"The experience of Job, as recorded in the first chapter of that book, is evidence that
--Satan controls, not only the hearts and actions of wicked men,
--but also, as far as permitted, the very elements.
When God allowed him to afflict Job, four great calamities came upon him in such quick succession that one bearer of evil tidings could not finish his report before another was waiting with his account of disaster. They were as follows:
First, a band of Sabeans fell upon the servants who were plowing, and slew them, and took away the oxen, and the asses that were feeding beside them.
-It was Satan who stirred up these wicked men to do this deed.
Second, fire from above burned up the sheep as they were feeding, as well as the servants who were caring for them.
-This storm of fire was brought down by Satan for the purpose of causing this very destruction.
Third, three bands of Chaldeans fell upon the camels, and carried them away, and slew the servants who were keeping them.
-These Chaldeans were idolaters, hence were servants of Satan, and were led and influenced by him in this raid upon the property of Job.
Fourth, a wind from the wilderness smote the house where the sons and daughters of Job were eating and drinking and killed them all. This awful bereavement was the last of the four great calamities brought upon him at this time.
-In this instance the winds obeyed the will of Satan, so justifying the statement made by Paul, that Satan is “the prince of the power of the air.” Ephesians 2:2.
As wickedness is increasing in the land, God is removing His restraining power, and Satan is having a freer hand to do the work in which he delights.
As we near the end, Satan will become more and more active in bringing disaster upon the world. The apostle-prophet John says of this time, “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
As the coming of Christ draws near, the deceptions of Satan will increase in power, and become more startling and convincing. Christ said that “great signs and wonders” shall be shown; “insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).
The “working of Satan” is to be “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10).
“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven [the atmospheric heavens, which surround this earth] on the earth in the sight of men” (Revelation 13:13).
Satan brought fire from heaven, and burned the flocks of Job for the purpose of destroying his confidence in God.
In the latter days he will repeat such miracles for the purpose of establishing confidence in himself."
Past, Present, and Future, James Edson White, 103–109
