Resources For SDAs Only An Introductory Study for SDAs on the Subject of Separation - In spite of the repeated warnings of the Lord's messenger to the SDA leadership to repent and obey God's testimonies, did the leadership reverse their rebellious course?
|
Page 16 of 19 In spite of the repeated warnings of the Lord's messenger to the SDA leadership to repent and obey God's testimonies, did the leadership reverse their rebellious course? “God gave them clear light as to what they should do, and what they should not do, but they departed from that light… That these men should stand in a sacred place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be-- that is past…God wants them removed…”. {GCB, April 3, 1901, p.23-26}. Although there was a cosmetic change in the leadership of the General Conference in 1901; there was not a true surrender of 'kingly power'. Hence, the opportunity for a genuine change of course by the leadership in 1901 was wasted. “What a wonderful work could have been done for the vast company gathered in Battle Creek at the General Conference of 1901, if the leaders of our work had taken themselves in hand. But the work that all heaven was waiting to do as soon as men prepared the way, was not done; for the leaders closed and bolted the door against the Spirit's entrance. There was a stopping short of entire surrender to God. And hearts that might have been purified from all error were strengthened in wrongdoing. The doors were barred against the heavenly current that would have swept away all evil. Men left their sins unconfused. They built themselves up in wrongdoing, and said to the Spirit of God, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee.” {Letter 123, August 23, 1902}. The rejection of the testimonies by the SDA leadership in the GC session of 1901 became the saddest event in the life of Ellen White up to that time . “The results of the last general conference (1901) has been the greatest, the most terrible sorrow of my life, no change was made… Men did not receive the testimonies of the Spirit of God… "It is a perilous thing to reject the light that God sends…So today upon those who have had light and evidence, but who have refused to heed the Lord's warnings and entreaties, heaven's woe is pronounced…The Lord bore long with the perversity of Israel, but the time came when the people passed the boundaries…” {13MR, p 122-123/Letter 17, January 14, 1903}. Shortly after this God pronounced the SDA church an harlot and announced that His presence has left the SDA church. “Who can truthfully say: "Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world"? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: "can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character?’ 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.” {8T, p 250}.
|