Death, Not Eternal Life in Misery
79
Satan should increase, the copies of this Book were to be so multiplied,
that all who desired it might have a copy of God’s revealed will to
man, and, if they would, might arm themselves against the deceptions
and lying wonders of Satan.
I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible, yet learned men,
when the copies were few, had changed the words in some instances,
thinking that they were making it more plain, when they were mys-
tifying that which was plain, in causing it to lean to their established
views, governed by tradition. But I saw that the word of God, as a
whole, is a perfect chain, one portion of scripture explaining another.
True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the word of God
plain and simple in declaring the way to life, but the Holy Spirit is
given to guide in understanding the way of life revealed in his Word.
I saw that the angels of God were never to control the will. God
sets before man life and death. He can have his choice. Many desire
[118]
life, but continue to walk in the broad road, because they have not
chosen life.
I saw the mercy and compassion of God in giving his Son to die for
guilty man. Those who will not choose to accept salvation which has
been so dearly purchased for them, must be punished. Beings whom
God created have chosen to rebel against his government; but I saw
that God did not shut them up in hell to endure endless misery. He
could not take them to heaven; for to bring them into the company
of the pure and holy would make them perfectly miserable. God will
not take them to heaven, neither will he cause them to suffer eternally.
He will destroy them utterly, and cause them to be as though they
had not been, and then his justice will be satisfied. He formed man
out of the dust of the earth, and the disobedient and unholy will be
consumed by fire, and return to dust again. I saw that the benevolence
and compassion of God in this, should lead all to admire his character,
and to adore him; and after the wicked shall be destroyed from off the
earth, all the heavenly host will say, Amen!
Satan looked with great satisfaction upon those who professed the
name of Christ, and were closely adhering to these delusions formed by
himself. His work is to still form new delusions. His power increases,
and he grows more artful. He led on his representatives, the popes and
[119]
the priests, to exalt themselves, and to stir up the people to bitterly
persecute those who loved God, and were not willing to yield to his