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| We cannot wait until the judgment before we consent to deny self and to lift the cross. We cannot then form characters for heaven. It is here in this life that we must take sides with the humble, self-denying Redeemer. It is here that we must overcome envy, strife, selfishness, love of money, and love of the world. It is here that we must enter the school of Christ, and learn of the Master the precious lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind. And here it must be our aim and earnest effort to be loyal and true to the God of heaven by obeying all of His commandments and thus be fitting up for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love God.-- Manuscript 6a, June 27, 1886, "Preparation for the Judgment," a sermon by Sister White in Orebro, Sweden. {UL 192.6} |
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| It is no time to be ashamed of our faith. We are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. The whole universe is looking with inexpressible interest to see the closing work of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. At such a time as this, just as the great work of judging the living is to begin, shall we allow unsanctified ambition to take possession of the heart? What can be of any worth to us now, except to be found loyal and true to the God of heaven? What is there of any real value in this world, when we are on the very borders of the eternal world? What education can we give to the students in our schools, that is so necessary as a knowledge of "what saith the Scripture"? . . . {CE 212.4} |
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| Yet the Lord did not give Israel up without first doing everything that could possibly be done to lead them back to their allegiance to him. Lovingly, patiently, through long, dark years when ruler after ruler stood up in bold defiance of Heaven and led Israel deeper and still deeper into idolatry, God sent message after message to his backslidden people. Through his prophets he gave them every opportunity to stay the tide of apostasy, and to return to him. It was during these years that Elijah and Elisha lived and labored, and that the tender appeals of Hosea and Amos and Obadiah were made. Even in the darkest hours, there were some who remained true to the God of heaven,and in the midst of idolatry lived blameless lives. {RH, July 24, 1913 par. 8} |
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| The great decision now to be made by every one is, whether he will receive the mark of the beast and his image, or the seal of the living and true God And now, when we are on the very borders of the eternal world, what can be of so much value to us as to be found loyal and true to the God of heaven? What is there that we should prize above His truth and His law? What is so necessary as a knowledge of "what saith the Scripture?" {ST, March 22, 1910 par. 14} |
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| Men and women who will not be ensnared, who will move straightforward in the path of integrity, loyal and true to the God of heaven whom they fear, love, and honor, can have a powerful influence to hold the people of God. Such an influence will command respect. But this vacillating between duty and the world gives the world all the advantage and will surely leave its molding power, so that religion, God, and heaven, will scarcely enter the thoughts. {2MR 244.4} |
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| The truth of these words of Christ has been a reality in the experience of those who have been loyal and true to the God of heaven, according to the light received. "If they have persecuted Me," He said, "they will also persecute you; if they have kept My sayings, they will keep yours also" [John 15:20]. "All that will live [not merely profess] godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" [2 Tim. 3:12]. "And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known [by experimental knowledge] the Father, nor Me" [John 16:3]. {19MR 162.2} |
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| We cannot wait until the judgment before we consent to deny self and to lift the cross. We cannot then form characters for heaven. It is here in this life that we must take sides with the humble, self-denying Redeemer. It is here that we must overcome envy, strife, selfishness, love of money, and love of the world. It is here that we must enter the school of Christ, and learn of the Master the precious lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind. And here it must be our aim and earnest effort to be loyal and true to the God of heaven by obeying all of His commandments and thus be fitting up for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love God. Christ says, "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. . . that where I am, there ye may be also" [John 14:1-3]. Now the mansions are being fitted up in heaven. Are we being fitted with pure elevated holy characters for those mansions? {1SAT 31.2} |
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