In our first article in this five part series we stated that we will examine the evidence that is before our eyes that the church remains in a Laodicean condition. We have presented information regarding the church's work in the fields of education, health, and publishing. When comparing what we are doing to what God instructed us to do, we find that often we have not been following the light given. There is one last field that is most important that we will discuss today, the work of the ministry. We saved it til last since it is responsible for all of the other fields. Ordained leaders in the church, like the leaders in Israel of Old, have perverted the foundation of our faith, the gospel.

The perversions in Israel were so successful that even John the Baptist did not know the "Lamb" had to die. Today, many in leadership positions do not understand self must die. There are too many who believe and teach that man will be saved even when not repentant of a known sin.

The context of our series is the method the church has chosen to illustrate that which it deems most important.

The fundamental belief

The church has presented important doctrinal matters as our "Fundamental Beliefs." We believe it important to address the fundamental belief, and to do it in a manner that does not allow what Paul describes as "another gospel" to be preached in our pulpits and published on our presses. There are many pastors and church administrators that are "accursed" as Paul puts it, because they preach "another gospel." "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8, 9.

Church leaders know there have been and are, conflicting "gospels" being preached and printed on our presses ever since 1888 when the church leadership rejected the gospel message and defended the preaching of the law without the grace of God. Jesus had been left out of the message so much that the church was as dry as the hills of Gilboa. _[1] In those days when the prophet was in the church, the primary heresy being fed to the church was a legalistic theology. Today, we still have legalism being taught, but the predominate heresy is the "Evangelical gospel" which is no gospel at all. The church has been taught that one is saved in their sins. As a popular minister used to put it, "we teach relationship theology." What did he mean? When asked if a person sinned on Monday, and did not repent until Friday, did he retain his justification (salvation) prior to repentance, his answer was "yes." This is not once saved always saved, but it surely has the same foundation, that an unrepentant sinner has eternal life.

Another influential pastor published a book with this statement being made prominent: "The monstrous teaching in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is that when one sins, he must be re-justified." I looked through the book while standing in an Adventist Book store at one of our camp-meetings. I have labored with the pastor unsuccessfully a number of times. He influenced one of our past General Conference presidents with his message that one is saved even when he sins a known sin.

There is a reason why the church remains in a Laodicean condition. "They that are whole have no need of the physician" (Mark 2:17). The Laodicean believes he is rich and increased with goods, but knows not that he is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. This is what happens when one is instructed that he is saved even when he sins a known sin. Since he already has salvation, then he must already have Jesus. So, he is not looking for Jesus to save him, because he believes he is already in a converted state.

Not being converted, he is not hot. And, believing he is saved, he is not cold. He is what Jesus calls "lukewarm," and hard to reach. But, Jesus who is not in the heart, does not forsake the Laodicean, He stands at the door of the heart, knocking. He continues to call to the unrepentant sinner until he surrenders, or hardens his heart to the point he cannot hear that "still small voice" calling. It is a dangerous position to be in. Jesus warns "because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16. The professing Christian is close to having his probation closed, not because Jesus says so, but because his heart is being hardened each time he resists the call of the Spirit to repent.

It may be hard to believe that most in the church are not converted, but it will be easier to understand when we comprehend what Jesus is saying to Laodicea, and when we consider the success of Satan when perverting the truths entrusted to Israel. He was so successful at perverting the gospel message that when Jesus came to His own, they knew Him not. Poor Peter, on their last trip to Jerusalem, he attempted to stop Jesus. He was so deceived that after three and half years with the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, he did not know Jesus had to die that he might be saved. Such a deception! So it is in God's church today.

If we look back over church history, we will find that even when the prophet was in the church, there were few who were truly converted. "The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason

The new birth is a rare experience

why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ." _[2] The "new birth" occurs when one fully surrenders the whole heart to Christ and is born again of the Spirit. The "old man" dies and there is a new creature abiding in Christ Jesus. When this happens, the "baby" Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and possesses every one of the fruits of the Spirit, not one is missing. _[3] He is morally perfect in Christ Jesus. His motives are pure and holy, even though he may eat the wrong food, wear the wrong clothes, and keep the wrong day out of ignorance. It is the heart, the whole heart, that Christ wants. And, at conversion, it is a full heart surrender that is the end of a long protracted process of wooing by the Holy Spirit. The battle does not end there. It is a daily matter that we cling to Christ with the whole heart. If we allow the mind to wander away from Jesus, we end up in the water just as Peter did when his eyes wandered off of Christ. He is our only hope and our only strength.

