OnEdgeOfTime_CoverUpdate21.indd 1 4/19/21 4:11 PM Dear Reader, You don’t have to be a social, economic, ecological, or political analyst to recognize we’ve got problems here on earth, major problems. From the ever looming threats of ecological collapse and nuclear war, to global pandemics and natural disasters, to unnumbered social ills and a failing world economy, secular scientists are telling us we’ve never been closer to “doomsday” than we are today. But is anyone listening? I’m afraid many of us have gotten much too comfortable living in this world, insulating ourselves with the hope that things will get better when clearly they aren’t—just a glance at today’s news headlines and a survey of ancient and modern history proves that. Are we just putting our heads in the sand, medicating ourselves with whatever fl eeting distraction or substance we can fi nd to escape reality? Or have we just plain gotten use to it all, hardened by constant exposure? When I was a kid being sick was normal for me until I got sick of being sick and discovered there was a cause and a cure. By obeying nature’s laws, I could strengthen my immune system, resist disease, and bring my body into proper balance. Now good health is the norm. This world is sick, but to most of us it’s normal. We don’t realize what the underlying cause is or where to fi nd the cure. It is my prayer that this book will help you discover both and give you hope. A new and better day is coming. —The Editor

Contents

Storm Warning ...... 1 Closed on Sunday ...... 69 Is God to Blame? ...... 7 Survival Guide ...... 81 Grave Lessons ...... 19 Get in The Ark ...... 89 Love’s Last Call ...... 41 Saved at Last ...... 101 Worship & Obey ...... 53

On the Edge of Time is printed for mass distribution by PROJECT: Steps to Christ, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Copyright © 2021. Printed in the USA. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the King James Version. Text from The Great Controversy by E. G. White.

OnEdgeOfTime_CoverUpdate21.indd 2 4/19/21 4:11 PM Storm Warning

Signs of the End “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Luke 21-25-28 Storm Warning

The present is a time of over- tremble and men's hearts to fail them whelming interest to all living. for fear. Rulers and statesmen, men who We are living in the time of the occupy positions of trust and end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the Tauthority, thinking men and women times declare that the coming of of all classes, have their attention Christ is near at hand. The days in fixed upon the events taking place which we live are solemn and about us. They are watching the important. The Spirit of God is relations that exist among the gradually but surely being with- nations. They observe the intensity drawn from the earth. Plagues and that is taking possession of every judgments are already falling upon earthly element, and they recognize the despisers of the grace of God. that something great and decisive is The calamities by land and sea, the about to take place—that the world unsettled state of society, the alarms is on the verge of a stupendous crisis. of war, are portentous. They forecast The Bible, and the Bible only, approaching events of the greatest gives a correct view of these things. magnitude. Here are revealed the great final The agencies of evil are combining scenes in the history of our world, their forces and consolidating. They events that already are casting their are strengthening for the last great shadows before the sound of their crisis. Great changes are soon to take approach, causing the earth to place in our world, and the final

Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.... But who reads the warnings given by the fast-fulfilling signs of the times? 4 On The Edge of Time movements will be rapid ones. perverting justice and in filling The condition of things in the men’s hearts with the desire for world shows that troublous times selfish gain. “Justice standeth afar are right upon us. We are living in off: for truth is fallen in the street, the midst of an epidemic of crime, at and equity cannot enter.” Isaiah which thoughtful, God-fearing men 59:14. In the great cities there are everywhere stand aghast. The multitudes living in poverty and corruption that prevails, it is beyond wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of the power of the human pen to food, shelter, and clothing; while in describe. Every day brings fresh the same cities are those who have revelations of political strife, more than heart could wish, who bribery, and fraud. Every day brings live luxuriously, spending their its heart-sickening record of money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse Every day brings its still, upon the gratification of heart-sickening record sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that of violence and destroy the powers of the brain, lawlessness, of unbalance the mind, and debase the indifference to human soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God, while by suffering, of brutal, every species of oppression and fiendish destruction extortion men are piling up colossal of human life. fortunes. The Scriptures describe the violence and lawlessness, of condition of the world just before indifference to human suffering, of Christ’s second coming. But who brutal, fiendish destruction of reads the warnings given by the fast- human life. Every day testifies to the fulfilling signs of the times? What increase of insanity, murder, and impression is made upon all those suicide. Who can doubt that satanic living? What change is seen in their agencies are at work among men attitude? No more than was seen in with increasing activity to distract the attitude of the inhabitants of the and corrupt the mind, and defile and Noah’s world. Absorbed in worldly destroy the body? business and pleasure, the ante- The enemy has succeeded in diluvians “knew not until the Flood Storm Warning 5 came, and took them all away.” property! Apparently these calam- Matthew 24:39. They had heaven- ities are capricious outbreaks of sent warnings, but they refused to disorganized, unregulated forces of listen. And today the world, utterly nature, wholly beyond the control of regardless of the warning voice of man; but in them all, God’s purpose God, is hurrying on to eternal ruin. may be read. They are among the The time is at hand when there agencies by which He seeks to will be sorrow in the world that no arouse men and women to a sense of human balm can heal. The Spirit of their danger. God is being withdrawn. Disasters God’s message for the inhabitants by sea and by land follow one of earth today is, “Be ye also ready: another in quick succession. How for in such an hour as ye think not frequently we hear of earthquakes the Son of man cometh.” Matthew and tornadoes, of destruction by fire 24:44. and flood, with great loss of life and

How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! These are among the agencies by which God is seeking to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger. Signs of the Second Coming And the disciples came unto Jesus privately, saying, “Tell us… what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?” And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Deception” “False christs and false prophets” “Wars and rumors of war” “Strife between nations” “Famine, pestilence, earthquakes” “Persecution of all who truly know Me and do My will” “Increase in wickedness” “The love of many growing cold” “The gospel preached in all the world” “Self-absorption: eating, drinking, marrying” “The abomination that makes desolate (read the book of Daniel)” “The great tribulation” “Signs in the heavens and on earth” “The sign of the Son of Man” “When you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass until all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24 Bible Answers: Signs of the End www.peacefinders.org/signs Is God to Blame?

The Battle for Truth “And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.... Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

Revelation 12:7-9,12 Is God to Blame?

To many minds the origin of sin the foundation of the divine and the reason for its existence are a government. source of great perplexity. They see Before the entrance of evil there the work of evil, with its terrible was peace and joy throughout the Tresults of woe and desolation, and universe. All was in perfect harmony they question how all this can exist with the Creator’s will. Love for God under the sovereignty of One who is was supreme, love for one another infinite in wisdom, in power, and in impartial. Christ the Word, the Only love. Here is a mystery of which they Begotten of God, was one with the find no explanation. eternal Father, one in nature, in It is impossible to explain the character, and in purpose—the only origin of sin so as to give a reason for being in all the universe that could its existence. Yet enough may be enter into all the counsels and understood concerning both the purposes of God. By Christ the origin and the final disposition of sin Father wrought in the creation of all to make fully manifest the justice heavenly beings. “By Him were all and benevolence of God in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more The law of love being plainly taught in Scripture than that the foundation of the God was in no wise responsible for government of God, the the entrance of sin; that there was no happiness of all created arbitrary withdrawal of divine beings depended upon grace, no deficiency in the divine their perfect accord with government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion. Sin is an its great principles of intruder, for whose presence no righteousness. reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to things created, that are in heaven,... defend it. Could excuse for it be whether they be thrones, or domin- found, or cause be shown for its ions, or principalities, or powers” existence, it would cease to be sin. (Colossians 1:16); and to Christ, Our only definition of sin is that equally with the Father, all heaven given in the Word of God; it is “the gave allegiance. transgression of the law;” it is the The law of love being the founda- outworking of a principle at war tion of the government of God, the with the great law of love which is happiness of all created beings 10 On The Edge of Time depended upon their perfect accord others and to glorify his Maker. But, with its great principles of righ- says the prophet, “Thine heart was teousness. God desires from all His lifted up because of thy beauty, thou creatures the service of love— hast corrupted thy wisdom by homage that springs from an reason of thy brightness.” Verse 17. intelligent appreciation of His Little by little, Lucifer came to character. He takes no pleasure in a indulge a desire for self-exaltation. forced allegiance, and to all He “Thou hast set thine heart as the grants freedom of will, that they may heart of God.” “Thou hast said, . . . I render Him voluntary service. will exalt my throne above the stars But there was one that chose to of God: I will sit also upon the mount pervert this freedom. Sin originated of the congregation. . . . I will ascend with him who, next to Christ, had above the heights of the clouds; I will been most honored of God and who be like the Most High.” Verse 6; stood highest in power and glory Isaiah 14:13,14. Instead of seeking to among the inhabitants of heaven. make God supreme in the affections Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the and allegiance of His creatures, it covering cherubs, holy and unde- was Lucifer’s endeavor to win their filed. “Thus saith the Lord God; service and homage to himself. And Thou sealest up the sum, full of coveting the honor which the infinite wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou Father had bestowed upon His Son, hast been in Eden the garden of God; this prince of angels aspired to every precious stone was thy power which it was the prerogative covering. . . . Thou art the anointed of Christ alone to wield. cherub that covereth; and I have set All heaven had rejoiced to reflect thee so: thou wast upon the holy the Creator’s glory and to show forth mountain of God; thou hast walked His praise. And while God was thus up and down in the midst of the honored, all had been peace and stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in gladness. But a note of discord now thy ways from the day that thou wast marred the celestial harmonies. The created, till iniquity was found in service and exaltation of self, thee.” Ezekiel 28:12-15. contrary to the Creator’s plan, Lucifer might have remained in awakened forebodings of evil in favor with God, beloved and minds to whom God’s glory was honored by all the angelic host, supreme. The heavenly councils exercising his noble powers to bless pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of Is God to Blame? 11

God presented before him the Leaving his place in the immedi- greatness, the goodness, and the ate presence of God, Lucifer went justice of the Creator, and the sacred, forth to diffuse the spirit of discon- unchanging nature of His law. God tent among the angels. Working Himself had established the order of with mysterious secrecy, and for a heaven; and in departing from it, time concealing his real purpose Lucifer would dishonor his Maker, under an appearance of reverence and bring ruin upon himself. But the for God, he endeavored to excite warning, given in infinite love and dissatisfaction concerning the laws mercy, only aroused a spirit of that governed heavenly beings, resistance. Lucifer allowed jealousy intimating that they imposed an of Christ to prevail, and he became unnecessary restraint. Since their the more determined. natures were holy, he urged that the Pride in his own glory nourished angels should obey the dictates of the desire for supremacy. The high their own will. He sought to create honors conferred upon Lucifer were sympathy for himself by represent- not appreciated as the gift of God ing that God had dealt unjustly with and called forth no gratitude to the him in bestowing supreme honor Creator. He gloried in his brightness upon Christ. He claimed that in and exaltation, and aspired to be aspiring to greater power and honor equal with God. He was beloved and he was not aiming at self-exaltation, reverenced by the heavenly host. but was seeking to secure liberty for Angels delighted to execute his all the inhabitants of heaven, that by commands, and he was clothed with this means they might attain to a wisdom and glory above them all. higher state of existence. Yet the Son of God was the acknowl- God in His wisdom permitted edged Sovereign of heaven, one in Satan to carry forward his work, power and authority with the until the spirit of disaffection Father. In all the councils of God, ripened into active revolt. It was Christ was a participant, while necessary for his plans to be fully Lucifer was not permitted thus to developed, that their true nature and enter into the divine purposes. tendency might be seen by all. “Why,” questioned this mighty Lucifer, as the anointed cherub, had angel, “should Christ have the been highly exalted; he was greatly supremacy? Why is He thus loved by the heavenly beings, and honored above Lucifer?” his influence over them was strong. 12 On The Edge of Time

God’s government included not instilling discontent into the minds only the inhabitants of heaven, but of the angels under him, he had of all the worlds that He had created; artfully made it appear that he was and Satan thought that if he could seeking to remove dissatisfaction. carry the angels of heaven with him When he urged that changes be in rebellion, he could carry also the made in the order and laws of God’s other worlds. He had artfully government, it was under the presented his side of the question, pretense that these were necessary in employing sophistry and fraud to order to preserve harmony in secure his objects. His power to heaven. deceive was very great, and by In His dealing with sin, God could disguising himself in a cloak of employ only righteousness and falsehood he had gained an advan- truth. Satan could use what God tage. Even the loyal angels could not could not: flattery and deceit. He fully discern his character or see to had sought to falsify the word of what his work was leading. God and had misrepresented His Satan had been so highly honored, plan of government before the and all his acts were so clothed with angels, claiming that God was not mystery, that it was difficult to just in laying laws and rules upon disclose to the angels the true nature the inhabitants of heaven; that in of his work. Until fully developed, requiring submission and obedience sin would not appear the evil thing it from His creatures, He was seeking was. Heretofore it had had no place merely the exaltation of Himself. in the universe of God, and holy Therefore it must be demonstrated beings had no conception of its before the inhabitants of heaven, as nature and malignity. They could well as of all the worlds, that God’s not discern the terrible conse- government was just, His law quences that would result from perfect. Satan had made it appear setting aside the divine law. Satan that he himself was seeking to had, at first, concealed his work promote the good of the universe. under a specious profession of The true character of the usurper, loyalty to God. He claimed to be and his real object, must be under- seeking to promote the honor of stood by all. He must have time to God, the stability of His govern- manifest himself by his wicked ment, and the good of all the works. inhabitants of heaven. While The discord which his own course Is God to Blame? 13 had caused in heaven, Satan charged come to maturity. For the good of the upon the law and government of entire universe through ceaseless God. All evil he declared to be the ages, Satan must more fully develop result of the divine administration. his principles, that his charges He claimed that it was his own object against the divine government to improve upon the statutes of might be seen in their true light by all Jehovah. Therefore it was necessary created beings, that the justice and that he should demonstrate the mercy of God and the immutability nature of his claims, and show the of His law might forever be placed working out of his proposed beyond all question. changes in the divine law. His own Satan’s rebellion was to be a work must condemn him. Satan had lesson to the universe through all claimed from the first that he was not coming ages, a perpetual testimony in rebellion. The whole universe to the nature and terrible results of must see the deceiver unmasked. sin. The working out of Satan’s rule, Even when it was decided that he its effects upon both men and angels, could no longer remain in heaven, would show what must be the fruit Infinite Wisdom did not destroy of setting aside the divine authority. Satan. Since the service of love can It would testify that with the alone be acceptable to God, the existence of God’s government and allegiance of His creatures must rest His law is bound up the well-being upon a conviction of His justice and of all the creatures He has made. benevolence. The inhabitants of Thus the history of this terrible heaven and of other worlds, being experiment of rebellion was to be a unprepared to comprehend the perpetual safeguard to all holy nature or consequences of sin, could intelligences, to prevent them from not then have seen the justice and being deceived as to the nature of mercy of God in the destruction of transgression, to save them from Satan. Had he been immediately committing sin and suffering its blotted from existence, they would punishments. have served God from fear rather To the very close of the contro- than from love. The influence of the versy in heaven the great usurper deceiver would not have been fully continued to justify himself. When it destroyed, nor would the spirit of was announced that with all his rebellion have been utterly eradi- sympathizers he must be expelled cated. Evil must be permitted to from the abodes of bliss, then the 14 On The Edge of Time rebel leader boldly avowed his proclaims His character: “The Lord contempt for the Creator’s law. He God, merciful and gracious, long- reiterated his claim that angels suffering, and abundant in goodness needed no control, but should be left and truth, keeping mercy for to follow their own will, which thousands, forgiving iniquity and would ever guide them right. He transgression and sin, and that will denounced the divine statutes as a by no means clear the guilty.” restriction of their liberty and Exodus 34:6, 7. declared that it was his purpose to In the banishment of Satan from secure the abolition of law; that, heaven, God declared His justice freed from this restraint, the hosts of and maintained the honor of His heaven might enter upon a more throne. But when man had sinned exalted, more glorious state of through yielding to the deceptions existence. of this apostate spirit, God gave an evidence of His love by yielding up By the same His only-begotten Son to die for the misrepresentation of fallen race. In the atonement the the character of God as character of God is revealed. The he had practiced in mighty argument of the cross demonstrates to the whole universe heaven, causing Him that the course of sin which Lucifer to be regarded as severe had chosen was in no wise charge- and tyrannical, Satan able upon the government of God. In the contest between Christ and induced man to sin. Satan, during the Saviour’s earthly ministry, the character of the great By the same misrepresentation of deceiver was unmasked. Nothing the character of God as he had could so effectually have uprooted practiced in heaven, causing Him to Satan from the affections of the be regarded as severe and tyranni- heavenly angels and the whole loyal cal, Satan induced man to sin. And universe as did his cruel warfare having succeeded thus far, he upon the world’s Redeemer. The declared that God’s unjust restric- daring blasphemy of his demand tions had led to man’s fall, as they that Christ should pay him homage, had led to his own rebellion. his presumptuous boldness in But the Eternal One Himself bearing Him to the mountain Is God to Blame? 15 summit and the pinnacle of the silent horror. temple, the malicious intent When the great sacrifice had been betrayed in urging Him to cast consummated, Christ ascended on Himself down from the dizzy high, refusing the adoration of height, the unsleeping malice that angels until He had presented the hunted Him from place to place, request: “I will that they also, whom inspiring the hearts of priests and Thou hast given Me, be with Me people to reject His love, and at the where I am.” John 17:24. Then with last to cry, “Crucify Him! Crucify inexpressible love and power came Him!”: All this excited the amaze- forth the answer from the Father’s ment and indignation of the universe. The prince of evil It was Satan that prompted the exerted all his power world's rejection of Christ. The and cunning to destroy prince of evil exerted all his power Jesus; for he saw that the and cunning to destroy Jesus; for he saw that the Saviour’s mercy and Saviour’s mercy and love, love, His compassion and pitying His compassion and tenderness, were representing to the pitying tenderness, were world the character of God. Satan contested every claim put forth by representing to the world the Son of God and employed men the character of God. as his agents to fill the Saviour’s life with suffering and sorrow. The throne: “Let all the angels of God sophistry and falsehood by which he worship Him.” Hebrews 1:6. Not a had sought to hinder the work of stain rested upon Jesus. His humilia- Jesus, the hatred manifested tion ended, His sacrifice completed, through the children of dis- there was given unto Him a name obedience, his cruel accusations that is above every name. against Him whose life was one of Now the guilt of Satan stood forth unexampled goodness, all sprang without excuse. He had revealed his from deep-seated revenge. The pent- true character as a liar and a mur- up fires of envy and malice, hatred derer. It was seen that the very same and revenge, burst forth on Calvary spirit with which he ruled the against the Son of God, while all children of men, who were under his heaven gazed upon the scene in power, he would have manifested 16 On The Edge of Time had he been permitted to control the penalty could not be remitted, every inhabitants of heaven. He had transgressor must be forever claimed that the transgression of debarred from the Creator’s favor. God’s law would bring liberty and He had claimed that the sinful race exaltation; but it was seen to result in were placed beyond redemption bondage and degradation. and were therefore his rightful prey. Satan’s lying charges against the But the death of Christ was an divine character and government argument in man's behalf that could appeared in their true light. He had not be overthrown. The penalty of accused God of seeking merely the the law fell upon Him who was exaltation of Himself in requiring equal with God, and man was free to submission and obedience from His accept the righteousness of Christ creatures, and had declared that, and by a life of penitence and while the Creator exacted self-denial humiliation to triumph, as the Son of from all others, He Himself prac- God had triumphed, over the power ticed no self-denial and made no of Satan. Thus God is just and yet the sacrifice. Now it was seen that for the justifier of all who believe in Jesus. salvation of a fallen and sinful race, But it was not merely to accom- the Ruler of the universe had made plish the redemption of man that the greatest sacrifice which love Christ came to the earth to suffer and could make; for “God was in Christ, to die. He came to “magnify the law” reconciling the world unto Him- and to “make it honorable.” Not self.” 2 Corinthians 5:19. It was seen, alone that the inhabitants of this also, that while Lucifer had opened world might regard the law as it the door for the entrance of sin by his should be regarded; but it was to desire for honor and supremacy, demonstrate to all the worlds of the Christ had, in order to destroy sin, universe that God’s law is un- humbled Himself and become changeable. Could its claims have obedient unto death. been set aside, then the Son of God God had manifested His abhor- need not have yielded up His life to rence of the principles of rebellion. atone for its transgression. The death All heaven saw His justice revealed, of Christ proves it immutable. And both in the condemnation of Satan the sacrifice to which infinite love and in the redemption of man. impelled the Father and the Son, that Lucifer had declared that if the law sinners might be redeemed, de- of God was changeless, and its monstrates to all the universe—what Is God to Blame? 17

nothing less than this plan of Lucifer’s desire for self-exaltation atonement could have sufficed to had led him to say: “I will exalt my do—that justice and mercy are the throne above the stars of God.... I foundation of the law and govern- will be like the Most High.” God ment of God. declares: “I will bring thee to ashes In the final execution of the upon the earth. . . . and never shalt judgment it will be seen that no thou be any more.” Isaiah 14:13, 14; cause for sin exists. When the Judge Ezekiel 28:18,19. of all the earth shall demand of The whole universe will have Satan, “Why hast thou rebelled become witnesses to the nature and against Me, and robbed Me of the results of sin. And its utter extermi- subjects of My kingdom?” the nation, which in the beginning originator of evil can render no would have brought fear to angels excuse. Every mouth will be and dishonor to God, will now stopped, and all the hosts of rebel- vindicate His love and establish His lion will be speechless. honor before the universe of beings The cross of Calvary, while it who delight to do His will, and in declares the law immutable, whose heart is His law. Never will proclaims to the universe that the evil again be manifest. Says the word wages of sin is death. In the Saviour’s of God: “Affliction shall not rise up expiring cry, “It is finished,” the the second time.” Nahum 1:9. The death knell of Satan was rung. The law of God, which Satan has great controversy which had been so reproached as the yoke of bondage, long in progress was then decided, will be honored as the law of liberty. and the final eradication of evil was A tested and proved creation will made certain. The Son of God passed never again be turned from alle- through the portals of the tomb, that giance to Him whose character has “through death He might destroy been fully manifested before them him that had the power of death, that as fathomless love and infinite is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. wisdom.

