ustration of the past
experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the Advent
Movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great
disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the
Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with
them in their past experience, they would have seen of the salvation of
God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the
third angel's message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit,
the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light
would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the inhabitants of the
earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would
have come for the redemption of His people.

It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the
wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and
establish them there, a holy, happy people. But "they could not enter in
because of unbelief."(769) Because of their backsliding and apostasy, they
perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the promised
land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ
should be so long delayed, and His people should remain so many years in
this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As
they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, others were
raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to the world, Jesus delays His
coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning, and find
in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out.

Now, as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that reproves the sins
and errors of the times, will excite opposition. "Every one that doeth
evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should
be reproved."(770) As men see that they cannot maintain their position by
the Scriptures, many determine to maintain it at all hazards, and with a
malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand
in defense of unpopular truth. It is the same policy which has been
pursued in all ages. Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel,
Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this,
those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious,
heretical, or schismatic. Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the
sure word of p