EGW WritingsDaniel 5
Ellen G. White · Page 1 of 2
Read Daniel 5 in the BibleDaniel 5:1-30
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 51a, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 9
Admitted to a share in kingly authority and power at fifteen years of age, Belshazzar gloried in his power, and lifted up his heart against the God of heaven. He despised the One who is above all rulers, the General of all the armies of heaven. “Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.” [Daniel 5:1.] The profane orgies of royal mirth were attended by men of genius and education, by masters of architecture.12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 11
Holy angels looked down on the scene of desecration. A Watcher was present who was unrecognized, but who was making his presence a power of condemnation. Now the unseen and uninvited guest made his presence felt. At the moment when the sacrilegious revelry was at its height, a bloodless hand came forth, and wrote words of doom on the wall of the banqueting hall. Burning words followed the movements of the hand. “Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin,” was traced in letters of flame. [Verse 25.] Few were the characters traced by the silent hand on the wall facing the king, but they demonstrated that the power of God was there.12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 16
“The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king’s wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.” In vain the king offered honor and promotion. Heavenly wisdom cannot be bought or sold. “Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.” [Daniel 5:7-9.]12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 17
There was in the palace a woman who was wiser than them all,—the queen of Belshazzar’s grandfather. In this emergency she addressed the king in language that sent a ray of light into the awful darkness. “O king, live forever,” she said; “let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed. There is a man in the kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar, thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; ... now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” [Verses 10-12.]12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 18
“Then was Daniel brought in before the king.” Making an effort to brace himself up to show kingly authority and greatness, Belshazzar said, “Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. ... Now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be third ruler in the kingdom.” [Verses 13, 14, 16.]12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 19
Daniel was not awed by the king’s appearance, or confused and intimidated by his words. He answered, “Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor. ... But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. ... And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this, but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk in them, and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.” [Verses 17, 18, 20, 22, 23.]12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 20
“This is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES: Thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” [Verses 25-28.] Daniel did not swerve from his testimony. He held the king’s sin before him, showing him the lessons he might have learned, but did not. He had not heeded the events so significant to him. He had not read the history of his grandfather correctly. The responsibility of knowing truth had been laid upon him, but the practical lessons he might have learned and acted upon, had not been taken to heart; and his course of action brought its sure consequences.12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 21
This was the last feast of boasting held by the Chaldean king. He who bears long with the perversity of man passed the irrevocable sentence. Belshazzar had greatly dishonored Him who had exalted him as king, and his probation was taken from him. While the king and his nobles were at the height of their revelry, the Persians turned the Euphrates out of its channel, and marched into the unguarded city. And as the king and his lords were drinking from the sacred vessels of Jehovah, and praising their gods of silver and gold, Cyrus and his soldiers stood under the walls of the palace. “In that night,” the record says, “was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom.” [Verse 30.]Daniel 5:1-31
Prophets and Kings
Chapter 43—The Unseen Watcher
PK 522.1
Toward the close of Daniel’s life great changes were taking place in the land to which, over threescore years before, he and his Hebrew companions had been carried captive. Nebuchadnezzar, “the terrible of the nations” (Ezekiel 28:7), had died, and Babylon, “the praise of the whole earth” (Jeremiah 51:41), had passed under the unwise rule of his successors, and gradual but sure dissolution was resulting.PK 522.2
Through the folly and weakness of Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, proud Babylon was soon to fall. Admitted in his youth to a share in kingly authority, Belshazzar gloried in his power and lifted up his heart against the God of heaven. Many had been his opportunities to know the divine will and to understand his responsibility of rendering obedience thereto. He had known of his grandfather’s banishment, by the decree of God, from the society of men; and he was familiar with Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion and miraculous restoration. But Belshazzar allowed the love of pleasure and self-glorification to efface the lessons that he should never have forgotten. He wasted the opportunities graciously granted him, and neglected to use the means within his reach for becoming more fully acquainted with truth. That which Nebuchadnezzar had finally gained at the cost of untold suffering and humiliation, Belshazzar passed by with indifference.PK 523.1
It was not long before reverses came. Babylon was besieged by Cyrus, nephew of Darius the Mede, and commanding general of the combined armies of the Medes and Persians. But within the seemingly impregnable fortress, with its massive walls and its gates of brass, protected by the river Euphrates, and stocked with provision in abundance, the voluptuous monarch felt safe and passed his time in mirth and revelry.PK 523.2
In his pride and arrogancy, with a reckless feeling of security Belshazzar “made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.” All the attractions that wealth and power could command, added splendor to the scene. Beautiful women with their enchantments were among the guests in attendance at the royal banquet. Men of genius and education were there. Princes and statesmen drank wine like water and reveled under its maddening influence.PK 523.3
With reason dethroned through shameless intoxication, and with lower impulses and passions now in the ascendancy, the king himself took the lead in the riotous orgy. As the feast progressed, he “commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which ... Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.” The king would prove that nothing was too sacred for his hands to handle. “They brought the golden vessels; ... and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.”PK 524.1
Little did Belshazzar think that there was a heavenly Witness to his idolatrous revelry; that a divine Watcher, unrecognized, looked upon the scene of profanation, heard the sacrilegious mirth, beheld the idolatry. But soon the uninvited Guest made His presence felt. When the revelry was at its height a bloodless hand came forth and traced upon the walls of the palace characters that gleamed like fire—words which, though unknown to the vast throng, were a portent of doom to the now conscience-stricken king and his guests.PK 524.2
Hushed was the boisterous mirth, while men and women, seized with nameless terror, watched the hand slowly tracing the mysterious characters. Before them passed, as in panoramic view, the deeds of their evil lives; they seemed to be arraigned before the judgment bar of the eternal God, whose power they had just defied. Where but a few moments before had been hilarity and blasphemous witticism, were pallid faces and cries of fear. When God makes men fear, they cannot hide the intensity of their terror.PK 524.3
Belshazzar was the most terrified of them all. He it was who above all others had been responsible for the rebellion against God which that night had reached its height in the Babylonian realm. In the presence of the unseen Watcher, the representative of Him whose power had been challenged and whose name had been blasphemed, the king was paralyzed with fear. Conscience was awakened. “The joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.” Belshazzar had impiously lifted himself up against the God of heaven and had trusted in his own might, not supposing that any would dare say, “Why doest thou thus?” but now he realized that he must render an account of the stewardship entrusted him, and that for his wasted opportunities and his defiant attitude he could offer no excuse.PK 527.1
In vain the king tried to read the burning letters. But here was a secret he could not fathom, a power he could neither understand nor gainsay. In despair he turned to the wise men of his realm for help. His wild cry rang out in the assembly, calling upon the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers to read the writing. “Whosoever shall read this writing,” he promised, “and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” But of no avail was his appeal to his trusted advisers, with offers of rich awards. Heavenly wisdom cannot be bought or sold. “All the king’s wise men ... could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.” They were no more able to read the mysterious characters than had been the wise men of a former generation to interpret the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar.PK 527.2
Then the queen mother remembered Daniel, who, over half a century before, had made known to King Nebuchadnezzar the dream of the great image and its interpretation. “O king, live forever,” she said. “Let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar ... made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.PK 528.1
“Then was Daniel brought in before the king.” Making an effort to regain his composure, Belshazzar said to the prophet: “Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: and I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.”PK 529.1
Before that terror-stricken throng, Daniel, unmoved by the promises of the king, stood in the quiet dignity of a servant of the Most High, not to speak words of flattery, but to interpret a message of doom. “Let thy gifts be to thyself,” he said, “and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.”PK 529.2
The prophet first reminded Belshazzar of matters with which he was familiar, but which had not taught him the lesson of humility that might have saved him. He spoke of Nebuchadnezzar’s sin and fall, and of the Lord’s dealings with him—the dominion and glory bestowed upon him, the divine judgment for his pride, and his subsequent acknowledgment of the power and mercy of the God of Israel; and then in bold and emphatic words he rebuked Belshazzar for his great wickedness. He held the king’s sin up before him, showing him the lessons he might have learned but did not. Belshazzar had not read aright the experience of his grandfather, nor heeded the warning of events so significant to himself. The opportunity of knowing and obeying the true God had been given him, but had not been taken to heart, and he was about to reap the consequence of his rebellion.PK 529.3
“Thou, ... O Belshazzar,” the prophet declared, “hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: then was the part of the hand set from Him; and this writing was written.”PK 530.1
Turning to the Heaven-sent message on the wall, the prophet read, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.” The hand that had traced the characters was no longer visible, but these four words were still gleaming forth with terrible distinctness; and now with bated breath the people listened while the aged prophet declared:PK 530.2
“This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”PK 530.3
In that last night of mad folly, Belshazzar and his lords had filled up the measure of their guilt and the guilt of the Chaldean kingdom. No longer could God’s restraining hand ward off the impending evil. Through manifold providences, God had sought to teach them reverence for His law. “We would have healed Babylon,” He declared of those whose judgment was now reaching unto heaven, “but she is not healed.” Jeremiah 51:9. Because of the strange perversity of the human heart, God had at last found it necessary to pass the irrevocable sentence. Belshazzar was to fall, and his kingdom was to pass into other hands.PK 530.4
As the prophet ceased speaking, the king commanded that he be awarded the promised honors; and in harmony with this, “they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.”PK 531.1
More than a century before, Inspiration had foretold that “the night of ... pleasure” during which king and counselors would vie with one another in blasphemy against God, would suddenly be changed into a season of fear and destruction. And now, in rapid succession, momentous events followed one another exactly as had been portrayed in the prophetic scriptures years before the principals in the drama had been born.PK 531.2
While still in the festal hall, surrounded by those whose doom has been sealed, the king is informed by a messenger that “his city is taken” by the enemy against whose devices he had felt so secure; “that the passages are stopped, ... and the men of war are affrighted.” Verses 31, 32. Even while he and his nobles were drinking from the sacred vessels of Jehovah, and praising their gods of silver and of gold, the Medes and the Persians, having turned the Euphrates out of its channel, were marching into the heart of the unguarded city. The army of Cyrus now stood under the walls of the palace; the city was filled with the soldiers of the enemy, “as with caterpillars” (verse 14); and their triumphant shouts could be heard above the despairing cries of the astonished revelers.PK 531.3
“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain,” and an alien monarch sat upon the throne.PK 531.4
Clearly had the Hebrew prophets spoken concerning the manner in which Babylon should fall. As in vision God had revealed to them the events of the future, they had exclaimed: “How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!” “How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!” “At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.”PK 532.1
“Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed.” “The spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the Lord God of recompenses shall surely requite. And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts.”PK 532.2
“I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the Lord. The Lord hath opened His armory, and hath brought forth the weapons of His indignation: for this is the work of the Lord God of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.”PK 532.3
“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is His name: He shall throughly plead their cause, that He may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.” Jeremiah 51:41; 50:23, 46; 51:8, 56, 57; 50:24, 25, 33, 34.PK 532.4
Thus “the broad walls of Babylon” became “utterly broken, and her high gates ... burned with fire.” Thus did Jehovah of hosts “cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease,” and lay low “the haughtiness of the terrible.” Thus did “Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency,” become as Sodom and Gomorrah—a place forever accursed. “It shall never be inhabited,” Inspiration has declared, “neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces.” “I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts.” Jeremiah 51:58; Isaiah 13:11, 19-22; 14:23.PK 533.1
To the last ruler of Babylon, as in type to its first, had come the sentence of the divine Watcher: “O king, ... to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.” Daniel 4:31.PK 533.2
“Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon,Sit on the ground: there is no throne....
