Gospel Sounders Rekindling Reformation Ministry

A Mysterious Procession – An answer to the View that GCSDA is not Babylon

I thought this is a subject that is understood among us as Seventh Day Adventists but I find that it is still elusive to many. A few thoughts in a small article would then suffice to give us a solid ground to investigate bout this subject matter.

 

Is There Ever a Reason given for Adventists to leave their Church? Let us investigate this together.

 

• To divide the church of Christ was a sin, in the days of the apostles. When did it cease to be a sin? The answer must be, never; that which was once a sin, is always a sin. There can be no excuse for separating from a church UNLESS IT BE THAT IT IS NOT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. If the Roman church was the church of Christ, the Protestants sinned in separating from her. If the Episcopalian church was the church of Christ, Methodists and all other dissenters from her, sinned in leaving her; and if the Methodist, the Presbyterian, the Baptist, or any other church that has become divided, is the church of Christ, then the numerous sects, which are off-shoots from these, were conceived in sin and born in iniquity. BUT IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THESE SECEDERS HAVE BEEN REAL REFORMERS, IF THEIR ADHERENCE TO TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, WAS THE CAUSE OF THEIR SEPARATION, THEN THE CHURCHES THEY LEFT NEEDED REFORMATION AND WERE NOT, AS BODIES, THE PURE CHURCHES OF CHRIST; AND BEING DESERTED BY MANY OF THE BEST, LIVING MEMBERS, were in a worse and more lifeless condition than before, IF NOT WHOLLY REJECTED OF GOD FOR THEIR corruptions, and unwillingness to reform. {January 24, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 65.15}

 

It is asserted that “According to Rev 3; the last church of God on earth is characterized by the church of Laodicea. It would be contended that this is the same church that sounded the 1st and 2nd angel’s messages but is failing its duties currently. That being the case, if there’s another “church” calling out the true believers from it, then does God have another church after the church of Laodicea? Isn’t the OTG movement also part of the Laodicea or does the OTG movement stand above rebuke? Why aren’t there any sounding alarm against the OTG movement from within?”

 

My first answers would be

 

• It’s Philadelphia which sounded the 1^st and 2^nd angles message that the bible says there has been set an open door to them.

 

• Revelation 3:7: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9: Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan [LAODICEA SDA, this will be confirmed later], which say they are Jews [SDA], and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. [THOSE WHO WORSHIP AT THE FEET OF LAODICEA ARE NOT SAVED]

 

• This is the door to the most holy place. Laodicea came into scene after that door was opened in 1844 and became full-fledged Laodiceans in 1870s

 

• Sister Palmer has not, during her religious experience, given evidence that she has that love that can bear any comparison with that of her Saviour. Love one another, says Christ, as I have loved you. This command does not merely reach to the members of our own families. It reaches to our brethren, sisters, and even unbelievers. The supreme love which sister Palmer has ever had for herself has stood directly in the way of her spiritual advancement, and if continued, will surely prevent her perfecting a Christian character. Sister Palmer is deceived in herself. She thinks she is in a favorable condition before God, when the message to the Laodicean church applies to her. “I know thy works [it is not the profession that God regards, but works], that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” {1872: PH138 47.2}

 

• The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth. The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal. God signified that He wanted men at the great heart of the work to correct the state of things existing there and to stand like faithful sentinels at their post of duty. He has given them light at every point, to instruct, encourage, and confirm them, as the case required. But notwithstanding all this, those who should be faithful and true, fervent in Christian zeal, of gracious temper, knowing and loving Jesus earnestly, are found aiding the enemy to weaken and discourage those whom God is using to build up the work. The term “lukewarm” is applicable to this class. They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the principles of their faith. {1876-1881: 4T 87.1}

 

• “Soon after we had embraced the view that the testimony of the Revelation to the Laodicean church applies to our time, we visited Round Grove, Illinois. Here we labored some weeks, and the Lord blessed our efforts. In a vision given me there, I was shown the state of some brethren who had moved to Waukon, Iowa. Nearly all of them were in darkness, opposed to the work of God. Their sympathy had been withdrawn from the Review Office, and from the church of God generally. Satan had planted the seeds of dissatisfaction, and the fruit was ripening. {1888: LS88 329.2}

 

• God is leading out a people. He has a chosen people, a church on the earth whom He has made the depositaries of His law. He has committed to them [a] sacred trust and eternal truth to be given to the world. He would reprove and correct them. The message to the Laodiceans is applicable to Seventh-day Adventists who have had great light and have not walked in the light. It is those who have made great profession, but have not kept in step with the Leader, that will be spewed out of His mouth unless they repent. The message to pronounce the church Babylon and call the people of God out of her does not come from any heavenly messenger, or any human agent inspired by the Spirit of God. {1893: Lt16-1893}

 

Now someone may jump up and say hurrah, you see, no calling out people from the church of God. Hold. It’s the deception of not understanding what is the church that will lead someone to jump and clap that Laodicea is a church and it’s going through. Laodicea is a condition; it’s a condition in the last professed Christendom in the world and all must be called out of it and repent,. Repent to what? To Philadelphia. The church of God will never become Babylon whatsoever and people will never be called out. It is a movement marching to its destiny.

