deceive

Bible Study Guides – “IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT”

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MEMORY VERSE: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24.

STUDY HELP: The Great Controversy, 624, 625.

INTRODUCTION: “Satan’s superstitions will assume new forms. Errors will be presented in a pleasing and flattering manner. False theories, clothed with garments of light, will be presented to God’s people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be hypnotized.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 293.

“BEHOLD, I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE”

  1. What warning against impersonation does Christ give? John 10:1–5. (See Matthew 24:5, 24.)

NOTE: “He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger, they give ear ‘to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.’” The Great Controversy, 552.

“These evil angels, who assume to be dead friends, will either utterly reject God’s word as idle tales, or, if it suit their purpose best, will select the vital portions which testify of Christ and point out the way to heaven, and change the plain statements of the word of God to suit their own corrupt nature and ruin souls.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 298.

“The apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth. They deny the divine origin of the Bible, and thus tear away the foundation of the Christian’s hope and put out the light that reveals the way to heaven.” The Great Controversy, 557.

“Satan is a cunning foe. And it is not difficult for the evil angels to represent both saints and sinners who have died, and make these representations visible to human eyes. These manifestations will be more frequent, and developments of a more startling character will appear as we near the close of time.” Review and Herald, April 1, 1875.

  1. What will be the greatest deception of all? 2 Corinthians 11:14. (Compare Matthew 24:5, 23–27.)

NOTE: “As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The . . . great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13–15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: ‘Christ has come! Christ has come!’ The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Savior uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion.” The Great Controversy, 624.

  1. What Bible verses protect us against a current impersonation? Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6.

NOTE: “Statues weep human tears and blood, the young prophesy, religious communities sprout up, messengers receive warnings, Mary raises up an army of the devout and reported apparitions of Mary appear at a frequency never before seen in all recorded history.” The Thunder of Justice, Ted and Maureen Flynn, 4. The 55,000 strong Marian Movement of Priests began in 1972. “The current Marian times had their beginning in 1830 when Our Blessed Mother appeared to Catherine Laboure in the convent at Rue de Bac in Paris. . . .Sixteen years after Rue de Bac, on September 19, 1846, Our Blessed Mother appeared to children at LaSalette in the French Alps . . . In 1858, Our Blessed Mother appeared to a peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France. . . . Mary’s next major apparition was at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 to three children. . . . In 1961, Mary appeared in Garabandal, Spain. . . . In 1973, at Akita, Japan, Mary repeated that message. . . . In Medjugorje, in former Yugoslavia, six children in a rural village have been seeing Mary daily and receiving messages from the Blessed Mother since 1981.” The Thunder of Justice, 7, 8.

“Mary” claims to be the Virgin of Revelation [see Revelation 12:1] and to explain the Book of Revelation. She says the Red Dragon is Marxist atheism, the first beast of Revelation 13 is secular freemasonry and the two-horned beast is ecclesiastical freemasonry. The number 666 represents the date when freemasonry began through Islam! The apparition speaks of the mark of the beast and the Three Angels’ Messages. (Thunder of Justice, 100 – 102.) She even speaks of the appearance of Satan in human form. The remedy for the ills of the world, proposed on page 389, is restoration of Sunday observance. (Sunday is equated with the Sabbath, and the book reminds the reader that, in Old Testament times, Sabbath desecration was punishable by death.)

“ALL THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP HIM”

  1. What move to establish a single worldwide worship is foretold in God’s Word? Revelation 13:8, 12.

NOTE: “Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God’s messages of warning will be under strong deception and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God.” Last Day Events, 145.

“When Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will the papal sabbath be enforced by the combined authority of church and state. There will be a national apostasy, which will end only in national ruin.” Last Day Events, 134.

“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” The Great Controversy, 445.

  1. What penalties will be imposed on those who refuse to conform to this worship? Revelation 13:15–17.

NOTE: “We ought now to be heeding the injunction of our Savior: ‘Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not.’ It is now that our brethren should be cutting down their possessions instead of increasing them. We are about to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Then let us not be dwellers upon the earth, but be getting things into as compact a compass as possible. The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 152.

“We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men”

  1. What should be the Christian’s attitude towards earthly governments? Romans 13:1–7; Titus 3:1.

NOTE: “He who obeys the divine law will most truly respect and obey the laws of his country. He who fears God will honor the king in the exercise of all just and legitimate authority.” The Great Controversy, 278.

  1. What principle will on occasion overrule our duty to obey the laws of our country? Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29.

NOTE: “When the laws of men conflict with the word and law of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be . . . it is our duty in every case to obey the laws of our land, unless they conflict with the higher law which God spoke with an audible voice from Sinai, and afterward engraved on stone with His own finger.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 201, 361.

  1. Of what may those be accused who obey God rather than men? 1 Kings 18:17; Acts 17:6.

NOTE: “It is the same policy which has been pursued in all ages. Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel, Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this, those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical, or schismatic. Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the sure word of prophecy will receive with unquestioning credulity an accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins. This spirit will increase more and more. And the Bible plainly teaches that a time is approaching when the laws of the state will so conflict with the law of God that whosoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and punishment as an evildoer.” The Great Controversy, 459.

“UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY”

  1. What precious promises are for those who put their trust in the Lord? Psalm 91:1–4; Psalm 32:7.

NOTE: “The truth of God received into the heart is able to make you wise unto salvation. In believing and obeying it you will receive grace sufficient for the duties and trials of today. Grace for tomorrow you do not need. You should feel that you have only to do with today. Overcome for today; deny self for today; watch and pray for today; obtain victories in God for today. Our circumstances and surroundings, the changes daily transpiring around us, and the written word of God which discerns and proves all things, these are sufficient to teach us our duty and just what we ought to do, day by day.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 333.

  1. If we are called to testify for our faith what promise may we claim? Matthew 10:19.

NOTE: “As the Spirit of God illuminates the minds of His servants, the truth will be presented in its divine power and preciousness. Those who reject the truth will stand to accuse and oppress the disciples. But under loss and suffering, even unto death, the Lord’s children are to reveal the meekness of their divine Example. Thus will be seen the contrast between Satan’s agents and the representatives of Christ. The Savior will be lifted up before the rulers and the people. . . . The servants of Christ were to prepare no set speech to present when brought to trial. Their preparation was to be made day by day in treasuring up the precious truths of God’s word, and through prayer strengthening their faith. When they were brought into trial, the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very truths that would be needed.” Desire of Ages, 354, 355.

  1. What promises are we given of food and protection? Isaiah 33:15–16; Psalm 37:3; Psalm 111:5; Matthew 6:26.

NOTE: “In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell. It will finally be decreed that they shall be put to death. See Revelation 13:11–17. But to the obedient is given the promise, ‘He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.’ Isaiah 33:16. By this promise the children of God will live. When the earth shall be wasted with famine, they shall be fed. ‘They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.’ Psalm 37:19.” Desire of Ages, 121.

  1. What promise do we have of protection during the plagues? Psalm 91:4–10; Psalm 34:6.

NOTE: “The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied.” The Great Controversy, 629.

  1. Who will protect us? Psalm 91:11, 12; Psalm 34:7.

NOTE: “While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants . . . Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ’s patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed their distress and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril.” The Great Controversy, 629, 630.

  1. What promise of Jesus may we especially depend on? Matthew 28:20, last part.

NOTE: “With intense interest the loyal angels and the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds are watching the controversy going on on this earth. Soon the conflict will be forever ended. Soon Christ will come to take to Himself those who have fought the good fight of faith.” Bible Training School, October 1, 1902.

“The world is enshrouded in the darkness of error. Satan and his angels are urging on their warfare against the truth. We must have help. But the help we need will not come from human beings. We must look to Him who has said, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ Claim this promise. There stands among you the Mighty Counselor of the ages, inviting you to place your confidence in Him.” Signs of the Times, January 3, 1906.

Bible Study Guides – “THEY WREST THE SCRIPTURES TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION”

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MEMORY VERSE: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” 2 Timothy 4:3.

STUDY HELP: Testimonies, vol. 8, 290–305.

INTRODUCTION: “Those who have seen the truth and felt its importance, and have had an experience in the things of God, are to teach sound doctrine to their children. They should make them acquainted with the great pillars of our faith, the reasons why we are Seventh-day Adventists, why we are called, as were the children of Israel, to be a peculiar people, a holy nation, separate and distinct from all other people on the face of the earth. These things should be explained to the children in simple language, easy to be understood; and as they grow in years, the lessons imparted should be suited to their increasing capacity, until the foundations of truth have been laid broad and deep.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 330.

