Under the zeal of Satan, some have for a time the appearance of men in a flourishing condition; but it is only for a season. Satan carried them so far that they do despite to the Spirit of God. They spread themselves like a green bay tree. The Lord suffers them for a time. He allows them to manifest their envy and hatred against the people of God, as He has allowed Satan to develop his character, that he might stand before the heavenly universe, before the worlds unfallen, and the fallen world, in his true attributes, as a deceiver, an accuser of the brethren, a murderer at heart. {TM 412.1}

(412) Under Satans tjensteiver, havde nogle for en tid i menneskers øjne trivselens vilkår; men det er kun for en tid. Satan bragte dem så langt at de foragtede Guds Ånd. De foldede sig ud som et grønt laurbærtræ. Herren tillod for en tid. Han lod dem vise deres misundelse og hadet mod Guds folk, som han lod Satan udvikle hans karakter, så han kunne stå foran det himmelske univers, foran de ufaldne verdener, og den faldne verden, i hans sande egenskaber, som en bedrager, en anklager for brødre, en morder for hjerte.