Time of The End
51
Him not. Soon everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that those
things that cannot be shaken may remain.
Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short,
and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon
this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the
people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory
and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They
will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means
of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven
and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be
God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very
elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles,
for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s
tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in
Exodus 31:12-18
. They are to take their stand on the living word: “It
is written.” This is the only foundation upon which they can stand
securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that
day be without God and without hope.
The worshipers of God will be especially distinguished by their
regard for the fourth commandment, since this is the sign of God’s
creative power and the witness to His claim upon man’s reverence
and homage. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear
down the Creator’s memorial and to exalt the institution of Rome. In
the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great
classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his
mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel all,
“both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,” to receive the
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mark of the beast, yet the people of God will not receive it.
Revelation
13:16
. The prophet of Patmos beholds “them that had gotten the
victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over
the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of
God,” and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
Revelation 15:2
.
Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war
is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the
midst of the time of trouble that is coming,—a time of trouble such
as has not been since there was a nation—God’s chosen people will