END OF TIME SERIES 

 PART FOUR

THE SHAKING AND SIFTING  

The shaking has already begun (EW 50; 4BC. 1161), and we are now in it (1T 429; 6T 332), but erelong it will swell into a purification of the church (2SG 284). The sieve is already moving (1T 100), and the sifting is now taking place (1T 99; 4T 51). A mighty sifting is soon to occur (5T 80).      .

Sometimes "shaking" and "sifting" are synonymous in the Spirit of Prophecy, sometimes "sifting" is the more severe of the two terms.

Either way, a separating process is involved. Shake sand and gravel in a pan, and they will separate within the pan; drill holes in the bottom and continue shaking; now you are sifting, as the sand falls out and only the gravel remains.

Throughout the history of our church, many superficial believers have been shaken out. (Our problem today is that the church is so lukewarm, that the superficial feel very much at home - and those faithful to our historic beliefs are instead being crowded out; a reverse shaking!) But the shaking/sifting process in our church will climax in the crisis brought on by the enactment of the national Sunday law.

That crisis will powerfully affect every soul living - but it will have an especially immediate and terrific impact on every Sabbathkeeper. What more powerful means of sifting out false believers from the true-then when, by government law, it is a criminal act to remain a Seventh-day Adventist!

The shaking/sifting occurs among Sabbathkeepers, and has been in progress for many years. It will climax for Sabbath keepers as the Sunday law crisis bursts upon the people of each nation. The shaking/sifting is individually experienced, and results in the seal or mark. Those receiving the seal also receive the latter rain, empowering them to then go out and give the loud cry to the world. 

[1] THE CLIMAX OF THE SHAKING AND SIFTING IS IN THE FUTURE

1 - Because of our sins, none of our policies will be able to save us from it.

"All the policy in the world cannot save us from a terrible sifting, and all the efforts made with high authorities will not lift from us the scourging of God, just because sin is cherished. If as a people we do not keep ourselves in the faith and not only advocate with pen and voice the commandments of God, but keep them every one, not violating a single precept knowingly, then weakness and ruin will come upon us." -3 Selected Messages, 384:3-385:0.

2 - A time is coming when the church will be purified.

"Well may we exclaim: 'Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.' I know that many think far too favorably of the present time. These ease-loving souls will be engulfed In the general ruin. Yet we do not despair. We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. "-5 Testimonies, 80:0.

3 - There is great need for such a shaking.       

"It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner." -Christian Service, 41:1.

"Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God." -19 Manuscript Releases, 176 (1898).

"There are those among us who will make confessions, as did Achan, too late to save themselves. . They are not in harmony with right. They despise the straight testimony that reaches the heart, and would rejoice to see everyone silenced who gives reproof." -3 Testimonies, 272:2.

4 - It will be a complete work.

"Oh that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people!"- 1 Testimonies, 190:0.

"What sifting will there be among those who claim to be the children of God!"-Testimonies to Ministers, 163:1.

5 - All the chaff will be separated out.

"God's people will be sifted, even as corn is sifted in a sieve, until all the chaff is separated from the pure kernels of grain."- 1 Testimonies, 431:2.

6 - The superficial will depart.

"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." -5 Testimonies, 463:2.

7 - The sinners will be sifted out.

"Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out-the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths." -2 Selected Messages, 380:2.

Note: We should keep in mind that the "church," in the Biblical sense, is composed of people - not buildings, institutions, committees, or an organization. Throughout history, in times of relative peace the church has had organization, but the organization is not the church. It never has been and never will be. God's faithful ones are His church. It is they who will, by His grace, go through to the end. Buildings, committees, agendas, policies, and offices are not saved; only individuals who fulfill in their experience the definition given in Revelation 14:12. 

[2] THINGS THAT CAUSE THE SHAKING

1 - False theories produce a shaking.

"When the shaking comes, by the Introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness. . . Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New Testaments. Let there be light, yes, light, in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth."-Testimonies to Ministers, 112:1.

"The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith." -Evangelism, 224:3.

2 - The shaking occurs when the truth is refused.

"There is to be a shaking among God's people; but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches. It will be the result of refusing the truth presented." -2 Selected Messages, 13:1.

"The Lord is soon to come. There must be a refining, winnowing process in every church, for there are among us wicked men who do not love the truth or honor God."-Review, March 19, 1895.

"Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils and will depart from the faith."-6 Testimonies, 401 :0.

3 - The rejection of the straight testimony brings the shaking.

"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. 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. "-Early Writings, 270:2.

"The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there is to be a resurrection from apparent death. By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King's highway." -8 Testimonies, 297:5-6].

"One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit." -3 Selected Messages, 84:3.

"The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish,' (Proverbs 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony. "-1 Selected Messages, 48:3.

"The enemy has made his masterly efforts to unsettle the faith of our own people in the Testimonies. . This is just as Satan designed it should be, and those who have been preparing the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the Testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of all kinds will spring to life." - 3 Selected Messages, 83:3-4.

"It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction,"-4 Testimonies, 211:1.

4 - Disobedience brings the shaking.

"The history of the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram is being repeated, and will be repeated till the close of time. Who will be on the Lord's side? Who will be deceived, and in their turn become deceivers?" -Letter 15, 1892.

"We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not In word and deed obey His commands. "-6 Testimonies, 332:0.

5 - Persecution produces a shaking.

"In the absence of the persecution there have drifted into our ranks men who appear sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. " -Evangelism, 360:4.

6 - Acceptance of false science brings separation.

"Science, so-called, and religion will be placed in opposition to each other because finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God. These words of Holy Writ were presented to me, 'Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them' [Acts 20:30]. This will surely be seen among the people of God."-Evangelism, 593:1.

7 - Trials increase the shaking, but the coming storm of persecution will climax it.

"As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true believers will say: 'I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas.' The testimony of one and all will be: 'I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour.' "-6 Testimonies, 400:03-401:0.

[3] THE WHEAT WILL BE SEPARATED FROM THE CHAFF

1 - The wheat and the tares grow up together.

"Divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. The wheat and tares grow up together for the harvest." -2 Selected Messages, 114:0.

2 - The sieve will eliminate the chaff.

"There will be a shaking of the sieve. The chaff must in time be separated from the wheat. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. It is the very time when the genuine will be the strongest." - Letter 46, 1887.

3 - Adversity does the purging.

"Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. "-4 Testimonies, 89:2.

[4] THE PURIFICATION OF THE CHURCH OCCURS WHEN THE CRISIS OF THE MARK CAUSES THE SHAKING AND SIFTING TO CLIMAX

1 - The separation will occur in the marking time.

"The time of judgment is a most solemn period, when the Lord gathers His own from among the tares. Those who have been members of the same family are separated. A mark is placed upon the righteous. 'They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.' Those who have been obedient to God's commandments will unite with the company of the saints in light; they shall enter in through the gates into the city, and have right to the tree of life. The one shall be taken. His name shall stand in the book of life, while those with whom he associated shall have the mark of eternal separation from God." -Testimonies to Ministers, 234:2-235:0.

2 - The sifting climaxes when the law of God is made void.

"When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." -2 Selected Messages, 368:1.

"The great issue so near at hand [enforcement of Sunday laws] will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain. " -3 Selected Messages, 385:3.

3 The sifting climaxes when the mark is urged.

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ's righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.

"When trees without fruit are cut down as cumberers of the ground, when multitudes of false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to View, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David - willing to do and dare. The deeper the night for God's people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the faithful; but, in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors. Then will the church of Christ appear 'fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.' "-5 Testimonies, 81:1- 82:0.

4 - The final separation occurs when the worship of the beast is commanded.

"The time is upon us when the miracle-working power of the arch-deceiver will be more decidedly revealed. And his deceptions will increase in their delusive attraction, so that they will perplex, and if possible, deceive, the very elect. The prince of darkness with his evil angels is working upon the Christian world, inducing those who profess the name of Christ to stand under the banner of darkness, to make war with those who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.

"An apostate church will unite with the powers of earth and hell to place upon the forehead or in the hand, the mark of the beast, and prevail upon the children of God to worship the beast and his image. They will seek to compel them to renounce their allegiance to God's law and yield homage to the papacy. Then will come the times which will try men's souls; for the confederacy of apostasy will demand that the loyal subjects of God shall renounce the law of Jehovah, and repudiate the truth of His word. Then will the gold be separated from the dross, and it will be made apparent who are the godly, who are the loyal and true, and who are the disloyal, the dross and the tinsel. What clouds of chaff will then be borne away by the fan of God! Where now our eyes can discover only rich floors of wheat, will be chaff blown away with the fan of God. Every one who is not centered in Christ will fail to stand the test and ordeal of that day. While those who are clothed with Christ's righteousness will stand firm to truth and duty, those who have trusted in their own righteousness will be ranged under the black banner of the prince of darkness. Then it will be seen whether the choice is for Christ of Belial.

