Issue: 2001 February

Spiritual Order

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“For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and be holding your order, and steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5

Recently much discussion has entered the arena of ideas regarding “gospel order” and “organization” of smaller bodies of believers, either within their own groups or as groups joining together. Many necessities have arisen in these late hours of earth’s history that are making such discussions imperative.

Fair or Foul Usage

In considering the practical and physical nature of order and organization, we would do well to consider the spiritual order necessary to make anything of a practical nature function correctly. There are many who are afraid of physical organization, believing such endeavors are doors to corruption. The early Seventh-day Adventist pioneers faced 20 years of such fear before settling into that which proved a “grand success.” (See General Conference Bulletins, April 10, 1903; General Conference Daily Bulletins. January 29, 1893; February 20, 1899.)

Everyone reading this probably has a five dollar bill in their wallet or purse. A great deal of time, thought, expense, and machinery went into the process of producing that small piece of paper. Users of that denominated bill can either purchase lunch, gasoline, or a pornographic magazine if they so choose. The bill itself is not compromised by fair or foul usage. It is the user who decides the final issue of its value.

One of the main reasons people fear organization in religious fields arises from the premise that it is an open door to a hierarchy developing. Hierarchies have certainly developed. Some, like the papacy, put it right on paper. Others put on paper principles of gospel order and representative systems of governance, but in practice they are veritable papal machines functioning as “rule or ruin” systems. The paperwork is invalidated by men, in positions of responsibility, either ignorant, blind, or defiant of inspired directions in these matters. The heart is not right. The head becomes confused. The results become a detriment to the progress of Christ’s church.

The True Foundation

Spiritual order is the true foundation often missing from efforts to organize a work for God. I trust readers are well aware of the many statements from the Spirit of Prophecy, which deal with the topic. Two should provide an adequate perspective;

“Organizations, institutions, unless kept by the power of God, will work under Satan’s dictation to bring men under the control of men; and fraud and guile will bear the semblance of zeal for the truth and for the advancement of the kingdom of God.” Testimonies to Ministers, 366.

“There is too much reliance upon human plans and methods, and too little faith in the mighty God of Jacob; too much machinery, and too little of the life-giving Spirit and power of the Most High.” Signs of the Times, June 30, 1881.

A Tool to Further God’s Work

Literally hundreds of other statements can be read to get the balance of intent where organization, machinery and kindred terms are found. Organization and the elements of organization are essential for the oversight and forwarding of God’s message in this world. Positions of responsibility can be faithfully carried out, or people can fall into being betrayers of sacred trust. Such actions are not a call to dismantle order and organization. They just show the perversions that can enter. Let it be remembered that rebellion broke out even in heaven. No amount of organization can keep things spiritual, period. Organization is a tool to be used by spiritual people to forward a work for God in this world. It is not to be feared but respected and utilized, as one would use any tool to accomplish a purpose.

This brings us to principles of spiritual order from the Holy Bible by which we can be blessed. They are simple things, but oh, how often forgotten or not given proper consideration.

Here is the bottom line, the foundation:

“…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:4, 5.

Every problem within organization stems from this situation first. If, in this politically correct world of ours, spiritual people cannot detect whether individuals placed in positions of responsibility are spiritual people themselves, we are in a most destitute situation, indeed. This is not judging salvation. This is not deciding who is weak in faith or strong. It is simply knowing who is a citizen of God’s kingdom by new birth, and who is not, by virtue of observing the fruits of life—love for God and love to our fellowman. If this cannot be known or observed in practical ways, let us call it a day and close up shop. But spirituality can be observed. It must be observed.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

Sung over and over again, as a Scripture song, the foundational principle here stated is almost lost amongst a people who regularly put men on pedestals, in the place of God, run the church like a Madison Avenue business or some secular country, when Jesus plainly stated – My kingdom is not of this world. The pure, worthy, heavenly, biblical prinicples that make up the governing of God’s kingdom must be sought, known and practiced if any kind of physical organization is to function well. They cannot be found in the kingdoms or corporations of this world. They are found only in Inspiration and the things of nature that God has created for our instruction.

Christ’s Righteousness Must be Exalted

All efforts to organize must center on the exaltation of Christ’s righteousness. No uplifting of the talents, accomplishments, education or banners and methods of man should be given entrance into the work of God. We are all sinners in need of a Saviour. We are all prone to self-centeredness. We are all bound to seek the comfort and affirmation of men in a crisis, rather than hold the line for God in the face of scowls, slicing words, or death. Teach, or let people look to men, and they will. They will bypass or replace counseling together with permission to go forward. A thus saith the Lord is replaced by a thus saith men. The principles of Bible truth are replaced by the rules, resolutions, regulations, policies, mandates and commandments of men. Nobody, with the glory of Christ’s righteousness shining through, will seek anything but the knowledge of God’s character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them, Great Controversy, 593. Whatever cannot be shown to aid in the believer’s attainment, by faith, of Christ’s righteousness cannot be made hard and fast. Let much prayer and thought go into this premise. Jesus knew about what He was speaking.

This leads us into another foundational principle. “…all ye are brethren.” Mat-
thew 23:8. There is only one King, one Head on one set of shoulders, upon which the government rests. There is one Lawgiver. How easy for sincere people to set men, called of God to do a work for Him, in the place of God Himself. It cannot be overstated how dangerous this is. It is very prevalent in all circles today and must cease. If we cannot humble ourselves and knock down the pedestals, God will.

“But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28.

If men seek position, authority, dominion or greatness, they have not the spiritual order necessary to be involved in the work of God on earth.

In Luke 22:24-34, the same scenario is portrayed, with the added situation of Peter’s need for conversion to strengthen his brethren, and his confident statement of loyalty; to which Jesus told him of his coming denial.

We Must be “Servants”

Let the passage speak to the issue. Conversion, and realizing we are to be servants, is so necessary to successful organization; without it, all the talent on earth will accomplish only pain and trouble.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matthew 7:1. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:…” Matthew 18:15.

In Matthew 7:1–5, and Matthew 18:15–20, we read of basic principles of spiritual order that are constantly neglected to the destruction of souls. Now, let it be understood that Jesus said to “…judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24. But can you imagine a person with a ceiling beam sticking out of his face trying to tell someone how to get a sliver out of his eye? Jesus portrayed a preposterous situation to illustrate a plain truth; make sure your own heart and life are right with God before you get to thinking how to straighten out someone else’s life. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. How simple, and yet how foreign to much of what exists in religion today amongst God’s professed people, in the home and in the church. Certainly no organization can function properly where such principles are not carried out or found. Oh Lord, help Thy people to have spiritual order in every aspect of our lives.

A Heart Problem

Gossip and backbiting are poisons and disease that are eating out the life of the church in every quarter. Things ripple through the pews with such speed that surely the Seventh-day Adventist grapevine is the fastest communication system on earth! It is a heart problem that has nothing to do with districts, conferences, unions, positions of responsibility, printing presses, schools, or health institutions. There is such a lack of true brotherhood amongst God’s professed people that such illness is common rather than rare. Organization cannot stop it. Heaven could not stop it. Lucifer did what he did, and God allowed it to have its unfortunate results that we might learn the futility and destructive nature of these things. (See Patriarchs and Prophets, 41-42; paperback, 17, 18.)

Lucifer attacked God’s character, government and purposes. Spiritual order in heaven broke down. Rebellion broke out. War resulted. A separation took place. Do not miss the points. There is nothing new under the sun.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

In all things, restoration to God’s ideals is the influence that should be seen and practiced by God’s people. Tear down sin; do not tear down people.

Antichristian Behavior

Does the student of the Bible realize there is not a single instance in the gospels where Jesus verbally stated the problems people had with their personalities, characters, motives or methods—unless He was outright asked, addressed, or had people gather around Him to listen to Him teach principles that spoke to people’s hearts? Until people have that spiritual order that leaves the flaws of character, motive, personality, and methods (not out of harmony with a distinct biblical command) of others in the hands of God, we shall wander in the wilderness for generations to come, biting and devouring until a generation gets it right. We will never prepare for heaven while living out such antichristian behavior.

Consider these two stories and their import:

“And John answered Him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid Him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part.” Mark 9:38–40.

If men forbid others because they are not “with the program,” if they display a “party spirit” or have that “company man” mentality, know they are not possessors of God’s spiritual order and will promote human wisdom over God’s revealed will.

In Luke 9:46-56 the same story is mentioned with the addition of comments by the “Sons of Thunder.” (See Mark 3:17.) When Jesus was not allowed to enter a village of the Samaritans because of their prejudice, James and John responded:

“Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did?” Jesus responded, rebuking them with the perfect words,
“Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:54–56.

To Build Up the Body of Christ

If men display self-importance, if they display bigotry or prejudice, or seek to hurt or destroy with ideas contrary to God’s government and kingdom, they have not the spiritual order that will build up the body. It is one thing to speak out against open sin and rebellion. It is another thing to deal with people as though we are engaged in a military conflict or sporting event. We war, but with spiritual weapons, not carnal ones. We race, but we do so that all may receive the crown of life, knowing we are in an endurance race, not a sprint to the finish line.

The book of Acts is filled with such harmony, brotherhood, love and power that one looks almost in vain to find any dissension. The murmuring of the Grecian converts, in chapter 6:1, which resulted in the office of deacons, is recorded. In chapter 15 we see the sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark’s usefulness; something that was settled for the good of all with the insights, confidence and courage displayed by Barnabas. Would you be willing to disagree with the apostle Paul for the good of God’s work, or would Paul’s word settle a matter? Do not miss the point there.

In Acts 21:17–40, we have the unfortunate story of leaders having no confidence in Paul, this time around, which grew from having no spiritual order and little faith. Paul was asked to compromise his own principles, which he did to keep peace and unity. It cost the church the freedom of its greatest missionary. The leaders had no authority to place Paul under unnecessary restrictions, and their cowardice is a testament to what lack of brotherly love can cost God’s movement.

The Plague of Unbelief

There is, though, an underlying stone of offence that appears frequently in the book of Acts, as well as the epistles. In Acts 14 we see the influence of unbelieving Jews, and Acts 15 relates to us, in revealing detail, the problems that Judaizers would give the movement for years.

Unbelief is a plague, of course. No one would deny that. What could be less spiritual? But when it has the semblance of zeal for God and for His people, then it is most perfidious.

“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.” Acts 14:2. What can be worse than former brethren and the trouble they can cause? Without spiritual order, and organization, an unraveling of the fabric of God can swiftly take place. Paul understood the issues and the times. He boldly spoke to these unbelievers and told them if they didn’t want the truth and the torch he would turn and watch God give it to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46; 14:3. True, they had to flee stoning (verse 5), but there is never a dull moment in the army of the Lord, beloved. Let us understand well that spiritual point. “All they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (See 2 Timothy 3:12.)