“TRY THE SPIRITS”

  1. What counsel does John give to guide the church? 1 John 4:1–3.

NOTE: “The Spirit was not given, nor can it ever be bestowed, to supersede the Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state that the word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. Says the apostle John, ‘Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.’ 1 John 4:1. And Isaiah declares, ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ Isaiah 8:20. Great reproach has been cast upon the work of the Holy Spirit by the errors of a class that, claiming its enlightenment, profess to have no further need of guidance from the word of God. They are governed by impressions which they regard as the voice of God in the soul. But the spirit that controls them is not the Spirit of God. This following of impressions, to the neglect of the Scriptures, can lead only to confusion, to deception and ruin. It serves only to further the designs of the evil one. Since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of vital importance to the church of Christ, it is one of the devices of Satan, through the errors of extremists and fanatics, to cast contempt upon the work of the Spirit and cause the people of God to neglect this source of strength which our Lord Himself has provided.” The Great Controversy, 7, 8.

  1. What example are we given of the devil misusing Scripture? Matthew 4:5, 6.

NOTE: “Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases is a positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubt; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever men are not seeking, in word and deed, to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they may be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust to their explanations. When we are truly seeking to do God’s will, the Holy Spirit takes the precepts of His word and makes them the principles of the life, writing them on the tablets of the soul. And it is only those who are following the light already given that can hope to receive the further illumination of the Spirit. This is plainly stated in the words of Christ: ‘If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.’” Testimonies, vol. 5, 704, 705.

  1. What particular warning are we given about manifestations of the “Spirit” in the last days? 1 Timothy 4:1.

NOTE: “Satan has worked them in among the last-day heresies to serve his own purpose to ruin souls. These errors can have no harmony with the message of heavenly origin. Some of them have exercises which they call gifts, and say that the Lord has placed them in the church. They have an unmeaning gibberish which they call the unknown tongue, which is unknown not only by man, but by the Lord and all Heaven. Such gifts are manufactured by men and women, aided by the great Deceiver. Fanaticism, false excitement, false talking in tongues, and noisy exercises have been considered gifts which God has placed in the church. Some have been deceived here. The fruits of all this have not been good. By their fruits ye shall know them. Fanaticism and noise have been considered special evidences of faith. Some are not satisfied with a meeting unless they have a powerful and happy time. They work for this, and get up an excitement of feeling. The influence of such meetings is not beneficial. When the happy flight of feeling is gone, they sink lower than before the meeting, because their happiness did not come from the right source.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4B, 153.

“HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS”

  1. What picture did Paul give of the Christian world in the last days? 2 Timothy 3:1–7.

NOTE: “Paul knew that there was before the church a time of great peril. He knew that faithful, earnest work would have to be done by those left in charge of the churches; and he wrote to Timothy, ‘I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.’ This solemn charge to one so zealous and faithful as was Timothy is a strong testimony to the importance and responsibility of the work of the gospel minister. Summoning Timothy before the bar of God, Paul bids him preach the Word, not the sayings and customs of men; to be ready to witness for God whenever opportunity should present itself, before large congregations and private circles, by the way and at the fireside, to friends and to enemies, whether in safety or exposed to hardship and peril, reproach and loss.” Acts of the Apostles, 503.

  1. What are we warned about alternative gospels? Galatians 1:6–9.

NOTE: “Those who are teaching this doctrine today have much to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-sufficient: that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner’s credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfils the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that He has saved them. ‘I am saved,’ they will repeat over and over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah? No; for the garments of Christ’s righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity.” Bible Echo, February 8, 1897.

  1. What trend in particular did Paul warn against in the last days? 2 Timothy 4:3.

NOTE: “Those who in their preaching pass by the great truths of God’s word to speak of minor matters, are not preaching the gospel, but are dealing in idle sophistry. Let not our ministers spend time in the discussion of such matters. Let those who have any question as to what they should teach, any question as to the subjects upon which they should dwell, go to the discourses of the great Teacher, and follow His lines of thought. The subjects that Jesus regarded as essential are the subjects that we are to urge home today. We are to encourage our hearers to dwell upon those subjects which are of eternal moment.” Gospel Workers, 313. “Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves. Then, by controlling the minds of these leaders, he can influence the multitudes according to his will.” The Great Controversy, 1888 ed., 595.

“THERE SHALL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU”

  1. What warning did Christ give against false prophets? Matthew 7:15.

NOTE: “Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the people who think they know so much. ‘If thou hadst known,’ said Christ, ‘even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.’” Testimonies to Ministers, 409, 410.

  1. How did Peter reinforce the Lord’s important warning? 2 Peter 8.2:1.

NOTE: “The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 204, 205. (1903)

  1. What assurance are we given that God’s people will withstand the assaults made upon their faith? Ephesians 5:27; Matthew 16:18.

NOTE: “The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out, the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. We must be divested of our selfrighteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of Christ.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 380 (1886).

“TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU”

  1. How would you comment from the Scriptures on the following commonly-held opinions? (Write the Bible verses that shed light on these things.)

  • There’s good in everyone.
  • We’ll never be perfect.
  • We should never criticize.
  • No religion has all the truth. All religions are just different roads to God.
  • God’s people will be sinning till Jesus comes.

NOTE: “Had Eve refrained from entering into argument with the tempter, she would have been safe; but she ventured to parley with him, and fell a victim to his wiles. It is thus that many are still overcome. They doubt and argue concerning the requirements of God, and instead of obeying the divine commands, they accept human theories, which but disguise the devices of Satan.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 351.

  1. What is our only safeguard against misleading opinions? Psalm 119:103–106.

NOTE: “The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God’s work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvellous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.” The Great Controversy, 593.

“THEY HAVE SOUGHT OUT MANY INVENTIONS”

  1. What Scriptures would you use to shed light on these opinions?

“Salvation is what God has already accomplished for all mankind in the life and death of Jesus.” Beyond Belief, 31.

“Having entrusted ourselves to Jesus, we can know we are saved.” Adventist Hot Potatoes, 31.

“Iniquity does not primarily refer to an act of sin but to a condition of sinfulness.” Beyond Belief, 17.

“Antichrist is an individual to be manifested at the end of time. . . . He is not any past personage. He belongs to the future.” Desmond Ford, Doctoral Thesis, 237, 238, 248.

“Heaven itself is the sanctuary.” Jack Sequiera, Sermon October 13, 1990, Walla Walla City Church, Washington.

NOTE: “Deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith.” Review and Herald, May 25, 1905.

  1. What assurance was given to Elijah at a time of widespread apostasy when he felt he was the only faithful one left? 1 Kings 19:18.

NOTE: “The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to ‘science falsely so called’ will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are selfsufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the daytime we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 80, 81.

Bible Study Guides – “Let No Man Deceive You”

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February 6-12, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:14.

Study Help: Acts of the Apostles, 546–556.

Introduction: “The Lord will not compel men to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God; He sets before the human agent good and evil, and makes plain what will be the sure result of following one course or the other. Christ invites us, saying, ‘Follow Me.’ But we are never forced to walk in His footsteps. If we do walk in His footsteps, it is the result of deliberate choice. As we see the life and character of Christ, strong desire is awakened to be like Him in character; and we follow on to know the Lord, and to know His goings forth are prepared as the morning. We then begin to realize that ‘the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’” Review and Herald, March 31, 1896.

“We Deceive Ourselves”

1 How does John describe those who claim to be Christians but continue to live sinful lives? 1 John 1:6.

NOTE: “This is the class whom the apostle rebukes; for he says, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.’ It is evident that where a claim to sinlessness is made, there the law of God has not been written in the heart; for the commandments of God are exceeding broad, and are discerners of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The apostle speaks words of encouragement to those who realize that they are sinners, and says, ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ ‘If we say we have no sin,’ when our thoughts, words, and actions, reflected from the law of God, the great moral mirror, reveal us as transgressors, we make God a liar, and prove that His word is not in us.’” Signs of the Times, April 30, 1896. (See The Sanctified Life, 68.)

2 Though Job was described by God as a perfect man, what was his estimate of himself? Job 9:20, 21.

NOTE: “Those who triumph, and claim that they are sinless, show in this very boasting that they are far from being without the taint of sin. The more clearly fallen man comprehends the character of Christ, the more distrustful will he be of himself, and the more imperfect will his works appear to him in contrast with those which marked the life of the spotless Redeemer. But those who are at a great distance from Jesus, whose spiritual senses are so clouded by error that they cannot comprehend the divine character of the great Exemplar, conceive of Him as altogether such an one as themselves, and talk of their own perfection of holiness with a high degree of satisfaction. They really know little of themselves, and less of Christ. They are far from God.” Life Sketches, 211.

3 What precious promise is given to those who confess their sins? 1 John 1:9; 2:1, 2. (See also Micah 7:18, 19.)

NOTE: (See Acts of the Apostles, 552.)

“If We Keep His Commandments”

4 How does John emphasize the importance of obedience to the Commandments? 1 John 2:3, 4.

NOTE: “Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God’s requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God.” Maranatha, 232.