Sit thou silent,
And get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans:
For thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
PK 533.3
“I was wroth with My people,I have polluted Mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand:
Thou didst show them no mercy; ...
PK 533.4
“And thou saidst, I shall be a lady forever:So that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart,
Neither didst remember the latter end of it.
PK 534.1
“Therefore hear now this,Thou that art given to pleasures
That dwellest carelessly,
That sayest in thine heart,
I am, and none else beside me;
I shall not sit as a widow,
Neither shall I know the loss of children: ...
PK 534.2
“These two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day,The loss of children, and widowhood:
They shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness:
Thou hast said, None seeth me.
PK 534.3
“Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee;And thou hast said in thine heart,
I am, and none else beside me.
Therefore shall evil come upon thee;
Thou shalt not know from whence it riseth:
And mischief shall fall upon thee;
Thou shalt not be able to put it off:
And desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.
PK 534.4
“Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth;If so be thou shalt be able to profit,
If so be thou mayest prevail.
PK 534.5
“Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels.Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators,
Stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
Behold, they shall be as stubble; ...
They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: ...
None shall save thee.” Isaiah 47:1-15.
PK 535.1
Every nation that has come upon the stage of action has been permitted to occupy its place on the earth, that the fact might be determined whether it would fulfill the purposes of the Watcher and the Holy One. Prophecy has traced the rise and progress of the world’s great empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. With each of these, as with the nations of less power, history has repeated itself. Each has had its period of test; each has failed, its glory faded, its power departed.PK 535.2
While nations have rejected God’s principles, and in this rejection have wrought their own ruin, yet a divine, overruling purpose has manifestly been at work throughout the ages. It was this that the prophet Ezekiel saw in the wonderful representation given him during his exile in the land of the Chaldeans, when before his astonished gaze were portrayed the symbols that revealed an overruling Power that has to do with the affairs of earthly rulers.PK 535.3
Upon the banks of the river Chebar, Ezekiel beheld a whirlwind seeming to come from the north, “a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber.” A number of wheels intersecting one another were moved by four living beings. High above all these “was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.” “And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man’s hand under their wings.” Ezekiel 1:4, 26; 10:8. The wheels were so complicated in arrangement that at first sight they appeared to be in confusion; yet they moved in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings, sustained and guided by the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, were impelling those wheels; above them, upon the sapphire throne, was the Eternal One; and round about the throne was a rainbow, the emblem of divine mercy.PK 536.1
As the wheellike complications were under the guidance of the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and tumult of nations He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides the affairs of this earth.PK 536.2
The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation and to every individual God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes.PK 536.3
The prophecies which the great I AM has given in His word, uniting link after link in the chain of events, from eternity in the past to eternity in the future, tell us where we are today in the procession of the ages and what may be expected in the time to come. All that prophecy has foretold as coming to pass, until the present time, has been traced on the pages of history, and we may be assured that all which is yet to come will be fulfilled in its order.PK 536.4
Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour’s prophecy of the events to precede His coming: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.... Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Matthew 24:6, 7.PK 537.1
The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.PK 537.2
The Bible, and the Bible only, gives a correct view of these things. Here are revealed the great final scenes in the history of our world, events that already are casting their shadows before, the sound of their approach causing the earth to tremble and men’s hearts to fail them for fear.PK 537.3
“Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof; ... because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate.” Isaiah 24:1-6.PK 537.4
“Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.... The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.” “The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.” Joel 1:15-18, 12.PK 538.1
“I am pained at my very heart; ... I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled.” Jeremiah 4:19, 20.PK 538.2
“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7.PK 538.3
“Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge,Even the Most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee,
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Psalm 91:9, 10.
PK 538.4
“O daughter of Zion, ... the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel.” Micah 4:10-12. God will not fail His church in the hour of her greatest peril. He has promised deliverance. “I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents,” He has declared, “and have mercy on His dwelling places.” Jeremiah 30:18.PK 538.5
Then will the purpose of God be fulfilled; the principles of His kingdom will be honored by all beneath the sun.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 107, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 107, 1897, par. 2
But much ignorance of Scripture prevails, even among those that preach the Word. Well-educated, intelligent men preach at the Word, and around the Word, but they do not touch the inner meaning of the Word. They do not present truth in its genuine simplicity. These men, considering themselves authority, tell their hearers that they cannot understand either Daniel or Revelation. Many ministers make no effort to explain Revelation. They call it an unprofitable book to study. They regard it as a sealed book, because it contains the record of figures and symbols. But the very name that has been given it—“Revelation”—is a denial of this supposition. Revelation is a sealed book, but it is also an opened book. It records marvelous events, that are to take place in the last days of this earth’s history. The teachings of this book are definite, not mystical and unintelligible. In it the same line of prophecy is taken up as in Daniel. Some prophecies God has repeated, this showing that importance must be given to them. The Lord does not repeat things that are of no great consequence.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 33, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 33, 1897, par. 3
Christ has given us the truth in Daniel and Revelation. In this age we can see the necessity of drawing men to Christ. This draws them to one another in that confidence, that love, that unity, for which Christ prayed in His last prayer with and for His disciples. This unity was essential for their spiritual growth. This world is a battle field, upon which the powers of good and evil are in ceaseless warfare.12LtMs, Ms 33, 1897, par. 26
Read and become faithful students of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. The Revelation is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Again this is repeated, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth save he which receiveth it.” [Revelation 1:1-3; 2:11, 17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 11, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 11, 1897, par. 2
God has chosen a people who are to proclaim the third angel’s message to the world. They are to be a separate and peculiar people in this world of churches who are transgressing His commandments. We have a special work to do to prepare the people for the greatest event the world has ever seen. The books of Daniel and Revelation are of great consequence to us, and should be studied with great earnestness.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 21, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 21, 1897, par. 40
Those who make light of the third angel’s message do it because they know little of Daniel or Revelation. They have not read with a determination to find out the meaning by prayer, by study, and by fasting. If they had had the experience of Daniel or of John, they would know that the third angel’s message will go forth unto perfect victory. Those who proclaim that message because they see and believe it will understand that very much is comprehended in it. The third angel is represented as flying through the heavens with a banner on which is inscribed “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” [Revelation 14:12.] All who will gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their defection, and loyalty from their treason, will triumph with the third angel’s message.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 185, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 185, 1897, par. 1
I am in great travail of soul for our people. We are living in the perils of the last days. A superficial faith results in a superficial experience. There is a repentance that needs to be repented of. All genuine experience in religious doctrines will bear the impress of Jehovah. All should see the necessity of understanding the truth for themselves individually. We must understand the doctrines that have been studied out carefully and prayerfully. It has been revealed to me that there is among our people a great lack of knowledge in regard to the rise and progress of the third angel’s message. There is great need to search the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, and to learn the texts thoroughly, that we may know what is written.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 69, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 69, 1897, par. 17
The Word of God is the foundation of all true study, and it is a most deplorable thing that it is so poorly understood, and therefore so little appreciated. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” [Revelation 1:3.] In Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. The book of Revelation is the complement of the book of Daniel. God foresaw the crime and guiltiness of this world. It came up in review before Him, and in Revelation is declared the completion of the eternal plan.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 141, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 141, 1897, par. 39
Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New Testament. Let there be light, yes, light in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth. We can appropriately say, as said the disciples, when Jesus walked with them on their way to Emmaus after He had risen from the dead. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. And “they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” [Luke 24:32.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 41, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 41, 1898, par. 5
God has shown His people what is truth. He has opened to them the books of Daniel and Revelation, which set forth the truth for this time. Those who have closed their ears and their understanding to this truth, have imitated the people who in Christ’s day would not receive the light. Evidence may be piled upon evidence, but men’s hearts may be so hardened by the deceitfulness of sin that evidence, though greatly increased, will prove nothing to them, because it is not proof they want, but their own way.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 89, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 89, 1898, par. 5
Daniel and the Revelation should be gotten out in little books and made as simple as possible. This should be given to every church, and to the people scattered everywhere. It is not a money making scheme, but it will bring in means to invest in getting out other books. Elder Haskell has a whole treasure house of precious things, and he should be tenderly cherished, and everything provided for him that will help him in his work. These precious things should be taken down in shorthand, and given to our people.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 123, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 123, 1898, par. 7
This is our work. The light that we have upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. All in regard to this matter is not yet understood, and will not be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. “Cry aloud; spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sin.” [Verse 1.] A message is to be given to arouse the churches. Every effort is to be made to give the light not only to our people, but to the world. I have been given light that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are to be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and sent all through the world. Our own people need to have the light in clearer lines before them.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 180, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 180, 1898, par. 4
We are seeing and feeling that there is much to be done, and may the Lord strengthen and bless us all to do His work intelligently. We need to study the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation more earnestly. The truth we need is revealed in Revelation.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 199, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 199, 1898, par. 5
The books of Daniel and Revelation are to be carefully and prayerfully studied. You are to connect with your brethren in presenting before the people all the light you can on these two books. The Lord wants not only your talent of ability; He wants the united talents of those He has commissioned to preach the gospel, so that the best and strongest Scriptural truths shall be linked together and combined as a perfect whole.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 86, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 86, 1898, par. 22
In the evening Elder Haskell spoke in a very acceptable manner upon Daniel. The theme of his discourse was that the book of Daniel was to be read and understood. Nearly three pounds were contributed at this meeting, making about eight pounds in one day.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 132, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 132, 1898, par. 26
God chooses His workers from all classes of people, and imbues them with His own spirit. So it was in ancient times. The men and women of God’s selection were of intense earnestness, full of zeal. The last books of the Old Testament show us workers taken from the laborers in the field. Others were men of high ability and extensive learning, but the Lord gave them visions and messages. These men of the Old Testament spoke of the things transpiring in their day, and Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel not only spoke of things that concerned them as present truth, but their sight reached down to the future, and to what should occur in these last days.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 174, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 174, 1899, par. 8
God desires the light found in the books of Daniel and Revelation to be presented in clear lines. It is painful to think of the many cheap theories picked up and presented to the people by ignorant, unprepared teachers. Those who present their human tests, and the nonsensical ideas they have concocted in their own minds, show the character of the goods in their treasure house. They have laid in store shoddy material. Their great desire is to make a sensation.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 169, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 169, 1900, par. 2
