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A Time of Trial Before Us
A season of great trial is before us. It becomes us now to use
all our capabilities and gifts in advancing the work of God. The
powers the Lord has given us are to be used to build up, not to tear
down. Those who are ignorantly deceived are not to remain in this
condition. The Lord says to His messengers: Go to them and declare
unto them what I have said, whether they will hear, or whether they
will forbear.
The time is right upon us when persecution will come to those
who proclaim the truth. The outlook is not flattering; but, notwith-
standing this, let us not give up our efforts to save those ready to
perish, for whose ransom the Prince of heaven offered up His pre-
cious life. When one means fails, try another. Our efforts must
not be dead and lifeless. As long as life is spared, let us work for
God. In all ages of the church God’s appointed messengers have
exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth’s sake.
But wherever God’s people may be forced to go, even though, like
the beloved disciple, they are banished to desert islands, Christ will
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know where they are and will strengthen and bless them, filling them
with peace and joy.
Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes every-
one to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. With earnestness
and fervor the message must be given: “Ho, everyone that thirsteth,
come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy,
and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without
price.”
Isaiah 55:1
. “Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do
justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to
be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the Son of man
that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and
keepeth his hand from doing any evil.”
Isaiah 56:1, 2
.
God’s love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage
is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but
such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good.
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