(Note—although these messages are from a series—each message can also stand alone.)

We want to review some of these principles, some of these themes that we find in Bible prophecy that demonstrate that God intends to purge His church through the Sunday Law crisis.

16MR Pg. 270: "A similar work will be accomplished when that other angel, represented in Revelation 18, gives his message. The first, second, and third angels’ messages will need to be repeated. The call will be given to the church, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins." "Babylon, the great, is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. . . . Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities" [Rev. 18:2-5].

"Take each verse of this chapter, and read it carefully, especially the last two: "And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."

"The parable of the ten virgins was given by Christ Himself, and every specification should be carefully studied. A time will come when the door will be shut. We are represented either by the wise or the foolish virgins. We cannot now distinguish, nor have we authority to say, who are wise and who foolish. There are those who hold the truth in unrighteousness, and these appear outwardly like the wise."

Sister White emphasizes that the story of the Ten Virgins includes the close of probation. Looking at the parable of the 10 virgins—we see, whether we like it or not, that we are found either among the wise or foolish virgins. The truth found in those verses of Revelation 18—especially the last two; a ‘candle being no more found in thee’, illustrates the close of probation; there’s no more light—the light has been removed.

Part of the message that has to come to God’s people and then to the world, is that Probation is about to close. And this message is designed to arouse the virgins to their need of finishing this work of character perfection in the power and strength of the Lord. This message IS the message for the hour. Sister White says that when the books of Daniel and the Revelation are better understood, there will be seen among us a great revival.

The ‘Present Truth’ message in Daniel and Revelation for the hour is the Papacy is about to take the world captive and bring it under its control through the passage of a Sunday Law. At that Sunday Law, you either receive the ‘Mark of the Beast’ or the ‘Seal of God’. That’s the message of Daniel and Revelation that when we understand, will revive us—or harden us where we are lost forever. We have one of two choices; the books of Daniel and Revelation are being fulfilled today in front of our very eyes. Probation is about to close; a Sunday Law is imminent; as virgins, the door of our probation is about to close.

In the book of Ezekiel 8-12, we see two groups of people in the church—Jerusalem being the church; one that ultimately end up bowing down to the sun and receiving the ‘Mark of the Beast’, and the others that are sealed.

Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers Pg. 445: "This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission."

The sealing is symbolized in Ezekiel by those that are having deep soul anguish, about what? —About the condition of God’s church. But none the less, they’re still portrayed as ‘in Jerusalem’. They’re still part of God’s denominated people. Ancient Israel was God’s denominated people from Sinai until the stoning of Stephen, and that denominated people committed some horrendous abominations. But not until God said they were divorced were they divorced.

The promise is, this denominated people, this ‘church’ may appear about to fall, but it does not fall. It goes through a terrible ordeal, but it stands while the sinners are purged out. In Ezekiel 8-12, we see these people—portrayed as bowing down to the sun—meeting their Divine judgment on the borders of Jerusalem. They’re the ones that are removed from the ‘church’.

Those of us today that are being tempted with leaving Adventism or the theology of calling the Seventh-day Adventist church ‘Babylon’, cannot find agreement for that philosophy in the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy. The testimony of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy is that it’s going to be terrible, spiritually, in God’s church just before He purifies it. Those that go through that process and receive the Seal of God are going to have sensitivity to these abominations like no other. They’re going to be sighing and crying. But they’re NOT going to be packing up their bags and leaving.

This is the testimony of scripture, and this truth needs to be emphasized in Adventism, because if we do not understand that this is the testimony of prophecy, then we are set up to receive these false understandings of the church being ‘Babylon’, and that we need to start a ‘new organization’ that upholds the truth more fully.

Only twice does God raise up a ‘denominated’ people; ancient Israel, and modern Israel. There’s no third denominated people illustrated in prophecy.

Manuscript Releases Volume Thirteen, Pg. 71: "When the law of God is being made void, when His name is dishonored, when it is considered disloyal to the laws of the land to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath, when wolves in sheep’s clothing, through blindness of mind and hardness of heart, are seeking to compel the conscience, shall we give up our loyalty to God? No, no. The wrongdoer is filled with a Satanic hatred against those who are loyal to the commandments of God, but the value of God’s law as a rule of conduct must be made manifest. The zeal of those who obey the Lord will be increased as the world and the church unite in making void the law. They will say with the Psalmist, "I love thy commandments above gold; yea above fine gold" [Ps. 119:127]. This is what will be sure to occur when the law of God is made void by a national act. When Sunday is exalted and sustained by law, then the principle that actuates the people of God will be made manifest, as the principle of the three Hebrews was made manifest when Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to worship the golden image in the plain of Dura. We can see what our duty is when the truth is overborne by falsehood."

