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Christ’s Object Lessons
shown to be an accuser and deceiver. God will do justice for His own
elect.
The prayer, “Do me justice of mine adversary,” applies not only to
Satan, but to the agencies whom he instigates to misrepresent, to tempt,
and to destroy the people of God. Those who have decided to obey
the commandments of God will understand by experience that they
have adversaries who are controlled by a power from beneath. Such
adversaries beset Christ at every step, how constantly and determinedly
no human being can ever know. Christ’s disciples, like their Master,
are followed by continual temptation.
The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before
Christ’s second coming. James the apostle pictures the greed and
oppression that will prevail. He says, “Go to now, ye rich men, ... ye
have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of
the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept
back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are
entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure
on the earth, and been wanton. Ye have nourished your hearts, as in a
day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth
not resist you.”
James 5:1-6
. This is a picture of what exists today. By
every species of oppression and extortion, men are piling up colossal
fortunes, while the cries of starving humanity are coming up before
God.
“Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off;
for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth
faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey.”
Isaiah
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59:14, 15
. This was fulfilled in the life of Christ on earth. He was
loyal to God’s commandments, setting aside the human traditions and
requirements which had been exalted in their place. Because of this
He was hated and persecuted. This history is repeated. The laws and
traditions of men are exalted above the law of God, and those who are
true to God’s commandments suffer reproach and persecution. Christ,
because of His faithfulness to God, was accused as a Sabbathbreaker
and blasphemer. He was declared to be possessed of a devil, and was
denounced as Beelzebub. In like manner His followers are accused
and misrepresented. Thus Satan hopes to lead them to sin, and cast
dishonor upon God.