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The Visions of Mrs. E.G. White - Contents
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    OBJECTION 6. — LOOKING TOO FAR OFF FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

    On page 46 of Experience and Views, we read, “I saw some looking too far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has continued a few years longer than expected; therefore they think it may continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from present truth, out after the world.” This vision was given about 1849; and the opponent endeavors to transform it into an objection by the following very luminous comment: “The only time movement then in agitation was the 1854 movement; and as that has passed by, this vision is not of God.” Oh, profundity of logic! Supposing this to have reference to some definite time, was it not even just possible that some were looking to a time later than 1854? It is a notorious fact that even from the first, later times have been set by many. But this testimony does not have reference to any definite time at all. The very language shows that it is indefinite. Some were putting off the coming of the Lord indefinitely, and so were being led away into the world. Was it the result of the ‘54 time movement, or can it be of any such movement, to lead its believers into the world? No; those who advocate such moves, while so doing, must so far separate themselves from the world, as to have their lives outwardly at least correspond to their profession. This view had reference to commandment-keepers, and was given to warn them of the danger of saying in their hearts, My Lord delayeth his coming, and so being overcome by the spirit of the world. “Then,” says one, “the Lord should have come, according to that, in at most, three or four years from that time.” That does not follow. If the Lord was not coming for twenty years, it would not be safe for the church to look forward, indefinitely, half that distance for the event. By thus putting it off indefinitely, we lose the spirit of the doctrine entirely; and as a consequent, the spirit of the world comes in to take its place. In no other way do we believe that the church can be prepared for the trials they are to endure, and finally be ready for the Lord when he comes, but to be expecting and watching for the event as nigh at hand. Therefore we say, Do not put off the coming of the Lord. See to it that this great event does not become dim in the distance before your eyes. And this is simply what this vision teaches on this point.VEGW 42.2

    We close our answer to this objection with the following incident, which lately occurred in the experience of one of our preachers, and which forcibly illustrates the point before us:VEGW 43.1

    “The boat stopped at the wharf to wood. Passengers stood on the wharf with satchels in hand, ready to step aboard as soon as the plank was lowered. They feared to lose a moment lest they should be left behind. Those on board asked the captain how long he would stop there. “Just long enough to wood,” he said. At first the passengers dare not hardly go a rod from the boat lest it should go and leave them; but as the boat stayed longer than they expected, at the end of the first hour they ventured to the nearest groceries. Another hour passed, and they began to think that they would have time to see the town, and perhaps trade a little. A third hour passed, and yet the boat did not go. They were now tired of waiting, and their fears of being left were all gone. They began to think how they might amuse themselves to pass away the time; for this purpose they began to wander, one here and another there, and some a good ways from the boat.VEGW 44.1

    “Meanwhile the boat was being loaded. Every hour and every minute brought it nearer the time to start. At length the last stick was on, the whistle blew, and the command was given, ‘Haul in the lines and take up the plank.’ Then there was hurrying and running to get aboard. Some who were the farthest off had to jump on after the plank was hauled in, some had to climb over the bow of the boat, and some who had wandered the farthest, were left entirely.VEGW 44.2

    “Dear reader, do you see the application of this? To my mind it is very evident. When we first heard the good news that Christ was soon coming, we felt that we had no time to lose to get ready for that event. Time appeared very short. We were anxious to do all we could to be ready at any moment. But as with the passengers, so with us; time has continued longer than we expected. With some, it seems to grow further off every year, and we are growing more careless and less watchful about his coming. Some are becoming worldly minded, are wandering far from the Lord. But be careful, be careful. Every year and every day brings the actual hour of his coming so much nearer. Soon the trumpet will sound, and Jesus will appear. Then it will be too late to come back to the Lord. Let us watch and be sober, and not wander from the Lord, whilst yet a few days of preparation remain.”VEGW 44.3

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