Our Firm Foundation

1Volume 17, Number 9

2 Our Firm Foundation

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Only a Short Time Lefthree years ago the whole

world was approaching theend of the millennium with

great anxiety. Would the world’sgiant computer systems fail?Americans spent millions of dollarsfor generators, food, and water.When the new millenniumdawned, there was a great sigh ofrelief. Most computers wereworking, paychecks were in themail, and life continued withhardly a disturbance for mostpeople.

Y2K is now history—and so isanother day, September 11, 2001.The world, especially America, isapproaching the upcoming Sep-tember 11 with a certain reverencefor the thousands of people whodied in the tragedy in New YorkCity and Washington, D.C. Thestock market is very nervous.Investors are in a near panic.Afghanistan, Al-Qaida, Taliban,and Islam all have become familiarwords, even to schoolchildren.

Americans and the world arebeing conditioned for anotherwar—the invasion of Iraq. TheAmerican people are ready tosupport legislation that will curtailtheir freedoms in order to “pre-serve their lifestyle.” The prophe-cies of Revelation, chapter 13, arebeing fulfilled.

Our president has made it veryclear that anyone who does notsupport American policies forpreserving the peace is a terrorist.When America began to “speak asa dragon,” the world—even someof the Islamic nations—scrambledto be part of the anti-terroristcoalition.

The Religious Right [Protestant-ism] has reached across the gulf toclasp hands with the pope. Thepresident and his cabinet advisorsare very much aware that winning

his second term in office willdepend on the Catholic vote andthe support of the Christian Coali-tion. Every day America takesanother step toward enforcing theimage to the first beast of Revela-tion, chapter 13—the Papacy. TheSunday laws hang ominously overour confused world.

Business is attempting to returnworld travel to normal. Yet, peopleanxiously examine the faces of theirfellow travelers as they stand inlong lines while security officersexamine their carry-on bags—andeven their shoes!

We see “men’s hearts failingthem for fear, and for looking afterthose things which are coming onthe earth: for the powers of heavenshall be shaken.” Luke 21:26.

The end of all things is athand. The Seventh-day AdventistChurch is possibly in the worstapostasy in the church’s history—the Omega. God is preparing apeople around the world for thelatter rain. Only those who arewilling to be made willing to obeyall known truth, without a singlecompromise, and are seeking forthe experience of the high standardof righteousness in Christ Jesus, bythe power of the Holy Spirit, andgrowing in grace daily throughcareful study of the Scripture andSpirit of Prophecy, will be part ofthe great final movement, whichGod is preparing in order to givethe loud cry to the world. SeeRevelation 18:1–4. These are thesighing and crying ones scatteredaround the world who are depictedby our prophet in Testimonies, vol.5, 209–210.

Quite possibly the judgment ofthe living will soon begin. Ezekiel9:1–6 will be completely fulfilled,and God’s final judgment willbegin within the ranks of the

Seventh-day Adventist member-ship and its ministry. See Testimo-nies, vol. 5, 211. Ezekiel, chapterseven, prefaces the eighth chapterwith the warning, “an end is come,the end is come.” Verse 6. Theeighth chapter reveals the abomi-nations that are in the church at theend-time, and introduces the ninthchapter—the sealing of God’sfaithful, obedient, commandment-keeping people and ministry. SeeTestimonies, vol. 5, 75–83, 209–211,217; ibid., vol. 8, 249–251.

Jesus’ words warn us that only afew Seventh-day Adventists areready to qualify in the preparationfor eternal life:

“For many are called, but feware chosen.” Matthew 22:14. SeeTestimonies, vol. 5, 10, 50, 136; ibid.,vol. 2, 355.

God’s standard of righteousnessis the perfect character of Christ—victory by the power of the HolySpirit over all hereditary andcultivated tendencies to sin. See TheDesire of Ages, 311, 313, 671; Christ’sObject Lessons, 69, 330. May eachreader pass to this high mark of thecalling in Christ Jesus.

“And ye shall seek me, and findme, when ye shall search for mewith all your heart.” Jeremiah29:13.

“Nothing is apparently morehelpless, yet really more invincible,than the soul that feels its nothing-ness and relies wholly on themerits of the Saviour. By prayer, bythe study of His Word, by faith inHis abiding Presence, the weakestof human beings may live incontact with the living Christ, andHe will hold them by a hand thatwill never let go.” The Ministry ofHealing, 182.

May each of us be among thesealed—among the 144,000—is myprayer. !

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Volume 17, Number 9 September 2002

It is the mission of Hope International and theeditors of Our Firm Foundation to clearly presentChrist and His truth. The days remaining forthis world are few, and we must work quickly.We must boldly proclaim the historic truths ofAdventism that place us on so firm a founda-tion in the midst of this troubled world.

–EditorsExecutive Editor: Ron SpearAdministrative Editor: Bill HumeniukManaging Editor: Harvey SteckLayout & Design: Kevin H. Patterson

Our Firm Foundation is a monthly publication of:

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Newswatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

departments

4 Terrorists and the Demise of Religious LibertyHal MayerSobering thoughts on the first anniversary of September 11,2001

8 The Remnant Church: Under Divine RebukeRon SpearAn important lesson from the Exodus

17 A New HeartLeola RosenvoldThe Great Physician’s remedy for sin-sick souls

21 “I Cannot Come Down”Ellen G. WhiteWhat should I do when others spread evil reports about me?

25 The Judgment MessageJ. N. LoughboroughThe prophetic line of truth that establishes when theinvestigative judgment began

12 Great Power and GloryBill HumeniukAre you preparing spiritually to receive the latter rain andface the impending crisis?


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he morning of September 11,2001, was bright and clear.The nation was quiet for a

few hours, until four aircraft werehijacked, and three were success-fully crashed into prominentsymbols of American culture.Immediately our nation went into apanic, and nothing has been thesame since.

As the terrorists were layingtheir plans, they had no idea thatangels of God were involved.Sometime before September 11, theangels, who had previously beenholding back the winds of strife, letloose a little which allowed thoseevil plans to succeed. September 11was critical to the development ofearth’s final movements. God’speople needed awakening, and theworld needed to be sensitized toask deeper spiritual questions.

Satan’s plan was to create anenvironment in which he coulddevelop the mechanisms to enforcethe “no buy, no sell” decree ofRevelation 13:17 on all true believ-ers. In a speech on September 24,2001, President Bush announced anexecutive order freezing the assets(no buy, no sell) of certain organi-zations. In that speech he made itclear that he was establishingglobal networks and controls tosearch and destroy terrorist organi-zations, and that the U.S. would

pressure other nations to join thiseffort:

“This executive order meansthat United States banks that haveassets of these groups or individu-als must freeze their accounts. AndUnited States citizens or businessesare prohibited from doing businesswith them. . . . We’re putting banksand financial institutions aroundthe world on notice. . . . If they failto help us by sharing informationor freezing accounts, the Depart-ment of the Treasury now has theauthority to freeze their bank’sassets and transactions in theUnited States. . . . If you do busi-ness with terrorists, if you supportor sponsor them, you will not dobusiness with the United States ofAmerica. I want to assure theworld that we will exercise thispower responsibly. But make nomistake about it, we intend to, andwe will, disrupt terrorist networks.. . . We’ve established a foreignterrorist asset tracking center at theDepartment of the Treasury toidentify and investigate the finan-cial infrastructure of the interna-tional terrorist networks. . . .Money is the lifeblood of terroristoperations. Today, we’re asking theworld to stop payment.” 1

President Bush also said that hewas going to implement otherglobal strategies to crush the

terrorists. That speech was allabout the terrorists—on the sur-face. But Satan has a larger plan—hewants to bring the whole worldunder his control. His plan is toprevent God’s people from givingthe last message. President Bush iscertainly unaware of it, but the realagenda behind the terrorist attackswas to establish internationalsystems and mechanisms to eventu-ally enforce similar decrees againstGod’s people. These decrees couldnot be enforced without globalsystems in place, fine-tuned andwell-practiced. The terrorists pro-vided a seemingly genuine excuse todestroy civil liberties—no doubt aprelude to destroying the religiousliberties of God’s people.

A similar speech about God’speople has no doubt been made bySatan in the unseen world. ThePresident’s speech sounds likeRevelation 13 in modern par-lance—though for the momentdirected at another target. For ashocking insight into the future ofGod’s people, read the full text ofthe President’s speech, referred toabove, and insert the word “Ad-ventist” wherever President Bushused the word “terrorist.”

The attacks and subsequentchanges have struck at the heart ofthe U.S. Constitution. Note thisprophetic prediction:

TH a l M a y e rH a l M a y e r



“By the decree enforcing theinstitution of the Papacy in viola-tion of the law of God, our nationwill disconnect herself fully fromrighteousness. When Protestantismshall stretch her hand across thegulf to grasp the hand of theRoman power, when she shallreach over the abyss to clasp handswith spiritualism, when, under theinfluence of this threefold union,our country shall repudiate everyprinciple of its Constitution as aProtestant and republican govern-ment, and shall make provision forthe propagation of papal false-hoods and delusions, then we mayknow that the time has come forthe marvelous working of Satanand that the end is near.” Testimo-nies, vol. 5, 451.

Every Principle Repudiated

The September 11 attacks wereso horrific that they created a long-term environment of fear—and ofreduced concerns about constitu-tional rights. Fear of new attackswill keep even those reducedconcerns from becoming signifi-cant. Considerable discussion inthe press about the balance be-tween civil liberties and security, ineffect, puts opposition to constitu-tional overrides to rest. In spite ofthese assurances, there has been adramatic shift away from personalliberties. Americans have willinglyallowed the President to assumeunprecedented powers over theirlives. Every week the newspapersreport more changes in the name ofsecurity at the expense of civilrights and privacy. Many of themmay well be the only thing ahuman government can do to try toprotect its people. Does Americarealize that it is now willinglyrepudiating by leaps and boundsthe principles of its Constitution?

A Global Infrastructure

The “no buy, no sell” law couldnot be fulfilled on a global scalebefore September 11, 2001. Themindset of Americans had to bechanged about their liberties. Theglobal infrastructure to regulate,control, and enforce this law isdaily advancing at a frightening

pace. President Bush said that he isdeveloping a global system withthe ability to pressure other na-tions. That is not easy. However,they are all getting used to it, andthey will ultimately cooperate.

Banks worldwide are cooperat-ing. Secure banking places, such asthe Caribbean Islands, will nolonger be entirely private. TheGermans have been cooperating,and have already arrested a num-ber of people with connections tothe terrorists. A global communica-tion system is being developed

between the CIA, the FBI, and theirequivalent organizations in othercountries, to gather and shareinformation. A new Operation TIPS(Terrorism Information and Pre-vention System), proposed byPresident Bush, would recruit1 million people to spy on, andthen report on, their fellow citizensin a modern version of NaziGermany. 2 This would link up withsimilar international programs. All ofthis takes time to organize, refine,and implement, but Satan knowsthat he cannot enforce the Sundaylaw without a well-developed, globalcontrol system.

Law Enforcement Cooperation

International law enforcementcooperation is essential to enforc-ing the global Sunday law. SinceSeptember 11, international lawenforcement operations are devel-oping and cooperating together.Wiretap rules have been liberal-ized. Cell phones, the internet, andtraditional communications are allsubject to new rules affectingprivate citizens. Prior to September11, these things would have beenconsidered clearly unconstitutional.But all of them are essential to theglobal system to strike againstGod’s people.

A Global “Justice” System

Based in the Netherlands, butrun by an increasingly powerfuland demanding UN, an Interna-tional Criminal Court (ICC) hasbeen established. 3 The ICC is nowopen for business and is preparedto supersede the court systems ofthe world. Even though the U.S.has not joined in the ICC treaty, itdoes not object to the court inprinciple, but as it would beapplied to U.S. soldiers on peace-keeping missions.

The ICC is a system of secrettribunals—not a jury of peers. Ifyou are convicted of a crime, youcan be sent to a prison anywhere inthe world—not necessarily in yourhome country. Appeals are made tothe same body that originallyconvicted you—not to an impartialcourt of appeals. How difficult doyou think it would be to extraditeand arraign people before the ICCfor violating the blasphemy laws ofGreat Britain, Europe, or theVatican, though the “crime” wascommitted in America? The ICC isbeing modeled on nearly the sameprinciples as was the Inquisitioncenturies ago.

Military tribunals are alsosecret; they do not have the samerestrictions as do civil courts. Thesecourts are being restructured to beused whenever prisoners aredeemed to be part of a militaryoperation. The original intention isto arraign those involved in inter-national terrorism. But govern-ments are already expandingdefinitions dramatically, and wecan imagine that some of God’speople could be tried in some ofthese courts. Military tribunals nowhave a loosened attorney-clientprivilege. Conversations betweenalleged criminals and their lawyers

“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.”


can now be monitored. This is notplanned for civil courts yet—atleast not publicly. Nor is it plannedfor American citizens—yet! First,the American public must be testedto see if they will tolerate it, at leastat some level, before it is tried oncitizens or the civil courts.

Suppose that national securityinterests began to include churchactivities. Certain church groupsand their members could poten-tially be defined as military com-batants, even though they aremerely church members. Does thatsound far-fetched?—Not in thewake of the recent use of mosquesto organize terrorist cells. Whenlaws and definitions of crime areexpanded, making certain religiousideas or practices illegal, thesetribunals are likely to be used in

ways originally thought impos-sible. The system being establishednow can easily be manipulated andeventually transformed and usedagainst God’s faithful people.

Immigration

Immigration laws in Americaare changing to adjust the wayimmigration issues are handled,including student visas. A trackingsystem is being developed becausemany foreign students drop out ofschool and remain in Americaillegally. Some of them were foundto be part of the Al-Qaida network.That could eventually threaten thefreedom of Hartland College andother faithful colleges to trainforeign students.

Security of Major Target Areas

Major target areas, such as largecities, are the subject of “anti-terror” measures. The terroristattacks have created the “need” tobe able to “lock down” cities.Imagine what New York City orSan Francisco would be like when

in lock down. There are only somany ways to access them. Duringlock down, every vehicle would beobserved as it leaves or enters thecity. The National Guard or Re-serves would have the authority tosearch any vehicle. It would bevery easy for the government tolock down a city or a community sothat everyone coming in and goingout would be searched or subjectedto ID checks. Does that soundominous?

National Identification Cards

Technology is available for anational ID card or a coordinateddriver’s license program. PresidentBush is proposing an obligatorysystem. The ID system could beused to authorize (or deny) anyand all banking transactions,

including those of supermarket andgasoline sales. It is only a matter ofgetting the people—Americancitizens—to accept the idea. A fewmore attacks, or other nationalcrises, and they will willinglyaccept these measures—and more!

Food Sources

There has also been talk aboutthe vulnerability of food sources. Isit possible that food will become socontrolled that selected individualsor groups—even God’s people—will be prevented from obtainingit?—Certainly, it could be madedifficult for them to obtain foodfrom the usual sources. Is EllenWhite’s counsel concerning coun-try living relevant for us today?

