Facing the Judgment Day
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they will hear the stern command, “Depart from Me, ye that work
iniquity.”—
The Review and Herald, February 14, 1888
.
Startling Revelations
What revelations will be made in the day of judgment! Many
who have called themselves Christians will be found to have been not
servants of God, but servants of themselves. Self has been their center;
self-service has been their lifework. By living to please themselves and
to gain all they could for themselves, they have crippled and dwarfed
the capabilities and powers entrusted to them by God. They have
not dealt honestly with God. Their lives have been one long system
of robbery. These now complain against God and their fellow men,
because they are not recognized and favored as they think they ought
to be. But their unfaithfulness will be revealed in that day when the
Lord judges the cases of all. He will return “and discern between the
righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that
serveth Him not.”
In that day those who think that God will accept meager offerings
and unwilling service will be disappointed. God will not put His
superscription upon the work of any man, high or low, rich or poor,
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that is not done heartily, faithfully, and with an eye single to His glory.
But those who have belonged to the family of God here below, who
have striven to honor His name, have gained an experience that will
make them as kings and priests unto God; and they will be accepted
as faithful servants. To them the words will be spoken, “Well done,
good and faithful servant:... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”—
The
Review and Herald, January 5, 1897
.
Not Professing but Doing
When the cases of all come in review before God, the question,
What did they profess? is never asked, but, What have they done?
Have they been doers of the word? Have they lived for themselves?
or have they been exercised in works of benevolence, in deeds of
kindness, in love, preferring others before themselves, and denying
themselves that they might bless others?