Murmuring has become a serious problem among God’s present truth believers. There is no doubt this issue needs to be addressed because anti-type is fast fulfilling type. We would like to make a thorough analysis of our dilemma and provide some solutions. This post is predominantly to Seventh-day Adventists who have advanced in the unrolling scroll of truth, also known as Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.
WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY ABOUT OUR SUBJECT?
The dictionary describes murmuring as —
“a half-suppressed or muttered complaint: grumbling” (Merriam-Webster)
In Number 14:12 we read —
“And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!”
There is no doubt and one of the biggest offenses to God during His great exodus delivering was –murmuring. In fact we know that because of their unbelief and murmuring, only TWO adults over 20 years were saved from the possibly million strong Israelite congregation. What a solemn example indeed!
As we draw to the close of our Seventh-day Adventist probation, we would do well to thoroughly understand this great sin. Just as in the type, it will no doubt be one of the surest and plentiful way of many will fail to make it to the kingdom. But if we know just how widespread and easy this great Satanic temptation can trap us, we can be much more fortified to stand against it.
The message is very clear about this subject–
“Who went into the promised land? — All but the murmurers. Do you suppose that you can entertain the same spirit of murmuring and complaining, and in spite of it receive the seal? — How absurd the very thought! How unfair it would be for a just God to destroy the disobedient of that day, but to save the disobedient of this day.
What made one group eligible to cross the Jordan? — It was their trust in God, knowing that He was their Chief Leader. They recognized Moses and Joshua as the ones through whom God was communicating with them. They did not look upon them as being anyone other than who they actually were. They were satisfied with their lot. They took orders as the orders were given. So it was that they were the only ones who entered into the land.
Having these ensamples before us, this picture to go by, I can confidently tell whether I am headed for the Kingdom or whether I am headed for the bowels of the earth (Rev. 12:16). And I am sure that you, too, can tell which way you are headed. The Lord does not require more or less of us than He required of our types. There is therefore no mystery as to what we must do, and what we must not do to receive the seal of God.” 1 TG, no. 7, p.12-13)
Our example, our type, is plain and clear. Murmuring will result in as sure of end to all those who participate in it as in the days of Moses. Therefore, let’s look at some of our today examples and beware of their pitfalls.
Today, as always in His vineyard, there is plenty of work to be done. In our particular case, the Lord has given us work to do in the social media part of the vineyard. Thus, we are often in a position to see what is going on within this area.
CURRENT EXAMPLES OF MURMURING TODAY
Sister P is a long time present truth believer. She has been in the message over 20 years. Not too long ago she came on Facebook and began posting comments and posts about her beliefs. Personally speaking, being active in the different Elijah message groups for close to 10 years now, we become aware of many of the new posters on social media. We soon took notice of our new sister. All was well and good for the first few months.
But as time went on we started to see comments like ” Davidians are messed up” and “There are many things wrong with Davidia”, etc. There were many blanket statements without any remedies. In other words, throwing rocks at the work/workers then running away.
Being helpful we reached out to her privately to let her know that such vague and non-constructive criticism amounted to plain ol murmuring. Sadly, as often all too common in such warnings, it was flatly rejected.
Often because we take on the role of a watchman on the sites we are Administrators of, we get little acceptance of our help. Instead prophecy of the following gets fulfilled because we the few have to pick up the slack —
“Some who occupy the position of watchmen to warn the people of danger have given up their watch and recline at ease. They are unfaithful sentinels. They remain inactive, while their wily foe enters the fort and works successfully by their side to tear down what God has commanded to be built up. They see that Satan is deceiving the inexperienced and unsuspecting; yet they take it all quietly, as though they had no special interest, as though these things did not concern them.
They apprehend no special danger; they see no cause to raise an alarm. To them everything seems to be going well, and they see no necessity of raising the faithful, trumpet notes of warning which they hear borne by the plain testimonies, to show the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins. These reproofs and warnings disturb the quiet of these sleepy, ease-loving sentinels, and they are not pleased.
