Ascension Yes -- Rapture No!

Rapture Theology X Ascension

Does the Bible teach that the Church will be ruptured?

   "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (14:1)

    In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (14:2)

    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (14:3)   Mathew 14:1-3

Here and in several other occasions Jesus promised to return and receive = to get or to acquire, his church to himself. The word "rapture is not in the Bible!

The principal scripture used is: Matthew 24:44-42 " Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left." Even here when the context is studied we may notice that it refers to the investigative judgement to come upon unbelievers unawares not to the 2^nd. coming of Christ( see verse 27) which says: " For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." What could be more noticeable than a lightening? No rapture here and on verse 42, says:" Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." We need to watch and be ready always. It does not say that it would be a secret rapture.

Now on Matthew 25:13 we may read: " Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh", here says it clearly that we are not to set a day nor an hour for the lord's return!  It again deals with the judgment to come which we all have much to do as every case is decided for life or eternal damnation. Please see verses: 31 - 46. Therefore judgment not rapture is here referred to.

In 1 thessalonians 4:16 & 17 is where an allusion is made as to the Lord's return and believers being caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, also says that:" For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ( the resurrection comes first, than those who are alive are taken up to meet the Lord). This scripture deals primarily with the state of the dead not the living saints, who most certainly will be here for the time of trouble an never was upon the earth. 

( see Daniel 12:1,2 and Matthew 24:21). Here too speaks of the dead and the resurrection at which time the destiny of all is been decided.

Conclusion: Ascension yes, Rapture no.   Christ is returning soon for his church not to carry on a work of rapture but yes ressurect and transform and take up the dead and the living saints up to heaven and every eye shall see his coming!    Rev. 1:7.

EARTHLINESS  DEFINED! Part 1

"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14

The cleansing is going on in the life of the believers.

 

Excerpts taken from:  LOOKING  UNTO  JESUS OR CHRIST  IN  TYPE  AND  ANTITYPE (URS LUJ25)

BY

URIAH  SMITH , 1898

    "AN examination of the work called "the cleansing of the sanctuary," leads us into a series of subjects of the most important and timely character, subjects which explain some statements of the Scriptures which are otherwise obscure, harmonize lines of prophecy otherwise disconnected, and answer some otherwise unanswerable queries which arise concerning events connected with that crowning of all events, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

URS  LUJ25  A WORK OF JUDGMENT page 0220 paragraph 2  

   "For instance, when Christ comes, the people of God are singled out for a great and immediate change to be passed upon them, while all others are passed by.  The righteous who are in their graves are raised in power, glory, and immortality, and the rest of the dead live not again for a thousand years (1Thess.4:10; Rev.20;5), and the righteous who are living are changed from mortality to immortality, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1Cor.15:51,52), while the rest of the living are given over to perish under the judgments of the Almighty.  2Thess.1:7-9.  And this change for God's people is wrought at the last trump.  But before this change can be wrought, it must be decided who the people of God are, who are to be thus delivered, and who the incorrigibly wicked are, who are to be thus left to perish.  This matter must be determined before the Lord comes; for there is no time given then for investigation of character and decision of destiny.  But this work of decision is a work of judgment, for all awards of good or evil are a part of the judgment, as God has ordained (Rev.20:12); and such a work of judgment must therefore take place before the Lord comes."  IBID, page 0221 paragraph 1  

We know of no system of belief which has a place for this preliminary work of judgment, except that held by the Seventh-day Adventists.  How to adjust this matter, to have Christ reward his people immediately according to their works without a judgment (Rev.22:12), has been a source of perplexity to many, and to meet it they have been obliged to resort to such unscriptural conclusions as these: 1.  That all the human family, good and bad, are raised indiscriminately together; but this contradicts the Bible; for it plainly declares that there are a thousand years between the resurrection of the righteous and that of the wicked.  Rev.20:5.  2.  Another way they try to adjust the matter, is to say that when the righteous are raised, they are raised mortal, judged, and then changed; but this contradicts the Bible; for the Bible assigns no place for any such work of investigative judgment after Christ appears, and, moreover, explicitly declares that the righteous are raised in power, in glory, with spiritual bodies, and in incorruption (1Cor.15:42-44), and that the living righteous are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  Verses 51, 52.  Thus every attempt made by any other system to explain how it is that immortality can be conferred upon the righteous when Christ comes, without this preliminary work of judgment, runs directly against the Scriptures at every step.  And no system which contradicts such plain statements of the Bible can be worthy of the least credence.  But in this closing work in the sanctuary we find just the place for this work of judgment before Christ comes; and when we look at the sanctuary work itself, we find it to be just such a work as meets the case."  IBID, page 0222 paragraph 1  

The subject of the sanctuary, correctly understood, removes all these difficulties.  The cleansing of the sanctuary provides the very place for this preliminary work of judgment, and brings to view a work of just exactly this nature."  IBID, page 0222 paragraph 2

