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fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last
great
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conflict。 To every soul will come the searching test： Shall I obey God
rather than men？ The decisive hour is even now at hand。 Are our feet planted
on the rock of God's immutable word？ Are we prepared to stand firm in
defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus？
Before His crucifixion the Saviour explained to His disciples that He was to
be put to death and to rise again from the tomb； and angels were present to
impress His words on minds and hearts。 But the disciples were looking for
temporal deliverance from the Roman yoke； and they could not tolerate the
thought that He in whom all their hopes centered should suffer an
ignominious death。 The words which they needed to remember were banished
from their minds； and when the time of trial came； it found them unprepared。
The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not
forewarned them。 So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as
plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ。 The events
connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the
time of trouble； are clearly presented。 But multitudes have no more
understanding of these important truths than if they had never been
revealed。 Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them
wise unto salvation； and the time of trouble will find them unready。
When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as
proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven； He requires every
person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message。 The fearful
judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image
（Revelation 14：9…11）； should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies
to learn what the mark of the beast is； and how they are to avoid receiving
it。 But the masses of the people turn away their ears from hearing the truth
and are turned unto fables。 The apostle Paul declared； looking down to the
last days： 〃The time will come when they will not
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endure sound doctrine。〃 2 Timothy 4：3。 That time has fully come。 The
multitudes do not want Bible truth； because it interferes with the desires
of the sinful； world…loving heart； and Satan supplies the deceptions which
they love。
But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible； and the
Bible only； as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms。
The opinions of learned men； the deductions of science； the creeds or
decisions of ecclesiastical councils； as numerous and discordant as are the
churches which they represent； the voice of the majoritynot one nor all of
these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious
faith。 Before accepting any doctrine or precept； we should demand a plain
〃Thus saith the Lord〃 in its support。
Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of
God。 He leads the people to look to bishops； to pastors； to professors of
theology； as their guides； instead of searching the Scriptures to learn
their duty for themselves。 Then； by controlling the minds of these leaders；
he can influence the multitudes according to his will。
When Christ came to speak the words of life； the common people heard Him
gladly； and many； even of the priests and rulers； believed on Him。 But the
chief of the priesthood and the leading men of the nation were determined to
condemn and repudiate His teachings。 Though they were baffled in all their
efforts to find accusations against Him； though they could not but feel the
influence of the divine power and wisdom attending His words； yet they
incased themselves in prejudice； they rejected the clearest evidence of His
Messiahship； lest they should be forced to become His disciples。 These
opponents of Jesus were men whom the people had been taught from infancy to
reverence； to whose authority they had been accustomed implicitly to bow。
〃How is it；〃 they asked； 〃that our rulers and learned scribes do not believe
on Jesus？ Would not these pious men receive Him if He were
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the Christ？〃 It was the influence of such teachers that led the Jewish
nation to reject their Redeemer。
The spirit which actuated those priests and rulers is still manifested by
many who make a high profession of piety。 They refuse to examine the
testimony of the Scriptures concerning the special truths for this time。
They point to their own numbers； wealth； and popularity； and look with
contempt upon the advocates of truth as few； poor； and unpopular； having a
faith that separates them from the world。
Christ foresaw that the undue assumption of authority indulged by the
scribes and Pharisees would not cease with the dispersion of the Jews。 He
had a prophetic view of the work of exalting human authority to rule the
conscience； which has been so terrible a curse to the church in all ages。
And His fearful denunciations of the scribes and Pharisees； and His warnings
to the people not to follow these blind leaders； were placed on record as an
admonition to future generations。
The Roman Church reserves to the clergy the right to interpret the
Scriptures。 On the ground that ecclesiastics alone are competent to explain
God's word； it is withheld from the common people。＇* SEE APPENDIX NOTE FOR
PAGE 340。＇ Though the Reformation gave the Scriptures to all； yet the
selfsame principle which was maintained by Rome prevents multitudes in
Protestant churches from searching the Bible for themselves。 They are taught
to accept its teachings as interpreted by the church； and there are
thousands who dare receive nothing； however plainly revealed in Scripture；
that is contrary to their creed or the established teaching of their church。
Notwithstanding the Bible is full of warnings against false teachers； many
are ready thus to commit the keeping of their souls to the clergy。 There are
today thousands of professors of religion who can give no other reason for
points of faith which they hold than that they were so instructed by their
religious leaders。 They pass by the Saviour's teachings almost
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unnoticed； and place implicit confidence in the words of the ministers。 But
are ministers infallible？ How can we trust our souls to their guidance
unless we know from God's word that they are light bearers？ A lack of moral
courage to step aside from the beaten track of the world leads many to
follow in the steps of learned men； and by their reluctance to investigate
for themselves； they are becoming hopelessly fastened in the chains of
error。 They see that the truth for this time is plainly brought to view in
the Bible； and they feel the power of the Holy Spirit attending its
proclamation； yet they allow the opposition of the clergy to turn them from
the light。 Though reason and conscience are convinced； these deluded souls
dare not think differently from the minister； and their individual judgment；
their eternal interests； are sacrificed to the unbelief； the pride and
prejudice； of another。
Many are the ways by which Satan works through human influence to bind his
captives。 He secures multitudes to himself by attaching them by the silken
cords of affection to those who are enemies of the cross of Christ。 Whatever
this attachment may be； parental； filial； conjugal； or social； the effect is
the same； the opposers of truth exert their power to control the conscience；
and the souls held under their sway have not sufficient courage or
independence to obey their own convictions of duty。
The truth and the glory of God are inseparable； it is impossible for us；
with the Bible within our reach； to honor God by erroneous opinions。 Many
claim that it matters not what one believes； if his life is only right。 But
the life is molded by the faith。 If light and truth is within our reach； and
we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it； we virtually
reject it； we are choosing darkness rather than light。
〃There is a way that seemeth r