The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 515

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.
A striking example of their number, power, and malignity, and also
of the power and mercy of Christ, is given in the Scripture account of the
healing of the demoniacs at Gadara. Those wretched maniacs, spurning
all restraint, writhing, foaming, raging, were filling the air with their
cries, doing violence to themselves, and endangering all who should
approach them. Their bleeding and disfigured bodies and distracted
minds presented a spectacle well pleasing to the prince of darkness. One
of the demons controlling the sufferers declared: “My name is Legion:
for we are many.” Mark 5:9. In the Roman army a legion consisted
of from three to five thousand men. Satan’s hosts also are marshaled
in companies, and the single company to which these demons belonged
numbered no less than a legion.
At the command of Jesus the evil spirits departed from their victims,
leaving them calmly sitting at the Saviour’s feet, subdued, intelligent,
and gentle. But the demons were

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