We all must confess that apostasies and errors have come into the SDA church structure. Now it is actually the duty of the ministers and hierarchy to weed these things out but it has not happened and it will not happen by them.
A realization must be come to. That is the duty falls on the Saints, who are actually the Church, not the structure. But even then we the Saints cease to be His Church when we are so naďve as to allow the false to come in! Where is our "backbone?"
Our experience here was that around 45 of us stood up against among other things the false gospel saved in sin out of over 300 members in this large congregation. However, to no avail. I went after the Pastor who strongly taught that none can put sin out and be an overcomer. I cornered him many times and sometimes several with me and he finally got mad and left and went to another conference with his false gospel.
Did that stop it here? No! We finally from this church structure and around three others we formed a home church congregation, some coming as much as 70 miles. We went fine until some wanted to get the Trinity doctrine across. Most were of that error and so left us and then we were too small a group to keep up the insurance and expenses we had so we eventually disbanded.
Folks WE BECOME A PARTY TO THE APOSTASIES AND ERRORS TOO IF WE DON'T STAND UP and fight the good fight to dispel this stuff.
The ugliest one of them all is the false gospel now mostly prevalent everywhere that we must be saved in sin as no one can put it all away!
The Trinity is another that in the SDA structure that the false is firmly embedded along with many more.
Who on earth is speaking up? Are we all milksops? Don't we know that if enough would have stood for the right, right off these things could not have come in. We the people are His Church WHO WILL NOT IMBIBE ERROR!
The why is because HE MUST BE WORSHIPPED IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH! The less is not acceptable!
To know of errors and apostasies and not fight it is being a co-partner to Satan! Yes we are duty bound to fight the good fight of the errors we know of! Christ is our example in this and all things!
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
The Son is God by nature and rank
Revelation 19:
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
11 ¶ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
The Holy Ghost is God by nature and rank
Acts 5:
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church.--4T 89 (1876). {LDE 173.5}
The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customswill not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult,threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church.--5T 81 (1882). {LDE 173.6}
In the absence of the persecution there have drifted into our ranks men who appear sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us.--Ev 360 (1890). {LDE 174.1}
When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.--2SM 368 (1891). {LDE 174.2}
Superficial Believers Will Renounce the Faith
The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith.--5T 463 (1885). {LDE 174.3}
If Satan sees that the Lord is blessing His people and preparing them to discern his delusions, he will work with his master power to bring in fanaticism on the one hand and cold formalism on the other, that he may gather in a harvest of souls.--2SM 19 (1890). {LDE 174.4}
Those who have had privileges and opportunities to become intelligent in regard to the truth and yet who will continue to counterwork the work God would have accomplishedwill be purged out, for God accepts the service of no man whose interest is divided.--Ms 64, 1898. {LDE 175.1}
As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges but have not improved them will, under one pretext or another, go out from us.--6T 400 (1900). {LDE 175.2}
The Straight Testimony Produces a Shaking
I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.--1T 181 (1857). {LDE 175.3}
There are those among us who will make confessions, as did Achan, too late to save themselves.. . . They are not in harmony with right. They despise the straight testimony that reaches the heart, and would rejoice to see everyone silenced who gives reproof.--3T 272 (1873). {LDE 175.4}
The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there is to be a resurrection from apparent death. By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King's highway.--8T 297 (1904). {LDE 176.1}
OK, ED but who is giving forth the straight testimony? Shaken into His Church perhaps is a fact as His Church is His True children, not a denomination or a structure of men called by a denominational name.
Is apostasy kosher because it comes from a structure that in the beginning was led of God but today proves it is not? If it is the ship that is going through a grassroots movement must take it over.
Would you be part of it and lay out to some of these false gospel teachers in her the lie they are teaching.
I've worked hard at it to no avail and many home churches broke out and are still and can you in truth tell me these are not His Church?
EGW saw it and it cannot be denied!
"God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. {UL 315.5}
Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God's great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God. . . . {UL 315.6}
They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock.--Letter 108, Oct. 28, 1886, to her older sister and her husband who had not accepted the Sabbath truth. {UL 315.7}
In Ezras day there was a denominated people of God - because Satan sowed tares and warred against them externally and internally that their typology showed so much sin.
Ezras example, in words and deeds, carried with it a weight of influence, for the Spirit of God was with him. . . . He diligently prepared his heart to do the work that he believed was appointed to him. He searched out the words that had been written concerning the duties of Gods denominated people, and he found a solemn pledge that Gods people had given that they would obey the words of God and the pledge of Gods blessing to the obedient. . . . {CTr 185.7}
In EGWs era there was a denominated people of God .
Christ has said of His people, "Ye are the light of the world." We are the Lord's denominated people, to proclaim the truths of heavenly origin. The most solemn, sacred work ever given to mortals is the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel's messages to our world. In our large cities there should be health institutes to care for the sick, and to teach the grand principles of health reform. {CD 76.2}
In these last days the one who was once an exalted angel in the heavenly courts is to take the philosophy of men under his training. The people of God are to guard carefully against the seductive influence of the deceiver. They are to hold firmly to the truths which called them out from the world, and led them to stand as God's denominated people. {CW 109.3}
It makes me very sad to think of how many will fall short of the Bible standard. If we knew that in just one year from now, the Lord would come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, what a feeling of solemnity would rest upon us! How earnestly we should strive to prepare for His coming, that, clothed in the wedding garment, we might go in unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.-- Manuscript 12, 1904. {CW 109.4}
Do not these words point us out as God's denominated people? and do they not declare to us that so long as time shall last, we are to cherish the sacred, denominational distinction placed upon us? The children of Israel were to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations "for a perpetual covenant." The Sabbath has lost none of its meaning. It is still the sign between God and His people, and it will be so forever. {9T 18.1}
The work described here in the (TSDF) quote below, is not yet finished yet and it requires an organized Church to do it, and God is only starting to send Gideons army across the creek - your representations of the SDA Denomination are premature - NAD is NOT the sum of the world Church or the SDA Ideology, even though it thumps its chest and wallet and thinks it is.
