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Unfinished Re SDARM - A Better Way
Unfinished Re SDARM - A Better Way
A Better Way
A Review of the Popular Seventh-day Adventist Reform Series "The Good Way",
particularly lessons one and two.
The Good Way Series, in its first two lessons, lays down an abundant volume of evidence
from the Testimonies. This evidence, it is argued, points to two Adventist organizations in
our day, a faithful small remnant and a large unfaithful mother church.
The evidence, however, points to no such conclusion. A simple review of the primary
statements will show that a few misconceptions have colored the authors reading.
First, he has failed to understand the idea of "remnant" – viewing the word as a visible
church rather than as a reference to the invisible church.
On these four mistakes hangs an erroneous conclusion, namely that a faithful individual
would do well to leave the SDA church and join the SDARM church. A critical
examination of the evidence, however, points to the exactly opposite conclusion.
There are a number of Ellen White statements that appear repeatedly in the first two
lessons of the Good Way Series. In fact, there are eight passages that are used,
cumulatively, 67 times in the first two lessons. One of these, 5T 208-213, is used 25
times.
A good way to begin would be to read these eight passages. To facilitate thought I will
ask some questions before each passage that will help highlight some thoughts that might
otherwise be unnoticed.
To whom are the wrongs of the erring church apparent? Who are lifting up a voice in
protest against these wrongs by speaking to those that commit them? (as opposed to
speaking to those that are surprised to hear of their existence?) And what metaphors are
used to illustrate the remnant that feels the wrongs of the professed people of God,? Are
they like Joshua, among the erring? Are the sealed ones in a different city? Is the "wide
contrast" between true and false professors in the "church"? Or between members of one
holy community and members of another unholy?
The prejudice which has arisen against us because we have reproved the wrongs that
God has shown me existed, and the cry that has been raised of harshness and severity, are
unjust. God bids us speak, and we will not be silent. If wrongs are [266] apparent among
His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain
and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of
God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty. In vision I have been
pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect
on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those
who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and
lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty.
The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it. {3T 265.2}
The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among God's
people have been reproved has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their own
souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have
put out their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they do not feel as did
Joshua and humble themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them. {3T 266.1}
The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation
of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the
side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God.
Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and
forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel
most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the
prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter
weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn
by his side. "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the
midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry
for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof."
Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse
wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not
openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against
them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent,
and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in
holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing
approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work
of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive
the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a
mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be
done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and
they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as
being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. {3T 267.1}
But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between
sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and
receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: "Go
ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay
utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any
man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." {3T 267.2}
If all that appears to be divine life were such in reality; if all who profess to present
the truth to the world were preaching for the truth and not against it, and if they were men
of God guided by His Spirit,--then might we see something cheering amid the prevailing
moral darkness. But the spirit of antichrist is prevailing to such an extent as never before.
Well may we exclaim: "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from
among the children of men." I know that many think far too favorably of the present time.
These ease-loving souls will be engulfed in the general ruin. Yet we do not despair. We
have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true
Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not
true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly
dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are
hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to
take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that
the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will
thoroughly purge His floor. {5T 79.4}
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. Those who have rendered
supreme homage to "science falsely so called" will not be the leaders then. Those who
have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file.
They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will
not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be
engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord
has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed [81] to view.
There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not
had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be
under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character
will be revealed. In the day time we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are
there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold
their genuine luster. {5T 80.1}
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 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 Christ's righteousness,
will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. {5T 81.1}
When trees without fruit are cut down as cumberers of the ground, when multitudes of
false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to
view, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. Those who have been timid
and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most
weak and hesitating in the church will be as David--willing to do and dare. The deeper
the night for God's people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the
faithful; [82] but, in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors. Then
will the church of Christ appear "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an
army with banners." {5T 81.2}
The seeds of truth that are being sown by missionary efforts will then spring up and
blossom and bear fruit. Souls will receive the truth who will endure tribulation and praise
God that they may suffer for Jesus. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world." When the overflowing scourge shall pass through the
earth, when the fan is purging Jehovah's floor, God will be the help of His people. The
trophies of Satan may be exalted on high, but the faith of the pure and holy will not be
daunted. {5T 82.1}
Elijah took Elisha from the plow and threw upon him his mantle of consecration. The
call to this great and solemn work was presented to men of learning and position; had
these been little in their own eyes and trusted fully in the Lord, He would have honored
them with bearing His standard in triumph to the victory. But they separated from God,
yielded to the influence of the world, and the Lord rejected them. {5T 82.2}
Many have exalted science and lost sight of the God of science. This was not the case
with the church in the purest times. {5T 82.3}
God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt
among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward
training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned;
they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will
manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals. {5T 82.4}
There are few really consecrated men among us, few who have fought and conquered
in the battle with self. Real conversion is a decided change of feelings and motives; it is a
[83] virtual taking leave of worldly connections, a hastening from their spiritual
atmosphere, a withdrawing from the controlling power of their thoughts, opinions, and
influences. The separation causes pain and bitterness to both parties. It is the variance
which Christ declares that He came to bring. But the converted will feel a continual
longing desire that their friends shall forsake all for Christ, knowing that, unless they do,
there will be a final and eternal separation. The true Christian cannot, while with
unbelieving friends, be light and trifling. The value of the souls for whom Christ died is
too great. {5T 82.5}
He "that forsaketh not all that he hath," says Jesus, "cannot be My disciple." Whatever
shall divert the affections from God must be given up. Mammon is the idol of many. Its
golden chain binds them to Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by
another class. The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of
others. These are Satan's snares, set for unwary feet. But these slavish bands must be
broken; the flesh must be crucified with the affections and lusts. We cannot be half the
Lord's and half the world's. We are not God's people unless we are such entirely. Every
weight, every besetting sin, must be laid aside. God's watchmen will not cry, "Peace,
peace," when God has not spoken peace. The voice of the faithful watchmen will be
heard: "Go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be
ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord." {5T 83.1}
The church cannot measure herself by the world nor by the opinion of men nor by
what she once was. Her faith and her position in the world as they now are must be
compared with what they would have been if her course had been continually onward and
upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. If her moral
character and spiritual state do not correspond with the benefits and blessings God has
conferred upon her, she will be found wanting. [84] The light has been shining clear and
definite upon her pathway, and the light of 1882 calls her to an account. If her talents are
unimproved, if her fruit is not perfect before God, if her light has become darkness, she is
indeed found wanting. The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden
from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as
unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon
our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him.
Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we
profess to be governed.
What does the term "the church" mean in 209:3? Are the prayers of the faithful for the
endangered church vain? How are they answered? What service, other than prayer, have
they been performing for "the church"? Is there any evidence that they are a separate
organization? How do they know about the "pride, avarice, and selfishness" in the
"church"? Does this passage speak of two churches, two sanctuaries? Or of one church
and sanctuary among whom men were sealed prior to the slaughter of the rest? In
relation to the timing of Daniel 12:1 and the seven last plagues, when does this passage
bring the "small remnant" to view as a united body of people?
But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have had the greatest
light and privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by
the unrighteous around them, many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold
and are borne down by the strong current of evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true
piety and holiness leads those who do not connect closely with God to lose their
reverence for His law. If they were following the light and obeying the truth from the
heart, this holy law would seem even more precious to them when thus despised and set
aside. As the disrespect for God's law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation
between its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the divine precepts
increases with one class according as contempt for them increases with another class.
{5T 209.1}
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for
God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish,
and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but
they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves
with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They
should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong
faith to God for help. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
{5T 209.2}
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger
and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light
will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more
especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing
after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}
The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth
as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith
in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has
promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear
long with them. {5T 210.1}
The command is: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem,
and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the
abominations that be done in the midst thereof." These sighing, crying ones had been
holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who
had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory
of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion,
His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}
In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted
followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish,
which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try
to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere
prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls will not hold their
peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy
works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent
of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see
religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and
afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind
are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot,
while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect.
{5T 210.3}
The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over
the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His
messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: "Go ye after him through
the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and
young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon
whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which
were before the house." {5T 211.1}
Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of
the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who
had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust.
They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked
manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words
strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do
evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" is the cry
from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people
their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not
bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and
little children all perish together. {5T 211.2}
The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that
could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the
jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts
knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of iniquity. These persons come to
feel secure in their deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say that the Lord seeth
not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy
and will open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide. {5T 211.3}
It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been
blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others.
They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they
departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine
displeasure. {5T 212.2}
The day of God's vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the
foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. Those
who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will
surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. "The eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against
them that do evil." {5T 212.3}
Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the
living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of God's
wrath have fallen upon the earth; but when the seven last plagues shall be poured out
without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it will be forever too late to repent
and find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of sin. {5T 212.4}
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the
children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered,
everyone that shall be found written in the book." When this time of trouble comes, every
case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal
of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in
the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make
God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they
shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May
God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict without His
assistance! {5T 212.5}
Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save do not come in a
moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy
endeavor and firm adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny.
Beset with temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be
conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do, and at any hour they might be
called to lay off their armor; and should they come to the close of life with their work
undone, it would be an eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did
the first disciples from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to
mountains and deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when
martyrdom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were
counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for them. Their worthy example
will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God who will be brought into the
time of trouble such as never was. {5T 213.1}
ChS 41 4x
[There are two good questions to ask about this next statement that are not answered in
the statement itself. The first, was this ratio from the year 1900 quite different from the
ratio in the year 1855? See 1T 504-505. Second, was the separation recommended at the
end of the paragraph a reference to separate organizations? Or to selective fellowship in
the local church? For an answer see FE 294 and look for the word "associate."]
It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names
are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and
would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.
They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon. This
half-and-half work is a constant denying of Christ, rather than a confessing of Christ. So
many have brought into the church their own unsubdued spirit, unrefined; their spiritual
taste is perverted by their own immoral, debasing corruptions, symbolizing the world in
spirit, in heart, in purpose, confirming themselves in lustful practices, and are full of
deception through and through in their professed Christian life. Living as sinners,
claiming to be Christians! Those who claim to be Christians and will confess Christ
should come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing, and be separate. . . .
{ChS 41.1}
What do the "large class" abandon when put under pressure? When did their brethren
become "former brethren"? Would it be accurate to apply this latter term, from this
statement, to men today? Are the unfaithful former brethren of the faithful "former
brethren" Sabbath keepers in this passage?
