Proof
That The Church Triumphant
Is
the Literal 144,000 In Number
“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}
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The Lord has shown this writer
that the following statement from the pen of Ellen G. White, is one
of the most abused of her statements because of a wrongful understanding and interpretation
and thereby a gross misapplication by SDA leaders and laity alike. The
general thought garnered from the statements is that all the bad are shaken
from the church militant to leave the faithful remaining to become the church
triumphant, and the Lord showed me that this concept is all wrong. “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} The Lord showed me that the
best way to explain the statement in its proper light is to use the example
of ancient apostate Israel. The apostate Temple was the church militant. If
was members of that church militant who proved faithful to the cause of
Christ Jesus, who became the church triumphant. But the delineation goes
further than any surface reader has ever taken it. The church triumphant was
the disciples, the bride of Christ, and did not include all the Christians
who followed the disciples of Christ out of the apostate church militant. You are going to read some
very astounding statements in this document, but if you will read it all,
those astonishing statements will be proven beyond any doubt. This is one of those classic cases in which the full weight of evidence casts
forth an entirely different view of the facts of truth to all who are willing
to dig as for hidden treasure. ·
The literal twelve
disciples [in number] only were the
bride of Christ, Desire of Ages,
179. ·
It was the
disciples who were told that whoever they bound on earth would be bound in
heaven. ·
It was the
disciples who put aside all differences and came into perfect unity before
receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. ·
It was only the disciples who received the
typical outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. ·
It was the
disciples who had been called of God through John the Baptist in the Spirit
of Elias out in the wilderness before the first coming of Christ. ·
It was the
disciples who would take the gospel to the then known world. ·
It was the
disciples who were told that whoever they bound on earth would be bound in
heaven. ·
It was the
hand-picked disciples of Christ who were gathered out of the apostate church
to become the church triumphant. "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, 232. It might be well at this point
to review Matthew 11, to see just what Spirit it was that prepared the
disciples as a bride to
receive Christ at His first coming. Matthew Previous Chapter
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And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6
And blessed is he , whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10
For this is he , of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14
And if ye will receive it , this is Elias, which was for to come. 15
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 16
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 20
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him . 28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. http://bible.worthwhile.com/bible.php?b=matt&c=11&v=0&d=11&w=0 The meaning of Elias in Matthew 11:14 is:
Number 2243
Transliteration: Helias {hay-lee'-as} Word Origin: of Hebrew origin 452 TDNT: 2:928,306 Part of Speech: proper name masculine Usage in the KJV: Elias 30 Definition: Elijah = "my God is Jehovah" a prophet born
at Thisbe, the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the
idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah. He was taken up to heaven without dying,
whence the Jews expected he would return just before the advent of the
Messiah, whom he would prepare the minds of the Israelites to receive. TDNT - Theological Dictionary of the New
Testament “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} Note: Remember as you read,
this entire document as taken from the book Evangelism, is in the context of the church triumphant except for the notes I include. Chap. 20 - The Message Triumphant When the Loud Cry Sounds Truth Soon to Triumph.--The end is near,
stealing upon us stealthily, imperceptibly, like the noiseless approach of a
thief in the night. May the Lord grant that we shall no longer sleep as do
others, but that we shall watch and be sober. The truth is soon to triumph
gloriously, and all who now choose to
be laborers together with God, will triumph with it. The time is short;
the night soon cometh when no man can work.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 135.
(1909) {Ev 692.1} Conversion
as at Pentecost.--The time is coming when there will be as many converted in
a day as there were on the day of Pentecost, after the disciples had received
the Holy Spirit.--Review and Herald,
June 29, 1905. {Ev 692.2} Thousands Yet to Step Into Light.--Many
have let the gospel invitation go unheeded; they have been tested and tried;
but mountainous obstacles have seemed to loom up before their faces, blocking
their onward march. Through faith, perseverance, and courage, many will
surmount these obstructions and walk out into the glorious light. {Ev 692.3} Almost unconsciously barriers have been
erected in the strait and narrow way; stones of stumbling have been placed in
the path; these will be rolled away. The
safeguards which false shepherds have thrown around their flocks will become
as nought; thousands will step out into the light, and work to spread the
light. Heavenly intelligences will
combine with the human agencies. Thus encouraged, the church will indeed
arise and shine, throwing all her sanctified energies into the contest; thus
the design of God is accomplished; the lost pearls are recovered. {Ev
692.4} Prophets have discerned this grand work
afar off, and have caught the inspiration of the hour, and traced the
wonderful description of things yet to be. --Review and Herald, July 23,
1895. {Ev 693.1} Many Backsliders Will Return.--When the
storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true
Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost,
and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great
Shepherd. The people of God will draw
together, and present to the enemy a united front. . . . The love of
Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been
with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell
to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the
Lord.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) {Ev 693.2} Influenced by the Press.--God will soon
do great things for us, if we lie humble and believing at His feet. . . .More
than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace
their first convictions to the reading of our publications.-- Review and
Herald, Nov. 10, 1885. {Ev 693.3} The Power of 1844 Repeated.--The power
which stirred the people so mightily in the 1844 movement will again be
revealed. The third angel's message will go forth, not in whispered tones,
but with a loud voice. --Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 252. (1885) {Ev 693.4} The Loud Cry.--During the loud cry, the
