evil exerted all his power and cunning to destroy Jesus; for he saw that
the Saviour’s mercy and love, His compassion and pitying tenderness, were
representing to the world the character of God. Satan contested every
claim put forth by the Son of God, and employed men as his agents to fill
the Saviour’s life with suffering and sorrow. The sophistry and falsehood
by which he had sought to hinder the work of Jesus, the hatred manifested
through the children of disobedience, his cruel accusations against Him
whose life was one of unexampled goodness, all sprung from deep-seated
revenge. The pent-up fires of envy and malice, hatred and revenge, burst
forth on Calvary against the Son of God, while all heaven gazed upon the
scene in silent horror.
When the great sacrifice had been consummated, Christ ascended on high,
refusing the adoration of angels until He had presented the request, “I
will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.”(884)
Then with inexpressible love and power came forth the answer from the
Father’s throne, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”(885) Not a stain
rested upon Jesus. His humiliation ended, His sacrifice completed, there
was given unto Him a name that is above every name.
Now the guilt of Satan stood forth without excuse. He had revealed his
true character as a liar and a murderer. It was seen that the very same
spirit with which he ruled the children of men, who were under his power,
he would have manifested had he been permitted to control the inhabitants
of heaven. He had claimed that the transgression of God’s law would bring
liberty and exaltation; but it was seen to result in bondage and
degradation.
Satan’s lying charges against the divine character and government appeared
in their true light. He had accused God of seeking merely the exaltation
of Himself in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, and
had declared that while the Creator exacted self-denial from all others,
He Himself practised no self-denial and made no sacrifice. Now it was seen
that for the salvation of a fallen and sinful race, the Ruler of the
universe had made the greatest sacrifice which love could make; for “God
was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.”(886) It was seen,
also, that while Lucifer had opened the door for the entrance of sin, by
his desire for honor and supremacy, Christ had, in order to destroy sin,
humbled Himself, and become obedient unto death.
God had manifested His abhorrence of the principles of rebellion. All
heaven saw His justice revealed, both in the condemnation of Satan and in
the redemption of man. Lucifer had declared that if the law of God was
changeless, and its penalty could not be remitted, every transgressor must
be forever debarred from the Creator’s favor. He had claimed that the
sinful race were placed beyond redemption, and were therefore his rightful
prey. But the death of Christ was an argument in man’s behalf that could
not be overthrown. The penalty of the law fell upon Him who was equal with
God, and man was free to accept the righteousness of Christ, and by a life
of penitence and humiliation to triumph, as the Son of God had triumphed,
over the power of Satan. Thus God is just, and yet the justifier of all
who believe in Jesus.
But it was not merely to accomplish the redemption of man that Christ came
to the earth to suffer and to die. He came to “magnify the law” and to
“make it honorable.” Not alone that the inhabitants of this world might
regard the law as it should be regarded; but it was to demonstrate to all
the worlds of the universe that God’s law is unchangeable. Could its
claims have been set aside, then the Son of God need not have yielded up
His life to atone for its transgression. The death of Christ proves it
immutable. And the sacrifice to which infinite love impelled the Father
and the Son, that sinners might be redeemed, demonstrates to all the
universe—what nothing less than this plan of atonement could have sufficed
to do—that justice and mercy are the foundation of the law and government
of God.
In the final execution of the judgment it will be seen that no cause for
sin exists. When the Judge of all the earth shall demand of Satan, “Why
hast thou rebelled against Me, and robbed Me of the subjects of My
kingdom?” the originator of evil can render no excuse. Every mouth will be
stopped, and all the hosts of rebellion will be speechless.
The cross of Calvary, while it declares the law immutable, proclaims to
the universe that the wages of sin is death. In the Saviour’s expiring
cry, “It is finished,” the death-knell of Satan was rung. The great
controversy which had been so long in progress was then decided, and the
final eradication of evil was made certain. The Son of God passed through
the portals of the tomb, that “through death He might destroy him that had
the power of death, that is, the devil.”(887) Lucifer’s desire for
self-exaltation had led him to say, “I will exalt my throne above the
stars of God: ... I will be like the Most High.” God declares, “I will
bring thee to ashes upon the earth, ... and never shalt thou be any
more.”(888) When “the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven, ... all the
proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that
cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave
them neither root nor branch.”(889)
The whole universe will have become witnesses to the nature and results of
sin. And its utter extermination, which in the beginning would have
brought fear to angels and dishonor to God, will now vindicate His love
and establish His honor before the universe of beings who delight to do
His will, and in whose heart is His law. Never will evil again be
manifest. Says the word of God, “Affliction shall not rise up the second
time.”(890) The law of God, which Satan has reproached as the yoke of
bondage, will be honored as the law of liberty. A tested and proved
creation will never again be turned from allegiance to Him whose character
has been fully manifested before them as fathomless love and infinite
wisdom.