The cross of Calvary, while it declares the law immutable, proclaims to the universe that the wages of sin is death. The Character of God Revealed “He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.” John 17:3,4

“’Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father?” Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.’” John 14:8-10

Bible Answers: Knowing God www.peacefinders.org/godislove Grave Lessons

Don’t Be Deceived “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

Revelation 16:13,14 Grave Lessons

With the earliest history of man, Had Satan revealed himself in his Satan began his efforts to deceive real character, he would have been our race. He who had incited repulsed at once, for Adam and Eve Wrebellion in heaven desired to bring had been warned against this the inhabitants of the earth to unite dangerous foe; but he worked in the with him in his warfare against the dark, concealing his purpose, that he government of God. Adam and Eve might more effectually accomplish had been perfectly happy in his object. Employing as his medium obedience to the law of God, and this the serpent, then a creature of fact was a constant testimony fascinating appearance, he address- against the claim which Satan had ed himself to Eve: “Hath God said, urged in heaven, that God’s law was Ye shall not eat of every tree of the oppressive and opposed to the good garden?” Genesis 3:1. Had Eve of His creatures. And furthermore, refrained from entering into Satan’s envy was excited as he argument with the tempter, she looked upon the beautiful home would have been safe; but she prepared for the sinless pair. He ventured to parley with him and fell determined to cause their fall, that, a victim to his wiles. It is thus that having separated them from God many are still overcome. They doubt and brought them under his own and argue concerning the require- power, he might gain possession of ments of God; and instead of the earth and here establish his obeying the divine commands, they kingdom in opposition to the Most accept human theories, which but High. disguise the devices of Satan.

“And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE....” Genesis 3:4 22 On The Edge of Time

“The woman said unto the benefactor of the race. But Adam did serpent, We may eat of the fruit of not find this to be the meaning of the the trees of the garden: but of the divine sentence. God declared that fruit of the tree which is in the midst as a penalty for his sin, man should of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall return to the ground whence he was not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, taken: “Dust thou art, and unto dust lest ye die. And the serpent said unto shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:19. The the woman, Ye shall not surely die: words of Satan, “Your eyes shall be for God doth know that in the day ye opened,” proved to be true in this eat thereof, then your eyes shall be sense only: after Adam and Eve had opened, and ye shall be as gods, disobeyed God, their eyes were knowing good and evil.” Genesis opened to discern their folly; they 3:2-5. He declared that they would did know evil, and they tasted the become like God, possessing greater bitter fruit of transgression. wisdom than before and being In the midst of Eden grew the tree capable of a higher state of existence. of life, whose fruit had the power Eve yielded to temptation; and of perpetuating life. Had Adam through her influence, Adam was remained obedient to God, he would led into sin. They accepted the have continued to enjoy free access words of the serpent, that God did to this tree and would have lived not mean what He said; they forever. But when he sinned he was distrusted their Creator and cut off from partaking of the tree of imagined that He was restricting life, and he became subject to death. their liberty and that they might The divine sentence, “Dust thou art, obtain great wisdom and exaltation and unto dust shalt thou return,” by transgressing His law. points to the utter extinction of life. But what did Adam, after his sin, Immortality, promised to man on find to be the meaning of the words, condition of obedience, had been “In the day that thou eatest thereof forfeited by transgression. Adam thou shalt surely die?” Did he find could not transmit to his posterity them to mean, as Satan had led him that which he did not possess; and to believe, that he was to be ushered there could have been no hope for into a more exalted state of exis- the fallen race had not God, by the tence? Then indeed there was great sacrifice of His Son, brought good to be gained by transgression, immortality within their reach. and Satan was proved to be a While “death passed upon all men, Grave Lessons 23 for that all have sinned,” Christ unbelieving in regard to the words “hath brought life and immortality of God. to light through the gospel.” Had man after his fall been Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10. And allowed free access to the tree of life, only through Christ can immortality he would have lived forever, and be obtained. Said Jesus: “He that thus sin would have been immortal- believeth on the Son hath everlasting ized. But cherubim and a flaming life: and he that believeth not the Son sword kept “the way of the tree of shall not see life.” John 3:36. Every life” (Genesis 3:24), and not one of man may come into possession of the family of Adam has been this priceless blessing if he will permitted to pass that barrier and comply with the conditions. All partake of the life-giving fruit. “who by patient continuance in Therefore there is not an immortal well-doing seek for glory and honor sinner. and immortality,” will receive “eternal life.” Romans 2:7. The declaration of the The only one who promised serpent to Eve in Eden... Adam life in disobedience was the was the first sermon great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent to Eve in Eden,“Ye ever preached upon the shall not surely die,”was the first immortality of the soul. sermon ever preached upon the immortality of the soul. Yet this But after the Fall, Satan bade his declaration, resting solely upon the angels make a special effort to authority of Satan, is echoed from inculcate the belief in man’s natural the pulpits of Christendom and is immortality; and having induced received by the majority of mankind the people to receive this error, they as readily as it was received by our were to lead them on to conclude first parents. The divine sentence, that the sinner would live in eternal “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” misery. Now the prince of darkness, (Ezekiel 18:20), is made to mean: The working through his agents, soul that sinneth, it shall not die, but represents God as a revengeful live eternally. We cannot but wonder tyrant, declaring that He plunges at the strange infatuation which into hell all those who do not please renders men so credulous concern- Him, and causes them ever to feel ing the words of Satan and so His wrath; and that while they suffer 24 On The Edge of Time unutterable anguish and writhe in doubt the wisdom of His govern- the eternal flames, their Creator ment and the justice of His laws. looks down upon them with Satan and his emissaries represent satisfaction. God as even worse than themselves, in order to justify their own malig- How repugnant to every nity and rebellion. The great emotion of love and mercy, deceiver endeavors to shift his own and even to our sense of horrible cruelty of character upon our heavenly Father, that he may justice, is the doctrine that cause himself to appear as one the wicked dead are greatly wronged by his expulsion tormented with fire and from heaven because he would not brimstone in an eternally submit to so unjust a governor. He presents before the world the liberty burning hell. which they may enjoy under his mild sway, in contrast with the Thus the archfiend clothes with bondage imposed by the stern his own attributes the Creator and decrees of Jehovah. Thus he suc- Benefactor of mankind. Cruelty is ceeds in luring souls away from their satanic. God is love; and all that He allegiance to God. created was pure, holy, and lovely, How repugnant to every emotion until sin was brought in by the first of love and mercy, and even to our great rebel. Satan himself is the sense of justice, is the doctrine that enemy who tempts man to sin, and the wicked dead are tormented with then destroys him if he can; and fire and brimstone in an eternally when he has made sure of his victim, burning hell; that for the sins of a then he exults in the ruin he has brief earthly life they are to suffer wrought. If permitted, he would torture as long as God shall live. Yet sweep the entire race into his net. this doctrine has been widely taught Were it not for the interposition of and is still embodied in many of the divine power, not one son or creeds of Christendom. daughter of Adam would escape. It is beyond the power of the Satan is seeking to overcome men human mind to estimate the evil today, as he overcame our first which has been wrought by the parents, by shaking their confidence heresy of eternal torment. The in their Creator and leading them to religion of the Bible, full of love and Grave Lessons 25 goodness, and abounding in If it were true that the souls of all compassion, is darkened by men passed directly to heaven at the superstition and clothed with terror. hour of dissolution, then we might When we consider in what false well covet death rather than life. colors Satan has painted the Many have been led by this belief to character of God, can we wonder put an end to their existence. When that our merciful Creator is feared, overwhelmed with trouble, perplex- dreaded, and even hated? The ity, and disappointment, it seems an appalling views of God which have easy thing to break the brittle thread spread over the world from the of life and soar away into the bliss of teachings of the pulpit have made the eternal world. thousands, yes, millions, of skeptics and infidels. When we consider A large class to whom the doctrine in what false colors of eternal torment is revolting are Satan has painted driven to the opposite error. They the character of God, see that the Scriptures represent God as a being of love and compassion, can we wonder that and they cannot believe that He will our merciful Creator consign His creatures to the fires of is feared, dreaded, an eternally burning hell. But and even hated? holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they see no alternative but to conclude that all mankind will God has given in His Word finally be saved. Many regard the decisive evidence that He will threatenings of the Bible as designed punish the transgressors of His law. merely to frighten men into obedi- Those who flatter themselves that ence, and not to be literally fulfilled. He is too merciful to execute justice Thus the sinner can live in selfish upon the sinner, have only to look to pleasure, disregarding the require- the cross of Calvary. The death of the ments of God, and yet expect to be spotless Son of God testifies that “the finally received into His favor. Such wages of sin is death,” that every a doctrine, presuming upon God’s violation of God’s law must receive mercy, but ignoring His justice, its just retribution. Christ the sinless pleases the carnal heart and embold- became sin for man. He bore the ens the wicked in their iniquity. guilt of transgression, and the hiding 26 On The Edge of Time of His Father’s face, until His heart Ephesians 5:5, A.R.V. “Follow peace was broken and His life crushed out. with all men, and holiness, without All this sacrifice was made that which no man shall see the Lord.” sinners might be redeemed. In no Hebrews 12:14. “Blessed are they other way could man be freed from that do His commandments, that the penalty of sin. And every soul they may have right to the tree of life, that refuses to become a partaker of and may enter in through the gates the atonement provided at such a into the city. For without are dogs, cost must bear in his own person the and sorcerers, and whoremongers, guilt and punishment of transgres- and murderers, and idolaters, and sion. whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” The Lord declares by the prophet Revelation 22:14,15. Isaiah: “Say ye to the righteous, that God has given to men a declara- it shall be well with him.” “Woe unto tion of His character and of His the wicked! It shall be ill with him: method of dealing with sin. “The for the reward of his hands shall be Lord God, merciful and gracious, given him.” Isaiah 3:10,11. “Though long-suffering and abundant in a sinner do evil an hundred times,” goodness and truth, keeping mercy says the wise man, “and his days be for thousands, forgiving iniquity prolonged, yet surely I know that it and transgression and sin, and that shall be well with them that fear will by no means clear the guilty.” God, which fear before Him: but it Exodus 34:6,7. “All the wicked will shall not be well with the wicked.” He destroy.” “The transgressors Ecclesiastes 8:12,13. And Paul shall be destroyed together: the end testifies that the sinner is treasuring of the wicked shall be cut off.” up unto himself “wrath against the Psalms 145:20; 37:38. The power and day of wrath and revelation of the authority of the divine government righteous judgment of God; who will be employed to put down will render to every man according rebellion; yet all the manifestations to his deeds;” “tribulation and of retributive justice will be perfectly anguish upon every soul of man that consistent with the character of God doeth evil.” Romans 2:5,6,9. as a merciful, long-suffering, “No fornicator, nor unclean benevolent being. person, nor covetous man, who is an God does not force the will or idolater, hath any inheritance in the judgment of any. He takes no kingdom of Christ and God.” pleasure in a slavish obedience. He Grave Lessons 27 desires that the creatures of His that He abhors their sins. The Lord hands shall love Him because He is bears long with their perversity; but worthy of love. He would have them the decisive hour will come at last, obey Him because they have an when their destiny is to be decided. intelligent appreciation of His Will He then chain these rebels to wisdom, justice, and benevolence. His side? Will He force them to do And all who have a just conception His will? of these qualities will love Him Those who have chosen Satan as because they are drawn toward Him their leader and have been con- in admiration of His attributes. trolled by his power are not pre- The principles of kindness, mercy, pared to enter the presence of God. and love, taught and exemplified by Pride, deception, licentiousness, our Saviour, are a transcript of the cruelty, have become fixed in their will and character of God. Christ characters. Can they enter heaven to declared that He taught nothing dwell forever with those whom they except that which He had received despised and hated on earth? Truth from His Father. The principles of will never be agreeable to a liar; the divine government are in perfect meekness will not satisfy self-esteem harmony with the Saviour’s precept, and pride; purity is not acceptable to “Love your enemies.” God executes the corrupt; disinterested love does justice upon the wicked, for the good not appear attractive to the selfish. of the universe, and even for the What source of enjoyment could good of those upon whom His heaven offer to those who are wholly judgments are visited. He would absorbed in earthly and selfish make them happy if He could do so interests? in accordance with the laws of His Could those whose lives have government and the justice of His been spent in rebellion against God character. He surrounds them with be suddenly transported to heaven the tokens of His love, He grants and witness the high, the holy state them a knowledge of His law, and of perfection that ever exists there,— follows them with the offers of His every soul filled with love, every mercy; but they despise His love, countenance beaming with joy, make void His law, and reject His enrapturing music in melodious mercy. While constantly receiving strains rising in honor of God and His gifts, they dishonor the Giver; the Lamb, and ceaseless streams of they hate God because they know light flowing upon the redeemed 28 On The Edge of Time from the face of Him who sitteth turn from transgression to obedi- upon the throne,—could those ence, from hatred to love. whose hearts are filled with hatred In sparing the life of Cain the of God, of truth and holiness, mingle murderer, God gave the world an with the heavenly throng and join example of what would be the result their songs of praise? Could they of permitting the sinner to live to endure the glory of God and the continue a course of unbridled Lamb? No, no! Years of probation iniquity. Through the influence of were granted them that they might Cain’s teaching and example, form characters for heaven; but they multitudes of his descendants were have never trained the mind to love led into sin, until “the wickedness of purity; they have never learned the man was great in the earth” and language of heaven, and now it is too “every imagination of the thoughts late. A life of rebellion against God of his heart was only evil continu- has unfitted them for heaven. Its ally.” “The earth also was corrupt purity, holiness, and peace would be before God, and the earth was filled torture to them; the glory of God with violence.” Genesis 6:5,11. would be a consuming fire. They In mercy to the world, God would long to flee from that holy blotted out its wicked inhabitants in place. They would welcome destruc- Noah’s time. In mercy He destroyed tion, that they might be hidden from the corrupt dwellers in Sodom. the face of Him who died to redeem Through the deceptive power of them. The destiny of the wicked is Satan the workers of iniquity obtain fixed by their own choice. Their sympathy and admiration, and are exclusion from heaven is voluntary thus constantly leading others to with themselves, and just and rebellion. It was so in Cain’s and in merciful on the part of God. Noah’s day, and in the time of Like the waters of the Flood, the Abraham and Lot; it is so in our time. fires of the great day declare God’s It is in mercy to the universe that verdict that the wicked are incur- God will finally destroy the rejecters able. They have no disposition to of His grace. submit to divine authority. Their “The wages of sin is death; but the will has been exercised in revolt; and gift of God is eternal life through when life is ended, it is too late to Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. turn the current of their thoughts in While life is the inheritance of the the opposite direction, too late to righteous, death is the portion of the Grave Lessons 29 wicked. Moses declared to Israel: “I penalty of transgression, “the wages have set before thee this day life of sin.” They suffer punishment and good, and death and evil.” varying in duration and intensity, Deuteronomy 30:15. The death “according to their works,” but referred to in these scriptures is not finally ending in the second death. that pronounced upon Adam, for all Since it is impossible for God, mankind suffer the penalty of his consistently with His justice and transgression. It is “the second mercy, to save the sinner in his sins, death” that is placed in contrast with He deprives him of the existence everlasting life. which his transgressions have In consequence of Adam’s sin, forfeited and of which he has proved death passed upon the whole himself unworthy. Says an inspired human race. All alike go down into writer: “Yet a little while, and the the grave. And through the provi- wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt sions of the plan of salvation, all are diligently consider his place, and it to be brought forth from their shall not be.” And another declares: graves. “There shall be a resurrec- “They shall be as though they had tion of the dead, both of the just and not been.” Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16. unjust;” “for as in Adam all die, even Covered with infamy, they sink into so in Christ shall all be made alive.” hopeless, eternal oblivion. Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:22. But a distinction is made between the two “There shall be classes that are brought forth. “All A RESURRECTION that are in the graves shall hear His of the dead, both of voice, and shall come forth; they that the just and unjust.” have done good, unto the resurrec- tion of life; and they that have done Acts 24:15 evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28,29. They who Thus will be made an end of sin, have been “accounted worthy” of with all the woe and ruin which have the resurrection of life are “blessed resulted from it. Says the psalmist: and holy.” “On such the second “Thou hast destroyed the wicked, death hath no power.” Revelation Thou hast put out their name forever 20:6. But those who have not, and ever. O thou enemy, destruc- through repentance and faith, tions are come to a perpetual end.” secured pardon, must receive the Psalm 9:5,6. John, in the Revelation, 30 On The Edge of Time looking forward to the eternal state, impenitent is consigned to the hears a universal anthem of praise flames of hell! To what depths of undisturbed by one note of discord. anguish must those be plunged who Every creature in heaven and earth see their friends passing to the grave was heard ascribing glory to God. unprepared, to enter upon an Revelation 5:13. There will then be eternity of woe and sin! Many have no lost souls to blaspheme God been driven to insanity by this as they writhe in never-ending harrowing thought. torment; no wretched beings in hell What say the Scriptures concern- will mingle their shrieks with the ing these things? David declares that songs of the saved. man is not conscious in death. “His Upon the fundamental error of breath goeth forth, he returneth to natural immortality rests the his earth; in that very day his doctrine of consciousness in thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:4. death—a doctrine, like eternal Solomon bears the same testimony: torment, opposed to the teachings of “The living know that they shall die: the Scriptures, to the dictates of but the dead know not anything.” reason, and to our feelings of “Their love, and their hatred, and humanity. According to the popular their envy, is now perished; neither belief, the redeemed in heaven are have they any more a portion forever acquainted with all that takes place in anything that is done under the on the earth and especially with the sun.” “There is no work, nor device, lives of the friends whom they have nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in left behind. But how could it be a the grave, whither thou goest.” source of happiness to the dead to Ecclesiastes 9:5,6,10. know the troubles of the living, to When, in answer to his prayer, witness the sins committed by their Hezekiah’s life was prolonged own loved ones, and to see them fifteen years, the grateful king enduring all the sorrows, disap- rendered to God a tribute of praise pointments, and anguish of life? for His great mercy. In this song he How much of heaven’s bliss would tells the reason why he thus rejoices: be enjoyed by those who were “The grave cannot praise Thee, hovering over their friends on earth? death cannot celebrate Thee: they And how utterly revolting is the that go down into the pit cannot belief that as soon as the breath hope for Thy truth. The living, the leaves the body the soul of the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do Grave Lessons 31 this day.” Isaiah 38:18,19. Popular tion, “they also which are fallen theology represents the righteous asleep in Christ are perished”? No dead as in heaven, entered into bliss resurrection would be necessary. and praising God with an immortal It is an undeniable fact that the tongue; but Hezekiah could see no hope of immortal blessedness at such glorious prospect in death. death has led to a widespread With his words agrees the testimony neglect of the Bible doctrine of the of the psalmist: “In death there is no resurrection. The doctrine of the remembrance of Thee: in the grave resurrection appears to have been who shall give Thee thanks?” “The thought of much more consequence dead praise not the Lord, neither any among the primitive Christians than that go down into silence.” Psalms it is now! How is this? The apostles 6:5; 115:17. were continually insisting on it, and Peter on the Day of Pentecost exciting the followers of God to declared that the patriarch David “is diligence, obedience, and cheer- both dead and buried, and his fulness through it. And their sepulcher is with us unto this day.” successors in the present day seldom “For David is not ascended into the mention it! So apostles preached, heavens.” Acts 2:29,34. The fact that and so primitive Christians David remains in the grave until the believed; so we preach, and so our resurrection proves that the righ- hearers believe. There is not a teous do not go to heaven at death. It doctrine in the gospel on which is only through the resurrection, and more stress is laid; and there is not a by virtue of the fact that Christ has doctrine in the present system of risen, that David can at last sit at the preaching which is treated with right hand of God. more neglect! And said Paul: “If the dead rise But when about to leave His not, then is not Christ raised: and if disciples, Jesus did not tell them that Christ be not raised, your faith is they would soon come to Him. “I go vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then to prepare a place for you,” He said. they also which are fallen asleep in “And if I go and prepare a place for Christ are perished.” I Corinthians you, I will come again, and receive 15:16-18. If for four thousand years you unto Myself.” John 14:2,3. And the righteous had gone directly to Paul tells us, further, that “the Lord heaven at death, how could Paul Himself shall descend from heaven have said that if there is no resurrec- with a shout, with the voice of the 32 On The Edge of Time

