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26 - A Work of Reform - The Great Controversy · Sacred Texts Archive

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Chapter twenty six, a work of reform, the work of Sabbath reform,
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to be accomplished in the last days, is foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah.
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Thus, saith the Lord, keep ye judgment and do justice, for
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my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed
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is the man that doeth this, and the son of Man that layeth hold
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on it, that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand
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from doing any evil. The sons of the Stranger that join themselves to the
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Lord to serve him and to love the name of the Lord, to be
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his servants. Every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold
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of my covenant, Even then will I bring to my holy mountain and make
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them joyful in my house of prayer. These words apply in the Christian age,
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as shown by the context. The Lord God, which gathereth the outcasts
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of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather others to him besides those that
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are gathered unto him. Here is foreshadowed the gathering in of the Gentiles by
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the Gospel, and upon those who then honor the Sabbath, a blessing is
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pronounced. Thus the obligation of the Fourth Commandment extends past the crucifixion, resurrection,
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and ascension of Christ, to the time when his servants should preach to
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all nations the message of glad tidings. The Lord commands by the same prophet,
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bind up the testimony seal the law among my disciples. The seal of
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God's Law is found in the Fourth Commandment. This only of all the ten
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brings to view both the name and the title of the lawgiver. It declares
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him to be the creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus shows
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his claim to reverence and worship above all others. Aside from this precept,
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there is nothing in the decalogue to show by whose authority the law is given.
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When the Sabbath was changed by the papal power, the seal was taken
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from the life law. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to restore it
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by exalting the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment to its rightful position as the Creator's
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memorial and the sign of his authority to the law and to the testimony.
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While conflicting doctrines and theories abound. The law of God is the one unerring
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rule by which all opinions, doctrines, and theories are to be tested,
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says the prophet. If they speak not according to this word, it is
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because there is no light in them. Again, the command is given,
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cry aloud, spare not lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show
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my people their transgression and the House of Jacob their sins. It is not
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the wicked world, but those whom the Lord designates as My people that are
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to be reproved for their transgressions, he declares. Further. Yet they seek
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me daily and delight to know My ways. As a nation that did righteousness
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and forsook not the ordinance of their God. Here is brought to view a
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class who think themselves righteous and appear to manifest great interest in the service of
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God. But the stern and solemn rebuke of the Searcher of Hearts proves them
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to be trampling upon the divine precepts. The Prophet thus points out the ordinance
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which has been forsaken. Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations,
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and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths
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to dwelling. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing
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thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the
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Holy of the Lord honorable, and shalt honor him, not doing thine own
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ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then
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shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. This prophecy also applies in our time.
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The breach was made in the law of God when the Sabbath was changed
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by the Roman power. But the time has come for that divine institution to
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be restored. The breach is to be repaired, and the foundation of many
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generations to be raised up hallowed by the Creator's rest and blessing. The Sabbath
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was kept by Adam in his innocence in Holy Eden, by Adam falling yet
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repentant when he was driven from his happy estate. It was kept by all
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the patriarchs, from Able to Righteous Noah to Abraham to Jacob. When the
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Chosen people were in bondage in Egypt, many in the midst of prevailing idolatry,
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lost their knowledge of God's law. But when the Lord delivered Israel,
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he proclaimed his law an awful grandeur to the assembled multitude, that they might
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know His will and fear and obey him forever. From that day to the
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present, the knowledge of God's Law has been preserved in the earth, and
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the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment has been kept. Though the man of sin
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succeeded in trampling under foot God's Holy Day, yet even in the period of
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his supremacy, there were hidden in secret places, faithful souls who paid it
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honor. Since the Reformation, there have been some in every generation to maintain
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its observance, though often in the midst of reproach and persecution. A constant
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testimony has been born to the perpetuity of the Law of God and the sacred
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obligation of the creation Sabbath. These truths, as presented in Revelation fourteen,
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in connection with the Everlasting Gospel, will distinguish the Church of Christ at the
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time of his appearing, For as the result of the Threefold Message, it
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is announced here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of
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Jesus. And this message is the last to be given before the coming of
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the Lord. Immediately following its proclamation, the Son of man is seen by
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the prophet coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth. Those who
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received the light concerning the sanctuary and the immutability of the law of God were
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filled with joy and wonder as they saw the beauty and harmony of the system
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of truth that opened to their understanding. They desired that the light, which
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appeared to them so precious, might be imparted to all Christians, and they
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could not but believe that it would be joyfully accepted. But truths that would
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place them at variance with the world were not welcome to many who claimed to
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be followers of Christ. Obedience to the fourth Commandment required a sacrifice, from
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which the majority drew back. As the claims of the Sabbath were presented,
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many reasoned from the worldlings standpoint, said they we have always kept Sunday,
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Our fathers kept it, and many good and pious men have died happy while
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keeping it. If they were right, so are we. The keeping of
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this new Sabbath would throw us out of harmony with the world, and we
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would have no influence over them. What can a little company keeping the Seventh
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Day hope to accomplish against all the world who are keeping Sunday. It was
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by similar arguments that the Jews endeavored to justify their rejection of Christ. Their
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fathers had been accepted of God in presenting the sacrificial offerings, and why did
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not the children find salvation in pursuing the same course. So, in the
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time of Luther, papists reasoned that true Christians had died in the Catholic faith,
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and therefore that religion was sufficient for salvation. Such reasoning would prove an
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effectual barrier to all advancement in religious faith or practice. Many urged that Sunday
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keeping had been an established doctrine and a widespread custom of the Church for many
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centuries. Against this argument, it was shown that the Sabbath and its observance
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were more ancient and widespread, even as old as the world itself, and
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bearing the sanction both of angels and of God. When the foundations of the
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earth were laid, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons
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of God shouted for joy, then was laid the foundation of the Sabbath.
