The Remnant and the Sealing

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for July 24
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The Remnant and the Sealing

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? Zech. 3:2. 


The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those
who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will feel the
ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his
subjects; he has gained control of the apostate churches. But here is a
little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them
from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the
heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up
the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be
required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine
law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be menaced,
denounced, and proscribed. They will be betrayed "both by parents, and
brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends." 

Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be
prayer. As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church,
with brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and
deliverance through Jesus their Advocate. . . . 

Satan urges before God his accusations against them, declaring that they
have by their sins forfeited the divine protection, and claiming the
right to destroy them as transgressors. . . . 

But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given
themselves to the control of evil. They have put away their sins, and
have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate
pleads in their behalf. . . . 

The people of God are sighing and crying for the abominations done in
the land. With tears they warn the wicked of their danger in trampling
upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they humble themselves
before the Lord on account of their own transgressions. The wicked mock
their sorrow, ridicule their solemn appeals, and sneer at what they term
their weakness. But the anguish and humiliation of God's people is
unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility
of character lost in consequence of sin. . . . While Satan was urging
his accusations, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing
upon them the seal of the living God. 

>From Maranatha - Page 213