“主看见了我们的倒退，要与祂的子民进行辩论。”他们的骄傲，他们的自私，他们向怀疑和不信敞开心门，都显明在祂眼前，令祂慈爱的心感到忧伤。许多人将黑暗像衣服一样包在自己心灵周围，实际上是在说：“上帝啊，我们不想知道祢的道路;我们选择自己的道路。”正是这些事使人与上帝隔绝。在人的心灵中有一个障碍，人顽固地持守着那个障碍，它便介入他的心灵与上帝之间。那个障碍就是不信。上帝赐下充分的证据，但人却用不圣洁的意志拒绝接受证据，除非它的来到符合人自己的方式，迎合人自己的想法。他以一种虚张声势的精神喊着说：“证据，证据才是我们所需要的，”同时却避开上帝所赐的证据。他谈论疑惑、不信，撒播邪恶的种子，那些种子必发芽结果。他是在使自己的心灵离上帝越来越远。{PC 337.2}
人们为什么不相信充分的证据呢?——因为他们不想信服。他们无意为了上帝的旨意而放弃自己的意愿。他们不愿意承认自己在拒绝上帝所赐的亮光时心中怀有罪恶的不信。他们一直在寻索疑惑，寻找钉子好悬挂他们的不信。他们一直喜欢接受理由不充足，没有说服力的见证，就是上帝并没有在圣经中给他们的见证，这种见证讨他们喜欢，是因为适合他们的想法，符合他们的性情和意愿。这些人处在大危险中。他们若是愿意降伏骄傲的意志，将之放在上帝一边，他们若是愿意用谦卑痛悔的心寻求亮光，相信有亮光给他们，就必得见光明，因为他们的眼睛单单辨识来自上帝的亮光。他们会承认神圣权威的证据。属灵的真理会从神圣的页面发出光来。但人心必须敞开接受亮光，因为撒但随时准备遮掩那会使他们有得救智慧的真理。若有人不接受这真理，这真理对他们来说就永远玄而又玄了。{PC 338.1}
“我们应该力求明白和欣赏真理，把耶稣里的真理分给别人。我们对自己灵魂的价值要有正确的估计。这样，我们就不会像现在那样草率行事了。我们就会非常诚恳地寻求明白上帝的道路;就会行事与自私的方向相反，就会时常祈求拥有基督的心志，使我们能照着祂的样式被陶冶和塑造。我们仰望耶稣，瞻仰祂的荣美，时刻注视祂，就能变成祂的形像。祂必赐恩典给凡持守祂道路，遵行祂旨意且行在真理中的人。但那些喜欢偏行己路，把自己的意见当偶像敬拜，不爱上帝也不遵行祂道的人，必继续在黑暗里行。不信是多么可怕啊!向这些人介绍真理，还不如把光倾倒在瞎子身上，瞎子是不能看见，这些人是不愿看见。{PC 338.2}
“我劝你们这些名字登记在教会名册上的人，要作配得的成员，要藉着基督的美德确实配得。怜悯、真理和上帝的爱是应许给心灵痛悔之人的。上帝的不悦和审判是针对那些坚持偏行己路，爱自己，爱受人们称赞之人的。他们必定会被扫进这些末后日子的邪恶欺骗中，因为他们不领受爱真理的心。因为主在从前的日子赐福和尊荣了他们，他们就自以为是蒙拣选而正确的，并不需要警告、指教和督责。那真实见证者说：‘凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他;所以你要发热心，也要悔改’(启3:19)。自称上帝子民的人受到的告诫是：‘然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去’(启2:4,5)。{PC 338.3}
“曾在内心祭坛上燃烧着的对耶稣的爱已经变得暗淡，几乎要熄灭了。属灵的力量已经变得衰弱无力。主对祂的子民感到不悦。以他们的现状，他们是不可能表现基督的品格的。而当真实见证者因为爱他们而向他们发出了劝勉、督责和警告时，他们却拒绝接受信息;他们不肯来就光，惟恐自己的行为受责备。耶稣说过：‘我为羊舍命，……所以我父爱我’(约10:15,17)。藉着亲自担当你的罪，我开通了一个渠道，祂的恩典可以藉以流向凡愿意接受的人。我为世人的罪舍了自己，就预备了一条路，使祂未受抑制的爱潮向人涌流。{PC 339.1}
“全天庭都大为惊奇，这种如此宽广、如此深厚、如此丰足完满的爱被介绍给已经知道我们主耶稣基督恩典的人，他们竟如此漠不关心、如此冷淡而无动于衷。如此奇异的恩典竟没有软化我们刚硬的心，这意味着什么呢?唉，这是因为不信的力量;因为‘你把起初的爱心离弃了。’这就是上帝的道这么没有感化力的原因。它虽然像火，却无法穿透也无法温暖怀有不信的冰封的心。{PC 339.2}
“无限的真理宝藏世世代代一直在积累。没有语言能使我们充分地感受到这些巨大资源的范围和丰富。它们正等候着那些赏识它们之人的需求。这些真理的宝石要被上帝的余民收集起来，交给世人;但自信和心灵的执拗却拒绝这有福的宝藏。‘上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生’(约3:16)。这种爱是无法测度的，也无法表达。约翰号召世人要“看父赐给我们是何等的慈爱，使我们得称为上帝的儿女”(约壹3:1)。这是一种知识所不能及的爱。在完全的牺牲中，毫无保留：耶稣舍了自己。上帝旨在叫祂的子民彼此相爱，像基督爱了我们一样。他们要为这种爱教育和训练心灵。他们要在自己的品格中反映这种爱，向世人体现这种爱。每一个人都应当视此为自己的工作。耶稣在向父祈祷时说过：‘祢怎样差我到世上，我也照样差他们到世上’(约17:18)。那些已经尝过主恩的人要向世人介绍基督的丰满。他们要为基督做基督为天父做了的事——表现祂的品格。 {PC 339.3}
“我们的各区会都缺乏道德力和属灵的能力。许多教会自己并没有光。信徒们拿不出证据表明自己是真葡萄树上的枝子，藉着多结果子来荣耀上帝，却好像要枯干了。他们的救赎主已从他们的集会中收回了祂的亮光和祂圣灵的启示;因为他们已经不再表现舍己，表现世界救赎主同情怜悯的爱;他们不爱基督为之而死的人。他们不再真实守信。这是一幅可悲的画面，——缺乏对上帝的献身和热爱。心灵与上帝隔绝了;许多人已经因拒绝祂的信使和祂的信息而切断了心灵与祂之间的交流。{PC 340.1}
“在我们最大的那些教会中存在着最大的罪恶，因为这些人已有最大的亮光。他们并不真正认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督。不信的酵在起作用，这些令上帝不悦的罪恶若不在教会成员中得到纠正，整个教会就要为此负责。上帝之灵的深刻运行并不与他们同在。许多人来聚集敬拜，就像门在枢纽上转动一样。他们不懂经文的正确应用，也不晓得上帝的大能。他们有眼睛，却看不见;有耳朵，也听不见;他们继续行走自己邪恶的道路，却视自己为有特权的、顺命的子民、行道的人。一种属肉体的安全感和安逸在锡安盛行。在她的边界听到人说平安了，平安了，其实上帝并没有说平安。他们已经丧失了得平安的条件;有理由‘在我圣山’敲响警钟。锡安的罪人应该在他们没有预料的一个时期惧怕，突然的毁灭必要临到一切安逸的人。{PC 340.2}
“圣灵力求显明上帝的要求，但人们却只听一下，就转而思想别的事了，撒但把真理的种子夺去了;上帝之灵恩慈的感化力遭到了有效的反抗。许多人就这样在最后一次使圣灵忧伤离去，而自己竟不知道。{PC 340.3}
“愿教会看明自己是从哪里坠落的!教会中存在着冷淡、心肠刚硬，对弟兄缺乏同情，显然对犯错的人缺乏爱心。人们从需要怜悯和帮助的人抽身退步。曾存在于法利赛人中间的那种严厉，那种霸道的精神，出现在我们的各教会中，特别是在那些受托负有神圣职责的人身上。他们自尊自负、自信自大。寡妇孤儿得不到他们的同情或关爱。这完全不像基督的精神。主对一些人粗劣、苛刻的精神表示不悦。那种精神对主所爱的人非常缺乏同情和温柔的赏识。弟兄们，你们对基督的受苦者关闭心门的人，要记住，你们怎样对待他们，上帝也必怎样对待你们。你们呼求的时候，祂不会说：‘我在这里;’你们求告，祂也不会应允。撒但正守望着，预备了他的迷惑要诱捕那些充满自尊自大同时属灵上却很缺乏的人。{PC 340.4}
“通向天堂的道路并不是一条自高自大的路，而是悔改、认罪、谦卑、信心和顺从之路。给老底嘉教会的信息适合此时的教会：‘你要写信给老底嘉教会的使者，说：‘那为阿们的，为诚信真实见证的，在上帝创造万物之上为元首的，说：我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热;我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去。你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺;却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足;又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来;又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他;所以你要发热心，也要悔改’(启3:14-19)。有许多正以自己属灵的富足自豪，以自己真理的知识为荣的人，却正生活在自我欺骗的罪恶中。何时教会肢体们藉着热心而不是三心二意、死气沉沉的行动在上帝面前自卑时，主才会接纳他们。但祂宣布：‘你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去’(启2:5)。这个警告遭到反抗要到几时呢?它受轻视要到几时呢?{PC 341.1}
