Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety , there are true followers of Christ in these churches . Before the final visitation of God ' s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times . The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children . At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word . Many , both of ministers and people , will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord ' s second coming . The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work ; and before the time for such a movement shall come , he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit . In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God ' s special blessing is poured out ; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest . Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them , when the work is that of another spirit . Under a religious guise , Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world .
In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century , the same influences have been at work , to a greater or less degree , that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future . There is an emotional excitement , a mingling of the true with the false , that is well adapted to mislead . Yet none need be deceived . In the light of God ' s word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements . Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible , turning away from those plain , soul-testing truths which require selfdenial and renunciation of the world , there we may be sure that God ' s blessing is not bestowed .
And by the rule which Christ Himself has given , " Ye shall know them by their fruits " ( Matthew 7:16 ), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God . In the truths of His word , God has given to men a revelation of Himself ; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan . It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world . The nature and the importance of the law of God have been , to a great extent , lost sight of . A wrong conception of the character , the perpetuity , and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification , and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church . Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time .
There are , in the various denominations , men eminent for their piety , by whom this fact is acknowledged and deplored . Professor Edwards A . Park , in setting forth the current religious perils , ably says : " One source of danger is the neglect of the pulpit to enforce the
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