30. ENMITY BETWEEN MAN AND SATAN.
[Illustration: Chapter header.]
“I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and
her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”(891)
The divine sentence pronounced against Satan after the fall of man, was
also a prophecy, embracing all the ages to the close of time, and
foreshadowing the great conflict to engage all the races of men who should
live upon the earth.
God declares, “I will put enmity.” This enmity is not naturally
entertained. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil,
and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. There exists
naturally no enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin. Both
became evil through apostasy. The apostate is never at rest, except as he
obtains sympathy and support by inducing others to follow his example. For
this reason, fallen angels and wicked men unite in desperate
companionship. Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have
entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity
against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition
to God.
Satan tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel, that he might
thus secure co-operation in his warfare against Heaven. There was no
dissension between himself and the fallen angels as regards their hatred
of Christ; while on all other points there was discord, they were firmly
united in opposing the authority of the Ruler of the universe. But when
Satan heard the declaration that enmity should exist between himself and
the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that his efforts to
deprave human nature would be interrupted; that by some means man was to
be enabled to resist his power.
Satan’s enmity against the human race is kindled, because, through Christ,
they are the objects of God’s love and mercy. He desires to thwart the
divine plan for man’s redemption, to cast dishonor upon God, by defacing
and defiling His handiwork; he would cause grief in heaven, and fill the
earth with woe and desolation. And he points to all this evil as the
result of God’s work in creating man.
It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man
enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power,
man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his
bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto
had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables man to resist the
tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it,
whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within,
displays the operation of a principle wholly from above.
The antagonism that exists between the spirit of Christ and the spirit of
Satan was most strikingly displayed in the world’s reception of Jesus. It
was not so much because He appeared without worldly wealth, pomp, or
grandeur, that the Jews were led to reject Him. They saw that He possessed
power which would more than compensate for the lack of these outward
advantages. But the purity and holiness of Christ called forth against Him
the hatred of the ungodly. His life of self-denial and sinless devotion
was a perpetual reproof to a proud, sensual people. It was this that
evoked enmity against the Son of God. Satan and evil angels joined with
evil men. All the energies of apostasy conspired against the Champion of
truth.
The same enmity is manifested toward Christ’s followers as was manifested
toward their Master. Whoever sees the repulsive character of sin, and in
strength from above resists temptation, will assuredly arouse the wrath of
Satan and his subjects. Hatred of the pure principles of truth, and
reproach and persecution of its advocates, will exist as long as sin and
sinners remain. The followers of Christ and the servants of Satan cannot
harmonize. The offense of the cross has not ceased. “All that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”(892)
Satan’s agents are constantly working under his direction to establish his
authority and build up his kingdom in opposition to the government of God.
To this end they seek to deceive Christ’s followers, and allure them from
their allegiance. Like their leader, they misconstrue and pervert the
Scriptures to accomplish their object. As Satan endeavored to cast
reproach upon God, so do his agents seek to malign God’s people. The
spirit which put Christ to death moves the wicked to destroy His
followers. All this is foreshadowed in that first prophecy, “I will put
enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” And
this will continue to the close of time.
Satan summons all his forces, and throws his whole power into the combat.
Why is it that he meets with no greater resistance? Why are the soldiers
of Christ so sleepy and indifferent? Because they have so little real
connection with Christ; because they are so destitute of His Spirit. Sin
is not to them repulsive and abhorrent, as it was to their Master. They do
not meet it, as did Christ, with decisive and determined resistance. They
do not realize the exceeding evil and malignity of sin, and they are
blinded both to the character and the power of the prince of darkness.
There is little enmity against Satan and his works, because there is so
great ignorance concerning his power and malice, and the vast extent of
his warfare against Christ and His church. Multitudes are deluded here.
They do not know that their enemy is a mighty general, who controls the
minds of evil angels, and that with well-matured plans and skilful
movements he is warring against Christ to prevent the salvation of souls.
Among professed Christians, and even among ministers of the gospel, there
is heard scarcely a reference to Satan, except perhaps an incidental
mention in the pulpit. They overlook the evidences of his continual
activity and success; they neglect the many warnings of his subtlety; they
seem to ignore his very existence.
