The Counterfeit and no Genuine
By James White
Would be the greatest possible absurdity. Yet some professing to be Bible men, who hold forth that the great Counterfeiter is in the field "with all power, signs and lying wonders," assisting men and women to speak with power, heal the sick, and see future events, yet doubt whether it be the plan of God to manifest his power in assisting men to preach his word, in healing the sick, and in the gifts which he placed in the Church. This would be like circulating spurious notes on a bank in some town and State in unexplored regions, or counterfeiting some celebrated medicine that never existed. Be assured, Satan understands his work full well. His counterfeits are out at the right time, and are of the right sort to accomplish his purposes. He, knowing "that he hath but a short time" to sink men in perdition, determined to pre-occupy the field, and draw as many as possible into his bewitching snares, then try to make all others doubt the genuine, because of the counterfeit. But this subject viewed correctly, the existence of the counterfeit assures us that the genuine also exists. And what a scene will the closing conflict present. Satan inspiring the corrupt hearts of men with "all power and signs and lying wonders," and the great God pouring out his Spirit on the humble and despised remnant, so that the closing message will be confirmed by signs and wonders, and mighty deeds of the Holy Ghost. God save us from throwing all away because of the spurious. But, rather, let us "Prove all things, and HOLD FAST that which is good." J. W.