In Acts 15 the issues came to a head within the body itself. If there is one thing that can slow down or derail the train of salvation, it is the misunderstanding of the plan of salvation. The Judaizers taught, “…Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1. It did not seem to dawn on these souls that if circumcision actually saved anyone, half the human race (females) were left out. No small dissension and disputation arose. The Jerusalem council was called; Peter spoke the obvious, that the Holy Spirit had already decided the matter, and why put yokes on people no one was able to bear (generation after generation of false thinking)?

Is it not so that in our day there is tremendous misunderstanding of the plan of salvation, unto translation to heaven, throughout the ranks of God’s professed people? Rest assured, God has, and will continue to have, a movement where these precious truths are understood and proclaimed. But let it also be known that any type of physical organization that has people making up its numbers who do not understand God’s plan of redemption—from justification to sanctification to glorification—will find continual weak links in the chain of pulling souls from the quicksand of sin onto the solid rock of salvation.

The Mortar of Wise, Praying Builders

The entire Bible is filled with God’s spiritual order. We have looked at but a few places of foundational interest. It is the conviction of the author that a “new movement” in Adventism, a “reformation,” has been underway for a century. Its results can be clearly seen in the confusion that abounds. When a people see that independent atoms cannot be God’s plan for success, when it is realized there is need for organization more than ever before, let the principles of spiritual order be experienced and put into the mortar of wise, prayerful builders.

The reader is asked to notice the scope of order and organization employed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13. He quotes Deuteronomy 19:15 as a foundational principle in dealing with all issues in verse 1; that at the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established. He asserts his authority to speak to the issue of unrepentant sinners in verse 2, especially in the light of those who have challenged his calling as an apostle.

He pleads for self-examination, whether we be in the faith; that faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). He states we cannot do anything against the truth in verse 8, and wishes for the perfection of his readers (verse 9), knowing the power of the truth to sanctify the believer.

He wrote to his children in the faith unto their edification, not destruction (verse 10), knowing, at times, that spiritual order calls for plain speaking. There certainly is need for plain speaking in our day.

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:11-14.

Partners with the Holy Spirit

Beloved, if people are experiencing the power of the grace of Jesus and the love of God; if they are partners with the Holy Spirit; if they are praying together and truly studying together to show themselves approved unto God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth, spiritual order will prevail, physical organizations and structures will remain steadfast, on course, having timbers of integrity that will resist storm and tempest, and God will move mightily in this world again. (See 2 Timothy 2:15.) True, the time is coming when men will not be able to buy or sell. Property will be confiscated. Buildings will be taken away. Things will boil down to the simplest of actions and order. Probation will close. God’s judgments against the false orders and organizations of this world will fall, and we shall go home. Home! That place where perfect peace and order shall exist forevermore. But, until then, let us do every-thing decently and in order. (See 1 Corinthians 14:40.) God’s order. Let us go home.

Arise, Shine, Part II

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This article is taken from a sermon by Pastor Stephen Lewis. The coloquial phraseology was retained in the transcript.

In Acts 7, we read that Stephen was preaching with power. He was about to be killed, and he knows it, but it was alright because he was so filled with the power of God that he started giving the church their final cry. People in the crowd were being convicted. Saul was in the crowd watching, and he was convicted, brothers and sisters! Stephen was giving the church what you are getting today, a final warning, It is time to repent!

“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth, but he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:54–6. When Jesus stood at this time it was a sign of probation closing on the children of Israel and that is why you see, from chapter 8 on, the gospel going to the Gentiles.

What does it mean? It means God has now closed probation on those who would not represent Him and now the gospel is given to the Gentiles to learn and to proclaim. But who went out and gave this final message? It was the remnant people, Peter and James and John. The Gentiles were not giving it. Paul was an Adventist; he was just a deluded Adventist. He had been brainwashed from some of the things he had learned in the seminary. I can hear you exclaiming, “Wait a minute, what are you saying?” I am saying what the prophet says, that is why Jesus had to take him to the desert for two or three years. He had to “unlearn” him, reorient his thinking, because the scholars had messed up his head.

Stephen’s Light Must be Our Light

The way Stephen was, we must be. In other words, when probation closes on this earth there will be physical signs on the people of God, and those who are rejecting God are going to see the physical sign on the people of God, but the people of God will not notice it on themselves.

Acts 6:15 tells us how Stephen looked. When they looked at Stephen at this point, his face was like a light. It was the same way that Moses’ face looked when he came down off the mount with the Ten Commandments, his face was so lit up that the people could not look upon him. They turned and they said, “Veil his face until he finishes talking to us, we cannot bear the light.” (See Exodus 34:29–35.) The light was the glory of God coming out of him. Stephen was so full of the Holy Spirit that the light in him became visible.

This is why people hate the Three Angel’s Message; this is why you do not see three angels everywhere on all of the Seventh-day Adventist papers anymore. This is why you do not see three angels hanging in front of many of the churches; and you do not see three angels clearly defined, because these three angels are a peculiar message that the Stephens of today must preach in order for the world to radiate Jesus. Notice what it says in Revelation 14:6: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” He says every kindred, nation, and tongue. When you talk about kindreds, nations, tongues and people, that includes all of us, brothers and sisters.

And God says with a loud voice, “…Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:” Revelation 14:7. In other words, Satan is pointing at God; he is saying God’s law cannot be kept, and God is sitting on the witness stand and He’s saying, ” Wait a minute…” He is looking for somebody to point to who will have the glory of God in them. You see, brothers and sisters, when you fill yourself up with the Word of God and you surrender every earthly attribute to Jesus as He asks for it, eventually there will be a light that will come out of you! This light has been longed for in mankind!

Jesus is about to come and you can keep playing if you want to, but somebody is going to be ready when the light comes! Because the light must come before probation closes on the world and those who get the light will give the final cry to the world.

