MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
November 22, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 45
MAN’S VIGILANT ENEMY IS TRACKING HIM EVERY MOMENT EVERYWHERE
“By their fruits ye shall know them.” See Matt. 7: 16-20, KJV. Both Jesus Christ and Satan and their respective PERSONS are currently invisible to mortal eyes. (Their respective appointed times, manner, and appearance are specified in prophecy). The ascended Savior of man is still in the most holy in heaven, closing out His intercessory work as merciful High Priest and righteous Judge of all the earth. Christ’s actual Presence on earth is resident in and manifested by the invisible Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead.
On the other hand, Satan, the enemy of God and man, is “the central power on the earth,” directing and implementing his “wrathful” plans and works through his “grand masterpiece of deception” on earth called the “man of sin,” “the son of perdition” of “the mystery of iniquity.” 2 Thess. 2: 2-12, etc.
Now this:
“While men are ignorant of his devices [‘unnumbered schemes’], this VIGILANT FOE is upon their track every moment. He is intruding his presence in every department of the HOUSEHOLD, in every STREET of our cities, in the CHURCHES, in the NATIONAL COUNCILS, in the COURTS OF JUSTICE—perplexing, deceiving, seducing, everywhere ruining the souls and bodies of men, women, and children, breaking up families, SOWING hatred, emulation, strife, sedition, murder.
“And the CHRISTIAN WORLD [mainstream Christianity] seems to regard these things as though God had appointed them, and they must exist. [one of the many ways of transgressing the second commandment of the Ten, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exo 20: 7; Deut. 5: 11, etc. SATAN’S STRATEGY AGAINST GOD’S PEOPLE
“Satan is continually seeking to overcome the people of God by BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS which separate them from the world [1 Pet. 1:9: Deut.14:2; cf. Rom. 12: 1, 2]. “Ancient ISRAEL were enticed into sin when they ventured into FORBIDDEN association with the heathen [‘Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers.’ 1 Cor. 6: 15-20; cf. James 4: 4; 1 John 2: 15-17]. In similar manner are MODERN ISRAEL led astray. [2 Cor. 4:4 quoted. Read!]. ALL WHO ARE NOT DECIDED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE SERVANTS OF SATAN.” -E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed.. p. 508, Pacific Press Asso. [all emphasis and words in brackets mine].
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.