The Military

Did you notice that most of themilitary action in Afghanistan sinceSeptember 11 has been focused ona few isolated religious “extrem-ists”? The Taliban is considered tobe extremist. Osama bin Laden isconsidered to be an extremist.

Hamas is considered to be anextremist organization. And thereare others. We are told that theKoran advocates the exercise ofviolence toward anyone whorefuses to become Muslim; none-theless, a distinction is being madein the media between “tolerantmoderates” and “extremists.”Islam, they say, is peace-loving,except for these “extremists.” Themilitary has been spending timepracticing their skills in huntingdown religious extremists fromcave to cave. When you have to fleeto the rocks and mountains, themilitary will have the skills andequipment to rout you out. Becausebin Laden has been quite elusive,the military is developing systemsthat eventually can be used againstGod’s people. You will be morehelpless than bin Laden, unless youhave the angels of God to makeyou invisible.

There will be attempts to curtailthe operation of “extremist” groupsoperating under cover of religion.Do you think that Adventists willbe divided into “mainline” and“extreme” groups? MainlineAdventists would be consideredbalanced and acceptable, like mostMuslims. Those who are faithful toChrist, love the truth enough to diefor it, have high standards, and areunwilling to compromise, are thepeople who will be profiled andpainted with the extremist brush,and will be treated very differentlyfrom “mainline” Adventists.

“Detainees”

Notice also how the Talibancaptives have been treated. Theywere given a unique legal descrip-tion. They are not POWs, but“detainees.” Under the GenevaConvention POWs have certainrights. However, detainees have norights. American leaders are tryingto assure the people that thesedetainees are being treated withrights compatible with the GenevaConvention—and they may be.Under the definition of detainees,however, there is no legal reasonwhy they cannot be treated inunconstitutional ways. Civilianobservers are not permitted atGuantanamo Bay. Thus, no one

The system being established now can easily be manipulated

and eventually transformed and used against God’s faithful

people.


outside of the military really knowsfor sure how the detainees arebeing treated.

Think how faithful souls, “de-tained” on one pretext or another,are likely to be treated. This specialclassification of the Taliban captivesis making the American publicbecome accustomed to quarantining.Who is going to question the treat-ment of Adventist detainees whilethe chaos and awesome conflict overthe coming Sunday law rages? Thewar against the Taliban is being usedto condition Americans to notquestion matters of “nationalsecurity.”

Religious Extremists

Police agencies have admittedthat they are carefully monitoringand gathering intelligence on whatthey perceive to be extremistIslamic groups. What is an extrem-ist group? Is it not a group that hasbeliefs that are not within the“normal” mainstream of theirreligion or society?

Americans are being culti-vated—educated—to fear thoselabeled as religious extremists andthose with deep religious convic-tions. In the past Americans havebeen willing to tolerate morereligious diversity and evenreligious exclusivity. But notanymore! The Taliban and otherreligious extremists of the Islamicworld are giving the U.S. plenty ofopportunity to develop hostility toreligious extremism.

Religious Profiling

In Germany today, dramaticchanges are taking place beneaththe surface. Germans are quietlyacquiescing to government intru-sion into, and restrictions on, theirlives that a short time ago wouldhave been unthinkable. Many ofGermany’s colleges and universi-ties have begun opening their filecabinets and computer hard drivesto criminal investigators seekingfinancial, educational, and travelinformation which fits their profileof the “typical” terrorist. Profiles ofreligious extremists are beingdeveloped in America as well.

Suppose a profile of a Seventh-day Adventist extremist is devel-

oped. What might it include?—Perhaps home-schooled children;belief that the end of the world is athand; belief in “extreme” religiousviews, such as the Papacy being thebiblical antichrist, willingness to bemartyred for keeping the Sabbath,and so on. The definition mightinclude that an SDA “extremist”knows his Bible very well, sub-scribes to certain kinds of maga-zines and literature, goes to certaintypes of places, and buys onlycertain kinds of foods. It is notdifficult to develop a profile. Theconcept of profiling, coupled with

other surveillance and controlsystems, will make it easy forfaithful Seventh-day Adventists tobe tracked and eventually hunteddown.

How Soon?

A friend of mine recently said tome, “Yeah, but this all can’t happenvery fast. It will take a while.” Yet,how long did it take America toreact to the spectacular terroristattacks?—In one year’s timedramatic changes have occurred inAmerica and the “free” WesternWorld, which have opened the wayfor the oppression of God’s people.The terrorist attacks were obvi-ously humanly orchestrated; it iseasy to point the finger. But whathappens when natural disasters ofgigantic magnitude wreak devasta-tion on the cities of the earth byearthquakes, hurricanes, hugetornadoes, and so on? To whomthen will the finger be pointed?

Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertsonpointed the finger. They said thatthe reason for the terrorist attackswas because of our nationaltolerance of the homosexuals, thepurveyors of pornography, and theabortionists in our midst. Therewas a media outcry against thissupposedly illogical conclusion,

and these men withdrew theirstatement. In actuality, eventhough they did not see the wholepicture, Falwell and Robertson hadidentified a biblical principle:“Righteousness exalteth a nation”(Proverbs 14:34), and when thenation separates itself from right-eousness, the angels of God with-draw their protection.

So, when there is one naturaldisaster after another in succession,who is going to get the blame?—“We’ve got to get America back toGod,” will be the cry. And theconclusion will be that there are

just a few people who are prevent-ing it from happening. “They arenot going along with the newSunday law and are jeopardizingnational security. We’ve got tofreeze their assets. We’ve got toprevent them from doing whatthey are doing.” How temptingwould it be for SDA Churchleaders to distance themselves fromanything that might be consideredextreme! All it would take is fear. Itcould happen almost overnight, asdid the national changes after theterrorist attacks.

The Terrorists and the Papacy

Many wonder how the Septem-ber 11 attacks fit into the propheticrole of the Papacy. The greatestterrorist organization in history isthe Church of Rome. How were theWaldenses, Huguenots, and otherreligious dissenters, treated by theRoman popes?—It was nothingshort of terrorism. And Satan isplanning it again. While the pope isapologizing for the atrocities thatthe “sons of the church” commit-ted, it is apparently only politicalrhetoric.

Rome is now courting Islam.Consider the pope’s May 2001 visit

The definition might include that an SDA “extremist” knows his

Bible very well. He subscribes to certain kinds of magazines

and literature.

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he history of the church inEgypt and in the wildernesswanderings is a very sad

story. It is true that even in theirrebellion God, in His great love forHis church, was with them. Theyincreased their membership andtheir material wealth, but theywere in a deplorable spiritualcondition. Their tragic history isrevealed in the following Scrip-tures:

“Remember, and forget not,how thou provokedst the LORD thyGod to wrath in the wilderness:from the day that thou didst departout of the land of Egypt, until yecame unto this place, ye have beenrebellious against the LORD. Also inHoreb ye provoked the LORD towrath, so that the LORD was angrywith you to have destroyedyou. . . . Likewise when the LORDsent you from Kadesh-barnea,saying, Go up and possess the landwhich I have given you; then yerebelled against the commandmentof the LORD your God, and yebelieved him not, nor hearkened tohis voice. Ye have been rebelliousagainst the LORD from the day that Iknew you.” Deuteronomy 9:7–8,23–24.

“And they sinned yet moreagainst him by provoking the mostHigh in the wilderness. And theytempted God in their heart byasking meat for their lust. Yea, theyspake against God; they said, CanGod furnish a table in the wilder-ness? . . . Yea, they turned back andtempted God, and limited the HolyOne of Israel. They rememberednot his hand, nor the day when hedelivered them from the enemy.”Psalm 78:17–19, 41–42.

Where had they failed? Mosesreveals the answer: “For I know thyrebellion, and thy stiff neck:behold, while I am yet alive withyou this day, ye have been rebel-lious against the LORD; and howmuch more after my death? Gatherunto me all the elders of yourtribes, and your officers, that I mayspeak these words in their ears,and call heaven and earth to recordagainst them. For I know that aftermy death ye will utterly corruptyourselves, and turn aside from theway which I have commanded you;and evil will befall you in the latterdays; because ye will do evil in thesight of the LORD, to provoke him toanger through the work of yourhands.” Deuteronomy 31:27–29.

God Forgotten

The leaders, priests, and peoplehad forgotten God. There was nofaith:

“Now therefore write ye thissong for you, and teach it thechildren of Israel: put it in theirmouths, that this song may be awitness for me against the childrenof Israel. For when I shall havebrought them into the land which Isware unto their fathers, thatfloweth with milk and honey; andthey shall have eaten and filledthemselves, and waxen fat; thenwill they turn unto other gods, andserve them, and provoke me, andbreak my covenant.” Verses 19–20.

What a great tragedy! With thepillar of fire by night and the cloudby day, the manna for their food, ariver of water from the rock tosupply their thirst, with all of thisevidence of God’s supreme love forthem, they had no faith. Theyforgot God and His great love.

Without faith in God’s love andprotection, there is rebellion andapostasy. Therefore, God could notfulfill to them His promise—thePromised Land, Canaan—becauseof their unbelief:

The Remnant Church:Under Divine Rebuke

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The Remnant Church:Under Divine Rebuke


“But with whom was he grievedforty years? was it not with themthat had sinned, whose carcases fellin the wilderness? And to whomsware he that they should not enterinto his rest, but to them thatbelieved not? So we see that theycould not enter in because ofunbelief.” Hebrews 3:17–19.

Under Divine Rebuke

During Israel’s wildernesswanderings, there is very littlerecorded history, for they wereunder divine rebuke:

“For nearly forty years thechildren of Israel are lost to view inthe obscurity of the desert. ‘Thespace,’ says Moses, ‘in which wecame from Kadesh-barnea, until wewere come over the brook Zered,was thirty and eight years; until allthe generation of the men of warwere wasted out from among thehost, as the LORD sware unto them.For indeed the hand of the LORDwas against them, to destroy themfrom among the host, until theywere consumed.’ Deuteronomy2:14–15.

“During these years the peoplewere constantly reminded that theywere under the divine rebuke. Inthe rebellion at Kadesh they hadrejected God, and God had for thetime rejected them. Since they hadproved unfaithful to His covenant,they were not to receive the sign ofthe covenant, the rite of circumci-sion. Their desire to return to theland of slavery had shown them tobe unworthy of freedom, and theordinance of the Passover, insti-tuted to commemorate the deliver-ance from bondage, was not to beobserved.” Patriarchs and Prophets,406.

Because of Israel’s rebellionagainst the covenant they hadmade with God, they were de-prived of the rites of the cov-enant—circumcision and thePassover.

Their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea showed that they desiredthe slavery of Egypt rather than thefreedom God had provided. God’sdivine rebuke of partial rejectioncontinued until the crossing of the

Jordan into the Promised Land. Onthat day, the reproach of Egypt wasremoved.

This generation knew nothingof Egypt; only Caleb and Joshuawere to enter into the PromisedLand from the old generation.While Israel camped at Gilgal,Joshua circumcised the children ofIsrael, and they kept the Passover.

Meaningless Ordinances

Most of the leadership andpriests knew nothing of righteous-ness by faith as an experience;consequently, God restricted thecovenant ordinances of circumci-

sion and the Passover for 38 years,as a constant reminder to Israel oftheir breaking of the covenant withGod.

“A short distance from Jordanthe Hebrews made their firstencampment in Canaan. HereJoshua ‘circumcised the children ofIsrael . . . and the children of Israelencamped in Gilgal, and kept thepassover.’ Joshua 5:3, 10. Thesuspension of the rite of circumci-sion since the rebellion at Kadeshhad been a constant witness toIsrael that their covenant with God,of which it was the appointedsymbol, had been broken. And thediscontinuance of the Passover, thememorial of their deliverance fromEgypt, had been an evidence of theLord’s displeasure at their desire toreturn to the land of bondage.Now, however, the years of rejec-tion were ended. Once more Godacknowledged Israel as His people,and the sign of the covenant wasrestored. The rite of circumcisionwas performed upon all the peoplewho had been born in the wilder-ness. And the Lord declared toJoshua, ‘This day have I rolledaway the reproach of Egypt from

off you,’ and in allusion to this theplace of their encampment wascalled Gilgal, ‘a rolling away,’ or‘rolling off.’ ” Ibid., 485–486.

Let us look back in review overIsrael’s 40 years in the desert, andtheir apostasy—the golden calf; therebellion of Korah, Dathan, andAbiram, and 250 leaders of greatrenown; and finally, Kadesh-Barnea. God’s lessons of obedienceto His orders—His plans throughthe prophet Moses—were neveraccepted by the leaders, priests,and people. They were sorry for theconsequences of their rebellion andapostasy, but their history shows

only a very small remnant acceptedGod’s rebuke and experienced therighteousness-by-faith experiencein loving obedience to the sacredLawgiver at Sinai.

“It was the design of God thatMoses should frequently remindIsrael of their transgressions andrebellion, that they might humbletheir hearts before God in view oftheir sins. The Lord would not havethem forget the errors and sinswhich had provoked His angeragainst them. The rehearsal of theirtransgressions, and of the merciesand goodness of God to them,which they had not appreciated,was not agreeable to their feelings.Nevertheless, God directed thatthis should be done.” Testimonies,vol. 3, 320.

The Great Advent Movement

Today, God’s remnant peopleare following in the same path ofrebellion as Israel, our ancientcounterpart. We are now in a sadspiritual state. True, we havesteadily increased our membership(currently twelve million souls), wehave improved our organization,we have extended our influence,

Israel’s rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea showed that they desired

the slavery of Egypt rather than the freedom God had

provided.


and much of our wealth is investedon Wall Street. But we have lostour first love, and we are luke-warm and spiritually wretched,miserable, poor, blind, and naked.See Revelation 2:1–5; 3:14–22.

We have been told by ourprophet that we are under divineforbearance and rebuke. Wequestion, Why?—Here is theinspired answer:

“I have been shown that thespirit of the world is fast leaveningthe church. You are following the

same path as did ancient Israel.There is the same falling away fromyour holy calling as God’s peculiarpeople. You are having fellowshipwith the unfruitful works ofdarkness. Your concord withunbelievers has provoked theLord’s displeasure. You know notthe things that belong to yourpeace, and they are fast being hidfrom your eyes. Your neglect tofollow the light will place you in amore unfavorable position than theJews upon whom Christ pro-nounced a woe.

“I have been shown that unbe-lief in the testimonies has beensteadily increasing as the peoplebackslide from God. It is allthrough our ranks, all over thefield. But few know what ourchurches are to experience. I sawthat at present we are under divineforbearance, but no one can sayhow long this will continue. Noone knows how great the mercythat has been exercised toward us.But few are heartily devoted toGod. There are only a few who, likethe stars in a tempestuous night,shine here and there among theclouds.” Ibid., vol. 5, 75–76.

“But ye are a chosen generation,a royal priesthood, an holy nation,a peculiar people; that ye should

shew forth the praises of him whohath called you out of darknessinto his marvellous light.” 1 Peter2:9.