Going to Babylon

Let me tell you something. It does not phase me when I get cancelled from speaking appointments and when people start lying about me saying, “He is saying this and saying that,” because Satan is afraid of the Adventist message. I am not a biblical scholar, everything I preach comes straight out of the Spirit of Prophecy, and the old pillars, the pioneers. Ellen White said we should study the writings of our pioneers, not all these new books! (See Counsels to Writers and Editors, 28.) She says study, and she says study the writings of our pioneers. Why? Because they founded this movement. We are so far off now you can pick up anything in some of our bookstores—”Life of Billy Graham.” What does Billy know? T.D. Jakes loses a hundred pounds. So what? We do not need to go to Jakes! What is wrong with us?

What have we become as a people? How is it that rather than eat whole grain and get it first hand we are eating meat and getting it second hand? That is the same thing when you watch the gospel people who are taking the Spirit of Prophecy and preaching it to their first day congregations. It is an indictment to those of us who are trying to be like them! You will never hear this type of message in one of those churches. It is a clear ring when the trumpet is sounded and it is important that the trumpet be sounded and be unique. Why? Because ten days prior to the Day of Atonement there was a certain sound, and when that sound was blasted, the church knew that it was time to get ready! (See Leviticus 23:24.)

When we ring this sound through the world, with a high pitch of holy angels exploding it everywhere it goes, the world will be drawn to us. Our choirs cannot do what their choirs can do; we cannot do it. Our preachers cannot do what their preachers can do; we can practice, but we cannot do it. God will not allow it! We must win with truth and nothing but the truth! When you preach the truth and nothing but the truth, you can stutter it and people will be convicted. When the truth is preached, anyone can understand it.

Peter was sitting there. Jesus was looking around; He was saddened. Why? Because He was about to die. He said, “All of you are going to scatter; you are all going to leave when the Shepherd is smitten,” and Peter said, “No not me!” Jesus looked around the room; He is looking for a preacher, and He though, “Nobody will be there to rebuke him when he denies Me;” so He went to the animal kingdom and He caused the rooster to preach the Word! He gave Peter the ability to understand that tone, and he is rebuked, (See Mark 14:27–30.) When thee truth is preached, a donkey can do it! It has a different ring.

We have heretics in our church. We have something that the world does not have. Why are we trying to be like them? Why are we afraid of what people will think about us? Forget what they think; stand for the power of God!

Oh God of heaven! Please pour out Your Spirit! Please, dear God of heaven! Our people are lost! Please Lord, help us today. When there is a crusade, the people do not even see the need of being there. They do not even realize the promise of reaping what you sow. If they just go, they are going to reap someone else in their family by showing up to a meeting somewhere. They say, “I am too tired!” What are they really too tired of? God? Do not act like you are going home from church to pray. Do not act like you are going home to study. You are lost! If the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. You have no concern; it is just not easy to make a sacrifice for your own salvation. We are in trouble! Do you think Jesus is coming to the crusades? You say you love God, then why would you not want to be where He is?

God gave me a job to present the message. After I do that, I have done my part, but what about your part? What about you?

This is where we are spiritually; you cannot help yourself—you are lost! And you can get as mad as you want to get, but in the heat of your rage I want you to pull out a piece of paper and mark down how much time you spend with God every morning. I want you to mark down how much you read your Bible. I want you to mark down how much time you spend reading the Spirit of Prophecy. I want you to mark down the last time your heart was heavy and your eyes were wet with tears because you understood that a soul might be lost.

The Main Attraction in Town

It has been a long time, and yet God comes through for you every time. But it seems everything else we do is so much more important than these souls that Jesus left heaven to die for. The devil gives us a thousand excuses as to why we cannot do what is most important. The Holy Spirit, during the hours of a crusade, is the main attraction in your town! It is nowhere else except there, unless you are doing the same thing somewhere else. Even if you are at home praying, the main attraction is the meeting, because He said, “Go ye therefore!” (See Matthew 28:19.) It was God who spoke, brothers and sisters.

And here was Stephen; the light was glowing about him. Today, God is calling forth someone who will have that light. Jesus said the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. What was lost? “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7. Adam and Eve were clothed with the light of righteousness. (See Review and Herald, January 26, 1897.)

The same light that was around Stephen’s head; the same light that was around Moses, covered the whole bodies of Adam and Eve. That was their clothing! The minute they sinned it was like taking a bb gun and shooting a light bulb. The minute the bb hits the bulb, Boom! the light goes out. The Bible says “…the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” Genesis 3:7.

Before sin, Adam had the ability to look into plant life and know exactly what was there. He could look at a flower and understand how the white would just melt into the red and yellow. He understood all nutritional value and everything that made up every piece of fruit. (See Christian Education, 207.) A fig leaf is a small leaf; there are a lot of leaves larger than a fig leaf that you can use to try to cover yourself. Why the fig leaf? Because figs have healing propensities. Figs are full of magnesium. Magnesium is used to make electricity. Adam was trying to light himself up again. He wanted to glow.

A works religion will not do, Adam. Adam was hoping, trying to spark the leaves and God said, “Adam? Where are you and your light project? Adam, what are you doing? Adam, where are you?” (See Genesis 3:9.)

Many of us are going to find ourselves scrambling and running when it is too late, trying to light ourselves up, trying to get what was lost. Jesus came, and after He died and resurrected, the light became available to everybody! “I am the light of the world; if you leave the world alone and grab onto Me, you will light up!” (See John 8:12.)

