《评论与通讯》
THE REVIEW AND HERALD
1862年2月18日
献身
守安息日的人要经受试验和证明。在上帝的子民中间必须有一番严密的省察工夫。像古时的以色列人一样，我们多么快就忘记了上帝和祂奇妙的作为，并且反抗祂啊。有些人注意世界，渴望追随其种种时尚并参与世俗的娱乐，就像以色列人回望埃及，贪求他们曾在那里享受的美物一样，上帝选择扣留那些美物，以考验他们，藉以试验他们对祂的忠诚。祂想要见到祂的子民是否重视祂的服务和祂曾如此奇妙地赐给他们的自由，远远高过他们在埃及受一班残暴拜偶像之人奴役时所享受的种种放纵。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 1}
凡真正跟从耶稣的人都要作出牺牲。上帝必考验他们，试验他们信心的真实性。我蒙指示看到，真正跟从基督的人会丢弃野餐、捐赠活动、展览和其它娱乐聚会。他们在那里找不到耶稣，那里也没有会使他们思念天上的事并在恩典上长进的感化力。若顺从上帝的道，就必使我们从这一切的事出来，与他们有分别。凡不深爱十字架，不按着灵意敬拜被钉十字架之耶稣的人，必寻求世界的事，并且认为世界的事是值得羡慕和喜爱的。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 2}
在我们中间有糠秕，而这就是我们如此软弱的原因。有些人不断在倾向世界。他们的观点和感情很少与基督门徒的舍己精神一致，较多与世界的精神融合。他们与情投意合的人作伴，这是十分自然的。这样的人在上帝的子民中间有很大的影响。他们参加信徒的活动，列为成员，但他们是非信徒的话柄，也是教会中软弱和未曾献身者的话柄。这些心怀二意的人总是会反对责备个人错误的清楚率直的证言。当今考验的时期，这些自称为信徒的人要么完全悔改转变，并因顺服真理而成为圣洁，要么被丢弃，继续与世界联合，与他们同受报应。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 3}
“凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来”(太7:20)。凡跟从基督的人都结出果子来荣耀祂。他们的生命证实上帝的灵已在他们里面动了善工，他们的生活也是至于圣洁的。他们的生活是高尚纯洁的。那些不结果子的人在上帝的事上毫无经验。他们不在葡萄树上。请读《约翰福音》15:4,5：“你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子;你们若不常在我里面，也是这样。我是葡萄树，你们是枝子。常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子;因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。”{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 4}
我们若愿成为按着灵意敬拜耶稣基督的人，就必须牺牲每一个偶像，并且全然顺从前四条诫命。《马太福音》22:37,38：“耶稣对他说：‘你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主你的上帝。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的。’”{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 5}
前四条诫命不允许我们将情意转离上帝，也不许任何事分隔或分享我们在祂里面的大喜乐。凡分散人的感情，使人心不再以爱上帝为至上的事，都是一种偶像。我们属肉体的心会依附于我们的偶像并力求带着它们同行;但我们无法前进，直到把它们丢弃，因为它们使我们与上帝隔绝。教会的伟大元首已拣选祂的子民出离世界，并且要求他们与世界分别。祂计划用祂诫命的灵和生命吸引他们归祂自己，并使他们与世界的原理分离。爱上帝并守祂的诫命远非爱世上的宴乐和友谊。基督与彼列并不相和。上帝的子民可以安然地唯独信赖祂，并在顺从的道路上迫进，不必担心。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 6}
怀爱伦
1862年2月18日
颅相学, 心理学，催眠术和招魂术
我蒙指示看到，我们必须作全面的防卫，恒心抵御撒但的暗示和诡谋。他已将自己变作光明的天使，正迷惑引诱着千万的俘虏。他尽量地利用了人心智方面的学问，他在此事上真是灵巧像蛇，趁人不知不觉之时潜入败坏上帝的圣工。他使基督的工作和神迹看起来都是出于人的。撒但若明目张胆地攻击基督教，使基督徒迫于困苦忧伤而投奔到他救赎主的脚前，大能的拯救者便会使这大胆的仇敌落荒而逃。所以撒但就装成光明的天使，下功夫引诱人的思想偏离那唯一安全正直之道。撒但已藉着颅相学、心理学和催眠术等作为通路，直接地迷惑这世代的人，这乃是运用那在恩典时期行将结束时表现他作为特色的能力来施行的。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 1}
请读《帖撒罗尼迦后书》2:8-12：“那时这不法的人必显露出来。主耶稣要用口中的气灭绝他，用降临的荣光废掉他。这不法的人来，是照撒但的运动，行各样的异能、神迹，和一切虚假的奇事，并且在那沉沦的人身上行各样出于不义的诡诈;因他们不领受爱真理的心，使他们得救。故此，上帝就给他们一个生发错误的心，叫他们信从虚谎，使一切不信真理、倒喜爱不义的人都被定罪。”{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 2}
撒但已藉着这些科学来到，毒害了成千上万的人，使他们背信不忠。他很喜欢使这些科学广传。这是他亲自制定的一个计划，要进入人心并照他所喜悦的影响人。据信人心是非常奇妙地彼此影响的，撒但愿意在人附近暗示他自己，并在人的左右行事。当那些专心于这些科学的人，因认定藉着这些科学行了又大又好的事而对这些科学备加颂赞时，他们就是在珍爱并荣耀撒但自己，他用各样出于不义的诡诈走进来，行了各样的异能、神迹，和一切虚假的奇事。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 3}
天使说：“要注意它的影响。基督和撒但之间的斗争还未结束。”藉着科学进入人心是撒但用他邪恶的王权精心设计的，最终会在成千上万的人心中摧毁对基督是弥赛亚、是上帝儿子的真信心。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 4}
