26 . A Work of Reform
The work of Sabbath reform to be accomplished in the last days is foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah : " Thus saith the Lord , Keep ye judgment , and do justice : for My salvation is near to come , and My righteousness to be revealed . Blessed is the man that doeth this , and the son of man that layeth hold on it ; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it , and keepeth his hand from doing any evil ." " 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 , everyone 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 ." Isaiah 56:1 , 2 , 6 , 7 .
These words apply in the Christian age , as shown by the context : " The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith , Yet will I gather others to him , beside those that are gathered unto him ." Verse 8 . Here is foreshadowed the gathering in of the Gentiles by the gospel . And upon those who then honor the Sabbath , a blessing is pronounced . Thus the obligation of the fourth commandment extends past the crucifixion , resurrection , and ascension of Christ , to the time when His servants should preach to all nations the message of glad tidings .
The Lord commands by the same prophet : " Bind up the testimony , seal the law among My disciples ." Isaiah 8:16 . The seal of God ' s law is found in the fourth commandment . This only , of all the ten , brings to view both the name and the title of the Lawgiver . It declares Him to be the Creator of the heavens and the earth , and thus shows His claim to reverence and worship above all others . Aside from this precept , there is nothing in the Decalogue to show by whose authority the law is given . When the Sabbath was changed by the papal power , the seal was taken from the law . The disciples of Jesus are called upon to restore it by exalting the Sabbath of the fourth commandment to its rightful position as the Creator ' s memorial and the sign of His authority .
" To the law and to the testimony ." While conflicting doctrines and theories abound , the law of God is the one unerring rule by which all opinions , doctrines , and theories are to be tested . Says the prophet : " If they speak not according to this word , it is because there is no light in them ." Verse 20 . Again , the command is given : " Cry aloud , spare not , lift up thy voice like a trumpet , and show My people their transgression , and the house of Jacob their sins ." It is not the wicked world , but those whom the Lord designates as " my people ," that are to be reproved for their transgressions . He declares further : " Yet they seek Me daily , and delight to know My ways , as a nation that did righteousness , and forsook not the ordinance of their God ."
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