给纽约州奥尔科特教会的证言
奥尔科特亲爱的弟兄姐妹：
1868年6月12日，我蒙指示看到爱世界的心在很大程度上取代了爱上帝的心。你们生活在一个令人愉快的国家，一个有利于属世繁荣的国家。你们生活的地方存在一种持续的试探，就是使你们的兴趣都耗费在世界，积攒财宝在地上。你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在那里。你们那个地方引诱人越来越深地跳入世界，不断地积蓄财富;当你们这样忙碌时，心思就全部集中在今生的思虑上，以致把真敬虔抛诸脑后了。但是很少有人认识到钱财的迷惑。那些急于获取财富的人非常倾心于这个目标，以致使基督的宗教成为次要问题了。属灵的事在他们心中失去了价值，也不再为他们所追求，因为爱财的心已经使天上的财宝黯然失色。若是永生的奖赏用这些自称是基督门徒之人表现出的努力、热心、恒心和恳切的心来衡量，其价值就会不及属世财富的一半。比起他们为获得这地上的东西而付出的恳切努力，他们获得属灵和天上财宝的努力就是缓慢、软弱、没有效率的了。难怪我们很少体验到天上圣所中所发的启示性影响。我们的愿望不在那个方向;而主要局限在属世的事务上，追求属世的事，忽略了永恒的、不朽的事。兴旺繁荣正在蒙蔽人的眼睛，欺骗人的心灵。上帝会说话，但尘世的垃圾阻止人听祂的声音。{PH098 1.1}
我们年迈的拉姆森老弟兄喜爱这世界上的事，其实他应该移情别恋，为天国成熟起来。他现在应该信靠上帝的儿子而生活;他应该情系更美的乡土。他应对今生必定朽坏的财富越来越少感兴趣，而将全部志趣投入在最要紧的永恒的事上。他的宽容时期行将结束了。还有多么少的时间留给他去奉献给上帝啊!他的精力已经衰败，心智也衰弱了，他的服务充其量也是软弱无力的;但如果他能全心全意付出，上帝就会全部悦纳。拉姆森弟兄啊，你年纪越大，却越发自私，越发坚决、热切地贪爱这可怜世界的财富。{PH098 2.1}
拉姆森姐妹也贪爱这个世界。她生性自私。她的身体多受病苦。上帝允许这种痛苦临到她，但不准撒但夺走她的生命。上帝定意要用痛苦的熔炉使她放松紧握着属世财富的双手。只有通过苦难才能达到这个目的。拉姆森姐妹是那些身体系统被药物毒害的人之一。她因服用药物而无知地使自己落到今天这个地步;但上帝不容她丧命，而是延长了她的宽容时期和受苦的年月，好使她可以藉着真理成为圣洁，得以清净洁白，成为可靠的，并且藉着苦难的熔炉炼净她的渣滓，使她变得比精金更宝贵，甚至比俄斐的纯金更宝贵。拉姆森弟兄和姐妹爱世界的心已经根深蒂固，需要严厉的考验才能消除。{PH098 2.2}
亲爱的拉姆森弟兄和姐妹啊，你们缺少对上帝的忠诚与热爱。你们疯狂地追求世俗的事物。这世界有能力使你们的心意效法它，而属灵和属天的事物便不足以改变你们的心思了。{PH098 3.1}
奥尔科特自称是基督门徒的男女啊，你们为什么不跟从基督呢?你们为什么如此疯狂地追求可被灾祸轻松吹去的属世财宝，而忽略属天的财富，不朽不灭的财宝呢? {PH098 3.2}
我蒙指示看到乔治·加斯基尔弟兄和他妻子的情况。乔治弟兄有良好的愿望，但是太冲动。他并不根据原则行事，反而跟着感觉走。他需要在上帝的事上有更加彻底的经验，然后他才会得到建立、加强和稳固。他的性格太易变，他的信心摇摆不定。他的欲望是够强烈的，但他没有教育他的头脑有坚定的目标。疾病一直在他身上，这对他来说是个很大的缺点，并且有了一种影响，蒙蔽他的理智，使他对上帝的工作和真理的崇高性质没有清楚的认识。他应该少和不信的人在一起。他应该从他们中间出来，与他们分别，应许就是：上帝必收纳他，也必作他的父。他应当追求与那些最属灵的人为伍，应当追求从他们的光中获益，并从他们的影响力中得到加强。当他和不信的人在一起时，在他意识到之前，他就在与他们的精神有分，像他们一样思想，像他们一样行事了。这都是错的。他要坚定地站在永恒真理的平台上，在上帝的力量中坚强。然后他就会有力量对别人施加良好的影响。于是，他才不会被别人的不信和黑暗所压倒，当仇敌如洪水冲来时，耶和华的灵必举起旌旗抵挡他。他太经常没有武装就上到仇敌的战场。他根本不应该在那里，但他没有意识到自己的弱点，没有穿军装就直接走进了危险之中。当他可以在恩典和真理的知识上长进时，他却一直处于持续软弱的状态中。{PH098 3.3}
可悲的是，他在家里得不到帮助，他的妻子应该在属灵的事上帮助他，却只是个障碍。她还没有归正。她在上帝的事上毫无经验。她是与世俗为友的。“人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了”(约壹2:15)。她对自己的危险状况并不感到惊慌。她不想在上帝面前反省自己的真实状态。她在基督之外。她的宽容时期随时可能结束，但她却没有更好生活的前景。爱世界，爱自我享受，占用了宽容时期大大小小的时间，她却没有在上帝面前变得富足。她详述那些自称相信现代真理之人的缺点。她这么做就是在以糠秕为食。及至算账的日子来到，她会显出亏欠。她既为世界而活，就必与世人一同有分。现在上帝给了她一点宽容的时间。她会善用它吗?她是会做好准备呢，还是会轻视警告的声音，拒绝恩慈的邀请，选择偏行己路，与世俗为友，永远丧失上帝的嘉许呢?不是基督，就是世界。她不可能既拥有基督又拥有世界。她会选择哪一个?她的意志必须被征服，她必须为得救而努力，否则她一定会失败。她的影响对别人有害。她在一些信奉真理的人与世界之间形成了一种联系。有些人视她为守安息日的人，其实她并不是基督徒。她的心与上帝的圣洁训词并无连系。她所处的位置对她丈夫来说是个很大的障碍。如果她愿意把自己的心交给真理神圣的影响，他就会得到她很大的帮助。生或死是她自己的选择。她可以过顺从的生活，并有上帝的嘉许，也可以选择犯罪的道路，并最终得到罪人的报应。{PH098 4.1}
我蒙指示看到了哈门·林赛弟兄妻子的情况。她渴望行义，但她的失败总是给她自己和她的朋友带来许多麻烦。她说话太多了。她在属上帝的事上缺乏经验，她若不回转并因心意更新而变化，就无法在末时危险的日子站立得住。她需要的是内心的工作，然后她的口舌才会得到圣化。她有许多言谈充满罪恶，是应竭力避免的。她应给自己的口安门上闩，勒住自己的舌头，好使她的话语不再作恶。她应当停止谈论别人的错误，不再思量他人的癖性，揭发他人的软弱。任何人参加这样的言谈都是该受责备的。这样的言谈是无益而绝对有罪的。它只会倾向于邪恶。仇敌知道，只要自称基督徒的人参加这样的言谈，就是在为他打开作工的门路。{PH098 5.1}
我看到，当喜欢讲话的姐妹们聚在一起时，撒但通常是在场的，因为他找到工作了。他站在她们身旁，激动她们的思想，充分利用他所获得的优势。他知道这一切闲言碎语、蜚短流长、揭人隐私、剖析人品的事都会使人与上帝隔绝。这对灵性和安静的宗教感化力来说就是死亡。林赛姐妹在她的话语上大大犯罪。她本应使用话语发挥为善的感化力，但是这种可悲的失败却一直延续到她不知道自己在说什么。她经常随便说话，而且并不总是正确地陈述事情。她有时把事情说得与实情不符，有时夸大其辞。于是就有了虚伪的陈述。她本意并非想要说错，但因她长久以来珍爱多言多语、说闲话的习惯而变得讲话漫不经心、鲁莽大意了，这摧毁了她原能具有的任何为善的感化力。是时候了，她在这方面要有完全的改革。要是她不曾沉湎于这种有罪的闲谈，她的社交原不会如此不受重视。{PH098 6.1}
