Laodicea, The Church That Doesn't Know

-1“The Laodicean message must be proclaimed with power; for now it is especially applicable. Now, more than ever before.”-RH Sept. 25, 1900 “Take this message in all its phases and sound it forth to the people wherever Providence opens the way.”-7BC 964 “The Laodicean message is full of encouragement.”--7BC 966

LAODICEA by David Dence

I love my church very much. Jesus also loves His church. But now Jesus weeps over His church because she has been a great disappointment. Have you ever wondered about the future of the church? I have been told that the church is going through. I have asked many members what that means and no one has a definitive answer! It is time we formulated a better definition of this oft repeated cliché. The church is going through. Does this include: The General Conference Headquarters? All the General Conference workers? All the Division Vice-Presidents, Union Presidents, Conference Presidents? All the ordained Pastors? Community Services, ADRA, Pathfinders, and Summer Camps? What about our grade schools, colleges, universities and hospitals? All 16 million members? Or just the vegan members? Just who or what is going through? I don’t think we as a denomination have a position on this. We better get one real quick, don’t you think so? This is not about defining what the church is. It makes no difference. The outcome is the same. This is all about just how far you think the church is going. Do you suppose there will be a suburb in the New Jerusalem called Silver Spring? Will all the Conference Presidents be grandfathered into high positions in heaven? No, you say, it doesn’t work like that. Then please explain how it does work. Oh, you say, there is a shaking coming and God will clean up His church. Good point, I think you are on to something, but even if the church was spotless, will she go marching into Zion en masse? I fear some have developed a false sense of security. Well, you see the problem. We have just never put it all together. My study indicates that the church is headed for trouble. Do you agree? Just how serious is the prognosis? Sr. White warned, “The outlook is not flattering.”-9T227 Asking hard questions may be quite disturbing to some. I know how you feel. But please be patient and don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t lay this down thinking that you already know where I am going. I do not believe the church is Babylon. God is still blessing this church. Amen? Follow me closely. There is much more to this subject than meets the eye. Let’s consider Revelation 3 (New International Reader's Version) 14 Here is what I command you to write to the church in Laodicea. Here are the words of the One who is the Amen. What he gives witness to is faithful and true. He rules over what God has created. He says, 15 'I know what you are doing. I know you aren't cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But you are lukewarm. You aren't hot or cold. So I am going to spit you out of my mouth. 17 'You say, "I am rich. I've become wealthy and don't need anything." But you don't realize how pitiful and miserable you have become. You are poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3 (The Message) 15-17"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made,

I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. THE CHURCH THAT DOSEN’T KNOW “What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong!”--Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253. Notice the similarity between Laodicea and the antideluvians: Revelation 3:16 and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. “The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God.”--Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 253. “I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state. This parable will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time.”--R&H, August 19, 1890 Laodicea is the last church. That’s us! I have heard pastors stand in the pulpit and with some pride take credit for being the church of Laodicea. Oh, you say, there is going to be a great revival among Gods people. Yes, of course, a few will respond to the Holy Spirit and wake out of sleep. But where does that leave the church. Regarding the unfaithful in the midst of Philadelphia, we read in Revelation 3:9, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." This text is explained in, "A Word to the Little Flock, " p. 12. "You think, that those who worship before the saints feet, will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you, for God showed me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away and 'crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.' And in the 'hour of temptation,' which is yet to come, to show out every one's true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint's feet." How sad! These apostates that claim to be “Jews, and are not,” are brought to view in E.W. 37, "Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters, 'thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.' I asked who this company were. The angel said, 'These are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up.' I heard them cry with a loud voice,' we have believed in thy coming, and taught it with energy.’ And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they will wail aloud. I saw that they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet, trodden the Sabbath under foot, and that was why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting." These apostates will worship at the saint's feet at their deliverance. These are the tares, the unfaithful that have "grown together" with the Philadelphians, the Laodiceans, the foolish virgins." “The message to the Laodiceans is applicable to Seventh-day Adventists who have had great light and have not walked in the light. It is those who have made great profession, but have not kept in step with their Leader, that will be spewed out of His mouth unless they repent.”--1MR 360 “The church is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst.”--Last Day Events 49 “The church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary.”--5T83 “The church must be purged, and it will be.”--1T100

