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Chapter Two
“Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted”
2SM 38; LDE 159
“The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown
me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing
will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and
dancing...The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a
bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious
methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling,
sanctifying truth for this time.” 2SM 36; 21MR 128
In this case the church is the subject of the text. Here Ellen White agrees
with the apostle Peter in that “Judgment begins at the house of the Lord.” We
shall see that from this very judgment will emerge 144,000 priests. At what
time? Just before the close of probation on the church.
Dancing? Miriam danced, David danced. What kind of dancing? We’ll read what
she means later.
Drums? Is this not what holds together the finest of symphonies? All music has
rhythm and percussion is often the best expression of it.
Shouting? Even Jesus shouts. “For the Lord shall descend from heaven with a
shout and the voice of the archangel.”
Ellen White made it clear that Satan will make music a snare by the way in
which it is conducted. 2SM 38. She says music, “...if conducted aright would
be a blessing.” 2SM 36; LDE 159
The previous quote provides an exciting sign of end times events. The
following quote give a clue about the last day dancing that some may see in
Seventh day Adventist churches. My hope is that we never see any such things
as this:
“Some (fanatics after 1844) would dance up and down, singing, ‘glory, glory,
glory, glory, glory, glory.’ Sometimes I would sit still until they got
through, and then I would rise and say, ‘This is not the way the Lord works.’”
2SM 42
“No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. The same kind of
worship. The same kind of influence came in after the passing of the time in
1844. The same kinds of representations were made. Men became excited and were
worked by a power thought to be the power of God.” Maranatha 234; 2SM 37
Good counsel is given in 2SM 16, 17.
Better to walk
softly in
the sanctuary.
“The Holy Spirit of God alone can create a healthy enthusiasm. Let God work,
and let the human agent walk softly before Him, watching, waiting, praying,
looking unto Jesus every moment, led and controlled by the precious Spirit,
which is light and life.” Letter 68, 1894; 2SM 16,17
It was not only in Indiana that Ellen White saw things that may be repeated in
the last days. We must have our eyes anointed with eye salve. Not only were
changes started in her day, but she told what was needed to correct them.
“A new order of things has come into the ministry. There is a desire to
pattern after other churches, and simplicity and humility are almost unknown.
The young ministers seek to be original, and to introduce new ideas and new
plans for labor...
“The Old and New Testament Scriptures show us the only way in which this work
should be done. Repent, repent, repent was the message run out by John the
Baptist in the wilderness. Christ’s message to the people was, ‘Except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish’ (Luke 13:5). And the apostles were
commanded to preach everywhere that men should repent.
Be cautious of the
new ideas in worship
and rediscover old-
fashioned customs
before it’s too late.
“The Lord desires His servants today to preach the old gospel doctrine, sorrow
for sin, repentance, and confession. We want old fashioned sermons, old
fashioned customs, old fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel.” 2SM 18, 19
It is evident that today there is a strong need for old fashioned sermons on
repentance, a return to old fashioned customs, and old fashioned fathers and
mothers in Israel. Are some waiting until the old ones are gone to have their
new ways in worship without pain of disapproval? Such a time may never come.
Why? Because the time of closure on the church militant will soon give way to
the church triumphant. Excitement is in the air. We are indeed nearing a new
experience. Get ready! Get ready! It will be marvelous.
During the time when the church triumphant is being sealed, those who take
stock in what Ellen White wrote will be noticing a new innovation in their
worship services with a more rhythmic music and dancing. We will see a
separation from the God approved ways of old fashioned parents. We have been
told that many leaders will be approving the changes. Next, notice that these
changes will merge with a new and different type of theology. Am I sure? Read
on...
CHANGES IN THEOLOGY
Concurrently with the changes in worship will be new beliefs. There will be
changes in theology. One paragraph that speaks of the above music ends with
the words:
“But the itching desire to originate something new results in strange
doctrines.” 2SM 38
“When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface
readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand.” TM 112; LDE 177
What are our
pillars?
“The enemy will set everything in operation to uproot the confidence of the
believers in the pillars of our faith in the messages of the past, which have
placed us upon the elevated platform of eternal truth...” 2SM 388
OUR PILLARS:
- Second Advent of Christ. Ev 624
- 7th day Sabbath. CW 77; 7T 109; Ev 225,226
- 3rd Angel’s message. EW 258
- Sanctuary in Heaven. Ev 224
- Non-immortality of the wicked. CW 30
- Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Ev 273
- State of the Dead. GC 644; Mar. 305
- Creation. ST 11/22/1899; ST 2/28/84
- Perpetuity of the Law. CW 77; 3T 202; CG 582
“Those (S.D.A.’s with means and abilities) who have any realization of what
this warfare means will not turn their weapons against the church militant,
but with all their powers will wrestle with the people of God against the
confederacy of evil.” TM 51; RH Sept. 5, 1893
Yes, the devil has orchestrated a confederacy to change our church in several
ways. Don’t be surprised. Don’t get discouraged. These things point to the
fact that the separating time is actually under way.
Let’s enjoy a short recap of what we have read just before we get into chapter
three. Just before the close of probation on the church militant and the
establishment of the church triumphant we may expect to see:
- The Church in a state of depression.
- A new exciting form of worship.
- New theologies working through the church from some of the leaders on down.
- The Holy Spirit played up to be in support of these new adventures.
- Sincere members worried, concerned, even agonizing over it all.
What a shame it will be that, “Those who have been regarded as worthy and
righteous prove to be ringleaders in the apostasy.”
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