Joel 2 in Type and
Antitype—Call to a Solemn Assembly
Part I
Joe 1:14 Sanctify ye a fast,
call a solemn assembly,
gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the
LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,
Joe 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Joe 2:17 Let the priests,
the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the
altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not
thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore
should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Zep 2:1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not
desired;
Zep 3:18 I will gather them that are
sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it
was a burden.
History repeats itself. “The thing that has been, it is
that which shall be: and that which is done is that which shall be done: and
there is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9). In other words, “The important movements of the present
have their parallel in those of the past.” (G.C. 343).
That
the Advent Movement is an important movement of the present no one can deny and
it has its parallel in the history of Ancient Israel: “The remnant church is
called to go through an experience similar to that of the Jews.” (1 SM, 387).
Not one of us can afford to ignore the following warning:
“The trials of the children of Israel,
and their attitude just before the first coming of Christ, have been presented
before me, again and again, to ILLUSTRATE the position of the people of God in
their experience before the second coming of Christ—how the enemy sought every occasion to take control of
the minds of the Jews, and today her is seeking to blind the minds of God’s
servants, that they may not be able to discern the Precious Truth.” (1 SM, 406;
2 Cor 4:4). The “precious truth” mentioned here is the light sent to the
Seventh-day Adventists in 1888.
"I have been shown that the spirit of the
world is fast leavening the church. You
are following the same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling
away from your holy calling as God's peculiar people. You are having
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers
have provoked he Lord's displeasure. You know not the things that belong to
your peace, and they are fast being hid from your eyes. [The very words applied
to fallen Israel on page 17 of The Great Controversy] Your neglect to
follow the light will place you in a
more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ pronounced a woe."
Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 75-76.
"Like ancient Israel, the church has
dishonored her God by departing from the light, neglecting her duties, and
abusing her high and exalted privilege of being peculiar and holy in character.
Her members have violated their covenant to live for God and him only. They have joined with the selfish and
world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been cherished, and
CHRIST HAS DEPARTED. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan
works side by side with professed Christians yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not
detect him." E.G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 2, pp. 441-442.
graven image
"Among the professed followers of Christ,
there is the same pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, and OPPRESSION,
that existed in the Jewish nation." E.G. White, Sketches from
the Life of Paul, 251-252.
“Then
I was pointed back to the years 1843 and 1844. There was a spirit of
consecration then that there is not now. What has come over the professed
peculiar people of God? I saw the conformity to the world, the unwillingness to
suffer for the truth's sake. I saw a great lack of submission to the will of
God…
I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for these last days think it
strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed; that after the
wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be so ungrateful as to forget
what He had done for them. Said the angel: "Ye
have done worse than they." Testimonies
for the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 128, 129.
“I was
shown the conformity of some professed Sabbathkeepers to the world. Oh, I saw that
it is a disgrace to their profession, a disgrace to the cause of God. They give
the lie to their profession. They think they are not like the
world, but they are so near like them in dress, in conversation, and actions,
that there is no distinction…” “As I saw the dreadful fact that
God's people were conformed to the world, with no distinction, except in
name, between many of the professed disciples of the meek and lowly
Jesus and unbelievers, my soul felt deep anguish. I saw that Jesus was wounded
and put to an open shame. Said the angel, as with sorrow he saw the professed
people of God loving the world, partaking of its spirit, and following its
fashions: "Cut loose! Cut loose! lest He appoint you your portion with
hypocrites and unbelievers outside the city. Your profession will only cause
you greater anguish, and your punishment will be greater because ye knew His
will, but did it not." Testimonies for the
Church, Vol 1, p 131, 133.
Joe 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,
Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the
heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people,
Where is their God?
“Mark this point with care; those who receive the pure
mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by
the man in linen, are those "that sigh and cry for all the abominations
that are done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor
and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding
sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in an agony, even sighing
and crying.” {RH, June 8, 1886 par. 2}
Testimonies,
Vol. 5, Chapter 23—The Seal of God
“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice,
saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man
with his destroying weapon in his hand.” {5T 207.2}
“And he called to the man clothed with linen,
which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said unto him, Go
through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark
upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations
that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing,
Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither
have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and
women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My
sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” {5T
207.3}
Note by Ron: Some have the mistaken notion
that one would have to be in apostate Jerusalem in order to receive the Mark of
the Man in Linen, because he is commanded to go through the midst of Jerusalem.
The truth of the matter is that the Man in Linen went through apostate
Jerusalem and he went through the true Christian churches who had their
headquarters in Jerusalem.
Yes, the headquarters of the disciples was
also in Jerusalem. And how do you KNOW FOR SURE that the true Christians were
marked by the Man in Linen in their own home churches? You can be absolutely sure of this because Jesus
personally said to His disciples, the following words. Bind means to MARK FOR
SEALING. Whomever the disciples bound (Sealed) on earth, were bound (Sealed) in
heaven. They were sealed by a sealing message of pure truth. The disciples and
their followers received the Holy Spirit sealing on the Day of Pentecost. Where
were they? Hiding in the upper room of the house belonging to Peter’s father.
