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- The End Time -

     I saw that a time of trouble was before us, when stern necessity will compel the people of God to live on bread and water, but I saw that God did not require His people to live so now. God commands that all who He has not especially called to labor in word and doctrine should labor with their hands in the things that are good, and supply their own necessities, and have wherewith to bestow upon others....But in the time of trouble none will labor with their hands. Their sufferings will be mental, and God will provide food for them.

     In the vision of John [in Revelation 7], four mighty angels were shown him as holding the four winds that they should not blow upon the earth until God's servants are sealed in their foreheads. When this work is done, then the ministers of vengeance are called and commanded to pour upon the earth tempests, thunders, pestilence, calamity.

     The crisis is just before us, when each will want all the strength and power from God that he can have in order to stand against the wiles of Satan, which will come in every conceivable form. Those who have allowed themselves to be [made] the sport of Satan's temptations will be unprepared then to take the right side....We need to live very close to Jesus in order to discern the precious from the spurious....

     Christ is soon to come. Will He find you ready and waiting? The bridal lamps must be kept trimmed and burning. His chariot wheels have been delayed because of His longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and have eternal life. When we shall stand with the redeemed upon the sea of glass, with the harps of God and crowns of glory, and before us unmeasured eternity, we shall then see how short was the waiting period of probation.

     The mystery is how did sin enter into our world? Just as soon as you can understand how sin came, then it will be proved that it is not sin. There is no excuse for sin. There is no sign of a reason for sin....

     The power that claims to have the right to change times and laws is the man of sin. But does he have [the power to] change times and laws? No, because God's law is written on the tables of stone, engraved there with His own finger, and are placed in the temple of God in heaven; and that great moral standard will be the criterion that will judge every being upon the face of the earth, both dead and living....

     When He [Christ] cometh the second time, it is not to wear the crown of thorns, it is not to have that old purple robe placed upon His divine form. The voices will not be raised, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" but there is a shout from the angelic host and from those who are waiting to receive Him, "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain"--a divine conqueror. In the place of the crown of thorns, He will wear the crown of glory. In the place of that old kingly robe that they put in mockery upon Him, He will wear a robe whiter that the whitest white. And those hands that were bruised with the cruel nails will shine like gold. His eyes are like a flame of fire to search creation through, and the righteous dead come forth from their graves and they that are alive and remain are caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall they ever be with the Lord. And they will listen to the voice of Jesus, sweeter than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, "Your warfare is accomplished. Come ye blessed of My Father, enter into the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the earth."...

     While nearly all the world is making void the law of Jehovah, He will have a people that will keep His law....He requires obedience from every one of us. All the false ideas that are held against God and His law, the people are willing to accept, but it is because the human mind chooses fables rather than the truth of God. They want an easier way than to resist evil and to be obedient to God's requirements....

     As Christ denied self and sacrificed at every step, so must we, if we would sit with Him upon His throne. And then what do we get?--everlasting life, an eternal weight of glory. The streets are all pure gold, like transparent glass; and there is the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Everything is lovely. There is no sickness, no sorrow, no pain, no death there, but our life there will measure with the life of God.

     When the truth we now cherish was first seen to be Bible truth how very strange was the opposition we had to meet in presenting it to the people for the first time. But how earnest and sincere were the truth loving, truth obeying ones. We were indeed a peculiar people. We were few in numbers, without wealth, without worldly wisdom, or worldly honors; and yet we believed God, and were strong and successful, a terror to evil doers. Our love for one another was firm, it was not easily shaken. The people of God manifested in our midst, and the sick were healed, and there was much calm, sweet, holy joy.

     But while the light continued to increase, the advancement of the church has not been proportionate to the light. The fine gold has gradually become dim, and deadness and formality have come in to cripple the energies of the church. Their abundant privileges and opportunities have not led His people onward and upward to purity and holiness. A faithful improvement of the talents entrusted to them by God would have increased those talents greatly. Where much is given, much will be required. Those only who faithfully accept and appreciate the light God has given us, and who will take a high noble stand in self denial and self sacrifice will be channels of light to the world. Those who do not advance will retrograde, on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan.

     The eye of Jesus, looking down the ages, was fixed upon our time when He said, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!" [Luke 19:42]. It is still thy day, Oh church of God, whom He has made the depositary of His law. This day of trust and probation is drawing to a close. The sun is fast westering. Can it be that it will set and thou wilt not know "the things which belong unto thy peace!" Must the irrevocable sentence be passed, "...but now they are hid from thine eyes" [Verse 42].

     The Word of God plainly declares that His law is to be scorned, trampled upon by the world. There will be an extraordinary prevalence of iniquity. The professed Christian world will form a confederacy with the man of sin, and the church and the world will be in corrupt harmony. Here the great crisis is coming upon the world. The Scriptures declare that popery is to regain its lost supremacy, and that the fires of persecution will be rekindled through the timeserving concessions of the so-called Protestant world. In this time of peril we can stand only as we have the truth and the power of God. Men can know the truth only by being themselves partakers of the divine nature. We have need now for more than human wisdom in reading and searching the Scriptures, and, if we come to God's Word with humble hearts, He will raise up a standard for us against the lawless elements....

     In the absence of persecution, there have drifted into our ranks men who appear sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. In the crisis they would see force in specious reasons that have had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various snares to meet varied minds.

     When the law of God is made void, the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion that we now anticipate will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine, they bear no fruit, and the husbandman taketh them away. But when the iniquitous powers work to make void the law of God, what will be the effect upon the truly obedient and righteous? Will they be carried away by the strong current of evil? Because so many range themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness, will God's commandment-keeping people swerve from their allegiance? Never! No one who is abiding in Christ will fail or fall. His followers will not bow in obedience to any earthly potentate.

     While the contempt placed upon God's commandments causes many to suppress the truth and show less reverence for it, the disrespect shown to the law of Jehovah causes the faithful ones with greater earnestness to hold aloft its distinguishing truths....

     There is the highest reason for us to prize the true Sabbath and stand in its defense in opposition to the false, for it is the sign which distinguishes the people of God from the world. The commandment that the world makes void is the one which, for this very reason, God's people will give greater honor. It is when the unbelieving cast contempt upon the Word of God that the faithful Calebs are called for. It is then that they will stand firm at the post of duty, without parade and without swerving because of the reproach....The Psalmist says, "They have made void Thy law. Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold" [Psalms 119:126, 127].

     It is at this time that the true Sabbath must be brought before the people, both by pen and by voice. As the fourth commandment of the Decalogue and those who observe it are ignored and despised, the faithful few know that it is time not to hide their faces, but to exalt the law of Jehovah by unfurling the banner on which is inscribed the message of the third angel, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" [Revelation 14:12].

     Although the time will come when we can wage the war only at the risk of [losing] property and liberty, yet the conflict must be met in the spirit and meekness of Christ. The truth is to be maintained and advocated as it is in Jesus. Wealth, honor, comfort, homes, everything else is to be of secondary consideration. The truth must not be hid, it must not be denied or disguised, but fully avowed and boldly proclaimed....

     The Lord has permitted the enemy of truth to make a determined effort against the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. He designs by this means to awaken a decided interest in that question which is a test for the people who live in these last days. This will open the way for the third angel's message to be proclaimed with power....

     If in the land of boasted liberty a Protestant government is preparing to sacrifice every principle that enters into its constitution, making decrees to suppress religious liberty, and for the enforcing of papal falsehoods and delusions, then the people of God need to present their petitions in faith to the Most High. There is every encouragement in the promise of God for those who put their trust in Him.

     The prospect of being brought into personal danger and distress need not cause despondency, but should quicken the vigor and hopes of God's people, for the time of their peril is the season for God to grant them clearer manifestations of His power.

     We are not to sit in calm expectation of oppression and tribulation, and fold our hands, doing nothing to avert the evil. Let our united cries be sent up to heaven. Pray and work, and work and pray. But let none act rashly. Learn as never before that all who truly keep the commandments of God must be meek and lowly in heart....Sharp things must sometimes be spoken, but be sure that the Holy Spirit of God is abiding in your heart before you speak the clear-cut truth, then let it cut its way. You are not to do the cutting.

     There is to be no compromise with those who make void the law of God. It is not safe to rely upon them as counselors. Our testimony is not less decided now than formerly. Our real position is not to be cloaked in order to please the world's great men. They may desire us to unite with them and accept their plans, and may make propositions in regard to our course of action which may give the enemy an advantage over us....

     While we should not seek for controversy, and should not needlessly offend, we must present the truth clearly and decidedly and stand firm to what God has taught us in His Word. You are not to look to the world in order to learn what you shall write and publish, or what you shall speak. Let all your words and works testify, "We have not followed cunningly devised fables....We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place" [2 Peter 1:16].

     The Lord has allowed matters in our day come to a crisis, the exalting of error above truth, that He, the God of Israel, might work mightily for the greater elevation of His truth in proportion as error is exalted. With His eye upon the church, the Lord has again and again allowed matters to come to a crisis that in their extremity the people should look to God alone for His wisdom and His help. Their prayers, their faith, together with the steadfast promise to be true to principle and loyal to the Lord's holy commandments when brought into strait places, call for the interference of God, and then He has fulfilled His promise: "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am" [Isaiah 58:9].

     God reserves His gracious interposition in their behalf till the time of their extremity. Thus He makes their deliverance more marked, and their victories more glorious. When all human wisdom fails, the Lord's interference will be more clearly recognized, and He will receive the glory that is His due. Even the enemies of our faith, persecutors, will perceive that God is working for His people in turning their captivity.

     When Christ shall come the second time, the whole world will be represented by two classes, the just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous. Preceding the great sign of the coming of the Son of Man, there will be signs and wonders in the heavens....There will be crimes greater than any now on record. There will be weeping and lamentation and woe....

     Already sprinklings from the vials of God's wrath have been let fall upon land and sea, affecting the elements of the air. The cause of these unusual conditions are being searched for, but in vain.

     God has not restrained the powers of darkness from carrying forward their deadly work of vitiating the air, one of the sources of life and nutrition, with a deadly miasma. Not only is vegetable life affected, but man suffers from pestilence....

     These things are the result of drops from the vials of God's wrath being sprinkled on the earth, and are but faint representations of what will be in the near future. Earthquakes in various places have been felt but these disturbances have been very limited....Terrible shocks will come upon the earth, and the lordly palaces erected at great expense will certainly become heaps of ruins. The earth's crust will be rent by the outburst of the elements concealed in the bowels of the earth. These elements, once broken loose, will sweep away the treasures of those who for years have been adding to their wealth by securing large possessions at starvation prices from those in their employ. And the religious world too is to be terribly shaken, for the end of all things is at hand....

     All society is ranging into two great classes. The obedient and the disobedient. Among which class shall we be found?

     Those who keep God's commandments, those who live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, compose the church of the living God. Those who choose to follow antichrist are subjects of the great apostate. Ranged under the banner of Satan, they break God's law, and lead others to break it....

