Church

PROPHETIC PARALLELS – Christ’s Church “Then”. . .and Christ’s Church Now Ch.1

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By Terry S. Ross

prophetic parallels - greenChapter 1 – “Thy King Cometh . . .”

“ . . . thou knewest not the time of thy visitation” (Luke 19: 44).

How many times have you heard it said or have said yourself: “We shouldn’t criticize?” I can remember when there used to be what was called “constructive criticism.” We are so far removed from those days of honest correction that we no longer use such terminology. Why? I believe it is because when someone in the church today says we shouldn’t criticize, they mean we should keep from speaking anything that’s “negative,” especially if it’s directed at the “leadership” of the “church.” Almost always on the heels of this comment you will hear someone say that Jesus never condemned anybody. And once again this comment is calculated to place a grim opinion on anyone who would proceed to prove that the church is out of step with what Jesus would have done. Maybe you have been in your Bible study class and have tried to make a critical point on the lesson to uphold the principles of truth. Then someone says (on cue), “Jesus never condemned anyone.” You could then almost hear the minds of all the members of the class slam shut and you would not be heard for the rest of the session. Your influence has just been killed.

But to make such statements, in reality, shows the prejudice of the comment and exposes the ignorance of the one who makes it. If Jesus never condemned anyone, then why did the “church” crucify Him! It doesn’t take a genius to realize that saying Jesus never condemned anyone shows that the one saying this doesn’t know the Bible.

Most ministers are “nice folks.” But if you are observant, you may see that a growing number of them soon reveal in different ways that their primary interest is pleasing the denominational headquarters with “numbers,” toeing the “party line,” and, for the most part, preaching what they believe the people want to hear. If you dare to disagree on any points of doctrine, they will quickly put you in your place because “you don’t know the Greek,” or they’ll give you some other kind of “intellectual” snow job, such as, “you have to understand proper hermeneutical procedures to be able to interpret what’s written in the Bible.”

If you have a red- letter edition Bible, read through the four Gospels and pay attention to the red lettering. I guarantee you will find in a big way that Jesus was, in fact, condemning the leadership of the church headquarters of His day. To deny this obvious fact is to deny the simplest historical accounts of the New Testament. Jesus called the apostate leaders of His day, sons of “the devil” (John 8: 44), “hypocrites” (Matthew 6: 2, 15: 7, 23: 13 and numerous other places), and “whited sepulchers” (Matthew 23: 27). He certainly agreed with John the Baptist, His cousin, who called the leaders a “generation of snakes” in Matthew 3: 7. As a matter of fact, Jesus spoke of John as the greatest prophet that ever lived (Matthew 11: 11). We could cite many more situations when Jesus did things that if He had come for the first time in our day, would shock today’s Christians, such as overthrowing the money tables in the courts of the “church.” This should demonstrate that most people either don’t know what Jesus is like or that they really don’t want to “be just like Jesus,” as they claim they want to be. They want the God of mercy but reject the God of Justice. Words are indeed so cheap.

In the end, those who are part of God’s true church in reality will be just like Jesus; and like the disciples 2,000 years ago will find out that being just like Jesus means much more than most will be willing to become. Spiritual Israel is about to find out what ancient Israel found out; not just with a head knowledge but through actual living experiential knowledge. This life or death issue as in days of old, is being brought to the forefront one last time, by the same Jesus so many now say they want to be like.

At the time of Christ’s arrival the “church” had a misconception of His first coming and of who He was. And where did they get this misconception? From their leaders, of course.

Many among Christ’s hearers were dwellers at Jerusalem. They were not ignorant of the plots of the rulers against Him, but felt themselves drawn to Him by an irresistible power. They were convicted that He was the Son of God. But Satan was ready to suggest doubt; and to this end the way was prepared by their erroneous ideas of the Messiah and His coming. It was generally believed that Christ would be born at Bethlehem, but after a time He would disappear, and at His second appearance none would know where He came from. There were many who held that the Messiah would have no natural relationship to humanity. And because the popular conception of the glory of the Messiah was not met by Jesus of Nazareth, many gave heed to the suggestion, “Howbeit we know this man whence he is; but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is” (John 7: 27).

Five hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Zechariah foretold the coming of the King to Israel. The hope of the new kingdom was again springing up. So for five hundred years God had brought to view the reality that the Messiah was on His way. But do you know what happened before He arrived? The educational system of God’s people became polluted. Hundreds of years before when Israel had chosen a king it was because they wished to be like other nations. This humanistic approach and attitude had proven to be a constant plague throughout their history. Now at the most crucial point in their existence this plague of placing the opinions of man above the word of God was about to be their utter downfall. We often address our real concerns about the “peer pressure” our youth are influenced by and how it is destroying them. One thing that would give our young people strength to endure and overcome evil peer pressure is for us to gain the victory ourselves as adults. Sadly, as in ancient times, the vast majority of God’s professed people are still placing the opinions of man above that of God’s word.

By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, the church leaders were of the opinion that they knew more than He did! Remember, they asked Him what authority He had to preach (Matthew 21: 23; Mark 11: 28; Luke 20: 2). They made the charge that He had no authority because He had not attended any of their schools and they had not given Him any authority. These same apostate leaders later made the same charges against the disciples (Acts 4: 7).

While they were thus wavering between doubt and faith, Jesus took up their thoughts and answered them, “Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not (John 7: 28).” They claimed a knowledge of what the origin of Christ should be, but they were in utter ignorance of it. If they had lived in accordance with the will of God, they would have known His Son when He came.

So you see, God’s “chosen people” had disregarded the manner in which He had said He would come. They could not rightly discern spiritual things because they had not live d in accordance with the will of God. When Christ arrived on the scene, the “church” had been polluted with the leading of faulty teachers who had become self- serving. Their priorities had turned from living according to the standards and principles of heaven to the policies and approbation of man.

Because we are studying “prophetic parallels,” this might be a good place to establish some ground rules. Now I’m going to make the claim in this study that we will discover nothing has changed between the days of Christ and those of our own. What happened 2,000 years ago is happening today— history is repeating itself. I’m making the claim that Jesus has graciously brought this insight to the forefront now because it’s time to do so. In keeping with this, let’s pause to discuss the “players” in this drama.

If we had lived 2,000 years ago and had only the knowledge that the Jews possessed then, the identity of the “church” would have been obvious to us. Most of us would have recognized that the “church” was the Sanhedrin. We would have said that Jerusalem was “church headquarters” and the priests, scribes, and Pharisees— those in the Sanhedrin— were the church leaders of our day— conference men. Now we realize that not all denominations or congregations have a conference structure but to simplify things, the term “conference” or “conference men” will mean official leadership. The term modern Israel is used in a spiritual sense and applies to all claiming Christianity.

It should also be recognized that the subject matter of PROPHETIC PARALLELS deals with principles which are eternal and consistent. Claims of apostasy will therefore be strongly and clearly stated but housed in general language. The claim that the conference leaders are in apostasy is very true but the reader should not assume that ALL official leaders are in apostasy. Not all the leaders in ancient Israel were in apostasy, but the majority were. Christ came to break the chains of bondage that their apostate pastors had placed upon the laity. Only those who found salvation were those who came to understand that it is what God says that matters most, not what man thinks or feels.

PROPHETIC PARALLELS repeats this exact work at the door of His second coming. The pursuit, discovery and acceptance of truth, no matter how painful or startling, will determine the destiny of each soul. Time ran out for the ancient conference who claimed to be “the church.” The claim of being “the church” is being heard again and only those who discover who and what God’s REAL church is and with total conviction and commitment will become a part of it, can or will be saved in the end. Taking on Christ’s name “Christian” means far more than most have ever imagined. And although salvation is free, by grace alone, and although we could never earn it, it will cost us everything we have. By far and away, as in ancient times, the majority of common people today have placed the most precious gift of eternal life in the hands of apostate leadership. The work of Christ showed that those who continued this practice would go to ruin with them. God is still the same today, yesterday and always. It is not He who will change to accommodate the apostasy that’s rampant in modern Israel. The change, if any, must come from within you and me. We have a very short time in which to unlearn the error and learn the vital, saving truths which Christ brings to this last generation in a dying world.

This is obvious as illustrated by verses in Scripture already mentioned and by statements from the disciples themselves such as “Don’t you know, Jesus, You just offended the pastors?” (see Matthew 15: 12). And you may also want to note Jesus’ corresponding response which was, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15: 13).

If we would have been like most who were not diligently heeding the warning “studying to shew thyself approved” (2 Timothy 2: 15), and if we had been part of the popular thought of that day 2,000 years ago, we would have definitely believed that the conference corporate structure (the temple) in Jerusalem was “the church” and that “the true leaders” were found at headquarters, the Sanhedrin. This was the claim of those ancient leaders and the same is true of modern leadership as well.

In His day, how would Christ and His disciples have been identified? They would have been recognized by most of us as self- supporting, independent ministers. They would not have been recognized as having authority to give their messages by the “mainstream church” because they were not affiliated with a recognized denomination officially. They hadn’t received any credentials from the conference headquarters and so they had no “authority” to preach.

The surprising fact is that it was only those who began to look for truth for themselves who discovered that the church leaders of their day were wrong. Most of those who held onto the self- promoted idea that the church (headquartered in Jerusalem) was the final authority, died in the slaughter of 70 A. D. when Jerusalem was destroyed. Not only were they removed that day from the face of earth but also from the Lamb’s Book of Life! They had rejected the message that their Messiah had indeed come in the person of the humble Carpenter from Nazareth.

Do we realize, brothers and sisters, that if it hadn’t been for the self-supporting, independent ministers, the message of Christ’s coming would not have been preached?

And what was it that originally put in action the downfall of the conference corporate structure in ancient times? It was the choosing of a king— a human leader. The Scriptures plainly teach that this was never God’s plan. Let’s read about it in I Samuel 8: 5- 8:

“And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.”

“Modern day Israel,” present- day Christians, have followed in the same footsteps and are in the same trouble. The reason God didn’t desire for Israel to have a king is a good one. Having one man at the head is not God’s plan, because nearly every time this has been the case, the “king” ends up protecting his kingdom, not God’s kingdom.

Now back to Jesus with His disciples. It is the day of His “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem that final week before His crucifixion. This day, which seemed to the disciples the crowning day of their lives, would have been shadowed with gloomy clouds had they known that this scene of rejoicing was but a prelude to the suffering and death of their Master. Although He had repeatedly told them of His certain sacrifice, yet in the glad triumph of the present they forgot His sorrowful words, and looked forward to His prosperous reign on David’s throne.

The church was looking to years of prosperity but sudden destruction came. You see, Jesus had tried to warn them, but their minds were so full of preconceived ideas placed there by the corrupt priesthood that His words fell on deaf ears. Christ has renewed His warnings to His professed people by way of the Bible, however, for the most part, in our day as in the past, His words are falling on deaf ears. In a time when “the church” is crying peace and safety, in a time when “the church” is looking forward to years of prosperity, sudden destruction is about to fall.

Many Pharisees witnessed Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and, burning with envy and malice they sought to turn the current of popular feeling. With all their authority they tried to silence the people, but their appeals and threats only increased the enthusiasm. They feared that this multitude, in the strength of their numbers, would make Jesus king. They declared that such demonstrations were unlawful, and would not be permitted by the authorities. “Malice” is defined as “hatred or intense hatred.” Why did the “pastors” hate Jesus, the very One who they were claiming to worship? These same pastors feared that the multitude would make JESUS their king. Why would a pastor fear that the laity would make Jesus their king?

I’ll tell you why, and the reason hasn’t changed over the last 2,000 years! The Jewish “pastors” feared that if the people made Jesus their king, they would have found out the truth about who they really were and what their style of pastoring was really all about. They feared that their own authority would be nullified and they would be without a job! They would lose control of the money and lose all their authority.

