From a presentation by Jeff Pippenger

"A time is coming when the law of God is, in a special sense, to be made void in our land. The rulers of our nation will, by legislative enactments, enforce the Sunday law, and thus God’s people be brought into great peril. When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all Intents and purposes, be made void In our land; and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin."

"God would have his people prepared for the soon-coming crisis. Prepared or unprepared, we must all meet it. Only those whose characters are thoroughly disciplined to meet the divine standard will be able to stand firm in that testing time. But when enemies shall be on every side, watching them for evil, the God of Heaven will be watching his precious jewels for good. When secular rulers unite with the ministers of religion to come between God and our conscience, then those who cherish the fear of God will be revealed. When the darkness is deepest, then the light of a noble, Godlike character will shine the brightest. When every other trust fails, then it will be seen who have an abiding trust in God." Sketches from the Life of Paul, 252.

We are looking at the historical events, the waymarks that precede the Sunday Law. Sister White told us that the events connected with the close of probation have been clearly revealed but multitudes have no more understanding of these truths than if they’d never been revealed. We need to identify the events connected with the close of probation. The close of probation corresponds to the purification of the church. In our last presentation we looked at the events that come before the Sunday Law.

The economic collapse destined to take place in fulfillment of the passage where Sister White says the people of the United States are going to pressure the legislators to pass a Sunday Law in order that they may return—"to temporal prosperity and divine favor." Something happens in this country prior to the Sunday Law that removes temporal prosperity and the book ‘Evangelism’ tells us that money will devaluate rapidly.

Before the Sunday Law we should expect to see a false revival take place in protestant America and it is here! The ‘holy laughter movement’ in agreement with the ‘Promise Keeper Movement’—it’s easy to see this false revival is underway.

The Image of the Beast will be erected in the United States prior to the Sunday Law—the Image of the Beast is defined in the Spirit of Prophecy as the combination of Church and State. When secular power is controlled and used by the churches to enforce their religious dogmas and sustain their institutions—this is the Image of the Beast. Before the Sunday Law we should expect to see the kind of legal enactments taking place, power plays by the spiritual politicians and it’s happening in the United States, that’s easy to demonstrate through the testimony of the press, TV and radio. Everything that we been forewarned would precede the Sunday Law is taking place in the United States today.

There are two characteristics to identify the Sunday Law that fulfils Rev. 13:11—the Sunday Law of prophecy is the law that enforces Sunday observance and persecutes those who keep the Sabbath. In The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7,977, Sister White is clear that the Sunday Law that fulfils Bible prophecy will come through the legislative branch of the United States. It’s not going to be a secret law that the President signs in the middle of the night and the next day there’s a Sunday Law. That doesn’t fulfill prophecy, it doesn’t fulfill the circumstances that have been defined and set forth for us that this issue will be discussed; it will be acted upon by the people of the land. Even some of the legislators of this country will begin to see the truth of religious liberty if they don’t already and they will make a stand during this argument for the truth.

At the Sunday Law we either receive the Mark of the Beast or the Seal of God. If (the ‘if’ is the important variable here) if we have an understanding of these issues prior to the test, and the people in the United States that have an understanding of Sabbath and Sunday when the Sunday Law arises are Seventh-day Adventists. You may say, ‘well, there’s probably Seventh-day Adventists in the church today who really don’t understand the issues of Sabbath and Sunday so they won’t be held accountable to this principle of who receives the Mark of the Beast when the tests arrive because they don’t understand the issues.’

I’m sorry, but the Spirit of Prophecy is clear that we’re not judged by the light we have, we’re judged by the light we could have had had we availed ourselves and there is not an excuse for a Seventh-day Adventist in the United States to not understand the issues of Sabbath and Sunday. When the Sunday Law comes to the United States, every Seventh-day Adventist in the United States is without excuse. You’ve either prepared your character for the Mark of the Beast or the Seal of God. The church is purified at that time.

It is very clear what characteristics those that receive the Seal of God will have.

"Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. ...

"What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.

"Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour." Testimonies, vol. 5,214-216.

Adventists during our time of wandering in the wilderness have not been studying prophecy or these waymarks or how they come together, but it is clear as she said here, no one receives the Latter Rain that has any sin in their life. She says that anyone that has sin in their life has prepared their character for the Mark of the Beast. Those that through the power of the Holy Spirit have overcome sin have prepared for the Seal of God. This takes place when the decree goes forth, when the Sunday decree is enforced, it will be demonstrated in Adventism what character we have developed for that test, whether it is for the Seal of God or the Mark of the Beast. The whole bottom line of this study of the purification of God’s church is to remind us that we need to prepare for this test before the test arrives.

"Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God's people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming." The Seventh-day Adventists Bible Commentary, volume 4, 1161.

"The soul that has had light in regard to the Lord's Sabbath, His memorial of Creation, and to save himself from inconvenience and reproach has chosen to remain disloyal, has sold his Lord. He has dishonored the name of Christ. He has taken his stand with the armies of antichrist." Manuscript Releases, number 12, 149.

Once again, the soul that had light on the Sabbath and Sunday issue at the time of the Sunday test is the Seventh-day Adventists. When the church is purified at this test, those faithful Seventh-day Adventists will then, through their experience, their testimony and the trial that they’re thrown into with the government, clarify the issue for God’s children that are still in Babylon. The beginning of the test hits Adventism first and if for whatever reason, if for our convenience we choose to accept the Sunday observance, we’ve sold our Lord and have taken our position in the army of antichrist.

"If we are true servants of God there should be no question in our minds as to whether we should obey his commandments or seek our own temporal interests. If the believers in the truth are not sustained by their faith in these comparatively peaceful days, what will uphold them when the grand test comes, and the decree goes forth against all those who will not worship the image of the beast, and receive his mark in their foreheads or in their hands? This solemn period is not far off. Instead of becoming weak and irresolute, the people of God should be gathering strength and courage for the time of trouble.

"Jesus, our great example, in his life and death, taught the strictest obedience. He died, the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty, that the honor of God’s law might be preserved and yet man not utterly perish. Sin is the transgression of the law. If the sin of Adam brought such inexpressible wretchedness, requiring the sacrifice of God's dear Son, what will be the punishment of those who, seeing the light of truth, set at naught the fourth commandment of the Lord?

"Circumstances will not justify anyone in working upon the Sabbath for the sake of worldly profit. If God excuses one man, he may excuse all. But, says one, why may not a man who is poor work upon the Sabbath to earn means for a livelihood when he might by so doing be better able to support his family? Why may not other brethren, or all of us, keep the Sabbath only when it is convenient to do so? The voice from Sinai makes answer: 'Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. ' ...

"God will visit with judgments those who profess to serve him, yet really serve mammon. They who disregard the Lord's express injunction in order to advantage themselves, are heaping future woe upon themselves. The people of God should inquire closely if they have not, like the Jews, made the temple of God a place of merchandise. Christ said, My Father's house shall be called an house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves." Review and Herald, October 21, 1876.

There is no excuse when the Sunday Law arrives that will get us around the issue of observing Sabbath and not observing Sunday. If we observe Sunday at that time period we receive the Mark of the Beast. It’s as simple and clear in the Spirit of Prophecy as any doctrine that you can find in the Bible.

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands, and conformed to worldly customs, will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men." Review and Herald, April 27, 1911.

There’s no excuse for Seventh-day Adventists to not uphold the Sabbath during the Sunday Law test! That’s the end of the road for Adventism, because it’s at that point that the whole issue of Sabbath and Sunday is lifted before the world, and if a Seventh-day Adventist hasn’t learned how to live and uphold the Sabbath by faith before that test, his time is run out, because the test is underway. It’s the time when the world, those in Babylon, are going to look at this test as played out among God’s people in the courts of the land, and they’re going to have a clear picture. It’s not going to be confused by the church hem-hawing about whether they can or cannot keep Sabbath. The Sunday Law is the dividing line.

Another thing connected with this waymark is, first the Sunday Law comes to the United States and then the entire world follows her lead.

"As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the Papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example." Testimonies, vol. 6, 18.

"Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world." Ibid., 395.

First the United States, then the rest of the world—this is just what Revelation 13 teaches. First the United States in verse 11 speaks as a dragon, when it speaks as a dragon it passes the Sunday Law according to the Spirit of Prophecy and when it speaks as a dragon it also sets up the Image of the Beast in the United States. In verse 14, the last half of the verse, United States says this: "saying to them that dwell on the Earth". It’s not speaking to the inhabitants of the United States now, it is "saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the Beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live." The Beast that had the wound and did live is the Papacy. What the United States says to the world here is that they should make an Image to the Beast.

What is the Image to the Beast? According to the Spirit of Prophecy, it’s when secular power is used to enforce religious dogma. In order for the United States to tell the world set up an Image to the Beast, the world has to have a secular government in place in order to use that secular power throughout the world to enforce religious dogma. That’s exactly what verse 15 says, "and he (the United States) had power to give life unto the Image of the Beast that the Image of the Beast should both speak (and this is the one that it tells the world to set up. That this world Image of the Beast) should both speak and cause that as many as should not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed."

