Forgetfulness
115
through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers
of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast
unto the end; while it is said,
Today if ye will hear His voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that
came out of Egypt by Moses.”
Hebrews 3:12-16
.
Cannot we who are living in the time of the end realize the impor-
tance of the apostle’s words: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any
of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God”?
Verse 12
.
Upon us is shining the accumulated light of past ages. The record
of Israel’s forgetfulness has been preserved for our enlightenment. In
this age God has set His hand to gather unto Himself a people from
every nation, kindred, and tongue. In the advent movement He has
wrought for His heritage, even as He wrought for the Israelites in
leading them from Egypt. In the great disappointment of 1844 the
faith of His people was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red
Sea. Had the Adventists in the early days still trusted to the guiding
[116]
Hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have
seen of the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the
work of 1844 had received the third angel’s message and proclaimed it
in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily
with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the
world. Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned,
the closing work would have been completed, and Christ would have
come for the redemption of His people.
The Message for this Time
I have been instructed to trace words of warning for our brethren
and sisters who are in danger of losing sight of the special work for
this time. The Lord has made us depositaries of sacred truth. We are
to arise and shine. In every land we are to herald the second coming
of Christ, in the language of the revelator proclaiming: “Behold, He