Chapter 42—Our Denominational Name
I was shown in regard to the remnant people of God taking a name.
Two classes were presented before me. One class embraced the great
bodies of professed Christians. They were trampling upon God’s law
and bowing to a papal institution. They were keeping the first day of
the week as the Sabbath of the Lord. The other class, who were but
few in number, were bowing to the great Lawgiver. They were keeping
the fourth commandment. The peculiar and prominent features of
their faith were the observance of the seventh day, and waiting for the
appearing of our Lord from heaven.
The conflict is between the requirements of God and the require-
ments of the beast. The first day, a papal institution which directly
contradicts the fourth commandment, is yet to be made a test by the
two-horned beast. And then the fearful warning from God declares
the penalty of bowing to the beast and his image. They shall drink the
wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into
the cup of His indignation.
No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which
accords with our profession and expresses our faith and marks us a
peculiar people. The name Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke
to the Protestant world. Here is the line of distinction between the
worshipers of God and those who worship the beast and receive his
mark. The great conflict is between the commandments of God and
the requirements of the beast. It is because the saints are keeping all
ten of the commandments that the dragon makes war upon them. If
they will lower the standard and yield the peculiarities of their faith,
the dragon will be at peace; but they excite his ire because they have
dared to raise the standard and unfurl their banner in opposition to the
Protestant world, who are worshiping the institution of papacy.
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The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our
faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind. Like an arrow from
the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and
will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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