{"id":17549,"date":"2023-08-20T23:12:01","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T16:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hangtotgiare.com\/?page_id=17549"},"modified":"2023-12-05T17:20:26","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T10:20:26","slug":"c31","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c31\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 31\u2014Agency of Evil Spirits"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"dropdown\">\n<p><button onclick=\"myFunction()\" class=\"dropbtn\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Chapter 31\u2014Agency of Evil Spirits<\/span><\/strong><\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"myDropdown\" class=\"dropdown-content\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/\">The Great Controversy 1911<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width:1%!important\">Page<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/intro\/\">Introduction<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">5<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c1\/\">Chapter 1\u2014The Destruction of Jerusalem<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">17<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c2\/\">Chapter 2\u2014Persecution in the First Centuries<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">39<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c3\/\">Chapter 3\u2014An Era of Spiritual Darkness<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">39<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c4\/\">Chapter 4\u2014The Waldenses<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">49<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c5\/\">Chapter 5\u2014John Wycliffe<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">79<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c6\/\">Chapter 6\u2014Huss and Jerome<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">97<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c7\/\">Chapter 7\u2014Luther&#8217;s Separation From Rome<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">120<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c8\/\">Chapter 8\u2014Luther Before the Diet<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">145<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c9\/\">Chapter 9\u2014The Swiss Reformer<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">171<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c10\/\">Chapter 10\u2014Progress of Reform in Germany<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">185<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c11\/\">Chapter 11\u2014Protest of the Princes<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">197<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c12\/\">Chapter 12\u2014The French Reformation<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">211<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c13\/\">Chapter 13\u2014The Netherlands and Scandinavia<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">237<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c14\/\">Chapter 14\u2014Later English Reformers<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">245<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c15\/\">Chapter 15\u2014The Bible and the French Revolution<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">265<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c16\/\">Chapter 16\u2014The Pilgrim Fathers<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">289<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c17\/\">Chapter 17\u2014Heralds of the Morning<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">299<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c18\/\">Chapter 18\u2014An American Reformer<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">317<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c19\/\">Chapter 19\u2014Light Through Darkness<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">343<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c20\/\">Chapter 20\u2014A Great Religious Awakening<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">355<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c21\/\">Chapter 21\u2014A Warning Rejected<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">375<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c22\/\">Chapter 22\u2014Prophecies Fulfilled<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">391<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c23\/\">Chapter 23\u2014What is the Sanctuary?<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">409<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c24\/\">Chapter 24\u2014In the Holy of Holies<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">423<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c25\/\">Chapter 25\u2014God&#8217;s Law Immutable<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">433<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c26\/\">Chapter 26\u2014A Work of Reform<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">451<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c27\/\">Chapter 27\u2014Modern Revivals<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">461<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c28\/\">Chapter 28\u2014Facing Life&#8217;s Record<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">479<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c29\/\">Chapter 29\u2014The Origin of Evil<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">492<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c30\/\">Chapter 30\u2014Enmity Between Man and Satan<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">505<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c31\/\">Chapter 31\u2014Agency of Evil Spirits<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">511<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c32\/\">Chapter 32\u2014Snares of Satan<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">518<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c33\/\">Chapter 33\u2014The First Great Deception<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">531<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c34\/\">Chapter 34\u2014Can Our Dead Speak to Us?