The Death Decree Issued

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for September 17
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The Death Decree Issued

And he had power to . . . cause that as many as would not worship the
image of the beast should be killed. Rev. 13:15. 


When Jesus leaves the most holy, His restraining Spirit is withdrawn
from rulers and people. They are left to the control of evil angels.
Then such laws will be made by the counsel and direction of Satan, that
unless time should be very short, no flesh could be saved. 

I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work
was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues.
These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought
that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they
could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree
went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night
for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. 

I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and
his angels busy around them. I saw a writing, copies of which were
scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the
saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and
observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a
certain time to put them to death. 

Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment keepers may
be put to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree,
and before the time specified, will endeavor to take their lives. But
none can pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul.
Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and villages; but the
swords raised against them break and fall powerless as a straw. Others
are defended by angels in the form of men of war. 

Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of
angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the
word of Christ's patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have
witnessed their distress and have heard their prayers. They are waiting
the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they
must wait yet a little longer. The people of God must drink of the cup
and be baptized with the baptism.

>From Maranatha - Page 268