“It is true that there are many who have never had the light of present truth, who, through the grace given them of Christ, are keeping the law as far as they understand it. Those who are
thus living up to the best light they have, are not of the class whom the apostle John condemns.” Gospel Workers, 1892 edition., 227. (See Acts of the Apostles, 562, 563.)

5 What will be the effect on the character of the Christian who seeks to keep God’s Word? 1 John 2:5.

NOTE: “John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love . . . If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God. The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God’s law.” Acts of the Apostles, 563.

“Through Jesus there is divine sympathy between God and the human beings who, through obedience, are accepted in the Beloved. Thus humanity conforms to the will of divinity, fulfilling the words, ‘If ye love Me, keep My commandments.’ The commandment-keeping people of God are to walk in the sunlight of Christ’s righteousness, their countenances expressing cheerfulness and thanksgiving, joyful in the assurance, ‘Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.’” Review and Herald, May 3, 1898.

“Love not the world”

6 What choice lies before the Christian? 1 John 2:15, 17. (See 2 Timothy 4:10, 11).

NOTE: “Mark had become willing to follow the Master in the path of self-sacrifice. Now, sharing the lot of Paul the prisoner, he understood better than ever before that it is infinite gain to win Christ, infinite loss to win the world and lose the soul for whose redemption the blood of Christ was shed. In the face of severe trial and adversity, Mark continued steadfast, a wise and beloved helper of the apostle. Demas, steadfast for a time, afterward forsook the cause of Christ. In referring to this, Paul wrote, ‘Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world’ (2 Timothy 4:10). For worldly gain, Demas bartered every high and noble consideration. How shortsighted the exchange! Possessing only worldly wealth or honour, Demas was poor indeed, however much he might proudly call his own; while Mark, choosing to suffer for Christ’s sake, possessed eternal riches, being accounted in heaven an heir of God and a joint heir with His Son.” Conflict and Courage, 349.

7 What will happen to those professed believers who are not in harmony with the truth? 1 John 2:19.

NOTES: (See Testimonies, vol. 6, 400.)

“Hereby We Know . . .”

8 What is the evidence that a person is truly born again? 1 John 3:9, 10.

NOTE: “God has power to keep the soul who is in Christ, when that soul is under temptation.” Sons and Daughters of God, 297.

“God has made ample provision that we may stand perfect in His grace, wanting in nothing, waiting for the appearing of our Lord. Are you ready? Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy. The eye of God is upon you. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We may conceal our sins from the eyes of men, but we can hide nothing from our Maker.” Review and Herald, December 13, 1887.

“God never places before us a requirement without giving us the power to perform it. He never asks us to take one step in advance of Him. He leads the way, and we are to follow after. Following Him, we are in no danger of going astray. Thus only can we perfect a Christian character as stewards of the grace of God.” Review and Herald, June 22, 1905.

9 What does John say is the foundation of a Christian’s assurance? 1 John 3:18–21.

NOTE: “Do not settle down in Satan’s easy chair, and say that there is no use, you cannot cease to sin, that there is no power in you to overcome. There is no power in you apart from Christ, but it is your privilege to have Christ abiding in your heart by faith, and He can overcome sin in you, when you co-operate with His efforts . . . You may be living epistles, known and read of all men. You are not to be a dead letter, but a living one, testifying to the world that Jesus is able to save.” Our High Calling, 76. (See Acts of the Apostles, 551.)

“We Ought Also to Love One Another”

10 Against what further self-deception does John warn us? 1 John 4:20, 21.

NOTE: (See Acts of the Apostles, 549.)

11 What assurance do we have that those Christians who live to see Christ come will be conformed to His character? 1 John 3:2, 3.

NOTE: “We desire to follow Christ and to be like Him; but we sometimes faint beneath trials, and remain at a distance from Him. Sufferings and trials bring us near to Jesus. The furnace consumes the dross and brightens the gold. At this time I was shown that the Lord had been trying us for our good, and to prepare us to labor for others; that He had been stirring up our nest, lest we should settle down at ease. Our work was to labor for souls; if we had been prospered, home would be so pleasant that we would be unwilling to leave it; trials had been permitted to come upon us to prepare us for the still greater conflicts that we would meet.” Christian Experience and Teachings, 114.

Your Own Way

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In Galatians 2:20 Paul says, speaking of Jesus, “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

In the words of the gospel prophet Isaiah, we see the sufferings of the Messiah described hundreds of years before He was born. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5, 6).

The expression, “we have turned every one to his own way” in modern phraseology is, everybody doing his own thing. Now the prophet here points out that this is what made necessary the death of Jesus. There is something very alluring, very intriguing, very enticing about having our own way, but often poor choices are made impulsively.

Now the prophet suggests that there is more than one way to have one’s own way. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” A hundred people may have a hundred ways to have their own way due to personal likes and dislikes. Isaiah says this problem is at the root of sin. But while there is an individuality in these various patterns of having our own way they fall more or less into three great categories.

Open Rebellion—my own way. I, a creature, shake my puny fist at the God of heaven and say, I want my way and I’m going to have it. This was the way of Nimrod at the tower of Babel. This was the way of Pharaoh as he withstood Moses and Aaron at the time of the Exodus. He perished in the Red Sea. This was the way of Belshazzar as he assembled his lords and drank that fermented wine of Babylon and praised the gods of silver and gold and defied the God of heaven by calling for the sacred vessels from the temple at Jerusalem to be brought in for the services of these heathen gods. All these and millions of others in turning each one to his own way have openly defied the God of heaven.

Pretended Loyalty—while having one’s own way. This does not defy God openly; it seeks to evade His requirements all the while pretending to be loyal. This was the way of King Saul, the first monarch of Israel. The experience of the young king is recorded in 1 Samuel 15. He was anointed with holy oil and crowned king and told to exterminate the Amalekites, a cruel, presumptuous heathen people that had been defying God for hundreds of years. They had filled up their cup of iniquity.

Through the spirit of prophecy God gave him direct instructions in what and how it should be done. Idol worship and all who shared in it were to be destroyed and no spoils were to be kept. It was to be clear that they were acting as God’s sheriffs, but when the job was done they thought, Why lose all the flocks and herds and all the booty? In their greed they began to reason, Wouldn’t it be fine to sacrifice this to the Lord at the tabernacle at Gilgal? Secretly they thought that instead of their own cattle, they could use these to sacrifice. King Saul also had second thoughts about sparing Agag. He thought his triumph would be heightened if Agag, the king, was brought home in chains. Samuel, the prophet of God, met them enquiring, Why haven’t you obeyed what God said? Saul’s feeble excuse was that the people have spared those to sacrifice to the Lord thy God in Gilgal (1 Samuel 15:19–21).

Notice Samuel’s response: “Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:22, first part)? Loyalty is shown not by pretense, not by profession, not even by sacrifices, but by obedience. Jesus echoed it a thousand years later when He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22, last part, 23). The Spirit pierced through Saul’s disguises, his camouflages, his excuses, his rationalizations.

People quite often have two reasons for what they do – the reason they give and the real reason. King Saul had two reasons – the reason he gave which was an excuse and the real reason. God calls it rebellion. This all happened while Saul was claiming to be a loyal supporter of the Lord, a loyal subject of God’s kingdom, a loyal commander in God’s army. Saul had his own way while pretending it was God’s way.

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He strips away the disguise and exposes the camouflage of those who claim to speak in His name but do not keep the commandments of His Father. He said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness]” (Matthew 7:21–23). These people are not like Pharaoh in open rebellion; they’re not like Belshazzar blaspheming the name of God; they take the name of Jesus upon their lips; they repeat His praises; all they do they do in His name and yet Jesus says they’re in rebellion. They are not obedient.

This method of doing one’s own way is far more subtle than the first. There is more hope for the open sinner in bold rebellion to find that he needs to be changed and converted than the one who deceives himself. We thank God for the arrow from the Lord’s quiver that wounds such a heart, but oh, what a deceptive trap it is to be taken in when one practices the forms of religion and sings the praises of God, while in his inner life he is following his own way.

You see, that was the problem with Judas. Christ gave Judas an opportunity to be converted. Judas went through all the forms: he joined in prayer; he was even ordained a minister by Jesus Himself; He was sent out along with the rest of the twelve to work miracles to heal and preach in Jesus’ name but deep in his heart Judas never came to the point of full surrender.

A classic example of this matter of doing something with a different motive is found in John 12. The story begins with Mary anointing the feet of Jesus at the feast in Simon’s house. When Mary’s box of alabaster was broken and the perfume filled the room, Judas’ selfish, covetous soul rose up in protest. He thought the money Mary had spent on the costly ointment could have been sold and put into the treasury. He was the treasurer and actually thought what he could do with it.

