瑞士巴塞尔
我蒙指示看见在过去人们犯了许多错误。一些位居神圣委托岗位的人玷污了自己的正直。他们在个人责任方面没有本着道德力量站在上帝面前。那些不配的人受到了奉承，那些坚持真理和公义的人却因他们的想法与弟兄们的想法不同而受到公开抨击、不信任和错误判断，被想像成邪恶有害的。{PC 52.4}
伟大却不善良是毫无价值的。那就像响的钹一样。人若不收集照在他道路上的光线，就一定会被黑影所包围。上帝旨在让祂的子民与亮光越来越靠近。于是他们才会向前向上挺进。{PC 52.5}
“散布亮光是为义人;预备喜乐是为正直人”(诗97:11)。总的来说太少辛苦努力寻找真理如同寻找隐藏的珍宝了。内心被上帝的恩典软化折服，良心因习惯的祷告和查考圣经而苏醒，整个的人就会变得熟悉天上的真理。这样的人会坚定地支持正义，因为它是正确的。纯洁没有玷污的虔诚会交织在他们的生活实践中。他们必尊重上帝，上帝也必重看他们。{PC 52.6}
我蒙指示看到我们有一个过失。我们尊荣和奉承人，接受他们的想法和判断，当作上帝的声音。我们拥护他们的事业。但跟从他们不一定安全。他们的判断是错误的。{PC 53.1}
上帝希望我们始终拒绝反驳真理。祂看不惯一切错误或不公平的事。这应该是每一个在圣工中作传道之人的立场。因为一个蒙上帝托付神圣责任的人若是允许忌恨、恶意的猜测、偏见和嫉妒在心中有了立足之地，他就犯了违背上帝律法之罪。而他的言语、他的想法和他的错误会延伸到他的影响范围延及之处。上帝对每一个蒙祂托付责任的人说：“你不要倚赖人血肉的膀臂。”要指望上帝。倚赖祂绝无错误的智慧。要将甚至在安息日复临信徒中间都习以为常的随声附和任何一个人的行为视为一宗罪，无论那人多么位高权重。要倾听那大牧者的声音，你才绝不会被带入歧途。要亲自查考圣经，准备靠着圣经真理接受本分和考验。不要让任何友谊、任何影响、任何恳求、任何人的微笑、信任或奖赏引诱你背离主带领你的道路。要让基督化的正直和言行一致控制你人生的行为。那最多坐在耶稣脚前受救主的灵教导的人，必愿意大声说：“我是软弱不配的，但基督是我的力量和我的公义。”{PC 53.2}
敬虔、自守和言行一致将是每一个真基督徒的生活和榜样的特征。基督正在天上圣所中做着的工作会充满真基督徒的思想并且成为交谈的主旨，因为他凭信心进入了圣所。他虽然在地上，但他的情感却与基督在天上正做着的工作和谐一致，而且凡与上帝同工之人的工作都是要洁净心灵的圣所脱离一切得罪祂的东西。凡是像恶意的猜测、忌恨、嫉妒、敌意和仇恨的东西都要抛弃，因为这种东西使上帝的灵担忧，并且使基督公然受羞辱。爱自己的心不会存在，任何一个从事这种工作的人也不会张狂。基督生活的榜样，祂品格的一致性，会使他的影响深远。他会成为一封活的荐信，为众人所知道，所念诵。{PC 53.3}
“总而言之，你们都要同心，彼此体恤，相爱如弟兄，存慈怜谦卑的心。不以恶报恶，以辱骂还辱骂，倒要祝福;因你们是为此蒙召，好叫你们承受福气。因为经上说：人若爱生命，愿享美福，须要禁止舌头不出恶言，嘴唇不说诡诈的话;也要离恶行善;寻求和睦，一心追赶。因为，主的眼看顾义人;主的耳听他们的祈祷。惟有行恶的人，主向他们变脸”(彼前3:8-12)。{PC 53.4}
我们向猜忌和毁谤敞开心思意念是不安全的。圣经清楚详细地说明了上帝之灵的果子，使我们不必接受或怀有那些出自那与上帝和人类为敌者的属性。诡诈的舌头欺骗不谨慎的人，很容易胜过那些未加强、不坚固、不稳定、自己没有根的人。基督的赎罪要成为我们指望的锚，上帝的道要作我们脚前的灯，路上的光。然后我们的言语才不会出于自我，而是出于基督和当代十分必要的工作。{PC 54.1}
许多人只是很有限地熟读圣经。他们没有仔细思想真理，结果就是真理没有成为他们交谈的主题。基督显然没有住在他们心里。我们的舌头应当更多讲述耶稣无比的爱。{PC 54.2}
“若有几根枝子被折下来，你这野橄榄得接在其中，一同得着橄榄根的肥汁，你就不可向旧枝子夸口;若是夸口，当知道不是你托着根，乃是根托着你。你若说，那枝子被折下来是特为叫我接上。不错!他们因为不信，所以被折下来;你因为信，所以立得住;你不可自高，反要惧怕。上帝既不爱惜原来的枝子，也必不爱惜你。可见上帝的恩慈和严厉，向那跌倒的人是严厉的，向你是有恩慈的;只要你长久在祂的恩慈里，不然，你也要被砍下来”(罗11:17-22)。{PC 54.3}
主已指示我看到我们这班人必须有更加纯洁的品行。在我们中间有一种轻率复述争端的行为，那些争端是别人头脑的产物而不是我们的，那第一个说出这些争端的人并没有每天花数小时认真研究以便知道真理。在他的自足自负中，他就转离了真理，直到听从虚言。他没有在上帝面前倾心吐意恳切祈祷好知道圣经中隐藏的奥秘，以便给人们拿出新旧的东西来，就是他通过辛苦努力在真理的矿山挖出来的。{PC 54.4}
长期隐藏的奥秘要在这些末后的日子向一班谦卑的民显露出来，他们倚靠那无穷能力的膀臂。真理必向谦卑寻求的人展开，他们的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面。{PC 54.5}
上帝呼召祂的子民在思想、言语和行为上都作基督徒。路德曾说，宗教从来没有像在教牧人员中间那样危险。我可以说许多传讲真理的人并没有藉着真理成圣。他们没有那生发仁爱并洁净心灵的信心。他们对神圣的事物习以为常，因此许多人对上帝的话不恭不敬。他们没有行在光中，反而闭眼不看光。{PC 54.6}
这是一个明显拒绝上帝恩典的世代。上帝原是要将祂的恩典赐给祂的子民，使他们在末后危险的日子里不会被流行的罪恶所胜，与世界的敌对势力联合起来反对上帝的余民。在基督教和成圣的外衣之下，广泛而明显的不敬虔之风会发展到可怕的程度，并持续到基督降临、要在所有信的人中得荣耀的时候。就在圣殿的院中，也会发生很少人能识别的场面。上帝的子民将受到考察和验证，好使祂能将“侍奉上帝的和不侍奉上帝的，分别出来”(玛3:18)。{PC 54.7}
那些坐在大门口，决定人们应该有什么和不应该有什么的人，将受到报应。他们拿走了知识的钥匙，自己不进去，那些想要进去的人，他们也阻止。这些人不具有永生上帝的印记。现在居于负责岗位的人都应该非常严肃地担心自己在这个时候会被发现是不忠心的管家。{PC 55.1}
撒但知道自己的时候不多，已经带着大能力下来。持续的背道和增多的罪孽，消沉了许多人的信心和忠贞，所以应该呼召忠诚的人来到前线，作出承载着现代亮光的清晰、明确、直率的见证。真理不会因熔炉而暗淡，却会越照越明，直到日午。即将来临之主的灵和能力，要大量赐给正在准备站立在上帝大日的人。他们在催促我们主救主耶稣基督的复临。基督与这些忠心的人进行特别的交流。祂与他们交谈，就像祂在离世前与祂的门徒交谈一样。真理的灵要引导他们进入一切的真理。上帝与今日的世界有通讯的线路。通过祂所指定的代表，祂对祂正在洁净的子民说话，警告和鼓励他们。{PC 55.2}
有些人侧耳倾听并迅速领会对他们讲的督责和鼓励之言。可是撒但随时准备着要使这些忠告无效。他设法关闭人们藉以领受真理的每一通道。凡有的，还要加给他;凡没有的，连他所有的，也要夺去。若是耳朵发沉不愿听，眼睛闭着不愿看上帝照在路上的亮光，以前领受的亮光就与推测、不确定和黑暗如此混杂在一起，以致无法区分亮光与黑暗了。有些我们在真道上所爱的人已经转离了真道，听从了引诱人的邪灵。“他们从我们中间出去，却不是属我们的;若是属我们的，就必仍旧与我们同在;他们出去，显明都不是属我们的”(约壹2:19)。{PC 55.3}
基督对祂门徒的爱心、慈怜和惊人的屈尊附就是无与伦比的。祂使他们成为神圣真理的保管者，因为他们能理解真理。但祂对他们说：我还有好些事要告诉你们，但你们现在担当不了(约16:12)。虽然基督与他们同在，作他们的教师，但他们从前的教训已如此塑造了他们的想法和意见，以致要是基督向他们展开祂渴望传达的许多事，他们就会误解祂的话。趁着祂还与他们在一起的时候，祂设法使他们牢记上帝之国的奥秘中对他们有益的知识。祂原希望他们看到这是祂爱心的一个证据，因为祂要揭开将来的面纱，使他们成为有关将来事件的知识的保管者。但祂告诉他们的许多事只得到了模糊的理解，许多都会被忘记。祂告诉他们，祂在被钉和升天之后，圣灵会向他们启示许多事，并且使他们更好地明白祂曾设法要告诉他们的。祂仍会继续向他们显明神圣的真理，而祂的灵则会更加充分地把真理传授给他们。{PC 55.4}
