Ellen G. White Statements on Apostasy
Can we then be surprised to hear of
ministers falling under temptation and sin, disgracing the cause they were professedly
advocating? Can we wonder that there are apostasies when men who urge
conversion upon others are not themselves converted; when they commend to
others the love of Christ which does not glow in their own souls, preaching
repentance which they themselves have not practised, and faith which they
have no experimental knowledge of, telling of a Saviour whom they have never
known except by rumour? They are self-deceived men, not far from destruction.
Pitiful indeed is their situation. All may seem peaceful to them, because the
palsy of death is upon them. We are fully aware that dishonest men, immoral
men, who preach the Word, are not always reproved and warned. They are not
unmasked. They learn to hold the truth in unrighteousness, and can tamper with
it without a trembling of heart and rebuke of conscience. Oh, that with pen
and voice we might lead the people who claim to be the depositories of sacred
and eternal truth to feel the necessity of enthroning the Word of God in
their heart, and bringing every thought, word, and action into subjection to
Jesus Christ. It is a fearful responsibility to be in daily connection with
the truth of God, telling others of eternal truth and yet be unsanctified
through the truth. 11MR 89
How great and widespread must be
the power of the prince of evil, which can be subdued only by the mighty
power of the Spirit. Disloyalty to God, transgression in every form, has
spread over our world. Those who would preserve their allegiance to God, who
are active in his service, become the mark of every shaft and weapon of hell.
If those who have had great light have not corresponding faith and obedience
they soon become leavened with the prevailing apostasy; another spirit
controls them. While they have been exalted to heaven in point of
opportunities and privileges, they are in a worse condition than the most
zealous advocates of error. 1888 1015
Now at the present time God
designs a new and fresh impetus shall be given to His work. Satan sees this,
and he is determined it shall be hindered. He knows that if he can deceive
the people who claim to believe present truth, [and make them believe] that
the work the Lord designs to do for His people is a removing of the old
landmarks, something which they should, with most determined zeal, resist,
then he exults over the deception he has led them to believe. The work for
this time has certainly been a surprising work of various hindrances, owing
to the false setting of matters before the minds of many of our people. That
which is food to the churches is regarded as dangerous, and should not be
given them. And this slight difference of ideas is allowed to unsettle the
faith, to cause apostasy, to break up unity, to sow discord, all because they
do not know what they are striving about themselves. Brethren, is it not best
to be sensible? Heaven is looking upon us all, and what can they think of
recent developments? While in this condition of things, building up barriers,
we not only deprive ourselves of great light and precious advantages, but just
now, when we so much need it, we place ourselves where light cannot be
communicated from heaven that we ought to communicate to others. 1888 518
The great apostasy is working
to a point, and will develop into darkness deep as midnight, impenetrable as
sackcloth of hair. This is the time to employ any system that can be devised
to discover and counteract the leaven of error. Let there be light. There
should be one hundred light bearers in our world where there is one today.
Darkness will become more dense in human minds after the truth has penetrated
and been rejected. But there are some minds where the darkness will be
removed. They recognise the light. 19MR 382
We are living in the last days
of this earth's history, and we may be surprised at nothing in the line of
apostasies and denials of the truth. Unbelief has now come to be a fine art
which men work at to the destruction of their souls. There is constant danger
of there being shams in pulpit preachers, whose lives contradict the words
they speak; but the voice of warning and of admonition will be heard as long
as time shall last; and those who are guilty of transactions that should
never be entered into, when reproved or counselled through the Lord's
appointed agencies, will resist the message and refuse to be corrected. They
will go on as did Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, until the Lord takes away their
reason, and their hearts become unimpressible. The Lord's word will come to
them; but if they choose not to hear it, the Lord will make them responsible
for their own ruin. 2SM 147
It is difficult to hold fast
the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end; and the difficulty
increases when there are hidden influences constantly at work to bring in
another spirit, a counter-working element, on Satan's side of the question.