Judas said, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (verses 5, 6). Right there in the presence of Christ he dared to condemn that act of love on Mary’s part and give his objection a worthy look while hiding his covetous motive. Judas wanted to be seen as a keen, shrewd, careful, loyal supporter of Jesus and His program and looking after the interests of the kingdom. Interesting though, the disciples all sided with Judas and not with Mary. Only the Savior saw through his disguise. Only the Savior could read his heart.

How dangerous it is to cling to sin while covering it up with a holy pretense. Jesus referred to the scribes and Pharisees as “whited sepulchers” (Matthew 23:27). Inside full of dead men’s bones, but covered over with whitewash on the outside.

Deception—the right thing for the wrong reason. An example of this is found in the experience of James and John. “John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9:49, 50). Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and passing through a Samaritan village James and John ask the Samaritans if they could stay there that night, but because they saw that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, they would not receive Him. “James and John saw this, and they said to Jesus, Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did? But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (verses 54, 55).

Now James and John were not crooks like Judas. They thought they were being loyal to the Master and were not by any means trying in an underhanded way to undermine His influence. However, their selfish human nature had seized upon the opportunity of getting close to Christ and upholding Him as a way to exalt themselves and get their way. This could also be a temptation for you and me. When they saw somebody else doing some work in Jesus’ name, full of zeal, they said, Oh you mustn’t do this; you’re not with our company. You’re not taking your orders from us so you better quit.

Now the book The Desire of Ages in commenting upon this gives us this interesting ray of light, that James and John had thought they were ambitious for their Master’s honor but as Christ instructed them they began to see that they had been ambitious for their own honor. (See The Desire of Ages, 437, 438.) What was it they wanted? Their own way. Now their own way happened to be right in exalting Jesus but the way they went at it was in a way to exalt themselves. Again with the Samaritans they went ahead and Jesus had told them to try to find lodging there and something to eat but the Samaritans wouldn’t receive them so they came back and reported and said, Now Lord, shall we call fire down from heaven and burn them up like Elijah did? And Jesus looked upon them sadly as He said, You do not know what spirit you are of. You think you are trying to help Me and you mean all right, but really the trouble is, you want your own way. You want to either rule or ruin. You want people to jump when you crack the whip and if they won’t do it you’re prepared to use the whip. This is at the foundation of all the persecution in the name of religion down through the ages. Millions of inquisitors and persecutors have put to death tens of millions of conscientious souls in the name of Jesus Christ. Why? They believed they were working for God. Even when the thing we stand for is the right position we still may be very selfish in the way we stand for it.

We live in an interesting age when it has become popular on many fronts to cry out against the establishment, to point out the mistakes in government, in schools, in homes, in the church, and God knows there are plenty of mistakes. But, whether I ride in the streets, burn down the administration building or choose more subtle ways to show my disregard of authority; whether I smoke marijuana, and point out that it’s no worse than my elders getting drunk with whiskey; whether I select a righteous cause and stand for it in the spirit of rebellion, the end result is the same. I am turning to my own way.

When a young person today selects a righteous cause and does it in defiance of his parents, his teachers, and points out their sins and mistakes, only God knows the motive of his heart, but I challenge each young person – be sure when you take a stand in advance of your elders, and God knows many of you need to take stands in advance of your elders, be sure you’re doing the right thing for the right reason instead of the right thing for the wrong reason. It makes all the difference in the world. One road leads to heaven and the other leads to hell. All those who are lost will not be people who got drunk or got high on drugs. Selfishness is something far more permeating in its influence. There are ten thousand forms that selfishness can take. The prophet says truly when he says, “All we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). All of us. Every one of us. Some have taken the road of open defiant rebellion, open and above board. Some of us have taken the road of pretending to be loyal to God and yet in our hearts are thieves, crooks, lustful deceivers, covering it over with whitewash. Some of us have taken the road of seizing the truth and using it as a platform on which to mount for ourselves an exalted throne from which to issue edicts and expect them to be carried out because we are standing for Jesus.

Now thank God there’s a fourth way to have your own way. We’ll find it in Matthew the 16th chapter. There’s something better than these three ways in which like sheep men go astray. Here’s another way. “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (verse 24). This is not the way of open rebellion; it is not the way of evading and rationalizing; it is not the way of choosing truth and doing the right thing for the wrong reason. This is another way entirely. It’s the way of the cross, the way Jesus took, for Jesus did not come to earth to give up bad things so He could be saved. He gave up all the good things so you and I could be saved. And He invites us to join with Him in that way – the way of self-crucifixion.

Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). He had seen Christ on the Damascus road as the crucified Savior now risen and ascended pleading with Him, Saul the persecutor, to turn from self-pleasing in the name of religion, and he said, I will show you what great things you must suffer for My name’s sake. Thank God, Paul turned his back on all the self-pleasing in the name of religion and took up the cross of Christ and carried it to his death; didn’t he? And he said, “God forbid that I should glory save in that cross” (Galatians 6:14). Now you say, I thought you said that this was a way to have your own way. It is. It’s the only way that works. That’s the paradox.

I saw some ducks on a lake the other day and as we were watching them eat their dinner while we ate our dinner, we observed how much better they functioned there in the water than we would if we’d been going after our dinner where they were. Do you know why they were doing such a good job of it? They were made for that. They were equipped for that task from head to tail. I want to tell you something, friends, you and I were not made to have our own way. And whenever we try it, sooner or later we’re disappointed. We were made for God’s way. We were made to please Him. He says, “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise” (Isaiah 43:21). And when you and I turn from self-pleasing and see Jesus on the cross and say, Lord, if You love me that much to die for me, I love You enough to live for You. When we do that then we begin to understand and experience a joy which is not the joy of self-pleasing; it’s the joy of pleasing Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. And since that is what we were made for, it works.

As one of old said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, Oh God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” Augustine of Hippo. Nothing but Jesus, having full possession of our heart can truly satisfy the soul. We’ll never find satisfaction, friends, in defiance of God in open rebellion. We’ll find only disappointment and disillusionment in trying to pretend loyalty to Him and yet really having our own selfish way. And oh, the sad, sad disillusionment of those who take a righteous cause and march under its banner all the while trying to find their own way in the religion of Christ. No friends. Let’s make one big pile of all our selfish ways and thoughts and plans and turn from it and come to Jesus on the cross and kneel down and give Him everything we have. There’s no other way. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).

When we do that more and more while we crucify the flesh, while we deny the selfish cravings, we become acquainted with a life which finds its satisfaction in pleasing God and in helping Him make others happy. Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17). Oh yes, to turn from self-pleasing means to enter the role that eventually will bring us eternal joy here and hereafter. So the Psalmist says, “Delight thyself … in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4). So you want your heart’s desire? You’ll not get it by going after it. You’ll not find it by chasing it. There’s only one way that you can find the real fulfillment, the answer to your quest. It’s by renouncing self and letting Jesus have full control of your life.

If the disguise of sin and selfishness has been torn away from any of the devil’s plans in your mind or heart pray not merely to be illumined but to come to a decision so we can say with Paul on the Damascus road, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do” (Acts 9:6)?

 

Elder W.D. Frazee studied the Medical Missionary Course at the College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda, California. He was called to Utah as a gospel medical evangelist. During the Great Depression, when the church could not afford to hire any assistants, Elder Frazee began inviting professionals to join him as volunteers. This began a faith ministry that would become the foundation for the establishment of the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute in 1942. He believed that each person is unique, specially designed by the Lord, of infinite value, and has a special place and mission in this world which only he can fill. His life followed this principle and he encouraged others to do the same.

Bible Study Guides – The Pretense

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December 11, 2005 – December 17, 2005

Key Text

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 11 Corinthians 11:14.

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 518–523.

Introduction

“He [Satan] hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” Early Writings, 261.

1 What represented the foundation of Satan’s effort to deceive the world? Genesis 3:4, 5.

note: “Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: ‘Ye shall not surely die.’ ‘In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.’ Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time.” The Great Controversy, 561.

2 What plain teaching of Scripture is contradicted in the theory underlying spiritualism? Ecclesiastes 9:5.

note: “None need be deceived by the lying claims of spiritualism. God has given the world sufficient light to enable them to discover the snare. . . . The theory which forms the very foundation of spiritualism is at war with the plainest statements of Scripture. The Bible declares that the dead know not anything, that their thoughts have perished; they have no part in anything that is done under the sun; they know nothing of the joys or sorrows of those who were dearest to them on earth.” The Great Controversy, 556.

