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}