Home/ Chat /Discussion
/Links /Search /Resources
/Order
Form / SHRod /Audio
/ Contact us/ Espanol
Our forty years of wilderness
wanderings
Study #13
"It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ
should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people, Israel, should
wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them directly to the
land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy, happy people. But
those to whom it was first preached, went not in "because of
unbelief." Their hearts were filled with murmuring, rebellion, and hatred,
and He could not fulfill His covenant with them.
"For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion
shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the
entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the
promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration,
and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of
sin and sorrow so many years.-- Manuscript 4, 1883.
"Charge It Not to God. --We may have to remain here in
this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of
Israel; but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging
God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action." Evangelism
p. 696.
THE GREAT APOSTASY AND RISE OF THE PAPAL POWER.
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a
fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great
iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the
feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it
had ten horns.
"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up
among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns
plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of
man, and a mouth speaking great things.
"Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth
kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour
the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
"And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings
that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse
from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
"And he shall speak great words against the most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and
laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the
dividing of time." Dan. 7:7-8, 23-25.
We see this same tyrannical power mentioned in Dan. 8:12:
"And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of
transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and
prospered."
Speaking of this power the Spirit of Prophecy says: "As
foretold by prophecy, the papal power cast down the truth to the ground. The law
of God was trampled in the dust, while the traditions and customs of men were
exalted." Great Controversy, p. 65.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we are very familiar with the
truths concerning the rise of the great papal power and the dark ages that
immediately followed. The pen of Inspiration tells us what actually caused this
great apostasy.
The Origin of the Great Apostasy.
"What was the origin of the great apostasy? How did the
church first depart from the simplicity of the gospel? By conforming to the
practices of paganism, to facilitate the acceptance of Christianity by the
heathen. The apostle Paul declared, even in his day, "The mystery of
iniquity doth already work.' 2 Thessalonians 2:7. During the lives of the
apostles the church remained comparatively pure. But "toward the latter end
of the second century most of the churches assumed a new form; the first
simplicity disappeared, and insensibly, as the old disciples retired to their
graves, their children, along with new converts, . . . came forward and
new-modeled the cause'....To secure converts, the exalted standard of the
Christian faith was lowered, and as the result 'a pagan flood, flowing into the
church, carried with it its customs, practices, and idols.'.... As the Christian
religion secured the favor and support of secular rulers, it was nominally
accepted by multitudes; but while in appearance Christians, many "remained
in substance pagans, especially worshipping in secret their idols." Great
Controversy, pp. 384-385.
Paul forewarned the people in his day that before Christ
would come the second time, the church would experience a falling away from the
faith and the man of sin would be revealed. "Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and
that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" 2 Thess. 2:3.
The Lord Comes To The Aid Of His Church.
In the progression of time the Lord recognized the absolute
necessity of rescuing His church from the fatal sophistries of the papal power.
"Foremost among those who were called to lead the church from the darkness
of popery into the light of a purer faith, stood Martin Luther. Zealous, ardent,
and devoted, knowing no fear but the fear of God, and acknowledging no
foundation for religious faith but the Holy Scriptures, Luther was the man for
his time; through him God accomplished a great work for the reformation of the
church and the enlightenment of the world." Great Controversy, pp. 120.
Concerning his part in helping to initiate the great
Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther said: '"A serious struggle has just
begun. Hitherto I have been only playing with the pope. I began this work in
God's name; it will be ended without me, and by His might.'" Great
Controversy, pp. 142.
Extent Of The Reformation.
The spirit of Prophecy in speaking of the extent of Luther's
efforts says, "Increasing numbers joined the cause of the heroic man who
had, at such fearful odds, defended the word of God. The Reformation was
constantly gaining in strength. The seed which Luther had sown sprang up
everywhere." G. C. 186. "The Reformer's writings and his doctrine were
extending to every nation in Christendom." G. C. 139.
"Rome was bent upon the destruction of Luther; but God
was his defense. His doctrines were heard everywhere-- 'in cottages and
convents, . . . in the castles of the nobles, in the universities, and in the
palaces of kings;' and noble men were rising on every hand to sustain his
efforts." Great Controversy, pp. 140.
Protestant Reformation In Prophecy.
One would think that an event as important as the Protestant
Reformation would certainly be predicted somewhere in Holy Writ. Ezekiel, many
centuries before the Reformation, prophesied concerning it. Let us turn to
Ezekiel, chapter 4:
"Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it
before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: And lay siege
against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the
camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about."
Ezekiel 4:1,2.
Here the prophet was commanded to portray a city, a
Jerusalem---the capital of the Church. This Jerusalem of course, is not really
the geographical Jerusalem, but a city that stands for what Jerusalem itself
stood---the Church scattered throughout the "Gentile nations."
Moreover, Ezekiel himself was actually told that this symbolization is
concerning the church while scattered among the Gentiles. (See verse 13).
Furthermore, Ezekiel is commanded to lay siege against it, to take it! Now,
since this Jerusalem stands for the Church while among the Gentiles, and since
God commands His own servant, the prophet, to besiege it, to protest against it,
and to take it, it is therefore obvious that the Church, the Jerusalem here
portrayed, is shown as having been drawn away from God, and that God is
endeavoring to rescue her, to effect a reformation in her midst. For such cause,
therefore, is Ezekiel's siege.
Finally, since the Christian church, Jerusalem, away from its
original geographical location, was for the first time in history so attacked,
or besieged by Martin Luther---by the Protestant Reformation---the fulfillment
of this prophecy obviously commences with Luther. This fact will be seen
throughout the chapter as we continue to study it verse by verse. We realize
that the ground work for the reformation had been laid, to some extent, before
Luther came on the scene. However, history credits him as the outstanding figure
that gave the Reformation its main thrust forward.
The "Iron Wall" Of Opposition.
Ezekiel 4:3--"Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan,
and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face
against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This
shall be a sign to the house of Israel."
