Satan controls the words, thoughts and actions of over 99% of the world’s population. But he is not satisfied. He wants total control of the totality of mankind and is in a rage because there remains a tiny group of true saints who are able to resist his efforts. The Almighty calls these Satan-defeaters His Very Elect, His “little flock” and “His remnant.” His enemy hates these people because of four basic factors which we will examine. Three statements spoken by Jesus of Nazareth tell us that, among those who call themselves Christians, there are a few obedient believers (Mat. 7:13,14) who are able to withstand Satan’s temptations and to overcome him (Rev. 3:21). The first statement, spoken to all true believers, is found recorded in Matthew 28:18: “ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN UNTO ME.” He then tells us that that same power is available to His true saints–His Very Elect: “Behold, I GIVE YOU POWER OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY” (Lk. 10:17). Then, just before He ascended to heaven to join the Father, He told His disciples (then and now): “… behold, I send the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit) upon you. But tarry (wait) in Jerusalem until you RECEIVE POWER FROM ON HIGH” (Lk. 24:49). God is no respecter of persons; what He will give to one He will give to all who believe and obey Him. Recall that Stephen did so many miracles in the name of Jesus that the Jews stoned him to death. This waiter of tables was singled out for death because he possessed the power that God promises each and every one of His children. It was said of Stephen that he had great faith. Faith comes from believing God’s Word. This true saint simply believed what God said and acted upon it. Today’s Very Elect are the spiritual descendants of God’s second martyr. The first was Abel who was murdered for obeying Him.

Before we go any further with this subject the Lord would have us understand that the Very Elect are not guaranteed eternal life. They must believe and obey Him until the end of life or Christ’s return in order to be saved (Mat. 10:20). This fact is also brought out and addressed specifically to the Very Elect in Matthew 24:24 where we find Jesus warning His disciples (and all true believers today) about false prophets who would try to lead them astray: “For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive even the VERY ELECT.” This proves that no one is beyond the reach of the devil, and that all, including the spiritual elite, must be constantly on guard against him. We all must believe and obey God in order to remain under His protective power.

Now let us reason a bit farther. If God’s Very Elect–His “kings and priests”–are subject to the wiles of Satan, are not those who falsely believe themselves to be Christians (Catholics and Protestants) even more susceptible to his powers of persuasion? One need only look at professing Christendom to see that Satan has robbed them of every promise God made to those who love, believe and obey Him. A Truth-seeking study of the testaments will reveal that a great gulf separates what God has promised those who serve Him and what the Institutional Church receives from Him. Even a cursory reading of Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 tells us that a great gulf separates the so-called “Christian walk” from the path the Lord commands us to trod. L.J.