Lee Venden is the new head pastor of the College Place Village
Seventh-day Adventist Church. Recently, he has teamed up with his father,
Morris Venden, to turn that church into a video studio. They are producing
a major "evangelistic" video series, designed to indoctrinate
both church members and potential converts into an acceptance of Morris
Venden's errors: (1) You cannot resist sin and God does not want you to.
(2) Just trust in Christ and He may eventually do it for you. (3) Sin is
not disobedience, but only separation from God. So if you are with Jesus,
you have no sin.
Professional equipment and staff (probably obtained through the Voice
of Prophecy) are involved. When completed, this new video series will come
to your area-unless you do what you can to stop it.
Here are more facts about this, as presented by a concerned Seventh-day
Adventist professional. He recently wrote the following letter to Max
Torkelsen, president of the Upper Columbia Conference. It is obvious that
the large crowds of Adventists at Walla Walla College (located in College
Place) and the surrounding area, attending the shootings of the video, are
being captivated by these insidious teachings. Both the father and son
Venden know how to please an audience with their speaking abilities, their
humor, their subtle doubts about the Spirit of Prophecy, even as they
quote it, and their very pleasant theory that Adventists no longer need be
concerned about the deepening inroads of sin in their lives.
The plan is to distribute these videos throughout our denomination.
What should you and I do in this crisis? God wants us to arouse and warn
others. I urge you to make copies of this article and mail them to every
church leader in your conference and union. Send some to leaders in the
General Conference and to church leaders overseas. They need to be warned
about what is coming.
It is easy to think that the situation is hopeless. But read again pp.
322-339 in Prophets and Kings. During the reign of Ahaz, the nation
dropped to a new low, seemingly beyond any possibility of remedy. Yet
within a remarkably short time after Hezekiah came to the throne, he
vigorously set to work to institute changes which dramatically changed the
situation. Under Ahaz' rule, a majority of the nation of Judah had left
God. But view what happened when Hezekiah resolutely instituted needed
reforms! From those pages we learn that the influence of church leaders is
powerful.
I urge you to provide our leaders with the information they need, and
pray that they will resolutely work to bring our people back to obedience
to our Bible -Spirit of Prophecy beliefs. There are strong pressures from
liberals in our ranks to be quiet and say nothing. But if, in the fear of
God, they will determine to stand for the right, they will be strengthened
to initiate powerful changes.
Let us be faithful to the end. As predicted in Great Controversy, the
crisis of the National Sunday Law is nearing. A resolution is before
Congress which will permit the placement of the Ten Commandments in every
public building in the nation. A great number of the citizenry would favor
it; people are becoming weary of the tide of immorality flooding our land.
It would not require much for our national legislators to enact a Sunday
law.
At such a time as this, we must be alert and ready to do our duty.
Study God's Holy Word as you have never studied it before. Share its
truths with all around you. Determine to be one whom God can use as the
crisis deepens in our church and in the world.
Surely, we are nearing the end. But we can know that God will be with
His faithful ones, those who by faith in Christ are obedient to His Word.
Though many forsake our historic beliefs, we must not do so. We must
nobly defend them. -vf
Vernon W. Shafer, Ph.D.
507 S. E. Mountain View Dr.
College Place, Washington 99324
Pastor Max Torkelsen II, President
Upper Columbia Conference of SDA
PO Box 19039
Spokane, Washington 99219-9039
2-26-03
Subject: Crisis at College Place Village SDA Church
Dear Elder Torkelsen,
Greetings in the name of Jesus. It is with great reluctance and deep
sadness and concern that I am writing to you. I have been a member of the
Village Church since 1973. I have served as a local elder and on various
boards and committees through the years until I was incapacitated by
illness a few years ago. During these years we have seen pastors come and
go. From time to time an associate pastor would come in with his liberal
philosophy, giving occasion for concern, but on the whole, the Village
Church has stood as a bastion of conservative, Bible and Spirit of
Prophecy teachings and standards. But never before have we seen a
religious crisis to compare in scope and gravity to that facing our church
at the present time.
