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Let Them Grow Together, March 4
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will
say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in
bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:30
.
God’s Word teaches that those who will follow the footsteps of the Man of
Calvary in these last days will have to press forward under the greatest difficulties,
for Satan has come down with great power, knowing that he has but a short time
to work....
Enmity between truth and falsehood had existed ever since the fall of Satan.
The being who now works so constantly to sow the seeds of error once occupied
one of the most exalted positions in the heavenly courts. But he was not satisfied
with his position. He determined to be more highly exalted, and he worked to
further his ambitious projects until there was war in heaven.
Satan, and those whom he had deceived, and who fought with him, were cast
out of heaven, but the warfare has been continued on the earth. In every age
Satan has worked through men who have departed from the faith, giving heed
to seducing spirits, and teaching deceptive doctrines and principles of satanic
origin. Christ taught His disciples how to meet the deceptive work of Satan and his
followers. Under a variety of symbols the Saviour presented the work of extending
His kingdom of truth and righteousness throughout the world. It is by teaching
the truth that we are to defeat the purposes of Satan. Christ illustrated this work in
the parable of the sower....
The teaching of this parable is illustrated in God’s own dealing with men and
angels. Satan is a deceiver. When he sinned in heaven, even the loyal angels did
not fully discern his character. This was why God did not at once destroy him.
Had He done so, the holy angels would not have perceived the justice and love of
God. A doubt of God’s goodness would have been as evil seed that would yield
the bitter fruit of sin and woe. Therefore the author of evil was spared, fully to
develop his character.
Through long ages God has borne the anguish of beholding the work of evil.
He has given the infinite Gift of Calvary, rather than let any be deceived by the
misrepresentations of the wicked one, for the tares could not be plucked up without
danger of uprooting the precious grain. And shall we not be as forbearing toward
our fellow men as the Lord of heaven is toward Satan?
Not condemnation and judgment of others, but humility and distrust of self, is
the teaching of Christ’s parable.—
Letter 86, March 4, 1907
, “To Our Churches in
the Large Cities.”
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