Sabbath, June 19, 2004
INTRODUCTION
“This message was designed to put the children of God upon their guard, by showing them the hour of temptation and anguish that was before them. Said the angel, ‘They will be brought into close combat with the beast and his image. Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast. Although their lives are at stake, they must hold fast the truth.’ The third angel closes his message thus: ‘Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ “ – Early Writings, p. 254.
OBJECTIVES
• To consider what would be the effect if every believer would not only accept the message of Minneapolis, but also put it in practice in his life.
• To become aware of the condition of the people revealed through the second test of the First World War.
• To learn the lesson the Lord has given through these past experiences in order not to fall out of the way, but to remain and progress in the light.
• To analyze ourselves and to understand who we are and what we should be.
THE MESSAGE PREACHED AT MINNEAPOLIS
1. Since when did the work of the loud cry begin in the preaching of the third angel’s message?
“The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” – Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 984.
2. Which message was specially proclaimed among the advent people in 1888 and how was it accepted?
Jeremiah 23:6, last part “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”
“An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through Brethren
FACING A SECOND TEST
3. What other test did the Lord permit to come upon His people in the years 1914-1918 to reveal the need of a true reformation?
Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
1 Corinthians 10:12, 13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
“God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. I see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His laborers to come into line.” – Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 514.
“Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 17.
“Choose poverty, reproach, separation from friends, or any suffering rather than to defile the soul with sin. Death before dishonor or the transgression of God’s law should be the motto of every Christian.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 147.
4. What is the task of the reformation in order to be the faithful remnant?
Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.
Proverbs 4:25-27 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
“Where do we find the people who are thus addressed? Who is it that shall build the old waste places, and raise up the foundation of many generations? Where are the people who have had light from heaven to see
that a breach has been made in the law of God?…
“Those who receive this light are brought to view in the proclamation of the third angel’s message.” – Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,vol. 4, p. 1152.
WALKING AND PROGRESSING IN THE LIGHT
5. If, after violation, the light or God’s law is still not appreciated, as it should, which danger is possible?
John 1:5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Matthew 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
“The time will come when many will be willing to do anything and everything possible in order to have a chance of hearing the call which they rejected at Minneapolis.… Better opportunities will never come, deeper feelings they will not have.…
“God will not be trifled with.” – Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, pp. 112, 113.
6. What kind of features must the bearer of the third angel’s message have, which received the power of the latter rain?
Revelation 14:11, 12 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
“The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory.…
“When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life. The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect
love, perfect assurance.…
“Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ.” – Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 415, 416, 420.
7. What is necessary for God’s people to endure the coming tests?
Luke 12:37, 38 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action.… Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence.” – Early Writings, p. 71.
“…The days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.80.
FOR MEDITATION
• What has been your experience in the message “Christ our righteousness”? Have you received its blessings?
• If another test would come today, what do you think would be the result?
• Can you say that you are progressing in your spiritual life, achieving new levels in the Christian ladder?
• Does your character correspond to the holy entrusted message?