第12章

Inthisapartmentthedivinepresencewasmanifestedinthecloudofglorybetweenthecherubim。

AfterthesettlementoftheHebrewsinCanaan，thetabernaclewasreplacedbythetempleofSolomon，which，thoughapermanentstructureanduponalargerscale，observedthesameproportions，andwassimilarlyfurnished。Inthisformthesanctuaryexisted——exceptwhileitlayinruinsinDaniel’stime——untilitsdestructionbytheRomans，inA。D。70。

Thisistheonlysanctuarythateverexistedontheearth，ofwhichtheBiblegivesanyinformation。Thiswasdeclared413

byPaultobethesanctuaryofthefirstcovenant。Buthasthenewcovenantnosanctuary？

TurningagaintothebookofHebrews，theseekersfortruthfoundthattheexistenceofasecond，ornew-covenantsanctuary，wasimpliedinthewordsofPaulalreadyquoted:"Thenverilythefirstcovenanthadalsoordinancesofdivineservice，andaworldlysanctuary。"Andtheuseoftheword"also"

intimatesthatPaulhasbeforemadementionofthissanctuary。Turningbacktothebeginningofthepreviouschapter，theyread:"Nowofthethingswhichwehavespokenthisisthesum:WehavesuchanHighPriest，whoissetontherighthandofthethroneoftheMajestyintheheavens；aMinisterofthesanctuary，andofthetruetabernacle，whichtheLordpitched，andnotman。"Hebrews8:1，2。

Hereisrevealedthesanctuaryofthenewcovenant。Thesanctuaryofthefirstcovenantwaspitchedbyman，builtbyMoses；thisispitchedbytheLord，notbyman。Inthatsanctuarytheearthlypriestsperformedtheirservice；inthis，Christ，ourgreatHighPriest，ministersatGod’srighthand。Onesanctuarywasonearth，theotherisinheaven。

Further，thetabernaclebuiltbyMoseswasmadeafterapattern。TheLorddirectedhim:"AccordingtoallthatIshowthee，afterthepatternofthetabernacle，andthepatternofalltheinstrumentsthereof，evensoshallyemakeit。"Andagainthechargewasgiven，"Lookthatthoumakethemaftertheirpattern，whichwasshowedtheeinthemount。"Exodus25:9，40。AndPaulsaysthatthefirsttabernacle"wasafigureforthetimethenpresent，inwhichwereofferedbothgiftsandsacrifices；"thatitsholyplaceswere"patternsofthingsintheheavens；"thatthepriestswhoofferedgiftsaccordingtothelawserved"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings，"andthat"Christisnotenteredintotheholyplacesmadewithhands，whicharethefiguresofthetrue；butintoheavenitself，nowtoappearinthepresenceofGodforus。"Hebrews9:9，23；8:5；9:24。

414

Thesanctuaryinheaven，inwhichJesusministersinourbehalf，isthegreatoriginal，ofwhichthesanctuarybuiltbyMoseswasacopy。GodplacedHisSpirituponthebuildersoftheearthlysanctuary。Theartisticskilldisplayedinitsconstructionwasamanifestationofdivinewisdom。Thewallshadtheappearanceofmassivegold，reflectingineverydirectionthelightofthesevenlampsofthegoldencandlestick。Thetableofshewbreadandthealtarofincenseglitteredlikeburnishedgold。Thegorgeouscurtainwhichformedtheceiling，inwroughtwithfiguresofangelsinblueandpurpleandscarlet，addedtothebeautyofthescene。AndbeyondthesecondveilwastheholyShekinah，thevisiblemanifestationofGod’sglory，beforewhichnonebutthehighpriestcouldenterandlive。

ThematchlesssplendoroftheearthlytabernaclereflectedtohumanvisionthegloriesofthatheavenlytemplewhereChristourforerunnerministersforusbeforethethroneofGod。TheabidingplaceoftheKingofkings，wherethousandthousandsministeruntoHim，andtenthousandtimestenthousandstandbeforeHim(Daniel7:10)；thattemple，filledwiththegloryoftheeternalthrone，whereseraphim，itsshiningguardians，veiltheirfacesinadoration，couldfind，inthemostmagnificentstructureeverrearedbyhumanhands，butafaintreflectionofitsvastnessandglory。Yetimportanttruthsconcerningtheheavenlysanctuaryandthegreatworktherecarriedforwardforman’sredemptionweretaughtbytheearthlysanctuaryanditsservices。

Theholyplacesofthesanctuaryinheavenarerepresentedbythetwoapartmentsinthesanctuaryonearth。AsinvisiontheapostleJohnwasgrantedaviewofthetempleofGodinheaven，hebeheldthere"sevenlampsoffireburningbeforethethrone。"Revelation4:5。Hesawanangel"havingagoldencenser；andtherewasgivenuntohimmuchincense，thatheshouldofferitwiththeprayersofallsaintsuponthegoldenaltarwhichwasbeforethethrone。"Revelation8:3。Heretheprophetwaspermittedtobeholdthefirstapartment415

ofthesanctuaryinheaven；andhesawtherethe"sevenlampsoffire"and"thegoldenaltar，"representedbythegoldencandlestickandthealtarofincenseinthesanctuaryonearth。Again，"thetempleofGodwasopened"

(Revelation11:19)，andhelookedwithintheinnerveil，upontheholyofholies。Herehebeheld"thearkofHistestament，"representedbythesacredchestconstructedbyMosestocontainthelawofGod。

Thusthosewhowerestudyingthesubjectfoundindisputableproofoftheexistenceofasanctuaryinheaven。Mosesmadetheearthlysanctuaryafterapatternwhichwasshownhim。Paulteachesthatthatpatternwasthetruesanctuarywhichisinheaven。AndJohntestifiesthathesawitinheaven。

Inthetempleinheaven，thedwellingplaceofGod，Histhroneisestablishedinrighteousnessandjudgment。InthemostholyplaceisHislaw，thegreatruleofrightbywhichallmankindaretested。Thearkthatenshrinesthetablesofthelawiscoveredwiththemercyseat，beforewhichChristpleadsHisbloodinthesinner’sbehalf。Thusisrepresentedtheunionofjusticeandmercyintheplanofhumanredemption。Thisunioninfinitewisdomalonecoulddeviseandinfinitepoweraccomplish；itisaunionthatfillsallheavenwithwonderandadoration。Thecherubimoftheearthlysanctuary，lookingreverentlydownuponthemercyseat，representtheinterestwithwhichtheheavenlyhostcontemplatetheworkofredemption。Thisisthemysteryofmercyintowhichangelsdesiretolook——thatGodcanbejustwhileHejustifiestherepentingsinnerandrenewsHisintercoursewiththefallenrace；thatChristcouldstooptoraiseunnumberedmultitudesfromtheabyssofruinandclothethemwiththespotlessgarmentsofHisownrighteousnesstounitewithangelswhohaveneverfallenandtodwellforeverinthepresenceofGod。

TheworkofChristasman’sintercessorispresentedinthatbeautifulprophecyofZechariahconcerningHim"whosenameistheBranch。"Saystheprophet:"Heshall416

buildthetempleoftheLord；andHeshallbeartheglory，andshallsitandruleuponHis[theFather’s]throne；andHeshallbeapriestuponHisthrone:andthecounselofpeaceshallbebetweenThemboth。"Zechariah6:12，13。

"HeshallbuildthetempleoftheLord。"ByHissacrificeandmediationChristisboththefoundationandthebuilderofthechurchofGod。TheapostlePaulpointstoHimas"thechiefCornerstone；inwhomallthebuildingfitlyframedtogethergrowethintoanholytempleintheLord:inwhomyealso，"hesays，"arebuildedtogetherforanhabitationofGodthroughtheSpirit。"Ephesians2:20-22。

"Heshallbeartheglory。"ToChristbelongsthegloryofredemptionforthefallenrace。Throughtheeternalages，thesongoftheransomedoneswillbe:"UntoHimthatlovedus，andwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood，……toHimbegloryanddominionforeverandever。"Revelation1:5，6。

He"shallsitandruleuponHisthrone；andHeshallbeapriestuponHisthrone。"Notnow"uponthethroneofHisglory；"thekingdomofgloryhasnotyetbeenusheredin。NotuntilHisworkasamediatorshallbeendedwillGod"giveuntoHimthethroneofHisfatherDavid，"akingdomofwhich"thereshallbenoend。"Luke1:32，33。Asapriest，ChristisnowsetdownwiththeFatherinHisthrone。Revelation3:21。Uponthethronewiththeeternal，self-existentOneisHewho"hathborneourgriefs，andcarriedoursorrows，"who"wasinallpointstemptedlikeasweare，yetwithoutsin，"

thatHemightbe"abletosuccorthemthataretempted。""Ifanymansin，wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather。"Isaiah53:4；Hebrews4:15；2:18；1John2:1。Hisintercessionisthatofapiercedandbrokenbody，ofaspotlesslife。Thewoundedhands，thepiercedside，themarredfeet，pleadforfallenman，whoseredemptionwaspurchasedatsuchinfinitecost。

"AndthecounselofpeaceshallbebetweenThemboth。"TheloveoftheFather，nolessthanoftheSon，isthefountainofsalvationforthelostrace。SaidJesustoHisdisciplesbefore417

