Last Generation Theology
By M. L.
Andreasen
From
Andreasen’s Book The Sanctuary Service which
is still available at the following link:
Click to go to our Home Page
Foreword by Ron Beaulieu: The Last
Generation Theology of God, Ellen White and Milian Andreasen is now under a
most egregious, Satanic criticism and rejection. In his account of Last
Generation Theology, M.L. Andreasen encapsulates Ellen White’s theme of the
Great Controversy between Satan. If Andreasen is wrong, not only Ellen White
is wrong, but even the Bible is rendered as clearly errant. Omega of Apostasy
New Movement Adventists, inclusive of most of the leadership at the General
Conference level, except for a very few and I mean FEW men, have rejected
God’s portrayal of His faithful Last Generation of saints who will keep His
commandments and prove that it is possible to do so. Those “adventists” who have ridiculed and
mocked Ellen White and M.L. Andreasen for the end-time scenario you are about
to read, and they are legion, constitute the most sinister of Satan’s agents
within the New Movement church and the Omega of Apostasy, and are among the
most pernicious breed of lying, peace and safety antiChrists that are to be
found and are the embodiment of the Omega of Apostasy in the professing
Seventh-day Adventist church. This should be very apparent to any person who
reads this with a particle of prayer and spiritual discernment. End foreword. Now the chapter from Andreasen’s book The
Sanctuary Service, pp. 299-321: The Last Generation The final demonstration of what the gospel
can do in and for humanity is still in the future. Christ showed the way. He
took a human body, and in that body demonstrated the power of God. Men are to
follow His example and prove that what God did in Christ, He can do in every
human being who submits to Him. The world is awaiting this demonstration
(Rom. 8:19.)[1] When it has been
accomplished, the end will come. God will have fulfilled His plan. He will
have shown Himself true and Satan a liar. His government will stand
vindicated. There is much spurious doctrine concerning
holiness taught in the world today. On the one hand are those who deny the
power of God to save from sin. On the other hand are those who flaunt their
sanctity before men and would have us believe that they are without sin.
Among the first class are not only unbelievers and skeptics but church
members whose vision does not include victory over sin, but who accept a kind
of compromise with sin. In the other class are such as have no just
conception either of sin or of God’s holiness, whose spiritual vision is so
impaired that they cannot see their own shortcomings, and hence believe
themselves perfect, and whose conception of religion is such that their own
understanding of truth and righteousness is superior to that revealed in the
Word. It is not easy to decide which is the greatest error. That the Bible inculcates holiness is
indisputable. “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14. “For this is the will
of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thess. 4:3. The Greek word hagios in its various forms is
translated “sanctify,” “holy,” “holiness,” “sanctified,” “sanctification.” It
is the same word which is used for the two apartments of the sanctuary, and
means that which is set apart for God. A sanctified person is one who is set
apart for God, whose whole life is dedicated to Him. Forgiveness and Cleansing The plan of salvation must of necessity
include not only forgiveness of sin but complete restoration. Salvation from
sin is more than forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness presupposes sin and is
conditioned upon breaking with it; sanctification is separation from sin and
indicates deliverance from its power and victory over it. The first is a
means to neutralize the effect of sin; the second is a restoration of power
for complete victory. Sin, like some diseases, leaves man in a
deplorable condition—weak, despondent, disheartened. He has little control of
his mind, his will fails him, and with the best of intentions he is unable to
do what he knows to be right. He feels that there is no hope. He knows that
he has himself to blame, and remorse fills his soul. To his bodily ailments
is added the torture of conscience. He knows that he has sinned and is to
blame. Will no one take pity on him? Then comes the gospel. The good news is
preached to him. Though his sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. All is
forgiven. He is “saved.” What a wonderful deliverance it is! His mind is at
rest. No longer does his conscience torment him. He has been forgiven. His
sins are cast into the depths of the sea. His heart wells with praise to God
for His mercy and goodness to him. As a disabled ship towed to port is safe
but not sound, so the man is “saved” but not sound. Repairs need to be made
on the ship before it is pronounced seaworthy, and the man needs
reconstruction before he is fully restored. This process of restoration is
called sanctification, and includes in its finished product body, soul, and
spirit. When the work is finished, the man is “holy,” completely sanctified,
and restored to the image of God. It is for this demonstration of what the gospel