Throughout scripture the Sunday Law is it’s illustrated as part of the end time scenario. The ancient prophets spoke more for our day than then day in which they lived. In Daniel 3, we see illustrated the Sunday Law and this testimony tells us that the issues, the message connected with the Sunday Law test is going to go to the whole world. It also confirms and reaffirms other truths connected with the Sunday Law about the experience of God’s people.

Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were not the only Hebrews on the plain of Dura. They’re simply the only three Hebrews who prepared for the test, that any of them could have seen coming. The Sunday Law today is making its way in darkness, but on the plains of Dura, that image had to be constructed, it had to be set up; and those Hebrews that were there saw it. They had no reason not to understand the implications, and yet only three prepared for that event.

The building of that image on Dura—the setting up prior to the test, is also illustrated in end time prophecy through the symbolism of the ‘Image of the Beast’. Sister White gives no other definition of the ‘Image of the Beast’ than the combination of church and state, when secular power is used to sustain religious institutions and support their dogmas. This combination of church and State is symbolized in prophecy as the image of the Beast.

The Hebrews on the plain of Dura saw the image getting built and they didn’t prepare. Today we see Church and State coming together In the United States. You can go to the secular presses that watch what goes on in Congress and in the Supreme Court, there’s rulings and laws today, already passed, and being passed, that are being pushed through and those commentators watching these things—who are not even Seventh-day Adventists—are clearly telling the world that the wall of separation of Church and State in the Constitution of the United Sates is about to be removed.

This image on the plain of Dura in our day is being constructed. It’s about to be set up. When it’s set up, and the command to worship it comes, there’ll be a Sunday Law. If we’re not seeing these things, then we won’t be prepared for the test. Are you seeing these things? Are you watching these things? Sister White says we should study the events taking place around us and compare them with the testimony of God’s Word—so we know the times in which we live. We need to know—we’re required to know.

Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, Pg. 525: "The duty of old and young must be set forth in simple, positive language because our lot is cast in perilous times when it seems that truth must be overborne by falsehood and satanic delusions. In the time of testing and trial the shield of Omnipotence will be spread over those whom God has made the depositaries of His law. When legislators shall abjure the principles of Protestantism, so as to give countenance and the right hand of fellowship to Romanism, then God will interpose in a special manner in behalf of His own honor and the salvation of His people.

"The principles necessary for our youth to cultivate must be kept before them in their daily education, that when the decree shall go forth requiring all to worship the beast and his image, they may make the right decisions, and have strength to declare, without wavering, their confidence in the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, even at the very time when the law of God is made void by the religious world. Those who waver now and are tempted to follow in the wake of apostates who have departed from the faith, "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils," will surely be found on the side of those who make void the law of God, unless they repent and plant their feet firmly upon the faith once delivered to the saints."

Are we wavering today? Some will say, "well—when the Sunday Law test comes, certainly Adventism’s probation doesn’t close, because God’s character isn’t like that, He’d give some of those who are less mature in these spiritual things time to consider these events." That is not the testimony of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. This passage we just read was speaking about the youth; the children. It says when this event comes the children must already have been trained to stand correctly. If the Lord requires the youth to be faithful during that test—He requires everyone.

If we’re wavering, we need to turn to the Word of God and fortify our minds. Sister White says that only those that fortify their mind daily will be prepared to stand in the last great crisis.

Selected Messages Book 2, Pg. 368: "When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils."

One of the truths seen as we look at the different waymarks associated with the Sunday Law, and how all these End Time Events have a direct relationship to the Sunday Law; is that those Laodecians that are spewed out of the mouth of the Lord—those foolish virgins who have the door closed against them—the dross that is burned off in the furnace fire—the chaff that’s blown away in the wind, separated from the wheat; all these different symbols illustrate those of us that don’t prepare for this test. When this test comes, if unprepared, we’re going to go fully on the side of Satan—giving heed to seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils.