The wall of iron, illustrated by the iron pan, is a perfect
symbol of the separation which existed between Luther and the so-called
Jerusalem the Church. This was to be a sign, not to Judah, the antitypical
two-tribe kingdom among the Gentiles, but to Israel, to the members of the
antitypical ten-tribe kingdom while scattered among the nations.
One example of Luther's opposition to Rome was his 95 theses
which he nailed on the door of the church at Wittenberg. "The castle church
of Wittenberg possessed many relics, which on certain holy days were exhibited
to the people, and full remission of sins was granted to all who then visited
the church and made confession. Accordingly on these days the people in great
numbers resorted thither. One of the most important of these occasions, the
festival of All Saints, was approaching. On the preceding day, Luther, joining
the crowds that were already making their way to the church, posted on its door
a paper containing ninety-five propositions against the doctrine of indulgences.
He declared his willingness to defend these theses next day at the university,
against all who should see fit to attack them.
"His propositions attracted universal attention. They
were read and reread, and repeated in every direction. Great excitement was
created in the university and in the whole city.....
"Luther's theses challenged discussion; but no one dared
accept the challenge. The questions which he proposed had in a few days spread
through all Germany, and in a few weeks they had sounded throughout
Christendom." G.C. 129-130.
The Spirit of Prophecy in speaking of the pope's reaction to
Luther's stand against the church of Rome says: "The pope had threatened
Luther with excommunication if he did not recant, and the threat was now
fulfilled. A new bull (edict) appeared, declaring the Reformer's final
separation from the Roman Church, denouncing him as accursed of Heaven, and
including in the same condemnation all who should receive his doctrines. The
great contest had been fully entered upon.
"Opposition is the lot of all whom God employs to
present truths specially applicable to their time. There was a present truth in
the days of Luther,--a truth at that time of special importance; there is a
present truth for the church today." G.C. 143.
Truly Luther's opposition to the church of Rome is fittingly
symbolized as a "wall of iron". Even today we have what is known as
"the Iron Curtain" countries of the world, symbolizing their
opposition to the outside world.
Israel's 390 Years Of Grace.
Ezekiel was told to: "Lie thou also upon thy left side,
and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of
the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. For I have
laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days,
three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of
Israel." Ezekiel 4:4-5.
To lay one's iniquity upon someone else, is to free the
sinner from the penalty which he deserves. It is an act which credits the sinner
with "righteousness" which he has not earned, and this is what
Inspiration calls "righteousness by grace". Previously the iniquity of
the Jews was laid upon Christ, and the nation was given a chance to step out of
her death-cell, so to speak, and to stand free in Christ. Many, but not all,
then availed themselves of this "righteousness by grace" and stepped
into "righteousness by faith". We find there are three steps or phases
that each one must go through in order to be prepared for heaven. The unjust,
the violators of the law of God, have always through "righteousness by
grace" been invited to come into "righteousness by faith", the
only righteousness that actually receives the reward of "Christ's
righteousness" and of eternal life. "Now," says Inspiration,
"the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have
no pleasure in him." Heb. 10:38.
The just You see. live by faith. but the unjust come to
Christ through grace. "Grace," you note, is not the final touch of
salvation. "Grace" plus "Faith," plus "the
righteousness of Christ," are what earn eternal life. Only by
"grace" can man be set free from the condemnation of the law. The
sinner, consequently, is a law-breaker, and the righteous is a law-keeper.
"Grace," therefore, pardons the sinner, lets him out of prison, so to
speak, and gives him another chance to overcome sin; but "faith" keeps
him free. The sum of the matter is this: "Righteousness through grace"
is righteousness through pardon, while "righteousness through faith"
is righteousness through behaving, and it is crowned with "the
righteousness of Christ." This same "grace", you see, was again
offered to the Church in the sixteenth century, for to lay the iniquity of the
house of Israel upon Ezekiel means practically the same as to lay the iniquity
of us all upon Christ. During the Protestant Reformation God winked at their
ignorance of certain truths because they didn't know any better. (See Acts
17:30). This was why Ezekiel bore their iniquity. This grace through Ezekiel
continues 390 days-years (see verse 6). After this period of time, the house of
Israel (the Protestant churches) bear their own iniquity; that is, after this
given period of time runs out, then this extended "grace" ceases and
there is to be no other. Ezekiel then bears their sins no longer, as they are no
longer in ignorance. Then is the time in which they must hold fast to
"righteousness by faith" if they are to be rewarded with
"Christ's righteousness" and with eternal life. All the truths that
were restored during the Reformation they are now to be held accountable for and
have been ever since the expiration of the 390 years.
Judah's 40 Years Of Grace.
Ezekiel is now told to do the same for Judah. "And when
thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear
the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day
for a year. Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and
thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it." Ezekiel
4:6,7.
Most Seventh-day Adventists use Ezekiel 4:6 as a text to
prove that a day represents a year in prophetic prophecy. Somehow it has never
occurred to us to apply this verse to this particular prophecy as recorded in
Ezekiel 4.
Ezekiel was to lie down and bear the iniquity not only for
the house of Israel, but also for the house of Judah, and thus bear their
iniquity, too, for forty years. And so both houses (the whole of Christendom)
are given the same chance, the same opportunity. The one comes first in time,
and the other last. Three hundred ninety years of "grace" are given to
the former, and 40 years to the latter, a total of 430 years. It was God's plan
that during this period of time they are to triumph over sin, and at last to
attain "righteousness by faith," and to be rewarded with "the
righteousness of Christ." The exact year in which this period of 430 years
begins, we shall see as we continue.
The Reformation Displays Its Might.
"Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of
Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.
And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one
side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege." Ezekiel 4:7,
8.
The uncovering of Ezekiel's arm, of course, means that the
might of the Reformation shall be seen, and the sins of Jerusalem shall be laid
open---shall be prophesied against. This is dramatically illustrated by Luther
publicly burning the pope's bull. "When the papal bull reached Luther, he
said: "I despise and attack it, as impious, false. . . . It is Christ
Himself who is condemned therein. . . . I rejoice in having to bear such ills
for the best of causes. Already I feel greater liberty in my heart; for at last
I know that the pope is antichrist, and that his throne is that of Satan
himself."...
