Volume 1 of 4
AN ADVENTIST APOCALYPSE - (cont.)
(Part 20)
Last Day Events
SIGNS THAT THE END IS NEAR -- (Letter 44)
God Will Use His Enemies To Punish Those Who Follow Their Own Pernicious Ways.
"There is such a time of trouble as there never was since there was a nation. Already nations are angry. Already Satan is working with signs and lying wonders, and this will increase until the end. God will use His enemies as instruments to punish those who have followed their own pernicious ways whereby the truth of God has been misrepresented and dishonoured.
Oh, the solemnity of the day of God is upon us. 'The Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.' "--Letter 44, August 3, 1894.
SATAN'S NEFARIOUS WORK IN THE LAST DAYS--(Manuscript 39)
The Conflict Between Truth And Error Is Deepening In Intensity.
"The stern conflict between light and darkness, between error and truth is deepening in intensity. The synagogue of Satan is intensely active, and the deceiving power of the enemy is working in the most subtle way in this age. Every human mind that is not surrendered to God and is not under the control of The Spirit of God will be perverted through Satanic agencies...."
Satan's Putrid Fountain Of Evil Continually Flowing.
"All the vast, complicated machinery of evil agencies is put into action in these last days. Through generation after generation, from age to age, Satan has gathered human agencies through whom to work his diabolical purposes, and to bring about the enforcement of his plans and devices in the earth. The great putrid fountain of evil has been continually flowing through human society. Though unable to expel God from His Throne, Satan has charged God with satanic attributes, and has claimed the attributes of God as his own. He is a deceiver, and through his serpentine sharpness, through his crooked practices, he has drawn to himself the homage that man should have given to God, and has planted his satanic throne between the worshipper and the divine Father...."
Satan Personates Christ As The Second Advent Nears.
"The conflict is not ended, and as we near the close of time, the battle waxes more and more intense. As the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ draws near, Satanic agencies are moved from beneath. Satan will not only appear as a human being, but he will personate Jesus Christ, and the world that has rejected the truth will receive him as Lord of lords, and King of kings. He will exercise his power and work upon the human imagination. He will corrupt both the minds and bodies of men and work through the children of disobedience, fascinating and charming as does a serpent. What a spectacle for heavenly intelligences to look upon! What a spectacle for God, The Creator of the world to behold.
Satan Will Work With All Deceivableness Of Unrighteousness To Delude.
"The form Satan assumed in Eden, when leading our first parents to transgress, was of a character to bewilder and confuse the mind. He will work in a subtle manner as we near the end of this earth's history. All his deceiving power will be brought to bear upon human subjects to complete the work of deluding the human family. So deceptive will be his working that men will do as they did in the days of Christ, and when asked, "What will ye that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews?' the cry again will be 'Crucify Him.' "
Christ's Disciples Will Be Treated As He Was Treated.
"Christ will be represented in the person of those who have accepted the truth, and who identify their interest with that of their Lord. The world will be enraged at them in the same way as they were enraged at Christ, and the disciples of Christ will know that they are to be treated no better than was their Lord. But Christ will surely identity His interest with that of those who accept Him as their personal Saviour. Every insult, every reproach, every false accusation made against them by those who have turned their ears away from the truth, and are turned unto fables, will be charged upon the guilty one as done to Christ in the person of His saints."
Hatred Against God's People Will Be Manifested To The Fullest Extent Possible.
"Those who love and keep the commandments of God are most obnoxious to the synagogue of Satan, and the powers of evil will manifest their hatred towards them to the fullest extent possible. John foresaw the conflict of the remnant church and the powers of evil and said, 'The dragon was wroth with the woman, went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.' " (Revelation 12:17)
The Scenes Of Christ's Trial, Rejection, And Crucifixion Will Be Revived.
"The forces of the powers of darkness will unite with human agents who have given themselves into the control of Satan, and the same scenes that were exhibited at the trial, rejection, and crucifixion of Christ will be revived. Through yielding to Satanic influence men will be merged into fiends , and those who were created in the image of God, who were formed to honour and glorify their Creator, will become the habitation of dragons, and Satan will see in an apostate race his masterpiece of evil men who reflect his own image...."
