John Thiel mp3 The Gathering of the Jewels Conference
Scripture Reading: Amos 5:1 Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel. 2 The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up. 3 For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.
Our scripture reading this is very, very relevant to the study that we are having. More so than any other scripture reading I’ve ever had. Because here it says there is a lamentation in the house of Israel. The very virgin of Israel is fallen, she shall no more rise, she is forsaken upon her land and there is none that can raise her up. No matter how much people will think; ‘oh you know there’s still hope.’
Here, as we come to the word of God illuminating our mind for this subject now in these last days of the advent people, there is a terrible story here. A lamentation that the condition of the professed Seventh-Day Adventist people is not meeting up with their real calling and there is a discovery as we go through these studies and through this study as the Lord is gathering His last remnant together. There is a repetition of the Israel that is fallen repeated from the time of the Jews to the time of the protestant churches to the time of the Seventh-Day Adventist church to the time of the reform movement. A time of sad lamentation that these organisations have fallen and nobody can lift them up. All that’s left is that those that – ‘went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred and that which went forth by a hundred, shall leave ten to the house of Israel. Therefore seek ye me saith the Lord so that you may live.’
Very significant words here and so I take your mind back to what we covered in the last study. We came to the experience of the sad rejection of the message of the Revelation 18 angel, the rejection of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that was available to the Seventh-Day Adventist church in 1888 and the Lord giving them time to come to repentance over the matter. As we came along, we saw as we were studying that because in the forecast, the Spirit of Prophecy was forecasting that in the Seventh-Day Adventist church in her time, there would be the development of two parties. One of these parties are in the minority that are faithfully accepting the message and proclaiming it, but the other party, the great majority in the leadership is continuing to reject and reject. In this study, we come to a statement that Sister White made to the Seventh-Day Adventist general conference in 1913. Pay close attention to what she is saying. This is taken from the General Conference presentation in session.
Men of clear understanding are needed now. TM 514.3
We’ve got to take this statement precisely where it’s meant. She is writing this message to the general conference in session in 1913 and she is saying wake up, you need to have clear understanding.
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
If you recall what we had been reading, revival and reformation was called for and here she is giving it to the general conference in session with all the delegates from all around the world. She is saying this to them under inspiration.
I see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His laborers 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
You know what happened in the years that had passed, they had rejected the 1888 message and they were still not repenting and when she thought that the wonderful change had come, her hand was stopped and she couldn’t write. She said, the message came to her; ‘don’t write it. Because no change for the better has taken place‘. So this is a very final call to the Seventh-day Adventist organisation.
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. My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us. Shall we not heed His voice? Shall we not trim our lamps, and act like men who look for their Lord to come? The time is one that calls for light bearing, for action. TM 515.1
She said, ‘I see a crisis before us’ and then ‘I saw that in the night season, that there was a great movement‘. She was discovering was taking place. This is interesting research right now because when she read that message, she wasn’t there personally, she sent it in writing and that was to be read in the general conference session. What was the crisis in 1913 that she was referring to?
1913
What was the crisis? 1914. What happened in 1914? World War One. A serious crisis. How serious is that? How easy it is for us to diminish the past? It was a serious crisis before the Seventh-day Adventist church.
We want to have a look at what happened in the First World War in reference to the things we’ve been reading about two parties and one was a very small number and the other one. They were faithful and the other one was a great number that was not faithful in the Seventh-Day Adventist organisation. A declaration was made in 1865 by the Seventh Day Adventists as they were organising. Here is the resolution in 1865. A declaration of the Seventh Day Adventist church sent from the general conference.
Resolved. That we recognize civil government as ordained of God, that order, justice, and quiet may be maintained in the land; and that the people of God may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. {2BIO 116.1}
In accordance with this fact we acknowledge the justice of rendering tribute, custom, honor, and reverence to the civil power, as enjoined in the New Testament. While we thus cheerfully render to Ceasar the things which the Scriptures show to be his, we are compelled to decline all participation in acts of war and bloodshed as being inconsistent with the duties enjoined upon us by our divine Master toward our enemies and toward all mankind. SDA’s in Time of War page 24.
Did you notice what this said? It said that ‘We are compelled to decline.’ What?’ ‘All participation in acts of war and bloodshed.’ How much participation? In all participation. What does that mean? Medics cook, bottle washers, whatever it is we cannot participate in the war machine. Is that right? That’s clearly a resolution carefully worded by the original Seventh-Day Adventists.
