Great Distress Coming, and God’s People Not Prepared For It
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I saw that those who profess to believe the truth should be right
themselves, and exert all their influence to enlighten and win others to
the truth. Their words and works are the channel through which the
pure principles of truth and holiness are conveyed to the world. They
are the salt of the earth, and the light thereof. I saw that in looking
Heavenward we shall see light and peace, but in looking to the world
we shall see that every refuge must soon fail us, and every good soon
pass away. There is no help for us but in God, and in this state of
earth’s confusion we cannot be composed, strong, or safe, only in
the strength of living faith; nor can we be in peace, only as we rest
in God, and wait for his salvation. Greater light shines upon us than
shone upon our fathers. We cannot be accepted or honored of God in
rendering the same service, or doing the same works, our fathers have
done. In order to be accepted and blessed of God as our fathers were,
we must imitate their faithfulness and zeal,—improve our light as they
improved theirs,—and do as they would have done if they had lived in
our day. We must improve and walk in the light which shines upon us,
otherwise our light will become darkness. God requires us to exhibit
to the world, in our character and works, that measure of the Spirit,
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union, and oneness, which are in accordance with the sacred truths we
profess, and the spirit of those prophecies that are being fulfilled in
these last days. The truth which has reached our understanding, the
light that has shone on the soul, will judge and condemn us, if we turn
away and refuse to be led by them.
What shall I say to arouse the remnant people of God? I was shown
that dreadful scenes are before us, and Satan and his angels are bringing
all their powers to bear upon God’s people. He knows if they sleep a
little longer he is sure of them, for their destruction is certain. I warn
all who profess the name of Christ to closely examine themselves, and
make full and thorough confessions of all their wrongs, and let them
go beforehand to judgment, that opposite their names the recording
angel may write, Pardon. If these precious, merciful moments are not
improved, you are left without excuse. If you will make no special
effort to arouse, if you will not manifest zeal in repenting, these golden
moments will soon pass, and you will be weighed in the balance and
found wanting, and then your agonizing cries will be of no avail.
“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand,
and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all my counsel, and