An
Appeal for Acceptance of the Message of Christ’s Righteousness
An Appeal for Acceptance of the Message of Christ's Righteousness
By Ellen White
The foundation of Christianity is Christ our righteousness…. {5T 725.2}
Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.
Spirit of Unbelief Manifest
by Some at Minneapolis and After-- At the meeting in Minneapolis, at
Potterville, and at Battle Creek, I presented general principles before you,
[MINISTERS IN THE CAUSE.] hoping that you might hear, be impressed, and be
converted, that I might not be under the painful necessity of addressing you
personally. But as you have had the privilege of hearing the message that God
has given me and others to bear, and yet your doubts and unbelief have been
strengthening instead of diminishing, I am alarmed for you. I know you and
others in a similar position are not in the light. You are on the enemy's
ground. Both of you are placing yourselves where the spirit of God can no more
find access to your hearts than it could find access to the hearts of the
Jewish people when they gave themselves up to unbelief. Through Christ, light
is shining to man; heaven is connected with earth, and the angels of God are
ascending and descending upon the mystic ladder. They bring messages of
warning, reproof, instruction, encouragement, and love. The glory of God is above the ladder and
shines down all its length. God will not devise some new way to reach the
hearts of those who have shut themselves away from the light. It is at the
peril of their souls that they refuse the light. {11MR 281.1}
Parallels Between Christ's
Rejection at Nazareth and the Rejection of Truth Today--Bro. B, you have
encased yourself in an armor of unbelief and spiritual pride. You do not
recognize Him whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting. The King
of glory appeared in the form of a servant, clothed in the garb of humanity.
When He began His public ministry in Nazareth, there was a sad and terrible
exhibition of what human nature can and will be when Satan works on the heart.
Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Anointed One. No man had before ventured to
assume as much; not the learned or noble of the earth, not even the prophets or
kings. He arose in the synagogue, and read from the prophet Isaiah these
gracious words: "The spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because He hath
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable
year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18,19). {11MR 281.2}
The eyes of all in the
synagogue were fastened upon Him, for divinity flashed through humanity, and
with one voice they witnessed to the "gracious words" that proceeded
from His lips. God had spoken to their hearts and given them a testimony which
they acknowledged to be the truth. But soon doubt and unbelief arose. Who was
this that claimed to be the Messiah? They did not expect Christ to come in this
way. His family connections were humble, pious people, but not distinguished
for riches, learning, rank, or power. {11MR 282.1}
The Jews expected the Messiah
to come with pomp and ceremony as a great king. They looked for Him to appear
as a conqueror, to deliver Israel from the Roman yoke. They thought they would
be able to cry, "This is the King that will reign on David's throne."
But this Man, who made the claim that He was the anointed One of God, was from
the humble walks of life, the son of Joseph and Mary. They had seen Him going
up and down the hills. They had seen Him toiling daily at the carpenter's
bench, and could He be the Messiah? {11MR 282.2}
The very humiliation that
Christ bore was foretold in the Scriptures as a specification of His divine
character and mission, and should have commended Him to every home and heart in
the land. But to proud and unbelieving Jews His humiliation was an offense.
{11MR 283.1}
The men of Nazareth refused
the Prince of Life. The power of God that had stirred their hearts as He read
and expounded to them the Scriptures, was resisted, and their passions were
stirred as He spoke truths that revealed to them their real condition. . . .
{11MR 283.2}
The Lord has shown me that we
are in just as much danger [of rejecting truth] in our day as were the people
in the days of Christ. The Lord is speaking through His delegated messengers;
but the same unbelief is exhibited. Men close their hearts against Jesus and
hold themselves in the veriest bondage to Satan,
supposing that they are preserving their dignity as free men; that they are
maintaining their right to think and act for themselves, to believe or doubt;
and like the despisers of the gospel in the apostolic times, they wonder and
perish. {11MR 283.3}
Those who on special
occasions of controversy have taken a course similar to that of the men of
Nazareth, should take heed lest they follow their example when a second
opportunity is given to accept the gracious light of truth. After the first
rejection, when excitement and confusion are over, you may again be called upon
by the divine Messenger, and you should beware lest you harden your hearts in
prejudice and pride, and in final rejection of the message that would work for
your salvation. {11MR 283.4}
You may encase yourselves in
pride, and continue to reject Christ in the person of His messengers. . . .
