Many people are concerned about fluoride being added to water supplies. One of their fears is the possible mental consequences of this addition to the water supply. But our greater danger is the spiritual stupor that has engulfed almost the entire religious world and now engulfs even many of those who profess to be looking for the soon appearing of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven.
Although the apostle Paul talked about this stupor (Ephesians 5), Ellen White elaborated on it in detail. “Men are in peril. Multitudes are perishing. But how few of the professed followers of Christ are burdened for these souls. The destiny of a world hangs in the balance; but this hardly moves even those who claim to believe the most far-reaching truth ever given to mortals. There is a lack of that love which led Christ to leave His heavenly home and take man’s nature that humanity might touch humanity and draw humanity to divinity. There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon the people of God, which prevents them from understanding the duty of the hour.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 303.
How is it that we are so paralyzed spiritually that we do very little to finish God’s work in the world? Ellen White explains the root cause of it. “Greater perils are before us, and yet we are not awake. This lack of activity and earnestness in the cause of God is dreadful. This death stupor is from Satan. He controls the minds of unconsecrated Sabbathkeepers, and leads them to be jealous of one another, faultfinding, and censorious.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 260, 261.
The devil is attempting to do the same thing in the lives of God’s professed people today that he did so successfully with Israel. “Is not the church of today doing the same thing? With the whole world before them in need of the gospel, professed Christians congregate where they themselves can enjoy gospel privileges. They do not feel the necessity of occupying new territory to carry the message of salvation into regions beyond. They refuse to fulfill Christ’s commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Are they less guilty than was the Jewish church? Testimonies, vol. 8, 119.
“The representatives of Christ are to carry a burden for souls. Every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, is to hear the last message of mercy to a fallen world. When our churches shall arouse from their drowsy stupor they will have a better understanding of Bible truth, and they will be ready to devote their money to the cause of God, and to give themselves in earnest labor under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God’s people are His agents, appointed to proclaim the truth in all parts of the world. The heavenly agencies will act their part, and we must cooperate with them. Behold Christ, our Pattern, how He travailed in soul for the salvation of men.” The Paulson Collection, 118.