62 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
upon them to its fullest extent. But to the accuser of his people the
Saviour says, “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. Is not this a brand
plucked out of the fire? Have I not thrust my own hand into the fire to
gather this brand from the burning?”
So long as the people of God preserve their fidelity to him, so long
as they cling by living faith to Jesus, they are under the protection
of heavenly angels, and Satan will not be permitted to exercise his
hellish arts upon them to their destruction. But those who separate
themselves from Christ by sin are in great peril. If they continue to
disregard the requirements of God, they know not how soon he may
give them over to Satan, and permit him to do to them according to his
will. There is, therefore, the greatest necessity of keeping the soul free
from defilement, and the eye single to the glory of God; of thinking
soberly and watching unto prayer continually.
Satan is now more earnestly engaged in playing the game of life
for souls than at any previous time; and unless we are constantly on
our guard, he will establish in our hearts, pride, love of self, love of
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the world, and many other evil traits. He will also use every possible
device to unsettle our faith in God and in the truths of his word. If
we have not a deep experience in the things of God, if we have not
a thorough knowledge of his word, we shall be beguiled to our ruin
by the errors and sophistries of the enemy. False doctrines will sap
the foundations of many, because they have not learned to discern
truth from error. Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to
diligently study the Scriptures; to have an intelligent understanding of
the reasons of our faith; and to faithfully perform every known duty.
The indulgence of one known sin will cause weakness and darkness,
and subject us to fierce temptation.
Joshua is represented as pleading with the Angel. Are we engaged
in the same work? Are our supplications ascending to God in living
faith? Are we opening the door of the heart to Jesus, and closing every
means of entrance to Satan? Are we daily obtaining clearer light and
greater strength, that we may stand in Christ’s righteousness? Are we
emptying our hearts of all selfishness, and cleansing them, preparatory
to receiving the latter rain from heaven?
Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins that
they may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted out. Now is the
time to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,