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The Desire of Ages
only through obedience to its precepts, that Jesus was lifted up on the
cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan
represented as destroying it. Here will come the last conflict of the
great controversy between Christ and Satan.
That the law which was spoken by God’s own voice is faulty, that
some specification has been set aside, is the claim which Satan now
puts forward. It is the last great deception that he will bring upon the
world. He needs not to assail the whole law; if he can lead men to
disregard one precept, his purpose is gained. For “whosoever shall
keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
James 2:10
. By consenting to break one precept, men are brought
under Satan’s power. By substituting human law for God’s law, Satan
will seek to control the world. This work is foretold in prophecy. Of
the great apostate power which is the representative of Satan, it is
declared, “He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall
wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and
laws: and they shall be given into his hand.”
Daniel 7:25
.
Men will surely set up their laws to counterwork the laws of God.
They will seek to compel the consciences of others, and in their zeal
to enforce these laws they will oppress their fellow men.
The warfare against God’s law, which was begun in heaven, will be
continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience
or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All
will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men.
Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes.
Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether
they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion.
Then the end will come. God will vindicate His law and deliver His
people. Satan and all who have joined him in rebellion will be cut off.
Sin and sinners will perish, root and branch, (
Malachi 4:1
),—Satan the
root, and his followers the branches. The word will be fulfilled to the
prince of evil, “Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;
... I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones
of fire.... Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.”
Then “the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his
place, and it shall not be;” “they shall be as though they had not been.”
Ezekiel 28:6-19
;
Psalm 37:10
;
Obadiah 1:16
.
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