Hewentaway:"Isaynotuntoyou，thatIwillpraytheFatherforyou:fortheFatherHimselflovethyou。"John16:26，27。Godwas"inChrist，reconcilingtheworlduntoHimself。"2Corinthians5:19。Andintheministrationinthesanctuaryabove，"thecounselofpeaceshallbebetweenThemboth。""Godsolovedtheworld，thatHegaveHisonly-begottenSon，thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperish，buthaveeverlastinglife。"John3:16。

Thequestion，Whatisthesanctuary？isclearlyansweredintheScriptures。

Theterm"sanctuary，"asusedintheBible，refers，first，tothetabernaclebuiltbyMoses，asapatternofheavenlythings；and，secondly，tothe"truetabernacle"inheaven，towhichtheearthlysanctuarypointed。AtthedeathofChristthetypicalserviceended。The"truetabernacle"inheavenisthesanctuaryofthenewcovenant。AndastheprophecyofDaniel8:14isfulfilledinthisdispensation，thesanctuarytowhichitrefersmustbethesanctuaryofthenewcovenant。Attheterminationofthe2300days，in1844，therehadbeennosanctuaryonearthformanycenturies。Thustheprophecy，"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed，"unquestionablypointstothesanctuaryinheaven。

Butthemostimportantquestionremainstobeanswered:Whatisthecleansingofthesanctuary？ThattherewassuchaserviceinconnectionwiththeearthlysanctuaryisstatedintheOldTestamentScriptures。Butcantherebeanythinginheaventobecleansed？InHebrews9thecleansingofboththeearthlyandtheheavenlysanctuaryisplainlytaught。"Almostallthingsarebythelawpurgedwithblood；andwithoutsheddingofbloodisnoremission。Itwasthereforenecessarythatthepatternsofthingsintheheavensshouldbepurifiedwiththese[thebloodofanimals]；buttheheavenlythingsthemselveswithbettersacrificesthanthese"(Hebrews9:22，23)，eventhepreciousbloodofChrist。

Thecleansing，bothinthetypicalandintherealservice，mustbeaccomplishedwithblood:intheformer，withthe418

bloodofanimals；inthelatter，withthebloodofChrist。Paulstates，asthereasonwhythiscleansingmustbeperformedwithblood，thatwithoutsheddingofbloodisnoremission。Remission，orputtingawayofsin，istheworktobeaccomplished。Buthowcouldtherebesinconnectedwiththesanctuary，eitherinheavenorupontheearth？Thismaybelearnedbyreferencetothesymbolicservice；forthepriestswhoofficiatedonearth，served"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings。"Hebrews8:5。

Theministrationoftheearthlysanctuaryconsistedoftwodivisions；thepriestsministereddailyintheholyplace，whileonceayearthehighpriestperformedaspecialworkofatonementinthemostholy，forthecleansingofthesanctuary。Daybydaytherepentantsinnerbroughthisofferingtothedoorofthetabernacleand，placinghishanduponthevictim’shead，confessedhissins，thusinfiguretransferringthemfromhimselftotheinnocentsacrifice。Theanimalwasthenslain。"Withoutsheddingofblood，"saystheapostle，thereisnoremissionofsin。"Thelifeofthefleshisintheblood。"Leviticus17:11。ThebrokenlawofGoddemandedthelifeofthetransgressor。Theblood，representingtheforfeitedlifeofthesinner，whoseguiltthevictimbore，wascarriedbythepriestintotheholyplaceandsprinkledbeforetheveil，behindwhichwasthearkcontainingthelawthatthesinnerhadtransgressed。Bythisceremonythesinwas，throughtheblood，transferredinfiguretothesanctuary。Insomecasesthebloodwasnottakenintotheholyplace；butthefleshwasthentobeeatenbythepriest，asMosesdirectedthesonsofAaron，saying:"Godhathgivenityoutobeartheiniquityofthecongregation。"Leviticus10:17。Bothceremoniesalikesymbolizedthetransferofthesinfromthepenitenttothesanctuary。

Suchwastheworkthatwenton，daybyday，throughouttheyear。ThesinsofIsraelwerethustransferredtothesanctuary，andaspecialworkbecamenecessaryfortheirremoval。Godcommandedthatanatonementbemadeforeachofthe419

sacredapartments。"Heshallmakeanatonementfortheholyplace，becauseoftheuncleannessofthechildrenofIsrael，andbecauseoftheirtransgressionsinalltheirsins:andsoshallhedoforthetabernacleofthecongregation，thatremainethamongtheminthemidstoftheiruncleanness。"Anatonementwasalsotobemadeforthealtar，to"cleanseit，andhallowiffromtheuncleannessofthechildrenofIsrael。"Leviticus16:16，19。

Onceayear，onthegreatDayofAtonement，thepriestenteredthemostholyplaceforthecleansingofthesanctuary。Theworkthereperformedcompletedtheyearlyroundofministration。OntheDayofAtonementtwokidsofthegoatswerebroughttothedoorofthetabernacle，andlotswerecastuponthem，"onelotfortheLord，andtheotherlotforthescapegoat。"Verse8。

ThegoatuponwhichfellthelotfortheLordwastobeslainasasinofferingforthepeople。Andthepriestwastobringhisbloodwithintheveilandsprinkleituponthemercyseatandbeforethemercyseat。Thebloodwasalsotobesprinkleduponthealtarofincensethatwasbeforetheveil。

"AndAaronshalllaybothhishandsupontheheadofthelivegoat，andconfessoverhimalltheiniquitiesofthechildrenofIsrael，andalltheirtransgressionsinalltheirsins，puttingthemupontheheadofthegoat，andshallsendhimawaybythehandofafitmanintothewilderness:andthegoatshallbearuponhimalltheiriniquitiesuntoalandnotinhabited。"Verses21，22。ThescapegoatcamenomoreintothecampofIsrael，andthemanwholedhimawaywasrequiredtowashhimselfandhisclothingwithwaterbeforereturningtothecamp。

ThewholeceremonywasdesignedtoimpresstheIsraeliteswiththeholinessofGodandHisabhorrenceofsin；and，further，toshowthemthattheycouldnotcomeincontactwithsinwithoutbecomingpolluted。Everymanwasrequiredtoafflicthissoulwhilethisworkofatonementwasgoingforward。

Allbusinesswastobelaidaside，andthe420

wholecongregationofIsraelweretospendthedayinsolemnhumiliationbeforeGod，withprayer，fasting，anddeepsearchingofheart。

Importanttruthsconcerningtheatonementaretaughtbythetypicalservice。

Asubstitutewasacceptedinthesinner’sstead；butthesinwasnotcanceledbythebloodofthevictim。Ameanswasthusprovidedbywhichitwastransferredtothesanctuary。Bytheofferingofbloodthesinneracknowledgedtheauthorityofthelaw，confessedhisguiltintransgression，andexpressedhisdesireforpardonthroughfaithinaRedeemertocome；buthewasnotyetentirelyreleasedfromthecondemnationofthelaw。OntheDayofAtonementthehighpriest，havingtakenanofferingfromthecongregation，wentintothemostholyplacewiththebloodofthisoffering，andsprinkledituponthemercyseat，directlyoverthelaw，tomakesatisfactionforitsclaims。Then，inhischaracterofmediator，hetookthesinsuponhimselfandborethemfromthesanctuary。Placinghishandsupontheheadofthescapegoat，heconfessedoverhimallthesesins，thusinfiguretransferringthemfromhimselftothegoat。Thegoatthenborethemaway，andtheywereregardedasforeverseparatedfromthepeople。

Suchwastheserviceperformed"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings。"Andwhatwasdoneintypeintheministrationoftheearthlysanctuaryisdoneinrealityintheministrationoftheheavenlysanctuary。

AfterHisascensionourSaviourbeganHisworkasourhighpriest。SaysPaul:"Christisnotenteredintotheholyplacesmadewithhands，whicharethefiguresofthetrue；butintoheavenitself，nowtoappearinthepresenceofGodforus。"Hebrews9:24。

Theministrationofthepriestthroughouttheyearinthefirstapartmentofthesanctuary，"withintheveil"whichformedthedoorandseparatedtheholyplacefromtheoutercourt，representstheworkofministrationuponwhichChristenteredatHisascension。Itwastheworkofthepriestinthe421

dailyministrationtopresentbeforeGodthebloodofthesinoffering，alsotheincensewhichascendedwiththeprayersofIsrael。SodidChristpleadHisbloodbeforetheFatherinbehalfofsinners，andpresentbeforeHimalso，withthepreciousfragranceofHisownrighteousness，theprayersofpenitentbelievers。Suchwastheworkofministrationinthefirstapartmentofthesanctuaryinheaven。

ThitherthefaithofChrist’sdisciplesfollowedHimasHeascendedfromtheirsight。Heretheirhopescentered，"whichhopewehave，"saidPaul，"asananchorofthesoul，bothsureandsteadfast，andwhichenterethintothatwithintheveil；whithertheforerunnerisforusentered，evenJesus，madeanhighpriestforever。""Neitherbythebloodofgoatsandcalves，butbyHisownbloodHeenteredinonceintotheholyplace，havingobtainedeternalredemptionforus。"Hebrews6:19，20；9:12。

