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