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January 4 Gifts Available to All
God’s Justice a Blessing
“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness
is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8).
[God] desires that all the inhabitants of the universe shall be convinced
of His justice in the final overthrow of rebellion and the eradication
of sin. He purposes that the real nature and direful effects of
sin shall be clearly manifested to the end that all may be assured of
the wisdom and justice of the divine government. 9
In matters concerning the kingdom of Christ no compulsion or
forcing of conscience is permitted. No blood is to be shed, no force of
arms employed, no prison is to be opened for the incarceration of one
who does not choose the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Christ will accept only of the voluntary service of the heart which has
been sanctified through the truth. 10
The judgment scene will take place in the presence of all the
worlds; for in this judgment the government of God will be vindicated,
and His law will stand forth as “holy, and just, and good”
(Romans 7:12). Then every case will be decided, and sentence will be
passed upon all. Sin will not then appear attractive, but will be seen
in all its hideous magnitude. . . .
Every deed, small and great, is to be brought into recognition.
That which has been considered trivial here will then appear as it is.
The two mites of the widow will be recognized. The cup of cold water
offered, the prison visited, the hungry fed—each will bring its own
reward. And that unfulfilled duty, that selfish act, will not be forgotten.
In the open court around the throne of God it will appear a very
different thing from what it did when it was performed. . . .
The character which we now manifest is deciding our future destiny.
The happiness of heaven will be found by conforming to the
will of God. . . . God knows who are the loyal and true subjects of His
kingdom on earth, and those who do His will upon earth, as it is
done in heaven, will be made the members of the royal family
above. 11
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