The Sifting and Shaking
The
vision of the shaking, by Ellen White
I saw some with strong faith and agonizing cries,
pleading with God. Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety,
which expressed their internal struggle. There were firmness and great
earnestness expressed in their countenances, while large drops of perspiration
rose upon their foreheads, and fell. Now and then their faces would light up
with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious
look settled upon them. {1SG 183.1}
Evil angels crowded around them, pressing their
darkness upon them, to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be
drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and they distrust God, and next
murmur against him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed
upward. Angels were having the charge over the people of God, and as the
poisonous atmosphere from these evil angels was pressed around these anxious
ones, the angels, which had the charge over them, were continually wafting
their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness that surrounded them. {1SG 183.2}
Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of
agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not
resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud.
The angels of God left them, and went to
the aid of those earnest, praying ones. I saw the angels of God hasten to
the assistance of all those who were struggling with all their energies to
resist those evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God
with perseverance. But the angels left those who made no effort to help
themselves, and I lost sight of them. {1SG 184.1}
As these praying ones continued their earnest cries, at
times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, and encouraged their hearts, and
lighted up their countenances. {1SG 184.2}
I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen. I was
shown that it would be caused by the straight
testimony called forth by the counsel of the true Witness to the Laodiceans.
It will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver of the testimony, and it
will lead to him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. This
straight testimony some will not bear. They will rise up against it, and
this will cause a shaking among God's people.
{1SG 184.3}
The people that Mrs. White saw
in the Vision represent God’s church in the last days. They possess the truth,
and keep the commandments of God, as well as have the testimony of Jesus, but
Satan and his angels are working to suffocate them in darkness, to cut out the
light of God’s promises from them. The only safety that these people had was in
looking upward, to God, to the author and finisher of their faith while they
diligently and faithfully prayed for strength to maintain. Some among these,
though, are not diligently calling upon God’s name for support, and these ones
are overcome by the darkness and are become fallen from the truth. Now, all
this is called the shaking, but what was causing the shaking? And Why? It was
caused by the Straight testimony to the Laodiceans.
What is this Straight testimony that
is mentioned here?
Notice back in the last paragraph it says, "The straight testimony
called forth by the counsel of the true witness to the Laodiceans."
What does that mean?
Let’s turn to Revelation 3, and read the message sent to Laodicea.
Revelation
3:14-22
14 And unto the angel of
the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Who
is speaking here?
Revelation 1:1
says,
Rev 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto
his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified
it by his angel unto his servant John:
The words of this message are God’s words – His instructions
to the people of this church, delivered to John by an Angel. Amen?
What
is Laodicea?
Rev 1:20 “The mystery
of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden
candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the
seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
There is said to be one angel for each church representing
each of the seven churches in the beginning of Revelation. Each of these
churches, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and
Laodicea, represent a stage of God’s church throughout time from the Time of
Christ.
So, each of
these churches represents a church through the time indicated above, but
Laodicea is the last of the seven churches, which means it is the church in the
last phases of earth’s history. That means God’s church in our day, that is,
us.
God continues to
say concerning Laodicea, through John to us, he says,
15” I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor
hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The Lords message is saying that we (the people
of God in the last days), are neither hot nor Cold, but are just lukewarm, so that
God would spue us out of His mouth because of it. Folks, even though we may be
the people of God, if we are not sober and vigilant we will be as just Lukewarm
Spiritually, become vomit unto God. How alarming is that? It should cause us to
quicken ourselves and turn unto God in Repentance and contrition of heart, to
be reconciled unto God.
17 Because thou sayest, I
am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
According to this, the people of God’s church today say
that they are rich, and increased with goods, that we think we are in need of
nothing. But to the contrary. In reality, we are wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked when we are without God.
Is this true? Do many of the churches of our day, the Seventh day
Adventist church, who have possession of the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus, do they boast of their big church buildings, and massive
numbers of converts and members? Do they boast of their establishment and influence
all around the world, and how they are so rich to be able to build such big and
showy church buildings? Sadly we do. That means that in God’s eyes we are not
sober, we are not vigilant. That means we are not Looking up to Him and seeking him in earnest prayer and
supplication for strength and guidance like those in Mrs. Whites vision. That
means we, as a people professing the name of Christ, need to change and get
right with the Lord. Amen? Definitely.
