Clear down through history

[rainbowinthesky]

CLEAR DOWN THROUGH HISTORY

Clear down through history, God has had an unbroken line of faithful people. In Christ's day, the Apostles and their converts were the true people of God. But with the falling away of those who followed the early leaders came the rise of the man of sin (papacy) foretold in prophecy. But despite this there were true followers of the Lord in all lands, people who suffered terribly at the hands of the fallen church.

Then came the revival of the truth through the Reformers the first of whom was John Wycliffe, then Huss and Jerome, next came Lefevre and Farrel in France and at last Luther and his associates. Mighty indeed was the work which they did but they were the beginning, not the ending of the preparation of the people who are to finish the work of God in all the world.

These did not understand the great prophecies of Daniel 8:14 and of Revelation 13-19. More truth was yet to be revealed and for this purpose, God brought into being The Great Advent Movement of the 1833-1844 period.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

THE RISE OF THE ADVENT MOVEMENT

Nowhere is the rise of the Advent Movement better portrayed than in Revelation 14:6-12. The particular symbol which engages our attention is the symbol of the angels of the prophecy. An angel in this connection symbolizes a movement of people.

"These angels represent those who receive the truth and with power open the gospel to the world." Ellen, Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.979.

But notice that each of the angels follows the one before him. They do not all come at the same time in succession. This indicates that rather than there being the one movement, there is a succession of movements. Yet at the same time we speak of the Great Advent Movement as if it was one movement only. This is also true but the fact remains that there is a succession of movements within the overall movement!

This is the fact of the case as we witness it in history. As we study the rise of the movement, we shall see a significant pattern emerging. The warning message began to be given under the call and guidance of the Lord within the Protestant Churches which at that time, 1833, were the professed people of God upon the earth.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

A PATTERN EMERGING

1. In 1833, it was light beyond that which the churches had yet found in their march away from the apostate church.

2. It was not given by the ecclesiastical authorities of the churches, and,

3. Only a small portion actually accepted the light and followed it.

This is the basic pattern which we shall see repeated with every new "angel" coming upon the scene. Let us put the facts of it down again so that it is clear in mind.

First of all it was light beyond that which had been already received. It was the message of the impending judgment in the light of Daniel 8:14.

Secondly, it was carried, not by the established and recognized leaders of the churches but by laymen of God's own choosing. Miller and Himes were the principal leaders in the proclamation of the first angel's movement or message!

Thirdly, only a few of those who were in the churches took their stand for the message. The remainder fought it most vigorously. Only a minority stood for it.

So the first angel's movement was formed and it was then largely a church within the churches. Separation was not a clear cut and absolute matter although they were separate in spirit. Yet they still largely belonged to the churches.

tbc

 

[rainbowinthesky]

THE SECOND MOVEMENT

The second "angel" followed the first. In the summer of 1844, began to sound the message, "Babylon is fallen," and a new movement took shape. Once again the same pattern is repeated.

First, here was light in advance of that sounded by the first angel's movement. But at the same time they held to and taught all the truth which had been revealed through the first angel.

Secondly, it was carried, not by those who had been the leaders in the first angel's movement but by new leadership. Whereas Miller and Himes had been the men who had led out in the first movement, Fitch, Litch, and Snow were the voices in the second.

Thirdly, not all those who had stood for the message of the first angel were prepared to go on into the second message and movement. They showed then that they were willing to go so far with the Lord but not all the way. Thus they turned their backs from following Him and lost the truth and the salvation which comes through the truth. Others came in to take their places until the numbers swelled to over 50,000 in the days which led up to October 1844. See The Great Controversy, p.376.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

THE THIRD MOVEMENT

The second movement did not complete the work either. This movement was but a stage further in the program of last day events. The third "angel" followed the second. And the fact of history is that the third movement began immediately the second had taken the people as far as it could for the time being.

On the 22nd of October 1844, came THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT as their expectations of seeing the Lord come were not realized. The very next day, after a long night of prayer, the clarifying light began to dawn and the third angel's message began.

Again the pattern was repeated. First, there was additional light not studied by either the first or the second movement. It was light which showed the special work of Christ in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. It showed the real nature of the cleansing of the sanctuary and explained as to why they had been disappointed in their expectations. But let it be seen that nothing of what they now received led them to reject the great basic truths received under the first and the second angels. The new light only added to and confirmed the previous light given, and they preached all that and the extra light with still greater conviction and power.

