–6.

Note: “The Son of God shared the Father’s throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-existent One encircled both. … Before the assembled inhabitants of heaven the King declared that none but Christ, the Only Begotten of God, could fully enter into His purposes, and to Him it was committed to execute the mighty counsels of His will. The Son of God had wrought the Father’s will in the creation of all the hosts of heaven; and to Him, as well as to God, their homage and allegiance were due. Christ was still to exercise divine power, in the creation of the earth and its inhabitants. But in all this He would not seek power or exaltation for Himself contrary to God’s plan, but would exalt the Father’s glory and execute His purposes of beneficence and love.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 36.

Tuesday 

3              THE ANOINTED CHERUB’S CHOICE

  • Under the figure of the king of Tyrus, what can we learn about Lucifer, the anointed cherub, who later became Satan, the adversary? Ezekiel 28:11–15.

Note: “Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Jesus Christ. His countenance was mild, expressive of happiness like the other angels. His forehead was high and broad, and showed great intelligence. His form was perfect. He had a noble, majestic bearing.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 17.

“Satan had led the heavenly choir. He had raised the first note, then all the angelic host united with him, and glorious strains of music had resounded through Heaven in honor of God and His dear Son.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 28.

  • What led to the fall of Lucifer? Ezekiel 28:17, first part.

Note: “Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. … Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 35.

  • How uncontrollable is the spirit of envy and jealousy? Proverbs 27:4; 6:34. What happened when the Father, the Son, and the angels tried to reason with Lucifer?

Note: “Lucifer’s disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme. … But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only aroused a spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed his jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more determined.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 35, 36.

Wednesday 

4              SUBTLE DECEPTION

  • What was Isaiah shown about the attitude that Lucifer strangely adopted? Isaiah 14:12–14.

Note: “The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and prostrating themselves before Him, poured out their love and adoration. Lucifer bowed with them, but in his heart there was a strange, fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy and jealousy. … The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as God’s special gift, and therefore, called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 36, 37.

  • How did Lucifer’s attitude disrupt heaven? James 3:16.

Note: “The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as an injustice to Lucifer, who, it was claimed, was also entitled to reverence and honor. If this prince of angels could but attain to his true, exalted position, great good would accrue to the entire host of heaven; for it was his object to secure freedom for all. But now even the liberty which they had hitherto enjoyed was at an end; for an absolute Ruler had been appointed them, and to His authority all must pay homage. Such were the subtle deceptions that through the wiles of Lucifer were fast obtaining in the heavenly courts.

“There had been no change in the position or authority of Christ. … Many of the angels were, however, blinded by Lucifer’s deceptions.

“Taking advantage of the loving, loyal trust reposed in him by the holy beings under his command, he had so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust and discontent that his agency was not discerned. Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light—misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction. He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose, as evidence that the angels were not in full harmony with the government of God. … While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace.

“The spirit of dissatisfaction [was] thus kindled.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 37, 38.

Thursday 

5              THE OUTCOME OF THE REBELLION

  • When the archdeceiver finally instigated open rebellion in heaven, what was the outcome? Revelation 12:7–9. What will be his final end? Isaiah 14:15–17.
  • What was the real object at stake in the war in heaven? Psalm 119:126.

Note: “He [Lucifer] began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings, intimating that though laws might be necessary for the inhabitants of the worlds, angels, being more exalted, needed no such restraint, for their own wisdom was a sufficient guide.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 37.

  • What reveals God’s perfect wisdom in handling this crisis? Jude 6; 1 Corinthians 6:3, first part; Philippians 2:10, 11.

Note: “Had he [Satan] been immediately blotted out of existence, some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 42.

Friday 

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1              How can we answer some common misconceptions about who Christ is?

2              Why can we say that God’s government is balanced and just?

3              What was the root of Lucifer’s problem?

4              Trace the steps that he took that spoiled the sweet harmony of heaven.

5              Why didn’t God simply blot Satan out of existence immediately?

The Synagogue of Satan

Have her doctrines exerted an influence in your heart? Are you a part of her and not even aware of it? Is the power of the all-seeing eye influencing you?

“She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures, in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated.” The Great Controversy, 581.

In the letter to Smyrna, we read, “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9. The term Jew no doubt refers to those claiming to serve God. In the context, however, it is clear that they are in actuality serving Satan. Jesus warned us in very strong language of the danger of falling into the class professing to be His while not accepting Him truly as Lord and Master in their lives. “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness].” Matthew 7:21–23. The Buddhist does not refer to Christ as Lord; neither does the Hindu, Moslem, Atheist, or Satanist. Jesus must, therefore, be referring to Christians. Clearly, it is possible to be a professing Christian, while unknowingly being a member of the synagogue of Satan.

In order to distinguish clearly between these two groups and to avoid being deceived, let us observe some of the characteristics of the synagogue of Satan.

“Satan had declared to his synagogue that not a single human soul would maintain his loyalty to God’s Commandments. One soul saved would prove this statement to be false. One soul saved would demonstrate the righteousness of God’s government. . . . Christ came to this earth, and by a life of obedience showed that man could obey. He canceled the guilt resting upon the sinner. That the sinner might stand before God clothed with His robe of righteousness. He clothed Himself with the robe of sorrow.” Upward Look, 223. [All emphasis supplied.]

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie.” Revelation 3:9.

“Christ speaks of the church over which Satan presides as the synagogue of Satan. Its members are the children of disobedience. They are those who choose to sin, who labor to make void the holy law of God. It is Satan’s work to mingle evil with good, and to remove the distinction between good and evil. Christ would have a church that labors to separate the evil from the good, whose members will not willingly tolerate wrong-doing, but will expel it from the heart and life.” Review and Herald, December 4, 1900.

Before becoming a Christian, at one time I worked as a bartender. I had regular customers who would come into the bar wanting their usual drink, “Which had a lot of good in it.” The “screwdriver” consisted mostly of orange juice, a lot of good, and a shot of vodka, poison. It was my work to mingle evil with good in such a way that it was acceptable.

Other customers would come in asking for “Stoly on the rocks,” or “straight up,” which meant pure vodka, poison, either on ice or without ice. Quite often the one who left the bar most intoxicated was the customer who had the poison mingled with a lot of good.

Friends, Satan is a master bartender, mingling evil with good in just the right proportions to make it acceptable. If the best we can say about a certain television program, certain Christian music, certain favorite foods, or certain books, magazines, and articles is that they have a lot of good in them, then we should beware lest we be drinking from the hand of Satan whose work it is to mingle evil with good and to remove the distinction between good and evil, to build up our tolerance for evil to the point where he can eventually serve it straight up.

“There is no natural enmity between fallen men and fallen angels; both are partakers of the same spirit through indulgence in evil. It is according to the law of the synagogue of Satan that in the controversy of the evil against the good, fallen men and fallen angels shall unite in a desperate companionship. From the beginning Satan has worked continually to dethrone the Creator, and whatever may be the divisions among evil men and evil angels, there is no division in their opposition to God. Satan is determined to utterly deprave human nature through making of none effect the commandments of God. He originates traditions, and through his maxims he succeeds in assimilating to his own nature the nature of those who do not yield allegiance to the Law of God.” Signs of the Times, June 11, 1894.

“Those in the synagogue of Satan will profess to be converted and, unless God’s servants have keen eyesight, they will not discern the working of the power of darkness.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 281.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.” II Corinthians 11:14, 15.

“Satan has a large confederacy, his church. Christ calls them the synagogue of Satan because the members are the children of sin. The members of Satan’s church have been constantly working to cast off the divine law, and confuse the distinction between good and evil. Satan is working with great power in and through the children of disobedience to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty. And at this time the power of his satanic inspiration is moving the living agencies to carry out the great rebellion against God that commenced in heaven.” Testimonies to Ministers, 16.

“Those who are deceivers are those who have turned away their ears from hearing the truth, and who have opened the door of their heart for the entrance of the sophistries of Satan. At first those who are finally deceived do not believe what they assume themselves; but as they misinterpret the Scriptures, as they claim to have received new light, as they enter into by-paths, as they repeat their own falsehoods, they come to look upon their theories as matters of importance. They deceive others, presenting the arguments that were prepared by the synagogue of Satan. Every repetition of their errors confirms them in their false theories. They are inspired by the satanic agencies to present falsehoods before others, and finally come to believe a lie, deceiving and being deceived.” Signs of the Times, December 5, 1895.

“Never was Satan so fiercely stirred as now. As never before he will inspire everyone who has apostatized from obedience to God’s Law. He will work to create rebellion at the very time when the proclamation of the Third Angel’s Message—the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus—is going to the world. He will inspire members of his synagogue to make most desperate efforts to clothe in defiled garments all who take an active part in this message.” The Adventist Apocalypse, 62.

Let us summarize the characteristics that identify the members of the synagogue of Satan:

1. They do not keep God’s Commandments

  • They lie (hypocrites)
  • They are children of disobedience (sin)
  • They love and choose to sin’
  • They make void the Law of God
  • They mingle evil with good
  • They confuse the distinction between good and evil
  • They unite in opposition to God
  • They originate traditions
  • They profess to be converted
  • They assume the role of ministers of righteousness
  • They work to cast off the divine Law
  • They exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty
  • They misinterpret the Scriptures
  • They claim to have received “new light”
  • They enter into by-paths
  • They repeat their own falsehoods
  • They look upon their theories as matters of importance
  • They deceive others
  • They clothe in defiled garments all who take an active part in the Third Angel’s Message of Revelation 14:12.

How can we be sure we are not of the synagogue of Satan, but are truly Israelites—the children of promise?

“God would have His children bear testimony to the fact that God cannot be satisfied until the fallen race is redeemed, reclaimed, and reinstated to their holy privileges, having free access to the tree of life. He would have them bear testimony to the fact that through the grace of Christ, they may represent Christlikeness of character, and find greatest joy in the assurance of His great love wherewith He has loved us. Once separated from God by the lying devices of Satan, they are reunited to Him by learning the lesson of redeeming love, as manifested in the great sacrifice of Christ in giving His precious life for mankind. The human united to the divine by a tie so strong that unfallen worlds, angels, and men are amazed, for those who believe in the love of God to them are secure in the refuge of His love, and not all the arts of Satan can induce them to continue in transgression of the Law of God.” Signs of the Times, April 11, 1895.

“Christ assumed human nature to demonstrate to the fallen world, to Satan and his synagogue, to the universe of heaven, and to the worlds unfallen, that human nature, united to His divine nature, could become entirely obedient to the Law of God, that His followers, by their love and unity, would give evidence that the power of redemption is sufficient to enable man to overcome.” Ibid., November 5, 1896.

“All need to inquire, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ God requires humble, contrite hearts, that tremble at His Word. It is only from the divine altar that we can receive the celestial torch, which, when received, will give us a full view of our incompetence, and reveal to us the dignity and glory of Christ. When this is seen, God places us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and it will lead us into all truth.” Ibid., July 20, 1896.

Yes, “Satan has a church upon the earth which outnumbers the church of Christ. Christ calls it the synagogue of Satan, because its members are the children of sin and transgression. They have ceased to honor God [meaning they once were of Christ’s true church]; they have cast His divine law aside: they have confounded the distinction between good and evil. But, the world’s Redeemer will have a church in which these essential differences will be made apparent, where the character of God will be represented. In marked contrast to the character of Satan, the beauty of holiness will be exemplified, the loveliness of truth shine forth in life and practice. Its members will honor, love, and glorify God Whom the world has despised. These are the fruits by which they are known to the world; these will have the superscription of heaven by which all men may know that they are Christ’s disciples.” General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1897.

“Remember that the nearer we approach Christ’s coming, the more earnestly and firmly we are to work, for the whole synagogue of Satan is opposed to us.” The Adventist Apocalypse, 214.

May the Lord bless you and impress upon your heart the desire to make Him truly Lord and Master in your life, allowing Him and His Word to be your only rule of practice. [All emphasis supplied.]

Keys to the Storehouse – Your Influence

An idea that is not often thought about is how our actions affect God’s kingdom, either positively or cause it harm. Our adversary, as a roaring lion, is walking about looking for whom he can destroy (I Peter 5:8) and if we are not alert and on daily watch, he may push our actions to the point that injury or damage is done to the kingdom of Christ, causing a soul to be lost. Nothing could please the devil more.

“When Satan succeeds in tempting men whom God has especially honored to commit grievous sins, he triumphs; for he has gained to himself a great victory and has done harm to the kingdom of Christ.” Confrontation, 26.

In a moment of frustration, after dealing with the whining children of Israel for so many years, Moses lost control and “he spake unadvisedly with his lips” (Psalm 106:33). Because of that incident, damage was done to the kingdom and glory was taken away from God. Satan exulted! He has forfeited the kingdom himself because of his prideful attitude and his plan now is to keep as many of God’s people as he can out of the kingdom and away from the eternal glory that God has prepared for them.

