Final Warning
505
is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience
to God’s law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class,
by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the
mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine
authority, receive the seal of God.
Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel’s
message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions
that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States,
that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the
commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd.
It has been confidently declared that this land could never become
other than what it has been—the defender of religious freedom. But
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as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the
event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and
the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had
before.
In every generation God has sent His servants to rebuke sin, both
in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things
spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable.
Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise
great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They
hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back
to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God came upon them
as it came upon Elijah, moving him to rebuke the sins of a wicked
king and an apostate people; they could not refrain from preaching the
plain utterances of the Bible—doctrines which they had been reluctant
to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth and the
danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them
they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled
to hear the warning.
Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the
time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work
through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who conse-
crate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather
by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions.
Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal,
declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will
be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the