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The Great Controversy 1888
Heaven themselves, and those who were entering in, they hindered.
The blood of these souls will be required at their hand.
The most humble and devoted in the churches were usually the first
to receive the message. Those who studied the Bible for themselves
could not but see the unscriptural character of the popular views of
prophecy, and wherever the people were not controlled by the influ-
ence of the clergy, wherever they would search the Word of God for
themselves, the Advent doctrine needed only to be compared with the
Scriptures to establish its divine authority.
Many were persecuted by their unbelieving brethren. In order
to retain their position in the church, some consented to be silent in
regard to their hope; but others felt that loyalty to God forbade them
thus to hide the truths which he had committed to their trust. Not a
few were cut off from the fellowship of the church for no other reason
than expressing their belief in the coming of Christ. Very precious to
those who bore this trial of their faith were the words of the prophet,
“Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake,
said, Let the Lord be glorified. But he shall appear to your joy, and
they shall be ashamed.” [
Isaiah 66:5
.]
Angels of God were watching with the deepest interest the result
of the warning. When there was a general rejection of the message
by the churches, angels turned away in sadness. Yet there were many
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who had not yet been tested in regard to the Advent truth. Many were
misled by husbands, wives, parents, or children, and were made to
believe it a sin even to listen to such heresies as were taught by the
Adventists. Angels were bidden to keep faithful watch over these
souls; for another light was yet to shine upon them from the throne of
God.
With unspeakable desire those who had received the message
watched for the coming of their Saviour. The time when they ex-
pected to meet him was at hand. They approached this hour with a
calm solemnity. They rested in sweet communion with God, an earnest
of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter. None who
experienced this hope and trust can forget those precious hours of
waiting. For some weeks preceding the time, worldly business was
for the most part laid aside. The sincere believers carefully examined
every thought and emotion of their hearts as if upon their death-beds
and in a few hours to close their eyes upon earthly scenes. There