From Here to Forever

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Skeptics and Unbelievers

Christ declared that as the people of Noah's day “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:39. When the professed people of God are uniting with the world, when the luxury of the world becomes the luxury of the church, when all look forward to many years of worldly prosperity—then, suddenly as the lightning flashes, will come the end of their delusive hopes. As God sent His servant to warn the world of the coming Flood, so He sent chosen messengers to make known the nearness of the final judgment. And as Noah's contemporaries laughed to scorn the predictions of the preacher of righteousness, so in Miller's day many of the professed people of God scoffed at the words of warning. HF 211.3

There can be no more conclusive evidence that the churches have departed from God than the animosity excited by this Heaven-sent message. HF 212.1

Those who accepted the advent doctrine felt that it was time to take a stand. “The things of eternity assumed to them ... reality. Heaven was brought near, and they felt themselves guilty before God.”11 Christians were made to feel that time was short, that what they had to do for their fellow men must be done quickly. Eternity seemed to open before them. The Spirit of God gave power to their appeals to prepare for the day of God. Their daily life was a rebuke to unconsecrated church members. These did not wish to be disturbed in their pleasure, money-making, and ambition for worldly honor. Hence the opposition against the advent faith. HF 212.2

Opposers endeavored to discourage investigation by teaching that the prophecies were sealed. Thus Protestants followed the steps of Romanists. Protestant churches claimed that an important part of the Word, that part specially applicable to our time, could not be understood. Ministers declared that Daniel and the Revelation were incomprehensible mysteries. HF 212.3

But Christ directed His disciples to the words of the prophet Daniel, “Whoso readeth, let him understand.” Matthew 24:15. And the Revelation is to be understood. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. ... Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:1-3, italics supplied. HF 212.4

“Blessed is he that readeth”—there are those who will not read; “and they that hear”—there are some who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies; “and keep those things which are written therein”—many refuse to heed the instructions in the Revelation; none of these can claim the blessing promised. HF 212.5

How dare men teach that the Revelation is beyond human understanding? It is a mystery revealed, a book opened. Revelation directs the mind to Daniel. Both present important instruction concerning events at the close of world history. HF 213.1

John saw the dangers, conflicts, and final deliverance of the people of God. He records the closing messages which are to ripen the harvest of the earth, either for the heavenly garner or for the fires of destruction, that those who turn from error to truth might be instructed concerning the perils and conflicts before them. HF 213.2

Why, then, this widespread ignorance concerning an important part of Holy Writ? It is the result of a studied effort of the prince of darkness to conceal from men that which reveals his deceptions. For this reason, Christ the Revelator, foreseeing the warfare against the Revelation, pronounced a blessing upon all who should read, hear, and observe the prophecy. HF 213.3