E.G. White Stated Reasons Why God Says Not to
Pray for the SDA Church at the End-time
The following statement by Ellen G. White is
so very important. Why? Because it states the very reasons why we are not
supposed to pray for the SDA church as the end-time. It is not a stretch of the
truth to conclude that if we are not to pray for the church for the following
reasons, those reasons imply that the church will continue in apostasy and that
the following apostasies constitute unpardonable sin. If God told Jeremiah not
to pray for YOU anymore because of a specified sin, would you consider that sin
as being unpardonable?
In Jeremiah Chapters 7 and 11, God told
Jeremiah not to pray for His once chosen remnant people any longer. Being
omniscient, that far back in history, God knew what His first once “chosen
remnant” would do in response to the 490 years of Daniel’s vision (Daniel 9)
that God allotted them to put away sin. That 490 years closed in A.D. 34, yet
God is instructing Jeremiah centuries before, not to even pray for His people.
That is serious business! The Lord called Jeremiah to prophetic ministry in c.
626 BC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah
Would you think it wise to closely examine the
reasons why God told us through the apostles why the end-time counterpart once “chosen
remnant” should not be even prayed for? Would you think those reasons would be
a fair guide to what God considers unpardonable sin or God’s lines in the sand?
Many SDA’s have the cherished mistaken notion
that as long as he/she passes the Sabbath test at the end-time, and refrains
from taking the mark of the beast, Sunday sacredness, he/she will be saved and
remain within the grace of God. But did God give clear and express “other ways”
that SDA’s can be lost by falling from God’s grace?
Ellen G. White quoted the apostles’ stated
reasons as to why we are not to pray for new movement SDA’s at the end-time. If
you have any doubt that the following statement applies to God’s once “chosen
remnant” SDA’s at the end-time, consider that the only people who qualify as
being the counterpart parallel to the Jews, are Adventists, because both claim
to be the “chosen remnant” of God. So we are going to carefully study the
reasons why God says not to pray for the professing, omega of apostasy, new
movement Adventists at the end-time.
First, let us decipher where the apostles say
that the sins cited in the following statement are repeated in the last days.
And because this issue is so serious as to involve God’s definitions of unpardonable
sin to us His “chosen remnant,” we are going to investigate the connection of
this statement, the context of this statement, to the entire article from which
it is quoted, so that the accusers of the true brethren cannot accuse us of
wresting the statement from its immediate contextual meaning.
COUNTERPART: "The Lord commanded one of
his ancient servants, 'Pray not thou for this people [Jer. 7:16 and 11:9-15],
neither lift up cry nor prayer for them neither make intercession to me for I
will not hear thee.' The prophet thus
describes the sins which had called forth this fearful denunciation: 'The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule
by their means and my people love to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof?' 'From the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every
one is given to covetousness and from the prophet even unto the priest, every
one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.' The apostles declare
that this state of things will find its COUNTERPART in the last days. Many have a form of godliness, but in their
daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their
sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, 'The church is
flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her borders.' The words of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers,
'They have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their
abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears
upon them."
E. G. White, Second Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, 11-07-82.
Here are reasons given in the above statement
as to why God says not to pray for the apostate SDA church at the end-time.
Thus, these reasons are ways and means by which SDA’s commit unpardonable sin
in addition to taking the mark at the end-time:
1.
The prophets (leaders)
prophesy falsely.
2.
The priests (leaders)
bear rule by their means (rule or ruin) allowing nothing to stand in the way of
the new movement apostasy (1SM 204-205).
3.
The people love it so.
They love the apostasy.
4.
' 'From the least of
them even unto the greatest of them, every one is
given to covetousness and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one
dealeth falsely.
5.
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter
of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.' The
dumb-dog watchmen will NEVER AGAIN show the House of Jacob its sins 5T 211.
6.
Many have a form of
godliness, but in their daily life deny the power thereof.
7.
They have ceased to be
convicted of their sins or alarmed at their state.
8.
They say in their
hearts, 'The church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within
her borders.'
9.
The words of the
prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers, 'They have chosen their own
ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their
delusions, and will bring their fears upon them."
Some will protest that Ellen White said in
another statement that a small company standing in the light who are not
members of the church will be praying for the MEMBERS who are doing after the
manner of the world, to wit:
"The leaven if 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." Testimonies, vol. 5, 209, 210.
The time when the danger and depression of the
church is greatest is when the National Sunday law is enforced. So at that
serious time, the church will be doing after the manner of the world. So why
would we pray for the church at that time when Ellen White said in another
statement that we should not pray for the church? I asked the Lord for an
answer to this apparent contradiction and He showed me that what Ellen White
meant was this: The apostate new movement SDA church will still be
proselytizing members at the time when the danger and depression is greatest,
and it is for those new converts that we should pray for they may not have
heard of the apostasy of the SDA once church militant yet. We should pray for
that they will accept the Loud Cry of the bride, the SDA church triumphant.
Here is the full article—the full context of
the above statement:
November 7, 1882
Christian Character
By Mrs. E. G. White.
The
word of God not only sets forth the great principles of truth and duty which should govern our lives, but it presents also,
for our encouragement, the history of many who have exemplified these
principles. Men "subject to like passions as we are," have fought
with temptation, and conquered in the strength of an Almighty Helper. Under difficulties
greater than we are called to meet, men have been true to duty and to God. {RH, November 7, 1882
par. 1}
Except the one perfect Pattern, there is not described in the sacred
pages a single character more worthy of emulation than that of the prophet Daniel. Exposed in youth to
all the allurements of a royal court, he became a man of unbending integrity
and fervent devotion to God. He was subjected to the fierce temptations of
Satan, yet his character was
not vacillating, nor his course changeable. He was firm where many would be yielding; he
was true where they would be false; he was strong where they would be weak.
Daniel was a lofty cedar of Lebanon. The angel of the Lord addressed this
faithful prophet, "O man greatly beloved, thy prayer is heard." Would
that the faith, integrity, and devotion of the prophet Daniel might live in the
hearts of God's people of today. Never were these noble qualities more needed
in the world than now. Never was there greater need of men who will stand firmly and
fearlessly for God and the right. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 2}
In
the records of those who have done and suffered for the name of Jesus, there is
no name that shines with a brighter or purer luster than the name of Paul, the apostle to
the Gentiles. The love of Jesus,
glowing in his heart, made him self-forgetful, self-denying. He had seen the risen
Christ, and the Saviour's image was impressed upon his soul, and shone forth in
his life. With faith, courage, and fortitude, that would not be daunted by
danger or stayed by obstacles, he pressed his way from land to land to spread
the knowledge of the cross. When summoned to stand before the judgment-seat of
Nero, and forsaken by his brethren, he was at first thought almost dismayed.
Then he gathered courage, as he looked upward to the Source of strength. Though
human help forsook him, he declares, "The Lord stood by me, and
strengthened me." He placed his hand in the hand of Jesus, and fearlessly went
forward to a martyr's death. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 3}
Such noble characters
have been; such noble characters will be. None can hide them; none need
misinterpret them. They are living epistles, known and read of all men, By the
beauty of true goodness shining forth in the life of these chosen men, others
were charmed, and were filled with a desire to imitate them. All who seek to reach
the Bible standard will stimulate others also to press forward to higher
attainments. One whom God is teaching will animate others by his ardent, active
efforts for the honor of Christ, and his undying love for souls. In another, a
Christ-like meekness and gentleness of spirit will be most apparent. Another
will influence many by his fervent charity, his brotherly kindness and
Christian courtesy. Still another will manifest such humility and brokenness of
heart as will lead the proud and stubborn to self-abasement. {RH, November 7,
1882 par. 4}
Are
the professed followers of Christ thus exemplifying the principles of their
faith? Where are the deep, living, holy experiences which men of God were wont
to recount? Has the standard of
Christianity been lowered to suit the present backslidden condition of God's
professed people? No; that standard remains just where God placed it. Holy men
of ages past were required to give up all for Christ, to cherish his spirit,
and to imitate his example. Nothing less than this will he accept now: {RH, November 7, 1882
par. 5}
The
Christian will begin and end the day with God. His speech will not be frivolous
or aimless. He does not indulge in idle jesting or malicious gossip. The peace
of God rules in his heart. The power of divine grace strengthens every noble
purpose, softens every harsh trait. In his life and character is seen that
firm, undaunted principle with which worldliness dares not tamper. Such men are
recognized by the world as followers of Christ. They have learned of him. The
Sun of Righteousness shines into the heart, and lights up the countenance.
