THE SANCTUARY MESSAGE

PREPARING FOR THE JUDGMENT

(There are many other sections in this study, "The Sanctuary Message," which also deal with this same topic (such as "When Sin Stops," "Receiving the Benefits," "The Midnight Cry Experience," etc. etc.).

"Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man [angel] in linen, are those 'that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the church."—3 Testimonies, 267.

"The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His hand is stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted, who in these last days hear the truth for the first time." —7 Bible Commentary, 976. (9 Testimonies, 97 is almost identical. Other related passages would be Early Writings, 270-272 and 5 Testimonies, 81.)

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit. . A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him; thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the Judgment was set and the books were opened. . But the Judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion." Daniel 7:8-9,26.

"We are in the great Day of Atonement, and the sacred work of Christ for the people of God that is going on at the present time in the heavenly Sanctuary, should be our constant study. We should teach our children what the typical day of atonement signified, and that it was a special season of great humiliation and confession of sins before God. The antitypical day of atonement is to be of the same character." 5 Testimonies, 520.

"The slumbering church must be aroused, awakened out of its spiritual lethargy, to a realization of the important duties which have been left undone. The people have not entered into the holy place, where Jesus has gone to make an atonement for His children." Christ Our Righteousness, 118.

"[Speaking of Christ's work for His faithful ones in the Investigative Judgment:] Christ will clothe His faithful ones with His own righteousness, that He may present them to His Father 'a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.' Ephesians 5:27 . . Thus will be fulfilled the complete fulfillment of the new covenant promise: 'I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.' 'In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah. and they shall not be found.' Jeremiah 31: 31; 50: 20. . . And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem.' Isaiah 4:3. The work of the Investigative Judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the Second Advent of the Lord." Great Controversy, 484-485.

"All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. ."Great Controversy, 483. "Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God's remembrance."—Great Controversy, 483.

"As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus their Advocate . . As the people afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, 'Take away the filthy garments' from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, 'Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.' The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. A 'fair miter' is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God."—5 Testimonies, 473, 475.

"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.

The passing of the Judgment to the cases of the living, the enactment of the National Sunday Law, and the Seal and Mark appear to be interlocked, time-wise, in their inceptions. (For your information, 6 Testimonies, 130 was written about the time that the Blair Act was before Congress. It would have resulted in a National Sunday Law for America about a decade before the turn of the century.)

"There is no time to fill the mind with theories of what is popularly called 'higher education.' The time devoted to that which does not tend to assimilate the soul to the likeness of Christ is so much time lost for eternity. This we cannot afford to do, for every moment is freighted with eternal interests. Now, when the great work of judging the living is about to begin, shall we allow unsanctified ambition to take possession of the heart, and lead us to neglect the education required to meet the needs in this day of peril? In every case the great decision is to be made whether we shall receive the mark of the beast or his image, or the seal of the living God." 6 Testimonies, 130.

"The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. . This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who prove their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday Sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast." 7 Bible Commentary, 976.

"The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. . 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."—Great Controversy, 605.

SECTION SEVENTEEN

THE BLOTTING OUT OF SINS IN THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT

"For eighteen centuries this work of ministration continued in the first apartment of the Sanctuary. The blood of Christ, pleaded in behalf of penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the Father, yet their sins still remained upon the books of record."—Great Controversy, 421.

"At the time appointed for the judgment—the close of the 2300 days, in 1844 began the work of investigation and blotting out of sins." Great Controversy, 486.

"So the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement."—Great Controversy, 421-422.

"As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. . When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life and record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God's remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: 'Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.' Exodus 32:33. And says the prophet Ezekiel: 'When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, . . all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be remembered.' Ezekiel 18:24.

"All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. The Lord declares, by the prophet Isaiah: 'I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy sins.' Isaiah 43:25. Said Jesus: 'He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.' 'Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven. Revelation 3:5; Matthew 10: 32-33." Great Controversy, 483.

