In the 1960’s and the 1970’s Adventism went through a shaking—many so-called “liberal” Adventists were shaken out by the new theology—they may still be attending an Adventist church today but they were shaken out of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15—the church is the pillar and ground of the truth so when you are shaken out of the truth you are shaken out of the church even if you go to “church.”) This new theology affected and is affecting the Advent movement in all parts of the world.
Conservative Adventists felt secure, but shouldn’t have, because the Bible predicted that everything that could be shaken would be shaken. In the middle 1980’s conservative Adventists, who had no question about the inspiration of the writings of Ellen White, or about the meaning of 1844 or the doctrine of the sanctuary, or the Three Angels’ Messages were shaken. This shaking has intensified. We must go through the purging process because God is sifting His people and will continue to do so until He has a holy church. See Testimonies, vol. 1, 99.
This shaking is now everywhere, through families, special or independent ministries, everything that can be shaken will be shaken and the shaking has become discouraged. They have heard so much evil speech about almost everybody that they do not know who to trust or even what to believe. They have heard ministers and leaders denouncing other ministers and leaders so much that they have believed that part of it must be true and they have lost confidence in anything or anybody. Soon the devil hopes to overwhelm their faith entirely and cause them to give up and go to perdition. But Jesus is going to have a people who endure all these troubles that Historic Adventism is presently going through, a people that will overcome all inclinations to backbite with the tongue and to take up a reproach against his neighbor. They will be a people who will strictly oppose sin in any garb and at the same time will be “slow to censure, quick to discern penitence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay his feet therein.” Desire of Ages, 462. We are praying that we may be a part of that remnant. In this magazine are reports from others who are praying and striving to be part of that remnant and we hope that this is your continual prayer and striving also.
“Satan has gained many victories over the professed followers of Jesus through their unchristlike spirit and behavior toward their brethren who do not agree with them, and toward unbelievers. The discussion of doctrines has not resulted in bringing union, but variance. A bitter spirit has been cherished, bitter words have been spoken. The words of the True Witness should be carefully studied by all “‘I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left they first love,’—grown cold, unsympathetic; hardness of heart has taken the place of brotherly, Christlike love. ‘Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent,’ This warning should be heeded by every church in our ranks. New elements of Christian life must be brought into the church. Love for Christ means a broad, extended love for one another, that love which is now so sadly wanting. The lack of love leads to the lack of respect for each other, and the neglect of true courtesy. There is criticizing, faultfinding, reporting words spoken in confidence, and using these to second the accusations of Satan, who is ever busy in sowing distrust, jealousy, and bitterness. Why do the members of the church run so readily into this evil work, overlooking the precious things? Why do they not speak words of approval and encouragement to one another, and thus water the precious plant of love, that it may not die out of the heart?” Review and Herald, February 9, 1892.