The
Seal of God
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The Seal of God
"The angel with the
writer's ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are
separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel
(Letter 12, 1886). {4BC 1161.5}
Chap. 24 - The Seal of God
"He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that
have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying
weapon in his hand." {5T 207.2}
And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by
his side; and the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through
the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh
and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to
the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and
smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and
young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man
upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the
ancient men which were before the house." {5T 207.3}
Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary to put on
garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have
not responded to the light God has given them. "Because sentence against
an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men
is fully set in them to do evil." Instead of being softened by the
patience and long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those
who fear not God and love not the truth strengthen their hearts in their evil
course. But there are limits even to the forbearance of God, and many are
exceeding these boundaries. They have overrun the limits of grace, and
therefore God must interfere and vindicate His own honor. {5T 207.4}
Of the
Amorites the Lord said: "In the fourth generation they shall come hither
again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." Although this
nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet
filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter
destruction. The people were to see the divine power manifested in a marked manner, that they might be left without excuse. The
compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the fourth
generation. Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to
fall upon them. {5T 208.1}
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with all
nations. While His mercy is tendered with calls to repentance, this account
will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has
fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine
patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their behalf. {5T 208.2}
The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision.
The nations of this age have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies. The
choicest of heaven's blessings have been given them, but increased pride,
covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are written
against them. They are fast closing up their account with God. {5T 208.3}
But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have had the
greatest light and privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing
iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around them, many, even of those who
profess the truth, have grown cold and are borne down by the strong current of
evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true piety and holiness leads those who
do not connect closely with God to lose their reverence for His law. If they
were following the light and obeying the truth from the heart, this holy law
would seem even more precious to them when thus despised and set aside. As the
disrespect for God's law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation between
its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the divine precepts
increases with one class according as contempt for them increases with another
class. {5T 209.1}
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time
for God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He
will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of
the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy
of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His
people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They
should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others,
looking with strong faith to God for help. "The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much." {5T 209.2}
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the
danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are
standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are
done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the
church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}
The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord
comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who
have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the
world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which
cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them. {5T 210.1}
God Departs
The command is: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of
Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry
for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." These
sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had
reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented
and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed
from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and
presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}
In
the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted
followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their
soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and
warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse
the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's
honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any.
Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and
conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent
of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before
God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light.
They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and
deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which
prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph.
God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect. {5T 210.3}
The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor
mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord
commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands:
"Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare,
neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little
children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin
at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men
which were before the house." {5T 211.1}
Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the
stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great
light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people,
had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for
miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times
have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord
will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too
merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" is
the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to
show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These
dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an
offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. {5T 211.2}
The
abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that
could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which
provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The great
Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of
iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their deceptions and, because of
His long-suffering, say that the Lord seeth not, and then act as though He had
forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy and will open before
others those sins which they were so careful to hide. {5T 211.3}
No superiority of rank,
dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men
from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who
have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy
and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God's mercies. Their wicked
course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without
mercy. {5T 212.1}
God Withdraws
It is with reluctance that
the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with great
light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They
were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but
they departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought
under the divine displeasure. {5T 212.2}
The day of God's vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon
the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the
land. Those who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with
the drunken and will surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity.
"The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto
their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." {5T
212.3}
Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of
the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of
God's wrath have fallen upon the earth; but when the seven last plagues shall
be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it will be forever too late to repent and find shelter.
No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of sin. {5T 212.4}
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there
shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to
that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that
shall be found written in the book." When this time of trouble comes,
every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the
impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This
small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with
the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their
defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they
shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and
death. May God help His people now, for what can they
then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance! {5T 212.5}
Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save do not
come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of
years. By a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right the children
of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without number, they
knew they must resist firmly or be conquered. They felt that they had a great
work to do, and at any hour they might be called to lay off their armor; and
should they come to the close of life with their work undone, it would be an
eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did the first disciples
from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to mountains
and deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when
martyrdom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they
were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for them. Their
worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God who
will be brought into the time of trouble such as never was. {5T 213.1}
Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even
among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God
in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master's will,
they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works.
These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom
should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households
after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the
influence of the truth upon the human heart. {5T 213.2}
Effect of Wrong
Influence
By
their lack of devotion and piety, and their failure to reach a high religious
standard, they make other souls contented with their position. Men of finite
judgment cannot see that in patterning after these men who have so often opened
to them the treasures of God's word, they will surely endanger their souls.
Jesus is the only true pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself
upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he
would know what the Lord requires of him. However high any minister may have
stood in the favor of God, if he neglects to follow out the light given him of
God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and
satanic delusions and will lead others in the same path. {5T 214.1}
Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one
spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our
characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement.
Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the
disciples on the Day of Pentecost. {5T 214.2}
We
are too easily satisfied with our attainments. We feel rich and increased with
goods and know not that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked." Now is the time to heed the admonition of the True
Witness: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried
in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." {5T 214.3}
In
this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the peace
of Christ is the reward. There has been so little self-denial, so little
suffering for Christ's sake, that the cross is almost entirely forgotten. We
must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in triumph
with Him on His throne. So long as we choose the easy path of self-indulgence
and are frightened at self-denial, our faith will never become firm, and we
cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the joy that comes through conscious
victory. The most exalted of the redeemed host that stand before the throne of
God and the Lamb, clad in white, know the conflict of overcoming, for they have
come up through great tribulation. Those who have yielded to circumstances
rather than engage in this conflict will not know how to stand in that day when
anguish will be upon every soul, when, though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the
land, they could save neither son nor daughter, for everyone must deliver his
soul by his own righteousness. {5T 215.1}
No
one need say that his case is hopeless, that he cannot live the life of a
Christian. Ample provision is made by the death of Christ for every soul. Jesus
is our ever-present help in time of need. Only call upon Him in faith, and He
has promised to hear and answer your petitions. {5T 215.2}
Oh, for a living, active faith! We need it; we must have it, or we shall faint
and fail in the day of trial. The darkness that will then rest upon our path
must not discourage us or drive us to despair. It is the veil with which God
covers His glory when He comes to impart rich blessings. We should know this by
our past experience. In that day when God has a controversy with His people
this experience will be a source of comfort and hope. {5T 215.3}
It
is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world.
It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the
blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and
spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort
for symmetry of character. "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not
your hearts." We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our
Lord's appearing. The world is in darkness. "But ye, brethren," says
Paul, "are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief." It is ever God's purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out
of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul. {5T 215.4}
What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are
uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the
mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling
themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are
receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their
foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their
character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. {5T 216.1}
Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the
forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead
of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the
forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive
the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven. Go forward, my
brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time,
merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the
Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the
present hour. {5T 216.2}