Archangel, and with the trump of ordained; whereof He hath given God: and the dead in Christ shall rise assurance unto all men, in that He first: then we which are alive and hath raised Him from the dead.” remain shall be caught up together Acts 17:31. Here the apostle plainly with them in the clouds, to meet the stated that a specified time, then Lord in the air: and so shall we ever future, had been fixed upon for the be with the Lord.” And he adds: judgment of the world. “Comfort one another with these Jude refers to the same period: words.” I Thessalonians 4:16-18. “The angels which kept not their Paul points his brethren to the future first estate, but left their own coming of the Lord, when the fetters habitation, He hath reserved in of the tomb shall be broken, and the everlasting chains under darkness “dead in Christ” shall be raised to unto the judgment of the great day.” eternal life. And, again, he quotes the words of Enoch: “Behold, the Lord cometh But if the dead are already with ten thousands of His saints, to enjoying the bliss of execute judgment upon all.” Jude 6, heaven or writhing in 14,15. John declares that he “saw the dead, small and great, stand before the flames of hell, God; and the books were opened . . . what need of a future and the dead were judged out of judgment? those things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12. Before any can enter the mansions But if the dead are already of the blessed, their cases must be enjoying the bliss of heaven or investigated, and their characters writhing in the flames of hell, what and their deeds must pass in review need of a future judgment? The before God. All are to be judged teachings of God’s Word on these according to the things written in the important points are neither obscure books and to be rewarded as their nor contradictory; they may be works have been. This judgment understood by common minds. But does not take place at death. Mark what candid mind can see either the words of Paul: “He hath wisdom or justice in the current appointed a day, in the which He theory? Will the righteous, after the will judge the world in righteous- investigation of their cases at the ness by that Man whom He hath judgment, receive the commenda- Grave Lessons 33 tion, “Well done, thou good and grave are in silence. They know no faithful servant. . . enter thou into the more of anything that is done under joy of thy Lord,” when they have the sun. Job 14:21. Blessed rest for the been dwelling in His presence, weary righteous! Time, be it long or perhaps for long ages? Are the short, is but a moment to them. They wicked summoned from the place of sleep; they are awakened by the torment to receive sentence from the trump of God to a glorious immor- Judge of all the earth: “Depart from tality. “For the trumpet shall sound, Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire”? and the dead shall be raised incor- Matthew 25:21,41. Oh, solemn ruptible. . . . So when this corruptible mockery! Shameful impeachment of shall have put on incorruption, and the wisdom and justice of God! this mortal shall have put on Nowhere in the Sacred Scriptures immortality, then shall be brought to is found the statement that the pass the saying that is written, Death righteous go to their reward or the is swallowed up in victory.” I wicked to their punishment at death. Corinthians 15:52-54. As they are The patriarchs and prophets have called forth from their deep slumber left no such assurance. Christ and they begin to think just where they His apostles have given no hint of it. ceased. The last sensation was the The Bible clearly teaches that the pang of death; the last thought, that dead do not go immediately to they were falling beneath the power heaven. They are represented as of the grave. When they arise from sleeping until the resurrection. I the tomb, their first glad thought Thessalonians 4:14; Job 14:10-12. In will be echoed in the triumphal the very day when the silver cord is shout: “O death, where is thy sting? loosed and the golden bowl broken O grave, where is thy victory?” Verse (Ecclesiastes 12:6), man’s thoughts 55. perish. They that go down to the

Bible Answers: The Truth about Death www.peacefinders.org/death 34 On The Edge of Time

The doctrine of man’s conscious- The fallen angels who do his bidding ness in death, especially the belief appear as messengers from the spirit that spirits of the dead return to world. While professing to bring the minister to the living, has prepared living into communication with the theT way for modern spiritualism. If dead, the prince of evil exercises his the dead are admitted to the bewitching influence upon their presence of God and holy angels, minds. and privileged with knowledge far He has power to bring before men exceeding what they before pos- the appearance of their departed sessed, why should they not return friends. The counterfeit is perfect; to the earth to enlighten and instruct the familiar look, the words, the the living? If, as taught by popular tone, are reproduced with marvel- theologians, spirits of the dead are ous distinctness. Many are com- hovering about their friends on forted with the assurance that their earth, why should they not be loved ones are enjoying the bliss of permitted to communicate with heaven, and without suspicion of them, to warn them against evil, or to danger, they give ear “to seducing comfort them in sorrow? How can spirits, and doctrines of devils.” those who believe in man’s con- When they have been led to sciousness in death reject what believe that the dead actually return comes to them as divine light to communicate with them, Satan communicated by glorified spirits? causes those to appear who went Here is a channel regarded as sacred, into the grave unprepared. They through which Satan works for the claim to be happy in heaven and accomplishment of his purposes. even to occupy exalted positions

He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. Grave Lessons 35 there, and thus the error is widely But while it is true that the results of taught that no difference is made trickery have often been palmed off between the righteous and the as genuine manifestations, there wicked. The pretended visitants have been, also, marked exhibitions from the world of spirits sometimes of supernatural power. The mysteri- utter cautions and warnings which ous rapping with which modern prove to be correct. Then, as spiritualism began was not the result confidence is gained, they present of human trickery or cunning, but doctrines that directly undermine was the direct work of evil angels, faith in the Scriptures. With an who thus introduced one of the appearance of deep interest in the most successful of soul-destroying well-being of their friends on earth, delusions. Many will be ensnared they insinuate the most dangerous through the belief that spiritualism errors. The fact that they state some is a merely human imposture; when truths, and are able at times to brought face to face with manifesta- foretell future events, gives to their tions which they cannot but regard statements an appearance of reli- as supernatural, they will be ability; and their false teachings are deceived and will be led to accept accepted by the multitudes as them as the great power of God. readily, and believed as implicitly, These persons overlook the as if they were the most sacred truths testimony of the Scriptures concern- of the Bible. The law of God is set ing the wonders wrought by Satan aside, the Spirit of grace despised, and his agents. It was by satanic aid the blood of the covenant counted an that Pharaoh’s magicians were unholy thing. The spirits deny the enabled to counterfeit the work of deity of Christ and place even the God. Paul testifies that before the Creator on a level with themselves. second advent of Christ there will be Thus under a new disguise, the great similar manifestations of satanic rebel still carries on his warfare power. The coming of the Lord is to against God, begun in heaven and be preceded by “the working of for nearly six thousand years Satan with all power and signs and continued upon the earth. lying wonders, and with all deceiv- Many endeavor to account for ableness of unrighteousness.” spiritual manifestations by attribut- 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10. And the ing them wholly to fraud and sleight apostle John, describing the miracle- of hand on the part of the medium. working power that will be mani- 36 On The Edge of Time fested in the last days, declares: “He called, are declared by the Bible to be doeth great wonders, so that he “the spirits of devils.” (Compare maketh fire come down from heaven Numbers 25:1-3; Psalm 106:28; I on the earth in the sight of men, and Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14.) deceiveth them that dwell on the The work of dealing with familiar earth by the means of those miracles spirits was pronounced an abomina- which he had power to do.” tion to the Lord and was solemnly Revelation 13:13,14. No mere forbidden under penalty of death. impostures are here foretold. Men Leviticus 19:31; 20:27. The very are deceived by the miracles which name of witchcraft is now held in Satan’s agents have power to do, not contempt. The claim that men can which they pretend to do. hold communication with evil But none need be deceived by the spirits is regarded as a fable of the lying claims of spiritualism. God has Dark Ages. But spiritualism, which given the world sufficient light to numbers its converts by hundreds of enable them to discover the snare. As thousands, yea, by millions, which already shown, the theory which has made its way into scientific forms the very foundation of circles, which has invaded churches, spiritualism is at war with the and has found favor in legislative plainest statements of Scripture. The bodies, and even in the courts of Bible declares that the dead know kings~this mammoth deception is not anything, that their thoughts but a revival, in a new disguise, of have perished; they have no part in the witchcraft condemned and anything that is done under the sun; prohibited of old. they know nothing of the joys or If there were no other evidence of sorrows of those who were dearest the real character of spiritualism, it to them on earth. should be enough for the Christian Furthermore, God has expressly that the spirits make no difference forbidden all pretended communi- between righteousness and sin, cation with departed spirits. In the between the noblest and purest of days of the Hebrews there was a the apostles of Christ and the most class of people who claimed, as do corrupt of the servants of Satan. By the spiritualists of today, to hold representing the basest of men as in communication with the dead. But heaven, and highly exalted there, the “familiar spirits,” as these Satan says to the world: “No matter visitants from other worlds were how wicked you are; no matter Grave Lessons 37 whether you believe or disbelieve It is true that spiritualism is now God and the Bible; live as you please; changing its form and, veiling some heaven is your home.” The spiritual- of its more objectionable features, is ist teachers virtually declare: assuming a Christian guise. But its “Everyone that doeth evil is good in utterances from the platform and the the sight of the Lord, and He press have been before the public for delighteth in them; or, Where is the many years, and in these its real God of judgment?” Malachi 2:17. character stands revealed. These Saith the Word of God: “Woe unto teachings cannot be denied or them that call evil good, and good hidden. evil; that put darkness for light, and Even in its present form, so far light for darkness.” Isaiah 5:20. from being more worthy of tolera- The apostles, as personated by tion than formerly, it is really more these lying spirits, are made to dangerous because it is a more contradict what they wrote at the subtle deception. While it formerly dictation of the Holy Spirit when on denounced Christ and the Bible, it earth. They deny the divine origin of now professes to accept both. The the Bible, and thus tear away the Bible is interpreted in a manner that foundation of the Christian’s hope is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, and put out the light that reveals the while its solemn and vital truths are way to heaven. Satan is making the made of no effect. Love is dwelt world believe that the Bible is a mere upon as the chief attribute of God, fiction, or at least a book suited to the but it is degraded to a weak senti- infancy of the race, but now to be mentalism, making little distinction lightly regarded, or cast aside as between good and evil. God’s obsolete. And to take the place of the justice, His denunciations of sin, the word of God, he holds out spiritual requirements of His holy law, are all manifestations. Here is a channel kept out of sight. The people are wholly under his control; by this taught to regard the Decalogue as a means he can make the world dead letter. Pleasing, bewitching believe what he will. The Book that is fables captivate the senses and lead to judge him and his followers he men to reject the Bible as the puts in the shade, just where he foundation of their faith. Christ is as wants it; the Saviour of the world he verily denied as before; but Satan makes to be no more than a common has so blinded the eyes of the people man. that the deception is not discerned. 38 On The Edge of Time

There are few who have any just they shall say unto you, Seek unto conception of the deceptive power of them that have familiar spirits, and spiritualism and the danger of unto wizards that peep, and that coming under its influence. Many mutter: should not a people seek tamper with it merely to gratify their unto their God? for the living to the curiosity. They have no real faith in it dead? To the law and to the testi- and would be filled with horror at mony: if they speak not according to the thought of yielding themselves this word, it is because there is no to the spirits’ control. But they light in them.” Isaiah 8:19,20. If men venture upon the forbidden ground, had been willing to receive the truth and the mighty destroyer exercises so plainly stated in the Scriptures his power upon them against their concerning the nature of man and will. Let them once be induced to the state of the dead, they would see submit their minds to his direction, in the claims and manifestations of and he holds them captive. It is spiritualism the working of Satan impossible, in their own strength, to with power and signs and lying break away from the bewitching, wonders. But rather than yield the alluring spell. Nothing but the liberty so agreeable to the carnal power of God, granted in answer to heart, and renounce the sins which the earnest prayer of faith, can they love, multitudes close their eyes deliver these ensnared souls. to the light and walk straight on, All who indulge sinful traits of regardless of warnings, while Satan character, or willfully cherish a weaves his snares about them, and known sin, are inviting the tempta- they become his prey. “Because they tions of Satan. They separate received not the love of the truth, themselves from God and from the that they might be saved,” therefore watchcare of His angels; as the evil “God shall send them strong one presents his deceptions, they are delusion, that they should believe a without defense and fall an easy lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11. prey. Those who thus place them- Those who oppose the teachings selves in his power little realize of spiritualism are assailing, not men where their course will end. Having alone, but Satan and his angels. They achieved their overthrow, the have entered upon a contest against tempter will employ them as his principalities and powers and agents to lure others to ruin. wicked spirits in high places. Satan Says the prophet Isaiah: “When will not yield one inch of ground Grave Lessons 39 except as he is driven back by the know not anything and that they power of heavenly messengers. The who thus appear are the spirits of people of God should be able to meet devils. him, as did our Saviour, with the Just before us is “the hour of words: “It is written.” Satan can temptation, which shall come upon quote Scripture now as in the days of all the world, to try them that dwell Christ, and he will pervert its upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10. All teachings to sustain his delusions. whose faith is not firmly established Those who would stand in this time upon the word of God will be of peril must understand for deceived and overcome. Satan themselves the testimony of the “works with all deceivableness of Scriptures. unrighteousness” to gain control of Many will be confronted by the the children of men, and his decep- spirits of devils personating beloved tions will continually increase. But relatives or friends and declaring the he can gain his object only as men most dangerous heresies. These voluntarily yield to his temptations. visitants will appeal to our tenderest Those who are earnestly seeking a sympathies and will work miracles knowledge of the truth and are to sustain their pretensions. We striving to purify their souls through must be prepared to withstand them obedience, thus doing what they can with the Bible truth that the dead to prepare for the conflict, will find,

Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils person- ating beloved relatives or friends and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils. 40 On The Edge of Time in the God of truth, a sure defense. prepared the way for his master- “Because thou hast kept the word of piece of deception in the develop- My patience, I also will keep thee” ment of spiritualism. He has not yet (Revelation 3:10), is the Saviour’s reached the full accomplishment of promise. He would sooner send his designs; but it will be reached in every angel out of heaven to protect the last remnant of time. Says the His people than leave one soul that prophet: “I saw three unclean spirits trusts in Him to be overcome by like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of Satan. devils, working miracles, which go Satan has long been preparing for forth unto the kings of the earth and his final effort to deceive the world. of the whole world, to gather them to The foundation of his work was laid the battle of that great day of God by the assurance given to Eve in Almighty.” Revelation 16:13,14. Eden: “Ye shall not surely die.” “In Except those who are kept by the the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes power of God, through faith in His shall be opened, and ye shall be as word, the whole world will be swept gods, knowing good and evil.” into the ranks of this delusion. Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has

Long has Satan been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden, “Ye shall not surely die.” Love’s Last Call

Three Angels’ Messages First Angel’s Message: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Second Angel’s Message: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

Third Angel’s Message: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”

Revelation 14:7-10 Love’s Last Call

One of the most solemn and yet to behold from afar the coming of the most glorious truths revealed in the Deliverer. “Behold,” he declared, Bible is that of Christ’s second “the Lord cometh with ten thou- coming to complete the great work sands of His saints, to execute Oof redemption. The doctrine of the judgment upon all.” Jude 14,15. The second advent is the very keynote of patriarch Job in the night of his the Sacred Scriptures. From the day affliction exclaimed with unshaken when the first pair turned their trust: “I know that my Redeemer sorrowing steps from Eden, the liveth, and that He shall stand at the children of faith have waited the latter day upon the earth:. . . in my coming of the Promised One to flesh shall I see God: whom I shall break the destroyer’s power and see for myself, and mine eyes shall bring them again to the lost Paradise. behold, and not another.” Job 19:25- Holy men of old looked forward to 27. the advent of the Messiah in glory, as Said the prophet Isaiah: “Awake the consummation of their hope. and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for Enoch, only the seventh in descent thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and from them that dwelt in Eden, he the earth shall cast out the dead.” who for three centuries on earth “Thy dead men shall live, together walked with his God, was permitted with my dead body shall they arise.”

“Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” Revelation 1:7 44 On The Edge of Time

“He will swallow up death in of His return: “This same Jesus, victory; and the Lord God will wipe which is taken up from you into away tears from off all faces; and the heaven, shall so come in like manner rebuke of His people shall He take as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” away from off all the earth: for the Acts 1:11. And the apostle Paul, Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be speaking by the Spirit of Inspiration, said in that day, Lo, this is our God; testified: “The Lord Himself shall we have waited for Him, and He will descend from heaven with a shout, save us: this is the Lord; we have with the voice of the Archangel, and waited for Him, we will be glad and with the trump of God.” 1 rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 26:19; Thessalonians 4:16. Says the prophet 25:8,9. of Patmos: “Behold, He cometh with When the Saviour was about to be clouds; and every eye shall see separated from His disciples, He Him.” Revelation 1:7.

