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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In
connection with his message the call is heard, “Come out of her, my
people.” As these warnings join the third angel’s message, it swells
to a loud cry.
Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The
powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God,
will decree that no man may buy or sell, save he that has the mark of
the beast, and, finally, that whoever refuses to receive the mark shall
be put to death. [
Revelation 13:15, 17
.] The word of God declares:
“If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in
his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the
wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of
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his indignation.” [
Revelation 14:9, 10
.] But not one is made to feel
the wrath of God until the truth has been brought in contact with his
mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many in the
churches of our country who have never, even in this land of light
and knowledge, had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this
time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set
before them in its true light. Jesus reads every heart, and tries every
motive. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Every
one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The
Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth
especially controverted.
Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third message
have often been regarded as mere alarmists. The prediction that
Church and State would unite to persecute those who keep the com-
mandments of God has been pronounced groundless and absurd.
It has been confidently declared that this land could never become
other than what it has been, the defender of religious freedom. But
as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated,
the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching,
and the third message produces an effect which it could not have
had before.
In every generation God has sent his servants to rebuke sin, both
in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things
spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable.
Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise
great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation.
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