 

• “God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people. The truth is a sanctifying power; but the church militant is not the church triumphant. There are tares among the wheat. ‘Wilt thou then that we . . . gather them up?’ was the question of the servant; but the master answered, ‘Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.’ The gospel net draws not only good fish, but bad ones as well, and the Lord only knows who are His. {TM 61.2}

 

• “God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Where Christ is, even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city, [or] enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles’ of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God’s great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God. ¶ All things shall work together for good to those who love God. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock.” — 17MR 81.4 – 82.1 – EGW

 

• A congregation may be the poorest in the land. It may be without the attraction of any outward show; but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ, they will have His joy in their souls. Angels will unite with them in their worship. The praise and thanksgiving from grateful hearts will ascend to God as a sweet oblation. {COL 298.3}

 

• The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles’ of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God’s great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God. {17MR 81.4}

 

• “We are not saved as a sect; no denominational name has any virtue to bring us into favor with God. We are saved individually as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.” — (E.G. White, RH, Feb 10, 1891)

 

• There is but one name by which men may be saved. It is not the name of any sect or denomination. It is not by protesting against the errors committed under the name and authority of any hierarchy, while neglecting to pick the beam from their own eyes. It is not by declaring loudly against the errors of others, while failing themselves to walk with humility and meekness in the steps of the Master. If this be so – as it is – where will they be who are striving among themselves for the mastery? – who are organising to combat one another, – not going forth two by two to preach the Word, to warn the world, to heal the sick, and bring the Gospel to them that hunger for God’s last message of joy to the world. The inner purpose of every human organisation is known to God. It can not be concealed from Him, – nor from those who serve Him in truth, – if their purpose is not to serve God: and, whatever their purpose, they cannot by the use of legal and military force serve the God of peace. It makes no difference what these organisations may call themselves; whether they be professedly religious, civil, or military, – if their methods and purposes are not those of the God of peace and justice, they are the final expression of a civilised paganism, or a highly developed ecclesiasticism, or a combination of both, in a last desperate allegiance to fight the battles of Satan against God and His goodness. [PTUK June 4, 1896, p. 359.2]

 

• 1Timothy 3:15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

• The Laodicean message applies to all who profess to keep the law of God, and yet are not doers of it. We are not to be selfish in anything. Every phase of the Christian life is to be a representation of the life of Christ. If it is not, we shall hear the terrible words, “I know you not” (1899: RH Oct. 17, 1899).

 

• Many of the OTG movements are as surely as Laodiceans as are other Independent Ministries [Atoms], as are foolish virgins, as is apostate Protestantism the daughters of Babylon as are worldlings and unbelievers and need the message to Laodicea. All denominations prior to 1844 which did not move to the Most Holy Place through the first and second angel’s message proclamation became daughters of Babylon. All the new ones after 1844 which does not continue in those messages of Philadelphia and proclaim the third becomes sisters to Babylon only giving birth to dissident daughters. We are having the church of God on one side and the Babylonians on the other side. Only two movements in the world.

 

Again, it’s not Laodicea that sounded the 1st and 2nd angels message it’s Philadelphia. Again Laodicea is not a church but a condition of nominal Adventism which everyone must come out of and be restored to Philadelphia. Laodicea is a condition referred to the foolish virgins and the whole world who have rejected truth. At the end of the day, we shall have only two groups standing, Babylonians and Philadelphians.

 

• Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots.” By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world. The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God’s people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these churches took a noble stand for God and the truth, and His blessing was with them. Even the unbelieving world was constrained to acknowledge the beneficent results that followed an acceptance of the principles of the gospel. In the words of the prophet to Israel: “Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.” But they fell by the same desire which was the curse and ruin of Israel–the desire of imitating the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly. “Thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.” Ezekiel 16:14, 15. {GC 382.3}

 

• The term Babylon, derived from Babel, and signifying confusion, is applied in Scripture to the various forms of false or apostate religion. But the message announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to some religious body that was once pure, and has become corrupt. It cannot be the Romish Church which is here meant; for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. But how appropriate the figure as applied to the Protestant churches, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects. The unity for which Christ prayed does not exist. Instead of one Lord, one faith, one baptism, there are numberless conflicting creeds and theories. Religious faith appears so confused and discordant that the world know not what to believe as truth. God is not in all this; it is the work of man,–the work of Satan. {4SP 232.2}

