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The Great Controversy 1888
And a writer in the Religious Telescope testified: “We have never
witnessed such a general declension as at present. Truly, the church
should awake, and search into the cause of this affliction; for an af-
fliction every one that loves Zion must view it. When we call to mind
how few and far between cases of true conversion are, and the almost
unparalleled impenitence and hardness of sinners, we almost involun-
tarily exclaim, ‘Has God forgotten to be gracious? or is the door of
mercy closed?’”
Such a condition never exists without cause in the church itself.
The spiritual darkness which falls upon nations, upon churches and
individuals, is due, not to an arbitrary withdrawal of the succors of
divine grace on the part of God, but to neglect or rejection of divine
light on the part of men. A striking illustration of this truth is presented
in the history of the Jewish people in the time of Christ. By their
devotion to the world and forgetfulness of God and his Word, their
understanding had become darkened, their hearts earthly and sensual.
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Thus they were in ignorance concerning Messiah’s advent, and in their
pride and unbelief they rejected the Redeemer. God did not even then
cut off the Jewish nation from a knowledge of, or a participation in,
the blessings of salvation. But those who rejected the truth lost all
desire for the gift of Heaven. They had “put darkness for light, and
light for darkness,” until the light which was in them became darkness;
and how great was that darkness!
It suits the policy of Satan, that men should retain the forms of
religion, if but the spirit of vital godliness is lacking. After their
rejection of the gospel, the Jews continued zealously to maintain their
ancient rites, they rigorously preserved their national exclusiveness,
while they themselves could not but admit that the presence of God
was no longer manifest among them. The prophecy of Daniel pointed
so unmistakably to the time of Messiah’s coming, and so directly
foretold his death, that they discouraged its study, and finally the
rabbis pronounced a curse on all who should attempt a computation
of the time. In blindness and impenitence, the people of Israel for
eighteen hundred years have stood, indifferent to the gracious offers
of salvation, unmindful of the blessings of the gospel, a solemn and
fearful warning of the danger of rejecting light from Heaven.
Wherever the cause exists, the same results will follow. He who
deliberately stifles his convictions of duty because it interferes with