John Thiel mp3

Did you ever think that God is seeking for true worshippers?

Every Sabbath we are gathered here for worship. Just as God’s people were doing in the time of Jesus Christ in Judea, every Sabbath they came to worship there in those synagogues.

I would like to ask you to come with me in your mind to 2,000 years ago to Judea, bearing in mind some important guidance in God’s word as we go back 2,000 years ago to Judea.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things;

There’s a lament here. There is no remembrance of former things. People forget and because they forget that which has been in the past is repeated, and they think it’s something new.

Ecclesiastes 1:11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

This is a serious problem. If things are always the same, what has been will happen again and yet people don’t remember what has happened in the past, they will misunderstand what is happening at the present. They haven’t learned from the past.

We are going back to Judea in the time of Christ is no new thing and it is something that is going to keep on repeating again and again.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.

The same Jesus that we look back at 2,000 years ago is still the same today.

Malachi 3:6 I am the Lord. I change not.

As we look back to the words of our scripture reading where Jesus sits on Jacob’s well, the disciples have been dismissed to go into Samaria and to buy food.

Jacobs Well

Jesus is sitting on Jacob well. Samaria is the capital of apostate Israel. Ten tribes that had apostatised and God was giving them opportunity time and time again. Elijah and Elisha were working there. They totally apostatised. They were rejected. Samaria was the capital of that. Judah was a minority, only two tribes, not ten. Jerusalem was still God’s church. It hasn’t fully apostatised yet.

Jesus is sitting there on Jacob’s well. Bear in mind that this was the time in which Judah and Jerusalem were on the verge of rejecting the Messiah. As He’s sitting there waiting, the woman from Samaria comes to draw water. This woman comes with her water pots.

John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

Notice this woman of Samaria and the Samaritans still called Jacob their father.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

There is the story that she admits, right? She has no husband. Jesus reveals all her life to her. We skip that bit for now and come to verse 19. Because he had just told her what he knows about her.

John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Now He makes a interesting little thrust. He’s talking to her and she says,

John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

There has just been an exchange between a woman from Samaria and Jesus Christ himself. What we are seeing is a feud between two believing companies. One company is apostate. The other is not yet apostate. But notice what Jesus said — that company that is not yet apostate, that salvation is of that company. But then He says something so significant. He says both companies — what does He say?

Jesus said, “Believe me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father.”

This is going to pass.

“Ye know not what ye worship: for the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.”

He is saying something very significant in reference to these two companies. Neither of them is going to be the place where God’s people worship. There is a phasing out of both companies. One is already apostate. The other one is on its way out.

The hour cometh and now is. He is making a declaration of something that was about to happen. It’s right there at that time over that period of Christ being there. He says that God who is a spirit, we are to worship him in spirit and in truth. He says the Father is seeking now at this time such who that could worship him in spirit and in truth.

Mark how we’ve read already that there’s no new thing under the sun. What has been will be again and people forget that. So here we are looking at a dialogue that Jesus is revealing something and it’s very interesting that this woman knew something.

The woman said unto him, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.”

These Samaritans were not ignorant. They knew of the coming Messiah. And it was so phenomenal that this Jesus says to him, “I’m the one.” And then she leaves a water pots and goes and calls the people of Samaria.

Bear in mind there is no new thing under the sun. What has been is repeated, but unfortunately people forget. Follow this thought through as we proceed from here. Let’s first of all assess very carefully those words of Jesus regarding the outgoing Judah.

The Outgoing Judah

John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Just bear that in mind right there. He is seeking those kinds of people.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is seeking — the Father is seeking — there is the hour when the Father is seeking those who may worship Him in spirit and in truth. See what this concept of seeking those who worship Him in spirit and truth. There was God seeking at that time those who would worship him in spirit and in truth.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

That was Zacchaeus.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The Lord, the Father God is seeking for those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Jesus says, I have come to seek those kinds of people. Zacchaeus was one of them.

The twelve apostles and those who decided to follow Jesus through the crucifixion and thereafter, are the people that God was seeking for to worship Him. In spirit and in truth because the worship was going to be left behind from Jerusalem. There was no more worship there. It is now that he is launching out into a transition from the Jerusalem from the Jews as he said salvation is of the Jews. It’s going to change. It’s a transition period.

That transition period is where God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Jesus is raising the twelve apostles. We know so well how they were disappointed at the crucifixion. We know that Jesus didn’t forsake them. And He said, “I will pray for you” after Gethsemane and the cross. They met Him again.

