Last Day Events: Chapter 8—The Cities Part 8

 Precipitous Moves to the Country Not Advised

Let everyone take time to consider carefully and not be like the man in the parable who began to build and was not able to finish. Not a move should be made but that movement and all that it portends are carefully considered—everything weighed....

There may be individuals who will make a rush to do something, and enter into some business they know nothing about. This God does not require....

Let there be nothing done in a disorderly manner, that there shall be a great loss or sacrifice made upon property because of ardent, impulsive speeches which stir up an enthusiasm which is not after the order of God, that a victory that was essential to be gained, shall, for lack of level-headed moderation and proper contemplation and sound principles and purposes, be turned into a defeat.—Selected Messages 2:362, 363 (1893). [Written December 22, 1893, in reply to a letter from a leading worker in Battle Creek who had informed Mrs. White that, in response to her urging, “between one and two hundred” were preparing to leave the city for a rural location “as soon as possible.” See Selected Messages 2:361-364.]

The Signal for Flight From the Cities

The time is not far distant when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.—Testimonies for the Church 5:464, 465 (1885).

Some Righteous Still in the Cities After the Death Decree Has Been Passed

In the time of trouble we all fled from the cities and villages but were pursued by the wicked, who entered the houses of the saints with a sword.—Early Writings, 34 (1851).

As the saints left the cities and villages they were pursued by the wicked, who sought to slay them. But the swords that were raised to kill God's people broke and fell as powerless as a straw. Angels of God shielded the saints.—Early Writings, 284, 285 (1858).

Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment-keepers may be put to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree, and before the time specified will endeavor to take their lives. But none can pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and villages, but the swords raised against them break and fall as powerless as a straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of men of war.—The Great Controversy, 631 (1911).