主希望祂的子民在传道工作中抛弃一切不符合圣经的事。蒙召传道的人不该成为偶像，被人迷信尊崇，也不该因其职权而不计较他们的罪。其实他们的职务使他们的罪更显严重。他们因犯罪而成为罪的执事、撒但的代理。撒但藉着他们使罪恶长存不灭。{SpTA11 2.1}
所有的人都该谨记，撒但作出了特别的努力反对传道工作。他知道它不过是一个人间的机构，本身不具任何恩典或神圣性。他知道它是上帝所命定的代理，作为救灵的有力的手段。只有上帝，那永远的灵，才能使它有效。他知道福音的珍宝是放在瓦器里，唯独上帝的能力才能使他们成为尊贵的器皿。他们可以耕种葡萄园，由一位保罗栽种，由一位亚波罗浇灌，但唯有上帝才能使之生长。{SpTA11 2.2}
上帝从来不让祂的教会没有见证人。在教会所经历的考验和试炼，道德黑暗中的反对和逼迫等一切情景中，上帝都有善用机会的人作好准备，在不同的阶段担起祂的圣工，使之向前向上。祂藉着先祖与先知向祂的子民启示了祂的真理。基督是祂古时子民的教师，正如祂披着人性来到世界时一样。祂把自己的荣耀隐藏在人的形体里，常常出现在祂的百姓面前，与他们“面对面说话，好像人与朋友说话一般”(出33:11)。祂是他们看不见的领袖，隐藏在火柱和云柱中，藉着摩西对祂的子民说话。上帝所指定负有特殊任务、带着特殊信息的众先知听见了祂的声音。祂差遣他们去一再重复讲述同样的话。祂为他们准备的信息并不是依照人的方法和意志，而是祂放在他们口中要他们传讲的话。祂向他们保证，圣灵会赐给他们当说的话。鉴察人心的祂，会赐给他们感动人心的话。{SpTA11 2.3}
信息可能会使受信人感到不悦。他们可能不想要任何新东西，而想继续他们已经在做的事。但是主用责备的话激励他们。祂指责他们的行动方针。祂将新生命注入了那些在责任的岗位上沉睡的人。他们不是忠心的哨兵。祂向他们显明他们的职责。他们要为百姓的安全负责任。他们是守望的人，昼夜不可睡觉。他们要看清敌人，并向人们发出警报，好使每个人都坚守岗位，使那警觉的仇敌占不到一点便宜。{SpTA11 3.1}
而今主向祂的守望者们宣布，如果他们不忠心，不警告处在危险中的百姓，他们就会死在罪中。祂说：“我却要向你讨他丧命的血”(结33:8)。但是如果祂的使者扬声发出责备和警告，要人们转离他们的恶行，而那些人不愿听从，那么守望的人就无罪了。得罪上帝的人必死在自己的罪里;他的血要归在他自己身上。{SpTA11 3.2}
这些严肃的问题清楚地摆在我面前。上帝已经设立了使徒、牧师、传福音的和教师，为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体，直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一。上帝向祂的子民宣布：“你们是上帝所耕种的田地，所建造的房屋”(林前3:9)。必须不断地进步。跟从祂的人必须一步一步为自己的脚把道路修直了，使瘸子不至差路。那些愿意为上帝工作的人必须聪明地作工，好藉着站在光中，行在那公义日头的光中，来弥补自身的缺欠，并荣耀以色列的主上帝。这样，他们就会使教会向前向上向天国，使它与世界的分别越来越明显。当人的品格与那神圣的楷模同化时，他们就不会维护个人的尊严了。他们必热心、警觉、仁爱和专诚地维护教会的神圣利益不受罪恶的威胁。罪恶要笼罩和蒙蔽上帝定意藉着教会照射出来的亮光。他们必定意不使撒但的诡计藉着助长挑剔、闲言恶语，以及控告弟兄在教会里出头露面，因为这些事会削弱并颠覆教会。{SpTA11 4.1}
在教会历史的任何时候，上帝的工人都不可以袖手旁观，悠然自得地说：“一切都平安稳妥。”然后毁灭就突然临到了。一切都呈现着在繁荣中发展的迹象;但撒但是很警觉的。他正在与他的恶使者研究采取另一种进攻的方式以取得成功。撒但的争夺会越来越剧烈;因为他是被下面的能力所推动的。当上帝子民的工作在来自上帝宝座的能力推动下，以圣洁而不可抗拒的力量前进，在教会中树起基督公义的旗帜时，大斗争就必愈演愈烈，并越来越具有决定意义。思想观念与思想观念，计划与计划，天上的原则与撒但的原则要针锋相对。各方面的真理要与不断变化、不断增加的罪恶形式发生冲突。倘若可能，连选民都要被迷惑了。{SpTA11 5.1}
我们必须认真努力地工作。我们作战不可像那打空气的。传道事工，讲台和出版社都需要像迦勒那样的人，敢作敢为，目光专一，能辨别是非，耳朵也分别为圣，能领会忠心守望者的话语。来自上帝宝座的灵必出现在堕落的基督教、败坏的世界面前。这个世界即将被受到冒犯的上帝长久耽延的审判所消灭。{SpTA11 5.2}
现在有一种危险，就是人们看不见适用于现代的重要真理，却去追求新奇的东西。许多人在受到上帝的灵藉着祂所指定的仆人责备时，却不肯接受纠正，并对担负不愉快重任的上帝仆人心怀恶意。有些人虽在教导真理，他们的行为在上帝面前却是不完全的。他们设法隐瞒自己的缺点，鼓励人与上帝疏远。他们没有道德勇气去做对他们特别有益的事。他们看不到改革的必要，因此他们就拒绝主的话，并且恨恶那在城门口责备他们的人。{SpTA11 5.3}
正是这样拒绝听从主的警告，撒但就有机可乘，使他们成为向他们传达真理之人最苦毒的敌人。他们成了作伪证的人，诬陷那些把主的信息带给他们的人。{SpTA11 6.1}
拒绝主话语的人，努力确立他自己的方法和意愿，抗拒上帝所差来帮助他们认识自己罪恶的使者和信息。他自己的欲望已经影响了他的行为。他以一种错误的方式建立了自己。上帝的准则是：“所以，你们或吃或喝，无论做什么，都要为荣耀上帝而行”(林前10:31)。但他不愿这样做。一个人心中怎样思量，他为人就是怎样。从他内心发出了撒但所授意的邪恶想法。他开始对技术性细节和具体方法吹毛求疵。撒但的精神使他与仇敌联合，批评挑剔不太重要的问题。真理对他来说价值越来越少了。他成了控告弟兄和别人的人。他换了领导。比起上帝在他所传的信息中已经倾入世界的，曾使他欢喜快乐的大量亮光，他更看重外面的世界。{SpTA11 6.2}
自从他因自己的危险和错误受到揭露而对上帝充满仇恨以来，多少事情得到了发展啊!他让邪恶的思想获得加强并占了优势，因为日复一日，他已不再吃上帝儿子的肉，喝祂的血，与上帝的性情有份了。来自里面的东西污秽了他。这些邪恶兴起的源头必是多么败坏啊!{SpTA11 7.1}
未成圣的传道人正在列队反对上帝。他们既赞美基督，也赞美这世界的神。他们虽然自称接受基督，却拥抱巴拉巴，并藉着他们的行为说：“不要这人，要巴拉巴”(约18:40)。凡读到这句话的人要留意。撒但夸口自己的能力。他想要破坏基督所祈求在祂的教会中存在的团结。他说：“我要前去作一个谎言的灵，去欺骗那些我能欺骗的人，批评、定罪、作假见证。”让谎言之子和作假见证的人被已经拥有大光和大证据的教会所接纳，那个教会就会抛弃主所传的信息，接受最不合理的主张，错误的推测和理论。撒但嘲笑他们的愚蠢，因为他知道何为真理。{SpTA11 7.2}
许多人将站在我们的讲台上，手持假预言的火把，是从撒但邪恶的火把上点着的。怀疑和不信之念一旦被人接受，忠心的传道人就会从自以为是的人中间被排斥。基督说：“巴不得你在这日子知道关系你平安的事;无奈这事现在是隐藏的，叫你的眼看不出来”(路19:42)。{SpTA11 8.1}
然而上帝坚固的根基立定了。主认识谁是祂的人。成圣的传道人嘴里必没有诡诈。他必像白昼一样坦诚，脱离每一罪污。成圣的传道和出版事工必成为一种力量，在这个顽梗的世代发出真理的亮光。弟兄们，我们需要更多的亮光。要在锡安吹角;在圣山发出警告。要集合主的众军，以成圣的心，听耶和华对祂的子民所说的话;因为祂有丰富的亮光要传给一切愿意听从的人。要让他们武装起来并装备好去参加战斗，去帮助耶和华攻击勇士。上帝必亲自为以色列行事。每一个说谎的舌头都必止息。天使的手要倾覆正在形成的骗局。撒但的堡垒决不会得胜。胜利必伴随着第三位天使的信息。耶和华军队的元帅怎样拆毁耶利哥的城墙，守主诫命的子民也必照样得胜。所有反对的势力都要被击败。不要让任何人抱怨带着天赐的信息到他们那里去的上帝的仆人。不要再对他们吹毛求疵，说：“他们太积极了;他们言辞太激烈了。”他们可能是言辞激烈的;但那难道不是必要的吗?如果人们不愿听从上帝的声音或祂的信息，祂必叫听见的人耳鸣。祂必责备抗拒上帝之道的人。{SpTA11 8.2}
