In this article we will deal with the nasty surprise (Maranatha, 161). “And the beast causes everyone, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slave, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one can buy or sell except he who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13,16.17:XNUMX) Here it is clearly foretold that the mark will be enforced by force. It is the sign of the apostasy, the false day of rest, the moving of the Sabbath from Saturday, the seventh day, to Sunday, the first day of the week. This will be the dominant theme at the end of time.

“On the Sabbath our faithfulness will be tested...for no point of faith is so controversial as this...While some men bow to the authority of the earthly powers by acknowledging this mark and thereby receiving the mark of the beast, others receive Part the seal of God by choosing the sign of loyalty to God.« (The Great Controversy, 605; see. The big fight, 606)

Everyone gets either the seal or the mark. Both are days that embody an experience: either the experience of total faithfulness to God or the experience of total submission to human authority. Only those who make it a habit to look to Jesus instead of depending on people will be prepared for this overwhelming surprise.

Economic sanctions for individuals?

What will happen to those who have made themselves dependent on other people? »That no one can buy or sell except the one who has the mark.« (see above) Whoever is dependent on people will be forced into submission in the truest sense of the word. This verse is very interesting because it reflects the current attitude. It would be very unpopular in the United States today to issue a death warrant against people who keep the Sabbath. Because at the moment the spirit of ecumenism prevails, we come together for the sake of dear peace. On the other hand, however, economic sanctions, as described in this Bible verse, are seen as a legitimate weapon. The UN has been asked several times to impose sanctions. They are convinced of the idea that the best thing to do is take away the bread and butter of those who don't want to fit in.

Two things are recommended for the preparation of God's children: First, the willingness to let God provide for oneself, however meager or generous this provision may be. Second, a willingness to do our best to work with God in preparing for that day.

The value of your own cultivation

“The Protestant world has set up an idolatrous Sabbath where God's Sabbath should be. She follows in the footsteps of the papacy. So I see the need for God's children to move out of the cities into quiet rural areas where they can till the soil and harvest their own produce. This way, their children will learn simple, healthy habits. I think it is necessary that we prepare for the great crisis without delay.« (Selected messages 2, 359; see. Written for the community 2, 368) It can hardly be expressed more clearly. The Sabbath-Sunday question will trigger the last great crisis. It is precisely for this reason that God's messenger warns us. These words were written down in 1897. They are among the early calls for our church members to move from the cities to remote places in the countryside.

The Value of Independence

God's children, the children of light, will not be taken by surprise by the nasty surprise, but will have prepared themselves. Noah did the same before the flood. People at that time were as surprised as if they had never been warned. They ate and drank, married and were given in marriage, until the day Noah went into the ark. They didn't realize it 'until the tide took them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of man” (Matthew 24,39:XNUMX NIV). The world today will be no less surprised. Yet God in His love continues to warn them until every man has received the warning as in Noah's day. The people who heed the warning, God's remnant, will keep the Sabbath and break covenants. They will extricate themselves from situations that make it impossible for them to obey God's law. In the countryside they will settle in "quiet climes," "till the soil," and "educate their children in simple, healthy habits" (see above).

Why the country?

The two main reasons for moving to the countryside are, first, the pressure of the Sunday law and, second, the spiritual help of being in close contact with nature, away from urban crime and temptations. Thank God he warned us.

“Do not settle where you are compelled to form close relationships with those who do not honor God... A crisis is coming soon over [required] Sunday observance... Settle yourselves where you can fully observe the Sabbath commandment... Take care of yourselves do not settle where the Sabbath observance is difficult for you and your children.« (Selected messages 2, 359; see. Written for the community 2, 368) So the warning came again and again, albeit in different words.

The struggle of interest groups

The economic sanctions for Sunday breakers will be demanded by the interest groups [eg unions, NGOs]. In recent years we have seen the Catholic and Protestant churches in the United States working with the unions to push for a Sunday law. "The unions will be among the forces that will plunge the earth into a time of trouble such as it has never seen in the world." (Selected messages 2, 142; see. Written for the community 2, 141; Maranatha, 182 or. Christ is coming soon, 84)

This fits right into the prophecy of Revelation 13. It's about economic pressures. The death decree of verse 15 comes later. At first, the world will think that Seventh-day Adventists can be persuaded to give in when they can neither buy nor sell.

"God's people have the task of preparing themselves for the events of the future, which will soon come upon us with unbelievable force." (Ibid; cf. ibid.) So that is the bitter surprise. 'Huge monopolies will spring up in the world. The people will unite in associations, unions and other organizations which will drive them into the arms of the enemy. A few men will band together to seize all economic power in certain industries. Unions will emerge and those who refuse to join will be branded. The unions and confederations of the world are a trap. We should neither join nor approach them, brethren. It is better that we have nothing to do with them at all.« (Ibid; cf. ibid.) »Those who call themselves children of God should under no circumstances ally themselves with the trade unions which are now being formed or will be formed in the future. This is a prohibition from the LORD! Do the students of the prophecies not see what is coming?” (Ibid. 144; cf. ibid. 143) …

The call from the cities

And another angel followed him, saying, Babylon is fallen, that great city has fallen, because she made all nations drink of the hot wine of her fornication” (Revelation 14,8:18,2). "And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, fallen... And I heard another voice out of heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people..." (Revelation 4:XNUMX-XNUMX) Where can the caller be? He must be outside himself. If we have the spirit of this world and belong to the covenants and associations of this world, it will be difficult. How can we persuade someone to leave Sodom when our hearts are attached to Sodom like the poor wife of Lot herself?