Foreighteencenturiesthisworkofministrationcontinuedinthefirstapartmentofthesanctuary。ThebloodofChrist，pleadedinbehalfofpenitentbelievers，securedtheirpardonandacceptancewiththeFather，yettheirsinsstillremaineduponthebooksofrecord。Asinthetypicalservicetherewasaworkofatonementatthecloseoftheyear，sobeforeChrist’sworkfortheredemptionofmeniscompletedthereisaworkofatonementfortheremovalofsinfromthesanctuary。Thisistheservicewhichbeganwhenthe2300daysended。Atthattime，asforetoldbyDanieltheprophet，ourHighPriestenteredthemostholy，toperformthelastdivisionofHissolemnwork——tocleansethesanctuary。

Asancientlythesinsofthepeoplewerebyfaithplaceduponthesinofferingandthroughitsbloodtransferred，infigure，totheearthlysanctuary，sointhenewcovenantthesinsoftherepentantarebyfaithplaceduponChristandtransferred，infact，totheheavenlysanctuary。Andasthetypicalcleansingoftheearthlywasaccomplishedbytheremovalofthesinsbywhichithadbeenpolluted，sotheactualcleansingoftheheavenlyistobeaccomplishedby422

theremoval，orblottingout，ofthesinswhicharethererecorded。Butbeforethiscanbeaccomplished，theremustbeanexaminationofthebooksofrecordtodeterminewho，throughrepentanceofsinandfaithinChrist，areentitledtothebenefitsofHisatonement。Thecleansingofthesanctuarythereforeinvolvesaworkofinvestigation——aworkofjudgment。

ThisworkmustbeperformedpriortothecomingofChristtoredeemHispeople；forwhenHecomes，HisrewardiswithHimtogivetoeverymanaccordingtohisworks。Revelation22:12。

Thusthosewhofollowedinthelightofthepropheticwordsawthat，insteadofcomingtotheearthattheterminationofthe2300daysin1844，ChristthenenteredthemostholyplaceoftheheavenlysanctuarytoperformtheclosingworkofatonementpreparatorytoHiscoming。

Itwasseen，also，thatwhilethesinofferingpointedtoChristasasacrifice，andthehighpriestrepresentedChristasamediator，thescapegoattypifiedSatan，theauthorofsin，uponwhomthesinsofthetrulypenitentwillfinallybeplaced。Whenthehighpriest，byvirtueofthebloodofthesinoffering，removedthesinsfromthesanctuary，heplacedthemuponthescapegoat。WhenChrist，byvirtueofHisownblood，removesthesinsofHispeoplefromtheheavenlysanctuaryatthecloseofHisministration，HewillplacethemuponSatan，who，intheexecutionofthejudgment，mustbearthefinalpenalty。Thescapegoatwassentawayintoalandnotinhabited，nevertocomeagainintothecongregationofIsrael。SowillSatanbeforeverbanishedfromthepresenceofGodandHispeople，andhewillbeblottedfromexistenceinthefinaldestructionofsinandsinners。

(423)

Chapter24

IntheHolyofHoliesThesubjectofthesanctuarywasthekeywhichunlockedthemysteryofthedisappointmentof1844。Itopenedtoviewacompletesystemoftruth，connectedandharmonious，showingthatGod’shandhaddirectedthegreatadventmovementandrevealingpresentdutyasitbroughttolightthepositionandworkofHispeople。AsthedisciplesofJesusaftertheterriblenightoftheiranguishanddisappointmentwere"gladwhentheysawtheLord，"sodidthosenowrejoicewhohadlookedinfaithforHissecondcoming。TheyhadexpectedHimtoappearinglorytogiverewardtoHisservants。Astheirhopesweredisappointed，theyhadlostsightofJesus，andwithMaryatthesepulchertheycried:"TheyhavetakenawaymyLord，andIknownotwheretheyhavelaidHim。"NowintheholyofholiestheyagainbeheldHim，theircompassionateHighPriest，soontoappearastheirkinganddeliverer。Lightfromthesanctuaryilluminedthepast，thepresent，andthefuture。TheyknewthatGodhadledthembyHisunerringprovidence。Though，likethefirstdisciples，theythemselveshadfailedtounderstandthemessagewhichtheybore，yetithadbeenineveryrespectcorrect。InproclaimingittheyhadfulfilledthepurposeofGod，andtheirlaborhadnotbeeninvainintheLord。Begotten"againuntoalivelyhope，"

theyrejoiced"withjoyunspeakableandfullofglory。"

424

BoththeprophecyofDaniel8:14，"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；

thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed，"andthefirstangel’smessage，"FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome，"pointedtoChrist’sministrationinthemostholyplace，totheinvestigativejudgment，andnottothecomingofChristfortheredemptionofHispeopleandthedestructionofthewicked。Themistakehadnotbeeninthereckoningofthepropheticperiods，butintheeventtotakeplaceattheendofthe2300days。Throughthiserrorthebelievershadsuffereddisappointment，yetallthatwasforetoldbytheprophecy，andallthattheyhadanyScripturewarranttoexpect，hadbeenaccomplished。Attheverytimewhentheywerelamentingthefailureoftheirhopes，theeventhadtakenplacewhichwasforetoldbythemessage，andwhichmustbefulfilledbeforetheLordcouldappeartogiverewardtoHisservants。

Christhadcome，nottotheearth，astheyexpected，but，asforeshadowedinthetype，tothemostholyplaceofthetempleofGodinheaven。HeisrepresentedbytheprophetDanielascomingatthistimetotheAncientofDays:"Isawinthenightvisions，and，behold，oneliketheSonofmancamewiththecloudsofheaven，andcame"——nottotheearth，but——"totheAncientofDays，andtheybroughtHimnearbeforeHim。"Daniel7:13。

ThiscomingisforetoldalsobytheprophetMalachi:"TheLord，whomyeseek，shallsuddenlycometoHistemple，eventheMessengerofthecovenant，whomyedelightin:behold，Heshallcome，saiththeLordofhosts。"Malachi3:1。ThecomingoftheLordtoHistemplewassudden，unexpected，toHispeople。TheywerenotlookingtoHimthere。TheyexpectedHimtocometoearth，"inflamingfiretakingvengeanceonthemthatknownotGod，andthatobeynotthegospel。"2Thessalonians1:8。

ButthepeoplewerenotyetreadytomeettheirLord。Therewasstillaworkofpreparationtobeaccomplishedfor425

them。Lightwastobegiven，directingtheirmindstothetempleofGodinheaven；andastheyshouldbyfaithfollowtheirHighPriestinHisministrationthere，newdutieswouldberevealed。Anothermessageofwarningandinstructionwastobegiventothechurch。

Saystheprophet:"WhomayabidethedayofHiscoming？andwhoshallstandwhenHeappeareth？forHeislikearefiner’sfire，andlikefullers’soap:

andHeshallsitasarefinerandpurifierofsilver:andHeshallpurifythesonsofLevi，andpurgethemasgoldandsilver，thattheymayofferuntotheLordanofferinginrighteousness。"Malachi3:2，3。ThosewhoarelivingupontheearthwhentheintercessionofChristshallceaseinthesanctuaryabovearetostandinthesightofaholyGodwithoutamediator。

Theirrobesmustbespotless，theircharactersmustbepurifiedfromsinbythebloodofsprinkling。ThroughthegraceofGodandtheirowndiligentefforttheymustbeconquerorsinthebattlewithevil。Whiletheinvestigativejudgmentisgoingforwardinheaven，whilethesinsofpenitentbelieversarebeingremovedfromthesanctuary，thereistobeaspecialworkofpurification，ofputtingawayofsin，amongGod’speopleuponearth。ThisworkismoreclearlypresentedinthemessagesofRevelation14。

Whenthisworkshallhavebeenaccomplished，thefollowersofChristwillbereadyforHisappearing。"ThenshalltheofferingofJudahandJerusalembepleasantuntotheLord，asinthedaysofold，andasinformeryears。"

Malachi3:4。ThenthechurchwhichourLordatHiscomingistoreceivetoHimselfwillbea"gloriouschurch，nothavingspot，orwrinkle，oranysuchthing。"Ephesians5:27。Thenshewilllook"forthasthemorning，fairasthemoon，clearasthesun，andterribleasanarmywithbanners。"SongofSolomon6:10。

BesidesthecomingoftheLordtoHistemple，MalachialsoforetellsHissecondadvent，Hiscomingfortheexecutionofthejudgment，inthesewords:

"AndIwillcomenear426

toyoutojudgment；andIwillbeaswiftwitnessagainstthesorcerers，andagainsttheadulterers，andagainstfalseswearers，andagainstthosethatoppressthehirelinginhiswages，thewidow，andthefatherless，andthatturnasidethestrangerfromhisright，andfearnotMe，saiththeLordofhosts。"Malachi3:5。Judereferstothesamescenewhenhesays，"Behold，theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofHissaints，toexecutejudgmentuponall，andtoconvinceallthatareungodlyamongthemofalltheirungodlydeeds。"Jude14，15。Thiscoming，andthecomingoftheLordtoHistemple，aredistinctandseparateevents。

ThecomingofChristasourhighpriesttothemostholyplace，forthecleansingofthesanctuary，broughttoviewinDaniel8:14；thecomingoftheSonofmantotheAncientofDays，aspresentedinDaniel7:13；andthecomingoftheLordtoHistemple，foretoldbyMalachi，aredescriptionsofthesameevent；andthisisalsorepresentedbythecomingofthebridegroomtothemarriage，describedbyChristintheparableofthetenvirgins，ofMatthew25。