They WERE NOT at the Temple. In fact, they were hiding from the Jews.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys
of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever
ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose
on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
End
note by Ron.
Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the
heavenly sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in
judgments upon those who have not responded to the light God has given them. “Because sentence against an
evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is
fully set in them to do evil.” Instead of being softened by the patience and
long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those who fear not
God and love not the truth strengthen their hearts in their evil course.
But there are limits even to the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding
these boundaries. They have overrun the limits of grace, and therefore God must
interfere and vindicate His own honor. {5T 207.4}
Of the Amorites the Lord said: “In the fourth
generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is
not yet full.” Although this nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and
corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not
give command for its utter destruction. The people were to see the divine power
manifested in a marked manner, that they might be left without excuse. The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until
the fourth generation. Then, if no change was seen for the better, His
judgments were to fall upon them. {5T 208.1}
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still
keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is tendered with calls to
repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain
amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is
closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their
behalf. {5T 208.2}
The prophet, looking down the ages, had this
time presented before his vision. The nations of this age have been the
recipients of unprecedented mercies. The choicest of heaven’s blessings have
been given them, but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God,
and base ingratitude are written against them. They are fast closing up their
account with God. {5T 208.3}
But that which causes me to tremble is
the fact that those who have had the greatest light and privileges have become
contaminated by the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around
them, many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold and are borne
down by the strong current of evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true piety and
holiness leads those who do not connect closely with God to lose their
reverence for His law. If they were following the light and obeying the truth from the
heart, this holy law would seem even more precious to them when thus despised
and set aside. As the
disrespect for God’s law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation between
its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the
divine precepts increases with one class according as contempt for them
increases with another class. {5T 209.1}
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly
swelling figures show that the time for God’s visitation has about come.
Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those
who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not
to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with
the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from
it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save
others, looking with strong faith to God for help. “The effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” {5T 209.2}
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost
its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church
are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing
and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially
will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing
after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}
The earnest prayers of this faithful few will
not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a
protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept
themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised
to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long
with them. {5T 210.1}
The command is: “Go through the midst of the city,
through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men
that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” These sighing,
crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled,
and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their
hearts before Him. But the glory of the
Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of
religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}
In the time when His wrath shall go forth in
judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from
the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation
and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While
others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great
wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a
love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their
righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of
the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity,
and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised
in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice,
selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit
of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of
Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect. {5T 210.3}
The
class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn
over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord
commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands:
“Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither
have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and
women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My
sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the
house.” {5T 211.1}
Note
by Ron: Notice that Ellen White says that “the men with slaughtering
weapons in their hands” are messengers commissioned by the Lord. The
slaughtering weapons they wield are the true Word of God, the double=edged
sword that cuts error whichever way it is moved.
Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in
Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two
edges;
“Let the worker present the truth in faith,
believing in Jesus as his only efficiency. Let him reverently, devoutly,
earnestly, and prayerfully grasp God’s promise and press his petitions before
the throne of grace. As he feels a sense of his helplessness and weakness, “Let
him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make
peace with me.” [Isaiah 27:5.] The Holy Spirit will cause the word
spoken to act as a two edged sword; the hearers will see that the messenger is
presenting the truth as a reality; they will realize that he knows what
practical, experimental religion is. If the worker has been in the audience
chamber of the Most High, if he has reverently, trustfully, opened his heart to
God, that He may work through him, the people will not fail to be impressed with
his teaching. When the worker depends wholly upon the higher Power, the God who
seeth in secret will hear the supplication of the hungering soul, and will
supply His grace richly.” {Ms45-1895.9}
End note by Ron.
Here
we see that the church—the Lord’s sanctuary—was the first to feel the stroke of
the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and
who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had
betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for
miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times
have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord
will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His
people in judgment. Thus “Peace and
safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a
trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their
sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance
of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together.
{5T 211.2}
The abominations for which the faithful ones
were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure
and holy God, were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth
every sin committed in secret by the workers of iniquity. These persons come to
feel secure in their deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say that
the Lord seeth not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He
will detect their hypocrisy and will open before others those sins which they
were so careful to hide. {5T 211.3}
No
superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office,
will preserve men from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful
hearts. Those who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be
ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God’s
mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He
deals with them without mercy. {5T 212.1}
It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws
His presence from those who have been blessed with great light and who have
felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His
faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed
from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine
displeasure. {5T 212.2}
The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us.
The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and
cry for the abominations done in the land. Those
who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken
and will surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. “The eyes of the
Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the
face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” {5T 212.3}
Our
own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the
living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Already a few
drops of God’s wrath have fallen upon the earth; but when the seven last
plagues shall be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation,
then it will be forever too late to repent and find shelter. No atoning blood
will then wash away the stains of sin. {5T 212.4}
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the
great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be
a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be
found written in the book.” When this
time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no
longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people.