As we share this message, some will see the need to do something with our Fundamental Beliefs. For, as it

Two forks in the road

was with the fundamental belief on creation, it was not clearly stated until 2015 in San Antonio, so it is with the gospel message. It is not clearly articulated in a manner so that the church can understand the plan of salvation. Many are confused and others are deceived. Satan often has two forks in the road, left and right, so that he can lead both sides of an argument away from the straight and narrow path that leads to heaven.

 

In 1888 Jesus was attempting to awaken an apostate church to the gospel message. _[4]. The church did not respond. God does not work mightily to bring into His church the multitudes waiting to come in. When they enter a church which does not walk in the light, many leave never to return. As a people, we are charged with calling the faithful out of Babylon. The problem must be fixed before the Lord will work with great power.

What was the message in 1888? It was the gospel, justification by faith, righteousness by faith, the righteousness of Christ, the loveliness of Jesus, or Christ in the law. What was missing then, Jesus in the heart, is what is missing now. This explains why we are still here on this dark spot in the universe over a hundred years later. We are wandering in the wilderness much longer than did Israel. The sorrow and suffering of a lost world can be laid at the foot of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It all could have ended when the gospel message was presented in 1888, but it did not. And, we continue on with WWI, WWII, and the many others since. Look at the misery in the world. Why does it last? Why does Jesus delay His coming? Because we have  not done that which He has entrusted to us.

When the church was being formed, we were given a message to take to the world. What is that message we were given in 1844? The Bible tells us: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:6,7.

This is the first of three messages which is to go to the world. The three messages are to be given in their order. Notice how this first message is given. It begins with the proclamation of the gospel. Satan has worked hard to pervert that important message which brings salvation to all who will accept it. He has also caused the three messages to be given out of order and often more importance is placed on the other two messages. Yes, it is true that many have tried to cover up the last two messages, as they present a perverted gospel in and out of the church. What we are pointing out is that the gospel message is that which is of greatest importance and it is to be given first. It reveals to the world that we love God and are indeed His people. When they see a church that is presenting Christ as the solution to their problems, and a people who reflect His character, then they will be open to hearing about their false religion and the mark of the beast.

Incorporated into that first angel's message is the fact that "the hour of His judgment is come." What does this mean? We need to better understand, for many have followed in the path of Desmond Ford and reject this truth. "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Daniel 7:9, 10.

Many have never been instructed as to what this means. Others have been mis-instructed. Jesus went from the Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary into the Most Holy Place where He began a work of judgment, and he

He that is righteous, let him be righteous still

also began a work to purify a people to stand through a time of trouble such as never was. And, they will do so without a Mediator. What does it mean to not have a Mediator? It means that after the heavenly sanctuary has been cleansed of sin, Jesus throws His censor down, steps out, and there will be no more mediation between God and sinners. In other words, none will ever be forgiven after that time. The Bible tells us about this time: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11. The character is fixed no matter who teaches otherwise. Jesus is not going to change the character of anyone when He comes to take His faithful children home. Those who have not perfected a Christian character will not come up in the first resurrection.

How is Jesus going to prepare a people to stand without a Mediator? He is revealing today the power of His grace to transform sinners into saints. And, yes, to many pastors this is heretical. But, it is not. God's grace can convert and it can keep one from sinning eternally. The character of Moses just before he died, in sinful flesh far exceeded that of Adam before he fell when he lived in holy flesh. Upon what temptation did Adam fall? He ate of the forbidden fruit. How difficult a temptation was that for one who lived in holy flesh? Moses lived in fallen flesh and lived for years as a faithful servant under great trial. "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house." Numbers 12:6,7.

