As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy (“the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy” – false Sunday in place of true seventh-day Sabbath) be a SIGN to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight (close of probation/ 7 last plagues begin- Islam invades Jerusalem), never to return.
SUNDAY LAW WAS ALREADY PASSED IN 1892
5T 451.2
Many Adventists teach that a SUNDAY LAW is coming… but there is a subtle deception here. SUNDAY will again be an important subject matter since it goes against the Lord’s true seventh-day Sabbath, but all that remains is the enforcement of the SUNDAY LAW– which law has been on the books since 1892! The Sunday Law was passed back in 1892 under President Harrison.
If we rely on a Sunday Law to be passed in the future — to prepare for the end — it will be too late as it was for the Jews who did not believe/ know the Scriptures and/or procrastinated.
Those who did not make the necessary preparation of leaving the city when they saw the SIGN — of being surrounded the first time by the armies of Titus in 70 A.D.,– realized it was too late when the army surrounded the city a SECOND time.
The SIGN has already been given to us in 1892. There will be no second SIGN (in relation to Sunday Law) for preparation. (Side Note: We do have one LAST SIGN that the end is near in Daniel 11:45- when Islam invades Jerusalem, then probation closes)
When Jerusalem was surrounded the SECOND time by the armies of Titus, THEN SUDDEN destruction came upon the doomed City. Those who prepared in advance by following the counsel as written in the Scriptures were prepared, so when when the SIGN was given, they immediately LEFT THE CITY and escaped the terrible destruction.
This lesson still applies for us today. We should have been preparing (following the commands of Christ: i.e. move out of cities, preach gospel truth, warn folks, obey the truth etc.) since 1892 when the SIGN was given! The next move will be SUDDEN DESTRUCTION (in connection with Islam) as we are told in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. If we have not followed the warnings given, esp. since 1892, to get out of the cities, we will lose our life in the coming destruction.
“It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will show whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it will be too late for the soul’s need to be supplied“. {COL 412.1}
“The test upon this question does not come until Sunday observance is ENFORCED by law, and the world is enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath. Not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, will those who continue in transgression receive the mark of the beast. {4SP 281.2}
‘God has most graciously granted us a probation in which to prepare for the test which will be brought upon us.” {SpTEd 157.1}
“Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you.” It is set apart as My institution, to be devoted to religious service. “Everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death.” [Verse 14.] Were the death penalty now carried out, it would deter man from wilful transgression. But “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The Lord bears long with His rebellious human family. He gives all an opportunity to learn the truth from His Word. He has given them a probation, during which they are tested and tried. The death penalty is deferred because Christ our Saviour died in man’s behalf, giving sinful human beings another opportunity to return to their loyalty. Those who will not obey the word of God, but rank themselves with transgressors, those who bear the sign of disobedience, doing their own work on the Lord’s holy day, must at last bear the death penalty.” {15LtMs, Lt 80, 1900, par. 6}
“The test will surely come. Thirty-six years ago (1846) I was shown that what is now (penned in 1882) transpiring would take place, that the observance of an institution of the papacy would be enforced upon the people by a Sunday law, while the sanctified rest day of Jehovah would be trampled underfoot.” {5T 137.1} (volume 5 published in 1889)
Please note the truth about SUNDAY LAW that we should be telling the people:
We cannot tell the people any more that the United States government is going to put away the Sabbath of the Lord from the fourth commandment and put Sunday in its place. No man can do that and speak truly. Everyone that speaks the truth on that has to say that has been done and point the people simply to the official record in the proceedings of the government that shows it and there it stands. Therefore, as this is truly so, this text applies as never before, “Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
{February 13, 1895 ATJ, GCB 116.9} (Italicized in original)
By the events now transpiring between the civil authorities and the world religions, we know that the ENFORCEMENT of SUNDAY is not too far in the distance
The prophecy (Matt 24:15, 16). which he uttered was twofold in its meaning: while foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem, it prefigured also the terrors of the last great day…. The Saviour’s prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible scene was but a faint shadow.
4SP 26, 27, 37
KNOWING OUR PAST HISTORY HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND THE PRESENT
How can we truly prepare our minds and hearts for the coming crisis?
I saw that the message, “Sell that ye have, and give alms,” has not been given, by some, in its clear light, and the object of the words of our Saviour has not been clearly presented. The object of selling is not to give to those who are able to labor and support themselves, but to spread the truth.
{EW 57.2}
What does the Lord mean when He says, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” Luke 12:33? The following chapter, “Friends by the Mammon of Unrighteousness,” gives wise counsel to help us prepare in advance for the time of trouble that is coming: