My Vision on Ezekiel 9

June 14, 2015

Early this a.m., the Lord gave me a vision clarifying commonly held cherished errors of many professing Seventh-day Adventists concerning the time that Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled upon Adventists. The most commonly held cherished error regarding this issue inherently teaches that there will be faithful martyrs of Adventists after probation closes when the seven last plagues begin to fall. I was shown that Ezekiel 9 is the time that faithful martyrs will occur and that such martyrdoms must occur before the seven last plagues because Ellen White says that there will be no faithful martyrs after the plagues begin.

This error involving when true martyrdoms occur is imbibed when Adventists teach that Ezekiel 9 does not occur for the church until the very end of time as depicted by the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 upon Babylon and the world in The Great Controversy, pp. 653-656. The other cherished error involving Ezekiel 9, is that its fulfillment occurs BEFORE the National Sunday Law is initially legislated.

It is more than interesting that some like Vance Ferrell believe that another prophet is not necessary, yet these serious problems have not been addressed and corrected while they have existed since the death of Ellen G. White! If no prophet is necessary, why haven’t Vance and other SDA leaders corrected the serious cherished errors that are mentioned in this vision?

The Two Literal Fulfillments of Ezekiel 9

The Great Controversy, p. 25, teaches that the FIRST literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 occurred in A.D. 70, at the Destruction of Jerusalem. It teaches that that destruction was TWOFOLD:

“The future was mercifully veiled from the disciples. Had they at that time fully comprehend the two awful facts--the Redeemer's sufferings and death, and the destruction of their city and temple--they would have been overwhelmed with horror. Christ presented before them an outline of the prominent events to take place before the close of time. His words were not then fully understood; but their meaning was to be unfolded as His people should need the instruction therein given. The prophecy which He uttered was twofold in its meaning; while foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem, it prefigured also the terrors of the last great day.” The Great Controversy, p. 25.

The Twofold Application of Ezekiel 9:

1. The prophesy which Jesus uttered to His disciples foreshadowed the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.

2. The prophesy which Jesus uttered PREFIGURED also the terrors of the last great day, BEGINNING AT HIS CHURCH, HIS SANCTUARY.

3. God and Ellen White both say that Ezekiel 9 will be literally fulfilled again at the end-time. Though Ezekiel 9 is fulfilled upon Babylon and the world (the fallen churches and the world) at the very end of time, it BEGINS at His Sanctuary, His church, Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211, BEFORE the close of general probation. How do we know this as an absolute surety? Because Ellen White said there will be no faithful martyrs after the close of probation, because they would not serve any good purpose after that time.

4. Probation for the Adventist church closed long ago when the church engaged itself in ecumenical liaison with Babylon--Isaiah 8:9-12, and adopted the Trinity Doctrine, which totally annihilates the heavenly Sanctuary Incarnation Atonement sacrifice. God gave Israel 490 years of probation (Daniel 9) because they were His first chosen people, but we are not given that length of time because we have the benefit of their example.

5. Jeremiah 11:9-15, depicts how God’s people can close their probation in any given generation when He instructs Jeremiah not to pray for His people because they committed the unpardonable sin of conspiring/confederating with His enemies. Ellen White quoted the disciples in saying that Jeremiah 11 will be repeated, to wit:

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}

6. "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 for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 211.

7. The context for the above statement begins on page 207, which chapter begins by quoting Ezekiel 9.

8. The words “ancient men,” refer to the leaders of ancient Jerusalem and the Temple, as well as the leaders of modern-day spiritual Jerusalem and the professing SDA church TEMPLE.

9. We know that Ezekiel 9 was NEVER fulfilled before A.D. 34, for that was the end of the prophesied 490 years of probation for the Jews depicted in Daniel 9. God would not destroy His people before that probationary time closed.

10. Again, the close of probation for God’s people and the general close of probation for the world are very different. Jeremiah 11:9-15 proves that God’s people can close their probation in any generation by violating Isaiah 8:9-15 and/or conspiring/confederating with God’s enemies, Jeremiah 11:9-15.