Every faculty is strengthened, developed, by the influence of divine grace.
Such Christians have an experience that is of some value. {RH, November 7, 1882
par. 6}
It is the absence of personal religion, of
a daily, living experience in the things of God, that creates such coldness and
stupor in the church. We have enjoyed great light and many privileges. Shall we turn
away from all these blessings, and sacrifice the peculiar, holy character which
should distinguish us as children of God? If we thus slight the mercy of God,
the judgments denounced against Capernaum will surely fall upon us. Our punishment will be
heavier than if we had not enjoyed so great light. Thus the warnings, reproofs,
and counsels, which, accepted and obeyed, would bring us untold blessings,
become a curse when they are rejected. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 7}
The
Lord commanded one of his ancient servants, "Pray not thou for this
people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; neither make intercession to
me; for I will not hear thee." The prophet thus describes the sins which
had called forth this fearful denunciation: "The prophets prophesy
falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have
it so; and what will ye do in the end thereof?" "From the least of
them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness; and
from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have
healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace,
peace, when there is no peace." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 8}
The
apostles declare that this state of things will find its counterpart in the
last days. Many have a form of godliness, but in their daily life deny the
power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their sins or alarmed at
their state. They say in their hearts, "The church is flourishing. Peace
and spiritual prosperity are within her borders." The words of the prophet
may well apply to these self-deceivers, "They have chosen their own ways,
and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their
delusions, and will bring their fears upon them." {RH, November 7, 1882
par. 9}
The carnal mind is enmity against God. Not one of us can love
and keep his commandments, only as we deny self, and take upon ourselves the
yoke of Christ. Divine truth has never been in harmony with the traditions and
customs of the world; it has never conformed to their opinions. Christ himself
received not honor from men. He
was meek and lowly of heart, and made himself of no reputation. His simple
dress and unpretending manners were in so marked contrast to the pomposity,
self-conceit, and vain display of the Pharisees, that they would not accept
him. All witnessed the manifestation of divine power, but few saw in Christ,
amid his sufferings and humiliation, the Saviour of the world. {RH, November 7, 1882
par. 10}
At the present day a
form of godliness is popular, even in the world. A profession of Christianity costs little.
But those who follow Jesus must walk in the same path of self-denial and
cross-bearing which the Master trod. They may be lightly esteemed by the world,
but they are honored of God. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 11}
No stronger delusion can possess the human
mind than that which makes men believe they are on the right foundation, and
that God accepts their works, when they are sinning against him. When placed in the
furnace fire to be tried by the great Refiner, much that has been esteemed fine
gold will be consumed as dross. Can Christ say of his professed followers, These are
my peculiar people; I gave myself for them, to redeem them from all iniquity,
that they should show forth my praise, who have called them out of darkness
into my marvelous light. Would
not the Lord say, rather, How is the beautiful city become a harlot, and my
Father's house a place of merchandise. Because of your unbelief, I cannot do
many mighty works among you. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 12}
We are not to call sin
righteousness, or righteousness sin. While we should ever manifest pity and compassion for the
erring, we should be governed by sanctified judgment and the fear of God. In their undue
sympathy for the sinner, many are learning to palliate sin. The most hardened
criminals in our land find a host of sympathizers. Special attention is shown
them, simply because their crimes have brought them into disrepute, and exposed
them to the penalty of the law. It is considered a virtue to throw the mantle
of charity over sins that are misleading and corrupting thousands. {RH,
November 7, 1882 par. 13}
The same spirit is
coming into the church. However guilty a wrong-doer may be, however lamentable
the results of his course, he will find sympathizers. When he is reproved,
there are unconsecrated ones who stand ready to sustain him. By their unwise
sympathy, they lead him to look upon
himself as abused, and thus they effectually bar his way to repentance and