John the Revelator said to anoint our eyes with eye salve (Revelation 3:18) that we may become aware of the devil’s deception and recognize the temptations that are laid before us. We want to “see” when the devil is antagonizing us and pushing us into sin. We need to plead for God’s grace to stand and resist the devil so he will flee from us (James 4:7) before we do harm to God’s kingdom. It is real joy to know that our actions can cause the devil to flee. Walk in that path of the overcomers and resist!

“Some few in every generation from Adam resisted his every artifice and stood forth as noble representatives of what it was in the power of man to do and to be—Christ working with human efforts, helping man in overcoming the power of Satan. Enoch and Elijah are the correct representatives of what the race might be through faith in Jesus Christ if they chose to be. Satan was greatly disturbed because these noble, holy men stood untainted amid the moral pollution surrounding them, perfected righteous characters, and were accounted worthy for translation to Heaven. As they had stood forth in moral power in noble uprightness, overcoming Satan’s temptations, he could not bring them under the dominion of death. He triumphed that he had power to overcome Moses with his temptations, and that he could mar his illustrious character and lead him to the sin of taking glory to himself before the people which belonged to God.” The Review and Herald, March 3, 1874.

Be diligent and watchful and do not let the devil catch you off guard and he triumph over your actions. But, if this does happen, don’t despair; bow low before God and ask for forgiveness, for we have an advocate with the Father (I John 2:1). Claim the promise in I John 1:9 that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Then stand up and smile with confidence, knowing that you have escaped from the devil’s kingdom and he has lost you!

Father: Anoint my eyes with heavenly eyesalve so that I may not give the devil any reason to smile. Grant me grace to walk the path that Enoch and Elijah walked and through that grace to cause much harm to Satan’s kingdom. I choose to be a representative, as they were, of the heavenly kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Satan’s Last Temptation

Jesus Christ must come. We are living in the final generation, and we are going to see the appearing of Jesus Christ in the sky with glory. We yearn to see the Second Coming, for that is the only answer for all of the problems of this earth, including political and economical unrest. There is also a spiritual warfare within the churches and the worldwide corruption of morality. All of these events come together like a puzzle, making a picture of the final generation. Now is the time that we must finish the work of the gospel and hasten the coming of Jesus Christ.

The remnant church must be roused and ready to receive the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel to the world. At the time of the early church the gospel had been preached with such a power and many souls were convicted and converted. It seems like that kind of power has been lost for a long time.

Paul talks about the power of the gospel. He said, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” It was not the enticing words of man nor was it man’s wisdom, but it was the demonstration of God’s power. That is what is needed today to finish the gospel work in this world so Jesus Christ can come in this generation. Then Paul continues, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:4, 5.

We must become pure vessels imbued by God’s power, so that when we preach, our words will be simple, powerful, persuasive and will convert and convict many souls. The harvest is ready. God is waiting for the harvesters to be ready to anoint them with His Holy Spirit. Satan knows that at that time the work will be finished very quickly and he desperately sets a last temptation before us to make us an impotent people; a people who are not able to finish the work—not able to preach the gospel with the demonstration of the power of God. We must wake up, the world is waiting for the demonstration of the power of the gospel. “The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit.” The Great Controversy, 612.

We need the power of the gospel given back to the church as it was in ancient days. Satan knows that this power of godliness is going to be recovered, restored within the church and then the latter rain, the Holy Spirit will be poured out. At that time, God’s people are going to rise up and preach the gospel, as a demonstration of the power of God and the work will be finished. Satan knows that the power of the early church will be revived in this generation and he is trying to hinder it, trying to block it and to destroy it.

Why has this kind of power been lost? Is it because God does not want us to have that kind of power anymore? Why is not this kind of power manifested anymore within the church? We should have been in heaven a long time ago. If we believed and lived according to the Spirit of God and preached the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14, then God’s people who are still in the Babylonian churches would have already come out. We should have been in heaven a long time ago and are yearning for the power of the latter rain. We need to find the answer to this important question in the experience of ancient Israel.

After the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they came to the outskirts of Canaan, the Promised Land. They were so happy and ready to go in and occupy. They had longed for this moment. At the same time, Satan was preparing one last temptation for them. Just like the Israelites, we are standing at the border of the heavenly Canaan and we are about to enter in. Now, as Satan did to the ancient Israelites, he has prepared for us a snare—his last temptation for God’s church. He is making God’s church impotent so they cannot receive power to preach the gospel.

In I Corinthians 10:1–5, 11, it says, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat.” That spiritual meat symbolizes the word of God, the truth of God. This is something we cannot make for our own selves. We have to receive it. It must come down from heaven. That manna was round and white, which signifies the infinite love of God. The infinite truth of God, His righteousness was given to them by heaven. They had partaken of the manna every day and actually experienced the miracle of drinking water and of eating food every day. Verse 4 says, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” So they came out from Egypt and were all baptized together, “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.” Verse 5. Even though they came out or overcame the Egyptians and they experienced the miracles of God, yet they were defeated in the wilderness. They were not able to overcome their own selves, their own intemperance, their own pride, their own selfishness. Their own enemy in their own souls defeated them. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Verse 11.

These experiences were written in the Bible for us to study and contemplate so not to make the same mistake. Satan attempts to block God’s people from receiving His power and experience a true miracle by spreading his last temptation before God’s church.

Our enemy is out to destroy God’s church, the souls of His people. He hates to hear about the soon coming of Jesus Christ. He has put a snare before us to numb our thoughts and our feelings and to make us disinterested in holy things. His temptations are very subtle and yet very powerful. He succeeded in defeating ancient Israel while they were standing right on the border before entering the land of Canaan and his plan is to defeat us too.

We need to do something quickly in order for us to stand against this final temptation. We need to pray and build our spiritual standard. Nothing should be allowed to come into our thoughts, hearts and souls that would benumb our spiritual senses and lower our spiritual stamina. The Israelites learned a lesson from this. The false prophet, Balaam, was enticed; Balak, the King of Moab, tempted him. Balaam attempted to curse Israel, but when he opened his mouth, the Spirit of God came upon him and caused him to speak blessings toward God’s people. He had failed three times and later on he devised a temptation, a devilish plan. Satan knew that the only way to destroy the Israelites was to separate them from God’s protection. If he could cause God’s people to break His law, His commandments, then they would be severed from His protection and that is exactly what he did. Balaam caused God’s people to commit adultery, to break God’s law, and he successfully uses that same technique today. The new interpretation of righteousness by faith, the new interpretation of the gospel, the new gospel, the liberal gospel, has been devised by Satan to cause God’s people to break His law and commit sin, yet still harboring a false hope of salvation in their hearts. That is the deception of Satan.

