More on Armageddon--Spiritual or Literal Battle With Martyrs?

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Dear Reader,

 

Many peace and safety minded professing Seventh-day Adventists are teaching that Armageddon and Ezekiel 9 is only a spiritual battle at the end-time.  This is Satan’s device to subdue his victims at the end-time.  They will be so overpowered by the following facts contrary to their peace and safety teaching now, that they will fold in the crisis.  They will become cowards and apostatize in the time of persecution.  These peace and safety teachers now, will be fearful cowards when the real Armageddon arrives.

In Revelation 21, it says that the fearful will not be saved.  What does that mean?

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Notice the Thayer's Lexicon definition for fearful as used in Revelation .  It refers to Christians who are cowards and cave in and apostatize when under persecution.  Ellen White said that our worst fear will be that all our sins have not been confessed.  The individual who has bought faith, love, the Holy Spirit and the righteousness of Christ's character, will fear, but will not apostatize under pressure and persecution.  True Christians are not cowards.  But it will be a fearful time for all because it will be the worst time of trouble earth has ever experienced.  So those who appear brave now by saying "bring it on," may well be the very ones who will cave in to the persecution later.

   

Lexicon Results for deilos (Strong's 1169)

Greek for 1169

Pronunciation Guide

deilos {di-los'}

TDNT Reference

Root Word

Not Available

from deos (dread)

Part of Speech

adj

Outline of Biblical Usage

1) timid, fearful

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 3

AV - fearful 3; 3

Thayer's Lexicon (Help)

 

   

If one believes Ellen White and John the Revelator, one will believe the battle of Armageddon to be both a physical, literal battle as well as a spiritual battle.  What follows is all of Ellen White's commentary on Rev. chapters 16 and 17.  Also, the sudden destruction mentioned in 1TH 5:3, is indicative of physical battle.  If one thinks that Satan is going to give up without a battle, one is most naive spiritually and otherwise!  It is NOT the representatives of God on this forum who are saying that it will only be a spiritual battle.  It will be both--spiritual and literal.   Ezekiel 5 and 9 will be manifest.  Rome will be burned in one hour--one morning.

 

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

 

Consider this friend, if only the 144,000 are translated without seeing death. That means there will be many martyrs, but they will be saved if faithful.  The fact that there are martyrs in the last days is another distinction between the 144,000.

 

 Chap. 191 - Martyrs in the Last Days 

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2.  

 

     Every individual in our world will be arrayed under one of two banners. {Mar 199.1}

     The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of truth will come on the side of God's commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. {Mar 199.2}

     By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation [the United States] will disconnect herself fully from righteousness.... {Mar 199.3}

     As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God's forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation's iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob's trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs' graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain  caverns, from convents vaults: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? {Mar 199.4}

     When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. {Mar 199.5}

     Christ will restore the life taken; for He is the Life-giver: He will beautify the righteous with immortal life. {Mar 199.6}

 

Some Martyrs Before the National Death Decree

 

“In some cases, BEFORE the time specified in the decree, enemies will rush upon the waiting ones to put them to death.”  E.G. White, The 1884 edition of The Great Controversy, p. 447.

 

I think of the Shepherd’s Rod factions who believe they are the ones who do the slaughtering of Ezekiel 9.  Will they be the ones who kill Adventists before the death decree?  Those who leave the church when they should will not be the subjects slain by such evil men.  Remember, these Shepherd’s Rod elements do not believe in leaving the church.  They sit in the pews of SDA churches in the land every Sabbath morn. However, the Saints will be obscure to such elements in the church because they will long before have left and will not be known to such men (nominal Adventists).  And remember, a nominal Adventist is also one that does not accept present truth:

 

"Nominal Adventists.--"Those who united in sounding the first and second angels' messages but who rejected the third angel's message with its Sabbath truth, but nonetheless continued to espouse the Advent hope, are referred to by Mrs. White as the 'nominal Adventists.' or those who 'reject the present truth'(p. 69), also 'different parties of professed Advent believers (page 124)...those who 'reject the present truth.." Early Writings, p. 299, Appendix.

