Justice and Mercy
February 5, 2011
By Ernie Knoll
www.formypeople.org
In my dream, the Herald is standing next to me, and we are facing a wall where a calendar hangs. The Herald reaches up and removes the calendar from the wall. He turns to face me, calls me by my heavenly name, and says, “It is time you are allowed to share what you were shown a year before but were instructed not to make public at the time. You will now be shown the things you were shown before.”
February 5, 2010 dream:
The Herald lays the same calendar on a table. I notice the current date of February 5, 2010. I see that February 27, 2010 is bolded and in a red frame. I wonder why it looks that way. I now notice what resembles a glass test tube that is rounded and closed on both ends. There is a substance inside that looks like mercury. Next I observe what could be invisible hands break the tube and pour the liquid onto February 27. This red-framed date shakes very hard, yet the calendar does not move. After a short while, the shaking stops.
The Herald places the calendar back on the wall. I now see that February 10, 2010 is circled in blue, and seven days are marked off after that date. Each day falls off the calendar as if the printed ink was made of sand. Seven more days are marked off and disappear. Three days are now marked off, ending on the 27th, and those days disappear.
The Herald says to turn and look at the wall behind me. As I do, I see an opening that is almost like a doorway, but there is no door. I observe Becky’s sister, Martha, standing on the other side of the opening. She does not say anything but stares blankly as if she is lifeless. I then watch as a 12-inch-wide panel, which matches the wall, suddenly slides at an angle from inside the wall and partially blocks the opening in front of her. When it is in place, I see what looks like parts of letters on the panel. I watch as another panel slides in at a different angle. It has more parts of letters that connect together with the last ones. More angled panels slide into place. After the last panel has moved into place, the letters form the name, MARTHA, and I can no longer see her. The opening is sealed off, and I observe the letters fall off the panels as if made of sand.
I now hear a voice but do not see the person speaking. The voice describes how Noah preached for 120 years then went into the ark with his family. For seven days before the rain fell, they prepared for their stay. These seven days were filled with blasphemous amusement by those outside the ark. [This is the end of the February 5, 2010 dream.]
The Herald turns to me and explains that it is now time to reveal the dream of February 10, 2010.
February 10, 2010 dream:
Becky and I are in our living room and have just finished our morning worship. As we get up from praying, we turn and notice four angels who had been standing behind us. We hear them sing, “Holy is the Father, holy is the Son, holy is the Holy Spirit. Amen, amen, and amen.” I do not recognize three of the angels, but the other angel is the Herald who stands in front. He is dressed in a floor-length silver robe. Over that he wears a floor-length blue robe that is open at the front. The three other angels are dressed in pure white robes. Each holds a sword that looks as if immense heat emanates from it, but I do not feel the heat.
The Herald smiles and says, “Do not be afraid. We have been sent with a message.” He looks at Becky and says something that I do not understand. She smiles at him as if to acknowledge she understands and turns to me and smiles. The Herald looks back at me, calls me by my heavenly name, and says they have a message to give. The first angel walks to the Herald and hands him a clear glass tablet with gold, engraved letters. The second angel walks to the Herald and places his tablet on top of the first tablet. The third angel walks over and places his on top of the second tablet. All three tablets become one tablet.
The Herald explains that when the courts of heaven watched and waited for my repentance, Martha was already at work with the one of great evil to destroy the walls of God’s ministry. She stated many things that were not true. Those whom she shared with believed what she said without verifying the facts. Many were not aware of the tithe money that she stole from God’s ministry. Martha did not repent of these things. Many are not aware of how God deals with those who lie and steal. He is patient and He loves everyone. There is no limit to His love, but there is a limit to His patience.
The Herald now shares the following messages for Martha:
Your prayers for leading, forgiveness, comfort, and healing have been heard. Jesus Christ brought these requests to His Father and your Father who sits on the throne. He asks why He should answer these.
Becky was instructed to share a quote with you from the book, The Desire of Ages, which shows what you did was not correct. She was also to tell you that you were to acknowledge your wrongs. Becky followed these instructions. You were to acknowledge that you sinned greatly against God and His ministry. You were to repent of your lies and return what you stole from His storehouse. However, you did not do this.
You were asked to kindly share financially with a Christian brother in need. You did this, but it was not with a heart of love. Then you asked this brother to pay you back with interest. The Father could and would have blessed you many times over, but you did not show love even though you asked for God’s love.