can do for a man that the world is looking. In the Bible both the process and the
finished work are spoken of as sanctification. For this reason the “brethren”
are spoken of as holy and sanctified, though they have not attained to
perfection. (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Heb. 3:1). A glance through the Epistles
to the Corinthians, will soon convince one that the saints there mentioned
had their faults. Despite this, they are said to be “sanctified” and “called
to be saints.” The reason is that complete sanctification is not the work of
a day or of a year but of a lifetime. It begins the moment a person is converted,
and continues through life. Every victory hastens the process. There are few
Christians who have not gained the mastery over some sin that formerly
greatly annoyed them and overcame them. Many a man who has been a slave to
the tobacco habit has gained the victory over the habit and rejoices in his
victory. Tobacco has ceased to be a temptation. It attracts him no more. He
has the victory. On that point he is sanctified. As he has been victorious
over one besetment, so he is to become victorious over every sin. When the
work is completed, when he has gained the victory over pride, ambition, love
of the world—over all evil—he is ready for translation. He has been tried in
all points. The evil one has come to him and found nothing. Satan has no more
temptations for him. He has overcome them all. He stands without fault before
the throne of god. Christ places His seal upon him. He is safe, and he is sound.
God has finished His work in him. The demonstration of what God can do with
humanity is complete. Thus it shall be with the last generation
of men living on the earth. Through them God’s final demonstration of what He
can do with humanity will be given. He will take the weakest of the weak,
those bearing the sins of their forefathers, and in them show the power of
God. They will be subjected to every temptation, but they will not yield.
They will demonstrate that it is possible to live without sin—the very
demonstration for which the world has been looking and for which God has been
preparing. It will become evident to all that the gospel really can save to
the uttermost. God is found true in His sayings. The last year of the conflict brings the
final test; but this only proves to angels and to the world that nothing that
the evil one can do will shake God’s chosen ones. The plagues fall,
destruction is on every hand, death stares them in the face, but like Job
they hold fast their integrity. Nothing can make them sin. They “keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. Throughout the history of the world God has
had His faithful ones. They have endured affliction and great tribulation.
But even in the midst of Satan’s buffetings they have, as the apostle Paul
says, through faith “wrought righteousness.” “They were stoned, they were
sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the
world was not worthy): they wandered in deserts, and in mountains and in dens
and caves of the earth.” Heb. 11:37, 38. And in addition to this galaxy of faithful
witnesses, many of whom were martyrs for their faith, God will have in the
last days a remnant, a “little flock,” in and through whom He will give to
the universe a demonstration of His love, His power, His justice, which, if
we exempt Christ’s godly life on earth and His supreme sacrifice on Calvary,
will be the most sweeping and conclusive demonstration of all the ages of
what God can do in men. It is in the last generation of men living
on the earth that God’s power unto sanctification will stand fully revealed.
The demonstration of that power is God’s vindication. It clears Him of any
and all charges which Satan has placed against Him. In the last generation
God is vindicated and Satan defeated. This may need some further
amplification. Rebellion in Heaven The rebellion which took place in heaven
and introduced sin into the universe of God must have been a fearful
experience both for God and for the angels. Until this time all had been
peace and harmony. Discord was unknown only love prevailed. Then unholy
ambitions stirred the heart of Lucifer. He decided that he wanted to be like
the Most High. He would exalt his throne above the stars of God; he would sit
“upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” (Isa.
14:12-14). This declaration of intent was tantamount to an attempt to depose
God and usurp His place. It was a declaration of war. Where God sat, Satan
would sit. God accepted the challenge. We have no direct Biblical statement as to
the means used by Satan in winning over to his side a multitude of angels.
That he lied is clear. That he was a murderer from the beginning is likewise
indisputable. (John 8:44). As murder has its beginning in hatred, and as this
hatred found its fruition in the killing of the Son of God on Calvary, we may
believe that Satan’s hatred was directed not only against God the Father, but
also—and perhaps especially—against God the Son. In his rebellion Satan went
further than a mere threat. He actually did set up his throne, saying
boastfully, “I am a God, I sit in the seat of God.” Eze. 28:2. When Satan thus established his government
in heaven, the issue was clear cut. The angels understood clearly the issue.