In Patriarch and Prophets, 455, we are told, “Their iniquitous practices did that for Israel which all the enchantments of Balaam could not do—they separated them from God.” Balaam’s plan had succeeded and caused them to be separated from the power and protection of God.

The Israelites committed adultery by participating in the heathen festivals of the Moabites. The first thing Balaam did was to invite them to come and see. They did not have to participate, but to come and watch and be entertained. Through this process, they finally committed fornication with the harlots of the Midianites.

“At Balaam’s suggestion, a grand festival in honor of their gods was appointed by the king of Moab, and it was secretly arranged that Balaam should induce the Israelites to attend. He was regarded by them as a prophet of God, and hence had little difficulty in accomplishing his purpose. Great numbers of the people joined him in witnessing the festivities.” Ibid., 454. Remember, the first time they did not have to participate, just to come and see and be entertained. God asks us to guard our five senses. Satan uses his cunning to penetrate the senses, sight, hearing, talk, smell and touch. He spreads before us heathen-like festivities and then excites our emotions and our feelings, which defile our thoughts, causing us to contemplate on evil things.

“They ventured upon the forbidden ground, and were entangled in the snare of Satan. Beguiled with music and dancing, and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals, they cast off their fealty to Jehovah. As they united in mirth and feasting, indulgence in wine beclouded their senses and broke down the barriers of self-control. Passion had full sway; and having defiled their consciences by lewdness, they were persuaded to bow down to idols. They offered sacrifice upon heathen altars and participated in the most degrading rites.” Ibid. They went so far as to commit fornication with the prophets and prophetesses, the harlots of this heathen worship ceremony.

First came the invitation to come and watch. Satan spreads out all of the things in the world, billboards, televisions, dramas and movies and all of these things. Satan attempts to come into our inner sanctuary and defile our feelings and thoughts and so benumb our holy senses and excite our passions so that we will lose the senses to understand between the holy and the unholy. He causes impotence to preach the gospel with power.

A new kind of gospel has been spread all over the church—Adventism is in crisis! Satan has introduced the wines of Babylon, the wrong gospels, wrong festivities, wrong programs, celebration worship styles. He has been spreading these wines into the church and invited God’s people to come, to sit and to be entertained—to watch and witness. Slowly and surely he began to benumb the spiritual senses and the hearts of God’s people. Through this process we have lost the power of the gospel; we have lost the power of the demonstration of God so that when we preach the three angels’ messages it has lost the power that was once demonstrated by the early church to convict and convert souls.

God’s servant, Ellen White, has told us that this power is going to be restored. Satan fears this knowing that when that time comes he will be defeated, so he increases his deceptions. By the decline of reverence and the rise of entertaining worship he benumbs spiritual senses. There is very little difference between the music in the Babylonian world and in the church. Why? Because we have been watching; we have been entertained, and our spiritual senses have been benumbed and our fleshly passions have been aroused.

We have a work to do to resist these kinds of temptations. Those who do not want to fall prey to Satan’s services must guard well the avenues to the soul. Our individual duty and responsibility is to overcome these things, guard our holy emotions and feelings, and understand the true gospel and the three angels’ messages. This is the best way to be prepared to receive the latter rain and to go out and to give the loud cry and hasten Jesus’ second coming.

The mind should not be allowed to wander at random on every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest. Satan is trying to suggest all kinds of things through the entertainments of the world, especially to young people.

“Satan seduced Israel into licentiousness before leading them to idolatry. Those who will dishonor God’s image and defile His temple in their own persons will not scruple at any dishonor to God that will gratify the desire of their depraved hearts. Sensual indulgence weakens the mind and debases the soul. The moral and intellectual powers are benumbed and paralyzed by the gratification of the animal propensities; and it is impossible for the slave of passion to realize the sacred obligation of the law of God, to appreciate the atonement, or to place a right value upon the soul.” Ibid., 458.

Because their senses are benumbed by entertainment and all the snares of Satan, many Adventists today do not understand the true meaning of the three angels’ messages or the true meaning of the everlasting gospel and the meaning of the most holy place, what it means to have a cleansing experience, what it means to have a blotting out of sin experience. The mental powers are paralyzed and they try to gratify their animal passions by entertainment.

It is about time to wake up and to pray and confess our sins and let our souls be cleansed and purified because Jesus Christ must come soon.

Goodness, purity and truth, reverence for God and love for sacred things, all of those holy affections and sacred desires that link man with the heavenly world are consumed in the fires of lust. The soul becomes a blackened and desolate waste, the habitation of the evil spirits and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Mrs. Ellen White used this expression to express the defiled soul. God’s people who had allowed their souls to be defiled by the temptations of Satan were described as every unclean and hateful bird. This is the description of Babylon. This is the habitation of the evil spirits and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

By introducing the wines of Babylon, compromised gospel of Babylon, into the souls of God’s people, he is trying to defile us. There is a possibility that we, God’s church in these last days, could become the habitation or cage of every hateful bird, evil spirits and Babylon. Satan has spread the last temptation before God’s people as he did so successfully before the Israelites, destroying so many on the banks of the Jordon while they waited to go in and occupy the land of Canaan. My friends, Satan is using the same tactic for God’s people and His church today hoping to jeopardize their entry into the promised heavenly Canaan.

Beings formed in the image of God are being dragged down to a level with the beasts. “It was when the Israelites were in a condition of outward ease and security that they were led into sin. They failed to keep God ever before them, they neglected prayer and cherished a spirit of self-confidence. Ease and self-indulgence left the citadel of the soul unguarded, and debasing thoughts found entrance. It was the traitors within the walls that overthrew the strongholds of principle and betrayed Israel into the power of Satan. It is thus that Satan still seeks to compass the ruin of the soul. A long preparatory process, unknown to the world, goes on in the heart before the Christian commits open sin.” Ibid., 459.

Sometimes we do not understand how a brother or a pastor or a deacon could fall and do such things as they do. But before that sin is committed, for a long time Satan has been preparing their souls and their hearts by introducing evil thoughts, evil pictures and evil imaginations. When the citadels of their souls are unguarded and they have allowed and even invited all of these temptations from Satan, when finally the opportunity comes, they commit sin, openly. “The mind does not come down at once from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time to degrade those formed in the image of God to the brutal or the satanic. By beholding we become changed.” Ibid.

When you are tempted, when you feel weak and lose stamina, come to Jesus Christ; come to the foot of the cross and pray. Meditate upon the word of God. You have lost the battle many times and you have probably lost the spiritual stamina to stand up and fight, but have courage, there is power in the word of God. Read the Scriptures and pray. By faith contemplate on the Word. If you will chew and swallow and eat, the power of God will be manifested in your soul. Read, study, contemplate and live it.

