p. 242 | A SAFE POSITION by E. Macomber

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1867

A SAFE POSITION.

By E. Macomber

Is it a safe position to reject any of God's word? I think not, as we shall find by a few examples that have been given.

Our first parents rejected the word of God, Gen. iii, 6. God had said, “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not freely eat of it; for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” But we read that the woman took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

Hence, death, in all its horrid features, prevails throughout the land, visiting our home circles, snatching away our loved ones, cutting down its thousands, yea, millions in its course.

Since then, God's word has often been rejected when warnings from him by his chosen messengers have sounded in ample time for all to escape if they would; as in the case of the antediluvians when Noah, a man of God, was sent to preach to that wicked people. They thought his course perfectly inconsistent when arranging matters for the salvation of them that believed; but it was God's own order, and the only safe way was to obey; and such as did were saved.

So with the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. They rejected God's messengers, and met their awful doom.

So it will be with such as reject God's messengers in this our day. The doom of this world hastens greatly. God's messengers are going to and fro sounding the alarm. Here and there one catches the sound of the voice of the third angel, and stops to listen to the call. They find these are truths they cannot gain-say, and a good and honest heart cannot reject. They conclude to heed the warning, take the safe position on the word of God, and move in the light as it shines on their pathway. Their hearts are made to leap for joy as they approach the perfect day. They find the third angel's message as recorded in Rev. xiv, is the last message of mercy to the world. They find that now is the time to prepare to meet Jesus. There is a sacrifice to be made, an offering of their bodies to God; every weight and sin to be thrown off; a cleansing from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit; so perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

But many who heed not the warning are saying, How inconsistent these people are! They are refusing the comforts of life, denying themselves of this world's enjoyments. They are saying of them as many said in the days of Noah, How foolish. But what was the result? It was destruction to those who looked on unconcerned.

It was God's own arrangement then; it is God's own arrangement now. A company are to stand with him on Mount Zion, and they must be fitted for the occasion. Their Father's name written in their foreheads; in their mouth must be found no guile; they are to be without fault before the throne of God.

Now is the time to make ready. When this message ends, Jesus will come. Just as he ascended, so in like manner will he descend to receive his people. This people that are making ready will hail him with joy. Some of them have borne the heat and burden of the day. They have eaten the little book. It was sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly. They have borne reproach without the camp, and are determined to go through the gates into the city. The Spirit of the living God moves them forward. That Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwells in them, and will quicken their mortal bodies.

Dear reader, have you taken the right position? If so, follow the light of God's word. If not, make up your mind at once; give God your heart, and make no reserve to please Satan.

I want you to go with us to Mount Zion. I want your company in the new earth, in the paradise of God. I want you to eat with us the fruit of life's fair tree. I have never seen your face; I want to see it when it shines with immortal beauty. I want to go with you to meet, and shake the friendly hand of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the holy ones. What a meeting there will be! Oh! glory, hallelujah! Our loved ones will be there. It will not be long before we shall meet them to live forever. Oh! that beautiful world! God has promised it; it will come.

Reader, will you go? Take the safe position.

“Lord, how secure and blessed are they Who feel the joys of pardoned sin; Should storms of wrath shake earth and sea, Their minds have heaven and peace within.”

E. MACOMBER.

Ashaway, R. I., March, 15, 1867.