CHAPTER 4 THE SHAKING» Symtbesis—Description of the process—Causes—The time— Directions on how to avoid falling—Church will not fall; sinners will be sifted ont. SYNTHESIS THE INSPIRED PROPHET speaks symbolically of a shak- ing of God's people: “For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as com is sifted in a siege, yet shall not the est pain fll epon the euth.”” Amos And in a critical hour the Lord Jesus told Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but [ have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31, 32. Every child of God individually, and the church as a whole, will undergo a special trial of faith. ‘This test is called the “shak- ing” or “sifting.” It has happened in times past and will be repeated near the end in a specific way. ‘The enemy, knowing that he has but a short time, will work with increasing vigor to cause as many as possible to apostatize. “Shaking” or “sifting” is a figurative expression that designates a particular experience of selection and apostasy in the people of God. As a part of threshing, grain is shaken in a sieve s0 that broken kernels, husks, and foreign particles fall through the ‘mesh, and the chaff is blown away. Likewise in the final stage of the history of the church, a shak- ing will occur among the members of the church. "The basic causes for the falling away will be the following: 1. religious care- 65 Pre,66 PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL CRISIS lessness and indifference; 2. persecution because of the enforee- iment of Sunday laws; 3. failure on the part of some to accept the message of Christ to the Laodicean church, a message of repent- ‘ance and reform; 4. voluntary superficiality of knowledge in respect to divine truth, so that false doctrines deceive. ‘One tragic result of the shaking, which is even now in progress and will continue and increase, will be the apostasy of some even in outstanding positions. Certain of these will become the worst enemies of the truth and of the people of God. But no ‘one who maintains a life of complete consecration and of true ‘communion with God needs to be afraid of this process. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS “God is now sifting His people, testing their purposes and their ‘motives. Many will be but as chaff—no wheat, no value in them.’— aT SL. Satan has come down with great power to work with all -decefvableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; and every thing that can be shaken will be shaken, and those things that cannot be shaken will zemain,”-9T 62 (3TT 312). “God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy church, ‘We Sienot'seal ie Tiare cease a that Lae a ‘provided means to keep the church pure.’—IT 99. “An angel flying in the midst of heaven put the standard of Immanuel into many hands, while a mighty general cried out with a Joud voice: ‘Come into line. Let those who are loyal to the com- mandments of God and the testimony of Christ now take their posi tion. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters. Let all who will come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.’ "-ST 41 (TT 224). CAUSES 1. Carelessness and indifference “Thou art lukewarm.” Revelation 3:16. “My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian THE SHAKING 67 angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with. an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiess. ‘Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing strugzle they had ssed through. Yet their features, marked with severe intemal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest grati tude and oly, sacred joy “The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. ‘The careless and indifferent, who id not join with those who prized vietory and salvation enough to pereveringly plead and agonize for it, dic! 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 sill prened around them, but could have no power over the ‘Tasked what had made this great change. An is the latter tain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the Jou ery of the third angel: "EW 271 2. Persecution because of the enforcement of the Sunday law “The words of Paul will he literally fulfilled: ‘AI that will Bve godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” 2 Timothy 3:12. As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. « gel answered, ‘Tt “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 oppesition.’-GC 608. “The mighty shaking has commenced and will go on, and all will bye shaken out who are not willing to take a bold and unyielding stand for the truth and to sterifce for God anc! His eause.”-EW 50, The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth, Many will be called to speak din courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone The expesience which would have helped them in this emergency they = oe to obtain, and their souls are burdened with morse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileyes”—ST 463 oa PP lected Soon God's people will be tested by fiery trials and the great bofore councils68 PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL CRISIS proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to he base metal. Instead of being strengthened and confirmed by opposition, threats, and abuse, they will cowardly take the side of the opposers.”-ST 136 (2TT 31). 3. Rejection of the Laodicean message cee eral anaes By: Jesus, the Faithtul Wit- ness, “and neither will spew thee out of My mouth.” Revelation Jho remain indifferent and do not heed this admonition of Christ will be separated from the church during the shaking “[ asked the meaning of the shaking I jad 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 ffect upon the heart of the receiver, and will ead him to exalt the Standard and pour forth the steaight truth. Some will not bear this Straight testimony. ‘They will rise up agaist it, and this is what will ‘cause a shaking among God's people. “{ saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half hheeied, ‘The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not enticly disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey itand be purifed.’-EW 270. 4 4. Superficial knowledge that causes many to be deceived by false doctrines “will have upon the ground, [says Satan,] as my agents, men holding false doctrines mingled with just enough truth to deceive souls. I will also have unbelieving ones present who will expres doubts in regard to the Lord’s messages of warning to His church. Should the people read and believe these admonitions, we could have Hue ope of oreoning them, But if we can divert ther attention rom these warnings, they will remain ignorant of our power and cunning, and we shall secure them in our ranks at last’ ETM 475, “The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplex: ity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if posible the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowis The Lord has faith. ful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view."-ST 80, 81. “God's Spirit has illuminated every page of Holy Wait, but there ‘THE SHAKING 69 are those upon whom it makes litle impression, because it is imper, featy understood. ‘When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false cheories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shift ing sand.’