--THE MAN WITH THE
WRITER’S INKHORN --
About the time in which we live Ellen White stated, “After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to
all nations . . . Then there will be a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars
of our faith.” (ibid., R&H, 12/13/1892, emphasis supplied). Will this removing of the landmarks come
from within or without?
“We have far more to fear from within than from without,” Ellen White replies. “The hindrances to
strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world.” (Selected Messages, Bk.
1, page 122, emphasis supplied).
The end-time controversy will not be our relationship with the Church, but our relationship to Christ and
His truth. If the landmarks and pillars of our faith have been removed, so that the pioneer Adventist
truth cannot be recognized, is God going to bring millions of people out of the churches of Babylon into a
corrupted Seventh-day Adventist Church? Is the loud cry going to be as we read the history of our people
from 1888 to 1900? No. God has altered His end-time plan for modern Israel.
Christ Would Have Come By 1901
“Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving the [1888] message of mercy to the
world,” Ellen White said in her talk at the 1901 General Conference, “Christ would have come to the
earth, and the saints would ere this have received their welcome into the city of God.” (General
Conference Bulletin, April 4, 1901; Repeated in Monthly Missionary Reading, April 9, 1908).
And ye shall know the altering of my purpose”
--THE MAN WITH THE
WRITER’S INKHORN --
And one man among them was clothed with linen,
with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.
(Ezekiel 9:2b)
hy is there a change in the waymarks of future events? Why has so many years
passed, and the Lord has not returned? Has God altered his end-time plan because
of our insubordination, our rebellion? The answer is “yes” to all three questions.
Because of the rejection of the 1888 message, which is a rejection of the “loud cry,”
modern Israel came to a modern-day Kadesh-barnea. God’s end-time plan would have to be
altered.
God’s Final Work For the End-Time Church
In Ezekiel, chapters 8-11 is recorded God’s final work for the Church – not the corporate
Seventh-day Adventist Church –but His true remnant people who keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus. Three places in Testimonies for the Church, Volumes three, five and eight,
are recorded clear commentaries on Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of God’s final work for the Church.
We will note first the “time” element of these three testimonies.
The Time Of the Fulfillment Of Ezekiel’s Prophecy
In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 207, Ellen White comments on the ninth chapter
of Ezekiel. In the first two paragraphs of the chapter, “The Seal of God,” she quotes verses one,
the last part of verse three through verse six as follows:
“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to
draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.”
“And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the
Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a
mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in
the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city,
and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My
sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” [Ezekiel 9:1, 3b, 4-
6].
W
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Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 207.
After quoting these verses from Ezekiel 9, Ellen White identifies the time for the fulfillment of
this prophecy. “Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary to put on
garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have not responded
to the light God has given them.” (ibid., 5T, pp. 207, 208, emphasis supplied). The time-frame of
this prophecy is just prior to the close of human probation.
The Time Of the Nations
“Of the Amorites the Lord said: `In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full,’” Ellen White wrote. “Although this nation was
conspicuous because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity,
and God would not give command for its utter destruction. . . .” (ibid., 5T, p. 208, emphasis
supplied).
“The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the fourth generation,”
Ellen White continued. “Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon
them.” ((ibid., 5T, p. 208, emphasis supplied).
Notice that after God sends messages of warning to a nation or people, if there is no change, His
judgements will fall upon that nation. God is long-suffering with nations and His people, but
when the cup is full He will deal with the apostasy.
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is
tendered with calls to repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain
amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine patience
ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their behalf.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 208. (emphasis
supplied).
The antecedent of the word “their” is the nations. “There is no more pleading of mercy in the
nations behalf.” Ezekiel is speaking of a time when mercy is no longer pleading for the nations.
Their account is closed. When is that time?
“The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision,” Ellen White replies.
((ibid., 5T, p. 208, emphasis supplied). What time? When mercy had closed for the nations, but
Jesus was still lingering at the mercy seat. What did we read in the Review and Herald of
December 13, 1892? “After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations,” then
certain events would take place!
“The nations of this age have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies,” Ellen White
concluded. “The choicest of heaven’s blessings have been given them, but increased pride,
covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are written against them. They are
fast closing up their account with God.” ((ibid., 5T, pp. 208, 209, emphasis supplied). Fulfilled”).
God Deals With the Apostasy In the Church
Mercy closes for the nations and then God confronts the Church. “Go through the midst of the
city, through the midst of Jerusalem [church], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that
sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” (Ezekiel 9:4).
The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in these last days. In this controversy men
in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They
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will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others
by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in
the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the
week. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 18, 1884.
Notice that the Lord has a controversy with “His professed people.” And when does the Lord
have a controversy with His professed people? “In these last days.” And in this last-day
controversy between God and His professed people, who is responsible for the apostasy? “Men in
responsible positions,” Ellen White replies. And what will these men in responsible positions do?
They “will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah.” The leadership of the
Church, the men in responsible positions, “will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath
themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom
and tradition.” But even more deplorable than that, “In churches and in large gatherings in the
open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week.” (ibid.,
Review and Herald, 3/18/84).
The Lord Has Departed From the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The command is: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a
mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in
the midst thereof.” These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had
reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled
their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still
continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 210.
(emphasis supplied).
What was the result of these sighing and crying ones who had been holding forth the words of
life; and who had reproved, counseled, and entreated? “Some who had been dishonoring God
repented and humbled their hearts before Him.” What about the majority of the Church? Do
they repent also? “But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still
continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.” Here we see a sad picture of
the end-time corporate Church. The few that were sighing and crying, and the “many” who still
continued the “forms of religion” What did the apostle Paul predict about the end-time Church?
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:5). And what was
Paul’s advice? “From such turn away.” (ibid.). And while the “many” continued in a form of
godliness “the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel [Church] . . . His power and presence
were lacking.” (ibid., 5T, p. 210).
“`My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory
have departed!’” the Heavenly Being said to Ellen White. “`For this cause there is weakness, and
strength is lacking.’” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, page 250, emphasis supplied).
In Volume five the Heavenly Being stated that “the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel.”
Volume eight states that “the divine presence and glory have departed!” The language of these two
statements indicate that the two statements are addressing the same thing. In a commentary on
Ezekiel 9 in Volume three of the Testimonies, Ellen White connects these statements.
“Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and fortyfour
thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply
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the wrongs of God’s professed people,” Ellen White wrote. “This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s
illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.”
(5T, p. 66, emphasis supplied).
It is obvious that Ellen White is referring to Ezekiel 9, verse 2. Volume five refers to Ezekiel 9.
Volume 3 refers to Ezekiel 9. Volume 8 uses the same language as these two testimonies in
Volume 5, and the time element is determined in Volume 5. These three testimonies are light
for this hour in which we stand near the close of human probation, and the probation for the
Church.
Three Testimonies On Ezekiel 9
Testimony From Volume 3
“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at
heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character,” Ellen White wrote. “They will always be on
the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in
the closing work for the church. . . .” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, page 266, emphasis
supplied).
