The Annual SDA Global Rain Campaign
Praying for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Upon the
Church
“Before the final visitation of God's
judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has
not been witnessed since apostolic times.” The Great Controversy, p. 464.
23 Again the word of the Lord
came to me: 24 “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been
cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’ Ezekiel 22:23, 24.
A BACKSLIDING CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God
did nor forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they departed from him, and SEPARATED
THEMSELVES from his love. As they REFUSED TO COMPLY
WITH THE CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them."
E.G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, pp.
199-200 [The 1884 edition of The Great Controversy, 199, 200].
----- Original Message -----
From: carmforum
To: AdventistHotIssues@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 11:58 AM
Subject: [AdventistHotIssues] Global Rain
on January 9-19, 2013.
That
is very very very
interesting......very strange indeed...
http://vimeo.com/55052894
GJ
Ron responds:
Every year,
members of the SDA General Conference Ministerial Association, conduct what
they refer to as the Global Rain annual appeal for a ten day prayer session
supplicating the Lord for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church.
Some true reformers believe this appeal for the Holy Spirit is
very strange in light of God’s Word and the Spirit of Prophecy. I have to agree
and I will explain why. I will employ both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy
in my response.
I'm going to give the full context of the
Ellen White quote on a primitive revival lest anyone should misunderstand her
meaning concerning a great revival that is to come. I would like to point out
some important facts:
1.
In proper context, Ellen White is speaking primarily of the
popular churches.
2.
She is speaking of a primitive revival that is to come upon
INDIVIDUALS in all churches.
3.
God's Word says that the Holy Spirit will not be poured out on
the SDA Church at the end-time Day of Indignation, and it gives the reasons why
in Ezekiel 22.
4.
Too often, the statement is given in its “short out of context
version,” to wit: http://www.diggingfortruth.org/article/787/prophecy/spirit-of-prophecy-section/selected-quotations-egw-1600/phrase-revival-separate-page/revival-of-primitive-godliness?id=787
5.
The Ellen G. White prophesied statement that the professing SDA church
will NOT go through and the reasons why. (Stated at the end of this document).
6.
The full context of Ellen White’s statements on a revival of
primitive Godliness includes some individuals in ALL CHURCHES, not just
the SDA church, and it consists of a call to come out of “from those churches in
which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word,” and those that have refused to comply
with God’s conditions.
7.
The Global Rain 10 days of prayer
campaign which began a few years ago, has never been honored by God on a
corporate church level, and it never will be according to His Word and the
Spirit of Prophecy.
The Ellen White
Statement That is Misrepresented by Most Seventh-day
Adventists
“Before the final visitation of God's
judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has
not been witnessed since apostolic times.” The Great Controversy, p. 464.
Here is the full context of the above
statement:
"Wherever the word of God has been
faithfully preached, results have followed that attested its divine origin. The
Spirit of God accompanied the message of His servants, and the word was with
power. Sinners felt their consciences quickened. The "light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world"
illumined the secret chambers of their souls, and the hidden things of darkness
were made manifest. Deep conviction took hold upon their minds and hearts. They
were convinced of sin and of righteousness and of judgment to come. They had a
sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and felt the terror of appearing, in
their guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. In anguish they
cried out: "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" As the
cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was
revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone
for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and
humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of
Jesus they had "remission of sins that are past."
These souls brought forth fruit meet for
repentance. They believed and were baptized, and rose to walk in newness of
life--new creatures in Christ Jesus; not to fashion themselves according to the
former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of
462
God to follow
in His steps, to reflect His character, and to purify themselves even as He is
pure. The things they once hated they now loved, and the things they
once loved they hated. The proud and self-assertive became meek and lowly of
heart. The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. The profane
became reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate pure. The vain fashions
of the world were laid aside. Christians sought not the "outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but
. . . the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price." 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
Revivals brought deep heart-searching and
humility. They were characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by
yearning compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women
prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits of such
revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial and sacrifice, but
rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer reproach and trial for the
sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation in the lives of those who had
professed the name of Jesus. The community was benefited by their influence.
They gathered with Christ, and sowed to the Spirit, to reap life everlasting.
It could be said of them: "Ye sorrowed to
repentance." "For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what
clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what
vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have
approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.
This is the result of the work of the Spirit
of God. There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation.
463
If he restore the pledge, give again that he
had robbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may
be sure that he has found peace with God. Such were the effects that in former
years followed seasons of religious awakening. Judged by their fruits, they
were known to be blessed of God in the salvation of men and the uplifting of
humanity.