While men are ignorant of his devices, this vigilant foe is upon their
track every moment. He is intruding his presence in every department of
the household, in every street of our cities, in the churches, in the
national councils, in the courts of justice, perplexing, deceiving,
seducing, everywhere ruining the souls and bodies of men, women, and
children, breaking up families, sowing hatred, emulation, strife,
sedition, murder. And the Christian world seem to regard these things as
though God had appointed them, and they must exist.
Satan is continually seeking to overcome the people of God by breaking
down the barriers which separate them from the world. Ancient Israel were
enticed into sin when they ventured into forbidden association with the
heathen. In a similar manner are modern Israel led astray. “The god of
this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them.”(893) All who are not decided followers of Christ are
servants of Satan. In the unregenerate heart there is love of sin, and a
disposition to cherish and excuse it. In the renewed heart there is hatred
of sin, and determined resistance against it. When Christians choose the
society of the ungodly and unbelieving, they expose themselves to
temptation. Satan conceals himself from view, and stealthily draws his
deceptive covering over their eyes. They cannot see that such company is
calculated to do them harm; and while all the time assimilating to the
world in character, words, and actions, they are becoming more and more
blinded.
Conformity to worldly customs converts the church to the world; it never
converts the world to Christ. Familiarity with sin will inevitably cause
it to appear less repulsive. He who chooses to associate with the servants
of Satan, will soon cease to fear their master. When in the way of duty we
are brought into trial, as was Daniel in the king’s court, we may be sure
that God will protect us; but if we place ourselves under temptation, we
shall fall sooner or later.
The tempter often works most successfully through those who are least
suspected of being under his control. The possessors of talent and
education are admired and honored, as if these qualities could atone for
the absence of the fear of God, or entitle men to His favor. Talent and
culture, considered in themselves, are gifts of God; but when these are
made to supply the place of piety, when, instead of bringing the soul
nearer to God, they lead away from Him, then they become a curse and a
snare. The opinion prevails with many that all which appears like courtesy
or refinement must, in some sense, pertain to Christ. Never was there a
greater mistake. These qualities should grace the character of every
Christian, for they would exert a powerful influence in favor of true
religion; but they must be consecrated to God, or they also are a power
for evil. Many a man of cultured intellect and pleasant manners, who would
not stoop to what is commonly regarded as an immoral act, is but a
polished instrument in the hands of Satan. The insidious, deceptive
character of his influence and example renders him a more dangerous enemy
to the cause of Christ than are those who are ignorant and uncultured.
By earnest prayer and dependence upon God, Solomon obtained the wisdom
which excited the wonder and admiration of the world. But when he turned
from the Source of his strength, and went forward relying upon himself, he
fell a prey to temptation. Then the marvelous powers bestowed on this
wisest of kings, only rendered him a more effective agent of the adversary
of souls.
While Satan is constantly seeking to blind their minds to the fact, let
Christians never forget that they “wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places.”(894) The
inspired warning is sounding down the centuries to our time: “Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour.”(895) “Put on the whole armor of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”(896)
From the days of Adam to our own time, our great enemy has been exercising
his power to oppress and destroy. He is now preparing for his last
campaign against the church. All who seek to follow Jesus will be brought
into conflict with this relentless foe. The more nearly the Christian
imitates the divine Pattern, the more surely will he make himself a mark
for the attacks of Satan. All who are actively engaged in the cause of
God, seeking to unveil the deceptions of the evil one and to present
Christ before the people, will be able to join in the testimony of Paul,
in which he speaks of serving the Lord with all humility of mind, with
many tears and temptations.
Satan assailed Christ with his fiercest and most subtle temptations; but
he was repulsed in every conflict. Those battles were fought in our
behalf; those victories make it possible for us to conquer. Christ will
give strength to all who seek it. No man without his own consent can be
overcome by Satan. The tempter has no power to control the will or to
force the soul to sin. He may distress, but he cannot contaminate. He can
cause agony, but not defilement. The fact that Christ has conquered should
inspire His followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against
sin and Satan.
31. AGENCY OF EVIL SPIRITS.
[Illustration: Chapter header.]
The connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration
of angels of God, and the agency of evil spirits, are plainly revealed in
the Scriptures, and inseparably interwoven with human history. There is a
growing tendency to disbelief in the existence of evil spirits, while the
holy angels that “minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation,”(897)
are regarded by many as the spirits of the dead. But the Scriptures not
only teach the existence of angels, both good and evil, but present
unquestionable proof that these are not the disembodied spirits of dead
men.