     Satan is averting minds with unimportant questions, in order that they shall not with clear and distinct vision see matters of vast importance. The enemy is planning to ensnare the world.

     The so-called Christian world is to be the theater of great and decisive actions. Men in authority will enact laws controlling the conscience, after the example of the papacy. Babylon will make all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Every nation will be involved. Of this time John declares: "The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow" [Revelation 18:3-7].

     "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with Him are called, and chosen and faithful" [Revelation 17:13, 14].

     "These have one mind." There will be one universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces. "And shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanism.

     In the warfare to be waged in the last days, there will be united in opposition to God's people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue, for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth....

     In Revelation 13:13-17 we read concerning Satan: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

     "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And as they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God" [Revelation 14:1-5].

     "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" [Revelation 16:13-15].

     All things in nature and in the world at large are charged with intense earnestness. Satan, in cooperation with his angels and with evil men, will put forth every effort to gain the victory and will appear to succeed. But from this conflict, truth and righteousness will come forth triumphant in victory. Those who have believed a lie will be defeated, for the days of apostasy will be ended.

     There will be no probation after the coming of the Lord. Those who say that there will [be] are deceived and misled. Before Christ comes, just such a state of things will exist as existed before the flood. After the Saviour appears in the clouds of heaven, no one will be given another chance to gain salvation. All will have made their decisions.

     Before the close of this world's history, those who are willing to accept the evidence will have the dark veil removed from their minds. Hearts will be cleansed through accepting Christ during the time that the whole world is lighted by the glory of the angel that comes down from heaven....

     The churches are fast being converted to the world. They have beautiful music and splendid decorations. But they are fruitless trees, bearing nothing but leaves. As the Lord unmasked the fig tree, so He will unmask those pretentious hypocrites....

     The time is right upon us when every kind of deception will be practiced. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." They may speak fair words, but all the time they are watching to see how they can get gain for themselves. They are full of selfishness, and work at cross purposes with God, misappropriating His goods. "Ye shall know them by their fruits," the Saviour declares [Matthew 7:15, 16].

     The tyrant is seeking to oppress man's conscience, which Christ has made free. Persecution will come more definitely and decidedly upon the people of God, because the godly are seeking for uprightness and holiness and the disobedient are in sin. The sin-loving do not choose the way and will of God, and the obedient, in their character and course of action, are a constant rebuke to the sinful. When the truth finds access to the heart, it must fight every inch of the way....Then the collision comes. Then comes the warfare, and, if the heart has yielded to Jesus in obeying the commandments of God, there is a jealous contest, error rising up to condemn truth, and truth in its God-given principles setting strongly against error. This is the experience the world over. The only way in which men will be enabled to stand firm in the conflict is to be rooted and grounded in Christ. They must receive the truth as it is in Jesus....Our probation is about ended....

     As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the consciences of men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every nation on the globe will be led to follow her example....

     The whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of God's truth. The Lord will not close up the period of probation until the warning shall be more distinctly proclaimed. The trumpet must give a certain sound. The law of god is to be magnified, its claims must be presented in their true, sacred character, that the people may be brought to decided for or against the truth. Yet the work will be cut short in righteousness. The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the world to the other. This is the glory of God which closes the work of the third angel....

     You have long expected the wonderful startling events that are to take place just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Now I ask, are you prepared to give the trumpet a certain sound?...

     The Lord is coming. The scenes of this earth's history are fast closing, and our work is not done. We have been waiting in anxious expectancy for the cooperation of the human agency in advancing the work. All heaven, if I may use the expression, is impatiently waiting for men to cooperate with the divine agencies in working for the salvation of souls.

     As character develops, men and women will take their positions; for varied circumstances brought to bear upon them will cause them to reveal the spirit which prompts them to action. Everyone will reveal the character of the bundle with which he is binding himself. The wheat is being bound up for the heavenly garner....The true people of God are now pulling apart, and the tares are being bound in bundles to burn. Decided positions will be taken....

     Satan will work with his masterly power to separate the soul from God. We hear the different voices sounding from every quarter that our attention shall be taken from the true issue in this time. The end is near, and let there not be a confusion of voices to misguide and mislead some astray. To say, "Peace, peace," to these souls who have long resisted the voice of the True Shepherd, who have contended long against Omnipotence, is to quiet their consciences to [the] sleep of death. Will man in his pride forsake his own interests by cherishing thoughts or doing deeds opposed to the mind and spirit of God? God has been pleased to show me that men [who] ought to know the voice of the True Shepherd will be more ready to accept the voice of a stranger and follow in unsafe, forbidden paths because of the stubbornness of their human nature....

     Before the great trouble such as has never been since there was a nation shall come upon the world, those who have faltered, and who would ignorantly lead in unsafe paths, will reveal this before the real vital test, the last proving comes, so that whatsoever they may say will not be regarded as voicing the True Shepherd.

     Satan is at work from beneath to stir up the hellish powers of his confederacy against the just. He imbues human agencies with his own attributes. Efforts will be put forth by evil angels, united with evil men, to harass, persecute, and destroy, but the Lord God of Israel will not forsake those who trust in Him. Amid the strengthening of infidelity and apostasy, amid pretended illumination, which is the blindest presumption and delusion, there will be a light shining upon God's people from the sanctuary above. The truth of God will triumph....

     Every individual in our world will be arrayed under one of two banners--the chosen and loyal under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, and all others under Satan's standard. All who are on Satan's side will unite with him in honoring the spurious sabbath, thus paying homage to the man of sin, who exalted himself above all that is called God, and who thought to change times and laws. They trample upon the laws of Jehovah and frame a law to compel all to worship the false sabbath, the idol they have exalted. But the day of deliverance to God's people is not far distant....

     He who stands in defense of the truth, will draw upon himself the dislike, the criticism, the decided opposition of relatives and professed friends. He will become the subject of ridicule. All opposition and persecution, whether in its mildest, or most terrible forms, is only the development of a principle that originated with the first great rebel in heaven. This work will continue as long as Satan exists.

     As we near the close of time, the opposing elements will work in the same lines in which they have worked in times past. Every soul will be tested. Under persecution it will be made manifest just what banner every individual has chosen to stand under. While sin remains, the offense of the cross will never cease. Satan has a thousand masked batteries which will be opened upon the loyal, commandment-keeping people of God to compel them to violate conscience. The followers of Christ must expect to encounter sneers. They will be reviled, their words and their faith will be misrepresented. Coldness and contempt may be harder to endure than martyrdom. With some persons it would require more courage to encounter a laugh than to be thrust through with a sword.

     But we must stand steadfastly for the truth, not returning railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing. Parents will turn harshly against their children who accept unpopular truth. Those who conscientiously serve God will be accused of rebellion. Property that was willed to children or other relatives who believe the present truth will be given to other hands. Guardians will rob orphans and widows of their just dues. Those who depart from evil will make themselves a prey through laws enacted to compel the conscience. Men will take to themselves property to which they have no right. The words of the apostle will be verified in the near future: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" [2 Timothy 3:13].

     As we near the close of time, Satan comes down with great power, knowing that his time is short. Especially will his power be exercised upon the remnant. He will war against them, and seek to divide and scatter them, that they may grow weak and be overthrown. The people of God should move understandingly and should be united in their efforts. They should be of the same mind, of the same judgment; then their efforts will not be scattered, but will tell forcibly in the upbuilding of the cause of the present truth. Order must be observed, and there must be union in maintaining order, or Satan will take the advantage. I saw that the enemy would come in every way possible to dishearten the people of God and perplex and trouble them, and that they should move understandingly, and prepare themselves for the attacks of Satan.

     The powers of Satan to seduce and deceive are so strong, and his delusions of every kind so multitudinous that every watchman needs now to give the trumpet a certain sound. There must be now no deviating from the light that God gives at this present time. Light is constantly shining now upon many, and it is the very thing they need for this time....As the providence of God is certainly at work to bring the crisis, in the closing scenes of this earth's history, there will be a power, the office work of the Holy Spirit, stirring the hearts of the men...to unflinchingly stand at their posts of duty as a unit. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might" [Ephesians 6:10]. This has been always applicable to God's people in every age of the world, but how much more so to the remnant church who have to meet the constant and most powerful masterly workings of the power of darkness for this last time. The words of the apostle come sounding down the lines to this time. "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" [Verses 11, 12].

     These words inspired of God are appropriate for us. The inspired apostle continues, "Wherefore," in consideration of the warfare against, "not flesh and blood," but Satanic agencies, disguised, "take unto you the whole armor of God." Make your guide the word. "Take" it. The whole armor which is furnished you in the Scriptures is all prepared for you to take. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth" [Verses 13, 14]. Fiction, spurious interpretations of the scriptures, dishes of fables, are everywhere presented for your acceptance. But great discernment is needed that the girdle should be the golden chain of truth, "and having on the breast-plate of righteousness" [Verse 14], not your own but the righteousness of Christ. This is the fortress of the soul. We may with Christ's righteousness going before us, withstand the moral darkness, and penetrate the devices of the satanic agencies. "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" [Verse 15]. The inconsistencies, the unreasonable workings of the human agents stirred with a power from beneath, will create in those who reverence God a holy indignation to see the truth of God brought into contempt, and its advocates misrepresented and clothed in garments of darkness, false charges. Then is the very time the Holy Spirit is to take possession of the human mind, and it be made to appear that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. While the living human agents are being moved with a power from beneath and the satanic agencies seem to have full control (almost) of the world, acting a conspicuous part just before the second appearing of our Lord to take kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever, the two classes which are formed to enact the solemnities of the last day will be distinguished as the commandment-keeping people of God, and the commandment breakers who are inspired by the devil and his angels. The appearance is as if the infernal government had been transferred from hell to earth. The Lord Jesus will open the eyes of all who have been walking in the light that they shall not be deceived with the pretentious spirit of those who claim great sanctity and say, "Lord, Lord," while they stubbornly refuse to do the will of God. Christ repeated the princely titles of Satan as one perfectly familiar with his workings and usurped authority. Christ gave the warning to be heeded, and pointed to Satan's thrones, principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places.

     The professed Christian world is under Satan's sway. Christ calls the prince of this kingdom Satan, Beelzebub, a liar, a murdered from the beginning, the wicked and evil one who is constantly working with the unholy and disobedient to trample upon the laws of Jehovah....The rebellious chieftain signalized himself as having authority to establish laws entirely contrary to the laws of Jehovah, the living and only true God, the supreme Ruler in heaven and in earth. When this deceiving power is accepted in the place of light plainly given in God's word, Satan stands as their ruler. The daring leader in rebellion is given by human agencies the preeminence above God, and the prince of darkness is acknowledged as their supreme authority. The number of his angels we cannot conjecture, but his field is the world and he multiplies himself through his agencies over his whole field, the world, concurring in and actively instigating the clergy to be his efficient workers in making of none effect the law of God, of tearing down His memorial the insignia of His honor and His supremacy. There is no lack of satanic agencies.