church, aided by the providential interpositions of her exalted Lord,
will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be
communicated to every city and town. The earth will be filled with the
knowledge of salvation. So abundantly
will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely
active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing
everywhere.--Review and Herald, Oct. 13, 1904. {Ev 694.1} The Reason for the Delay Deferred in Mercy.--The long night of
gloom is trying, but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master
should come, so many would be found unready. God's unwillingness to have His people perish, has been the reason of
so long delay.-- Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 194. (1868) {Ev 694.2} The
Work Might Have Been Done.--Had the purpose of God been carried out by His
people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this,
have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into
the city of God.-- Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 450. (1900) {Ev 694.3} I know that
if the people of God had preserved a living connection with Him, if they had
obeyed His Word, they would today be in the heavenly Canaan. --General Conference Bulletin, March 30, 1903. {Ev
694.4} Satan Has Stolen a March on Us.--If
every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound,
the world might ere this have heard the message of warning. But the work is
years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon
us.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 29. (1909) {Ev 694.5} No Failure of God's Promises.--The
angels of God in their messages to men represent time as very short. Thus it
has always been presented to me. It is true that time has continued longer
than we expected in the early days of this message. Our Saviour did not
appear as soon as we hoped. But has the Word of the Lord failed? Never! It should be remembered that the promises
and the threatenings of God are alike conditional. {Ev 695.1} God had committed to His people a work
to be accomplished on earth. The third angel's message was to be given, the
minds of believers were to be directed to the heavenly sanctuary, where
Christ had entered to make atonement for His people. The Sabbath reform was
to be carried forward. The breach in the law of God must be made up. The
message must be proclaimed with a loud voice, that all the inhabitants of
earth might receive the warning. The
people of God must purify their souls through obedience to the truth, and be
prepared to stand without fault before Him at His coming. {Ev 695.2} Note: The above statement
makes clear which church Ellen White is speaking of when she speaks of the
church triumphant. Only the 144,000 stand before God without fault at His
coming. Revelation
14
So it is clear that the church triumphant is the 144,000, with
the following attributes: ·
Translated without seeing death. ·
Are not defiled with women (apostate churches). ·
Are the Zion virgin (bethulah)
of Isaiah 62:1-5, that is married. ·
Zion has sons and daughters. Her sons and daughters are the 10
virgins who are concubines (not as pure). ·
This bride, the 144,000, awaken the 10 virgins, all of whom
have slept, Matthew 25. So Zion has to be ready first in order to awaken the
ten virgins. Christ’s Object Lessons,
405, 406. ·
Zion is the Holy Mother with children: ·
"The people of God, symbolized by a holy woman and her
children, were represented as greatly
in the minority. In the last days only a remnant still existed. Of
these John speaks as they 'which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ." E. G. White, Signs of the
Times, Nov. 1, 1899, and Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 7, p. 972. · It is this “without fault, without guile in their mouths” remnant, Zion, that appears
as about to fall but does not: · “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. We must be
divested of our self-righteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of
Christ. {12MR 324.3} · Sinners are shaken from
Zion, the church triumphant, which is taken into a wilderness experience
where she is brought in covenant relationship with Christ, to wit: 34 And I will
bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries
wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm,
and with fury poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the
wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36
Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt,
so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. 37 And I will cause
you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the
covenant: 38 And I will purge
out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they
sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know
that I am the LORD. · The measuring rod is God’s law (His sceptre—His mark of
authority—His Sabbath, and His Word). It is from, and by this antitypical “John
the Baptist” wilderness church, the Third Angel, the 144,000, that the rebels
are shaken out of the Kingdom of heaven, Matthew 13:44 and on. · The 144,000 church triumphant is the church that
selects and seals (binds) the wheat for the heavenly garner. "I then saw the THIRD ANGEL. Said my accompanying angel, 'Fearful is his work. Awful is his
mission. He is
the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the
wheat for the heavenly garner." E.G. White, Early Writings, 118. · Third Angel—“No one hears
the voice of these angels, for they are a symbol to represent the people of God who are working in harmony
with the universe of heaven. Men and
women, enlightened by the Spirit of God and sanctified through the truth,
proclaim the three messages in their order.”
E.G. White, Selected Messages, Bk. 2, p. 387. ·
"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." E.. White, The Spirit of
Prophecy,
Vol. 4, 199, 200. ·
"Verily I say
unto you," Christ continued, "whatsoever
ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Verse 18. This statement holds its force in all ages. On the church
[triumphant and the church militant when it is in accord with God ‘s Word]
has been conferred the power to act in Christ's stead. It is God's
instrumentality for the preservation of order and discipline among His
people. To it the Lord has delegated the power to settle all questions
respecting its prosperity, purity, and order. Upon
it rests the responsibility of excluding from its fellowship those who are
unworthy, who by their un-Christlike conduct would bring dishonor on the
truth. Whatever the church does that is in accordance with the directions
given in God's word will be ratified in heaven.” 7T 263. · Mat 16:19 And I will give
unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven. · Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto
you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ·
Zion, the 144,000,
appear as about to fall during the
time of Jacob’s trouble when they are surrounded by the enemy: “The people of God will then be plunged into those
scenes of affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of
Jacob's trouble. "Thus saith the
Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. . . .
