CHAPTER XIII. THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

The salvation of souls is the end of an infinite plan. The object of all creation was the pleasure of God, and enjoyment comes to Jehovah when He sees the harmonious working of all the laws of the universe. Through the prophets, God has, from time to time, made known as much of the plan as the human mind could grasp. Each generation has received new revealing of that infinite plan of salvation. At each new manifestation, angels have exclaimed in wonder, and bowed in adoration before the throne; for it was the opening to their view of a new phase of the divine character. Beginning ^{MarginEzekiel 18:23, 31, 32.
Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11.
Colossians 1:15, 16.
2 Peter 1:20, 21.
angels bowed in adoration.
1st. At the birth of Christ. Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6.
2nd. At the death of Christ. John 12:31-33; Revelation 12:10.
3rd. At the resurrection of Christ.
Matthew 27:51-53; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:8 [margin]; 1 Corinthians 15:20.
4th. When the seventh angel sounded. Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:13.} in Eden, God manifested His love in the relationship He sustained to the holy pair. The whole plan for peopling the earth with a race that could develop a spiritual nature like unto His own, was a revelation of His love.SSP 209.1

The interest of heaven was centered, upon humanity, and angels were commissioned to watch over them. This ministration of angels has linked heaven and earth by a tie which no power can sever. The enemy has offset each blessing of the Father by a hellish scheme; hence while some accept the workings of the Spirit of God, there are others who yield to the influence of the contrary spirit; and the earth has become a great battlefield. Every offering, from the first one at the gate of the Garden of Eden to the time of Christ, shadowed forth the one great sacrifice of the Saviour.SSP 210.1

Many times, sin so blinded men’s eyes that the form of the ceremony hid from them the real object of the service. Through Egyptian bondage, wilderness wanderings, prosperity, and captivity, the one hope buoyed up the spirits of the children of God. Their spiritual eyesight searched the future, ever expecting the appearance of the long-promised seed of the woman, ^{MarginFor thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15.
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.
Psalm 34:7.
Psalm 91:11-12.
He dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12.
All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8.
Genesis 3:1-6.
Matthew 12:7.} that would bruise the serpent’s head. True, they were often mistaken in their ideas of the Coming One; but in their individual need, they always pictured Him as their Deliverer. The self-righteous Jews, who had lost all the spiritual power in the sacrifices, while they multiplied forms, looked only for a mighty Prince who would deliver them from the Roman yoke. The prophecies concerning the meek and lowly. One had no charm for them. These prophecies not only portrayed the character of the Messiah to come, but also revealed the time of His appearing. Satan is familiar with the Word of God, and trembles before its fulfillment. As the time drew near for the Son of man to appear, Satan used every art to absorb the children of men in the forms and ceremonies and sophistries of the world, in order that they might give no place for the lowly Jesus. But Satan was not permitted to bring confusion; for strange as it may seem, the whole world was at peace, when the Prince of Peace was born in a manger at Bethlehem.SSP 210.2

True, the race which claimed to follow God, had lost the power of the Spirit, and the sway of evil was nearly universal. The connecting link, however, was not wholly severed; else the earth would have been destroyed, and neither Rome, with its boasted grandeur, nor Satan, with all his power, could have saved the wreck. Ministering at the altar in the temple in Jerusalem, was Zacharias, the priest. He and his wife Elizabeth prayed daily for the advent of the Son of God. Jehovah stopped to listen, and answered those prayers by giving to the aged priest and his wife a son, the forerunner of the Messiah. ^{MarginI will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6.
Isaiah 9:6, 7.
Daniel 9:25.
There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-12.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
1 Peter 3:3-5.
Romans 3:10-18.
As Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. Romans 9:29.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:5, 6, 13, 17.}SSP 211.1

