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The Death Decree
From Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 450-452
All emphasis added.
The longer paragraphs have been split for ease of reading .
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The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar [in nature] to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther.
The Persian edict sprang from the malice of Haman toward Mordecai. [As with Cain against Abel, Esau against Jacob.] Not that Mordecai had done him harm, but he had refused to show him reverence which belongs only to God. The king's decision against the Jews was secured under false pretenses through misrepresentation of that peculiar people. Satan instigated the scheme in order to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God.
But his plots were defeated by a counterpower that reigns among the children of men. Angels that excel in strength were commissioned to protect the people of God, and the plots of their adversaries returned upon their own heads. [But see her later words in this article.]
The Protestant world today [not the Catholics] see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate. His character and conduct, expressing reverence for the law of God, are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling upon His Sabbath; the unwelcome intruder must by some means be put out of the way. {5T 450.1}
Our addition:
[The religious world of today has two vastly different ways of viewing the church. As time goes by they will influence the moderates to one or the other of these views.
One group (the majority) believe that a church/state combination based on geography is what God wants, an earthly system. That means that all the people of any one state or country must be of one mind, with only minor differences of belief which they can live with. Their continued obedience to the church, and therefore the state, is assured by regulation of law. Patriotism becomes the unifying force of such a group. It is a universal church into which members are baptised at birth and controlled into a form of unity by a central authority, and in which only an ordained clergy can perform the rituals. It is an earthly system centred around an earthly sanctuary or church organisation.
The other group (very much a minority) teach of a free and individual union of grown-up believers based on certain commonly shared beliefs (Matthew 28:19), but with each able to have great differences in other doctrines. The touchstone of their union is their practice of religious works (Sabbath-keeping) for the benefit of those outside the church. (Matthew 28:20). "By their fruits...." Matthew 7:15-20. Each group of believers (each church) operates independently but cooperatively, as do the individuals within each group, based on love for their neighbour. (Leviticus 19:18). They show that their sanctuary is in heaven by the minor importance they attach to earthly church organisations. (Psalm 102:19). Another major difference is that in the true system all believers are equal and can perform the rituals without the necessity of authority passed on by ordination. (1 Peter 2:5; 9.)
This seems to the universalists to be the greatest heresy and action against the church/state which could be taken, because in their view the clergy/majority should always be in control. It is therefore, simply logical and right in the minds of the universal church leaders to get rid of minorities with such terrible ideas. And the bulk of the population will eventually agree with them. Revelation 13:14.]
The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear [listen to] God and obey His law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation [in the Protestant world] will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God.
Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals they will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments [acts of civil law] to supply the lack.
To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. [Revelation 13:14-15.] Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people [But how? Read carefully Daniel 8:13 and notice the concern about the host of God’s people.] {5T 450.2}
By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation [The Protestant United States of America] will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism [freedom of choice] shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power [Sunday-keeping by law], when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism [by accepting the idea of an immortal soul], when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1}
As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem [Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20-21], so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God's forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation's iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return [near the close of probation for the world].
The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob's trouble. [So we should not be surprised. Genesis 32:24-30; Revelation 13:7.]
The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven [See Luke 18:1-8]. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs' graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" [This is the call to finish the judgment, Revelation 6:9-11.] {5T 451.2}
The Lord is doing His [final?] work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority. The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep God's commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the mark of the beast or of his image. [Ezekiel 9:4]. {5T 451.3}
God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith [so that others may learn the truth of what is going on].
Back to the beginning of the article.
It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord's people may not have mercy or justice.
The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. [which is religion by force, Revelation 13:11.]
It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger.
We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith.
Says the prophet: "The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." {5T 452.1}
oooOooo
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