   "The cleansing of the sanctuary is a work of judgment.  A few considerations will make this proposition plain.  The priesthood of Christ continues up to the time when he takes his own throne as king.  He passes directly from the position of priest to that of king; and when he takes his position as king, his work as priest is done.  Now, his work as priest being designed to gather out from the human family a people for his name and kingdom (Acts 15:14), his priestly office cannot close till this result is declared.  When his work is finished, it will have been decided who have availed themselves of his mediation, and have thus become his people.  It is the putting away of sin that determines this; but this is the very work that Christ performs in the most holy place in the conclusion of his ministry.  He here puts away the sins of his people; and this is the cleansing of the sanctuary." IBID, page 0222 paragraph 3  

   "This involves an examination of the books; for the rule that God has laid down in this matter is that all judgment shall be rendered according to each man's works as they stand upon the record.  "And the dead," says John, "were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."  Rev.20:12.  From the reference in this and numerous other passages, to the books, the book of life, the names or the things written therein, and a work called "blotting out," to take place in connection with them, but one conclusion can be drawn; and that is, that a faithful record is kept of each one's actions, the thoughts, words, and deeds, that make up the texture of his character, and the course of his life.  If the person repents and maintains a Christian life to the end, all these recorded sins are to be blotted out of this book.  So Peter declared, "Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."  Acts 3:19.  Of the same class Christ speaks in Rev.3:5: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."  Again he says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."  Matt.10:32,33; Luke 12:8,9.  And this is when Christ is about to be sent the second time to earth (Acts 3:20), and when he is about to come as a thief on all them that do not watch.  Rev.3:3.  Ask the average Christian when the foregoing definite statements of Scripture apply; and would he be able to tell?  But the sanctuary subject places them all in a clear light.  Is not a subject glorious which thus makes God's word clear and intelligible?  IBID, page 0223 paragraph 1  

   "The two divisions of this great proposition are thus established: If we secure the pardon of our sins, the time comes, just before the end, when these sins are blotted out of the books, and our names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, and the Saviour confesses our names to the Father as those who have accepted of salvation through him. Our cases are then decided, and we are sealed for everlasting life.  If, on the other hand, we do not repent, our sins are not blotted out of the record where they stand, but our names are blotted out of the book of life, and Christ denies our names before his Father, as those who have slighted his mercy, and are not entitled to everlasting life through him."  IBID, page 0224 paragraph 1  

   "Thus the cleansing of the sanctuary involves the examination of the records of all the deeds of our lives.  It is an "investigative" judgment.  Every individual of every generation from the beginning of the world, who has ever become interested in the work of Christ, thus passes in review before the great tribunal above.  So Daniel, describing the opening of the scene, calls it a work of judgment, and expressly notices the fact that the books are opened.  Dan.7:9,10.  IBID, page 0224 paragraph 2  

   "This work has been going forward in the sanctuary above, since the end of the prophetic period in 1844.  Beginning, according to the natural order, with the earliest generation, the work of examination passes on down through all the records of time, and closes with the living.  Then the sealing message (Revelation 7) will have performed its work, and all antecedent questions being determined, all cases decided, everything will be ready for the coming of the Lord."  IBID, page 0224 paragraph 3  

   "Reader, think how many years already this solemn work has been in progress!  How much longer can it continue?  More than half a century of this decisive work of investigative judgment already past, and yet how few of all the masses of the earth dream of their position!  O church of Christ, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, sound an alarm which shall cause all the inhabitants of the land to hear and tremble; for the great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.The conclusion is consequently put beyond dispute that probation does not end when the work in the most holy place commences, but that it ends with each individual, as the work shall reach his or her individual case.  The natural order would seem to be that this work, which has been shown to be the investigative judgment, would begin with the earliest generations of men, that is, with those who are now in their graves (but their record lives on high), and so come down through all successive generations till it reaches the living, the decision of whose cases would be the very closing portion of this last work."

URS  LUJ29  THE CLOSE OF PROBATION. page 0249 paragraph 1  

   "But at length the cases of all the generations of the dead will have been examined, and the work will reach the living; then, as each individual case is taken up and passed upon, his probation will end, and his destiny be fixed.  This is the scene our Lord brings to view when just before his coming he says that this fearful fiat shall go forth: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."  Rev.22:11,12.  IBID, page 0249 paragraph 2  

And how near are we to this solemn moment? - We know not.  (For over half a century already has this closing sanctuary work been in progress.  It cannot much longer continue.  Its whole duration is to be spanned by one generation.) [ Uriah Smith and the Pioneers, expected the return of Jesus Christ in their life time].  Matt.24:34.  This much we know, as taught by the type, that if we would have Christ's blood avail for us, to atone for our sins when our cases shall come up in that grand review, the record must show that we have sincerely repented of all our sins, and sought pardon for them through our Advocate on high.  In the type the people were required on the day of atonement to afflict their souls.  Are we, both writer and readers, thus faithfully crucifying ourselves to this world, that we may successfully pass the test of the judgment, and live forever in the world to come?  IBID, page 0249 paragraph 3

A PRACTICLE APPLICATION

What did Jesus mean by the words: " Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 

But he spake of the temple of his body."  John 2:20-21. 

