The Laodicean Message by Dexter Daniels

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 5, 1857

The Laodicean Message

By Dexter Daniels

From Bro. Daniels.

Bro. Smith: I want to say a few words to the little flock through the Review, as I am fully convinced that the admonition to the Laodiceans is to us. The message found me in that state, I must confess. At first I was almost unwilling to believe that it was for me; but on an examination of my own heart I found that I was the man. I found that I had done what I ought not, and said what I ought not, and thought what I ought not, and that it was time for me to be more zealous for the cause of God and repent, or be spued out of his mouth. O what a time is this. Yes, God means what he says, and will do it unless we repent. But I feel thankful for this rebuke. I will profit by it. I will arise anew to the work and be ready for the refreshing. It appears to me that that time is soon coming, and God is waking up his people to get ready to receive it.

When we look back to the first advent, after the resurrection of Jesus, he told them to tarry at Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. He told them to wait until they were endowed with power from on high; for he says that they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. So we see that the church was not then ready to do their work; and the Saviour told them not to depart from Jerusalem until they were ready, or until they received that baptism of the Spirit that would qualify them for the work of God. So they did. They stayed at Jerusalem and prepared themselves for it; for they all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. They got ready, and were waiting for it. O yes, their difficulties, if any, were all settled, all grudging, and jealous feelings, and all hard feelings, put away. They were all ready, and waiting; for they had all been in prayer and supplication, afflicting their souls. So when the day of Pentecost had fully come they were all with one accord in one place. Then suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing mighty wind, and there appeared unto them eleven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them. Then they were ready to begin their work for God, then believers were added to them in one day over 3000 souls. O, what the church can do when they are prepared.

We were disappointed in 1844, as the disciples were when Christ was slain. They thought that it had been he that was to redeem Israel. They were disappointed. They waited until Pentecost. Then they had power to work and begin the gospel. So in 1844 with us. We verily thought that we were then to be redeemed; but we were disappointed, we were sad. But now the waiting time has come, now the just shall live by faith. Heb. x, 35-39; Hab. ii, 9. Now blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garment, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

I believe that the latter rain will soon come, and God has sent out the admonition to his church to get ready for it. We cannot be waiting unless we are ready. So he tells us to be zealous and repent, to get ready for a baptism of fire or the Holy Ghost. In order to be ready we must be pure in body and soul. We must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. We must not use tobacco, or snuff, or intoxicating spirits; for if we do we are filthy. The holy Spirit cannot dwell in such temples. We must cast away all such filthy things. We must purify ourselves, for he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure. The ark of the covenant was pure gold, within and without. God's holy law was deposited therein. So if God's holy law is written in our hearts, we must be pure within and without.

I rejoice this night that God has sent the warning to get ready for the latter rain; for unless we are clean the Spirit will not fall upon us. We must fit our temples for it, then he will come in and sup with us and we with him. Unless we do this we shall soon be left outside the city among dogs and sorcerers and murderers. We need not think that the latter rain will do this great work for us. No, no. We must get ready for it; then we shall share in the blessing. This rain is soon coming, and the warning has gone out to prepare for it. Then the Spirit of the day of Pentecost will come upon us. [Acts i, 5.] Not many days hence. Then the refreshing will come; [Acts iii, 19.] the latter rain. James v, 7. The Spirit will then be poured out upon us from on high. Isa. xxxii, 15. Then the church will come up leaning upon her beloved, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, terrible as an army with banners. Songs vi, 10. Then she will have power over the nations. Rev. ii, 26-29. Then one can chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. Then the 144000 will come up, and perhaps 3000 be added in a day to the church, as it was formerly. By the grace of God I will get ready for this. But we cannot be like the world, and indulge in the filth of the flesh, and at the same time be ready for it. No, no. We must deny ourselves and take up the cross, or be left out.

In conclusion I would say, Let us be zealous and repent, buy that gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich, and white raiment that we may be clothed that the shame of our nakedness do not appear, and anoint our eyes with eye-salve that we may see. It appears to me that this is the last call to the church to get ready, and unless we do, we shall soon be purged out. O let us not let the enemy make us think that we are better than we are. He will try to make us think so. Now he is busy. But he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. I feel like laying all upon the altar and beginning anew. Dear brethren, have you any hardness against any, settle it at once. Forgive them if you think that they have injured you. Get ready. Let us get ready ourselves, then pray for those that we may think have injured us.

Your brother in tribulation and patience, DEXTER DANIELS. New Boston, Mass., Jan. 13th, 1857.