Inthisapartmentthedivinepresencewasmanifestedinthecloudofglorybetweenthecherubim。
AfterthesettlementoftheHebrewsinCanaan，thetabernaclewasreplacedbythetempleofSolomon，which，thoughapermanentstructureanduponalargerscale，observedthesameproportions，andwassimilarlyfurnished。Inthisformthesanctuaryexisted——exceptwhileitlayinruinsinDaniel’stime——untilitsdestructionbytheRomans，inA。D。70。
Thisistheonlysanctuarythateverexistedontheearth，ofwhichtheBiblegivesanyinformation。Thiswasdeclared413
byPaultobethesanctuaryofthefirstcovenant。Buthasthenewcovenantnosanctuary？
TurningagaintothebookofHebrews，theseekersfortruthfoundthattheexistenceofasecond，ornew-covenantsanctuary，wasimpliedinthewordsofPaulalreadyquoted:\"Thenverilythefirstcovenanthadalsoordinancesofdivineservice，andaworldlysanctuary。\"Andtheuseoftheword\"also\"
intimatesthatPaulhasbeforemadementionofthissanctuary。Turningbacktothebeginningofthepreviouschapter，theyread:\"Nowofthethingswhichwehavespokenthisisthesum:WehavesuchanHighPriest，whoissetontherighthandofthethroneoftheMajestyintheheavens；aMinisterofthesanctuary，andofthetruetabernacle，whichtheLordpitched，andnotman。\"Hebrews8:1，2。
Hereisrevealedthesanctuaryofthenewcovenant。Thesanctuaryofthefirstcovenantwaspitchedbyman，builtbyMoses；thisispitchedbytheLord，notbyman。Inthatsanctuarytheearthlypriestsperformedtheirservice；inthis，Christ，ourgreatHighPriest，ministersatGod’srighthand。Onesanctuarywasonearth，theotherisinheaven。
Further，thetabernaclebuiltbyMoseswasmadeafterapattern。TheLorddirectedhim:\"AccordingtoallthatIshowthee，afterthepatternofthetabernacle，andthepatternofalltheinstrumentsthereof，evensoshallyemakeit。\"Andagainthechargewasgiven，\"Lookthatthoumakethemaftertheirpattern，whichwasshowedtheeinthemount。\"Exodus25:9，40。AndPaulsaysthatthefirsttabernacle\"wasafigureforthetimethenpresent，inwhichwereofferedbothgiftsandsacrifices；\"thatitsholyplaceswere\"patternsofthingsintheheavens；\"thatthepriestswhoofferedgiftsaccordingtothelawserved\"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings，\"andthat\"Christisnotenteredintotheholyplacesmadewithhands，whicharethefiguresofthetrue；butintoheavenitself，nowtoappearinthepresenceofGodforus。\"Hebrews9:9，23；8:5；9:24。
414
Thesanctuaryinheaven，inwhichJesusministersinourbehalf，isthegreatoriginal，ofwhichthesanctuarybuiltbyMoseswasacopy。GodplacedHisSpirituponthebuildersoftheearthlysanctuary。Theartisticskilldisplayedinitsconstructionwasamanifestationofdivinewisdom。Thewallshadtheappearanceofmassivegold，reflectingineverydirectionthelightofthesevenlampsofthegoldencandlestick。Thetableofshewbreadandthealtarofincenseglitteredlikeburnishedgold。Thegorgeouscurtainwhichformedtheceiling，inwroughtwithfiguresofangelsinblueandpurpleandscarlet，addedtothebeautyofthescene。AndbeyondthesecondveilwastheholyShekinah，thevisiblemanifestationofGod’sglory，beforewhichnonebutthehighpriestcouldenterandlive。
ThematchlesssplendoroftheearthlytabernaclereflectedtohumanvisionthegloriesofthatheavenlytemplewhereChristourforerunnerministersforusbeforethethroneofGod。TheabidingplaceoftheKingofkings，wherethousandthousandsministeruntoHim，andtenthousandtimestenthousandstandbeforeHim(Daniel7:10)；thattemple，filledwiththegloryoftheeternalthrone，whereseraphim，itsshiningguardians，veiltheirfacesinadoration，couldfind，inthemostmagnificentstructureeverrearedbyhumanhands，butafaintreflectionofitsvastnessandglory。Yetimportanttruthsconcerningtheheavenlysanctuaryandthegreatworktherecarriedforwardforman’sredemptionweretaughtbytheearthlysanctuaryanditsservices。
Theholyplacesofthesanctuaryinheavenarerepresentedbythetwoapartmentsinthesanctuaryonearth。AsinvisiontheapostleJohnwasgrantedaviewofthetempleofGodinheaven，hebeheldthere\"sevenlampsoffireburningbeforethethrone。\"Revelation4:5。Hesawanangel\"havingagoldencenser；andtherewasgivenuntohimmuchincense，thatheshouldofferitwiththeprayersofallsaintsuponthegoldenaltarwhichwasbeforethethrone。\"Revelation8:3。Heretheprophetwaspermittedtobeholdthefirstapartment415
ofthesanctuaryinheaven；andhesawtherethe\"sevenlampsoffire\"and\"thegoldenaltar，\"representedbythegoldencandlestickandthealtarofincenseinthesanctuaryonearth。Again，\"thetempleofGodwasopened\"
(Revelation11:19)，andhelookedwithintheinnerveil，upontheholyofholies。Herehebeheld\"thearkofHistestament，\"representedbythesacredchestconstructedbyMosestocontainthelawofGod。
Thusthosewhowerestudyingthesubjectfoundindisputableproofoftheexistenceofasanctuaryinheaven。Mosesmadetheearthlysanctuaryafterapatternwhichwasshownhim。Paulteachesthatthatpatternwasthetruesanctuarywhichisinheaven。AndJohntestifiesthathesawitinheaven。
Inthetempleinheaven，thedwellingplaceofGod，Histhroneisestablishedinrighteousnessandjudgment。InthemostholyplaceisHislaw，thegreatruleofrightbywhichallmankindaretested。Thearkthatenshrinesthetablesofthelawiscoveredwiththemercyseat，beforewhichChristpleadsHisbloodinthesinner’sbehalf。Thusisrepresentedtheunionofjusticeandmercyintheplanofhumanredemption。Thisunioninfinitewisdomalonecoulddeviseandinfinitepoweraccomplish；itisaunionthatfillsallheavenwithwonderandadoration。Thecherubimoftheearthlysanctuary，lookingreverentlydownuponthemercyseat，representtheinterestwithwhichtheheavenlyhostcontemplatetheworkofredemption。Thisisthemysteryofmercyintowhichangelsdesiretolook——thatGodcanbejustwhileHejustifiestherepentingsinnerandrenewsHisintercoursewiththefallenrace；thatChristcouldstooptoraiseunnumberedmultitudesfromtheabyssofruinandclothethemwiththespotlessgarmentsofHisownrighteousnesstounitewithangelswhohaveneverfallenandtodwellforeverinthepresenceofGod。
TheworkofChristasman’sintercessorispresentedinthatbeautifulprophecyofZechariahconcerningHim\"whosenameistheBranch。\"Saystheprophet:\"Heshall416
buildthetempleoftheLord；andHeshallbeartheglory，andshallsitandruleuponHis[theFather’s]throne；andHeshallbeapriestuponHisthrone:andthecounselofpeaceshallbebetweenThemboth。\"Zechariah6:12，13。
\"HeshallbuildthetempleoftheLord。\"ByHissacrificeandmediationChristisboththefoundationandthebuilderofthechurchofGod。TheapostlePaulpointstoHimas\"thechiefCornerstone；inwhomallthebuildingfitlyframedtogethergrowethintoanholytempleintheLord:inwhomyealso，\"hesays，\"arebuildedtogetherforanhabitationofGodthroughtheSpirit。\"Ephesians2:20-22。
\"Heshallbeartheglory。\"ToChristbelongsthegloryofredemptionforthefallenrace。Throughtheeternalages，thesongoftheransomedoneswillbe:\"UntoHimthatlovedus，andwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood，……toHimbegloryanddominionforeverandever。\"Revelation1:5，6。
He\"shallsitandruleuponHisthrone；andHeshallbeapriestuponHisthrone。\"Notnow\"uponthethroneofHisglory；\"thekingdomofgloryhasnotyetbeenusheredin。NotuntilHisworkasamediatorshallbeendedwillGod\"giveuntoHimthethroneofHisfatherDavid，\"akingdomofwhich\"thereshallbenoend。\"Luke1:32，33。Asapriest，ChristisnowsetdownwiththeFatherinHisthrone。Revelation3:21。Uponthethronewiththeeternal，self-existentOneisHewho\"hathborneourgriefs，andcarriedoursorrows，\"who\"wasinallpointstemptedlikeasweare，yetwithoutsin，\"
thatHemightbe\"abletosuccorthemthataretempted。\"\"Ifanymansin，wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather。\"Isaiah53:4；Hebrews4:15；2:18；1John2:1。Hisintercessionisthatofapiercedandbrokenbody，ofaspotlesslife。Thewoundedhands，thepiercedside，themarredfeet，pleadforfallenman，whoseredemptionwaspurchasedatsuchinfinitecost。
\"AndthecounselofpeaceshallbebetweenThemboth。\"TheloveoftheFather，nolessthanoftheSon，isthefountainofsalvationforthelostrace。SaidJesustoHisdisciplesbefore417
Hewentaway:\"Isaynotuntoyou，thatIwillpraytheFatherforyou:fortheFatherHimselflovethyou。\"John16:26，27。Godwas\"inChrist，reconcilingtheworlduntoHimself。\"2Corinthians5:19。Andintheministrationinthesanctuaryabove，\"thecounselofpeaceshallbebetweenThemboth。\"\"Godsolovedtheworld，thatHegaveHisonly-begottenSon，thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperish，buthaveeverlastinglife。\"John3:16。