基督徒都应谨慎自己的言谈。他们决不应把不利的传闻从一个朋友传给另一个朋友，特别是在知道他们共同的朋友之间缺乏团结时!暗示暗指、含沙射影是很残忍的，好像你知道这位朋友或那个熟人大量的事而别人不知道一般。这种暗示比毫不夸张地坦率陈明事实影响更深远，会造成更多不良的印象。基督的教会因这些事受了何等大的损害啊!教会成员表里不一、轻率不慎的行为已使教会软弱如水。信任已被同一个教会的成员出卖了，可是犯罪的人却不是有意行恶的。在选择交谈的话题上缺乏智慧已经造成了许多危害。应当交谈属灵和神圣的事;但是人们却在一直在谈别的。如果与基督徒朋友们的交往主要用来改善心思意念，就不会事后后悔了，回顾见面的情景还可感到愉快的满足。但是，如果把时光花在轻浮和虚荣上，把宝贵的时间消磨在和那些与你联合的人剖析别人的生活和品格上，这种友好的交往就会显明是一种邪恶之源，你的影响力也会成为死的香气叫人死了。{PH098 7.1}
我蒙指示看见，最后提到的两个人的情况处在可怕的危险中，尤其是乔治·加斯基尔弟兄的妻子。她没有凭经验知识知道真理的道路。宽容时期正在过去，她还没有准备好。她熟悉真理的理论，却不使她的生活符合它。喜爱与世俗为友正在危害她永恒的福利。自我还没有被制服。应当使意志臣服。上帝呼吁她要发热心，也要悔改;放弃她的不信，停止详述别人的失败，并在上帝面前完善她自己的行为，否则她必丧失永生。她有基督徒品格要形成，有一个灵魂要得救或沦丧，她没有时间拖延这项工作。现在，现在，现在，圣灵在邀请。不要抗拒祂的声音。在算账的日子，自以为义救不了她。她必须拥有基督的义。{PH098 7.2}
我无法清楚地回忆起蒙指示看到的所有在你们教会的人，但我看到许多人有一项大工要做。你们几乎所有的人都说得太多，太少默想和祷告。许多人太自私自利了。心思专注于自我，而不是去为别人谋福利。撒但的势力在你们身上到了很大的程度。可是你们中间还有宝贵的亮光，还有那些寻求按照上帝的旨意而行的人。爱世界和骄傲乃是两大陷阱，大大阻碍灵性和在恩典中长进。{PH098 8.1}
这个世界不是基督徒的天国，它只是上帝的工场，我们在这里得以预备和圣洁天国里无罪的天使联合。我们应当不断地训练自己思想高贵、无私的事。这种训练是必须的，可以操练上帝赐给我们的各项能力，最好地在地上荣耀祂的名。我们要为上帝赐给我们的一切高贵品质交账，我们若将这些才能用在祂从未计划我们去做的事上，就是向祂表现卑鄙的忘恩负义。侍奉上帝要求我们整个人的一切能力。我们若不使我们心智的能力得到高度的培养，训练自己的心喜爱默想天上的事，并藉着用来荣耀上帝的正确行动加强提高心灵的活力，就不能实现上帝的计划。{PH098 8.2}
自称敬虔的女性一般没能训练自己的心智。她们让思维不受控制，任意而行。这是一桩大错。许多人似乎没有能力思考。她们没有训练自己的心去思考;而且因为她们没有这样做，就以为自己做不了。要在恩典中长进，默想和祷告是必不可少的。她们之所以缺少坚定和恒心，其原因就在于她们很少训练自己的心智，很少仔细思考。她们任凭自己的心智处于怠惰无为的状态，倚靠别人去为她们动脑筋、去计划、思考和记忆，因而变得越来越无能。一些人需要藉着运用来训练自己的心智。她们应该强迫自己去思考。当她们倚赖某人为她们思考、为她们解决难题，而不肯藉着思想运用脑筋时，就会仍旧没有能力去记忆，去计划未来和辨别是非。每一个人都必须付出个人的努力来训练自己的心思。{PH098 9.1}
我蒙指示看到查尔斯·林赛弟兄应当在属灵上有更高的追求。你对于上帝，没有祂要求你具有的那种安静的信赖。你没有训练自己的心思在属灵的思路上驰骋。你沉湎于太多虚空无益的闲谈，这既伤害你的心灵也损害你的影响力。你必须鼓励安静与刚毅的心。你容易激动;你的感情强烈，常用过激的字眼表达自己的好恶。你需要更美好虔诚的信仰来对你产生抚慰的影响。你已受邀来学基督的样式，祂心里柔和谦卑。这是多么宝贵的功课啊!若是学好这门功课，就会改变整个人生。轻浮浅薄的谈论于你的属灵进程有害。你应当追求品格的完全，并在你的言语和行为上让你的感化力为上帝作见证。你需要诚恳地寻求主，更深地饮于真理的泉源，以便其影响可以圣化你的生活。你的心思过于集中在世界上了。你的志趣应当在比今生更美的生活上。你没有时间可以浪费了;要赶紧善用你短暂的宽容时期。你的妻子过于骄傲自私。上帝一直在使她经历苦难的熔炉，好除去她品格中的这些污点。她必须极其小心，以免苦难之火徒然着在她身上。这熬炼应除去渣滓，且使她与上帝更近，使她更加属灵。她爱世界的心必须死去。必须克服爱自己的心，她的意愿必须淹没在上帝的旨意中。{PH098 10.1}
我被指向过去，回到过去，看到了霍雷肖一生中从未抹去的一个污点。他没有爱邻舍如同自己，反而伪装事实，起欺骗的作用，这令上帝非常不悦。他伤害了另一个人，这一伤害导致了他的鲁莽举动，并可能最终导致他永远的毁灭。自私做了这件事。采取了上天不赞成的作法。霍雷肖，你在这件事上要作出谦卑的承认，你若不彻底消除这个错误，你的灵魂就无法摆脱罪恶感。家庭成员对这一错误一直没有正确的感觉，并没有像上帝所认为的那样，以其令人发指的性质来看待它。纠正错误还为时不晚。只要过去可以挽回，就没有时间浪费，免得这罪在审判中与你作对。{PH098 11.1}
我蒙指示看到爱世界的心已在很大程度上把耶稣排斥在教会之外。上帝要求改变——把一切都降服于他。心智若不受训练仔细研究宗教的题旨，就会在这方面软弱无力。但在细想属世的事业时，它又会很强;因为它已在这方面受了培养，且因运用而加强了。男男女女很难过虔诚生活的原因，是因为他们没有操练自己的心智至于敬虔，却使它在相反的方向受了训练。若不在获得属灵的知识和追求明白敬虔的奥秘上不断训练自己的心智，它就不能领略永恒的事，因为它在那方面没有经验。这就是几乎人人都认为宗教是件难事的原因。{PH098 11.2}
人若分心，主要思想世上的事，很少思想上帝的事，就不可能有特别的进步或力量的增加。属世的计划要求占用头脑的最大部分精力，调动运用它的各项能力;所以在这方面就有力量和能力去要求越来越多的兴趣和感情，而留下来奉献给上帝的就越来越少了。心智若不特别操练祷告，心灵就不可能兴盛。只有家庭祷告和公众祷告是不够的。私下的祷告是很重要的。我们要在幽静之处，向鉴察一切的上帝敞开心怀，每一个动机都受到细察。要私下祷告!这是多么宝贵啊!心灵与上帝交通!密室里的祷告只有听祷告的上帝听见。没有好奇的耳朵听到你这种恳求的内容。在私下的祷告中，心灵可以摆脱环境的影响和刺激，安静而热切地达到上帝面前。私下的祷告常因大声祷告遭到滥用，失去其甜美的宗旨。心灵非但不能宁静安详地倚靠信赖上帝，反倒陷入卑贱的状况，嗓音提高了，情绪兴奋激动，私下的祷告就失去了它使人柔和庄重的影响力。人既情感激奋、口若悬河，便不可能觉察那向心灵说话的安静微小的声音，就是心灵在私下真实衷心的祷告中所能听见的。正确地进行私下祷告会产生巨大的益处。然而，那以为是私密的，却公开给整个家庭和邻里的祷告，并不是从中得到神能的私祷。那在暗中查看、其耳垂听内心的祈祷的上帝会发出甜蜜而持久的感化力。借着宁静、单纯的信心，心灵保持与上帝交通，从上帝那里收集神圣的光线，加强并支持它忍受撒但的攻击。上帝是我们力量的高台。{PH098 12.1}
