as conquered should
inspire His followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against
sin and Satan.

31. AGENCY OF EVIL SPIRITS.

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The connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration
of angels of God, and the agency of evil spirits, are plainly revealed in
the Scriptures, and inseparably interwoven with human history. There is a
growing tendency to disbelief in the existence of evil spirits, while the
holy angels that "minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation,"(897)
are regarded by many as the spirits of the dead. But the Scriptures not
only teach the existence of angels, both good and evil, but present
unquestionable proof that these are not the disembodied spirits of dead
men.

Before the creation of man, angels were in existence; for when the
foundations of the earth were laid, "the morning stars sang together, and
all the sons of God shouted for joy."(898) After the fall of man, angels
were sent to guard the tree of life, and this before a human being had
died. Angels are in nature superior to men; for the psalmist says that man
was made "a little lower than the angels."(899)

We are informed in Scripture as to the number, and the power and glory, of
the heavenly beings, of their connection with the government of God, and
also of their relation to the work of redemption. "The Lord hath prepared
His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all." And, says the
prophet, "I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne." In the
presence-chamber of the King of kings they wait--"angels, that excel in
strength," "ministers of His, that do His pleasure," "hearkening unto the
voice of His word."(900) Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of
thousands, were the heavenly messengers beheld by the prophet Daniel. The
apostle Paul declared them "an innumerable company."(901) As God's
messengers they go forth, like "the appearance of a flash of
lightning,"(902) so dazzling their glory, and so swift their flight. The
angel that appeared at the Saviour's tomb, his countenance "like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow," caused the keepers for fear of
him to quake, and they "became as dead men."(903) When Sennacherib, the
haughty Assyrian, reproached and blasphemed God, and threatened Israel
with destruction, "it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord
went out, and smote in the camp of th