The coming "shaking"

[Robert]

I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen.  I was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true Witness to the Laodiceans.  It will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver of the testimony, and it will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.  This straight testimony some will not bear.  They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.

I saw that the testimony of the true Witness has not been half heeded.  The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded.  This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it, will obey it, and be purified.  [GC chapter 32]

[Robert]

As I read different topics on CA I get the idea that this or that will cause the shaking (apostasy) within the 7th-Day Adventist church.  One poster thought it would be over women's ordination.  Another over gays.  

Well, a careful, honest study of the Laodicean message will reveal that it is not caused by any of these current issues within the church. 

[Robert]

I want to turn to some quotations from Ellen G. White.  And I want to give you three quotations.  And I want you to notice how she identifies the Laodicean problem.  

 

Your self-righteousness is nauseating to the Lord Jesus Christ. “I know your deeds, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would that 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 eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”  These words apply to the churches and to many of those in positions of trust in the work of God.  [7BC 962]

 

So what is our problem?  Self-righteousness.  Next quotation:

 

Self-righteousness is not the wedding garment...

 

In fact, self-righteousness is the garment that one person was wearing, refusing the garment that was offered him.  The bridegroom was offering him His garment, he says, “No, my suit is pretty clean.  I don’t need your suit.”  And Ellen White says:

 

Self-righteousness is not the wedding garment.  A failure to follow the clear light of truth is our fearful danger.  The message to the Laodicean church reveals our condition as a people.  [RH 12-15-04]

 

What is our condition? Self-righteousness.  Okay, let me give you one more quotation.  Here we are told what Christ’s opinion is of self-righteousness [SC 44]:

 

There are those who profess to serve God while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law...

 

How would you describe these kind of works — “works of faith” or “works of the law”?  Who are they depending on to produce righteousness?  They’re depending on their own effort.

 

There are those who profess to serve God while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law to form a right character and secure salvation.  Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as which God requires of them in order to gain heaven.  Such religion is worth nothing!

[Robert]

http://www.jacksequeira.org/laodic08.htm

[Rossw]

Do issues like WO or homosexuality in the church rise out of self righteousness? Those issues are a symptom of the self righteousness?

[Robert]

1 hour ago, Rossw said:

Do issues like WO or homosexuality in the church rise out of self righteousness? Those issues are a symptom of the self righteousness?

What's the motive behind women who wish to be Pastors?  Motive is everything. They are either motivated by agape because they are resting in Christ's finished work or they're after position to bring glory to themselves, i.e, a "fair shew in the flesh".  The same is true of men.

A man practicing homosexuality, as a lifestyle, once he has become a Christian is ultimately a self-righteous act.  How so?  God's law calls sexual acts with a man sin.  If the believing homosexual rejects God's appraisal and persistently practices this as a legitimate lifestyle then that believer's distance from God is growing until finally he commits apostasy.

Ellen White:

The poor publican who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13), regarded himself as a very wicked man, and others looked upon him in the same light; but he felt his need, and with his burden of guilt and shame he came before God, asking for His mercy. His heart was open for the Spirit of God to do its gracious work and set him free from the power of sin. The Pharisee's boastful, self-righteous prayer showed that his heart was closed against the influence of the Holy Spirit. Because of his distance from God, he had no sense of his own defilement, in contrast with the perfection of the divine holiness. He felt no need, and he received nothing.—(Steps to Christ, 30, 31.)

The publican didn't reject what God's law mirrored.  He saw that he was a sinner in need of Christ's imputed and imparted righteousness.

The Pharisee's self-righteous prayer proved his heart was closed.  He was boastful, arrogant and sought to bring glory to himself.  These sins he daily practiced. Because of his distance from God he didn't realize his own defilement. 

1 John 3:8 "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil"

Gal 5:21 "those who practice such things (see verses 19 to 21) will not inherit the kingdom of God"

[Robert]

http://www.jacksequeira.org/laodic02.htm