it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value . Whatever is done from love , however small it may appear in the estimation of men , is accepted and rewarded of God .
The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven . There is the record of unfulfilled duties to their fellow men , of forgetfulness of the Saviour ' s claims . There they will see how often were given to Satan the time , thought , and strength that belonged to Christ . Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven . Intelligent beings , professed followers of Christ , are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures . Money , time , and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence ; but few are the moments devoted to prayer , to the searching of the Scriptures , to humiliation of soul and confession of sin . Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds , that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted . The archdeceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful mediator . He knows that with him everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth .
Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour ' s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God . The precious hours , instead of being given to pleasure , to display , or to gain seeking , should be devoted to an earnest , prayerful study of the word of truth . The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God . All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest . Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill . Every individual has a soul to save or to lose . Each has a case pending at the bar of God . Each must meet the great Judge face to face . How important , then , that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened , when , with Daniel , every individual must stand in his lot , at the end of the days .
All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them . The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ ' s work in behalf of men . It concerns every soul living upon the earth . It opens to view the plan of redemption , bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin . It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects and be able to give an answer to everyone that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them .
The intercession of Christ in man ' s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross . By His death He began that work which
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