“那位真实见证者宣布：‘我知道你的行为。”“要悔改，行起初所行的事’(启2:2,5)。这是真实的试验，证明上帝的灵正在心中运行，要使你充满祂的爱。‘你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去。’教会像那棵不结果子的树，接受阳光雨露，原应该硕果累累，主却在它上面找不到果子，只有叶子。这是我们的各教会应该郑重考虑的事!确实是每一个人都要郑重考虑的事!上帝的忍耐和宽容实在令人惊奇，但‘你若不悔改，’容忍就会到限度;各教会，我们的各机构，就会越来越软弱，从冷淡的形式主义到死一样的状态，虽然他们在说：‘我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。”但那真实见证者说：“却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的’(启3:17)。他们还会看清楚自己的真实情况吗?{PC 341.2}
“在各教会中将有上帝大能的奇妙显示。但是那些没有在主面前自卑，借着认罪悔改而将自己心门敞开的人，却不会因而受到感动。那使大地因上帝的荣耀发光之权能的显示，他们在自己的盲目之中，只觉察到某些自以为是有危险的事，适足以引起他们恐惧的事，因此挺身而出予以抗拒。他们因为主没有依照他们的期望和理想行事，于是就反对这工作。他们说：‘什么理由，难道我们参加工作这么多年，还不明白上帝的圣灵吗?’因为他们并不响应警告，就是上帝恳劝的信息，反而坚持说：‘我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。’才华，长期的经验，都不会使人成为通光的管道，除非他们置身于公义日头的明光之下，蒙召，被选，因圣灵的秉赋而做好预备。当从事圣工的人们愿意自卑，服在上帝大能的手下时，主就必叫他们升高。祂就会使他们成为有辨识力的人，富有祂圣灵恩典的人。{PC 342.1}
“末日近了!我们没有片刻可以浪费了!亮光要从上帝子民身上清晰地照耀出来，将耶稣彰显在教会和世人之前。上帝必赐下更多的亮光。原有的真理要重新发现，再度放进真理的框架之内。工人无论到哪里去，都会取得胜利。作为基督的使者，他们要查考圣经，寻找淹没在错谬垃圾下的真理，把所接受的每一道光线传与他人。有一个主题要夺走其它一切题目的光彩：——基督是我们的义。‘认识祢独一的真神，并且认识祢所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生’(约17:3)。耶和华如此说：‘智慧人不要因他的智慧夸口，勇士不要因他的勇力夸口，财主不要因他的财物夸口。夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华，又知道我喜悦在世上施行慈爱、公平，和公义，以此夸口。这是耶和华说的’(耶9:23,24)。{PC 342.2}
“救主怎样来藉着示范天父的爱来荣耀天父，圣灵也照样藉着向世人显明基督之爱与恩典的丰盛来荣耀基督。圣灵若是住在我们里面，我们的工作就会证明这个事实：我们会高举耶稣。现在谁都担不起沉默;工作的主旨是要将基督介绍给世人。凡冒险偏行己路的人，不与天上差来的天使一同传扬那道要以其荣耀照亮全地之信息的人，都会被越过。工作没有他们也会前进，但他们却将与工作的成功无分。”加利福尼亚州奥克兰，1891年8月1日。{PC 343.1}
“人们做了大量潦草的工作。世人能得出的惟一结论就是那些自称相信万物的结局近了的人并没有真的相信基督就在门口的绝妙真理。他们相信基督的使命是要拯救失丧的将亡的人、基督是罪的惟一补救方法、救赎主来到因咒诅而遍体鳞伤的世界，为要扶起堕落的人类，向将亡的人显明天父的爱，使他们仰望而得活，从而领许多儿女进荣耀里去吗?……{PC 343.2}
最严重的拜偶像之罪存在于教会中。那介基督徒和全心全意侍奉上帝之间的任何事物，都以偶像的形式出现，而最严重的拜偶像之罪就是偶像崇拜本身。上帝之道的见证清楚说明了的魔鬼的网罗。可是不仅有教会的肢体在魔鬼的阵地，那些向别人的讲解圣经的人也有行恶、玷污心灵与身体的。他们在上帝面前有罪是因为他们不圣洁。要是教会靠信心活着，要是他们的瓶中和灯中都有恩典的油，他们有罪的安眠就会结束。相信神圣的、鼓舞人心的现代真理的人不能忽视这些真理。……{PC 343.3}
难道这只是对少数已被任命从事传道工作之人说的吗?不是的!而是对每一个基督徒说的，无论老幼贫富。要是基督已经赦免了他们的罪，要是真理已经使他们得自由，难道他们没有一项工作要为夫子去做吗?他们若是基督徒，就会将真理传给他人。他们不会认为自己要做的一切就是侍奉自己、取悦自己和荣耀自己。{PC 343.4}
在我们的教会里存在着一种性质严重的罪。若没有我们好久未见的觉醒，使自称守安息日的人知罪并归正，他们就必死在自己的罪中。与那些虽有大光和宝贵的机会，却有世俗的心思，思想和行为败坏，没有因顺从真理而洁净自己心灵的人相比，所多玛和蛾摩拉的刑罚会比较轻。{PC 343.5}
现在我们看到在我们面前敞开的园地需要工人，然而可以受委托的人在哪里呢?年复一年一直在认识上帝的知识、道路和祂天意的运行上长进的人在哪里呢?我想要向这些昏昏欲睡的、半瘫痪的人耳中说主曾对尼哥底母说过的话：“人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进上帝的国”(约3:5)。需要全心寻求上帝。要举起旗帜。庸俗、低劣的谈吐显明教会肢体们的灵性程度。那些多年处于这种状态的人，既不认识上帝也不认识祂所差来的耶稣基督，岂可出去作耶稣基督的代表呢?这些人绝不会正确地塑造别人的心思;他们没有在基督里长到成年男女的身量。他们徒有基督徒的名号，却不适合从事上帝的工作，也绝不会适合，直到他们重生，学习耶稣基督真宗教的基础知识。在一个方向有一点希望：接受青年男女，将他们安置在尽可能少与我们的各教会接触的地方，以便今日流行的低级虔诚不至影响他们对于成为一名基督徒是什么意思的观念。敬拜上帝的人需要改变人心的恩典来使世界服从信仰。不要以现世的利益为首，耗尽身心灵去获得现世的利益，耶稣向我们指出天国的财宝，告诉我们不要积攒财宝在地上，会锈坏的，而要“积攒财宝在天上，”那里不会锈坏，“因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里”(太6:19-21)。耶稣希望凡自称相信祂的人都用天国的货币交易，对待带有上帝的形像和名号的事物。祂摆在我们面前的东西具有无限的价值。我们看到在我们的各教会中需要下一番深刻彻底的工夫，然而惟有主才能用祂的灵使硬如钢铁的心柔软、富有同情并忠心服事基督。我们远远落后是因为各教会抱着手，持平安稳妥的态度，在锡安享安逸，几乎无所事事，其时他们心中应该有前所未有的活泼的热诚。撒但正在激动来自下面的势力要做最后一次拼死的努力，使世人归顺他的原则。他有用邪恶的精明制定的计划，和忽然来到的毁灭，然而那些已有亮光和警告，知道这种危机就在我们前面的人，却几乎无动于衷。……{PC 344.1}
那些对圣经的真实性吹毛求疵和质疑启示之真确性的人，不会受影响。他们的心不纯正。他们不与撒但为敌。心是罪的宝库。罪既没有被驱逐，就隐藏着，直到有机会的时刻，于是它就显明出来，突然活跃起来。首先的工作是对付内心。真理——耶稣的爱——必须填补真空。基督说过：“树好，果子也好”(太12:33)。……{PC 344.2}
我们这班人必须起来，摆脱我们的形式主义。我们必须进窄门。撒但已沿途安置了他活跃的代表，要阻止每一个人的道路。基督已鼓励跟从祂的人不要被吓倒。要向前推进;勇往直前。“你们要努力进窄门。我告诉你们，将来有许多人想要进去，却是不能”(路13:24)。所珍爱的偶像必须除尽;素来放纵的罪即使很贴心也必须放弃，犹如剜掉右眼或砍掉右臂那样。要醒来!要努力向前，突破阻碍你通过的地狱众军。{PC 345.1}
但愿我们非常恳切地使每一个人都牢记有一个天国要争取，有一个地狱要逃避。心灵的每一活力都必须唤醒，以努力前进，用武力夺取天国。撒但是活跃的，我们也必须活跃。撒但孜孜不倦，坚持不懈，我们也必须这样。没有时间为我们的倒退找借口和责怪别人;现在没有时间自以为只要环境更有利，我们就会更容易、更好地从事上帝的工作。我们必须告诉那些自称相信真理的人，停止用有罪的借口得罪上帝。耶稣已为每一紧急情况做好了准备。他们若是愿意走祂所带领的道路，祂就会使崎岖的地方变成为平坦。祂会用祂的临格为心灵营造一种氛围。祂关上门，使人心单独与上帝同在，心灵贫穷的人应当忘记除了上帝之外的一切人和事。撒但要与他同行，但他要大声对上帝说话，上帝就会驱散撒但地狱的阴影。他们就会带着谦卑、顺服、感谢的心出来说：“祢的温和使我为大”(诗18:35)。真诚的寻求者觐见上帝后出来时，富有祂慈爱的保证，无论何往都发出属天的香气。他能讲论基督的义;能真诚地谈论上帝的爱。他已受过考验，知道耶和华本为善。应当在我们的各教会中做成这种工作。基督——祂的爱，祂的饶恕，祂的纯正——要成为我们详细讲述的主题。要始终将基督的优美摆在我们的心眼之前。我们既充满了每一个人都必须效法的那位真模范的高尚品格，就转眼不看任何会使我们灰心泄气的事吧。撒但会使我们以扭曲的眼光看待每一件事，小题大做。我们的眼睛必须坚定地注视耶稣。主耶稣是我们的领袖;我们必须跟从祂所带领的道路。我们不要开始计划第二步。我们不要说：“主啊，我迈出那一步之后，然后要做什么呢?因为我会遇到困难。”我们必须凭信心迈出那一步，无论临到什么，都信赖耶稣。{PC 345.2}