 

• “Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely. Some matters must be withheld because some persons would make an improper use of the light given. Every jot and tittle is essential and must appear at an opportune time. In the past, the testimonies were carefully prepared before they were sent out for publication. And all matter is still carefully studied after the first writing. {PH116 25a.1}

 

• The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the word of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach. {UL 131.3}

 

Revelation 2:5:

• Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

 

I saw that God has honest children AMONG THE NOMINAL ADVENTISTS and THE FALLEN CHURCHES, and BEFORE the plagues shall be poured out, MINISTERS AND PEOPLE WILL BE CALLED OUT FROM THESE CHURCHES AND WILL GLADLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, THAT THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED THE TRUTH MAY THINK THAT GOD IS WITH THEM. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest WILL LEAVE THE FALLEN CHURCHES, AND TAKE THEIR STAND WITH THE REMNANT. {EW 261.1}

 

The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state. The True Witness declares, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in the throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” {RH, August 19, 1890 par. 10}

 

Note above

• The Laodicean message is for the whole world as the message of the foolish virgins

 

Shall Seventh-day Adventists walk in the same path as did the Jewish nation? Shall the message to the Laodicean church be applicable to this people? Shall those who have seen great light, who have had large opportunities and many privileges, cease to do service as witnesses for Christ? Those who know the truth, but who feel no special burden to reveal corresponding works, will be like that servant who knew his Master’s will, but did it not. {19MR 172.3}

 

If ever a people were represented by the Laodicean message, it is the people who have had great light, the revelation of the Scriptures, that Seventh-day Adventists have received. In the place of exalting self by manifesting pride, self-reliance, and self-importance; in the place of revealing personal weakness of character by remaining proud, boastful, and unconverted; God’s professed people should realize their need of the graces of the Spirit of truth and righteousness. They should come to Jesus in childlike trustfulness, the melting love of God filling every heart. Never should they cherish thoughts of self-exaltation or dependence on human capabilities. Never should they think that they can exercise the power that comes from God alone. {18MR 193.2}

 

The Laodicean message has been sounding. Take this message in all its phases and sound it forth to the people wherever Providence opens the way. Justification by faith and the righteousness of Christ are the themes to be presented to a perishing world. Oh, that you may open the door of your heart to Jesus! The voice of Jesus, the great vendor of heavenly treasures, is calling to you, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed.” But I will write no more. My heart is drawn out in love toward you, and my desire is that you shall triumph with the third angel’s message.–Letter 24, 1892.

 

I tell you, my brother and sister, we are living in the Laodicean state of the church. If any ever needed to fall upon the rock and be broken, it is the people of California and all through our church in America. We need to arouse and act as one man. We need to be earnest and alive. Horrors upon horrors are following upon the destruction of human life. Yet these things receive only a few remarks. The world will not be warned: but the day of the Lord is coming unawares, as a thief in the night. (Signed) E. G. White. {SpM 45.1}

 

Which proves that Laodicea is more of a condition and not just a church per se for it encompasses even the unbelievers. Also, note above she differentiated the “state” from the “church”. A church is in a “state” the state is not the church nor the “church” the state. Am in Kenya am a Kenyan am not Kenya. Kenyans live in Kenya but they are not Kenya. Again the wise virgins who awake from Laodicean state and come out of nominal adventism have to join the procession of midnight cry. Observe this:

 

Matthew 25

• There is a mysterious procession that is accompanying the Bridegroom, who give the Midnight Cry, which arouses all ten of the sleeping virgins. Please note, the wise do NOT give the Midnight Cry. The best that they can do, is to join this mysterious procession which goes in with the Bridegroom into the festal hall. While the foolish virgins are left behind to try and buy the oil of the Holy Spirit when it is too late.

 

“At the call, the sleeping eyes are opened, and every one is aroused. They see the procession they are to join moving on, bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. The five wise virgins trim their lamps, and go forth to meet the bridegroom. The foolish virgins made no provision for their lamps; and when aroused from their slumbers, they found that their lights were going out. … But while they went to buy, the procession moved on, and left them behind. The bridal train entered the house, and the door was shut. When the foolish virgins reached the banqueting hall, they received an unexpected denial. They were left outside in the blackness of the night. [RH, October 31, 1899 par. 5, 6]

 

“While the foolish virgins awoke to find their lamps burning dimly, or going out in the darkness, the wise virgins, with their lamps burning brightly, entered the festal hall, and the gates were shut. Greatly rejoicing at the sound of the bridegroom’s voice, they joined the bridal procession.” [RH, July 20, 1897]

 

Question

Which group has the presence of the Bridegroom [Jesus] with them?

