When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. DA 324.1
The great controversy between the two great powers is soon to be ended, and up to the time of its close there will be a wonderful, sharp contest. It is the time now to purpose, as did Daniel and his fellows in the courts of Babylon, that you will be true to principle. The flaming fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than it was wont did not swerve [the three Hebrews] from their principles. They held firm, and were cast into the furnace of fire. The form of the Fourth was with them, and even the smell of fire was not upon their garments. The gaping den of lions was open to receive the faithful, praying Daniel, but did he hide his purpose? Did he haul down his colors? Three times a day, as was his wont, he sought his Lord in his chamber with his window open toward Jerusalem. God delivered Daniel. 1888 943.2
Satan endeavored to keep hidden from the world the great atoning sacrifice which reveals the law in all its sacred dignity, and impresses hearts with the force of its binding claims. He was warring against the work of Christ, and united all his evil angels with human instrumentalities in opposition to that work. But while he was carrying on this work, heavenly intelligences were combining with human instrumentalities in the work of restoration. The cross stands as the great center of the world, bearing a certain testimony that the cross of Christ will be the condemnation of every transgressor of the law of God. Here are the two great powers, the power of truth and righteousness and the working of Satan to make of none effect the law of God. The human agent, magnetized by the power of Satan, works in the lines of the enemy; the Saviour employs His human instrumentalities to be laborers together with God. Ms61-1899.21
We have all the way along known that this battle must come and the two great powers, the Prince of Darkness and the Prince of Light, will be in close battle, and not one of God’s people who understand the truth, if in the light where God would have them to stand, will teach by precept or example any soul to shirk now. Give them strengthening Bible diet and Bible duty to strengthen and brace the soul for the coming conflict. But there will be need at this time of men who have been leaders in this work of keeping step where Jesus leads the way. If they do not walk in the light as Christ leads the way and advance with the increasing light of the third angel’s message, they will surely become blind leaders of the blind. (Exodus 31:12-17). 1888 478.1
The two great powers in controversy are working, one from beneath, the other from above. Every man is under the secret influence of the one or the other, and his acts will reveal the character of the inspiration from which they proceed. Those who are united with Christ will work always in Christ’s lines. Those who are in union with Satan will work under the inspiration of their leader, opposed to the Holy Spirit’s power and action. The will of man is left free to act, and by action is revealed what spirit is moving upon the heart. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” 1888 1508.1
Here is the great issue. Here are the two great powers confronting each other, the Prince of God, Jesus Christ, and the prince of darkness, Satan. Here comes the open conflict. There are but two classes in the world, and every human being will range under one of the two banners, the banner of the prince of darkness, or the banner of Jesus Christ. Lt38-1894.9
All kinds of changes are to take place in our world. The two great powers are in controversy. The powers of Satan are being constantly exercised lest the stewards to whom has been entrusted property shall treat it as if it were the Lord’s, lest they shall listen for His voice for counsel and direction as to the bestowal of His own goods. If Satan can induce these stewards to act as if this property were their own, to invest in houses or land, so that when the Lord calls for His means it is tied up and hid in the earth, the cause of God is hindered, and the enemy triumphs. Satan will move upon the minds of those who believe the truth, but who are not viewing their responsibilities to God in a correct light, to be pleasure-loving, to exalt themselves, to use the precious treasure of means to please their own fancies in many ways that are contrary to the will of God. This hurts the one who thus indulges himself in the outlay of the means that is needed in the Lord’s work. Ms21-1898.10
Now we want to understand that there are two great powers in this world. Satan is working with all his hellish power to get in operation the indulgence of appetites and passions, and the saloons, and all these things to tempt the human appetite. When it comes to the judgment, everyone is judged according to the deeds that are done in the body, there they see how many drunkards they have made, how many murders these drunkards have committed, and the misery that has been brought in their homes. God has nothing to do to help that along. It is the devil. Now we want to understand how we shall escape the snares of the devil. Here is the precious, precious Word. You are to keep the commandments of God, and love His law as the apple of your eye. Ms153-1904.35
Two great powers are now on the field of battle. Satan, who at one time stood next to Christ in the courts of heaven, has become the adversary of man. Before the fall of Lucifer, he aspired for the supremacy that had been given to Christ, who was one with the Father in the government of heaven. There was war in heaven, and Satan and all the rebellious angels he had deceived were overcome. Those who had opposed the will of God in appointing Christ as the chief ruler were cast out of the heavenly courts, and since that time they have been warring against the Most High. Lt24-1910.4
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