Under Threat of Death

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for July 9
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Under Threat of Death

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there
enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but
thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether
thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14. 


Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all
things is at hand. The time of trouble is about to come upon the people
of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who
keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, threatening them with
punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the
week as the Sabbath. 

The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very
similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of
Esther. . . . Satan instigated the scheme in order to rid the earth of
those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. But his plots were
defeated by a counterpower that reigns among the children of men. . . . 

The Protestant world today see in the little company keeping the Sabbath
a Mordecai in the gate. His character and conduct, expressing reverence
for the law of God, are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the
fear of the Lord and are trampling upon His Sabbath; the unwelcome
intruder must by some means be put out of the way. 

The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past
is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His
law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who
conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of
position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take
counsel against the people of God. . . . Not having a "Thus saith the
Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they
will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. . . . On this
battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between
truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as
in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His
people.

>From Maranatha - Page 198