11. Ezekiel 9 is the sealing chapter. God could not seal His people in the time of Nebuchadnezzar because they were in a fallen, reprobate state. He deigned that they would be taken as exiles to Babylon as a punishment--as captives. Thus Nebuchadnezzar’s sieges are referred to as THE CAPTIVITIES. If the Jews had obeyed God and not rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, he would have never attacked Jerusalem and killed some Jews who rebelled. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_captivity

12. The SDA Bible Commentary thus errs in stating that Ezekiel 9 was fulfilled by the sieges of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem. That is a complete fabrication because those sieges were called the Captivities and were designed by God to reform His people. The Jews were counselled by Jeremiah not to resist Nebuchadnezzar, and had they obeyed God’s instruction through Jeremiah, there would have been no destruction involved--the Jews would have merely been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar.

13. Ezekiel 5:9 depicts the worst thing God ever did before or will ever do again, to wit: Eze 5:9 And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations. Eze 5:10 Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.

14. The A.D. 70 fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 was the first fulfillment of Ezekiel 9, but it was not the worst thing that God had ever done to the Jews and whereunto He will not do any more the like. It was the worst thing that God ever did to the Jews up to that point and time, because the worst thing that God ever does to anyone, including apostate Jews, is at the end-time, per Matthew 24:21, to wit: Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

15. God’s Word states that Ezekiel 9 will be literal in the end-time per Ezekiel 5:9, for that is when God does the worst thing He has ever done or ever will do.

16. Ezekiel 5:9 is the Biblical confirmation of Ellen White’s statements that Ezekiel 9 will BEGIN AT HIS SANTUARY, HIS CHURCH.

17. Some are wont to apply the twofold application mentioned in GC p. 25, to the world only, but Ezekiel 9 BEGINS AT HIS CHURCH.

18. The biggest lie SDA leaders are perpetrating upon the church today is that the church is not in apostasy.

19. We can know that Ezekiel 9 applies to the corporate church and not just wayward members because Ellen White says that it will be LITERALLY FULFILLED, and the last time it was fulfilled it was upon a literal, apostate church, the Jewish organized church.

The Manifestation of Ezekiel 9 in Great Controversy, pp. 653-656

Adventists have always taught the cherished error that the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 for Babylon and the world, GC p. 653, is the time that it will be fulfilled for the church, IF THEY BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE FULFILLED FOR THE SDA CHURCH AT ALL! But that makes no sense at all for the following reasons:

GC, p. 653, states the context for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 it is dealing with. Notice the words: “Such are the judgments that fall upon BABYLON in the day of the visitation of God’s wrath. She (BABYLON) HAS FILLED UP THE MEASURE OF HER INIQUITY; HER TIME HAS COME; SHE IS RIPE FOR DESTRUCTION.” GC, p. 653. That is the context of the second of the TWOFOLD fulfillments of Ezekiel 9. The first end-time fulfillment BEGINS at His Sanctuary, HIS CHURCH, 5T 211 and the following statements:

"Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling will YOU hear? Will YOU receive His message? Will YOU be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity. Letter 106, 1909, pp. 2, 3, 5, 7. (To "The churches in Oakland and Berkeley, September 26, 1909.)" E. G. White Manuscript Releases Volume One, p. 260.

“The time will soon come when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very letter.”— Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1303.

The Signs of the Times, February 12, 1880: “The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel.”

“The desolation of Jerusalem in the days of Jeremiah is a solemn warning to modern Israel, that the counsels and admonitions given them through chosen instrumentalities cannot be disregarded with impunity.” Prophets and Kings, 416.

