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The Great Controversy
first prophecy: “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and
between thy seed and her seed.” And this will continue to the close of
time.
Satan summons all his forces and throws his whole power into the
combat. Why is it that he meets with no greater resistance? Why are
the soldiers of Christ so sleepy and indifferent? Because they have
so little real connection with Christ; because they are so destitute of
His Spirit. Sin is not to them repulsive and abhorrent, as it was to
their Master. They do not meet it, as did Christ, with decisive and
determined resistance. They do not realize the exceeding evil and
malignity of sin, and they are blinded both to the character and the
power of the prince of darkness. There is little enmity against Satan
and his works, because there is so great ignorance concerning his
power and malice, and the vast extent of his warfare against Christ
and His church. Multitudes are deluded here. They do not know that
their enemy is a mighty general who controls the minds of evil angels,
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and that with well-matured plans and skillful movements he is warring
against Christ to prevent the salvation of souls. Among professed
Christians, and even among ministers of the gospel, there is heard
scarcely a reference to Satan, except perhaps an incidental mention in
the pulpit. They overlook the evidences of his continual activity and
success; they neglect the many warnings of his subtlety; they seem to
ignore his very existence.
While men are ignorant of his devices, this vigilant foe is upon their
track every moment. He is intruding his presence in every department
of the household, in every street of our cities, in the churches, in
the national councils, in the courts of justice, perplexing, deceiving,
seducing, everywhere ruining the souls and bodies of men, women,
and children, breaking up families, sowing hatred, emulation, strife,
sedition, murder. And the Christian world seem to regard these things
as though God had appointed them and they must exist.
Satan is continually seeking to overcome the people of God by
breaking down the barriers which separate them from the world. An-
cient Israel were enticed into sin when they ventured into forbidden
association with the heathen. In a similar manner are modern Israel
led astray. “The God of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
2 Corinthians 4:4
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