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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity, I will
mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation,
and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish
cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;
they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated
knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; they would none
of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat
of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For
the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of
fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell
safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
[62]
Perilous Times
The unbelieving world will soon have something to think of beside
their dress and appearance; and as their minds are torn from these
things by distress and perplexity, they have nothing to turn to. They
are not prisoners of hope, and therefore do not turn to the Strong Hold.
Their hearts will fail them for repining and fear. They have not made
God their refuge, and he will not be their consolation then, but will
laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They have
despised and trampled upon the truths of God’s word. They have
indulged in extravagant dress, and have spent their lives in hilarity and
glee, They have sown to the wind, they must reap the whirlwind.
In the time of distress and perplexity of nations there will be many
who have not given themselves wholly to the corrupting influences of
the world and the service of Satan, who will humble themselves before
God, and turn to him with their whole heart and find acceptance and
pardon.
Those among Sabbath-keepers who have been unwilling to make
any sacrifice, but have yielded to the influence of the world, are to
be tested and proved. The perils of the last days are upon us, and a
trial is before the young which they have not anticipated. They are
to be brought into most distressing perplexity. The genuineness of
their faith will be proved. They profess to be looking for the coming
of the Son of man, yet some of them have been miserable examples
to unbelievers. They have not been willing to give up the world, but
have united with them, have attended picnics, and other gatherings of