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be to immortalize transgression； and place the world under Satan's control。 It was because the law was changeless； because man could be saved only through obedience to its precepts； that Jesus was lifted up on the cross。 Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan represented as destroying it。 Here will come the last conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan。
That the law which was spoken by God's own voice is faulty； that some specification has been set aside； is the claim which Satan now puts forward。 It is the last great deception that he will bring upon the world。 He needs not to assail the whole law； if he can lead men to disregard one precept； his purpose is gained。 For 〃whosoever shall keep the whole law； and yet offend in one point； he is guilty of all。〃 James 2：10。 By consenting to break one precept； men are brought under Satan's power。 By substituting human law for God's law； Satan will seek to control the world。 This work is foretold in prophecy。 Of the great apostate power which is the representative of Satan； it is declared； 〃He shall speak great words against the Most High； and shall wear out the saints of the Most High； and think to change times and laws： and they shall be given into his hand。〃 Dan。 7：25。
Men will surely set up their laws to counterwork the laws of God。 They will seek to compel the consciences of others； and in their zeal to enforce these laws they will oppress their fellow men。
The warfare against God's law； which was begun in heaven； will be continued until the end of time。 Every man will be tested。 Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world。 All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men。 Here the dividing line will be drawn。 There will be but two classes。 Every character will be fully developed； and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion。
Then the end will come。 God will vindicate His law and deliver His people。 Satan and all who have joined him in rebellion will be cut off。 Sin and sinners will perish； root and branch； （Mal。 4：1）；Satan the root； and his followers the branches。 The word will be fulfilled to the prince of evil； 〃Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God； 。 。 。 I will destroy thee； O covering cherub； from the midst of the stones of fire。 。 。 。 Thou shalt be a terror； and never shalt thou be any more。〃 Then 〃the wicked shall not be： yea； thou shalt diligently consider his place； and it shall not be；〃 〃they shall be as though they had not been。〃 Ezek。 28：6…19； Ps。 37：10； Obadiah 16。
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This is not an act of arbitrary power on the part of God。 The rejecters of His mercy reap that which they have sown。 God is the fountain of life； and when one chooses the service of sin； he separates from God； and thus cuts himself off from life。 He is 〃alienated from the life of God。〃 Christ says； 〃All they that hate Me love death。〃 Eph。 4：18； Prov。 8：36。 God gives them existence for a time that they may develop their character and reveal their principles。 This accomplished； they receive the results of their own choice。 By a life of rebellion； Satan and all who unite with him place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire。 The glory of Him who is love will destroy them。
At the beginning of the great controversy； the angels did not understand this。 Had Satan and his host then been left to reap the full result of their sin； they would have perished； but it would not have been apparent to heavenly beings that this was the inevitable result of sin。 A doubt of God's goodness would have remained in their minds as evil seed； to produce its deadly fruit of sin and woe。
But not so when the great controversy shall be ended。 Then； the plan of redemption having been completed； the character of God is revealed to all created intelligences。 The precepts of His law are seen to be perfect and immutable。 Then sin has made manifest its nature； Satan his character。 Then the extermination of sin will vindicate God's love and establish His honor before a universe of beings who delight to do His will； and in whose heart is His law。
Well； then； might the angels rejoice as they looked upon the Saviour's cross； for though they did not then understand all； they knew that the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain； that the redemption of man was assured； and that the universe was made eternally secure。 Christ Himself fully comprehended the results of the sacrifice made upon Calvary。 To all these He looked forward when upon the cross He cried out； 〃It is finished。〃
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Chapter 80
In Joseph's Tomb
At last Jesus was at rest。 The long day of shame and torture was ended。 As the last rays of the setting sun ushered in the Sabbath； the Son of God lay in quietude in Joseph's tomb。 His work completed； His hands folded in peace； He rested through the sacred hours of the Sabbath day。
In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation。 When 〃the heavens and the earth were finished； and all the host of them〃 （Gen。 2：1）； the Creator and all heavenly beings rejoiced in contemplation of the glorious scene。 〃The morning stars sang together； and all the sons of God shouted for joy。〃 Job 38：7。 Now Jesus rested from the work of redemption； and though there was grief among those who loved Him on earth； yet there was joy in heaven。 Glorious to the eyes of heavenly beings was the promise of the future。 A restored creation； a redeemed race； that having conquered sin could never fall；this； the result to flow from Christ's completed work； God and angels saw。 With this scene the day upon which Jesus rested is forever linked。 For 〃His work is perfect；〃 and 〃whatsoever God doeth； it shall be forever。〃 Deut。 32：4； Eccl。 3：14。 When there shall be a 〃restitution of all things； which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began〃 （Acts 3：21）； the creation Sabbath； the
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day on which Jesus lay at rest in Joseph's tomb； will still be a day of rest and rejoicing。 Heaven and earth will unite in praise； as 〃from one Sabbath to another〃 （Isa。 66：23） the nations of the saved shall bow in joyful worship to God and the Lamb。
In the closing events of the crucifixion day； fresh evidence was given of the fulfillment of prophecy； and new witness borne to Christ's divinity。 When the darkness had lifted from the cross； and the Saviour's dying cry had been uttered； immediately another voice was heard； saying； 〃Truly this was the Son of God。〃 Matt。 27：54。
These words were said in no whispered tones。 All eyes were turned to see whence they came。 Who had spoken？ It was the centurion； the Roman soldier。 The divine patience of the Saviour； and His sudden death； with the cry of victory upon His lips； had impressed this heathen。 In the bruised； broken body hanging upon the cross； the centurion recognized the form of the Son of God。 He could not refrain from confessing his faith。 Thus again evidence was given that our Redeemer was to see of the travail of His soul。 Upon the very day of His death； three men； differing widely from one another； had declared their faith；he who commanded the Roman guard； he who bore the cross of the Saviour； and he who died upon the cross at His side。
As evening drew on； an unearthly stillness hung over Calvary。 The crowd dispersed； and many returned to Jerusalem greatly changed in spirit from what they had been in the morning。 Many had flocked to the crucifixion from curiosity； and not from hatred toward Christ。 Still they believed the accusations of the priests； and looked upon Christ as a malefactor。 Under an unnatural excitement they had united with the mob in railing against Him。 But when the earth was wrapped in blackness； and they stood accused by their own consciences； they felt guilty of a great wrong。 No jest or mocking laughter was heard in the midst of that fearful gloom； and when it was lifted； they made their way to their homes in solemn silence。 They were convinced that the charges of the priests were false； that Jesus was no pretender； and a few weeks later； when Peter preached upon the day of Pentecost； they were among the thousands who became converts to Christ。
But the Jewish leaders were unchanged by the events they had witnessed。 Their hatred of Jesus had not abated。 The darkness that had mantled the earth at the crucifixion was not more dense than that which still enveloped the minds of the priests and rulers。 At His birth the star
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had known Christ； and had guided the wise men to the manger where He lay。 The heavenly hosts had known Him； and had sung His praise over the plains of Bethlehem。 The sea had known His voice； and had obeyed His command。 Disease and death had recognized His authority； and had yielded to Him their prey。 The sun had known Him； and at the sight of His dying anguish； had hidden its fa