"Yet the mandate of Rome was not without effect. Prison,
torture, and sword were weapons potent to enforce obedience. The weak and
superstitious trembled before the decree of the pope; and while there was
general sympathy for Luther, many felt that life was too dear to be risked in
the cause of reform. Everything seemed to indicate that the Reformer's work was
about to close.
"But Luther was fearless still. Rome had hurled her
anathemas against him, and the world looked on, nothing doubting that he would
perish or be forced to yield. But with terrible power he flung back upon herself
the sentence of condemnation and publicly declared his determination to abandon
her forever. In the presence of a crowd of students, doctors, and citizens of
all ranks Luther burned the pope's bull, with the canon laws, the decretals, and
certain writings sustaining the papal power. "My enemies have been able, by
burning my books," he said, "to injure the cause of truth in the minds
of the common people, and destroy their souls; for this reason I consumed their
books in return. A serious struggle has just begun. Hitherto I have been only
playing with the pope. I began this work in God's name; it will be ended without
me, and by His might." The Great Controversy, pp. 141, 142.
Ezekiel Bound With Bands.
Moreover, the things spoken of here are sure to take place,
for Ezekiel is bound down so that he cannot turn over and change the
symbolization. He cannot get up at will, until he has accomplished God's
command, until he has ended the days of his siege. Then in the end of this time
he is to arise and from then on let every one bear his own iniquity.
A Reformation Predicted IN Both Houses Of Israel
Ezekiel, therefore, while lying down is symbolizing
conditions during the Reformation from Luther's time down to the end of the 430
years. Then Ezekiel arises and is made a watchman: "Son of man, I have made
thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth,
and give them warning from me." Ezekiel 3:17. Ezekiel in this instance is
figurative of a final effort of revival and reformation, of an effort after
Ezekiel is through lying down and while he is up and active. Consequently, the
same effort which Luther put forth in the sixteenth century is to be carried out
in a greater way now in the twentieth century, for such is the prophet's charge.
The pen of Inspiration told us years ago: "The Reformation did not, as many
suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world's
history." Great Controversy, pp. 148.
The Time Of Ignorance Runs Out.
The difference between the Reformation during the 430 years
and the one after, is this: During the 430 years "grace" lingered,
whereas after this period of time has run out, and while Ezekiel is up, those
who fail to attain to "righteousness by faith" will themselves have to
pay the price for their sins. No longer are their sins laid upon Ezekiel, and no
longer is Ezekiel lying down and inactive; no longer are they to be excused upon
the ground of ignorance after the warning has been sounded in their ears, for
Ezekiel is plainly told:
"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house
of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not
warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life;
the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at
thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness,
nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered
thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and
commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because
thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness
which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at
thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin
not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou
hast delivered thy soul."
Ezekiel 3:17-21. Now we shall go back to the prophecy of
Ezekiel 4.
Ezekiel's Six Grain Bread
"Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans,
and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee
bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy
side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. And thy meat which
thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt
thou eat it. Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin:
from time to time shalt thou drink." Ezekiel 4:9-11.
The cereals mentioned in verse 9 are six in number, are of
course symbolical of spiritual food, the food with which the flock has been fed
during the 390 years. (See: John 6:27, 5T.117, Ed. 171). Six kinds of cereals
not only denote six kinds of truths, doctrines, handed to the flock during the
390 year period, but also denote incompleteness of Truth, for number seven, not
six, is the Biblical denotation of completeness. Had these not been symbols of
truth, the Lord would not have asked Ezekiel to get a specified number of
cereals, and that he should put them in one vessel, and bake them into a certain
cake, and eat them at a specified time, in a particular way, with a fixed
measure of water. These six doctrines may be represented by six steps upward
(Reformation); an effort to bring the church to her state of purity. They are
consequently the doctrines which the reformers brought in. Let us go back to the
beginning of the Reformation---to the time of Luther and see what the main
truths were that were brought in during the Reformation.
The Reformation's Steps Of Truth.
(1) The doctrine of faith that made the Lutheran
denomination; (2) the doctrine of the Spirit that made the Presbyterian
denomination; (3) the doctrine of grace that made the Methodist denomination;
(4) the doctrine of baptism that made the Baptist denomination; (5) the doctrine
of the second Advent of Christ and the 2300 days that made the First-day
Adventists; (6) the doctrine as to the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary
along with the seventh-day Sabbath that made the Seventh-day Adventists. (All
the sects with their additions, omissions, and deductions, have obviously
branched from these six denominations.)
One may raise an argument, though only a losing one, over the
denominations here named, but one can hardly raise any honest argument against
the fact that these six doctrines (cereals) are the main doctrines upon which
Protestantism as a whole is built. However, be they these or other doctrines,
the truth that they are only six, means that a seventh truth is to be unfolded.
Moreover, these truths, says Inspiration, were to be given sparingly, by weight,
not everything that pertains to the subject, and all Christendom knows that this
had been the case.
Meat By Weight.
Ezekiel was lying on his left side and eating for 390 years,
he was told: "And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight....Thou
shalt drink also water by measure." Ezekiel 4:10,11. The
"measure" and "weight" symbols signifying that God would
only give truth by measure, a little at a time, As the prophecy reads,
"from time to time shalt thou eat and drink", and so has God given
light a little at a time as we could grasp it. The Spirit of Prophecy confirms
this as it says: "Different periods in the history of the church have each
been marked by the development of some special truth adapted to the necessities
of God's people at that time." Great Controversy, pp. 609.
"Thou Shall Drink Also Water."
"Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part
of an hin: From time to time shalt thou drink." Ezekiel 4:11. Water, when
taken in, gives life; without it, existence would be impossible. Christ,
speaking to the woman at the well, said: "But the water that I shall give
him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
John 4:14. Christ referred to "water" as a symbol of everlasting life.
The meaning of the symbol of drinking the water with the barley cakes is that
souls were to be saved by each new truth (the Spirit of life).
Defiled Bread.
