Special Influence of Satan’s Work . To us the warning is given, “All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Mark the influence of their extremes and fanaticism in the service of the great master worker, Satan. As soon as the wicked one had the people under his control, there were exhibitions of a satanic character. The people ate and drank without a thought of God and His mercy, without a thought of the necessity of resisting the devil, who was leading them on to the most shameful deeds. The same spirit was manifested as at the sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar. There was glee and dancing, hilarity and singing, carried to an infatuation that beguiled the senses; then the indulgence in inordinate, lustful affections—all this mingled in that disgraceful scene. God had been dishonored; His people had become a shame in the sight of the heathen. Judgments were about to fall on that infatuated, besotted multitude. Yet God in His mercy gave them opportunity to forsake their sins. {TM 101.2}

Særlig indflydelse fra Satans arbejde
Til os er advarselen givet, »Dette skete med dem, så de kan være advarende eksempler, og det blev skrevet til påmindelse for os, til hvem de sidste tider (102) er kommet.« Læg mærke til deres yderlighed og fanatisme i tjenesten af deres store mester, Satan. Så snart at den onde havde folket under hans styrelse, var der åbenbare tegn af satanisk karakter. Folket spiste og drak uden en tanke om Gud og hans barmhjertighed, uden en tanke om nødvendigheden af modstand mod djævlen, som ledte dem til de mest skamfulde handlinger. Den samme ånd var tydelig som ved den ugudelige fest for Belsazzar. Der var lystighed og dans, løssluppen munterhed og sang, førte til en hengivelse der narrer sanserne; overdreven eftergivenhed, påtaget vellyst - al dette var blandet på dette vanærende sted. Gud var blevet vanæret; hans folk blev til en skam i hedningernes påsyn. Fordømmelser var ved at falde over den forblændene, og omtågede skare. Endnu gav Gud i hans barmhjertighed dem anledning til at opgive deres synder.