Notice that it does not say “the closing work of the Church,” but the closing work “for” the
Church. Ellen White is not talking about 1,000 days of reaping! She is talking about a work
“for” the Church. What about this work for the Church?
“In the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault
before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people,” Ellen
White replies. “This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the
figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.” (ibid., 3T, p. 266, emphasis supplied).
From this statement we learn that God’s last work “for” the Church is “forcibly set forth by the
prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon
in his hand.” So God’s last work for the Church is a work of judgements upon the unfaithful.
“Mark this point with care,” Ellen White then states. “Those who receive the pure mark of
truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in
linen, are those `that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done’ in the church.” (ibid., 3T,
p. 267, emphasis supplied).
Notice that this time Ellen White does not say “sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be
done in the world,” but sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done “in the Church.” Why
should we not now sigh and cry for the abominations done in the world? Because the probation of
the nations is ended! (See, Luke 21:24). If the probation for the nations is closed, then whose
probation is still open? The probation of the Church is still open, but the close thereof is at
hand! Then who should we be sighing and crying for?
“Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of
the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and
crying,” Ellen White concluded. “Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.” (ibid., 3T, p. 267, emphasis
supplied).
Testimony From Volume 8
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In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be
judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not
correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings
conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the
sentence: “Found wanting.” By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.
Ellen G. White, “Shall We Be Found Wanting?” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, page 247. (St.
Helena, California, April 21, 1903).
If God has determined that the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church is going through to the
kingdom, then why does the Church have to face a judgement? Why does the Church have to
be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary to determine what the future of the Church is if the
“Church is going through?” Inspiration states that the Church is not going through without
facing a judgement.
Once the sentence “Found wanting” has been pronounced upon an organization or nation, what
is the hope of that organization? In ancient Babylon, when the hand appeared writing upon the
wall, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin,” what hope did the nation of Babylon have? Absolutely
none. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain, and Darius the Median took
the kingdom.” (Daniel 5:30, 31a).
The heavenly Teacher inquired: “What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are
building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things
according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that
takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit
and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while
in reality they are in need of everything.”
ibid., Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pages 249, 250).
Notice that it was a heavenly Being that spoke to Ellen White. It was a heavenly Teacher that
said, “Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men
who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof;
when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in
reality they are in need of everything.”
“God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless,”
Ellen White continued. “But many are crying, `Peace and safety,’ while sudden destruction is
coming upon them.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250).
Today we are told “Peace and safety,” and, “Stay by the ship, everything is going to work out.”
The heavenly Teacher called this message a “strong delusion,” and again, “a great deception, a
fascinating delusion.” (ibid.).
“Unless there is thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive
the truth as it is in Jesus, they will never enter heaven,” Ellen White warned. “When purification
shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased
with goods, in need of nothing.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250).
It should be noted that the testimony does not say “if” purification takes place in our ranks, but
“when” purification “shall” take place in our ranks. This again is a prophecy of God’s special
end-time work for the Church as recorded in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
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“Who can truthfully say: `Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world?’”
Ellen White asks. “I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness.”
(ibid., 8T, p. 250).
Note that the word “Instructor” is capitalized. This was a heavenly Being Ellen White saw.
What did this heavenly Instructor do?
“Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath,” Ellen White continued. “Then He
said to me: `Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of
character?’”
Leadership has continually covered-up their “defilement and rottenness of character.” The
Davenport fiasco was “covered-up,” along with huge investments that were lost in the Stock
Market. The huge billions of dollars indebtedness of the Adventist Health Systems has been kept
from the people. Many other examples could be documented.
“How is the faithful city [Church] become an harlot!” the heavenly Instructor said. “My Father’s
house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have
departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250, emphasis
supplied).
“How is the faithful city [the Church] become an harlot!” the heavenly Instructor said, and
further, “”My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence
and glory have departed!” And “for this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.” Is this
a true picture of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church? Yes indeed. This is a clear
picture of the corporate SDA Church at the present hour. Remember, this is the period referred
to as the sealing time, just prior to the close of human probation. Who can say that we live in an
hour when the Church is spiritually strong? Who can say that we live in an hour when the
Church is doing a mighty work, and is filled with the Holy Spirit? Upon attending any large
Seventh-day Adventist Church today the reader can clearly see that this Spiritless condition,
described by the heavenly Instructor, exists among those who claim to believe the third angel’s
message.
We have been conditioned to look to the future for great things to happen in the Church, yet the
great day of Seventh-day Adventist evangelism is past. In the past the great evangelists of
Adventism preached the message in three to six month series. During the 1940's and 1950's
great evangelists such as, Fordyce Detamore, Stanley Harris, J. L. Shuler, preceeded by Eveart
and Nightengale, held meetings during this era. The straight message was preached during those
days. A watered-down message was not preached as it is today. How do we know this? Because
there was great opposition to these faithful evangelists! Today there is no opposition. Indeed, there is
great cooperation between the contemporary Adventist Church and Evangelical evangelism.
Whitley Phipps, noted Adventist vocalist, was seen recently on a Billy Graham television crusade
from Russia. Official Adventist television programs are telecast regularly on “Trinity,” the
Pentecostal network. The “new” theology of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church is
accepted in Evangelical circles. Even the Roman Catholic Church is no longer disturbed by the
“new” Adventist evangelism.
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In times long past the Voice of Prophecy, Signs of the Times, These Times, the Youth’s Instructor, the
Review and Herald, Liberty, and other Adventist media presented the straight message –a straight
testimony, if you please. The Church was a faithful city. What happened? The concessions
made at the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56 is what happened! The Church became “an
harlot” by compromising with the Roman Catholic Church and the fallen Churches of Babylon.
“You shall know the altering of my purpose,” God said to ancient Israel. (Numbers 14:34). Are
we any better than ancient Israel? “We are repeating the history of that people,” Ellen White
replies. (5T. p. 160). “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Testimony From Volume 5
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God’s visitation has about
come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light
will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin,
comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They
should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the
church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the
abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church
because its members are doing after the manner of the world.
Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 209. (emphasis supplied).
Notice that God’s true and faithful are not to rest in the truth at this time, but are to try and save
others. Also note that God’s true people are “the little company.” The little company’s prayers
arise in behalf of the church. Why is the little company praying in behalf of the church?
“Because its members are doing after the manner of the world.”
Dear reader, which company are you a part of? Are you a part of the many, who are doing after
the manner of the world? Or are you a member of the “little company” who are sighing and
crying over the abominations done in the Church, and who are praying for the majority who “are
doing after the manner of the world?”
“The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain,” Ellen White continued. “When the
Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved
the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world.” ibid., 5T, p. 210, emphasis
supplied).
Notice again that it is the earnest prayers of the “faithful few.” Throughout this testimony there
are the “many” and there are the “faithful few.” The faithful few are “all those who have
preserved the faith in its purity.” In other words, the faithful few are all those who hold to
historic Adventism, and keep “themselves unspotted from the world.” The majority follow
Church leadership into the “new” theology and compromise with the world. “It is at this time
that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He
bear long with them.” (ibid., 5T, p. 210, emphasis supplied).