This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the
powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense.
The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall
worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May
God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict
without His assistance! {5T 212.5}
Courage,
fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God’s power to save do not come in a
moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy endeavor and firm
adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset
with temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be
conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do, and at any hour they
might be called to lay off their armor; and should they come to the close of
life with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did the first disciples
from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to
mountains and deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and
torture, when martyrdom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy
to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for them. Their worthy example will
be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God who will be brought into
the time of trouble such as never was. {5T 213.1}
Not
all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among
those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in
their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not
corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and
the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have
commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might
present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart. {5T
213.2}
By their lack of devotion and piety, and their
failure to reach a high religious standard, they make other souls contented
with their position. Men of finite judgment cannot see that in patterning after
these men who have so often opened to them the treasures of God’s word, they
will surely endanger their souls. Jesus is the only true pattern.
Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with
the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires
of him. However high any minister may have stood in the favor of God, if he
neglects to follow out the light given him of God, if he refuses to
be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic delusions and
will lead others in the same path. {5T 214.1}
Not one of
us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or
stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to
cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall
upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. {5T 214.2}
We are too easily satisfied with our
attainments. We feel rich and increased with goods and know not that we are
“wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Now is the time to
heed the admonition of the True Witness: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold
tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” {5T 214.3}
In this life we must meet fiery trials and
make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the
reward. There has been so little self-denial, so little suffering
for Christ’s sake, that the cross is almost entirely forgotten. We must be
partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in triumph with
Him on His throne. So long as we choose the easy
path of self-indulgence and are frightened at self-denial, our faith will never
become firm, and we cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the joy that comes
through conscious victory. The most exalted of the redeemed host
that stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clad in white, know the
conflict of overcoming, for they have come up through great tribulation. Those
who have yielded to circumstances rather than engage in this conflict will not
know how to stand in that day when anguish will be upon every soul, when,
though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, they could save neither son nor
daughter, for everyone must deliver his soul by his own
righteousness. {5T 215.1}
No one need say that his case is hopeless, that
he cannot live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is made by the death of
Christ for every soul. Jesus is our ever-present help in time of need. Only
call upon Him in faith, and He has promised to hear and answer your petitions.
{5T 215.2}
Oh, for a living, active faith! We need
it; we must have it, or we shall faint and fail in the day of trial. The darkness
that will then rest upon our path must not discourage us or drive us to
despair. It is the veil with which God covers His glory when He comes to impart
rich blessings. We should know this by our past experience. In that day when
God has a controversy with His people this experience will be a source of
comfort and hope. {5T 215.3}
It is now that we must keep ourselves and our
children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of
character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must
overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must
awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. “Today if ye will
hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” We are in a most trying position,
waiting, watching for our Lord’s appearing. The world is in darkness. “But ye,
brethren,” says Paul, “are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief.” It is ever God’s purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out
of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul. {5T 215.4}
What are you doing, brethren, in the great
work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the
worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful
of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by
obeying the truth—these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the
seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is
impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. {5T
216.1}
Now is the time to prepare. The seal of
God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never
be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It
will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or
deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before
God—candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only
write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to
the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you
may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour. {5T 216.2}
Testimonies,
Vol. 5, Chapter 24—An Appeal
[This appeal was written at Healdsburg,
California, May 30, 1882, to be read at the camp meetings. It presents warnings
and instruction which the writer, being absent in person, felt urged to give to
the church. For the benefit of those who were not present at those meetings,
and also for all who may desire to preserve it in permanent form, it is
inserted here.]
I am filled with sadness when I think of our
condition as a people. The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course
of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and
love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or
condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the
general opinion is that the church is flourishing and that peace and spiritual
prosperity are in all her borders. {5T 217.1}
The church has turned back from following
Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power.
Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening
our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who
preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies
are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been
shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and
disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and
devotion and earnest faith among us. {5T 217.2}
Let each put the question to his own heart:
“How have we fallen into this state of spiritual feebleness and dissension?
Have we not brought upon ourselves the frown of God because our actions do not
correspond with our faith? Have we not been seeking the friendship and applause
of the world rather than the presence of Christ and a deeper knowledge of His
will?” Examine your own hearts, judge your own course. Consider what associates
you are choosing. Do you seek the company of the wise,
or are you willing to choose worldly associates, companions who fear not God
and obey not the gospel? {5T 217.3}
Are your recreations such as to impart moral
and spiritual vigor? Will they lead to purity of thought and action? Impurity
is today widespread, even among the professed followers of Christ. Passion is
unrestrained; the animal propensities are gaining strength by indulgence, while
the moral powers are constantly becoming weaker. Many are eagerly participating
in worldly, demoralizing amusements which God’s word forbids. Thus they sever
their connection with God and rank themselves with the pleasure lovers of the
world. The sins that destroyed the antediluvians and the cities of the plain
exist today—not merely in heathen lands, not only among popular professors of
Christianity, but with some who profess to be looking for the coming of the Son
of man. If God should present these sins before you as they
appear in His sight, you would be filled with shame and terror. {5T
218.1}
And what has caused this alarming condition?
