We are living in most solemn times. The gospel in the Old and New Testaments is not to be contemplated from a narrow, single aspect, as one or two men, or even many men may view it. How large, how broad, how extensive, is the gospel! I have been writing upon this subject for years, and have much written that I cannot now place in shape to be handled. I have had but a trifle of editing done for one year. I speak the things, and write the things, that burden my soul, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. I must work; I must watch; I must pray; I must consider nothing in a narrow, contracted style. The Lord Jesus in his instruction was pleased to fashion character after the divine likeness. SpTA07 52.1
Truth and error are both in the field, striving for the mastery. The champions of truth will have a fierce conflict. “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.” The warning comes, and the directions are repeated, “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.” All that the Lord has told you, it devolves on you to do. No one need be deceived, if he will make the word of God his study. How little is the book of Revelation studied! It is a hidden mystery to the religious world; and why?—Because the events not pleasant for consideration, are so faithfully traced by the prophetic pen; and people who are in any way troubled about the matter are soothed by their shepherds, with the statement that the Revelation cannot be understood. But it is to be understood; for it especially concerns us who are living in these last days. Read Revelation 1:1-3. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Read the last chapter of Revelation carefully and prayerfully. What significance there is in the statements of this chapter! “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” This is the most effectual teaching that can be given in the church built for the Sanitarium, and this testimony is to be given in all the churches. Wherever there is an opportunity to reach the people, the attention should be called from the earthly to the heavenly. “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” We are to voice the words of the angel. SpTA07 52.2
We are not to drift into worldly channels. Consider the cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Christ's ministry, and at the close of his life, his personal labors in the guise of humanity. Whom did he find intent on gain? The Jews had made the courts of the temple a scene of sacrilegious traffic. They had turned the ancient and sacred institution of the Passover into a means of vile profit. They bartered deep, turning the once sacred service instituted by Christ himself, into a worship of mammon. But Christ came suddenly into the temple courts; divinity flashed through humanity, and, raising a whip of small cords in his hands, with a voice that they will hear again in the execution of the judgment, he said, “Take these things hence.” “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” These priests and rulers saw as it were an avenging angel with a flaming sword, such as guarded the way to the tree of life. SpTA07 54.1
Today this sacrilegious work is being more than repeated. There will be messages borne; and those who have rejected the messages God has sent, will hear most startling declarations. The Holy Spirit will invest the announcement with a sanctity and solemnity which will appear terrible in the ears of those who have heard the pleadings of infinite love, and have not responded to the offers of pardon and forgiveness. Injured and insulted Deity will speak, proclaiming the sins that have been hidden. As the priests and rulers, full of indignation and terror, sought refuge in flight at the last scene of the cleansing of the temple, so will it be in the work for these last days. The woes that will be pronounced upon those that have had light from heaven, and yet did not heed it, they will feel, but will have no power to act. This is represented in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. They cannot obtain a character from the wise virgins, and they have no oil of grace to discern the clear light or to accept it. They cannot light their lamps and join the procession that goes in to the marriage supper of the Lamb. SpTA07 54.2
Study the Revelation in connection with Daniel; for history will be repeated. We must be true and faithful amid the abounding iniquity that prevails. At no period of time are we in such danger as when prosperity seems to crown our efforts. Self must be hidden in God. We are living amid the perils of the last days, and many are insensible to the perils that threaten our world. We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know. “Watch, and pray,” said Jesus, “for ye know not when the time is.” “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Repentance is not a desirable emotion. Christ said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The right eye is to be plucked out; the right hand is to be cut off. There is hidden depravity that needs to be carefully considered and uprooted. God help us individually to purify our souls by obeying the truth. SpTA07 55.1