"The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint-heirs with Himself to the 'first dominion.' Satan, in his efforts to deceive and tempt our race, had thought to frustrate the divine plan in man's creation; but Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect, as if man had never fallen."—Great Controversy, 484.

"Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying, 'I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of My hands. . Thus will be realized the complete fulfillment of the new covenant promise, 'I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.' 'In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found.' Jeremiah 31:34; 50:20. 'In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem.'

"The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be investigated. But the apostle Peter distinctly states that the sins of believers will be blotted out 'when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ.' Acts 3: 19-20. When the investigative judgment closes, Christ will come, and His reward will be with Him to give to every man as his work shall be."—Great Controversy, 484-485.

"The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sin is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. . Sins that have not been repented of and forsaken will not be pardoned, and blotted out of the books of record, but will stand to witness against the sinner in the day of God."—Great Controversy, 485, 486.

"We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life, should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. . There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested, and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing."—Great Controversy, 488-490.

"As the wax takes the impression of the seal, so the soul is to take the impression of the Spirit of God and retain the moral image of Christ."—Review, November 1,1892.

"At the time appointed for the judgment—the close of the 2300 days, in 1844 began the work of investigation and blotting out of sins."—Great Controversy, 486.

"It is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be investigated."—Great Controversy, 485.

"Jesus is in His holy temple and will now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins and will pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may be blotted out before He leaves the Sanctuary."—Early Writings, 48.

"It is the purpose of redemption, not only to blot out sin, but to give back to man those spiritual gifts lost because of sin's dwarfing power."—Christ's Object Lessons, 266.

"Their sins will have been blotted out by the atoning blood of Christ, and they cannot bring them to remembrance."—Patriarchs and Prophets, 202.

"As in the final atonement the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven, no more to be remembered or come into mind." Patriarchs and Prophets, 358.

"Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance."—Great Controversy, 620.

"The books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgment."—Great Controversy, 480. (For a listing of these books and their contents, read pages 480-482.)

"Sins that have not been repented of and forsaken will not be pardoned and blotted out of the books of record, but will stand to witness against the sinner in the day of God." Great Controversy 486

SECTION EIGHTEEN

THE CLOSE OF PROBATION

JESUS LEAVES THE SANCTUARY

"[Prior to the close of probation] Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and lord of lords.

"As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man and an offended God. While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when He stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint was removed and Satan had entire control of the finally impenitent. It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there is finished, and His intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless head of the guilty sinner, who has slighted salvation and hated reproof. In that fearful time, after the close of Jesus' mediation, the saints were living in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. Every case was decided, every jewel numbered."—Early Writings, p. 280.

"Neglect this great salvation, kept before you for years, despise this glorious offer of justification through the blood of Christ, and sanctification through the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Testimonies to Ministers, 97.

"It invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Testimonies to Ministers, 97.

"The efficacy of the blood of Christ was to be presented to the people with freshness and power, that their faith might lay hold upon its merits. As the high priest sprinkled the warm blood upon the mercy seat, while the fragrant cloud of incense ascended before God, so while we confess our sins, and plead the efficacy of Christ's atoning blood, our prayers are to ascend to heaven, fragrant with the merits of our Saviour's character." Testimonies to Ministers, 9293.

"The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help.

"The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are the greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world." 5 Testimonies, 209-210.

"It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth." 9 Testimonies, 16.

"I dreamed of seeing a temple to which many people were flocking. Only those who took refuge in that temple would be saved when time should close. All who remained outside would be forever lost." Early Writings, 78.

"Think of Jesus. He is in His holy place, not in a state of solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand of heavenly angels who wait to do His bidding. And He bids them go and work for the weakest saint who puts his trust in God. High and low, rich and poor, have the same help provided."—Review, May 29,1900.