虽然基督向祂的门徒展露了必定临到他们的罪孽和悲伤，他们必须忍受的逼迫和考验，以及他们的见证要被拒绝，但祂并没有计划让他们因看黑暗面而生活在忧郁中。祂向他们保证，他们不会被撇下不管，而会受到祂的圣灵扶持，圣灵会引导他们进入一切真理。祂说：“但保惠师，就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵，祂要将一切的事指教你们，并且要叫你们想起我对你们所说的一切话”(约14:26)。“我还有好些事要告诉你们，但你们现在担当不了。只等真理的圣灵来了，祂要引导你们进入一切的真理;因为祂不是凭自己说的，乃是把祂所听见的都说出来，并要把将来的事告诉你们”(约16:12,13)。{PC 56.1}
这是宝贵的应许。上帝的旨意和计划要向祂的门徒开放。门徒是什么人?是不断学习的学生。将来严肃的大事正在我们面前展开。上帝不希望我们任何人以为，在这些末后的日子里，我们不需要知道得更多了。这是撒但不断使用的一个网罗。他希望我们不作特别的准备就应付将来的事件。这种准备对于引导我们经过每一个困难是十分必要的。他巴不得所有的人都在无知之中跌倒在路上，以自欺、自高和自恃来取代真知识。任何一个人对自己和自己现有的知识越自满，就越不会认真和谦卑地追求被带进一切的真理。他越少有上帝的圣灵，就越自鸣得意，踌躇满志。他不会认真探求和怀着最深的兴趣了解更多的真理。但是他如果不与“领袖”保持同步，让祂带领他进入一切的真理，他就会被撇下，落在后面，盲目，困惑，因为他没有行在光中。{PC 56.2}
凡跟从基督的人都要行在光中，像祂在光中一样。这样他们才不会对亮光漠不关心，也不会误用亮光，或像犹太人一样被它绊倒。{PC 56.3}
一些因他们的职业或地位，自以为蒙召解释圣经的人，却接受错误的亮光以取代真理。奢侈、狡猾、欺诈、放荡、混杂在神圣的事物中，直到圣俗不分。许多自称传道的人思考圣经真理的某些部分，却没有运用到内心和品格之中。他们讲论救赎的计划和上帝的律法，热衷于这些光荣的题目，却没有将这个问题与个人联系起来。他们没有把基督带进他们的生活。所以当我们听到传道人倒在试探和罪恶之下，羞辱了他们自称倡导的事业，会感到奇怪吗?一些人劝人归正，自己却不归正，向别人宣扬基督的爱，自己心灵中却没有焕发基督之爱，传悔改的道自己却不实行，传信心自己却没有体验，传救主却只是凭听说，自己从未认识，我们会为此而感到奇怪吗?他们自欺欺人，离毁灭不远了。他们的处境实在可怜。他们似乎很平静，因为死亡的麻痹临到了他们。{PC 56.4}
我们明知不诚实的人、不道德的人，虽然传讲这道，却不一定受到责备和警告。他们没有被撕下假面具。他们学会在不义中持守真理，能胡乱摆弄真理而心中没有战兢，良心也不受谴责。甚愿我们能用笔墨和声音导使自称神圣永恒真理保管者的这班人感到使上帝的道在他们心中为王，并使每一思想、言语和行为都顺服耶稣基督的必要性。天天与上帝的真理联系，告诉他人永恒的真理，却没有因真理成圣，乃是一个可怕的责任。{PC 57.1}
将人置于上帝应该居于的位置是不安全的，因为人们不可信赖。要是他们不经常生活得如同在上帝面前，要是他们并不谦卑地行在上帝和弟兄们面前，他们就会几乎不知不觉地在轻微的程度上偏离上帝工作的正直路线。他们既倚赖自己的智慧，就会自欺欺人。他们的想法变得如此混乱，以致在主面前献上凡火。{PC 57.2}
上帝的话要成为我们的顾问。我要用笔墨和声音对所有持有资格证书，持有执照的人、所有的书报员和所有的文字布道士宣告：圣经、惟有圣经，经过你们跪着研究、存在心中、实行在生活中并由圣灵的能力陪伴着，才能作你们的安全保障。惟有它才能使你们公义圣洁，并且保持你们这样。人的所有影响都是软弱易变的，除非上帝之道的真理深入到心灵中，并且被安置在宝座上。在此事成就以前，内心不会被圣化和净化，成为圣洁，成为一生的果效由之发出的源泉。{PC 57.3}
讲台上讲的道很少提到基督和祂的义。这些都是没有基督的说教。本着圣灵的明证讲道完全是那些没有基督的人所力不能及的。他们是软弱的、空虚的、没有营养。他们的私人生活中没有基督同在。他们充满了自夸、骄傲和自尊，毁谤他们实际并不知道的事。他们对凡不顺着他们思路的一切事物都表示不耐烦。他们甚至嘲笑愚弄神圣的事物，因为他们看不出只有属灵的人才能看透属灵的事。他们因曲解和歪曲真理而降格自己。{PC 57.4}
主必用祂的圣灵证明惟有祂的话才能使人们正直并且保持正直。我蒙指示看见惟有上帝已显明的真理才能保守人们地在谦卑顺从的道路上。旗手们正在我们周围倒下，不是因着死亡，而是因着撒但的欺骗。全天庭都在关注着上帝的余民，要看他们会不会唯独以真理为他们的前卫和后盾。若不传达耶稣里的真理，通过上帝之灵的能力将之栽培在人心里，就连传道人也会离开基督，离开虔诚，离开宗教原则。他们会变成瞎子领瞎子。{PC 57.5}
我们的信心不能转归任何一个人的名下。我们需要基督的义。我们需要耶稣始终在身旁。祂是我们的磐石。靠着祂的力量我们才能得胜，靠着祂的义我们才能得救。当我看到人们受到尊崇和赞美，被吹捧得好像绝无错误时，我就知道必有可怕的震动临到。当上帝的生命之灯以清晰稳定的光线照进内心时，黑暗就会立刻被驱散。每一个偶像都会被废黜，上帝那出人意外的平安就会在心中作王。真理，宝贵的真理就会被看见、受到赏识和遵从。旗帜就会被高举，许多人会集结在它周围。{PC 58.1}
怀爱伦(签名)
(M.H.1897年5月9日)
(摘自保尔森医生的选集)
1907年11月1日
1906年7月4日写于加利福尼亚州疗养院
Basle, Switzerland
I have been shown that in times past men have made grievous mistakes. Some who have stood in positions of sacred trust have sullied their integrity. They have not, in their individual responsibility, stood in moral power before God. Those who were not worthy have been flattered while those who have stood fast for truth and for righteousness, because their ideas did not agree with those of their brethren have been denounced, discredited, and misjudged. Evil has been imagined against them.?{PC 52.4} Greatness without goodness, is valueless. It is as a tinkling symbol. The man who does not gather about him the rays of light that God has let shine upon his pathway will surely surround himself with the shadows of darkness. God designs that his people shall press closer and still closer to the light. Then they will go forward and upward.?{PC 52.5}