撒但已采取一切可能的措施，阻挠任何人来到我们信徒中间，责备我们，指摘我们，劝诫我们放弃自己的错误。但有一班人要扛抬上帝的约柜。有些人会从我们中间出去，不再扛抬约柜。但是这些人无法建立隔墙，阻挡真理;因为真理必向前向上进展到底。过去上帝已经兴起过许多人。现在祂仍有善用机会的人在等待，准备好要照祂的吩咐办事。他们要遭遇种种障碍。但这些障碍只不过像用未泡透的灰抹的墙。当上帝的灵降在人身上时，他们就必作工。他们必传讲主的道，扬起声音好像吹角。真理在他们的手中必不会减弱或丧失其能力。他们必向百姓说明他们的过犯，向雅各家说明他们的罪恶。{SpTA11 9.1}
斗争要愈演愈烈。撒但要冒充基督，粉墨登场。他要尽量误表、滥用、曲解每一件事来欺骗人，倘若可能，连选民都被迷惑了。就在我们的时代，也已经有过，并继续会有一个一个曾因真理而欢乐的家庭，会丧失信心，因为有诽谤和谎言传给他们，是关于他们所爱的，并有过亲密交流的人。他们向所撒的稗子敞开心怀;稗子在麦子中间长了起来，并越长越壮;麦子的产量越来越少;宝贵的真理对他们丧失了能力。一种虚假的热心暂时陪随着他们的新理论，使他们心刚硬，反对提倡真理的人，就像犹太人反对基督那样。{SpTA11 9.2}
在撒但的热心之下，有些人一度看起来兴旺发达，但那只是暂时的。撒但带他们走得很远，以致他们藐视上帝的灵。他们好像一株青翠的月桂树，繁殖起来。主暂时容忍他们。祂允许他们表现出对上帝子民的忌妒和憎恨，就像祂允许撒但去发展他的品格一样，好使他可以在天上的宇宙、未堕落的诸世界和堕落了的世界面前，显明其作为骗子、控告弟兄者和一个真正凶手的本来面目。{SpTA11 10.1}
许多现在自称相信真理却没有锚的人，必与撒但一党的人抱成一团。那些没有站在上帝一边工作的人，将成为已获得活泼经验之人的绊脚石。但愿每一个传道人不要一有机会就批评和质问，怀疑和反对，而当竖起屏障抵挡狡猾的仇敌。上帝的子民不要与主所差来拯救他们的人对抗，而当不断热诚地祈求上帝恩典的能力。耶和华军队的元帅必进入战场。上帝的子民不要坐着论断上帝所接纳侍奉祂的人。他们要昼夜祈求主差派更多的工人进入祂的葡萄园。传道人们，不要因责难上帝所拣选之人的工作方式来羞辱上帝，使祂的圣灵忧伤。上帝知道人的品格，了解祂所拣选之人的性情。祂知道只有认真、稳固、坚定、感情强烈的人才会认识到这项工作的重要性，并把这种稳固和坚定带进他们的见证，使他们突破撒但的障碍。{SpTA11 10.2}
上帝为人的益处向人提出忠告。祂已发出祂的信息，告诉他们1897年需要什么。你们接受信息了吗?你们听从呼吁了吗?祂给你们提供机会武装起来帮助耶和华。做好这一切之后，祂告诉你们要站立得稳。但是你们准备好了吗?你们说“我在这里，请差遣我”了吗?你们仍坐着什么都不做，完全忽视了主的话。当你们站在前线犹豫时，主接纳了孩子们，把你们没有接受的信息和工作交给他们。你们要做他们的绊脚石吗?你们要批评责备吗?你们会说：“他们正离开自己的本位”吗?可是你们并没有充任他们现在蒙召要担任的职位。{SpTA11 11.1}
人们在可以帮忙时，为什么要成为障碍呢?他们在可以显著成功地推动车轮时，为什么要阻碍车轮前进呢?为什么他们要剥夺自己心灵的利益和别人本来可以得到的福气呢?这些拒绝亮光的人必留在荒芜的沙漠里。那里没有使人得安舒、得医治的水流。他们在干旱之地服侍，就像在没有雨露的基利波山一样。他们没有领受上帝的膏油，也没有把福惠传给别人。他们最好还是降卑自己的心，承认自己的错误，并挣脱撒但对他们的控制。他们可以打破教育、偏见或习惯所铸成的锁链。但愿他们本着痛悔的精神，单单求问上帝。这样，他们就必寻见祂。他们就不会强调自己的意愿，而是到主的灵带领的地方去。他们会接受祂指导。{SpTA11 11.2}
在我们这块虽拥有伟大的机会和特权，却忽略了的土地上，每一个教会都必须经历净化和清洁。他们不需要更多的证据，却需要纯洁成圣的心，好收集并保持上帝所赐的一切亮光，然后行在光中。{SpTA11 12.1}
我们不必说：“末后日子的危险不久就要临到我们身上。”它们已经临到。我们现在需要主的宝剑，好割掉肉体的私欲、食欲与情欲的魂与骨髓。愿它刺入剖开到前所未有的程度。愿所有的骄傲都被除掉。愿属肉体的追求从试图欺骗上帝子民的谎言避难所里被拉出来。愿它砍掉他们的自以为义并打开瞎子的眼睛，使他们可以看到自己在上帝眼中并不完全。{SpTA11 12.2}
我要对上帝的子民说话。他们现今正持定自己的信心，不愿离开从前一次交付圣徒的真道，在这些道德黑暗的败坏日子中屹立。主对你们说的话是：“我必因耶路撒冷欢喜，因我的百姓快乐”(赛65:19)。我们在这里难道没有看到上帝对在公义中坚守信心之人所表达的父爱吗?上帝和祂的子民保持着最亲密的关系。我们不仅是祂仁慈怜悯的对象，祂饶恕之爱的对象，主还因祂的子民快乐。祂是他们的保证。祂必美化一切全心全意以圣洁的精神侍奉祂的人。祂以公义为衣给他们穿上。祂爱那些遵行祂旨意、彰显祂形像的人。忠诚真心的人都在效法祂儿子的形像。从他们口中察不出谎言来，因为他们在上帝的宝座前是没有瑕疵的。{SpTA11 12.3}
怀爱伦夫人
[1897年9月收到]
【God’s Messengers】
The Lord would have his people divested of everything unscriptural in regard to the ministry. The men called to the ministry should not be made idols of; they should not be looked upon with superstitious reverence; and because of the power vested in them through their office, sin in them should not lose its offensiveness. Their very office makes sin in them more exceedingly sinful; for in committing sin they make themselves the ministers of sin, the agents of Satan, through whom he can work with success to perpetuate sin.{SpTA11 2.1}[1]
All should bear in mind that Satan’s special efforts are directed against the ministry. He knows that it is but a human instrumentality, possessing no grace or holiness of its own. He knows that it is an agent that God has ordained to be a powerful means for the salvation of souls, and is efficacious only as God, the eternal Spirit, makes it so. He knows that the treasure of the gospel is in earthen vessels, that it is God’s power alone that can make them vessels of honor. They may cultivate the vineyard; a Paul may plant and an Apollos water; but God alone can give the increase.{SpTA11 2.2}[2]