Wonderful prophecy as it is, the saddest part is now to be
told. The scripture about to be quoted has perhaps never been read publicly, or
reproduced in any literature, but if it was never to be studied out, read in
public, or published, God would never have placed it in the Bible. However, it
is there, no doubt for a purpose, and must be considered. The quotation as found
in Ezekiel 4:12-15 reads as follows: "And thou shalt eat it as barley
cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight.
And the Lord said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled
bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. Then said I, Ah Lord God!
behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have
I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came
there abominable flesh into my mouth. Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given
thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread
therewith."
As the barley cake that smote and ruined the Midianite tent
did forecast Divine aid for Gideon's victory over the Midianites, so the cereals
eaten as barley cakes do signify that the truths accepted were as of the Spirit,
as of Divine origin. In the preparation of them, though, is where the
objectionable part comes in.
The prophet was told that he could not use wood, or coal to
bake the cakes upon, but that he should use "dung that cometh out of a
man." To Ezekiel it was too repulsive, and he pleaded to be excused. The
Lord made an allowance, not by compulsion, but for Ezekiel's sake only, by
telling Ezekiel to bake it with "cow's dung". The 13th verse gives an
explanation of the symbol as follows: "And the Lord said, Even thus shall
the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles." The
meaning of the symbol is: Every portion of truth that has come so far, has been
polluted, including the last one (Sabbath), notwithstanding all the instructions
given us, line upon line, and precept upon precept. The picture tells the story;
symbols do not lie. If anyone doubts that we have polluted the Sabbath, just
check the references in the index of the Spirit of Prophecy and see what the
servant of the Lord has to say regarding the proper observance of the
Seventh-day Sabbath.
Though the grains are God's creation, showing that the
respective doctrines which they represent are in themselves Divine truth, yet
Ezekiel's visionally baking the symbolic cakes, of them on dung fire, shows that
these doctrines have been defiled---misinterpreted, added to and subtracted
from---minced, as it were, and then served.
There is no mystery in this, for everybody knows that the
winds of doctrine blowing from all directions, one contradicting the other,
cannot all be pure Bible truth. The only surprising part is that Inspiration
foresaw it so long ago, and that no one discovered it before Inspiration Itself
did unfold it.
God, of course, is not holding this against anyone, for He
says: "Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among
the Gentiles, whither I will drive them." Ezekiel 4:13. Thus Prophecy
declares that such has been the spiritual food with which the flock has been fed
for 390 years, the years during the Reformation.
This is the punishment which is to be meted to the house of
Israel during the years of its captivity among the Gentiles. And as neither
sacred nor profane history records that God's people were ever literally
subjected to food so prepared, the fact is conclusively substantiated that this
entire prophecy is symbolical. The six grains, therefore, can represent only
spiritual food which the flock fed on for 390 years.
Truth And Error Combined.
Let us turn now to the Spirit of Prophecy and see if truth
and error were combined during the Protestant Reformation "The Reformation
did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of
this world's history. Luther had a great work to do in reflecting to others the
light which God had permitted to shine upon him; yet he did not receive all the
light which was to be given to the world. From that time to this, new light has
been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths have been
constantly unfolding." Great Controversy, pp 148.
"Luther and his co-laborers accomplished a noble work
for God; but, coming as they did from the Roman Church, having themselves
believed and advocated her doctrines, it was not to be expected that they would
discern all these errors. It was their work to break the fetters of Rome, and to
give the Bible to the world; yet there were important truths which they failed
to discover, and grave errors which they did not renounce." The Spirit of
Prophecy Volume Four, pp. 180.
"Those who received the great blessings of the
Reformation did not go forward in the path so nobly entered upon by Luther. A
few faithful men arose from time to time, to proclaim new truth, and expose
long-cherished error; but the majority, like the Jews in Christ's day, or the
papists in the time of Luther, were content to believe as their fathers
believed, and to live as they lived. Therefore religion again degenerated into
formalism; and errors and superstitions which would have been cast aside had the
church continued to walk in the light of God's word, were retained and
cherished. Thus the spirit inspired by the Reformation gradually died out, until
there was almost as great need of reform in the Protestant churches as in the
Roman Church in the time of Luther. There was the same spiritual stupor, the
same respect for the opinions of men, the same spirit of worldliness, the same
substitution of human theories for the teachings of God's word. Pride and
extravagance were fostered under the guise of religion. The churches became
corrupted by allying themselves with the world. Thus were degraded the great
principles for which Luther and his fellow-laborers had done and suffered so
much." The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Four, pp. 194.
"Satan could no longer keep the Bible from the people;
it had been placed within the reach of all. But he led thousands to accept false
interpretations and unsound theories, without searching the Scriptures to learn
the truth for themselves. He had corrupted the doctrines of the Bible, and
traditions which were to ruin millions were taking deep root. The church was
upholding and defending these traditions, instead of contending for the faith
once delivered to the saints." The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Four, pp. 195.
"Though they did not see all things clearly, they were enabled to perceive
many long-buried truths." Great Controversy, pp. 79.
Even down in William Miller's time the Spirit of Prophecy
says: "Like the first disciples, William Miller and his associates did not,
themselves, fully comprehend the import of the message which they bore. Errors
that had been long established in the church prevented them from arriving at a
correct interpretation of an important point in the prophecy. Therefore, though
they proclaimed the message which God had committed to them to be given to the
world, yet through a misapprehension of its meaning they suffered
disappointment." Great Controversy, pp. 351-352.
The Beginning Of The 390 Years.
When do the two periods (the 390 years and the 40 years)
begin?---Obviously not at the time Samaria, the capital city of the ten tribes
kingdom, was invaded by Assyria, nor at the time Jerusalem, the capital city of
the two-tribe kingdom, was besieged by Babylon, for Ezekiel himself, not a
Gentile king, is to lay siege against Jerusalem and take it, not let it escape.
Neither could the period have terminated with Judah's
returning from Babylon to Jerusalem while rebuilding the temple and the city,
for Judah was in exile only about 70 years, not 430 years.