Thequestion，Whatisthesanctuary？isclearlyansweredintheScriptures。
Theterm\"sanctuary，\"asusedintheBible，refers，first，tothetabernaclebuiltbyMoses，asapatternofheavenlythings；and，secondly，tothe\"truetabernacle\"inheaven，towhichtheearthlysanctuarypointed。AtthedeathofChristthetypicalserviceended。The\"truetabernacle\"inheavenisthesanctuaryofthenewcovenant。AndastheprophecyofDaniel8:14isfulfilledinthisdispensation，thesanctuarytowhichitrefersmustbethesanctuaryofthenewcovenant。Attheterminationofthe2300days，in1844，therehadbeennosanctuaryonearthformanycenturies。Thustheprophecy，\"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed，\"unquestionablypointstothesanctuaryinheaven。
Butthemostimportantquestionremainstobeanswered:Whatisthecleansingofthesanctuary？ThattherewassuchaserviceinconnectionwiththeearthlysanctuaryisstatedintheOldTestamentScriptures。Butcantherebeanythinginheaventobecleansed？InHebrews9thecleansingofboththeearthlyandtheheavenlysanctuaryisplainlytaught。\"Almostallthingsarebythelawpurgedwithblood；andwithoutsheddingofbloodisnoremission。Itwasthereforenecessarythatthepatternsofthingsintheheavensshouldbepurifiedwiththese[thebloodofanimals]；buttheheavenlythingsthemselveswithbettersacrificesthanthese\"(Hebrews9:22，23)，eventhepreciousbloodofChrist。
Thecleansing，bothinthetypicalandintherealservice，mustbeaccomplishedwithblood:intheformer，withthe418
bloodofanimals；inthelatter，withthebloodofChrist。Paulstates，asthereasonwhythiscleansingmustbeperformedwithblood，thatwithoutsheddingofbloodisnoremission。Remission，orputtingawayofsin，istheworktobeaccomplished。Buthowcouldtherebesinconnectedwiththesanctuary，eitherinheavenorupontheearth？Thismaybelearnedbyreferencetothesymbolicservice；forthepriestswhoofficiatedonearth，served\"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings。\"Hebrews8:5。
Theministrationoftheearthlysanctuaryconsistedoftwodivisions；thepriestsministereddailyintheholyplace，whileonceayearthehighpriestperformedaspecialworkofatonementinthemostholy，forthecleansingofthesanctuary。Daybydaytherepentantsinnerbroughthisofferingtothedoorofthetabernacleand，placinghishanduponthevictim’shead，confessedhissins，thusinfiguretransferringthemfromhimselftotheinnocentsacrifice。Theanimalwasthenslain。\"Withoutsheddingofblood，\"saystheapostle，thereisnoremissionofsin。\"Thelifeofthefleshisintheblood。\"Leviticus17:11。ThebrokenlawofGoddemandedthelifeofthetransgressor。Theblood，representingtheforfeitedlifeofthesinner，whoseguiltthevictimbore，wascarriedbythepriestintotheholyplaceandsprinkledbeforetheveil，behindwhichwasthearkcontainingthelawthatthesinnerhadtransgressed。Bythisceremonythesinwas，throughtheblood，transferredinfiguretothesanctuary。Insomecasesthebloodwasnottakenintotheholyplace；butthefleshwasthentobeeatenbythepriest，asMosesdirectedthesonsofAaron，saying:\"Godhathgivenityoutobeartheiniquityofthecongregation。\"Leviticus10:17。Bothceremoniesalikesymbolizedthetransferofthesinfromthepenitenttothesanctuary。
Suchwastheworkthatwenton，daybyday，throughouttheyear。ThesinsofIsraelwerethustransferredtothesanctuary，andaspecialworkbecamenecessaryfortheirremoval。Godcommandedthatanatonementbemadeforeachofthe419
sacredapartments。\"Heshallmakeanatonementfortheholyplace，becauseoftheuncleannessofthechildrenofIsrael，andbecauseoftheirtransgressionsinalltheirsins:andsoshallhedoforthetabernacleofthecongregation，thatremainethamongtheminthemidstoftheiruncleanness。\"Anatonementwasalsotobemadeforthealtar，to\"cleanseit，andhallowiffromtheuncleannessofthechildrenofIsrael。\"Leviticus16:16，19。
Onceayear，onthegreatDayofAtonement，thepriestenteredthemostholyplaceforthecleansingofthesanctuary。Theworkthereperformedcompletedtheyearlyroundofministration。OntheDayofAtonementtwokidsofthegoatswerebroughttothedoorofthetabernacle，andlotswerecastuponthem，\"onelotfortheLord，andtheotherlotforthescapegoat。\"Verse8。
ThegoatuponwhichfellthelotfortheLordwastobeslainasasinofferingforthepeople。Andthepriestwastobringhisbloodwithintheveilandsprinkleituponthemercyseatandbeforethemercyseat。Thebloodwasalsotobesprinkleduponthealtarofincensethatwasbeforetheveil。
\"AndAaronshalllaybothhishandsupontheheadofthelivegoat，andconfessoverhimalltheiniquitiesofthechildrenofIsrael，andalltheirtransgressionsinalltheirsins，puttingthemupontheheadofthegoat，andshallsendhimawaybythehandofafitmanintothewilderness:andthegoatshallbearuponhimalltheiriniquitiesuntoalandnotinhabited。\"Verses21，22。ThescapegoatcamenomoreintothecampofIsrael，andthemanwholedhimawaywasrequiredtowashhimselfandhisclothingwithwaterbeforereturningtothecamp。
ThewholeceremonywasdesignedtoimpresstheIsraeliteswiththeholinessofGodandHisabhorrenceofsin；and，further，toshowthemthattheycouldnotcomeincontactwithsinwithoutbecomingpolluted。Everymanwasrequiredtoafflicthissoulwhilethisworkofatonementwasgoingforward。
Allbusinesswastobelaidaside，andthe420
wholecongregationofIsraelweretospendthedayinsolemnhumiliationbeforeGod，withprayer，fasting，anddeepsearchingofheart。
Importanttruthsconcerningtheatonementaretaughtbythetypicalservice。
Asubstitutewasacceptedinthesinner’sstead；butthesinwasnotcanceledbythebloodofthevictim。Ameanswasthusprovidedbywhichitwastransferredtothesanctuary。Bytheofferingofbloodthesinneracknowledgedtheauthorityofthelaw，confessedhisguiltintransgression，andexpressedhisdesireforpardonthroughfaithinaRedeemertocome；buthewasnotyetentirelyreleasedfromthecondemnationofthelaw。OntheDayofAtonementthehighpriest，havingtakenanofferingfromthecongregation，wentintothemostholyplacewiththebloodofthisoffering，andsprinkledituponthemercyseat，directlyoverthelaw，tomakesatisfactionforitsclaims。Then，inhischaracterofmediator，hetookthesinsuponhimselfandborethemfromthesanctuary。Placinghishandsupontheheadofthescapegoat，heconfessedoverhimallthesesins，thusinfiguretransferringthemfromhimselftothegoat。Thegoatthenborethemaway，andtheywereregardedasforeverseparatedfromthepeople。
Suchwastheserviceperformed\"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings。\"Andwhatwasdoneintypeintheministrationoftheearthlysanctuaryisdoneinrealityintheministrationoftheheavenlysanctuary。
AfterHisascensionourSaviourbeganHisworkasourhighpriest。SaysPaul:\"Christisnotenteredintotheholyplacesmadewithhands，whicharethefiguresofthetrue；butintoheavenitself，nowtoappearinthepresenceofGodforus。\"Hebrews9:24。
Theministrationofthepriestthroughouttheyearinthefirstapartmentofthesanctuary，\"withintheveil\"whichformedthedoorandseparatedtheholyplacefromtheoutercourt，representstheworkofministrationuponwhichChristenteredatHisascension。Itwastheworkofthepriestinthe421
dailyministrationtopresentbeforeGodthebloodofthesinoffering，alsotheincensewhichascendedwiththeprayersofIsrael。SodidChristpleadHisbloodbeforetheFatherinbehalfofsinners，andpresentbeforeHimalso，withthepreciousfragranceofHisownrighteousness，theprayersofpenitentbelievers。Suchwastheworkofministrationinthefirstapartmentofthesanctuaryinheaven。
ThitherthefaithofChrist’sdisciplesfollowedHimasHeascendedfromtheirsight。Heretheirhopescentered，\"whichhopewehave，\"saidPaul，\"asananchorofthesoul，bothsureandsteadfast，andwhichenterethintothatwithintheveil；whithertheforerunnerisforusentered，evenJesus，madeanhighpriestforever。\"\"Neitherbythebloodofgoatsandcalves，butbyHisownbloodHeenteredinonceintotheholyplace，havingobtainedeternalredemptionforus。\"Hebrews6:19，20；9:12。
Foreighteencenturiesthisworkofministrationcontinuedinthefirstapartmentofthesanctuary。ThebloodofChrist，pleadedinbehalfofpenitentbelievers，securedtheirpardonandacceptancewiththeFather，yettheirsinsstillremaineduponthebooksofrecord。Asinthetypicalservicetherewasaworkofatonementatthecloseoftheyear，sobeforeChrist’sworkfortheredemptionofmeniscompletedthereisaworkofatonementfortheremovalofsinfromthesanctuary。Thisistheservicewhichbeganwhenthe2300daysended。Atthattime，asforetoldbyDanieltheprophet，ourHighPriestenteredthemostholy，toperformthelastdivisionofHissolemnwork——tocleansethesanctuary。