Many have accepted the theory of the truth who have had no true conversion. I
know whereof I speak. There are few who feel true
sorrow for sin, who have deep, pungent convictions of the depravity of the
unregenerate nature. The heart of stone is not exchanged for a heart
of flesh. Few are willing to fall upon the Rock and be broken. {5T 218.2}
No matter who you are or what your life has
been, you can be saved only in God’s appointed way. You must
repent; you must fall helpless on the Rock, Christ Jesus. You must feel your
need of a physician and of the one only remedy for sin, the blood of Christ.
This remedy can be secured only by repentance toward God and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ. Here the work is yet to be begun by many who
profess to be Christians and even to be ministers of Christ. Like the Pharisees
of old many of you feel no need of a Saviour. You are self-sufficient,
self-exalted. Said Christ: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.” The blood of Christ will avail for none but those who feel their
need of its cleansing power. {5T 218.3}
What surpassing love and condescension, that
when we had no claim upon divine mercy, Christ was willing to undertake our
redemption! But our great Physician requires of every soul unquestioning
submission. We are never to prescribe for our own case. Christ must have the
entire management of will and action. {5T 219.1}
Many are not sensible of their condition and
their danger; and there is much in the nature and manner of Christ’s work
averse to every worldly principle and opposed to the pride of the human heart.
Jesus requires us to trust ourselves wholly to His hands and confide in His
love and wisdom. {5T 219.2}
We
may flatter ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our moral character has been
correct and we need not humble ourselves before God like the common sinner. But
we must be content to enter into life in the very same way as the chief of
sinners. We must renounce our own righteousness and plead for the righteousness
of Christ to be imputed to us. We must depend wholly upon Christ for our
strength. Self must die. We must acknowledge that all we have is from the
exceeding riches of divine grace. Let this be the language of our hearts: “Not
unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and
for Thy truth’s sake.” {5T 219.3}
Genuine faith is followed by love, and
love by obedience. All the powers and passions of the converted man
are brought under the control of Christ. His Spirit is a renewing power,
transforming to the divine image all who will receive it. It makes me sad to
say that this experience is understood by but few who profess the truth.
Very many follow on in their own ways and indulge their sinful desires and yet
profess to be disciples of Christ. They have never submitted their hearts to
God. Like the foolish virgins they have neglected to obtain the oil of grace in
their vessels with their lamps. I tell
you, my brethren, that a large number who profess to believe and even to teach
the truth are under the bondage of sin. Base passions defile the mind and
corrupt the soul. Some who are in the vilest iniquity have borrowed the livery
of heaven, that they may serve Satan more effectively. {5T 219.4}
“Whosoever is born of God doth not
commit sin.” He feels that he is the purchase of the blood of Christ and bound
by the most solemn vows to glorify God in his body and in his spirit, which are
God’s. The love of sin and the love of self are subdued
in him. He daily asks: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits
toward me?” “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” The true Christian
will never complain that the yoke of Christ is galling to the neck. He accounts
the service of Jesus as the truest freedom. The law of God is his delight.
Instead of seeking to bring down the divine commands, to accord with his
deficiencies, he is constantly striving to rise to the level of their
perfection. {5T 220.1}
Such
an experience must be ours if we would be prepared to stand in the day of God.
Now, while probation lingers, while mercy’s voice is still heard, is the time
for us to put away our sins. While moral darkness covers the earth like a
funeral pall, the light of God’s standard-bearers must shine the more brightly,
showing the contrast between heaven’s light and Satan’s darkness. {5T 220.2}
God
has made ample provision that we may stand perfect in His grace, wanting in
nothing, waiting for the appearing of our Lord. Are you ready?
Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will never cover deceit,
impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy. The eye of God is upon you. It is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We may conceal our sins
from the eyes of men, but we can hide nothing from our Maker. {5T 220.3}
God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him
to death for our offenses and raised Him again for our justification. Through
Christ we may present our petitions at the throne of grace. Through Him,
unworthy as we are, we may obtain all spiritual blessings. Do we come to Him,
that we may have life? {5T 221.1}
How shall we know for ourselves God’s
goodness and His love? The psalmist tells us—not, hear and know, read and know,
or believe and know; but—“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Instead of
relying upon the word of another, taste for yourself. {5T 221.2}
Experience is knowledge derived from
experiment. Experimental religion is what is needed now. “Taste and see that
the Lord is good.” Some—yes, a large number—have a theoretical knowledge of
religious truth, but have never felt the renewing power of divine grace upon
their own hearts. These persons are ever slow to heed the testimonies of
warning, reproof, and instruction indited by the Holy Spirit. They believe in
the wrath of God, but put forth no earnest efforts to escape it. They believe
in heaven, but make no sacrifice to obtain it. They believe in the value of the
soul and that erelong its redemption ceaseth forever. Yet they neglect the most
precious opportunities to make their peace with God. {5T 221.3}
They may read the Bible, but its threatenings
do not alarm or its promises win them. They approve things that are excellent,
yet they follow the way in which God has forbidden them to go. They know a refuge,
but do not avail themselves of it. They know a remedy for sin, but do not use
it. They know the right, but have no relish for it. All their knowledge will
but increase their condemnation. They have never tasted and learned by
experience that the Lord is good. {5T 221.4}
To become a disciple of Christ is to deny self
and follow Jesus through evil as well as good report. Few are doing this now. Many prophesy falsely, and the people love to have it so; but what will
be done in the end thereof? What will be the decision when their work, with all
its results, shall be brought in review before God? {5T 222.1}
The Christian life is a warfare. The apostle
Paul speaks of wrestling against principalities and powers as he fought the
good fight of faith. Again, he declares: “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,
striving against sin.” Ah, no. Today sin is cherished and excused. The sharp
sword of the Spirit, the word of God, does not cut to the soul. Has religion
changed? Has Satan’s enmity to God abated? A religious life once presented
difficulties and demanded self-denial. All is made very easy now. And why is
this? The professed people
of God have compromised with the power of darkness. {5T 222.2}
There must be a revival of the strait
testimony. The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our
Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders
our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be
sacrificed if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom
and to receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part
with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly
associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of
eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and make
sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained? {5T 222.3}
Every association we form, however limited,
exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence
will be determined by the degree of intimacy, the constancy of the intercourse,
and our love and veneration for the one with whom we associate. Thus by
acquaintance and association with Christ we may become like Him, the one
faultless Example. {5T 222.4}
Communion with Christ—how unspeakably
precious! Such communion it is our privilege to enjoy if we will seek it, if we
will make any sacrifice to secure it. When the early disciples heard the words
of Christ, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed
Him. They were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the
field. They were with Him as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from His
lips lessons of holy truth. They looked to Him as servants to their master, to learn
their duty. They served Him cheerfully, gladly. They followed Him, as soldiers
follow their commander, fighting the good fight of faith. “And they that are
with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” {5T 223.1}
“He that saith he abideth in Him ought
himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” “Now if any man have not the
spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” This conformity to Jesus will not be
unobserved by the world. It is a subject of notice and comment. The Christian
may not be conscious of the great change; for the more closely he resembles
Christ in character the more humble will be his opinion of himself; but it will
be seen and felt by all around him. Those who have had the deepest
experience in the things of God are the farthest removed from pride or
self-exaltation. They have the humblest thoughts of
self, and the most exalted conceptions of the glory and excellence of Christ.
They feel that the lowest place in His service is too honorable for them.
{5T 223.2}
Moses did not know that his face shone with a
brightness painful and terrifying to those who had not, like himself, communed
with God. Paul had a very humble opinion of his own advancement in the
Christian life. He says: “Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect.” He speaks of himself as the “chief” of sinners. Yet Paul had
been highly honored of the Lord. He had been taken in holy vision to the third
heaven and had there received revelations of divine glory which he could not be
permitted to make known. {5T 223.3}
John the Baptist was pronounced by our Saviour
the greatest of prophets. Yet what a contrast between the language of this man
of God and that of many who profess to be ministers of the cross. When asked if
he was the Christ, John declares himself unworthy even to unloose his Master’s
sandals. When his disciples came with the complaint that the attention of the
people was turned to the new Teacher, John reminded them that he himself had
claimed to be only the forerunner of the Promised One. To Christ, as the
bridegroom, belongs the first place in the affections of His people. “The
friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly
because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must
increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all.” “He
that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.”
{5T 224.1}
It is such
workers that are needed in the cause of God today. The self-sufficient, the
envious and jealous, the critical and faultfinding, can well be spared from His
sacred work. They should not be tolerated in the ministry, even though they may
apparently have accomplished some good. God is not straitened for men or means.
He calls for workers who are true and faithful, pure and holy; for those who
have felt their need of the atoning blood of Christ and the sanctifying grace
of His Spirit. {5T 224.2}
My brethren, God is grieved with your envying
and jealousies, your bitterness and dissension. In all these things you are
yielding obedience to Satan and not to Christ. When we see men firm in
principle, fearless in duty, zealous in the cause of God, yet humble and lowly,
gentle and tender, patient toward all, ready to forgive, manifesting love for
souls for whom Christ died, we do not need to inquire: Are they Christians?