In the absence of persecution, there have drifted into our ranks some who
appear sound, and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution
should arise, would go out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in
specious reasoning that has had an influence on their minds. Satan has
prepared various snares to meet varied minds. When the law of God is made
void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than
we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of
devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many
prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine; they bore no fruit,
and the husbandman taketh them away. 2SM 368
The Lord has declared that the
history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work.
Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the
world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot
now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter
into any new organisation; for this would mean apostasy from the
truth.--Manuscript 129, 1905. 2SM 390
We urge you to consider this
danger: That which we have most to fear is nominal Christianity. We have many
who profess the truth who will be overcome because they are not acquainted
with the Lord Jesus Christ. They cannot distinguish His voice from that of a
stranger. There is to be no dread of anyone being borne down even in a
widespread apostasy, who has a living experience in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. If Jesus be formed within, the hope of glory, the
illiterate as well as the educated can bear the testimony of our faith,
saying, "I know in whom I have believed." Some will not, in
argument, be able to show wherein their adversary is wrong, having never had
any advantages that others have had, yet these are not overborne by the
apostasy, because they have the evidence in their own heart that they have
the truth, and the most subtle reasoning and assaults of Satan cannot move
them from their knowledge of the truth, and they have not a doubt or fear
that they are themselves in error. . . . 3SM 399
Are you not halting between
two opinions? Are you not neglecting to heed the light which God has given
you? Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in
departing from the living God. You know not the time of your visitation. The
great sin of the Jews was that of neglecting and rejecting present
opportunities. As Jesus views the state of His professed followers today, He
sees base ingratitude, hollow formalism, hypocritical insincerity,
pharisaical pride and apostasy. 5T 72
If all of those who come
together for meetings of edification and prayer could be regarded as true worshipers,
then might we hope, though much would still remain to be done for us. But it
is in vain to deceive ourselves. Things are far from being what the
appearance would indicate. From a distant view much may appear beautiful
which, upon close examination, will be found full of deformities. The
prevailing spirit of our time is that of infidelity and apostasy--a spirit of
pretended illumination because of a knowledge of the truth, but in reality of
the blindest presumption. There is a spirit of opposition to the plain word
of God and to the testimony of His Spirit. There is a spirit of idolatrous
exaltation of mere human reason above the revealed wisdom of God. 5T 79
The churches are fast being
converted to the world. They have beautiful music and splendid decorations.
But they are fruitless trees, bearing nothing but leaves. As the Lord
unmasked the fig tree, so He will unmask these pretentious
hypocrites.--Letter 45, 1891, p. 4. (To "My Brother," December 28,
1891.) 6MR 321
The Lord has warned me that
there will come a great apostasy. There will come a falling away in
spirituality. Many will turn away their ears from hearing the truth, and will
accept fables. Our sanitariums are to be conducted by wise, God-fearing men,
who will teach sound doctrines and show why we believe the truth and why we
should practice strict temperance in all things, studying how to avoid all
harmful practices and influences. Virtue and holiness shall be practised. 6MR
378
Satan will work his miracles
to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. 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. 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 (Letter 55, 1886). 7BC 911
Note: For the true context of the above
statement, see the following document: https://omega77.tripod.com/churAATFall.htm
The greatest light and blessing that God
has bestowed is not a security against transgression and apostasy in these
last days. Those whom God has exalted to high positions of trust may turn
from heaven's light to human wisdom. Their light will then become darkness,
their God-entrusted capabilities a snare, their character an offence to God.
God will not be mocked. A departure from Him has been and always will be
followed by its sure results. The commission of acts that displease God will,
unless decidedly repented of and forsaken, instead of seeking to justify
them, lead the evil doer on step by step in deception, till many sins are
committed with impunity.--Ms 139, 1903, p. 12. ("The Message in
Revelation," October 3, 1903.) 7MR 186
"Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Tim 4:1.) The
time of this apostasy is here. Every conceivable effort will be made to throw
doubt upon the positions that we have occupied for over half a
century.--Letter 410, 1907, p. 2. (To J. E. White, August 26, 1907.) 7MR 195
"They will deliver you up
to councils, . . . yea, and before governors and kings shall ye be brought
for My sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles."[1 R. V.]
