Behind the Scenes
Often when people hear a of a secret they have a desire to find out what that secret is. They want to know the answer and their curiosity is sometimes strong. They will go to great lengths in order to find out the answer. When a magician has done a magic trick, people want to know how he did it. What is his secret; what is happening ‘behind the scenes’? Or also if they watch a film and see some spectacular event, they wonder how it was done – what is going on ‘behind the scenes’? What is going on where we can’t visibly see what is happening; what is the secret?
In this day and age there is much interest in spiritualism. People are delving into the unknown. They are communicating with the ‘dead’ or with spiritual mediums who they call their ‘guides.’ Although not all people are directly involved in these practices there is still a growing desire to know the future, or to have secrets revealed and have mysteries unravelled, so people go see palm readers, clairvoyants and the like, who read cards, or crystal balls to give them the answers to their questions. Unfortunately they are going to the wrong places in their search for answers.
These mediums that give the answers are not seen. They are unseen visitors who communicate through various willing persons. Sometimes their answers are partly correct, sometimes they are not. However much time and money has been spent satisfying man’s desire to know the future, to receive messages from the unknown world. These spiritualistic mediums are working ‘behind the scenes,’ revealing secrets to people to satisfy their curiosity.
Then there are other people who believe only in what they see. They don’t believe any of this spiritualism, but neither do they believe in God. They do not have any concept of faith, or the existence of the invisible world.
Yet the invisible world is very active. What secrets does it hold? It is much more active than most give credit. While great masses in the world are going to mediums to find out what is going on behind the scenes, to have secrets revealed, we as Christians need to go to the Word of God for a full understanding.
While we know that all these practices are Satanic and things to be avoided, is it important for us to know what is going on behind the scenes in the invisible world? In Christ’s day it was not very different from our day. “Christ’s coming was at a time of intense worldliness. Men were subordinating the eternal to the temporal, the claims of the future to the affairs of the present. They were mistaking phantoms for realities, and realities for phantoms. They did not by faith behold the unseen world. Satan presented before them the things of this life as all-attractive and all-absorbing, and they gave heed to his temptations.” COL 366.
Since they did ‘not by faith behold the unseen world,’ they were mixing phantoms with realities. Do we not see this happening today? Satan has the majority of the world in his grasp because of this. People are confusing reality with their imagination. It is very important that we understand fully what is going on in the unseen world. Much light has been given to us so we do not need to be in darkness.
BEHIND THE SCENES…
After His ministry on this earth for 3 Vi years, Jesus’ disciples learned to love and appreciate His presence. They looked forward to the time when He would sit on David’s throne and cast the Romans out of their city. This event never happened. Rather He was crucified at the instigation of His own people. After His resurrection, the disciples’ hope was renewed once again, only to see Him this time ascend to heaven. Now they “felt as though He was far away and they had been left on their own, but He didn’t abandon them without any encouragement. He left them with the words, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Mat. 28:20. How could this be?
‘The disciples no longer had any distrust of the future. They knew that Jesus was in heaven, and that His sympathies were with them still. They knew that they had a friend at the throne of God, and they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.” DA 833.
They had time now to reflect on His teachings and they tried to bring every word and work of His into remembrance. It was then that many of His words were remembered and recorded. They recalled words such as, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you.” John 16:7. Then they began to realize that they were not really alone.
“As Christ’s representatives the apostles were to make a decided impression on the world. The fact that they were humble men would not diminish their influence, but increase it; for the minds’of their hearers would be carried from them to the Saviour, who, though unseen, was still working with them.” AA 22
Although Jesus was not visibly amongst His people, He was still there. He was working behind the scenes to help and encourage His followers in the battle of life.
THE BATTLE
Ever since the fall of Satan, he has been working with relentless fury to bring the entire world under his domination. Although he claimed it as rightfully his after the fall of Adam, heavenly intelligences were still in ultimate control of affairs on this earth. From the beginning of the great controversy, there was a battle, “and there was war in heaven:” This war has continued on this earth. All throughout history we can read stories of human cruelty towards God’s faithful followers.
For the soul of every individual, there is a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. It lies with us who we will choose to side with in this battle. Although the battle is still waging for a few more years, the forces of evil represent a defeated enemy who is struggling with all his might in the final few scenes to be played out on this earth’s history. The forces of good have already won the victory on the cross of Calvary. Who will we side with today?