We must now see that a meetinghouse is built in Maitland. There are a goodly number of souls that have embraced the truth, and a church has been organized; but what bitter opposition is made by the ministers. It is pronounced and strong. Ministers who cannot evade the Bible argument for the Sabbath binding upon the people, talk in their pulpits that the Bible is not all the book it should be. (One said that Daniel should never be a part of the Bible; and other books he mentioned, and the same testimony was borne; and then he said he thought there would be a new Bible, and some of the books now in it would not appear.) Brethren Colcord and Goodheart were present.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 18, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 18, 1900, par. 7
Those who profess to believe the truth are not to separate themselves from the commandment-keeping people of God, as altogether more righteous than those God has appointed to preach His Word, to explain the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, to give the warnings regarding the law of God and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, the seal of the living God. The Lord declares that the Sabbath is the sign between Him and His people.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 192, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 192, 1900, par. 8
Brother Woodward is a pleasant, retiring, modest man, his wife a pleasant woman. I do not think they understand much of the truth, but they are eager to learn. I do not think they know what family prayer is. He was a Roman Catholic and has been converted to receive the truth, but knows but very little of the Bible. Sister Peck is teaching them. We commenced at once to have prayers, and meet in the morning on the front piazza and read in course; then in the evening, on back piazza, explain or have a study of the Scriptures. Both seem to be eager to get all the knowledge possible. Evenings they sit up, last Friday evening until eleven o’clock, all so interested in the study of Daniel that they kept no account of time.15LtMs, Lt 192, 1900, par. 13
I have seen nothing of Brother Robinson. We did not attend meeting anywhere on Sabbath but we had meeting in the house. We are certainly doing good missionary work right here and have a great satisfaction in trying to help those souls which need help. We shall continue to do this work, we hope, for time and for eternity. These souls need to be educated. He [Brother Woodward (?)] is anxious to understand Daniel, and Sister Peck sits right down in the evenings and goes over the investigation as a Bible study and it is a great blessing to these dear souls. Now I think I have said enough on these things.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 16, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 16, 1900, par. 2
In the past, teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God’s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His Word. The very name, “Revelation,” contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. Revelation means that something of importance is revealed. The truths of this book are addressed to those living in these last days. We are standing with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things. We are not to stand without. We are to enter, not with careless, irreverent thoughts, not with impetuous footsteps, but with reverence and godly fear. We are nearing the time when the prophecies of the book of revelation are to be fulfilled.15LtMs, Lt 16, 1900, par. 9
When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven, that heart and mind will be impressed in regard to the character all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it earnestly receive the blessing to those “that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” [Revelation 1:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 59, 1900
Daniel and Revelation
15LtMs, Ms 59, 1900, par. 23
The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened. John heard the mysteries which the thunders uttered, but he was commanded not to write them. The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God, most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work. This is represented by the Angel standing with one foot on the sea, proclaiming with a most solemn oath that time should be no longer.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 29, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 29, 1900, par. 2
Read the book of Daniel, chapter by chapter, and recognize the spirit that works in those who are under the control of the enemy of God. Many of these are church members, instructed by ministers who are doing just what God told them not to do.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 142, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 142, 1901, par. 2
Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things.—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, No. 8, p. 24.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 224, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 224, 1902, par. 11
I ask men here in this congregation, What are you worshiping? Are you converted? Do you profess to believe the truth of Daniel and Revelation? Have you become nearly insane over your own specious theories? Has the living God taken possession of heart, mind, and soul? Have you been critically examining your own life by the Word of God, and has it had its influence to break you from the idolatry and imagery you have framed to make of none effect the Word of the living God?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 223, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 223, 1902, par. 11
I have been deeply impressed by the Spirit of God that we are to pass through severe trials. Everyone’s faith will be tested. We must study carefully the old waymarks. These experiences in the past are to be revived. Daniel is to stand out conspicuously with the Revelation given to John on the Isle of Patmos.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 170, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 170, 1902, par. 16
We need to study Revelation in connection with Daniel. Both of these books are to be carefully and prayerfully studied, and as we study them, we are to pray that their importance may be impressed on our hearts by the Holy Spirit.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 231, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 231, 1902, par. 41
Publications; I have seen that one should be on Daniel and Revelation, published right together, making scarcely any remarks or explanations, or but very few. That has been shown me for years. And they should be sold to those whom you can sell them to, and give them away to those whom you cannot sell them to.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 165, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 165, 1902, par. 20
We do not dwell sufficiently upon the Revelation and the book of Daniel. These books should be published together in pamphlet form, with a few explanations added, and they should be circulated everywhere. The words of inspiration will do their appointed work; for the Holy Spirit will impress hearts in regard to the prophecies given. In this pamphlet it should be made plain that a revelation is not a mystery which cannot be understood, but rather a mystery revealed. These two books may be prepared for publication in a pamphlet bound inexpensively, costing but a trifle, and small enough to be carried in the pocket. Printed together, the books of Daniel and the Revelation will speak to the people and tell their own story.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 1, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 1, 1903, par. 4
The books of Daniel and the Revelation should be bound together and published. A few explanations of certain portions might be added, but I am not sure that these would be needed.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 263, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 263, 1903, par. 27
A sad and alarming chapter in our experience has for years been opening before us, and much of its record needs to be blotted out with the blood of redeeming love. There are some who are betraying the truth and betraying their Saviour. Let them dismiss from their minds the theories of the great deceiver. Let them humble their hearts before God. Let them fix their minds on the science of truth contained in His Word. In the books of Daniel and the Revelation they will find truths to understand which will tax the mind to the utmost.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 351, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 351, 1905, par. 10
He believes straight present truth. There is not one thread of spiritualistic science which would take the world in its deceivings. It is solemn, serious truth which is before the people, the truth of the first, second, and third angels’ messages, linking Daniel and Revelation together. And the grasp he has of the people is marvelous. The Lord has put His Spirit into the mind, heart, and soul of Brother Simpson. He is firm upon the testimonies. This work should be taken up in every city now without delay.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 372, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 372, 1906, par. 6
For several weeks, meetings have been held in Oakland in a large tent pitched close by the post office. Elder Simpson has had wonderful success in this series of meetings. His method has been to make Scripture explain Scripture; and the Holy Spirit has convinced many hearts of the truth. The people cannot but accept a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” The beasts used as symbols in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation he has presented before the people in life-size images, and this has impressed the people strongly. He has lectured only in the evening, when men are released from their work and can come out to hear. After a few weeks of labor he presented the Sabbath, again making the Bible prove every statement.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 350, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 350, 1906, par. 6
He has large life-like representations of the beasts and symbols in Daniel and the Revelation, and these are brought forward at the proper time to illustrate his remarks. Not one careless or unnecessary word escapes his lips. He speaks forcibly and solemnly. Many of his hearers have never before heard discourses of so solemn a nature. They manifest no spirit of levity, but a solemn awe seems to rest upon them. He takes up a collection only once a week, but he receives sufficient to defray his expenses without being obliged to call upon the conference.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 349, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 349, 1906, par. 10
The Lord has been working with Elder Simpson, teaching him how to give to the people this last warning message. His method of making the words of the Bible prove the truth for this time, and his use of the symbols presented in Revelation and Daniel, are effective. Let the young men learn as for their lives what is truth and how it should be presented. We are living in the last days of the great conflict; the truth alone will hold us securely in this time of trouble. The way should be prepared for Elder Simpson to give the message, and our young men should attend his evening meetings.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 326, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 326, 1906, par. 8
Brother Simpson dwells especially upon the prophecies in the books of Daniel and the Revelation. He has large representations of the beasts spoken of in these books. These beasts are made of papier-mâché, and by an ingenious invention, they may be brought at the proper time before the congregation. Thus he holds the attention of the people, while he preaches the truth to them. Through this effort hundreds will be led to a better understanding of the Bible than they ever had before, and we trust that there will be many conversions. Those who attend his lectures and are not converted must practically reject the Word of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 368, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 368, 1906, par. 3
In presenting before the people the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, Brother Simpson illustrates them by large images of the beasts of these prophecies; and this is creating a wonderful interest. He uses the Bible to prove every statement he makes and tells the people if they have any controversy with the truth he is teaching, their controversy must be with the Bible itself. This method of making the Bible prove the Bible makes a deep impression on the minds of those assembled. The Lord is impressing many minds.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 400, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 400, 1906, par. 9
Brother Simpson’s meetings were largely attended, and the people listened to his words with spellbound interest; the interest continued from first to last. With his Bible in his hand, and basing all his arguments on the Word of God. Brother Simpson traced out before the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. His own words were few; he made the Scriptures themselves explain the truth to the people. After giving them the truth, Elder Simpson would draw an expression of opinion from his congregation. “Now,” he would say, “those who see the truth of what I am saying, raise your hands;” and in response many hands would be raised. I can only poorly represent to you the interest his work has created.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Ms 105, 1906
21LtMs, Ms 105, 1906, par. 5
The manner of Elder Simpson’s work reminds me of the efforts that were put forth in 1843 and 1844. He does not make prominent his own words, but reads the Bible, explaining one scripture by another. He dwells largely on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and uses many illustrations and suitable figures to impress the truth. To represent the beasts of Daniel and Revelation, he has prepared lifelike images of papier-mâché.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 388, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 388, 1906, par. 3
The manner of Elder Simpson’s work reminds me of the efforts that were put forth in 1843 and 1844. He does not make prominent his own words, but reads the Bible, explaining one Scripture by another. He dwells largely on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and uses many illustrations and suitable figures to impress the truth. To represent the beasts of Daniel and Revelation, he has prepared life-like images of papier-mâché.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 6, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 6, 1907, par. 9
May the Lord help you to understand His Word. If you will heed and practice this Word, you will become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Let our ministers and teachers seek knowledge from the one true source. Let them seek the Lord with much prayer, earnestly searching His Word to find the hidden treasure. Now, just now, is the golden opportunity to understand the truths of the Word, and let this opportunity be improved by all. Let the book of Daniel be read and its instruction heeded.From Splendor to Shadow
Chapter 43—Belshazzar’s Feast: Babylon’s Last Night
SS 272.1
Great changes were taking place in the land to which Daniel and his companions had been carried captive more than sixty years before. Nebuchadnezzar had died, and Babylon had passed under the unwise rule of his successors. Gradual but sure dissolution was resulting.SS 272.2
Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, gloried in his power and lifted up his heart against the God of heaven. He had known of his grandfather’s banishment by the decree of God from the society of men. He was familiar with Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion and miraculous restoration. But he allowed pleasure and self-glorification to efface the lessons he should never have forgotten. He neglected to use the means within his reach for becoming more fully acquainted with truth.SS 272.3
It was not long before reverses came. Babylon was besieged by Cyrus, commanding general of the Medes and Persians. But within its massive walls and gates of brass, protected by the river Euphrates and stocked with provision in abundance, the voluptuous monarch felt safe and passed his time in mirth and revelry.SS 272.4
In his pride and arrogance, with a reckless feeling of security, Belshazzar “made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.” Beautiful women with their enchantments were among the guests. Men of genius and education were there. Princes and statesmen drank wine and reveled under its maddening influence.SS 273.1
