True Christianity will always be aggressive, and wherever it exists, it will arouse enmity. All who live a conscientious life, who bear testimony of the claims of God, of the evil of sin, of the judgment to come, will be called the disturbers of Israel. {PC 146.2} If we will consent to lay down our arms, to lower the blood-stained banner, to become the captives and servants of Satan, we may be released from the conflict and the suffering. But this peace will be gained only at the loss of Christ and heaven. We cannot accept peace on such conditions. Let it be war, war, to the end of earth's history, rather than peace through apostasy and sin. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war. {GC88 45.2} Those who in harmony with God, and through faith in Him, receive strength to resist wrong, and stand in defense of the right, will always have severe conflicts and will frequently have to stand almost alone. But precious victories will be theirs while they make God their dependence. Their moral sense will be keen, clear, and sensitive. Their moral powers will be equal to withstand wrong influences. Their integrity, like that of Moses, of the purest character.

8. “I saw that the remnant were not prepared for what is coming upon
the earth. Stupidity, like lethargy, seemed to hang upon the minds
of most of those who profess to believe that we are having the last
message . . . .
A great work must be done for the remnant . . . . Said the angel,
‘Legions of evil angels are around you, . . . Ye suffer your minds to
be diverted too readily from the work of preparation,’ . . . Said the
angel, ‘Sabbath-keepers will have to die to self, . . .’” EW 119, 120
8T 316 “We must turn away from a thousand topics that
invite attention. There are matters that consume time and
arouse inquiry, but end in nothing. The highest interests
demand the close attention and energy that are too often
given to comparatively insignificant things.”
“. . . We need to feel our responsibility to give our souls food
that will nourish and stimulate spiritual life.”

9. Never did this message apply with greater force than it applies today.
More and more the world is setting at naught the claims of God. Men
have become bold in transgression. The wickedness of the
inhabitants of the world has almost filled up the measure of their
iniquity. This earth has almost reached the place where God will
permit the destroyer (Satan) to work his will upon it.
{Testimonies for the church volume 7, page 141.1}

10. The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation,
by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is
the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal,
God will reveal Himself. He will arise in His majesty to shake terribly
the earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the
world for their iniquity, and the earth shall disclose her blood and shall
no more cover her slain. {Testimonies for the church volume 7, page 141.1}

13. God desires His people to PREPARE for
the SOON-COMING CRISIS. PREPARED
OR UNPREPARED, they MUST ALL
MEET IT; and THOSE ONLY WHO HAVE
BROUGHT THEIR LIVES INTO
CONFORMITY TO THE DIVINE
STANDARD, WILL STAND FIRM AT
THAT TIME OF TEST AND TRIAL. When
secular rulers unite with ministers of
religion to dictate in matters of
conscience, THEN IT WILL BE SEEN
WHO REALLY FEAR AND SERVE GOD.
{AA 431.2}
The Acts of the Apostles by Ellen G.
White page 431 paragraph 2

14. When THE DARKNESS IS DEEPEST, THE
LIGHT OF A GODLIKE CHARACTER
WILL SHINE THE BRIGHTEST. When
every other trust fails, then it WILL BE
SEEN WHO HAVE AN ABIDING TRUST
IN JEHOVAH. And while the enemies
of truth are on every side, watching
the Lord's servants for evil, God will
watch over them for good. HE WILL BE
TO THEM AS THE SHADOW OF A
GREAT ROCK IN A WEARY LAND.
{AA 431.2}
The Acts of the Apostles by Ellen G.
White page 431 paragraph 2

15. From the days of Adam to our own time our
great enemy has been exercising his power to
oppress and destroy. He is now preparing for
his last campaign against the church. All who
seek to follow Jesus will be brought into
conflict with this relentless foe. The more
nearly the Christian imitates the divine
Pattern, the more surely will he make himself
a mark for the attacks of Satan. -- MLT, PG
314--

16. Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to
neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures,
will be overcome by his attacks.–
The Great Controversy, p. 519. (1888)
“We are not safe a moment unless guided and
controlled by the Holy Spirit.” Our High Calling,
p.187
“There is not an impulse of our nature, not a
faculty of the mind, or an inclination of the heart,
but needs to be, moment by moment, under the
control of the Spirit of God.” PP 421

17. 8T 46 “We need the breath of the divine life breathed
unto us . . . . Floods of spiritual power are to be
poured forth upon those prepared to receive it, ”

20. Joh_18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus
answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for
this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Joh_18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said
this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him
no fault at all.
Joh_17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Psa_119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting
righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Psa_119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy
commandments are truth.