Secondly, those who had led out in the second angel's movement were not the leaders now. New men came upon the scene to carry the work forward. Now it was Bates, Loughborough, and James and Ellen White.

Thirdly, not all those who took their part in the second angel's message found their way into the third. In fact only a remnant did. Of the 50,000 who looked for the Lord to come on October 22, 1844, only very few remained for the added light. They also showed that their faith was of a nature which could not endure the trials which awaited them and they fell under the test and then cast away what truth they had. Thus they too, lost their eternal life.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

THE FOURTH MOVEMENT

There is yet another angel to follow the third and he is spoken of in Revelation 18:1. Already laid down for us is the clear cut pattern of what this will mean. It will mean that there will be a great deal of additional light to be added to the light already given. It means that it will be championed by new leaders. It means that the vast majority of those who were numbered as the members of the third angel's movement will reject this light and finally persecute those who do accept it. It means that they will lose their eternal life in so doing for they will demonstrate that they are prepared to go so far with their Lord.

The fourth and final angel's message will institute a fresh movement as did the previous three, with added light, new leadership and only a remnant of the personel of the previous movement going on into it!

The prophetic word has made the clearest declarations of when the first angel's message began, when the second and when the third began. Can we not therefore expect to find equally clear declarations about the fourth? Absolutely.

Four years after the preaching of elders Waggoner and Jones, we read:

"The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth." Ellen, Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.984; Review and Herald, Nov.22, 1892.

On the same page is this wonderful statement:

"The prophecies of the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel's message, 'another angel' is to come down from heaven having great power and the earth is to be lightened with his glory."

By the plain words of these statements, then, what year did this angel begin his work? 1888.

Here is another witness from the book Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.235:

"The light that was to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world."

These statements leave us with no doubt whatsoever, that, as surely as the first angel came in 1833, the second in the spring of 1844, and the third in October 23, 1844, just so surely the fourth came in the year 1888. The first angel represented a movement of people, as did the second, and also the third. Does the fourth or the angel of Revelation 18:1 also represent a movement of people with added light and new leadership? Certainly!

"Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven lightening the earth with his glory... The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold." The Great Controversy, pp.604,611.

 

[Castaway57]

THE RISE OF THE ADVENT MOVEMENT

But notice that each of the angels follows the one before him. They do not all come at the same time in succession. This indicates that rather than there being the one movement, there is a succession of movements. Yet at the same time we speak of the Great Advent Movement as if it was one movement only. This is also true but the fact remains that there is a succession of movements within the overall movement!

Well, you cant just say that without some kind of proof. The textual evidence in and of itself in Rev 14 actually does not speak of "different movements." Which of those verses specifically tell us that?

Three angels, give one message, in three parts. That message is called "the everlasting gospel."

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

There is absolutely nothing in this text that tells us about "three separate movements."

This is the fact of the case as we witness it in history. As we study the rise of the movement, we shall see a significant pattern emerging. The warning message began to be given under the call and guidance of the Lord within the Protestant Churches which at that time, 1833, were the professed people of God upon the earth.

Well; the so called "warning message" has never existed alone, and is of no value in and of itself, unless it is coupled intimately with the Bible's many assurances of God's love, and the sure Word of prophecy" which, along with the "warnings" assure us of deliverance and redemption. Our's is a message of hope, not of punishment. God's last word is never punishment; it is ALWAYS mercy. Thats what the everlasting gospel is about. And sadly, many reject it.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

LIGHT BEYOND THE THIRD

The 1888 message was light beyond that which the churches had already received:

"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness. This the sinner owes to the law but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way to attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith the sinner can bring to God the merits of Christ. Then God receives, pardons and justifies the repentant, believing sinner. This is how faith is counted righteousness. Then God loves the sinner as He loves His only begotten Son and the pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace and from light to a greater light." Ellen, Review and Herald, Nov.4, 1890.

This added light of trusting wholly in the merits of Christ for salvation was carried, not by the established leaders of the day, but by men of God's own choosing. Whereas Bates, Loughborough, and James White were the principal leaders in the proclamation of the third angel's message, Ellen White and Waggoner and Jones were the voices in the fourth.

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through elders Waggoner and Jones... It invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus and they needed to have their eyes directed to Jesus, to His divine Person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family... This is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice and attended with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in large measure." Testimoies to Ministers, p.91,92; Faith and Works, p.65,66,93,97.

That this message was light in advance of that sounded by the third angel's movement is verified in the following statements from the pen of inspiration:

"When brother Waggoner brought out these ideas at Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject-- Righteousness by faith--from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband." MS 5, 1888.

