A Seal of the Living God

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CONCLUSION

The 2nd book of Esdras, contains very important truths for those that keep God’s law and commandments; they will probably benefit no others, 12:37, 38. I have refrained from quoting here while writing the Sealing Message, not because I did not believe; but because so much prejudice still exists, on account of its not being canonical scripture. There is abundant testimony in the Old and New Testament to satisfy all that honest minds require respecting the sealing message, being the present truth. I wish however, to quote a few passages to show the sealing, the law, and commandments, time of trouble, etc. see 9:10, 11, 30-33, 36, 37. All this may be objected to as under Moses’s dispensation. Let 2:38-47 settle it. Carefully note 1st, the sealing; 2nd, the law; and 3rd, final redemption. Compare it with Revelation 14:1. Still further evidence, 13:31-38. Compare 38th verse with Revelation 17:14, and 19:15, 16. Also the commandments in 15:24, 25. 16:74-76. SLG 66.1

Time of trouble, 15:5, 6, 11-27, 57, 58, 62. 16:5, 8, 14-24, 31, 37, 40, 67-78. Read the comforting promise for the time of trouble, 2:27. All this is now right before us; let us therefore carefully examine this prophecy. And let us carefully seek to know “what manner or person we ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness,” seeing that we have now entered upon the last work or message, that God has marked out for his church before their final deliverance from this time of trouble, such as never was. SLG 66.2

What a solemn, and yet glorious thought, to know that deliverance is so near at hand. That God, and Jesus our great High Priest; the Holy Ghost, and all the holy Angels; are engaged, doing their part to accomplish this mighty work. Let us then see to it that we do what is required of us. SLG 67.1

God says, “call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you.” See how he will do it. SLG 67.2

“Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”—Psalm 50:5. When did we do this as a people? Answer: in 1844, during a cry at midnight: how much was said about it then. What did we sacrifice then? why, all that we had: have we taken back any thing since that time? We fear there has been too much of this in all of us.—Well says one, I had nothing to take back: examine closely now and see. Did you sacrifice your tobacco and snuff boxes, and pipes, and cast them all from your persons? Yes. You thought it was an idle and sinful habit, because it neither nourished your bodies nor glorified God? yes. How then, I ask, has God justified you since, by taking back that sacrifice, whether it was or was not one? God has shown several times by visions that he disapprobates it in every way; and some that have continued in the practice after one admonition, God has shown that his frown is upon them. Let me entreat you, to resolve in the strength of God to leave the practice forever. I see not how God can seal you to be one of his royal priesthood while he frowns upon it. The one who traffics in it certainly cannot be justified. But says one, I use it for a medicine. I have heard of a better remedy. Have faith in God! Have faith in God!! Although months have elapsed, that admonition still is sounding, have faith in God!!! Some have since tried it to their great joy. Let the test pass through the host. As God frowns on this species of indulgence, I know not how he can approbate one of the 144,000 that uses or traffics in alcoholic drinks, from brandy to cider, and beer. Extract the alcohol that is in it, and man could hardly be persuaded to taste the second time. “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and spirit; perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” - 2nd 2 Corinthians 7:1. Again: “Be ye clean that bear the vessel of the Lord.” Once more: There shall in no wise enter into it, (the holy city,) any thing that defileth, etc. Now we know that all of these things are filthy, unclean, and defile the man. We may deceive one another, but we cannot deceive God. O then, as we value the seal of the living God, let us be holy in his sight. Good wholesome food is all that we require to sustain these bodies. But some are holding their farms, and merchandise, thinking no doubt to get an opportunity to sell by and by, to better advantage. That time has past, if the sealing time be now. You see the slaughtering men follow the sealing messengers. But suppose some hundreds, or thousands, should be gained, by holding back a little longer; would you then be better prepared to fulfil the office of steward in the household of God? no. But you say, when we made our consecration in 1844, if we had have given away what we had, we should have had nothing now. Therefore it was not right then to do as some did. Well, because you did not do it then, is it a reason that you should never do it? Neither are God’s stewards to give away all they have at once; nor are they to be controlled by me, or any other one in this thing; only obey and follow Jesus. Hear him: “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” - Luke 12:33. When? especially now while we are waiting to go to the marriage supper. Is there any needy now? certainly; and still more will be as we enter into the time of trouble. Well, say some, had we not better wait and sell then? The prophets that have seen the state of things at this time, teach us that it will be too late to sell then. Silver and gold will be the only articles in small quantities that men can retain then, and that with much uncertainty. See the state of things in Europe now; only the beginning, and then ask what it will be as it spreads and becomes general, before the deliverance of the sealed ones. Methinks I now see by the light of prophecy, that the last means to be used with those that still hold on, and keep back from doing as Jesus has required, (and are striving in all other respects to walk out in present truth,) is recorded in Esdras 16:70-72. “For they (the wicked mob,) shall waste, and take away THEIR GOODS, and cast them out of THEIR HOUSES.” This will separate them from what they did not sell, and be the only means, probably, of saving them at last. Now this will be the case with some without a doubt. How much better off will those be, who have willingly obeyed the Saviour. “The willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land.” “Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” - Matthew 25:23. But some may say I will sell now, and place the avails out of the reach of the mob law, then I shall have something when that time comes; be careful that you do not get into the snare that caught Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11. Jesus said, “sell, and give alms!” that seemed to be one object. But will there be any harm if I hold on to what I have, and willingly yield it all up when I am obliged to? yes. 1st, because it will show your minds not detached from worldly things, as they must be to be changed; and 2nd, you will not have obeyed the Saviour. SLG 67.3

Well, say others, we have only enough now, to sustain ourselves and families, therefore we have nothing to sell. Then you need not be troubled. But to those who are holding back, and are thinking they can be saved with all their surplus, I ask them to please read the following, viz: Proverbs 11:4. 1:17, 18. Ezekiel 7:19. Luke 12:19-22. Jesus knows best. God says, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Isaiah 13:12. When? “Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove,” etc., 13th verse. This time is immediately before us. This does not mean those that have got their hearts and minds bent on a voyage to California. (Ophir is not in the Pacific Ocean.) but it is the man who loves the law of God “better than thousands of gold and silver.” Psalm 119:72, 127. Proverbs 8:10. SLG 69.1

Let us then make it manifest that we do love God above all things: and he will seal us with the spirit of promise, with “a seal of the living God,” unto the day of redemption. Jesus is“purifying unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works;” and if you, and I fail through disobedience, yet he will have his whole number complete. The sealing time has come, without the shadow of a doubt. This proves our past experience; and makes our future hope certain! Then let us enter into the work before us like men of God, seeking to do his will entirely. SLG 69.2

Now dear brethren, one and all, wherever you are, I entreat you, make sure word for mortality and eternal life. Lay aside strife and vain glory. Remember what Jesus our King will say when he comes. - Matthew 25:34-40. Let all then that are counted worthy to be stewards in the household of God seek to know where, and how to bestow their charity; and especially to give the present truth, that we may all move in this great work before us calmly, quietly, dispassionately, and yet deliberately; knowing for a certainty that now our redemption draweth nigh. AMEN. SLG 69.3