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"While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send." (GW p.310)

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[table of contents]

Chapter Eleven

GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, WHITE RAIMENT AND EYESALVE

“Our Redeemer sees the situation, and he counsels all to buy of Him gold tried in the fire; which is true faith and genuine love, the grace that will not be destroyed by fierce temptations.” RH 12/06/81

Perhaps we should carefully read the context to see at least one way that “true faith and genuine love” can be expressed.

“We have each an individual responsibility. No friend or neighbor can be a criterion for us. Jesus is the only safe pattern. Have you not, my sisters, given to the world a wrong example in your dress and in your selfish indulgence? Will you not have to render an account to God for the influence you have exerted in favor of needless adornment and display? Our faith must be tested in this world. Christ overcame in our behalf, and thus made it possible for us also to overcome. We must endure trial and temptation here, and then, if faithful, we shall receive the crown. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive a crown of life.’ We shall be exposed to manifold temptations, but these, if rightly borne, will refine and purify us, even as gold is purified in the fire. Yet when exposed to the allurements of the world, that which we had thought to be gold, proves to be but dross. Our Redeemer sees the situation, and he counsels all to buy of him gold tried in the fire; which is true faith and genuine love, the grace that will not be destroyed by fierce temptations.” Ibid.

Little things mean a lot in any love affair. Our love for God must be preeminent. Today there is strong temptation to wear the wrong gold. We cannot afford to be gullible.

White raiment: This has to do with purity of character.

Purity of character shines in one who confesses, forsakes, and overcomes his sins. God pleads “Be ye holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). John the Revelator writes:

Time to overcome.
Let’s pray for
serious help.
With Him we
can do it!

“Thou has a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev. 3:4,5

Eyesalve: There may be a lot more to the truth regarding God’s law and the prophecies than we know. Notice what the Spirit of Prophecy says about enlarging our interpretations of prophecy.

“When we as a people understand what this book (Revelation) means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons that it teaches...” TM 113

“When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience.” TM 114

History and
prophecy
will be
repeated.
Better read
them again!

“The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy the first place in the minds of God’s people.” 8T 302; Mar. 160

“In history and prophecy the Word of God portrays the long, continued conflict between truth and error. That conflict is yet in progress. Those things which have been, will be repeated. Old controversies will be revived, and new theories will be continually arising.” 17MR 11; 2SM 109

One of many specific statements of prophecy being repeated is found in her statement regarding Revelation 11. It was written well after the events of the French Revolution. Notice how tightly the next statement ties Revelation 11 to the future.

“Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the eleventh chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the eighteenth chapter of the same book.” 21MR 91; LDE 95

Revelation 18 describes the fourth angel that lightens the earth with His glory. Now we are getting into the latter rain. Ellen White is definitely tying the final loud cry message to the detailed scenes recorded in the eleventh chapter of Revelation. (A video entitled “The Two Witnesses” is offered in the appendix.) We will not discuss a future interpretation of Revelation eleven at this time, but we will read about the fourth angel’s message that is to lighten the earth with his glory. We find it in Revelation 18:1-3.

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Revelation 18:1 3

A giant
head start.

We were given a great head start getting the original pillars and our understanding of the prophecies. It is also true that any added light will not alter or detract from anything we have already known and believed, but I also see that Chris has been standing for a long time at the door of this church wanting to come in and give us the rest of the story.

Let’s get into the Bible to learn more of what the outpouring of the spirit of God is about. Now we will discover just what must be expected by the chosen few.

Three texts:

“Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain to every one grass in the field.” Zechariah 10:1

Is this the only text that compares people to grass? No, not at all. I will mention one more.

“The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.” Isaiah 40:6,7

Picture the world as the field and yourself as a blade of grass. Does it make you feel very small or does it excite you that our Heavenly Father carefully watches over each blade of grass? Let’s continue.

Materials for
building the
roof.

“My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” Deuteronomy 32:2

Don’t we already have the light? Why do we need more doctrine? Why will doctrine fall as part of the latter rain? Are not the pillars of our faith all sufficient to carry us through to the end?

“When God’s people are at ease and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favor them. It is His will that they should be ever moving forward to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining for them.” 5T 708, 709.

