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The Great Controversy
time of trial came, it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as
fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not forewarned them. So in the
prophecies the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened
to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the
close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble,
are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding
of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan
watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise
unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready.
When God sends to men warnings so important that they are rep-
resented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven,
He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the
message. The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the
beast and his image (
Revelation 14:9-11
), should lead all to a diligent
study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and
how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people turn
away their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables. The
apostle Paul declared, looking down to the last days: “The time will
come when they will not endure sound doctrine.”
2 Timothy 4:3
. That
[595]
time has fully come. The multitudes do not want Bible truth, because it
interferes with the desires of the sinful, world-loving heart; and Satan
supplies the deceptions which they love.
But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible,
and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of
all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science,
the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and
discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the
majority—not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for
or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine
or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in its
support.
Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the
place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors,
to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the
Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves. Then, by controlling the
minds of these leaders, he can influence the multitudes according to
his will.