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Selected Messages Book 2
makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly;
for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our
institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world
to the close of probation. In describing the remnant people of God,
John says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep
the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (
Revelation 14:12
).
This is the law and the gospel. The world and the churches are uniting
in harmony in transgressing the law of God, in tearing away God’s
memorial, and in exalting a sabbath that bears the signature of the
man of sin. But the Sabbath of the Lord thy God is to be a sign to
show the difference between the obedient and the disobedient. I saw
some reaching out their hands to remove the banner, and to obscure its
significance....
When the people accept and exalt a spurious sabbath, and turn
souls away from obedience and loyalty to God, they will reach the
point that was reached by the people in the days of Christ.... Shall
anyone then choose to hide his banner, to relax his devotion? Shall
the people whom God has honored and blessed and prospered, refuse
to bear testimony in behalf of God’s memorial at the very time when
such a testimony should be borne? Shall not the commandments of
God be more highly esteemed when men pour contempt upon the law
of God?—
Manuscript 15, 1896
.
[386]
The World is Watching
God’s commandment-keeping people are described by the prophet
as “men wondered at.” We are to be a people distinct from the world.
The eyes of the world are upon us, and we are observed by many of
whom we have no knowledge. There are those who know something
of the doctrines we claim to believe, and they are noting the effect
of our faith upon our characters. They are waiting to see what kind
of influence we exert, and how we carry ourselves before a faithless
world. The angels of heaven are looking upon us. “We are made a
spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (
1 Corinthians
4:9
).—
The Review and Herald, June 18, 1889
.