Do the Seventh-day Adventists have a message or what? This is not my message; this is in our books! This is what we used to get every single Sabbath and every Wednesday night. We would come to church all the time and when the church could not be open, we would be at each other’s houses, not just talking small talk and laughing as we eat and drink! We would be in the Word. Ellen White says that some of the socials of her day were all night prayer meetings. (See Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 242.) People would get together and they would start praying and studying and praying and all of a sudden the glory of God would come into the house and they would be ‘slain in the Spirit;’ they would fall down. (See Spiritual Gifts, 27, 28; Christian Experience and Teachings, 130; Life Sketches, 261, 1888 and Life Sketches, 127, 1915; Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 239.)

There were no drums, no tambourines, no bass guitar, none of that, just prayer and the Word. They did not even have electricity, but they had the light that the Holy Ghost brought.

Coming for His Bride

Look at how far we are. We are coming to the point where Jesus is going to see who really loves Him. Revelation 19:8 says that when Jesus gets ready to come, He is coming for a bride. If you know brides like I know them, before a bride walks down the aisle, everything has already been prepared—no more trying to get the dress fixed and the flowers ordered. No, no, no! The minute that door opens and that bride stands there with the veil over her face, it is done. When Jesus comes to get His bride, she is going to be dressed, according to Revelation 19:8, in fine, white linen. The Bible says that white linen is the righteousness of the saints, not the righteousness of Christ. You see, “You loved Me so much, and you rejected the things of this world every time I asked you to; and you took ridicule and suffering, and you sacrificed for Me so much that now it is not My righteousness anymore, I am giving it to you—it is yours!” And this is what is going to happen with the remnant first—they are going to have the light! And at that time, the Bible says in Isaiah 59:16, “And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor…” Jesus has left the Most Holy Place—there is no intercessor!

That is why, if you look at Isaiah 59:1, 2 it gives a two fold message. It says God’s hand is not shortened, He is not slack, but it is your iniquities that have separated you.” Well, brothers and sisters, the time is going to come when God’s ear will not hear you because of your life style. Right now He will hear you no matter what your life is like, but the time will come when there will be no intercessor. “…therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him.” Isaiah 59:16. Christ had to stand without a mediator and His own righteousness had to sustain Him. He is going to give that to you! And even though it is His, He says, “No, it is yours; it will not leave. You are sealed now.”

At that time the remnant are going to go to the world with the mighty message. Now those who are not sealed are going to continue in their forms of worship. As a matter of fact, Mrs. White says that when probation closes on the church, Satan is going to cause them to really have a prayer meeting. The church is going to get serious all of a sudden. They are going to have time to pray and time to agonize, but she says, there is no more intercessor. (See Great Controversy, 614, 615.)

Notice what we are told is going to happen. “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:1.

Your Children Will be Saved

You are going to be bright, preaching with power, and it says, at that time “…the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.” Ibid, 3, 4. Your children will be saved, if you just live right! Let the light come upon you! When you have the power, that light will draw people. Why? Because the light is Jesus and He says, “…if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32. “Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, and the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” Isaiah 60:5.

God is going to draw people, if we let the light shine, but the light cannot shine with darkness. The light cannot work with Satan.

Ellen White says, “God does nothing in partnership with the devil.” (See Testimonies, vol. 4, 229; Ibid, vol. 5, 671.) Nothing! I want to share a vision with you, and I pray that the Father gives you understanding as you read.

Too Late, Too Late!

“Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth. Some were denouncing God and cursing Him. Others rushed to the people of God and begged to be taught how they might escape His judgments. But the saints had nothing for them.…”

” When the saints, and all heaven, were interested for their salvation, they had no interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate Saviour to plead for them, and cry, ‘Spare, spare the sinner a little longer.’ All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, ‘It is done. It is finished.’ The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy’s sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness [around the world] they heard the words, ‘Too late! Too late!’

Can you imagine? Too late! Lord, I do not want to hear those words! With terrible distinctness, with all the other sounds in the world, they heard the words, “Too late.”

“Those who had not prized God’s Word were hurrying to and fro, wandering from sea to sea, and from the north to the east, to seek the Word of the Lord. Said the angel, ‘They shall not find it. There is a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord. What would they not give for one word of approval from God…!’”

What would they not give for just one word of approval from God. One more time God, but, it is ‘too late!’ When all heaven was interested, you were too caught up doing your own thing. Too late!

“Day after day have they slighted salvation, prizing earthly riches and earthly pleasure higher than any heavenly treasure or inducement. They have rejected Jesus and despised His saints. The filthy must remain filthy forever.

“Many of the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers. Loud, wailing cries were heard in every direction,” [Look what was being said!] ‘It was you who kept me from receiving the truth which would have saved me from this awful hour.’ The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, ‘You have not warned us.’ Early Writings, 281, 282.

Those Who Know “The Truth” are condemned

When I first read this, I thought it was talking about the first day preachers! No! It was you who knew the truth, who decided to let our young people dance and party, rather than teach them that that type of music came from spiritualism, rather than tell them the truth, that demons come and that angels leave with that type of worship, no matter how sincere you are!

It was you, who kept calling our young people to federation after federation and congress after congress only to lift up Satanic music, with unconverted people standing up, showing off as they sing, shaking their hips back and forth. They do not have devotion, they do not know our message, and yet it was you who would not tell the young people the truth!

Oh, yes, it is going to be heard! Let me tell you something, we are sending our young people to hell! We are insulting our young people. We are acting like our young people cannot come together unless we let them act the fool!

Let us start talking to God. We need to look at our hearts right now. Ask God right now, “Do I really belong to You, Lord, or have I sold out to some crutch in my life?

