Chapter 3—Attitudes Toward the Testimonies
An Early Statement
I saw the state of some who stood on present truth, but disregarded
the visions—the way God had chosen to teach in some cases, those
who erred from Bible truth. I saw that in striking against the visions
they did not strike against the worm—the feeble instrument that God
spake through—but against the Holy Ghost. I saw it was a small thing
to speak against the instrument, but it was dangerous to slight the
words of God. I saw if they were in error and God chose to show them
their errors through visions, and they disregarded the teachings of God
through visions, they would be left to take their own way, and run in
the way of error, and think they were right, until they would find it out
too late. Then in the time of trouble I heard them cry to God in agony,
“Why didst Thou not show us our wrong, that we might have got right
and been ready for this time?” Then an angel pointed to them and said,
“My Father taught, but you would not be taught. He spoke through
visions, but you disregarded His voice, and He gave you up to your
own ways, to be filled with your own doings.”—Broadside,
To Those
Who Are Receiving the Seal of the Living God, January 31, 1849
.
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Safe Instruction for Closing Days
A wealth of moral influence has been brought to us in the last
half century. Through His Holy Spirit the voice of God has come to
us continually in warning and instruction, to confirm the faith of the
believers in the Spirit of prophecy. Repeatedly the word has come,
Write the things that I have given you to confirm the faith of My people
in the position they have taken. Time and trial have not made void the
instruction given, but through years of suffering and self-sacrifice have
established the truth of the testimony given. The instruction that was
given in the early days of the message is to be held as safe instruction to
follow in these its closing days. Those who are indifferent to this light
and instruction must not expect to escape the snares which we have
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