This has been the danger of the people of God in all ages; and especially is this the danger of those living near the close of time. We are cited by the apostle to the unbelief, blindness, rebellion, and repeated sins of the Hebrews, as a warning. Paul plainly states that “all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” If, in these last days of peril, for the encouragement of persons in responsible positions, God in mercy gives them a testimony of favor, they frequently become lifted up, and lose sight of their frailties and weaknesses, and rely upon their own judgment, flattering themselves that God cannot accomplish his work without their especial aid. They trust in their own wisdom; and the Lord permits them, for a time, to apparently prosper, to reveal the weakness and folly of the natural heart. But the Lord will, in his own time, and in his own way, bring down the pride and folly of these deceived ones, and show to them their true condition. If they will accept the humiliation, and by confession and sincere repentance, turn unto the Lord, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, he will renew his love to them. But if they shut their eyes to their own sins, as did the Jews, and choose their own ways, the Lord will give them up to blindness of mind, and hardness of heart, that they cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God. {2SP 52.4}

Dette har været Guds folks fare igennem alle tider; og dette er især faren for (53) dem der lever nær endetiden. Apostlen har citeret os hebræernes vantro, blindhed, oprør og gentagende synder som en advarsel. Paulus skriver tydeligt at "de kan være advarende eksempler, og det blev skrevet til påmindelse for os, til hvem de sidste tider er kommet." Hvis Gud i disse sidste farefulde dage, i sin nåde, for at opmuntre personer i ansvarlige stillinger, giver dem et vidnesbyrd om yndest, vil de ofte blive opløfte, og miste deres skrøbelighed og svaghed af syne, og stole på deres egen dømmekraft, bilde dem selv ind at Gud ikke kan udrette sit store arbejde uden deres særlige hjælp. De stoler på deres egen svaghed og naturlige hjertes tåbelighed. Men Herren vil på sit eget tidspunkt, og på sin egen måde nedgøre disse bedragedes stolthed og tåbelighed, og vise dem deres sande tilstand. Hvis de vil acceptere ydmygheden, og i under bekendelse og oprigtig anger, vende sig til Herren, udvikle hellighed i Gudsfrygt, vil han fornye sin kærlighed mod dem. Men hvis de lukker deres øjne over for deres egne synder, ligesom jøderne gjorde, og vælger deres egne veje, vil Herren give dem op til sindes blindhed, og hjertes hårdhed, og de kan ikke se Guds Ånds ting.