“Light is sown for the righteous, and truth for the upright in heart.” There is altogether too little searching, with painstaking effort, for the truth, as for hidden treasure. With hearts softened and subdued by the grace of God, the conscience quickened by habitual prayer and searching of the Scriptures, the whole soul may become familiar with heavenly truth. Such will stand firmly for the right because it is right. Pure and undefiled religion will be interwoven?with the life-practice. They will honor God, and God will honor them.?{PC 52.6}
I have been shown that there is a fault with us. We honor and flatter human beings, accepting their ideas and their judgment as the voice of God. We advocate their cause. But they are not always safe to follow. Their judgment is erring.?{PC 53.1}
God would have us ever refuse to plead against the truth. His frown is upon all that is false and unfair. This should be the position of every one who stands to minister in the service of their Master. For if one to whom God has entrusted holy responsibilities allows envy, evil surmising, prejudice, and jealousies to find place in the heart, he is guilty of breaking the law of God. And his words, his ideas, and his errors will extend just as far as his sphere of influence extends. God says to every man to whom He entrusts responsibilities, “Put not your trust in man, neither make flesh your arm.” Look to God. Trust in his infallible wisdom. Regard as a sin, the practice so common, even among Seventh-day Adventists, of becoming the echo of any man, however lofty his position. Listen to the voice of the great Shepherd, and you will never be led astray. Search the Scriptures for yourself, and be braced for duty and for trial by the truth of God’s word. Let no friendship, no influence, no entreaty let not the smiles, the confidence, or the rewards of any man, induce you to swerve from the path in which the Lord would lead you. Let Christlike integrity and consistency control the actions of your life. The man who sits most at the feet of Jesus, and is taught by the Saviour’s spirit, will be ready to cry out, “I am weak and unworthy, But Christ is my strength and my righteousness.”?{PC 53.2}
Godliness, sobriety, and consistency will characterized the life and example of every true Christian. The work which Christ is doing in the sanctuary above will engage the thoughts, and be the burden of the conversation, because by faith he has entered into the sanctuary. He is on earth, but his sympathies are in harmony with the work that Christ is doing in heaven. Christ is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary from the sins of the people, and it is the work of all who are laborers together with God to be cleansing the sanctuary of the soul from everything that is offensive to him. Everything like evil surmising, envy, jealousy, enmity, and hatred, will be put away; for such things grieve the Holy Spirit of God, and put Christ to an open shame. Love of self will not exist, nor will any engage in this work be puffed up. The example of Christ’s life, the consistency of His character, will make his influence far-reaching. He will be a living epistle, known and read of all men.?{PC 53.3}
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile; let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayer but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12)?{PC 53.4}