I was shown that God’s people… In the army… cannot obey the truth and at the same time obey the requirements of their officers. There would be a continual violation of conscience. Worldly men are governed by worldly principles. They can appreciate – no other. 1T 361.
As you take to heart what is written here, is there any slightest acceptance of any participation in the army at all? That’s the way it reads; doesn’t it? This is not my opinion. This is the word of God, and this is the declaration of the first Seventh day Adventists in their first organisation.
When the first world war broke out, with these words we have just been clearly identifying, compare the decision of the Seventh-day Adventist church in reference to war in 1914. This is a circular by G Dale the European division secretary Hamburg August 2 1914:
To our dear brethren and sisters…
What a beautiful address; to our dear brother and sisters.
Greetings with Psalm 23. In this earnest and terrible time into which Europe has fallen, we desire to request the following of you:
- As followers of Christ through the power of God, we should in these days be true, obedient and subject to the services of our land.
- We should do our military duties joyfully whilst we are in service or being called to serve so that the officers in charge will find us valiant and true soldiers who are ready to die for their homes. For our army and for our fatherland, our destiny is in God’s hand. Should we lose our life, wisdom, conflict, let us remember that our life is hid with Christ in God. G Dale the European division secretary Hamburg August 2 1914:
Is this an oxymoron from what they declared in the beginning? This is the exact opposite. Isn’t it what has happened to the Seventh Day Adventist church in 1914? The very thing that Sister White was saying; no change for the better has taken place. Doctrines are being taught that lead into bypaths, forbidden paths.
Here is a doctrine they are teaching and it sounds so holy and it’s so corrupt. That was a public declaration to their people but now we come to the public declaration to the world. This is coming from a German newspaper Dresden Neveste Nchrichtent:
“At the beginning of the war our organisation divided into two parts. Whilst 98 percent of our members stepped out, after searching the Bible, on the ground that it was our conscientious duty to defend the ‘Fatherland’ with weapons, and that also on the Sabbath; and this decided position from the united leaders was at once forwarded to the war department; 2 percent however, did not submit themselves to this decision of the leaders, and therefore had to be disfellowshipped because of their anti-Christian conduct.” German Newspaper ‘Dresden Neveste Nachrichtent – April 12th 1918 page 3.
That was a public declaration by the leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist church in Europe. This was a declaration they made all across Europe. It’s interesting that you know how these writers of the newspaper, these agents of news how they respond and examine. They sometimes examine more closely than even a judge in a law court. There was an answer to this by another German newspaper:
“Since the beginning of the war there has been a division among the Adventist people. During the duration of the war the majority wanted to see the fundamental teachings set aside, by force if necessary. The others asked that the sanctification of Saturday (Sabbath) be allowed them, even in these times of stress. The opposing faction finally brought about the disfellowshippment from the organisation of the followers of the original principals of their faith.” Public Observation – German Paper – Koelnich Zeitung September 21, 1915.
This person examined carefully the history of the Seventh Day Adventist church and he laid it out exactly as it was. What else do we need in reference to the Seventh Day Adventist church in harmony with what we were reading in Amos where it said that; The virgin of Israel is fallen, she shall no more rise, she has forsaken upon her land.’
Beforehand Sister White was giving the warnings. The warnings they had, their declaration of faith in front of them but they refused as she had foreshadowed that this would happen. That there would be a split in the church and the split in the church came into full harmony with what she had stated.
You remember what she had stated in the railroad depot platform statement.
“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}
She lost sight of the great majority and only a little number was left without leaders. Remember that statement. This what happened in Europe. What about the general conference in America? How would they face this terrible travesty of the original principles of their faith? If you want to check this out, you can read the whole thing if you can get this book called Protokoll.