You do not see your own sins but are quick to point out the sins of others. You have negatively affected others who had a close walk with God. You have stolen precious souls from Him. Revelation 3:19 says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” If you expect answers to your prayers, you must ask for forgiveness and make restitution. You need to openly make a verbal statement that you have sinned against God. If you do this, it will be a sign that you are truly sorry and desire to reform.
You are to do the following:
[1] Go to your parents and state, “I have a statement to make. What I did to Becky and Ernie was not right, and now I ask for your forgiveness. What I did has not brought glory to my heavenly Father.” If they question or do not understand, you are to repeat, “What I did to Becky and Ernie was not right, and now I ask for your forgiveness. What I did has not brought glory to my heavenly Father.” Again if they have questions and ask you to explain, you are to repeat the same statement. This is to be your only response.
[2] You are to go before your entire church family and openly state, “I have a statement to make. What I did to Becky and Ernie was not right, and now I ask for your forgiveness. What I did has not brought glory to my heavenly Father.” If they question or do not understand, you are to repeat the same statement. This is to be your only response.
[3] You are to contact all the former board members of God’s former ministry. You are to state to each of them, “I have a statement to make. What I did to Becky and Ernie was not right, and now I ask for your forgiveness. What I did has not brought glory to my heavenly Father.” If they question or do not understand, you are to repeat the same statement. This is to be your only response.
[4] You are to contact your Christian brother and ask for his forgiveness. You are to tell him that it was wrong of you to treat him the way you did. You are to admit that you did not show the love that Christ would have shown. You are to tell him that he does not need to pay you back and ask that he would forgive you as Jesus is willing to forgive all your sins if you repent.
[5] You are to return to Ernie the tithe that you stole from God’s storehouse. It was given to the one whom God has called to minister. You are further instructed to give a restitution offering for stealing from God. You are not to do this with angry thoughts as you did with your Christian brother, but rather with love. Notice what Luke 19:8-10 states: “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
[6] You are to return to God and ask that your transgressions be removed from the records. You are to acknowledge what you have done. Since you failed to follow what God instructed and cannot use ignorance as an excuse because you have studied and know what the truth is, He will hold you responsible. If you do not repent, He will pour upon you the transgressions of the souls who had begun to repent and turn to God but now have turned away from Him. You will need to make restitution for what you have done.
[7] You are to show love to all. You are to give what you expect from others. You are to place others first in everything you do. You are to understand that if you want to be like Christ, then you will want to serve all like Christ did. The highest place to serve is in the lowest place. When Jesus was placed on the cross, He stretched out both arms and legs to be nailed to the cross.
Soon God will break open and pour out another vial of His wrath on the face of the earth. This will happen soon and will be noticeably marked. If you have not done what God has asked by the time this vial is broken, woe unto you. He will instruct His marking angel to leave and continue on elsewhere. He will instruct His Spirit of Comfort to depart and never return. He will turn His face, and you will stand in the shadow of His countenance. He will command your dry, brittle bones to be crushed into the earth. He will instruct your pain to increase. Your life as a fluid will flow from you, and your days will be shortened. Then each day you will lie in pain until your last drop of life is drained from you. {1}
The Herald has now finished with Martha’s instructions. He returns a glass tablet to each of the three angels. Then they each fly upwards like a bolt of lightning.
February 5, 2011 dream:
In this dream, I am reminded how in February 2010, Becky and I were given these instructions which we followed: I was to prepare the February 10, 2010 dream. Becky was to say a prayer and then share the dream with her sister Martha. Their mother was given a copy of the dream, and she and I stood by as witnesses. After presenting it, Becky gave Martha a tearful hug and pleaded for her not to disappoint Jesus. Then as Becky and I walked away, Martha told her mother that the dream was from Satan. She rejected the messages, even though they were shared with patience and love. {2}
Soon afterwards, Martha went to a member of her church whom she knew supported God’s ministry. While I am not to mention this person’s name, he can be described as of Norwegian descent. This individual fell from a distance and could have died, but the merciful hand of God preserved his life because He had a work for him to do. Martha went before this brother, telling him lies and stories to greatly upset him. He decided to no longer support God’s ministry. He failed to do what he had mentioned so many times before about going to the source for verification.
Years before, this same brother was brought before the church board for disfellowshipping. At this time, I was a new member of this church and served as an elder and board member. Even though I did not know this brother yet, I stood up for him and stated that I recommended prayer and patience and that two elders and the pastor should call on him. A visit was made, and it was decided he would not be disfellowshipped. This individual never knew of the stand that was made for him. He listened to Martha, who continued her ways of trying to destroy the ministry that God called me to do.
