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God’s High Standard
117
his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the
wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of
His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone
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in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and
they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image,
and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
John was called to behold a people distinct from those who
worship the beast or his image by keeping the first day of the week.
The observance of this day is the mark of the beast. John declares,
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make
war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of
God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” We are plainly shown
that two parties will exist at the appearing of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. In which party do we wish to be found? “Behold,
I come quickly,” Christ says, “and My reward is with Me, to give
every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they
that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” This is the
destination of commandment keepers. Should we not all wish to be
among that number who have right to the tree of life, and who enter
through the gates into the city?
Adam and Eve and their posterity lost their right to the tree of life
because of their disobedience. “And the Lord God said, Behold, the
man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil: and now, lest
he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and
live forever: therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden
of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” Adam and
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Eve transgressed the law of God. This made it necessary for them
to be driven from Eden and be separated from the tree of life, to
eat of which after their transgression would perpetuate sin. “So He
drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden
cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep
the way of the tree of life.” Man was dependent upon the tree of life