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- January 4, 1881
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- January 11, 1881
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- January 18, 1881
- January 25, 1881
- February 1, 1881
- February 8, 1881
- February 15, 1881
- February 22, 1881
- March 1, 1881
- March 8, 1881
- April 26, 1881
- May 3, 1881
- August 2, 1881
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- October 11, 1881
- October 18, 1881
- October 25, 1881
- November 1, 1881
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- November 29, 1881
- December 6, 1881
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- March 28, 1882
- April 4, 1882
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- May 30, 1882
- June 13, 1882
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- June 27, 1882
- July 11, 1882
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- August 15, 1882
- October 10, 1882
- October 17, 1882
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- November 28, 1882
- December 12, 1882
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- January 9, 1883
- April 17, 1883
- April 24, 1883
- May 1, 1883
- May 8, 1883
- July 10, 1883
- July 17, 1883
- July 24, 1883
- August 28, 1883
- September 4, 1883
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- October 9, 1883
- October 16, 1883
- November 6, 1883
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- November 27, 1883
- December 11, 1883
- December 18, 1883
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- January 1, 1884
- January 8, 1884
- January 15, 1884
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- January 29, 1884
- February 5, 1884
- March 4, 1884
- March 11, 1884
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- March 25, 1884
- March 25, 1884
- April 8, 1884
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- April 22, 1884
- April 29, 1884
- April 29, 1884
- May 6, 1884
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- May 27, 1884
- June 3, 1884
- June 10, 1884
- June 17, 1884
- June 24, 1884
- July 1, 1884
- July 8, 1884
- July 15, 1884
- July 22, 1884
- July 29, 1884
- August 5, 1884
- August 12, 1884
- August 19, 1884
- August 26, 1884
- September 2, 1884
- September 9, 1884
- September 16, 1884
- September 23, 1884
- October 7, 1884
- October 14, 1884
- October 21, 1884
- October 21, 1884
- October 28, 1884
- November 4, 1884
- November 11, 1884
- November 18, 1884
- November 18, 1884
- November 25, 1884
- December 2, 1884
- December 9, 1884
- December 16, 1884
- December 23, 1884
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- January 6, 1885
- January 13, 1885
- January 20, 1885
- January 27, 1885
- February 3, 1885
- February 10, 1885
- February 17, 1885
- February 24, 1885
- April 7, 1885
- April 14, 1885
- April 21, 1885
- April 28, 1885
- May 5, 1885
- May 12, 1885
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- May 26, 1885
- June 2, 1885
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- June 16, 1885
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- June 30, 1885
- July 14, 1885
- August 18, 1885
- August 25, 1885
- September 1, 1885
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- September 22, 1885
- October 6, 1885
- October 13, 1885
- October 20, 1885
- October 27, 1885
- November 3, 1885
- November 10, 1885
- November 17, 1885
- November 24, 1885
- December 1, 1885
- December 8, 1885
- December 15, 1885
- December 15, 1885
- December 22, 1885
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- January 5, 1886
- January 12, 1886
- January 19, 1886
- January 26, 1886
- February 2, 1886
- February 9, 1886
- February 16, 1886
- February 23, 1886
- March 2, 1886
- March 9, 1886
- March 16, 1886
- March 23, 1886
- March 30, 1886
- April 6, 1886
- April 13, 1886
- April 20, 1886
- April 27, 1886
- May 4, 1886
- May 11, 1886
- May 18, 1886
- May 25, 1886
- June 1, 1886
- June 8, 1886
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- June 22, 1886
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- July 6, 1886
- July 13, 1886
- July 20, 1886
- July 27, 1886
- August 3, 1886
- August 10, 1886
- August 17, 1886
- August 24, 1886
- August 31, 1886
- September 7, 1886
- September 14, 1886
- September 21, 1886
- October 5, 1886
- October 12, 1886
- October 19, 1886
- October 26, 1886
- November 2, 1886
- November 9, 1886
- November 16, 1886
- November 30, 1886
- December 7, 1886
- December 14, 1886
- December 21, 1886
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- January 4, 1887
- January 11, 1887
- January 18, 1887
- January 25, 1887
- February 15, 1887
- February 22, 1887
- March 1, 1887
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- March 22, 1887
- March 29, 1887
- April 5, 1887
- April 12, 1887
