Satan is at work from beneath to stir up the hellish powers of his confederacy
against the just. He imbues human agencies with his own attributes. Efforts will be put forth by evil angels, united with evil men, to harass, persecute, and destroy, but the Lord God of Israel will not forsake those who trust in Him. Amid the strengthening of infidelity and apostasy, amid pretended illumination, which is the blindest presumption and delusion, there will be a light shining upon God’s people from the sanctuary above.
The truth of God will triumph….
Every individual in our world will be arrayed under one of two banners–the
chosen and loyal under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, and all others under Satan’s standard. All who are on Satan’s side will unite with him in honoring the spurious sabbath, thus paying homage to the man of sin, who exalted himself above all that is called God, and who thought to change times and laws. They trample upon the laws of Jehovah and frame a law to compel all to worship the false sabbath, the idol they have exalted. But the day of deliverance to God’s people is not far distant….
He who stands in defense of the truth, will draw upon himself the dislike, the
criticism, the decided opposition of relatives and professed friends. He will become the subject of ridicule. All opposition and persecution, whether in its mildest, or most terrible forms, is only the development of a principle that originated with the first great rebel in heaven. This work will continue as long as Satan exists.
As we near the close of time, the opposing elements will work in the same lines in which they have worked in times past. Every soul will be tested. Under persecution it will be made manifest just what banner every i ndividual has chosen to stand under. While sin remains, the offense of the cross will never cease. Satan has a thousand masked batteries which will be opened upon the loyal, commandment-keeping people of God to compel them to violate conscience. The followers of Christ must expect to encounter sneers. They will be reviled, their words and their faith will be misrepresented. Coldness and contempt may be harder to endure than martyrdom. With some persons it would require more courage to encounter a laugh than to be thrust through with a sword.
But we must stand steadfastly for the truth, not returning railing for railing, but
contrariwise, blessing. Parents will turn harshly against their children who accept unpopular truth. Those who conscientiously serve God will be accused of rebellion. Property that was willed to children or other relatives who believe the present truth will be given to other hands. Guardians will rob orphans and widows of their just dues. Those who depart from evil will make themselves a prey through laws enacted to compel the conscience. Men will take to themselves property to which they have no right. The words of the apostle will be verified in the near future: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” [2 Timothy 3:13]. Letter 30a, September 6, 1892.(see also
7ABC 408-09, IHP 48; MAR 197: 3SM 326-27)
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