Spiritual Gifts

PERILOUS TIMES

The time immediately preceding the second coming of Christ is presented as perilous, as a time of the working of Satan in mighty power, and also a time in which the Lord’s people will be in a special sense “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5. Of this we also read in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. Speaking of Christ’s second coming, he says, “Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Again, in the Revelation, we read of “three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God almighty. Behold, I come as a thief.” Revelation 16:13-15. From this it is seen that just prior to the end Satan is to work with mighty power, and why should it be a thing improbable for the Lord to pour out in a special manner His Spirit to instruct, strengthen, and keep His people from the wiles of Satan in that trying time? SGL 23.1

In writing to Timothy, Paul says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” He then enumerates eighteen sins to be found among a people having the “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Of these he says: “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth.... Their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Jannes and Jambres were chief magicians of Pharaoh, who sought to resist the work of the Lord through Moses by counterfeit miracles. The Lord, by the hand of His servant Moses, wrought in a manner that the magicians could not counterfeit. Exodus 7:11; 8:18-19. It is seen, then, that as the end is nearing, and Satan works in power, the Lord gives showers of blessings to His people, thus defeating the purpose of Satan. So they are kept by the power of God, and the folly of counterfeit workers made manifest. SGL 24.1