Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

My brethren, do you realize that your own salvation, as well as the
destiny of other souls, depends upon the preparation you now make for the
trial before us? Have you that intensity of zeal, that piety and devotion,
which will enable you to stand when opposition shall be brought against
you? If God has ever spoken by me, the time will come when you will be
brought before councils, and every position of truth which you hold will be
severely criticized. The time that so many are now allowing to go to waste
should be devoted to the charge that God has given us of preparing for the
approaching crisis.
God's Judgments
We are near the close of time. I have been shown that the retributive
judgments of God are already in the land. The Lord has given us warning of
the events about to take place. Light is shining from His word; yet darkness
covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. "When they shall say, Peace
and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them; ... and they shall not
escape."
The Lord is removing His restrictions from the earth, and soon there will
be death and destruction, increasing crime, and cruel, evil working against
the rich who have exalted themselves against the poor. Those who are
without God's protection will find no safety in any place or position. Human
agents are being trained and are using their inventive power to put in
operation the most powerful machinery to wound and to kill.
The judgments of God are in the land. The wars and rumors of wars, the
destruction by fire and flood, say clearly that the time of trouble, which is to
increase until the end, is very near at hand.
Soon grievous troubles will arise among the nations,--trouble that will
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