Persecution will spread the light. The servants of Christ will be brought before
the great men of the world, who, but for this, might never hear the gospel.
The truth has been misrepresented to these men. They have listened to false
charges concerning the faith of Christ's disciples. Often their only means of
learning its real character is the testimony of those who are brought to
trial for their faith. Under examination these are required to answer, and
their judges to listen to the testimony borne. God's grace will be dispensed
to His servants to meet the emergency. "It shall be given you,"
says Jesus, "in the same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that
speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." As the
Spirit of God illuminates the minds of His servants, the truth will be
presented in its divine power and preciousness. Those who reject the truth
will stand to accuse and oppress the disciples. But under loss and suffering,
even unto death, the Lord's children are to reveal the meekness of their
divine Example. Thus will be seen the contrast between Satan's agents and the
representatives of Christ. The Saviour will be lifted up before the rulers
and the people. DA 354
For more than half a century
the different points of present truth have been questioned and opposed. New
theories have been advanced as truth, which were not truth, and the Spirit of
God revealed their error. As the great pillars of our faith have been
presented, the Holy Spirit has borne witness to them, and especially is this
so regarding the truths of the sanctuary question. Over and over again the
Holy Spirit has in a marked manner endorsed the preaching of this doctrine.
But today, as in the past, some will be led to form new theories and to deny
the truths upon which the Spirit of God has placed His approval. Manuscript
125, 1907. EV 224
In the future, deception of
every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid
pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the
Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine
that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be
a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the
truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years? RH, May 25,
1905. EV 224
It was not the will of God
that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; He desired to lead
them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there, a holy, happy
people. But "they could not enter in because of unbelief." Hebrews
3:19. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert,
and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land. In like manner, it was
not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and
His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But
unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which He had
appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to
the world, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to
hear the warning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be
poured out. GC11 458
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. By uniting with the world and partaking
of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and
when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side.
Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ
their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter
enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the
courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient
agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and
insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. GC11 608
On every hand they hear the
plottings of treason and see the active working of rebellion; and there is
aroused within them an intense desire, an earnest yearning of soul, that this
great apostasy may be terminated and the wickedness of the wicked may come to
an end. But while they plead with God to stay the work of rebellion, it is
with a keen sense of self-reproach that they themselves have no more power to
resist and urge back the mighty tide of evil. They feel that had they always
employed all their ability in the service of Christ, going forward from
strength to strength, Satan's forces would have less power to prevail against
them. GC11 619
"If those who have had
great light have not corresponding faith and obedience, they soon become
leavened with the prevailing apostasy; another spirit controls them. While
they have been exalted to heaven in point of opportunities and privileges,
they are in a worse condition than the most zealous advocates of error."
pg. 170 GCDB FEB.06,1893
[ A man's foes shall be they
of his own household. Matt. 11:36. ] When the law of God is made void, and
the church is sifted by the fiery trials that are to try all that live upon
the earth, a great proportion of those who are supposed to be genuine will
give heed to seducing spirits, and will turn traitors and betray sacred
trusts. They will prove our very worst persecutors. "Of your own selves
shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them;" and many will give heed to seducing spirits. MAR 197
Those who apostatise in time
of trial will bear false witness and betray their brethren, to secure their
own safety. They will tell where their brethren are concealed, putting the
wolves on their track. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be
surprised at the cruel, unnatural course pursued by friends and relatives.
MAR 197
Read in my books,
"Patriarchs and Prophets," and "great Controversy," the
story of the first great apostasy. History is being repeated and will be
repeated. Read then, and understand. The time is drawing to a close when
power of influence, of intellect, of knowledge in science, can cover the
least departure from the Lord's way. He has pledged His word that He will
humble every oppressor of His ministers, or the appointed agencies engaged in
His work. Persecuting powers will be brought to judgement; for all the
resources of heaven and earth are to be called at God's command to do His
work. God sees and knows those who are proud and self-sufficient, and He will
bring them into judgement. Before the flood men cast off the fear of God, and
trampled under foot His holy law, but judgement overtook them. Read Isa.