It is evident that the Lord Himself regarded the message of Waggoner and Jones as something not preached clearly before. The message of 1888 was something which the brethren had not previously comprehended.

"In Minneapolis God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.30.

Not all those who stood for the message of the third angel were prepared to go on into the fourth message and movement.

"That light which was to fill the whole earth with its glory has been despised by some who claim to believe what is present truth. Be careful how you treat it. Take off the shoes from off your feet, for you are on holy ground." Testimonies to Ministers, pp.89,90.

 

[Castaway57]

You remind me of the Jewish leaders who were jealous of Christ and because they could hot refute the truths He was teaching, they started a campaign against Him as the Adventist leaders did against Dr. Kellogg and brother Jones and finally against Mrs. White by demanding that she moved to Australia so they could carry on with their work which was antagonistic to the third angel's message which they had rejected.

sky

I am very happy to be accused of being a Jew; for the Bible declares that many of the Jews "believed."

Joh_8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

The difference between Ellen White and the others you mentioned is that Ellen White did understand and accept the Church authority which you so humbly deplore.

Church authority is never forced on anyone - that's why Ellen White stayed with the ship; and why Jones & Waggoner jumped over-board.

Not all of the leaders "rejected The Third Angel's Message;" just as not all of the laymembers did either. To press such apostasy on the church as a whole is neither true to the historical accounts; or the Holy Scriptures.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

CONCLUSION

We must today keep pace with the advancing light and be prepared to go on into the fourth angel's movement as the message is revived the second time. The same pattern will be repeated except that this time, the work will be brought to its completion. It will "spread like fire in the stubble" and it will be "a complete success," for Christ's righteousness will accomplish everything. Ellen, 1 S.M.118,411; F.W.27.

"At Minneapolis, there was evidence and there was reasoning from the Word that commended itself to the conscience; but the minds of men were fixed, sealed against the entrance of light, because they had decided it was a dangerous error removing the old landmarks when it was not removing a peg of the old landmarks, but they had perverted ideas of what constituted the old landmarks." Ellen, Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.30.

The fourth angel's movement with its added light, resisted before, will most likely be resisted again. The following statement bears that out:

"If this attitude is preserved, then when the Lord shall again let His light shine upon the people, they will turn from the heavenly illumination." 1 S.M.143.

"The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God." The Great Controversy, p.615; Testimonies to Ministers,366. (this happened to the Jewish people after 34 A.D.)

The pattern will be repeated:

"Many a star that we have admired for its brillliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away in the wind, even from places where we see only floors of wheat. All who assume the garments of the sanctuary but are not clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness." Testimonies, Vol.5, pp.81.

"Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the advancing light. In the last great work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view." Testimonies, Vol.5, pp.80,81.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

THE MESSAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN THE MERITS OF THE REDEEMER

"Unless he makes it his lifebusiness to behold the uplifted Saviour, and by faith to accept the merits which it is his privilege to claim, the sinner can no more be saved than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus." Testimonies to Ministers, p.93; THE LIGHT REJECTED (1888)

Thus "The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour, which appropriates His merits to ourselves." Desire of Ages,347.

"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness. This the sinner owes to the law but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ." F.W.101.

And "His righteousness accomplishes everything" (F.W.27) for It "imparts all the powers, all the grace, all the inclination, all the repentance and all the pardon of sin." See F.W.27,24,65,66.

Through this faith the sinner is joined to Christ who is the Head and he is organized.

sky

 

[Castaway57]

Thus "The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour, which appropriates His merits to ourselves."

"The only way he--the sinner--can attain to righteousness is to bring to God the merits of Christ." F.W.101. "His righteousness accomplishes everything" for It imparts all the powers, all the grace, all the inclination, all the repentance and all the pardon of sin. See F.W.27,24,65,66.

We dont bring those merits to God; Jesus does. One of the many troubles with such out of context quoting of Non-scripture - and even Scripture is that one often ends up teaching error; albeit, quite subtly.

If you would quote in context it would be seen that we cannot just have Jesus, as a Savior; He must be THE Savior, and He must be Lord. No good to have a Savior if He is not also Lord.

This post you made is good evidence why it is taught by Adventists to NOT use Ellen White's writings to form doctrine. We use the Bible first.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

"The prophets of God spoke less for their own time than for the ages to come, and especially for the generation that would live amid the last scenes of this earth's history." Signs of the Times, Vol.3, p.445.