All must take their stand for or against Satan. In the case of rebellion there is always
some grievance, real or fancied, given as the cause. Some become
dissatisfied, and failing to have matters remedied, they resort to rebellion.
Those who sympathize with the rebel cause join it. The other remain loyal to
the government, and must, of course, take their chance on survival. It apparently came to just such a pass in
heaven. The result was war. “There was war in heaven: Michael and His angels
fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” Rev. 12:7.
The outcome could have been foreseen. Satan and his angels “prevailed not;
neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was
cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the
whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out
with him.” Verses 8, 9. Though Satan was defeated, he was not
destroyed. By his act of rebellion he had declared God’s government at fault,
and by the setting up of his own throne he had made claim to greater wisdom
or justice than God. These claims are inherent in rebellion and in the
establishment of another government. God could ill afford not to give Satan
an opportunity to demonstrate his theories. To remove every doubt in the
minds of the angels—and later of man—God must let Satan go on with his work.
And so Satan was permitted to live and set up his government. For the last
six thousand years he has been giving the universe a demonstration of what he
will do when he has the opportunity. Satan’s Demonstration This demonstration has been permitted to
continue until now. And what a demonstration it has been! From the time Cain
killed Abel there have been hatred, bloodshed, cruelty, and oppression in the
earth, Virtue, goodness, and justice have suffered; vice, vileness, and
corruption have triumphed. The just man has been made a prey; God’s
messengers have been tortured and killed; God’s law has been trampled in the
dust. When God sent His Son, instead of honoring Him, evil men, under the
instigation of Satan, hanged Him on a tree. Even then God did not destroy Satan. The
demonstration must be completed. Only when the last events are taking place,
and men are on the point of exterminating one another, will God interfere to
save His own. There will then remain no doubt in the mind of anyone that, had
he the power, Satan would destroy every vestige of goodness, hurl God from
the throne, murder the Son of God, and establish a kingdom of violence
founded in self-seeking and cruel ambition. What Satan has been demonstrating is really
his character and the length to which selfish ambition will lead. In the
beginning he wanted to be like God. He was dissatisfied with his position as
the highest of created beings. He wanted to be God. And the demonstration has
shown that when he set his mind upon this goal he would stop short of nothing
to attain it. Whoever stands in the way must be put out of the way. If it be
God Himself, He must be removed. The demonstration shows that high position
is not satisfactory to the ambitious individual. He must have the highest, and even then he is not
satisfied. Often a person in a lowly position is tempted to believe that he
would be satisfied if his position were improved. He is at least sure that he
would be satisfied if he had the highest position possible. But would he?
Lucifer was not. He had the highest position possible. He wanted to be God
Himself. In this respect the contrast between Christ
and Satan is pronounced. Satan wanted to be God. He wanted it so much that he
was willing to do anything to attain his goal. Christ, on the other hand, did
not consider it a thing to be grasped to be like God. He voluntarily humbled
Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He was
God, and He became man. And that this was not a temporary arrangement only
for the purpose of showing His willingness, is evidenced by the fact that He
will ever remain man. Satan exalted himself; Christ humbled Himself. Satan
wanted to become God; Christ became man. Satan wanted to sit as God on a
throne; Christ, as a servant, knelt to wash the disciples’ feet. The contrast
is complete. Lucifer In heaven Lucifer had been one of the
covering cherubs (Eze. 28:14). This refers to the two angels who in the most
holy apartment of the sanctuary stood on the ark, covering the mercy seat.
This was doubtless the highest office an angel could occupy, for ark and the
mercy seat were in the immediate presence of God. These angels were the
special guardians of the law. They watched over it, as it were. Lucifer was
one of them. Ezekiel 28:12 contains an interesting
statement concerning Lucifer: “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and
perfect in beauty.” The meaning of the expression, “Thou sealest up the sum,”
is not entirely clear. The reading is capable of varied interpretations. It
seems evident, however, that the intent is to show the high position and
exalted privilege that were Satan’s before he fell. He was a kind of prime
minister, a keeper of the seal. As in an earthly government a document or
law must have the seal attached to it in order to be valid, so in God’s
government a seal is used. God seems to have apportioned to the angels their
work, the same as He has given to man his work. One angel is in charge f the
fire. (Rev. 14:18). Another angel has charge of the waters. (Rev. 16:5).