The command is: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the
foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” These
sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some
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who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had
departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 210. (emphasis
supplied).
The small company who had been sighing and crying for all the abominations done in the
Church “had been holding forth the words of life,” and they had “reproved, counseled, and
entreated.” What was the result? Some believed and repented. Is there going to be a large and
popular response to the straight testimony, to the message of historic Adventism? No. In the
history of the world God’s true and faithful have always been small in number. Thus Jesus said,
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke
12:32).
What a picture. The glory of the Lord has departed from the Church. God’s power and presence
through the Holy Spirit are lacking. How can the Church be a witness to the world and bring
people to Christ if God’s power and presence is lacking? Many still continued the forms of
religion. The faithful few are sighing and crying, reproving, counseling, and entreating. Notice
that in this testimony there are three groups mentioned. The few, some, and the many. To
which group do you belong, dear reader?
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat,” Jesus warned. “Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14,
emphasis supplied).
Here again we have the many and the few. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are very clear
on this point. May we all be of the “few” who are sighing and crying for the abominations done
in the Church. May we not be found among the “many” who are doing after the world, and still
continue the forms of religion.
In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be
distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping,
reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness
everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to
obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the
unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and
alarm.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pages 210, 211. (emphasis
supplied).
The majority of the Church “try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great
wickedness everywhere prevalent.” God’s faithful few “will not hold their peace to obtain favor
of any.” They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity. There is nothing anyone can
do to halt the course of apostasy taken by the leadership of the Church. No Church in history
ever reformed once they started down the broad road and wide gate to perdition. Reform always
came out of the fallen Churches. Martin Luther had hoped to reform the Roman Catholic
Church, but realized that reform could only be accomplished outside the Church of Rome.
Will the Seventh-day Adventist Church reform? Will the supposed “Voice of God,” the General
Conference in session, reverse its decisions? Will they reverse their wrong decision that wedding
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rings are acceptable for Adventists? Will they return to the historic Adventist position on
reverent worship services, rather than “Celebration” Pentecostal style worship? Will they reform
and return from a worldly hospital system, now merged with the Roman Catholic system, to
country sanatoriums, as counseled by the Spirit of Prophecy? Will the leadership reform and give
up the “new” theology of “free grace” and teach the historic Adventist truth of obedience to
God’s law? Will leadership again teach the final atonement in the heavenly sanctuary, and the
historic Adventist teaching on the fallen human nature of Jesus Christ? Never! History testifies,
the Spirit of Prophecy testifies, that the Seventh-day Adventist organized Church will never, ever
again, return to historic Adventism. For fifty years the leadership has despised the teaching of
historic Adventism.
The Shaking Time
“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the
straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans,” Ellen
White prophesied. “This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to
exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.” (Early Writings, page 270, emphasis supplied).
The straight testimony is the meaning of the shaking and what it will do for the individual who
receives the message of the true witness. What then will cause the shaking?
“Some will not bear this straight testimony,” Ellen White replies. “They will rise up against it, and
this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.” (ibid., EW, p. 270, emphasis supplied).
It is a refusal to accept the straight testimony of the true witness, a failure to accept and return to
the historic Adventist truth, that will cause the shaking. But more precisely the shaking is
caused by those who will rise up against the straight testimony. “They will rise up against it, and
this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.”
My brethren, the value of the evidences of truth that we have received during the past half century [1844-
1900], is above estimate. These evidences are as treasure hidden in a field. Search for them. Study the
Bible truths that for fifty years [1844-1900] have been calling us out from the world. . . . Present this evidence
in clear, plain lines [the straight testimony]. Study the Word of God. Revive the evidences given in the
past. . . Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, April 19, 1906. (emphasis supplied).
Sins In the Church
“They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great
light,” Ellen White continued her commentary on Ezekiel nine. “They lament and afflict their
souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church.”
(ibid., 5T, pp. 210, 211, emphasis supplied).
Notice the testimony does not say these sins are in the world, but that they are in the Church.
Clearly this is a picture of the Seventh-day Adventist Church today. Again, why did she not say
“the world.” Because their account is closed.
Truth Is Made Of None Effect
“The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan
triumph,” Ellen White wrote. “God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect.” (ibid., 5T, pp.
210, 211, emphasis supplied).
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The truth is made of none effect. Not only that, but at this time the testimonies are made of
none effect.
Testimonies Are Made Of None Effect
“Satan's purpose is, through his devices, to make of none effect the testimonies of the Spirit of God,”
Ellen White warned. “If he can lead the minds of the people of God to see things in a perverted
light, they will lose confidence in the messages God sends through His servants; then he can the
more readily deceive, and not be detected.” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 12, page 201, emphasis
supplied).
“It was the spirit of Satan expressed in looks and words to make of none effect the Testimonies of
the Spirit of God,” Ellen White wrote. “`This,’ said the guide with me, `is the way any message
of Heaven will be treated.’” (Special Testimony, page 9, emphasis supplied).
Again notice that it was the Heavenly Guide who said, “This is the way any message of Heaven
will be treated.” And Ellen White stated that this was the spirit of Satan that would “make of
none effect the Testimonies of the Spirit of God.”
A Hatred Kindled Against the Testimonies
“There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic,” Ellen White warned.
“The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason:
Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if
the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded.”(Letter 40, 1890; See
also, Selected Messages, Bk. 1, page 48. (emphasis supplied).
The Very Last Deception Of Satan
“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God,”
Ellen White wrote. “`Where there is no vision, the people perish’ Prov. 29:18.” (Selected
Messages, Bk. 2, page 78, emphasis supplied).
“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of
others,” Ellen White continued her commentary on Ezekiel nine, “will be left without the seal of
God.” (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
If we do not mourn over the sins of others and look within to see our own spiritual condition we
will be left without the seal of God. And who, dear reader, can get into heaven without the seal
of God?
The Men With the Slaughtering Weapons In Their Hands
The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: “Go ye after him
through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.
Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.”
ibid., Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 211. (emphasis supplied).
“Here we see that the church--the Lord’s sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath
of God,” Ellen White commented. (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
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Where is the wrath of God going to come first? The Church, the Lord’s sanctuary. But
leadership tells us the Church is going through? But this is contrary to the Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy.
God’s Judgements Fall First On the Unfaithful Leadership
“The ancient men,” Ellen White continued, “those to whom God had given great light and who
had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust.” (ibid., 5T, p.
211, emphasis supplied).
The word “trust” has two meanings. (1) The trust of truth, and (2), the trust of funds. The
leadership betrayed their “trust” of the truth in the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56. The
Conference holds money in “trust” for the people. This is called the Conference Trust
Department. The leadership betrayed their trust in funds in the Davenport case, Harris Pine
Mills, investments in the Stock Market, and other monetary ventures.