Christ Predicted The Persecution Of His Followers Before The End Should Come.
"Christ said, 'If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?' (Luke 23:31). 'They shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten; and ye shall be brought before rulers and Kings for My sake, for a testimony against them.... Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.' (Mark 13: 9, 12, 13) 'And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.' (Matthew 24: 14).
The agencies of Satan are having their last chance to develop before the world, before angels and men the true principles of their attributes. The people of God are now to stand as representatives of the attributes of the Father and the Son. 'Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and 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. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.'"(Matthew 24:42-47).--Manuscript 39, October 9, 1894.
CHRIST HAS SHOWN US THE BATTLE PLAN OF THE FINAL CONFLICT -- (Manuscript 49).
The Battle Plan Involves Death.
"We have a living Saviour, and He has not left us in this world to fight the battles alone. No. But He has not flattered us either. He tells us... 'that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.' (John 16:12). That is a terrible deception that comes on human minds. But here He has shown you the plan of battle. He tells you what you are to meet: 'We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but, against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' " (Ephesians 6:12).,
Christ And His Angels Fight On The Side Of Believers.
"This is what we have to meet. Then what does He say? Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand.... In the evil day, and having done all to stand." (verses 11, 13). You are to fight as in the presence of the universe of Heaven. You are to fight the battles of the Lord. Then He tells you that the angels that excel in strength are the warriors there. He tells you that as Captain of The Lord's host, He is there. They are to do the warring."
We Can Overcome By Divine Power.
"You are to stand in the army of God, and they will gain for you the victory. They will give power to everyone that is fighting the battles of The Lord to the very gate. The power of God shall be upon every soldier who is true and who will bear hardness as a good soldier. But we cannot meet the evil angels and overcome them. It is the Divine power; it is the partaking of the Divine nature that will enable us to overcome...."
In Heaven Christ Will Explain Things He Would Have Opened To Our Understanding, Could We Have Borne It.
"When we are caught up to meet Him (Christ) and enter through the pearly gates into the City of God. He leads us by the living waters, and all the time He is educating and talking with us about the things that He would have opened to our understanding upon the earth, if we could have borne it."--Manuscript 49, November 3, 1894, pp. 14-16.
REVELATIONS OF CHRIST'S LOVE AMONG THE SECRETS DISCLOSED IN ETERNITY--(Letter 30)
"Christ Loved the human race, and this love impelled Him to sacrifice His own happiness for the good of others. He took upon Himself human nature in order that He might unite Divine power with human weakness. Although it cost Him a great sacrifice, He was willing to humble Himself that He might elevate humanity and make all who believe in Him sharers of His own blessings, honour, and glory. Revelations of His love are among the great secrets that eternity will reveal."--Letter 30, January 29, 1895.
CAUTIONS CONCERNING DEALINGS WITH THE WORLD -- (Letter 11)
All Sharp Thrusts Made Against Opponents Will Recoil Upon Us.
"All sharp thrusts will come back upon us in double measure when the power is in the hands of those who can exercise it for our injury. Over and over the message has been given to me that we are not to say one word, not to publish one sentence that will stir up our enemies against us and arouse their passions to a white heat, unless (it is) positively essential in vindicating the truth. Our work will soon close up, and soon the time of trouble such as never was, of which e have but little idea, will come upon us....
Satan is standing ready, burning with zeal to inspire the whole confederacy of satanic agencies that he may cause them to unite with evil men, and bring upon the believers of truth speedy and severe suffering. Every unwise word that is uttered by our brethren will be treasured up by the prince of darkness. But I would like to ask how dare finite human intelligences speak careless and venturesome words that will stir up the powers of hell against the saints of God, when Michael, the Archangel, 'durst not bring against Satan a railing accusation,' but said, 'The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.'" (See Zechariah 3:2 and Jude 9)....
Warn The Deceived With Pitying Tenderness.
"The deceptive errors that are widespread, and that are leading the world captive are to be unveiled. Every effort that is possible is being made to ensnare souls with subtle reasonings to lure them from the truth to fables, and to prepare them to be deceived by strong delusions. But while these deceived souls turn from the truth of God to error, do not speak to them one word of censure. Seek to show these poor deluded souls their danger, and to reveal to them how grievous is their course of action toward Jesus Christ, but let it all be done in pitying tenderness. By a proper manner of labour some of these souls that are ensnared by Satan may recover from his power. But do not blame and condemn them. To ridicule the position held by those who are in error will not open their blind eyes, nor attract them to the truth....."
Satan Turns His Weapons Against Those Who Use His Weapons.
"When men lose sight of Christ's example, and do not pattern after His manner of teaching, they become self-sufficient, and go forth to meet Satan with his own manner of weapons. The enemy knows well how to turn his weapons upon those who use them...."
If Ever A People Needed Humility, It Is God's People Today.
"If ever a people needed to walk in humility before God it is His church,-His chosen ones in this generation. We all need to bewail the dullness of our intellectual facilities, the lack of appreciation of our privileges and opportunities. We have nothing whereof to boast. We grieve The Lord Jesus Christ by our harshness, by our unChristlike thrusts. We need to become complete in Him. It is true that we are commanded to 'Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isaiah 58:1); this message must be given, but while it must be given, we should be careful not to thrust and crowd and condemn those who have not the light that we have. We should not go out of our way to make hard thrusts at the Catholics. Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians who walk in all the light that shines upon them, and God will work in their behalf."
Perplexities Will Increase, But There May Be A Little Respite.
"Solemn, serious times are upon us, and perplexities will increase to the very close of time. There may be a little respite in these matters, but it will not be for long.... The movements they [Adventists in Battle Creek] have made to pay taxes on the property of Sanitarium and [Dime] Tabernacle have manifested a zeal and conscientiousness that in all respects is not wise or correct. Their ideas of religious liberty are being interwoven with suggestions that do not come from The Holy Spirit, and the religious liberty cause is sickening, and its sickness can only be healed by the grace and gentleness of Christ.... "
The Need For SDA Leaders To Have A Broader Vision.
"I am often greatly distressed when I see our leading men taking extreme positions, and burdening themselves over matters that should not be taken up or worried over, but left in the hands of God for Him to adjust. We are yet in the world, and God keeps for us a place in connection with the world, and works by His own right hand to prepare the way before us in order that His work may progress along its various lines. The truth is to have a standing place, and the standard of truth is to be uplifted in many places in regions beyond.... "
God Does Not Move On His Workers To Bring On The Time Of Trouble Prematurely.
"Just as long as we are in the world, we shall have to do a special work for the world, and yet not be contaminated with the spirit of the world. The message of warning is to go to all countries, tongues, and peoples. The Lord does not move upon His workers to make them take a course that will bring on the time of trouble before the time. Let them not build up a wall of separation between themselves and the world by advancing their own ideas and notions.... The message of warning has not yet reached large numbers of the world in the very cities that are right at hand, and to number Israel is not to work after God's order."
Maintain Good Relations With The World As Long As We Are In It.
"Just as long as we are in the world, and The Spirit of God is striving with the world, we are to receive as well as to impart favours. We are to give to the world the light of truth as presented in the sacred scriptures, and we are to receive from the world that which God moves upon them to do in our behalf of His cause. God has not closed the door of mercy yet. The Lord still moves upon the hearts of kings and rulers in behalf of His people, and it becomes us who are so deeply interested in the religious liberty question not to cut off any favours, or withdraw ourselves from the help that God has moved men to give for the advancement of His cause....
It is very strange that some of our brethren should feel that it is their duty to bring about a condition of things that will bind up the means that God would have set free. God has not laid upon them the responsibility of coming in conflict with the authorities and powers of the world in this matter. The restraining power of God has not yet been withdrawn from the earth. The four angels are holding the four winds."--Letter 11, January 30, 1895.
[ End of part 20 ]
AN ADVENTIST APOCALYPSE (Volume 1 cont.)
Last Day Events
DOUBTERS WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE WHEN TROUBLE COMES -- (Manuscript 3)
"Those who feel at Liberty to question the Word of God, to doubt everything where there is any chance to be unbelieving, will find that it will require a tremendous struggle to have faith when trouble comes. It will be almost impossible to overcome the influence that binds the mind that has been educated in the line of unbelief, for by this course the soul is bound to Satan's snare, and becomes powerless to break the dreadful net that has been woven closer and closer about the soul."--Manuscript 3, February 1, 1895, p.9.
GOD'S PEOPLE SEALED--(Manuscript 59)
" 'Thy right hand O God, shall dash in pieces Thine enemies.' Revelation 6 and 7 are full of meaning. Terrible are the judgments of God revealed. The seven angels stood before God to receive their commission. To them were given seven trumpets. The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth was to disclose her blood and no more cover her slain.
When the plagues of God shall come upon the earth, hail will fall upon the wicked, about the weight of a talent. Hail had struck Brother Belden. One stone struck him on the back of the head, raising a large lump. Another stone struck him very near the temple. The bruise still shows upon the hands of Sister Belden. But what must it be when the hail shall be so much increased in size, falling upon those who would not care for and obey God but insulted Him and despised all His mercies?
But there are mercies mixed with judgment. Revelation 7, and 8:3, 4. The Lord has a people whom He will preserve. John beheld the 'four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.'
(Revelation 7:1, 3.) till the seal of the living God shall be placed upon those who love God and keep
His commandments. The elements of nature are to be placed in the power of angels of God. 'He holdeth the the winds in His fists; He gathereth the waters in the hollow of His hand; He maketh the clouds His chariot; the Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, The Lord sitteth King forever.' (Prov. 30:4; Isa. 40:12; Psa. 104:3; Psa. 29:10).
The Lord is ruler of nations. The sequence of nature is under God's jurisdiction. God works by His own laws, for He is a God of order. God works; Jesus worked when He was upon earth, holding back the impatient winds, controlling the tempests, calming the angry sea, and rolling up the mighty deep, piling up the walls, making a path for the more than a million of His people that He was delivering from Egyptian slavery, suffering not the hurricane of waters to pursue their natural course until every soul of [Israel] whom He had delivered was safely on the other side of the sea. Then the impetuous waters that had been held back for the saving of Israel at His word, through the human agent lifting that rod--that simple stick--rushed on as before, and no one soul escaped of that vast army. Pharaoh and all his host were slain.
God gives the sea its decree. He walketh on the wings of the wind. And if we have been mercifully shielded from accident, if lighting and tempest have passed us by unharmed. If the waves that talked with death have submerged the proud vessels but have brought the one on which we sailed to the harbour, let us bow in gratitude to God and thank Him that the power of mighty angels, at His bidding, have held back the winds and waves that they did not destroy.
And what a representation is given in Revelation 7 for our consideration and comfort and encouragement! The four Angels are commissioned to do a work upon the earth. But One who purchased the world by giving Himself for its ransom has a chosen few. Who?-Those who are keeping all of the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.
"John's attention was called to another scene: 'And I saw another angel ascend from the east, having the seal of the living God' (Revelation 7: 2). Who is this?--the angel of the covenant. He comes from the sunrising. He is the Dayspring from on high. He is the light of the world.... He cried as One who had superiority over the hosts of angels in Heaven, 'to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.' " (verses 2 and 3).
The Angel Of Revelation 18 Awaits The Cooperation Of Human Agents.
"Here is the Divine and the human united. The command is given to the four angels to hold in check the four winds until they receive His summons.... Judgment and wrath were to be repressed only for a little space until a certain work was done. The message, the last message of warning and mercy, has been retarded in doing its work by the selfish love of many, the selfish love of ease, and the unfitness of nam to do a work that needs to be done. The angel that is to lighten the earth with his glory has waited or human instrumentalities through whom the light of Heaven could shine, and they thus cooperate to give in its sacred, solemn importance the message which is to decide the destiny of the world."
