ded, both of the living and the
dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation. That men may
be prepared to stand in the judgment, the message commands them to "fear
God, and give glory to Him," "and worship Him that made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The result of an acceptance of
these messages is given in the words, "Here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." In order to be prepared for
the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God. That
law will be the standard of character in the judgment. The apostle Paul
declares, "As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law,
... in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ."
And he says that "the doers of the law shall be justified."(722) Faith is
essential in order to the keeping of the law of God; for "without faith it
is impossible to please Him." And "whatsoever is not of faith is
sin."(723)

By the first angel, men are called upon to "fear God, and give glory to
Him," and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In
order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man, "Fear God,
and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."(724)
Without obedience to His commandments, no worship can be pleasing to God.
"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." "He that turneth
away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be
abomination."(725)

The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator, and
that to Him all other beings owe their existence. And wherever, in the
Bible, His claim to reverence and worship, above the gods of the heathen,
is presented, there is cited the evidence of His creative power. "All the
gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens."(726) "To
whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift
up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things." "Thus
saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth
and made it:... I am Jehovah; and there is none else."(727) Says the
psalmist, "Know ye that Jehovah, He is God: it is He that hath made us,
and not we ourselves." "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel
before the Lord our Maker."(728) And the holy beings who worship God in
heaven state, as the reason why their homage is due to Him, "Thou art
worthy, O Lord, to re