“They [the leadership] had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked
manifestation of God’s power as in former days,” Ellen White continued. (ibid., 5T, p. 211).
Leadership no longer believes that God will take care of His work as He did in former days.
Leadership believes that they must pile up money to handle the problems facing the Church.
Invest in the Stock Markets. Invest in Post Offices, Disney Land, and other worldly enterprises.
Leadership now seeks help from the World Council of Churches, the world mission boards of
other denominations, and other entities to get Adventist missionaries into difficult areas. In
times past, prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit was all that was needed. But “times have
changed,” they say.
“Times have changed,” Ellen White quotes the leadership. “These words strengthen their
unbelief, and they say: `The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to
visit His people in judgment.’” (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
“The Lord is not going to destroy the Church!” leadership assures the laity today. “Don’t you
know, the Church is going through. Ellen White says so. God is not going to destroy Jerusalem.
The temple is going to stand forever. God made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
“Thus `Peace and safety’ is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a
trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins,” Ellen White
concluded. “These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an
offended God.” (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
If the testimony ended at this point it would not be quite so terrible. God must deal with a
leadership that refuses to “lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their
transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins.” The next sentence states, “Men, maidens, and
little children all perish together.” (ibid.). Why? Because, like Israel at the time of Christ, they
continued to identify themselves with an apostate Church, and they pass away with the system.
“It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed
with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others,” Ellen White
wrote. “They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they
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departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine
displeasure.” (ibid., 5T, p. 212, emphasis supplied).
“No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men
from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts,” Ellen White wrote. “Those
who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in
indifference and in the abuse of God’s mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and
in His wrath He deals with them without mercy.” (ibid., 5T, p. 212, emphasis supplied).
Notice the reference to apostate leadership in these two statements. (1) No superiority of rank,
(2) worldly wisdom, (3) position in sacred office, “will preserve men from sacrificing principle
when left to their own deceitful hearts.” God is angry with those leaders who “departed from
Him and led others into error,” and those who “prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy.”
“The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us,” Ellen White warned. “The seal of God will be
placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land.
Those who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will
surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. . . .” (ibid., 5T, p. 212, emphasis supplied).
What shall we do? What is the answer? “Our own course of action will determine whether we
shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons,” Ellen White
concluded. . . It is not left to another. It is our course of action, our decision whether we will
believe and obey, whether we will receive the seal of God and be saved.
God’s Altered Loud Cry
“How is the faithful city [Church] become an harlot!” That is God’s call. That is God’s loud cry.
God’s once faithful Church has rebelled, resisted, and therefore God has altered His purpose and
His plan. But He has a faithful few that He is going to take through and accomplish His
objective. Dear reader, are you going to be a part of that group?
The Seven Phases Of God’s People
In the history of God’s people there are seven phases described in Scripture and the Spirit of
Prophecy. (1) There is physical Israel. (2) There is spiritual Israel. (3) Reformation Israel. (4)
There is Laodicean Israel. (5) There is Modern Israel. (6) There is a sister to Babylon and an
image of the Papacy. (7) There is a faithful remnant of Israel.
(1) – Physical Israel
In our study we have learned that there is a physical Israel. They have been known for centuries
as the Jews. Their house was left unto them desolate when they crucified the Messiah. The
seventy weeks determined upon ancient Israel came to an end in A.D. 70. Today physical Jews
occupy the nation of Israel in Palestine, and the old city of Jerusalem is their capital.
(2) –Spiritual Israel
In our study we have learned that true Christians are spiritual Jews. (Romans 2:28, 29; Galatians
3:28, 29). The Christian church became spiritual Israel in A.D. 34, and was confirmed by the
out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
(3) –Reformation Israel
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But there was apostasy in the church during the dark ages. The Antichrist was revealed in the
church itself. Because of this apostasy the Lord led His true people into the wilderness in the
great Reformation movement. (Revelation 12)
(4) –Laodicean Israel
The Reformation movement faltered in the early nineteenth century and the Lord raised up the
great second Advent movement to finish the Reformation, and to herald to the world that the
time of God’s judgement had come. This end-time movement was to warn the world against the
beast and receiving his mark. But shortly after the great disappointment of 1844 this fourth
phase of Israel had become Laodicean.
“The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to our condition.” (Selected Messages, Bk. 1,
page 357, emphasis supplied).
“The message to the Laodicean church,” Ellen White wrote, “reveals our condition as people.”
(Review and Herald, December 15, 1904, emphasis supplied).
Will the [SDA] churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that
the most solemn message of truth--the third angel's message--is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin?
This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world. If the church of God becomes
lukewarm, it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen
and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and
hateful bird.
Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 19, page 176. (emphasis supplied).
“No longer remain in the condition of the Laodicean church,” Ellen White wrote. “In the name
of the Lord I call upon every family to show its true colors. Reform the church in your own
home.” (7T, p. 66).
(5) –Modern Israel
Because of the Laodicean condition the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church has become
modern Israel. On the Ellen G. White CD-ROM there are 37 references to the Seventh-day
Adventist Church as modern Israel. The following are two examples:
“Unmistakable evidence is given that God is a jealous God, and that he will require of modern
Israel as he did of ancient Israel, that they obey his law,” Ellen White warned. “For all who live
upon the earth is this sacred history traced by the pen of inspiration.” (Signs of the Times, May
27, 1880, emphasis supplied).
“This chapter [Jeremiah 3] is a lesson for modern Israel,” Ellen White wrote. “Let all who claim
to be children of God understand that He will not serve with their sins any more than He would
with the sins of ancient Israel. God hates hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong “
(Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 1154, “A lesson for Spiritual Israel.” See
also, Letter 34, 1899. (emphasis supplied).
(6) –A Sister To Babylon
Ellen White warned that we were in danger of becoming a sister to Babylon. In our study we
have learned that because the leadership has clasped hands with Evangelical Babylon in the past
fifty years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has become a sister to Babylon. (See, Bert B.
Beach and Lukas Vischer, So Much In Common, “Between the Seventh-day Adventist Church,
and the World Council of Churches,” Geneva, Switzerland, 1973). (Note:- A copy of the book,
So Much In Common, may be purchased from, Adventist Laymen’s Foundation, P. O. Box 69,
Ozone, AR 72854).
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We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy
practices are coming in among us in a large degree; and ministers who are handling sacred things are guilty
of sin in this respect. They are coveting their neighbors' wives, and the seventh commandment is broken.
We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted, and
filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird; and will we be clear unless we make
decided movements to cure the existing evil?
Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 21, page 380. (emphasis supplied). (See also, Testimonies on
Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, page 188).
“Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the
Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God,”
Ellen White warned, “and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal
churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of
God.” (ibid., MR, Vol. 19, p. 176, emphasis supplied).
(7) –The Remnant Of Israel
“Here is the patience of the saints,” the angel told John, “here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12).
“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb,” the angel said to John. “And in their mouth was found no
guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Revelation 7:14b; 14:5).