As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to
God's downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only
madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut
away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command
they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals
to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the
movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be
invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and
imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and
advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: "Show
us from the word of God our error"--the same plea that was made by Luther under similar
circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of
the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the
commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise
would know nothing of these truths. {GC 607.1}
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's
message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their
position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of
its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is
brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing
address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead
souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When
Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are
the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports
and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. {GC 608.2}
In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord's servants will be tried. They have
faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to His word alone. God's Spirit, moving
upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated with holy zeal, and with the
divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the performance of their duties
without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the
Lord had given them. They have not consulted their temporal interests, nor sought to
preserve their reputation or their lives. Yet when the storm of opposition and reproach
bursts upon them, some, overwhelmed with consternation, will be ready to exclaim: "Had
we foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have held our peace." They are
hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce temptations. The work which
they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened
with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn
back. Then, feeling their utter helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength.
They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade
them give the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to
proclaim it. {GC 608.3}
RH Feb. 26, 1895 and TM 265, two similar statements used five times each, ten times
in total.
What class is Satan seeking to accuse? Why are those entrusted with the "field"
disappointed? Is this passage a prophecy that the Sabbath-keeping church will become
Babylon of Revelation 18? Or is it a warning against wordliness using the Roman
apostasy as an illustration of what happens when a church is "married" to the world?
Does TM 59 help answer this question? How does wordliness in the church affect our
institutions?
Many despise the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and if they can make it appear
that those who are striving to obey the commandments of God are faulty, they strike an
arrow at the people of God for the prince of accusers. The cruel thrusts of unbelievers
will do little harm if those who profess to be servants of Christ will stand true to his
words, and be doers of the word, and not hearers only. When unbelievers come to one of
the servants of Christ with a complaint against some brother or sister in the church, let
him remember that he is pledged to Jesus Christ to love and to respect and be faithful to
them who are united with him in the bonds of Christian fellowship. The Christian is not
to unite with false accusers of the brethren. He is not to take up a reproach against his
neighbor, or in any way to second the work of the enemy by playing into his hands, and
making his work a success. {RH, February 26, 1895 par. 3}
The world must not be introduced into the church and married to the church. Through
union with the world the church will become corrupt,--"a cage of every unclean and
hateful bird." The customs of the world must not have a place; for they will be open doors
through which the prince of darkness will find access, and the line of demarkation will
become indistinguishable between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Jesus presented a parable to his followers concerning a field in which it was supposed
there was nothing sown but good wheat. But those to whom the field had been intrusted
looked upon it with disappointment, for with the wheat came up also a crop of tares. They
inquired of the owner, "Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then
hath it tares?" The owner of the field replied, "An enemy hath done this." {RH, February
26, 1895 par. 4}
The world is the chief enemy of religion; for Satanic forces are continually at work
through the world, and it is the object of Satan to bring the church and the world into
such close fellowship that their aims, their spirit, their principles, shall harmonize, and
that it will be impossible to distinguish between him who professes to serve God and him
who serveth him not. The enemy works continually to push the world to the front, and to
make it appear that those who do not serve Jesus, who do not believe in him, and who do
not seek to be doers of his word, are superior in character to those who seek to follow in
his footsteps. {RH, February 26, 1895 par. 5}
It is the work of the Christian to mend, to restore, to heal. This healing process saves
many a soul and hides a multitude of sins. God is love; God is, in Himself, in His
essence, love. He makes the very best of what appears an injury, and gives Satan no
occasion for triumph by making the worst appear and exposing our weakness to our
enemies. The world must not be introduced into the church, and married to the church,
forming a bond of unity. Through this means the church will become indeed corrupt, and
as stated in Revelation, "a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." {TM 265.1}
Through association with the world our institutions will become unsubstantial,
unreliable; because these worldly elements, introduced and placed in positions of trust,
are looked up to as teachers to be respected in their educating, directing, and official
position, and they are sure to be worked upon by the spirit and power of darkness; so that
the demarcation becomes not distinguished between him that serveth God and him that
serveth Him not. The parable is given by Jesus Christ in regard to the field in which it
was supposed had been sown pure wheat, but the entrusted ones look upon the field with
disappointment, and inquire, "Didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence
then hath it tares?" The master of the vineyard answers, "An enemy hath done this."
{TM 265.2}
TM 411 Used four times leaving out a very significant sentence. " But there is a people
who will bear the ark of God.[" Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these
cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end. ] They will proclaim
the word of the Lord"
How will deceptive schemes be overthrown? Satan has worked that nothing of a
rebuking nature shall come among whom? What do those do who will bear the "ark no
longer"? What does the word "restrictions" tell us about the relation of the rebukers to
the organization? Does the organization feel that it has authority to tell them what to
do and what not to do?
Gather the host of the Lord, with sanctified hearts, to hear what the Lord will say unto
His people; for He has increased light for all who will hear. Let them be armed and
equipped, and come up to the battle--to the help of the Lord against the mighty. God
Himself will work for Israel. Every lying tongue will be silenced. Angels' hands will
overthrow the deceptive schemes that are being formed. The bulwarks of Satan will never
triumph. Victory will attend the third angel's message. As the Captain of the Lord's host
tore down the walls of Jericho, so will the Lord's commandment-keeping people triumph,
and all opposing elements be defeated. Let no soul complain of the servants of God who
have come to them with a heaven-sent message. Do not any longer pick flaws in them,
saying, "They are too positive; they talk too strongly." They may talk strongly; but is it
not needed? God will make the ears of the hearers tingle if they will not heed His voice or
His message. He will denounce those who resist the word of God.