Satan is out to get us. We must stand up and cleanse our camp and cleanse our heart and soul to hasten the coming of Jesus Christ.

We are living in the Day of Atonement. By faith we follow the high priest into the most holy place. On that day, God asked the Israelites to afflict their souls, which means to agonize with your souls. Search your souls for any hidden sins or desires for sin and confess it and pray to have a purification experience. This is the cleansing experience of the most holy place. Jesus Christ went into the most holy place—this is not just any theory. He went into the most holy place to open the books and start an investigative judgment. God is preparing a people in which God’s law cannot find fault. God is preparing a people through the experience of the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. He will produce a pure, spotless people—a cleansed people free from all defilement.

Let us search our hearts and guard our thoughts and afflict our souls and confess our sins so we can be cleansed. We are living in the most holy place period of this earth. Jesus Christ is not only thumbing through the pages of the books in heaven but in His ministry He is cleansing a people to be ready to receive the last resource of the power of God so that He can demonstrate the power of the gospel before the world and call them out of the Babylonian churches and from the world.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. Every day be revived and renewed by the working of the Holy Spirit. We are living in a generation where it is very easy to be enticed, tempted and defiled.

My plea to you right now is to wake up, pray and meditate upon the word of God. We need to become the last warriors to stand up and become holy to defeat the enemy and hasten the coming of Jesus Christ. Only when we first come out of the practices and faults and teachings of Babylon will we be able to call God’s people out of the Babylonian churches and the world. God’s church is not Babylon, but many of God’s people became Babylonians by the defilement of the temptations Satan spread before them. As the Spirit of Prophecy declared, their minds and desires are defiled; they are a “cage of hateful birds.” Our church has been bringing the heathen idols into the camp for some time. What a sad situation we are in. Many people are baptized into the church without knowing and understanding the true Spirit of Prophecy and the meaning of the sanctuary message including the cleansing of sin.

In the time of the apostasy in ancient Israel, there was a warrior for God, Phinehas. When he saw one of the princes take one of the harlots of Midian into his tent, his anger for God and for righteousness arose, and he took the javelin, went into his tent and thrust down into the two bodies, and God’s wrath was stopped. Are there any modern Phinehas’ in our camps?

We are in the most holy place, the Day of Atonement. This should be our cleansing experience, a time to search our souls and our hearts to know what is wrong with us and what is preventing us from receiving the latter rain. What is preventing God’s church from preaching the gospel as it did in the early church? We have lost the demonstration of God’s power as individuals and as a church, because we have participated in idol worship and rites. We are standing before the heavenly Canaan and Satan is using the same tactic he used with such success with the Israelites on the border of Canaan causing many of God’s people to fall. For this reason we have lost the power of the gospel; the gospel that has power to convict and convert thousands in a day so the work can be finished and we can go home. We must pray and search our hearts as a church, as a group, as a family and as an individual. Let us truly have a cleansing of soul experience, a Day of Atonement experience—confess our sins and become holy.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.

Pastor David Kang is the director of Light for Life U.S. Ministry operation out of Ft. Lee, New Jersey. His sermons are broadcast weekly on New York and Virginia Korean television stations. Pastor Kang also frequently travels to Asia where he trains pastors who often work “underground.” 

Editorial – Our Greatest Foe

Facts that all should know:

  1. Satan is a diligent Bible student.
  2. Satan knows the important truth that it is essential for the people to receive.
  3. His “study is to divert minds from the great truths given to prepare them for what is coming upon the world.” See Testimonies, vol. 8, 292.

“After the passing of the time in 1844, we had fanaticism of every kind to meet. … The experience of the past will be repeated. In the future, Satan’s superstitions will assume new forms. Errors will be presented in a pleasing and flattering manner. False theories, clothed with garments of light, will be presented to God’s people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be hypnotized. … The most sorrowful thought of all is that under his deceptive influence men will have a form of godliness, without having a real connection with God.” Excerpts from Ibid., 292–294.

What is this truth that is so essential to receive and that will prepare a people for what is coming on the world? It is the truth found in the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14. The truth of these messages gives understanding to the subject of the sanctuary in heaven in connection with the 2300 days, which is the foundational knowledge of the first angel’s message. It uncovers the mystery of who Babylon is in the last days, who the beast is, who the image is and what is the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 14:9–11. Then, most importantly, you will understand the commandments of God and what constitutes the faith of Jesus.

“The third angel’s message is infallible. It is to unite a people to do a special work, preparing them with perfection of character to unite in one great family in the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, 362.

A.T. Jones preached many sermons on the faith of Jesus at the 1895 General Conference but here it is in a nutshell: “ ‘The faith of Jesus’ (Revelation 14:12). It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 172.

If the Devil Were Your Pastor, What Would He Say?

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were the devil and were trying to deceive someone like you? Have you ever thought of that before? By the way, the devil has all kinds of advantages. You see, God has a great disadvantage, because God cannot tell you what you want to hear; He can only tell the truth. (See Titus 1:2.)

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well that just doesn’t make sense to me”? Do you know what the devil does? He is listening; and he says, “Well, I can make something make sense to him. I will come up with just the philosophy that appeals to him and that he thinks makes sense. If he thinks God is a certain way, I will come up with a religion that presents God in that way. I will come up with a religion or a philosophy or an idea that tells him just what he wants to hear.”

Satan is a deceiver; and as we read in Revelation 12:9, he has succeeded in deceiving the whole world. The Bible says that if it were possible, he would “deceive even the very elect.” Matthew 24:24. And after all, the elect are who he is really after. In Noah’s day, there were only eight out of millions who were not deceived. In Jesus’ day, there were only a few humble disciples; and even some of them did not fair so well. And in the last days, we are told that there will be only a small minority, even of God’s people, who are going to be saved. The rest are going to be deceived. Those who are going to be sealed in the last days are those who, because of the Word of God, see the deceptions that are creeping into God’s church today.

“And the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’ To the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’ So they began with the elders who were before the temple. ” Ezekiel 9:4–6.

Now, if I were the devil, I would study your life. I would put an angel by you, just like every other Christian. In fact, if I had enough, I would put two angels by each Christian; and I would say, “Listen, you go by each one of these Christians and find how they think, what they really like, and their weakest points; and strike at those weak points. You find what they like the best, and we will deceive them on those points. Tell them a lot of good things; just weave in a few errors here and there so subtly that they can’t decipher where they are, and lead them to hell.”