The remnant of Israel, those who hold high the banner on which is inscribed, “The
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” will triumph with the third angel’s message. The
latter rain may even now be falling around us. Soon the Loud Cry of the third angel will lighten
the world with the glory of God’s last message to planet earth. May you, dear reader, and I be
among those who are sealed by the man with the writer’s inkhorn by his side, and may we be
numbered with the remnant of Israel who “shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a
deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.”
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
for they shall feed and lie down, and none
shall make them afraid.
(Zephaniah 3:13).
THE MAN WITH THE
WRITER’S INKHORN --
And one man among them was clothed with linen,
with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.
(Ezekiel 9:2b)
hy is there a change in the waymarks of future events? Why has so many years
passed, and the Lord has not returned? Has God altered his end-time plan because
of our insubordination, our rebellion? The answer is “yes” to all three questions.
Because of the rejection of the 1888 message, which is a rejection of the “loud cry,”
modern Israel came to a modern-day Kadesh-barnea. God’s end-time plan would have to be
altered.
-- God’s Final Work For the End-Time Church --
In Ezekiel, chapters 8-11 is recorded God’s final work for the Church – not the corporate
Seventh-day Adventist Church –but His true remnant people who keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus. Three places in Testimonies for the Church, Volumes three, five and eight,
are recorded clear commentaries on Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of God’s final work for the Church.
We will note first the “time” element of these three testimonies.
The Time Of the Fulfillment Of Ezekiel’s Prophecy
In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 207, Ellen White comments on the ninth chapter
of Ezekiel. In the first two paragraphs of the chapter, “The Seal of God,” she quotes verses one,
the last part of verse three through verse six as follows:
“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to
draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.”
“And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the
Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a
mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in
the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city,
and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My
sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” [Ezekiel 9:1, 3b, 4-
6].
W
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Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 207.
After quoting these verses from Ezekiel 9, Ellen White identifies the time for the fulfillment of
this prophecy. “Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary to put on
garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have not responded
to the light God has given them.” (ibid., 5T, pp. 207, 208, emphasis supplied). The time-frame of
this prophecy is just prior to the close of human probation.
The Time Of the Nations
“Of the Amorites the Lord said: `In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full,’” Ellen White wrote. “Although this nation was
conspicuous because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity,
and God would not give command for its utter destruction. . . .” (ibid., 5T, p. 208, emphasis
supplied).
“The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the fourth generation,”
Ellen White continued. “Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon
them.” ((ibid., 5T, p. 208, emphasis supplied).
Notice that after God sends messages of warning to a nation or people, if there is no change, His
judgements will fall upon that nation. God is long-suffering with nations and His people, but
when the cup is full He will deal with the apostasy.
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account with all nations. While His mercy is
tendered with calls to repentance, this account will remain open; but when the figures reach a certain
amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath commences. The account is closed. Divine patience
ceases. There is no more pleading of mercy in their behalf.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 208. (emphasis
supplied).
The antecedent of the word “their” is the nations. “There is no more pleading of mercy in the
nations behalf.” Ezekiel is speaking of a time when mercy is no longer pleading for the nations.
Their account is closed. When is that time?
“The prophet, looking down the ages, had this time presented before his vision,” Ellen White replies.
((ibid., 5T, p. 208, emphasis supplied). What time? When mercy had closed for the nations, but
Jesus was still lingering at the mercy seat. What did we read in the Review and Herald of
December 13, 1892? “After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations,” then
certain events would take place!
“The nations of this age have been the recipients of unprecedented mercies,” Ellen White
concluded. “The choicest of heaven’s blessings have been given them, but increased pride,
covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are written against them. They are
fast closing up their account with God.” ((ibid., 5T, pp. 208, 209, emphasis supplied). Fulfilled”).
God Deals With the Apostasy In the Church
Mercy closes for the nations and then God confronts the Church. “Go through the midst of the
city, through the midst of Jerusalem [church], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that
sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” (Ezekiel 9:4).
The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in these last days. In this controversy men
in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They
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will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others
by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in
the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the
week. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 18, 1884.
Notice that the Lord has a controversy with “His professed people.” And when does the Lord
have a controversy with His professed people? “In these last days.” And in this last-day
controversy between God and His professed people, who is responsible for the apostasy? “Men in
responsible positions,” Ellen White replies. And what will these men in responsible positions do?
They “will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah.” The leadership of the
Church, the men in responsible positions, “will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath
themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom
and tradition.” But even more deplorable than that, “In churches and in large gatherings in the
open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week.” (ibid.,
Review and Herald, 3/18/84).
The Lord Has Departed From the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The command is: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a
mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in
the midst thereof.” These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had
reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled
their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still
continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 210.
(emphasis supplied).
What was the result of these sighing and crying ones who had been holding forth the words of
life; and who had reproved, counseled, and entreated? “Some who had been dishonoring God
repented and humbled their hearts before Him.” What about the majority of the Church? Do
they repent also? “But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still
continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.” Here we see a sad picture of
the end-time corporate Church. The few that were sighing and crying, and the “many” who still
continued the “forms of religion” What did the apostle Paul predict about the end-time Church?
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:5). And what was
Paul’s advice? “From such turn away.” (ibid.). And while the “many” continued in a form of
godliness “the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel [Church] . . . His power and presence
were lacking.” (ibid., 5T, p. 210).
“`My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory
have departed!’” the Heavenly Being said to Ellen White. “`For this cause there is weakness, and
strength is lacking.’” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, page 250, emphasis supplied).
In Volume five the Heavenly Being stated that “the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel.”
Volume eight states that “the divine presence and glory have departed!” The language of these two
statements indicate that the two statements are addressing the same thing. In a commentary on
Ezekiel 9 in Volume three of the Testimonies, Ellen White connects these statements.
“Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and fortyfour
thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply
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the wrongs of God’s professed people,” Ellen White wrote. “This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s
illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.”
(5T, p. 66, emphasis supplied).
It is obvious that Ellen White is referring to Ezekiel 9, verse 2. Volume five refers to Ezekiel 9.
Volume 3 refers to Ezekiel 9. Volume 8 uses the same language as these two testimonies in
Volume 5, and the time element is determined in Volume 5. These three testimonies are light
for this hour in which we stand near the close of human probation, and the probation for the
Church.
Three Testimonies On Ezekiel 9
Testimony From Volume 3
“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at
heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character,” Ellen White wrote. “They will always be on
the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in
the closing work for the church. . . .” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, page 266, emphasis
supplied).
Notice that it does not say “the closing work of the Church,” but the closing work “for” the
Church. Ellen White is not talking about 1,000 days of reaping! She is talking about a work
“for” the Church. What about this work for the Church?
“In the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault
before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people,” Ellen
White replies. “This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the
figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.” (ibid., 3T, p. 266, emphasis supplied).
From this statement we learn that God’s last work “for” the Church is “forcibly set forth by the
prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon
in his hand.” So God’s last work for the Church is a work of judgements upon the unfaithful.
