Monday - April 1, 2024
Lucifers Deceives, Christ Prevails - Rebellion in Heaven
Genesis 2:15-17; Exodus 32:26; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:20-21.
“Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth…” (Revelation 12:4a)
The Prince of Evil and the Promise Redeemer
The announcement that there should be enmity between Satan and the seed of the woman was very unwelcome to the prince of evil; for it was the promise of a Redeemer. Satan thought to induce men, as he had angels, to stand on his side, and join in rebellion against God; and, with men as his allies, he planned to control the earth, and wage war against the King of heaven. {ST, November 26, 1894 par. 9}
Principles of Deception Used by Satan Before, Today, and Tomorrow
The principles of Satan's working in heaven are the same principles by which he works through human agents in this world. It is through these corrupting principles that every earthly empire and the churches have been increasingly corrupted. It is by working out of these principles that Satan deceives and corrupts the whole world from the beginning to the end. He is continuing this same policy-working, originally begun in the heavenly universe. He is energizing the whole world with the violence with which he corrupted the world in the days of Noah (Letter 156, 1897). {4BC 1163.8}
The Enemy Cannot Prevail Against Christ by 'Thus Saith the Lord'
The enemy is actively at work, as you will see as you travel on his territory opening the Word of God to the people. As the last message of mercy is proclaimed by human lips, Satan will try to storm his way to the front, but he cannot prevail against Christ. As we present the truth that shows the people the evil of his delusions, his anger will be aroused, and he will do all in his power to hinder our efforts. But continue to present a "Thus saith the Lord," remembering that God is your helper. Do not give the enemy the right of way. {19MR 393.5}
Satan would fill the world with commercialism, and he has succeeded in inducing some of our leading men to turn away from the light given by God. Several who were once our ministers are working out the devising of the fallen angel. {19MR 394.1}
Justice Will not be Set Aside Against Plausible Theory of Satan
Satan deceives many with the plausible theory that since God’s love for His people is so great, He will excuse sin in them; that while the threatenings of God’s Word are to serve a certain purpose in His moral government, they are never to be literally fulfilled. But in His dealings with His creatures, God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character—by demonstrating that its sure result is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been and never will be. Such pardon would show the abandonment of the principles of righteousness that are the very foundation of the government of God. . . . {CTr 139.4}
God has faithfully pointed out the results of sin, and if these warnings are not true, how can we be sure that His promises will be fulfilled? That so-called benevolence, which would set aside justice, is not benevolence, but weakness. . . . {CTr 139.5}
Spiritualism Deceive the World even the Church Today
Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left; and Satan, pleased with the deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, working with his power, his signs and lying wonders, to fasten them in his snare. Some he deceives in one way, and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another. Satan deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light and spreads his influence over the land by means of false reformations. The churches are elated, and consider that God is working marvelously for them, when it is the work of another spirit. The excitement will die away and leave the world and the church in a worse condition than before. {EW 260.1}
SATAN DECEIVES THOSE WHO DO NOT PRAY
All who do not earnestly search the Scriptures and submit every desire and purpose of life to that unerring test, all who do not seek God in prayer for a knowledge of His will, will surely wander from the right path and fall under the deception of Satan.—{Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 192.}
TEMPTATION MAKES PRAYER A NECESSITY
The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with individual effort in training the mind to thoughtfulness and caretaking, prepares the person for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances, however trying. The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity. In order that we may be kept by the power of God through faith, the desires of the mind should be continually ascending in silent prayer for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. But thought and prayer cannot take the place of earnest, faithful improvement of the time. Work and prayer are both required in perfecting Christian character. {Pr 25.3}
Christ is the Believer's Hope and Consolation
Satan deceives the soul with false pretensions. He perverts the judgment, and misleads the mind, so that the very best motives of those who believe in God are misinterpreted by unbelievers, and the disloyal are led to think that they are badly used and treated unkindly by those who have placed their trust in God. Christ is the believer's hope and consolation, the one about whom he weaves the best affections. The Christian confesses Christ in word and deed, in spirit and actions, and the enmity that is created in the unbelieving heart against the children of God is not against men simply, but against Christ. {ST, November 26, 1894 par. 2}
Consider the Following
In his desire to usurp the throne of Heaven, Lucifer raised doubts in the angels about the justice of the divine government. Weren't they all free? Why submit to severe and, perhaps, unjust or capricious laws?
Lucifer rejected all of God's loving calls to change his ways.
The rebellion became an open conflict, a war where each angel had to make their decision. 1/3 of the angels followed Satan, while the rest remained faithful to God (Rev. 12:4a).
Today the war continues. Satan is still active. He tries to drag every person to rebel against God. There are only two sides. Those who want to obey God's Law, or those who reject it. The decision is ours (Deut. 30:11, 16, 19; Josh. 24:15).
