Just Hang In There, Jesus Is On His Way.

CHAPTER 32  (The Great Controversy)

The Shaking

I saw some with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God.  Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety, which expressed their internal struggle.  There were firmness and great earnestness expressed in their countenances, while large drops of perspiration rose upon their foreheads, and fell.  Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look settled upon them.

Evil angels crowded around them, pressing their darkness upon them, to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and they distrust God, and next murmur against him.  Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward.  Angels were having the charge over the people of God, and as the poisonous atmosphere from these evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the angels, which had the charge over them, were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness that surrounded them.

Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading.  They seemed indifferent and careless.  They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud.  The angels of God left them, and went to the aid of those earnest, praying ones.  I saw the angels of God hasten to the assistance of all those who were struggling with all their energies to resist those evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance.  But the angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.

As these praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, and encouraged their hearts, and lighted up their countenances.

I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen.  I was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true Witness to the Laodiceans.  It will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver of the testimony, and it will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.  This straight testimony some will not bear.  They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.

I saw that the testimony of the true Witness has not been half heeded.  The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded.  This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it, will obey it, and be purified.

Said the angel, List ye!  Soon I heard a voice that sounded like many musical instruments, all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious.  It surpassed any music I had ever heard.  It seemed to be so full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy.  It thrilled through my whole being.  Said the angel, Look ye!  My attention was then turned to the company I had seen before, who were mightily shaken.  I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping, and praying with agony of spirit.  I saw that the company of guardian angels around them had doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet.  They moved in exact order, firm like a company of soldiers.  Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through.  Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, shone now with the light and glory of heaven.  They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy.

The numbers of this company had lessened.  Some had been shaken out, and left by the way.  The careless and indifferent who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to agonize, persevere, and plead for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their numbers were immediately made up by others taking hold of the truth, and coming into the ranks.  Still the evil angels pressed around them, but they could have no power over them.

I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power.  It had effect.  I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents.  The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of the truth spoken.  All fear of their relatives was gone.  The truth alone was exalted to them.  It was dearer and more precious than life.  They had been hungering and thirsting for truth.  I asked what had made this great change.  An angel answered, It is the latter rain; the refreshing from the presence of the Lord; the loud cry of the third angel.

Great power was with these chosen ones.  Said the angel, Look ye!  My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers.  They were all astir.  The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them.  Confusion, confusion, was on every side.  I saw measures taken against this company, who were having the power and light of God.  Darkness thickened around them, yet there they stood, approved of God, and trusting in him.  I saw them perplexed.  Next I heard them crying unto God earnestly.  Through the day and night their cry ceased not.  I heard these words, Thy will, O God, be done!  If it can glorify thy name, make a way of escape for thy people!  Deliver us from the heathen round about us!  They have appointed us unto death; but thine arm can bring salvation.  These are all the words I can bring to mind.  They seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness, and manifested entire submission to the will of God.  Yet everyone, without an exception, was earnestly pleading, and wrestling like Jacob for deliverance.

Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy would have gone to their deliverance.  But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not.  Said he, The will of God is not yet fulfilled.  They must drink of the cup.  They must be baptized with the baptism.

Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth.  There was a mighty earthquake.  Buildings were shaken down, and fell on every side.  I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical and clear.  I looked upon this company who, a short time before were in such distress and bondage.  Their captivity was turned.  A glorious light shone upon them.  How beautiful they then looked.  All weariness and marks of care were gone.  Health and beauty were seen in every countenance.  Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead men.  They could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones.  This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company was changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory.  And the graves were opened and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying victory over death and the grave, and together with the living saints, were caught up to meet their Lord in the air; while the rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue, and proceeding from every sanctified, holy lip.

See Psalms chap.86; Hosea 6:3; Haggai 2:21-23; Matthew 10:35-39, 20:23; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1Thessalonians 4:14-18; Revelation 3:14-22

Psa 86:1  A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. 

Psa 86:2  Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 

Psa 86:3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. 

Psa 86:4  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 

Psa 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 

Psa 86:6  Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 

Psa 86:7  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. 

Psa 86:8  Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. 

Psa 86:9  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. 

Psa 86:10  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 

Psa 86:11  Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 

Psa 86:12  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 

Psa 86:13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. 

Psa 86:14  O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. 

Psa 86:15  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 

Psa 86:16  O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 

Psa 86:17  Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. 

Hos 6:3  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. 

