School of the Prophets 2004School of the Prophets 2004

• The Purification of God’s ChurchThe Purification of God’s Church

• Part twoPart two

A False RevivalA False Revival

• ““I saw that God has I saw that God has honest childrenhonest children among the nominal among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud crybefore the loud cry of the of the third angel is given, third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these he raises an excitement in these religious bodiesreligious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth , that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnanttheir stand with the remnant.”.” Early Writings Early Writings, 261., 261.

A CounterfeitA Counterfeit

• ““Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His childrenbe poured out upon His children. At . At that time many that time many will separatewill separate themselves from those churches in which themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; this work; and before the time for such a movement and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeitintroducing a counterfeit. .

• In those churches which he can bring under his In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.” world.” The Great ControversyThe Great Controversy, 464., 464.– Before the final judgments of God are poured outBefore the final judgments of God are poured out

• A revival of primitive godlinessA revival of primitive godliness• The latter rainThe latter rain

– The revival of the latter rain is preceded by a false revivalThe revival of the latter rain is preceded by a false revival

The Former RainThe Former Rain

• ““Many have in a great measure failed to receive Many have in a great measure failed to receive the the former rainformer rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that . They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. God has thus provided for them. They expect that the They expect that the lack will be supplied by lack will be supplied by the latter rainthe latter rain. . WhenWhen the the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistakea terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the . The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

• The The samesame work, only in greater degree, must be work, only in greater degree, must be done nowdone now. Then the human agent had only to ask for . Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. represented by the former rain. Only those who are living Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater lightup to the light they have will receive greater light. . Unless Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It It may be falling on hearts all around usmay be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall , but we shall not discern or receive itnot discern or receive it.”.” Testimonies to Ministers Testimonies to Ministers, , 507.507.– Shall not recognize the latter rainShall not recognize the latter rain– Shall not receive the latter rainShall not receive the latter rain

If God’s People Make no EffortIf God’s People Make no Effort

• ““I was shown that if God’s people make no efforts on I was shown that if God’s people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the their part, but wait for the refreshingrefreshing to come upon them to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. the third angel, they will be found wanting. The The refreshingrefreshing or or power of Godpower of God comes only on those comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Godperfecting holiness in the fear of God.”.” Counsels on Counsels on Diet and FoodsDiet and Foods, 33., 33.– The “refreshing” is the power of GodThe “refreshing” is the power of God– It comes only upon those who have preparedIt comes only upon those who have prepared– By perfecting holiness in the fear of GodBy perfecting holiness in the fear of God– And cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spiritAnd cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit

TodayToday

• ““The third angel’s message is swelling into a The third angel’s message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not feel at liberty to loud cry, and you must not feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still entertain the neglect the present duty, and still entertain the idea that idea that at some future timeat some future time you will be the you will be the recipients of great blessing, when without any recipients of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a wonderful revival will take effort on your part a wonderful revival will take place. place. TodayToday you are to give yourselves to God, you are to give yourselves to God, that he may make of you vessels unto honor, that he may make of you vessels unto honor, and meet for his service. and meet for his service. TodayToday you are to give you are to give yourself to God, that you may be emptied of self, yourself to God, that you may be emptied of self, emptied of envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, strife, emptied of envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, strife, everything that shall be dishonoring to God. everything that shall be dishonoring to God.

• TodayToday you are to have your vessel purified that it you are to have your vessel purified that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rainthe showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain ; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will come, and the blessing of God will fill every will fill every soul that is purified from every defilementsoul that is purified from every defilement. It is . It is our work our work todaytoday to yield our souls to Christ, that to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for we may be fitted for the time of refreshingthe time of refreshing from from the presence of the Lord—fitted for the presence of the Lord—fitted for the baptism the baptism of the Holy Spiritof the Holy Spirit.”.” Review and Herald Review and Herald, March , March 22, 1892.22, 1892.– The latter rain fills every soul that has purified The latter rain fills every soul that has purified

themselvesthemselves• The latter rain is the “refreshing from the presence of the The latter rain is the “refreshing from the presence of the

Lord”Lord”• The latter rain is “the baptism of the Holy Spirit”The latter rain is “the baptism of the Holy Spirit”

The RefreshingThe Refreshing

• ““The refreshing is coming from the The refreshing is coming from the presence of the Lord. Let us set our hearts presence of the Lord. Let us set our hearts in order that in order that the truth of Godthe truth of God may live in may live in us; that it us; that it may purifymay purify us, us, ready to receive ready to receive the latter rainthe latter rain.”.” Manuscript Releases Manuscript Releases, , volume 8, 228.volume 8, 228.