All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for that day is great, so that none
is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out
of it." Jeremiah 30:5-7. · The 144,000 are the only
faithful alive during the time of Jacob’s trouble. All others will have been
martyred. So that is the only church that appears as about to fall but does
not fall. · Jacob's night of anguish, when he wrestled in prayer
for deliverance from the hand of Esau (Genesis 32:24-30), represents the experience of God's
people in the time of trouble.
Because of the deception practiced to secure his father's blessing, intended
for Esau, Jacob had fled for his life, alarmed by his brother's deadly
threats. After remaining for many years an exile, he had set out, at God's
command, to return with his wives and children, his flocks and herds, to his
native country. On reaching the borders of the land, he was filled with
terror by the tidings of Esau's approach at the head of a band of warriors,
doubtless bent upon revenge. Jacob's
company, unarmed and defenseless, seemed
about to fall helpless victims of violence and slaughter. And to the burden
of anxiety and fear was added the crushing weight of self-reproach, for it
was his own sin that had brought this danger. His only hope was in the mercy
of God; his only defense must be prayer. Yet he leaves nothing undone on his
own part to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened
danger. So should the followers of Christ, as they approach the time of
trouble, make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the
people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger which threatens liberty
of conscience.” The Great Controversy,
p. 616. Only the 144,000 are translated without seeing death, Early Writings, p. 19 and the
following Spiritual Gifts, Vol.
III, pp. 26, 27 reference: "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. ·
The 144,000 are
true reformers: "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—Sion 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. · Only the 144,000 enter the
Temple on Mt. Zion in heaven. Early Writings, p. 19. · Zion (Sion) is the same as
the Philadelphians who are not indicted with any fault in Revelation 3:10-12.
In these verses they are represented as pillars in the Temple, and only the
144,000 enter the Temple on Mt. Zion. End note. 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]. They are held in everlasting, imperishable
remembrance. We want faith now, living faith. We want to have a living
testimony that shall cut to the heart of the sinner. There is too much
sermonizing and too little ministering. We want the holy unction. We need the
spirit and fervor of the truth. Many of the ministers are half paralyzed by
their own defects of character. They need the converting power of God. {12MR
325.1} 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. God help us to render to
Him all His law requires. We cannot do this without that faith that brings
Christ's righteousness into daily practice.” {12MR 325.2} Had Adventists, after the great
disappointment in 1844, held fast their faith and followed on unitedly in the
opening providence of God, receiving the message of the third angel and in
the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming it to the world, they would have
seen the salvation of God, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their
efforts, the work would have been completed, and Christ would have come ere
this to receive His people to their reward. But in the period of doubt and
uncertainty that followed the disappointment, many of the advent believers
yielded their faith. . . . Thus the work was hindered, and the world was left
in darkness. Had the whole Adventist body united upon the commandments of
696 God and the faith of Jesus,
how widely different would have been our history! {Ev 695.3} It was not the will of God that the
coming of Christ should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people,
Israel, should wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them
directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy,
happy people. But those to whom it was first preached, went not in
"because of unbelief." Their hearts were filled with murmuring,
rebellion, and hatred, and He could not fulfill His covenant with them. {Ev
696.1} For forty years did unbelief, murmuring,
and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins
have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In
neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the
worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the
Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so
many years.--Manuscript 4, 1883. {Ev 696.2} Charge It Not to God.--We may have to
remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did
the children of Israel; but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin
to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of
action.--Letter 184, 1901. {Ev 696.3} We May Hasten the Day.--By giving the
gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return.--The
Desire of Ages, p. 633. (1898) {Ev 696.4} It is the privilege of every Christian,
not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were
all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole
world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last harvest
would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious
grain.--Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 22, 23. (1904) {Ev 696.5} When the Message Is Finished.--It [the
coming of the Lord] will not tarry past the time that the message is borne to
all nations, tongues, and peoples. Shall we who claim to be students of
prophecy forget that God's forbearance to the wicked is a part of the vast
and merciful plan by which He is seeking to compass the salvation of
souls?--Review and Herald, June 18, 1901. {Ev 697.1} Power for
Finishing the Work Why Many Have Failed in Soul
Winning.--Many present the doctrines and theories of our faith; but their
presentation is as salt without savor; for
the Holy Spirit is not working through their faithless ministry. They have not
opened the heart to receive the grace of Christ; they know not the operation
of the Spirit; they are as meal without leaven; for there is no working
principle in all their labor, and they fail to win souls to Christ. They do
not appropriate the righteousness of Christ; it is a robe unworn by them, a
fullness unknown, a fountain untouched.--Review
and Herald, Nov. 29, 1892. {Ev 697.2} Need of Intensity to Impress Unbelievers.--We need greater earnestness in the cause of Christ. The
solemn message of truth should be given with an intensity that would impress
unbelievers that God is working with our efforts, that the Most High is our
living source of strength.--Signs of the Times, Dec. 9, 1886. {Ev 697.3} When we bring our hearts into unity with
Christ, and our lives into harmony with His work, the Spirit that fell on the disciples on the day of Pentecost will
fall on us.--Review and Herald, June
30, 1903. {Ev 697.4} With the Zeal of the Apostles.--Zeal for
the glory of God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty
power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a longing to tell the story
of redeeming love, of Christ and Him crucified? Should not the power of God
be even more mightily revealed today then in the
time of the apostles?--Signs of the Times, Feb. 17, 1914. {Ev 698.1} The Source
of Their Power.--After Christ's
ascension, the disciples were gathered together in one place to make humble
supplication to God. And after ten days of
heart searching and self-examination, the way was prepared for the Holy
Spirit to enter the cleansed, consecrated soul temples. Every heart was
filled with the Spirit, as though God desired to show His people that it was
His prerogative to bless them with the choicest of heaven's blessings. . . .
