The Shaking Begins
TimeWatch Editorial
April 14, 2017
The remnant church has reached a critical place. The famine of the word is beginning to cover the land. As Amos chapter eight and verse eleven says: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” There has been much concern voiced by many regarding the lack of urgency with which many who have been given the responsibility of delivering the truth to those who have sat in the pews. There are many who have not been taught the fundamentals of Biblical truth, because of the desire in the hearts of many who claim to have been called to the gospel ministry, to satisfy their own advancement, instead of studying the Word, becoming acquainted with it and then feeding the souls of those who seek truth. Fortunately for us, God is not dependent upon the works of man to accomplish his plan of salvation. Testimonies volume 5, page 80 tells us:
“We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor." -Testimonies, Volume 5, Page 80:0.
It is important that we, before we deal with any other issue related to the end time, fully grasp and assimilate the above stated fact. We have been given a privilege to be a part of the work of God, but its success is certainly not dependent upon us. Those of us who have been given the responsibility of being called to be an example, if we neglect the role that has been given will indeed receive the same reward as those who have rejected the truth. Manuscript Release Number 19, page 176, (1898) says the following.
"Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God." Manuscript Release Number 19, page 176, (1898)
It should be clearly understood then, that the very issues which have begun to cause concern about the messages that are being presented in the church, is itself an indication of an important phase of the end. The obvious rejection of the pillars of the faith, demonstrated time and time again by the noisy meanderings of many who seek to jump start the emotional rather than the Spiritual, provides the measure by which the true are separated from the deceived. Testimonies to Ministers, page 112 puts it this way:
"When the shaking comes, by the Introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness. . . Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New Testaments. Let there be light, yes, light, in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth."- Testimonies to Ministers, page 112
But the question remains, even though the introduction of false theories will create an atmosphere of uncertainty, what is it that will cause the division between truth and error? The Book Early Writings clearly defines the issue.
"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people. "-Early Writings, 270:2.
The introduction of error is accomplished, step by step. Today we see the fulfillment of that introduction taking place, not just around us, but beginning in the places where truth should be immoveable. Step by step the reversal of faith has planted its unwanted seed in the soil of many hearts. The leaves of those plants have spread, but thanks be to God that error will not be victorious. The same Testimonies that have foretold the abandonment are the first to be abandoned.
"It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction," Testimonies, Volume 4, page 211:1.
Let us therefore be warned. Let us be careful. We must be diligent in study and prayer, so that we might be rooted and grounded in truth. Remember,
"We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands."- Testimonies Volume 6, page 332
Cameron A. Bowen