So, according to the above statement, will you be favored or unfavored?

Is the light we learned when we took Bible studies, studied in classrooms, and listened to crusades sufficient for the final generation Adventist? Not according to our prophet. In fact we shall soon see that it is not even close! Fellow Adventists lend me your ears. Here comes the truth. I’m not going to water it down for fear that you will miss the point.

“We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Here the Laodicean message of Rev. 3:17 is associated with more truth!) While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send.” GW 310 (1915)

Friends, our present doctrines were all secured by 1915! At that time Ellen White was very positive about more light to come. She also says if we don’t realize there is more light coming we will lose out on sanctification!

This is important. Our subject may be the most important wake-up call you have ever had. Study carefully this next quote.

We have the
best,
but the best
is not enough.

“Although we have in trust the grandest and most important truth ever presented to the world, we are only babes, as far as understanding truth in all its bearings is concerned.” CW 29

What does she say about our basic doctrines? Our doctrines are the grandest and most important truths ever presented to the world, but they are just a childlike start!

But how much truth do they contain? Enough to satisfy babes. The question is, will baby food carry us through to the end?

Do you know why many people leave the truth? Because they are tired of baby food. Not only that, but a normal growing child needs more than baby food. Growing children get fussy without stronger food.

“The question has been asked me, ‘Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?’ I answer that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us.” 1SM 401

Please notice four important points:

  1. Ellen White did not know what the new light was. It was “yet to come.” It would be unfair to judge her for not having it.
  2. When it does come it will be entirely new to us.
  3. In reality it is something that was recognized in God’s Word in “olden times.”
  4. We already have the “glimmerings.”
  • Second Advent of Christ. Ev. 264, 1st Thessalonians 4:16
  • 7th-day Sabbath. CW 77; 7T 109; Ev. 225, 226, Hebrews 4:4,5
  • Three Angel’s messages of judgment. EW 258, Rev. 14:6-12
  • Sanctuary in Heaven. Ev. 224, Hebrews 8:1,2
  • Non-immortality of the wicked. CW 30, Malachi 4:1 (their final judgment)
  • Baptism and the Lord’s supper. Ev. 273, Matthew
  • Creation. ST 2/28/84; ST 11/22/1899, Gen. 1-2:3
  • Perpetuity of the Law. CW 77; 3T 202; GC 582, Ex. 31:18, Deut. 10:4,5, Rev. 11:19

But the Spirit of Christ told Ellen White that these “glimmerings” are not all the gems we should have!

“Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God.” GW 35

The following diagram should help to clarify some of the statements we have already enjoyed. While looking at it try to visualize the fact that our Creator has many gems of new light for us that is really old light yet to shine forth from the Word, and that all we really have are the glimmerings of the light that we should have. So, let’s begin hunting for gems.

Gems of Truth

The brilliance of all the gems added to the light of our present truth will be spectacular. Think of it, it will include our pillars plus the light from the fourth angel of Revelation Eighteen! This will be the greatest light of truth the world has ever seen. Get ready! Get ready! Get ready!

“Questions were asked at that time. ‘Sister White, do you think that the Lord has any new and increased light for us as a people?’ I answered, “Most assuredly. I do not only think so, but I can speak understandingly. I know that there is precious truth to be unfolded to us if we are the people that are to stand in the days of God’s preparation.” Ellen White 1888 Materials, p. 219, 3SM 174
(Underling mine.)

To turn this into the negative for emphasis it would read, “If we do not receive this new light, we will not stand in the last days on this earth.” Our subject is very important! It is doubly important because of the date it was written. More about this date later.

Does the Spirit of Prophecy point us in a right direction to let us know which of our doctrines may direct us toward this greater light?

“Said my guide, ‘There is much light yet to shine forth from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness. This message, understood in its true character, and proclaimed in the Spirit, will lighten the earth with its glory.” 2MR 58

The date of this writing was November 1, 1888. There is no question this was a part of the 1888 message. In fact it was addressed to “Dear Brethren Assembled at General Conference.”

We already had the ten commandments at the time of her writing. In the above reference she is letting us know that there is much more to the law of God than that. She promised a time would come when all the light from the law would be made known. Notice she also connects this new light with Revelation 18 that will “lighten the earth with its glory.”