reform. {RH, November 7, 1882
par. 14}
The
approval of men--even of professed Christians--is no evidence of the favor of
God. The Christian experience of thousands is
gauged by the standard of those who profess to love the truth and to be
servants of Christ, but who serve Satan. In their blindness and self-complacency, many
are saying, " I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of
nothing," when Christ declares that they are poor and miserable, blind and
naked. To such he addresses the solemn admonition, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried
in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 15}
Every one who shall at last enter the kingdom of God will be tested. It will be manifest whether we desire to know and do the will of
God, or merely to please ourselves. When called to give up all for Christ, who
will stand the test? Many have been guided by their own understanding, and have
indulged the desires of their own heart. The treasures of divine grace and love
do not overbalance the inducements and attractions of the world. They choose
self-gratification rather than Christ and his grace at the price of self-denial
and self-consecration. {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 16}
The
cause of God today calls for men,--men in understanding and Christian
experience,--men who are true to God and to the interests of his work. My
brethren and sisters in the truth, I know the dangers which surround you. Search the Scriptures, examine your own hearts, meditate, pray,
till you realize, by vivid conviction, your true state, till you see the peril
which threatens you. Never rest till you know beyond all controversy that you
have been transformed by the spirit of Christ; till you have clear evidence
that you have been born again. Never rest till you know that Christ abideth in
you. It will be vain for you to hope to meet the approval of God, until you
come up to the Bible standard. E.G. White, {RH, November 7, 1882 par. 17}
It was Paul, the apostle, primarily, along
with the prophets of old who prophesied the condition of God’s chosen people at
the end time. Many are saying that much of what applied to the Jews of old in
the Bible, does not apply to us today. Therein they make a great mistake. God
says the Bible containing the history of His first “chosen remnant” people was
given as an ensample (as example) to us so that we would not make the same
mistakes.
God says that the words of the Bible to the Jews is an example for us so
we won't do the same things. But Ellen White says we have done exactly the same
things. You totally contradict the following statements. And I will tell you a
little know fact. The reason the youth are bored with the Bible and are leaving
the church is because they think just like you--that it is all ancient history
and does not apply to them today. When the Bible is updated to NOW, as it
should be, then it becomes exciting and we can see how it applies DIRECTLY
today, because we have made the same mistakes as the Jews did. Dumb Gentiles
have proven that they are no more fidel than smart Jews!
"The Bible for Our Time.--Never are we absent from the mind
of God. God is our joy and our salvation. Each of the ancient prophets spoke
less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force
for us. 'Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come' (1 Cor.
10:11). 'Not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which
are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with
the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look
into' (1 Peter 1:12).'" E.G. White, Selected
Messages, Bk. 3, p. 338.
Prophets
Wrote for Their Own and Our Day.—“The last books of the Old Testament
show us workers taken from the laborers in the field. Others were men of high
ability and extensive learning, but the Lord gave them visions and messages.
These men of the Old Testament spoke of things transpiring in their day, and
Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel not only spoke of things that concerned them as
present truth, but their sights reached down to the future, and to what should
occur in these last days.”--Letter 132, 1898. {3SM 419.5, 420}
Exactly like the Jews
--Just like the Jews
Like Jews – Just like the Jews -- There are over 100 statements to the
affect that SDA’s are repeating the history of ancient Israel. Here are just a
few of them:
“The same disobedience and failure which were seen in the Jewish church
have characterized in a greater
degree the people who have had this great light from heaven in the last
messages of warning.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 456.
History repeats itself. “The thing that has been, it is that which
shall be: and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no
new thing under the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9). In other words, “The important movements of the present have their parallel in those
of the past.” (GC 343).