Do we also have a temple?  "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  1 Corinthians 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 6:16

 "In the cleansing of the temple, Jesus was announcing His mission as the Messiah, and entering upon His work. That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul."  Desire of Ages, 161.1 

"It is right to love beauty and to desire it; but God desires us to love and seek first the highest beauty, that which is imperishable. No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that "meek and quiet spirit," the "fine linen, white and clean" (Revelation 19:14), which all the holy ones of earth will wear. This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here, and will hereafter be their badge of admission to the palace of the King. His promise is, "They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3:4.  Acts of the Apostles,  523.3

     Looking forward with prophetic vision to the perilous times into which the church of Christ was to enter, the apostle exhorted the believers to steadfastness in the face of trial and suffering. "Beloved," he wrote, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you."  IBID, 524.1

     "Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God's children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leading His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and to fit themselves for service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified."  IBID, 524.2

     God's care for His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon His children but such as is essential for their present and eternal good. He will purify His church, even as Christ purified the temple during His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon His people in test and trial comes that they may gain deeper piety and greater strength to carry forward the triumphs of the cross."  IBID, 524.3

   "God has given to parents and teachers the work of educating the children and youth in these lines, and from every act of their lives they may be taught spiritual lessons. While

training them in habits of physical cleanliness, we should teach them that God desires them to be clean in heart as well as in body. While sweeping a room, they may learn how the Lord purifies the heart. They would not close the doors and windows and leave in the room some putrifying substance, but would open the doors and throw wide the windows, and with diligent effort expel all the dust. So the windows of impulse and feeling must be opened toward heaven, and the dust of selfishness and earthliness must be expelled. The grace of God must sweep through the chambers of the mind, and every element of the nature must be purified and vitalized by the Spirit of God. Disorder and untidiness in daily duties will lead to forgetfulness of God and to keeping the form of godliness in a profession of faith, having lost the reality. We are to watch and pray, else we shall grasp the shadow and lose the substance."  Child Guidance, 496.2

     "A living faith like threads of gold should run through the daily experience in the performance of little duties."  IBID, 497.1

   "The truths of the Bible, received, will uplift the mind from its earthliness and debasement. If the Word of God were appreciated as it should be, both young and old would possess an inward rectitude, a strength of principle, that would enable them to resist temptation."  IBID, 506.4

    "The Holy One of Israel has made known to us the statutes and laws which are to govern all human intelligences. These precepts, which have been pronounced "holy, and just, and good," are to form the standard of

                                                                     

action in the home. There can be no departure from them without sin, for they are the foundation of the Christian religion."  IBID, 506.5

   

   "Christ desires nothing so much as to redeem His heritage from the dominion of Satan. But before we are delivered from Satan's power without, we must be delivered

from his power within. The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character.  He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier. Often we enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness; but if patient under the crucial test, we shall come forth reflecting the divine character. When His purpose in the affliction is accomplished, "He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Ps. 37:6.  Christ Object Lessons, 174.3

     "There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.  IBID, 175.1

Prophetic  Meaning

   "That sins are transferred to the heavenly sanctuary is evident from the fact that there exists a necessity for its cleansing; and there can be nothing here but the presence of sin to render such a work necessary.  We look to the type.  A work of cleansing the sanctuary was performed every year in the most solemn manner by divine appointment.  Why was this?  What was there to render the cleansing of that sanctuary necessary?  Into the most holy no man entered but the high priest, and he but once a year.  In a place so sacredly guarded, could there have been anything physically impure? - By no means.  And yet that sanctuary, the most holy place, as well as the holy place, had to be cleansed.  Again we ask the reader, and especially any one who objects to the views here presented, to ponder well the question, Why?  But one answer can be returned.  The sins of the people were represented there; and from their presence it must be purified.  And this work of cleansing, as we have seen, was not a purification from material uncleanness, but simply a ceremony by which imputed sins were removed and borne away forever."

So in the antitype.  There is nothing literally impure or unclean in the heavenly sanctuary.  But the sins of all those who have sought pardon through the merits of Jesus have been transferred there; and these must be removed.  This is its cleansing.  No other is brought to view.  In reference to no other act is the expression, "cleansing of the sanctuary," ever used.  No mind can fail to understand this, and no one need to revolt at the idea." Excerpts taken from:  LOOKING  UNTO  JESUS OR CHRIST  IN  TYPE  AND  ANTITYPE

BY

URIAH  SMITH , 1898  - page 0147 paragraph 1

        Paul's testimony in Heb.9:22-24, which forever settles this point, has already been presented.  We scarcely need repeat that the burden of Paul's argument is "remission," which is the removal of sin.  He shows in these verses that the earthly sanctuary had to be cleansed because sin was to be remitted, and that it must therefore be accomplished with blood.  He then explicitly states that it was necessary for the same reason that the heavenly sanctuary should undergo a cleansing of the same nature, and by the same means, only that now the sacrifice was infinitely better, being the blood of Christ, instead of the blood of beasts." IBID, page 147 paragraph 2

[TO BE CONTINUED]

AT THE END - ONLY TWO CLASSES !

TWO CLASSES ONLY !