It is not safe for us to open our minds and hearts to envy and evil speaking. The fruits of God’s Spirit are plainly specified, so that we need not entertain or cherish those attributes that proceed from the enemy of God and man. The false tongue beguiles the unwary, and makes an easy conquest of those who are not strengthened, stablished, and settled, having root in themselves. The atonement of Christ is to be the anchor of our hope, and the word of God a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. Then our words will not be of self, but of Christ and of the all-essential work for this time.?{PC 54.1}
With many there is but a very limited perusal of the Holy Scriptures. The truth is not dwelt upon, and the result is that it is not made the theme of conversation. It is made evident that Christ is not abiding in the heart. Our tongues should speak more of the matchless love of Jesus.?{PC 54.2}
“If some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not thyself against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness: otherwise thou shalt also be cut off.” (Romans 11:17-22)?{PC 54.3}
The Lord has shown me that as a people we must have a purer morality. There is among us a flippant reproduction of arguments that are the product of other brains than ours, while the man who first uttered them has not spent hours of earnest study each day in order to know the truth. In his self-sufficiency he has turned away from the truth unto fables. He has not poured out before God his earnest prayer that he might know the hidden mysteries of God’s word, that he might present to the people things new and old, which painstaking effort he has dug from the mine of truth.?{PC 54.4}
Mysteries which have been hidden for ages are to be revealed in these last days to a humble people, who lean upon the arm of infinite power. Truth will be opened to the humble seeker, whose life is hid with Christ in God.?{PC 54.5}
God calls upon his people to be Christians in thought, in word, in deed. Luther made the statement that religion is never so much in danger as among reverend men. I can say that many who handle the truth are not sanctified through the truth. They have not the faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. They become accustomed to handling sacred things, and because of this, many handle the word of God irreverently. They have not walked in the light, but have closed their eyes to light.?{PC 54.6}
This is an age of signal rejection of the grace God has purposed to bestow upon his people, that in the perils of the last days they may?not be overcome by the prevailing iniquity, and unite with the hostility of the world against God’s remnant people. Under the cloak of Christianity and sanctification, far-spreading and manifest ungodliness will prevail to a terrible degree, and will continue until Christ comes to be glorified in all them that believe. In the very courts of the temple scenes will be enacted that few realize. God’s people will be proved and tested, that he may discern between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.?{PC 54.7}
Vengeance will be executed against those who sit in the gate, deciding what the people should have, and what they should not have. These take away the key of knowledge. They refuse to enter in themselves, and those who would enter, they hinder. These bear not the seal of the living God. All who now occupy responsible positions should be solemnly and terribly afraid lest in this time they shall be found as unfaithful stewards.?{PC 55.1}
