Our Safety Against Delusions
55
of the operation of the Holy Spirit that they would cry, “Beware of
fanaticism.” They would say of those who were filled with the Spirit,
“These men are full of new wine.”
The time is not far off now when men will want a much closer
relation to Christ, a much closer union with His Holy Spirit, than ever
they have had, or will have, unless they give up their will and their way,
and submit to God’s will and God’s way. The great sin of those who
profess to be Christians is that they do not open the heart to receive
the Holy Spirit. When souls long after Christ, and seek to become
one with Him, then those who are content with the form of godliness,
exclaim “Be careful, do not go to extremes.” When the angels of
heaven come among us, and work through human agents, there will be
solid, substantial conversions, after the order of the conversions after
the day of Pentecost.
Now brethren, be careful and do not go into or try to create human
excitement. But while we should be careful not to go into human
excitement, we should not be among those who will raise inquiries
and cherish doubts in reference to the work of the Spirit of God; for
there will be those who will question and criticize when the Spirit of
God takes possession of men and women, because their own hearts
are not moved, but are cold and unimpressible.—
Letter 27, 1894
.
[58]
Need for Understanding the Doctrine
Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall
be affected by it unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon
Christ. If men are so easily misled, how will they stand when Satan
shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by
his misrepresentations, professing to be Christ when it is only Satan
assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of
Christ? What will hold God’s people from giving their allegiance to
false christs? “Go ye not after them” (
Luke 21:8
).
The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to
teach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against
storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The decep-
tions will increase.—
Letter 1, 1897
.
Satan is now more earnestly engaged in playing the game of life
for souls than at any previous time; and unless we are constantly on