By John Thiel, Light in a Dark Place Seminar, Study 6, mp3

Our seminar is now culminating in the most important prophecies that relate directly to us. We want to identify distinctly what Jesus is saying to us in reference to the church of that other angel – the Revelation 18 angel. The angel represents a ministry, a leadership, as in Ephesians 4:11, which is active in saving God’s people, in the same way that salvation was of the Jews in the time of Christ. We are looking at the salvation of God’s people under the Revelation 18 angel.

In our last study we beheld God’s church of 1844 proceeding to a point in time in which they fail to repent and are spewed out by Jesus Christ. Here Jesus is speaking to the church in His time that was on its way out, and, as we will see, in the Spirit of Prophecy this is exactly the same statement that is used for the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Of those who boast of their light, and yet fail to walk in it, Christ says, “But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum [Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light], which art exalted unto heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” {RH, August 1, 1893 par. 5} (the brackets are Sister White’s)

Under the inspiration of the testimony of Jesus, what does Jesus say in this statement about the Seventh-day Adventist Church? There is a direct parallel in this statement to the church in Christ’s day. As she was resisting Him back there, so she resisted Him in the time of the Laodicean period. He says through the testimony, “And thou, Capernaum [Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light], which art exalted unto heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell.” That is a serious statement. Jesus with His disciples became separate at that time, and yet they were still within the church at that time; it was still God’s church. There is a very important principle to observe: Within the church Jesus was already organising the next church. He was calling His disciples and ordaining them to work first within the church, and then outside.

1888: The Commencement of the Fourth Angel

The movement of Revelation 18 commenced in 1888. The Revelation 18 angel was coming with great power (See The Church of the Three Angels; Great Controversy, p. 604.1).This was the movement.

The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. {TM 91.2}

In 1888, under Waggoner and Jones, the church was blessed by Jesus Christ in the midst of her.

The time of test is just upon us, {RH, November 22, 1892 par. 7}

Sister White is in the Laodicean angel, and she says, “The time of test is just upon us.” What is she talking about? What will the people do with this angel? – That is the test.

The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. {RH, November 22, 1892 par. 7}

Where did it start? In 1888, within the church, at the hand of Waggoner and Jones. In 1892 the light of that angel had already commenced, and the test was just upon them. What a present message to pay attention to, to become startled with, and to wake up to! This is the answer for us. What happened when the test came upon them through this message? What happened within the organisation? Notice in the following statement the parallel. Jesus was appealing to the church in 1888 like He appealed to them in earlier times.

Men who are entrusted with weighty responsibilities, but who have no living connection with God, have been and are doing despite to His Holy Spirit. They are indulging the very same spirit as did Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and as did the Jews in the days of Christ. (See Matthew 12:22-29, 31-37.) {TM 78.2}

They were in rebellion.

Warnings have come from God again and again for these men, but they have cast them aside and ventured on in the same course. {TM 78.2}

Read the words of Christ in Matthew 23:23: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! … Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.” This prophecy was literally fulfilled by the Jews in their treatment of Christ and of the messengers whom God sent to them. Will men in these last days follow the example of those whom Christ condemned? {TM 79.1}

These terrible predictions they have not as yet carried out to the full; but if God spares their lives, and they nourish the same spirit that marked their course of action both before and after the Minneapolis meeting [the 1888 meeting], they will fill up to the full the deeds of those whom Christ condemned when He was upon the earth. {TM 79.2}

Can you see the perfect parallel?

The perils of the last days are upon us. Satan takes the control of every mind that is not decidedly under the control of the Spirit of God. Some have been cultivating hatred against the men whom God has commissioned to bear a special message to the world. They began this satanic work at Minneapolis. Afterward, when they saw and felt the demonstration of the Holy Spirit testifying that the message was of God, they hated it the more, because it was a testimony against them. They would not humble their hearts to repent, to give God the glory, and vindicate the right. They went on in their own spirit, filled with envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings, as did the Jews. They opened their hearts to the enemy of God and man. Yet these men have been holding positions of trust, and have been molding the work after their own similitude, as far as they possibly could. . . . {TM 79.3}

Men in Leadership

You can see the enlargement of the mentality that lay behind the experience of 1888 and the rejection of the two messengers both before and after. What were they doing? They were doing the same as the Jews did to Jesus. Jesus was being presented to them as the wonderful Saviour; He was right there in their meetings; the Holy Spirit was there empowering the preachers, and thereafter as well. Sr. White followed them all over the country as they proclaimed these beautiful messages. When you read their messages your heart blows within you. But the leadership did the same as Korah, Dathan and Abiram. If you are ever told that you are doing the work of Korah, Dathan and Abiram when you raise your voice against the leadership, don’t let yourself become confused if you are standing on a “Thus saith the Lord”; because the real Korah, Dathan and Abiram are those who are not submitting themselves to the counsel of the testimonies. This is a very important principle.

