When the third message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the
guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished
their work; they have received the latter rain, or the refreshing from
the presence of the Lord, and they are prepared for the trying hour
before them. Angels are hurrying to and fro in Heaven. An angel
returning from the earth announces that his work is done, that the seal
of God [See Appendix, note 9.] has been placed upon his people. Then
Jesus ceases his intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts his
hands, and with a loud voice says, “It is done;” and all the angelic
host lay off their crowns as he makes the solemn announcement: “He that
is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be
filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and
he that is holy, let him be holy still.” [Revelation 22:11]
Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the
atonement for his people, and blotted out their sins. The number of his
subjects is made up; “the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven,” is about to be given to the heirs of
salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
When he leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of
the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a
holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the
wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally
impenitent. The power attending the last warning has enraged them, and
their anger is kindled against all who have received the message. The
people of God are then plunged into those scenes of affliction and
distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob's trouble: The
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol 4, 431, 432.
Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in that
trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds,
foreheads, and written in our hearts.... What leisure time we have
should be spent in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last
day....
Let the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ be in
your minds continually and let them crowd out worldly thoughts and
cares. When you lie down and when you rise up, let them be your
meditation. Live and act wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of
man. The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over. Now is the
time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our
calling and election sure. Early Writings, 58.
Note: In
some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever
reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of
the author may be given.