3 Wherein lies the power of Satan to deceive? 11 Thessalonians 2:9–12.

note: “There are but two parties. Satan works with his crooked, deceiving power, and through strong delusions he catches all who do not abide in the truth, who have turned away their ears from the truth and have turned unto fables. Satan himself abode not in the truth; he is the mystery of iniquity. Through his subtlety he gives to his soul-destroying errors the appearance of truth. Herein is their power to deceive. It is because they are a counterfeit of the truth that spiritualism, theosophy, and the like deceptions gain such power over the minds of men. Herein is the masterly working of Satan. He pretends to be the savior of man, the benefactor of the human race, and thus he more readily lures his victims to destruction.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 365.

4 How does Peter describe Satan and the way he works? 1 Peter 5:8.

note: “I have been shown that Satan has not been stupid and careless these many years, since his fall, but has been learning. He has grown more artful. His plans are laid deeper, and are more covered with a religious garment to hide their deformity. The power of Satan now to tempt and deceive is ten-fold greater than it was in the days of the apostles. His power has increased, and it will increase, until it is taken away. His wrath and hate grow stronger as his time to work draws near its close.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 277.

5 When does Satan introduce his counterfeit movement with respect to the latter rain? 11 Timothy 3:1–5.

note: “Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. . . . The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit.” The Great Controversy, 464.

6 Whom, in particular, will Satan target? Matthew 24:24.

note: “The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to ‘science falsely so called’ will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 80.

7 What will be Satan’s biggest, grandest effort to ensnare the world and the elect? Matthew 24:23–26.

note: “As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13–15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: ‘Christ has come! Christ has come!’ The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth.” The Great Controversy, 624.

8 Who else will appear in human form? 11 Corinthians 11:13–15. Compare Revelation 12:7–9.

note: “Satan will use every opportunity to seduce men from their allegiance to God. He and the angels who fell with him will appear on the earth as men, seeking to deceive. God’s angels also will appear as men, and will use every means in their power to defeat the purposes of the enemy.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 399.

“Evil angels in the form of men will talk with those who know the truth. They will misinterpret and misconstrue the statements of the messengers of God. . . . Have Seventh-day Adventists forgotten the warning given in the sixth chapter of Ephesians? We are engaged in a warfare against the hosts of darkness. Unless we follow our Leader closely, Satan will obtain the victory over us.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 411.

9 What will open the way for people to accept Satan’s counterfeit miracles? 11 Thessalonians 2:9–12.

note: “Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen, restlessly waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are watching and waiting and working for our Lord’s appearing; while the other party are rapidly falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. They look for a god in humanity, and Satan personifies the one they seek. Multitudes will be so deluded through their rejection of truth that they will accept the counterfeit.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 364, 365.

10 Why will men be deceived? John 3:18–20.

note: “Those who choose Satan as their ruler will reveal the spirit of their chosen master, who caused the fall of our first parents. By rejecting the divine Son of God, the personification of the only true God, who possessed goodness, mercy, and untiring love, whose heart was ever touched with human woe, and accepting a murderer in His place, the people showed what human nature can and will do, when the restraining Spirit of God is removed, and men are under the great apostate. Just to that degree that light is refused and rejected will there be misconception and misunderstanding. Those who reject Christ and choose Barabbas will work under a ruinous deception. Misrepresentation, the bearing of false witness, will grow under open rebellion.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 416.

11 What essential quality of truth will be lacking in the counterfeit? Luke 9:23; Matthew 16:24.

note: “Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived, who desire to shun the self-denial and sacrifice demanded by the truth; but it is impossible for him to hold under his power one soul who honestly desires, at whatever cost, to know the truth. Christ is the truth and the ‘Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ John 1:9. The Spirit of truth has been sent to guide men into all truth. And upon the authority of the Son of God it is declared: ‘Seek, and ye shall find.’ ‘If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.’ Matthew 7:7; John 7:17.” The Great Controversy, 528.

12 By what means will true believers be able to unmask Satan’s deceptions? Isaiah 8:20.

note: “The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. . . . So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.” The Great Controversy, 593.

13 How will those who receive the latter rain be preserved from the delusion that overtakes the world? Revelation 12:17; 19:10.

note: “This world is our school—a school of discipline and training. We are placed here to form characters like the character of Christ, and to acquire the habits and the language of the higher life. Influences opposed to good, abound on every side. The developments of sin are becoming so full, so deep, so abhorrent to God, that soon He will arise in majesty to shake terribly the earth. So artful are the plans of the enemy, so specious the complications that he brings about, that those who are weak in the faith cannot discern his deceptions. They fall into the snares prepared by Satan, who works through human instrumentalities to deceive if possible the very elect. Only those who are closely connected with God will be able to discern the falsehoods, the intrigues, of the enemy.” This Day With God, 96.

Editorial – “None of the Wicked Will Understand”

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Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand.” Daniel 12:10.

“The inability to understand is due to an unwillingness to confess and forsake error and accept the truth which involves a cross. Satan will strive to retain every soul in his strong power. He will not willingly let go his dominion over men who have influence upon other minds. Therefore God’s own methods of advancing the gospel in His dominion are met by great opposition from the whole synagogue of the satanic agencies. As the last conflict with Satan will be the most decisive, the most deceptive and terrible that has ever been, so also will his overthrow be the most complete.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, 317.

What is it that makes the last conflict so deceptive? What will be visible is very different from the reality. This deceptive conflict will have the most devastating results in the church.

“The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 80.

The devil comes into the church angelically disguised by promoting the very same things as Jesus. An example of this is promoting the Three Angels’ Messages. Both the devil and Jesus are working for this, yet the devil is promoting it in such a way as to be detrimental. Satan is also promoting:

  1. The nearness of the second coming of Jesus. (Most “Babylonian” churches are teaching this.)
  2. Lamentation over the great wickedness in the world today.
  3. The fact that God’s judgments are coming on the world because of its great wickedness.
  4. That great destruction is coming on the cities of our world.
  5. That now is the time to get ready for what is coming.
  6. That we are very close to the end of the world as we know it.

The difference is that Satan’s methods by which to accomplish the will of God and prepare for His second coming are erroneous and many will not recognize this until it is too late.

Preparation is not accomplished by counting the rosary or repeating the Lord’s Prayer with more frequency. The book of Revelation describes those who are ready as people who are keeping God’s commandments. (See Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14.)

It is not possible for us to keep God’s commandments unless we have been born again by the Holy Spirit. (See Romans 8:1–16.)

Be sure that your preparation for the future involves a daily born-again experience through the Holy Spirit. (See Galatians 2:20.)

If the Devil Were Your Pastor, What Would He Say?

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Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were the devil and were trying to deceive someone like you? Have you ever thought of that before? By the way, the devil has all kinds of advantages. You see, God has a great disadvantage, because God cannot tell you what you want to hear; He can only tell the truth. (See Titus 1:2.)

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well that just doesn’t make sense to me”? Do you know what the devil does? He is listening, and, he says, “Well, I can make something make sense to him. I will come up with just the philosophy that appeals to him and that he thinks makes sense. If he thinks God is a certain way, I will come up with a religion that presents God in that way. I will come up with a religion or a philosophy or an idea that tells him just what he wants to hear.”

Satan is a deceiver and, as we read in Revelation 12:9, he has succeeded in deceiving the whole world. The Bible says that if it were possible, he would “deceive even the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24.) And after all, the elect are who he is really after. In Noah’s day, there were only eight out of millions who were not deceived. In Jesus’ day, there were only a few humble disciples and even some of them did not fair so well. And in the last days, we are told that there will be only a small minority, even of God’s people, who are going to be saved. The rest are going to be deceived. Those who are going to be sealed in the last days are those who, because of the Word of God, see the deceptions that are creeping into God’s church today.

“And the Lord said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’ To the others he said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill: do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. Utterly slay old [and] young men, maidens, and little children, and women: but do not come near anyone on whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.’ So they began with the elders who [were] before the temple.” Ezekiel 9:4–6.

Now, if I were the devil, I would study your life. I would put an angel by you, just like every other Christian. In fact, if I had enough, I would put two angels by each Christian, and I would say, “Listen, you go by each one of these Christians and find how they think, what they really like, and what their weakest points are and strike at those weak points. You find what they like the best, and we will deceive them on those points. Tell them a lot of good things; just weave in a few errors here and there so subtly that they can’t decipher where they are, and lead them to hell.”

If I were the devil, I would go to a revival meeting and be converted. But I would not stop there for sure. It would not be good enough for me to be just a common church member; I would want to be active in the church. In fact, do you know what I would really like to do? I would like to teach and preach. I think I would go to the seminary and become educated.

Suppose the devil became the pastor of your church. What kind of a pastor do you think he would be? I want to tell you what kind of a pastor he would be. He would be the best speaker you have ever heard. He would be the best administrator you have ever seen. He would be the most personable pastor you have ever had. He would be a pastor who would speak more love than any pastor you have ever heard; it would be love and righteousness. But the only thing that your faith should be based on is the Bible. “To the law and to the testimony: If they do not speak according to this word,[ it is] because [there is] no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. Paul says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily, to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11. He commended the Bereans because they did not accept what he said without going to the Bible first to see if it was according to Scripture.

