Satan Tries to Discourage God’s People

The tempter stands by to accuse them. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters, their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which have dishonored their Redeemer. He tries to frighten them with the thought that their case is hopeless. He hopes that they will yield to his temptations and turn from their loyalty to God.RR 207.3

Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins he has tempted God’s people to commit, and he urges his accusations against them. He declares that they have forfeited divine protection by their sins; they are as deserving of exclusion from the favor of God as he is. “Are these,” he says, “to take my place in heaven, and the place of the angels who united with me? They profess to obey the law of God, but have they not been lovers of self? Have they not placed their own interests above God’s service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at their selfishness, their malice, their hatred of one another. Justice demands that God pronounce judgment against them.”RR 207.4

But the followers of Christ have repented of their sins and turned to the Lord in sorrow, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude declares, “I gave My life for these people. They may have imperfections of character, but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them.”RR 207.5

The assaults of Satan are strong. The flames of the furnace seem about to consume God’s people, but Jesus will bring them through as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness will be removed, that Christ may perfectly reveal His image through them.RR 207.6

At times the Lord may seem to have forgotten His church, but nothing in the world is so dear to the heart of God. He does not leave His people to be overcome by Satan’s temptations. He will punish those who misrepresent Him, but He will be gracious to all who repent.RR 208.1

In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling on the divine law, and they will humble themselves before the Lord in repentance. The wicked will ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish of God’s people is evidence that they are regaining the nobility of character lost as a result of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern clearly the sinfulness of sin. A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross.RR 208.2

God’s faithful, praying ones do not know how securely He shields them. Urged on by Satan, the rulers of this world seek to destroy them, but if the eyes of God’s children could be opened, they would see angels camped around them.RR 208.3

As the people of God plead for purity of heart, Christ places on them the spotless robe of His righteousness. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious garments, never again to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names remain in the Lamb’s book of life. They have resisted the tricks of the deceiver. Now they are eternally secure, their sins transferred to the originator of sin.RR 208.4