Who is modern day spiritual Israel? It is professing Seventh-day Adventism, NOT BABYLON. So in applying GC 653-656 to Adventists, as some SDA’s are wont to do, they are actually unwittingly branding SDA’s as BABYLON, while they are at the same time stridently adamant that the church is not BABYLON, and it is not! It is apostate Jerusalem from which a remnant goes forth out of. There is ONE MORE coming out of apostate spiritual Jerusalem, the SDA church. The Bible says so:

Isa 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

Isa 37:32 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.

Adventists think that when they come out of Babylon, that is the final coming out! But what about apostate spiritual Jerusalem, the SDA church, that has become a sister to fallen Babylon?

"We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy practices are coming in among us in a large degree...We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted and filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird, and will we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure the existing evil? E. G. White, Manuscript Releases No. 449, pp. 17, 18. (Letter 51, 1886 to Elder Butler) Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, p. 193.

An Adventist Review article says that the church has the same divorce rate per capita percentage ration as the world. Does that sound like the unlawful intimacies have been curbed and the camp has been cleansed?

"In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. . . .I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them of, He laid bare he defilement beneath. Then He said to me: 'Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? How is the faithful city become an harlot?" E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 8, pp. 247-250.

"If we turn from the testimony of God's word, and accept false doctrines [Calvinism] because our fathers taught them, we fall under the condemnation pronounced upon Babylon; we are drinking of the wine of her abominations." E. G White, The 1884 Great Controversy entitled Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, 347, not to be confused with Testimonies, Vol. 4. The four volume Spirit of Prophecy series, can still be special ordered through any Adventist Book Store.

Can anyone tell me when the church reformed and revived from it's harlot stance? If you and SDA leaders believe that the church IS NOT STILL A HARLOT, why does Ezekiel 9 BEGIN LITERALLY AT HIS SANCTUARY, HIS CHURCH? SDA ministers are continually telling SDA reformers that the church is not in apostasy! Then why does Ezekiel 9 LITERALLY BEGIN THERE with the slaughter of men, maidens and little children? Does this occur FOR NO REASON?

"In the very courts of the temple, scenes will be enacted that few realize. God's people will be proved and tested, that He may discern 'between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.' Vengeance will be executed against those who sit in the gate, deciding what the people should have and what they should not have. These take away the key of knowledge. They refuse to enter in themselves, and those who would enter in they hinder. These bear not the seal of the living God. All who now occupy responsible positions should be solemnly and terribly afraid lest in this time they shall be found as unfaithful stewards." E.G. White, Manuscript 15, 1886, Paulson Collection, p. 55.

The key of knowledge is faith that works by love--the message to Laodicea. The liberal SDA leaders have taken this key of knowledge away, replacing it with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, only believe--mental assent. This is one of the worst abominations for which Ezekiel 9 occurs. Others include the Trinity Doctrine, and strictly forbidden (Isa. 8:9-12) SDA ecumenical liaison with Babylon.

“Christ foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, as well as of the temple. His words were spoken in the hearing of a large number of people; but when He was again alone, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to Him, saying, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem, and the last great day of His coming. The city of Jerusalem represented the world, and the utterances regarding its destruction are to be connected with the world’s more terrible destruction. In speaking of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the conflagration that will take place in that day when the Lord shall rise “out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” The description of the two events is mingled, and the entire subject is a warning to those who shall live in the last scenes of earth’s history....The events that took place at the overthrow of Jerusalem will be repeated.” {ST February 20, 1901}

When is Ezekiel 9 Manifested Upon the SDA Church?

