The Separationist
George Burnside
WHY I AM NOT A SEPARATIONIST
Before me is a photocopy of a leaflet that originated in the U.S.A. Written to strongly urge members to separate from the S.D.A. Church. It is written by a Mr. Anderson of Washington State, U.S.A. As it contains so many erroneous statements and is being reproduced in Australia and confusing some good people, I will endeavor to give a brief reply. It is hard to squeeze in time in the midst of millions of requests. I cannot possibly meet all the requests, as I cannot do six things at once. I get no scarcity of calls and requests.
I feel that this leaflet, that is being reproduced in Australia and is such a distortion of Scripture as well as the Spirit or Prophecy, cannot be allowed a free run.
It is such a distortion that I cannot understand why any professed Adventist would use it at all. It wrests the Scriptures and by quoting a snippet of Sister White and applying that snippet right out of context they try to make it teach error. Let me give you some examples from this leaflet.
The pamphlet reads “Christ Outside the Laodicean Church." This is on page 7. "For many years Christ has been standing outside the Laodicean church pleading for an entrance. Finally the startling fact is realized by many that Christ has departed. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Yet from outside the church Christ still sends messages."
This is stated on page 7 of this leaflet named "The Defilement and Cleansing." This sweeping statement makes one wonder. Why and what motive could lead a professed Christian to jump to such a conclusion that flatly contradicts the infallible Word of God. For instance:
In REVELATION 1:1 we read "Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou sees, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea."
This prophecy was sent to the Seven Churches. So no mistake would be made our lord named the seven churches. He named the "last" church Laodicea. The Revelation of Jesus Christ repeats the fact of the seven churches in each of these verses REVELATION 1:11,12,13 and reveals our Lord's place in these churches.
REVELATION 1:12.13 "And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man."
Christ clearly reveals His place. It is "In the midst of the seven candlesticks." So there would be ho-misunderstanding, our Lord states:
REVELATION 1:20 "The seven candlesticks which thou saw, are the seven churches." The candlesticks are used to "signify" the church in its seven periods for, like a candle it is to give light. That light is to show the glory pathway throughout the whole road in the Christian era - that extends from old Jerusalem to the New Jerusalem.
Before we move on, note carefully Christ's place in the churches. He says He is "in the midst." Our lord is in His church. "In the midst." Further, the last church named by Christ in which He says He is in the midst, is Laodicea. Laodicea means "Judging the people." It is the church of the judgment period from 1844 to the End - to the "last day." On the last day Christ has promised to raise His saints to glory. This glorious fact is repeated four times.
JOHN 6:39, 40, 44, 45 "I will raise him up at the last day." Christ will never forsake His church. To Peter Christ said:
MATTHEW 16:18 "Upon this Rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against.”
When about to leave this earth for the Glory land Christ raised His nail scarred hand in blessing over His disciples and said:
MATTHEW 28:18-20 "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
He is the One who never breaks a promise. He will be with His followers to the end of the world, to the "last day" when He will return bodily.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17 "For the lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught together with them in the clouds, to meet the lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Think of it. Forever with the lord! Forever! Forever!
Remember the assurance of Christ that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church. The Church may appear to fall but it will prevail, because Christ is with it to the end. We have an all powerful lord.
MATTHEW 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
All power is in the hands of our leader. He is well named "the Almighty".
REVELATION 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." It is interesting to note that science cannot tell you how things began, nor how they will end. If one does not know where he came from nor where He is going, he certainly is lost. Mankind is still at a loss as to the beginning and the ending. Jesus is "the beginning and the ending." He is the guide, the leader we need.
"We are Seventh-day Adventists. Are we ashamed of our name? We answer, No, No! It is the name the lord has given us. It points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches.” Testimonies to Ministers, page 384.
Our God-given name points to the beginning and the ending of this world. "Seventh-day” points to the climax of creation week. "Adventist" shows we believe in the coming Advent of our Lord at "the last day. Thus our name points to "the beginning and the ending". Our lord is the first-and the last.
