I was shown in regard to the remnant people
of God taking a name. Two classes were presented before me. One
class embraced the great bodies of professed Christians. They
were trampling upon God's law and bowing to a papal institution.
They were keeping the first day of the week as the Sabbath of
the Lord. The other class, who were but few in number, were bowing
to the great Lawgiver. They were keeping the fourth commandment.
The peculiar and prominent features of their faith were the observance
of the seventh day, and waiting for the appearing of our Lord
from heaven.
The conflict is between the requirements
of God and the requirements of the beast. The first day, a papal
institution which directly contradicts the fourth commandment,
is yet to be made a test by the two-horned beast. And then the
fearful warning from God declares the penalty of bowing to the
beast and his image. They shall drink the wine of the wrath of
God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His
indignation.
No name which we can take will be appropriate
but that which accords with our profession and expresses our
faith and marks us a peculiar people. The name Seventh-day Adventist
is a standing rebuke to the Protestant world. Here is the line
of distinction between the worshipers of God and those who worship
the beast and receive his mark. The great conflict is between
the commandments of God and the requirements of the beast. It
is because the saints are keeping all ten of the commandments
that the dragon makes war upon them. If they will lower the standard
and yield the peculiarities of their faith, the dragon will be
at peace; but they excite his ire because they have dared to
raise the standard and unfurl their banner in opposition to the
Protestant world, who are worshiping the institution of papacy.
The name Seventh-day Adventist carries
the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the
inquiring mind. Like an arrow from the Lord's quiver, it will
wound the transgressors of God's law, and will lead to repentance
toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I was shown that almost every fanatic who
has arisen, who wishes to hide his sentiments that he may lead
away others, claims to belong to the church of God. Such a name
would at once excite suspicion; for it is employed to conceal
the most absurd errors. This name is too indefinite for the remnant
people of God. It would lead to the supposition that we had a
faith which we wished to cover up.