The sleeping Ten Virgins or The Procession?

 

Answer:

The procession of course!

 

The Testimony of Jesus has made it very clear, that the wise virgins have to join this mysterious procession that is passing along with Christ on its way to the festal hall. It is this procession with Jesus who gives the Midnight Cry to the Ten sleeping Virgins.

 

NOTE

• That little word “join” in connection with this mysterious procession is significant, because it indicates that the wise virgins have to join something that they are not already part of. Just as the Testimony of Jesus teaches us that we have to join the church triumphant. You don’t join something if you are already a part of it!

 

• This procession which the wise virgins have to join, is described by the Testimony of Jesus, as being “the company that walked in the light given to them.”

 

“Had those who claimed to believe the truth acted their part as wise virgins [THEY DID NOT THEY SLEPT LIKE THE FOOLISH ONES], the message would ere this have been given to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But five were foolish. The truth should have been proclaimed by the ten virgins, but only five had made the provision essential TO JOIN THE COMPANY THAT WALKED IN THE LIGHT GIVEN TO THEM.to join the company that walked in the light given to them. {RH, October 31, 1899 par. 10}” Emphasis and brackets mine

 

The key to understanding the Message to the Laodicea is Matthew 25 and Revelation 18:

 

I saw a number of companies who seemed to be bound together by cords. Many in these companies were in total darkness. Their eyes were directed downward to the earth, and there seemed to be no connection between them and Jesus. I saw individuals scattered through these different companies whose countenances looked light, and whose eyes were raised upward to heaven. Beams of light from Jesus, like rays of light from the sun, were imparted to them. [Remember THE COMPANY THAT WALKED IN THE LIGHT GIVEN TO THEM. {RH, October 31, 1899 par. 10} The mysterious procession]. An angel bid me look carefully, and I saw an angel watching over every one of those who had a ray of light, while evil angels surrounded those who were in darkness. I heard the voice of an angel cry, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. {1SG 144.1} Emphasis and brackets mine. This was first in 1840s midnight cry and it will be repeated again and the midnight cry swells into a Loud Cry. This is the combining of all the three angels messages and become the forth angel of Revelation 18 {1SG 144.1}

 

A glorious light rested down upon these companies, to enlighten all who would receive it [THE WISE JOINS]. Some of those who were in darkness received the light and rejoiced; while others resisted the light from heaven, and said that it was deception to lead them astray. The light passed away from them, and they were left in darkness [LAODICEA AND FIVE FOOLISH]. Those who had received the light from Jesus, joyfully cherished the increase of precious light which was shed upon them. Their faces lighted up, and beamed with holy joy, while their gaze was directed upward to Jesus with intense interest, and their voices were heard in harmony with the voice of the angel, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. As they raised this cry, I saw those who were in darkness thrusting them with side and with shoulder. Then many of those who cherished the sacred light, broke the cords which confined them, and stood out separate from those companies. And as many were breaking the cords which bound them, men belonging to these different companies, who were revered by them, passed through the companies, and some with pleasing words, and others with wrathful looks and threatening gestures, fastened the cords which were weakening, and were constantly saying, God is with us. We stand in the light. We have the truth. I inquired who these men were. I was told that they were ministers, and leading men, who had rejected the light themselves, and were unwilling that others should receive it. I saw those who cherished the light looking with interest and ardent desire upward, expecting Jesus to come and take them to himself. Soon a cloud passed over those who rejoiced in the light, and their faces looked sorrowful. I inquired the cause of this cloud. I was shown that it was their disappointment. The time when they expected their Saviour had passed, and Jesus had not come. Discouragement settled upon them, and those men I had before noticed, the ministers and leading men, rejoiced. Those who had rejected the light, triumphed greatly, while Satan and his evil angels also exulted around them. {1SG 144.2}. Emphasis and brackets mine. The last part of this quote applies to 1844 disappointment but when the message is repeated in the end, there will be no disappointment to the saints but to those who remain in darkness.