Hag 2:21  Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; 

Hag 2:22  And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. 

Hag 2:23  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Mat 10:35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 

Mat 10:36  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 

Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 

Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 

Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 

Act 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 

Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

Don't Love Material Things More Than Spiritual Things.

CHAPTER 31  (The Great Controversy)

Covetousness

I saw Satan and his angels consulting together.  He bade his angels go and lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ's second appearing, and who were keeping all God's commandments.  Satan told his angels that the churches were all asleep.  He would increase his power and lying wonders, and he could hold them.  But the sect of Sabbath-keepers we hate.  They are continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects, to keep that hated law of God.

Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares.  If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we have them yet.  They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than the success of Christ's kingdom, or the spread of the truths we hate.  Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it.  We must keep all the means in our ranks we can.  The more means they have, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting our subjects.  And as they appoint meetings in different places, then we are in danger.  Be very vigilant then.  Cause all the distraction you can.  Destroy love for each other.  Discourage and dishearten their ministers; for we hate them.  Hold up every plausible excuse to those that have means, lest they hand it out.  Control the money matters if you can, and drive their ministers to want, and distress.  This will weaken their courage and zeal.  Battle every inch of ground.  Make covetousness and love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their character.  As long as these traits rule, salvation and grace stand back.  Crowd all you can around them to attract them, and they will be surely ours.  Not only are we sure of them, but their hateful influence will not be exercised toward others to lead them to heaven.  And those who shall attempt to give, put within them a grudging disposition, that it may be sparingly.

I saw that Satan carried out his plans well.  And as the servants of God appointed meetings, Satan and his angels understood their business, and were on the ground to hinder the work of God, and he was constantly putting suggestions into the minds of God's people.  Some he leads in one way, and some in another, always taking advantage of evil traits in the brethren and sisters, exciting and stirring up their natural besetments.  If they are disposed to be selfish and covetous, Satan is well pleased to take his stand by their side, and then with all his power he seeks to lead them to manifest their besetting sins.  If the grace of God and the light of truth melt away these covetous, selfish feelings for a little, and they do not obtain entire victory over them, when they are not under a saving influence, Satan comes in and withers up every noble, generous principle, and they think that they have to do too much.  They become weary of well-doing and forget all about the great sacrifice Jesus made for them, to redeem them from the power of Satan, and hopeless misery.

Satan took advantage of Judas' covetous, selfish disposition, and led him to murmur against the ointment Mary dedicated to Jesus.  Judas looked upon it as a great waste; it might have been sold and given to the poor.  He cared not for the poor, but considered the liberal offering to Jesus extravagant.  Judas prized his Lord just enough to sell him for a few pieces of silver.  And I saw that there were some like Judas among those who profess to be waiting for their Lord.  Satan has the control over them, but they know it not.  Not a particle of covetousness or selfishness can God approbate.  He hates it, and he despises the prayers and exhortations of those who possess it.  As Satan sees his time is short, he leads them on to be more and more selfish, more and more covetous, and then exults as he sees them wrapt up in themselves, close, penurious and selfish.  If the eyes of such could be opened, they would see Satan in hellish triumph, exulting over them, and laughing at the folly of those who accept his suggestions, and enter his snares.  Then he and his angels take the mean and covetous acts of these individuals, and present them to Jesus and the holy angels, and reproachfully say, These are Christ's followers!  They are getting ready to be translated!  Satan marks their deviating course, and then compares it with the Bible, with passages which plainly rebuke such things, and then presents it to annoy the heavenly angels, saying, These are following Christ and his word!  These are the fruits of Christ's sacrifice and redemption!  Angels turn in disgust from the scene.  God requires a constant doing on the part of his people, and when they become weary of well and generous doing, he becomes weary of them.  I saw that God was greatly displeased with the least manifestation of selfishness on the part of his professed people, for whom Jesus has not spared his own precious life.  Every selfish, covetous individual will fall out by the way.  Like Judas, who sold his Lord, they will sell good principles, and a noble, generous disposition for a little of earth's gain.  All such will be sifted out from God's people.  Those who want heaven, must, with every energy they possess, be encouraging the principles of heaven.  And instead of their souls withering up with selfishness, they should be expanding with benevolence, and every opportunity should be improved in doing good to one another, and increasing and growing more and more into the principles of heaven.  Jesus was held up to me as the perfect pattern.  His life was without selfish interest, and was marked with disinterested benevolence.