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- April 26, 1887
- May 3, 1887
- May 10, 1887
- May 17, 1887
- May 24, 1887
- May 31, 1887
- June 7, 1887
- June 14, 1887
- June 21, 1887
- June 28, 1887
- July 5, 1887
- July 12, 1887
- July 19, 1887
- July 26, 1887
- August 16, 1887
- September 27, 1887
- October 11, 1887
- November 8, 1887
- November 15, 1887
- November 29, 1887
- December 6, 1887
- December 13, 1887
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- January 10, 1888
- January 24, 1888
- January 31, 1888
- February 7, 1888
- February 14, 1888
- February 21, 1888
- February 28, 1888
- March 6, 1888
- March 13, 1888
- March 20, 1888
- March 27, 1888
- April 3, 1888
- April 10, 1888
- April 17, 1888
- April 24, 1888
- May 1, 1888
- May 8, 1888
- May 15, 1888
- May 22, 1888
- May 29, 1888
- June 5, 1888
- June 12, 1888
- June 19, 1888
- June 26, 1888
- July 3, 1888
- July 10, 1888
- July 17, 1888
- July 24, 1888
- July 31, 1888
- August 7, 1888
- August 14, 1888
- August 21, 1888
- August 28, 1888
- September 4, 1888
- September 11, 1888
- September 18, 1888
- September 25, 1888
- October 9, 1888
- October 16, 1888
- October 23, 1888
- October 30, 1888
- November 6, 1888
- November 13, 1888
- December 11, 1888
- December 11, 1888
- December 11, 1888
- December 18, 1888
- December 18, 1888
- December 18, 1888
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- January 1, 1889
- January 8, 1889
- February 12, 1889
- February 19, 1889
- February 26, 1889
- March 5, 1889
- March 12, 1889
- March 19, 1889
- March 26, 1889
- April 2, 1889
- April 9, 1889
- April 16, 1889
- April 23, 1889
- April 30, 1889
- May 7, 1889
- May 28, 1889
- June 4, 1889
- June 11, 1889
- June 18, 1889
- June 25, 1889
- July 2, 1889
- July 16, 1889
- July 23, 1889
- July 30, 1889
- August 6, 1889
- August 13, 1889
- August 27, 1889
- September 3, 1889
- September 10, 1889
- September 17, 1889
- October 1, 1889
- October 8, 1889
- October 22, 1889
- November 5, 1889
- November 12, 1889
- December 3, 1889
- December 17, 1889
- December 17, 1889
- December 24, 1889
- December 24, 1889
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- January 7, 1890
- January 14, 1890
- January 21, 1890
- January 28, 1890
- February 4, 1890
- February 11, 1890
- February 18, 1890
- February 25, 1890
- March 4, 1890
- March 11, 1890
- March 18, 1890
- March 25, 1890
- April 1, 1890
- April 8, 1890
- April 15, 1890
- April 22, 1890
- April 29, 1890
- May 6, 1890
- May 13, 1890
- May 20, 1890
- May 27, 1890
- June 3, 1890
- June 10, 1890
- June 17, 1890
- June 24, 1890
- July 1, 1890
- July 8, 1890
- July 15, 1890
- July 22, 1890
- July 29, 1890
- August 5, 1890
- August 19, 1890
- August 26, 1890
- September 2, 1890
- September 16, 1890
- September 23, 1890
- September 30, 1890
- October 7, 1890
- October 14, 1890
- October 21, 1890
- October 28, 1890
- November 4, 1890
- November 11, 1890
- November 18, 1890
- November 25, 1890
- December 2, 1890
- December 9, 1890
- December 9, 1890
- December 16, 1890
- December 23, 1890
- December 23, 1890
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- January 6, 1891
- January 13, 1891
- January 20, 1891
- January 27, 1891
- February 3, 1891
- February 10, 1891
- February 17, 1891
- February 24, 1891
- March 10, 1891
- March 17, 1891
- March 24, 1891
- March 31, 1891
- April 7, 1891
- April 14, 1891
- April 21, 1891
- April 28, 1891
- May 5, 1891
- May 19, 1891
- May 26, 1891
- June 2, 1891
- June 9, 1891
- June 16, 1891
- June 23, 1891
- June 30, 1891
- July 7, 1891
- July 14, 1891
- July 21, 1891
- July 28, 1891
- August 4, 1891
- August 11, 1891
- August 18, 1891
- August 25, 1891
- September 1, 1891
- September 15, 1891
- September 22, 1891
- September 29, 1891
- October 6, 1891
- October 13, 1891
- November 10, 1891
- November 17, 1891
- November 24, 1891
- December 1, 1891
- December 8, 1891
- December 15, 1891
- December 22, 1891
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- February 9, 1892
- February 16, 1892
- February 23, 1892
- March 1, 1892
- March 8, 1892
- March 15, 1892
- March 22, 1892
- March 29, 1892
- April 5, 1892
- April 12, 1892
- April 19, 1892
- April 26, 1892
- May 3, 1892
- May 10, 1892
- May 17, 1892
- May 24, 1892
- May 31, 1892
- June 7, 1892
- June 14, 1892
- June 21, 1892
- June 28, 1892
- July 5, 1892
- July 12, 1892
- July 19, 1892
- July 26, 1892
- August 16, 1892
- August 23, 1892
- August 30, 1892
- September 6, 1892
- September 13, 1892
- September 20, 1892
- September 27, 1892
- October 11, 1892
- October 18, 1892
- October 25, 1892
- November 1, 1892
- November 8, 1892
- November 15, 1892
- November 15, 1892
- November 22, 1892
- November 29, 1892
- December 6, 1892
- December 13, 1892
- December 20, 1892
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- January 3, 1893
