Answer to Prayer
37
in the heart, and soon the word will be spoken to the angels of God
concerning you, as was given concerning Eli’s house, that your sins
shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever. Many, I saw,
were flattering themselves that they were good Christians, who have
not a single ray of light from Jesus. They know not what it is to be
renewed by the grace of God. They have no living experience for
themselves in the things of God. And I saw that the Lord was whetting
his sword in heaven to cut them down. Oh! that every lukewarm
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professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make
among his professed people. Dear friends, do not deceive yourselves
concerning your condition. You cannot deceive God. Says the true
Witness, “I know thy works.” The third angel is leading up a people,
step by step, higher and higher. At every step they will be tested.
Houses of Worship
I saw that many feel at liberty to use the means freely that is lent
them of God, for their own convenience in fitting up pleasant homes
here; but when they build a house in which to worship the great God,
who inhabiteth eternity, they cannot afford to let the Lord have the use
of the means he has lent them. Each is not striving to excel the other
in showing his gratitude to God for the truth, by doing all he can to
prepare a suitable place of worship; but some are trying to do just as
little as possible; and they feel that their means is as good as lost which
they spend in preparing a place for the Most High to visit them. Such
an offering is lame, and not acceptable to God. I saw that it would be
much more pleasing to God if his people would show as much wisdom
in preparing a house for him, as they do in their own dwellings.
The sacrifices and offerings of the children of Israel were com-
manded to be without blemish or spot, the best of the flock, and every
one of the children of Israel shared in that work. The work before us
will be extensive. If you build a house for God, do not offend and limit
him in casting in your lame offerings. Put the very best offering into
a house built for God. Let it be the very best you have, and show an
interest to have it convenient and comfortable. Some think time is so
short it is no matter. Then carry out the same in your dwellings, and in
all your worldly arrangements.