The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 325

The European Union in Prophecy
God did not forsake His people; His Spirit still abode with those who did not
rashly deny the light which they had received, and denounce the advent movement.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews are words of encouragement and warning for the tried,
waiting ones at this crisis: "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will
of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come
will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw
back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back
unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Hebrews 10:3539.
That this admonition is addressed to the church in the last days is evident from
the words pointing to the nearness of the Lord's coming: "For yet a little while, and
He that shall come will come and will not tarry." And it is plainly implied that there
would be a seeming delay and that the Lord would appear to tarry. The instruction
here given is especially adapted to the experience of Adventists at this time. The
people here addressed were in danger of making shipwreck of faith. They had done
the will of God in following the guidance of His Spirit and His word; yet they could
not understand His purpose in their past experience, nor could they discern the
pathway before them, and they were tempted to doubt whether God had indeed been
leading them. At this time the words were applicable: "Now the just shall live by
faith." As the bright light of the "midnight cry" had shone upon their pathway, and
they had seen the prophecies unsealed and the rapidly fulfilling signs telling that the
coming of Christ was near, they had walked, as it were, by sight. But now, bowed
down by disappointed hopes, they could stand only by faith in God and in His word.
The scoffing world were saying: "You have been deceived. Give up your faith, and say
that the advent movement was of Satan." But God's word declared: "If any man draw
back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him." To renounce their faith now, and deny
the power of the Holy Spirit which had attended the message, would be drawing back
toward perdition. They were encouraged to steadfastness by the words of Paul: "Cast
not away therefore your confidence;" "ye have need of patience," "for yet a little while,
and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Their only safe course was to
cherish the light which they had already received of God, hold fast to His promises,
and continue to search the Scriptures, and patiently wait and watch to receive further
light.
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