Nature and Influence of the “Testimonies”
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wisdom, until, overwhelmed with trials and confused with perplexity,
they are ensnared by Satan. When you gather up the rays of light
which God has given in the past, then will He give an increase of light.
“I referred them to ancient Israel. God gave them His law, but they
would not obey it. He then gave them ceremonies and ordinances, that,
in the performance of these, God might be kept in remembrance. They
were so prone to forget Him and His claims upon them that it was
necessary to keep their minds stirred up to realize their obligations to
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obey and honor their Creator. Had they been obedient and loved to keep
God’s commandments, the multitude of ceremonies and ordinances
would not have been required.
“If the people who now profess to be God’s peculiar treasure would
obey His requirements, as specified in His word, special testimonies
would not be given to awaken them to their duty and impress upon
them their sinfulness and their fearful danger in neglecting to obey the
word of God. Consciences have been blunted because light has been
set aside, neglected, and despised....
“One stood by my side and said: ‘God has raised you up and has
given you words to speak to the people and to reach hearts as He has
given to no other one. He has shaped your testimonies to meet cases
that are in need of help. You must be unmoved by scorn, derision,
reproach, and censure. In order to be God’s special instrument you
should lean to no one, but hang upon Him alone and, like the clinging
vine, let your tendrils entwine about Him. He will make you a means
through which to communicate His light to the people. You must daily
gather strength from God in order to be fortified, that your surroundings
may not dim or eclipse the light that He has permitted to shine upon
His people through you. It is Satan’s special object to prevent this light
from coming to the people of God, who so greatly need it amid the
perils of these last days.
“‘Your success is in your simplicity. As soon as you depart from
this and fashion your testimony to meet the minds of any, your power
is gone. Almost everything in this age is glossed and unreal. The world
abounds in testimonies given to please and charm for the moment and
to exalt self. Your testimony is of a different character. It is to come
down to the minutiae of life, keeping the feeble faith from dying and
pressing home upon believers the necessity of shining as lights in the
world.