Words of Hope…
From that day to now the Sabbath has been kept. Though the
“man of sin” succeeded in trampling God’s holy day underfoot, yet
faithful believers hidden in secret places paid it honor. Since the
Reformation, some in every generation have kept it.
These truths found in Revelation 14 in connection with “the
everlasting gospel” will distinguish the church of Christ at the time
of His appearing. “Here are those who keep the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
Those who received the light about the sanctuary* and the law
of God were filled with joy as they saw the harmony of truth. They
wanted all Christians to have the light. But many who claimed to
follow Christ did not welcome truths that were out of step with the
world.
When they heard the claims of the Sabbath, many said: “We have
always kept Sunday, our fathers kept it, and many good Christians
have died happy while keeping it. The keeping of a new Sabbath
would throw us out of harmony with the world. What can a little
group keeping the seventh day accomplish against all the world who
are keeping Sunday?” By arguments like these the Jews justified
rejecting Christ. Similarly, in the time of Luther, Romanists reasoned
that true Christians had died in the Catholic faith, so that religion
was sufficient. Reasoning like this would stand in the way of every
move forward in faith.
Many argued that Sundaykeeping had been a widespread custom
of the church for centuries. Against this argument others showed
that the Sabbath and its observance were older still, even as old as
the world itself—established by the Ancient of Days.
When they could find no Bible support, many urged: “Why don’t
our great men understand this Sabbath question? Few believe as you
do. It cannot be that you are right and all the educated people are
wrong.”
To refute arguments like these, it was enough just to quote the
Scriptures and show how the Lord had dealt with His people in
all ages. The reason why He does not more often choose people
of learning and position to lead out in reform is that they trust to
their creeds and theological systems and feel no need for God to
teach them. God sometimes calls people to preach the truth who
have little formal education. He chooses them, not because they are
uneducated, but because they are not too self-sufficient for God to
teach them. Their humility and obedience make them great.
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Source: Ellen G. White, The Great Hope, pp. 61-62.