我蒙指示看到上帝藉摩西彰显的能力。那时主差他到法老面前。撒但知道他的事并且严阵以待。他很清楚摩西是蒙上帝拣选的，要折断以色列人身上的轭，并且以他的工作预示基督的第一次降临，要打破撒但控制人类家庭的能力，释放那些被他的能力掳去的人。撒但知道，当基督显现时，祂会行出神迹奇事，好使世人知道是天父差遣了祂。撒但为自己的权柄战兢，他与自己的使者们商议，如何完成一项工作，可以达到双重目的：一.藉着他的爪牙，摧毁上帝藉祂仆人摩西所行之事的影响，从而假冒上帝的真实作为;二.藉着术士行事，发挥一种会影响以后各世历代的影响，并在许多人的心中摧毁对基督来到这世界时会行的神迹奇事的真信心。他知道自己的国度会受损害，因为他对人类的控制权要服从基督。摩西在法老面前行的奇事不是凭着人的影响或能力，而是出于上帝的能力。这些神迹奇事藉着摩西行出来，是要使法老确信，那位伟大的“自有永有”者差他来吩咐法老让以色列人走，他们好侍奉祂。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 5}
法老召了术士来行他们的巫术。他们也显出了神迹奇事，因为撒但来帮助他们，藉着他们行事。然而甚至在此时上帝的作为也显出优越于撒但的作为，因为术士们不能行上帝藉着摩西行的所有那些奇事。他们只能行其中很少的几个。术士的杖确实变成了蛇，但亚伦的杖吞了它们。后来术士们设法生出虱子时，却生不出来，他们为上帝的能力所迫，甚至向法老承认说：“这是上帝的手段”(出8:19)。撒但藉着术士们行事，其方式适足以使暴君法老的心刚硬，反对上帝能力的奇妙显现。撒但想要动摇摩西亚伦对他们的使命源出于天的信心，从而使他的爪牙，就是术士们获得胜利。撒但不愿以色列人得释放，脱离埃及人的奴役以便侍奉上帝。术士们没能行虱子的神迹，也不能再模仿了摩西亚伦了。上帝不愿让撒但进一步行事，术士们也不能救自己脱离那些灾难。“行法术的在摩西面前站立不住，因为在他们身上和一切埃及人身上都有这疮”(出9:11)。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 6}
上帝的控制之能此时断绝了撒但藉以行事的渠道，甚至使撒但曾藉以行奇事的人也感受到了祂的忿怒。所赐的证据足资法老相信，他若愿意，就能信。摩西是藉着上帝的能力行事的。术士们也不是单凭他们自己的学术，而是靠着他们的神——魔鬼的能力行事。撒但智巧地实行其骗人的工作，假冒上帝的作为。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 7}
我们愈靠近末日，人心便愈容易受撒但的诡计影响。他诱使受骗的凡人解释基督的神迹奇事不过是依照一般原理而行的。撒但总是野心勃勃地冒充基督的工作，以确立他自身的权势和主张。这种工作大都不是明目张胆作的。他狡猾异常，知道若要作成他的工，最有效的莫如装成光明的天使来引诱可怜堕落的人类。撒但昔日在旷野装成一个英俊的青年来到基督面前，颇似帝王而不像堕落的天使，满口都是经上的话。他说：“经上记着说，”等等。我们受苦的救主也引用圣经来对付他说：“经上记着说。”撒但利用基督软弱痛苦的状态。基督取了我们人类的本性。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 8}
请阅读《马太福音》4:8-11：“魔鬼又带祂上了一座最高的山，将世上的万国与万国的荣华都指给祂看，对祂说：‘祢若俯伏拜我，我就把这一切都赐给祢。’耶稣说：‘撒但，退去吧!因为经上记着说：当拜主你的上帝，单要事奉祂。’于是，魔鬼离了耶稣，有天使来伺候祂。”{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 9}
此时撒但将世界最动人的一面展现在基督面前，向祂表示，祂不必经受那么多的苦难以获得地上的列国;撒但愿意把自己声称拥有的一切都放弃，只要基督愿意拜他。撒但的不满最初开始于天上，因为他不能成为首要的和最高的掌权者——与上帝同等，高过基督。他叛逆了，丧失了自己的地位;他和那些同情他的天使都被赶出了天庭。在旷野中，他希望能藉着基督软弱受苦的状况占得便宜，从祂获得他在天上没能获得的效忠。但是耶稣即使在自己衰弱疲惫的状态中，也没有片刻向撒但的试探屈服，而是吩咐撒但：“退去吧”——或，离开我，藉以表明了祂的崇高地位，并运用了祂的权威。撒但受到了挫败。于是他就研究如何实现他的目的，得到人类的尊荣，就是他在天上没能得到又被耶稣在地上拒绝给他的尊荣。要是他在试探耶稣基督的事上成功了，救恩的计划就会失败，他就会成功地带给人类无望的痛苦。然而撒但所没能影响基督的，却在影响人上获得了成功。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 10}
撒但若能如此蛊惑并欺瞒人的心思，令人自以为具有完成大善行的内在能力，他们就不再倚靠上帝为他们去做他们所自以为有力量去做的事。他们不承认超然的权能。也不将上帝伟大崇高之尊严所应得的荣耀归给祂。撒但的目的便这样达到了。他看见堕落的人们妄自尊大，像他昔时在天上高抬自己而被驱逐的情形一样，便大为快乐。他深知人若高抬自己，就必像他自身的结果一般注定沉沦。撒但在旷野试探基督的事上业已失败。救赎的计划已经实施。救赎人类的重价已经付上了。而今撒但想要摧毁基督徒盼望的根基，导致人的心意转入歧途，叫他们不能靠赖所提供的这重大的牺牲获益或得救。撒但利用他那“出于不义的诡诈”，引诱堕落的人类相信大可无需赎罪，也不必靠赖被钉而复活的救主，只凭自身的功劳便可得蒙上帝的恩宠。继之他又破坏人对圣经的信心，深知这一着若是成功，摧毁了对能够识破他诡计之圣经的信心，他就安全了。他更加紧迷惑人心，叫人相信魔鬼并不存在。凡这样相信的人，自然不作努力去抵抗反对那他们以为并不存在的东西，以致这些可怜盲目的人终于接受了“存在的就是合理的”这个格言。他们不接纳任何准则去衡量自己的行为。撒但诱导许多人相信向上帝祷告毫无用处，不过是形式而已。他深知跟从基督的人是多么需要默想和祷告，以提高警觉抵御他的诡计和欺骗。撒但所用的手段无非使人的心意转离这些重要的举措，以致人不倚赖全能者的帮助，从祂得力以抵挡他的攻击了。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 11}
我蒙指示看到古时上帝子民热切有效的祷告。“以利亚与我们是一样性情的人，他恳切祷告”(雅5:17)。但以理一天三次祷告他的上帝。撒但被热切祷告的声音激怒，因为他知道自己必遭受损失。但以理被提升在总长和总督之上，是因为他里面美好的灵性。堕落的天使惟恐他的影响会削弱他们对帝国统治者的控制，因为但以理位高权重。恶天使控告的大军激起总长和总督们的嫉妒之心，猜忌但以理，密切地监视他，要找机会反对他，好在王面前控告他;但他们失败了。于是撒但的这些爪牙就设法利用他对上帝的忠诚来毁灭他。恶天使为他们制定了计划，他们就欣然实行。国王不知道这个狡计目的是要对付但以理。但以理虽完全知道王的政令，仍在他的上帝面前屈膝，“他的窗户开着”(但6:10)。他认为向上帝恳求是那么重要，以致他宁愿牺牲自己的性命也不愿放弃之。由于他向上帝祷告，他就被扔进了狮子坑里。恶天使至此实现了他们的目的。但是但以理继续祈祷，即使是在狮子坑里。上帝让他被吃掉了吗?上帝在那里忘记他了吗?没有;天军大能的元帅耶稣，派祂的天使封住了那些饥饿狮子的口，使他们不能伤害祷告的神人;在那个可怕的狮子坑中，全是平安。王既看到但以理蒙保守，就尊敬地把他从坑里系上来。撒但和他的使者被击败了，而且极为愤怒。他所使用的爪牙注定要以同样可怕的方式灭亡，就是他们设计陷害但以理的方式。出于信心的祈祷乃是基督徒的极大力量，必定胜过撒但。这就是为何他暗示我们不必祈祷的原因。他憎恨我们的中保耶稣之名;当我们恳切地来求祂帮助时，撒但的全军就惊慌。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 12}
