108
Last Day Events
A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great
scenes in the drama—Satan coming as Christ, and working with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves
together in secret societies.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:28
(1904).
[163]
Satan Resembles Christ in Every Particular
There is a limit beyond which Satan cannot go, and here he calls
deception to his aid and counterfeits the work which he has not power
actually to perform. In the last days he will appear in such a manner
as to make men believe him to be Christ come the second time into
the world. He will indeed transform himself into an angel of light.
But while he will bear the appearance of Christ in every particular, so
far as mere appearance goes, it will deceive none but those who, like
Pharaoh, are seeking to resist the truth.—
Testimonies for the Church
5:698
(1889).
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself
will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the
Saviour’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great
deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of
the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being
of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God
given by John in the Revelation. (
Revelation 1:13-15
). The glory that
surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet
beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: “Christ has come!
Christ has come!”
The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while
he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ
blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft
and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he
presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour
[164]
uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed
character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday,
and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed.—
The Great
Controversy, 624
(1911).