Having seen that this was going on within the church as the movement of the Revelation 18 angel worked, just like Jesus did with His disciples, there is a call that the Spirit of God gave to the people who were listening and responding.

It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. {ChS 41.1}

Not one in twenty – not five percent. Only two percent remained faithful when the First World War broke out.

They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon. … Living as sinners, claiming to be Christians! Those who claim to be Christians and will confess Christ should come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing, and be separate. . . . {ChS 41.1}

This was written in 1893. Within the church there was a split; just like it was in the time of Christ. The call was what Jesus said, Come, follow Me; don’t follow the Pharisees; follow Me. There was an insurrection. The church would have seen it as an insurrection. That is what Sister White was saying, You separate; do not touch the unclean who are rejecting this message.

“Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 24:44). This is our message, the very message that the three angels flying in the midst of heaven are proclaiming. The work to be done now is that of sounding this last message of mercy to a fallen world. {2SM 113.3}

What was this message?

A new life is coming from heaven and taking possession of all God’s people. But divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. {2SM 113.3}

The work will grow deeper and become more earnest to the very close of time. And all who are labourers together with God will contend most earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. They will not be turned from the present message, which is already lightening the earth with its glory. {2SM 114.1}

This is talking about their time. What was the character of the workers and laborers? They were contending most earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and they would not be turned from the message. This is the characteristic of those who were led by Jesus Christ.

1914

After 1893, as the call was made, the people were separating in heart, not touching the unclean; they were responding to the call. But in 1914 came the reality of external separation, just like it did after Stephen was stoned. That is when the church of Christ separated from the Jewish church. That was the date.

As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. … Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. {6T 400.3}

As trials thicken around us, separation and unity take place. Within the church there was already a separation going on, but the trials would afterwards do the separating and the unity in a more open manner. The following is a statement which Sister White verbally gave, and which was copied down by Will Ross, Elman Johnson, and Sarah McEntefer [Sr. White’s assistant]:

“Sister White told us as we three stood there on the railroad depot platform, that a terrible storm of persecution was coming like a windstorm that blew down every standing object. There was not a Seventh-day Adventist to be seen. They, like the disciples, forsook Christ and fled. All who sought positions were never seen anymore. After the storm there was a calm, then the Adventists arose like a flock of sheep, but were without shepherds. They all united in earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered by helping them to choose leaders from among them who had never sought positions before. {Railroad depot statement, Signed by Will Ross, Elman Johnson & Sarah McEntefer}

What were they doing? They were reorganising.

“They prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them making them fully ready for service. They then went forth ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,’ to give this message to the world. I was astonished, and asked if that applied to Loma Linda, as we were looking in that direction. Sister White replied to my question by stating that it applied to the entire denominational world. It so stunned me that I did not ask any more questions.” {Railroad depot statement, Signed by Will Ross, Elman Johnson & Sarah McEntefer}

They didn’t want to know that the church organisation would lose all its leaders. But the organisation went on; it was just not seen any more. It was the faithful ones. It was the same with the disciples after the persecution of Stephen; they were all scattered, and they had to function together separate from the Jewish church. The parallels are vivid.

Another Organisation

Here we have the birth of another organisation – the Revelation 18 angel. It can be traced very clearly as the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement. How many generations has the Reform existed for? It has been two generations. Our fathers were the ones who went through the 1914 experience. That would have been Sr. White’s people. The people who from 1914 to 1960 were born, that generation was the first generation of the Reform. They still lived up to the sixties. Then came our generations from the sixties through to now. What did we read? The faithful ones that commenced the movement as a separate organisation, what kind of people were they? The Spirit of Prophecy identifies them:

From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. {AA 11.2}

These were faithful souls. Many of them were slaughtered in the First and in the Second World War. They would not be turned from contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. One of the teachings that Waggoner proclaimed was that, when you go to war, if you take hold of the righteousness of Christ, what would you do? Could you fight your enemy? You would go and do him good, wouldn’t you? How could you go and fight him? That was one of the attitudes of the 1888 message angel. But the people in that angel failed outwardly. These people were failing; but what were the faithful ones like? Here we can see clearly this company that was separated:

I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. {EW 258.3}

The world recognised that the Seventh-day Adventists had destabilised themselves as an organisation, and only the little two percent were still standing on the right platform. These were the kind of people. They were part of this company that Sr. White saw.