With reason dethroned through intoxication and with lower impulses and passions in the ascendancy, the king himself took the lead in the riotous orgy. He “commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which ... Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem.” The king would prove that nothing was too sacred for his hands to handle. “They brought the golden vessels ...; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood and of stone.”SS 273.2
A divine Watcher, unrecognized, looked upon the scene, heard the sacrilegious mirth, beheld the idolatry. Soon the uninvited Guest made His presence felt. When the revelry was at its height, a bloodless hand traced on the palace walls characters that gleamed like fire—words which were a portent of doom.SS 273.3
Hushed was the boisterous mirth, while men and women, seized with terror, watched the hand slowly tracing the mysterious characters. Before them passed, as in panoramic view, the deeds of their evil lives. They seemed to be arraigned before the judgment bar of the eternal God whose power they had just defied. Where a few moments before had been hilarity and blasphemous witticism, were pallid faces and cries of fear.SS 273.4
Belshazzar was the most terrified of them all. Conscience was awakened, and “his knees smote one against another.” Now he realized that for his wasted opportunities and defiant attitude he could offer no excuse.SS 273.5
In vain the king tried to read the burning letters. Turning to the wise men for help his wild cry rang out in the assembly: “Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” But heavenly wisdom cannot be bought or sold. “All the king’s wise men ... could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.” They were no more able than had been the wise men of a former generation to interpret the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar.SS 274.1
Then the queen mother remembered Daniel. “O king,” she said, “let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar ... made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; ... now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”SS 274.2
“Then was Daniel brought in before the king.” Making an effort to regain his composure, Belshazzar said to the prophet: “I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.”SS 274.3
Unmoved by the promises of the king, Daniel stood in the quiet dignity of a servant of the Most High. “Give thy rewards to another,” he said, “yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.”SS 274.4
The prophet first reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar’s sin and fall, of the divine judgment for his pride, and his subsequent acknowledgment of the power and mercy of the God of Israel. Then in bold, emphatic words he rebuked Belshazzar for his great wickedness and showed him the lessons he might have learned but did not. Belshazzar had not heeded the warning of events so significant to himself. He was about to reap the consequence of his rebellion.SS 275.1
“Thou ..., O Belshazzar, ... hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone ... : and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: then was the part of the hand sent from Him; and this writing was written.”SS 275.2
Turning to the message on the wall, the prophet read, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” The hand was no longer visible, but these words were still gleaming with terrible distinctness; and now with bated breath the people listened while the aged prophet declared: “This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”SS 275.3
In that last night of mad folly Belshazzar and his lords had filled up the measure of the guilt of the Chaldean kingdom. No longer could God’s restraining hand ward off the impending evil. “We would have healed Babylon,” God declared of those whose judgment was now reaching unto heaven, “but she is not healed.” Jeremiah 51:9. God had at last found it necessary to pass the irrevocable sentence. Belshazzar’s kingdom was to pass into other hands.SS 275.4
As the prophet ceased speaking, the king commanded that he be awarded the promised honors.SS 275.5
More than a century before, Inspiration had foretold that “the night of ... pleasure” (Isaiah 21:4), during which king and counselors would blaspheme God, would suddenly be changed into a season of fear and destruction. And now, while still in the festal hall, the king is informed that “his city is taken” by the enemy. Jeremiah 51:31. Even while he and his nobles were drinking from the sacred vessels and praising their gods of silver and gold, the Medes and Persians, having turned the Euphrates out of its channel, were marching into the heart of the unguarded city. The army of Cyrus now stood under the walls of the palace. The city was filled with the soldiers of the enemy, “as many as locusts” (Verse 14, RSV), and their triumphant shouts could be heard above the despairing cries of the astonished revelers.SS 276.1
“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain,” and an alien monarch sat upon the throne.SS 276.2
The Hebrew prophets had spoken clearly concerning the manner in which Babylon should fall:SS 276.3
“Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken.” “The Lord is a God of recompense, He will surely requite. I will make drunk her princes and her wise men, her governors, her commanders, and her warriors; they shall sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake, says the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts.” Jeremiah 51:8, 56, 57, RSV.SS 276.4
Thus did “Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency,” become as Sodom and Gomorrah—a place forever accursed. “It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate towers, and dragons in their pleasant palaces.” Isaiah 13:19-22.Come down and sit in the dust,
O virgin daughter of Babylon;
Sit on the ground without a throne ... .
You said, “I shall be mistress forever,”
So that you did not lay these things to heart
Or remember their end.
Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures,
Who sit securely,
Who say in your heart,
“I am, and there is no one besides me;
I shall not sit as a widow
Or know the loss of children”:
These two things shall come to you
In a moment, in one day;
The loss of children and widowhood
Shall come upon you in full measure ... .
You felt secure in your wickedness,
You said, “No one sees me.”
Isaiah 47:1, 7-10, RSV
SS 277.1
Prophecy has traced the rise and progress of the world’s great empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. With each, as with nations of less power, history has repeated itself. Each has had its period of test; each has failed, its glory faded, its power departed. Nations have rejected God’s principles and have wrought their own ruin, yet a divine, overruling purpose has been at work throughout the ages.SS 277.2
It was this that the prophet Ezekiel saw when before his astonished gaze were portrayed symbols that revealed a Power overruling the affairs of earthly rulers. Wheels intersecting one another were moved by four living beings. High above all these “was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness as it were of a human form.” Ezekiel 1:26, RSV.SS 278.1
The wheels, so complicated that at first sight they appeared to be in confusion, moved in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings were impelling those wheels. The complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and tumult of nations He that sits above the cherubim still guides the affairs of this earth. To every nation and individual God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes.SS 278.2
The prophecies which the great I AM has given in His Word tell us where we are in the procession of the ages. All that prophecy has foretold until the present time has been traced on the pages of history, and all which is yet to come will be fulfilled in its order.SS 278.3
The signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. The Saviour prophesied of events to precede His coming: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars ... . Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Matthew 24:6, 7. Rulers and statesmen recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.SS 278.4
The Bible, and the Bible only, gives a correct view of events that already are casting their shadows before, the sound of their approach causing the earth to tremble and men’s hearts to fail them for fear. “Behold, the Lord will lay waste the earth and make it desolate, and He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.” “For they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt.” Isaiah 24:1, 5, 6, RSV.SS 278.5
“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7.Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge,
Even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee,
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psalm 91:9, 10
SS 279.1
God will not fail His church in the hour of her greatest peril. He has promised deliverance. The principles of His kingdom will be honored by all beneath the sun.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 139, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 139, 1896, par. 3
I am very anxious to get out Testimony No. 34 now. I have secured Eliza’s help. I will undertake that work which ought to have been done years ago. I have things that should come to the people. Time is short. The end of all things is at hand. We are to give more diligent searching to Revelation. Here is a book opened for those who shall live in these last days of time. Daniel and Revelation are the books applicable to us and should be carefully studied and with much prayer. Read the first three verses:Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 32, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 3
The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days. The Scripture says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” [Daniel 12:4.] When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, “Time shall be no longer.” [Revelation 10:6.] The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 14
All that God has in prophetic history specified to be fulfilled in the past has been, and all that is yet to come in its order will be. Daniel, God’s prophet, stands in his place. John stands in his place. In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 25
The very same Satan is at work to undermine the faith of the people of God at this time. There are persons ready to catch up every new idea. The prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are misinterpreted. These persons do not consider that the truth has been set forth at the appointed time by the very men whom God was leading <to do this special work.> These men followed on step by step in the <very fulfillment> of prophecy, and those who have not had a personal experience in this work are to take the Word of God and believe on “their word” [John 17:20] who have been led by the Lord in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These messages, received and acted upon, are doing their work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. If we search the Scriptures to confirm the truth God has given His servants for the world, we shall be found proclaiming the first, second, and third angels’ messages.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 38
Prophecy has been fulfilling, line upon line. The more firmly we stand under the banner of the third angel’s message, the more clearly shall we understand the prophecy of Daniel, for the Revelation is the supplement of Daniel. The more fully we accept the light presented by the Holy Spirit through the consecrated servants of God, the deeper and surer, even as the eternal throne, will appear the truths of ancient prophecy; we shall be assured that men of God spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Men must themselves be under the influence of the Holy Spirit in order to understand the Spirit’s utterances through the prophets. These messages were given, not for those that uttered the prophecies, but for us who are living amid the scenes of their fulfillment.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 176, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 176, 1896, par. 2
I have had to meet many things that required pen labor and voice labor to repress and counteract. Brother John Bell is having a large burden to get out that which he considers very precious matter upon Daniel and Revelation. It is a mixture of truth and error, supposition, and a mass of Scripture misapplied and misinterpreted. And yet he has the greatest assurance that he has great light. But as he had no knowledge of the experience through which we passed in the proclamation of the first and second angels’ messages, he cannot understand that his theories uproot the past leadings of God. This I am now seeking to present to him. For two nights in succession I was awake—one night at half past two o’clock a.m.; the next night at half past one o’clock a.m.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 57, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 57, 1896, par. 4
There is need of a much closer study of the Word of God; especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy, but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted.11LtMs, Lt 57, 1896, par. 5
Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men and lay human glory in the dust. God alone is represented as great. In the vision of the prophet He is seen casting down one mighty ruler, and setting up another. He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting kingdom—the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer of the future. Read, and understand how poor, how frail, how short-lived, how erring, how guilty is man <in lifting up his soul unto vanity.>Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 87, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 87, 1896, par. 13
The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed, be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed by John, such a reformation would be made in our churches, that many more would believe our message. We are God’s messengers, and we have not time to lose, for He calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give account. Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword working both ways. But do not be too ready to take a controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Present the truth as it is in Jesus. Let Daniel speak, let Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, “the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” [Revelation 22:16.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 29, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 29, 1896, par. 17
Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things. Let discourses be short, spiritual, elevated. Let the preacher be full of the Word of the Lord. Let every man who enters the pulpit know that he has angels from heaven in his audience. And when these angels empty from themselves the golden oil of truth into the heart of him who is teaching the Word, then the application of the truth will be a solemn, serious matter. The angel messengers will expel sin from the heart, unless the door of the heart is padlocked and Christ is refused admission. Christ will withdraw Himself from those who persist in refusing the heavenly blessings that are so freely offered them.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 15, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 18
To us who believe have been committed the oracles of God. The books of Daniel and Revelation are full of matter which concerns every one of us. We should study these books, and let the Lord God of Israel communicate truth to us, so that we may be able to communicate the truth to others who live in these last days. The Lord would have His people learn of Jesus. God forbid that those for whom He has wrought shall become highminded and be left to their own way as was the king of Babylon.11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 22
In the experience of Nebuchadnezzar is contained a lesson to which we should give heed, lest we fall into temptation. The perils of the last days are upon us, and we should watch and pray, read and heed the lessons that are given us in the books of Daniel and Revelation. In mercy the Lord has wrought in behalf of the Sanitarium, the college and the Review and Herald office. Just as long as those in connection with these institutions walk humbly with God, heavenly intelligences will co-operate with them; but let all bear in mind the fact that God has said, “Them that honor me I will honor.” [1 Samuel 2:30.] The Lord manifested Himself to the four Hebrew youth in the courts of Babylon. They were surrounded with temptations on every hand, yet God set a hedge about them in order that they should not be corrupted, because they preserved their simplicity of faith. There is a lesson in this for us.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 31, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 31, 1896, par. 1
