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– But no one can cross the cordon of the powerful guardians placed around each faithful. Some are attacked while fleeing cities and towns. But the swords raised against them break and fall like straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of warriors.
– This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict against the powers of Earth commanded by the dragon host, makes God their defense. The decree has been promulgated by the highest earthly authority that they worship the beast and receive his mark, under pain of persecution and death. God help his people then! Because what could he do without his help in such a terrible conflict.
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– The time of trouble is about to come for God’s people. It will be then that the decree will be promulgated prohibiting the buying or selling of those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and that will threaten them with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as a day of rest. The wrath of man will be aroused in a special way against those who keep holy the Sabbath of the fourth Commandment; and in the end a universal decree will denounce them as deserving of death.
– The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who obey the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus will experience the wrath of the dragon and his hosts. Satan considers the inhabitants of the world to be his subjects. He has gained control of the apostate churches; but there is a small group that resists his supremacy.
If he could erase them from Earth, his triumph would be complete. Just as he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will incite the evil powers of Earth to destroy God’s people.
– From the pulpits of popular churches will be heard the declaration that the world is being punished because Sunday is not honored as it should be. It will be insistently demanded that the few who oppose an institution of the church and a law of the State not be tolerated; for it is better that these few suffer than that whole nations be precipitated into confusion and anarchy.
