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Fitted for Translation, December 27
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory
that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4
.
God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them up to different points
calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure at one point, but fall off at
the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer. If the
professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work, it should
convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, if they would not be spewed
out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: “God will bring His work closer and
closer to test and prove every one of His people.” Some are willing to receive one
point; but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and
stand back, because they find that it strikes directly at some cherished idol. Here
they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus. They prize
something higher than the truth, and their hearts are not prepared to receive Jesus.
Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their
idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness.... Those who come up to every
point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the
counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted
for translation.
God proves His people in this world. This is the fitting-up place to appear in
His presence. Here, in this world, in these last days, persons will show what power
affects their hearts and controls their actions. If it is the power of divine truth, it
will lead to good works. It will elevate the receiver, and make him noblehearted and
generous, like His divine Lord. But if evil angels control the heart, it will be seen in
various ways. The fruit will be selfishness, covetousness, pride, and evil passions.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Professors of
religion are not willing to closely examine themselves to see whether they are in
the faith; and it is a fearful fact that many are leaning on a false hope.... They seem
to think that a profession of the truth will save them. When they subdue those sins
which God hates, Jesus will come in and sup with them and they with Him. They
will then draw divine strength from Jesus, and will grow up in Him, and be able
with holy triumph to say: “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ” (
Testimonies for the Church 1:187, 188
).
The third angel is leading up a people, step by step, higher and higher. At every
step they will be tested (
Testimonies for the Church 1:190
).
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