God and set aside the Bible , wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired--a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God . Because sentence against an evil work was not speedily executed , therefore the heart of the sons of men was " fully set in them to do evil ." Ecclesiastes 8:11 . But the transgression of a just and righteous law must inevitably result in misery and ruin . Though not visited at once with judgments , the wickedness of men was nevertheless surely working out their doom . Centuries of apostasy and crime had been treasuring up wrath against the day of retribution ; and when their iniquity was full , the despisers of God learned too late that it is a fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience .
The restraining Spirit of God , which imposes a check upon the cruel power of Satan , was in a great measure removed , and he whose only delight is the wretchedness of men was permitted to work his will . Those who had chosen the service of rebellion were left to reap its fruits until the land was filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace . From devastated provinces and ruined cities a terrible cry was heard--a cry of bitterest anguish . France was shaken as if by an earthquake . Religion , law , social order , the family , the state , and the church--all were smitten down by the impious hand that had been lifted against the law of God . Truly spoke the wise man : " The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness ." " Though a sinner do evil a hundred times , and his days be prolonged , yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God , which fear before Him : but it shall not be well with the wicked ." Proverbs 11:5 ; Ecclesiastes 8:12 , 13 . " They hated knowledge , and did not choose the fear of the Lord ;" " therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way , and be filled with their own devices ." Proverbs 1:29 , 31 .
God ' s faithful witnesses , slain by the blasphemous power that " ascendeth out of the bottomless pit ," were not long to remain silent . " After three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them , and they stood upon their feet ; and great fear fell upon them which saw them ." Revelation 11:11 . It was in 1793 that the decrees which abolished the Christian religion and set aside the Bible passed the French Assembly . Three years and a half later a resolution rescinding these decrees , thus granting toleration to the Scriptures , was adopted by the same body . The world stood aghast at the enormity of guilt which had resulted from a rejection of the Sacred Oracles , and men recognized the necessity of faith in God and His word as the foundation of virtue and morality . Saith the Lord : " Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed ? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice , and lifted up thine eyes on high ? even against the Holy One of Israel ," Isaiah 37:23 . " Therefore , behold , I will cause them to know , this once will I cause them to know My hand and My might ; and they shall know that My name is Jehovah ." Jeremiah 16:21 , A . R . V .
Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further : " And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them , Come up hither . And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud ; and their enemies beheld them ." Revelation 11:12 . Since France made war upon God ' s two witnesses , they have been honoured as never before . In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was
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