Inthesummerandautumnof1844theproclamation，"Behold，theBridegroomcometh，"wasgiven。Thetwoclassesrepresentedbythewiseandfoolishvirginswerethendeveloped——oneclasswholookedwithjoytotheLord’sappearing，andwhohadbeendiligentlypreparingtomeetHim；anotherclassthat，influencedbyfearandactingfromimpulse，hadbeensatisfiedwithatheoryofthetruth，butweredestituteofthegraceofGod。Intheparable，whenthebridegroomcame，"theythatwerereadywentinwithhimtothemarriage。"Thecomingofthebridegroom，herebroughttoview，takesplacebeforethemarriage。ThemarriagerepresentsthereceptionbyChristofHiskingdom。TheHolyCity，theNewJerusalem，whichisthecapitalandrepresentativeofthekingdom，iscalled"thebride，theLamb’swife。"SaidtheangeltoJohn:"Comehither，Iwillshowtheethebride，theLamb’swife。""Hecarriedmeawayinthespirit，"saystheprophet，"andshowedmethatgreatcity，theholyJerusalem，descendingoutofheavenfromGod。"

Revelation427

21:9，10。Clearly，then，thebriderepresentstheHolyCity，andthevirginsthatgoouttomeetthebridegroomareasymbolofthechurch。IntheRevelationthepeopleofGodaresaidtobetheguestsatthemarriagesupper。Revelation19:9。Ifguests，theycannotberepresentedalsoasthebride。Christ，asstatedbytheprophetDaniel，willreceivefromtheAncientofDaysinheaven，"dominion，andglory，andakingdom；"HewillreceivetheNewJerusalem，thecapitalofHiskingdom，"preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband。"Daniel7:14；Revelation21:2。Havingreceivedthekingdom，HewillcomeinHisglory，asKingofkingsandLordoflords，fortheredemptionofHispeople，whoareto"sitdownwithAbraham，andIsaac，andJacob，"atHistableinHiskingdom(Matthew8:11；Luke22:30)，topartakeofthemarriagesupperoftheLamb。

Theproclamation，"Behold，theBridegroomcometh，"inthesummerof1844，ledthousandstoexpecttheimmediateadventoftheLord。AttheappointedtimetheBridegroomcame，nottotheearth，asthepeopleexpected，buttotheAncientofDaysinheaven，tothemarriage，thereceptionofHiskingdom。"TheythatwerereadywentinwithHimtothemarriage:andthedoorwasshut。"Theywerenottobepresentinpersonatthemarriage；forittakesplaceinheaven，whiletheyareupontheearth。ThefollowersofChristareto"waitfortheirLord，whenHewillreturnfromthewedding。"

Luke12:36。ButtheyaretounderstandHiswork，andtofollowHimbyfaithasHegoesinbeforeGod。Itisinthissensethattheyaresaidtogointothemarriage。

Intheparableitwasthosethathadoilintheirvesselswiththeirlampsthatwentintothemarriage。Thosewho，withaknowledgeofthetruthfromtheScriptures，hadalsotheSpiritandgraceofGod，andwho，inthenightoftheirbittertrial，hadpatientlywaited，searchingtheBibleforclearerlight——thesesawthetruthconcerningthesanctuaryinheavenandtheSaviour’schangeinministration，andbyfaiththeyfollowedHiminHisworkinthesanctuaryabove。AndallwhothroughthetestimonyoftheScripturesacceptthe428

sametruths，followingChristbyfaithasHeentersinbeforeGodtoperformthelastworkofmediation，andatitsclosetoreceiveHiskingdom——allthesearerepresentedasgoingintothemarriage。

IntheparableofMatthew22thesamefigureofthemarriageisintroduced，andtheinvestigativejudgmentisclearlyrepresentedastakingplacebeforethemarriage。Previoustotheweddingthekingcomesintoseetheguests，toseeifallareattiredintheweddinggarment，thespotlessrobeofcharacterwashedandmadewhiteinthebloodoftheLamb。Matthew22:11；

Revelation7:14。Hewhoisfoundwantingiscastout，butallwhouponexaminationareseentohavetheweddinggarmentonareacceptedofGodandaccountedworthyofashareinHiskingdomandaseatuponHisthrone。Thisworkofexaminationofcharacter，ofdeterminingwhoarepreparedforthekingdomofGod，isthatoftheinvestigativejudgment，theclosingofworkinthesanctuaryabove。

Whentheworkofinvestigationshallbeended，whenthecasesofthosewhoinallageshaveprofessedtobefollowersofChristhavebeenexaminedanddecided，then，andnottillthen，probationwillclose，andthedoorofmercywillbeshut。Thusintheoneshortsentence，"TheythatwerereadywentinwithHimtothemarriage:andthedoorwasshut，"wearecarrieddownthroughtheSaviour’sfinalministration，tothetimewhenthegreatworkforman’ssalvationshallbecompleted。

Intheserviceoftheearthlysanctuary，which，aswehaveseen，isafigureoftheserviceintheheavenly，whenthehighpriestontheDayofAtonemententeredthemostholyplace，theministrationinthefirstapartmentceased。

Godcommanded:"Thereshallbenomaninthetabernacleofthecongregationwhenhegoethintomakeanatonementintheholyplace，untilhecomesout。"Leviticus16:17。SowhenChristenteredtheholyofholiestoperformtheclosingworkoftheatonement，HeceasedHisministrationinthefirstapartment。Butwhentheministrationinthefirstapartment429

ended，theministrationinthesecondapartmentbegan。WheninthetypicalservicethehighpriestlefttheholyontheDayofAtonement，hewentinbeforeGodtopresentthebloodofthesinofferinginbehalfofallIsraelwhotrulyrepentedoftheirsins。SoChristhadonlycompletedonepartofHisworkasourintercessor，toenteruponanotherportionofthework，andHestillpleadedHisbloodbeforetheFatherinbehalfofsinners。

ThissubjectwasnotunderstoodbyAdventistsin1844。AfterthepassingofthetimewhentheSaviourwasexpected，theystillbelievedHiscomingtobenear；theyheldthattheyhadreachedanimportantcrisisandthattheworkofChristasman’sintercessorbeforeGodhadceased。ItappearedtothemtobetaughtintheBiblethatman’sprobationwouldcloseashorttimebeforetheactualcomingoftheLordinthecloudsofheaven。Thisseemedevidentfromthosescriptureswhichpointtoatimewhenmenwillseek，knock，andcryatthedoorofmercy，anditwillnotbeopened。AnditwasaquestionwiththemwhetherthedatetowhichtheyhadlookedforthecomingofChristmightnotrathermarkthebeginningofthisperiodwhichwasimmediatelytoprecedeHiscoming。Havinggiventhewarningofthejudgmentnear，theyfeltthattheirworkfortheworldwasdone，andtheylosttheirburdenofsoulforthesalvationofsinners，whiletheboldandblasphemousscoffingoftheungodlyseemedtothemanotherevidencethattheSpiritofGodhadbeenwithdrawnfromtherejectersofHismercy。Allthisconfirmedtheminthebeliefthatprobationhadended，or，astheythenexpressedit，"thedoorofmercywasshut。"

Butclearerlightcamewiththeinvestigationofthesanctuaryquestion。

Theynowsawthattheywerecorrectinbelievingthattheendofthe2300

daysin1844markedanimportantcrisis。ButwhileitwastruethatthatdoorofhopeandmercybywhichmenhadforeighteenhundredyearsfoundaccesstoGod，wasclosed，anotherdoorwasopened，430

andforgivenessofsinswasofferedtomenthroughtheintercessionofChristinthemostholy。OnepartofHisministrationhadclosed，onlytogiveplacetoanother。Therewasstillan"opendoor"totheheavenlysanctuary，whereChristwasministeringinthesinner’sbehalf。

NowwasseentheapplicationofthosewordsofChristintheRevelation，addressedtothechurchatthisverytime:"ThesethingssaithHethatisholy，Hethatistrue，HethathaththekeyofDavid，Hethatopeneth，andnomanshutteth；andshutteth，andnomanopeneth；Iknowthyworks:behold，Ihavesetbeforetheeanopendoor，andnomancanshutit。"Revelation3:7，8。

ItisthosewhobyfaithfollowJesusinthegreatworkoftheatonementwhoreceivethebenefitsofHismediationintheirbehalf，whilethosewhorejectthelightwhichbringstoviewthisworkofministrationarenotbenefitedthereby。TheJewswhorejectedthelightgivenatChrist’sfirstadvent，andrefusedtobelieveonHimastheSaviouroftheworld，couldnotreceivepardonthroughHim。WhenJesusatHisascensionenteredbyHisownbloodintotheheavenlysanctuarytosheduponHisdisciplestheblessingsofHismediation，theJewswereleftintotaldarknesstocontinuetheiruselesssacrificesandofferings。Theministrationoftypesandshadowshadceased。ThatdoorbywhichmenhadformerlyfoundaccesstoGodwasnolongeropen。TheJewshadrefusedtoseekHimintheonlywaywherebyHecouldthenbefound，throughtheministrationinthesanctuaryinheaven。

ThereforetheyfoundnocommunionwithGod。Tothemthedoorwasshut。TheyhadnoknowledgeofChristasthetruesacrificeandtheonlymediatorbeforeGod；hencetheycouldnotreceivethebenefitsofHismediation。

