The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 514

of the wicked one. This Satan himself recognized when he said: “Doth
Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and
about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?” Job 1:9, 10.
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.” Psalm 34:7. 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.” Matthew 18:10. 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 mention 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

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