The question is, Are we stillGod’s peculiar people?—No; weare a chosen generation, but we arenot a holy nation or a peculiar people.What a tragedy! And all of this islargely because the Testimonies areunheeded—and many among us nolonger believe them. There are onlya few, a very small remnant, whobelieve. See Isaiah 1:9.

Healing Our Apostasy

The Laodicean message must begiven for the healing of our back-slidden apostasy. Christ’s messagein Revelation 3:19—“As many as Ilove, I rebuke and chasten”—indicates that the LaodiceanChurch is under the divine rebukebecause of her spiritual state. TheLaodicean message is a divinerebuke. It is evidence of a partialrejection or separation. It is evidentthat the union between Christ andthe church is not complete, forChrist is not in the innermostsanctuary of the hearts of Hispeople; He does not have fullpossession of his church-temple.He is seen outside the door knock-ing and pleading to be invited in.

“Since the time of the Minne-apolis meeting, I have seen thestate of the Laodicean Church asnever before. I have heard therebuke of God spoken to those whofeel so well satisfied, who know nottheir spiritual destitution. Jesusspeaks to these as He did to thewoman of Samaria: ‘If thouknewest the gift of God, and who itis that saith to thee, Give me todrink; thou wouldest have asked ofhim, and he would have given theeliving water.’ John 4:10. Like the

Jews, many have closed their eyeslest they should see; but there is asgreat peril now, in closing the eyesto light, and in walking apart fromChrist, feeling need of nothing, asthere was when He was uponearth.” Review and Herald, August26, 1890.

The Laodicean message is herecalled “the rebuke of God,” andLaodiceans are said to be “walkingapart from Christ.” How many of ushave closed our eyes like the Jews?There is no question—Inspiration isvery clear: As ancient Israel wasunder divine rebuke, so the remnantSeventh-day Adventist Church isunder rebuke because of our rebel-lion, apostasy, and insubordinationto God’s plan and orders. We havebeen walking apart from Christ. Weare just like the Jews.

The question we must now faceand answer is, Will we receiveChrist’s rebuke in humility? TheLaodicean condition is caused byour feelings of self-satisfaction—that we need nothing from Jesus.The rebuke of God is upon usbecause of our neglect of solemnresponsibilities. And His greatblessings have been withdrawnbecause His instructions, warnings,and rebukes have not been heeded.

Listen now to the inspiredevidence:

“It is a solemn and terrible truththat many who have been zealousin proclaiming the third angel’smessage are now becoming listlessand indifferent! The line of demar-cation between worldlings andmany professed Christians isalmost indistinguishable. Manywho once were earnest Adventistsare conforming to the world—to itspractices, its customs, its selfish-ness. Instead of leading the worldto render obedience to God’s law,the church is uniting more andmore closely with the world intransgression. Daily the church isbecoming converted to the world.How many professing Christiansare slaves of mammon! Theirindulgence of appetite, theirextravagant expenditure of moneyfor selfish gratification, greatlydishonors God.

We are a chosen generation, but we are not a holy nation or

a peculiar people. What a tragedy! And all of this is largely

because the Testimonies are unheeded.


“And through lack of zeal forthe promulgation of the thirdangel’s message, many others,while not apparently living intransgression, are nevertheless asverily lending their influence onthe side of Satan as are those whoopenly sin against God. Multitudesare perishing; but how few areburdened for these souls! There is astupor, a paralysis, upon many ofthe people of God, which preventsthem from understanding the dutyof the hour.” Testimonies, vol. 8,118–119.

A Promise of Hope

There is hope for all who arenow willing to reform and beobedient to known truth. I willclose with this inspired statement:

“There will be a sharp conflictbetween those who are loyal to

God and those who cast scorn uponHis law. Reverence for God’s lawhas been subverted. The religiousleaders are teaching for doctrinethe commandments of men. As itwas in the days of ancient Israel, so

it is in this age of the world. Butbecause of the prevalence ofdisloyalty and transgression, willthose who have reverenced the lawof God now cherish less respect forit? Will they unite with thepowers of earth to make it void?

The loyal will not be carried awayby the current of evil. They willnot throw contempt on that whichGod has set apart as holy. Theywill not follow Israel’s example offorgetfulness; they will call to

remembrance God’s dealings withHis people in all ages, and willwalk in the way of His command-ments.

“The test comes to everyone.There are only two sides. On whichside are you?” Ibid., 120. !

“Instead of leading the world to render obedience to God’s

law, the church is uniting more and more closely with the

world in transgression.”

to one of Islam’s holiest sites—theUmayyad Mosque in Damascus,Syria. There he worshiped and ledin Christian prayers, while hisMoslem counterpart led in Moslemprayers. The pope, however, hasnever repudiated the dogma that“justified” the Inquisition, theCrusades, and the extermination ofheretics and infidels. And there isstill intolerance wherever Romecan get away with it. Half a worldaway from Damascus, ProtestantEvangelicals are persecuted inMexico by their Catholic neighbors.

Even the term “religious intoler-ance” is being redefined. It nolonger refers to the intolerance ofRome. In this age of ecumenism, itnow refers to anyone who speaksthe truth about apostate churches,including Rome. The new intoler-ance is labeled “bigotry,” or“religious extremism,” and isconsidered to be as bad as theterrorists.

God showed John a time whenAmerica would cause all, “bothsmall and great, rich and poor, freeand bond, to receive a mark in theirright hand, or in their foreheads:and that no man might buy or sell,save he that had the mark, or thename of the beast, or the number of

his name.” Revelation 13:16–17. Doyou think we are getting close tothat time? The September 11attacks created the environment fora giant step forward in the fulfill-ment of prophecy. But futureterrorist attacks will make thecontrols, surveillance, and restric-tions even more compelling, whileSatan does a parallel maneuver toisolate and restrict God’s people.

How soon will these new globalsystems be expanded from theiroriginal purpose, and be used tooppress God’s remnant people?—No one can really say, but onceAmerica is accustomed to the newsystem, and familiar with how itworks, it will be an easy transitionto start using it on U.S. citizensaccused of other religious “crimes.”

The future is ominous. Satan isgoing through very large andexpensive maneuvers just so he cancontrol and oppress the smallgroup of God’s true people. He isbuilding a global economic, police,and justice system just for God’sfaithful people. He is very serious!As you contemplate the news in thefuture, pay attention to the under-lying principles behind it.

Realize that there are unseenagencies with an agenda beneaththe surface. However, prophecy

enables us to understand God’slong-range purpose. We canforesee those things that tell us thatthe end is near. God is bigger thanall of Satan’s devices. God can andwill protect His people accordingto His purpose.

The global and national eventsof this last year are a seriouswarning to God’s people. Neverhas there been a more importanttime to plead with God for HisHoly Spirit to give you power toovercome sin and represent Himfully in character. Never has therebeen a more opportune time toseek righteousness and the perfectlove that casts out all fear andbrings the peace that only God’sHoly Spirit can place in your heart.Now is the time to obey God’sinstruction to move into thecountry. September 11 dramaticallychanged the liberty environment inAmerica and the world. We mustrethink our priorities and investour resources in soul-winningwork. Let us humble ourselvesbefore God and plead for Hispeople. !

References:1 See http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/

releases/2001/09/20010924–4.html2 www.citizencorps.gov3 www.un.org/law.icc

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t has been reported in Time,Newsweek, and U.S. News &World Report magazines how

America and the rest of the worldare preparing to meet greaterthreats from terrorists. The FBI andVice President Dick Cheney saidwe should expect something moreto happen. It is not a question of if,but when; yet, it will be unexpected.

Dr. Robert Morey, an expert onIslam, reported to the FBI that hewas told by contacts in the intelli-gence community that they fearedMuslim Pakistanis have broughtinto the United States three “dirtybombs,” which are small nucleardevices. See Assist News Service(ANS), March 19, 2002,(www.assist-ministries.com).

Michael T. Osterholm and JohnSchwartz, in their book LivingTerrors, 54–55, have reported thatthe Islamic Jihad organization hasplanned 100 attacks against theUnited States, Israel, and publicfigures in different parts of theworld using chemical and biologi-cal weapons.

On March 31, 2002, Fox Newsreported that Palestinian leaderYasser Arafat, who, by the way, hasrepeatedly met with the pope, hascalled on the Arab world formillions of martyrs to make suicideattacks on the United States and itsoutposts in the Middle East.

Why am I reporting thesedevelopments? Why be concernedabout the news of the world? Whatdifference does it make?—Becausewe have been warned time andagain in the Scriptures and throughthe Spirit of Prophecy that greatdevelopments are in the making,and a crisis is approaching of thegreatest magnitude; yet we, whoclaim to be the people of God, areliving on indifferently, careless,and in pursuit of worldly happi-ness.

We have been warned to get outof the cities, yet today, some of usare still deep in the heart of thecities, clinging to the things theyhave to offer—but not for long.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, thecrisis will come upon us. Why?—

Because many are ignoring thewarning given to us by the servantof the Lord.

Impending Disaster Predicted

“He [Satan] will bring diseaseand disaster, until populous citiesare reduced to ruin and desolation.. . . Destruction will be upon bothman and beast.” The Great Contro-versy, 589–590.

“ ‘Out of the cities! out of thecities!’—this has been my messagefor years.” Counsels on Health, 231.“ ‘Out of the cities, out of thecities!’ she declared; ‘this is themessage the Lord has been givingme.’ ” Life Sketches, 409.

“The time is near when the largecities will be visited by the judg-ments of God. In a little while thesecities will be terribly shaken. Nomatter how large or how strongtheir buildings, no matter howmany safeguards against fire mayhave been provided, let God touchthese buildings, and in a fewminutes or a few hours they are inruins.

Great Powerand Glory

B i l l H u m e n i u k

I


“The ungodly cities of ourworld are to be swept away by thebesom of destruction. In thecalamities that are now befallingimmense buildings and largeportions of cities God is showing uswhat will come upon the wholeearth. He has told us: ‘Now learn aparable of the fig tree; When hisbranch is yet tender, and puttethforth leaves, ye know that summeris nigh: so likewise ye, when yeshall see all these things, know thatit [the coming of the Son of man] isnear, even at the doors.’ Matthew24:32–33.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 83.

“I have seen the most costlystructures in buildings erected andsupposed to be fireproof. And justas Sodom perished in the flames ofGod’s vengeance, so will theseproud structures become ashes. . . .The flattering monuments of men’sgreatness will be crumbled in thedust, even before the last greatdestruction comes upon theworld.” Selected Messages, book 3,418–419. (All emphasis suppliedunless otherwise noted.)

“The cities of today are fastbecoming like Sodom andGomorrah. The many holidaysencourage idleness. The excitingsports—theatergoing, horse racing,gambling, liquor-drinking, andreveling—stimulate every passionto intense activity. The youth areswept away by the popular cur-rent.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 54.

“Oh, that God’s people had asense of the impending destructionof thousands of cities, now almostgiven to idolatry.” Evangelism, 29.

“Christians should be preparingfor what is soon to break upon theworld as an overwhelming sur-prise, and this preparation theyshould make by diligently studyingthe Word of God and striving toconform their lives to its precepts.The tremendous issues of eternitydemand of us something besides animaginary religion, a religion ofwords and forms, where truth iskept in the outer court. God callsfor a revival and a reformation.”Prophets and Kings, 626.

What other reasons do God’speople need to get out of the cities?

What other reason do we need toprepare earnestly for what is comingon the earth?—“A storm is coming,relentless in its fury. Are weprepared to meet it?” Testimonies,vol. 8, 315.

Peter and the Cross

I believe that many of us indenominational churches, self-supporting home churches, and inour work for the Lord are likePeter: “Peter did not desire to seethe cross in the work of Christ.” TheDesire of Ages, 415. Oh the cross, thepath of self-denial on a daily basis!“And he said to them all, If anyman will come after me, let him

deny himself, and take up his crossdaily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.“Follow Me” on a daily basis. Yes,this should call forth from us theresponse from the old hymn, “Takethe world, but give me Jesus.” Areyou willing? Are you really willing?

“Jesus looked upon the world inits fallen state with infinite pity. Hetook humanity upon Himself thatHe might touch and elevate hu-manity. . . . But it was written ofHim that ‘He shall not fail nor bediscouraged’ (Isaiah 42:4), and Hewent forth in the path of self-denialand self-sacrifice, giving us anexample that we should follow inHis steps. We should work as didJesus, departing from our ownpleasure, turning away fromSatan’s bribes, despising ease, andabhorring selfishness, that we mayseek and save that which is lost,bringing souls from darkness intolight, into the sunshine of God’slove. We have been commissionedto go forth and preach the gospel toevery creature. We are to bring tothe lost the tidings that Christ canforgive sin, can renew the nature,can clothe the soul in the garments

of His righteousness, bring thesinner to His right mind, and teachhim and fit him up to be a laborertogether with God.” Fundamentalsof Christian Education, 199.

United in Christ

“For other foundation can noman lay than that is laid, which isJesus Christ. Now if any man buildupon this foundation gold, silver,precious stones, wood, hay,stubble; every man’s work shall bemade manifest: for the day shalldeclare it, because it shall berevealed by fire; and the fire shalltry every man’s work of what sortit is.” 1 Corinthians 3:11–13.

The groundwork, the founda-tion has been laid by no other thanJesus Christ; not the church, not theauthorities in the church, notanyone in self-supporting minis-tries. We need to especially remem-ber this as we can all see blowingmany winds of doctrine andinterpretations—and in some casesoutright apostasy.

“Ye are no more strangers andforeigners, but fellowcitizens withthe saints, and of the household ofGod; and are built upon the foun-dation of the apostles and proph-ets, Jesus Christ himself being thechief corner stone; in whom all thebuilding fitly framed togethergroweth unto an holy temple in theLord: in whom ye also are buildedtogether for an habitation of Godthrough the Spirit.” Ephesians2:19–22.

As you see, there is only onefoundation, only one Rock—JesusChrist: “For they drank of thatspiritual Rock that followed them:and that Rock was Christ.”1 Corinthians 10:4. And there isonly one body in Christ: “So we,being many, are one body in Christ,

“Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon

the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they

should make by diligently studying the Word of God and

striving to conform their lives to its precepts.”


and every one members one ofanother.” Romans 12:5.

Is Christ truly the head of thisone body? “For the husband is thehead of the wife, even as Christ isthe head of the church: and he isthe saviour of the body. Thereforeas the church is subject unto Christ,so let the wives be to their ownhusbands in every thing.”Ephesians 5:23–24; see alsoEphesians 4:12–16; Colossians 1:18,24. To prepare in this final hourmeans to follow Christ and whatHe has laid out for His people.

While the church is Christ’sbody, we cannot focus our eyes onthe church. The church is not whatcarries us through, but Christ can

and does because He is the head ofthe body, the church. It is He whocarries the church through persecu-tion; even when it appears to bedecimated, it is not. See SelectedMessages, book 2, 380.

