第1388号 增加你的才干；藉着见证..
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第1388号 增加你的才干；藉着见证..
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MR No. 1388 - Increase Your Talents; Render Service to God by Witnessing; Laodicean Condition of Church
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（1898年1月1日写于新南威尔士州，库兰邦，“森尼赛德，”致爱德森·怀特）
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我祝你新年快乐。1897年连同其沉重的记录已经进入永恒。今天W.C.怀特向在库兰邦这里的人讲了道。我明白这堂道恰逢其时。执行了圣礼。聚会很有益。{19MR 171.1}[1]
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(Written January 1, 1898, to Edson White from Sunnyside, Cooranbong, N.S.W.)
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I wish you a happy New Year. 1897 with its burden of record has passed into eternity. Today W.C.W. spoke to the people here in Cooranbong. The discourse was, I understand, appropriate for the occasion. The ordinances were administered. The meeting was a profitable one. {19MR 171.1}[1]
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今天这里很温暖。有一些雷鸣闪电，下了一些清爽的阵雨。{19MR 171.2}[2]
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It has been very warm here today. We have had some thunder and lightning, and some refreshing showers. {19MR 171.2}[2]
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同样的兴趣仍表现在斯坦摩尔的聚会中。下周将举行洗礼。自从帐篷大会以来，我经常访问斯坦摩尔，并在安息日和星期日下午讲了八次。慕道的兴趣广泛扩展。威尔逊夫妇，斯塔尔夫妇和赫斯格夫妇都布道区工作，教导工人给人查经。贝克弟兄主要照顾在阿什菲尔德、帕拉玛塔和其它地方的教会。雇了两个人照顾在斯坦摩尔的帐篷。在传道区有一个相当大的家庭。一个房间，一个很大的前厅，是聚会厅。一个房间为我装备得很舒适。我布置了它。{19MR 171.3}[3]
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The same interest is still manifested in the meetings in Stanmore. During the coming week, there is to be a baptism. Since the camp meeting I have visited Stanmore often, and have spoken eight times on Sabbath and Sunday afternoons. The interest is wide and extended. Brother Wilson and wife, Brother Starr and wife, and Brother Haskell and wife are all working in the mission, educating workers to give Bible readings. Brother Baker has the care principally of the churches in Ashfield, Parramatta, and other places. Two men are employed to care for the tent in Stanmore. There is quite a large family in the mission. One room, a large front parlor, is a meeting room. One room has been fitted up very pleasantly for me. I furnish it. {19MR 171.3}[3]
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在传道区的工人不能夫妻二人一起出去。有那么多人要探访，他们不得不分开。撒但藉着传道人非常认真地行事，要将人们捆绑在谬论中，然而我们不断听到一个又一个人决定采取支持真理的立场。{19MR 171.4}[4]
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The workers in the mission cannot go out husband and wife together. There are so many to visit, they have to divide. Satan works very earnestly through the ministers to keep the people bound in error, but continually we hear of one and still another deciding to take a stand for the truth. {19MR 171.4}[4]
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将在星期日或星期一举行洗礼。他们期待我会参加，但我不认为我能参加。我比以前更容易疲惫，尤其是在这个季节最炎热的时候。现在是仲夏，是一年最使人虚弱的时候。{19MR 172.1}[5]
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On Sunday or Monday the baptism will take place. They are expecting me to be present, but I do not think that I can be. I weary much more easily than formerly, especially during the hottest part of the season. It is midsummer now, and the most debilitating part of the year. {19MR 172.1}[5]
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现在墨尔本和悉尼需要五十个工人。我们没有足够多能干的工人，也缺乏资金推进这个时候必需完成的工作。如果那些知道适合这时候的现代真理的人愿意个别地认识到落在他们身上的责任，将主已惠赐给他们的亮光传达给那些不知道真理的人，他们就会更加密切地符合基督的心意了。他们就会成为祂的光，穿透笼罩着宗教界的谬论的黑暗，这黑暗像在基督的日子笼罩着犹太民族的黑暗一样浓重。{19MR 172.2}[6]
