The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 303

The European Union in Prophecy
message was, to a great extent, preached by laymen, was urged as an instrument
against it. As of old, the plain testimony of God's word was met with the inquiry:
"Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed?" And finding how difficult a task
it was to refute the arguments drawn from the prophetic periods, many discouraged
the study of the prophecies, teaching that the prophetic books were sealed and were
not to be understood. Multitudes, trusting implicitly to their pastors, refused to listen
to the warning; and others, though convinced of the truth, dared not confess it, lest
they should be "put out of the synagogue." The message which God had sent for the
testing and purification of the church revealed all too surely how great was the
number who had set their affections on this world rather than upon Christ. The ties
which bound them to earth were stronger than the attractions heavenward. They
chose to listen to the voice of worldly wisdom and turned away from the heart-
searching message of truth.
In refusing the warning of the first angel, they rejected the means which Heaven
had provided for their restoration. They spurned the gracious messenger that would
have corrected the evils which separated them from God, and with greater eagerness
they turned to seek the friendship