Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Revelation 12:17
12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Prophets and Kings 587.2
Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God’s people in the closing scenes of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will then be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control even of many professing Christians. But here is a little company who are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. {PK 587.2}
Revelation 12:17 applies to the faithful Christians which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. It does not apply to so called professed Christians who claim they are not sinners and are saved by grace alone. The apostle Paul says “God forbid.” Jesus came not to condemn but by Him the world may be saved. But, if you do not confess and repent of your sins, you will not see God’s heavenly kingdom. If you continue to obey and follow mammon, and not God, you belong to Satan. But the little company, the remnant, that continue to obey God and resist Satan, they may face trial and persecution, yet saints they will be in God’s royal family. To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We thank Thee for giving us yet another opportunity to come to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving and prayer. We thank You for Your Holy Bible, the Holy Scriptures that are provided for us that we may be vigilant and aware of the wiles of Satan. For the instruction and prophecy given to us that we may know that it is You who is God. As the heathens under Satan wish to destroy us, You have given us the blessed hope that You will come for us and grant us eternal life, that we may live with You forever and ever. We are sorry and repent of all our sins, and ask for the forgiveness of sins, even now, that You cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