“The purging and cleansing will surely pass through every church in our land.”--TM414 “He will take His Holy Spirit from the church and will give it to others who will appreciate it.”--RH July 16, 1895 WHAT ARE THE CHANCES LAODICEA WILL REPENT? “Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come…We must enter upon the work individually.”--RH Mar 22, 1887 “It has ever been true that a backslidden body, one that has turned from God’s word to men, from God’s power to the state, was never reformed in itself.”--Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, Jan Feb March, 1896 “While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God's word until every objection has been removed, , will never come to the light.”--GC527 “I would gladly help them if I could, but the experience of the past gives me little hope that they will ever come to the light. No amount of evidence will convince men of the truth so long as they are unwilling to yield their pride, subdue their carnal nature, and become learners in the school of Christ.”--1SM 72 “See if they cannot get out of the rut they are in, which I have no hope of their getting out of. Every conference has woven after the same pattern,…and finally it will come to naught.”--GC Bulletin 1901 Revelation 3:16 is a prophecy that will surely be fulfilled. Are you prepared for that tragic event? Laodicea will soon be spewed out physically. Maybe you are thinking that the spewing out is symbolic, figurative, just a transaction or decision in the courts of heaven. Let me offer this analogy: You may be able to swallow something without anyone noticing, but you surely cannot spit something out without being noticed. And even if a sick persons goes in the bathroom and shuts the door, everyone in the house can hear him vomit. Last week the Tenold family got together at the Olive Garden. The youngest member suddenly vomited onto the table. Everyone in the restaurant was aware of what had just happened at the Tenold table. Staff members gathered around to help clean up the mess. The Tenold family was so embarrassed they left without finishing their meal. When God spits or vomits out the church every member will be painfully aware of it. Let’s look at another common cliché: We are the remnant church. Oh really? What gives us the right to this title? I find this label to be a bit premature. Do we understand what remnant means? When you go to the fabric store you will sometimes see remnants for sale. A remnant is a piece of cloth too small for a major project. A remnant is that which has been CUT OFF from the rest of the bolt. The majority of the fabric is gone, no where to be seen. In fact “the remnant” was actually wound onto the bolt first! Mat 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last. A TRANSITION IS COMING It will be shown in this study that the remnant emerge largely from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In fact the Seventh-day Adventist Church was raised up for the express purpose of developing the remnant. But the remnant church is a future church. The remnant church is what is left AFTER the shaking. Are you with me? We are headed for a great transition. More than once God has found it necessary to wipe the slate clean and start over again with a remnant. We find the first transition mentioned in Genesis 6 (Amplified Bible) 3Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, 5The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually.