"Consider this great fact that Christ ceases not to engage in His solemn work in the heavenly sanctuary, and if you wear Christ's yoke, if you lift Christ's burden, you will be engaged in a work of like character with that of your living Head."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 112.

"In the day of final reckoning, position, rank, or wealth will not alter by a hair's breadth the case of anyone. By the all-seeing God, men will be judged by what they are in purity, nobility, in love for Christ."—Signs of the Times, March 12, 1902.

"Our faith in reference to the messages of the first, second, and third angels was correct. The great waymarks we have passed are immovable. Although the hosts of hell may try to tear them from their foundation, and triumph in the thought that they have succeeded, yet they do not succeed. These pillars of truth stand firm as the eternal hills, unmoved by all the efforts of men combined with those of Satan and his host. We can learn much, and should be constantly searching the Scriptures to see if these things are so." Evangelism, p. 223.

"God's people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where. . our great High Priest. . is interceding for His people."—Evangelism, p.. 223.

"Soon we shall be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and over against our names will be recorded the judgment rendered."—Signs of the Times, September 21, 1891.

"Christians may daily cultivate faith by contemplating the One who has undertaken their cause, their 'merciful and faithful high priest."—Signs of the Times, November 12, 1896.

"All are to be judged according to the things written in the books, and to be rewarded as their works have been. This judgment does not take place at death."—Signs of the Times, April 16, 1885.

"A few, yes, only a few, of the vast number who people the earth will be saved unto life eternal, while the masses who have not perfected their souls in obeying the truth will be appointed to the second death." 2 Testimonies, pp. 401, 402.

"God has not revealed to us the time when this message [the third angel's] will close, or when probation will have an end. . letters have come to me asking me if I have any special light as to the time when probation will close; and I answer that I have only this message to bear, that it is now time to work while the day lasts, for the night cometh in which no man can work."—Review, October 9, 1894.

"When Jesus rises up in the most holy place, and lays off His mediatorial garments, and clothes Himself with the garments of vengeance in place of the priestly attire, the work for sinners will be done. . . The probation of all closes when the pleading for sinners is ended and the garments of vengeance are put on."2 Testimonies, p. 691.

"We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation may close. . Christ is soon to come."8 Testimonies, p. 314.

"When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it. .But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us; and finally, if faithful, we shall be gathered into the kingdom of heaven." 7 Bible Commentary, p. 989.

"We shall not hear a charge against us on the ground of the outbreaking sins we have committed, but the charge will be made against us for the neglect of good and noble duties enjoined upon us by the God of love. The deficiencies of our characters will be held up to view. It will then be known that all who are so condemned had light and knowledge, were entrusted with their lord's goods, and were found unfaithful to their trust."—Youth's Instructor, June 8,1893.

"We believe without a doubt that Christ is soon coming. This is not a fable to us; it is a reality. We have no doubt, neither have we had a doubt for years, that the doctrines we hold today are present truth, and that we are nearing the judgment. We are preparing to meet Him who, escorted by a retinue of holy angels, is to appear in the clouds of mortality. When He comes He is not to cleanse us of our sins, to remove from us the defects in our characters, or to cure us of the infirmities of our tempers and dispositions. If wrought for us at all, this work will all be accomplished before that time.

"When the Lord comes, those who are holy will be holy still. Those who have preserved their bodies and spirits in holiness, in sanctification and honor, will then receive the finishing touch of immortality. But those who are unjust, unsanctified, and filthy will remain so forever. No work will then be done for them to remove their defects and give them holy characters. The Refiner does not then sit to pursue His refining process and remove their sins and their corruption. . It is now that this work is to be accomplished for us."—2 Testimonies, p. 355.

"God is now testing and proving His people. Character is being developed. Angels are weighing moral worth, and keep a faithful record of all the acts of the children of men. . That God who reads the hearts of everyone, will bring to light hidden things of darkness where they are often least suspected, that stumbling blocks which have hindered the progress of truth may be removed."—1 Testimonies, pp. 332,333.

"There will be no future probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness. This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 319.

SECTION NINETEEN

AFTER THE CLOSE OF PROBATION IT IS TOO LATE

The "final visitation of God's judgments" is the Seven Last Plagues that take place after the Close of Probation. Prior to that time, we are here shown three events that will take place: (1) Primitive godliness and purity of heart by God's faithful ones, (2) the outpouring of the Latter Rain, and (3) the Loud Cry, during which time many will unite with the faithful:

"Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth, there will be, among the people of the Lord, such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time, to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming." Great Controversy, 464.

"They cannot bring to mind any particular sins, but in their whole life they can see but little good. Their sins had gone beforehand to judgment, and pardon had been written. Their sins had been borne away into the land of forgetfulness, and they could not bring them to remembrance."—3 Spiritual Gifts, 135.

"Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment, and have been blotted out; and they cannot bring them to remembrance."—Great Controversy, 620.

"Satan had accused Jacob before the angels of God, claiming the right to destroy him because of his sin [earlier in his life] ; he had moved upon Esau to march against him; and during the patriarch's long night of wrestling, Satan endeavored to force upon him a sense of his guilt, in order to discourage him, and break his hold upon God. . He [Jacob] pointed back to his repentance for his sin, and pleaded for deliverance. As he reviewed his life, he was driven almost to despair; but he held fast the Angel, and with earnest, agonizing cries urged his petition until he prevailed.

"Such will be the experience of God's people in their final struggle with the powers of evil. God will test their faith, their perseverance, their confidence in His power to deliver them. Satan will endeavor to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless; that their sins have been too great to receive pardon. They will have a deep sense of their shortcomings, and as they review their lives their hopes will sink. But remembering the greatness of God's mercy, and their own sincere repentance, they will plead His promises made through Christ to helpless, repenting sinners. Their faith will not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. They will lay hold of the strength of God, as Jacob laid hold of the Angel, and the language of their souls will be, 'I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me:

"Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God could not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they will have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins will have been blotted out by the atoning blood of Christ, and they cannot bring them to remembrance.

" . . Those who are unwilling to forsake every sin and to seek earnestly for God's blessing, will not obtain it. But all who will lay hold of God's promises as did Jacob, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 201202,203.

"Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. . He had kept His Father's commmandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble. It is in this life that we are to separate sin from us, through faith in the atoning blood of Christ. . None can neglect or defer this work but at the most fearful peril to their souls.—Great Controversy, 623.

"Satan leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in the minor affairs of life; but the Lord shows in His dealings with Jacob that He will in no wise sanction or tolerate evil. All who endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of heaven, unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan. The more exalted their profession and the more honorable the position which they hold, the more grievous is their course in the sight of God and the more sure the triumph of their great adversary. Those who delay a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the time of trouble or at any subsequent time. The case of all such is hopeless. Great Controversy. 620.

SECTION TWENTY

WAITING AT THE DOOR

Jesus IS standing by the open door of the most holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. He has opened that door and no man can shut it till Jesus does. Come to Jesus just now. He is ministering for His beloved. Come by faith into the Sanctuary that He may present you before the Father.

"I entreat you, brethren, to come to Christ and drink; drink freely of the water of salvation. Do not appeal to your own feelings. Do not think that sentimentalism is religion. Shake yourself from every human prop and lean heavily on Christ. You need a new fitting up before you are prepared to engage in the work of saving souls. Your words, your actions, have an influence in the day of God.

"Jesus says: 'Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it.' Revelation 3:8. Light is shining from that door, and it is our privilege to receive it if we will. Let us direct our eyes within that open door and try to receive all that Christ is willing to bestow. 9 Testimonies, 182.

