3 Tests and Prophets of Time

“It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New. {DA 799}

Always the Same

· Hebrews 13:8

The Lord is always the same and so is the way that He deals with His people throughout history. See Malachi 3:6; James 1:17.

God has laid down three tests for His people and by tracing specific historical lines we can easily see what the three tests are. But we must remember that all we need is two histories or witnesses in order to establish this fact.

Three Tests

1) Reception of the Prophet’s message

2) Visual test (verifies the prophet’s message)

3) A door closes (probation ends)

Noah’s Day

Preached for 120 years – Prophet’s Message

Animal’s boarding the Ark – Visual Test (verified message)

Ark’s door closed – Probationary Time Ended

“The period of their probation was about to expire…And now the servant of God made his last solemn appeal to the people. With an agony of desire that words cannot express, he entreated them to seek a refuge while it might be found. Again they rejected his words, and raised their voices in jest and scoffing. Suddenly a silence fell upon the mocking throng. Beasts of every description, the fiercest as well as the most gentle, were seen coming from mountain and forest and quietly making their way toward the ark. A noise as of a rushing wind was heard, and lo, birds were flocking from all directions, their numbers darkening the heavens, and in perfect order they passed to the ark. Animals obeyed the command of God, while men were disobedient. Guided by holy angels, they "went in two and two unto Noah into the ark," and the clean beasts by sevens. The world looked on in wonder, some in fear. Philosophers were called upon to account for the singular occurrence, but in vain. It was a mystery which they could not fathom. But men had become so hardened by their persistent rejection of light that even this scene produced but a momentary impression…

“Mercy had ceased its pleadings for the guilty race. The beasts of the field and the birds of the air had entered the place of refuge. Noah and his household were within the ark, "and the Lord shut him in." A flash of dazzling light was seen, and a cloud of glory more vivid than the lightning descended from heaven and hovered before the entrance of the ark. The massive door, which it was impossible for those within to close, was slowly swung to its place by unseen hands. Noah was shut in, and the rejecters of God's mercy were shut out. The seal of Heaven was on that door; God had shut it, and God alone could open it. So when Christ shall cease His intercession for guilty men, before His coming in the clouds of heaven, the door of mercy will be shut…” {PP 97, 98}

Sister White shows that those who rejected the light of Moses’ message were only momentarily impressed by the visual sign of the animals boarding the ark. The final test was the door of the ark closing. Those who didn’t pass the first test rejected the second and were cut off by the third.

The Millerite Movement

1^st Angel’s Message – Message

2^nd Angel’s Message – Visual Test (verified message)

3^rd Angel’s Message – Door Closed (probation ended)

“Many look with horror at the course of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ; and as they read the history of His shameful abuse, they think they love Him, and would not have denied Him as did Peter, or crucified Him as did the Jews. But God who reads the hearts of all, has brought to the test that love for Jesus which they professed to feel. All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel's message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place. I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there.” {EW 260}

Those who rejected the first message, or test, failed the second which was a visual display.

“In June, 1842, Mr. Miller gave his second course of lectures in Portland…With few exceptions the different denominations closed the doors of their churches against Mr. Miller. Many discourses from the various pulpits sought to expose the alleged fanatical errors of the lecturer...” {1T 21}

Those who did not pass the second test failed the third, and the door closed. See Revelation 3:7, 8; Matthew 25:1-13; Daniel 8:14; 7:13; Malachi 3:1-4.

The SDA Movement

E.G.W’s Ministry – Prophets Message (1^st Test)

Image of the Beast – Visual Test (2^nd Test)

Sunday Law – 3^rd Test (Door Closes)

“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.” {3SM 84}

The first test for Seventh-day Adventists according to the testimony of two is the ministry and message of Ellen G. White.

The first test is of the utmost importance because if we don’t pass it we also fail the other two. Let’s look at the result of failing the first test by again looking back in history to see the results. We will do this by looking at the prophets that proclaimed time prophecies, we will call them proclaiming prophets, and those that were raised up at the end of the proclaimed time, and we will call these gathering prophets.

A few key points to notice about the gathering prophets are, first, their message was to and/or resulted in the gathering of a remnant, and second, their message was always life or death. Another key point to notice about both the gathering and proclaiming prophets is that their names always corresponded to their ministry.

Enoch to Noah (120 years)

· Genesis 6:3

ENOCH: teacher. —Young’s Analytical Concordance

“Enoch was a public teacher of the truth in the age in which he lived.” {UL 228}

NOAH: rest; to comfort. —The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary

· Genesis 5:29

Abram to Moses (400 years)

· Genesis 15:13, 14

ABRAM: the father is exalted. —The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary

ABRAHAM: the father of a multitude. —Ibid.

MOSES: drawn out of the water; i.e. rescued. —Ibid.