I assure you that it is only after hours of agonizing prayer and many
tears that I have concluded that I must bring these things to your
attention. Please be patient with my stumbling effort, because I feel
totally inadequate to find words to communicate the nature and enormity of
this crisis facing our church congregation.
The situation has been so wide spread, for a time I felt that I was the
only one being troubled by what I was seeing. In fact I have come to the
point where I have had to seriously struggle with the debate over whether
to try to find another SDA congregation where one is not constantly
exposed to such error or bite the bullet and stay put hoping that in some
way I can be an influence against the tide.
But as time has gone on I have learned that there are a large number of
our faithful Bible and Spirit of Prophecy studying members who are
recognizing the problem and are as concerned as myself. Some have indeed
chosen to attend other congregations because of the egregious violations
of divine instructions and values. Several elders have resigned their post
in protest. I have been told that some of the associate pastors have been
"chewing their knuckles" over their concerns but feel they must
maintain an appearance of unity and loyalty.
For weeks I have been bombarded with the message of Eze, 3:17-21.
"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:
therefore hear the word of my mouth, and give them warning from me.
"When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou
givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked
way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but
his blood will I require at thine hand.
"Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness,
nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast
delivered thy soul.
"Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and
commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die:
because thou hath not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his
righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood I
will require at thine hand."
I am awakened in the night with it ringing in my ears. It will not
leave me during the day. I am reminded of a visit with an old family
friend. He was an elderly minister who had spent years in the mission
field and later a number of years in the General Conference. We talked
about our hope of the Lord's soon return and at the end of our visit we
prayed together. Then as I was taking my leave he placed his feeble hand
on my shoulder and said, "My brother, be a faithful watchman on the
walls of Zion!"
I keep telling the Lord that the message He wanted me to give was one
they did not want to hear. But the Lord said, "Yes I know, but still
they need to be warned."
I am keenly aware of my own limitations. But the Lord patiently
persists in reminding me that I must be a faithful watchman, warning His
flock. When I hesitate He reminds me, "If God abhors one sin above
another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an
emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded
of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility
against God." (3T 281)
I cannot; I dare not live in rebellion against my Lord who has done so
much for me. So, seemingly single handedly, I have been trying to sow
seeds of truth that will bring people to recognize the problem. But oh,
how difficult it is for we human beings to acknowledge that we have been
deceived.
By now I am sure that you are asking, what is this all about? These
concerns have been building for some time but have come particularly into
focus with the pastor and his father teaming up to present the recent
"evangelistic" series. As others have come to me expressing what
troubles them, I recognize two major areas of concern. They are Pastoral
Platform Performance and Theological Error. Though they are both closely
related, different ones seem to emphasize one or the other.
Pastoral Platform Performance
It is important to emphasize that the pastor and his father are both
extremely competent and effective communicators. The pastor in particular
seems to enjoy pleasing and, entertaining, his audience. His platform
performance with its captivating and dramatic story telling and raucous
laughter eliciting humor carries more of the flavor of a vaudeville or
theatrical performance and certainly qualifies as an audience pleasing
religious entertainment. This is in sharp contrast to the simplicity of
worshipful preaching of the sacred Word that we are instructed that we
should expect from the pulpit.
At the same time he uses this performance technique to manipulate the
emotions of his audience with consummate skill until they are like putty
in his hands. Gradually he will build them to an emotional high that most
believe to be an intense religious or spiritual experience. It appears
that for a large proportion of the audience they are carried along so
pleasingly and adroitly that along with the truths they have enjoyed they
have no suspicion that in the process they have just been indoctrinated
with soul-destroying error.
The Lord has given some very pointed instruction about the minister's
platform deportment. From a great deal of instruction on this issue notice
just a few examples.
