Prophetic Preaching that Arrests Attention
177
own words were few; he made the Scriptures themselves explain the
truth to the people. After giving them the truth, Elder-----would draw
an expression of opinion from his congregation. “Now,” he would say,
“those who see the truth of what I am saying, raise your hands”; and
in response many hands would be raised. I can only poorly represent
to you the interest his work has created.—
Letter 400, 1906
.
[198]
Modern Attitude Toward Prophetic Truth—As of old, the plain
testimony of God’s Word was met with the inquiry, “Have any of the
rulers or of the Pharisees believed?” And finding how difficult a task it
was to refute the arguments drawn from the prophetic periods, many
discouraged the study of the prophecies, teaching that the prophetic
books were sealed, and were not to be understood. Multitudes, trusting
implicitly to their pastors, refused to listen to the warning; and others,
though convinced of the truth, dared not confess it, lest they should
be “put out of the synagogue.” The message which God had sent for
the testing and purification of the church, revealed all too surely how
great was the number who had set their affections on this world rather
than upon Christ. The ties which bound them to earth were stronger
than the attractions heavenward. They chose to listen to the voice of
worldly wisdom, and turned away from the heartsearching message of
truth.—
The Great Controversy, 380
(1888).
Familiar With Every Line of Prophetic History—Young men
who desire to give themselves to the ministry, or who have already
done so, should become familiar with every line of prophetic history.—
Gospel Workers, 98
(1915).
Increased Light on the Prophecies—Increased light will shine
upon all the grand truths of prophecy, and they will be seen in freshness
and brilliancy, because the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness
will illuminate the whole.
Do we believe that we are coming to the crisis, that we are living
in the very last scenes of the earth’s history? Will we now awaken and
do the work which this time calls for, or will we wait till the things
which I have presented come upon us?—
Manuscript 18, 1888
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[199]
Prophecies Already Made Plain—The Lord wants all to under-
stand His providential dealings now, just now, in the time in which
we live. There must be no long discussions, presenting new theories
in regard to the prophecies which God has already made plain. Now
the great work from which the mind should not be diverted is the