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Counsels on Health
floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a
thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the
ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a
deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations
are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction
will be upon both man and beast. “The earth mourneth and fadeth
away,” “The haughty people ... do languish. The earth also is defiled
under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws,
changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.”
Isaiah 24:4,
5
.
Some will be tempted to receive these wonders as from God. The
sick will be healed before us. Miracles will be performed in our sight.
Are we prepared for the trial which awaits us when the lying wonders
of Satan shall be more fully exhibited? Will not many be ensnared
and taken? By departing from the plain precepts and commandments
of God and giving heed to fables, the minds of many are preparing to
receive these lying wonders. We must all now seek to arm ourselves
for the contest in which we must soon engage. Faith in God’s word,
prayerfully studied and practically applied, will be our shield from
Satan’s power and will bring us off conquerors through the blood of
Christ.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:302
(1862).
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