Great Distress Coming, and God’s People Not Prepared For It
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they think exists in themselves to do. They acknowledge not a superior
power. They give not God the glory he claims, and which is due to
his great and excellent Majesty. Satan’s object is thus accomplished.
He exults that fallen man presumptuously exalts himself, as he exalted
himself in Heaven, and was thrust out. He knows that the ruin of man
is just as sure if he exalts himself, as his was certain. He has failed in
his temptations to Christ in the wilderness. The plan of salvation has
been carried out. The dear price has been paid for man’s redemption.
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And now Satan seeks to tear away the foundation of the Christian’s
hope, and turn the minds of men in a channel that they may not be
benefitted or saved by the great sacrifice offered. He leads fallen man,
through his “all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” to believe that he
can do very well without an atonement; that he need not depend upon
a crucified and risen Saviour; that man’s own merits will entitle him to
God’s favor, and then he destroys man’s confidence in the Bible, well
knowing if he succeeds here, and the detector which places a mark
upon himself is destroyed, he is safe. And he fastens the delusion
upon minds that there is no personal Devil, and those who believe
this make no effort to resist and war against that which does not exist,
and poor blind mortals finally adopt the maxim—“Whatever is, is
right.” They acknowledge no rule to measure their course. Satan leads
many to believe that prayer to God is useless, and but a form. He
well knows how needful is meditation and prayer, to keep Christ’s
followers aroused to resist his cunning and deceptions. Satan’s devices
will divert the mind from these important exercises, that the soul may
not lean for help upon the mighty One, and obtain strength from him
to resist his attacks.
I was pointed to the fervent, effectual prayers of his people an-
ciently. “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he
prayed earnestly.” Daniel prayed unto his God three times a day. Satan
is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will
suffer loss. Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, be-
cause an excellent spirit was in him. Fallen angels feared his influence
would weaken their control over the rulers of the kingdom, for Daniel
was high in command. The accusing host of evil angels stirred up the
presidents and princes to envy and jealousy, and they watched Daniel
closely to find some occasion against him that they might report him
to the king, but they failed. Then these agents of Satan sought to make