GEO. O. STATES by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1907

GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Lessons from Past Experiences —No. 17

GEO. O. STATES

I can but believe that if this truth is presented by our ministers as God would have it, there will be a power with it that will draw out of the lodges the honest hearted who are now in them. I do not censure men who do not know this truth for belonging to the lodges. They offer certain worldly advantages, and yet the remnant who are giving the last message are not to unite with these worldly societies, for God has given us great light, and we know from this light that probation is fast closing.

In the first vision given the servant of the Lord as recorded in “Experience and Views,” page 10, a view was presented of the travels of the remnant people, and she says: “I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, ‘Look again, and look a little higher.’ At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city, which was set at the farther end of the path.”

I tell you, my brethren and sisters, when God’s people get there, it will have taken them out of every lodge and labor union, for these are simply traps of Satan to bind in bundles for the great day.

These things all take money, and with the solemn message that we have, we should use all our powers in giving the last message, and I know we can not do that and be bound up with the worldly organizations. I have no doubt that in the future we shall see more and more of these things to draw talents and means which should be devoted in giving the message.

Those who have so little faith in the third angel’s message as to continue their membership in these organizations will, unless they take hold of the truth more firmly, be sifted out and lost.

In “Early Writings,” pages 131-134, we have a vivid picture of the solemn work that is before us. “Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a cloud. The angels of God left these, and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their powers to resist the evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But his angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them. I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people. . . .”

“My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. . . . Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle which they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy.

“The numbers of this company had been lessened. Some had been shaken out, and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth, and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them.”

I believe this shaking is just before us, and those who have so little of the third angel’s message as to be bound up in these worldly organizations I am sure will then be shaken out.