Christ has said of His people, "Ye are the light of the world." We are the Lord's denominated people, to proclaim the truths of heavenly origin. The most solemn, sacred work ever given to mortals is the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel's messagesto our world. In our large cities there should be health institutes to care for the sick, and to teach the grand principles of health reform. {TSDF 88.8} 3 T.--161
December 10, 1871, I was again shown that the health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord. It is as closely connected with the third angel's message as the hand is with the body. The law of ten commandments has been lightly regarded by man; but the Lord would not come to punish the transgressors of that law without first sending them a message of warning. The third angel proclaims that message. Had men ever been obedient to the law of ten commandments, carrying out in their lives the principles of those precepts, the curse of disease now flooding the world would not be. {TSDF 88.9}
Men and women cannot violate natural law by indulging depraved appetite and lustful passions, and not violate the law of God. Therefore, He has permitted the light of health reform to shine upon us, that we may see our sin in violating the laws which He has established in our being. All our enjoyment or suffering may be traced to obedience or transgression of natural law. Our gracious heavenly Father sees the deplorable condition of men, who, some knowingly, but many ignorantly, are living in violation of the laws that He has established. And in love and pity to the race, He causes the light to shine upon health reform. He publishes His law, and the penalty that will follow the transgression of it, that all may learn, and be careful to live in harmony with natural law. He proclaims His law so distinctly, and makes it so prominent, that it is like a city set on a hill. All accountable beings can understand it if they will. Idiots will not be responsible. To make plain natural law, and urge the obedience of it, is the work that accompanies the third angel's message, to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. {TSDF 88.10} M. H.--129-130
The progress of reform depends upon a clear recognition of fundamental truth. While, on the one hand, danger lurks in a narrow philosophy and a hard, cold orthodoxy, on the other hand there is great danger in a careless liberalism. The foundation of all enduring reform is the law of God. We are to present in clear, distinct lines the need of obeying this law. Its principles must be kept before the people. They are as everlasting and inexorable as God Himself. {TSDF 89.1}
Those who link up with the world, denying the faith, and refusing to be the denominated people of the Lord's choosing showing by their actions that they believe that there should be no special distinction between believers and unbelievers, will surely be left to the result of their choice. There are those who, though knowing the truth that has brought us out from the world as Seventh-day Adventists, have denied the faith. . . . {7MR 192.2}
Those who are departing from the faith are at work to undermine the confidence of others, and they have been thus at work for years. Our warnings come from the One who is interested in us, because he sees our dangers, and is acquainted with the conniving of those who are opposed to His truth. . . . {7MR 192.3}
Ministers and doctors may depart from the faith, as the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given His servant declare they will. Thus believers will be given evidence that the Word of God, the warnings He has given, are being fulfilled right among us. Some may make light of these messages, misinterpret them, and say untruthful things, which lead others' minds astray. Our only hope is in the God of truth. Our Mediator understands every phase of the matter. The more plainly the testing truth is brought before the people, the more bitter will be the hatred manifested by those who have departed from the faith, and given their attention to sentiments of Satan's presentation.--Letter 90, 1906, pp. 1, 2, 6. ("To Brethren Assembled at Council at Graysville, Tn.," March 6, 1906.) {7MR 192.4} ...................... Confederacies will increase in number and power as we draw nearer to the end of time. These confederacies will create opposing influences to the truth, forming new parties of professed believers who will act out their own delusive theories. The apostasy will increase."Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils."Those who have started this warfare at their own charges will come more and more to practice the works of Satan.--Letter 42, 1909, p. 4. (To S. N. Haskell, February 21, 1909.) Released November 10, 1975. {7MR 197.1}
The reasons why we are denominated people of God are to be repeated and repeated. Deuteronomy 4:1-13; 5:1-33.--Ms 175, 1905. (Diary, July 10, 1905.) Released October 26, 1978. {8MR 427.1}
God has placed in our hands a banner on which is inscribed the words, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and have the testimonies of Jesus Christ," He declares. At all times and in all places we are to hold the banner firmly aloft. God's denominated people are to take a firm stand under the banner of truth. The truths that we have been proclaiming for more than half a century have been contested again and again. Again and again the facts of faith have been disputed; but every time the Lord has established the truth by the working of His Holy Spirit. Those who have arisen to question and overthrow the principles of present truth, have been sternly rebuked. {10MR 45.2}
As long as the Scriptures reasons for SDAs to exist, endure, God will bring people into the SDA fold and shake out the tares and backsliders and backstabbers .
The numbers will not decrease, and the present day struggling SDA Church currently weighed down by the mixed multitudes and rebels, will under persecution become the purified triumphant SDA Church.
"Time is precious. The destiny of souls is in the balance. At infinite cost a way of salvation has been provided. Shall Christs great sacrifice be in vain? Shall the earth be entirely controlled by satanic agencies? The salvation of souls is dependent upon the consecration and activity of Gods church. The Lord calls all who believe in Him to be workers together with Him. While their life shall last, they are not to feel that their work is done. Until the time comes when Christ shall say, It is finished, His work for the saving of souls will not decrease, but will grow in importance. {CTr 360.3}
" [Revelation 14:6-12, quoted.] This is the message we have to bear; this is the work we have to do. This is the message God has kept before the Seventh-day Adventist people. The truth of this message will not decrease, but will increase in force and importance as we are brought down to the close of the work of God on earth. We have no time to lose. {18MR 28.2}
Then she let's us know God's people are not of any denomination, read,
God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. {UL 315.5} Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God's great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God. . . . {UL 315.6} They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock.--Letter 108, Oct. 28, 1886, to her older sister and her husband who had not accepted the Sabbath truth. {UL 315.7}
The warfare Ed is by the ones who bring in the error and you refuse to fight it and so became a party to it. To not come out against it is to condone it and be a party to it. I cannot and will not be with you or anyone with that.
Yes there was a time that EGW was a loyal supporter of the denomination but that ceased especially after 1901 and then more so after 1904.