Christ's church will triumph, because Christ will he guiding to "the end."
MATTHEW 28:20 "And lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Amen”
THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
This is clearly stated in Holy Writ.
EPHESIANS 1:22 23 "And has put all things under his feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things, to the church, Which is his head, the fullness of him that fills all in all."
EPHESIANS 4:15 "The head even Christ."
COLOSSIANS 1:17,18 "He is before all things and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body the church."
Christ is the head and the church is Christ's body. Christ governs.
If Christ left the church, all that would be left is a corpse - a headless body. This Christ promises will never happen. Christ promises He will be with them "unto the end."
Evidently there were those who claimed God had left His church and cast them off. The Pharisees were separationists. The word "Pharisee" means separationist. It is significant that Paul therefore asks the burning question "Hath God cast away His people? Israel was the people of God - the Church. "Israel" is mentioned not only in the following verse, but in the verse before.
ROMANS 11:1 "I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin."
This is still a burning question with many. Notice carefully the inspired answer.
"God forbid." - Perish the very thought! The strongest negative is used. God has never cast off His church. In Verses 2-4 God's Word states - "God has not cast away His people."
Elijah had interceded against Israel. Israel had killed God's prophets and destroyed God's altars, until Elijah felt "I am left alone and they seek my life." - Bad as things are today in the church they were worse back there.
ROMANS 11:5 "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
God assured Elijah that the situation was not hopeless. "I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." Things are often much better in the church of God than many good men think.
In the first century, remember that the disciples of Christ were all Jews. Note where they gathered.
LUKE 24:52,53 "And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen"
They "returned to Jerusalem with great joy" not because Jesus had left them, but because of the angel's assurance that:
ACTS 1:11 “This same Jesus which was taken up from you into heaven." What more fitting place to be than:
LUKE 24:53 "Continually in the temple." They were to:-
ACTS 1:8 "be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Their world-wide witness was to begin with Jerusalem, in Judea, the center and home of the Jews. Here the Holy Spirit was given. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, which was the memorial day of when God gave the Ten Commandments. "It was the anniversary of the delivery of the Commandments from Mt. Sinai." Tulmud page 346. On that memorial day, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jews in the Jewish city of Jerusalem.
ACTS 2:5 "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout men, out of every nation under heaven." They were addressed as Jews.
ACTS 2:14 "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words."
Acts 2:22 "You men of Israel, hear these words."
ACTS 2:46 "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." And the result given to those saints of Israelis stated:
ACTS 2:47 "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Some are claiming that the Lord had left the church. "He had cast away His people." The Lord revealed otherwise. It was "The Lord" who added to the church. He added to the church such as should be saved. It is evident Christ could see that the church is an aid in Salvation. The church, God says, is Christ's body, that is where they should be.
ACTS 5:14 "And believers were the more added to the lord, multitudes both of men and women."
ACTS 11:22-24 "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."
"And believers were the more added to the lord." "And the Lord added to the church."
All who are truly converted, the Lord added to the church. Church membership meant a great deal to these saints. The devil, to upset things, brings into the church tares. These will either go out or be cast finally out by the Lord at the last day. The Scriptures make this clear. Notice this plain statement of truth.
ROMANS 11:1 "Has God cast away His people?" This question of years gone by, is still the burning question of today. Has God cast away His church?
Before looking into the wonders of Romans 11 let us notice some points regarding God's church. First note that the church is the body of Christ.
COLOSSIANS 1:18 "Christ is head of the body, the church."
COLOSSIANS 1:24 "For His body's sake which is the church."
Christ has only one body. "The church" in Scripture is always singular.
EPHESIANS 4:4 "There is one body."
EPHESIANS 3:21 "Unto Him be glory in the church." On this point notice this very interesting statement from inspiration:
"God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people." Testimonies to Ministers, page 61.