And finally, the ten tribes, the house of Israel, have never
to this day returned to their homeland. The majority of the Jews in their
homeland today are of the two tribes.
The entire symbolism must therefore be prophetic of the
church in the Christian dispensation. And as Ezekiel, figuratively God's
servants, has not yet taken Jerusalem, the time of his victory is yet future.
But when exactly does the period begin?---The only logical
answer is: When the Protestant Reformation began---When the church first began
to be besieged or protested against. The 390 years therefore must begin around
the year 1500 A.D. The 1962 World Book Encyclopedia, Vol . 15 p. 188 tells us:
The "Reformation..., was a religious movement of the 1500's that resulted
in the establishment of Protestantism. Martin Luther, a German monk and scholar,
was one of the important leaders of the movement."
The Spirit of Prophecy says: ". . .the seeds of the
Reformation that began in the time of Wycliffe, grew broad and deep in the days
of Luther, and is to be carried forward to the close of time by those who also
are willing to suffer all things for "the word of God, and for the
testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9." Great Controversy, pp.
78.
The End Of The 390 Years.
Thus we conclude that the 390 years began in 1500. The end of
the 390 years brings us to the year 1890. What is the significance of that date?
We must remember that the main burden of Ezekiel's prophecy is that of
Reformation. Did anything happen in 1890 that had anything to do with a
Reformation? 1890 is a very significant date to us as Seventh-day Adventists.
Just as we have read in several places that the Reformation was not to end with
Luther, but that it was to continue right on down to the end of time (G.C. 78,
148), so in 1890 the Lord attempted to continue the Reformation in the house of
Judah (His remnant church-SDA).
It is interesting to note the comparison of ancient Israel
with modern Israel. Just as the ancient kingdom was split into two kingdoms,
Israel and Judah, so today we find Protestantism split over the Sabbath. The
majority today in Protestantism keep Sunday and the minority keep the Seventh
day Sabbath. Thus in this particular prophecy, we can clearly see the two houses
of Israel.
As was brought out in booklet #11, "1888 Repeated",
the Lord attempted to bring about a Reformation in our midst, so that He could
pour out His Holy Spirit in Pentecostal power to enable us (the house of Judah)
to complete the Reformation that started in 1500. As you know God's people were
given two years to accept or reject the message of Jones and Waggoner (see: C.
O. R. 51). But as we all know His attempt failed as the angel of Revelation 18
was resisted or turned back as we are told: "The light that is to lighten
the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own
brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world." 1 Selected
Messages, pp. 235.
Judah's 40 Years Wilderness Wandering.
Because of the rejection of the message by Jones and Waggoner
which would have brought about a great reformation among God's people in
1888-1890, we had to wander 40 years without any new truths or (grains). Jones
and Waggoner's message would have been the 7th Grain of truth which would have
made our message complete. Thus we see that when the Loud Cry begins, we will
have the message in its completeness. When the church is purified and the Holy
Spirit is poured out on God's church, there will be no contamination or
pollution of the doctrines. The Spirit of Prophecy confirms the fact that there
would be an absence of light or truth for a period of time as the servant of the
Lord said, "I am authorized from God to tell you that not another ray of
light through the Testimonies will shine upon your pathway until you make a
practical use of the light already given. The Lord has walled you about with
light; but you have not appreciated the light; you have trampled upon it. While
some have despised the light, others have neglected it or followed it but
indifferently. A few have set their hearts to obey the light which God has been
pleased give them." Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, pp. 666.
Please notice the difference in the two time periods. During
the 390 years Ezekiel was to feed on the six grains (spiritual food) or
doctrines that came during the Reformation, which included the truths of 1844
that our denomination brought in, namely the Sabbath and the Sanctuary truths.
But during the 40 years that followed when Ezekiel was to lie on his right side
for Judah, he was to fast as Ezekiel 4:9 says he was to eat for only 390 days
(or years). This clearly shows that as a denomination there was to be more new
truths (grains) revealed until after the 40 years had expired.
End Of The 40 Year Fast.
Thus we see that for 390 years, from 1500 to 1890, God's
people were to be fed intermittently on the six spiritual grains. But during the
40 years that immediately followed · from 1890-1930), Judah was to go on a
spiritual fast. At the end of this 40 year fast we should have been expecting
another spiritual feast. In the book, "Christ Our Righteousness", we
are told that the message Jones and Waggoner tried to bring in 1890 would come
back again in the closing work for the church, as we are told: "Not only
was it in the purpose of God to set this message of Righteousness by Faith
before His church; it was to be given to the world. And finally, it is declared
to be the 'third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice,
and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.' It is
evident that the application of this message was not limited to the time of the
Minneapolis Conference, but that its application extends to the close of time;
and consequently it is of greater significance to the church at the present time
than it could have been in 1888. The nearer we approach the great day of God,
the more imperative will be the need of the soul-cleansing work which that
message was sent to do. Surely we have every reason for a new, more
whole-hearted study and proclamation of that message.
"God's messages and providence's are always great with
meaning. They are always necessary for the accomplishment of the particular work
with which they are connected He orders them for the fulfillment of His
purposes. They cannot be set aside. They cannot fail. Sooner or later they will
be understood, accepted, and given their proper place. Therefore it must be
expected that the message of Righteousness by Faith, which came so definitely to
the church in 1888, will be accorded a dominant Place in the closing period of
the great movement with which we are connected." Christ Our Righteousness,
pp. 26.
In speaking of the rejection of the 1888 message, the author
of the book, "Christ Our Righteousness" says: " . . . through the
intervening years there has been steadily developing the desire and hope---yes,
the belief---that someday the message of Righteousness by Faith would shine
forth in all its inherent worth, glory, and power, and receive full
recognition." Christ Our Righteousness, pp. 43-43.
In 1888 we only got the glimmerings of the message that was
to come, as the servant of the Lord said: "We have only the glimmerings of
the rays of the light that is yet to come to us. We are not making the most of
the light which the Lord has already given us, and thus we fail to receive the
increased light; we do not walk in light already shed upon us." R&H
June 3, 1890.
