Acts 6:7-15. The word of God was increasing and the number of disciples multiplying greatly. Even many priests were becoming obedient to the faith. The new deacon, Stephen, was filled with grace and power. He went out doing great wonders and signs. Some of the "Freedmen" and others opposed to this new faith disputed Stephen but "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke." So they secretly instigated men to testify to the people that they had heard Stephen blaspheme God and Moses. They stirred up the people and the elders so that Stephen was brought before the council. There, false witnesses testified against him, saying Stephen said things against the temple and the law, and that Jesus of Nazareth would come and change the customs of Moses. Looking at Stephen during this, the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

When God is beginning a great change in the world, such as the beginning of his Church, He pours out His Spirit, and I think the veil between Heaven and Earth becomes lifted a bit. Here, Stephen, who we only just learned about, is so very powerful after having had the apostles hands laid on him and being made a deacon. The Holy Spirit is working through him to a tremendous degree, to the point that his face is shining like an angel! But when God's Spirit is working in this way, the power of Satan is threatened, so the demons become more active as well. Here, even though he only just began his ministry, Stephen is already being treated like Christ was - the people and elders are being stirred up against him, and false testimony is being given about him.

In times of great change, such as we are in now, God pours out his Spirit, but hell pours out its demons as well. Great good and great evil always go together, the one responds to the rise of the other.