The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers. comforted them in their sorrow with The coming of the Lord has been the assurance that He would come in all ages the hope of His true again: “Let not your heart be followers. The Saviour’s parting troubled. . . . In My Father’s house promise upon Olivet, that He would are many mansions. . . . I go to come again, lighted up the future for prepare a place for you. And if I go His disciples, filling their hearts with and prepare a place for you, I will joy and hope that sorrow could not come again, and receive you unto quench nor trials dim. Amid Myself.” John 14:1-3. “The Son of suffering and persecution, the man shall come in His glory, and all “appearing of the great God and our the holy angels with Him.” “Then Saviour Jesus Christ” was the shall He sit upon the throne of His “blessed hope.” When the Thessa- glory: and before Him shall be lonian Christians were filled with gathered all nations.” Matthew grief as they buried their loved ones, 25:31,32. who had hoped to live to witness the The angels who lingered upon coming of the Lord, Paul, their Olivet after Christ’s ascension teacher, pointed them to the repeated to the disciples the promise resurrection, to take place at the Love’s Last Call 45

Saviour’s advent. Then the dead in followers to the budding trees of Christ should rise, and together with spring, and said: “When they now the living be caught up to meet the shoot forth, ye see and know of your Lord in the air. “And so,” he said, own selves that summer is now nigh “shall we ever be with the Lord. at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see Wherefore comfort one another with these things come to pass, know ye these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16- that the kingdom of God is nigh at 18. On rocky Patmos the beloved hand.” Luke 21:28,30,31. disciple hears the promise, “Surely I When the Saviour pointed out to come quickly,” and his longing His followers the signs of His return, response voices the prayer of the He foretold the state of backsliding church in all her pilgrimage, “Even that would exist just prior to His so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation second advent. There would be, as in 22:20. the days of Noah, the activity and Prophecy not only foretells the stir of worldly business and pleasure manner and object of Christ’s seeking, buying, selling, planting, coming, but presents tokens by building, marrying, and giving in which men are to know when it is marriage with forgetfulness of God near. Said Jesus: “There shall be and the future life. For those living at signs in the sun, and in the moon, this time, Christ’s admonition is: and in the stars.” Luke 21:25. “The “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any sun shall be darkened, and the moon time your hearts be overcharged shall not give her light, and the stars with surfeiting, and drunkenness, of heaven shall fall, and the powers and cares of this life, and so that day that are in heaven shall be shaken. come upon you unawares.” “Watch And then shall they see the Son of ye therefore, and pray always, that man coming in the clouds with great ye may be accounted worthy to power and glory.” Mark 13:24-26. escape all these things that shall Christ had bidden His people come to pass, and to stand before the watch for the signs of His advent and Son of man.” Luke 21:34,36. rejoice as they should behold the The condition of the church at this tokens of their coming King. “When time is pointed out in the Saviour’s these things begin to come to pass,” words in the Revelation: “Thou hast He said, “then look up, and lift up a name that thou livest, and art your heads; for your redemption dead.” And to those who refuse to draweth nigh.” He pointed His arouse from their careless security, 46 On The Edge of Time the solemn warning is addressed: “If impressive language, calls upon His therefore thou shalt not watch, I will people to arouse from their spiritual come on thee as a thief, and thou lethargy and to seek His face with shalt not know what hour I will repentance and humiliation: “Blow come upon thee.” Revelation 3:1,3. ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an It is needful that men should be alarm in My holy mountain: let all awakened to their danger; that they the inhabitants of the land tremble: should be roused to prepare for the for the day of the Lord cometh, for it solemn events connected with the is nigh at hand.” “Sanctify a fast, call close of probation. The prophet of a solemn assembly: gather the God declares: “The day of the Lord is people, sanctify the congregation, great and very terrible; and who can assemble the elders, gather the abide it?” Who shall stand when He children: . . . let the bridegroom go appeareth who is “of purer eyes than forth of his chamber, and the bride to behold evil,” and cannot “look on out of her closet. Let the priests, the iniquity”? Joel 2:11; Habakkuk 1:13. ministers of the Lord, weep between The prophet Jeremiah, looking the porch and the altar.” “Turn ye forward to this fearful time, even to Me with all your heart, and exclaimed: “I am pained at my very with fasting, and with weeping, and heart. . . . I cannot hold my peace, with mourning: and rend your heart, because thou hast heard, O my soul, and not your garments, and turn the sound of the trumpet, the alarm unto the Lord your God: for He is of war. Destruction upon destruc- gracious and merciful, slow to tion is cried.” Jeremiah 4:19,20. anger, and of great kindness.” Joel “That day is a day of wrath, a day 2:1,15-17,12,13. of trouble and distress, a day of To prepare a people to stand in the wasteness and desolation, a day of day of God, a great work of reform is darkness and gloominess, a day of to be accomplished. God sees that clouds and thick darkness, a day of many of His professed people are the trumpet and alarm.” Zephaniah not building for eternity, and in His 1:15,16. “Behold, the day of the Lord mercy He sends a message of cometh, . . . to lay the land desolate: warning to arouse them from their and He shall destroy the sinners stupor and lead them to make ready thereof out of it.” Isaiah 13:9. for the coming of the Lord. In view of that great day the word This warning is brought to view in of God, in the most solemn and Revelation 14. Here is a threefold Love’s Last Call 47 message represented as proclaimed power of God would have been by heavenly beings and immedi- manifested among them. The church ately followed by the coming of the would again have reached that Son of man to reap “the harvest of blessed state of unity, faith, and love the earth.” The first of these warn- which existed in apostolic days, ings announces the approaching when the believers “were of one judgment. The prophet beheld an heart and of one soul,” and “spake angel flying “in the midst of heaven, the word of God with boldness,” having the everlasting gospel to when “the Lord added to the church preach unto them that dwell on the daily such as should be saved.” Acts earth, and to every nation, and 4:32,31; 2:47. kindred, and tongue, and people, If God’s professed people would saying with a loud voice, Fear God, receive the light as it shines upon and give glory to Him; for the hour them from His word, they would of His judgment is come: and reach that unity for which Christ worship Him that made heaven, and prayed, that which the apostle earth, and the sea, and the fountains describes, “the unity of the Spirit in of waters.” Revelation 14:6,7. the bond of peace.” “There is,” he The first angel’s message of says, “one body, and one Spirit, even Revelation 14, announcing the hour as ye are called in one hope of your of God’s judgment and calling upon calling; one Lord, one faith, one men to fear and worship Him, was baptism.” Ephesians 4:3-5. designed to separate the professed In Revelation 14 the first angel is people of God from the corrupting followed by a second proclaiming: influences of the world and to arouse “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that them to see their true condition of great city, because she made all worldliness and backsliding. In this nations drink of the wine of the message, God has sent to the church wrath of her fornication.” Revelation a warning, which, had it been 14:8. The term “Babylon” is derived accepted, would have corrected the from “Babel,” and signifies con- evils that were shutting them away fusion. It is employed in Scripture to from Him. Had they received the designate the various forms of false message from heaven, humbling or apostate religion. In Revelation their hearts before the Lord and 17, Babylon is represented as a seeking in sincerity a preparation to woman, a figure which is used in the stand in His presence, the Spirit and Bible as the symbol of a church, a 48 On The Edge of Time virtuous woman representing a pure saith the Lord God, and thou church, a vile woman an apostate becamest Mine.” “And thou wast church. exceeding beautiful and thou didst In the Bible the sacred and prosper into a kingdom. And thy enduring character of the relation renown went forth among the that exists between Christ and His heathen for thy beauty: for it was church is represented by the union perfect through My comeliness, of marriage. The Lord has joined His which I had put upon thee. . . . But people to Himself by a solemn thou didst trust in thine own beauty, covenant, He promising to be their and playedst the harlot because of God, and they pledging themselves thy renown.” “As a wife treacher- to be His and His alone. He declares: ously departeth from her husband, “I will betroth thee unto Me forever; so have ye dealt treacherously with yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in Me, O house of Israel, saith the righteousness, and in judgment, and Lord;” “as a wife that committeth in loving-kindness, and in mercies.” adultery, which taketh strangers Hosea 2:19. And, again: “I am instead of her husband!” Ezekiel married unto you.” Jeremiah 3:14. 16:8,13-15,32; Jeremiah 3:20. And Paul employs the same figure in In the New Testament, language the New Testament when he says: “I very similar is addressed to pro- have espoused you to one husband, fessed Christians who seek the that I may present you as a chaste friendship of the world above the virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2. favor of God. Says the apostle James: The unfaithfulness of the church “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, to Christ in permitting her confi- know ye not that the friendship of dence and affection to be turned the world is enmity with God? from Him, and allowing the love of Whosoever therefore will be a friend worldly things to occupy the soul, is of the world is the enemy of God.” likened to the violation of the James 4:4. marriage vow. The sin of Israel in T h e w o m a n ( B a b y l o n ) o f departing from the Lord is pre- Revelation 17 is described as sented under this figure; and the “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, wonderful love of God which they and decked with gold and precious thus despised is touchingly por- stones and pearls, having a golden trayed: “I sware unto thee, and cup in her hand full of abominations entered into a covenant with thee, and filthiness: . . . and upon her fore- Love’s Last Call 49 head was a name written, Mystery, Babylon is said to be “the mother Babylon the Great, the mother of of harlots.” By her daughters must harlots.” Says the prophet: “I saw the be symbolized churches that cling to woman drunk with the blood of the her doctrines and traditions, and saints, and with the blood of the follow her example of sacrificing the martyrs of Jesus.” Babylon is further truth and the approval of God, in declared to be “that great city, which order to form an unlawful alliance reigneth over the kings of the earth.” with the world. The message of Revelation 17:4-6,18. The power that Revelation 14, announcing the fall of for so many centuries maintained Babylon must apply to religious despotic sway over the monarchs of bodies that were once pure and have Christendom is Rome. The purple become corrupt. Since this message and scarlet color, the gold and follows the warning of the judg- precious stones and pearls, vividly ment, it must be given in the last picture the magnificence and more days; therefore it cannot refer to the than kingly pomp affected by the Roman Church alone, for that haughty see of Rome. And no other church has been in a fallen condition power could be so truly declared for many centuries. Furthermore, in “drunken with the blood of the the eighteenth chapter of the saints” as that church which has so Revelation the people of God are cruelly persecuted the followers of called upon to come out of Babylon. Christ. Babylon is also charged with According to this scripture, many of the sin of unlawful connection with God’s people must still be in “the kings of the earth.” It was by Babylon. departure from the Lord, and Many of the Protestant churches alliance with the heathen, that the are following Rome’s example of Jewish church became a harlot; and iniquitous connection with “the Rome, corrupting herself in like kings of the earth:” the state manner by seeking the support of churches, by their relation to secular worldly powers, receives a like governments; and other denomina- condemnation. tions, by seeking the favor of the The term “Babylon” may be appropriately applied to these bodies, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects, with widely conflicting creeds and theories. 50 On The Edge of Time world. And the term “Babylon” ones of the earth. Friendship with (confusion) may be appropriately the world corrupts her faith, and in applied to these bodies, all profess- her turn she exerts a corrupting ing to derive their doctrines from the influence upon the world by Bible, yet divided into almost teaching doctrines which are innumerable sects, with widely opposed to the plainest statements of Holy Writ. conflicting creeds and theories. Rome withheld the Bible from the people and required all men to Rome withheld the Bible accept her teachings in its place. It from the people and was the work of the Reformation to required all men to accept restore to men the Word of God; but is it not too true that in the churches her teachings in its place. of our time men are taught to rest It was the work of the their faith upon their creed and the Reformation to restore to teachings of their church rather than men the Word of God; on the Scriptures? Were it not that the world is hopelessly intoxicated but is it not too true that with the wine of Babylon, multi- in the churches of our tudes would be convicted and time men are taught to converted by the plain, cutting rest their faith upon their truths of the word of God. But religious faith appears so confused creed and the teachings of and discordant that the people know their church rather than not what to believe as truth. The sin on the Scriptures? of the world’s impenitence lies at the door of the church. The great sin charged against Notwithstanding the spiritual Babylon is that she “made all nations darkness and alienation from God drink of the wine of the wrath of her that exist in the churches which fornication.” This cup of intoxication constitute Babylon, the great body of which she presents to the world Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion. There represents the false doctrines that are many of these who have never she has accepted as the result of her seen the special truths for this time. unlawful connection with the great Not a few are dissatisfied with their Love’s Last Call 51

present condition and are longing 14:6-12, the church will have fully for clearer light. They look in vain for reached the condition foretold by the the image of Christ in the churches second angel, and the people of God with which they are connected. As still in Babylon will be called upon to these bodies depart further and separate from her communion. This further from the truth, and ally message is the last that will ever be themselves more closely with the given to the world; and it will world, the difference between the accomplish its work. When those two classes will widen, and it will that “believed not the truth, but had finally result in separation. The time pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 will come when those who love God Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to supremely can no longer remain in receive strong delusion and to connection with such as are “lovers believe a lie, then the light of truth of pleasures more than lovers of will shine upon all whose hearts are God; having a form of godliness, but open to receive it, and all the denying the power thereof 2 children of the Lord that remain in Timothy 3:5. Babylon will heed the call: “Come Revelation 18 points to the time out of her, My people” Revelation. when, as the result of rejecting the 18:4. threefold warning of Revelation

“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:2-5 52 Babylon Is Fallen

The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power. He declared that the day of Christ should not come, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” And furthermore, the apostle warns his brethren that “the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7. Even at that early date he saw, creeping into the church, errors that would prepare the way for the development of the papacy. Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, “the mystery of iniquity” carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of “the man of sin” foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power—a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will. ~ The Great Controversy Worship + Obey

The Beast & His Image

Worship & Obey

By the first angel, men are called “All the gods of the nations are idols: upon to “fear God, and give glory to but the Lord made the heavens.” Him” (Revelation 14:7) and to Psalm 96:5. “To whom then will ye worship Him as the Creator of the liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Bheavens and the earth. In order to do Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, this, they must obey His law. Says and behold who hath created these the wise man: “Fear God, and keep things.” “Thus saith the Lord that His commandments: for this is the created the heavens; God Himself whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes that formed the earth and made it: . . . 12:13. Without obedience to His I am the Lord; and there is none commandments no worship can be else.” Isaiah 40:25,26; 45:18. Says the pleasing to God. “This is the love of psalmist: “Know ye that the Lord He God, that we keep His command- is God: it is He that hath made us, ments.” “He that turneth away his and not we ourselves.” “O come, let ear from hearing the law, even his us worship and bow down: let us prayer shall be abomination.” 1 John kneel before the Lord our Maker.” 5:3; Proverbs 28:9. Psalms 100:3; 95:6. And the holy The duty to worship God is based beings who worship God in heaven upon the fact that He is the Creator state, as the reason why their and that to Him all other beings owe homage is due to Him: “Thou art their existence. And wherever in the worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and Bible His claim to reverence and honor and power: for Thou hast worship, above the gods of the created all things.” Revelation 4:11. heathen, is presented, there is cited the evidence of His creative power.

Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God. 56 On The Edge of Time

In Revelation 14, men are called refreshed.” Exodus 31:17. upon to worship the Creator; and the “The importance of the Sabbath as prophecy brings to view a class that, the memorial of creation is that it as the result of the threefold message keeps ever present the true reason are keeping the commandments of why worship is due to God” because God. One of these commandments He is the Creator, and we are His points directly to God as the Creator. creatures. “The Sabbath therefore The fourth precept declares: “The lies at the very foundation of divine seventh day is the Sabbath of the worship, for it teaches this great Lord thy God: . . . for in six days the truth in the most impressive Lord made heaven and earth, the manner, and no other institution sea, and all that in them is, and does this. The true ground of divine rested the seventh day: wherefore worship, not of that on the seventh the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, day merely, but of all worship, is and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:10,11. found in the distinction between the Concerning the Sabbath, the Lord Creator and His creatures. This great says, further, that it is “a sign, . . .that fact can never become obsolete and ye may know that I am the Lord your must never be forgotten.” J. N. God.” Ezekiel 20:20. And the reason Andrews, History of the Sabbath, given is: “For in six days the Lord chapter 27. It was to keep this truth made heaven and earth, and on the ever before the minds of men, that seventh day He rested, and was God instituted the Sabbath in Eden;

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11 In a world gone mad, it’s good to know the end of the story. JESUS WINS!!!

Discover what millions have found in the book of Revelation HOPE Order your FREE Revelation of Hope DVD and join the winning team!

Order Your FREE DVD Today! Call 1-800-728-6872, mail enclosed order card, or visit www.peacefinders.org/rohdvd Find ANSWERS to Life’s BIG Questions FREE BIBLE STUDY COURSE

Dig DEEPER into God’s WORD

EASY TO FOLLOW LESSON GUIDES

See GOD in a Whole NEW LIGHT

FOR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP STUDY

Enroll Today! Call 1-800-728-6872, mail the enclosed order card, or visit www.peacefinders.org/biblestudy You can also order your FREE inspirational Scan this code to request your free materials online or resources online at www.peacefinders.org visit www.peacefinders.org and click on the Free Books There is absolutely no cost or obligation for these materials. Please allow three to four weeks for delivery. Please do not request for anyone other than yourself unless with their permission. link at the top of the page.

Request your YES! Please send me  FREE inspirational the following FREE materials:  resources and q The Great Controversy  findpeace, hope, (See inside back cover)  joy and q B ible Study Course by mail q Revelation of Hope DVD  eternal life! Seminar Disc #1 (See front of this insert) q Please pray for me. Mr Mrs Ms ______My request: circle one please print

Address ______

City ______State ____ ZIP ______q I am interested in FREE Bible study materials for children and youth. Phone ______Email ______q Por favor, envíeme una copia GRATUITA de La Gran Controversia y curso de estudio bíblico GRATIS en español. Are you legally blind? Christian Record Services offers FREE large print and Braille Bible studies and Christian reading materials. Visit www.christianrecord.org/member-services or write: Christian Record Services • 5900 S 58th St. Ste M • Lincoln, NE 68516 to request your FREE materials.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ALIGN PLEASE CONTACT THE US POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BELOW: WITH Thank YouUPPER Doug Deschaine for PayingRIGHT theCORNER FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ALIGN PLEASE CONTACT THE US POSTAL SERVICE Postage REPRESENTATIVE BELOW: WITH TO BE USED ONLY WITH FIM - A (Courtesy Reply Mail) UPPER AND ZIP CODE: Doug Deschaine 12937-0131 DP=31 CK=9 RIGHT CORNER

TO BE USED ONLY WITH FIM - A (Courtesy Reply Mail) AND ZIP CODE:CAUTION: USE ONLY FOR ADDRESS12937-0131 BEARING DP=31 THE ZIP+4 CK=9 CODE ABOVE. SEE PUBLICATION 25 FOR PRINTING PROJECTREQUIREMENTS.: Steps to Christ, Inc.

CAUTION: PO Box 131 ALIGN USE ONLY FOR ADDRESS BEARING THE ZIP+4 CODE WITH FortABOVE. Covington, SEE PUBLICATION NY 12937-0131 25 FOR PRINTING REQUIREMENTS. LOWER RIGHT CORNER ALIGN WITH LOWER THIS POSITIVE PREPARED FOR: PROJECT: STEPS TO CHRIST INC RIGHT PO BOX 131 CORNER FORT COVINGTON NY 12937-0131

THIS POSITIVE PREPARED FOR: PROJECT: STEPS TO CHRIST INC PO BOX 131 (c) 1989-2011 Envelope Manager version 3.021.005. CreatedFORT December COVINGTON 13, 2011 NY 9:21 12937-0131 AM

Use Envelope Manager's DAZzle Designer to create a complete courtesy or business reply mail artwork in minutes! www.EnvelopeManager.com (800) 576-3279 (c) 1989-2011 Envelope Manager version 3.021.005. Created December 13, 2011 9:21 AM www.PictureItPostage.com Customized Color Postage Stamps! Use Envelope Manager's DAZzle Designer to create a complete courtesy or business reply mail artwork in minutes! www.EnvelopeManager.com (800) 576-3279 www.PictureItPostage.com Customized Color Postage Stamps!

**********************************************************************************

SIZE: FIM & BARCODE ARE ACTUAL SIZE: DO NOT ENLARGE OR REDUCE!

PLACEMENT: Special care also must be taken to ensure FIMs and ********************************************************************************** barcodes are placed properly on the mail piece. Improper size or placement ensures the mail piece will not meet USPS regulations and SIZE: FIM & BARCODE ARE ACTUAL SIZE: DO NOT ENLARGE OR REDUCE! defeat their purpose of automation compatibility. PLACEMENT: Special care also must be taken to ensure FIMs and ********************************************************************************** barcodes are placed properly on the mail piece. Improper size or placement ensures the mail piece will not meet USPS regulations and defeat their purpose of automation compatibility.

