Many people escape—some from communist or Nazi countries, some from prison or concentration camps, some from religious bigotry, and others from family or supposed friends of whom they were in danger. This world is a type of concentration camp—quarantined from the rest of the universe because of sin. However, a few people will escape. “Today angels are sent to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, to help them to escape from the thraldom of Satan’s power, and stand as faithful volunteers in the army of him who in their behalf came to this world and endured suffering and affliction. Each human being is given the freedom of choice. It is his to decide whether he will stand under the black banner of rebellion, or under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.” The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906.
Because everybody in the church is doing it is no excuse. In Noah’s day and Lot’s day, there were those who acted a certain way because everybody was doing it. They were all destroyed!
“When questioned why He [Jesus] did not join in the frolics of the youth of Nazareth, He said, It is written, ‘I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.’ Psalm 119:14–16.” The Desire of Ages, 89.
“Those who refuse to conform their characters to the divine similitude can never enter the city of God. They have cut themselves off from the happiness, and hope, and peace, and joy that might have been theirs. Had they accepted the grace of Christ, they would have been made strong to resist the temptations of the enemy; and they would at last have been received into the holy city as sons and daughters of God, to be eternally blessed, to live a life measuring with the life of God.
“But the mournful words that God spoke of Israel, he will be obliged to speak of many, many living on the earth today: ‘My people would not harken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels’ [Psalm 81:11, 12]. God would have rejoiced to number them with the saints in light, but he could not; for they refused all his invitations and appeals. He says, ‘O that my people had harkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured forever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee’ [verses 13–16].” The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906.