These are the minutes of the Seventh day Adventist leaders. A G Daniels and other leaders of the general conference committee came across in 1920 to meet up with the leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist church in Europe and the disfellowshipped company. It was after the war that this fellowship, company was on its own there and they were pleading for help and the general conference came across and to cut a long story short, as you go through the actual minutes and I’m reading from, and A G Daniels is speaking. He was the general conference president now. Sister White was saying when A G Daniels and all these men were giving the appearance, as though you know they were complying, and she was about to write that a change had come. A G Daniels was president when she wrote that and here’s A G Daniels now in regards to this serious travesty. He says:
We believe that you…
He’s talking to the disfellowshipped company:
We believe that you are completely in error concerning your position on this question of the war issue. We believe in the fourth commandment, just the same as we always believed it but we are not able to accept the interpretation you put upon it. What would you have said concerning Moses a few days after he received the law of God upon Sinai if He would have told you to go and kill the king of Bashan and all the men women and children. Would you have accused him as a murderer? A G Daniels – Protokoll
Can you see the rationale here? How twisted the mind can get? But God commanded him to transgress the sixth commandment. You see that many things are found in the interpretation of the commandments, and we must have freedom to read and to understand them and not to be bound to the interpretation of any small organisation.
Fallen
How far has she fallen? Can she get up again? How great is that darkness? Having seen the travesty in Europe in 1914 with the general conference accommodating this travesty uniting with the people in Europe with the leadership in Europe, therefore they are all on the same false platform. They are now teaching doctrines that deviate from the original beliefs on the war issue on the commandments of God. How serious is the travesty of this serious event? The travesty upon the truth covered thou shalt not kill, thou shalt remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy and it opened up a whole concept of interpretation to of the Ten Commandments.
Where do you have to interpret the Ten Commandments? Pray, tell can you see how far she has fallen? When these people took their stand as a leadership in the general conference against those who’ve been disfellowshipped by the European conference, they now are rejected because they stand faithful and true to the pearl of great price.
As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christ’s withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience. DA 232.2
Tell me, does that statement now belong to the Seventh Day Adventist church as well? She was talking about the Jewish church and the other churches but now the same thing has happened in the Seventh Day Adventist system. How clearly was this railroad depot platform statement in focus?
.Sister White said to them there a terrible storm of persecution was coming just 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 among them who had never sought positions before. They prayed earnestly for the aid of 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 the message to all the world.
That’s what happened and we can see how clearly that is depicted in the history. Did Sister White see this company that would stand faithful? Did she see it in her visions before?
I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. EW 258.3
Who were the ones that were giving no countenance to that which was established in the Seventh Day Adventist church? It was the two percent obviously. Does God describe the formation of two bodies in the Bible? Is this a reality all through history that a church that was once united, is split into two and one company is the faithful one and the other one is not? And then these two companies become corrupt too and all that’s left is a little remnant? Is this clearly true? In Isaiah chapter 8, you see precisely a chronicled experience that depicts what we are looking at.
Isaiah 8:12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
They’re confederating together, they’re uniting together. They say; ‘we are the ones, you are wrong.‘
Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel,
Remember our study on how the pearl, Jesus Christ would be an irritation to the flesh? He’s a stumbling stone, a rock of offense.
Isaiah 8:13 …for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
A Stumbling Block
Jesus, the true Jesus, the people who had the law written in their hearts who had Jesus in their hearts with the old covenant, with the everlasting covenant, these people end up to be that where the law is sealed among them. Whereas the others, did you notice verse 14?
At that time there was only one house of Israel and the development of another one. Confederating together outside of the pure truth is a stumbling stone. They were stumbling at the rock Christ Jesus. Seal the law among my disciples.
Here are plainly represented two distinct parties, formed from a company that was once united. The members of one of these parties are in resistance to the will of God. They have taken themselves from the side of the loyal and true, and are now resisting the warnings of the Spirit of God. Review and Herald July 18 1907.7
How vividly are we discovering inspiration describing the demise of the SDA church? The organisation, not the true Seventh Day Adventists but of the denomination; the leadership in the majority.
Review and Herald July 16 1895; is a declaration that reveals what the Spirit of Prophecy is saying about the Seventh Day Adventist church with its candlestick in place and what happens because of her unfaithfulness?
The end of all things is at hand. God is moving upon every mind that is open to receive the impressions of his Holy Spirit. He is sending out messengers that they may give the warning in every locality. God is testing the devotion of his churches and their willingness to render obedience to the Spirit’s guidance. Knowledge is to be increased. The messengers of Heaven are to be seen running to and fro, seeking in every possible way to warn the people of the coming judgments, and presenting the glad tidings of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The standard of righteousness is to be exalted. The Spirit of God is moving upon men’s hearts, and those who respond to its influence will become lights in the world. Everywhere they are seen going forth to communicate to others the light they have received as they did after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And as they let their light shine, they receive more and more of the Spirit’s power. The earth is lighted with the glory of God. RH July 16, 1895, Art. A, par. 10
Isn’t that all harmonising with the with the beauty of what we were seeing there? That the Revelation 18 angel is lightening the earth with His glory. What does she say about the church when that happens?