The sword of the Spirit flashed right and left. Newly edged with power, it pierced even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. The idolatry that had been
mingled with the worship of the people was overthrown. New territory was
added to the kingdom of God. Places that had been barren and desolate sounded
forth His praises.--Review and Herald, June 10, 1902. {Ev 698.2} They Felt the Burden of Souls.--Notice that 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. They were of one accord. All differences had been put
away. And the testimony borne of them
after the Spirit had been given is the same. Mark the word: "The
multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." The Spirit
of Him who died that sinners might live, animated the entire congregation of
believers. {Ev 698.3} The disciples did not ask for a blessing
for themselves. They were weighted with the burden of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the ends of the earth,
and they claimed the endowment of power that Christ had promised. Then it was
that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day. --Signs of the Times, Feb. 17, 1914. {Ev 699.1} Note: The disciples of Christ
were His bride which was prepared for Him by John the Baptist in the
wilderness—Desire of Ages, 179.
Then John decreased and Christ increased. God’s final church triumphant, the
144,000, are prepared in a wilderness like experience by the Elijah power
exhibited also by John the Baptist. That church is defined in Ezekiel
20:34-38. It is from and by this church triumphant that the rebels are
shaken. An Awakened Church.--When we have
entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will
recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this
will not be while the largest portion of the church [the church triumphant in context] are not laborers together with God.--Review and
Herald, July 21, 1896. {Ev 699.2} Note: Remember as you read, this entire document as
taken from the book Evangelism, is
in the context of the church triumphant. Earth Enlightened.--I saw jets of light
shining from cities and villages, and from the high places and the low places
of the earth. God's Word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for
Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the
world.--Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 28, 29. (1909) {Ev 699.3} Hundreds and thousands were seen
visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were
convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion
was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the
truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly
influence.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 126. (1909) {Ev 699.4} Through Humble Instruments.--As the time comes for it [the message of the third
angel] to be given with greatest power,
the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service.
The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary
institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with
holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will
be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church
by civil authority, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid
progress of the papal power,--all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings
the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have
never heard words like these.--The Great Controversy, p. 606. (1888) {Ev
699.5} Multitudes Will Join the Armies of the
Lord.-- Many . . . will be seen hurrying hither and thither, constrained by
the Spirit of God to bring the light to others. The truth, the Word of God,
is as a fire in their bones, filling them with a burning desire to enlighten
those who sit in darkness. Many, even
among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are
impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The
Spirit is poured out upon all who will
yield to its promptings, and, casting off all man's machinery, his
binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the
might of the Spirit's power. Multitudes will receive the faith and join the
armies of the Lord.--Review and Herald,
July 23, 1895. {Ev 700.1} Thousands of Voices Sound
Warning.--Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy
consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from
heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be
given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and
wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even
bringing down
701 fire from heaven in the sight
of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their
stand. {Ev 700.2} Note: It is interesting and correct, of course, that Ellen
White said “thousands of voices will
sound the warning,” and not millions. But millions will receive the
warning. But the 144,000 will sound
the warning. End note. The message will be carried not so much
by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments
have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and
bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted
their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from
fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of
light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the
honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family
connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more
precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the
truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side. --The Great
Controversy, p. 612. (1888) {Ev 701.1} 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.--Review and Herald, March 19, 1895.
{Ev 701.2} The Latter Rain.--Let Christians . . .
ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come. 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.--Signs of the Times,
Feb. 17, 1914. {Ev 701.3} Present Hour of Opportunity The Work for Today.--The third angel's
message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not feel at 702 liberty to neglect the present
duty, and still entertain the idea that at some future time you will be the
recipients of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a
wonderful revival will take place. . . . Today you are to have your vessel
purified, that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of
the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will
fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today
to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord--fitted for the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. . . . {Ev 701.4} Instead of living in expectation of some
special season of excitement, we are wisely to improve present opportunities,
doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of
exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and
seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we
are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present
duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to
souls who are perishing for the truth.--Review and Herald, March 22, 1892.
{Ev 702.1} Unprecedented Opportunities.--In these
days of travel, the opportunities for coming in contact with men and women of
all classes and of many nationalities, are much greater than in the days of
Israel. The thoroughfares of travel have multiplied a thousandfold.