Brothers and sisters, that’s quite a solemn thought! We’re not only on the verge of a Sunday Law, we’re on the verge of either being totally committed to the Lord or being totally under the control of Satan.

Testimonies for the Church Volume Six, Pg. 400: "As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true believers will say: "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas." The testimony of one and all will be: "I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour."

She says that when the storm of persecution hits, those who haven’t prepared for that test of the Sunday Law, will give heed to the doctrines of devils, and seducing spirits. On the other hand, those who are faithful will stand faithful, and she says those that have previously left—that still have a sensitive conscience—some of them will return and stand.

That’s what’s illustrated in the scattering, many that have come into Adventism today have been scattered hither and yon by different false doctrines or have become discouraged with the condition of the church—but they still have that sensitive heart and a mind open to receive the impressions of the Holy Spirit. This is the time in which we’re living and we need to be open to be used by the Holy Spirit to reach out and touch some of those around us who may not seem to be upholding Adventism any longer. There are still faithful ones there and at the time of the test they’re going to be brought to view.

The Signs of the Times, 11-16-91: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." The glorious promise is unto us who live in the last days: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

This is our promise—to receive the greatest manifestation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of all time. This is the promise to us if we will but send our sins beforehand to judgment, if we will gather together before the decree.

Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 09-25-00: "The Laodicean message must be proclaimed with power; for now it is especially applicable. Now, more than ever before, are seen pride, worldly ambition, self-exaltation, double-dealing, hypocrisy, and deception. Many are speaking great swelling words of vanity, saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Yet they are miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

"There are those who sincerely desire to see God, and who, in true penitence, seek the Lord, that they may find him, and by his power reach the high and holy ideal set before them. With unfeigned lips they pray, "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" "Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine." "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, and in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."

"But there are also those who go on frowardly in their own way. The Lord says to them, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Let those who name the name of God search their hearts to see whether they be in the faith. Let them search the Word carefully, reviewing the experience of God’s ancient people."

The Laodecian message is the call to gather together before the decree. It’s the call for the Lord to revive once again this work in a people that has been wandering in the wilderness of Laodecia. Those of us that hear this call to awaken need to send our sins beforehand to judgment, that we may be among those that receive this refreshing.

This message that she says we must proclaim with power; this blotting out experience that comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain in this last passage was in the context of Laodecia. But in Review and Herald, 08-19-90: "The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state." The message to the Laodecians, is the message to the foolish virgins; when the Laodecians get spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, it’s the foolish virgins that are getting spewed out, it’s the foolish virgins that are having the door of their probation shut.

The Laodecian condition has been described many ways, one good description is T 8, pg. 249: "The heavenly Teacher inquired: "What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything."

"God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many are crying, "Peace and safety," while sudden destruction is coming upon them. Unless there is thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive the truth as it is in Jesus, they will never enter heaven. When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing."

The delusion that has taken Laodecia is that we’re doing a work for the Lord, but we’re doing our own thing, in our own strength, our own way, and using our own principles to carry it out. We think everything is fine. It isn’t fine! The Lord hasn’t changed; ‘Not by power, not by strength but by my Spirit’ saith the Lord. We have to walk by faith in the power of the Spirit no matter what work we are undertaking and we must lay aside human devisings that we so incorrectly think are the power of God. It’s nothing more than Laodecian darkness.

This work of purification, this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, blotting out of sin, is on a continuum that corresponds to the work going on in the Most Holy Place. Sermons and Talks Volume 1, Pg. 59: "Well, suppose you are walking in the light, what then? Why, your testimonies will be light. You will talk light, and all this evil surmising and evil speaking will be put away. You will talk and we will not be thinking of ourselves and what others are doing, but what God and Jesus are doing. Well, what are they doing? They are cleansing the sanctuary. Well, we should be with Him in this work and be cleansing the sanctuary of our souls of all unrighteousness, that our names may written in the Lamb’s book of life, that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. It is the most solemn work that was ever given to mortals."

Maranatha, Pg. 249: "From the Holy of Holies, there goes on the grand work of instruction. The angels of God are communicating to men. Christ officiates in the sanctuary. We do not follow Him into the sanctuary as we should. Christ and angels work in the hearts of the children of men. The church above united with the church below is warring the good warfare upon the earth. There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth, in harmony with Christ’s cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven."