Now this ‘speaking’ in Bible prophecy according to the Spirit of Prophecy is the action of the legislative and judicial branches of a nation. So when we see United States in verse 14 telling the world to set up an Image of the Beast, we see it telling the world that they need to put in place a world government that has the ability to enforce religious dogma throughout the whole world. In the next verse it says that this image is going to ‘speak’ which means it’s going to have a legislative and judicial branch. The United Nations is already in place, and it says in verse 15 that the United States would have the power to bring this thing to life and anybody that’s watching the actions of the United Nations in the world today can’t deny that it’s the United States that’s bringing the United Nations to life.

When Bill Clinton was threatening going back into Iraq, he was twisting arms to get the other members of the United Nations to follow him. But it doesn’t matter whether they were going to follow him or not—if the United States wants to go in there, then the United Nations is going in there. That’s clear in the world today; Revelation 13 is already in place for first the United States to pass a Sunday Law and then the whole world to be confronted with the same scenario.

"God would have us study the events that are taking place around us, and compare them with the predictions of His Word, in order that we may understand that we are living in the last days." Signs of the Times, October 1, 1894.

I have people give me mild rebukes or strong rebukes that I spent too much time looking at what’s going on in Catholicism or in Spiritualism or in the political world—God would have us study these events and compare them with prophecy in order that we would understand that we’re living in the last days. If you’re studying the events and you’re comparing them with prophecies—you know you’re in the last days. You know you’re here! It’s easy to present prophecy to God’s people today because if you got to speak next Sabbath on prophecy to God’s people, all you have to do is go down and get a weeks worth of papers before Sabbath and on the front page you’re going to have information you can weave your presentation around because it’s being fulfilled every day.

When the Sunday Law comes and God’s people either receive the Mark of the Beast or the Seal of God, the church is purified. There is a group of people in Adventism that receive the Seal of God, then according to the quote that we read in Testimonies volume 5, then the Latter Rain will fall on us.

"The refreshing is coming from the presence of the Lord. Let us set our hearts in order that the truth of God may live in us; that it may purify us, ready to receive the latter rain." Manuscript Releases, volume 8, 228.

When we are purified when every sin and stain is gone, God is going to bring the Sunday Law test that will bring us into a position where we receive the Seal of God corporately. All that have prepared for the Seal of God corporately will receive it; this will be the group that then receives the Latter Rain without measure in order to proclaim the Loud Cry message to those people that are in Babylon and the rest of the world.

"I was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Counsels on Diet and Foods, 33.

The bottom-line principle of this whole study of the purification of God’s church is that before the testing time when we either receive the Seal of God or the Mark of the Beast, we will have prepared a character for either one or the other of those marks. If we’re prepared for the Seal of God then we have a work to enter into with the Holy Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. If we enter into this work, we will be among those who are sealed, if we don’t, we will be among those that are spewed out of the mouth of the Lord and receive the Mark of the Beast.

This is one of the deceptions that Adventism is paralleling with the Jewish misunderstanding of prophecy when they didn’t know that Christ was the Messiah. There is many in Adventism today that think the Latter Rain is going to purify them. There isn’t a word in the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy showing that false thought—it isn’t there.

"The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are 'the times of refreshing' to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said: '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.' Acts 3:19-20." The Great Controversy, 611-612.

In our next presentation we’re going to look closer at this blotting out of sin. The judgment is a continuum. Every aspect of it is in a sequence. It begins with the dead; it ends with the living. It begins with the Sunday Law test, which begins in the United States and goes to the world. The ‘blotting out of sin’ is directly related to this continuum.

We’re looking at the ‘waymarks’, historical events that are ahead of us; the Latter Rain, the refreshing. Immediately at the Sunday Law, God’s church is purified, we receive the Seal of God and the Latter Rain is poured out upon us. This empowers us to not only stand through the time of trouble, but it empowers us to give the Loud Cry message. The Loud Cry message and the Latter Rain can’t be separated from one another but they are distinct waymarks; one is the message, one is the presence of the Holy Spirit with power in our life, in our experience.

"I say to all, Press together, press together. Be very critical in regard to yourselves, but exercise all the tenderness of Christ toward your brethren. I entreat the Lord's people to cease to criticize one another, and to give themselves to the proclamation of the truth for this time. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth, and drunkenness, insanity, revelry, and crime are rapidly increasing. There is before us a terrible crisis. The lives of many will go out in darkness. We need now to bow before God in true humility of soul; for the day of clouds and thick darkness is fast approaching.