"The preacher who can affect the feelings to the greatest degree
does not thereby give evidence that he is the most useful." (1T 622)
"My brethren, you are required by our Saviour to take heed how you
witness for Him. You need to go deeper and still deeper in the study of
the Word. You have all classes of minds to meet, and as you teach the
truths of the sacred Word, you are to manifest earnestness, respect, and
reverence. Weed out storytelling from your discourses, and preach the
Word. You will then have more sheaves to bring to the Master. Remember
that in your audience there are those who are constantly harassed by
temptation. Some are wrestling with doubt, almost in despair, almost
hopeless. Ask God to help you to speak words that will strengthen them for
the conflict.--RH Dec. 22, 1904. (VSS 273.2)
"The minister who mixes storytelling with his discourses is using
strange fire. God is offended, and the cause of truth is dishonored, when
His representatives descend to the use of cheap, trifling
words."(Ibid.)
"Irrelevant Anecdotes--Ministers should not make a practice of
relating irrelevant anecdotes in connection with their sermons; for this
detracts from the force of the truth presented. The relation of anecdotes
or incidents that create a laugh or a light thought in the minds of the
hearers is severely censurable. The truth should be clothed in chaste,
dignified language; and the illustrations used should be of a like
character." (GW 166)
Referring to ministers, "Their speech should be in every respect
solemn and well chosen. I was shown that it is wrong to make coarse,
irreverent expressions, relate anecdotes to amuse, or present comic
illustrations to create a laugh. Sarcasm and playing upon the words of an
opponent are all out of God's order." (1T 649
"Ministers have no license to behave in the desk like theatrical
performers, assuming attitudes and making expressions merely for effect.
They are not actors, but teachers of truth. Undignified, boisterous
actions lend no force to the truth uttered; on the contrary, they disgust
men and women of calm judgment and right views." (GW 172.2)
"If they are true men of God, they will know that the object of
preaching is not to entertain.... He should not bring amusing stories into
his preaching. (GW 152)
"No Clowns in the Pulpit--I warned you against clownishness in the
desk or before the people. Do you not sometimes bring this acting into the
sacred desk? You please the world; you attract the world. Is this an
evidence that you are having a deep spiritual piety, sanctified to God
through the Spirit?--Lt 9, 1889. (VSS 275)
"If the minister exhibits himself, he interposes himself between
the message and the people. If he educates himself to present the truth in
a certain manner, he can make his work of no effect, and leave it so that
it will ravel out. This is because the Holy Spirit does not work with his
efforts. The people are encouraged to look to him and to exalt him, and
Jesus is not the one who is seen, but [rather] the man [who] steps into
the place of the crucified and risen Saviour Of what value is it that the
people think much of the minister, when they do not have a regard for
saving, testing truth? (VSS 284)
"Emotional Preaching--If the preaching is of an emotional
character, it will affect the feelings, but not the heart and conscience.
Such preaching results in no lasting good, but it often wins the hearts of
the people and calls out their affections for the man who pleases them.
They forget that God has said: "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in
his nostrils." (5T 301)
"Use of Common Fire--Some ministers make the mistake of supposing
that success depends on drawing a large congregation by outward display,
and then delivering the message of truth in a theatrical style. But this
is using common fire instead of the sacred fire of God's kindling. The
Lord is not glorified by this manner of working. Not by startling notices
and expensive display is His work to be carried to completion, but by
following Christlike methods. (GW 383)
The pastor's father is also a most capable communicator. He comes
across with an aura of authority and experience with a convoluted type of
reasoning and argument that sounds so reasonable, pleasant, appealing and
emancipating that people en masse are swept along like leaves of autumn
before the wind. It is frightening to see how smoothly this is
accomplished.
In some respects he is more open in presenting his error but presents
it in such a compelling way that for most it is irresistibly appealing. He
also adroitly uses humor but also slyly drops mines of doubt along the way
so that though they both use favorite selected Spirit of Prophecy quotes,
these are generally taken out of context and used in such a way that they
are made to appear to support their theological theories. If the prophet
says something that does not agree with the father he will disdainfully
drop the hint that in this case she was wrong. In this he is setting
himself up as capable of judging what is inspired and what is not. The
effect is to minimize confidence in these inspired safeguards given to the
church, such as,
"The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect
the testimony of the Spirit of God. `Where there is no vision, the people
perish' (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and
through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's people in
the true testimony." (2SM 78)
"There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is
satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the
churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a track to
bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings
and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded. (1 SM 48)
"There are some who think they are able to measure the character
and to estimate the importance of the work the Lord has given me to do.
