The European Union in Prophecy
commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive " the mark of the beast."
The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel ' s message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God ' s judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them. Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his announcement to " every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The warning of the third angel, which forms a part of the same threefold message, is to be no less widespread. It is represented in the prophecy as being proclaimed with a loud voice, by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; and it will command the attention of the world.
In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great classes--those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel " all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond "( Revelation 13:16), to receive " the mark of the beast," yet the people of God will not receive it. The prophet of Patmos beholds " them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God " and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3.
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