Chapter 26—Preparation for Christ’s Coming
In the late vision given me at Battle Creek during our general
camp meeting, I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming
assimilated to the world rather than to the image of Christ. We are
now upon the very borders of the eternal world, but it is the purpose of
the adversary of souls to lead us to put far off the close of time. Satan
will in every conceivable manner assail those who profess to be the
commandment-keeping people of God and to be waiting for the second
appearing of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory. He will lead as many as possible to put off the evil day and
become in spirit like the world, imitating its customs. I felt alarmed as
I saw that the spirit of the world was controlling the hearts and minds
of many who make a high profession of the truth. Selfishness and
self-indulgence are cherished by them, but true godliness and sterling
integrity are not cultivated.
The angel of God pointed to those who profess the truth, and in a
solemn voice repeated these words: “And take heed to yourselves, lest
at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunken-
ness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be
accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man.”
In consideration of the shortness of time we as a people should
watch and pray, and in no case allow ourselves to be diverted from
the solemn work of preparation for the great event before us. Because
the time is apparently extended, many have become careless and
indifferent in regard to their words and actions. They do not realize
their danger and do not see and understand the mercy of our God in
lengthening their probation, that they may have time to form characters
for the future, immortal life. Every moment is of the highest value.
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Time is granted them, not to be employed in studying their own ease
and becoming dwellers on the earth, but to be used in the work of
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