God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps– the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” {EW 258.3}

Here was a company that stood firm and did not countenance the others who would unsettle the established faith of the body, and as a consequence they were separated. They stood on the original principles of the Seventh-day Adventist cause. They were wonderful brethren. Sr. White wrote the following statement in 1913:

Men of clear understanding are needed now. God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. {TM 514.3}

God calls – He called for them to separate, and not touch the unclean thing. God called upon them to lead out in a work of thorough reformation.

I see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His labourers to come into line. Every soul should now stand in a position of deeper, truer consecration to God than during the years that have passed. . . . {TM 514.3}

The Lord was calling for labourers who would contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement–a work of revival– going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God’s call. {TM 515.1}

Faithful Souls Constitute the Church

Who are “our people”? The Adventist people would read that to say, “That means the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” But did she move into line? Who does Sr. White call our people? Faithful souls. Always remember this. Whenever Sister White talks about God’s church, it is talking about faithful souls. If we are faithful we are part of God’s church that has lived all through those ages and left behind the false ones.

What were they doing? They were faithful. They were upholding the standard. They were contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. What does that mean? They didn’t let down the standards; but they uplifted them, and lifted them higher and higher. Now consider their children. None of these men are alive today. They have all died. We are their children and the new converts. I have converted to that church, but I wasn’t alive at that time. What does that generation do? What did we read?

New-Modelling the Cause

As the founders, those who possessed the true spirit of reform, pass away, their descendants come forward and “new-model the cause.” While blindly clinging to the creed of their fathers and refusing to accept any truth in advance of what they saw, the children of the reformers depart widely from their example of humility, self-denial, and renunciation of the world. Thus “the first simplicity disappears.” {GC 385.1}

Is that true? Those of you who have grown up in the IMS (International Missionary Society Seventh-day Adventist Church Reform Movement), is that true?

A worldly flood, flowing into the church, carries “with it its customs, practices, and idols.” {GC 385.1}

Is the world’s customs, practices and idols in the church? I know it to be so, I was at the General Conference in Mexico in 2007, and I saw it with my own eyes. There are many aspects we can cover. But the aspect of darkness that we want to understand at this present time is in terms of what is happening to us in the functioning of the organisation. This is something we want to look at whether the new generation has deviated here. Consider the present experience and contrast it to the early Adventist organisation.

Organisation

What is one of the pillars of the platform that was established by the originators of the cause of Adventism? A lot of people don’t realise that this is one of the pillars:

As our numbers increased, it was evident that without some form of organization there would be great confusion, and the work would not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable. {TM 26.2}

That is what they realised.

Yet there was strong feeling against it among our people. The first-day Adventists were opposed to organization, and most of the Seventh-day Adventists entertained the same ideas. We sought the Lord with earnest prayer that we might understand His will, and light was given by His Spirit that there must be order and thorough discipline in the church–that organization was essential. System and order are manifest in all the works of God throughout the universe. Order is the law of heaven, and it should be the law of God’s people on the earth. {TM 26.3}

We had a hard struggle in establishing organization. Notwithstanding that the Lord gave testimony after testimony upon this point, the opposition was strong, and it had to be met again and again. But we knew that the Lord God of Israel was leading us, and guiding by His providence. We engaged in the work of organization, and marked prosperity attended this advance movement. {TM 26.4}

Was this one of the pillars that God established in His people? It can’t be denied. The form of organisation that was established back there was one of the pillars that would be earnestly fought for by those who are standing on the platform. There is the truth of the 2,300 day prophecy, the sanctuary message, the health reform, the dress reform, etc. It’s all been established over the years. When the faithful ones left, they were standing full square on the platform as a company, and they would not countenance any deviation from it. What was the nature and the spirit of this organisation? What was the actual function of this organisation that was established back there? James White expressed it himself in the General Conference Bulletin of 1881, and it was recorded in the Review and Herald:

“May God preserve to us our organization and form of church discipline in its original simplicity and efficiency [1863].” {James White, Review and Herald, January 4,1881}

The organisation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was structured in 1863, and James White was one of the orchestrators of that organisation.