Do you want to know something? They were right! This experience is paralleled in our own day in many churches.

This is the reason the standards over the years have been lowered time and time again. I don’t have to tell those of you with the gray hair all of this. You realize that in many cases, the church you are in is vastly different than the one you took your baptismal vows in years ago. The sermons are much different too. The pastors of today are paying more attention to being “politically correct” with the immoral populace than to the challenging, inspired word of God. They are preaching smooth things to itching ears because it’s popular and brings more people to church.

But be not deceived! More people in church doesn’t mean more people in heaven. It does mean more of that evil peer pressure we mentioned before which continues to lower the standards even further.

For several years now we have witnessed what the conferences have labeled “revival.” But a revival of what? For several years we have actively researched and kept a close eye on the Christian community. I tell you that we are not witnessing Christian revival but the erosion of the true spirit of what the reformation brought.

Many of you are distressed deeply on a spiritual level as you have witnessed a departure from historic, sacred worship in your church. What is being labeled “revival” is really heresy as worship services are being lowered to the level of just above the ambiance of the nightclub scene. I came out of the world from that culture and in the past ten years, I have watched the sacred pulpits of many churches change into platforms of performers –from the “nightclub” lighting right down to the “Christian rock” music (which is anything but Christian).

Our station on the walls of Zion has revealed to us that the line of demarcation between the world and Christianity has been blurred to such an alarming degree that open warfare has broken loose within the community of believers. This actually gives us a reason to have faith in the word of God that states His plan will be accomplished regardless of hindrances or apostasies.

But the last great struggle between Christ and Satan has indeed commenced! It shows itself in recent events such as entire mainline fundamental denominations being split on issues such as ordaining homosexuals to the ministry along with numerous other issues. The enemy is within the gate and we must not only recognize this truth but know what Christ wants us to do about it!

In the midst of a scene of rejoicing, where all were paying Jesus homage, Israel’s King was in mourning but not in anticipation of His own suffering. Jesus had some very real and deadly enemies but His was always the spirit of unselfish love. His sorrow was for a lost people. It broke His heart to know that God’s chosen people, His church, the very church which He Himself had raised up, had rejected Him. His tears were shed not for himself— they were for the people who claimed to be “the church” but who were sadly blinded by their own pride and stubbornness.

The thought of His own agony did not intimidate that noble, self- sacrificing soul. It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus— Jerusalem (the church headquarters) —that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty miracles and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound.

The record of more than a thousand years of Christ’s guardian care and tender love, such as a father bears his only child, was there. In that temple the prophets had uttered their solemn warnings. There had the burning censers waved, while incense, mingled with the prayers of the worshipers, had ascended to God. There the blood of beasts had flowed, pointing to the blood of Christ that would be shed. There Jehovah had manifested His glory above the mercy seat. There the priests had officiated and the pomp of symbol and ceremony had gone on for ages. But all this must have an end.

Christ does not easily give up on people nor does He cast them aside. What happens is THEY leave HIM. For centuries He had labored and cared for this church He had started, but it all had to come to an end. You might say “Well yes, the sacrifices of lambs and animals did have to come to an end,” and you would be right; but go back and read all of the above paragraph. It says that the “church” in Christ’s day had to come to an end. Why? Because they had rejected Him and become so corrupt that they had placed themselves above God. They made of no effect the law of God by teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. The apostasy had closed their minds so tightly that they were now literally telling God (Christ) that He had no authority to speak unless they gave it!

Although the church had been raised by Christ, the people of the church no longer represented the work and purpose for their original existence and it had to stop. God no longer accepted their apostasy and He no longer recognized them as His church. Are there any parallels today? If the circumstances of our day are the same, will not the results be the same as they were in the days of our spiritual forefathers? To the honest, truth- seeking Christian, the answer is clear.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23: 37)

Here the Saviour paused, and left unsaid what might have been the condition of Jerusalem had she accepted the help that God desired to give her. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before the Son of God.

But the bright picture of what Jerusalem might have been fades from the Saviour’s sight. He realizes that she now is under the Roman yoke, bearing the frown of God, doomed to His retributive judgment that will be realized in the tragedy of her destruction in 70 A. D.

Did you read that friend? Are you thinking of “prophetic parallels”? We have far more to be concerned about from within the “church” than from without! The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from those in the “church” itself than those in the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be true to the Bible and following Jesus will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by their consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of the Gospel proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.

Is there any doubt in your mind that this is speaking about fearing those who claim to be Christians, but who don’t live up to the name? We don’t need to fear the true Christians, only those who don’t live up to the name. But, of course, (and here is where the rub comes in) the only way to really distinguish the true from the false is to “study to shew yourself approved” (2 Timothy 2: 15). It is so sad but so true that most “Christians” give the lowest priority to their highest opportunity— eternal life. Now does that make any sense to you? It doesn’t to me either.

Christ came to save Jerusalem with her children; but pharisaical (pastoral) pride, hypocrisy, jealousy, and malice has prevented Him from accomplishing His purpose. Jesus couldn’t save the headquarters of the church. Why? Because of pride, hypocrisy (teaching the laity one thing and doing another themselves), jealousy (the love of self over the love of other men and God), and malice (hatred). Because of these things Jesus could not accomplish what He otherwise could have.

Do you realize the gravity of what’s being said here? Jesus came to give the people the very message that would have put them in His kingdom, but the leadership of the church actively blocked Him from doing this vital work. If we were to rewrite this in a slightly different way, this is how it might read: Christ came to save the church and all those in the denominational headquarters, but pastoral pride (placing themselves above the laity–“ I’m the Pastor!”), protecting their jobs but not protecting others and the truth, and hatred for anything (sacred or common) that got in their way or threatened their position, prevented many from knowing the truth who otherwise might have been saved.

Jerusalem had been the child of His care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over the beloved city. “How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction?” When the fast setting sun passed from sight, Jerusalem’s significance in religious history would be ended.