 

Then I heard the voice of another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen! is fallen! A light shone upon those desponding ones, and with ardent desires for his appearing, they again fixed their eyes upon Jesus. Then I saw a number of angels conversing with the second angel, who had cried, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and these angels raised their voices with the second angel, and cried, Behold the Bridegroom cometh! go ye out to meet him! The musical voices of these angels seemed to reach every where. [REVELATION 18, THE GLORY SHALL COVER THE WHOLE EARTH]. An exceeding bright and glorious light shone around those who had cherished the light which had been imparted to them. Their faces shone with excellent glory, and they united with the angels in the cry, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! And as they harmoniously raised the cry among these different companies, those who rejected the light, pushed them, and with angry looks, scorned and derided them. But the angels of God wafted their wings over the persecuted ones, while Satan and his angels were seeking to press their darkness around them, to lead them to reject the light from heaven. {1SG 146.1}. Emphasis and brackets mine

 

Then I heard a voice saying to those who had been pushed and derided, Come out from among them, and touch not the unclean. A large number broke the cords which bound them, and they obeyed the voice, and left those who were in darkness, and united with those who had PREVIOUSLY BROKEN THE CORDS, and they joyfully united their voices with them. I heard the voice of earnest, agonizing prayer from a few who still remained with the companies who were in darkness. The ministers and leading men were passing around in these different companies, fastening the cords stronger; but still I heard this voice of earnest prayer. Then I saw those who had been praying reach out their hands for help towards that united company who were free, rejoicing in God. The answer from them, as they earnestly looked to heaven, and pointed upward, was, Come out from among them, and be separate. I saw individuals struggling for freedom, and at last they broke the cords that bound them. They resisted the efforts which were made to fasten the cords tighter, and would not heed the repeated assertions, God is with us, We have the truth with us. Individuals continued to leave the companies who were in darkness, and joined the free company, who appeared to be in an open field raised above the earth. Their gaze was upward, and the glory of God rested upon them, and they shouted the praises of God. They were united, and seemed to be wrapt in the light of heaven. Around this company were some who came under the influence of the light, but who were not particularly united to the company. All who cherished the light shed upon them were gazing upward with intense interest. Jesus looked upon them with sweet approbation. They expected Jesus to come. They longed for his appearing. They did not cast one lingering look to earth. Again I saw a cloud settle upon the waiting ones. I saw them turn their weary eyes downward. I inquired the cause of this change. Said my accompanying angel, they are AGAIN disappointed in their expectations. Jesus cannot yet come to earth. They must yet suffer for Jesus and endure greater trials. They must give up errors and traditions received from men, and turn wholly to God and his word. They must be purified, made white and tried. And those who endure that bitter trial will obtain an eternal victory. {1SG 146.2}

 

Then who is last group in the end-times going through? Which is the last “movement/group/condition/state” stated above going through?

 

Summary

1. The Laodicean Message is for the whole world and applies too to foolish virgins. It’s the message of Revelation 18 which causes the shaking, sifting and then separation.
2. The message is not sounded by the Laodiceans but by the mysterious procession who the five wise in awakening joins them.
3. This mysterious company is the little company that rejoiced in truth and cherished every ray of light that came to them and walked in it. They are the derided company that Christ said unto them, “come out from among them” that’s don’t participate or fund the apostasy of Laodicea. Remember God has a people in all churches who make up this mysterious procession by sounding the Laodicean message. You may be one of them
4. OTG movement is not spared from this message.
5. The Message to Laodicea is also accompanied by the message Babylon is fallen is fallen, which unites with the message “behold the bridegroom cometh/aka midnight cry”. These three messages combined is what is called the swelling of the second and the third angels message, the forth angels message, or loud cry .
6. Persons leave the companies that cherish darkness. These are the people who endure the bitter trial and obtain eternal victory.

 

“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had love us who could wash one another’s feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.” (EGW Early Writings page15). Who are these that belong to the synagogue of Satan? Don’t miss it below.

 

September 1850 article by the Advent Review Publishing Committee, which was composed of Hiram Edson, David Arnold, George W. Holt, Samuel W. Rhodes, and James White

 

• “Now just as sure as the Philadelphia church is the true church of the last days, just so sure the 144,000 are sealed, just before the coming of the Lord.” The Advent Review, volume 1, 1850.

 

The history and description of the 144,000 apply to those who are to be changed at the coming of the Lord, and to no other class. First, ‘having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.’ Said the true Witness to the Philadelphia church, ‘Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out and I will WRITE UPON HIM THE NAME OF MY GOD.’ Where? ‘In their FOREHEADS,’ just where John saw the ‘Father’s name.’ Now just as sure as the Philadelphia church is the true church of the last days, just so sure the 144,000 are sealed, just before the coming of the Lord. {September 1850 JWe, ADRE 56.10}

 

{Rev 14:1-5 quoted 18MR 27.3}. This Scripture represents the character of the people of God for these last days. The everlasting gospel is to be preached, and it is to be practiced in true missionary work carried forward not after the wisdom that men may devise, but after the wisdom of God. All who walk in safe paths are to understand that the third angel’s message is of consequence to the whole world, and must be carried to the world in clear, straight lines, and in its distinctive features, as Christ revealed it to John. {18MR 28.1}. So she quotes Revelation 14:1-5 which applies to 144000 which in turn is a description of the Philadelphia

 

Notice the Language of Revelation 18 applied to Laodicea

 

• “The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state.” Review and Herald, August 19, 1890.

