124
      
      
         Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White
      
      
        They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among
      
      
        God’s people.
      
      
        I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half
      
      
        heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church
      
      
        hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This
      
      
        testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will
      
      
        obey it, and be purified.
      
      
        Said the angel, “List ye!” Soon I heard a voice like many musical
      
      
        instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It
      
      
        surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy,
      
      
        compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole
      
      
        being. Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to
      
      
        the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown
      
      
        those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit.
      
      
        The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and
      
      
        they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They
      
      
        moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances
      
      
        expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing
      
      
        struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with
      
      
        severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven.
      
      
        They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest
      
      
        gratitude, and holy, sacred joy.
      
      
         [177]
      
      
        The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken
      
      
        out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join
      
      
        with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly
      
      
        plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind
      
      
        in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking
      
      
        hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed
      
      
        around them, but could have no power over them.
      
      
        I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with
      
      
        great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their
      
      
        husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had
      
      
        been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it.
      
      
        All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted
      
      
        to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was
      
      
        dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great
      
      
        change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from
      
      
        the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”