- January 10, 1893
- January 17, 1893
- January 24, 1893
- January 31, 1893
- February 7, 1893
- February 14, 1893
- February 21, 1893
- February 28, 1893
- March 7, 1893
- March 14, 1893
- March 21, 1893
- March 28, 1893
- March 28, 1893
- April 4, 1893
- April 11, 1893
- April 18, 1893
- April 25, 1893
- May 2, 1893
- May 9, 1893
- May 16, 1893
- May 23, 1893
- May 30, 1893
- June 6, 1893
- June 13, 1893
- June 20, 1893
- June 27, 1893
- July 4, 1893
- July 11, 1893
- July 18, 1893
- July 25, 1893
- August 1, 1893
- August 8, 1893
- August 15, 1893
- August 22, 1893
- August 29, 1893
- September 5, 1893
- September 12, 1893
- September 19, 1893
- October 3, 1893
- October 10, 1893
- October 17, 1893
- October 24, 1893
- October 31, 1893
- November 7, 1893
- November 14, 1893
- November 21, 1893
- November 28, 1893
- December 5, 1893
- December 12, 1893
- December 19, 1893
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- January 2, 1894
- January 9, 1894
- January 16, 1894
- January 23, 1894
- January 30, 1894
- February 6, 1894
- February 13, 1894
- February 20, 1894
- February 27, 1894
- March 6, 1894
- March 13, 1894
- March 20, 1894
- March 27, 1894
- April 3, 1894
- April 10, 1894
- April 17, 1894
- April 24, 1894
- May 1, 1894
- May 8, 1894
- May 15, 1894
- May 22, 1894
- May 29, 1894
- May 29, 1894
- June 5, 1894
- June 12, 1894
- June 19, 1894
- June 26, 1894
- July 3, 1894
- July 10, 1894
- July 17, 1894
- July 24, 1894
- July 31, 1894
- August 7, 1894
- August 14, 1894
- August 14, 1894
- August 21, 1894
- August 28, 1894
- September 4, 1894
- September 11, 1894
- September 18, 1894
- September 25, 1894
- October 9, 1894
- October 16, 1894
- October 23, 1894
- October 30, 1894
- November 6, 1894
- November 13, 1894
- November 20, 1894
- November 27, 1894
- December 4, 1894
- December 11, 1894
- December 18, 1894
- December 25, 1894
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- January 1, 1895
- January 8, 1895
- January 15, 1895
- January 22, 1895
- January 29, 1895
- February 5, 1895
- February 12, 1895
- February 19, 1895
- February 26, 1895
- March 5, 1895
- March 12, 1895
- March 19, 1895
- March 26, 1895
- April 2, 1895
- April 9, 1895
- April 16, 1895
- April 23, 1895
- April 30, 1895
- May 7, 1895
- May 14, 1895
- May 21, 1895
- May 28, 1895
- June 4, 1895
- June 11, 1895
- June 18, 1895
- June 25, 1895
- July 2, 1895
- July 9, 1895
- July 16, 1895
- July 16, 1895
- July 23, 1895
- July 30, 1895
- August 6, 1895
- August 13, 1895
- August 20, 1895
- August 27, 1895
- September 3, 1895
- September 10, 1895
- September 17, 1895
- September 24, 1895
- October 1, 1895
- October 8, 1895
- October 15, 1895
- October 22, 1895
- October 29, 1895
- November 5, 1895
- November 12, 1895
- November 19, 1895
- November 26, 1895
- December 3, 1895
- December 10, 1895
- December 17, 1895
- December 24, 1895
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- January 7, 1896
- January 14, 1896
- January 21, 1896
- January 28, 1896
- February 4, 1896
- February 11, 1896
- February 18, 1896
- February 25, 1896
- March 3, 1896
- March 10, 1896
- March 17, 1896
- March 24, 1896
- March 31, 1896
- April 7, 1896
- April 14, 1896
- April 21, 1896
- April 28, 1896
- May 5, 1896
- May 12, 1896
- May 19, 1896
- May 26, 1896
- June 2, 1896
- June 9, 1896
- June 16, 1896
- June 23, 1896
- June 30, 1896
- July 7, 1896
- July 14, 1896
- July 21, 1896
- July 28, 1896
- August 4, 1896
- August 11, 1896
- August 18, 1896
- August 25, 1896
- September 1, 1896
- September 8, 1896
- September 15, 1896
- September 22, 1896
- September 29, 1896
- October 6, 1896
- October 13, 1896
- October 20, 1896
- October 27, 1896
- November 3, 1896
- November 10, 1896
- November 17, 1896
- November 17, 1896
- November 24, 1896
- December 1, 1896
- December 1, 1896
- December 1, 1896
- December 8, 1896
- December 15, 1896
- December 22, 1896
- December 29, 1896
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- January 5, 1897
- January 12, 1897
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- February 23, 1897
- March 2, 1897
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- August 31, 1897
- September 7, 1897
- September 14, 1897
- September 21, 1897
- September 28, 1897
- October 5, 1897
- October 12, 1897
- October 19, 1897
- October 26, 1897
- November 2, 1897
- November 9, 1897
- November 16, 1897
- November 23, 1897
- November 30, 1897
- December 7, 1897
- December 14, 1897
- December 21, 1897
- December 28, 1897
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- January 11, 1898
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- February 1, 1898
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- March 1, 1898
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- June 7, 1898
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- July 26, 1898
- August 2, 1898
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- September 6, 1898
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- September 27, 1898
- October 4, 1898
- October 11, 1898
- October 18, 1898
- October 25, 1898
- November 1, 1898
- November 8, 1898
- November 15, 1898
- November 22, 1898
- November 29, 1898
- December 6, 1898
- December 6, 1898
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- January 3, 1899
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- October 3, 1899
- October 10, 1899
- October 17, 1899
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- October 31, 1899
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September 16, 1873
The Laodicean Church
The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time.RH September 16, 1873, par. 1
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 2
The Lord here shows us that the message to be borne to his people by ministers whom he has called to warn the people, is not a peace-and-safety message. It is not merely theoretical, but practical in every particular. The people of God are represented in the message to the Laodiceans in a position of carnal security. They are at ease, believing themselves in an exalted condition of spiritual attainments.RH September 16, 1873, par. 3
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 4
What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong? The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true situation of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake; for it is the True Witness who speaks, and his testimony must be correct.RH September 16, 1873, par. 5
It is difficult for those who feel secure in their attainments, who are believing themselves to be rich in spiritual knowledge, to receive the message which declares that they are deceived and in need of every spiritual grace. The unsanctified heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.RH September 16, 1873, par. 6
God leads his people on, step by step. The Christian life is a constant battle, and a march. There is no rest from the warfare. It is by constant, unceasing effort that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. We are, as a people, triumphing in the clearness and strength of the truth. We are fully sustained in our positions by an overwhelming amount of plain scriptural testimony. But we are very much wanting in Bible humility, patience, faith, love, self-denial, watchfulness, and a spirit of sacrifice. We need to cultivate Bible holiness. Sin prevails among the people of God. The plain message of rebuke to the Laodiceans is not received. Many cling to their doubts and their darling sins, while they are in so great a deception as to talk and feel that they are in need of nothing. They think the testimony of the Spirit of God in reproof is uncalled for, or that it does not mean them. Such are in the greatest need of the grace of God and spiritual discernment, that they may discover their deficiency in spiritual knowledge. They lack almost every essential qualification necessary to perfect Christian character. They have not a practical knowledge of Bible truth, which leads to lowliness of life, and a conformity of their will to the will of Christ. They are not living in obedience to all God's requirements.RH September 16, 1873, par. 7
It is not enough to merely profess to believe the truth. All the soldiers of the cross of Christ virtually obligate themselves to enter a crusade against the adversary of souls, to condemn wrong, and sustain righteousness. But the message of the True Witness reveals the fact that a terrible deception is upon our people, which makes it necessary to come to them with warnings, to break their spiritual slumber, and arouse them to decided action.RH September 16, 1873, par. 8
This message of the True Witness has not accomplished the design of God. The people slumber on in their sins. They continue to declare themselves “rich, and having need of nothing.” Many inquire, Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the testimonies continually charge us with backsliding and grievous sins? We love the truth. We are prospering. We are in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts, and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible; let them humble their souls before God; let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will sense their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. They will feel the necessity of buying gold, which is pure faith and love; white raiment, which is a spotless character, made pure in the blood of their dear Redeemer, and eye-salve, which is the grace of God, and will give clear discernment of spiritual things, and detect sin. These attainments are more precious than the gold of Ophir.RH September 16, 1873, par. 9
