p. 4 | Abiding in the Ship by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1916

Abiding in the Ship

By G. B. T.

“EXCEPT these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31. These words were spoken by Paul to the centurion and soldiers, who, seeing the ship being driven to land by the stress of storm, were preparing to flee from the ship by means of smaller boats. He told them their salvation depended on staying in the ship. It did not seem so. Their sense of individual safety told them there was a better way—better to break up into smaller groups, and take to the boats. But Paul knew better. The vessel in which they were was held by four anchors. Better to be all together and anchored than scattered in small groups and drifting. The counsel proved good. By remaining together, the two hundred and seventy-six persons “escaped all safe to land.”

So it is today. The church is beset by storms. The fury of the gale is increasing. A woe rests upon the inhabitants of the earth because the devil has come down with great wrath, knowing that his time to deceive souls is rapidly drawing to a close. Breakers are ahead, threatening the stately gospel ship with certain destruction. Side issues will appear, affording what seems a means of escape. Shall we leave the tried ship for some other craft? “Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Remain together, is the exhortation.

Here is the message for our time—this great movement which is being carried forward throughout the world. It is the fulfilment of the prophetic message of Rev. 14:6-14. This movement is in fulfilment of prophecy. This people is a prophetic people. Keep this in mind when some are trying to destroy your faith in the message. The revelator saw the movement in vision. We see before us the fulfilment of the vision of the Apocalyptic seer. If this movement with which we are connected is not a fulfilment of the prophecy of Revelation 14, where is its fulfilment? The time has come for its fulfilment, and if this movement is not the fulfilment of the prophetic word, it has no fulfilment, and the word of God is broken. But the word of God cannot be broken. The time for the message has come, and, lo, it is now doing its work in all the world. And that which is in fulfilment of prophecy can no more be stopped than can the sun in its course. God has always fulfilled his word, and he always will. Men may leave the truth on one pretext and another but the fulfilment of prophecy is sure. At such a time, it is well to remain in the ship.

This message is opposed by many. Truth has always had its opposers. Some who once believed it have given it up, and now wage war on former brethren. This has been the experience of the church throughout the ages. Blind to their own failures and mistakes, these opposers of truth seek for something which they think is wrong in the lives of those who are devoting their entire energy to the promulgation of the message. They criticize administrative plans, and hold up what they call mistakes to the ridicule of a cold, unfeeling world, that hates the truth. No great learning, piety, or depth of Scriptural exegesis is necessary to enable them to do this.

But what about the message? Men may make mistakes, but God has always carried forward his message through such fallible instruments. Even Moses erred, but what about the exodus movement? It triumphed. So it will be in our day. Even if men make mistakes, and are not able to expound every text of the Bible clearly, what about this prophetic message?

If this message is in fulfilment of the words of a prophet of God, it will triumph, and our salvation depends on our remaining in the ship,—no small boats of our own will do.

“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps,—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’ I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. God had led them along step by step until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.

“I saw individuals approach the platform and examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform to examine it, and declared it to be laid wrong. But I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted those who had stepped off to cease their complaints; for God was the master builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected some of those who had complained and left the platform, and they with humble look

again stepped upon it.”—“Early Writings,” pp. 258, 259.

We shall do well to study these words. There are those who are continually finding fault with the foundation, saying that this plank and the other were laid wrong, and making suggestions of improvement regarding the message. But the fundamental pillars of the temple of truth are all right. It is well to stand on the foundation. There is none more firm or sure. Here are some further words of counsel:—

“I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers, the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, ‘Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? How can they be silent? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand the storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.’”—“Special Testimonies,” p. 38.

Thank the Lord, the foundation will stand the storm! The message fulfilling prophecy will triumph gloriously. In this time God’s people should press together, giving no countenance to those who are seeking to destroy the faith of God’s people in the message.

“In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was led by banners bearing the world’s insignia; the other was led by the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust, as company after company from the Lord’s army joined the foe, and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. An angel flying in the midst of heaven put the standard of Immanuel into many hands, while a mighty general cried out with a loud voice: ‘Come into line. Let those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ now take their position. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters. Let all who will, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.’

“The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, ‘as when a standard bearer fainteth.’ Isa. 10:18. But their apparent retreat was but to gain a more advantageous position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as Christ’s soldiers planted his banner on the walls of fortresses till then held by the enemy. The Captain of our salvation was ordering the battle, and sending support to his soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the gates. He taught them terrible things in righteousness as he led them on step by step, conquering and to conquer.

“At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with the inscription, ‘The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,’ was gloriously triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the gates of the city, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established. . .

“This is the scene that is presented to me. But the church must and will fight against seen and unseen foes. Satan’s agencies in human form are on the ground. Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave his place of intercession before the mercy-seat, and shall put on the garments of vengeance. Satanic agencies are in every city, busily organizing into parties those opposed to the law of God. Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties. This is no time for the people of God to be weaklings. We cannot afford to be off our guard for one moment.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, pp. 41, 42.

This is a trumpet call to come into line. “Except these stay in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” G. B. T.