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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: Alchemy]
#178942
01/07/16 06:51 AM
01/07/16 06:51 AM
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By the sixth and seventh plague everyone's fate is totally sealed. And yes, satan does care about probation. "Our probation is soon to close....Satan knows this, and he is making one last, mighty effort to destroy the souls of men. Especially does he work to entice into his ranks the professed followers of Christ; for he can work through them with the greatest effect to destroy others. {RH, October 23, 1888 par. 8}
We are approaching the end of this earth's history, and Satan is working as never before. He is striving to act as director of the Christian world. With an intensity that is marvelous he is working with his lying wonders. Satan is represented as walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He desires to embrace the whole world in his confederacy. Hiding his deformity under the garb of Christianity, he assumes the attributes of a Christian, and claims to be Christ Himself.--8MR 346 (1901).
" Satan is determined to destroy the people of God, and cut them off from their inheritance."
It's true that God's people (this is NOT a corporate group, God's people are individuals who have fully committed themselves to follow Christ the Lamb) -- only these fully committed ones will not be misled. However, thousands who think they are right with God, but haven't been earnestly praying and seeking for an ever closer relationship will be deceived. We are warned over and over and over again, to make our commitment to God sure NOW, or we will be swept away in the delusions. If men are so easily misled now, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations then--professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ?--2SM 394 (1897). Satan will take the field and personate Christ. He will misrepresent, misapply, and pervert everything he possibly can.--TM 411 (1898). No, Satan will not be allowed to replicate Christ's coming. Yet, ask yourself -- HOW ARE PEOPLE EXPECTING CHRIST TO COME? What do you hear on Christian radio and TV on this subject? Some teach a secret rapture and then, seven years later believe Christ will APPEAR ON EARTH in the area of Jerusalem and set up His kingdom over the present world. Others don't believe in the rapture but still believe Christ will APPEAR ON EARTH and set up His kingdom over the present world. We even have posters on this forum who believe something similar, denying the millennium with Christ will be in heaven, but that it will be here on earth. THE WORLD (especially the Christian world) IS BEING PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE FALSE CHRIST! Satan . . . will come personating Jesus Christ, working mighty miracles; and men will fall down and worship him as Jesus Christ. We shall be commanded to worship this being, whom the world will glorify as Christ. What shall we do? Tell them that Christ has warned us against just such a foe, who is man's worst enemy, yet who claims to be God, and that when Christ shall make His appearance it will be with power and great glory, accompanied by ten thousand times ten thousand angels and thousands of thousands, and that when He shall come we shall know His voice.--6BC 1106 (1888). {LDE 165.3} Please don't think this is some far off, no problem thing -- a crowning deception, is a serious thing! Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes one last desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ. He clothes himself with the garments of royalty which have been accurately described in the vision of John. He has power to do this. He will appear to his deluded followers, the Christian world who received not the love of the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (transgression of the law), as Christ coming the second time. {LDE 164.1} He proclaims himself Christ, and he is believed to be Christ, a beautiful, majestic being clothed with majesty and, with soft voice and pleasant words, with glory unsurpassed by anything their mortal eyes had yet beheld. Then his deceived, deluded followers set up a shout of victory, "Christ has come the second time! Christ has come! He has lifted up His hands just as He did when He was upon the earth, and blessed us.". . . {LDE 164.2} The saints look on with amazement. Will they also be deceived? Will they worship Satan? Angels of God are about them. A clear, firm, musical voice is heard, "Look up." {LDE 164.3} There was one object before the praying ones--the final and eternal salvation of their souls. This object was before them constantly--that immortal life was promised to those who endure unto the end. Oh, how earnest and fervent had been their desires. The judgment and eternity were in view. Their eyes by faith were fixed on the blazing throne, before which the white-robed ones were to stand. This restrained them from the indulgence of sin. . . . {LDE 164.4} One effort more, and then Satan's last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate Christ, and make them think their prayers are answered.--Ms 16, 1884. {LDE 165.1} All through these quotes rings the warning -- a great deception will come -- urging us to make sure we are firmly grounded in the TRUE Christ for the danger of being deceived is very real. And remember there are two times of trouble -- (See EW p. 85 and 3SM 397) first before probation closes when many of God's people will suffer persecution and even be put to death, and after probation closes (no more martyrs) when the plagues fall.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: dedication]
#178943
01/07/16 08:38 AM
01/07/16 08:38 AM
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All too often with Revelation 17. People talk without understanding.
