The Shaking: truly receiving the testimony or genuinely rebelling against it

After another look at Early Writings pages 269-272, I see more coming out of it.

The issue is rebellion, or rather, genuine rebellion.

We have this statement from Desire of Ages, page 324.

“It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light.”

To neglect to ally ourselves with Christ’s kingdom of light leads to never “truly” receiving the straight testimony. “The testimony of the True Witness … must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified.” Early Writings, p. 270.3.

“If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.”

When Jesus came the first time, the whole world was in rebellion with God. “Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven.” The Desire of Ages, p. 36. But, the rebellion in many Christ could overcome. There were the many publicans and prostitutes, paralytics and lepers, centurions and members of Caesar’s household who were in rebellion with God, but could be brought to repentance.

Of them He immortalized those most merciful words to His avowed enemies, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matt. 9:12,13). Thank the Lord for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.

Paul declared of the Gentiles, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Yet, their rebellion hadn’t gone beyond hope. Paul still fought to save the Gentiles, “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Paul also spoke to the rebellion growing among the Jewish Christians, in order to reconnect them to their Messiah. “For when for a time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first [elementary] principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.... For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost... if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance....” ...“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” (Heb. 5:12; 6:4-6,9).

Again Paul strongly admonished,

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:38,39).

But on the flip side of the Koine regarding two kinds of rebellion, there are also the right and wrong kinds of receiving truth. We may receive something of the testimonies. But, Ellen White made a distinction between receiving the testimony vice truly receiving the testimony, genuinely receiving it. We can be rebellious and still be saved. We can receive truth and still be lost. But, we can’t have genuine rebellion and be saved; and we can’t truly receive the testimony of Jesus and be lost. It all has to do with knowingly determining to do right or wrong.

To receive, but to miss truly receiving the truth is to have genuine rebellion in church clothing. This is why Jesus has always prompted His prophets to guard the truth by modifying the requirement with warning words like “truly” and “genuine” for certifying the reward to the perfectly righteous and the demise of the perfectly wicked.

There are subtle ways that we can cooperate with the demonic agencies toward our own eternal demise. Ellen White said, “We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light” in order to come under the power of darkness. John put it this way, “...light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (John 3:19,20). So, the hidden agenda of genuine rebellion in the human heart, which is more deceitful than anything and desperately wicked, is that it despises being reproved of its sinfulness. The heart that entertains genuine rebellion lies to itself, and works to silence the voices speaking truth. The genuine rebel cooperates with Satan to annihilate the children of God. But working for the devil is dangerous work. You never know when he’s going to throw you under the bus. No one is safe who sets his feet to destroy the work of God.

Genuine rebellion doesn’t always have the overt look, a head-on affront with “both barrels blazing” against the Law of God. That’s the devil’s obvious Baal approach. But there’s his other technique for leading sinners against the Law of God—that is, the “happy” Ashtoreth technique of dodging the Law’s rebukes, and laughing it off, brazenly daring God to do something about her scoffing. That’s what we hear in arrogant tones coming from Babylon the Great Whore, who ultimately gets thrown into the lake of fire. “I sit a queen…and shall see no sorrow.” (Rev. 18:7). “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously....” But God sees the heart of that Pharisee of pharisees, and He judges it, “...so much torment and sorrow give her.” The purported Mother of God. The Queen of heaven over the King of heaven. The Queen of sheer genius and of genuine rebellion. 

“I question whether genuine rebellion is ever curable. Study in Patriarchs and Prophets the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This rebellion was extended, including more than two men. It was led by two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, men of renown. Call rebellion by its right name, and apostasy by its right name, and then consider that the experience of the ancient people of God with all its objectionable features was faithfully chronicled to pass into history. The Scripture declares, “These things...are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 360.

  

Rebellion comes in both forms of open and hidden kinds. And open rebellion is more curable than hidden rebellion. Jesus mostly enjoys the heart that is hot. If He can’t have that, He will work with the heart that is cold. But He can’t stomach the lukewarm. And I might be lukewarm. Anyone can fall into the nice, warm bathtub while sipping on the sumptuous, delicious, super-sweet talk from the high priest of familiar spirits. How can I know if I am lukewarm, the heart as deceptive as it is? I better search my heart and afflict my soul. I better do my self-examinations, constantly.

It seems that most people fall into this Ashtoreth category of hidden rebellion. In her vision, Ellen White called it indifference and carelessness toward the straight testimony of Jesus, and to not “[prize] victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it”. Satan is very subtle and low-key about his nefarious work of leading souls down the broad road to destruction. If they one time had the first love, as King Saul received it, and they don’t repent during the long process of losing it, it completely slips away as it did with King Saul. And Jesus must take away their candlestick. Could this be me? Could it be you? Shouldn’t we be asking Jesus, “Is it I?”

The disciples weren’t in total rebellion, because they had been willing to receive Jesus’ loving reproofs. Over the years with Him they had learned their weaknesses, and the strong possibility that their Master was right about them when He said, “Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me.” (Mark 14:18). “And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto Him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?” (Mark 14:19).

  

There is a healthy fear to turn from Jesus, and that fear is indispensable for salvation. Let’s not be satisfied with receiving the truth, but with truly receiving it. Otherwise, our soft judgment toward our condition could very well come short of its fully dangerous and precarious position. Ours might end up genuine, incurable rebellion, and the unpardonable sin, which is blasphemy against the silenced shouts of God’s Spirit. We might end up foolish virgins, of whom Jesus also immortalized His dreadful warning,

“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” (Mat. 25:8-12).

And,

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” (Matt. 12:31,32).

And,

“We shall be overcome.” “Without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment”, “without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion”, “we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.” Desire of Ages, p. 324.

So, I will re-quote the whole shaking vision. Be edified, saints! Be shaken! Be victorious by sins blotted out, purified, and sealed.

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}

     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. 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} 

     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. 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. 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} 

     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.  {EW 270.2} 

     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} 

     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.  {EW 270.4} 

     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} 

     I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”  {EW 271.2} 

     Great power was with these chosen ones. Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers. They were all astir. The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them. Confusion, confusion, was on every side. I saw measures taken against the company who had the light and power of God. Darkness thickened around them; yet they stood firm, approved of God, and trusting in Him. I saw them perplexed; next I heard them crying unto God earnestly. Day and night their cry ceased not: “Thy will, O God, be done! If it can glorify Thy name, make a way of escape for Thy people! Deliver us from the heathen around about us. They have appointed us unto death; but Thine arm can bring salvation.” These are all the words which I can bring to mind. All seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness and manifested entire submission to the will of God; yet, like Jacob, every one, without an exception, was earnestly pleading and wrestling for deliverance.  {EW 272.1} 

     Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said, “The will of God is not yet fulfilled. They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism.”  {EW 272.2} 

     Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down on every side. I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical, and clear. I looked upon the company, who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. A glorious light shone upon them. How beautiful they then looked! All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance. Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead men; they could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory. And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, “Victory over death and the grave”; and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord in the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue. {EW 272.3} Early Writings, p. 269-272.