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Sabbath question？ But few believe as you do。 It cannot be that you are right
and that all the men of learning in the world are wrong。〃
To refute such arguments it was needful only to cite the teachings of the
Scriptures and the history of the Lord's dealings with His people in all
ages。 God works through
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those who hear and obey His voice； those who will； if need be； speak
unpalatable truths； those who do not fear to reprove popular sins。 The
reason why He does not oftener choose men of learning and high position to
lead out in reform movements is that they trust to their creeds； theories；
and theological systems； and feel no need to be taught of God。 Only those
who have a personal connection with the Source of wisdom are able to
understand or explain the Scriptures。 Men who have little of the learning of
the schools are sometimes called to declare the truth； not because they are
unlearned； but because they are not too self…sufficient to be taught of God。
They learn in the school of Christ； and their humility and obedience make
them great。 In committing to them a knowledge of His truth； God confers upon
them an honor； in comparison with which earthly honor and human greatness
sink into insignificance。
The majority of Adventists rejected the truths concerning the sanctuary and
the law of God； and many also renounced their faith in the advent movement
and adopted unsound and conflicting views of the prophecies which applied to
that work。 Some were led into the error of repeatedly fixing upon a definite
time for the coming of Christ。 The light which was now shining on the
subject of the sanctuary should have shown them that no prophetic period
extends to the second advent； that the exact time of this advent is not
foretold。 But； turning from the light； they continued to set time after time
for the Lord to come； and as often they were disappointed。
When the Thessalonian church received erroneous views concerning the coming
of Christ； the apostle Paul counseled them to test their hopes and
anticipations carefully by the word of God。 He cited them to prophecies
revealing the events to take place before Christ should come； and showed
that they had no ground to expect Him in their day。 〃Let no man deceive you
by any means〃 （2 Thessalonians 2：3）； are his words of warning。 Should they
indulge expectations that were not sanctioned by the Scriptures； they would
be led to
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a mistaken course of action； disappointment would expose them to the
derision of unbelievers； and they would be in danger of yielding to
discouragement and would be tempted to doubt the truths essential for their
salvation。 The apostle's admonition to the Thessalonians contains an
important lesson for those who live in the last days。 Many Adventists have
felt that unless they could fix their faith upon a definite time for the
Lord's coming； they could not be zealous and diligent in the work of
preparation。 But as their hopes are again and again excited； only to be
destroyed； their faith receives such a shock that it becomes well…nigh
impossible for them to be impressed by the great truths of prophecy。
The preaching of a definite time for the judgment； in the giving of the
first message； was ordered by God。 The computation of the prophetic periods
on which that message was based； placing the close of the 2300 days in the
autumn of
1844； stands without impeachment。 The repeated efforts to
find new dates for the beginning and close of the prophetic periods； and the
unsound reasoning necessary to sustain these positions； not only lead minds
away from the present truth； but throw contempt upon all efforts to explain
the prophecies。 The more frequently a definite time is set for the second
advent； and the more widely it is taught； the better it suits the purposes
of Satan。 After the time has passed； he excites ridicule and contempt of its
advocates； and thus casts reproach upon the great advent movement of 1843
and 1844。 Those who persist in this error will at last fix upon a date too
far in the future for the coming of Christ。 Thus they will be led to rest in
a false security； and many will not be undeceived until it is too late。
The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past
experience of the Adventist body。 God led His people in the advent movement；
even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt。 In the great
disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red
Sea。 Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in
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their past experience； they would have seen the salvation of God。 If all who
had labored unitedly in the work in 1844； had received the third angel's
message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit； the Lord would
have wrought mightily with their efforts。 A flood of light would have been
shed upon the world。 Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been
warned； the closing work completed； and Christ would have come for the
redemption of His people。
It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the
wilderness； He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and
establish them there； a holy； happy people。 But 〃they could not enter in
because of unbelief。〃 Hebrews 3：19。 Because of their backsliding and
apostasy they perished in the desert； and others were raised up to enter the
Promised Land。 In like manner； it was not the will of God that the coming of
Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years
in this world of sin and sorrow。 But unbelief separated them from God。 As
they refused to do the work which He had appointed them； others were raised
up to proclaim the message。 In mercy to the world； Jesus delays His coming；
that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a
shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out。
Now as in former ages； the presentation of a truth that reproves the sins
and errors of the times will excite opposition。 〃Everyone that doeth evil
hateth the light； neither cometh to the light； lest his deeds should be
reproved。〃 John 3：20。 As men see that they cannot maintain their position by
the Scriptures； many determine to maintain it at all hazards； and with a
malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand in
defense of unpopular truth。 It is the same policy which has been pursued in
all ages。 Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel； Jeremiah a
traitor； Paul a polluter of the temple。 From that day to this； those who
would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious；
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heretical； or schismatic。 Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the
sure word of prophecy will receive with unquestioning credulity an
accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins。 This spirit
will increase more and more。 And the Bible plainly teaches that a time is
approaching when the laws of the state will so conflict with the law of God
that whosoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and
punishment as an evildoer。
In view of this； what is the duty of the messenger of truth？ Shall he
conclude that the truth ought not to be presented； since often its only
effect is to arouse men to evade or resist its claims？ No； he has no more
reason for withholding the testimony of God's word； because it excites
opposition； than had earlier Reformers。 The confession of faith made by
saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding generations。
Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down to
inspire courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for God。
They received grace and truth； not for themselves alone； but that； through
them； the knowledge of God might enlighten the earth。 Has God given light to
His servants in this generation？ Then they should let it shine forth to the
world。
Anciently the Lord declared to one who spoke in His name： 〃The house of
Israel will not hearken unto thee； for they will not hearken unto Me。〃
Nevertheless He said： 〃Thou shalt speak My words unto them； whether they
will hear； or whether they will forbear。〃 Ezekiel 3：7； 2：7。 To the servant
of God at this time is the command addressed： 〃Lift up thy voice like a
trumpet； and show My people their transgression； and the house of Jacob
their sins。〃
So far as his opportunities extend； everyone who has received the light of
truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the prophet
of Israel； to whom the word of the Lord came； saying： 〃Son of man； I have
set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel； therefore thou shalt hear
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the word at My mouth； and warn them from Me。 When I say unto the wicked； O
wicked man； thou shalt surely die； if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked
from his way； that wicked man shall die in his iniquity； but his blood will
I require at thine hand。 Nevertheless； if thou warn the wicked of his way to
turn from it； if he do not turn from his way； he shall die in hi