21. It is when we walk in the light that shines upon us,
obeying the truth that is open to our
understanding, that we receive greater light. We
cannot be excusable in accepting only the light
which our fathers had one hundred years ago. . . .
We want the truth on every point, and we are to
put it in practice daily. --MLT, PG 315

22. It is when we walk in the light that shines upon us,
obeying the truth that is open to our understanding,
that we receive greater light. We cannot be excusable
in accepting only the light which our fathers had one
hundred years ago. . . . We want the truth on every point,
and we are to put it in practice daily. --MLT, PG 315

24. Luke 15:11-22
And he said, A certain man had two sons:
And the younger of them said to his father,
Father, give me the portion of goods that
falleth to me. And he divided unto them his
living.And not many days after the younger
son gathered all together, and took his
journey into a far country, and there wasted
his substance with riotous living.And when
he had spent all, there arose a mighty
famine in that land; and he began to be in
want.
And he went and joined himself to a citizen
of that country; and he sent him into his
fields to feed swine. And he would fain
have filled his belly with the husks that the
swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

25. And when he came to himself, he
said, How many hired servants of
my father's have bread enough and
to spare, and I perish with hunger! I
will arise and go to my father, and
will say unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and before
thee, And am no more worthy to be
called thy son: make me as one of
thy hired servants.

26. Luke20-22 And he arose, and came to his
father. But when he was yet a great way off,
his father saw him, and had compassion,
and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed
him.And the son said unto him, Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and in thy
sight, and am no more worthy to be called
thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring
forth the best robe, and put it on him; and
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his
feet:

27. Luke 15:22a But the father said to
his servants, Bring forth the best
robe, and put it on him;
Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake; put on
thy strength, O Zion; put on thy
beautiful garments, O Jerusalem,
the holy city: for henceforth there
shall no more come into thee the
uncircumcised and the unclean

28. Romans 13:12,14 The night
is far spent, the day is at
hand: let us therefore cast
off the works of darkness,
and let us put on the
armour of light.But put ye
on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make not provision for
the flesh, to fulfil the lusts
thereof
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let
us, who are of the day, be
sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and
love; and for an helmet, the
hope of salvation.

29. Zechariah 3:4 And he answered and spake unto
those that stood before him, saying, Take away
the filthy garments from him. And unto him he
said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to
pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with
change of raiment.
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in
Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil
of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for
the spirit of heaviness; that they might be
called trees of righteousness, the planting of
the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 63:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath
clothed me with the garments of salvation, he
hath covered me with the robe of
righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh
himself with ornaments, and as a bride
adorneth herself with her jewels.

30. Genesis 41:42b and arrayed him in
vestures of fine linen,
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white: for the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints.
Esther 8:15 And Mordecai went out from
the presence of the king in royal apparel of
blue and white, and with a great crown of
gold, and with a garment of fine linen and
purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced
and was glad.

32. Luke20-22 And he arose, and came to his
father. But when he was yet a great way off,
his father saw him, and had compassion,
and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed
him.And the son said unto him, Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and in thy
sight, and am no more worthy to be called
thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring
forth the best robe, and put it on him; and
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his
feet:

33. 22c and shoes on his feet:
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, that publisheth peace; that
bringeth good tidings of good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion,
Thy God reigneth!
Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in
the second chariot which he had;
Esther 8:13 The copy of the writing for a
commandment to be given in every
province was published unto all people, ...
14 So the posts that rode upon mules and
camels went out, being hastened and
pressed on by the king's commandment.
And the decree was given at Shushan the
palace.

34. Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly
in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that
dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and
kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and
give glory to him; for the hour of his
judgment is come: and worship him that
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and
the fountains of waters.
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How
beautiful are the feet of them that preach
the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings
of good things!

36. The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However
great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul,
transgression is our own act.
It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one
to sin.
The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion
cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over
righteousness.
If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of
Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing His service, you need
never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side
who is able to keep you from falling. Maranatha 225

37. The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin.
However great the pressure brought to bear upon the
soul, transgression is our own act.
It is not in the power of earth or hell
to compel any one to sin.
The will must consent, the heart
must yield, or passion cannot
overbear reason, nor iniquity
triumph over righteousness

38. If you will stand under the
bloodstained banner of Prince
Emmanuel, faithfully doing His
service, you need never yield to
temptation; for One stands by your
side who is able to keep you from
falling.
Maranatha 225
John 1:12, 2Peter1:3-10, Jude 1:24-25

41. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, "a new
heart." They do not know what it means. They look for a
special change to take place in their feelings. This they
term conversion. Over this error thousands have
stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, "Ye
must be born again." John 3:7. {OHC 159.3}

42. Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a
rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience
does not change. Their actions are the same as before.
Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long,
and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such
and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are
deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling.
They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come,
their house is swept away. . . . {OHC 159.4}

43. When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the
mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of
heart is to withdraw the affections from the world,
and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is
to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives.
What is the sign of a new heart?--A changed life.