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There is need of fifty laborers now in Melbourne and Sydney. We have not enough efficient workmen, and there is also a dearth of means to carry forward the work essential to be accomplished for this time. If those who knew the truth, the present truth for this time, would individually realize that a responsibility rests upon them to communicate to those who know not the truth, the light the Lord has graciously given them, they would more nearly meet the mind of Christ. They would be His light, penetrating the darkness of error which covers the religious world, and which is as dense as the darkness that enveloped the Jewish nation in the days of Christ. {19MR 172.2}[6]
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难道安息日复临信徒要重蹈犹太民族的覆辙吗？难道给老底嘉教会的信息要应用于这班人身上吗？难道那些已经看到大光、有大机会和许多特权的人要停止服务，不再为基督作见证了吗？那些知道真理却没有感到特别有负担要显出相应行为的人，将会像那个知道主人的意思却不遵行的仆人一样（路12:47）。{19MR 172.3}[7]
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Shall Seventh-day Adventists walk in the same path as did the Jewish nation? Shall the message to the Laodicean church be applicable to this people? Shall those who have seen great light, who have had large opportunities and many privileges, cease to do service as witnesses for Christ? Those who know the truth, but who feel no special burden to reveal corresponding works, will be like that servant who knew his Masters will, but did it not. {19MR 172.3}[7]
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主已指定每一个归正的人都要为祂作见证。已经赐给祂教会各个肢体的亮光应当发出来，不仅仅在许多谈论上，而且在好行为上。委托给每一个人的每一两银子都要拿去作买卖。那些在事奉上帝的事上什么也没做的人原可将银子交给兑换银钱的人，这银子连同主所要求祂管家们作出的改善都要再交还给主。每一点亮光、才能、影响都要予以使用，不是为了取悦自己，而是为了主。我们应当与基督同负轭，完全顺从主我们的上帝，祂是圣洁、公义、良善的。这样上帝的子民就能发展越来越献身、有效能和机智的品格，尽他们的本分与上帝同工。{19MR 172.4}[8]
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The Lord has appointed every converted soul to witness for Him. The light that has been given to the individual members of His church is to shine forth, not merely in much talk, but in good works. Every talent entrusted to every soul is to be traded upon. The talents that might have been put out to the exchangers by those who have done nothing in the service of God will be required again with the improvements that the Lord required His stewards to make. Every jot of light, of ability, of influence, is to be used, not for self-pleasing, but for the Lord. We are to be yoked up with Christ in perfect obedience to the Lord our God, who is holy, just, and good. Thus Gods people may develop characters of increasing consecration, efficiency, and tact, and act their part as laborers together with God. {19MR 172.4}[8]
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为什么那么多人那么迟于认识到他们应该从事的工作，去寻找拯救失丧的人呢。要虔诚地考虑应该做成什么。要杀死懒惰。要把握住个人之工。那些传道教导人的人为各教会做了太多他们自己应该开始去做的工作。教会肢体们应该负起责任。他们应该藉着运用自己所有的能力来保守自己的灵魂在上帝的爱里。他们应该藉着言传身教作见证，证明基督的真理和恩典在人心上的能力。这会表扬真理，显明第七日安息日是他们和上帝之间的一个证据。在遵守安息日上的顺从证明藉着遵守安息日而得到的成圣。{19MR 173.1}[9]
