If ancient Israel had been faithful to the Lord, Jerusalem would have stood forever. Likewise if modern Israel had been faithful to the Lord it would have been the last church on earth.

God will deal with modern Israel just as He dealt with ancient Israel, because we as a people have departed from God the same as they did.

God called out a remnant from ancient Israel to complete the work that He designed should be done. Likewise also He is calling out of modern Israel a remnant to do work that He designed shall be done.

What is righteousness by faith or the message of the remnant?

Who only will be saved?

The object of this little book is to point out the danger you are in when you are following men in place of following Christ. And as ancient Israel as a nation rejected Christ, so modern Israel as a denomination has and will reject the Gospel. They as a nation did not accept Christ neither have we as a denomination accepted the Gospel.

Salvation was offered to them in a form of new truth. So also salvation is offered to modern Israel in a form of new truth. The ultimatum to ancient Israel was, accept new truth (Gospel) and live, or remain where you are and be lost. The ultimatum to modern Israel is the same: Accept or acquire new truth and live, or remain as you are and be lost. The common people of ancient Israel could not receive much help from their own spiritual leaders in finding new truth. So also now, the common people of modern Israel will not receive the saving truth from their leaders. In order to be saved, they must study for themselves. The same spiritual condition that existed in ancient Israel when their probation closed, will also exist in modern Israel when probation closes. The last message to be preached is "the message of Christ's righteousness." Vol. 6, page 19.

When people receive that message the power of the devil is broken. Righteousness by faith is an experience that God graciously bestows on those alone, who like the disciples of old accepted new truth; the only true and complete Gospel. Preaching the truth in our day will consequently have the same effect on modern Israel as the truth in the days of Christ had upon ancient Israel.

C.O.L . > Christ Object Lessons

C.O.R . > Christ Our Righteousness

D.A . > Desire of Ages

E.W . > Early Writings

G.C. > Great Controversy

G.C.B. > General Conference Bulletin

G.W. > Gospel Workers

M.G. > Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers

P.P > Patriarchs and Prophets

P.K > Prophets and Kings

R.H > Review and Herald
 

This book is written especially for those who are at ease in Zion "Which say to the seers, see not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits." Amos 6:1 Isaiah 30:10

"Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." Romans 9:27. This was indeed true of ancient Israel and it will also be true of modern Israel, because the Lord says, "You are following away from your holy calling as God's peculiar people." Volume 5:75-76. Israel was God's chosen people: "And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation." "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people." Exodus 19:6,5. Israel was to be God's special favorite people, not for a few days or years, but forever and ever. The Lord did say, "If ye can break My covenant of the day, and My covenant of the night, and that there shall not be a day and night in their season: Then may also My covenant be broken with David, My servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, My ministers." Jeremiah 33:20-21.

God did not cast away His people, see Romans 11:1. They, all but a remnant, rejected their Lord. And the sacred oracles including the "adoption, and glory, and the covenants (or testaments), and the giving of the law, and the service of God and the promises," Romans 9:4 all followed the remnant. All the promises of God given to Israel were lost, and Israel itself was no more God's church. The word of God, the sacred oracles, the right to represent God on earth was taken from Israel and given to the apostles, the remnant of Israel.

God had not cast away His people, but He had chosen a remnant of elect from among them, and the rest were blinded, Romans 11:5-7. He cleansed His church by reorganizing it. He will do the same thing today, in the same way, and for the same reason: because we as a people are departing from God in the same way as they did, Volume 5:75-76, Isaiah 8:16.

"Since the time of the Minneapolis meeting, I have seen the state of the Laodiceans church as never before. . . Like the Jews, many have closed their eyes lest they should see." Review and Herold August

26, 1890. "The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel. Volume 4:167.

If ancient Israel had been faithful to God, Jerusalem would have stood forever. Likewise also now, if God's people modern Israel, had been faithful, their church would have been the last church the remnant church, because before the year 1900 the people of God would have been in heaven: "Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God." Volume 6:450:1, published in the year 1900. Had the purpose of God been carried out, there would have been no remnant either of ancient Israel or of modern Israel. We can see by faith what could have been, but we must face the reality that is, that Israel, ancient and modern, had departed from God. "There is an astonishing backsliding with God's people, to whom had been intrusted sacred, holy truth." Testimonies to Ministers 450.

