Last Message

So the very last message, the very last call of mercy to the world, is found in Revelation 18. Since it is the very last call of mercy that goes forth, then it is of extreme importance that we know all that this message entails. Because if we are found rejecting this message, even in part, then we are rejecting the last message of mercy. And as it is the last message, is there any other message that would come afterwards that could possibly bring us back to the Lord? No.

"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 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. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities" Revelation 18:1-5.

Who is this mighty angel listed in Revelation 18? The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a created angel. The word "angel" translates, "messenger" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, word #32). Christ is "Michael the archangel," yet He is not created, but is the messenger of the Lord. So with the Holy Spirit.

So this mighty angel in Revelation 18 represents the Holy Spirit. And He comes down from where? From heaven. So the Holy Spirit comes down, or is poured out, from heaven. And what is another name for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? The latter rain (Acts of the Apostles (AA), p 55).

Now is this mighty angel quiet when he is poured out from heaven? No, but He cries mightily with a strong voice, or a loud cry, declaring the fall of Babylon. So when the Holy Spirit is poured out, or the latter rain has come, He brings the beginning of the loud cry. It is very important to realize this. When the Holy Spirit is poured out in the latter rain, He brings the beginning of the loud cry.

"As great power and glory attended the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble. Their faces will shine with the glory of that light which attends the third angel" Testimonies for the Church, Volume One (1T), p 353.

What is the glory? The latter rain! And what is the third angel's message? It is found in Revelation 14:9-12; dealing with the law of God, especially uplifting the Sabbath, or the fourth commandment. It includes a warning against worshipping the Beast and his Image, and receiving their mark. The Mark of the Beast is worshipping on Sunday after it is made a law. And if the people receive the mark, by worshipping the beast and his image, they will also receive the wrath of God in the seven last plagues.

"The whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of God's truth. The Lord will not close up the period of probation until the warning shall be more distinctly proclaimed. The trumpet must give a certain sound. The law of God is to be magnified, its claims must be presented in their true, sacred character, that the people may be brought to decide for or against the truth. Yet the work will be cut short in righteousness. The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the world to the other. This is the glory of God which closes the work of the third angel" LDE 179 (Letter 2c, 1892).

What did the Testimonies say represented the glory of the angel of Revelation 18 which attends the third angel? It represents the message of Christ's righteousness; and we also read that the glory represented the outpouring of the latter rain!

Now some have a problem understanding how the latter rain--or the outpouring of the Spirit--and the message of Christ's righteousness, can be the same. And there is a lot of custom and tradition that has been taught and imbibed which needs to be cut away with a plain "Thus saith the Lord," so that the cloud of confusion can be dispelled, and the truth clearly seen and implanted in the heart.

God tells us in Isaiah 28:10 that in our study of His word, precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little. And where do we find God's word? The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. So we are to compare the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy together, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little so that we can get a complete picture of what God is trying to tell us. And is there any contradiction between the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy? Or between one Bible text and another? Or between one Spirit of Prophecy reference and another? No. It is complete and perfect harmony. Why? Because both have the same author--The Holy Spirit!

Some want to ignore one Testimony and to uplift another, thus both testimonies are made to contradict each other. It is just like if you were trying to describe the colors in a rainbow to someone. You could say "The rainbow has the color of yellow." And in another time you would say, "The rainbow has the color of blue," or "the color of red." In trying to discover what color the rainbow really is, you would gather together all of the statements regarding the color of the rainbow, and then you come to a complete picture that the rainbow is made up of many colors. But there is always going to be those whom Satan will influence to say, "Since the rainbow was listed as being the color of yellow, then that is the only color that the rainbow is." They will ignore all the other statements which speak of the rainbow being other colors as well. Thus these people are led to adopt an extreme position, and are entering into fanaticism. So we can't ignore one part and uphold another part; we have to combine all the statements together in harmony; and the honest in heart will do so.

In comparing God's word with God's word, we already know that the latter rain is defined as being the "outpouring of the Holy Spirit" (AA 55). We already know that the latter rain means the "glory of the angel of Revelation 18" (1T 353, Early Writings (EW), p 279, Testimonies to Ministers (TM), p 469, LDE 234). We also know that the latter rain means the "message of the righteousness of Christ" (LDE 179, 6T 19, Manuscript Releases, volume One (1MR), p 172). So a truth or doctrine centering in Jesus is as the latter rain. God backs this up and reveals:

Through other inspired references we find that the latter rain also means the "bright beams of the Son of righteousness" (TM 95, 465, Selected Messages, book 1 (1SM), p 133; LDE 98, Review and Herald, volume Two (2RH), p 617-618). The latter rain also means "heavenly dew" (2RH 482, 1SM 191). The latter rain also means "showers of spiritual grace" (TM 509, 7BC 984, AA 55). Spiritual grace will give clear spiritual discernment of spiritual things and detect sin (3T 254). And what is the job of the Holy Spirit? To be a teacher of righteousness, a reprover, and a detector of sin (John 16:8).

We also know from inspiration that the latter rain means the "refreshing from the presence of the Lord" or the refreshing presence of Jesus (1T 183, EW 71, 279, 2RH 482, LDE 234). And what was rained down from heaven to the Israelites in the wilderness after they left Egypt? Manna. Who represents this manna or bread from heaven? The word of God. And who represents the word of God? Jesus (John 6:31-51)! So what was rained down from heaven in symbol? Jesus.

"If we keep our minds stayed upon Christ, He shall come unto us as the rain, as the former and latter rain upon the earth. As the Son of righteousness, He will arise with healing in His wings" Manuscript Release #241, p 7 (Letter 106, April 2, 1908).

"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately [the marginal reading more clearly defines "former rain moderately" to read; that God "hath given you a Teacher of righteousness according to righteousness"], and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month" Joel 2:23.

So the former rain falling symbolized Jesus--the Teacher of the doctrine or message of righteousness according to righteousness. And what do you think the falling of the latter rain would symbolize? It would be about Jesus--or the doctrine or message of the righteousness of Christ!

We also can find from inspiration that the latter rain is the "beginning of the loud cry" (1T 183). (NOTE: there are other statements dealing with the meaning of the latter rain that has been gathered into a 35 page compilation. Please write to the address given in the front).

So we see that the latter rain is a symbol representing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the glory of the angel of Revelation 18, the message of the righteousness of Christ, the bright beams from the Son of righteousness, heavenly dew, showers of spiritual grace, the refreshing presence of Jesus, and the beginning of the loud cry.

This issue of the latter rain symbolizing more than the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is very similar to the oil in the ten virgin parable. The oil represents the "Holy Spirit" (Christ's Object Lessons (COL), p 407); it also represents "grace" (3T 138); it also represents "character" (TM 234); and also represents the message of the "righteousness of Christ" (TM 234). So the oil in the ten virgin parable is a symbol representing more than just the Holy Spirit; the same with the latter rain.

The latter rain is a symbol that means more that just the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So when we read about the beginning of the loud cry, or the refreshing, or the message of Christ's righteousness, we know that this can also be referring to the outpouring of the latter rain! But the Holy Spirit is the key to obtaining all these blessings from heaven.

Without the Holy Spirit, we would have no latter rain, we would have no glory, no attraction to the message of truth, no bright beams of the Son of righteousness, no refreshing, no beginning of the loud cry, no dew or showers of grace from heaven, and we would have no Jesus. And in turn, without the message of Christ's righteousness, we would have no latter rain, etc.

As this is true, how can the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, spiritual grace, the message of Christ's righteousness, the beginning of the latter rain, and the refreshing presence of Jesus, all be combined together under the symbol of the latter rain? How is this possible?

"The Lord is testing the people of today as much as He tested the Jews in their day. When He sends His message of mercy, the light of His truth, He is sending the spirit of truth to you and if you accept the message, you accept Jesus" 3RH 38.

Do you see how they all tie together in one harmonious picture? When God sends His messages of mercy--the light of His truth, He is sending the Spirit of truth to you through that message, and if you accept the message, you accept Jesus. So when the Lord sends His greatest message of truth--the righteousness of Christ, He is sending the outpouring or showering of the Holy Spirit of grace to you through that message. And if you accept these bright beams from the Son of righteousness, then you accept the refreshing presence of Jesus into your heart who is the source of that light. This then gives you the power--enabling you with Christ to fully overcome sin, and to perfect your character in righteousness in the fear of God. Thus fruits of righteousness would be produced, and glory would be given to the God of heaven, because His image would be reflected in you. You then could not help but loudly open your mouth in a living testimony, calling all people to willingly separate themselves from any connection with Babylon, or any connection with its darkness, so that they can also have this precious chance of fixing their eyes upon their Saviour, and living this glorious truth in their lives.

But if this precious message of the righteousness of Christ is rejected, then there would be no dew or showers of heavenly grace to refresh you soul. Hence you would remain dry and barren as the hills of Gilboah (TM 413). If this precious message of the righteousness of Christ is rejected, then there would be no bright beams that would illuminate your soul. Hence you would continue to blindly walk in the midst of black darkness, and fruits of wickedness would be produced that gives glory to Satan (Jude 3-4, 10-13, 7BC 957, 5RH 9). If this precious message of the righteousness of Christ is rejected, then you would also be guilty of rejecting the latter rain, the loud cry, and the Holy Spirit. And in rejecting the Holy Spirit, you would also have rejected Christ whom the Holy Spirit represents. And in rejecting Christ, you would also have rejected the Father whom Christ represents. So in rejecting this message, what possible means is left to save your soul from utter eternal destruction? None! So everything hinges upon the acceptance of the latter rain message of the righteousness of Christ.

"When the truth in its simplicity is lived in every place, then God will work through His angels as He worked on the day of Pentecost, and hearts will be changed so decidedly that there will be a manifestation of the influence of genuine truth, as is represented in the descent of the Holy Spirit" Special Testimonies, Series B#7, p 63.

"'He [the Holy Spirit] shall glorify Me [Jesus].' 'This is eternal life, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.' The Holy Spirit glorifies God by so revealing His character to His people that He becomes the object of their supreme affections and by making manifest His character in them. They see clearly that there was never any righteousness in the world but His, no excellence in the world but that derived from Him. When the Spirit was poured out from on High [at Pentecost] the church was flooded with light, but Christ was the source of that light; His name was on every tongue, His love filled every heart. So it will be when that angel that comes down from heaven having great power, shall lighten the earth with his glory. May the Lord help His people to see and understand what is truth" 1888 Materials, volume 3, p 1017 (Letter 25b, August 30, 1892).

So when the Holy Spirit was poured out in early rain power at Pentecost, the church was flooded with light that centered in Jesus. And what is going to happen when the latter rain falls today? Again His people will be flooded with light, and Christ will be the source and center of that light.

"I stated [at the 1888 General Conference Session] that...there was to be special light for God's people as they neared the closing scenes of this earth's history. Another angel was to come down from heaven with a message, and the whole earth was to be lighted with his glory" LDE 64 (Letter 22, January 18, 1889).

The only channel through which the Spirit operates is "the truth." So the latter rain was to fall with a message of truth, and that message is the righteousness of Christ. Sister White tried to awaken God's people to this very fact way back in 1892.

"The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry [or the beginning of the latter rain] of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth" 7BC 984 (R&H November 22, 1892).

How many years have we been waiting, not knowing that the latter rain, or the outpouring of the Spirit, is in the message of the righteousness of Christ? How many years have we been deluded to think that there is no connection with the message of Christ's righteousness and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? How many years have we been sidetracked into falsehood, and been deluded to think that all we had to do was to pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon us, while we ignored the message of the righteousness of Christ and hence the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the message? Thus the latter rain could have been falling all around us, but we would be blinded to it, not recognizing it!

"Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it" TM 507 (R&H March 2, 1897).

"Let us, with contrite hearts, pray most earnestly that now, in the time of the latter rain, the showers of spiritual grace may fall upon us....It is the time of the latter rain, when the Lord will give largely of His Holy Spirit" TM 509, 512 (R&H March 2, 1897).

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is 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" TM 91-92.

The message of the righteousness of Christ involves obedience to all God's commandments. This involves the plan of redemption which began at the fall of man, to redeem us from sin, and bring us into harmony to all God's will. So you can see that the plan of redemption, which is completely centered in Jesus Christ as our High Priest, must also be part of the latter rain.

That is why this message was given to the church. Seventh-day Adventist's knew and understood the third angel's message; they knew the law, they knew about the Sabbath, they knew about the Mark of the Beast, they knew about the judgments that were to fall on those who received the mark; but they did not look to or preach the Lord Jesus. They knew the Sabbath, but they didn't preach the Lord of the Sabbath.

"Now, it has been Satan's determined purpose to eclipse the view of Jesus and lead men to look to man, and trust to man, and be educated to expect help from man. For years the church has been looking to man and expecting much from man, but not looking to Jesus, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. Therefore God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message, in clear distinct lines" TM 93.

"The glory that shone on the face of Moses was a reflection of the righteousness of Christ in the law. The law itself would have no glory, only that in it Christ is embodied. It has no power to save. It is lusterless only as in it Christ is represented as full of righteousness and truth" 1SM 237.

If we preach the law in the third angel's message--uplifting the Sabbath, but we do not uplift the Lord of the Sabbath at the same time, the people see no value in keeping the law--because it is dull, lusterless, and has no attraction to it. On the other hand, if we preach Christ alone without bringing in the connection of the law with Him, the people will see no glory, and hence they will not see the true character of Christ. "The glory of Christ is revealed in the law, which is a transcript of His character" 1SM 240. So if we preach Christ without the law, no one will truly be brought to Christ; because it is only the law which drives us sinners to Christ (1SM 241). And where does Christ and the law both come together in harmony? At the cross (1SM 240-41, 5BC 1133).

It is at the cross that the sinner beholds Christ, and wonders "Why did this man have to die?" Because of sin. Sin is the reason why Christ had to die. "What is sin?" The transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). "Which law?" The ten commandments.

The sinner then begins to look at these 10 commandments, and realizes that he has not kept them; thus he has sinned and is deserving of death. But he see's that Christ did no sin, so why did He have to die on the cross? Because the Father sent Jesus down to save sinners from the penalty of death.

The sinner then begins to realize the tremendous love that God the Father has toward him in sending His only-begotten Son to be the substitute for sin's penalty, and that Jesus must love the sinner tremendously to willingly endure the shame of the crucifixion. It also begins to dawn on him that if no one had ever broken God's law, then Christ need not to have died.

The sinner also sees that because he chose to sin, he is guilty of putting the Saviour on the cross and killing Him. At this realization his heart becomes broken, and that without forgiveness of his sins he is lost. Thus the whole plan of redemption--Christ as our Redeemer, Substitute, and High Priest before God for the remission of sins--begins to open before his eyes. He sees that Christ is his only hope of salvation, the connecting link between God and man, the only one that can bridge the gulf which sin has made and bring him back into communion and harmony with God and His law once again (1 John 1:9).

Thus out of love for God and Christ, the sinner chooses not to break God's law anymore. But how? He wonders, "How can I not sin anymore?" He wonders how Christ, while on earth, could resist temptation at every stage. And he begins to understand that by faith, Christ relied upon strength and grace from His Father in overcoming all temptations and resisting sin. Christ resisted all Satan's advances by following and being a doer of God's will. Thus each sinner, by exercising the same faith in God as Christ did, will be given the grace and strength from God through Christ to be able, united with Him, to overcome all temptation and resist all of Satan's advances by following and being a doer of God's will.

Thus out of love for God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, the sinner refuses to be connected with Babylon or any of its darkness, and the righteousness of Christ becomes his by faith. God's law is written in his heart and mind, God becomes his Father and they become His child (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Can you now begin to understand that when one rejects the idea of overcoming all sin in this life before Christ comes, that they have not only rejected God's law, but they have also rejected God the Father, His character, and His government--which is founded in His law (Steps to Christ, p 60). They have also rejected Christ and His righteousness (4RH 148-49), and they have also spurned the immense and infinite love of both the Father and the Son. Hence Satan becomes their father, and eternal death and damnation is their choice and destiny.

That is why the law is designed to drive us to the Saviour. Because if Christ, which is the righteousness of the law (1SM 239), is not held up to the people in connection with that law, the people see no value in accepting it as truth, or in living in it. That is why we are admonished:

"Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of truth point to the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. The glory of the law is Christ; He came to magnify the law, and to make it honorable. Make it appear distinct that mercy and peace have met together in Christ, and righteousness and truth have embraced each other" (5BC 1133).

What did the rainbow represent? The righteousness of Christ. And when is a rainbow produced? A rainbow is produced when sunbeams of light are combined with showers of rain. So the showers of the latter rain are in the message of Christ's righteousness!

"With many the cry of the heart has been, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.' Baal, Baal, is the choice. The religion of many among us will be the religion of apostate Israel, because they love their own way, and forsake the way of the Lord. The true religion, the only religion of the Bible, that teaches forgiveness only through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, that advocates righteousness by the faith of the Son of God, has been slighted, spoken against, ridiculed, and rejected" TM 467-68.

"An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord's message through Brethren {E.J.} Waggoner and {A.T.} Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them. The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. 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" 1SM 234-35.

"God has revealed Himself again and again in a most marked manner in Battle Creek. He has given a large measure of His Holy Spirit to the believers there....Some felt annoyed at this outpouring, and their own natural dispositions were manifested. They said, 'This is only excitement; it is not the Holy Spirit, not showers from heaven of the latter rain.'...

"But all the universe of heaven witnessed the disgraceful treatment of Jesus Christ represented by the Holy Spirit. Had Christ been before them, they would have treated Him in a manner similar to that in which the Jews treated Christ....

"Who will now understand the things that I write?...The Lord is coming, but those who ventured to resist the light that God gave in rich measure at Minneapolis, who have not humbled their hearts before God, will follow on in the path of resistance, saying, 'Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?' The banner all will bear who voice the message of the third angel, is being covered with another color that virtually kills it. This is being done. Will our people now hold fast to the truth?" LDE 62-63 (Letter 6, January 16, 1896).

So the SDA church leadership would have treated Christ exactly like the Jewish church leadership did; and how did the Jews treat Christ? They crucified Him, and chose Barabbas--who was claiming to be the real Christ. So they rejected the true Christ and accepted the false Christ!

The SDA church leadership rejected the message of Christ's righteousness themselves, and then were trying to cover that precious message with something else that was virtually smothering it do death. But not only did the leadership reject this message--along with the latter rain, the beginning of the loud cry, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus--but they rejected someone else. They rejected the person who was telling them to accept the message? Who was this? Ellen White! So not only did the church leaders reject the message with all the blessings attached with it, but they also rejected the prophet of God and the Spirit of Prophecy.

"...the Spirit of the Lord was there to tell them that they were doing it, was it not? But when they were rejecting the loud cry, the teaching of righteousness; and then the Spirit of the Lord, by His prophet, stood there and told us what they were doing, what then? Oh! Then they simply set this prophet aside with all the rest" 1893 General Conference Bulletin, p 183.

Did the leadership continue to do the work of the enemy in trying to kill this precious message, and in trying to stop the falling of the latter rain upon God's people? Did they continue to try to keep the loud cry from swelling, and hence closing the work? Did they continue to quench the Holy Spirit from the church so that the earth could not be filled with the knowledge of salvation? Ellen White warned them in 1895, and please read carefully.

"The religion of the Bible is to be revealed in this world, in order that souls may be led to discern Christ, the Light of the world. As light is revealed, by following that light we may escape from all darkness; for He has said, 'He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.' The rays of the Light of life shining from the Lord Jesus enable humanity to pick their ground, to wage successful warfare, and triumph over the powers of darkness. This glorious Light reveals the abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Walking in its beams we find ready admittance there. The great General is not only leading a few soldiers; but the Captain of the Lord's hosts is leading the armies of both heaven and earth to battle; they are marching on to a glorious victory. Every soldier is to put on the whole armor of God, and fight courageously, realizing that he is battling in full view of the invisible universe. If the Lord's army will obey orders, they will find themselves influenced by the Holy Spirit to work the works of God. The battlefield is glorified with the light shining from the cross of Calvary....

"The end of all things is at hand. God is moving upon every mind that is open to receive the impressions of his Holy Spirit. He is sending out messengers that they may give the warning in every locality. God is testing the devotion of His churches and their willingness to render obedience to the Spirit's guidance....Those who do not submit to the influence of the Holy Spirit soon lose the blessings received when they acknowledge the truth as from Heaven. They fall into a cold, spiritless formality; they lose their interest in perishing souls: they have 'left their first love.' And Christ says to them, '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.' He will take His Holy Spirit from the church and give it to others who will appreciate it.

"There is no greater evidence that those who have received great light do not appreciate that light than is given by their refusal to let their light shine upon those who are in darkness, and devoting their time and energies in celebrating forms and ceremonies. Thoughts of the inner work, the necessary purity of heart are not entertained. The absence of harmony with God becomes apparent. The light grows dim, goes out, the candlestick has been removed. There is much exercising of man-made authority by those to whom God has not given His wisdom because they did not feel the need of the wisdom from above...."

"Laws and rules are being made at the centers of the work that will soon be broken into atoms. Men are not to dictate....If the cords are drawn much tighter, if the rules are made much finer, if men continue to bind their fellow-laborers closer and closer to the commandments of men, many will be stirred by the Spirit of God to break every shackle, and assert their liberty in Christ Jesus....

"God will move upon men of humble position in society, men who have not become insensible to the bright rays of light through so long contemplating the light of truth, and refusing to make any improvement or advancement therein. Many such will be seen hurrying hither and thither, constrained by the Spirit of God to bring the light to others. The truth, the word of God, is as a fire in their bones, filling them with a burning desire to enlighten those that sit in darkness. Many, even among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings, and, casting off all man's machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirit's power. Multitudes will receive the faith and join the armies of the Lord...The safeguards which false shepherds have thrown around their flocks will become as naught; thousands will step out into the light, and work to spread the light" 3RH 272-73, 275 (July 16, 23, 1895; Testimony divided over 2 weeks).

So how is the battle field glorified? With the light shinning from the cross of calvary. And what is going to be broken into atoms? The whole church structure that is governing the people by man's laws and rules. And who is the Spirit going to be poured out upon? All who will yield to its promptings and will cast off all man's machinery, his binding rules, and cautious methods.

Can someone who is connected in a church that is binding men closer and closer to their fellow men, receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit while they remain under man's influence? Do you catch the significance of what Ellen White was writing? "Many will be stirred by the Spirit of God to break every shackle" that was holding and binding them to that man dominated church, and to "assert their liberty in Christ Jesus"!

If the Adventist leadership would continue to reject this precious message, what did God reveal would happen? Their candlestick would be removed; the Holy Spirit would be taken from the church and given to others; the church would exalt forms and ceremonies instead of exalting the light in Jesus; much man-made authority and binding rules would be made; and cords that would bind the people to remain in such a church would be developed. But eventually these binding cords would be broken, and many would step out in order to join the armies of the Lord outside and to declare the truth unhindered by man.

"That these men [General Conference leadership] should stand in a sacred place to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be, that is past....The men that have long stood in positions of trust while disregarding the light that God has given, are not to be depended upon. God wants them to be removed...There must be a renovation, a re-organization" 1901 General Conference Bulletin, p 25-26.

So the SDA church continued to reject the very last message of mercy and the Holy Spirit as they did in 1888. And in extreme sadness, Sister White writes exactly what would have happened if they would have obeyed the message of God, got rid of the General Conference leadership, and re-organized the church to work under God and His principles.

"Had thorough work been done during the last General Conference at Battle Creek; had there been as God designed there should be, a breaking up of the fallow ground of the heart, by the men who had been bearing responsibilities; had they in humility of soul led out in the work of confession and consecration; had they given evidence that they received the counsels and warnings sent by the Lord to correct their mistakes, there would have been one of the greatest revivals that there has been since the day of Pentecost.

"What a wonderful work could have been done for the vast company gathered in Battle Creek at the General Conference of 1901, if the leaders of our work had taken themselves in hand. But the work that all heaven was waiting to do as soon as men prepared the way, was not done; for the leaders closed and bolted the door against the Spirit's entrance. There was a stopping short of entire surrender to God. And hearts that might have been purified from all error were strengthened in wrong-doing. The doors were barred against the heavenly current that would have swept away all evil. Men left their sins unconfessed. They built themselves up in wrong-doing, and said to the Spirit of God, 'Go Thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season I will call for thee'" Battle Creek Letters, p 55-56 (Letter 23, August 5, 1902).

Things did not change. And in the 1903 General Conference Session, the SDA church voted to continue doing the same; to continue on in the same pathway of resistance to God, and rejecting of His Spirit in the latter rain. God then sent this testimony to them:

"Some seem determined to continue doing those things that brought the expression of the displeasure of God upon those who would not heed admonition and warnings. They have kept up a continual defiance against God, and warfare against the testimonies of reproof that He has sent.

"Many will never, never have eternal life unless they see the sinfulness of their course of action, and realize how greatly it has dishonored God. They are not servants of Christ, because they do not do His works. The Lord says, 'Proclaim My message.'..Many have become corrupted in faith, corrupted in principle. Many have dishonored God and sold themselves to sin, and in word and deed have helped others on in strange paths they have chosen, until they do not know what true religion is. They have sacrificed faith for worldly favor, and are leavened with that which is opposed to righteousness. At first they felt some compunction of conscience, but they refused to turn back, and now hardness of heart is preparing them for hopeless apostasy, and the judgments of God. The appeals of their Saviour have been resisted, His mercy abused, His provisions of His redeeming love, made by infinite sacrifice, rejected....

"That which has been done since the General Conference held at Oakland in 1903 will result in the loss of many souls. Men who might have stood in clear light, doing valiant service as ministers of the gospel and medical missionaries, have been accepting false theories and sophistries which originated with the father of lies, and yet they do not realize that they have changed" Series B#7, p 11-15 (November 20, 1905).

What would happen if the SDA church continued on in the same path? Hopeless apostasy, and the judgments of God would fall upon them in the seven last plagues. This would mean that probation would have closed before the plagues could fall! So if the SDA church continued on in rejecting the message of the righteousness of Christ, then probation would close for the corporate church, and Satan would then have full control.

The history of the workings and fruits of the SDA church since that time proves it. That's why we're still here today. That's why the work hasn't been completed. Many would have gladly not been born to have this whole mess of a sin-ridden and cursed world over with.

But the SDA church would have none of it. And if God's people wait for the SDA church of today to change and begin to advocate the righteousness of Christ and the loud cry of the third angel, they will be seeing the seven last plagues falling upon them and their church. The SDA church once had the precious chance to repent, accept, and herald the latter rain and loud cry messages, but not anymore. They will continue on in their tradition of rejecting the precious light of 1888, and they are not afraid to bluntly and plainly tell the people so.

"In 1888 the direction of the Adventist church took an upward turn at the Minneapolis Ministerial Pre-Session...and the church has not been the same since....The 1985 World Ministers Council follows in the tradition of 1888" Ministry magazine, November, 1984, p 22 (back cover).

The SDA church and it's leadership plainly and bluntly admits that they are going to continue to follow in the tradition of 1888! Only they have deceived our people into believing that they really accepted the message; hence the people do not understand what is going on. Even though the General Conference President is calling for the Holy Spirit to fall upon the church today in latter rain power, the only spirit that will answer that call is the Devil! Because the only channel through which the Holy Spirit operates is that of the truth--which the SDA church rejects.

The SDA church leadership will continue to reject this most precious latter rain message of the righteousness of Christ. They will continue to try and kill it, and keep it from the people to the "bitter, bitter end" (Series B#7, p 9). We were already clearly warned that the SDA church would do this!

"One thing it is certain is soon to be realized,--the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the Lord descends from heaven with a shout. We are to hold fast to the first principles of our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith....Souls are departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There must not be any languishing of soul now" Series B#7, p 56-57 (Letter 326, December 4, 1905).

How long will the church continue in apostasy? Until Christ comes! So is there any hope of a revival and a reformation back to the Lord from within the SDA church? No. The Church will continue on in its apostasy and rejection of God's Spirit and truth; and by the fruits that the church produces, will show to all who want to see, that God has taken the work which the church refused to do into His own hands, and this work will be cut short in righteousness.

"Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness" TM 300.

God has already taken that work into His own hands, and many things are being accomplished in spreading His work in righteousness, apart from, and without any help from the SDA church. God has removed His work from the hands of the Seventh-day Adventist church because of their unfaithfulness and rejection of His truth, His Spirit, and Jesus. This means that the candlestick has been removed from the church, and that probation has closed upon the corporate body--but not on all the individuals in that body. God has taken His Holy Spirit from the church, and has chosen others to give it to, so that they can live and loudly give His messages of the three angel's to the world.

"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 work 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 "UL 131 (Manuscript 33, April 27, 1903).

Since the SDA church has been set aside, you can expect them to continue exalting forms and ceremonies instead of the truth; to continue keeping members under man-controlled and man-made rules and authority; to continue upholding and refining their hierarchial organization patterned after Rome; and to continue holding and binding precious souls to this God-forsaken, romanish church. And what does God want His people to do under these conditions? He clearly shows His people the issues, and what His will is regarding the SDA church. "To whom [SDA church] he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear" Isaiah 28:12.

Now who is the "rest" that the weary are to find rest in? Jesus. He is the only Rest for the weary soul. Yet the SDA church rejected the very message that pointed the people to Jesus. And since they rejected this message, what then did the SDA leaders begin to point the people to as the place where rest could be found? Directly to the church.

So where is the gospel message of the SDA church pointing people today? The church may use the word "Jesus," but the people are pointed to that God-forsaken church structure as the place where they are to find rest in. In fact, the SDA church has given up every principle and truth contained in the first, second, and third angels' messages, and is teaching something completely contrary to these precious messages! (write for the booklet "Transmutation of the Three Angels" which proves this from the SDA churchs' own mouth, at the address given in the front). But where is God's real gospel message pointing people to? It is pointing people to Jesus Christ as the only place for the weary to find rest in.

Now is the SDA church pure? She has rejected the only message that could have made her pure. Hence she is polluted with sin and apostasy, instead of righteousness and truth. And what is God's will today regarding the SDA church? Do you want to follow His will, or follow your own will? Do you want to know what His will is for His honest Seventh-day Adventist people today?

"Even of late My people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory forever. Arise ye, and depart for this is not your rest: it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction" Micah 2:8.

What represents the robe and the garment that was pulled off our people? The precious robe of Christ's righteousness. And what represents the glory that was taken away from our people forever? The glory of God--or His righteous character--being lived in the life, which gives glory to God. So what has the SDA church done? They have risen up as an enemy to God, and are stripping the SDA membership of the robe of Christ's righteousness! Hence no one can give glory to God by perfectly reflecting His character in their lives while remaining under the evil influence of the church. And how long will the SDA church continue to do this satanic work? "Forever"!

"...the message announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to some religious body that was once pure, and has become corrupt....Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be a harlot..." Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4 (4SOP), p 232-33.

"For among My people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses [or churches] full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich" Jeremiah 5:26-27.

Babylon's wine is her false doctrines. And the word "fornication" means to "commit harlotry" (Strong's #4202). So all the churches of today are drunk upon Babylon's false doctrines, and have committed harlotry with her. Thus they have all become a harlot of Babylon.

Does this only represent heads of the world's nations, or does it also have a spiritual meaning? The kings of the earth are those who have accepted Jesus and His truth, and have entered into His service--being written in the Lamb's book of Life (Revelation 1:5-6, 5:10, 17:14, 21:24-27). And what have these kings, which will rule with Jesus if faithful to the end, done? They have "committed fornication" with the harlot church. Or they love and are physically connected with, or in bed with, their church in harlotry.

This is not only represents the money power of the earth, but also has a spiritual meaning representing ministers. Revelation 18:13 plainly states, that it is those men who deal in "slaves and souls of men"! (see also Isaiah 23:8, Hosea 12:7). So it is the ministers of the churches.

The word "abundance" translates "force, miraculous power, violence, mighty work, and miracle worker" (Strong's #1411). And "delicacies" translates "strength" (Strong's #4764). So the ministers are given much authority (waxed rich) to rule over their church members, using force or violence if necessary, through the miraculous power and strength of their hierarchial, despotic system of organization, structure, and governance.

"The plain and undeniable fact is that the Seventh-day Adventist church is most assuredly not a 'congregational' one...but is clearly of the...'hierarchial' variety. The church governs by a method of organization as is embraced by the term 'hierarchial'" Equal Employment Opportunity Commission vs The Pacific Press Publishing Association, Civ. #74-2025 CBR, trial from 1974-75 (write for copy at address given in front).

"Church documents that prescribe the church's structure and governance confirm that all parts of the church are part of a single entity. Next to the Roman Catholic Church, the Adventist is the most centralized of all the major Christian denominations in this country" Derrick Procter vs the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Case #81C-4938, Section B, p 22, October 29, 1986.

This proves that the statements given in 1893 by Ellen White--stating not to call the SDA church Babylon--are not unconditionally given promises; but are conditionally given promises. God never gives His people promises of His favor without conditions of obedience!

So as long as the SDA church would not follow in the steps of Babylon, they would not become Babylon. It's only on condition of obedience that the SDA church would not be corrupted and become Babylon fallen. In fact, God mercifully told the SDA church this very thing!

"The world must not be introduced into the church, and married to the church, forming a bond of unity. Through this means the church will become indeed corrupt, and as stated in Revelation, 'a cage of every unclean and hateful bird'" TM 265 (November 17, 1891).

"The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, and {it is} the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon" 2SM 68 (Letter 16, 1893).

So if the SDA church would remain faithful to God and His truth, they would never become Babylon. But if they cast aside Christ and His truth, then there would be nothing to hinder them from becoming Babylon. It was just in 1893, the majority of the SDA church leadership were still trying to follow God, and hence the church could not be Babylon at that "present time" (TM 50). (For more information on this issue, please write for the booklet "The Controversy Over Revelation 18" at the address given in the front). But from what we have already seen, especially after the death of Ellen White in 1915, the fruits which the SDA church has produced clearly shows that they have fulfilled the description of Babylon in Revelation 18. And along with all the other churches, they have become Babylon. Why? Because they continued to reject the only message that could have kept them from becoming Babylon--which is the latter rain message of the righteousness of Christ.

To be a partaker of the harlot churchs' sins means that we are corporately responsible. What is corporate responsibility? By just being a part of a corrupt church, you are corporately responsible as a member for the sins of that church (see Jeremiah 26:15, Joshua 7:1-26, 3T 265-69).

Is this possible? Can a message of Christ's righteousness, and a message of separation out of the church, be combined harmoniously together? Many want to keep the two messages distinct from each other; but is it possible that the two go together harmoniously in one last complete gospel message?

The latter rain message points hungering and thirsting souls to Jesus; the loud cry message separates the people from man-controlled bondage to be completely free in Jesus! The latter rain message separates the soul from the contamination of personal sins; the loud cry message separates the person from being corporately contaminated by the sins of their wicked church! Both messages involve separation; one from personal sin, the other from corporate sin.

Refusing to obey either message means that you cannot be completely perfect and free from sin--whether personal or corporate. Thus you will never be able to perfectly reflect God's righteous character in purity and spotlessness because of the stain of sin! Hence if you neglect to obey either message, you will still be contaminated with sin, whether your own or corporate. Thus you would be guilty of the rejection of Jesus by not bearing your cross to separate from personal sin--which is the latter rain message; or not bearing your cross to separate from determined sinners--which is the loud cry message. Thus you would not receive the seal of God. Reject either the latter rain message of Christ's righteousness, or the loud cry message to separate from your apostate church, and you will not receive the seal of God!

Even if you obeyed the latter rain message and overcame all your personal sins, but refused to obey the loud cry message to separate from your church, you would still fail to perfect righteousness completely and to be without the spot and stain of sin; and the seal of God will never be placed upon anyone who is contaminated with the spot of sin (5T 212-16). Thus you would be accounted corrupt by your continued membership in your corrupt church.

"It is impossible for you to unite with those who are corrupt, and still remain pure. 'What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial?' God and Christ and the heavenly host would have man know that if he unites with the corrupt, he will become corrupt" 4RH 137.

Following or preaching only the latter rain message of the righteousness of Christ of the third angel, and not following the loud cry message of the third angel, will leave people contaminated with corporate sin. Thus they will lose eternal life. Following or preaching only the loud cry message, and not pointing the people to the righteousness of Christ, will leave the people contaminated with personal sin. Thus they will also fail of eternal life. Both messages of the third angel must be obeyed to fulfill all righteousness and be completely free from the spot of sin in Jesus.

So the truth for this time--present truth--embraces "the whole gospel," not just half a gospel! To preach "present truth" is to preach a complete gospel message of the third angel--to preach the latter rain and loud cry messages. We are not to preach only the righteousness of Christ, but the loud cry as well. We are to embrace and preach the righteousness of Christ and separation to Christ.

Most will admit that it's time for the latter rain message of the righteousness of Christ to be given, but not time for the loud cry message of separation from corrupt churches to be given. Most will try to push off the giving of the loud cry message into the future, instead of giving that message today.

A current belief among many individuals and independent ministries is that the loud cry message cannot be given until after the Sunday law is passed. They state: "No one is to separate themselves from the corrupt apostate church until after Sunday becomes a law." But is this belief the truth? Is the message of Revelation 18 to be held quiet until after the Sunday law, or is it to be given today--before the Sunday law? What is the message for today?

"Today, as in the days of Elijah, the line of demarcation between God's commandment-keeping people and the worshippers of false gods is clearly drawn. 'How long halt ye between two opinions?' Elijah cried; 'if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.' 1 Kings 18:21. And the message for today is: 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen....Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.' Rev 18:2, 4, 5.

So are we to wait for the Sunday law before we rise up, do our God-given duty, and preach to others this merciful and loving separation message? NO! We are not to ride the fence anymore! How long are we going to halt between following God's will or following our own will? But this is exactly what Satan wants. He wants you to put off following God until a later time, and then what happens? You delay, you make excuses, and pretty soon the light that you should have immediately obeyed, is withdrawn and becomes darkness to you.

"The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of a union of Church and State, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,--all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands have never listened to words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven. The people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? The ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord.' The popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, are filled with anger as their authority is questioned; they denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.

"As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the people are called to God's down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message only maddens those who oppose it. The clergy put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work, papists are solicited to come to the help of Protestants. The movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided. The law is invoked against commandment-keepers" 4SOP 424-25.

What message awakens both good and evil religious elements from their sleep? The message of Christ's righteousness and the message of separation to Christ from the corrupt church. These two messages combined together awakens God's people and Satan's people out of their slumber; both groups then make a decision either for or against the messages; and the evil religious elements, who hate that message, will try to stop it by getting laws passed to hinder it. This eventually leads to the passing and enforcing of the Sunday law.

But what message is Satan and his agents loudly giving to the people? They are stating that "It's not time to give the separation loud cry truth now. It's not time to separate from the church. You have to wait for the Sunday law and crisis to come before you can follow and give this truth. God wants you to stay in the corrupt and apostate church and wait for them to kick you out."

What these agents of the Devil are really saying is: "God does not want you to willingly act on your own choice in following His will; let the corrupt and apostate Satan controlled church tell you when it is OK for you to obey God. Just remain in and connected with all the apostasy, error, corruptness, and evil, and become contaminated with it and comfortable in it. Then you will learn to love the corrupt SDA church, and will defend the apostate church, and thus you will never want to leave the church!"

Does God want His people to cling to corruption, or to the pure Jesus? Does God want His people to cling to a lie, or to the truth? In clinging to the corrupt and apostate SDA church, you are clinging to Satan who is the author of the corruption and apostasy. Thus you would be far from the Lord Jesus!

But God will not let the Devil win this battle. And He has a special message to be given today to awaken His people to see the snare which they are in by being connected to the churches. Thus His people will be able to make a choice, either to stay in the Devil's snare, or to leave it.

But this fallacy of human reasoning has no foundation in God's precious word! If you want to do God's will, then it is time now to obey and give these last special saving messages of separation from personal sins, and separation from a corrupt church. Thus people will have the choice to come into the waiting and blessed arms of our merciful Saviour who waits on the outside of all the churches. It is time now to give this last precious message of mercy, which is completely centered in Jesus Christ.

"Every feature of the third angel's message is to be proclaimed in all parts of the world....This message is a testimony message. Received into honest hearts, it will prove an antidote for all the world's sins and sorrows. No conditions of climate, of poverty, of ignorance, or of prejudice can hinder its efficiency, or lessen its adaptability to the needs of mankind.

"The proclamation of the great gospel message is the work of the disciples of Christ. Some will labor for this in one way, and others will carry another branch of the work, as the Lord calls and directs them individually. Not all have the same line of work, but all may unite in their efforts....

"All are to hear the last message of warning. The prophecies in the book of Revelation, chapters 12 to 18, are being fulfilled. In the eighteenth chapter is recorded the very last call to the churches. This call is now to be given" LDE 83 (Manuscript 75, September 20, 1906; see also UL 277).

"The Lord Himself will call men, as of old He called the humble fisherman, and will Himself give them instruction regarding their field of labor and the method they should follow. He will call men from the plow and from other occupations to give the last note of warning to perishing souls" LDE 80 (Letter 210, Sept 21, 1903).

That means God can use you and I! As long as we are humbly dependent upon God for our continued source of nourishment, following the truth that will moisturize our dry hearts, then we can be a partner with God and all the heavenly agencies in giving this last message of mercy to perishing souls. We don't have to wait until later to join our precious Lord and be freed from all personal and corporate sins--we can and must follow God now! "To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart..." Psalms 95:7; "behold, now is the day of salvation" 2 Corinthians 6:2.

"The last great conflict is before us, but help is to come to all who love God and obey His law, and the earth, the whole earth, is to be lighted with the glory of God. 'Another angel' is to come down from heaven. This angel represents the giving of the loud cry, which is to come from those who are preparing to cry mightily, with a strong voice, '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.' (Rev.18:1, 2).

"We have a testing message to give, and I am instructed to say to our people, 'Unify, unify.' But we are not to unify with those who are departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. With our hearts sweet and kind and true, we are to go forth to proclaim the message, giving no heed to those who lead away from the truth" 3SM 412 (Manuscript 31, 1906).

Are we to be unified with, or members of, a church that has rejected this message? NO! Absolutely not, if we would follow God! God and Christ tell us that we are not to have any union with the harlot church, or her upholders and lovers at all--not even in the smallest amount.

One of the key words used here is "touch not." But how can we "touch" an unclean church? We can touch an unclean church by fellowshipping with her, but especially by joining membership in her. Membership in a corrupt apostate harlot church connects you--or touches you--with the unclean harlot church. So even if you have left the church, but have not removed your name from the roll-books, your membership still touches you to that unclean church. Hence you would be touching the unclean thing by retaining your membership, and would be unclean by this touch, and considered a partaker in the sins of harlot church!

Some want to deny that membership in the harlot SDA church makes them impure. They use the human reasoning that their local church is not like the General Conference; that their local church is pure and not affected by the corruption and apostasy in the General Conference. But this reasoning is erroneous, and has no foundation in God's word.

"...as the human heart throws its living current of blood into all parts of the body, so does the management at this place, the headquarters of our church, affect the whole body of believers. If the physical heart is healthy, the blood that is sent from it through the system is also healthy; but if this fountain is impure, the whole organism becomes diseased by the poison of the vital fluid. So it is with us. If the heart of the work becomes corrupt, the whole church, in its various branches and interests, scattered abroad over the face of the earth, suffers in consequence" 4T 210.

As the heart of the SDA church is the General Conference, and it is corrupt, then everything connected with the General Conference is also corrupt--world divisions, union conferences, state conferences, institutions, publishing houses, all the local churches, evangelists, pastors, elders, teachers, and hence all SDA members! So if you are connected with the corrupt and impure SDA church in membership or association, then you are touching the unclean woman, and you are unclean and a partaker in her sins!

When a priest of Israel, who was consecrated and made holy to minister before God, had come in contact with a dead body--even if it was but the slightest touch of the hem of his garments--his whole person was contaminated and declared unclean. According to the God-given process of cleansing found in Numbers chapter 19, the unclean priest had to separate himself from the church and camp of Israel, and be cleansed twice--on the first day and on the last day. This cleansing process involved running water being poured through the ashes of a sacrificed red heifer. If after being cleansed, the worker of God went back to the camp of Israel and touched the dead body again, he would become unclean, and would have to go through the whole process once again of separation out of the camp in order to be cleansed.

The sacrificed red heifer represents Christ--the Word of God. The running water represents the purifying action of the Holy Spirit cleansing us through the Word of God. And the dead body represents a spiritually dead church. So by our connection to and membership in a spiritually dead church body, even if it is just the slightest touch, makes us unclean and unfit to minister or work for a holy God. And the only God-given way in which we can become cleansed and accepted back to Him, is to separate ourselves completely from that unclean church, be cleansed twice by Christ's sacrifice and the purifying work of the Holy Spirit, and then not to reconnect ourselves with that dead unclean church. We can warn others about where the unclean and dead church is, and what to do if they are touching it. But if we want to serve and witness for a holy God, we dare not touch or reconnect ourselves to the church again.

This same issue can be clearly seen when looking at a muddy pool of water. While standing in a pool of muddy water, even if we move to its most shallowest edge, we are still contaminated by the mud. We can use all the soap and pour all the clean and pure water over our heads, and yet we are not completely cleansed because our feet are still connected with the mud. We may even manage to be clean and spotless everywhere else on our body, but by our feet being allowed to remain in the mud, we are not completely cleansed or fully spotless. And we will never be completely cleansed and fully spotless until we break all connection with the muddy pool, walk out of the mud, and are cleansed with soap and pure water. And in order to remain fully clean, we must not touch or reconnect ourselves with that unclean muddy pool again. We can and must warn others about where the unclean and muddy pool is, and what to do if they are touching and thus contaminated by it. But if we want to remain clean and spotless, we dare not touch or reconnect ourselves to it again.

"You are exhorted to touch not the unclean thing; for in touching this, you will yourself become unclean. It is impossible for you to unite with those who are corrupt, and still remain pure. 'What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial?' God and Christ and the heavenly host would have man know that if he unites with the corrupt, he will become corrupt" 6BC 1102 (4RH 137, January 2, 1900).

By our willing choice to remain associated with, or by retaining our membership in, a corrupt apostate church, we are made partakers in the sins of the church--being made corporately responsible in all the church's wickedness. Thus we are one with this unclean woman, and we will receive the same punishment as our apostate harlot church does!

"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith He, shall be one flesh" 1 Corinthians 6:16.

If we choose to remain connected with the apostate harlot babylonish SDA church--either by our presence or by our names on the church roll-books, then we choose to be a partaker in all the sins of the church, and thus we will receive the plagues right along with the church we love more than following the will of God.

"In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed....Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church?...The heavenly Teacher inquired: 'What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah?...

"I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: 'Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become a harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed" 8T 247-50.

So Jesus is not united with, or a part of, the harlot SDA church! And neither should we (John 12:26). But Jesus is separate and distinct from the SDA church, and He is beckoning with open waiting arms for His people to come away from all the corruption, away from all the apostasy of the SDA church, and to come into His strong loving arms outside.

Since these are the last messages which will be heard, they can be likened to shut door messages. If the righteousness of Christ or the loud cry of the third angel is decidedly rejected, there are no other messages which can bring you back to God. In rejecting either one, the door of your probation closes!

The latter rain and loud cry messages are a life and death question! These are the last messages of mercy to ever be given to the inhabitants of this wicked earth. If the latter rain message of overcoming all sin before Jesus comes (AA 531) is decidedly rejected and cast away, the door shuts--probation individually closes while you are still living. And for probation to close while you are still living, what would have had to take place in the heavenly sanctuary above? Judgment would have taken place against your name!

If the latter rain message is accepted, but the loud cry message to separate physically from your church is decidedly rejected and cast away, then the door shuts--probation closes upon you who dared to trample upon God's word; and it closes while you are still living. Thus judgment would have had to take place against your name in the heavenly sanctuary! Hence these precious messages are connected with the judgment of the living!

"Those who have had the light of truth, and heard the warning message, heard the invitation to the marriage supper--farmer, merchant, lawyer, false shepherds who have quieted the convictions of the people, unfaithful watchmen who have not sounded the warning or known the time of night--all who have refused obedience to the laws of the kingdom of God, will have no right therein" TM 235.

"The message presented at this time is the last message of mercy for a fallen world. Those who have the privilege of hearing this message, and persist in refusing to heed the warning, cast away their last hope of salvation. There will be no second probation" 6T 19.

The longer Satan can keep people confused, the longer he has to secure more souls in his kingdom, bringing them to destruction. And he will use any agent he possibly can to divert minds and keep people from hearing, understanding and following these messages. Especially will he use those who accept and preach the righteousness of Christ--freedom from all personal sin--but who reject the loud cry message of separation from their apostate church.

These agents of the Devil preach half of the gospel, and then lead the people to believe its all the gospel that there is; while they reject the other half of the gospel of separation from the church. Thus they appear righteous, while they are really doing valiant service for their lord Lucifer. God has tried to warn us:

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

So we can tell Satan's agents by their fruits--or by the messages they preach. If they do not preach a whole gospel; if they refuse to give, or try to keep the people from following either the latter rain or the loud cry message, then they expose themselves to be Satan's agents--whether they realize it or not!

The majority will not recognize this, but will reject the messages, and in so doing, cast away "their last hope of salvation." Especially will the majority of SDA's reject the loud cry message to separate from their babylonish church. Hence the harvest will pass them by; judgment will be pronounced upon them while they live; probation shall close; and their last hope of salvation will be gone forever. And when they finally realize this, they will sing a most bitter wailing song of despair!

"...there are many, many in our churches who know little of the real meaning of the truth for this time....Oh, how many who have not sought their souls' salvation will soon make the bitter lamentation: 'The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved" [Jeremiah 8:20]! 8T 252.

Why can't our people see and awake to the solemn reality of what's taking place right now? Why can't they see the issues as God sees them, instead of as other men have told them? The harvest messages of the latter rain and loud cry are going forth. Those who awaken, study, and accept these precious messages are harvested out of the church. While those who awaken, refuse to study, and reject these messages will be past by, and the harvest will end--leaving them to suffer the same punishment as their harlot church.

"The message of the angel [Revelation 18] following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message, and the whole earth will be lighted with the glory of God. The Lord has this one [last] call of mercy to [give to] the world, but the perversity of men diverts the work from its true bearing, and the light has to struggle amid the darkness of men who feel themselves competent to do a work that God has not appointed them to do" LDE 78 (Letter 86, June 18, 1900).

So the time of harvest occurs when these messages of the latter rain and the loud cry are combined and clearly presented to the people. Thus decisions are made either for or against these shut door messages. This means that the time of harvest is not at some future event, such as the Sunday law, but occurs when the people hear these precious messages.

Those deciding against and decidedly rejecting these messages prove themselves to be unworthy of eternal life, and are determined for destruction without a second chance. Which means that their probation closed while they still lived! Which means that their case had already been decided in heaven! Which means that the judgment of the living had already begun upon them individually!

So the time of harvest occurs when these two messages are combined harmoniously and presented clearly to the people--which begins the judgment of the living upon them (TM 234) in the end of their probationary time (COL 72 individually! (For more information about the harvest, please write for the booklet "The Wheat and Tares" at the address given in front).

And it is time to give these precious life and death messages now. This is a serious, but a most precious message which God has prepared for the world. But Satan is working so hard to keep people confused about the timing of these messages, pointing them to the future Sunday law when he says that it's time for these messages to be lived and given; when it is time now. That is why he's so active in binding people to their apostate churches, so that they will reject the loud cry message by not separating from her, and thus they will receive the plagues being brought down to hell right along with their harlot church. And whether you believe it or not, the last saving message of mercy is going forth right now!

"The work to be done now is that of sounding this last message of mercy to a fallen world....The word will grow deeper and become more earnest to the very close of time. And all who are laborers together with God will contend most earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. They will not be turned from the present message, which is already lightening the earth with its glory. Nothing is worth contending for but the glory of God. The only rock that will stand is the Rock of Ages. The truth as it is in Jesus is the refuge in these days of error" 2SM 114.

"The messenger turned to the congregation and said, 'Do you believe the prophecies? Do you who know the truth, understand that the last message of warning is now being given to the world,--the last call of mercy is now being heard. Do you believe that Satan has come down with great power, working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in every place? Do you believe that great Babylon has come up in remembrance before God, and that soon she will receive from God's hand double for all her sins and iniquities?'...If the enemy can keep workers out of the field on any pretext, he will do so" Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 362-63.

The SDA church has rejected these last messages of mercy, and is trying to kill them. Thus God has rejected her as His church. He has removed the candlestick and taken His Holy Spirit from the SDA church, and has given it to those who appreciate it. Hence the mother SDA church is destined to be destroyed, along with all those children of hers who cling to her and remain a part of her! And why can't our people see this?

"Plead with your mother [SDA church], plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband...And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms. For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink."

"Therefore shalt thou [church members] fall in the day, and the [false] prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother....therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall" Hosea 2:2, 4-5, 4:5, 14.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" Matthew 7:15-20.

Christ clearly states that by examining the fruits being produced, we shall;--not partially know them, or maybe know them,--but we "shall know them." Why do our SDA people cling to a "Thus saith man" or a "Thus saith the church" or a "Thus saith what my heart thinketh"? Why can't they cling instead to a "Thus saith the Lord?" Why can't our people see clearly? Maybe it's because they do not want to see clearly. Maybe it's because they don't want to hear or understand that their beloved church has been disowned and cast aside by God because of her continued defiant harlotry and apostasy--which she will cling to until the "bitter, bitter end."

All I can do to try and awaken my brothers and sisters to their true perilous condition, by remaining connected to personal sin or to their corrupt church, is to unite my voice with God and loudly proclaim the truth from heaven--that, "Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven" 4SOP 424.

Who wants to end this great controversy? Who wants to go home and be with our Saviour for eternity? I don't want to be on this wicked and cursed earth any longer. I don't want to sit down, relax and wait for the crisis to come; that will never come, because no one will give the messages that will bring it.

If you really want to go home to heaven and be with our blessed Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ, then it's time to accept, to act upon, to live, and raise your voices loudly in giving these last saving messages of the latter rain--righteousness of Christ, and the loud cry--separation from all churches today. It is time to give this complete and harmonious gospel with unmuffled boldness and power (Ev 230), which will bring on the Sunday law, and the crisis, and the ending of this whole great controversy.