Satan's Crowning Deception: Personating Christ Before Probation Closes

Satan’s impersonation of Christ takes place before the close of probation as his final, crowning deception to lead the world captive6BC 1105.11+1. While he continues to work wonders until the very end of human history, his personal appearance as a majestic, miracle-working being occurs during the period when souls are still being tested and tried2SM 50.4+1.

The Timing of the Deception

• A Pre-Probationary Masterpiece: Satan works with all power and signs and lying wonders specifically during the period just prior to the close of probationCOL 414.3+1.

• Crowning the Delusion: This personal appearing is described as his crowning deception, intended to deceive, if possible, the very elect while they are still in the world of darkness6BC 1105.11+1.

• Miracles to the Limit: He will continue these wonders until the close of probation so that he may point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light 2 Thessalonians 2:9-102SM 50.4.

The Nature of the Impersonation

• Personal Appearance: Satan will not appear as a hideous form but will transform himself into an angel of light, even personating Jesus Christ in person6BC 1105.11+1.

• Garments of Royalty: He will clothe himself in royal garments that accurately match the descriptions of Christ found in the visions of John Revelation 1:13-15TA 274.1.

• Mighty Wonders: To validate his claims, he will work mighty miracles, such as causing fire to come down from heaven in the sight of menLDE 167.3+1.

Contrasting the Counterfeit with the True Advent

• A Counterfeit Voice: While the world falls down and worships this being, God’s people will recognize that he is man’s worst enemy because they know the true voice of the Shepherd John 10:46BC 1105.11.

• Manner of Coming: Christ’s actual second coming will be far more glorious, accompanied by ten thousand times ten thousand angels, whereas Satan’s appearance is a localized, deceptive display Matthew 25:316BC 1105.11.

• Universal Visibility: When the Son of Man truly returns, it will be with power and great glory in the clouds of heaven, a scene no human language can fully portray Revelation 1:7TA 278.1.

The Purpose of the Deception

• Securing Worship: By hiding the deformity of his character, Satan receives the worship from a blinded people that belongs alone to God1Red 60.2.

• Capturing the World: This miracle-working power is designed to sweep in the whole world and bind them into bundles for destruction just prior to the final visitation of God’s judgmentsLDE 167.3+1.

• The Final Struggle: There will be one fierce struggle involving these delusions before the "man of sin" is fully disclosed to the world 2 Thessalonians 2:31888 762.3.