"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Mathew 24: 40-44

"The warfare against God's law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion."  Desire of Ages, 763.3

"There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour's life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among the twelve apostles was a traitor. Judas was accepted, not because of his defects of character, but notwithstanding them. He was connected with the disciples, that, through the instruction and example of Christ, he might learn what constitutes Christian character, and thus be led to see his errors, to repent, and, by the aid of divine grace, to purify his soul "in obeying the truth." But Judas did not walk in the light so graciously permitted to shine upon him. By indulgence in sin he invited the temptations of Satan. His evil traits of character became predominant. He yielded his mind to the control of the powers of darkness, he became angry when his faults were reproved, and thus he was led to commit the fearful crime of betraying his Master. So do all who cherish evil under a profession of godliness hate those who disturb their peace by condemning their course of sin. When a favorable opportunity is presented, they will, like Judas, betray those who for their good have sought to reprove them."  Great Controversy, 43.2

   "The apostles encountered those in the church who professed godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira acted the part of deceivers, pretending to make an entire sacrifice for God, when they were covetously withholding a portion for themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the real character of these pretenders, and the judgments of God rid the church of this foul blot upon its purity. This signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to hypocrites and evildoers. They could not long remain in connection with those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of Christ; and as trials and persecution came upon His followers, those only who were willing to forsake all for the truth's sake desired to become His disciples. Thus, as long as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. But as it ceased, converts were added who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was open for Satan to obtain a foothold." IBID, 44.1

     "But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers. When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led further and further from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then brought his  power to bear more fully upon these, and inspired them to persecute those who remained true to God. None understood so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those who had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ."  IBID, 45.1

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."  Matthew 25: 31-46.

"During the night season I devoted some time to prayer for it seemed to me that if there was ever a time when we needed to watch and pray continually, it is now. The Lord is soon to come, and the end of all things is at hand. The watchmen should be wide awake now and see eye to eye. Solemnity should be upon us all. There are to be but two classes in our world, the obedient and the disobedient.  Our only hope is God. He loves us, and we must continue in the words spoken by Jesus. What pleases God? It is the loving obedience of every individual soul. The obedience of heavenly beings pleases God, and the sinner who unreservedly surrenders himself to do God's way pleases God. We must listen as God says of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him."  The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials (1987) Chap. 122 - To S. N. Haskell - pg. 994.4

    " Jesus reveals the Father's character, publishes the Father's grace, and in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."  IBID -1888 pg. 995.1

"I see perplexities on every side. As character develops man and woman will take their position, for varied circumstances brought to bear upon them will cause them to reveal the spirit which prompts them to action. Every one will reveal the character of the bundle with which he is binding himself. The wheat is being bound up for the heavenly garner. The true people of God are now bound up for the heavenly garner. The true people of God are now pulling apart, and the tares are being bound in bundles ready to burn. Decided positions will be taken. Satan will move upon minds that have been indulged, upon men who have always had their own way, and anything presented to them in counsel or reproof to change their objectionable traits of character is considered faultfinding, binding them, restraining them, that they cannot have liberty to act themselves. The Lord in great mercy has sent messages of warning to them, but they would not listen to reproof. Like the enemy who rebelled in heaven, they do not like to hear, do not correct the wrong they have done but become accusers, declaring themselves misused and unappreciated." IBID - 1888  pg. 995.2

 

    " Now is the time of trial, of test, of proving. Those who, like Saul, will persist in having their own way will suffer, as he did, loss of honor and finally the loss of the soul. God has a people, and they will be a tried people, but the people will be humble. They are under the guidance of the Holy One in thought, in word, in deed. Can any of us find a path more pleasant than that in which the Eternal One leads the way? Self must die. The truth of God places us in a path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. It is a narrow path; there is no self-glorying in it. But many will forsake this path where the true light shines and will walk in the sparks of their own kindling." IBID -1888 pg. 996.1

"We are nearing the close of this earth's history, when two parties alone can exist, and every man, woman, and child will be in one of these armies. Jesus will be the General of one army; of the opposing army, Satan will be the leader. All who are breaking, and teaching others to break, the law of God, the foundation of His government in heaven and in earth, are marshaled under one superior chief, who directs them in opposition to the government of God. And "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 6) are rebels against the law of God, and enemies to all who love and obey His commandments. These subjects, with Satan their leader, will gather others into their ranks through every possible means, to strengthen his forces and urge his claims."  3Selected Messages 422.5

     Through his deception and delusion, Satan would, if possible, deceive the very elect. His is no minor deception. He will seek to annoy, to harass, to falsify, to accuse, and misrepresent all whom he cannot compel to give him honor and help him in his work. His great success lies in keeping men's minds confused, and ignorant of his devices, for then he can lead the unwary as it were, blindfolded. . . .  IBID, 423.1

     The Sabbath Is the Issue in the Final Conflict.-- The Sabbath is the great test question. It is the line of demarkation between the loyal and true and the disloyal and transgressor. This Sabbath God has enjoined, and those who claim to be commandment keepers, who believe that they are now under the proclamation of the third angel's message, will see the important part the Sabbath of the fourth commandment holds in that message. It is the seal of the living God. They will not lessen the claims of the Sabbath to suit their business of convenience.--Manuscript 34, 1897.  IBID, 423.2

