What to do with grumblers. EGW

[Woody]

" Troublers of Zion.--There are in our churches those who profess the truth who are only hindrances to the work of reform. They are clogs to the wheels of the car of salvation. This class are frequently in trial. Doubts, jealousies, and suspicion are the fruits of selfishness, and seem to be interwoven with their very natures.I shall name this class chronic church grumblers. They do more harm in a church than two ministers can undo. They are a tax to the church and a great weight to the ministers of Christ. They live in an atmosphere of doubts, jealousies, and surmisings. Much time and labor of the ambassadors of Christ are required to undo their work of evil, and restore harmony and union in the church. This takes from the courage and strength of God's servants and unfits them for the work He has for them to do in saving perishing souls from ruin. God will reward these troublers of Zion according to their works. {Ev 370.3}

The ministers of Christ should take their position, and not be hindered in their work by these agents of Satan. There will be enough of these to question, and quibble, and criticize, to keep the ministers of God constantly busy, if they will allow themselves to be detained from the great work of giving the last saving message of warning to the world. If the church has no strength to stand against the unsanctified, rebellious feelings of church grumblers, it is better to let church and grumblers go overboard together than lose the opportunity of saving hundreds who would make better churches, and have the elements existing within themselves of strength and union and power. {Ev 371.1}

The very best way for ministers and churches is to let this faultfinding, crooked class fall back into their own element, and pull away from the shore, launch out into the deep, and cast out the gospel net again for fish that may pay for the labor bestowed upon them. Satan exults when men and women embrace the truth who are naturally faultfinding and who will throw all the darkness and hindrance they can against the advancement of the work of God. Ministers cannot now in this important period of the work be detained to prop up men and women who see and have

felt once the force of the truth. They should fasten believing Christians on Christ, who is able to hold them up and preserve them blameless unto His appearing, while they go forth to new fields of labor." EV 371

[John317]

Totally agree with Ellen G. White's statements. As usual, it is best to read much more of what she says on this subject, just as it is best to read everything the Bible says on a particular subject.

When we study the history of the Christian church from the time of the apostles to about 500 AD, it becomes obvious that God is not the only One leading people to join the church. Satan is leading unconverted people to attach themselves to the church. He did this from the 2nd century on until the church was virtually the same as the world.

Regards,

"John 3: 17"

[Woody]

Quote:

Totally agree with Ellen G. White's statements. As usual, it is best to read much more of what she says on this subject, just as it is best to read everything the Bible says on a particular subject.

My first point is that of course John317 ... we know that you agree with her. You have stated that you ALWAYS agree with every issue she has spoken on. After all she IS a prophet and the authority on ALL issues according to you.

And of course it is your MO to try to find other statements that she has made to the contrary of one particular statement. I think it is a given that if you give any statement of hers ... and the opposite opinion can be found in her writings. That way ... any person with ... any belief can support EGW.

It is a very convienent approach for her supporters from what I have observed. She is anything to everybody.