Whenever the striving Adventist faithful, rightly or wrongly, find themselves disappointed in the leadership of the organized church, a century-old falsehood regarding the nature of the church tends to rear its ugly head. And it seems to be with us still.
“The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall.”
In a news article on another website, it was reported how a former Adventist pastor recently celebrated the transgender “coming out” of another former Adventist pastor. The incident was justifiably deplored, on account of its obvious disregard of Biblical gender distinctions and how such blurring of Biblical order can rightly be expected when the Bible’s authority is compromised.
But despite the article’s adherence to Biblical gender and sexuality standards, the comments that followed included a similar disregard of inspired clarity regarding the future of the organized Seventh-day Adventist body, not to mention a blatant disregard of simple facts. One commenter quoted a well-known Ellen White statement on how the church will survive the end-time purification commonly called the shaking:
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 ##[1]|Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 380##.
Then another commenter replied as follows:
This statement, I’m afraid, is literally taken out of context. Which “church” does this refer to? Many believe it applies to the corporation, the owner of all the real assets and employs the leaders.
Fundamental Seventh-day Adventists who follow Jesus and abide in all His instructions will make up God’s church. They will be numbered among the 144k. Don’t misunderstand. The corporate church has all the light of doctrine. It’s just that I haven’t seen anyone name even one administrative officer within the NAD structure that has taken a public stand against all the errors that have crept into the corporation.
Out of Context?
This is by no means the first time certain ones have attempted to twist the meaning of this very clear statement from God’s prophet. What amazes me is how those who claim to adhere to the plain reading of the inspired text in defiance of popular culture, scholarly speculation, and personal experience, choose to ignore the plain reading of the inspired statement in question for a set of experiential reasons no more valid than those leading others to deny, for example, Biblical gender and sexuality parameters. Just as the LGBT crowd in the church ignores the Bible’s unqualified condemnation of their behavior because they find such conduct personally fulfilling, so it seems there are those who permit negative conditions in the contemporary church to dissuade them from confidence in God’s ability to remove false believers from the ranks of professed Seventh-day Adventists.
Moreover, while the above commenter claims Ellen White’s statement about the church appearing to fall but not falling is being “literally taken out of context,” he offers no proof whatsoever for his claim. In what way, may we ask, is the context of this passage being violated by those who believe it promises the final removal of apostates and hypocrites from the church’s visible ranks?
For one thing, it is clear from the statement’s own wording that the church which appears about to fall but does not, is a church that contains sinners needing to be sifted out of it. The commenter in question seems to have embraced the falsehood that the “church” here described represents the true and faithful only, as he goes on to say that “fundamental Seventh-day Adventists who follow Jesus and abide in all His instructions will make up God’s church.” While in the end this will be true, of course, this is obviously not the church Ellen White is talking about when she writes that the church will remain while sinners are removed from its fellowship.
The Visible Church Purified
The inspired pen is clear that there is a visible church, which while probation lingers includes both true and false believers, and an invisible church which includes the faithful only. Such statements as the following bear witness to this distinction:
The advancement of the church is retarded by the wrong course of its members. Uniting with the church, although an important and necessary act, does not make one a Christian nor insure salvation. We cannot secure a title to heaven by having our names enrolled upon the church book while our hearts are alienated from Christ. . . .
We should all feel our individual responsibility as members of the visible church and workers in the vineyard of the Lord ##[2]|Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 16##.
There are two kinds of connection between the branches and the vine stock. One is visible, but superficial. The other is invisible and vital. So there is an apparent union, a membership with the church, and a profession of religion, which, though in itself good, is too often unaccompanied by saving faith in Jesus, or living obedience to the commandments of God. The branches that are connected with Christ, the living Vine, will make it manifest by bearing much fruit in good works to the glory of God. But the branches which have nothing but an apparent union, will be fruitless ##[3]|Signs of the Times, July 27, 1888##.
Not only the language of the statement regarding the church appearing to fall but not falling, but that of other statements regarding the shaking and its outcome, make clear that the visible church will be purified by the shaking through the removal of false believers from its ranks:
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 ## [4]|Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 89##.
At the eleventh hour the Lord will gather a company out of the world to serve Him. There will be a converted ministry. Those who have had privileges and opportunities to become intelligent in regard to the truth, and yet who continue to counterwork the work God would have accomplished, will be purged out ##[5]|Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, p. 320##.
Some have entered the work with a human commission rather than the divine. . . . In short, they have a theory but not true conversion and sanctification through the truth. The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry, prepared for the latter rain ##[6]|Ibid, vol. 12, p. 327; see also Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 385; Last Day Events, p. 179##.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light, and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side ##[7]|The Great Controversy, p. 608##.
God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy church. We cannot read the heart of man. But the Lord has provided means to keep the church pure. . . . As we near the Judgment, all will manifest their true character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. The sieve is moving. Let us not say, Stay Thy hand, O God. The church must be purged, and it will be ##[8]|Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 99-100##.
I 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 ##[9]|Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 284##.
Clearly, these statements are not talking about people being shaken out of the faith while remaining in the visible church, continuing to call themselves Seventh-day Adventists while living in sin and apostasy. Rather, these are apostate believers who stop professing to be believers, and who in the face of persecution will openly join ranks with the avowed enemies of the three angels’ messages.