Jerusalem represented the headquarters of the system of religion that Christ Himself had raised up. Israel, the church then, was indeed the “chosen” people who Christ had entrusted to do a special work. He had also promised they would be His people “forever.” But as with every other promise, these chosen people had either forgotten or ignored the detail that God’s promises were based on obedience to His instructions.

History is repeating itself and we should consider ourselves to be in worse condition today than they. If God has not changed, then this “chosen” generation of Christians who profess to believe in all of the Bible, along with its denominations’ headquarters, will suffer the same end as did their unbelieving forefathers if they are not teaching or living what Christ teaches. But we can count on the constancy of God. Remember: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13: 8).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1: 17).

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3: 6).

Allow me to ask you this question: Do you believe in “once saved, always saved”? You may say no, but are you sure? If you believe that the church will be saved no matter how corrupt it becomes, then you indeed do believe in “once saved always saved.” Let’s take a familiar story out of the Bible to illustrate the point:

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Sam. 8: 4- 7).

Did you know that one of the major steps the leaders of Israel took which put them on the road to apostasy was to choose a king to rule over them? The Bible has many things to say regarding this subject and kingly power. We’ll address this more later on in the coming chapters.

Praise the Lord, however, for He does not easily cast us aside! Right from the start the Lord has always had a Plan “A” to follow. If we would follow this plan, we would have far fewer concerns than we do presently. Also, right from the start the Lord usually has had a Plan “B” to implement if Plan “A” is not followed by His people. I am so thankful that the Lord loves us with this kind of love, aren’t you?

Plan “B” is never the best plan, but God sometimes allows Himself to be “forced” into Plan “B” because of the hardness of our hearts. Usually whenever we insist on any plan besides Plan “A” we suffer the consequences. But we human beings seem to have to learn things the hard way so instead of just casting us aside, the Lord condescends to Plan “B” in order to save some who will learn from their mistakes and rebellion.

So Israel’s leaders had insisted on having a king rule over them. God had told Samuel that they had rejected Him by making this request, but nonetheless, He implemented Plan “B” rather than casting them aside at this time.

“Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people” (I Samuel 9: 15- 17).

So the Lord went to Plan “B.” Now, did the Lord handpick Saul? Yes! And was there to be an ordination for this man who was handpicked by God? Yes. Let’s continue.

I Samuel 10: 1 “Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?”

So indeed the Lord handpicked Saul and the Lord ordained him, through the prophet Samuel, to the mission of ruling over His people.

I Samuel 10: 6 “And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.”

Brothers and sisters, this has to be one of the most amazing stories in all of the Bible! Here we have a man who is handpicked by God— He is ordained to his mission by the prophet Samuel and now he is given the promise that the Holy Spirit will fill him and he will be changed into another man! How would you like a true prophet to promise you a quick, total conversion? Not maybe, but for sure! Let’s see what happened:

“And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 10: 9- 11).

What a story! I dare say that with few exceptions, you won’t find too many more stories like this one anywhere. So to recap: Saul had been handpicked; he was anointed to the position; he was filled with the Holy Spirit; he prophesied; and he was given a new heart. If this isn’t a total conversion experience from God, I don’t know what is! But sadly this is not all of the story. Here is what happened later:

“Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15: 16- 23).

One last time. Saul was handpicked. He was appointed and anointed. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He prophesied among the other prophets before witnesses who knew him. He was in fact given a new heart. Brother and sister, you just can’t get any more saved than this!

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die” (Ezekiel 18: 24).

“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die . . .” (Ezekiel 3: 20).

It’s quite obvious that a righteous person can choose to turn from his righteousness. Was he truly righteous to begin with? The Bible says he was. The Bible also says that if he turns from his righteousness HE WILL DIE IN HIS SINS. This is pretty clear that a person can be in a right relationship with God, but if he turns away and stays away— in his sins— he will not be in a saved condition (see also Hebrew 6: 4- 6).

But here again, don’t take my word for it. Study this out for yourself. Your own Bible study on this issue as well as any other issues mentioned in this book is very important.

Perhaps many of you thought that you have never believed in “once saved, always saved.” Perhaps many of you DO believe in “once saved, always saved.” In the light of the story we just read, I think many do believe, as far as the church leadership and headquarters is concerned, that these people cannot be lost because God has chosen them. If you believe that, then you don’t believe the story of Saul to be true or inspired! If this is the case, I implore you to please get on your knees and beg God to give you the eyesalve of Revelation 3: 18.

Saul broke his contract of salvation with God. When he rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord rejected him. His course took him into spiritualism and he sought the counsel of a witch over asking God’s counsel. Things have not changed over the centuries, for if we choose not to go to the Lord for wisdom, if we go to worldly humanistic methods and use worldly techniques to solve our problems, then the fate of Saul awaits us.

Just as Samuel told King Saul that God rejected him as ruler of the laity in his day, so Jesus rejected the leadership whose kingly and corrupted power were in the service of another master in His day.

Once again, as startling as it may seem, my claim so far that what has happened in the history of ancient Israel is happening again today is right on target. Saul’s pride and apostasy took him finally into spiritualism. In modern Israel, the witches of Endor are still counseling God’s people— to their demise. The infiltration of New Age thought and tech- nique within Christianity is startling proof that the enemy has and continues to gain, a strong foothold among us. And this foothold is not complacent, remaining in the pews, but to a great degree, is wielding the power and influence of prominent positions within our ranks, and in our pulpits.

Copyright © 1999 Servants of the Saviour
Terry & Cathy Ross

Chapter 2 – “Jerusalem, Jerusalem . . .” ⇒

Unity Through Faith in Christ

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On the night of His betrayal, Christ made a very interesting statement, recorded in Luke 22:37: “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” [Emphasis supplied.]

Christ was quoting from Isaiah 53, a chapter that so faithfully and clearly describes Himself as the Messiah that Jewish parents refuse to discuss the chapter with their children. Thankfully, we are not so blind to the mercies of God that we refuse to recognize His prophetic voice speaking in the message He gave Isaiah centuries ago.