我们若疏于操练祷告，那就正合撒但的心意，因为这样他那虚假的奇事就更易为人所接受。于是撒但便达到他的目的，将他欺骗人的试探摆在世人面前，这就是他用以试探基督所未能得逞的。他有时化装成可爱的青年，或以美丽的幻影出现。他施行医治，接受被骗之人的敬拜，被当作人类的福星。颅相学和催眠术被大大高举。它们在其本位原是好的，但它们被撒但利用为他最有效的媒介，要欺骗并毁灭生灵。他的技术和计谋既被人接受为来自天上的，就摧毁了成千上万人对于能揭露他阴谋的圣经的信心。撒但在此所接受的敬拜正适合他邪恶的王权。成千上万的人正在与这个魔鬼交谈，从他领受指示，并按他的教训而行。那些以为会从颅相学和催眠术多多受益的世人，却前所未有地败坏。撒但利用这些事消灭美德，并为招魂术打下根基。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 13}
我蒙指示，得悉《歌罗西书》2:8对于现代招魂术特别适用：“你们要谨慎，恐怕有人用他的理学和虚空的妄言，不照着基督，乃照人间的遗传，和世上的小学，就把你们掳去。”我蒙指示，见到成千成万的人因受了颅相学及催眠术的败坏，而成为无神论者。人的心思若趋入此种途径，就几乎肯定会失去平衡而受一个恶魔控制。“虚空的妄言”已充满了可怜凡人的脑中。他们以为自己有力量，能够成全大事，而无需乎更高的能力。他们的原则与信仰，是“不照着基督，乃照人间的遗传，和世上的小学。”耶稣没有教他们这种哲理。从祂的教训中找不出这种事。祂没有引导可怜凡人的脑筋去信靠他们自己，去靠他们所有的力量。祂始终是引导他们的脑筋去信靠上帝，就是宇宙的创造主，认祂为他们能力智慧的源泉。在同章18节上，又给我们特别的警告说：“不可让人因着故意谦虚，和敬拜天使，就夺去你们的奖赏;这等人窥探所没有见过的，随着自己的欲心，无故地自高自大。”招魂术的教师，会用一种可悦而迷人的态度来诱惑你，你若听他们煞有其事的谎言，就要被公义之敌所欺骗，并必失去你的奖赏。这大骗子所发挥的迷人影响力，一旦胜了你，你就要受其毒害，那致命的影响力也要污秽及败坏你的信仰，使你不信基督是上帝的儿子，也不依靠祂宝血的功劳。凡被这种哲理所迷惑的人，就要因撒但的欺骗而损失其奖赏。他们依靠自己的功劳，故意谦虚，甚至愿意做出牺牲，贬低自己，倾心相信最大的谬论，并从他们所信为己故亲友之幽灵，接受最荒谬的观念。撒但既然这样蒙蔽他们的眼界，歪曲他们的判断力，以致他们就看不出邪恶，只顺从他们所认为现在上界作天使的、他们已故亲友之灵所发的指导而行事。撒但已选用一种最有把握及最能迷人的骗术，他算出这一着是会博得那些已葬亲友下坟之人的同情。恶使者要化装成那些已故亲友的形像，述说一些与他们生活有关的事件，并表演一些他们亲友生前所行的事。他们用这样的方法迷惑人，叫死人的亲友相信自己的亡亲故友现已变成天使，飞翔在他们周围，与他们亲密交谈，他们把这些当作某种偶像崇拜，凡其所说所云，在他们看来，都比上帝的道更有影响力。这些化装为已故亲友的恶使者，若非完全拒绝圣经为无稽故事，就必为最能迎合其阴谋起见，而选用那见证基督，指出通往天国之路的几段重要部分，并改变圣经上最清楚明白的道理，来适应他们自己腐败的本性并毁灭人们的灵魂。凡愿意明白真理的人，只要正当留心圣经上的话，都可以识破这种毁灭灵魂的欺骗。圣经上有正确直截的口气，说明“死了的人，毫无所知。”“活着的人，知道必死;死了的人，毫无所知，也不再得赏赐。他们的名无人记念;他们的爱，他们的恨，他们的嫉妒，早都消灭了;在日光之下所行的一切事上，他们永不再有分了”(传9:5-6)。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 14}
那些被骗的人，是在敬拜恶使者，相信他们是自己已故亲友的幽灵，圣经上说明，在日光之下所行的一切事上，死了的人是无分的;但那些招魂术的人偏说死人会知道日光之下的一切事，可和地上亲友来往，给他们宝贵的指导，并行各样奇事。《诗篇》115:17说：“死人不能赞美耶和华;下到寂静中的，也都不能。”我蒙指示看到撒但化装为光明的天使，行各样出于不义的诡诈。他既能把上帝圣子，──那时祂成了比天使微小一点的，──带到殿顶，又把祂领到高山，将天下万国摆在祂面前，他也会向全人类行使其权能。他们在能力及智慧上，与上帝圣子相比，是远逊不及的，即使在祂已自取了人的本性之后也是如此。在这堕落的时代，凡离开正道而胆敢置身于撒但之境的人，都要受撒但的控制。他要用一种惊人的方式，在这些人的身上行使其能力。我蒙指示见到这些话说：“这等人窥探所没有见过的，随着自己的欲心，无故地自高自大”(西2:18)。我蒙指示，见到有些人为要满足自己的好奇心而去招惹魔鬼。他们对于招魂术原无真心信仰，想起了自己要作招魂交鬼的媒介，都会吓得赶快退避的。然而他们竟大胆冒险，把自己置于撒但能对他们发挥其力量的地位上。他们无意深入撒但的作为中，但他们却不晓得自己正在作什么。他们正是大胆置身于魔鬼的境地上，试探魔鬼来控制他们。这大有能力的毁灭者，便认他们是他合法的俘虏，在他们身上行使其能力，违反他们自己的意志。及至他们想要控制自己之时，却是力不从心了。他们的心思服从了撒但，他也不放松自己的主权，而是扣住他们为囚奴。只有上帝的能力，答应祂忠心信徒的恳切祈求，才能救这陷入罗网之中的人，此外是别无拯救了。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 15}
现今唯一安全之道，就是寻求圣经上所显示的真理，如同寻求隐藏的财宝一样。关于安息日、人并非不朽，以及耶稣的见证等题目，都是重大而应明白的真理;这些也要成为坚固的锚，使上帝的子民在这些危险的日子中可以安稳。然而大众都看轻圣经真理，更喜爱虚构的谎言。正如《帖撒罗尼迦后书》2:10,11所说的：“因他们不领受爱真理的心，使他们得救;故此上帝就给他们一个生发错误的心，叫他们信从虚谎。”{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 16}
那最放荡最败坏的人，受这些邪灵的高度谄媚，他们以为这些邪灵就是自己亡亲故友之灵，以致他们“随着自己的欲心，无故地自高自大。”《歌罗西书》2:19：“不持定元首，全身既然靠着祂筋节得以相助联络，就因上帝大得长进。”他们否认那使他们全身有力量的主，因此全身各体就不能因上帝大得长进了。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 17}
