11. What role does God’s law play in end time events?

The Bible reveals that God’s law is the object of Satan’s attacks throughout human history, and his war against it will reach its climax just prior to the second advent. Prophecy reveals that Satan will lead the vast majority of people to disobey God’s commandments, particularly the Sabbath commandment (Exodus JTL18 13.1

20:8-11). This attack is evidence of the law’s continuing significance in the plan of salvation. The attacking power will not, however, succeed in eliminating the law, because the judgment will destroy that power. JTL18 13.2

When John describes the remnant, the faithful Christians of the end-time, he points specifically to their keeping the commandments of God through their faith in Jesus. In preparation for the second advent, God’s people proclaim the gospel, calling others to worship the Lord as Creator and honor the memorial of His creation, the seventh-day Sabbath. Those who worship God in love will obey Him; as John said: “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). JTL18 13.3

Prior to God’s final judgment and plagues against the disobedient (Revelation 16), the temple in heaven will be opened. There the ark of God’s covenant, the theme of the Scriptural narrative, is opened to reveal the original of the Ten Commandment law. This is a fitting picture of the magnification of God’s law as the standard of judgment. The timing of God’s final judgments on the world relates to the opening of the heavenly temple with its focus on the Ten Commandments, a final witness to humanity of divine will. JTL18 13.4