Another has charge of “the seal of the living God.” Rev. 7:2. Although, as stated
above, the reading of Ezekiel 28:12 is not entirely clear, some feel
justified in translating it, “Thou attacheth the seal to the ordinance.” If
this position is tenable, if Lucifer were prime minister and keeper of the
seal, it gives an additional reason why he should wish to substitute his own
mark for that of God’s seal when he left his first abode. That Satan has been very active against the
law is evident. If God’s law is a transcript of His character, and if this
character is the very opposite of Satan’s, Satan stands condemned by it.
Christ and the law are one. Christ is the law lived out, the law become
flesh. For this reason His life constitutes a condemnation. When Satan warred
against Christ, he warred also against the law. When he hated the law he also
hated Christ. Christ and the law are inseparable. An interesting statement is found in the
fortieth psalm. Christ speaking, says, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God:
yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Verse 8. Though this is doubtless a poetic
expression and should not be pressed too far, it is interesting,
nevertheless, as an indication of the exalted position of the law. “Thy law
is within My heart.” A stab at the law is a stab at the heart of Christ. A
stab at the heart of Christ is a stab at the law. At the cross Satan so
intended. But God meant the outcome to be otherwise. The death of Christ was
a tribute to the law. It immeasurably magnified the law and made it
honorable. It gave men a new vision of its sacredness and worth. If God would
let His Son die; if Christ would willingly give Himself rather than abrogate
the law; if it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for on jot or
tittle of the law to fail, how very sacred and honorable the law must be! When Christ died on the cross He had
demonstrated in His life the possibility of keeping the law. Satan had not
succeeded in leading Christ into sin. Possibly he did not expect to be able
to do that. But if he could have induced Christ to use His divine power to
save Himself, He would have accomplished much. Had Christ done so, Satan
could have claimed that this invalidated the demonstration God intended to
make, namely, that it was possible for men to keep the law. As it was, Satan
was defeated. But till the very last he continued the same tactics. Judas
hoped Christ would free Himself, thus using His divine power to save Himself.
On the cross Christ was taunted: “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
But Christ did not falter. He could have saved Himself, but He did not. Satan
was baffled. He could not understand. But he knew that when Christ died
without his having been able to make Him sin, his own doom was sealed. In His
death Christ was victor. But Satan did not give up. He had failed in
his conflict with Christ, but he might yet succeed with men. So he went to
“make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God,
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. If he could overcome
them he might not be defeated. God’s Demonstration The demonstration which God intends to make
with the last generation on earth means much, both to the people and to God.
Can God’s law really be kept? That is a vital question. Many deny that it can
be done; others glibly say it can. When the whole question of commandment keeping
is considered, the problem assumes large proportions. God’s law is
exceedingly broad; it takes cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the
heart. It judges motives as well as acts, thoughts as well as words.
Commandment keeping means entire sanctification, a holy life, unswerving
allegiance to right, entire separation from sin, and victory over it. Well
may mortal man cry out, Who is sufficient for these things! Yet, to produce a people that will keep the
law is the task which God has set Himself and which He expects to accomplish.
When the statement and challenge are issued by Satan: “No one can keep the
law. It is impossible. If there be any that can do it or that have done it,
show them to me. Where are they that keep the commandments?” God will quietly
answer, Here they are. “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and
the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. Let us say it reverently: God must meet
Satan’s challenge. It is not God’s plan, or a part of His purpose, to subject
men to tests that only a chosen few can survive. In the Garden of Eden, God
subjected Adam and Eve to the lightest test conceivable. No one can say that
our first parents fell because the test was too hard for them If they fell,
it was not because the test was hard or because they had not been provided
with strength to resist. The temptation was not held before them constantly.
Satan was not permitted to molest them everywhere. He had access to them at
only one place, namely, at the tree of knowledge. That place they knew. They could
stay away from it if they wanted to. Satan could not follow them everywhere.
If they went where Satan was, it was because they wanted to. But even if they
went there to examine the tree, they need not have remained there. They could
walk away. And even if Satan offered them the fruit, they need not take it.
