Shall all perish who have not kept the fourth commandment in the past?
The matter of salvation does not depend upon what humanity can do. It is the Lord who saves; it is for humanity to accept of that salvation. God has His perfect law epitomized in the Decalogue. The transgression of that law is sin; the teaching of the word of God is that it is a sin whether we know it or not; but the Lord does not count it sin against us if it is in our heart to follow the light and if we do follow it as it is revealed to us. Therefore, "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." There are many thousands who have transgressed the fourth commandment. There are many thousands who have transgressed the seventh commandment. All these, however, supposed that they were living up to the law of God, and were, doubtless, according to the light which they had. They were transgressors of that law, but God for Christ's sake forgave them. And His blood atones for the sins of ignorance when the heart is right. To every soul upon this earth God will bring the light of His Sabbath command, its wonderful importance and truth. He will save the souls who have been loyal to one ray of His light, just as truly as He will save those who have seen more light and followed that. Those who were worthy of salvation in the past, who yielded all to God, would, had they lived when all God's truth was shining from His word, have observed that truth. He who is loyal in the little, will be loyal in much. He who is unjust in the little, will be unjust also in much.