 "I saw the nominal church and nominal Adventists, like Judas, would betray us to the Catholics to obtain their influence to come against the truth. The saints then will be an obscure [hidden] people, little known to the Catholics but the churches and nominal Adventists who know of our faith and customs (for they hate us on account of the Sabbath, for they could not refute it) will betray the saints and report them to the Catholics as those who disregard the institutions of the people that is, that they keep the Sabbath and disregard Sunday.

 

Then the Catholics bid the Protestants to go forward, and issue a decree that all who will not observe the first day of the week, instead of the seventh day, shall be slain. And the Catholics, whose numbers are large, will stand by the Protestants. The Catholics will give their power to the image of the beast. And the Protestants will work as their mother worked before them to destroy the saints. But before their decree bring or bear fruit, the saints will be delivered by the Voice of God. Then I saw that Jesus' work in the sanctuary will soon be finished. And after His work there is finished, He will come to the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the Scape Goat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance. Then the plagues will come upon the wicked, and they do not come till Jesus puts on that garment, and takes Hs place upon the great white cloud. Then while the plagues are falling, the Scape Goat is being led away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by the hand that leads him. If he should effect his escape, Israel would lose their lives. I saw that it would take time to lead away the Scape Goat into the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put on his head.

The great white cloud I saw was not the holy place, but entirely separate from the holy and most holy place, entirely separate from the sanctuary.

 

Then the angel repeated these words, and said, 'This is the time spoken of in Isaiah. He saw that there was not man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. He had no mediator between God and man, and these plagues could be withheld no longer, for Jesus had ceased to plead for Israel, and they were covered with the covering of the Almighty God, and they could live in the sight of a holy God, and those who were not covered, the plagues fell upon them, for they had nothing to shelter or protect them from the wrath of God." E.G. White, Dorchester, Maine, October 23, 1850, Spalding--Magan's Unpublished Mss. Testimonies, pp. 1, 2.

 

Chap. 10. - The Little Time of Trouble

             A Time of Trouble Before Probation Closes

 

     On page 33 [of Early Writings] is given the following: ". . . At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully." {LDE 143.1}

 

     This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfillment of that view is beginning to be seen. "The commencement of that time of trouble," here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel.--EW 85, 86 (1854). {LDE 143.2}

 

                            The End of Religious

                          Liberty in the United States

 

 

     The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void. In our land of boasted freedom religious liberty will come to an end. The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will agitate the whole world.--Ev 236 (1875). {LDE 144.1}

 

     A great crisis awaits the people of God. Very soon our nation will attempt to enforce upon all the observance of the first day of the week as a sacred day. In doing this they will not scruple to compel men against the voice of their own conscience to observe the day the nation declares to be the Sabbath.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888. {LDE 144.2}

 

     Seventh-day Adventists will fight the battle over the seventh-day Sabbath. The authorities in the United States and in other countries will rise up in their pride and power and make laws to restrict religious liberty.--Ms 78, 1897. {LDE 144.3}

 

     The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.--GC 588 (1911). {LDE 144.4}

 

                   Church and State Oppose God's People

 

     All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard of God's holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast.--2SM 380 (1886). {LDE 145.1}

 

     Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God's messages of warning will be under strong deception and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God. . . . {LDE 145.2}

 

      This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.--14MR 162 (1899). {LDE 145.3}

 

     The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work papists and Protestants unite.--GC 607 (1911). {LDE 145.4}

 

                            Before the Courts

 

      Those who live during the last days of this earth's history will know what it means to be persecuted for the truth's sake. In the courts injustice will prevail. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of those who are loyal to the commandments of God because they know the arguments in favor of the fourth