But many of the revivals of modern times have
presented a marked contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in
earlier days followed the labors of God's servants. It is true that a
widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large
accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant
the belief that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life.
The light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the darkness more dense than before.
Popular revivals are too often carried by
appeals to the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love
for what is new and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to
listen to Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and
apostles. Unless a religious service has something of a sensational character,
it has no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason
awakens no response. The plain warnings of God's word, relating directly to
their eternal interests, are unheeded.
With every truly converted soul the relation
to God and to eternal things will be the great topic of life. But where, in
the popular churches of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The
converts do not renounce their pride and love of the world. They are no more
willing to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly
Jesus, than before their conversion. Religion has become the sport of infidels
and skeptics because so many who bear its name are ignorant of its principles.
The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from many of the churches.
Picnics, church theatricals,
464
church fairs, fine
houses, personal display, have banished thoughts of God. Lands and goods and
worldly occupations engross the mind, and things of eternal interest receive
hardly a passing notice.
Notwithstanding the widespread declension of
faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches.
Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be
among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not
been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be
poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from
those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and
His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those
great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a
people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this
work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to
prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring
under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is
poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious
interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when
the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to
extend his influence over the Christian world.
In many of the revivals which have occurred
during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a
greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements
of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with
the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none
need be deceived. In the light of God's word it is not difficult to determine
the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible,
turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial
and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God's blessing is not
bestowed.
465
And by the rule which Christ Himself has
given, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16), it is
evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.
In the truths of His word, God has given to
men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield
against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has
opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the
religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to
a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the character, the
perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation
to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of
piety in the church. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit
and power of God in the revivals of our time.
There are, in the various denominations, men
eminent for their piety, by whom this fact is
acknowledged and deplored. Professor Edwards A. Park, in setting forth the
current religious perils, ably says: "One source of danger is the neglect
of the pulpit to enforce the divine law. In former days the pulpit was an echo
of the voice of conscience. . . . Our most illustrious preachers gave a
wonderful majesty to their discourses by following the example of the Master,
and giving prominence to the law, its precepts, and its threatenings.
They repeated the two great maxims, that the law is a transcript of the divine
perfections, and that a man who does not love the law does not love the gospel;
for the law, as well as the gospel, is a mirror reflecting the true character
of God. This peril leads to another, that of underrating the evil of sin, the
extent of it, the demerit of it. In proportion to the rightfulness of the
commandment is the wrongfulness of disobeying it. . . .
"Affiliated to the dangers already named
is the danger of underestimating the justice of God. The tendency of the modern
pulpit is to strain out the divine justice from the divine benevolence, to sink
benevolence into a sentiment rather
466
than exalt it into
a principle. The new theological prism puts asunder what God has joined
together. Is the divine law a good or an evil? It is a good. Then justice is
good; for it is a disposition to execute the law. From the habit of underrating
the divine law and justice, the extent and demerit of human disobedience, men
easily slide into the habit of underestimating the grace which has provided an atonement for sin." Thus the gospel loses its value
and importance in the minds of men, and soon they are ready practically to cast
aside the Bible itself.
Many religious teachers assert that Christ by
His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements.
There are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the
bondage of the law they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the gospel.
But not so did prophets and apostles regard
the holy law of God. Said David: "I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy
precepts." Psalm 119:45. The apostle James, who wrote after the death of
Christ, refers to the Decalogue as "the royal law" and "the
perfect law of liberty." James 2:8; 1:25. And the revelator, half a
century after the crucifixion, pronounces a blessing upon them "that do
His commandments, that they may have right to the tree
of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation
22:14.
The claim that Christ by His death abolished
His Father's law is without foundation. Had it been possible for the law to be
changed or set aside, then Christ need not have died to save man from the
penalty of sin. The death of Christ, so far from abolishing the law, proves
that it is immutable. The Son of God came to "magnify the law, and make it
honorable." Isaiah 42:21. He said: "Think not that I am come to destroy
the law;" "till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law." Matthew 5:17, 18. And concerning Himself He
declares: "I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psalm 40:8.” The Great Controversy, pp. 461-466.
How
Does the Organized Professing SDA Church Get the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
in Light of the Following Prophesy by Ellen G. White?
How valid is it for the corporate church to
expect the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when its prophetess Ellen G. White,
prophesied in a prolepsis statement that the church would refuse the conditions
so that God’s promises will not be fulfilled to that church?