"We are living in perilous times. Seventh-day Adventists are professedly the commandment-keeping people of God; but they are losing their devotional spirit. This spirit of reverence for God teaches men how to approach their Maker—with sacredness and awe through faith, not in themselves, but in a Mediator. Thus man is kept fast, under whatever circumstances he is placed. Man must come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy." 2 Selected Messages, pp. 314. 315.

"I was shown that the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ relating to the shut door could not be separated, and that the time for the commandments of God to shine out with all their importance, and for God's people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the most holy place in the heavenly Sanctuary, where the ark is, in which are contained the ten commandments. . I saw that the present test on the Sabbath could not come until the mediation of Jesus in the holy place was finished and He had passed within the second veil."—Early Writings, 42 (also read page 43).

"After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were tested, as the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep God's law."—Early Writings, 254 (also read 254256; GC 433435).

"If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the Third Angel's message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people. . It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow." Great Controversy, 457-458.

"God had committed to His people a work to be accomplished on earth. The Third Angel's Message was to be given, the minds of believers were to be directed to the heavenly Sanctuary, where Christ had entered to make atonement for His people. The Sabbath reform was to be carried forward. The breach in the law of God must be made up. The message must be proclaimed with a loud voice, that all the inhabitants of earth might receive the warning. The people of God must purify their souls through obedience to the truth, and be prepared to stand without fault before Him at His coming.

"Had Adventists, after the great disappointment in 1844, held fast their faith and followed on unitedly in the opening providence of God, receiving the message of the Third Angel and in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming it to the world, they would have seen the salvation of God, the lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts, the work would have been completed, and Christ would have come ere this to receive His people to their reward. . Had the whole Adventist body united upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, how widely different would have been our history!

"It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people, Israel, should wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy, happy people. But those to whom it was first preached, went not in 'because of unbelief.' Their hearts were filled with murmuring, rebellion, and hatred, and He could not fulfill His covenant with them.

"For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years."—Manuscript 4, 1883 (compare Great Controversy, 457-458, which was probably based upon this manuscript).

"Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, 'I know you not.' The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you can not participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awaken no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its companionship." Christ's Object Lessons, 413.

"There will be no future probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness.

"The days of our probation are fast closing. The end is near. To us the warning is given, 'Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares: Beware lest it find you unready. 'In such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh: 'Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame: "Christ's Object Lessons, 319.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with Me."—Revelation 3:20.

"It [the Laodicean Message] is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the Third Angel. 1 Testimonies, 186.

"The angels of God are going from church to church, doing their duty; and Christ is knocking at the door of your heart for entrance. But the means that God has devised to awaken the church to a sense of their spiritual destitution have not been regarded. The Voice of the True Witness has been heard in reproof, but has not been obeyed. Men have chosen to follow their own way, instead of God's way, because self was not crucified in them."—5 Testimonies, 719-720.

"The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ."—6 Bible Commentary, 1075.

"Satan and his angels are wide awake and intensely active, working with energy and perseverance through human instrumentalities to bring about his purpose of obliterating from the minds of men the knowledge of God. But while Satan works with his lying wonders, the time will be fulfilled foretold in the Revelation, and the mighty angel that shall lighten the earth with his glory will proclaim the fall of Babylon, and call upon God's people to forsake her." 7 Bible Commentary, 985.

"Satan is also mustering his forces of evil, going forth 'unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world: to gather them under his banner, to be trained for 'the battle of that great day of God Almighty.' Satan is to make most powerful efforts for the mastery in the last great conflict." 7 Bible Commentary, 983.

"After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, every conceivable power of evil will be set in operation, and minds will be confused by many voices crying. 'Lo, here is Christ; Lo, He is there. This is the truth, I have the message from God. He has sent me with great light.' Then there will be a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith. A more decided effort will be made to exalt the false sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God Himself by supplanting the day He has blessed and sanctified. This false sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law." 7 Bible Commentary, 985.

"With rapid steps we are already approaching this period. When Protestant churches shall seek the support of the secular power, thus following the example of that apostate church, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will there be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin."—4 Spirit of Prophecy, 410.

