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defiantly exhibited his power over the bodies as well as the souls of men。
The fact that men have been possessed with demons； is clearly stated in the
New Testament。 The persons thus afflicted were not merely suffering with
disease from natural causes。 Christ had perfect understanding of that with
which He was dealing； and He recognized the direct presence and agency of
evil spirits。
A striking example of their number； power； and malignity； and also of the
power and mercy of Christ； is given in the Scripture account of the healing
of the demoniacs at Gadara。 Those wretched maniacs； spurning all restraint；
writhing； foaming； raging； were filling the air with their cries； doing
violence to themselves； and endangering all who should approach them。 Their
bleeding and disfigured bodies and distracted minds presented a spectacle
well pleasing to the prince of darkness。 One of the demons controlling the
sufferers declared： 〃My name is Legion： for we are many。〃 Mark 5：9。 In the
Roman army a legion consisted of from three to five thousand men。 Satan's
hosts also are marshaled in companies； and the single company to which these
demons belonged numbered no less than a legion。
At the command of Jesus the evil spirits departed from their victims；
leaving them calmly sitting at the Saviour's feet； subdued； intelligent； and
gentle。 But the demons were
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permitted to sweep a herd of swine into the sea； and to the dwellers of
Gadara the loss of these outweighed the blessings which Christ had bestowed；
and the divine Healer was entreated to depart。 This was the result which
Satan designed to secure。 By casting the blame of their loss upon Jesus； he
aroused the selfish fears of the people and prevented them from listening to
His words。 Satan is constantly accusing Christians as the cause of loss；
misfortune； and suffering； instead of allowing the reproach to fall where it
belongs upon himself and his agents。
But the purposes of Christ were not thwarted。 He allowed the evil spirits to
destroy the herd of swine as a rebuke to those Jews who were raising these
unclean beasts for the sake of gain。 Had not Christ restrained the demons；
they would have plunged into the sea； not only the swine； but also their
keepers and owners。 The preservation of both the keepers and the owners was
due alone to His power； mercifully exercised for their deliverance。
Furthermore； this event was permitted to take place that the disciples might
witness the cruel power of Satan upon both man and beast。 The Saviour
desired His followers to have a knowledge of the foe whom they were to meet；
that they might not be deceived and overcome by his devices。 It was also His
will that the people of that region should behold His power to break the
bondage of Satan and release his captives。 And though Jesus Himself
departed； the men so marvelously delivered； remained to declare the mercy of
their Benefactor。
Other instances of a similar nature are recorded in the Scriptures。 The
daughter of the Syrophoenician woman was grievously vexed with a devil； whom
Jesus cast out by His word。 （Mark 7：26…30）。 〃One possessed with a devil；
blind； and dumb〃 （Matthew 12：22； a youth who had a dumb spirit； that
ofttimes 〃cast him into the fire； and into the waters； to destroy him〃 （Mark
9：17…27）； the maniac who； tormented by 〃a spirit of an unclean devil〃 （Luke
4：33…36）； disturbed the Sabbath quiet of the synagogue at Capernaumall
were
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healed by the compassionate Saviour。 In nearly every instance； Christ
addressed the demon as an intelligent entity； commanding him to come out of
his victim and to torment him no more。 The worshipers at Capernaum；
beholding His mighty power； 〃were all amazed； and spake among themselves；
saying； What a word is this！ for with authority and power He commandeth the
unclean spirits； and they come out。〃 Luke 4：36。
Those possessed with devils are usually represented as being in a condition
of great suffering； yet there were exceptions to this rule。 For the sake of
obtaining supernatural power； some welcomed the satanic influence。 These of
course had no conflict with the demons。 Of this class were those who
possessed the spirit of divination；Simon Magus； Elymas the sorcerer； and
the damsel who followed Paul and Silas at Philippi。
None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those
who； notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures； deny
the existence and agency of the devil and his angels。 So long as we are
ignorant of their wiles； they have almost inconceivable advantage； many give
heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the
dictates of their own wisdom。 This is why； as we approach the close of time；
when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy； he spreads
everywhere the belief that he does not exist。 It is his policy to conceal
himself and his manner of working。
There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall
become acquainted with his devices。 The better to disguise his real
character and purposes； he has caused himself to be so represented as to
excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt。 He is well pleased to
be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object； misshapen； half animal and
half human。 He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery by
those who think themselves intelligent and well informed。
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It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that the question
is so widely asked： 〃Does such a being really exist？〃 It is an evidence of
his success that theories giving the lie to the plainest testimony of the
Scriptures are so generally received in the religious world。 And it is
because Satan can most readily control the minds of those who are
unconscious of his influence； that the word of God gives us so many examples
of his malignant work； unveiling before us his secret forces； and thus
placing us on our guard against his assaults。
The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not
that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our
Redeemer。 We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our
property and our lives from evil men； but we seldom think of the evil angels
who are constantly seeking access to us； and against whose attacks we have；
in our own strength； no method of defense。 If permitted； they can distract
our minds； disorder and torment our bodies； destroy our possessions and our
lives。 Their only delight is in misery and destruction。 Fearful is the
condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan's
temptations； until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits。 But
those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare。 Angels that excel
in strength are sent from heaven to protect them。 The wicked one cannot
break through the guard which God has stationed about His people。
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Chapter 32
Snares of Satan
The great controversy between Christ and Satan； that has been carried
forward for nearly six thousand years； is soon to close； and the wicked one
redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man's behalf and to
fasten souls in his snares。 To hold the people in darkness and impenitence
till the Saviour's mediation is ended； and there is no longer a sacrifice
for sin； is the object which he seeks to accomplish。
When there is no special effort made to resist his power； when indifference
prevails in the church and the world； Satan is not concerned； for he is in
no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will。 But when
the attention is called to eternal things； and souls are inquiring； 〃What
must I do to be saved？〃 he is on the ground； seeking to match his power
against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy
Spirit。
The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion； when the angels of God came
to present themselves before the Lord； Satan came also among them （Job 1：6）；
not to bow before the Eternal King； but to further his own malicious designs
against the righteous。 With the same object he is in attendance when men
assemble for the worship of God。 Though hidden from sight； he is working
with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers。 Like a skillful
general he lays his plans beforehand。 As he sees the messenger of God
searching the Scriptures； he takes note of the subject to be
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presented to the people。 Then he employs all his cunning and shrewdness so
to control circumstances that the message may not reach those whom he is
deceiving on that very point。 The one who most needs the warning will be
urged into some business transaction which requires his presence； or will by
some other means be prevented from hearing the words that might prove to him
a savor of life unto life。
Again； Satan sees the Lord's servants burdened be