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The Great Controversy
so disguised that the degradation and misery which resulted were
not seen to be the fruit of transgression. And his power was so far
counteracted by the working of the Spirit of God that his purposes
were prevented from reaching their full fruition. The people did not
trace the effect to its cause and discover the source of their miseries.
But in the Revolution the law of God was openly set aside by the
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National Council. And in the Reign of Terror which followed, the
working of cause and effect could be seen by all.
When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked
men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so
long desired—a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God.
Because sentence against an evil work was not speedily executed,
therefore the heart of the sons of men was “fully set in them to do
evil.”
Ecclesiastes 8:11
. But the transgression of a just and righteous
law must inevitably result in misery and ruin. Though not visited at
once with judgments, the wickedness of men was nevertheless surely
working out their doom. Centuries of apostasy and crime had been
treasuring up wrath against the day of retribution; and when their
iniquity was full, the despisers of God learned too late that it is a
fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience. The restraining
Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon the cruel power of Satan,
was in a great measure removed, and he whose only delight is the
wretchedness of men was permitted to work his will. Those who had
chosen the service of rebellion were left to reap its fruits until the land
was filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace. From devastated
provinces and ruined cities a terrible cry was heard—a cry of bitterest
anguish. France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law,
social order, the family, the state, and the church—all were smitten
down by the impious hand that had been lifted against the law of
God. Truly spoke the wise man: “The wicked shall fall by his own
wickedness.” “Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days
be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear
God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the wicked.”
Proverbs 11:5
;
Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13
. “They hated knowledge, and did
not choose the fear of the Lord;” “therefore shall they eat of the fruit
of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”
Proverbs 1:29,
31
.
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