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Satanic Miracles—1, July 18
There shall be arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew
great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24
.
The enemy is preparing to deceive the whole world by his miracle-
working power. He will assume to personate the angels of light, to personate
Jesus Christ.
So far as his power extends, he will perform actual miracles. Says the
Scripture: “He ... deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means
of those miracles which he had power to do,” not merely those which he
pretends to do. Something more than mere impostures is brought to view
in this scripture. But there is a limit beyond which Satan cannot go, and
here he calls deception to his aid and counterfeits the work which he has
not power actually to perform. In the last days he will appear in such a
manner as to make men believe him to be Christ come the second time into
the world. He will indeed transform himself into an angel of light.
He will come personating Jesus Christ, working mighty miracles; and
men will fall down and worship him as Jesus Christ. We shall be com-
manded to worship this being, whom the world will glorify as Christ.
Just before us is “the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
Revelation 3:10
. All whose
faith is not firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and
overcome. Satan works “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness” to
gain control of the children of men, and his deceptions will continually
increase. But he can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his
temptations. Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth and
are striving to purify their souls through obedience, thus doing what they
can to prepare for the conflict, will find, in the God of truth, a sure defense.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee”
(
verse 10
), is the Saviour’s promise. He would sooner send every angel out
of heaven to protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be
overcome by Satan.
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