The answer of the Lord

introduce I heard from a minister, on the 22d of
this month, August, 1802, who quoted them in his
sermon; the text he began with was from Matthew
xviii. 20.
“ For where two or three are gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
He quoted in his sermon the following Scrip-
tures.
Malachi iii. 16. “ Then they that feared the
LORD spoke often one to another: and the Lord
hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remem-
brance was written before him for them that feared
the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”
17. “ And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of
hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels;
and I will spare them as a man spareth his own
son that serveth him.”
Revelation viii. 3. “ And another angel came
and stood at the altar, having the golden censer:
and there was given unto him much incense, that
he should offer it with the prayers of all saints
upon the golden altar which was before the
throne.”
4. “ And the smoke of the incense, which came
with the prayers of the saints, ascended up be-
fore God, out of the angel’s hand.”
These texts of Scripture, that he quoted, were
deeply explained to me, that they alluded to the
last days, though he did not apply them in any such
manner. And I was answered in the following
words :

“ Blind guides I see my shepherds be,
The days they don’t discern;
The Scriptures that were spoke by he,
Show how you ought to warn:
The Prophets’ words I soon shall clear;
For fast they’re hastening on.”

I shall not go through this explanation, for the
present; but I shall come to the purpose, when I
was answered in the following manner.

“ Now, Joanna, thee I’ll answer—
Satan’s followers will pursue
But I’ll make them know thy Master;
Like the chapters all will do.*
The one thou seest stand out for ME,
With resolution strong;
The prayers of saints I know now will be
Unto my Kingdom come.
For hasty here will all appear;
My work is all in haste.
The Sealed Number The "Sealed Number" refers to the followers of Southcott who were "sealed" for protection against the coming judgments first I’ll clear,
And then my foes shall taste
The threatenings there that will appear,
And fast is hastening on.
You little think the day’s so near,
That all these things will come.
I have begun with seven men,
As I began at first,
When I began in seven days,
And form’d him from the dust:
A helpmate there for him appear’d,
And so it must go on.
But now I’ll answer Satan here,
And then I’ll answer man.
Did he begin for to condemn,
That I was not thy God?†
Then to his word I bid him stand,
And tremble at his rod.
Did he declare his spirit there
To be a whit like thine?
For so I bid him to appear
And own my power divine:
My favours seek, in tears to weep,
As thou hast always done;
The practice of his hellish arts,
Like thee, I bid him shun,
And prove it so; then he may go
Where’er his mind doth lead;
If he’ll hate sin, as thou hast done,
Repent of all he said;
And bring a mind, like thee, to find
The ways of sin to hate;
Confess me God, and fear my rod,
He’ll find my MERCY GREAT!
So now like thee let Satan be,
And he shall never fall;

• References to Malachi 3:16-17, Revelation 8:3-4, and Matthew 18
  † Referencing Page 6 of the book "Dispute between the Woman and the Powers of Darkness." Readers are encouraged to look back at that specific text.