“Organization was designed to secure unity of action, and as a protection from imposture. It was never intended as a scourge to compel obedience, but, rather, for the protection of the people of God. … Human creeds cannot produce unity. Church force cannot press the church into one body. Christ never designed that human minds should be molded for Heaven by the influence merely of other human minds. “The head of every man is Christ. “” {James White, Review and Herald, January 4,1881}

This was the foundation sense of that organisation. This is what he said in reference to the general committee:

“In the fulfillment of the duties of their office, in taking the general supervision of the entire work, their strength is in so counseling with their brethren in the spirit of tenderness and love as to bind the hearts of all the laborers to their hearts, and give room for the voice of the Holy Ghost, as was manifested in the days of the apostles. They should ever bear in mind that the head of every man is Christ. They may counsel with the State Conference Committees in reference to ministers laboring here or there, but should never direct. “The head of every man [every minister], is Christ.” The minister who throws himself on any Conference Committee for direction, takes himself out of the hands of Christ. And that Committee that takes into its own hands the work of directing the ambassadors for Christ, takes a fearful responsibility: “One is your Master [Leader], even Christ, and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 23:8. {James White, Review and Herald, January 4,1881}

This was the mentality of the early organisational pillar.

Committees of Councils

Men, fallible men, are not to think it is their prerogative to control, to mark out, or to prescribe the labors of their fellow men. When God works upon the human instrumentality, let men be very careful how they intermeddle; for it is its process, the work of God is divine. The work of God has often been hindered by men considering that they had power to say, “Go here” or “Go there” “Do this” or “Do that,” without consulting the individual himself, or respecting his convictions as a laborer together with God. God has promised his presence to every believer; and let those who are in positions of authority, presidents of conferences and board councils, and everyone who has to do with the human mind, respect the individuality of mind and conscience. These workers are in copartnership with Jesus Christ, and you may interpose yourself so as to interfere with God’s plans; for the human agent is under his special authority and dictation. {PC 398.3}

This was a statement made at the General Conference of 1901:

The work has been increasing; it has been growing; and from the light that I have had for some time, and has been expressed, has been expressed over and over again, not to all there are here, but has been expressed to individuals, and the plans that God would have all to work from, that never should one mind or two minds or three minds nor four minds, or a few minds I should say, be considered of sufficient wisdom and power to control and mark out plans and let it rest upon the minds of one or two or three in regard to this broad, broad field that we have; that we are not coming up to reach that high standard with the great and important truths that we are handling, that God expects us to reach. There are minds which must be brought into altogether more lively action than they are at the present time. {SpM 162.4}

There must be a personal, mindful action. We are not to be dependent on others telling us what to do.

And in reference to our conference, it is repeated o’er and o’er and o’er again, that it is the voice of God, and therefore everything must be referred to the Conference and have the conference voice in regard to permission or restriction or what shall be and what shall not be done in the various fields. {SpM 162.4}

Now from the light that I have, as it was presented to me in figures: There was a narrow compass here; there within that narrow is a king-like, kingly ruling power. {SpM 163.1}

This was contrary to the early organisation. The sons and the new converts were now beginning to new-model the cause. One of the very powerful ones behind it was W. W. Prescott. He was a subtle worker. He was a new-convert, and a very intelligent man; and he was weaving his own ideas into the work, moulding it, new-modelling it. The statements go on and on, in harmony with what James White said that this was not the way they organised in the beginning. This is one of the doctrines.

After the passing of the time, God entrusted to His faithful followers the precious principles of present truth. These principles were not given to those who had had no part in the giving of the first and second angels’ messages. They were given to the workers who had had a part in the cause from the beginning. {2SM 389.3} 

The focus is on the cause that was from the beginning.

