Words of Hope
Despite the widespread decline in faith, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before God finally brings His judgments, among the people of the Lord there will be a revival of authentic godliness not seen since the time of the apostles. The Spirit of God will be poured out. Many will separate from those churches in which love of this world has replaced love for God and His Word. Many ministers and people will gladly accept the great truths that prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming.
Satan wants to interfere with this work, and before the time for
such a movement arrives, he will try to prevent it by bringing in a
counterfeit. In churches that he can bring under his power, he will
make it appear that God is pouring out His special blessing. Many
will boast, “God is working marvelously,” when the work belongs
to another spirit. Under a religious disguise, Satan will try to extend his influence over the Christian world. In such revivals there is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, well designed to mislead.
Yet in the light of God’s Word it is not difficult to recognize the
nature of these movements. Wherever people neglect the instruction
of the Bible, turning away from those plain, heart-testing truths that
require them to deny self and renounce the world, there we may be
sure that God is not bestowing His blessing. And by the rule, “You
will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16), it is clear that these
movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.
The truths of God’sWord are a shield against Satan’s deceptions.
Neglecting these truths has opened the door to the evils that are now widespread in the world. To a great extent people have lost sight of
the importance of God’s law. A wrong idea about the divine law has
led to errors in conversion and sanctification, lowering the standard
of godly living. Here we find the reason why the Spirit of God is
missing in the revivals of today.
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Source: Ellen G. White, The Great Hope, pp. 45-46