45. We know the dangers and
temptations that beset the
youth at the present time
are not few or small. . . .
We live in an age when to
resist evil calls for constant
watchfulness and prayer.
God's precious Word is
the standard for youth
who would be loyal to
the King of heaven. Let
them study the
Scriptures.

46. Let them commit text after
text to memory, and
acquire a knowledge of
what the Lord has said. . . .
And in trial let the youth
spread out the Word of
God before them, and with
humble hearts, and in faith,
seek the Lord for wisdom to
find out His way, and for
strength to walk in it. . . .

48. Those who fail to realize
their constant dependence
upon God will be overcome
by temptation. We may now
suppose that our feet stand
secure, and that we shall
never be moved. We may
say with confidence, “I know
in whom I have believed;
nothing can shake my faith
in God and in His word.”
Desire of ages page 382.4

49. But Satan is planning to
take advantage of our
hereditary and cultivated
traits of character, and to
blind our eyes to our own
necessities and defects.
Only through realizing our
own weakness and looking
steadfastly unto Jesus can
we walk securely.
Desire of ages page 382.4

50. Resist the limited foe
Satan is constantly at work, but few have any idea of
his activity and subtlety. The people of God must be
prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance
that Satan dreads. He knows better than we do the limit
of his power and how easily he can be overcome if we
resist and face him. {5T 293.4}

51. Through divine strength the
weakest saint is more than a match
for him and all his angels, and if
brought to the test he would be
able to prove his superior power.
Therefore Satan's step is
noiseless, his movements stealthy,
and his batteries masked. He does
not venture to show himself openly,
lest he arouse the Christian's
dormant energies and send him to
God in prayer.
{5T 293.4}

52. The enemy cannot overcome
the humble learner of Christ, the
one who walks prayerfully
before the Lord. Christ
interposes Himself as a shelter,
a retreat, from the assaults of
the wicked one. The promise is
given, "When the enemy shall
come in like a flood, the Spirit of
the Lord shall lift up a standard
against him." . . .

55. Beyond the discipline of the home and the school,
all have to meet the stern discipline of life. How to
meet this wisely is a lesson that should be made
plain to every child and to every youth. It is true
that God loves us, that He is working for our
happiness, and that, if His law had always been
obeyed, we should never have known suffering;
and it is no less true that, in this world, as the
result of sin, suffering, trouble, burdens, come to
every life.

56. We may do the children and the youth
a lifelong good by teaching them to
meet bravely these troubles and
burdens. While we should give them
sympathy, let it never be such as to
foster self-pity. What they need is that
which stimulates and strengthens
rather than weakens.

58. The yielding temperaments,
who have not courage to
condemn wrong, but keep
silent when their influence is
needed to stand in the
defense of right against any
pressure, may avoid many
heartaches and escape
many perplexities, and lose
a very rich reward, if not
their own souls.

59. Those who in harmony with God,
and through faith in Him, receive
strength to resist wrong, and stand
in defense of the right, will always
have severe conflicts and will
frequently have to stand almost
alone. But precious victories will be
theirs while they make God their
dependence. Their moral sense will
be keen, clear, and sensitive. Their
moral powers will be equal to
withstand wrong influences. Their
integrity, like that of Moses, of the
purest character.

62. Our work is an aggressive one, and as faithful
soldiers of Jesus, we must bear the blood-stained
banner into the very strongholds of the enemy.
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places."
{RH, May 8, 1888 par. 9}

63. If we will consent to lay down our arms, to lower the blood-stained
banner, to become the captives and servants of Satan, we may be
released from the conflict and the suffering. But this peace will be
gained only at the loss of Christ and heaven. We cannot accept peace
on such conditions. Let it be war, war, to the end of earth's history,
rather than peace through apostasy and sin.
{RH, May 8, 1888 par. 9}

64. If unity could be secured only by the
compromise of truth and righteousness, then let
there be difference, and even war. {GC88 45.2}

65. In vision I saw two armies in
terrible conflict. One army was
led by banners bearing the
world's insignia; the other was
led by the blood-stained banner
of Prince Emmanuel. Standard
after standard was left to trail in
the dust as company after
company from the Lord's army
joined the foe; and tribe after
tribe from the ranks of the enemy
united with the commandment-
keeping people of God. {PH109
1.1}

