Page 215 - Maranatha (1976)

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Satan Personates Christ—1, July 16
Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore
after them.
Luke 21:8
.
“In this age antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of
God will be fully made void in the nations of our world. Rebellion against
God’s holy law will be fully ripe. But the true leader of all this rebellion is
Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him
to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and
to the apostate churches that unite in the exaltation of Satan, the sentence
will go forth, ‘Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and
mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong
is the Lord God who judgeth her.’”
Disguised as an angel of light, he [Satan] will walk the earth as a
wonder-worker. In beautiful language he will present lofty sentiments.
Good words will be spoken by him, and good deeds performed. Christ will
be personified, but on one point there will be a marked distinction. Satan
will turn the people from the law of God.
He will declare that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to
the first day of the week; and as lord of the first day of the week he will
present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty to him.
It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God
who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the
persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding
from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant
communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil
angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive,
if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working
miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s
tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in
Exodus
31:12-18
. They are to take their stand on the living word: “It is written.”
This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely.
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