I want to tell you something. Satan has lost none of his power and none of his guile and none of his ability, and he is working to deceive. “Who knows whether God will not give you up to the deceptions you love? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm, and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? It may be that the destroyers are already training under the hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard-bearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, ‘Peace, peace,’ when the Lord hath not spoken peace.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 77. Here we are told that when the faithful pastors are removed, pastors will take their places who have been trained by Satan himself; and they may take over all the pastorates.

The disciples were loath to believe that the Bible meant all that it said back in Jesus’ day. When Jesus told them that He was going to die, they said, “That really isn’t going to happen to You. You are speaking in parables.” I want to tell you, the prophets do not lie. Did you notice what the sign of a false prophet is and what they are going to preach? These people who have been trained under the hand of Satan are going to come with the voice of the false prophet and cry, “ ‘Peace, Peace.’ Oh, do not give us any straight sermons. Do not tell us, like John the Baptist, where we are wrong. We do not want to hear that. Do not tell us any of these things. That is being critical. Do not say any of those things. Just tell us how good we are.” I want to tell you, that is a doctrine of the devil!

“I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers.

“When God shall work His strange work on the earth, when holy hands bear the ark no longer, woe will be upon the people.” Ibid. The ark is not dependent upon who is carrying it. It is still God’s ark. God has a church on earth today. It is defined and identified in Revelation 12:17, and throughout Revelation. It will be those who keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” The Great Controversy, 593. None! “Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures, and who have received the love of the truth, will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.” Ibid., 625.

I want to tell you something, friends. God inspired those words. He knew that we would need them in this day. And I want to tell you something about inspired words. Inspired words mean what they say. A lot of people think that there are exceptions. They think that if they are in the right church, they will somehow sail through as long as they keep their membership. Inspiration says that that is not so, that it is only those who have fortified their minds with the truths of the Bible who will have a defense against the powerful temptations of the evil one. You need to prayerfully open the Word of God. Study it, dear friends; study it day after day after day. Spend more than five minutes with it. You have to become a diligent student of the Word of God. It must become a personal Book to you. Jesus Christ must become your personal Savior.

Do you know what is the greatest deception in all the world? It is to think that you are right when you are absolutely wrong. We are told in Matthew 7:21–23 that when Jesus comes, many will be so certain that they are saved that they will argue with God about it. They will have done many things in Jesus’ name. They went to church and even paid their tithe in His name. They were Christians through and through. They held church offices. They may have even led many souls into the church. They have all the proofs and marks of salvation. Then they will hear those sad words, “I never knew you: depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!” Oh, I tell you, do not think that you are smart enough to outwit the devil. You can never do it.

But guess what? There is another power on earth besides the power of Satan. What power is that? the power of God, the power of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to put a shield and a hedge around every true follower of His. If we will study the Bible daily and if we are following everything that it says, He will protect us from Satan’s deceptions. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32.

Now if I were the devil, I would do one other thing. Not only would I be converted at a revival meeting, but also I would go to the seminary and become a pastor and work my way up. You see, I would be interested in achieving. Not only would I seek to be a good pastor, I would seek to get into a position where I could hire those I wanted to hire and get rid of those I wanted to get rid of. In time, I would surround myself with men like me, and I would take control of whatever organization I was a part of. Now, thank the Lord, God has said that His church is going through, but in the meantime, He says that it is going to suffer. If you do not believe this is so, consider this statement: “Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 409, 410. Do not think it is not possible for Satan to take control of any church in the land, even of God’s church.

Listen, dear friends, Satan is no dummy. He has his agents, and they are as good as any preachers you have ever heard. They are the best. They will do anything to achieve. They will do anything to get to the top, and they are getting there, dear friends.

Do you know what I would do first? I would try to get to the top and surround myself with people like me. Then I would start to weed out anyone who gave the straight testimony. If anyone thought that they were going to follow those who were giving the straight testimony, I would send out an avalanche of bad news, gossip, rumors, and bad reports about them so that everyone would be turned away from them.

Second, I would get my public relations department going and in four-color brochures, in pictures, and in every other way, I would tell people what a good job I was doing. I would build up all of my people and destroy anyone who was giving the straight testimony.

Dear friends, I am not talking in parables. I just read that someday, when the faithful, firm, and true pastors are removed, their places are going to be taken by those “training under the hand of Satan.” Now, God does not want us to judge others, but He does tell us that we are to be wise as serpents because He sends us out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Many times the wolves are in the highest places. They are in places where they can influence our thinking and our actions.

Oh, dear friend, I have an appeal for you. You do not have to be deceived. Everyone is going to be deceived except those who study the Word of God every day. Pledge yourself to begin to faithfully study the Word of God every day.

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

The Exception Deception

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It is difficult for us to understand ourselves, to have a correct knowledge of our own characters. The word of God is plain, but often there is an error in applying it to one’s self. There is liability to self-deception and to think its warnings and reproofs do not mean me. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?’ [Jeremiah 17:9.] Self-flattery may be construed into Christian emotion and zeal. Self-love and confidence may give us assurance that we are right when we are far from meeting the requirements of God’s word.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 332.

“Some have a heart of unbelief, and in their self-confidence and self-deception they cannot see their errors. They are blind to their defects and their dangers. Did they see their sins and errors, and still continue in them, the Lord would give them up to blindness of mind and hardness of heart, to follow their own ways, and be ensnared and ruined. Anciently when any neglected or refused to heed the words of reproof and warning sent them of God, His protection was removed from them, and they were left to be deceived and deluded to their own ruin. Only those who, with tears of contrition, listened to the voice of God and gave heed to the warning, escaped the tempter’s snare.” The Review and Herald, January 8, 1884.

There is a topic that many people have pondered for some time and found to be quite fascinating. It is addressed very clearly in Scripture and something of which we all need to be mindful and of which we should be more than a little fearful. It is a phenomenon that could be referred to as the exception deception. In fact, most professed Christians fall victim to this snare of the enemy of souls. They somehow read the plainest word of God and feel that they are an exception to the rule laid out so clearly in Scripture.

The primary example of the exception deception is the belief that God’s law is no longer binding. This is especially true of the fourth commandment. There is no ambivalence in that commandment. Not only is the commandment itself stated so plainly that it takes the highest degree of self-deception to misunderstand, but the significance of keeping the Sabbath is presented over and over throughout both the Old and the New Testaments.

Sunday keepers have become so entangled in this snare that it is almost impossible to convince them that they are violating God’s law by failing to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. They have been led to believe by the enemy of souls that they are somehow exempted from obeying God’s plainest statements of conduct. And they carry that deception beyond the fourth commandment to all of God’s law, asserting that it was nailed to the cross. Since Christ fulfilled it, they reason, it is no longer binding. However, if you try to explain to them that, by their reasoning, they are in effect saying that it is okay to lie, steal or kill, they will quickly become double-minded. James addressed that very issue in James 1:5–8: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

This is an interesting text—one in which we are given instruction first—“ask of God”—and then told the consequences of failing to ask in faith—becoming double-minded and unstable.

This expectation that one is an exception to the rules goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. Although Eve knew that God had prohibited partaking of the forbidden fruit, she chose to believe Satan rather than the plainest word of God. She thought that she was an exception to God’s rule. Each one of us now bears the consequences of her exception deception.

Another individual who bought into the exception deception was Abraham. Although Abraham is called the father of the faithful, and rightfully so, it took him a few decades to earn that title. Although the ninth commandment clearly forbids bearing false witness, Abraham—actually he was still Abram at this point—chose to be less than fully truthful on occasion. That story is told in Genesis 12:10–13, NKJV.

“Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, “This is his wife”; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.’ ”

It might be argued that at this point in time the Ten Commandments had not been explicitly given to man. However, we can see from the consequences that Abram’s action was clearly a violation of the law. First, we see that he failed to trust in the Lord. We need to remember always that if we are following God’s clear instructions, He will provide divine protection.

That is confirmed in Psalm 18:30, NKJV: “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” Psalm 91 also provides irrefutable confirmation of God’s loving care for His people. Proverbs 30:5 repeats the promise of Psalm 18:30: “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

It seems that the exception deception prevails not only in the requirement to keep the commandments, but also with respect to the promises of God. Scripture clearly tells us that if we trust in Him, He will shield us from the assaults of the enemy of souls. Yet clearly, Abram did not have unfailing trust in God. He was deceived into believing that he was an exception to God’s promises. And the result? We are told that in Genesis 12:17, NKJV: “But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.”

It is interesting that in this situation the vengeance of God fell upon the victim of the transgression rather than on the transgressor. Were it not for the detailed explanation given in the Spirit of Prophecy, it would be difficult to understand why this was so.