论到虚谎的哲理，我们都知道，全身各部是靠着头来管理的，但招魂术的人却把“元首”弃在一边，而相信全身各部必须自行自动，由许多定律支配，使人可以不需要一个头而自行进步，以致完全。《约翰福音》15:1,2,4-6说：“我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人，凡属我不结果子的枝子，祂就剪去;凡结果子的，祂就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多。”“你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子;你们若不常在我里面，也是这样。我是葡萄树，你们是枝子;常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子;因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。人若不常在我里面，就像枝子丢在外面枯干，人拾起来，扔在火里烧了。”{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 18}
基督是我们力量的源头。祂是葡萄树，我们是枝子。我们应当从这活葡萄树接受营养。若离了这“葡萄树”的力量和营养，我们就像全身各部没有头一样，这种情形正是撒但所求之不得的，因为这样，他就可以随其心意控制我们了。他要“在那沉沦的人身上，行各样出于不义的诡诈;因他们不领受爱真理的心，使他们得救;故此，上帝就给他们一个生发错误的心，叫他们信从虚谎”(帖后2:10-11)。招魂术就是一种虚谎，它是根据那当初的大谎话而来，“你们不一定死”(创3:4)。现今成千成万的人弃绝了“元首”，结果，全身各部的行动，并不是耶稣为他们的元首，乃是由另一位指挥这身体。撒但控制了他们。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 19}
我蒙指示看到，撒但并不能控制人的心思，除非是人自愿顺服他的控制。凡离开正义的人，现今是极危险的。他们离开了上帝也离开了祂天使的留心看顾，那时刻留心要毁灭人灵魂的撒但，便开始前来贡献他的迷惑。这等人的处境是极其危险的;他们若想看到并抗拒黑暗的权势，解救自己脱离撒但的网罗，真不是一件容易的事。他们既然大胆置身于撒但的境地上，因此他便公然声称他们应当属于他。他要毫不犹豫地发动其一切力量，并招聚他的全体恶使者相助，从基督的手中抢过一个人来。凡引诱魔鬼来试探自己的人，必要下一番拚命的工夫才能救自己脱离他的权势。在他们开始自救工作之时，那曾被他们伤心的上帝使者，就要来援救他们。撒但及其使者不愿释放他们的俘虏，因此就要与圣洁的天使相争战，这一场战斗是惨烈的。但若是那些曾经错入迷途的人，肯继续祈求，深切谦卑认错，那有大能的天使就要战胜，并抢救他们脱离恶使者的势力。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 20}
当帘幕揭开，我蒙指示见到现代败坏的情形之时，我感到非常地痛心疾首，丧志伤神。我见到地上的居民正在注满他们罪孽的杯。上帝的怒火要被燃起，不再姑息，直到地上的罪人被除灭。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 21}
撒但是基督自己的仇敌。他是在天在地一切叛乱的发动者及领导者。他的忿怒高涨，但我们却不了解他的势力。如果我们能张开眼睛，见到堕落的使者正在与那些自觉安逸稳妥的人一起作工，我们就不会自认十分安全了。恶使者时刻埋伏窥视我们。坏人照着撒但的建议行事，我们是易于辨认防备的，但若是我们的心思不防备到他那无形的工具，他们就要占下新阵地，在我们眼前大行神迹奇事了。只有圣经是我们能成功抗魔的利器，请问我们准备好用上帝的道抵抗他们了吗?有些人将要被骗，以为这些奇事是从上帝而来的。我们也要见到病人被医好，以及各样的神迹在我们面前行出来。撒但的虚谎奇事将要大显身手，请问我们是否预备好，可以应付这场试炼呢?岂不是会有许多人陷入罗网而被擒捉吗?各种形式的错误，违背上帝清楚明白的律例和诫命，去听捏造的谎言，都在预备人心接受撒但的这些虚谎的奇事。我们大家现在应当全副武装，预备那快要经历的斗争。应当信仰圣经，虔诚研究，切实奉行，这就是我们抵抗撒但势力的盾牌，并使我们靠着基督的宝血得胜。{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 22}
怀爱伦
February 18, 1862
Consecration
Sabbath-keepers will be tested and proved. A close and searching work must go on among the people of God. How soon, like ancient Israel we forget God and his wondrous works, and rebel against him. Some look to the world, and desire to follow its fashions, and participate in its pleasures in the same manner that the children of Israel looked back into Egypt, and lusted for the good things they had enjoyed there, which God chose to withhold from them to prove them, and thereby test their fidelity to him. He wished to see if his people valued more highly his service, and the freedom he had so miraculously given them, than the indulgences they enjoyed in Egypt while in servitude to a tyrannical, idolatrous people.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 1}