A mighty shaking is coming tothe church; Christ will purge Hisfloor. See Testimonies, vol. 5, 80. Butpraise God; He is preparing apeople for the final days, the loudcry, and His soon coming. Thougha crisis is coming, though thechurch falters and a mighty shak-ing occurs, His body, the church,the final remnant, will comethrough. Notice the followingstatement:

“Although there are evilsexisting in the church, and will beuntil the end of the world, thechurch in these last days is to bethe light of the world that ispolluted and demoralized by sin.The church, enfeebled and defec-tive, needing to be reproved,warned, and counseled, is the onlyobject upon earth upon whichChrist bestows His supremeregard. . . . Angels are amazed as

they behold the transformation ofcharacter brought about in thosewho yield themselves to God, andthey express their joy in songs ofrapturous praise to God and to theLamb. . . . They see them becomingprepared by a Christlike experienceto suffer with their Lord, andafterward to be partakers with Himin His glory in heaven above.

“God has a church on earth whoare lifting up the downtroddenlaw, and presenting to the worldthe Lamb of God that taketh awaythe sins of the world. The church isthe depositary of the wealth of theriches of the grace of Christ, andthrough the church eventually willbe made manifest the final and full

display of the love of God to theworld that is to be lightened with itsglory.” Testimonies to Ministers, 49–50.

God’s people, the church, willreveal the love of God that willlighten the world with “its glory.”

Power and Glory

God has called a people toproclaim the three angel’s mes-sages, yet the work advancesslowly. Even though we preach viasatellite, radio, TV, and throughother evangelistic methods, thework is hardly making headway.We desperately need the fourthangel to add power and glory tothe three angels’ messages.

“And after these things I sawanother angel come down fromheaven, having great power; andthe earth was lightened with hisglory.” Revelation 18:1.

Notice also the Spirit of Proph-ecy comments on this chapter: “Theprophecies in the eighteenth[chapter] of Revelation will soon befulfilled. During the proclamationof the third angel’s message,

‘another angel’ is to ‘come downfrom heaven, having great power,’and the earth is to be ‘lightenedwith his glory.’ The Spirit of theLord will so graciously blessconsecrated human instrumentali-ties that men, women, and childrenwill open their lips in praise andthanksgiving, filling the earth withthe knowledge of God, and withHis unsurpassed glory, as thewaters cover the sea. . . .

“As the members of the body ofChrist approach the period of theirlast conflict, ‘the time of Jacob’strouble,’ they will grow up intoChrist, and will partake largely ofHis Spirit. As the third messageswells to a loud cry, and as greatpower and glory attend the closingwork, the faithful people of Godwill partake of that glory. It is thelatter rain which revives andstrengthens them to pass throughthe time of trouble. Their faces willshine with the glory of that lightwhich attends the third angel. . . .

“The proclamation of the gospelis the only means in which God canemploy human beings as Hisinstrumentalities for the salvationof souls. As men, women, andchildren proclaim the gospel, theLord will open the eyes of the blindto see His statutes, and will writeupon the hearts of the truly peni-tent His law. The animating Spiritof God, working through humanagencies, leads the believers to beof one mind, one soul, unitedlyloving God and keeping Hiscommandments—preparing herebelow for translation.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.7, 984.

“When the third angel’s mes-sage shall go forth with a loudvoice, the whole earth shall belightened with His glory, the HolySpirit is poured out upon Hispeople. The revenue of glory hasbeen accumulating for this closingwork of the third angel’s message.The prayers that have been ascend-ing for the fulfillment of thepromise, the descent of the HolySpirit, not one has been lost. Eachprayer has been accumulating,ready to overflow and pour forth a

“Through the church eventually will be made manifest the

final and full display of the love of God to the world that is to

be lightened with its glory.”


healing flood of heavenly influenceand accumulated light all over theworld.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1,180–181.

The latter rain of the fourthangel is going to add “greatpower” to the work. Then men,women, and children will respondas God’s messengers “proclaim thename of the Lord.” I believe thatthis event is soon to happen. Godwill take the reins in His ownhands and finish the proclamationof the three angels’ messages bysimple means. See Testimonies toMinisters, 300.

God’s Glory

Can you imagine children filledwith “great power”—the latterrain—revealing God’s glory? Whatis this glory that will be added,besides the great power? Is it God’smajesty, power, or fire that flasheshere and there from heaven?—Listen: “To give glory to God is toreveal His character in our own,and thus make Him known. And inwhatever way we make known theFather or the Son, we glorify God.”The Seventh-day Adventist BibleCommentary, vol. 7, 979.

For further study on the glory ofGod, let us consider the experienceof Moses. We must remember thatMoses was the meekest man onearth. See Numbers 12:3. The 40years he spent herding sheep in thewilderness molded and shapedhim into a very humble character.Now, in the thirteenth verse ofExodus 33, Moses asked God,“shew me now thy way, that I mayknow thee.” Then in verse 14, Godsaid, “My presence shall go withthee.” When you desire to knowGod with all your heart, He willreveal Himself to you, and Hispresence will go with you.

Then, notice the concern ofMoses in verse 16, “For whereinshall it be known here that I andthy people have found grace in thysight? is it not in that thou goestwith us? so shall we be separated, Iand thy people, from all the peoplethat are upon the face of the earth.”Then a deep, personal connection isexpressed by God: “I will do this

thing also that thou hast spoken:for thou hast found grace in mysight, and I know thee by name.”Verse 17.

Oh, my dear reader, we muststrive for such a deep, abidingconnection with God that Heknows us by name.

In verse 18, Moses expresses, “Ibeseech thee, shew me thy glory.” Ifthis would have been a casual,presumptuous request, I believeMoses would have died; but thiswas not the case. He was talking toGod, pleading for his people,seeking pardon for them, andasking for assurance; this was aheart-to-heart connection andconversation. So God says, “I willmake all my goodness pass beforethee, and I will proclaim the name ofthe LORD before thee;” but, “whilemy glory passeth by . . . I will putthee in a clift of the rock.” Verses19, 22.

It appears that there is also aconnection between the law of Godand His glory. In Exodus 34:1–4,God wrote the Ten Command-ments again on two new tables ofstone. Then, in verses 5–7, “TheLORD descended in the cloud, andstood with him there, and pro-claimed the name of the LORD. Andthe LORD passed by before him, andproclaimed, The LORD, The LORDGod, merciful and gracious, longsuf-fering, and abundant in goodness andtruth, keeping mercy for thousands,forgiving iniquity and transgressionand sin.”

Do you think that after Godrevealed Himself and proclaimedthe name of the Lord with all thetraits of the great I AM—the detailsof His character—do you think thatMoses just stood there, prayed, andlifted up his hands in praise? Oftenthat is what we do, and we think

that it is acceptable. No, my dearpeople; when Moses beheld thename of the Lord—not His gloriousilluminated majesty, but the LordGod with all the traits of Hismajestic character—look how heresponded: “And Moses madehaste, and bowed his head towardthe earth, and worshipped.” Verse8. Now, that is worship; that isreverence.

Moses understood and knewGod, because the rest of chapter 34tells us that Moses spent 40 daysand 40 nights on the mount withGod. He had such an intimateconnection with God that “the skinof his face shone; and they wereafraid to come nigh him.” Verse 30.So he put a veil over his face. The“name of the LORD,” and the LordGod’s glory shone in and throughMoses from the heart to his face—fully, yes, fully revealing thecharacter of God, “His glory.”

The 144,000

This is the glory that will lightenthe world. The 144,000 will so fullyreflect every aspect of God’scharacter as listed in Exodus 34:6–7, that in Revelation 14:1, it saysthat they stood with the Lamb andhad “his Father’s name written intheir foreheads.” Yes, they had the“name of the Lord” in their hearts;they knew the Lord, and the Lordknew them. So vital and close aconnection will they have with Godthat they, too, have their faceslighted up, proclaiming the ever-lasting gospel with “great powerand glory” during the loud cry.

The 144,000 are also fearing Godand giving glory to Him; that is,they are returning to God Hisglory, which is His character. Theyworship God as did Moses, notcelebrating as Aaron did, with

The 144,000 . . . worship God as did Moses, not celebrating as

Aaron did, with feasting and music.


feasting and music—no, no, butbowing their heads to the earth andworshipping the name of the Lord.

Notice what the servant of theLord wrote: “Servants of God, withtheir faces lighted up and shiningwith holy consecration, will hastenfrom place to place to proclaim themessage from Heaven. By thou-sands of voices, all over the earth,the warning will be given. Miracleswill be wrought, the sick will behealed, and signs and wonders willfollow the believers. Satan alsoworks, with lying wonders, evenbringing down fire from heaven inthe sight of men. See Revelation13:13. Thus the inhabitants of theearth will be brought to take theirstand.” The Great Controversy, 612.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

When we spend time with Jesus,daily making that “vital connectionwith God,” not celebrating, butmeditating in total communion withHim, seeking “with determinedfaith that perfection of characterwhich will reach out to perfectionin action,” how can we not reflectChristlikeness and holiness? SeeChrist’s Object Lessons, 334, 332.

The apostle Paul understood; heknew God: “The name of our LordJesus Christ may be glorified inyou.” 2 Thessalonians 1:12.

Truly, the latter rain empowersthe faithful remnant, the lastgeneration, to so fully reflect Jesusthat the world will see Jesus in us.Can you imagine the 144,000 withtheir faces all lighted up with God’sglory, going from door to doorwith the influence ofChristlikeness? Their powerfultestimony may even attract mediacoverage. It will certainly light upthe world with “His glory.” “Towhom God would make knownwhat is the riches of the glory ofthis mystery among the Gentiles;which is Christ in you, the hope ofglory.” Colossians 1:27. What is theglory of the mystery? It is thedivine, holy attributes of theGodhead revealed in Christ whichMoses, Enoch, and Elijah all sawand reflected, and the final genera-tion will see and reflect, revealing

to the Gentile world the hope of“glory.” “But we all, with open facebeholding as in a glass the glory ofthe Lord, are changed into the sameimage from glory to glory, even asby the Spirit of the Lord.”2 Corinthians 3:18.

Do you see it? Are you begin-ning to experience it? If not, fall onyour knees at this moment andplead with God and study HisWord, surrendering all to Jesus thatHe may have His way in you. ThenHis character can be perfectlyreproduced in you, His people, Hischurch, the hope of glory. Not untilthen will He come to claim Hisown. See Ibid., 69.

For years I sang the familiarhymn Turn Your Eyes upon Jesuswithout much thought or impres-sion on my mind. But not anymore;this study has changed that; it haschanged my character, thoughts,and desires forever. No, I have notreached the goal, but by God’sgrace I will, and so can you—beginning now!

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“Embracing the Work” Sally Hohnberger

Tape 2 “Cultivating Obedience and Alane Waters Self-control”

“Love in the Family” Emily Waters

Tape 3 “Batteries Not Included” Jim Hohnberger

“Love Again” Alane Waters

Tape 4 “Lost & Found” Jim Hohnberger

“Getting the Heart” Sally Hohnberger

Tape 5 “True Leadership” Tom Waters

“What’s in the Box?” Waters Family

Tape 6 “Crossing Over” Jim Hohnberger

“Woman: A Helpmate” Sally Hohnberger

Tape 7 “Self-government” Tom Waters

“Independent Atoms” Jim Hohnberger

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“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face;And the things of earth will grow

strangely dimIn the light of His glory and

grace.”

Oh, may this be the experienceof each one of us, what do yousay? As we have this experience,we are preparing for the finalcrisis, the loud cry, the time oftrouble, and the coming of ourLord and God.

This is the hour, brothers andsisters; this is the opportunity.Are we going to squander it? Thisis the time for our belovedchurch, the body of Christ toshow forth His glory. It is asolemn hour to seek the Lord andprepare for the crisis that isbreaking upon the earth. Pleasejoin me in seeking to “reflect theglory of the Lord” with “greatpower” to proclaim the threeangels’ messages, hastening thecoming of our Lord. !

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he pale, drawn, and haggardface of a man named Albertappeared on our local televi-

sion news screen. He had only ashort time to live—that is, unless anorgan donor could be found. If hislife were to be spared, he must inthe near future undergo a hearttransplant. Physicians had said thatthey could do nothing to mend his“old” heart. Replacing a valve orrepairing any other “portion” of hisheart would not help him. Heneeded a whole new heart. Being inhis early 30s and having a wife andchildren, he was understandablytroubled and anxious!

The community solicited fundsfor his anticipated surgery. We sawhis face on the TV screen day afterday as the amount being collectedwas reported. Finally the dayarrived when, upon answering thetelephone, he heard those welcomewords: “A donor heart has beenfound!” Immediately his mind wasfilled with hope and rejoicing!After the proper preparation wasmade, Albert surrendered himselffully into the hands of his physi-cian. The surgery was successful,and, after some weeks had passed,his face appeared again on thetelevision news.

What a transformation! What achange! No longer was Albert pale

and haggard. His life had beenrestored; his face shone with ahealthy radiance; his eyes werebright! His joy and thanksgivingwere reflected upon the entirecommunity where he lived. All thepeople rejoiced with him! Sadly, hemeditated over the fact that some-one had lost his life to make itpossible that he might live. Now,let us consider some spirituallessons from Albert’s experience.

A Divine Remedy

Before he received a new heart,Albert was a sick and dying man.Today, many are as sick spirituallyas Albert was physically. To use aBible term, their hearts are naturalor carnal, and their characters are sodiseased that they do not have longto remain spiritually alive. NoteGod’s descriptions of such a heart.He declares that: “Every imagina-tion of the thoughts of his heartwas only evil continually.” Genesis6:5. (All emphasis supplied unlessotherwise noted.)

“For from within, out of the heartof men, proceed evil thoughts,adulteries, fornications, murders,thefts, covetousness, wickedness,deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,blasphemy, pride, foolishness: allthese evil things come from within,and defile the man.” Mark 7:21–23.

Spiritually speaking, men donot always realize the extent of thediseased condition of their hearts.That is, not until they look into themirror of God’s law of Ten Com-mandments. It is then that they seethemselves as they actually are—wretched and hopelessly neardeath. They long to be forgiven.

That remedy is the gospel. Animportant passage is found in theSpirit of Prophecy book This DayWith God, 224: “The truths of thegospel are not unconnected;uniting they form one string ofheavenly jewels . . . and like threadsof gold they run through the wholeof Christian work and experience.”

God’s precious, sparklinggospel truths unite to form onegolden string of remedial heavenlygems. These truths can be pluckedoff the string, as it were, andexamined or discussed one by one.The first sparkling gem of truth wewill pluck off to examine is calledjustification. In examining thisjewel of truth, may we use anallegory?

A Man Named Larry

George had a friend namedLarry, who seemed extremelydiscouraged and despondent.George told Larry of some of thewonderful, encouraging gems of

ANewHeartL e o l a R o s e n v o l d

T


truth to be found in the Bible. Heurged him to study God’s Word.Larry was convinced of his need tostudy. When he opened his Biblehe knew not where to begin. So heread through Genesis and intoExodus. But when he reachedExodus 20, he became startled, forupon comparing himself withGod’s law, he was faced with theshocking revelation of his trulydiseased spiritual condition! “Isthis the reason for my mentaldespondency?” he asked himself.Without realizing it, Larry echoedthe words of Paul, as he cried out:“O wretched man that I am! whoshall deliver me?” Romans 7:24.Larry felt desperate! “Is there noremedy?” he exclaimed.