"We have come to a time when God's sacred work is represented by the feet of the image in which the iron was mixed with miry clay. . But statesmen will uphold the spurious sabbath, and will mingle their religious faith with the observance of this child of the papacy, placing it above the Sabbath which the Lord has sanctified and blessed, setting it apart for man to keep holy, as a sign between Him and His people to a thousand generations. The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and the clay. This union is weakening all the power of the churches. This investing the church with the power of the state will bring evil results. Men have almost passed the point of God's forbearance. They have invested their strength in politics, and have united with the papacy. But the time will come when God will punish those who have made void His law, and their evil work will recoil upon themselves."—4 Bible Commentary, 1168-1169.

SECTION TWENTY-ONE

PREPARING FOR THE CRISIS AND THE HARVEST

We think of the "harvest" as being right now as we carry on our missionary work for the lost. And this is correct. Jesus said, "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." (John 5 :35) But in another sense, the Second Coming is the harvest. By that time the wheat and the tares will all have been decided in the record books of the Sanctuary, and Jesus will return to this earth for His own.

It is now that we are to prepare for the Crisis of the National Sunday Law; it is now that we are to prepare for the Second Advent of Christ. Of all the peoples on the face of the earth, Seventh-day ADVENTISTS should believe in preparing for the Advent of Christ.

"A new life is coming from heaven and taking possession of all God's people. But divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. The wheat and tares grow up together for the harvest."—2 Selected Messages, 114.

"I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. .

"Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.

"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people.

"I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified."—Early Writings, 269-270.

"Christ is in the heavenly Sanctuary, and He is there to make an atonement for the people. He is there to present His wounded side and pierced hands to His Father. He is there to plead for His Church that is upon the earth. He is cleansing the Sanctuary from the sins of the people. What is our work?—It is our work to be in harmony with the work of Christ. By faith we are to work with Him, to be in union with Him."—Review, January 28, 1890.

"The latter rain is to fall upon the people of God. A mighty angel is to come down from heaven, and the whole earth is to be lighted with His glory. Are we ready to take part in the glorious work of the Third Angel? Are our vessels ready to receive the heavenly dew? Have we defilement and sin in the heart? If so, let us cleanse the soul temple, and prepare for the showers of the latter rain. The refreshing from the presence of the Lord will never come to hearts filled with impurity. May God help us to die to self, that Christ, the hope of glory, may be formed within! I must have the spirit of God in my heart. I can never go forward to do the great work of God, unless the Holy Spirit rests upon my soul. 'As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God.' The day of judgment is upon us. 0 that we may wash our robes of character, and make them white in the blood of the Lamb!"—Review, April 21,1891.

"They do not seek to place themselves in harmony with the work of Christ in the heavenly Sanctuary, where He is making an atonement for His people. While Christ is cleansing the Sanctuary, the worshipers on earth should carefully review their life, and compare their character with the standard of righteousness. As they see their defects, they should seek the aid of the Spirit of God to enable them to have moral strength to resist the temptation of Satan, and to reach the perfection of the standard [the Law of God] . They may be victors over the very temptations which seemed too strong for humanity to bear; for the divine power will be combined with their human effort, and Satan cannot overcome them."—Review, April 8, 1890.

"Oh, that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people!"1 Testimonies, 190.

"0, what a day is before us! What sifting will there be among those who claim to be the children of God."—Testimonies to Ministers, 163.

"God's people will be sifted, even as corn is sifted in a sieve, until all the chaff is separated from the pure kernels of grain. 1 Testimonies, 431.

"Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into His garner." Matthew 3:12.

"The signs reveal that the time is near when the lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor." 5 Testimonies, 80.

"Well may we exclaim: 'Help, lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.' I know that many think far too favorably of the present time. These ease-loving souls will be engulfed in the general ruin. Yet we do not despair. We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.

"The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to 'science falsely so called' will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them."—5 Testimonies, 80. (Read the entire chapter.)

"The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.

"The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted form the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them. .

"In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect. The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God." 5 Testimonies, 209-211.

"Here is plainly revealed two distinct parties, formed from a company that was once united. The members of one of these parties are in resistance to the will of God. They have taken themselves from the side of the loyal and true, and are in resistance to the warnings of the Spirit of God."—Review, September 19, 1893.

"The Jews had made the courts of the temple a scene of sacrilegious traffic, they had turned the ancient and sacred institutions of the Passover into means of vile profit. Christ came suddenly to the temple courts; divinity flashed through humanity and raising a whip of small cords in His hand with a voice that they will hear again in the execution of the judgment, He said, 'Take these things hence.' It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.' These priests saw as it were an avenging angel with a flaming sword, such as guarded the way to the tree of life. Today this sacrilegious work is being more than repeated. There will be messages borne; and those who have rejected the message God has sent, will hear most startling declarations. The Holy Spirit will invest the announcement with a sanctity and solemnity which will appear terrible in the ears of those who have heard the pleadings of infinite love and have not responded to the offer of pardon and forgiveness. Injured and insulted Deity will speak, proclaiming sins that have been hidden. As the priests and rulers, full of indignation and terror, sought refuge and flight at the last scenes of the last cleansing of the temple, so it will be in the work for the last days. The woes that will be pronounced upon those who have the light from heaven, and yet did not heed it, they will feel, but have no power to act." Special Testimony to Ministers and Workers, No.7, page 54-55. (For more on this other kind of cleansing, read TM 372-373; 28M 380, Rev 3:16; Mal 3:2-3; Isa. 4: 3-6.)

"The scenes connected with the Sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others."—5 Testimonies, 575.

"All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them. The Sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects and be able to give an answer to everyone that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them." Great Controversy, 488-489.

"Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help." 5 Testimonies, 209.

"By study, contemplation, and prayer God's people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the Sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith will go with Him into the Sanctuary, and the worshipers on earth will be carefully reviewing their lives and comparing their characters with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God's ambassadors."—5 Testimonies, 575.

"In a vision given in 1880 I asked, 'Where is the security for the people of God in these days of peril?' The answer was, 'Jesus maketh intercession for His people, though Satan standeth at His right hand to resist Him.' 'And the lord said unto Satan, The lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan; even the lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?' As man's Intercessor and Advocate, Jesus will lead all who are willing to be led, saying, 'Follow Me upward, step by step, where the clear light of the Sun of Righteousness shines.'

"But not all are following the light. Some are moving away from the safe path, which at every step is a path of humility. God has committed to His servants a message for this time; but this message does not in every particular coincide with the ideas of all the leading men, and some criticize the message and the messengers. They dare even to reject the words of reproof sent to them from God through His Holy Spirit."—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 464, 465.

"He will represent the sacredness of the work, he will magnify the truth, and will ever present before men and angels the holy perfume of the character of Christ. This is the sacred fire of God's own kindling. Anything aside from this is strange fire, abhorrent to God, and the more offensive as one's position in the work involves larger responsibilities.

"I have a message from God to the sinners in Zion, the ones whom Christ addressed: 'Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God,' You need to offer always the sacred fire; for then Christ's works, His love, His mercy, His righteousness, will ascend before God, as a cloud of holy, fragrant incense, wholly acceptable.

"But strange fire has been offered in the use of harsh words, in self-importance, in self-exaltation, in self-righteousness, in arbitrary authority, in domineering, in oppression, in restricting the liberty of God's people, binding them about by your plans and rules, which God has not framed, neither have they come into His mind. All these things are strange fire, unacknowledged by God, and are a continual misrepresentation of His character," Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 357, 358. (Compare 3 Bible Commentary, 1164, column 1, paragraph 2.)

"Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation," 1 Testimonies, 187.