Jeremiah to Daniel (70 years)

· Jeremiah 29:10

JEREMIAH: Yahweh is exalted; Yahweh strikes. —The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary

DANIEL: God is my judge. —Ibid.

Daniel to Haggai and Zechariah (490 years)

· Daniel 9:25

HAGGAI: one born on a feast day. —The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary

· Haggai 1:2

ZECHARIAH: Yahweh has remembered. —The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary

See Zechariah 6:14; Nehemiah 13:22

Daniel to John the Baptist (483 years)

· Daniel 9:25

JOHN: Yahweh is gracious. –The SDA Bible Dictionary

· John 1:31–33

This brings us to the first history in question, the Jews at the time of Christ. This history furnishes us with the pattern and results of rejecting the messenger or prophet’s message.

Rejection of John

“I was pointed back to the proclamation of the first advent of Christ…Those who rejected the testimony of John were not benefited by the teachings of Jesus…Satan led on those who rejected the message of John to go still farther, to reject and crucify Christ. In doing this they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of Pentecost…The rending of the veil of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received…But the Jews were left in total darkness. They lost all the light which they might have had upon the plan of salvation, and still trusted in their useless sacrifices and offerings.” {EW 259}

· Daniel 9:24-27

· Acts 7:54-58

Outcome of Failing First Test

1) Not benefited by Jesus’ teachings (no light)

2) Didn’t receive the Holy Spirit

3) Probation closed

Daniel to John the Revelator (2nd half of the 7 years)

· Daniel 9:27

JOHN: Yahweh is gracious. —The SDA Bible Dictionary

· Revelation 1:1

· 1 John 1:1-3

Daniel to Paul (end of 490 years)

· Daniel 9:24

SAUL: asked of God; selected; set forth. —The SDA Bible Dictionary

· Acts 9:15

PAUL: small, little. —Ibid

· 1 Corinthians 15:8–9

· Ephesians 3:8

Daniel to Ellen White (end of 2300 years)

· Daniel 8:14

This brings us to the second history in question, the Millerite history – 1840 to 1844. This history furnishes us with the second pattern and results of rejecting the messenger or prophet’s message.

The Judgment Scene

· Daniel 7:9, 10, 13, 14

“I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son…Before the throne I saw the Advent people--the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus, then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory.

“I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, "Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, "My Father, give us Thy Spirit." Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.

“I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, "Father, give us Thy Spirit." Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan's object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God's children.” {EW 54-56}

· Revelation 3:7, 8

· Matthew 25:1-12

Outcome of Failing First Test

1) Left in perfect darkness (no light)

2) Received an unholy influence (spirit)

3) Probation closed

The results were the same in the two histories we examined. Based on the principles that by the testimony of two a thing is established and that history repeats itself, we can see that by rejecting the ministry and message of Ellen G. White we will follow the same results. But in order to further establish our pattern we must look at the final gathering prophet, Ellen G. White, and see if her message is indeed life or death to the remnant church.

Lesser Light

“The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth.” {CM 125-126}

There has been much controversy regarding this statement which has lead many within the church to lightly esteem the Testimonies of God’s Spirit. What is the “greater light” that is here spoken of and who or what is the “lesser light”? Let us first look at how the Bible uses these terms.

Lesser Light, Greater Light

· Genesis 1:14-18

From this we can see that the “greater light” is the sun and the lesser the moon. Jesus is called the “Sun of righteousness” in Malachi 4:2. According to John 1:6-10, John the Baptist is one who gave witness or reflected the light of Christ, the “greater light”. Just as the moon, which doesn’t have its own light, reflects the light of the sun; John and the rest of the prophets reflect the light of the “Sun of righteousness” Jesus Christ the “greater light”.

“The prophet John was the connecting link between the two dispensations. As God's representative he stood forth to show the relation of the law and the prophets to the Christian dispensation. He was the lesser light, which was to be followed by a greater.” {DA220}

“Said Christ, in vindication of John, "But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet." Not only was John a prophet to foretell future events, but he was a child of promise, filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth and was ordained of God to execute a special work as a reformer, in preparing a people for the reception of Christ. The prophet John was the connecting link between the two dispensations.” {RH April 8, 1873}

Greater Than is More Than

“The Lord then told them that Moses was greater than a prophet, and that he had revealed himself to Moses in a more direct manner than to a prophet. Said the Lord, ‘With him will I speak mouth to mouth.’” {4SP 295}

“I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend.” Selected Messages, book 3, 74

John the Baptist, Moses, and Ellen G. White are considered to be “more than a prophet”. Their work was much greater than the foretelling of future events; they are all “lesser lights” giving witness to the greater. They too, as well as Noah, were in fact “connecting link” prophets between dispensations.