The Herald tells me that it is time for this dream to be shared so that everyone can see the love and power of God and His patience in waiting for each to repent. This information is also important for those who say that God does not kill or destroy and is all-forgiving. Let it be known that God loves the sinner, but He hates the sin.
The Herald then shares this parable. There was a husband whose wife was an immaculate housekeeper. Everything in the house was white. One day the husband was in the garage working underneath his car. When he finished, he was covered with grease and oil. He went to a door of the house and told his wife that he needed to come in to get clean. The wife told her husband that even though she loved him, he must first return to the garage to clean himself of all the filth before he could enter the house.
This is how it is with our heavenly Father. He says to prepare ourselves as a clean vessel. Heaven is a place without sin. Those who are in sin cannot enter through its gates. The Father stands at the door. He loves everyone, but He will not allow anyone entrance who is filthy with sin.
In the February 5, 2010 dream I was shown the calendar with February 10 circled in blue. This is the day I was given the message for Martha. I was shown a seven-day period twice and then an additional 3 days given by God in His mercy and patience as He waited for Martha to repent, which ended on February 27. {3} I was shown a vial of wrath that would be broken and poured out on that day, with the results being visibly marked. On that day the vial was poured out upon Chile. I was instructed not to share this dream at the time it was given, since it involved dates. All God’s people are to know that after October 22, 1844, there is no defined biblical time prophecy. {4}
On February 27, 2010, the Father broke open a vial of His wrath upon Chile. The destruction that resulted was without question noticeably marked. This earthquake caused a change in the earth’s time clock. This earthquake caused the ground mass of Chile to move a great distance. It was because of this earthquake that weather patterns were affected.
Last summer the whole world watched in amazement at the destructive power of the weather. Last summer the whole world witnessed floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornados. The whole world witnessed the tremendous changes in the weather. There were extremely high temperatures in certain areas while extremely low temperatures existed elsewhere. Wintertime has seen unusually severe snowstorms, ice, and frigid temperatures in many parts of the world. All these weather changes will continue on. This spring, as a testament to God’s words, many people will experience devastating tornado activity never seen before. The overabundance of melting snow and rain will cause destructive floods. Know that this summer many will be scorched from the heat of the sun. Great will be the loosing of the winds of the weather. Horrible will be the tornados, hurricanes, flooding, and fires. This extreme weather will continue, and many will die because of it. {5}
God is asking His people to hear His voice and heed the warnings of His messengers. He has shown that when we break even one commandment, we break them all. Martha broke all ten, yet never humbly approached God’s throne of mercy to repent. From February 2010, He allowed ten months to pass–one month for each of His commandments—before removing His protection from her.
On the morning of December 18, 2010, God allowed Martha to slip and fall. Her bones were “crushed into the earth,” just as God promised if she did not repent. {6} Even though she fell only a short distance, her bone below the knee was shattered. She was taken to the hospital, but had to wait until the swelling went down before surgery could be done. She lay in pain, but God no longer heard her pleas for relief. He was fulfilling what He said He would do if Martha did not repent. Again, He loves the sinner, but He hates sin. God will not walk with those who refuse to let go of sin.
After extensive surgery was performed, the doctor explained that the surgery may not do much good, because her bones are dry and brittle. That is why she sustained so much injury from just a short fall, which normally would cause only a simple sprain. He stated that she would be bed-ridden and may never walk again.
The Herald states that now Martha’s elderly parents, who are in their retirement years, are forced to care for their invalid daughter in their home. He reveals how they should have counseled their daughter to repent, since she was clearly on the wrong path.
The Herald says, “Come, I am to show you something.” I am taken into the near future where Martha’s life was shortened, as God said He would do if she did not repent. Because Martha was no longer employed, she did not want to use her savings to pay for her medical bills. Therefore, since her parents decided to cover her medical expenses, they did not wish to spend money for her funeral. Instead a memorial service was held in their home, and refreshments were provided for those who would come. They watched through the windows, but no one came, not even one church member. After a while, Martha’s mother said she had things to attend to in the garden. Her father sat down in front of the television and watched a ball game.
The Herald reveals that this is how those who do not repent will be remembered. The church members do not even show true love for each other. Over a year ago, Becky and Martha’s father required surgery. Not one church member visited him during his hospital stay, even though he serves as the head elder.
