The shaking in the Church
What is the shaking? It is a term used in the Old Testament for cleaning the husk from the kernels. The method used is when a farmer throws the husk up in the air and the husk become separated from the wheat kernels. The kernels are milled and thereafter used to make bread. The term is transferred to the Christian usage of separating the true Christians in the Church from the false Christians or those who are not dedicated to the message. The text used very often for this expression is taken from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. Now brethren concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first – – -.
On October 5, 2023, there was the Annual Council of all leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist church from all around the world, gathered in a location in California. On October 9, Ted Wilson, the General Conference President of the Seventh-day Adventist church preached about The Shaking, or apostasy, in our Church. He said he believes the shaking has begun now as he visits congregations in North America and around the world.
You can hear his sermon on Youtube.com under Ted Wilson, 9th October 2023, and the shaking.
We are in the process of some kind of shaking in the Seventh-day Adventist church, but is it this shaking that the Bible talks about? The text about the shaking comes from 2 Thessalonians 2,3.4.8.9. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2: 8.9. Then the lawless one will be revealed; whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the of the lawless one is according to the work of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.
The text begins with the apostasy, i.e., the shaking, and then with the man of sin or lawlessness will be revealed.
Let’s look at the word apostasy. It is άποστασία apostasia in the Greek and apostacy or rebellion in English. It means someone who goes against the faith of the teachings in the Bible and fall away.
The next word on our text is the man of sin or lawlessness is revealed.
Who is the man of sin or lawlessness?
It is the one who goes against the law of God, which is the Ten Commandments.
Who is the lawless one? According to the Bible and the history of Christianity, there is only one group of people who went against the Ten Commandments, and that is the papacy. Let’s look at Daniel 7:24.25. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from his kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He will speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.
The ten horns in symbolic language mean that they are ten kings or the ten tribes that started Europe. After them, another one must appear that is different from the previous ones. How is it different from the others? It is so that the papal power is not only a political power like the other ten tribes of Europe, but it is also a religious power. It says that the religious power must speak against the Supreme God. How? The papacy claims to be God’s representative here on earth, i.e., he speaks on God’s behalf here on earth. How did the papacy get the authority to be God’s vice regent here on earth? Through some false papers from the disciples.
It says in the text that he is striving to change times and law. What kind of law? Because the papacy is God’s vice regent here on this earth, he thinks he has the power to change the Ten Commandments which is God`s law, especially the fourth commandment, which is the Sabbath commandment from Saturday to Sunday. When the text says that he changes times, it means that he changes the days like the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, 24 hours, which is time. And law means God’s law, which is the Ten Commandments. The papacy admits it that it has changed the fourth commandment the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. For example:
What power changed times and law throughout the Middle Ages? The Catholic Church answers.
Question: Which is the Sabbath day? Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath. Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.
The Convert`s Catechism of the Catholic Doctrine. 1957 ed. p. 50.
Even more, the text in Daniel 7:25 says that then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. This is prophetic time we are talking about here. One time means one year, two times means two years, and half time means six months. One time, two times and half time is equal to 1,260 days or prophetic years, which extends from AD 538 to 1798.
According to Ezekiel 4:6, one day means a year in prophecy. 1,260 days means 1,260 years in prophecy. The papacy ruled 1,260 years through the Middle Ages from AD 538-1798.
The Bible is correct from the prophetic reckoning with the papacy being the little and another horn in Daniel 7:24, 25. The papacy admits that it has changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. That is why the Bible says that he is the man of lawlessness or sin.
OK! Now we have determined who the man of sin or lawlessness is, we can find out when he shall reveal himself.
2 Thessalonians 2:3.4.8.9. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God. Showing himself that he is God.
The word revealed means that the man of sin or lawlessness is to be revealed in the same manner as Jesus Christ is to be revealed at the second coming of Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:7. And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.
OK! How is the man of sin or lawlessness to be revealed?
He has changed God’s law regarding to the holy Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday. But here in the text at the time of the end, he is to be revealed by forcing people all over the world to keep Sunday as a holy day instead of Saturday. How? How?
We have had a worldwide climate conference in Dubai in November 2023. This is where King Frederik of Denmark had attended, and King Charles of England had attended. In fact, every country in the world had sent a representative to the climate change meeting in Dubai. It is possible that you are not interested in such meetings, but you must be interested, because there is going to be a prophecy fulfilled at those meetings at some point of time.
What do I mean?
