Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
As knowledge and inventions increase over time, evil will become more readily available, even at our fingertips, and thus, the Christian living in today’s world will have to follow God’s instructions on how to avoid the many pitfalls and snares that are being laid for the feet of the unwary. Phantom temptations in particular will need to be addressed, and overcome, by the grace of God, in preparation for the latter rain.
We are told in the Bible that “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” which means that the thoughts and imaginations would need to be cleansed from the stains of sin, whether real or phantom. [The Great Controversy pp 622] Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Savior be brought to yield to the power of temptation.
Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foot-hold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of himself, “The prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me.” [John 14:30.] Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept his Father's commandments, and there was no sin in him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!