Corporate
Responsibility
One of the most
astounding Bible prophesies involving corporate responsibility is the following
verses wherein God told rebellious Israel He would bring upon them all the
righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the time of righteous Abel to the tme of Zacharias, whom they slew between the temple and the
Altar. Will the despisers of corporate responsibility say that God is of the
devil for this prophecy on corporate responsibility?
Before you
proceed, read what happened at Ai https://omega77.tripod.com/achanssin36die.htm
Will some indict God as being of the
devil for what HE says in Ezekiel 9, as they call anyone who teaches corporate responsibilility as being of the devil? Remember that
Ezekiel 9 was literally fulfilled upon rebellious Israel in A.D 70:
Ez 9:5 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:
Ez 9:6 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.
Ez 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the
house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth,
and slew in the city.
Ez 9:8 And it came to pass, while they
were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and
said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring
out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
Ez 9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding
great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for
they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth
not.
Ez 9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall
not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their
head.
Ez 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with
linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have
done as thou hast commanded me.
Matthew
23:35 That upon you may come all the
righteous blood shed upon the
earth, from the blood of
righteous Abel unto the blood of
Zacharias son of Barachias, whom
ye slew between
the temple and the altar.
Matthew
23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these
things shall come upon this
generation.
Matthew
23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
thou that killest the prophets,
and stonest them which are sent unto thee,
how often would I have gathered thy
children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings,
and ye would
not!
Matthew
23:38 Behold, your
house is left unto you
desolate.
Even though Ellen White and the Bible make clear
teachings on the principle of Corporate responsibility, there are Adventists
who are ready to say that corporate responsibility is of the devil because it
sometimes includes the "innocent" with the guilt. For example, in the
Biblical example of Achan and his family, thirty six men were killed. Indeed, God indictes
“the children of Israel for Achan’s sin":
Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the
accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son
of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of
the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Will the critics of Corporate
responsibility accuse God of being of the devil for His application of Achan’s
sin to all the Children of Israel, holding them responsible until Acan’s sin
was searched out and dealt with?
Joshua 7:15 And it shall be, that
he that is taken with the
accursed thing shall be burnt
with fire, he and all that
he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of
the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in
Israel.
Joshua 7:16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and
brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
Joshua 7:17 And he brought the family of
Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the
Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi
was taken:
Joshua 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi,
the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Joshua 7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan,
My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of
Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide
it not from me.
Joshua 7:20 And Achan
answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel,
and thus and thus have I done:
Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils
a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of
gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in
the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Joshua 7:22 So Joshua sent messengers,
and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in
his tent, and the silver under it.
Joshua 7:23 And they took them out of
the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children
of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.
Joshua 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel
with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the
silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his
daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all
that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD
shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned
them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
Joshua 7:26 And they raised over him a
great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned
from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called,
The valley of Achor, unto this day.
Why Achan’s
Family Perished—"Have you
considered why it was that all who were connected with Achan were also subjects
of the punishment of God? It was because they had not been trained and educated according to the
directions given them in the great standard of the law of God. Achan’s parents
had educated their son in such a way that he felt free to disobey the word of
the Lord. The principles inculcated in his life led him to deal with his
children in such a way that they also were corrupted. Mind acts and reacts upon
mind, and the punishment, which included the relations of Achan
with himself, Jos 7:24 And
Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the
silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his
daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all
that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. Jos 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah
commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation
of Israel? and that man
perished not alone in his iniquity."
Ask the Lord to Come In
and Rule—"Exact obedience in your family; but while you do this, seek the
Lord with your children, and ask Him to come in and rule. Your children may
have done something that demands punishment; but if you deal with them in the
spirit of Christ, their arms will be thrown about your neck; they will humble
themselves before the Lord and will acknowledge their wrong. That is enough.
They do not then need punishment. Let us thank the Lord that He has opened the
way by which we may reach every soul."1 {CG 244.1}
We are as directly forbidden to indulge coveteousness as was Achan to
appropriate the spoils of Jericho. We are warned, “Ye cannot serve God and
mammon.” “Take heed, and beware of coveteousness.”