Their own mind and judgment is the standard by which they would weigh the
testimonies.
"My Instructor said to me, Tell these men that God has not
committed to them the work of measuring, classifying, and defining the
character of the testimonies. Those who attempt this are sure to err in
their conclusions.' The Lord would have men adhere to their appointed
work. If they will keep the way of the Lord, they will be able to discern
that the work which He has appointed me to do is not a work of human
devising." (1SM 49)
"Perilous times are before us. Everyone who has a knowledge of the
truth should awake and place himself, body, soul and spirit, under the
discipline of God. The enemy is on our track. We must be wide-awake, on
our guard against him. We must put on the whole armor of God. We must
follow the directions given through the Spirit of Prophecy. We must love
and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong
delusions. God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken
through the testimonies to the church and through the books that have
helped make plain our present duty and the position that we should now
occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon
precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we
offer?" (8T298) (Emphasis supplied)
To diminish ones confidence in the testimonies is to lay one's self
open to fall into the deception of thinking that he is able to also judge
the Scriptures as well. Resting, or twisting the Scriptures can also be
done by redefining terms to support one's human theories and devising. To
get caught in such machinations is indeed to tread on treacherous ground.
"Do not let any man come to you and begin to dissect God's Word,
telling what is revelation, what is inspiration and what is not, without
rebuke .... We call on you to take your Bible, but do not put a
sacrilegious hand upon; it, and say, `That is not inspired,' simply
because somebody else has said so. Not a jot or tittle is ever to be taken
from that Word. Hands off, brethren! Do not touch the ark. When men begin
to meddle with God’s Word, I want to tell them to take their hands of;
for they do not know what they are doing." (7Bc 919-920)
Theological Errors
The pastor's father has made it his-life work to construct a kind of
theological philosophy or system of speculative conjecture that has great
popular appeal but which, on careful study, effectively destroys much of
the foundational truths of the Adventist message. Yet at the same time he
claims to be an ardent supporter and advocate of those teachings and of
the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy. This is done so deceptively and with
such subtlety and with waffling, convoluted doubletalk that there is
danger of deceiving the very elect.
He appears to have bought into the popular technique of the current
pluralistic philosophy wherein values and principles are, ingeniously
destroyed simply by redefining terms. To do this leaves you relatively
immune from charges of unorthodoxy because you use all of the same
familiar words and terms that you generously mix with well established
truths. But behind this apparent truthful facade he is actually leading
his unsuspecting hearers away from Bible and Spirit of Prophecy teachings
and is presenting a whole new theological invention.
The alacrity with which masses of sincere Christian people are swept
along and taken in by these teachings is frighteningly phenomenal. People
are thrilled. Their feelings are stirred and think they have never heard
anything so wonderful. They are taught that Christ is responsible for all
character development, relieving them of all effort to overcome. There is
nothing for them to do but maintain a relationship with Jesus. Therefore
obedience is rarely mentioned because it is no longer a matter of concern.
They are enraptured by the speakers and experience the messages as so
comforting, reassuring and emancipating. It seems that everyone goes away
feeling blessed and convinced that this has been the greatest thing since
the invention of mother's milk. Exclamations are frequently heard,
"Why weren't we told all of this years ago?"
But a careful examination of what they are so excitedly responding to
reveals a cleverly compounded mixture of truth and half-truths plus a
generous portion of plain error. Volumes have been written exposing the
errors of this man's teachings by much clearer minds than mine but I shall
attempt to give only a few examples of the distorted thinking that is so
seductive.
