We aren't
done with the seven last plagues. I'm going to go to more sources of knowledge,
and continue to pray earnestly for truth! Are these sources all truth? We can
only pray that it is and that we are protected from all falsehood. God will
help us glean HIS truth all through the Holy Spirit. We cannot forget to pray
and go to God's word to verify all that is said. Please, Father, please…guide
us, help us as we seek to know your will in all things. We need the knowledge
You have provided for us in Your word.
*******
'Seven Last Plagues Begin to Fall
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to
the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon
the earth. Rev. 16:1.
When
Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened
against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark
(Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was
about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and
extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final
deliverance of God's people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific
scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had
the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." The sea
"became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the
sea." And "the rivers and fountains of waters . . .became
blood." Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully
vindicated. The angel of God declares: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . .
because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and
prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy."
Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly
incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. . . .
In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun "to scorch men with
fire. And men were scorched with great heat." Verse 8, 9. . . .
These
plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut
off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to
mortals. All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been
mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from
receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is
poured out unmixed with mercy.
The bolts
of God's wrath are soon to fall, and when He shall begin to punish the
transgressors, there will be no period of respite until the end. The storm of
God's wrath is gathering, and those only will stand who are sanctified through
the truth in the love of God. They shall be hid with Christ in God till the
desolation shall be over past.
From Maranatha - Page 268
*******
The Wicked During the Plagues
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea,
and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word
of the Lord, and shall not find it. Amos 8:11, 12.
And as
mercy's sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible
distinctness they heard the words, "Too late! too late!"
Christ
[on the cross] felt much as sinners will feel when the vials of God's wrath
shall be poured out upon them. Black despair like the pall of death will gather
about their guilty souls, and then they will realize to the fullest extent the
sinfulness of sin.
Those who
had not prized God's Word were hurrying to and fro, wandering from sea to sea,
and from the north to the east, to seek the Word of the Lord. Said the angel,
"They shall not find it. There is a famine in the land; not a famine of
bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord. What
would they not give for one word of approval from God! . . .
Many of
the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It
was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their children,
and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers.
. . . The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached
them, saying, "You have not warned us. You told us that all the world was
to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused.
You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared
to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us." But I saw that the
ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater
than that of their people.
In the
time when God's judgments are falling without mercy, oh, how enviable to the
wicked will be the position of those who abide "in the secret place of the
most High"--the pavilion in which the Lord hides all who have loved Him
and have obeyed His commandments!
From Maranatha - Page 272
*******
CHAPTER 38
The Final Warning
"I
saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was
lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying,
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils,
and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful
bird." "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of
her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not
of her plagues." Revelation 18:1, 2, 4.
This
scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of
Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be
repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been
entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message
was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible condition of the religious
world is here described. With every rejection of truth the minds of the people
will become darker, their hearts more stubborn, until they are entrenched in an
infidel hardihood. In defiance of the warnings which God has given, they will
continue to trample upon one of the precepts of the Decalogue, until they are
led to persecute those who hold it sacred. Christ is set at nought in the
contempt placed upon His word and His people. As the teachings of spiritualism
are accepted by the churches, the
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restraint
imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will
become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual
manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and
thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.
Of
Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophecy, it is declared:
"Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her
iniquities." Revelation 18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt,
and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in
Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be
called out, that they partake not of her sins and "receive not of her
plagues." Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from
heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong
voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call
is heard: "Come out of her, My people." These announcements, uniting
with the third angel's message, constitute the final warning to be given to the
inhabitants of the earth.
Fearful is
the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to
war against the commandments of God, will decree that "all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to
the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who
refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be
declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God
enjoining the Creator's rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against
all who transgress its precepts.
With the
issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon God's law to
obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of
allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. The warning
from heaven is: "If any man worship the beast
605
and his
image, and receive his mark in 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." Revelation 14:9, 10.
But not
one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to
his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never
had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of
the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who
reads every heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge
of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is
not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light
to make his decision intelligently.
The
Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth
especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men,
then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and
those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in
compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will
be an avowal of allegiance to a power that 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
606
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 consecrate 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 church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but
rapid progress of the papal power--all will be unmasked. By these solemn
warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who
have never heard words like these. In amazement they
607
hear the
testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins,
because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go
to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the
ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and
quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the
mere authority of men and demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord," the
popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their
authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the
sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.