“At these gatherings we must ever remember that two forces are at work. A battle unseen by human eyes is being waged. The army of the Lord is on the ground, seeking to save souls. Satan and his host are also at work, trying in every possible way to deceive and destroy. The Lord bids us: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:11, 12. Day by day the battle goes on. If our eyes could be opened to see the good and evil agencies at work, there would be no trifling, no vanity, no jesting or joking. If all would put on the whole armour of God and fight manfully the battles of the Lord, victories would be gained that would cause the kingdom of darkness to tremble.” 6T 41
We are not left to battle alone. Sometimes we may seem overwhelmed in this battle, and be ready to give up. Only those who, “endure unto the end,” will be saved. This is one battle from which we will not be released from while we are living on this earth. However we have been promised the help of the victorious King of the Universe, who will do all He can for our salvation, barring forcing us into submission. We simply have to accept His help and co-operate with Him.
“God knows how Satan is working, and sends his angels to watch over his children, to protect them from the Devil’s power. And the battle is constantly going on between the angels of God, and the Devil’s angels. The angels of God are clothed with a complete armour, the panoply of heaven, and, although surrounded with deadly foes, fear nothing, for they are doing the will of their loved Commander. They enter the darkest places to rescue the children of God from the snares of Satan, and their presence causes the evil angels to fall back. And as the evil angels are defeated, they utter terrible imprecations against the injustice of God, and against his angels.” 2SG277
GOD SEES ALL
It is very common in this day and age to have different habits and lifestyles in the privacy of one’s home as opposed to their public life. Also for Christians, they often put their ‘best foot forward’ while at church, but have a different way of life and way of dressing outside the church and in the privacy of their own homes. As long as nobody is watching, they feel that their lifestyle is permissible and acceptable. We know, that in reality this is a fallacy because God is everywhere and He sees all. His recording angels write down every word, thought, action and motive that we have, whether in public or in private.
Even in public it is often the case that we get so busy with the activities of this life that we forget what is going on behind the scenes and concentrate our energies only at what is seen.
“Amid the busy activity of our great cities, amid the multitudes that crowd the thoroughfares and fill the marts of trade where from morning till evening the people act as if business and sport and pleasure were all there is to life, where there are so few to contemplate unseen realities-even here heaven has still its watchers and its holy ones. There are invisible agencies observing every word and deed of human beings. In every assembly for business or pleasure, in every gathering for worship, there are more listeners than can be seen with the natural sight. Sometimes the heavenly intelligences draw aside the curtain, which hides the unseen world that our thoughts may be withdrawn from the hurry and rush of life to consider that there are unseen witnesses to all we do or say. COL 176
“Human laws, though sometimes severe, are often transgressed without detection, and hence with impunity; but not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight is no cover for the guilty one. He may think himself alone, but to every deed there is an unseen witness. The very motives of his heart are open to divine inspection. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the attention of heaven were cantered upon him”. PP 217,218
WHO CARES?
Living in eternal happiness in heaven and other parts of the universe, do those heavenly beings care much about what is happening on this one small planet in rebellion? How much does it affect their lives? Does it have any bearing on their happiness? The fact is that they have great concern and interest. They have more interest in the Great Controversy that is being played out than often we do who are living here in the midst of the conflict. Our own souls are at stake and how often we take such little interest or thought upon the seriousness of what is really going on behind the scenes.
“How few contemplate the unseen agencies. Men are acting their part either for God or for Satan, the Prince of light, or the prince of darkness. All heaven is intensely interested in human beings who seem to be so full of activity, and yet have no thought for the unseen. Their thoughts are not on the Word of God and its instruction. If they would appropriate the Word of God, they would be astonished that there are agencies, good and evil, observing every word and deed.” UL 84
GOD GIVES THE INCREASE
While men refuse to give God the honour that is due to Him, they cannot ignore the fact that all living things depend on His sustenance. They try to create human theories to take God out of the picture of the history of this earth and the current maintenance of it. They think themselves all-wise and that there is a practical explanation, aside from God, for all that is taking place on earth. Even in spiritual matters there is a temptation for men to take to themselves glory that is due only to God. How often we hear of religious workers boasting of the number of souls they have brought to conversion and a change of life. Men are trying to place themselves above God. How foolish man is in his way of thinking.
“In the natural world unseen agencies are constantly at work to produce the essential results, but the harvest to be reaped depends upon the seed that has been sown. After man faithfully prepares the land, and plants the seed, God must work constantly to cause the seed to germinate. UL 273
THE THEATRE OF GOD
“God chose this world to be the theatre of His mighty works of grace.” TDG 84
“The world is a theatre; the actors, its inhabitants, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. With the great masses of mankind there is no unity, except as men confederate to accomplish their selfish purposes. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to His rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into the hands of men, though. God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama – Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of 7 unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect.” 8T27/8
This earth is a theatre… Which actor will you be? Also, in every play there are those workers behind the scenes who are taking care of the sound, the lighting, the curtains etc. In our play that we are acting in, there are also those behind the scenes, those who wish to make the play a success, and they are doing all in their power to bring this about. It is up to the actors now to cooperate with those behind the scenes.
