Is
Sighing and Crying for the Abominations Just Feeling Sad and Praying for Those Who Commit Them? Part II Click to go to our Home Page
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Dear Brother Ron,
I found the
follow statements from Testimonies that illustrate very well what means sigh
and cry. Thank you.
Blessings,
Signed (Name withheld)
24. The Seal of God
"He cried also in mine ears with a
loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city todraw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in
his hand." {5T 207.2}
And he called to the man clothed with
linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; and the Lordsaid
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. And to the others he said in
mine hearing, 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 207.3}
Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of
the heavenly 208 sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out
His wrath in judgments upon those who have not responded to the light God has
given them. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil." Instead of being softened by the patience and long forbearance that
the Lord has exercised toward them, those who fear not God and love not the
truth strengthen their hearts in their evil course. But there are limits even
to the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries. They have
overrun the limits of grace, and therefore God must interfere and vindicate His
own honour. {5T 207.4}
Of the Amorites the Lord said: "In the
fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquityof
the Amorites is not yet full." Although this nation was conspicuous
because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its
iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter destruction. The people
were to see the divine power manifested in a marked manner,
that they might be left without excuse. The compassionate Creator was
willing to bear with their iniquity until the fourth generation. Then, if no
change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them. {5T
208.1}
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One
still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is tendered with calls
to repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain
amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is
closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their
behalf. {5T 208.2}
The prophet, looking down the ages, had
this time presented before his vision. The nations of this age have been the
recipients of unprecedented mercies. The choicest of heaven's blessings have
been given them, but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God,
and base ingratitude are written 209 against them. They are fast closing
up their account with God. {5T 208.3}
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
labour 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 210 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, COUNSELLED, and entreated. Some who had
been dishonouring 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 honour and a love for souls will not
hold their peace to obtain favour 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 211
of God, which
prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph.
God is dishonoured, 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
212
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}
No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly
wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men from sacrificing
principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded
as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in
indifference and in the abuse of God's mercies. Their wicked course He will
tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without mercy. {5T
212.1}
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, favoured 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 213 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 marshalled by the dragon
host, make God their defence. 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 endeavour 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 armour; 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}
Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath
will be sealed. 214 There are many even among those who teach the truth
to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the
light of truth, they knew their Master's will, they understood every point of
our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar
with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith.
They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered
family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the
human heart. {5T 213.2}
By their lack of devotion and piety, and
their failure to reach a high religious standard, they make other souls
contented with their position. Men of finite judgment cannot see that in
patterning after these men who have so often opened to them the treasures of
God's word, they will surely endanger their souls. Jesus is the only true
pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before
God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the
Lord requires of him. However high any minister may have stood in the favour of
God, if he neglects to follow out the light given him of God, if he refuses to
be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic delusions and
will lead others in the same path. {5T 214.1}
Not one of us will ever receive the seal of
God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us
to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us
as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. {5T 214.2}
We are too easily satisfied with our
attainments. We feel rich and increased with goods and know not that we are
"wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Now is the
time to heed the admonition of the True Witness: "I counsel thee to buy of
Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be 215 clothed, and that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see." {5T 214.3}
In this life we must meet fiery trials and
make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward. There has been
so little self-denial, so little suffering for Christ's sake, that the cross is
almost entirely forgotten. We must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings
if we would sit down in triumph with Him on His throne. So long as we choose
the easy path of self-indulgence and are frightened at selfdenial,
our faith will never become firm, and we cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the
joy that comes through conscious victory. The most exalted of the redeemed host
that stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clad in white, know the
conflict of overcoming, for they have come up through great tribulation. Those
who have yielded to circumstances rather than engage in this conflict will not
know how to stand in that day when anguish will be upon every soul, when,
though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, they could save neither son nor
daughter, for everyone must deliver his soul by his own righteousness. {5T
215.1}
No one need say that his case is hopeless,
that he cannot live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is made by the
death of Christ for every soul. Jesus is our ever-present help in time of need.
Only call upon Him in faith, and He has promised to hear and answer your
petitions. {5T 215.2}
Oh, for a living, active faith! We need it;
we must have it, or we shall faint and fail in the day of trial. The darkness
that will then rest upon our path must not discourage us or drive us to
despair. It is the veil with which God covers His glory when He comes to impart
rich blessings. We should know this by our past experience. In that day when
God has a controversy with His people this experience will be a source of
comfort and hope. {5T 215.3}
It is now that we must keep ourselves and
our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes 216
of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that
we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we
must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. "Today if
ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." We are in a most trying
position, waiting, watching for our Lord's appearing. The world is in darkness.
"But ye, brethren," says Paul, "are not in darkness, that that
day should overtake you as a thief." It is ever God's purpose to bring
light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the
waiting, longing soul. {5T 215.4}
What are you doing, brethren, in the great
work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the
worldly mould and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are
distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their
souls by obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mould and preparing
for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the
stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.
