Angels can Read God's Mark

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for August 23
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Angels can Read God's Mark

I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the
living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom
it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth,
neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our
God in their foreheads. Rev. 7:2, 3. 


Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry,
and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is
hasting greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for
war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force, that
they hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their
foreheads. 

As yet the four winds are held until the servants of God shall be sealed
in their foreheads. Then the powers of earth will marshal their forces
for the last great battle. How carefully we should improve the little
remaining period of our probation! 

Minds that have been given up to loose thought need to change. . . . The
thoughts must be centered upon God. Now is the time to put forth earnest
effort to overcome the natural tendencies of the carnal heart. 

Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the
seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the
four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against
nation, and the whole world was in confusion. 

What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of
His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for
the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. The intelligent
mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lord's adopted
sons and daughters. The sin of the transgression of the law of God is
taken away. They have on the wedding garment, and are obedient and
faithful to all God's commands. 

The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word
and deed obey His commands.

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