But they took it and ate. And they ate it because they wanted to, not because
they had to. They deliberately transgressed. There was no excuse. God could
not have devised an easier test. When God commands men to keep His law, it
does not serve the purpose He has in mind to have only a few men keep it,
just enough to show it can be done. It is not in line with God’s character to
pick outstanding men of strong purpose and superb training, and demonstrate
through them what He can do. It is much more in harmony with His plan to make
His requirements such that even the weakest need not fail, so that none can
ever say that God demands that which can be done by only a few. It is for
this reason that God has reserved His greatest demonstration for the last
generation. This generation bears the results of accumulated sins. If any are
weak, they are. If any suffer from inherited tendencies, they do. If any have
an excuse because of weakness of any kind, they have. If, therefore, these
can keep the commandments, there is no excuse for anyone in any other
generation not doing so also. But this is not enough. God intends in His
demonstration to show, not merely that ordinary men of the last generation
can successfully pass a test such as He gave to Adam and Eve, but that they
can survive a test much harder than such as falls to the lot of common men.
It will be a test comparable to the one Job passed through, and approaching
that which the Master underwent. It will test them to the utmost. “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and
have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender
mercy.” James 5:11. Job passed through some experiences that will be repeated
in the lives of the chosen ones of the last generation. It may be well to
consider them. Job’s Test Job was a good man. God trusted him. Day by
day he offered sacrifices for his sons. “It may be that my sons have sinned,”
he said. Job 1:5. He was prosperous and enjoyed the blessing of God. Then came “a day when the sons of God came
to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them,” Verse
6. A conversation is recorded between the Lord and Satan that concerned Job.
The Lord says that Job is a good man, which Satan does not deny, but urges
that Job is God-fearing merely because it pay him to be so. He states that if
God will take away His mercies, Job will curse God. The statement is in the
form of a challenge, and God accept it. Satan is given permission to take
away Job’s property and otherwise to cause him sorrow, but not to touch Job
himself. Satan immediately proceeds to do what he is permitted to do. Job’s
property is all swept away, and his children are killed. When this happened, “Job arose, and rent
his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and
worshiped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I
return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the
name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job
1:20-22. Satan is defeated, but he makes another
attempt. At the next meeting with the Lord, without admitting defeat, he
claims that he had not been permitted to touch Job himself. If he had, he
claims, Job would have sinned. The statement is again a challenge, and God
accept it. Satan is given permission to torment Job but not to take his life.
He immediately departs on his mission. All that the evil one can do, Satan does to
Job. But Job stands fast. His wife counsels him to give up, but he does not
waver. Under intense physical pain and mental anguish he remains steadfast.
Again it is recorded that Job stood the test. “In all this did not Job sin
with his lips.” Job 2:10. Satan is defeated and does not appear any more in
the book. In the succeeding chapters in the book of
Job we are given a little insight into the struggle going on in Job’s mind.
He is greatly perplexed. Why has all this calamity come upon Him? He is not
conscious of any sin. Why, then, should God afflict him? He, of course, does
not know of the challenge of Satan. Neither does he know that God is
depending upon him in the crisis through which he is passing. All he knows is
that out of a clear sky disaster has come upon him till he is left without
family or property, and with a loathsome disease that nearly overwhelms him.
He does not understand, but he retains his integrity and faith in God. This
God knew he would do. This Satan said he would not do. In the challenge God
won. Humanly speaking, Job had not deserved the
punishment that came to him. God himself says it was without cause. “Thou
movedst Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” Job 2:3. The whole
experiment can therefore be justified only by considering it as a specific
test devised for a specific purpose. God wanted to silence Satan’s charge
that Job served God only for profit. He wanted to demonstrate that there was
at least one man whom Satan could not control. Job suffered as a result of
it, but there seemed to be no other way. A reward was afterward given him. Job’s case is recorded for a purpose. While
we grant its historicity, we believe that it has also a wider meaning. God’s
people in the last days will pass through an experience similar to Job’s.
