The Death of the Testimonies
And the Triumph of the Church

Sabbath, September 17, 2016 I came across this statement below by Ellen White which was released for the first time in July of 2015. This prediction has never been publicly published and is nestled in among the 50,000 pages released by the White Estate so it's hard to say how many are aware of it now but probably few. Her statement struck me with force. Here Ellen White is writing to G.I. Butler who had recently resigned from the presidency of the General Conference (he would resume that position in 1877) and was at this time in denial of her testimony:



In her later writings she makes statements warning that this is entirely possible but none of her subsequent statements are so direct.

Notice above that in 1875 she had “more light on this point but cannot now give it”. Did she give more light on it later? She did. We'll look at some of it below. But first you might ask, doesn't Ellen White also say that the church will go through, that God's denominated people will remain faithful to the end? She does. So how can both statements be true?

Many of us unfortunately do not understand what she means by “denominated people” or “the church”. The scripture, the statements of Christ and those of Ellen White agree that the church, God's denominated people are those who maintain a vital connection with Him whose names are written in the book of life. Sown in among the faithful wheat are the tares that also grow with the wheat until the harvest, but they are not part of the true spiritual church. Notice:


So what about this last, well known statement above – who is she referring to? The church that appears as though it is about to fall but does not and goes through to victory are not those among us who have never been converted but instead are the faithful who under intense persecution appear to be on the verge of letting go of all hope and capitulating in despair. It is these that finally press through the darkness by faith and overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony because they loved not their lives unto the death. Adventists who have been unfaithful are generally not a part of this group. Some of them, thank the Lord, will repent at the eleventh hour and join those who contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. But do you think those who have been unfaithful habitually will do this? Can character be formed in an instant?

Those who press through the darkness described in inspiration (See Early Writings p. 269.) are anything but anarchists. By overcoming the darkness, the threatenings and the realities of persecution, they heed the call to “Come into line” under the Generalship of Christ. Because of their victory over the fear of persecution and death even if it be at the hands of loved ones, they are now fearless and there is perfect unity resulting in perfect organization among them. Many of us would say that this order will primarily be the organizational structure of Adventism. That there will be perfect order and discipline in the ranks of the remnant is clear, but it will be based primarily, not on a mechanical structure of an organization but on the bond of unity of the believers themselves who are cemented together by the love of the Truth.

Isn't it time friends that we wake up to the reality of the situation: Regarding the Testimonies we've been plainly told that “they will no longer live among God's people. They will be removed.” Now the next question is, in what way will they be removed? Consider carefully some of the poignant warnings that explain the process of their removal below.

Before quoting these, first an observation and then some background: The Testimonies explain and recommend themselves so it is wisdom to keep our commentary on these inspired topics to a minimum. Instead, here are excerpts from later testimonies that shed more light on the one above. The first one below was written to the church at Battle Creek, many of whom, like Elder Butler, were in denial at this point regarding the Testimonies. Written in June, 1882, originally this testimony was numbered 31 and was titled “The Testimonies Rejected”. It was renamed “The Testimonies Slighted” when it was republished in Testimonies Vol 5. As you read the following quote, notice not only the process of removal but also the hopeful outcome she describes as she concludes.



Six years later she warned again:



The Testimonies are not to be re-interpreted and wrested so as to make them of no effect. They are to interpret themselves just as the Bible is to be it's own interpreter. So there should be no committees, no official statements from the White Estate, and no dissection by the scholars. We've seen the results of these in the ineffective course the church has taken on women's ordination. As a courtesy to the leadership, they should be informed in case they are not already aware of this particular warning of the removal of the testimonies which plainly states that the church will reject them.

As Adventists our mutual obligation to one another is to be good stewards of our finds of truth. This find is like when the priests under Joash found the scroll of the law and realized that Israel was under God's judgment and would be rejected and dispossessed as God had said through Moses unless they repented. What if the priests had been unfaithful and not shared the warning? Aren't we under obligation to share this? Look at what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 32 and how he riveted by a song his warning in the minds of the men of Israel that apostasy would indeed occur. This was as much his parting legacy as the blessings he pronounced on the twelve tribes that same day, but the record says that his warning was fully accepted by the men of Israel that day and they mourned the death of Moses for a full month. Similarly, shouldn't this warning and these promises of a remnant from our prophet be made as public as possible to all Adventists?

In a way, I wish I was wrong about these things and I could go along with those in the church who claim that Ellen White teaches the triumph of the Seventh-day Adventist Corporation – except at the very end when it will be illegal to be an Adventist. I'd remind those who teach this that during the first and second world wars the German branch of Adventism proclaimed it's allegiance to their government and betrayed faithful brothers to the authorities and to death who could not conscientiously bare arms for the Kaiser or the Nazi's. Today those who teach such things are like the Jews who, denying the prophecies of Moses said “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord”. So, while it's clear that we are to remain connected to the church through membership wherever possible, we need to also be prepared for the fulfillment of the prophecy so that we're not surprised if one day, we find ourselves, like the Apostles, the reformers and our German brothers, on the outside, our testimony silenced within Adventism, despite our best efforts to maintain the bond of love and unity among us.

But, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke12:32

Post Script by Ellen White:

God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20.] Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides; let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God’s great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God. All things shall work together for good to those who love God. “This is the love of God, that ye keep His commandments.” [1 John 5:3.] They that will be doers of the Word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal rock. {Lt108-1886.17}

Many of us unfortunately do not understand what she means by “denominated people” or “the church”.

God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20.] Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.

Charity, not to diminish what you're saying, but I'm confused as to your main point. Ellen White has said that not one in twenty will be saved, and I believe that is in reference to Adventists. So I had never assumed most Adventists would be saved, and saw evidence as to such. Had you thought most would be?

Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Fair question Kland. I'm 59, a pastor's son and lifetime Adventist. In my lifespan the great majority of conservative Adventists who I've met and read think that the Adventist Church as a body will never reject the Testimonies. Like you and me, they are all aware of the "not one in twenty" and "not one in a hundred" statements but almost without exception the commonly held view is that our numbers may thin under persecution but the General Conference or whatever official organ represents Seventh-day Adventists will always remain true to scripture and the SOP. It will go through. This prophecy says that's incorrect.

My point in writing the paper is that we need to nerve ourselves for the eventuality that the cycle of purging that always spawns the remnant will be repeated at the end. The shaking results in the expulsion of the true believers, the "not one in twenty" who remain faithful. Because the unfaithful retain the assets and the structure they believe that by expelling the faithful men and women among them they've shaken and rid themselves of a pesky extreme and dangerous element. They'll exclaim, "Thank God!, Let the Lord be glorified!" as it says in Isaiah:

So it would be good to memorize this entire chapter because although there is this painful reality check here, it is a glorious prospect that the Lord holds out to us.

There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. -- Letter 40, 1890. {1SM 48.4}

The Testimonies are not to be re-interpreted and wrested so as to make them of no effect.

• It doesn't matter. It is of no consequence.
   
• Jesus Christ Himself established the dividing line and test. "For God so loved the world," He said, "that He gave His Only-begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Is there anyone bold and audacious enough to change the dividing line and test, saying, "no but such and such are the goals"?
   
• Who has deceived you to cause you to study a different text from the one recommended by the Teacher of the class? Surely you must know that such a thing leads only to failure, to everlasting shame and contempt.
   
• Of every human being it will be asked, "Do you believe in the One whom God gave for a test, His Only-begotten Son, that you may follow and learn from; or not?" Therefore, do not change the text crying aloud in the streets, "THESE TESTIMONIES!"
   
• Prov. 30:5-6

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