. "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, 0 nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you."—Zephaniah 2:1-2.

"The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the Sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others, All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the Atonement, which is going on in the Sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful."5 Testimonies, 575.

"We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil."—Early Writings, 72.

"Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest," Early Writings, 55.

"All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise, it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill."—Great Controversy, 488.

"The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified." 1 Testimonies, 181.

It is VERY important that you carefully read chapters 23, 24 and 28 in the book, "Great Controversy." You cannot have a clear understanding of the Sanctuary Message without many careful readings of those chapters. You will find this material on pages 409-432 and 479-491. Throughout this study, we have done little more than to quote from the Inspired writings. Other than quotations, there is very little else in this entire study. And this is as it should be. For in this way you will clearly see for yourself the exact nature of the "Sanctuary Message" given us by God so many decades ago.

But in preparing this study, we did not see that we needed to requote those three chapters. READ those chapters for yourself, along with the other Spirit of Prophecy material given in this present study, And a single reading will not suffice if you have a genuine concern to know God's message for you in this hour when the Judgment will soon close.

"The judgment is now passing in the Sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon—none know how soon—it will pass to the cases of the living, In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review," Great Controversy, 490.

"God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy church. . As we near the judgment, all will manifest their true character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. The sieve is moving, Let us not say: Stay Thy hand, 0 God. The church must be purged, and it will be . , The judgment is set, the books are to be opened [to the cases of the living], and we are to be judged according to our deeds," 1 Testimonies, 99-100.

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us, Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs, will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The con. test is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ's righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.

"When trees without fruit are cut down as cumberers of the ground, when multitudes of false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to view, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David—willing to do and dare. The deeper the night for God's people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the faithful; but in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors. Then will the church of Christ appear 'fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.'

"The seeds of truth that are being sown by missionary efforts will then spring up and blossom and bear fruit. Souls will receive the truth who will endure tribulation and praise God that they may suffer for Jesus." 5 Testimonies, 81-82.

"The church cannot measure herself by the world nor by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her position in the world as they now are must be compared with what they would have been if her course had been continually onward and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the Sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon her, she will be found wanting." 5 Testimonies. 83.

"The looker-on may discern no difference; but there is One who said that the tares were not to be plucked up by human hands lest the wheat be rooted up also. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then the Lord sends forth His reapers to gather out the tares and bind them in bundles to burn, while the wheat is gathered into the heavenly garner. The time of the judgment is a most solemn period, when the Lord gathers His own from among the tares. Those who have been members of the same family are separated. A mark is placed upon the righteous. 'They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.' Those who have been obedient to God's commandments will unite with the company of the saints in light; they shall enter in through the gates into the city, and have right to the tree of life. The one shall be taken. His name shall stand in the book of life, while those with whom he associated shall have the mark of eternal separation from God. The tares and wheat are now co-mingled, but then the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position. . Those who have sought an excuse to avoid the cross of separation from the world will, with the world, be taken in the snare. They mingled with the tares from choice. Like drew to like in transgression. It is a fearful assimilation. Men choose to stand with the first rebel, who tempted Adam and Eve in Eden to disobey God. The tares multiply themselves, for they sow tares, and they have their part with the root of all sin—the devil.

" . . The obedient are called the just; they are drawn to the holy magnet, Jesus Christ; the holy attracts the holy. He that is unjust will be unjust still. Character cannot then be made or transformed. The oil of grace cannot be lent by one to another, neither have the foolish virgins time to buy oil for themselves. The righteous are those who keep the commandments of God, and they will be forever separated from the disobedient and unrighteous who trampled underfoot the law of God. The pure ore and the dross will no longer co-mingle." Testimonies to Ministers, 234-236.

"As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. . When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. . Then will the truth be brought into practical life. . Then will the message of the Third Angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord." 6 Testimonies, 400-401.

CONTINUE 6

RETURN TO INDEX