God has wonderfully prepared the way. The agency of the printing press, with
its manifold facilities, is at our command. Bibles and publications in many
languages, setting forth the truth for this time, are at our hand, and can be
swiftly carried to every part of the world. {Ev 702.2} We are to give the last warning of God
to men,
703 and what should be our
earnestness in studying the Bible, and our zeal in spreading the
light!--Review and Herald, Jan. 25, 1906. {Ev 702.3} God Provides These Opportunities.--A
crisis is right upon us. We must now by the Holy Spirit's power proclaim the
great truths for these last days. It will not be long before everyone will
have heard the warning and made his decision. Then shall the end come. . . .
God is the great Master Worker, and by His providence He prepares the way for
His work to be accomplished. He provides opportunities, opens up lines of
influence, and channels of working. If His people are watching the
indications of His providence, and stand ready to co-operate with Him, they
will see a great work accomplished.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 24. (1900) {Ev
703.1} National Crisis Brings Religious
Awakening.--Today men and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand
of Him who makes no mistake. . . . {Ev 703.2} Today the signs of the times declare
that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything
in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour's
prophecy of the events to precede His coming: "Ye shall hear of wars and
rumors of wars. . . . Nation shall rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and
pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." {Ev 703.3} The present is a time of overwhelming
interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of
trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their
attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the
relations that exist among the nations. They
704 observe the intensity that is
taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something
great and decisive is about to take place,--that the world is on the verge of
a stupendous crisis.--Prophets and Kings, pp. 536, 537. (1916) {Ev 703.4} Our Duty in the Moment of
Respite.--Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, until the world
shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst
upon the earth, and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will
be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. . . . {Ev 704.1} A moment of respite has been graciously
given us of God. Every power lent us of heaven is to be used in doing the
work assigned us by the Lord for those who are perishing in ignorance. . . .
{Ev 704.2} God's people should make mighty
intercession to Him for help now. And they must put their whole energies into
the effort to proclaim the truth during the respite that has been granted. .
. . {Ev 704.3} Every day we have been associating with
men and women who are judgment bound. Each day may have been the dividing
line for some soul. Each day someone may have made the decision which will
determine his future destiny.--Review and Herald, Nov. 23, 1905. {Ev 704.4} Significance of the Conflict.--We do not
understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible
agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every man,
good and evil angels strive. This is no make-believe conflict. It is no mimic
battle in which we are engaged. We have to meet most powerful adversaries,
and it rests with us to determine which shall win. We are to find our
strength where the early disciples found theirs.--Signs of the Times, Feb.
17, 1914. 705 {Ev 704.5} Heathenism Revived; Man of Sin
Exposed.--As we near the close of time, there will be greater and still
greater external parade of heathen power; heathen deities will manifest their
signal power, and will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world; and
this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled. By a variety of images
the Lord Jesus represented to John the wicked character and seductive
influence of those who have been distinguished for their persecution of God's
people. All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of iniquity that
figures so largely in the winding up of this earth's history. . . . {Ev
705.1} In the very time in which we live, the
Lord has called His people and has given them a message to bear. He has
called them to expose the wickedness of the man of sin who has made the
Sunday law a distinctive power, who has thought to change times and laws, and
to oppress the people of God who stand firmly to honor Him by keeping the
only true Sabbath, the Sabbath creation, as holy unto the Lord. --Testimonies
to Ministers, pp. 117, 118. {Ev 705.2} God's Fearless Messengers.--At the
present time, when the end of all things earthly is rapidly approaching,
Satan is putting forth desperate efforts to ensnare the world. He is devising
many plans to occupy minds, and to divert attention from the truths essential
to salvation. . . . {Ev 705.3} Wickedness is reaching a height never
before attained, and yet many ministers of the gospel are crying, "Peace
and safety." But God's faithful messengers are to go steadily forward
with their work. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they are to advance
fearlessly and victoriously, never ceasing their warfare until every soul
within their reach shall have received
706 the message of truth for this
time.--Acts of the Apostles, pp. 219, 220. (1911) {Ev 705.4} Speedy Triumphant Climax The Gospel Once Shook the World.--By the
co-operation of the divine Spirit, the apostles did a work that shook the
world. To every nation was the gospel carried in a single generation. {Ev
706.1} Glorious were the results that attended the
ministry of the chosen apostles of Christ. . . . {Ev 706.2} Not in their own power did the apostles
accomplish their mission, but in the power of the living God. Their work was
not easy. The opening labors of the Christian
church were attended by hardship and bitter grief. In their work the
disciples constantly encountered privation, calumny, and persecution; but
they counted not their lives dear to unto themselves and rejoiced that they
were called to suffer for Christ. Irresolution, indecision, weakness of
purpose, found no place in their efforts. They were willing to spend and be
spent. The consciousness of the responsibility resting on them purified and
enriched their experience; and the grace of heaven was revealed in the
conquests they achieved for Christ. With the might of omnipotence God worked
through them to make the gospel triumphant.--Acts of the Apostles, pp.