{5T 216.1}
Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God
will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never
be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It
will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful
hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates
for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon
these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of
preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the
fearful solemnity of the present hour. {5T 216.2}
----- Original Message -----
From: Ron
Beaulieu
To: AdventistHotIssues@yahoogroups.com
Sent:
Tuesday, April 03, 2012 8:41 AM
Subject:
Re: [AdventistHotIssues] Re: SIGH AND CRY
Dear Brother,
Neither of us has exhausted all of the weight
of evidence on the question of sighing and crying. I did not propose to do so
in my short answer to you yesterday. Nor am I exhausting all the weight of
evidence in this response. There is more. All the instruction of Holy Writ is
part of our duty in sighing and crying for the church and the world.
I have cited every word of the Seal of God
chapter from Testimonies, Vol. 5, on
my Website. I have also quoted the parts you highlight many times. I was giving
you a quick response, but what I said is part of the weight evidence, and it coincides with, and runs parallel in principle to what
you quote. I could easily relate every word I gave you with your
quote. It is all certainly part of the evidence, as is Jeremiah
11:9-15. Ellen White said that we should take the Bible as our prime
evidence. So let's analyze all these evidences. There are other words
within the passage that should be highlighted and reflected upon such as the
parts I highlight in this color:
"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.
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 dishonouring 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 honour and a love
for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour 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 dishonoured,
the truth made of none effect.” {5T 210.3}
We see that sighing and crying involves:
·
NOT sitting in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin,
comforting themselves with the belief that God will
shelter His people in the day of visitation.
·
Holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, COUNSELLED, and
entreated.
·
Soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and
weeping, reproofs and warnings.
·
Not holding their peace to obtain favour of any.
·
Those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept
themselves unspotted from the world.
·
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.
·
Those who are in the right earnestly pray
for those in the church who have not knowingly violated the Midnight Cry and
Second angel's message. We know this from other sources--Word to the Little
Flock, p. 14, for it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to get back on the pathway to
heaven.
·
They should realize that it is their duty to labour 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.
·
The glory of the Lord had departed from Israel.
Note: The time
when the danger and depression of the church are greatest is at the time of the
National Sunday Law and on. At that time, the statement says that a
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 it MEMBERS are doing after the manner of
the world. The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. We
must discern for ALL THE WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE interpreted so that nothing
contradicts—that:
1.
The MEMBERS of the church
are doing after the manner of the world.
2. If the little company were MEMBERS of the
church, they also would be doing after the manner of the world, because that is
what the MEMBERS of the church are described as doing.
3. It does no good whatsoever to pray for a
church from which "the glory of the Lord had departed and His power and
presence were lacking."
4. By praying for
the church, Ellen White must mean those who have not knowingly participated in
the unpardonable aspects of the apostasy. We know this from other parts of the
weight of evidence that are not part of this statement, such as Jeremiah
11:9-15. And we are told to consider all the weight of evidence in our
interpretations. That is exactly what I am doing. It will do no good to pray
for a church that is doing after the manner of the world at that time. But it
will do good to pray for recent converts to the church who have not heard the
truth concerning the church's apostasy.
·
We earnestly pray for those who have not KNOWINGLY
conspired/confederated with God's enemies, Isaiah 8:9-12, and Jeremiah 11:9-15.
If someone wants to pray for a church that has conspired with God’s enemies, in
contravention to God’s counsel in Jeremiah 11:9-15, that is his/her
prerogative, but I would say it will have no effect because God says He will
not hear such a prayer, so I believe such prayer would be in vain. I believe
God in Jer. 11. But we should pray for individuals in that church who have not
rejected light on the apostasy and who have not willfully, knowingly violated
the Midnight Cry and the second angel’s message, and there will be such
converts to the church right up to the time of the Sunday Law and thereafter.
·
We can’t ignore the weight of evidence in Jeremiah 11:9-15, for
that would be violating the instruction of the Holy Spirit.
·
Some who had been dishonouring 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. This is an extremely important point to
show that we are not to pray for the church for the glory of the Lord had (past
tense) departed from Israel. So when Ellen White mentions praying for the
church, she must mean individual members of the church who have not rejected
the truth about the state of the church, and who will repent, humble their
hearts and separate from corrupt apostasy, for she says elsewhere that it is
impossible to unite with the corrupt and become/remain pure.
·
Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly
mould and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of
self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by
obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mould and preparing for the
seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is
impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. {5T
216.1}
·
Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed
upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the
forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed
upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who
receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven...
If someone wants to pray for a church that has
conspired with God’s enemies, in contravention to God’s counsel in Jeremiah
11:9-15, that is his/her prerogative, but I would say it will have no effect
because God says He will not hear such a prayer, so I believe such prayer would
be in vain. I believe God in Jer. 11. But we should pray for individuals in
that church who have not rejected light on the apostasy and who have not
willfully, knowingly violated the Midnight Cry and the second angel’s message,
and there will be such converts to the church right up to the time of the
Sunday Law and thereafter.
We must REPROVE, COUNSEL, and ENTREAT. But no
matter what we do or how we do it, some will criticize and condemn us. Jesus
reproved, counselled and entreated in all the right
manner, but they hung Him on a cross. Sometimes, we fall short of His
example. But that should not discourage us. We are to press on ever learning
from our mistakes.
All blessings,
Ron