Again to you and all, what is the Church? It's His true and faithful people and being in a denomination will not lead to salvation. It isn't a structure men call church that saves. It would be very foolish to trust in the SDA structure as corrupt as it is today and continuing to grow in corruption to be your salvation
Practically all Christians have been brainwashed as to what His Church is. That is our concern, to be in His Church!
All the structures of men have fallen. In the very first place all any need have done was get out of the first apostate and get back into the one it fell from as Jesus guaranteed us His Church that He built would never be prevailed against, Yes His Word is our guarantee!
Mt 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Here we are men claiming it did by building structures of their own and calling them church by different denominational names. Making Him out to be a liar.
Now He tells us what to do, I say let's do it.
Re 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Re 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Notice He calls for HIS PEOPLE, that is His Church to come out of her.. (Note! cannot get the color to change to black)
I have to say this, if you cannot see the errors and love them and will be a party to them, have at it. I would list all the apostasies but the list is long and you all should know them as well as I.
TO BE A GO ALONG IS TO BE WITH AND OF IT AND AN UPHOLDER OF THE ERRORS WHEN HE SAYS HE MUST BE WORSHIPPED IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!
Joh 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Oh how men think they are in church when they are not! To have Church He has to be Present in it and He will not and cannot be where any error is being put out.
You are only in a gathering of men and women imbibing error. He won't be in it! He won't be a party to it and you can cry your heart out as none have an excuse to not know the truth!
The Spirit of Truth has come now since Christ left and do You have Him within? Can you discern error? Are you sure? Why can't you see the error then?
Come on, brace up!
Joh 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
I will gladly work with any strong grass roots movement to weed out all the apostasies and errors that are being pushed upon minds and hearts. We would need to move no doubt a good percentage of the members and this will take stamina and we would need to be powered of Him. The 144,000 will be such a movement and I know this will be as of the days of Pentecost.
We must work while it is still day! The true Gospel saved from sin and not in it is paramount as many are pulled down by this "New Theology".
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
What about the typology of Moses and Aaron... they were not called out of the 'church' and wasn't it going to stone them?....and Caleb and Joshua too? God did not call them out but rather those 4 were to travel with the 'church' for 40 years in the desert until He would purify the church for Himself.
NB the trouble is not the same, the leadership then was right but the people then were rebellious. Now if Moses and Aaron had been with them we would have our situation today.
Yes the people today like the theology saved in sin that is rampant today, and far more.
I have to tell you that Ekklesia means the called out.
Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
1577. ekklesia
ekklhsia ekklesia ek-klay-see'-ah from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.
So we can have "Church" or "Ekklesia" wherever truth is being taught and a few or more are present whether they will receive it or not.. You must note that Jesus and the Apostles taught the truth in the synagogues and in their own home gatherings but of course many did not believe.
Problem today is we are not having Church at all as the truth is not being taught and Christ is not Present in it and His Presence only makes it Church.
Now note also of Mt 16:18 Jesus gave us His Word the gates of hell would not prevail against His Ekklesia so there never was a reason for any man to attempt to build Him His Church which no man can do.
The Church is His Building and we can be lively stones in that building but we are not when we go where error is being forced home to the soul!
1Co 3:16 ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
EGW tells us, "God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. {EW 124.3}
I ask, who are we following when we go there and lap it up and don't fight in the least against it. If one don't stand up and be counted for the right, that one is a party to it and is guilty the same as the promoter preaching it!
If you are calling people out.... to where are you calling them?
There is no where else to go .... God is a God of order and would not have His people here and there all over the place doing their own thing and following their own ideas...
we are to meet together .... the church is the apple of the Lord's eye as faulty as it is, it is still God's church and He will purify it when that time comes....there will be a shaking a great shaking and many will be lost but there will be a remnant to go through...
until then, we must work out our own salvation through fear and trembling as we get to KNOW Him personally and understand our great need...
NB, where can we go but to the LORD? Dear ones we all at any time can go to Him as the worship is in Spirit.
Now, come Sabbath a gathering, small or larger is His Church when the worship is in Spirit and in Truth of which He can be Present in and His Presence makes the congregation Church, His Church, not mans structure he calls church.
We cannot have false teachers preaching error and expect to be in Church as it is clear He will not be Present in it. When we meet it must be made clear, great Reverence must be emphasized as we desire His Presence and invite Him with us that we might Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth that we would be in His Church!
True Reverence knowing He is with us is a must, this is one of the most important aspects of Church!
His Church, Ekklisia, don't have any other name except to add of where it is being held, examples,
Ro 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea. 1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Dear Folks, we can hold Church any place, I know of a place where a large over hang of rock that maybe up to 60 could be out of a hard rain and Church was held here in older days
It can be under a huge spreading oak in sunny weather. It can be held in any of our homes however many are gathered there. Church is a gathering of worship in truth to our Great God and Saviour.
So what is Church? It is a gathering with His Presence in it. Knowing, we cannot worship Him who is Truth in errors. Truth only can be worshipped in truth.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 8:32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Jesus did not ditch and run, He stayed, and when it was time probation for the Jewish nation closed on schedule.
After the NSL has done it's work, only then, SDA probation closes.
Ed, it is my understanding that judgment starts at the house of God first and when the latter rain falls, if one in the church does not get the latter rain, then he will be lost. Those that receive the latter rain will declare the Loud Cry... others will come in from other churches to replace those that did not receive the latter rain in the church.
Ed, your quotes regarding "denomination" are a very good, concise resource. They are very clear that we are not to break off into separate atoms, but to stay in a work to better God's remnant, denominated people.
Your quoting of this paragraph is very interesting to me:
I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.
As far as I know, this was originally written in the Review and Herald, 1857-12-31 regarding a vision she had on November 20. It is also in her original edition of the Great Controversy in 1858. This paragraph was the most difficult paragraph in the whole book for me to translate into Japanese! It took me parts of 2 weeks of thinking about it, and 6 hours of actual writing and rewriting it. After i was done, I realized I had never understood this paragraph before. I had always read it to mean that it is the counsel of the True Witness of the Laodiceans that causes the Shaking. But it isn't the direct cause. Also, I had been taught since a child in the SDA schools/churches that the Shaking will come about when Sunday Laws are agitated, and the groundless members would be shaken out. While that seems to be partly true, the main cause of the Shaking will be different, it seems.
