tanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist
in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true
followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of
these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are
dissatisfied with their present condition, and are longing for clearer
light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with
which they are connected. As these bodies depart farther and farther from
the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference
between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in
separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no
longer remain in connection with such as are "lovers of pleasures more
than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof."

Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the
threefold warning of Rev. 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the
condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in
Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message
is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish
its work. When those that "believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness,"(643) shall be left to receive strong delusion and to
believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts
are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in
Babylon will heed the call, "Come out of her, My people."(644)

22. PROPHECIES FULFILLED.

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When the time passed at which the Lord's coming was first expected,--in the
spring of 1844,--those who had looked in faith for His appearing were for a
season involved in doubt and uncertainty. While the world regarded them as
having been utterly defeated, and proved to have been cherishing a
delusion, their source of consolation was still the word of God. Many
continued to search the Scriptures, examining anew the evidences of their
faith, and carefully studying the prophecies to obtain further light. The
Bible testimony in support of their position seemed clear and conclusive.
Signs which could not be mistaken pointed to the coming of Christ as near.
The special blessing of the Lord, both in the conversion of sinners and
the revival of spiritual life among Christians, had testified