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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
the righteous example of their father Abraham, and would have done
the works of Abraham.
This has been the danger of the people of God in all ages; and
especially is this the danger of those living near the close of time.
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We are cited by the apostle to the unbelief, blindness, rebellion, and
repeated sins of the Hebrews, as a warning. Paul plainly states that “all
these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
If, in these last days of peril, for the encouragement of persons in
responsible positions, God in mercy gives them a testimony of favor,
they frequently become lifted up, and lose sight of their frailties and
weaknesses, and rely upon their own judgment, flattering themselves
that God cannot accomplish his work without their especial aid. They
trust in their own wisdom; and the Lord permits them, for a time, to
apparently prosper, to reveal the weakness and folly of the natural
heart. But the Lord will, in his own time, and in his own way, bring
down the pride and folly of these deceived ones, and show to them their
true condition. If they will accept the humiliation, and by confession
and sincere repentance, turn unto the Lord, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God, he will renew his love to them. But if they shut their eyes
to their own sins, as did the Jews, and choose their own ways, the Lord
will give them up to blindness of mind, and hardness of heart, that they
cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God.
God cannot do much for man, because he misinterprets his bless-
ings, and concludes that he is favored on account of some goodness in
himself. It is not safe to speak in the praise of mortals; for they cannot
bear it. Satan has the special work to do of flattering poor souls, and
he needs not the help of the Lord’s servants in this matter. How few
realize the weakness of human nature and the subtlety of Satan. Many
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in these last days are preparing themselves for affliction and sorrow, or
for complete separation from the favor of God, because of their pride
and self-righteousness. They will fall through self-exaltation.
The prophet John impressed upon the people the necessity of their
profession being accompanied with good works. Their words and
actions would be their fruit, and would determine the character of the
tree. If their works were evil, the truth of God would testify against
them. God would in no wise excuse sin in a people who had been
enlightened, even if he had, in their days of faithfulness and purity,