They give unmistakable evidence that they have been with Jesus and learned of
Him. When men reveal the opposite traits, when they are proud, vain, frivolous,
worldly-minded, avaricious, unkind, censorious, we need not be told with whom
they are associating, who is their most intimate friend. They may not believe
in witchcraft; but, notwithstanding this, they are holding communion with an
evil spirit. {5T 224.3}
To this class I would say: “Glory not, and lie
not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is
sown in peace of them that make peace.” {5T 225.1}
When the Pharisees and Sadducees flocked to
the baptism of John, that fearless preacher of righteousness addressed them: “O
generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring
forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” These men were actuated by
unworthy motives in coming to John. They were men of poisonous principles and
corrupt practices. Yet they had no sense of their true condition. Filled with
pride and ambition, they would not hesitate at any means to exalt themselves
and strengthen their influence with the people. They came to receive baptism at
the hand of John that they might better carry out these designs. {5T 225.2}
John read their motives, and met them with the
searching inquiry: “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Had they
heard the voice of God speaking to their hearts they would have given evidence
of the fact by bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. No such fruit was
seen. They had heard the warning as merely the voice of man. They
were charmed with the power and boldness with
which John spoke, but the Spirit of God did not send conviction to their hearts
and as the sure result bring forth fruit unto eternal life. They gave no
evidence of a change of heart. Without the transforming power of the Holy
Spirit, John would have them understand that no outward ceremony could benefit
them. {5T 225.3}
The reproof of the prophet is applicable to
many in our day. They cannot gainsay the clear and convincing arguments that
sustain the truth, but they accept it more as the result of human reasoning
than of divine revelation. They have no true sense of their condition as
sinners, they manifest no real brokenness of heart; but, like the Pharisees,
they feel that it is a great condescension for them to accept the truth. {5T
226.1}
None are further from the kingdom of heaven
than self-righteous formalists, filled with pride at their own attainments,
while they are wholly destitute of the spirit of Christ; while envy, jealousy,
or love of praise and popularity controls them. They belong to
the same class that John addressed as a generation of vipers, children of the
wicked one. Such persons are among us, unseen, unsuspected. They serve the
cause of Satan more effectively than the vilest profligate; for the latter does
not disguise his true character; he appears what he is. {5T 226.2}
God requires fruit meet for repentance.
Without such fruit our profession of faith is of no value. The Lord is able to
raise up true believers among those who have never heard His name. “Think not
to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you,
that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” {5T 226.3}
God is not dependent upon men who are
unconverted in heart and life. He will never favor any man who practices
iniquity. “And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore
every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the
fire.” {5T 226.4}
Those who laud and flatter the minister, while
they neglect the works of righteousness, give unmistakable evidence that they
are converted to the minister and not to God. We inquire: “Who hath warned you
to flee from the wrath to come?” Was it the voice of the Holy Spirit or merely
the voice of man which you heard in the message sent from God? The fruit borne
will testify to the character of the tree. {5T 227.1}
No outward forms can make us clean; no
ordinance, administered by the saintliest of men, can take the place of the
baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God must do its work upon the heart.
All who have not experienced its regenerating power are chaff among the wheat.
Our Lord has His fan in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. In
the coming day He will discern “between him that serveth God and him that serveth
Him not.” {5T 227.2}
The spirit of Christ will be revealed in all
who are born of God. Strife and contention cannot
arise among those who are controlled by His Spirit. “Be ye clean,
that bear the vessels of the Lord.” The church will rarely take a higher stand
than is taken by her ministers. We need a converted ministry and a converted
people. Shepherds who watch for souls as they that must give account will lead
the flock on in paths of peace and holiness. Their success in this work will be
in proportion to their own growth in grace and knowledge of the truth. When the
teachers are sanctified, soul, body, and spirit, they can impress upon the
people the importance of such sanctification. {5T 227.3}
To talk of religious things in a casual
way, to pray for spiritual blessings without real soul hunger and living faith,
avails little. The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no
vital power from the contact. But when the poor, suffering woman, in her great
need, put forth her hand and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she felt the
healing virtue. Hers was the touch of faith. Christ recognized that touch, and
He determined there to give a lesson for all His followers to the close of
time. He knew that virtue had gone out of Him, and turning about in the throng
He said: “Who touched My clothes?” Surprised at such a question His disciples
answered: “Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest thou, Who
touched Me?” {5T 227.4}
Jesus fixed His eyes upon her who had done
this. She was filled with fear. Great joy was hers, but had she overstepped her
duty? Knowing what was done in her, she came trembling and fell at His feet and
told Him all the truth. Christ did not reproach her. He gently said: “Go in
peace, and be whole of thy plague.” {5T 228.1}
Here was distinguished the casual contact from
the touch of faith. Prayer and preaching, without the exercise of living faith
in God, will be in vain. But the touch of faith opens to us the divine treasure
house of power and wisdom; and thus, through instruments of clay, God
accomplishes the wonders of His grace. {5T 228.2}
This living faith is our great need today. We
must know that Jesus is indeed ours, that His spirit is purifying and refining
our hearts. If the ministers of Christ had genuine faith, with meekness and
love, what a work they might accomplish! What fruit would be seen to the glory
of God! {5T 228.3}
What can I say to you, my brethren, that shall
arouse you from your carnal security? I have been shown your perils. There are both believers and unbelievers in the church. Christ
represents these two classes in His parable of the vine and its branches. He
exhorts His followers: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide
in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” {5T
228.4}
There is a wide difference between a pretended
union and a real connection with Christ by faith. A profession of the truth
places men in the church, but this does not prove that they have a vital
connection with the living Vine. A rule is given by which the true disciple may
be distinguished from those who claim to follow Christ but have not faith in
Him. The one class are fruit bearing, the other, fruitless. The one are often
subjected to the pruning knife of God that they may bring forth more fruit; the
other, as withered branches, are erelong to be severed from the living Vine.
