God does not send judgments upon His people without first warning them to repent. He uses every means to bring them back to obedience and does not visit their iniquity with judgments until He has given them ample opportunity to repent. The wrath of man sought to prevent the labors of the prophet of God by depriving him of his liberty; but God can speak to men through prison walls, and even increase the usefulness of His servants through the very means by which their persecutors seek to limit their influence. {4T 179.3}

Gud sendte ikke domme over sit folk uden først at advare dem til anger. Han bruger ethvert middel til at bringe dem tilbage til lydigheden og hjemsøger ikke deres synder med domme, før han har givet dem rigelig anledning til at angre. Menneskers vrede forsøgte at forhindre gudsprofetens arbejde ved at berøve hans frihed, men Gud kan tale til mennesker gennem fængselsmure og endda drage mere nytte af sine tjenere ved de midler deres forfølgere forsøger at begrænse deres virke med..