Seal of God
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with their iniquity until the fourth generation. Then, if no change was
seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them.
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with
all nations. While His mercy is tendered with calls to repentance, this
account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain amount
which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The
account is closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading
of mercy in their behalf.
The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before
his vision. The nations of this age have been the recipients of unprece-
dented mercies. The choicest of heaven’s blessings have been given
them, but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God,
and base ingratitude are written against them. They are fast closing up
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their account with God.
But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have
had the greatest light and privileges have become contaminated by
the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around them,
many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold and
are borne down by the strong current of evil. The universal scorn
thrown upon true piety and holiness leads those who do not connect
closely with God to lose their reverence for His law. If they were
following the light and obeying the truth from the heart, this holy
law would seem even more precious to them when thus despised and
set aside. As the disrespect for God’s law becomes more manifest,
the line of demarcation between its observers and the world becomes
more distinct. Love for the divine precepts increases with one class
according as contempt for them increases with another class.
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show
that the time for God’s visitation has about come. Although loath to
punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who
walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are
not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting
themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day
of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to
labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for
help. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time
when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little