The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among them, [Job 1:6.] not to bow before the Eternal King, but to further his own malicious designs against the righteous. With the same object he is in attendance when men assemble for the worship of God. Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers. Like a skillful general, he lays his plans beforehand. As he sees the messenger of God searching the Scriptures, he takes note of the subject to be presented to the people. Then he employs all his cunning and shrewdness to so control circumstances that the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving on that very point. The one who most needs the warning will be urged into some business transaction which requires his presence, or will by some other means be prevented from hearing the words that might prove to him a savor of life unto life. {GC 518.3}

The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among them, [Job 1:6.] not to bow before the Eternal King, but to further his own malicious designs against the righteous. With the same object he is in attendance when men assemble for the worship of God. Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers. Like a skillful general, he lays his plans beforehand. 1. As he sees the messenger of God searching the Scriptures, 2. he takes note of the subject to be presented to the people. 3. Then he employs all his cunning 4. and shrewdness 5. to so control circumstances that the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving on that very point. 6. The one who most needs the warning will be urged into some business transaction which requires his presence, 7. or will by some other means be prevented from hearing the words that might prove to him a savor of life unto life. {GC 518.3}