What is the straight testimony in Ellen White writings
I love seventh day adventist . They are very honest and disciplined people . In fact Ellen g White says God rebukes them because they are the apple of his eye . But a few things Jesus has against them . This message is found in revelation 3 the Laodicean church . The sad part is that many seventh day adventists reject any rebuke of the church , even when this rebuke comes from God.
The 1888 message righteousness by faith was also rejected.
What is the straight testimony? This is a message that is all over the bible and the spirit of prophecy . Yet many adventists and even SDA pastors are blind to this message . Many adventists have been taught that it is the true church . And this is true and biblical . But many teachers have failed to teach that there is another side . The side that the church is lukewarm and that God sent Ellen g White mostly to rebuke the church and give the straight testimony .
Why is this message given in Adventist churches around the world ? Why when an Adventist finds out about this message that is all over the books of Ellen g White they are treated as enemies ? This is the big failure of many members of the seventh day adventist church .
What is the straight testimony ? It is the Laodicean message
We see in this the failure of many members to treat the leadership as the Catholics do . They go to the messenger and depend on him for spiritual food as a catholic will depend on the priest for bible truth and will not study any topic that the minister will not teach on .
The Laodicean message must be given with earnestness and power, as a message from heaven. {SpTB02 20.1} But stunningly almost no adventist church teaches this message . I have been a seventh day adventist for many years before i came across the straight testimony message . What is the straight testimony ? It is the Laodicean message . What is the Laodicean message ? It is a message of loving rebuke from God to his end time Israel his end time church . Let us read this message from the bible and spirit of prophecy
The message to the Laodicean Church is appropriate to the church at this time: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent." There are many who are priding themselves upon their spiritual riches, their knowledge of the truth, and are living in guilty self-deception. When the members of the church humble themselves before God by zealous, not half-hearted, lifeless action, the Lord will receive them. But he declares, "I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." How long shall this warning be resisted? How long shall it be slighted? {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 14}
What is the straight testimony? The message and the members are different
What is the problem then ? It is that because the seventh day adventist church is the remant church of revelation 12 does not mean that they are not lukewarm. It is one thing to have the truth sent by God and this truth cannot be altered . As God gave the truth to Moses, Abraham. But it doe snot mean that God forces people to follow the truth .
People often mistake the person and the message . They are two different things. Many people look at someone and say i do not want to follow Jesus because this Christian is unloving and unkind. Well God is only responsible to preserve the truth . God cannot force someone to be good and loving . Let us study the message and see if it is from God .
But the message being the 3 angels message of revelation does not mean that because the remnant church has the truth that all its members are loving and like Jesus . What is the straight testimony . This message is like the Elijah message, a message of decision . A message of swing our true condition . This message goes together with the righteousness by faith also called the loud cry message of revelation 18 .
The True Witness says, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot." And again, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent." Then comes the promise, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." "To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." {RH, September 16, 1873 par. 23}
We see here that the end time people of God are blind. They cannot see their condition . They cannot see that the legalism and the spiritual apathy is offensive to God . The truth given on a platter by God to Ellen g White makes them spiritually lazy . When we are legalists we do not see that we are legalists. It is repeated so many times in churches that we need to do this or that to be saved that we end up believing it is true . But Ellen g White never says we need to work our way to heaven to be saved
What is the straight testimony ? The shaking
How serious is this message ? It is extremely serious . As i say to many seventh day adventist . Many know there is the 3 angels message for the world . Did you know there is also a message for the church ? Most seventh day adventist tell me . No i did not know. That is incredible , we have the books of Ellen G White, we have the bible where the remnant church is prophecied from old to new testament . And yes still we do not know ?
This message the straight testimony is the shaking . When we see many adventists rejecting this message, they are rejecting God and are one step closer to leave the church and the truth . As this message will make a distinction between those who worship God and those who worship themselves and their own self righteousness.
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. {EW 270.2}
This means that only a select few seventh day adventist whether they are independent or form the conference it doe snot matter . As what makes a seventh day adventist is believing the 3 angels message . A select few will be given this message to the church . What does this message often entails ? This straight testimony is all over the books of the spirit of prophecy and the bible .
What are the rebukes ? A few of them are legalism, pride, apathy, spiritual laziness, unkind unloving spirit. The rejecting of the 1888 righteousness by faith message made the church enter in a more Laodicean state. The abase of power, the coldness, the lack of love. In fact there are many more traits of character the which many seventh day adventist pride themselves to not do yet are blind to their own condition .
