Dan. 7:21 π Dan. 11:35 π Mt. 27:38-46 π Lk. 22:31 π Rev. 11:7 π Rev. 13:7 π Rev. 13:7-15
Daniel, in writing about this same "later time," said "Some of the teachers shall fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even at the time of the end." ( Dan. 11:35 , R.V. m.) Yes, the truth must be faced! The "elect" may be deceived, and, from Daniel's words, are apparently permitted to be deceived for a season, so that in the fire testing they may be "refined" (the word refers to the expulsion of dross by the smelting fire): "purified" (the removal of dross already expelled), and made "white" (the polishing and brightening of the metal after it has been freed from its impurities). Probably it is in connection with this solemn word, that one strange statement about the war at the close of the age is made, when it is said of the attack of the leopard-like beast, that "it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them." ( Rev. 13:7; top )
Daniel also speaks of the same prevailing of the enemy for a season: The horn "made war with the saints, and prevailed against them." ( Dan. 7:21 ) Daniel adds: "Until the Ancient of Days came...and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." It appears, therefore, that in the "time of the end," God will permit Satan to prevail for a season against His saints, even as he prevailed over Peter when he was handed over to him to be sifted ( Lk. 22:31 ); as he apparently prevailed over the Son of God at Calvary, when "the hour and power of darkness" closed around Him at the Cross ( Mt. 27:38-46 ); and as he is shown to do over the "two witnesses" described in Rev. 11:7 , and in the last great manifestation of the dragon deceiver's triumph over the saints, and his power over the whole inhabited earth, in Revelation 13:7-15 . (top)
All these instances have taken place at different periods of time in the history of Christ and His Church, and in the Apocalypse picture, the prevailing of the leopard-like beast may refer to the saints on the earth after the translation of the Church; but they show the principle that God's triumphs are ofttimes hidden in apparent defeat. The elect of God must therefore take heed, at all stages of the war with Satan as deceiver, not to be swayed, or moved by appearances; for the apparent triumph of supernatural powers which appear to be Divine, may prove to be Satanic; and appearances of outward defeat, which appear to be the devil's victory may prove to cover the triumph of God.
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