The church is Christ's body and through His body the Lord works. We dare not separate ourselves from that body. In all God's natural world, to be cut off and separated from the body is death. Note how our Lord teaches the same truth under the figure of the Vine. In Psalm 80:8 we read that "Thou has brought a vine out of Egypt, Thou has cast out the heathen and planted it. That "Vine" was a figure of our Lord's church that He brought out of Egypt.
ACTS 7:38 "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us."
We must abide in Christ, the Head and Mind of the church. Too many pass for branches, but they bear no fruit. They are merely tied to the Vine by the string of profession. They profess but do not possess. Without possessing the life of Jesus, one is only tied to the Vine, the body of Jesus. Note Christ's clear words:
JOHN 15:4-6 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abided in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
At we look to the Vine for grapes, so we are to look to Christians for Christianity. Jesus is the Vine. The Church is the Vine. Because Jesus is the mind, the head, the life of the church, the church without Jesus Christ is only a name. It is no longer the church. When Israel was linked with Jesus it was the Church. Israel means a God-ruled man. We must be linked with Jesus, His life, His body. We keep linked by: (Note His words.)
JOHN 15:10 "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
JOHN 14:24 "He that loves Me not, keeps not My sayings."
JOHN 14:21 "He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
JOHN 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Now come back to:-
ROMANS 11:2-4 "God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know you not what the scripture said of Elias? How he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and dug down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what said the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." In the days of Elijah it appeared God's church had fallen. Many members had. The majority had. It looked as though the church had fallen. But God reminded Elijah that our Lord had His reserves, 7,000 of them. They were His "remnant." Elijah, thought he was alone. "I am left alone, and they seek my life."
ROMANS 11:5 "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
Apostates were "broken off". They were separated from the source of life.
ROMANS 11:16 "For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches."
If it is the message of God, it will succeed. "If first fruit be holy," the lump is also holy. God's message is always violently opposed, but it is successful. The Advent Message was raised by God. It arose in fulfillment to REVELATION10 & 14. It arose on time, and it arose in fulfillment of every specification of divine prediction. It will succeed.
AMOS 3:7 "Surely the lord God will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets."
Remember what our Lord has revealed in Bible prophecy will come to pass. Any movement not revealed in prophecy will not finally succeed. The truth that was given in 1844 is going through. That message is the object of Satan's supreme hatred because it is the object of Christ's supreme regard.
REVELATION 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The church will appear to fall. To many today it appears it has failed and is hopeless. It appeared so in the days of Elijah. It appeared so in the dark Friday as Christ hung on Calvary's cross. It certainly looked that the church had fallen when all the disciples forsook Him and fled." It was apostasy, total apostasy. They all turned their backs on Him and fled. But had the enemy prevailed against the Church? The Church appeared to fall. Out of that apparent failure rose victory. Remember our Lord lives forevermore. God's message of truth will succeed gloriously triumphant.
REVELATION 15:2,3 "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."
But remember, "The Lord God will do nothing but He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets." Build on Bible prophecy. Avoid speculations and human theories. Stand on the rock of divine prediction. Scripture reveals how our God handles apostasies.
ROMANS 11:17 "And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partakes of the root and fatness of the olive tree."
Faithful seekers are "grafted-in" to the stock. Apostates are "broken off". The remnant - "those that remain," remain growing in the stock.
Those broken off through "unbelief" are disobedient". Note the margin of:
ROMANS 11:30,31 "believed" in the margin "obeyed." This breaking off of the disobedient is the subject of many Scriptures. Notice a few:
20:38 "And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country wher6 they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am the Lord."
As God purged Israel on route to the promised land (see Verse 36) so He is purging His Israel today. He will "purge out the rebels." He will have a pure church.
EPHESIANS 5:27 "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
That is the kind of church that will welcome Christ.
1 JOHN 3:2,3 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is, And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure."