There is no excuse for sin. God's grace is sufficient for whatever temptation He allows to come to us if we are

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin"

abiding in Christ. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  1 Cor 10:13. Let us cease making excuses. It falsely represents God and His grace. He has not been unfair in demanding obedience from his creatures as Satan has charged. We can keep His commandments through His grace when we give up self and allow Christ to have possession of the whole heart. When Jesus abides in us, we will not sin. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 1 John 3:9.

Jesus is waiting for you, dear friends. Whether you be pastor or church member, you are to be His witnesses of the power of grace. When the world sees you converted, then they will know there is a God in heaven who loves them. "Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O

I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes

house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes....Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:22,23,25-27.

We have presented grace as the power that transforms, that converts the sinner into a saint, but that does not explain fully enough what we must do in order to have this grace. When we read of the strong rebuke handed to Nicodemus that evening in the garden, we understand that it was to bring him to the point of seeing he was lost. He was surely in the Laodicean condition prior to Jesus' reproof when He told him he needed to be born again. Imagine the surprise to this wealthy leader in Israel! To tell someone they are dead in trespasses and sins is needful, but to leave them without instruction as to how to be born again would be wrong. Did Jesus instruct Nicodemus in what he must do in order to be saved? Or, did Jesus just leave him thinking God would do it all? Is that not what we have heard, that God does it all? If God does it all, then all would be saved. But, not all will be saved. What then must I do to be saved? What did Jesus tell Nicodemus after telling him he was lost?

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the

That which is born of the Spirit is spirit

We must love Him with the whole heart

die? Did He not pay the price? Why would I have to do anything? We often read that our salvation rests totally upon what Jesus has done for us? And, we are not saved by our good works, but by what Jesus has done for us. If we have nothing to do, and our salvation rests totally on what Jesus has done, then why would not everyone be saved? We must have something to do. While we cannot save ourselves there is something we must do in order to be saved. We must learn of God, we must love Him with the whole heart. We cannot love someone with the whole heart without knowing them.

Did you come into this world with an understanding of who God is? Or have you had to learn of Him? If you were a Baptist, then you would have been taught that God will burn for eternity all who do not accept Jesus as Savior. Is this the correct character of God? How did you discover His true character? And, if you trusted in what others told you, then you would probably have a wrong knowledge of the character of God. If you do not trust God because of who you think He is, then you will not be in heaven. For we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 ). God has revealed in the Bible how it is that we can gain a faith that does trust Him. The Bible is a revelation of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1,14. So it is by reading in the Bible that we will learn of Him, of His glory. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.

If we want to know God, we have been given a revelation of Him in Scripture. Let us continue on with the lesson in the wilderness. We asked why would looking upon Jesus uplifted on the cross save us? Does this have anything to do with the character of God? It most certainly does. When God allowed His innocent Son to come to this dark spot in the universe, a helpless baby subject to the weakness of humanity, to the fight the battle of life as we must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss, it reveals who He is and how much He loves us. That our God would suffer for us while we were yet sinners is more than the love a mother has for her child, it is unmerited love for His enemies. This is the grace that saves.
 

We who have been bitten by sin must "look and live"

But, grace cannot save even though it surrounds us as thick as the air we breathe if we do not receive it. We must behold it. When we read of Jesus suffering on the cross, this grace breaks the heart. It is this that transforms the sinner into a saint. We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Sadly, we are dull of mind and forget easily what God has done for us. Therefore, we must be reminded daily. We must drink His blood and eat His flesh daily if we want to maintain our connection with Christ. Back to the wilderness example. It is by looking that we are saved. Like those bitten by serpents, we who have been bitten by sin must "look and live." This is what Jesus wanted to impart to Nicodemus. Nicodemus must look upon Jesus uplifted on the cross if he wanted to have eternal life.