What are we to understand about Revelation 17. I believe one important connection are the sixth and seventh plagues of Revelation 16. I believe the angel from 17:1 is the angel from the sixth plague. I believe this because the angel says in verse 1 that he "will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore". Who is this whore? Verse 5 tells us it is Babylon. And ancient Babylon sat on the literal River Euphrates and the sixth plague deals directly with the spiritual River Euphrates.
I believe the seventh plague is also connected because Babylon is called out by name in Revelation 16:17-21.
Personally, I don't believe this connection can afford to be missed.
And if we follow this connection, we know for a fact that the personation of Christ by Satan is after the close of probation. And this is because the dragon of the sixth plague can be none other than Satan himself on the earth.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: dedication]
#178946
01/07/16 09:09 AM
01/07/16 09:09 AM
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Before -- His impersonation extends over a period of time, since he will be on earth for awhile pretending to be Christ. Thus it will cover time both before and after the close of probation. But the initial part takes place BEFORE probation closes as it is the last and crowning deception to wean people away from the true SAVIOR. During this time the Sunday laws will be cranked up to an intense level. God's people are to be warned of this deception -- It will be part of the sifting process that shakes people out of the truth. Just because the "elect" don't fall for it, doesn't mean probation is closed, it only means those who thought they were part of the elect but who didn't firmly anchor themselves in Christ, will be sifted out. Of course this extends on after probation and includes the death decree, yet the beginning of the impersonation takes place before probation closes. Actually there are already apparitions appearing claiming to be Christ. 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 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 Saviour has warned His people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming....
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. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? {GC Chapter XXXIX - “The Time of Trouble”}
Anyway, you haven't demonstrated anything from the Bible or Ellen White to support your position. Only your personal opinion.
??????????????? Half my post was quote. Why warn God's people on this point if they are already beyond deception? (bold emphasis mine) It is not about you dedication!! Your question is not proof of anything!! Sister White is clear that Satan personates Christ in a desperate move because he is about to lose what he has built on this earth. Satan can see Babylon falling! This is why he does what he does. Satan doesn't care one bit that Christ has closed the door of mercy to this world, he is fighting for his own life and freedom! Him and his evil angels! Remember, in the Great Controversy, Satan believes that he is the Most High God of this earth and he is got to prove it NOW!! (NOW!! still being this future event) Think about this for a minute; I personally believe that Satan claims this earth as his even before the close of probation! This is how I read Daniel 11:45. Satan sets up his tabernacles between the seas (peoples of this earth) and the Glorious Holy Mountain (New Jerusalem). Satan is claiming this earth as his even before Michael stands up in Daniel 12:1! Satan claims it's all over before Christ does! So, Satan doesn't care in the least about the close of probation and doesn't even really know that it has taken place. He doesn't know that probation has closed. So, what does he care about it! We know that Satan will lose and the close of probation is critically important! Because God has made it so. But, Satan doesn't care about it at all. Unless you can prove me wrong and show where Satan knows about and cares about the close of probation. But, I know you can't.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: Alchemy]
#178947
01/07/16 09:42 AM
01/07/16 09:42 AM
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Just for the sake of clarity;
When I mentioned Daniel 11:45, what I am saying is that Satan does not want Christ to be the one to close out probation. Satan wants to take control of the events of this earth away from Christ! Right?!?
This is how Satan cares about probation. Satan does not care about the close of probation as we think of it. He doesn't know when it closes or anything.
This is why when the four winds are let loose, I believe Satan takes that as evidence that he has won the battle! Even God has acknowledged it by relinquishing control of the earth to him! It is when the plagues start to fall and all of his world is falling apart that Satan gets desperate and personates Christ.
So then, Satan doesn't personate Christ until after the plagues start to fall, just as the Bible teaches it!
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: dedication]
#178959
01/08/16 04:23 PM
01/08/16 04:23 PM
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If it is after probation, why the caution not to go out to the desert or inner chambers? How could he deceive the very elect if possible?
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: kland]
#178964
01/09/16 12:20 PM
01/09/16 12:20 PM
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If it is after probation, why the caution not to go out to the desert or inner chambers? How could he deceive the very elect if possible? Because Satan is simply fighting for his own life and freedom. Satan doesn't care if God's people are deceived, he will just kill them all! That is what we learn from SpM 2.1. If the Scapegoat, Satan, were to get loose, Israel would lose their lives. Satan wants to simply murder all of God's people. In LDE 164, Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. What case?!? Case in this context is a legal term. Like bringing your case to court. And Satan is losing his case and must destroy all of God's people to save himself. So, the close of probation by God doesn't mean anything really. He isn't concerned with changing the minds of God's people.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: dedication]
#178982
01/11/16 12:55 AM
01/11/16 12:55 AM
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Another point I would like to make. The Bible states that the very elect would be deceived, if possible. That is a big "if"! The Bible and Ellen White both state that God's people will not be misled! Hence the "if".
