The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 270

The European Union in Prophecy
praising and blessing God." Luke 24:52, 53. They were not rejoicing because Jesus
had been separated from them and they were left to struggle with the trials and
temptations of the world, but because of the angels' assurance that He would come
again.
The proclamation of Christ's coming should now be, as when made by the angels
to the shepherds of Bethlehem, good tidings of great joy. Those who really love the
Saviour cannot but hail with gladness the announcement founded upon the word of
God that He in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered is coming again, not to
be insulted, despised, and rejected, as at His first advent, but in power and glory, to
redeem His people. It is those who do not love the Saviour that desire Him to remain
away, and there can be no more conclusive evidence that the churches have departed
from God than the irritation and animosity excited by this Heaven-sent message.
Those who accepted the advent doctrine were roused to the necessity of
repentance and humiliation before God. Many had long been halting between Christ
and the world; now they felt that it was time to take a stand. "The things of eternity
assumed to them an unwonted reality. Heaven was brought near, and they felt
themselves guilty before God."-- Bliss, page 146. Christians were quickened to new
spiritual life. They were made to feel that time was short, that what they had to do
for their fellow men must be done quickly. Earth receded, eternity seemed to open
before them, and the soul, with all that pertained to its immortal weal or woe, was
felt to eclipse every temporal object. The Spirit of God rested upon them and gave
power to their earnest appeals to their brethren, as well as to sinners, to prepare for
the day of God. The silent testimony of their daily life was a constant rebuke to formal
and unconsecrated church members. These did not wish to be disturbed in their
pursuit of pleasure, their devotion to money-making, and their ambition for worldly
honour. Hence the enmity and opposition excited against the advent faith and those
who proclaimed it.
As the arguments from the prophetic periods were found to be impregnable,
opposers endeavoured to discourage investigation of the subject by teaching that the
prophecies were sealed. Thus Protestants followed in the steps of Romanists. While
the papal church withholds the Bible (See Appendix) from the people, Protestant
churches claimed that an important part of the Sacred Word--and that the part which
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