See Mark 14:3-11; Luke 12:15-40; Colossians 3:5-16; 1John 2:15-17

Mar 14:3  And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 

Mar 14:4  And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 

Mar 14:5  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 

Mar 14:6  And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 

Mar 14:7  For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 

Mar 14:8  She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 

Mar 14:9  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. 

Mar 14:10  And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 

Mar 14:11  And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. 

Luk 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 

Luk 12:16  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 

Luk 12:17  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 

Luk 12:18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 

Luk 12:19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 

Luk 12:20  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 

Luk 12:21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 

Luk 12:22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 

Luk 12:23  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 

Luk 12:24  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 

Luk 12:25  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 

Luk 12:26  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 

Luk 12:27  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Luk 12:28  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

Luk 12:29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 

Luk 12:30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 

Luk 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Luk 12:33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 

Luk 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

Luk 12:35  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 

Luk 12:36  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 

Luk 12:37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 

Luk 12:38  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 

Luk 12:39  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 

Luk 12:40  Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 

Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

Col 3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 

Col 3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 

Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

Spiritualism

CHAPTER 30   (The Great Controversy)

Spiritualism

I saw the rapping delusion.  Satan has power to bring the appearance of forms before us purporting to be our relatives and friends that now sleep in Jesus.  It will be made to appear as if they were present, the words they uttered while here, which we were familiar with, will be spoken, and the same tone of voice which they had while living will fall upon the ear.  All this is to deceive the world, and ensnare them into the belief of this delusion.

I saw that the saints must have a thorough understanding of the present truth, which they will have to maintain from the Scriptures.  They must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to them, professing to be beloved friends and relatives, who will declare to them unscriptural doctrines.  They will do all in their power to excite sympathy, and work miracles before them, to confirm what they declare.  The people of God must be prepared to withstand these spirits with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they are the spirits of devils.

I saw that we must examine well the foundation of our hope, for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures; for we shall see this delusion spreading, and we shall have to contend with it face to face.  And unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome.  But if we do what we can on our part to be ready for the conflict that is just before us, God will do his part, and his all-powerful arm will protect us.  He would sooner send every angel out of glory to make a hedge about faithful souls, than that they should be deceived and led away by the lying wonders of Satan.

I saw the rapidity with which this delusion was spreading.  A train of cars was shown me, going with the speed of lightning.  The angel bade me look carefully.  I fixed my eyes upon the train.  It seemed that the whole world was on board.  Then he showed me the conductor, who looked like a stately fair person, whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced.  I was perplexed, and asked my attending angel who it was.  Said he, It is Satan.  He is the conductor in the form of an angel of light.  He has taken the world captive.  They are given over to strong delusions, to believe a lie that they may be damned.  His agent, the next highest in order to him, is the engineer, and others of his agents are employed in different offices as he may need them, and they are all going with lightning speed to perdition.  I asked the angel if there were none left.  He bade me look in an opposite direction, and I saw a little company traveling a narrow pathway.  All seemed to be firmly united, and bound together by the truth.

This little company looked care-worn, as though they had passed through severe trials and conflicts.  And it seemed as if the sun had just appeared from behind the cloud, and shone upon their countenances, and caused them to look triumphant, as though their victories were nearly won.

I saw that the Lord had given the world opportunity to discover the snare.  This one thing was evidence enough for the Christian if there were no other.  There is no difference made between the precious and the vile.

Thomas Paine, whose body has mouldered to dust, and who is to be called forth at the end of the 1000 years, at the second resurrection, to receive his reward, and suffer the second death, is purported by Satan to be in heaven, and highly exalted there.  Satan used him on earth as long as he could, and now he is carrying on the same work through pretensions of having Thomas Paine so much exalted and honored; and as he taught on earth, Satan is making it appear that he is teaching in heaven.  And some on earth who have looked with horror at his life and death, and his corrupt teachings while living, now submit to be taught by him who was one of the vilest and most corrupt of men; one who despised God and his law.

He who is the father of lies, blinds and deceives the world by sending his angels forth to speak for the apostles, and make it appear that they contradict what they wrote when on earth, which was dictated by the Holy Ghost.  These lying angels make the apostles to corrupt their own teachings and declare them to be adulterated.  By so doing he can throw professed Christians, who have a name to live and are dead, and all the world, into uncertainty about the word of God; for that cuts directly across his track, and is likely to thwart his plans.  Therefore he gets them to doubt the divine origin of the Bible, and then sets up the infidel Thomas Paine, as though he was ushered into heaven when he died, and with the holy apostles whom he hated on earth, is united, and appears to be teaching the world.

