DOES IT MEAN ME? by H. L. Doty

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 20, 1868

DOES IT MEAN ME?

By H. L. Doty

“Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking (of thee, margin) by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass (lo, it will come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.” Eze. xxxiii, 30-33.

This prophecy is sometimes quoted by our preachers when giving lectures, as describing the interest awakened by the preaching of the message, and the manner in which it is listened to, and finally rejected, by the masses. With all respect for the opinions of others, I will say that I think it has a different application, and will give the following reasons: First, instead of being addressed to the world at large, it is spoken of “the children of thy people,” verse 30, an expression used to point out the people of God. Again, in verse 31, it is said of them, “They sit before thee as my people,” not as worldlings that have come out of curiosity to hear some new thing, but “as my people.” Again, speaking of the children of God, in verse 33, it is said, “When this cometh to pass, then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.” In order to apply as above, this must be changed so as to read, A teacher of the prophecies, something that is not there.

God, in his word, has taught that the gifts of the Spirit will be revived in the last days. Now while the sure word of prophecy has pointed out some of the characteristics of the remnant church, might we not expect that the manner in which the testimonies of the Spirit would be received, would also be pointed out? That this prophecy does so apply, we believe. With this view let us carefully examine it.

In verse 30, there are two facts plainly set forth: First, the “work of the Lord” brought to view in this prophecy is the subject of more than usual conversation among those interested; and second, that each one is anxious to hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord.

Whenever it has been announced through the REVIEW, that another Testimony was forthcoming, how hundreds of hearts have rejoiced at the news. If we chanced to meet a brother, something was sure to be said about the Testimony. Perhaps there is no point of present truth that has been so much a subject of conversation among those who are in union with the body as the testimonies and spiritual gifts. And when word came that the promised feast was ready, how many there have been to make haste and send for it, that they might “hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord.”

In verse 31 we are told that they come, and sit and listen as the people of God, but do not give heed to the teachings and duties set forth. With their lips they assent to them, but fail to give them a deep and wide place in their hearts. Much that has been communicated by the Spirit has been spoken in the public congregation; but whether they have been heard in this way, or received from the Office of publication, the result has been the same. They have been received with apparent due consideration, in many cases with thankfulness, while the church have, generally, expressed their belief that they were from the Lord; but they have almost as generally failed to receive them fully and live out their teachings. The prophet’s words have been verified, “Their heart goeth after their covetousness.”

Verse 32 is but a repetition in other words of a part of the preceding verse. Verse 33, “And when this cometh to pass (lo, it will come), then shall they know that a prophet has been among them.” The application of this verse is so apparent that comment is unnecessary. We have seen the rest fulfilled in the past history of the remnant, and seeing it, may know that the spirit of prophecy is revived among us.

Dear brethren and sisters, full long enough have we been filling up this dark picture. Let us arouse from our lethargy, and no longer be indifferent with reference to the solemn times in which we are living; no longer listen carelessly to the teachings of the Spirit. Let us still be anxious to “hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord,” and equally anxious to be found doers of that word. H. L. DOTY.