Satan's Deception, the Death Decree, and the Seven-Day Ascent

Satan’s deceptive appearance to personate Christ occurs before the close of human probationEVRR650+2.

The Timing of the Deception

While the final movements of the great controversy involve intense spiritual conflict, the specific act of Satan appearing as a majestic, dazzling being to claim he is Christ is a strategy used while mercy is still available to the worldEVRR650+1. This crowning act in the drama of deception is designed to sweep the world into his ranks before the door of opportunity forever closesTA 273.2+2. Specifically, this manifestation takes place during the period of the "latter rain" and the "final Pentecost," a time just prior to the close of probation and the outpouring of the seven last plagues Matthew 24:23-24EVRR650.

Purpose and Nature of the Appearance

Satan employs this masterpiece of deception to counteract the work of the Holy Spirit and the final gospel invitationEVRR650+1.

• A Majestic Being: He appears in different parts of the earth as a being of surpassing brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God Revelation 1:13-15TA 273.2+1.

• Lying Wonders: He heals the diseases of the people and presents gracious, heavenly truths in a soft, melodic voice to win their confidence 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10TA 273.2+1.

• Changing the Law: Once he has gained their adoration, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday and commands all to hallow the day he has blessed, asserting that those who keep the seventh day are blaspheming his nameTA 273.2+2.

• Overmastering Delusion: This is a last desperate effort to overcome the faithful and lead the world to disregard the direct commands of GodDD 9.2+2.

The Sequence of Final Events

The transition from this deceptive period to the end of probation follows a clear prophetic order:

1. The Sealing: While Satan works his miracles, angels are commissioned to hold the four winds of strife until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads Revelation 7:1-3EVRR237+1.

2. The Close of Mediation: Once the saints are numbered and sealed, Jesus finishes His work in the heavenly sanctuary and throws down the censer, declaring "It is done" Revelation 22:11SH 105.3+1.

3. The Time of Trouble: After Jesus leaves the sanctuary, there is no longer a mediator between guilty humanity and God, and the seven last plagues begin to fall Daniel 12:1SH 105.3+1.

Because this masterly miracle-working power is intended to deceive the "very elect," it must occur while their choice is still being made during the probationary period Matthew 24:2412MR 155.1+1. Those who have made the Bible their study and have the law of God engraved in their hearts will be the only ones to stand against this satanic delusion Isaiah 8:20CCh 320.3+1.

The death decree against God's people is issued following the close of probation and is specifically associated with the period of the seven last plaguesEVRR545+1. This decree serves as the final test for the servants of God, echoing the trials of Daniel and his companions in BabylonSDP 49.1.

The Timing of the Decree

The issuance of this mandate is intricately linked to the transition of Christ's ministry and the subsequent outpouring of divine judgments:

• After Mediation Ends: The decree is enacted after Jesus finishes His work in the sanctuary, lays off His priestly attire, and clothes Himself with the garments of vengeanceCET 100.2+1.

• The Close of Probation: Once the solemn declaration is made that the righteous shall remain righteous and the filthy remain filthy, there is no longer a Mediator to plead the cause of humanity before the FatherEW 71.2.

• During the Time of Trouble: It is during this "time of trouble such as never was" that the nations, moved by Satanic agencies, unite to destroy those who refuse to worship the beast or his image Daniel 12:11MR 145.3+2.

The Eleven-Month Interval

Biblical types provide a specific framework for understanding the duration between the decree's issuance and its intended execution:

• The Pattern of Esther: The experience of the Jews under King Ahasuerus serves as a "type" for the end-time remnantEVRR545. In that history, an eleven-month period elapsed between the issuance of the death decree and the date set for its execution Esther 3:7, 12-13EVRR545.

• The Sixth Plague: It is reasonable to expect a similar eleven-month interval in the final conflict, leading directly to the events of the sixth plagueEVRR545.

• Total Duration: This implies that the total duration of the plagues—the period of the "one prophetic day"—would be approximately twelve monthsEVRR545.

The Nature of the Final Test

The death decree is the culmination of a series of escalating pressures designed to break the faith of the 144,000EVRR529+1.

• Economic Boycott: Prior to the death decree, a severe boycott is enforced, decreeing that no man might buy or sell unless he has the mark of the beast Revelation 13:17BDOC 61.24+1.

• Universal Contempt: The saints will face public ridicule, be threatened with starvation, and lose every earthly joy, including family and friendsEVRR529.

• The Mountains as Sanctuaries: As the protection of government is withdrawn, the people of God will flee from cities and villages to dwell in the most desolate places and mountain strongholds Isaiah 33:16GC 626.1.

• Divine Deliverance: Despite being sentenced to be slain and cast into cruel bondage, the names of God's people are written in the book, and they will be delivered when Michael stands up Daniel 12:1SLG 15.1+1.

Those who reflect the image of Jesus fully and have victory over every besetment will stand on the sea of glass, singing the song of Moses—a song of deliverance from both earthly foes and the death decree Revelation 15:2-3EVRR529+2.