{11MR 284.1}
We are less excusable than
were the Jews, for we have before us their example of rejection of Christ and
His apostles, and we have been warned not to fall after the same example of
unbelief. . . . {11MR 284.2}
Criticism of the Plans of
Others--My brethren, the Lord is not pleased to have us settle down in
unbelief, and question and quibble over matters of truth as you have done. . .
. {11MR 284.3}
When you receive the words of
Christ as if they were addressed to you personally, when each applies the truth
to himself, as if he were the only sinner on the face of the earth for whom
Christ died, you will learn to claim by faith the merits of the blood of a
crucified and risen Saviour in your own case. . . .
{11MR 284.4}
The Righteousness of Christ,
Our Immediate Need--Many feel that their faults of character make it impossible
for them to meet the standard that Christ has erected; but all such ones have
to do is to humble themselves at every step under the mighty hand of God.
Christ does not estimate the man by the amount of work he does, but by the
spirit in which the work is performed. When He sees men lifting the burdens,
trying to carry them in lowliness of mind, with distrust of self, and with
reliance upon Him, He adds to their work His perfection and sufficiency, and it
is accepted of the Father. We are accepted in the Beloved. The sinner's defects
are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our righteousness. Those
who with sincere will, with contrite heart, are putting forth humble efforts to
live up to the requirements of God, are looked upon by the Father with pitying,
tender love. He regards such as obedient children, and the righteousness of
Christ is imputed to them. . . . O, may the Lord imbue me with His Holy Spirit
constantly that I may present the attractions of Christ so as to engross the
whole mind of those for whom I labor! O, that my brethren might appreciate the
promises of God in all their breadth and fullness! Then they might be saved from
themselves, from self-confidence, criticism, unbelief, and pharisaism.
Then self-exaltation would not be increasing, but decreasing; spiritual pride
undone. {11MR 284.5}
There are many who claim to
believe in Christ who have not yet fallen upon the Rock and been broken. Self lives, and is exalted. To such Christ does not appear
what He is, or what He will be to all those who believe on Him. . . . {11MR
285.1}
Need for Independent Bible
Study--A large number who claim to believe the present truth, know not what
constitutes the faith that was once delivered to the saints--Christ in you the
hope of glory. They think they are defending the old landmarks, but they are
lukewarm and indifferent. They know not what it is to weave into their
experience and to possess the real virtue of love and faith. They are not close
Bible students, but are lazy and inattentive. When differences of opinion arise
upon passages of Scripture, these who have not studied to a purpose, and are
not decided as to what they believe, fall away from the truth. We ought to
impress upon all the necessity of inquiring diligently into divine truth, that
they may know that they do know what is truth. {11MR 285.2}
Some claim much knowledge,
and feel satisfied with their condition, when they have no more zeal for the
work, no more ardent love for God and for souls for whom Christ died, than if
they had never known God. They do not read the Bible to appropriate the marrow
and fatness to their own souls. They do not feel that it is the voice of God
speaking to them. But, if we would understand the way of salvation, if we would
see the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, we must study the Scriptures, for
the promises and prophecies of the Bible shed clear beams of glory upon the
divine plan of redemption, grand truths are not clearly comprehended. . . .
