[table of contents]

Chapter One

THE MOST THRILLING OF ALL ADVENTURES

(Most underlining and italics in this book are by this author)

Many years ago the early Seventh-day Adventists recognized a person believed to be especially blessed with the Holy Spirit. This study will take full advantage of things written by Ellen G. White many years ago.

The Promise:

“The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant.” EV 707; Letter 32, 1892; LDE 62.

To be faithful is an honor. The closer we come to the “Day of the Lord,” the more of a contrast there should be between us and the world around us. The world today is anything but holy, but we must be holy. What is exciting is that we can be.

The Bible says: “Be ye holy for I am holy.” 1st Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:44.

The truth is, there is prophesied to be a holy people walking on a high plain just prior to the final consummation and the good news is that you can be one of them. Read this next text very carefully and see that this very special group of people are sealed forever to be righteous and holy after they already are righteous and holy.

“...he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11

Ellen White comments: “Since the law of God is ‘holy, and just, and good,’ a transcript of the divine perfection, it follows that a character formed by obedience to that law will be holy.” GC88 469.

The problem is that these loyal and faithful holy ones will be in the minority as time goes on. They will comprise but a “little company” in the church. They will not only be in sharp contrast to the people in the world, but they will also be in sharp contrast to the majority in the church. This is to be expected since the majority in the church will appear to be little different from the world around them. Don’t be surprised nor discouraged because of them.

“At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.” 5T 209, 210; LDE 83.

“They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church.” 5T 210

“Those who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ringleaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God’s mercies. 5T 212

What will happen to these false teachers as the church militant becomes the church triumphant?

At that time the gold will be separated from the dross. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness.” PK 188

This is a most sobering thought. Generally the word “many” is given in contrast to “few.” The stars are made up of our spiritual leaders. Every faithful member should be appreciative of our leaders who are yet heralding the three angels’ messages. “Give glory to God. Worship Him who made heaven, earth, and sea. Judgment is come. Babylon is fallen. What is the mark of the beast and how it must be avoided. The saints will keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

“Notwithstanding all their knowledge of the Word of God, all their light, and their position as expositors of Bible truth, many shall ‘stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.’ The ruin of this class is certain.” RH 7/18/1907

Do you suspect your minister is preaching everything but the three angel’s messages? What should be one’s attitude if he suspects a preacher or neglecting present truth and even possibly teaching error?

“When you think that the work is in danger, pray, ‘Lord, stand at the wheel. Carry us through the perplexity. Bring us safely into port.’ Have we not reason to believe that the Lord will bring us through triumphantly?” 2SM 391; FLB 282; RH 9/20/1892

Will God answer such earnest prayer?

“There is no need to doubt, to be fearful that the work will not succeed. God is at the head of the work, and He will set everything in order. If the matters need adjusting at the head of the work God will attend to that and work to right every wrong.” 2SM 390; Maranatha 129; LDE 52

Praise God for the above help sent to our leaders, but to be successful the leaders at the head of the work must be willing to be adjusted.

“I said further that before the end we would see strange manifestations by those who professed to be led by the Holy Spirit.” 2SM 41

The indications are: The church will be in a state of depression. Some people, including some leaders, will bring in deceptions and changes, inferring that the Holy Spirit is with them in their efforts.

Chapter two will share with the reader some of the “strange manifestations” prophesied to be seen in our church while probation is closing on the church militant. You will see that these manifestations will signal the formation of the church triumphant. Praise God!

[table of contents] [next chapter]