The cable between us and God has been severed: "The facts concerning the real condition of the professed people of God, speak more loudly than their profession, and make it evident that some power has cut the cable that anchored them to the Eternal Rock, and that they are drifting away to sea, without chart or compass." -- C.O.R (Old Edition) Page 50 and 51, (new edition) page 36.

God will deal with modern Israel like He dealt with ancient Israel because we as a people have departed from God the same as they did.

In giving the following comparison, I do not, with this, intend to prove that we are following ancient Israel to destruction. The word of God tells what our end will be if we follow Israel in

place of our Savior. That should be sufficient and final. But in giving the comparison I hope and pray that someone who is ignorantly placing man where God ought to be, will wake up and seek righteousness before the door of mercy is closed.

Ancient Israel: "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Matthew 21:43.

Modern Israel: "He will take His Holy spirit from the church and will give it to others who will appreciate it." Mrs. E.G.White in Review and Herald July 16, 1895.

A.I.: They rejected Christ.

M.I.: We rejected Gospel. T.M. 467, 468. "There has been a departure of God among us, and the zealous work of repentance and return to our first love essential to restoration to God and regeneration of heart has not yet been done . . The religion of many among us will be the religion of apostate Israel, because they love their own way, and forsake the way of the Lord. The true religion, the only religion of the Bible, that teaches forgiveness only through merits of a crucified and risen Savior, that advocates righteousness by faith of the Son of God, has been slighted, spoken against, ridiculed, and rejected."

A.I.: Some of the Jews rejected the Holy Spirit.

M.I.: "Some have treated the Spirit as an unwelcome guest, refusing to receive the rich gift, refusing to acknowledge it, turning from it and condemning it as fanaticism." T.M. 64:1.

A.I.: "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been down in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." Matthew 11:23.

M.I.: "And thou Capernaum, Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light, which art exalted unto heaven in point of privilege, shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." E. G. White in Review and Herald August 1, 1893.

A.I.: Christ warned His disciples against certain class of people. Matthew 16:6,12

.

M.I.: We have received a similar warning:

"We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our leading brethren have frequently taken their position on the wrong side; and if God would send a message and wait for these older brethren to open the way for its advancement, it would never reach the people." Gospel Workers 303:3.

A.I.: "The people gave credence to what the priests and Pharisees taught in place of seeking to understand the Word of God for themselves." Desire of Ages 489:4

M.I.: "But God is greatly dishonored when men are placed in position where God should be." T. M. 326:2.

"There are strange principles being established in regard to the control of the minds and works of men, by human judges, as though these finite men were Gods." T.M. 384:3.

"They exalt themselves as men of superior judgment, and they have stood as representatives of God. These are false gods." T.M. 364:1

"To place man where God should be placed does not honor or glorify God. Is the president of the General Conference to be the god of the people?" T.M. 375:2. "Beware how you place men where God should be." T.M. 3

"We are warned not to trust in man, nor to make flesh our arm." T.M. 494:2.

A.I.: The religious leaders of Ancient Israel were self-righteous: "The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was, that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. . . They thought themselves the greatest religionists o the world, but their so called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory." Desire of Ages 309.

M.I.: "As it was in the days of Christ, so it is now; the Pharisees do not know their spiritual destitution. The Righteousness of Christ is to them as a robe unworn, a fountain untouched." Desire of Ages 280:3.

A.I.: They considered that they had all the truth, and therefore they persecuted and killed others who differed from them. Luke 21:16.

M.I.: "Some who profess righteousness will, like Judas, betray their Lord into the hands of his bitterest enemies. These self-confident ones, determined to have their own ideas, will go on from bad to worse, until they will pursue any course rather than to give up their own will. They will go on blindly in the way of evil; but like the deluded Pharisees, so self-deceived that they think they are doing God's service. Christ portrayed the course which a certain class will take, when they have a chance to develop their true character: 'And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.'" Volume 5:690, 691.