{11MR 285.3}
Not for Us to Say How God's
Message Should Come or Who Should Be Messenger-- God has sent you a message
that He wishes you to receive--a message of light and hope and comfort for the
people of God. It is not for you to choose the channel through which the light
shall come. The Lord desires to heal the wounds on His sheep and lambs through
the heavenly balm of the truth that Christ is our righteousness. . . . {11MR
286.1}
It is a grievous sin in the
sight of God for men to place themselves between the people and the message
that He would have come to them as some of our brethren are now doing. There
are some who, like the Jews, are doing their utmost to make the message of God
of none effect. Let these doubting, questioning ones either receive the light
of the truth for this time, or let them stand out of the way, that others may
have an opportunity of receiving the truth, that the wrath of God may not come
on them because they are bodies of darkness, when He desires them to be bodies
of light. {11MR 286.2}
Those That Seek for a Sign
Will Be Deceived as Were the Jews--Those who live just prior to the second
appearing of Christ may expect a large measure of His Holy Spirit. If God has
ever spoken by me, some of our leading men are going over the same ground of
refusing the message of mercy as the Jews did in the time of Christ. If they
turn away from the light, they will fail to meet the high and holy claims of
God for this important time. They will fail to fulfill the sacred
responsibility that He has entrusted to them. {11MR 286.3}
The character and prospects
of the people of God are similar to those of the Jews, who could not enter in
because of unbelief. Self-sufficiency, self-importance, and spiritual pride
separated them from God, and He hid His face from them. . . . {11MR 287.1}
The Jews despised the good
that was proffered them in the time of Christ, and after the long forbearance
of God, the things that were for their peace were hidden from their eyes--that
which, if received, would have been to them their greatest blessing became
their stumbling block. Thus it is today among us. . . . {11MR 287.2}
The light of truth is shining
upon us as clearly as it shone upon the Jewish people, but the hearts of men
are as hard and unimpressible as in the days of Christ, because they know not
what they oppose. Many who claim to be standing in the light are in darkness,
and know it not. They have so enshrouded themselves in unbelief that they call
darkness light, and light darkness. They are ignorant of that which they
condemn and oppose. But their ignorance is not such as God will excuse, for He
has given them light, and they reject it. They have before them the example of
the past, but they will not be warned, and unbelief is enclosing them in
impenetrable darkness. They refuse to accept the testimonies they ought to
believe, and are ready to accept tidbits of gossip and testimonies of men,
showing their credulousness and readiness to believe that which they want to
believe. {11MR 287.3}
There is an alarming
condition of things in our churches. Says the Word of God, "Your
iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among My people are
found wicked men: they lay in wait, as he that setteth
snares; they set a trap, they catch men. . . the prophets prophesy falsely, and
the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and
what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:25, 26, 31). "They
have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace,
Peace; when there is no peace" (chapter 6:14). "And now, because ye
have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake
unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but
ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by My
name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and your
fathers, as I have done to Shiloh, And I will cast you out of My sight, as I
have cast out all your brethren" (chapter 7:13-15). God will surely
fulfill His word to those who will not hear, will not see, and refuse the light
that He sends them. {11MR 287.4}
Those Who Should Have Been
Promoting the Message Found Resisting It--The very men who ought to be on the
alert to see what the people of God need, that the way of the Lord may be
prepared, are intercepting the light God would have come to His people, and
rejecting the message of His healing grace. Brethren, I beseech you to come
into harmony with the work of God for this time. . . . {11MR 288.1}
God wants to put His Spirit
upon you, but He cannot do this while you are so full of self. When self dies, you will feel the quickening influence of the
Spirit of God. God's people are enjoined to seek for unity, that they may be
framed together into an holy temple for the Lord. "Ye are God's husbandry,
ye are God's building" (1 Cor. 3:9). . . . {11MR 288.2}
You will never have any
greater evidence than you have had as to where the Spirit of God is working.
The Lord never proposes to remove all occasion for men to doubt. He will give
sufficient evidence to bring the candid mind to a right decision; but if you
are determined to have your own way, if you are like Saul, unwilling to change
your course because of pride and stubbornness of heart, because of ignorance of
your own condition of spiritual destitution, you will not recognize the light.
You will say with Saul, "I have performed the commandment of the
Lord" (1 Sam. 15:13). . . . {11MR 288.3}
Only Hope Is to Fall Upon the
Rock and Be Broken--Selfish pride is holding you from good, and your only hope
is to fall upon the Rock and be broken. As these words come to you, you will
say, "Are there no others who need the same reproof?" There are many
who need to see that the Laodicean message applies to them, who do not see it.
I write out your case definitely, not merely that you may be benefited, but
that many others may see [that] they are in the same condition, and that they,
with you, may make decided changes in their attitude before God and before His
people. . . . {11MR 289.1}
The faith that works by love
and purifies the soul, produces the fruit of humility, patience, forbearance,
long-suffering, peace, joy, and willing obedience. Says the Scripture,
"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). "He that
cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). {11MR 289.2}
The promises of God
comprehend all the spiritual blessings needed by weak, sinful mortals, who
cannot save or bless themselves. . . . {11MR 289.3}
Christ has said, "I am
the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). If your good works were the
way, then Christ would not have said, "I am the way." It is not our
doings and deservings that will save us. If man could
have gained heaven by his own efforts, Christ need not have died to make an
atonement for our sins. Yet all who tread the narrow path that leads to heaven,
will bear the fruits of godliness, and give evidence that they are the light of
the world. . . . {11MR 289.4}
The Lord commands His people
to go forward, from light to a greater light. Some have had great light, they
have been blessed, they have believed that God, for Christ's sake, forgave
their sins, but there they have stopped, and have made no further advancement.