They say in heart, if not in words: “This is all uncalled for. It is too severe, too harsh. These men are unnecessarily disturbed and excited, and seem unwilling to give us any rest or quietude ‘Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them.’ They are not willing that we should have any comfort, peace, or happiness. It is active labor, toil, and unceasing vigilance alone which will satisfy these unreasonable, hard-to-be-suited watchmen. Why don’t they prophesy smooth things, and cry: Peace, peace? Then everything would move on smoothly.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.440)
Brother F, is also a long time present truth believer. He seldom posts anything on the message but when there is something negative said about the work or workers in the message, you can often find him commenting in support to the criticism, giving likes to any and all who lambast the organizations or workers for any reason.
Sister L, is another longtime present truth believer. She has often posted that there does not exist any present truth organization worthy of our support today. To see her posts, you would think that God has abandoned the organized work and left many little atoms running around all over, answering to no leadership, but just to themselves and their own causes.
Let us not be fooled brethren, God HAS provided some pointed guidance in regard to this subject, the following are two great references giving us specific advice.
GOD’S SPECIFIC COUNSEL
“Some have been dissatisfied, and have said, “I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.” But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right.” (GW, p.226)
IS IT MY DUTY TO SET RIGHT THE LORD’S TREASURY?
Question No. 98:
Should we pay our tithe to the “storehouse” if we know that it is not used rightly?
Answer:
Knowing that our tithe belongs to God’s storehouse, our greatest burden should be to see that it is faithfully paid there. Nowhere in the Bible do we find that the Lord has laid upon any tithe payer the policing of the channels through which these funds pass.
The Lord’s treasury is under His control, and if He Himself should not see fit to correct an abuse in the handling of His money, certainly we could not correct it however hard we might try. If we guard carefully that part of His work which He entrusts to us, our only concern will be to find out where His “storehouse” is, and then faithfully to deposit His money there. He has not made us responsible for its use; that, He will personally take over–even as He is now “taking the reins in His own hands.”
When the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi received no land for an inheritance, as did the eleven tribes. Instead, the Lord decreed that the tithes of the other tribes were to go to the Levites. This was their inheritance. It was actually their own.
And just as they, as the tithe receivers, had no right to dictate to the others, the tithe payers, what to do with their own increase after it had been tithed, so the tithe payers had no right to dictate to the tithe receivers what to do with the tithe. Each tribe was itself to be accountable to the Lord for that which He had entrusted to it. Thus it must be today. (Answerer, vol. 4, p.46-47)
The above truly guides us in regard to proper procedures to address our grievances. Let’s carefully note them. Although the above references deal with proper tithe responsibilities the guiding point of procedure applies to the other complaints of leaders/the work, those at the head of the work generally.
1 — We have a complaint, we go about it in God’s order.
2 — We do not withdraw from the organized work, even if others are not doing right.
3 — Make the complaint to the proper ones in the right spirit.
4 — Once this is done, God may or may not correct what we think is wrong.
5 — We have no authority to override the leadership God has put in place to lead.
6 — If there is a wrong being done by leadership, it is on them, not us.
7 — Proper tithing is a must even when leadership is doing wrong or right.
HOW DO WE KNOW WHO IS THE GOD LED ORGANIZATIONS TODAY?
Obviously, the above question is paramount for present truth believers today. Because this issue is so important we devoted a special 5 part report for Davidian Seventh-day Adventists on this subject on our sister site –HEARYETHEROD. Click the following link.
https://hearyetherod.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/following-our-storehouse-history-part-1-of-3/
In closing, the evil of murmuring is insidious brethren, it can sneak up on you if you are not on guard. Let us stand solid in knowing the pitfalls of our type (Moses leading the people out of Egypt) and be in the very near kingdom with no spot or stain in our character called murmuring!
“When a crisis finally comes, as it surely will, and God speaks in behalf of his people, those who have sinned, those who have been a cloud of darkness, and who have stood directly in the way of God’s working for his people, may become alarmed at the length they have gone in murmuring and in bringing discouragement upon the cause; and, like Achan, becoming terrified, they may acknowledge that they have sinned. But their confessions are too late, and are not of the right kind to benefit themselves, although they may relieve the cause of God….” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.270-271)
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December 25, 2019 at 1:00 pm |
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December 26, 2019 at 2:49 am |
Thank you! Done