Seite 141 - Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 (1868)

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Chapter 25—Be Zealous and Repent
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
The Lord has shown me in vision some things concerning the
church in its present lukewarm state, which I will relate to you. The
church was presented before me in vision. Said the angel to the church:
“Jesus speaks to thee, ‘Be zealous and repent.’” This work, I saw,
should be taken hold of in earnest. There is something to repent of.
Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and covetousness have been eating
out the spirituality and life of God’s people.
The danger of God’s people for a few years past has been the
love of the world. Out of this have sprung the sins of selfishness and
covetousness. The more they get of this world, the more they set their
affections on it; and still they reach out for more. Said the angel: “It is
easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God.” Yet many who profess to believe that
we are having the last note of warning to the world, are striving with
all their energies to place themselves in a position where it is easier
for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for them to enter the
kingdom.
These earthly treasures are blessings when rightly used. Those
who have them should realize that they are lent them of God and should
cheerfully spend their means to advance His cause. They will not lose
their reward here. They will be kindly regarded by the angels of God
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and will also lay up a treasure in heaven.
I saw that Satan watches the peculiar, selfish, covetous temper-
ament of some who profess the truth, and he will tempt them by
throwing prosperity in their path, offering them the riches of earth.
He knows that if they do not overcome their natural temperament,
they will stumble and fall by loving mammon, worshiping their idol.
Satan’s object is often accomplished. The strong love of the world
overcomes, or swallows up, the love of the truth. The kingdoms of
the world are offered them, and they eagerly grasp their treasure and
think they are wonderfully prospered. Satan triumphs because his plan
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