I am very sure that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness, is because they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings given them. The True Witness condemns the lukewarm condition of the people of God, which gives Satan great power over them in this waiting, watching time. The selfish, and proud, and lovers of sin, are ever assailed with doubts. Satan has ability to suggest doubts and devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue and mark of intelligence in them to be unbelieving and questioning, and quibbling. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and teachable spirit. All should decide from the weight of evidence.RH September 16, 1873, par. 10
Eternal life is of infinite value, and will cost us all that we have. It is evident that we do not place a proper estimate upon eternal things. Everything worth possessing, even in this world, must be secured by effort, and sometimes by most painful sacrifice. And this is merely for a perishable treasure. Shall we be less willing to endure conflict and toil, and to make earnest efforts and great sacrifices for the infinite treasure, which passes all estimate in value, and the duration of life which will measure with the Infinite? Can Heaven cost us too much? Faith and love are golden treasures, elements that are greatly wanting among God's people.RH September 16, 1873, par. 11
Faith in the soon coming of Christ is waning. “My Lord delayeth his coming” is said not only in the heart, but expressed in words, and most decidedly in works. Stupidity in this watching time is sealing the senses of God's people as to the signs of the times.RH September 16, 1873, par. 12
The terrible iniquity abounding calls for the greatest diligence, and for the living testimony, to keep sin out of the church. Faith has been decreasing to a fearful degree. Faith can only increase by exercise.RH September 16, 1873, par. 13
In the first rise of the third angel's message, those who engaged in the work of God had something to venture. They had sacrifices to make. They started this work in poverty, and suffered the greatest deprivations and reproach. They met determined opposition, which drove them to God in their necessity, and kept their faith alive. Our present plan of Systematic Benevolence amply sustains our ministers. And there is no want and no call for the exercise of faith as to a support. Those who start out now to preach the truth have nothing to venture. They have no risks to run, no especial sacrifices to make. The system of truth is made ready to their hand. Publications are provided for them, vindicating the truths they advance.RH September 16, 1873, par. 14
Some young men start out with no real sense of the exalted character of the work. They have not privations, and hardships, and severe conflicts to meet, which call for the exercise of faith. They do not cultivate practical self-denial, and cherish a spirit of sacrifice. Some are becoming proud and lifted up, and have no real burden of the work upon them. The True Witness speaks to these ministers, “Be zealous, therefore, and repent.” These ministers are some of them so lifted up in pride that they are really a hindrance and a curse to the precious cause of God. They do not exert an influence which is saving upon others. There is need of these men being thoroughly converted to God themselves, and sanctified by the truths they present to others.RH September 16, 1873, par. 15
Very many feel impatient and jealous because they are frequently disturbed with warning and reproofs which keep their sins before them. Says the True Witness, “I know thy works.” The motives, the purposes, and the unbelief, suspicions, and jealousies may be hid from men, but not from Christ. The True Witness comes as a counselor; “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 16
Those who heed the testimony of warning, and zealously go about the work of separating their sins from them, in order to have the needed graces, will be opening the door of their hearts that the dear Saviour may come in and dwell with them. This class you will ever find in perfect harmony with the testimony of the Spirit of God.RH September 16, 1873, par. 17
Ministers who are preaching present truth should not neglect the solemn message to the Laodiceans. The testimony of the True Witness is not a smooth message. The Lord does not say to them, You are about right, you have borne chastisement and reproof that you never deserved, you have been discouraged unnecessarily by severity, you are not guilty of the wrongs and sins of which you have been reproved.RH September 16, 1873, par. 18