God has never left his church without a witness. In all the scenes of trial and proving, of opposition and persecution amidst moral darkness, through which the church has passed, God has had men of opportunity who have been prepared to take up his work at different stages, and carry it forward and upward. Through patriarchs and prophets he revealed his truth to his?people. Christ was the teacher of his ancient people as verily as he was when he came to the world clothed in the garments of humanity. Hiding his glory in human form, he often appeared to his people, and talked with them “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” He, their invisible Leader, was enshrouded in the pillar of fire and of cloud, and spoke to his people through Moses. The voice of God was heard by the prophets whom he had appointed to a special work and to bear a special message. He sent them to repeat the same words over and over again. He had a message prepared for them that was not after the ways and will of men, and this he put in their mouths and had them proclaim. He assured them the Holy Spirit would give them language and utterance. He who knew the heart would give them words with which to reach the people.{SpTA11 2.3}[3]
The message might not please those to whom it was sent. They might not wish for anything new, but desire to go right on as they had been doing; but the Lord stirred them up with reproofs; he rebuked their course of action. He infused new life in those who were sleeping at their post of duty, who were not faithful sentinels. He showed them their responsibility, and that they would be held accountable for the safety of the people. They were watchmen who were not to sleep day nor night. They were to discern the enemy, and give the alarm to the people, that every one might be at his post, that the watching foe might not obtain the least advantage.{SpTA11 3.1}[4]
And today the Lord declares to his watchmen that if they are unfaithful, and do not warn the people who are in peril, they will be taken away in their sins. “His blood,” he says, “will I require at thine hand.” But if his messengers lift up their voices in reproof and warning, to turn men from their wicked ways, and those souls who will not hear, then the watchman is clear; the offender against God will be taken in his sins; his blood will be upon his own soul.{SpTA11 3.2}[5]
These solemn matters are set before me in clear lines. God has appointed apostles, pastors, evangelists, 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 to the unity of the faith. God declares to his people, “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” There must be a continual advancement. Step by step his followers must make straight paths for their feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. Those who would labor for God must work intelligently to replenish the deficiencies in themselves and glorify the Lord God of Israel by standing in the light, working in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Thus they will carry the church forward and upward and heavenward, making its separation from the world more and more distinct. As they assimilate their character to the Divine Pattern, men will not guard their own personal dignity. With jealous, sleepless, loving, devoted interest, they will guard the sacred interest of the church from the evil which threatens to dim and cloud the glory that God intends shall shine forth through her. They will see that Satan’s devices have no place or countenance in her by encouraging fault-finding, gossiping, evil-speaking, and accusing of the brethren;for those things would weaken and overthrow her.{SpTA11 4.1}[6]