"The last great conflict is before us; but help is to come to all who love God and obey his law, and the earth, the whole earth, is to be lighted with the glory of God. ' Another angel' is to come down from heaven. This angel represents the giving of the loud cry, which is to come from those who are preparing to cry mightily, with a strong voice, '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."' Review and Herald, April 19, 1906.

The Loud Cry is the message that comes from God’s people once they receive the Latter Rain.

Another waymark takes place at the Sunday Law. In Revelation 13:11, first the United States speaks as a dragon and then the next three verses begin to describe the miracles that are brought in to the United States to accomplish the deception of the whole earth, This is when the United States has fully disconnected itself from righteousness and Satan takes reigns of this country—national apostasy is followed by National ruin. As we depart farther and farther away from God’s word as a people, Satan has more power to bring his destruction upon the earth, and not just destruction—he has more power then to work his miracles.

In Rev. 13:11, when the United States passes the Sunday Law, we see miracles brought into the picture to deceive the world. Although Satan is certainly performing false miracles in the world today, in the charismatic movement, the apparitions of Mary, or what’s going on in Spiritualism today—he’s active—he’s accomplishing false miracles.

"The time has come for the true light to shine amid moral darkness. The third angel's message has been sent forth to the world, warning men against receiving the mark of the beast or of his image in their foreheads or in their hands. To receive this mark means to come to the same decision as the beast has done, and to advocate the same ideas, in direct opposition to the word of God." Review and Herald, July 13, 1897.

"But not one is made to feel the wrath of God until the truth has been brought in contact with his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many in the churches of our country who have never, even in this land of light and knowledge, had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. Jesus reads every heart, and tries every motive. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Every one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth especially controverted." Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4,422.

"Said the angel, 'Deny self; ye must step fast.' Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast." Early Writings, 67.

"Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all things is at hand. The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath.

"Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins, that they may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted out. Now is the time to 'cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ' It is dangerous to delay this work. Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as possible. What is the defense of the people of God at this time?-It is a living connection with heaven. If we would dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence, if we would be preserved from dangers seen and unseen, we must hide in God; we must secure the protecting care of Jesus and holy angels. In these days of peril, the Lord would have us walk before him in humility. Instead of trying to cover our sins, he would have us confess them, as Joshua confessed the sins of ancient Israel. We profess to be the depositaries of God's law. We profess to be building up 'the old waste places,' and to be raising up 'the foundations of many generations. ' If this great and solemn work has indeed been committed to us, how important that we depart from all iniquity!

"The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry." Review and Herald, November 19, 1908.

"I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place—when the mighty angel will come down from heaven, and unite with the third angel in closing up the work for this world; my message is that our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our lamps trimmed and burning. Christ has told us to watch; 'for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.' 'Watch and pray' is the charge that is given us by our Redeemer. Day by day we are to seek the enlightenment of the Spirit of God, that it may do its office work upon the soul and character. 0, how much time has been wasted through giving attention to trifling things. Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Selected Messages, book 1, 192.

"By the decree enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near." Testimonies, vol. 5, 451.

If you haven’t noticed before in the Spirit of Prophecy the ‘when-then’, you need to notice it. Sister White uses the ‘when-then’ over and over again and once you look for it, it starts bringing these waymarks into alignment. She says ‘when this, when this, when this—then!’ ‘When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, then, ‘she says, when we see these three-fold powers come together, then we know it’s time for Satan to do his marvelous workings. This three-fold union coming together takes place prophetically at the Sunday Law.

The Sunday Law is not only going to open the floodgates to national ruin, it’s going to open the gates for Satan to begin his marvelous deceptions and delusions.

"The time is coming when Satan will work miracles right in your sight, claiming that he is Christ; and if your feet are not firmly established upon the truth of God, then you will be led away from your foundation. The only safety for you is to search for truth as for hid treasures. Dig for the truth as you would for treasures in the earth, and present the word of God, the Bible, before your Heavenly Father and say, Enlighten me; teach me what is truth. ...You should store the mind with the word of God; for you may be separated, and placed where you will not have the privilege of meeting with the children of God.

"None need be deceived. The law of God is as sacred as His throne, and by it every man who cometh into the world is to be judged. There is no other standard by which to test character. 'If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' Now, shall the case be decided according to the Word of God, or shall man's pretensions be credited?

"Says Christ, 'By their fruits ye shall know them.’ If those through whom cures are performed, are disposed, on account of these manifestations, to excuse their neglect of the law of God and continue in disobedience, though they have power to any and every extent, it does not follow that they have the great power of God. On the contrary, it is the miracle-working power of the great deceiver. He is a transgressor of the moral law, and employs every device that he can master to blind men to its true character. We are warned that in the last days he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will continue these wonders until the close of probation, that he may point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light and not of darkness. "Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme.