TheconditionoftheunbelievingJewsillustratestheconditionofthecarelessandunbelievingamongprofessedChristians，whoarewillinglyignorantoftheworkofourmercifulHighPriest。Inthetypicalservice，whenthehighpriest431

enteredthemostholyplace，allIsraelwererequiredtogatheraboutthesanctuaryandinthemostsolemnmannerhumbletheirsoulsbeforeGod，thattheymightreceivethepardonoftheirsinsandnotbecutofffromthecongregation。HowmuchmoreessentialinthisantitypicalDayofAtonementthatweunderstandtheworkofourHighPriestandknowwhatdutiesarerequiredofus。

MencannotwithimpunityrejectthewarningwhichGodinmercysendsthem。A

messagewassentfromheaventotheworldinNoah’sday，andtheirsalvationdependeduponthemannerinwhichtheytreatedthatmessage。Becausetheyrejectedthewarning，theSpiritofGodwaswithdrawnfromthesinfulrace，andtheyperishedinthewatersoftheFlood。InthetimeofAbraham，mercyceasedtopleadwiththeguiltyinhabitantsofSodom，andallbutLotwithhiswifeandtwodaughterswereconsumedbythefiresentdownfromheaven。

SointhedaysofChrist。TheSonofGoddeclaredtotheunbelievingJewsofthatgeneration:"Yourhouseisleftuntoyoudesolate。"Matthew23:38。

Lookingdowntothelastdays，thesameInfinitePowerdeclares，concerningthosewho"receivednottheloveofthetruth，thattheymightbesaved":

"ForthiscauseGodshallsendthemstrongdelusion，thattheyshouldbelievealie:thattheyallmightbedamnedwhobelievednotthetruth，buthadpleasureinunrighteousness。"2Thessalonians2:10-12。AstheyrejecttheteachingsofHisword，GodwithdrawsHisSpiritandleavesthemtothedeceptionswhichtheylove。

ButChriststillintercedesinman’sbehalf，andlightwillbegiventothosewhoseekit。ThoughthiswasnotatfirstunderstoodbyAdventists，itwasafterwardmadeplainastheScriptureswhichdefinetheirtruepositionbegantoopenbeforethem。

Thepassingofthetimein1844wasfollowedbyaperiodofgreattrialtothosewhostillheldtheadventfaith。Theironlyrelief，sofarasascertainingtheirtruepositionwas432

concerned，wasthelightwhichdirectedtheirmindstothesanctuaryabove。

SomerenouncedtheirfaithintheirformerreckoningofthepropheticperiodsandascribedtohumanorsatanicagenciesthepowerfulinfluenceoftheHolySpiritwhichhadattendedtheadventmovement。AnotherclassfirmlyheldthattheLordhadledthemintheirpastexperience；andastheywaitedandwatchedandprayedtoknowthewillofGodtheysawthattheirgreatHighPriesthadentereduponanotherworkofministration，and，followingHimbyfaith，theywereledtoseealsotheclosingworkofthechurch。Theyhadaclearerunderstandingofthefirstandsecondangels’messages，andwerepreparedtoreceiveandgivetotheworldthesolemnwarningofthethirdangelofRevelation14。

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Chapter25

God’sLawImmutableThetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven，andtherewasseeninHistemplethearkofHistestament。"Revelation11:19。ThearkofGod’stestamentisintheholyofholies，thesecondapartmentofthesanctuary。Intheministrationoftheearthlytabernacle，whichserved"untotheexampleandshadowofheavenlythings，"thisapartmentwasopenedonlyuponthegreatDayofAtonementforthecleansingofthesanctuary。ThereforetheannouncementthatthetempleofGodwasopenedinheavenandthearkofHistestamentwasseenpointstotheopeningofthemostholyplaceoftheheavenlysanctuaryin1844asChristenteredtheretoperformtheclosingworkoftheatonement。ThosewhobyfaithfollowedtheirgreatHighPriestasHeentereduponHisministryinthemostholyplace，beheldthearkofHistestament。AstheyhadstudiedthesubjectofthesanctuarytheyhadcometounderstandtheSaviour’schangeofministration，andtheysawthatHewasnowofficiatingbeforethearkofGod，pleadingHisbloodinbehalfofsinners。

Thearkinthetabernacleonearthcontainedthetwotablesofstone，uponwhichwereinscribedthepreceptsofthelawofGod。Thearkwasmerelyareceptacleforthetablesofthelaw，andthepresenceofthesedivinepreceptsgavetoititsvalueandsacredness。WhenthetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven，thearkofHistestamentwasseen。

434

Withintheholyofholies，inthesanctuaryinheaven，thedivinelawissacredlyenshrined——thelawthatwasspokenbyGodHimselfamidthethundersofSinaiandwrittenwithHisownfingeronthetablesofstone。

ThelawofGodinthesanctuaryinheavenisthegreatoriginal，ofwhichthepreceptsinscribeduponthetablesofstoneandrecordedbyMosesinthePentateuchwereanunerringtranscript。Thosewhoarrivedatanunderstandingofthisimportantpointwerethusledtoseethesacred，unchangingcharacterofthedivinelaw。Theysaw，asneverbefore，theforceoftheSaviour’swords:"Tillheavenandearthpass，onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepassfromthelaw。"Matthew5:18。ThelawofGod，beingarevelationofHiswill，atranscriptofHischaracter，mustforeverendure，"asafaithfulwitnessinheaven。"Notonecommandhasbeenannulled；notajotortittlehasbeenchanged。Saysthepsalmist:"Forever，OLord，Thywordissettledinheaven。""AllHiscommandmentsaresure。Theystandfastforeverandever。"Psalms119:89；111:7，8。

IntheverybosomoftheDecalogueisthefourthcommandment，asitwasfirstproclaimed:"RemembertheSabbathday，tokeepitholy。Sixdaysshaltthoulabor，anddoallthywork:buttheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordthyGod:initthoushaltnotdoanywork，thou，northyson，northydaughter，thymanservant，northymaidservant，northycattle，northystrangerthatiswithinthygates:forinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth，thesea，andallthatinthemis，andrestedtheseventhday:

whereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathday，andhallowedit。"Exodus20:8-11。

TheSpiritofGodimpressedtheheartsofthosestudentsofHisword。TheconvictionwasurgeduponthemthattheyhadignorantlytransgressedthispreceptbydisregardingtheCreator’srestday。TheybegantoexaminethereasonsforobservingthefirstdayoftheweekinsteadofthedaywhichGodhadsanctified。Theycouldfindnoevidenceinthe435

Scripturesthatthefourthcommandmenthadbeenabolished，orthattheSabbathhadbeenchanged；theblessingwhichfirsthallowedtheseventhdayhadneverbeenremoved。TheyhadbeenhonestlyseekingtoknowandtodoGod’swill；now，astheysawthemselvestransgressorsofHislaw，sorrowfilledtheirhearts，andtheymanifestedtheirloyaltytoGodbykeepingHisSabbathholy。

Manyandearnestweretheeffortsmadetooverthrowtheirfaith。Nonecouldfailtoseethatiftheearthlysanctuarywasafigureorpatternoftheheavenly，thelawdepositedinthearkonearthwasanexacttranscriptofthelawinthearkinheaven；andthatanacceptanceofthetruthconcerningtheheavenlysanctuaryinvolvedanacknowledgmentoftheclaimsofGod’slawandtheobligationoftheSabbathofthefourthcommandment。HerewasthesecretofthebitteranddeterminedoppositiontotheharmoniousexpositionoftheScripturesthatrevealedtheministrationofChristintheheavenlysanctuary。MensoughttoclosethedoorwhichGodhadopened，andtoopenthedoorwhichHehadclosed。But"Hethatopeneth，andnomanshutteth；andshutteth，andnomanopeneth，"haddeclared:"Behold，Ihavesetbeforetheeanopendoor，andnomancanshutit。"Revelation3:7，8。Christhadopenedthedoor，orministration，ofthemostholyplace，lightwasshiningfromthatopendoorofthesanctuaryinheaven，andthefourthcommandmentwasshowntobeincludedinthelawwhichisthereenshrined；whatGodhadestablished，nomancouldoverthrow。

ThosewhohadacceptedthelightconcerningthemediationofChristandtheperpetuityofthelawofGodfoundthatthesewerethetruthspresentedinRevelation14。Themessagesofthischapterconstituteathreefoldwarning(seeAppendix)whichistopreparetheinhabitantsoftheearthfortheLord’ssecondcoming。Theannouncement，"ThehourofHisjudgmentiscome，"

pointstotheclosingworkofChrist’sministrationforthesalvationofmen。Itheraldsa436

truthwhichmustbeproclaimeduntiltheSaviour’sintercessionshallceaseandHeshallreturntotheearthtotakeHispeopletoHimself。Theworkofjudgmentwhichbeganin1844mustcontinueuntilthecasesofallaredecided，bothofthelivingandthedead；henceitwillextendtothecloseofhumanprobation。Thatmenmaybepreparedtostandinthejudgment，themessagecommandsthemto"fearGod，andgiveglorytoHim，""andworshipHimthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。"Theresultofanacceptanceofthesemessagesisgivenintheword:"HerearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andthefaithofJesus。"Inordertobepreparedforthejudgment，itisnecessarythatmenshouldkeepthelawofGod。Thatlawwillbethestandardofcharacterinthejudgment。TheapostlePauldeclares:"Asmanyashavesinnedinthelawshallbejudgedbythelaw，……inthedaywhenGodshalljudgethesecretsofmenbyJesusChrist。"Andhesaysthat"thedoersofthelawshallbejustified。"Romans2:12-16。FaithisessentialinordertothekeepingofthelawofGod；for"withoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseHim。"And"whatsoeverisnotoffaithissin。"Hebrews11:6；Romans14:23。