47:10. PC 123
Some are acting the part of
Aaron, to help on the work of apostasy. They have been weighed in the
balances, and have been found wanting. Men are spoiling their record, and are
proving that they are not to be trusted, but that they will betray the
interests of the cause of God, making them the sport of sinners. The messages
of heavenly origin that God has sent to his people, to prepare them to stand
in the last days, they have sneered at and scorned. But the evidence we have
had for the past fifty years of the presence of the Spirit of God with us as
a people, will stand the test of those who are now arraying themselves on the
side of the enemy and bracing themselves against the message of God. -
Testimony to members of the B. C. Church, October 24, 1907. PC 139
The coming of Christ will take
place in the darkest period of this earth's history. The days of Noah and of
Lot picture the condition of the world just before the coming of the Son of
man. The Scriptures, pointing forward to this time, declare that Satan will
work with all power and "with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. His working is plainly
revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the multitudinous errors,
heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading the
world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our
Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into darkness deep as
midnight. To God's people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a
night of persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness
God's light will shine. PK 717
But in Judah there dwelt some
who, amid the prevailing apostasy, maintained their allegiance to Jehovah,
steadfastly refusing to be led into idolatry. It was to these that Isaiah and
Micah and their associates looked in hope as they surveyed the ruin wrought
during the last years of Ahaz. Their sanctuary was closed, but the faithful
ones were assured: "God is with us. . . . Sanctify the Lord of hosts
himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be
for a sanctuary." Isa. 8:10,13,14. RH APR.08,1915
We are coming to a crisis, and
I am in terror for our souls. Why is it that we find men leaving the faith?
Are we in a position where we shall know what we believe, and shall not be
shaken out? That souls leave the truth should not discourage us in the least,
but only make us seek more earnestly for the blessing of God. It is not the
education, or the talents, or the position of men, that is to save them. We
are to be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. How do you
stand before God to-day? The question is not, How will you stand in the day
of trouble, or at some future time? but how is it with your soul to-day? Will
you go to work to-day? We want a personal, individual experience to-day.
To-day, we want Christ abiding with us. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, so the Son of man has been lifted up, that we might look and
live. There is but one plan of salvation. There is but one process by which
the soul may be healed of its wounds. Look to the Man of Calvary. RH
APR.09,1889
Confederacies will increase in
number and power as we draw nearer to the end of time. These confederacies
will create opposing influences to the truth, forming new parties of
professed believers who will act out their own delusive theories. The
apostasy will increase. "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed
to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." Men and women have
confederated to oppose the Lord God of heaven, and the church is only half
awake to the situation. There needs to be much more of prayer, much more of
earnest effort, among professed believers. RH AUG.05,1909
Sad as is the story of
Solomon's apostasy, it portrays the result of separation from God. One false
step prepares the way for a second and a third, and every additional step is
taken more easily than the last. It is our privilege to take heed to the
God-given warning of Solomon's life. As followers of Christ, we are to honour
our Master by studying and obeying his teachings. We are to manifest our love
and fear of God by refusing to conform to the world's standard of right. Let
us beware of departing from the simplicity of our faith. The Christian's
standard of right must ever be the standard that is given in Holy Writ.
Constantly we are to guard against every worldly influence that would weaken
us in moral power. RH AUG.17,1905
But God never leaves the world
without witnesses for him. At the time of the first great apostasy after the
flood, there were men who humbled themselves before God, and cried unto him.
