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Testimonies for the Church Volume 9
they have the heart of a dragon and that they are instigated and
controlled by Satan. The time is coming when God’s people will
feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day.
Satan has caused the change of the Sabbath in the hope of carrying
out his purpose for the defeat of God’s plans. He seeks to make the
commands of God of less force in the world than human laws. The
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man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, and who has
always oppressed the people of God, will cause laws to be made
enforcing the observance of the first day of the week. But God’s
people are to stand firm for Him. And the Lord will work in their
behalf, showing plainly that He is the God of gods.
* * * * *
The Lord has said: “Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it
is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations.”
Exo-
dus 31:13
. None should disobey His command in order to escape
persecution. But let all consider the words of Christ: “When they
persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.”
Matthew 10:23
. If it
can be avoided, do not put yourselves into the power of men who are
worked by the spirit of antichrist. Everything that we can do should
be done that those who are willing to suffer for the truth’s sake may
be saved from oppression and cruelty.
Christ is our example. The determination of antichrist to carry
out the rebellion he began in heaven will continue to work in the
children of disobedience. Their envy and hatred against those who
obey the fourth commandment will wax more and more bitter. But
the people of God are not to hide their banner. They are not to ignore
the commandments of God and, in order to have an easy time, go
with the multitude to do evil.
The Lord encourages all who seek Him with the whole heart. He
gives them His Holy Spirit, the manifestation of His presence and
favor. But those who forsake God in order to save their lives will be
forsaken by Him. In seeking to save their lives by yielding the truth,
they will lose eternal life.
The night of trial is nearly spent. Satan is bringing in his masterly
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power because he knoweth that his time is short. The chastisement
of God is upon the world to call all who know the truth to hide in