The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 268

“great tribulation” to befall the church, the Saviour said: “Except those
days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the
elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22. Through the
influence of the Reformation the persecution was brought to an end prior
to 1798.
Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further: “These
are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the
God of the earth.” “Thy word,” said the psalmist, “is a lamp unto
my feet, and a light unto my path.” Revelation 11:4; Psalm 119:105.
The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New
Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity
of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The
types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to
a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell
of a Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and
prophecy.
“They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three-score days,
clothed in sackcloth.” During the greater part of this period, God’s
witnesses remained in a state of obscurity. The papal power sought
to hide from the people the word of truth, and set before them false
witnesses to contradict its testimony. (See Appendix.) When the Bible
was proscribed by religious and secular authority; when its testimony
was perverted, and every effort made that men and demons could invent
to turn the minds of the people from it; when those who dared proclaim
its sacred truths were hunted, betrayed, tortured, buried in dungeon cells,
martyred for their faith, or compelled to flee to mountain fastnesses, and
to dens and caves of the earth—then the faithful witnesses prophesied
in sackcloth. Yet they continued their testimony throughout the entire
period of 1260 years. In the darkest times there were faithful men who
loved God’s word and were jealous for His honor. To these loyal servants
were

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