Satan assigns each one of his angels their part to act.  He enjoins upon them to be cunning, artful and sly.  He instructs some of them to act the part of the apostles, and speak for them, while others are to act out infidels and wicked men who died cursing God, but now appear to be very religious.  There is no difference made between the most holy apostles and the vilest infidel.  They are both made to teach the same thing.  It matters not who Satan makes to speak, if his object is only accomplished.  He was so intimately connected with Paine upon earth, and so aided him, that it is an easy thing for him to know the very words he used, and the very hand-writing of one of his devoted children who served him so faithfully, and accomplished his purposes so well.  Satan dictated much of his writings, and it is an easy thing for him to dictate sentiments through his angels now, and make it appear that it comes through Thomas Paine, who was his devoted servant while he lived.  But this is the masterpiece of Satan.  All this teaching purporting to be from apostles, and saints, and wicked men who have died, comes directly from his Satanic majesty.

This should be enough to remove the vail from every mind and discover unto all the dark, mysterious works of Satan; -- that he has got one whom he loved so well, and who hated God so perfectly, with the holy apostles and angels in glory: virtually saying to the world and infidels, No matter how wicked you are; no matter whether you believe in God or the Bible, or disbelieve; live as you please, heaven is your home; -- for everyone knows that if Thomas Paine is in heaven, and so exalted, they will surely get there.  This is so glaring that all may see if they will.  Satan is doing now what he has been trying to do since his fall, through individuals like Thomas Paine.  He is, through his power and lying wonders, tearing away the foundation of the christians' hope, and putting out their sun that is to lighten them in the narrow way to heaven.  He is making the world believe that the Bible is no better than a story-book, uninspired, while he holds out something to take its place; namely, Spiritual Manifestations!

Here is a channel wholly devoted to himself, under his control, and he can make the world believe what he will.  The Book that is to judge him and his followers, he puts back into the shade, just where he wants it.  The Saviour of the world he makes to be no more than a common man; and as the Roman guard that watched the tomb of Jesus, spread the false and lying report that the chief priests and elders put in their mouth, so will the poor, deluded followers of these pretended spiritual manifestations, repeat, and try to make it appear, that there is nothing miraculous about our Saviour's birth, death and resurrection; and they put Jesus with the Bible, back into the shade, where they want him, and then get the world to look to them and their lying wonders and miracles, which they declare far exceed the works of Christ.  Thus the world is taken in the snare, and lulled to security; not to find out their awful deception, until the seven last plagues are poured out.  Satan laughs as he sees his plan succeed so well, and the whole world in the snare.

See Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 11:1-45; 2Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:3-14

 Ecc 9:5  For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 

Joh 11:1  Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 

Joh 11:2  (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 

Joh 11:3  Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 

Joh 11:4  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 

Joh 11:5  Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 

Joh 11:6  When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 

Joh 11:7  Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 

Joh 11:8  His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 

Joh 11:9  Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 

Joh 11:10  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 

Joh 11:11  These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 

Joh 11:12  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 

Joh 11:13  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 

Joh 11:14  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 

Joh 11:15  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 

Joh 11:16  Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 

Joh 11:17  Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 

Joh 11:18  Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 

Joh 11:19  And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 

Joh 11:20  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 

Joh 11:21  Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 

Joh 11:22  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 

Joh 11:23  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 

Joh 11:24  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

Joh 11:27  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 

Joh 11:28  And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 

Joh 11:29  As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 

Joh 11:30  Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 

Joh 11:31  The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 

Joh 11:32  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 

Joh 11:33  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 

Joh 11:34  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 

Joh 11:35  Jesus wept. 

Joh 11:36  Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 

Joh 11:37  And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 

Joh 11:38  Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 

Joh 11:39  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 

Joh 11:40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 

Joh 11:41  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 

Joh 11:42  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 

Joh 11:43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 

Joh 11:44  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 

Joh 11:45  Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 

2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

Rev 13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 

Rev 13:6  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

Rev 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear. 

Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 

Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 

Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 

Rev 13:14  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 a sword, and did live. 

A Firm Foundation.