What the Shaking Does and Does Not Purify
Let’s be clear that the end-time shaking does not purify the individual believer. The individual believer is purified before the end-time shaking. Ellen White is clear that the shaking occurs before the church experiences the revival brought about by the latter rain and the final call out of Babylon described as the Loud Cry ## [10]|Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 400-401##. And in order to receive the latter rain and the final seal of God, the saints must be fully free from sin:
Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. . . . I saw that none could share the “refreshing” (latter rain) unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action ##[11]|Early Writings, p. 71##.
Those who come up to every point and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation## [12]|Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 187##.
[From a chapter titled, “Pray for the Latter Rain”] By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ . . . Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit ##[13]|Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 506-507##.
The latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord—fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit ##[14]|Evangelism, p. 702##.
May the Lord help His people to cleanse the soul temple from every defilement, and to maintain such a close connection with Him that they may be partakers of the latter rain when it shall be poured out ##[15]|SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1055##.
The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God ##[16]|Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 619##.
So those identified as faithful believers—the invisible church—experience purification in advance of the shaking and latter rain, while the visible church—with its blend of true and false believers—is purified by the shaking. Regardless of how strong, numerous, and pervasive apostasy may appear to be in our present context, the inspired pen is clear that those adhering to and promoting this apostasy will be purged out of the church when the shaking does its work.
Ignoring Facts in Plain Sight
What was especially strange about some of the comments that followed the news report in question was that despite the fact that the two former Adventist pastors celebrating transgenderism are no longer employed by the church, one commenter reacted as follows to the citing of Ellen White’s statement about the end-time purification of the church.
These people are not currently being sifted or shaken out of the church. . . . If anyone is being shaken out, it is the small handful of conservatives who are brave enough to publicly stand against this pagan spirituality.
While I fully agree with this person that such celebration of gender dysphoria constitutes “pagan spirituality,” on what basis can he claim that the “small handful of conservatives” protesting this abomination are being “shaken out of the church”? And how can it be said that “these people (like the pastors in question) are not currently being sifted or shaken out of the church” when both—despite having pastored large and prestigious congregations—are no longer employed by the denomination? Perhaps they still hold church membership somewhere, but their departure from formal ministry can hardly be dismissed as inconsequential.
The commenter who claimed Ellen White’s promise of the church not falling was being “taken out of context” seems equally oblivious to the facts of contemporary denominational life. In his post he writes that while “the corporate church has all the light of doctrine,” that “I haven’t seen anyone name even one administrative officer within the NAD structure that has taken a public stand against all the errors that have crept into the corporation.”
Whether this description of the North American Division leadership is accurate or not, I prefer not to argue in this context. However, not only does the leadership of a single Division of the world church not represent the worldwide Adventist body, but perhaps the author of this statement isn’t aware of the fact that the North American Division comprises a scant 6 percent of the worldwide Adventist membership. To therefore speak of the denominational “corporation” as synonymous with the administration of just one world Division, is quite unwarranted.
Conclusion
Considering that the church’s activities will be illegal on a global scale during the closing events of this earth’s history, the material assets and visible structure of the denomination won’t likely exist during that time. But the following warning from Ellen White’s pen is most interesting along these lines:
Some have advanced the thought that as we near the close of time, every child of God will act independently of any religious organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no such thing as every man’s being independent. The stars of heaven are all under law, each influencing the other to do the will of God, yielding their common obedience to the law that controls their action ##[17]|Ibid, vol. 9, p. 258##.
So one way or the other, the church in the last days will be guided by an organization, more than likely underground due to the conditions that will prevail worldwide. It helps also to remember that the above statement is taken from an address by Ellen White to the 1909 General Conference session, in which she urges loyalty to the worldwide organization represented by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The address, found in volume 9 of the Testimonies, is titled “The Spirit of Independence” ##[18]|Ibid, pp. 257-261##. It is a “must” read for those Adventists presently tempted to become discouraged about the organized church.
As we witness the continuing crisis in contemporary Adventism, we can’t repeat often enough the following inspired assurance regarding the crises through which the church must pass:
Not one cloud has fallen upon the church that God has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork the work of God but He has foreseen. All has taken place as He has predicted through His prophets ##[19]|Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 108##.
The words of the ancient prophet remain as relevant as ever:
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? (Jer. 12:5).
REFERENCES
1. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 380.
2. ----Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 16 (italics supplied).
3. ----Signs of the Times, July 27, 1888 (italics supplied).
4. ----Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 89.
5. ----Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, p. 320.
6. Ibid, vol. 12, p. 327; see also Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 385; Last Day Events, p. 179.
7. ----The Great Controversy, p. 608.
8. ----Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 99-100.
9. ----Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 284.
10. ----Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 400-401.
11. ----Early Writings, p. 71.
12. ----Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 187.
13. ----Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 506-507.
14. ----Evangelism, p. 702.
15. ----SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1055.
16. ----Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 619.
17. Ibid, vol. 9, p. 258.
18. Ibid, pp. 257-261.
19. ----Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 108.
Pastor Kevin Paulson holds a Bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a Master of Arts in systematic theology from Loma Linda University, and a Master of Divinity from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for ten years as a Bible instructor, evangelist, and local pastor. He writes regularly for Liberty magazine and does script writing for various evangelistic ministries within the denomination. He continues to hold evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the North American Division and beyond, and is a sought-after seminar speaker relative to current issues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He presently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan