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destroyed； their faith receives such a shock that it becomes well…nigh
impossible for them to be impressed by the great truths of prophecy。
The preaching of a definite time for the judgment； in the giving of the
first message； was ordered by God。 The computation of the prophetic periods
on which that message was based； placing the close of the 2300 days in the
autumn of
1844； stands without impeachment。 The repeated efforts to
find new dates for the beginning and close of the prophetic periods； and the
unsound reasoning necessary to sustain these positions； not only lead minds
away from the present truth； but throw contempt upon all efforts to explain
the prophecies。 The more frequently a definite time is set for the second
advent； and the more widely it is taught； the better it suits the purposes
of Satan。 After the time has passed； he excites ridicule and contempt of its
advocates； and thus casts reproach upon the great advent movement of 1843
and 1844。 Those who persist in this error will at last fix upon a date too
far in the future for the coming of Christ。 Thus they will be led to rest in
a false security； and many will not be undeceived until it is too late。
The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past
experience of the Adventist body。 God led His people in the advent movement；
even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt。 In the great
disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red
Sea。 Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in
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their past experience； they would have seen the salvation of God。 If all who
had labored unitedly in the work in 1844； had received the third angel's
message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit； the Lord would
have wrought mightily with their efforts。 A flood of light would have been
shed upon the world。 Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been
warned； the closing work completed； and Christ would have come for the
redemption of His people。
It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the
wilderness； He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and
establish them there； a holy； happy people。 But 〃they could not enter in
because of unbelief。〃 Hebrews 3：19。 Because of their backsliding and
apostasy they perished in the desert； and others were raised up to enter the
Promised Land。 In like manner； it was not the will of God that the coming of
Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years
in this world of sin and sorrow。 But unbelief separated them from God。 As
they refused to do the work which He had appointed them； others were raised
up to proclaim the message。 In mercy to the world； Jesus delays His coming；
that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a
shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out。
Now as in former ages； the presentation of a truth that reproves the sins
and errors of the times will excite opposition。 〃Everyone that doeth evil
hateth the light； neither cometh to the light； lest his deeds should be
reproved。〃 John 3：20。 As men see that they cannot maintain their position by
the Scriptures； many determine to maintain it at all hazards； and with a
malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand in
defense of unpopular truth。 It is the same policy which has been pursued in
all ages。 Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel； Jeremiah a
traitor； Paul a polluter of the temple。 From that day to this； those who
would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious；
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heretical； or schismatic。 Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the
sure word of prophecy will receive with unquestioning credulity an
accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins。 This spirit
will increase more and more。 And the Bible plainly teaches that a time is
approaching when the laws of the state will so conflict with the law of God
that whosoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and
punishment as an evildoer。
In view of this； what is the duty of the messenger of truth？ Shall he
conclude that the truth ought not to be presented； since often its only
effect is to arouse men to evade or resist its claims？ No； he has no more
reason for withholding the testimony of God's word； because it excites
opposition； than had earlier Reformers。 The confession of faith made by
saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding generations。
Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down to
inspire courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for God。
They received grace and truth； not for themselves alone； but that； through
them； the knowledge of God might enlighten the earth。 Has God given light to
His servants in this generation？ Then they should let it shine forth to the
world。
Anciently the Lord declared to one who spoke in His name： 〃The house of
Israel will not hearken unto thee； for they will not hearken unto Me。〃
Nevertheless He said： 〃Thou shalt speak My words unto them； whether they
will hear； or whether they will forbear。〃 Ezekiel 3：7； 2：7。 To the servant
of God at this time is the command addressed： 〃Lift up thy voice like a
trumpet； and show My people their transgression； and the house of Jacob
their sins。〃
So far as his opportunities extend； everyone who has received the light of
truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the prophet
of Israel； to whom the word of the Lord came； saying： 〃Son of man； I have
set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel； therefore thou shalt hear
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the word at My mouth； and warn them from Me。 When I say unto the wicked； O
wicked man； thou shalt surely die； if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked
from his way； that wicked man shall die in his iniquity； but his blood will
I require at thine hand。 Nevertheless； if thou warn the wicked of his way to
turn from it； if he do not turn from his way； he shall die in his iniquity；
but thou hast delivered thy soul。〃 Ezekiel 33：7…9。
The great obstacle both to the acceptance and to the promulgation of truth
is the fact that it involves inconvenience and reproach。 This is the only
argument against the truth which its advocates have never been able to
refute。 But this does not deter the true followers of Christ。 These do not
wait for truth to become popular。 Being convinced of their duty； they
deliberately accept the cross； with the apostle Paul counting that 〃our
light affliction； which is but for a moment； worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory；〃 with one of old； 〃esteeming the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt。〃 2
Corinthians 4：17； Hebrews 11：26。
Whatever may be their profession； it is only those who are world servers at
heart that act from policy rather than principle in religious things。 We
should choose the right because it is right； and leave consequences with
God。 To men of principle； faith； and daring； the world is indebted for its
great reforms。 By such men the work of reform for this time must be carried
forward。
Thus saith the Lord： 〃Hearken unto Me； ye that know righteousness； the
people in whose heart is My law； fear ye not the reproach of men； neither be
ye afraid of their revilings。 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment；
and the worm shall eat them like wool： but My righteousness shall be
forever； and My salvation from generation to generation。〃 Isaiah 51：7； 8。
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Chapter 27
Modern Revivals
Wherever the word of God has been faithfully preached； results have followed
that attested its divine origin。 The Spirit of God accompanied the message
of His servants； and the word was with power。 Sinners felt their consciences
quickened。 The 〃light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world〃
illumined the secret chambers of their souls； and the hidden things of
da