[table of contents]

Chapter Four

HELP IN TIME OF TRIAL

“We will not be able to meet the trials of this time without God. We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old until brought into the position they were in...

“As thy
days so
shall thy
strength
be.”

“We are to receive daily supplies of grace for each daily emergency. Thus we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and if persecution comes upon us, if we must be enclosed in prison walls for the faith of Jesus and the keeping of God’s holy law, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ Should there be a return of persecution there would be grace given to arouse every energy of the soul to show a true heroism.” OHC 125; EGW 1888 Materials p. 460

“The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of martyrs until such grace was needed.” DA 354

The truth is we will be endowed with all the courage and fortitude we will need when the need arises. Praise God, amen.

GOD’S CHURCH

Seventh-day Adventists are in a prime position to be members of God’s true church, which is His invisible SDA church known only to Him. However, it is also well-known and often cited that Christ has “other sheep that are not of this fold.” In other words, a denomination can be very helpful, but it does not, and never will, totally comprise the holy invisible church known only to Him. So who are the real members of God’s true church, and what truly constitutes His church?

“There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the word of God, and who are purified by it.” 4SP 237 (Ellen White quoting Melancthon).

This is a strong message! In other words, if you aren’t striving with Jesus to overcome all sin in your life and to walk through the straight gate, then you have a problem with your relationship to God’s true church; you are not a member of it. Ellen White makes it clear that...

“The church on earth, composed of those who are faithful and loyal to God, is the ‘true tabernacle,’ whereof the Redeemer is the minister. God, and not man, pitched this tabernacle on a high, elevated platform.” 7BC 931

This is the invisible church, the holy tabernacle known only to Him. Next, Ellen White compares what does to what does not comprise His church.

1. “God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments.” 17MR 81

   The previous statement proves the church will never be made up of those who claim to love God while at the same time down-playing His commandments. This will not work. This is not a successful program.
    

2. “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.’ Where Christ is, even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church.” 17MR 81,82
    

3. “...for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.” 17MR 81; The Upward Look p. 315

The word “constitute” means to appoint, to establish. For those who trust the words of Ellen White, all questions should be answered regarding who makes up His true invisible church and Who is its Leader. Here are their characteristics repeated in a simple list:

1. Faithful and loyal.
2. Keep His commandments.
3. Gather in His name.
4. The High and Holy One is their Leader.

The Spirit of Prophecy informs us that there will be many false brethren still in the Seventh-day Adventist structure to the end, but they will not be members of the holy, invisible church mentioned above. On the contrary, many of these false “brethren” will aid and abet our enemies.

“Those who apostatize in time of trial will bear false witness and betray their brethren, to secure their own safety. They will tell where their brethren are concealed, putting the wolves on their track.” RH Dec. 20, 1898; Mar. 197

There is truth in the saying ‘what goes around comes around.’ Please consider the past:

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men.” 1 Thess. 2:14,15

“And the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.” Matthew 22:6

Our last opportunity for making a total commitment and being sealed into God’s holy church of the 144,000 is when...

1. The SDA Church is in a state of depression.
2. We are experiencing a new exciting form of worship.
3. New theologies are working in the church through leaders and lay people who are ready to lay our standards in the dust.
4. The Holy Spirit is played up in support of these new innovations.
5. Sincere members are worried, concerned, even tearful over it all.

[table of contents] [next chapter]