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Prove All Things, December 10
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15
.
In the work in which my husband and I were called by the providence of God
to act a part, even from its very beginning in 1843 and 1844, we have had the Lord
to devise and plan for us, and He has worked out His plans through His living
agents. False paths have been so often pointed out to us, and the true and safe paths
so clearly defined in all the enterprises connected with the work given us to do, that
I can say of a truth I am not ignorant of Satan’s devices, nor of the ways and works
of God. We have had to tax every power of mind, relying upon wisdom from God
to guide us in our investigations, as we have had to review the different theories
brought to our attention, weighing their merits and defects in the light shining
from the Word of God and the things God has revealed to me through His Word
and the testimonies, in order that we might not be deceived nor deceive others. We
surrendered our will and way to God, and most earnestly supplicated His aid; and
we never sought in vain. Many years of painful experience in connection with the
work of God have made me acquainted with all kinds of false movements. Many
times I have been sent to different places with the message, “I have a work for
you to do in that place; I will be with you.” When the occasion came, the Lord
gave me a message for those who were having false dreams and visions, and in
the strength of Christ I bore my testimony at the Lord’s bidding....
During the past forty-five years, I have had to meet persons claiming to have
from God messages of reproof to others. This phase of religious fanaticism has
sprung up again and again since 1844. Satan has worked in many ways to establish
error. Some things spoken in these visions came to pass; but many things—in
regard to the time of Christ’s coming, the end of probation, and the events to take
place—proved utterly false....
“Take heed therefore how ye hear” (
Luke 8:18
), is an admonition of Christ....
Examine closely, “prove all things” (
1 Thessalonians 5:21
).... This is the counsel
of God; shall we heed it?
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