"The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out-the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. ...The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy." The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 911.

I’ve read an Adventist book before that says that Satan’s miracles take place after the close of probation, which doesn’t make any kind of logical sense anyway—but in this last quote she is very clear that Satan continues his wonders until the close of probation. Prophetic fulfillment of his miraculous deceptions begin at the Sunday Law, and increases and develops until the close of human probation. This is the time period that unfolds at the Sunday law; this is a historical event—a waymark. This begins at the Sunday Law.

At this time in the Loud Cry, those other children in Babylon come and stand with God’s people. In this quote, there are groups of people that she speaks about and you see a transition taking place, a door closed on a certain group of people.

"Many who have known the truth have corrupted their way before God and have departed from the faith. The broken ranks will be filled up by those represented by Christ as coming in at the eleventh hour. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time." This Day With God, 163.

This is a time of mercy for the eleventh hour workers who have never known what truth is. But there was a group prior to this time that had not prepared their character for the Seal of God, for the Latter Ran and while the door is open for those children in Babylon to come and make their stand with those that were sealed at the beginning of the test at the Sunday Law, that door is closed to those that would not enter.

We see here the purification of the church. We see God’s church today preparing to receive either the Seal of God or the Mark of the Beast. When we come to the test of the Sunday Law crisis—character is demonstrated by a crisis. I will show whether I have I have prepared my character for the Mark of the Beast or the Seal of God. If I have the Mark of the Beast, I am a foolish virgin. Sister White tells us that the parable of the ten virgins will be fulfilled again to the very letter. I have closed the door of my probation just as the door was closed to the foolish virgins.

The wise virgins, who have prepared their character for this time, begin to proclaim more clearly the Sabbath and those other children in Babylon, are protected in God’s destructive judgment, because for them it’s a time of mercy—they are hearing the truth for the first time—the door is still open for them. Many of them come and take their stand with God’s people.

"I saw that the holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between the true Israel of God and unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is the great question, to unite the hearts of God's dear waiting saints. And if one believed, and kept the Sabbath, and received the blessing attending it, and then gave it up, and broke the holy commandment, they would shut the gates of the Holy City against themselves, as sure as there was a God that rules in heaven above.

"I saw that God had children, who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, God's chosen, all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us." A Word to the Little Flock, 18-19.

I want to go back through this and throw some added information into Sister White’s comments, information that comes directly out of our previous studies.

"And if one believed, and kept the Sabbath, and received the blessing attending it, and then gave it up, and broke the holy commandment, [Bowing down to the sun, in fulfillment of Ezekiel 8:16.] they would shut the gates of the Holy City against themselves, as sure as there was a God that rules in heaven above." We demonstrated that the shutting of a door is the close of probation.

"I saw that God had children, [In Babylon.]Who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, [The little time of trouble. National apostasy is followed by National ruin] we were filled with the Holy Ghost [The Latter Rain.] as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. [The Loud Cry message] This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, God's chosen, ['Who do not see and keep the Sabbath.' At this point] all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out [Of Babylon.] and endured the persecution with us." A Word to the Little Flock, 18-19.

This is the sequence of events clearly identified in the Spirit of Prophecy.

In Bible Training School, February 2, 1913, we have a passage that identifies this little time of trouble. The little time of trouble begins at the Sunday Law; the great time of trouble begins at the close of human probation when Michael stands up, when there’s no more intercession for man and the seven last plagues begin.

"Roman Catholics acknowledge that the change in the Sabbath was made by their church, and they cite this very change as evidence of the supreme authority of the church. They declare that by observing the first day of the week as the Sabbath, Protestants are recognizing her power to legislate in divine things. The Roman church has not relinquished her claim to infallibility; and when the world and the Protestant churches accept a spurious Sabbath of her creating, while they reject the Sabbath of Jehovah, they virtually acknowledge this claim. They may cite the authority for this change, but the fallacy of their reasoning is easily discerned. The papist is sharp enough to see that Protestants are deceiving themselves, willingly closing their eyes to the facts in the case. As the Sunday institution gains favor, he rejoices, feeling assured that it will eventually bring the whole Protestant world under the banner of Rome.

"The change of the Sabbath is the sign or mark of the authority of the Roman church-. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false -Sabbath in the place of the true, are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. The mark of the beast is the papal Sabbath, which has been accepted by the world in the place of the day of God's appointment.

"But the time to receive the mark of the beast, as designated in prophecy, has not yet come. The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians In every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit Sabbath, and when the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast in their foreheads or in their hands.

