64 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those
who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them
with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day
of the week as the Sabbath.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which
standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall
be found written in the book.” By this we see the importance of having
our names written in the book of life. All whose names are registered
there will be delivered from Satan’s power, and Christ will command
that their filthy garments be removed, and that they be clothed with
his righteousness. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in
that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man
spareth his own son that serveth him.”
In the time of trouble, Satan stirs up the wicked, and they encircle
the people of God to destroy them. But he does not know that “pardon”
has been written opposite their names in the books of heaven. He does
not know that the command has been given, “Take away the filthy
garments” from them, clothe them with “change of raiment,” and set
“a fair mitre” upon their heads.
The promise made to Joshua is made to all the remnant people
of God: “If thou wilt walk in my ways [not in your own ways], and
if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house,
and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk
among these that stand by.” Who are these that stand by? They are the
angels of God. Could our eyes be opened, as were those of the servant
of Elisha at Dothan, we should see evil angels all around us, urging
their presence upon us, and watching for an opportunity to tempt and
overthrow us; we should also see holy angels guarding us, and with
their light and power pressing back the evil angels.
If we could only see the many dangers from which we are daily
preserved by the holy angels, instead of complaining of our trials
and misfortunes, we would talk continually of the mercies of God.
How precious in the sight of God are his people! If Satan had his
way, whenever an effort is made to bring souls into the truth, both the
minister and those who come to hear would be made to suffer in body
and in mind. But angels of God are commissioned to accompany his