The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 657

persecute those who would keep it holy. Now, in their despair,
these teachers confess before the world their work of deception. The
multitudes are filled with fury. “We are lost!” they cry, “and you are the
cause of our ruin;” and they turn upon the false shepherds. The very ones
that once admired them most will pronounce the most dreadful curses
upon them. The very hands that once crowned them with laurels will be
raised for their destruction. The swords which were to slay God’s people
are now employed to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife
and bloodshed.
“A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath
a controversy with the nations, He will plead with all flesh; He will give
them that are wicked to the sword.” Jeremiah 25:31. For six thousand
years the great controversy has been in progress; the Son of God and
His heavenly messengers have been in conflict with the power of the evil
one, to warn, enlighten, and save the children of men. Now all have made
their decisions; the wicked have fully united with Satan in his warfare
against God. The time has come for God to vindicate the authority of
His downtrodden law. Now the controversy is not alone with Satan, but
with men. “The Lord hath a controversy with the nations;” “He will give
them that are wicked to the sword.”
The mark of deliverance has been set upon those “that sigh and that
cry for all the abominations that be done.” Now the angel of death goes
forth, represented in Ezekiel’s vision by the men with the slaughtering
weapons, to whom the command is given: “Slay utterly old and young,
both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man
upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” Says the prophet:
“They began at the ancient men which were before the house.” Ezekiel
9:1-6. The work of destruction begins among those who have professed
to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the
first to fall. There are none to pity or to spare. Men, women, maidens,
and little children perish together.
“The Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants

656