Elder A.T. Jones, one of the men through whom the Lord used
to bring the 1888 message said: "That (the 1888 experience) however, is but
a sample. There will be things to come that will be more surprising than that
was to those at Minneapolis, more surprising than anything we have yet seen. And
brethren, we will be required to receive and preach that truth. But unless you
and I have every fiber of that spirit rooted out of our hearts, we will treat
that message and the messenger by whom it is sent, as God has declared we have
treated this other message." General Conference Bulletin, 1893 p. 185.
Latter Rain In Two Phases.
In booklet #11, it was brought out how the latter rain first
comes in the form of a message, then after the message has prepared the heart
for the Spirit, then the power will be poured out. Thus about 1930, after the 40
year fast had expired, we should have been expecting the completion of that
message that originated in 1888-1890 to come back and do the work that should
have been done at that time. The power cannot come until the message has
prepared the soil of the heart. The Lord cannot trust us with that great
Pentecostal power until we are a purified people. In 1890 our denomination as a
body rejected the message that was to unfold the truth of "righteousness by
faith" and the "righteousness of Christ", the very truth that
again began to unfold in 1930 the Truth that we are now feasting on! God in His
mercy, therefore, laid their iniquity upon the prophet Ezekiel during those 40
years,---gave them a chance through "righteousness by grace" so that
they might have opportunity now to enter into "righteousness by faith,
" and thus reap the reward of "the righteousness of Christ".
Here we see that history repeats itself: Ancient Israel's
giving ear to the evil report which the ten spies brought caused them to lose
faith in the power of God, and did therefore, set themselves back 40 years from
entering the Promised Land.
In like manner, the Denomination, you see, has from 1890 to
1930 been wandering in the wilderness, as it were. They have, we might say, been
put on trial. Here is where you plainly see that the ancient wilderness
wandering was typical. Here type meets antitype. And their rejecting
"righteousness by faith", you perceive, did not mean that God was
defeated and that He would therefore never again bring to us the same Truth
which could have been theirs forty years earlier.
Moreover, just as those who in Moses' time refused to advance
by faith died in the wilderness, so the men who in the years 1888-1890 were
responsible for refusing to advance in Truth, died before God came back with it
the second time. Finally, as the second ancient effort to take the land
succeeded immediately after Achan, the last sinner in that day, was stoned, so
the second effort of today must, too, succeed right after the Achans of today
are destroyed by the angels of Ezekiel Nine. The judgment commences in
Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah.
We Have Done Worse Than They.
"Had the whole Adventist body united upon the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, how widely different would have been
our history!
"It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ
should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people, Israel, should
wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them directly to the
land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy, happy people. But
those to whom it was first preached, went not in "because of
unbelief." Their hearts were filled with murmuring, rebellion, and hatred,
and He could not fulfill His covenant with them.
"For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion
shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the
entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the
promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration,
and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of
sin and sorrow so many years.-- Manuscript 4, 1883.
"Charge It Not to God.--We may have to remain here in
this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of
Israel; but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging
God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action." Evangelism
pp. 695-696.
"I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for
these last days think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they
journeyed; that after the wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be so
ungrateful as to forget what He had done for them. Said the angel: "Ye have
done worse than they." Testimonies for the Church Volume One, pp. 129.
If type meets antitype in this case, then as a denomination
we should have expected a revival and the completion of the 1888 Message in
1930. Can we not see how we have done worse than they (Ancient Israel)? They
only wandered 40 years. How long will Modern Israel wander before they get the
Pentecostal power?
What Channels Would The Lord Use This Second Time?
We are told that "A revival of true godliness among us
is the greatest of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work." 1
S.M. 121. If a message of Revival and Reformation should come to God's people
today, would we recognize it? Would it come through the expected channels? Let
us see what the more sure word of Prophecy says: "I have been shown that
Jesus will reveal to us precious old truths in a new light, if we are ready to
receive them; but they must be received in the very way in which the Lord shall
choose to send them. With humble, softened hearts, with respect and love for one
another, search your Bibles. The light may not come in accordance with plans
that men may devise." The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, pp. 167.
"Light must come to the people through agents whom God
shall choose, who will give the note of warning, that none may be in ignorance
of the purposes of God or the devices of Satan. At the great heart of the work,
Satan will use his hellish arts to the utmost. He will seek in every possible
way to interpose himself between the people and God, and shut away the light
that God would have come to his children." Advent Review and Sabbath
Herald, Dec. 24,1889.
"Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the
reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of
Scripture is presented, many do not ask, Is it true--in harmony with God's word?
but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that
pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their
own ideas that they will not examine the Scripture evidence with a desire to
learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices.
The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He surprises
us by revealing His power through instruments of His own choice, while He passes
by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God
desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits--because it is truth."
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 105-106.
"When a new view is presented, the question is often
asked, 'Who are its advocates? What is the position of influence of the one who
would teach us who have been students of the Bible for many years?' God will
send His words of warning by whom He will send. And the question to be settled
is not what person is it who brings the message; this does not in any way affect
the word spoken. 'By their fruits ye shall know them.'
". . . there are good things to come to the people of
God in a way that we had not discerned; and that there will be resistance from
the very ones we expected to engage in such a work." Manuscript Releases
Volume Sixteen, pp. 106.
How Would We Expect The Majority To React To This Message?
"The third angel's message will not be comprehended, the
light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light,
by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory." Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, May, 27 1890.
"Prejudice is even stronger in the hearts of men now
than in Christ's day." Desire Of Ages, pp. 587.
"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." Great Controversy, pp. 608.
"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." Testimonies for the Church Volume One, pp.
608.
We must not allow ourselves to be discouraged as the Lord has
told us that He is going to have 144,000 first fruits from His remnant church
that will make up His Loud-cry ministry. "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. . . ." Selected Messages
Book 3, pp. 385. Yes, God will have a royal priesthood in which to pour out His
latter rain in power.
All In One Vessel.