     Every soul who will now evade through sophistry, the plain "Thus saith the Lord," and misinterpret and evade the plainest conclusions of the written inspired Word, will become instruments to tempt and coerce, and stirred with a satanic spirit purpose to afflict and oppress and compel the human agents to dishonor God's law, and accept and advocate Satan's legislation and revere his enactments with a zeal proportionate to their blinding delusions....The world is asleep. The watchmen are asleep crying peace and safety, in the place of laboring with energy and searching the Scriptures diligently to know what all this wickedness means, that is swelling to such fearful proportions. They say to the wicked who are trampling upon the law of God, It shall be well with you. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil. In place of being softened by the long-suffering of God, and His long patience, they are encouraged by His forbearance to further resistance, flattering themselves in their sinfulness and impenitence that He that has not awakened His wrath against them to curse their wicked inventions will spare a little longer, and they may be ambitious and persistently follow in their own way, with nothing to interpose or to molest them in their inventions, and at some future time they will repent.

     How can we make them consider that there are limits to the forbearance of God, and that it is possible for them to pass the limit of the forbearance of God, as did Judas and Saul? God allows nations a certain period of probation; but there is a point they can reach and can pass, and then iniquity accumulated will receive not mercy, not longer forbearance, but an outbreak of the indignation of God, and be visited with punishment unmixed with mercy. God will arise in mighty power, and show, though slow in anger, He will not acquit the wicked. The wickedness of each generation is not forgotten. Each century of increased profligacy has treasured up wrath, and Christ said unto those who resisted all His mercy, all the blessings He presented to them, addressing the rejecters of His salvation, "Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers" [Matthew 23:32], for the blood of all the prophets which had been shed from the foundation of the world should be required of the nation He addressed. They had the beacon warning in the jealousies, in the hatred, in the despising of warning and messages sent to them and God's punishment came upon them for their cruelty, and notwithstanding all this, those who separated from God repeated the history of their fathers, and thus it is in our day.

     We have proof that God keeps a reckoning with nations, that there is a sum total of guilt, that although it is beyond the power of human minds to define the amount of God allows not to pass, but when the point of transgression is fully reached, when the law of God is made void, God takes account of the dishonor put upon His government, and He charges one generation with the crimes of the preceding generations, if they follow in the same evil course. Your light is constantly increasing.

     What can I say that will affect the soul? What can I say that will arouse our people to serious contemplation and true devotion?

     The world is soon to be left by the angel of mercy and the seven last plagues are to be poured out. Sin, shame, sorrow, and darkness are on every side. God still holds out to men the precious privilege of exchanging darkness for light, error for truth, sin for righteousness, but His patience and mercy will not always wait. The storm is gathering; the bolts of God's wrath are soon to fall, and, when He shall begin to punish transgressors, there will be no period of respite until the end. He shall come forth "to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain" [Isaiah 26:21]. Only those will stand who are sanctified through the truth in the love of God. They will be hid with Christ in God until the desolation shall be overpast.

     We are in no case to swerve from our allegiance [to God]. No duties that God presents before us will cause us to work at cross purposes with Him. The word of God is to be our counselor. The word of finite man is fallible....

     Henceforth in our day, the nations are to be in a very uncertain state. Kings and rulers will be involved in greater perplexities than they ever thought possible, and this is because they are disobedient to the word of the Lord and work entirely contrary to His principles. The question now comes home to all who have their Bible: "Are we prepared to follow the Word of God?" "Whosoever will come after Me," said Christ, "Let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" [Mark 8:34].

     You cannot depend upon priest, rulers, human lawmakers, for, as in Christ's day they teach for doctrines the commandments of men. They know not the Scriptures nor the power of God. Man-made theories are placed above a plain "Thus saith the Lord." But the searching of the soul has come: Are we obedient to the law of God? Will every soul look up in faith and answer to God, as did Elisha, "As the Lord liveth...I will not leave thee" [2 Kings 2:2].--Whatever may come--persecution, reproach, falsehood, or anything that shall arise,--we will not leave the source of our strength. We are to be proved and tried as in a furnace. Those who endure to the end will be saved. If our religious faith is spurious, it is of no manner of value.

     "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they" [Numbers 14:10-12].

     We have here a positive evidence that the anger of the Lord is awakened against the rebellious people--those who had been blessed with great light and precious opportunities to know the will of God....

     If the people of God had walked in His counsel, the work of God would have advanced, the message of truth would have been borne to all people that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Had the people of God believed Him and been doers of His Word, had they kept His commandments, the angel would not have come flying through heaven with the message to the four angels...crying, "Hold, hold the four winds, that they blow not upon the earth, until we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads" [Revelation 7:13]. But because the people are disobedient, unthankful, unholy, as were ancient Israel, time is prolonged that all may hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice. The Lord's work has been hindered, the sealing time delayed. But the Lord will give them a chance to hear and be converted.

     We are living in a very solemn period of this earth's history. Then, how appropriate for this time that we watch unto prayer. In prayer for our oppressed ones who will feel the opposition and test and trial of persecution the most severely, we shall find comfort and consolation. We are to keep the lamp of faith burning brightly. We are to watch for opportunities for doing good to those who are called [upon] to suffer, for our afflicted brethren will need our words of consolation, of courage and hope.

     Men trample underfoot God's law and say to the people, as the Jews said to Christ, "We have a law, and by our law He ought to die" [John 19:7]. Over and over this will be repeated in the courts. Christ tells us that in the world we shall have tribulation, but that in Him we shall have peace.

     Those who live in the last days of this world's history will know what it means to be persecuted for the truth's sake. Injustice will prevail in the courts. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of those who are loyal and true to the commandments of God, and will say, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die." God's law is nothing to them; "our law" with them is supreme. Those who respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to the idol sabbath have no favors shown them. Those by whom they are tried utterly refuse to listen to their reasons, because they know that [the Sabbath-keepers'] arguments in favor of the fourth commandment are unanswerable. All that is brought against the validity of the forth commandment is of human invention....

     The Lord has not left the world without witness. He has His loyal, chosen people. They do not make this world their home, but they are here, to witness for God, and, as long as probation lasts, a living witness will be borne by these faithful messengers. Satan and his angels confederate with men who yield to temptation against God's remnant people, the champions of righteousness. They strive to counteract their testimony and to destroy them....

     Many, because of their faith, will be cut off from house and heritage here, but they may still be filled with joy, if they will give their hearts to Christ.

     The people [Israelites] were sluggish and selfish. The Lord did not call them "my people" [at the time of the second temple] because they had not shown themselves willing in the day of their opportunity. They had not obeyed promptly the word of the Lord. They made pleas for delay. They tried to present a reason why they should delay. They were ingenious in framing excuses. They had begun, but they were broken off in their work because of the hindrance of their enemies. This, they reasoned, proved that it was not the proper time to build. They declared that the Lord had interposed difficulties to reprove their hot haste. But they had no real excuse for leaving the work. When the heaviest objections were raised, this was the time to build. Their real motive was a selfish dislike to go to extra trouble and expense, and encounter danger by arousing the opposition of their enemies. They did not possess that faith that is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. They did not want to move by faith, but to walk out by sight, and no further. Therefore they were easily turned aside from the work. This history will be repeated. There will be religious failures because men have not faith. When they look at the things that are seen, impossibilities present themselves, but God knows nothing of impossibilities. The great work of God will advance only by the push of faith....

     He [God] will be present help to all who will serve Him in preference to serving themselves. When the Lord sees that there is a heart to do His will, His people will know of the doctrine. He will be with them. The presence of God includes everything, we have a sure refuge, a never failing friend....

     My attention has been called to the last books of the Old Testament. I was directed to bid the people of God take heed how they hear and what they do. These scriptures make special reference to the last days, when Bible history will be unfolded. There are brought to our notice those who are not walking in the way of the Lord, but are following deceptive leadings. From the word, we are to learn the will of God, for the guidance of our own course of action in these last days. Let your minds take in the subject. Read and consider and be instructed....

     "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate" [Zechariah 7:11-14].

     These words are very impressive. The Lord calls upon dew and rain and the varied agencies of nature, and they obey His call to be used either in blessing or in judgment. They are under His conduct....God calls for famine and plague and pestilence, for calamities by sea and by land to punish the inhabitants of the earth in wasting or destruction or in mercies and blessings.

     How striking is the contrast between the things of nature, the material agencies, and the tardy inattention and slothful disobedience of men, those for whom Christ has died. Saith the Lord....I will send on all that is yours a wasting drought. This reaches not only the fruit of the ground, but the living creatures. The cattle must suffer because of the sins of men.

     The present time will bring dangers which we must individually be prepared to meet. The Lord has a work which is above the world's seeking. To those who have not the mind of Christ, the features of our faith and our work, the great object to be accomplished, is far above their comprehension and unseen. But we are not to come down from our position of ever remaining people distinct and peculiar from the world. Our vocation is high, holy, and elevated. Our faith, if appreciated, will keep all true believers from political strife. We are to work for the spiritual recovery of mankind to God, to bring them under His theocracy. Then only are we a safe people....

     The fires of the last day will consume many souls who might have been saved if the church had but comprehended her sacred responsibilities.

     Peculiar and rapid changes will soon take place, and if the church is not asleep, if the followers of Christ watch and pray, they may have light to comprehend and appreciate the movements of the enemy.

     It is the glory of God to be merciful, full of forbearance, kindness, goodness, and truth. But the justice shown in punishing the sinner for his iniquity is as verily the glory of the Lord as is the manifestation of His mercy....

     The Lord has sent us, by His ambassadors, messages of warning, declaring that the end of all things is at hand. Some will listen to these warnings, but the vast majority will disregard the warnings. When Lot warned the members of his family of the destruction of Sodom, they would not heed his words, but looked upon him as a fanatical enthusiast. The destruction that came found them unprepared. This it will be when Christ comes--farmers, merchants, lawyers, tradesmen, will be wholly engrossed in business, and upon them the day of the Lord will come as a snare....

     God works through His faithful servants, who do not shun to declare the whole truth in the power of the Spirit....God's messengers are to hold aloft the standard of truth until the hand is palsied in death. When they sleep in death, the places that once knew them know them no more. The churches in which they preached, the places they visited to hold forth the word of life still remain. The mountains, the hills, the things seen by mortal vision, are still there. All these things must at last pass away. The time is coming when the earth shall reel to and fro, and shall be removed like a cottage, but the thoughts, the purposes, the acts of God's workers, although now unseen, will appear at the great day of final retribution and reward. Things now forgotten will then appear as witnesses, either to approve or to condemn.

     In the day of Judgment, the course of the man who has retained the frailty and imperfection of humanity will not be vindicated. For him there will be no place in heaven. He could not enjoy the perfection of the saints in light. He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God....

     At this time the message of mercy and warning is to go forth to awaken the world from its sleep of death. A work is to be done today that will live through the eternal ages. As watchmen entrusted with a special message, we are to keep before the people the nearness of the end. "Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" [2 Cor. 5:9, 10].