6And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart. 7So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground----for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them. 8But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord. Here we see that God started all over again with just eight souls. Out of 32,000 soldiers only 300 proved themselves worthy to go into battle against the Midianites with Gideon. The next major transition occurred when Jesus came to dwell among His people and, to His great disappointment was rejected. Oh how different things could have been. What a glorious future awaited the Jews if only they had acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. But alas, the whole Jewish economy had to be set aside. To that people, Jesus had to finally say, "Your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23:38). Jesus was obliged to start all over again with 12 apostles. You can see where this is going. History is being repeated. Soon Jesus will have to set aside the current structure and finish the work with 12 times 12 times 1000 servants/prophets. But I am getting ahead of the story. In 1844 there were well over 50,000 New Englanders wistfully looking toward heaven for Jesus’ second coming. On the morning of October 23 less than 50 faithful souls maintained their allegiance to the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. This painful transition was called the great disappointment. But it was no accident. God used this simple method to develop the founders and pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And still today this is the only church which enjoys God’s supreme regard. God is still blessing our church. It is still the true church. This is where we belong. But unfortunately the Seventh-day Adventist Church has dropped the ball. She has not lived up to God’s expectations. God cannot use her in the closing days of the gospel. God is now “searching Jerusalem with candles,” looking for the few faithful members who He can trust with His Spirit without measure. Please don’t cry. Look on the bright side. This means we are almost home. Did you know that throughout the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness fresh water would bubble up from the ground or nearby rocks wherever they set up camp? Whenever they moved to a new location, a new spring would miraculously appear. This was yet another representation of Jesus - The Water of Life. The Israelites got used to it. They expected it. But after 38 years of weary traveling in the dessert they again came close to the boarders of Canaan. See Numbers 20. They were about to cross over. Mysteriously the water dried up. Instead of recognizing this as a sure sign of their eminent entrance into the promised land, they bitterly complained. With this Old Testament story in mind, please follow this parable closely: Johnny had no father. But he had a good mother. He also had wonderful grandparents who loved him dearly. His grandparents lived about 3 hours away. Johnny loved his grandparents and would often beg to go see them. One afternoon after work mother loaded up Johnny and took off to see Grandma and Grandpa. It was a hot afternoon, but the A/C kept them comfortable. Soon it got dark and mother turned on the headlights. Johnny was a good traveler and did not complain about the long ride. From his car seat he recognized some familiar road signs and knew they were getting close. And then with a swerve and a bump mother drove into the driveway and into Grandma’s front yard. Grandma had seen the car approaching and was drying her hands on her apron as she hurried down the front steps. Now mother did some strange things. She turned off the headlights! Johnny did not protest. She switched off the A/C. Johnny did not complain. She unbuckled Johnny’s seat belt. And as shocking as it may seem, she unlocked the doors and helped Johnny out of the car! Johnny ran across the yard into Grandma’s open arms and was welcomed by the most wonderful Grandma in the world. What a happy reunion that was. The fragrant aroma from Grandma’s kitchen beckoned them inside where Grandpa greeted the travelers with hugs and kisses.

Explanation: The church is the car in which our trusted leaders are driving us to the gates of heaven. The cry, “Stay with the church. Do not disembark,” has served us well for 150 years. Keeping the doors locked and seat belts buckled has been the right thing to do. The headlights of prophecy have faithfully shown us the way marks. Our drivers have a firm grip on the wheel and may be loathe to yield control. Does the cry, “The church is going through,” mean the car will crash right through the walls into Grandma’s living room? I think not. The car must come to rest in Grandma’s front yard. The car can go only so far. We must individually walk the short distance to me et Grandma.

After safely arriving in Grandma’s front yard will the drivers forbid us to open the doors? And will the passengers be afraid to venture out to meet Grandma? Will they expect the driver to carry them? Was Johnny afraid to cross the yard by himself? Of course not. This was the joyous moment he had been waiting for. Is this just a cute story or can we support it with some historic presidents and some Biblical documentation? We are looking for a transition. What Scripture points to a future transition or terminus? Have you considered Revelation 8:5? “Then the angel took the golden censer and filled it with fire from the altar of incense and cast it upon the earth. There followed loud voices, peals of thunder, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” It appears that the ministry which had been going on at the altar of incense just ceased! And what ministry might that be? It is Jesus’ continual or daily intercession. The only thing that is holding back the wrath of God against the whole world is the corporate intercession Jesus executes at the golden Altar of Incense. The plan of salvation operates on two levels: the corporate level and the individual level. Are you familiar with the differences between corporate intercession and personal/individual intercession? The sanctuary provided services for both. We find this spelled out in Leviticus 4 (Amplified Bible) 13If the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and it be hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done what the Lord has commanded not to be done and are guilty, 14When the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the congregation shall offer a young bull for a sin offering and bring it before the Tent of Meeting. 15The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bull before the Lord, and the bull shall be killed before the Lord. 16The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull's blood to the Tent of Meeting, 17And shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, before the veil [which screens the ark of the covenant]. 18He shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar [of incense] which is before the Lord in the Tent of Meeting, This is an atonement for corporate sin. You will notice that the altar of incense is involved. Now lets look at personal/individual atonement: Leviticus 4 (Amplified Bible) 27If any one of the common people sins unwittingly in doing anything the Lord has commanded not to be done, and is guilty, 28When the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. 29The offender shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill [it] at the place of the burnt offering. 30And the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering. You will notice that the altar of incense is not involved. The priests did not place offerings for an individual’s personal sins on the Altar of Incense. The bronze Altar of Burnt Offering out in the court yard was for the personal sins of individuals. The value of these two altars is seen in their metallic construction. Gold is of much greater value than bronze, so the service at the Altar of Incense is of utmost importance! Both altar s were designed as object lessons or teaching aids. (Galatians 3:24) The sacrifices placed on the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering pointed

forward to the death of Jesus for individuals. The daily offering of incense and occasional blood on the golden Altar of Incense in the Holy Place pointed backward to the day when Jesus became Intercessor for the whole world – before the first sinful child was born.