Satan has laid every measure possible that nothing shall come among us as a people to
reprove and rebuke us, and exhort us to put away our errors. But there is a people who
will bear the ark of God. Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no
longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and
upward to the end. In the past God has raised up men, and He still has men of opportunity
waiting, prepared to do His bidding--men who will go through restrictions which are only
as walls daubed with untempered mortar. When God puts His Spirit upon men, they will
work. They will proclaim the word of the Lord; they will lift up their voice like a
trumpet. The truth will not be diminished or lose its power in their hands. They will show
the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. {TM 411.1}
5T 524, used four times. What does the term "most fervent prayer" tell us about the
relation of the "faithful remnant" to the endangered church"? In context, why are
they praying for her? In the typical illustration of Moses and erring Israel, what other
option (than prayer) presented itself to Moses? Why was he so often forced to choose
between starting a new smaller holy people and praying for the body that was opposing
him? Is there any hint in this statement that the faithful remnant view themselves as
separate from the "church" that is in danger? Do the examples of Daniel and Paul
and Ezra, in prayer, give us a clue?
God keeps a reckoning with the nations. Through every century of this world's history
evil workers have been treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath; and when the time
fully comes that iniquity shall have reached the stated boundary of God's mercy, His
forbearance will cease. When the accumulated figures in heaven's record books shall
mark the sum of transgression complete, wrath will come, unmixed with mercy, and then
it will be seen what a tremendous thing it is to have worn out the divine patience. This
crisis will be reached when the nations shall unite in making void God's law. {5T 523.4}
The days will come when the righteous will be stirred to zeal for God because of the
abounding iniquity. None but divine power can stay the arrogance of Satan united with
evil men; but in the hour of the church's greatest danger most fervent prayer will be
offered in her behalf by the faithful remnant, and God will hear and answer at the very
time when the guilt of the transgressor has reached its height. He will "avenge His own
elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them." They will be
jealous for the honor of God. They will be zealous in prayer, and their faith will grow
strong. {5T 524.1}
1SM 385
This Bible prophecy, from Isaiah 11, is part of the promised gathering together of
the scattered remnant. It speaks of what will happen in congregations that respond
to God's call to repent. It has something to say about the relation of revival to long-
standing schisms in the body.
"O that all might repent and do their first works. When the churches do this, they will
love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. Ephraim will not envy Judah, and
Judah will not vex Ephraim. Divisions will then be healed, the harsh sounds of strife will
no more be heard in the borders of Israel."
What part of the history of the Jewish nation is Ellen White talking about in this
statement:
"Satan is working that the history of the Jewish nation may be repeated in
the experience of those who claim to believe present truth."
Here is more of the context, context that would have changed the way a reader
understood the implications of the statement.
Many will honestly search the Word for Light as those in the past have searched it;
and they see light in the Word. But they did not pass over the ground in their experience,
when these messages of warning were first proclaimed. Not having had this experience,
some do not appreciate the value of the truths that have been to us as waymarks, and that
have made us as a peculiar people what we are. They do not make a right application of
the Scriptures, and thus they frame theories that are not correct. It is true that they quote
an abundance of Scripture, and teach much that is true; but truth is so mixed with error as
to lead to wrong conclusions. Yet because they can weave Scripture into their theories,
they think that they have a straight chain of truth. Many who did not have an experience
in the rise of the messages, accept these erroneous theories, and are led into false paths,
backward instead of forward. This is the enemy's design. {2SM 110.4}
Satan is working that the history of the Jewish nation may be repeated in the
experience of those who claim to believe present truth. The Jews had the Old Testament
Scriptures, and supposed themselves conversant with them. But they made a woeful
mistake. The prophecies that refer to the glorious second appearing of Christ in the clouds
of heaven they regarded as referring to His first coming. Because He did not come
according to their expectations, they turned away from Him. Satan knew just how to take
these men in his net, and deceive and destroy them. . . . {2SM 111.1}
The very same Satan is at work to undermine the faith of the people of God at this
time. There are persons ready to catch up every new idea. The prophecies of Daniel and
the Revelation are misinterpreted. These persons do not consider that the truth has been
set forth at the appointed time by the very men whom God was leading to do this special
work. These men followed on step by step in the very fulfillment of prophecy, and those
who have not had a personal experience in this work, are to take the Word of God and
believe on "their word" who have been led by the Lord in the proclamation of the first,
second, and third angels' messages. These messages, received and acted upon, are doing
their work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. If we search the
Scriptures to confirm the truth God has given His servants for the world, we shall be
found proclaiming the first, second, and third angels' messages. {2SM 111.2}
3SM 422 [The following, from 13MR 10.4-11.1, is the context from which 3SM 422 is
quoted]
How do those that resist the truth escape hearing it, in this passage? Who fills the
"vacant" places left by the defectors? Why did the defectors defect, according to 1
John 2:19? How is the size of the "ranks" affected by the work of the "the Lord" in
the third paragraph? Would an unbiased reader of the passage, a neutral person
ignorant of the views of the SDA and SDARM, understand it in a way that would favor
one or the other?
"The church may appear as about to fall, it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners
in Zion will be sifted out-the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible
ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by
the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and
true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths."