CHAPTER 29  (The Great Controversy)

A Firm Platform

I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, and would give no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body.  God looked upon them with approbation.  I was shown three steps -- one, two and three -- the first, second and third angels' messages.  Said the angel, Woe to him who shall move a block, or stir a pin in these messages.  The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance.  The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.  I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience.  It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict.  Step by step had God brought them along, until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.  Then I saw individuals as they approached the platform, before stepping upon it examine the foundation.  Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it.  Others commenced to find fault with the laying of the foundation of the platform.  They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier.  Some stepped off the platform and examined it, then found fault with it, declaring it to be laid wrong.  I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted others who had stepped off to cease their complaints, for God was the master builder, and they were fighting against him.  They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union nearly all raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God.  This affected some of those who had complained, and left the platform, and again they with humble look stepped upon it.

I was pointed back to the proclamation of the first advent of Christ.  John was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming.  Those who rejected the testimony of John were not benefited by the teachings of Jesus.  Their opposition to the proclamation of his first advent placed them where they could not readily receive the strongest evidence of his being the Messiah.  Satan led on those who rejected the message of John to go still further, to reject Jesus and crucify him.  In doing this, they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly Sanctuary.  The rending of the vail of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received.  The great Sacrifice had been offered, and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly Sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by his own blood, and shed upon his disciples the benefits of his atonement.  The Jews were left in complete deception and total darkness.  They lost all the light they might have had upon the plan of salvation, and still trusted in their useless sacrifices and offerings.  They could not be benefited by the mediation of Christ in the Holy place.  The heavenly Sanctuary had taken the place of the earthly, yet they had no knowledge of the way to the heavenly.

Many look with horror at the course the Jews pursued toward Jesus in rejecting and crucifying him.  And as they read the history of his shameful abuse, they think they love Christ, and would not have denied him like Peter, or crucified him like the Jews.  But God who has witnessed their professed sympathy for his Son, has proved them, and has brought to the test that love which they professed for Jesus.

All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the message.  But many who profess to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, instead of receiving the message with gladness, are stirred with anger, and deride the good news of Jesus' coming, and declare it to be delusion.  They would not fellowship those who loved his appearing, but hated them, and shut them out of the churches.  Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second, and were not benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary.  And by rejecting the two former messages, they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the Most Holy place.  I saw that the nominal churches, as the Jews crucified Jesus, had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the move made in heaven, or of the way into the Most Holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there.  Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left, and Satan, pleased with the deception of the professed followers of Christ, fastens them in his snare, and assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed christians to himself, and works with his power, his signs and lying wonders.  Some he deceives in one way and some in another.  He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds.  Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another.  Satan deceives some with Spiritualism.  He also comes as an angel of light, and spreads his influence over the land.  I saw false reformations everywhere.  The churches were elated, and considered that God was marvelously working for them, when it was another spirit.  It will die away and leave the world and the church in a worse condition than before.

I saw that God had honest children among the nominal Adventists, and the fallen churches, and ministers and people will yet be called out from these churches, before the plagues shall be poured out, and they will gladly embrace the truth.  Satan knows this, and before the loud cry of the third angel, raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think God is with them.  He hopes to deceive the honest, and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches.  But the light will shine, and every one of the honest ones will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.

See Matthew chap.3; Acts chap.2; 2Corinthians 11:14; 2Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 14:6-12

Mat 3:1  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 

Mat 3:2  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

Mat 3:3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 

Mat 3:4  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 

Mat 3:5  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 

Mat 3:6  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 

Mat 3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 

Mat 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 

Mat 3:9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 

Mat 3:10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 

Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 

Mat 3:13  Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 

Mat 3:14  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 

Mat 3:15  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 

Mat 3:16  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 

Mat 3:17  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

Act 2:5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 

Act 2:6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 

Act 2:7  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 

Act 2:8  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 

Act 2:9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 

Act 2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 

Act 2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 

Act 2:12  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 

Act 2:13  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 

Act 2:14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 

Act 2:15  For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 

Act 2:16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 

Act 2:17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 

Act 2:18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 

Act 2:19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 

Act 2:20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 

Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Act 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 

Act 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 

Act 2:24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 

Act 2:25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 

Act 2:26  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 

Act 2:27  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Act 2:28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 

Act 2:29  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 

Act 2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 

Act 2:31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 

Act 2:32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 

Act 2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 

Act 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 

Act 2:35  Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 

Act 2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 

Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 

Rev 14:9  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, 

Rev 14:10  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: 

Rev 14:11  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. 

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.