********************************************************************************** Worship & Obey 57 and so long as the fact that He is our these symbols are found begins with Creator continues to be a reason why Revelation 12, with the dragon that we should worship Him, so long the sought to destroy Christ at His birth. Sabbath will continue as its sign and The dragon is said to be Satan memorial. Had the Sabbath been (Revelation 12:9); he it was that universally kept, man’s thoughts moved upon Herod to put the and affections would have been led Saviour to death. But the chief agent to the Creator as the object of of Satan in making war upon Christ reverence and worship, and there and His people during the first would never have been an idolater, centuries of the Christian Era was an atheist, or an infidel. The keeping the Roman Empire, in which of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to paganism was the prevailing the true God, “Him that made religion. Thus while the dragon heaven, and earth, and the sea, and primarily represents Satan, it is, in a the fountains of waters.” It follows secondary sense, a symbol of pagan that the message which commands Rome. men to worship God and keep His In chapter 13 (verses 1-10) is commandments will especially call described another beast, “like unto a upon them to keep the fourth leopard,” to which the dragon gave commandment. “his power, and his seat, and great In contrast to those who keep the authority.” This symbol, as most commandments of God and have Protestant reformers historically the faith of Jesus, the third angel believed, represents the papacy, points to another class, against which succeeded to the power and whose errors a solemn and fearful seat and authority once held by the warning is uttered: “If any man ancient Roman empire. Of the worship the beast and his image, leopard-like beast it is declared: and receive his mark in his forehead, “There was given unto him a mouth or in his hand, the same shall drink speaking great things and blasphe- of the wine of the wrath of God.” mies. . . . And he opened his mouth in Revelation 14:9,10. A correct inter- blasphemy against God, to blas- pretation of the symbols employed pheme His name, and His taberna- is necessary to an understanding of cle, and them that dwell in heaven. this message. What is represented by And it was given unto him to make the beast, the image, the mark? war with the saints, and to overcome The line of prophecy in which them: and power was given him over 58 On The Edge of Time

all kindreds, and tongues, and in 1798. At that time the pope was nations.” This prophecy, which is made captive by the French army, nearly identical with the description the papal power received its deadly of the little horn of Daniel 7, unques- wound, and the prediction was tionably points to the papacy. fulfilled: “He that leadeth into “Power was given unto him to captivity shall go into captivity.” continue forty and two months.” At this point another symbol is And, says the prophet, “I saw one of introduced. Says the prophet: “I his heads as it were wounded to beheld another beast coming up out death.” And again: “He that leadeth of the earth; and he had two horns into captivity shall go into captivity: like a lamb.” Verse 11. Both the he that killeth with the sword must appearance of this beast and the be killed with the sword.” The forty manner of its rise indicate that the and two months are the same as the nation which it represents is unlike “time and times and the dividing of those presented under the preceding time,” three years and a half, or 1260 symbols. The great kingdoms that days, of Daniel 7, the time during have ruled the world were presented which the papal power was to to the prophet Daniel as beasts of oppress God’s people. This period prey, rising when “the four winds of began with the supremacy of the the heaven strove upon the great papacy in A.D. 538, and terminated sea.” Daniel 7:2. In Revelation 17 an

“And I beheld another beast coming up OUT OF THE EARTH; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”

Revelation 13:11 Worship & Obey 59 angel explained that waters repre- up as a plant.” And, as we have seen, sent “peoples, and multitudes, and the nation must arise in territory nations, and tongues.” Revelation largely unoccupied. 17:15. Winds are a symbol of strife. “And he had two horns like a The four winds of heaven striving lamb.” The lamb-like horns indicate upon the great sea represent the youth, innocence, and gentleness, terrible scenes of conquest and fitly representing the character of the revolution by which kingdoms have United States when presented to the attained to power. prophet as “coming up” in 1798. But the beast with lamb-like horns Among the Christian exiles, who was seen “coming up out of the first fled to America and sought an earth.” Instead of overthrowing asylum from royal oppression and other powers to establish itself, the priestly intolerance, were many who nation thus represented must arise determined to establish a govern- in territory largely unoccupied and ment upon the broad foundation of grow up gradually and peacefully. It civil and religious liberty. Their could not, then, arise among the views found place in the Declaration crowded and struggling nationali- of Independence, which sets forth ties of the Old World, that turbulent the great truth that “all men are sea of “peoples, and multitudes, and created equal” and endowed with nations, and tongues.” It must be the inalienable right to “life, liberty, sought in the Western Continent. and the pursuit of happiness.” And What nation of the New World the Constitution guarantees to the was, in 1798, rising into power, people the right of self-government, giving promise of strength and providing that representatives greatness, and attracting the elected by the popular vote shall attention of the world? The applica- enact and administer the laws. tion of the symbol is unquestionable. Freedom of religious faith was also One nation, and only one, meets the granted, every man being permitted specifications of this prophecy; it to worship God according to the points unmistakably to the United dictates of his conscience. Republic- States of America. The beast was anism and Protestantism became the seen “coming up out of the earth;” fundamental principles of the and, according to the translators, the nation. These principles are the word here rendered “coming up” secret of its power and prosperity. literally signifies “to grow or spring The oppressed and downtrodden 60 On The Edge of Time throughout Christendom have “speaking” of the nation is the action turned to this land with interest and of its legislative and judicial hope. Millions have sought its authorities. By such action it will shores, and the United States has make a lie of those liberal and risen to a place among the most peaceful principles which it has put powerful nations of the earth. forth as the foundation of its policy. The prediction that it will speak “as a In order for the dragon” and exercise “all the power United States to form of the first beast” plainly foretells a an image of the beast, development of the spirit of intoler- ance and persecution that was the religious power must manifested by the nations repre- so control the civil sented by the dragon and the government that the leopard-like beast. And the state- authority of the state ment that the beast with two horns “causeth the earth and them which will also be employed by dwell therein to worship the first the church to accomplish beast” indicates that the authority of her own ends. this nation is to be exercised in enforcing some observance which But the beast with lamb-like horns shall be an act of homage to the “spake as a dragon. And he papacy. exerciseth all the power of the first Such action would be directly beast before him, and causeth the contrary to the principles of this earth and them which dwell therein government, to the genius of its free to worship the first beast, whose institutions, to the direct and solemn deadly wound was healed; . . . saying avowals of the Declaration of to them that dwell on the earth, that Independence, and to the Consti- they should make an image to the tution. The founders of the nation beast, which had the wound by a wisely sought to guard against the sword, and did live.” Rev. 13:11-14. employment of secular power on the The lamb-like horns and dragon part of the church, with its inevitable voice of the symbol point to a result: intolerance and persecution. striking contradiction between the The Constitution provides that professions and the practice of “Congress shall make no law the nation thus represented. The respecting an establishment of Worship & Obey 61 religion, or prohibiting the free further her own ends, especially for exercise thereof,” and that “no the punishment of “heresy.” In religious test shall ever be required order for the United States to form as a qualification to any office of an image of the beast, the religious public trust under the United power must so control the civil States.” Only in flagrant violation of government that the authority of the these safeguards to the nation’s state will also be employed by the liberty can any religious observance church to accomplish her own ends. be enforced by civil authority. But W h e n e ve r t h e c h u r c h h a s the inconsistency of such action is no obtained secular power, she has greater than is represented in the employed it to punish dissent from symbol. It is the beast with lamb-like her doctrines. Protestant churches horns, in profession pure, gentle, that have followed in the steps of and harmless, that speaks as a Rome by forming alliance with dragon. worldly powers have manifested a “Saying to them that dwell on the similar desire to restrict liberty of earth, that they should make an conscience. An example of this is image to the beast.” But what is the given in the long-continued perse- “image to the beast”? and how is it to cution of dissenters by the Church of be formed? The image is made by the England. During the sixteenth and two-horned beast, and is an image to seventeenth centuries, thousands of the beast. It is also called an image of nonconformist ministers were the beast. Then to learn what the forced to flee from their churches, image is like and how it is to be and many, both of pastors and formed we must study the character- people, were subjected to fine, istics of the beast itself: the papacy. imprisonment, torture, and martyr- When the early church became dom. corrupted by departing from the It was apostasy that led the early simplicity of the gospel and accept- church to seek the aid of the civil ing heathen rites and customs, she government, and this prepared the lost the Spirit and power of God; and way for the development of the in order to control the consciences of papacy, the beast. Said Paul: “There” the people, she sought the support of shall “come a falling away, . . . and the secular power. The result was the that man of sin be revealed.” papacy, a church that controlled the 2 Thessalonians 2:3. So apostasy in power of the state and employed it to the church will prepare the way for 62 On The Edge of Time

the image to the beast. all that “received not the love of the The Bible declares that before the truth, that they might be saved,” will coming of the Lord there will exist a be left to accept “strong delusion, state of religious declension similar that they should believe a lie.” to that in the first centuries. “In the 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. When this last days perilous times shall come. state of ungodliness shall be For men shall be lovers of their own reached, the same results will follow selves, covetous, boasters, proud, as in the first centuries. blasphemers, disobedient to The wide diversity of belief in the parents, unthankful, unholy, with- Protestant churches is regarded by out natural affection, trucebreakers, many as decisive proof that no effort false accusers, incontinent, fierce, to secure a forced uniformity can despisers of those that are good, ever be made. But there has been for traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers years, in churches of the Protestant of pleasures more than lovers of faith, a strong and growing senti- God; having a form of godliness, but ment in favor of a union based upon denying the power thereof.” 2 common points of doctrine. To Timothy 3:1-5. “Now the Spirit secure such a union, the discussion speaketh expressly, that in the latter of subjects upon which all were not times some shall depart from the agreed, however important they faith, giving heed to seducing might be from a Bible standpoint, spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 must necessarily be waived. Timothy 4:1. Satan will work “with When the leading churches of the all power and signs and lying United States, uniting upon such wonders, and with all deceiv- points of doctrine as are held by ableness of unrighteousness.” And them in common, shall influence the

When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy. Worship & Obey 63 state to enforce their decrees and to they that keep the commandments sustain their institutions, then of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Since Protestant America will have those who keep God’s command- formed an image of the Roman ments are thus placed in contrast hierarchy, and the infliction of civil with those that worship the beast penalties upon dissenters will and his image and receive his mark, inevitably result. it follows that the keeping of God’s The beast with two horns law, on the one hand, and its “causeth [commands] all, both small violation, on the other, will make the and great, rich and poor, free and distinction between the worshipers bond, to receive a mark in their right of God and the worshipers of the hand, or in their foreheads: and that beast. no man might buy or sell, save he The special characteristic of the that had the mark, or the name of the beast, and, therefore, of his image, is beast, or the number of his name.” the breaking of God’s command- Revelation 13:16,17. The third ments. Says Daniel, of the little horn, angel’s warning is: “If any man the papacy: “He shall think to worship the beast and his image, change times and the law.” Daniel and receive his mark in his forehead, 7:25, R.V. And Paul styled the same or in his hand, the same shall drink power the “man of sin,” who was to of the wine of the wrath of God.” exalt himself above God. One “The beast” mentioned in this prophecy is a complement of the message, whose worship is enforced other. Only by changing God’s law by the two-horned beast, is the first, could the papacy exalt itself above or leopard-like beast of Revelation God; whoever should under- 13, the papacy. The “image to the standingly keep the law as thus beast” represents that form of changed would be giving supreme apostate Protestantism which will honor to that power by which the be developed when the Protestant change was made. Such an act of churches shall seek the aid of the obedience to papal laws would be a civil power for the enforcement of mark of allegiance to the pope in the their dogmas. The “mark of the place of God. beast” still remains to be defined. The papacy has attempted to After the warning against the change the law of God. The second worship of the beast and his image commandment, forbidding image the prophecy declares: “Here are worship, has been dropped from the 64 On The Edge of Time

law, and the fourth commandment Said Christ: “The Son of man is Lord has been so changed as to authorize also of the Sabbath.” The fourth the observance of the first, instead of commandment declares: “The the seventh day, as the Sabbath. But seventh day is the Sabbath of the papists urge, as a reason for omitting Lord.” And by the prophet Isaiah the the second commandment, that it is Lord designates it: “My holy day.” unnecessary, being included in the Mark 2:28; Isaiah 58:13. first, and that they are giving the law The claim so often put forth that exactly as God designed it to be Christ changed the Sabbath is understood. This cannot be the disproved by His own words. In His change foretold by the prophet. An Sermon on the Mount He said: intentional, deliberate change is “Think not that I am come to destroy presented: “He shall think to change the law, or the prophets: I am not the times and the law.” The change come to destroy, but to fulfill. For in the fourth commandment exactly verily I say unto you, Till heaven and fulfills the prophecy. For this the earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall only authority claimed is that of the in no wise pass from the law, till all church. Here the papal power be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore openly sets itself above God. shall break one of these least While the worshipers of God will command-ments, and shall teach be especially distinguished by their men so, he shall be called the least in regard for the fourth command- the kingdom of heaven: but whoso- ment, since this is the sign of His ever shall do and teach them, the creative power and the witness to same shall be called great in the His claim upon man’s reverence and kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 5:17- homage, the worshipers of the beast 19. will be distinguished by their efforts Roman Catholics acknowledge to tear down the Creator’s memorial, that the change of the Sabbath was to exalt the institution of Rome. It made by their church, and declare was in behalf of Sunday that popery that Protestants by observing first asserted its arrogant claims, and Sunday are recognizing her power. its first resort to the power of the In the Catholic Catechism of state was to compel the observance Christian Religion, in answer to a of Sunday as “the Lord’s day.” But question as to the day to be observed the Bible points to the seventh day, in obedience to the fourth com- and not to the first, as the Lord’s day. mandment, this statement is made: Worship & Obey 65

“During the old law, Saturday was keeping on the part of Protestant the day sanctified; but the church, churches is an enforcement of the instructed by Jesus Christ, and worship of the papacy, of the beast. directed by the Spirit of God, has Those who, understanding the substituted Sunday for Saturday; so claims of the fourth commandment, now we sanctify the first, not the choose to observe the false instead of seventh day. Sunday means, and the true Sabbath are thereby paying now is, the day of the Lord.” homage to that power by which As the sign of the authority of the alone it is commanded. But in the Catholic Church, papist writers cite very act of enforcing a religious duty “the very act of changing the by secular power, the churches Sabbath into Sunday, which would themselves form an image to Protestants allow of; . . . because by the beast; hence the enforcement of keeping Sunday, they acknowledge Sunday-keeping in the United States the church’s power to ordain feasts, would be an enforcement of the and to command them under sin.” worship of the beast and his image. Henry Tuberville, An Abridgment of But Christians of past generations the Christian Doctrine, page 58. observed Sunday, supposing that in What then is the change of the so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath, but the sign, or mark, of the Sabbath; and there are now true authority of the Roman Church: “the Christians in every church, includ- mark of the beast.” ing the Roman Catholic commu- The Roman Church has not nion, who honestly believe that relinquished her claim to suprem- Sunday is the Sabbath of divine acy; and when the world and the appointment. God accepts their Protestant churches accept a sabbath sincerity of purpose and their of her creating, while they reject the integrity before Him. But when Bible Sabbath, they virtually admit Sunday observance shall be this assumption. They may claim the enforced by law, and the world shall authority of tradition and of the be enlightened concerning the Fathers for the change; but in so obligation of the true Sabbath, then doing they ignore the very principle whoever shall transgress the which separates them from Rome: command of God, to obey a precept that “the Bible, and the Bible only, is which has no higher authority than the religion of Protestants.” that of Rome, will thereby honor The enforcement of Sunday- popery above God. He is paying 66 On The Edge of Time homage to Rome and to the power which forms a part of the same which enforces the institution threefold message, is to be no less ordained by Rome. He is worship- widespread. It is represented in the ping the beast and his image. prophecy as being proclaimed with As men then reject the institution a loud voice by an angel flying in the which God has declared to be the midst of heaven; and it will com- sign of His authority, and honor in mand the attention of the world. its stead that which Rome has In the issue of the contest, all chosen as the token of her suprem- Christendom will be divided into acy, they will thereby accept the sign two great classes: those who keep of allegiance to Rome: “the mark of the commandments of God and the the beast.” And it is not until the faith of Jesus, and those who issue is thus plainly set before the worship the beast and his image and people, and they are brought to receive his mark. Although church choose between the commandments and state will unite their power to of God and the commandments of compel “all, both small and great, men, that those who continue in rich and poor, free and bond” transgression will receive “the mark (Revelation 13:16), to receive “the of the beast.” mark of the beast,” yet the people of The most fearful threatening ever God will not receive it. The prophet addressed to mortals is contained in of Patmos beholds “them that had the third angel’s message. That must gotten the victory over the beast, and be a terrible sin which calls down the over his image, and over his mark, wrath of God unmingled with and over the number of his name, mercy. Men are not to be left in stand on the sea of glass, having the darkness concerning this important harps of God” and singing the song matter; the warning against this sin of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation is to be given to the world before the 15:2, 3. visitation of God’s judgments, that Hallowed by the Creator’s rest all may know why they are to be and blessing, the Sabbath was kept inflicted and have opportunity to by Adam in his innocence in holy escape them. Prophecy declares that Eden; by Adam, fallen yet repentant, the first angel would make his when he was driven from his happy announcement to “every nation, and estate. It was kept by all the patri- kindred, and tongue, and people.” archs, from Abel to righteous Noah, The warning of the third angel, to Abraham, to Jacob. When the Worship & Obey 67 chosen people were in bondage in “the everlasting gospel,” will Egypt, many, in the midst of distinguish the church of Christ at prevailing idolatry, lost their the time of His appearing. For as the knowledge of God’s law; but when result of the threefold message it is the Lord delivered Israel, He announced: “Here are they that keep proclaimed His law in awful the commandments of God, and the grandeur to the assembled multi- faith of Jesus.” And this message is tude, that they might know His will the last to be given before the coming and fear and obey Him forever. of the Lord. Immediately following From that day to the present, the its proclamation the Son of man is knowledge of God’s law has been seen by the prophet, coming in glory preserved in the earth, and the to reap the harvest of the earth. Sabbath of the fourth command- Many urge that Sunday keeping ment has been kept. Though the had been an established doctrine “man of sin” succeeded in trampling and a widespread custom of the underfoot God’s holy day, yet even church for many centuries. Against in the period of his supremacy there this argument it was shown that the were, hidden in secret places, Sabbath and its observance were faithful souls who paid it honor. more ancient and widespread, even Since the Reformation, there have as old as the world itself, and bearing been some in every generation to the sanction both of angels and of maintain its observance. Though God. Well may this institution often in the midst of reproach and demand our reverence; it was persecution, a constant testimony ordained by no human authority has been borne to the perpetuity of and rests upon no human traditions; the law of God and the sacred it was established by the Ancient of obligation of the creation Sabbath. Days and commanded by His These truths, as presented in eternal word. Revelation 14 in connection with

Bible Answers: The Bible Sabbath www.peacefinders.org/biblesabbath The Gift of the Sabbath

For All Mankind: “And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27,28

“Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Isaiah 56:6,7

From Creation: “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:2,3

In The New Testament: Jesus kept the Sabbath and demonstrated its true intent by doing good on the Sabbath, a day which had been made a burden to the people rather than a delight by the multitude of man-made restrictions placed upon it. The blessing pronounced upon the Sabbath at creation was never changed or removed by Jesus or His apostles, by precept or example. (see the entire New Testament).

For All Eternity: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23,23 Closed on Sunday

The Mark of the Beast

Closed on Sunday

From the very beginning of the example are on the side of transgres- great controversy in heaven, it has sion; he becomes “guilty of all.” been Satan’s purpose to overthrow James 2:10. the law of God. It was to accomplish In seeking to cast contempt upon Fthis that he entered upon his the divine statutes, Satan has rebellion against the Creator; and perverted the doctrines of the Bible, though he was cast out of heaven, he and errors have thus become has continued the same warfare incorporated into the faith of upon the earth. To deceive men, and millions who profess to believe the thus lead them to transgress God’s Scriptures. The last great conflict law, is the object which he has between truth and error is but the steadfastly pursued. Whether this be final struggle of the long-standing accomplished by casting aside the controversy concerning the law of law altogether, or by rejecting one of God. Upon this battle we are now its precepts, the result will be entering, a battle between the laws ultimately the same. He that offends of men and the precepts of Jehovah, “in one point” manifests contempt between the religion of the Bible and for the whole law; his influence and the religion of fable and tradition.