Revelation 11 1 Then I was given a measuring tape and was told to go and measure the sanctuary of God and the altar [of incense], and count the people who worship there. (Amplified Bible) 2 But don’t measure the people who are still in the courtyard and who don’t know what’s happening in the heavenly Sanctuary. (Clear Word) They will walk in the holy city for forty-two months. (Worldwide English) 3And I will grant the power of prophecy to My two witnesses, and they shall preach for three and a half years. (Contemporary English Version) They will wear clothes like people wear to show they are sad. (Worldwide English) Would you like to guess how many people were found worshiping at the altar of incense? That’s exactly how many I would guess: “144,000 in number.” And do you perceive the great mercy of God who grants those in the courtyard a little more time. And what altar is found in the courtyard? That’s right, the Altar of Burnt Offering. See how this ties in with Leviticus chapter 4? This is Bible evidence that corporate intercession ends first. So what is the result of corporate intercession coming to an end? When the great earthquake comes on the grand opening of the tribulation, God’s Church, upon which He has bestowed His special regard will no longer enjoy divine approbation. We have a clear historic precedent when in 34 A.D. probation closed corporately for the nation of Israel, but remained open for individuals. The New Testament also portrays both types of intercession: John 3:16 (King James Version) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus reconciled the world to the Father through His death. (1 John 2:2) These are corporate statements which includes everyone in general. And speaking of Adam’s fall Ellen White notes, “Transgression placed the whole world under the deathsentence.” 1BC1084 Now let’s look at a personal/individual invitation to a one-soul audience: John 3:3,7 (King James Version) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Ye must be born again. But Jesus’ corporate intercession neither began nor ended in the wilderness. That was simply a sand box illustration of what has been going on in heaven since Eden, and continues to this day. In the next chapter entitled THE DAILY we will develop this exciting truth. You just might be thinking about Early Writings pages 279 and 280 and conclude that probation is closed when the censer is thrown down. But let me point out that what Ellen White saw in vision was not Revelation 8:5. Ellen saw Jesus at some later point standing before the ark of the covenant. And yes, when He throws down that censer it is finished. But Revelation 8:5 shows an angel standing before the altar of incense. When that censer is thrown down corporate intercession ceases, but personal intercession continues for a time. During the seven trumpets salvation will be extended to the people of Earth, but corporately speaking, Earth itself will be doomed for destruction. “The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who [now] have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched, His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.”--Last Day Events 182 You see now how this fits with the story about Johnny. When the car comes to rest in Grandma’s yard, corporate intercession ceases. The car is no longer needed. From the car to the front door it is every man for himself. This

is the judgment of the living, the great testing time. SINGLE FILE “The "time of trouble, such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job" were in the land, "as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness." Ezekiel 14:20.--Mar 161 “We must individually know for ourselves what is truth. We are nearing the time when we shall stand individually alone to answer for our belief. We shall be attacked on every point; we shall be tried to the utmost. We do not want to hold our faith simply because it was handed down to us by our fathers. Such a faith will not stand the terrible test that is before us.”--Maranatha 217 “There are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Their faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God so that when the testing time shall come and they are brought before councils to answer for their faith they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear.”--God’s Amazing Grace 30 Have you ever flown to a foreign country? Did the jet take you all the way to your destination? No. That would have destroyed both the plane and your destination. That would also have bypassed customs. Intellectually we understand that we must all stand before the judgment bar of God (customs), not fly over it. God does not bypass individual accountability. We are not saved in groups, or families, or churches. A wife cannot save her husband. Neither can a church save its members. Only Christ can save. By definition a corporation is anything more than one. We will not enter heaven’s narrow gate two by two, or family by family, or church by church. It is single file. We must not rest in the hope that “the church is going through.” In a computer program we would call this a piece of bad code. It simply does not compute. There is no place in the plan of salvation for saving churches, only individuals. “Let church members bear in mind that the fact that their names are registered on the church books will not save them.”--9T48 “Each of us has a case pending in the court of heaven. We are individually to be judged according to the deeds done in the body.”--1SM125 “Each individual should seek to obtain new victory every day. We must learn to stand alone, and depend wholly upon God. The sooner we learn this the better.”--Experience and Views 54 “My brethren, do you realize that your own salvation, as well as the destiny of other souls, depends upon the preparation you now make for the trial before us? Have you that intensity of zeal, that piety and devotion, which will enable you to stand when opposition shall be brought against you? If God has ever spoken by me, the time will come when you will be brought before councils, and every position of truth which you hold will be severely criticized. The time that so many are now allowing to go to waste should be devoted to the charge that God has given us of preparing for the approaching crisis.”--5T 716 “It does not seem possible to us now that any should have to stand alone, but if God has ever spoken by me, the time will come when we shall be brought before councils and before thousands for His name's sake, and each