耶稣留给我们话说：“所以你们要警醒，因为你们不知道家主什么时候来，或晚上、或半夜、或鸡叫、或早晨，恐怕祂忽然来到，看见你们睡着了。我对你们所说的话，也是对众人说：要警醒”(可13:35-37)!我们的主将带来黎明，我们正在警醒等待祂回来，免得祂忽然来到，看见我们睡着了。这里指的是什么时候呢?不是指基督在天云中显现时要发现一班百姓睡着了。不是的;而是指祂在天上圣所的至圣所中工作结束，脱下祭司的衣袍而穿上报仇的衣服时，那时命令要发出：“不义的，叫他仍旧不义;污秽的，叫他仍旧污秽;为义的，叫他仍旧为义;圣洁的，叫他仍旧圣洁”( 启22:11)。{PH098 13.1}
当耶稣停止为人代求时，每一个人的案件就永远决定了。这就是和祂仆人算账的时候。对于那些忽略预备自己纯全圣洁，配得等候迎见主的人，太阳要变为阴郁和幽暗，永远不再升起。宽容时期结束;基督在天上的代求终止。这一时刻终于突然临到每一个人身上，那些已忽略藉着顺从真理来洁净心灵的人被发现是睡着了。他们对于等待和警醒变得厌倦了;对于他们的主降临的事变得漠不关心了。他们不渴望祂的显现，以为不必这样持续恒切地警醒。他们的期望曾经落空，可能还会落空。他们断定还有足够的时间可以醒来。他们确信不可失去获得地上财宝的机会，得到能在这世上得到的一切是安全无虞的。于是他们便在追求达到这个目标时，对主的显现完全丧失了渴望和兴趣。他们变的漠不关心、疏忽大意，好像主降临的时日尚远。但是当他们的兴趣被追求属世的财物埋藏时，天上圣所中的工作结束了，而他们还没有预备好。只要这等人知道基督在天上圣所中的工作要如此迅速地完结，他们为人就会何等地不同，他们就会何等恳切地警醒啊!主既预见这一切，就给了他们及时的警告，命令他们要警醒。祂清楚地说明了祂的降临是忽然的。祂没有说定时间，免得我们忽略随时的预备，懒惰地展望我们以为祂要来的时候而推迟预备。“你们要警醒，因为你们不知道。”然而这种预先说明的不确定性和最终降临的突然性，没能使我们摆脱愚蠢而认真地警醒，激励我们期待所盼望的主。那些被发现没有警醒等候的人最终会在自己的不忠中对主的降临感到惊讶。主来了，他们不但没有准备好立刻开门迎接祂，反而被关锁在世俗的昏睡中，最终丧亡了。{PH098 13.2}
另一班人呈现在我面前，与上述那班人形成了对照。他们在警醒等候。他们的眼定睛望天，口中时常重述他们夫子的话语：“我对你们所说的话，也是对众人说：要警醒!”“所以你们要警醒，因为你们不知道家主什么时候来，或晚上、或半夜、或鸡叫、或早晨，恐怕祂忽然来到，看见你们睡着了。”我们的主暗示，在黎明最终到来之前会有迟延。但祂不希望他们为疲倦所胜，或放松他们诚恳的警醒，因为黎明的到来不像他们所预料的那么快临到他们。我看到那些等候的人是向上看的。他们在通过重复以下的话而彼此鼓励：{PH098 15.1}
“一更、二更已过。我们现在到了三更天，为主的复临警醒等候，现在只剩下一点儿警醒的时间了。”我看到有些人变得困倦;他们的眼睛向下注视，便全神贯注于属世的事情上，不再忠心警醒了。他们在说：“我们在一更天盼望主的复临，但是我们失望了。我们认为祂必定会在二更天来，但二更天也过去了，祂还是没有来。我们可能还会失望。我们不必这么特别。祂在下一个更次可能也不会来。我们是在三更天，现在我们认为最好还是积攒我们的财宝在地上，以便我们不遭受缺乏。”许多人都睡着了，他们因今生的思虑而麻木，被钱财的迷惑引诱，不再警醒等候了。{PH098 15.2}
我看到天使在以浓厚的兴趣观看，记下虽然疲倦却仍忠心守望的人，免得他们太累了，倒在因他们的弟兄不再警醒而加倍的辛苦和艰难之下，变得醉心于世上的思虑，被属世的繁荣诱惑。这些天使感到忧伤，因为那些曾经警醒的人因懒惰和不忠而给那些一直恳切恒切努力保持警醒等候的人增加了考验和重担。{PH098 16.1}
我看到，就像我们救主所吩咐的，若将感情和志趣贯注在属世的挂虑上，增加属世的财物，积攒财宝在地上，而又处于警醒等候的立场，乃是不可能的事。天使说：“他们只能获得一个世界。为要获得属天的财宝，他们必须牺牲地上的。他们不能两个世界都拥有。”我看到为了逃避撒但欺骗的网罗，继续忠诚地警醒是多么必要。撒但引诱那些本应警醒等候的人迈出朝向世界的一步。这些人本无意更进一步，但那使他们远离耶稣的一步，使迈出第二步更加容易;他们就这样一步一步走向了世界，直到他们与世界之间的区别只剩一个自称的名号而已。他们丧失了独特圣洁的性质，除了他们所自称的名号，没有什么可以把他们与周围爱世界的人区别开来。我看到一更接着一更过去了。因为这样，就应缺乏警醒吗?决不!现在更需不断警醒，因为比一更天过去之前时候更少了。现在等候的时间必然比一更天的时候更短了。如果我们那时都不懈地警醒，那么我们二更天时岂不更需加倍的警醒吗?二更天过去，我们迎来了三更天，现在我们若减少警醒就是不可原谅的。三更天需要我们比一更天时三倍的热心。我们现在若变得不耐烦，以往所有诚恳不懈的警醒就全部白费了。漫漫长夜的阴暗是难熬的;但黎明推迟到来是出于上帝的怜悯，因为如果我们的主现在降临，就会发现许多人没有预备好。上帝之所以如此长久的拖延，就是不愿让祂的百姓灭亡。主的降临对忠心之人是黎明，对不忠之人却是黑夜，这一天正在临到我们。藉着这样警醒等候，上帝的百姓要表现出他们与世俗有别的独特品格。我们通过自己的警醒的立场表明我们在地上确实是客旅，是寄居的。爱世界的人和爱基督的人之间的区别是那么明显，以致无人会认错。当世俗之徒殚精竭虑、野心膨胀地去获取属世财宝时，上帝的子民却不效法世界，反而藉自己恳切警醒等候的立场表明他们被改变了;他们的家乡不在这世界，他们在寻求一个更好的家乡，就是在天上的。{PH098 16.2}
我亲爱的弟兄姐妹，我希望你们不会忽略这些话语而不彻底地思考其中的含义。当加利利人站着定睛望天，希望再次看到他们升天的救主时，两个身穿白衣的天使因他们失去了救主的同在而奉命来安慰他们，站在他们旁边并且问道：“加利利人哪，你们为什么站着望天呢?这离开你们被接升天的耶稣，你们见祂怎样往天上去，祂还要怎样来”(徒1:11)。{PH098 18.1}