For any play to be a success, there must be spectators. Who are the spectators? “The holy inhabitants of other worlds were watching with the deepest interest the events taking place on the earth.” PP 78
“With what intense interest was this controversy watched by the heavenly angels and the unfallen worlds, as the honour of the law was being vindicated. Not merely for this world, but for the universe of heaven, was the controversy to be forever settled.” ISM 255
However in this play, there are also those elements that are trying to bring discredit to the play. They want to see it fail.
“The confederacy of darkness was also watching for the semblance of a chance to triumph over the divine and human Substitute of the human race, that the apostate might shout, “Victory,” and the world and its inhabitants forever become his kingdom.” ISM 255
WHEN MAN SINS
When a person sins, does any one care? Are the recording angels there only to record the thoughts and actions of man, without having any feelings one way or the other? Often the sinner that is defiant will say that he is his own person and it does not matter what he does. He has to answer to no one. And also the sentiment is expressed that when a person sins he is only hurting himself. That is what we see on the visible world. When someone persists in smoking, it is likely for them to develop lung cancer. When a person kills someone, they end up in jail. When young children disobey, they receive punishment. When we hear of horrible crimes committed in various parts of the world, we often feel a sense of shock. How could a human being stoop so low as to commit such atrocities as we have seen in the past? Yet it is really a hidden dark being in the invisible world that is behind these terrible crimes.
Are we really only our own person? Does anyone care when we sin? If someone commits a terrible crime, often their loved ones get saddened. What about in the invisible world? Do they care at all? Or are they just observing the outcome of the play on this earth that the actors are playing out? Is it just curiosity on their part?
Satan’s reaction: First of all, it is Satan and his agents who are behind all sin on this earth. They cause people to sin and then love to accuse them before God as we read about Joshua the high priest, “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” Zech. 3:1. Satan will just as surely accuse us before the heavenly angels as he did to Joshua here.
Here is a description of Satan and his reaction when a person sins: “I was shown Satan as he once was, a happy, exalted angel. Then I was shown him as he now is. He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen. But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil. That brow which was once so noble, I particularly noticed. His forehead commenced from his eyes to recede. I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased, and every evil trait was developed. His eyes were cunning, sly, and showed great penetration. His frame was large, but the flesh hung loosely about his hands and face. As I beheld him, his chin was resting upon his left hand. He appeared to be in deep thought. A smile was upon his countenance, which made me tremble, it was so full of evil and satanic slyness. This smile is the one he wears just before he makes sure of his victim, and as he fastens the victim in his snare, this smile grows horrible.” EW 152
If you read in the book of Job, the first chapter you will see how actively Satan and his host are in trying to destroy God’s people.
God’s reaction: God was very patient with Ancient Israel while they wandered in the wilderness. They were very rebellious, however God was always there for them when they repented. Yet He did feel grief, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation.” Psalm 95:10. He is saddened when we reject His love and mercy. He offers us so much and many do not want what He has to offer.
“The crimes that are committed through love of display and love of money constitute this world a den of thieves and robbers, and cause angels to weep. But Christians are professedly not dwellers upon the earth; they are in a strange country, stopping, as it were, only for a night. Our home is in the mansions, which Jesus has gone to prepare for us. This life is but a vapour, which passes away.” 4T 490.
“While angels have been commissioned to strengthen the things that remain, to withstand and counteract your influence, they have looked with the deepest grief upon your work to dishearten and destroy. You have caused pure, sinless, holy angels to weep.” 2T 104
“Can it be that angels of God are made to weep? It is even so.
“Eternal things have little weight with the youth. Angels of God are in tears as they write in the roll the words and acts of professed Christians.” IT 505/506
“In Jerusalem, Jesus beheld a symbol of the world that had rejected and despised His grace. He was weeping, O stubborn heart, for you!” MB 151
Jesus not only weeps for us, He pleads for us and has promised help in times of sorrow and need. We are not left to suffer alone. “Let us remember that Jesus knows us individually and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows the wants of each of His creatures and reads the hidden, unspoken grief of every heart. If one of the little ones for whom He died is injured, He sees it and calls the offender to account. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for His feeble, sickly, wandering sheep. He knows them all by name. The distress of every sheep and every lamb of His flock touches His heart of sympathizing love, and the cry for aid reaches His ear.” 5T 346.