1888 MESSAGE?

The key phrase left to us of the 1888 fiasco was “righteousness by faith.” This is supposed to answer all questions regarding the 1888 controversy, but it doesn’t. Righteousness by faith means different things to different people. During the reformation it meant one thing to the Roman Catholic and something entirely different to the Protestant.

Even today in Adventism it means different things to different people. On one side it means a person can sin and repent, sin and repent, until Christ comes because Christ will cover us with His righteousness anyway. On the other side it means by faith in Him a person can overcome sin. (Ellen White agrees with the latter in numerous writings).

Regardless, one important clue we have about the new light is that it is to shine forth from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness. We also know that The Law of God and righteousness are complimentary. Notice:

Thy
commandments
are
righteousness.

“My tongue shall speak of they word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Psalms 119:172

1888 MESSAGE LOST!

I personally believe the messages that Jones and Waggoner wanted to present at that 1888 meeting in Minneapolis have been swept too far under the carpet to be found. However, I believe they will be given again and that they are surfacing anew.

Perhaps some of you may not realize how drastic the situation really was at that General Conference meeting. Let me share a statement that might help.

“An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through Brethren Waggoner and Jones. By exciting that opposition, Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them. The enmity prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted [the fourth angel], and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world.” Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, page  1575; 1SM 234
(Underlining and bracketed phrase supplied by author.)

Should we be so blessed of our Heavenly Father as to receive another chance at the light that was given at Minneapolis more than 100 years ago, what will be the attitude of paid conference personnel today? W ill it be any different? How sad, but definite, to report that the answer is no.

“In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. ‘Why,’ they say, ‘should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?’ Because they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties, of the messages of God, but persistently said, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.’” Maranatha, p. 219

Once again we see the Laodicean message as a general rejection of the light that accompanies the latter rain, but yet some individuals in the church will step up to receive it. In fact some of them will be among the least expected to become leaders among us. Perhaps this is why she refers to the fact that men and women who are not well-educated will be chosen by God to receive the new light.

“Under the showers of the latter rain the...Holy Spirit will speak through the living human agent, with convincing power. No one then will watch to see if the sentences are well rounded off, if the grammar is faultless. The living water will flow in God’s own channels.” 2SM 58,59

The implication is that God will use chosen agents whether they speak good grammar or not. Amen? The implication is that God’s own channels may not be university educated. This new light, this truth, may not come down the channels of human rank and file at all.

I believe it pertinent at this time to repeat one very exciting paragraph.

“Many...will be seen hurrying hither and thither, constrained by the Spirit of God to bring the light to others. The truth, the Word of God, is as a fire in their bones, filling them with a burning desire to enlighten those who sit in darkness. Many, even among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings, and, casting off all man’s machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirits’ power. Multitudes will receive the faith and join the armies of the Lord.” Ev. 700

Look at the added clues we have regarding the latter rain. Not only did we read that it would shine forth from the law of God, but it is also:

  1. Light
  2. Truth
  3. Word of God
  4. A message from Heaven

Now we can also clearly see two things. The Scriptures show the latter rain adding doctrine, and Ellen White indicate it is more light shinning from the law of God.

“My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” Deut. 32:2

This also explains a mysterious phenomenon. When I thought the latter rain was only the gift of miracles I wondered how it could be that the folk around us wouldn’t see it. Notice:

“But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” TM 507

If I called for the healing of a deaf and blind person, and suddenly that person could see and hear, everybody would be electrified with praise and excitement. People would be talking and cell phones would be buzzing. However, such a manifestation of the Spirit’s power could not apply to the above quote that says, “It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.”

Many people
will not be
able to discern
the latter rain!

On the other hand, if the latter rain first falls to give new light, I can see that many folk will not “discern or receive it.” Evidently the first part of the latter rain involves the new light.

THE FORMER RAIN

“But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light.” TM 507

Here the Spirit of Prophecy equates the “former rain” with the light we already have – the pillars of our faith.

:Let’s go back to the Scriptures to gain more insights.

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” Joel 2:23

The former rain moderately = our former doctrines, i.e. the pillars of our faith.

Our pillars (the glimmerings) will be joined to new light shining from the law, the full truth about righteousness, the Word of God with the missing heavenly message. I’m getting excited! Let’s read it again.

