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Testimonies to Southern Africa
Abstain strictly from all stimulating food or drink. You are God’s
property. You are not to abuse any organ of the body. You are to care
wisely for your body, that there may be a perfect development of the
whole man. Is it not an act of ingratitude on your part to do anything
so to weaken your vital forces that you are unable properly to represent
Him or to do the work He has for you to do?
Your time belongs to Him who has purchased you with an infinite
price. He wants you so to use your powers as to glorify His name.
If in the past you have failed to realize that you are not your own, to
do with as you please, but that you belong to God, both by creation
and by redemption, will you not now redeem the time? Seek to live
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a useful life,—a life elevated and ennobled by the thought that you
are God’s property. Seek to improve, that you may be of the greatest
possible use to your Owner.—
Letter 236, 1903
.
Miracles in the Closing Conflict
It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people
of God who will be alive on the earth when past woes and celestial
glory will be blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from
the throne of God. By the means of the angels there will be constant
communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by
evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds
to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their
safety in working miracles; for Satan would counterfeit any miracle
that might be worked. God’s tried and tested people will find their
power in the sign spoken of in
Exodus 31:12-18
. They are to take their
stand on the living word,—“It is written.” This is the only foundation
upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their
covenant with God will in that day be without hope and without God
in the world.
The worshippers of God will be especially distinguished by their
regard for the fourth commandment,—since this is the sign of His
creative power, and the witness to His claim upon man’s reverence
and homage. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear
down the Creator’s memorial, to exalt the institution of Rome. In the
issue of the contest, all Christendom will be divided into two great
classes,—those who keep the commandments of God and the faith