The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 626
were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the
greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is “the great power of
God.” Acts 8:10.
But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this
false Christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is
pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very
class upon whom the Bible declares that God’s unmingled wrath shall
be poured out.
And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner
of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception
upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second
coming. “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall
show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they
shall deceive the very elect.... Wherefore if they shall say unto you,
Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret
chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east,
and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of
man be.” Matthew 24:24-27, 31; 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians
4:16, 17. This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be
universally known—witnessed by the whole world.
Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and
who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the
powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony
these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time
will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be
revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His
word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would
they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? Satan will, if
possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day.
He will so arrange affairs as to hedge up their way, entangle them with
earthly treasures, cause them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that
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