"His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes they are greedy dogs which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory." Isaiah 56:10,11.

 

[Castaway57]

"The prophets of God spoke less for their own time than for the ages to come, and especially for the generation that would live amid the last scenes of this earth's history." Signs of the Times, Vol.3, p.445.

"His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes they are greedy dogs which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory." Isaiah 56:10,11.

As I have previously stated, God's last word is never condemnation/punishment. It's quite the contrary. Jesus loves, and has always loved any and all "backsliders.." And from days of old He has promised that He will give us Pastors after His own heart:

Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

How can you presume to condemn what Jesus loves?

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

I will come back to your reference to Isaiah 56 in my next post.

 

[LilLamb219]

MOD HAT ON

This thread has gone through a Thread Clean Up. If you notice a post of yours missing it is because it either had a rule violation or responded to one that did. Please keep in mind the RULES when posting and respond to the post DO NOT ATTACK THE POSTER.

MOD HAT OFF

 

[rainbowinthesky]

We dont bring those merits to God; Jesus does.

castaway
___________

"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness. This the sinner owes to the law but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way to attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith the sinner CAN BRING TO GOD the merits of Christ. Then God receives, pardons and justifies the repentant, believing sinner. This is how faith is counted righteousness. Then God loves the sinner as He loves His only begotten Son and the pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace and from light to a greater light." Ellen, Review and Herald, Nov.4, 1890.

"The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of PRESENTING HIS DIVINE MERITS in the offering of Himself to the Father as our Subtistute and Surety; for He ascended up on High to make an atonement for our transgression." Faith & Works,105.

 

[Castaway57]

We dont bring those merits to God; Jesus does.

castaway
___________

"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness. This the sinner owes to the law but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way to attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith the sinner CAN BRING TO GOD the merits of Christ.

If that is the case; then we can all go to Catholic Confessionals tomorrow. You will need to show this clearly by scripture before we can believe it, instead of quoting Ellen White so out of context and making it sound like we are our own Mediators.

The context you quoted EGW here also suggests strongly that you are saying we keep the law by faith. Since you say "righteousness is attained through faith;" and that "righteousness is obedience to the law," then we can just keep the law by faith. Wow. You sure got your quotes mixed up this time.

 

[rainbowinthesky]

Yes the only way we can keep the law is by faith.
By faith in the merits of Christ.

"You cannot explain this faith that lays right hold upon
the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour
to bring Christ's righteousness into your life. Clothed
with the righteousness of Christ and not your own
righteousness you will not depend upon what you can
do or what you will do" for "Christ's righteousness
accomplishes everything." F.W.65-66,27.

Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything as
it works in us both to will and to do God's pleasure
(Phil.2:13) and God's good pleasure is expressed in
the precepts of His holy law. (Rom.2:18)

In Testimonies to Ministers, p.92, speaking of the 1888
message, we read, "It invited the people to receive the
righteousness of Christ which is made manifest in obedience
to all the commandments of God."

We receive His righteousness by faith, by faith in the merits
of His shed blood. (Rom.3:25)

All the religions of this world teach salvation through the
merits of their good works but the true religion, the only
religion of the Bible teaches that there is salvation for us
through the grace of God (Titus 2:11) but only through
faith that lays right hold upon the merits of the blood of
Christ. (Rom.3:25; 5:5; Gal.5:6; Rom.13:10; Rev.14:12.

sky

 

[rainbowinthesky]

"The prejudices and the opinions that
prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by
any means; the seeds sown there in some
hearts are ready to spring into life and bear
a like harvest. The tops have been cut
down, but the roots have never been
eradicated, and they still bear their unholy
fruit to poison the judgment, pervert the
perceptions, and blind the understanding
of those with whom you connect, in regard
to the message and the messengers. When,
by thorough confession, you destroy the
root of bitterness, you will see light in God's
light. Without this thorough work you will never
clear your souls." Testimonies to Ministers,
p.467.

 

[Castaway57]

"The prejudices and the opinions that
prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by
any means; the seeds sown there in some
hearts are ready to spring into life and bear
a like harvest. The tops have been cut
down, but the roots have never been
eradicated, and they still bear their unholy
fruit to poison the judgment, pervert the
perceptions, and blind the understanding
of those with whom you connect, in regard
to the message and the messengers. When,
by thorough confession, you destroy the
root of bitterness, you will see light in God's
light. Without this thorough work you will never
clear your souls." Testimonies to Ministers,
p.467.