The Impending Conflict
“GOD’S LAW—THE FOCUS OF CONTROVERSY”. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament.” Revelation 11:19. In the sanctuary in heaven, within the holy of holies, the great original of the divine law is sacredly enshrined—the law that was spoken by God Himself amid the thunders of Sinai, written with His own finger on tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch.
Those who arrive at an understanding of this important point, will be led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law. They will see, as never before, the force of the Saviour’s words, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:18. The law of God, being a revelation of His will and a transcript of His character, endures forever, “as a faithful witness in heaven.” Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the psalmist: “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.” Psalms 119:89; 111:7, 8. From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven, it has been Satan’s purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator; and though he was cast out of heaven, he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive men, and lead them to join his rebellion and transgress God’s law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued. Whether this be accomplished by casting aside the law altogether, or by rejecting one of its precepts, the result will ultimately be the same. He that offends “in one point,” manifests contempt for the whole law and he becomes “guilty of all.” James 2:10. The great deceiver has cast contempt upon the divine statutes. The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering— a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of God, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition.
Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith. The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers, the fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of the law of God, are practically rejected, either wholly or in part, by a large share of the professedly Christian world. Too many ministers are teaching their people, and too many professors and teachers are instructing their students, that the law of God has been changed or abrogated; and that those who regard its requirements as still valid and to be literally obeyed, deserve only ridicule or contempt. Every nation has its laws, which command respect and obedience; no government could exist without them.
Can it be conceived that the Creator of the heavens and the earth has no law to govern the beings He has made? Suppose that prominent ministers were publicly to teach that the statutes which govern their land and protect the rights of its citizens were not obligatory—that they restricted the liberties of the people, and therefore ought not to be obeyed; how long would such men be tolerated in the pulpit? But is it a graver offense to disregard the laws of states and nations than to trample upon those Divine precepts which are the foundations of all government? No error accepted by the Christian world strikes more boldly against the authority of Heaven, none is more directly opposed to the dictates of reason, none is more pernicious in its results, than the modern doctrine that God’s law is no longer binding upon men. It would be far more consistent for nations to abolish their statutes, and permit people to do as they please, than for the Ruler of the universe to annul His law, and leave the world without a standard to condemn the guilty or justify the obedient. Would we know the result of making void the law of God? Those who teach people to lightly regard the commandments of God sow, and will reap, disobedience.
Let the restraint imposed by God’s law be wholly cast aside, and human laws would soon be disregarded and people would practice the sins which brought plagues upon the heathen. Because God forbids dishonest practices, coveting, lying, and defrauding, men are ready to trample upon His statutes as a hindrance to their worldly prosperity; but the results of banishing these precepts will be such as they do not anticipate.
The Son of God came to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isaiah 42:21.
He said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law;” “till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:17, 18. Those who will accept the light of Scripture concerning the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God, will find these foundational truths presented in Revelation, chapter 14. The messages of this chapter constitute a threefold warning, which is to prepare the inhabitants of the earth for the Lord’s second coming.
The Threefold Warning
The fact that an angel is said to be the herald of this warning, and his flight “in the midst of heaven,” the “loud voice” with which the warning is uttered, and its proclamation to all “that dwell on the earth”—“to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people”— gives evidence of the rapidity and worldwide extent of the movement.
The first of these warnings announces the approaching judgment.
A great religious awakening, under the proclamation of Christ’s soon return, is foretold in the prophecy of the first message of Revelation chapter 14. An angel is seen flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” “With a loud voice” he proclaims the message, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6, 7.
This prophecy, pointing forward to the time for Christ to return, brings to view a class that, as the result of the threefold message, will be found keeping the commandments of God. Revelation 14:12. The announcement, “The hour of His judgment is come,” points to the closing work of Christ’s highpriestly ministry for the salvation of men. It heralds a vital message which must be proclaimed to “every nation, kindred, tongue and people,” until the Saviour’s intercession shall cease and He shall return to earth as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 14:6; 19:11-16. By the first mighty angel, men will be called upon to “fear God, and give glory to Him,” and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must recognize and obey His law.
A Work of Reform
The call to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator, and that to Him all other beings owe their existence. “All the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens.” Psalm 96:5. “To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things.” Isaiah 40:25, 26. “Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens;…I am the Lord; and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:18. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things.” Revelation 4:11. It follows that the message in Revelation chapter 14, which calls men to worship God as the Creator and keep His commandments, will especially call upon them to observe the fourth commandment.
The Sabbath commandment uniquely identifies God as the Creator. God said “Remember,” then the world forgot! But through the prophet Isaiah, God promises that knowledge of His “hallowed day” is to be revived and restored in the last days.