The journey of the redeemed to the heavenly city is a glorious seven-day ascent conducted in the company of Jesus and the holy angelsHvn 47.2. After the voice of God calls the sleeping saints from their graves and the living righteous are changed in a moment, they are all caught up together to meet the Lord in the airHvn 34.1+2.

The Ascent to the Sea of Glass

The travel from earth to the heavenly courts involves a literal passage through the heavens:

• Seven Days of Travel: We all enter the cloud together and spend seven days ascending to the sea of glassHvn 47.2.

• The Chariot of Cloud: The redeemed are gathered from the four winds and taken up in a cloudy chariot, which rolls upward as Jesus leads the waySpTA11 26.2+1.

• The Voice of God: During the period immediately preceding and during this final transition, the voice of God is heard like many waters, giving the saints the day and hour of Jesus’ comingLDE 272.2+2.

Coronation at the Sea of Glass

Upon reaching the sea of glass, a magnificent ceremony of recognition takes place:

• Crowns and Harps: Jesus brings the crowns and, with His own right hand, places them upon the heads of the redeemedHvn 47.2. He also bestows upon them harps of gold and palms of victoryHvn 47.2.

• The 144,000: On this transparent sea, the 144,000 stand in a perfect squareHvn 47.2.

• Varied Brightness: Some crowns appear very bright and heavy with stars, while others have fewer, yet every soul is perfectly satisfied with their rewardHvn 47.2.

• Glorious Attire: All the redeemed are clothed in glorious white mantles reaching from their shoulders to their feetHvn 47.2.

Entrance into the Holy City

The climax of the seven-day journey is the formal entry through the gates of the New Jerusalem:

• The Pearly Gate: As the procession reaches the city, Jesus raises His mighty, glorious arm and lays hold of the pearly gateHvn 47.2.

• The Welcome: He swings the gate back on its glittering hinges and speaks to the weary travelers: “You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in”Hvn 47.2.

• A Perfect Right: The saints march into the city, feeling they have a perfect right there because they have been redeemed from the earthHvn 47.2+1.

• The Heavenly Trophies: Christ enters the heavenly courts accompanied by His redeemed ones, who serve as witnesses that His mission of sacrifice was not in vainCET 233.2.

The Happiness of the Redeemed

Once inside, the redeemed begin a life of pure communion that will never end:

• Harmonious Social Life: The saints enjoy a harmonious social life with the blessed angels and the faithful ones of all agesLDE 298.4.

• The Whole Family: They are united with the whole family in heaven and earth, finding the truest exercise for the loves and sympathies God planted in their souls Ephesians 3:15LDE 298.4.

• The King in His Majesty: Having had heaven in their hearts while on earth, they now rejoice in the undimmed rays of the brightness and glory of the KingHvn 34.1.

The restoration of the earth and the final state of the redeemed involve a beautiful continuity of life where those who were small and vulnerable in this world are given eternal strength and joy. After the final restitution, the Garden of Eden is restored to the earth more gloriously adorned than it was at the beginningHvn 134.3.

The Restored Earth and the Little Ones

The redeemed, including the children who were part of the faithful family of God, find their home in a world where the effects of sin have been completely erasedHvn 130.4+1.

• A New Creation: Following the destruction of the wicked at the end of the 1,000 years, God creates a new heaven and a new earth where sin and woe are brought to a perpetual end Revelation 21:11EGWLM 119.2.

• The Family of God: Those who were once part of the human family are now named as part of the whole family in heaven and earth, unified under the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ3MR 340.4+1.

• Safety and Joy: In this glorified state, there is no more discord, shrieking, or torment; instead, every creature joins in a universal anthem of praise to God Revelation 5:13Hvn 130.4+1.

The Nature of the New Earth Life

The life of the redeemed is characterized by a vitality and freedom that the godless world cannot possess or understandCH 329.2.

• Restoration of Strength: While Christ came to earth as a helpless babe to pay the debt of sinners, His victory ensures that His people are strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner manYI November 21, 1895, par. 1+1.

• Access to Heaven's Resources: The person closely connected with the Great Physician of soul and body has the resources of heaven and earth at their commandCH 329.2.

• Enduring Happiness: In the visions of the earth made new, those who win the crown are happy and possess everlasting life, living in a realm where the "missing link" between God and humanity—Christ Jesus—is fully realized3MR 340.4+1.

The Perpetuity of God's Kingdom

The children and martyrs who are seen in the eternal state represent the success of Christ's mission to seek and save that which was lostBEcho October 8, 1894, par. 1+1.

• The Reward of the Faithful: Mothers and fathers who labored to make their homes a "little heaven below" see the results of their work as their children are saved for the ceaseless ages of eternityRH October 27, 1885, par. 8.

• A Harmonious Universe: The new earth is a place where the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, is fully comprehended by all the saintsLS 439.2.

• The Sign of the Creator: The Sabbath remains an eternal sign of the Creator's power and will be honored by all the inhabitants of the glorified new earth as they come to worship before the Lord from one Sabbath to anotherRH August 18, 1910, par. 8+1.

Through the cross of Calvary, the Eternal Father has successfully united earth to heaven, ensuring that even the smallest among the redeemed can now soar in the marvelous light of His presence19MR 220.3+1.