The True Witness declares that when you suppose you are really in a good condition of prosperity you are in need of everything. It is not enough for ministers to present theoretical subjects. They need to study the practical lessons Christ gave his disciples, and make a close application of the same to their own souls and to the people. Because Christ bears this rebuking testimony, shall we suppose that he is destitute of tender love to his people? Oh, no! He who died to redeem man from death, loves with a divine love. He rebukes those he loves. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” But many will not receive the message Heaven in mercy sends them. They cannot endure to be told of their wrongs, and of their neglect of duty, of their selfishness, their pride, and love of the world.RH September 16, 1873, par. 19
The servants of the Lord should bear a plain testimony. They should cry aloud and spare not, and show the people their transgressions, and the house of Israel their sins. But there is a class who will not receive the message of reproof, and they raise their hands to shield those whom God would reprove and correct. They will ever be found sympathizing with those whom God would make to feel their true poverty.RH September 16, 1873, par. 20
The word of the Lord spoken through his servants, is received by many with questionings and fears. And many will defer their obedience to the warnings and reproofs given, waiting till every shadow of uncertainty is removed from their minds. The unbelief that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to the evidence God is pleased to give. God requires of his people faith that rests upon the weight of evidence, not perfect knowledge. The followers of Jesus Christ, those who accept of the light God sends them, must obey the voice of God speaking to them, when there are many other voices crying out against it. It requires discernment to distinguish the voice of God.RH September 16, 1873, par. 21
Those who will not act when the Lord calls upon them, waiting for more certain evidence, and more favorable opportunities, will walk in darkness, for the light will be withdrawn. The evidence given one day, if rejected, may never be repeated.RH September 16, 1873, par. 22
Tempted souls, whose hearts have ever been at war with the faithful reproving of sin, would cry, Speak unto us smooth things. What disposition will these make of the message of the True Witness to the Laodiceans? There can be no deception here. This message must be borne to a lukewarm church by God's servants. This message must arouse the people of God from their security and dangerous deception in regard to their real standing before God. This testimony, if received, will arouse to action, and lead to self-abasement, and confessions of sins. The True Witness says, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot.” And again, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.” Then comes the promise, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 23
These wrongs and sins, which have brought the people of God in their state of wretchedness, blindness, and poverty, must be seen, and they arouse to zealous repentance, and a putting away of these sins which have brought them into such a deplorable condition of blindness and fearful deception. The pointed testimony must live in the church. And this alone will answer to the message to the Laodiceans. Wrongs must be reproved, sins must be called sins, and iniquity must be met promptly and decidedly, and put away from us as a people.RH September 16, 1873, par. 24
Those whom God has chosen for an important work, have ever been received with distrust and suspicion. Anciently, when Elijah was sent with a message from God to the people, they did not heed the warning. They thought Elijah unnecessarily severe. He must, they thought, have lost his senses, that he would denounce them, the favored people of God, as sinners, and their crimes, so aggravating, that the judgments of God would awaken against them.RH September 16, 1873, par. 25
Satan and his host have ever been arrayed against those who bear the message of warning and reprove sins. The unconsecrated will be united with the adversary of souls, to make the work of God's faithful servants as hard as possible. Elijah, one of God's great and mighty prophets, as he fled for his life from the rage of Jezebel, an infuriated woman, a fugitive, weary and travel worn, desired to die rather than live. His bitter disappointment in regard to Israel's faithfulness crushed his spirits, and he felt that he could no longer put confidence in man. In the day of Job's affliction and darkness, he utters these words: “Let the day perish wherein I was born.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 26
