settled

Shaken, Sifted, Settled, and Sealed, Part II

by

Why do we continue to struggle? We find our answer in God’s Holy Word. “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:4. This verse involves more than just trying, for it is true that all of our trying will end with nothing more than frustration and a deep sense of failure and discouragement. The verse goes much deeper in experience than just trying. The word resist means to sit down against or to stand firm against. The other word we want to briefly look at is striving, which means to struggle against, to box, to fight, to war, or to wrestle with. And that is what makes this verse so important.

The shaking, sifting, settling, and sealing are all about standing firmly against the opposition to God so that we cannot be moved. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us about Jacob’s little time of trouble. A study of it shows the connection it has with Hebrews 12:4.

Standing Firm

Those who successfully pass through the shaking will have “resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” This group will have cooperated with the Lord in the wrestling away of their sins, clinging to Him until the promised blessing has been realized. In the simplest language, what we must learn to do is to stay in communion with the Lord until the sin has been overcome. When temptation comes, we must, at that moment, flee to the Lord and stay there until the danger passes and the victory is gained.

The reason we are still struggling is simply that we are not letting the Lord fight our battles. For most of us, it is a matter of not realizing that all we need to do is get in the Lord’s corner and stay there, allowing Him to fight the adversary. We have been fighting him all of our lives, and it is time we realized and admitted that we, in our own power, cannot possibly win. Only then can we enter into the haven of the True Conqueror. Only in this corner is victory found. It is only then that we will find the power to apply the knowledge we have into our lives. This is the greatest need and one that must be recognized.

“It is a knowledge of practical godliness, a daily conversion, that is the great need in our world.” Bible Training School, November 1, 1916.

Settling Process

During this time of shaking, we need to understand that not only is this the process of the Lord, which means there is no other way up the path to the kingdom, but it is a settling process which will affect everyone. It is the work of Satan to divert the attention of those whose keen interest should be focused on this process.

“I [Ellen White] saw that Satan was working through agents in a number of ways. He was at work through ministers who have rejected the truth and are given over to strong delusions to believe a lie that they might be damned. . . .

“Some of these agents of Satan were affecting the bodies of some of the saints—those whom they could not deceive and draw away from the truth by a Satanic influence. Oh, that all could get a view of it as God revealed it to me, that they might know more of the wiles of Satan and be on their guard! I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to distract, deceive, and draw away God’s people, just now in this sealing time. I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet sliding, because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling.

“Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were, until the sealing was past, until the covering was drawn over God’s people, and they left without a shelter from the burning wrath of God, in the seven last plagues. . . .

“I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth.” Early Writings, 43–45.

Read the preceding quotation again, carefully. Some may say that this applied back in Ellen White’s day, and they would be correct, but take it further. I would say that this bit of inspiration shows that the shaking time will have a snowball effect along with the false reformations that she mentions. We know for certain that this statement is squarely planted in present truth, because it says that this covering of God is for protection from the seven last plagues. This quotation describes the time through which we are now passing. The Seventh-day Adventist movement is being affected by the agents of Satan to an alarming degree—most of it coming from the inside out.

Note the words in the above quotation, “standing stiffly for present truth.” These few words are extremely important and revealing. Take a few moments to consider the implications of this statement. What does it mean to stand “stiffly for present truth”? If we are not taking this stand, what does the quotation say will happen to us? What causes the shaking?

Every individual who is striving to be among the privileged redeemed must address these questions. It will not go well in the judgment for those who are complacent and content, allowing others to stand alone for truth. The voice, which is now silent, will later, at the Second Coming, be heard calling for the rocks to fall. (Revelation 6:16.)

Those who choose not to stand for present truth will fall! This applies to everyone who claims to be a Seventh-day Adventist—not just those who are in conference congregations. I have been alarmed and deeply troubled concerning those who are proving week after week that they are no better off in an independent church than in a conference church. Error has been spoken by some that have claimed leadership in the independent movement. Dishonest methods have been used by some who have claimed to be doing an end-time work. Some who have been considered leaders have abandoned the Bible truths altogether.

