I guess a church for the separation of the tares from the wheat..
Right. We're seeing
The Shaking vision in Early Writings starting at page 269 being fulfilled.
Somehow, I sense that the whole WO issues are a counterfeit "shaking" -- a smoke screen to hide the REAL issues pertaining to salvation and the ability to stand in the last days.
Let's look at Early Writings starting at page 269
The Shaking
I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them. {EW 269.1}
Question -- what is the struggle?
Internal struggle
A great longing for God's approbation
Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward.
Seems our FOCUS is the important element.
Where must the FOCUS be?
The evil angels are generating a lot of darkness in order to shut out Jesus from the people's thinking.
Where is the ONLY safety?
Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the
heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness. {EW 269.2}
What is this "poisonous atmosphere"?
I believe it is the saturation of sin in our whole society. We live in a world that has embraced an autonomous morality (no moral right or wrong, everyone sets own standards) The only problem is an autonomous morality refuses to give anyone the right to embrace Biblical morality, and insists that immorality be embraced as good.
Everywhere the darkness is present, in the work place, the media, the music and newsstands that stare in our faces as we shop, the new laws --and the basic carnal nature that kind of likes an autonomous morality instead of God's righteous laws.
How do we respond -- do we focus on Christ and plead and agonize with Him to make and keep us clean, to represent Him, or do we slide along with the current, half in half out?
As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances.
Don't give up praying and pleading -- even if it seems the struggles are too powerful -- claim His promises "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6 He is able -- "Though your sins be as scarlet He can make them white as snow" washed in the blood shed at Calvary, "If we confess our sins, He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9
Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud.
What is shutting them in and obstructing their access to Christ?
Giving in to the darkness around them,
Not praying and pleading for victory?
The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them. {EW 270.1}
God's angels are here to help us!
They can surround us shutting out the darkness of the evil angels if we just earnestly ask for this help!
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your] hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:8-10 I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.
What is the counsel to the Laodiceans?
* Complacency -- thinking their condition is just fine
* Ignorance -- ignorant that they are lacking the robe of Christ's righteousness, content to be clothed with their own righteousness which doesn't cover them. Ignorance of their lack of faith in what Christ can and will do in their lives if only they are willing and co-operative. Ignorance that intellectual theological knowledge without constant dependence upon Christ and the Holy Spirit is still blindness.
*The urgent Call -- open your heart's door and let Christ fully into your life.
Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people. {EW 270.2}
Question --
Is it possible, like the Jewish nation, to depend on our rituals, works, and belief system as the "straight testimony" and not come in fullness of heart to the author and finisher of our salvation?
They rose up against the "testimony of Jesus" Who is the "true Witness".
I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified. {EW 270.3}
Again notice --
Christ is the "True Witness"
When the message "Righteousness by Faith in Christ" was given in 1888, the "latter rain" was about to fall, BUT it didn't -- why? So many rejected the testimony of the "True Witness" and rose up against it.
No -- the shaking isn't about WO at all.
It's about a people fully letting Christ into their lives and being filled with the righteousness of Christ!
This will bring deep repentance and purification on an individual level -- which will be manifested in the church.
Said the angel, "List ye!" Soon I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through
my whole being. Said the angel, "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet.
This is what we long for --
And this is what we are to agonize and pray for --
They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy. {EW 270.4}
There is joy in the Lord -- and victory!
The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them. {EW 271.1}
The shaking has nothing to do with WO. Women as well as men and youth, will be part of that victorious company going forth in a united voice, to proclaim the loud cry.
The issue is "prize victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it" knowing it is only through Christ and with Christ that it can be given.
