Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

can employ without injuring themselves. Sometimes all the strength they have isneeded to put forth effort at a given point, and if they have previously exhausted theirfund of strength and cannot command the power to make this effort, all they have doneis lost. At times all the mental and physical energies may be drawn upon to makethe very strongest stand, to array evidences in the clearest light, and set them beforethe people in the most pointed manner, and urge them home by the strongest appeals.As souls are on the point of leaving the enemy’s ranks and coming up on the Lord’sside, the contest is most severe and close. Satan and his angels are unwilling that anywho have served under the banner of darkness should take their position under thebloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel.I was shown opposing armies who had endured a painful struggle in battle. Thevictory was gained by neither, and at length the loyal realize that their strength andforce is wearing away, and that they will be unable to silence their enemies unless theymake a charge upon them and obtain their instruments of warfare. It is then, at the riskof their lives, that they summon all their powers and rush upon the foe. It is a fearfulstruggle; but victory is gained, the strongholds are taken. If at the critical period thearmy is so weak through exhaustion that it is impossible to make the last charge andbatter down the enemy’s fortifications, the whole struggle of days, weeks, and evenmonths is lost; and many lives are sacrificed and nothing gained.A similar work is before us. Many are convinced that we have the truth, and yetthey are held as with iron bands; they dare not risk the consequences of taking theirposition on the side of truth. Many are in the valley of decision, where special, close,and pointed appeals are necessary to move them to lay down the weapons of theirwarfare and take their position on the Lord’s side. Just at this critical period Satanthrows the strongest bands around these souls. If the servants of God646