"With rapid steps we are approaching this period. When Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will the papal Sabbath be enforced by the combined authority of church and state. There will be a national apostasy, which will end only in national ruin." Bible Training School, February 2, 1913.

National apostasy is followed by National ruin—this sequence of end time events, these waymarks—the marks along the way—the prophetic end time events are clearly identified in the Spirit of Prophecy.

The Great Time of Trouble is different than the little time of trouble. The Great Time of Trouble is when probation is closed.

"' And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book.' When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance!" Testimonies, vol. 5, 212-213.

There’s a distinction between the little time of trouble and the Great Time of Trouble, the Great Time of Trouble begins at the close of human probation. The little time of trouble begins at the Sunday Law.

The Seven Last Plagues are one of the waymarks ahead of us.

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, Pg. 117,118. "I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues."

When Jesus is done in the sanctuary is when Michael stands up—human probation closes and the plagues begin.

"I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The one hundred and forty-four thousand triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.

"Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters. "Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting." I asked who this company were. The angel said, "These are they who have once kept the Sabbath, and have given it up." I heard them cry with a loud voice, "We have believed in Thy coming, and taught it with energy." And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they would wail aloud. I saw that they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet,--trodden the Sabbath underfoot,--and that was why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting."

Solemn passage! We’re coming to a time when we either receive the Seal of God or Mark of the Beast, it is right upon us! If we are among those that receive the Mark of the Beast we may have the unfortunate privilege to live all the way to the end of the world, unto the return of the Lord knowing that we’re lost! What a tragic way to spend the last hours of life. Sister White is describing some people here that have went all the way from the Sunday Law into Jacob’s time of trouble which comes after the close of human probation. They live on and they know they’re lost. They knew the significance of the truth that was testing the world but they’re lost. What are we preparing for—The Seal of God or the Mark of the Beast?

The Sunday Law is the focus of end time Bible prophecy. It’s the waymark that you build the other waymarks around. The economic collapse that forces the legislative bodies to pass the Sunday Law in the United States precedes the Sunday Law. The false religious revival precedes the Sunday Law. The setting up of the image of the Beast precedes the Sunday Law. There are events we know are going to take place—we know where they are in history. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.–because we have the Sunday Law issue to line them up against.

At the Sunday Law point in history, specific waymarks are going to take place; the church will be purified. Sister White says that the things connected with the close of probation have been clearly revealed.

"The events [the different things that will take place] connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented." Maranatha -PG- 263

These events that in this time line have been clearly presented; at the Sunday Law the church is purified. The events that Sister White is referring to here are also symbolized in many parables and prophecies in the Bible. At the Sunday Law, Laodecia is spewed out of the mouth of the Lord; those people that have the experience of a Laodecian are spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, leaving those people who have the experience of a Philadelphian.

That is a troubling statement to some people—they’re going to say, "Philadelphia historically precedes Laodecia." I’m talking about experience—the experience that is symbolized in the Philadelphian church is the experience of ones that will be sealed at the Sunday Law test.

The experience of those who are going to receive the Mark of the Beast is the experience of a man that believes that he has great light and is in need of nothing and refuses the righteousness of Christ—refuses the eyesalve of Christ—refuses to enter into the experience of faith which purifies the soul and works by love, that Laodecian experience, is spewed out of the mouth of the Lord at the Sunday Law.

The wheat and the tares grow together until the test and the angels separate the tares from the wheat. The wheat are those that have prepared for the Seal of God, the angels separate them through the Sunday Law test. The gold is separated from the dross—at the Sunday Law. The foolish virgins are separated from the wise virgins when the door is closed—at the Sunday Law test. Sister White says Laodecians are foolish virgins. Over and over again in the prophecies and parables of the Bible this purification of the church is identified and it takes place at the historical event of the Sunday Law.

At that point the Seal of God another historical waymark is identified. When a person receives the Seal of God he then receives another historical waymark—the Latter Rain. The final manifestation of God’s character will be portrayed to the world because the Bride has made herself ready to receive the powerful indwelling of the Holy Spirit in this great crisis time.

This historical event takes place at this waymark that we know as the Sunday Law. When we receive this power from the Holy Spirit, we proclaim the Loud Cry message, the fourth angel’s message—the message to come out of Babylon! This is a historical event and will be talked about in the papers. ‘These Seventh-day Adventists are bringing all these problems and are refusing to keep Sunday—not only that—they’re winning converts to their truth! people are making stands and leaving the other churches and standing with them.’ This isn’t something that happens in obscurity, this is the climax of the gospel!