"And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith, and

take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren, and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us." Volume 5:463:2

.

A.I.: Ancient Israel became an harlot. Isaiah 1:21

M.I.: Modern Israel has become an harlot. Volume 8:250:2. "How is the faithful city become an harlot? My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed. For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking."

A.I.: For all this ancient Israel was rejected. God took his Spirit away from them. Their temple became desolate. Matthew 23:38.

M.I.: Modern Israel had done the same and the Lord says about them, "But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking." Volume 5:210:2.

Another point of comparison between ancient and modern Israel is that of having a prophet. God spoke to Israel through a prophet until the people wandered completely away from God. Such a condition is described in Lam. 2:9. But whenever Israel followed the counsel of God, revealed through the prophet, they prospered. II Chron. 20:20. For several hundred years before the generation when Christ was to come, ancient Israel, on account of their sins, had no prophet. Christ said: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent until thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37. When the Lord sent Jeremiah with a message to Israel, the people said, "Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words." Jer. 18:18.

The same will also be true of modern Israel; they also had a prophet as long as God, to some extent could guide them. But we are told through her, "It may be that ere long all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers." Volume 5:77. And it is now the same with us as it was with ancient Israel. We have departed so far from God, that there is no prophet who disturbs our carnal slumber. And as ancient Israel smote Jeremiah in not giving heed to any of his words, so modern Israel is smiting modern Jeremiah in not giving heed to any of her words. The following comparison will prove this to some extent.

Modern Israelites believe that they are spiritually "rich and increased with goods." I often hear them say: "We have all the truth." Mrs. White says that they "do not know their spiritual destitution. . . The righteousness of Christ is to them as a robe unworn, a fountain untouched." Desire of Ages 280:3.

They also contend that they have always preached, believed and understood righteousness by faith, but Mrs. White says: "There is not one in one hundred who understand himself the Bible truth on this subject (justification by faith), that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare." Christ Our Righteousness 106:3. Who is right, Mrs. White or the church?

Written in the year 1900, the following message comes: "Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God." Volume 6:450; see also Volume 8:116. Is modern Israel fulfilling God's purpose now? "The fact is, that God's people who know the truth have failed to do their duty. . ." Volume 9:244:2.

Are the Laodicean people under a delusion and are they being deceived? "The heavenly teacher inquired: 'What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation, and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy, and are sinning against Jehovah? O, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who

have since known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything.'" Volume 8:249:3.

Many in modern Israel believe that the General Conference is and constitutes the voice of God, but Mrs. White says: "Those keepers of the light that is to illuminate the whole world, have lost their bearings." Testimonies to Ministers 397:1. She also says: "Those who stand in responsible positions must not feel that their positions of importance makes them men of infallible judgment." Testimonies to Ministers 347:1. Further she says: "You have no right to manage, unless you manage in God's order. Are you under control of God? Do you see your responsibility to Him? That these men should stand in place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be. . . is past. What we want now is a reorganizing. We want to begin at the foundation and build upon a different principle." Mrs. E. G. White in General Conference Bulletin, page 25, 1901.

The Servant of the Lord further tells us: "At the center of the work matters are being shaped so that every other institution is following in the same course. And the General Conference is itself becoming corrupted with wrong sentiments and principles . . . The holy principles that God has given are represented as the sacred fire, but common fire has been used in place of the sacred. Plans contrary to truth and righteousness are introduced in a subtle manner on the plea that this must be done, and that must be done, 'because it is for the advancement of the cause of God.' But it is the devising of men that leads to oppression, injustice, and wickedness." Testimonies to Ministers 359. It is self evident that the voice of God cannot be the voice of oppression, injustice, and wickedness, for that reason the Lord says: "There will be no material change until a decided movement is made to bring in a different order of things." Testimonies to Ministers 360:2.

Mrs. White claims that her writings are inspired of God, Volume 5:234:3;661:1, but the leaders of the organization do not take this very seriously, for they have changed her writings. Once instance will suffice.