我们的传道人如此无效率的原因，是因他们前去工作，又从工作回来，若有什么成功，就充满自我。基督的门徒们也这么做过，他们回来的时候说：就连鬼也服了我们(路10:17)。耶稣能看出他们的危险，祂说：“你们来，同我暗暗的到旷野地方去歇一歇”(可6:31)——离开战争的喧嚣，摆脱冲突，去与上帝交流。许多工人也是这样，他们太强硬，太充满自我了。主无法带领他们或教导他们，或用他们来荣耀祂，因为他们自以为智慧，徒然设想主离了他们就不能做什么。自我必须被埋葬。我们必须教育人们寻求主。我们必须对正行在自己所点火把中的传道人说清楚明白的话。人的赞美和奉承使传道人渴望更多这类东西，直到他们像丹尼尔斯长老那样，以为人的赞美和奉承比上帝的嘉许更有价值。{PC 346.1}
我们若要得救，就必须充满基督的灵和能力，必须将自我隐藏在基督里，惟独让基督显现。我们的工作是要提高人，不是藉着赞美任何人，而是藉着高举耶稣，把人带到耶稣面前，高举祂，将髑髅地的伟人高举在人们面前，而祂能为谦卑、倚赖、相信祂的人做一切的事。{PC 346.2}
怀爱伦
“The Lord has seen our backslidings, and he has a controversy with his people.” Their pride, selfishness, their opening of the mind to doubt and unbelief, are manifest in his sight and grieve his heart of love. Many gather darkness about their souls as a garment, and virtually say, We want not a knowledge of thy way, O?God; we choose our own way. These are the things which separate the soul from God. There is in the soul of man an obstacle which he holds there with stubborn persistency, and which interposes between his soul and God. It is unbelief. God gives sufficient evidence, but man with his unsanctified will refuses to receive evidence unless it comes in his own way, to favor his own ideas. With a spirit of bravado he cries, “Proof, proof, is what we want,” and turns away from the evidence that God gives. He talks doubt, unbelief, sowing the seeds of evil, which will spring up and yield their harvest. He is separating his soul farther and farther from God.?{PC 337.2}
Why is it that men do not believe upon sufficient evidence - because they do not want to be convinced. They have no disposition to give up their own will for God’s will. They are willing to acknowledge that they have cherished sinful unbelief in resisting the light of God has given them. They have been hunting for doubts, for pegs upon which to hang their unbelief. They have been willing to accept testimony which is weak and insufficient, testimony which God has not given them in his word, but which pleases them because it agrees with their ideas and is in harmony with their disposition and will. These souls are in great peril. If they will bow their proud wills and put it on God’s side of the question, if they will, with humble, contrite hearts, seek for light, believing that there is light for them, then they will see the light because the eye is single to discern the light which comes from God. They will acknowledge the evidence of divine authority. Spiritual truths will shine forth from the divine page. But the heart must be open for the reception of light, for Satan is ever ready to obscure the precious truth which would make them wise unto salvation. If any do not receive it, it will forever remain a mystery of mysteries to them.?{PC 338.1}
“We should earnestly seek to know and appreciate the truth, that we may present it to others as it is in Jesus. We need to have a correct estimate of the value of our own souls; [then] we would not be as reckless in regard to our course of action as at present. We would seek most earnestly to know God’s way; and we would work in an opposite direction from selfishness, and our constant prayer would be that we might have the mind of Christ, that we might be molded and fashioned after his likeness. It is in looking to Jesus and beholding his loveliness, having our eyes steadfastly fixed upon him, that we become changed into his image. He will give grace to all who keep his way and do his will and walk in truth. But those who love their own way, who worship their ideas of opinion and do not love God and obey his word, will continue to walk in darkness. Oh, how terrible is unbelief! As well let light be poured upon the blind as to present truth to these souls; the one cannot see; the other will not see.?{PC 338.2}