"O God," they pleaded, "interpose between thy cause and the
plans and methods of men." RH DEC.10,1903
There are times when apostasy
comes into the ranks, when piety is left out of the heart by those who should
have kept step with their divine leader. The people of God separate from the
source of their strength, and pride, vanity, extravagance, and display
follow. There are idols within and idols without; but God sends the Comforter
as a reprover of sin, that his people may be warned of their apostasy and
rebuked for their backsliding. When the more precious manifestations of his
love shall be gratefully acknowledged and appreciated, the Lord will pour in
the balm of comfort and the oil of joy. RH DEC.15,1891
Remember that an example of
lukewarmness, carelessness, and indifference, is contagious. It is reproduced
in a multitude of ways, and iniquity abounds. Many are bound about with
worldliness, and apostasy is congealing the very life-blood of the soul,
because of the coldness of ministers professing to be watchmen upon the walls
of Zion. Earnest spirituality, and the quickening influence of the Spirit of
God, will set men to work, not lazily, but most earnestly, to warm men to
escape the perils which threaten to destroy them. RH DEC.18,1883
From this record we may learn
how little dependence can be placed in men who trust in men, and do not make
God their reliance. Those who are living in these last days are in the
greatest danger of placing their confidence in men rather than in the true
and living God. The Lord has given instruction that the history of the
apostasy of Israel is now to be presented, because men who in the past have
had great light have become self-sufficient, and are looking to men, trusting
in human leaders, who are themselves practising evil. Men who ought to stand
as firm as a rock to principle are treading in the same path that the
Israelites followed. "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." This is the snare that has
come into our ranks. There are wrong sentiments that have to be met. There
are men who are acting the part of Aaron at the very time when every soul
should be working to seal the law among God's disciples. They are building up
the very things that God has specified should not be built up. RH FEB.04,1909
If Aaron had had courage to
stand for the right, irrespective of consequences, he could have prevented
that apostasy. If he had unswervingly maintained his own allegiance to God,
if he had cited the people to the perils of Sinai, and had reminded them of
their solemn covenant with God to obey his law, the evil would have been
checked. But his compliance with the desires of the people, and the calm
assurance with which he proceeded to carry out their plans, emboldened them
to go to greater lengths in sin than had before entered their minds. RH
FEB.04,1909
In this our day, when many,
even among those who claim to be numbered among God's people, are not fully
decided as to the right course, the Lord is calling for men who will move
steadfastly in the path that he has marked out, and with unshaken
determination carry out his purposes. Those who occupy positions of
responsibility should know what saith the Lord. Like Moses of old, they
should stand unflinchingly for the right, stemming the current of evil. In
the critical times in which we are living, men of determination are
needed,--men who will stand stiffly for the truth at all times and under all
circumstances,.--men who, when they see that others are becoming untrue to
principle, will lift their voice in warning against the danger of apostasy.
RH FEB.11,1909
Shall we give heed to the warning
of Solomon's apostasy, and shun the first approach to those sins that
overcame him who was called the wisest of men? In these days of peril,
nothing but obedience will keep man from apostasy. God has bestowed on man
great light and many blessings. But unless this light and these blessings are
received, they are no security against disobedience and apostasy. When those
whom God has exalted to positions of high trust turn from him to human
wisdom, their light becomes darkness, and how great is that darkness! Their
entrusted capabilities are a snare to them. They become an offence to God.
There can be no mockery of God without the sure result. RH FEB.22,1906
The work of apostasy begins in
some secret rebellion of the heart against the requirements of God's law.