“Let it not be once named among you.” Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:15; Ephesians 5:3.
We have before us the fearful doom of Achan, of
Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira. Back of all these we have Lucifer. Yet,
notwithstanding all these warnings, covetousness abounds. {EP 352.5}
Unsanctified Ministers Will Be Weeded Out
The great issue so near at hand [enforcement of Sunday
laws] will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure,
true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.—Selected
Messages 3:385 (1886). {LDE 179.2}
Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false
prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.... {LDE
179.3}
Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark
no longer. But these can not make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go
onward and upward to the end.—Testimonies to Ministers
and Gospel Workers, 409, 411 (1898). {LDE 179.4}
Ministers and doctors may depart from the faith, as
the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given His servant
declare they will.—Manuscript Releases 7:192 (1906).
{LDE 179.5}
The Church May Appear as About to Fall
The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves.—Testimonies for the Church 4:89 (1876). {LDE 180.1}
Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind,
even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat.—Testimonies
for the Church 5:81 (1882). {LDE 180.2}
Soon God’s people will be tested by fiery trials, and
the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove
to be base metal.... {LDE 180.3}
When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt,
when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our
courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and
righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord
when champions are few—this will be our test. At this time we must gather
warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty
from their treason.—Testimonies for the Church 5:136
(1882). {LDE 180.4}
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. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless
it must take place.—Selected Messages 2:380 (1886).
{LDE 180.5}
As the storm approaches, a large class who have
professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified
through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of
the opposition.—The Great Controversy, 608 (1911).
{LDE 180.6}
God’s Faithful Will Be Revealed
The Lord has faithful servants who in the shaking,
testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who
have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been
shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and
uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will
be revealed. In the daytime we look toward heaven but do not see the stars.
They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In
the night we behold their genuine luster.—Testimonies
for the Church 5:80, 81 (1882). {LDE 181.1}
On every occasion that persecution takes place, the
witnesses make decisions, either for Christ or against Him. Those who show
sympathy for the men wrongly condemned, who are not bitter against them, show
their attachment for Christ.—The Signs of the Times,
February 20, 1901. {LDE 181.2}
Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance
again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the half-hearted and
hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand
firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter than in days of
prosperity.—The Great Controversy, 602 (1911). {LDE 181.3}
New Converts Will Take the Places of Those Who Leave
Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The
careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation
enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they
were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by
others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks.—Early Writings, 271
(1858). {LDE 182.1}
The broken ranks will be filled up by those
represented by Christ as coming in at the eleventh hour. There are many with
whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God’s destructive judgments is
the time of mercy for those who [now] have no opportunity to learn what is
truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched,
His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who
would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the
truth for the first time.—Letter 103, 1903. {LDE
182.2}
Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust
as company after company from the Lord’s army joined the foe and tribe after
tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of
God.—Testimonies for the Church 8:41 (1904). {LDE
182.3}
Chapter 13—The Latter Rain
The Work of the Spirit Likened to Rain
“He will cause to come down for you the rain, the
former rain, and the latter rain.” In the East the former rain falls at the
sowing time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the
influence of the fertilizing showers the tender shoot springs up. The latter
rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it
for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the
work of the Holy Spirit. [See Zechariah 10:1; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23, 28.] {LDE
183.1}
As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the
seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given
to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth.
The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace
in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be
perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness
of Christ. {LDE 183.2}
The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents
the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man.
But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade
will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter
rain can bring no seed to perfection.—Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 506 (1897). {LDE 183.3}
A. The Historical Application To
the Church as a Whole
The Early Rain Came in A.D. 31 at Pentecost
In obedience to Christ’s command, they [the disciples]
waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father—the outpouring of the Spirit.
They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were “continually in
the temple, praising and blessing God.” (Luke 24:53)....