Thus saith the Lord,
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and
that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.
With the warning that God has
given us in His rebuke to us for those things, He continues to give us council,
amen? He says, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire…” This Gold is our character
and faith. AS gold is tried in the fire to purge out all the dross and make it
pure, so our characters and faith should be tried in the flames of trials and
afflictions to make it perfect and pure. If we would seek God for a change in
heart, to have our Characters transformed into the likeness of His, and let it
be tried in fire, then we would be able to become rich—truly rich in the eyes
of God, and not by the things of the world.
The
White raiment represents the Righteousness of Christ, His Purity and Holiness. If
we would ask for the cleansing from sin, and to have His robe of Righteous put
on us, then our shame and nakedness would be covered, and we would be able to
present ourselves faultless before God.
The
Eye salve represents understanding and knowledge. The Pure and true knowledge
comes from the Holy Spirit. So if we would have the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit poured onto us, then we would be able to understand God’s will for us.
All
of these things are essential for our reconciliation unto God as his people, to
be accepted unto him.
19 As many as I love, I
rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the
door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to
him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set
down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Then,
as God has rebuked the slothful and inattentive Christian, counseling Him to return
unto Him, He gives the reason why He has given the Rebuke. As a Father
Disciplines his children to keep them in obedience, so does God discipline His
people to keep them in the Straight and Narrow path. Christ is knocking upon the doors of our
hearts, and if we would let Him in, He would abide in us and Help us to be
overcomers of Sin so that we would be able to spend eternity with Him. Amen?
That is the promise given to any and all who would hear the straight testimony
and who would heed unto the pleading voice of Christ.
In the book titled Last
day events, which is a compilation of Mrs. Whites writings, there is a
sufficient and in depth explanation about the shaking and sifting time.
Last day
events, ch. 12
Is Church Membership a Guarantee
of Salvation?
It is a solemn statement that I make
to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the
church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as
verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.—Christian
Service, 41 (1893). {LDE 172.1}
Those who have had opportunities to
hear and receive of the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day
Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and
yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal
churches, will receive the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who
oppose the law of God.—Manuscript Releases 19:176 (1898). {LDE 172.2}
Mrs. White
wrote these things to the Seventh day Adventist church back almost a hundred
twenty years ago. Being so much closer to the end, should we not more carefully
heed the warning that a servant of God has been inspired to give? Her words are
just as important today as they were in that day, and we see clearly that many
people and leaders among Adventism are gone astray separated from the
foundation of truth, and from the faith and testimony of Jesus. Today there is
just as great a need, if not then more so of a need for reform of God’s people
than before. Oh Brothers and Sisters, would we heed the voice calling? I pray
we do. If the people of God do not hearken to the straight testimony, they will
fall into darkness with the rest of the world.
The
Chaff must be separated from the Wheat
Divisions will come in the church.
Two parties will be developed. The wheat and tares grow up together for the
harvest.—Selected Messages 2:114 (1896). {LDE 172.3}
There will be a shaking of the
sieve. The chaff must in time be separated from the wheat. Because iniquity
abounds, the love of many waxes cold. It is the very time when the genuine will
be the strongest.—Letter 46, 1887. {LDE 173.1}
The history of the rebellion of
Dathan and Abiram is being repeated, and will be repeated till the close of
time. Who will be on the Lord's side? Who will be deceived, and in their turn
become deceivers?—Letter 15, 1892. {LDE 173.2}
The Lord is soon to come. There must
be a refining, winnowing process in every church, for there are among us wicked
men who do not love the truth or honor God.—The Review and Herald, March 19,
1895. {LDE 173.3}
We are in the shaking time, the time
when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse
those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His
commands.—Testimonies for the Church 6:332 (1900). {LDE 173.4}
Folks,
our safety from falling away from God’s truth is not kept in a denomination or
church, but it is kept by a diligent and constant faith in God. The shaking and
sifting is necessary in order for God to separate out those who do not keep the
straight testimony of Truth from the true and faithful of God. This does not
mean that the People of God will be united together in one large group, but
they will actually be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth. The faithful
will be found in small groups here and there, clinging to the promises that God
has established for our hope to be built on, but thus saith the Lord, “…where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them
(Matthew 18:20).” As the Chaff is
separated from the wheat, let us not become as the chaff, but let us look unto
God, and keep our allegiance to Him alone, who is author and finisher of our
faith. Our faith must not be put in men, or in a structure, or in a people – it
must be placed in Christ alone.