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commandment are unanswerable. They will say, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die." God's law is nothing to them. "Our law" with them is supreme. Those who respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to the idol sabbath have no favors shown them.--ST May 26, 1898. {LDE 145.5}

 

     In cases where we are brought before the courts, we are to give up our rights, unless it brings us in collision with God. It is not our rights we are pleading for, but God's right to our service.--5MR 69 (1895). {LDE 146.1}

 

                 Adventists Will Be Treated With Contempt

 

     The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. . . . {LDE 146.2}

 

     Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith.--5T 450 (1885). {LDE 146.3}

 

     There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors.--6T 394 (1900). {LDE 146.4}

 

     Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will

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be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government.--GC 592 (1911). {LDE 146.5}

 

     All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His Word, for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil.--AA 431, 432 (1911). {LDE 147.1}

 

                          All Kinds of Persecution

 

     The persecutions of Protestants by Romanism, by which the religion of Jesus Christ was almost annihilated, will be more than rivaled when Protestantism and popery are combined.--3SM 387 (1889). {LDE 147.2}

 

     Satan has a thousand masked batteries which will be opened upon the loyal, commandment-keeping people of God to compel them to violate conscience.--Letter 30a, 1892. {LDE 147.3}

 

     We need not be surprised at anything that may take place now. We need not marvel at any developments of horror. Those who trample under their unholy feet the law of God have the same spirit as had the men who insulted and betrayed Jesus. Without any compunctions of conscience they will do the deeds of their father the devil.--3SM 416 (1897). {LDE 147.4}

 

     Let those who desire to be refreshed in mind and instructed in the truth study the history of the early church during and immediately following the Day of Pentecost. Study carefully in the book of Acts the experiences of Paul and the other apostles, for God's people in our day must pass through similar experiences.--PC 118 (1907). {LDE 148.1}

 

                   Every Earthly Support Will Be Cut Off

 

     Hoarded wealth will soon be worthless. When the decree shall go forth that none shall buy or sell except they have the mark of the beast, very much means will be of no avail. God calls for us now to do all in our power to send forth the warning to the world.--RH March 21, 1878. {LDE 148.2}

 

     The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since, but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth.--5T 152 (1882). {LDE 148.3}

 

     In the last great conflict in the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers they will be forbidden to buy or sell.--DA 121, 122 (1898). {LDE 148.4}

 

     Satan says . . . "For fear of wanting food and clothing they will join with the world in transgressing God's law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion."--PK 183, 184 (c. 1914). {LDE 149.1}

 

                     Some Are Imprisoned for Their Faith

 

     Some will be imprisoned because they refuse to desecrate the Sabbath of the Lord.--PC 118 (1907). {LDE 149.2}

 

     As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now seems impossible, but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed.--GC 608 (1911). {LDE 149.3}

 

     If we are called to suffer for Christ's sake, we shall be able to go to prison trusting in Him as a little child trusts in its parents. Now is the time to cultivate faith in God.--OHC 357 (1892). {LDE 149.4}

 

                        Many Will Be Put to Death

 

     The best thing for us is to come into close connection with God and, if He would have us be martyrs for the truth's sake, it may be the means of bringing many more into the truth.--3SM 420 (1886). {LDE 149.5}

 

      Many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth.--3SM 397 (1889). {LDE 150.1}

 

     There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle, at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property and even of life itself, to defend the law of God.--5T 712 (1889). {LDE 150.2}

 

     Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be "betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends," even unto death.--PK 588 (c. 1914). {LDE 150.3}

 

     We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old until brought into the position they were in. . . . Should there be a return of persecution there would be grace given to arouse every energy of the soul to show a true heroism.--OHC 125 (1889). {LDE 150.4}

 

     The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed.--DA 354 (1898). {LDE 150.5}

 

                 How to Stand Firm Under Persecution

 

     We shall find that we must let loose of all hands except the hand of Jesus Christ. Friends will prove treacherous and will betray us. Relatives, deceived by the enemy, will think they do God service in opposing