They have not attained unto a greater faith or broader experience, because they
have not received the light of the truth which is constantly unfolding to those
who follow the Light of the world. The blood of Christ cleanseth
from all unrighteousness, but just as soon as a soul ceases to walk by faith,
he becomes enshrouded in darkness. {11MR 290.1}
The only safety for any one
is to advance, to increase in the knowledge of the truth, to be sanctified by
it. Those who are content with preaching old discourses, and praying
stereotyped prayers, fail to improve the talents that God has given them, and
these talents will be taken from them. . . . {11MR 290.2}
Brother B, you have heard the
testimony which God has given me to bear, but while you have professed to
believe, you have in spirit rejected the message. It is my duty to say to you
that you have had all the evidence that the Lord will give you in regard to the
special work He is doing at this time to arouse a lukewarm, slumbering church.
Those who accept the message given, will heed the counsel of the True Witness
to the Laodiceans, and will buy the gold, which is faith and love; the white
raiment, which is the righteousness of Christ; and the eyesalve,
which is spiritual discernment. Says Christ, "As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:19, 20). {11MR 290.3}
Results of Refusing to Heed
the Warning--If the church refuses to hear the voice of the Heavenly
Merchantman, refuses to open the door, then Christ will pass on, and it will be
left destitute of His presence, destitute of true riches, but saying in
self-righteousness, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of
nothing" (Revelation 3:17). {11MR 291.1}
Many who refuse the message
which the Lord sends them are seeking to find pegs on which to hang doubts, to
find some excuse for rejecting the light of heaven. In the face of clear
evidence, they say as did the Jews, "Show us a miracle, and we will
believe. If these messengers have the truth, why do they not heal the sick?"
These objections recall to mind what was said concerning Christ: [John 7:3-5
and Matthew 27:39-43 quoted.] {11MR 291.2}
How can any of our brethren,
who have before them the history of the Lord of life and glory, open their lips
to utter words similar to the taunting words of the murderers of our Lord? . .
. {11MR 291.3}
When men close their eyes to
the light that God sends them, they will reject the most evident truth, and
believe the most foolish errors. . . . {11MR 291.4}
The Lord has been appealing
to His people in warnings, in reproofs, in counsels, but their ears have been
deaf to the words of Jesus. Some have said, "If this message that Brother
A. T. Jones has been giving to the church is the truth, why is it that Brother
C and Brother D have not received it, and have not united with him in heralding
it? These good intelligent men would surely know if this were the message of
truth." {11MR 291.5}
Sentiments similar to these
were expressed in the days of Christ, when He came to bear to earth the tidings
of salvation. The people looked to their leaders, and asked, "If this were
the truth, would not the priests and rulers know it?" . . . {11MR 291.6}
In the days of Christ there
were many who incurred deep guilt because they denounced His teaching without
carefully investigating its claims to their attention. . . . {11MR 292.1}
We Are to Follow No One but
Christ--When Christ told Peter what should come upon him because of his faith,
Peter turned to John, and asked, "Lord, and what shall this man do?"
The Lord said, "What is that to thee? Follow thou Me" (John 21:21,
22). If Elder C or Elder D should reject the message of truth that the Lord has
sent to the people of this time, would their unbelief make the message
error?--No. We are to follow no one but Christ. If men who have occupied
leading positions feel at liberty to despise the message and the messenger,
their unbelief is no excuse for others. Our salvation is an individual work.
