p. 8 | Shall We Listen to Opposers? by Allen Walker

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 18, 1915

Shall We Listen to Opposers?

By Allen Walker

ALLEN WALKER

In all ages since creation, whenever God had a special message to give to the inhabitants of the earth, there were those who took it upon themselves to oppose the Lord's work. In some instances they seemed to hinder its progress for a time. But by studying the inspired history of these movements and the opposition which they had to meet, we have learned that God “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” In many instances the most bitter opponents have been those who for a time were connected with the work and zealously supported it.

We are reminded of the experience of Paul in connection with the church at Ephesus. When about to depart from them, knowing that it would be the last time they would see his face, and longing to impart to them some instruction that would help to keep them steadfast in the faith, he did not forget to warn them against the opposers which would try to bring reproach upon his work. He said to them: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall

men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

This parting instruction which Paul delivered to the church at Ephesus is “meat in due season” to the people of God today. For we are passing through a crisis like that which Paul foresaw would come upon the Ephesian church. But the question is, How shall we relate ourselves to those among us who arise and speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them? Shall we listen to their teachings? Shall we throw our influence on their side by attending their meetings?

In Eph. 5:6 Paul said, “Let no man deceive you with vain words.” He then points out the only safe course for believers to pursue in order not to be deceived by the vain words of false teachers. He says (verse 7), “Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” The inspired writer well knew that if the believers listened to the words of false teachers, they would be deceived and drawn away after them, and their final doom, as he tells them in verse 6, would be the visitation of the wrath of God upon them for their disobedience.

Now if it was disobedience to God for the Ephesian brethren to listen to the false teachers of their time, are not we disobeying God when we listen to those of the present time? If in listening to the “vain words” of false teachers, they were in danger of being deceived, are not we also? The only way they could escape being deceived was by not having any fellowship with them and by refusing to listen to them; and our only safety is in following the same instruction. If we refuse to do this, we are disobeying to the same extent that we would be doing if we were disloyal to any other of the Lord's commands.

The great danger of listening to these false teachers is set forth by the servant of God, in “Early Writings,” pages 124, 125, a part of which we here quote; but it would be well to study carefully the whole chapter:—

“I was shown the necessity of those who believe we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings. . . . The influence of such gatherings is not good. . . . God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error without being obliged to go. . . . The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him, and the power of his evil angels, and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. I saw that we have no time to throw away in listening to fables.”

This instruction is too plain to be misunderstood. And when God in his mercy sends us a warning in language so plain and emphatic, it is a serious, yes, dangerous thing to regard it lightly, and do the very thing which it warns us against doing.

In Revelation 14 God points out a definite message which is to go to all the world just before the second coming of Christ; and the fact that God is using Seventh-day Adventists to carry this message is evidence sufficient to prove that all who are trying to oppose the work of this people are working against God. Said Jesus, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Then let us not cooperate with false teachers in scattering abroad, by attending their meetings and listening to their words, or even by assuming a neutral position.

Orlando, Fla.