Satan’s Most Powerful Deceptive Force

“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty
men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares
into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.”
Joel 3:9, 10.
Marching to war
l. What powerful struggle is conducted by Satan during the
period of the seventh trumpet? Revelation 20:7, 9.
“At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves
on–an army such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as
the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could never equal.
Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their
forces for this final struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the
multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its appointed leader. With
military precision, the serried ranks advance over the earth’s broken and
uneven surface to the city of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the
New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city, and
make ready for the onset.” –The Great Controversy, p. 664.
2. What do the powers of darkness try to achieve with the wars
occurring during the time of the seventh trumpet, even if
not always visible? Revelation 17:13.
“There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will
be recognized in the Judgment–those who violate God’s law, and those who
keep His law. Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great
battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side
bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands. On the other side
stands the Prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and
rebellion.” –The Review and Herald, May 7, 1901.
The battLe of armageddon
3. Against whom are these wars actually fought? When will
they reach their climax? Revelation 17:14; 16:12-16.
“The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is
written the name, King of kings, and Lord of lords, is soon to lead forth the
armies of heaven.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 406.
“We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of
evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has
a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with
the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good
and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will
take the field.
“Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite
their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and
attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have
been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final
contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or
the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and
that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise
virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps….” –Maranatha, p. 257.
the time of wrath
4. From the beginning of the seventh trumpet, upon whom
does Satan pour his wrath? How is this shown? Revelation
12:12. What does the Bible call those who participate in
these wars? Revelation 11:8, first part.
“Everything in our world is in agitation. There are wars and rumors
of wars. The nations are angry, and the time of the dead has come, that
they should be judged. Events are changing to bring about the day of God,
which hasteth greatly. Only a moment of time, as it were, yet remains.
But while already nation is rising against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom, there is not now a general engagement. As yet the four winds are
held until the servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the
powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle.” –Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 6, p. 14.
“I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to
judge the dead, were separate and distinct, one following the other; also
that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never
was, had not yet commenced. The nations are now getting angry, but when
our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up,
put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be
poured out.” –Life Sketches, p. 117.
5. What was thus buried, and how was false Christianity unmasked forever? Revelation 18:10.
“‘Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her
iniquities…. In the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much
she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow
give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and
shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death,
and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for
strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who
have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail
her, and lament for her,… saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that
mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.’ Revelation 18:5-10.”
–The Great Controversy, p. 653.
ResponsibiLity and consequences
6. How does Heaven consider those who defile the earth with
terrible wars and false doctrines? What will every one of
them reap? Isaiah 24:4-6; Revelation 18:10; Galatians 6:7.
“These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous.
Destruction will be upon both man and beast. ‘The earth mourneth
and fadeth away,’ ‘the haughty people … do languish. The earth also is
defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the
laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.’ Isaiah 24:4, 5….
“‘The Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the
earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no
more cover her slain.’ Isaiah 26:21…. In the mad strife of their own fierce
passions, and by the awful outpouring of God’s unmingled wrath, fall the
wicked inhabitants of the earth–priests, rulers, and people, rich and poor,
high and low.” –The Great Controversy, pp. 590, 656, 657.
“I entreat you to be wise, and consider what will be the result of leading
a wild life, uncontrolled by the Spirit of God. ‘Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he
that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.’ For your soul’s
sake, for Christ’s sake, who gave Himself to save you from ruin, pause
on the threshold of your life, and weigh well your responsibilities, your
opportunities, your possibilities. God has given you an opportunity to fill
a high destiny. Your influence may tell for the truth of God; you may be a
co-laborer with God in the great work of human redemption.” –Messages
to Young People, p. 21.
Conspiracy and its resuLts
7. What will happen to all who conspire to destroy the earth
through warfare, no matter what their profession or church
allegiance? Revelation 11:18, last part.
“Four mighty angels hold back the powers of this earth till the servants
of God are sealed in their foreheads. The nations of the world are eager for
conflict; but they are held in check by the angels. When this restraining
power is removed, there will come a time of trouble and anguish. Deadly
instruments of warfare will be invented. Vessels, with their living cargo,
will be entombed in the great deep. All who have not the spirit of truth
will unite under the leadership of satanic agencies. But they are to be kept
under control till the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon.”
–Maranatha, p. 257.
8. Will they have additional opportunity to repent and be converted
during the great battle of Armageddon? Revelation
22:11; 16:12-16.
“When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man’s behalf, then
this time of trouble will begin. Then the case of every soul will have been
decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin.... Then
the restraining Spirit of God is withdrawn from the earth. As Jacob was
threatened with death by his angry brother, so the people of God will be
in peril from the wicked who are seeking to destroy them. And as the patriarch
wrestled all night for deliverance from the hand of Esau, so the
righteous will cry to God day and night for deliverance from the enemies
that surround them.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 201.