Here is the Spirit of Prophecy prophesied prolepsis
statement regarding the final fate of that once Noble Ship. This is a major
LYNCHPIN to my warning message. I have asked Blasphemous Heckler to explain it
to me many times over a ten year period and NOT ONCE has he done so. Can you
explain it away? Are you a passenger on this once NOBLE SHIP, that is about to
sink to rise no more? NOTICE WHO SEPARATES FROM WHOM:
"Jesus sends HIS PEOPLE a message of warning
to prepare them for his coming. To the prophet John was made known the closing
work in the great plan of man's redemption. He beheld an angel flying 'in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that
dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him for the hour
of his Judgment is come and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and the fountains of waters [Rev. 14:6, 7.].
The angel represented in
prophecy as
delivering this message, symbolizes a class of faithful men, who, obedient to the promptings of
God's Spirit and the teachings of his word, proclaim this warning to the
inhabitants of earth. This message
was not to be committed to the religious leaders of the people. They
had failed to preserve their connection with God, and had REFUSED THE LIGHT
FROM HEAVEN therefore they WERE NOT of the number described by the apostle
Paul: 'But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day we
are not of the night nor of darkness' [1 Thess. 5:4,
5].
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to catch
the tidings of the Saviour's advent, the first to
lift their voices to proclaim him near, the first to
warn the people to prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of
peace and safety, while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw HIS
CHURCH, like the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet
destitute of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of
religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith--which alone
could render the service acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces
of the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism,
vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A
BACKSLIDING CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did
nor forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they departed from him, and SEPARATED
THEMSELVES from his love. As they REFUSED TO COMPLY
WITH THE CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them."
E.G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, pp.
199-200 [The 1884 edition of The Great Controversy, 199, 200].
Note these important delineations in
the above statement:
·
Ellen
White is addressing HIS PEOPLE.
·
Ellen
White is addressing those to whom was committed the EVERLASTING GOSPEL of
Revelation 14.
·
Ellen
White is defining the angel represented in prophecy AS DELIVERING THIS
MESSAGE--NOT MEN OF BABYLON WHO FAILED TO ACCEPT THAT MESSAGE AS THE 1911 EDITION
IMPLIES!
·
Ellen
White is implying that the third angel's message is delivered NOT BY THE
LEADERS OF THE SDA CHURCH, but by a class of faithful men because the leaders
had failed to preserve their connection with God and had refused light from
heaven!
·
Ellen
White is addressing "watchmen upon the walls of Zion," NOT FALLEN
BABYLON!
·
It is the MEMBERS of
said church that SEPARATE FROM GOD, AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO SEPARATE FROM
THEM OR BE CORPORATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR APOSTASY.
·
And
twice Ellen White mentions HIS CHURCH, NOT FALLEN BABYLON.
I believe that all members and non-members of
the church should pray for individuals in the church; that they will see the
apostasy that is preventing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church
as an organization. But it is foolhardy and a useless exercise for the General
Conference Ministerial Association to hold annual Global Rain campaigns for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church when God’s Word and the Spirit of
Prophecy say that won’t happen and precisely why it won’t occur!
17 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, the people of
Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead
left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. 19 Therefore
this is what the Sovereign Lord
says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20
As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be
melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and
put you inside the city and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I
will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22
As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and
you will know that I the Lord have
poured out my wrath on you.’”
23 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 24 “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been
cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’ 25 There is a conspiracy of her princes[b] within
her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures
and precious things and make many widows within her. 26 Her priests
do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish
between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between
the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my
Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her officials within
her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make
unjust gain. 28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false
visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what
the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken. 29 The
people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor
and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.
30 “I looked for someone among them who would
build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I
would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. 31 So I will pour
out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on
their own heads all they have done, declares the
Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 22:17-31.
All of the above is why some of us believe it
is STRANGE, VERY, VERY STRANGE, that the SDA General Conference Ministerial
Association holds an annual Global Rain ten days of prayer campaign for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church. Because of unpardonable sin
apostasy not unlike Jeremiah 11:9-15, and the 1980 adoption of Rome’s Trinity
Doctrine, that is as likely as the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the
Synagogue of Satan. But a false revival has and will continue in the form of
the Celebration Movement and other false revivals, and the very attempt to pray
for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church at large, in light of the
omega apostasy, is a false revival in and of itself.
You might disagree with me on this issue, but
I prophesy that you will NEVER SEE the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the
professing, organized, omega of apostasy new movement, new organization,
masquerading as the Seventh-day Adventist church. And of course I do this with
the full backing of God’s Word and the Spirit of Prophecy.
All blessings to those who do love God and
obey His conditions, and we will be praying for the rest,
—rwb