     The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the great day of the Lord is right upon us. In that day, shall it be said of any of us, "This man was called by God, but he would not hear; he would not give heed? Again and again the Spirit moved upon his heart, but he said, 'Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee' [Acts 24:25]. This man saw the Saviour's sacrifice in a beautiful light, but some matter of minor importance came in, and his heart was captivated. When the Spirit spoke again, the call was not respected. Every gracious, heavenly influence was dismissed."

     Divisions will constantly arise. Unholy principles will be brought to the front. All classes will be called to take their stand on one side or the other. Christ says of one class, "Let them alone." Men who have so long trampled upon the rights of God, who have accepted the idol sabbath, will accept very strong and unreasonable beliefs.

     The Lord is not in the alliances that are being formed with political movements. They are bound to bring confusion and great entanglement....The loyal and disloyal have no equal ground on which to meet.

     At the eleventh hour the Lord will gather a company out of the world to serve Him. There will be a converted ministry. Those who have had privileges and opportunities to become intelligent in regard to the truth, and yet who continue to counterwork the work, God would have accomplished, will be purged out, for God accepts the service of no man whose interest is divided. He accepts the whole heart, or none...The world and unconverted church members are in sympathy.

     "And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth was able to open the book, neither to look thereon" [Revelation 5:1-3].

     There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God's providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth's history to its close.

     This roll was written within and without. John says: "I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon" [Verse 4]. The vision as presented to John made its impression upon his mind. The destiny of every nation was contained in that book. John was so distressed at the utter inability of any human being or angelic intelligence to read the words, or even to look thereon, his soul was wrought up to such a point of agony and suspense, that one of the strong angels had compassion on him, and laying his hand on him assuringly, said, "Weep not behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and loose the seven seals thereof" [Verse 5].

     John continues: "I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne" [Verses 6, 7].

     As the book was unrolled, all who looked upon it were filled with awe. There were no blanks in the book. There was space for no more writing. "And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And behold, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever" [verses 8-14].

     "And I looked, and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed him. And power was given unto him over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" [Revelation 6:8-11].

     "And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand" [Rev. 8:1-4].

     I have a word of warning to my brethren: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" [Revelation 3:6-11].

     The same spirit is seen today that is represented in Revelation 6:6-8. History is to be reenacted. That which has been will be again. This spirit works to confuse and to perplex. Dissension will be seen in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and those who have not had a spirit to follow the light that God has given through His living oracles, through His appointed agencies, will become confused. Their judgment will reveal weakness. Disorder and strife and confusion will be seen in the church.

     The same spirit that controls the nations of the earth is working upon the minds of those who have had light. As the children of disobedience, irrespective of consequences, they act like the blind. They are drunken, but not with strong drink....

     We have this matter placed in the heavenly scales and weighed, and the result is presented before us. All this ambitious exercising of the spirit to exalt self will surely be worked by satanic agencies until the persons, whatever the profession, will reveal hereditary and cultivated attributes that will place them in the very lowest scale; and when God shall weigh them in the golden scales of the heavenly sanctuary, the sentence will be passed, thou art "weighed in the balances, and found wanting."

     Today men may persecute even unto death in an effort to make their fellowmen worship an idol sabbath which had been brought into existence by the man of sin, who thinks to change times and laws. But to torture and put to death the body is all they can do....Under his direction men have inflicted untold pain and misery on their fellowmen. But they have never been able to harm the soul....The ruler of the universe bears long with the perversity of men, but He keeps a record of their works, and in proportion as they have caused pain to others, they will themselves be punished....

     A spirit of exasperation, of revenge, of hatred, works in the children of disobedience, as it worked in the first great rebel. He imbues his followers with every species of malignity against those who cannot be induced to join his ranks. Gaping prisons are opened before them. They are threatened with the chain gang and the stocks. Thus men treat those who worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. Have they forgotten that as they judge and punish, so will they be judged and punished?

     God has said, "Touch not mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm" [1 Chronicles 16:22]. Men have borne false witness against God's chosen ones. They have bruised their limbs with fetters and burnt them at the stake. The Lord will avenge his children. As men have carried out the spirit and purposes of Satan in causing pain to human beings, so will they suffer. Thus will they perish who have done all in their power to compel men to transgress the law which God has commanded all to obey.

     Christ forewarned His disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs to take place prior to the coming of the Son of man. The whole of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew is a prophecy concerning the events to precede this event, and the destruction of Jerusalem is used to typify the last great destruction of the world by fire.

     As invisible agencies, angels are working through human beings to proclaim the commandments of God. Angels have far more to do with the human family than many suppose. Speaking of the angels: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" [Hebrews 1:14].

     Holy angels will join in the song of the redeemed. Though they cannot sing from experience, "He hath washed us in His own blood, and redeemed us unto God," yet they understand the great peril from which the people of God have been saved. Were they not sent to lift up for them a standard against the enemy? They can fully sympathize with the glowing ecstasy of those who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

     John writes, "I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne" [Revelation 5:11]. Angels were united in the work of Him who had broken the seals and taken the book. Four mighty angels hold back the powers of this earth till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The nations of the world are eager for conflict, but they are held in check by the angels. When this restraining power is removed, there will come a time of trouble and anguish. Deadly instruments of warfare will be invented. Vessels with their living cargo will be entombed in the great deep. All who have not the spirit of truth will unite under the leadership of satanic agencies. But they are to be kept under control till the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon.

     Angels are belting the world, refusing Satan his claim to supremacy, made because of the vast multitude of his adherents. We hear not their voices, we see not with the natural sight the work of these angels, but their hands are linked about the world, and with sleepless vigilance they are keeping the armies of Satan at bay till the sealing of God's people shall be accomplished.

     The ministers of Jehovah, angels, have skill and power and great strength, being commissioned to go forth from heaven to earth to minister to His people. They are given the work of keeping back the raging power of him who has come down like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The Lord is a refuge for all who put their trust in Him. He bids them hide in Him for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. He is soon to come out of His place to punish the world for its iniquity. Then the earth shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain [see Isaiah 26:21].

     It is a soul-periling sin to desecrate that which God has made holy. Satan has managed by his subtlety...to manage the matter [so] that God's memorial is made a thing of naught. The invention of the papacy has become supreme. He has worked to make the churches and the world a unit in transgression. Sunday observance is made an oppressive power in the hands of those who are under the control of the enemy, for, when Satan gets control of men's minds, it means oppression and compulsion.

     Never was there a period of time when I have felt more deeply the necessity of decidedly carrying the work of the gospel ministry in its own elevated, sacred character than today. Every kind of voice is heard: "Christ is here," and "Christ is there;" "Christ is in the wilderness," and "Christ is in the cities." We may open our ears to every call, if we will, but Christ has told us, "Go not ye after them, nor heed them."

     We have our work outlined in the prophetic word, and we will not be diverted from God's way and methods of bringing the truth before the world. Satan will set everything possible in operation to divert the work into wrong lines. The reason for this is that it shall, under the devising of human methods and human inventions, lose its peculiar, holy, select character to represent its efficiency and power to our world--the order and sanctification and elevated character of those who shall compose the chosen, commandment-keeping people of God.

     Satan would so commingle the righteous with the wicked that the distinction will be so indistinct as not to have the sign of God's commandment-keeping people appear as God distinguishing sign of the sanctification of the spirit in true humility and holiness. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" [Isaiah 8:20]....

     We have the truth, which in its proclamation is to bring the crisis for this world's history. The observance of the Lord's memorial, the Sabbath instituted in Eden, the seventh-day Sabbath, is the test of our loyalty to God. Those who bring in, as there will be brought in, lords many and gods many, so that there is no distinct recognition of acknowledged loyalty to the Lord God, cannot have His mark, His seal of obedience.

     Often God's workers are opposed in the place where they labor, and thus their usefulness is hindered. They may have done their best in all wisdom. They have sown good and precious seed. But the opposing elements become fiercer and more discouraging, and it may be wise for them to go to another place, for even though some are convinced of the truth, they are intimidated by the opposition. They have not the courage to acknowledge that their reason is convicted.

     Let the messengers of truth pass on to another field. Here there may be a more favorable class of people, and may successfully accomplish the work of sowing and reaping. The report of their success will find its way to the place where God's work was apparently unsuccessful, and the next messenger of truth who goes there will be more favorably received. The seed sown in trial and discouragement will be seen to have life and vitality. First will appear the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.

     The rejection of the truth of the gospel by some prepares the way for its reception by others, who can see the weakness and inconsistency of the arguments used to make the truth of none effect. Thus those who oppose the counsel of God are by their inconsistency advancing the truth rather than hindering it. One thing we must be prepared to encounter: the enemy's determined resistance. He works through human agencies whom he can use to hold the people in ignorance of the word of the Lord.

     In some places where the opposition is very pronounced, the lives of God's messengers may be endangered. It is then their privilege to follow the example of their Master and go to another place. "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel," Christ said, "till the son of man be come" [Matthew 10:23]....

     Those in the world, having lost their connection with God, are making desperate, insane efforts to make centers of themselves. This causes distrust of one another, which is followed by crime. The kingdoms of this world will be divided against themselves. Fewer and fewer will become the sympathetic cords which bind men in brotherhood to his fellow man. The natural egotism of the human heart will be worked upon by Satan. He will use the uncontrolled wills and violent passions which were never brought under control of God's will.

     This man wants his own way; the next man wants his own way. Every man's hand will be against his fellowman's. Brother will rise against brother, sister against sister, parents against children, and children against parents. All will be in confusion. Relatives will betray one another. There will be secret plotting to destroy life. Destruction, misery, and death will be seen on every hand. Men will follow the unrestrained bent of their hereditary and cultivated tendency to evil....This is the world picture. What is the representation in the church? "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" [2 Timothy 3:1-5].

     God has a store of retributive judgments which He permits to fall upon these who have continued in sin in the face of great light. I have seen the most costly structures erected, and supposed to be fireproof, and just as Sodom perished in the flames of God's vengeance, so will these proud structures become ashes. I have seen vessels, seeking to breast the angry billows. But with all their treasures of gold and silver, and with their human freight they sink into a watery grave. Man's pride will be buried with the treasures he has accumulated by fraud. God will avenge the widow and orphans who in hunger and nakedness have cried to Him for help from oppression and abuse. And the Lord keeps a record of every action of good or evil.

     The time is right upon us when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. The flattering monuments of men's greatness will be crumbled in the dust, even before the last great destruction comes upon the world.

     The words of Revelation 18 will be fulfilled. Is not this description enough to cause all who read it to fear and tremble? But those who do not love the light, who will not come to the light lest their deeds be reproved, will not follow on to know the Lord. By their attitude they say, I want not thy way, Lord; I want my own way....

     In the twenty first chapter of Luke, Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem; with it he connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of the world just prior to the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory....Let all remember that these words were among the last Christ gave his disciples....In these sacred, solemn warnings the danger signal is lifted. It is this instruction that church members and the people of the world need; for it is present truth.