Some have thought they do this by separating from the church. This was the mistake of the Pharisees. Notice carefully that Holy Writ also says it is the "rebels" that are "purged out" of His Church. The Pharisees of old, tried to run ahead of God and they separated themselves. They proudly took the name "Pharisee," which is the Hebrew word for "separationist. They claimed to be separationists.
They foolishly ran ahead of God and ended in disrepute and tragedy. Don't separate from the church, the body of Christ. Our God will "purge out" the rebels. He will break off the disobedient. Note also in all these prophecies there are no "offshoots." None whatsoever!
There were no "offshoots" that were of God in the Israel movement. There were several off-shoot movements in the wilderness movement of Israel, but they all perished in the wilderness. Not one went through to God's promised land. Note the timely words of:
1 CORINTHIANS 10:11 "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
What a pity so few heed, or even study the promises, prophecies and the warnings of Scripture. Now come to:
AMOS 9:9 "For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth."
Our Lord is today “sifting" His people. We are in the “shaking", or “sifting time." The margin "cause to move." He is shaking up those who are asleep. They are being shaken in Gods sieve. But be sure and notice, our Lord's assurance. "Yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth." Note carefully the repetition of the “Out". God will "purge out” the rebels. He will "spew out" the half warm. In His sifting "not the least grain" falls out, to the ground.
It is the unfaithful and the Pharisees who go "out". Our Lord will have a pure church, "without spot or wrinkle," to meet the final crisis of the 1ast day." The Pharisee may think he must go "out" and separate. The rebels are purged "out," the "sinner" is sifted out and the half warm are spewed "out”, but the faithful souls "abide" in the "body" of Christ, to work for the purification of the church, "the Object of our Savior's supreme regard." let us pray, work and never be discouraged or frustrated in our endeavor to lift the church for which Christ died. Remember the words of Paul, in his last and final appeal to the church elders of Ephesus.
ACTS 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Christ never turned His back on His church. He purchased it with His own blood. Despite all the mistakes too many church members make, remember there are "tares" in the church placed there by the enemy and will be there until "the harvest" at "the last day" Despite this God's admonition is plain:
WE ARE TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER. NOT SEPARATE
LEVITICUS 23:3 "Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings."
A "holy convocation" is a holy gathering, an assembly. It is not a time to go away on your own and think only of yourself. It is a time to think how you can help others, by your influence and perhaps a word even if you are opposed.
HEBREWS 10:24,25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."
In this crisis hour some are calling for God's true people to "separate." But God's word is "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."
HEBREWS 12:23 "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect." Please note "the general assembly and church of the firstborn" is "written in heaven." The margin “enrolled". If you, in disobedience to this instruction have separated yourself, what a tragedy it would be if you are not enrolled in glory.
God's Word is that the church on earth is linked with the church in the glory country. EPHESIANS 3:15 "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Christ has given authority to His church on earth.
MATTHEW 16:19 "And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
I am well aware of the fact that church authority has been terribly abused and still is abused, however we still need to remember Christ's word and not cut ourselves off from His church. Once separated, your influence is gone. Some good men have made the mistake of separating themselves in the past. For instance, we have the case of Peter:
GALATIANS 2:12 "For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision." For this he was rebuked:
GALATIANS 2:11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch. I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."
Separation eventually leads to trouble. As in the case of the Pharisees, the separationists of Christ's day. JUDE 1:19 "These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit."
JUDE 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
Remember Jesus is revealed as being "in the midst" of His church in every period, even in Laodicea, the "last Church."
JOHN 15:10 "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
You keep yourself in the love of God, by obeying God and in helping others, trying to save others. Not merely thinking of what you get out of an assembly. This was what led Jesus to assemble on Sabbath, to help others. The aim of separation is the opposite. Sister White never left the church, she counseled the church and rebuked and encouraged it right through to the end of her life. Here are the words she gave to the last General Conference she attended in 1913, just a few months before her death. Note there is no thought of separation. She links herself in with the Advent Church. The words "our”, "My brethren", and "we" reveal much. There is not the slightest hint of separation, but these words certainly reveal a strong bond of unity with the church.