“Jesus cares for each one as though there were not another individual on the face of the earth. He pleads and reasons with the sinner, and in one sense – that of having Himself borne the weakness of humanity — He puts Himself on a level with him. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” 4T 294
WHEN MAN IS IN DESPAIR…
A favourite song of mine is entitled, Tears are a Language that God Understands. He notices every tear shed and every heartache borne and longs to comfort the sufferer if they would only turn to Him for help. “I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great. I saw angels over the saints with their wings spread about them. Each saint had an attending angel. If the saints wept through discouragement, or were in danger, the angels that ever attended them would fly quickly upward to carry the tidings, and the angels in the city would cease to sing. Then Jesus would commission another angel to descend to encourage, watch over, and try to keep them from going out off the narrow path; but if they did not take heed to the watchful care of these angels, and would not be comforted by them, but continued to go astray, the angels would look sad and weep. They would bear the tidings upward, and all the angels in the city would weep, and then with a loud voice say, “Amen.” But if the saints fixed their eyes upon the prize before them, and glorified God by praising Him, then the angels would bear the glad tidings to the city, and the angels in the city would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud voice, “Alleluia!” and the heavenly arches would ring with their lovely songs.” GET 97
“Though He was the Son of God, yet He had taken human nature upon Him, and He was moved by human sorrow. His tender, pitying heart is ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. He weeps with those that weep, and rejoices with those that rejoice.” DA 533
WHEN MAN OVERCOMES….
Satan’s reaction: Satan knows that His time is short and therefore, he “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet.5:8. For those that are not connected with Christ, Satan appears as a powerful enemy. Many souls have been destroyed by succumbing to this enemy. He has conquered numerous victims. Many people fear the devil and shudder at the thought of an encounter with him. We must remember that Jesus conquered him at the cross of Calvary. Yes, while he may be more powerful than man, we have a helper who is much more powerful than he is. When we call upon the help of Jesus, we can overcome any sin that Satan brings our way. Prayer is powerful enough to send Satan running.
“Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name.” DA 130
“Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss.” 4SG 84
God’s reaction: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
“The connection of heavenly angels with the Christian’s work is here brought clearly to light. There is more joy in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. There is joy with the Father and with Christ. All heaven is interested in the salvation of man. He who is instrumental in saving a soul is at liberty to rejoice; for angels of God have witnessed his efforts with the most intense interest, and rejoice with him in his success.” 4T 263
“As a bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isa. 62:5.
With all this help at our fingertips, why do many not use this help that is so freely available? Satan knows the power of prayer so therefore he makes sure to keep as many as he can from using this power. He makes people too busy to take time for agonizing prayer. He soothes their conscience that a quick prayer in the morning and evening is all that is needed to maintain a connection above. He causes many to doubt that it is even necessary to pray. “Angels marvel that we pray so little. But a word of prayer to the Lord Jesus goes like an arrow to the throne’ of God, and angels of God are sent to the field of battle.” HP 297
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7.
MAJORITY
Where are the majority of the people today? Often God’s church is ridiculed due to its small numbers. Other religious bodies, as well as worldly people, scoff at the few faithful followers of Christ today, mocking them with the idea that they can have no impact or influence in the world due to their small numbers. While men are defying God and His law today, the rest of the universe looks on wonderingly.
Who is really in the majority? Is it the worldly people on this earth? They may think they are so good and so great. They have made so many advances in scientific research and technology. Man is so wise in this day and age and is increasing in knowledge. Behind the scenes though, mankind on this planet is really in the minority. There is a vast number of faithful angels as well as unfallen inhabitants on other planets who far outnumber the wicked on this earth. Do we want to be on the side of the majority? Or on the side of the small minority in this universe that has rebelled against God?
“There is a great work to be done. Are you doing all you can to help? God has given us a commission, which angels might envy. Medical missionary work is to be done. Thousands upon thousands of human beings are perishing. The compassion of God is moved. All heaven is looking on with intense interest to see what stamp medical missionary work will assume under the supervision of human beings. Will men make merchandise of God’s ordained plan for reaching the dark parts of the earth with a manifestation of His benevolence?” MM 131
“Angels, who will do for you what you can not do for yourselves, are waiting for your co-operation. They are waiting for you to respond to the drawing of Christ. Draw nigh to God and to one another. By desire, by silent prayer, by resistance of satanic agencies, put your will on the side of God’s will. While you have one desire to resist the devil, and sincerely pray, Deliver me from temptation, you will have strength for your day. It is the work of the heavenly angels to come close to the tried, the tempted, the suffering ones. They labour long and untiringly to save the souls for whom Christ has died. And when souls appreciate their advantages, appreciate the heavenly assistance sent them, respond to the Holy Spirit’s working in their behalf; when they put their will on the side of Christ’s will, angels bear the tidings heavenward. And there is rejoicing among the heavenly host.” SD 36
It is important that we always keep in mind what is going on behind the scenes. Jesus is in the Most Holy place today doing the work of Judgment. Soon He will be finished and will come back to take home with him those that have proved faithful. May God help each one of us to use the power provided for us so that we can be ready when He does come. AMEN