A View of the Conflict
In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was
led by banners bearing the world’s insignia; the other was led by the
bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel. Standard after standard was
left to trail in the dust as company after company from the Lord’s army
joined the foe and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united
with the commandment-keeping people of God. An angel flying in the
midst of heaven put the standard of Immanuel into many hands, while
a mighty general cried out with a loud voice: “Come into line. Let
those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony
of Christ now take their position. Come out from among them, and
be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters. Let
all who will come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord
against the mighty.”
The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the sol-
diers of the cross gave way, “as when a standardbearer fainteth.”
Isaiah
10:18
. But their apparent retreat was but to gain a more advantageous
position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up,
and angel voices united in the song, as Christ’s soldiers planted His
banner on the walls of fortresses till then held by the enemy. The Cap-
tain of our salvation was ordering the battle and sending support to His
soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press
the battle to the gates. He taught them terrible things in righteousness
as He led them on step by step, conquering and to conquer.
At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with
the inscription, “The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,”
was gloriously triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the
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gates of the city, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom
of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established.
Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world
in midnight darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry. But the
day is coming in which the battle will have been fought, the victory
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