上帝的旨意是要祂的百姓定睛望天，仰望我们主和救主耶稣基督的荣耀显现。当世俗之徒专注于各样业务时，我们的注意力应当集中在天上;我们的信心应当深而又深地探入天上财宝光荣的奥秘，使天上圣所宝贵的神圣亮光照在我们心里，正如其照在耶稣基督面上一样。好讥诮的人嘲笑警醒等候的人，并且问道：“祂降临的应许在哪里呢?你们已经失望了。现在与我们联合吧，你们就会在属世的事上繁荣昌盛。挣钱，得利，被世人尊荣。”警醒的人向上仰望并且回答说：“我们正警醒着!”他们转离地上的享乐和世间的名声及钱财的迷惑，表明自己处在警醒的立场。他们藉着警醒变得坚强;他们胜过了懒惰、自私以及贪爱安逸的心。苦难的火着在他们身上，等候的时间似乎很长。他们有时忧伤，信心摇动;但他们重整旗鼓，战胜了自己的恐惧和疑惑，同时他们的眼睛继续望着天上，对那与他们作对之人说：“我正警醒着，我正等着我的主回来。我将要在患难、痛苦与缺乏中得荣耀。”{PH098 18.2}
我们的主希望我们警醒着，以便祂来敲门时，我们能够马上给祂开门。祂向那些祂所看到警醒的仆人宣布了福气。“主人必叫他们坐席，自己束上带，进前伺候他们”(路12:37)。我们中间有谁会在末世蒙会众的主这样特别尊荣呢?我们预备好毫不迟延地立刻给祂开门并欢迎祂进来了吗?警醒!警醒!警醒!现在几乎所有的人都已不再警醒等候，准备好欢迎我们的主。我们没有预备好立刻给祂开门。贪爱世界之念已经占据了我们的思想，以致我们不再举目向上看，而是向下看世界了。我们忙忙碌碌，热心从事不同的事业，却忘记了上帝，也不重视属天的财宝了。我们现在并没有站在警醒等候的位置上。爱世界的心和钱财的迷惑蒙蔽了我们的信心，我们不渴望、也不热爱我们救主的显现。我们为了照料自己费尽心机。我们心神不宁，疑心太重，对上帝极其缺乏坚定的信赖。许多人忧愁劳碌，谋划设计，害怕自己会遭受缺乏。他们抽不出时间祷告或参加宗教聚会，他们关怀照顾自己，没有给上帝留下机会去照顾他们。主之所以没有为他们做更多的事，是因为他们没有给他机会。他们为自己做的太多，太少相信并倚靠上帝。{PH098 19.1}
上帝吩咐祂的子民总要警醒祷告，免得祂忽然来到，发现他们睡着了，但是爱世界的心可怕地控制着他们。“不要爱世界和世界上的事。人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了。因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。这世界和其上的情欲都要过去，惟独遵行上帝旨意的，是永远常存”(约壹2:15-17)。{PH098 20.1}
我蒙指示看到上帝自称相信现代真理的子民没有处在警醒等候的位置。他们在增加并积攒财宝在地上。他们在属世的事上变得富足，在上帝面前却不富足。他们不相信时日无多;他们不相信万物的结局近了。他们不相信基督就在门口了。他们必行出他们所真实拥有的全部信心。他们或许自称大有信心，但他们是在欺骗自己的灵魂。他们的行为表明他们信心的性质。许多人用自己的行为对周围之人作见证说，基督不会在这世代降临。他们的行为必定照着他们的信心。他们是在为留在这个世界作准备。他们以房接房，以地连地，他们是这个世界的居民。可怜的拉撒路靠从财主桌子下的碎渣充饥的状况都比这些人要好。他们若有真信心，就不会积攒财宝在地上，而会将它们变卖，使自己摆脱地上事物的缠累，并在他们去天国之前先把自己的财宝转移到天上去。于是他们的兴趣和心都会在那里，因为人最大的财富在哪里，他的心也在那里。大多数自称相信真理的人证实他们最看重的东西是在这个世界。他们为这个世界的东西挂虑、忧愁、劳力。他们的生活就是努力保持并增加属世的财富。他们转到天上的财宝很少，所以他们对那更美的家乡不特别感兴趣。他们在天上存的财宝那么少，以致他们的思想不会被吸引到那个方向。他们将大部分财富都投在地上的业务中，这些投资像磁石一般吸引他们的心离开属天的和不朽坏的，去追求属地的和必败坏的。“你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里”(太6:21)。自私像铁箍一样束缚着许多人。这是我的农场，我的货物，我的买卖，我的商品。他们甚至连普通人类的要求都不顾了。许多自称等候并热爱主显现的男男女女专顾自我，丧失了高贵，不像上帝了。爱世界的心，肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，今生的骄傲，已经牢牢地控制了他们，使他们眼睛昏昧。他们被世界败坏而浑然不知。他们谈论对上帝的爱，但他们的果子却没有显明他们所表白的这种爱。他们在十分之一和供物上抢夺了上帝，于是上帝毁灭性的咒诅临到他们身上。真理一直在各方面照亮他们的道路。上帝已在他们家人身上施行了奇妙的拯救，但他们因上帝对他们施行慈悲怜悯的记号而向祂献上感谢的供物在哪里呢?他们中许多人像没有理智的畜生一样忘恩负义。上帝为人所作的牺牲是无限的，超过最强大的理智所能理解的。然而自称享有以如此重大的代价带给他们的这些属天福惠的人，却太彻头彻尾地自私，不肯为上帝作任何真正的牺牲。他们的心全在世界上。我们在《诗篇》四十九篇中读到：“那些倚仗财货自夸钱财多的人，一个也无法赎自己的弟兄，也不能替他将赎价给上帝，叫他长远活着，不见朽坏，因为赎他生命的价值极贵，只可永远罢休。”如果人人都肯将基督所作的无限牺牲存记在心且稍有领会，就会因自己的可怕和极度自私而感到自责了。“我们的上帝要来，决不闭口，有烈火在祂面前吞灭，有暴风在祂四围大刮。祂招呼上天下地，为要审判祂的民，说：‘招聚我的圣民到我这里来，就是那些用祭物与我立约的人’”(诗50:3-5)。许多人因为自私和爱世界而忘记了上帝，他们的心灵一片荒芜，喊叫说：“我缺乏啊!我缺乏啊!”上帝已将钱财借给祂的百姓，藉此试验他们对祂的爱有多深。有些人把上帝抛在一边，宁可放弃属天的财富，也不愿减少属世的财富，借牺牲与上帝立约。上帝要求他们牺牲;但爱世界的心塞住了他们的耳朵，他们不愿意听。{PH098 20.2}
我要看有谁自称盼望基督降临并真正愿意向上帝奉献供物。我只看到少数谦卑贫穷的人，他们就像那个穷寡妇一样，自己节衣缩食，将他们的一点点钱投入上帝府库中。每一点这样的捐献都被上帝看作宝贵的财富。但是那些正在得财和不断增加自己财产之人，却远远地落在后边。相对于他们拥有的财富而言，他们所献上的简直近乎无有。他们扣留当献上的，且在抢夺上帝，因为他们害怕自己会变得缺乏。他们不敢信靠上帝。这就是我们这班人如此多病和许多人落入坟墓的原因之一。我们中间有贪婪的人，有贪爱世界的人，也有克扣工人工资的人。在这世上一无所有、贫穷可怜、只得倚靠自己劳动过活的人，受到了吝啬而又不公的对待。贪爱世界之徒竟恬着脸、硬着心，不愿支付穷人辛苦挣得的一点儿工资。他们也在这样对待他们的主，还自称是祂的仆人。他们也以这种勉强的态度投钱到上帝的库中。比喻中那个无知的财主无处存放他的财物，于是主便结束了他那空虚无用的生命。主也要这样对待多人。在这个败坏的时代，保守自己不变得世俗和自私是多么困难啊!而对那赐我们一切怜悯与恩惠的主忘恩负义又是多么容易啊!我们需要极其警醒，多多地祷告，切切保守自己的心灵。“你们要谨慎，警醒祈祷，因为你们不晓得那日期几时来到”(可13:33)。{PH098 23.1}
PH098 - Testimony for the Church at Olcott, N. Y.