Will Persecution
Cleanse the Church (God’s people)?
Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors.
Adversity purges them out of the church.—Testimonies
for the Church 4:89 (1876). {LDE 173.5}
The time is not far distant when the test will come to
every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by
step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find
it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves
to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between
the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will
be separated from the dross in the church.—Testimonies
for the Church 5:81 (1882). {LDE 173.6}
In the absence of the persecution there have drifted
into our ranks men who appear
sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us.—Evangelism,
360 (1890). {LDE 174.1}
When the law of God is made void the church will be
sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate will
give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.—Selected Messages 2:368 (1891). {LDE 174.2}
When
the mark of the beast, the national Sunday law, is passed, the people of God will
be put to a hard test. Will we go with the majority of men, some who professed
godliness, and keep the laws of men forsaking the laws and Sabbath of God? Will
we be swayed from the Firm foundation of truth to follow with many of our
brothers and sisters who give in to the laws of men? Even if we are the last
individual standing for the Sabbath, will we still stand firmly and unmoved for
what we know is truth? Folks, if we are
not willing and ready to stand for God’s truth in the face of affliction and
death when all have forsaken us, then we will not stand at all when the
occasion arises. We must realize that our full and total allegiance is to
God, and though the heavens fall we must stand for Him.
Will Superficial
Believers Renounce the Faith?
The work which the church has failed to do in a time of
peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most
discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity
has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from
enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative []
class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will
renounce the faith.—Testimonies for the Church 5:463
(1885). {LDE 174.3}
If Satan sees that the Lord is blessing His people and
preparing them to discern his delusions, he will work with his master power to
bring in fanaticism on the one hand and cold formalism on the other, that he
may gather in a harvest of souls.—Selected
Messages 2:19 (1890).
{LDE 174.4}
Those who have had privileges and opportunities to
become intelligent in regard to the truth and yet who continue to counterwork
the work God would have accomplished will
be purged out, for God accepts the service of no man whose interest
is divided.—Manuscript 64, 1898. {LDE 175.1}
As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity
will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it
manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield
to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges but have
not improved them will, under one pretext or another, go out from us.—Testimonies for the Church 6:400 (1900). {LDE 175.2}
Yes, the afflictions and
errors and fanaticisms will be caused and created by those among God’s people.
Beware that, though it may even come from the high ranks of the church, if it
is not the straight truth of God, then it is the Spirit of Satan. In order for
us to maintain through the shaking and sifting we have to test the Spirits and
doctrines (1 John 4:1) so as not to become deceived, and we must “Prove all
things” and “hold fast that that which is good” (1 Thess 5:21). In order to
make it through we must not allow ourselves to be deceived or we will be in
danger of being purged out of God’s people. Even when we place ourselves in a
place that we know is delivering error, we place ourselves in danger of being
purged out from God’s people. “Be sober, be vigilant;” the Devil is “going
about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).”
What is the Straight testimony that causes the
shaking?
There are those among us who will make confessions, as
did Achan, too late to save themselves. ... They are not in harmony with right.
They despise the straight testimony that reaches the heart, and would rejoice
to see everyone silenced who gives reproof.—Testimonies
for the Church 3:272 (1873). {LDE 175.4}
The Lord calls for a renewal of the
straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual
life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there
is to be a resurrection from apparent death. By prayer and confession of sin we
must clear the King's highway.—Testimonies for the
Church 8:297 (1904).
{LDE 176.1}
Again, by allowing
ourselves to become inattentive and lacks we place ourselves in danger of being
sifted out from God’s seal of Approval. If we despise the voice of wisdom and
truth, or even deny it, we are in grave danger. Again, study out what is said
to be truth, and understand what is truth by diligent prayer and study.
Will False Doctrines
Draw Some Away from God’s Church?