66. An angel flying in the midst of heaven put
the standards of Emmanuel into many
hands, while a mighty general cried with a
loud voice: "Come into line. Let those who
are loyal to the commandments of God and
the testimony of Christ now take their
position. Come out from among them, and
be ye separate, and touch not the unclean,
and I will receive you, and will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be My sons and
daughters. Let all who will come up to the
help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord
against the mighty." {PH109 1.1}

67. The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side.
Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, "as when a
standard-bearer fainteth." But their apparent retreat
was but an effort to gain a more advantageous
position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to
God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as
Christ's soldiers planted His banner on the walls of
fortresses till then held by the enemy. {PH109 2.1}

68. The Captain of our
salvation was ordering
the battle and sending
support to His soldiers.
His power was mightily
displayed, encouraging
them to press the battle
to the gates. He taught
them terrible things in
righteousness as He led
them on step by step,
conquering and to
conquer. {PH109 2.1}

69. At last the victory was gained. The army following the
banner with the inscription, "The commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus," was gloriously
triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside
the gates of the city of God, and with joy the city
received her King. The kingdom of peace and joy and
everlasting righteousness was established. God's will
was done on earth, as it is done in heaven. {PH109
2.1}

70. This is the scene that is presented to
me. But the church must still fight
against seen and unseen foes.
Satanic agencies in human form are
on the ground. Men have
confederated to oppose the Lord of
hosts. These confederacies will
continue until Christ shall leave His
place of intercession before the
mercy-seat, and shall put on the
garments of vengeance.
{PH109 2.1}

71. Satanic agencies are in every
city, busily organizing into parties
those opposed to the law of God.
Professed saints and avowed
unbelievers take their stand with
these parties. This is no time for
the people of God to be
weaklings. We can not afford to
be off our guard for one moment.
{PH109 2.1}

72. We must inquire what captain we are following, under
whose banner we are standing. Satan was the first
transgressor of the law of Jehovah. We read in the
Bible how sin entered into the world. Satan was the
first one who ever questioned the holy will of God,
and his very first work was to transgress God's law,
and then he came to Adam and Eve in Eden, and
through his temptations caused them to break the
commandments of God. {RH, July 15, 1890 par. 3}

73. Satan thought to win the human family to his side that
they might war against the family in heaven. It was
Satan's plan to war against the God of heaven. God
has a constitution and laws to govern those whom he
has created, and it would be a terrible thing if any of
us should be found on the wrong side, warring
against the government of Heaven.
{RH, July 15, 1890 par. 3}

74. There are many deceptions to lead us away from the
truth. Many think that Adam and Eve were very
foolish in listening to the voice of the tempter that
caused their fall from the high and holy estate, yet
those who criticise do the same thing. Why do not the
children of Adam who find fault with him for his sin,
cease themselves to transgress?
{RH, July 15, 1890 par. 3}

75. True Christianity will always be aggressive, and
wherever it exists, it will arouse enmity. All who live a
conscientious life, who bear testimony of the claims of
God, of the evil of sin, of the judgment to come, will be
called the disturbers of Israel. {PC 146.2}

76. Those whose testimony awaken the apprehension of the
soul, offend pride, and arouse opposition. The hatred of
evil against good exists as surely now as in the days of
Christ, when the multitude cried, "Away with Him!"
"Release unto us Barabbas."

77. There is no kind of evil in our world,
but that some have an interest in
maintaining it. Evil is ever warring
against good. And since we know that
the conflict with the prince of
darkness is constant, and must be
severe, let us be united in the
warfare. Cease to war against those
of your own faith. Let no one help
Satan in his work. . . . {PC 146.3}

78. The Lord Jesus desires the members of His church
to be an army of workers, laboring for Him
according to their varied capabilities, and carrying
out the principles of self-denial and self-sacrifice,
preserving that love for God which drew them away
from the world and which will draw them together,
away from separate confederacies, from distant,
detached parties. {MM 316.1}

79. The work is to be one
grand, harmonious
whole in Christ Jesus.
The faith that works by
love and purifies the
soul is the holy,
uplifting, sanctifying
agency which is to
soften and subdue
jarring human nature.
{MM 316.1}

80. The love of Christ is to
constrain the believers,
causing them to blend in
harmonious action at the
cross of Calvary. As they
live the principles which
separated them from the
world, they will be bound
to one another by the
sacred cords of Christian
love. {MM 316.1}