The Lord has clearly shown me that the Ezekiel 9 slaughter of the apostate Adventist church begins 1260 days AFTER the initial legislation of the National Sunday Law. I have also stated that it begins on day 1290. How so? On day 1260 of the 1260, 1290 and 1335 days of Daniel 12, which occur AFTER Michael stands up, Satan comes out of the bottomless pit, burns the Vatican (Rev. 17:16), and issues the first of two death decrees with the first beginning on day 1290, 30 days after the warning is given on day 1260. The answer to the apparent contradiction as to what day the slaughter begins on (1260 or 1290) is provided by Ellen White’s statement that the decree will be anticipated by some who will begin the killing before the 30 day warning period is up. She says that government officials will turn their heads from this violation. They won’t care! So the slaughter will begin on day 1260, but will be in full “legal” effect on day 1290. The slaughter will continue until day 1335. The blessing that comes at that time is the fact that all Adventists who survive to that day will know they are of the 144,000, because only the 144,000 are translated without seeing death. All others are faithful or unfaithful martyrs. Some of the unfaithful martyrs will join the ranks of Babylon and will be destroyed with her at the very end when Ezekiel 9 is manifest against her and the world. GC 653-656.

The second death decree of Satan is when he determines to rid the earth of the 144,000 in one night. This attempt is described in The Great Controversy, p. 635. It is at this time that the 144,000 are delivered and Christ will announce to them the day and hour of His coming. On this page (635) you may also note that some of the faithful 144,000 are in prison cells. So if you are taken prisoner, that is no sign that you are not one of the 144,000.

Chap. 10. - The Little Time of Trouble -- A Time of Trouble Before Probation Closes

On page 33 [of Early Writings] is given the following: ". . . At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully." {LDE 143.1}

This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfillment of that view is beginning to be seen. "The commencement of that time of trouble," here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel.--EW 85, 86 (1854). {LDE 143.2}

Any person who survives to the time the plagues begin will not be a martyr. Any faithful SDA who survives until the seven last plagues begin will be one of the 144,000 and will be translated without seeing death or martyrdom after that point.

Faithful Martyrs at the End-time

The End of Religious Liberty in the United States

The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void. In our land of boasted freedom religious liberty will come to an end. The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will agitate the whole world.--Ev 236 (1875). {LDE 144.1}

A great crisis awaits the people of God. Very soon our nation will attempt to enforce upon all the observance of the first day of the week as a sacred day. In doing this they will not scruple to compel men against the voice of their own conscience to observe the day the nation declares to be the Sabbath.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888. {LDE 144.2}

Seventh-day Adventists will fight the battle over the seventh-day Sabbath. The authorities in the United States and in other countries will rise up in their pride and power and make laws to restrict religious liberty.--Ms 78, 1897. {LDE 144.3}

The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.--GC 588 (1911). {LDE 144.4}

Church and State Oppose God's People

All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard of God's holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast.--2SM 380 (1886). {LDE 145.1}

Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God's messages of warning will be under strong deception and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God. . . . {LDE 145.2}

This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.--14MR 162 (1899). {LDE 145.3}

The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work papists and Protestants unite.--GC 607 (1911). {LDE 145.4}

Before the Courts

Those who live during the last days of this earth's history will know what it means to be persecuted for the truth's sake. In the courts injustice will prevail. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of those who are loyal to the commandments of God because they know the arguments in favor of the fourth commandment are unanswerable. They will say, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die." God's law is nothing to them. "Our law" with them is supreme. Those who respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to the idol sabbath have no favors shown them.--ST May 26, 1898. {LDE 145.5}

In cases where we are brought before the courts, we are to give up our rights, unless it brings us in collision with God. It is not our rights we are pleading for, but God's right to our service.--5MR 69 (1895). {LDE 146.1}

Adventists Will Be Treated With Contempt

The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. . . . {LDE 146.2}

Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith.--5T 450 (1885). {LDE 146.3}

There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors.--6T 394 (1900). {LDE 146.4}

Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government.--GC 592 (1911). {LDE 146.5}

Persecution Suffered by the Faithful -- The Faithful Forsaken

All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His Word, for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil.--AA 431, 432 (1911). {LDE 147.1}

All Kinds of Persecution

The persecutions of Protestants by Romanism, by which the religion of Jesus Christ was almost annihilated, will be more than rivaled when Protestantism and popery are combined.--3SM 387 (1889). {LDE 147.2}