Asancientlythesinsofthepeoplewerebyfaithplaceduponthesinofferingandthroughitsbloodtransferred，infigure，totheearthlysanctuary，sointhenewcovenantthesinsoftherepentantarebyfaithplaceduponChristandtransferred，infact，totheheavenlysanctuary。Andasthetypicalcleansingoftheearthlywasaccomplishedbytheremovalofthesinsbywhichithadbeenpolluted，sotheactualcleansingoftheheavenlyistobeaccomplishedby422
theremoval，orblottingout，ofthesinswhicharethererecorded。Butbeforethiscanbeaccomplished，theremustbeanexaminationofthebooksofrecordtodeterminewho，throughrepentanceofsinandfaithinChrist，areentitledtothebenefitsofHisatonement。Thecleansingofthesanctuarythereforeinvolvesaworkofinvestigation——aworkofjudgment。
ThisworkmustbeperformedpriortothecomingofChristtoredeemHispeople；forwhenHecomes，HisrewardiswithHimtogivetoeverymanaccordingtohisworks。Revelation22:12。
Thusthosewhofollowedinthelightofthepropheticwordsawthat，insteadofcomingtotheearthattheterminationofthe2300daysin1844，ChristthenenteredthemostholyplaceoftheheavenlysanctuarytoperformtheclosingworkofatonementpreparatorytoHiscoming。
Itwasseen，also，thatwhilethesinofferingpointedtoChristasasacrifice，andthehighpriestrepresentedChristasamediator，thescapegoattypifiedSatan，theauthorofsin，uponwhomthesinsofthetrulypenitentwillfinallybeplaced。Whenthehighpriest，byvirtueofthebloodofthesinoffering，removedthesinsfromthesanctuary，heplacedthemuponthescapegoat。WhenChrist，byvirtueofHisownblood，removesthesinsofHispeoplefromtheheavenlysanctuaryatthecloseofHisministration，HewillplacethemuponSatan，who，intheexecutionofthejudgment，mustbearthefinalpenalty。Thescapegoatwassentawayintoalandnotinhabited，nevertocomeagainintothecongregationofIsrael。SowillSatanbeforeverbanishedfromthepresenceofGodandHispeople，andhewillbeblottedfromexistenceinthefinaldestructionofsinandsinners。
(423)
Chapter24
IntheHolyofHoliesThesubjectofthesanctuarywasthekeywhichunlockedthemysteryofthedisappointmentof1844。Itopenedtoviewacompletesystemoftruth，connectedandharmonious，showingthatGod’shandhaddirectedthegreatadventmovementandrevealingpresentdutyasitbroughttolightthepositionandworkofHispeople。AsthedisciplesofJesusaftertheterriblenightoftheiranguishanddisappointmentwere\"gladwhentheysawtheLord，\"sodidthosenowrejoicewhohadlookedinfaithforHissecondcoming。TheyhadexpectedHimtoappearinglorytogiverewardtoHisservants。Astheirhopesweredisappointed，theyhadlostsightofJesus，andwithMaryatthesepulchertheycried:\"TheyhavetakenawaymyLord，andIknownotwheretheyhavelaidHim。\"NowintheholyofholiestheyagainbeheldHim，theircompassionateHighPriest，soontoappearastheirkinganddeliverer。Lightfromthesanctuaryilluminedthepast，thepresent，andthefuture。TheyknewthatGodhadledthembyHisunerringprovidence。Though，likethefirstdisciples，theythemselveshadfailedtounderstandthemessagewhichtheybore，yetithadbeenineveryrespectcorrect。InproclaimingittheyhadfulfilledthepurposeofGod，andtheirlaborhadnotbeeninvainintheLord。Begotten\"againuntoalivelyhope，\"
theyrejoiced\"withjoyunspeakableandfullofglory。\"
424
BoththeprophecyofDaniel8:14，\"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；
thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed，\"andthefirstangel’smessage，\"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome，\"pointedtoChrist’sministrationinthemostholyplace，totheinvestigativejudgment，andnottothecomingofChristfortheredemptionofHispeopleandthedestructionofthewicked。Themistakehadnotbeeninthereckoningofthepropheticperiods，butintheeventtotakeplaceattheendofthe2300days。Throughthiserrorthebelievershadsuffereddisappointment，yetallthatwasforetoldbytheprophecy，andallthattheyhadanyScripturewarranttoexpect，hadbeenaccomplished。Attheverytimewhentheywerelamentingthefailureoftheirhopes，theeventhadtakenplacewhichwasforetoldbythemessage，andwhichmustbefulfilledbeforetheLordcouldappeartogiverewardtoHisservants。
Christhadcome，nottotheearth，astheyexpected，but，asforeshadowedinthetype，tothemostholyplaceofthetempleofGodinheaven。HeisrepresentedbytheprophetDanielascomingatthistimetotheAncientofDays:\"Isawinthenightvisions，and，behold，oneliketheSonofmancamewiththecloudsofheaven，andcame\"——nottotheearth，but——\"totheAncientofDays，andtheybroughtHimnearbeforeHim。\"Daniel7:13。
ThiscomingisforetoldalsobytheprophetMalachi:\"TheLord，whomyeseek，shallsuddenlycometoHistemple，eventheMessengerofthecovenant，whomyedelightin:behold，Heshallcome，saiththeLordofhosts。\"Malachi3:1。ThecomingoftheLordtoHistemplewassudden，unexpected，toHispeople。TheywerenotlookingtoHimthere。TheyexpectedHimtocometoearth，\"inflamingfiretakingvengeanceonthemthatknownotGod，andthatobeynotthegospel。\"2Thessalonians1:8。
ButthepeoplewerenotyetreadytomeettheirLord。Therewasstillaworkofpreparationtobeaccomplishedfor425
them。Lightwastobegiven，directingtheirmindstothetempleofGodinheaven；andastheyshouldbyfaithfollowtheirHighPriestinHisministrationthere，newdutieswouldberevealed。Anothermessageofwarningandinstructionwastobegiventothechurch。
Saystheprophet:\"WhomayabidethedayofHiscoming？andwhoshallstandwhenHeappeareth？forHeislikearefiner’sfire，andlikefullers’soap:
andHeshallsitasarefinerandpurifierofsilver:andHeshallpurifythesonsofLevi，andpurgethemasgoldandsilver，thattheymayofferuntotheLordanofferinginrighteousness。\"Malachi3:2，3。ThosewhoarelivingupontheearthwhentheintercessionofChristshallceaseinthesanctuaryabovearetostandinthesightofaholyGodwithoutamediator。
Theirrobesmustbespotless，theircharactersmustbepurifiedfromsinbythebloodofsprinkling。ThroughthegraceofGodandtheirowndiligentefforttheymustbeconquerorsinthebattlewithevil。Whiletheinvestigativejudgmentisgoingforwardinheaven，whilethesinsofpenitentbelieversarebeingremovedfromthesanctuary，thereistobeaspecialworkofpurification，ofputtingawayofsin，amongGod’speopleuponearth。ThisworkismoreclearlypresentedinthemessagesofRevelation14。
Whenthisworkshallhavebeenaccomplished，thefollowersofChristwillbereadyforHisappearing。\"ThenshalltheofferingofJudahandJerusalembepleasantuntotheLord，asinthedaysofold，andasinformeryears。\"
Malachi3:4。ThenthechurchwhichourLordatHiscomingistoreceivetoHimselfwillbea\"gloriouschurch，nothavingspot，orwrinkle，oranysuchthing。\"Ephesians5:27。Thenshewilllook\"forthasthemorning，fairasthemoon，clearasthesun，andterribleasanarmywithbanners。\"SongofSolomon6:10。
BesidesthecomingoftheLordtoHistemple，MalachialsoforetellsHissecondadvent，Hiscomingfortheexecutionofthejudgment，inthesewords:
\"AndIwillcomenear426
toyoutojudgment；andIwillbeaswiftwitnessagainstthesorcerers，andagainsttheadulterers，andagainstfalseswearers，andagainstthosethatoppressthehirelinginhiswages，thewidow，andthefatherless，andthatturnasidethestrangerfromhisright，andfearnotMe，saiththeLordofhosts。\"Malachi3:5。Judereferstothesamescenewhenhesays，\"Behold，theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofHissaints，toexecutejudgmentuponall，andtoconvinceallthatareungodlyamongthemofalltheirungodlydeeds。\"Jude14，15。Thiscoming，andthecomingoftheLordtoHistemple，aredistinctandseparateevents。
ThecomingofChristasourhighpriesttothemostholyplace，forthecleansingofthesanctuary，broughttoviewinDaniel8:14；thecomingoftheSonofmantotheAncientofDays，aspresentedinDaniel7:13；andthecomingoftheLordtoHistemple，foretoldbyMalachi，aredescriptionsofthesameevent；andthisisalsorepresentedbythecomingofthebridegroomtothemarriage，describedbyChristintheparableofthetenvirgins，ofMatthew25。