“TM 112. “Those who continue to hold these spiritualistic theories [pan theistic views] wil suzely spoil their Christian experience, sever their ction with God, and lose eternal life, The sophistries regurding God and nature that are Hooding the world with skepticism ave the inspiration of the fallen foe, who is him: wif a Bible student, who knows the truth that i is essential for the peuple to receive and whose study i so diver mins from the great Pants given to prepare them for what is coming upon the world.’ 81 292 GTT 270) a i he experience of the past will be repeated. In the future, Ste cette wl assume new forms. Errors wil be presented sein plentng, and fattering manner. False theories, closed with ‘Romie of light, wil be presented to God's people, Thus Sarin ST tay to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Most seducing init eens Tull be exerted minds will be hypnotized,’-8T 293 TT a. Zhen the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery eal ond a leper propston than_ we now anscipate: wil give heed wo seducing spsts and doctsines of devils. instead of being Srongthened when brought into stiait places, many prove that they see we living branches of the True Vine; they bore no fruit, and the husbandman taketh them away."—25M 368. ‘THE TIME “1 saw that we are now in the shaking time."=1T 42 The mighty shaking has commenced and will go on, and all will be cheken out who are not willing to take a bold and unyielding vend for the truth and to sacsiice for God and His cause.’—EWW 50. CL saw that we are now in the shaking time, Satan is working with all his power to wrest souls from the hand of Christ and cause Them to trample underfoot the Son of God. An angel slowly and tnphatically repeated these words: ‘OF how much sores punishineny, sattpwe ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden undesfor a igon of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, where with he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Characret is being developed. Angels of God are tveighing moral worth. God is testing and proving His people Tbe words were presented to me by the angel: “Take heed, breth70 PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL CRISIS. ren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daly, while itis called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, For we are made partakers of Chris, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.’ "1 429, “God is now sifting His people, testing their purposes and their rotves. Many wil be but a5 chaif-no whew 2 Tue in then TSI. DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO AVOID FALLING ‘The apostle Paul admonishes: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12. All of us will be tried, but none of us needs to fall. ‘We may pass triumphantly through the test of the shaking if spill eure Sere ee heaven. ‘This all may do by Bible study and prayer, constantly yielding to God's will as revealed in the Scriptures and the spirit of prophecy, and by denial of self in service for God and others With our epiritual lifeline thus intact, uuching and nobody can separate us from the love of God or from the supreme Source of our stzength, the Lord Jesus. The apostle asked: “Who shall separate us fram the love of Chris shall tbulaton, or dsorey or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, ot peril, or sword?” He enumerates here the worst calamities of life. And then he answers with emphasis and complete surety: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Forl am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, not things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to Separate us from the love of Cod, which isin Christ Jesuy ove Lord.” Romans 8:35:39, Thank God for this blessed certainty! The inspired pen fills in Further details of the struggle with the same assurances to those who will persevere: “I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Theis countenances were pale and marked vethleep ager, expressive of their internal struggle, Firmness and great eamestness was expressed in their countenances; lange drops of perspiration fell from theis foreheads. Now and then thet faces woukl light up with —— THE SHAKING 7 the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them. etd bare ‘Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them shutout Jens fom ther view, that their eyes might be drawn tothe darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him, Theit only safety was in keeping theit eyes directed upward."—EW 269. “ “We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. ‘The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands. IF we make no effort to win souls to Christ we shall be held responsible for the work we might have done, but did not do because of cur spiritual indolence. ‘Those who belong to the Lords kingdom must work camestly for the saving of souls. They must do their part to bind up the law and seal it among the disciples."-6T 332 (21T 547, 548). Regarding the overcomers we are told “They moved in exact order, ike a company of soldiers, ‘Their anied peer the severe conct hh they ad endured the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, eee a ca angtish, now shone with the ight and glory of heaven. ‘They had obtained the vietory, and it called forth from them the deepest grate and hely sacred joy EW 271 ‘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 band, and He will thoroughly purge His Boor. The days are fa ata -hing when there will be great perplex- ity and confusion, Satin, 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 vill be disclosed 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 concen-72 PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL, CRISIS trated 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 daytime we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot dis tinguish them. In the night we behold theie genuine luster, “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 nof find it a hard matter to yield to the powers thet be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of Goel and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly. distin- ished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we ave 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 80, 81 “Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, 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 fzom the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherds voice. Selfdenying 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 peo- pple 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: ‘Iam of Paul; and T of Apollos; and I of Cephas. The testimony of one and all will be:'I cleave unta Christ; Ltejoice in Him as my personal Saviour."-6T 400, 401. CHURCH WILL NOT FALL; SINNERS WILL BE SIFTED OUT “Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme, The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sited out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a tentible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been over THE SHAKING 2B coming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the Ieyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. We must be divested of our selfrighteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of Christ.”— 28M 380,