To BEGIN to wrap up the study from 'An Hour and An End' by William Grotheer, I'm going to look through the appendix and expound on some of the things presented there, all by the grace of God. Please, Father in Heaven, please bless us as we seek only YOUR truth!
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Ezekiel 9
Eze 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
Eze 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
Eze 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Eze 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Eze 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Eze 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
Eze 9:8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
Eze 9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
Eze 9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
Eze 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Luke 21:24
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
'p 44 -- APPENDIX A --
Ezekiel 9 and Luke 21:24 -- As Seen in Testimonies for the Church --
Internal evidence indicates there are three prophetic testimonies which are in themselves inter-related and coincide in their fulfillment with the prophecy of Jesus as given in Luke 21:24.
These testimonies are to be found in Vol. III, pp. 266-267, Vol. V, pp. 207-216, and Vol. VIII, pp. 247-251.
Testimonies to the Church - Vol. 111 pp. 266-267
'The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof."
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Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary."
Testimonies for the Church Vol. V, pp. 207-216-
Testimonies for the Church Volume Five : Page 207
24. The Seal of God
"He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to
draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand." {5T 207.2}
And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; and the Lord
said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon
the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst
thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not
your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and
women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they
began at the ancient men which were before the house." {5T 207.3}
Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly
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sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have
not responded to the light God has given them. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Instead of being
softened by the patience and long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those who fear
not God and love not the truth strengthen their hearts in their evil course. But there are limits even to
the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries. They have overrun the limits of
grace, and therefore God must interfere and vindicate His own honour. {5T 207.4}
Of the Amorites the Lord said: "In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity
of the Amorites is not yet full." Although this nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and
corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter
destruction. The people were to see the divine power manifested in a marked manner, that they might
be left without excuse. The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the
fourth generation. Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them.
{5T 208.1}
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is
tendered with calls to repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain
amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine
patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their behalf. {5T 208.2}
The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision. The nations of this age
have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies. The choicest of heaven's blessings have been given
them, but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are written
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against them. They are fast closing up their account with God. {5T 208.3}
But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have had the greatest light and
privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around
them, many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold and are borne down by the strong
current of evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true piety and holiness leads those who do not
connect closely with God to lose their reverence for His law. If they were following the light and
obeying the truth from the heart, this holy law would seem even more precious to them when thus
despised and set aside. As the disrespect for God's law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation
between its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the divine precepts increases with
one class according as contempt for them increases with another class. {5T 209.1}
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has
about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk
in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned
expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the
day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labour diligently to save others,
looking with strong faith to God for help. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much." {5T 209.2}
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of
the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for
the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf
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of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}
The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger,
He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept
themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect
which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them. {5T 210.1}
The command is: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark
upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst
thereof." These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved,
COUNSELLED, and entreated. Some who had been dishonouring God repented and humbled their
hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued
the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}
In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will
be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and
weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse
the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honour and a love for
souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with
the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent
of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion
despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls
because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit
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of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is
dishonoured, the truth made of none effect. {5T 210.3}
The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of
others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with
slaughtering weapons in their hands: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye
spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but
come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the
ancient men which were before the house." {5T 211.1}
Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God.
The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the
spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not
look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have
changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will
He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" is the cry from
men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions
and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just
vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. {5T 211.2}
The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned
by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God,
were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of
iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say
that the Lord
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seeth not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy and will
open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide. {5T 211.3}
No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men
from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded as
worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the
abuse of God's mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with
them without mercy. {5T 212.1}
It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with
great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His
faithful servants, favoured with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others
into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure. {5T 212.2}
The day of God's vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of
those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. Those who link in sympathy with
the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will surely be destroyed with the workers of
iniquity. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the
face of the Lord is against them that do evil." {5T 212.3}
Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut
down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of God's wrath have fallen upon the earth; but
when the seven last plagues shall be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it
will be forever too late to repent and find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of
sin. {5T 212.4}
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince
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which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered,
everyone that shall be found written in the book." When this time of trouble comes, every case is
decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is
upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the
powers of earth that are marshalled by the dragon host, make God their defence. The decree has been
passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under
pain of persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a
fearful conflict without His assistance! {5T 212.5}
Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save do not come in a moment. These
heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy endeavour and firm
adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without
number, they knew they must resist firmly or be conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do,
and at any hour they might be called to lay off their armour; and should they come to the close of life
with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as
did the first disciples from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to mountains and
deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when martyrdom seemed the only
way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was
crucified for them. Their worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God
who will be brought into the time of trouble such as never was. {5T 213.1}
Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed.
