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         Last Day Events
      
      
        authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish
      
      
        her own ends....
      
      
        The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protes-
      
      
        tantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall
      
      
        seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.—
      
      
        The Great Controversy, 443, 445
      
      
        (1911).
      
      
        Probation Closes When the Sealing Is Finished
      
      
        Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received
      
      
        the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold
      
      
         [229]
      
      
        the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose
      
      
        against nation, and the whole world was in confusion.—
      
      
        The S.D.A.
      
      
        Bible Commentary 7:968
      
      
        (1846).
      
      
        I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s
      
      
        inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that
      
      
        his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then
      
      
        I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the
      
      
        ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and
      
      
        with a loud voice said, “It is done.“—
      
      
        Early Writings, 279
      
      
        (1858).
      
      
        Only a moment of time, as it were, yet remains. But while already
      
      
        nation is rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom, there is
      
      
        not now a general engagement. As yet the four winds are held until the
      
      
        servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the powers of
      
      
        earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle.—
      
      
        Testimonies
      
      
        for the Church 6:14
      
      
        (1900).
      
      
        An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done;
      
      
        the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved
      
      
        themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the
      
      
        living God.” Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above.
      
      
        He lifts His hands, and with a loud voice says, “It is done.”—
      
      
        The Great
      
      
        Controversy, 613
      
      
        (1911).
      
      
        Probation Will End Suddenly, Unexpectedly
      
      
        When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are forever
      
      
        decided.... Probation closes; Christ’s intercessions cease in heaven.
      
      
         [230]
      
      
        This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those who have ne-