By the observance of the Sabbath the children
of Israel were to be distinguished from all other nations. "Verily
My Sabbaths ye shall keep," Christ said, "for it is
a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye
may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you." "It
is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for
in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh
day He rested, and was refreshed." "Wherefore the children
of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout
their generations, for a perpetual covenant." Exodus 31:13,
17, 16.
The Sabbath is a sign of the relationship
existing between God and His people, a sign that they are His
obedient subjects, that they keep holy His law. The observance
of the Sabbath is the means ordained by God of preserving a knowledge
of Himself and of distinguishing between His loyal subjects and
the transgressors of His law. This is the faith once delivered
to the saints, who stand in moral power before the world, firmly
maintaining this faith.
Opposition we shall have as we voice the
message of the third angel. Satan will bring in every possible
device to make of no effect the faith once delivered to the saints.
"Many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom
the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness
shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose
judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not." 2 Peter 2:2, 3. But in spite of opposition,
all are to hear the words of truth.
The law of God is the foundation of all
enduring reformation. We are to present to the world in clear,
distinct lines the need of obeying this law. Obedience to God's
law is the greatest incentive to industry, economy, truthfulness,
and just dealing between man and man.
The law of God is to be the means of education
in the family. Parents are under a most solemn obligation to
obey this law, setting their children an example of the strictest
integrity. Men in responsible positions, whose influence is far-reaching,
are to guard well their ways and works, keeping the fear of the
Lord ever before them. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom." Psalm 111:10. Those who hearken diligently to
the voice of the Lord and cheerfully keep His commandments will
be among the number who see God. "The Lord commanded us
to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good
always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these
commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us."
Deuteronomy 6:24, 25.
Our work as believers in the truth is to
present before the world the immutability of the law of God.
Ministers and teachers, physicians and nurses, are bound by covenant
with God to present the importance
of obeying His law. We are to be distinguished as a people who
keep the commandments. The Lord has stated explicitly that He
has a work to be done for the world. How shall it be done? Let
us seek to find the best way and then perform the will of the
Lord.
This world is a training school for the higher
school, this life a preparation for the life to come. Here we
are to be prepared for entrance into the heavenly courts. Here
we are to receive and believe and practice the truth until we
are made ready for a home with the saints in light.
Our sanitariums are to be established for one object--the proclamation of the truth for this time. And they are to be so conducted that a decided impression in favor of the truth will be made on the minds of those who come to them for treatment. The conduct of each worker is to tell on the side of right. We have a warning message to bear to the world, and our earnestness, our devotion to God's service, are to bear witness to the truth.