     The Lord has much more for those who will use the knowledge He shall give. The Lord will give understanding to many minds. No man, after receiving knowledge from God, is to put a price upon that knowledge, and so bind the movements of his fellowmen that he [alone] will receive benefits.

     We need to be wide awake, that we may distinguish between the true and the false. Movements will be made by religious organizations which, though apparently designed to benefit the world, are not in accordance with God's mind. In these movements we are to take no part. Many will give them their sympathy, thereby becoming entangled....

     Many will agree to half-concealed plans and will find themselves working on the enemy's side. The Lord desires His servants to be wise in regard to the working of the enemy, to know when to speak and when to keep silent....In all that we do or say we are to be guided by the inspired Record. "Thus saith the Lord" is to be our rule of action. That which God forbids we are not to endorse. The instruction of His word is to be brought into every transaction of life....

     The Lord desires those who take part in His work to be men of spiritual understanding, sensible men, who will follow his way and make known His will. Their voices are to be heard amid the din and confusion of unconsecration. Those in the synagogue of Satan will profess to be converted and, unless God's servants have keen eyesight, they will not discern the working of the power of darkness.

     The signs of the times--the wars and rumors of wars, the strikes, murders, robberies, and accidents--tell us that the end of all things is at hand. God's Word declares, "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be" [Matthew 24:37-39].

     How true a description this is of the condition of the world today. The daily papers are full of notices of marriage after divorce--the marriage condemned in the words of the Saviour,--full of accounts of amusements and games, of pugilistic contests in which human beings main and disfigure one another to exhibit their brutal strength.

     Under their great leader, Lucifer, men are educating themselves to represent him. Who can doubt the truth of the prophets words, "The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand" [Daniel 12:10]. There is an awful development of moral degeneracy. Under the guidance of Satan, men have lost their horror for bloodshed and murder....

     It is not only human agencies filled with the spirit of Satan that are arrayed against God. Satan himself stands at the head of his army, striving with all his power to perfect the force over which he rules, that he may wreak his vengeance on God's people. Knowing that his times is short, he has come down with great power, to work against all that is good. He fills the minds of his instrumentalities with hatred against God and with an intense desire for revenge. In the Scriptures he is represented as walking up and down as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

     The inhabitants of the world have largely given themselves into Satan's control. He acts as the god of this earth. Human beings, wholly given over to evil, cooperate with him in his conspiracies, helping him to carry out his plans against the government of God....

     Among the people of God there is to be no dissension, no controversy, no warfare against one another. The forces of righteousness are to be a unit in their conflict with evil. All the strength of God's people is to be directed against the forces of the enemy. The will of every child of God is to be placed on the side of God's will. Satan's strong efforts against God's agencies, show the need of union and harmony among the forces of righteousness.

     A terrible contest is before us. We are nearing the battle of the great day of God Almighty. That which has been held in control is to be let loose. The angel of mercy is folding her wings, preparing to step down from the golden throne and leave the world to the control of Satan, the king they have chosen, a murderer and a destroyer from the beginning.

     The principalities and powers of earth are in bitter revolt against the God of heaven. They are filled with hatred against all who serve Him; and soon, very soon, is to be fought the last great battle between good and evil. The earth is to be the battlefield, the scene of the final contest and the final victory. Here, where for so long Satan has led men against God, rebellion is to be forever suppressed....

     God's people are to bear a bold, decided testimony for the truth, unfolding the purposes of God by the witness of pen and voice. In place after place they are to proclaim the message of God's word, arousing men and women to comprehend the truth.

     The whole of the third chapter of Zechariah was portrayed before me. The words were repeated: "And He shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" [Zechariah 3:1, 2]....

     After Satan leads men into wrong positions, he stands at the right hand of the Angel as the adversary of man, to resist every effort made to save the purchase of the blood of the Lamb of God. The devil persecutes those whom he has caused to sin. He is the accuser of the brethren. Day and night he accuses them before God. This is his special work.

     A perversion of right principles is a transgression of God's Law. Those who in their actions pervert the grand principles of His holy law, are under condemnation; for the righteousness of Christ cannot cover one unconfessed sin. The law has been lightly regarded. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" [Ecclesiastes 8:14]. We must obey God's law, if we are to be loyal to Him and accepted by Him.

     The first step toward obedience is to examine ourselves in the light of the law, thus discovering the penalty of transgression. Those of God's people who do not purify their souls by coming into clearer and still clearer light are a reproach to His glorious cause. Too often those who should remain true and faithful to principle are obnoxious to God, because in His justice He cannot endure the sins that they cherish--sins that not only lead them into false paths, but cause others also to be led astray.

     Carefully reread these two verses: "And He shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" He (Joshua) was a representative of an imperfect, sinful people, those who had become contaminated with sin. Satan accused Joshua of being a criminal. What, then, is the only hope of the people of God in their defections of Christian character?--their only hope is reconversion, repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is made unto us righteousness and sanctification. In heaven Joshua was accounted as a justified sinner....

     Joshua was accused as a sinner, but Jesus Christ, the Sin-bearer, the Substitute for the offender, to whom all types point, cannot be thus accused. He is the one who takes away the sin of the repentant, believing transgressor. How sad it is that human agencies, by their loss of spirituality, make it possible for Satan to accuse them of being unworthy!

     The Word of God declares that when it suits the enemy's purpose, he will through his agencies manifest so great power under a pretense of Christianity that, "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" [Matthew 24:24]. The enemy is revealed in persons whom he has given power to work miracles. He creates sorrow and suffering and disease. Seeming to change his attributes, he apparently heals those whom he himself has tormented....

     Deceptions of every kind will be invented. So-called higher critics will set their ingenious minds to work in an attempt to invalidate the Word of God. But there is a Higher Critic, greater than any human mind....

     Zechariah pictures the elect of God, showing their allegiance to His holy law in a time of unrivaled depravity, when by pen and by voice the so-called Protestant world show marked contempt for the law of God, revealing by their actions that they have decided not to recognize His standard as the rule of life.

     Men are fast becoming imbued with an intense hatred of even hearing the law mentioned. They are fast approaching the bounds set by a long-suffering God. Soon the limits of His grace will be reached. Then He will interfere, vindicating His own name and before all the world magnifying His law as holy, just, and good, as unchangeable as His own character.

     The eye of the Lord is upon His people. They will suffer for the truth's sake. Not always have they been firm and true to principle. Some have erected idols and served them. This has separated them from God....

     Those who honor God and keep His commandments are subject to the accusations of Satan. The enemy works with all his energy to lead persons into sin. Then he pleads that on account of their past sins, he should be allowed to exercise his hellish cruelty on them as his own subjects. Of this work Zechariah has written: "And He showed me Joshua the high priest (a representative of the people who keep the commandments of God) standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him" [Zechariah 3:1].

     Christ is our High Priest. Satan stands before Him night and day as an accuser of the brethren. With his masterly power he presents every objectionable feature of character as sufficient reason for the withdrawal of Christ's protecting power, thus allowing him to discourage and destroy those whom he has caused to sin. But Christ has made atonement for every sinner.

     Can we by faith hear our Advocate saying, "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

     "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments" [Verses 2, 3]. Thus sinners appear before the enemy who by his masterly, deceptive power has led them away from allegiance to God. With garments of sin and shame the enemy clothes those who have been overpowered by his temptations, and then he declares that it is unfair for Christ to be their Light, their Defender.

     But, poor, repentant mortals, hear the words of Jesus, and believe as you hear: "And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him saying, Take away the filthy garments from him." I will blot out his transgressions. I will cover his sins. I will impute to him My righteousness. "And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment" [Verse 4].

     The filthy garments are removed, for Christ says, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee." The iniquity is transferred to the innocent, the pure, the holy Son of God; and man, all undeserving, stands before the Lord cleansed from all unrighteousness, and clothed with the imputed righteousness of Christ. Oh, what a change of raiment is this!

     And Christ does more than this for them: "And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by. And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by" [Verses 5-7].

     This is the honor that God will bestow on those who are clothed with the garments of Christ's righteousness. With such encouragement as this, how can men continue in sin? How can they grieve the heart of Christ?...

     Two classes have ever been before the world, the obedient and the disobedient, the genuine and the counterfeit. Amid all the temptations and deceptions of Satan, let everyone remain loyal to all of God's commandments. Then Christ will restore in man the moral image of God, and will finish the work He has begun in the plan of redemption, presenting man before God clothed in His righteousness.

     Transgression is developing in a most marked manner. We shall meet those who have received light and evidence, but who in their perversity reject all that does not harmonize with their own plans, persisting in their determination to follow their own way. They refuse to receive good themselves, and do all in their power to lead others to regard with indifference the word of the Lord....Men learned in the wisdom of the world may think they can explain the mysteries of the world, but in the explanation of the mysteries of the gospel, babes and children in Christ are far in advance of them. Unlearned and ignorant men are chosen by the Lord as teachers, because He sees that they are willing to learn as well as teach....

     The truth is to be placed before the great men of this world, that they may choose between it and the world. God is not the author of their ignorance. He sets everlasting truth before them,--truth that will make them wise unto salvation,--but He does not force them to accept it. If they turn from it, He leaves them to themselves, to be filled with the fruit of their own doings.

     The wicked are being bound up in bundles, bound up in trusts, in unions, in confederacies. Let us have nothing to do with these organizations. God is our Ruler, our Governor, and He calls us to come out from the world and be separate. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing" [1 Corinthians 6:17]. If we refuse to do this, if we continue to link up with the world, and to look at every matter from a worldly standpoint, we shall become like the world. When worldly policy and worldly ideas govern our transactions, we cannot stand on the high and holy platform of eternal truth....

     There is before us a mighty conflict. God calls upon His people to stand firm upon the platform of eternal truth. He calls upon them to stand in oneness, in unity; and He promises that He will be with us, to help us by His mighty power. We may lose our lives in the conflict, but at the last day we shall receive a crown of life, that fadeth not away.

     One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit....

     Some who are now voicing Satan's suggestions will come to their senses. There are those in important positions of trust who do not understand the truth for this time. To them the message must be given. If they receive it, Christ will accept them, and will make them workers together with Him. But if they refuse to hear the message, they will take their stand under the black banner of the prince of darkness.

     The people of God need to study what characters they must form in order to pass through the test and proving of the last days. Many are living in spiritual weakness and backsliding. They know not what they believe. Let us read and study the twelfth chapter of Daniel. It is a warning that we shall all need to understand before the time of the end. There are ministers claiming to believe the truth who are not sanctified through the truth. Unless a change comes in their lives, they will say, "My Lord delayeth His coming."...

     The signs of the times are fulfilling in our world, yet the churches generally are represented as slumbering. Shall we not take warning from the experience of the foolish virgins, who when the call came, "Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" [Matthew 25:6], found that they had no oil in their lamps? And while they went to buy oil, the bridegroom went in to the marriage supper with the wise virgins, and the door was shut. When the foolish virgins reached the banqueting hall, they received an unexpected denial. The master of the feast declared, "I know you not" [Verse 12]. They were left standing without in the empty street, in the blackness of the night.