Unholy desires, unlawful ambitions, are cherished and indulged, and unbelief
and darkness separate the soul from God. If we do not overcome these evils,
they will overcome us. Men who have long been advancing in the path of truth,
will be tested with trial and temptation. Those who listen to the suggestions
of Satan, and swerve from their integrity, begin the downward path, and some
masterful temptation hastens them on in the way of apostasy, till their
descent is marked and rapid. Sins that were once most repugnant, become
attractive, and are welcomed and practised by those who have cast off the
fear of God and their allegiance to his law. But the most pleasurable
beginning in transgression, will end in misery, degradation, and ruin. RH MAY
08,1888
Our work is an aggressive one,
and as faithful soldiers of Jesus, we must bear the blood-stained banner into
the very strongholds of the enemy. "We wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." If
we will consent to lay down our arms, to lower the blood-stained banner, to
become the captives and servants of Satan, we may be released from the
conflict and the suffering. But this peace will be gained only at the loss of
Christ and heaven. We cannot accept peace on such conditions. Let it be war,
war, to the end of earth's history, rather than peace through apostasy and
sin. RH MAY 08,1888
We need to be constantly on
our guard, to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. The indulgence of
spiritual pride, of unholy desires, of evil thoughts, of anything that
separates us from an intimate and sacred association with Jesus, imperils our
souls. We must have living faith in God. We must "fight the good fight
of faith," if we would "lay hold on eternal life." We are
"kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." If the
thought of apostasy is grievous to you, and you do not desire to become the
enemies of the truth, the accusers of the brethren, then "abhor that
which is evil; cleave to that which is good;" and believe in Him who is
"able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
presence of his glory with exceeding joy. RH MAY 08,1888
In the days of Elijah there
was great apostasy in Israel. Ahab, the king, had connected with himself men
and women who had departed from the living God, and turned to the service of
idols. The king should have been loyal to God, one who by both influence and
example would have bound his people to God; but instead of this, he joined
with apostates, and led the people into idolatry. Leading men are endowed
with great influence for good or evil, and their responsibility is very
great. Ahab had used his influence to propagate evil, and Israel sank deeper
and deeper into sin. RH MAY 26,1891
That which Satan has led men
to do in the past, he will if possible lead them to do again. The early
church was deceived by the enemy of God and man, and apostasy was brought
into the ranks of those who professed to love God; and to-day, unless the
people of God awake out of sleep, they will be taken unawares by the devices
of Satan. Among those who claim to believe in the near coming of the Saviour,
how many are back-slidden, how many have lost their first love, and come
under the description written of the Laodicean church, denominating them as
neither cold nor hot. Satan will do his utmost to keep them in a state of
indifference and stupor. May the Lord reveal to the people the perils that are
before them, that they may arouse from their spiritual slumber, and trim
their lamps, and be found watching for the Bridegroom when he shall return
from the wedding. RH NOV.22,1892
That which Satan has led men
to do in the past, he will if possible lead them to do again. The early
church was deceived by the enemy of God and man, and apostasy was brought
into the ranks of those who professed to love God; and to-day, unless the
people of God awake out of sleep, they will be taken unawares by the devices of
Satan. Among those who claim to believe in the near coming of the Saviour,
how many are back-slidden, how many have lost their first love, and come
under the description written of the Laodicean church, denominating them as
neither cold nor hot. Satan will do his utmost to keep them in a state of
indifference and stupor. May the Lord reveal to the people the perils that
are before them, that they may arouse from their spiritual slumber, and trim
their lamps, and be found watching for the Bridegroom when he shall return
from the wedding. RH NOV.22,1892
Those who dishonour God by
transgressing his law may talk sanctification; but it is of the same value,
and just as acceptable, as was the offering of Cain. Obedience to the
commandments of God is the only true sign of sanctification. Disobedience is
the sign of disloyalty and apostasy. "He that hath my commandments, and
keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved
of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
Again, Christ repeated the condition of union with him. This promise is made
to every sincere Christian. Our Saviour speaks so plainly that no one need
fail to understand that true love will always produce obedience. Obedience is
the sign of true love. Christ and the Father are one, and those who in truth
receive Christ will love God as the great centre of their adoration, and will
also love one another; and in so doing they will keep the law. RH OCT.26,1897
One thing is certain: those
Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will first
give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies
of God's spirit. SPM 305
The enemy of souls has sought
to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among
Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up
the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a
process of reorganisation. Were this reformation to take place, what would
result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the
remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The
fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years
would be accounted as error. A new organisation would be established. Books
of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be
introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a
wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also
the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the
new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but
God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which,
without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and
storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.
Who has authority to begin
such a movement? We have our Bibles. We have our experience, attested to by
the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit. We have a truth that admits of no
compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with
this truth?
