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Darkness Before Dawn
meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false
teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared: “Ye know not the
Scriptures, neither the power of God.”
Mark 12:24
. The language of
the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless
a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the promise: “If any
man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”
John 7:17
. If men
would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to
mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that
would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ
thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error....
[39]
The Destiny of the World
We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history.
The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our
own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depend
upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by
the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire:
“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” We need to humble ourselves
before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon
His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now
seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a
moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around
us; we are on Satan’s enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God;
the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax
and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.
Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They con-
gratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit,
and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires
of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It is not enough
that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to answer His ex-
pectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable for their failure
to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through His
grace strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as
cumberers of the ground. Yet the case of even this class is not utterly
hopeless. With those who have slighted God’s mercy and abused His
grace, the heart of long-suffering love yet pleads. “Wherefore He saith,
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall