This section I also very much look forward to. All it is, is a look at one of the books, and a few of the subjects, that the Spirit of Prophecy has told us are “all important,” in relation to this question of how, or where, the warning concerning the New World Order comprises a part of them. I don’t hesitate to say that I believe that the study and contemplation of this one book alone, or any of these specific subjects that I am going to look at, is infinitely more worthy of our time and infinitely more blessed than all the writings of all the men that have ever written, or ever will write, concerning the New World Order. Before beginning, I would just like to say a few words about this “gift” that we call the Spirit of Prophecy.
As absolutely incredible as it may seem, as blasphemous and heretical as it may sound to the rest of the professed Christian world, it is nonetheless a most wonderful fact, that through the writings of Ellen White—“There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue.” {5T 661} We need to realize, and remind ourselves often, very often, what a tremendous blessing and privilege we’ve been given. We also need to realize and remind ourselves just as often, what a huge and sacred responsibility that lays upon every one of us.
I would like to take just a few brief minutes to look at some of the great individuals that God has used as instruments through whom to “instruct His people,” and what the Bible has to say about them, just to try to help us to be able to put in better perspective how truly incredible it is, when Ellen White tells us, that through her writings—“There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now…”
MOSES—“There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.” {Deuteronomy 34:10}
JOSHUA—“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” {Joshua 1:5}
DAVID—“He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” {Acts 13:22}
SOLOMON—“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people…for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?…And God said unto him…Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” {1 Kings 3:9-12}
DANIEL—“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams…And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” {Daniel 1:17,20}
LUKE—“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us…It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee…That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” {Luke 1:1-4}
JOHN—“…that disciple whom Jesus loved” {John 21:7}
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” {1 John 1:1-3}
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” {Revelation 1:1}
PAUL—“It pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.” {Galatians 1:15,16}
“…for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles.” {2 Corinthians 12:11}
“I am Jesus…I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister.” {Acts 26:15,16}
In the full knowledge of all those wonderful men, with all their wonderful walks with God, she still tells us:
“There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue.” {5 Testimonies 661}
No wonder she says:
“I have been looking over the Testimonies given for Sabbathkeepers and I am astonished at the mercy of God and His care for His people…” {5 Testimonies 662}
Do you know what the very next words in that quote are?
“I have been looking over the Testimonies given for Sabbathkeepers and I am astonished at the mercy of God and His care for His people in giving them so many warnings.” {5 Testimonies 662}
It is a solemn fact, one which every one of us must come to fully realize, that a very important part of this “astonishing mercy of God and His care for His people,” that has been manifested through the Spirit of Prophecy, comes in the form of warnings:
“Testimonies of warning have been repeated. I inquire: Who have heeded them?…I have waited anxiously, hoping that God would put His Spirit upon some and use them as instruments of righteousness to awaken and set in order His church. I have almost despaired as I have seen, year after year, a greater departure from that simplicity which God has shown me should characterize the life of His followers. There has been less and less interest in, and devotion to, the cause of God. I ask: Wherein have those who profess confidence in the Testimonies sought to live according to the light given in them? Wherein have they regarded the warnings given? Wherein have they heeded the instructions they have received?” {5 Testimonies 662}
In the same pages are presented before us two very clear, but completely opposite paths:
Path #1—“They have only to follow His counsel and do His will, to inherit eternal life.” {5 Testimonies 661}
Path #2—“If they fail to meet the mind of God…They will do harm and only harm.” {5 Testimonies 662}
We are told:
“All His promises, His warnings, are but the breathing of unutterable love.” {Steps to Christ 35}
We are also told:
“We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history. The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course which we now pursue.” {Great Controversy 601}
There is only one right “course to pursue.” It is to love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our might. I believe that for Seventh-day Adventists that means loving the Spirit of Prophecy with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our minds, and with all our might. And as Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” {John 14:15}
If there was ever a time to commit ourselves anew to loving and serving and obeying God, it is now. As we begin to examine this subject from the Spirit of Prophecy, I pray that it will be with a newer and deeper consecration than ever before.