Manuscript Releases, vol. 17 [Nos. 1236-1300]

MR No. 1264—A Message to the Churches

(Written February 10, 1908, from Sanitarium, California.)

“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money” [Isaiah 52:1-3]. 17MR 162.1

The Lord has instructed me to say to our churches: There is no safety in placing confidence in human wisdom or strength. [Isaiah 28:9-17, quoted.] 17MR 162.2

The figures here used by the prophet are representations of spiritual things. “Who among us,” He asks, “shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off” [Isaiah 33:14-17]. 17MR 162.3