After the crucifixion they had found their Lord and Savior again. Jesus in Matthew 28 is saying something very significant. Remember, seeking those who worship God in spirit and in truth.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus was on this earth on behalf of his Father seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. He had brought them through their disappointment and He was commanding them to go and wait in that upper room for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He said, “All power is given unto me. Go ye therefore,” and you now are the people that He was talking about to the woman at the well. You are the people that now are going to worship God in spirit and in truth. You are going to teach all people what? “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

There is no new thing under the sun. Bear in mind that what has been will be again all the way through. But people won’t remember that. But here I am sharing with you what is to be remembered. The transition from those who were once faithful through whom salvation came but who crucified their Lord and Saviour and it was transitioned into those who worship God in spirit and in truth. What did Jesus just say here? That you are to go and proclaim and teach everything that I have taught you to observe. What I have taught you, you are to go and teach. While you are doing that, I am with you that are doing that all the way through to the very end of time. We are focusing clearly on what Jesus is saying — the same yesterday, today and forever.

What happened then in Pentecost, under the Jewish truth that had been taught in the Old Testament, the disciples understood that perfectly. Jesus had taught them how everything in the Old Testament is to be repeated and in a gospel setting.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

They’ve received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and now those twelve apostles are there speaking in the languages of the people that were in Jerusalem on this day of Pentecost. As they are preaching and teaching, what takes place?

Apostle Peter has just been showing the whole story of way back in the Old Testament right through to the time of Christ and what they did to Christ.

Acts 2:41 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

You’ve got to get yourself out of here. Save yourself from this untoward generation.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Jesus just told the woman at the well that the time is now. This transpired over her lifetime and there was this description of the apostles who God was seeking for to worship in spirit and in truth. They started under the power of the Holy Spirit to raise a church. Modern Christianity today even the world use this term Judeo-Christian. The Christianity that Jesus launched out by the apostles who were seeking whom God was seeking to bring them into worship in spirit and in truth. Jesus said, “Everything that you have learned from me,” which the Holy Spirit at Pentecost gave them all the memory of and launched them out there, the church that started there, they were teaching, they were worshiping in spirit and in truth. The Holy Spirit came upon them and they under the Spirit were teaching the truth. They were worshiping as a church. And what was that? They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread and in prayers.

This is what Jesus said. You are to teach my doctrine. The church that were under the apostolic doctrine was the church that was the true Christian church. Don’t forget that. There is no new thing under the sun. What has been will be again and will be again and will be again right through to the very end. I’m going to be with you right to the very end.

No new thing under the sun. God doesn’t change. Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever. What does it look like to be in that fellowship of the apostles? A perfect rendition of what that looks like. Worshippers worshiping in spirit and in truth. What does it look like? Jesus has just ascended to heaven.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

What did He give?

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Did you notice what it looks like to be part of that company that Jesus had left behind? Some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers. What was it for? As they worship God in spirit and in truth, as they teach what Jesus gave them to observe, to teach, they have a united truth — spirit and truth together. And in that unity of the faith and of the knowledge of God, of the Son of God, that is to bring them to perfection.

This system of truth that was generated from the Judean fellowship into the new one that was the package deal of truth. It wasn’t every wind of doctrine. It wasn’t what others thought might be the case. It was a pure teaching that Jesus had taught them that came from the Old Testament that was brought into the beauty of the gospel. Every detail that was taught by Jesus was a truth and was the truth which God had been seeking for them to absorb. Now that they’ve absorbed it, they went forth and it became the Christian church where God’s true worshippers worship. Get what Jesus was saying there?

Everyone that comes under this apostolic system of truth is going to be perfected to reach perfection of character. That’s what we read there. But it’s got to be the truth that brings that about. It’s got to be those who worship in spirit and truth that will be brought into such an experience.

No more to tossing to and fro by every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie and wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Now what has been must continue. Is that what we are coming to appreciate here? All that has been will happen again will happen again and again and again. Follow closely here. Now let’s come to those — remember those words in Matthew 28:20.

Make sure you teach them to observe everything that I have taught you.

There is a complete truth. We’re living today in a bewildered mindset. We think that there is more truth to come. But it’s only because the truth has been lost. That’s why more truth is to come. But that which was given by the apostles was all truth. Teach everything that I have told you. Everything to observe.

As we try to follow this through carefully now with no new thing under the sun, what has been is to be repeated. The same Jesus that spoke to the woman at the well speaks to the people all through history. The same Jesus.

The Seven Churches

There it is in the seven churches. In Revelation 2 He is speaking to the seven churches. What is He saying? He is saying the selfsame thing that He said to the woman at the well through each generation, through each passing transition.

