earthly pleasures. Money, time, and
strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few are the
moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to
humiliation of soul and confession of sin.

Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they may not
dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted. The
arch-deceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning
sacrifice and an all-powerful Mediator. He knows that with him everything
depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth.

Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour's mediation should
permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the
fear of God. The precious hours, instead of being given to pleasure, to
display, or to gain-seeking, should be devoted to an earnest, prayerful
study of the Word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the
investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God.
All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their
great High Priest. Otherwise, it will be impossible for them to exercise
the faith which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which
God designs them to fill. Every individual has a soul to save or to lose.
Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge
face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the
solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened,
when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot, at the end of
the days.

All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony
of the great truths which God has committed to them. The sanctuary in
heaven is the very center of Christ's work in behalf of men. It concerns
every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption,
bringing us down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant
issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost
importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be
able to give an answer to every one that asketh them a reason of the hope
that is in them.

The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as
essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His
death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to
complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, "w