Chapter 32—Snares of Satan
The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been
carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the
wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man’s
behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness
and impenitence till the Saviour’s mediation is ended, and there is no
longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.
When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when in-
difference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned;
for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his
will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are
inquiring, “What must I do to be saved?” he is on the ground, seeking
to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the
influence of the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the angels
of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also
among them (
Job 1:6
), not to bow before the Eternal King, but to
further his own malicious designs against the righteous. With the same
object he is in attendance when men assemble for the worship of God.
Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control
the minds of the worshipers. Like a skillful general he lays his plans
beforehand. As he sees the messenger of God searching the Scriptures,
he takes note of the subject to be presented to the people. Then he
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employs all his cunning and shrewdness so to control circumstances
that the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving on that
very point. The one who most needs the warning will be urged into
some business transaction which requires his presence, or will by some
other means be prevented from hearing the words that might prove to
him a savor of life unto life.
Again, Satan sees the Lord’s servants burdened because of the
spiritual darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears their earnest
prayers for divine grace and power to break the spell of indifference,
carelessness, and indolence. Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts.
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