c. 1893

“There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he is cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:7-9.

Dear Friends: Should I be permitted to answer your questions, I would say God did not make the devil, neither did he make wicked men, but they both exist. God made man pure, but he has made himself impure. God created Satan an angel of light, and he made himself a devil. In the beginning God’s presence was manifested between the cherubims. Psalms 99:1. God’s presence was manifeste! between the two cherubims. ‘Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, thou fhat dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.” Psalms 80:1. The first chapters of Ezekiel gives a more  lengthy description of the cherubims. ‘This is the living creature that I saw, * * * and I knew that they were the cherubims.’ Ezek. 10: 20. According to Revelations (7: 15) God’s throne is in His holy temple. This beautiful city was lighted with the glory of God, and the Lamb was in the midst (Rev., chapter 22). The 28th chapter of Ezekiel says: ‘Be hold thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret they can hide from thee. Thou hast been in Eden, the Garden of God, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. The day thou wast created thou wast perfect in thy ways until inquity was found in thee. Thou hast sinned; therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God, and will destroy thee, O covering cherub. * * * In the first place he is wiser than Daniel, no secret can be hid from him; full of wisdom and perfect in beauty; has been in Eden, the garden of God. According to God’s word, none but Adam and Eve were in Eden. Hence the one spoken of in this chapter was none other than Satan, who beguiled these children in the garden. ‘Thou was upon the holy mountain,’ which we have proven is the heavenly Jerusalem. ‘Thou wert perfect in thy ways till iniquity was found in thee.’ A wicked, heathen king who never knew God, to be perfect! Who spent his time finding fault with Jehovah and persecuting His people, he perfect! The very thought is presumptuous. When Satan was in heaven what was his position? Verses 14 and 15 say: ‘Thou art the anointed cherub, thou was upon the holy mountains of God, till iniquity was found in thee.’ In Isaiah 14:12-14, we have another description of Satan under the king of Babylon. ‘How art thou fallen, O Lucifer. Thou hast said in thine heart: I will ascend into heaven; I will erect my throne above the stars of God * *  * I will be the Most High. Jesus said: ‘I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.’  Luke 10:18. According to Genesis 3:4, he fell just after God had finished the work .of creation, when he told a lie: ‘Ye shall surely die if ye eat of the tree of life.’ Thus Satan sinned from the beginning, and is the father of sin and sorrow. ‘He that committeth sin is of the devil.’ So you ask  why the anointed cherub committed such a sin as to be cast from heaven? God says: ‘Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness; therefore 1 will cast thee to the ground. Ezek. 28:17. He could not withstand his high position,  when looking upon the nations, kingdoms and the other angels that were subject to him. It made him proud, haughty and puffed up, forgetting that his great ability and mighty power came alone from God. There was but One higher in heaven than himself. God said: ‘Let us make man in our image after our likeness.’ Gen. 1:26. Jesus being considered by the Father to be Satan’s superior, it aroused his jealousy, touched his proud heart. He was tempted, yielded and sinned. In Matthew he is called the prince of devils; in Ephesians, the prince of the power of the air; in Corinthians the god of this world. Matthew represents him as having a kingdom and the ruler of fallen angels, and the author of everything wicked and sinful. Paul says: ‘Brethren, be strong in the Lord, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of darkness in this world ‘ He did not lose his wisdom, strength or beauty, ‘but is transformed into an angel of light, seeking whom he may devour.’ Holy Spirit, help us to watch and pray.