{5T 228.5}
I am deeply solicitous that our people should
preserve the living testimony among them, and that the church should be kept
pure from the unbelieving element. Can we conceive of a closer, more intimate
relation to Christ than is set forth in the words: “I am the Vine, ye are the
branches”? The fibers of the branch are almost identical with those of the
vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the trunk to
the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its nourishment
through the branch. Such is the true believer’s relation to Christ. He abides
in Christ and draws his nourishment from Him. {5T 229.1}
This
spiritual relation can be established only by the exercise of personal faith.
This faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance,
entire consecration. Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will, our
feelings, desires, interests, and honor identified with the prosperity of
Christ’s kingdom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from
Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from us. {5T 229.2}
When this intimacy of connection and
communion is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ; His righteousness is
imputed to us. He was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness
of God in Him. We have access
to God through Him; we are accepted in the Beloved. Whoever by word of deed
injures a believer thereby wounds Jesus. Whoever gives a cup of cold water to a
disciple because he is a child of God will be regarded by Christ as giving to
Him. {5T 229.3}
It was when Christ was about to take leave of
His disciples that He gave them the beautiful emblem of His relation to
believers. He had been presenting before them the close union with Himself by
which they could maintain spiritual life when His visible presence was
withdrawn. To impress it upon their minds He gave them the vine as its most
striking and appropriate symbol. {5T 230.1}
The Jews had always regarded the vine as the
most noble of plants and a type of all that was powerful, excellent, and
fruitful. “The vine,” our Lord would seem to say, “which you prize so highly,
is a symbol. I am the reality: I am the True Vine. As a nation you prize the
vine; as sinners you should prize Me above all things earthly. The branch cannot
live separated from the vine; no more can you live unless you are abiding in
Me.” {5T 230.2}
All Christ’s followers have as deep an
interest in this lesson as had the disciples who listened to His words. In the
apostasy, man alienated himself from God. The separation is wide and fearful;
but Christ has made provision again to connect us with Himself. The power of
evil is so identified with human nature that no man can overcome except by
union with Christ. Through this union we receive moral and spiritual power. If
we have the spirit of Christ we shall bring forth the fruit of righteousness,
fruit that will honor and bless men, and glorify God. {5T 230.3}
The Father is the vinedresser. He skillfully
and mercifully prunes every fruit-bearing branch. Those who share Christ’s
suffering and reproach now will share His glory hereafter. He “is not ashamed
to call them brethren.” His angels minister to them. His second appearing will
be as the Son of man, thus even in His glory identifying Himself with humanity.
To those who have united themselves to Him, He declares: “Though a mother may
forget her child, ‘yet will not I forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon
the palms of My hands.’ Thou art continually before Me.” {5T 230.4}
Oh, what amazing privileges are proffered us!
{5T 231.1}
Will we put forth most earnest efforts to form
this alliance with Christ, through which alone these blessings are attained?
Will we break off our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by turning unto
the Lord? Skepticism and infidelity are widespread. Christ asked the question:
“When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” We must cherish
a living, active faith. The permanence of our faith is
the condition of our union. {5T 231.2}
A union with Christ by living faith is
enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an
infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as
first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is
a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must
feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of
heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a
struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work of
detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity,
worldliness—sin in all its forms—must be overcome if we would enter into a
union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably
hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach
themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished
idols. {5T 231.3}
After
the union with Christ has been formed, it can be preserved only by earnest
prayer and untiring effort. We must resist, we must deny, we must conquer self.
Through the grace of Christ, by courage, by faith, by watchfulness, we may gain
the victory. {5T 231.4}
Believers become one in Christ, but one branch
cannot be sustained by another. The nourishment must be obtained through the
vital connection with the vine. We must feel our utter dependence on Christ. We
must live by faith on the Son of God. That is the meaning of the injunction:
“Abide in Me.” The life we live in the flesh is not to the will of men, not to
please our Lord’s enemies, but to serve and honor Him who loved us and gave
Himself for us. A mere assent to this union, while the affections are not
detached from the world, its pleasures and its dissipations, only emboldens the
heart in disobedience. {5T 231.5}
As a people we are sadly destitute of faith
and love. Our efforts are altogether too feeble for the time of peril in which
we live. The pride and self-indulgence, the impiety and iniquity, by which we
are surrounded have an influence upon us. Few
realize the importance of shunning, so far as possible, all associations
unfriendly to religious life. In choosing their surroundings, few make their
spiritual prosperity the first consideration. {5T 232.1}
Parents flock with their families to the
cities because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the
country. The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street
education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation.