The main frontal theme is their focus on the need for a closer
relationship with Jesus. No one can argue with that. To all appearances
here is the answer to the great need of the church. I am 120% in support
of that need. I have learned by experience that spending time with the
Lord and His Word is indispensable. It has become more important than food
or drink. I am indeed grateful that some are learning how important this
is also. From my own experience I have learned that spending some time
with the Lord in the morning is not enough. I have to have the Lord with
me throughout the whole day just to survive.
But I am also reminded of pages of statements I have collected like the
following:
"Today Satan is seeking opportunities to tear down the way-marks
of truth.---the monuments that have been raised up along the way."(GW
103)
"Error requires disguise and concealment. It clothes itself in
angel robes, and every manifestation of its real character lessens its
chances of success." (5T454)
"As we near the end of time falsehood will be so mingled with
truth that only those who have the guidance of the Holy Spirit will be
able to distinguish truth from error." (7BC907)
Who could think of a better disguise behind which to hide error than
the beautiful message of the need to spend time with the Savior? But there
is more hidden behind this facade. Whereas the Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy clearly define sin as transgression of the law, (1 John 3: 4) and
that this transgression is what separates us from God, this man has
invented his own definition. He insists that sin is separation from God
rather than being the result of sin.
Since he insists that it is impossible for man to keep God's law (he
categorically rejects the idea of overcoming by God's enabling power)
therefore he must deny that Christ took our nature. This means that since
we cannot keep the law, we can expect to go on breaking the law until
Jesus comes. Though very little is ever said about obedience, he does
concede that the close relationship with Christ will eventually
automatically bring us into harmony with the law but this is done entirely
by God and we have nothing to do with the process. In fact, if we make any
effort to obey or to change any self-destructive or (sinful) habits we
become legalists, which is the worst kind of sin. These are some of the
primary ideas of his system.
The element of his teaching that seems to have the greatest relaxing
appeal is the idea that disobedience is no longer sin and therefore of no
concern to us and has nothing to do with our salvation. That has been
taken care of by Christ and we need only to forget it and let Him do
whatever He wants with it. This absolves the person of any effort or
struggle with sin in our lives. So we can rest in a message of peace and
safety with nothing required of us but to spend some time with the Lord
each morning. Many people accept this teaching with great relief and
assurance that I can be comfortable living in sin until Jesus comes.
A student of the history of systematic theology will recognize that
there are bits and pieces of errors that go back as far Augustine. But the
important thing is to recognize that these are very carefully crafted
half-truths that can be twisted and manipulated to Satan's delight and to
the eternal entrapment and destruction of very sincere Christian people.
Even a cursory reading of the Spirit of Prophecy will disclose hundreds
of pages of material that is diametrically opposed to these insidious
ideas. The Bible message constantly confronts us with the real definition
of sin and reminds us over and over that we are at war with our carnal
nature. This is an intense battle that must be fought. It involves
mobilizing and taxing every fiber of our being. The Glorious Good news of
the Bible message is that God's grace in not only unmerited favor but also
enabling power. Both are gifts from God. The promise is that God will
combine His divine enabling power to join our feeble human efforts so we
can have the victory over sin in our lives. The repeated promises of
heaven are reserved for overcomers. And overcoming is a joint effort of
the human and the divine just as Jesus was able to overcome so must we.
Space here will not permit doing justice to this voluminous inspired
material but I cannot leave without exhibiting just a few outstanding ones
that have been difficult to select from the rich mines of truth.
"It is not an easy matter to overcome, .... In the name of Christ
alone can this great victory be gained. He overcame in behalf of man in
the long fast of nearly six weeks in the wilderness of temptation. He
sympathizes with the weakness of man. His love for fallen man was so great
that He made an infinite sacrifice that He might reach him in his
degradation and through His divine power finally elevate him to His
throne. But it rests with man whether Christ shall accomplish for him that
which He is fully able to do. (4T 32) (Emphasis supplied)
"Will man take hold of divine power, and with determination and
perseverance resist Satan, as Christ has given him example in His conflict
with the foe in the wilderness of temptation? God cannot save man against
his will from the power of Satan's artifices. Man must work with his human
power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at
any cost to himself. In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. And
then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain by the
all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and joint heir
with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the
overcoming. Man must do his part; he must be victor on his own account,
through the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man must be a
co-worker with Christ in the labor of overcoming, and then he will be
partaker with Christ of His glory. (4T 32-33)
"Wrongs cannot be righted, nor can reformations in conduct be made
by a few feeble, intermittent efforts. Character building is the work, not
of a day, nor of a year, but of a lifetime. The struggle for conquest over
self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. Without continual
effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine
life, no attainment of the victor's crown.