It says in the book The Great Controversy by E. G. White, pages 589, 590. “While (Satan) appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until the populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. `The earth mourneth and fadeth away, ` `the haughty people . . . do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. ` Isaiah 24:4,5.
And then the great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that has provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God`s commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors. It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced.”
What is Ellen G. White referring to in this quotation in the book The Great Controversy? Climate change. And the cause of climate change is those who do not keep Sunday as a holy day. Who are they? Seventh-day Adventists.
How can people all over the world be forced to observe Sunday as a holy day?
It is the papacy that is behind this law.
Now you have to listen carefully. The Pope occasionally comes out on the world’s media with an Encyclical, i.e., a speech about his contemporary view of the world. Last year he came out with a talk about climate change and how he can find a solution to this problem in Laudate Deum #35.
The Pope’s Encyclical Laudate Deum #35. October 4. 2023.
35. It is not useful to confuse multilateralism with a world authority concentrated in one person or in an elite with excessive power: “When we talk about the possibility of some kind of world authority regulated by law, we don’t necessarily have to think about a personal authority.”[26] Above all, we speak of “more effective world organizations, equipped with the power to provide for the global common good, eradication of hunger and poverty and the secure defense of fundamental human rights”.[27] The problem is that they must be endowed with real authority in such a way as to “ensure” the achievement of certain essential objectives. In this way, multilateralism could emerge, that is not dependent on changing political conditions or a few interests, and which have a stable effectiveness.
He writes that there must be made a decision from the leaders of the climate meeting, that is they should choose a World Authority, an independent world government that will make regular laws against the countries that oppose to making changes in order to alter the world’s climate change.
These are the countries that will not stop using fossilizing fuel energy such as coal and oil, i.e., countries such as the United States, China and Russia. This World Authority or an independent world government from the climate meeting should have the power to punish these countries. Moreover, this World Authority or an independent world government which the pope presides over, should have the power to punish those who do not keep Sunday as a holy day. That is when we go by the prophetic writings from the Bible. The new pope Leo XIV also support his predecessor on the climate change policies. We don’t know if it will happen as I have just explained. But one can imagine that it could happen like this.
The Spirit of Prophecy through Ellen G. White writes in M.S. 135, 1902.
The man of sin, who thought of changing times and laws, and who has always oppressed God’s people, will see to it that laws are made to enforce the observance of the first day of the week (Sunday). But God’s people will stand firm before him. And the Lord will work on their behalf and clearly show that He is the God of the gods.
Let us stand firm in what is written in the Bible and in the spirit of prophecy.
In conclusion I will say that many of these indications and signs from the spirit of prophecy tell us that we are not in the shaking at the present time because of the straight testimony to the Laodicean message. Many are leaving the Adventist church due to other problems for example Dr. D.J.B. Trim gave a statistical report with figures to the General Conference Executive Committee meeting on October 13, 2024.
A total of 1.465 million new members were added to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 2023. This information was given to members of the General Conference (GC) Executive Committee by the director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, Dr. David Trim, when he presented the Annual Statistical Report on October 13, 2024.
Trim pointed out, “2023 saw the highest number of net accessions of any year in church history, exceeding the 1.383 million added in 2018.” The number of accessions is now back on the same level as it was prior to the challenging years (2020 and 2021) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although church members may rejoice over a large number of new members added to the fellowship, church growth is a function of both accessions and losses. In 2023, 836,905 persons who were alive and well, decided to leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church. That was the third highest year for net losses, with the peak in 2019 when the statistics show 1,107,514 persons leaving our fellowship.
The above article was copied from Adventist.news/seventh-day-adevntist-church-reports-record-growth-in-2023
This shaking which Ted Wilson is referring to and members leaving the church may be due to many factors: for example everyone who has access to the internet has been following Conrad Vine from Frontier Missions. He has been trying to help all the Adventist employees who were told by the General Conference leaders to have the corona vaccine or be fired, and have had side effects and in some cases so handicapped that they are unable to work.
Then there is the case of Ron Kelly the senior pastor from Village church Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA. He was fired from his ministerial work for not obeying the Michigan conference in disfellowshipping Conrad Vine from the Village church membership.
Even more, it seems like ADCOM in the General Conference have taken over the leadership and are supporting our hospitals all over the world which are subsidized through many local government funding. When this is the case then you have to obey the governments ruling on health care and vaccinations like corona for their employees.