Satan has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short. The continued apostasy, the abounding iniquity, which chills the faith and constancy of many, should call the faithful ones to the front. Straight, clear, decided testimonies, freighted with light for the time, will be given. Truth, undimmed by the furnace, will shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day. The Spirit and power of the coming One will be imparted in large measure to those who are preparing to stand in the day of God, who are hastening the second advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To these faithful ones Christ gives special communications. He talks with them as he talked with his disciples before leaving them. The Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth. God has lines of communication with the world today. Through his appointed agencies, he speaks to the people he is purifying, warning and encouraging them.?{PC 55.2}
There are those who listen with open ears and quickened understanding for the words of reproof and encouragement addressed to them. But Satan is ever on the alert to make these words of counsel of none effect. He seeks to close every avenue through which people receive truth. Unto those that have shall more be given, but from those that have not, shall be taken away, even that which they have. If the ears are dull of hearing, if the eyes are closed to the light which God flashes into the pathway, the light previously received is so mingled with supposition, uncertainty, and darkness, that light cannot be distinguished from darkness. There are those whom we have loved in the faith who have turned from it, and given heed to seducing spirits. “They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. But they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1 John 2:19)?{PC 55.3}
The love, the tender compassion, the marvelous condescension of Christ for his disciples is without a parallel. He made them the depositaries of sacred truth, as they could comprehend it. But He said to them, “I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12) Although Christ was with them, as their instructor, yet their former teaching had so moulded their ideas and opinions that should Christ unfold the many things he longed to communicate, they would have misinterpreted his words. While?he was with them, He sought to impress upon them the knowledge there was for them in the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He would have them see that it was an evidence of his love for Him to lift the veil of the future, and make them the depositaries of knowledge concerning events to come. But much He had told them had been dimly comprehended, and much would be forgotten. He told them that after His crucifixion and ascension the Holy Spirit would open many things to them, and give them a better understanding of what He had tried to tell them. He would still continue to reveal sacred truth to them, and His Spirit would more fully impart truth to them.?{PC 55.4}
While Christ unfolded the iniquity and sorrow that must come to His disciples, the persecutions, and the trials they must bear, and the rejection of their testimony. He did not design that they should cloud their lives by looking on the dark side. He assured them that they would not be left alone, but be sustained by His Holy Spirit, which would guide them into all truth. “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,” He said, “whom the Father will send in My name he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.”?{PC 56.1}