What are the things concerning Christ that “have an end” that He was referring to in Luke 22:37? A careful reading of Isaiah 53 will answer that question. Much of what Isaiah described about Christ ended at the cross—being “numbered with the transgressors”—but the entirety of the assertion He made in Luke has yet to come fully to pass. Christ continues to experience the sinfulness of sin as He pleads His blood before the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. And that ordeal will not end until the sanctuary is cleansed and He returns to this earth with the host of heaven to gather His saints.

Thus, we ponder if Christ’s statement that “the things concerning Me have an end” has a broader application. Indeed, many things concerning Him did have an end when He was crucified. But there is, in my opinion, another end yet to come, and that will occur when Christ returns to gather His saints and ends the misery that sin has brought upon this earth.

What must we do to cope with the trials of life until that glorious event occurs? Remember that Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Our hope lies not in this life, but in the life to come. Christ referred to that eternal life time and time again when He was on earth, though at the time few comprehended what He meant. The most famous reference, perhaps, is in John 3:16, a text that most professors of Christ learned at their parent’s knee.

The promise of eternal life, though, occurs over and over again in the record of Christ’s life as recorded in the gospels, and that promise is always based on the same condition—obedience—sometimes clearly stated and sometimes implied by the context of the statement.

In Matthew 19, we have this record: “Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments’ ” (Matthew 19:16, 17).

This is a rather amazing statement for a reason that might be easily overlooked. Clearly Christ is mindful here of His human nature and recognizes the inherent capacity for sin in the natural heart, which He assumed when He came to this earth to rescue man from the wages of sin. Mindful of this, of the potential sinfulness of humanity, He refused to accept the accolade offered by this rich young ruler: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” After that assertion, Christ clearly states the one and only condition for eternal life: “keep the commandments.”

The gospel writer who wrote most frequently of the reward of eternal life was the apostle John, usually in his record of Christ’s interactions with non-believers or in response to questions from His erstwhile followers.

John records an interesting exchange in the sixth chapter of his gospel narrative, where there is a comprehensive record of the feeding of the five thousand and the events that followed.

Perceiving the intent of the masses to “take Him by force to make Him king” (John 6:15), Jesus absented Himself from the scene and sought solitude. After reuniting with His disciples in a rather startling manner (verses 19, 20), He engaged in an extended conversation with the people about Himself as the bread of life.

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst’ ” (verse 35). A bit later, Christ made a less symbolic, more direct statement regarding eternal realities: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (verse 47). Unfortunately, there were not many who were willing to carry their belief in Him to complete fulfillment, as we see as this crisis in Galilee was building.

Christ’s statements that followed were unacceptable to the masses, for they failed to understand the symbolism in his assertion that “… unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (verse 53).

Christ clearly stated in no vague language, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (verse 63), “many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (verse 66).

In the following chapter, John records a conversation that again was so full of symbolism that few truly understood His meaning.

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’ ” (John 7:37, 38).

The meaning of this statement that so puzzled His hearers is made clear in the Spirit of Prophecy:

“The flowing of the water from the rock in the desert was celebrated by the Israelites, after their establishment in Canaan, with demonstrations of great rejoicing. In the time of Christ this celebration had become a most impressive ceremony. It took place on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the people from all the land were assembled at Jerusalem. On each of the seven days of the feast the priests went out with music and the choir of Levites to draw water in a golden vessel from the spring of Siloam. They were followed by multitudes of the worshipers, as many as could get near the stream drinking of it, while the jubilant strains arose, ‘With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation’ (Isaiah 12:3). Then the water drawn by the priests was borne to the temple amid the sounding of trumpets and the solemn chant, ‘Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem’ (Psalm 122:2). The water was poured out upon the altar of burnt offering, while songs of praise rang out, the multitudes joining in triumphant chorus with musical instruments and deep-toned trumpets.

“The Saviour made use of this symbolic service to direct the minds of the people to the blessings that He had come to bring them. ‘In the last day, that great day of the feast,’ His voice was heard in tones that rang through the temple courts, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’ ‘This,’ said John, ‘spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive’ (John 7:37–39). The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom, and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. He in whom Christ is abiding has within him a never-failing fountain of grace and strength. Jesus cheers the life and brightens the path of all who truly seek Him. His love, received into the heart, will spring up in good works unto eternal life. And not only does it bless the soul in which it springs, but the living stream will flow out in words and deeds of righteousness, to refresh the thirsting around him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 412.

In the eleventh chapter of John we have the record of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. After Christ and His disciples come to Bethany on the fourth day following Lazarus’ death, there is an interesting exchange between Martha and Jesus in which Martha’s understanding of the state of the dead is clearly revealed. “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day’ ” (John 11:23, 24).

In response, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? ’ ” (verses 25, 26).

Though Martha responded positively, her response indicated that she failed to fully comprehend what belief in Christ fully means.

“To the Saviour’s words, ‘Believest thou?’ Martha responded, ‘Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.’ She did not comprehend in all their significance the words spoken by Christ, but she confessed her faith in His divinity, and her confidence that He was able to perform whatever it pleased Him to do.” The Desire of Ages, 530.

There are two other passages in John’s gospel that should bring great joy to the believer. In John 16:33, Christ provides a reason for the continuing hope that His followers should have: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

There is no greater peace, in the fullest meaning of the word, that one can have than is obtained in recognizing that Christ’s victory over the enemy of souls is our victory as well. Truly, “in the world” we “will have tribulation.” We have an enemy who is determined to drag humanity down into the same miserable pit of sin and degradation that he currently occupies. Nevertheless, by fully believing in Christ, by nurturing that measure of faith that each of us has been given, we can “be of good cheer” and “overcome the world.”

The final passage in the gospel of John that expresses the eternal life available to all who have faith in Christ is given in Christ’s prayer in John 17.