The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. 72 On The Edge of Time

No error accepted by the obedient. Would we know the result Christian world strikes more boldly of making void the law of God? The against the authority of Heaven, experiment has been tried. It has none is more directly opposed to the been demonstrated throughout dictates of reason, none is more history that to throw off the pernicious in its results, than the restraints which God has imposed is modern doctrine, so rapidly gaining to accept the rule of the cruelest of ground, that God’s law is no longer tyrants. When the standard of binding upon men. Every nation has righteousness is set aside, the way is its laws, which command respect open for the prince of evil to and obedience; no government establish his power in the earth. could exist without them; and can it Wherever the divine precepts are be conceived that the Creator of the rejected, sin ceases to appear sinful heavens and the earth has no law to or righteousness desirable. Those govern the beings He has made? who refuse to submit to the govern- Suppose that prominent ministers ment of God are wholly unfitted to were publicly to teach that the govern themselves. Through their statutes which govern their land and pernicious teachings, the spirit of protect the rights of its citizens were insubordination is implanted in the not obligatory, that they restricted hearts of children and youth, who the liberties of the people, and are naturally impatient of control; therefore ought not to be obeyed; and a lawless, licentious state of how long would such men be society results. While scoffing at the tolerated in the pulpit? But is it a credulity of those who obey the graver offense to disregard the laws requirements of God, the multitudes of states and nations than to trample eagerly accept the delusions of upon those divine precepts which Satan. They give the rein to lust and are the foundation of all govern- practice the sins which have called ment? down judgments upon the heathen. It would be far more consistent for Those who teach the people to nations to abolish their statutes, and regard lightly the commandments of permit the people to do as they God sow disobedience to reap please, than for the Ruler of the disobedience. Let the restraint universe to annul His law, and leave imposed by the divine law be wholly the world without a standard to cast aside, and human laws would condemn the guilty or justify the soon be disregarded. Because God Closed on Sunday 73 forbids dishonest practices, covet- whelming tide. In the family, Satan ing, lying, and defrauding, men are is at work. His banner waves, even in ready to trample upon His statutes professedly Christian households. as a hindrance to their worldly There is envy, evil surmising, prosperity; but the results of hypocrisy, estrangement, emula- banishing these precepts would be tion, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, such as they do not anticipate. If the indulgence of lust. The whole law were not binding, why should system of religious principles and any fear to transgress? Property doctrines, which should form the would no longer be safe. Men would foundation and framework of social obtain their neighbor’s possessions life, seems to be a tottering mass, by violence, and the strongest would become richest. Life itself would not be respected. The marriage vow Already the doctrine would no longer stand as a sacred that men are released bulwark to protect the family. He from obedience to who had the power, would, if he God’s requirements has desired, take his neighbor’s wife by violence. The fifth commandment weakened the force of would be set aside with the fourth. moral obligation and Children would not shrink from opened the floodgates taking the life of their parents, if by of iniquity upon so doing they could obtain the desire of their corrupt hearts. The civilized the world. world would become a horde of robbers and assassins; and peace, ready to fall to ruin. The vilest of rest, and happiness would be criminals, when thrown into prison banished from the earth. for their offenses, are often made the Already the doctrine that men are recipients of gifts and attentions as if released from obedience to God’s they had attained an enviable requirements has weakened the distinction. Great publicity is given force of moral obligation and to their character and crimes. The opened the floodgates of iniquity press publishes the revolting details upon the world. Lawlessness, of vice, thus initiating others into the dissipation, and corruption are practice of fraud, robbery, and sweeping in upon us like an over- murder; and Satan exults in the 74 On The Edge of Time success of his hellish schemes. The serves his purpose as well as to infatuation of vice, the wanton destroy the Bible itself. By introduc- taking of life, the terrible increase of ing the belief that God’s law is not intemperance and iniquity of every binding, he as effectually leads men order and degree, should arouse all to transgress as if they were wholly who fear God to inquire what can be ignorant of its precepts. And now, as done to stay the tide of evil. in former ages, he has worked Courts of justice are corrupt. through the church to further his Rulers are actuated by desire for designs. The religious organizations gain and love of sensual pleasure. of the day have refused to listen to Intemperance has beclouded the unpopular truths plainly brought to faculties of many so that Satan has view in the Scriptures; and in almost complete control of them. combating them, they have adopted Jurists are perverted, bribed, interpretations and taken positions deluded. Drunkenness and revelry, which have sown broadcast the passion, envy, dishonesty of every seeds of skepticism. Clinging to the sort, are represented among those papal error of natural immortality who administer the laws. “Justice and man’s consciousness in death, standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in they have rejected the only defense the street, and equity cannot enter.” against the delusions of spiritualism. Isaiah 59:14. The doctrine of eternal torment has The iniquity and spiritual led many to disbelieve the Bible. darkness that prevailed under the And as the claims of the fourth supremacy of Rome were the commandment are urged upon the inevitable result of her suppression people, it is found that the obser- of the Scriptures; but where is to be vance of the seventh-day Sabbath is found the cause of the widespread enjoined; and as the only way to free infidelity, the rejection of the law of themselves from a duty which they God, and the consequent corruption, are unwilling to perform, many under the full blaze of gospel light in popular teachers declare that the law an age of religious freedom? Now of God is no longer binding. Thus that Satan can no longer keep the they cast away the law and the world under his control by with- Sabbath together. As the work of holding the Scriptures, he resorts to Sabbath reform extends, this other means to accomplish the same rejection of the divine law to avoid object. To destroy faith in the Bible the claims of the fourth command- Closed on Sunday 75 ment will become well-nigh rendered more dangerous, as it is universal. The teachings of religious more likely to be taken unawares. It leaders have opened the door to is one of Satan’s devices to combine infidelity, to spiritualism, and to with falsehood just enough truth to contempt for God’s holy law; and give it plausibility. The leaders of the upon these leaders rests a fearful Sunday movement may advocate responsibility for the iniquity that reforms which the people need, exists in the Christian world. principles which are in harmony Yet this very class put forth the with the Bible; yet while there is with claim that the fast-spreading these a requirement which is corruption is largely attributable to contrary to God’s law, His servants the desecration of the so-called cannot unite with them. Nothing can “Christian sabbath,” and that the justify them in setting aside the enforcement of Sunday observance commandments of God for the would greatly improve the morals of precepts of men. society. This claim is especially Through the two great errors, the urged in America, where the immortality of the soul and Sunday doctrine of the true Sabbath has been sacredness, Satan will bring the most widely preached. Here the whole world under his deceptions. temperance work, one of the most While the former lays the founda- prominent and important of moral tion of spiritualism, the latter creates reforms, is often combined with the a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Sunday movement, and the advo- Protestants of the United States will cates of the latter represent them- be foremost in stretching their hands selves as laboring to promote the across the gulf to grasp the hand of highest interest of society; and those spiritualism; they will reach over the who refuse to unite with them are abyss to clasp hands with the Roman denounced as the enemies of power; and under the influence of temperance and reform. But the fact this threefold union, this country that a movement to establish error is will follow in the steps of Rome in connected with a work, which is in trampling on the rights of con- itself good, is not an argument in science. favor of the error. We may disguise As spiritualism more closely poison by mingling it with whole- imitates the nominal Christianity of some food, but we do not change its the day, it has greater power to nature. On the contrary, it is deceive and ensnare. Satan himself 76 On The Edge of Time is converted after the modern order healing the diseases of the people, of things. He will appear in the and professing to present a new and character of an angel of light. more exalted system of religious Through the agency of spiritualism, faith; but at the same time he works miracles will be wrought, the sick as a destroyer. His temptations are will be healed, and many undeniable leading multitudes to ruin. Intem- wonders will be performed. And as perance dethrones reason; sensual the spirits will profess faith in the indulgence, strife, and bloodshed Bible, and manifest respect for the follow. Satan delights in war, for it institutions of the church, their work excites the worst passions of the soul will be accepted as a manifestation and then sweeps into eternity its of divine power. victims steeped in vice and blood. It The line of distinction between is his object to incite the nations to professed Christians and the war against one another, for he can ungodly is now hardly distinguish- thus divert the minds of the people able. Church members love what the from the work of preparation to world loves and are ready to join stand in the day of God. with them; and Satan determines to Satan works through the elements unite them in one body and thus also to garner his harvest of unpre- strengthen his cause by sweeping all pared souls. He has studied the into the ranks of spiritualism. secrets of the laboratories of nature, Catholics, who boast of miracles as a and he uses all his power to control certain sign of the true church, will the elements as far as God allows. be readily deceived by this wonder- When he was allowed to afflict Job, working power; and Protestants, how quickly flocks and herds, having cast away the shield of truth, servants, houses, children, were will also be deluded. Catholics, swept away, one trouble succeeding Protestants, and worldlings will another as in a moment. It is God alike accept the form of godliness that shields His creatures and without the power, and they will see hedges them in from the power of in this union a grand movement for the destroyer. But the Christian the conversion of the world and the world have shown contempt for the ushering in of the long-expected law of Jehovah; and the Lord will do millennium. just what He has declared that He Through spiritualism Satan would: He will withdraw His appears as a benefactor of the race, blessings from the earth and remove Closed on Sunday 77

His protecting care from those who gressed the laws, changed the are rebelling against His law and ordinance, broken the everlasting teaching and forcing others to do the covenant.” Isaiah 24:4,5. same. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He While appearing to the will favor and prosper some in order children of men as a to further his own designs, and he will bring trouble upon others and great physician who lead men to believe that it is God can heal all their who is afflicting them. maladies, he will bring While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can disease and disaster, heal all their maladies, he will bring until populous cities disease and disaster, until populous are reduced to ruin cities are reduced to ruin and and desolation. desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, And then the great deceiver will in fierce tornadoes and terrific persuade men that those who serve hailstorms, in tempests, floods, God are causing these evils. The cyclones, tidal waves, and earth- class that have provoked the quakes, in every place and in a displeasure of Heaven will charge thousand forms, Satan is exercising all their troubles upon those whose his power. He sweeps away the obedience to God’s commandments ripening harvest, and famine and is a perpetual reproof to trans- distress follow. He imparts to the air gressors. It will be declared that men a deadly taint, and thousands perish are offending God by the violation of by the pestilence. These visitations the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has are to become more and more brought calamities which will not frequent and disastrous. Destruc- cease until Sunday observance shall tion will be upon both man and be strictly enforced; and that those beast. “The earth mourneth and who present the claims of the fourth fadeth away,” “the haughty people . commandment, thus destroying . . do languish. The earth also is reverence for Sunday, are troublers defiled under the inhabitants of the people, preventing their thereof; because they have trans- restoration to divine favor and 78 On The Edge of Time temporal prosperity. Thus the spirits will declare that God has sent accusation urged of old against the them to convince the rejecters of servant of God will be repeated and Sunday of their error, affirming that upon grounds equally well estab- the laws of the land should be lished: “And it came to pass, when obeyed as the law of God. They will Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto lament the great wickedness in the him, Art thou he that troubleth world and second the testimony of Israel? And he answered, I have not religious teachers that the degraded troubled Israel; but thou, and thy state of morals is caused by the father’s house, in that ye have desecration of Sunday. Great will be forsaken the commandments of the the indignation excited against all Lord, and thou hast followed who refuse to accept their testimony. Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:17,18. As the Satan’s policy in this final conflict wrath of the people shall be excited with God’s people is the same that by false charges, they will pursue a he employed in the opening of the great controversy in heaven. He professed to be seeking to promote “Art thou he that the stability of the divine govern- troubleth Israel? And he ment, while secretly bending every answered, I have not effort to secure its overthrow. And troubled Israel; but thou, the very work which he was thus endeavoring to accomplish he and thy father’s house, charged upon the loyal angels. The in that ye have forsaken same policy of deception has the commandments of marked the history of the Roman the Lord....” Church. It has professed to act as the magistrate of Heaven, while seeking to exalt itself above God and to course toward God’s ambassadors change His law. Under the rule of very similar to that which apostate Rome, those who suffered death for Israel pursued toward Elijah. their fidelity to the gospel were The miracle-working power denounced as evildoers; they were manifested through spiritualism declared to be in league with Satan; will exert its influence against those and every possible means was who choose to obey God rather than employed to cover them with men. Communications from the reproach, to cause them to appear in Closed on Sunday 79 the eyes of the people, and even to ordained of God. In legislative halls themselves, as the vilest of criminals. and courts of justice, commandment So it will be now. While Satan seeks keepers will be misrepresented and to destroy those who honor God’s condemned. A false coloring will be law, he will cause them to be accused given to their words; the worst as lawbreakers, as men who are construction will be put upon their dishonoring God and bringing motives. judgments upon the world. Those who honor God never forces the will or the conscience; but Satan’s constant the Bible Sabbath will be resort, to gain control of those whom denounced as enemies he cannot otherwise seduce, is of law and order, as compulsion by cruelty. Through fear or force he endeavors to rule the breaking down the moral conscience and to secure homage to restraints of society, himself. To accomplish this, he causing anarchy and works through both religious and corruption, and calling secular authorities, moving them to the enforcement of human laws in down the judgments of defiance of the law of God. God upon the earth. Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as As the Protestant churches reject enemies of law and order, as the clear, Scriptural arguments in breaking down the moral restraints defense of God’s law, they will long of society, causing anarchy and to silence those whose faith they corruption, and calling down the cannot overthrow by the Bible. judgments of God upon the earth. Though they blind their own eyes to Their conscientious scruples will be the fact, they are now adopting a pronounced obstinacy, stubborn- course which will lead to the ness, and contempt of authority. persecution of those who conscien- They will be accused of disaffection tiously refuse to do what the rest of toward the government. Ministers the Christian world are doing and who deny the obligation of the refuse to acknowledge the claims of divine law will present from the the papal sabbath. pulpit the duty of yielding obedi- The dignitaries of church and ence to the civil authorities as state will unite to bribe, persuade, or 80 On The Edge of Time compel all classes to honor Sunday. exemplified the prophet’s words: The lack of divine authority will be “The dragon was wroth with the supplied by oppressive enactments. woman, and went to make war with Political corruption is destroying the remnant of her seed, which keep love of justice and regard for truth; the commandments of God, and and even in free America, rulers and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” legislators, in order to secure public Revelation 12:17. favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict, we shall see

Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in FREE AMERICA, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. Survival Guide

By Every Word of God “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Matthew 7:24-27 Survival Guide

“To the law and to the testimony: feit resemble the true that it will be if they speak not according to this impossible to distinguish between word, it is because there is no light in them except by the Holy Scriptures. them.” Isaiah 8:20. The people of By their testimony, every statement TGod are directed to the Scriptures as and every miracle must be tested. their safeguard against the influence Those who endeavor to obey all of false teachers and the delusive the commandments of God will be power of spirits of darkness. Satan opposed and derided. They can employs every possible device to stand only in God. In order to prevent men from obtaining a endure the trial before them, they knowledge of the Bible; for its plain must understand the will of God as utterances reveal his deceptions. At revealed in His word; they can honor every revival of God’s work the Him only as they have a right prince of evil is aroused to more conception of His character, intense activity; he is now putting government, and purposes, and act forth his utmost efforts for a final in accordance with them. None but struggle against Christ and His those who have fortified the mind followers. The last great delusion is with the truths of the Bible will stand soon to open before us. Antichrist is through the last great conflict. To to perform his marvelous works in every soul will come the searching our sight. So closely will the counter- test: Shall I obey God rather than

None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: SHALL I OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN? 84 On The Edge of Time men? The decisive hour is even now doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:3. That time at hand. Are our feet planted on the has fully come. The multitudes do rock of God’s immutable word? Are not want Bible truth, because it we prepared to stand firm in defense interferes with the desires of the of the commandments of God and sinful, world-loving heart; and the faith of Jesus? Satan supplies the deceptions which they love. But God will have a But God will have a people upon people upon the earth to the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all maintain the Bible, and doctrines and the basis of all THE BIBLE ONLY, as reforms. The opinions of learned the standard of all men, the deductions of science, the doctrines and the basis creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discor- of all reforms. dant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority: When God sends to men warnings not one nor all of these should be so important that they are repre- regarded as evidence for or against sented as proclaimed by holy angels any point of religious faith. Before flying in the midst of heaven, He accepting any doctrine or precept, requires every person endowed with we should demand a plain “Thus reasoning powers to heed the saith the Lord” in its support. message. The fearful judgments Satan is constantly endeavoring to denounced against the worship of attract attention to man in the place the beast and his image (Revelation of God. He leads the people to look 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent to bishops, to pastors, to professors study of the prophecies to learn of theology, as their guides, instead what the mark of the beast is, and of searching the Scriptures to learn how they are to avoid receiving it. their duty for themselves. Then, by But the masses of the people turn controlling the minds of these away their ears from hearing the leaders, he can influence the multi- truth and are turned unto fables. The tudes according to his will. apostle Paul declared, looking down Notwithstanding the Bible is full to the last days: “The time will come of warnings against false teachers, when they will not endure sound many are ready thus to commit the Survival Guide 85 keeping of their souls to the clergy. what He requires of us. When the There are today millions who lawyer came to Jesus with the profess religion who can give no inquiry, “What shall I do to inherit other reason for the points of their eternal life?” the Saviour referred faith than that they were so him to the Scriptures, saying: “What instructed by their religious leaders. is written in the law? How readest They pass by the Saviour’s teachings thou?” Ignorance will not excuse almost unnoticed and place implicit young or old, nor release them from confidence in the words of the the punishment due for the trans- ministers. But are ministers infalli- gression of God’s law, because there ble? How can we trust our souls to is in their hands a faithful presenta- their guidance unless we know from tion of that law and of its principles God’s word that they are light and claims. It is not enough to have bearers? A lack of moral courage to good intentions; it is not enough to step aside from the beaten track of do what a man thinks is right or the world leads many to follow in what the minister tells him is right. the steps of learned men; and by His soul’s salvation is at stake, and their reluctance to investigate for themselves, they are becoming It is the first and highest hopelessly fastened in the chains of duty of every rational error. They see that the truth for this time is plainly brought to view in the being to learn from the Bible; they feel the power of the Holy Scriptures what is truth, Spirit attending its proclamation, yet and then to walk in the they allow the opposition of the light and encourage clergy to turn them from the light. Though reason and conscience are others to follow convinced, these deluded souls dare his example. not think differently from the minister; and their individual he should search the Scriptures for judgment and their eternal interests himself. However strong may be his are sacrificed to the unbelief, the convictions, however confident he pride and prejudice of another. may be that the minister knows what God has given us His word that is truth, this is not his foundation. He we may become acquainted with its has a chart pointing out every teachings and know for ourselves waymark on the heavenward 86 On The Edge of Time journey, and he ought not to guess at hearts that we shall not be impressed anything. by the truth. It is the first and highest duty of Many a portion of Scripture which every rational being to learn from learned men pronounce a mystery, the Scriptures what is truth, and or pass over as unimportant, is full of then to walk in the light and encour- comfort and instruction to him who age others to follow his example. We has been taught in the school of should day by day study the Bible Christ. As an understanding of Bible diligently, weighing every thought truth depends, not so much on the and comparing scripture with power of intellect brought to the scripture. With divine help we are to search, as on the singleness of form our opinions for ourselves, as purpose, the earnest longing after we are to answer for ourselves before righteousness. God. The Bible should never be studied We should exert all the powers of without prayer. The Holy Spirit the mind in the study of the alone can cause us to feel the Scriptures and should task the importance of those things easy to be understanding to comprehend, as understood or prevent us from far as mortals can, the deep things of wresting truths difficult of compre- God; yet we must not forget that the hension. It is the office of heavenly docility and submission of a child is angels to prepare the heart so to the true spirit of the learner. comprehend God’s Word that we Scriptural difficulties can never be shall be charmed with its beauty, mastered by the same methods that admonished by its warnings, or are employed in grappling with animated and strengthened by its philosophical problems. We should promises. We should make the not engage in the study of the Bible psalmist’s petition our own: “Open with that self-reliance with which so Thou mine eyes, that I may behold many enter the domains of science, wondrous things out of Thy law.” but with a prayerful dependence Psalm 119:18. Temptations often upon God and a sincere desire to appear irresistible because, through learn His will. We must come with a neglect of prayer and the study of the humble and teachable spirit to Bible, the tempted one cannot obtain knowledge from the great I readily remember God’s promises AM. Otherwise, evil angels will so and meet Satan with the Scripture blind our minds and harden our weapons. But angels are round Survival Guide 87 about those who are willing to be before the Lord, with fasting and taught in divine things; and in the prayer, and to meditate much upon time of great necessity, they will His word, especially upon the scenes bring to their remembrance the very of the judgment. We should now truths which are needed. Thus seek a deep and living experience in “when the enemy shall come in like a the things of God. We have not a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift moment to lose. Events of vital up a standard against him.” Isaiah importance are taking place around 59:19. us; we are on Satan’s enchanted Jesus promised His disciples: ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God; “The Comforter, which is the Holy the foe is lurking near, ready at any Ghost, whom the Father will send in moment, should you become lax and My name, He shall teach you all drowsy, to spring upon you and things, and bring all things to your make you his prey. remembrance, whatsoever I have When the testing time shall come, said unto you.” John 14:26. But the those who have made God’s Word teachings of Christ must previously their rule of life will be revealed. In have been stored in the mind in summer there is no noticeable order for the Spirit of God to bring difference between evergreens and them to our remembrance in the other trees; but when the blasts of time of peril. “Thy word have I hid in winter come, the evergreens remain mine heart,” said David, “that I unchanged, while other trees are might not sin against Thee.” Psalm stripped of their foliage. So the false- 119:11. hearted Christians may not now be We are living in the most solemn distinguished from the real, but the period of this world’s history. The time is just upon us when the destiny of earth’s teeming multi- difference will be apparent. Let tudes is about to be decided. Our opposition arise, let bigotry and own future well-being and also the intolerance again bear sway, let salvation of other souls depend persecution be kindled, and the upon the course which we now halfhearted and hypocritical will pursue. We need to be guided by the waver and yield the faith; but the Spirit of truth. Every follower of true Christian will stand firm as a Christ should earnestly inquire: rock, his faith stronger, his hope “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to brighter, than in days of prosperity. do?” We need to humble ourselves How to Study the Bible