But O, sad picture! those who do not submit to the influence of the Holy Spirit soon lose the blessings received when they acknowledged the truth as from Heaven. They fall into a cold, spiritless formality; they lose their interest in perishing souls: they have “left their first love.” And Christ says unto them, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” He will take his Holy Spirit from the church, and give it to others who will appreciate it. RH July 16, 1895, Art. A, par. 11
There is no greater evidence that those who have received great light do not appreciate that light, than is given by their refusal to let their light shine upon those who are in darkness, and devoting their time and energies in celebrating forms and ceremonies. RH July 16, 1895, Art. A, par. 12
I will spew you out. Remember what that meant? He cannot offer your prayers up to God. Oh, you will still be praying, He cannot offer your services to God. The forms and the ceremonies and the prayers continue and it’s so impressive. The leadership was speaking so sacredly about God and talking to their brothers and sisters; Jesus couldn’t offer that to the to the Lord, to the Father so they celebrate forms and ceremonies.
Thoughts of the inner work, the necessary purity of heart, are not entertained.—The Review and Herald, July 16, 1895. PH048 47.4
The absence of harmony with God becomes apparent. The light grows dim, it goes out, that candlestick has been removed.
There is much exercising of man-made authority by those to whom God has not given his wisdom because they did not feel the need of the wisdom from above. RH July 16, 1895, Art. A, par. 12
How does inspiration continue to unfold the events in prophetic forecast? Remember what we were singing? Watchmen on the walls of Zion, can you tell us how is this all going to unfold?
We see the SDA denomination described by Laodicea. The church or the woman of 1844 to 1914. Now this is the woman, the church – observe the prophecy in the Bible. Revelation 12:17 because by the time we come to the to the church of Laodicea, which is the woman, it is very important to understand that the seven churches is the church in seven periods of time. We come to the period of Laodicea which where Jesus is speaking to the Laodicean leadership. The angel of the church and He speaks to them and then He says; I’m going to spew you out of my mouth. Who comes as a consequence of that?
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman,
He was wroth with the Seventh Adventist church. The woman, the Laodicean church and went to make war with whom? With the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Who does he make war with? The seed? No, the remnant of her seed. This is a very important delineation and prophecy describes this event and the prophetic picture of where is this going to end up at the very end. The woman, she had a seed. A seed is the offspring of the woman correct? Then there’s a remnant of her seed. The remnant not of the woman but the remnant of her seed. Turn to Revelation 3 and actually see the description of the woman, the seed and the remnant of her seed.
Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
He’s speaking to the Laodicean, to the woman. He still wants her to recover and as we saw that, He gave her time since 1888 but then there was no change for the better. Therefore, He has to spew her out:
The Any Man
Who does He address? What are you seeing here? Who does He talk to? Open the door any man. What were Sister White’s words? She lost sight of the organisation, and the company arose without leaders. They were not the angel, they were without leaders, without the angel and now they have to organise themselves and choose leaders among them who had never sought position before. The any man can you see it? The any man. This was the seed, the seed from the Seventh-Day Adventist church; Laodicea the seed but then how does the statement continue?
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Who is He speaking to now? The overcomer. You may open your heart to Jesus and He comes and dwells in with you and He wants to lead you to become perfect. He wants to lead you to make you the perfect gem, the perfect jewel, but if you don’t overcome, what happens?
Here comes the very interesting detail. We have the
- SDA church
- Her seed who came forth from her – the SDA reform movement who organised themselves after they were disfellowshipped. They were faithful Seventh-Day Adventists that became a movement and organised itself.
- Then came the overcomer the little remnant.
In Desire of Ages page 232, the Jews rejected Christ. As the Jews rejected Christ, He would be rejected in every succeeding generation.
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. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. 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. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. UL 131.3
Don’t lose this understanding. There are a people who are His chosen people. He will always have them. That’s what we saw so far haven’t we? Those who were now chosen who were faithful Seventh Day Adventists in the First World War:
But, if these 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
In other words, they’re still in the workshop of God. They still have to develop. The Jews still have to develop some more. Unless they repent, He will remove them from their place and make them a reproach. The Seventh-Day Adventist Reform Movement was established on right principles. The faithful ones went out and were disfellowshipped but as we move on, is there such a thing as that they in turn if they do not continue to perfect their situation, they will also be rejected?