Here is a precious promise; the purposes and plans of God are to be opened to his disciples. What is a disciple?—A learner, ever learning. Coming events, of solemn character, are opening before us, and God would not have any one of us think that in these last days there is no more that we need to know. This is a continual snare of Satan. He would have us meet coming events without that special preparation which is essential to guide them through every difficulty. He would have all stumbling their way along in ignorance, making self-conceit, self-esteem, self-confidence, take the place of true knowledge. The more satisfied any one is with himself, and his present knowledge, the less earnestly and humbly will he seek to be guided into all truth. The less of the Holy Spirit of God he has, the more self-satisfied and complacent he will feel. He will not search earnestly and with the deepest interest to know more truth. But unless he keeps pace with the Leader, who is guiding into all truth, he will be left behind, belated, blinded, confused, because he is not walking in the light.?{PC 56.2}
All who follow Christ will walk in the light as He is in the light. They will not then regard light with indifference, nor will they misapply the light, or stumble over it as did the Jews.?{PC 56.3}
A spurious light will be accepted in the place of truth by some who feel called upon to be expositors of the Scriptures, because of their calling or position. Extravagance, dishonesty, fraud, licentiousness, is mingled with sacred things, until no difference is made between the sacred and the common. Many who claim to preach the word contemplate some portions of Scripture truth, but do not apply it to the heart and character. They expatiate upon the plan of redemption, and upon the law of God, and become enthusiastic upon some of these glorious themes, but they take no personal interest in the matter. Christ is not brought into their lives. Can we then be surprised to hear of ministers falling under temptation and sin, disgracing?the cause they were professedly advocating? Can we wonder that there are apostasies, when men who urge conversion upon others are not themselves converted; when they commend to others the love of Christ, which does not glow in their own souls, preaching repentance which they themselves have not practiced, and faith which they have no experimental knowledge of, telling of a Saviour whom they have never known except by rumor? They are self-deceived men, not far from destruction. Pitiful indeed is their situation. All may seem peaceful to them, because the palsy of death is upon them.?{PC 56.4}
We are fully aware that dishonest men, immoral men, who preach the word, are not always reproved and warned. They are not unmasked. They learn to hold the truth in unrighteousness, and can tamper with it without a trembling heart and rebuke of conscience. O that with pen and voice we might lead the people who claim to be depositaries of sacred and eternal truth to feel the necessity of enthroning the word of God in their heart, and bringing every thought, word, and action into subjection to Jesus Christ. It is a fearful responsibility to be in daily connection with the truth of God, telling others of eternity, and yet be unsanctified through the truth.?{PC 57.1}
It is not safe to place men in the position God should occupy; for men cannot be trusted. If they do not constantly live as in the presence of God, if they do not walk humbly before God and their brethren, they will diverge almost imperceptibly, and by slight degrees, from the straight line of God’s work. Trusting to their own wisdom, they will deceive themselves and their fellow-men. Their ideas become so confused that they offer strange fire before the Lord.?{PC 57.2}
The word of God is to be the man of our counsel. With pen and voice I proclaim to all who bear credentials, to all licentiates, to all colporteurs, and all canvassers, that the Bible, and the Bible only, studied on your knees, laid up in your heart, and practiced in your life, attended by the Holy Spirit’s power, can be your safeguard. It alone can make you righteous and holy and keep you thus. Every human influence is weak and varying unless the truth of God’s word is brought home to the soul, and placed upon the throne. Not till this is done, will the heart be sanctified, purified and made holy, a fountain out of which are the issues of life.?{PC 57.3}
Discourses that have little of Christ and his righteousness in them are given in the desk. They are Christless sermons. To preach in the demonstration of the Spirit is completely beyond the power of those who are without Christ. They are feeble, empty, and without nourishment. They have no Christ to carry with them in private life. They are full of boasting, of pride, of self-esteem, speaking evil of things of which they have no real knowledge. They manifest an impatience of everything that does not follow in their line. They will even scoff and mock at sacred things, because they do not see that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. They degrade themselves by perverting and falsifying truth.?{PC 57.4}
By his Holy Spirit, the Lord will demonstrate that his word is the only thing that can make men right and keep them right. I have been shown that God’s revealed truth alone can keep men in the path of humble obedience. Standard bearers are falling round us, not only through death, but through the deceptions of Satan. All heaven is looking upon?the remnant people of God, to see if they will make truth alone their shield and buckler. Unless the truth is presented as it is in Jesus, and is planted in the heart by the power of the Spirit of God, even ministers will be found drifting away from Christ, away from piety, away from religious principle. They will become blind leaders of the blind.?{PC 57.5}
Our faith cannot be vested in any man. We need Christ’s righteousness. We need Jesus ever by our side. He is our Rock. It is by his might that we conquer, and by his righteousness that we are saved. When I see men exalted and praised, extolled as almost infallible, I know that there must come a terrible shaking. When God’s lamp of life shines into the heart with clear and steady ray, darkness will instantly be dispelled. Every idol will be dethroned, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding will reign in the heart. Truth, precious truth, will be seen, appreciated, and obeyed. The standard will be elevated, and many will rally round it.?{PC 58.1}
(Signed)Ellen G. White - (M.H. May 9, ’97)
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