The student of the Bible should be taught to approach it in the spirit of a learner. We are to search its pages, not for proof to sustain our opinions, but in order to know what God says. A true knowledge of the Bible can be gained only through the aid of that Spirit by whom the word was given. And in order to gain this knowledge we must live by it. All that God's word commands, we are to obey. All that it promises, we may claim. The life which it enjoins is the life that, through its power, we are to live. Only as the Bible is thus held can it be studied effectively. The study of the Bible demands our most diligent effort and persevering thought. As the miner digs for the golden treasure in the earth, so earnestly, persistently, must we seek for the treasure of God's word. In daily study the verse-by-verse method is often most helpful. Let the student take one verse, and concentrate the mind on ascertaining the thought that God has put into that verse for him, and then dwell upon the thought until it becomes his own. One passage thus studied until its significance is clear is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained. The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God's original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found. Get in The Ark

The Great Tribulation “At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of Thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time Thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Daniel 12:1 Get in The Ark

The season of distress and When waves of despair, which no anguish before us will require a faith language can express, sweep over that can endure weariness, delay, the suppliant, how few cling with and hunger, a faith that will not faint unyielding faith to the promises of Tthough severely tried. The period of God. probation is granted to all to prepare Those who exercise but little faith for that time. Jacob prevailed now are in the greatest danger of because he was persevering and falling under the power of satanic determined. His victory is an delusions and the decree to compel evidence of the power of importu- the conscience. And even if they nate prayer. All who will lay hold of endure the test, they will be plunged God’s promises as he did, and be as into deeper distress and anguish in earnest and persevering as he was, the time of trouble, because they will succeed as he succeeded. Those have never made it a habit to trust in who are unwilling to deny self, to God. The lessons of faith which they agonize before God, to pray long have neglected they will be forced to and earnestly for His blessing, will learn under a terrible pressure of not obtain it. Wrestling with God! discouragement. how few know what it is! How few We should now acquaint our- have ever had their souls drawn out selves with God by proving His after God with intensity of desire promises. Angels record every until every power is on the stretch. prayer that is earnest and sincere.

It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality, but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. 92 On The Edge of Time

We should rather dispense with the power of temptation. Satan finds selfish gratifications than neglect in human hearts some point where communion with God. The deepest he can gain a foothold; some sinful poverty, the greatest self-denial, desire is cherished, by means of with His approval, is better than which his temptations assert their riches, honors, ease, and friendship power. But Christ declared of without it. We must take time to Himself: “The prince of this world pray. If we allow our minds to be cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” absorbed by worldly interests, the John 14:30. Satan could find nothing Lord may give us time by removing in the Son of God that would enable from us our idols of gold, of houses, him to gain the victory. He had kept or of fertile lands. His Father’s commandments, and The “time of trouble, such as there was no sin in Him that Satan never was,” is soon to open upon us; could use to his advantage. This is and we shall need an experience the condition in which those must be which we do not now possess and found who shall stand in the time of which many are too indolent to trouble. obtain. It is often the case that It is in this life that we are to trouble is greater in anticipation separate sin from us, through faith in than in reality, but this is not true of the atoning blood of Christ. Our the crisis before us. The most vivid precious Saviour invites us to join presentation cannot reach the ourselves to Him, to unite our magnitude of the ordeal. In that time weakness to His strength, our of trial, every soul must stand for ignorance to His wisdom, our himself before God. “Though Noah, unworthiness to His merits. God’s Daniel, and Job” were in the land, providence is the school in which we “as I live, saith the Lord God, they are to learn the meekness and shall deliver neither son nor lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever daughter; they shall but deliver their setting before us, not the way we own souls by their righteousness.” would choose, which seems easier Ezekiel 14:20. and pleasanter to us, but the true Now, while our great High Priest aims of life. It rests with us to co- is making the final atonement for us, operate with the agencies which we should seek to become perfect in Heaven employs in the work of Christ. Not even by a thought could conforming our characters to the our Saviour be brought to yield to divine model. None can neglect or Get in The Ark 93 defer this work but at the most As the crowning act in the great fearful peril to their souls. drama of deception, Satan himself The apostle John in vision heard a will personate Christ. The church loud voice in heaven exclaiming: has long professed to look to the “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth Saviour’s advent as the consumma- and of the sea! for the devil is come tion of her hopes. Now the great down unto you, having great wrath, deceiver will make it appear that because he knoweth that he hath but Christ has come. In different parts of a short time.” Revelation 12:12. the earth, Satan will manifest Fearful are the scenes which call himself among men as a majestic forth this exclamation from the being of dazzling brightness, heavenly voice. The wrath of Satan resembling the description of the increases as his time grows short, Son of God given by John in the and his work of deceit and destruc- tion will reach its culmination in the As the crowning act time of trouble. in the great drama of Fearful sights of a supernatural deception, Satan himself character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of will personate Christ. miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the Revelation (See Revelation 1:13-15). kings of the earth and to the whole The glory that surrounds him is world, to fasten them in deception, unsurpassed by anything that and urge them on to unite with Satan mortal eyes have yet beheld. The in his last struggle against the shout of triumph rings out upon the government of heaven. By these air: “Christ has come! Christ has agencies, rulers and subjects will be come!” The people prostrate alike deceived. Persons will arise themselves in adoration before him, pretending to be Christ Himself and while he lifts up his hands and claiming the title and worship which pronounces a blessing upon them as belong to the world’s Redeemer. Christ blessed His disciples when They will perform wonderful He was upon the earth. His voice is miracles of healing and will profess soft and subdued, yet full of melody. to have revelations from heaven, In gentle, compassionate tones, he contradicting the testimony of the presents some of the same gracious, Scriptures. heavenly truths which the Saviour 94 On The Edge of Time uttered; he heals the diseases of the permitted to counterfeit the manner people; and then, in his assumed of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has character of Christ, he claims to have warned His people against decep- changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and tion upon this point, and has clearly commands all to hallow the day foretold the manner of His second which he has blessed. He declares coming. “There shall arise false that those who persist in keeping christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; Only those who have insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. . . . been diligent students Wherefore if they shall say unto you, of the Scriptures and Behold, He is in the desert; go not who have received forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the the love of the truth lightning cometh out of the east, and will be shielded from shineth even unto the west; so shall the powerful delusion also the coming of the Son of man that takes the world be.” Matthew 24:24-27,31; 25:31. (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; captive. Revelation 1:7). This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It holy the seventh day are blasphem- will be universally known and ing his name by refusing to listen to witnessed by the whole world. his angels sent to them with light Only those who have been and truth. This is the strong, almost diligent students of the Scriptures overmastering delusion. and who have received the love of But the people of God will not be the truth will be shielded from the misled. The teachings of this false powerful delusion that takes the christ are not in accordance with the world captive. By the Bible testi- Scriptures. His blessing is pro- mony, these will detect the deceiver nounced upon the worshipers of the in his disguise. To all the testing time beast and his image, the very class will come. By the sifting of tempta- upon whom the Bible declares that tion, the genuine Christian will be God’s unmingled wrath shall be revealed. Are the people of God now poured out. so firmly established upon His word And, furthermore, Satan is not that they would not yield to the Get in The Ark 95 evidence of their senses? Would lend them help. they, in such a crisis, cling to the Will the Lord forget His people in Bible and the Bible only? Satan will, this trying hour? Did He forget if possible, prevent them from faithful Noah when judgments were obtaining a preparation to stand in visited upon the antediluvian that day. He will so arrange affairs as world? Did He forget Lot when the to hedge up their way, entangle fire came down from heaven to them with earthly treasures, and consume the cities of the plain? Did cause them to carry a heavy, He forget Joseph surrounded by wearisome burden, that their hearts idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget may be overcharged with the cares Elijah when the oath of Jezebel of this life, that the day of trial may threatened him with the fate of the come upon them as a thief. prophets of Baal? Did He forget As the decree, issued by the Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit various rulers of Christendom, against commandment keepers shall The beloved of God withdraw the protection of govern- pass weary days, ment and abandon them to those bound in chains, shut who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the in by prison bars, cities and villages and associate sentenced to be slain, together in companies, dwelling in some apparently left the most desolate and solitary to die of starvation in places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. But dark and loathsome many of all nations and of all classes, dungeons. high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most of his prison house? Did He forget unjust and cruel bondage. The the three worthies in the fiery beloved of God pass weary days, furnace? or Daniel in the den of bound in chains, shut in by prison lions? bars, sentenced to be slain, some “Zion said, The Lord hath apparently left to die of starvation in forsaken me, and my Lord hath dark and loathsome dungeons. No forgotten me. Can a woman forget human ear is open to hear their her sucking child, that she should moans; no human hand is ready to not have compassion on the son of 96 On The Edge of Time her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet God, the act of punishment is a will I not forget thee. Behold, I have strange act. “As I live, saith the Lord graven thee upon the palms of My God, I have no pleasure in the death hands.” Isaiah 49:14-16. The Lord of of the wicked.” Ezekiel 33:11. The hosts has said: “He that toucheth Lord is “merciful and gracious, long- you toucheth the apple of His eye.” suffering, and abundant in goodness Zechariah 2:8. and truth, . . . forgiving iniquity and Though enemies may thrust them transgression and sin.” Yet He will into prison, yet dungeon walls “by no means clear the guilty.” “The cannot cut off the communication Lord is slow to anger, and great in between their souls and Christ. One power, and will not at all acquit the who sees their every weakness, who wicked.” Exodus 34:6,7; Nahum 1:3. is acquainted with every trial, is By terrible things in righteousness, above all earthly powers; and angels He will vindicate the authority of will come to them in lonely cells, His downtrodden law. The severity bringing light and peace from of the retribution awaiting the heaven. The prison will be as a transgressor may be judged by the palace, for the rich in faith dwell Lord’s reluctance to execute justice. there; and the gloomy walls will be The nation with which He bears lighted up with heavenly light as long, and which He will not smite when Paul and Silas prayed and until it has filled up the measure of sang praises at midnight in the its iniquity in God’s account, will Philippian dungeon. finally drink the cup of wrath God’s judgments will be visited unmixed with mercy. upon those who are seeking to When Christ ceases His inter- oppress and destroy His people. His cession in the heavenly sanctuary, long forbearance with the wicked the unmingled wrath threatened emboldens men in transgression, against those who worship the beast but their punishment is nonetheless and his image and receive his mark certain and terrible because it is long (Revelation 14:9,10), will be poured delayed. “The Lord shall rise up as in out. The plagues upon Egypt, when Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as God was about to deliver Israel, in the valley of Gibeon, that He may were similar in character to those do His work, His strange work; and more terrible and extensive judg- bring to pass His act, His strange ments which are to fall upon the act.” Isaiah 28:21. To our merciful world just before the final deliver- Get in The Ark 97 ance of God’s people. Says the land mourneth; . . . because the revelator, in describing those terrific harvest of the field is perished. . . . All scourges: “There fell a noisome and the trees of the field are withered: grievous sore upon the men which because joy is withered away from had the mark of the beast, and upon the sons of men.” “The seed is rotten them which worshiped his image.” under their clods, the garners are The sea “became as the blood of a laid desolate. . . . How do the beasts dead man: and every living soul groan! The herds of cattle are died in the sea.” And “the rivers and perplexed, because they have no fountains of waters . . . became pasture. . . . The rivers of water are blood.” Terrible as these inflictions dried up, and the fire hath devoured are, God’s justice stands fully the pastures of the wilderness.” vindicated. The angel of God “The songs of the temple shall be declares: “Thou art righteous, O howlings in that day, saith the Lord Lord, . . . because Thou hast judged God: there shall be many dead thus. For they have shed the blood of bodies in every place; they shall cast saints and prophets, and Thou hast them forth with silence.” Joel 1:10- given them blood to drink; for they 12,17-20; Amos 8:3. are worthy.” Revelation 16:2-6. By These plagues are not universal, condemning the people of God to or the inhabitants of the earth would death, they have as truly incurred be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the the guilt of their blood as if it had most awful scourges that have ever been shed by their hands. In like been known to mortals. All the manner, Christ declared the Jews of judgments upon men, prior to the His time guilty of all the blood of close of probation, have been holy men which had been shed since mingled with mercy. The pleading the days of Abel; for they possessed blood of Christ has shielded the the same spirit and were seeking to sinner from receiving the full do the same work with these measure of his guilt; but in the final murderers of the prophets. judgment, wrath is poured out In the plague that follows, power unmixed with mercy. is given to the sun “to scorch men In that day, multitudes will desire with fire. And men were scorched the shelter of God’s mercy which with great heat.” Verses 8,9. The they have so long despised. “Behold, prophets thus describe the condition the days come, saith the Lord God, of the earth at this fearful time: “The that I will send a famine in the land, 98 On The Edge of Time not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt water, but of hearing the words of not be afraid for the terror by night; the Lord: and they shall wander nor for the arrow that flieth by day; from sea to sea, and from the north nor for the pestilence that walketh in even to the east, they shall run to and darkness; nor for the destruction fro to seek the word of the Lord, and that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall not find it.” Amos 8:11,12. shall fall at thy side, and ten thou- The people of God will not be free sand at thy right hand; but it shall from suffering; but while persecuted not come nigh thee. Only with thine and distressed, while they endure eyes shalt thou behold and see the privation and suffer for want of reward of the wicked. Because thou food, they will not be left to perish. hast made the Lord, which is my That God who cared for Elijah will refuge, even the Most High, thy not pass by one of His self-sacrificing habitation; there shall no evil befall children. He who numbers the hairs thee, neither shall any plague come of their head will care for them, and nigh thy dwelling.” Psalms 121:5-7; in time of famine they shall be 91:3-10. satisfied. While the wicked are Yet to human sight it will appear dying from hunger and pestilence, that the people of God must soon angels will shield the righteous and seal their testimony with their blood supply their wants. To him that as did the martyrs before them. They “walketh righteously” is the themselves begin to fear that the promise: “Bread shall be given him; Lord has left them to fall by the hand his waters shall be sure.” Isaiah of their enemies. It is a time of fearful 33:15. agony. Day and night they cry unto “The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord God for deliverance. The wicked is thy shade upon thy right hand. exult, and the jeering cry is heard: The sun shall not smite thee by day, “Where now is your faith? Why does nor the moon by night. The Lord not God deliver you out of our hands shall preserve thee from all evil: He if you are indeed His people?” But shall preserve thy soul.” “He shall the waiting ones remember Jesus deliver thee from the snare of the dying upon Calvary’s cross and the fowler, and from the noisome chief priests and rulers shouting in pestilence. He shall cover thee with mockery: “He saved others; Himself His feathers, and under His wings He cannot save. If He be the King of shalt thou trust: His truth shall be Israel, let Him now come down from TheGet Time in Theof Trouble Ark 7999 the cross, and we will believe Him.” experience. Yet for the elect’s sake Matthew 27:42. Like Jacob, all are the time of trouble will be shortened. wrestling with God. Their counte- “Shall not God avenge His own nances express their internal strug- elect, which cry day and night unto gle. Paleness sits upon every face. Him?. . . I tell you that He will Yet they cease not their earnest avenge them speedily.” Luke 18:7,8. intercession. The end will come more quickly Could men see with heavenly than men expect. The wheat will be vision, they would behold compa- gathered and bound in sheaves for nies of angels that excel in strength the garner of God; the tares will be stationed about those who have kept bound as fagots for the fires of the word of Christ’s patience. With destruction. sympathizing tenderness, angels The heavenly sentinels, faithful to have witnessed their distress and their trust, continue their watch. have heard their prayers. They are Though a general decree has fixed waiting the word of their Com- the time when commandment mander to snatch them from their keepers may be put to death, their peril. But they must wait yet a little enemies will in some cases antici- longer. The people of God must pate the decree, and before the time drink of the cup and be baptized specified, will endeavor to take their with the baptism. The very delay, so lives. But none can pass the mighty painful to them, is the best answer to guardians stationed about every their petitions. As they endeavor to faithful soul. Some are assailed in wait trustingly for the Lord to work, their flight from the cities and they are led to exercise faith, hope, villages; but the swords raised and patience, which have been too against them break and fall power- little exercised during their religious less as a straw. Others are defended

The way to heaven is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace. 100 On The Edge of Time by angels in the form of men of war. blood of Christ’s faithful witnesses The precious Saviour will send were shed at this time, it would not, help just when we need it. The way like the blood of the martyrs, be as to heaven is consecrated by His seed sown to yield a harvest for God. footprints. Every thorn that wounds Their fidelity would not be a our feet has wounded His. Every testimony to convince others of the cross that we are called to bear He truth; for the stubborn heart has has borne before us. The Lord beaten back the waves of mercy until permits conflicts, to prepare the soul they return no more. If the righteous for peace. The time of trouble is a were now left to fall a prey to their fearful ordeal for God’s people, but enemies, it would be a triumph for it is the time for every true believer to the prince of darkness. Says the look up and by faith see the bow of psalmist: “In the time of trouble He promise encircling him. shall hide me in His pavilion: in the The eye of God, looking down the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide ages, was fixed upon the crisis which me.” Psalm 27:5. Christ has spoken: His people are to meet, when earthly “Come, My people, enter thou into powers shall be arrayed against thy chambers, and shut thy doors them. Like the captive exile, they about thee: hide thyself as it were for will be in fear of death, by starvation a little moment, until the indignation or by violence. But the Holy One, be overpast. For, behold, the Lord who divided the Red Sea before cometh out of His place to punish the Israel, will manifest His mighty inhabitants of the earth for their power and turn their captivity. iniquity.” Isaiah 26:20,21. Glorious “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord will be the deliverance of those who of hosts, in that day when I make up have patiently waited for His My jewels; and I will spare them, as a coming and whose names are man spareth his own son that written in the book of life. serveth him.” Malachi 3:17. If the