I have not been able to sleep since half past one o’clock. I was bearing to Brother John Bell a message which the Lord has given me for him. The peculiar views he holds are a mixture of truth and error. If he had passed through the experience of God’s people as He had led them the last forty years, he would be better prepared to make the correct application of Scripture. The great waymarks of truth, showing us our bearings in prophetic history, are to be carefully guarded, lest they be torn down and replaced with theories that would bring confusion rather than genuine light. I have been cited to the various erroneous theories that have been presented over and over again. Those who advocated these theories presented Scripture quotations, but they misapplied and misinterpreted them. The theories supposed to be correct were incorrect, and yet many thought them the very theories to be brought before the people. The prophecies of Daniel and John are to be diligently studied.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 56, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 56, 1896, par. 10
I cannot write more; I must close. I will have some things sent by next mail. Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated. We must be true and faithful amid the iniquity that abounds. At no period of time are we in so much danger as when prosperity seems to crown our efforts. Self must be hidden in God. We are living amid the perils of the last days, and many of us are insensible to the perils that threaten our world. We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know. “Watch therefore,” said Jesus, “for ye know not when the time is. Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” [Mark 13:33; Matthew 24:42, 44.] “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” [Luke 13:3.] The right hand is to be cut off; the right eye is to be plucked out. There is hidden depravity that needs to be carefully considered and uprooted. God help us individually to purify our souls by obeying the truth.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 59, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 59, 1896, par. 7
It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony, which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel’s message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days, but while “many shall be purified, and made white, and tried,” “the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand.” [Verse 10.] How true this is. Sin is the transgression of the law of God, and those in the denominational churches who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God, will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 1, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 1, 1897, par. 1
I am drawn out to address you. I am in great travail of soul for our people. We are living amid the perils of the last days. A superficial faith results in a superficial experience. There is a repentance that needs to be repented of. All genuine experience in religious doctrines will bear the impress of Jehovah. All should see the necessity of understanding the truth for themselves individually. We must each understand the doctrines that have been studied out carefully and prayerfully. It has been revealed to me that there is among our people a great lack of knowledge in regard to the rise and progress of the third angel’s message. There is great need to search the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, and learn the texts thoroughly, that we may know what is written.Daniel 5:3-28
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 8, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 8, 1893, par. 14
I present before you a warning from the Word of God. In Babylon of old, Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Intoxicated with wine, he lost all reverence for sacred things, and he commanded that the golden and silver vessels which had been once consecrated to the temple service in Jerusalem be brought forth, that the king and princes, his wives and his concubines, might drink therein. “Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his princes, his wives and his concubines drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” [Daniel 5:3, 4.] This was the tenor of their conversation, and God heard; for there was a witness at that feast.8LtMs, Lt 8, 1893, par. 15
The Holy One heard their sacrilegious hilarity and glee, and beheld their base idolatry. That witness did not depart from the banqueting hall without leaving His testimony. In the same hour came forth the bloodless fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the king’s palace, and the king saw the hand writing, in letters that seemed to burn and flame like fire—characters which he knew not. Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against the other. All the magicians, and astrologers, and the wise men of the kingdom tried to read the writing, but could not decipher it or make known the interpretation thereof. Finally Daniel was brought before the king. (Read Daniel 5:13-28.)8LtMs, Lt 8, 1893, par. 16
When you have been in the society of those who fear not God, those who are coarse and rough, have you been as a light shining in a dark place? You have an individual responsibility, and the Lord recognizes this; there is a witness present in every gathering where you are found. God is there as a witness in the person of His delegated angels. Your character is weighed in the scales of heaven, and if your course of action is wrong, a testimony is borne, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Verse 27.] Bear this in mind, that you are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.Daniel 5:18-23
Sermons and Talks, vol. 1
Temperance
1SAT 221.3
Many disregard the light and opportunities granted them by God, and stubbornly follow their own way. Thus did Belshazzar. Although God had revealed Himself in honor and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar closed his eyes to the light and chose his own course. Daniel declared to him: “O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: and for the majesty that He gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified” [Daniel 5:18-23].Daniel 5:18-28
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)
Ms 79, 1908
23LtMs, Ms 79, 1908, par. 8
When called before king Belshazzar to explain the mysterious writing on the wall, Daniel reminded the king of matters with which he was familiar, but which had not taught him the lesson of humility that might have saved him. “O thou king,” said the prophet, “the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor: and for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive, and whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne and they took his glory from him: and he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will.” [Daniel 5:18-21.]23LtMs, Ms 79, 1908, par. 10
“And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” [Verses 22-28.]Daniel 5:18-31
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 50, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 50, 1893, par. 8
At the very moment when the feasting was at its height, a bloodless hand came forth and traced on the wall of the banqueting room the doom of the king and his kingdom. “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” were the words written, and they were interpreted by Daniel to mean, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. ... Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” [Daniel 5:25, 27, 28.] And the record tells us, “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom.” [Verses 30, 31.]8LtMs, Ms 50, 1893, par. 27
Many disregard the light and opportunities granted them by God, and stubbornly follow their own way. Thus did Belshazzar. Although God had revealed Himself in honor and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar closed his eyes to the light and chose his own course. Daniel declared to him: “O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor: and for all the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive, and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: and he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of heaven, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. And thou, his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, thou knewest all this: but hast lifted up thine heart against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.” [Daniel 5:18-23.]8LtMs, Ms 50, 1893, par. 29
But Belshazzar lifted himself up against the Lord. “Thou ... hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven.” [Daniel 5:22, 23.] “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] Too often the patience and forbearance of God makes transgressors bold and unimpressible.Daniel 5:25-28
Jesus, Name Above All Names
Unfailing Helper, July 2
JNN 196.1
“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”—Daniel 5:25JNN 196.2
The hand was gone, but four terrible words were left. With bated breath the people waited as Daniel announced their meaning: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin:” “God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it;” “thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting;” “thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:25-28).Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene
Chapter 2—Our Reasonable Service
CTBH 21.1
Then the queen-mother remembered Daniel, who, so many years before, had made known to king Nebuchadnezzar his forgotten dream and its interpretation. Standing before that gorgeous, terror-stricken throng, the prophet of God reminded the king of Nebuchadnezzar’s sin and fall, and reproved him for his own crimes. Then turning to the writing on the wall, he read the message from Heaven. The hand was gone, but four terrible words were left. With bated breath the people waited as Daniel announced their meaning: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin:” “God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it;” “thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting;” “thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” [Daniel 5:25-28.]Daniel 5:27
Christ’s Object Lessons
Application to the Jewish Nation
COL 267.3
When Christ gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, there were many in the Jewish nation in the pitiable condition of the rich man, using the Lord’s goods for selfish gratification, preparing themselves to hear the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27. The rich man was favored with every temporal and spiritual blessing, but he refused to cooperate with God in the use of these blessings. Thus it was with the Jewish nation. The Lord had made the Jews the depositaries of sacred truth. He had appointed them stewards of His grace. He had given them every spiritual and temporal advantage, and He called upon them to impart these blessings. Special instruction had been given them in regard to their treatment of their brethren who had fallen into decay, of the stranger within their gates, and of the poor among them. They were not to seek to gain everything for their own advantage, but were to remember those in need and share with them. And God promised to bless them in accordance with their deeds of love and mercy. But like the rich man, they put forth no helping hand to relieve the temporal or spiritual necessities of suffering humanity. Filled with pride, they regarded themselves as the chosen and favored people of God; yet they did not serve or worship God. They put their dependence in the fact that they were children of Abraham. “We be Abraham’s seed,” they said proudly. (John 8:33.) When the crisis came, it was revealed that they had divorced themselves from God, and had placed their trust in Abraham, as if he were God.From Here to Forever
The Destiny of All Decided
HF 303.1
Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27.Christ in His Sanctuary
Now in the Day of Atonement
CIHS 189.3
“Watch ye therefore:...lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.” Mark 13:35, 36. Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27.—The Great Controversy, 479-491.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)
Ms 7, 1882
3LtMs, Ms 7, 1882, par. 7
Your work last winter was a shame, a disgrace to any professing the name of Christian. God was in your midst, a silent witness to all your transactions. The mob spirit prevailed. The mob spirit was encouraged, although there was some remonstrance made. The ones who indited it, the ones who were leaders in it, stand condemned before God as verily as did Belshazzar when engaged in his sacrilegious feast. The same God was in your midst who revealed Himself to the king as the bloodless hand traced the characters on the wall, “Weighed in the balances” and “found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Men may say you are all right or men may condemn, but it is of but very little consequence. The balances in which the world weighs men may pronounce the imperfect, the wanting, of right weight and full measure, while God’s measurement and weight say, “Wanting.” When God weighs motives and character, it means something that should fill the soul with terror as it did the guilty king.3LtMs, Ms 7, 1882, par. 21
Why do you delight in making your wicked speeches and indulging your wicked feelings against Dr. Kellogg? Has he not sufficient burdens to carry? Dr. [W. J.] Fairfield is unworthy of your confidence. He has apostatized from the faith, but you patronize him, not because he honors God, not because he believes the truth, but because the man pleases you. God has written against his name, “Weighed in the balances” and “found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Has not Dr. Kellogg all the burdens he can carry? Would you crush him to the earth with your suspicions prompted of Satan? Would you feel great pleasure in seeing the Health Institute go down? Is this what you desire? Can you explain your course of action to make it harmonize with the Word of God? What account will you render to God for your wicked surmising, your taking the judgment seat and judging your brother? Oh, Christianity, precious Christianity, how much needed and how little practiced! One victim after another is made to suffer because [he is] tortured and persecuted by those who profess to love Jesus and to be learning of Him.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)
Lt 58, 1880
3LtMs, Lt 58, 1880, par. 1
I arise early this morning. My mind is not at rest in regard to you. In the solemn view presented me a short time since in the night season, your case was shown me. The Ledger of Heaven was opened and I read there a record of your life at a glance. I took it in, your weakness, your defects of character. As the eyes of the Judge of all the earth cast one glance at the record and then at you, not a word was spoken by Him. Your own lips repeated, “Weighed in the balance and found wanting. I have sown to the flesh; I shall reap corruption.” [Daniel 5:27; Galatians 6:8.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 6a, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 6a, 1886, par. 10
When Belshazzar had his great sacrificial feast, there was a witness present which he did not discern. They were drinking their wine and having their luxurious feast and praising the gods of silver and gold, extolling their own wisdom; but right over against the wall facing the king, a bloodless hand traced the terrible characters testifying of his true condition. The message came, “Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Now the Lord is weighing characters in the sanctuary, and the deeds of those who are careless and indifferent, rushing on in the paths of sin and iniquity, are being registered in the books of heaven.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 65, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 65, 1886, par. 46
Shall there be written, “Weighed in the balance, and found wanting”? [Daniel 5:27.] If found wanting in the day of God it will be a terrible thing, therefore we want to be closely examining our own motives and actions by the holy law of God, to repent of every act of transgression, and as sinners lay hold of the merits of Christ to supply the deficiency. The blood of Christ alone will do this.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 22, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 22, 1890, par. 30
The fact that one is never detected in deception or fraud does not make him less guilty in the sight of God. That which God testifies of us, when character is weighed in the golden scales of the sanctuary is to stand fast forever unless the sad decision, “wanting” [Daniel 5:27] is changed because of soul-repentance and transformation of character. Then pardon is written, and the promise is fulfilled, “a new heart will I give you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 17, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 17, 1890, par. 18