This company who bound themselves together by cords of unsanctified sympathy would not receive reproof and counsel. The straight testimony was irksome to them. {PH159 179.1}
I have been instructed to give a message of warning to our churches in Oakland and Berkeley. Many who love self-indulgence and who murmur at the straight testimony of the Laodicean message, are ignorant of how sinful their actions really are;{18MR 232.1}
We see here Ellen g White say that we are blind to our own condition . When one is a legalist they see themselves as a good person . As 1 they do not compare themselves to Jesus they compare themselves to the world. 2 they think their works are what matters and not their behaviour and how they treat others.
Ellen g White and the bible say clearly we will be judged in the great manner by how we have treated others . Much more than what our habits are. Many seventh day adventists focus mostly on what they do and not do, what they eat and not eat. How they dress and not put on. But the heart is unloving, unkind, selfish . But many falsely believe that the works are enough . Blind to the condition of the heart. Jesus had been left out of the door. The simple lessons of the gospel are seen as too basic to follow
Many seventh day adventist prefer to study advanced bible prophecy . When the basic lessons of not seeking the first place. Turning the other cheek, forgiveness, helping those in need. Being meek and lowly, those lessons have never been seen as non important . Yet what makes a Christian is to be like Jesus .
"the solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs."{CCh 338.5}
The light given me has been very forcible that many would go out from us, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. {2SM 392.2
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. There are few really consecrated men among us; few who have fought and conquered in the battle with self. {PH117 62.2}
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. {1T 608.3}
Only a few of the seventh day adventists will finally be saved. This is an incredible quote. It means only a few of the millions will finally make it to heaven ? Yet many of us believe that because we have accepted the last message for earth called the 3 angels message we will go to heaven ? No
What is the straight testimony ? It is the rebuke of God to the seventh day adventist church . Also applicable to all churches . As many of the members of other churches will soon join the 3 angels message . And many seventh day adventists who refuse the straight testimony will leave the church .
We are coming to a crisis, and I am in terror for our souls. Why is it that we find men leaving the faith? Are we in a position where we shall know what we believe, and shall not be shaken out? {YRP 129.4} Here the spirit of prophecy says plainly many Wil leave the faith . Doe sit say they will leave the church ? No they will leave the faith .
Sadly many members do not go behold what the preacher is preaching . And many will not study for themselves. One great thing that makes the seventh day adventist church lukewarm is to be afraid to study new topics. To remain satisfied with the light given . To refuse new light such as the straight testimony which is so plain .
The straight testimony must be revived, and it will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God's people should come nearer to Him and wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Then will they see sin in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of God. {3T 324.1}
When was the last time you have heard a sermon about pride, selfishness, unloving unkind spirit . Legalism ? It is almost never spoken about . Many seventh day adventist sermons today are about the same thing we have heard hundreds of times. How many times do we need to head that the dead sleep and they are not in heaven ? How many times do we need to hear that Saturday is the sabbath? Sister White said God will send messages out of the usual order from people God choses himself.
There must be a revival of the strait testimony. The path to Heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed, if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom, and to receive the kingdom of Heaven as a little child?
Are we willing to part with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained? {PH001 6.3}
The approbation of men is a great thing , many claim to be Christian yet they love to please the world . The self righteousness o what an offens to God when someone says by their actions . I am good enough i do not need Jesus . They can say we are saved by grace. Yet the actions say i am good and holy . They make the cross of Jesus an offens and without effect.
What is the straight testimony ? The last church
Those who permit themselves to rise in opposition to the plain testimony, become self-deceived, and have really thought that those upon whom God laid the burden of His work were exalted above the people of God, and that their counsels and reproofs were uncalled for. They have risen in opposition to the plain testimony which God would have them bear in rebuking the wrongs among God's people. {CD 428.2}
I have no desire to hurt the soul of any one, but I must bear the straight testimony given me. {LLM 43.7}
There is a big difference between someone who criticises the church for no reason who has not been called by God . And someone who who is called by God to give this message from heaven called the straight testimony . Specific evils are rebuked with the straight testimony . What is the straight testimony ?
It is the rebuke of the loving Jesus to the Laodicean and remnant church . Such as pride, legalism, lack of love , unconsecreation, apathy and many more . In fact this message is in many Ellen g White books . Now that your know about the straight testimony your eyes can be opened to see this message .