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Well, may this institution demand our reverence. It was ordained by no human
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authority and rests upon no human traditions. It was established by the ancient dad
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days and commanded by his eternal word. As the attention of the people was
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called to the subject of Sabbath reform, popular ministers perverted the Word of God,
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placing such interpretations upon its testimony as with best quiet, inquiring minds,
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and those who did not search the scriptures for themselves were content to accept conclusions
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that were in accordance with their desires. By argument sophistry, the traditions of
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the fathers and the authority of the Church. Many endeavored to overthrow the truth.
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Its advocates were driven to their Bibles to defend the validity of the Fourth
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Commandment. Humble men, armed with the word of Truth alone withstood the attacks
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of men of learning, who, with surprise and anger, found their eloquent
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sophistry powerless against the simple, straightforward reasoning of men who were versed in the
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scriptures rather than in the subtleties of the schools. In the absence of Bible
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testimony in their favor, many with unwearying persistence urged forgetting how the same reasoning
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had been employed against Christ and his apostles. Why do not our great men
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understand the Sabbath question? But if you believe as you do, it cannot
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be that you are right, and that all the men of learning in the
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world are wrong. To refute such arguments, it was needful only to cite
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the teachings of the scriptures and the history of the Lord's dealings with his people
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in all ages. God works through those who hear and obey His voice,
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those who will, if need be, speak unpalatable truths, those who do
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not fear to reprove popular sins. The reason why He does not, oftener
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choose men of learning and high position to lead out and reform movements is that
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they trust to their creeds, theories, and theological systems, and feel no
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need to be taught of God. Only those who have a personal connection with
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the source of wisdom are able to understand or explain the scriptures. Men who
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have little of the learning of the schools are sometimes called to declare the truth,
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not because they are unlearned, but because they are not too self sufficient
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to be taught of God. They learn in the school of Christ, and
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their humility and obedience make them great. In committing to them a knowledge of
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His truth, God confers upon them in honor in comparison with which earthly honor
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and human greatness sink into insignificance. The majority of Adventists rejected the truths concerning
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the Sanctuary and the Law of God, and many also renounced their faith in
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the advent movement and adopted unsound and conflicting views of the prophecies which applied to
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that work. Some were led into the error of repeatedly fixing upon a definite
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time for the coming of Christ. The light which is now shining on the
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subject of the Sanctuary would have shown them that no prophetic period extends to the
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Second Advent, that the exact time of this event is not foretold. But
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turning from the light, they continued to set time after time for the Lord
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to come, and as often they were disappointed. When the Thessalonian Church received
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erroneous views concerning the coming of Christ, the apostle Paul counseled them to test
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their hopes and anticipations carefully by the word of God. He cited them to
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prophesies revealing the events to take place before Christ should come, and showed that
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they had no ground to expect Him in their day. Let no man deceive
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you by any means. Are his words of warning should they indulge expectations that
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were not sanctioned by the scriptures, they would be led to a mistaken course
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of action. Disappointment would expose them to the derision of unbelievers, and they
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would be in danger of yielding to discouragement and would be tempted to doubt the
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truths essential for their salvation. The apostles admonition to the Thessalonians contains an important
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lesson for those who live in the last days. Many adventists have felt that
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unless they could fix their faith upon a definite time for the Lord's coming,
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they could not be zealous and diligent in the work of preparation. But as
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their hopes are again and again excited, only to be destroyed, their faith
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receives such a shock that it becomes well nigh impossible for them to be impressed
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by the great truths of prophecy. The preaching of a definite time for the
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judgment in the giving of the first message was ordered of God. The computation
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of the prophetic periods on which that message is based, placing the close of
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the twenty three hundred days in the autumn of eighteen forty four, stands without
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impeachment. The repeated efforts to find new dates for the beginning and close of
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the prophetic periods, and the unsound reasoning necessary to sustain these positions not only
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leave minds away from the present truth, but through contempt upon all efforts to
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explain the prophecies. The more frequently a definite time is set for the Second
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Advent, and the more widely it is taught, the better it suits the
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purposes of Satan. After the time has passed, he excites ridicule and contempt
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of its advocates, And thus past's reproach upon the Great Advent Movement of eighteen
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forty three and eighteen forty four, Those who persist in this error will at
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last fix upon a date too far in the future for the coming of Christ.