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us and putting forth the utmost efforts to bring us into hard places, hoping we will deny our faith. But we may trust our hand in the hand of Christ amid darkness and peril.--Mar 197 (1889). {LDE 150.6}

 

     The only way in which men will be able to stand firm in the conflict is to be rooted and grounded in Christ. They must receive the truth as it is in Jesus. And it is only as the truth is presented thus that it can meet the wants of the soul. The preaching of Christ crucified, Christ our righteousness, is what satisfies the soul's hunger. When we secure the interest of the people in this great central truth, faith and hope and courage come to the heart.--GCDB Jan. 28, 1893. {LDE 151.1}

 

     Many, because of their faith, will be cut off from house and heritage here, but if they will give their hearts to Christ, receiving the message of His grace, and resting upon their Substitute and Surety, even the Son of God, they may still be filled with joy.--ST June 2, 1898. {LDE 151.2}

 

                      Persecution Scatters God's People

 

     As enmity is aroused in various places against those who observe the Sabbath of the Lord, it may become necessary for God's people to move from those places to places where they will not be so bitterly opposed. {LDE 151.3}

 

     God does not require His children to remain where, by the course of wicked men, their influence is made of no effect and their lives endangered. When liberty

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and life are imperiled it is not merely our privilege, it is our positive duty to go to places where the people are willing to hear the Word of life and where the opportunities for preaching the Word will be more favorable.--Ms 26, 1904. {LDE 151.4}

 

      The time is soon coming when God's people, because of persecution, will be scattered in many countries. Those who have received an all-round education will have the advantage where they are.--5MR 280 (1908). {LDE 152.1}

 

                          Persecution Leads to

                        Unity Among God's People

 

     When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril strife for supremacy will cease, there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest.--6T 401 (1900). {LDE 152.2}

 

                         A Crisis Makes God's

                       Interference More Marked

 

     From time to time the Lord has made known His manner of working. He is mindful of what is passing upon the earth. And when a crisis has come, He has revealed Himself and has interposed to hinder the working of Satan's plans. He has often permitted

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matters with nations, with families, and with individuals to come to a crisis that His interference might become marked. Then He has let the fact be known that there was a God in Israel who would sustain and vindicate His people. {LDE 152.3}

 

     When the defiance of the law of Jehovah shall be almost universal, when His people shall be pressed in affliction by their fellow men, God will interpose. The fervent prayers of His people will be answered, for He loves to have His people seek Him with all their heart and depend upon Him as their Deliverer.--RH June 15, 1897. {LDE 153.1}

 

     For a time the oppressors will be permitted to triumph over those who know God's holy commandments. . . . To the last, God permits Satan to reveal his character as a liar, an accuser, and a murderer. Thus the final triumph of His people is made more marked, more glorious, more full and complete.--3SM 414 (1904). {LDE 153.2}

 

                       Affliction Purifies God's People

 

     Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes everyone to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. . . . {LDE 153.3}

 

     God's love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify His church even as He purified the temple at the beginning and close of His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon the church in test and trial comes

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that His people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world.--9T 228 (1909). {LDE 153.4}

 

     Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity, and our varied trials are God's workmen to refine us, sanctify us, and fit us for the heavenly garner.--3T 115 (1872). {LDE 154.1}

 

Ellen White Commentary on Revelation Chapter 16

 

     1-21 (ch. 6:13-17; Ps. 46:1-3; Matt. 24:7). John Witnessed Terrors of the Last Days.--John . . . was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place as signs of Christ's coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and men's hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He saw the vials of God's wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth (RH Jan. 11, 1887). {7BC 982.3}

 

     13-16 (chs. 13:13, 14; 17:13, 14; 19:11-16; see EGW on ch. 7:1-3). Battle of Armageddon Soon to Be Fought.--There are only two parties in our world, those who are loyal to God, and those who stand under the banner of the prince of darkness. Satan and his angels will come down with power and signs and lying wonders to deceive those who dwell on the earth, and if possible the very elect. The crisis is right upon us. Is this to paralyze the energies of those who have a knowledge of the truth? Is the influence of the powers of deception so far reaching that the influence of the truth will be overpowered? {7BC 982.4}