I hesitated and delayed about
the sending out of that which the Spirit of the Lord impelled me to write. I
did not want to be compelled to present the misleading influence of these
sophistries. But in the providence of God, the errors that have been coming
in must be met. SPTB02 54
Shortly before I sent out the
testimonies regarding the efforts of the enemy to undermine the foundation of
our faith through the dissemination of seductive theories, I had read an
incident about a ship in a fog meeting an iceberg. For several nights I slept
but little. I seemed to be bowed down as a cart beneath sheaves. One night a
scene was clearly presented before me. A vessel was upon the waters, in a
heavy fog. Suddenly the lookout cried, "Iceberg just ahead!" There,
towering high above the ship, was a gigantic iceberg. An authoritative voice
cried out, "Meet it!" There was not a moment's hesitation. It was a
time for instant action. The engineer put on full steam, and the man at the
wheel steered the ship straight into the iceberg. With a crash she struck the
ice. There was a fearful shock, and the iceberg broke into many pieces,
falling with a noise like thunder to the deck. The passengers were violently
shaken by the force of the collision, but no lives were lost. The vessel was
injured, but not beyond repair. She rebounded from the contact, trembling
from stem to stern, like a living creature. Then she moved forward on her way.
Well I knew the meaning of
this representation. I had my orders. I had heard the words, like a voice
from our Captain, "Meet it!" I knew what my duty was, and that
there was not a moment to lose. The time for decided action had come. I must
without delay obey the command, "Meet it!"
That night I was up at one
o'clock, writing as fast as my hand could pass over the paper. For the next
few days I worked early and late, preparing for our people the instruction
given me regarding the errors that were coming in among us.
I have been hoping that there
would be a thorough reformation, and that the principles for which we fought
in the early days, and which were brought out in the power of the Holy
Spirit, would be maintained. SPTB02 55,56
Many will never, never have
eternal life unless they see the sinfulness of their course of action, and
realise how greatly it has dishonoured God. They are not servants of Christ,
because they do not do His works. The Lord says, Proclaim My message; say to
those who have professed to be followers of Jesus, but have dishonoured their
profession by making false paths for their feet and the feet of others,
Repent; for your souls' sake, repent and be converted. You have been going on
and on for years against light, against knowledge, until the Laodicean
message applies to your case. Many have become corrupted in faith, corrupted
in principle. Many have dishonoured God, and sold themselves to sin, and in
word and deed have helped others on in the strange paths they have chosen, until
they do not know what pure religion is. They have sacrificed faith for
worldly favour, and are leavened with that which is opposed to righteousness.
At first they felt some compunction of conscience, but they refused to turn
back, and now hardness of heart is preparing them for hopeless apostasy, and
the judgements of God. The appeals of their Saviour have been resisted, His
mercy abused, His provisions of redeeming love, made by infinite sacrifice,
rejected. His heart yearns over them, His hand has been outstretched to save,
but they turned away, slighting His invitations of mercy. And yet His hand is
stretched out still, for our Saviour made provision that all who receive Him
shall be given power to become the sons of God. SPTB07 13
One thing it is certain is
soon to be realised,--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. SPTB07 57
If the law of God should
relinquish its claims upon men, if its restraints were removed, the result
would be a state of society in which lawlessness would be rife, and our world
would be in a condition similar to that which existed before the flood, which
brought down on the earth the wrath of God. If the law of God could have been
changed, or altered in one of its statutes, it would have been so altered
when sin originated in heaven, when the brightest son of the morning, who was
good, noble, and lovely above all the beings that God had created, found
fault with the precepts of that law in the counsels of angels. If ever a
change was to have been made, it would have been accomplished when rebellion
revealed itself in heaven, and so have prevented the great apostasy of the
angels. The fact that no change was made in God's administration, even when
the most exalted of the angels drew away from allegiance to God's law, is
evidence enough to reasonable minds that the law, the foundation of God's
government, will not relax its claims to save the wilful transgressor. ST
APR.28,1890
These promises will be
fulfilled when Christians take the position which God wishes them to fill. It
is His desire that they shall demonstrate to the world that human beings can
live pure, upright lives. That He might "purify unto Himself a peculiar
people," Christ left the royal courts and clothed His divinity with
humanity. He lived out in the world the principles of God's law, showing that
His grace has power to redeem men and women and raise them to a plane of
moral integrity. Amid the awful confederacy of evil now existing in the
world, Christians are to stand firmly and bravely for the Redeemer,
protesting by blameless lives against the prevailing apostasy. ST DEC.18,1901
The servants of God to-day
encounter difficulties very similar to those against which Nehemiah
contended. Human nature is still the same. And Satan is as active, earnest,
and persevering now as at any period in the past. Nay, rather, the word of
God declares that his power and enmity increase as we near the close of time.