Some years have passed since the corona crisis and now facts have revealed that Bill Gates and Anthony Fauci the health minister in the USA at that time came together and made a fortune out of selling vaccines all over the world to prevent this flu virus. A vaccine that does not work. And every hospital and medical doctor has been deceived through this ingenious plan for making millions of dollars for these two crooks. All these facts have been revealed by Robert F. Kennedy in his book The Real Anthony Fauci.
Now when you see the leadership in the Adventist church mishandling these cases and following the world, you say to yourself, “no wonder there are thousands leaving the Adventist church.”
On the website by www.fulcrum.com under the title Big News on Covid Vaccines and Mandates from the Federal Government is this article: Washington, D.C. – August 29, 2025 – In a seismic shift that’s sent shockwaves through the medical establishment, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has pulled the plug on Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 vaccines and issued a bold directive: states must honor religious exemptions for all vaccine mandates or risk losing federal funding. This double-barreled move, announced in the last week, is a direct challenge to Big Pharma’s grip on public health and a rallying cry for individual freedom of conscience.
This move by Kennedy tells me that God has everything under control even when ADCOM at the General Conference session 2025 refuses discussion from the floor about Covid-19 vaccine from the delegates. If ADCOM refuses discussion through the control of the chairman at the General Conference session then God takes another route and penalizes any organization who refuses Covid-19 vaccinations that they will be penalized and federal funding will be taken away from them.
This shaking is not the shaking which the Bible and Ellen G, White writes about. We have to wait for the straight testimony and many other signs from the spirit of prophecy to be fulfilled which I have outlined from Ellen G. White before we can say this is the Biblical shaking from 2 Thessalonians 2:3.4.8.9.
Ellen G. Whites quotes referring to the shaking time in the future of the Adventist church. Taken at random. www.whiteestate.org
- 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. 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. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God´s people.[1] So what is the message from Laodicea? John 3:14. And write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: This is what Amen, the trustworthy and true witness who is Jesus Christ, says. I know your works, you are neither cold nor hot. That is, cold in terms of witnessing for Jesus with evangelism. They do nothing. You are not hot, i.e. working with evangelism. They are not hot or cold, but lie in the middle, i.e. lukewarm. Verse 15. I wish you were either cold or hot! But now, since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
- I will have upon the ground, (says Satan,) as many agents, men holding false doctrines mingled with just enough truth to deceive souls. I will have also unbelieving ones present who will express doubts in regard to the Lord´s message of warning to His church. Should the people read and believe these admonitions, we could have little hope of overcoming them. But if we can divert their attention from these warnings, they will remain ignorant of our power and cunning, and we shall secure them in our ranks at last[2].
- God´s Spirit has illuminated every page of Holy Writ, but there are those whom it makes little impression, because it is imperfectly understood. When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand[3].
- The experience of the past will be repeated. In the future, Satan´s superstitions will assume new forms. Errors will be presented in a pleasing and flattering manner. False theories, clothed with garments of light, will be presented to God´s people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be hypnotized[4].
- Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord´s side (this includes Protestants and Catholics)[5].
- Let those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ now take their position. Come out from among them, and be ye separate[6].
- My attention was then turned to the company I had seen who were mightily shaken – – -. The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way – – -. The careless and the indifferent – – – . Their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks[7].
- I asked what made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel[8].”
- When the law of God is made void, the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils[9].
- We are in the shaking time – – -. If we make no effort to win souls to Christ we shall be held responsible for the work we might have done, but did not do because of our spiritual indolence[10].
- Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness – – -. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men[11].
- Many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd[12].
- The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while sinners in Zion will be sifted out[13].
- He said, “the leaders in the church would all fall through self exaltation, and another class of humble men would come to the front, who would do wonderful things – – –[14].”
- So apostacy in the church will prepare the way for the image of the beast. (Sunday Laws). [15].
- They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests – – –[16].
- And at that time (terrible crisis) the superficial conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce their faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, towards whom their sympathies have long been tending[17].
- Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren[18].
- Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the work of God[19].
- The shaking must soon take place to purify the church(20).
- There are several members who do not believe in Ellen G. White as a prophetess or her writings, especially the book The Great Controversy. It is not a requirement among our 28 doctrinal points, but it does cause problems when we talk about the three angels’ messages and our view of the future in the book of Revelation(21).
- Revival of primitive Christianity among our members. Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these Churches. Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth, there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of true primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those Churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word.”(22).
- Latter Rain “I heard those clothed with the armor speak the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted for them. They had been hungering and thirsting for the truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”(23).