The Herald now shows me something that everyone needs to understand. I am taken back to the dream, “The End,” where I see personal family members during the second resurrection. They were given the truth, but because pride entered in, they lied or condemned the messages I have been given by God. It must be asked: When does Satan lead people to truly repent and give their hearts and lives to Jesus? Now instead of receiving a crown of life, these family members receive a condemnation sentence of eternal death. My heart aches because they are held accountable for leading others astray. They thought they lived as true Christians, but instead they are hearing Christ say, “I know you not.” They stand motionless as they wait to receive their punishment.
The Herald explains that all who acknowledge their sins by confessing and repenting through the blood of Jesus will stand on the walls of the New Jerusalem. As they look down at the unsaved and perhaps see previous friends or family members, their hearts will be breaking. However, they will understand that it is through God’s mercy that He shows justice. The entire universe will know that God shows justice and mercy in ending the awfulness of sin. {7} God will destroy. Sin and sinners will be no more. {8}
The Herald tells me to take special notice of what I am observing. I see that Jesus as the King of the Universe has just received His crown and stands victorious above the Holy City. The Herald explains how it should be understood that we will learn much about what Jesus gave up when He came to this earth. He lived and served with only the power given to Him by His Father. {9} All He does now as our Mediator is through the Father. This is why He sent us the Holy Spirit when He returned to heaven. {10} It is why He does not know the day or the hour of His return. {11} Before He came to this earth, He was omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (having the ability to be everywhere at the same time).
I now see Jesus raise His hand into the air and see what I can only describe as beams of light flowing from the scar. I think how it is the same hand He willingly raised so that it could be nailed to the cross for our sins. Everyone in the universe is watching Him. He looks to the Father, and suddenly fire comes down from the heavens. The fire does not have flames, but is of a most intense white heat that is difficult to describe.
The Herald calls my attention to look upon Martha. I know in my heart I want to cry out, but yet I know the justice that must happen because God cannot allow sin to enter heaven. It is also because of God’s great love and mercy. He knows that Martha would not be happy in heaven, where there is no deceit, theft, pride, or fornication.
I watch as Martha is consumed for what seems like many days or weeks, because of her sins and those whom she led away from the Father. In my heart, I am pleading that God would shorten her suffering. Some next to her are quickly consumed and leave no trace of their existence. The scene before me is horrible to behold. {12}
The Herald tells me to hold to my faith and trust in Him who stands as the King of the Universe. God calls upon all to come to Him and repent now! Martha was given an opportunity just as everyone else is. The Herald explains that those who condemn God’s messages will take their places next to Martha.
The Herald says, “I know this message will be difficult for you to share. You are a messenger called by God, and you have been instructed to share what you have been shown. You are not to concern yourself with what others may say. All who make comments against the messages will have to give an account to God. Continue to be faithful. Give counsel and comfort when and where needed as you are instructed to. Prepare His people for the time that lies before them. Know that they will be few. As Martha has done, many walk the path of unrepentance.
- 1. Acts 5:1-11
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Numbers 16:25-35
And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
The Review and Herald, July 3, 1888
Our God sees our hearts in a different light from that in which we see them. He is acquainted with our secret thoughts. He searches into the hidden recesses of our nature. He sends answers to our prayers, when we are filled with uneasiness and distress. He gives ear to our inward groanings, and reveals to us the plague spots in our characters, that we may overcome defects, instead of being overcome by them. When unknown chapters in regard to ourselves are opened before us, the test and the trial come; and the question is, whether or not we will accept the reproof and the counsel of God. Will we cling to our own ideas and plans, and value ourselves more highly than we ought? God knows better than we do what is good for his children; and if they could see their real necessity as he does, they would say that the Lord had dealt most wisely with them. The ways of the Lord are obscure to him who desires to see things in a pleasing light to himself. God can discern the end of his purpose from the beginning; but because the Lord’s ways are not man’s ways, they appear dark, severe, and painful to our human natures. But God’s ways are ways of mercy, and their end is salvation and blessedness.
- Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 678
Many now despise the faithful reproof given of God in testimony. I have been shown that some in these days have even gone so far as to burn the written words of rebuke and warning, as did the wicked king of Israel. But opposition to God’s threatenings will not hinder their execution. To defy the words of the Lord, spoken through His chosen instruments, will only provoke His anger and eventually bring certain ruin upon the offender. Indignation often kindles in the heart of the sinner against the agent whom God chooses to deliver His reproofs. It has ever been thus, and the same spirit exists today that persecuted and imprisoned Jeremiah for obeying the word of the Lord.
