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The Story of Redemption
heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the
fallen churches. Many had come to years of accountability since
these messages had been given, and the light shone upon them, and
they were privileged to choose life or death. Some chose life and
took their stand with those who were looking for their Lord and
keeping all His commandments. The third message was to do its
work; all were to be tested upon it, and the precious ones were to be
called out from the religious bodies.
A compelling power moved the honest, while the manifestation
of the power of God brought a fear and restraint upon their unbeliev-
ing relatives and friends so that they dared not, neither had they the
power to, hinder those who felt the work of the Spirit of God upon
them. The last call was carried even to the poor slaves; and the pious
among them poured forth their songs of rapturous joy at the prospect
of their happy deliverance. [
Note
.—That there will be slavery at
the time of the second advent is made clear by the prophet John in
Revelation 6:15, 16
, in his vivid description of “every bondman,
and every free man” calling for the “mountains and rocks” to fall
on them and hide them “from the face of Him that sitteth on the
throne.”—Compilers.
] Their masters could not check them; fear and
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astonishment kept them silent. Mighty miracles were wrought, the
sick were healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers. God
was in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed
the convictions of his own conscience and united with those who
were keeping all the commandments of God; and with power they
sounded abroad the third message. I saw that this message will close
with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry.
Servants of God, endowed with power from on high, with their
faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to
proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all
through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious
were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of
Sodom before her destruction. God’s people were strengthened by
the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and
prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere
a multitude of voices saying, “Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus.”
Revelation 14:12
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