{LDE 184.1}
As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the
promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their
unbelief.... The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to
meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners
to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they
came close together in Christian fellowship.—The Acts
of the Apostles, 35-37 (1911). {LDE 184.2}
It was after the disciples had come into perfect
unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit
was poured out.—Testimonies for the Church 8:20
(1904). {LDE 184.3}
The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the
apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the
result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true
church.—The Acts of the Apostles, 54, 55 (1911). {LDE
184.4}
Consequences of the Early Rain at Pentecost
Under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence
and confession mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven.... Thousands
were converted in a day.... {LDE 185.1}
The Holy Spirit ... enabled them to speak with fluency
languages with which they had heretofore been unacquainted.... The Holy Spirit
did for them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime.—The Acts of the Apostles, 38-40 (1911). {LDE
185.2}
Their hearts were surcharged with a benevolence so
full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the
earth, testifying to the power of Christ.—The Acts of
the Apostles, 46 (1911). {LDE 185.3}
What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on
the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the
uttermost parts of the inhabited world.... The church beheld converts flocking
to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted.... The ambition of
the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character and to labor for
the enlargement of His kingdom.—The Acts of the
Apostles, 48 (1911). {LDE 185.4}
The Promise of the Latter Rain
The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the
apostles was “the former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the latter
rain will be more abundant.—Testimonies for the Church
8:21 (1904). {LDE 185.5}
Near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal
of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son
of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain.—The Acts of the Apostles, 55 (1911). {LDE 186.1}
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.—The
Great Controversy, 464 (1911). {LDE 186.2}
The work will be similar to that of the Day of
Pentecost. As the “former rain” was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so
the “latter rain” will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest.—The Great Controversy, 611 (1911). {LDE 186.3}
The Latter Rain Will Produce the Loud Cry
At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the
presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third
angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last
plagues shall be poured out.—Early Writings, 86 (1854).
{LDE 186.4}
I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the
truth with great power. It had effect.... I asked what had made this great
change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the
presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”—Early Writings, 271
(1858). {LDE 186.5}
B. The Personal Application To
Individual Christians
The Early Rain Produces Conversion; The Latter Rain
Develops a Christlike Character
At no point in our experience can we dispense with the
assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings
received under the former rain are needful to us to the end.... As we seek God
for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a
conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain.—Testimonies
to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 507, 509 (1897). {LDE 187.1}
The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in each soul. If it is
welcomed as an honored guest, those who receive it will be made complete in
Christ. The good work begun will be finished; the holy thoughts, heavenly
affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of impure thoughts,
perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts.—Counsels on
Health, 561 (1896). {LDE 187.2}
We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by
prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never
do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in
an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls,
and the responsibility will lie at our own door.... {LDE 187.3}
The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings,
the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal
labor for souls, are God’s appointed opportunities for giving the early and the
latter rain.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel
Workers, 508 (1897). {LDE 188.1}
When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the
blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from
descending upon God’s people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain
cannot come upon the earth.—Selected Messages 1:124
(1887). {LDE 188.2}
We Should Pray Earnestly for the Descent of the Holy
Spirit
We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the
Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost. If they needed it
at that time, we need it more today.—Testimonies for
the Church 5:158 (1882). {LDE 188.3}
The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is
looked forward to as in the future, but it is the privilege of the church to
have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and
Heaven is waiting to bestow it.—Evangelism, 701
(1895). {LDE 188.4}
The measure of the Holy Spirit we receive will be
proportioned to the measure of our desire and the faith exercised for it, and
the use we shall make of the light and knowledge that shall be given to us.—The Review and Herald, May 5, 1896. {LDE 188.5}
We are not willing enough to trouble the Lord with our
petitions, and to ask Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to
trouble Him in this matter. He wants us to press our petitions to the throne.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 537 (1909).
{LDE 188.6}
We Must Humble Our Hearts in True Repentance
A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest
and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There
must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not
willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to
receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them
that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children.
But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer,
to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing.
A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.—Selected
Messages 1:121 (1887). {LDE 189.1}
I tell you that there must be a thorough revival among
us. There must be a converted ministry. There must be confessions, repentance,
and conversions. Many who are preaching the Word need the transforming grace of
Christ in their hearts. They should let nothing stand in the way of their
making thorough work before it shall be forever too late.—Letter
51, 1886. {LDE 189.2}