John 17:20–23: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

All who understand fully what “belief” in Christ entails will indeed be unified in the bonds of Christian brotherhood that John summarized succinctly but powerfully in his first missive: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

We cannot “walk in the light” unless we have complete faith in Christ as the Redeemer of mankind and fully believe that His blood cleanses us from all sin. Then that unity that Christ prayed so fervently for in John 17 will be a reality and we will indeed have true Christian fellowship with one another.

The gospel writers were not alone in their affirmation that obedience through faith in Christ imparts righteousness to the believer—that righteousness by faith that alone provides the spotless wedding garment to the saved. Paul alluded time and time again to the inseparable union of faith, righteousness, and eternal life.

One of his strongest statements occurs in Philippians 3:8, 9: “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

As Paul’s long, final imprisonment began and his itinerate ministry was drawing to a close, he continued to bear faithfully the message that God had laid upon his heart. When arraigned before Felix, he took the opportunity to preach one of his most meaningful and memorable sermons.

For two years, “a ray of light from heaven had been permitted to shine upon Felix, when Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come. That was his heaven-sent opportunity to see and to forsake his sins. But he said to the messenger of God, ‘Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.’ He had slighted his last offer of mercy. Never was he to receive another call from God.” The Acts of the Apostles, 427.

Let us not be like Felix, who had at his disposal for two years one of the greatest expositors of the gospel, who apparently conversed with him at will, but who rejected this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know more fully the way of salvation.

“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ” (Acts 24:24).

“The faith in Christ” … Felix rejected his opportunity to understand what that meant. Thankfully, by the grace and love of god, we have on record Paul’s explanation of what it means to be in Christ and to have faith in Christ, so that we are “without excuse” if we fail to grasp the full import of what that means.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21–26).

“… through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe …”

Unity through faith in Christ!

John Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. After retiring as chief financial officer for the Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, Arizona, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, to join the Steps team. 

Government in the Church

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Among God’s people in the Christian church there must not only be love, but also order. Peter instructed the elders of the early church telling them: “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2, 3).

The apostolic church over a relatively short period became highly organized. This was not possible without the blessing of the Holy Spirit which works through organized means. Within 25 or 30 years after the crucifixion of Christ, the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae that the gospel had gone to every creature under heaven.

When God raised up the second advent movement, He taught them that His work today was also to be organized.

In the book, Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 106, she wrote, “In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”

Many historic Seventh-day Adventists today seem to have forgotten what God has taught us in the past.

We are told: “Never since the creation of the world were such important interests at stake as now depend upon the action of men who believe and are giving the last message of warning to the world.” Ibid., 246. God does not change. His ways and principles do not change.

The apostle Paul told Timothy to train faithful men who can teach others. Years after Ellen White’s son William was born, she was shown in vision that God had raised up her son, on whom He would put the spirit of wisdom, to help her in her work when her husband could no longer help. William White lived until 1937. During the 1930s, he wrote articles that appeared in The Review and Herald, the official organ of the Seventh-day Adventist church, describing how the Adventist church had become organized as it is today.

If we forget how the Lord led us in the past, we will make the same mistakes that they made almost 150 years ago. In this article, we will review the principal points that William White enumerated as happening during the second advent movement.

After the great disappointment in 1844 when Jesus did not return, the great mass of the people (between 50 to 100 thousand in the United States alone), fell away. During Jesus’ ministry on earth He cleansed the temple twice, once at the beginning of His ministry and again at the end.

Ellen White is very clear that just as Jesus purified the temple twice, in the closing work, He will purify His people twice. At the beginning, when He purified the advent movement, the great mass of believers fell away. There was only a handful of people left that held on to their faith, and to them was revealed the Sabbath truth. The two great doctrines that were then preached were the Sabbath and the second coming of Christ.

However, there was no organized way to proclaim these things to the world, and there were very few Sabbath-keepers. If a person was convicted that he should preach, he would just go out at his own expenses and start preaching. Maybe somebody would give him some money to help him with his expenses as he went from place to place to proclaim the fact that Jesus was coming soon, and to be ready for His coming, and that we needed to keep His commandments.

There was no conception of a world-wide, organized effort. However, within a few years, people from different parts of the country were expressing an interest to learn about the Advent truth. There was a lack of preachers or ministers that could be sent to them, for most who preached present truth had to have a part-time job of some kind to support themselves while they were preaching. Hence there was a dearth of laborers.

In 1858 James White described it this way: “Repeated disappointments are saddening and discouraging our preachers. They have generally moved out expecting to be sustained by their brethren in their arduous work, but their brethren often failed to do their duty. They have looked on apparently unmoved and they have seen one after another of our preachers break down in health through over labor and deprivation for want of means while they have continued to hug their earthly treasures to their hearts. Disappointment has been the sad lot of our preachers and now several of them are sunken down under poverty, broken-down in health and discouragement.” The Review and Herald, April 8, 1858.

In January 1859, a church-meeting was held in Battle Creek. Those present were much burdened because of the lack of preachers. Among those present were J. N. Andrews from Iowa, James White, and J. B. Frisby. The three of them were asked at this meeting to prepare an address for the Adventist people about systematic benevolence, which they did.

In the paper that was subsequently published, they discussed the Scriptural basis of giving for the cause of the gospel and showed that such gifts should be bestowed willingly, equitably, liberally, regularly, and systematically. They wrote that God wants us to give as He has prospered us. The following proposals were published in The Review and Herald, February 3, 1859.

  1. “Let each brother from 18 to 60 years of age lay by him in store on the first day of the week from 5 to 25 cents.” (See 1 Corinthians 16:2.)
  2. “Each sister from 18 to 60 years of age, lay by her in store the first day of the week 2 to 10 cents.” On the average, a woman, even today, with the identical, same education as a man will make approximately 70 to 75% of what a man will make.
  3. “Let each brother and sister lay by him or her in store on the first day of each week, from 1 to 5 cents on each and every one hundred dollars of property that they possess.”

It is estimated at that time that the total property owned by the Seventh-day Adventists was between nine and ten thousand dollars. This was mostly in small houses and lots and with this small systematic giving the funds began to come in and ministers could be hired to preach.

