The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 287

Revolution the law of God was openly set aside by the National Council.
And in the Reign of Terror which followed, the working of cause and
effect could be seen by all.
When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked
men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object
so long desired—a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of
God. Because sentence against an evil work was not speedily executed,
therefore the heart of the sons of men was “fully set in them to do evil.”
Ecclesiastes 8:11. But the transgression of a just and righteous law must
inevitably result in misery and ruin. Though not visited at once with
judgments, the wickedness of men was nevertheless surely working out
their doom. Centuries of apostasy and crime had been treasuring up
wrath against the day of retribution; and when their iniquity was full, the
despisers of God learned too late that it is a fearful thing to have worn
out the divine patience. The restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a
check upon the cruel power of Satan, was in a great measure removed,
and he whose only delight is the wretchedness of men was permitted
to work his will. Those who had chosen the service of rebellion were
left to reap its fruits until the land was filled with crimes too horrible
for pen to trace. From devastated provinces and ruined cities a terrible
cry was heard—a cry of bitterest anguish. France was shaken as if by
an earthquake. Religion, law, social order, the family, the state, and the
church—all were smitten down by the impious hand that had been lifted
against the law of God. Truly spoke the wise man: “The wicked shall fall
by his own wickedness.” “Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and
his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them
that fear God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the
wicked.” Proverbs 11:5; Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13. “They hated knowledge,
and did not choose the fear of the Lord;” “therefore shall they eat of the
fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” Proverbs
1:29, 31.

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