"The strongest evidence of man's fill from a higher state is the
fact that it costs so much to return. The way of return can be gained only
by hard fighting, inch by inch, hour by hour. In one moment, by a hasty,
unguarded act, we may place ourselves in the power of evil; but it
requires more than a moment to break the fetters and attain to a holier
life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun; but its accomplishment
will require toil, time, perseverance, patience, and sacrifice.
"We cannot allow ourselves to act from impulse. We cannot be off
guard for a moment. Beset with temptations without number, we must resist
firmly or be conquered. Should we come to the close of life with our work
undone, it would be an eternal loss.
" The life of the apostle Paul was a constant conflict with self.
He said, `I die daily.' 1 Corinthians 15:31. His will and his desires
every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following
inclination, he did God's will, however crucifying to his nature.
At the close of his life of conflict, looking back over its struggles
and-triumphs, he could say, `I have fought a good-fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the, faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness,; which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give
me at that day. 2 Timothy 4:7, 8. (MH 453)
"When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth
to this end, Jesus accepts, this disposition and effort as man's best
service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But
He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him, and yet are
disloyal to His Father's commandment. We hear a great deal about faith,
but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving
their own souls by living an easygoing, accommodating, cross-less
religion. But Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him
deny -himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."--The Signs of
the Times, June 16, 1890. (1SM 382)
Conclusion
The current "evangelistic series focusing on Knowing Jesus has
been done at considerable expense, with careful attention to technical
excellence ass a video production. It is rumored that the videos are
intended to be made as a new model or format for extended duplication
across the field. It- is true that there are some excellent presentations
of truths. But, as we have pointed out, in them are serious problems that
would cause us to be gravely concerned. Certainly we must be on our guard.
For we are told by inspiration,
"We may disguise poison by mingling it with wholesome food; but we
do not change its nature. On the contrary, it is rendered more dangerous,
as it, is more likely to be taken unawares. It is one of Satan's devices
to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give, it plausibility. (GC
587)
There exist in these last days evils, similar to those that threatened
the prosperity of the early church; and the teachings of the apostle John
on these points should be carefully heeded. "You must have
charity," is the cry heard everywhere; especially from those who
profess sanctification. But true charity is too pure to cover an
unconfessed sin. While we are to love the souls for whom Christ died, we
are to make no compromise with evil. We are not to unite with the
rebellious and call this charity. God requires His people in this age of
the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in
opposition to soul destroying errors. (AA 554)
It can be so subtle, so convoluted and so pleasingly and convincingly
presented that, without the power-of the Holy Spirit all of us are in
danger of being deceived unless we faithfully compare Scripture and what
the Lord has revealed through His messenger for this time. It can sound so
good. But there are land mines of doubt and distortion that are being
hammered into the minds of unsuspecting Christians that, can result in
eternal destruction.
I urge you DO NOT SUPPORT this man. I predict that when the videos are
released the series will become popular overnight. Error, is always more
popular than truth. But I urge you DO NOT support its promotion for to do
so is to be an unfaithful watchman in Zion! I am deeply concerned that we
do in no wise contribute to the distressing condition that the Lord has
warned us would happen,
"Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy
in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and
unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the
people who think they know so much. "If thou hadst known," said
Christ, "even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong
unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." (TM 409)
My dear brother I want you to know that I am praying earnestly that the
Lord will give you wisdom and courage to stand faithfully for truth
against error.
Your brother in the Blessed Hope,
