It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people, Israel, should wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy, happy people. But those to whom it was first preached, went not in “because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:19. Their hearts were filled with murmuring, rebellion, and hatred, and He could not fulfill His covenant with them. (Ev 696.1) MC VC

For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord’s professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.—Manuscript 4, 1883. (Ev 696.2) MC VC

Charge It Not to God—We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel; but for Christ’s sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action.—Letter 184, 1901. (Ev 696.3) MC VC

We May Hasten the Day—By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord’s return.—The Desire of Ages, 633 (1898). (Ev 696.4) MC VC

It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.—Testimonies For The Church 8:22, 23 (1904). (Ev 696.5) MC VC