A Brief Admonition from Pieter Witses

Christ said, Matthew 24, verse 5: "Many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and will deceive many;" which words are true; for when you confess your sins to them, they forgive them, as they say. They have carried this on since the Gospel has been hidden, and they do it still. Paul also foretold this to Timothy (First Timothy 4, verse 2; Second Timothy 3, verse 2); Christ says, Matthew 7, verse 15: "Beware of false prophets," and so on, and John also writes much about this, in the tenth chapter of his Gospel. So do Jude and Peter. But these are like natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed; they speak evil of the things they do not understand. Again: They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web. Isaiah 59, verse 5. They daub the wall with untempered mortar, and put pillows under men's arms. Ezekiel 13, verses 10 and 18. And although the church flees into caves, the confession remains forever. They cannot resist; for they deny the power of God; they love the broad way; the cross of Christ is foolishness to them. Second Timothy 3, verse 5; First Corinthians 1, verse 18.

Concerning these, God gave me something to speak. I perceive nothing but the abomination of desolation of which the prophet Daniel speaks, and of which Christ also says that He will scarcely find faith on earth. Daniel 9, verse 27; Luke 18, verse 8. But be of good cheer, and fight in faith, knowing well that it is the word of truth, which cannot fail. On this, through the grace of Christ, I have built, and He will keep me, and I will trust in Him daily, knowing and feeling confident that there is no power, might, or dominion in heaven or on earth, except from Him alone. So then, give diligent heed; test yourselves in your consciences as to what you seek; every work will be made manifest. Read and examine diligently, for it greatly concerns us all. The authorities cannot seduce anyone by any torture, but the erring spirits come with deceitful snares, in the name of Christ; yet we are sufficiently warned. Matthew 7, verse 21; First Timothy 4, verse 1; Second Timothy 3, verse 5; Titus 1, verse 10; Romans 16, verse 17; Philippians 3; Second Peter 2; Jude 1.

My dear friends, they assail me with questions as much as they can. Give the young and simple hearts good instruction about the Lord's Supper, for I know what happens to me. If the house is truly built upon the cornerstone, it cannot fall. Let everyone take good heed; for the time of trial is at hand, and we know that it will not always stop at mere words; for Christ Himself suffered. If they laid their hands on His blessed body, they will do the same to us. Let us arm ourselves with the Word of God; for the Word of God is the true door. It is the bread of life. The time of weeping has come; so our deliverance is near. Let us pray for grace. The time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it begins first at us, what will the end be of those who do not believe in the Word? First Peter 4, verse 17. My brothers and sisters, do not forget us poor sheep in your prayers, us who for the truth are kept in bonds by the authorities. Care for those who live among you; for Christ will say: "I was naked, and you clothed me," and so on. Matthew 25, verse 36. Pray and watch; the abomination of desolation is drawing near; do not cease, but be of good courage, for greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. First John 4, verse 4. I affectionately desire that you be diligent, lest you be deceived, for the times now are perilous. Know that whenever I was brought before them, I kept down my own thoughts, and prayed to Almighty God that He would open my mouth according to His good pleasure; and believe it freely, He gave abundant comfort to the humble. They agreed with me in many things, when I spoke with them with a meek spirit by the grace of God. My dear friends, receive it kindly. May the Lord preserve you from wicked deceivers. Pray and watch, the times are perilous; and do not forget us in your prayers, and visit us sometimes, it is very edifying; may the Lord preserve us all.