If I were the devil, I would go to a revival meeting and be converted. But I would not stop there for sure. It would not be good enough for me to be just a common church member; I would want to be active in the church. In fact, do you know what I would really like to do? I would like to teach and preach. I think I would go to the seminary and become educated.

Suppose the devil became the pastor of your church. What kind of a pastor do you think he would be? I want to tell you what kind of a pastor he would be. He would be the best speaker you have ever heard. He would be the best administrator you have ever seen. He would be the most personable pastor you have ever had. He would be a pastor who would speak more love than any pastor you have ever heard; it would be love and righteousness. But the only thing that your faith should be based on is the Bible. “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. Paul says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11. He commended the Bereans because they did not accept what he said without going to the Bible first to see if it was according to Scripture.

I want to tell you something. Satan has lost none of his power and none of his guile and none of his ability; and he is working to deceive. “Who knows whether God will not give you up to the deceptions you love? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm, and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? It may be that the destroyers are already training under the hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard-bearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, ‘Peace, peace,’ when the Lord hath not spoken peace.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 77. Here we are told that when the faithful pastors are removed, pastors will take their places who have been trained by Satan himself; and they may take over all the pastorates.

The disciples were loath to believe that the Bible meant all that it said back in Jesus’ day. When Jesus told them that He was going to die, they said, “That really isn’t going to happen to You. You are speaking in parables.” I want to tell you, the prophets do not lie. Did you notice what the sign of a false prophet is and what they are going to preach? These people who have been trained under the hand of Satan are going to come with the voice of the false prophet and cry, “Peace, Peace.” Oh, do not give us any straight sermons. Do not tell us, like John the Baptist, where we are wrong. We do not want to hear that. Do not tell us any of these things. That is being critical. Do not say any of those things. Just tell us how good we are.” I want to tell you, that is a doctrine of the devil!

“I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers. When God shall work His strange work on the earth, when holy hands bear the ark no longer, woe will be upon the people.” Ibid. The ark is not dependent upon who is carrying it. It is still God’s ark. God has a church on earth today. It is defined and identified in Revelation 12:7, and throughout Revelation. It will be those who keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” The Great Controversy, 593. None! “Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.” Ibid., 625.

I want to tell you something, friends. God inspired those words. He knew that we would need them in this day. And I want to tell you something about inspired words. Inspired words mean what they say. A lot of people think that there are exceptions. They think that if they are in the right church, they will somehow sail through as long as they keep their membership. Inspiration says that that is not so, that it is only those who have fortified their minds with the truths of the Bible who will have a defense against the powerful temptations of the evil one. You need to prayerfully open the Word of God. Study it, dear friends; study it day after day after day. Spend more than five minutes with it. You have to become a diligent student of the Word of God. It must become a personal Book to you. Jesus Christ must become your personal Saviour.

Do you know what is the greatest deception in all the world? It is to think that you are right when you are absolutely wrong. We are told in Matthew 7:21–23 that when Jesus comes, many will be so certain that they are saved that they will argue with God about it. They will have done many things in Jesus’ name. They went to church and even paid their tithe in His name. They were Christians through and through. They held church offices. They may have even led many souls into the church. They have all the proofs and marks of salvation. Then they will hear those sad words, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Oh, I tell you, do not think that you are smart enough to outwit the devil. You can never do it.

But guess what? There is another power on earth besides the power of the devil. What power is that? The power of God, the power of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to put a shield and a hedge around every true follower of His. If we will study the Bible daily and if we are following everything that it says, he will protect us from the devil’s deceptions. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32.

Now if I were the devil, I would do one other thing. Not only would I be converted at a revival meeting, but also I would go to the seminary and become a pastor and work my way up. You see, I would be interested in achieving. Not only would I seek to be a good pastor, I would seek to get into a position where I could hire those I wanted to hire and get rid of those I wanted to get rid of. In time, I would surround myself with men like me; and I would take control of whatever organization I was a part of. Now, thank the Lord, God has said that His church is going through; but in the meantime, He says that it is going to suffer. If you do not believe this is so, consider this statement. “Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.” Testimonies to Ministers, 409. Do not think it is not possible for the devil to take control of any church in the land, even of God’s church.

Listen, dear friends, the devil is no dummy. He has his agents, and they are as good as any preachers you have ever heard. They are the best. They will do anything to achieve. They will do anything to get to the top; and they are getting there, dear friends.

Do you know what I would do first? I would try to get to the top and surround myself with people like me. Then I would start to week out anyone who gave the straight testimony. If anyone thought that they were going to follow those who were giving the straight testimony, I would send out an avalanche of bad news, gossip, rumors, and bad reports about them so that everyone would be turned away from them.

Second, I would get my public relations department going and in four-color brochures, in pictures, and in very other way, I would tell people what a good job I was doing. I would build up all of my people and destroy anyone who was giving the straight testimony.

Dear friends, I am not talking in parables. I just read that some day, when the faithful, firm, and true pastors are removed, their places are going to be taken by those “training under the hand of the devil.” Now, God does not want us to judge others, but He does tell us that we are to be wise as serpents because He sends us out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Many times the wolves are in the highest places. They are in places where they can influence our thinking and our actions.

Oh, dear friend, I have an appeal for you. You do not have to be deceived. Everyone is going to be deceived except those who study the Word of God every day. Pledge yourself to begin to faithfully study the Word of God every day.

Lord’s Prayer Series – Deliverance from Evil

Proper guidance is vital to success in any endeavor. Many people are open to accepting guidance for their physical and mental lives, but, tragically, when it comes to their spiritual life, they depend on faulty, erring guidance systems.

In the gospel of Luke, as the Lord’s model prayer comes to a conclusion, we read these words of Jesus: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Luke 11:4. The phrase, “lead us not into temptation …’’ is a prayer for divine leadership. Not only are we to ask for our daily bread and ask to be forgiven, but we also need daily guidance and leadership as we face life’s daily temptations.

A woman taken in the act of adultery was brought to Jesus with the accusation, ‘Now Moses said that a person taken in adultery like this should be stoned. But what do You say?’ They said this to lay a trap for Jesus, because if He said, ‘No, give mercy to her,’ then they would go to the people and say, ‘He doesn’t believe in the law of Moses.’ But if He said, ‘She should be stoned,’ then they would go to the Romans and say, ‘This man said that this woman should be stoned.’ ” The Jews did not have authority on their own to use capital punishment without the Roman’s permission. Either way that Jesus answered their question would get Him in trouble.

Scripture continues that Jesus stooped down and started to write on the ground the sins of the people who had brought this woman to Him, beginning with the oldest. As He wrote they became embarrassed. The Bible says, “… beginning with the eldest until the last and there was nobody left.” “When Jesus had raised himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.’ ” (See John 8:1–11.)

