The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 414

The European Union in Prophecy
32. Deadly Deceptions Exposed
The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward
for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts
to defeat the work of Christ in man's behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold
the people in darkness and impenitence till the Saviour's mediation is ended, and
there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish. When
there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the
church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those
whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal
things, and souls are inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?" he is on the ground,
seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence
of the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the angels of God came to
present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among them (Job 1:6), not to
bow before the Eternal King, but to further his own malicious designs against the
righteous. With the same object, he is in attendance when men assemble for the
worship of God. Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control
the minds of the worshipers. Like a skillful general he lays his plans beforehand. As
he sees the messenger of God searching the Scriptures, he takes note of the subject to
be presented to the people. Then he employs all his cunning and shrewdness so to
control circumstances that the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving on
that very point. The one who most needs the warning will be urged into some business
transaction which requires his presence, or will by some other means be prevented
from hearing the words that might prove to him a savor of life unto life.
Again, Satan sees the Lord's servants burdened because of the spiritual
darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears their earnest prayers for divine grace
and power to break the spell of indifference, carelessness, and indolence. Then with
renewed zeal he plies his arts. He tempts men to the indulgence of appetite or to some
other form of self-gratification, and thus benumbs their sensibilities so that they fail
to hear the very things which they most need to learn. Satan well knows that all
whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be
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