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:20-23 

"There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognized in the judgment--those who violate God's law and those who obey it. Christ gives the test by which to prove our loyalty or disloyalty. "If ye love Me," He says, "keep My commandments. . . . He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. . . . He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings; and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me." "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 14:15-24; 15:10.  Christ Object Lessons, 283.3

There will be but two classes.  Which side are you on? I hope and pray that you make your decision today! Time is running out my Brother or my Sister! Every case will soon be decided forever! "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:11,12

Present Truth and The Snares of Satan

PRESENT TRUTH and THE Snares of Satan

   

E.G. WHITE - Snares of Satan - excerpts

  

    "The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man's behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and impenitence till the Saviour's mediation is ended, and there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish."  GC 518.1

    "When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?" he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit."  IBID, 518.2

    "Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind. There has ever been a class professing godliness, who, instead of following on to know the truth, make it their religion to seek some fault of character or error of faith in those with whom they do not agree. Such are Satan's right-hand helpers. Accusers of the brethren are not few, and they are always active when God is at work and His servants are rendering Him true homage. They will put a false coloring upon the words and acts of those who love and obey the truth. They will represent the most earnest, zealous, self-denying servants of Christ as deceived or deceivers. It is their work to misrepresent the motives of every true and noble deed, to circulate insinuations, and arouse suspicion in the minds of the inexperienced. In every conceivable manner they will seek to cause that which is pure and righteous to be regarded as foul and deceptive." IBID, 519.2

    "The position that it is of no consequence what men believe is one of Satan's most successful deceptions. He knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver; therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false theories, fables, another gospel. From the beginning the servants of God have contended against false teachers, not merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that were fatal to the soul. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and fearlessly opposed those who were turning men from the word of God. That liberality which regards a correct religious faith as unimportant found no favor with these holy defenders of the truth."  IBID, 520.2

   "The vague and fanciful interpretations of Scripture, and the many conflicting theories concerning religious faith, that are found in the Christian world are the work of our great adversary to confuse minds so that they shall not discern the truth. And the discord and division which exist among the churches of Christendom are in a great measure due to the prevailing custom of wresting the Scriptures to support a favorite theory. Instead of carefully studying God's word with humility of heart to obtain a knowledge of His will, many seek only to discover something odd or original." IBID, 520.3

     "In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian practices, some will seize upon passages of Scripture separated from the context, perhaps quoting half of a single verse as proving their point, when the remaining portion would show the meaning to be quite the opposite. With the cunning of the serpent they entrench themselves behind disconnected utterances construed to suit their carnal desires. Thus do many willfully pervert the word of God. Others, who have an active imagination, seize upon the figures and symbols of Holy Writ, interpret them to suit their fancy, with little regard to the testimony of Scripture as its own interpreter, and then they present their vagaries as the teachings of the Bible."  IBID, 521.1

     "Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. The papal leaders select such portions of Scripture as best serve their purpose, interpret to suit themselves, and then present these to the people, while they deny them the privilege of studying the Bible and understanding its sacred truths for themselves. The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it reads. It would be better for them not to have Bible instruction at all than to have the teaching of the Scriptures thus grossly misrepresented."  IBID, 521.2

  The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ Himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters that concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery. They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the Lord by the prophet Habakkuk: "Write the vision, and make it plain, . . . that he may run that readeth it." Habakkuk 2:2. The word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. "Light is sown for the righteous." Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure."  IBID, 521.3

JAMES WHITE - Present Position and Work  and  Present Truth.

         

Revelations 12:17 -- "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Life Incidents by James White, 326-1 [1868].

          "The woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of the church represents the Christians of the last generation of men living just prior to the second advent.  The dragon makes war on these for keeping the commandments of God, Sabbath and all, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ, which according to the inspired definition of chap. 19,10, "is the spirit of prophecy."  Here, then, are the causes of the dragon's warfare upon the remnant.  They teach the observance of the ten commandments, and the revival of the gifts, and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them.  When the Devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty was filled with revengeful delight.  But when the remnant, whom God designs to fit for translation to Heaven without seeing death, "ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein," then the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them." IBID, 326-2

          "The true spirit of the dragonic host, which is already being somewhat developed, is vividly described in Isa. 30,8-13, as being manifested just prior to the sudden destruction of those who hate the pure testimony, and love smooth and deceitful things." IBID, 326-3

          "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever [margin, `the latter day']; that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord; which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits; get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause

                                                0327

the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.  Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant." IBID, 326/327

          "Mark this: In "the latter day" men will not hear the law of the Lord, the commandments of God; and they will say to the seers, those who have the spirit of prophecy, See not.  They will receive neither.  They war against both.  See also Mark 16,15-20; Matt. 28,18-20; Eph. 4,4-13; 1 Cor. 12,1,28; 13,8 -12; 1,4-8; Rev. 19,10; 1 Thess. 5; Matt. 7,15-20; Isa. 8,19,20; Jer. 14,14; 23,16,17; 8,10,11; 5,30,31.  For a full exposition of the subject of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, as held by Seventh-day Adventists, see their works upon the subject." IBID, 327-1