Before closing I will briefly answer a couple of questions or comments.
By the Laodicean church, the writer would have us believe, it refers to the S.D.A. church. Repeatedly he refers to:
"The SDA Laodicean Church." Page 6.
"The SDA Laodicean Church." Page 9.
"The SDA Laodicean church." Page 11
"Why will the Seventh-day Adventist Laodicean Church be lost, spewed out." Page 11
May I ask where does the Bible say such a thing? Is the writer adding to the Scriptures? Who made him the judge? Is he writing from a very biased mind?
As he has no Scripture to support his prejudiced statement, he quotes the snippet from 2 Testimonies, page 442. Ignoring "time and place" and the context he applies it to the SDA Church. How could it be? He says "For many years Christ has been outside". This statement was written in 1852. See Early Writings, page 107. Written before there was a church organized. The SDA Church was organized in 1863. Where are the many years? Blind prejudice certainly blinds its victims.
On page 11the writer asks "Why will the Seventh-day Laodicean church be lost, spewed out'?"
Prejudice must be strong to draw and write such a conclusion. We need not fret for God says “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city." I'll prefer to believe God.
Further, I have never heard of "The Seventh-day Adventist Laodicean Church." It is certainly not mentioned in Scripture. In "the testimony of Jesus" it is not found. I have never heard of it on earth. Evidently it is found neither on earth or heaven. Only in the biased mind of our writer. He has this imaginary church "spewed out." However inspiration tells us who will be "spewed out." 2 Selected Messages, page 66. 2 Selected Messages, page 380. How true is the Word of God.
MATTHEW 22:29 "You do err, not knowing the Scriptures."
Certainly a knowledge of Holy Writ solves many problems and saves us from many an error.
The burden of the tract writer is to call people out of the SDA Church. What a pity he had not heeded the words of the "Testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of Prophecy," that our Lord has so graciously given to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Note carefully. The message to Laodicea is to “professing" Christians.
It is to "all the churches." To all "professing Christians." Certainly it applies to Adventists. They are professing Christians. The message applies to all professing Christians in all the branches of protestants. Even in Catholicism are found professing Christians. The Investigative Judgment is also to cover "professed" Christians. The present Judgment will include them. They need the message of REVELATION 14:6-16 and also the Laodicean message. Review and Herald, Volume 4, page 548.
THE CHURCH
We do well to note these clear statements from the pen of inspiration. "Church Membership. Very close and sacred is the relation be seen. Christ and His church, He the bridegroom, and the church the bride; He the head, and the church the body. Connection with Christ, then, involves connection with His church." Education, p. 268 (1903) "Evangelism", p. 318
Some have quoted from Early Writings to try to find support for their claim that the S.D.A. Church will be "spewed out" and rejected.
"As I have of late looked around to find the humble followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, my mind has been much exercised. Many who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Christ are becoming conformed to this world and seek more earnestly the applause of those around them than the approbation of God. They are cold and formal, like the nominal churches from which they but a short time since separated. The words addressed to the Laodicean church describe their present condition perfectly. (See REVELATION 3:14-20) They are 'neither cold nor hot,' but 'lukewarm.' And unless they heed the counsel of the 'faithful and true Witness,' and zealously repent and obtain 'gold tried in the fire,' ‘white raiment,' and 'eye salve,' He will spew them out of His mouth." Early Writings, page 107, 108.
Why don't they note that this is quoted from the Review & Herald of June 10, 1852. This was written before the S.D.A. Church was organized. It was officially organized in 1863. From that small beginning the S.D.A. Church has grown until in 1989 there were over five million members, and had developed also the largest Protestant Educational System in the world and also the largest Protestant Medical Work.
We do well to also remember that as the church is the object of Christ's supreme regard, it is also the object of Satan's supreme hatred and thus apostasy is ever present. That is no reason to separate from the church.
