Preaching on Nonimmortality
Delay Presentation of Objectionable Features—Great wisdom
should be used in the presentation of a truth that comes directly in
opposition to the opinions and practices of the people. Paul’s habit was
to dwell upon the prophecies when with the Jewish people, and bring
them down step by step, and then after some time open the subject of
Christ as the true Messiah.
I have been shown that our ministers go too rapidly through their
subjects and bring the most objectionable features of our faith too
early into their effort. There are truths that will not involve so great
a cross, that should be kept before their minds, day after day and
even weeks before the Sabbath and immortality questions are entered
upon. Then you gain the confidence of the people as being men who
have clear, forcible arguments, and they think you understand the
Scriptures. When once the confidence of the people is gained, then
it is time enough to introduce publicly the Sabbath and immortality
questions.
But men who are not wise advance these questions too soon, and
thus close the ears of the people, when with greater care and more
faith and aptness and wisdom they could have carried them along step
by step through the important events in the prophecies and in dwelling
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upon practical subjects in the teachings of Christ.—
Letter 48, 1886
.
One of the Great Delusions—Every species of delusion is now
being brought in. The plainest truths of God’s Word are covered with a
mass of man-made theories. Deadly errors are presented as the truth to
which all must bow. The simplicity of true godliness is buried beneath
tradition.
The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul is one error with
which the enemy is deceiving man. This error is well-nigh universal....
This is one of the lies forged in the synagogue of the enemy, one of
the poisonous drafts of Babylon. “All nations have drunk of the wine of
the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed
fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich
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