THE DANGER OF BEING DECEIVED,
By Albert Stone
The troubles of this world began through the deception practiced upon the first pair by a wily foe. That same foe still lives, and is the chief agent in the continuance of these troubles. Man’s liability to deception is greatly increased by the first deception. Never was there a more timely caution than that given by our Lord on the occasion of his discourse on his second advent, recorded in Matt. 24: “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Let the reader bear in mind that the discourse referred to was given for the special benefit of those who should see the signs of his second advent, and live in the midst of the perils of the last days. Imagine, if you can, what the world would have been if sin had not entered it. Then look around and see what it is. What caused the difference? The answer is, Deception opened the door, and sin entered. The chief efforts of Satan at present are directed to destroy the influence of truth for this time. To accomplish this he has come down to us having great power, knowing that his time is short. The warfare against Christ and his132 kingdom waxes hotter as we approach the end. With the enemy, it is victory or death. He well knows that his great power lies in his adroitness in the art of deceiving. To be ignorant of his devices is to be overcome. It should be noted by all that there is nobody, ostensibly, on the Devil’s side. Even Satan himself is not. In appearance and profession everybody is on the Lord’s side. We hear discordant voices and the clashing of arms. We see the war horse champing his bit, and the smoke of battle rising over the hills; yet from both sides the cry is heard, “See my zeal for the Lord.” “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Cor. 11:14, 15. The policy of Satan and the cunning which he employs to gain his ends, are pointedly exposed in the above text. These ends are accomplished by his transforming power, which is manifest in changing the appearance of false religions so that they shall resemble true religion, and yet remain destitute of its intrinsic quality. In this way he ostensibly carries on the work of God in all its departments with such consummate skill as to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. He figures in revivals, and the result is that many of them are not reformations from sin to holiness, but mere revivals of the moral sentiments for the time being, which soon pass off, leaving the form of godliness without the power. It is a sad omen for the future of the people of God when that which is generally conceded to be orthodox and sound regards present truth as heresy. The popular sentiment of the old world in the days of Noah was of such a type. The word of God reiterated in the ears of the people for a hundred and twenty years by Noah, was insufficient to convince them, and the result was they perished. The Jews’ rejection of the promised Messiah, is another instance showing the power of deception and unbelief over well informed minds. The great apostasy of the church of Rome shows, in a striking manner, the danger of deception, and the great power of Satan to hold the human mind in a state of vassalage when once it has gained ascendency over it. It would seem that the experiences of the past would be a sure protection against the repetition of the dreadful scenes that are likely to follow in the wake of apostate ecclesiastical bodies. But the indulgence of such a hope would only be the result of deception relating to the prophetic scriptures, and events transpiring in the religious and political world. “Take heed that no man deceive you.” In viewing the broad field of Protestant Christianity, including the so called orthodox churches, there are everywhere to be seen unmistakable evidences of departure from first principles, in both theory and practice. These delinquencies are of the same type in all the denominations, and in every locality. They include the fundamental doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the law of God, the second advent of Christ, and the nature of his kingdom. We are led to inquire, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The law of God is losing its hold on the conscience of the churches. From some of the pulpits of our land it is taught without rebuke that the law of God is obsolete, done away. The Bible doctrine of the second coming of Christ, and the establishing of his kingdom, which is the consummation of the plan of redemption, and of the Christian’s hope, is not welcome in the churches. With acknowledged exceptions, they will not receive it into their houses, or permit it to be preached in their pulpits. In order that these truths may gain a foothold, those that cherish them have been impelled to sever their connection with the churches, and unite in separate organizations. The position taken by the churches is greatly to their disadvantage. The light of the Spirit and word of God on the subject in question, is largely shut from them by their own actions. If the churches have lost forty years’ development of inspired truth, on a subject so vital to their interests, their loss is very great. Not only so, but they must suffer the loss of present and future developments until they change their position. Themselves being the judges, there is little probability of a change. And, indeed, prophecy has something on this point. If the churches have lost their balance, and stumbled in relation to the second advent, as did the Jewish church in relation to the first advent, then, like the Jews, they must seek recovery as individuals, and not as organized bodies. As long as probation lasts the light will shine for all who will accept it, only let them look for it where truth directs.