An email on the significance of the internet testimonials

Hi John,

  The YouTube testimonies are a sign of the end

If we disregard them because we consider them insignificant or suspicious that they are part of the counterfeit revival and militant image of the Dark Ages beast, then maybe we will miss the coming true revival of primitive godliness, as the Jews missed the early rain. maybe we will miss the sound conversion and renunciation of sin that they have received.

Adventism is repeating the history of the Jews, as Ellen White said we would.

“The Modern Church Repeating the History of Ancient Israel.

     1169. The trials of the children of Israel, and their attitude just before the first coming of Christ, illustrate the position of the people of God in their experience before the second coming of Christ.-- R. and H., 1890, No. 7.” Healthy Living, p. 280.

With the exception of a very small remnant, the Jews had lost everything that Jesus had gained for them through Moses and David. But the Jews could not see their apostasy. They were pointing the finger of blame for their subjugation on the Romans when they should have taken advantage of the message from heaven that their stubborn resistance to the rebuke of God and to its blessed gift of repentance were the cause of their subjugation. “They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” (John 8:33).

They rejected the very means of liberty that had always characterized the deliverance from their captivities—making the Law honorable and a revival of primitive godliness that would lead to heart-felt confession and deep repentance that would lead to fearful obligation and happy obedience.

“It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.’ Jeremiah 6:16.” Great Controversy, p. 478.

Almost everything was different between the glory days of Joshua and the inglorious days of the Maccabees. The Jews could no longer lay claim to hopes of another Joshua driving out the wicked because the Jews had lost the faith and love of the truth that had existed of the nation of Israel during the days of Joshua. The corrupted Maccabees were now their national heroes. And neither were the Gentiles the same boasting heathens that the Canaanites had been. By the time God sent His Son sin had played out and run its course. And the rebellious world was reaping a bumper crop of disease and devil possession. “Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world.” Desire of Ages, p. 37.

   

“At this time the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave.  

     As the Jews had departed from God, faith had grown dim, and hope had well-nigh ceased to illuminate the future. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people, death was a dread mystery; beyond was uncertainty and gloom. It was not alone the wailing of the mothers of Bethlehem, but the cry from the great heart of humanity, that was borne to the prophet across the centuries,--the voice heard in Ramah, ‘lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.’ Matthew 2:18. In "the region and shadow of death," men sat unsolaced. With longing eyes they looked for the coming of the Deliverer, when the darkness should be dispelled, and the mystery of the future should be made plain.  

     Outside of the Jewish nation there were men who foretold the appearance of a divine instructor. These men were seeking for truth, and to them the Spirit of Inspiration was imparted. One after another, like stars in the darkened heavens, such teachers had arisen. Their words of prophecy had kindled hope in the hearts of thousands of the Gentile world.” Desire of Ages, p. 32, 33. 

   

As we know, the Jews categorically rejected the Gentiles as having any mercy from God. Yet, by their repentance, humiliation, and faith God counted them as the true seed of Abraham. To the Jewish nation’s surprise and to the humbled Gentiles’, they comprised the larger part of “the seed should come to whom the promise was made.” (Gal. 3:19). This truth the Jews could never accept. They were still looking through the erroneous glasses of 1,000 years in the past. But, rather than the Davidic revival repeating among them, the chosen generation of promise was happening among their despised enemies. The penitent Gentiles could reclaim the words of King David.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place?

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Selah.” (Ps. 24:3-6).

No doubt many of the Gentiles were “in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” (Acts 8:23). And no doubt the believing Jews were made the bedrock of truth for the guidance and blessing of the Gentile believers. Paul became the lead follow-on of Christ and the modern Joshua to bring the new Israel of God into the heavenly Canaan. Again Judah was made the Lawgiver of an exalted presentation of truth built upon the ancient foundation. “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Gen. 49:10).

“It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.’ Jeremiah 6:16.” Great Controversy, p. 478.

Paul was a father to the Gentile believers. He kept a taught rope on them, as every father must. But, he also was quick to see their obedient fear when they surrendered to the truth that anointed him. He understood that self needs to be cast down, but the spirit not be destroyed. At tiems he needed to reprove and correct the Gentile believers, and to cast down their pride. But he never wanted to go beyond merciful discipline and destroy their happiness in God’s law-filled family of heaven and earth. “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?” (2Cor. 2:1,2).

Paul was their aging father, and they were his children. It was a beautiful relationship. It only perpetuated the same arrangement that Judah had, under the authority of Jehovah, with the other tribes. They other tribes were to be happy, compliant children of Jehovah through Judah, the under shepherd, the earthly lawgiver. Therefore, it seems the same will repeat in these last days. The straight testimony will return to both Adventists and Protestants.

We have passed through another long 500 year inter-testamental period in which the direct voice of Christ has gone silent and the world has grown dark in its misapprehension of God’s character and His plan for humanity. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” (Isa. 60:2).

But, soon we will see the end of our Protestant and Adventist inter-testamental period. “The LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” (Isa. 60:2).

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee….

The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” (Isa. 60:1, 3-5).

The 144,000 will be comprised of both remnant Adventists and 11th hour Protestants. Like we said on the phone,

 “Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.” Great Controversy, p. 464.

“The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children.” I see these children of God as “true followers of Christ in these churches”, as they are the context of the above quote.

“With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal things will be the great topic of life. But where, in the popular churches of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The converts do not renounce their pride and love of the world. They are no more willing to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly Jesus, than before their conversion. Religion has become the sport of infidels and skeptics because so many who bear its name are ignorant of its principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from many of the churches. Picnics, church theatricals, church fairs, fine houses, personal display, have banished thoughts of God. Lands and goods and worldly occupations engross the mind, and things of eternal interest receive hardly a passing notice.” Great Controversy, p. 463.

   

   As we listen to the YouTube testimonies, what do we hear? Is it “picnics, church theatricals, church fairs, fine houses, personal display”? Do we hear “lands and goods and worldly occupations engross[ing] the mind”? or “things of eternal interest receiv[ing] hardly a passing notice”? Is it ignorance of the principles of the true religion of scripture that we hear from these folks who have sought the Lord with all their hearts and received the gifts of repentance, the new heart, and new spirit?

That’s not what I hear. I hear “converts [who]… renounce their pride and love of the world…. [who] are…willing to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly Jesus”. I’m hearing “the spirit of consecration to God”. Granted, their language still retains some crudeness and their external features that resemble Egypt. But, that will all go away in the coming time of trouble when they join with the brave Adventists who pour forth the straight truth.

“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.  

     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.

     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. 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.” Early Writings, p. 270.

    

Sealed in faith and truth, every 11th hour Protestant will stand as strongly with Jesus as those remnant Adventists will. They will hear “a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and…the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” (Rev. 14:2).

All heaven will join the last day southern and northern kingdoms of spiritual Israel, “in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious”, for “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth…there [will be] joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:7,10).