The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 489

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

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