Bythefirstangel，menarecalleduponto"fearGod，andgiveglorytoHim"

andtoworshipHimastheCreatoroftheheavensandtheearth。Inordertodothis，theymustobeyHislaw。Saysthewiseman:"FearGod，andkeepHiscommandments:forthisisthewholedutyofman。"Ecclesiastes12:13。

WithoutobediencetoHiscommandmentsnoworshipcanbepleasingtoGod。

"ThisistheloveofGod，thatwekeepHiscommandments。""Hethatturnethawayhisearfromhearingthelaw，evenhisprayershallbeabomination。"

1John5:3；Proverbs28:9。

ThedutytoworshipGodisbaseduponthefactthatHeistheCreatorandthattoHimallotherbeingsowetheirexistence。Andwherever，intheBible，Hisclaimtoreverenceandworship，abovethegodsoftheheathen，ispresented，437

thereiscitedtheevidenceofHiscreativepower。"Allthegodsofthenationsareidols:buttheLordmadetheheavens。"Psalm96:5。"TowhomthenwillyelikenMe，orshallIbeequal？saiththeHolyOne。Liftupyoureyesonhigh，andbeholdwhohathcreatedthesethings。""ThussaiththeLordthatcreatedtheheavens；GodHimselfthatformedtheearthandmadeit:……IamtheLord；andthereisnoneelse。"Isaiah40:25，26；45:18。Saysthepsalmist:"KnowyethattheLordHeisGod:itisHethathathmadeus，andnotweourselves。""Ocome，letusworshipandbowdown:letuskneelbeforetheLordourMaker。"Psalms100:3；95:6。AndtheholybeingswhoworshipGodinheavenstate，asthereasonwhytheirhomageisduetoHim:"Thouartworthy，OLord，toreceivegloryandhonorandpower:forThouhastcreatedallthings。"Revelation4:11。

InRevelation14，menarecalledupontoworshiptheCreator；andtheprophecybringstoviewaclassthat，astheresultofthethreefoldmessage，arekeepingthecommandmentsofGod。OneofthesecommandmentspointsdirectlytoGodastheCreator。Thefourthpreceptdeclares:"TheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordthyGod:……forinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth，thesea，andallthatinthemis，andrestedtheseventhday:whereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathday，andhallowedit。"

Exodus20:10，11。ConcerningtheSabbath，theLordsays，further，thatitis"asign，……thatyemayknowthatIamtheLordyourGod。"Ezekiel20:20。

Andthereasongivenis:"ForinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth，andontheseventhdayHerested，andwasrefreshed。"Exodus31:17。

"TheimportanceoftheSabbathasthememorialofcreationisthatitkeepseverpresentthetruereasonwhyworshipisduetoGod"——becauseHeistheCreator，andweareHiscreatures。"TheSabbaththereforeliesattheveryfoundationofdivineworship，foritteachesthisgreattruthinthemostimpressivemanner，andnootherinstitutiondoesthis。Thetruegroundofdivineworship，notofthatontheseventhday438

merely，butofallworship，isfoundinthedistinctionbetweentheCreatorandHiscreatures。Thisgreatfactcanneverbecomeobsolete，andmustneverbeforgotten。"——J。N。Andrews，HistoryoftheSabbath，chapter27。Itwastokeepthistrutheverbeforethemindsofmen，thatGodinstitutedtheSabbathinEden；andsolongasthefactthatHeisourCreatorcontinuestobeareasonwhyweshouldworshipHim，solongtheSabbathwillcontinueasitssignandmemorial。HadtheSabbathbeenuniversallykept，man’sthoughtsandaffectionswouldhavebeenledtotheCreatorastheobjectofreverenceandworship，andtherewouldneverhavebeenanidolater，anatheist，oraninfidel。ThekeepingoftheSabbathisasignofloyaltytothetrueGod，"Himthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。"

ItfollowsthatthemessagewhichcommandsmentoworshipGodandkeepHiscommandmentswillespeciallycalluponthemtokeepthefourthcommandment。

IncontrasttothosewhokeepthecommandmentsofGodandhavethefaithofJesus，thethirdangelpointstoanotherclass，againstwhoseerrorsasolemnandfearfulwarningisuttered:"Ifanymanworshipthebeastandhisimage，andreceivehismarkinhisforehead，orinhishand，thesameshalldrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod。"Revelation14:9，10。Acorrectinterpretationofthesymbolsemployedisnecessarytoanunderstandingofthismessage。Whatisrepresentedbythebeast，theimage，themark？

ThelineofprophecyinwhichthesesymbolsarefoundbeginswithRevelation12，withthedragonthatsoughttodestroyChristatHisbirth。ThedragonissaidtobeSatan(Revelation12:9)；heitwasthatmoveduponHerodtoputtheSaviourtodeath。ButthechiefagentofSataninmakingwaruponChristandHispeopleduringthefirstcenturiesoftheChristianErawastheRomanEmpire，inwhichpaganismwastheprevailingreligion。Thuswhilethedragon，primarily，representsSatan，itis，inasecondarysense，asymbolofpaganRome。

439

Inchapter13(verses1-10)isdescribedanotherbeast，"likeuntoaleopard，"towhichthedragongave"hispower，andhisseat，andgreatauthority。"Thissymbol，asmostProtestantshavebelieved，representsthepapacy，whichsucceededtothepowerandseatandauthorityonceheldbytheancientRomanempire。Oftheleopardlikebeastitisdeclared:"Therewasgivenuntohimamouthspeakinggreatthingsandblasphemies……AndheopenedhismouthinblasphemyagainstGod，toblasphemeHisname，andHistabernacle，andthemthatdwellinheaven。Anditwasgivenuntohimtomakewarwiththesaints，andtoovercomethem:andpowerwasgivenhimoverallkindreds，andtongues，andnations。"Thisprophecy，whichisnearlyidenticalwiththedescriptionofthelittlehornofDaniel7，unquestionablypointstothepapacy。

"Powerwasgivenuntohimtocontinuefortyandtwomonths。"And，saystheprophet，"Isawoneofhisheadsasitwerewoundedtodeath。"Andagain:

"Hethatleadethintocaptivityshallgointocaptivity:hethatkillethwiththeswordmustbekilledwiththesword。"Thefortyandtwomonthsarethesameasthe"timeandtimesandthedividingoftime，"threeyearsandahalf，or1260days，ofDaniel7——thetimeduringwhichthepapalpowerwastooppressGod’speople。Thisperiod，asstatedinprecedingchapters，beganwiththesupremacyofthepapacy，A。D。538，andterminatedin1798。AtthattimethepopewasmadecaptivebytheFrencharmy，thepapalpowerreceiveditsdeadlywound，andthepredictionwasfulfilled，"Hethatleadethintocaptivityshallgointocaptivity。"

Atthispointanothersymbolisintroduced。Saystheprophet:"Ibeheldanotherbeastcomingupoutoftheearth；andhehadtwohornslikealamb。"

VerseII。Boththeappearanceofthisbeastandthemannerofitsriseindicatethatthenationwhichitrepresentsisunlikethosepresentedundertheprecedingsymbols。ThegreatkingdomsthathaveruledtheworldwerepresentedtotheprophetDanielas440

beastsofprey，risingwhen"thefourwindsoftheheavenstroveuponthegreatsea。"Daniel7:2。InRevelation17anangelexplainedthatwatersrepresent"peoples，andmultitudes，andnations，andtongues。"Revelation17:15。Windsareasymbolofstrife。Thefourwindsofheavenstrivinguponthegreatsearepresenttheterriblescenesofconquestandrevolutionbywhichkingdomshaveattainedtopower。

Butthebeastwithlamblikehornswasseen"comingupoutoftheearth。"

Insteadofoverthrowingotherpowerstoestablishitself，thenationthusrepresentedmustariseinterritorypreciouslyunoccupiedandgrowupgraduallyandpeacefully。Itcouldnot，then，ariseamongthecrowdedandstrugglingnationalitiesoftheOldWorld——thatturbulentseaof"peoples，andmultitudes，andnations，andtongues。"ItmustbesoughtintheWesternContinent。