Examine the present state of the Seventh-Day Adventist Reform Movement and its teachings according to prophecy. According to the words of the Spirit of Prophecy, no matter how well they started off, just like the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, if the Reform that started off so well, does not clean itself up but gets worse and worse again, then what we understand… I used to be in that church organisation and I was ministering in that church organisation and I came to a point where I couldn’t any longer because I was upholding the original 1888 message. While they were very stringent in reference to the law, the faith of Jesus was truly missing and the nature of Christ was rejected as it was given in 1888. That was the great central truth around which all other truths cluster.
Let us read from the Great Controversy and discover precisely the repetitious behaviour of the church that casts out its faithful ones and then those faithful ones can become corrupted again. The next ones can become corrupted again. Sister White is showing the original apostasy of the early Christian church after the Jews had cast them out.
What was the origin of the great apostasy? How did the church first depart from the simplicity of the gospel? By conforming to the practices of paganism, to facilitate the acceptance of Christianity by the heathen. The apostle Paul declared, even in his day, “The mystery of iniquity doth already work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7. During the lives of the apostles the church remained comparatively pure. But “toward the latter end of the second century most of the churches assumed a new form; the first simplicity disappeared, and insensibly, as the old disciples retired to their graves, their children, along with new converts, … came forward and new-modeled the cause.”—Robert Robinson, Ecclesiastical Researches, ch. 6, par. 17, p. 51. page 278. GC 384.5
That’s how the apostasy continues on.
Has not the same process been repeated in nearly every church calling itself Protestant? 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.” A worldly flood, flowing into the church, carries “with it its customs, practices, and idols.” GC 385.1
The Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement
Those of you who haven’t had experience in the SDA Reform as I have, that’s exactly what happened because when I joined the SDA Reform. The beautiful story of the original people being separated from the Seventh Day Adventist church and these faithful souls, I read their writings. I was thrilled, I’m now part of God’s church but unfortunately those people weren’t living anymore. Their children even now, their children have died and now that it’s their grandchildren that are ruling the roost and the cause of original Reform understanding was remodelled. This is the reality. We read of that demise remember in Isaiah.
Both Houses of Israel
Isaiah 5:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
What does it say? He was a stumbling block to whom? Remember, to both the houses of Israel. In the time when the Seventh-Day Adventist church became corrupt in the First World War, that was the woman and then her seed. Now you have just the same scenario as the Hebrews, the Israelites. Israel was split up into two companies. The Israel of the ten tribes and Judah; the two tribes (Benjamin and Judah).
What happens according to Isaiah? Jesus is a stumbling block to both the houses of Israel. A stumbling block to the Seventh-Day Adventist church and the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement. I found that to be absolutely true. The true Jesus was a stumbling block to them as I was mentioning there. I couldn’t minister anymore because I was a constant thorn in their flesh.
We are coming to the conclusion that this holy convocation as the hymn says – Watchmen on the walls of Zion, can you tell us how is it going on from here as we head into the final days? How does God’s Holy Spirit reveal the last manifestation and direction of His jewels? Follow very carefully now the final process of gathering. The final process of gathering. Who in the church will God select?
God is not “worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything” [Acts 17:25]. No magnificence of outward display can please God when the heart is serving idols and the hands are polluted with iniquity. The Holy Spirit will unite with those in the church who, with contrition of heart, will walk humbly with God. To all who look to Him and walk in the footsteps of Christ, He gives sanctification, comfort, and victory over the world. MR14 102.3
Overcomers
Overcomers are these people and how does the Bible reveal them?
Isaiah 62 2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isaiah 62:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
That’s just what happened in the First World War. The Lord was to be glorified in their stand for being faithful to the armed services. ‘Let the Lord be glorified.’ You people have to get out of here. ‘Let the Lord be glorified, but he shall appear to your joy and thy shall be ashamed.’