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There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in
their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master's will, they understood every point
of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the
treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their
households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of
the truth upon the human heart. {5T 213.2}
By their lack of devotion and piety, and their failure to reach a high religious standard, they make other
souls contented with their position. Men of finite judgment cannot see that in patterning after these
men who have so often opened to them the treasures of God's word, they will surely endanger their
souls. Jesus is the only true pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees
before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of
him. However high any minister may have stood in the favour of God, if he neglects to follow out the
light given him of God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic
delusions and will lead others in the same path. {5T 214.1}
Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.
It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement.
Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.
{5T 214.2}
We are too easily satisfied with our attainments. We feel rich and increased with goods and know not
that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Now is the time to heed the
admonition of the True Witness: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
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clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that
thou mayest see." {5T 214.3}
In this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward.
There has been so little self-denial, so little suffering for Christ's sake, that the cross is almost entirely
forgotten. We must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in triumph with
Him on His throne. So long as we choose the easy path of self-indulgence and are frightened at selfdenial,
our faith will never become firm, and we cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the joy that comes
through conscious victory. The most exalted of the redeemed host that stand before the throne of God
and the Lamb, clad in white, know the conflict of overcoming, for they have come up through great
tribulation. Those who have yielded to circumstances rather than engage in this conflict will not know
how to stand in that day when anguish will be upon every soul, when, though Noah, Job, and Daniel
were in the land, they could save neither son nor daughter, for everyone must deliver his soul by his
own righteousness. {5T 215.1}
No one need say that his case is hopeless, that he cannot live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is
made by the death of Christ for every soul. Jesus is our ever-present help in time of need. Only call
upon Him in faith, and He has promised to hear and answer your petitions. {5T 215.2}
Oh, for a living, active faith! We need it; we must have it, or we shall faint and fail in the day of trial.
The darkness that will then rest upon our path must not discourage us or drive us to despair. It is the
veil with which God covers His glory when He comes to impart rich blessings. We should know this
by our past experience. In that day when God has a controversy with His people this experience will be
a source of comfort and hope. {5T 215.3}
It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we
must wash our robes
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of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride,
passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for
symmetry of character. "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." We are in a most
trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord's appearing. The world is in darkness. "But ye,
brethren," says Paul, "are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." It is ever God's
purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting,
longing soul. {5T 215.4}
What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world
are receiving the worldly mould and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of
self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are
receiving the heavenly mould and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree
goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. {5T
216.1}
Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man
or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It
will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who
receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and
sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the
necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful
solemnity of the present hour. {5T 216.2}
Testimonies to the Church VIII, pp. 247-251
247
Shall We Be Found Wanting?
St. Helena, California, April 21, 1903.
Our position in the world is not what it should be. We are far from where we should have been had our
Christian experience been in harmony with the light and the opportunities given us, had we from the
beginning constantly pressed on ward and upward. Had we walked in the light that has been given us,
had we followed on to know the Lord, our path would have grown brighter and brighter. But many of
those who have had special light are so conformed to the world that they can scarcely be distinguished
from worldlings. They not stand forth as God's peculiar people, chosen and precious. It is difficult to
discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.
In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged
by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the
advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not
qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: "Found wanting."
By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.
God's Purpose For His People
God has in store love, joy, peace, and glorious triumph for all who serve Him in spirit and in truth. His
commandment-keeping people are to stand constantly in readiness for service. They are to receive
increased grace and power, and increased knowledge of the Holy Spirit's working. But many are not
ready to receive the precious gifts of the Spirit which
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God is waiting to bestow on them. They are not reaching higher and still higher for power from above
that through the gifts bestowed, they may be recognized as God's peculiar people, zealous of good
works.
"Repent, and Do the First Works"
Solemn admonitions of warning, manifest in the destruction of dearly cherished facilities for service,
say to us: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works."