There is a great problem though that you are not addressing and that is, who is it that is giving out the straight testimony of the true witness.
The problem is that the errors being taught by the leadership is by far not the straight testimony of the true witness. Come on and see, who is it bringing up and teaching the straight Testimony of the True Witness, Jesus Christ?
Jesus, remember was crucified for the straight testimony of the church structure in His day and so He and the Apostles built His True Church that He guaranteed would not fall, please read it again,
Mt 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
There is your and my guarantee, His Word that faileth not! Can we not hold Him to His Word? You bet we can and He wants us too.
Now the truth is, no church structures of men never needed to have been built. All that was needed was to get back in the first Apostate fell from and the same holds true of all in the structures of men to day.
Which one of us is going to tell Him that His Word failed and the gates of hell prevailed against it? It won't be me! How about you?
Now hear our Elder Sister on going and soaking up errors
God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. {EW 124.3}
We confronted it here many years ago and all that happened the pastor left for another conference and others came in succession and preached the same error, saved in sin and using NLP of which now all the Pastors are trained to use.
NLP dear ones is the occult art of mind control! All salesmen are trained in it today. School teachers too. We had one in a Sabbath School class that let us know she was trained in NLP and now she had wonderful control over the kids.
These things have come into the structure so slick and little at a time it is like the frog in the big pot of water and it is heated slowly and the frog stays until he is cooked alive when he could have easily jumped out!
Satan and his are slick operators and man is no match and has he not stolen the March on unsuspecting sleeping Adventism"
All need to know this isn't a pleasant testimony for me to make. Who do you think is driving me? What have I posted that is refutable by the Word?
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
" counsel of the True Witness " = 54 SOP hits, and at present I am too sleepy to persevere and read them all in context, to learn more of this matter from SOP is interesting, it seems Jesus is not using the same approach for all the hearers, but the gist is - revive, reform, obey, believe, engraft, partake of the divine nature.
What will God allow to come into the midst of the SDA Denomination and why -
God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat.......... {CW 40.1}
"heresies will come in among them" = 5
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After John's description in Revelation 16 of that miracle working power that was to gather the world to the last great conflict, the symbols are dropped, and the trumpet voice once more gives a certain sound: "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (Revelation 16:15.)--Ms 7a, 1896, pp. 2, 3, 10. (Untitled, February 27, 1896.) {8MR 344.4}
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked (without the robe of Christ's righteousness) and they see his shame." (Revelation 16:13-15.)--Letter 141, 1902, p. 6. (To Brother and Sister Haskell, September 10, 1902.) {8MR 345.1}
There will be seducing spirits and doctrines of devils in the midstof the church, and these evil influences will increase; but hold fast the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end.--Ms 61, 1906, p. 2. ("Hold Fast the Beginning of Your Confidence," June 29, 1906.) {8MR 345.2}
Satan and his angels will appear on this earth as men, and will mingle with those of whom God's Word says, "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1.)--Letter 147, 1903, p. 3. (To Brother and Sister Farnsworth, July 14, 1903.) {8MR 345.3}
When these spiritualistic deceptions are revealed to be what they really are--the secret workings of evil spirits--those who have acted a part in them will become as men who have lost their minds.--Letter 311, 1905, p. 5. (To Brethren Daniells and Prescott, and Their Associates, October 30, 1905.) {8MR 345.4}
We are approaching the end of this earth's history, and Satan is working as never before. He is striving to act as director of the Christian world. With an intensity that is marvelous he is working with his lying wonders. Satan is represented as walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He desires to embrace the whole world in his confederacy. Hiding his deformity under the garb of Christianity, he assumes the attributes of a Christian, and claims to be Christ Himself.--Ms 125, 1901, p. 6. ("The Unchangeable Law of God," December 9, 1901.) {8MR 346.1}
Satan himself will personate Christ, declaring that he is the Son of God. One will say, "Christ is here;" another, "He is there;" and still another that He is somewhere else.--Ms 110, 1901, p. 12. ("The Christian Hope," Sermon, October 5, 1901.) {8MR 346.2}
Satan will work . . . wonders before men to make the world believe him to be Christ, come the second time to our world. He transforms himself into an angel of light, but while he bears the appearance in every particular as far as appearance goes, he is not Christ.--Letter 46, 1889, p. 2. (To "Brethren in Healdsburg," January 10, 1889.) {8MR 346.3}
The mighty angel from heaven is to "lighten the earth with His glory" (Revelation 18:1), while he cries mightily with a loud voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen" (Verse 2). . . . {8MR 346.4}
We would lose faith and courage in the conflict if we were not sustained by the power of God. {8MR 346.5}
Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and, as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. What is this?--Grace. Grace! {8MR 347.1}
The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle.--Letter 112, 1890, pp. 3, 4. (To Edson and Emma, and Willie White, December 22, 1890.) {8MR 347.2}
In the day of His [Christ's] coming, the last great trumpet is heard, and there is a terrible shaking of earth and heaven. The whole earth, from the loftiest mountains to the deepest mines, will hear. Everything will be penetrated by fire. The tainted atmosphere will be cleansed by fire. {8MR 347.3}
The fire having fulfilled its mission, the dead that have been laid away in the grave will come forth--some to the resurrection of life, to be caught up to meet their Lord in the air; and some to behold the coming of Him whom they have despised, and whom they now recognize as the judge of all the earth. {8MR 347.4}
All the righteous are untouched by the flames. . . . Earthquakes, hurricanes, flame, and flood cannot injure those who are prepared to meet their Saviour in peace. But those who rejected our Saviour, and scourged andcrucified Him, will be among those who will be raised from the dead to behold His coming in the clouds of heaven, attended by the heavenly host--ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.--Ms 159, 1903, p. 5. ("A Message to Leading Physicians," September 4, 1903.) {8MR 347.5}
The Son of man will come in the clouds of heaven in his own glory and the glory of His Father, and of all the holy angels. There will be no lack of honor and glory. In that day the law of God is to be revealed in its majesty, and man, who has broken that law and stood in defiant rebellion against its holy precepts, will understand that that law which he has despised, discarded and trampled under foot is God's standard of character.--Ms 39, 1898, p. 6. ("The Day of Reckoning," November 22, 1898.) {8MR 348.1}
The trump of God will be heard resounding through earth's remotest bounds, and the voice of Jesus will call forth the dead from their graves to immortal life.--Letter 2, 1874, p. 5. (To J. N. Loughborough, August 24, 1874.) {8MR 348.2}
The just . . . shall come forth from all parts of the earth, from rocky caverns, from dungeons, from caves of the earth, from the waters of the deep--not one is overlooked.--Letter 113, 1886, p. 4. (To Edson and Emma White, July 11, 1886.)