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” Joel 2:23

A. T. Jones
spoke at
General
Conference
in 1888.

The fact that the new light will be “shining forth from the law with its corresponding gospel of righteousness” and the fact that it is old forgotten truth coming into vogue are two good revelations, but a further revelation is found in the works of brother A.T. Jones.

Quoting the Catholic magistrates he wrote:

“We have also gratifying intelligence to communicate to you relative to unity of judgment on the subject of the most holy feast of Easter; ...for this point also had been happily settled through your prayers; so that all the brethren in the East who have heretofore kept this festival when the Jews did, will henceforth conform to the Romans and to us, and all who from the earliest time have observed our period of celebrating Easter.” The Two Republics. A.T. Jones p. 383 quoting Socrate’s Ecclesiastical History Book 1. 1891

What you are seeing is that he was very likely preaching the above historical facts during the famous 1888 conference. His book was available just three years later. It surely took him longer than three years to write and publish it. As an example my Holy History book is about 1/3 the size of his book. It took me four years with the advantage of a computer and word processor. So, no doubt A.T. Jones was writing and preaching this truth of God’s commanded feasts in opposition to the popularized Roman feasts in 1888.

For more on the modern return of this argument and the importance of it, read the book Holy History by this Author.

A.T. Jones wrote another book and repeated the same thing. He was coming down pretty hard on a certain substituted and Christianized Pagan holiday. Evidently it was a strong issue in his mind. Carefully read the following quote.

“The first Christians being mostly Jews, continued to celebrate the Passover in remembrance of the death of Christ, the true Passover, and this was continued among those who from among the Gentiles had turned to Christ. Accordingly, the celebration was always on the Passover day – the fourteenth of the first month. Rome, however, and from her all the West, adopted the day of the sun as the day of this celebration. According to the Eastern custom, the celebration being on the fourteenth day of the month, would of course fall on different days of the week as the years revolved. The rule of Rome was that the celebration must always be on the Sunday – the Sunday nearest to the fourteenth day of the first month of the Jewish year. And if the fourteenth day of that month should itself be a Sunday, then the celebration was not to be held on that day, but upon the next Sunday. One reason for this was not only to be as like the heathen as possible, but to be as unlike the Jews as possible; this in order not only to facilitate the “conversion” of the heathen by conforming to their customs, but also by pandering to their spirit of contempt and hatred of the Jews. It was upon this point that the bishop of Rome made his first open attempt at absolutism.” The Great Empires of Bible Prophecy, p. 383 by A.T> Jones (1898).

I once thought the pope’s first attempt at absolutism was the Sunday/Sabbath issue. Evidently it was over the Passover/Easter issue. For more pertinent information on the Passover/Easter controversy you will enjoy reading Holy History page  37, see appendix.

What are
miraculous
Pentecostal
powers?

But what about Pentecostal miraculous power? When does it come? The answer is later. It comes after Joel 2:23. It comes after the new doctrine. Notice verses 28 32.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
“And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
“And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. (See Rev. 6:12 17)
“And it shall come to pass, that whosever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” Joel 2:28 32

It is God’s true remnant that will preach this deliverance message! That message will contain both the old truth and the new truth. A great multitude will hear the combined message and call on the name of the LORD, Yahweh.

Friends, are you ready for the Lord to show you a new message? Would it frighten you? Would you buckle under preconceived ideas, peer pressure, or cowardice? Or would you rejoice to be worthy of such an honor even if the educated men, who have been in the work a long time should mock you, call you and your message dangerous, something to arouse fears, and flat out reject it? That was the reaction the first time this message came in 1888, and it is prophesied to be the same reaction now.

The Lord will call those who are cleansing their minds of all filthiness of the flesh, forsaking their pride and whatever big or little things that separate the soul from God, and preparing themselves to receive a very important doctrine; a doctrine that is new to them, but was known by Israel in ancient times.

The last verse of our text, verse 32 above, shows a great multitude of folk delivered because of the remnant whom the Lord shall call. I believe it proper to put this in present tense. A great multitude of folk will be delivered by the witness of the remnant that God is now enlightening.