National apostasy is followed by national ruin—the floodgates of disaster are opened up on the United States, and the world, as every country follows the lead of the United States and as the Latter Rain is being poured out on God’s people at the Sunday Law. It is at the Sunday Law as the nation fully disconnects itself from righteousness and Satan begins his marvelous working that world confronted with the true power of God in the Latter Rain.

It all comes to conclusion and finally human probation closes. Satan’s miracles quit at the point the time of Jacob’s trouble begins. There is a world enraged at these people that were the point of controversy—but the world knows at this point that they are in a terrible mess—disaster after disaster has followed as we lead into the end of the world.

This purification of God’s church identified in the Sunday Law, is the focus of end time Bible prophecy. It is the message that Seventh-day Adventists have built their name on. Our name identifies this issue. How could we not see that it was divinely given to us? How could we believe that we could come to the Sunday Law test in contrast with the name that we posses, Seventh-day Adventist, and not observe Sabbath, and still be a Seventh-day Adventist? This is the issue of end time events and it’s the focus of the events connected with the close of probation.

Sister White talks about a great storm—this is Adventist apocrypha—it’s a dream that has been talked about in Adventism for years, but the White Estate has never recorded it as official, although there are many passages in the Spirit of Prophecy that you can pull together and see that this is accurate information. The way this testimony comes is so clear and so solemn that it’s worth looking at and it adds another dimension to these waymarks of end-time events.

"A statement by E.G. White about the year 1908, Bro. Will Ross now deceased was a personal friend of mine for about 45 years. In our church fellowship we very often spent Sabbath afternoons discussing his experience in the message, and his conversations with Mrs. Ellen G. White.*/ /*About 1908, while living in Loma Linda near Sister White, he frequently accompanied her in her walks, and would discuss the message and future events. On one of these occasions, while waiting at the railroad depot, in company with Sister McInterfer and Elder D. E. Robinson, her granddaughter's husband, Sister White related to the three of them about the storm of persecution that was to come upon Seventh-day Adventists. Brother Will related it to me as follows:*/

"Sister White told us as we three stood there on the depot platform, that a terrible storm of persecution was coming like a windstorm that blew down every standing object. There was not a Seventh-day Adventist to be seen. They, like the disciples, forsook Christ and fled. All who had sought positions were never seen again. "After the storm there was a calm, then the Adventists arose like a great flock of sheep, but there were no shepherds. They all waited in earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered by helping them to choose leaders from among them who had never sought positions before. They prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them making them fully ready for service. They then went forth 'fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,' to give this message to the world. "I was astonished, and asked if that applied to Loma Linda, as we were looking in that direction. Sister White replied to my question by stating that it applied to the entire denominational world. It so stunned me that I did not ask any more questions."/*--- Will Ross, Boulder, Colorado*/

/*In the year 1943 when Elder D. E. Robinson was visiting the churches in Colorado, I was serving on the platform the Sabbath that Elder Robinson visited the Boulder Church, having with him the large Bible which Sister White held in her hand and leafing through during one of her visions.*/

/*At the close of the service Brother Ross spoke with Elder Robinson about when he, Sister McInterfer and Sister White were standing on the depot platform visiting together, and Sister White related to him about the terrible storm of persecution that was coming to Seventh-day Adventists. Elder Robinson replied, "Yes, Brother, Ross, I remember it."*/

/*So I documented this reply January 15, 1946, not wishing to forget this important narration related to me by Brother Ross. I frequently discussed it with him in later years, and his statement never varied. - [signed] Elmer M. Johnson*/

You can take other passages where Sister White talks about the great crisis, the great test, that’s coming to Adventism and you can see that what these three people heard verbally from Sister White on that train depot at Loma Linda in 1908 was a description symbolizing the terrible windstorm of the Sunday Law. The Sunday Law is going to devastate Adventism! Over and over again we’ve been warned that the greatest majority of us are going to go out at this time. We’re paralleling ancient Israel—and only two went into the promise land. We’re paralleling the days of Noah—only eight got on the ark. We’re paralleling the days of Lot—only he and his daughters escaped.

This windstorm, is the Sunday Law, everything is flattened down, and this brings together a truth that we should understand in Adventism. There is much talk about the church structure—the church structure cannot go past the Sunday Law! Period! The church structure if it is righteous from head to toe, if every one in the church structure—the entire denominated church in the Seventh-day Adventist corporation in the United States—if they are all Moses—they don’t go beyond the Sunday Law as a structure! The Sunday Law is going to forbid a corporation to operate that observes Sabbath and doesn’t observe Sunday. If they were righteous they would refuse to do so and the laws of the land would shut that corporate structure down overnight!