In the beginning we are told: ‘The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth hath God given to the children of men.’ Psalms 115:16. Through Satan’s subtlety he deceived our first parents and led them into sin. Gen. 3:4. His chief object in this was to take from them their innocence, happiness, home and hfe also. And ever since he has been seducing nations, poisoning generations, destroying homes and leaving his bitter sting in many blighted hearts. ‘Man was made a little lower than the angels and was crowned with glory and honor * * * Heb. 2: 7. ‘He was put in the garden of Eden, having a right to the tree of life that he might live forever * * * Gen. 2:9. When Satan fell he tempted those innocent children, who turned from God and lost all He had given them and their lives, too. Hence, by usurpation, this is Satan’s kingdom and the world is in rebellion against the Lord. ‘Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.’ James 4: 4. ‘Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, is seeking whom he may devour. * * * Peter 5: 8. The enemies of our souls are not mere weak men and women, but they are the mighty hosts who once trod the golden streets of the holy city and tasted of the tree of life. Thus the sharp attacks of spiritualism, and every other heresy that is filling Our land today, too subtle to be reached by law. Whosoever causeth the righteous to go astray shall fall. * * * Proverbs 28: 10. The devil knows that his time is short, hence, he comes to some trusting souls as an angel of light and to others he says: ‘You that despair and do not have salvation are forever lost.’ To another he says: ‘You must suffer and should pray: ‘Thy will be done.’ If he can deceive you, dear souls, with any advancement in Christ, he will be sure to do so, then do not fear to step out on the promise of God, who says: ‘Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  The same devil who smote Job with boils and the afflicted woman for eighteen years is busy at work today, inducing every sinner to believe that there is not any hope for soul or body through Jesus Christ. In the third place: What will become of Satan? God’s word says: ‘I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, cast him into the bottomless pit, that he should deceive the nations no more till  the thousand years should be fulfilled. * * * Rev. 20: 1-3. Satan through Christ has lost all and gained nothing. He is a criminal before a just God and Jesus whom he despised; the angels he insulted; the pure souls he persecuted and killed. How he must writhe under his punishment when he reflects that he was once an angel with Christ for his companion.

The works of God are unquestionable for He will verify what He has spoken by His holy prophets and apostles. Hence, Jesus Christ whom the heaven receives until the times of the restitution shall come with refreshing from the Lord. Acts 3:19-21. Wickedness shall then be destroyed and righteousness reign supreme forever. ‘Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ Matthew 25:41. As the earth was once overwhelmed  by water so when Jesus comes it will be purified by fire. 2nd Peter 3:10. Then Satan can no longer say to his followers: ‘ye shall be as gods.’ He can no longer imitate Divinity through his cunning, wisdom, and beauty. Neither can he imitate God’s holy worship by transforming Christianity into a form of godliness, denying the power thereof He cannot again answer the Lord, ‘that he is going to and fro in the earth.’ Job 1:7. He can no longer have his thrones, principalities, powers and dominions; his armies and navies, with  their secret and public allurements. He can never enter happy homes again to make families sorrowful and homes desolate. Neither can he enter public and private places with discord and contentions. He can never again tell the sad and sorrowing that they are too wicked, too old, too young, too rich or too poor to be saved through their Savior. No, no! His power is at an end, for the Son of God has destroyed the works of the devil, and he is in the lake of fire to be tormented forever and ever. When this world has passed away, when sin and iniquity have been destroyed, when the earth shall blossom as a rose and become again the garden of God — ^the beautiful Eden for the redeemed, let it be your’s and my portion, dear precious souls, to have a part in the songs of praise to God and the Lamb forever and ever. Hallelujah! Amen! Amen!”

When I had ceased speaking a poor sinner said: “I am a follower of Satan, and since hearing you preach, Miss Miller,  have read my Bible and prayed, but do not feel happy.” I  said: “It is not what you do, friend, but what Jesus has  done for you.” He replied: “My convictions are not deep  enough.” I answered: “It is not convictions that saves you, but true pardon from sin is yours through faith in Christ. Do you understand what I say in behalf of your salvation?” “Oh, yes, I do, lady,” he answered, the tears falling fast, “but how can I become a Christian so soon?” I read the conversion of the thief, the jailor and his family and the eunuch’s conversion while talking with Phillip about Jesus. He said: I do want to be saved, but I have not faith.” I read: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “Faith is that which grasps hold and receives salvation through Christ. Do you understand?” From his reply I perceived that he was in darkness. Handing him my Bible, I asked: “Would you like to have this book?” He said  he would and took it from my hand. I said: “Was there any merit on your part that caused you to get it?” “No, not any,” he replied, “it is mine by taking it from you as a free gift.” “Just as you have received this Bible,” said I, “so is salvation a free gift. ‘By grace we are saved through faith.’ Faith then, is the hand by which you receive and accept pardon. Ask Jesus now, to help you by the Holy Spirit to surrender.” While kneeling in prayer he accepted the gift and was made happy. The first thing he said was: “I am saved !” He has been telling the good news ever since, praise the Lord.