one will have to give the reason of his faith. Then will come the severest criticism upon every position that has been taken for the truth. We need, then, to study the Word of God, that we may know why we believe the doctrines we advocate.”--RH Dec. 18, 1888 EARTHQUAKE = SPEWING OUT Let’s take a closer look at just how the impenitent church will be dealt with: Revelation 3:16 (New King James Version) “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” This indicates something rather violent. Now let’s go back to Revelation 8:5 Did you notice that the time of trouble opens with an earthquake? This momentous event marks the beginning of the great time of trouble. (Neither Ellen White nor Scripture speak of a little time of trouble. Surprised? The term is only found in headings supplied by the editors!) This earthquake will come suddenly and unexpectedly, “in an hour when ye think not.” There will be no warning. Millions will die. The Seventh-day Adventist Church will lie in shambles. The General Conference headquarters and Union offices and perhaps some local Conference offices and churches will be severely damaged. Who then will write the checks for Pastor’s payroll? The church will be out of business. The extent of the damage will be beyond calculation. But God is never caught by surprise. He knows the whole story, for He is the One who wrote the script. After the dust settles those who have developed characters like Christ will stand up wherever they find themselves and reach up to God for divine help. It will be seen that these brave volunteers number exactly 144,000. God will honor their commitment by pouring upon them the latter rain. They then go forth to proclaim the Three Angel’s Messages. The work will finish with power and great glory. What is left of the structure may try to pick herself up from the dust and assert her lost authority. Unfortunately she will be in opposition to the 144,000. “The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; they still regard themselves as the chosen of God. The satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God.”--GC615 How sad. But none of our precious pastors or conference workers need be offended. They have equal opportunity to be numbered with the 144,000. “Sister White told us that a terrible storm…was coming, just like a windstorm that blew down every object that was standing. There was not a Seventh-day Adventist to be seen. They, like the disciples forsook Christ and fled. After the storm there was a calm. Then the Adventists arose like a great flock of sheep without a shepherd. They all united in earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered them by helping them choose leaders among them, who had never sought positions before. They prayed earnestly for the aid of the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them, making them fully ready for service. They then went forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an army with banners to give the message to all the world.”--1908 Statement by Ellen White to Sister McInterfer, Elder D. E. Robinson (her literary assistant and her grand-daughter’s husband) and Will Ross at the Loma Linda Station while waiting for the train. Even though this is an unpublished statement, I have no reason to question the integrity of those who have so carefully preserved this impromptu observation. It is easy to see why Sister White was not inclined to publish this remark. But surely you will agree that this insight clarifies an otherwise cloudy area of the apocalyptic puzzle.

