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and the half-hearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith;
but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his
hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the un-
godly, nor standeth in the way of si
the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law
doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his
leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
[Psalm 1:1-3.]
Chapter 33—The Loud Cry
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“I saw another angel come down from Heaven, having great
power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried
mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen,
is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of
every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” “And
I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, my
people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not
of her plagues.” [Revelation 18:1, 2, 4.]
In this scripture the a
made by the second angel, [Revelation 14:8.] is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the
churches since 1844. A terrible condition of the religious world
is here described. With every rejection of truth, the minds of the
people have become darker, their hearts more stubborn, until they
are entrenched in an infidel hardihood. In defiance of the warnings
which God has given, they continue to trample upon one of the
precepts of the decalogue, and they persecute those who hold it
sacred. Christ is set at naught in the contempt placed upon his word
and his people. As the teachings of Spiritualism are accepted by the
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churches, no real restraint is imposed upon the carnal heart, and the
profession of religion becomes a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity.
A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits
and doctrines of devils. The influence of evil angels is felt in the
churches throughout the land.
Of Babylon at this time it is declared, “Her sins have reached
unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” [Revelation
18:5.] She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon;
and before the visitation of his judgments, these faithful ones must
be called out, that they “partake not of her sins, and receive not of
her plagues.” Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming
down from Heaven, lightening the earth with his glory, and crying
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mightily with a strong voice, a
co
people.” As these warnings join the third angel’s message, it swells
to a loud cry.
Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The
powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God,
will decree that no man may buy or sell, save he that has the mark of
the beast, and, finally, that whoever refuses to receive the mark shall
be put to death. [Revelation 13:15, 17.] The word of God declares:
“If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in
his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the
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wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of
his indignation.” [Revelation 14:9, 10.] But not one is made to feel the wrath of God until the truth has been brought in contact with his
mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many in the
churches of our country who have never, even in this land of light
and knowledge, had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this
time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set
before them in its true light. Jesus reads every heart, and tries every
motive. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Every
one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The
Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth
especially controverted.
Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third message
have often been regarded as mere alarmists. The prediction that
Church and State would unite to persecute those who keep the com-
mandments of God has been pronounced groundless and absurd.
It has been confidently declared that this land could never become
other than what it has been, the defender of religious freedom. But
as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated,
the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching,
and the third message produces an effect which it could not have
had before.
In every generation God has sent his servants to rebuke sin, both
in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things
spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable.
Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise
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great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation.
Loud Cry
285
They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the
people back to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God
came upon them as it came upon Elijah, and they could not refrain
from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible,—doctrines which
they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously
declare the truth, and the danger which threatened souls. The words
which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences,
and the people were compelled to hear the warning.
Thus will the message of the third angel be proclaimed. As the
time comes for the loud cry to be given, the Lord will work through
humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate
themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by
the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions.
Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal,
declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will
be laid open. The fearful results of a union of Church and State, the
inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal
power,—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people
will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands have never listened to
words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon
is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her
rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven. The people go to their