This principle is revealed in Scripture, and has been kept a secret from many who are seeking salvation. "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18. It is a spiritual and an intellectual truth that by beholding we become changed. The young men who spend much time on computer games are being influenced by what they behold. It is changing their characters. If they behold violence, then this is making them what they are. So it is by beholding Jesus on the cross, we will be transformed into His character day by day. This is what is meant by Christ "imparting" His righteousness to repentant sinners. We will be changed in character today if we will spend a thoughtful hour contemplating His life, especially the closing scenes. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. As we feed upon Jesus, we will know Him better. We will trust Him more. When we trust Jesus with all we have and all we are, then we are converted. But, we must be reconverted every day. "I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31. We need Jesus continually in order to do any good thing.

Those in the ministry will benefit from the warning given by John the Baptist to a Laodicean priesthood and

Take to heart the Laodicean message

administrators. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Matthew 3:7-10. We each need to take to heart the Laodicean message and ask God to search our hearts and reveal to us if it applies to me before we make application to others.

You may say that Jesus was not like John the Baptist, He was full of love, but you err. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers." Matthew 23:27-32.

 

There is a blessing in this message from Jesus. He did love the sinner and there were tears shed for these men. After the cross many of these priests were converted. So it will be today. When the Laodicean message is

Some will not bear this straight testimony

given in the church, there will be pastors who will accept it and be converted. The message from the True Witness will bring about revival and reformation. It will also cause a shaking in the church. "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 will cause a shaking among God’s people. The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified." _[5]

Addressing the pastoral ministry and conference leaders we quote from the Spirit of Prophecy what is needed

The power of the grace of Christ to transform the life

to make our institutions such that much glory goes to God. "The choicest productions of art possess no beauty that can compare with the beauty of character which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s working in the soul....Our institutions will give character to the work of God just according to the consecrated devotion of the workers—by revealing the power of the grace of Christ to transform the life."_[6] We may kick the can down the road and leave our institutions to fail at their entrusted mission. Or, we can bring revival and reformation to the church. While it is true that the leadership of the church begins at the local church with their delegates to the conference constituency meetings, it is also true that it is hard for a church to rise above its pastor. Thus, which comes first, a revival in the ministry or revival of the local church? God help the church ministers if it does not begin with them. Seventh-day Adventist ministers stand on vantage ground. They have been blessed with time to pray, time to study, time to minister to others, and resources that enable them to understand not only the foundation of our faith, but advanced light that no other denomination has.

What will be the end of those who accept the responsibility for precious souls in their care? It they are not converted and remain so, it will not be good. "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings." Jeremiah 4:4. "Ministers are in danger of becoming lax in regard to the responsibilities that rest upon them. They need to bear in mind that it takes more than powers of oratory to make a minister an ambassador for Christ. The church and the world look to the pastor for an example in self-denial and cross-bearing and devotion to God. Indolence, fitfulness, irresolution, disqualify him for the position of a minister of God." _[7]

If our pastors are converted they will have many stars in their crowns. Many of our faithful pastors are fighting a fierce battle to overcome the influence in the church that is leading away from the gospel of grace. We need to know what is being taught in the church and we need to stand with those who are faithfully

Faithful pastors are fighting a fierce battle

teaching the real gospel. It is a battle for life. Multitudes are being led to perdition by the false gospels. They bring no peace, no joy, and no life.

Let us close with a short history lesson that reveals what God attempted to do in the past.  We will see that Jesus presented the solution to the church which is what was presented in the message to the Laodicean Church in the Book of Revelation. The message presented in 1888 was rejected by church leadership and has not been accepted since. Let's examine 1888 more closely as it relates to the Laodicean message which will bring revival and reformation to God's church. _[8]

In 1888 we find a Laodicean church which had been preaching the law, the law, the law until she was a dry as the hills of Gilboa. Unless Jesus is the center of our message, there will be little success in reviving a dead, dry church. The Valley of Dry bones found in Ezekiel chapter 37 aptly represents God's church today, as it did in 1888. The law has no power to save, it is the standard by which our character is measured. It is the "schoolmaster" that points us to the solution for our dead spiritual condition, Jesus Christ. We must present Jesus as Savior. We must present Jesus in the law.

