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Evangelism
observance, and yet you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to
keep holy the Sabbath which God calls “My holy day,” you receive
the mark of the beast. When does this take place? When you obey
the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and
worship God, while you know that there is not a word in the Bible
showing Sunday to be other than a common working day, you consent
to receive the mark of the beast, and refuse the seal of God.—
The
Review and Herald, July 13, 1897
.
As a Result of Disregard of Light—God has given men the Sab-
bath as a sign between Him and them, as a test of their loyalty. Those
who, after the light regarding God’s law comes to them, continue to
disobey and exalt human laws above the law of God in the great crisis
before us will receive the mark of the beast.—
Letter 98, 1900
.
Caution in Presenting the Sunday Question—[We are] not to
provoke those who have accepted this spurious sabbath, an institution
of the Papacy in the place of God’s holy Sabbath. Their not having
the Bible arguments in their favor makes them all the more angry and
[236]
determined to supply the place of arguments that are wanting in the
Word of God by the power of their might. The force of persecution fol-
lows the steps of the dragon. Therefore great care should be exercised
to give no provocation.—
Letter 55, 1886
.
Let the Truth Do the Cutting—Satan’s efforts against the ad-
vocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very
close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred
up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite
bitterness and prejudice against the truth for this time. The people will
be led to acts of violence and opposition which they would never have
thought of had they not been imbued with the animosity of professed
Christians against the truth.
And what course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have
the unchangeable, eternal Word of God, and they should reveal the
fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be
rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest
the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the
cutting; the Word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will
cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth
should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one