Elder Loughborough reported: “It seems to me as far as means are concerned, this plan has been the salvation of the cause of present truth from bankruptcy. In places where before the adoption of this plan the brethren thought they could scarcely take care of themselves, and do comparatively nothing for the support of the cause, we see them now stating that their systematic benevolence amounts to over $100 a year.” The Review and Herald on June 18, 1861.

During this same time, James White began to propose to the brethren assembling in different areas that in each state where there are sufficient Seventh-day Adventists it would be a good thing to hold an annual meeting to come together to study and to pray for God’s work; where they might be more united in their work for the Lord. This proposal was accepted and yearly camp meetings began.

James White wrote, “We lack system. Many of our brethren are in a scattered state. They observe the Sabbath, read with some interest The Review, but obviously, they are doing little or nothing for want of some method of united action among them.” Ibid., July 21, 1859.

A push for local church organization began. Many problems needed to be solved because of the different local churches with no unified policy and no unified system of beliefs. W. C. White reported that conduct that might be permitted in some churches, would, in other places, furnish occasion for disfellowship.

He further reported, “We are aware that these suggestions will not meet the minds of all. Brother Overcautious will be frightened and will be ready to warn his brethren to be careful and not venture out too far; while Brother Confusion will cry out, ‘O, this looks just like Babylon, following the fallen church.’ Brother Dolittle will say, ‘the cause is the Lord’s, and we had better leave it in His hands. He will take care of it.’ ‘Amen,’ say Love of this World, Slothful, and Stingy, ‘If God calls men to preach, let them go out and preach. He will take care of them. And those who believe their message, while Korah, Dathan, and Abiram are ready to rebel against those who feel the weight of the cause, and who watch for souls as those that must give an account, and they raise the cry, You take too much upon you.’ ” Ibid.

This discussion on becoming organized was approaching a debate. Some Adventists believed that if you become organized you will become just like Babylon. We still have that same problem today.

James White later wrote, “It was too late to be afraid of gospel order merely because others have gone into the creed business, too late to run off the bridge on one side simply because the water roars on the other. There are two extremes to be shunned. One is for human wisdom alone to combine its feeble strength to carry on the work of God. The other is to leave with God what He has left for us, and sit down and wait for special providences before moving. If such move at all, it is independent of the views and feelings of others, each individual constituting an independent church.” Ibid.

James White was editor of The Review and Herald, which was located at Battle Creek, and they needed money. Sometimes they borrowed to carry on their work. One lady offered to loan $100 which would be like $5,000 today. Because it was a loan she wanted James White to personally sign a promissory note that they would pay it back. Being unable to be responsible for the debts that would be incurred by The Review and Herald office he refused and the loan was not accepted. The Review office buildings were not insured and if they burned down with fire they would be lost.

He wrote, “We hope, however, that the time is not far distant when this people will be in that position necessary to be able to get church property insured. I think it’s soon that we are going to be able to get our church property insured. … hold the meeting houses in a proper manner, that those persons making their wills and wishing to do so, can appropriate a portion to the publishing department. Till this can be brought around, we must do the best we can, but we wish it distinctly understood that we bear no individual responsibility in the matter.” Ibid., February 23, 1860.

James White proposed that the church come to a place where it could do certain things that they were not able to do then. He said that they needed to be in a position to get church property insured and that they needed to hold the meeting houses in proper manner. If a church building is owned by an individual and that individual becomes fanatical, he or she could control anything that happens in that building because that building is privately owned.

Some of the leading brethren were not prepared to accept such radical change of policy that would be involved in organizing according to the law as James White had promoted. He believed that matters must be arranged that the responsibility of debt not rest upon one individual. There was a lot of opposition.

James White believed that if it is acceptable for an individual to hold their own home property or other real estate legally, it is also acceptable for a church to legally hold property. Year after year he pressed the issue of the need to be a legal entity, able to hold property and insure its buildings. Then a person who wants to can leave a bequest to a church that is a legal entity.

In another letter, James White wrote to those who were opposed to becoming incorporated, saying, “There is danger of being so overzealous to keep out of Babylon, that we shall commit her most noted blunder, that of sticking a stake and refusing to pull it up and advance. When we cease to unlearn errors, we shall fall like those who have gone before us. We have learned much and no doubt there is much more for us to learn. It is the follow-on and the go-through that will finally land the remnant without fault on the heavenly Mount Zion. My conclusion is that we should give up no Scripture truth, but that our false applications and interpretations of Scripture and consequent false ideas of order and propriety should be given up as fast as possible.” Ibid., May 29, 1860.

As these ideas began to be promoted and affect the minds of the people, a church in Parkville, Michigan, apparently the first Seventh-day Adventist church, was finally legally organized. In a meeting in May 1860, J. N. Loughborough was present when they took legal steps toward organizing as a religious society, that they might hold property in a lawful manner. Trustees were elected and a certificate was made out and filed preparatory to recording in the county clerk’s office. No name had yet been decided for the Adventists and they had to choose a name for their church to legally own property. Tentatively, they called themselves, Parkville Church of Christ’s Second Advent.

The leaders then decided to group the churches together and organize. Eventually, the name Seventh-day Adventist was chosen. By May 3, 1861, the Review and Herald Association was incorporated by law.

Three months later after the church had become legally organized, Ellen White said, “I saw that the enemy would come in every way possible to dishearten the people of God and perplex and trouble them, and that they should move understandingly, and prepare themselves for the attacks of Satan. Matters pertaining to the church should not be left in an unsettled condition. Steps should be taken to secure church property for the cause of God, that the work may not be retarded in its progress, and that the means which persons wish to dedicate to God’s cause may not slip into the enemy’s ranks. I saw that God’s people should act wisely, and leave nothing undone on their part to place the business of the church in a secure state.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 210, 211.