There never will be a time in the history of the church when God’s worker can fold his hands and be at ease, saying, “All is peace and safety.” Then it is that sudden destruction cometh. Everything may move forward amid apparent prosperity; but Satan is wide awake, and is studying and counseling with his evil angels another mode of attack where he can be successful. The contest will wax more and more fierce on the part of Satan; for he is moved by a power from beneath. As the work of God’s people moves forward with sanctified, resistless energy, planting the standard of Christ’s righteousness in the church, moved by a power from the throne of God, the great controversy will wax stronger and stronger, and will become more and more determined. Mind will be arrayed against mind, plans against plans, principles of heavenly origin against principles of Satan. Truth in its varied phases will be in conflict with error in its ever-varying, increasing forms, and which, if possible, will deceive the very elect.{SpTA11 5.1}[7]
Our work must be an earnest one. We are not to fight as those that beat the air. The ministry, the pulpit, and the press demand men like Caleb, who will do and dare, men whose eyes are single to detect the truth from error, whose ears are consecrated to catch the words from the faithful Watcher. And the Spirit from the throne of God will make itself felt upon a degenerate Christianity, a corrupt world, ready to be consumed by the long-deferred judgments of an offended God.{SpTA11 5.2}[8]
There is danger now of men losing sight of the important truths applicable for this period of time, and seeking for those things that are new and strange and entrancing. Many, if reproved by the Spirit of God through his appointed agencies, refuse to receive correction, and a root of bitterness is planted in their hearts against the Lord’s servants who carry heavy, disagreeable burdens. There are men who teach the truth, but who are not perfecting their ways before God, who are trying to conceal their defections, and encourage an estrangement from God. They have not the moral courage to do the things that it is for their special benefit to do. They see no necessity for reform, and so they reject the words of the Lord, and hate him who reproveth at the gate.{SpTA11 5.3}[9]
This very refusal to heed the admonitions which the Lord sends, gives Satan every advantage to make of them the bitterest enemies of those who have told them the truth. They become falsifiers of those who have borne to them the message from the Lord.{SpTA11 6.1}[10]
The man who rejects the word of the Lord, who endeavors to establish his own way and will, tears to pieces the messenger and message which God sends in order to discover to him his sin. His own inclinations have influenced his conduct, and he has built himself up in a wrong way. The divine rule is, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” But he would not do this. As a man thinketh, so is he. From within, out of the heart, proceed evil thoughts inspired by Satan. He begins to quibble at technicalities and manners. The spirit of Satan links him up with the enemy to bear a word of criticism on less?important themes. The truth becomes of less and still less value to him. He becomes an accuser of his brethren, etc., and changes leaders. The outside world has a greater weight with him than has the flood of light that God has poured in upon the world in messages that he has given, and which he once rejoiced in.{SpTA11 6.2}[11]