Dispensation: religion in Christian belief, a divinely ordained religious system; christianity in Christian belief, a divine ordering or management of affairs and events in the world; religion the time during which a religious doctrine or practice is believed to be in force. – Encarta Dictionary

They brought change to the emphasis of worship:

· Noah: From the gates of Eden unto altars

· Moses: From altars to earthly sanctuary

· John the Baptist: From the earthly to heavenly sanctuary

· Ellen White: From the holy to the Most Holy Place

Never a Time

“In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit…There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will, and the course that He would have them pursue.” {5T 661}

There was never a time when God has used the pen of a prophet more earnestly than He used the pen of Ellen White.

This now brings us to our history and future. How important is the ministry of E. G. White? Can we disregard or lightly esteem her counsel without great injury to our selves? These questions can be answered by looking at her ministry and corresponding name.

The Prophet to Laodicea

· Revelation 3:18

“The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state.” {RH August 19, 1890”

“The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 also illustrates the experience of the Adventist people.” {GC 393}

“The parable of the ten virgins was given by Christ Himself, and every specification should be carefully studied. A time will come when the door will be shut. We are represented either by the wise or the foolish virgins. We cannot now distinguish, nor have we authority to say, who are wise and who foolish. There are those who hold the truth in unrighteousness, and these appear outwardly like the wise.” {16MR 270}

The Time of Visitation

“Oh, that the people might know the time of their visitation! There are many who have not yet heard the testing truth for this time. 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 have had 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.” {9T 97}

The door of probation closes on the church first, and history shows us the steps that lead up to its close and the tests, that if not passed, will lead us to being on the wrong side of the door.

The Prophet to Laodicea

· Revelation 3:18

GOLD: Faith which works by love and purifies the soul.

WHITE RAIMENT: The righteousness of Christ.

EYESALVE: Spiritual discernment—the Word of God.

Spiritual Discernment

ELLEN: a bright and shining lamp

· Psalm 119:105

The Gold of Faith

GOULD: gold. Gould (English) Descendant of Gold or Golda, Old English personal names derived from metal. —New Dictionary of American Names

“Brethren, we must have genuine faith which is the gold tried in the fire. We must cherish that faith which works by love and purifies the soul.” {21MR 383}

White Raiment

WHITE: white or righteousness

· Revelation 19:8

What’s in a Name?

ELLEN: a bright and shining lamp

GOULD: gold. Gould (English) Descendant of Gold or Golda, Old English personal names derived from metal

WHITE: white or righteousness

We are not here lead to believe that Ellen G. White is the discernment, faith and love, and righteousness that we need. Or in other words we don’t believe that it is her discernment, faith and love, and righteousness that are given to the saints. But, her ministry is directed to a church that is in the state of needing these things that only the heavenly Merchant Man can sell. And he has given us a prophet, yea and more than a prophet, whose very name corresponds to our needs. There is no way that that can be by chance.

Philadelphia

· Revelation 3:8–10

ELLEN: a bright and shining lamp

GOULD: gold

HARMON: a soldier of peace

“Those who love and keep the commandments of God are most obnoxious to the synagogue of Satan, and the powers of evil will manifest their hatred toward them to the fullest extent possible. John foresaw the conflict between the remnant church and the power of evil, and said, ‘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.” {7BC 974}

Even her maiden name gives suggestion of her work. When the Adventist movement started they had to battle spiritually with the forces of darkness trying to stifle the work.

The Very Last Deception

“Satan is . . . constantly pressing in the spurious—to lead away from the truth. The very last deception of Satan [in the church] 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.” {1SM 48}

The last deception in the church will be to destroy our faith in the ministry of our prophet. For many this deception has blinded their eyes for years. Let us remember the history of the Jews and the Millerites. Failing the first is indeed to fail gaining the prize of eternal life.

The Virgins of Laodicea

· Revelation 3:16

“God is dishonored when we do not receive the communications which he sends us. Thus we refuse the golden oil which he would pour into our souls to be communicated to those in darkness. When the call shall come, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,’ those who have not received the holy oil, who have not cherished the grace of Christ in their hearts, will find, like the foolish virgins, that they are not ready to meet their Lord. They have not, in themselves, the power to obtain the oil, and their lives are wrecked.” {RH July 20, 1897}

· Revelation 3:20

Christ is pictured as calling out and knocking on the door of our hearts for entrance. We must remember that “it is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time.”

To not hear and heed His voice, the words of the prophets, is to not “receive the communications which he sends us.” To not “receive the communications which he sends us” is to “refuse the golden oil.” To “refuse the golden oil” makes us foolish virgins thus continuing in our lukewarm condition. To be a foolish virgin and lukewarm is to be spued out and locked out.

Outcome of Failing First Test

1) No light on present truth

2) No latter rain

3) Probation will close