     The enemy works untiringly to deceive human beings and lead them away from God. He and his angels will in the future assume the shape of human beings and will work to make the truth of God of no effect....

     In these last days the representation made in the twelfth chapter of Revelation will be fulfilled. Satan will carry on the great conflict that he began in heaven, of which we read, "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven" [Revelation 12:7, 8].

     Men will exalt and rigidly enforce laws that are in direct opposition to the law of God. Though zealous in enforcing their own commandments, they will turn away from a plain "Thus saith the Lord." Exalting a spurious rest day, they will seek to force men to dishonor the law of Jehovah, the transcript of His character. Though innocent of wrongdoing, the servants of God will be given over to suffer humiliation and abuse at the hands of those who, inspired by Satan, are filled with envy and religious bigotry....

     When Christ suffered for the human race, He felt neither remorse, despair, or hatred. Far different will be the feelings of the sinner who has not availed himself of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Too late he will realize what he has lost by refusing to accept the salvation of God. His heart will then be filled with an agony of remorse and despair, even though still fired by satanic hatred against God.

     Because of frequent triumphs, Satan is becoming more bold and defiant in his rebellion against God. The rapid development of evil, the confusion among the laboring classes, reveal that men are rapidly taking sides. They are being bound up in bundles to be burned. The labor unions are quickly stirred to violence if their demands are not complied with. Plainer and plainer it is becoming that the inhabitants of the world are not in harmony with God.

     No scientific theory can explain the steady march of evil workers under the generalship of Satan. In every mob wicked angels are at work rousing men to commit deeds of violence. Satan seems to have taken control of the minds of men. Murder, robbery, wickedness of every kind, reveal the leadership of the great enemy of souls.

     In the days of Noah, violence filled the land; and thus Christ has told us that it will be in the last days. The history of the old world is to be repeated. The perversity and cruelty of men will reach such a height that God will reveal Himself in His majesty. Very soon the wickedness of the world will have reached its limit, and as in the days of Noah, God will pour out His judgments.

     But even when wickedness is at its height, we many know that our Helper is close by our side.

     In the future great watchfulness will be needed. There is to be among the people of God no spiritual stupidity. Evil spirits are actively engaged in seeking to control the minds of human beings. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be consumed by the fires of the last days. Those who discard Christ and His righteousness will accept the sophistry that is flooding the world. Christians are to be sober and vigilant, steadfastly resisting their adversary the devil, who is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

     Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles. They will make people sick by casting their spell upon them, and will then remove the spell, leading others to say that those who were sick have been miraculously healed. This Satan has done again and again....

     We are living in the great day of atonement, and we are to confess our sins and make diligent work for repentance. We are to put all our capabilities to work, that we may be delivered from wicked and unreasonable men. Satan comes down as a beautiful angel, and presents lovely pictures before the eyes of those who have so perverted their ways before God that they do not see what they are, or know what they need. The enemy has come down with great power, to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish....Those who are determined to exalt themselves must be blotted out.

     How long shall the testimonies of warning be rejected for the wisdom of men? There are many things that I have not wanted to specify, but I am compelled to do this....I shall now have to be far more explicit that I have been in the past. I shall be compelled to make statements in order to save the flock of God from deceptive influences....

     There may be a necessity of doing the very work that the Lord has in the past inspired His messengers to do, in order to save the largest number of souls from the satanic influences that would lead them astray. The world's opinion will oppose the very work that must be done in order that the safety of the flock of God shall not be imperiled.

     The fact that men whom I might name are imperiled by the sophistries that are coming in at this time, shows that a power from beneath is making its imprint on human minds. Every movement made now is to be carefully guarded, for the forces of Satan have minds under their control, and will strive through them to unsettle faith in the experience of the past, which bears the signature of heaven. The delusive influences working upon human minds are of a character to unsettle the faith of the people of God in the testimonies the Lord has given His people.

     In His Word the Lord declares what He would do for Israel if they would obey His voice. But the leaders of the people yielded to the temptations of Satan, and God could not give them the blessings He designed them to have, because they did not obey His voice, but listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer. This experience will be repeated in the last years of the history of the people of God, who have been established by His grace and power. Men whom He has greatly honored will, in the closing scenes of this earth's history, pattern after ancient Israel, because they are converting the truth of God into a falsehood. And many heresies will come from Lucifer that will bewilder, if possible, the very elect....

     Bear this in mind, history is being repeated. The perils that God's people encountered in past ages they will encounter again, intensified. Satan has obtained influence over men whom God has honored above all human intelligence....

     The things that had been spoken by priests and rulers had become leavened with erroneous theories. The gospel of the Old Testament had been misinterpreted by the teachers who had desired to fit the presentation with their condition spiritually in the place of exacting truth and laboring to bring the people who claimed to be the chosen of God, up to the holy principles given by Him. Christ came to give the gospel in its purity and its true bearing, and all are to show their esteem of His teaching.

     The Lord was leading His people back to the real truth. The scriptures show the loss they had sustained and would continue to sustain unless they went back to the word, refusing to let anything they had heard slip from their memory.

     Unless we give the most earnest heed to the Word of God, human minds will work up theories according to their own deficient practices, which we met in 1842, 1843, and especially after the passing of the time [October 22, 1844], and will misrepresent and misapply a "Thus saith the Lord." A departure from the great principles Christ has laid down in His teachings, a working out of human projects, using the Scriptures to justify a wrong course of action under the perverse working of Lucifer, will confirm men in misunderstanding, and the truth that they need to keep them from wrong practices will leak out of the soul like water from a leaky vessel.

     Thus it is in our time. A departure from right principles will blind the understanding as to what is truth....Those who refuse the testimonies God has sent them are not eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. The character developed tells its history to the end. Through the refusal to receive correct principles, and the corruption of human nature, Satan works by his sophistry to deceive if possible the very elect.

     We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh [chapter] of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that "shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

     "And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: by many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

     "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that is determined shall be done" [Daniel 11:30-36].

     Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds, who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of....

     "At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" [Daniel 12:1-4].

     The spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the world. It is no time now for men to exalt themselves. It is no time for the people of God to be erecting costly buildings, or to be using the Lord's entrusted talent of means in glorifying themselves.

     There are many men in our world who are like Cornelius....As God worked for Cornelius, so He works for these true standard-bearers. He prepares the way for them to take the place of those who have been given a knowledge of Bible truth, but who have disappointed the Lord our Saviour. These men will be true to pure, holy principles in their investigation of the laws which rule our world. They will obtain a knowledge of God as did Cornelius through the visitation of angels from heaven.

     During the night a very impressive scene passed before me. There seemed to be great confusion and the conflict of armies. A messenger from the Lord stood before me, and said, "Call your household. I will lead you. Follow me." He led me down a dark passage, through a forest, then through the clefts of mountains, and said, "Here you are safe." There were others who had been led to this retreat. The heavenly messenger said, "The time of trouble has come as a thief in the night, as the Lord warned you it would come."

     The testing time is right upon us. We must build upon the Rock that will stand the storm of test and trial. As we see the fulfillment of prophecy we know that the end of all things is at hand....The God who gave Daniel instruction regarding the closing scenes of this earth's history will certainly confirm the testimony of His servants as at the appointed time they give the loud cry.

     All the messages given from 1840 are to be made forcible now....There should be no delay in repeating the message, for the signs of the times are fulfilling. The closing work must be done. A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God's appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony.

     The attention of our churches must be aroused. We are standing upon the borders of the greatest event in the world's history, and Satan must not have power over the people of God, causing them to sleep on. The papacy will appear in its power. All must now arouse and search the Scriptures, for God will make known to His faithful ones what shall be in the last time. The word of the Lord is to come to His people in power.

     The signs of the end are fast fulfilling. The time of trouble is very near us now. We are to be brought into strait places in a way in which we have not been brought heretofore. The time of trouble is near, and we are to awake to a realization of this. We are to be sure that our feet are in the narrow way. We need an experience that we have not yet had, that we may have the assurance that the God of all grace is a very present help in time of need. The time of trouble:--trouble such as was not since there was a nation--is right upon us, and we are like the sleeping virgins. We are to awake and ask the Lord Jesus to place underneath us His everlasting arms, and carry us through the time of trial before us.

     Let us turn our attention from unimportant things, and give ourselves to God. We scarcely dream of the destroying angels that already are permitted to bring disaster and destruction in their path....How little we know of what is going on in heaven! What fearful indifference those on this earth show to eternal realities. Souls are unprepared for what is about to take place in our world. The warning must be given. The end of all things is at hand.

     The last message of mercy is to be given to prepare a people to stand in these last days. Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.

     The time will come which many will be deprived of the Written Word. But, if this Word is printed in the memory, no one can take it from us; and it is a talisman that will meet the worst forms of error and evil.

     We are now to make diligent work for eternity. Only for a very short time longer will the Lord bear with the gross wickedness that fills the world. Oh, how suddenly will the end come, surprising the world in their increasing iniquity.

     For the past fifty years I have been receiving intelligence regarding heavenly things....We are very sorry to read the article written by Elder Tenney in the Medical Missionary on the Sanctuary question. The enemy has obtained the victory over one minister. If this minister had remained away from the seducing influences that Satan is exerting at the present time in Battle Creek, he might yet be standing on vantage ground....The Sanctuary question is the foundation of our faith....

     There is a sanctuary, and in that sanctuary is the ark, and in the ark are the tables of stone, on which is written the law spoken from Sinai amidst scenes of awful grandeur. These tables of stone are in the heavens, and they will be brought forth in that day when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, and men shall be judged according to the things written in the books. They will be judged by the law written by the finger of God, and given to Moses to be deposited in the ark. A record is kept of the deeds of all men, and according to his works will every man receive sentence, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.

     It is now as it was when the message was given in Noah's time and the invitation went forth for all who would to enter the ark. We know not how soon the last message of warning may be given and our cases fixed for eternity....There was hope for all the inhabitants of the Noachian world to enter the ark before the door was closed. After it was closed, those who entered were severely tried, for they were in the ark a full week before the rain came. Oh, what fearful scoffing and mocking and defiance of God there was by those who had refused to enter! But after the week ended, the rain began to fall gently. This was a new thing. The rain continued until every living thing was destroyed from the face of the earth. But one family--the family that entered the ark--was saved.

     We need to be prepared for the closing scenes of this earth's history. Let all search their own hearts diligently, and be converted, that their sins may be pardoned. The world is becoming more and more decidedly opposed to God and the truth of God. All who will do the will of God will be successful in obtaining knowledge, and their experience will be valuable. We must now prepare to do a great work in a short time. We must have an individual experience....

     I have been weighed down as I have thought of the situation of those who have had such great light, and yet have gone steadily on step by step in rejection of light.

     Satan has not yet given up the idea that the world's armies will be so large that they will overcome the heavenly host.

