MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 25, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 41
SATAN’S AGENCIES CARRY FORWARD HIS ENMITY AGAINST CHRIST TOWARDS HIS FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS
“REMEMBER the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. . . . he that hateth Me [and His faithful agencies, followers] hateth the FATHER also.” John 15: 20, 23, KJV (emphasis provided). In these most solemn, closing hours of earth’s probation, I thank and praise God for mercifully and wisely giving us the final “Testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophecy” (Rev. 12; 17; 19: 10). Through the inspired pen we obtain advancing spiritual enlightenment regarding what the great controversy and the plan of redemption of the gospel, including specifics on what “putting on the whole armor of God” in order “to fight the good fight of faith” and “overcome even as He overcame” (as produced by the enmity God Creator first put between Satan and man in the garden of Eden)—comprehends, not merely doctrinally and intellectually, but in practical, real-life spiritual application:
“Satan’s agents are CONSTANTLY WORKING under his direction” —- [while the ‘ten virgins professing to be waiting for the Bridegroom’s grand appearing have fallen asleep in the midnight of the prophetic-parable of Matt. 25]—“to establish his authority and build up his kingdom IN OPPOSITION for the government of God.
“To this end they [Satan’s agents] seek to DECEIVE Christ’s followers, and ALLURE them from their allegiance [to God and His law]. Like their leader they MiSCONSTRUE and PERVERT the Scriptures to accomplish their object. As Satan endeavored to cast REPROACH upon God, so do his agents seek to MALIGN God’s people.
“The SPIRIT [attitude, motive, character] which put Christ to death moves the wicked to DESTROY His followers. All this is FORESHADOWED in that FIRST PROPHECY, ‘I will put enmity between thee [the serpent, Satan in his first disguise, medium] and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.’ [Gen. 3:15]. Such is the WORK that will be carried out in the great controversy between Christ and Satan [and their respective ‘seed’ agencies and followers] to the CLOSE OF TIME.” – E. G. White, Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, Great Controversy, 1884 original edition, Pacific Press, Facsimile Reproduction
To be continued next week, God willing. Bless all, NMF.