It was a transition from the Jewish church to those who — whom He was seeking as the apostles and then through every succeeding generation, it’s the same repetition, the same Jesus, no new thing. Jesus is speaking the same way in which He spoke to the woman at the well about Samaria and Judah.

Ephesus

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat…

He’s speaking to the Ephesus church. That’s the first period.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou hath 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 commends them. He says to Him that overcometh will I give to eat. Can you see a transition from the ones that have been reproved and the overcomer and the overcomer moves on to the next period.

Smyrna

Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna? In that angel of the church in Smyrna there is no rebuke — they are being persecuted and fed to the lions, they are faithful. No rebuke to them but at the same times it says that he who overcometh in verse 10, verse 11:

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Can you see there is the faithful that came out of the Jewish church. He that overcomes again and again through the seven periods of time. The faithful people who worship God — whom in each successive generation God is seeking for — those who will worship him in spirit and in truth as the apostles were brought to Jesus to do that. This was to be repeated through the history and you come right through the seven churches.

Pergamos

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is:

Where was Satan’s seat? In Rome. That’s where the Christian church developed its headquarters. He’s writing to them and saying careful here. He’s really rebuking them.

Thyatira

Revelation 2:12 Unto the angel of the church of Thyatira, write: these things saith the Son of God,

The same Jesus speaking.

Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

I know thy works, and thy charity, and so on.

Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Can you see the transition again? Like Samaria, like Judah — another repetition again. I gave her time to repent, but she didn’t. The transition continued now into Thyatira to the Waldensians and all those faithful ones.

Sardis

Then we come through to Sardis. The reformers in the period of Thyatira were coming back around away from the confusion of the Catholic Church into the pure doctrine step by step. But unfortunately, in the period of Sardis there was another transition because He says:

Revelation 3:1 thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

You have a name that you live by; Protestant but you are close to death. Can you see the same Jesus speaking? There’s another transition from Samaria and Judah into the next phase down through the seven churches. This same Jesus — I will be with you under the doctrine of that which I have sent my church out in the beginning. I’m going to be with you right to the very end. Now God comes along to Philadelphia and Laodicea — the very end.

Philadelphia

During the period of Philadelphia through to Laodicea, the phasing out of Protestantism of the Protestant churches into another church. Again a church that God is seeking out and has sought out and brought about together into a restoration of all the truths that the apostles had taught. These had been lost and tried to be recovered from over the dark ages and into Protestants into 1833 to 1844. Then the true church standing on the worshiping of God in spirit and in truth. That true church established over those 50 years of the pure doctrines that had been lost. All the truths that Jesus had taught the disciples were now restored over those 50 years.

Laodicea

The same Jesus is speaking to Laodicea. What is He saying to Laodicea? He’s speaking to the angel of the church, those ministers of the church. He says something to them that should — and when I was reading some of this material from the pioneers, they recognised that this applied to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. You want to read their articles. They are aware that we are in serious trouble, in serious condition, and unless we repent, we will also be bypassed.

Remember what was read in Ephesus — your candlestick will be removed. Here we come to the very last candlestick. Is there another transition? Is Jesus still speaking at the well to us today?

This House and that House – Judah and Samaria

The day is now when neither in this nor in that. I’m seeking for those who are truly worshiping in spirit and truth.

Another phasing out. In chapter 3 He’s speaking to the angel — Jesus, the same Jesus who said to the woman, “Salvation is of the Jews.” Yes. Salvation is of the Seventh-day Adventist background. Yes. But the day is coming when neither in this house nor in the others what come up in Laodicea.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Are the same words of Jesus coming back to us here. I will be with you to the very end. I will be seeking those at the very end out of the Laodicean period who are worshiping God in spirit and in truth in all the truths that have been firmly put into place from the earliest apostolic church that continue to the very end.

It is the transition of the one whom God was seeking. He was seeking those who worship God in spirit and in truth in Christ’s day. It’s the same Jesus. What has been in the past is repeated again and again and again. No new thing under the sun. Never forget that. As we come to this Laodicean period, it’s the same again. You claim that this is the place to worship and the others claim this is the place to worship. But the day is coming, and now is, that those who worship God must worship him in the truth that has been firmly established by Jesus Christ in the very beginning.

I’ve often referred to the fact that this ministry is upholding what the pioneers taught, but in reality, we are upholding what the apostles taught in the very beginning. No winds of doctrine confusing anymore. The absolute spirit and truth. No variation.

Jesus Leaves the Laodicean Church Behind

That’s when Jesus says, “Here is the transition. I’m leaving behind the church that isn’t opening the door. I’m coming to any man who will open the door.”

The any man, the transition. The same Jesus, same reality.