<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">551<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c35\/\">Chapter 35\u2014Liberty of Conscience Threatened<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">563<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c36\/\">Chapter 36\u2014The Impending Conflict<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">582<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c37\/\">Chapter 37\u2014The Scriptures a Safeguard<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">593<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c38\/\">Chapter 38\u2014The Final Warning<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">603<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c39\/\">Chapter 39\u2014The Time of Trouble<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">613<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c40\/\">Chapter 40\u2014God&#8217;s People Delivered<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">635<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c41\/\">Chapter 41\u2014Desolation of the Earth<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">653<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c42\/\">Chapter 42\u2014The Controversy Ended<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">662<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<tr><strong><\/p>\n<td style=\"width:99%!important;text-align:left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/appendix\/\">Appendix<\/a><\/td>\n<td class=\"bookmenu\">679<\/td>\n<p><\/strong><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration of angels of God, and the agency of evil spirits, are plainly revealed in the Scriptures, and inseparably interwoven with human history. There is a growing tendency to disbelief in the existence of evil spirits, while the holy angels that \u201cminister for them who shall be heirs of salvation\u201d (Hebrews 1:14) are regarded by many as spirits of the dead. But the Scriptures not only teach the existence of angels, both good and evil, but present unquestionable proof that these are not disembodied spirits of dead men. {GC 511.1}<\/p>\n<p>Before the creation of man, angels were in existence; for when the foundations of the earth were laid, \u201cthe morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.\u201d Job 38:7. After the fall of man, angels were sent to guard the tree of life, and this before a human being had died. Angels are in nature superior to men, for the psalmist says that man was made \u201ca little lower than the angels.\u201d Psalm 8:5. {GC 511.2}<\/p>\n<p>We are informed in Scripture as to the number, and the power and glory, of the heavenly beings, of their connection with the government of God, and also of their relation to the work of redemption. \u201cThe Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.\u201d And, says the prophet, \u201cI heard the voice of many angels round about the throne.\u201d In the presence chamber of the King of kings they wait\u2014\u201cangels, that excel in strength,\u201d \u201cministers of His, that do His pleasure,\u201d \u201chearkening unto the voice of His word.\u201d Psalm 103:19-21; Revelation 5:11. Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, were the heavenly messengers beheld by the prophet Daniel. The apostle Paul declared them \u201can innumerable company.\u201d Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:22. As God&#8217;s messengers they go forth, like \u201cthe appearance of a flash of lightning,\u201d (Ezekiel 1:14), so dazzling their glory, and so swift their flight. The angel that appeared at the Saviour&#8217;s tomb, his countenance \u201clike lightning, and his raiment white as snow,\u201d caused the keepers for fear of him to quake, and they \u201cbecame as dead men.\u201d Matthew 28:3, 4. When Sennacherib, the haughty Assyrian, reproached and blasphemed God, and threatened Israel with destruction, \u201cit came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand.\u201d There were \u201ccut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains,\u201d from the army of Sennacherib. \u201cSo he returned with shame of face to his own land.\u201d 2 Kings 19:35; 2 Chronicles 32:21. {GC 511.3}<\/p>\n<p>Angels are sent on missions of mercy to the children of God. To Abraham, with promises of blessing; to the gates of Sodom, to rescue righteous Lot from its fiery doom; to Elijah, as he was about to perish from weariness and hunger in the desert; to Elisha, with chariots and horses of fire surrounding the little town where he was shut in by his foes; to Daniel, while seeking divine wisdom in the court of a heathen king, or abandoned to become the lions\u2019 prey; to Peter, doomed to death in Herod&#8217;s dungeon; to the prisoners at Philippi; to Paul and his companions in the night of tempest on the sea; to open the mind of Cornelius to receive the gospel; to dispatch Peter with the message of salvation to the Gentile stranger\u2014thus holy angels have, in all ages, ministered to God&#8217;s people. {GC 512.1}<\/p>\n<p>A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. These heavenly watchers shield the righteous from the power of the wicked one. This Satan himself recognized when he said: \u201cDoth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?