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The Story of Redemption
Wherever the message of truth was proclaimed, the most hum-
ble and devoted in the churches were the first to receive it. Those
who studied the Bible for themselves could but see the unscriptural
character of the popular views of prophecy, and wherever the peo-
ple were not deceived by the efforts of the clergy to misstate and
pervert the faith, wherever they would search the Word of God for
themselves, the advent doctrine needed only to be compared with
the Scriptures to establish its divine authority.
Many were persecuted by their unbelieving brethren. In order
to retain their position in the church, some consented to be silent in
regard to their hope, but others felt that loyalty to God forbade them
thus to hide the truths which He had committed to their trust. Not
a few were cut off from the fellowship of the church for no other
reason than expressing their belief in the coming of Christ. Very
precious to those who bore the trial of their faith were the words of
the prophet, “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My
name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but He shall appear to
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your joy, and they shall be ashamed.”
Isaiah 66:5
.
Angels of God were watching with the deepest interest the result
of the warning. When the churches as a body rejected the message,
angels turned away from them in sadness. Yet there were in the
churches many who had not yet been tested in regard to the advent
truth. Many were deceived by husbands, wives, parents, or children,
and were made to believe it a sin even to listen to such heresies as
were taught by the Adventists. Angels were bidden to keep faithful
watch over these souls; for another light was yet to shine upon them
from the throne of God.
Preparing to Meet the Lord
With unspeakable desire those who had received the message
watched for the coming of their Saviour. The time when they ex-
pected to meet Him was at hand. They approached this hour with
a calm solemnity. They rested in sweet communion with God, an
earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter.
None who experienced this hope and trust can forget those precious
hours of waiting. Worldly business was for the most part laid aside
for a few weeks. Believers carefully examined every thought and