In Great Controversy, chapter 21, paragraph 21, Mrs. White first published this sentence: "Furthermore in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation, in a message which is yet future, the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon." But this sentence has been changed and the seven words (in a message which is yet future) have been taken out. Has any human being the right to change an inspired book? The rebuke of the Lord is upon those who are hindering any light from reaching the people. G.W. 304. There is a message which will come to earnest individuals, and because the leaders rejected this message in 1888, God will give same message through others, and the leaders are admonished to accept the message and unite with the messenger. G.W. 304.

Mrs. White says that the Spirit of God is departing from His people: "The Spirit of God is departing from many of His people. Many have entered into dark, secret paths, and some will never return." Again, "I know not but some have even now gone too far to return and to repent." T. M. page 90. Yet modern Israel feels no need, because "Very many are content with a surface work, taking for granted they have all that is essential." C.O.L Chapter: Hidden Treasure, Par. 22.

Modern Israel claims, "There is no other message." North Pacific Union Gleaner, September 3, 1940. They want God to talk to them through the only official channel, their own leaders. They limit the work of God. But Mrs. White says: "If God would send a message and wait for these older brethren to open the way for its advancement, it would never reach the people." G.W. 303:3. I have often heard people say: "We have all the light there is." "There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light." G.W. 300:3. Mrs. White further states: "We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. . . We must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send." G.W. 310:4.

"The general opinion is that the church is flourishing, and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders." Volume 5:217. But on the contrary, Mrs. White says that "our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and on kindred truths." G.W. 301:1.

Some say: "We should not listen to any doctrine and believed by our leaders." In Gospel Workers, page 301, paragraph 2, Mrs. White writers, "No matter by whom light is sent we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ." Should we believe the church or should we believe Mrs. White? Should we believe God or man?

Mrs. White is not in harmony with the present order of things, because she says on page 374 of T.M. that it is not safe to take counsel or man "as the voice of God," and further on page 375 "To place men where God should be placed does not humor or glorify God. Is the president of the General Conference to be the god of the people?" Again on page 386 she says: "Beware how you place men where God should be." The only ones who will be saved are the ones who study the word of God for themselves. G.C. 625:3. "But if we trust in our own wisdom and strength or in the wisdom and strength of our fellow men, it will be turned into a poison." T.M. 385. In Vol. 5:369:2, we read, "Let those who would follow Christ fully come up to the work, even if it be over the heads of ministers and president."

Many church members claim that modern Israel is the last church on earth. Mrs. White claims that the message she gives is the last message. Vol. 5:206. But how confusing it is that the message one receives from the church has scarcely any similarity to the message the Spirit of Prophecy brings. Is it the last church or is it the last message? Spirit of Prophecy says that the church has not half received the message. E.W. 270:3.

Spirit of Prophecy claims that there is another message to be preached contemporaneously to the third. Another angel joins the third angel and they work together. But the work will then go "forward under the direction of 'the fourth angel, and no longer under the direction of the third angel.'" T.M. 300. It is this change

in the management of the work -- a change so drastic that people "will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard." T.M. 300. It is the fourth angel who is directing, but "God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands." T.M. 300. This drastic change in management, a change in ideas, theories, habits and practices. C.O.R. 154:4 (new edition 121:4).

In another place, Spirit of Prophecy states: "We are not to worship and serve God by the use of means employed in former years." C.O.R. 140:2. This Change in the management of God's work on earth will be resisted and opposed by many. "In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God (Revelation 18:1), they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideas, they will oppose the work. 'Why,' they say, 'should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?' -- 'Because they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties of the messages of God, but persistently said, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.'" E.G.White in Review and Herald Extra, December 23, 1890.