Even a righteous church doesn’t go through as a structure as we talk about it in Adventism today as a corporate entity, past the Sunday Law and an unrighteous one doesn’t either. An unrighteous one has not prepared to stand faithfully for the Lord and it will be fully disconnected from the Lord at the Sunday Law test. Seventh-day Adventists will be the first to go into total control of Satan as a corporate body. They have rejected the greatest light so they are tested first. If they are found in apostasy at that time then there’s probably a lot of variables that could happen to them—maybe as a a group they would come together and say "let’s just make ourselves the 1^st day Adventist Church, let’s change our name". I’m not suggesting that they’re going to do that, I’m just saying this, whether it’s righteous or it’s unrighteous, this corporation that has been developed by Adventists during our time of wandering in the wilderness, does not go beyond the Sunday Law.

The Sunday Law is going to purify the church and it’s going to leave only those in the church that have been preparing their character for the Seal of God. You’ll find other references in the Spirit of Prophecy that agree to the principle in this little quote that we read. Those that will be raised up to lead out in the work at that time will be those that have never sought position before; The humble among us; that aren’t seeking to control; that aren’t developing characteristics of Kingly Power. Those are the ones that are destined to be used by the Holy Spirit during the Latter Rain.

What kind of character are you and I developing today? Are we using our own power, our own influence to get our way with our wives and children? With the people we go to church with? That’s nothing more than an individual manifestation of the ‘Image of the Beast’! When secular, human power is used to enforce religious dogma; if we are bringing those characteristics into our lives we’re going to be swept away by the storm. We must be seeking the humility of Christ. We must be preparing our character for the seal of God.

This is the warning message for Seventh-day Adventists, The Sunday Law issue is the message that follows for the world but the warning for us is that we need to get ready NOW! Before the test comes, before the storm wipes out everything!

"The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. For it is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present Him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples and in the wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men. Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of Him." Selected Messages, book 1, 363.

"The natural heart is not to bring its own tainted, corrupting principles into the work of God. There must be no concealing of the principles of our faith. The third angel's message is to be sounded by God's people. It is to swell to the loud cry. The Lord has a time appointed when He will bind off the work; but when is that time?-when the truth to be proclaimed for these last days shall go forth as a witness to all nations, then shall the end come. If the power of Satan can come into the very temple of God, and manipulate things as he pleases, the time of preparation will be prolonged." Manuscript Releases, volume 9, 212.

"Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience. And even if they endure the test they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons of faith which they have neglected they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discouragement." Reflecting Christ, 120.

"Said the angel, 'If thou hast run with the footmen and they have wearied thee, then how .canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?' [Jeremiah 12:5]. The time of trouble is before us, and if there is lack of courage and ambition now, how will they pass the fearful scenes of that trying hour." Manuscript Releases, vol. 15,331.

"The power which stirred the people so mightily in the 1844 movement will again be revealed. The third angel's message will go forth, not in whispered tones, but with a loud voice. During the loud cry, the church, aided by the providential interposition's of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated to every city and town. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere." Evangelism, 693-694.

"The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory .A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in this country there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message. The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, hasten from place to place to proclaim the warning from Heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given. Miracles are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth are brought to take their stand. "The message will be carried, as was the midnight cry of 1844, not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence; yet many whose minds have been impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side." Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4,429-430.

"There are diligent students of the word of prophecy in all parts of the world, who are obtaining light and still greater light from searching the Scriptures. This is true of all nations, of all tribes, and all peoples. These will come from the grossest error, and will take the places of those who have had opportunities and privileges and have not prized them. These have worked out their own salvation with fear and trembling lest they become deficient in doing the ways and will of God, while those who have great light, have, through perversity of their own natural hearts, turned away from Christ because displeased with the requirements.

"But God will not be left without witness. The one-hour labourers will be brought in at the eleventh hour, and will consecrate ability and all their entrusted means to advance the work. These will receive the reward for their faithfulness, because they are true to principle and shun not their duty to declare the whole counsel of God. When those who have had abundance of light throw off the restraint which the Word of God imposes, and make void His law, others will come in to fill their place, and take their crown. ...

"Great is the work of the Lord. Men are choosing sides. Even those supposed to be heathen will choose the side of Christ, while those who become offended, as did the disciples, will go away and walk no more with Him. And others will come in and occupy the place they have left vacant. The time is very near when man shall have reached the prescribed limits. ..The record of their works in the books of heaven is 'Weighed in the balances, and found wanting."' Testimonies to Southern Africa, 50-51.