Whenever one, by any action, leads men to be forgetful of God or to neglect the plain injunctions of His Word, the unseen Witness testifies, as in the writing on the walls of the palace, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 13, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 13, 1890, par. 17
Christian physicians need to pray, to watch unto prayer. Before them is opened a door to many temptations, and they need to be awakened to a lively sense that there is a Watcher by their side assuredly as there was a Watcher in that sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar, when men praised the gods of silver and gold, and drank from the sacred vessels of the temple of God. When men take honor to themselves, God is dishonored. Whenever one by any action leads men to be forgetful of God, the unseen Watcher testifies as in the writing on the wall of the palace, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]In Heavenly Places
Weighed in Heaven’s Balances, May 29
HP 156.5
There are many who need now to consider the words, “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). God’s holy, everlasting, immutable law is the standard by which man is to be tried. This law defines what we shall do and what we shall not do, saying, Thou shalt, and, Thou shalt not. This law is summed up in the two great principles, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 38, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 38, 1890, par. 12
Every believer should become spiritual, by laying hold of the provision God has made through the humiliation and death of His beloved Son. The excellency and power of the living oracles of God are to be manifested to the world. God requires every soul who names the name of Christ to be a spiritual worshiper, in order that he may do his part toward the divine illumination of the world. The war cry of the brave English captain, with a single change, might well serve as a watchword for the armies of the Lord—“Christ expects every man to do his duty.” The very best capabilities of high or low, rich or poor, great or small, are to be put into action; not for the sake of getting praise and honor of men, but of presenting to God work done in an intelligent, workmanlike manner. If this is neglected, “weighed in the balances and found wanting” will stand registered in the books of heaven. [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 16a, 1891
7LtMs, Lt 16a, 1891, par. 27
We need to maintain a close connection with God, for at almost every moment there will be demands upon us for thoughtfulness, for moral courage, for honest decisions. Those who have no real connection with God will acquiesce in things as they exist, drift with the tide, yielding to wrong influences instead of resisting evil and inspiring others with higher, holier purposes. These persons are hindrances to the advancement of the work. When they meet the record of their life, they will be compelled to see that it has been a failure, and to hear the just sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 63, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 63, 1893, par. 48
In our experience we have seen men and women to whom was entrusted a large amount of capital become decidedly selfish in spirit and practice, so that they even embezzled their Lord’s means. After God had tried and tested them, and they failed to repent and reform, against their names was registered, “weighed in the balances of the heavenly sanctuary and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Let not this be the case with you. For Christ’s sake I implore you to be a faithful steward. May the Holy Spirit guide us with heavenly wisdom and keep us so that we shall not handle the Word of God deceitfully. We want to be able to discern the meaning that God would have His Truth convey.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 68a, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 68a, 1893, par. 30
Devote to study the hours you spend in expressing your opinions. You seem to consider your experience of such value that it is a criterion for others; but the books of heaven bear altogether a different record: “Weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Thus it will stand through eternity unless you give heed to the counsels of God, and see your need of an entirely different experience. Pray much and show your wisdom by keeping silence. You frequently ventilate your ideas when you would better say nothing.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 51, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 51, 1893, par. 28
The students, every one, need most thorough education in practical duties. The time employed in physical exercise, which, step by step, leads on to excess, to intensity in the games and the exercise of the faculties, ought to be used in Christ’s lines, and the blessing of God would rest upon them in so doing. Everyone should go forth from the schools with educated efficiency, so that when thrown upon their own resources, they would have a knowledge they could use which is essential to practical life. The seeking out of many inventions to employ the God-given faculties most earnestly in doing nothing good, nothing you can take with you in future life, no record of good deeds, of merciful actions, stands registered in the books of heaven: “Weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 63a, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 63a, 1893, par. 45
Because of the large amount entrusted, we have in our experience seen men decidedly change in spirit and in practice, and embezzle their Lord’s entrusted capital, and after God had tried and tested them, in the books of heaven was registered: “weighed in the balances of the heavenly sanctuary, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Let not this be the case with you. I implore you for Christ’s sake to be found a faithful steward. May the Holy Spirit guide us with wisdom that is not our own, and keep us that not one of those who profess to believe the truth shall handle the Word of God deceitfully. We want to discern the meaning which He who gave the Truth would convey.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 9, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 9, 1893, par. 13
In regard to yourself, you have been far from leading a life which would meet the requirements of God. And should accidental death surprise you I fear greatly for your future. I could not say it is well with Frank for he sleeps in Jesus; but I should greatly fear that you would in that great day be “weighed in the Balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] You had better lose everything on earth than heaven. No man can know what it means to be sanctified to God, unless he seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. He must humble his soul before God, be ready to sacrifice anything and everything rather than the favor of God. Cultivate love and affection for religious devotion. Better far give up earth than heaven. You need now to look well to your ways, that your feet slide not. The character of every desire and purpose is as clear, you well know, before God as the sun in the heavens.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 17, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 17, 1894, par. 10
Our tongues must be sanctified. We want sanctified speech. When we come together, our time is altogether too important to be devoted to evil speaking, to be devoted to commonplace chitchat. We are in the sight of heavenly angels. The very same eye is upon us that was upon Belshazzar when in his feast he was praising the gods of silver and gold, and when he was desecrating the precious vessels they had taken from the house of the Lord. He was distressed when he saw the writing on the wall. “Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Belshazzar’s kingdom was finished.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 12, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 12, 1894, par. 5
I am so glad of this, and I sincerely hope that all who name the precious name of Christ may be sincere, practical doers of His Word, else they will certainly be numbered with the unbelievers. The Lord will have the whole heart service or nothing. There are so many who profess to be Christians, but who are such in name only. If they should see their name’s written in the books of heaven, they would see also written there, “Wanting,”—weighed in the golden scales of heaven, and found wanting. [Daniel 5:27.]Last Day Events
Chapter 16—The Close of Probation
LDE 230.4
While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27).—The Great Controversy, 490, 491 (1911).Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 33, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 33, 1894, par. 7
Oh, how many behold things in a perverted light, in the light in which Satan would have them see. You may manifest great zeal in missionary effort and yet, because it is corrupted with selfishness, and tastes strongly of self, it is naught in the sight of God, for it is a tainted, corrupted offering. Unless the door of the heart is open to Jesus, unless He occupies the soul temple, unless the heart is imbued with His divine attributes, human actions when weighed in the heavenly balances will be pronounced “Wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] The love of Christ would make you rich, but many do not realize the value of His love.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 62, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 62, 1894, par. 20
There is another class who meet with loss because they are indolent and spend their powers in pleasing themselves, in using their tongues, and letting their muscles rust with inaction. They waste their opportunities by inaction, and do not glorify God. They might do much if they would put their time and physical strength to use by acquiring means with which to place their children in favorable positions to acquire knowledge; but they would rather let them grow up in ignorance than to exercise their own God-given ability to do something whereby their children might be blessed with a good education. Such men and women will be “weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 65, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 65, 1895, par. 5
The responsibilities and the important business that mean so much to the integrity, purity, and upbuilding of the cause of God demand that there be a wise selection of working agencies. Just as long as you hold men in office, entrusting them with the very weightiest responsibilities, and yet they are not especially led and disciplined by the Holy Spirit, you give no chance for God to work to supply the vacancies that ought to have been made long ago. Your dealing with Elder Littlejohn stands in the books of heaven, “Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Your dealing with Frank Belden, whatever his position or merits, is alike written in the books of heaven as, “Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting,” by the Watcher who marked the course of the king of Babylon.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 64a, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 64a, 1895, par. 20
Those who are do-nothings now will have the superscription upon them, “Weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] They knew their Master’s will, but did it not. They had the light of truth, they had every advantage, but chose their own selfish interests, and they will be left with those whom they did not try to save. “But, and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [Matthew 24:48-51.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Ms 13, 1895
10LtMs, Ms 13, 1895, par. 17
Let the human agent consider the solemn fact that the day of reckoning is just before us, and that we are daily deciding what our eternal destiny shall be. The Master examine every individual case, dealing personally with the talents entrusted by Him. O solemn day of reckoning! That day which will bring paleness to many faces; that day in which the words shall be spoken to many. “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] It will be an awful thing to be found “wanting” when the book of accounts is opened in that great day.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 86, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 86, 1895, par. 20
A great work is to be done in our world, and God alone can fit up the human agents to do this work. There is at this time an extensive and pressing demand for literary qualifications, and as we search for those who have entrusted talents, the revelation is made, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Many broad fields of usefulness are opened before us; in every direction are fields white for the harvest. But while we would rejoice to find workers with literary ability, we rejoice to see some souls ministering who have had fewer advantages than others to obtain an education. Some are devoting themselves to the work in humility, and with an unreserved consecration to God. They may have only ordinary ability, yet under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, they may yoke up with Christ, and the record concerning them in heaven is, “Laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] There will be manifest in their work a consecrated energy of character that will provoke others to zeal and good works.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 78, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 78, 1896, par. 22
By their words, their works, and their spirit, those who pursue such a course are making a record in the books of heaven which they will not care to meet, for God does not value them as they value themselves. They are abusing their probationary opportunities and are grievously neglecting the high privileges conferred upon them. Though finding nothing in the Word of God to vindicate their actions, or countenance their opinions, yet they persist in their own way. In that day, when judgment is passed upon all, the sentence will be pronounced against them, “Thou art weighed in the balances of the heavenly sanctuary and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 7, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 7, 1896, par. 34
God has written in the books of heaven, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Many have given abundant evidence of their selfishness. They have placed themselves as judges, to judge their fellow men. Yet their cruelty and injustice have not been sufficiently discerned to enable those connected with them to see to what a pass we are coming. God is displeased. His anger is kindled against the men who have acted as gods. Like the Jews they have been loading the cloud of vengeance, which must at last break upon them. Unless they shall now understand that the souls of men are not given into their hand, that they cannot act out their selfish, avaricious covetousness under the plea that it is for the cause of God, there will be no remedy for them.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 123, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 123, 1897, par. 28
Great is the work of the Lord. Men are choosing sides. Even those supposed to be heathen will choose the side of Christ, while those who become offended, as did the disciples, will go away and walk no more with Him. And others will come in and occupy the place they have left vacant. The time is very near when man shall have reached the prescribed limits. He has now almost exceeded the bounds of the long-suffering of God, the limits of His grace, the limits of His mercy. The record of their works in the books of heaven is, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] The Lord will interfere to vindicate His own honor, to repress the swellings of unrighteousness and bold transgression.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 12, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 9
He who feels that it is of no great consequence to serve in the lesser capacity will never be trusted of God to serve in the more honored position. He may present himself as fully competent to accomplish the duties of the higher position, but God looks deeper than the surface. A Watcher is on his track, and after test and trial, there is written against him, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] That decision in the courts of heaven decides for eternity the destiny of the human agent.Medical Ministry
An Appeal for More Sympathy
MM 151.2