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}
3SM 385, use three times [The following is the context of 3SM 385]
How will the church be rid of its uncalled pastors? Will it be by entering a new field, or
by weeding the original?
Some have entered the work with a human commission rather than the divine. They have
educated themselves as debaters, and the churches under their care show the character of
their work. They were not ready, they were not fitted for the work. Their hearts are not
right with God. In short, they have a theory but not true conversion and sanctification
through the truth. The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not
appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.
{12MR 327.1}
Fill in the blank, "The Lord will bring ___ those who have lived up to all the light they
have had." What distinguishes the unfaithful workers? Is it their denominational
connection or something else?
"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. And 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 actions 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."
4T 89
The part of the statement below that is in italics was omitted in the Good Way series.
Why? What causes many false professors to join the church? What remedies the
problem of their presence? Is it a new start? Or something else?
"I was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every
trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be
dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under
temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity
multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their
spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; when
tribulation or persecution arises be cause of the word, many are offended."
5T 160
The Good Way series quotes this passage, and this much of it: "We are repeating the
history of that people." Israel, of course, had a long history. What part of the history
was Sister White referring to when she wrote the statement? Particularly, was she
referring to a time when men should separate from the sinful nation, or when they
should remain and intercede for it? Even one sentence of context is enough to answer:
Satan's snares are laid for us as verily as they were laid for the children of Israel just prior
to their entrance into the land of Canaan. We are repeating the history of that people.
5T 612
In the following statement the sentences in italics are left out of the Good Way series.
Do they make a difference in how the statement is understood? Are the "brethren"
threatened as a denomination or as individuals and congregations?
"Brethren, your own lamps will surely flicker and grow dim until they go out in darkness
unless you make decided efforts to reform. 'Remember therefore from whence thou art
fallen, and repent, and do the first works.' The opportunity now presented may be short. If
this season of grace and repentance passes unimproved, the warning is given: 'I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place.' These words are
uttered by the lips of the long-suffering, forbearing One. They are a solemn warning to
churches and individuals that the Watcher who never slumbers is measuring their course
of action. It is only by reason of His marvelous patience that they are not cut down as
cumberers of the ground. But His Spirit will not always strive. His patience will wait but
little longer"
6T 400
(Only the underlined sentence is quoted in the GWS.) What kind of separation will be
seen in our ranks? A split into two Advent bodies? Or numerous individual defections
by persons listening to seducing devil doctrines? What kind of unity will be seen? Will
it involve persons who have left the "fold" while it was full of unfaithful professors?
God's plan is first to get at the heart. Speak the truth, and let Him carry forward the
reformatory power and principle. Make no reference to what opponents say, but let the
truth alone be advanced. The truth can cut to the quick. Plainly unfold the word in all its
impressiveness. {6T 400.2}
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. Not having received the love of the truth,
they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits
and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the
storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's
voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed
from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw
together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for
supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest.
No one of the true believers will say: "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas."
Did "He" give us a Bible hint as to the future of the harlot like city? See Isaiah 1:21-
28. It is an incredible prophecy, a summary of all that the statements we have looked at
so far teach. What kind of spirit will characterize the needed reformation? How will
that mindset affect many unfaithful persons in the church? What will it do to artificial
barriers that separate believers in the present truth? (The three GWS citations quote
no further than the phrase "shall abhor herself")
Then He said to me: 'Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their
defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My
Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and
glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.
Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall
repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor
herself. When she resists the evil and chooses the good, when she seeks God with all
humility and reaches her high calling in Christ, standing on the platform of eternal truth
and by faith laying hold upon the attainments prepared for her, she will be healed. She
will appear in her God-given simplicity and purity, separate from earthly entanglements,
showing that the truth has made her free indeed. Then her members will indeed be the
chosen of God, His representatives. {8T 250.3}
The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When this reformation
begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer and will banish from the church the
spirit of discord and strife. Those who have not been living in Christian fellowship will
draw close to one another. One member working in right lines will lead other members to
unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the Holy Spirit. There will be
no confusion, because all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit. The barriers
separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God's servants will speak the
same things. The Lord will co-operate with His servants. All will pray understandingly
the prayer that Christ taught His servants: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10.
{AA 11.3}
This statement is cited by reference only. I give here one paragraph from the passage that
relates to our question. Has God known all along how the SDA church would respond to
his invitations? Has He, by his prophets, traced out the events that would occur?
Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His
church. Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing
force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as
He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declarations
what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been
brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law is linked with His throne, and
no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph
over all opposition.
In Acts 15 the world church is weighing two opinions. On one hand a group was
teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised (ie, become Jews) to be saved. Paul was
teaching the opposite, that God saves Gentiles as Gentiles. The apostle James and the
world church sided with Paul. James used scripture to prove that God, who knows
"from the beginning of the world" what He is going to do, would invite Gentiles to
seek the Lord.
But was James trying to say that Israel, in his day, was going to be entirely
depopulated of sinners by the sword? No, James was not saying that Amos 9:9-10 was
being fulfilled in his day. Rather, he was saying that if God expects to invite Gentiles
into the church, we should also. Amos 9:9-10 is clearly an end-time prophecy (1T 431;
RH 11-26-1861; RH 1-19-1864; RH 2-5-1914) with a past literal local application to
the houses of Jeroboam (PK 285).
Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I
will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not
utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. 9 For, lo, I will
command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as
corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the
earth. 10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which
say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. 11 In that day will I
raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the
breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in
the days of old: 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and
of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that
doeth this. Am 9:8-12
In John 6, before the purging, were the faithful followers in the majority or in the
minority? Who were purged? What does that teach us? Does this passage indicate that
John the Baptists' prophecy was completely fulfilled in John 6? (Very apparently,
John's prophecy involves the fires of the last day. It speaks of a final separation of the
grain and the chaff prior to burning the latter. No grain was gathered to the garner in
John 6. Rather, John 6 was an illustration of how the purging works. A word study on
the EGW CD ROM on "thoroughly purge" will make this abundantly clear, as will as
plain reading of the scripture.)
"'Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His
wheat into the garner.' Matt. 3:12. This was one of the times of purging. By the words of
truth, the chaff was being separated from the wheat. Because they were too vain and self-
righteous to receive reproof, too world-loving to accept a life of humility, many turned
away from Jesus."
EW 261
Since that time the influence of the nominal Adventists has succeeded in modifying the
theology of most Christian churches. Today most of them are pre-millennial believers
in a literal soon-coming Jesus. In other words, the Methodists and Baptists and
Evangelicals and Pentecostals of today are modern "nominal Adventists" with nearly
the same doctrinal positions as the small Millerite bands of the 1800's.
"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen
churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called
out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth.... The light will shine, and all
who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant."
EW 271, used twice
By now reading the material indicated by ellipsis should be habitual. We want to know
whether the material left out is relevant to the issue under discussion. In this case it
will pinpoint the time of earth's history when the number is "lessened" and again
enlarged.
"My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken....
The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the
way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and
salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they
were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking
hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but
could-have no power over them."
2SM 385
A little history is in order in connection with this statement. In the "alpha" of apostasy
Dr. Kellogg worked to remove the denominational connections of the Sanitarium. His
friends worked to remove the name "Seventh-day Adventist" from the magazine "The
Sentinel." The denomination opposed both of these efforts. We lost the sanitarium and
kept the magazine.
More recently a number of SDA hospitals and schools have sought to lose or hide their
denominational connections. Columbia Union College tried a few years ago to become,
legally, a non-sectarian school. The denomination opposed this effort and succeeded.
The president resigned. Amen.
Today the name is exalted around the world. In the context of the statement the
defining characteristic of us as a people is the Sabbath. To read the statement as if the
word "company" meant "denomination" would be to read it wrongly.
Further, the statement uses the term "remnant people of God" as a substitute for
Seventh-day Adventists. This is the logic of the paragraph: SDA's should show their
name because the Bible says the remnant will be those that keep the commandments.
To read the statement as if the SDA's and "remnant" are contrasted is to make
nonsense out of the paragraph's reasoning.
I was told that men will employ every policy to make less prominent the difference
between the faith of Seventh-day Adventists and those who observe the first day of the
week. In this controversy the whole world will be engaged, and the time is short. This is
no time to haul down our colors. {2SM 385.1}
A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who
were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be
held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to
our institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to the close of
probation. In describing the remnant people of God, John says, "Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus"
(Revelation 14:12). This is the law and the gospel. The world and the churches are
uniting in harmony in transgressing the law of God, in tearing away God's memorial, and
in exalting a sabbath that bears the signature of the man of sin. But the Sabbath of the
Lord thy God is to be a sign to show the difference between the obedient and the
disobedient. I saw some reaching out their hands to remove the banner, and to obscure its
significance. . . . {2SM 385.2}
PP 454
The following paragraph is cited in the GWS. The phrase "apostasy became national"
is the part used. Here are good questions. Was Moses, at this time, invited to start a
new people? Why did he refuse? What should we do in the face of the sins in our day?
It was not long before the poison had spread, like a deadly infection, through the camp of
Israel. Those who would have conquered their enemies in battle were overcome by the
wiles of heathen women. The people seemed to be infatuated. The rulers and the leading
men were among the first to transgress, and so many of the people were guilty that the
apostasy became national. "Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor." When Moses was
aroused to perceive the evil, the plots of their enemies had been so successful that not
only were the Israelites participating in the licentious worship at Mount Peor, but the
heathen rites were coming to be observed in the camp of Israel. The aged leader was
filled with indignation, and the wrath of God was kindled. {PP 454.4}
"Those who love Jesus and the souls for whom He has died will follow after the things
which make for peace. But they must take care lest in their efforts to prevent discord,
they surrender truth; lest in warding off division, they sacrifice principle. True
brotherhood can never be maintained by compromising principle.... That peace and
harmony which are secured by mutual concessions to avoid all differences of opinion are
not worthy of the name."
The skipped portion of the article reveals what result came "upon the children of
Israel." The very first sentence of the skipped portion (in italics below) answers that
God was grieved with "that generation." Of course, we know what happened. The
same ones saved out of Egypt died in the wilderness. They didn't enter Canaan. They
were rejected as a generation. Their children, however, were not rejected with their
parents. This is the point of Ezekiel 20:6-18, etc.
"May the Lord forbid that the history of the children of Israel in departing from God, in
refusing to walk in the light, in refusing to confess their sins of unbelief and rejection of
His messages, should be the experience of the people claiming to believe the truth for this
time. For if they do as did the children of Israel in the face of warnings and admonitions,
the same result will follow in these last days as came upon the children of Israel. The
apostle admonishes, "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted me,
proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation,
and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I
sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest."