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Why are so many so slow in recognizing the work they ought to do in seeking to save that which is lost. Consider prayerfully what is to be done. Kill indolence. Lay hold of personal labor. Too much labor is done by those who minister in word and doctrine in behalf of churches that should be set to work themselves. The church members should carry a weight of responsibility. They should keep their own souls in the love of God by exercising all the powers they have. By precept and example they should bear witness of the power of the truth and grace of Christ upon human hearts. This will commend the truth that the seventh-day Sabbath is a sign between them and their God. Obedience in the observance of the Sabbath testifies of the sanctification received through its observance. {19MR 173.1}[9]
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在我们许多有组织的教会里，真理的旗帜被拖曳到尘埃，因为教友们不是在事奉上帝，而是在事奉自己的乐趣。他们藉着围绕着他们心灵的影响行事。藉着言传身教，他们在自我放纵上、在他们属世的着装习惯上、在他们的言语和行为上，作见证反对真理，反对舍己，反对基督的柔和。他们在属灵上是冷淡的，远远地与基督分隔开了。他们若是跟随基督的脚踪行，原会与祂的舍己、祂的自我牺牲有分，以便能扶持和拯救将亡的人。{19MR 173.2}[10]
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In many of our organized churches the banner of truth is trailing in the dust because the members are not doing service to God, but are serving their own pleasure. They work through the influences that surround the soul. By precept and example, in self-indulgence, in their worldly habits of dress, in their words and actions, they testify against the truth, against self-denial, against the meekness of Christ. They are cold spiritually, and far separated from Christ. If they followed in the footsteps of Christ, they would be partakers of His self-denial, of His self-sacrifice, that they might lift up and save the souls that are ready to perish. {19MR 173.2}[10]
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委托给人们的才干可能以一种不圣洁的方式得到使用，因为他们随便地凭冲动做出一个好行为，不肯去看近在手边要求注意的机会。许多人一曝十寒地实行舍己和自我牺牲。他们需要寻求那惟独来自上帝的智慧。他们需要请教主他们的领袖。他们需要多多祈祷，多多倚赖耶稣基督，以便祂的圣灵在他们里面行事，显明一种上帝能嘉许的直截了当的服务方针，这会使许多人蒙福受益。将我们所有的言语和行为都奉献给上帝使我们成为祂的见证，这发展一种品格，是珍爱真理所有原则的结果。真理不是一种便宜货，而是像被火试验的金子一样宝贵。{19MR 173.3}[11]
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The talents entrusted to men may be used in an unconsecrated manner, by doing a good action from impulse in a haphazard way, refusing to see opportunities that are close by and that should claim the attention. Many practice self-denial and self-sacrifice by fits and starts. They need to seek the wisdom that comes from God alone. They need to consult their Leader. They need to do much praying, much trusting in Jesus Christ that His Holy Spirit may work in them, revealing a straightforward course of service which God will approve, and which will be a benefit and blessing to many souls. The consecration of all our words and actions to God makes us His witnesses. It develops a character that is the result of cherishing the truth in all its principles. Truth is not a cheap commodity; it is as precious gold, tried in the fire. {19MR 173.3}[11]
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我们经过此世只有一次。但愿自称上帝儿女之人所走的每一步都是前进的。要听基督的话：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”（太16:24）。惟有这样才能指定我们各人是祂的门徒。我们有没有在天使和未堕落的诸世界面前见证我们作为人承认我们明白这句话的意思呢？——“你们不是自己的人；因为你们是重价买来的。所以要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”（林前6:19,20）。{19MR 174.1}[12]
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We pass through this world but once. Let every step taken by those who claim to be sons and daughters of God be forward. Listen to the words of Christ: He that will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me [Matthew 16:24]. This alone will designate each of us as His disciples. Are we witnessing before the angels of heaven and before the worlds unfallen that we as human beings recognize that we understand what this means, Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20]. {19MR 174.1}[12]