Around that time in a vision, Ellen White was shown an advance move that many of the Adventists had not yet understood. God already had a plan in place thousands of years ago to solve the problem they were working on to have finances for their ministers – God’s people should follow the tithing and offering system. Ministers began to talk, not just about systematic benevolence, but about the Bible principle of supporting God’s cause with the tithes and offerings of believers.

James White was concerned that there was not a proper distribution of ministers, and wrote, “In our unorganized condition our preachers have not been properly distributed. Vermont and Michigan have more than their proportion, and five still have their headquarters at Battle Creek, while Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, the Canadas, and the Western Territories are almost destitute. All reflecting persons can conclude that there is a wrong in this somewhere.” The Review and Herald, April 28, 1863.

“Shall the General Conference correct the wrong by making a judicious distribution of preachers? We plead for system, and while ministers call for systematic benevolence, the people loudly call for systematic labor.” Ibid.

The need to look at the whole world field and help achieve a proper distribution of workers in different places was one of the main reasons a general conference was formed.

On April 7, 1863, The Review and Herald announced that there would be a general conference of the Seventh-day Adventists at Battle Creek, Michigan, to commence Wednesday, May 20, at 6 o’clock p.m. All delegates and letters must be sanctioned by some state conference or conference committee, or where there are no state conferences, some church or meeting of scattered brethren.

Twenty-one delegates from all the different state conferences assembled in Battle Creek. J. M. Aldrich was chosen chairman. Uriah Smith was chosen as secretary, and the first evening they had presentation of credentials and reports from delegates. The next morning, May 21, they adopted a constitution having nine articles, which established and defined the authority of Seventh-day Adventists. They also proposed general conference meetings once a year with the various state conferences being represented by delegates.

Officers were selected, a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and an executive committee of three. For several reasons, James White refused the offer to be the president. He had been one who had been most vocal in encouraging and promoting church organization and he did not want it to be thought that he was trying to get a position for himself. However, in addition to that, he was working as the editor of The Review and Herald as well as doing a lot of preaching at camp meetings and revival meetings. Though he was pressed, he still refused and John Byington was elected to be the first General Conference president.

Ellen White reflected upon what had happened, approximately 40 years later. Looking back at the events from 1858 to 1863, she said, “I was one of the number who had an experience in establishing it from the first … . As our members increased, it was evident that without some form of organization, there would be great confusion, and the work would not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable.

“Yet, there was strong feeling against it among our people. The First-day Adventists were opposed to organization and most of the Seventh-day Adventists entertained the same ideas. We sought the Lord with earnest prayer that we might understand His will, and light was given by His Spirit, that there must be order and thorough discipline in the church, that organization was essential. System and order are manifest in all the works of God throughout the universe. Order is the law of heaven, and it should be the law of God’s people on earth.

“We had a hard struggle in establishing organization. Notwithstanding that the Lord gave testimony after testimony upon this point, the opposition was strong, and it had to be met again and again. But we knew that the Lord God of Israel was leading us, and guiding by His providence. We engaged in the work of organization, and marked prosperity attending this advance movement.” General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 29, 1893.

Today, some may say that we had to have it then, but now that we are more organized and have become world-wide, it is not as necessary. However, she said, “Let none entertain the thought, however, that we can dispense with organization. It has cost us much study, and many prayers for wisdom that we know God has answered, to erect this structure. It has been built up by His direction, through much sacrifice and conflict. Let none of our brethren be so deceived as to attempt to tear it down, for you will thus bring in a condition of things that you do not dream of.” Ibid.

“… let every one be exceedingly careful not to unsettle minds in regard to those things that God has ordained for our prosperity and success in advancing his cause.” Ibid.

A few years after that, she wrote again how the devil was going to try to deceive our people on this subject. In 1907, she said, “O how Satan would rejoice if he could succeed in his efforts to get in among this people, and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is essential, and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings, and to refute claims not endorsed by the word of God. We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no breaking down of the system of organization and order that has been built up by wise, careful labor. License must not be given to disorderly elements that desire to control the work at this time.

“Some have advanced the thought that as we near the close of time, every child of God will act independently of any religions organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no such thing as every man’s being independent. The stars of heaven are all under law, each influencing the other to do the will of God, yielding their common obedience to the law that controls their action. And, in order that the Lord’s work may advance healthfully and solidly, His people must draw together.” Gospel Workers, 487.

Here we see that as we approach the end of time, proper church organization is more important. And yet, as we near the close of time, the devil has fought more fiercely and bitterly than ever before, so that God’s people will not understand the importance of being organized. Many people are operating under their own impulses and their own feelings.

Ellen White wrote in a letter in 1892, “As we near the final crisis, instead of feeling there is less need of order and harmony of action, we should be more systematic than heretofore. All our work should be conducted according to well defined plans.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 107. That council was given by the Holy Spirit to the people in God’s remnant church.

In light of this history there are several questions that can be answered. For example, Should self-supporting work also be organized? Can God’s people become ready for the second coming of Christ without being organized?

Opposition to organization among the historic Adventists is as strong or stronger today than it was in the 1850s.

1 Peter 5 says that the church in the days of the apostles became highly organized. And it was through the blessing of the Holy Spirit and through church organization that they were able to take the gospel to the whole world in 25 to 30 years. There were no airplanes, trains, cars, radios, telephones, or televisions. Without the media available today, they were able to accomplish their task of evangelism to the then known world in a short time.

If God’s people, in any part of the world, could become properly organized in New Testament order and come into the spiritual condition necessary to receive the Holy Spirit, it would not take many years to finish God’s work in the world. We must be in a spiritual condition so that we can receive the Holy Spirit. Unless we are organized, the angels of heaven cannot work for us so that the gospel can be taken to all the world. Remember, order is the law of heaven, and we must be in harmony with the law of heaven for God’s work to be finished in this world.

God has led us in the past. We are to be organized in our families, in our local churches, and we are to be organized all over the world, wherever we work. We are to be working in an organized way so that God can continue to lead us.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church of Free Seventh-day Adventists in Wichita, Kansas.