Those who passed through these experiences are to be as firm as a rock to the principles that have made us Seventh-day Adventists. They are to be workers together with God, binding up the testimony and sealing the law among His disciples. Those who took part in the establishment of our work upon a foundation of Bible truth, those who know the waymarks that have pointed out the right path, are to be regarded as workers of the highest value. They can speak from personal experience, regarding the truths entrusted to them. These men are not to permit their faith to be changed to infidelity; they are not to permit the banner of the third angel to be taken from their hands. They are to hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end. {2SM 389.4}

Apostasy from the Truth

The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work. Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new organization; for this would mean apostasy from the truth.–Manuscript 129, 1905. {2SM 390.1}

To change the organisation, to remodel it, would be what? Apostasy from the truth. The Seventh-day Adventist Church uses this statement to say that we shouldn’t have another organisation, which, if you follow the logic through, means we shouldn’t be in the SDA Reform Movement. That is exactly the statement that Adventists use to disqualify people from having another organisation. But no; Sister White is talking about the pillars of the truth. “We cannot now enter into any new organization,” because it is contrary to the pillar of what we have already established in the organisation. This is what she is saying, but a lot of people don’t understand that. The statement is talking about the people who were standing on the original principles.

Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. {2SM 390.1}

What is she talking about then? The foundation. And what is that? The doctrines, the pillars, and namely, the doctrine of organisation, which James White testified of.

“We cannot now enter into any new organization” – we cannot now enter into any new-modelling of the organisation; we cannot change the form of our organisation, the form of our understanding that we had in the beginning. Remember the brethren, and what they stood for. – “For this would mean apostasy from the truth.”

1983: International Missionary Society General Conference Session

What happened to the new-modelling in the International Missionary Society Seventh-day Adventist Church Reform Movement? Here is a statement of declaration from the General Conference session of 1983:

“Proposal: Transfer of workers.

“The next higher level of organisation has the right and the obligation to initiate transfers in the interest of the work.

“Decision: “As to transfers, the decision of August 8, 1972, stands: “The Field Conference may take workers out of the church. Every higher level may decide on transfers – Field Conferences, Unions, Divisions, and the General Conference – in all their regions. The subordinated authorities shall be informed about this point and consent to it. Only serious cases of sickness and difficult family situations may be reasons to refuse such a transfer. It should take place with good understanding between parties to avoid misgivings. Self transfers are not permissible. A possible exception is a flight out of Communist countries. This regulation was accepted by voting.

Did You Hear The Word Counsel?

“The decision is made that the committee of a field conference by permission of the union can perform transfers within the field conference, and also that the committee of a union can transfer from one field conference to another field conference. The general conference is responsible for transfers from union to union.”

This is a new organisation.

There is coming in among us a spirit which God will not suffer to rule. Never should Christians feel that they are lords over God’s heritage. There should not be among Christians a spirit which makes some patrons and some proteges. The commandments of God forbid this. TDG 192.3}

A Kingly Power

“Conditions:

“Brother Gutknecht read the following conditions which were accepted:

“a) every member of the General Conference committee commits himself to live faithfully to the principles, to carry out the instructions of the president and not to institute a rebellion.”

What does that sound like? A kingly power. Brother Gutknecht read the following conditions which were accepted by the delegation session. This was the 1983 delegation session in Germany. “Every member of the General Conference committee commits himself to live faithfully to the principles, to carry out the instructions of the president and not to institute a rebellion.” What does that mean? The members of the committee are duty-bound to obey the directions of the president. Is this a change of organisation? Is there to be yet another succeeding generation that would put Jesus from them? Is it still possible that there will be a new-modelling which will result in the faithful being pushed away, as the previous generations have done?

God gives men the light, but many are filled with a self-sufficient, masterly spirit; and they strive by carrying out their own ideas to reach a height where they will be as God. They place their mind first, as if God must serve with them. Herein lies the danger in this: Unless God shall in some way make these men understand that He is God, and that they are to serve Him, human inventions will be brought in that will lead away from Bible truth, notwithstanding all the cautions that have been given. {UL 131.2}

The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. {UL 131.3}

Notice carefully what these words are saying to us:

God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. {UL 131.3}

You’ve seen how the branchings have taken place over the years; it is the same principle.

When a church proves unfaithful to the word of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. {UL 131.3}

No matter how high their position, even if they are the holy city of Jesus, when they don’t follow anymore, He can no longer work with them.

Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. {UL 131.3}

Haven’t we seen that in the rising of the 1914 experience? But here we are in the second generation, and what are they doing?

But, if these [the others] in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach. . . . {UL 131.3}

There is no stopping place while time lasts. If the organisation that was identified as His people does the same thing as the organisations before, what will He do? He will afflict them, and if they don’t repent, He will remove them from their place, and make them a reproach. This is the word of God, the testimony of Jesus.

Does prophecy describe another final company of departing faithful? Is there a prophecy in God’s word that identifies another departing from this last organised company? This will be our final research in our next study.

Amen.