593-595. (1911) {Ev 706.3} A Firmament of Chosen Ones.--Among
earth's inhabitants, scattered in every land, there are those who have not
bowed the knee to Baal. Like the stars of heaven, which appear only at night,
these faithful ones will shine forth when darkness covers the earth and gross
darkness the people. In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and
of South America,
707 in China, in India, in the
islands of the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in
reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the
darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of
obedience to His law. Even now they are appearing in every nation, among
every tongue and people; and in the hour of deepest apostasy, when Satan's
supreme effort is made to cause "all, both small and great, rich and
poor, free and bond," to receive, under penalty of death, the sign of
allegiance to a false rest day, these faithful ones, "blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke," will "shine as lights
in the world." The darker the night, the more brilliantly will they
shine. --Prophets and Kings, pp. 188, 189. (1916) {Ev 706.4} 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} Note: It should be evident by
now that the church militant has misinterpreted the above verse to mean that
the bad are shaken out by and from the church militant instead of by and from
the church triumphant. It is once
members of the church militant who prove faithful by coming out of all
apostasy so that they are not defiled with women (fallen churches), and have
no guile in their mouths and are blameless before God, who are the church
triumphant, the faithful Zion, the bride of Christ, from which, and by which
all rebels are shaken from ever entering the Kingdom of Heaven, Matt. 13:44
and on. Hence, the following truth: 31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah
shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: 32 For out of
Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion:
the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. Isaiah 37:31, 32. There is an exact counterpart
to the ancient Jews at the end-time. That counterpart is the apostate SDA
church, “modern-day spiritual Jerusalem,” in addition to all who come out of
Babylon. All who remain in any and all of the apostate churches are part of
the Synagogue of Satan, and receive another literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. And still our General, who never makes a
mistake, says to us, "Advance; enter new territory; lift the standard in
every land. 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord
is risen upon thee.'" {Ev 707.2} The time has come when through God's
messengers the scroll is being unrolled to the world. The truth contained in
the first, second, and third angels' messages must go to every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people; it must lighten the darkness of every continent,
and extend to the islands of the sea. There must be no delay in this work.
{Ev 707.3} Our watchword is to be, Onward, ever
onward! Angels of heaven will go before us to prepare the way. Our burden for
the regions beyond can never be laid down till the whole earth is lightened
with the glory of the Lord.--Gospel Workers, p. 470. (1915) {Ev 707.4} The Seventy Who Were Sent Out in Addition
to the Disciples Though there was the seventy
who were sent out in addition to the disciples, there is no evidence that
they were ever considered as being the bride of Christ. December 10, 1894 he Sending Out of
the Seventy. By Mrs. E. G. White. "After these things the Lord
appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into
every city and place, whither he himself would come." The seventy were
appointed to go on their missionary journeys some months after the twelve had
been appointed to visit the lost sheep of the house of Israel. When the
twelve were sent forth, they were restricted to the tribes of Israel, lest
their missionary efforts should create prejudice among the Jews, whose
teaching had been of such a character as to make them narrow in their ideas
in regard to the extension of the gospel to other nationalities. The
disciples themselves could scarcely comprehend the fact that the blessings of
God were for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews, and had to unlearn many
lessons that made them conservative in their views concerning the mission and
work of the Messiah. But evidences were given them that prepared them to
understand that the tidings of the kingdom of Christ were to be preached to
all nations. Now that their sympathies were broadening, and their ideas
expanding in regard to the purpose of God, Christ desired them to act out
their faith before he should be removed from them, that there might be no
misunderstanding in regard to the extension of the gospel. {ST, December 10,
1894 par. 1} Jesus' great heart of love was filled
with longing to proclaim the words of life to all nationalities, and he did
this in a large measure. He placed himself in the great thoroughfares of
travel, where the crowds passed to and fro, and preached to large concourses
of different peoples. But he saw numerous fields opening up for missionary
labor. There was abundant opportunity for the twelve disciples to work, and
not only for them, but for a very large number of workers. He educated a
larger number to employ in missionary work, and, as he sent forth seventy
more laborers into the harvest field, he said, "The harvest truly is
great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." In giving his
laborers direction as they began this most important work, he said,
"Salute no man by the way." The salutation to which he referred was
not that of giving a friendly grasp to the hand, but was a long series of ceremonies,
that consumed time to no profit, and their business was too urgent to trifle
away precious moments in unnecessary forms. They were bearing a message that
was to be as a savor of life unto life to those who received it, and as a
savor of death unto death to those who rejected it; and all these
superstitious positions and ceremonies of salutation, if performed, would
lessen the importance of the message, and seem to make it of little moment.