This purifying begins with us individually but it goes on a continuum. His church will be purified at the Sunday Law, and the work of purification continues on to those of His children that are in Babylon. The call to us is that we must finish this work of purification before the door is shut.

The ‘overflowing scourge’, is nothing more than the Sunday Law. Country Living, Pg. 12: "Before the overflowing scourge shall come upon the dwellers of the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to prepare for that event. To parents He sends the warning cry, Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and practicing evil. Get out of the large cities as fast as possible. Establish church schools. Give your children the Word of God as the foundation of all their education." Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 195.

Before the Sunday Law arrives we need to get out in the country, we need to gather together, we need to prepare for this event before it hits.

The Publishing Ministry, Pg. 170: "The Lord will work to purify His church. I tell you in truth, the Lord is about to turn and overturn in the institutions called by His name. Just how soon this refining process will begin I cannot say, but it will not be long deferred. He whose fan is in His hand will cleanse His temple of its moral defilement. He will thoroughly purge His floor". Lt 4, 1895.

Based on the prophetic word, the Lord is about to purify His church and the institutions that go to make up this corporate structure are going to be overturned. They can’t go beyond the Sunday Law. If they’re faithful they’ll be shut down by the laws of the land—if they’re unfaithful they’re going to be swept out by the ‘man with the dirt brush’.

This structure that we identify as the corporate body of the Seventh-day Adventist church—is destined, righteous or unrighteous, to very soon be eliminated. At that point the Lord is going to take the work into His own hands. The testimony of the Spirit of Prophecy is that a unity is going to come into the work, but the Lord will raise up those that will be spiritual leaders who have never sought position before. The work will be directed by the Holy Spirit. It’s not going to be in the devising of humans. It’s not going to be a gigantic, world-wide outreach program. It’s going to be people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that are going door to door sharing this message of mercy. It’s going to be people that are going to be brought before the courts of the land, and they’re going to give a testimony that’s going to be published in the presses of the land explaining why they uphold Sabbath.

We’re at the very point in time where this controversy is going to be sounded around the world in a way that we do not now understand. But it’s not going to be handled through structures of human devising. Those are going to be removed. That’s the promise of scripture.

Manuscript Releases Volume Twenty-one, Pg. 437: "All the messages given from 1840-1844 are to be made forcible now, for there are many people who have lost their bearings. The messages are to go to all the churches. Christ said, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" [Matt. 13:16, 17]. Blessed are the eyes which saw the things that were seen in 1843 and 1844.

"The message was given. And there should be no delay in repeating the message, for the signs of the times are fulfilling; the closing work must be done. A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God’s appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony.

"The attention of our churches must be aroused. We are standing upon the borders of the greatest event in the world’s history, and Satan must not have power over the people of God, causing them to sleep on. The papacy will appear in its power. All must now arouse and search the Scriptures, for God will make known to His faithful ones what shall be in the last time. The word of the Lord is to come to His people in power.

"The signs of the end are fast fulfilling. The time of trouble is very near us now. We are to be brought into strait places in a way in which we have not been brought heretofore. The time of trouble is near, and we are to awake to a realization of this. We are to be sure that our feet are in the narrow path. We need an experience that we have not yet had, that we may have the assurance that the God of all grace is a very present help in time of need. The time of trouble--trouble such as was not since there was a nation--is right upon us, and we are like the sleeping virgins. We are to awake and ask the Lord Jesus to place underneath us His everlasting arms, and carry us through the time of trial before us.

"Let us turn our attention away from unimportant things, and give ourselves to God. We scarcely dream of the destroying angels that already are permitted to bring disaster and destruction in their path. Shall my life be spared to act a part in the closing scenes of this earth’s history?

"How little we know of what is going on in heaven! What fearful indifference those on this earth show to eternal realities. Souls are unprepared for what is about to take place in our world; the warning must be given, The end of all things is at hand.

"Again I say to my ministering brethren in Battle Creek, Preach the Word. The last message of mercy is to be given to prepare a people to stand in these last days. Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.

"This is what has been presented to me--that we are asleep, and do not know the time of our visitation. But if we humble ourselves before God, and seek Him with the whole heart, He will be found of us." Letter 54, 1906.

‘The attention of the churches must be aroused’—what does it need to be aroused to? —To the fact that the time of trouble is approaching. Our probation is about to close. The greatest crisis of all time is here. We must arouse. We must shake off this Laodecian lethargy before it takes us unawares.

