Impending Conflict
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Ruler of the universe, then those who are God’s loyal subjects will be
true to Him.
We as a people have not accomplished the work which God has
committed to us. We are not ready for the issue to which the enforce-
ment of the Sunday law will bring us. It is our duty, as we see the
signs of approaching peril, to arouse to action. Let none sit in calm
expectation of the evil, comforting themselves with the belief that this
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work must go on because prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord
will shelter His people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in
quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent,
effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may
be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been
neglected. Let there be most earnest prayer, and then let us work in
harmony with our prayers. It may appear that Satan is triumphant and
that truth is overborne with falsehood and error; the people over whom
God has spread His shield, and the country which has been an asylum
for the conscience-oppressed servants of God and defenders of His
truth, may be placed in jeopardy. But God would have us recall His
dealings with His people in the past to save them from their enemies.
He has always chosen extremities, when there seemed no possible
chance for deliverance from Satan’s workings, for the manifestation
of His power. Man’s necessity is God’s opportunity. It may be that a
respite may yet be granted for God’s people to awake and let their light
shine. If the presence of ten righteous persons would have saved the
wicked cities of the plain, is it not possible that God will yet, in answer
to the prayers of His people, hold in check the workings of those who
are making void His law? Shall we not humble our hearts greatly
before God, flee to the mercy seat, and plead with Him to reveal His
mighty power?
If our people continue in the listless attitude in which they have
been, God cannot pour upon them His Spirit. They are unprepared to
co-operate with Him. They are not awake to the situation and do not
realize the threatened danger. They should feel now, as never before,
their need of vigilance and concerted action.
The peculiar work of the third angel has not been seen in its im-
portance. God meant that His people should be far in advance of
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the position which they occupy today. But now, when the time has
come for them to spring into action, they have the preparation to make.