nation was reached in the Romish apostasy. These developments
are described in the messages to Pergamos and Thyatira. When the
Reformation set in the fires of persecution were kindled again; once
more Satan, as the murderer, tries to prevent the victory of the truth
of Christ and the Gospel. Satan's work can thus be traced in the
history of the church down to our own times. The destructive criticism
of our own times, the so-called "new theology," the different systems,
which deny the Deity of our Lord and which reject His atoning death,
like "Christian Science," belong to the seed of the serpent. And so
does Spiritism, Theosophy, Mormonism and other cults. In these systems
and cults he appears as an angel of light, blinding the eyes of them
that believe not. "And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall
be according to their works" (2 Cor. xi:14-15).

Why He Hates the Church

He hates the true church because he knows its members are the
blood-bought hosts of the Son of God, destined to rule and reign with
Him over this earth, which Satan still holds in his grasp. There is
another reason why he has tried to exterminate the true church or to
corrupt it. Satan has knowledge concerning the future. When our Lord
was on earth the demons cried out "What have we to do with thee, Jesus,
thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?"
(Matt. viii:29). From this we learn that the demons know the
difference between the first and second coming of our Lord. They know
when He comes the second time their doom will be sealed and they will
no longer be permitted to torment and ruin the bodies and souls of men.
Satan unquestionably knows his doom and that it is linked up with the
Return of our Lord. He also knows that the church, as the body of
Christ, must be completed before He comes again. This must be a
leading reason why he hates the church and attempts to corrupt it by
evil doctrines and persecutes those who are Christ's. All his efforts
are unavailing for the Lord Jesus Christ keeps His people.

World Dominion Satan's Endeavor

Throughout this age this enemy of God also endeavors to control the
earth politically and rule the nations. The Roman emperors mostly all
aimed at world-dominion and did the devil's bidding to obtain their
object. Wha