Every true follower of Jesus will have sacrifices to make. God will prove them, and test the genuineness of their faith. I have been shown that picnics, donations, shows, and other gatherings of pleasure, the true followers of Jesus will discard. They can find no Jesus there, and no influence which will make them heavenly minded, and increase their growth in grace. The word of God obeyed, leads us to come out from all these things and be separate. The things of the world are sought for, and considered worthy to be admired and enjoyed by all those who are not devoted lovers of the cross, and are not spiritual worshipers of a crucified Jesus.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 2}
There is chaff among us, and this is why we are so weak. Some are constantly leaning to the world. Their views and feelings harmonize much better with the spirit of the world than with Christ’s self-denying followers. It is perfectly natural for them to prefer the company of those whose spirit will best agree with their own. And such have quite too much influence among God’s people. They take a part with them, and have a name among them, and are a text for unbelievers and the weak and unconsecrated ones in the church. These persons of two minds will ever have objections to the plain pointed testimony which reproves individual wrongs. In this refining time, these persons will either be converted wholly, and sanctified by obeying the truth, or they will be left with the world, where they belong, to receive their reward with them.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 3}
“By their fruits ye shall know them.” All of Christ’s followers bear fruit to his glory. Their lives testify that a good work has been wrought in them by the Spirit of God, and their life is unto holiness. It is elevated and pure. Those who bear no fruit, have no experience in the things of God. They are not in the vine. Read?John 15:4, 5: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 4}
If we would be spiritual worshipers of Jesus Christ we must sacrifice every idol, and fully obey the first four commandments.?Matthew 22:37, 38: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 5}
The first four commandments allow us no separation of the affections from God. Nor is anything allowed to divide, or share, our supreme delight in him. Whatever divides the affections, and takes away from the soul supreme love to God, takes the form of an idol. Our carnal hearts would cling to, and seek to carry along, our idols; but we cannot advance until we put them away; for they separate from God. The Great Head of the church has chosen his people out of the world, and required them to be separate. He designs that the spirit and life of his commandments shall draw them to himself, and separate them from the elements of the world. To love God and keep his commandments is to be far from loving the world’s pleasures and friendship. There is no concord between Christ or Belial. The people of God may safely trust in him alone, and without fear press on in the way of obedience.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. A, par. 6}