Released June 21, 1978. {8MR 348.3}
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There will be seducing spirits and doctrines of devils in the midstof the church, and these evil influences will increase; but hold fast the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end.--Ms 61, 1906, p. 2. ("Hold Fast the Beginning of Your Confidence," June 29, 1906.)
EGW did not say Babylon she said the midst of THE Church - The SDA Church. The SDA Church is still the Remnant Church, it the people who have departed from the holy covenant that embrace seducing spirits and teach doctrines of devils. The Church does not need to disband - it needs to houseclean through stringent application of gospel order and purge out the old leaven of open sin and open wickedness.
We need to be ascertaining of where the heresies and doctrines of devils are coming from. Who is bringing them in and teaching them.
Who only could do this in the SDA denomination structure is the question needing to be answered.
It is good to bring this up, we need to learn the truth of this and all things.
What is the church dogma on this or is this the now SDA church dogma? Any new teachings have to be koshered by the hierarchy and have the SDA wrap on it.
For sure truth is not heresy and the doctrines of devils but false dogma we must be aware of.
Heresy is defined as not being church dogma. So maybe there is the problem. The answer then will come when we find of whose dogma the errors and apostasies are coming from that is being taught and has taken over.
As EGW stated in her statement of the light of 1882 this is a painful discussion for both sides but at this time I might ought to post that and may. It was a stiff reprimand to the church.
Dear folks, I had posted that of the light of 1882 very recently titled "The Yet Today Unheeded Light" and I wish I had of posted in this thread. Please read it, it was a stiff reprimand from her which she seldom speaks so strongly.
Was this the last light to come to the church? Answer that for yourself.
Daniel 11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
Daniel 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with themthat forsake the holy covenant.
Rome perpetuates the heresies of Nimrod and ancient India, and teaches it to those that leave God's holy covenant, His entire law & RBF message written in the heart.
Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
It the people, SDA's who were once in the holy covenant, and have now departed from the holy covenant that embrace seducing spirits and teach doctrines of devils. Non Commandment Keepers never embraced the WHOLE Law + RBF, for to profess knowing God and violating Sabbath is Biblically incompatible, so non Sabbatarians, are not the ones mentioned as having been in the holy covenant and now have left it .
Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Too many SDA's do not study Scripture & SOP to see if what is taught agrees with Scripture and SOP. Gospel Order is not enforced to uproot the false teachings nor the false teachers, God will step in with persecution and purge out the unfaithful.
SDA leaders who say return to the Bible & SOP, are still in the holy covenant, IE the "Ted Wilson's " & "Jay Galimore's" & Batchelor's & Whalberg's & Bohr's - et al - in the SDA Church.
I can only wish they could Ed but no headway is even began but errors keeping up and increasing is the state of it.
EGW turned it around in 1901 and then they sent her to Australia and she done a good work there and when she came back, lo and behold men had again taken over the structure, as she put it, become the kings of it.
With the "clout" she had of being one they knew was given testimonies for the church structure from God still she was unable to break their hold on it again. Any in leadership from the conference president on down should desire to be with His messenger as to the governance of the church structure that first God is it's Head, or King, it's Organizer, and knowing that God only can Ordain and that all man can do is to see from the Word who is truly Ordained of Him and then an ordination recognition service.
We must note that only God can know the ones who have His Spirit of Truth and are very careful not to be teachers of error and to be workers to weed it out.
But men claim to ordain, and any gone through the schools are of which error is in the teaching.
There is some independent ministries that work to get the truth in and error out, Walter Veith, Doug Batchelor, B. Trefz, K Shelton and more I know but within the structure nothing with much on weeding out error.
There is breaking out independent ministries keeping Sabbath that didn't break off from Adventism, two I know of and have heard them on Shortwave and they can be heard on the internet, Butch Paugh "Call to Decision" and Joyce Riley, "The Power Hour". There is more of them too so there is some awake other than concerned SDA's.
With any leading men in the structure that want to weed it out they will need to know that a good percentage of the people are sick and tired of error and demanding it must be culled out completely with no time to loose as the hour is very late.
Re 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Then it is noted in the next verse,
Re 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Folks, we need to take note of some serious thinking. On this order. Yah will save to the uttermost and that can mean but one thing and that is down to the last soul born that will come to His Way of salvation. Note only 8 were living and saved in Noah's day
Surely it will come down to nearly the same percentage of the populace today as back yon. So we can see that the Harvest is about completed. It certainly appears that the number is the 144,000 and no doubt only God knows the exact number.
What is sorely apparent is the fact we are approaching that number fast in these evil days that this world has come to be and evil growing faster every day!
We are in serious, very serious and now coming into very perilous times and persecution of the righteous will increase rapidly
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
The ranks will not be diminished = 6 SOP hits 4 posted with context - last post posted seperatly since post too long.