“Mark this point with care,” Ellen White then states. “Those who receive the pure mark of
truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in
linen, are those `that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done’ in the church.” (ibid., 3T,
p. 267, emphasis supplied).
Notice that this time Ellen White does not say “sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be
done in the world,” but sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done “in the Church.” Why
should we not now sigh and cry for the abominations done in the world? Because the probation of
the nations is ended! (See, Luke 21:24). If the probation for the nations is closed, then whose
probation is still open? The probation of the Church is still open, but the close thereof is at
hand! Then who should we be sighing and crying for?
“Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of
the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and
crying,” Ellen White concluded. “Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.” (ibid., 3T, p. 267, emphasis
supplied).
Testimony From Volume 8
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In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be
judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not
correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings
conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the
sentence: “Found wanting.” By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.
Ellen G. White, “Shall We Be Found Wanting?” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, page 247. (St.
Helena, California, April 21, 1903).
If God has determined that the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church is going through to the
kingdom, then why does the Church have to face a judgement? Why does the Church have to
be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary to determine what the future of the Church is if the
“Church is going through?” Inspiration states that the Church is not going through without
facing a judgement.
Once the sentence “Found wanting” has been pronounced upon an organization or nation, what
is the hope of that organization? In ancient Babylon, when the hand appeared writing upon the
wall, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin,” what hope did the nation of Babylon have? Absolutely
none. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain, and Darius the Median took
the kingdom.” (Daniel 5:30, 31a).
The heavenly Teacher inquired: “What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are
building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things
according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that
takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit
and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while
in reality they are in need of everything.”
ibid., Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pages 249, 250).
Notice that it was a heavenly Being that spoke to Ellen White. It was a heavenly Teacher that
said, “Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men
who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof;
when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in
reality they are in need of everything.”
“God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless,”
Ellen White continued. “But many are crying, `Peace and safety,’ while sudden destruction is
coming upon them.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250).
Today we are told “Peace and safety,” and, “Stay by the ship, everything is going to work out.”
The heavenly Teacher called this message a “strong delusion,” and again, “a great deception, a
fascinating delusion.” (ibid.).
“Unless there is thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive
the truth as it is in Jesus, they will never enter heaven,” Ellen White warned. “When purification
shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased
with goods, in need of nothing.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250).
It should be noted that the testimony does not say “if” purification takes place in our ranks, but
“when” purification “shall” take place in our ranks. This again is a prophecy of God’s special
end-time work for the Church as recorded in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
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“Who can truthfully say: `Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world?’”
Ellen White asks. “I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness.”
(ibid., 8T, p. 250).
Note that the word “Instructor” is capitalized. This was a heavenly Being Ellen White saw.
What did this heavenly Instructor do?
“Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath,” Ellen White continued. “Then He
said to me: `Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of
character?’”
Leadership has continually covered-up their “defilement and rottenness of character.” The
Davenport fiasco was “covered-up,” along with huge investments that were lost in the Stock
Market. The huge billions of dollars indebtedness of the Adventist Health Systems has been kept
from the people. Many other examples could be documented.
“How is the faithful city [Church] become an harlot!” the heavenly Instructor said. “My Father’s
house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have
departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250, emphasis
supplied).
“How is the faithful city [the Church] become an harlot!” the heavenly Instructor said, and
further, “”My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence
and glory have departed!” And “for this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.” Is this
a true picture of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church? Yes indeed. This is a clear
picture of the corporate SDA Church at the present hour. Remember, this is the period referred
to as the sealing time, just prior to the close of human probation. Who can say that we live in an
hour when the Church is spiritually strong? Who can say that we live in an hour when the
Church is doing a mighty work, and is filled with the Holy Spirit? Upon attending any large
Seventh-day Adventist Church today the reader can clearly see that this Spiritless condition,
described by the heavenly Instructor, exists among those who claim to believe the third angel’s
message.
We have been conditioned to look to the future for great things to happen in the Church, yet the
great day of Seventh-day Adventist evangelism is past. In the past the great evangelists of
Adventism preached the message in three to six month series. During the 1940's and 1950's
great evangelists such as, Fordyce Detamore, Stanley Harris, J. L. Shuler, preceeded by Eveart
and Nightengale, held meetings during this era. The straight message was preached during those
days. A watered-down message was not preached as it is today. How do we know this? Because
there was great opposition to these faithful evangelists! Today there is no opposition. Indeed, there is
great cooperation between the contemporary Adventist Church and Evangelical evangelism.
Whitley Phipps, noted Adventist vocalist, was seen recently on a Billy Graham television crusade
from Russia. Official Adventist television programs are telecast regularly on “Trinity,” the
Pentecostal network. The “new” theology of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church is
accepted in Evangelical circles. Even the Roman Catholic Church is no longer disturbed by the
“new” Adventist evangelism.
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In times long past the Voice of Prophecy, Signs of the Times, These Times, the Youth’s Instructor, the
Review and Herald, Liberty, and other Adventist media presented the straight message –a straight
testimony, if you please. The Church was a faithful city. What happened? The concessions
made at the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56 is what happened! The Church became “an
harlot” by compromising with the Roman Catholic Church and the fallen Churches of Babylon.
“You shall know the altering of my purpose,” God said to ancient Israel. (Numbers 14:34). Are
we any better than ancient Israel? “We are repeating the history of that people,” Ellen White
replies. (5T. p. 160). “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Testimony From Volume 5
The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God’s visitation has about
come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light
will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin,
comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They
should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the
church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the
abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church
because its members are doing after the manner of the world.
Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 209. (emphasis supplied).
Notice that God’s true and faithful are not to rest in the truth at this time, but are to try and save
others. Also note that God’s true people are “the little company.” The little company’s prayers
arise in behalf of the church. Why is the little company praying in behalf of the church?
“Because its members are doing after the manner of the world.”
Dear reader, which company are you a part of? Are you a part of the many, who are doing after
the manner of the world? Or are you a member of the “little company” who are sighing and
crying over the abominations done in the Church, and who are praying for the majority who “are
doing after the manner of the world?”
“The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain,” Ellen White continued. “When the
Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved
the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world.” ibid., 5T, p. 210, emphasis
supplied).
Notice again that it is the earnest prayers of the “faithful few.” Throughout this testimony there
are the “many” and there are the “faithful few.” The faithful few are “all those who have
preserved the faith in its purity.” In other words, the faithful few are all those who hold to
historic Adventism, and keep “themselves unspotted from the world.” The majority follow
Church leadership into the “new” theology and compromise with the world. “It is at this time
that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He
bear long with them.” (ibid., 5T, p. 210, emphasis supplied).
The command is: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the
foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” These
sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some
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who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had
departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 210. (emphasis
supplied).
The small company who had been sighing and crying for all the abominations done in the
Church “had been holding forth the words of life,” and they had “reproved, counseled, and
entreated.” What was the result? Some believed and repented. Is there going to be a large and
popular response to the straight testimony, to the message of historic Adventism? No. In the
history of the world God’s true and faithful have always been small in number. Thus Jesus said,
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke
12:32).