I am not afraid to back up what I say about this music! I have all the Biblical stats, Spirit of Prophecy stats, scientific stats and historical stats. You have nothing but fluff! And I would be happy to gather all the young people, and anyone who thinks I am wrong, and sit down and talk about it. Nobody has been able to show me yet; it is easier to try to silence me. If you cannot stop the Truth, kill the messenger! But it will not work! If a rooster has to start crowing, it is going to crow, and you are going to understand it. If a donkey has to come, the Lord will send them running through the city— “Where did all these donkeys come from? And they are preaching the same thing!” How can a dumb stupid donkey preach the truth and a sensible human be stuck in error?

Right now we need to make a decision; we have looked into the past, and we must admit that we are unworthy, that we are sinners, that we love sin! But this day the light has come. Do you want that light to be breathed in you? Do you want it to shine out of you? Do you want to be trusted to take this final message to the world? Are you concerned with what God thinks, and not with what people think? Now is the time for salvation.

God’s Special Gift for His Last Day Church, Part III

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In Matthew 24, Jesus said that there would be many false prophets. Ellen Harmon, later Ellen White after she married James White, a minister, told the people to check her out. She said, “Now, I know my work is a supernatural work and it is either of God or the devil, but you will have to check it out and decide.” (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 671.)

We must check out anyone who claims to be a prophet. A few years ago when I was at a camp meeting that we were conducting, a man came up to me and said, “I am a prophet.” I do not scoff at anybody who claims to be a prophet, because the Lord could send us a prophet at any time. But there us a text in the Bible that says to prove all things. It is 1 Thessalonians 5.

So when this man told me that he was a prophet (actually it was his friend standing by me who told me that the man was a prophet), I had some questions. Then there was a lady from France several years ago who said that she had the gift of prophecy. I do not scoff at that, but I have some questions for her, too. In fact, if you, or I or anybody said, “I believe that the Lord has sent me the gift of prophecy,” we should be checked out by the church to see whether we meet the tests of a prophet, which are in the Bible.

Tests of a True Prophet

I will list ten, and I will give some texts.

If a person is a true prophet, they will tell the truth. The Bible says that it is impossible for God to lie. They will make predictions that come true, according to Jeremiah 28:9.

A true prophet will prophesy in the Lord’s name. 2 Peter 1:21.

A true prophet will not give some private interpretation of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:20.

A true prophet will point out the sins of the people of God. Isaiah 58:1. If a person is a true prophet, they will not just come to you with some lovey-dovey message and never tell you about your character defects, which need to be changed. That is a hard test for many so-called prophets to pass.

A true prophet will warn God’s people of coming judgment. Isaiah 24:20, 21 would be one example.

A true prophet will build up, or edify, the church. They will not tear it apart. 1 Corinthians 14:3, 4.

A true prophet will teach in harmony with preceding prophets and with the Law of God. Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word,…there is no light in them.” This is one of the most important ones of all, and many so-called prophets cannot pass this test.

A true prophet will recognize the incarnation that Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh. 1 John 4:1-3. This is an exceedingly important test, also. Many so-called prophets cannot pass this one either.

A true prophet will not lead people into some kind of fanaticism, some crazy idea that you find out too late has ruined your health, or your family, or something else in your life. They must have good fruit. When you listen to what a true prophet says, you will have good results in your life. Let me give you a quick example.

Sometime past there was a person, I do not know if this person actually claimed to have the prophetic gift, but they professed to have a special message from God for His people. They went around to different churches in the West Coast of the United States, then moved eastward. Wherever they went, one of the things we began to notice was that families would break up. Wives would be leaving their husbands, and they would follow this man here and there. When I saw that, I said, “That man is not a true prophet. It is not good fruit. A true prophet does not go around breaking up families in God’s church.” Jesus said that a true prophet would bear good fruit. (See Matthew 7:15-20.)

Some day I am going to show the evidence in the life and work of Ellen White, and let me tell you there is a mountain of evidence, to prove that she was a prophet. I am not embarrassed; I am not afraid; I have studied this. I do not believe this because somebody told me; I checked it out myself for several months. I wanted to know for sure, and there is no question! The evidence is overwhelming! God sent us a special messenger who was more than a prophet. When we read what she wrote, it leads us right back to the Bible. I have been reading her writings for over 40 years, and over and over again I have read something that she wrote which I did not know. I said, “Does the Bible teach that?” So I would start checking out the Bible and there it was. I had not noticed it.

But I do want to spend just a little time on the last test of all:

A true Bible prophet must have visions and dreams—period. That is what the Bible says. “Then He said, [This is God speaking to Aaron and Miriam.] ‘Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to Him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.’” Numbers 12:6. Notice, if anyone claims to be a prophet, the Lord says if he or she is really a prophet He will make Himself manifest to that person. How? In a vision and in a dream.

Now what happens to a prophet when they are in vision? The book of Daniel gives us a fuller description of a prophet in vision than any other place in the Bible, although there are a few other descriptions. The most complete description of a prophet in vision is in Daniel 10:7. Daniel gives the record of this vision. He says, “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men that were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.”

So the other men realized that something supernatural was happening. That is what occurs when a prophet is in vision. Other people in the room realize that something supernatural is happening. What is this supernatural thing? Look what it says in Daniel 10:8. “…I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.”

Continuing in verse 9 we read, “Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me.…” Then he receives instruction from the angel about the latter day; and then it says, “And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men [That is Jesus Christ.] touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to Him who stood before me, ‘My Lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my Lord talk with you, my Lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.’” Daniel 10:16, 17.