“I beseech you whose names are registered on the church books as worthy members, to be indeed worthy through the?virtue of Christ. Mercy and truth and the love of God are promised to the contrite soul. The displeasure and judgments of God are against those who persist in walking in their own ways, loving self, loving the praise of men. They will certainly be swept into the Satanic delusions of these last days because they receive not the love of the truth. Because the Lord has in former days blessed and honored them, they flatter that they are chosen and true, and do not need warning, instruction, and reproof. The True Witness says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent! The professed people of God have the charge against them. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place, unless thou repent.?{PC 338.3}
“The love of Jesus that once burned in the heart has become dim and almost extinguished. Spiritual strength has become enfeebled. The displeasure of the Lord is against his people. In their present condition it is impossible for them to represent the character of Christ. And when the True Witness has sent them counsel, reproof, and warning because he loves them, they have refused to receive the message; they have refused to come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. Jesus said, “I lay down my life for the sheep...Therefore doth my Father love me.” By taking your sins upon myself, I am opening a channel through which his Grace can flow to all who will accept it. In giving myself for the sins of the world, I have prepared a way for the unrepressed tide of his love to flow to men.?{PC 339.1}
“All heaven is filled with amazement that when this love, so broad, so deep, so rich, so full, is presented to men who have known the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, they are so indifferent, so cold and unmoved. What does it mean that such amazing grace does not soften our hard hearts? Oh, it is because of the power of unbelief - because “thou hast left thy first love.” This is why the Word of God has so little influence. It is as a fire, but it cannot penetrate nor warm the ice bound heart that cherishes unbelief.?{PC 339.2}
“The infinite treasures of truth have been accumulating from age to age. No representation could adequately impress us with the extent, the richness of those vast resources. They are waiting the demand of those who appreciate them. These gems of truth are to be gathered up by God’s remnant people, to be given by them to the world; but self confidence and obduracy of soul refuse the blessed treasure. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Such love cannot be measured, neither can it be expressed. John calls upon the world to “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God.” It is a love that passeth knowledge. In the fulness of the sacrifice nothing was withheld. Jesus gave himself. God designs that his?people should love one another as Christ love us. They are to educate and train the soul for his love. They are to reflect this love in their own character, to reflect it to the world. Each should look upon this as his work. In his prayer to the Father, Jesus said, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world.” Christ’s fullness is to be presented to the world by those who have become partakers of his grace. They are to do that for Christ which Christ did for the Father, represent his character.?{PC 339.3}
“There is a lack of moral and spiritual power throughout our Conferences. Many churches do not have light in themselves The members do not give evidence that they are members of the True Vine by bearing much fruit to the glory of God, but appear to be withering away. Their Redeemer has withdrawn his light, the inspiration of his Holy Spirit, from their assemblies; for they have ceased to represent the self denial, the sympathy and compassionate love of the world’s Redeemer; they have not love for the souls for whom Christ died. They have ceased to be true and faithful. It is a sad picture - the lack of consecration and devotion to God. There has been a separation of the soul from God; many have cut off the communication between him and the soul by refusing his messengers and his message.?{PC 340.1}
