Chapter 12—Satan’s Special Effort
I have been shown that we must be guarded on every side, and
perseveringly resist the insinuations and devices of Satan. He has
transformed himself into an angel of light, and is deceiving and leading
thousands captive. The advantages he takes of the science of the human
mind is tremendous. Here, serpentlike, he imperceptibly creeps in to
corrupt the work of God. The miracles and works of Christ, he makes
all human.
If Satan should make an open, bold attack upon Christianity, it
would bring the Christian in distress and agony at the feet of his
Redeemer, and the strong and mighty Deliverer would affright the bold
adversary away. But Satan, transformed into an angel of light, works
upon the mind to allure from the only safe and right path. The sciences
of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism have been the channel
through which Satan has come more directly to this generation, and
wrought with that power which was to characterize his work near the
close of probation....
As we near the close of time, the human mind is more readily
affected by Satan’s devices. He leads deceived mortals to account for
the works and miracles of Christ upon general principles. Satan has
ever been ambitious to counterfeit the work of Christ, and establish
his own power and claims. He does not generally do this openly and
boldly. He is artful, and knows that the most effectual way for him to
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accomplish his work is to come to poor fallen man in the form of an
angel of light.
Satan came to Christ in the wilderness in the form of a beautiful
young man,—more like a monarch than a fallen angel. He came with
Scripture in his mouth. Said he, “It is written, etc.” Our suffering
Saviour meets him with Scripture, saying, “It is written.” Satan takes
the advantage of the weak, suffering condition of Christ. He took upon
Him our human nature....
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