{ST, December 10, 1894 par. 2} The sending out of the disciples on a
missionary tour was a most important movement, as it was a breaking away from
the old, narrow conservatism of the Jews, and would have a tendency to lead
them away from their prejudices against other nations, and establish them in
a larger charity. He wished them to be impressed with the necessity of
planting the truth in the hearts of all men, with the thought that all who
would come might come to him, and by believing in him have life through his
name. The time was approaching when he should leave his followers, but he
promised them that the Spirit should come to lead them into all truth, to
illuminate to their minds the Scriptures which he had himself given to
patriarchs and prophets. No longer were the Gentiles to be kept in heathenism,
or, as it were, in the outer courts of the temple. {ST, December 10, 1894
par. 3} The Pharisees were daily plotting to
stop the spread of the gospel of Christ, and were misinterpreting God's word,
by threatening the people, and seeking to intimidate them, and they deepened
the darkness that enveloped the souls of men, and bound more firmly the
chains of superstition and error that Jesus was breaking from those who
believed in him. The Pharisees and rulers and rabbis sought to controvert the
truth by their assertions, and manifested great zeal in pursuing their evil
course. They hesitated at nothing that would carry out their hatred of
Christ. The seventy were sent out with the warning, "Behold, I send you
forth as lambs among wolves." But though sent out to meet opposition,
they were not to be spiritless, powerless, and feeble. They were to exercise
every proper means that was consistent with the commission they were given,
and spend and be spent in seeking to win souls to the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
A new and mighty movement was to be inaugurated, a new epoch was to be
ushered in, advancing the truth to the world. {ST, December 10, 1894 par. 4} The world's Redeemer marks out the
course the disciples were to pursue. There must be no betraying of sacred
trusts on the part of those intrusted with the work, no yielding save to one
Guide. Christ laid out before them the rules of action they were to follow,
the manner in which they were to pursue their work, and there must be no
swerving from God's word. He sent them forth two and two. This was the order
in which the laborers were to go forth. He was about to leave the work, and
he determined to put it in the hands of faithful men, who would teach others
also to carry forward and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to all nations,
tongues, and peoples. He had revealed to his followers invisible realities,
and had told them of coming events, reaching down to the end of earth's
history. He had opened up to them principles concerning redemption and moral
government by holding forth to them the words of life, and all these great
truths which he had communicated to them were not only for their
enlightenment, but that they also might communicate truth to others who were
in darkness. The seventy were to go forth to do a work similar to that which
was being done by the twelve. They were all endowed with supernatural
endowments as the seal of their heavenly calling. They were ordained to
proclaim that which Jesus at the beginning of his ministry had bidden them to
keep secret. Repeatedly Jesus had charged them not to proclaim his
Messiahship, but to let the people receive him upon the testimony of his
words and works. His works presented the divine credentials that bore
sufficient evidence of his claims. But before the close of his earthly
ministry, it was his purpose to give men unmistakable evidence of the fact
that he was the Sent of God, that he was the center and soul of the kingdom
of Israel; and this fact was to be proclaimed throughout all the borders of
Judea; and in his last journey toward Jerusalem, prophecy should be so
publicly fulfilled that no student of Scripture need be in doubt concerning
his character and mission. The specifications of prophecy were to be
fulfilled to the letter. {ST, December 10, 1894 par. 5} It was the work of the seventy disciples
to give publicity to his work. They were his delegated forerunners, sent
forth to create an interest in him, and to bear their message heralding his
approach. The Saviour gave them special instruction as to how they were to
conduct themselves, and what preliminary work must be done by them. The
instruction was after the same order as he gave to the twelve when he sent
them forth. "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief
approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." They were not to keep their
goods, bind them up in a napkin, and hide them in the earth. The Lord would
have them put to use the talents he had given them, and put them out to the
exchangers, by using every ability of money, mind, or influence in furthering
the communication of the light of truth to souls who sat in darkness. {ST,
December 10, 1894 par. 6} He said to them, "Where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also." "What shall it profit
a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall
a man give in exchange for his soul?" {ST, December 10, 1894 par. 7} The spirit of prophecy had distinctly
predicted that God would raise up an inspired Teacher, who should instruct
the people. This great Teacher had appeared among men, but they knew him not.
Christ, the foundation of the whole Jewish economy, who had been prefigured
in sacrifices and offerings, had appeared in the Jewish nation, but their
eyes were blinded. He had himself inspired the prophets to testify of the
manner of his coming, and at sundry times and in divers places Christ himself
had spoken to man. There had been no time when he was not in communication
with his chosen people. The Jewish services all testify of him, pointing out
the attributes of his divine character. Important truth concerning him was
veiled in types and shadows and symbols, and was to be fulfilled in Christ's
mission and ministry. From time to time the veil had been lifted and the
mystery had been revealed concerning the plan of salvation. The reality had
been made plain, the substance had appeared, explaining the shadow. Jesus
Christ was revealed, the One who was to give his life for the redemption of
the world. Those who believed in him in the ages before his personal advent,
"died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them
afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." {ST, December 10, 1894
par. 8} "By faith Moses, when he was come
to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of
sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the
reward." Here is plain evidence that Moses understood the mission of
Christ and the work he was to do. He expected the substance to be revealed,
and the unfinished economy of the Jewish nation would be completed in perfect
fulfillment of every specification that God had given in types and shadows.
He would bring his own system of arrangements to perfection. For Moses truly
said unto the fathers: "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto
you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things
whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul,
which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as
have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." {ST, December 10,
1894 par. 9} The work of the chosen twelve, and of the
seventy who were sent out, was to proclaim the Messiahship of Jesus, and to
herald his personal coming wheresoever they should go. They were to say,
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" {ST, December 10, 1894 par.
