The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 609

Conscientious obedience to the word of God will be treated as
rebellion. Blinded by Satan, the parent will exercise harshness and
severity toward the believing child; the master or mistress will oppress
the commandment-keeping servant. Affection will be alienated; children
will be disinherited and driven from home. The words of Paul will be
literally fulfilled: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. As the defenders of truth refuse to honor
the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will
be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now
seems impossible; but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn
from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the
divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be
very cruel when God’s fear and love are removed.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith
in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through
obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the
opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they
have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test
is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men
of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ
their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter
enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought
before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most
efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false
reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.
In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord’s servants will be
tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to
His word alone. God’s Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained
them to speak. Stimulated

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