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Early Writings
who were free, rejoicing in God. The answer from them, as they
earnestly looked to heaven, and pointed upward, was, “Come out
from among them, and be separate.” I saw individuals struggling
for freedom, and at last they broke the cords that bound them. They
resisted the efforts which were made to fasten the cords tighter and
refused to heed the repeated assertions: “God is with us.” “We have
the truth with us.”
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Persons were continually leaving the companies that were in
darkness and joining the free company, who appeared to be in an
open field raised above the earth. Their gaze was directed upward,
the glory of God rested upon them, and they joyfully shouted His
praise. They were closely united and seemed to be wrapped in the
light of heaven. Around this company were some who came under
the influence of the light, but who were not particularly united to
the company. All who cherished the light shed upon them were
gazing upward with intense interest, and Jesus looked upon them
with sweet approbation. They expected Him to come and longed for
His appearing. They did not cast one lingering look to earth. But
again a cloud settled upon the waiting ones, and I saw them turn
their weary eyes downward. I inquired the cause of this change.
Said my accompanying angel, “They are again disappointed in their
expectations. Jesus cannot yet come to earth. They must endure
greater trials for His sake. They must give up errors and traditions
received from men and turn wholly to God and His Word. They
must be purified, made white, and tried. Those who endure that
bitter trial will obtain an eternal victory.”
Jesus did not come to the earth as the waiting, joyful company
expected, to cleanse the sanctuary by purifying the earth by fire. I
saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic pe-
riods; prophetic time closed in 1844, and Jesus entered the most
holy place to cleanse the sanctuary at the ending of the days. Their
mistake consisted in not understanding what the sanctuary was and
the nature of its cleansing. As I looked again at the waiting, disap-
pointed company, they appeared sad. They carefully examined the
evidences of their faith and followed down through the reckoning of
the prophetic periods, but could discover no mistake. The time had
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been fulfilled, but where was their Saviour? They had lost Him.