“In our largest churches the greatest evils exist because these have had the greatest light. They have not a true knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent. The leaven of unbelief is working, and unless these evils which bring the displeasure of God are corrected in its members, the whole church stands accountable for them. The deep movings of the Spirit of God are not with them. Many come to the assembly as worshippers like a door upon its hinges. They understand not the true application of the Scriptures nor the power of God. They have eyes but they see not; ears have they but they hear not; they continue in their evil ways yet regard themselves as the privileged obedient people, who are doers of the word. A carnal security and ease in Zion prevail. Peace, peace, is sounded in her borders when God has not spoken peace. They have forfeited the terms of peace; there is reason for an alarm to be sounded in all my holy mountain. The sinners in Zion should be afraid; in a time when they do not expect it, sudden destruction will surely come upon all who are at ease.?{PC 340.2}
“The Holy Spirit strives to make apparent the claims of God, but men pay heed only for a moment and turn their minds to other things. Satan catches away the seeds of truth; the gracious influence of the spirit of God is effectually resisted. Thus many are grieving away the Holy Spirit for the last time and they know it not.?{PC 340.3}
Will the church see where she has fallen? A coldness, a hardness of heart, a want of sympathy for the brethren exists in the church. An absence of love for the erring is manifested. There is a withdrawing from the very ones?who need pity and help. A severity, an overbearing spirit, such as existed among the Pharisees, exists in our churches, and especially in those entrusted with sacred responsibilities. They are lifted up in self-esteem and self-assurance. The widow and the fatherless have not their sympathy or their love. This is entirely unlike the spirit of Christ. The Lord looks with displeasure upon the coarse, harsh spirit that has been manifested by some - a spirit so devoid of sympathy, of tender appreciation of those whom he loves. Brethren, you who close the heart against Christ’s suffering ones, remember that as you deal with them, God will deal with you. When you call, he will not say, “Here am I;” when you cry, he will not answer. Satan is watching, preparing his delusions to ensnare those who are filled with self-importance while they are spiritually destitute.?{PC 340.4}
“The road to Paradise is not one of self-exaltation but of repentance, confession, humiliation, of faith and obedience. The message to the Laodicean church is appropriate to the church at this time: “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know thy works that thou are neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.” There are many who are priding themselves upon their spiritual riches, their knowledge of the truth, and are living in guilty self-deception. When the members of the church humble themselves before God by zealous, not half-hearted, lifeless action, the Lord will receive them. But he declares, “I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of its place except thou repent.” How long shall this warning be resisted? How long shall it be slighted??{PC 341.1}
“The True Witness declares: “I know thy works,” “Repent, and do the first works.” This is the true test, the evidence that the Spirit of God is working in the heart to imbue with his love. “I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” The church is like the unproductive tree, which, receiving the dew, and rain, and the sunshine, should have produced an abundance of fruit, but on which the divine Searcher finds nothing but leaves. Solemn thought for our churches, solemn?indeed for every individual. Marvelous is the patience and forbearance of God, but “except thou repent,” it shall be exhausted; the churches, our institutions, will go from weakness to weakness, from cold formality to deadness while they are saying, “I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing.” The True Witness says, “And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Will they ever see clearly their true condition??{PC 341.2}
