Nature and Influence of the “Testimonies”
603
“I saw that the reason why visions had not been more frequent of
late is, they have not been appreciated by the church. The church have
nearly lost their spirituality and faith, and the reproofs and warnings
have had but little effect upon them. Many of those who have professed
faith in them have not heeded them.” [
Testimonies for the Church
1:119
(1855).]
“If you lose confidence in the Testimonies you will drift away from
Bible truth. I have been fearful that many would take a questioning,
doubting position, and in my distress for your souls I would warn you.
How many will heed the warning? As you now hold the Testimonies,
should one be given crossing your track, correcting your errors, would
you feel at perfect liberty to accept or reject any part or the whole?
That which you will be least inclined to receive is the very part most
needed.” [
Testimonies for the Church 5:98
(1882).]
“My brethren, beware of the evil heart of unbelief. The word of
God is plain and close in its restrictions; it interferes with your selfish
indulgence; therefore you do not obey it. The Testimonies of His
Spirit call your attention to the Scriptures, point out your defects of
character, and rebuke your sins; therefore you do not heed them. And
to justify your carnal, ease-loving course you begin to doubt whether
the Testimonies are from God. If you would obey their teachings you
would be assured of their divine origin. Remember, your unbelief does
not affect their truthfulness. If they are from God they will stand.”
[
Testimonies for the Church 5:234
.]
“I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning,
encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from God’s
people. Unbelief is closing their eyes so that they are ignorant of
their true condition.” “They think the testimony of the Spirit of God in
reproof is uncalled for or that it does not mean them. Such are in the
greatest need of the grace of God and spiritual discernment, that they
[675]
may discover their deficiency in spiritual knowledge.” [
Testimonies
for the Church 3:255, 253, 254
(1873).]
“Many who have backslidden from the truth assign as a reason
for their course that they do not have faith in the Testimonies.... The
question now is: Will they yield their idol which God condemns, or
will they continue in their wrong course of indulgence and reject the
light God has given them reproving the very things in which they
delight? The question to be settled with them is: Shall I deny myself