- The loud cry. Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The labourers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the Church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the Church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven.(24).
- Many other members from other denominations take their place. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children og God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, Church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord´s side (25).
- Many who have left the church like our children come back to the faith. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the Shepherd`s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd (26).
- Some leaders in our church community leave their post and become our worst enemies. As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel`s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of it`s spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren (27).
- Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out-the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place (28).
- He (God) knows whether or not those for whom petitions are offered would be able to endure the trial and test that would come upon them if they lived. He knows the end from the beginning. Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon our world (29). (Many elderly people and children will be put to sleep into death before that day of the great tribulation comes, because God understands that they cannot go through such tribulation.)
The doctrine of Perfection: In all the years I have been an Adventist, there has been a group of Adventists who believe in the doctrine of perfection. These are the people who believe that one is born perfect, and one can reach perfection with Christ`s help while being a human being. These people have not read the entire Bible or Ellen G White’s writings about perfection. Both sources of literature write very clearly about being born a sinner (Psalm 51:7). Isaiah 48:8), because we have inherited sin from Adam (Romans 5:12). We can reach perfection only when we give our lives to Jesus Christ and we are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. We become perfect when we are covered by Christ`s righteousness and not by any other method.
The teaching on the three persons of the Godhead: There are other church members who do not believe that the Godhead consists of three persons such as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Again, the Bible and Ellen G. White are very clear on this topic. Those members who do not believe that the Godhead consists of three persons trust only in what our Pioneers believed, and that was Arianism. If you read the Bible and Ellen G. White on the subject, there is no problem, because both believe that the Godhead consists of three persons.
Some of our theologians don’t believe in 1,260 days/year prophecy anymore. It was when Bacchiocchii was alive that he asked some theologians at Andrews University if they believed in the 1,260 days/year prophecy that marked the Middle Ages from 538-1798. There were several who said, “no!” For example, Hans La Rondelle, Robert Johnson, Jon Paulien, Ranko Stafanovic, Zdravko Stefanovic. This information was on Bacchiocchii’s website at the time he was alive.
Jon Paulien said that the Sunday Law was written for those living in Ellen G. White’s time and not for our time. (https://revelation-armageddon.com Tag Archives: Sunday laws in prophecy – Jon Paulien`s Blog)
Further citations from Ellen G. White about the shaking:
The following book abbreviations can be found on www.whiteestate.org Write the book abbreviation and page number in “search”.
“When the shaking comes, by introduction of false theories, the surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into position to suit the turn of their feelings and bitterness – – -.”[30]
“Those SDA´s who take their stand under Satan´s banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs in the Testimonies of God.”[31]
“It is Satan´s plan to weaken the faith of God´s people in the Testimonies, next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures and then the downward march to perdition.”[32]
“Ministers and doctors will depart from the faith.”[33]
Matthew 24:24. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (False prophets can refer to false Christian churches. The elect are Christians).
Matthew 13:24-30. 36-43. The parable of the wheat and the tares. Verse 30 The wheat and the tares grow together in the church until the harvest at the Second Coming of Christ.
Luke 18:8. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angels message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who one rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.”[34]
Now what does Ellen G. White mean here in this text in the book Confrontation page 608 when she is referring to a large class which will leave the Adventist church? A large group or a large class are the same thing. If a group of people consisting of 100 people are divide into two, they are evenly grouped. That is 50 people into each group or class. If one group is under 50 people, they are in the minority and this is called a small group. If the group is over 50 people, they are in the majority, this is called a large group or class. A large group or class means over 50%, or 50% to 75% of the church will leave the Adventist church before the Second Coming of Christ.
We are talking about over 50% to 75% of the leadership in the Adventist church; over 50% to 75% of the teachers and theologians in our universities and schools: over 50% to 75% of our pastors in our churches; over 50% to 75% of medical doctors and nurses in the hospitals.
“And at that time (of terrible crisis) the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies toward whom their sympathies have long been tending.”[35]
Now when the tares or weeds are sifted out from the wheat in the church and many of the members and little ones have been laid to rest,[36] [37] there are not many members left. That is where we stand as a church before the Second Coming of Christ. The majority of the Adventist Church have joined the Harlot and that is the worldwide Ecumenical Church. That is why when Jesus comes back to this earth, he says in Luke 18:8. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?
However, having stated these quotes from Ellen G. White which are negative as regards to the Seventh Day Adventist church, we can conclude on a positive quotation from her book “Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord´s side.”[38] Where does this large number come from? From sincere believers in the Roman Catholic Church, the fallen protestant church and all Christian churches worldwide.
