hey are brought to choose between the
commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue
in transgression will receive "the mark of the beast."

The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the
third angel's message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the
wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness
concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be
given to the world before the visitation of God's judgments, that all may
know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them.
Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his announcement to
"every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The warning of the
third angel, which forms a part of the same threefold message, is to be no
less wide-spread. It is represented in the prophecy as being proclaimed
with a loud voice, by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; and it will
command the attention of the world.

In the issue of the contest, all Christendom will be divided into two
great classes,--those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark.
Although church and state will unite their power to compel "all, both
small and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive "the mark of
the beast,"(759) yet the people of God will not receive it. The prophet of
Patmos beholds "them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over
his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on
the sea of glass, having the harps of God," and singing the song of Moses
and the Lamb.(760)

26. A WORK OF REFORM.

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The work of Sabbath reform to be accomplished in the last days is foretold
in the prophecy of Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do
justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be
revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that
layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth
his hand from doing any evil." "The sons of the stranger, that join
themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to
be His servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and
taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain,
and make them joyful in My house of prayer