****************************************************************
God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His
commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a
people. The truth is a sanctifying power; but the church militant is not the church
triumphant. There are tares among the wheat. “Wilt thou then that we . . . gather them
up?” was the question of the servant; but the master answered, “Nay; lest while ye gather
up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.” The gospel net draws not only good
fish, but bad ones as well, and the Lord only knows who are His. {CCh 240.1}
It is our individual duty to walk humbly with God. We are not to seek any strange, new
message. We are not to think that the chosen ones of God who are trying to walk in the
light compose Babylon.427 {CCh 240.2}
Although there are evils existing in the church, and will be until the end of the world, the
church in these last days is to be the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by
sin. The church, enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled,
is the only object upon earth upon which Christ bestows His supreme regard. The world
is a workshop in which, through the cooperation of human and divine agencies, Jesus is
making experiments by His grace and divine mercy upon human hearts.428 {CCh 240.3}
Let every one who is seeking to live a Christian life, remember that the church
militant is not the church triumphant. Those who are carnally minded will be found in the
church. They are to be pitied more than blamed. The church is not to be judged as
sustaining these characters, though they be found within her borders. Should the church
expel them, the very ones who found fault with their presence there, would blame the
church for sending them adrift in the world; they would claim that they were treated
unmercifully. It may be that in the church there are those who are cold, proud, haughty,
and unchristian, but you need not associate with this class. There are many who are
warm-hearted, who are self-denying, self-sacrificing, who would, were it required, lay
down their lives to save souls. Jesus saw the bad and the good in church relationship, and
said, "Let both grow together until the harvest." None are under the necessity of
becoming tares because every plant in the field is not wheat. If the truth were known,
these complainers make their accusations in order to quiet a convicted, condemning
conscience. Their own course of action is not wholly commendable. Even those who are
striving for the mastery over the enemy, have sometimes been wrong and done wrong.
Evil prevails over good when we do not trust wholly in Christ, and abide in Him.
Inconsistencies of character will then be manifested that would not be revealed if we
preserved the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. {FE 294.2}
The church militant is not now the church triumphant; but God loves His church and
describes through the prophet how He opposes and resists Satan, who is clothing the
children of God in the blackest and most defiled garments, and pleading for the privilege
of destroying them. The angels of God were protecting them from the assaults of the
enemy. The prophet says: {TM 21.2}
Has God no living church? He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the
church triumphant. We are sorry that there are defective members, that there are tares
amid the wheat. Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed
good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the
wheat, and went his way. . . . So the servants of the householder came and said unto him,
Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said
unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we
go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also
the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I
will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn
them: but gather the wheat into my barn." {TM 45.1}
In the parable of the wheat and the tares, we see the reason why the tares were not to
be plucked up; it was lest the wheat be rooted up with the tares. Human opinion and
judgment would make grave mistakes. But rather than have a mistake made, and one
single blade of wheat rooted up, the Master says, "Let both grow together until the
harvest;" then the angels will gather out the tares, which will be appointed to destruction.
Although in our churches, that claim to believe advanced truth, there are those who are
faulty and erring, as tares among the wheat, God is long-suffering and patient. He
reproves and warns the erring, but He does not destroy those who are long in learning the
lesson He would teach them; He does not uproot the tares from the wheat. Tares and
wheat are to grow together till the harvest; when the wheat comes to its full growth and
development, and because of its character when ripened, it will be fully distinguished
from the tares. {TM 45.2}
The church of Christ on earth will be imperfect, but God does not destroy His church
because of its imperfection. There have been and will be those who are filled with zeal
not according to knowledge, who would purify the church, and uproot the tares from the
midst of the wheat. But Christ has given special light as to how to deal with those who
are erring, and with those who are unconverted in the church. There is to be no
spasmodic, zealous, hasty action taken by church members in cutting off those they may
think defective in character. Tares will appear among the wheat; but it would do more
harm to weed out the tares, unless in God's appointed way, than to leave them alone.
