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Arouse to Action, December 3
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of
man.
Luke 21:36
.
I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming assimilated to the world rather
than to the image of Christ. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world,
but it is the purpose of the adversary of souls to lead us to put far off the close of
time. Satan will in every conceivable manner assail those who profess to be the
commandment-keeping people of God and to be waiting for the second appearing
of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will lead as
many as possible to put off the evil day and become in spirit like the world, imitating
its customs. I felt alarmed as I saw that the spirit of the world was controlling the
hearts and minds of many who make a high profession of the truth. Selfishness and
self-indulgence are cherished by them, but true godliness and sterling integrity are
not cultivated.
The angel of God pointed to those who profess the truth, and in a solemn voice
repeated these words: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts
be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that
day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell
on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may
be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man.”
In consideration of the shortness of time we as a people should watch and pray,
and in no case allow ourselves to be diverted from the solemn work of preparation
for the great event before us. Because the time is apparently extended, many have
become careless and indifferent in regard to their words and actions. They do
not realize their danger and do not see and understand the mercy of our God in
lengthening their probation, that they may have time to form characters for the
future, immortal life. Every moment is of the highest value. Time is granted them,
not to be employed in studying their own ease and becoming dwellers on the earth,
but to be used in the work of overcoming every defect in their own characters and in
helping others, by example and personal effort, to see the beauty of holiness. God
has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of
fast-fulfilling prophecy and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth,
that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear....
The signs foretold in prophecy are fast fulfilling around us. This should arouse every
true follower of Christ to zealous action (
Testimonies for the Church 4:306, 307
).
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