A Prophet in Vision, Does not Breathe

Daniel says, “How can I talk to You Lord, when I am not breathing? There is no breath left in me.” You know, if you took a mirror right now, and if you put this mirror right in front of your face and speak, moisture will gather on the mirror, because when you talk the air is coming out of your mouth. It is only one of the ten signs, but it is a significant one. A prophet in vision does not breathe. That is a supernatural experience. Now, friends, this is something that is pretty hard to fake.

When I was a freshman in college, I was in a swimming class and, of course, we had to swim under water and do different things. One of the things the instructor had us do was to hyperventilate then we would hang onto the side of the pool and put our head in the water. We were timed to see how long we could hold our breath.

The longer you can hold your breath, the better you can swim underwater. There are professional divers whom, I am told, can hold their breath under water for three and a half minutes after they have hyperventilated. There is some danger involved in that. I could not do it for three and a half minutes. I tried, and I was one of the last ones in the class to lift my head out of the water. My head was under the water for one minute and fifty seconds.

Do you know how long Ellen Harmon White held her breath while she was in vision? I would like to share a few eyewitness accounts. You see, you have to have eyewitnesses if you are going to know that a person is a prophet.

Eyewitness Account

Merritt Kellogg, md, writes on May 29, 1853: “Sister White was in vision about twenty minutes or half an hour. As she went into vision, everyone present seemed to feel the power and presence of God and some of us did indeed feel the Spirit of God resting upon us mightily. We were engaged in prayer and social meeting Sabbath morning at about nine o’clock. [Generally Ellen White went into vision in public when she was in a religious meeting, and often when she was praying.] Brother White, my father, and Sister White had prayed and I was praying at the time. There had been no excitement, no demonstrations. We did plead earnestly with God, however, that He would bless the meeting with His presence and that He would bless the work in Michigan.

“As Sister White gave the triumphant shout, ‘Glory, glory, glory,’ which you have heard her give so often as she goes into vision, Brother White arose [That is her husband.] and informed the audience that his wife was in vision. After stating the manner of her visions and that she did not breathe while in vision, he invited anyone who wished to do so to come forward and examine her.

“Doctor Drummond, a physician, who before he saw her in vision had declared her visions to be of hypnotic origin and that he could give her a vision, stepped forward and after a thorough examination turned very pale and remarked, ‘She does not breathe.’ I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision nor in any of several others, which she has had, when I was present.

“The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication that we had that the vision was ended was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first deep breath long and full in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the lungs precisely as did the first. Then a pause of two minutes and a third inhalation after which the breathing became normal.” This was written by a medical doctor. (See General Conference Bulletin, 1893, 59, 60, by M. G. Kellogg, M.D., Battle Creek, Michigan, December 28, 1890.)

The Unbeliever

In 1857, there was a man present when she went into vision who did not believe in the visions, did not believe there was anything supernatural. In the same way, Elder White stood up and invited anybody who was present to examine her. They tried all kinds of things. They would take a candle and put it in front of her mouth when she was talking to see if there was any air coming out. The fire would not flicker. They would take a mirror and put it in front of her mouth to see if any moisture gathered on the mirror. No moisture collected on the mirror.

But this man, Brother Bordeau, decided to be much more direct. He put his hand right over her mouth to see if there was breath; there was not any evidence of breath. He had been told that she did not breathe and he said, “Well, I am going to check this out.” So do you know what he did? He took one hand and put it over her nose, closing off the air passages, and he put the other hand over her mouth. And then everybody began to watch. Would you not watch such an experiment?

Everybody watched. One minute went by. Two minutes went by. Three minutes went by. Five minutes went by. What happens in five minutes? A few years ago when I was in Texas, a lady was choked for four or five minutes by somebody who was in her garage. Now she was still alive, but after that she was a vegetable for as long as she lived. If you are choked for four or five minutes and if you survive, you have such severe brain damage that you are a vegetable the rest of your life. You cannot talk; you cannot hear; you cannot understand; you cannot communicate. You just lie there in bed. You are a vegetable. That is it after four or five minutes.

However, Brother Boredau kept holding on for more than five minutes. He kept on six minutes. Seven minutes. Eight minutes. Nine minutes. Ten minutes. (See Statement of D. T. Bourdeau, February 4, 1891, quoted in J. N. Loughborough, The Great Second Advent Movement, 210.)

At ten minutes all of a sudden he became very frightened and he just got up and went out of the room. He could not take it any longer. Now, nothing happened. There were times when she was in vision for over two hours without breathing. The people who saw that said, “The Lord has sent to us a prophet. The Lord has sent us somebody who is more than a prophet, a special messenger to prepare us for His Second Coming.” (See Statement of D. T. Bourdeau, February 4, 1891, quoted in J. N. Loughborough, The Great Second Advent Movement, 210.)

Special Light from Heaven

I want to tell you, friends, I have read Mrs. White’s books. I consider these books to be of greater value than all the books I studied to get my Master’s Degree, my Doctor’s Degree or any other degree. These books are more valuable to me than any of those things, because these books contain special light from heaven.

Suppose somebody reading this knew a world famous physician, and I was sick. So you said to me, “I have a relative who is a world famous physician. I think He could help you, and I would like to get you an appointment so that you can see Him.” If you were sick, would you want to see this person?

But, friend, these books contain the wisdom of the Great Physician. The information I have found in these books has saved me from great, great suffering.

We still have these books available. Today we can get the writings of Mrs. White in three volumes. We have taken many, many of the books and put them into three volumes so that we can take them with us wherever we go. I have the entire Ellen White writings now on CD ROM on my computer. I take it with me wherever I go, anywhere in the world, so I can check things. I am asked questions, because some people think that I am a theologian. I am not actually that smart. It is just that I have access to light from heaven that leads me back to Bible truth.