Dear Brethren and Sisters in Olcott,I was shown, June 12, that the love of the world, was to a great extent taking the place of love to God. You are situated in a pleasant country, favorable to worldly prosperity. This places you where you are exposed to continual temptations of having your interest swallowed up in the world, and you engaged in laying up treasure upon the earth. Your hearts will be where your treasure is. You are situated where there are temptations to be plunging deeper and deeper into the world, and continuing to accumulate, and while thus engaged the mind has become engrossed in the cares of this life to such an extent as to shut out true godliness. But few realize the deceitfulness of riches. Those who are anxious to acquire means are so bent upon this one object as to make the religion of Christ a secondary matter. Spiritual things are not valued, and are not sought after; for the love of gain has eclipsed the heavenly treasure, and the prize of eternal life, if judged by the effort, zeal, perseverance and earnestness exhibited by these who profess to be Christians, is not half as valuable as earthly possessions. Compare the earnest effort after the things of this earth with the languid, weak, inefficient, sickly effort for spirituality and a heavenly treasure. No wonder that we experience so little of the illuminating influence from the heavenly sanctuary.?Our desires are not in that direction, but mostly confined to earthly pursuits, seeking for worldly things, and neglecting the eternal, immortal. Prosperity is blinding the eyes, and deceiving the soul. God may speak, but the rubbish of earth prevents his voice from being heard.?{PH098 1.1}[1]
Our aged father Lamson has his affections upon the things of this earth when they should be removed, and he ripening up for Heaven. The life that he now lives should he live by faith on the Son of God. His affections should be on the better land. He should have less and less interest in the perishable treasures of earth, while eternal things, which are of the greatest consequence, should engage the whole man. The days of his probation are nearly ended. Oh, how little time remains to devote to God. His energies are worn, his mind broken, and at best his services must be weak, yet if given heartily and fully, are wholly acceptable to him. With your age, Bro. Lamson, has come an increase of selfishness, and a more firm, earnest love for the treasures of this poor world.?{PH098 2.1}[2]
Sr. Lamson loves this world. She is naturally selfish. She has suffered much with bodily infirmities. God has permitted this affliction to come upon Sr. Lamson, and yet would not permit Satan to take her life. God designed through the furnace of affliction to loosen her grasp upon earthly treasures. Through suffering alone could this be done. Sr. Lamson is one of that class whose system has been poisoned by drugs. She ignorantly, has made herself what she is, by taking drugs; yet God did not suffer her life to be taken. He has lengthened her years of probation and?suffering that she might become sanctified through the truth, be purified, made white and tried, and through the furnace of affliction, lose her dross, and become more precious than fine gold, even than the golden wedge of Ophir. Love of the world has become so deeply rooted in the hearts of this brother and sister that it will require a severe trial to remove it.?{PH098 2.2}[3]
Dear Bro. and Sr. Lamson, you lack devotion to God. You are insane in regard to worldly things. The world has power to conform your mind to it, while the spiritual and heavenly do not bear with sufficient weight to transform the mind.?{PH098 3.1}[4]
Men and women in Olcott, who profess to be Christ’s followers, why do you not follow him? Why do you exhibit such insanity to acquire a treasure of earthly gain, which misfortune can so easily remove, and neglect the riches of Heaven, the immortal, imperishable treasure??{PH098 3.2}[5]
I was shown the cases of Bro. George Gaskill and his wife. Bro. George has good desires, but follows impulse too much. He does not move from principle, but from feeling. He needs a more thorough experience in the things of God, then will he be established, strengthened, settled. His character has been too changeable, his faith, wavering. His desires are strong enough, but he does not educate his mind to firmness of purpose. Disease has been upon him, which has been a great drawback to him, and has had an influence to becloud his intellect, that he has not clear perceptions of the exalted character of the work and truth of God. He should avoid being much in the society of unbelievers. He should come out?from among them, and be separate, and the promise is, God will receive him, and will be a Father unto him. He should seek to be in the society of those who are the most spiritual, and should seek to be benefited with their light, and strengthened by their influence. Before he is aware of it, when in the society of unbelievers, he is partaking of their spirit, thinking as they think, and acting as they act. This is all wrong. He should plant his feet firmly on the platform of eternal truth, and be strong in the strength of God. Then will he have strength to exert a good influence over others. Then, instead of being borne down by the unbelief and darkness of others, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. He too frequently goes upon the enemy’s battle field unarmed. He should not be there at all, but he realizes not his weakness, and walks right into danger without the armor on. He is kept in a state of continual weakness, when he might be growing in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth.?{PH098 3.3}[6]
It is sad that he has no help at home, that his wife, who ought to be a help to him in spiritual things, is only a hindrance. She has not been converted. She has no experience in the things of God. She is in friendship with the world. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” She is not alarmed at her perilous condition. She does not wish to reflect upon her true state before God. She is out of Christ. Her probation may close any time, yet she has no prospect of a better life. Love of the world, and love of self-enjoyment, occupy the?precious minutes and hours of probation, and she is not becoming rich toward God. She dwells upon the failings of those who profess present truth. In doing this she is feeding upon husks. And when the reckoning day shall come, she will be found wanting. Living for the world, and with them she must have her portion. Now God has given her a little moment of probation. Will she improve it? Will she get ready? Or will she slight the voice of warning, reject the gracious invitation, and choose her own course of friendship with the world, and forever forfeit the approval of God? It is Christ, or the world. She cannot have Christ and the world. Which will she choose? Her will must be subdued, and she make strong efforts for salvation, or she must fail. Her influence is injurious upon others. She forms a link between some who profess the truth, and the world. Some look upon her as being a Sabbath-keepers when she is not a Christian. Her heart has no union with God’s holy precepts. The position she occupies is a great hindrance to her husband. He could be greatly helped by her, if she would yield her heart to the sanctifying influence of the truth. Life or death is hers to choose. She can live a life of obedience, and have the approbation of God, or choose a course of transgression, and have the transgressor’s reward at last.?{PH098 4.1}[7]
I was shown the case of Bro. Harmon Lindsay’s wife. She has a desire to do right, but has failings which cause herself and her friends much trouble. She talks too much. She lacks experience in the things of God, and will be unable to stand amid the perils of the last days, unless she?is converted, and transformed by the renewing of the mind. Heart work is needed. Then the tongue will be sanctified. There is much talking which is sinful, and should be avoided. She should set a strict watch before the door of her lips, and keep her tongue as with a bridle, that her words may not work wickedness. She should cease talking of others faults, dwelling upon others’ peculiarities, and discovering others’ infirmities. Such conversation is censurable in any person. It is unprofitable and positively sinful. It tends only to evil. The enemy knows that if this course is pursued by Christ’s professed followers, it is opening a door for him to work.?{PH098 5.1}[8]
I saw that when sisters who are given to talk get together, Satan is generally present, for he finds employment. He stands by to excite the mind, and make the most of the advantage he has gained. He knows that all this gossip, and tale-bearing, and revealing of secrets, and dissecting character, separates the soul from God. It is death to spirituality and a calm religious influence. Sr. Lindsay sins in her words greatly. She ought in her words to have an influence for good. But this sad failing has been indulged in until she does not know what she is stating herself. She talks frequently at random, and does not always state things correctly. Sometimes her words put a different construction upon things than they will bear. Sometimes there is exaggeration. Then there is misstatement. There is not an intention to misstate, but the habit has been so long cherished of much talking, and upon things that are unprofitable, that she has become careless, and reckless in her words, destroys any influence?she might have for good. It is time there was an entire reform in this respect. Her society has not been prized as it would have been had this sinful talking been indulged in.?{PH098 6.1}[9]