10} End of Article Conclusions "The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people
to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He
took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will
continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a
church proves unfaithful to the work of the Lord, whatever their position may
be, however high and sacred their
calling, the Lord can no longer
work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from
every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all
their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and,
unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a
reproach." The Upward Look, p
131. ·
Ancient Israel had
the high and sacred calling of being God’s chosen people. They fell from that
calling and God could no longer work with them. Others were “chosen.” ·
Seventh-day
Adventists, as modern-day spiritual Israel, were also called and “chosen” of
God. But they slept and whole they were sleeping, Satan entered in and formed
a new movement, new organization, “among” within their church. That new
movement changed pillar doctrines into antichrist doctrine, thus removing
God. Selected Messages, Bk. 1, 204,
205. ·
That new movement
added antichrist doctrine as well, such as Rome’s Central Doctrine, the
Trinity Doctrine, which by and of itself sweeps away the entire Christian
economy. If you don’t know how and why, then you had better search everything
you can find on my Website under the heading “Godhead.” ·
Ellen White
prophesied that there would be a COUNTERPART to the apostasy of ancient
Israel, God’s first “chosen” people, and the only people who so qualify are
professing Seventh-day Adventists: ·
COUNTERPART: "The Lord commanded one of his ancient servants,
'Pray not thou for this people [Jer. 7:16 and 11:14], 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. ·
"Shall the Lord be compelled to say, `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' [Jeremiah 7:16]? `Therefore the showers have
been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain....Wilt thou not from this
time cry unto Me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth' [Jeremiah
3:3-4]?... ·
COUNTERPART: "In the time of the Saviour, the Jews had so
covered over the precious jewels of truth with the rubbish of tradition and
fable, that it was impossible to distinguish the true from the false. The
Saviour came to clear away the rubbish of superstition and long-cherished
errors, and to set the jewels of God's word in the framework of truth. What
would the Saviour do if he should come to us now as he did to the Jews? He
would have to do a similar work in clearing away the rubbish of tradition and
ceremony. The Jews were greatly disturbed when he did this work [As are SDAs today!]. They had lost sight of the original truth
of God, but Christ brought it again to view. It is our work to free the
precious truths of God from superstition and error." E.G. White, Review and Herald, Vol. 2, 308. ·
“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} · Ellen White prophesied another literal fulfillment of
Ezekiel 9 beginning at His Sanctuary, those who have been blessed with great
light, the House of Jacob: Begin at My Sanctuary -- "Here we see that the church--the
Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The
ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the
spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position
that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's
power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their
unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil.
He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus 'Peace and
safety" is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice
like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs
that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended
God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together." E. G.
White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211. ·
If the bad were
shaking out of that church so that it would then become the church
triumphant, Ezekiel 9 would not begin there. ·
How do we know
that bad are not shaken out to leave that church the church triumphant?
Because if Ezekiel 9 is literally fulfilled, it will have to begin at a
literal apostate church, just as it did the last time it was literally
fulfilled in A.D. 70, when the dross was gathered into the midst of it and destroyed,
Ezekiel 22:17-31. ·
A new movement
that removes God by removing pillar doctrines and substituting antichrist
doctrines, does not qualify as a church militant. Why? Because Ellen White
said that only the presence of Christ can constitute a church, The Upward Look, 315. The once SDA church militant became the
Synagogue of Satan when it removed God, just as Christ accused the apostate
Jewish church of being the Synagogue of Satan—type—counterpart. ·
The literal
144,000 are Christ’s bride at the end-time, just as the literal twelve were
His bride in the type of Israel. ·
“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the
disciples and said, (the number of names together was about a hundred and
twenty,) Men, brothers, this Scripture must have been fulfilled, which the
Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who became
guide to those who seized Jesus. For he was numbered with us and had obtained
part of this ministry. Indeed, then, this one purchased a field with the
reward of unrighteousness. And falling headlong, he burst apart in the
middle, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known to all the dwellers
at Jerusalem, so much so that that field is called in their own dialect, Akeldama, that is to say, Field of Blood. For it is
written in the Book of Psalms, "Let his estate become forsaken, and he
not be living in it." And, "Let another take his overseership." Therefore, it is right that one of
these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in
and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that same day
that He was taken up from us, to become a witness with us of His
resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas,
who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, You, Lord, knower
of all hearts, show which one You chose from these two, to take the share of
this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell, to go to his own place.
And they gave forth their lots. And
the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the Eleven
apostles [to make twelve again]. -- Acts
1:15-26 ·
SDA home churches
that obey God’s commandments, and the Testimonies,
are now the church militant and the faithful reformers in those churches
become the church triumphant, the 144,000 bride in literal number, just as
the twelve disciples were the bride in literal number. The Lord has shown me
the literalness of this number. “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} Are there others who will be
saved? Yes. "Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who,
plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep,
intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in
the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when
the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were
martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man
could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Revelation
7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and
reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their
triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ
which now is theirs." E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 665. So we
have in their order before the throne: · The bride of Christ, the 144,000. · The faithful martyrs of all ages. · The great multitude which no man
can number. That is a large number! Nearest
the Throne: [One would assume that the bride of Christ is nearest Him on His
throne]. January 15,
1904 Fellowship With Christ. "I appoint unto you a kingdom, as
My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My
kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." {AUCR, January 15, 1904 par. 1} “What a wonderful promise this is! We are
to be sharers with Christ in the kingdom that He receives from His Father. This
is a spiritual kingdom, in which those who are the most active in serving
others are the greatest.
{AUCR, January 15, 1904 par. 2} They are
not most active in serving others in order to be the greatest. They are most
active in serving others out of a motive of faith that works by love for
Christ and others. God bless, —rwb |