The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible
to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble.
I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field
in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are
in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and
strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us
to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our
bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not
lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us
in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us,
as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did
for the Israelites.
Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of
trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs,
and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance
the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of
God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before
the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through
sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar and earnestly
inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of
these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and
have no clogs to weigh them down.
I saw that if any held on to their property and did not inquire
of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and
they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time
of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush
them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able.
I heard some mourn like this: "The cause was languishing,
God's people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort
to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we had
let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!" I saw that a
sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed.
I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose
of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be
taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and
how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their
property in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others
have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then,
as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.
I saw that the message, "Sell that ye have, and give alms,"
has not been given, by some, in its clear light, and the object
of the words of our Saviour has not been clearly presented. The
object of selling is not to give to those who are able to labor
and support themselves, but to spread the truth. It is a sin to
support and indulge in idleness those who are able to labor. Some
have been zealous to attend all the meetings, not to glorify God,
but for the "loaves and fishes." Such would much better
have been at home laboring with their hands, "the thing that
is good," to supply the wants of their families and to have
something to give to sustain the precious cause of present truth.
Now is the time to lay up treasure in heaven and to set our hearts
in order, ready for the time of trouble. Those only who have clean
hands and pure hearts will stand in that trying time. Now is the
time for the law of God to be in our minds, foreheads, and written
in our hearts.
The Lord has shown me the danger of letting our minds be filled
with worldly thoughts and cares. I saw that some minds are led
away from present truth and a love of the Holy Bible by reading
other exciting books; others are filled with perplexity and care
for what they shall eat, drink, and wear. Some are looking too
far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has continued a few years
longer than they expected; therefore they think it may continue
a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from
present truth, out after the world. In these things I saw great
danger; for if the mind is filled with other things, present truth
is shut out, and there is no place in our foreheads for the seal
of the living God. I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the
most holy place was nearly finished and that time can last but
a very little longer. What leisure time we have should be spent
in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last day.
My dear brethren and sisters, let the commandments of God and
the testimony of Jesus Christ be in your minds continually and
let them crowd out worldly thoughts and cares. When you lie down
and when you rise up, let them be your meditation. Live and act
wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of man. The sealing
time is very short, and will soon be over. Now is the time, while
the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our calling
and election sure.