When does the Shaking take place?
Ted Wilson the president of the General Conference for Seventh -day Adventist gave a talk at the Annual Council for Adventist leaders all around the world in October 2023. You can hear his talk on YouTube.com. He believes from his observations in the world church that we are experiencing the Shaking now. Liberal theology is entering the church and many of our Adventist ministers are believing in it and advocate in their talks at ministerial meetings. I have spoken to a few respected ordained ministers in the church and they say it is true what Ted Wilson is saying.
The shaking in the Church
This is where the shaking of the church takes place. 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 – – -.
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[8].
- 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[9].
- 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[10].
- 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[11].
- 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[12].
- Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord´s side (this includes Protestants and Catholics)[13].
- 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[14].
- 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[15].
- 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[16].”
- 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[17].
- 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[18].
- 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[19].
- Many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd[20].
- The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while sinners in Zion will be sifted out[21].
- 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 – – –[22].”
- So apostacy in the church will prepare the way for the image of the beast. (Sunday Laws). [23].
- They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests – – –[24].
- 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[25].
- 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[26].
- 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[27].
Daniel 11:41. “these they shall escape from hand of him Edom and Moab and adjacent land of the sons of Ammon.”
Edom: Another name for Esau because he sold his birth right to Jacob his younger brother. Therefore, the Edomites were related to the Israelites. Their land was situated south of the Dead Sea.
Moab: Genesis 19:30-37 Moab was the son of Lot´s oldest daughter with Lot being the father. The Moabites therefore were related to the Israelites. Lot was Abraham´s nephew Genesis 12:5. The Moabites lived south east of the Dead Sea.
Ammon: These people descended from Ben-Ammi son of Lot by his youngest daughter. Genesis 19:38. The Ammonites therefore were also related to the Israelites. Ammons land was situated north east of the Dead Sea.
When applying these tribes to the present day one can only speculate who they represent. People, who are related to Christians, but are not called Christians and they believe in God.
(8) Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., 1945), 270
[9] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1962), 475.
[10] Ibid, 112.
[11] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 8 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1948), 293.
[12] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 608.
[13] Ibid, 612.
[14] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 8, 41
[15] White, Early Writings, 271.
[16] Ibid, 271.
[17] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol. 2 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., 1958, 368.
[18] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 6, 332.
[19] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 5, 80.81.
[20] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 6, 400.401.
[21] White, Selected Messages Vol. 2, 380.
[22] White, Confrontation, 444.
[23] White, Early Writings, 270.
[24] White, Testimonies to the Church Vol. 4, 87.88.
[25] Ellen G. White, Testimony Treasures Vol. 2 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1949), 164.
[26] White, Confrontation, 608.
[27] Ellen G. White, Christian Service (Washington D.C. General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1947), 228.