A Spiritual Heart Transplant

Larry was filled with joyfulexcitement, however, when heturned to the New Testament. “Yes!There is a remedy for all sin-sicksouls! It is found in Jesus Christ—ourspiritual Physician!” He listened ashe heard the Physician invite: “Comeunto Me.” Matthew 11:28. Larryresponded. He cast himself uponChrist’s mercy.

Jesus looked upon him withlove and tender compassion. Hebegan to explain the remedy toLarry. He spoke in somewhat thesame words as He did toNicodemus that night so long ago.See John, chapter 3. “You need anew heart,” Jesus explained. “Thereis nothing that can be done torepair or patch up your old heart. Itwill be necessary for you to un-dergo a spiritual heart transplant!”Larry felt uncomfortable. LikeNicodemus, he wondered, “Howcould this be?”

But the Physician was stillspeaking: “I am willing, even

anxious, to perform the neededoperation for you, without whichyou will surely die! My serviceswill be donated; your new heartwill be free. If you cooperate, youwill be born again into a new lifealtogether.”

Larry Seeks Counsel

At this point Larry went to hisfriend George for counsel. Georgeexplained that as in a physicalheart transplant, in order to receivea new spiritual heart transplant, itis necessary to undergo a spiritualpreparation.

George took down the first bookof Selected Messages, and turned topage 393. After carefully explainingto Larry that this was not just any

book, that it was an inspired book,he read the following to him:

“In order to obtain the right-eousness of Christ [a new heart], itis necessary for the sinner to knowwhat that repentance is whichworks a radical change of mindand spirit and action.”

Larry’s eyes were fastened uponGeorge. George looked up, andsaid, “Next the author asks twoquestions: ‘Who is desirous ofbecoming truly repentant? Whatmust he do?’ Listen closely, Larry,”George advised, “for the authoranswers her own questions.” Larryleaned forward so he would notmiss the answer:

“He must come to Jesus, just ashe is, without delay. He mustbelieve that the Word of Christ istrue, and, believing the promise,ask, that he may receive. Whensincere desire prompts men topray, they will not pray in vain.The Lord will fulfill His Word, andwill give the Holy Spirit to lead torepentance toward God and faithtoward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Larry understood: “When Icome to Jesus ‘just as I am,’ believ-ing that God’s Word and itspromises are true, the Physicianwill send the Holy Spirit to help meprepare.”

“Right,” answered George.George explained further: “The

Physician has given to every man ameasure of faith or belief, that hemay respond to His calling. How-ever, in order for a man’s faith toincrease he must ‘come’ to theGreat Physician to receive, not onlyrepentance, but also a greatermeasure of faith—even a faith thatwill make salvation by gracepossible.”

In His Bedroom

Larry hurried home. In hisbedroom with his Bible openedbefore him, Larry fell upon hisknees. His attention was drawn tothe cross of Christ. While kneelingat the foot of the cross, looking upat Jesus, these words burned intohis soul: “A Donor has beenfound!” Jesus Himself had passedthrough a horrible death on thecross in order that Larry, a repen-tant sinner, might live! It was withsadness that Larry realized that forhim to live, Someone had to die—and that Someone was his divineSurgeon, Jesus Christ, God’s owndear Son!

He read aloud this preciouspromise from God’s Word:

“A new heart also will I giveyou, and a new spirit will I putwithin you: and I will take awaythe stony heart out of your flesh,and I will give you an heart offlesh.” Ezekiel 36:26.

Larry prayed for the promisedHelper. His prayer was answered.The Spirit led him into a truesorrow for his sins, into repentanceand faith, and a full surrender to theGreat Physician, who, as promised,performed the re-creative surgery.Larry had obeyed as he heard thePhysician plead: “My son, give methine heart.” Proverbs 23:26. But,oh! What an exchange! Larry hadreceived a clean (unselfish), new,healthy heart in exchange for hissinful, selfish, spiritually diseased

“There is nothing that can be done to repair or patch up your

old heart. It will be necessary for you to undergo a spiritual

heart transplant!”


heart! “Praise God,” Larry’s sinswere forgiven. Through faith, Larryhad received the sparkling gift ofjustification!

The Physician Sends a Message

We interrupt our allegory ofLarry momentarily. God sent animportant message to His church. Itis a very sobering message. Godwarns us through Ellen White that,as a people, we have at timesneglected to teach these prepara-tory truths to souls who are seek-ing salvation. Surely we do notconsider these truths as unneces-sary or as an “unpleasant duty”! Ifwe have fallen into this trap, let usheed the following rebuke:

“Some open revival meetings,and by this means call largenumbers into the church. Butwhen the excitement is over,where are the converted ones?Repentance and confession of sinare not seen. The sinner is en-treated to believe in Christ andaccept Him, without regard to hispast life of sin and rebellion. Theheart is not broken. There is nocontrition of soul. The supposedconverted ones have not fallenupon the Rock, Christ Jesus.

“The Old and New TestamentScriptures show us the only way inwhich this work should be done.Repent, repent, repent, was themessage rung out by John theBaptist in the wilderness. Christ’smessage to the people was ‘Exceptye repent, ye shall all likewiseperish.’ Luke 13:5. And the apostleswere commanded to preacheverywhere that men shouldrepent.

“The Lord desires His servantstoday to preach the old gospeldoctrine—sorrow for sin, repen-tance, and confession. We wantold-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashionedfathers and mothers in Israel. Thesinner must be labored for,perseveringly, earnestly, wisely,until he shall see that he is atransgressor of God’s law, andshall exercise repentance towardGod, and faith toward the LordJesus Christ.” Ibid., book 2, 19.

“Believe, believe, only believe”is not enough. The devils believeand tremble. A lukewarmLaodicean may believe all of thetruth and God’s promises, but he isnot “being saved” thereby, for he isnot converted. Jesus said in John,chapter 3, that unless a man is“born again” he cannot enter thekingdom of heaven. An uncon-verted one believes only with themeasure of faith that is given to allmen.

We are to teach new convertsthat it is “by repentance and faith weare justified before God, andthrough divine grace enabled torender obedience to His command-ments.” The Sanctified Life, 81.

Back To Larry

Albert had received a newphysical life through the gift of hisdonor heart. Just so, an amazingtransformation had taken place inthe life of Larry. He had receivedthe heart, the mind, and the faith ofHis Saviour. He was filled withhope, rejoicing, and gratitude.Relieved of the burden of his sins,he was no longer miserable andspiritually wretched. New spirituallife had been put within him. Hiseyes sparkled with joy! His faceshone with a healthy radiance! Hereflected his joy and thankfulnessupon all with whom he came incontact. He pointed them to theGreat Physician, Who alone is ableto forgive sins and to heal spiritualdiseases.

Wonder of wonders! Oh, howcould it be? The entire communitywhere he lives became aware of thechange in Larry. No longer was hemorose and discouraged. His heartthrilled as he related to others thathis heart Donor and Surgeon, JesusChrist, died in order that he, a

sinner, might live! Everyone withinthe sphere of his influence heard“the old gospel story.” His wordsechoed Ellen White’s sentimentswhen she exclaimed: “O Precious,loving, long-suffering, long-forbearing Jesus, how my souladores Thee! . . . Wonder, OHeavens, and be astonished, Oearth, that fallen man is the objectof His infinite love and delight.”The Upward Look, 377.

Larry was often heard invitinghis friends and acquaintances toexperience the fulfillment of thatprecious promise offered to all menby the Heavenly Physician: “A newheart also will I give you, and anew spirit will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heartout of your flesh, and I will giveyou an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel36:26. Larry did not fail to also tellhis friends that they must go toJesus “just as they are,” to receivethe enabling power of the HolySpirit.

Day by day Larry diligentlystudied God’s precious Word. Ashe increased in wisdom andknowledge, he continued to growup spiritually in Christ.

A New Mind

In the Bible, being given a newheart is likened to being “bornagain.” We often refer to it as“conversion” or the “new birth.”Lest we fail to realize the truewonders of the reception of a “newheart,” we will add some addi-tional sparkles that emanate fromthis gospel truth.

From the inspired writings weare told that many of us, especiallythe youth, fail to understand thetrue significance of what it meansto have a new heart. Ellen Whiteclearly defines its meaning:

“The Lord desires His servants today to preach the old gospel

doctrine—sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession. We want

old-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashioned

fathers and mothers in Israel.”


“The youth especially stumbleover this phrase, ‘a new heart.’They do not know what it means.. . . When Jesus speaks of the newheart, He means the mind, the life,the whole being. . . . To have a newheart is to have a new mind, newpurposes, new motives.” Sons andDaughters of God, 100.

Paul understood. He explains:“Therefore if any man be in Christ,he is a new creature: old things arepassed away; behold, all things arebecome new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

How can this be? How does thisnew life come about?—By a newcreation: “The heart, the mind, arecreated anew.” The Desire of Ages,176.

“When the soul surrenders itselfto Christ, a new power takespossession of the new heart. Achange is wrought which man cannever accomplish for himself. It is asupernatural working, bringing asupernatural element into humannature.” Manuscript Releases, vol.17, 314.

God loves us so much thatHe explains the entire plan ofsalvation to us very clearly.

A Warning

On the other hand, what is the“stony heart”?—In the sameparagraph just quoted from, we arewarned: “Unless we do yieldourselves to the control of Christ,we shall be dominated by thewicked one.”

Paul states it this way: “For tobe carnally minded is death; but tobe spiritually minded is life andpeace.” Romans 8:6. Websterdefines “carnal” as: “Of the body orflesh;—opposed to spiritual.” Thestony heart—the carnal mind—iscontrolled by the wicked one. In acarnal mind the body controls the

mind; while in a spiritual mind themind controls the body. How orwhen will the stony heart be takenaway? When “the heart, the mind,are created anew.”

Once we have received anew heart, or mind, can it belost?—Yes! It must be main-tained the same way we receiveit, through surrender—throughthe peace and assurance ofconstant surrender! King Davidwas converted in his youth andalso in much of his later years.

However, he did not alwaysmaintain his surrender. He fellinto sin—into grievous sins!Now the question: If one haslost his “born again” experience,how can he regain it? The sameway David did.

After David’s great sin, heonce again surrendered to theGreat Physician, pleading: “Giveme a new heart, oh my God.” SeePsalm 51. The Spirit of Prophecyhas revealed that “One of themost earnest prayers recorded inthe Word of God is that of David

when he pled, ‘Create in me aclean heart, O God.’ Psalm 51:10.God’s response to such a prayeris, A new heart will I give you.This is a work that no finite mancan do. Men and women are tobegin at the beginning, seekingGod most earnestly for a trueChristian experience. They are tofeel the creative power of theHoly Spirit. They are to receivethe new heart, that is kept softand tender by the grace ofHeaven. The selfish spirit is to becleansed from the soul.” TheSeventh-day Adventist Bible Com-mentary, vol. 4, 1165.

When David sinned, hedisplayed a carnal, selfish, stonyheart. This mindset was re-moved—cleansed from hismind—by the creative power ofthe Holy Spirit.

As we begin or renew ourChristian experience, we mustfully surrender to Christ as didDavid. Then with Christ dwell-ing in our hearts through theHoly Spirit, we receive a newmind—even the “mind ofChrist.” 1 Corinthians 2:16. Letus be glad and rejoice that wecan experience such a sparklinggem of gospel truth! !

Adapted from the book SparklingGems of Truth, by Leola Rosenvold.You may order your copy fromHope International, shown below.

“When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes

possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man

can never accomplish for himself.”

Sparkling Gems of TruthLeola RosenvoldRosenvold Publishing

Some of God’s sparkling jewels are to be founddeep in the mines of His Word. Others may lie nearthe surface. Many neglect the serious study neces-sary for growth in grace. The string of heavenlygems is left buried beneath all the mundane things

we feel are so important, but which in the light of eternity are mererubbish.

This book was written to stimulate youth and adults alike tostudy and to experience the beauty of God’s truth. The stories willtouch your heart, and the truths will bring conviction to your soul.

Paperback, 139 pages, 2002Catalog # BERL-SGOT

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atchman, what of thenight?” (Isaiah 21:11) is

the inquiry that shouldnow arise from all hearts. And thetrue watchman will be able to givethe answer, “The morning cometh,and also the night.” Verse 12. Thisis a day of peril, a day of cloudsand thick darkness. Men areblinded, infatuated by the god ofthis world. They close their eyes tothe fearful events that are castingtheir shadows before. Intoxicatedwith self-indulgence and luxury,they know not that the tempest isabout to burst upon them.

Satan and his hosts set them-selves to overthrow the work ofGod. To fainting, unbelieving soulsit may seem that the powers ofdarkness are about to prevail.Philosophy sets up reason as anantagonist of revelation. Science,falsely so called, directs the mindsof men to the book of nature as acontradiction of the Word of God.Critics search the Scriptures to findsome pretext for treating withcontempt the words of Holy Writ.The base spirit of worldliness leadsmen to seek to throw off the claimsof their Maker. And many whoprofess to reverence God’s Wordmake war upon all who proclaimits plain and cutting truths.

At times the clamor of error andheresy seem almost to drown thevoice of truth; yet the cry of the

true watchman is still heardsounding from the watchtower,“The morning cometh, and also thenight.” We have no thought ofdiscouragement, no thought offainting or failing. Our only anxietyis to discharge our duty in the fearof God. We know that “God is, andhe is a rewarder of them thatdiligently seek him” (see Hebrews11:6); he lives and reigns, and all heasks of us is humble faith andwilling obedience. Those whooccupy themselves in opposing Hiswork and His servants, we leave toserve their own master, while wepress forward to spread the tri-umphs of the cross.

There are many who consider ita mark of intelligence to doubt, andthey pride themselves upon theirability to devise objections to God’sWord, to His truth, or to those whoproclaim it. One class will bringtogether disconnected or obscurepassages of Scripture, interpret tosuit themselves, and then, afterperverting or wholly concealing thetrue meaning they hold them up toridicule as examples of the absurdi-ties to be found in the Bible. Othersattack in a similar manner thewords and acts of those whom Godcalls to lead out in His cause. Butare infidels and skeptics the menwho devote their lives to nobleefforts to reform and elevatemankind? And those who busy

themselves in finding fault with theservants of God—are they laboringwith zeal and energy to build upHis kingdom?—In this work theyhave little interest. Their mission isto weaken and tear down. This isthe work of Satan, and he employsthe ability of every man whom hecan control.

There will ever be some whotake delight in dwelling upon thereal or supposed faults and failuresof others, and who employ theirtime in seeing, hearing, or report-ing something that will destroyconfidence in the person criticized.Few are without visible faults; inmost persons careful scrutiny willreveal some defect of character;and upon these defects in others,some professed Christians delightto dwell. The habit strengthenswith indulgence, and a love forgossip becomes their ruling pas-sion. They gather together thetidbits of reports—all of them, itmay be, utterly devoid of truth—and feast upon the scandal, andshare it with others as a raredelicacy.