In this meeting there were many others who forsook Satan and today are following Christ. A number of skeptics and infidels said they did not know there was so much in the Bible about Satan. Many asked me if I always had such good order in my meetings. “I cannot work where people are disorderly,” I replied. In 1879 I was invited by an Episcopalian minister to hold services in his church. I was surprised at the levity and disorderly conduct in the morning  service, which was discouraging to me in holding a meeting in the evening. During the sermon many changed seats like unruly school children; others talked and laughed aloud while the minister was preaching with his eyes closed. The boys had, on former occasions, destroyed his sleigh, cut up his beautiful harness and stolen a costly carriage robe and whip. At the close of service they would yell loud enough to be heard blocks away. During the entire service I prayed God to direct the pastor to have me speak before dismissing the congregation. When invited to the pulpit I referred to their conduct, and told them how it affected me. I said such disorder would not be tolerated in my meeting. Many bowed their heads in shame during the remarks. Before the evening services the minister said: “I almost tremble for you, Miss Miller, after such a pointed rebuke.” “I could not see my Savior treated as He was during the morning’ service,” I said, “and if I perish, I perish holding up the cross of Christ.” At the evening meeting the house was crowded. Many were convicted and five professed conversion. At the close the congregation left the house with solemnity and order. Scoffers, backsliders and unconverted church members were brought humbly to the feet of Jesus. In many other places sinners and scoffers have come to my meetings for the purpose of making trouble. On every occasion I called on God silently and received Divine instruction that enabled me to govern wisely, so that those who came to scoff remained to pray, and became earnest workers for God. A young lady who had been saved in the meeting, asked me how I came to dress so plainly. “I was in the ministry two years,” I said, “before anyone told me exception was taken to my dress, Going to the Great Redeemer I urged Him to make known to me His pattern, which was to the discomfort of many near relatives. From that time I was as blithe as a bird, free as the air and was never permitted to confer with flesh or blood, having the consciousness of Christ’s presence. It was truly a  halcyon time to sit at the. feet of Jesus and learn to do his bidding. Praise God.” I did not count my life dear to me but hastened about my Master’s business with joy and peace. Though often a thousand miles from home I was not lonely, hut enjoyed greater happiness than I could ask. My joy has often been so great I would praise the Lord in the night.

God’s word shows us that we are to be filled with the Spirit, walk in the Spirit and grieve not the Spirit. The peace of God is true, pure and holy. The more you receive the more you desire, which will rule your minds, comfort your hearts, and fill your souls with holy joy. You may be poor in purse infirm in looks and bereft of friends, but your secret communing with God will bring contentment and happiness.

“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.” “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying: ‘This is the way, walk ye in it.'” “Never has it entered into the hearts of men to conceive the things prepared for them that love God.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee; I will guide thee with Mine eye.” “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace; he will not be afraid of sinners, for the vows of God are upon him and he will render praises unto the Lord, who has delivered his soul from death, making his tongue speak of righteousness and his lips to utter songs of rejoicing to the children of men.”

If, by the blessings of God, my life and teachings should be the means of bringing some dear soul to experience the true knowledge of Christ in their hearts, and encourage and keep any who are already believers in Jesus, I shall feel that my weak efforts are amply rewarded, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Hallelujah! Amen and amen!!

 Source: The True Way, Life and Evangelical Work of Lizzie E. Miller (Of Fairview, West Va.) Written by Herself (Los Angeles, 1895), pp. 313-320.