“Through Abraham’s lack of faith, Sarah was placed in great peril. The king of Egypt, being informed of her beauty, caused her to be taken to his palace, intending to make her his wife. But the Lord, in His great mercy, protected Sarah by sending judgments upon the royal household. By this means the monarch learned the truth in the matter, and, indignant at the deception practiced upon him, he reproved Abraham and restored to him his wife, saying, ‘What is this that thou hast done unto me? … Why saidst thou, She is my sister? So I might have taken her to me to wife. Now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.’ [Genesis 12:18, 19.]

“Abraham had been greatly favored by the king; even now Pharaoh would permit no harm to be done him or his company, but ordered a guard to conduct them in safety out of his dominions. At this time laws were made prohibiting the Egyptians from intercourse with foreign shepherds in any such familiarity as eating or drinking with them. Pharaoh’s dismissal of Abraham was kind and generous; but he bade him leave Egypt, for he dared not permit him to remain. He had ignorantly been about to do him a serious injury, but God had interposed, and saved the monarch from committing so great a sin. Pharaoh saw in this stranger a man whom the God of heaven honored, and he feared to have in his kingdom one who was so evidently under divine favor. Should Abraham remain in Egypt, his increasing wealth and honor would be likely to excite the envy or covetousness of the Egyptians, and some injury might be done him, for which the monarch would be held responsible, and which might again bring judgments upon the royal house.

“The warning that had been given to Pharaoh proved a protection to Abraham in his after-intercourse with heathen peoples; for the matter could not be kept secret, and it was seen that the God whom Abraham worshiped would protect His servant, and that any injury done him would be avenged.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 130, 131.

Surprisingly, this incident didn’t fully teach Abraham the lesson of complete obedience that he needed to learn, for later in his life, he once again broke the royal law. Although the seventh commandment clearly forbids infidelity, Abraham somehow felt that he was an exception to that rule and took for himself multiple wives—the consequences of which are still being seen in the Middle East today.

Another character in Scripture that thought himself an exception to the rules time after time was Samson. His story is told in Judges 14 through 16 and shows how the Lord can use anyone—even someone who fails to obey the clearest instructions in God’s word by choosing to be unequally yoked—to fulfill His divine will. Despite Samson’s repeated transgressions, his repentance must have been thorough and sincere, for Paul includes him among the faithful in Hebrews 11:32–34, referring to him as one who “out of weakness” was “made strong.”

Why do we need to be so careful not to delude ourselves? Because it is such a common practice today that, just as Abraham fell victim to the common practices of society in his day, we too are continually exposed to behavior that is contrary to the law of liberty, so much so that it becomes the new normal and fully accepted as completely acceptable.

Recently there was a report in the news concerning Pope Benedict’s visit to Germany in September 2011. In the report, a portion of the speech was repeated that he gave there. In the speech, he expressed the desire that the people would learn to look for salvation to … the church. NPR (National Public Radio) News, September 2011.

In Acts 4:11 and 12, we read: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

We are told in verse 8 that Peter is talking, being filled with the Holy Spirit. And to whom is Peter talking? The Church! Peter tells the church that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. Surely the Pope has read this text. Surely the Pope knows that his assertion that salvation comes through the church is ill-founded. Or is he perhaps a victim of self-deception? Another victim of the exception deception? To those who accept the Scriptures as their safeguard, the man of sin is clearly being revealed.

Let’s look at another Biblical example of someone who clearly thought he was an exception to the rules. This is a character whose life story reveals just how easily one can be led astray—even someone chosen by God to lead His people—if he fails to remain faithful to God’s word.

In I Samuel 10:1, NKJV we read the story of Saul’s anointing: “Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his [Saul’s] head, and kissed him and said: ‘Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?’ ”

Then Saul went on about his normal activities, as Samuel commanded him, detailed in verses 2 through 5. Then, in verses 6–9, NKJV we read, “ ‘Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you. You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.’ So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.”

“Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.’ And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. …

“And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.’ ” I Samuel 13:8–10, 13, 14, NKJV.

Saul had had a good start. God gave him another heart. But he was deceived into believing that he was an exception to the plainest instructions given him through God’s spokesman. His disobedience began early in his tenure and continued after Samuel died. We are told near the end of the long and pitiful story of Saul’s life that he saw the Philistines gathered together and was afraid. In I Samuel 28:5 we read that “his heart trembled greatly.”

If the Israelites under Saul’s direction had originally done what God had told them to do, the Philistines would not have been a problem for Saul. Indeed, the Philistines would have been completely destroyed and would not have become “old enemies” of Israel for centuries.

Let’s look at more of Saul’s deception that he was an exception to the rule.

“Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. [Why would the Lord not answer Saul? Perhaps it was because he regarded iniquity in his heart.] Then Saul said to his servants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.’ [Here he adds sin to sin.] And his servants said to him, ‘In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.’ So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, ‘Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.’ ” I Samuel 28:3–8.

Well, we know the rest of the story of Saul’s life. It is summed up in the Spirit of Prophecy this way: “The first king of Israel perished, with the guilt of self-murder upon his soul. His life had been a failure, and he went down in dishonor and despair, because he had set up his own perverse will against the will of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 682.

In other words, he succumbed to the exception deception. Saul thought he was an exception to the basic principles of God’s law and to the clearest instructions given him by Samuel, the prophet of God.

Let’s ponder for a moment this hard question. Do we sometimes think that we are exceptions to the clearest instructions given to us by Ellen G. White, the prophet of God, just as Saul thought that he was an exception to the instructions given him by the prophet of God?

Here are a few statements from God’s prophet to the remnant that many of the remnant often ignore.

“Cheese should never be introduced into the stomach.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 68.

“Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design––that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat-eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it.” Maranatha, 62.

“Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat-eating will go from God’s people, to walk no more with them.” Ibid.

“The many books which education is thought to embrace, are misleading, a deception and a delusion. ‘What is the chaff to the wheat?’ Satan is now stirring up the minds of men to furnish to the world literature which is of a cheap, superficial order, but which fascinates the mind, and fastens it in a network of Satan’s contrivance. [Consider how the Harry Potter series fulfills this statement.] After reading these books, the mind lives in an unreal world, and the life, so far as usefulness is concerned, is as barren as a fruitless tree. [Emphasis supplied.] The brain is intoxicated, making it impossible for the eternal realities, which are essential for the present and the future to be pressed home. A mind educated to feed upon trash is unable to see in the word of God the beauty that is there. Love for Jesus and inclination to righteousness are lost; for the mind is built up from that upon which it feeds. By feeding the mind upon exciting stories of fiction, man is bringing to the foundation ‘wood, hay, stubble.’ He loses all taste for the divine Guidebook, and cares not to study the character he must form in order to dwell with the redeemed host, and inhabit the mansions which Christ has gone to prepare.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 451, 452.

“Those who love God will not choose the enemies of God to be their friends. The question was asked, ‘Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them which hate the Lord?’ Will you prefer the association of the irreligious and disloyal, to that of those who are obeying the commandments of God? Will you choose to separate yourself from those who love God, and place yourself as far as possible from the channel of light? You want to keep in an atmosphere of purity and faith, and bring into your characters, principles that will be as solid timbers. Christians will not choose and cultivate the society of non-Christians.” The Review and Herald, January 16, 1894. [Emphasis supplied.]

Turning to the book of James, we find further discussion of the exception deception.

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:1–9.

The need to regard others with impartiality is not a concept that appeared for the first time in the apostolic era. In Deuteronomy 1:16, 17, we read, “And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.” Deuteronomy 1:16, 17.

Moses understood—and so instructed the chosen judges—that to show favoritism in judgment was contrary to the principles of heaven. Man is not to manifest partiality in judgment or make exceptions to the rules for others.

He repeated his admonition to rule without partiality in Deuteronomy 16:19, NKJV: “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also stressed God’s impartiality. He said that God “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45, NKJV.

Paul makes it clear in more than one of his epistles to be aware of the exception deception.

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 2:5–11.

God is going to render “to every man according to his deeds” without “respect of persons.” In other words, He will not make an exception for anyone who is contentious or guilty of unrighteousness. He is not a party to the exception deception.

In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, verse 9, after providing inspired instruction for several different classes of people, Paul concludes by remarking, “… knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” Read Ephesians 6:1–9.

Paul also makes the point in his letter to the Colossians. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:23–25.

In other words, there are no exceptions to the rules. If you obey, you will inherit eternal life. If you disobey, you will suffer eternal destruction.

This concept of impartiality is so critical to salvation that the Holy Spirit impressed it upon Bible writers over and over again. In I Peter 1:17, we read, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”

Why is it that we need to “pass the time of our sojourning here in fear”? Is it not because Satan, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour? [See I Peter 5:8.]

