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All that she desires is vantage ground； and this is already being given her。
We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is。
Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby incur reproach
and persecution。
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Chapter 36
The Impending Conflict
From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been
Satan's purpose to overthrow the law of God。 It was to accomplish this that
he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator； and though he was cast
out of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth。 To deceive
men； and thus lead them to transgress God's law； is the object which he has
steadfastly pursued。 Whether this be accomplished by casting aside the law
altogether； or by rejecting one of its precepts； the result will be
ultimately the same。 He that offends 〃in one point；〃 manifests contempt for
the whole law； his influence and example are on the side of transgression；
he becomes 〃guilty of all。〃 James 2：10。
In seeking to cast contempt upon the divine statutes； Satan has perverted
the doctrines of the Bible； and errors have thus become incorporated into
the faith of thousands who profess to believe the Scriptures。 The last great
conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the
long…standing controversy concerning the law of God。 Upon this battle we are
now enteringa battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah；
between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition。
The agencies which will unite against truth and righteousness in this
contest are now actively at work。 God's holy word； which has been handed
down to us at such a cost of
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suffering and blood； is but little valued。 The Bible is within the reach of
all； but there are few who really accept it as the guide of life。 Infidelity
prevails to an alarming extent； not in the world merely； but in the church。
Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian
faith。 The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers； the
fall of man； the atonement； and the perpetuity of the law of God； are
practically rejected； either wholly or in part； by a large share of the
professedly Christian world。 Thousands who pride themselves upon their
wisdom and independence regard it as an evidence of weakness to place
implicit confidence in the Bible； they think it a proof of superior talent
and learning to cavil at the Scriptures and to spiritualize and explain away
their most important truths。 Many ministers are teaching their people； and
many professors and teachers are instructing their students； that the law of
God has been changed or abrogated； and those who regard its requirements as
still valid； to be literally obeyed； are thought to be deserving only of
ridicule or contempt。
In rejecting the truth； men reject its Author。 In trampling upon the law of
God； they deny the authority of the Law…giver。 It is as easy to make an idol
of false doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of wood or stone。 By
misrepresenting the attributes of God； Satan leads men to conceive of Him in
a false character。 With many； a philosophical idol is enthroned in the place
of Jehovah； while the living God； as He is revealed in His word； in Christ；
and in the works of creation； is worshiped by but few。 Thousands deify
nature while they deny the God of nature。 Though in a different form；
idolatry exists in the Christian world today as verily as it existed among
ancient Israel in the days of Elijah。 The god of many professedly wise men；
of philosophers； poets； politicians； journaliststhe god of polished
fashionable circles； of many colleges and universities； even of some
theological institutionsis little better than Baal； the sun…god of
Phoenicia。
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No error accepted by the Christian world strikes more boldly against the
authority of Heaven； none is more directly opposed to the dictates of
reason； none is more pernicious in its results； than the modern doctrine； so
rapidly gaining ground； that God's law is no longer binding upon men。 Every
nation has its laws； which command respect and obedience； no government
could exist without them； and can it be conceived that the Creator of the
heavens and the earth has no law to govern the beings He has made？ Suppose
that prominent ministers were publicly to teach that the statutes which
govern their land and protect the rights of its citizens were not
obligatorythat they restricted the liberties of the people； and therefore
ought not to be obeyed； how long would such men be tolerated in the pulpit？
But is it a graver offense to disregard the laws of states and nations than
to trample upon those divine precepts which are the foundation of all
government？
It would be far more consistent for nations to abolish their statutes； and
permit the people to do as they please； than for the Ruler of the universe
to annul His law； and leave the world without a standard to condemn the
guilty or justify the obedient。 Would we know the result of making void the
law of God？ The experiment has been tried。 Terrible were the scenes enacted
in France when atheism became the controlling power。 It was then
demonstrated to the world that to throw off the restraints which God has
imposed is to accept the rule of the cruelest of tyrants。 When the standard
of righteousness is set aside； the way is open for the prince of evil to
establish his power in the earth。
Wherever the divine precepts are rejected； sin ceases to appear sinful or
righteousness desirable。 Those who refuse to submit to the government of God
are wholly unfitted to govern themselves。 Through their pernicious teachings
the spirit of insubordination is implanted in the hearts of children and
youth； who are naturally impatient of control； and a lawless； licentious
state of society results。 While scoffing at the credulity of those who obey
the requirements of God；
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the multitudes eagerly accept the delusions of Satan。 They give the rein to
lust and practice the sins which have called down judgments upon the
heathen。
Those who teach the people to regard lightly the commandments of God sow
disobedience to reap disobedience。 Let the restraint imposed by the divine
law be wholly cast aside； and human laws would soon be disregarded。 Because
God forbids dishonest practices； coveting； lying； and defrauding； men are
ready to trample upon His statutes as a hindrance to their worldly
prosperity； but the results of banishing these precepts would be such as
they do not anticipate。 If the law were not binding； why should any fear to
transgress？ Property would no longer be safe。 Men would obtain their
neighbor's possessions by violence； and the strongest would become richest。
Life itself would not be respected。 The marriage vow would no longer stand
as a sacred bulwark to protect the family。 He who had the power； would； if
he desired； take his neighbor's wife by violence。 The fifth commandment
would be set aside with the fourth。 Children would not shrink from taking
the life of their parents if by so doing they could obtain the desire of
their corrupt hearts。 The civilized world would become a horde of robbers
and assassins； and peace； rest； and happiness would be banished from the
earth。
Already the doctrine that men are released from obedience to God's
requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation and opened the
floodgates of iniquity upon the world。 Lawlessness； dissipation； and
corruption are sweeping in upon us like an overwhelming tide。 In the family；
Satan is at work。 His banner waves； even in professedly Christian
households。 There is envy； evil surmising； hypocrisy； estrangement；
emulation； strife； betrayal of sacred trusts； indulgence of lust。 The whole
system of religious principles and doctrines； which should form the
foundation and framework of social life； seems to be a tottering mass； ready
to fall to ruin。 The