"Very close and sacred is the relation between Christ and His church, He the bridegroom, and the church the bride; He the head, and the church the body. Connection with Christ, then involves connection with His church." Education, p. 268 (1903) "Evangelism", page 318
Christ will allow His Church to be purged and purified.
MALACHI 3:3-4 “And it shall sit as a refiner and Purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Our Lord purges His people. Christ's purgatory is here in this life, not after death. For if you are not a Saint here, you will never be one in an afterlife. It is here the Lord purifies His people. Note also, that He sits "as a refiner and purifier of silver." I am informed that the refiner of Silver, can tell when the silver is perfectly refined, when he can see his own likeness fully reflected in the silver. (It is the silver on the back of the looking glass that reproduces our likeness in the mirror). So Christ in this life purifies His people. He tries and purges His people till-He can see His own likeness reproduced in His people.
EPHESIANS 5:27 "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
That will be the kind of people that finishes God's work and are described in:
REVELATION 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”.
"Remnant" means "that which remains."
This purging, is the shaking or purging time when our loving, living lord will "purge out" the rebels. (Ezekiel 2:38) He "breaks off" those who are disobedient (Romans 11:20) and spews out "the lukewarm." (REVELATION 3:16) He will also have a pure church. Apostasy will grow so strong that even some of Christ's saints will be dis-fellowshipped. Christ stated it clearly. Read it for yourself.
JOHN 16:1,2 "These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service."
However don't you be so foolish as to put yourself out. Christ has given authority to His Church.
Do all you can to keep your name on the church roll. I know that Authority in the church leaders has become greatly abused and still is abused. Our lord has warned. So don't be surprised. Church authority has been abused by church leaders, see Testimonies to Ministers, page 76, 362, 485-505.
It has been abused by Conference leaders (Testimonies to Ministers, page 347-348) and by Conference Presidents Testimonies to Ministers, page 496). Despite all this the S.D.A. Church is the church our Lord has pointed out clearly in prophecy. It is the Israel of God. Note this assurance:
AMOS 9:9.10 "For, Lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All-the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.”
It is the chaff that is shaken out. But remember our Lord's infallible word or assurance. "Yet shall not the least grain tall upon the earth." The grain is not shaken out. Don't you, like the Pharisees of old, put yourself out. (Remember, Pharisee means Separationist.)
Note further: - "All the sinners of My people shall die," Those that hold on to sin will not be in that pure church. That settles the question:
"Shall we continue to sin till Jesus comes?
A child of God does not continue in sin. Note the clear statement of God's Word.
ROMANS 6:1 "Shall we continue in sin? God Forbid!" 'We are dead to sin.' Remember sin and sinners will be destroyed.
EPHESIANS 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: For because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
EPHESIANS 4:2 "And that you put on the new man, which after God is created-in righteousness and true holiness."
EPHESIANS 4: 6 "Sin not."
EPHESIANS 4:28 "Let him that stole, steal no more."
Many may continue in sin, to be shaken out. "The great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal"..."the majority." 5 Testimonies, page 136.
The devil may sow his tares in Christ’s church but that church will be purified and go through to glorious triumph. Christ will complete the good work he began. He is the Beginning and the Ending.
REVELATION 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, said the lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
It is interesting to note that this world with all its boasted knowledge, is still completely at sea with regard to mankind's beginning and ending.
"The history of the race begins and ends in mystery." Historians History of the World. Volume 1, page 42.
Christ is the "Beginning" and the "Ending". It is interesting to note that He has put the same into the name of the final phase of His Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The "Seventh-day" is linked with creation - the beginning and "Adventist" is linked with the second Advent - the End.
Thus the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only church whose name is linked with the "beginning" and the "ending" of time. With Christ as its beginning, He will be in its "midst" (REVELATION 1:13) till it’s "ending" in Glory. When “We shall ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). When from Sabbath to Sabbath we come to worship. Isaiah 66:22,23. Truly it’s "The Blessed Hope" (Titus 2:13).