When the dust settles will you stand up and be counted with the 144,000? Or will you just give up? The choice is yours! Remember, the division between the wise and foolish virgins was not arbitrary. The wise virgins rose up and followed the bride groom on their own accord. Coming to the conclusion that Laodicea will be spewed out by means of an earthquake took many years of careful examination of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Can you imagine my surprise and excitement when I recently found an historic precedent for this position? In both the SDA Bible Dictionary and Young’s Analytical Concordance I discovered that the ancient city of Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake! “Some will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. 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.”--TM300. “God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. The days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. A mighty sifting is soon to take place. His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. Those who have rendered supreme homage to "science falsely so called" will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. . In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the

unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. . God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. When trees without fruit are cut down as cumberers of the ground, when multitudes of false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to view, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. . Then will the church of Christ appear ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’”--5T79-82 Revelation 3:16 is just as valid as John 3:16. It is not a rumor, it is a prophecy. The chances of it happening is 100%. In fact, Revelation 8:5 fulfills Revelation 3:16! What could be simpler than a big earthquake? In just one day, or one night Laodicea, wherever it is found will be spewed out. The Bible does not teach that Laodiceanism occurs only in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Laodiceanism in other churches will be dealt with, too. According to the following quote the time of trouble commences with the spewing out of Laodicea. “The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. "Peace and safety" is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without mercy. It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure. The day of God's vengeance is just upon us. "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.”’--5T211212 Please notice that the above verse is an announcement. Announcements are made at the beginning of an event not at the end. Notice that Michael stands up at the beginning of the time of trouble. Sister White included this verse purposely to show that the church feels the vengeance of God at the beginning of the tribulation. The spewing out of the church is the first item on the agenda. That’s right, there will be no Sunday law until after Laodacia is dealt with! And do not make the mistake of thinking that the general probation closes when Michael stands up. No, no. You will agree that the greatest time of evangelism occurs after Michael stands up. “The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in… a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result?… Our religion would be changed. A new organization would be established. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.”--Series B Number 7 page 40 “Last night a scene was presented before me. I may never feel free to reveal all of it, but I will reveal a little. From place to place rose the cry, "The Lord has come! The Lord has come!" Many were unprepared to meet Him, but a few were saying, "Praise the Lord!" "Why are you praising the Lord?" inquired those upon whom was coming sudden destruction. "Because we now see what we have been looking for." "If you believed that these things were coming, why did you not tell us?" was the terrible response. "We did not know about these things. Why did you leave us in ignorance? Again and again you have seen us; why did you not become acquainted with us, and tell us of the judgment to come, and that we must serve God, lest we perish? Now we are lost!"-Reflecting Christ243 Corporate probation has come to an end. Only the wise will recognize the significance of the earthquake. Most

folks will not understand. They will think it is just another natural disaster. Please notice that events in heaven are signified by events on earth. The spewing out is both judicial and literal. Some feel that the church was spewed out in 1888 when she rejected the message of Righteousness by Faith. Others teach that the church was spewed out in 1914 when she disfellowshiped a large number of German Adventists over the war issue. But I do not recall any earthquake in 1888 or 1914. One dear brother, when asked how he thought Laodicea would be spewed out answered, “Oh they will spew themselves out.” That answer is contrary to logic and the clear declaration of Revelation 3:16 stating that Jesus is the One who will do the spewing. “The advent of Christ will surprise the false teachers. They are saying, ‘Peace and safety.’ Like the priests and teachers before the fall of Jerusalem, they look for the church to enjoy earthly prosperity and glory. But what saith the Word of Inspiration? ‘Sudden destruction cometh upon them.’”--DA 635 That’s right, the spewing out of Laodadia involves sudden destruction! Destruction of what? The structure. And what is the structure? The structure is composed of the corporation and the buildings. One fine pastor asked in astonishment, “Will the whole church be spewed out or just the lukewarm ones?” That is a good question. Remember we just read “we will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work…” Please understand that God is not vengeful. He is simply trying to make a statement. When our churches and Conference Office buildings are shaken down will some folks parish? Yes, perhaps. So will it be safer to be at home when the earthquake comes? It depends on whether it comes during the day or during the night. But whether I personally am spewed out on that dreadful day depends on my reaction to the earthquake. God is not arbitrary. Today you and I are preparing ourselves to either stand or fall when that day comes. “Soon everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.”--Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 15 “In the rejecting of Jerusalem, it was because great privileges were abused. Privileges do not commend us to God, but they commend God to us. No people are saved because they have great light and special advantages, for these high and heavenly favors only increase their responsibility. The more and increased light God has given make the receiver more responsible. It does not place the receiver in any safer position unless the privileges are wisely improved, prized and used to advance God's glory. When Jerusalem was divorced from God, it was because of her sins. She fell from an exalted height. And when an angel falls he becomes a fiend. The depths of our ruin is measured by the exalted light to which God has raised us in His great goodness and unspeakable mercy. Oh, what privileges are granted to us as a people! And if God spared not His people that He loved because they refused to walk in the light, how can He spare the people whom H e has blessed with the light of Heaven in having opened to them the most exalted truth ever entrusted to mortal man to give to the world?”--Selected Messages, Book 2, page 377

