Preparing for the Final Crisis
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pleading the promise, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will
I do” (
John 14:13
). It is a perilous time now. If this land of boasted
liberty is preparing to sacrifice every principle which enters into her
Constitution, making decrees to suppress religious freedom, and for
the enforcing of papal falsehood and delusion, then the people of God
need to present their petitions in faith to the Most High. There is every
encouragement, in the promises of God, for those who put their trust in
Him. The prospect of being brought into personal danger and distress,
need not cause despondency, but should quicken the vigor and hopes
of God’s people; for the time of their peril is the season for God to
grant them clearer manifestations of His power.
We are not to sit in calm expectancy of oppression and tribulation,
and fold our hands, doing nothing to avert the evil. Let our united cries
be sent up to heaven. Pray and work, and work and pray. But let none
act rashly. Learn as never before that you must be meek and lowly in
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heart. You must not bring a railing accusation against any, whether
individuals or churches. Learn to deal with minds as Christ did. Sharp
things must sometimes be spoken; but be sure that the Holy Spirit of
God is abiding in your heart before you speak the clear-cut truth; then
let it cut its way. You are not to do the cutting.
Not to Unite With the World
There is to be no compromise with those who make void the law of
God. It is not safe to rely upon them as counselors. Our testimony is
not to be less decided now than formerly; our real position is not to be
cloaked in order to please the world’s great men. They may desire us to
unite with them and accept their plans, and may make propositions in
regard to our course of action which may give the enemy an advantage
over us. “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people
shall say, A confederacy” (
Isaiah 8:12
). While we should not seek
for controversy, and should not needlessly offend, we must present
the truth clearly and decidedly, and stand firm to what God has taught
us in His Word. You are not to look to the world in order to learn
what you shall write and publish or what you shall speak. Let all your
words and works testify, “We have not followed cunningly devised
fables” (
2 Peter 1:16
). “We have also a more sure word of prophecy;