Chapter 31—Satan’s Wiles
As the people of God approach the perils of the last days, Satan
holds earnest consultation with his angels as to the most successful
plan of overthrowing their faith. He sees that the popular churches are
already lulled to sleep by his deceptive power. By pleasing sophistry
and lying wonders he can continue to hold them under his control.
Therefore he directs his angels to lay their snares especially for those
who are looking for the second advent of Christ and endeavoring to
keep all the commandments of God.
Says the great deceiver: “We must watch those who are calling
the attention of the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead
many to see the claims of the law of God; and the same light which
reveals the true Sabbath, reveals also the ministration of Christ in the
heavenly sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man’s salvation is
now going forward. Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that
work is ended, and we shall secure the world and the church also....
“Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with the cares
of this life. Present the world before them in its most attractive light,
that they may lay up their treasure here, and fix their affections upon
earthly things. We must do our utmost to prevent those who labor in
God’s cause from obtaining means to use against us. Keep the money
in our own ranks. The more means they obtain, the more they will
injure our kingdom by taking from us our subjects. Make them care
more for money than for the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom and the
spread of the truths we hate, and we need not fear their influence; for
we know that every selfish, covetous person will fall under our power,
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and will finally be separated from God’s people.”—
Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 472-474
.
Worse Than Earthly Loss
Satan is the archdeceiver. The results to us of accepting his temp-
tations are worse than any earthly loss that can be realized, yes, worse
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