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Open and a Shut Door
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wife and two daughters were consumed by the fire sent down from
heaven. So in the days of Christ. The Son of God declared to the
unbelieving Jews of that generation, “Your house is left unto you
desolate.” [
Matthew 23:38
.] Looking down to the last days, the same
infinite power declares, concerning those who “received not the love
of the truth, that they might be saved,” “For this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they
all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure
in unrighteousness.” [
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
.] As they reject the
teachings of his word, God withdraws his Spirit, and leaves them to
the deceptions which they love.
But Christ still intercedes in man’s behalf, and light will be given
to those who seek it. Though this was not at first understood by
Adventists, it was afterward made plain as the scriptures which
define their true position began to open before them.
The passing of the time in 1844 was followed by a period of
great trial to those who still held the Advent faith. Their only relief,
so far as ascertaining their true position was concerned, was the
light which directed their minds to the sanctuary above. As has
been stated, Adventists were for a short time united in the belief
that the door of mercy was shut. This position was soon abandoned.
Some renounced their faith in their former reckoning of the prophetic
periods, and ascribed to human or Satanic agencies the powerful
influence of the Holy Spirit which had attended the Advent move-
ment. Another class firmly held that the Lord had led them in their
past experience; and as they waited and watched and prayed to know
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the will of God, they saw that their great High Priest had entered
upon another work of ministration, and, following him by faith, they
were led to understand also the closing work of the church, and were
prepared to receive and give to the world the warning of the third
angel of
Revelation 14
.
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