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Thus they will be led to rest in a false security, and many
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will not be undeceived until it is too late. The history of ancient Israel
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is a striking illustration of the past experience of the adventist's body. God led
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his people in the Advent movement, even as he led the children of Israel
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from Egypt in the Great Disappointment. Their faith was tested, as was that
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of the Hebrews of the Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding
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hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen
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of the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work
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in eighteen forty four had received the Third Angel's message and proclaimed it in the
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power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts.
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A flood of light would have been shed upon the world years ago.
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The inhabitants of the earth would have been warned the closing work completed, and
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Christ would have come for the redemption of his people. It was not the
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will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness. He desired
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to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there a wholly
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happy people. But they could not enter in because of unbelief. Because of
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their backsliding and apostasy, they perished in the desert, and others were raised
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up to enter the promised land. In like manner, it was not the
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will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed, and
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his people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow.
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But unbelief separated them from God as they refused to do the work which he
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had appointed them. Others were raised up to proclaim the message in mercy to
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the world. Jesus delays his coming that sinners may have an opportunity to hear
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the warning and find in him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be
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poured out. Now, as in former ages, the presentation of a truth
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that reproves the sins and errors of the times will excite opposition. Every one
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that doeth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light lest his
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deeds should be reproved. As men see that they cannot maintain their position by
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the scriptures, many determined to maintain it at all hazards, and with a
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malicious spirit, they assail the character and motives of those who stand in defense
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of unpopular truth. It is the same policy which has been pursued in all
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ages. Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel, Jeremiah a traitor,
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Paul, a polluter of the temple. From that day to this,
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those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical,
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or schismatic. Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the sure word of prophecy
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will receive with unquestioning credulity and accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins.
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This spirit will increase more and more, and the Bible plainly teaches that
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a time is approaching when the laws of the state will so conflict with the
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law of God that whosoever should obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and
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punishment as an evil doer. In view of this, what is the duty
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of the messenger of truth? Shall he conclude that the truth ought not to
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be presented, since often it is only a fact as to arouse men to
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evade or resist its claims. No, he has no more reason for withholding
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the testimony of God's word because it excites opposition than had earlier reformers. The
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confession of faith made by saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding
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generations. Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down to inspire
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courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for God. They
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received grace and truth, not for themselves. Alone, but that through them
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the knowledge of God might enlighten the earth. Has God given light to his
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servants in this generation, then they should let it shine forth to the world.
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Anciently, the Lord declared to one who spoke in his name, the
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house of Israel will not hearken unto Thee, for they will not hearken unto
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me. Nevertheless, he said, thou shalt speak my words unto them,
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whether they will hear or whether they will forbear. To the servant of God
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at this time is the command addressed. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet,
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and show my people their transgression, and the House of Jacob their sins.
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So far as his opportunities extend. Every one who has received the light
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of truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the Prophet of
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Israel, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Son of
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Man, I have set thee a watchman unto the House of Israel. Therefore,
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thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me.
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When I say, unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely
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die. If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way.
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That wicked man shall die in his iniquity. But his blood will I require
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at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to
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turn from it, if he do not turn from his way, he shall
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die in his iniquity. But thou hast delivered thy soul. The great obstacle
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both to the acceptance and to the promulgation of truth is the fact that it
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involves inconvenience and reproach. This is the only argument against the truth, which
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its advocates have never been able to refute. But this does not deter the
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true followers of Christ. These do not wait for truth to become popular.
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Being convinced of their duty, they deliberately accept the cross with the apostle Paul,
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counting that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh
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for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, with one of
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old, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.
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Whatever may be their profession, it is only those who are world servers at
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heart that act from policy rather than principle. In religious things, we should
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choose the right because it is right, and leave consequences with God to men
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of principle, faith and daring. The world is indebted for its great reforms
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by such men. The work of reform for this time must be carried forward.
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Thus saith the Lord hearken unto me, Ye that no righteousness, the
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people in whose heart is my law fear ye not the reproach of men.
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Neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up
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like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my
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righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation. End of
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Chapter twenty six