The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 432

The European Union in Prophecy
transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." Exodus 34:6, 7. "All
the wicked will He destroy." "The transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end
of the wicked shall be cut off." Psalms 145:20; 37:38. The power and authority of the
divine government will be employed to put down rebellion; yet all the manifestations
of retributive justice will be perfectly consistent with the character of God as a
merciful, longsuffering, benevolent being.
God does not force the will or judgment of any. He takes no pleasure in a slavish
obedience. He desires that the creatures of His hands shall love Him because He is
worthy of love. He would have them obey Him because they have an intelligent
appreciation of His wisdom, justice, and benevolence. And all who have a just
conception of these qualities will love Him because they are drawn toward Him in
admiration of His attributes. The principles of kindness, mercy, and love, taught and
exemplified by our Saviour, are a transcript of the will and character of God. Christ
declared that He taught nothing except that which He had received from His Father.
The principles of the divine government are in perfect harmony with the
Saviour's precept, "Love your enemies." God executes justice upon the wicked, for the
good of the universe, and even for the good of those upon whom His judgments are
visited. He would make them happy if He could do so in accordance with the laws of
His government and the justice of His character. He surrounds them with the tokens
of His love, He grants them a knowledge of His law, and follows them with the offers
of His mercy; but they despise His love, make void His law, and reject His mercy.
While constantly receiving His gifts, they dishonour the Giver; they hate God because
they know that He abhors their sins. The Lord bears long with their perversity; but
the decisive hour will come at last, when their destiny is to be decided. Will He then
chain these rebels to His side? Will He force them to do His will?
Those who have chosen Satan as their leader and have been controlled by his
power are not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness,
cruelty, have become fixed in their characters. Can they enter heaven to dwell forever
with those whom they despised and hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to
a liar; meekness will not satisfy self-esteem and pride; purity is not acceptable to the
corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish. What source of
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