     The right-doers, who would fear and glorify God, will use the words of David, "It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law" [Psalms 119:126]. And it is only when men reach this point in towns and in cities that the universal perversion of the law of Jehovah becomes a destructive, determined evil. Through the prophet Zephaniah the Lord specifies the things that He will bring upon evil-doers: "I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; And them that worship the host of heaven upon the house tops; and them that worship and that swear by Malcham; And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

     "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills" [Zephaniah 1:2-10].

     "I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revelings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border" [Zephaniah 2:8].

     "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid" [Zephaniah 3:8-13].

     "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord" [Zephaniah 3:14-20].

     There is to be, at this period, a series of events that will reveal that God is the master of the situation. The truth will be proclaimed in clear, unmistakable language. Those who preach the truth will strive to demonstrate the truth by a well-ordered life and godly conversation. And as they do this, they will become powerful in advocating the truth and in giving it the sure application that God has given it....

     As a people, we must prepare the way of the Lord, under the overruling guidance of the Holy Spirit, for the spread of the gospel in its purity. The stream of living water is to deepen and widen on its course. In all fields, nigh and afar off, men will be called from the plow and from the more common commercial business vocations that largely occupy the mind, and will become educated in connection with men who have had experience--men who understand the truth. Through most wonderful workings of God, mountains of difficulties will be removed and cast into the sea....

     That message that means so much to the dwellers upon the earth, will be seen and understood. Men will know what is truth. Onward, and still onward, is the work to advance. The most marked events of Providence will be seen and recognized, and it will be seen that the truth bears away the victory.

     Those who desire to be refreshed in mind and instructed in the truth should study the history of the early church during and immediately following the day of Pentecost. They need to study carefully the experience of Paul and the other apostles, for God's people in these last days must pass through similar experiences. As the world becomes more imbued with the spirit of the enemy, there will be more vehement opposition to the Word. Some will be imprisoned because they refuse to desecrate the Sabbath of the Lord. Those who would hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end must bear a living testimony to the world. Their words are to have a convincing power upon minds, and many through them will be turned to the Lord.

     We are certainly living in the last days. In the matters that are daily being unfolded in the papers regarding the corruption in San Francisco and crime in Montana, we can see a perfect revelation of the working of sin. Evil men have pledged themselves to take the lives of those who have stood in their way, or who would not become one with them in their work of robbery. For the sake of gain they have become the murderers of the fellowmen. And this work of revelation is only the beginning of what is to be revealed in the future.

     I have been shown that all the warnings of Christ regarding the events that will occur near the close of this earth's history are now being fulfilled in our large cities. God is permitting these things to be brought to light that he who runs may read. The city of San Francisco is a sample of what the whole world is becoming. The wicked bribery, the misappropriation of means, the fraudulent transactions among men who have power to release the guilty and condemn the innocent--all this iniquity is filling other large cities of the earth, and is making the world as it was in the days that were before the flood....The Lord understands all about His work in the world. He knows every secret which we must wait for the future to unfold. At this time He calls upon His people to become truly converted....

     Time is rapidly passing, and wickedness is increasing. If we refuse to do the good we may do, we place ourselves in a perilous position. If we delay to enter the ranks of those who are workers together with God, we will find ourselves in the ranks of those who oppose truth and righteousness, who have turned away from the truth and are turned unto fables. The condition of this class is a sad one, for, unless some power shall break the spell that is upon them, they will be lost, eternally lost....

     God's people will be called to pass through trying experiences. Many will fall at their posts, betrayed and condemned by their fellowmen. In such timers of trial they can remember that the Saviour suffered in like manner, passed over that very ground in their behalf. His followers will never be called to suffer more than He endured in order to win salvation for them.

     I have been shown that the Spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the earth. God's keeping power will soon be refused to all who continue to disregard His commandments. The reports of fraudulent transactions, murders, and crimes of every kind, are coming to us daily. Iniquity is becoming so common a thing that it no longer shocks the senses as it once did. I have been shown that the whole world is fast becoming as it was in the days of Noah. "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew it not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be....Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come....Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh" [Matthew 24:38, 39, 42, 44].

     Before the Son of Man appears in the clouds of heaven, everything in nature will be convulsed. Lightning from heaven, uniting with the fire in the earth, will cause the mountains to burn like a furnace, and pour out their floods of lava over villages and cities. Molten masses of rock will cause the water to boil, and they will send forth rocks and earth. There will be mighty earthquakes and great destruction of human life. But as in the days of the great deluge, Noah was preserved in the ark that God had prepared for Him, so in these days of destruction and calamity, God will be the refuge of His believing ones....

     There is a work to be done at this time by those who believe that we are living in the closing days of this earth's history. Light must be imparted to those who are in darkness. The truths of the Word of God must be brought in straight, clear lines to the people, whether they will receive or whether they will reject them. "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods" [Matthew 24:45-47]. Here is represented a class of workers who will not fail nor become discouraged in their work....

     We are warned that in these last days satanic influences will work with such power that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the very elect. But living amid these opposing forces, we may, through the exercise of faith and prayer, call to our side a retinue of heavenly angels, who will guard us from every corrupting influence. The workers who make the Word of God his guide, will walk in the light of the Lord, and be safe.

     There is a great work to be done in the earth before the eternal purpose of God is fully worked out....While the angels are holding the four winds, we are to make the most of time, using every capability and power in the service of God. We have no time to lose. Soon the way of souls will be hedged up by obstacles that we do not now think of....

     Let us all bear in mind that we are ever to be earnest students in the school of Christ. If we will keep in the position of humble learners, our light will shine forth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. And, when our earthly labors are ended and Christ shall come for His faithful children, we shall then shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father. But before that time shall come, everything that is imperfect in us will have been seen and put away. All envy and jealousy and evil surmising, and every selfish plan will have been banished from the life.

     The time is soon coming when God's people, because of persecution, will be scattered in many countries. Those who have received an all-round education will have a great advantage wherever they are.

     I was instructed [last night] that fanaticism similar to that which we were called to meet after the passing of the time in 1844 would come in among us again in the closing days of the message, and that we must meet this evil just as decidedly now as we met it in our early experiences.

     We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange and eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven--events which it was declared should shortly precede the great day of God. Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is hasting greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force--that they hold the four winds until the servants of (our) God are sealed in their foreheads.

     Dear Brother and Sister Haskell,--

     I am often weary, and yet I realize at times the blessing of the Lord resting upon me in large measure. I want to walk humbly with God. I am praying that the Lord will guide me by His Spirit every moment.

     The Lord has given me a special work to do in giving words of warning that should come to our people. Satan's forces are preparing their seductive temptations to deceive if possible the very elect. Satan will work through those who have disregarded the warnings of God to the church. They will be exceedingly zealous under the working of a deceptive influence, and most strange manifestations will appear.

     We need in all our churches the evidence of the meekness of Christ. In order to do intelligently the solemn work committed to us, we must hide self in Jesus Christ. We have a short time in which to accomplish the work that is essential. Let us earnestly prepare for the conflict that is before us, for Satan's armies are marshalling for the last great struggle. I am instructed to say to all our people, Let your light so shine in words and deeds, that you will reveal that truth is cherished in the heart....

     Satan is rallying his forces and seeking to bring in heresies to confuse the minds of those who have not been trained to understand the leadings of the Holy Spirit. A delusive net is being prepared for them, and those who have been warned again and again, but have not educated themselves to understand the warnings, will be surely taken in Satan's snare.

     The angels of God have been holding the four winds that they shall not blow. John writes in Revelation 7:1-17, "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.

     "And I heard the number of them that were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

     "After this, I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

     "And all the angels stood round about the throne and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, saying, Amen; blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.

     "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto Him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, They are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

     "They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" [Revelation 7:1-17].

     Let this chapter be carefully read and studied. Wonderful things are about to transpire. The future is full of intense interest to every soul who shall live upon the earth.

     The end is near, and every year Satan is drilling his army to develop strong parties to be ready against the battle of the last great conflict.

     Terrible trials are to come upon our world, and the world is preparing for this. We too must be prepared, that we may have the protection of our heavenly Father. And, if we lose our life in the conflict, let us have faith to believe that it will be restored to us again.

     "Study the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short, God is calling; will you hear? Will you receive his message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity.

     The third angel's message is now to be proclaimed, not only in far-off lands, but in neglected places close by, where multitudes dwell unwarned and unsaved. Our cities everywhere are calling for earnest, wholehearted labor from the servants of God. The message for this time is now to be proclaimed earnestly in the great business world. Day after day the centers of commerce and trade are thronged with men and women who need the truth for this time, but who gain no saving knowledge of its precious principles because earnest, persevering efforts are not put forth to reach them where they are.

     The spiritual darkness that covers the whole world is intensified in the crowded centers of population. It is in the cities of the nations that the gospel worker finds the greatest impenitence and the greatest need. And in these same cities are presented to soul-winners some of the greatest opportunities. Mingled with the multitudes who have no thought of God and heaven are many who long for light and for purity of heart. Even among the careless and indifferent there are not a few whose attention may be arrested by a revelation of God's love for the human soul....

     Men will soon be forced to great decisions, and they must have opportunity to hear and to understand Bible truth, in order that they may take their stand intelligently on the right side. God is now calling upon His messengers, in no uncertain terms, to warn the cities while mercy still lingers and while multitudes are yet susceptible to the converting influence of Bible truth....When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed. May the Lord give wisdom to our brethren, that they may know how to carry forward the work in harmony with His will. With mighty power the cry is to be sounded in our large centers of population, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" [Matthew 25:6]....Time is rapidly passing. There is much work to be done before satanic opposition shall close up the way....

     The Saviour declares that before His second coming there would be wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places....These calamities are becoming more and more frequent, and each report of calamity by land and sea is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is near. The world is filled with iniquity, and the Lord is punishing it for its wickedness. As crimes and iniquities increase, these judgments will become more frequent, until the time shall come when the earth shall no more cover her slain.

     The judgments of God are hanging over our cities. We know not how soon they will be visited by just such a calamity as recently befell Italy. I pray for the deep movings of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of God's people, that this message--the last message of warning--may be given without delay. The day of the Lord is hasting greatly. The end is nearer than when we first believed.

     Everything in this world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and preparations for war are being made. But though there is among nations an increasing unrest, though they are mustering their forces, they are as if held back from action by an unseen power. The angels are holding the four winds, until the servants of god are sealed in their foreheads.

     Soon strife among the nations will break out with an intensity that we do not now anticipate. The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all the living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about them. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist amongst the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they realize that something great and decisive is about to take place, that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.

     Spiritualism is about to take the world captive. There are many who think that Spiritualism is upheld through trickery and imposture, but this is far from the truth. Superhuman power is working in a variety of ways, and few have any idea as to what will be the manifestations of Spiritualism in the future.

     The foundation for the success of Spiritualism has been laid in the assertions that have been made from the pulpits of our land. The ministers have proclaimed as Bible Doctrines falsehoods that have originated with the arch deceiver. The doctrine of consciousness after death, of the spirits of the dead being in communion with the living, has no foundation in the Scriptures, and yet these theories are affirmed as truth. Through this false doctrine, the way is opened for the spirits of devils to deceive the people in representing themselves as the dead. Satanic agencies personate the dead and thus bring souls into captivity. Satan has a religion. He has a synagogue of devoted worshipers. To swell the ranks of his devotees, he uses all manner of deception.

