The prophets of God were hated by apostate Israel because through them their hidden sins were brought to light. Ahab regarded Elijah as his enemy because the prophet was faithful to rebuke the king's secret iniquities. So today the servant of Christ,the reprover of sin, meets with scorn and rebuffs. Bible truth, the religion of Christ, struggles against a strong current of moral impurity. Prejudice is even stronger in the hearts of men now than in Christ's day. Christ did not fulfill men's expectations; His life was a rebuke to their sins, and they rejected Him. So now the truth of God's word does not harmonize with men's practices and their natural inclination, and thousands reject its light. Men prompted by Satan cast doubt upon God's word, and choose to exercise 588 their independent judgment. They choose darkness rather than light, but they do it at the peril of their souls. Those who caviled at the words of Christ, found ever-increased cause for cavil, until they turned from the Truth and the Life. So it is now. God does not propose to remove every objection which the carnal heart may bring against His truth. To those who refuse the precious rays of light which would illuminate the darkness, the mysteries of God's word remain such forever. From them the truth is hidden. They walk blindly, and know not the ruin before them.

Hans liv var en irettesættelse for deres synd, og de forkastede ham. På samme måde stemmer sandheden i Guds ord ikke overens med menneskers handlemåde og deres naturlige tilbøjeligheder, og tusinder viser dets lys fra sig. Mennesker kan efter Satans tilskyndelse betvivle Guds ord og vælge at handle efter deres personlige opfattelse. De vælger hellere mørket end lyset, men de gør det med fare for deres sjæle. De, som drog Kristi ord i tvivl, fandt stadig mere årsag til kritik, indtil de vendte sig fra sandheden og livet: Det er det samme nu. Det er ikke Guds hensigt at fjerne enhver indvending, som det kødelige hjerte kan fremkomme med imod hans sandhed. Guds ords hemmeligheder vil altid forblive skjult for dem, der nægter at tage imod lysets dyrebare stråler, der skal lyse op i mørket. For dem er sandheden skjult. De vandrer i blinde og ser ikke den undergang, som venter dem.