The Blotting OutThe Blotting Out

• ““““The great work of the gospel is not to close with less The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of manifestation of the power of Godthe power of God than than markedmarked its its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are ‘are ‘the times of refreshingthe times of refreshing’ to which the apostle Peter ’ to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said: ‘Repent ye therefore, and looked forward when he said: ‘Repent ye therefore, and be converted, be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall comethe times of refreshing shall come from the presence from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus.’ Acts 3:19–20.”of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus.’ Acts 3:19–20.” The Great ControversyThe Great Controversy, 611–612., 611–612.– ““sins” “blotted out,” at “the times of refreshing”sins” “blotted out,” at “the times of refreshing”– ““sins” “blotted out” at “the latter rain”sins” “blotted out” at “the latter rain”

NOWNOW

• ““Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins, that they may go beforehand to judgment our sins, that they may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted outand be blotted out. . NowNow is the time to ‘cleanse is the time to ‘cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ It is dangerous to perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ It is dangerous to delay this work. Satan is even now seeking by disasters delay this work. Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as possible. What is the defense of the people of God at possible. What is the defense of the people of God at this time?—It is a living connection with heaven. If we this time?—It is a living connection with heaven. If we would dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence, if we would dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence, if we would be preserved from dangers seen and unseen, we would be preserved from dangers seen and unseen, we must hide in God; we must secure the protecting care of must hide in God; we must secure the protecting care of Jesus and holy angels. In these days of peril, the Lord Jesus and holy angels. In these days of peril, the Lord would have us walk before him in humility. would have us walk before him in humility.

• ““Instead of trying to cover our sins, he would have us Instead of trying to cover our sins, he would have us confess them, as Joshua confessed the sins of ancient confess them, as Joshua confessed the sins of ancient Israel. We profess to be the depositaries of God’s law. Israel. We profess to be the depositaries of God’s law. We profess to be building up ‘the old waste places,’ and We profess to be building up ‘the old waste places,’ and to be raising up ‘the foundations of many generations.’ If to be raising up ‘the foundations of many generations.’ If this great and solemn work has indeed been committed this great and solemn work has indeed been committed to us, how important that we depart from all iniquity!to us, how important that we depart from all iniquity!

• ““The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it part in proclaiming it whenwhen it shall have swelled into the it shall have swelled into the loud cry.”loud cry.” Review and Herald Review and Herald, November 19, 1908., November 19, 1908.– Third angel’s message swells to a loud cry at the Sunday Third angel’s message swells to a loud cry at the Sunday

lawlaw– Fourth angel’s message joins the third, at the Sunday lawFourth angel’s message joins the third, at the Sunday law

The Signs of the EndThe Signs of the End

• ““The Lord calls upon those who believe in him to be The Lord calls upon those who believe in him to be workers together with him. While life shall last, they are workers together with him. While life shall last, they are not to feel that their work is done. not to feel that their work is done. Shall weShall we allow the allow the signs of the end to be fulfilled without telling people signs of the end to be fulfilled without telling people of what is coming upon the earth?of what is coming upon the earth? Shall weShall we allow allow them to go down in darkness without having urged upon them to go down in darkness without having urged upon them the need of a preparation to meet their Lord? them the need of a preparation to meet their Lord? Unless we ourselves do our duty to those around us, Unless we ourselves do our duty to those around us, the the day of God will come upon us as a thiefday of God will come upon us as a thief. Confusion . Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. human beings. The end is very near. We who know the We who know the truth should be preparing for what is truth should be preparing for what is soonsoon to break upon to break upon the world the world as an overwhelming surpriseas an overwhelming surprise.” .” Review and Review and HeraldHerald, November 22, 1906., November 22, 1906.

This SubjectThis Subject• “‘“‘Be ye also ready: for in an Be ye also ready: for in an such hour as ye think notsuch hour as ye think not

the Son of man cometh.’ People are now settling to rest, the Son of man cometh.’ People are now settling to rest, imagining themselves secure under the popular imagining themselves secure under the popular churches; but let all beware, lest there is a place left churches; but let all beware, lest there is a place left open for the enemy to gain an entrance. open for the enemy to gain an entrance. Great pains Great pains should be taken to should be taken to keep this subject before the keep this subject before the peoplepeople. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the . The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, people of the world, but before our own churches also, that that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedlyunexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is . The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprisedsecure from the danger of being surprised. Let no . Let no one’s interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction one’s interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that of the knowledge of events which show that this great this great event is near at handevent is near at hand.” .” Fundamentals of Christian Fundamentals of Christian EducationEducation, 335–336., 335–336.

The Torch of False ProphecyThe Torch of False Prophecy

• ““ManyMany will stand in our pulpits with will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false the torch of false prophecyprophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful the faithful ministers will be removedministers will be removed from the people who think from the people who think they know so much. ‘If thou hadst known,’ said Christ, they know so much. ‘If thou hadst known,’ said Christ, ‘even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which ‘even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine they are hid from thine eyeseyes.’” .’” The 1888 MaterialsThe 1888 Materials, 1646–1647. , 1646–1647.

• ““In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world.” world.” TestimoniesTestimonies, volume 9, 19., volume 9, 19.

The Speaking of a NationThe Speaking of a Nation

• And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Revelation 13:11.dragon. Revelation 13:11.

• ““The ‘speaking’ of the nation is the action of its legislative The ‘speaking’ of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities.”and judicial authorities.” The Great Controversy The Great Controversy, 442., 442.– The actions of CongressThe actions of Congress

• ““The ‘image to the beast’ represents that form of The ‘image to the beast’ represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil powerpower for the enforcement of their dogmas. The ‘mark of for the enforcement of their dogmas. The ‘mark of the beast’ still remains to be defined.” the beast’ still remains to be defined.” The Great The Great ControversyControversy, 445., 445.

The Enforcement of SundaykeepingThe Enforcement of Sundaykeeping

• ““The enforcement of Sundaykeeping on the part of The enforcement of Sundaykeeping on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the papacy—of the beast. Those who, understanding the the papacy—of the beast. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath are thereby paying the false instead of the true Sabbath are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. But But in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular powersecular power, the churches would themselves form an , the churches would themselves form an image to the beast; hence the image to the beast; hence the enforcementenforcement of of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcementenforcement of the worship of the beast and his image.” of the worship of the beast and his image.” The Great ControversyThe Great Controversy, 448–449., 448–449.

The Image of the BeastThe Image of the Beast

• ““When the early church became corrupted by departing When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought she sought the support of the secular powerthe support of the secular power. The . The result was the papacy, result was the papacy, a church that controlled the a church that controlled the power of the statepower of the state and employed it to further her own and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of ‘heresy.’ In order ends, especially for the punishment of ‘heresy.’ In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, for the United States to form an image of the beast, the the religious powerreligious power must so must so control the civil governmentcontrol the civil government that the authority of the state will also be that the authority of the state will also be employedemployed by the church to accomplish her own endsby the church to accomplish her own ends.”.” The The Great ControversyGreat Controversy, 443., 443.

Preparations, Movements & EventsPreparations, Movements & Events

• ““Already Already preparationspreparations are advancing, and are advancing, and movementsmovements are in progress, which will result in are in progress, which will result in making an image to the beast. making an image to the beast. EventsEvents will be will be brought about in the earth’s history that will fulfill brought about in the earth’s history that will fulfill the predictions of prophecy for these last days. the predictions of prophecy for these last days.

• ““The Lord has shown me clearly that the image The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed of the beast will be formed beforebefore probation probation closes; for it is to be closes; for it is to be the great testthe great test for the people for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. decided.

• ““This is the test that the people of God must This is the test that the people of God must have have beforebefore they are sealed. All who proved they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast” beast” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible The Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryCommentary, volume 7, 976., volume 7, 976.– This test comes before probation closesThis test comes before probation closes– This is the test by which our eternal destiny is This is the test by which our eternal destiny is

decideddecided– This is the test before we must pass before we are This is the test before we must pass before we are

sealedsealed– This is the test This is the test beforebefore the Sunday law test the Sunday law test

Joining HandsJoining Hands

• ““When our nation shall so abjure the When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join handsjoin hands with popery.” with popery.” TestimoniesTestimonies, , volume 5, 712.volume 5, 712.

• ““Can two walk together, except they be Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3.agreed?” Amos 3:3.

The SequenceThe Sequence

• ““As America, the land of religious liberty, shall As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the Papacy in forcing the conscience unite with the Papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example.” led to follow her example.” TestimoniesTestimonies, volume , volume 6, 18.6, 18.

• ““Foreign nations will follow the example of the Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same same crisiscrisis will come upon our people in all will come upon our people in all parts of the world.” Ibid., 395.parts of the world.” Ibid., 395.– First “America” and then “every” other “country First “America” and then “every” other “country

on the globe”on the globe”