Godsloveandlaw's Blog

Many of us are aware that to qualify for a select group, a group that consist of the very best at that particular endeavor, one must “make the cut” as it were. Examples would be major league Baseball or Football. Acceptance to a major university such as Harvard is another example. But how about the great final team of God? Those who will be honored and privileged to be “a people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many generations.”(Joel 2:2). Those who will give the Loud Cry?

Yes indeed, there are qualifications that must be made to be able to be among the greatest people who ever lived. Let us look at these and present a clear picture of the scenario that is about to happen and how we must be sure we qualify. For if we don’t, oh, how devastating!

To begin with we shall start with Inspired references showing that the Lord will do what we as present truth believers know– a church purification.  As we have studied on our posts concerning the “seal of God”, we know that without this seal, we shall not stand in the upcoming solemn event of the Ezekiel 9 church purification.

So our very first qualification must be to have the seal of God in our foreheads. Inspiration makes it clear how serious the qualification–

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.214)

As we’ve learned a “spot or stain” is a repetitive sin that we engage in and do not overcome. This results in or spot or stain upon our soul. If we continue to partake in world attractions ( movies, TV, popular music, dancing, games, world entanglements of any kind), or partake in repeated carnal sins,  we separate ourselves from Him.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

“The tares and wheat are now commingled, but then the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position. Those who have had the light of truth, and heard the warning message, heard the invitation to the marriage supper-farmer, merchant, lawyer, false shepherds who have quieted the convictions of the people, unfaithful watchmen who have not sounded the warning or known the time of night–all who have refused obedience  to  the laws of the kingdom of God,  will have no right therein.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.235) 

Let us be ever mindful that the Lord’s Elijah message has brought a final and clear understanding of what constitutes the “laws of the kingdom of God.” The message of the Spirit of Prophecy basically tells us to keep His Commandments and to obey faithfully His Sabbath. The Elijah message confirms this understanding but, and we cannot miss this, we are to validate our walk with Him. We are to be “sighers and criers” of the abominations (sins) done in our church and our own life. For us, this is omni-important! The essence is that in order to qualify for the great work of giving the Loud Cry, we must have the Truth, which the Lord’s sent to us via His Elijah prophet.

We as the corporate body of SDA have not done well in God’s eyes. We have indeed “steadily retreated towards Egypt.” So what must God do about it? Let us now look at prophetic statements concerning His future plans.

The following 24 quotes are all from the Spirit of Prophecy.

1) “The triumph of the church is very near, the reward to be bestowed is almost within our reach, and yet iniquity is found among those who claim to have the full blaze of heaven’s light.

He who presides over His church and the destinies of nations is carrying forward the last work to be accomplished for this world. To His angels He gives the commission to execute His judgments. Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation.The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary, “And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.” Read Ezekiel 9:2-7.” (Testimonies to Min. p.431)

2) “The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.” (2 Selected Messages , p.380)

3) “While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven..there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.” (GC, p.425)

4) “Many, I saw, were flattering themselves that they were good Christians, who have not a single ray of light from Jesus. They know not what it is to be renewed by the grace of God. They have no living experience for themselves in the things of God. And I saw that the Lord was whetting His sword in heaven to cut them down. Oh that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people!  Dear friends, do not deceive yourselves concerning your condition. You cannot deceive God. Says the True Witness: “I know thy works.” The third angel is leading up a people, step by step, higher and higher. At every step they will be tested.”(Testimonies, vol. 1, p.190)

5)“Angels keep a faithful record of every man’s work, and as judgment passes upon the house of God, the sentence of each is recorded by his name, and the angel is commissioned to spare not the unfaithful servants, but to cut them down at the time of slaughter.” (Testimonies, vol.1, p.198)

6) “Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary–was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed.

These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus “Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. “(Testimonies, vol.5, p.211)

7) “God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many are crying, “Peace and safety,” while sudden destruction is coming upon them. Unless there is thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive the truth as it is in Jesus, they will never enter heaven. When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing.” (Testimonies, vol. 8, p.250)

8) “There is a lack of moral and spiritual power throughout our Conferences. Many churches do not have light in themselves. The members do not give evidence that they are branches of the True Vine, by bearing much fruit to the glory of God, but appear to be withering away…They understand not the true application of the Scriptures, nor the power of God. They have eyes, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not; they continue in their evil ways, yet regard themselves as the privileged, obedient people who are doers of the word.

A carnal security and ease in Zion prevail. Peace, peace, is sounded in her borders, when God has not spoken peace. They have forfeited the terms of peace; there is reason for an alarm to be sounded in all “my holy mountain.” The sinners in Zion should be afraid, in a time when they do not expect it, sudden destruction will surely come upon all who are at ease.” (RH December 23, 1890)

9) “God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

10) “The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins. God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for these sins.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.270)

11) “God’s displeasure is upon His people, and He will not manifest His power in the midst of them while sins exist among them and are fostered by those in responsible positions.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.267)

12) “The purging and cleansing will surely pass through every church in our land that has had great opportunities and privileges, and has passed them by unheeded. More evidence is not what they want. They need pure and sanctified hearts to gather up and retain all the light that God has given, and then they will walk in that light.”( TM p.414, under heading TO MINSTERS and WORKERS)

13) “Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear? Will you receive His message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity.” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p.260)

14) “The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain..” (Selected Messages, vol. 3, p.385)

15) “As we near the judgment, all will manifest their true character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. The sieve is moving. Let us not say : Stay Thy hand, O God. The church must be purged, and it will be.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p.100)

16) “The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel, that the corrections given through His chosen instruments cannot be disregarded with impunity.”(Testimonies, vol. 4, p.167)

17) “There is chaff among us, and this is why we are so weak.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p.288)

18) “Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what is may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation.”( Testimonies, vol. 1, p.187, 188)

19) “The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close.” (GC, p.611)

20) “The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.” (RH, July 5, 1906)

21) “When God was about to smite the first-born of Egypt, He commanded the Israelites to gather their children from among the Egyptians into their own dwellings and strike their door posts with blood, that the destroying angel might see it and pass over their homes. It was the work of parents to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work, and the work of every mother who believes the truth. The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.505)

22) “Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One, will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it (the 3rd angel message) when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry.”(RH, Nov.19, 1908)

23) “Just how soon this refining process will begin, I can not say, but it will not be long deferred.He whose fan is in His hand will cleanses His temple of its moral defilement. He will thoroughly purge His floor. (Testimonies to Ministers, p.373)

24) God will uses ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.” (Testimonies for Ministers, p.300)

Next week, we’ll show some Scripture quotes that show this same church purification then we’ll finish our series in part 3 by adding it all up and addressing the reasons for His necessity of having qualified people for the Loud Cry.

This entry was posted on January 31, 2015 at 3:50 am and is filed under Church, The Loud Cry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.