E. G. W.
February 18, 1862
Phrenology, Psychology, Mesmerism, and Spiritualism I have been shown that we must be guarded on every side, and perseveringly resist the insinuations and devices of Satan. He has transformed himself into an angel of light, and is deceiving and leading thousands captive. The advantages he takes of the science of the human mind, is tremendous. Here, serpent-like, he imperceptibly creeps in to corrupt the work of God. The miracles and works of Christ, he makes all human. If Satan should make an open, bold attack upon Christianity, it would bring the Christian in distress and agony at the feet of his Redeemer, and the strong and mighty Deliverer would affright the bold adversary away. But Satan, transformed into an angel of light, works upon the mind to allure from the only safe and right path. The sciences of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism, have been the channel through which Satan has come more directly to this generation, and wrought with that power which was to characterize his work near the close of probation.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 1}
Read?2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 2}
Satan has come unperceived through these sciences, and poisoned the minds of thousands and led them to infidelity. He is well pleased to have them spread wide. It is his own plan, laid out by himself, that he may have access to minds, and influence them as he pleases. And while it is believed that one human mind so wonderfully affects another, Satan, ready at hand, insinuates himself, and works on the right hand and on the left. And while those devoted to these sciences laud them to the heavens because of the great and good works they affirm are wrought by them, they are cherishing and glorifying Satan himself who steps in and works with all power and signs and lying wonders,—with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 3}
Said the angel, “Mark its influence. The controversy between Christ and Satan is not yet ended.” This entering in of Satan through the sciences, is well devised by his Satanic majesty, and will eventually root out of the minds of thousands true faith in Christ’s being the Messiah, the Son of God.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 4}
I was directed to the power of God manifested though Moses, when the Lord sent him in before Pharaoh. Satan understood his business and was upon the ground. He well knew that Moses was chosen of God to break the yoke of bondage upon the children of Israel; and that he in his work prefigured Christ’s first advent to break Satan’s power over the human family, and deliver those who were made captives by his power. Satan knew that when Christ should appear, mighty works and miracles would be wrought by him, that the world might know that the Father had sent him. He trembled, for his power. He consults with his angels to accomplish a work which shall answer a two-fold purpose: 1. To destroy the influence of the work wrought by God through his servant Moses, by working through his agents, and thus counterfeiting the true work of God. 2. The influence of his work through the magicians would reach down through all ages, and would destroy in the minds of many true faith in the mighty miracles and works of Christ, which would be performed by him when he should come to this world. He knew that his kingdom would suffer, for the power which he held over mankind would be subject to Christ. It was no human influence or power Moses possessed, which wrought on the minds, that produced those miracles before Pharaoh. It was the power of God. These signs and wonders were wrought through Moses, to convince Pharaoh that the great “I AM” sent him to command Pharaoh to let Israel go, that they might serve him.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 5}
Pharaoh called for the magicians to work with their enchantments. They also showed signs and wonders, for Satan came to their aid, to work through them. Yet even here, the work of God was shown superior to the power of Satan, for the magicians could not perform all those miracles God wrought through Moses. Only a few of them could they do. The magicians’ rods did become serpents, but Aaron’s rod swallowed up theirs. After the magicians sought to produce the lice, and could not, then they were compelled by the power of God to acknowledge even to Pharaoh, saying, “This is the finger of God.” Satan wrought through the magicians in a manner calculated to harden the heart of the tyrant Pharaoh against the miraculous manifestations of God’s power. Satan thought to stagger the faith of Moses and Aaron in the divine origin of their mission, and then his instruments, the magicians, would prevail. Satan was unwilling to have the people of Israel released from Egyptian servitude, that they might serve God. The magicians failed to produce the miracle of the lice, and could no more imitate Moses and Aaron. God would not suffer Satan to proceed further, and the magicians could not save themselves from the plagues. “And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.”?Exodus 9:11.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 6}
God’s controlling power here cut off the channel through which Satan worked, and caused even those through whom Satan wrought so wonderfully to feel his wrath. Sufficient evidence was given to Pharaoh to believe, if he would. Moses wrought by the power of God. The magicians wrought not by their own science alone, but by the power of their god,—the Devil. Satan has ingeniously carried out his deceptive work in counterfeiting the work of God.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 7}
As we near the close of time, the human mind is more readily affected by Satan’s devices. He leads deceived mortals to account for the works and miracles of Christ upon general principles. Satan has ever been ambitious to counterfeit the work of Christ, and establish his own power and claims. He does not generally do this openly and boldly. He is artful, and knows that the most effectual way for him to accomplish his work, is to come to poor fallen man in the form of an angel of light. Satan came to Christ in the wilderness in the form of a beautiful young man,—more like a monarch than a fallen angel. He came with scripture in his mouth. Said he, “It is written,” &c. Our suffering Saviour meets him with scripture, saying, “It is written.” Satan takes the advantage of the weak, suffering condition of Christ. He took upon him our human nature.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 8}
Read?Matthew 4:8, 11: “Again the Devil taketh him up into a exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the Devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 9}
Here Satan spread the world before Christ in the most attractive light, and intimates to him that he need not endure so much suffering to obtain the kingdoms of earth. He will yield all his claims if he will but worship him. Satan’s dissatisfaction first commenced in heaven because he could not be first and highest in command,—equal with God, exalted above Christ. He rebelled and lost his estate, and he, and those who sympathized with him, were turned out of heaven. In the wilderness he hoped to gain advantage through the weak and suffering condition of Christ, and obtain from him that homage he could not obtain in heaven. Jesus, even in his faint and exhausted condition, yields not to the temptation of Satan for a moment, but shows his superiority and exercises his authority by bidding Satan, “Get thee hence”—or, depart from me. Satan was baffled, and then studied how he could accomplish his purpose and receive the honor from the human race which was refused him in heaven, and by Jesus upon earth. Could he have succeeded in tempting Jesus Christ, then the plan of salvation would have failed, and he would have succeeded in bringing hopeless misery upon mankind. That which Satan failed to effect in coming to Christ, he has accomplished in coming to man.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 10}