          "But it is objected that since the volume of inspiration was completed, spiritual gifts have not been needed.  Who knows this to be the case?  The disciples of Jesus had the law and the prophets, yet needed the manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  We have both Testaments, and who knows that we do not also need the gifts of the Spirit of God? IBID, 327-2

          "The great design of the sacred Scriptures was to give man a perfect rule of faith and practice.  God purposed that his people should follow this rule and by it develop characters perfect before him.  Said Paul to Timothy, "Thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation."  There is no fault in the Scriptures that makes it necessary that the gifts of the Holy Spirit should be manifested.  The necessities in the case exist in the imperfections of the people of God, in the fact that they do not follow their perfect rule."  IBID, 327-3

                                                0328

          "We now see the gifts of the Spirit occupying their proper place.  They are not manifested to give a rule of faith and practice.  We already have a rule that is perfect in the Sacred Writings.  But in consequence of the errors of God's people, and their deviations in faith and practice from this perfect rule, God in mercy manifests the gifts to reprove their errors, and lead them to a correct understanding of the holy Scriptures.  This is the position of the gifts.  They were not designed to take the place of the Scriptures.  And they are not given because the Scriptures are an imperfect rule of faith and practice.  But in consequence of the errors of God's professed people, in departing from the perfect rule, which he has given them, the gifts are manifested to correct the erring, and point them to the Bible as their lamp and guide." IBID, 328-2

          "God designed that his people should be one.  This was the burden of the prayer of Jesus.  John 17.  Hear him as he prays in agony, "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."  Paul exhorted the Corinthians in the name of the Christ to be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.  Read 1 Cor. 1,10; Rom. 15,5; Phil. 2,1,2; 1 Pet. 3,8; 5,5.  But do we see this unity in those who profess to take the Bible as their rule, and reject the gifts?  We see divisions, and with many, confusion to the utmost.  The fault, however, is not in the Bible.  It is in those who fail to follow the teachings of the sacred Scriptures.  And God in mercy and condescension infinite purposes to help them by the gifts.  But many of them refuse to be helped in this way, because that in the Bible they have a perfect rule.  If they obeyed the sacred Scriptures,

                                                0329

and walked in unity, both among themselves, and with God, they would not need the gifts.  But in their confusion, and their distance from Christ, while still rejecting the gifts, there is no help for them in God." IBID, 328/329.

          "Again, I ask, Who knows that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have not been needed since the completion of the volume of inspiration?  It is admitted that when completed it was a more perfect rule then when but a portion of it was given.  But how does its completion take the place of the gifts?  If they were given because of the imperfections of the people of God, their removal supposes perfection on the part of God's people.  Do we find perfection in the church since the days of Paul, to that degree as to need no special manifestations of the Spirit, reproving sin and correcting deviations from God's perfect rule?  The history of the church, setting forth her terrible apostasies and corruptions, her endless schisms, divisions and creeds, and her conflicting expositions of the plainest truths of the Bible, testifies too plainly of her imperfections.  Her sad history and present wretchedness, show that necessity still remains, since the completion of the Book of God, for the manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit." IBID, 329-2

          "The gift of prophecy is by the apostle classed with the callings of the Christian church in Eph. 4,11-13.  He distinctly states their object: "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."  These were all given at the same time,

                                                0330

all for the same purpose, all to cease at the same time.  Do we recognize in the Christian church, evangelists, pastors, and teachers?  Why not prophets?  Does the church still need them?  Why not the gift of prophecy?  Will those continue till the church is perfected, ready to meet her descending Lord?  So will the gift of prophecy. IBID, 329/330.

          "Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, has spoken very definitely upon this subject of spiritual gifts.  In 1Cor.xii,1, he says: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."  He regarded this subject as one of the highest importance, and urges an understanding of it.  In all he has said relative to it, he has not once intimated that the gifts were to cease before the perfect day of glory should come.  But he does clearly point to the time when the gifts will cease.  1 Cor. 13,8-12:  "Charity [agape - love,] never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known." IBID, 330-2

          "The apostle here contrasts the mortal state with the immortal; the present imperfect, with that which will be perfect; the cloudy present while we walk by faith, with the open glory of the life to come.  Here, we only know in part, prophesy in part; there, that which is in part, will be done away.  Here, we see through a glass darkly; there, face to face.  Here, we know in part;

                                                0331

there, we shall know, even as we are known.  Charity, or love, will never end.  Here, it is the highest Christian grace; there, it will be the crowning glory of immortals for ever and for ever.  In this sense love will never fail.  But prophecies will fail, tongues will cease, and knowledge will vanish away.  The light of Heaven through the dim medium of these, and the other gifts of the Holy Spirit,is represented as being only in part, to be superseded by the perfect day of glory when we may talk face to face with God, Christ, and angels, as our first parents talked with God in Eden before sin entered.  But when?  This is the vital question.  When were the gifts to be done away?  Let Paul answer:  "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."  "And let all the people say, Amen." IBID, 330/331.