Follow Christ, Not Man

What is alarming is the fact that these errors have been open; there is almost no subtlety to them. But either because of the weakness of the people’s emotions or their total lack of personal study and knowledge, they just keep following these leaders as if nothing has happened. We need to realize that every single person, with no exception, who follows a man in the place of Jesus Christ, will be lost! It will not matter how insignificant or how well-known is the congregation, leader, or ministry, if we follow it in the place of Jesus, we will be lost!

As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, it is our duty to seek out truth and stand for that truth no matter what happens or who diverts from it. It is incredible for anyone to take the attitude that individuals who stay in conference churches will be lost for putting up with error and not standing for truth—while at the same time they are doing the exact same thing in their independent churches, thinking they have somehow escaped the wrath that they say will fall on the other people!

Many are in this state of extreme danger. If they do not recognize the reality of the above principles, they will be surprised to learn, too late, that they cannot be admitted into God’s kingdom. If they switch camps for the right reason but cling to their old ways in the new camps, they will suffer the same end that they were trying to escape by switching in the first place!

We desperately need to understand that the shaking, sifting, settling, and sealing process will continue until all of us are in one group or the other. The principles working together in this process fall in line with those stated above. This being the case, as individuals we must go step by step up the path with our eyes firmly on Jesus. Mrs. White’s vision clearly shows that when the people took their eyes off Jesus, they fell. (See Early Writings, 14–20.)

We are also plainly told that, in this last moment of time, many wonderful and terrible things will be happening, and we will need to keep our eyes wide open and be empowered with the eyesalve to discern the events, thereby having wisdom from on high. (Revelation 3:18.) We are told that, in this time, many will come up to one point of faith, draw the line, and go no further, while others will draw the line at a different point. There will be those who are known for their great achievements or knowledge and, at one time, have shone brightly for the Lord, but for whatever reason, in the end, will go out into utter darkness. (See Maranatha, 43.)

There are far too many who are clearly exhibiting their loyalty to man above their loyalty to Jesus! Their actions would have us believe that they know who will end up in heaven and who will not! But this is the same foolishness they claim to recognize in others who say the church, meaning the conference, is going through.

How vitally important it is that people individually study to understand the process through which we are going—to see it as a matter of life and death, as it certainly is.

Exalt Truth

If there is any doubt about the validity of this point, read again how and why Adam made the choice to eat of the forbidden fruit, which threw the whole world into chaos. Consider the next few quotations about the shaking. Understanding them will clarify why we must deal with the above principles.

“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.” Early Writings, 270.

“When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 112.

Practice makes perfect, not profession:

“You may point to some of our leading brethren who have not accepted and rejoiced in the light given, but have intercepted themselves between the light and the people, that it should not reach them; but they must answer to God for their position. They are certainly working away from Christ, instead of working in harmony with Him; but will their attitude and position excuse you for turning from the light which the Lord has thrown upon your pathway? I am sorry that you are in such great blindness that you are unable to distinguish the voice of God from that of the enemy. I have repeatedly presented before you and others that there would come a shaking time, when everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. We are now entering upon that time. Your spirit is an offense to God, for you receive not the things that are of God, but range yourself on the enemy’s side to oppose God in the very work He is doing for this time.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, vol. 1, 331.

“I [Ellen White] was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, many are offended.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 89.

“If we only knew what is before us we would not be so dilatory in the work of the Lord. We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands.” Ibid., vol. 6, 331, 332.

“The time has come when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. We are in the shaking time. Be assured that only those who live the prayer of Christ for unity among His disciples, working it out in practical life, will stand the test.” Review and Herald, June 18, 1901.

To those who are riding on someone else’s coat tails:

“There will be a shaking of the sieve. The chaff must in time be separated from the wheat. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. It is the very time when the genuine will be the strongest.” Last Day Events, 173.