“There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose the work. “Why,” they say, “should not we know the spirit of God when we have been in the work for so many years?” Because they did not respond to the messages, the warnings, and entreaties of the Lord, but persistently said, “I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing.” Talent, long experience, will not make men channels of light, unless they place themselves under the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and are called and chosen and prepared by the endowment of the Holy Spirit. When men who handle sacred things will humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, the Lord will lift them up. He will make them men of discernment, men rich in the grace of his Spirit.?{PC 342.1}
“The end is near. We have not a moment to lose. Light is to shine forth from God’s people in clear, distinct rays, bringing Jesus before the churches and before the world. God will give additional light, and old truths will be recovered and replaced in the framework of truth; and wherever the laborers go they will triumph. As Christ’s ambassadors, they are to search the Scriptures to seek for the truths that have been hidden beneath the rubbish of error, and every ray of light received is to be communicated to others. One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up all others, Christ our Righteousness. This is life eternal, “That they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”?{PC 342.2}
“As the Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of his love, so the Spirit came to glorify Christ by revealing to the world the riches of his love and grace. If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, our work will testify to the fact. We will lift up Jesus. Not one can afford to be silent now. The Burden of the work is to present Christ to the world. All who venture to have their own way, who do not join the angels who are sent from heaven with a message to fill the whole earth with its glory, will be passed by. The work will go forward to victory without them, and they will have no part in its triumph.” T. Oakland, Cal. Aug. 1, 1891.?{PC 343.1}
“There has been an abundance of slipshod work done. The only conclusion that the world can come to is that those who profess to believe that the end of all things is at hand, do not really believe the tremendous truth that Christ is at the door. Do they believe the mission of Christ was to save the lost and perishing; that Christ is the only remedy for sin; that the world’s Redeemer came to the world all seared and marred with the curse to lift up fallen man, to reveal to the perishing the love of the Father, and bring them to look and live, and thereby bring many sons and daughters to glory....?{PC 343.2}
The most grievous sin of idolatry exists in the church. Anything that interposes between the Christian and the whole hearted service to God, takes the form of an idol, and the most grievous sin of idolatry is idolatry itself. The testimonies of God’s word are plain and clear in regard to the snares of the devil. But these are not only church members on the devil’s ground, but those who are opening the Scriptures to others, practice evil, and defile soul and body. They are guilty before God because they are unholy. Were the church living by faith and had they the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps, the guilty repose would end. Those who believe the sacred, elevating truths for this time, they cannot sleep over them...?{PC 343.3}
Is this exclusively addressed to the few individuals who have been ordained to the ministry? No; but to every Christian young or old, rich or poor. If Christ has forgiven them of their sins, if the truth has made them free, have they not a work to do for the Master? If they are Christians, they will present the truth to others. They will not consider that all they have to do is to serve themselves, live to please and glorify themselves.?{PC 343.4}