That the Advent Movement is an important movement of the present no one
can deny and it has its parallel in the history of Ancient Israel: “The remnant
church is called to go through an experience similar to that of the Jews.” (1
SM, 387). Not one of us can afford to ignore the following warning:
“The trials of the
children of Israel, and their attitude just before the first coming of Christ,
have been presented before me, again and again, to ILLUSTRATE the position of
the people of God in their experience before the second coming of Christ—how the enemy sought
every occasion to take control of the minds of the Jews, and today her is
seeking to blind the minds of God’s servants, that they may not be able to
discern the Precious Truth.” (1 SM, 406; 2 Cor 4:4). The “precious truth”
mentioned here is the light sent to the Seventh-day Adventists in 1888.
"I have been shown that the spirit of the world is fast leavening
the church. You are following the
same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling away from your holy
calling as God's peculiar people. You are having fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers have provoked he
Lord's displeasure. You know not the things that belong to your peace, and they
are fast being hid from your eyes. [The very words applied to fallen Israel on
page 17 of The Great Controversy] Your neglect to follow the light will
place you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ
pronounced a woe." Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 75-76.
"Like ancient Israel, the church has dishonored her God by
departing from the light, neglecting her duties, and abusing her high and
exalted privilege of being peculiar and holy in character. Her members have
violated their covenant to live for God and him only. They have joined with the
selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been
cherished, and CHRIST HAS DEPARTED. His Spirit has been quenched in the church.
Satan works side by side with professed Christians yet they are so destitute of
spiritual discernment that they do not detect him." E.G. White, Testimonies,
Vol. 2, pp. 441-442.
"Among the professed followers of Christ, there is the same pride,
formalism, vainglory, selfishness, and Worse than Babylon OPPRESSION, that
existed in the Jewish nation." E.G. White, Sketches from the
Life of Paul, 251-252.
Worse than Babylon -- "God's professed people are selfish and
self-caring....They are idolaters, and are worse, in the sight of God, than the
heathen, graven-image worshippers who have had no knowledge of a better way."
Testimonies, Vol. 2, 440-442.
We are worse than the Jews because we had their EXAMPLE. We are worse
than Babylon, because we knew the truth and violated it anyway! I would really
and truly tremble to be in your shoes considering all the truth you have
mocked, derided and rejected for 10 years now.
Paul’s Predictions
About the Falling Away Mystery of Iniquity and Apostasy at the End Time
1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be
troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the
day of Christ is at hand.
3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be
revealed, the son of perdition;
4Who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that
he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing
himself that he is God.
5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with
you, I told you these things?
6And now ye know what withholdeth
that he might be revealed in his time.
7For the mystery of iniquity
doth already work: only he who now letteth will let,
until he be taken out of the way.
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom
the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the
brightness of his coming:
9Even him, whose coming is after the working
of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved.
11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie:
12That they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of
the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to
the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15Therefore, brethren, stand fast,
and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our
epistle.
16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God,
even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace,
17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in
every good word and work.
Ellen White’s Prophecy
About the Falling Away and Mystery of Iniquity in the SDA Church at the
End-Time
The context of the following statement is the
alpha and omega of apostasy of the SDA church.
Wax stronger "One thing it is certain is soon to be
realized, the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing
stronger, and will continue to do so
until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout. We are to hold fast the first principles of our
denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith. Ever we are
to keep the faith that has been substantiated by the Holy Spirit of God from
the earlier events of our experience until the present time. We need now larger
breadth, and deeper, more earnest, unwavering faith in the leadings of the Holy
Spirit. If we needed the manifest proof of the Holy Spirit's power to confirm
truth in the beginning, after the passing of the time, we need to-day all the
evidence in the confirmation of the truth, when souls are departing from the
faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There must
not be any languishing of soul now." (E.G. White, Special Testimonies, Series
B, No. 7, p.
57).
"The enemy will set everything in operation to
uproot the confidence of the believers in the pillars of our faith in the
messages of the past, which have placed us upon the elevated
platform of eternal truth, and which have established and given character to
the work. The Lord God of Israel has led out His people, unfolding to them
truth of heavenly origin." "The truth for this time is precious, but
those whose hearts have not been broken by falling on the Rock Christ Jesus,
will not see and understand what is truth. They will accept that which pleases
their ideas, and will begin
to manufacture another foundation than that which is laid. They will flatter their own vanity and
esteem, thinking that they are capable of
removing the pillars of our faith, and replacing them with pillars they have
devised. This will continue to be as long as time shall last." E.G. White, Notebook,
Leaflets, pp. 61-62.