“Just as long as God has a church, he will have those who will cry aloud and spare not, who will be his instruments to reprove selfishness and sins, and will not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men will hear or forbear. I [Ellen White] saw that individuals would rise up against the plain testimonies. It does not suit their natural feelings. They would choose to have smooth things spoken unto them, and have peace cried in their ears. I view the church in a more dangerous condition than they ever have been. Experimental religion is known but by a few. The shaking must soon take place to purify the church.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 284.

“Our faith cannot be vested in any man. We need Christ’s righteousness. We need Jesus ever by our side. He is our Rock. It is by His might that we conquer, and by his righteousness that we are saved. When I [Ellen White] see men exalted and praised, extolled as almost infallible, I know that there must come a terrible shaking. When God’s lamp of life shines into the heart with clear and steady ray, darkness will instantly be dispelled. Every idol will be dethroned, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding will reign in the heart. Truth, precious truth, will be seen, appreciated, and obeyed. The standard will be elevated, and many will rally round it.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 91.

Sifting and Settling

The sifting and settling is that part of the process which determines where you and I will end. This process is very closely tied to the shaking, and its progression is brought about by events. Our choices relating to those events determine our status in the sifting and settling process. How sad it will be for some having come so far up the path to glory to find they have traded in the everlasting kingdom for some sentimental offering to a man.

The process of the sifting is one that winnows out the chaff from the pure wheat. We should be very sensitive to and ready for it. It is a continued testing time, which will come to every professor of truth. It will be telling on those who have received the love of the truth, and on those who have not taken the time to study these testing truths for themselves. In this time, which I believe we have already entered, those who have spent precious hours studying to know God’s will, will receive protection and discernment which are vital. Those who receive not of this gift and know not the truth through personal experience will not be protected but will end up on the wrong side, even though they think they are right.

“Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to hedge up their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of trial may come upon them as a thief.” The Great Controversy, 625, 626.

There are those who may have the inclination to say that this is speaking of the time when Satan will walk the earth. They know the deception in this event, so they think that they could not possibly be deceived. I implore that they honestly and prayerfully consider the part of the quotation that asks, “Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses?”

In these few words, we find a wonderful, and terrible, revelation—one that gives us insight so that we need not be deceived if we choose not to be; one that may challenge our honesty. If we know we could not be deceived by Satan’s appearing, yet we find ourselves following a group, a man, or a ministry, based on an emotional attachment rather than the principles of truth, then, friend, we are already deceived! As incredible as it may seem to our logic, Inspiration guarantees that those who allow their emotions to rule their principles will be deceived, even if they have a head knowledge of the truth. We need to understand that when the Lord withdraws His Spirit from individuals who have simply chosen not to do things His way, they will do whatever Satan tells them to do.

To realize this truth, we do not have to go very far. Just look at who literally wanted to tear Jesus to shreds when He was here! They were not those whom we would have called heathen, but those who claimed to know the truth and who were a part of the ancient Adventist movement!

Good News!

The good news is that it still is not too late to allow the Lord to rule in our lives. If we have made some mistakes, if we have gone our own way, if we have placed another’s influence above God’s, we still can ask for the Lord’s forgiveness, find out what we need to do, and do it. But the precious hours of this testing time are running apace, and we must be making our decisions for God now!

“Do all in your power to gain perfection; but do not think that because you make mistakes you are excluded from God’s service. The Lord knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As you use faithfully the talents God has given you, you will gain knowledge that will make you dissatisfied with self. You will see the need of sifting away harmful habits, lest by a wrong example you injure others.” Messages to Young People, 226.

“Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy. “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 911.

To be continued . . .

[All emphasis supplied.]

Cathy Summers Timmons, a Steps to Life staff member, a member of LandMarks’ editorial staff, and Director of Pacific Missionary Outreach, writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas. She may be contacted by e-mail at: cathytimmons@stepstolife.org.

