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Another Illustration
I was shown the interest which all heaven had taken in the work
going on upon the earth. Jesus commissioned a mighty angel to
descend and warn the inhabitants of the earth to prepare for His
second appearing. As the angel left the presence of Jesus in heaven,
an exceedingly bright and glorious light went before him. I was told
that his mission was to lighten the earth with his glory and warn
man of the coming wrath of God. Multitudes received the light.
Some of these seemed to be very solemn, while others were joyful
and enraptured. All who received the light turned their faces toward
heaven and glorified God. Though it was shed upon all, some merely
came under its influence, but did not heartily receive it. Many were
filled with great wrath. Ministers and people united with the vile
and stoutly resisted the light shed by the mighty angel. But all who
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received it withdrew from the world and were closely united with
one another.
Satan and his angels were busily engaged in seeking to attract
the minds of as many as possible from the light. The company who
rejected it were left in darkness. I saw the angel of God watching
with the deepest interest His professed people, to record the char-
acter which they developed as the message of heavenly origin was
presented to them. And as very many who professed love for Jesus
turned from the heavenly message with scorn, derision, and hatred,
an angel with a parchment in his hand made the shameful record. All
heaven was filled with indignation that Jesus should be thus slighted
by His professed followers.
I saw the disappointment of the trusting ones, as they did not
see their Lord at the expected time. It had been God’s purpose to
conceal the future and to bring His people to a point of decision.
Without the preaching of definite time for the coming of Christ, the
work designed of God would not have been accomplished. Satan
was leading very many to look far in the future for the great events
connected with the judgment and the end of probation. It was nec-
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