          "God has had a truth in every age, by which he has tested the people of that age.  This was true in the days of Noah, and at the first advent of Christ.  It is especially true at the present time, as God is preparing to visit the wicked with judgments and the righteous with salvation.  All revealed, practical, truth ever has been, and ever will be, a test of man's fidelity to God.  He will have to give an account to the Author of truth how he treats it.  If he obeys, he may be saved; if he rejects it, and violates its claims upon him, he must be lost." IBID, 331-2

          "But the law of God, in an eminent sense, is a test to man.  It is the highest authority in all earth and Heaven.  If God's law is not a test, there is no such thing as a test.  Seventh-day Adventists solemnly believe that God is proving and testing the people by his holy law.  In point of sacredness and importance, they regard the fourth commandment equal to either of the other nine, and the sin of violating it, when as well understood,

                                                0332

equal to that of breaking either of them.  They believe that the present time, in the providence of God, during the proclamation of the third angel's message, is the period for the sabbath reform, and that in the last message, the Sabbath of Jehovah is to be the special test in the law of God for the people.  The great question to be decided before the wrath of God shall be poured out upon a guilty and ruined world is, Who will be loyal to the God of Heaven?  Such, if washed from their sins by the blood of Christ, become heirs to the future inheritance, and receive a crown of unfading glory at the second appearing of Jesus.  Says Christ, "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments."IBID, 332-1

          "Seventh-day Adventists are charged with making the Sabbath a test.  And some will have it that we denounce and reject all who do not believe as we do.  It is true that we teach that God is testing the people by his law.  But we deny the charge that we denounce and reject those who differ from us." IBID, 332-2

          "Our course toward all men whom we can reach with our publications, our sermons and our entreaties, proves the charge false.  We beseech all men, without respect to profession of religion, color, or rank in society, to turn from their sins, keep God's commandments and live.  And we manifest a zeal and earnestness in this matter somewhat in proportion to the importance of the testing message we bear.  And because our testimony is pointed and earnest, condemning those who choose to pass along with the popular current, and violate the law of God, some are disturbed, and with feelings of retaliation, falsely charge us.  It is not our work to test, condemn, and denounce, the people.  It is not in our hearts to unnecessarily injure the feelings of any.  But with our present convictions of truth and duty, we should do great violence to our

                                                0333

own consciences, and sin against God, should we cease to declare to the people the purpose of God in testing the world by his law, just before the day of wrath." IBID, 332/333.

          "And God has greatly blessed such testimony.  As a people, Seventh-day Adventists were heard of, as it were, but yesterday.  As a people, they do not claim to be more than a score of years old.  And yet in point of numbers and efficiency they have a little strength.  And why?  Because, when they have borne a pointed and earnest testimony, God has been with them, and added to their numbers and strength." IBID, 333-2

          "But if the Sabbath is not a test, it is not worth our while to be to the trouble of teaching and observing it in the face of decided opposition.  If we can be as good Christians while breaking the fourth commandment, as while keeping it, should we not at once seek to be in harmony with the rest of the Christian world?  Why be so odd as to obey the commandment of God, if one can be as good a Christian while living in violation of it?  And there are frequent inconveniences, and pecuniary sacrifices, to be suffered by those who are so particular concerning the observance of the fourth commandment.  If the Sabbath is of so little importance as not to be a test of Christian fellowship and eternal salvation; if men who break the Sabbath should be embraced in our fellowship the same as if they observed it; and if they can reach heaven as surely in violating the fourth commandment as in keeping it; why not abandon is at once, and cease to agitate the public mind with a question of no real importance which is so unpleasant and annoying." IBID, 333-3

          "Seventh-day Adventists believe that in the restoration of the Bible Sabbath, under the last message of mercy, God designs to make it a test to the people." IBID, 333-4

                                                0334

          "Hence many of them labor with earnestness to teach it, and are ready to make any sacrifices in order to observe it, and do their duty in teaching it to others.  Convince them that it is not a test, and they will not trouble the people nor themselves longer with it.  But should they give the people to understand that they regard the Sabbath of so little importance as not to be a test, "the sword of the Spirit'" on that subject at least, would become in their hands as powerless as a straw.  They could not then convict the people upon this subject.  Indeed their position before the people, in earnestly calling their attention to a subject that is of so little importance as not to constitute a test of Christian character, and which would subject them to a heavy cross, much inconvenience, sacrifice, and reproach, would be but little less than solemn mockery.  With our present view of the importance of the subject, we have a sufficient reason for earnestly urging the claims of the fourth commandment upon our fellow-men." IBID, 334-1

          "The remarks of Elder J. N. Andrews in reference to the Sabbatarians of England in the seventeenth century, have so direct a bearing upon this subject that I give the following from his History of the Sabbath, pp. 335,336:" IBID, 334-2

