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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
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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 beenthe 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 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 powerall 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
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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 advan