Ellen White did not change her theology in 1888. She had already been preaching the gospel of grace. She was a faithful messenger sent of God. She was tried fiercely for many years as God's servant, just as Moses had been as God's servant. She understood the condition of God's church. It had been backslidden for many years prior to 1888. What was needed was the simplicity of the gospel. Yes, just the simplicity of the gospel.

Church in Battle Creek  is like the valley of dry bones

This was the message given in 1888 by Ellen White, A.T. Jones, and E.J. Waggoner. How did the leaders in Battle Creek react? In December of 1888 after the meetings had closed she wrote:"Our first meeting was not like any other General Conference I ever attended. The thought that some of our brethren ventured to entertain some ideas contrary to those of the leading brethren filled the minds of some of our brethren with such prejudice that they could not with any fairness even come to an investigation of the positions of our faith with anything like Christian feelings. It was more after the order developed by the priests and rulers and Pharisees in the days of Christ.......I have been working as I never worked before. I have felt that something must be done or many souls will be lost. This church in Battle Creek is like the valley of dry bones. They need to be stirred with some power to give them life. Why we have had to work and pray and work even to have Brother Jones obtain a hearing in Battle Creek, and many of our leading men were provoked after they heard him talk to think that there were those in responsible positions who would close the door to light and to knowledge, keeping out just what they needed." _[9]

The Holy Spirit was moving upon all who were open to the truth, but much of the leadership was not open to the truth. Jesus could not and would not force the truth upon their hearts. The Laodiceans remained blind to their condition, thinking they were "rich and increased with goods." What was the message being presented? It was simply that the loveliness of Jesus, if beheld would transform the sinner into a saint. The righteousness of Christ when seen clearly would bring about a conversion of heart and mind. Love begets love. We love Him because He first loved us. It is this unmerited favor, His love for unrepentant sinners, that touches the heart and brings the sinner to repentance. It is the goodness of God that "leadeth thee to repentance." Romans 2:4. We can do no good thing until the heart is fully surrendered to Christ, then we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).

Earlier we shared that to Nicodemus it was revealed he must "look and live." The 1888 message was the

Behold the righteousness of Christ

same. We must  behold the righteousness of Christ that we may be broken and fully surrendered. Then we are justified, not one moment before. Nothing we can do will earn salvation. It is a full heart surrender to the One we trust and love with all the heart and mind that is required. This is in response to His grace which surrounds us a thick as the air we breathe. By beholding this love we are changed into His image (character). "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18.

How does this relate to the message to the Laodicean Church? Jesus tells us plainly: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Revelation 3:18,19. The message began as a stern rebuke, but now we see Jesus offering at no cost to us gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eye salve.

Let's take the eye salve first. The blind Laodicean is offered a cure. Ask for the Holy Spirit, and you shall receive. He is the One who gives spiritual discernment. And, what about the white raiment? It is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment all must possess in order to enter heaven. We may have His character imputed and imparted to us if we will give Him in exchange our sin polluted hearts. That all. What an exchange! And, most importantly, what is this "gold tried in the fire"? It is a faith that works by knowing of God's love. A faith that comes by hearing the Word which was made flesh. As we behold Jesus uplifted on the cross, how can we not have a faith that trusts with all we are and all we have! Can any look, and behold the sacrifice of God’s dear Son, and their hearts not be melted and broken, ready to surrender to God heart and soul? 

Until we understand the gospel, we cannot take the three angels message to the world. And, even when we understand the message, we cannot give to others what we do not posses. We must be a converted people before we can be a light in the world. "Unconverted men have stood in the pulpits sermonizing. Their own hearts have never experienced, through a living, clinging, trusting faith, the sweet evidence of the forgiveness of their sins. How then can they preach the love, the sympathy, the forgiveness of God for all sins?" _[10]

As the Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders meet this week at Annual Council, let us pray that some one faithful leader will address the need we have as a people to put down in writing what the Bible says is the gospel message we are to take to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people on this Earth. We have stated many doctrinal truths in our Fundamental Beliefs, but have failed to give influence to that which is most important, the gospel message. Thus, we have this difficulty of false gospels being proclaimed throughout the church which then gives encouragement to the Laodicean that he is indeed rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, when he is in fact unconverted. The gospel is worthy of its own "fundamental belief" and it ought to be first.
 