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完全献身于上帝，过一种专心侍奉的生活，这是给世人的一个活见证，证明你承认自己有责任要改善。每一受托的才干都要被视为绝对而真实地属于祂，你因着创造和救赎而属于祂。需要言语、声音和每一行为的成圣。这个灵与魂与身子成圣的行为并不是人这一方创造什么东西并将它献给上帝的举动。我们所拥有的一切都来自上帝，也是藉着祂而得的，同样是属于祂的，我们若不认识到这一点，就会将一些荣誉归于自己。藉着将一切都献给上帝，你只是在向天使们表明你承认灵与魂与身子都属于主，应当被用于祂的服务。{19MR 174.2}[13]
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Entire consecration to God, living an undivided heart-life of service, this is a living testimony to the world that you recognize your accountability to improve. Every entrusted talent is to be treated as absolutely and really belonging to Him whose you are by creation and redemption. Consecration of words, of voice, of every work, is needed. This act of sanctification of soul, body, and spirit is not an act on the part of the human agent of creating anything and rendering it to God. All we have is from God and by Him. It is just as much His, if we do not recognize it thus and take some credit to ourselves. By consecrating all to God, you are simply showing the angels of heaven that you recognize that soul, body, and spirit belong to the Lord, and are to be devoted to His service. {19MR 174.2}[13]
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交给那个无用仆人的银子，他包在布里埋在地里了，那也是主自己的，委托给那个仆人去使用的。他应当用来获得更多的银子。我们的人生应当是认真周到地服侍上帝的一生。那些没有感到确实有责任要在生活和品格上代表真理的人，没有藉着显出真理在他们里面造成的改革来证明基督恩典的能力的人，没能在那些其品格显示在因错误原则而使上帝的律法无效的人面前高举上帝的律法。{19MR 175.1}[14]
§32
The talent given to the unprofitable servant, which he wrapped in a napkin and buried in the earth, was the Lords own, entrusted to the servant for use. It was to be so used that it would gain other talents. Our life is to be a life of earnest, thoughtful service to God. Those who feel no real obligation to represent the truth in life and character, who do not testify to the power of the grace of Christ by revealing the reformation it has wrought in them, fail to exalt the law of God before those whose characters are demonstrated in making that law void by their wrong principles. {19MR 175.1}[14]
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真正遵守上帝诫命的人向世人显明一种清白无瑕的正直品格，用他们自己的行动方针证明耶和华的律法全备，能苏醒人心。上帝的儿子主耶稣就这样藉着祂对上帝律法的顺从高举和尊荣了上帝的律法。上帝必将谴责每一个自称安息日复临信徒却不侍奉祂，反而因骄傲、自私和世俗而显明源出于天的真理并没有在其品格上实行改革的人。{19MR 175.2}[15]
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The true commandment-keeping people of God show to the world a character of unspotted integrity, testifying by their own course of action that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Thus the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, through His obedience to the law of God, exalted and made that law honorable. God will surely condemn every member of every church claiming to be Seventh-day Adventist, who is not doing Him service, but through pride, selfishness, and worldliness, is showing that the truth of heavenly origin has not worked a reformation in his character. {19MR 175.2}[15]
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请仔细阅读启3:15-18。我们听到耶稣说：“凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他；所以你要发热心，也要悔改。看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与祂同坐一般”（启3:19-21）。{19MR 175.3}[16]
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Please read carefully Revelation 3:15-18. The voice of Jesus Christ is heard. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore [not half-hearted], and repent. Behold, I [your Saviour] stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with My Father in His throne [Revelation 3:19-21]. {19MR 175.3}[16]