It would be great if the new light would come down through the proper channels. The Biblical Research Institute, the Conference Review Committee, the Review and Herald, and our local pastors. This is the way we would all like it best. But...

The plan of
salvation
was not fully
understood in
1888. There is
more to it.

“...there was to be special light for God’s people as they neared the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Another angel was to come from heaven with a message, and the whole earth was to be lightened with his glory. It would be impossible for us to state just how this additional light would come. It might come in a very unexpected manner, in a way that would not agree with the ideas that many have conceived. It is not at all unlikely, or contrary to the ways and works of God, to send light to His people in unexpected ways.” Letter 22, 1889; 13MR 334

“God designs that the plan of redemption shall come to his people in the latter rain; for they are fast losing their connection with God. They are trusting in man, and glorifying man, and their strength is proportionate to the strength of their dependence. Some matters have been opened before me which will be fulfilled ere long. We are to know more than we do at the present time. We are to comprehend the deep things of God. There are themes to be dwelt upon which are worthy of more than a passing notice. Angels have desired to look into the truths which are revealed to the people who are searching God’s word and with contrite hearts praying for wisdom, for greater lengths and breadths and heights of that knowledge which God alone can give.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1690

OUR PRIORITIES MUST BE STRAIGHT

Friends, no amount of innovative techniques to improve our worship services, no matter how helpful they may be, will make up for the rejection of “present truth.” The extreme would be to believe that our people perish for a lack of entertainment. But it is much more Biblical to realize that our people will perish from a lack of knowledge! What is considered worse than a lack of knowledge? The rejection of knowledge, even as it was rejected in 1888 and is prophesied to be rejected again. How sad!

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of they God, I will also forget they children.” Hosea 4:6

So I conclude with three thoughts. First, that the 144,000 priests will find “much light yet to shine forth from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness” and even if they are mocked, derided, resisted, rejected, and their message thought dangerous to the faith still they will be true to their calling. Second, if A.T. Jones was correct, they will honor the times of the law rather than the times of Roman origin. In all respects they will give glory only to God. They will present the Elijah message as it has never been presented before.

“Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
“Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:4 6

For more information on this text enjoy the video entitled “The Three Elijahs” offered in the appendix.

The third thought has also to do with a plain, easy to understand, but lightly regarded, seldom believed, but often quoted Bible truth.

“We ought to
know far more
than we do
today.”

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18

The truth is, “We ought to know far more than we do.” The question is, “Why would the ‘new light’ emanating from the law of God be a problem for the people of God?”

First, there are many of our brothers and sisters who fear a term called legalism. They already believe we have too many laws and regulations and will certainly be closed to any “new light yet to shine forth from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness.”

Second, there are many of our brothers and sisters who fear any additional light beyond what is seen in the original pillars of our faith even if it is precious old light hidden in the scriptures for centuries and just beginning to shine. They would see such light as a threat and dangerous. Because there has been a recent questioning of our standards, these folk have been helpful in stabilizing the church. But they are also very steadfast in watching the pillars, and it is very unlikely that they will see or accept anything new. The attitude of this group seems to be, “If the pioneers didn’t have it, it’s not worth having.”

The third group that will have a difficult time with any new light will be the leadership in the church. Since I consider myself one of them, I sympathize completely. It will be difficult for the very reasons clearly outlined by the Spirit of Prophecy earlier in this book.

This is not to say that all of the folk in the above three paragraphs will miss the very light heaven is sending, but it will obviously be difficult for most of them to accept.

So who will be most prone to accept the messages coming from heaven? Very likely the same class of individuals that accepted the message that came from the lips of the Messiah in His day. A few from all three groups, but mostly it will be accepted by the humble, sincere, disciples that are praying in the pews. In Christ’s day it was mostly the fishermen and carpenters.

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up they voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasurers; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1 5

One of the beautiful things about this study is the verification of the predictions by Ellen White. It is no wonder so many people consider her writings collectively as “the Spirit of Prophecy.” How could anyone almost 100 years ago know what would be happening in the church near the end of time? What she has written definitely grants the power of choice to the reader. The question is, are you ready for more?

Praise God as you continue your exciting adventure! The following items listed in the appendix will provide exciting steps in your ongoing journey.

[table of contents] [appendix]

 

   

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