     The signs and wonders of Spiritualism will become more and more pronounced as the professed Christian world reject the plainly revealed truth of the Word of God, and refuse to be guided by a plain, Thus saith the Lord, accepting instead the doctrines and the commandments of men. Through rejecting light and truth, many are deciding their destiny for eternal death, and as men reject truth, the Spirit of God will gradually withdraw itself from the earth, and the prince of this world will have more and more control over his subjects. He will show great signs and wonders as credentials of his divine claims, and through Spiritualism will work against Christ and His agencies.

     The Scriptures positively forbid intercourse with evil angels on the supposition of communion with the dead. Through this deception Satan can educate souls in his school of falsehood and make of none effect the lessons that Christ would teach, which, if practiced, would result in the eternal life of those who obey.

     Satan is seeking to form a great confederacy of evil by uniting fallen men and fallen angels. But the Lord says, "When they shall say unto you, seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" [Isaiah 8:19, 20]. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people" [Leviticus 20:6].

     The great power that attends spiritualism has its origin in the great leading rebel, Satan, the prince of devils. It is through his artifice that evil angels have been able to substitute themselves for the dead, and through lying hypocrisy they have led men to have intercourse with those who will have a corrupting, demoralizing power upon the mind.

     Christ commanded that we should have no intercourse with sorcerers and with those who have familiar spirits. This class are represented...as among those who shall perish in their iniquity: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" [Revelation 21:18].

     For years Spiritualism has been growing in strength and gaining in popularity by advocating a certain kind of faith in Christ, and thus many Protestants are becoming infatuated with this mystery of iniquity. It is little wonder that they are deluded when they persistently retain the error that the spirit goes immediately to heaven or hell as soon as the breath leaves the body. Through the hold this doctrine has upon them, the way is prepared for the delusive working of the prince of the power of the air.

     Satan personated the serpent in Eden, regarding this creature as the best adapted for his line of temptations. Satan has been increasing in skillful methods by constantly practicing upon the human mind. It is his one purpose to complete the work that he began in Eden, and work the ruin of mankind. Through his mysterious workings he can insinuate himself into the circles of the most educated and refined, for he was once an exalted being, in a high position of responsibility among the heavenly hosts. It is a mistake to represent him as a being with hoofs and horns, for he is still a fallen angel. He is capable of mingling the highest intellectual greatness with basest cruelty and most debasing corruption. If he had not this power, many who are charmed with his attractive representations and taken captive by his delusions would escape his snares.

     As the spirit of God shall be withdrawn from the earth...his [Satan's] power will be more and more manifest. The knowledge that he had through being in connection with God as a covering cherub, he will now use to subordinate his subjects who fell from their high estate. He will use every power of his exalted intellect to misrepresent God and instigate rebellion against Jesus Christ, the commander of heaven.

     In the synagogue of Satan, he brings under his scepter and into his councils those agents whom he can use to promote his worship. It is not a strange matter to find a species of refinement, and a manifestation of intellectual greatness in the lives and characters of those who are inspired by fallen angels. Satan can impart scientific knowledge and give men chapters upon philosophy. He is conversant with history and versed in worldly wisdom.

     Almost every phase of talent is now being brought into captivity to the prince of the power of darkness. Worldly minded men, because they wish to exalt themselves, and have separated from God, do not love to retain God in their knowledge, for they claim to possess a higher, grander intellect than that of Jesus Christ. Satan envies Christ, and makes the claim that he is entitled to higher position than the Commander of heaven. His self-exaltation led him to despise the law of God, and resulted in his expulsion from heaven.

     Through the papacy he has manifested his character and wrought out the principles of his government. Of this power the apostle Paul says, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God....For the mystery of iniquity doeth already work: only he that now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of righteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they might all be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" [2 Thessalonians 2:2-4, 7-12].

     The confederacy of evil will not stand. The Lord says, "Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary" [Isaiah 8:9-14].

     Satan will use his agencies to carry out diabolical devices, to overpower the saints of God, as in time past he used the Roman power to stay the course of Protestantism, Yet the people of God can look calmly at the whole array of evil and come to the triumphant conclusion that, because Christ lives, we shall live also. The people of God are to advance in the same spirit in which Jesus met the assaults of the prince of darkness in the past. The evil confederacy can advance only in the course that Jesus allows. Every step of their advance brings the saints of God nearer the great white throne, nearer the successful termination of their warfare.

     The confederacy of evil will finally be destroyed, for the prophet [Malachi] says, "Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" [Malachi 4:1].

     Even of him whose heart was lifted up because of his beauty, who corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness, the Lord says, I will "bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more" [Ezekiel 28:18, 19].

     Christ reveals to His people the fearful conflict that they must meet before His second coming. Before the scenes of their bitter struggle are opened to them, they are reminded that their brethren also have drunk of the cup and [have] been baptized with the baptism. He who sustained these early witnesses to the truth will not forsake His people in the final conflict....

     To John were opened the great events of the future that were to shake the thrones of kings and cause all earthly powers to tremble. He beheld the close of all earthly scenes, the ushering in of His reign, who is to be King of kings, and whose kingdom shall endure forever. "Behold," he said, "He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him" [Revelation 1:7]. He saw Christ receiving the adoration of all the hosts of heaven, and heard the promise that whatever tribulation might come upon God's people, if they would but patiently endure, they would be more than conquerors through Him that loved them; and Jesus said to the overcomer, "I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels" [Revelation 3:5].

     John was now prepared to witness the thrilling scenes in the great conflict between those who keep the commandments of God and those who make void His law. He saw the wonderworking power arise that was to deceive all who should dwell upon the earth, who were not connected with God, "Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" [Revelation 13:14-17].

     The prophet heard the solemn warning against the worship of this blasphemous power: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name" [Revelation 14:9-11].

     Of the loyal and true, who do not bow to the decrees of earthly rulers against the authority of the King of heaven, the Revelator says, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" [Verse 12].

     "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth....And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God" [Revelation 14:1-4, 5].

     [Revelation 15:1-4 quoted].

     These lessons are for our benefit. We need to stay our faith in God, for there is just before us a time that will try men's souls.

     Christ upon the Mount of Olives rehearsed the fearful judgments that were to precede His second coming: "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars...Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famine, and pestilence, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginnings of sorrows" [Matthew 24:6-8]. While these prophecies received a partial fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more direct application in the last days.

     John was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place as signs of Christ's coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and men's hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth move out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled. He saw the vials of God's wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth.

     Already the restraining Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed, but, when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture....

     There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all who are living. The controversies of the past are to be revived. New controversies will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies. But God's servants are not to trust to themselves in this great emergency. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The world is not without a ruler. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of the nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own hands....When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when destruction shall come upon the wicked, His people have the assurance that they are safe in His hands. In patience they are to possess their souls.

     The important future is before us. To meet its trials and temptations and to perform its duties will require persevering faith. But we may triumph gloriously, for not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the enemy. All heaven is interested in our welfare, and awaits our demand upon its wisdom and strength.

     In the time of trial before us, God's pledge of security will be placed upon those who have kept the word of His patience. If you have complied with the conditions of God's Word, Christ will be to you a refuge from the storm. He will say to His faithful ones, "Come My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thee as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast" [Isaiah 26:20]. The Lion of Judah, so terrible to the rejecters of His grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful. The pillar of fire that speaks terror and wrath to the transgressor of God's law, is light and mercy and deliverance to those who have kept His commandments. The arm strong to smite the rebellious, will be strong to deliver the loyal. Every faithful one will surely be gathered. "He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" [Matthew 24:31].

     The adherents of truth are now called upon to choose whether to disregard a plain requirement of God's Word or forfeit their liberty. If we yield the Word of God, and accept human customs and traditions, we may still be permitted to live among men, to buy and sell, and have our rights respected. But, if we maintain our loyalty to God, it must be at the sacrifice of our rights among men, for the enemies of God's law have leagued together to crush out independent judgment in matters of religious faith, and to control the consciences of men. They are determined to put an end to the long continued controversy concerning the Sabbath, to prohibit all further spread of truth upon this point, and to secure the exaltation of Sunday in the very face of the injunction of the fourth commandment.

     The people of God will recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and will try by precept and example to teach obedience to it as a scared duty within its legitimate sphere. But, when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. The Word of God must be recognized as above all human legislation. "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church or the state." The crown of Christ is to be uplifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.

     The principle we are to uphold at this time is the same that was maintained by the adherents of the gospel in the great Reformation....The banner of truth and religious liberty, which these reformers held aloft, has in this last conflict been committed to us....

     It is possible to be a formal, partial believer, and yet be found wanting, and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you lack qualifications essential to Christian character. If you neglect or treat with indifference the warnings that God has given, if you cherish or excuse sin, you are sealing your soul's destiny. You will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. Grace, peace, and pardon will be forever withdrawn; and Jesus will have passed by, never again to come within the reach of your prayers and entreaties....

     God will hold men accountable who have the plain teachings of His word, but disregard them and accept the sayings and customs of men. And yet how many are doing this!...

     Ministers and people, with the Bible open before them, show contempt for the Word of God in His holy precepts, while they exalt a spurious sabbath, which has not other foundation than the authority of the Roman Church. Protestant churches, having received doctrines that the Word of God condemns, will bring these to the front and force them upon the consciences of men. Just as the papal authority urged their dogmas upon the advocates of truth in Luther's time. The same battle is again to be fought and every soul will be called upon to decide upon which side of the controversy he will be found....

     The great truth of our entire dependence upon Christ for salvation lies close to the error of presumption. Freedom in Christ is by thousands mistaken for lawlessness, and, because Christ came to release us from the condemnation of the law, men declare that the law itself is done away, and that those who keep it are fallen from grace. And thus, as truth and error appear so near akin, minds that are not guided by the Holy Spirit will be led to accept the error, and in so doing place themselves under the power of Satan's deceptions. In thus leading men to receive error for truth, Satan is working to secure the homage of the Protestant world.

     Why do not those who claim to believe the truth show by their actions that they are sanctified through the truth, and not conformed to the world? Why do they not come out from the world and be separate? The time for us to represent the self-denial, the purity and holiness of our religion is today. The time will soon pass when we can individually deny self daily, and take up the cross and follow Jesus....

     I am bowed to the earth with a weight of sorrow I cannot express....They have not the mark of God's people. They have not the meekness and lowliness of Christ, thus cannot shine as lights in the world. They conform to the world and their influence is the same character as that of the world.

     With such solemn truths as we are handling, with the signs fulfilling everywhere in our world to show that the end is near, the great crisis right upon us, the stupor, the lethargy, the pride and conformity to the world in dress and in spirit is most astonishing. Famines, pestilences, earthquakes, storms by land and sea, are putting out the lives of thousands, and this is only the beginning of that which is to come.