There is no proof in all the writings of Spirit of Prophecy or in the Bible, that modern Israel in its present condition will be God's only true agency here on earth for the proclamation of the true and complete gospel. I say again there is no such statement. So many in modern Israel claim that their church is not Babylon. Tell me, dear friend, is Babylon the only place on earth where a person can be lost? Must a person go to Babylon in order to loose his soul? Were the Jews not lost right in Jerusalem, staying at home in their own church? We can be lost also staying at home in Jerusalem or in our own church. Millions of Jews lost their souls doing so, and who are they that are following their footsteps? Volume 5:76, top of the page. Does Jesus not indicate that there is a time to stay in Jerusalem, Luke 24:49, and that there is a time to flee from it, Matthew 24:16. Does Jerusalem sometimes mean the

church? See Ezekiel 9:4; Volume 3:267; Volume 5:211. The great danger for God's people today is not that of believing the church to be Babylon, but of believing the Pharisees in place of believing Christ. "As it was in the day of Christ so is it now." Desire of Ages 280:3. The Pharisees do not know their spiritual destitution. And those Pharisees here spoken of are in the Laodicean church, (Read Desire of Ages 280 whole page), because the message to the Laodicean church of Revelation 3:17-18 is quoted. Now the Laodicean church is the church of modern Israel. Volume 3:252 and E. W. 107, 108. Then the Pharisees spoken of by our Savior in Desire of Ages 280:3 are Pharisees in modern Israel or the Laodicean church. And what does it say about these modern Pharisees? "The righteousness of Christ is to them a robe unworn, a fountain untouched." "A nation's sin and a nation's ruin were due to the religious leaders." Desire of Ages 738:2. We can clearly see from these quotations, that the prophet of God sent to modern Israel was not accepted by the church any more than one of the prophets God sent to ancient Israel . . . We should have more as much faith in the spiritual leaders of modern Israel as Christ had in the spiritual leader of ancient Israel.

When ancient Israel completely rejected the council of God, it became necessary for God to reject them and choose other people, a remnant to do the work that Israel had failed in doing. Matthew 21:43.

What happened to ancient Israel will happen to modern Israel. The destruction of Jerusalem is a type of the destruction of the world, and stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel. Volume 4:167. "Shall the warnings from God be passed by unheeded? Shall the opportunities for service be unimproved? Shall the world's scorn, the pride of reason, conformity to human customs and traditions, hold the professed followers of Christ from service to Him? Will they reject God's word as the Jewish leaders rejected Christ? The result of Israel's sin is before us. Will the church of today take warning?" C.O.L 311 (new edition 306).

"In the Jewish nation it was the priests and teachers who, by misleading the people, had robbed God of the service He claimed. It was they who turned the nation away from Christ. . .

A nation's sin and a nation's ruin were due to the religious leaders." C.O.L. chapter, The Lord's Vineyard. With modern Israel, the Lord tells us, that the same forces are at work: "We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world." C.O.R. page 147 (old edition). "The leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed." Isaiah 9:16. But My people love to have it so, see Jer. 5:31.

What can God do to arouse His people from their slumber? Even after ancient Israel had been rejected of God, Jerusalem and their organization stood for nearly a generation, seemingly blessed of God, but destruction came, and so it will now come in a similar way to modern Israel. Years before ancient Israel was completely rejected, Christ began to train His disciples, the men who were to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. So also now in modern Israel, years before the final crisis, God will lead out, for we read: "Men of clear understanding are needed now. God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation." T.M. 514:3.

If the disciples had followed the counsel of their own church leaders of ancient Israel is following in the footsteps of ancient Israel, would the same action today not bring the same result?

The work will go forward for we read in Gospel Workers, page 304: "The rebuke of the Lord will rest upon those who would bar the way, that clearer light shall not come to the people. A great work is to be done, and God sees that our leading men have need of more light, that they may unite with the massagers whom He sends to accomplish the work He designs shall be done. The Lord has raised up messengers, and endued them with His Spirit, and has said, 'Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.' (Isaiah 58:1) Let no one run the risk of interposing between the people and the message of Heaven. This message will go to the people; and if there were no voice among

men to give it, the very stones would cry out." Souls that are faithful will finish the work. They did it in ancient Israel and they will do it now. "But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking." Volume 5:210:2. Organization lasted in Ancient Israel for many years after the Spirit of God was with drawn from them and so it may now.

