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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
two-horned beast. And then the fearful warning from God declares
the penalty of bowing to the beast and his image. They shall drink the
wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into
the cup of his indignation.
No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which
accords with our profession, and expresses our faith, and marks us as
a peculiar people. The name, Seventh-day Adventist, is a standing
rebuke to the Protestant world. Here is the line of distinction between
the worshipers of God, and those who worship the beast, and receive
his mark. The great conflict is between the commandments of God
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and the requirements of the beast. It is because the saints are keeping
all ten of the commandments that the dragon makes war upon them;
and if they will lower the standard and yield the peculiarities of their
faith, the dragon will be at peace. But God’s people excite the ire of
the dragon because they have dared to raise the standard, and unfurl
their banner in opposition to the Protestant world, who are worshiping
the institution of Papacy.
The name, Seventh-day Adventist, carries the true features of our
faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind. Like an arrow from
the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and
will lead to repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I was shown that almost every fanatic who has arisen, who wishes
to hide his sentiments that he may lead away others, claims to belong
to the church of God. Such a name would excite suspicion at once, for
the most absurd errors are concealed under this name. This name is
too indefinite for the remnant people of God. The influence of such a
name would lead to the supposition that we had a faith we wished to
cover up.
The Poor
Some, who are poor in this world’s goods, are apt to place all the
straight testimony upon the shoulders of the men of property. But
they do not realize that they also have a work to do. God requires
them to make a sacrifice. He requires of them to sacrifice their idols.
They should lay aside such hurtful stimulants as tobacco, tea, and
coffee. If they are brought into straightened circumstances while