In the town of Nazareth, noted for its wickedness, lived a young woman. Daily her heart was lifted to God, asking for the advent of the promised Saviour. Again Jehovah’s ear was reached, and that prayer was answered. Gabriel came from the presence of God, and made known to Mary that she a virgin in Israel, should become the mother of the Son of God. The spirituality of her life is shown in her response to the angel. Taking her God-given responsibility, with all the sorrow and shame it entailed, she said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.” Three had been found who were true to the God of Heaven. There were still others. Humble shepherds, tending their flocks, heard the angels singing at the birth of Christ; wise men of the East, searching the prophecies, recognized the star as a herald of the Saviour.SSP 212.1

On the day that the Babe was presented in the temple, Simeon, an aged man upon whom the Holy Ghost rested, and who saw with spiritual insight, recognized in the little One the Redeemer of men. And Anna, a prophetess, an aged widow, who lived in the temple, and who sought God day and night for the fulfillment of His promise, recognized divinity in the Babe, and giving thanks, “spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” This increased the number who in deed and in truth were waiting for the Messiah. They, while the world was in darkness and unconcern, travailed in birth for the world’s Redeemer.SSP 212.2

The faithful ones, the church of the living God,-few as their numbers may be, are represented as the “woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon ^{MarginIn the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Luke 1:26-38.
He came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God. Luke 2:26-32.
There was one Anna, a prophetess the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38.} her head a crown of twelve stars.” It is the closing of one era, the age of types and shadows, which, like the moon, reflect the light of the true. The moon is under the feet of the church, and the glorious sunrising of a new day is ushered in. The paler light of the moon seems dim in that more glorious day. The types and ceremonies of the sanctuary service, which had been a shadow of the real, were passing away; for type met antitype in the Child that was born. Every sacrifice from the Garden of Eden to the cross, shadowed forth the great Sacrifice, and taught the everlasting Gospel. By faith, the sinner confessing his sins over the head of the innocent lamb, saw the real Sacrifice, and the light from Calvary reflected from the sacrifice shone into his heart. This service typified the Gospel in its fullness. This is the foundation upon which the church stands. It is not a stone slipping away, a sliding foundation, but a solid foundation upon which the living church rests. To-day the record of that typical service, emits light to the one who will search it. True, it does not have the full blaze of sunlight like the record of the antitypical Offering, but there is a mild and gentle light emitted from it that well repays the searcher after truth.SSP 212.3

Around the head of the church clustered twelve stars, representing the twelve apostles, who became the fathers of the Christian church, their names are also on the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.SSP 213.1

The followers of Christ are the special objects of care in the courts of heaven, and there never was a time when the interest was more intense ^{MarginAnd there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Revelation 12:1, 2.
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come; by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. Hebrews 9:8-11.
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:20, 21.} than when the fullness of time was at hand, and the Son laid aside His God form, and clothed Himself in human flesh,-flesh subject to all the weaknesses of the frailest child on earth. Into the territory of Satan, into the nation which was the very essence of all untruth and deceit, the deepest, strongest compound of error, Christ came as a helpless child to show the power of truth and love.SSP 213.2

“There appeared another wonder in heaven;” it was the opposing power of Satan embodied in the ruling monarchy of earth-the empire of Rome, with Cæsar Augustus at its head. It is plainly stated in Revelation 12:9 that the great red dragon is the devil; and the seven heads with the ten horns represent the Roman Empire, in which the devil dwelt. This power during the reign of paganism, crucified the Saviour; and in its modified form, known as the papacy, held the church of God in bondage for twelve hundred and sixty years.SSP 214.1

Rome, at the time of the first advent, had, in her conquest about the Mediterranean, gained control of Palestine, the home of the Jews. Herod sat as king, but only by consent of the emperor, to whom he paid tribute. Herod was the last king who ruled over the Jews. “In his first will, he [Herod] appointed Antipas his successor; in his last, Archelaus. The people were ready to receive Archelaus, but afterwards revolted. Both he and Antipas went to Rome, each to present his claim to Cæsar for decision. Cæsar confirmed neither, but sent Archelaus back to Judea with the title of ethnarch; also with the promise of the crown, if he deserved it. ^{MarginThe devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. Luke 4:6.
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:3.
Luke 2:1.
Ephesians 2:2.
I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Revelation 13:1.
Daniel 7:25.
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39.} But his conduct was such that he never obtained it.” This was the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the Christ-child. Over seven hundred and fifty years before the Saviour’s birth, Isaiah wrote: “Before the Child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” The death of Herod occurred when the Jewish nation was ruled by its king, aided by the Sanhedrin and the priests; and in the removing of the kings, the “dragon,” through Rome, cast the third part of the stars of heaven to the earth. The divine hand which wrote this history cannot be hidden; for the very language which was literally fulfilled in Jerusalem, describes, with equal accuracy, the great fall in heaven, when Satan was cast out together with one-third of the angels,-those who adhered to his principles.SSP 214.2