They will be tested as he was; they will have every earthly stay removed;
Satan will be given permission to torment them. In addition to this the
Spirit of God will be withdrawn from the earth, and the protection of earthly
governments removed. God’s people will be left alone to battle with the powers
of darkness. They will be perplexed, as was Job. But they, as did he, will
hold fast their integrity. In the last generation God will stand
vindicated. In the remnant Satan will meet his defeat. The charge that the
law cannot be kept will be met and fully refuted. God will produce not only
one or two who keep His commandments, but a whole group, spoken of as the
144,000. They will reflect the image of God fully. They will have disproved
Satan’s accusation against the government of heaven. God’s Government on Trial A serious situation arose in heaven when
Satan made his charges against God. The accusations in reality constituted an
impeachment. Many of the angels believed the charges. They ranged themselves
on the side of the accuser. One third of the angels—and that must have been
millions—faced God with their leader, the highest among the angels, Lucifer.
It was no small crisis. It threatened the very existence of God’s government.
How should God deal with it? The only way the matter could be satisfactorily
settled so that no question would ever arise again, was for God to submit His
case to the ordinary rules of evidence. Was, or was not, God’s government
just? God said it was; Satan said it was not. God could have destroyed Satan.
That would not prove His cause just but would, in fact, count against Him.
There was no other way than for each side to present its evidence, produce
its witnesses, and rest its case on the weight of testimony adduced. The picture, then, is that of a court
scene. God’s government is at stake. Satan is the accuser; God Himself is the
accused and is on trial. He has been charged with injustice, with requiring
His creatures to do that which they cannot do, and yet punishing them for not
doing it. The law is the specific point of attack, but the law being merely a
transcript of God’s character, it is God and His character that are the
points at issue. In order for God to sustain His contention,
it is necessary for Him to show that He has not been arbitrary, that the law
is not harsh and cruel in its requirements, but contrariwise, that it is
holy, just, and good, and that men can keep it. It is necessary for God to
produce at least one man who has
kept the law. In the absence of such a man, God loses and Satan wins. The
outcome therefore hinges on the production of one or more who keep the
commandments of God. On this God has staked His government. While it is true that many from time to
time have dedicated their lives to God and lived without sin for periods of
time, Satan claims that these are special cases, as was Job’s case, and do
not come under the ordinary rules. He demands a clear-cut case where there
can be no doubt, and where God has not interfered. Can such an instance be
produced? The Last Generation God is ready for the challenge. He has
bided His time. The supreme exhibition has been reserved until the final
contest. Out of the last generation God will select His chosen ones. Not the
strong or the mighty, not the honored or the rich, not the wise or the
learned, but common, ordinary people will God take, and through and by them
make His demonstration. Satan has claimed that those who in the past have
served God have done so from mercenary motives, that God has pampered them,
and that he, Satan, has not had free access to them. If he were given full
permission to press his case, they also would be won over. But he charges
that God is afraid to let him do this. “Give me a fair chance,” Satan says,
“and I will win out.” And so, to silence forever Satan’s charges;
to make it evident that His people are serving Him from motives of loyalty
and right without reference to reward; so clear His own name and character of
the charges of injustice and arbitrariness; and to show to angels and men
that His law can be kept by the weakest of men under the most discouraging
and most untoward circumstances, God permits Satan in the last generation to
try His people to the utmost. They will be threatened, tortured, persecuted.
They will stand face to face with death in the issuance of the decree to
worship the beast and his image. (Rev. 13:15).[2]
But they will not yield. They are willing to die rather than to sin. God removes His Spirit from the earth.
Satan will have a greater measure of control than he has ever had before.
True, he may not kill God’s people [the 144,000—because there will be many
martyrs says Ellen White], but that seems to be the only limitation. And he
uses every permission he has. He knows what is at stake. It is now or never. God, to make the demonstration complete, does
one more thing. He hides Himself. The sanctuary in heaven is closed. The
saints cry to God day and night for deliverance, but He appears not to hear.
God’s chosen ones are passing through But though Christ has finished His
intercession, the saints are still the object of God’s love and care. Holy
angels watch over them. God provides them shelter from their enemies; He
provides them with food, shields them from destruction, and supplies grace
and power for holy living. (See Psalms 91). Yet they are still in the world,
still tempted, afflicted, tormented. [The faithful among the martyrs will be
saved. It is the 144,000 only who are translated without seeing death]. Will they stand the test? To human eyes it
seems impossible. If only God would come to their rescue, all would be well.