The men whom Jesus called to be leaders of the remnant of Ancient Israel were men of the common walk of life, who had not been trained in the schools of the Pharisees of their day. They were men of faith and prayer who longed for a closer walk with God. They were men who were not ashamed to be rejected and ridiculed by their former religious leaders. In like manner also it will be when God chooses men to be leaders of the remnant of modern Israel. "There are men who will be taken form the plow, from the vineyard, from various branches of work, and sent forth to give this message to the world." Volume 7:270:4. "God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. . . In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged." Volume 5:80.

When this remnant was first spoken of in the Bible, it was in or among Israel. Isaiah 10:22 (margin). But before probation was closed for ancient Israel as a national church, the remnant appeared. The same events that caused the remnant to separate from modern Israel:

First: Backslidden condition of the church.

Second: A message from heaven.

Third: The work of the Holy Spirit.

Fourth: Persecution.

First: Ancient Israel was backslidden. Ye "are of your father the devil," Christ said. John 8:44. God would not

receive their worship. Matthew 15:9.

Modern Israel is backslidden. "There is an astonishing backsliding with God's people." T.M. 450. "The church has turned back from following Christ their leader." Volume 5:217. "To those who are indifferent at this time Christ's warning is, 'Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth.' Revelation 3:16. The figure of spewing out of His mouth means that He cannot offer up your prayers or your expressions of love to God. He cannot endorse your teachings of His word or your spiritual work in any wise. He cannot present your religious exercises with the request that grace be given you." Volume 6:408:2.

Second: A message was sent from heaven. As ancient Israel rejected Christ and the message from heaven so has modern Israel rejected Christ and the message from heaven. "The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation and is applicable to the people of God at the present time." Volume 1:252. It has not been heeded, E.W. 270:3. "But when light has come to those at the center of work, they have not known how to treat it. . . They do not obey God's voice, because was the Jewish nation, they know not the time of their visitation." T.M. 402 "Since the time of the Minneapolis meeting I have seen the state of the Laodicean church as never before. . . Like the Jews, many have closed their eyes lest they should see." Review and Herald August 26, 1890. "Most startling messages will be born of men of God's appointment, messages of a character to warn the people, to arouse them. . . . Messages will be given out of the usual order." Volume 9. 317.

Third: The work of the Holy Spirit is to lead people into all the truth. John 16:3. Those who are willing to be led away from the doctrines and commandments of man (Matthew 15:9) will receive new truth. Volume 5:729:2.

They are the remnant, the only ones who will fully receive the Holy Spirit and give the loud cry, the only ones who will be saved. "If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door." T.M. 508.

God could not give His Holy Spirit to the Jews to sanction everything done in their midst at the time of Christ any more, than He can give His Holy Spirit to sanction everything that is done in our midst today. "Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it." T.M. 507:1. From the above we can see that the condition under which the Holy Spirit will be poured out, will be the same now as on the day of Pentecost, not only for those who receive it but also for those who do not receive it.

The Holy Spirit was poured out shortly before probation closed, as anciently, so now.

The ones who received the Holy Spirit were not counted as orthodox church members altogether. So also now.

The ones who did not receive the Holy Spirit considered those who did receive it in disgrace. See Acts 2:12-13. So it will be now. In E. W. 108:1 we read, "Now, if any one longs after the living God, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, and God gives them to feel His power, and satisfies their longing

souls by shedding abroad His love in their hearts, and if they glorify God by praising Him, they are, by these professed believers in the soon coming of the Lord, often considered deluded, and charged with being mesmerized or having some wicked spirit." The ones who did not receive the Holy Spirit continued to worship as they always had done and were lost. The ones who did receive it changed their method and center of worship, and had their names written in the book of life. Luke 10:20.

Fourth: The fourth step in the separation of the remnant from the mother church, Israel, is persecution. The Jews persecuted and killed Christ and several of the disciples. Modern Israel will do the same thing. Volume 5:691, 463. But as the remnant of old preached Christ boldly, so also will the remnant today give the loud cry which is an addition to the third angel's message. E.W. 277:2. Israel of old started a worldwide work in the name of the Lord, but they never finished it. The remnant finished it by giving the message in their generation. Col. 1:6, 23. Israel of today has also started a world-wide work but others, the remnant who preach Christ's Righteousness, will finish it. "The message of Christ' righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel." Volume 6:19:1. The work of separating the chaff from the wheat; the remnant from Israel and from the world, is very fittingly called the sifting or shaking.

