That holy law, God's righteousness, that amid thunder and flame was
proclaimed from Sinai as the guide of life, is now revealed to men as the
rule of judgment. The hand opens the tables, and there are seen the
precepts of the decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. The words are so
plain that all can read them. Memory is aroused, the darkness of
superstition and heresy is swept from every mind, and God's ten words,
brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, are presented to the view of all
the inhabitants of the earth.

It is impossible to describe the horror and despair of those who have
trampled upon God's holy requirements. The Lord gave them His law; they
might have compared their characters with it, and learned their defects
while there was yet opportunity for repentance and reform; but in order to
secure the favor of the world, they set aside its precepts and taught
others to transgress. They have endeavored to compel God's people to
profane His Sabbath. Now they are condemned by that law which they have
despised. With awful distinctness they see that they are without excuse.
They chose whom they would serve and worship. "Then shall ye return, and
discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God
and him that serveth Him not."(1102)

The enemies of God's law, from the ministers down to the least among them,
have a new conception of truth and duty. Too late they see that the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. Too late
they see the true nature of their spurious sabbath, and the sandy
foundation upon which they have been building. They find that they have
been fighting against God. Religious teachers have led souls to perdition
while professing to guide them to the gates of Paradise. Not until the day
of final accounts will it be known how great is the responsibility of men
in holy office, and how terrible are the results of their unfaithfulness.
Only in eternity can we rightly estimate the loss of a single soul.
Fearful will be the doom of him to whom God shall say, Depart, thou wicked
servant.

The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of
Jesus' coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like
peals of loudest thunder, His words roll through the earth. The Israel of
God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are
lighted up with His glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came
down