Divine Rebuke for Ignoring Counsel
147
Brethren, God is in earnest with us. I want to tell you that if after
the warnings given in these burnings the leaders of our people go right
on, just as they have done in the past, exalting themselves, God will
take the bodies next. Just as surely as He lives, He will speak to them
in language that they cannot fail to understand.
God is watching us to see if we will humble ourselves before
Him as little children. I speak these words now that we may come
to Him in humility and contrition and find out what He requires of
us.—
Manuscript 11, 1903
.
A Fulfillment of Warnings—Today I received a letter from Elder
Daniells [General Conference president] regarding the destruction of
the Review office by fire. I feel very sad as I consider the great loss to
the cause. I know that this must be a very trying time for the brethren
in charge of the work and for the employees of the office. I am afflicted
with all who are afflicted. But I was not surprised by the sad news, for
in the visions of the night I have seen an angel standing with a sword as
of fire stretched over Battle Creek. Once, in the daytime while my pen
was in my hand, I lost consciousness, and it seemed as if this sword of
flame were turning first in one direction and then in another. Disaster
seemed to follow disaster [
Seventh-day Adventist fires in Battle Creek
destroyed not only the sanitarium building and the Review and Herald
factory but also the Haskell orphan home. And there were other fires
of less consequence. No more convincing disapproval of the status
quo could have been provided by the Master Overseer of the work than
these calamities.
] because God was dishonored by the devising of men
to exalt and glorify themselves....
[172]
Some time ago the brethren at the Review office asked my counsel
about the erection of another building. I then said that if those who
were in favor of adding another building to the Review and Herald
office had the future mapped out before them, if they could see what
would be in Battle Creek, they would have no question about putting
up another building there. God said: “My Word has been despised;
and I will turn and overturn.”
At the General Conference, held in Battle Creek in 1901, the Lord
gave His people evidence that He was calling for reformation. Minds
were convicted, and hearts were touched; but thorough work was not
done. If stubborn hearts had then broken in penitence before God,
there would have been seen one of the greatest manifestations of the