Before the creation of man, angels were in existence; for when the
foundations of the earth were laid, “the morning stars sang together, and
all the sons of God shouted for joy.”(898) After the fall of man, angels
were sent to guard the tree of life, and this before a human being had
died. Angels are in nature superior to men; for the psalmist says that man
was made “a little lower than the angels.”(899)
We are informed in Scripture as to the number, and the power and glory, of
the heavenly beings, of their connection with the government of God, and
also of their relation to the work of redemption. “The Lord hath prepared
His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.” And, says the
prophet, “I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne.” In the
presence-chamber of the King of kings they wait—“angels, that excel in
strength,” “ministers of His, that do His pleasure,” “hearkening unto the
voice of His word.”(900) Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of
thousands, were the heavenly messengers beheld by the prophet Daniel. The
apostle Paul declared them “an innumerable company.”(901) As God’s
messengers they go forth, like “the appearance of a flash of
lightning,”(902) so dazzling their glory, and so swift their flight. The
angel that appeared at the Saviour’s tomb, his countenance “like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow,” caused the keepers for fear of
him to quake, and they “became as dead men.”(903) When Sennacherib, the
haughty Assyrian, reproached and blasphemed God, and threatened Israel
with destruction, “it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord
went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and
five thousand.” There were “cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the
leaders and captains,” from the army of Sennacherib. “So he returned with
shame of face to his own land.”(904)
Angels are sent on missions of mercy to the children of God. To Abraham,
with promises of blessing; to the gates of Sodom, to rescue righteous Lot
from its fiery doom; to Elijah, as he was about to perish from weariness
and hunger in the desert; to Elisha, with chariots and horses of fire
surrounding the little town where he was shut in by his foes; to Daniel,
while seeking divine wisdom in the court of a heathen king, or abandoned
to become the lions’ prey; to Peter, doomed to death in Herod’s dungeon;
to the prisoners at Philippi; to Paul and his companions in the night of
tempest on the sea; to open the mind of Cornelius to receive the gospel;
to dispatch Peter with the message of salvation to the Gentile
stranger,—thus holy angels have, in all ages, ministered to God’s people.
A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. These heavenly
watchers shield the righteous from the power of the wicked one. This Satan
himself recognized when he said, “Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast not
Thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he
hath on every side?”(905) The agency by which God protects His people is
presented in the words of the psalmist, “The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”(906) Said the
Saviour, speaking of those that believe in Him, “Take heed that ye despise
not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their
angels do always behold the face of My Father.”(907) The angels appointed
to minister to the children of God have at all times access to His
presence.
Thus God’s people, exposed to the deceptive power and unsleeping malice of
the prince of darkness, and in conflict with all the forces of evil, are
assured of the unceasing guardianship of heavenly angels. Nor is such
assurance given without need. If God has granted to His children promise
of grace and protection, it is because there are mighty agencies of evil
to be met,—agencies numerous, determined, and untiring, of whose malignity
and power none can safely be ignorant or unheeding.
Evil spirits, in the beginning created sinless, were equal in nature,
power, and glory with the holy beings that are now God’s messengers. But
fallen through sin, they are leagued together for the dishonor of God and
the destruction of men. United with Satan in his rebellion, and with him
cast out from heaven, they have, through all succeeding ages, co-operated
with him in his warfare against the divine authority. We are told in
Scripture of their confederacy and government, of their various orders, of
their intelligence and subtlety, and of their malicious designs against
the peace and happiness of men.
Old Testament history presents occasional mentions of their existence and
agency; but it was during the time when Christ was upon the earth that
evil spirits manifested their power in the most striking manner. Christ
had come to enter upon the plan devised for man’s redemption, and Satan
determined to assert his right to control the world. He had succeeded in
establishing idolatry in every part of the earth except the land of
Palestine. To the only land that had not fully yielded to the tempter’s
sway, Christ came to shed upon the people the light of heaven. Here two
rival powers claimed supremacy. Jesus was stretching out His arms of love,
inviting all who would to find pardon and peace in Him. The hosts of
darkness saw that they did not possess unlimited control, and they
understood that if Christ’s mission should be successful, their rule was
soon to end. Satan raged like a chained lion, and defiantly exhibited his
power over the bodies as well as the souls of men.
The fact that men have been possessed with demons, is clearly stated in
the New Testament. The persons thus afflicted were not merely suffering
with disease from natural causes. Christ had perfect understanding of that
with which He was dealing, and He recognized the direct presence and
agency of evil spirits.