The gospel message will go forth with power quickly

Our message is not intended to  bring attention to many of the serious problems we have in the church, one which is on the agenda of this Annual Council. Rebellion is serious and must be addressed, but it is only a symptom of a much deeper problem which we have attempted to address. When church leaders are converted, when church members are converted, then the church will be a shining light in the world and the gospel message will go forth with power quickly. We ask the General Conference executive committee to address this need quickly so we can finish the work entrusted to us as a people.
 

 

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[1]    Ellen White; Review and Herald, March 11, 1890.
Brethren, shall we not all of us leave our loads there? and when we leave this meeting, may it be with the truth burning in our souls like fire shut up in our bones. You will meet with those who will say, “You are too much excited over this matter. You are too much in earnest. You should not be reaching for the righteousness of Christ, and making so much of that. You should preach the law.” As a people, we have preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law, and there will be sap and nourishment in the preaching that will be as food to the famishing flock of God. We must not trust in our own merits at all, but in the merits of Jesus of Nazareth. Our eyes must be anointed with eye-salve. We must draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to us, if we come in his own appointed way. O that you may go forth as the disciples did after the day of Pentecost, and then your testimony will have a living ring, and souls will be converted to God. 

[2]    Ellen White; Vol 6, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, pg 1075.

[3]    Ellen White; The Desire of Ages, pg 676.
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing."

[4]    Ellen White; 1888 Materials, Looking Back at Minneapolis, pgs 227,228. 
But when men in high positions of trust will, when under pressure, say that Sister White is influenced by any human being, they certainly have no more use for messages that come from such a source. This was freely spoken at the Minneapolis meeting, and it came from the lips of men who were acquainted with me, with my manner of life, and the character of my labor, men who had made the most of the testimonies in times past in correcting existing evils in the churches, who had felt no hesitancy in declaring their authenticity—that they bore the Divine credentials. Was it all contrary to the Lord’s manner of working to send messages to ministers and churches? Has it not been His way of dealing with His people in the past? Why were not these men, who knew of these things, afraid to lift their hand against me and my work for no reason except their imagination that I was not in harmony with their spirit and their course of action toward men whom they and I had reason to respect?

[5]  Ellen White, Counsels for the Church, pg. 337.

 

[7]  Ellen White, North Pacific Union Gleaner, January 29, 1908.

[8]  Ellen White; Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 1,  pgs. 186,187.
I was shown that the testimony to the Laodiceans applies to God’s people at the present time, and the reason it has not accomplished a greater work is because of the hardness of their hearts. But God has given the message time to do its work. The heart must be purified from sins which have so long shut out Jesus. This fearful message will do its work. When it was first presented, it led to close examination of heart. Sins were confessed, and the people of God were stirred everywhere. Nearly all believed that this message would end in the loud cry of the third angel. But as they failed to see the powerful work accomplished in a short time, many lost the effect of the message. I saw that this message would not accomplish its work in a few short months. It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel. As this message affected the heart, it led to deep humility before God. Angels were sent in every direction to prepare unbelieving hearts for the truth. The cause of God began to rise, and His people were acquainted with their position. If the counsel of the True Witness had been fully heeded, God would have wrought for His people in greater power. Yet the efforts made since the message has been given, have been blessed of God, and many souls have been brought from error and darkness to rejoice in the truth.
 
God will prove His people. Jesus bears patiently with them, and does not spew them out of His mouth in a moment. Said the angel: “God is weighing His people.” If the message had been of as short duration as many of us supposed, there would have been no time for them to develop character. Many moved from feeling, not from principle and faith, and this solemn, fearful message stirred them. It wrought upon their feelings, and excited their fears, but did not accomplish the work which God designed that it should. God reads the heart. Lest His people should be deceived in regard to themselves, He gives them time for the excitement to wear off, and then proves them to see if they will obey the counsel of the True Witness.

[9]  Ellen White; 1888 Materials, pgs 186,189.