So, there isn't any need for Satan to deceive at this time. If somehow it were to happen, Satan would take it, I guess. But, his purpose is to destroy all of God's people that are left.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: Alchemy]
#178994
01/11/16 04:08 PM
01/11/16 04:08 PM
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SDA Active Member 2024
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If it is after probation, why the caution not to go out to the desert or inner chambers? How could he deceive the very elect if possible? Because Satan is simply fighting for his own life and freedom. Satan doesn't care if God's people are deceived, he will just kill them all! That is what we learn from SpM 2.1. If the Scapegoat, Satan, were to get loose, Israel would lose their lives. Satan wants to simply murder all of God's people. In LDE 164, Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. What case?!? Case in this context is a legal term. Like bringing your case to court. And Satan is losing his case and must destroy all of God's people to save himself. So, the close of probation by God doesn't mean anything really. He isn't concerned with changing the minds of God's people. I agree with this. Another point I would like to make. The Bible states that the very elect would be deceived, if possible. That is a big "if"! The Bible and Ellen White both state that God's people will not be misled! Hence the "if".
So, there isn't any need for Satan to deceive at this time. If somehow it were to happen, Satan would take it, I guess. But, his purpose is to destroy all of God's people that are left. After probation, satan can't destroy God's people. So why the need for personation? He already has the wicked, can't deceive the righteous. Why the need? It only fits if his personation happens before the final close of probation.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: kland]
#178996
01/11/16 11:34 PM
01/11/16 11:34 PM
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If it is after probation, why the caution not to go out to the desert or inner chambers? How could he deceive the very elect if possible? Because Satan is simply fighting for his own life and freedom. Satan doesn't care if God's people are deceived, he will just kill them all! That is what we learn from SpM 2.1. If the Scapegoat, Satan, were to get loose, Israel would lose their lives. Satan wants to simply murder all of God's people. In LDE 164, Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. What case?!? Case in this context is a legal term. Like bringing your case to court. And Satan is losing his case and must destroy all of God's people to save himself. So, the close of probation by God doesn't mean anything really. He isn't concerned with changing the minds of God's people. I agree with this. Another point I would like to make. The Bible states that the very elect would be deceived, if possible. That is a big "if"! The Bible and Ellen White both state that God's people will not be misled! Hence the "if".
So, there isn't any need for Satan to deceive at this time. If somehow it were to happen, Satan would take it, I guess. But, his purpose is to destroy all of God's people that are left. After probation, satan can't destroy God's people. So why the need for personation? He already has the wicked, can't deceive the righteous. Why the need? It only fits if his personation happens before the final close of probation. (bold emphasis mine) What "fits" in your mind is irrelevant, this is how prophecy teaches it. Satan doesn't care that God has promised to deliver His people, Satan's intention is to prove God wrong. Remember the Great Controversy, Satan believes he is the Most High God on the earth. Where do you think the Papacy gets that idea? From Satan. Those who insist on this "it has to be before the close of probation" are in bondage to these philosophies. Why don't you show from the Bible and Ellen White that Satan's personation of Christ is before the close of probation? Because you can't! Revelation 16:12-16 is clear. The dragon, who is Satan, shows up on the earth to perform signs and wonders to deceive the "kings of the earth and of the whole world". Satan shows up after the plagues start to fall. Period.
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Re: When Does Satan Personate Christ
[Re: dedication]
#178999
01/12/16 01:57 AM
01/12/16 01:57 AM
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Alchemy, kland made a good point regarding Satan's deception, but I believe Ellen White makes it clear enough herself. When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God's people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image." The sea "became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea." And "the rivers and fountains of waters . . . became blood." Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . . because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. In like manner Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all the blood of holy men which had been shed since the days of Abel; for they possessed the same spirit and were seeking to do the same work with these murderers of the prophets. {GC 627.3} If you read the pages before that, you will discover several events lined up in a chronological order that will occur in the end. 1) Satan will personate Christ. 2) Many will believe him and be deceived in this crowning act of deception. 3) Governments will commence and/or increase their persecution of God's people. 4) Jesus ceases His ministration in the sanctuary. 5) The seven last plagues are poured out. I believe that probation closes at #4 in the above list, don't you? If probation had already closed before that, why ever would Jesus still be ministering on behalf of sinners? Blessings, Green Cochoa.
We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We can discern the character of God, and accept Christ by faith, only as we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. And to all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him." [Colossians 2:9, 10.] {GW 57.1} -- Ellen White.
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