patriarchs and prophets-第85章
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of their visitation they shall perish。 The portion of Jacob is not like
them： for He is the former of all things。〃 Jeremiah 10：10…12； 14…16。 The
Sabbath； as a memorial of God's creative power； points to Him as the maker
of the heavens and the earth。 Hence it is a constant witness to His
existence and a reminder of His greatness； His wisdom； and His love。 Had the
Sabbath always been sacredly observed； there could never have been an
atheist or an idolater。
The Sabbath institution； which originated in Eden； is as old as the world
itself。 It was observed by all the patriarchs； from creation down。 During
the bondage in Egypt； the Israelites were forced by their taskmasters to
violate the Sabbath； and to a great extent they lost the knowledge of its
sacredness。 When the law was proclaimed at Sinai the very first words of the
fourth commandment were； 〃Remember the Sabbath day； to keep it holy〃
showing that the Sabbath was not then instituted； we are pointed back for
its origin to creation。 In order to obliterate God from the minds of men；
Satan aimed to tear down this great memorial。 If men could be led to forget
their Creator； they would make no effort to resist the power of evil； and
Satan would be sure of his prey。
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Satan's enmity against God's law had impelled him to war against every
precept of the Decalogue。 To the great principle of love and loyalty to God；
the Father of all； the principle of filial love and obedience is closely
related。 Contempt for parental authority will soon lead to contempt for the
authority of God。 Hence Satan's efforts to lessen the obligation of the
fifth commandment。 Among heathen peoples the principle enjoined in this
precept was little heeded。 In many nations parents were abandoned or put to
death as soon as age had rendered them incapable of providing for
themselves。 In the family the mother was treated with little respect； and
upon the death of her husband she was required to submit to the authority of
her eldest son。 Filial obedience was enjoined by Moses； but as the
Israelites departed from the Lord； the fifth commandment； with others； came
to be disregarded。
Satan was 〃a murderer from the beginning〃 （John 8：44）； and as soon as he had
obtained power over the human race； he not only prompted them to hate and
slay one another； but； the more boldly to defy the authority of God； he made
the violation of the sixth commandment a part of their religion。
By perverted conceptions of divine attributes； heathen nations were led to
believe human sacrifices necessary to secure the favor of their deities； and
the most horrible cruelties have been perpetrated under the various forms of
idolatry。 Among these was the practice of causing their children to pass
through the fire before their idols。 When one of them came through this
ordeal unharmed； the people believed that their offerings were accepted； the
one thus delivered was regarded as specially favored by the gods； was loaded
with benefits； and ever afterward held in high esteem； and however
aggravated his crimes； he was never punished。 But should one be burned in
passing through the fire； his fate was sealed； it was believed that the
anger of the gods could be appeased only by taking the life of the victim；
and he was accordingly offered as a sacrifice。 In times of great apostasy
these abominations prevailed； to some extent； among the Israelites。
The violation of the seventh commandment also was early practiced in the
name of religion。 The most licentious and abominable rites were made a part
of the heathen worship。 The gods
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themselves were represented as impure； and their worshipers gave the rein to
the baser passions。 Unnatural vices prevailed and the religious festivals
were characterized by universal and open impurity。
Polygamy was practiced at an early date。 It was one of the sins that brought
the wrath of God upon the antediluvian world。 Yet after the Flood it again
became widespread。 It was Satan's studied effort to pervert the marriage
institution； to weaken its obligations and lessen its sacredness； for in no
surer way could he deface the image of God in man and open the door to
misery and vice。
From the opening of the great controversy it has been Satan's purpose to
misrepresent God's character and to excite rebellion against His law； and
this work appears to be crowned with success。 The multitudes give ear to
Satan's deceptions and set themselves against God。 But amid the working of
evil； God's purposes move steadily forward to their accomplishment； to all
created intelligences He is making manifest His justice and benevolence。
Through Satan's temptations the whole human race have become transgressors
of God's law； but by the sacrifice of His Son a way is opened whereby they
may return to God。 Through the grace of Christ they may be enabled to render
obedience to the Father's law。 Thus in every age； from the midst of apostasy
and rebellion； God gathers out a people that are true to Hima people 〃in
whose heart is His law。〃 Isaiah 51：7。
It was by deception that Satan seduced angels； thus he has in all ages
carried forward his work among men； and he will continue this policy to the
last。 Should he openly profess to be warring against God and His law； men
would beware； but he disguises himself； and mixes truth with error。 The most
dangerous falsehoods are those that are mingled with truth。 It is thus that
errors are received that captivate and ruin the soul。 By this means Satan
carries the world with him。 But a day is coming when his triumph will be
forever ended。
God's dealings with rebellion will result in fully unmasking the work that
has so long been carried on under cover。 The results of Satan's rule； the
fruits of setting aside the divine statutes； will be laid open to the view
of all created intelligences。 The law of God will stand fully vindicated。 It
will be seen that all
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the dealings of God have been conducted with reference to the eternal good
of His people； and the good of all the worlds that He has created。 Satan
himself； in the presence of the witnessing universe； will confess the
justice of God's government and the righteousness of His law。
The time is not far distant when God will arise to vindicate His insulted
authority。 〃The Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of
the earth for their iniquity。〃 Isaiah 26：21。 〃But who may abide the day of
His coming？ and who shall stand when He appeareth？〃 Malachi 3：2。 The people
of Israel； because of their sinfulness； were forbidden to approach the mount
when God was about to descend upon it to proclaim His law； lest they should
be consumed by the burning glory of His presence。 If such manifestations of
His power marked the place chosen for the proclamation of God's law； how
terrible must be His tribunal when He comes for the execution of these
sacred statutes。 How will those who have trampled upon His authority endure
His glory in the great day of final retribution？ The terrors of Sinai were
to represent to the people the scenes of the judgment。 The sound of a
trumpet summoned Israel to meet with God。 The voice of the Archangel and the
trump of God shall summon； from the whole earth； both the living and the
dead to the presence of their Judge。 The Father and the Son； attended by a
multitude of angels； were present upon the mount。 At the great judgment day
Christ will come 〃in the glory of His Father with His angels。〃 Matthew
16：27。 He shall then sit upon the throne of His glory； and before Him shall
be gathered all nations。
When the divine Presence was manifested upon Sinai； the glory of the Lord
was like devouring fire in the sight of all Israel。 But when Christ shall
come in glory with His holy angels the whole earth shall be ablaze with the
terrible light of His presence。 〃Our God shall come； and shall not keep
silence： a fire shall devour before Him； and it shall be very tempestuous
round about Him。 He shall call to the heavens from above； and to the earth；
that He may judge His people。
