1. How can we be neutral when God says, “Arise,
And stand for My truth, put away Satan’s lies!”
We cannot ignore this great plea from the skies;
For if we refuse it, and close our ears to it,
We show by our actions, God’s truth we despise.
2. Christ said, “Who’s not with Me is neither with God,
Who gathers not with Me, he scatters abroad.”
There’s only two classes, the real and the fraud.
Then take the grace offer’d, by God clearly proffer’d,
And strive against sin, and resist unto blood.
3. When God gives a warning, now who dare refuse
To publish the tidings and spread forth the news?
For men in great darkness have nothing to choose
To save them from danger. Oh, be not a stranger,
Their blood’s on your hands, and there is no excuse.
4. Then come all you idlers, now standing around,
And plant your feet firmly on God’s holy ground!
Leave off foolish talking, let true love abound!
Be holy and harmless, without spot or tarnish,
And give to the trumpet a clear warning sound.
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In the full light of the sun, surrounded by thousands,—men of war, prophets of Baal, and the monarch of Israel,—stands the defenseless man, Elijah, apparently alone, yet not alone. The most powerful host of heaven surrounds him. Angels who excel in strength have come from heaven to shield the faithful and righteous prophet. With stern and commanding voice Elijah cries: “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” Not one in that vast assembly dared utter one word for God and show his loyalty to Jehovah.
What astonishing deception and fearful blindness had, like a dark cloud, covered Israel! This blindness and apostasy had not closed about them suddenly; it had come upon them gradually as they had not heeded the word of reproof and warning which the Lord had sent to them because of their pride and their sins. And now, in this fearful crisis, in the presence of the idolatrous priests and the apostate king, they remained neutral. 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. – Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 280
It is important that all now come up to the work and act as though they were living men, laboring for the salvation of souls who are perishing. If all in the church would come up to the help of the Lord, we would see such a revival of His work as we have not hitherto witnessed. God requires this of you and of each member of the church. It is not left with you to decide whether it is best for you to obey the call of God. Obedience is required; and unless you obey you will stand on worse than neutral ground. Unless you are favored with the blessing of God you have His curse. He requires you to be willing and obedient, and says that you shall eat the good of the land. A bitter curse is pronounced on those who come not to the help of the Lord. “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” Satan and his angels are in the field to oppose every advance step that God’s people take, therefore the help of everyone is required. – Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 165
Never was there greater need of faithful warnings and reproofs, and close, straight dealing, than at this very time. Satan has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short. He is flooding the world with pleasing fables, and the people of God love to have smooth things spoken to them. Sin and iniquity are not abhorred. I was shown that God’s people must make more firm, determined efforts to press back the incoming darkness. The close work of the Spirit of God is needed now as never before. Stupidity must be shaken off. We must arouse from the lethargy that will prove our destruction unless we resist it. Satan has a powerful, controlling influence upon minds. Preachers and people are in danger of being found upon the side of the powers of darkness. There is no such thing now as a neutral position. We are all decidedly for the right or decidedly with the wrong. Said Christ: “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.” – Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 327
