lopment of Satan's rule; yet
it is evident that within the last generation the exact fulfillment of
those things which are predicted for the last days has begun, and is
even now developing faster than the mind can comprehend.

Not all the signs of the times have a place in these pages, but only
such as are directly connected with the working of Satan.

Since the blood redemption of the Cross is the central truth and value
of the true faith, it being the "power of God unto salvation" (Rom.
1:16; I Cor. 1:23, 24), any counterfeit system of doctrine which would
omit this essential, must force some secondary truth into the place of
prominence. Any of the great Scriptural subjects which are of universal
interest to humanity, such as physical health, immortality, morality, or
religious forms, may be substituted in the false systems, for that which
is vital. And while those subjects are all found in their proper
relations and importance in the true faith, the fact that people are
universally inclined to give attention to them furnishes an opportunity
for Satan to make a strong appeal to humanity through them; using these
subjects as central truths in his false and counterfeit systems. Many
are easily led to fix their attention upon the secondary things, and to
neglect wholly the one primary thing; especially is this true since the
secondary things are tangible and seen: while the one essential thing is
spiritual and unseen; and Satan has blinded their eyes toward that which
is of eternal value.

A system of doctrine may, then, be formed which includes every truth of
Scripture save one; exalting the _Person_ of Christ, but not His atoning
_work_, and emphasizing some secondary truth as its central value. This
system will be readily accepted by blinded humanity, though the real
power of God unto salvation has been carefully withdrawn.

Naturally it would be supposed that such Satan-inspired systems would
have no value or power, since there could be no Divine favor upon them.
Such a supposition would be possible only because of the prevailing
misunderstanding as to the real power of Satan. If the description given
of him in Scripture is accepted, he will be seen to be possessed with
miraculous power; able to perform such marvels that the whole world is
led to wonder and then to worship. He is free also to bestow this
miraculous power upon others (Rev. 13:2). So it is no marvel if his
ministers, who appear as the ministers of r