THE WORK OF THE DESTROYER by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CAL., KANSAS CITY, NEW YORK · Nov 28, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 48.

THE WORK OF THE DESTROYER

By G.

IN the beginning Adam was given the dominion of the earth. When he yielded to the temptation of Satan, he lost, and Satan usurped, the dominion. Owing to Satan's (Lucifer's) rebellion in heaven, he was cast out into the earth, where, for the time being, he exercises the dominion which he wrested from Adam. Jesus said to His disciples, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18. Also in the Revelation we read that "there was war in heaven; Michael [Christ] and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Chapter 12: 7-9.

After Adam's failure, Christ set about the work of redemption—to redeem the dominion which Satan had usurped, and to redeem the race from Satanic influence and from the fallen state into which he had brought them. His ability to overcome Satan in heaven is proof of His power to redeem the earth. But He takes His own time and way to accomplish His purpose. The prophet tells of the final victory: "And Thou, O Tower of the flock, the Stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." Micah 4:8. As before stated, the dominion, for the time being, is in the hand of Satan. When he offered it to Christ, on condition that Christ would worship him (Matt. 4:8-10), the offer was spurned, but the fact of Satan's holding the dominion was not disputed.

And the apostle Paul recognizes Satan as "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Eph. 2:2. Again he enjoins us to "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Chapter 6:11, 12. The Revised Version reads, "against the spiritual hosts of wickedness."

That Satan, as "prince of the power of the air," has power over the elements, is shown by the destruction of Job's property. Knowing the certainty of eventual defeat by Christ, his sole object is destruction. He wants especially to destroy the souls for whom Christ died. He knows that "the wages of sin is death," therefore he would lure them to disobedience and to consequent death. He thought to destroy Christ, and stirred up the people on several occasions to accomplish that end. The tempest which Christ stilled on the Sea of Galilee was of Satan's raising. This was an attempt to overwhelm the Redeemer of men while He was taking much-needed sleep; but His greater power was shown in the simple words, "Peace, be still."

Wreck of a Baptist Church in the Great Galveston Tidal Wave of September 8 and 9, 1900.

In the multiplicity of destructive storms, cyclones, earthquakes, tidal waves, and other disturbances of the elements, the enemy of souls is no doubt pleased to have them all laid to the charge of the almighty God. It furthers his work of deception to have men believe there is no personal devil going about "seeking whom he may devour;" he would fain have them believe that the Lord of glory is responsible for all the works of destruction that are multiplying as the end draws nigh. The Scriptures tell us that before the coming of the Lord there will be "the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." 2 Thess. 2:9. And the prophecy of the Revelation is manifestly being fulfilled which says, "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Chapter 12:12.

It was Satan's work, through a disobedient people, that accomplished the crucifixion of Christ, but His triumphant victory over death settled forever His mastery over Satan. That blasted forever the last hope of the enemy that he could retain the dominion of the earth. As the end of his career draws nearer and nearer, his wrath increases and his determination to work destruction increases; hence the increasing frequency and fierceness of elemental shocks and outbursts, which cause so much destruction, loss, and sorrow and suffering in the world.

But does not God also destroy, and bring judgments upon, the earth?—He certainly does. But God's judgments are upon the wicked; He not only spares the righteous, but He gives the wicked fair warning, while Satan destroys everything possible. He has no regard for even his most efficient servants among men. No doubt he aims especially to destroy the righteous and their works, but he does not care how many others suffer in the attempt; and he gives no warning. In order to destroy righteous Job, he first destroyed his worldly sons and daughters. His storms and diseases and wars overtake all alike, save as they are overruled by the providence of God.

The Work of the Kirksville (Mo.) Tornado, April 27, 1899.

When God destroyed the antediluvian world on account of universal sin, He warned them all, and spared Noah and his family, who heeded the warning. When He destroyed Sodom for the same reason, He spared Lot. In this connection the principle is enunciated by Abraham, when pleading with God in behalf of the righteous in the wicked city. "And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city; wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Gen. 18:23-25. God acknowledged the principle, and promised to spare the whole place if only ten righteous persons could be found. But they were not to be found.

Of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army, the warning had been given by the Lord in person, as well as by His prophets. The disciples, heeding the words of their Master, escaped from the city before it was too late. So in the final destruction of the wicked, none will be able to say there was not ample warning; for the Gospel will have been preached in the earth from the days of Adam to the close of probationary time. And those who have obeyed the warning voice, and made Christ their refuge, will be spared through the general wreck, and have a place in the glorious new earth, "wherein dwelleth righteousness."