Shaken, Sifted, Settled, and Sealed, Part III

by

Well over a hundred years ago, Ellen White was taken into vision, after which she wrote: “The Lord, by close and pointed truths for these last days, is cleaving out a people from the world and purifying them unto Himself. Pride and unhealthful fashions, the love of display, the love of approbation—all must be left with the world if we would be renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created us. ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.’ [Titus 2:11–14.]

“The church in —— need sifting. A thorough conversion is necessary before they can be in working order. Selfishness, pride, envy, malice, evil surmising, backbiting, gossiping, and tattling have been cherished among them, until the Spirit of God has but little to do with them. While some who profess to know God remain in their present state, their prayers are an abomination in His sight. They do not sustain their faith by their works, and it would have been better for some never to have professed the truth than to have dishonored their profession as they have. While they profess to be servants of Christ, they are servants of the enemy of righteousness; and their works testify of them that they are not acquainted with God and that their hearts are not in obedience to the will of Christ. They make child’s play of religion; they act like pettish children.

“The children of God, the world over, are one great brotherhood. Our Saviour has clearly defined the spirit and principles which should govern the actions of those who, by their consistent, holy lives, distinguish themselves from the world. Love for one another, and supreme love to their heavenly Father, should be exemplified in their conversation and works. The present condition of many of the children of God is like that of a family of ungrateful and quarrelsome children.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 52, 53.

There are many today, even among the independent ministries, who knowingly or unknowingly are fighting, not for the cause of Christ, but for the cause of man. These precious souls may not realize it, but they are actually fighting for a spot in the fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. I implore you, friend; know what you are fighting against, and test your battles against the plain truths of God. The test is not if you take a stand; the test is if your stand is on the side of God! Be assured that the sifting process takes care of both sides of this issue, because no one will be able to fool the Lord. All the campaigns, tears, and amens will not allow into the kingdom anyone who does not successfully pass through the sifting time.

The Settling

The settling is closely tied to the sifting and is either news at its worst or at its best. During the process of the shaking and the sifting, all parties either settle into error and drift away from God and His true people—or they settle into truth and stay with God though the heavens fall. The settling time is also closely connected with the sealing time, for the decisions made in the sifting and settling are “sealed” forever. Shortly after the sealing come the last great deceptions of Satan. All who do not have the seal of God—those who have not settled into His truth nor have been sanctified by obedience to it—will be deceived by the lying wonders of Satan, even though they may have at one time preached the straight truth of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

This is what Paul was speaking of in 11 Thessalonians 2:9, when he said that there would come a falling away first, before the Second Coming of Christ. His warning comes to us, more than 1,900 years later, that some would not endure sound doctrine in the end of time. He stated that, in the time of the revealing of the man of sin, there would be some who had professed the truth but who had received not the love for the truth, and they would fall away and join the ranks of the opposition. Then he said, “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Verses 11, 12.

A Fearful Thing

It is a fearful thing to be left in the hands of God’s enemy! When the Lord withdraws His protective care from those who have refused to take Him at His word, they are turned over to a reprobate mind. Because they would not receive a love for the truth, God gives them over to all unrighteousness so they might be damned. I hope you realize that at this time—during this part of the process—there is no more going back and forth. Those who, at this step of the process, have not been sanctified by the truth will be turned over to Satan’s charge completely! The implication of this should cause us to tremble!

“By resistance to the truth, the hearts of such are settling down into the fatal hardness of confirmed impenitence. They are deceiving themselves, and deceiving others. They are Christians by profession; they pay outward homage to Christ; they unite in the services of the sanctuary; and yet the heart, whose loyalty alone Jesus prizes, is estranged from him. They have a name to live, but are dead. They are left to the darkness they have chosen,—the blackness of eternal night.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 233.

The Sealing

The sealing is the last of the process for the redeemed who have settled into the truth so that they cannot be moved. Just as soon as the sealing is completed, the last of the shaking, which has been building for many, many years, takes place. This will also be the time when events are quickly accelerated for, as we know, the last events will be rapid ones. This work of sealing God’s true and faithful ones ends just before the Lord’s slaughtering takes place (see Ezekiel 9) and begins with those who have professed Adventism.

“Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have not responded to the light God has given them.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 207, 208.

As wicked as the world had become in Mrs. White’s day, and as much more so as it is today, she was more fearful for yet another group.

“But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have had the greatest light and privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing iniquity.” Ibid., 209.

Prior to the sealing time, God will commission men and women to the sighing and crying for those who are departing from the pure faith. As the time marches steadily forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history, these whom the Lord in His great mercy has raised up, grow more filled with grief and anguish. Some are helped by the warnings, reproofs, counsel, and entreaty, but most go on in their rebellion. For the most part, the iniquity grows at an alarming rate and increases as the process of the sealing closes.

Hypocrisy

At this time, there will be some who are admired by their followers for their leadership but whose leading is not of God. These leaders, knowing the truth but unwilling to follow it all the way, have deceived those who have placed their trust in them. Today, many refuse to see what is really before them, but in that day, which is just ahead, God will lay in open view the hypocrisy.

“But He will detect their hypocrisy and will open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide.

“No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God’s mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without mercy.

“It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure. . . .

“Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons.” Ibid., 212.

Not All Professors Sealed

“Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith.” Ibid., 213, 214.

Friend, I plead with you to heed the inspiration shared with you in this article. Time is running out, and when the sealing takes place, it will all be over. Those who have heeded the counsel of the True Witness will receive the seal of the living God. But those—though they may presently be held in high esteem—who heed not the counsel will receive the wrath of God.

“Jesus is the only true pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of him. However high any minister may have stood in the favor of God, if he neglects to follow out the light given him of God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic delusions and will lead others in the same path.” Ibid., 214.

Not One Spot

The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman.

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” Ibid.

“It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. . . .

“What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth—these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.

“Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour.” Ibid., 215, 216.

Encourage One Another

“In this time of trial we need to be encouraged and comforted by one another. The temptations of Satan are greater now than ever before, for he knows that his time is short and that very soon every case will be decided, either for life or for death. It is no time now to sink down beneath discouragement and trial; we must bear up under all our afflictions and trust wholly in the Almighty God of Jacob. The Lord has shown me that His grace is sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation and through His grace come off victorious.

“If we overcome our trials and get victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the trial of our faith, which is more precious than gold, and are stronger and better prepared to meet the next. But if we sink down and give way to the temptations of Satan, we shall grow weaker and get no reward for the trial and shall not be so well prepared for the next. In this way we shall grow weaker and weaker, until we are led captive by Satan at his will. We must have on the whole armor of God and be ready at any moment for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God and agonize with Him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty, but will give us grace and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the enemy. Oh, that all could see these things in their true light and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus! Then would Israel move forward, strong in God, and in the power of His might.” Early Writings, 46.

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

[All emphasis supplied.]

Cathy Summers Timmons, a Steps to Life staff member and a member of LandMarks’ editorial staff, also serves as Director of Pacific Missionary Outreach. She writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas. She may be contacted by e-mail at: cathytimmons@stepstolife.org.

Rooted and Grounded

by

Our only safety is to be rooted and grounded in the love and strength of Christ.

Paul says in Ephesians 3:16–19, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” What experience must we have? We must be strengthened by His Spirit, so that we can be rooted and grounded in love. We will never fully understand the mysteries of God, but unless we are rooted and grounded in His love, we will not understand the dimensions of God’s love, or have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith.

In Revelation 13, we read about the image to the beast. “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” Revelation 13:13, 14. From these verses we see that the devil will instigate the enforcement of the mark of the beast. What will his first deception be? Miracles. Today, more than ever, people are putting their faith in miracles. To many minds, if something “miraculous” takes place, they believe it is a sign of God. But are miracles a test? They are not.

Satan’s second method is a false Holy Spirit movement, a false Pentecostal experience based on feeling. The underlying issue, with both of his great deceptions, is getting people to trust in feelings. When you do not have the peace of Christ, the devil gives you something in place of it. He gives this emotional, “feel good” experience.