Satan has a thousand masked batteries which will be opened upon the loyal, commandment-keeping people of God to compel them to violate conscience.--Letter 30a, 1892. {LDE 147.3}

We need not be surprised at anything that may take place now. We need not marvel at any developments of horror. Those who trample under their unholy feet the law of God have the same spirit as had the men who insulted and betrayed Jesus. Without any compunctions of conscience they will do the deeds of their father the devil.--3SM 416 (1897). {LDE 147.4}

Let those who desire to be refreshed in mind and instructed in the truth study the history of the early church during and immediately following the Day of Pentecost. Study carefully in the book of Acts the experiences of Paul and the other apostles, for God's people in our day must pass through similar experiences.--PC 118 (1907). {LDE 148.1}

Every Earthly Support Will Be Cut Off

Hoarded wealth will soon be worthless. When the decree shall go forth that none shall buy or sell except they have the mark of the beast, very much means will be of no avail. God calls for us now to do all in our power to send forth the warning to the world.--RH March 21, 1878. {LDE 148.2}

The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since, but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth.--5T 152 (1882). {LDE 148.3}

In the last great conflict in the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers they will be forbidden to buy or sell.--DA 121, 122 (1898). {LDE 148.4}

Satan says . . . "For fear of wanting food and clothing they will join with the world in transgressing God's law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion."--PK 183, 184 (c. 1914). {LDE 149.1}

Some Are Imprisoned for Their Faith

Some will be imprisoned because they refuse to desecrate the Sabbath of the Lord.--PC 118 (1907). {LDE 149.2}

As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now seems impossible, but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed.--GC 608 (1911). {LDE 149.3}

If we are called to suffer for Christ's sake, we shall be able to go to prison trusting in Him as a little child trusts in its parents. Now is the time to cultivate faith in God.--OHC 357 (1892). {LDE 149.4}

“…many will be martyrs for Christ’s sake in standing in defense of the truth.” Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 397.

Full statement: “Persecution in the Battle Before the Last Closing Conflict.--The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of the truth will come on the side of God's commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. . . . You will not be tempted above what you are able to bear. Jesus bore all this and far more. . . . {3SM 397.4}

Many Will Be Put to Death [Many Martyrs]

The best thing for us is to come into close connection with God and, if He would have us be martyrs for the truth's sake, it may be the means of bringing many more into the truth.--3SM 420 (1886). {LDE 149.5}

Many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth.--3SM 397 (1889). {LDE 150.1}

There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle, at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property and even of life itself, to defend the law of God.--5T 712 (1889). {LDE 150.2}

Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be "betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends," even unto death.--PK 588 (c. 1914). {LDE 150.3}

“In some cases, BEFORE the time specified in the decree, enemies will rush upon the waiting ones to put them to death.” E.G. White, The 1884 edition of The Great Controversy, p. 447.

We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old until brought into the position they were in. . . . Should there be a return of persecution there would be grace given to arouse every energy of the soul to show a true heroism.--OHC 125 (1889). {LDE 150.4}

The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed.--DA 354 (1898). {LDE 150.5}

How to Stand Firm Under Persecution

We shall find that we must let loose of all hands except the hand of Jesus Christ. Friends will prove treacherous and will betray us. Relatives, deceived by the enemy, will think they do God service in opposing us and putting forth the utmost efforts to bring us into hard places, hoping we will deny our faith. But we may trust our hand in the hand of Christ amid darkness and peril.--Mar 197 (1889). {LDE 150.6}

The only way in which men will be able to stand firm in the conflict is to be rooted and grounded in Christ. They must receive the truth as it is in Jesus. And it is only as the truth is presented thus that it can meet the wants of the soul. The preaching of Christ crucified, Christ our righteousness, is what satisfies the soul's hunger. When we secure the interest of the people in this great central truth, faith and hope and courage come to the heart.--GCDB Jan. 28, 1893. {LDE 151.1}