A writer asks, Whoever heard ofa dove rending the heart of a robin,or of a lamb sucking the blood of akid? This is the work of hawks andtigers. The true followers of Christwill not be found biting anddevouring one another. “Thiswisdom descendeth not from

“I Cannot Come Down”

E l l e n G . W h i t e

“W

“I Cannot Come Down”


above, but is earthly, sensual,devilish. For where envying andstrife is, there is confusion andevery evil work.” James 3:15–16.

Envy and jealousy loose thebloodhounds of suspicion, andminds that love the sport join inhunting down the fair fame ofChrist’s ambassadors. An unjustinsinuation is started, a conjectureis set afloat; and it gathers strengthas it passes from one to another ofthose who desire it to be true.These evil reports are received withgreat satisfaction by some whohave been reproved for heinoussins or grave defects of character.They smarted under the reproof,and yet did not reform. Now theirconsciences are eased; they learnthat the reprover cannot be trusted;somebody has circulated a damag-

ing report; somebody has broughtan accusation. They leave thedistasteful work of caring for theirown souls and repenting of theirown sins, and climb upon thejudgment seat to condemn another.

Brethren and sisters, let notyour souls be disturbed by theefforts of those who so earnestlyseek to arouse distrust and suspi-cion of Sister White. These attackshave been repeated hundreds oftimes during the past 40 years; butmy labors have not ceased; thevoice of warning, reproof, andencouragement has not beensilenced. The evil reports framedconcerning me have injured thosewho circulated them; but they havenot destroyed my work. Beforesome of these opposers had anexistence, I was shown what wouldcome, and from what source. In theday of God, those who have beenseeking to prove me a deceivermust answer for their course. Iappeal to those who love the truth:

Guard well the avenues of the soul.Place sentinels at the eyes, the ears,the lips. When prevarications andconjectures are brought before you,and your minds are disturbed, goto Jesus, and pray for help that youmay not be ensnared by the wilesof Satan.

Many ask, Why do you notcontradict these reports? Whyallow them to be circulated? Thesame question has been askedagain and again for the last 40years. My answer is, in the lan-guage of one of old, I am doing agreat work, and I cannot comedown. See Nehemiah 6:3. God hascalled me to reveal to others by penand voice, what He has revealed tome. In His strength I must goforward in this solemn and impor-tant work, knowing that it is soon

to bear the test of the judgment.While false accusers are doingwhat pleases themselves, I willseek only to please Him who hasgiven me my work. Christ is ourleader, and if we follow Him, weshall see His triumph and share Hisjoy.

To those who have long beenacquainted with my labors, I leavethe burden of stating the truth inthese matters. If any who have hadan experience in this message andwho understand the relation whichI have sustained to it, are inclinedto believe the false statements ofmy enemies, nothing that I mightsay would influence them. Thosewho make the slanders and thosewho circulate them are actuated bythe same spirit. I do not expect themanufacture and circulation offalse reports to cease. As long as Iam faithful in reproving sin, and inpresenting before the people theperfection of Christian character,Satan’s enmity will be stirred

against me. If I were to leave mywork to correct every false state-ment made concerning me, I wouldhave time to do little else. Satan’spurpose would be accomplished,could he thus put an end to mylabors.

I have not changed in characteror in my manner of labor since youfirst listened to the messages ofcomfort, encouragement, andwarning which God has given mefor His people. I am the same inplainness and severe simplicity ofdress; the same in bearing anearnest, decided testimony for God;the same in deep interest in thetruth. I cherish the same faith, thesame hope, the same love for soulsfor whom Christ died.

Brethren and sisters, have nofears that I shall become disheart-ened by the cruel attacks of myenemies. I expect them in greatermeasure, and only wonder thatthey have not been more frequent.Think of Jesus. How much was saidagainst Him. How He was de-spised and hated. See Him laboringfor a short time in one place, andthen forced to hasten to another tosave His life, that He might finishHis work, and give to the world thelight of a pure and noble example.We may strengthen our faith andquicken our love by going often tothe foot of the cross, and therecontemplating our Saviour’shumiliation. Behold the Majesty ofHeaven suffering as a transgressor!Spotless purity, untarnishedrighteousness, did not shield Himfrom falsehood and reproach. Hemeekly bore the contradiction ofsinners against Himself, andyielded up His life, that we mightbe forgiven and live forevermore.Are we willing to follow in Hissteps? The only reason why we donot now suffer greater persecutionis, we do not in our lives morefaithfully exemplify the life ofChrist. I assure you, brethren andsisters, if you walk as He walked,you will know what it is to bepersecuted and reproached for Hissake.

If we hope to wear the crown,we must expect to bear the cross.

Many ask, Why do you not contradict these reports? Why

allow them to be circulated? . . . My answer is, in the language

of one of old, I am doing a great work, and I cannot come

down.


Our greatest trials will come fromthose who profess godliness. It wasso with the world’s Redeemer; itwill be so with His followers. Ishould doubt whether I were achild of God, if the world, or evenall professed Christians, spoke wellof me. Those who are in earnest towin the crown of eternal life neednot be surprised or disheartenedbecause at every step toward theheavenly Canaan they meet withobstacles and encounter trials. Theopposition which Christ receivedcame from His own nation, whowould have been greatly blessedhad they accepted Him. In likemanner the remnant church receiveopposition from those who professto be their brethren.

But “we know that all thingswork together for good to themthat love God.” Romans 8:28. “Allthat will live godly in Christ Jesusshall suffer persecution.” 2 Timo-thy 3:12. It is good for me to tread ahard and humble path, to encoun-ter difficulties, to experiencedisappointments, to suffer afflic-tions and bereavements. TheSaviour knows what is best. Faithgrows by conflict with doubt anddifficulty and trial. Virtue gathersstrength by resistance to tempta-tion. The life of the faithful soldieris a battle and a march. No rest,fellow pilgrim, this side the heav-enly Canaan.

When our enemies try to placeupon us the black robes of unright-eousness, let us not become exas-perated at their injustice. Whenyour efforts are falsified, whenyour motives and your works arepainted in colors black as ink,remember those who were treatedthe same before you. How have thesaints of God in ages past beenmaligned, traduced, and perse-cuted! For centuries their nameswere covered with infamy. All thatthe hosts of hell could do was doneto heap reproach upon them as thevilest of men. But John in holyvision beholds the faithful soulsthat come up out of great tribula-tion, surrounding the throne ofGod, clad in white robes, andcrowned with immortal glory.

What though they have beencounted the offscouring of theearth? In the investigative judg-ment their lives and characters arebrought in review before God, andthat solemn tribunal reverses thedecision of their enemies. Theirfaithfulness to God and to HisWord stands revealed, andHeaven’s high honors are awardedthem as conquerors in the strifewith sin and Satan.

Brethren, we can afford to wait.Let our enemies exult because theyhave represented us in a characterto suit their malicious fancy. ButChrist will judge righteously, andwill reward every man accordingto his deeds. To the faithful, whohave been clothed by their enemiesin the black robes of falsehood, Hewill give the spotless garments oftruth and purity.

It will do our proud hearts goodto suffer reproach for Christ’s sake.“Blessed are they which are perse-cuted for righteousness’ sake: fortheirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye, when men shallrevile you, and persecute you, andshall say all manner of evil againstyou falsely, for my sake. Rejoice,and be exceeding glad: for great isyour reward in heaven: for sopersecuted they the prophetswhich were before you.” Matthew5:10–12.

Take courage, then, when theburden is heavy, when the workmoves slowly, and temptations,strong and fierce, surge in uponyou. Cease not your effort so longas there is one soul to be warned byyour words, one soul to be ben-efited by your example.

I entreat you to depend lessupon your own efforts, and trustmore to the power of Christ.Cultivate fortitude, firmness,

patience, humility, and self-control.The God whom we serve will armus with courage in every emer-gency; but we must abase self, andlet God be all-in-all. It was truefaith that gave Caleb courage tobear his decided testimony forGod, even when fellow workersstood ready to take his life. Godwants brave men in His causetoday—men who in His strengthare not afraid to do and dare.

The time is short. How will ourcases appear in the judgment?What is now our standing beforeGod? Are we closely examining ourown hearts? Are we by repentanceand confession sending our sinsbeforehand to judgment, that theymay be blotted out when the timesof refreshing shall come? This is anindividual work—a work which wecannot safely delay. We should

take hold of it earnestly; oursalvation depends upon oursincerity and zeal. Let the cry beawakened in every heart, “Whatmust I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30.

The adversary of souls isconstantly seeking to divert ourminds by bringing in side issues.Let us not be deceived. Let enemieshandle your name and mine asthey please. Let them distort,misrepresent our words and deeds.Let them fabricate falsehoods asbest pleases them. We cannotafford to allow our minds to bediverted from Jesus and the prepa-ration of soul which we must havein order to meet Him in peace.

Leave Sister White in the handsof God. If the work in which she isengaged be of God, it will prosper;otherwise it will come to naught.But remember that your owneternal interests are now at stake.The fatal lethargy upon you mustnow be broken, or it will result in

Let our enemies exult because they have represented us in a

character to suit their malicious fancy. But Christ will judge

righteously, and will reward every man according to his deeds.


endless death. “How long halt yebetween two opinions? if the LORDbe God, follow him: but if Baal,then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21. InChrist’s stead, I beseech you topray as you never prayed before, toseek earnestly for faith and love,that seem to be almost banishedfrom the earth. Live each day as inthe sight of God.

Your case will soon come inreview before God; how is it withyou, my brother? Are you unpre-pared for that solemn investiga-tion? Christ alone hath the wordsof eternal life. Helpless, discour-aged, sin-smitten soul, look toJesus; He will pity, bless, and saveyou. Let not false teachers confuseyour minds and unsettle your faith

by casting reproach upon thosewhom God has sent you withmessages of warning and instruc-tion. Remember that it is not meremen whom you have to meet, but“principalities and powers, andwicked spirits in high places.” SeeEphesians 6:12. Now is the verytime when Satan is working withall deceivableness of unright-eousness.

Many are in reality fighting hisbattles while they profess to serveunder the banner of Christ. Thesetraitors in the camp may not besuspected, but they are doing theirwork to create unbelief, discord,and strife. Such are the mostdangerous of foes. While theyinsinuate themselves into ourfavor, and gain our confidence andsympathy, they are busy suggest-ing doubts and creating suspicion.They work in the same manner asdid Satan in heaven when hedeceived the angels by his artfulrepresentations, placing darknessfor light, and making the forbear-ance and mercy of God to appear

as harshness and severity. As heworked at the beginning, so heworks in the end, only concealinghimself more perfectly from view.

By every conceivable device, thefoe is seeking to throw us off ourguard. He may first attempt todeceive with smooth words andcrafty insinuations; and if these fail,he proceeds to open violence. Hehas many a deep-laid snare forunwary feet, and those who oncebecome entangled find it almostimpossible to extricate themselves.While he praises, flatters, andexalts some, he hurls his fiery dartsat others. We must be on guardevery moment. Days of peculiartrial, difficulty, and danger arebefore us.

It is not enough that we havethe theory of the truth; its prin-ciples must be inwrought in thesoul, and exemplified in the life, orwe shall fall a prey to the delusionsprepared for the last days.

We must make up our mindsthat instead of matters taking amore favorable turn, wicked men,seducing teachers, will grow worseand worse, deceiving themselvesand deceiving others. We mayexpect greater opposition than hasyet been experienced. We haveheard but the growling of thedragon. This will swell to a roar.We have yet to learn the signifi-cance of those words of John: “Thedragon was wroth with thewoman, and went to make warwith the remnant of her seed,which keep the commandments ofGod, and have the testimony ofJesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. Wemust now make Christ our refuge,or in the days before us our soulswill be overwhelmed with dark-ness and despair. There is a pointbeyond which human help cannot

avail. Every one must live by faithas he is forced into close andapparently deadly conflict with thepowers of darkness. Each muststand or fall for himself. Thearrows of the destroyer are aboutto be hurled against the faithfulones, and no earthly power canturn aside the shaft. But could oureyes be opened we could see angelsof God encircling the righteous,that no harm may come upon them.We have only to trust in God, andgo forward in the way of obedi-ence, and we shall be victorious.

“Now the just shall live byfaith.” Hebrews 10:38. We mustlook to Jesus, study His words,pray for His Spirit. We should bemore frequently alone with God inmeditation and prayer. Let us praymore and talk less. We cannot trustto our own wisdom, our ownexperience, our own knowledge ofthe truth; we must be daily learn-ers, looking to our heavenlyTeacher for instruction, and then,without regard to ease, pleasure, orconvenience, we must go forward,knowing that He is faithful whohas called.

We should cultivate a spirit ofprayer, not merely praying in ourclosets, at the family altar, or inpublic, but having our mindsconstantly centered on God, takinghold upon His strength, pleadingfor His grace, confiding in Hispromises. Let us put on the wholearmor of righteousness, which theCaptain of our salvation hasprepared for us. While we realizeour weakness, let us rely upon Hisstrength, and overcome by thegrace which He imparts.

There is help in God for everyseeker. Great promises are left onrecord for us. We should keep faithin constant exercise, and it willincrease and strengthen. Our hopeis in Christ, “whom we preach,warning every man, and teachingevery man in all wisdom; that wemay present every man perfect inChrist Jesus.” Colossians 1:28. !

Review and Herald, August 28, 1883,originally entitled “Our PresentPosition.”

We may expect greater opposition than has yet been

experienced. We have heard but the growling of the dragon.

This will swell to a roar.


nder the symbol of threeangels’ messages, there isintroduced in the book of

Revelation a threefold warningwhich is followed by our Saviour’scoming to reap the “harvest of theearth.” See Revelation 14:14–15. Inthe public ministry of Christ, ourLord gave a parable in which Hepresented not only the seed sowingand the growth of the plants butalso the final “harvest.” In explain-ing this parable to His disciples, Hetold them distinctly that “theharvest is the end of the world”(Matthew 13:39), thus showing thatthese three messages not onlyimmediately precede the end of theworld, but that they contain thetruths which are to “ripen” theharvest of the earth—the one classfor the heavenly garner, and theother for the winepress of thewrath of God.

The first of these messagesproclaims the “everlasting gospel.”It is not the work of literal angelsvisibly to preach the gospel to men,but to minister to those “who shallbe heirs of salvation.” Hebrews1:14. In the case of the devotedCornelius, to whom a gloriousangel appeared, it was not tocommunicate to him the simplestfact of the gospel even, but to tellhim where one of God’s chosenministers was, who could and

would teach him the truth. See Acts10:3–6.

Our Saviour committed thepreaching of the gospel to men,and to those faithful in theircommission is still His assurance,“Lo, I am with you alway, evenunto the end of the world.” Mat-thew 28:20.

These angelic messengers ofRevelation are regarded as symbolsof messages of truth to be pro-claimed by men to this last genera-tion. While the visible workers aremen, angels, who “desire to lookinto”(1 Peter 1:12) the truths of thegospel, camp about (see Psalm34:7) those who, in the fear of theLord, proclaim His Word.

