1) PERSECUTION
And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites....He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam...Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for
me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land:
Numbers 22:4-6
"Whenever persecution takes place, the spectators make decisions either for or against Christ. Because of persecution, many will be offended. The principles of the truth cut directly across their practise, and they will stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Many who have professed to love the truth will then show that they have no vital union with the True Vine. They will be cut away, as branches that bear no fruit, and will be bound up with unbelievers, scoffers, and mockers." Review & Herald 12/20/1898
2) CORRUPTION (from within)
And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites....He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam...Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for
Numbers 22:4-6
"Whenever persecution takes place, the spectators make decisions either for or against Christ. Because of persecution, many will be offended. The principles of the truth cut directly across their practise, and they will stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Many who have professed to love the truth will then show that they have no vital union with the True Vine. They will be cut away, as branches that bear no fruit, and will be bound up with unbelievers, scoffers, and mockers." Review & Herald 12/20/1898
2) CORRUPTION (from within)
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of
Moab.
Numbers 25:1
"It was by associating with idolaters and joining in their festivities that the Hebrews were led to transgress God's law and bring His judgments upon the nation. So now it is by leading the followers of Christ to associate with the ungodly and unite in their amusements that Satan is most successful in alluring them into sin.....It was the traitors within the walls that overthrew the strongholds of principle and betrayed Israel into the power of Satan. It is thus that Satan still seeks to compass the ruin of the soul." Patriarchs & Prophets p.458,459 E.G.W.