Brethren, we cannot, dare not rip Revelation 3 out of our Bibles. We must deal with it. Please remember that the spewing out of Laodicea is not the general close of probation. God is desperately trying to save everyone. Yes, the structure may crumble during the earthquake, but the precious people still have a little time to repent. It will be very interesting to see which buildings collapse and which ones, by God’s amazing grace survive. Also remember that by this time the 144,000 servant/prophets have already been made up. The earthquake/spewingout cannot occur until the 144,000 are ready. The dear Adventist folks who did not enlist in the ranks of the 144,000 will be granted an opportunity to join the great multitude and signify their sincerity by facing martyrdom. The spewing out is still a future event. At that time God will be in direct control of His workers. Perhaps now you can see that the phrase, the church is going through, needs to be qualified. After the earthquake the 144,000 will be the stewards of the gospel. Salvation will be by, of, and through the 144,000. Remember what Jesus told the woman at the well, “Salvation is of the Jews”. The 144,000 will constitute the remnant church. The reason the earthquake has not come yet is because God cannot find 144,000 righteous souls whom He can trust with His

Holy Spirit without measure. Are we delaying His program? What will it take to get us ready? “Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand.”-Maranatha 241 The reason we may be loath to accept the truth about the future of God’s true church, is pride. Yes, pride. We have invested a great deal of time, energy and money in the church. “Is this not the great church which I have built?” Like Nebuchadnezzar we wish it would last forever. “World without end.” Why did Nebuchadnezzar change his mind about the multi-metal image and set up one of solid gold? He could not accept the fact that someday his kingdom would be superseded. And why did Abraham, who when confronted with the news that his first-born son would not be accepted by God, cry out in disappointment, “Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee.” And why did the disciples try to cheer up Jesus as He sat sobbing over doomed Jerusalem, “Behold the beautiful structure?” And why is Wal¶Mart’s registered slogan, Always®? (An example of an entity that does not want to be superseded.) Did you ever get a parcel from Fed-Ex or UPS? What did you do with the empty box? Did you throw it away? Why? Well, the box had successfully completed its assignment and was no longer needed. I like to drive heavy trucks. Big trucks can go fast down hill, but going up hill can be very slow. So as not to interfere with normal traffic flow, highways often provide a third lane for slower vehicles called the climbing lane. After laboring up a long hill I will see a yellow sign saying, LANE ENDS MERGE LEFT. I could get upset that my lane is ending. Instead I rejoice because this sign indicates that the summit is near, and this extra lane is no longer needed. Beloved, The great Advent Movement has been laboring up hill for a long time. Up ahead do you see that sign warning, LANE ENDS MERGE LEFT? Will you be gripped with paralyzing fear, or will you grip the wheel and shift lanes? Will you hit the guard rail, or will you hit the gas and merge left? Are you ready to enter the fast lane? Remember, the final movements will be rapid ones.

The spewing out of Laodicea is not something to cry about. But let’s be sure we are not spewed out with her. Remember, God never takes anything away but what He replaces it with something better. Yes, a major transition is coming, but it is a transition for the better. The little flock will be under the direct control of the Shepherd. May we learn to hear His voice and follow Him now, that we may be in step with Him then. This is my earnest prayer. Please start from the top and read this chapter again. Please use discretion in the use of this sensitive information. Be careful who you share it with. Let’s not do more damage than good. Do not discard. When the earthquake comes you will want to review this, if you can find it. This is a work in progress. Corrections and comments are eagerly accepted. Perhaps God has entrusted to you a piece of the puzzle that He has not shown me yet. Let’s learn together. [email protected] 425 949-5115 home 423 321-2185 cell 328 Stone Cave Loop Dunlap TN 37327