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Chapter Six

RESPONSIBILITY

It is now time to learn the issues in the prophecies and also to make everything right with God and with our fellow man. You can be fitted for the work of preparing the large group of people converted just prior to the close of probation on the world.

The deep consecration of every one preparing to receive the mark of belonging to God’s family forever may well be expressed in this simple but powerful statement found in 1T 187.

“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.” 1T 187

One of the better prophecies regarding this soon-coming event is the one regarding some of those who have strayed from the fold in past years.

“...many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd.” 6T 401

These dear souls will be coming back to the church they once knew; a church that preached the old gospel doctrine, sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession; a church with old-fashioned preachers calling for repentance and the old-fashioned standards maintained by the old-fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel. (See 2SM quote on p. 15) Praise the Lord!

Are you holding up the banner in the old-fashioned way?

“In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved. Many will get above the simplicity of the work. They will conform to the world, cherish idols, and become spiritually dead. The humble, self-sacrificing followers of Jesus will pass on to perfection, leaving behind the indifferent and lovers of the world.” 1T 608,609

Idols are not always three-dimensional figures. There is more to idolatry than that. There are big idols and little idols. All are an abomination to the Lord and are not all simply figurines.

“There are idols cherished in our families and in our churches today which have the same influence upon us as did the golden calf upon the Israelites. Will the people search themselves? Will the shepherds do their work as faithful sentinels of God? Will they see what idols they are cherishing? Will everyone that is in moderate circumstances consider that they are to be a people distinct and separate in their fashions of dress, their speech, their deportment, from the world? Will they see their idolatry in small as well as in large matters, and that it is separating them from God?” 7BC 941; MS 52, 1898

Ellen White comments on one worldly custom of dress in her day letting us know that following the outlandish contemporary flesh-revealing fashions of her day was not pleasing to God. What would she think of our day? I am thankful that today it is just as acceptable to dress modestly as it is not to. There is really no excuse to follow immodest fashions.

In the following paragraph Ellen White points to Isaiah chapter three and applies it to the church in our day. In this context she shows that the “filth of the daughters of Zion” is shown to be predominantly their haughtiness and jewelry. See Isaiah 3:18-26. She definitely applies these verses to the church in our generation saying:

“The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: ‘They men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.’ I was shown that this Scripture will be strictly fulfilled.” 1T 270

Although the haughty attitude of the women in Isaiah chapter three is obvious, Ellen White’s comment is on their appearance and display. Does she really mean that women who may be trying to influence a man by wearing attractive ornaments is actually leading him to a slaughter? Would a woman who truly loves her husband run such a risk? Is what one displays for appearance so important? Will little idols cost so much? For more on this subject I suggest the author’s booklet entitled “A Special Message to the Little Flock.” The booklet is listed in the appendix. This subject could be more serious than many of us have realized.

As the church drops some of her standards and in their place accepts the customs and fashions of the world, which way will you be prone to lean? Which way are you leaning now? There are two ways to lean: the new, easy, popular way, and the way of repentance that looks rather narrow.

Sticking to the narrow way invites criticism and taunting from the careless “brethren.” You may be considered very narrow-minded, old fashioned, and perhaps very dysfunctional to the church around you.

Praise the Lord! Hang in there! The church Triumphant will soon feel the presence of God. Remember, the narrow way is not only the right way, it is the only way.

1T 187 explains even more idols. Finally what is the counsel of the true witness to the Laodiceans? It is simply the fact that in Christ we CAN overcome every sin if we are willing to pay the price, be it what it may.

“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.” 1T 187

Having this kind of attitude, and living as an overcomer of all known sin, will place a person in a position to be blessed with even greater perfection when God sends His Holy Spirit upon us in the latter rain.

“As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain.” RH 3/2/1897; TM 509; LDE 187

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