Knowing Him Better

I want to tell you, friends, I have read these books for over forty years and I have checked them over, I believe, thousands of times. I have checked them over and over again with the Bible. They always agree. The knowledge in these books and this writing has led me closer to Jesus, they have helped me to know Him better.

My dear friends, if there is somebody reading this who has never been exposed to this information before, if you are that person, let me tell you something. I am not trying to push something off on you. All I am saying is, “Check it out. Check it out. Just get down on your knees and say, Lord, is this really true? Have you really sent to us a special messenger? Please help me to see the evidence. Check it out.”

The Bible says to prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. I have checked it out, and I found that it is good.

Here are a few things in Ellen White’s writings about what is going to happen in our time. See if she told the truth. This was written before the First World War, before the development of worldwide Communism, before the Second World War, the development of the atomic bomb and the riots in our cities. This was written before all of those things happened.

Current Events

She said the conditions in our cities were going to get more and more objectionable. (See Testimonies, vol. 7, 82.) Has that happened? The time was going to come when the power of the labor unions would be very impressive. (See Ibid., 84.)

She said the time was going to come when the atmosphere was going to be polluted in our cities. (See Ministry of Healing, 262.) They did not have cars when she wrote that. She said the time was going to come when there was going to be great unrest among the nations and there was going to be great wars and millions of lives were going to be lost. (See Review and Herald, May 26, 1891; Ibid., November 17, 1910.)

By the way, back when she said that, because of the recently discovered theories of evolution, people were saying, “The world is getting better and better.” Ellen White said the time was coming when there was going to be more trouble than there had ever been in the world. There was going to be millions of lives lost in great wars. (See Signs of the Times, April 21, 1890.) Has that happened?

Right after the turn of the twentieth century she wrote that very soon grievous troubles were going to break out among the nations that would not cease until Jesus comes.” (See Review and Herald, November 24, 1904.) Has that happened? She said a time of great anarchy is coming in the world. (See Patriarchs and Prophets, 101.) She said there was going to come a time when gigantic monopolies would be formed. Has that happened? You are seeing it happen right in front of your eyes.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

But why are we happy anyway? Because we have special light from heaven that not only explains the darkness around us, but shows us also the light at the end of the tunnel and how to be ready for the soon coming of Jesus.

Friend, I have so much in my heart. I want to invite you, oh, please, if you have never checked these things out, do so. It will be one of the greatest blessings that will lead you to an understanding of Bible truth.

Over and over again I have been in situations where people ask me how I know so much about the Bible. They think that I must be smart. It is not that I am smart; it is just that I am like the early disciples who went to listen to John the Baptist. I want to listen, to read the special messenger, to get information about how to get ready for the Second Coming, and I have been greatly blessed. I would like for you to have the same blessing that I have had. Just check it out.

Editorial – Our Spirit and the Message

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Ellen White gives a good deal of counsel to Seventh-day Adventists who are going to be facing a Sunday law crisis. Excerpts from Testimonies, vol.9, 239-244 are contained below.  May these counsels help all of us in preaching, teaching, in any public speaking, or in publishing material for our own brethren or for the world.

“Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth for this time. The people will be led to acts of violence and opposition which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth.”

“What course shall the advocates of truth pursue?

Their words must not be rugged and sharp. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit.”

“The course of Christ in dealing even with the adversary of souls should be an example to us in all our intercourse with others never to bring a railing accusation against any; much less should we employ harshness or severity toward those who may be as anxious to know the right way as we are ourselves.”

“It is our work to speak the truth in love and not to mix in with the truth the unsanctified elements of the natural heart and speak things that savor of the same spirit possessed by our enemies. All sharp thrusts will come back upon us in double measure when the power is in the hands of those who can exercise it for injury. Over and over the message has been given to me that we are not to say one word, not to publish one sentence, especially by way of personalities, unless positively essential in vindicating the truth, that will stir up our enemies against us and arouse their passions to a white heat. Our work will soon be closed up, and soon the time of trouble, such as never was, will come upon us, of which we have but little idea.”

“We should carefully examine our ways and our spirit, and see in what manner we are doing the work given us of God, which involves the destiny of souls. The very highest obligation is resting upon us. Satan is standing ready, burning with zeal to inspire the whole confederacy of satanic agencies, that he may cause them to unite with evil men and bring upon the believers of truth speedy and severe suffering.”

“It will be impossible for us to avoid difficulties and suffering. The deceptive errors that are widespread, and that are leading the world captive, are to be unveiled.”

“We grieve the Lord Jesus Christ by our harshness by our un-Christlike thrusts.”

“Those who have had great privileges and opportunities, and who have failed to improve their physical, mental, and moral powers, but who have lived to please themselves and have refused to bear their responsibility, are in greater danger and in greater condemnation before God than those who are in error upon doctrinal points, yet who seek to live to do good to others. Do not censure others; do not condemn them.”

“If we allow selfish considerations, false reasoning, and false excuses to bring us into a perverse state of mind and heart, so that we shall not know the ways and will of God, we shall be far more guilty than the open sinner. We need to be very cautious in order that we may not condemn those who, before God, are less guilty than ourselves.”

“Let everyone bear in mind that we are in no case to invite persecution. We are not to use harsh and cutting words. Keep them out of every article written, drop them out of every address given.”

“Let all be guarded in their words, lest they place those not of our faith in deadly opposition against us and give Satan an opportunity to use the unadvised words to hedge up our way.”