I want to indicate something here because we were referring to the seven churches, weren’t we? The seven churches are what is mentioned there — Jesus walking among the candlesticks.

The Seven Golden Candlesticks

There is one candlestick with seven branches.

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Just like the Jews had their opportunity, but rejected, He moved on into this seven church period. Remember what He said. I am with you even unto the end of the earth.

The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian era. The number seven indicates completeness and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time. AA 585.3

What was that? The messages extend to the end of time. Those messages that the apostles preached extend to the end of time. But you know very well what happened. Those messages were contorted by the similar story of Judah — how they twisted things up and it’s been repeated after each successive generation.

What has been the pure doctrines that had been sent out by the early Christian church? Seven indicates completeness and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time — those very messages.

While the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world, Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks.

One Church

This is the church of Jesus Christ. One church. The Ephesus church branched off. Then the other branch. Each candlestick branched off the one church. Many people think that there are seven churches. No, there is one church in seven periods of time. So many people today say:

“There’s no room for another church; it is the Seventh-day Adventist Church, there’s no eighth church.”

They are making a dismal mistake. There is one church that each successive generation Jesus was talking to them like he talked to the woman of Samaria. No new thing under the sun. The phasing out and the phasing in of the faithful who are seeking God, who God is seeking, who would worship Him in spirit and in truth. That phasing in and phasing out is what produced a fallen Jerusalem, a fallen church after church.

Isaiah 4:1 onwards is speaking of that day when those seven periods have taken their course.

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. 2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. 3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Jesus Leaves the Seven Churches Behind

What happened to Jerusalem of old 2,000 years ago is the same that happens to the spiritual Jerusalem right through to the end. The faithful church is one church but there it leaves behind seven women. Seven churches that come out of those periods of time — seven churches that are claiming to be Christian; Isaiah 40:1 Let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach while we eat and drink and dress the way we want.

The Seven Churches are Phased Out

There is one church that Jesus sent out that He is with all the way through and it leaves behind seven churches that are claiming to be Christians but they have been phased out like Judah was phased out. That understanding of Ephesians 4 still exists today. It still stands that He has given the apostles. This faithful church that we can be part of if we choose to.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church

We often think we’ve got to be part of the Seventh Day Adventist Church when it says we’ve got to be part of the original church. This church that Jesus said I am with. Not the churches that have become apostatised like Judah and Samaria did. In spirit and truth is what God is looking for in us.

He is seeking for such to worship Him. He speaks to us today as He spoke to the woman at the well. He is saying the day is and the day is coming and now is that I am standing at the church’s door as I’ve stood at the church’s door in Judea and they wouldn’t let me in — saying today, if any man will open the door, I am seeking such to worship me — seeking for spirit and truth.

The Concept of the Candlestick Being Removed

The candlestick was removed from each particular period after the other. Is the candlestick of the Seventh-day Adventist Church also going to be removed?

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 to every locality. God is testing the devotion of His churches and their willingness to render obedience to the Spirit’s guidance to worship in spirit. 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. The Review and Herald, July 16, 1895.

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 

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.” RH July 16, 1895, Art. A, par. 11

Remember Ephesus? Christ says to them:

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

He will take His Spirit from the church and give it to others who will appreciate it. How clear do you want it? The candlestick being removed. The spirit is taken from the church and given to the transition people like it was in the time of the apostles.

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.—The Review and Herald, July 16, 1895.

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. Thoughts of the inner work, the necessary purity of heart, are not entertained. The absence of harmony with God becomes apparent. The light grows dim, goes out; the candlestick has been removed.  RH July 16, 1895, Art. A, par. 12

She’s writing to the Seventh Day Adventist Church here.

My brethren, I feel great sorrow. 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.  18 Manuscript Releases 1901

That was in 1901.

If that meeting did not convince you that God is working by His Spirit through His humble servant, Sister White, it is because the candlestick has been removed out of its place. 18 Manuscript Releases 1901

Jesus is making it abundantly clear. The transition that took place in His time — all things that have been will be again and will be again; people forget that.

By God’s grace, I have shared with you here that that which Jesus said back there, He is saying today. “Who are the people I’m seeking? Those who worship me in spirit and in truth. The same spirit that gave the message a clear understanding to the apostles at Pentecost is also here today. It’s to do with my doctrine shall fall as the rain.”

My doctrine — the doctrine that Jesus gave to the disciples — that same doctrine is to be in full open description today. May God help us to respond to him who is seeking you and me — seeking who is worshiping him in spirit and in truth.

That period of the seven churches ends up with the woman that has a seed and then has a remnant of her seed.

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

There it is — the final transition. God is seeking you and me to worship Him in spirit and in truth.