WHAT WE ARE, AND WHAT WE MUST BE.
By E. A. Sutherland
It must be clear to every careful observer that the church and its individual members are passing through a crisis that will soon settle the destiny of all concerned. “I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet sliding, because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling. Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were until the sealing was past, until the covering was drawn over God’s people, and they left without a shelter from the burning wrath of God in the seven last plagues.” “I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness were expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them.” “Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them, to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against him. . . . Some I saw did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these, and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels, and trying to help themselves, by calling upon God with perseverance. But his angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.” “I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard, and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people. . . . The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it, and be purified.” The foregoing words were given to us a number of years ago as a warning. Can we realize now that we are actually passing through the experiences here described? The cause of these conditions is summed up in the following statement: “I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded.” The True Witness has told us, “There is a stupor, a paralysis upon the people of God, which keeps us from understanding what is needed for this time. God’s people are on trial before the heavenly universe.” The Lord is now sending Testimonies to the churches, which, if heeded, will bring about conditions thus described: “I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. . . . My attention was then turned to the company I had seen who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. . . . The number of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to persevere, plead, and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. . . . “I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power; it had effect. Many had been bound, some wives by their husbands, some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what made this great change. An angel answered, ‘It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.’” “The church of Christ has been organized on earth for missionary purposes.” “The Holy Spirit’s power will move upon the hearts when this dead, lifeless monotony is broken up, and many will begin to work in earnest who never before thought of being anything but idle spectators. A working church on earth is connected with the working church above.” “A working church in travail for souls will be a praying church, a believing church, and a receiving church.” “Our people have been regarded as too insignificant to be worthy of notice; but a change will come. The Christian world is now making moves which will necessarily bring commandment-keeping people into prominence. God is now restraining the forces of evil that the last warning may be given to the world. Now is the time to work.”