The purification of God’s church is present truth; God is about to purify His church and before that time, in total agreement with His character, He is seeking to forewarn us so we can—by grace—be prepared for that process. Many themes in scripture point to this purification process, point to the Sunday Law, as the providential way that the Lord brings this process about.

The Sunday Law test is the very heart of the third angel’s message. It’s the message that Adventism was raised up to proclaim. The Sunday Law issue is directly connected with the very name that God gave us, Seventh-day Adventists. This is the message that encompasses what Adventism is about. God raised up a people in the pioneer movement that were destined to finish this work, but as the first denominated people of scripture—ancient Israel—did, they went sojourning. We went sojourning in the wilderness of Laodecia. But we’re now at the point in history where it’s time to go into the Promised Land and the Lord once again wants to repeat this process of entering into the marriage.

Review and Herald 1-11-1887, Our Present Duty and the Coming Crisis.

"‘And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.’ The very atmosphere is polluted with sin. Soon God’s people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal. Instead of being strengthened and confirmed by opposition, threats, and abuse, they will cowardly take the side of the opposers. The promise is, ‘Them that honor me I will honor.’ Shall we be less firmly attached to God’s law because the world at large have attempted to make it void?

"Already the judgments of God are abroad in the land, as seen in storms, in floods, in tempests, in earthquakes, in perils by land and by sea. The great I am is speaking to those who make void his law. When God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth, who will then be able to stand? Now is the time for God’s people to show themselves true to principle. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when his law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few ,-this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. The nation will be on the side of the great rebel leader.

"The days of purification of the church are hastening on space. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place, we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that his fan is in his hand, and that he soon will thoroughly purge his floor.

"The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing.

"With unerring accuracy, the Infinite One keeps an account with all nations. While his mercy is tendered with calls to repentance, this account will remain open; but when a certain limit which God has fixed is reached, the ministry of his wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading for mercy in their behalf.

"The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision. The nations of this age have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies. The choicest of Heaven’s blessings have been given them; but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude, are written against them. They are fast closing up their account with God.

"But that which causes me to tremble, is the fact that those who have had the greatest light and privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around them, many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold, and are borne down by the strong current of evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true piety and holiness, leads those who do not connect closely with God to lose their reverence for his law. If they were following the light, and obeying the truth from the heart, this holy law would seem even more precious to them when despised and set aside. As the disrespect for God’s law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation between its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the divine precepts increases with one class, according as contempt for them increases with the other class.

"The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God’s visitations has nearly come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless he will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter his people in the day of visitation; Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help.

"The command is, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. ‘ These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel. Although many still continued the forms of religion, its power and presence were lacking.

"In the time when his wrath shall go forth in judgments, the humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which will be expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls will be vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They will be powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they will be filled with grief and alarm. They will mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They will lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church.

"The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions his messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: ‘Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. ,

"Here we see that the church-the Lord’s sanctuary-was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light, and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. This shows us that we must not look to men for example. We need to stay our faith upon God; for there is just before us a time that will try men’s souls. Christ upon the Mount of Olives rehearsed the fearful judgments that were to precede his second coming: ‘Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.’ ‘Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ While these prophecies received a partial fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more direct application in the last days.

"John also was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place as signs of Christ’s coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He saw the vials of God’s wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth.

"Already the restraining Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds that they may not blow until the servants of God are sealed; but when God shall bid his angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of his avenging wrath as no pen can picture.

"We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all living. The controversies of the past are to be revived. New controversies will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies. Those who are making so great efforts to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing the first day of the week little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us.

"But God’s servants are not to trust to themselves in this great emergency. In the visions given to Isaiah, to Ezekiel, and to John, we see how closely heaven is connected with the events transpiring upon the earth. We see the care of God for those who are loyal to him. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord; the world is not without a ruler. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of his church, in his own hands.

"Brethren, it is no time now for mourning and despair, no time to yield to doubt and unbelief. Christ is to us not a Saviour in Joseph’s new tomb, closed with a great stone, and sealed with the Roman seal. We have a risen Saviour. He is the King, the Lord of hosts; he sitteth between the cherubim, and amid the strife and tumult of nations he guards his people still. He who rules in the heavens is our Saviour. He measures every trial. He watches the furnace fire that must test every soul. When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when the arrows of God’s wrath shall strike through the hearts of his enemies, his people have the assurance that they are safe in his hands. In patience they are to possess their souls.