Satan knew the time for the advent of the Son of man, and he determined to slay Him at birth. The history of the decree of Herod, who caused the slaying of “all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof,” may be read in the Gospel of Matthew and in the prophecy of Jeremiah. The Child was guarded by an angel band, and He escaped the sword of the angry king. Throughout the lifetime of Christ, repeated attempts were made to take His life; and failing to do this, Satan haunted His every step, seeking, to entrap Him ^{MarginWhen he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. Matthew 2:22.
Isaiah 7:16.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Revelation 12:4.
Matthew 2:16-18.
Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. Jeremiah 31:15, 16.
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. Luke 4:29.
Isaiah 9:6.} through the weakness of human flesh, or cause Him to exercise His divine power for His own protection.SSP 215.1

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Of Judah it had been said in the days of Jacob, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.” This was fulfilled in the birth of Christ. Of Him alone, Jehovah, the Father, said, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.” To this Child King, and to Him alone, has been given the right to rule with a rod of iron. “I have set My King upon My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron.”SSP 216.1

The Saviour lived among men for thirty-three years, an example in childhood, youth, and manhood, of the possibilities of a life with God. He was crucified, yet He triumphed over death. Satan thought that he held Christ securely, but the moment of exultation was a signal for his eternal defeat. Even then, a shout rang through heaven as the victory over death was seen. He broke the fetters of the tomb, and “her Child was caught up unto God and to His throne.” Again heaven resounded with praise; ^{MarginFor he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Ephesians 2:14.
Genesis 49:10.
Hebrews 1:8.
Psalm 2:6-9.
We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 149:5-9.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Peter 2:21.
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts 2:24.
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Revelation 12:5.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.} for the triumph was seen, and the terrors of evil were recognized as never before.SSP 216.2

Only the mountain peaks, in the history of the Christian church, are revealed in this view. There is the glorious rising of the sun; then, a lapse of over five hundred years. The days of papal tyranny and persecution are shown when the “woman” was in the wilderness for twelve hundred and sixty years; and the last peak is when the sun again shines upon the Remnant church in all its splendor. There are three steps from the moonlight of the typical sanctuary service until the day of triumph and salvation is completed; but oh, what those steps imply! The emptying of heaven in the gift of its Prince; the crushing of the light under the feet of him who thought to exalt his throne above that of the Most High, and lastly, the gathering of a little company with whom the dragon is still wroth, but who keep the commandments of God and cherish the light of His Spirit.SSP 217.1

It may, at first, seem strange that this far-reaching view of the church, should at once bring before the prophet’s mind the whole history of Satan,-the power behind the throne of Rome in its evil doings toward the Christ. And yet, when the spirit of heaven is caught, this is the most natural view. Before the creation of our world, “there was war in heaven.” Christ and the Father covenanted together; and Lucifer, the covering cherub, grew jealous because he was not admitted into the eternal councils of the Two who sat upon the throne. He, the light-bearer, standing so close to God that he reflected the glory of the throne, allowed jealousy to rankle in his heart. ^{MarginAnd the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Revelation 12:6.
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13, 14.
He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Luke 10:18.
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. Revelation 12:7, 8.
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so. Ezekiel 28:14.} For the first time, the harmony of heaven was broken. The discord spread; and when love failed to win, Lucifer and his followers were cast beyond the gates of heaven, and Satan was permitted to make the earth his abiding place. Justice called for death; but Mercy pleaded for a testing of the principles upon which the divine government was founded. The rainbow about the throne promised long-suffering. The charge was made that God ruled with an arbitrary hand. The controversy was begun. Satan claimed that if permitted to do so, he could establish a government where tyranny would be forever absent. Heaven granted him the earth in which to test his principles. So true is God to the law of love, so sure are the foundations of His throne, that, although it cost the life of His Son, He yet gave permission for the trial.SSP 217.2

The governments of earth became the instruments through which Satan worked. Our little planet became the center of interest among the angels, and the beings of unfallen worlds. According to the government of heaven, representatives from each world meet in council at the gate of heaven as the men of earth, for centuries after Adam was driven from the Garden, brought their offerings to the gate of Paradise. Among the sons of God who gathered there, Satan came also. Satan was a son of God by creation, and likewise, because of the earth over which he had usurped power, and bore sway. As a representative of the earth, he claimed the right to meet at the gate. There, in the midst of the heavenly assembly, he stood an accuser of the brethren. The case of Job and that of ^{MarginAnd the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9.
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:9-11.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. Job 1:6.
Luke 3:38.
Romans 6:16.
2 Timothy 2:19-23.
2 Chronicles 18:18-21.
The Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:7.
Revelation 12:10.
Job 1:9, 10.
Job 2:1-5.} Joshua are examples of the complaints which he brought against the government of God. Over and over again, angels had listened to the accusations made against the men of earth. When Christ was living here as a man, the heavenly host watched the deep-laid plots for His overthrow; they saw the jealousy among Jewish rulers, the cruelty of the Romans; and as the cross was approached, the pain which pierced them was akin to that of their suffering Master.SSP 218.1

Jesus, sitting in the temple court but a few days before the end, looked forward to the cross, and with feelings too deep for human heart to sense, said, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” At the cross, the fate of Satan was forever sealed. “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all unto Me.” Darkness covered Calvary on that awful day, but the eye of faith could pierce the cloud; for the hour that seemed the darkest, was, for the universe, the hour of greatest victory. “At the cross of Calvary love and selfishness stood face to face. Here was their crowning manifestation. Christ had lived only to comfort and bless, and in putting Him to death, Satan manifested the malignity of his hatred against God. He made it evident that the real purpose of his rebellion was to dethrone God and to destroy Him through whom the love of God was shown.”SSP 219.1

When from the depths of anguish, the dying Son of man exclaimed, “It is finished,” in spite of the sympathy which could scarcely bear restraint, a shout of victory rang through heaven. Christ’s “ear caught the distant music and the ^{MarginHe shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. Zechariah 3:1-3.
John 12:31, 32.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45.
At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34.
John 19:30.} shouts of victory in the heavenly courts. He knew that the death knell of Satan’s empire had sounded, and the name of Christ would be heralded from world to world throughout the universe.” “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Wonderful triumph! One loses much of the force of Christ’s life, unless he sees the actual triumph at the cross. He who had given up His power and His strength, taking human weakness instead, and “trodden the winepress alone” regained all at the cross.SSP 219.2

The life of Christ as a man, formed the strongest bonds between angels and human beings, so that in heaven, men are spoken of as “our brethren.” “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, “and in their love for Christ, they willingly sacrificed life itself.” “Rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.” This was a dark hour for the disciples, who stood blinded by grief beside a sealed sepulcher; but angels, who knew the power of eternal life, witnessing the exaltation of the Son of God and the final casting out of Satan, sang halleluiahs. No longer would Satan, “the prince of this world,” be admitted to their councils. No longer could he accuse the brethren in their presence. “Rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.”SSP 220.1

This was at the time of the crucifixion; and while joy rang through heaven, and the strains echoed and re-echoed again at His ascension, the world was not yet free from the wiles of the ^{MarginMercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Psalm 85:10, 11.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14, 15.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:37.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:12.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12.} devil. Having been cast to the earth, he put forth redoubled efforts to overthrow the truth, as it was heralded by followers of the Man of Nazareth. Through the various governments he had worked, only to meet with defeat in the end. Subtlety took the place of opposition. Paganism melted away before the increasing light of the Gospel; but pagan principles were accepted by Christians, and clothed in the garb of Christianity. Here again is the story of the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira and the fourth seal. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” With the intensity of despair he pushed his destructive plans. “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” The papacy was established at Rome in 538 a. d. for twelve hundred and sixty years,-the “thousand two hundred and three score days” of Revelation 12:6, the “time, and times, and half a time” of Revelation 12:14. It was the period during which the “two witnesses” of the eleventh chapter of Revelation prophesied in sackcloth. It is the period called the Dark Ages. Hidden from sight in mountain fastnesses, and obscure corners of the earth, some secretly, through the long night, held fast to the Word of God. From the mouth of the “dragon” was cast out a flood of iniquity, of false doctrines, of false teachings, of persecutions, in the hope of forever drowning the truth. In the East, this flood was “smoke” from the “bottomless pit” in the form of Mohammedanism; in the West, it was the papacy. ^{MarginNow is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
This he said, signifying what death he should die. John 12:31-33.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29, 30.
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. Revelation 12:13.
It shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Daniel 12:7.
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Revelation 12:14, 15.
Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Lamentations 3:45, 46.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many such like things ye do.
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Mark 7:7-9.}SSP 220.2

At last the earth itself grew weary of the evil. God broke the power of the tyranny. He raised up rulers who opposed the power of the papacy, and who espoused the cause of the reformers, and sheltered them from the anathemas hurled after them. This was especially true among the German princes at the Diet of Spires, and the same spirit characterized William of Orange in the Netherlands, and some of the English rulers; and the help which the earth gave, was seen especially in the refuge offered to the persecuted souls on the shores of America.SSP 222.1

The power of the Reformation is still felt in the earth; and the nations of Western Europe, together with the people of the United States, have the privilege of giving the last messages of the Gospel of Christ to the world. The mighty angel of the tenth chapter of Revelation had a message for the Remnant church, and the fourteenth chapter brings to light more fully the last work of the “woman” with whom the “dragon” is wroth. The purity and power of the sunlight characterized the Apostolic Church. There are two characteristics of the Remnant; they keep the commandments of God,-the law which forms the foundation of the eternal throne, and which Lucifer considered an arbitrary code. In the midst of this law, is the seal which the “dragon” sought to destroy, but which is restored to the last true church. The second distinguishing mark of the Remnant is that they have the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the Spirit of Prophecy. As time grows short, the anger of the devil increases, and his deceptions assume their most subtle forms. He finally personates the Son of man, and appears on earth as an ^{MarginAnd the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Revelation 12:16.
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psalm 68:6.
The Lord gave the word: greàt was the company of those that published it.
Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. Psalm 68:11, 12.
He had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth. Revelation 10:2, 3.
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17
Revelation 14:12.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Psalm 29:4, 5.
Hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Ezekiel 20:20.
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10.
Revelation 22:7.
2 Corinthians 11:14, 15.} angel of light. At that time his exceeding great wrath will be manifested toward those who keep the commandments of God, and who have the testimony of Jesus Christ. These two tests, and these alone, distinguish between those who are accepted of God and those who are not.SSP 222.2

John, to whom was made known the Revelation of Jesus Christ, was bidden by the Son of God to take the opened prophecies of Daniel. The testimony of Jesus Christ is added to the testimony of these two great prophets through a chosen prophet in the Remnant church. Though the gift of prophecy was long silent, it is in the Remnant church; though the law of God was long degraded and suppressed, it is again obeyed by the Remnant.SSP 223.1

The wrath of Satan may be great, but He who preserved Christ will preserve His people till the end. The book of Revelation reveals the fact that the Remnant church is now in existence and that the time is short. ^{MarginEven him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
The voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up. Revelation 10:8, 9.
Her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord. Lamentations 2:9.
For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:31-33.}SSP 223.2