- 3. Ephesians 4:28-32
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
The Review and Herald, September 20, 1881
Many who claim to be followers of Christ are withered branches, that must ere long be separated from the living vine. The love of the world has paralyzed their spirituality, and they are not awake to the precious theme of redemption. The impression made upon the world by these professed Christians is unfavorable to the religion of Christ. Such dull, careless ones manifest ambition and zeal in the business of the world, but they have little interest in things of eternal importance. The voice of God through his messengers is a pleasant song; but its sacred warnings, reproofs, and encouragements are all unheeded. Eternal interests are placed on a level with common things. The Holy Spirit is grieved, and its influence is withdrawn.
The Youth’s Instructor, November 30, 1893
After God sends light and evidence, calculated to convince any rational, unprejudiced mind, and it is not received or acted upon, but rather treated with contempt, resisted, and refused, the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, and men are left in their chosen obstinacy.
- Last Day Events, pp. 35-36
I plainly stated at the Jackson camp meeting to these fanatical parties that they were doing the work of the adversary of souls; they were in darkness. They claimed to have great light that probation would close in October, 1884. I there stated in public that the Lord had been pleased to show me that there would be no definite time in the message given of God since 1844.
Our position has been one of waiting and watching, with no time-proclamation to intervene between the close of the prophetic periods in 1844 and the time of our Lord’s coming.
The people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time [Rev. 10:4-6], reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.
Evangelism, p. 221
The times and seasons God has put in His own power. And why has not God given us this knowledge?– Because we would not make a right use of it if He did. A condition of things would result from this knowledge among our people that would greatly retard the work of God in preparing a people to stand in the great day that is to come. We are not to be engrossed with speculations in regard to the times and the seasons which God has not revealed. Jesus has told His disciples to “watch,” but not for definite time. His followers are to be in the position of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for the coming of the Lord; but no one will be able to predict just when that time will come; for “of that day and hour knoweth no man.” You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years. . . . We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ.
- 5. Matthew 24:7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
- 6. The Review and Herald, November 19, 1908
So long as the people of God preserve their fidelity to him, so long as they cling by living faith to Jesus, they are under the protection of heavenly angels, and Satan will not be permitted to exercise his hellish arts upon them to their destruction. But those who separate themselves from Christ by sin are in great peril. If they continue to disregard the requirements of God, they know not how soon he may give them over to Satan, and permit him to do to them according to his will. There is, therefore, the greatest necessity of keeping the soul free from defilement, and the eye single to the glory of God; of thinking soberly and watching unto prayer continually.
- 7. Psalm 89:14
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
The Signs of the Times, March 24, 1881
In all the Bible, God is presented not only as a being of mercy and benevolence, but as a God of strict and impartial justice.
The Review and Herald, March 10, 1904
It is the glory of God to be merciful, full of forbearance, kindness, goodness, and truth. But the justice shown in punishing the sinner is as verily the glory of the Lord as is the manifestation of his mercy.
- 8. The Great Controversy (1911), p. 678
The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.
- 9. The Signs of the Times, March 18, 1897
At the time when he was most needed, Jesus, the Son of God, the world’s Redeemer, laid aside his divinity, and came to earth in the garb of humanity.
- John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The Desire of Ages, p. 669
The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high.
- Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
- Early Writings, pp. 53-54
While Satan was rallying his army, the saints were in the city, beholding the beauty and glory of the Paradise of God. Jesus was at their head, leading them. All at once the lovely Saviour was gone from our company; but soon we heard His lovely voice, saying, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” We gathered about Jesus, and just as He closed the gates of the city, the curse was pronounced upon the wicked. The gates were shut. Then the saints used their wings and mounted to the top of the wall of the city. Jesus was also with them; His crown looked brilliant and glorious. It was a crown within a crown, seven in number. The crowns of the saints were of the most pure gold, decked with stars. Their faces shone with glory, for they were in the express image of Jesus; and as they arose and moved all together to the top of the city, I was enraptured with the sight.
Then the wicked saw what they had lost; and fire was breathed from God upon them and consumed them. This was the execution of the judgment. The wicked then received according as the saints, in unison with Jesus, had meted out to them during the one thousand years. The same fire from God that consumed the wicked purified the whole earth. The broken, ragged mountains melted with fervent heat, the atmosphere also, and all the stubble was consumed. Then our inheritance opened before us, glorious and beautiful, and we inherited the whole earth made new. We all shouted with a loud voice, “Glory; Alleluia!”
The Great Controversy (1911), p. 673
The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. Proverbs 11:31. They “shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:1. Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished “according to their deeds.”