O, how many things have developed since he become so full of hatred against God, because his dangers and wrongs were brought before him! He has allowed wicked thoughts to strengthen and prevail because, day by day, he has not eaten of the flesh and drunk of the blood of the Son of God, because he has not become a partaker of the divine nature. The things which come from within defile the man. How corrupt then must be the source from which these evils have taken their rise!{SpTA11 7.1}[12]
Unsanctified ministers are arraying themselves against God. They are praising Christ and the god of this world in the same breath. While professedly they receive Christ, they embrace Barabbas, and by their actions say, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Let all who read these lines, take heed. Satan has made his boast of what he can do. He thinks to dissolve the unity which Christ prayed might exist in his church. He says, “I will go forth and be a lying spirit to deceive those that I can, to criticize, and condemn, and falsify.” Let the son of deceit and false witness be entertained by a church that has had great light, great evidence, and that church will discard the message the Lord has sent, and receive the most unreasonable assertions and false suppositions and false theories. Satan laughs at their folly; for he knows what truth is.{SpTA11 7.2}[13]
Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the people who think they know so much. “If thou hadst known,” said Christ, “even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.”{SpTA11 8.1}[14]
Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure. The Lord knoweth them that are his. The sanctified minister must have no guile in his mouth. He must be open as the day, free from every taint of evil. A sanctified ministry and press will be a power in flashing the light of truth on this untoward generation. Light, brethren, more light we need. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm in the holy mountain. Gather the host of the Lord, with sanctified hearts, to hear what the Lord will say unto his people; for he has increased light for all who will hear. Let them be armed and equipped, and come up to the battle,—to the help of the Lord against the mighty. God himself will work for Israel. Every lying tongue will be silenced. Angels’ hands will overthrow the deceptive schemes that are being formed. The bulwarks of Satan will never triumph. Victory will attend the third angel’s message. As the Captain of the Lord’s host tore down the walls of Jericho, so will the Lord’s commandment-keeping people triumph, and all opposing elements be defeated. Let no soul complain of the servants of God who have come to them with a heaven-sent message. Do not any longer pick flaws in them, saying, “They are too positive; they talk too strongly.” They may?talk strongly; but is it not needed? God will make the ears of the hearers tingle if they will not heed his voice or his message. He will denounce those who resist the word of God.{SpTA11 8.2}[15]