It is not a new gospel that is tobe proclaimed to the last genera-tion, but the same “everlastinggospel.” In the first of these threemessages, however, there is,connected with the proclamation ofthe gospel, a new reason assignedwhy men should yield obedience tothe Lord. It is found in these words:“For the hour of his judgment iscome.” Revelation 14:7. When theapostle Paul stood before Felix and“reasoned of righteousness, tem-perance, and judgment to come,Felix trembled”! Acts 24:25. Histrembling, undoubtedly, wouldhave been much greater had themessage been, “The hour of his

judgment is come.” This firstangel’s message does not say thejudgment is coming, but “the hour[period] of his judgment is come.”(All emphasis supplied unlessotherwise noted.)

Such an announcement couldonly be made at a time when thejudgment is actually to begin. Ifmen are to give such a message totheir fellow men, the Scripturesmust contain a line of prophetictruth, and a prophetic periodleading down to the session of thejudgment. Do the Scripturescontain such a period?—They do,or men could never, from theScriptures, give such a message.That period of time is the 2300days, (see Daniel 8:14) leadingdown to the cleansing of thesanctuary.

The work of mediation in theearthly sanctuary was a representa-tion, in figure, of the real work ofChrist, the true High Priest, as Hepleads before His Father, in theheavenly sanctuary, for those who,with truly contrite hearts, confesstheir sins to Him. See Hebrews 8:4–5; 9:13–14, 24. First, as in the typicalservice, there is a pardon for therepentant believer; and in theclosing of the service (cleansing ofthe sanctuary), a blotting out ofsins, which blotting out is a finaldecision of the cases of the right-eous. In the type, the sins blottedout one year were rememberedagain the next year (see Hebrews10:3), because the blood of beastsdid not actually take away theirsins. In the blotting out to beaccomplished by Christ, the sins ofHis people will be remembered nomore. See verse 17. So this finalwork of Christ, as the true HighPriest, in blotting out the sins ofGod’s people—the cleansing of theheavenly sanctuary—must be thepassing of judgment on their cases.

Cleansing of the Sanctuary

As performed in the Jewisheconomy, the cleansing of thesanctuary must have been a matterwith which Daniel was familiar. Itoccurred in their service once a

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year, on the tenth day of theseventh month. He must also havehad some definite idea of thesignificance of that atonement, as itprefigured the final work to beaccomplished by the promisedMessiah.

The Jewish people of this daywho carefully study their serviceunderstand the type, at least. Thatthis is so is seen both in theirsayings and in their writings. Asproof, your attention is called to thefollowing circumstance: In Septem-ber 1869, during a series of meet-ings held at Healdsburg, Cal., awell-educated Jew who resided inthat place became much interestedin the meetings. Being a man whowas very diligent in his mercantilebusiness, it was a matter of greatsurprise that he should leave hisstore to attend a meeting in mid-week, and in the daytime. At the

close of the meeting, one of theministers questioned him regard-ing the matter. He replied, withseriousness: “Why, elder, a Jewwho broke every Sabbath in theyear would not dare to work today.This is the Day of Atonement, thetenth day of the Jewish seventhmonth.” The minister then asked,“What is the most solemn nameyour people have for this day?”With a most devout and reverentiallook, and in a tremulous tone ofvoice, he replied, “Today is the dayof judgment.”

The following quotation fromthe Scriptures represents the Day ofAtonement as a decisive day withthat people: “On the tenth day ofthis seventh month there shall be aday of atonement: it shall be anholy convocation unto you; and yeshall afflict your souls, and offer anoffering made by fire unto theLORD. And ye shall do no work in

that same day: for it is a day ofatonement, to make an atonementfor you before the LORD your God.For whatsoever soul it be that shallnot be afflicted in that same day, heshall be cut off from among hispeople.” Leviticus 23:27–29.

In further proof that the Jewishpeople regard the tenth day of theseventh month as a day of judg-ment, the following is quoted fromone of their journals published inSan Francisco. It is called the JewishExponent, and is an organ of theorthodox Jews west of the RockyMountains. In the issue for Septem-ber 1892, was the announcementthat before the next number wouldbe published the seventh monthand the Day of Atonement wouldcome. Their name for the seventhmonth is Tisri, and that of the sixthmonth is Elul; so the paper stated,“The month of Elul is here, and the

monitory sounds of the shofar [thetrumpet that was to be blown fromthe first to the tenth day of theseventh month] (see Psalm 81:3–4)are to be heard every morning inthe orthodox synagogues, advisingpreparation for the day of memo-rial, and the final judgment of yomkippur.” Hence, as they were in theclose of Elul, the sixth month, andTisri, the seventh month, was aboutto open, they would every morn-ing, for ten days, hear the trumpetannouncing the final day of judg-ment of that typical system.

Here is the testimony of an-other, the Rev. Isidore Myer, rabbiof a large congregation in SanFrancisco. In announcing the Dayof Atonement in the autumn of1902, he explained the significanceof the feast thus:

“While crossing the threshold oftime from one year to another, theIsraelite is forcibly reminded of the

creation and of the universalsovereignty of the Creator, and iscalled upon to celebrate, with theblast of trumpet, the anniversary,so to speak, of the birth of time andof the coronation of the great King.He is also summoned by the voiceof the same trumpet, or ‘shofar,’ toscrutinize retrospectively hisactions of the past year, while hestands trembling before the all-seeing eye of Eternal Justice sittingon the throne of judgment.”

Standing in the Lot

From the time that Daniel heardthe saint say, “Unto two thousandand three hundred days; then shallthe sanctuary be cleansed” (Daniel8:14), his mind was filled withanxiety as to what should be “theend of these things,” and as to howlong it should be. See Daniel 12:6, 8.Finally, he is given to understandthat a knowledge of the time is notfor his day. It is said to him, “Gothou thy way till the end be: forthou shalt rest, and stand in thy lotat the end of the days.” Verse 13.

Some have supposed this lan-guage to refer to the final end of theworld, and that at that time Daniel,with the rest of the Lord’s people,would receive their reward, andstand in their lot of inheritance. TheHebrew word for lot of inheritance,region of country, and so on, we aretold is geh vehl. That is not the wordtranslated “lot” in this scripture. Theword is goh rahl. Hebrew scholars tellus that this word occurs 76 times inthe Old Testament. It is the sameword that is used in speaking of thetypical cleansing of the sanctuary,where “lots” were cast to determinewhich of the two goats was to beslain. As the high priest took theblood of the Lord’s goat, and wentinto the sanctuary to perform thework of cleansing, all Israel stoodwithout, afflicting their souls, andconfessing their sins, that they mightstand clear, and receive the blessingof the high priest as he would comeout of the sanctuary, instead of beingclassed with the rejected ones, whowould be cut off from among thepeople. Thus, on that day, Israelstood in their lot.

This final work of Christ, as the true High Priest, in blotting out

the sins of God’s people—the cleansing of the heavenly

sanctuary—must be the passing of judgment on their cases.


When the final cleansing of thesanctuary should come, at the closeof the 2300 days (which comesdown a little further than any otherprophetic period, at the end ofwhich it could be said, “The end ofthe days”), Daniel’s case, with thecases of all the righteous dead,would come in review before God.So Daniel would stand in his lot.

At the close of the 2300 days . . .Daniel’s case, with the cases of allthe righteous dead, would come inreview before God. So Danielwould stand in his lot.

Thus, it is seen that the greatperiod of 2300 days brings us to theinvestigative judgment. As in theJewish temple service, the sanctu-ary was cleansed once every year,it must have been apparent toDaniel that this cleansing at the endof the 2300 days must relate tosomething besides the yearlytypical service. The Lord hadinstructed His people that whenusing symbols in prophecy, thetime given was counted “each dayfor a year” (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel4:6), so this period of 2300 yearswould reach far into the futurefrom Daniel’s time.

In the twelfth chapter, thisanxious inquiry is found: “Howlong shall it be to the end of thesewonders?” and, “O my Lord, whatshall be the end of these things?”Daniel 12:6, 8.

Time Sealed Up

In response to Daniel’s inquiry,the angel replied, “O Daniel, shutup the words, and seal the book,even to the time of the end: manyshall run to and fro, and knowl-edge shall be increased.” Daniel12:4. Again, “Go thy way, Daniel:for the words are closed up andsealed till the time of the end.”Verse 9.

What so exercised the mind ofDaniel was the “when,” the “howlong,” and “what shall be the end.”These were the points that per-plexed and troubled the prophet,and these things only were to besealed up till the time of the end,and not the whole book of Daniel,as some have supposed. These

words were not, then, written invain, never to be understood; forthe time was to come when thewise should understand. See verse10. When the appointed timeshould come for this sealed matterto be opened—for the “when,” the“what,” and the “end” of theseperiods to be unsealed and madeplain—when the time of the endshould come, many would “run toand fro” through the Scriptures,searching into these things, andknowledge on the close of theseprophetic times would be in-creased.

That this is the idea conveyed inthe foregoing language will bemade more clear by the followingtranslations of the text:

Dr. Adam Clarke says, “Manyshall endeavor to search out thesense; and knowledge shall beincreased—by this means.”

In the German Bible of Luther,Revised, we read, “So shall manycome over it, and find great under-standing.”

The German Parallel Biblereads, “Many shall run it through,and so the knowledge will beincreased.”

The German Bible of L. Van Ess,admitted also by the pope toCatholic readers, translates it,“Many will search it through, andthe knowledge will be great.”

The Swedish Bible reads, “Manyshall search in it, and knowledgeshall become great.”

The Danish-Norwegian, Re-vised, reads, “Many shall eagerlysearch, and knowledge shallbecome much.”

In the prediction concerning thesealing up and the opening of thesewords, the accuracy of propheticfulfillment is again seen; namely,that the event, the time, the knowl-

edge of the period of time, shall besealed up, and when it shall beopened and understood by“many.” This event is called “thetime of the end.”

What Is the Time of the End?

Till the time of the end, thismatter should be sealed up. Whatis the time of the end? It cannot bethe actual end of the world, forthen this part of Daniel’s prophecywould be of no use to mortals; itmust therefore refer to a period justbefore the end. But “things whichare revealed belong unto us”

(Deuteronomy 29:29), says theprophet.

To ascertain what is meant bythe expression “time of the end,”we will notice where the sameterms are used in another propheticscene. In the eleventh chapter ofDaniel, a persecuting power isintroduced which was to hold itsdominion until the time of the end.The Lord says of the work of thispersecutor, “And some of them ofunderstanding shall fall, to trythem, and to purge, and to makethem white, even to the time of theend: because it [the time of the end]is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel11:35. Protestant commentators aregenerally agreed in applying theprophecy of this persecuting powerto the papal church, which had thecivil power in its hands for theappointed time—“time, times, andan half” (Daniel 12:7), the 1260years from A.D. 538 to 1798. Its civilpower was taken away at the endof the “time appointed”—1798. So,at that time, the people had ceasedto “fall” by the hand of that perse-cuting power, as they had previ-ously been falling. This marks 1798as the time called in prophecy thetime of the end.

What so exercised the mind of Daniel was the “when,” the

“how long,” and “what shall be the end.” These were the

points that perplexed and troubled the prophet.


Then, in the light of this predic-tion, the knowledge of when the2300 days (the last of all propheticdays) were to close, was sealed up;but when that point of time passed,“many” were to search out, andobtain the light upon the subject.Now, these are the facts in the case;for until the year 1798, the expo-nents of prophecy had no light asto where the 2300 days would end.They could understand the sym-bols, the image, and the beasts of

the book of Daniel. They alsounderstood and correctly appliedthe 70 weeks of the ninth chapter,but could not tell where the 2300days ended; for, as yet, they had nounderstanding as to where the dayscommenced.

Knowledge Increased

In the paper called the MidnightCry 1 of June 15, 1842, we read, “It istruly interesting to find the variousindependent writers, who, since1798, have seen what was entirelyunperceived before—that the seventyweeks was a key to the twenty-three hundred days.”

The discovery that the 70 weekswere the first part of the 2300 days,unlocked the whole subject.Whereas, before, they failed to findwhere the 2300 days commenced,now, as the 70 weeks were the firstpart of the 2300 days, of course, thetwo periods must begin at the samedate.

Previous to 1798, students ofprophecy had light concerning thecommencement of the 70 weeks—457 B.C. Christ’s public ministry,death, and so on, occurred in exactharmony with that date. This exactfulfillment of the Saviour’s missionin harmony with this reckoning, hadgiven them a mighty proof that Hewas indeed the true Messiah, and

that the date of the 70 weeks wasunalterably fixed. Failing to discoverthat the 70 weeks were the first partof the 2300 days, left the matter sealedup until 1798, as predicted.

Coming down this side of 1798,the other part of the prediction is asaccurately fulfilled. Again wequote from the same number of theMidnight Cry: “Is it not a wonderfulcoincidence that so many writers,without any knowledge of oneanother, came to the same conclu-

sion about the same time?” Andwhy should it not be so? The Lord’stime had come when He said“many” would receive the light,and His Spirit would lead minds tothe truth regardless of distance orcountries, and without knowledgeone of another.

Before me is a list of 20 differentlocalities where the light wasdiscovered, not by communicationone with another, but as the resultof diligent searching of the Scrip-tures, led by the influence of theSpirit of God. Heading the list isWilliam Miller, of the state of NewYork. Then follow A. J. Krupp, ofPhiladelphia; David McGregor, ofFalmouth, Mass.; Edward Irving, ofEngland; Archibald Mason, ofScotland; W. E. Davis, of SouthCarolina; Joseph Wolff, wholabored in various parts of Asia;Alexander Campbell, in his debatewith R. Dale Owen, 1829; Capt.A. Landers, of Liverpool, England;Leonard Heinrich Kelber, ofStuttgart, Germany; Laucunza, ofSpain, in his book, “Ben Ezra;”Hentzepeter, of The Hague, Hol-land; Dr. Capadose, of Amsterdam,Holland; Rau, of Bavaria; priests ofTartary, in 1821; Bible students ofYemen, in the book called “Seera;”Hengstenberg, in another part ofGermany; Russians on the Caspian

Sea; Molokaners, on the shores ofthe Baltic, and so on.

Such a general discovery oflight on the close of the 2300 days,and at the time when God pre-dicted that the matter, so longsealed up, would be opened, is notso surprising. It is, however,interesting, after the lapse of years,to bring together the conclusions ofthe various students who, from theopening of the nineteenth centuryto 1840, reckoned out the period of2300 days, and located the 70weeks as the first part of thatperiod, and then to find the wholeperiod terminating in 1844.

The question arises, Can we restwith certainty that 1844 is the truedate for the close of the 2300days?—Yes; for as surely as a falsefulfillment of prophecy cannotcome in the right time for the truefulfillment, the conclusion must becorrect that 1844 is the true date forthe close of that period.

God, who sealed up the knowl-edge of the time till 1798 andpromised that then the true lightwould shine, by His unerringSpirit, guided those who earnestlysought Him to a correct under-standing of this time. His time hadcome for the “knowledge” on thatsubject to “be increased,” and Heguided to the true light.