The Final Outcome of the SDA Church
Militant by Ellen G. White
"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].
The Noble SDA Ship That is Carried
Safely Into Port Heaven
In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation, "Behold,
the Bridegroom cometh," was given. The two classes represented by the wise
and foolish virgins were then developed--one class who looked with joy to the Lord's appearing, and who had
been diligently preparing to meet Him; another class that, influenced by fear
and acting from impulse, had been satisfied with a theory of the truth, but
were destitute of the grace of God. In the parable, when the bridegroom came, "they that were ready went in with him to the marriage."
The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the
marriage. The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and
representative of the kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." Said the angel to John: "Come hither, I will show
thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." "He carried me away in the
spirit," says the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy
Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the
virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the
Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper.
Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the
Ancient of Days in heaven, "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;" He
will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, "prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband." Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having
received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of
lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to "sit down with
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11;
Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Not by Ron: Part of the bride already exists because in Desire of Ages, 179, it relates how John the
Baptist got up a bride for Christ and that bride was the disciples. Also, Philalelphia in Rev. 3:10-12 is assurredly
the bride of Christ and the original Philadelphians lived a long time ago.
The proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh," in the
summer of 1844, led thousands to expect the immediate advent of the Lord. At
the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people
expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception
of His kingdom. "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage:
and the door was shut." They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it
takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to "wait for their Lord, when He will return from the
wedding." Luke 12:36. But they are to
understand His work, and to follow Him by faith as He goes in before God. It is
in this sense that they are said to go in to the marriage.
Note: We are to follow and enter into the Sanctuary in heaven by
faith NOW per the references in Early Writings that I cite in this writing.
In the parable it was those that had oil in their vessels with
their lamps that went in to the marriage. Those who, with a knowledge of the
truth from the Scriptures, had also the Spirit and grace of God, and who, in
the night of their bitter trial, had patiently waited, searching the Bible for
clearer light--these saw the truth concerning the sanctuary in heaven and the Saviour's change in ministration, and by faith they
followed Him in His work in the sanctuary above. And all who through the
testimony of the Scriptures accept the same truths, following Christ by faith
as He enters in before God to perform the last work of mediation, and at its
close to receive His kingdom--all these are represented as going in to the
marriage.
In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is
introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking
place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the
guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of
character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11;
Revelation 7:14. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon
examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and
accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This
work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the
kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in
the sanctuary above." The Great Controversy, pp. 426, 428.
The
very first thing God showed me when I was commissioned
by Him to give my warning message is the identity of the true church triumphant
and that we may enter that church NOW by faith. And, that heavenly Zion has
earthly representative called true reformers.
The
Heavenly Church of Zion (Heb. 12:21, 22), the Bride of Christ Church
Triumphant, has Existed on Earth at All Times From the Beginning
“The
church is God's fortress. His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted
world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind
with the blood of His only-begotten Son. From the
beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord
has had His
watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they
lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others
took up the work. God brought these
witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven. He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church,
and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people. {AA
11.2}
Through centuries of persecution,
conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. Not one cloud has fallen
upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to
counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He
predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic
declarations what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets
to foretell has been brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law
is linked with His throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is
inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph over all opposition. {AA 11.3}
During ages of spiritual darkness the church of God has been
as a city set on a hill. From age to age, through
successive generations, the pure doctrines of
heaven have been unfolding within its borders. Enfeebled and defective as it
may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special
sense His supreme regard. It is the theater of His
grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts.” {AA 12.1}
Note:
Enfeebled and defective does not mean apostate, lest we should never have left
Rome and then her protestant daughters in 1844. Lest Jesus and His disciples
should never have separated from the apostate church of their day, and a true
remnant would never be instructed by God in Isaiah 37:31, 32, to go forth out
of Jerusalem.
"Christ was a protestant...The Reformers
date back to Christ and the apostles. They came out and separated themselves
from a religion of forms and ceremonies. Luther and his followers did not
invent the reformed religion. They simply accepted it as presented by Christ
and the apostles." E.G. White, Review and Herald, vol. 2, 48, col. 2.
"The Sanhedrin had rejected Christ's
message and was bent upon His death therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem,
from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been
instructed in the law, and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and
to gather out those who should carry the gospel to all nations.” Desire of
Ages, 2321.
"The members of the church triumphant--the church in
heaven--will be permitted to draw near to the members of the church militant,
to aid them in their necessity." E. G. White, The Southern Watchman, Sep.
8, 1903.
"Characteristics of True Reformers.--Here are given the characteristics of
those who shall be reformers, who will bear the banner of the third angel's
message, those who avow themselves God's commandment-keeping people, and who
honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in the sight of all the universe, in
building up the old waste places. Who is it that calls them, The repairers of
the breach, The restorers of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their names are registered
[written--Heb. 12:22, 23] in heaven as reformers, restorers, as raising the
foundations of many generations." E. G. White, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151.
The members of the church triumphant, the faithful of all ages,
is a member of the church in heaven, Hebrews 12:22, 23, and has entered that
church by faith, to wit:
“After Jesus opened the
door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God
were tested, as the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they
would keep God's law. I saw the third angel
pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of the
heavenly sanctuary. As they by faith
enter the most holy, they find Jesus, and hope and joy spring up anew. I
saw them looking back, reviewing the past, from the proclamation of the second
advent of Jesus, down through their experience to the passing of the time in
1844. They see their disappointment explained, and joy and certainty
again animate them. The third angel has lighted up the past, the present, and
the future, and they know that God has indeed led them by His mysterious
providence. {EW 254.2}
“It was represented
to me that the
remnant followed
Jesus into the most holy place and beheld the ark
and the mercy seat, and were captivated with their glory. Jesus then raised the
cover of the ark, and lo! the tables of stone, with the ten commandments
written upon them. They trace down the lively oracles, but start back with
trembling when they see the fourth commandment among the ten holy precepts,
with a brighter light shining upon it than upon the other nine, and a halo of
glory all around it. They find nothing there informing them that the Sabbath
has been abolished, or changed to the first day of the week. The commandment
reads as when spoken by the voice of God in solemn and awful grandeur upon the
mount, while the lightnings flashed and the thunders rolled; it is the same as
when written with His own finger on the tables of stone: "Six days shalt
thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day
is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." They are amazed as they behold the
care taken of the ten commandments. They see them placed close by Jehovah,
overshadowed and protected by His holiness. They see that they have been
trampling upon the fourth commandment of the decalogue,
and have observed a day handed down by the heathen and papists, instead of the
day sanctified by Jehovah. They humble themselves before God and mourn over
their past transgressions. {EW 255.1}
"Those who think that the church militant is the church
triumphant make a great mistake." E.G. White, The Upward Look, 152.
Those who think that the church triumphant is the church
militant purged and cleansed make a greater mistake! Members of the church
militant who prove faithful will become part of the church triumphant, but it
is unmistakeable from Scripture and Ellen White that
the heavenly church of Hebrews 12:22, 23 has existed from the beginning being represented by faithful souls [the bride
of Christ] on earth.
“The Church Triumphant.--The work is soon to close.
The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the
church triumphant.-- Letter 32, 1892. {Ev 707.1}
Some don’t think the church triumphant is not
organized. That is one of the greatest mistakes professing Christians can make.
The church triumphant consisting of true and faithful reformers is called and
led by God Himself.
"Characteristics of True Reformers.--Here are given the
characteristics of those who shall be reformers, who will bear the banner of
the third angel's message, those who avow themselves God's commandment-keeping
people, and who honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in the sight of all the
universe, in building up the old waste places. Who
is it that calls them,
The repairers of the breach, The restorers of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their names are registered [written--Heb. 12:22, 23] in heaven
as reformers, restorers, as raising the foundations of many generations." E. G. White, SDA Bible
Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151.
Some enquire: “If we leave the apostate church, where should we
go? We follow the prefigure example of Christ when He and His disciples left
the apostate church.
The Real Remnant as Defined by Ellen G. White is the
Last Generation of Men Translated Without Seeing Death
"The
woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of the church represents the Christians of the last
generation of men, living just prior to the second advent. The
dragon makes war on these for keeping the commandments of God, Sabbath and all,
and having the testimony of Jesus Christ, which, according to the inspired
definition of chap. xix, 10, 'is the spirit of prophecy.' Here, then, are the
causes of the dragon's warfare upon the remnant.
They teach the observance of the ten commandments, and the revival of the
gifts, and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them.
When the Devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the
gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty
was filled with revengeful delight. But when the
remnant, whom God designs to fit for translation to Heaven without seeing
death, 'ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,' then
the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them.
The
true spirit of the dragonic host, which is already being somewhat developed, is
vividly described in Isa. xxx, 8-13, as being manifested just prior to the
sudden destruction of those who hate the pure testimony, and love smooth and
deceitful things." E. G. White, Spiritual
Gifts, Vol. III, 26, 27.
Sinners are Shaken Out of Zion, the SDA Church Triumphant
"The church may appear as about to fall, but
it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners IN ZION will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat [AFTER THE CLOSE OF PROBATIONARY
TIME--CHRIST'S OBJECT LESSONS 72]. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None
but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of
their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of
sin, without guile in their mouths...
The REMNANT that
purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process,
exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy. All these, He
says, 'I have graven . . . upon the palms of my hands' (Isa. 49:16)...
That which God required of Adam before his fall was
perfect obedience to His law. God requires now what He required of Adam,
perfect obedience, righteousness without a flaw, without shortcoming in His
sight....We cannot do this without that faith that brings Christ's
righteousness into daily practice." E.G. White, Selected Messages, Vol. 2, 380.
The Noble Ship, SS Zion, the SDA church triumphant,
that DOES NOT FALL, obviously, appears as about to fall when she is surrounded
by the enemy when Satan attempts to rid the earth of her in one night at the
final universal death decree. But God intervenes and saves her, the 144,000,
the bride, the remnant, and she is translated without seeing death. Zion, the
bride, the 144,000, is not defiled with women, Rev. 14:1-4, which occurs by
membership in apostate churches. Zion, the bride of Christ, gives the Loud Cry
awakening all ten virgins, COL, 405-406, and Matthew 25 says “all those virgins
slumbered and slept. All ten—wise and foolish slept. But God awakens the bride,
the True Reformers, and they in turn awaken the 10 virgins with the Loud Cry.
The SDA church that DOES FALL is the omega of
apostasy new movement that has removed God, as defined in Selected Messages,
Bk. 1, pp. 204-205. Ezekiel 9 slaughter begins at her Sanctuaries around the
world.
Scripture on Home Churches
Rom 16:5 Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house.
Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
1Cr 1:11: For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren,
by them [which are of the house] of Chloe, that there are contentions among
you.
1Cr 16:15: I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of
Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have addicted
themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1Cr 16:19: The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla
salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
"There is a little hope in one direction: Take the young
men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with
our churches as possible, that the low grade of piety which is current in this
day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian." E.G.
White, Manuscript Release #995, p. 5.
When the young men and women were kept away from the Alpha of
apostasy in the church, what did they do; where did they meet for worship?
"Brother and sister Haskell have rented a house in one of
the best parts of the city, and have gathered round them a family of helpers,
who day by day go out giving Bible readings, selling our papers, and doing
medical missionary work. During the hour of worship, the workers relate
their experiences. Bible studies are regularly conducted in the home, and
THE YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN connected with the mission receive a practical,
thorough training in holding Bible readings and in selling our publications.
The Lord has blessed their labors, a number have embraced the truth, and many
others are deeply interested." Review
and Herald, September 7, 1905, Evangelism,
p. 108.
—rwb