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Chapter 26—Agency of Evil Spirits
The existence of Satan and the agency of evil spirits are facts
fully established by both the Old and the New Testament. From the
days of Adam to Moses, and through all the succeeding ages to John,
the latest gospel writer, Satan is recognized as an active, personal
agent, the originator of evil, the enemy of God and man. It is true
that imagination and superstition have given their own coloring to
these facts, and have linked them with legends and traditions of
heathen, Jewish, and even Christian nations; but as revealed in the
word of God they are of the utmost solemnity and importance. The
connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration
of angels of God, and the agency of evil angels, are inseparably
interwoven with human history. We are told of the fall of the angels
from their purity, of Lucifer their leader, the instigator of rebellion,
of their confederacy and government, of their various orders, of
their great intelligence and subtlety, and of their malicious designs
against the innocence and happiness of men. We are told of One
mightier than the fallen foe,—One by whose authority Satan’s power
is limited and controlled; and we are told, also, of the punishment
prepared for the originator of iniquity.
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During the time when Christ was upon the earth, evil spirits
manifested their power in a most striking manner. And why was
this?—Christ had come to enter upon the plan devised for man’s
redemption, and Satan therefore determined to assert his right to
control the world. He had succeeded in establishing idolatry in every
part of the earth except the land of Palestine. To the only land that
had not fully yielded to the tempter’s sway, Christ came to shed
upon the people the light of Heaven. Here two rival powers claimed
supremacy. Jesus was stretching out his arms of love, inviting all
who would to find pardon and peace in him. The hosts of darkness
understood that if his mission should be successful, their rule was
soon to end. Satan raged like a chained lion, and defiantly exhibited
his power over the bodies as well as the souls of men.
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