Inthesummerandautumnof1844theproclamation，\"Behold，theBridegroomcometh，\"wasgiven。Thetwoclassesrepresentedbythewiseandfoolishvirginswerethendeveloped——oneclasswholookedwithjoytotheLord’sappearing，andwhohadbeendiligentlypreparingtomeetHim；anotherclassthat，influencedbyfearandactingfromimpulse，hadbeensatisfiedwithatheoryofthetruth，butweredestituteofthegraceofGod。Intheparable，whenthebridegroomcame，\"theythatwerereadywentinwithhimtothemarriage。\"Thecomingofthebridegroom，herebroughttoview，takesplacebeforethemarriage。ThemarriagerepresentsthereceptionbyChristofHiskingdom。TheHolyCity，theNewJerusalem，whichisthecapitalandrepresentativeofthekingdom，iscalled\"thebride，theLamb’swife。\"SaidtheangeltoJohn:\"Comehither，Iwillshowtheethebride，theLamb’swife。\"\"Hecarriedmeawayinthespirit，\"saystheprophet，\"andshowedmethatgreatcity，theholyJerusalem，descendingoutofheavenfromGod。\"
Revelation427
21:9，10。Clearly，then，thebriderepresentstheHolyCity，andthevirginsthatgoouttomeetthebridegroomareasymbolofthechurch。IntheRevelationthepeopleofGodaresaidtobetheguestsatthemarriagesupper。Revelation19:9。Ifguests，theycannotberepresentedalsoasthebride。Christ，asstatedbytheprophetDaniel，willreceivefromtheAncientofDaysinheaven，\"dominion，andglory，andakingdom；\"HewillreceivetheNewJerusalem，thecapitalofHiskingdom，\"preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband。\"Daniel7:14；Revelation21:2。Havingreceivedthekingdom，HewillcomeinHisglory，asKingofkingsandLordoflords，fortheredemptionofHispeople，whoareto\"sitdownwithAbraham，andIsaac，andJacob，\"atHistableinHiskingdom(Matthew8:11；Luke22:30)，topartakeofthemarriagesupperoftheLamb。
Theproclamation，\"Behold，theBridegroomcometh，\"inthesummerof1844，ledthousandstoexpecttheimmediateadventoftheLord。AttheappointedtimetheBridegroomcame，nottotheearth，asthepeopleexpected，buttotheAncientofDaysinheaven，tothemarriage，thereceptionofHiskingdom。\"TheythatwerereadywentinwithHimtothemarriage:andthedoorwasshut。\"Theywerenottobepresentinpersonatthemarriage；forittakesplaceinheaven，whiletheyareupontheearth。ThefollowersofChristareto\"waitfortheirLord，whenHewillreturnfromthewedding。\"
Luke12:36。ButtheyaretounderstandHiswork，andtofollowHimbyfaithasHegoesinbeforeGod。Itisinthissensethattheyaresaidtogointothemarriage。
Intheparableitwasthosethathadoilintheirvesselswiththeirlampsthatwentintothemarriage。Thosewho，withaknowledgeofthetruthfromtheScriptures，hadalsotheSpiritandgraceofGod，andwho，inthenightoftheirbittertrial，hadpatientlywaited，searchingtheBibleforclearerlight——thesesawthetruthconcerningthesanctuaryinheavenandtheSaviour’schangeinministration，andbyfaiththeyfollowedHiminHisworkinthesanctuaryabove。AndallwhothroughthetestimonyoftheScripturesacceptthe428
sametruths，followingChristbyfaithasHeentersinbeforeGodtoperformthelastworkofmediation，andatitsclosetoreceiveHiskingdom——allthesearerepresentedasgoingintothemarriage。
IntheparableofMatthew22thesamefigureofthemarriageisintroduced，andtheinvestigativejudgmentisclearlyrepresentedastakingplacebeforethemarriage。Previoustotheweddingthekingcomesintoseetheguests，toseeifallareattiredintheweddinggarment，thespotlessrobeofcharacterwashedandmadewhiteinthebloodoftheLamb。Matthew22:11；
Revelation7:14。Hewhoisfoundwantingiscastout，butallwhouponexaminationareseentohavetheweddinggarmentonareacceptedofGodandaccountedworthyofashareinHiskingdomandaseatuponHisthrone。Thisworkofexaminationofcharacter，ofdeterminingwhoarepreparedforthekingdomofGod，isthatoftheinvestigativejudgment，theclosingofworkinthesanctuaryabove。
Whentheworkofinvestigationshallbeended，whenthecasesofthosewhoinallageshaveprofessedtobefollowersofChristhavebeenexaminedanddecided，then，andnottillthen，probationwillclose，andthedoorofmercywillbeshut。Thusintheoneshortsentence，\"TheythatwerereadywentinwithHimtothemarriage:andthedoorwasshut，\"wearecarrieddownthroughtheSaviour’sfinalministration，tothetimewhenthegreatworkforman’ssalvationshallbecompleted。
Intheserviceoftheearthlysanctuary，which，aswehaveseen，isafigureoftheserviceintheheavenly，whenthehighpriestontheDayofAtonemententeredthemostholyplace，theministrationinthefirstapartmentceased。
Godcommanded:\"Thereshallbenomaninthetabernacleofthecongregationwhenhegoethintomakeanatonementintheholyplace，untilhecomesout。\"Leviticus16:17。SowhenChristenteredtheholyofholiestoperformtheclosingworkoftheatonement，HeceasedHisministrationinthefirstapartment。Butwhentheministrationinthefirstapartment429
ended，theministrationinthesecondapartmentbegan。WheninthetypicalservicethehighpriestlefttheholyontheDayofAtonement，hewentinbeforeGodtopresentthebloodofthesinofferinginbehalfofallIsraelwhotrulyrepentedoftheirsins。SoChristhadonlycompletedonepartofHisworkasourintercessor，toenteruponanotherportionofthework，andHestillpleadedHisbloodbeforetheFatherinbehalfofsinners。
ThissubjectwasnotunderstoodbyAdventistsin1844。AfterthepassingofthetimewhentheSaviourwasexpected，theystillbelievedHiscomingtobenear；theyheldthattheyhadreachedanimportantcrisisandthattheworkofChristasman’sintercessorbeforeGodhadceased。ItappearedtothemtobetaughtintheBiblethatman’sprobationwouldcloseashorttimebeforetheactualcomingoftheLordinthecloudsofheaven。Thisseemedevidentfromthosescriptureswhichpointtoatimewhenmenwillseek，knock，andcryatthedoorofmercy，anditwillnotbeopened。AnditwasaquestionwiththemwhetherthedatetowhichtheyhadlookedforthecomingofChristmightnotrathermarkthebeginningofthisperiodwhichwasimmediatelytoprecedeHiscoming。Havinggiventhewarningofthejudgmentnear，theyfeltthattheirworkfortheworldwasdone，andtheylosttheirburdenofsoulforthesalvationofsinners，whiletheboldandblasphemousscoffingoftheungodlyseemedtothemanotherevidencethattheSpiritofGodhadbeenwithdrawnfromtherejectersofHismercy。Allthisconfirmedtheminthebeliefthatprobationhadended，or，astheythenexpressedit，\"thedoorofmercywasshut。\"
Butclearerlightcamewiththeinvestigationofthesanctuaryquestion。
Theynowsawthattheywerecorrectinbelievingthattheendofthe2300
daysin1844markedanimportantcrisis。ButwhileitwastruethatthatdoorofhopeandmercybywhichmenhadforeighteenhundredyearsfoundaccesstoGod，wasclosed，anotherdoorwasopened，430
andforgivenessofsinswasofferedtomenthroughtheintercessionofChristinthemostholy。OnepartofHisministrationhadclosed，onlytogiveplacetoanother。Therewasstillan\"opendoor\"totheheavenlysanctuary，whereChristwasministeringinthesinner’sbehalf。
NowwasseentheapplicationofthosewordsofChristintheRevelation，addressedtothechurchatthisverytime:\"ThesethingssaithHethatisholy，Hethatistrue，HethathaththekeyofDavid，Hethatopeneth，andnomanshutteth；andshutteth，andnomanopeneth；Iknowthyworks:behold，Ihavesetbeforetheeanopendoor，andnomancanshutit。\"Revelation3:7，8。
ItisthosewhobyfaithfollowJesusinthegreatworkoftheatonementwhoreceivethebenefitsofHismediationintheirbehalf，whilethosewhorejectthelightwhichbringstoviewthisworkofministrationarenotbenefitedthereby。TheJewswhorejectedthelightgivenatChrist’sfirstadvent，andrefusedtobelieveonHimastheSaviouroftheworld，couldnotreceivepardonthroughHim。WhenJesusatHisascensionenteredbyHisownbloodintotheheavenlysanctuarytosheduponHisdisciplestheblessingsofHismediation，theJewswereleftintotaldarknesstocontinuetheiruselesssacrificesandofferings。Theministrationoftypesandshadowshadceased。ThatdoorbywhichmenhadformerlyfoundaccesstoGodwasnolongeropen。TheJewshadrefusedtoseekHimintheonlywaywherebyHecouldthenbefound，throughtheministrationinthesanctuaryinheaven。
ThereforetheyfoundnocommunionwithGod。Tothemthedoorwasshut。TheyhadnoknowledgeofChristasthetruesacrificeandtheonlymediatorbeforeGod；hencetheycouldnotreceivethebenefitsofHismediation。
TheconditionoftheunbelievingJewsillustratestheconditionofthecarelessandunbelievingamongprofessedChristians，whoarewillinglyignorantoftheworkofourmercifulHighPriest。Inthetypicalservice，whenthehighpriest431
enteredthemostholyplace，allIsraelwererequiredtogatheraboutthesanctuaryandinthemostsolemnmannerhumbletheirsoulsbeforeGod，thattheymightreceivethepardonoftheirsinsandnotbecutofffromthecongregation。HowmuchmoreessentialinthisantitypicalDayofAtonementthatweunderstandtheworkofourHighPriestandknowwhatdutiesarerequiredofus。
MencannotwithimpunityrejectthewarningwhichGodinmercysendsthem。A
messagewassentfromheaventotheworldinNoah’sday，andtheirsalvationdependeduponthemannerinwhichtheytreatedthatmessage。Becausetheyrejectedthewarning，theSpiritofGodwaswithdrawnfromthesinfulrace，andtheyperishedinthewatersoftheFlood。InthetimeofAbraham，mercyceasedtopleadwiththeguiltyinhabitantsofSodom，andallbutLotwithhiswifeandtwodaughterswereconsumedbythefiresentdownfromheaven。
SointhedaysofChrist。TheSonofGoddeclaredtotheunbelievingJewsofthatgeneration:\"Yourhouseisleftuntoyoudesolate。\"Matthew23:38。
Lookingdowntothelastdays，thesameInfinitePowerdeclares，concerningthosewho\"receivednottheloveofthetruth，thattheymightbesaved\":
\"ForthiscauseGodshallsendthemstrongdelusion，thattheyshouldbelievealie:thattheyallmightbedamnedwhobelievednotthetruth，buthadpleasureinunrighteousness。\"2Thessalonians2:10-12。AstheyrejecttheteachingsofHisword，GodwithdrawsHisSpiritandleavesthemtothedeceptionswhichtheylove。
ButChriststillintercedesinman’sbehalf，andlightwillbegiventothosewhoseekit。ThoughthiswasnotatfirstunderstoodbyAdventists，itwasafterwardmadeplainastheScriptureswhichdefinetheirtruepositionbegantoopenbeforethem。
Thepassingofthetimein1844wasfollowedbyaperiodofgreattrialtothosewhostillheldtheadventfaith。Theironlyrelief，sofarasascertainingtheirtruepositionwas432
concerned，wasthelightwhichdirectedtheirmindstothesanctuaryabove。
SomerenouncedtheirfaithintheirformerreckoningofthepropheticperiodsandascribedtohumanorsatanicagenciesthepowerfulinfluenceoftheHolySpiritwhichhadattendedtheadventmovement。AnotherclassfirmlyheldthattheLordhadledthemintheirpastexperience；andastheywaitedandwatchedandprayedtoknowthewillofGodtheysawthattheirgreatHighPriesthadentereduponanotherworkofministration，and，followingHimbyfaith，theywereledtoseealsotheclosingworkofthechurch。Theyhadaclearerunderstandingofthefirstandsecondangels’messages，andwerepreparedtoreceiveandgivetotheworldthesolemnwarningofthethirdangelofRevelation14。
(433)
Chapter25
God’sLawImmutableThetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven，andtherewasseeninHistemplethearkofHistestament。\"Revelation11:19。ThearkofGod’stestamentisintheholyofholies，thesecondapartmentofthesanctuary。Intheministrationoftheearthlytabernacle，whichserved\"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings，\"thisapartmentwasopenedonlyuponthegreatDayofAtonementforthecleansingofthesanctuary。ThereforetheannouncementthatthetempleofGodwasopenedinheavenandthearkofHistestamentwasseenpointstotheopeningofthemostholyplaceoftheheavenlysanctuaryin1844asChristenteredtheretoperformtheclosingworkoftheatonement。ThosewhobyfaithfollowedtheirgreatHighPriestasHeentereduponHisministryinthemostholyplace，beheldthearkofHistestament。AstheyhadstudiedthesubjectofthesanctuarytheyhadcometounderstandtheSaviour’schangeofministration，andtheysawthatHewasnowofficiatingbeforethearkofGod，pleadingHisbloodinbehalfofsinners。
Thearkinthetabernacleonearthcontainedthetwotablesofstone，uponwhichwereinscribedthepreceptsofthelawofGod。Thearkwasmerelyareceptacleforthetablesofthelaw，andthepresenceofthesedivinepreceptsgavetoititsvalueandsacredness。WhenthetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven，thearkofHistestamentwasseen。
434
Withintheholyofholies，inthesanctuaryinheaven，thedivinelawissacredlyenshrined——thelawthatwasspokenbyGodHimselfamidthethundersofSinaiandwrittenwithHisownfingeronthetablesofstone。
ThelawofGodinthesanctuaryinheavenisthegreatoriginal，ofwhichthepreceptsinscribeduponthetablesofstoneandrecordedbyMosesinthePentateuchwereanunerringtranscript。Thosewhoarrivedatanunderstandingofthisimportantpointwerethusledtoseethesacred，unchangingcharacterofthedivinelaw。Theysaw，asneverbefore，theforceoftheSaviour’swords:\"Tillheavenandearthpass，onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepassfromthelaw。\"Matthew5:18。ThelawofGod，beingarevelationofHiswill，atranscriptofHischaracter，mustforeverendure，\"asafaithfulwitnessinheaven。\"Notonecommandhasbeenannulled；notajotortittlehasbeenchanged。Saysthepsalmist:\"Forever，OLord，Thywordissettledinheaven。\"\"AllHiscommandmentsaresure。Theystandfastforeverandever。\"Psalms119:89；111:7，8。
IntheverybosomoftheDecalogueisthefourthcommandment，asitwasfirstproclaimed:\"RemembertheSabbathday，tokeepitholy。Sixdaysshaltthoulabor，anddoallthywork:buttheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordthyGod:initthoushaltnotdoanywork，thou，northyson，northydaughter，thymanservant，northymaidservant，northycattle，northystrangerthatiswithinthygates:forinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth，thesea，andallthatinthemis，andrestedtheseventhday:
whereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathday，andhallowedit。\"Exodus20:8-11。
TheSpiritofGodimpressedtheheartsofthosestudentsofHisword。TheconvictionwasurgeduponthemthattheyhadignorantlytransgressedthispreceptbydisregardingtheCreator’srestday。TheybegantoexaminethereasonsforobservingthefirstdayoftheweekinsteadofthedaywhichGodhadsanctified。Theycouldfindnoevidenceinthe435
Scripturesthatthefourthcommandmenthadbeenabolished，orthattheSabbathhadbeenchanged；theblessingwhichfirsthallowedtheseventhdayhadneverbeenremoved。TheyhadbeenhonestlyseekingtoknowandtodoGod’swill；now，astheysawthemselvestransgressorsofHislaw，sorrowfilledtheirhearts，andtheymanifestedtheirloyaltytoGodbykeepingHisSabbathholy。
Manyandearnestweretheeffortsmadetooverthrowtheirfaith。Nonecouldfailtoseethatiftheearthlysanctuarywasafigureorpatternoftheheavenly，thelawdepositedinthearkonearthwasanexacttranscriptofthelawinthearkinheaven；andthatanacceptanceofthetruthconcerningtheheavenlysanctuaryinvolvedanacknowledgmentoftheclaimsofGod’slawandtheobligationoftheSabbathofthefourthcommandment。HerewasthesecretofthebitteranddeterminedoppositiontotheharmoniousexpositionoftheScripturesthatrevealedtheministrationofChristintheheavenlysanctuary。MensoughttoclosethedoorwhichGodhadopened，andtoopenthedoorwhichHehadclosed。But\"Hethatopeneth，andnomanshutteth；andshutteth，andnomanopeneth，\"haddeclared:\"Behold，Ihavesetbeforetheeanopendoor，andnomancanshutit。\"Revelation3:7，8。Christhadopenedthedoor，orministration，ofthemostholyplace，lightwasshiningfromthatopendoorofthesanctuaryinheaven，andthefourthcommandmentwasshowntobeincludedinthelawwhichisthereenshrined；whatGodhadestablished，nomancouldoverthrow。
ThosewhohadacceptedthelightconcerningthemediationofChristandtheperpetuityofthelawofGodfoundthatthesewerethetruthspresentedinRevelation14。Themessagesofthischapterconstituteathreefoldwarning(seeAppendix)whichistopreparetheinhabitantsoftheearthfortheLord’ssecondcoming。Theannouncement，\"ThehourofHisjudgmentiscome，\"
pointstotheclosingworkofChrist’sministrationforthesalvationofmen。Itheraldsa436
truthwhichmustbeproclaimeduntiltheSaviour’sintercessionshallceaseandHeshallreturntotheearthtotakeHispeopletoHimself。Theworkofjudgmentwhichbeganin1844mustcontinueuntilthecasesofallaredecided，bothofthelivingandthedead；henceitwillextendtothecloseofhumanprobation。Thatmenmaybepreparedtostandinthejudgment，themessagecommandsthemto\"fearGod，andgiveglorytoHim，\"\"andworshipHimthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。\"Theresultofanacceptanceofthesemessagesisgivenintheword:\"HerearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andthefaithofJesus。\"Inordertobepreparedforthejudgment，itisnecessarythatmenshouldkeepthelawofGod。Thatlawwillbethestandardofcharacterinthejudgment。TheapostlePauldeclares:\"Asmanyashavesinnedinthelawshallbejudgedbythelaw，……inthedaywhenGodshalljudgethesecretsofmenbyJesusChrist。\"Andhesaysthat\"thedoersofthelawshallbejustified。\"Romans2:12-16。FaithisessentialinordertothekeepingofthelawofGod；for\"withoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseHim。\"And\"whatsoeverisnotoffaithissin。\"Hebrews11:6；Romans14:23。
Bythefirstangel，menarecalleduponto\"fearGod，andgiveglorytoHim\"
andtoworshipHimastheCreatoroftheheavensandtheearth。Inordertodothis，theymustobeyHislaw。Saysthewiseman:\"FearGod，andkeepHiscommandments:forthisisthewholedutyofman。\"Ecclesiastes12:13。
WithoutobediencetoHiscommandmentsnoworshipcanbepleasingtoGod。
\"ThisistheloveofGod，thatwekeepHiscommandments。\"\"Hethatturnethawayhisearfromhearingthelaw，evenhisprayershallbeabomination。\"
1John5:3；Proverbs28:9。
ThedutytoworshipGodisbaseduponthefactthatHeistheCreatorandthattoHimallotherbeingsowetheirexistence。Andwherever，intheBible，Hisclaimtoreverenceandworship，abovethegodsoftheheathen，ispresented，437
thereiscitedtheevidenceofHiscreativepower。\"Allthegodsofthenationsareidols:buttheLordmadetheheavens。\"Psalm96:5。\"TowhomthenwillyelikenMe，orshallIbeequal？saiththeHolyOne。Liftupyoureyesonhigh，andbeholdwhohathcreatedthesethings。\"\"ThussaiththeLordthatcreatedtheheavens；GodHimselfthatformedtheearthandmadeit:……IamtheLord；andthereisnoneelse。\"Isaiah40:25，26；45:18。Saysthepsalmist:\"KnowyethattheLordHeisGod:itisHethathathmadeus，andnotweourselves。\"\"Ocome，letusworshipandbowdown:letuskneelbeforetheLordourMaker。\"Psalms100:3；95:6。AndtheholybeingswhoworshipGodinheavenstate，asthereasonwhytheirhomageisduetoHim:\"Thouartworthy，OLord，toreceivegloryandhonorandpower:forThouhastcreatedallthings。\"Revelation4:11。
InRevelation14，menarecalledupontoworshiptheCreator；andtheprophecybringstoviewaclassthat，astheresultofthethreefoldmessage，arekeepingthecommandmentsofGod。OneofthesecommandmentspointsdirectlytoGodastheCreator。Thefourthpreceptdeclares:\"TheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordthyGod:……forinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth，thesea，andallthatinthemis，andrestedtheseventhday:whereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathday，andhallowedit。\"
Exodus20:10，11。ConcerningtheSabbath，theLordsays，further，thatitis\"asign，……thatyemayknowthatIamtheLordyourGod。\"Ezekiel20:20。
Andthereasongivenis:\"ForinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth，andontheseventhdayHerested，andwasrefreshed。\"Exodus31:17。
\"TheimportanceoftheSabbathasthememorialofcreationisthatitkeepseverpresentthetruereasonwhyworshipisduetoGod\"——becauseHeistheCreator，andweareHiscreatures。\"TheSabbaththereforeliesattheveryfoundationofdivineworship，foritteachesthisgreattruthinthemostimpressivemanner，andnootherinstitutiondoesthis。Thetruegroundofdivineworship，notofthatontheseventhday438
merely，butofallworship，isfoundinthedistinctionbetweentheCreatorandHiscreatures。Thisgreatfactcanneverbecomeobsolete，andmustneverbeforgotten。\"——J。N。Andrews，HistoryoftheSabbath，chapter27。Itwastokeepthistrutheverbeforethemindsofmen，thatGodinstitutedtheSabbathinEden；andsolongasthefactthatHeisourCreatorcontinuestobeareasonwhyweshouldworshipHim，solongtheSabbathwillcontinueasitssignandmemorial。HadtheSabbathbeenuniversallykept，man’sthoughtsandaffectionswouldhavebeenledtotheCreatorastheobjectofreverenceandworship，andtherewouldneverhavebeenanidolater，anatheist，oraninfidel。ThekeepingoftheSabbathisasignofloyaltytothetrueGod，\"Himthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。\"
ItfollowsthatthemessagewhichcommandsmentoworshipGodandkeepHiscommandmentswillespeciallycalluponthemtokeepthefourthcommandment。
IncontrasttothosewhokeepthecommandmentsofGodandhavethefaithofJesus，thethirdangelpointstoanotherclass，againstwhoseerrorsasolemnandfearfulwarningisuttered:\"Ifanymanworshipthebeastandhisimage，andreceivehismarkinhisforehead，orinhishand，thesameshalldrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod。\"Revelation14:9，10。Acorrectinterpretationofthesymbolsemployedisnecessarytoanunderstandingofthismessage。Whatisrepresentedbythebeast，theimage，themark？
ThelineofprophecyinwhichthesesymbolsarefoundbeginswithRevelation12，withthedragonthatsoughttodestroyChristatHisbirth。ThedragonissaidtobeSatan(Revelation12:9)；heitwasthatmoveduponHerodtoputtheSaviourtodeath。ButthechiefagentofSataninmakingwaruponChristandHispeopleduringthefirstcenturiesoftheChristianErawastheRomanEmpire，inwhichpaganismwastheprevailingreligion。Thuswhilethedragon，primarily，representsSatan，itis，inasecondarysense，asymbolofpaganRome。
439
Inchapter13(verses1-10)isdescribedanotherbeast，\"likeuntoaleopard，\"towhichthedragongave\"hispower，andhisseat，andgreatauthority。\"Thissymbol，asmostProtestantshavebelieved，representsthepapacy，whichsucceededtothepowerandseatandauthorityonceheldbytheancientRomanempire。Oftheleopardlikebeastitisdeclared:\"Therewasgivenuntohimamouthspeakinggreatthingsandblasphemies……AndheopenedhismouthinblasphemyagainstGod，toblasphemeHisname，andHistabernacle，andthemthatdwellinheaven。Anditwasgivenuntohimtomakewarwiththesaints，andtoovercomethem:andpowerwasgivenhimoverallkindreds，andtongues，andnations。\"Thisprophecy，whichisnearlyidenticalwiththedescriptionofthelittlehornofDaniel7，unquestionablypointstothepapacy。
\"Powerwasgivenuntohimtocontinuefortyandtwomonths。\"And，saystheprophet，\"Isawoneofhisheadsasitwerewoundedtodeath。\"Andagain:
\"Hethatleadethintocaptivityshallgointocaptivity:hethatkillethwiththeswordmustbekilledwiththesword。\"Thefortyandtwomonthsarethesameasthe\"timeandtimesandthedividingoftime，\"threeyearsandahalf，or1260days，ofDaniel7——thetimeduringwhichthepapalpowerwastooppressGod’speople。Thisperiod，asstatedinprecedingchapters，beganwiththesupremacyofthepapacy，A。D。538，andterminatedin1798。AtthattimethepopewasmadecaptivebytheFrencharmy，thepapalpowerreceiveditsdeadlywound，andthepredictionwasfulfilled，\"Hethatleadethintocaptivityshallgointocaptivity。\"
Atthispointanothersymbolisintroduced。Saystheprophet:\"Ibeheldanotherbeastcomingupoutoftheearth；andhehadtwohornslikealamb。\"
VerseII。Boththeappearanceofthisbeastandthemannerofitsriseindicatethatthenationwhichitrepresentsisunlikethosepresentedundertheprecedingsymbols。ThegreatkingdomsthathaveruledtheworldwerepresentedtotheprophetDanielas440
beastsofprey，risingwhen\"thefourwindsoftheheavenstroveuponthegreatsea。\"Daniel7:2。InRevelation17anangelexplainedthatwatersrepresent\"peoples，andmultitudes，andnations，andtongues。\"Revelation17:15。Windsareasymbolofstrife。Thefourwindsofheavenstrivinguponthegreatsearepresenttheterriblescenesofconquestandrevolutionbywhichkingdomshaveattainedtopower。
Butthebeastwithlamblikehornswasseen\"comingupoutoftheearth。\"
Insteadofoverthrowingotherpowerstoestablishitself，thenationthusrepresentedmustariseinterritorypreciouslyunoccupiedandgrowupgraduallyandpeacefully。Itcouldnot，then，ariseamongthecrowdedandstrugglingnationalitiesoftheOldWorld——thatturbulentseaof\"peoples，andmultitudes，andnations，andtongues。\"ItmustbesoughtintheWesternContinent。
WhatnationoftheNewWorldwasin1798risingintopower，givingpromiseofstrengthandgreatness，andattractingtheattentionoftheworld？Theapplicationofthesymboladmitsofnoquestion。Onenation，andonlyone，meetsthespecificationsofthisprophecy；itpointsunmistakablytotheUnitedStatesofAmerica。Againandagainthethought，almosttheexactwords，ofthesacredwriterhasbeenunconsciouslyemployedbytheoratorandthehistorianindescribingtheriseandgrowthofthisnation。Thebeastwasseen\"comingupoutoftheearth；\"and，accordingtothetranslators，thewordhererendered\"comingup\"literallysignifies\"togroworspringupasaplant。\"And，aswehaveseen，thenationmustariseinterritorypreviouslyunoccupied。Aprominentwriter，describingtheriseoftheUnitedStates，speaksof\"themysteryofhercomingforthfromvacancy，\"
andsays:\"Likeasilentseedwegrewintoempire。\"——G。A。Townsend，TheNewWorldComparedWiththeOld，page462。AEuropeanjournalin1850spokeoftheUnitedStatesasawonderfulempire，whichwas\"emerging，\"and\"amidthesilenceoftheearthdailyaddingtoitspowerandpride。\"——TheDublinNation。EdwardEverett，inanorationon441