          "The laws of England during that century were very oppressive to all dissenters from the established church, and bore exceedingly hard upon the Sabbath-keepers.  Yet fine, imprisonment, and even capital punishment, would not have proved sufficient to suppress the Sabbath.  It was in the house of its own friends that the Sabbath was wounded.  In the seventeenth century eleven churches of Sabbatarians flourished in England, while many scattered Sabbath-keepers were to be found in various parts of that kingdom.  Now but three of those churches are in existence.  It was not the lack of

                                                0335

able men among the Sabbath-keepers to defend the truth, nor the fierce assaults of their persecutors, that has thus reduced them to a handful.  The fault is their own, not indeed for any disgraceful conduct on their part, but simply because they made the Sabbath of no practical importance, and lowered the standard of divine truth in this thing to the dust.  The Sabbath-keeping ministers assumed the pastoral care of first-day churches, in some cases as their sole charge, in others they did this in connection with the oversight of Sabbatarian churches.  The result need surprise no one; as both ministers and people said to all men, in thus acting, that the fourth commandment might be broken with impunity, the people took them at their word.  Mr. Crosby, a first-day historian, sets this matter in a clear light:" IBID, 334/335.

          "`If the seventh day ought to be observed as the Christian Sabbath, then all congregations that observe the first day as such must be Sabbath-breakers. . . I must leave those gentlemen on the contrary side to their own sentiments; and to vindicate the practice of becoming pastors to a people whom in their conscience they must believe to be breakers of the Sabbath.'"

IBID, 335-1

          "The Seventh-day Baptists of America have done a good work in teaching the Sabbath.  We should respect them, and regard them with peculiar interest for this.  But had they been faithful to the sacred trust committed to them, their numbers and strength might have been a hundred-fold greater than they now are.  They have had the reproach, the cross, and the inconvenience of the Sabbath, without that strength and force which teaching it as a test gives.  For nearly two centuries, in their feebleness, they have been holding up the Sabbath, while, if they had been faithful in teaching it, in observing it, and urging it upon the consciences of the

                                                0336

people, the Sabbath would have held them up, and been the strength of that people." IBID, 335/336.

          "Seventh-day Adventists have nothing to boast of.  God has often reproved and chastised us for unfaithfulness.  And when we have returned to him, and humbly and faithfully battled for the truth, amid reproaches and persecutions, he has greatly blessed us.  Nothing is so much to be dreaded as that calm which is the result of tempering unpopular, testing truth to the ears of the people so as not to offend.  Rather let the reproach come, and the storm rage, if it be the result of speaking the truth of God in love." IBID, 336-1

          "As a people we have had our difficulties to surmount, our trials to bear, and our victories to gain.  We are gathered from Methodists, Regular Baptists, Freewill Baptists, Seventh-day Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Dutch Reform, Disciples, Christians, Lutherans, United Brethren, Catholics, Universalists, Worldlings, and Infidels.  We are composed of native Americans, English, Welsh, Scotch, Irish, French, Germans, Norwegians, Danes, Swedes, Poles, and others.  To bring together a body composed of such material, affected more or less by the religious sentiments and forms of the several denominations, with all their national peculiarities, has called for much patient, and persevering toil.  And it is by the grace of God that we are what we are.  And let his name be praised that in our darkest hours, when we have humbled ourselves, he has ever come to our aid." IBID, 336-2

          "From their past brief history Seventh-day Adventists may learn much as to their present work and future prospects.  When in humility they have borne a decided testimony in the fear of God, their labors have been signally blessed.  When they have been willing

                                                0337

to bear the cross of present truth, and sacrifice time, convenience and means to advance the work, they have shared the approving smiles of Heaven.  They have seen that nothing can keep the body in a healthy condition but the plain and pointed testimony.  This will do the work of purification, either by purging their sins, or separating from them the unconsecrated and rebellious.  Let the result be what it may, such testimony must be borne, or this people will fall as others have fallen.  And terrible would be their fall, after having so clear light, and having had committed to them so sacred a trust as the last message of mercy to sinners." IBID, 336/337.

          "From the past we may also learn what to expect in the future, in the line of persecution.  Satan has been angry because this people have been seeking for the "old paths," that they might walk therein.  He has been especially disturbed as they have plead for the restoration of the Sabbath, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  If the people be taught that God is testing them upon the Sabbath, and that they should listen to the testimony of Jesus, in the spirit of prophecy, which reproves their sins, and calls on them to consecrate themselves and what they possess to the Lord, we may depend upon it, the ire of the dragon will be stirred.  This we have witnessed and suffered in proportion to our faithfulness in the work.  When we have borne a pointed testimony, we have been the especial objects of the wrath of the dragon; but with it have also shared largely the blessing of God.  When we have been unfaithful, the dragon has been comparatively quiet, but we have suffered leanness of soul.  And thus we may expect it will be for time to come." IBID, 337-1.

          "The position of suspense is not the most happy one.  Those who wait for the return of the Lord in uncertainty

                                                0338

as to the definite period of his second advent, are in danger of becoming restless.  Hence the application of certain texts to this time, and to the people who are waiting for their Lord.  "Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."  Heb. 10,36.  "Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."  James 5,8.  "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."  Rev.14,12." IBID, 337/338.  [Compilation and emphasis by M. Dumitry - 2011].