What a picture. The glory of the Lord has departed from the Church. God’s power and presence
through the Holy Spirit are lacking. How can the Church be a witness to the world and bring
people to Christ if God’s power and presence is lacking? Many still continued the forms of
religion. The faithful few are sighing and crying, reproving, counseling, and entreating. Notice
that in this testimony there are three groups mentioned. The few, some, and the many. To
which group do you belong, dear reader?
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat,” Jesus warned. “Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14,
emphasis supplied).
Here again we have the many and the few. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are very clear
on this point. May we all be of the “few” who are sighing and crying for the abominations done
in the Church. May we not be found among the “many” who are doing after the world, and still
continue the forms of religion.
In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be
distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping,
reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness
everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to
obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the
unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and
alarm.
ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pages 210, 211. (emphasis
supplied).
The majority of the Church “try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great
wickedness everywhere prevalent.” God’s faithful few “will not hold their peace to obtain favor
of any.” They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity. There is nothing anyone can
do to halt the course of apostasy taken by the leadership of the Church. No Church in history
ever reformed once they started down the broad road and wide gate to perdition. Reform always
came out of the fallen Churches. Martin Luther had hoped to reform the Roman Catholic
Church, but realized that reform could only be accomplished outside the Church of Rome.
Will the Seventh-day Adventist Church reform? Will the supposed “Voice of God,” the General
Conference in session, reverse its decisions? Will they reverse their wrong decision that wedding
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rings are acceptable for Adventists? Will they return to the historic Adventist position on
reverent worship services, rather than “Celebration” Pentecostal style worship? Will they reform
and return from a worldly hospital system, now merged with the Roman Catholic system, to
country sanatoriums, as counseled by the Spirit of Prophecy? Will the leadership reform and give
up the “new” theology of “free grace” and teach the historic Adventist truth of obedience to
God’s law? Will leadership again teach the final atonement in the heavenly sanctuary, and the
historic Adventist teaching on the fallen human nature of Jesus Christ? Never! History testifies,
the Spirit of Prophecy testifies, that the Seventh-day Adventist organized Church will never, ever
again, return to historic Adventism. For fifty years the leadership has despised the teaching of
historic Adventism.
The Shaking Time
“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the
straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans,” Ellen
White prophesied. “This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to
exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.” (Early Writings, page 270, emphasis supplied).
The straight testimony is the meaning of the shaking and what it will do for the individual who
receives the message of the true witness. What then will cause the shaking?
“Some will not bear this straight testimony,” Ellen White replies. “They will rise up against it, and
this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.” (ibid., EW, p. 270, emphasis supplied).
It is a refusal to accept the straight testimony of the true witness, a failure to accept and return to
the historic Adventist truth, that will cause the shaking. But more precisely the shaking is
caused by those who will rise up against the straight testimony. “They will rise up against it, and
this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.”
My brethren, the value of the evidences of truth that we have received during the past half century [1844-
1900], is above estimate. These evidences are as treasure hidden in a field. Search for them. Study the
Bible truths that for fifty years [1844-1900] have been calling us out from the world. . . . Present this evidence
in clear, plain lines [the straight testimony]. Study the Word of God. Revive the evidences given in the
past. . . Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, April 19, 1906. (emphasis supplied).
Sins In the Church
“They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great
light,” Ellen White continued her commentary on Ezekiel nine. “They lament and afflict their
souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church.”
(ibid., 5T, pp. 210, 211, emphasis supplied).
Notice the testimony does not say these sins are in the world, but that they are in the Church.
Clearly this is a picture of the Seventh-day Adventist Church today. Again, why did she not say
“the world.” Because their account is closed.
Truth Is Made Of None Effect
“The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan
triumph,” Ellen White wrote. “God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect.” (ibid., 5T, pp.
210, 211, emphasis supplied).
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The truth is made of none effect. Not only that, but at this time the testimonies are made of
none effect.
Testimonies Are Made Of None Effect
“Satan's purpose is, through his devices, to make of none effect the testimonies of the Spirit of God,”
Ellen White warned. “If he can lead the minds of the people of God to see things in a perverted
light, they will lose confidence in the messages God sends through His servants; then he can the
more readily deceive, and not be detected.” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 12, page 201, emphasis
supplied).
“It was the spirit of Satan expressed in looks and words to make of none effect the Testimonies of
the Spirit of God,” Ellen White wrote. “`This,’ said the guide with me, `is the way any message
of Heaven will be treated.’” (Special Testimony, page 9, emphasis supplied).
Again notice that it was the Heavenly Guide who said, “This is the way any message of Heaven
will be treated.” And Ellen White stated that this was the spirit of Satan that would “make of
none effect the Testimonies of the Spirit of God.”
A Hatred Kindled Against the Testimonies
“There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic,” Ellen White warned.
“The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason:
Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if
the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded.”(Letter 40, 1890; See
also, Selected Messages, Bk. 1, page 48. (emphasis supplied).
The Very Last Deception Of Satan
“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God,”
Ellen White wrote. “`Where there is no vision, the people perish’ Prov. 29:18.” (Selected
Messages, Bk. 2, page 78, emphasis supplied).
“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of
others,” Ellen White continued her commentary on Ezekiel nine, “will be left without the seal of
God.” (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
If we do not mourn over the sins of others and look within to see our own spiritual condition we
will be left without the seal of God. And who, dear reader, can get into heaven without the seal
of God?
The Men With the Slaughtering Weapons In Their Hands
The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: “Go ye after him
through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and
little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.
Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.”
ibid., Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 211. (emphasis supplied).
“Here we see that the church--the Lord’s sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath
of God,” Ellen White commented. (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
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Where is the wrath of God going to come first? The Church, the Lord’s sanctuary. But
leadership tells us the Church is going through? But this is contrary to the Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy.
God’s Judgements Fall First On the Unfaithful Leadership
“The ancient men,” Ellen White continued, “those to whom God had given great light and who
had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust.” (ibid., 5T, p.
211, emphasis supplied).
The word “trust” has two meanings. (1) The trust of truth, and (2), the trust of funds. The
leadership betrayed their “trust” of the truth in the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56. The
Conference holds money in “trust” for the people. This is called the Conference Trust
Department. The leadership betrayed their trust in funds in the Davenport case, Harris Pine
Mills, investments in the Stock Market, and other monetary ventures.
“They [the leadership] had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked
manifestation of God’s power as in former days,” Ellen White continued. (ibid., 5T, p. 211).
Leadership no longer believes that God will take care of His work as He did in former days.
Leadership believes that they must pile up money to handle the problems facing the Church.
Invest in the Stock Markets. Invest in Post Offices, Disney Land, and other worldly enterprises.
Leadership now seeks help from the World Council of Churches, the world mission boards of
other denominations, and other entities to get Adventist missionaries into difficult areas. In
times past, prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit was all that was needed. But “times have
changed,” they say.