 

• If the church of God becomes lukewarm [LAODICEA], it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [REVELATION 18] {Lt35-1898}. Emphasis and brackets mine.

 

• Ezekiel 8:10: So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

 

• Revelation 18:2: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

 

Those who claim to believe the truth do not possess that power that God would bestow upon them if they really believed, and were striving for conformity to His image. The church is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst. If Christ were formed within, the hope of glory, conformity to His image would be seen, and the church trials which separate the members from Christ would disappear. {Ms156-1898 / 1NL 99.4}

 

To Babylon

• Revelation 18:22: And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; :23: And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

 

To the professed Remnant

• Jeremiah 25:10: Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

 

The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan. They were doing the work that he desired them to do, taking a course to misrepresent the character of God, and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant. The very priests who ministered in the temple had lost sight of the significance of the service they performed. They had ceased to look beyond the symbol to the thing signified. In presenting the sacrificial offerings they were as actors in a play. The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away. {DA 36.2}

 

“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. …A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.” [1SM 204, 205]

 

Laodicea not Going Through – They are referred to as the synagogue of Satan. They left the Philadelphian state and became the great, great, great grand-children of Smyrna instead of the children of Philadelphia

 

Revelation :3:1: And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

 

Revelation 2:9: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

 

To Philadelphia

Revelation 3:9: Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan [SMYRNA Rev 2:9 AND LAODICEA], which say they are Jews [SDAs], and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

 

Emphasis and brackets mine which is proven by the quote below that Laodiceans, the backsliding adventists form a part of the synagogue of Satan

 

• You think, that those who worship before the saint’s feet, (Revelation 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and “crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” And in the “hour of temptation,” which is yet to come, to show out every one’s true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint’s feet. {WLF 12.2}

 

Concluding Remarks

Is there ever a reason given for Seventh-day Adventists to leave their church? Let us investigate this together

 

• To divide the church of Christ was a sin, in the days of the apostles. When did it cease to be a sin? The answer must be, never; that which was once a sin, is always a sin. There can be no excuse for separating from a church UNLESS IT BE THAT IT IS NOT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. If the Roman church was the church of Christ, the Protestants sinned in separating from her. If the Episcopalian church was the church of Christ, Methodists and all other dissenters from her, sinned in leaving her; and if the Methodist, the Presbyterian, the Baptist, or any other church that has become divided, is the church of Christ, then the numerous sects, which are off-shoots from these, were conceived in sin and born in iniquity. BUT IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THESE SECEDERS HAVE BEEN REAL REFORMERS, IF THEIR ADHERENCE TO TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, WAS THE CAUSE OF THEIR SEPARATION, THEN THE CHURCHES THEY LEFT NEEDED REFORMATION AND WERE NOT, AS BODIES, THE PURE CHURCHES OF CHRIST; AND BEING DESERTED BY MANY OF THE BEST, LIVING MEMBERS, were in a worse and more lifeless condition than before, IF NOT WHOLLY REJECTED OF GOD FOR THEIR corruptions, and unwillingness to reform. {January 24, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 65.15}

 

• Before the destruction of Sodom, God sent a message to Lot, “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” The same voice of warning was heard by the disciples of Christ before the destruction of Jerusalem: “When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Luke 21:20, 21. They must not tarry to secure anything from their possessions, but must make the most of the opportunity to escape. {PP 166.3} There was a coming out, a decided separation from the wicked, an escape for life. So it was in the days of Noah; so with Lot; so with the disciples prior to the destruction of Jerusalem; and so it will be in the last days. Again the voice of God is heard in a message of warning, bidding His people separate themselves from the prevailing iniquity. {PP 166.4} The state of corruption and apostasy that in the last days would exist in the religious world, was presented to the prophet John in the vision of Babylon, “that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:18. Before its destruction the call is to be given from heaven, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4. As in the days of Noah and Lot, there must be a marked separation from sin and sinners. There can be no compromise between God and the world, no turning back to secure earthly treasures. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24. {PP 3-167.1}

 

Babylon is a condition as much as is Laodicea and the state of foolish virgins. This conditions exists in literal places and churches and people have to disconnect themselves from these institutions to render obedience to God.

