Had things worked out as God had planned, the great controversy
would have ended long ago. The allegations against God's law
would have been nullified by a whole order of intelligent beings
who would demonstrate in their elevated existence that God's law
is not restrictive. Lucifer would have been so completely exposed in
his diabolical schemes that the last link of sympathy between him
and the loyal universe would be forever broken. And in mercy to
the rebels, God would end their existence, the continuance of which
would only bring them increasing misery.
But we know the past history of what happened on planet earth.
Because of man’s terrible failure, the great controversy has had to
go on for much longer than God intended. Yet God has promised
that “ Affliction shall not rise up the second time “ Nahum 1:9. And
He is still depending on the human race to cooperate with Him in
executing His plan to secure the universe against another defection.
In Isaiah 51:16 we read how God will establish the whole universe
on an eternal basis of security. This thought is mind boggling.
“ And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee
in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay
the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my peo-
ple.
The Third Angel's message has been committed to God's remnant
1”
people. Its truths have been put in their mouths and will enable
them to fully accomplish what God has purposed to be done. God's
original purpose involving the human race in answering the doubts
raised against His law has not changed. But it has become infinitely
more difficult to do that with fallen, sinful beings than with unfallen
beings. And the glory and magnitude of the final demonstration
will even be greater and more convincing than it would have been
had it happened with unfallen beings.
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munity of saints, the 144,000, rather than just one individual.
It is important to understand the timing of when the scapegoat is
being led away. We have this very enlightening passage found in
Spalding Magan p. 2. “ Then I saw that Jesus” work in the sanctuary
will soon be finished. And after His work there is finished, He will come to
the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head
of the Scape Goat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance. Then
the plagues will come upon the wicked, and they do not come till Jesus
puts on that garment, and takes His place upon the great white cloud.
Then while the plagues are falling, the Scape Goat is being led
away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by
the hand that leads him. If he should effect his escape, Israel would lose
their lives. I saw that it would take time to lead away the Scape Goat into
the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put on his head. ”
In this Inspired passage we can see that the scapegoat is being led
away by the fit man during the time of the plagues, the time of
Jacob's trouble while Jesus is seated on the great white cloud. Satan
tries his utmost to cause the sealed saints to stumble or turn from
their loyalty to God. Great Controversy p. 619 tells us that “ As
Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits
him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and
firmness, will be severely tested. . . He hopes to so destroy their faith that
they will yield to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God.
If he could get even one of them to sin, he would win a great victo-
ry in his opposition to God's government. He would escape, and
Israel would lose their lives. But he is held fast by the hand that
leads him. The fit man does not turn from his faith in God and thus
is enabled to maintain his hold on the scapegoat and bind him for a
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