Notice the blessed assurance that Jesus provided the sinner. He assured her that “Neither do I condemn you.” Your sins are forgiven. It was immediately followed by the command to go, sin no more. The command to “go,” calls for progress and advancement, which always requires guidance. All moving things need to be directed. Unless directed in their proper course, they will come to a tragic end. That is true for airplanes, ships, cars, or any moving object. They must be directed. We are not left to travel alone, undirected, down the dark pathway of life. God has promised that if we ask Him, He will guide us, directing us with His eye.

The consciousness that human wisdom is faulty, causing us to make mistakes, leads us to request divine guidance for the future. The phrase, “lead us not into temptation” is considered by many Bible students to be the most difficult of all the petitions of the Lord’s prayer. In fact, some theologians believe that the early church, consisting of the early Christians in the first century, misunderstood it. As a result, the apostle James corrected their misunderstanding.

To impress the fact that it was not God Who was the source of our temptations, He said, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted of God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:12–17.

God is not tempted with evil and He does not tempt anyone. Part of the problem comes because of the faultiness of human language. An example of this is Genesis 22.1. Some versions of the Bible read, “It came to pass after these things that God tempted Abraham.” So people have been confused when in one place it says that God tempted Abraham and in the New Testament it says that God does not tempt anybody. Most modern translations say in Genesis 22 that God tested Abraham. There are many places in the Bible where God tests people. However, He does not tempt people or try to persuade or entice them to sin. That is the work of the devil and of the fallen human nature of man.

The main source of temptation is within us as we read in James 1. Therefore, a mere prayer for pardon is not sufficient; we need guidance or direction in our life. The original word for temptation used in the Lord’s Prayer literally means trial or test as it is translated in many other places in the Bible. For example, in James the 1:2–4 it says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

This is not a prayer that we will be kept from temptation, but that we will be divinely led during our temptation so that we will be kept from yielding to it. If we were to ask not to have temptation, we would be making a request that is impossible to be fulfilled in this world of sin. God never asks for us to do the impossible. Even Jesus Christ did not escape temptation. Notice what it says about His temptations in Hebrews 4:14–16, speaking of Jesus Christ: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Notice that even Jesus had temptations. The Bible speaks of His being tempted by the devil. He was in all points tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15). Temptation must not be confused with sin. “He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin …” Jesus did not yield to the temptation. There is no other way that you and I can develop the moral character that we need to enter the kingdom of heaven except through overcoming temptation.

As the gospel song says, “Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin.” [Yield Not To Temptation, Horatio R. Palmer, 1868.] All people are tempted, but all people do not yield to the temptation. It is through this process of resisting temptation that we grow in grace (II Peter 3:18). In Revelation 2 and 3 to each one of the Christian churches the promise of eternal life is given on the basis of being an overcomer. Even right at the end of the Bible in Revelation 21:6, 7 it says, “He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’ ” To turn away from sin and overcome is a principle that is repeated throughout the Bible.

In the Bible, sometimes the Lord is spoken of as doing something Himself that He just permits someone else to do. God does not originate or approve of all the things that He allows to happen in this world but He does permit trials and afflictions to come to both good and evil people. The reason for this is so that we might overcome the temptation and become partakers of His holiness (see Hebrews 12).

The tests, the trials, the afflictions that we have in this life sometimes turn out to be blessings in disguise. In fact, in Romans 8:28, there is a promise that is so wonderful that it is very hard to believe while going through the trial. It says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Now, it doesn’t say that all things are good, but that He can work all things, even those most difficult for us, into something that ultimately results in good, according to His purpose.

God allows the trials to come so that we can discern the impurities of our character so that they, through His grace, can be removed. Often we do not recognize the divine leadership and purpose in our trials and temptations that God allows to come to us, but someday it will all be made plain. We read many stories in the Bible of people who experienced terrible trials and discouragements and could not understand why God allowed such things to happen to them. Jacob once lamented that, “All these things are against me” (Genesis 42:36). He had lost Joseph and now Benjamin was going to be taken away. He thought that he was going to lose the only children he had from the one woman that he really loved. Although he thought that all these were against him, in a few weeks he not only had Benjamin back, but Joseph as well.

The Lord worked out all things together for good, although Jacob thought for a time everything was against him and it would all work out terribly. The same thing happened with David. For approximately ten years, David fled for his life before an infuriated king who stirred up the people against him, forcing him to live in caves and haunts in many desolate places wondering how he would ever become the king of Israel, as the Lord had promised him. But in spite of all those things, God eventually worked it out.

Romans 8:28 says that if you love God, all things will work together. It is not our responsibility to work it all out. God will work it out so that all things, even the evil things that happen to us, will be pulled together to work it out for our good in the end. This is very difficult to believe while going through severe tests and trials, but that is the Bible promise. The prophets Malachi and Isaiah have said that all of God’s children have to go through the furnace of affliction or trial. Trust God, for He has a purpose in our trials. When they are over, something wonderful is going to happen.

In this world, with our limited human vision, we struggle to see through the confusion, broken promises, disappointment and thwarted plans, but the Bible promises that when we reach the end of the Christian journey, we will be able to see in all of it a grand and overruling purpose and divine harmony. Malachi prophesied what the Lord will do in the last days. “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3.

The Bible clearly predicts that God’s remnant people, His children in the very last days of earth’s history, will go through a great tribulation, but it also promises that the Lord will bring them out of it.

Notice what John wrote in Revelation 7:9, 10: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues [languages], standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ ”

Then it says in verses 13, 14 that one of the elders answered and asked the apostle John, who was having this vision, “Who are these?” “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’ ”

You see, God is going to lead His children out of the great tribulation that is coming upon this world. The Bible says that the devil has come down to this world having great wrath. In Revelation 12:12, it says, “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows he has a short time.”

The devil knows that his days are numbered and that he has a short time to work out his plans of wickedness. He does have control of the majority of human beings in this world but in an effort to have full control of the world, he puts forth his last effort to take out those who claim Christ. If you have read the rest of the story you know that he does not win, for there will be a multitude that nobody can number that have come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes of character and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. It may not appear that way at present, but Satan is a loser.

We are not left alone to fight our adversary. Jesus said, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10. The promise here made is that during the refining and purifying process, there will be divine guidance that we will be kept from falling. Temptation is always inspired by the devil, but it was the Spirit of God that led Jesus Christ into the wilderness to meet the temptation and to conquer it.

