Even now. Because by then the course has already been set. By Ellen White

Reading time: 10 minutes

When the wrath of God is manifested in judgments, Jesus' open, devoted disciples will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their heartache. He will make his way through lamentations, tears and warnings. Others sweep evil under the rug and invent explanations for the great evil that is rampant everywhere. But he who burns for God's goodness to be understood, who loves human souls, cannot remain silent to secure any advantage. Day after day the righteous suffer from the unholy deeds and talk of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stem the torrent of injustice. Therefore, they are filled with sadness and sorrow. They lament their sorrows to God when they see faith trampled under foot in families of great knowledge. They weep and rack their brains because pride, greed, selfishness, and deceit of all kinds are found in the church. God's Spirit urging to warn others is silenced, and Satan's servants triumph. God falls into disrepute and the truth becomes ineffective.

Those who don't feel bad about their own spiritual regression and don't care about the sins of others remain without God's seal. The LORD commands his messengers, men with battle weapons in hand: »Follow him through the city and strike; your eyes shall look without pity and spare not. Slay old, young, maiden, child, and woman, slay all; but those who have the mark on them, you shall not touch any of them. But start at my sanctuary! And they began with the elders who were before the temple.« (Ezekiel 9,5:6-XNUMX)

[Elsewhere, Ellen White writes: "Now comes the angel of death, represented in Ezekiel's vision by the men with battle weapons." (great controversy, 656) »Only the blood on the doorpost blocked the way into the house for the angel of death. The blood of Messiah alone brings salvation to the sinner and cleanses us from all sin... Only when man knows that Jesus was crucified for him, and when he clothes himself in faith with Jesus' righteousness, is he saved. Otherwise he is lost.« (selected messages 3, 172)]

It begins at the sanctuary

Here we see who will experience first what the "wrath of God" feels like: his church - the Lord's sanctuary. The elders, given great knowledge by God and appointed to guard the spiritual interests of His people, betrayed the trust placed in them. They meanwhile think that we no longer need to expect miracles as we did in earlier times. God would no longer clearly declare his power. Times would have changed. Such words only increase unbelief. They say: The LORD will do neither good nor evil. He is too merciful to allow his people to be afflicted in judgment. "Peace and safety" cry the people, who will never raise their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. "Dumb dogs that do not bark" (Isaiah 56,10:XNUMX NEW) will feel the just "vengeance" of a grieved God. Men, maids, and little children will all perish together.

God's Gethsemane

The abominations over which the faithful sigh and weep are plainly visible to mortal eyes. But the much worse sins that arouse the strongest emotions of a pure and holy God remain hidden. The great searcher of the heart knows every sin committed in secret by those who work evil. These people are deceived and feel safe. They say: The LORD does not see them. They act as if he has turned his back on the earth. But he sees their hypocrisy very well and will bring to light sins that have been carefully hidden.

Judas, my friend, why are you betraying me?

No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office saves men from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those considered worthy and righteous are shown to be pioneers of apostasy and examples of indifference and abuse of God's grace. Their evil way is no longer tolerated by God, and with great pain he finally brings himself to withdraw his mercy from them.

The Lord reluctantly moves away from those who have been blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the Word in the service of others. They were once his faithful servants, whom he was close to and led; but they have deviated from him and led others astray. That is why they get far away from God.

We decide for ourselves

The day of God's vengeance is at hand. God's seal will be stamped on the foreheads of all who sigh and weep at the abominations of the land. Those who sympathize with the world, eat and drink with the drunks, are sure to perish with the mischief-makers. “The Lord protects those who do what is right, and He will hear their prayers. The LORD turns against those who do evil.« (1 Peter 3,12:XNUMX NL)

Our own actions will determine whether we receive the seal of the living God or are mown down by the weapons of destruction. Already a few drops of God's wrath have fallen on the earth; but when the seven last plagues are poured out unmixed into the crucible 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.

The final showdown

'At that time Michael will appear, the great prince angel who stands for your people. For there shall be a time of great tribulation such as has never been since there were nations until that time. But at that time your people will be saved, all who are written in the book.« (Daniel 12,1:XNUMX) When that time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no more probation, no mercy for the unrepentant. But the people of the living God are marked by his seal. True, this small remnant stands no chance in conflict with the Earth forces led by the Dragon Army. But this minority makes God their protector. Therefore, under threat of persecution and death, the highest earthly authority decides that they should worship the beast and take its mark. May God help his people in this situation, because what can they do in such a terrible conflict without his assistance!

You too can be one of God's heroes

Courage, bravery, faith and unconditional trust in the saving power of God do not come overnight. It is only through years of experience that these heavenly graces are acquired. Through a life of holy striving and adherence to righteousness, God's children seal their fate. They resolutely resist countless temptations so as not to be defeated by them. They feel their great mission and are aware that at any hour they may be asked to lay down their armor; and should they not have fulfilled their mission at the end of their lives, it would be an eternal loss. They absorb the light from heaven like the first disciples from the mouth of Jesus. When the first Christians were exiled to the mountains and deserts, when left in prisons to starve, cold, torture and death, when martyrdom seemed the only way out of their misery, they rejoiced at being found worthy to suffer for the Messiah who was crucified for them. Her worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to God's people as they are led into a time of need like never before.

Part 1

sequel follows

Aus: Testimonies to the Church 5, 210-213