 

     The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is written the name, King of kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white (MS 172, 1899). {7BC 982.5}

 

     Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. . . . {7BC 982.6}

 

     The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us, and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us (Letter 112, 1890). {7BC 982.7}

 

     14-16 (Eph. 6:12; see EGW on Rev. 5:11). Two Opposing Powers.-- Two great
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opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands. On the other side stands the prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion (RH May 7, 1901). {7BC 982.8}

 

     (Ch. 12:12.) Satan Mustering His Forces for Last Battle.--The present is a solemn, fearful time for the church. The angels are already girded, awaiting the mandate of God to pour their vials of wrath upon the world. Destroying angels are taking up the work of vengeance; for the Spirit of God is gradually withdrawing from the world. Satan is also mustering his forces of evil, going forth "unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world," to gather them under his banner, to be trained for "the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Satan is to make most powerful efforts for the mastery in the last great conflict. Fundamental principles will be brought out, and decisions made in regard to them. Skepticism is prevailing everywhere. Ungodliness abounds. The faith of individual members of the church will be tested as though there were not another person in the world (MS 1a, 1890). {7BC 983.1}

 

     14-17 (ch. 18:1). The Armies of God Take the Field.--We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field (MS 175, 1899). {7BC 983.2}

 
Ellen White Commentary on Revelation Chapter 17

 

     1-5 (chs. 13:11-17; 18:1-5; 2 Thess. 2:7-12). Deceiver of All Nations.--In the seventeenth of Revelation is foretold the destruction of all the churches who corrupt themselves by idolatrous devotion to the service of the papacy, those who have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. [Rev. 17:1-4 quoted.] {7BC 983.3}

 

     Thus is represented the papal power, which with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, by outside attraction and gorgeous display, deceives all nations; promising them, as did Satan our first parents, all good to those who receive its mark, and all harm to those who oppose its fallacies. The power which has the deepest inward corruption will make the greatest display, and will clothe itself with the most elaborate signs of power. The Bible plainly declares that this covers a corrupt and deceiving wickedness. "Upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth." {7BC 983.4}

 

     What is it that gives its kingdom to this power? Protestantism, a power which, while professing to have the temper and spirit of a lamb and to be allied to Heaven, speaks with the voice of a dragon. It is moved by a power from beneath (Letter 232, 1899). {7BC 983.5}

 

     13, 14 (chs. 13:11-17; 16:13-16). A Confederacy of Satan's Forces.--[Rev. 17:13, 14 quoted.] "These have one mind." There will be a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces. "And shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanism. {7BC 983.6}

 

     In the warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to God's people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue; for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth (MS 24, 1891). {7BC 983.7}

 

     14. Christ Glorified in the Last Crisis.--As Christ was glorified on the day of Pentecost, so will He again be glorified in the closing work of the gospel, when He shall prepare a people to stand the final test, in the closing conflict of the great controversy (RH Nov. 29, 1892). {7BC 983.8}

 

Chap. 269 - No Martyrs After Probation Closes

 

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Ps. 91:15.

  

     The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. . . . {Mar 277.1}

     Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. . . . {Mar 277.2}

     The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be arrayed against them. Like the captive exile, they will be in fear of death by starvation or by violence. But the Holy One who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will manifest His mighty power and turn their captivity. "They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17. If the blood of Christ's faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. Their fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth; for the obdurate heart has beaten back the waves of mercy until they return no more. If the righteous were now left to fall a prey to their  enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness. Says the psalmist: "In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me." Psalm 27:5. Christ has spoken: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." Isaiah 26:20, 21. Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book of life. {Mar 277.3}

 

God bless all who heed these warnings,

 

Ron Beaulieu