Revelation 2:5. Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? Has not
blindness fallen upon the watchmen standing on the walls of Zion? Are not many of God's servants
unconcerned and well satisfied, as if the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night rested
upon the sanctuary? Are there not those in positions of responsibility, professing to know God, who in
life and character deny Him? Are not many of those who count themselves as His chosen, peculiar
people satisfied to live without the evidence that of a truth God is among them to save them from
Satan's snares and attacks?
Would we not now have much greater light if, in the past, we had received the Lord's admonitions,
acknowledged His presence, and turned away from all practices contrary to His will? Had we done
this, the light of heaven would have shone into the soul-temple, enabling us to comprehend the truth
and to love God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves. Oh, how greatly Christ is dishonored by
those who, professing to be Christians, disgrace the name they bear by failing to make their lives
correspond to their profession, by failing to treat one another with the love and respect that God
expects them to reveal in kind words and courteous acts!
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The powers from beneath are stirred with deep intensity. War and bloodshed are the result. The moral
atmosphere is poisoned with cruel, horrible doings. The spirit of strife is spreading; it abounds in every
place. Many souls are being taken possession of by the spirit of fraud, or underhand dealing. Many will
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. They do not discern what
spirit has taken possession of them.
A Failure To Honor God
One who sees beneath the surface, who reads the hearts of all men, says of those who have had great
light: "They are not afflicted and astonished because of their moral and spiritual condition." Yea, they
have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their
delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake,
they did not hear: but they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not." "God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie," because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved," "but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Isaiah 66:3, 4; 2
Thessalonians 2:11, 10, 12.
The heavenly Teacher inquired: "What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that
you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are
working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great
deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the
truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when
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they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they
are in need of everything."
God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many
are crying, "Peace and safety," while sudden destruction is coming upon them. Unless there is
thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive the truth as it is in
Jesus, they will never enter heaven. When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer
rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing.
Who can truthfully say: "Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world"? I saw
our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the
defilement beneath. Then He said to me: "Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up
their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's
house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed!
For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking."
A Call For Reformation
Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be
converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. When she resists the
evil and chooses the good, when she seeks God with all humility and reaches her high calling in Christ,
standing on the platform of eternal truth and by faith laying hold upon the attainments prepared for her,
she will be healed. She will appear in her God-given simplicity and
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purity, separate from earthly entanglements, showing that the truth has made her free indeed. Then her
members will indeed be the chosen of God, His representatives.
The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When this reformation begins, the spirit of
prayer will actuate every believer and will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife. Those
who have not been living in Christian fellowship will draw close to one another. One member working
in right lines will lead other members to unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the
Holy Spirit. There will be no confusion, because all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit. The
barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God's servants will speak the same
things. The Lord will co-operate with His servants. All will pray understandingly the prayer that Christ
taught His servants: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth
*******
'An Hour an An End' Appendix A Continued…
The relationship between the first two of these testimonies is very obvious - both quote directly from Ezekiel 9. In Vol. III, p. 267, after quoting Ezekiel 9:4, the instruction is given - "Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel." The reference in Vol. V quotes Ezekiel 9:1, 3b-6 at the very beginning of the chapter.
The relationship between the first two references and Vol. VIII, pp. 247f., is not so obvious, but can be readily deducted by comparing what is written within each testimony. In the chapter, "The Seal of God," it speaks of a time when "the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel." (V:210) In the chapter, "Shall We Be Found Wanting?" the same language is used - "My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed!" (VIII:250) Thus both chapters are describing the same condition and time. Using the geometrical axiom that if a = b, and b = c, then a = c; we find all of these testimonies interrelated.
The time on which these events focus is given in Vol. V, pp. 207-208, where it reads - "Jesus is about to leave the mercy-seat of the heavenly sanctuary, to put on garments of vengeance." In Adventist terminology, this means simply that the events as noted in Vol. V, pp. 207-213 are to take place just prior to the close of all human probation. The last paragraph on p. 212, begins with a quote of Daniel 12:1, and then the comment is made - "When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent." (p. 213)
There is, however, another time mentioned in this chapter. On page 208, the example of the Amorites is cited as to how God has dealt with the nations in the past. Then the conclusion is drawn: - With unerring accuracy, the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to repentance, this account will remain open, but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their [the nations'] behalf.