If Satan can so befog and deceive the human mind, and lead mortals to think there is an inherent power in themselves to accomplish great and good works, they cease to rely upon God to do that for them which they think exists in themselves to do. They acknowledge not a superior power. They give not God the glory he claims, and which is due to his great and excellent Majesty. Satan’s object is thus accomplished. He exults that fallen man presumptuously exalts himself, as he exalted himself in heaven, and was thrust out. He knows that the ruin of man is just as sure if he exalts himself as his was certain. He has failed in his temptations to Christ in the wilderness. The plan of salvation has been carried out. The dear price has been paid for man’s redemption. And now Satan seeks to tear away the foundation of the Christian’s hope, and turn the minds of men in a channel that they may not be benefited or saved by the great sacrifice offered. He leads fallen man, through his “all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” to believe that he can do very well without an atonement; that he need not depend upon a crucified and risen Saviour; that man’s own merits will entitle him to God’s favor, and then he destroys man’s confidence in the Bible, well knowing if he succeeds here, and the detector which places a mark upon himself is destroyed, he is safe. And he fastens the delusion upon minds that there is no personal Devil, and those who believe this make no effort to resist and war against that which does not exist, and poor blind mortals finally adopt the maxim—“Whatever?is?is right.” They acknowledge no rule to measure their course. Satan leads many to believe that prayer to God is useless, and but a form. He well knows how needful is meditation and prayer, to keep Christ’s followers aroused to resist his cunning and deceptions. Satan’s devices will divert the mind from these important exercises, that the soul may not lean for help upon the mighty One, and obtain strength from him to resist his attacks.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 11}
I was pointed to the fervent, effectual prayers of his people anciently. “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly.” Daniel prayed unto his God three times a day. Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss. Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him. Fallen angels feared his influence would weaken their control over the rulers of the kingdom, for Daniel was high in command. The accusing host of evil angels stirred up the presidents and princes to envy and jealousy, and they watched Daniel closely to find some occasion against him that they might report him to the king, but they failed. Then these agents of Satan sought to make his faithfulness to God the cause of his destruction. Evil angels laid out the plan for them, and these agents readily carried it into effect. The king was ignorant of the subtle mischief purposed against Daniel. With the full knowledge of the king’s decree he still bows before his God, “his windows being open.” He considers supplication to God of sufficient importance to sacrifice his life rather than to relinquish it. On account of his praying to God he was cast into the lion’s den. Evil angels accomplished their purpose thus far. But Daniel continues to pray, even in the den of lions. Was Daniel suffered to be consumed? Did God forget him there? O, no; Jesus, the mighty Commander of the host of heaven, sent his angel to close the mouths of those hungry lions that they should not hurt the praying man of God, and all was peace in that terrible den. The king witnessed his preservation, and brought him out with honors. Satan and his angels were defeated and enraged. The agents Satan had employed were doomed to perish in the terrible manner they had plotted to destroy Daniel. The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian, and will assuredly prevail against Satan. This is why he insinuates that we have no need of prayer. The name of Jesus our advocate he detests, and when we earnestly come to him for help, Satan’s host is alarmed.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 12}
It will serve his purpose well if we neglect the exercise of prayer, for then his lying wonders are more readily received. Satan accomplishes his object in setting his deceitful temptations before man, that which he failed to accomplish in tempting Christ. He sometimes come in the form of a lovely young person, or in a beautiful shadow. He works cures, and is worshiped by deceived mortals as a benefactor of our race. Phrenology and mesmerism are very much exalted. They are good in their place, but they are seized upon by Satan as his most powerful agents to deceive and destroy souls. The detector, the Bible, is destroyed in the minds of thousands, and Satan uses his arts and devices, which are received as from heaven. And Satan here receives the worship which suits his satanic majesty. Thousands are conversing with and receiving instructions from this demon-god, and acting according to his teachings. The world, which is considered to be benefited so much by phrenology and animal magnetism, never was so corrupt. Satan uses these very things to destroy virtue and lay the foundation of Spiritualism.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 13}
I was directed to this scripture as especially applying to modern Spiritualism.?Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Thousands, I was shown, have been spoiled through the philosophy of phrenology and animal magnetism, and have been driven into infidelity. If the mind commences to run in this channel it is almost sure to lose its balance and be controlled by a demon. “Vain deceit” fills the minds of poor mortals. They think there is such power in themselves to accomplish great works, that they realize no necessity of a higher power. Their principles and faith are “after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Jesus has not taught them this philosophy. Nothing of the kind can be found in his teachings. He did not direct the minds of poor mortals to themselves to a power which they possessed. He was ever directing their minds to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of their strength and wisdom. Especial warning is given in?verse 18: “Let no men beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” The teachers of Spiritualism will come in a pleasing, bewitching manner to deceive you, and if you listen to their fables you are beguiled by the enemy of righteousness, and will surely lose your reward. When once the fascinating influence of the arch deceiver overcomes you, you are poisoned, and its deadly influence adulterates and destroys your faith in Christ’s being the Son of God, and you cease to rely on the merits of his blood. Those deceived by this philosophy are beguiled of their reward through the deceptions of Satan. They rely upon their own merits, exercise voluntary humility, are willing to even make sacrifices, and debase themselves, and yield their minds to the belief of supreme nonsense, receiving the most absurd ideas through those whom they believe to be their dead friends. Satan has so blinded their eyes and perverted their judgment that they perceive not the evil. They follow out the instructions purporting to be from their dead friends, now angels in a higher sphere. Satan has chosen the most certain, fascinating delusion, calculated to take hold of the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave. Evil angels assume the form of these loved ones, and relate incidents connected with their lives, and perform acts which their friends performed while living. In this way they deceive and lead the relatives of the dead to believe their deceased friends are angels hovering about them, and communing with them, which they regard with a certain idolatry. What they may say has greater influence over them than the word of God. These evil angels who assume to be dead friends will either utterly reject God’s word as idle tales, or if it suits their purpose best will select the vital portions which testify of Christ and point out the way to heaven, and change the plain statements of the word of God to suit their own corrupt nature, and ruin souls. All may, with due attention to the word of God, be convinced if they will of this soul-destroying delusion. The word of God declares in positive terms that “the dead know not anything.”?Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 14}
