Work of Reform
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From that day to the present the knowledge of God’s law has been
preserved in the earth, and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has
been kept. Though the “man of sin” succeeded in trampling underfoot
God’s holy day, yet even in the period of his supremacy there were,
hidden in secret places, faithful souls who paid it honor. Since the
Reformation, there have been some in every generation to maintain its
observance. Though often in the midst of reproach and persecution, a
constant testimony has been borne to the perpetuity of the law of God
and the sacred obligation of the creation Sabbath.
These truths, as presented in
Revelation 14
in connection with
“the everlasting gospel,” will distinguish the church of Christ at the
time of His appearing. For as the result of the threefold message it is
[454]
announced: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and
the faith of Jesus.” And this message is the last to be given before the
coming of the Lord. Immediately following its proclamation the Son
of man is seen by the prophet, coming in glory to reap the harvest of
the earth.
Those who received the light concerning the sanctuary and the
immutability of the law of God were filled with joy and wonder as
they saw the beauty and harmony of the system of truth that opened
to their understanding. They desired that the light which appeared to
them so precious might be imparted to all Christians; and they could
not but believe that it would be joyfully accepted. But truths that
would place them at variance with the world were not welcome to
many who claimed to be followers of Christ. Obedience to the fourth
commandment required a sacrifice from which the majority drew back.
As the claims of the Sabbath were presented, many reasoned from
the worldling’s standpoint. Said they: “We have always kept Sunday,
our fathers kept it, and many good and pious men have died happy
while keeping it. If they were right, so are we. The keeping of this new
Sabbath would throw us out of harmony with the world, and we would
have no influence over them. What can a little company keeping the
seventh day hope to accomplish against all the world who are keeping
Sunday?” It was by similar arguments that the Jews endeavored to
justify their rejection of Christ. Their fathers had been accepted of God
in presenting the sacrificial offerings, and why could not the children
find salvation in pursuing the same course? So, in the time of Luther,
papists reasoned that true Christians had died in the Catholic faith,