The shaking is caused by a message or a testimony from God. E.W. 270. What was this testimony in the days of ancient Israel? It was the message of the true and faithful Witness -- Jesus. Some would not receive His message or testimony and rose up against it, and this is what cause the shaking among ancient Israel. The

shaking cleansed the church in the sight of God, but to human eyes it just caused a lot of trouble. It divided the church; it produced a Christian church a remnant began to be visible. The shaking drove some people out and away from ancient Israel and they became the remnant. They were shaken out of the church on earth and shaken into the church in heaven. Others were shaken out of the church in heaven but remained members in good and regular standing in the Jewish church on earth.

"When God's presence was finally withdrawn from the Jewish nation, priests and people knew it not. Though under the control of Satan, and swayed by the most horrible and malignant passions, they still regard themselves as the chosen of God. The ministration in the temple continued; sacrifices were offered upon its polluted altars, and daily the divine blessing was invoked upon a people guilty of the blood of God's dear Son, and seeking to slay His ministers and apostles." G.C. 615:1. The shaking in modern Israel is also caused by a message. E.W. 270. The church will be cleansed now just like it was in the days of Christ and apostles. Will modern Israel go that far in following in the footsteps of ancient Israel? It is sad indeed to think that God's people of today, highly favorite as they are, will fall away from God, and that God's Spirit will depart from them before probation closes. This is, however, what God says: "Some who had been dishonoring God, repented and humbled their hearts before him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking." Volume 5:210:2. That this statement refers to a time before probation closes is evident, because people still are able to repent and come to God. People do not repent and return to God after probation is closed. God, according to His own word, will reject modern Israel, Christ is a stumbling stone to both houses of Israel. Isaiah 8:14

The remnant will proclaim a message that Israel failed in proclaiming. "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;" Romans 9:31, 32." Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Romans 11:5. Israel did not obtain righteousness because she was seeking it the wrong way, "as it were by works of the law," (Romans 9:32) but the remnant finally will keep the commandments of God. Revelations 12:17. "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity." Zeph. 3:13. What is it that will give the remnant that power to be victorious? It is righteousness by faith. The Lord tells us that the power of the devil will be broken if we fully receive righteousness by faith G.W. 161:1. "He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul to keep him from sinning." D.A. 311. This is the same message given to the remnant in the days of the Apostles, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14.

We cannot get righteousness by trying to keep the law. The Jews tried it. Modern Israel is trying it. We must have righteousness first, then the power of the devil is broken, sin will then have no dominion over us, and the grace of God will keep us from sinning. God says: "He (Christ) makes an end of the controlling power of sin in the heart." Mrs. E. G. White, in Justification by Faith, page 10. How does the Lord do that? It is just the very thing that you and I need to have done for us. "The provision is complete, and the eternal righteousness of Christ is placed to the account of every believing soul." Justification by Faith, page 8 Mrs. E. G. White. Christ will cover us with His righteousness, 'and then the power of the devil is broken.' Thanks be unto God.

Here is perhaps the greatest difference between the teachings of modern Israel and that of the remnant. Israel believes that we will get righteousness after we have gotten the victory over sin,

but the Lord tells us that we must have righteousness of Christ in order to get the victory over sin. Both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy on this point are completely in harmony. See tract by Mrs. E. G. White, Justification by Faith. The way ancient Israel as well as modern Israel try to get righteousness is, "as it were by the works of the law," (Romans 9:32), or by their own works is nothing more than self righteousness, which has its root in heathenism.

"But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence; have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject the very message God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them.

"No ones should claim that he has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, 'I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.' Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people the message for this time." T.M. 106-107. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Zech. 13:1. I am glad today that this door and such a fountain are still open.