How do they become manifested so that the gentiles can see them? How will that be manifested? You saw it already how they were manifested in the papers in Europe. They recognised who they were; the faithful ones that stood on the original. As we go to the very end, how will they be manifested? Let’s come to Hebrews 12. After all this splintering and separation that takes place to the very remnant of the woman’s seed:
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
The Revelation 18 Angel
Here we come to Revelation 18:4 because the angel of Revelation 18 was the 1888 message. It was rejected by the very church that was meant to be that voice and so the story goes on. This is another direct connection. Here is the Revelation 18 angel that took place in 1888 and was swelling to a loud cry and the history of the church is going through all that. The seed comes apart but the shaking continues and what’s left; that which cannot be shaken which is the remnant, the remnant of the seed which is that which cannot be shaken. That which is left and that is so interesting. That which is left; loyal, faithful and true.
Sr White said I saw a company who would not move and for me this is so essential that I realised that if I was going to be anything for God’s service, if I was going to be a jewel for Him, I must remain no matter what. To stand firm to the original truths in every respect, the whole platform of truth. Nothing missing. I must remain true to that and that is what we are called for. How are these people manifested? That was the question wasn’t it?
The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past. 5T 450.2
My brethren, I feel great sorrow of heart. I shall not appear before you again in our general gatherings unless I am impressed by the Spirit of God that I should. The last General Conference that I attended gave you all the evidence that you will ever have in any meeting that shall be convened. If that meeting did not convince you that God is working by His Spirit through His humble servant, it is because the candlestick has been removed out of its place. I thought that after the last General Conference there would be a change of heart, but during that meeting the work was not done that ought to have been done that God might come in, nor has this work been done since that time. God is knocking at the door of the heart; but as yet the door has not opened to let Him enter and take full possession of the soul-temple. 18MR 195.6
Who are they? That which was left, was not referring to the Seventh-Day Adventist church and it’s not referring to the organisation of the Reform. It is those who are left. The law will be invoked against them.
The law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment. MAR 186.2
Just like they were in the First World War.
…and some will be offered positions. Mar 186.2
They will be threatened with fines, imprisonment just like they were in the First World War.
They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: “Show us from the word of God our error.” … Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths. Mar 186.2
Did you pick that up? This is essential that you get it clear in our mind that the final little company will end up in the courts and the loud cry of these people, the loud cry will be through those courts because thousands will hear and take their side through the courts. That’s the way it’s written. How did it all happen? How does it all happen in its conclusion? This is now the experience of this final little company as it ends up in the courts giving the loud cry. Here is the picture.
My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. 1T 181.3
See how all this fits in? ‘Only that which cannot be shaken will remain.’
I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, firmly, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy. 1T 181.3
The numbers of this company had lessened. 1T 182.1
I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power. It had effect. An angel answered: “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.” 1T 182.2
Can you see the point of the loud cry that started in Sister White’s time? That was the gathering from 1888 through to the very end and at the very end there is one final loud cry. It was swelling to a loud cry and here it is at the very end in the hand of this little company that could not be shaken.
Remember Song of Solomon 6 8-10. My dove, my undefiled is but one, terrible as an army with banners. There she is at the end of that. She is dressed, glowing in the sun and the moon under her feet.
What is this saying? The little company that God is speaking to says, don’t go anywhere else. Don’t go to the fallen churches. Don’t go to fallen Israel. Don’t go to them. Don’t go because they’re all going to go down and if you go there you’ll get sucked into their vortex. I know it to be true. How clear is the word of God to us? How precious, how meaningful that I know where I can stand in these last days. The watchman on the house of Zion has revealed to us what we were singing.
1 Watchmen, on the walls of Zion,
What O tell us, of the night?
Is the daystar now arising?
Will the morn soon greet our sight?
O’er your vision Shine there now
some rays of light?
O’er your vision Shine there now
some rays of light?
2 Tell, O tell us, are the landmarks
On our voyage all passed by?
Are we nearing now the haven?
Can we e’en the land descry?
Do we truly See the heavenly kingdom nigh?
Do we truly See the heavenly kingdom nigh?
3 Light is beaming, day is coming!
Let us sound aloud the cry;
We behold the daystar rising
Pure and bright in yonder sky!
Saints, be joyful; Your redemption draweth nigh;
Saints, be joyful; Your redemption draweth nigh.
4 We have found the chart and compass,
And are sure the land is near;
Onward, onward we are hasting,
Soon the haven will appear;
Let your voices Sound aloud your holy cheer;
Let your voices Sound aloud your holy cheer.