The Lord said to the prophet Ezekiel, "Put them in one
vessel" (Ezek. 4:9). It will now be considered as to whether he really did
put all these doctrines in one vessel. Luther believed in the doctrine he
taught, but the great enemy flooded the church with deception. Not with arguing
the truth. No, no. But suggesting to the people that they now have all the
truth, and that they surely were right, thus hardening their hearts against more
light. Soon additional truth came, but Satan had already flooded the church with
his agents, and prejudice was aroused against the new light. The result was that
the majority turned down the truth. A few saw the light, and as the case
generally is, they were voted out by the church. Necessity gave birth to a new
movement, or denomination. Such has been the experience with the church in each
advancing truth up the line to our own time. However, in our day, we are the
last church, Laodecia. The Lord will not start another denomination. He will
purify the one He has to complete the work in the world.
In like manner, the truth represented by the barley (Spirit)
as turned down by those who had accepted the doctrine symbolized by the wheat
(faith). Knox believed in all the truth he had and also all the truth Luther
taught. Thus the wheat and the barley were in one vessel and carried to the
second step.
We next have the truth symbolized by the beans (grace) and
presented by Wesley, who believed also in the truths previously taught by Luther
and Knox, which were represented by the wheat and barley. The third step was
made, and the wheat, barley, and beans were in one vessel. The fourth truth was
represented by lentils (baptism by immersion) and taught by Campbell, who
believed in the doctrines of Luther, Knox, and Wesley. Thus the wheat, barley,
beans and lentils were carried to the fourth step, and in one vessel. The fifth
truth (2300 days) was represented by millet, and this step upward was made by
William Miller who believed in all the truths symbolized by wheat, barley,
beans, and lentils. The fifth step was made and the five varieties of food or
truth were carried in one vessel.
We now come to the last variety of the cereals:
"fitches" (Sabbath), in connection with the judgment. Is it not a fact
that our Seventh-day Adventist denomination believes in all these truths: The
wheat (faith); barley (Holy Spirit); beans (grace); lentils (immersion); millet
(2300 days); fitches or spelt (Sabbath, with the sanctuary truth)? It will be
noticed that the Lord said, "Put them in one vessel". He did not say
in two, or more, but in one. There are no other people besides Seventh-day
Adventists who believe in the 2300 days (cleansing of the Sanctuary), and it is
this denomination (vessel) who teaches all the six doctrine as represented by
the six varieties of food. Thus the prophecy meets its fulfillment in our day,
and we are amazed with the difficulty to comprehend the great wisdom of the Lord
our God. * (Fitches, see Bible margin-Spelt).
The Seventh Step or Grain.
In this prophecy we find there are only six portions, and
that only six steps have been made. Luther, Knox, Wesley, Campbell, Miller and
White. The number "six" is not a perfect number. It is evident then,
that there is still another portion to follow, and a step to climb.
"Seven" is the perfect, Biblical number. The question is, Why was not
the seventh portion included in this prophecy? Because the six were polluted;
defiled with man's preparation, man's thoughts; and plans have been injected and
followed, which-in God's sight are as "dung". It is not to be so with
the seventh, for it is the last; it must be pure. Years ago we were told of the
importance to hold the truth in its purity. "Many, many are very dull of
comprehension in regard to their obligation to preserve the truth in its purity,
uncontaminated by one vestige of error. . . ." Counsels on Health, pp. 290.
This last portion, pure and undefiled, is represented by the
Angel of Rev. 18:1, "And after these things I saw another angel come down
from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his
glory." It is at this time that Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled. Isa.
52:1, 2: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful
garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City: For henceforth there shall no more come
into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise,
and sit down, O Jerusalem: Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck. O captive
daughter of Zion (God's pure church)."
Nahum also refers to Judah's purification. "Behold upon
the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!
O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more
pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." Nah. 1:15.
Note the last part of the first verse: "For henceforth
there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean."
There has always been in the church the uncircumcised, the unclean, and
unconverted, in all her history, but here the prophet declares there shall be
"no more". Let us give thanks to our God for this precious promise,
and for the revelation of His Word. Zephaniah also declares, "The remnant
of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful
tongue be found in their mouth: For they shall feed and lie down and none shall
make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13. In Prophets and Kings, page 725, we read:
"Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon
her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army
with banners,' she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to
conquer."
But how shall we attain this perfection? It will not be easy,
Unless we make an effort we shall never reach the mark, for the enemy is not
leaving one string loose. He has interfered all the way, in every step, and
every part of the truth, and his plans are stronger now than ever before.
Nevertheless, prophecy has declared that the 144,000 have not bowed a knee to
Baal, "and in their mouth was found no guile: For they are without fault
before the throne of God." Rev. 14:5. What will it be when 144,000 without
guile, spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, filled with the Spirit of God,
compass the globe? Such is the beginning of the seventh step. No wonder the
prophet declared, "the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no more come
into thee". "And I shall make her a strong nation." Micah 4:7.
While the prophecy of the 430 years (390 + 40) finds its
beginning with the Reformation by Luther, and others, the lesson is for this
time, and the people of this age. Never before has this prophecy been
understood, and, until now, no one ever received much from it, but when the time
is fulfilled, God makes it known. Thus has He led His people on and on.
"In every age there is a new development of truth, a
message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all
essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It
is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new."
Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 127 .
"Opposition is the lot of all whom God employs to
present truths specially applicable to their time. There was a present truth in
the days of Luther,--a truth at that time of special importance; there is a
present truth for the church today." Great Controversy, pp. 143 .
Time Setting
"Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never
again be a test." Early Writings, pp. 75.
An example of "time setting" was the declaration by
William Miller in 1833 concerning the end of the 2300 days which culminated in
1844, This truly was a test to the people of that day. He predicted the end of
that prophetic period about ten years prior to its fulfillment.
The prophecy of Ezekiel 4 cannot be classified as "time
setting", as it was not revealed until the prophetic period had already
ended.
Summary The
Great Apostasy.
In the beginning of our study we were reminded of the Great
Apostasy of the Christian Church, how it originated and the rise of the Papal
power and the succeeding period known as the "dark ages".