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The Corruption Of Truth
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. Matthew 24:23. {OFC 327.1}
Before the last developments of the work of apostasy there will be a confusion of faith. There will not be clear and definite ideas concerning the mystery of God. One truth after another will be corrupted. {OFC 327.2}
After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, every conceivable power of evil will be set in operation, and minds will be confused by many voices crying. Lo, here is Christ; lo, He is there. This is the truth, I have the message from God, He has sent me with great light. Then there will be a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith. A more decided effort will be made to exalt the false sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God Himself by supplanting the day He has blessed and sanctified. This false sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. {OFC 327.3}
In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. {OFC 327.4}
There will be false dreams and false visions, which have some truth, but lead away from the original faith. The Lord has given men a rule by which to detect them: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20). {OFC 327.5}
As we near the end of time, falsehood will be so mingled with truth, that only those who have the guidance of the Holy Spirit will be able to distinguish truth from error. We need to make every effort to keep the way of the Lord. We must in no case turn from His guidance to put our trust in man. The Lords angels are appointed to keep strict watch over those who put their faith in the Lord, and these angels are to be our special help in every time of need. Every day we are to come to the Lord with full assurance of faith, and to look to Him for wisdom. . . . Those who are guided by the Word of the Lord will discern with certainty between falsehood and truth, between sin and righteousness. {OFC 327.6}
The Shaking Time
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:12. {OFC 328.1}
Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheadsit is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be movedjust as soon as Gods people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming. {OFC 328.2}
The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. . . . {OFC 328.3}
The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christs righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. {OFC 328.4}
But there are men who will receive the truth, and these will take the places made vacant by those who become offended and leave the truth.... {OFC 328.5}
Men of true Christian principle will take their place, and will become faithful, trustworthy householders, to advocate the word of God in its true bearings, and in its simplicity. The Lord will work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true and loyal ones....The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those who become offended and apostatize. {OFC 328.6}
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MR No. 101 - 1888 Re-Examined
[Release requested for study of the 1888 General Conference session.]
1888 Re-Examined {2MR 55.1}
I have been shown that as he [Uriah Smith] now stands, Satan has prepared his temptations to close about his soul, that if he is not rescued the banner of truth will not be held aloft by him. . . . {2MR 55.2}
Elder Loughborough has stood firmly for the testimonies. . . . The influence of Elder Loughborough is valuable in our churches. Just such a man is needed, one who has stood unwaveringly for the light that God has given to His people, while many have been changing their attitude toward this work of God.--Letter 20, 1890, pp. 2-4. (To O. A. Olsen, Oct. 7, 1890.) {2MR 55.3}
Professor Prescott made a confession dating back to Minneapolis, and this made a deep impression. He wept much.--Letter 32, 1891, p. 1. (To Elder and Mrs. J. S. Washburn, Jan. 8, 1891.) {2MR 55.4}
Professor Prescott read the matter [the article "Be Zealous and Repent," published in the Review and Herald Extra, Dec. 23, 1890], and paused a number of times, deeply affected, weeping. He then confessed that at the Minneapolis meeting, and since that time, he had not had altogether right feelings. He asked the forgiveness of all and especially Brethren Waggoner and Jones. Brother Jones, I think, was not present. He then took the arm of Brother Smith and both went forward.--Ms 3, 1891, p. 2. (Biographical, Jan. 9, 1891.) {2MR 55.5}
Your [W. W. Prescott] connection with the school was in God's order.-- Letter 46, 1893, p. 3. (To W. W. Prescott, Sept. 5, 1893.) {2MR 55.6}
I received a most thorough, and hearty confession from LeRoy Nicola. I knew if he walked in the light that this must come. . . . {2MR 56.1}
I understand that Brother Morrison, Madison Miller, and others are coming into the light, where they may be a blessing to other souls.--Letter 79, 1893, p. 1. (To Harmon Lindsay, April 24, 1893.) {2MR 56.2}
Elder Butler is president of the Southern Union Conference, and I believe this is right.--Ms 124, 1902, p. 4. ("The Work in Nashville," May, 1902.) {2MR 56.3}
The Lord has appointed Elder Butler and Elder Haskell and his wife to labor in the South.--Letter 121, 1904, p. 3. (To Elder and Mrs. J. E. White, March 29, 1904.) {2MR 56.4}
I have not lost faith in you, Elder Butler. I greatly desire that the old soldiers, grown gray in the Master's service, shall continue to bear their testimony right to the point, that those younger in the faith may understand that the messages which the Lord gave us in the past are very important at this state of the earth's history.--Letter 130, 1910, pp. 1-2. (To G. I. Butler, Nov. 23, 1910.) {2MR 56.5}
We stood on the field of battle for nearly three years, but at that time decided changes took place among our people, and through the grace of God we gained decided victories.--Letter 40, 1893, p. 5. (To Brother and Sister McCullagh, Sept. 7, 1893.) {2MR 56.6}
[Release requested by A. V. Olson for his General Conference talk on Righteousness by Faith.] {2MR 57.1}
The sin committed in what took place at Minneapolis, remains on the record books of heaven, registered against the names of those who resisted light, and it will remain upon the record until full confession is made, and the transgressors stand in full humility before God.--Letter 19d, 1892, p. 15. (To O. A. Olsen, Sept. 1, 1892.) {2MR 57.2}
[Requested by Youth's Instructor for article by T. G. Bunch.] {2MR 57.3}
The Lord will work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true and loyal ones. Those who, like Cornelius, will fear God and glorify Him, will take their places. The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those who become offended and apostatize.--Ms 97, 1898, p. 6. ("The Necessity of a Close Walk With God," Aug. 11, 1898.) Released June 4, 1958. {2MR 57.4}
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The Lord will give His message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognize them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts. {13MR 10.2}
We are now living in the last days, when the truth must be spoken, when in reproof and warning it must be given to the world, irrespective of consequences. If there are some who will become offended and turn from the truth, we must bear in mind that there were those who did the same in Christ's day. When the greatest Teacher the world has ever known spoke the truth, many of His disciples became offended and walked no more with Him. {13MR 10.3}
But truth will bear away the victory. Those who will maintain the truth, irrespective of consequences, will offend some whose hearts are not in harmony with the truth as it is in Jesus. These persons cherish theories of their own, which are not the truth. The truth does not harmonize with their sentiments, and rather than give up their own ideas, they walk away from those who obey the truth. But there are men who will receive the truth, and these will take the places made vacant by those who become offended and leave the truth. {13MR 10.4}
"They went out from us, but they were not of us" [1 John 2:19]. Men of true Christian principle will take their place, and will become faithful, trustworthy householders, to advocate the Word of God in its true bearings and in its simplicity. The Lord will work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true and loyal ones. Those who, like Cornelius, will fear God and glorify Him, will take their places. The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those who become offended and apostatize. {13MR 11.1}
By the wonderful works of God, Cornelius was led to bring his energetic, faithful life into connection with the disciples of Christ. Thus shall it be in the last days. Many will prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage, and will obey the Word of God as the supreme standard. These will be led to great light. These will come to the knowledge of the truth, and will seek to get this light of truth before those of their acquaintance who like themselves are anxious for the truth. Thus they become conscientious light bearers to the world. Themselves constrained by the love of God, they will constrain others, and will improve every opportunity to invite and urge others to come and see the beauty of the truth, and to give their abilities to advance the work of God. {13MR 11.2}
There is work of a superior order to be done. A clear understanding of business matters will qualify men to conduct business for the work and cause of God, to keep it upon a high and holy basis. The missionary work, in all its branches, needs wise, careful, judicious men, who have ability and experience to act in the capacity of treasurers--men who will prove trustworthy in bringing the truth before the men in the highways, and who will bring all the advantages of their experience, their soundness of principle, and their unbending integrity and uprightness into the work to which they are appointed. Faith unfeigned in its largeness and fullness is wanted just now.--Manuscript 97, 1898. (Written from Sunnyside, Cooranbong, N.S.W., August 11, 1898.)