The parents see all this; but it will require a sacrifice to correct their
error, and they stay where they are until Satan gains full control of their
children. Better sacrifice any and every worldly consideration than
to imperil the precious souls committed to your care. They will be
assailed by temptations, and should be taught to meet them; but it is your duty
to cut off every influence, to break up every habit, to sunder every tie, that
keeps you from the most free, open, and hearty committal of yourselves and your
family to God. {5T 232.2}
Instead of the crowded city seek some retired
situation where your children will be, so far as possible, shielded from
temptation, and there train and educate them for usefulness. The prophet Ezekiel
thus enumerates the causes that led to Sodom’s sin and destruction: “Pride,
fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters,
neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” All who would
escape the doom of Sodom must shun the course that brought God’s judgments upon
that wicked city. {5T 232.3}
My brethren, you are disregarding the most
sacred claims of God by your neglect to consecrate yourselves and your children
to Him. Many of you are reposing in false security, absorbed in selfish
interests, and attracted by earthly treasures. You fear no evil. Danger seems a
great way off. You will be deceived, deluded, to your eternal ruin unless you
arouse and with penitence and deep humiliation return unto the Lord. {5T 233.1}
Again and again has the voice from heaven
addressed you. Will you obey this voice? Will you heed the counsel of the True
Witness to seek the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and the
eyesalve? The gold is faith and love, the white raiment is the righteousness of
Christ, the eyesalve is that spiritual discernment which will enable you to see
the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and
obey it. {5T 233.2}
The deadly lethargy of the world is paralyzing
your senses. Sin no longer appears repulsive because you are blinded by Satan.
The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. “Escape for thy
life” is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard saying: “Do
not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm.” Those who are at ease
in Zion cry “Peace and safety,” while heaven declares that swift destruction is
about to come upon the transgressor. The young, the frivolous, the pleasure
loving, consider these warnings as idle tales and turn from them with a jest.
Parents are inclined to think their children about right in the matter, and all
sleep on at ease. Thus it was at the destruction of the old world and when
Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire. On the night prior to their destruction
the cities of the plain rioted in pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and
warnings. But it was these scoffers that perished in the flames. That very
night the door of mercy was forever closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants
of Sodom. {5T 233.3}
It is God who holds in His hands the destiny
of souls. He will not always be mocked; He will not always be trifled with.
Already His judgments are in the land. Fierce and awful tempests leave
destruction and death in their wake. The devouring fire lays low the desolate
forest and the crowded city. Storm and shipwreck await those who journey upon
the deep. Accident and calamity threaten all who travel upon the land.
Hurricanes, earthquakes, sword and famine, follow in quick succession. Yet the
hearts of men are hardened. They recognize not the warning voice of God. They
will not flee to the only refuge from the gathering storm. {5T 234.1}
Many who have been placed upon the walls of
Zion, to watch with eagle eye for the approach of danger and lift the voice of
warning, are themselves asleep. The very ones who should be most active and
vigilant in this hour of peril are neglecting their duty and bringing upon
themselves the blood of souls. {5T 234.2}
My
brethren, beware of the evil heart of unbelief. The word of God is plain and
close in its restrictions; it interferes with your selfish indulgence;
therefore you do not obey it. The testimonies of His Spirit call your attention
to the Scriptures, point out your defects of character, and rebuke your sins; therefore
you do not heed them. And to justify your carnal, ease-loving course you begin
to doubt whether the testimonies are from God. If you would obey their
teachings you would be assured of their divine origin. Remember, your unbelief
does not affect their truthfulness. If they are from God they will stand. Those
who seek to lessen the faith of God’s people in these testimonies, which have
been in the church for the last thirty-six years, are fighting against God. It
is not the instrument whom you slight and insult, but God, who has spoken to
you in these warnings and reproofs. {5T 234.3}
In the instruction given by our Saviour to His
disciples are words of admonition especially applicable to us: “Take heed to
yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
Watch, pray, work—this is the true life of faith. “Pray always;”
that is, be ever in the spirit of prayer, and then you will be in readiness for
your Lord’s coming. {5T 235.1}
The watchmen are responsible for the condition
of the people. While you open the door to pride, envy, doubt, and other sins,
there will be strife, hatred, and every evil work. Jesus, the meek and lowly
One, asks an entrance as your guest; but you are afraid to bid Him enter. He
has spoken to us in both the Old and the New Testament; He is speaking to us
still by His Spirit and His providences. His instructions are designed to make
men true to God and true to themselves. {5T 235.2}
Jesus took upon Himself man’s nature, that He
might leave a pattern for humanity, complete, perfect. He proposes to make us
like Himself, true in every purpose, feeling, and thought—true in heart, soul,
and life. This is Christianity. Our fallen nature must be purified, ennobled,
consecrated by obedience to the truth. Christian faith will never harmonize
with worldly principles; Christian integrity is opposed to all deception and
pretense. The man who cherishes the most of Christ’s love in the
soul, who reflects the Saviour’s image most perfectly, is in the sight of God
the truest, most noble, most honorable man upon the earth. {5T
235.3}
To be continued in Part 2