Many, because of their faith, will be cut off from house and heritage here, but if they will give their hearts to Christ, receiving the message of His grace, and resting upon their Substitute and Surety, even the Son of God, they may still be filled with joy.--ST June 2, 1898. {LDE 151.2}

Persecution Scatters God's People

As enmity is aroused in various places against those who observe the Sabbath of the Lord, it may become necessary for God's people to move from those places to places where they will not be so bitterly opposed. {LDE 151.3}

God does not require His children to remain where, by the course of wicked men, their influence is made of no effect and their lives endangered. When liberty and life are imperiled it is not merely our privilege, it is our positive duty to go to places where the people are willing to hear the Word of life and where the opportunities for preaching the Word will be more favorable.--Ms 26, 1904. {LDE 151.4}

“The time is soon coming when God's people, because of persecution, will be scattered in many countries. Those who have received an all-round education will have the advantage where they are.”--5MR 280 (1908). {LDE 152.1}

Good question...Why?

https://omega77.tripod.com/scatteredremnant2.htm

"The time is coming when we shall be separated and scattered, and each one of us will have to stand without the privilege of communion with those of like precious faith; and how can you stand unless God is by your side, and you know that He is leading and guiding you? Whenever we come to investigate Bible truth, the Master of assemblies is with us. The Lord does not leave the ship one moment to be steered by ignorant pilots. We may receive our orders from the Captain of our salvation."--Review and Herald, March 25, 1890. {CW 42.1}

"Looking down the ages, He saw the covenant people scattered in every land, "like wrecks on a desert shore." In the temporal retribution about to fall upon her children, He saw but the first draft from that cup of wrath which at the final judgment she must drain to its dregs. Divine pity, yearning love, found utterance in the mournful words: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" O that thou, a nation favored above every other, hadst known the time of thy visitation, and the things that belong unto thy peace! I have stayed the angel of justice, I have called thee to repentance, but in vain. It is not merely servants, delegates, and prophets, whom thou hast refused and rejected, but the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer. If thou art destroyed, thou alone art responsible. "Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life." Matthew 23:37; John 5:40." The Great Controversy, pp. 21, 22.

Note: 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. Ezekiel 20:34-38. End note:

Persecution Leads to Unity Among God's People

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. In view of the common peril strife for supremacy will cease, there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest.--6T 401 (1900). {LDE 152.2}

A Crisis Makes God's Interference More Marked

From time to time the Lord has made known His manner of working. He is mindful of what is passing upon the earth. And when a crisis has come, He has revealed Himself and has interposed to hinder the working of Satan's plans. He has often permitted matters with nations, with families, and with individuals to come to a crisis that His interference might become marked. Then He has let the fact be known that there was a God in Israel who would sustain and vindicate His people. {LDE 152.3}

When the defiance of the law of Jehovah shall be almost universal, when His people shall be pressed in affliction by their fellow men, God will interpose. The fervent prayers of His people will be answered, for He loves to have His people seek Him with all their heart and depend upon Him as their Deliverer.--RH June 15, 1897. {LDE 153.1}

For a time the oppressors will be permitted to triumph over those who know God's holy commandments. . . . To the last, God permits Satan to reveal his character as a liar, an accuser, and a murderer. Thus the final triumph of His people is made more marked, more glorious, more full and complete.--3SM 414 (1904). {LDE 153.2}

Affliction Purifies God's People

Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes everyone to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. . . . {LDE 153.3}

God's love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify His church even as He purified the temple at the beginning and close of His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon the church in test and trial comes that His people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world.--9T 228 (1909). {LDE 153.4}

Note: Did the purification of HIS CHURCH include purification of the apostate Temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70? Nay! Ezekiel 9 destruction began at His Sanctuary, Ezekiel 9:6 and Matthew 22:7. This is proof that by the words “HIS CHURCH,” Ellen White is referring to the following definition of “church:”

"God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, (or the super mega church), neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. 'Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.' Where Christ is even among the humble few, THIS IS CHRIST'S CHURCH, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church." Upward Look, p. 315.

