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First Angel’s Message
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listened in breathless silence to the solemn words. Heaven and earth
seemed to approach each other. The power of God would be felt
upon old and young and middle-aged. Men sought their homes with
praises upon their lips, and the glad sound rang out upon the still
night air. None who attended those meetings can ever forget those
scenes of deepest interest.
Opposition
The proclamation of a definite time for Christ’s coming called
forth great opposition from many of all classes, from the minister in
the pulpit down to the most reckless, heaven-daring sinner. “No man
knoweth the day nor the hour!” was heard alike from the hypocritical
minister and the bold scoffer. They closed their ears to the clear
and harmonious explanation of the text by those who were pointing
to the close of the prophetic periods and to the signs which Christ
Himself had foretold as tokens of His advent.
Many who professed to love the Saviour declared that they had
no opposition to the preaching of His coming; they merely objected
to the definite time. God’s all-seeing eye read their hearts. They did
not wish to hear of Christ’s coming to judge the world in righteous-
ness. They had been unfaithful servants, their works would not bear
the inspection of the heart-searching God, and they feared to meet
their Lord. Like the Jews at the time of Christ’s first advent, they
were not prepared to welcome Jesus. Satan and his angels exulted
and flung the taunt in the face of Christ and holy angels, that His
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professed people had so little love for Him that they did not desire
His appearing.
Unfaithful watchmen hindered the progress of the work of God.
As the people were roused, and began to inquire the way of salvation,
these leaders stepped in between them and the truth, seeking to quiet
their fears by falsely interpreting the Word of God. In this work
Satan and unconsecrated ministers united, crying, Peace, peace,
when God had not spoken peace. Like the Pharisees in Christ’s day,
many refused to enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, and those
who were entering in they hindered. The blood of these souls will
be required at their hand.