Satan has laid every measure possible that nothing shall come among us as a people to reprove and rebuke us, and exhort us to put away our errors. But there is a people who will bear the ark of God. Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these can not make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end. In the past God has raised up men, and he still has men of opportunity waiting, prepared to do his bidding,—men who will go through restrictions which are only as walls daubed with untempered mortar. When God puts his Spirit upon men, they will work. They will proclaim the word of the Lord; they will lift up their voice like a trumpet. The truth will not be diminished or lose its power in their hands. They will show the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.{SpTA11 9.1}[16]
The conflict is to wax fiercer and fiercer. Satan will take the field and personate Christ. He will misrepresent, misapply, and pervert everything he possibly can, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Even in our day there has been and will continue to be entire families who have once rejoiced in the truth, but who will lose faith because of calumnies and falsehoods brought to them in regard to those whom they have loved and with whom they have had sweet counsel. They opened their hearts to the sowing of tares; the tares sprang up among the wheat; they strengthened; the crop of wheat became less and less; and the precious truth lost its power to them. For time a false zeal accompanied their new theories, which hardened their hearts against the advocates of truth as did the Jews against Christ.{SpTA11 9.2}[17]
Under the zeal of Satan, some have for a time the appearance of men in a flourishing condition; but it is only for a season. Satan carried them so far that they do despite to the Spirit of God. They spread themselves like a green bay tree. The Lord suffers them for a time. He allows them to manifest their envy and hatred against the people of God, as he has allowed Satan to develop his character, that he might stand before the heavenly universe, before the world unfallen, and the fallen world, in his true attributes, as a deceiver, an accuser of the brethren, a murderer at heart.{SpTA11 10.1}[18]
Many who now claim to believe the truth, but who have no anchor, will be bound up with Satan’s party. Those who have not worked on God’s side of the question will be left to prove a stumbling-block to those who have gained a living experience for themselves. Let every minister, in the place of standing to criticize and question, to doubt and oppose, if there is the semblance of a chance to do so, be now employed in erecting barriers against the wily foes. Rather than fight against those whom the Lord has sent to save these, let his people pray fervently and continually for the power of God’s grace, and that the Captain of the Lord’s Host will take the field. Rather than sit in judgment upon men whom God has accepted to do him service, let the burden of their prayer be, night and day, that the Lord may send forth more laborers into his vineyard. Ministers, do not dishonor your God and grieve his Holy Spirit, by casting reflections on the ways and manners of the men he would choose. God knows the character. He sees the temperament of the men he has chosen. He knows that none but earnest, firm, determined, strong-feeling men will view this work in its vital importance, and will put such firmness and decision into their testimonies that they will make a break against the barriers of Satan.{SpTA11 10.2}[19]