WhatnationoftheNewWorldwasin1798risingintopower，givingpromiseofstrengthandgreatness，andattractingtheattentionoftheworld？Theapplicationofthesymboladmitsofnoquestion。Onenation，andonlyone，meetsthespecificationsofthisprophecy；itpointsunmistakablytotheUnitedStatesofAmerica。Againandagainthethought，almosttheexactwords，ofthesacredwriterhasbeenunconsciouslyemployedbytheoratorandthehistorianindescribingtheriseandgrowthofthisnation。Thebeastwasseen"comingupoutoftheearth；"and，accordingtothetranslators，thewordhererendered"comingup"literallysignifies"togroworspringupasaplant。"And，aswehaveseen，thenationmustariseinterritorypreviouslyunoccupied。Aprominentwriter，describingtheriseoftheUnitedStates，speaksof"themysteryofhercomingforthfromvacancy，"

andsays:"Likeasilentseedwegrewintoempire。"——G。A。Townsend，TheNewWorldComparedWiththeOld，page462。AEuropeanjournalin1850spokeoftheUnitedStatesasawonderfulempire，whichwas"emerging，"and"amidthesilenceoftheearthdailyaddingtoitspowerandpride。"——TheDublinNation。EdwardEverett，inanorationon441

thePilgrimfoundersofthisnation，said:"Didtheylookforaretiredspot，inoffensiveforitsobscurity，andsafeinitsremoteness，wherethelittlechurchofLeydenmightenjoythefreedomofconscience？Beholdthemightyregionsoverwhich，inpeacefulconquest，……theyhavebornethebannersofthecross！"——SpeechdeliveredatPlymouth，Massachusetts，Dec。

22，1824，page11。

"Andhehadtwohornslikealamb。"Thelamblikehornsindicateyouth，innocence，andgentleness，fitlyrepresentingthecharacteroftheUnitedStateswhenpresentedtotheprophetas"comingup"in1798。AmongtheChristianexileswhofirstfledtoAmericaandsoughtanasylumfromroyaloppressionandpriestlyintoleranceweremanywhodeterminedtoestablishagovernmentuponthebroadfoundationofcivilandreligiousliberty。TheirviewsfoundplaceintheDeclarationofIndependence，whichsetsforththegreattruththat"allmenarecreatedequal"andendowedwiththeinalienablerightto"life，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。"AndtheConstitutionguaranteestothepeopletherightofself-government，providingthatrepresentativeselectedbythepopularvoteshallenactandadministerthelaws。Freedomofreligiousfaithwasalsogranted，everymanbeingpermittedtoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesofhisconscience。

RepublicanismandProtestantismbecamethefundamentalprinciplesofthenation。Theseprinciplesarethesecretofitspowerandprosperity。TheoppressedanddowntroddenthroughoutChristendomhaveturnedtothislandwithinterestandhope。Millionshavesoughtitsshores，andtheUnitedStateshasrisentoaplaceamongthemostpowerfulnationsoftheearth。

Butthebeastwithlamblikehorns"spakeasadragon。Andheexercisethallthepowerofthefirstbeastbeforehim，andcauseththeearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthefirstbeast，whosedeadlywoundwashealed；……sayingtothemthatdwellontheearth，thattheyshouldmake442

animagetothebeast，whichhadthewoundbyasword，anddidlive。"

Revelation13:11-14。

Thelamblikehornsanddragonvoiceofthesymbolpointtoastrikingcontradictionbetweentheprofessionsandthepracticeofthenationthusrepresented。The"speaking"ofthenationistheactionofitslegislativeandjudicialauthorities。Bysuchactionitwillgivethelietothoseliberalandpeacefulprincipleswhichithasputforthasthefoundationofitspolicy。Thepredictionthatitwillspeak"asadragon"andexercise"allthepowerofthefirstbeast"plainlyforetellsadevelopmentofthespiritofintoleranceandpersecutionthatwasmanifestedbythenationsrepresentedbythedragonandtheleopardlikebeast。Andthestatementthatthebeastwithtwohorns"causeththeearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthefirstbeast"indicatesthattheauthorityofthisnationistobeexercisedinenforcingsomeobservancewhichshallbeanactofhomagetothepapacy。

Suchactionwouldbedirectlycontrarytotheprinciplesofthisgovernment，tothegeniusofitsfreeinstitutions，tothedirectandsolemnavowalsoftheDeclarationofIndependence，andtotheConstitution。Thefoundersofthenationwiselysoughttoguardagainsttheemploymentofsecularpoweronthepartofthechurch，withitsinevitableresult——intoleranceandpersecution。TheConstitutionprovidesthat"Congressshallmakenolawrespectinganestablishmentofreligion，orprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof，"andthat"noreligioustestshalleverberequiredasaqualificationtoanyofficeofpublictrustundertheUnitedStates。"Onlyinflagrantviolationofthesesafeguardstothenation’sliberty，cananyreligiousobservancebeenforcedbycivilauthority。Buttheinconsistencyofsuchactionisnogreaterthanisrepresentedinthesymbol。Itisthebeastwithlamblikehorns——inprofessionpure，gentle，andharmless——thatspeaksasadragon。

"Sayingtothemthatdwellontheearth，thattheyshould443

makeanimagetothebeast。"Hereisclearlypresentedaformofgovernmentinwhichthelegislativepowerrestswiththepeople，amoststrikingevidencethattheUnitedStatesisthenationdenotedintheprophecy。

Butwhatisthe"imagetothebeast"？andhowisittobeformed？Theimageismadebythetwo-hornedbeast，andisanimagetothebeast。Itisalsocalledanimageofthebeast。Thentolearnwhattheimageislikeandhowitistobeformedwemuststudythecharacteristicsofthebeastitself——thepapacy。

Whentheearlychurchbecamecorruptedbydepartingfromthesimplicityofthegospelandacceptingheathenritesandcustoms，shelosttheSpiritandpowerofGod；andinordertocontroltheconsciencesofthepeople，shesoughtthesupportofthesecularpower。Theresultwasthepapacy，achurchthatcontrolledthepowerofthestateandemployedittofurtherherownends，especiallyforthepunishmentof"heresy。"InorderfortheUnitedStatestoformanimageofthebeast，thereligiouspowermustsocontrolthecivilgovernmentthattheauthorityofthestatewillalsobeemployedbythechurchtoaccomplishherownends。

Wheneverthechurchhasobtainedsecularpower，shehasemployedittopunishdissentfromherdoctrines。ProtestantchurchesthathavefollowedinthestepsofRomebyformingalliancewithworldlypowershavemanifestedasimilardesiretorestrictlibertyofconscience。Anexampleofthisisgiveninthelong-continuedpersecutionofdissentersbytheChurchofEngland。Duringthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies，thousandsofnonconformistministerswereforcedtofleefromtheirchurches，andmany，bothofpastorsandpeople，weresubjectedtofine，imprisonment，torture，andmartyrdom。

Itwasapostasythatledtheearlychurchtoseektheaidofthecivilgovernment，andthispreparedthewayforthedevelopmentofthepapacy——thebeast。SaidPaul:"There"shall"comeafallingaway，……andthatmanofsinbe444

revealed。"2Thessalonians2:3。Soapostasyinthechurchwillpreparethewayfortheimagetothebeast。

TheBibledeclaresthatbeforethecomingoftheLordtherewillexistastateofreligiousdeclensionsimilartothatinthefirstcenturies。"Inthelastdaysperiloustimesshallcome。Formenshallbeloversoftheirownselves，covetous，boasters，proud，blasphemers，disobedienttoparents，unthankful，unholy，withoutnaturalaffection，trucebreakers，falseaccusers，incontinent，fierce，despisersofthosethataregood，traitors，heady，high-minded，loversofpleasuresmorethanloversofGod；havingaformofgodliness，butdenyingthepowerthereof。"2Timothy3:1-5。"NowtheSpiritspeakethexpressly，thatinthelattertimessomeshalldepartfromthefaith，givingheedtoseducingspirits，anddoctrinesofdevils。"1

Timothy4:1。Satanwillwork"withallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders，andwithalldeceivablenessofunrighteousness。"Andallthat"receivednottheloveofthetruth，thattheymightbesaved，"willbelefttoaccept"strongdelusion，thattheyshouldbelievealie。"2Thessalonians2:9-11。

Whenthisstateofungodlinessshallbereached，thesameresultswillfollowasinthefirstcenturies。

ThewidediversityofbeliefintheProtestantchurchesisregardedbymanyasdecisiveproofthatnoefforttosecureaforceduniformitycaneverbemade。Buttherehasbeenforyears，inchurchesoftheProtestantfaith，astrongandgrowingsentimentinfavorofaunionbaseduponcommonpointsofdoctrine。Tosecuresuchaunion，thediscussionofsubjectsuponwhichallwerenotagreed——howeverimportanttheymightbefromaBiblestandpoint——mustnecessarilybewaived。

CharlesBeecher，inasermonintheyear1846，declaredthattheministryof"theevangelicalProtestantdenominations"is"notonlyformedallthewayupunderatremendouspressureofmerelyhumanfear，buttheylive，andmove，andbreatheinastateofthingsradicallycorrupt，andappealingeveryhourtoeverybaserelementoftheirnaturetohushup445

thetruth，andbowthekneetothepowerofapostasy。WasnotthisthewaythingswentwithRome？Arewenotlivingherlifeoveragain？Andwhatdoweseejustahead？Anothergeneralcouncil！Aworld’sconvention！Evangelicalalliance，anduniversalcreed！"——Sermonon"TheBibleaSufficientCreed，"

deliveredatFortWayne，Indiana，Feb。22，1846。Whenthisshallbegained，then，intheefforttosecurecompleteuniformity，itwillbeonlyasteptotheresorttoforce。

WhentheleadingchurchesoftheUnitedStates，unitinguponsuchpointsofdoctrineasareheldbythemincommon，shallinfluencethestatetoenforcetheirdecreesandtosustaintheirinstitutions，thenProtestantAmericawillhaveformedanimageoftheRomanhierarchy，andtheinflictionofcivilpenaltiesupondissenterswillinevitablyresult。