Protestant Reformation.
In the process of time the Lord restored the truths that had
been trodden to the ground. He restored these truths through the reformers
during the time of the great Protestant Reformation.
Extent Of The Reformation.
One of the main figures at the beginning of the Reformation
was Martin Luther. The Reformation extended to every nation in Christendom.
Protestant Reformation In Prophecy.
We found that the Great Protestant Reformation was predicted
in prophecy many centuries before it commenced. We found this prophecy in
Ezekiel, Chapter 4: In chapter 4 is found a vision in which Ezekiel himself is
told to lay plans to besiege Jerusalem, the church, or in other words to protest
against it, and to take it. The Jerusalem here portrayed is shown as having been
drawn away from God and that He is endeavoring to rescue her, to effect a
reformation in her midst. For such cause, therefore, is Ezekiel's siege.
Iron Wall
In Ezekiel's vision we found that Luther's opposition to the
false doctrines of Rome was symbolized by an Iron wall.
Israel's 390 Years Of Grace.
In Ezekiel 4 we found that Ezekiel was figuratively to lie on
his left side and to bear the iniquity for Israel (the ten tribe-kingdom) for
390 years. Before the 390 years had expired, God had winked at their ignorance
(Acts 17:30). After the truths of the Reformation had all been restored, after
the 390 years had expired, Israel would have to pay for their own iniquity as
they then had no excuse for sinning. They then knew better.
Three Steps Of Righteousness.
We found there are three (3) steps that everyone must take in
order to obtain eternal life. We are first invited to accept Christ, not because
of any merits of our own, but through "righteousness by grace". After
we accept Christ,---then we must make progress in the Christian life and
overcome through "righteousness by faith". If we are faithful and
endure until the end then we are rewarded with the "righteousness of
Christ". The first step, righteousness by grace is what was granted to
Israel during the Protestant Reformation or the 390 years in which Ezekiel was
to lie on his left side. After the 390 years had expired, after the truths of
the Reformation had been restored, then Israel was no longer in ignorance and
they would have to pay for their own iniquity.
Judah's 40 Years Of Grace.
Ezekiel was figuratively to lie on his right side for 40
years for Judah, the two-tribe kingdom, after the 390 years for Israel had
expired. Thus we see that Ezekiel's main burden in chapter 4 is that of
Reformation, Reformation in both houses of Israel. The Great Protestant
Reformation was to begin in the house of Israel in about 1500 A.D. and 390 years
later in the house of Judah, about 1890. Thus we can see that the 430 years
includes not only the Great Protestant Reformation but also an attempt by the
Lord to continue that reformation right on down to the remnant church. And lust
as in the time of Martin Luther, at the beginning of the Reformation, it took a
period of time to effect the desired result, so with God's remnant church today.
As stated before, in 1890, the Lord attempted to continue the reformation but
God's own people turned it down and thus Modern Israel (Judah) had to wander in
the wilderness 40 years, or as Ezekiel describes it, was on a 40 year spiritual
fast. (See: 1 S.M. 234-235, 5 T. 266).
Just as the Protestant Reformation took time to reach its
climax (G.C. 142), likewise it will take time for Judah (God's remnant church)
to experience the ultimate success of Reformation. Even though the work of
Reformation has been frustrated for a time, nevertheless we are assured that it
will eventually triumph as the servant of the Lord said: ""I have been
deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night
season. There seemed to be a great movement -- a work of revival -- going
forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God's
call. My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us." Life Sketches of Ellen G.
White, pp. 425.
"In visions of the night, representations passed before
me of a great reformatory movement among God's people. Many were praising God.
The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession
was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds and
thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God.
Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine
conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the
proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly
influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I
heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation
such as we witnessed in 1844." Testimonies for the Church Volume Nine, pp.
126.
"Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the
earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive
godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power
of God will be poured out upon His children." Great Controversy, pp. 464.
(See: Great Controversy, pp. 611-612),
When the Lord attempted to bring the Reformation to the house
of Judah in 1890, it failed as the angel of Rev. 18: was resisted or turned
back, therefore Judah began her 40 year fast because of her rejection of the
1888 message. (See: 1 S.M. 234-235). Just as ancient Israel had to wander in the
wilderness because of unbelief for 40 years, so modern Israel (Judah), had to
wander 40 years. In 1930, 40 years after the rejection of the Loud Cry message
by Jones and Waggoner, the Lord in His great mercy sent again a message of
Revival and Reformation to His people pleading with them to revive and reform
else He would have no other alternative but to "spue" them out of His
mouth. (See: Rev. 3:14-22). These messages that you have been feasting on thus
far is a part of that message. We are told that we have done worse than ancient
Israel. See: 1T. p. 129. How have we done worse than they? Ancient Israel only
wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Modern Israel (Judah's) 40 years was up
in 1930 and we still have not entered into God's Kingdom because of unbelief.
How much longer will the Lord bear with us---we do not know. We do know that the
Great Protestant Reformation took longer than was expected before it reached its
final climax. We do know that time cannot continue much longer as the 6000 years
is nearly finished. (See: G.C. X; P.P., 342). The servant of the Lord told us
years ago that the work is years behind. " If every watchman on the walls
of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have
heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have
slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us." 9 T. 29 (1909).
"The great leaders of religious thought in this
generation sound the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the
seed of truth centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample down the
growth springing from the same seed today? The old cry is repeated, "We
know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow [Christ in the messenger He
sends], we know not from whence he is." John 9:29. As in earlier ages, the
special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities,
but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word
of God." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 79.
"Our responsibility is greater than was that of our
ancestors. We are accountable for the light which they received, and which was
handed down as an inheritance for us, and we are accountable also for the
additional light which is now shining upon us from the word of God." Great
Controversy, p. 164.
The 1888 message has come back again to prepare us for the
Pentecostal power which will enable us to complete the mighty Reformation that
Martin Luther began. Thus we see that the material for the Loud Cry is all ready
and waiting. Who among us will respond?