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各教会愿意听从老底嘉的信息吗？他们是愿意悔改呢，还是尽管最严肃的真理信息——第三位天使的信息——正在传给世人，他们却依然愿意继续在罪中呢？这是最后的怜悯信息，给堕落世界的最后警告。上帝的教会若是变得不冷不热了，就与各教会一样不再支持上帝了，那些教会被描绘为已经堕落，成了鬼魔的住处和各样污秽之灵的巢穴，并各样污秽可憎之雀鸟的巢穴（启18:2）。那些有机会听到和领受真理，参加基督复临安息日会，自称是守上帝诫命的子民，然而并不比那些有名无实的教会拥有更多的活力和对上帝献身的人，将承受上帝的灾殃，正如那些反对上帝律法的教会一样。惟有那些因真理成圣的人才会在基督已去为爱祂并遵守祂诫命的人预备的天上居所中构成王室皇族。{19MR 176.1}[17]
§38
Will the churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that the most solemn message of truth--the third angels message--is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin? This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world. If the church of God becomes lukewarm, it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments. {19MR 176.1}[17]
§39
“人若说我认识祂，却不遵守祂的诫命，便是说谎话的，真理也不在他心里了”（约壹2:4）。这包括凡自称认识上帝并遵守祂的诫命，却不藉着好行为将此显明出来的人。他们将按照自己的行为受报应。“凡住在祂里面的，就不犯罪；凡犯罪的，是未曾看见祂，也未曾认识祂”（约壹3:6）。这是对所有教会成员讲的，包括基督复临安息日会的成员。“小子们哪，不要被人诱惑，行义的才是义人，正如主是义的一样。犯罪的是属魔鬼，因为魔鬼从起初就犯罪。上帝的儿子显现出来，为要除灭魔鬼的作为。凡从上帝生的，就不犯罪，因上帝的道（原文作种）存在他心里；他也不能犯罪，因为他是由上帝生的。从此就显出谁是上帝的儿女，谁是魔鬼的儿女。凡不行义的就不属上帝，不爱弟兄的也是如此”（约壹3:7-10）。{19MR 176.2}[18]
§40
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him [1 John 2:4]. This includes all who claim to have a knowledge of God, and to keep His commandments, but who do not manifest this by good works. They will receive according to their deeds. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him [1 John 3:6]. This is addressed to all church members, including the members of the Seventh-day Adventist churches. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother [1 John 3:7-10]. {19MR 176.2}[18]
§41
凡自称守安息日的复临信徒，可是却继续在罪里的人，在上帝眼中乃是说谎的。他们有罪的行径对抗上帝的工作。他们在诱导别人陷入罪里。来自上帝的话是对我们各教会的每一个成员讲的：“也要为自己的脚，把道路修直了，使瘸子不至差路，反得痊愈。你们要追求与众人和睦，并要追求圣洁；非圣洁没有人能见主。又要谨慎，恐怕有人失了上帝的恩；恐怕有毒根生出来扰乱你们，因此叫众人沾染污秽；恐怕有淫乱的，有贪恋世俗如以扫的，他因一点食物把自己长子的名分卖了。后来想要承受父所祝的福，竟被弃绝，虽然号哭切求，却得不着门路，使他父亲的心意回转。这是你们知道的”（来12:13-17）。{19MR 177.1}[19]
§42
All who claim to be Sabbath-keeping Adventists, and yet continue in sin, are liars in Gods sight. Their sinful course is counterworking the work of God. They are leading others into sin. The word comes from God to every member of our churches, And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears [Hebrews 12:13-17]. {19MR 177.1}[19]
§43
这段经文适用于许多自称相信真理的人。他们不愿放弃自己充满私欲的行为，宁愿冒险在撒但的欺人诡辩之下走错误的教育路线。他们没有看出罪的罪孽深重。他们的良心被玷污，他们的内心是腐败的，甚至他们的思想都持续败坏。撒但利用他们作为诱饵，诱惑人从事不洁的做法，玷污整个的人。“人干犯摩西的律法（那原是上帝的律法），凭两三个见证人，尚且不得怜恤而死，何况人践踏上帝的儿子，将那使他成圣之约的血当作平常，又亵慢施恩的圣灵，你们想，他要受的刑罚该怎样加重呢！因为我们知道谁说：‘伸冤在我，我必报应’；又说：‘主要审判祂的百姓。’落在永生上帝的手里，真是可怕的”（来10:28-31）！（《信函》1898年35号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1988年5月12日全文发表于美国首都华盛顿。{19MR 177.2}[20]
§44
This is applicable to many who claim to believe the truth. Rather than give up their lustful practices, they venture on in a wrong line of education under Satans deceiving sophistry. Sin is not discerned as sinful. Their very consciences are defiled, their hearts are corrupted, even the thoughts are continually corrupt. Satan uses them as decoys to lure souls to unclean practices which defile the whole being. He that despised Moses law [which was the law of God] died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God [Hebrews 10:28-31]. --Letter 35, 1898. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. May 12, 1988. Entire Letter. {19MR 177.2}[20]