Science, so-called, and religion will be placed in
opposition to each other because finite men do not comprehend the power and
greatness of God. These words of Holy Writ were presented to me, “Of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them” [Acts 20:30]. This
will surely be seen among the people of God.—Evangelism,
593 (1890). {LDE 176.3}
When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false
theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They
slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 112 (1897). {LDE 177.1}
Not having received the love of the truth, they will be
taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits
and doctrines of devils and will depart from the faith.—Testimonies for the Church 6:401 (1900). {LDE 177.2}
The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the
doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there
will be a departing from the faith.—Evangelism,
224 (1905). {LDE 177.3}
Folks, I don’t know if you have
noticed, but the teaching of the Sanctuary is rarely mentioned or taught in Adventism
today. The Sanctuary message reveals the plan of Salvation Christ made with the
Heavenly Father to save us from sin, and of the Priestly work that Christ is
administering to in the Heavenly Sanctuary now on our behalf. If we cut out the
teaching of the Sanctuary from our message and teaching, then we are cutting
away at the very foundation that God’s church is built upon. One of the pillars
of the Seventh day Adventist Faith is the Sanctuary, and if we remove it from
our learning and knowledge, the structure cannot stand. We must keep the
foundation of our faith, the pillars of truth that we are established on. By
letting some of it go we are making a compromise. The complete and total loss
of truth, and by it salvation, is done away with one compromise at a time.
Brothers and sisters, Do Not Compromise your establishment in truth. Lay hold
on the truth and Keep the foundation that God has laid for us. Any compromise
is the path to destruction.
Do Rejection of the
Testimonies Results in Apostasy?
One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who
take their stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the
warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit.—Selected Messages 3:84 (1903). {LDE 177.4}
The very last deception of Satan will be to make of
none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. “Where there is no vision, the
people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through
different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the
true testimony.—Selected Messages 1:48 (1890). {LDE 177.5}
The enemy has made his masterly efforts to unsettle the
faith of our own people in the Testimonies....
This is just as Satan designed it should be, and those who have been preparing
the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the Testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of all
kinds will spring into life.—Selected Messages 3:83
(1890). {LDE 178.1}
It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people
in the Testimonies. Next follows
skepticism in regard to the vital
points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy
Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan
knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts
till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in
destruction.—Testimonies for the Church 4:211. {LDE 178.2}
Revelation 12:17 says that the
remnant of God’s church are they which “keep the commandments of God, and
have the testimony of Jesus.” If we, as God’s people do not have the
testimony, then how are we God’s church? We cannot reject the true and straight
testimony of Jesus—His message of warning, reproof, and complete truth. Again,
folks, beware of those among us who do reject this testimony, for the devil may
use them to cause you and me to be shaken, and if we do not hang on tightly to
the testimony we will fall with them and be sifted out.
Will there be Defections
among Leaders of God’s people?
Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance
will then go out in darkness.—Prophets and Kings,
188 (c. 1914). {LDE
178.3}
Men whom He has greatly honored will, in the closing
scenes of this earth's history, pattern after ancient Israel.... A departure
from the great principles Christ has laid down in His teachings, a working out
of human projects, using the Scriptures to justify a wrong course of action
under the perverse working of Lucifer, will confirm men in misunderstanding,
and the truth that they need to keep them from wrong practices will leak out of
the soul like water from a leaky vessel.—Manuscript
Releases 13:379, 381 (1904). {LDE 178.4}
Many will show that they are not one with Christ, that
they are not dead to the world, that they may live with Him; and frequent will
be the apostasies of men who have occupied responsible positions.—The Review and Herald, September 11, 1888. {LDE 179.1}
Can we
be sealed with God’s seal of approval if we keep any form of worldliness? Certainly
not. God has called us to separate from the world, and from worldliness; we’ve
been called to forsake sin and all likeness of it. Additionally, we are to
avoid the appearance of evil. Does the character of Christ partake in worldliness?
Certainly not, so in order for our characters to be made ready for heaven we
have to have it transformed into one like Christ’s. That cannot happen if we
keep worldliness in the heart.
Unsanctified Ministers
Will Be Weeded Out
The great issue so near at hand [enforcement of Sunday
laws] will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure,
true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.—Selected Messages 3:385 (1886). {LDE 179.2}
Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of
false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.... {LDE 179.3}
Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no
longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go
onward and upward to the end.—Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 409, 411 (1898).
Ministers and doctors may depart from the
faith, as the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given
His servant declare they will.—Manuscript Releases
7:192 (1906). {LDE
179.5}
Here
again is reason for us to consider the things that are spoken from the pulpit.
