A Revival For Our Times - 6 (Miracles)

We have already seen in our times the manifestation of power and the performance of miracles. Accordingly, the question we should ask ourselves is what is the source power behind these miracles?
It is necessary first of all to remember that Satan has power. He was the most powerful angel in heaven, he was able to deceive a third of the angels and the couple who had never sinned.

Satan can, through a species of deceptions, perform wonders that will appear to be genuine miracles. It was this he hoped to make a test question with the Israelites at the time of their deliverance from Egypt. *1

Notice what happened when the Pharaoh asked for a miracle to prove who Jehovah really was.

When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’…And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments…And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard…Exodus 7:9-13.

And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood…Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard...Exodus 7:20-22.

So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt…But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said. Exodus 8:6, 7, 15.

The first three miracles, which for the Egyptians were plagues, were replicated by magicians and sorcerers. There is no doubt however, who in fact was behind the power these men had for it should now be clear to us that Satan has the power to work miracles.
But though his power is more extensive we can imagine, it is severely limited compared to the power of God. The Lord only allowed 3 of the 10 plagues to be replicated by sorcerers.

…For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast…Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not…Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said. Exodus 8:17-19.

And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians. But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh…Exodus 9:11, 12.

God’s punishment also fell upon the magicians, who came to recognize that it was the finger of God at work. But something very interesting happened.

So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Or else, if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory…Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?” Exodus 10:3-7.

Egypt was defeated; the Pharaoh’s servants wanted nothing to do with God and his people, otherwise their destruction would be complete. But it was too late Pharaoh's heart was hardened.
This will be the outcome for those who seek and believe in miracles rather than in the Lord and His Word.

Soon wonderful scenes occur in which Satan will be closely related. The Word of God declares that Satan will work miracles. It will make people sick and then it suddenly removed his satanic power. That will be considered healed the sick. These works of apparent cure will test Adventists. * 1

That is why we are warned,

God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. *1

The Bible will never be superseded by miraculous manifestations. The truth must be studied, it must be searched for as hidden treasure. Wonderful illuminations will not be given aside from the Word or to take the place of it. Cling to the Word, receive the engrafted Word which will make men wise unto salvation. *1

THE LORD IS COMING, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!

Events Of The Last Days, "11. Satan’s Last Day Deceptions", Ellen G. White