The greatest danger of God's ancient people arose from their inclination to
disregard his direct requirements and to follow, instead, their own desires.
Such is the sin and danger of his people at the present time. The indolence,
backsliding, and degeneracy in our churches may be traced, in a great degree,
to the lax sentiments which have been coming in as a result of conformity to
the world. The Sabbath is not as sacredly regarded as it should be. Improper
marriages, with their train of evils, have dragged down some of the most
useful men to apostasy and ruin. ST JAN.24,1884
"Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." Before the
last developments of the work of apostasy there will be a confusion of faith.
There will not be clear and definite ideas concerning the mystery of God. One
truth after another will be corrupted. "And without controversy great is
the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the
Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up into glory." There are many who deny the pre-existence of
Christ, and therefore deny his divinity; they do not accept him as a personal
Saviour. This is a total denial of Christ. He was the only-begotten Son of
God, who was one with the Father from the beginning. By him the worlds were
made. ST MAY 28,1894
The great apostasy originally
began in a denial of the love of God, as it is plainly revealed in the Word.
Provision was then made whereby fallen man might have a powerful revelation
of the love of God, and be given an opportunity to return to his allegiance
to Jehovah. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life" (John 3:16). "I lay down my life for the sheep," says
Christ (chap. 10:15). "The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I
will give for the life of the world" (chap. 6:51). Here is a revelation
of the power mighty to save "to the uttermost." God is light and
love. UL 149
To the conservative and
compromising, these arguments seemed conclusive. But there was another class
that did not so judge. The fact that these customs "tended to bridge
over the chasm between Rome and the Reformation" (Martyn, volume 5, page
22), was in their view a conclusive argument against retaining them. They
looked upon them as badges of the slavery from which they had been delivered
and to which they had no disposition to return. They reasoned that God has in
His word established the regulations governing His worship, and that men are
not at liberty to add to these or to detract from them. The very beginning of
the great apostasy was in seeking to supplement the authority of God by that
of the church. Rome began by enjoining what God had not forbidden, and she
ended by forbidding what He had explicitly enjoined. GC11 289
Seeing the failure of his
efforts to crush out the truth by persecution, Satan had again resorted to
the plan of compromise which led to the great apostasy and the formation of
the Church of Rome. He had induced Christians to ally themselves, not now
with pagans, but with those who, by their devotion to the things of this
world, had proved themselves to be as truly idolaters as were the worshipers
of graven images. And the results of this union were no less pernicious now
than in former ages; pride and extravagance were fostered under the guise of
religion, and the churches became corrupted. Satan continued to pervert the
doctrines of the Bible, and traditions that were to ruin millions were taking
deep root. The church was upholding and defending these traditions, instead
of contending for "the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints." Thus were degraded the principles for which the Reformers had
done and suffered so much. GC11 298
What was the origin of the
great apostasy? How did the church first depart from the simplicity of the
gospel? By conforming to the practices of paganism, to facilitate the
acceptance of Christianity by the heathen. The apostle Paul declared, even in
his day, "The mystery of iniquity doth already work." 2
Thessalonians 2:7. During the lives of the apostles the church remained
comparatively pure. But "toward the latter end of the second century
most of the churches assumed a new form; the first simplicity disappeared,
and insensibly, as the old disciples retired to their graves, their children,
along with new converts, . . . came forward and new-modelled the
cause."--Robert Robinson, Ecclesiastical Researches, ch. 6, par. 17, p.
51. To secure converts, the exalted standard of the Christian faith was
lowered, and as the result "a pagan flood, flowing into the church,
carried with it its customs, practices, and idols." --Gavazzi, Lectures,
page 278. As the Christian religion secured the favour and support of secular
rulers, it was nominally accepted by multitudes; but while in appearance
Christians, many "remained in substance pagans, especially worshipping
in secret their idols."--Ibid., page 278. GC11 384
|