We have now discovered theperiod of time, developed in theLord’s order, when the judgment ofthe saints would come. With thistime as a basis, the message couldfinally be given, “The hour of Hisjudgment is come.” Mark, it doesnot say that immediately on thediscovery of that period the mes-sage would be proclaimed, but thatthis light previously sealed wouldbe made plain. . . . It will be seenthat the Lord just as definitelymarks the time when the Adventmessage would be proclaimed tothe whole world. !

J. N. Loughborough, Last DayTokens, 35–48.

References:1 The Midnight Cry is the name of an

Advent paper published in New YorkCity from 1842 to 1845.

The discovery that the 70 weeks were the first part of the 2300

days, unlocked the whole subject.


We Are Still Free To Witness

News Item: “According to reportfrom Associated Baptist Press, theU.S. Supreme Court decided June17 that anonymous door-to-doorproselytizing is protected by theConstitution. In an 8-1 decision, thehigh court ruled that communitiescan’t require religious groups toobtain a permit before witnessingdoor to door.

“The justices sided withJehovah’s Witnesses, who chal-lenged an ordinance in a smallOhio town requiring canvassers toregister with the city, obtain apermit before engaging in door-to-door solicitation and produce thepermit if a resident asks. Leaders ofthe village of Stratton, Ohio, saidthe ordinance was needed toprotect elderly residents against

harassment by solicitors and fraudby con artists going door to door.The town’s Jehovah’s Witnessesrefused to apply for a permit,however, saying it was tantamountto forcing them to get permissionfrom the government beforepreaching to their neighbors.

“The Supreme Court hadpreviously ruled that people mayremain anonymous in spreadingnon-commercial political mes-sages, in order to protect support-ers of unpopular views fromretaliation. The new rulingextends the same protection toreligious speech.” Crosswalk.com,June 21, 2002.

End-Time Perspective: This isgood news! Let us take full advan-tage of the little time of peace wehave left in this world to give thelast warning to a dying world. Asfor our part here at Hope Interna-tional we continue to feature theTen Commandments in newspaperads and with direct mailings of theLaw of God brochure. If you wouldlike to help with these projects,please contact us and we will behappy to work with you.

Atheism Is Alive and Well

News Item: “SAN FRANCISCO,June 26—A federal appeals courthere declared today that the Pledgeof Allegiance is unconstitutionalbecause the phrase ‘one nationunder God’ violates the separationof church and state.

“In a decision that drew protestacross the political spectrum, athree-member panel of the UnitedStates Court of Appeals for theNinth Circuit ruled that the pledge,as it exists in federal law, could notbe recited in schools because itviolates the First Amendment’sprohibition against a state endorse-ment of religion.

“In addition, the ruling, whichwill certainly be appealed, turnedon the phrase ‘under God’ whichCongress added in 1954 to one ofthe most hallowed patriotic tradi-tions in the nation.

“From a constitutional stand-point, those two words, JudgeAlfred T. Goodwin wrote in the 2-to-1 decision, were just as objec-tionable as a statement that ‘we area nation “under Jesus,” a nation“under Vishnu,” a nation “under

We are excited about our new brochure on “The Law of God.” This tract presents the Ten Commandments asfound in Exodus 20:2–17 in comparison with the Ten Commandments as changed by man. The simple gospel isalso presented to the readers, and they are encouraged to submit their request for a free copy of Final ConflictBetween Truth and Error, a free Bible course, and/or a free Panorama of Prophecy CD.

There are two ways you can distribute this brochure:1) You can sponsor a bulk mailing to every home in a given postal route or ZIP code area, which is an excellent

tool to uplift the Law of God. The cost to send this colorful tract out,including postage, will be about 20¢ each.

2) You may give out the brochures individually. Try sendingthem with your bill payments, giving them out at flea markets andfairs, or visiting your neighbors door-to-door. Order some today!

1-49 brochures: 20¢ eachPackets of 50: $5 per packet (10¢ each)Cases of 500: $40 per case (8¢ each)5000 or more: Please inquire.

If you need a free sample of this brochure, please contact us,and we will be happy to send you one.

Catalog # TEHI-LOGO

See page 3 for shipping and sales-tax information.

The Law of God

29


Zeus,” or a nation “under no god,”because none of these professionscan be neutral with respect toreligion.’

“The ‘under God’ clause of thepledge, the panel argued, wasadded by Congress solely toadvance religion in order todifferentiate the United States fromnations under atheistic Communistrule.

“ ‘Such a purpose,’ JudgeGoodwin wrote, runs counter tothe Establishment Clause of theFirst Amendment, ‘which prohibitsthe government’s endorsement oradvancement not only of oneparticular religion at the expense ofother religions, but also of religionat the expense of atheism.’ ” NewYork Times, June 27, 2002.

End-Time Perspective: Atheisticcommunism is gone as a politicalforce, however, the atheism thatgained political notoriety duringthe French revolution lives on. Thedecision to take God out of thePledge of Allegiance is danger-ously close to the French legislationof the seventeenth century whereinthey voted to officially outlaw Godfrom society.

Watch and pray that you are notfound naked on that day. SeeRevelation 16:15.

Churches in England Unite

News Item: “Church leaders whobetween them represent all theChristian denominations in thecountry signed a covenant yester-day in the presence of the Queencommitting themselves to workingfor unity.

“The four presidents ofChurches Together in Englandincluding the Archbishop ofCanterbury, Dr. George Carey,signed the document at Vicar’sHall, Windsor Castle, at the end ofthe service at St. George’s Chapel,Windsor, marking the GoldenJubilee.

“The other three signatorieswere the Archbishop ofWestminster, Cardinal CormacMurphy-O’Connor, the Rev. TonyBurnham, Moderator of the Free

Churches, and the Rev. EsmeBeswick, representing the smallerChurches. The event began onSaturday with a meeting of 25representatives from the Church ofEngland, of which the Queen isSupreme Governor.

“The covenant, which quotesEphesians iv, referring to the ‘unityof the Spirit in the bond of peace’sets out the Churches’ commonbelief in the triune God of Father,Son and Holy Spirit.

“In it, the leaders committhemselves to persevering inseeking a common understandingof the Christian message ofsalvation, and to work towards‘visible unity’ of their Churches.They undertake to ‘pray, studyand work together for the unityand mission of the Church’ and tospeak with one voice wherepossible.

“Dr. Carey said that althoughthe Churches were still separateinstitutions, the past few decadeshad seen an enormous rapproche-ment.

“Cardinal Murphy-O’Connorsaid: ‘The ecumenical path we areengaged on is a serious one. Whatdoes matter is what unites us. Whatdivides us is still to tackle.’ ” TheTimes (London, U.K.), June 6, 2002.

“The Vatican has invited Angli-cans, including a woman priest, toan unprecedented conference thisweek in an attempt to end fourcenturies of division between theRoman Catholic Church and theChurch of England.

“The Pope, 82 and in failinghealth, has made ecumenism one ofthe hallmarks of his pontificate,and has insisted in maintaining apunishing schedule of foreign visitsin an attempt to ‘heal the divisionswithin Christianity’ by reachingout to the Orthodox and Protestantdoctrines.

“In a gesture towards reconcilia-tion, a female Anglican priest hasbeen given a prominent role in theconference despite the Vatican’sopposition to the ordination ofwomen.

“ ‘London is welcomed into theVatican,’ reported Avvenire, the

Italian Catholic daily newspaper,yesterday.

“Dr. Judith Maltby, the Chap-lain of Corpus Christi College,Oxford, who attended the cer-emonial opening of the confer-ence in the richly frescoed 16th-century Salone Sistino of theVatican in the presence of fourcardinals, said that the novelty ofa female priest inside the Vaticanhad caused ‘remarkably fewripples.’

“The church historian EamonDuffy told the conference thatmany pre-Reformation features ofCatholicism survived in Churchof England traditions, frompassages in the prayer book tostained glass windows. Theorigins of these traditions, Mr.Duffy said, had initially been‘whitewashed over’ by Protestantzealots.

“He said that although someProtestants still saw the Pope as theanti-Christ and some Catholics sawProtestants as heretics, neither sidehad ever fully succeeded in ‘put-ting clear blue water betweenthem.’

“Cardinal Walter Kasper, headof the Pontifical Council for Chris-tian Unity and one of the drivingforces behind the initiative, com-mented that although the Churchof England was still not ‘formally’in communion with the Pope, itwas certainly the ‘time to set asidemisgivings, misunderstandingsand prejudices.’

“Cardinal Francis Arinze ofNigeria, head of the PontificalCouncil for Inter-Religious Dia-logue, said that ‘when we Chris-tians are united it will be easier forus to speak with one voice to otherreligions.’ ” Ibid.

End-Time Perspective: Theprophecy of Revelation 13:3 (seealso verse 8 and 17:8) saying, “Allthe world wondered after thebeast” is being fulfilled withstunning accuracy before our eyes!Not only in the United States, butaround the globe, as these newsitems show. What a privilege tolive in these times. !


I am reading your book, “FinalConflict between Truth and Error.” Ihave not yet finished, but I know al-ready that what it contains is thetruth.

I was beginning to think that Iwas the only person on earth whowas taught of the Holy Spirit in thethings you have pointed out in yourbook. I thank God for any and all oth-ers who God has shown what is ob-vious to me, but what seems to behidden from all whom I have beenexposed to in the denominationalassemblies of the church.

Who are you? Is there an assem-bly somewhere which you attend? Iam a member of His Body. I need tobe fed by some additional members.I can find no other person who seesthrough the strong delusion God hasgiven man so that he should believeSatan’s lies. I need your help, please.The Holy Spirit is my Teacher, and Iwill not buckle under, God willing,but I have felt alone, until now. Iknow that God is with me, but I needthe strength of others with theknowledge of the truth.

God bless you, and your work. Sofar, I haven’t been shown that youare in an attempt to make merchan-dise of me, like so many others have,so I pray for you to grow powerfulin the truth of the gospel and thedoctrine of Jesus, the Messiah.

RH, Kentucky

Thank you for sending us thenewsletter along with “The Law ofGod” brochure. I have read it andthink this is a “must” to be gotten outto the many people that don’t knowthat man changed the day, as theBible said he would.

My husband (now 81 years old)is a newly baptized SDA and is learn-ing all these new truths from God’swonderful Word. We would like to

help others learn also. We live on avery small income and can’t spendvery much for many brochures, butplease send us a packet of 50; we willdo our best to get them into thehands of people who need to readthem.

God bless you dear people, as youwork to win souls for Jesus.

GS, California

A good friend, who is an SDA,has shared with me Our Firm Foun-dation, and I have enjoyed yourmagazine. It has a good message,how our own SDA church is not liv-ing up to their calling. I have beenan SDA all my life, but because ofsecret sins in my life, I had to go toprison, but I am not bitter about com-ing to prison, because finally, Godgot through to me, and now I amtruly a reborn Christian. I have suchgreat peace now, and I have wit-nessed to a number of inmates al-ready. I don’t have much in my ac-count, but I am sending — towardsa subscription, I can send more laterwhen the funds become available.

FK, Michigan

You have given me so much to bethankful for. I feel so very blessed byeach study I have received. I prayalways that our Lord will bless all thehands of the men and women whoare willing in heart and spirit to doHis will. We are told in His Word,“But be ye doers of the word, and nothearers only, deceiving your ownselves.” James 1:22. This is just a notefrom a brother that is so thankful forthe light you have given me.

WK, Florida

A friend of mine from churchloaned me a copy of the April 2002Our Firm Foundation magazine. It wasa blessing and so rich with wisdomand knowledge. I am enclosing acheck toward a subscription, and tobe honest, I can’t afford the wholeamount, but I will be able to send youmore in a few months. I have neverdone this before, but I will repay youlater. God knows I will. God blessyour work.

JC, New Mexico

From Overseas

I am an Adventist in a village nearwhere you came just recently. Unfor-tunately, I was sick in bed at thattime, so was not able to turn up foryour program.

Please, I am in need of some books:Bible Readings For the Home, Family BibleStudies, The Desire of Ages, Stories JesusTold, Our Firm Foundation, The GreatControversy, All About Tithes, the HolyBible, and any other books which willhelp link me to the Lord.

MD, Ghana

I received the parcel that you sentme. I retired in May 2001. My mainwork is reading and sharing the loveof God’s words. I go to church withmy wife. Sometimes we invite oth-ers from around and share the books.Some are reformed. Some articleshave been very helpful in discussionswith others at church.

Please would you send me thefollowing books: the Holy Bible, aChurch Hymnal, and other maga-zines, pamphlets and booklets.Thank you!!

TP, Myanmar

I am a Seventh-day Adventistmember, here at ——. I am lookingfor books that might give more in-formation about Christ. Please sendme also a free Bible School Course.

We shall soon have an effort, soif you can, please send tracts as well.

AN, Malawi

I’m at a certain village here inKenya spreading the great commis-sion of the three angels’ messages toreach the unreached. I’ve succeededto organize a Sabbath School where10 converts usually attend on Satur-day. But the problem we have is howto combat these Babylonianchurches. So I kindly request yoursupport with spiritual items—inspi-ration books, Bibles, tracts and maga-zines. We are looking forward to re-ceiving your great weapons againstthe devil. Also, please subscribe meto your Our Firm Foundation maga-zine. I will look forward to receivingone soon.

SW, KenyaPho

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Hope InternationalCamp Meeting 2002

Audio and Video Cassettes

21 Sermon Treasures for the Last Days!

Everyone who came to the Hope International campmeeting in Eatonville this year knows what a tremendousblessing it was. Many said it was the best camp meeting inyears. While different speakers met different needs inpeople’s lives, the dominant theme was recognizing end-time events and getting ready for our Lord’s soon return.

For those who were unable to attend, we would like toshare the blessings with you through the audio and videotapes that are now available.

Speaker /Tape # Message Title

Maurice Berry

1 “The Issue in the Great Controversy”

2 “The First Angel’s Message”

3 “Daniel and the Second Angel’s Message”

4 “Abomination of Desolation”

Cody Francis

5 “Where are the Elijahs?”

Bill Humeniuk

6 “The American Diet”

7 “Africa Mission Story”

8 “Baptism of Fire”

Dr. Sung Min Im

9 “Are We Safe Without Health Reform?”

10 “How to Cleanse Our Body and Spirit”

Sheldon Parrett

11 “Two Rails, One Track”

12 “Fearing God Through The Sanctuary”

13 “The Third Angel’s Message”

Ron Spear

14 “Prepare to Meet Thy God”

Colin Standish

15 “Witnessing to the Children of Rome”

16 “The Army of the Lord”

Russell Standish

17 “Twenty Pieces of Silver”

18 “Sound an Alarm in My Holy Mountain”

Roundtable

(Ron Spear, Colin Standish, and Russell Standish)

19-21 “The Controversy Ended,” Parts 1-3

Audio Cassettes: $3 ea. Set of 21 Audios: $57Video Cassettes: $10 ea. Set of 21 Videos: $160

See page 3 for shipping and sales-tax information.

Our Firm Foundation

Documents

Transcript of Our Firm Foundation