Desolation of the Earth
545
become rich toward God. The result is, their lives are a failure; their
pleasures are now turned to gall, their treasures to corruption. The
gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment. The rich bemoan the
destruction of their grand houses, the scattering of their gold and silver.
But their lamentations are silenced by the fear that they themselves
are to perish with their idols.
The wicked are filled with regret, not because of their sinful neglect
of God and their fellow men, but because God has conquered. They
lament that the result is what it is; but they do not repent of their
wickedness. They would leave no means untried to conquer if they
could.
The world see the very class whom they have mocked and derided,
and desired to exterminate, pass unharmed through pestilence, tempest,
and earthquake. He who is to the transgressors of His law a devouring
fire, is to His people a safe pavilion.
The minister who has sacrificed truth to gain the favor of men now
discerns the character and influence of his teachings. It is apparent
that the omniscient eye was following him as he stood in the desk, as
he walked the streets, as he mingled with men in the various scenes
of life. Every emotion of the soul, every line written, every word
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uttered, every act that led men to rest in a refuge of falsehood, has
been scattering seed; and now, in the wretched, lost souls around him,
he beholds the harvest.
Saith the Lord: “They have healed the hurt of the daughter of My
people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” “With
lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not
made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not
return from his wicked way, by promising him life.”
Jeremiah 8:11
;
Ezekiel 13:22
.
“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My
pasture! ... Behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings.”
“Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes,
ye principal of the flock: for your days for slaughter and of your
dispersions are accomplished; ... and the shepherds shall have no way
to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.”
Jeremiah 23:1, 2
;
25:34, 35
, margin.
Ministers and people see that they have not sustained the right
relation to God. They see that they have rebelled against the Author of