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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under
the divine displeasure.
The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will
be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the
abominations done in the land. Those who link in sympathy with the
world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will surely be
destroyed with the workers of iniquity. “The eyes of the Lord are over
the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of
the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive
the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons.
Already a few drops of God’s wrath have fallen upon the earth; but
when the seven last plagues shall be poured out without mixture into
the cup of His indignation, then it will be forever too late to repent and
find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of sin.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which
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standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall
be found written in the book.” When this time of trouble comes, every
case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the
impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small
remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the
powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their
defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority
that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of
persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can
they then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance!
Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God’s power to save
do not come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the
experience of years. By a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence
to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with
temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be
conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do, and at any hour
they might be called to lay off their armor; and should they come to
the close of life with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss.
They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did the first disciples
from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to