How Differently Received!
By R. F. C.
God has willed that the Third Angel's Message shall be proclaimed in the world as the closing message of probation. He has also pledged his word that it shall be given. He has dictated the terms of the message, and no man may add thereto, or take therefrom. It positively declares, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” This message must be, nay, it is being proclaimed. But how differently it sounds to different individuals! To one it is only a horrible denunciation of unmixed wrath; to another it is the tender warning voice of sweet, long-suffering mercy. To the transgressor of God's holy Law who is determined to continue in transgression, it is a most unwelcome message, nay, it seems to such to be “perfectly savage.” But to those who are willing to obey, who really desire to know their sins that they may turn from them, and thus be prepared to meet the Coming One, how welcome the message! Perhaps they have often wondered how it came, that while the Bible taught one thing, the Christian world were practicing another—while that taught the observance of the seventh day, and that only, the world were keeping the first day. How welcome to such the clear light that is now shining upon the subject of the change. They feel to thank and praise God that he has not left them to smother the slight convictions that they had, and go on in sin, but has sent a special message for their special help, in the perplexing circumstances they were in. Their language is, Let me see the light and know the truth, and, by the help of God, I will walk in it. The Temple of God is now opened in heaven, and while others would gladly close it, because the Ark is there containing the hated fourth commandment, these still desire to look in, because they see the Mercy-seat above the Ark, and a merciful High Priest standing before it. While those see nothing but lightnings and hear nothing but thunderings, indicative of the wrath of God against the transgressors of his Law; these see the Mercy-seat sprinkled with that blood that can take away sin, and hear the voice of Love in sweet and melting strains proclaiming: “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.