Invisible Agencies -- What Are They?
satan's Agencies
If our eyes could be opened to discern the fallen angels at their work with those who feel at ease and consider themselves safe, we should not feel so secure. Evil angels are upon our track every moment. We expect a readiness on the part of bad men to act as Satan suggests; but while our minds are unguarded against his invisible agents, they assume new ground and work marvels and miracles in our sight. Are we prepared to resist them by the word of God, the only weapon we can use successfully? 1T 302.1 (1855)
Once in the mire of vice, it is not easy for him to get out of it. Satan and his visible and invisible agents surround him and keep him in the place into which he has fallen. Ever hoping and waiting for a better chance to get out of his dangerous position, he does not make the necessary efforts to be freed 5LtMs, Ms 24, 1887, par. 61
Will you then be able to realize that Christ is your support? Will you be able to recall the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world?” There will be invisible ones all about you bent upon your destruction. Satan and his agents will seek in every way to make you waver from your steadfastness to God and his truth. But if you have an eye single to his glory, you need not take thought as to how you shall witness for his truth. RH April 26, 1892, par. 9
I testify in the name of the Lord that Elder Ballenger is led by satanic agencies and spiritualistic, invisible leaders. Those who have the guidance of the Holy Spirit will turn away from these seducing spirits. 20LtMs, Ms 59, 1905, par. 14
Christ's Agencies
Jesus, bidding him marvel not, uses the wind as an illustration of his meaning. It is heard among the branches of the trees, and rustling the leaves and flowers, yet it is invisible to the eye, and from whence it comes and whither it goeth, no man knoweth. So is the experience of every one who is born of the Spirit. The mind is an invisible agent of God to produce tangible results. Its influence is powerful, and governs the actions of men. If purified from all evil, it is the motive power of good. The regenerating Spirit of God, taking possession of the mind, transforms the life... 2SP 123.3 (1877)
By an agency as unseen as the wind, Christ is constantly working upon the heart. Little by little, perhaps unconsciously to the receiver, impressions are made that tend to draw the soul to Christ. These may be received through meditating upon Him, through reading the Scriptures, or through hearing the word from the living preacher. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct appeal, the soul gladly surrenders itself to Jesus. By many this is called sudden conversion; but it is the result of long wooing by the Spirit of God,—a patient, protracted process. DA 172.3 (1898)
It was God’s purpose that the missionaries, teachers, and physicians in the sanitarium should become acquainted with the third angel’s message, which embraces so much. Angels of God were to be your strength in the work that was to be done in order that the Battle Creek Sanitarium might be known as an institution under the special supervision of God. The missionary feeling and the sympathy that prevailed in this institution was a result of the work of invisible heavenly agencies there. 14LtMs, Lt 206, 1899, par. 6
As invisible agencies, angels are working through human beings to proclaim the commandments of God. Angels have far more to do with the human family than many suppose. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation?” [Hebrews 1:14.] 15LtMs, Lt 79, 1900, par. 33
O that those who are halting between two opinions could only understand the agencies continually at work to keep at bay the armies of the power of darkness! By presenting earthly advantages or earthly obstacles to defeat the purposes of God, and by various other methods, Satan would intercept every ray of light from the messengers of God. But if the curtain could be rolled back, and eyes now blind to the invisible agencies could view with restored spiritual vision the conflict continually going on in behalf of the souls perishing away from Christ, what a difference would be made in the working of the agencies in this world 15LtMs, Ms 29, 1900, par. 15
Heavenly agencies have been set to work for the purpose of enlightening ignorance, and overpowering the sinfulness of the world, and surrounding the people of God with an element of light and loveliness. Down along the lines to our time come the words of encouragement, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33.] The Battle, invisible to mortal eyes, is going on, and if we are in agreement with God, we may triumphantly exclaim, “Because He lives, I shall live also.” [John 14:19.] 15LtMs, Ms 43, 1900, par. 51
Angelic agencies are connecting their invisible instrumentalities with visible human agencies, forming a relief association with men. Is there not something stimulating and inspiring in this thought that the human instrumentality confers in its actions the blessings of angelic agencies? This work bears the inscription of the divine, for ye are laborers together with God. 15LtMs, Ms 65a, 1900, par. 5
Today in every worker who goes forth to labor in Christ’s name, there are two agencies, the visible, and the invisible. Your success depends on the presence of that invisible One. He says to you, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can you, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:4, 5.] 15LtMs, Lt 6a, 1900, par. 3
Angels are interested in the spiritual welfare of all who are seeking to restore the moral image of God in man; and the human family are to connect with the heavenly family in binding up the wounds and bruises that sin has made. Angelic agencies, though invisible, are co-operating with visible human agencies, forming a relief-association with men. RH March 19, 1901, par. 8
The Word of God is the channel through which divine love is communicated to man. God’s truth is the medium by which the intellect is reached. The Holy Spirit is given to the human agent who works in co-operation with divine agencies. It transforms mind and character, enabling man to endure as seeing Him who is invisible. Perfect love can be enjoyed only through the belief of the truth and the reception of the Holy Spirit. 17LtMs, Ms 46, 1902, par. 3
It is possible for the most sublime truths of the Word of God to be expressed in life and character of the one who receives and practices the Word of God. In speech and in action he may reveal that he is born again. My brethren, let the light be brought from under the bushel of human conjectures to make known the truths of the gospel of life. Invisible agencies will work through the invisible; the supernatural will co-operate with the natural, the heavenly with the earthly; unknown things will be revealed through the known. Let the grace of Christ be revealed, teaching that man was made in the likeness of God. 24LtMs, Ms 3, 1909, par. 11
Controversy between loyal and disloyal angels
The existence of Satan and the agency of evil spirits are facts fully established by both the Old and the New Testament. From the days of Adam to Moses, and through all the succeeding ages to John, the latest gospel writer, Satan is recognized as an active, personal agent, the originator of evil, the enemy of God and man. .. The connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration of angels of God, and the agency of evil angels, are inseparably interwoven with human history. 4SP 331.1 (1884)
If all are keenly alive to the fact of their exposure to the assaults of malignant and invisible agents, [they] should [not] feel any degree of safety without having on their side the armies of [the] Lord’s host. The evil angels would soon overcome with their destroying power if the angels of God did not meet them as their antagonists, that they shall not obtain the ascendancy over the workmanship of God. If we all realize that we have heavenly angels engaged in the contest with us, ... [page torn] the fallen foe will voluntarily place themselves on the side of the Lord’s enemies in the battle which is waged on their account and give themselves away to the powers of Satan. The subject of angelic ministration has not had the attention it deserves. 6LtMs, Ms 36, 1889, par. 14
When they fall upon the Rock and are broken then the everlasting arms are around the helpless. Heavenly agencies are employed to do their work, fit them as vessels of honor, overpowering the enemies, piercing the cloud and shadow of Satanic agencies. The heavenly instrumentalities surround them with an element of light—even the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The Captain of the Lord’s host leads them to the field of battle with these words, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. A conqueror stands at your head, victory is sure.” [John 16:33.] 6LtMs, Lt 40, 1890, par. 7
By his fruit every man will show from whence he draws the supplies that sustain life. If Christ is not enthroned in the heart, another power is there, working no good to heart or character. The heart that is not under the influence of the Spirit of God is under the control of satanic agencies, who love to create dissension, alienation, and strife. 8LtMs, Lt 105, 1893, par. 4
The fact is to be ever kept before us, we are carrying forward the warfare in the presence of an invisible world. 10LtMs, Lt 51, 1895, par. 11
As a people we do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Evil angels are constantly at work, planning their line of attack, controlling as commanders, kings, and rulers, the disloyal human forces. 14LtMs, Lt 201, 1899, par. 23
All holy agencies, saith God, will I set in operation to oppose the armies of the invisible foe, to destroy his power. The eternal agency of the Holy Spirit shall rescue man from the effects of sin, and restore in him the image of God. It is the duty of all the Protestant world to become leagued with Jesus Christ whom they profess to accept as their Redeemer and Saviour. 15LtMs, Lt 78, 1900, par. 7
Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. GCB April 8, 1901, par. 17. Just think of it! These angels are ministering to us today. They are all through this congregation. But there is also an opposing element here. On every such occasion the enemy comes in with his power and his invisible army. Therefore we may know that there are two parties in this house, those who are ministering to the human race, and those who are working counter. One power is trying to bring in everything possible to divert the mind, but the Lord God of heaven has given power to the heavenly agencies, and they are working. Satan is seeking to throw his hellish shadow across our pathway to eclipse the view of God's glory. GCB April 8, 1901, par. 18
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 human 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. ST April 27, 1904, par. 7
Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah (Deut8:3; Mt4:4)
-Sid Nash: 1/31/2023. Latest version: http://sidnash.org/?Agents