Sins of a grave character are in our borders, and unless there is an awakening such as we have not seen for some time which will convict and convert professed Sabbath keepers, they will die in their sins; and the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah will be light in comparison with those who have had great light and?precious opportunities, but have been worldly minded, corrupt in thoughts and practices, and have not purified their souls by obeying the truth.?{PC 343.5}
Now we see need of workers in the opening fields before us, but where are the men who can be trusted, men who have been year by year growing into a better knowledge of God and his ways, and the movings of his providence? I want to sound in the ears of these sleepy, half paralyzed souls the words spoken to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” There is need to ask God with all the heart, to elevate the standard. The commonness, the cheapness of conversation reveal the measure of spirituality of the members of the church. Now, those who have lived years in this same experience know not God nor Jesus Christ whom he hath sent; and should such go forth as representatives of Jesus Christ? These men will never give the right mold to other minds. They have not grown up to the full stature of men and women in Jesus Christ. They simply live the name of Christian, but are not fitted for the work of God, and never will be until they are born again, and learn their A.B.C.’s in the religion of Jesus Christ. There is hope in one direction. Take the young men and women and place them where they will come as little as possible in contact with our churches, that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian. The worshippers of God are in need of transforming grace to subordinate the world to religion. In the place of making the temporal interest first, exhausting soul, body, and spirit to secure temporal advantages, Jesus points us to the heavenly treasure, and tells us not to lay up our treasure in earth which will perish, but to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven which will not perish, for where our treasure is there will our heart be also. Jesus would have all that profess to believe in him deal in the currency of heaven, handling those things upon which God has stamped his image and superscription. These he presents before us of infinite value. We see the need of a deep and thorough work in our churches; but the Lord alone can by his Holy Spirit make the hearts that are as steel, soft and sympathetic, and true to the service of Christ. We are far behind because the churches have folded their hands in a peace and safety attitude, and are at ease in Zion, doing almost nothing when the living zeal should be in their hearts as never before. Satan is stirring the powers from beneath to make one last desperate effort to convert the world to his own principles. He has his plans laid with Satanic subtlety, and destruction cometh suddenly while these that have the light, the warnings that such a crisis is before us are almost unmoved...?{PC 344.1}
Those who quibble over the authenticity of the Scriptures, and question the authenticity of Revelation will not be influenced. Their hearts are not sound.?They are not at enmity with Satan. The heart is the treasure house of sin. Not being expelled, it is hidden until an hour of opportunity, and then is revealed and springs into action. The first work is with the heart. Truth, the love of Jesus must supply the vacuum, Saith Christ, Make the tree good and the fruit will be good....?{PC 344.2}