What is the straight testimony ? It is a loving message
It is sad that the deception is that it is true that the seventh day adventist church is the last church of revelation Laodicea and it is the remeant church . Does it mean that because it has the truth from God that the members will be all holy and good ? No Did the Jews have the truth ? Yes it was given by God to Moses Abraham and the prophets.
Did it mean that Israel was always holy ? No it went to be so bad that God had to reject ancient Israel. Did you know that Ellen g White says that modern Israel the seventh day adventist church is in danger of receiving the same fate as ancient Israel ? What a solemn thought .
The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time. {3T 252.1}
God reproves men because He loves them. {1SM 48.1}
He reproves, He rebukes, He chastens; but it is only that He may restore and approve at last. {TM 22.2}
The Lord is merciful. He does not chastise His people because He hates them, but because He hates the sins they are committing. He must chastise them, that they may return to their loyalty. If the warnings and reproofs given in the Word of God and in the testimonies of His Spirit are not plain enough, what words would be sufficiently plain to bring about a revival and a reformation? {UL 240.7}
I am now charged to write out the straight testimony which was given to me Monday night. I am to withhold none of it. {LLM 164.5}
But some of those who know of my experience, and who have had all the evidence that the Lord will ever give them, evade the truth when the straight testimony comes to rebuke some of their plans. {13MR 122.1}
What is the straight testimony ? A rejected message
Because many reject this message it does not mean that you have to reject it also . In fact the straight testimony is the same message given by prophets of old to ancient Israel. Legalism, forms, pride, unbelief.
Thinking one to be right with God and good and holy when we are dirty and corrupt is a sad state of things. Someone who experienced righteousness by faith will neveal say they are holy and good . They will not judge others in a wordly way just to criticize. The same sins of the parishes are those rebuked for the seventh day adventist church.
While these evils remain untouched everything passes along smoothly, but when the straight testimony comes and reproof and rebuke are given, there is a rising up against the straight testimony. It does not agree with the carnal mind, their carnal security is disturbed, they resist the work of God, and some will fall off. {15MR 330.1}
Jesus must abide in the heart; and where He is, the carnal desires will be subdued and be kept in subjection by the operation of the Spirit of God. {ST, June 6, 1892 par. 5}
What is the straight testimony ? A repentance message
This message is to give us the light , open our eyes to our condition . This message says you have all the truth ? You keep the sabbath ? You keep the health message ? You believe in the sanctuary message ? Your belief are right but do you resemble Jesus ? Do you think your profession of being a Christian is enough ?
Is your church membership sufficient for you to make it to heaven ? Yet this is what many people believe. That their church membership and claiming to be a Christian is enough for salvation . When by their fruits they are unloving, arrogant, the which is totally opposite to who Jesus is . Sn the goal to become like Jesus loving and kind honest and humble ? Unless we receive the Jesus experience let me tell you my friend you will never see the streets of gold . You will never enter any mansion in heaven. You will never live that life that measures with the life of God .
God's plan is not to send messengers who will please and flatter sinners, He delivers no messages of peace to lull the unsanctified into carnal security. But He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrong-doer, and pierces his soul with sharp arrows of conviction. {ST, February 12, 1880 par. 25}
He is knocking, knocking at your heart. Open the door and let Him in. Empty the heart of all selfishness, by living right, eating right, thinking right. Enthrone the Saviour in the heart. With His long human arm He encircles the race, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. I am hungry for the Spirit of God. Are you, brethren? My soul longs for it. May the Lord help us to take steps heavenward.--Ms 29, 1901
The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly treasure. "Buy of me gold . . . that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb (RH July 24, 1888). {7BC 965.3}
Did you know the straight testimony is also the counsel of the true witness ? This message is also the Laodicean message . How can we believe we are Laodicea and at the same time reject the message to the Laodiceans ?
If ever there was a people that needed to heed the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodicean church to be zealous and to repent before God, it is the people who have had opened up before them the stupendous truths for this time, and who have not lived up to their high privileges and responsibilities. We have lost much in not living up to the light of the solemn truths which we profess to believe. {RH, June 4, 1889 par. 9}
Many seventh day adventists do not tell others of the 3 angels message upon which the destiny of billions depends. This is one of the great offens to God . Better live a medium Christian life but give the 3 angels message to others . Than try by selfishness to follow all the little regulations and details just to please your own self righteousness and ego .
How long will the church take to become alive again.. Do you know Jesus loves you ? Repeat after me Father God forgive my sins, come in my heart ? Heal and bless me . Give me your righteousness please in the name of Jesus amen
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