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their eyes to the facts in the case。 As the movement for Sunday enforcement
gains favor； he rejoices； feeling assured that it will eventually bring the
whole Protestant world under the banner of Rome。
Romanists declare that 〃the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an
homage they pay； in spite of themselves； to the authority of the ＇Catholic＇
Church。〃Mgr。 Segur； Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today； page 213。
The enforcement of Sundaykeeping on the part of Protestant churches is an
enforcement of the worship of the papacyof the beast。 Those who；
understanding the claims of the fourth
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commandment； choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath are
thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded。 But in
the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power； the churches
would themselves form an image to the beast； hence the enforcement of
Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of
the beast and his image。
But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday； supposing that in so
doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath； and there are now true Christians
in every church； not excepting the Roman Catholic communion； who honestly
believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment。 God accepts their
sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him。 But when Sunday
observance shall be enforced by law； and the world shall be enlightened
concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath； then whoever shall transgress
the command of God； to obey a precept which has no higher authority than
that of Rome； will thereby honor popery above God。 He is paying homage to
Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome。 He is
worshipping the beast and his image。 As men then reject the institution
which God has declared to be the sign of His authority； and honor in its
stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy； they will
thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome〃the mark of the beast。〃 And
it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people； and they
are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments
of men； that those who continue in transgression will receive 〃the mark of
the beast。〃
The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the
third angel's message。 That must be a terrible sin which calls down the
wrath of God unmingled with mercy。 Men are not to be left in darkness
concerning this important matter； the warning against this sin is to be
given to the world before the visitation of God's judgments； that all may
know why they are to be inflicted； and have
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opportunity to escape them。 Prophecy declares that the first angel would
make his announcement to 〃every nation； and kindred； and tongue； and
people。〃 The warning of the third angel； which forms a part of the same
threefold message； is to be no less widespread。 It is represented in the
prophecy as being proclaimed with a loud voice； by an angel flying in the
midst of heaven； and it will command the attention of the world。
In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great
classesthose who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus； and
those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark。 Although
church and state will unite their power to compel 〃all； both small and
great； rich and poor； free and bond〃 （Revelation 13：16）； to receive 〃the
mark of the beast；〃 yet the people of God will not receive it。 The prophet
of Patmos beholds 〃them that had gotten the victory over the beast； and over
his image； and over his mark； and over the number of his name； stand on the
sea of glass； having the harps of God〃 and singing the song of Moses and the
Lamb。 Revelation 15：2； 3。
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Chapter 26
A Work of Reform
The work of Sabbath reform to be accomplished in the last days is foretold
in the prophecy of Isaiah： 〃Thus saith the Lord； Keep ye judgment； and do
justice： for My salvation is near to come； and My righteousness to be
revealed。 Blessed is the man that doeth this； and the son of man that layeth
hold on it； that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it； and keepeth his hand
from doing any evil。〃 〃The sons of the stranger； that join themselves to the
Lord； to serve Him； and to love the name of the Lord； to be His servants；
everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it； and taketh hold of My
covenant； even them will I bring to My holy mountain； and make them joyful
in My house of prayer。〃 Isaiah 56：1； 2； 6； 7。
These words apply in the Christian age； as shown by the context： 〃The Lord
God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith； Yet will I gather others
to him； beside those that are gathered unto him。〃 Verse 8。 Here is
foreshadowed the gathering in of the Gentiles by the gospel。 And upon those
who then honor the Sabbath； a blessing is pronounced。 Thus the obligation of
the fourth commandment extends past the crucifixion； resurrection； and
ascension of Christ； to the time when His servants should preach to all
nations the message of glad tidings。
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The Lord commands by the same prophet： 〃Bind up the testimony； seal the law
among My disciples。〃 Isaiah 8：16。 The seal of God's law is found in the
fourth commandment。 This only； of all the ten； brings to view both the name
and the title of the Lawgiver。 It declares Him to be the Creator of the
heavens and the earth； and thus shows His claim to reverence and worship
above all others。 Aside from this precept； there is nothing in the Decalogue
to show by whose authority the law is given。 When the Sabbath was changed by
the papal power； the seal was taken from the law。 The disciples of Jesus are
called upon to restore it by exalting the Sabbath of the fourth commandment
to its rightful position as the Creator's memorial and the sign of His
authority。
〃To the law and to the testimony。〃 While conflicting doctrines and theories
abound； the law of God is the one unerring rule by which all opinions；
doctrines； and theories are to be tested。 Says the prophet： 〃If they speak
not according to this word； it is because there is no light in them。〃 Verse
20。
Again； the command is given： 〃Cry aloud； spare not； lift up thy voice like a
trumpet； and show My people their transgression； and the house of Jacob
their sins。〃 It is not the wicked world； but those whom the Lord designates
as 〃my people；〃 that are to be reproved for their transgressions。 He
declares further： 〃Yet they seek Me daily； and delight to know My ways； as a
nation that did righteousness； and forsook not the ordinance of their God。〃
Isaiah 58：1； 2。 Here is brought to view a class who think themselves
righteous and appear to manifest great interest in the service of God； but
the stern and solemn rebuke of the Searcher of hearts proves them to be
trampling upon the divine precepts。
The prophet thus points out the ordinance which has been forsaken： 〃Thou
shalt raise up the foundations of many generations； and thou shalt be
called； The repairer of the breach； The restorer of paths to dwell in。 If
thou turn away
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thy foot from the Sabbath； from doing thy pleasure on My holy day； and call
the Sabbath a delight； the holy of the Lord； honorable； and shalt honor Him；
not doing thine own ways； nor finding thine own pleasure； nor speaking thine
own words： then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord。〃 Verses
12…14。 This prophecy also applies in our time。 The breach
was made in the law of God when the Sabbath was changed by the Roman power。
But the time has come for that divine institution to be restored。 The breach
is to be repaired and the foundation of many generations to be raised up。
Hallowed by the Creator's rest and blessing； the Sabbath was kept by Adam in
his innocence in holy Eden； by Adam； fallen yet repentant； when he was
driven fr