evil。 The mightiest conqueror upon the earth cannot call back the record of
even a single day。 Our acts； our words； even our most secret motives； all
have their weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe。 Though they may
be forgotten by
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us； they will bear their testimony to justify or condemn。
As the features of the countenance are reproduced with unerring accuracy on
the polished plate of the artist； so the character is faithfully delineated
in the books above。 Yet how little solicitude is felt concerning that record
which is to meet the gaze of heavenly beings。 Could the veil which separates
the visible from the invisible world be swept back； and the children of men
behold an angel recording every word and deed； which they must meet again in
the judgment； how many words that are daily uttered would remain unspoken；
how many deeds would remain undone。
In the judgment the use made of every talent will be scrutinized。 How have
we employed the capital lent us of Heaven？ Will the Lord at His coming
receive His own with usury？ Have we improved the powers entrusted us； in
hand and heart and brain； to the glory of God and the blessing of the world？
How have we used our time； our pen； our voice； our money； our influence？
What have we done for Christ； in the person of the poor； the afflicted； the
orphan； or the widow？ God has made us the depositaries of His holy word；
what have we done with the light and truth given us to make men wise unto
salvation？ No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ；
only the love which is shown by works is counted genuine。 Yet it is love
alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value。 Whatever is done
from love； however small it may appear in the estimation of men； is accepted
and rewarded of God。
The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven。 There
is the record of unfulfilled duties to their fellow men； of forgetfulness of
the Saviour's claims。 There they will see how often were given to Satan the
time； thought； and strength that belonged to Christ。 Sad is the record which
angels bear to heaven。 Intelligent beings； professed followers of Christ；
are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of
earthly pleasures。 Money； time； and strength are sacrificed for display and
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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
archdeceiver 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
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everyone 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； 〃whither the
forerunner is for us entered。〃 Hebrews 6：20。 There the light from the cross
of Calvary is reflected。 There we may gain a clearer insight into the
mysteries of redemption。 The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite
expense to heaven； the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of
the broken law of God。 Jesus has opened the way to the Father's throne； and
through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may
be presented before God。
〃He that covereth his sins shall not prosper： but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy。〃 Proverbs 28：13。 If those who hide and
excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them； how he taunts
Christ and holy angels with their course； they would make haste to confess
their sins and to put them away。 Through defects in the character； Satan
works to gain control of the whole mind； and he knows that if these defects
are cherished； he will succeed。 Therefore he is constantly seeking to
deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is
impossible for them to overcome。 But Jesus pleads in their behalf His
wounded hands； His bruised body； and He declares to all who would follow
Him： 〃My grace is sufficient for thee。〃
2 Corinthians 12：9。 〃Take My yoke upon you； and learn of
Me； for I am meek and lowly in heart： and ye shall find rest unto your
souls。 For My yoke is easy； and My burden is light。〃 Matthew 11：29； 30。 Let
none； then； regard their defects as incurable。 God will give faith and grace
to overcome them。
We are now living in the great day of atonement。 In the typical service；
while the high priest was making the
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atonement for Israel； all were required to afflict their souls by repentance
of sin and humiliation before the Lord； lest they be cut off from among the
people。 In like manner； all who would have their names retained in the book
of life should now； in the few remaining days of their probation； afflict
their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance。 There must be
deep； faithful searching of heart。 The light； frivolous spirit indulged by
so many professed Christians must be put away。 There is earnest warfare
before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery。
The work of preparation is an individual work。 We are not saved in groups。
The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities
in another。 Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God； yet He
will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching
scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth。 Everyone must be
tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing。
Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement。
Momentous are the interests involved therein。 The judgment is now passing in
the sanctuary above。 For many years this work has been in progress。
Soonnone know how soonit will pass to the cases of the living。 In the
awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review。 At this time above
all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour's admonition： 〃Watch
and pray： for ye know not when the time is。〃 Mark 13：33。 〃If therefore thou
shalt not watch； I will come on thee as a thief； and thou shalt not know
what hour I will come upon thee。〃 Revelation 3：3。
When the work of the investigative judgment closes； the destiny of all will
have been decided for life or death。 Probation is ended a short time before
the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven。 Christ in the Revelation；
looking forward to that time； declares： 〃He that is unjust； let him be
unjust still： and he which is filthy； let him be filthy still： and he that
is righteous let him be righteous still： and he that is
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holy； let him be holy still。 And； behold； I come quickly； and My reward is
with Me； to give every man according as his work shall be。〃 Revelation
22：11； 12。
The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their
mortal statemen will be planting and building； eating and drinking； all
unconscious that the final； irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the
sanctuary above。 Before the Flood； after Noah entered the ark； God shut him
in and shut