Neither Brother C, Brother D, nor any other mortal man can pay a ransom for my
soul or yours in the day of judgment. In that day there will be no excuse to
offer for neglecting to receive the message the Lord sent you. . . . {11MR
292.2}
We should take no man for our
pattern, for we are to see and know for ourselves what is truth. It is of vital
importance to us that we allow no one to come between us and our God. We should
not accept any man's opinions and ideas unless through careful searching for
ourselves we find that they bear the credentials of heaven. It is of the
greatest importance that we individually open our hearts to the convicting
power of the Holy Spirit. Let God speak to us through His Word. Let God impress
the soul. {11MR 292.3}
It is your duty to grasp
every ray of light. . . . Sanctified resolution, self-control, supreme love for
Christ, will place you in right relation to God and to humanity. God has sent
message upon message to His people, and it has nearly broken my heart to see
those whom we thought were taught and led by God, fall under the bewitching
power of the enemy, who led them to reject the truth for this time. {11MR
292.4}
Do not men know from the Word
of God that just such a message as has lately been going to the churches must
be given in order that the very work which has been going on among us might be
accomplished? Some who ought to have been first to catch the heavenly
inspiration of truth, have been directly opposed to the message of God. They
have been doing all that was in their power to show contempt for both the
message and the messenger, and Jesus could not do many mighty works because of
their unbelief. However, truth will move on, passing by those who despise and
reject it. Although apparently retarded, it cannot be extinguished. {11MR
293.1}
The Message Will Triumph in
Spite of Opposition--When the message of God meets with opposition, He gives it
additional force that it may exert greater influence. Endowed with vital,
heavenly energy, it will cut its way through the thickest barriers, dispel
darkness, refute error, gain conquests, and triumph over every obstacle. I
speak that [which] I do know. I testify of that which I have seen. Those who
would triumph in the truth will have to act a part in the sight of the universe
that will bring to them the reward of "Well done." They will be known
as laborers together with God. {11MR 293.2}
Misunderstanding,
misapplication of the truth will alienate the hearts of those who have been
brethren. But this would not be if self and self-esteem, if customs and
traditions, were not disturbed by the message of truth. Patience, moderation,
self-control, and carefulness of speech should ever be cultivated and
manifested. But while we show these commendable traits of character, for
Christ's sake let us cry aloud and spare not. Says the Word of God, "Lift
up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the
house of Jacob their sin" (Isaiah 58:1). {11MR 293.3}
The watchmen on the walls of
Zion are asleep. Many have no burden of the work; they have no positive warning
to give. There are many who have heard the message for this time and have seen
its results, and they cannot but acknowledge that the work is good, but from
fear that some will take extreme positions, and that fanaticism may arise in
our ranks, they have permitted their imagination to create many obstacles to
hinder the advance of the work, and they have presented these difficulties to
others, expatiating on the dangers of accepting the doctrine. They have sought
to counteract the influence of the message of truth. Suppose they should
succeed in these efforts, what would be the result?--the message to arouse a
lukewarm church should cease, and the testimony exalting the righteousness of
Christ would be silenced. {11MR 294.1}
What Does the Opposition Have
to Offer?--Suppose that prejudice should do its baleful work, suppose the work
should be given into the hands of these opposers and faultfinders, and they
should be permitted to give to the church the doctrine and the labor they
desire to give; would they present anything better than the Lord has sent to
His people at this time through His chosen agents? Would the message of the
doubters arouse the churches from their lukewarmness?
