Chapter 10—Good Angels More Powerful Than Evil
Angels
[
Appeared in Notebook Leaflets, Christian Experience, No. 15.
]
It is expressly stated that Satan works in the children of disobedi-
ence, not merely having access to their minds, but working through
their influence, conscious and unconscious, to draw others into the
same disobedience. If evil angels have such power over the children of
men in their disobedience, how much greater power the good angels
have over those who are striving to be obedient. When we put our trust
in Jesus Christ, working obedience unto righteousness, angels of God
work in our hearts unto righteousness
Angels came and ministered to our Lord in the wilderness of temp-
tation. Heavenly angels were with Him during all the period in which
He was exposed to the assaults of satanic agencies. These assaults
were more severe than man has ever passed through. Everything was
at stake in behalf of the human family. In this conflict Christ did not
frame His words even. He depended upon “It is written” (
Matthew
4:4
). In this conflict the humanity of Christ was taxed as none of us
will ever know. The Prince of life and the prince of darkness met in
terrible conflict, but Satan was unable to gain the least advantage in
word or in action. These were real temptations, no pretense. Christ
[95]
“suffered being tempted” (
Hebrews 2:18
). Angels of heaven were on
the scene on that occasion, and kept the standard uplifted, that Satan
should not exceed his bounds and overpower the human nature of
Christ.
In the last temptation Satan presented to Christ the prospect of
gaining the whole world with all its glory if He would only worship him
who claimed to be sent of God. Christ must then issue His command.
He must then exercise authority above all satanic agencies. Divinity
flashed through humanity, and Satan was peremptorily repulsed. “Get
thee hence, Satan,” Christ said, “for it is written, Thou shalt worship
the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (
Matthew 4:10
).
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