As the
controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to
God's downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will
only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman
efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every
means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these
vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in
this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday
enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against
commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and
some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages,
as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is:
"Show us from the word of God our error"--the same plea that was made
by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the
courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led
to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be
brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.
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Conscientious
obedience to the word of God will be treated as rebellion. Blinded by Satan,
the parent will exercise harshness and severity toward the believing child; the
master or mistress will oppress the commandment-keeping servant. Affection will
be alienated; children will be disinherited and driven from home. The words of
Paul will be literally fulfilled: "All that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12. As the defenders of truth
refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison,
some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this
now seems impossible; but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn
from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine
precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when
God's fear and love are removed.
As the
storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's
message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon
their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world
and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same
light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy,
popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the
truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most
bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before
the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient
agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and
insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.
In this
time of persecution the faith of the Lord's servants will be tried. They have
faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to His word alone. God's
Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated
609
with holy
zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the
performance of their duties without coldly calculating the consequences of
speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given them. They have not
consulted their temporal interests, nor sought to preserve their reputation or
their lives. Yet when the storm of opposition and reproach bursts upon them,
some, overwhelmed with consternation, will be ready to exclaim: "Had we
foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have held our peace."
They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce
temptations. The work which they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability
to accomplish. They are threatened with destruction. The enthusiasm which
animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn back. Then, feeling their utter
helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the
words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the
warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to
proclaim it.
The same
trials have been experienced by men of God in ages past. Wycliffe, Huss,
Luther, Tyndale, Baxter, Wesley, urged that all doctrines be brought to the
test of the Bible and declared that they would renounce everything which it
condemned. Against these men persecution raged with relentless fury; yet they
ceased not to declare the truth. Different periods in the history of the church
have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the
necessities of God's people at that time. Every new truth has made its way
against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed with its light were
tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an
emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present
the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at
the peril of their souls. Christ's ambassadors
610
have
nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty and leave results
with God.
As the
opposition rises to a fiercer height, the servants of God are again perplexed;
for it seems to them that they have brought the crisis. But conscience and the
word of God assure them that their course is right; and although the trials
continue, they are strengthened to bear them. The contest grows closer and
sharper, but their faith and courage rise with the emergency. Their testimony
is: "We dare not tamper with God's word, dividing His holy law; calling
one portion essential and another nonessential, to gain the favor of the world.
The Lord whom we serve is able to deliver us. Christ has conquered the powers
of earth; and shall we be afraid of a world already conquered?"
Persecution
in its varied forms is the development of a principle which will exist as long
as Satan exists and Christianity has vital power. No man can serve God without
enlisting against himself the opposition of the hosts of darkness. Evil angels
will assail him, alarmed that his influence is taking the prey from their
hands. Evil men, rebuked by his example, will unite with them in seeking to
separate him from God by alluring temptations. When these do not succeed, then
a compelling power is employed to force the conscience.
But so
long as Jesus remains man's intercessor in the sanctuary above, the restraining
influence of the Holy Spirit is felt by rulers and people. It still controls to
some extent the laws of the land. Were it not for these laws, the condition of
the world would be much worse than it now is. While many of our rulers are
active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the
nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would
greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced
by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a
few men will
611
hold in
check a powerful current of evil. The opposition of the enemies of truth will
be restrained that the third angel's message may do its work. When the final
warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men
through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will
stand with the people of God through the time of trouble.
The angel
who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message is to lighten the
whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is
here foretold. The advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of
the power of God; the first angel's message was carried to every missionary
station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious
interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the
sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under
the last warning of the third angel.
The work
will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the "former rain"
was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel,
to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the "latter rain"
will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest. "Then shall we
know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the
morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain
unto the earth." Hosea 6:3. "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and
rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately,
and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the
latter rain." Joel 2:23. "In the last days, saith God, I will pour
out of My Spirit upon all flesh." "And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:17,
21.
The great
work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God
than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring
of the
612
former
rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain
at its close. Here are "the times of refreshing" to which the apostle
Peter looked forward when he said: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from
the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus." Acts 3:19, 20.
Servants
of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will
hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of
voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be
wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the
believers. Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from
heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth
will be brought to take their stand.
The
message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of
the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown,
and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by
missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were
impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from
yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is
seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which
have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay
them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies
combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's
side.
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