p. 356 | TWO POWERS by J. M. Gallemore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · June 3, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 23

TWO POWERS.

By J. M. Gallemore

BY J. M. GALLEMORE.

There are two great powers in the world, and they are at war with each other. There are good angels, and there are evil ones; and both classes are active in their work,—one trying to lift up fallen man, and lead him in the way of eternal life; the other to debase him, and lead him down to eternal death. These bands are led, one by the Saviour of mankind, the other by man’s greatest adversary,—Satan. Satan, with his evil angels, is powerful; the Son of God, with his good angels, is all-powerful.

That Satan and his hosts have great power, witness their miracles performed in the presence of Moses, in turning the rods into serpents, water into blood, etc. We see, also, from Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22; and Luke 11:15, that Satan is recognized as having great power. For further proof on this point, note the wonders he is performing in our own day, through the agency of so-called spirit mediums. He is certainly powerful, and as his time grows shorter, he will work with still greater power. If we would resist his influence, we must look in faith to one who is mightier than he,—the Saviour, whose appearing we hope soon to behold, as he comes escorted by all the heavenly angels, to reward every man according as his work shall be. Rev. 22:12.

The great question for us to decide, is, Who will we have to rule over us? “His servants ye are, to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” Rom. 6:16. Which, then, of these rival powers will we serve? We cannot serve the Lord and the devil; we cannot divide the affections between them. The great mystery is, that men should try to do this. Why should they desire to give the least service to such a cruel master, whose wages is only death,—eternal death? Why should they choose his yoke of bondage in preference to the easy yoke and light burden of our Lord and Saviour? Why will men, of their own free-will and accord, choose sin and its wages, death, in preference to obedience and an eternal life of happiness in the kingdom of God? Is it not because men are corrupt at heart, and love sin; so that, instead of going to the Fountain that cleanses from all uncleanness, making them new creatures in Christ Jesus, they are led on by the great enemy, and listen to his siren song, unconscious of the power he has over them?

We have seen men mesmerized, their wills controlled by the will of another; and thus it seems to be with the unguarded and deluded millions who are led captive by Satan at his will; and so it will continue to be until it is too late, and they are called upon to receive the wages of sin. Men are slaves, in bondage to sin and death, when they might be heirs with the Saviour, and servants of the Most High God, thus enjoying the greatest honor to which man can ever attain.

Sad it is to think that such folly exists in the minds of men. Let us who profess to be of the day, be watchful and prayerful, lest the evil one weave his web about us; and when the Son of man comes he find us sleeping, and unprepared to meet him. The times are evil; we are on the enchanted ground, and there is great need of wakefulness, watchfulness, and prayerfulness.