\u201d Job 1:9, 10. The agency by which God protects His people is presented in the words of the psalmist: \u201cThe angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.\u201d Psalm 34:7. Said the Saviour, speaking of those that believe in Him: \u201cTake heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father.\u201d Matthew 18:10. The angels appointed to minister to the children of God have at all times access to His presence. {GC 512.2}<\/p>\n<p>Thus God&#8217;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 met\u2014agencies numerous, determined, and untiring, of whose malignity and power none can safely be ignorant or unheeding. {GC 513.1}<\/p>\n<p>Evil spirits, in the beginning created sinless, were equal in nature, power, and glory with the holy beings that are now God&#8217;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. {GC 513.2}<\/p>\n<p>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 upon the plan devised for man&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;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. {GC 513.3}<\/p>\n<p>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. {GC 514.1}<\/p>\n<p>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: \u201cMy name is Legion: for we are many.\u201d Mark 5:9. In the Roman army a legion consisted of from three to five thousand men. Satan&#8217;s hosts also are marshaled in companies, and the single company to which these demons belonged numbered no less than a legion. {GC 514.2}<\/p>\n<p>At the command of Jesus the evil spirits departed from their victims, leaving them calmly sitting at the Saviour&#8217;s feet, subdued, intelligent, and gentle. But the demons were 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\u2014upon himself and his agents. {GC 514.3}<\/p>\n<p>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. {GC 515.1}<\/p>\n<p>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). \u201cOne possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb\u201d (Matthew 12:22); a youth who had a dumb spirit, that ofttimes \u201ccast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him\u201d (Mark 9:17-27); the maniac who, tormented by \u201ca spirit of an unclean devil\u201d (Luke 4:33-36), disturbed the Sabbath quiet of the synagogue at Capernaum\u2014all were 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, \u201cwere 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.\u201d Luke 4:36. {GC 515.2}<\/p>\n<p>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,\u2014Simon Magus, Elymas the sorcerer, and the damsel who followed Paul and Silas at Philippi. {GC 516.1}<\/p>\n<p>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. {GC 516.2}<\/p>\n<p>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. {GC 516.3}<\/p>\n<p>It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that the question is so widely asked: \u201cDoes such a being really exist?\u201d 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. {GC 517.1}<\/p>\n<p>The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan&#8217;s temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His people. {GC 517.2}<\/p>\n<div class=\"previous\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c30\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex\">\n<svg class=\"reader-arrow h-100 ma0 pa0\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path transform=\"rotate(180, 12, 12)\" stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"0\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" fill=\"#888888\" d=\"M 9.07,17.44 L 14.4,12.1 14.4,12.1 C 14.6,11.91 14.6,11.59 14.4,11.4 L 9.09,6.08 9.09,6.08 C 8.7,5.7 8.7,5.08 9.09,4.69 L 9.09,4.69 9.09,4.69 C 9.47,4.31 10.09,4.31 10.47,4.69 L 16.85,11.07 16.85,11.07 C 17.24,11.46 17.24,12.09 16.85,12.49 L 10.49,18.85 10.49,18.85 C 10.09,19.24 9.46,19.24 9.07,18.85 L 9.07,18.85 9.07,18.85 C 8.68,18.46 8.68,17.83 9.07,17.44 Z M 9.07,17.44\"><\/path><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"next\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mtb.online\/de\/spirit-of-prophecy\/the-great-controversy-1911\/c32\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex\">\n<svg class=\"reader-arrow\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path transform=\"rotate(0, 12, 12)\" stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"0\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" fill=\"#888888\" d=\"M 9.07,17.44 L 14.4,12.1 14.4,12.1 C 14.6,11.91 14.6,11.59 14.4,11.4 L 9.09,6.08 9.09,6.08 C 8.7,5.7 8.7,5.08 9.09,4.69 L 9.09,4.69 9.09,4.69 C 9.47,4.31 10.09,4.31 10.47,4.69 L 16.85,11.07 16.85,11.07 C 17.24,11.46 17.24,12.09 16.85,12.49 L 10.49,18.85 10.49,18.85 C 10.09,19.24 9.46,19.24 9.07,18.85 L 9.07,18.85 9.07,18.85 C 8.68,18.46 8.68,17.83 9.07,17.44 Z M 9.07,17.44\"><\/path><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 31\u2014Agency of Evil Spirits The Great Controversy 1911 Page Introduction 5 Chapter 1\u2014The Destruction of Jerusalem 17 Chapter 2\u2014Persecution in the First Centuries 39 Chapter 3\u2014An Era of Spiritual Darkness 39 Chapter 4\u2014The Waldenses 49 Chapter 5\u2014John Wycliffe 79 Chapter 6\u2014Huss and Jerome 97 Chapter 7\u2014Luther&#8217;s Separation From Rome 120 Chapter 8\u2014Luther Before the&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":17446,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17549","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - 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