Preparing for the Final Crisis
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on Satan’s side of the question. In the absence of persecution, there
have drifted into our ranks some who appear sound, and their Chris-
tianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go
out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in specious reasoning
that has had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various
snares to meet varied minds. When the law of God is made void the
church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we
now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of
devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places,
many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine; they
bore no fruit, and the husbandman taketh them away.
The Truly Obedient Will Not Fall
But when the world makes void the law of God, what will be the
effect upon the truly obedient and righteous? Will they be carried
away by the strong current of evil? Because so many rank themselves
under the banner of the prince of darkness, will God’s commandment-
keeping people swerve from their allegiance? Never! Not one who is
abiding in Christ will fail or fall. His followers will bow in obedience
to a higher authority than that of any earthly potentate. While the
contempt placed upon God’s commandments leads many to suppress
the truth and show less reverence for it, the faithful ones will with
greater earnestness hold aloft its distinguishing truths. We are not left
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to our own direction. In all our ways we should acknowledge God, and
He will direct our paths. We should consult His Word with humble
hearts, ask His counsel, give up our will to His. We can do nothing
without God.
There is the highest reason for us to prize the true Sabbath and
stand in its defense, for it is the sign which distinguishes the people of
God from the world. The commandment that the world makes void is
the one to which, for this very reason, God’s people will give greater
honor. It is when the unbelieving cast contempt upon the Word of God
that the faithful Calebs are called for. It is then that they will stand
firm at the post of duty, without parade, and without swerving because
of reproach. The unbelieving spies stood ready to destroy Caleb. He
saw the stones in the hands of those who had brought a false report,