Christians should be careful in regard to their words. They should never carry unfavorable reports from one of their friends to another, especially if they are aware that there is a lack of union between their mutual friends. It is cruel to hint and insinuate, as though you knew a great deal in regard to this friend or that acquaintance, that others are ignorant of. Such hints go farther, and create more unfavorable impressions, than to frankly relate the facts in an unexaggerated manner. What harm has not the church of Christ suffered from these things? The inconsistent, unguarded course of her members has made her weak as water. Confidence has been betrayed by members of the same church, and yet the guilty did not design to do mischief. The lack of wisdom in the selection of subjects of conversation has done much harm. The conversation should be upon spiritual and divine things; but it has been otherwise. If the association with Christian friends is chiefly devoted to the improvement of the mind and heart, there will be no after regrets, and they can look back on the interviews with a pleased satisfaction. But if the hours are spent in levity and vanity, and the precious time has passed off with those who unite with you in dissecting the lives and characters of others, the friendly intercourse will prove a channel of evil, and your influence will be a savor of death unto death.?{PH098 7.1}[10]
I was shown that the two cases last mentioned?were in fearful danger, especially the wife of Bro. George Gaskill. She knows not, by experimental knowledge, the ways of truth. Probation is passing and she is not ready. She is acquainted with the theory of the truth, but does not conform her life unto it. Love of friendship with the world is endangering her eternal welfare. Self is yet to be subdued. The will is to be brought in subjection. God calls upon her to be zealous and repent; to leave her unbelief, to cease dwelling upon the failures of others, and perfect her own ways before God or she will fail of everlasting life. She has a Christian character to form, a soul to save or lose, and she has no time to delay the work. Now, now, now, the Spirit invites. Resist not its voice. Self-righteousness will not save her in the reckoning day. She must possess the righteousness of Christ.?{PH098 7.2}[11]
I cannot call to mind distinctly all the persons in your church shown me; but I saw that many had a great work to perform. There is too much talking by nearly all, and too little meditation and prayer. With many there is too much selfishness. The mind is devoted to self, and not to the good of others. Satan has his power upon you in a great degree. Yet there are precious lights among you, and those who are seeking to walk according to the will of God. The love of the world and pride are the great snares which are so great a hindrance to spirituality and a growth in grace.?{PH098 8.1}[12]
This world is not the Christian’s heaven, but merely the workshop of God, where we are to be fitted up, to unite with sinless angels, in a holy Heaven. We should be constantly training the mind to noble, unselfish thoughts. This education?is necessary to bring into exercise the powers which God has given us in such a manner as shall best glorify his name upon the earth. We are accountable for all the noble qualities which God has given us, and to put these faculties to a use he never designed we should, is showing base ingratitude to God. The service of God demands the powers of our being, and we fail of meeting the design of God unless we bring to a high state of cultivation the powers of our minds, and educate the mind to love a contemplation of heavenly things, and bring out the energies of the soul, that in exercise it should strengthen, and be enabled by right actions, operating to the glory of God.?{PH098 8.2}[13]
The females who profess godliness generally fail in the direction of training the mind. They leave the mind uncontrolled, to go where it will. This is a great mistake. Many seem to have no power to think. They have not educated the mind to think; and because they have not done this, they suppose they cannot. Meditation and prayer is necessary to a growth in grace. Why there is no more stability is because of so little mental culture, so little reflection. They leave the mind in a state of inaction, and lean upon others to do the brain work, to plan, and think, and remember for you, and you will grow more and more inefficient. Some need to discipline their minds by exercise. They should force it to think. While they depend upon some one to think for them, and to solve their difficulties, and they refuse to tax the mind with thought, the inability to remember, to look ahead and discriminate, will continue. Efforts?must be made by every individual to educate the mind.?{PH098 9.1}[14]
I was shown that Bro. Charles Lindsay should seek for more spirituality. You do not possess that calm trust in God which he requires you to have. You do not train your mind to run in the channel of spirituality. You talk too much vain unnecessary talk, which injures your own soul and injures your influence. You must encourage calmness, and fortitude of mind. You are easily excited, and feel strong, and express in strong terms your likes and dislikes. You need more sweet, good religion, to have a soothing influence upon you. You have been invited to learn of Christ, who was meek and lowly of heart. Precious lesson! If well learned, it will transform the whole life. Lightness and cheap talk, is all injurious to your spiritual advancement. Perfection of character you should seek after, and let your influence tell for God in your words and acts. You need to earnestly seek the Lord, and to take a deeper draught at the fountain of truth, that its influence may sanctify your life. Your mind is on the world too much. You should have your interest in the better life than this. You have no time to lose. Make haste and improve the few hours of probation. Your wife has had too much pride and selfishness. God has been bringing her through the furnace of affliction, to remove these spots from her character. She must be very careful that the fire of affliction does not kindle upon her in vain. It should remove the dross, and bring her nearer to God, making her more spiritual. Her love of the world must die. Love of?self must be overcome; and her will swallowed up in the will of God.?{PH098 10.1}[15]
I was pointed back, back in the past, and saw a blot upon the life of Horatio which he has never removed. He did not love his neighbor as himself, but disguised facts and acted a deceptive part which was very displeasing to God. He injured another, which injury has led to reckless moves on his part, and may finally result in his eternal ruin. Selfishness did this. It was a course pursued which Heaven frowns upon. Horatio, you have humble acknowledgements to make in this matter, and your soul cannot be free from guilt till you remove this wrong thoroughly. There have not been right feelings with members of the family in regard to this wrong. It has not been viewed in its heinous character as God views it. It is not too late for wrongs to be righted. And there is no time to lose in redeeming the past, as far as it can be redeemed, lest this sin shall stand against you in the Judgment.?{PH098 11.1}[16]
I was shown that love of the world has to a great extent shut Jesus from the church. God calls for a change—a surrender of all to him. Unless the mind is educated to dwell upon religious themes, and is trained to be exercised in these things, it will be weak and feeble in this direction. It will be strong while engaged in worldly enterprises, for in this direction it has been cultivated, and has strengthened with exercise. Why it is so difficult for men and women to live religious lives is, because they do not exercise the mind unto godliness. It is trained to run in an opposite direction. Unless the mind is constantly exercised in obtaining spiritual knowledge?and in seeking to understand the mystery of godliness, it is incapable of appreciating eternal things, because it has no experience in that direction. This is the reason why religion, by nearly all is considered up-hill business.?{PH098 11.2}[17]