But someone will say, "Will not modern Israel receive the message of Christ's righteousness?" "In 1888 in the General conference held at Minneapolis, Minn., the angel of Revelation 18 came down to his work, and was ridiculed, criticized, and rejected, and when the message he brings again will swell into a loud cry, it will be ridiculed, and spoken against, and rejected by the majority." E. G. White "In taking up a reproach."

"The Loud Cry (message of Christ's righteousness. C.O.R. p. 72, vol. 6, p 19) will come and pass and the latter rain will fall and many people know nothing about it." Review and Herald July 21, 1896.

"Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations

of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it." T.M. 507. There has no restoration taken place. T. M. 467:2.

God's people are waiting for a change to take place. "I was shown God's people waiting for some change to take place -- a compelling power to take hold of them. But they will be disappointed, for they are wrong." Volume 1:261:1. The fact that the remnant finally will be victorious is plain. "A remnant shall be saved." Romans 9:27. "And there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." Revelation 7:4.

"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." Revelation 12:17.

"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches, and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant." E.W. 261:1.

We read in Early Writings, page 44, that God draws a covering over His people. Before ancient Israel was rejected as a people, the Lord often had to chastise them. "I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished." Jer. 30:11. Afterwards when they no longer were God's people they were persecuted, hated, and tormented as no other people on the face of the whole earth, yet they kept the Sabbath. Likewise, it will also be with modern Israel after they no longer are God's elect, they will be persecuted, hated, and tormented, just like the Jews have been. (T.M. 37). And even though they keep the Sabbath, God will not be able to draw His covering over them to shield them from being persecuted, because the covering that God draws over His people to protect them, is the righteousness of Christ, which they have already rejected. Isaiah 61:10.

"Clad in there armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict." P.K. 725:1. But to those who receive the righteousness of Christ, it will be said: "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:10.

This same precious truth is illustrated in many different ways. On page 258 in Early Writings, under the heading, "A Firm Platform," we read: "I was shown three steps, -- the first, second and third angel's messages." People having accepted those messages are represented as standing on the third step. They are God's people, but unless they are willing to be led on to higher ground up on a platform, they still will be lost. "God had led them step by step, until He placed them upon a solid, immovable platform. Id. 259.

Further on, page 277, paragraph 2, in the same book, it says speaking of the loud cry: "This message seemed to be an addition to the third message." What is an addition? When you build an addition to your house, what do you do? Paint the house, or perhaps, change the paper, pictures, and furniture of the house? You can change a lot inside and outside of the house yet all this would not be called an addition to the house. If you want an addition, you must begin at the foundation and build up. This is just what God says we must do: "We want to begin at the foundation and to build upon a different principle." G.C.B. page 25, 1901, by Mrs. E. G. White.
 
 

"Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them." Volume 5:214:2. "Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful." Id. 53:2.

"To souls that are earnestly seeking for light, and the accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy Word -- to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory." Id. 729:2.

"If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door." T.M. 508.

"None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict." G.C. 593:2. "Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures, and who have received the love of the truth, will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive." Id. 625:3.

"Every one must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know that God requires of him." Volume 5:214:1.

"Those class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God." Volume 5:211:1, see also Ezekiel 9:4.

"Eternal life can be granted only to those who become partakers of the divine nature." Volume 9:155:2.

"Those only who have partaken of the sufferings of the Son of God, and have come up through great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, can enjoy the indescribable glory and the unsurpassed beauty of Heaven." Volume 1:155:2.

"God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. (Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories; habits and practices.) Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children." C.O.R. 154, (new edition, page 121.)

"The church is like the unproductive tree which, receiving the dew and the rain and the sunshine, should have produced an abundance of fruit, but on which the divine Searcher discovers nothing but leaves. Solemn thought for our churches! Solemn, indeed, for every individual! Marvelous is the patience and forbearance of God; but 'except thou repent,' it will be exhausted; the churches and our institutions will go from weakness to weakness, and from cold formality to deadness, while they are saying, 'I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.'" Mrs. E. G. White in R. & H. Extra, December 23, 1890. (Reprint in R. & H. November 7, 1918.)