Thebeastwithtwohorns"causeth[commands]all，bothsmallandgreat，richandpoor，freeandbond，toreceiveamarkintheirrighthand，orintheirforeheads:andthatnomanmightbuyorsell，savehethathadthemark，orthenameofthebeast，orthenumberofhisname。"Revelation13:16，17。Thethirdangel’swarningis:"Ifanymanworshipthebeastandhisimage，andreceivehismarkinhisforehead，orinhishand，thesameshalldrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod。""Thebeast"mentionedinthismessage，whoseworshipisenforcedbythetwo-hornedbeast，isthefirst，orleopardlikebeastofRevelation13——thepapacy。The"imagetothebeast"representsthatformofapostateProtestantismwhichwillbedevelopedwhentheProtestantchurchesshallseektheaidofthecivilpowerfortheenforcementoftheirdogmas。The"markofthebeast"stillremainstobedefined。

Afterthewarningagainsttheworshipofthebeastandhisimagetheprophecydeclares:"HerearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andthefaithofJesus。"SincethosewhokeepGod’scommandmentsarethusplacedincontrastwiththosethatworshipthebeastandhisimageandreceivehismark，itfollowsthatthekeepingofGod’slaw，onthe446

onehand，anditsviolation，ontheother，willmakethedistinctionbetweentheworshipersofGodandtheworshipersofthebeast。

Thespecialcharacteristicofthebeast，andthereforeofhisimage，isthebreakingofGod’scommandments。SaysDaniel，ofthelittlehorn，thepapacy:

"Heshallthinktochangetimesandthelaw。"Daniel7:25，R。V。AndPaulstyledthesamepowerthe"manofsin，"whowastoexalthimselfaboveGod。

Oneprophecyisacomplementoftheother。OnlybychangingGod’slawcouldthepapacyexaltitselfaboveGod；whoevershouldunderstandinglykeepthelawasthuschangedwouldbegivingsupremehonortothatpowerbywhichthechangewasmade。SuchanactofobediencetopapallawswouldbeamarkofallegiancetothepopeintheplaceofGod。

ThepapacyhasattemptedtochangethelawofGod。Thesecondcommandment，forbiddingimageworship，hasbeendroppedfromthelaw，andthefourthcommandmenthasbeensochangedastoauthorizetheobservanceofthefirstinsteadoftheseventhdayastheSabbath。Butpapistsurge，asareasonforomittingthesecondcommandment，thatitisunnecessary，beingincludedinthefirst，andthattheyaregivingthelawexactlyasGoddesignedittobeunderstood。Thiscannotbethechangeforetoldbytheprophet。Anintentional，deliberatechangeispresented:"Heshallthinktochangethetimesandthelaw。"Thechangeinthefourthcommandmentexactlyfulfillstheprophecy。Forthistheonlyauthorityclaimedisthatofthechurch。

HerethepapalpoweropenlysetsitselfaboveGod。

WhiletheworshipersofGodwillbeespeciallydistinguishedbytheirregardforthefourthcommandments，——sincethisisthesignofHiscreativepowerandthewitnesstoHisclaimuponman’sreverenceandhomage，——theworshipersofthebeastwillbedistinguishedbytheireffortstoteardowntheCreator’smemorial，toexalttheinstitutionofRome。ItwasinbehalfoftheSundaythatpoperyfirstassertedits447

arrogantclaims(seeAppendix)；anditsfirstresorttothepowerofthestatewastocompeltheobservanceofSundayas"theLord’sday。"ButtheBiblepointstotheseventhday，andnottothefirst，astheLord’sday。

SaidChrist:"TheSonofmanisLordalsooftheSabbath。"Thefourthcommandmentdeclares:"TheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLord。"AndbytheprophetIsaiahtheLorddesignatesit:"Myholyday。"Mark2:28；Isaiah58:13。

TheclaimsooftenputforththatChristchangedtheSabbathisdisprovedbyHisownwords。InHisSermonontheMountHesaid:"ThinknotthatIamcometodestroythelaw，ortheprophets:Iamnotcometodestroy，buttofulfill。ForverilyIsayuntoyou，Tillheavenandearthpass，onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepassfromthelaw，tillallbefulfilled。

Whosoeverthereforeshallbreakoneoftheseleastcommandments，andshallteachmenso，heshallbecalledtheleastinthekingdomofheaven:butwhosoevershalldoandteachthem，thesameshallbecalledgreatinthekingdomofheaven，"Matthew5:17-19。

ItisafactgenerallyadmittedbyProtestantsthattheScripturesgivenoauthorityforthechangeoftheSabbath。ThisisplainlystatedinpublicationsissuedbytheAmericanTractSocietyandtheAmericanSundaySchoolUnion。Oneoftheseworksacknowledges"thecompletesilenceoftheNewTestamentsofarasanyexplicitcommandfortheSabbath[Sunday，thefirstdayoftheweek]ordefiniterulesforitsobservanceareconcerned。"——GeorgeElliott，TheAbidingSabbath，page184。

Anothersays:"UptothetimeofChrist’sdeath，nochangehadbeenmadeintheday；"and，"sofarastherecordshows，they[theapostles]didnot……giveanyexplicitcommandenjoiningtheabandonmentoftheseventh-daySabbath，anditsobservanceonthefirstdayoftheweek。"——A。E。Waffle，TheLord’sDay，pages186-188。

RomanCatholicsacknowledgethatthechangeoftheSabbathwasmadebytheirchurch，anddeclarethatProtestants448

byobservingtheSundayarerecognizingherpower。IntheCatholicCatechismofChristianReligion，inanswertoaquestionastothedaytobeobservedinobediencetothefourthcommandment，thisstatementismade:"Duringtheoldlaw，Saturdaywasthedaysanctified；butthechurch，instructedbyJesusChrist，anddirectedbytheSpiritofGod，hassubstitutedSundayforSaturday；sonowwesanctifythefirst，nottheseventhday。Sundaymeans，andnowis，thedayoftheLord。"

AsthesignoftheauthorityoftheCatholicChurch，papistwriterscite"theveryactofchangingtheSabbathintoSunday，whichProtestantsallowof；……becausebykeepingSunday，theyacknowledgethechurch’spowertoordainfeasts，andtocommandthemundersin。"——HenryTuberville，AnAbridgmentoftheChristianDoctrine，page58。WhatthenisthechangeoftheSabbath，butthesign，ormark，oftheauthorityoftheRomanChurch——"themarkofthebeast"？

TheRomanChurchhasnotrelinquishedherclaimtosupremacy；andwhentheworldandtheProtestantchurchesacceptasabbathofhercreating，whiletheyrejecttheBibleSabbath，theyvirtuallyadmitthisassumption。TheymayclaimtheauthorityoftraditionandoftheFathersforthechange；butinsodoingtheyignoretheveryprinciplewhichseparatesthemfromRome——that"theBible，andtheBibleonly，isthereligionofProtestants。"

Thepapistcanseethattheyaredeceivingthemselves，willinglyclosingtheireyestothefactsinthecase。AsthemovementforSundayenforcementgainsfavor，herejoices，feelingassuredthatitwilleventuallybringthewholeProtestantworldunderthebannerofRome。

Romanistsdeclarethat"theobservanceofSundaybytheProtestantsisanhomagetheypay，inspiteofthemselves，totheauthorityofthe[Catholic]

Church。"——Mgr。Segur，PlainTalkAbouttheProtestantismofToday，page213。

TheenforcementofSundaykeepingonthepartofProtestantchurchesisanenforcementoftheworshipofthepapacy——ofthebeast。Thosewho，understandingtheclaimsofthefourth449

commandment，choosetoobservethefalseinsteadofthetrueSabbatharetherebypayinghomagetothatpowerbywhichaloneitiscommanded。Butintheveryactofenforcingareligiousdutybysecularpower，thechurcheswouldthemselvesformanimagetothebeast；hencetheenforcementofSundaykeepingintheUnitedStateswouldbeanenforcementoftheworshipofthebeastandhisimage。

ButChristiansofpastgenerationsobservedtheSunday，supposingthatinsodoingtheywerekeepingtheBibleSabbath；andtherearenowtrueChristiansineverychurch，notexceptingtheRomanCatholiccommunion，whohonestlybelievethatSundayistheSabbathofdivineappointment。GodacceptstheirsincerityofpurposeandtheirintegritybeforeHim。ButwhenSundayobservanceshallbeenforcedbylaw，andtheworldshallbeenlightenedconcerningtheobligationofthetrueSabbath，thenwhoevershalltransgressthecommandofGod，toobeyapreceptwhichhasnohigherauthoritythanthatofRome，willtherebyhonorpoperyaboveGod。HeispayinghomagetoRomeandtothepowerwhichenforcestheinstitutionordainedbyRome。Heisworshippingthebeastandhisimage。AsmenthenrejecttheinstitutionwhichGodhasdeclaredtobethesignofHisauthority，andhonorinitssteadthatwhichRomehaschosenasthetokenofhersupremacy，theywilltherebyacceptthesignofallegiancetoRome——"themarkofthebeast。"Anditisnotuntiltheissueisthusplainlysetbeforethepeople，andtheyarebroughttochoosebetweenthecommandmentsofGodandthecommandmentsofmen，thatthosewhocontinueintransgressionwillreceive"themarkofthebeast。"