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Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White
disobedience, to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty. And
at this time the power of his satanic inspiration is moving the living
agencies to carry out the great rebellion against God that commenced
in heaven.
At this time the church is to put on her beautiful garments,—“Christ
our righteousness.” There are clear, decided distinctions to be restored
and exemplified to the world in holding aloft the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus. The beauty of holiness is to appear in its
native luster in contrast with the deformity and darkness of the disloyal,
those who have revolted from the law of God. Thus we acknowledge
God, and recognize His law, the foundation of His government in
heaven and throughout His earthly dominions. His authority should
be kept distinct and plain before the world; and no laws are to be
acknowledged that come in collision with the laws of Jehovah. If in
defiance of God’s arrangements the world be allowed to influence our
decisions or our actions, the purpose of God is defeated. However
specious the pretext, if the church waver here, there is written against
her in the books of heaven a betrayal of the most sacred trusts, and
treachery to the kingdom of Christ. The church is firmly and decidedly
to hold her principles before the whole heavenly universe and the
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kingdoms of the world; steadfast fidelity in maintaining the honor and
sacredness of the law of God will attract the notice and admiration of
even the world, and many will, by the good works which they shall
behold, be led to glorify our Father in heaven. The loyal and true bear
the credentials of heaven, not of earthly potentates. All men shall
know who are the disciples of Christ, chosen and faithful, and shall
know them when crowned and glorified as those who honored God
and whom He has honored, bringing them into possession of an eternal
weight of glory....
The Lord has provided His church with capabilities and blessings,
that they may present to the world an image of His own sufficiency, and
that His church may be complete in Him, a continual representation
of another, even the eternal world, of laws that are higher than earthly
laws. His church is to be a temple built after the divine similitude,
and the angelic architect has brought his golden measuring rod from
heaven, that every stone may be hewed and squared by the divine
measurement, and polished to shine as an emblem of heaven, radiating
in all directions the bright, clear beams of the Sun of Righteousness.