The Church May Appear as About to Fall

The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves.--4T 89 (1876). {LDE 180.1}

Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat.--5T 81 (1882). {LDE 180.2}

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. . . . {LDE 180.3}

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 defense 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.--5T 136 (1882). {LDE 180.4}

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.--2SM 380 (1886). {LDE 180.5}

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.--GC 608 (1911). {LDE 180.6}

Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

In 15 years his ministry has grown exponentially.

Seems strange that no one present felt impressed to record it. Also seems to fly in the face of the following testimonies:

This account of a dream or vision by Ellen White seems to be reliable. The witnesses themselves are reliable but I haven't confirmed that Johnson's account is verbatim. I got it from Elder Richard Gates a couple days ago who got it from his son David Gates of Gospel Ministries International, the mission pilot/TV media ministry. If true, it's sobering.
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A statement by Ellen G. White
Elmer M. Johnson

Brother Will Ross, now deceased, was a personal friend of mine for about 45 years. In our church fellowship we very often spent Sabbath afternoons discussing his experience in the message, and his conversations with Mrs. EGW.

About 1908, while living in Loma Linda near Sister White, he frequently accompanied her in her walks, and would discuss the message and future events. On one of these occasions, while waiting at the railroad depot, in company with Sister McInterfer, and Elder D. R. Robinson, her granddaughter’s husband, Sister White related to the three of them about the storm of persecution that was to come upon Seventh Day Adventists. Brother Will Ross related it to me as follows:

“Sister White told us as we three stood there on the depot platform, that a terrible storm of persecution was coming like a windstorm that blew down every standing object. There was not a Seventh Day Adventist to be seen. They, like the disciples, forsook Christ and fled. All who had sought positions were never seen any more.

“After the storm there was a calm, then the Adventists arose like a great flock of sheep, but there were no shepherds. They all waited in earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered by helping them to choose leaders from among them who had never sought positions before. They prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them, making them fully ready for service. They then went forth ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners’ to give the message to the world.”

“I was astonished, and asked if that applied to Loma Linda, as we were looking in that direction Sister White replied to my question by stating that it applied to the entire denominational world. It so stunned me that I did not ask any more questions.” Will Ross, Boulder, Colorado.

In the year 1943 when Elder D.R. Robinson was visiting the churches in Colorado, I was serving on the platform that Sabbath that Elder Robinson visited the Boulder church having with him the large Bible which Sister White held in her hand and leafed through during one of her visions.

At the close of the service Brother Ross spoke with Elder Robinson when he, Sister Mcinterfer and Sister White were standing on the depot platform visiting together, and Sister White related to him about the terrible storm of persecution that was coming upon Seventh-day Adventists. Elder Robinson replied, “Yes, Brother Ross, I remember it.”

So I documented this reply January 16th, 1946, not wishing to forget this important narration related to my Brother Ross. I frequently discussed it with him in later years, and his statement never varied.

A statement by Ellen G. White, confirmed by Elder D.R. Robinson, who was present.
Recorded by Bro. Elmer M. Johnson
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Really sobering isn't it. It doesn't have to come true IMO. The prophecy with the disciples was "strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered" but we're told that didn't have to come true. I'm going to pray and fast that it doesn't. Please join me if you can. Jacob's curse on Levi that his seed would be scattered in Israel was turned into a blessing and he was given something better than lands. He inherited the Lord and His work.