The person who asks for pardon for past offenses against God will then make every effort to avoid future transgressions and seek for the blessing of holiness or sanctification. The Bible tells us what the devil uses to tempt people. Understanding the source of the temptations will help to know how to meet them. The Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust [or craving] of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” I John 2:15–17.

Divine assistance is needed in meeting these trials or temptations, but the Bible pronounces a blessing on the person who endures. Notice this text again in James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

If we expect God to keep us when we are in temptation, we need to see to it that we do not deliberately walk into temptation. It is an interesting thing that some people pray and say, “Lord, lead me not into temptation” then presume to be protected when they deliberately walk in temptation’s way.

In the Garden of Gethsemane on the night that Jesus was betrayed, He gave some advise to His disciples that they neglected at that time. He said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41.

Notice, it is because we are in constant danger of entering into temptation that we should pray not to be led where we will be tempted to sin. If we are sincere in our prayer, we will avoid walking directly into the allurements of the flesh which so easily tempt us.

The Bible predicts that a multitude of people in the last days will lose eternal life because, instead of praying to be guided away from temptation, they deliberately walk into temptation and have pleasure in unrighteousness. Paul says to these people, “God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” II Thessalonians 2:11, 12.

How is it with you friend? Are you praying that the Lord will guide you and lead you so that you will not walk into the way of temptation, or do you seek pleasure in unrighteousness? The choice is ours; help is only a prayer away. All the resources of heaven have been commissioned to save lost man so put your trust in Jesus today. Reflect on the words of the gospel song:

So I thank God for the mountains,

And I thank Him for the valleys,

I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through.

‘Cause if I never had a problem,

I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,

I wouldn’t know what faith in His Word could do.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

Andrea Crouch

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church of Free Seventh-day Adventists in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Keys to the Storehouse – Beware! Danger Stalks!

Beware! Danger Stalks!

There is much theoretical, or academic knowledge floating around in people’s minds, but, very little heart action is seen. What is needed is active knowledge for when it is inactive, danger is stalking around and that danger is Satan!

“Experience is knowledge derived from experiment. Experimental religion is what is needed now. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Some—yes, a large number—have a theoretical knowledge of religious truth, but have never felt the renewing power of divine grace upon their own hearts. …

  • They believe in the wrath of God, but put forth no earnest efforts to escape it.
  • They believe in heaven, but make no sacrifice to obtain it.
  • They believe in the value of the soul and that erelong its redemption ceaseth forever. Yet they neglect the most precious opportunities to make their peace with God.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 221.

“Satan believes the truth and trembles, yet this kind of faith possesses no virtue. Many who have made a high profession of faith are deficient in good works.” Ibid., vol. 2, 657. The devil loves it when people just believe. Beware of belief without action for that is where danger lurks!

  • “They may read the Bible, but its threatenings do not alarm or its promises win them.
  • They approve things that are excellent, yet they follow the way in which God has forbidden them to go.
  • They know a refuge, but do not avail themselves of it.
  • They know a remedy for sin, but do not use it.
  • They know the right, but have no relish for it.
  • All their knowledge will but increase their condemnation. They have never tasted and learned by experience that the Lord is good.” Ibid., vol. 5, 221, 222.

Beware! Head knowledge will not do you or anyone else any good unless it reaches out through the heart and touches others. “The Christian life is a warfare. … Today sin is cherished and excused. The sharp sword of the Spirit, the word of God, does not cut to the soul. Has religion changed? Has Satan’s enmity to God abated? A religious life once presented difficulties and demanded self-denial. All is made very easy now. And why is this? The professed people of God have compromised with the power of darkness. …

“The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour.” Ibid., 222.

The danger of compromise is so strong. Knowledge is exceptional but heart action is lifeless. Pray for that new heart and compromise no longer with Satan. Beware! Your life and the lives of all around you are in danger.

Father: I praise you for Your longsuffering and mercy toward us. The war is at a standstill and we have made compromises. Our lights have grown dim in the shadow of Satan’s darkness. We need Thy truth to shine through our hearts for we have buried it beneath the dust of our lives. Help us to bring forth Thy truth that it may dispel the darkness around us. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Provoked to Destruction

Through the action of the masses, Satan attempted to provoke Jesus, through the mob, to lose the image of God. He continues using the same methods today hoping to destroy the image of God in Christ’s followers, thus causing them to be lost as he is.

“Satan instigated [provoked] the cruel abuse of the debased mob led on by the priests and rulers,

  • to provoke, if possible, retaliation from the world’s Redeemer, or
  • to drive Him to deliver Himself by a miracle from the hands of His persecutors, and
  • thus break up the plan of salvation.
  • one stain upon His human life,
  • one failure of His humanity to bear the terrible test imposed upon it,
  • would make the Lamb of God an imperfect offering, and the redemption of man would be a failure.” The Present Truth, January 7, 1886.

Is Satan provoking you? Be strong dear Christian! Do not join under the black banner! “I saw Satan planting his banner in the households of those who profess to be God’s chosen ones, but those who are walking in the light should be able to discern the difference between the black banner of the adversary and the bloodstained standard of Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 200.

Are your eyes open to any provocations of Satan? Ask for spiritual discernment! Look or lose!

“Each son and daughter of Adam chooses either Christ or Barabbas as his general. And all who place themselves on the side of the disloyal are standing under Satan’s black banner, and are charged with rejecting and despitefully using Christ. They are charged with deliberately crucifying the Lord of life and glory.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1107.

“The Holy Spirit is an effective helper in restoring the image of God in the human soul.” The Faith I Live By, 52.

On the other hand, Satan’s spirit is a destructive force and will do anything to place us under his black banner. “Satan had declared to his synagogue that not a single human soul would maintain his loyalty to God’s commandments. One soul saved would prove this statement to be false. One soul saved would demonstrate the righteousness of God’s government. Created in the image of God, man must not be left for Satan to rule and ruin.” The Upward Look, 223.

Here are just a few of Satan’s tricks of provocation. He provokes jealousy, opposition, a hasty reply, anger, children and adults to wrath, tempers, opposition, the divine displeasure, controversies, debate, the wrath of God, and much more. Is there anything in your character that responds to Satan’s provocation causing you to reflect his character and to enlist you under his banner?

Watch and pray! Learn to identify which spirit is working with you and around you by watching carefully. Learn to identify and distinguish the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life from the fruits of Satan.

Father: Thank you for sending Thine only begotten Son to fight the battle with Satan. Thank you Jesus for remaining faithful through all of the provocations and attacks of Satan. Give me peace of mind and heart that I may remain focused on heavenly things and not be drawn away from Your presence by any attempt by Satan to enlist me under his black banner. Amen!