The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 474

The European Union in Prophecy
37.
The Only Safeguard
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. The people of God are directed to the
Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive
power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from
obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At
every revival of God's work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is
now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His
followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform
his marvellous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true
that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures.
By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.
Those who endeavour to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and
derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they
must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honour Him only
as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act
in accordance with them. 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 men? The decisive hour is even now at
hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God's immutable word? Are we prepared to
stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?
Before His crucifixion the Saviour explained to His disciples that He was to be
put to death and to rise again from the tomb, and angels were present to impress His
words on minds and hearts. But the disciples were looking for temporal deliverance
from the Roman yoke, and they could not tolerate the thought that He in whom all
their hopes centered should suffer an ignominious death. The words which they
needed to remember were banished from their minds; and when the time of trial came,
it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their hopes as if He
had not forewarned them. So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as
plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected
with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are
clearly presented.
473