When Ahab ruled Israel, the people departed from God and corrupted their ways before him under his perverted rule. “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all of the kings that were before him.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 27
Ahab was weak in moral power. He did not have a high sense of sacred things. He was selfish and unprincipled. His union by marriage with a woman of decided character, and positive temperament, devoted to idolatry, made them both special agents of Satan to lead the people of God into idolatry and terrible apostasy. The determined spirit of Jezebel molded the character of Ahab. His selfish nature was incapable of appreciating the mercies of God to his people, his obligation to God, as the guardian and leader of Israel. The fear of God was daily growing less in Israel. The blasphemous tokens of their blind idolatry were to be seen among the Israel of God. There were none who dared to expose their lives by openly standing forth in opposition to the prevailing blasphemous idolatry. The altars of Baal, and the priests of Baal who sacrificed to the sun, moon, and stars, were conspicuous everywhere. They had consecrated temples and groves, wherein was placed the work of men's hands to worship. The benefits which God gave to this people called forth from them no gratitude to the Giver. For all the bounties of Heaven, the running brooks, and streams of living waters, the gentle dew, and showers of rain to refresh the earth, and to cause their fields to bring forth abundantly, they ascribed to the favor of their gods.RH September 16, 1873, par. 28
Elijah's faithful soul was grieved. His indignation was aroused, and he was jealous for the glory of God. He saw that Israel was plunged into fearful apostasy. He was overwhelmed with amazement and grief at the apostasy of the people when he called to mind the great things that God had wrought for them. But all this was forgotten by the majority of the people. He went before God, and with his soul wrung with anguish, plead for him to save his people if it must be by judgments. He plead with God to withhold from his ungrateful people dew and rain, the treasures of heaven, that apostate Israel might look in vain to their idols of gold, wood, and stone, the sun, moon, and stars, their gods, to water the earth and enrich it, and cause it to bring forth plentifully. God told Elijah he had heard his prayer. He would withhold from his people dew and rain, until they should turn unto him with repentance.RH September 16, 1873, par. 29
God had especially guarded his people from mingling with the idolatrous nations around them, lest their hearts should be deceived by their attractive groves and shrines, temples, and altars, all of which were arranged in the most expensive, alluring manner, to pervert the senses, so that God would be supplanted in their minds.RH September 16, 1873, par. 30
Jericho was a city devoted to the most extravagant idolatry. The inhabitants were very wealthy. All the riches that God had given them they accredited to the gifts of their gods. Gold and silver were in abundance. Like the people before the flood, they were corrupt and blasphemous. They insulted and provoked the God of Heaven by their wicked works. God's judgments awakened against Jericho. It was a stronghold. But the Captain of the Lord's host came himself from Heaven to lead the armies of Heaven in the attack upon the city. Angels of God laid hold of the massive walls and brought them to the ground. God had said that the city of Jericho should be accursed, and that all should perish except Rahab and her household. They should be saved because of the favor that Rahab showed the messengers of the Lord. The word of the Lord to the people was, “And ye in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.” “And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho; he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.” Joshua 6:18, 26.RH September 16, 1873, par. 31
God was very particular in regard to Jericho, lest the people should be charmed with the things that the inhabitants had worshiped, and their hearts be diverted from him. He guards his people by most positive commands. Notwithstanding the solemn injunction from God by the mouth of Joshua, Achan ventured to transgress. His covetousness led him to take the treasures God had forbidden him to touch, because his curse was upon it. And because of this man's sin, the Israel of God were as weak as water before their enemies.RH September 16, 1873, par. 32
Joshua and the elders of Israel were in great affliction. They lay before the ark of God in most abject humility, because the Lord was wroth with his people. Joshua and the elders of Israel prayed and wept before God. The Lord spoke to Joshua, “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed; neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”RH September 16, 1873, par. 33