I am being realistic when analyzing the text of the Bible from Luke 18:8 and the quotes from Ellen G. White. What constitutes an honest Christian in the book of Revelation? It is he who keeps the commandments of God and has the faith of Jesus Christ. But is that enough?
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angels message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition.”[39] What does “sanctified through obedience to the truth” mean in this quote? It means faith without works is dead. It is cheap grace. Faith without witnessing for Christ as a lifestyle, is cheap grace and is dead according to the Bible.
What about the two passages in scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-9 and in James 2:14-17, which many avoid.
Ezekiel 33:7-9. So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for me. Verse 8. When I say to the wicked, “O wicked man, you shall die!” and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Verse 9. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. There are not many sermons preached on this text in the Adventist church, because it involves personal witnessing to the public. If we do not witness to our friends and neighbors, then the responsibility lies with us and this may prevent us coming to heaven because of our selfishness.
James 2:14-17. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Verse 17. Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. This is the problem with the Laodicean Church in the book of Revelation 3:14-22. They believe in the Bible, but do not practice all what it says in the Bible. Jesus says he will vomit this church out of his mouth. The church spoken about in Rev 2:1-7 to the church at Ephesus. Verse 2.3. I know your works, your labor, your patience – – -. And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name´s sake and have not become weary. Verse 4, that you have left your first love.
What is this first love Christ is talking about in this text? It is where every member of the church is revealing the love for Christ and the works of Christ´s example to others. Helping people in need and preaching the gospel through witnessing.
Helping people and witnessing is not the same as attending church and sitting in the pews every week and going home and doing nothing for Christ. In fact, there is no record of any church building in the New Testament. All the believers met in homes, which are some of the most welcoming, comforting and most friendliest places on earth. They never met in a cold churches, where one cannot communicate with more than 12 members, at a time, each week.
The first church building was built in AD 250. That is 250 years after Christ and this kind of church setup continued into the great age of Basilicas designed by man, to show his great pride in what he can achieve. Furthermore, we have inherited from the Roman Catholic Church a set up where the priest stands up on a platform and preachers a sermon every week, while the members sit on their benches and say amen! This is the high point for all church members each week. But this was not so, during the times of Christ and the apostles. The early church did not have a church building on every street corner in their home town. The early believers met in homes on a weekly basis, and all participated in the church service and witnessing for Christ to the public. This is how the church expanded like dynamite in Israel and the diaspora during the first century.
So the problem with my own church is, the majority are not witnessing for Christ. They are becoming like the harlot, worshipping God on a weekly basis in large churches. “By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side.”[40]
What we need is, to get back to the time of the New Testament and practice on a daily basis witnessing for Christ, helping anyone in need, and inviting them into our homes for a meal and get together. OK!
(1) Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., 1945), 270
[2] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1962), 475.
[3] Ibid, 112.
[4] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 8 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1948), 293.
[5] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 608.
[6] Ibid, 612.
[7] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 8, 41
[8] White, Early Writings, 271.
[9] Ibid, 271.
[10] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol. 2 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., 1958, 368.
[11] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 6 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948), 332.
[12] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 5 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948),80.81.
[13] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 6, 400.401.
[14] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol. 2, 380.
[15] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 444.
[15] White, Early Writings, 270.
[16] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 4 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948),87.88.
[17] Ellen G. White, Testimony Treasures Vol. 2 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1949), 164.
[18] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 608.
[19] Ellen G. White, Christian Service (Washington D.C. General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1947), 228.
(20) Ellen G. White, 2 Spiritual Gifts (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald, 1945), 284.
(21) Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol. 3 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1980), 84.
(22) Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, 464.
(23) Ellen G. White, Early Writings, 271.
(24) Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, 606.
(25) Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, 612.
(26) Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church. Vol 6, 400. 401.
(27) Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, 608.
(28) Ellen G. White, Selected Messages volume 2, 380.
(29) Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health. Page 375.
[30] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1962), 112.
[31] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol 3. (Washington D. C.: Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1980), 84.
[32] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 4. (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948), 211.
[33] Ellen G. White, Last Day Events (www.whiteestate.org),179.
[34] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 608.
[35] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5. 463.
[36] Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1951), 375.
[37] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol. 2. 259.
[38] White, Confrontation, 612.
[39] Ibid., 608.
[40] Ibid., 608.