Whenever one by any action leads men to be forgetful of God, or to neglect the plain injunctions of His word, the unseen Witness testifies, as in the writing on the walls of the palace, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27.—Manuscript 17, 1890.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 86, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 86, 1897, par. 22
Now is your time to see and understand, to repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. I have not one excuse to make for the plain testimony I have borne you. I have given you the word of the Lord. It remains now to be seen whether you have any spiritual conception to see and take in your guilt in using your God-given talents to abuse Him and the souls for whom He has died. If you are not capable of seeing these things, then there will be no evidence of decided change, no transformation of character. There will be no restoration, no healing from Christ. It will be said of you, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 183, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 183, 1897, par. 6
Great is the work of the Lord. Men are choosing sides. Even those supposed to be heathen will choose the side of Christ, while those who become offended, as did the disciples, will go away and walk no more with Him. And others will come in and occupy the places they have left vacant. The time is very near when man shall have reached the prescribed limits. He has almost now exceeded the bounds of the long-suffering of God, the limits of His grace, the limits of His mercy. The record of their works in the books of heaven is, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] The Lord will interfere to vindicate His own honor, to repress the swellings of unrighteousness and bold transgression.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 133, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 133, 1897, par. 10
“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his.” [Romans 8:9.] Can we all have read this? Can we individually have brought our minds to comprehend this? Learning, riches, the finest talents, may be thought to make a most useful man. But there is a sentence that spoils that high expectation; “Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] These supposed human agents have never taken themselves in hand.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 24, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 24, 1897, par. 7
If all could see themselves as they file into the house of God in Battle Creek, the great heart of the work, and know the record which the Lord’s Watcher bears to heaven of the means squandered on themselves, if they could see the array of figures standing against their names, they would not feel very much satisfaction or real enjoyment in the exhibition of themselves before the heavenly universe. It is written off against their names, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] These cannot but be the ones included in the number who had the gay apparel, or those who occupied the highest seats. The very principle that leads them to dress as they do, that makes heaven ashamed of them, will reveal in them a love of dress, a love of outside appearance, at the expense of the soul.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 3, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 3, 1897, par. 20
This is the final judgment. Let the senses of all be aroused; for many whose names now appear on the church books are not the children of God. In the books of heaven it is recorded of them, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Let every church in our land arouse to the importance of studying the Word of God, and with much earnest prayer, not stand afar off, but “draw nigh unto God.” The promise is, “He will draw nigh unto you.” [James 4:8.] Then you may keep life in your souls, and obtain a sound experience. Then you will not be of that class of whom it is written, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” [Matthew 24:12.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 45, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 45, 1897, par. 1
W. C. White has just brought me your letter dated November 10. I would not have you make any move on my account. At the present time I have not any idea of attending the meeting in Melbourne. The meeting in Stanmore on the last Friday morning was a severe tax on me. From the beginning to the close my distress of mind was very great, and in the very midst of the meeting the weight grew more heavy and the outlook more depressing. When I returned to my room, I was all alone for nearly three hours. I suffered such anguish of soul that it seemed to me I could not live. I was deeply impressed with the thought of how far we, as a people to whom is entrusted large responsibilities, are from realizing these sacred trusts. To how many will it be said by lips that always express truth, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting”? [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 7, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 7, 1897, par. 14
These things have been opened before me in clear lines. I have seen that a cloud hangs over Battle Creek. The councillors in the offices have done strange things, and have offered strange fire. I tell you in the name of the Lord, Advance no farther in your work of loading down by bearing such institutions as the Health Retreat. Take your hands off from the Pacific Press. You who are so deeply at fault in your principles and practices, and under the reproof of God, cannot manage the interests with which you are connected. In the books of heaven it is written against you, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 161, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 161, 1898, par. 5
Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, we need not make the mistakes that cause to be written opposite our names the words, “Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Those who follow the divine Leader in this world will be with Him in the city of God. They will dwell with Him upon God’s great farm, the earth renewed and beautified. Eden will be restored.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 58, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 58, 1898, par. 8
On Sunday night a large number who were not of our faith were out to hear. The burden of the travail for souls came upon me. I had a plain, straightforward, unvarnished testimony to bear. I spoke for more than an hour from Luke 10:25-37. I could not read the hearts of the many present who were transgressors of the law, but I presented the difference between obedience and disobedience in the reality that forced itself upon my mind. I spoke of temperance and intemperance, of the world as it was before the flood and before the destruction of Sodom, of the value of the human soul in the light of the cross of Calvary, of the sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar and its result, of the writing on the wall, “Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 65, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 50
Is not this plain and simple? Those who have been students in the schools at Battle Creek have come from their years of study unprepared to do the work in teaching that they should do. They are imperfect in many ways where they should be wise. They are weighed in the balances of the sanctuary above, and are pronounced “Wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] These defects in their education the Lord would not have reproduced in others.The Great Controversy
Chapter 28—Facing Life’s Record
GC 491.2
“Watch ye therefore: ... lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.” Mark 13:35, 36. Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 82, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 82, 1898, par. 39
The truth must exercise an influence over the practical life. The large and the small things are always linked together. The fact that the little things are not seen and linked with the great and higher interests is the cause of the failure of many church members. There are great defects in the professedly Christian life. Their words are not leavened by the truth. There are many whose characters are now being weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and they are pronounced “wanting” because they do not bring the truth into practice. [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 101, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 101, 1899, par. 6
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” [Verse 17.] I am charged to say to you, Will you do whole-souled, thorough work, and let Christ abide in you? To be converted one day under the Holy Spirit’s working is not enough. Let the Spirit of God cleanse the soul-temple. Let Jesus in. He invites you to receive Him. Covetousness and the other evils that dominate in your lives are not such precious traits that you should be unwilling to part with them. I tell you that you have not attained to the height of your possibilities. You have only reached a low level, for self is cherished as if it were pure, untarnished gold. However high in the scale of piety you have risen, there are heights you have never yet reached—heights which if you do not reach, you will be “found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 26, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 26, 1899, par. 42
Those who withdrew the circulation of my book had no sense of the importance of the matter that should have been given to the people. The way that the canvassers used Bible Readings, the course taken by presidents of conferences, showed that all needed to become familiar with the very truths contained in the book Great Controversy. Canvassers would have had altogether a different spirit had they been educated in the important matters contained in that book. Those who read the book would have had a different mold upon them, and those handling the book would not have had, because of their unfaithful stewardship, the sentence, “Weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 52, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 52, 1900, par. 8
The third chapter of Revelation is appropriate to the time in which we now live. “Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” [Verses 1, 2.] “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] When carnal security, pride, and contempt of God’s holy law and His service are expressed by those who profess to be God’s people, the Lord declares that unless they repent He will punish them. [Revelation 3:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 59, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 59, 1900, par. 8
Much good would be done if some of the W.C.T.U. women were invited to our camp meetings to take part in the meetings by teaching our sisters how to work. While at the meeting they would be hearing and receiving, as well as imparting. There is a great work to be done, and instead of presenting the features of our faith which are objectionable to unbelievers, let us say to them as Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.” [John 1:46.] We have had great light, great knowledge, and continual instruction, yet the word is given me for many of our people, “You are weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Lt 196, 1901
16LtMs, Lt 196, 1901, par. 9
“We are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Can you imagine Christ showing the spirit that you have at times shown? Why do you allow yourself to show such a spirit? Unless you are constantly on the watch, you will degenerate instead of becoming more Christlike, more kind, pitiful, noble, and generous. If you cannot handle your work in a way that does justice to every one, I beseech you not to ruin your religious experience and your influence by remaining where you are. If the task is too large for you to do, and at the same time control your spirit and your words, for Christ’s sake make some decided change. Do not attempt to manage your own way. Thus you hurt and humiliate yourself and those that God desires to see advancing as His servants. God wants you to reveal an altogether different character. A true-hearted Christian, in the position that you occupy, would be a most powerful argument in favor of the gospel. Unless you can manifest more kindness, unless you can be considerate of the feelings of those who are working in the food factory, it will be better for you and for those connected with you for you to change your position. You can speak kindly; but you do not. You can be as true as steel to principle in every business transaction; but you are not. Let not your record be, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 24, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 24, 1901, par. 4
From the light given me, I know that Brother McElhaney has looked into the mirror and has read there the words, “Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] He has been deeply convicted. He has seen that the laws of worldly policy are not to be the criterion of the people of God, unless these laws are in strict conformity with the law of God. But he has gone on in his own way, forgetting what manner of man he was.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Lt 109, 1901
16LtMs, Lt 109, 1901, par. 13
Can it be that our brethren think that their criticisms are the productions of the Holy Spirit? It will be found that those who are criticized have more to show for their efforts than those who criticize. The names of the humble workers are stamped on the books of heaven with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Matthew 25:23.] But opposite the names of the critics stand the words, “Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 142, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 142, 1902, par. 1
You are on losing ground, and have been for some time. You have been taught the way of truth, and your parents have great confidence in your principles, but God has weighed you in the balances of the sanctuary and has pronounced the sentence, “Weighed and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] My brother, should your life be taken from you now, your loss would be a loss for all eternity. You have a great work before you, and you have not a moment to lose. Satan is playing the game of life for your soul. You are on the losing side. You are grasping thistles. Your association with those who are not consecrated to God gives you neither physical soundness nor spiritual strength.17LtMs, Lt 142, 1902, par. 21
Because others have not kept themselves so pure that no evil could truthfully be spoken of them, shall I take a course that will cause my soul to become diseased, making me offensive in God’s sight? Shall I spoil my record in the books of heaven and disappoint my Saviour, who gave His precious life for me? Shall I make it necessary for Him who is to judge every one according to his works to speak to me the word “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting”? [Daniel 5:27.]The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 28—The Investigative Judgment
GC88 491.3
“Watch ye therefore; ... lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.” [Mark 13:35, 36.] Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments,—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 154, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 154, 1902, par. 15
Our health institutions are of value in the Lord’s estimation only when He is allowed to preside in their management. If His plans and devisings are regarded as inferior to plans of men, He looks upon these institutions as of no more value than the institutions established and conducted by worldlings. God cannot endorse any institution unless it teaches the living principles of His law and brings its own actions into strict conformity to these precepts. Upon those institutions that are not maintained according to His law, He pronounces the sentence, “Unaccepted. Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting.” [See Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 51, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 51, 1903, par. 2
If you had twenty times the assurance that you now have, which leads you to repudiate those who do not accept your propositions as correct, it would not save your you. You need to feel the converting power of God. This would humble your heart. You need to heed the invitation, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matthew 11:29.] Behold Him; for He is the One who will test your work, to see whether it is genuine. He says of you, “You are weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 121, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 121, 1903, par. 1
