DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Though evidently living in "perilous times," when many, even among those professing strong attachment to the cause of God, are "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:" yet I feel we have abundant reason to be truly grateful to our heavenly Parent, that we are counted worthy to be numbered with the remnant of God's dear children. It is a matter of the deepest consolation to me, that the light is now shining so brightly upon the third angel's message. Truly, "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." We can now see clearly that in making known the "power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," we have not followed "cunningly devised fables," but the "Spirit of truth," which, saith the Saviour, "will guide you into all truth." I firmly believe God's people were both guided into the truth, and also published the truth, in proclaiming the two former messages. Rev. xiv, 6-8.
Saith Jesus, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." So we think respecting the great and important truths based upon the third and last angel's message of mercy to this world. Rev. xiv, 9-12.
Those who do the will of God, shall know of the doctrine, whether it be from heaven, or of men.—"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Therefore we may reasonably conclude that those who do the will of the Most High, will not be left to deny the past, neither remain in darkness respecting what constitutes the "worship" of the beast, and of his image, and what it is to receive his "mark."
But two classes are spoken of in this message.—One class are worshipers of the beast and his image, receive his mark, and drink of the wine of the wrath of God, and are tormented with fire and brimstone, and upon them is poured out the seven last plagues. While of the other class, it is said, "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Thus we see that those who exercise the patience of the saints, keep God's commandments, and have the faith of Jesus, will escape the awful judgments of the beast and his worshipers; and stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. Verse 1. O, blessed hope! O, glorious home!
"There the weary saints no more shall roam,
But dwell in a sunny, peaceful home."
Yours in hope of reaching that peaceful home.
A. S. HUTCHINS.