"Those whom God employs as his messengers are not to feel that his work is dependent upon them. Finite men are not left to carry this burden of responsibility. In Ezekiel’s vision, God had his hand beneath the wings of the cherubim. This is to teach his servants that it is divine power that gives them success. He will work with them if they will put away iniquity, and become pure in heart and life. The heavenly messengers seen by Ezekiel, like a bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning, represent the speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion. He who slumbers not, who is continually at work for the accomplishment of His designs, can carry forward His great work harmoniously. That which appears to finite minds entangled and complicated, the Lord’s hand can keep in perfect order. He can devise ways and means to thwart the purposes of wicked counselors, and those who plot out mischief.

"Those who are called to responsible positions in the work of God often feel that they are carrying heavy burdens, when they may have the satisfaction of knowing that Jesus carries them all. We permit ourselves to feel altogether too much care, trouble, and perplexity in the Lord’s work. We need to trust him, believe in him, and go forward. The tireless vigilance of the heavenly messengers, their unceasing employment in their ministry in connection with the beings of earth, show us how God’s hand is guiding the wheel within a wheel. The divine Instructor is saying to every actor in his work, as he said to Cyrus of old, I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.

"Men are not to take credit to themselves for the success of their labors. The clear, sharp thought, the wisdom to plan and execute, are of the ability that God giveth. God is the Master-worker; men are only the instruments in his hand. It is his mind that is working through all who yield themselves to his control. While we are to act our part by improving to the utmost every talent committed to us, we have nothing which we have not received of God, and we should give him all the glory.

"The important future is before us. To meet its trials and temptations, and to perform its duties, will require great faith, energy" and perseverance. But we may triumph gloriously; for not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the devices of the enemy. All heaven is interested in our welfare, and waits our demand upon its wisdom and strength. Neither wicked men nor evil spirits can hinder the work of God or shut out his presence from his people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim his promises. Every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, ‘not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ If the Lord had a company of workers who would rely wholly upon him, he would accomplish a great work through them. One could chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. God is just as willing now as anciently to work through human efforts, and to accomplish great things through weak instrumentalities. We shall not gain the victory through numbers, but through full surrender of the soul to Jesus. We are to go forward in his strength, trusting in the mighty God of Israel.

"In the time of trial just before us, God’s pledge of security will be placed upon those that have kept the word of his patience. If you have complied with the conditions of God’s word, Christ will be to you a refuge from the storm. He will say to his faithful ones, ‘Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast’. ‘The Lion of Judah’, whose wrath will be so terrible to the rejecters of his grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful. The pillar of cloud will speak terror and wrath to the transgressor of God’s law, but light and mercy and deliverance to those who have kept his commandments. The Arm strong to smite the rebellious, will be strong to deliver the loyal. Every faithful one will surely be gathered. ‘He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

"Brethren you to whom the truths of God’s word have been opened, what part will you act in this momentous time of the closing scenes of earth’s history? Are you awake to these solemn realities? Do you realize the grand work of preparation that is going on in heaven and earth? Let all who have received the light, who have had the opportunity of reading and hearing the prophecy, take heed to keep those things that are written therein; ‘for the time is at hand.’ Let none now venture to tamper with sin, or remain in a state of lethargy and stupid indifference. Let not the destiny of your soul hang upon an uncertainty. Know for yourselves that you are fully on the Lord’s side. Let the inquiry go forth form sincere hearts and trembling lips, Who shall be able to stand? Have you, in the precious hours of probation mercifully granted you, been putting the very best material into you character-building? Have you been purifying your souls from every stain? Have you followed the light? Have your works corresponded with your profession of faith?

"It is possible to be a formal, partial believer, and yet be found wanting, and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you are lacking in essential qualifications that constitute Christian character. The destroying angels have the commission from the Lord, ‘Begin at my sanctuary .’ And ‘they began at the ancient men which were before the house. ‘If the warnings which God has given are neglected or regarded with indifference, if you suffer sin to be cherished, you are sealing your soul’s destiny; you will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. Grace, peace, and pardon will be withdrawn forever; Jesus will have passed by, never again to come within the reach of your prayers and entreaties, While mercy still lingers, while Jesus is making intercession for us, let us make thorough work for eternity." Review and Herald, January 11, 1887.