"Those who have been self-distrustful, who have been so circumstanced that they have not dared to face stigma and reproach, will at last openly declare themselves for Christ and His law; while many who have appeared to be flourishing trees, but who have borne no fruit, will go with the multitude to do evil, and will receive the mark of apostasy in the forehead or in the hand." -Maranatha, 204:1-3.

5 - God permits affliction to purify the church.

"Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes everyone to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. . .

"God's love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify His church even as of His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon the church in test and trial comes that His people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world."- 9 Testimonies, 228:1-2.

"Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity, and our varied trials are God's workmen to refine us, sanctify us, and fit us for the heavenly garner. " - 3 Testimonies, 115:1. 

[5] THE CHURCH WILL APPEAR AS ABOUT TO FALL BUT WILL NOT FALL

 1 - Satan will try to destroy the little company.

Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. . Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer.

"The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the ages to the close of time, has declared, '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. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled.

"The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time trouble."-Faith I Live By, 289:1-3.

2 - God will be with His faithful ones to the end.

"I am encouraged and blessed as I realize that the God of Israel is still guiding His people, and that He will continue to be with them, even to the end. "- General Conference Bulletin, May 27, 1913, p. 165.

3 - God will care for His faithful ones.

"The church, soon to enter upon her most severe conflict, will be the object most dear to God upon earth. The confederacy of evil will be stirred with power from beneath, and Satan will cast all the reproach possible upon the chosen ones whom he cannot deceive and delude with his satanic inventions and falsehoods. But exalted 'to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins,' will Christ, our representative and head close His heart, or withdraw His hand, or falsify His promise? No; never, never." - Testimonies to Ministers, 20:1.

4 - His people will not fall, but will go through to the end.

"The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall, it remains. " -7 Bible Commentary, 911/2:2.

Note: The above passage, taken from Letter 55, 1886, has been quoted repeatedly. Here is the complete list:

Maranatha, 203:2

Maranatha, 32:6

Manuscript Releases, Volume 12, 324:3 Reflecting Christ, 228:8

2 Selected Messages, 380:2

7 Bible Commentary, 911/2:2

Upward Look, 368:6

In the process of looking them all up, one was found which had the complete letter! It is 2 Selected Messages, 376:1-383:1. (READ IT HERE) That is indeed fortunate, for, only recently, we had found most of the letter only in the unpublished manuscripts, which we are in the process of printing under the title, The Last Days.

The portion found in The Last Days is quoted below.

Two facts will help us understand the above "church does not fall" passage:

(1) Consistently, the Spirit of Prophecy applies statements about "the church" to the faithful, commandment-keeping people of God. In other words, the "church" is composed of His faithful, obedient children, plus tares. Unless they repent, the apostates will fall! But those who remain dedicated will not. But by their continued loyalty to God and obedience by faith in Christ to His commandments - the faithful will not. Yet so many superficial believers will go out from among us in that hour of great crisis, that it may, for a time, appear as if the entire church body is disappearing! When the governmental iron fist of Sunday law enforcement comes, Sabbath keepers will make rapid decisions, which will determine their eternal destiny.

(2) The context of the paragraph, quoted just above ("The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains."), reveals that the "about to fall" event culminates in the national Sunday law crisis. It will be the National Sunday Law enactment which will very nearly overthrow the church, and that, although the disobedient will depart from the faith, God's own, who love and obey His Word, will not fall but go through to the end. Thus, the "not fall" sentence is referring - not to the entire membership nor to the organizational structure, - but only to those in the church who unswervingly remain faithful and obedient to the commandments of God through the enabling grace of Jesus Christ His Son. Already there are many modernists, compromisers, and apostates among us. What a severe crisis the national Sunday law will bring upon us when, at first, it appears there are hardly any believers yet remaining! (Keep in mind that on October 21, 1844, there were 50-100,000 MiIlerites; on October 23, there were only 50.)