White Estate Washington, D. C. August 4, 1983 {13MR 11.3}
The work before God's stewards demands faith and courage and hopefulness. We have to pass through moral dangers, and in Christ is our only hope. He will not fail any one of his workers. There is need for every soul to be gathering strength and spiritual experience. The Lord will work for his people when they will answer the prayer of Christ. {SpM 205.1}
Great dishonor is shown to God in the lack of faith and respect that is manifested for one another. Christ's likeness must be cherished. God can not use to his name's glory those who are self-satisfied. We must advance but it must be done with great consideration. God's work must not bear the imperfections of man. We must move solidly and healthfully, doing a work that will not need to be raveled out because of dropped stitches. {SpM 205.2}
In this work, God's word will be found a sure and profitable guide. Poverty may bind about the work, because we abide by God's simple truth; but there must be a firm adherence to the truth still. You may have to drop men, but not one thread of truth must be conceded.Said the great teacher, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Truth, eternal truth, is to be lived in the daily life. The maxims that the Author of our salvation has given must be strictly adhered to. The living principles are as the leaves of the tree of life, for the healing of human woes. {SpM 205.3}
In a "Thus saith the Lord" is eternal wisdom. Notwithstanding God's word is so little practiced, this is the only remedy for the healing of individual and national woes. Man can not bow upon his knees in the streets and in the market place to offer up his prayers to God, but never forget, wherever you may be, that there is a God upon whom you may call for wisdom. The Lord declared to John: "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." {SpM 205.4}
Enoch walked with the unseen God. In the busiest places of the earth, his Companion was with him. Let all who are keeping the truth in simplicity and love, bear in mind. The men who have the most to do have the greatest need of keeping God ever before them. When Satan presses his suggestions upon their mind, they may, if they cherish a "Thus saith the Lord", be drawn into the secret pavilion of the Most High. His promises will be their safeguard. Amid all the confusion and rush of business, they will find a quiet resting place. If they will place their trust in God, he will be their resting place. {SpM 205.5}
Take God with you in every place. The door is open for every son and daughter of God. The Lord is not far from the soul who seeks him. The reason why so many are left to themselves in places of temptation is because they do not set the Lord before them. It is in the places where God is least thought of that you need to carry the lamp of life. If God be left out of sight, if our faith and communion with Him is broken, the soul is in positive danger. Integrity will not be maintained. {SpM 206.1}
The Lord is our helper, our defense. God has provided that no soul that trusts in him shall be overcome by the enemy. Christ is just as much with his believing ones when they are compelled to be associated in any sense with the world, as when they meet in his house to worship him. Think of these words: "Thou has a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." {SpM 206.2}
These words are given for the people while they are in connection with the world, subject to temptations and influences which are deceiving and deluding.While they stay their mind upon Him who is their sun and their shield, the blackness and darkness that surround them will not leave one spot or stain upon their garments. They will walk with Christ. They will pray and believe and work to save the souls that are ready to perish. These are trying to break the bands that Satan has fastened upon them, and they will not be put to shame if, by faith they will make Christ their companion. Temptations and deceptions will be constantly brought up by the great deceiver to spoil the work of the human agent, but if he trusts in God, if he is humble and meek and lowly of heart, keeping the way of the Lord, heaven will rejoice, for he will gain the victory. God says, "He shall walk with me in white (with unsullied garments), for he is worthy." {SpM 206.3}
The Lord of Israel is the only hope and refuge of his people. The people of God who will make use of his word, who will have faith in his promises, shall see of his salvation. Because so little faith is exercised, there is little deep, earnest, abiding experience. There is a need of constant dependence upon God, as well as constant faith and earnest fervency of spirit. All heaven is interested in those who have received Christ, in whatever position in life they are placed. {SpM 206.4}
Some who are numbered among merchant princes will take their position to obey the truth. God's eye has been upon such as have acted according to the light they have had, maintaining their integrity. Cornelius, a man of high position, maintained his religious experience, strictly walking in accordance with the light he had received. God had his eye upon him, and he sent his angel with a message to him. The heavenly messenger passed by the self-righteous ones, and came to Cornelius and called him by name. And he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. Then instruction was given to him as to what he should do to receive greater knowledge. He was to become acquainted with the disciples of Christ. {SpM 206.5}
This record is made for the special benefit of those who are living in these last days. Many who have had great light have not appreciated and improved it as it was their privilege to do. They have not practiced the truth. And because of this the Lord will bring in those who have lived up to all the light they have had. Those who have been privileged with opportunities to understand the truth, and who have not obeyed its principles, will be swayed by Satan's temptations for self-advancement. They will deny the principles of truth in practice and bring reproach upon the cause of God. Christ declares that he will spue these out of his mouth, and leave them to follow their own course of action to distinguish themselves. This course of action does indeed make them prominent as men that are unfaithful householders. The Lord will give his message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognize them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord, but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts. {SpM 207.1}
We are now living in the last days, when the truth must be spoken: when in reproof and warning it must be given to the world, irrespective of consequences. If there are some who will become offended and turn from the truth, we must bear in mind that there were those who did the same in Christ's day. When the greatest Teacher the world has ever known spoke the truth, many of his disciples became offended and walked no more with him. {SpM 207.2}
