GOD OF GLORY

 

There is an account of an interesting event that occurred in the early Church history. During the absence of the priesthood authorities of the Church, some members fell under the influence of false spirits and had engaged in ‘ridiculous extravagances’ such as ‘pursuing a ball that one member said he saw flying in the air to the edge of a precipice, some had visions and could not tell what they saw, some fancied that they had the sword of Laban and would wield it, some would act like an Indian in the act of scalping, some would slide or scoot on the floor with the rapidity of a serpent and some imagined they were sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel’. (History of the Church, 4:580; Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 107)

Out of all the names attributed to the adversary, the most fitting would have to be the Deceiver. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “From the time of the fall of man until now Satan and his followers who were cast out of heaven, have been deceiving men. Some commandments are of men and some are of devils (D&C 46:7).” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:200, Student Manual p 107)

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him what were the signs of His coming, Jesus answered: “Take heed that no man deceive you; For many shall come in my name saying – I am Christ – and shall deceive many….and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. (JS Matthew 1: 5,6,22).

We are the elect according to the covenant and the time of the signs of His coming are upon us. I don’t know what manner of signs and wonders the false Christ’s will perform in an attempt to deceive the elect but I do know that we should be vigilant and that, according to the Saviour’s admonition, ‘we should ask of God, follow the Spirit and walk uprightly before Him that we may not be deceived by evil spirits’ (D&C 46:7).

I am reminded of Moses who had an encounter with the adversary following His experience with God on Mount Sinai. Moses was favoured to see the glory of God in his transfigured state (Moses 1:11) following which Satan attempted to deceive him telling him He is the Only Begotten that should be worshipped but Moses would not be deceived saying: “….where is YOUR glory?” (v 15,16,19)

The adversary will use all sorts of cheap counterfeits attempting to convince people that he is the Son of God. There might be things he can imitate but there is one thing he cannot imitate and that is glory. You cannot be the source of darkness and at the same time possess glory (Moses 1:15).

We might not see it until His coming but I hope we will know the God of glory through the association with His spirit as we live righteously and increase our testimony of His Sonship and that by the time the Second Coming is upon us, I hope we will know Him so intimately that we could never be deceived.

 

There is a desire in my soul

That wants to conquer Goliath

And watch him fall….

This warrior within me never sleeps

And yearns to hear the angels’ call,

A call to battle to make the devil fall.

And when Christ comes in clouds so holy

He will conquer that enemy

And we will confess His glory.

 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Second Coming by CraftonArtPrints)