Impenitence has taken hold upon some who once acted a prominent part in the work of God. There is on their part a settling down to a fatal hardness of heart, a confirmed resistance of the Spirit’s pleading. Should death overtake them as they are now, the dreadful words would be spoken, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 265, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 265, 1903, par. 18
“Make the Word of God the man of your counsel. It will be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Study the Word to see what God has revealed in regard to who He is. He is ‘the Almighty,’ ‘from everlasting to everlasting,’ an unerring Guide. [Psalm 90:2.] Upon whom else would you venture to depend in times of difficulty? What folly could be greater than to set aside the wisdom of God and accept the wisdom of him who fell from his exalted position in heaven as a covering cherub and who has become the head of an apostate race? Will you unite with the archdeceiver? Will you receive his deceptive falsehoods? Shall it continue to be said of you, ‘Thou art weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and art found wanting’?” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 109, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 109, 1903, par. 7
In obtaining his education, Dr. Jones had been under evil influences. And when he connected with the institution in St. Helena, he did not let his light shine forth in clear, bright rays. He failed to give the light to others. His record in the Sanitarium was such as would call forth the words of God, Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting. [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 32, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 32, 1903, par. 2
In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church must be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at an infinite cost, has bestowed on her; if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence, “found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.18LtMs, Ms 32, 1903, par. 4
It is God’s design that His people shall be a sanctified, purified, holy people, communicating light to all around them. It is His design that by exemplifying the truth in their lives, they shall be a praise in the earth. The grace of Christ is sufficient to bring this about. But let God’s people remember that only as they believe and work out the grand principles of the gospel of Christ can He make them a praise in the earth. Only as they use their God-given capabilities in His service will they enjoy the fulness and power of the promise whereon the church has been called to stand. If those who claim to believe in Christ as their Saviour reach only the low standard of worldly measurement, the church fails to bear the rich harvest that God expects. “Found wanting,” is written upon her record. [Verse 27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 147, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 147, 1903, par. 3
Impenitence has taken hold upon some who once acted a prominent part in the work of God. There is on their part a settling down to a fatal hardness of heart, a confirmed resistance of the Spirit’s pleading. Should death overtake them as they are now, the dreadful words would be spoken, “Weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 55, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 55, 1903, par. 18
You have wrapped yourself about with many business entanglements and objectionable plans. You have formed plan after plan, reaching further and still further. The ends of the earth seem not too remote for you to reach. But, my brother, there is a work for you to do between God and your own soul. Men have looked to you for religious guidance and for a correct example. Does your development of character make you a safe guide? God expects you to be strict and particular in all business matters, not following the maxims of the world, not swayed by cupidity. But if you follow the policy that you are tempted to follow, you will be led to dismiss the Word of God from your councils. Unless you make a decided change, the word of the Judge of all the earth to you, in the last great day, will be, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 180, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 180, 1903, par. 6
The religion of Christ, brought into the every-day life, would have led you over a path very different from the path over which you have traveled. You say many things that are neither true nor just, and into your words you put vim and assurance to make yourself believe that you are pursuing a righteous course. But the Lord declares of you, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]This Day With God
Partakers of the Divine Nature, August 1
TDG 222.4
In the representations the Lord has given me, I have seen those who follow their own desires, misrepresenting the truth, oppressing their brethren, and placing difficulties before them. Characters are now being developed, and men are taking sides, some on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ, some on the side of Satan and his angels. The Lord calls for all who will be true and obedient to His law to come out of and away from all connection with those who have placed themselves on the side of the enemy. Against their names is written, “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27)....Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 95, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 95, 1905, par. 10
With some there is an outward show, a form of godliness, but there is no real power; and against them is pronounced the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] They are deficient, yet, in false confidence, they are deceiving themselves and misleading others. Yielding to Satan’s sophistry, they stand on a false track, and by their representations endeavor to tear down truths that God has made fast, never to be moved. By their course, the inexperienced are led to wonder whether these special truths are not, after all, errors that ought to be shunned. When brought into strait places, they will give up the Sabbath and its powerful endorsement, and the more they are opposed in their apostasy, the more self-sufficient and self-deceived they become. They have lifted up their souls unto vanity, and God says, “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” [Revelation 3:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 283, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 283, 1905, par. 5
Our health institutions are of value in the Lord’s estimation only when He is allowed to preside in their management. If His plans and devisings are regarded as inferior to plans of men, He looks upon these institutions as of no more value than the institutions established and conducted by worldlings. God cannot endorse any institution, unless it teaches the living principles of His law and brings its own actions into strict conformity to these precepts. Upon those institutions that are not maintained according to His law, He pronounces the sentence, “Unaccepted. Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting.” [See Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 320, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 320, 1905, par. 34
God knows the secret of every motive in our hearts. He sees the outcome of every course of action. When a man influences others to follow in a wrong course, God holds that man as a tempter, who helps Satan in his work. He sees the wrong appropriation of means or the wrong influence exerted over the mind of another. Unless repentance comes and restitution is made, there are written against the name of the wrongdoer the words, “Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] Every man will be judged according to his deeds.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Ms 25, 1906
21LtMs, Ms 25, 1906, par. 5
He who is placed in the important position of a steward is to guard his master’s goods, but he is never in a single transaction to treat others in a close, selfish way. It may be that a steward may enter into selfish dealing to gain advantage, not for himself, but for his master; but he is none the less making such a record that unless he shall change, when in the heavenly courts the inventions and the various means he has employed shall be investigated, a wisdom that cannot err will write opposite his name the words, “TEKEL: Thou art weighted in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Ms 23, 1906
21LtMs, Ms 23, 1906, par. 6
There are many who need now to consider the words, “TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] God’s holy, everlasting, immutable law is the standard by which man is to be tried. This defines what we shall do and what we shall not do, saying, Thou shalt, and, Thou shalt not. This law is summed up in the two great principles, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.21LtMs, Ms 23, 1906, par. 8
“TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Verse 27.] My brethren, day and night, and especially in the night season, this matter is presented to me: “TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”21LtMs, Ms 23, 1906, par. 10
If we are uncleansed by the blood of Christ, we are altogether wanting. We know that there is no one, however earnestly he may be striving to do his best, who can say, “I have no sin.” He who would say this would be under a dangerous deception. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” [1 John 1:8.] How then can we escape the charge, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting”? [Daniel 5:27.] We are to look to Christ. At infinite cost He has covenanted to be our representative in the heavenly courts, our Advocate before God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 256, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 256, 1906, par. 14
In the representations the Lord has given me, I have seen those who follow their own desires, misrepresenting the truth, oppressing their brethren, and placing difficulties before them. Characters are now being developed, and men are taking sides, some on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ, some on the side of Satan and his angels. The Lord calls for all who will be true and obedient to His law to come out of and away from all connection with those who have placed themselves on the side of the enemy. Against their names is written, “TEKEL; thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 121, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 121, 1906, par. 1
Again and again your case has been presented before me. I am now instructed to say to you, You have had a large knowledge of truth, and less, far less spiritual understanding of it. When you were called to the important work at Washington, you had need of far more of the humble grace that becometh a Christian. Since the Berrien Springs meeting, your attitude and the attitude of several others has closed the door to the reception of the Spirit of God. You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Though you had full confidence in yourself, you were out of the path of duty when you with others undertook to do what you did. Had you understood the work that needed to be done, a very different presentation would have been made at that meeting. The Lord has said, “Weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.] In the place of victory, there was defeat.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 242, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 242, 1906, par. 2
Though you had full confidence in yourself, you were out of the path of duty when, in order to criticize and reprove the work of your brethren, you, with others, interrupted the meeting called especially for prayer and confession and for seeking for a spirit of unity. Had you understood the work that needed to be done at that time, a very different presentation would have been made at that meeting. In place of victory there was defeat. The Lord has said, “Weighed in the balance and found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]To Be Like Jesus
Choices Being Made Between Two Sides, June 16
BLJ 179.3
In the representations the Lord has given me, I have seen those who follow their own desires misrepresenting the truth, oppressing their brethren, and placing difficulties before them. Characters are now being developed, and many are taking sides, some on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ, some on the side of Satan and his angels. The Lord calls for all who will be true and obedient to His law to come out of and away from all connection with those who have placed themselves on the side of the enemy. Against their names is written, “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27)....Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 356, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 356, 1907, par. 3
During the past night the Lord has shown me that the gathering together of the youth at Battle Creek for educational purposes is contrary to His will; for unbelief is being instilled into their minds that will unfit them for the work that must be done in giving the warning message to the world, and in preparing a people to stand in the terrible conflict that is before us. The words were spoken to some of the educators at Battle Creek, “Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 382, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 382, 1907, par. 3
Today, this message was given to me for you: “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. You can not now be entrusted with the charge of souls. Tekel is written upon your works.” [See Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Ms 91, 1907
22LtMs, Ms 91, 1907, par. 4
Much good would be done if some of the W.C.T.U. women were invited to our camp-meetings to take part in the meetings by teaching our sisters how to work. While at the meeting they would be hearing and receiving as well as imparting. There is a great work to be done; and instead of presenting the features of our faith which are objectionable to unbelievers, let us say to them as Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.” [John 1:46.] We have had great light, great knowledge, and continual instruction, yet the word is given me for many of our people, “You are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)
Ms 140, 1908
23LtMs, Ms 140, 1908, par. 40
“Let not the words, ‘Found wanting’ be written against God’s people. [Daniel 5:27.] While we should thankfully receive loans of money with interest, yet the Lord calls for larger freewill offerings. We must be careful about the matter of borrowing large sums of money, for often this will result in our being placed in strait places afterward. There may be no trouble so long as those are living who have loaned the money, but when they become sick or die, a sudden call is sometimes made for their money. This money may have been invested in opening the work in new fields, and in order to meet this demand, we may be forced to borrow from the banks at a high rate of interest.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)
Lt 68, 1908
23LtMs, Lt 68, 1908, par. 6
Great blindness has been manifested by those who have kept in positions of responsibility men who could not discern the effect of their words upon church members. Where there might have been united action, a wholesome influence exerted, a Christlike, God-fearing work accomplished for the salvation of souls, there has been deficiency and weakness. A much higher tone should have been given to the work, a more spiritual, healthful influence exerted. The Lord does not call to the position of shepherd those who do not carry a burden for the sheep of the flock. God says of such, “Thou are weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Daniel 5:1
Manuscript Releases, vol. 10 [Nos. 771-850]
MR No. 823—Belshazzar Admitted to Kingly Authority in His Youth
10MR 307.1
Admitted to a share in kingly authority and power at fifteen years of age, Belshazzar gloried in his power, and lifted up his heart against the God of heaven. He despised the One who is above all rulers, the General of all the armies of heaven. “Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand” (Daniel 5:1). The profane orgies of royal mirth were attended by men of genius and education, by masters of architecture. On this occasion there was music and banqueting and wine drinking. Decorated women with their enchantments were among the revelers. Exalted by wine, and blinded by delusion, the king himself took the lead in the riotous blasphemy. His reason was gone, and his lower impulses and passions were in the ascendancy. His kingdom was strong and apparently invincible, and he would show that he thought nothing too sacred for his hands to handle and profane. To show his contempt for sacred things, he desecrated the holy vessels taken from the temple of the Lord at its destruction.—Letter 51a, 1897, pp. 3-4. (To Dear Friends, July 8, 1897; See Prophets and Kings, pp. 523-4.)