What does God’s Word say about that? Peter says something very interesting in 2 Peter 1:16–18: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” Peter here recalls the transfiguration, where they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ majesty.

The transfiguration was a type of the second coming. Elijah was there, representing those who will be alive when Jesus comes. Moses represented the dead who will be raised. This was the most dazzling sight that human eyes had ever beheld. It was awe inspiring. Look at what Peter said in the next verse: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy.” Is God’s Word above miracles? Is it above dazzling sights? It is! Peter said, “We saw the transfiguration, that miraculous sight, but we have a more sure word.”

Our senses can deceive us. Feelings can deceive us, but God’s Word never will. “We also have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19.

God’s Word is the only sure, stable thing on which we can base our faith, on this earth. It is, as the psalmist said, a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. (Psalm 119:105.) It shows us the way we should go, and is the only foundation on which we can build.

 

Abraham’s Test

 

There are many examples of faith over feeling in the Bible. Faith is simply taking God at His Word, even when we do not feel like it. It does not take faith to accept what you believe. And so faith is actually putting God’s Word over feeling.

The most severe test ever to come upon a mortal was when God directed Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Did that go against Abraham’s feelings? It was directly opposite to all of his loving, paternal feelings for his precious, only son. For three days, as Abraham and Isaac journeyed up to Mount Moriah, Abraham was tormented by a fierce inner conflict. He could not understand. It did not make sense. How could it be? The promised Messiah was to come through Isaac’s lineage. If he sacrificed Isaac, the Messiah could not come. The devil was whispering in Abraham’s ear, “Thou shalt not kill.” (See Patriarchs and Prophets, 148.) But Abraham knew that God had instructed him, and he would obey. Abraham knew that his feelings did not matter. He had to put God’s Word above feeling, above inclination—and that is what we must do.

Dependence on feelings will be the devil’s great deception in the last days. He will use it to have the national Sunday law passed, by people relying upon feeling. But the Bible says that we have to rely upon God’s Word. It does not matter how many people are against you. If Abraham had told anyone what he was doing, they would have said that he was crazy. We must rely solely upon God’s Word to be rooted and grounded. It must be the basis for our every action. We must be willing to stand by God’s Word though the heavens fall. The Bible says, “The word of the Lord endureth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:25. We must stand upon this firm platform.

How do we become firmly rooted and grounded in Christ? It takes more than just a casual study of God’s Word. Ellen White tells us in The Great Controversy that, “None but those who have fortified their minds with the truths of God’s Word will stand through the last great conflict.” The Great Controversy, 593.

What does fortified mean? It means strong, built up, strengthened. Is it a casual reading here and there? No. Do a tree’s roots ever stop growing? What happens if its roots stop growing? If the roots stop growing, the tree dies and it falls or is blown down by the wind. The Bible refers to the righteous as a tree, as a palm in the desert, and as the cedars in Lebanon. So, likewise, our roots must never stop growing, pushing deeper and deeper into the soil of God’s Word.

As we study God’s inspired Word for eternity, we will go even deeper. We can read God’s Word forever and ever, and always receive a blessing, and learn more truth. We must go deeper. We can never say, “I am rooted and grounded.” We have to constantly send our roots down deeper. There is danger of having a superficial experience, content to cling to the surface.

In the time of Jesus, there were Jews that had the entire Old Testament memorized, and most had the first five books of Moses committed to memory. They could quote you chapter and verse, but it had not taken root in their lives. They still rejected and crucified the Son of God. Knowledge alone will not save us.

 

The True Source of Wisdom

 

1 Corinthians 2:5 says, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” The wisdom of men will not suffice. Our faith must stand in the power of God. When Paul wrote this verse he was contemplating his work in Athens. The Athenians were worldly wise. When in Athens, Paul had matched wisdom with wisdom, and philosophy with philosophy. But in his next field, Corinth, he “determined not to know anything save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2. Philosophy and wisdom do not change the heart and life.