But truth will bear away victory. Those who will maintain the truth, irrespective of consequences, will offend some whose hearts are not in harmony with the truth as it is in Jesus. These persons cherish theories of their own, which are not the truth. The truth does not harmonize with their sentiments; and rather than give up their own ideas, they walk away from those who obey the truth. But there are men who will receive the truth, and these will take the place made vacant by those who become offended and leave the truth. {SpM 207.3}
Christ declared, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." Men of true Christian principles will take their places, and will become faithful, trustworthy householders, to advocate the word of God in its true bearings, and in its simplicity. The Lord will work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true and loyal ones. Those who, like Cornelius, will fear God and glorify him, will take their places. The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those who become offended and apostatize. {SpM 207.4}
By the wonderful works of God, Cornelius was led to bring his energetic, faithful life into connection with the disciples of Christ. Thus shall it be in the last days. Many will prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage, and will obey the word of God as the supreme standard. These will be led to great light. These will come to the knowledge of the truth, and will seek to get this light of truth before those of their acquaintance, who, like themselves, are anxious for the truth. Thus they become conscientious light-bearers to the world. Themselves constrained by the love of God, they will constrain others, and will improve every opportunity to invite and urge others to come and see the beauty of the truth, and to give their abilities to advance the work of God. {SpM 208.1}
There is a work of a superior order to be done. A clear understanding of business matters will qualify men to conduct business for the work and the cause of God, to keep it upon a high and holy basis. The missionary work, in all its branches, needs wise, careful, judicious men, who have ability and experience to act in the capacity of treasurers - men who will prove trustworthy in bringing the truth before the men in the highways, and who will bring all the advantages of their experience, their soundness of principle, their unbending integrity and uprightness into the work to which they are appointed. Faith unfeigned in its largeness and fullness is wanted just now.
Thanks Ed, A good testimony and EGW gave many to SPM that she seemed to not want to reveal to the church. Yes we want a closer and closer walk with God and we must not let that walk degrade.
There is one error that has come in that is more grievous than any and that is the one many of us term as the "new theology" and it came in here in all the churches around here for many miles and seemed to be almost universal in them all here in the NAD. From what I have found from contacts near and far that it is being preached almost in all around the globe now.
It is being put forth in subtle lines in most but in some straight out that none can put away all sin. This is the most destroying theology that could be given out.
No! we, not one have any excuse to be continuing in sin. Christ led the way and overcame taking no power but is ours to do the same and on top of that He broke open the path and it is many times an easier path for us than for Him. Number one reason is when Christ is truly dwelling within Satan can see Him dwelling there and knows then he is a defeated foe as long as we keep Him as our Master in the soul temple.
Also we have no excuse to take in any errors as He dwelling within is the Spirit of Truth of which He gives us His promise that He will guide us into all truth and show us things to come.
Jesus gave the command, "go sin no more", do you think He is telling us to do something He hasn't enabled us to do when we have His indwelling and all can. It only takes giving of ourselves fully in His Hands.
Dear Adventist friends, there are a lot of Sabbath keeping peoples other than us and the greatest percentage of them is the Messianic Jew. Do any of these hold to this "new theology"?
I've heard quite a number of them and none did from what was preached in my hearing. Why on earth have we let this come in? This came in here around 1975 and the pastor we had then preached love as his thrust. Truly I thrilled in his preaching of love
I have not the least problem with pressing love but when it is made that love is so lenient that overcoming sinning is not expected I have serious trouble with that.
Na 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
So how can we happily and in peace continue in known sin, Job knew the answer to that,
Job 10:14 ¶ If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13. {AG 254.1}
Will man take hold of divine power, and with determination and perseverance resist Satan, as Christ has given him example in His conflict with the foe in the wilderness of temptation? God cannot save man against his will from the power of Satan's artifices. Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself.In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ.This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the overcoming.Man must do his part; he must be victor on his own account, through the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man must be a co-worker with Christ in the labor of overcoming. {AG 254.2}
Re 2:11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Yes in order for the True Church to be killed, every last one of God's True followers would have to be killed. The reason, we His True followers in the truth are His Church.
Now another thing none can keep not one of us out of True Church is because it is held spiritually with Him as long as our worship is in truth. Where gatherings in congregations would not be allowed, outlawed, then each must come by Spirit and is as real as audible and as if in a group as He reads the heart not the words anyway.
Now we would be expecting the harvest of souls to be growing greater all the time as world population increases but sadly not true. Just the opposite is the case. The harvest now is fast coming down to the last that will come to salvation. Yes we know that God will save to the uttermost and that can mean but one thing, down to the last soul that will come in full surrender!
Just as in the days of Noah, had God kept it going the wicked would no doubt have killed those last 8 righteous. God though knowing all hearts could see the last of the harvest had come then and the same today, as we read,
Lu 17:26And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
To end this thought for now, Not One of us have any excuse to continue in sin or do any One of us have any excuse to not know the truth of which His must have and as EGW once stated, on every point.
With Christ in us, Truly, He is not only our strength and stay and power over sin them also our quickening, Spirit of truth, to sort truth from error. If not we do not have the ticket to Paradise as He is that ticket and we dare not lose it.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