Deceived mortals are worshiping evil angels, believing them to be the spirits of their dead friends. The word of God expressly declares that “the dead have no more a portion in anything done under the sun.” Spiritualists say the dead know everything that is done under the sun, that they communicate to their friends on earth, give valuable information, and perform wonders.?Psalm 115:17: “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” I have been shown that Satan, transformed into an angel of light, works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. He who could take up the Son of God, who was made a little lower than the angels, and place him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and take him up into an exceeding high mountain to present before him the kingdoms of the world, can exercise his power upon the human family, who are far inferior in strength and wisdom to the Son of God, even after he had taken upon himself man’s nature. In this degenerate age Satan holds control over mortals who depart from the right, and venture upon his ground. He exercises his power upon such in an alarming manner. I was directed to these words, “Intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Some, I was shown, gratify their curiosity, and tamper with the Devil. They have no real faith in Spiritualism, and would start back with horror at the idea of being a medium. Yet they venture, and place themselves in a position where Satan can exercise his power upon them. They do not mean to enter deep into this work, but such know not what they are doing. They are venturing on the Devil’s ground, and are tempting him to control them. This powerful destroyer considers such his lawful prey, and will exercise his power upon them, and that against their will. When they wish to control themselves they cannot. They yielded their mind to Satan and he holds them captive, and he will not release his claims. No power can deliver the ensnared soul but the power of God, in answer to the earnest prayers of his faithful followers.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 15}
The only safety now is to search for the truth as revealed in the word of God as for hid treasure. The Sabbath question and man not immortal and the testimony of Jesus are the great and important truths to be understood, which will prove as an anchor to hold God’s people in these perilous times. But the mass despise the truths of God’s word, and prefer fables.?2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11: “Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be save, and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 16}
The most licentious and corrupt are highly flattered by these Satanic spirits, which they believe to be the spirits of their dead friends, and they are “vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds.”?Colossians 2:19: “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God,” they deny Him who ministers strength to the body, that every member may increase with the increase of God.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 17}
“Vain philosophy.” The members of the body are controlled by the head. Spiritualists lay aside the Head, and every member of the body they believe must act themselves, and fixed laws will lead them on in a state of progression to perfection without a head.?John 15:1-6: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 18}
Christ is the source of our strength. He is the vine, we the branches. We must receive nourishment from the living vine. Deprived of the strength and nourishment of the vine, we are as members of the body without a head, and are in the very position Satan wishes us to be in, that he may control these members as pleases himself. He works “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie.” Spiritualism is a lie. It is founded upon the great original lie, “Thou shalt?not?surely die.” Thousands cut off the Head, and the members act without Jesus for their head, and the result is, another guides the body. Satan controls them.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 19}
I was shown that Satan cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. Those who depart from the right are in serious danger now. They separate themselves from God and from the watch-care of the angels of God, and Satan, ever upon the watch to destroy souls, begins to present to such his deceptions, and they are in the utmost peril. And if they see and try to resist the powers of darkness and to free themselves from Satan’s snare, it is not an easy matter. They have ventured on Satan’s ground, and he claims them. He will not hesitate to engage all his energies, and call to his aid all his evil host to wrest a single human being from the hand of Christ. And those who have tempted the Devil to tempt them will have to make desperate efforts to free themselves from his power. When they begin to work for themselves, then angels of God whom they have grieved will come to their rescue. Satan and his angels are unwilling to lose their prey. They contend and battle with the holy angels, and the conflict is severe. And if those who have erred continue to plead, and in deep humility confess their wrongs, angels who excel in strength will prevail and wrench them from the power of the evil angels.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 20}
As the curtain was lifted and I was shown the corruption of this age, my heart sickened, my spirit nearly fainted within me. I saw that the inhabitants of the earth were filling up the measure of the cup of their iniquity. God’s anger is kindled, and will be no more appeased until the sinners are destroyed out of the earth.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 21}
Satan is Christ’s personal enemy. He is the originator and leader of every species of rebellion in heaven and earth. His rage increases, and we do not realize his power. If our eyes could be opened to discern the fallen angels at their work with those who feel at ease and consider themselves safe, we should not feel so secure. Evil angels are upon our track every moment. We expect a readiness on the part of bad men to act as Satan suggests; but while our minds are unguarded against Satan’s invisible agents, they will assume new ground, and will work marvels and miracles in our sight. Are we prepared to resist them by the word of God, the only weapon we can use successfully? Some will be tempted to receive these wonders as from God. The sick will be healed before us. Miracles will be performed in our sight. Are we prepared for the trial when the lying wonders of Satan shall be more fully exhibited? Will not many souls be ensnared and taken? Forms of error, and departure from the plain precepts and commandments of God and giving heed to fables is fitting minds for these lying wonders of Satan. We must all now seek to arm ourselves for the contest in which we must soon engage. Faith in God’s word, prayerfully studied and practically applied will be our shield from Satan’s power, and will bring us off conquerors through the blood of Christ.?{RH February 18, 1862, Art. B, par. 22}
E. G. W.
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