“The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were taught that the pope was their mediator, and that none could approach God except through him, and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them, and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders. Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 58.

In Acts 10:34, 35, Peter speaks a truth that it is critical for us to remember as the meeting of time and eternity draws nigh: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.’ ”

Let us ever be mindful of Peter’s admonition and not be deceived by the enemy of souls into thinking that we are exceptions to God’s expressed commands, whether provided in Holy Scripture or in the Spirit of Prophecy.

John Pearson is currently the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. After retiring as chief financial officer for the Grand Canyon Association, he moved to Wichita to join the Steps team and may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

Editorial – Do Not Be Deceived

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Many people have imagined that they will easily be able to discern the last great deceptions that Satan will bring on the world. They know what the Bible says about the manner of Christ’s second coming; they know which day is the Bible Sabbath; they know what happens to a person when he dies. So they think that they are safe from being deceived. This was the exact condition and mindset of the Jews at the first advent of Christ.

If you have felt that you were safe because of your familiarity with the word of God, hopefully the following inspired statements should help you to realize that unless the Lord shields you by His Holy Spirit and unless you are a serious Bible student, you will be deceived. Remember that the person who is deceived does not know that he is deceived. If he did know, he would no longer be deceived.

“Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.” The Great Controversy, 625.

“If permitted, he [Satan] would sweep the entire race into his net. Were it not for the interposition of divine power, not one son or daughter of Adam would escape.” Ibid., 534.

“The path of error often appears to lie close to the path of truth. It is hardly distinguishable from the path that leads to holiness and heaven. But the mind enlightened by the Holy Spirit may discern that it is diverging from the right way. After a while the two are seen to be widely separated.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 290, 291.

“If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging, though almost imperceptibly, from the right path. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the way which leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.” Evangelism, 590.

If the Devil Were Your Pastor, What Would He Say?

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Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were the devil and were trying to deceive someone like you? Have you ever thought of that before? By the way, the devil has all kinds of advantages. You see, God has a great disadvantage, because God cannot tell you what you want to hear; He can only tell the truth. (See Titus 1:2.)

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well that just doesn’t make sense to me”? Do you know what the devil does? He is listening; and he says, “Well, I can make something make sense to him. I will come up with just the philosophy that appeals to him and that he thinks makes sense. If he thinks God is a certain way, I will come up with a religion that presents God in that way. I will come up with a religion or a philosophy or an idea that tells him just what he wants to hear.”

Satan is a deceiver; and as we read in Revelation 12:9, he has succeeded in deceiving the whole world. The Bible says that if it were possible, he would “deceive even the very elect.” Matthew 24:24. And after all, the elect are who he is really after. In Noah’s day, there were only eight out of millions who were not deceived. In Jesus’ day, there were only a few humble disciples; and even some of them did not fair so well. And in the last days, we are told that there will be only a small minority, even of God’s people, who are going to be saved. The rest are going to be deceived. Those who are going to be sealed in the last days are those who, because of the Word of God, see the deceptions that are creeping into God’s church today.

“And the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’ To the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’ So they began with the elders who were before the temple. ” Ezekiel 9:4–6.

Now, if I were the devil, I would study your life. I would put an angel by you, just like every other Christian. In fact, if I had enough, I would put two angels by each Christian; and I would say, “Listen, you go by each one of these Christians and find how they think, what they really like, and their weakest points; and strike at those weak points. You find what they like the best, and we will deceive them on those points. Tell them a lot of good things; just weave in a few errors here and there so subtly that they can’t decipher where they are, and lead them to hell.”

If I were the devil, I would go to a revival meeting and be converted. But I would not stop there for sure. It would not be good enough for me to be just a common church member; I would want to be active in the church. In fact, do you know what I would really like to do? I would like to teach and preach. I think I would go to the seminary and become educated.

Suppose the devil became the pastor of your church. What kind of a pastor do you think he would be? I want to tell you what kind of a pastor he would be. He would be the best speaker you have ever heard. He would be the best administrator you have ever seen. He would be the most personable pastor you have ever had. He would be a pastor who would speak more love than any pastor you have ever heard; it would be love and righteousness. But the only thing that your faith should be based on is the Bible. “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. Paul says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11. He commended the Bereans because they did not accept what he said without going to the Bible first to see if it was according to Scripture.

I want to tell you something. Satan has lost none of his power and none of his guile and none of his ability; and he is working to deceive. “Who knows whether God will not give you up to the deceptions you love? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm, and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? It may be that the destroyers are already training under the hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard-bearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, ‘Peace, peace,’ when the Lord hath not spoken peace.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 77. Here we are told that when the faithful pastors are removed, pastors will take their places who have been trained by Satan himself; and they may take over all the pastorates.

The disciples were loath to believe that the Bible meant all that it said back in Jesus’ day. When Jesus told them that He was going to die, they said, “That really isn’t going to happen to You. You are speaking in parables.” I want to tell you, the prophets do not lie. Did you notice what the sign of a false prophet is and what they are going to preach? These people who have been trained under the hand of Satan are going to come with the voice of the false prophet and cry, “Peace, Peace.” Oh, do not give us any straight sermons. Do not tell us, like John the Baptist, where we are wrong. We do not want to hear that. Do not tell us any of these things. That is being critical. Do not say any of those things. Just tell us how good we are.” I want to tell you, that is a doctrine of the devil!

“I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers. When God shall work His strange work on the earth, when holy hands bear the ark no longer, woe will be upon the people.” Ibid. The ark is not dependent upon who is carrying it. It is still God’s ark. God has a church on earth today. It is defined and identified in Revelation 12:7, and throughout Revelation. It will be those who keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” The Great Controversy, 593. None! “Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.” Ibid., 625.

I want to tell you something, friends. God inspired those words. He knew that we would need them in this day. And I want to tell you something about inspired words. Inspired words mean what they say. A lot of people think that there are exceptions. They think that if they are in the right church, they will somehow sail through as long as they keep their membership. Inspiration says that that is not so, that it is only those who have fortified their minds with the truths of the Bible who will have a defense against the powerful temptations of the evil one. You need to prayerfully open the Word of God. Study it, dear friends; study it day after day after day. Spend more than five minutes with it. You have to become a diligent student of the Word of God. It must become a personal Book to you. Jesus Christ must become your personal Saviour.

Do you know what is the greatest deception in all the world? It is to think that you are right when you are absolutely wrong. We are told in Matthew 7:21–23 that when Jesus comes, many will be so certain that they are saved that they will argue with God about it. They will have done many things in Jesus’ name. They went to church and even paid their tithe in His name. They were Christians through and through. They held church offices. They may have even led many souls into the church. They have all the proofs and marks of salvation. Then they will hear those sad words, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Oh, I tell you, do not think that you are smart enough to outwit the devil. You can never do it.

But guess what? There is another power on earth besides the power of the devil. What power is that? The power of God, the power of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to put a shield and a hedge around every true follower of His. If we will study the Bible daily and if we are following everything that it says, he will protect us from the devil’s deceptions. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32.

Now if I were the devil, I would do one other thing. Not only would I be converted at a revival meeting, but also I would go to the seminary and become a pastor and work my way up. You see, I would be interested in achieving. Not only would I seek to be a good pastor, I would seek to get into a position where I could hire those I wanted to hire and get rid of those I wanted to get rid of. In time, I would surround myself with men like me; and I would take control of whatever organization I was a part of. Now, thank the Lord, God has said that His church is going through; but in the meantime, He says that it is going to suffer. If you do not believe this is so, consider this statement. “Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.” Testimonies to Ministers, 409. Do not think it is not possible for the devil to take control of any church in the land, even of God’s church.

Listen, dear friends, the devil is no dummy. He has his agents, and they are as good as any preachers you have ever heard. They are the best. They will do anything to achieve. They will do anything to get to the top; and they are getting there, dear friends.

Do you know what I would do first? I would try to get to the top and surround myself with people like me. Then I would start to week out anyone who gave the straight testimony. If anyone thought that they were going to follow those who were giving the straight testimony, I would send out an avalanche of bad news, gossip, rumors, and bad reports about them so that everyone would be turned away from them.

Second, I would get my public relations department going and in four-color brochures, in pictures, and in very other way, I would tell people what a good job I was doing. I would build up all of my people and destroy anyone who was giving the straight testimony.

Dear friends, I am not talking in parables. I just read that some day, when the faithful, firm, and true pastors are removed, their places are going to be taken by those “training under the hand of the devil.” Now, God does not want us to judge others, but He does tell us that we are to be wise as serpents because He sends us out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Many times the wolves are in the highest places. They are in places where they can influence our thinking and our actions.

Oh, dear friend, I have an appeal for you. You do not have to be deceived. Everyone is going to be deceived except those who study the Word of God every day. Pledge yourself to begin to faithfully study the Word of God every day.