This letter to the ephesians was written in A.D. 64, about two years before paul told timothy that he was ready to be offered, and the time of his departure was at hand. The seeds of the apostasy were now germinating in the Church, for paul had said ten years before, in his second letter to the thessalonians, “The mystery of iniquity doth already work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7. Grievous wolves were now about to enter in, not sparing the flock. The Church was not then rising and advancing to that perfection in unity contemplated in the text, but was about to be torn by factions and distracted by divisions. The apostle knew this; consequently he must have looked beyond the great apostasy, to the period of the gathering of the remnant of God’s people, when he said, “Till we all come into [margin] the unity of the faith.” Ephesians 4:13. Hence the gifts that were set in the church have not yet served out their time. (EW 141.1) MC VC

“Quench not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. (EW 141.2) MC VC

In this epistle the apostle introduces the subject of the second coming of the Lord. He then describes the state of the unbelieving world at that time, who are saying, “Peace and safety,”(1 Thessalonians 5:3) when the day of the Lord is about to burst upon them, and sudden destruction come upon them as a thief in the night. He then exhorts the Church, in view of these things, to keep awake, to watch and be sober. Among the exhortations that follow are the words we have quoted, “Quench not the spirit,”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) etc. Some may think that these three verses are completely detached from one another in sense; but they have a natural connection in the order in which they stand. The person who quenches the spirit will be left to despise prophesyings, which are the legitimate fruit of the spirit. “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” Joel 2:28. The expression, “Prove all things,”(1 Thessalonians 5:21) is limited to the subject of discourse, prophesyings, and we are to try the spirits by the tests which God has given us in his word. Spiritual deceptions and false prophesyings abound at the present time; and doubtless this text has a special application here. But mark, the apostle does not say, ‘reject all things’; but, prove all things; Hold Fast that which is Good. (EW 141.3) MC VC

Great power was with these chosen ones. Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers. They were all astir. The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them. Confusion, confusion, was on every side. I saw measures taken against the company who had the light and power of God. Darkness thickened around them; yet they stood firm, approved of God, and trusting in Him. I saw them perplexed; next I heard them crying unto God earnestly. Day and night their cry ceased not: “Thy will, O God, be done! If it can glorify Thy name, make a way of escape for Thy people! Deliver us from the heathen around about us. They have appointed us unto death; but Thine arm can bring salvation.” These are all the words which I can bring to mind. All seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness and manifested entire submission to the will of God; yet, like Jacob, every one, without an exception, was earnestly pleading and wrestling for deliverance. (EW 272.1) MC VC

Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said, “The will of God is not yet fulfilled. They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism.” (EW 272.2) MC VC

Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down on every side. I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical, and clear. I looked upon the company, who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. A glorious light shone upon them. How beautiful they then looked! All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance. Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead men; they could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory. And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, “Victory over death and the grave”; and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord in the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue. (EW 272.3) 1 I MC VC