thePilgrimfoundersofthisnation，said:\"Didtheylookforaretiredspot，inoffensiveforitsobscurity，andsafeinitsremoteness，wherethelittlechurchofLeydenmightenjoythefreedomofconscience？Beholdthemightyregionsoverwhich，inpeacefulconquest，……theyhavebornethebannersofthecross！\"——SpeechdeliveredatPlymouth，Massachusetts，Dec。
22，1824，page11。
\"Andhehadtwohornslikealamb。\"Thelamblikehornsindicateyouth，innocence，andgentleness，fitlyrepresentingthecharacteroftheUnitedStateswhenpresentedtotheprophetas\"comingup\"in1798。AmongtheChristianexileswhofirstfledtoAmericaandsoughtanasylumfromroyaloppressionandpriestlyintoleranceweremanywhodeterminedtoestablishagovernmentuponthebroadfoundationofcivilandreligiousliberty。TheirviewsfoundplaceintheDeclarationofIndependence，whichsetsforththegreattruththat\"allmenarecreatedequal\"andendowedwiththeinalienablerightto\"life，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。\"AndtheConstitutionguaranteestothepeopletherightofself-government，providingthatrepresentativeselectedbythepopularvoteshallenactandadministerthelaws。Freedomofreligiousfaithwasalsogranted，everymanbeingpermittedtoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesofhisconscience。
RepublicanismandProtestantismbecamethefundamentalprinciplesofthenation。Theseprinciplesarethesecretofitspowerandprosperity。TheoppressedanddowntroddenthroughoutChristendomhaveturnedtothislandwithinterestandhope。Millionshavesoughtitsshores，andtheUnitedStateshasrisentoaplaceamongthemostpowerfulnationsoftheearth。
Butthebeastwithlamblikehorns\"spakeasadragon。Andheexercisethallthepowerofthefirstbeastbeforehim，andcauseththeearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthefirstbeast，whosedeadlywoundwashealed；……sayingtothemthatdwellontheearth，thattheyshouldmake442
animagetothebeast，whichhadthewoundbyasword，anddidlive。\"
Revelation13:11-14。
Thelamblikehornsanddragonvoiceofthesymbolpointtoastrikingcontradictionbetweentheprofessionsandthepracticeofthenationthusrepresented。The\"speaking\"ofthenationistheactionofitslegislativeandjudicialauthorities。Bysuchactionitwillgivethelietothoseliberalandpeacefulprincipleswhichithasputforthasthefoundationofitspolicy。Thepredictionthatitwillspeak\"asadragon\"andexercise\"allthepowerofthefirstbeast\"plainlyforetellsadevelopmentofthespiritofintoleranceandpersecutionthatwasmanifestedbythenationsrepresentedbythedragonandtheleopardlikebeast。Andthestatementthatthebeastwithtwohorns\"causeththeearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthefirstbeast\"indicatesthattheauthorityofthisnationistobeexercisedinenforcingsomeobservancewhichshallbeanactofhomagetothepapacy。
Suchactionwouldbedirectlycontrarytotheprinciplesofthisgovernment，tothegeniusofitsfreeinstitutions，tothedirectandsolemnavowalsoftheDeclarationofIndependence，andtotheConstitution。Thefoundersofthenationwiselysoughttoguardagainsttheemploymentofsecularpoweronthepartofthechurch，withitsinevitableresult——intoleranceandpersecution。TheConstitutionprovidesthat\"Congressshallmakenolawrespectinganestablishmentofreligion，orprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof，\"andthat\"noreligioustestshalleverberequiredasaqualificationtoanyofficeofpublictrustundertheUnitedStates。\"Onlyinflagrantviolationofthesesafeguardstothenation’sliberty，cananyreligiousobservancebeenforcedbycivilauthority。Buttheinconsistencyofsuchactionisnogreaterthanisrepresentedinthesymbol。Itisthebeastwithlamblikehorns——inprofessionpure，gentle，andharmless——thatspeaksasadragon。
\"Sayingtothemthatdwellontheearth，thattheyshould443
makeanimagetothebeast。\"Hereisclearlypresentedaformofgovernmentinwhichthelegislativepowerrestswiththepeople，amoststrikingevidencethattheUnitedStatesisthenationdenotedintheprophecy。
Butwhatisthe\"imagetothebeast\"？andhowisittobeformed？Theimageismadebythetwo-hornedbeast，andisanimagetothebeast。Itisalsocalledanimageofthebeast。Thentolearnwhattheimageislikeandhowitistobeformedwemuststudythecharacteristicsofthebeastitself——thepapacy。
Whentheearlychurchbecamecorruptedbydepartingfromthesimplicityofthegospelandacceptingheathenritesandcustoms，shelosttheSpiritandpowerofGod；andinordertocontroltheconsciencesofthepeople，shesoughtthesupportofthesecularpower。Theresultwasthepapacy，achurchthatcontrolledthepowerofthestateandemployedittofurtherherownends，especiallyforthepunishmentof\"heresy。\"InorderfortheUnitedStatestoformanimageofthebeast，thereligiouspowermustsocontrolthecivilgovernmentthattheauthorityofthestatewillalsobeemployedbythechurchtoaccomplishherownends。
Wheneverthechurchhasobtainedsecularpower，shehasemployedittopunishdissentfromherdoctrines。ProtestantchurchesthathavefollowedinthestepsofRomebyformingalliancewithworldlypowershavemanifestedasimilardesiretorestrictlibertyofconscience。Anexampleofthisisgiveninthelong-continuedpersecutionofdissentersbytheChurchofEngland。Duringthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies，thousandsofnonconformistministerswereforcedtofleefromtheirchurches，andmany，bothofpastorsandpeople，weresubjectedtofine，imprisonment，torture，andmartyrdom。
Itwasapostasythatledtheearlychurchtoseektheaidofthecivilgovernment，andthispreparedthewayforthedevelopmentofthepapacy——thebeast。SaidPaul:\"There\"shall\"comeafallingaway，……andthatmanofsinbe444
revealed。\"2Thessalonians2:3。Soapostasyinthechurchwillpreparethewayfortheimagetothebeast。
TheBibledeclaresthatbeforethecomingoftheLordtherewillexistastateofreligiousdeclensionsimilartothatinthefirstcenturies。\"Inthelastdaysperiloustimesshallcome。Formenshallbeloversoftheirownselves，covetous，boasters，proud，blasphemers，disobedienttoparents，unthankful，unholy，withoutnaturalaffection，trucebreakers，falseaccusers，incontinent，fierce，despisersofthosethataregood，traitors，heady，high-minded，loversofpleasuresmorethanloversofGod；havingaformofgodliness，butdenyingthepowerthereof。\"2Timothy3:1-5。\"NowtheSpiritspeakethexpressly，thatinthelattertimessomeshalldepartfromthefaith，givingheedtoseducingspirits，anddoctrinesofdevils。\"1
Timothy4:1。Satanwillwork\"withallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders，andwithalldeceivablenessofunrighteousness。\"Andallthat\"receivednottheloveofthetruth，thattheymightbesaved，\"willbelefttoaccept\"strongdelusion，thattheyshouldbelievealie。\"2Thessalonians2:9-11。
Whenthisstateofungodlinessshallbereached，thesameresultswillfollowasinthefirstcenturies。
ThewidediversityofbeliefintheProtestantchurchesisregardedbymanyasdecisiveproofthatnoefforttosecureaforceduniformitycaneverbemade。Buttherehasbeenforyears，inchurchesoftheProtestantfaith，astrongandgrowingsentimentinfavorofaunionbaseduponcommonpointsofdoctrine。Tosecuresuchaunion，thediscussionofsubjectsuponwhichallwerenotagreed——howeverimportanttheymightbefromaBiblestandpoint——mustnecessarilybewaived。
CharlesBeecher，inasermonintheyear1846，declaredthattheministryof\"theevangelicalProtestantdenominations\"is\"notonlyformedallthewayupunderatremendouspressureofmerelyhumanfear，buttheylive，andmove，andbreatheinastateofthingsradicallycorrupt，andappealingeveryhourtoeverybaserelementoftheirnaturetohushup445
thetruth，andbowthekneetothepowerofapostasy。WasnotthisthewaythingswentwithRome？Arewenotlivingherlifeoveragain？Andwhatdoweseejustahead？Anothergeneralcouncil！Aworld’sconvention！Evangelicalalliance，anduniversalcreed！\"——Sermonon\"TheBibleaSufficientCreed，\"
deliveredatFortWayne，Indiana，Feb。22，1846。Whenthisshallbegained，then，intheefforttosecurecompleteuniformity，itwillbeonlyasteptotheresorttoforce。
WhentheleadingchurchesoftheUnitedStates，unitinguponsuchpointsofdoctrineasareheldbythemincommon，shallinfluencethestatetoenforcetheirdecreesandtosustaintheirinstitutions，thenProtestantAmericawillhaveformedanimageoftheRomanhierarchy，andtheinflictionofcivilpenaltiesupondissenterswillinevitablyresult。