They are determined to resist the evil one. If need be they will die, but
they will not sin. Satan has no power—and never has had—to make any man sin.
He can tempt, he can seduce, he can threaten; but he cannot compel. And now
God demonstrates through the weakest of the weak that there is no excuse, and
never has been any, for sinning. If men in the last generation can
successfully repel Satan’s attack; if they can do this with all the odds
against them and the sanctuary closed, what excuse is there for men’s ever
sinning? The 144,000 In the last generation God gives the final
demonstration that men can keep the law of God and that they can live without
sinning. God leaves nothing undone to make the demonstration complete. The
only limitation put upon Satan is that he may not kill the saints of God. He
may tempt them, he may harass and threaten them; and he does his best. But he
fails. He cannot make them sin. They stand the test, and God puts His seal
upon them. Through the last generation of saints God
stands finally vindicated. Through them He defeats Satan and wins His case.
They form a vital part of the plan of God. They go through terrific
struggles; they battle with unseen powers in high places. But they have put
their trust in the Most High, and they will not be ashamed. They have
suffered hunger and thirst, but now “they shall hunger no more, neither
thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the
Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them
unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes.” Rev. 7:16, 17. They “follow the Lamb whithersoever He
goeth.” Rev. 14:4. When at last the doors of the temple shall swing open, a
voice will sound forth: “Only the 144,000 enter this place.” –Early Writings, p. 19. By faith they
have followed the Lamb here. They have gone with Him into the holy place;
they have followed Him into the most holy. And in the hereafter only those
who have thus followed Him here will follow Him there. They will be kings and
priests. They will follow Him into the most holy, where only the High Priest
can ever enter. They will stand in the unveiled presence of God. They shall
follow Him “whithersoever He goeth.” They will not only be “before the throne
of God” and “serve Him day and night in His temple,” but they will sit with him in His throne, even as He
also overcame, and is set down with His Father in His throne. (Rev. 7:15;
3:21). The matter of greatest importance in the
universe is not the salvation of men, important as that may seem. The most
important thing is the clearing of God’s name from the false accusations made
by Satan. The controversy is drawing to a close. God is preparing His people
for the last great conflict. Satan is also getting ready. The issue is before
us and will be decided in the lives of God’[s people. God is depending upon
us as He did upon Job. Is His confidence well placed? It is a wonderful privilege vouchsafed this
people to help clear God’s name by our testimony. It is wonderful that we are
permitted to testify for Him. It must never be forgotten, however, that this
testimony is a testimony of life, not merely of words. “In Him was life; and
the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. “The life was the light.” It was so
with Christ, it must also be so with us. Our life should be a light, as His
life was. To give people the light is more than to hand them a tract. Our life is the light. As we live, we give light to others, Without
life, without our living the light, our words abide alone. But as our life
becomes light, our words become effective. It is our life that must testify
for God. May the All
this is closely connected with the work of the Day of Atonement. On that day the people of We are now living in the great antitypical
day of the cleansing of the sanctuary. Every sin must be confessed and by
faith be sent beforehand to judgment. As the high priest enters into the most
holy, so God’s people now are to stand face to face with God. They must know
that every sin is confessed, that no stain of evil remains. The cleansing of
the sanctuary in heaven is dependent upon the cleansing of God’s people on
earth. How important, then, that God’s people be holy and without blame! In
them every sin must be burned out, so that they will be able to stand in the
sight of a holy God and live with the devouring fire. “Hear, ye that are far
off, when I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge My might. The
sinners in Note by Ron: A knowledge of the Sanctuary
Service is crucial to avoiding the errors of the last days. M.L. Andreasen’s
book: The Sanctuary Service, is still available from the following source.
Ellen White intimated that only those who understand the Sanctuary Service
will be saved. http://www.reviewandherald.com/newproducts/product.pl?type=cat&cat=BSTY Ellen White says the same thing you have
just read by Andreasen. To reject him is to reject her, the gift of the Holy
Spirit to the church. To reject that gift is to reject Christ and be found in
an antichrist position at the end-time. May the Holy Spirit burn these lessons on
your minds is my prayer, Ron |
[1] Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[2] Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image
of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as
many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.