These had gone forth to meet the Lord , full of hope in the prospect of immediate reward ; but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment . When trials came , their faith failed , and their lights burned dim .
" While the bridegroom tarried , they all slumbered and slept ." By the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the Lord was expected , the disappointment , and the seeming delay . In this time of uncertainty , the interest of the superficial and halfhearted soon began to waver , and their efforts to relax ; but those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath their feet , which the waves of disappointment could not wash away . " They all slumbered and slept ;" one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith , the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given . Yet in the night of trial the latter seemed to lose , to some extent , their zeal and devotion . The halfhearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the faith of their brethren . Each must stand or fall for himself .
About this time , fanaticism began to appear . Some who had professed to be zealous believers in the message rejected the word of God as the one infallible guide and , claiming to be led by the Spirit , gave themselves up to the control of their own feelings , impressions , and imaginations . There were some who manifested a blind and bigoted zeal , denouncing all who would not sanction their course . Their fanatical ideas and exercises met with no sympathy from the great body of Adventists ; yet they served to bring reproach upon the cause of truth .
Satan was seeking by this means to oppose and destroy the work of God . The people had been greatly stirred by the advent movement , thousands of sinners had been converted , and faithful men were giving themselves to the work of proclaiming the truth , even in the tarrying time . The prince of evil was losing his subjects ; and in order to bring reproach upon the cause of God , he sought to deceive some who professed the faith and to drive them to extremes . Then his agents stood ready to seize upon every error , every failure , every unbecoming act , and hold it up before the people in the most exaggerated light , to render Adventists and their faith odious . Thus the greater the number whom he could crowd in to make a profession of faith in the second advent while his power controlled their hearts , the greater advantage would he gain by calling attention to them as representatives of the whole body of believers .
Satan is " the accuser of the brethren ," and it is his spirit that inspires men to watch for the errors and defects of the Lord ' s people , and to hold them up to notice , while their good deeds are passed by without a mention . He is always active when God is at work for the salvation of souls . When the sons of God come to present themselves before the Lord , Satan comes also among them . In every revival he is ready to bring in those who are unsanctified in heart and unbalanced in mind . When these have accepted some points of truth , and gained a place with believers , he works through them to introduce theories that will deceive the unwary . No man is proved to be a true Christian
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