When the heart is divided, dwelling principally upon the things of the world, but in a small degree upon the things of God, there can be no special advancement or increase of strength. That which claims the largest share of the mind, calling into exercise its powers, is worldly enterprises, therefore in this direction there is strength and power to claim more and more of the interest and affections and there is less and less reserved to devote to God. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is not a special exercise of the mind. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. Secret prayer is very important, when in solitude the soul is laid bare to the inspecting eye of God, and every motive is scrutinized. Secret prayer! How precious! The soul communing with God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petition. In secret prayer, the soul is free from surrounding influence, free from excitement. Calmly, and yet fervently, will it reach out after God. Secret prayer is frequently perverted, and its sweet designs lost by loud vocal prayer. Instead of the calm, quiet trust and faith in God, the soul drawn out in low, humble tones, the voice is raised to a loud pitch, an excitement is encouraged, and secret prayer loses its softening, sacred influence. There is a storm of feeling, a storm of words, making it impossible to discern the still, small voice that?speaks to the soul while engaged in its secret true, heart-felt devotion. Secret prayer, properly carried out, is productive of great good. But prayer thought to be secret, which is made public to the entire family and neighborhood, is not secret prayer from which divine strength is received. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to answer the prayer arising from the heart. The soul holds communion with God, and gathers to itself, by calm, simple faith, divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain it to endure the conflicts of Satan. God is our tower of strength.?{PH098 12.1}[18]
Jesus has left us word, “Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you. I say unto all, Watch.” We are waiting and watching for the Master’s return, who is to bring the morning, lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping. What time is here referred to? Not the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but his return from his ministration in the most holy, laying off his priestly attire, and clothing himself with garments of vengeance, when the mandate goes 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.”?{PH098 13.1}[19]
When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are decided forever. This is the time of reckoning with his servants. Those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness,?fitting them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, their sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes. Christ’s intercessions cease in Heaven, and it is finally sudden upon all, and those who have neglected the purifying of their souls by obeying the truth, are found sleeping. They became weary of waiting and watching. They became indifferent in regard to the coming of their Master. They longed not for his appearing and thought there was no need of such continued, persevering watching. They had been disappointed in their expectations, and might be again. They concluded there was time enough yet to arouse. They would be sure and not lose the opportunity of securing an earthly treasure. It would be safe to get all of this world they could. And in securing this object, they lost all anxiety and interest in the appearing of the Master. They became indifferent and careless, as though his coming was yet in the distance. While their interest was buried up in their worldly gains, the work closed in the heavenly sanctuary, and they were unprepared. If they had only known that the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary would close so soon, how differently would they have conducted! How earnestly would they have watched! The Master anticipated all this, and gave them timely warning in the command to watch. He distinctly states the suddenness of his coming. He does not measure the time, lest we shall neglect a momentary preparation, and in our indolence look ahead to the time when we think he will come, and defer the preparation. “Watch ye therefore; for ye know not.” Yet this uncertainty, and the suddenness at last,?foretold, fails to quicken our watchfulness, and arouse us from stupidity to earnest wakefulness, for our expected Master. Those not found waiting and watching, are finally surprised in their unfaithfulness. The Master has come, and instead of their being ready to open unto him immediately, they are locked in a worldly slumber, and are lost at last.?{PH098 13.2}[20]
A company was presented before me in contrast to the one described. They were waiting and watching. Their eyes were directed heavenward, and the words of their Master were upon their lips. “What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.” “Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” The Lord intimates a delay before the morning finally dawns. He would not have them give way to weariness, nor relax their earnest watchfulness, because the morning does not open upon them as soon as they expected. The waiting ones were represented to me as looking upward. They were encouraging one another repeating these words.?{PH098 15.1}[21]
The first and second watches are past. We are in the third watch, waiting and watching for the Master’s return. There remains but a little period of watching now. I saw some becoming weary; their eyes were directed downward, and they were engrossed with earthly things, and were unfaithful in watching. They were saying, In the first watch we expected our Master, but were disappointed. We thought surely he would come in the second watch, but that passed, and he came not. We may be again disappointed. We need not be so?particular. He may not come in the following watch. We are in the third watch, and now we think it best to lay up our treasure on the earth, that we may be secure against want. Many were sleeping, stupefied with the cares of this life, allured, by the deceitfulness of riches, from their waiting, watching position.?{PH098 15.2}[22]
Angels were represented to me as looking on with intense interest to mark the appearance of the yet faithful, wearied watchers, lest they be tried too surely, and sink under the toil and hardships, made doubly severe by their brethren being diverted from their watch, and drunken with worldly cares, and beguiled by worldly prosperity. The heavenly angels grieve that those who were once watching should, by their indolence and unfaithfulness, increase the trial and burdens of those who were trying, with earnestness and perseverance, to maintain their waiting, watching positions.?{PH098 16.1}[23]
I saw that it was impossible to have the affections and interests engrossed in worldly cares, increasing their possessions, laying up treasures upon the earth, and yet be in a waiting, watching position, as our Saviour has commanded. Said the angel, “They can secure but one world. In order to acquire the heavenly treasure, they must sacrifice the earthly. They cannot have both worlds.” I saw how necessary was a continuance of faithfulness in watching to escape the delusive snares of Satan. He leads those who should be waiting and watching, to take one step of advance toward the world, and they have no intention of going further, but that one step has removed them that much further from Jesus, which makes it easier to take the next, and thus step after step?of advance has been made toward the world, until a profession, a name only, makes the difference between them and the world. They have lost their peculiar, holy character, and there is nothing to distinguish them from the lovers of the world around them except their profession. Watch after watch, I saw, was in the past. Because of this should there be a lack of vigilance? Oh! no. There is the greater necessity of unceasing watchfulness for now the moments are fewer than before the passing of the first watch. Now the period of time for the waiting is necessarily shorter than at first. If we watched with unabated vigilance then, how much more need of double watchfulness in the second watch. The passing of the second watch has brought us to the third, and now it is inexcusable to relax our watching. The third watch calls for threefold earnestness. To become impatient now, would be a loss of all our earnest, persevering watching heretofore. The long night of gloom is trying, but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God’s unwillingness to have his people perish, has been the reason of so long delay. But the time of the coming of the morning to the faithful, and the night to the unfaithful, is right upon us. By thus waiting and watching, God’s people are to manifest their peculiar, separate character from worldlings. By our watching positions, we are to show how truly we are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth. The difference between the lovers of the world and those who love Christ, is so plain as to be unmistakable. The world, all earnestness, interest, and ambition, to secure earthly?treasure, while God’s people are not conformed to the world, but transformed, showing by their earnest watching, waiting position, that their home is not in this world. They are seeking a better country, even an heavenly.?{PH098 16.2}[24]
