Satanic Miracles—2

As the people of God approach the perils of the last days, Satan holds earnest consultation with his angels as to the most successful plan of overthrowing their faith. He sees that the popular churches are already lulled to sleep by his deceptive power. By pleasing sophistry and lying wonders he can continue to hold them under his control. Therefore he directs his angels to lay their snares especially for those who are looking for the second advent of Christ and endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God.

We are warned that in the last days he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will continue these wonders until the close of probation, that he may point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light and not of darkness.

Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God.

It is the lying wonders of the devil that will take the world captive, and he will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men. He is to work miracles; and this wonderful, miracle-working power is to sweep in the whole world.

Some will be tempted to receive these wonders as from God. The sick will be healed before us. Miracles will be performed in our sight. Are we prepared for the trial which awaits us when the lying wonders of Satan shall be more fully exhibited? Will not many souls be ensnared and taken? By departing from the plain precepts and commandments of God, and giving heed to fables, the minds of many are preparing to receive these lying wonders. We must all now seek to arm ourselves for the contest in which we must soon engage. Faith in God’s word, prayerfully studied and practically applied, will be our shield from Satan’s power and will bring us off conquerors through the blood of Christ.

Maranatha p. 208
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Prayer Requests
—–J’s heart is failing. Please keep her in prayer. M
—–Please pray for two ladies who have been missing since March 26.
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Dear Friends,

Until I was five, my Auntie Joyce still lived with my grandparents. Since my grandparents had adopted me when I was a baby, I lived there too. She loved children and considered them all special, but I was extra special to her. Every week when she got paid, she would go to the store and buy me something because she loved me so much.

When I was just a toddler, I often set these gifts aside and played with the box. Even after I got older, her gifts were enjoyed but not appreciated. I was too young to realize all the expense and planning that went into some of her gifts. Gilmore’s Department Store was a very expensive store in Kalamazoo where we lived. Auntie Joyce thought that nothing was too good for me, so she got my presents there.

One time, when I was still a baby, she saw a portable dollhouse with very expensive and had realistic furnishings. Each week she would buy one piece of furniture, so that by the time I was old enough to enjoy playing with it, I would have the complete set. How I loved that dollhouse! Yet, in all the years I played with it, I can never remember really thanking Auntie Joyce for it or for any of the other lovely things she bought me. Oh, I said “thankyou,” because I had been taught to be polite; but really I took her gifts for granted.

How many times we do the same to our Heavenly Father. We are told, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt 5:45 Jesus assures us, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” luke 12:6,7 David exclaimed, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Ps 56:8; 139:16,17 What comfort and joy His tender watchcare should give us! Yet, how often do we enjoy His blessings with scarcely a thought of thankfulness to Him.

Worse still in our ingratitude, are the times we are content to “play with the box” when the Gift is right beside us awaiting our acceptance. Think of it! The Great King of the Universe loves us so much that He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, to suffer and die for us. (John 3:16, 17) Yet, how often we take this Greatest Gift for granted. (2 Cor 9:15) Are we really thankful for the unspeakable sacrifice He made for us? Do we feel thankfulness and love for His goodness welling up within our hearts? “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thes 5:18 “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Ps 107:1-22

May our eyes be opened to His abundant blessings He showers upon us each day. May we continually praise Him from a heart filled with love and gratitude. May we, someday soon, meet Him in the clouds of the air and face to face thank Him for His redeeming love.