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Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

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traditions <strong>of</strong> men for <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> God as in <strong>the</strong> days <strong>of</strong> Christ, <strong>of</strong> Paul or <strong>of</strong><br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r. Ministers advance doctrines which have no foundation in <strong>the</strong><br />

Scriptures <strong>of</strong> truth, and in place <strong>of</strong> Bible pro<strong>of</strong>, <strong>the</strong>y present <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />

assertions as authority. The people accept <strong>the</strong> minister's interpretation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

word, without earnest prayer that <strong>the</strong>y may know what is truth. There is no<br />

safety in depending upon human wisdom and judgment. Said our Savior,<br />

"Search <strong>the</strong> Scriptures: for in <strong>the</strong>m ye think ye have eternal life; and <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

<strong>the</strong>y which testify <strong>of</strong> me."<br />

All who possess reasoning powers can know for <strong>the</strong>mselves what is<br />

truth. Those who pray and search for light, will receive light. The reason why<br />

so many are groping <strong>the</strong>ir way in <strong>the</strong> fog <strong>of</strong> error is, that <strong>the</strong>y take <strong>the</strong><br />

assertions <strong>of</strong> men, instead <strong>of</strong> searching <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> God for <strong>the</strong>mselves. "To<br />

<strong>the</strong> law and to <strong>the</strong> testimony; if <strong>the</strong>y speak not according to this word, it is<br />

because <strong>the</strong>re is no light in <strong>the</strong>m." Worldlings and superficial Christians will<br />

accept nothing which interferes with <strong>the</strong>ir selfish love <strong>of</strong> pleasure; hence<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are willingly ignorant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> truth which would save <strong>the</strong>ir souls. Satan<br />

works with all his deceptive art to present pleasing fables before <strong>the</strong> people,<br />

and he takes thousands in his snare.<br />

The advocates <strong>of</strong> truth in our day should not expect <strong>the</strong>ir message to be<br />

received with greater favor than was that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> early Reformers. Nay, ra<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y should expect greater difficulties and more determined opposition than<br />

were experienced by Lu<strong>the</strong>r and his fellow-laborers. Satan's hatred for <strong>the</strong><br />

truth is <strong>the</strong> same in all ages; but as he sees that his time is short, he makes<br />

one last mighty effort, by signs and lying wonders, to deceive and destroy,<br />

not merely <strong>the</strong> unbelieving world, but <strong>the</strong> great mass <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essed Christians<br />

who have not received <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> truth that <strong>the</strong>y might be saved. In <strong>the</strong><br />

Second Epistle to <strong>the</strong> Thessalonians, Paul declares that <strong>the</strong> second coming <strong>of</strong><br />

Christ will be preceded by "<strong>the</strong> working <strong>of</strong> Satan with all power and signs<br />

and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness <strong>of</strong> unrighteousness in <strong>the</strong>m<br />

that perish; because <strong>the</strong>y received not <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> truth, that <strong>the</strong>y might be<br />

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