There Will Be No Second Probation.
"But the churches are not awake. New life must enter into the churches. The last work of warning and mercy for a fallen world is being done. None are to be deceived, thinking to lay their individual work on somebody else. When this probationary time shall close, there is no opportunity for those who have received the warning message, the proclamation of pardon and salvation, and have refused--have turned from light and truth, and accepted fables--to be justified. There is no second bidding to the marriage feast, no intermediate state when another call will be made to come to the heavenly feast."
The Decisiveness Of The Final Message.
"Now is the time to work, just now. There is not a moment to lose. All denominational and sectarian distinctions between rank and rank, between caste and caste, are lost. The message is o be proclaimed in the highways and byways and hedges. Ry human agent is merging his character under one of two heads-- the Prince of Life or the prince of darkness...."
The Seal Indicates You Are God's Chosen.
"If in families there are those who are refusing obedience to The Lord in keeping His Sabbath, then the seal cannot be placed upon them. The seal is a pledge from God of perfect security to His chosen ones. (See Exodus 31:13-17). Sealing indicates you are God's chosen. He has appropriated you to Himself. As the sealed of God, we are Christ's purchased possession and no one shall pluck us out of His hands. The seal given in the forehead is: God, New Jerusalem.--'I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the City of My God.' " (Revelation 3:12).--Manuscript 59, February 9, 1895.
HOW THE CHRISTIAN IS KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD IN THE VERY CLOSE OF EARTH'S HISTORY--(Manuscript 24)
How The Christian Is Kept By The Power Of God.
"You cannot keep yourself one moment. You are kept by the power of God through faith. Let your faith rest in His merits, rely upon His mercy, trust in the sufficiency of His grace to keep you every moment. Never allow the enemy to obtain an advantage over you because you do not think you are good enough to be called a child of God. By faith you are constantly to repose in the righteousness that God has provided you through His Substitute, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He forgiveth sins, and pardoneth iniquities and transgressions. He takes away our sin, and in its place imputes His own righteousness. What a blessing this is for us! It is only as you take God at His Word, accept Jesus as your Redeemer, that you preserve the honour of God, that you show that you 'are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.' " (1 Peter 1:5).
God's Power Revealed In A Special Manner In The Very Close Of Earth's History To Offset The Working Of Satan.
"Why this revelation of the power of faith in the last time? Why is it to be revealed in the very close of this world's history?--because iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold through the deceptive workings of satanic agencies, who especially oppose the commandment-keeping people of God at this time, and bring trial and sorrow upon them. In these closing days of probation, days of great trial of faith, you cannot keep yourself. You are kept alone by the power of God, which is revealed in a special manner to offset the working of Satan through the children of disobedience. He would grieve and hurt the soul of everyone who would be loyal and true, who would keep the way of the Lord and do His commandments. Manifold temptations will come to all who believe in Jesus. Satan will seek to discourage those who manifest their love for God by keeping His commandments."
The Conflict Between Truth And Error, The Cause Of The Tribulation God's Children Will Experience.
"The warfare against God's law commenced in Heaven. Satan was determined to bring God to his ideas, his way, to force Him to change the law of His Government. This was the cause of the war in Heaven. Satan worked upon the sympathies of the angelic host by his deceptive attitude, but he was expelled from Heaven, and now he is determined to carry out on this earth the plans he instituted in Heaven. If he can persuade man to be disloyal to the laws of God, he will feel that he is revenged upon God. He strives to instill into the minds of men his masterly deceptions, thus perverting judgment and justice, and trampling down the law of God. This work--the conflict between truth and error--lies at the foundation of the trials and tribulations that the children of God will experience. This is the 'trial of their faith.' By pressing upon the soul the idea that God is displeased with us, Satan tries to torture us into unbelief."--Letter 24, May 19, 1895, pp. 4-6.
[ End of part 21 ]