While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same
time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the
good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually
exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of
the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God. {TM 46.1}
We need to realize the importance of the canvassing work as one great means of
finding out those who are in peril, and bringing them back to Christ. The truth must go
forward. The church militant is not the church triumphant. Canvassers should never be
prohibited from speaking of the love of Christ, from telling their first experience in their
service for the Master. They should be perfectly free to speak or to pray with those who
are awakened. The simple story of Christ's love for man will open doors for them, even to
the homes of unbelievers. Of all the gifts which God has given to man, none is more
precious than the gift of speech, if it is sanctified by the Holy Spirit. It is with the tongue
that we convince and persuade: with it we offer prayer and praise to God, and with it we
convey rich thoughts of the Redeemer's love. Those who are fitted to enlighten minds
will often have opportunity to read from the Bible or from books which teach the truth,
and thus bring the evidence to enlighten souls. When canvassers discover those who are
interestedly searching for truth, they should hold Bible readings with them. These Bible
readings are just what the people need. God will use in His service those who thus show a
deep interest in perishing souls. Through them He will impart light to those who are
ready to receive instruction. {AUCR, July 1, 1902 par. 10}
"Let none entertain the thought, however, that we can dispense with organization. It
has cost us much study, and many prayers for wisdom that we know God has answered,
to erect this structure. It has been built up by his direction, through much sacrifice and
conflict. Let none of our brethren be so deceived as to attempt to tear it down, for you
will thus bring in a condition of things that you do not dream of. In the name of the Lord,
I declare to you that it is to stand, strengthened, established, and settled. At God's
command, "Go forward," we advanced when the difficulties to be surmounted made the
advance seem impossible. We know how much it has cost to work out God's plans in the
past, which has made us as a people what we are. Then let every one be exceedingly
careful not to unsettle minds in regard to those things that God has ordained for our
prosperity and success in advancing his cause. {GCDB, January 29, 1893 par. 4}
"The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved
faithful will become the church triumphant. In reviewing our past history, having
travelled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I
see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment and with confidence in Christ as
Leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord
has led us, and his teaching in our past history. We are now a strong people, if we will put
our trust in the Lord; for we are handling the mighty truths of the word of God. We have
everything to be thankful for. If we walk in the light as it shines upon us from the living
oracles of God, we shall have large responsibilities, corresponding to the great light given
us of God. We have many duties to perform, because we have been made the depositories
of sacred truth to be given to the world in all its beauty and glory. We are debtors to God
to use every advantage he has entrusted to us to beautify the truth of holiness of character,
and to send the message of warning, and of comfort, of hope and love, to those who are
in the darkness of error and sin. {GCDB, January 29, 1893 par. 5}
The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved
faithful will become the church triumphant. In reviewing our past history, having traveled
over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what
God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment and with confidence in Christ as leader.
We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led
us, and his teaching in our past history. {RH, October 12, 1905 par. 22}
Here Miriam died and was buried. From that scene of rejoicing on the shores of the
Red Sea, when Israel went forth with song and dance to celebrate Jehovah's triumph, to
the wilderness grave which ended a lifelong wandering--such had been the fate of
millions who with high hopes had come forth from Egypt. Sin had dashed from their lips
the cup of blessing. Would the next generation learn the lesson? {PP 410.2}
"For all this they sinned still, and believed not for His wondrous works. . . . When He
slew them, then they sought Him: and they returned and inquired early after God. And
they remembered that God was their Rock, and the high God their Redeemer." Psalm
78:32-35. Yet they did not turn to God with a sincere purpose. Though when afflicted by
their enemies they sought help from Him who alone could deliver, yet "their heart was
not right with Him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant. But He, being full of
compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned He
His anger away. . . . For He remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth
away, and cometh not again." Verses 37-39. {PP 410.3}
Many have believed some things as truth because men whom they believed to be led
of God have declared them to be truth; but were they? Was all they held in doctrine true?
No! Time has shown that men who feared God have made mistakes in their interpretation
of Scriptures. Some parts were not understood, and the next generation have, through
diligent searching, come to a knowledge of the truth; advanced light has been presented,
but they did not have all the light. The next generation saw increased light and then there
was a going forward from light to a greater light. {1888 835.2}
It is a deplorable fact that men have connected with men, looked up to them, placed
them where God should be, regarded their words and works as inspired, their
interpretation of Scripture inspired, and they have become copies of men. They are
dwarfed in their religious experience. They do not lead out. They are letting other men be
brains for them, letting another man search the Scriptures for them, and accepting his
decisions as authority; and yet that man, whom they depend on and trust in, is compassed
with the same human infirmities and weaknesses, and his defects really are regarded to be
virtues to be copied. The Lord wants ministers of the gospel to search the Scriptures.
Make no living man a channel. Accept not the work he does as without a flaw. Do not let
him do the work God has told you to do. If you do, how are you occupying a safe
position? Jesus bids you come to Him, the great Teacher, and learn of Him, and you
should find rest to your souls. Let no man stand between your soul and Jesus Christ,
thinking that the Lord tells him that which He refuses to tell you. Give God a chance,
ministering brethren, to operate on your mind. Place yourself before Him as one who
wants to learn of Him. You must place yourself before the Lord in diligently searching
His Word that He may communicate ideas to you. He does not design that you shall be
dependent on human minds. He would have you look to Him in faith to do large things
for you, not through another man, but to you. {1888 836.1}
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. Now,
have men who claim to believe the Word of God learned their lesson that obedience is
better than sacrifice? "He hath showed thee (this rebellious people), O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8). {10MR 277.3}
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We will begin by stating succinctly the two views that we are trying to compare. Using
only the Bible and the context of statements found in the Good Way series we will
compare the accuracy of these two views.
SDARM VIEW
The Seventh-day Adventist denomination rejected God's 1888 message. Repeated
threatenings of removing the denominational candlestick were not idle. With more than
95% of the members unconverted, the "shaking" became a denominational separation.
Faithful members became part of a separate organized "remnant" church while the
"mother church" slumped further morally. She stands ready to receive the first strokes of
God's slaughtering judgments.
OTHER VIEW
The leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination rejected God's 1888 message.
Their generation was rejected; many of them were lost; their individual candlesticks were
removed and their duties passed to faithful men in the next generation. From 1860 to
1888, as well as afterwards, 95% of the members were unconverted. The "remnant" is the
faithful invisible church found throughout the larger visible church. The separation
prophesied shows many of the unfaithful 95% being led out of the church and many
others being slaughtered out in the seven last plagues.