“In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me.” Psalm 27:5 Saved at Last

The Blessed Hope “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:1-3 TheSaved Time ofat TroubleLast 79

It is at midnight that God mani- roar as of a coming tempest. The sea fests His power for the deliverance is lashed into fury. There is heard the of His people. The sun appears, shriek of a hurricane like the voice of Ishining in its strength. Signs and demons upon a mission of destruc- wonders follow in quick succession. tion. The whole earth heaves and The wicked look with terror and swells like the waves of the sea. Its amazement upon the scene, while surface is breaking up. Its very the righteous behold with solemn foundations seem to be giving way. joy the tokens of their deliverance. Mountain chains are sinking. Everything in nature seems turned Inhabited islands disappear. The out of its course. The streams cease seaports that have become like to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up Sodom for wickedness are swal- and clash against each other. In the lowed up by the angry waters. midst of the angry heavens is one Babylon the great has come in clear space of indescribable glory, remembrance before God, “to give whence comes the voice of God like unto her the cup of the wine of the the sound of many waters, saying: fierceness of His wrath.” Great “It is done.” Revelation 16:17. hailstones, every one “about the That voice shakes the heavens and weight of a talent,” are doing their the earth. There is a mighty earth- work of destruction. Rev. 16:19,21. quake, “such as was not since men The proudest cities of the earth are were upon the earth, so mighty an laid low. The lordly palaces, upon earthquake, and so great.” Rev. which the world’s great men have 16:18. The firmament appears to lavished their wealth in order to open and shut. The glory from the glorify themselves, are crumbling to throne of God seems flashing ruin before their eyes. Prison walls through. The mountains shake like a are rent asunder, and God’s people, reed in the wind, and ragged rocks who have been held in bondage for are scattered on every side. There is a their faith, are set free. 104 On The Edge of Time

Graves are opened, and “many of for himself to worship, to the moles them that sleep in the dust of the and to the bats; to go into the clefts of earth. . . awake, some to everlasting the rocks, and into the tops of the life, and some to shame and everlast- ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, ing contempt.” Daniel 12:2. All who and for the glory of His majesty, have died in the faith of the third when He ariseth to shake terribly the angel’s message come forth from the earth.” Isaiah 2:10-12,20,21. tomb glorified, to hear God’s Through a rift in the clouds there covenant of peace with those who beams a star whose brilliancy is have kept His law. “They also which increased fourfold in contrast with pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those the darkness. It speaks hope and joy that mocked and derided Christ’s to the faithful, but severity and dying agonies, and the most violent wrath to the transgressors of God’s opposers of His truth and His law. Those who have sacrificed all people, are raised to behold Him in for Christ are now secure, hidden as His glory and to see the honor placed in the secret of the Lord’s pavilion. upon the loyal and obedient. They have been tested, and before Said the prophets of old, as they the world and the despisers of truth, beheld in holy vision the day of God: they have shown their fidelity to “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is Him who died for them. A marvel- at hand; it shall come as a destruc- ous change has come over those who tion from the Almighty.” Isaiah 13:6. have held fast their integrity in the “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in very face of death. They have been the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for suddenly delivered from the dark the glory of His majesty. The lofty and terrible tyranny of men trans- looks of man shall be humbled, and formed to demons. Their faces, so the haughtiness of men shall be lately pale, anxious, and haggard, bowed down, and the Lord alone are now aglow with wonder, faith, shall be exalted in that day. For the and love. Their voices rise in day of the Lord of hosts shall be triumphant song: “God is our refuge upon everyone that is proud and and strength, a very present help in lofty, and upon everyone that is trouble. Therefore will not we fear, lifted up; and he shall be brought though the earth be removed, and low.” “In that day a man shall cast though the mountains be carried the idols of his silver, and the idols of into the midst of the sea; though the his gold, which they made each one waters thereof roar and be troubled, Saved at Last 105 though the mountains shake with as the light.” Habakkuk 3:3,4. As the the swelling thereof.” Psalm 46:1-3. living cloud comes still nearer, every Soon there appears in the east a eye beholds the Prince of Life. No small black cloud, about half the size crown of thorns now mars that of a man’s hand. It is the cloud which sacred head; but a diadem of glory surrounds the Saviour and which rests on His holy brow. His counte- seems in the distance to be shrouded nance outshines the dazzling in darkness. The people of God brightness of the noonday sun. “And know this to be the sign of the Son of He hath on His vesture and on His man. In solemn silence they gaze thigh a name written, King of Kings, upon it as it draws nearer the earth, and Lord of Lords.” Rev. 19:16. becoming lighter and more glorious, Before His presence “all faces are until it is a great white cloud, its base turned into paleness;” upon the a glory like consuming fire, and rejecters of God’s mercy falls the above it the rainbow of the covenant. terror of eternal despair. “The heart Jesus rides forth as a mighty melteth, and the knees smite conqueror. He comes now not a together, . . . and the faces of them all “Man of Sorrows,” to drink the bitter gather blackness.” Jeremiah 30:6; cup of shame and woe, but as victor Nahum 2:10. The righteous cry with in heaven and earth, to judge the trembling: “Who shall be able to living and the dead. “Faithful and stand?” The angels’ song is hushed, True,” “in righteousness He doth and there is a period of awful silence. judge and make war.” And “the Then the voice of Jesus is heard, armies which were in heaven” (Rev. saying: “My grace is sufficient for 19:11,14) follow Him. With anthems you.” The faces of the righteous are of celestial melody, the holy angels, a lighted up, and joy fills every heart. vast, unnumbered throng, attend And the angels strike a note higher Him on His way. The firmament and sing again as they draw still seems filled with radiant forms~ nearer to the earth. “ten thousand times ten thousand, The King of Kings descends upon and thousands of thousands.” No the cloud, wrapped in flaming fire. human pen can portray the scene; no The heavens are rolled together as a mortal mind is adequate to conceive scroll, the earth trembles before its splendor. “His glory covered the Him, and every mountain and island heavens, and the earth was full of is moved out of its place. “Our God His praise. And His brightness was shall come, and shall not keep 106 On The Edge of Time silence: a fire shall devour before called them to repentance. How Him, and it shall be very tempestu- often has it been heard in the ous round about Him. He shall call touching entreaties of a friend, a to the heavens from above, and to brother, a Redeemer. To the rejecters the earth, that He may judge His of His grace, no other could be so full people.” Psalm 50:3,4. of condemnation, so burdened with “And the kings of the earth, and denunciation, as that voice which the great men, and the rich men, and has so long pleaded: “Turn ye, turn the chief captains, and the mighty ye from your evil ways; for why will men, and every bondman, and every ye die?” Ezekiel 33:11. Oh, that it freeman, hid themselves in the dens were to them the voice of a stranger! and in the rocks of the mountains; Says Jesus: “I have called, and ye and said to the mountains and rocks, refused; I have stretched out My Fall on us, and hide us from the face hand, and no man regarded; but ye of Him that sitteth on the throne, and have set at nought all My counsel, from the wrath of the Lamb: for the and would none of My reproof.” great day of His wrath is come; and Proverbs 1:24,25. That voice who shall be able to stand?” Rev. awakens memories which they 6:15-17. would fain blot out: warnings The derisive jests have ceased. despised, invitations refused, Lying lips are hushed into silence. privileges slighted. The clash of arms, the tumult of There are those who mocked battle is stilled. Nought now is Christ in His humiliation. With heard but the voice of prayer and the thrilling power come to their minds sound of weeping and lamentation. the Sufferer’s words, when, adjured The cry bursts forth from lips so by the high priest, He solemnly lately scoffing: “The great day of His declared: “Hereafter shall ye see the wrath is come; and who shall be able Son of man sitting on the right hand to stand?” The wicked pray to be of power, and coming in the clouds buried beneath the rocks of the of heaven.” Matthew 26:64. Now mountains rather than meet the face they behold Him in His glory, and of Him whom they have despised they are yet to see Him sitting on the and rejected. right hand of power. That voice, which penetrates the Those who derided His claim to ear of the dead, they know. How be the Son of God are speechless often have its plaintive, tender tones now. There is the haughty Herod Saved at Last 107 who jeered at His royal title and compared with the remorse of that bade the mocking soldiers crown day when “fear cometh as desola- Him king. There are the very men tion,” when “destruction cometh as who with impious hands placed a whirlwind”! Those who would upon His form the purple robe, upon have destroyed Christ and His His sacred brow the thorny crown, faithful people now witness the and in His unresisting hand the glory which rests upon them. In the mimic scepter, and bowed before midst of their terror they hear the Him in blasphemous mockery. The voices of the saints in joyful strains men who smote and spit upon the exclaiming: “Lo, this is our God; we Prince of life now turn from His have waited for Him, and He will piercing gaze and seek to flee from save us.” Isaiah 25:9. the overpowering glory of His Amid the reeling of the earth, the presence. Those who drove the nails flash of lightning, and the roar of through His hands and feet, the thunder, the voice of the Son of God soldier who pierced His side, behold calls forth the sleeping saints. He these marks with terror and looks upon the graves of the remorse. righteous, then, raising His hands to With awful distinctness do priests heaven, He cries: “Awake, awake, and rulers recall the events of awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and Calvary. With shuddering horror arise!” Throughout the length and they remember how, wagging their breadth of the earth the dead shall heads in satanic exultation, they hear that voice, and they that hear exclaimed: “He saved others; shall live. And the whole earth shall Himself He cannot save. If He be the ring with the tread of the exceeding King of Israel, let Him now come great army of every nation, kindred, down from the cross, and we will tongue, and people. From the prison believe Him. He trusted in God; let house of death they come, clothed Him deliver Him now, if He will with immortal glory, crying: “O have Him.” Matthew 27:42,43. death, where is thy sting? O grave, In the lives of all who reject truth, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians there are moments when conscience 15:55. And the living righteous and awakens, when memory presents the risen saints unite their voices in a the torturing recollection of a life of long, glad shout of victory. hypocrisy, and the soul is harassed In the beginning, man was created with vain regrets. But what are these in the likeness of God, not only in 108 On The Edge of Time character, but in form and feature. The living righteous are changed Sin defaced and almost obliterated “in a moment, in the twinkling of an the divine image; but Christ came to eye.” At the voice of God they were restore that which had been lost. He glorified; now they are made will change our vile bodies and immortal and with the risen saints fashion them like unto His glorious are caught up to meet their Lord in body. The mortal, corruptible form, the air. Angels “gather together His devoid of comeliness, once polluted elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Little From the prison house children are borne by holy angels to of death they come, their mothers’ arms. Friends long separated by death are united, clothed with immortal nevermore to part, and with songs of glory, crying: “O death, gladness ascend together to the City where is thy sting? of God. O grave, where On each side of the cloudy chariot are wings, and beneath it are living is thy victory?” wheels; and as the chariot rolls upward, the wheels cry, “Holy,” and with sin, becomes perfect, beautiful, the wings, as they move, cry, and immortal. All blemishes and “Holy,” and the retinue of angels deformities are left in the grave. cry, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Restored to the tree of life in the Almighty.” And the redeemed long-lost Eden, the redeemed will shout, “Alleluia!” as the chariot grow up to the full stature of the race moves onward toward the New in its original glory. The last linger- Jerusalem. ing traces of the curse of sin will be Before the ransomed throng is the removed, and Christ’s faithful ones Holy City. Jesus opens wide the will appear in “the beauty of the pearly gates, and the nations that Lord our God,” in mind and soul have kept the truth enter in. There and body, reflecting the perfect they behold the Paradise of God, the image of their Lord. Oh, wonderful home of Adam in his innocency. redemption! Long talked of, long Then that voice, richer than any hoped for, contemplated with eager music that ever fell on mortal ear, is anticipation, but never fully heard, saying: “Your conflict is understood. ended.” “Come, ye blessed of My Saved at Last 109

Father, inherit the kingdom pre- see that one has gained others, and pared for you from the foundation of these still others—all brought into the world.” Matthew 25:34. the haven of rest, there to lay their Now is fulfilled the Saviour’s crowns at Jesus’ feet and praise Him prayer for His disciples: “I will that through the endless ages of eternity. they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” John Your conflict is 17:24. “Faultless before the presence ended. Come, ye of His glory with exceeding joy”, Christ presents to the Father the blessed of My Father, purchase of His blood, declaring: inherit the kingdom “Here am I, and the children whom prepared for you Thou hast given Me.” “Those that from the foundation Thou gavest Me I have kept.” Oh, the wonders of redeeming love! The of the world. rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the Upon the crystal sea before the ransomed, shall behold His image— throne, that sea of glass, as it were sin’s discord banished, its blight mingled with fire, so resplendent removed, and the human once more with the glory of God, are gathered in harmony with the divine! the company that have “gotten the With unutterable love, Jesus victory over the beast, and over his welcomes His faithful ones to the joy image, and over his mark, and over of their Lord. The Saviour’s joy is in the number of his name.” With the seeing, in the kingdom of glory, the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having souls that have been saved by His the harps of God,” they stand, the agony and humiliation. And the hundred and forty and four thou- redeemed will be sharers in His joy sand that were redeemed from as they behold, among the blessed, among men; and there is heard, as those who have been won to Christ the sound of many waters, and as the through their prayers, their labors, sound of a great thunder, “the voice and their loving sacrifice. As they of harpers harping with their harps.” gather about the great white throne, And they sing “a new song” before gladness unspeakable will fill their the throne, a song which no man can hearts when they behold those learn save the hundred and forty whom they have won for Christ, and and four thousand. It is the song of 110 On The Edge of Time

Moses and the Lamb—a song of “they shall hunger no more, neither deliverance. None but the hundred thirst any more; neither shall the sun and forty-four thousand can learn light on them, nor any heat. For the that song; for it is the song of their Lamb which is in the midst of the experience, an experience such as no throne shall feed them, and shall other company have ever had. lead them unto living fountains of “These are they which follow the waters: and God shall wipe away all Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” tears from their eyes”( Rev. 7:14-17). These, having been translated from In all ages the Saviour’s chosen the earth from among the living, are have been educated and disciplined counted as “the first fruits unto God in the school of trial. They walked in and to the Lamb” (Rev. 15:2, 3; 14:1- narrow paths on earth; they were 5). “These are they which came out purified in the furnace of affliction. of great tribulation;” they have For Jesus’ sake they endured passed through the time of trouble opposition, hatred, calumny. They such as never was since there was a followed Him through conflicts nation; they have endured the sore; they endured self-denial and anguish of the time of Jacob’s experienced bitter disappointments. trouble; they have stood without By their own painful experience they an intercessor through the final learned the evil of sin, its power, its outpouring of God’s judgments. But guilt, its woe; and they look upon it they have been delivered, for they with abhorrence. A sense of the have “washed their robes, and made infinite sacrifice made for its cure them white in the blood of the humbles them in their own sight and Lamb.” “In their mouth was found fills their hearts with gratitude and no guile: for they are without fault” praise, which those who have never before God. “Therefore are they fallen cannot appreciate. They love before the throne of God, and serve much because they have been Him day and night in His temple: forgiven much. Having been and He that sitteth on the throne partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they shall dwell among them.” They have are fitted to be partakers with Him of seen the earth wasted with famine His glory. and pestilence, the sun having The heirs of God have come from power to scorch men with great heat, garrets, from hovels, from dun- and they themselves have endured geons, from scaffolds, from moun- suffering, hunger, and thirst. But tains, from deserts, from the caves of Saved at Last 111 the earth, from the caverns of the sea. most honored of the earth have ever On earth they were “destitute, worn. They are crowned with afflicted, tormented.” Millions went diadems more glorious than were down to the grave loaded with ever placed upon the brow of earthly infamy, because they steadfastly monarchs. The days of pain and refused to yield to the deceptive weeping are forever ended. The claims of Satan. By human tribunals King of Glory has wiped the tears they were judged the vilest of from all faces; every cause of grief criminals. But now “God is judge has been removed. Amid the waving Himself.” Psalm 50:6. Now the of palm branches, they pour forth a decisions of earth are reversed. “The song of praise, clear, sweet, and rebuke of His people shall He take harmonious; every voice takes up away.” Isaiah 25:8. “They shall call the strain, until the anthem swells them, The holy people, The through the vaults of heaven: redeemed of the Lord.” He hath “Salvation to our God which sitteth appointed “to give unto them upon the throne, and unto the beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for Lamb.” And all the inhabitants of mourning, the garment of praise for heaven respond in the ascription: the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 62:12; “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and 61:3. They are no longer feeble, wisdom, and thanksgiving, and afflicted, scattered, and oppressed. honor, and power, and might, be Hence-forth they are to be ever with unto our God for ever and ever.” the Lord. They stand before the Rev. 7:10,12. throne clad in richer robes than the

This is not the end of thee book invite or you the story. If you would like to read the book in its entirety, w to order a FREE copy of The Great ersy using the attached order card Controv or by downloading a FREE digital copy at www.peacefinders.org/gcebook Jesus Wept. John 11:35. It’s the shortest verse in the Bible, but, perhaps, one of the most powerful and profound. It speaks volumes of the love of God for His lost children on earth. But Jesus’ tears were not just for the doomed city of first century Jerusalem and its inhabitants who had rejected Him as their only hope of salvation. Those tears were prophetic. Jesus, looking down through the ages, wept over all who would finally reject Him as Saviour, Lord and King. Imagine it! The Creator of the Universe weeping for a world He came to save but who would not, except for a few in comparison willing to repent and obey the gospel of Christ. This is the opening scene from our free gift book The Great Controversy, from which excerpts have been composed to create On The Edge of Time. From this moving picture of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, The Great Controversy moves quickly to a detailed account of the destruction of the beloved city in AD 70 followed by Pagan Rome’s fierce and terrible persecution of the early Christian church in the first centuries AD. From the fall of the Roman Empire under the Caesars, the book then documents the rise of the Holy Roman Empire under the Popes, which receives its power and great authority from the former. The book then recounts the story of the true Christian Church going underground to preserve the pure and simple faith of Jesus and His apostles in a time of alarming compromise and apostasy throughout the dark centuries of Papal rule. It is here that The Great Controversy gets even more exciting as we see God raise up humble men and women of faith to stand against unnumbered foes and against the very antichrist of Bible prophecy itself, in the face of imprisonment, torture, and death. After millions are martyred for their faith in Jesus and the Word of God, Protestantism finally strikes a deadly wound to this beast power described in Revelation 13 only later to succumb herself to the perils of formalism and worldly compromise as she clings to the traditions and doctrinal errors received from the “mother church,” instead of advancing in the truth. This is where On The Edge of Time picks up the story. The Great Controversy is essential reading for every truth-seeker, and especially Christians, who desire to understand where we are in Bible prophecy and who desire to build their faith on the solid rock of God’s Word rather than the traditions, doctrines and commandments of men. We invite you to order your free copy while supplies last. Enjoyed reading On The Edge of Time? Get the whole story, unabridged and uncensored!

Now is your opportunity to The Great own and read this LIFE-CHANGING book! Controversy ... a literary classic that has blessed millions around the world for over 160 years.

In the great fi nal confl ict, Satan will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit, and work for the same end as in all preceding ages. That which has been, will be, except that the coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never witnessed. Satan’s deceptions will be more subtle, his assaults more determined. To unfold the scenes of the great controversy between truth and error; to reveal the wiles of Satan, and the means by which he may be successfully resisted; to present the only solution to the great problem of evil, so as to make fully manifest the justice and mercy of God in all His dealings with His creatures; and to show the holy, unchanging nature of His law, the great law of love, is the object of this book. ~The Author Supplies are limited, so... Order Your FREE Copy Today! Mail attached order card, call 1-800-728-6872, visit www.peacefi nders.org/gc, or scan the code.

OnEdgeOfTime_CoverUpdate21.indd 3 4/19/21 4:11 PM OnEdgeOfTime_CoverUpdate21.indd 4

It’s closer to midnight than it’s ever been.

PROJECT: Steps to Christ, Inc. PO Box 131 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE Fort Covington, NY 12937-0131 PAID PROJECT: Steps to Christ 4/19/21 4:11 PM