The next paragraph inter-relates this time with Ezekiel 9 - "The prophet [Ezekiel], looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision." One reads in vain for any reference to "the nations" in Ezekiel 9. Ezekiel 9 is concerned with the Church, and the sealing of those who sigh and cry for the abominations done within it. But the time of the events prophetically symbolized in Ezekiel 9 are pinpointed as taking place at the time mercy is no longer extended to the nations. Jesus in Luke 21:24 gives that sign to be, Jerusalem no longer under Gentile control. This brief period began in 1967 with the taking of Old Jerusalem by Israeli military forces, and ended with the transfer of the entire civil government from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1980. Thus we are living in the time when the events portrayed in these three testimonies are or have been fulfilled. And these testimonies relate to the Church!
Vol. III, pp. 266-267 indicates this to be the time of "the closing work for the church," -- the "last work" as prefigured in the charge to the man clothed in linen
p 45 -- with a writer's inkhorn by his side.
Vol. V, pp. 209-213 tells us that two groups will be developed - "the little company" also called "the faithful few ... who have preserved the faith in its purity, and kept themselves unspotted from the world." It also tells us that "the church - the Lord's sanctuary - was the first to receive the stroke of the wrath of God."
Vol. VIII, pp. 247-251 indicates the Seventh-day Adventist church as a corporate body is to be weighed in the. balances of the sanctuary, and if she is judged as having failed the trust committed to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence - "Found wanting." Further, the servant of the Lord hears the Divine Instructor asking - "How is the faithful city become an, harlot?" This is the question! The once faithful city - who during the 1940s and 1950s experienced the golden years of an evangelistic thrust which proclaimed the message worldwide - the sanctuary, the mark of the beast - all! - now declared to be "an harlot!" How? The answer is simple, and found in the testimony itself. The Church refused to heed the call to repentance asked by God even though He sent two messengers with this call in 1950. The results followed: she first played the harlot with the Evangelicals, then turned to the World Council of Churches. When she altered her doctrinal position to include both the thinking of the Evangelicals and the WCC, God indicated He was betrayed enough, and permitted the final sign given by Jesus to be fulfilled.
*******
After reading all this I think it enough to absorb for now. By the grace of God we will keep His truth, and study more on this tomorrow.
Please Savior, we would be YOURS.
Save us.
All by YOUR LOVE!
*******
Ezekiel 9
Eze 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
Eze 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
Eze 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Eze 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Eze 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Eze 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
Eze 9:8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
Eze 9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
Eze 9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
Eze 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Luke 21:24
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
'p 44 -- APPENDIX A --
Ezekiel 9 and Luke 21:24 -- As Seen in Testimonies for the Church --
Internal evidence indicates there are three prophetic testimonies which are in themselves inter-related and coincide in their fulfillment with the prophecy of Jesus as given in Luke 21:24.
These testimonies are to be found in Vol. III, pp. 266-267, Vol. V, pp. 207-216, and Vol. VIII, pp. 247-251.
Testimonies to the Church - Vol. 111 pp. 266-267
'The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof."
267
Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary."
Testimonies for the Church Vol. V, pp. 207-216-
Testimonies for the Church Volume Five : Page 207
24. The Seal of God
"He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to
draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand." {5T 207.2}
And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; and the Lord
said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon
the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst
thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not
your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and
women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they
began at the ancient men which were before the house." {5T 207.3}
Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly
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sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have
not responded to the light God has given them. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Instead of being
softened by the patience and long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those who fear
not God and love not the truth strengthen their hearts in their evil course. But there are limits even to
the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries. They have overrun the limits of
grace, and therefore God must interfere and vindicate His own honour. {5T 207.4}
Of the Amorites the Lord said: "In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity
of the Amorites is not yet full." Although this nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and
corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter
destruction. The people were to see the divine power manifested in a marked manner, that they might
be left without excuse. The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the
fourth generation. Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them.
