the great controversy-第129章
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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
metagencies 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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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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permitted to sweep a herd of swine into the sea； and to the dwellers of
Gadara the loss of these outweighed the blessings which Christ had bestowed；
and the divine Healer was entreated to depart。 This was the result which
Satan designed to secure。 By casting the blame of their loss upon Jesus； he
aroused the selfish fears of the people and prevented them from listening to
His words。 Satan is constantly accusing Christians as the cause of loss；
misfortune； and suffering； instead of allowing the reproach to fall where it
belongs upon himself and his agents。
But the purposes of Christ were not thwarted。 He allowed the evil spirits to
destroy the herd of swine as a rebuke to those Jews who were raising these
unclean beasts for the sake of gain。 Had not Christ restrained the demons；
they would have plunged into the sea； not only the swine； but also their
keepers and owners。 The preservation of both the keepers and the owners was
due alone to His power； mercifully exercised for their deliverance。
Furthermore； this event was permitted to take place that the disciples might
witness the cruel power of Satan upon both man and beast。 The Saviour
desired His followers to have a knowledge of the foe whom they were to meet；
that they might not be deceived and overcome by his devices。 It was also His
will that the people of that region should behold His power to break the
bondage of Satan and release his captives。 And though Jesus Himself
departed； the men so marvelously delivered； remained to declare the mercy of
their Benefactor。
Other instances of a similar nature are recorded in the Scriptures。 The
daughter of the Syrophoenician woman was grievously vexed with a devil； whom
Jesus cast out by His word。 （Mark 7：26…30）。 〃One possessed with a devil；
blind； and dumb〃 （Matthew 12：22； a youth who had a dumb spirit； that
ofttimes 〃cast him into the fire； and into the waters； to destroy him〃 （Mark
9：17…27）； the maniac who； tormented by 〃a spirit of an unclean devil〃 （Luke
4：33…36）； disturbed the Sabbath quiet of the synagogue at Capernaumall
were
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healed by the compassionate Saviour。 In nearly every instance； Christ
addressed the demon as an intelligent entity； commanding him to come out of
his victim and to torment him no more。 The worshipers at Capernaum；
beholding His mighty power； 〃were all amazed； and spake among themselves；
saying； What a word is this！ for with authority and power He commandeth the
unclean spirits； and they come out。〃 Luke 4：36。
Those possessed with devils are usually represented as being in a condition
of great suffering； yet there were exceptions to this rule。 For the sake of
obtaining supernatural power； some welcomed the satanic influence。 These of
course had no conflict with the demons。 Of this class were those who
possessed the spirit of divination；Simon Magus； Elymas the sorcerer； and
the damsel who followed Paul and Silas at Philippi。
None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those
who； notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures； deny
the existence and agency of the devil and his angels。 So long as we are
ignorant of their wiles； they have almost inconceivable advantage； many give
heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the
dictates of their own wisdom。 This is why； as we approach the close of time；
when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy； he spreads
everywhere the belief that he does not exist。 It is his policy to conceal
himself and his manner of working。
There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall
become acquainted with his devices。 The better to disguise his real
character and purposes； he has caused himself to be so represented as to
excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt。 He is well pleased to
be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object； misshapen； half animal and
half human。 He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery by
those who think themselves intelligent and well informed。
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It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that the question
is so widely asked： 〃Does such a being really exist？〃 It is an evidence of
his success that theories giving the lie to the plainest testimony of the
Scriptures are so generally received in the religious world。 And it is
because Satan can most readily control the minds of those who are
unconscious of his influence； that the word of God gives us so many examples
of his malignant work； unveiling before us his secret forces； and thus
placing us on our guard against his assaults。
The power and malice of Sa