We are not to live to solely focus on looking for the errors being taught, or
we will miss the truth, but we must also be sober and vigilant and be watchful
unto prayer lest we fall into temptation (Mark 14:38), and not allow for error
to be taught and deceive many. With every opposition we should meet it with a “Thus
saith the Lord….”
God’s Church May Appear
as About to Fall
When you have many brothers
and sisters of the faith falling away from the truth, and falling from their
faith by the shaking, and when pastors and ministers are also misleading from
the truth, and themselves falling away from the God’s truth, it will seem
overwhelmingly that the people of God will not be able to hold true through the
time of great testing and trials.
The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves.—Testimonies for the Church 4:89 (1876). {LDE 180.1}
Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even
from places where we see only floors of rich wheat.—Testimonies
for the Church 5:81 (1882). {LDE 180.2}
Soon God's people will be tested by fiery trials, and
the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove
to be base metal.... {LDE 180.3}
The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not
fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff
separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless
it must take place.—Selected Messages 2:380 (1886). {LDE 180.5}
As the storm approaches, a large class who
have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified
through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of
the opposition.—The Great Controversy, 608 (1911). {LDE 180.6}
When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt,
when His law is most despised, then
should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most
unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the
majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are
few—this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the
coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their
treason.—Testimonies for the Church 5:136 (1882). {LDE 180.4}
The people of God will possess
the truth. If we possess the truth than we have a responsibility to keep and
preserve it through to the end, which means we have to remain faithful in our endeavor.
Though the heavens and earth seem to be falling, and those around us falling,
do not be moved, that is the great test of faith, that is the defining time
where we will learn whether we are ready for heaven or not. Oh Brothers and
sisters, hold fast to the truth, hold fast to your faith and confidence in God
because you will need them to make it through the great trials and afflictions
ahead. Though, the work is hard, it seems full of trial and suffering, it is
nothing compared to the eternal reward that has been promised in God’s
covenant. There is a crown awaiting all who stand true. Though the time may
seem to tarry, hold fast anyway for the time of deliverance shall surely come.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which
hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come
will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
~
Hebrews 10:35-38
Conclusion
God's Faithful Will Be
Revealed
The Lord has faithful servants who in the shaking,
testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who
have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been
shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and
uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will
be revealed. In the daytime we look toward heaven but do not see the stars.
They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In
the night we behold their genuine luster.—Testimonies
for the Church 5:80, 81 (1882). {LDE 181.1}
On every occasion that persecution takes place, the
witnesses make decisions, either for Christ or against Him. Those who show
sympathy for the men wrongly condemned, who are not bitter against them, show
their attachment for Christ.—The Signs of the Times,
February 20, 1901. {LDE
181.2}
Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again
bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the half-hearted and hypocritical
will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a
rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter than in days of prosperity.—The Great Controversy, 602 (1911). {LDE 181.3}
As has been said before,
though it seem as you might be the only one remaining standing for the truth,
there will still be some still holding to the faith as well. Don’t give up the
hope of what is true.
New Converts Will Take
the Places of Those Who Leave
Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The
careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and
salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it,
and they were left behind in darkness, and
their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and
coming into the ranks.—Early Writings, 271
(1858). {LDE 182.1}
The broken ranks will be filled up by those represented
by Christ as coming in at the eleventh hour. There are many with whom the
Spirit of God is striving. The time of God's destructive judgments is the time
of mercy for those who [now] have no opportunity to learn what is truth.
Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched, His hand
is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not
enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth
for the first time.—Letter 103, 1903. {LDE 182.2}
Standard after standard was left to trail
in the dust as company after company from the Lord's army joined the foe and
tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the
commandment-keeping people of God.—Testimonies for
the Church 8:41 (1904).
{LDE 182.3}
Our examples of perseverance
and steadfastness have an impact on those who behold. Actions speak louder than
words and thus the refined and tried Character of Christ, if carefully
exercised and practiced, will serve as a convincing illustration of God’s mercy
and truth. Remember that we have a higher calling, that these things of earth
shall pass, but in the meantime remember the faith and keep your attention
unceasingly upon Christ. With those that fall the Lord set’s up men and women
to take their place. Hold the standard high, wave the blood stained banner
until the king comes. Remember that when God is with us, no man can be against
us (Romans 8:31).
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