{5T 208.1}
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is
tendered with calls to repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain
amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine
patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their behalf. {5T 208.2}
The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision. The nations of this age
have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies. The choicest of heaven's blessings have been given
them, but increased pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are written
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against them. They are fast closing up their account with God. {5T 208.3}
But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have had the greatest light and
privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around
them, many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold and are borne down by the strong
current of evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true piety and holiness leads those who do not
connect closely with God to lose their reverence for His law. If they were following the light and
obeying the truth from the heart, this holy law would seem even more precious to them when thus
despised and set aside. As the disrespect for God's law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation
between its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the divine precepts increases with
one class according as contempt for them increases with another class. {5T 209.1}
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has
about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk
in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned
expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the
day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labour diligently to save others,
looking with strong faith to God for help. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much." {5T 209.2}
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of
the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for
the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf
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of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}
The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger,
He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept
themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect
which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them. {5T 210.1}
The command is: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark
upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst
thereof." These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved,
COUNSELLED, and entreated. Some who had been dishonouring God repented and humbled their
hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued
the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}
In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will
be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and
weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse
the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honour and a love for
souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with
the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent
of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion
despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls
because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit
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of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is
dishonoured, the truth made of none effect. {5T 210.3}
The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of
others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with
slaughtering weapons in their hands: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye
spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but
come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the
ancient men which were before the house." {5T 211.1}
Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God.
The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the
spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not
look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have
changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will
He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" is the cry from
men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions
and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just
vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. {5T 211.2}
The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned
by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God,
were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of
iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say
that the Lord
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seeth not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy and will
open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide. {5T 211.3}
No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men
from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded as
worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the
abuse of God's mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with
them without mercy. {5T 212.1}
It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with
great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His
faithful servants, favoured with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others
into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure. {5T 212.2}
The day of God's vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of
those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. Those who link in sympathy with
the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will surely be destroyed with the workers of
iniquity. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the
face of the Lord is against them that do evil." {5T 212.3}
Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut
down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of God's wrath have fallen upon the earth; but
when the seven last plagues shall be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it
will be forever too late to repent and find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of
sin. {5T 212.4}
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince
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which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered,
everyone that shall be found written in the book." When this time of trouble comes, every case is
decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is
upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the
powers of earth that are marshalled by the dragon host, make God their defence. The decree has been
passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under
pain of persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a
fearful conflict without His assistance! {5T 212.5}
Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save do not come in a moment. These
heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy endeavour and firm
adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without
number, they knew they must resist firmly or be conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do,
and at any hour they might be called to lay off their armour; and should they come to the close of life
with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as
did the first disciples from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to mountains and
deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when martyrdom seemed the only
way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was
crucified for them. Their worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God
who will be brought into the time of trouble such as never was. {5T 213.1}
Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed.
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There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in
their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master's will, they understood every point
of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the
treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their
households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of
the truth upon the human heart. {5T 213.2}
By their lack of devotion and piety, and their failure to reach a high religious standard, they make other
souls contented with their position. Men of finite judgment cannot see that in patterning after these
men who have so often opened to them the treasures of God's word, they will surely endanger their
souls. Jesus is the only true pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees
before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of
him. However high any minister may have stood in the favour of God, if he neglects to follow out the
light given him of God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic
delusions and will lead others in the same path. {5T 214.1}
Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.
It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement.
Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.
{5T 214.2}
We are too easily satisfied with our attainments. We feel rich and increased with goods and know not
that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Now is the time to heed the
admonition of the True Witness: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
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clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that
thou mayest see." {5T 214.3}
In this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward.
There has been so little self-denial, so little suffering for Christ's sake, that the cross is almost entirely
forgotten. We must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in triumph with
Him on His throne. So long as we choose the easy path of self-indulgence and are frightened at selfdenial,
our faith will never become firm, and we cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the joy that comes
through conscious victory. The most exalted of the redeemed host that stand before the throne of God
and the Lamb, clad in white, know the conflict of overcoming, for they have come up through great
tribulation. Those who have yielded to circumstances rather than engage in this conflict will not know
how to stand in that day when anguish will be upon every soul, when, though Noah, Job, and Daniel
were in the land, they could save neither son nor daughter, for everyone must deliver his soul by his
own righteousness. {5T 215.1}
No one need say that his case is hopeless, that he cannot live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is
made by the death of Christ for every soul. Jesus is our ever-present help in time of need. Only call
upon Him in faith, and He has promised to hear and answer your petitions. {5T 215.2}
Oh, for a living, active faith! We need it; we must have it, or we shall faint and fail in the day of trial.
