The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 606
and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the
same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
without mixture into the cup of His indignation.” Revelation 14:9, 10.
But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has
been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected.
There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special
truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never
been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart and tries
every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be
deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged
upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his
decision intelligently.
The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of
truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to
bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those
who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of
the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the
fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is
in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to
God’s law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by
accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of
the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority,
receive the seal of God.
Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel’s
message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions
that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States,
that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the
commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd.
It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other
than what it has been—the defender of religious freedom. But
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