It is true that we are commissioned to visit the cities in order to bring them precisely this message. But only to tell them, "Come home with me." Enoch did. And we want to ask for this calling out spirit!

Lot wanted to save Sodom

However, we shall not be able to carry this message properly until we have come to appreciate the value of true country life and appreciate its benefits for ourselves. Lot lacked that. How many did he convert when he preached in Sodom? Not even one! Because he didn't want to leave Sodom at all. At first he only went there because his family urged him. He "pitched his tent as far as Sodom" (Genesis 1:13,12). He probably didn't originally want to move to the city, but over time it seemed like a more convenient solution. He had economic and social advantages there because he was a respected man in Sodom. Presumably he wanted to use this influence for God. But was he successful with the inhabitants of Sodom? Unfortunately, no! Why? Because he thought like a city dweller and not like a country dweller.

Abraham saved Sodom

Abraham's relationship with Sodom, on the other hand, was very different. In Genesis 1 we read how he saved the lives of the inhabitants and the king of Sodom. He was respected and honored even though he dwelt out in the country under the oak tree of Mamre, far from all the sin and corruption for which Sodom was then notorious. How important it is to cherish the royal privilege of country life, rather than consider it a sacrifice!

Lot's Exodus

When Lot was called out of Sodom, angels of God literally had to drag him behind them. Then the Lord said: »Lot, do you see this mountain? flee! Flee for your life!" "Oh no!" he replied, "I can't climb up there. What if something happens to me there?” He was so used to the city streets and amenities that he was afraid of country life. So he picked a small town and said, "Can I move there? Couldn't you spare this town?' And the gracious lord said, 'Very well.' Lot did not understand. He did not see how gracious God was in helping him move to the country. Rather, he moved to Zoar, but soon left that city as well to live in a cave. Eventually Zoar was destroyed like Sodom before it. The grim story of his daughters' immoral behavior is then told. They had learned that down in this town, just as young people are learning in the cities today. What a horrible story. But it was written for us because Jesus said, "It was like that in the days of Lot... Even so it will be in the day when the Son of man is revealed" (Luke 17,28.30:XNUMX).

Soon it will be too late

The biggest problem today is that people are so focused on their advantage - social, political, economic and educational - that it is difficult for them to part with it. 'Not for long before there will be so much strife and chaos in the cities that those who wish to leave will be unable to do so. It is important to prepare for this. This is the light that was given to me.« (Selected messages 2, 142; see. Written for the community 2, 141 or. Maranatha, 180) Again and again we read in these quotations: "Prepare yourselves!"

One of the most important aspects of preparing for this pressure is to direct our thoughts into divine, rather than mundane, channels. Jesus came to earth and took our poverty upon himself so that we might share in heavenly treasures. Those who are steeped in the spirit of this message will also be ready for poverty. Because saving his children is more important to him than enjoying the wealth of the world for a few days.

love makes it possible

'Who wants to be warned? We say it again: Get out of the cities! Don't see it as a great sacrifice to go to the hills and mountains. Instead, look for the stillness where you can be alone with God, where you can experience his will and learn his ways! . . . I challenge all Seventh-day Adventists: Make the pursuit of spirituality your life purpose. Jesus is at the door. That is why I call out to you: Do not consider it a great sacrifice when you are called upon to leave the cities and go to the country.« (Selected messages 2, 355.356; see. Written for the community 2, 364 or. Christ is coming soon, 71)

If we regard country life as a great sacrifice, we will not live in the country for long. Sooner or later we'll be back in town. We're going to pay off month after month so we can buy this or that. We will get stuck in the treadmill and be chased through life. Like slaves on the galleys, we shall be bound, living only to work so that our children may enjoy the supposedly wonderful advantages and comforts of modern city life. And all the time great treasures are waiting for us out in the country: contact with nature, the sunrise, pure air, the beauty of flowers, trees, lakes and mountains and at work communion with God instead of machines! Wouldn't it be better to count our blessings? To rejoice in this royal prerogative? Then we shall not become hermits, but, like Enoch, go out as evangelists, saying to the many weary people who are ready to hear, "Come out!"

Dear Lord, reveal to our hearts clearly what lies ahead. Let's do our best to gather your sheep in this last hour. In Jesus name. Amen.

Slightly abridged from: Willmonte D. Frazee, Another Ark to Build, Harrisville, New Hampshire, USA: Mountain Missionary Press, 1979, pp. 31-38.