Would its influence tend to give energy and zeal to uplift the souls of the
people of God? Have those who have opposed the light, openly or in secret, been
giving the people the food that would nourish their souls? Have they been
presenting the message which the time demands, that the camp may be purified
from all moral defilement? Have they anything to offer to take the place of the
truth that has been given with fervor and zeal to prepare the way for the
Lord's coming? {11MR 294.2}
The character, the motives
and purposes of the workmen whom God has sent, have been, and will continue to
be, misrepresented. Men will catch at words and statements that they suppose to be faulty, and will magnify and falsify these
utterances. But what kind of work are these lookers-on doing? Has the Lord
placed them on the judgment-seat to condemn His message and messengers? Why do
not these opposers lay hold of the work if they have so much light? If they see
defects in the presentation of the message, why do they not present it in a
better way? If they possess such farseeing discernment, such caution, such
intelligence, why do they not go to work and do something? {11MR 295.1}
The world is a second Sodom;
the end is right upon us, and is it reasonable to think that there is no
message to make ready a people to stand in the day of God's preparation? Why is
there so little eyesight? So little deep, earnest, heartfelt labor? Why is
there so much pulling back? Why is there such a continual cry of "peace
and safety," and no going forward in obedience to the Lord's command? Is
the third angel's message to go out in darkness, or to lighten the whole earth
with its glory? Is the light of God's Spirit to be quenched, and the church to
be left as destitute of the grace of Christ as the hills of Gilboa were of dew
and rain? Certainly all must admit that it is time that a vivifying, heavenly
influence should be brought to bear upon our churches. It is time that
unbelief, pride, love of supremacy, evil-surmising, depreciation of the work of
others, licentiousness, and hypocrisy should go out of our ranks. . . . {11MR
295.2}
Sincerity Does Not Guarantee
Rightness--The idea is entertained by many that a man may practice anything
that he conscientiously believes to be right. But the question is: Has the man
a well-instructed, good conscience, or is it biased and warped by his own
preconceived opinions? Conscience is not to take the place of "Thus saith
the Lord." Consciences do not all harmonize and are not all inspired
alike. Some consciences are dead, seared as with a hot iron. Men may be
conscientiously wrong, as well as conscientiously right. Paul did not believe
in Jesus of Nazareth, and he hunted the Christians from city to city, verily
believing that he was doing service to God. {11MR 296.1}
Appeal to Accept the Message
of Christ's Righteousness--In view of these things, we can see that there is
great need of seeking counsel of God, of searching the Scriptures with a
humble, prayerful spirit, that the Lord may enlighten our understanding, so
that we can carefully weigh every point of truth that is presented. We should
watch the tendency of it, and see whether its fruit testifies that it is of
God. . . . {11MR 296.2}
The message of God has been
presented to the people with clearness and force. It is the very message that
God means that His church shall have at this time. Your refusal to listen to
it, your rejection of it, while it will not stop the work, will result in great
loss to your souls. Every ray of light that God has given to His people is
necessary for them in the emergency that is to come. But if the rays of
Heaven's light are not discerned, if they are not appreciated, accepted, and
acted upon, you will lose the heavenly benefit yourselves, and keep the light
from others whom God designed should receive it through you. . . . {11MR 296.3}
The duty of setting a good
example must be considered. We must weigh faithfully the results of our
actions. If we think a certain course will do us no harm, we should then look
at it from the standpoint of others and ask how it will affect them. There are
sins of omission, as well as sins of commission, and all of us are influencing
the course of others. A neglect when the work is laid before you, is as wrong
as to perform some sinful action, for in neglecting your duty you fail to
supply your link in the chain of God's great work. Your influence does not
sustain His cause. . . . {11MR 297.1}
In this time of danger, if
Satan can work upon the unconsecrated elements of men's characters, so as to keep
them quibbling and questioning until it is too late to rescue souls who are
rapidly getting beyond the reach of help, he will do it. I have been shown that
this is just what he is doing. He is holding men away from the work that they
should do, holding them back from obedience to their Captain's orders, in
subservience to their own supposed wise judgment and criticism of plans for the
advancement of the work. There are many who preach discourses, lamenting the
extensive and deplorable depravity now existing in the world, but they fail to
do their part in shedding Heaven's light into the world's moral darkness. . . .
{11MR 297.2}
There is need that the
converting power of God should come upon our ministering brethren, for many of
the people are far in advance of them in experience in the things of God. The
highest interest of souls both for time and eternity, is involved in a proper
understanding of the work for this time. {11MR 297.3}
We deplore the fact that men
idolize their own opinions; that they are willing to be governed by their own
preconceived ideas, rather than by a plain, "Thus saith the Lord." .
. . {11MR 297.4}
When men open their hearts to
unbelief, they open them to the great deceiver, the accuser of the brethren.
With the glorious light of truth emanating from God, with abundant evidence
that the work for this time is ordained of Heaven, beware that you do not
harden your hearts and ask for further proof, saying, "Show us a
miracle." The rich man of the parable prayed that one might be sent from
the dead to warn his brethren, that they might not come to the place of torment
in which he found himself. He said, "If one went unto them from the dead,
they will repent." But the answer came to him, as it comes to us today,
"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:30,31).--Letter 4, 1889, pp. 7-13,
15-41.
White Estate Washington, D.C. December 10, 1981 {11MR 298.1}