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The Great Controversy
God’s law. Those who have sacrificed all for Christ are now secure,
hidden as in the secret of the Lord’s pavilion. They have been tested,
and before the world and the despisers of truth they have evinced
their fidelity to Him who died for them. A marvelous change has
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come over those who have held fast their integrity in the very face of
death. They have been suddenly delivered from the dark and terrible
tyranny of men transformed to demons. Their faces, so lately pale,
anxious, and haggard, are now aglow with wonder, faith, and love.
Their voices rise in triumphant song: “God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the
earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst
of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the
mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”
Psalm 46:1-3
.
While these words of holy trust ascend to God, the clouds sweep
back, and the starry heavens are seen, unspeakably glorious in contrast
with the black and angry firmament on either side. The glory of the
celestial city streams from the gates ajar. Then there appears against
the sky a hand holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the
prophet: “The heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is
judge Himself.”
Psalm 50:6
. That holy law, God’s righteousness, that
amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide of life,
is now revealed to men as the rule of judgment. The hand opens the
tables, and there are seen the precepts of the Decalogue, traced as with
a pen of fire. The words are so plain that all can read them. Memory
is aroused, the darkness of superstition and heresy is swept from every
mind, and God’s ten words, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative,
are presented to the view of all the inhabitants of the earth.
It is impossible to describe the horror and despair of those who
have trampled upon God’s holy requirements. The Lord gave them His
law; they might have compared their characters with it and learned their
defects while there was yet opportunity for repentance and reform; but
in order to secure the favor of the world, they set aside its precepts
and taught others to transgress. They have endeavored to compel
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God’s people to profane His Sabbath. Now they are condemned by
that law which they have despised. With awful distinctness they see
that they are without excuse. They chose whom they would serve and
worship. “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and