I hope, my dear brethren and sisters, you will not pass your eye over these words without thoroughly considering their import. The men of Galilee stood looking steadfastly toward heaven, to catch, if possible a glimpse of their Saviour as he ascended. Two men in white apparel stood by them, who were heavenly angels, commissioned to comfort them for the loss of the presence of their Saviour. They inquired, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.?{PH098 18.1}[25]
God designs his people shall fix their eyes heavenward looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. While the attention of worldlings is turned to the various enterprises, ours should be to the Heavens, our faith reaching farther and farther into the glorious mysteries of heavenly treasures, drawing the precious, divine rays of light from the heavenly sanctuary, to shine in our hearts, as it shineth in the face of Jesus Christ. The scoffers mock the waiting, watching ones, and inquire, “Where is the promise of his coming? You have been disappointed. Engage now with us, and you will prosper in worldly things. Get gain, get money, and be honored of the world.” The waiting ones are looking upward and answer, “We are watching.” They turn from earthly pleasure, and from worldly?fame, and from the deceitfulness of riches, and show themselves to be watching. In watching they become strong. They overcome sloth and selfishness, and love of ease. Affliction’s fire kindles upon them, and the waiting time seems long. They grieve sometimes, and faith falters; but they rally again, overcome their fears and doubts, and while their eyes are directed heavenward, say to their adversaries, “I am watching, I am waiting the return of my Lord.” I will glory in tribulation, in affliction, in necessities.?{PH098 18.2}[26]
The desire of our lord is that we should be so watching that when he cometh and knocketh, we may open to him immediately. A blessing is pronounced upon those servants that he finds watching. “He will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Who among us in these last days will be thus especially honored by the Master of assemblies? Are we prepared without delay to open to him immediately and welcome the Master? Watch, watch, watch. This watching and waiting, ready, all ready to welcome our Lord, has ceased with nearly all. We are not ready to open to him immediately. The love of the world has occupied our thoughts, and so filled our minds that our eyes are turned downward to the earth, but not upward. We are hurrying about, engaged in different enterprises, with zeal and earnestness, and God is forgotten, and the heavenly treasure is not valued. We are not in a waiting, watching position. The love of the world and the deceitfulness of riches eclipses our faith, and we do not long for, and love, the appearing of our Saviour. We do too much ourselves, to take care of self.?We are uneasy, distrustful, and greatly lack a firm trust in God. Many worry and work, and contrive and plan, fearing they suffer need. They cannot afford time to pray, or to attend religious meetings, and in their care for themselves, leave no chance for God to care for them. The Lord does not to do much for them, for they give him no opportunity. The do too much for themselves, and believe and trust too little in God.?{PH098 19.1}[27]
The love of the world is terrible upon the Lord’s people, whom he has commanded to watch and pray always, lest coming suddenly he find them sleeping.’Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”?{PH098 20.1}[28]
I have been shown that God’s people who profess to believe present truth, are not in a waiting, watching position. They are increasing in riches, and laying up their treasures upon the earth. They are becoming rich in worldly things, but not rich toward God. They do not believe in the shortness of time. They do not believe that the end of all things is at hand. They do not believe that Christ is at the door. They will act out all the faith that they really possess. They may profess much faith but deceive their own souls. Their works show the character of their faith. Many testify to those around them, by their works that the coming of Christ is not to be in this generation. According to their faith will be their?works. Their preparations are being made to remain in this world. They are adding house to house, and land to land, and are citizens of this world. The condition of poor Lazarus feeding upon the crumbs from the rich man’s table is preferable to these. If they possessed genuine faith, instead of increasing their treasures upon the earth they would be selling off, freeing themselves from the cumbersome things of earth, and transferring their treasure before them to Heaven. Then their interest and hearts will be where their treasure is. The heart of man is where is his greatest treasure. The most of those who profess to believe the truth testify that that which they value the most is in this world. For this they have care, wearing anxiety and labor. To preserve and add to their treasure is the study of their lives. They have transferred so little to Heaven that their interest is not especially exercised in that better country. They have taken so little stock in the heavenly treasure that their minds are not attracted in that direction. Their investments have been made in the things of this world. They have taken large stock in the enterprises of this earth, and these matters involve the interest, and like the magnet draw down their souls from the heavenly and imperishable to the earthly and corruptible. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. Selfishness girds them about as with iron bands. It is my farm, my goods, my trade, my merchandise. Even the claims of common humanity by many are disregarded. Men and women professing to be waiting and loving the appearing of their Lord, are shut up to self. The noble, the godlike, they have parted with. The?love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, have so fastened upon men and women that they are blinded. They are corrupted by the world, and discern it not. They talk of love to God, but their fruits show not the love they express. They rob him in tithes and offerings, and the withering curse of God is upon them. The truth has been illuminating their pathway on every side. God has wrought wonderfully in the salvation of souls in their own households, but where are their offerings, presented to God in grateful thanks for all his tokens of mercy to them? Many of them are as unthankful as the brute creation. The sacrifice for man was infinite, beyond the comprehension of the strongest intellect. Yet, men who claim to be partakers of these heavenly benefits, which were brought to them with so much cost, are too thoroughly selfish to make any real sacrifice for God. The world, the world, the world, their minds are upon. In the forty-ninth psalm, we read, “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever.)” If all would bear in mind, and in a small degree appreciate, the immense sacrifice made by Christ, they would feel rebuked for their fearfulness and their supreme selfishness. “Our God shall come and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by?sacrifice.” Because of selfishness, and love of the world, God is forgotten, and many have barrenness of soul, and cry, My leanness, my leanness. God has lent means to his people to prove them, to test the depth of their professed love for him. Some would let go of God, and give up their heavenly treasure, rather than to decrease their earthly possessions and make a covenant with God by sacrifice. God calls for them to sacrifice; but the love of the world closes their ears, and they will not hear.?{PH098 20.2}[29]
I looked to see who of those who professed to be looking for Christ’s coming, possessed the spirit of sacrificing offerings to God of their abundance. I could see a few humble, poor ones, who were stinting themselves, and casting in their mite, like the poor widow. Every such offering is accounted of God as precious treasure. But those who are acquiring means, and adding to their possessions, are far behind. They do comparatively nothing to what they might. They are withholding, and robbing God. They are fearful they shall come to want. They dare not trust God. This is one of the reasons, that as a people, we are so sickly, and so many are falling into their graves. The covetous are among us. The lovers of the world, also those who have stinted the laborer in his hire, are among us. Men who had none of this world, who were poor and dependent on their labor, have been dealt with closely and unjustly. The lover of the world has, with a hard face, and harder heart, paid over the small sum earned by hard toil, grudgingly. Just so they are dealing with their Master, whose servants they profess to be. Just in this grudging manner do they put into the?treasury of God. Like the man in the parable, who had not where to bestow his goods, and the Lord cut short his unprofitable life, so will he deal with many. How difficult, in this corrupt age, to keep from growing worldly and selfish. How easy to become ungrateful to the Giver of all our mercies. Great watchfulness is needed, with much prayer, to keep the soul with all diligence. “Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is.”?{PH098 23.1}[30]
搜索