Fortunately, we now have the context of the above "will not fall" passage! Part of Letter 55, 1886, is included in an unreleased set of manuscript statements. 

[6] AT THAT TIME A MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE WILL FORSAKE US

The "church" will be tested individually one by one. We will not be tested as an organization, a union, a conference, or a local church. The testing will be personally applied and experienced, and the decisions will be individually made. It is very important we understand that it will all occur on an individual basis. No local, statewide, or national organization will do our thinking for us, undergo the test for us, or shelter us from having to make our own decisions in the matter. We will only have God 88 our protector and enabler.

1 - The counterworkers will be purged.

"Those who have had privileges and opportunities to become intelligent in regard to the truth and yet who continue to counterwork the work God would have accomplished will be purged out, for God accepts the service of no man whose interest is divided."- Last Day Events, 175:1.

2 - Large numbers will leave.

"The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves."- 4 Testimonies, 89:2.

"Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat."- 5 Testimonies, 81:1.

3 - When the law is despised, the majority will forsake us.

"Soon God's people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal. .

"When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defence of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few-this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. "- 5 Testimonies, 136:1-2.

4 - All will be individually tested. The superficial modernists will totally abandon the truth when the crisis hits.

"The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. 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. The members of the church will Individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges." -5 Testimonies, 463:2.

"In the absence of the persecution there have drifted into our ranks men who appear sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. "-Evangelism, 360:4.

"Even in our day there have been and will continue to be entire families who have once rejoiced in the truth, but who will lose faith because of calumnies and falsehoods brought to them in regard to those whom they have loved and with whom they have had sweet counsel. They opened their hearts to the sowing of tares; the tares sprang up among the wheat; they strengthened; the crop of wheat became less and less; and the precious truth lost its power to them."-Testimonies to Ministers. 411:2.

5 - At that time God will not use the great ones, but only the humble.

"The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many, and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to 'science falsely so called' will not be the leaders then. 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 light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn 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. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the daytime we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster.

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death." -5 Testimonies, 80:1- 81:1.

[7] MANY LEADERS WILL DEPART

1 - Many prominent leaders (salaried or otherwise) in our denomination will leave.

"Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness." -Prophets and Kings, 188:1.

"Men whom He has greatly honored will, in the closing scenes of this earth's history, pattern after ancient Israel. . A departure from the great principles Christ has laid down in His teachings, a working out of human projects, using the Scriptures to justify a wrong course of action under the perverse working of Lucifer, will confirm men in misunderstanding, and the truth that they need to keep them from wrong practices will leak out of the soul like water from a leaky vessel."- 19 Manuscript Releases, 379, 381 (1904).

"Many will show that they are not one with Christ, that they are not dead to the world, that they may live with Him; and frequent will be the apostasies of men who have occupied responsible positions. " -Last Day Events, 179:1.

"The great issue so near at hand [enforcement of Sunday laws] will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain."- 9 Selected Messages, 985:9.

"Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. .

"Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these can not make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end." -Testimonies to Ministers, 409:3-410:0, 411:1.

"Ministers and doctors may depart from the faith, as the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given His servant declare they will."-7Manuscript Releases, 192:4 (1906).

2 - Many talented men will, in the crisis, depart and become our enemies.

"As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them."-Great Controversy, 608:2. 

[8] MANY WILL COME IN AND TAKE THEIR PLACE

1 - Although many will leave, many others will enter and take their places.

"But there are men who will receive the truth, and these will take the places made vacant by those who become offended and leave the truth. .

"Men of true Christian principle will take their place, and will become faithful, trustworthy householders, to advocate the word of God in its true bearings, and in its simplicity. The Lord will work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true and loyal ones. . The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those who become offended and apostatize." Maranatha, 200:5-6.

2 - Precious ones will enter.

"The Lord has faithful servants who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view, There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining In a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the daytime we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster. "-5 Testimonies, 80:1-81:0.

3 - Others will take hold of the truth.

"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,"-Early Writings, 271:1.

4 - Many will come from the ranks of the enemy.

"Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust as company after company from the Lord's army joined the foe and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. "-8 Testimonies, 41:1.

5 - Many will enter at the eleventh hour.

"The broken ranks will be filled up by those represented by Christ as coming in at the eleventh hour. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who [now] have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched, His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time,"- Last Day Events, 182:2.

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