We must as a people rise up from our formality. We must enter the straight gate. Satan has placed his active agents all along the passage to dispute the way of every soul. Christ has encouraged his followers not to be intimidated, but to press, urge your way through. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, “For many I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, but shall not be able.” Darling cherished idols will have to be given up, the sins that have been indulged in, even if it comes as close as the plucking out of the right eye, or cutting off the right arm. Arouse! Force your way through the very armies of hell that oppose your passage.?{PC 345.1}
Oh, we must be terribly in earnest to impress every soul that there is a hell to shun and a heaven to be won. Every energy of the soul must be aroused to force their passage, and seize the kingdom of heaven by force. Satan is active, and we must be active. Satan is untiring and persevering, and we must be. This is no time now to make excuses and blame others for our backslidings; no time now to flatter the soul: if circumstances had only been more favorable, how much easier for us to work the work of God. We must tell even those who profess the truth that they must cease to offend God by their sinful excuses. Jesus has provided for every emergency. If they will walk where he leads the way, he will make rough places plain. He, with his presence, will create an atmosphere for the soul. He closes the door and brings the soul into seclusion with God, and the needy soul is to forget everyone and everything but God. Satan will walk with him; but speak aloud to God, and he will drive back the hellish shadow of Satan. With humble, subdued, thankful hearts, they will come forth saying, Thy gentleness hath made me great. The sincere seeker comes forth from the audience with God, rich in the assurance of his love to go forth to distill a heavenly fragrance wherever he goes. He can talk of the righteousness of Christ; he can talk the love of God with sincerity. He has tested, and he knows the Lord is good. This work is to be done in all our churches. Christ his love, his forgiveness, his purity is to be the theme upon which we dwell. The charms of Jesus are to be kept ever before our minds, charged with the elevated character of the true model that every soul should copy. Let us turn our hearts from everything that would dishearten and discourage. Satan will seek to distort everything to?our vision, and make a mountain of a mole hill. Our eyes must be steadily fixed on Jesus. The Lord Jesus is our leader. We must follow where he leads the way. We are not to commence to plan for the second step. We are not to say, Lord, after I have taken this step, what shall I do, for I shall meet with difficulties? But by faith we must take that one step, come what will, and trust in Jesus.?{PC 345.2}
The reason why our ministers are so inefficient is, that they go to their labors and come from their labors, if they have any success, full of themselves. The disciples of Christ did this when they came and said, “Even the devils are subject unto us.” Jesus could discern their danger, and he said, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile - come out of the din of the battle, away from the conflict, and hold communion with God.” Thus it is with many workers, they are too strong, too full of self. The Lord cannot lead them or teach them, or use them to his glory, for they are wise in their own conceit, and vainly imagine that the Lord cannot do without them. Self must be buried. We must educate the people to seek the Lord. We must speak plain words to the ministers who are walking in the sparks of their own kindling. The praise and flattery of men make ministers hungry for more, until they think as did Elder Daniels, the praise and flattery of men of more value than the approval of God.?{PC 346.1}
We must, if saved, imbibe the spirit and power of Christ, self must be hidden in Christ, and Christ alone appear. Our work is to elevate, not by praising any one, but by upholding Jesus, bringing the mind to Jesus. Lift him up, the Man of Calvary, before the people, and he can do all things for the humble, trusting, believing soul.?{PC 346.2}
E. G. White,
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