We must be searching for the truth as for hidden treasure. A gold miner cannot just pick up the gold of the ground. He has to dig down deep to find the precious treasure. That is where the truths of God’s Word are—in hidden veins that take time, effort and energy to gain. If we are satisfied to pick up a few of the nice pretty rocks on the surface, our faith is based on the wisdom of men, not on the power of God.

Jesus said to the Jews in John 5:39, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they that testify of me.” It is only as we learn of Christ, and accept Him into our hearts and lives, that we study so that we can ask and learn what it is Jesus wants us to do. Then we not only have the wisdom—the head knowledge—but we also have the heart knowledge.

I tell those I study with that, “A lot of people are lost by eighteen inches.” Eighteen inches is the distance from your head to your heart. Many are content to have the head knowledge, but not that personal connection with Christ. They are not studying so that they can know the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Many are studying to gain knowledge to explain all the prophecies and symbols in the book of Revelation. But one of the reasons God gave the prophecies is that the Day Star might arise in our hearts and we would be converted. It is not something which we can gain of ourselves, or get by going to church every week, by listening to what other people say. We must make the effort for ourselves. We must be digging deep into God’s Word.

The average life of a fundamental Christian is seventy-five years. He spends six months in worshipping, six years in eating, nine years in amusement, seven and one-half year in dressing, six years traveling, nineteen years in working, and twenty-three years sleeping. Do you think there’s some time that we could carve out? It says that we spent six years in eating, nine years in amusement, but only six months in worship. Who are we putting first? Are we putting God first, or are we putting amusement or appetite first? Jesus said: “Labor not for the meat” or food “which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.” John 6:27.

Very few people go for a day without eating. Why? Because when you do not eat, it is hard to work. You become faint and weak. If we neglect reading God’s Word for just one day, spiritually we grow weak. It does not matter how much we know. If we are not daily sending roots deeper and deeper—if we are not being strengthened by reading God’s Word every day, we are not being rooted and grounded, and we will not be saved. We will be shaken out unless there is a true reformation in our hearts and in our lives.

 

Spiritual Growth

 

For a plant to grow and become rooted and grounded, it needs water, air and sunlight. The Bible refers to water. Jesus said, “I will give you living water from God’s Word.” When we spend five, ten or fifteen minutes a day, we are only sipping. He did not say, “I will give you a teaspoonful.” (David said, “my cup runneth over” Psalm 23:5.) Jesus said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.

Water is the best thirst quencher there is. People drink substitutes like soda pop, but it only makes them more thirsty. Living water is all that will satisfy, and living water is God’s Word.

Another requirement for growth is air. Prayer is the breath of the soul. A person can live for only a few minutes without breathing, for a few days without water, and for a few weeks without food. Do you see then why we are told to “Pray without ceasing”?

Our prayers should be more than a formal routine. Jesus said not to use vain repetitions in prayer. Prayer should be like talking to God as to a friend. True prayer is not just saying a few set words, then getting into bed. True prayer is where we receive our strength, our nourishment, and where we receive our life.

The third requirement for plant growth and strength is sunlight. The Bible refers to Jesus as the “Sun of Righteousness,” that will “arise with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2.

Not only do we need to pray and spend that time drinking largely from the fountain of living water, but we also need to be doers. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24–27.

It takes more than reading from God’s Word. It takes more than prayer. If we are to be rooted, if we are to stand upon the Rock, we will be obedient to God’s Word. Then it will completely transform our lives. Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32.

Do you want to be a new creature in Christ? Then you must be rooted in Christ, and continually growing to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. You must have continual growth, or you will wither away and die.

Take time every day to dig deeply into God’s Word. Breathe the fresh air of God’s power and strength through prayer. Allow the Sun of Righteousness to arise in your heart. Do not be a forgetful hearer, but instead a doer also. Then, my friend, when the winds come, and when the storms rage around you, you will be found securely fastened to the Rock.