The book of wonders

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"stand like the words I spoke of Pomeroy original: "*"—that your writings should go out by his judgment alone. All mankind will find the time is fast approaching that I shall come according to the Gospel and fulfill the words of the Prophets that I have ordered you to bring together. This will be as perfectly fulfilled as the words were fulfilled concerning him, which I told you he would do at first. But I came to destroy the works of the devil and took man's nature upon ME to become flesh and blood to dwell with men; then how could men foolishly suppose that in that likeness I could destroy all the powers of hell and chain down Satan to his den? Weak and simple are the judgments of men to suppose such a thing! No, it is in the power and strength of the Spirit, which is above Satan, with saints and angels, and with martyrs who have suffered with ME throughout his reign. For as I was put to death for man when I took man's nature upon ME, so have my followers been put to death for my sake. Therefore, men must deeply discern that my coming is in vengeance—to take vengeance on my adversary and the adversary of my friends and followers.

But how could this be done in the flesh? For ME to be exalted by men, to be looked upon then as a Prince and a Saviour, and to be exalted then by mankind, when the enemy had worked no way in men to come against ME? Then I ask them: what day of vengeance could be in my heart, either against men or devils? Neither could I come in vengeance for my own death only, because it was a voluntary act of my own to take man's nature upon ME, to dwell with men, and be a judge of their suffering, their nature, and their temptations, which I had power to resist. Therefore, I could not take vengeance for myself if my friends and followers had not suffered

39

likewise. So it could not be done with justice, as a God, before years had rolled on to bring the blood of Saints upon him Satan, who were put to death for my sake, just as I gave up my life for them. And this men must discern from the words of the prophets: how my coming is with saints and angels to establish my kingdom in righteousness and peace. But what saints had I then who had a knowledge of ME, or my love to mankind, who had been sufferers for my sake, to come with ME in triumph and glory, before I became flesh to dwell with men, to be the firstborn among many brothers who should come with me in triumph and glory?

"These things men no more discern—how the scriptures stand both ways—than you discerned in what manner Pomeroy original: "*" stood before I ordered you to bring together the different communications that I had ordered you to put in print concerning him. But I ask you: how could they have been fulfilled if he had never fallen from his faith? He could not have acted like the Jews of old, to keep seals upon the tomb, if he had not kept back the writings so that the truth might not be made known; neither could I have said to you concerning him—

"Had he known that it was I, the Lord, who visited you; and how much you have feared to say 'the Lord says' if he had not spoken; had he known you, and your tears and prayers, all your doubts and fears of being deceived, and all the signs I have set before you, and how powerful my visitation had been to you—that all came from ME, the living Lord—then he would"