The darkness that will then rest upon our path must not discourage us or drive us to despair. It is the
veil with which God covers His glory when He comes to impart rich blessings. We should know this
by our past experience. In that day when God has a controversy with His people this experience will be
a source of comfort and hope. {5T 215.3}
It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we
must wash our robes
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of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride,
passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for
symmetry of character. "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." We are in a most
trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord's appearing. The world is in darkness. "But ye,
brethren," says Paul, "are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." It is ever God's
purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting,
longing soul. {5T 215.4}
What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world
are receiving the worldly mould and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of
self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are
receiving the heavenly mould and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree
goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. {5T
216.1}
Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man
or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It
will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who
receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and
sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the
necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful
solemnity of the present hour. {5T 216.2}
Testimonies to the Church VIII, pp. 247-251
247
Shall We Be Found Wanting?
St. Helena, California, April 21, 1903.
Our position in the world is not what it should be. We are far from where we should have been had our
Christian experience been in harmony with the light and the opportunities given us, had we from the
beginning constantly pressed on ward and upward. Had we walked in the light that has been given us,
had we followed on to know the Lord, our path would have grown brighter and brighter. But many of
those who have had special light are so conformed to the world that they can scarcely be distinguished
from worldlings. They not stand forth as God's peculiar people, chosen and precious. It is difficult to
discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.
In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged
by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the
advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not
qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: "Found wanting."
By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.
God's Purpose For His People
God has in store love, joy, peace, and glorious triumph for all who serve Him in spirit and in truth. His
commandment-keeping people are to stand constantly in readiness for service. They are to receive
increased grace and power, and increased knowledge of the Holy Spirit's working. But many are not
ready to receive the precious gifts of the Spirit which
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God is waiting to bestow on them. They are not reaching higher and still higher for power from above
that through the gifts bestowed, they may be recognized as God's peculiar people, zealous of good
works.
"Repent, and Do the First Works"
Solemn admonitions of warning, manifest in the destruction of dearly cherished facilities for service,
say to us: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works."
Revelation 2:5. Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? Has not
blindness fallen upon the watchmen standing on the walls of Zion? Are not many of God's servants
unconcerned and well satisfied, as if the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night rested
upon the sanctuary? Are there not those in positions of responsibility, professing to know God, who in
life and character deny Him? Are not many of those who count themselves as His chosen, peculiar
people satisfied to live without the evidence that of a truth God is among them to save them from
Satan's snares and attacks?
Would we not now have much greater light if, in the past, we had received the Lord's admonitions,
acknowledged His presence, and turned away from all practices contrary to His will? Had we done
this, the light of heaven would have shone into the soul-temple, enabling us to comprehend the truth
and to love God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves. Oh, how greatly Christ is dishonored by
those who, professing to be Christians, disgrace the name they bear by failing to make their lives
correspond to their profession, by failing to treat one another with the love and respect that God
expects them to reveal in kind words and courteous acts!
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The powers from beneath are stirred with deep intensity. War and bloodshed are the result. The moral
atmosphere is poisoned with cruel, horrible doings. The spirit of strife is spreading; it abounds in every
place. Many souls are being taken possession of by the spirit of fraud, or underhand dealing. Many will
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. They do not discern what
spirit has taken possession of them.
A Failure To Honor God
One who sees beneath the surface, who reads the hearts of all men, says of those who have had great
light: "They are not afflicted and astonished because of their moral and spiritual condition." Yea, they
have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their
delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake,
they did not hear: but they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not." "God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie," because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved," "but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Isaiah 66:3, 4; 2
Thessalonians 2:11, 10, 12.
The heavenly Teacher inquired: "What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that
you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are
working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great
deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the
truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when
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they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they
are in need of everything."
God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many
are crying, "Peace and safety," while sudden destruction is coming upon them. Unless there is
thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive the truth as it is in
Jesus, they will never enter heaven. When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer
rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing.
Who can truthfully say: "Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world"? I saw
our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the
defilement beneath. Then He said to me: "Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up
their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's
house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed!
For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking."
A Call For Reformation
Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be
converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. When she resists the
evil and chooses the good, when she seeks God with all humility and reaches her high calling in Christ,
standing on the platform of eternal truth and by faith laying hold upon the attainments prepared for her,
she will be healed. She will appear in her God-given simplicity and
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purity, separate from earthly entanglements, showing that the truth has made her free indeed. Then her
members will indeed be the chosen of God, His representatives.
