The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 432

entered the most holy place, all Israel were required to gather about the
sanctuary and in the most solemn manner humble their souls before God,
that they might receive the pardon of their sins and not be cut off from
the congregation. How much more essential in this antitypical Day of
Atonement that we understand the work of our High Priest and know
what duties are required of us.
Men cannot with impunity reject the warning which God in mercy
sends them. A message was sent from heaven to the world in Noah’s
day, and their salvation depended upon the manner in which they treated
that message. Because they rejected the warning, the Spirit of God
was withdrawn from the sinful race, and they perished in the waters
of the Flood. In the time of Abraham, mercy ceased to plead with
the guilty inhabitants of Sodom, and all but Lot with his wife and two
daughters were consumed by the fire sent down from heaven. So in
the days of Christ. The Son of God declared to the unbelieving Jews
of that generation: “Your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew
23:38. Looking down to the last days, the same Infinite Power declares,
concerning those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might
be saved“: “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
As they reject the teachings of His word, God withdraws His Spirit and
leaves them to the deceptions which they love.
But Christ still intercedes in man’s behalf, and light will be given to
those who seek it. Though this was not at first understood by Adventists,
it was afterward made plain as the Scriptures which define their true
position began to open before them.
The passing of the time in 1844 was followed by a period of great
trial to those who still held the advent faith. Their only relief, so far as
ascertaining their true position was

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