God gives men counsel and reproof for their good. He has sent his message, telling them what was needed for the time—1897. Did you accept the message? Did you heed the appeal? He gave you opportunity to come up armed and equipped to the help of the Lord. And having done all, he told you to stand. But did you make ready? Did you say, “Here am I; send me”? You sat still, and did nothing. You left the word of the Lord to fall unheeded to the ground; and now the Lord has taken men who were boys when you were standing at the foremost of the battle, and has given to them the message and the work which you did not take upon you. Will you be stumbling-blocks to them? Will you criticize? Will you say, “They are getting out of their place?” Yet you did not fill the place they are now called to fill.{SpTA11 11.1}[20]
O, why will men be hindrances, when they might be helps? Why will they block the wheels, when they might push with marked success? Why will they rob their own soul of good, and deprive others of blessing that might come through them? These rejecters of light will remain barren deserts, where no refreshing, healing waters flow, and their ministrations as barren of moisture as were the hills of Gilboa, where?there was neither dew nor rain. They are not clothed with divine unction, and convey no blessing to others. They might humble their hearts and confess their wrongs, and break Satan’s hold upon them. They might break the fetters which education, prejudice, or habits have forged. Would they only inquire of God, in the spirit of penitence, they would find him. Then they would not set up their own will, but go where the Spirit of the Lord leads; they would be guided by him.{SpTA11 11.2}[21]
The purging and cleansing will surely pass through every church in our land that has had great opportunities and privileges, and has passed them by unheeded. More evidence is not what they want. They need pure and sanctified hearts to gather up and retain all the light that God has given, and then they will walk in that light.{SpTA11 12.1}[22]
We need not say, “The perils of the last days are soon to come upon us.” Already they have come. We need now the sword of the Lord to cut the very soul and marrow of fleshly lusts, appetites, and passions. May it pierce and divide in a far greater degree than it has ever yet done. May all the proud be cast down. May the carnally secure be drawn from the refuge of lies with which they have sought to deceive the people of God. May it cut away their self-righteousness, and open the eyes of the blind that they may see that they are not whole in the sight of God.{SpTA11 12.2}[23]
I address the people of God who today are holding fast their confidence, who will not depart from the faith once delivered unto the saints, who stand amid the moral darkness of these days of corruption. The word of the Lord to you is:?“I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people.” Can we not here see the paternal love of God expressed to those who hold fast to the faith in righteousness? The closest relationship exists between God and his people. Not only are we objects of his sparing mercy, his pardoning love; we are more than this. The Lord rejoices over his people. He delights in them. He is their surety. He will beautify all who are serving him with a whole heart, with the spirit of holiness. He clothes them with righteousness. He loves those who do his will, who express his image. All who are true and faithful are conformed to the image of his Son. In their mouth is found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God.{SpTA11 12.3}[24]
---Mrs. E. G. White---[Received September, 1897.][25]
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