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The Image to the Beast Set Up, June 5
[He] deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those
miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to
them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the
beast.
Revelation 13:14
.
The image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it
is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny
will be decided....
In
Revelation 13
this subject is plainly presented: “I beheld another
beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he
spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before
him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first
beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Then the miracle-working power
is revealed: “And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of
those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to
them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast,
which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give
life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both
speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast
should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor,
free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name
of the beast, or the number of his name.”
This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed.
All who prove their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing
to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God
Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the
truth of heavenly origin, and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the
mark of the beast....
While John was shown the last great struggles of the church with earthly
powers, he was also permitted to behold the final victory and deliverance of
the faithful.... Looking beyond the smoke and din of the battle, he beheld a
company upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having, instead of the mark of
the beast, the “Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
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