The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When this reformation begins, the spirit of
prayer will actuate every believer and will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife. Those
who have not been living in Christian fellowship will draw close to one another. One member working
in right lines will lead other members to unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the
Holy Spirit. There will be no confusion, because all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit. The
barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God's servants will speak the same
things. The Lord will co-operate with His servants. All will pray understandingly the prayer that Christ
taught His servants: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth
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'An Hour an An End' Appendix A Continued…
The relationship between the first two of these testimonies is very obvious - both quote directly from Ezekiel 9. In Vol. III, p. 267, after quoting Ezekiel 9:4, the instruction is given - "Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel." The reference in Vol. V quotes Ezekiel 9:1, 3b-6 at the very beginning of the chapter.
The relationship between the first two references and Vol. VIII, pp. 247f., is not so obvious, but can be readily deducted by comparing what is written within each testimony. In the chapter, "The Seal of God," it speaks of a time when "the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel." (V:210) In the chapter, "Shall We Be Found Wanting?" the same language is used - "My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed!" (VIII:250) Thus both chapters are describing the same condition and time. Using the geometrical axiom that if a = b, and b = c, then a = c; we find all of these testimonies interrelated.
The time on which these events focus is given in Vol. V, pp. 207-208, where it reads - "Jesus is about to leave the mercy-seat of the heavenly sanctuary, to put on garments of vengeance." In Adventist terminology, this means simply that the events as noted in Vol. V, pp. 207-213 are to take place just prior to the close of all human probation. The last paragraph on p. 212, begins with a quote of Daniel 12:1, and then the comment is made - "When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent." (p. 213)
There is, however, another time mentioned in this chapter. On page 208, the example of the Amorites is cited as to how God has dealt with the nations in the past. Then the conclusion is drawn: - With unerring accuracy, the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to repentance, this account will remain open, but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their [the nations'] behalf.
The next paragraph inter-relates this time with Ezekiel 9 - "The prophet [Ezekiel], looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision." One reads in vain for any reference to "the nations" in Ezekiel 9. Ezekiel 9 is concerned with the Church, and the sealing of those who sigh and cry for the abominations done within it. But the time of the events prophetically symbolized in Ezekiel 9 are pinpointed as taking place at the time mercy is no longer extended to the nations. Jesus in Luke 21:24 gives that sign to be, Jerusalem no longer under Gentile control. This brief period began in 1967 with the taking of Old Jerusalem by Israeli military forces, and ended with the transfer of the entire civil government from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1980. Thus we are living in the time when the events portrayed in these three testimonies are or have been fulfilled. And these testimonies relate to the Church!
Vol. III, pp. 266-267 indicates this to be the time of "the closing work for the church," -- the "last work" as prefigured in the charge to the man clothed in linen
p 45 -- with a writer's inkhorn by his side.
Vol. V, pp. 209-213 tells us that two groups will be developed - "the little company" also called "the faithful few ... who have preserved the faith in its purity, and kept themselves unspotted from the world." It also tells us that "the church - the Lord's sanctuary - was the first to receive the stroke of the wrath of God."
Vol. VIII, pp. 247-251 indicates the Seventh-day Adventist church as a corporate body is to be weighed in the. balances of the sanctuary, and if she is judged as having failed the trust committed to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence - "Found wanting." Further, the servant of the Lord hears the Divine Instructor asking - "How is the faithful city become an, harlot?" This is the question! The once faithful city - who during the 1940s and 1950s experienced the golden years of an evangelistic thrust which proclaimed the message worldwide - the sanctuary, the mark of the beast - all! - now declared to be "an harlot!" How? The answer is simple, and found in the testimony itself. The Church refused to heed the call to repentance asked by God even though He sent two messengers with this call in 1950. The results followed: she first played the harlot with the Evangelicals, then turned to the World Council of Churches. When she altered her doctrinal position to include both the thinking of the Evangelicals and the WCC, God indicated He was betrayed enough, and permitted the final sign given by Jesus to be fulfilled.
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After reading all this I think it enough to absorb for now. By the grace of God we will keep His truth, and study more on this tomorrow.
Please Savior, we would be YOURS.
Save us.
All by YOUR LOVE!
