Christ’s Return
181
144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked
thought it was thunder and an earthquake.—
Early Writings, 15
(1851).
As God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivered
the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and
then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel
of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as
they came from the mouth of Jehovah and rolled through the earth like
peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. At the end of every
sentence the saints shouted, “Glory! Hallelujah!” Their countenances
[273]
were lighted up with the glory of God, and they shone with glory as
did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked
could not look upon them for the glory. And when the never-ending
blessing was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping
His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast
and over his image.—
Early Writings, 285, 286
(1858).
I have not the slightest knowledge as to the time spoken by the
voice of God. I heard the hour proclaimed, but had no remembrance of
that hour after I came out of vision. Scenes of such thrilling, solemn
interest passed before me as no language is adequate to describe. It
was all a living reality to me, for close upon this scene appeared the
great white cloud, upon which was seated the Son of man.—
Selected
Messages 1:76
(1888).
The Terror of the Lost
When the earth is reeling to and fro like a drunkard, when the
heavens are shaking and the great day of the Lord has come, who shall
be able to stand? One object they behold in trembling agony from
which they will try in vain to escape. “Behold, He cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see Him” (
Revelation 1:7
). The unsaved utter wild
imprecations to dumb nature—their god: “Mountains and rocks, fall
on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne”
(
Revelation 6:16
).—
That I May Know Him, 356
(1896).
When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there is a
terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict of
[274]
life.... The gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment. The rich
bemoan the destruction of their grand houses, the scattering of their
gold and silver.... The wicked are filled with regret, not because of