{14MR 102.1}

 

The Spirit of God had wrought with and through Paul in his labors for his countrymen. Sufficient evidence had been presented to convince all who honestly desired to know the truth. But many permitted themselves to be controlled by prejudice and unbelief, and refused to yield to the most conclusive evidence. Fearing that the faith of the believers would be endangered by continued association with these opposers of the truth, Paul separated from them and gathered the disciples into a distinct body, continuing his public instructions in the school of Tyrannus, a teacher of some note.  {AA 285.3}

 

The recreant priests added licentiousness to the dark catalogue of their crimes; yet they still polluted by their presence the tabernacle of the Lord, and, laden with sin, dared to come into the presence of a holy God. As the men of Israel witnessed the corrupt course of the priests, they thought it safer for their families not to come up to the appointed place of worship. Many went from Shiloh with their peace disturbed, their indignation aroused, until they at last determined to offer their sacrifices themselves, concluding that this would be fully as acceptable to God, as to sanction in any manner the abominations practiced in the sanctuary.  {ST, December 1, 1881 par. 13}

 

As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christ’s withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience.  {DA 232.2}

 

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.  {GC 148.4}

 

Christ was a protestant. He protested against the formal worship of the Jewish nation, who rejected the counsel of God against themselves. He told them that they taught for doctrines the commandments of men, and that they were pretenders and hypocrites. Like whited sepulchers they were beautiful without, but within full of impurity and corruption. The Reformers date back to Christ and the apostles. They came out and separated themselves from a religion of forms and ceremonies. Luther and his followers did not invent the reformed religion. They simply accepted it as presented by Christ and the apostles. The Bible is presented to us as a sufficient guide; but the pope and his workers remove it from the people as if it were a curse, because it exposes their pretensions and rebukes their idolatry.  {RH, June 1, 1886 par. 14}

 

Reformers are not destroyers. They will never seek to ruin those who do not harmonize with their plans and assimilate to them [THIS IS WHY I STILL WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL GROUPS BUT WITHOUT COMPROMISE OF THE REVEALED TRUTH]. Reformers must advance, not retreat. They must be decided, firm, resolute, unflinching; but firmness must not degenerate into a domineering spirit. God desires to have all who serve Him firm as a rock where principle is concerned, but meek and lowly of heart, as was Christ. Then, abiding in Christ, they can do the work He would do were He in their place. A rude, condemnatory spirit is not essential to heroism in the reforms for this time. All selfish methods in the service of God are an abomination in His sight. {6T 151.1}. Emphasis and brackets mine

 

I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness.  {EW 124.3}

 

I saw that we have no time to throw away in listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus diverted, but should be occupied with the present truth, and seeking wisdom that we may obtain a more thorough knowledge of our position, that with meekness we may be able to give a reason of our hope from the Scriptures. While false doctrines and dangerous errors are pressed upon the mind, it cannot be dwelling upon the truth which is to fit and prepare the house of Israel to stand in the day of the Lord.   {EW 125.1}

 

• I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that a reformation must go through the churches. Reforms must be made, for spiritual weakness and blindness were upon the people who had been blessed with great light and precious opportunities and privileges. As reformers they had come out of the denominational churches, but they now act a part similar to that which the churches acted. We hoped that there would not be the necessity for another COMING OUT [ALAS]. While we will endeavor to keep the “unity of the Spirit” in the bonds of peace, we will not with pen or voice cease to protest against bigotry.–EGW’88 356, 357 (1889). Emphasis and brackets mine

 

The Two Israels

The two Israels, ancient Judaism and modern Seventh-day Adventism have a parallel history. Ancient Israel was not ever referred to as Babylon although the Lord through Isaiah called her a harlot (1:21) and through Jeremiah and Ezekiel called her “desolate” (Jer. 19:8; Eze. 33:28, 29) and eventually the Son of Man on earth pronounced her as “desolate” (Matt. 23:38).

 

So it is that we point to her as a parallel to ancient apostate and wicked Israel that went headlong into destruction. To call the SdA church Babylon would not be accurate, even though she is in league with Babylon in so many ways. The GCSDA church may be in Babylon and Babylon may be in her, but they are not one and the same. They have fundamentally opposed origins and histories.

 

• The church as God knows and defines it, is going through, and all those who stay with that church, and are faithful, will triumph with it. The failure with the Pharisees and the people they led, was that they could not see and know that They knew and saw a certain church organization, and defined thatas God’s church. Then they applied the statements in the Old Testament prophecies, which were intended by God to speak only of His true church, to that which they mistakenly thought was God’s church (F. T. Wright, The Church of God is Not Babylon, p. 12).

 

How effectively they could use Jeremiah 33:24-26 to support their opposition to Christ, provided their hearers did not question the false premise on which their arguments were based!