Thebeastwithtwohorns\"causeth[commands]all，bothsmallandgreat，richandpoor，freeandbond，toreceiveamarkintheirrighthand，orintheirforeheads:andthatnomanmightbuyorsell，savehethathadthemark，orthenameofthebeast，orthenumberofhisname。\"Revelation13:16，17。Thethirdangel’swarningis:\"Ifanymanworshipthebeastandhisimage，andreceivehismarkinhisforehead，orinhishand，thesameshalldrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod。\"\"Thebeast\"mentionedinthismessage，whoseworshipisenforcedbythetwo-hornedbeast，isthefirst，orleopardlikebeastofRevelation13——thepapacy。The\"imagetothebeast\"representsthatformofapostateProtestantismwhichwillbedevelopedwhentheProtestantchurchesshallseektheaidofthecivilpowerfortheenforcementoftheirdogmas。The\"markofthebeast\"stillremainstobedefined。
Afterthewarningagainsttheworshipofthebeastandhisimagetheprophecydeclares:\"HerearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andthefaithofJesus。\"SincethosewhokeepGod’scommandmentsarethusplacedincontrastwiththosethatworshipthebeastandhisimageandreceivehismark，itfollowsthatthekeepingofGod’slaw，onthe446
onehand，anditsviolation，ontheother，willmakethedistinctionbetweentheworshipersofGodandtheworshipersofthebeast。
Thespecialcharacteristicofthebeast，andthereforeofhisimage，isthebreakingofGod’scommandments。SaysDaniel，ofthelittlehorn，thepapacy:
\"Heshallthinktochangetimesandthelaw。\"Daniel7:25，R。V。AndPaulstyledthesamepowerthe\"manofsin，\"whowastoexalthimselfaboveGod。
Oneprophecyisacomplementoftheother。OnlybychangingGod’slawcouldthepapacyexaltitselfaboveGod；whoevershouldunderstandinglykeepthelawasthuschangedwouldbegivingsupremehonortothatpowerbywhichthechangewasmade。SuchanactofobediencetopapallawswouldbeamarkofallegiancetothepopeintheplaceofGod。
ThepapacyhasattemptedtochangethelawofGod。Thesecondcommandment，forbiddingimageworship，hasbeendroppedfromthelaw，andthefourthcommandmenthasbeensochangedastoauthorizetheobservanceofthefirstinsteadoftheseventhdayastheSabbath。Butpapistsurge，asareasonforomittingthesecondcommandment，thatitisunnecessary，beingincludedinthefirst，andthattheyaregivingthelawexactlyasGoddesignedittobeunderstood。Thiscannotbethechangeforetoldbytheprophet。Anintentional，deliberatechangeispresented:\"Heshallthinktochangethetimesandthelaw。\"Thechangeinthefourthcommandmentexactlyfulfillstheprophecy。Forthistheonlyauthorityclaimedisthatofthechurch。
HerethepapalpoweropenlysetsitselfaboveGod。
WhiletheworshipersofGodwillbeespeciallydistinguishedbytheirregardforthefourthcommandments，——sincethisisthesignofHiscreativepowerandthewitnesstoHisclaimuponman’sreverenceandhomage，——theworshipersofthebeastwillbedistinguishedbytheireffortstoteardowntheCreator’smemorial，toexalttheinstitutionofRome。ItwasinbehalfoftheSundaythatpoperyfirstassertedits447
arrogantclaims(seeAppendix)；anditsfirstresorttothepowerofthestatewastocompeltheobservanceofSundayas\"theLord’sday。\"ButtheBiblepointstotheseventhday，andnottothefirst，astheLord’sday。
SaidChrist:\"TheSonofmanisLordalsooftheSabbath。\"Thefourthcommandmentdeclares:\"TheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLord。\"AndbytheprophetIsaiahtheLorddesignatesit:\"Myholyday。\"Mark2:28；Isaiah58:13。
TheclaimsooftenputforththatChristchangedtheSabbathisdisprovedbyHisownwords。InHisSermonontheMountHesaid:\"ThinknotthatIamcometodestroythelaw，ortheprophets:Iamnotcometodestroy，buttofulfill。ForverilyIsayuntoyou，Tillheavenandearthpass，onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepassfromthelaw，tillallbefulfilled。
Whosoeverthereforeshallbreakoneoftheseleastcommandments，andshallteachmenso，heshallbecalledtheleastinthekingdomofheaven:butwhosoevershalldoandteachthem，thesameshallbecalledgreatinthekingdomofheaven，\"Matthew5:17-19。
ItisafactgenerallyadmittedbyProtestantsthattheScripturesgivenoauthorityforthechangeoftheSabbath。ThisisplainlystatedinpublicationsissuedbytheAmericanTractSocietyandtheAmericanSundaySchoolUnion。Oneoftheseworksacknowledges\"thecompletesilenceoftheNewTestamentsofarasanyexplicitcommandfortheSabbath[Sunday，thefirstdayoftheweek]ordefiniterulesforitsobservanceareconcerned。\"——GeorgeElliott，TheAbidingSabbath，page184。
Anothersays:\"UptothetimeofChrist’sdeath，nochangehadbeenmadeintheday；\"and，\"sofarastherecordshows，they[theapostles]didnot……giveanyexplicitcommandenjoiningtheabandonmentoftheseventh-daySabbath，anditsobservanceonthefirstdayoftheweek。\"——A。E。Waffle，TheLord’sDay，pages186-188。
RomanCatholicsacknowledgethatthechangeoftheSabbathwasmadebytheirchurch，anddeclarethatProtestants448
byobservingtheSundayarerecognizingherpower。IntheCatholicCatechismofChristianReligion，inanswertoaquestionastothedaytobeobservedinobediencetothefourthcommandment，thisstatementismade:\"Duringtheoldlaw，Saturdaywasthedaysanctified；butthechurch，instructedbyJesusChrist，anddirectedbytheSpiritofGod，hassubstitutedSundayforSaturday；sonowwesanctifythefirst，nottheseventhday。Sundaymeans，andnowis，thedayoftheLord。\"
AsthesignoftheauthorityoftheCatholicChurch，papistwriterscite\"theveryactofchangingtheSabbathintoSunday，whichProtestantsallowof；……becausebykeepingSunday，theyacknowledgethechurch’spowertoordainfeasts，andtocommandthemundersin。\"——HenryTuberville，AnAbridgmentoftheChristianDoctrine，page58。WhatthenisthechangeoftheSabbath，butthesign，ormark，oftheauthorityoftheRomanChurch——\"themarkofthebeast\"？
TheRomanChurchhasnotrelinquishedherclaimtosupremacy；andwhentheworldandtheProtestantchurchesacceptasabbathofhercreating，whiletheyrejecttheBibleSabbath，theyvirtuallyadmitthisassumption。TheymayclaimtheauthorityoftraditionandoftheFathersforthechange；butinsodoingtheyignoretheveryprinciplewhichseparatesthemfromRome——that\"theBible，andtheBibleonly，isthereligionofProtestants。\"
Thepapistcanseethattheyaredeceivingthemselves，willinglyclosingtheireyestothefactsinthecase。AsthemovementforSundayenforcementgainsfavor，herejoices，feelingassuredthatitwilleventuallybringthewholeProtestantworldunderthebannerofRome。
Romanistsdeclarethat\"theobservanceofSundaybytheProtestantsisanhomagetheypay，inspiteofthemselves，totheauthorityofthe[Catholic]
Church。\"——Mgr。Segur，PlainTalkAbouttheProtestantismofToday，page213。
TheenforcementofSundaykeepingonthepartofProtestantchurchesisanenforcementoftheworshipofthepapacy——ofthebeast。Thosewho，understandingtheclaimsofthefourth449
commandment，choosetoobservethefalseinsteadofthetrueSabbatharetherebypayinghomagetothatpowerbywhichaloneitiscommanded。Butintheveryactofenforcingareligiousdutybysecularpower，thechurcheswouldthemselvesformanimagetothebeast；hencetheenforcementofSundaykeepingintheUnitedStateswouldbeanenforcementoftheworshipofthebeastandhisimage。
ButChristiansofpastgenerationsobservedtheSunday，supposingthatinsodoingtheywerekeepingtheBibleSabbath；andtherearenowtrueChristiansineverychurch，notexceptingtheRomanCatholiccommunion，whohonestlybelievethatSundayistheSabbathofdivineappointment。GodacceptstheirsincerityofpurposeandtheirintegritybeforeHim。ButwhenSundayobservanceshallbeenforcedbylaw，andtheworldshallbeenlightenedconcerningtheobligationofthetrueSabbath，thenwhoevershalltransgressthecommandofGod，toobeyapreceptwhichhasnohigherauthoritythanthatofRome，willtherebyhonorpoperyaboveGod。HeispayinghomagetoRomeandtothepowerwhichenforcestheinstitutionordainedbyRome。Heisworshippingthebeastandhisimage。AsmenthenrejecttheinstitutionwhichGodhasdeclaredtobethesignofHisauthority，andhonorinitssteadthatwhichRomehaschosenasthetokenofhersupremacy，theywilltherebyacceptthesignofallegiancetoRome——\"themarkofthebeast。\"Anditisnotuntiltheissueisthusplainlysetbeforethepeople，andtheyarebroughttochoosebetweenthecommandmentsofGodandthecommandmentsofmen，thatthosewhocontinueintransgressionwillreceive\"themarkofthebeast。\"
