The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 543

executes justice upon the wicked, for the good of the universe, and even
for the good of those upon whom His judgments are visited. He would
make them happy if He could do so in accordance with the laws of His
government and the justice of His character. He surrounds them with the
tokens of His love, He grants them a knowledge of His law, and follows
them with the offers of His mercy; but they despise His love, make void
His law, and reject His mercy. While constantly receiving His gifts, they
dishonor the Giver; they hate God because they know that He abhors
their sins. The Lord bears long with their perversity; but the decisive
hour will come at last, when their destiny is to be decided. Will He then
chain these rebels to His side? Will He force them to do His will?
Those who have chosen Satan as their leader and have been
controlled by his power are not prepared to enter the presence of God.
Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty, have become fixed in their
characters. Can they enter heaven to dwell forever with those whom
they despised and hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to a liar;
meekness will not satisfy self-esteem and pride; purity is not acceptable
to the corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish.
What source of enjoyment could heaven offer to those who are wholly
absorbed in earthly and selfish interests?
Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God
be suddenly transported to heaven and witness the high, the holy state
of perfection that ever exists there,—every soul filled with love, every
countenance beaming with joy, enrapturing music in melodious strains
rising in honor of God and the Lamb, and ceaseless streams of light
flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the
throne,—could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth
and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of
praise? Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb? No, no;
years of probation

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