 

Let us read this passage and ask ourselves whether stronger or more definite language could be used. Moreover the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying,

 

• “Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the Lord hath chosen, [Israel and Judah] He hath even cast them off?’ thus they have despised My people, that they should be no more a nation before them.” Thus saith the Lord; “If My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them” [(Jer. 33:23-26, emphasis added)].

 

Now compare this with chapter 31 vv. 35-37:

 

• Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: “If those ordinances depart from before Me,” saith the Lord, “then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me for ever.” Thus saith the Lord; “If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done,’ saith the Lord” (Jer. 31:35-37, emphasis added).

 

The modern reader of the Spirit of Prophecy who seeks to disprove the message by proving the perpetuity of the church, could hardly have found a stronger statement than that. Imagine the line of reasoning the Pharisee would have used. He would ask:

 

“Does the sun still shine by day?”

“Yes,” the answer would be.

“Does the moon shine by night at this present time?”

“Yes, it does.”

“Then is it possible for God to cast off Israel for what it has done?”

 

Imagine how convincing this was to those people, but only because they did not understand that first they must carefully identify who Israel was before they applied the verse.

 

• God is bringing out a people and preparing them to stand as one, united, to speak the same things, and thus carry out the prayer of Christ for His disciples. (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 417, par. 2).

 

This is no brainer, there is no place in heaven for a Laodicean, it’s only the remnant that are going through. This is not treason or hatred to the church and its officials but a call to them to repent and the congregation to stop following men blindly. Shall we perish because we believed a man? Exactly; the end of Laodicea is as the end of Babylon

 

The End of Babylon

One of the main reason that the papacy became Babylon and is never given a chance for salvation is of her continued bestiality? Woman with a beast. This promiscuity was forbidden in Leviticus and its penalty was death:

 

• KJV Leviticus 20:16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

 

God gave her 1260 to repent but she didn’t

 

• KJV Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

 

This kind of fornication was not just normal fornication but bestiality. God in his mercy after 1260 years send her in wilderness via the hand of France so that she may think over her behavior like he send Nebuchadnezzar, but she only emerges from the wilderness with another terrible act, teaming up with a lamblike beast and corrupting the lamb into a ferocious beast that sheds the blood of the saints instead of the symbolism of the sanctuary animal that takes away the sins of the world. The attack on the sanctuary in Daniel 8 is repeated in Revelation 13 and 17 in a very mysterious way that Bible students so far haven’t realized that is why Revelation 18 follows with a plea that come out of her because there’s no sanctuary services being embraced in Babylon and where there is no sanctuary there is no atonement. In fact this beautiful picture ends by saying

 

• KJV Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

 

The candle gave light in the sanctuary, it’s not there, the candle is the word Psalms 119:105, but it has been replaced with fables. This is an attack on the menorah and table of showbread.

 

If then there’s a call to come out of Babylon because of the attack on the menorah and the table of showbread then the remnant Judah SDA cannot escape this call too

 

The End of Laodicea

KJV Jeremiah 25:10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

 

The voice of the bridegroom, the second coming cannot be done by this bride church which does not have the candle, the menorah but the menorah which is a symbol of holy spirit, the spiritual eyesalve has been replaced with a strange God the Holy Spirit and the word which is lamp and light unto the feet is not there. It’s then just as true as Babylon cannot be the church of God so is the Laodicea, lukewarm and foolish virgins will not make it to be part of the church of God. That’s why one day when they will come back, the door will be shut. The door to where? The Most Holy Place for they loved going to the Holy Place, Courtyard and even the camp instead of remaining steadfast in the Most Holy Place. The professed remnant finds itself in a condition described pertaining to Rome and Apostate Protestantism.

 

You may call Rome and Apostate Protestantism all day Babylon and Daughters or Babylon respectively but notice the evolution of Seventh-day Adventist.

 

1. Professed Jews – Revelation 2:9
2. Synagogue of Satan – Revelation 3:9
3. Laodicea – Revelation – Revelation 3:14
4. Foolish Virgins – Matthew 25:3
5. Harlot – Isaiah 1:21
6. Desolate – Jeremiah 19:8; Ezekiel 33:28, 29 and Matthew 23:38
7. Without a candlestick and the voice of bridegroom Jeremiah 25:10
8. Sunday Keepers eventually – Ezekiel 8:16

 

And by the way the Dragon after being wroth with the woman did not go after her but the remnant of her seed, if it be a remnant then not the whole woman for there is a different between a whole of something and a remnant of that thing.

Click on the title below for the pdf

A Mysterious Procession – An answer to the View that GCSDA is not Babylon

 Blessings