Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
The Church and the World United
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After this I saw Satan consulting with his angels and
considering what they had gained. True, they had, through fear of death, kept
some timid souls from embracing the truth; but many, even of the most timid,
had received the truth, and thereupon their fears and timidity immediately left
them. As these witnessed the death of their brethren and beheld their firmness
and patience, they knew that God and angels assisted them to endure such
sufferings, and they grew bold and fearless. And when called to yield their own
lives, they maintained their faith with such patience and firmness as caused
even their murderers to tremble. Satan and his angels decided that there was a
more successful way to destroy souls, one that would be more certain in the
end. Although Christians were made to suffer, their steadfastness, and the
bright hope that cheered them, caused the weakest to grow strong and enabled
them to approach the rack and the flames undaunted. They imitated the noble
bearing of Christ when before His murderers, and by their constancy and the
glory of God which rested upon them, they convinced many others of the truth. {EW 226.1}
Satan therefore decided that he must come in a milder form.
He had already corrupted the doctrines of the Bible, and traditions which were
to ruin millions were taking deep root. Restraining his hate, he decided not to
urge on his subjects to such bitter persecution, but lead the church to contend
for various traditions, instead of for the faith once delivered to [227] the saints. As he prevailed
on the church to receive favors and honors from the world, under the pretense
of receiving benefits, she began to lose favor with God. Shunning to declare
the straight truths which shut out the lovers of pleasure and friends of the
world, she gradually lost her power. {EW 226.2}
The church is not now the separate and peculiar people she
was when the fires of persecution were kindled against her. How is the gold
become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! I saw that if the church had
always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit
which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be
healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a
terror to her enemies. {EW
227.1}
I saw a very large company professing the name of Christ,
but God did not recognize them as His. He had no pleasure in them. Satan seemed
to assume a religious character and was very willing that the people should
think they were Christians. He was even anxious that they should believe in
Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Satan and his angels fully
believe all this themselves, and tremble. But if this faith does not provoke to
good works, and lead those who profess it to imitate the self-denying life of
Christ, Satan is not disturbed; for they merely assume the Christian name,
while their hearts are still carnal, and he can use them in his service even
better than if they made no profession. Hiding their deformity under the name
of Christian, they pass along with their unsanctified natures, and their evil
passions unsubdued. This gives occasion for the unbeliever to reproach Christ
with their imperfections, and causes those who do possess pure and undefiled
religion to be brought into disrepute. [228] {EW 227.2}
The ministers preach smooth things to suit carnal
professors. They dare not preach Jesus and the cutting truths of the Bible; for
if they should, these carnal professors would not remain in the church. But as
many of them are wealthy, they must be retained, although they are no more fit
to be there than Satan and his angels. This is just as Satan would have it. The
religion of Jesus is made to appear popular and honorable in the eyes of the
world. The people are told that those who profess religion will be more honored
by the world. Such teachings differ very widely from the teachings of Christ.
His doctrine and the world could not be at peace. Those who followed Him had to
renounce the world. These smooth things originated with Satan and his angels.
They formed the plan, and nominal professors carried it out. Pleasing fables
were taught and readily received, and hypocrites and open sinners united with
the church. If the truth had been preached in its purity, it would soon have
shut out this class. But there was no difference between the professed
followers of Christ and the world. I saw that if the false covering had been
torn off from the members of the churches, there would have been revealed such
iniquity, vileness, and corruption that the most diffident child of God would
have had no hesitancy in calling these professed Christians by their right
name, children of their father, the devil; for his works they did. {EW 228.1}
Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with disgust upon the
scene; yet God had a message for the church that was sacred and important. If
received, it would make a thorough reformation in the church, revive the living
testimony that would purge out hypocrites and sinners, and bring the church
again into favor with God. {EW
228.2}
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