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The Remnant and the Sealing, July 24
And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even
the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand
plucked out of the fire?
Zechariah 3:2
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The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those
who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will feel the ire
of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has
gained control of the apostate churches. But here is a little company that are
resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph
would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel,
so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy
the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts
in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty
will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will be betrayed “both
by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends.”
Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer.
As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church, with
brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance
through Jesus their Advocate....
Satan urges before God his accusations against them, declaring that they
have by their sins forfeited the divine protection, and claiming the right to
destroy them as transgressors....
But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given
themselves to the control of evil. They have put away their sins, and have
sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads
in their behalf....
The people of God are sighing and crying for the abominations done
in the land. With tears they warn the wicked of their danger in trampling
upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they humble themselves
before the Lord on account of their own transgressions. The wicked mock
their sorrow, ridicule their solemn appeals, and sneer at what they term their
weakness. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable
evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost
in consequence of sin....
While Satan was urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, were
passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God.
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