“Times have changed,” Ellen White quotes the leadership. “These words strengthen their
unbelief, and they say: `The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to
visit His people in judgment.’” (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
“The Lord is not going to destroy the Church!” leadership assures the laity today. “Don’t you
know, the Church is going through. Ellen White says so. God is not going to destroy Jerusalem.
The temple is going to stand forever. God made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
“Thus `Peace and safety’ is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a
trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins,” Ellen White
concluded. “These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an
offended God.” (ibid., 5T, p. 211, emphasis supplied).
If the testimony ended at this point it would not be quite so terrible. God must deal with a
leadership that refuses to “lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their
transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins.” The next sentence states, “Men, maidens, and
little children all perish together.” (ibid.). Why? Because, like Israel at the time of Christ, they
continued to identify themselves with an apostate Church, and they pass away with the system.
“It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed
with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others,” Ellen White
wrote. “They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they
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departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine
displeasure.” (ibid., 5T, p. 212, emphasis supplied).
“No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men
from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts,” Ellen White wrote. “Those
who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in
indifference and in the abuse of God’s mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and
in His wrath He deals with them without mercy.” (ibid., 5T, p. 212, emphasis supplied).
Notice the reference to apostate leadership in these two statements. (1) No superiority of rank,
(2) worldly wisdom, (3) position in sacred office, “will preserve men from sacrificing principle
when left to their own deceitful hearts.” God is angry with those leaders who “departed from
Him and led others into error,” and those who “prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy.”
“The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us,” Ellen White warned. “The seal of God will be
placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land.
Those who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will
surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. . . .” (ibid., 5T, p. 212, emphasis supplied).
What shall we do? What is the answer? “Our own course of action will determine whether we
shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons,” Ellen White
concluded. . . It is not left to another. It is our course of action, our decision whether we will
believe and obey, whether we will receive the seal of God and be saved.
God’s Altered Loud Cry
“How is the faithful city [Church] become an harlot!” That is God’s call. That is God’s loud cry.
God’s once faithful Church has rebelled, resisted, and therefore God has altered His purpose and
His plan. But He has a faithful few that He is going to take through and accomplish His
objective. Dear reader, are you going to be a part of that group?
The Seven Phases Of God’s People
In the history of God’s people there are seven phases described in Scripture and the Spirit of
Prophecy. (1) There is physical Israel. (2) There is spiritual Israel. (3) Reformation Israel. (4)
There is Laodicean Israel. (5) There is Modern Israel. (6) There is a sister to Babylon and an
image of the Papacy. (7) There is a faithful remnant of Israel.
(1) – Physical Israel
In our study we have learned that there is a physical Israel. They have been known for centuries
as the Jews. Their house was left unto them desolate when they crucified the Messiah. The
seventy weeks determined upon ancient Israel came to an end in A.D. 70. Today physical Jews
occupy the nation of Israel in Palestine, and the old city of Jerusalem is their capital.
(2) –Spiritual Israel
In our study we have learned that true Christians are spiritual Jews. (Romans 2:28, 29; Galatians
3:28, 29). The Christian church became spiritual Israel in A.D. 34, and was confirmed by the
out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
(3) –Reformation Israel --
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But there was apostasy in the church during the dark ages. The Antichrist was revealed in the
church itself. Because of this apostasy the Lord led His true people into the wilderness in the
great Reformation movement. (Revelation 12)
(4) –Laodicean Israel --
The Reformation movement faltered in the early nineteenth century and the Lord raised up the
great second Advent movement to finish the Reformation, and to herald to the world that the
time of God’s judgement had come. This end-time movement was to warn the world against the
beast and receiving his mark. But shortly after the great disappointment of 1844 this fourth
phase of Israel had become Laodicean.
“The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to our condition.” (Selected Messages, Bk. 1,
page 357, emphasis supplied).
“The message to the Laodicean church,” Ellen White wrote, “reveals our condition as people.”
(Review and Herald, December 15, 1904, emphasis supplied).
Will the [SDA] churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that
the most solemn message of truth--the third angel's message--is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin?
This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world. If the church of God becomes
lukewarm, it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen
and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and
hateful bird.
Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 19, page 176. (emphasis supplied).
“No longer remain in the condition of the Laodicean church,” Ellen White wrote. “In the name
of the Lord I call upon every family to show its true colors. Reform the church in your own
home.” (7T, p. 66).
(5) –Modern Israel --
Because of the Laodicean condition the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church has become
modern Israel. On the Ellen G. White CD-ROM there are 37 references to the Seventh-day
Adventist Church as modern Israel. The following are two examples:
“Unmistakable evidence is given that God is a jealous God, and that he will require of modern
Israel as he did of ancient Israel, that they obey his law,” Ellen White warned. “For all who live
upon the earth is this sacred history traced by the pen of inspiration.” (Signs of the Times, May
27, 1880, emphasis supplied).
“This chapter [Jeremiah 3] is a lesson for modern Israel,” Ellen White wrote. “Let all who claim
to be children of God understand that He will not serve with their sins any more than He would
with the sins of ancient Israel. God hates hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong “
(Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 1154, “A lesson for Spiritual Israel.” See
also, Letter 34, 1899. (emphasis supplied).
(6) –A Sister To Babylon
Ellen White warned that we were in danger of becoming a sister to Babylon. In our study we
have learned that because the leadership has clasped hands with Evangelical Babylon in the past
fifty years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has become a sister to Babylon. (See, Bert B.
Beach and Lukas Vischer, So Much In Common, “Between the Seventh-day Adventist Church,
and the World Council of Churches,” Geneva, Switzerland, 1973). (Note:- A copy of the book,
So Much In Common, may be purchased from, Adventist Laymen’s Foundation, P. O. Box 69,
Ozone, AR 72854).
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We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy
practices are coming in among us in a large degree; and ministers who are handling sacred things are guilty
of sin in this respect. They are coveting their neighbors' wives, and the seventh commandment is broken.
We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted, and
filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird; and will we be clear unless we make
decided movements to cure the existing evil?
Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 21, page 380. (emphasis supplied). (See also, Testimonies on
Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, page 188).
“Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the
Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God,”
Ellen White warned, “and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal
churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of
God.” (ibid., MR, Vol. 19, p. 176, emphasis supplied).
(7) –The Remnant Of Israel
“Here is the patience of the saints,” the angel told John, “here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12).
“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb,” the angel said to John. “And in their mouth was found no
guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Revelation 7:14b; 14:5).
The remnant of Israel, those who hold high the banner on which is inscribed, “The
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” will triumph with the third angel’s message. The
latter rain may even now be falling around us. Soon the Loud Cry of the third angel will lighten
the world with the glory of God’s last message to planet earth. May you, dear reader, and I be
among those who are sealed by the man with the writer’s inkhorn by his side, and may we be
numbered with the remnant of Israel who “shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a
deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.”
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
for they shall feed and lie down, and none
shall make them afraid.
(Zephaniah 3:13).