No Martyrs After Probation Closes

“He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Ps. 91:15.

The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. . . .

Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. . . .

The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be arrayed against them. Like the captive exile, they will be in fear of death by starvation or by violence. But the Holy One who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will manifest His mighty power and turn their captivity. "They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17. If the blood of Christ's faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. Their fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth; for the obdurate heart has beaten back the waves of mercy until they return no more. If the righteous were now left to fall a prey to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness. Says the psalmist: "In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me." Psalm 27:5. Christ has spoken: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." Isaiah 26:20, 21. Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book of life.” E. G. White, From Maranatha - Page 278.

The Real Church Triumphant and When it Appears as About to Fall

The only church that can be paralleled with Jacob, is the church triumphant, for that is the only SDA church that survives to the great time of trouble and appears as about to fall AND THEN DOES NOT FALL.

“About four months since, I had a vision of events, all in the future. And I saw the time of trouble, such as never was,—Jesus told me it was the time of Jacob’s trouble, and that we should be delivered out of it by the voice of God. Just before we entered it, we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four Angels cease to hold the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against nation, and the whole world was in confusion. Then we cried to God for deliverance day and night till we began to hear the bells on Jesus’ garment. And I saw Jesus rise up in the Holiest, and as he came out we heard the tinkling of bells, and knew our High Priest was coming out. Then we heard the voice of God which shook the heavens and earth, and gave the 144,000 the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. Then the saints were free, united and full of the glory of God, for he had turned their captivity. And I saw a flaming cloud come where Jesus stood and he laid off his priestly garment and put on his kingly robe, took his place on the cloud which carried him to the east where it first appeared to the saints on earth, a small black cloud, which was the sign of the Son of Man. While the cloud was passing from the Holiest to the east which took a number of days, the Synagogue of Satan worshiped at the saints feet.{Day Star March 14, 1846, par. 2} Ellen G. Harmon White.

"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.

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 Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:

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He shall preserve thy soul." "He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Psalms 121:5-7; 91:3-10.

Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard: "Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed His people?" But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon Calvary's cross and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him." Matthew 27:42. Like Jacob, all are wrestling with God." The Great Controversy, pp. 629, 630.

The Cherished Falsehood That Ezekiel 9 Begins Before the National Sunday Law is Legislated

Satan is using some professing Adventists to teach the insidious lie that Ezekiel 9 will occur before the legislation of the National Sunday Law. Were this true, there would be no forewarning to flee! The seating of the abomination of desolation is a warning, a time of respite to flee. Matthew 24:15, 16.

In the PREFIGURE fulfillment of Ezekiel 9 in A.D. 34-70, the abomination of desolation occurred BEFORE the Ezekiel 9 slaughter of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. The abomination of desolation at that time is identified by Ellen White as the landing of the Roman General Cestius Gallus and his soldiers upon Jewish soil so many furlongs from the city of Jerusalem. That was considered to be the abomination of desolation. Ellen White paralleled that act to the legislation of the National Sunday Law.

Some are not able to spiritually discern the clear parallel Ellen White draws between the abomination of desolation in A.D. 66-70, and the National Sunday Law at the end-time:

"By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.{5T 451.1}

As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy [THE SUNDSAY LAW DECREE] be a sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs’ graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”{5T 451.2}

“It is no time now for God's people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure in the world. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 464-5.

It should be clear that the abomination of desolation in the form of the apostasy of enforcing the papal Sabbath is the signal for flight to Adventists. If Ezekiel 9 occurred BEFORE that SIGNAL FOR FLIGHT, and some errant SDA “reformers” are wont to teach, that would totally dismiss God’s SIGN to flee--THE SEATING OF THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION--THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW, as taught by God’s Word. Thus, such foolish virgins teach contrary to the very Word of God, let alone the truth taught by Ellen White.

In the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,

Ronald William Beaulieu