Characteristics of the Last Church.
By James White
Bro. White: I think I can safely say that my interest in present truth is in no way diminishing, but rather increasing. I believe that the third angel's message is a reality, abundantly sustained by Scripture testimony. And I begin to feel that I am rooted and grounded in it. If I understand the word of God, the last generation of the true church have some of their characteristics pointed out so plainly as not to be easily mistaken. First, it is said of them that they keep the commandments of God. And second, that they have the spirit of prophecy. See Rev. xii, 17, and xix, 10. We have a right to use the definition in the place of the words "testimony of Jesus." In the light of these prophetic declarations, how can we claim that this is the last generation, or how can we look for the coming of our Lord unless we can find somewhere a people who do keep the commandments of God, and do absolutely have the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy? Now let us start out with the candle of the Lord in our hand, to see if we can find such a people. We come first to the so-called orthodox churches, and we find them universally breaking one at least of the commandments of God, and generally denying that the spirit of prophecy is to have any place in the church. Seventh-day Baptists profess to keep the commandments of God, but when we inquire after the other specification, we do not find any evidence of the spirit of prophecy manifest among them. Not knowing of any others that can claim to fill these specifications, we come next to the Seventh-day Adventists. And on this point I want to call a vote, and all Adventists are entitled to vote on this question; and especially those that keep the Sabbath are bound to decide, yea or nay. Now, brethren, don't claim that Christ is soon coming, or try to comfort your own hearts or any one else with the idea that this generation of men shall see their coming Lord, unless you can point out to us somewhere, a people that are keeping the commandments of God and do have the spirit of prophecy manifest among them. For, remember, the remnant of the true church whenever and wherever it is found, is keeping the law of God, and does have the spirit of prophecy. And these are to be made to stand out so prominent, and have so much practical importance, that the Devil singles them out as special objects of hatred, and goes to make war on their account. Now to the question. Do we find both these specifications filled by the Seventh-day Adventists? We find them keeping more commandments than other men, and plenty of warfare in consequence of it. So far all well; but we must apply the other test; for unless we do have this other characteristic also, viz., the spirit of prophecy, one of two things is certain: either this is not the last generation, the remnant, or we are not the true people of God. In either case our whole Advent faith falls to the ground. But to the question. Is the spirit of prophecy among the Advent people? On this point we find something that claims our attention as the spirit of prophecy. By it, things have been revealed that were not known by any ordinary means of information; not to gratify a vain curiosity, but where the cause of God demanded it. Many who were striving to do the will of God have been reproved, corrected and counseled, for their good, the glory of God, and the good of others. By it, persons who were corrupt, yet acting under the cloak of religion, have been exposed, and thus true, honest worshipers of God saved from being imposed upon and injured. It leads to holy living; it leads us to love and prize the Bible more; the most humble and devoted may be comforted and encouraged, and yet feel warned and admonished by its teaching. And those best acquainted with it, have the most confidence in it. We believe it answers in a great degree, or in other words it is very effectual, in the work for which Paul declares the gifts of the Spirit were set in the church. Eph. iv, 12: "The perfecting of the saints and the edifying of the body of Christ." And I for one feel to rejoice in it and to pray that it may be abundantly manifested "till we all come into the unity of the faith, &c., unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." And now let me say to all those Adventists who are doubting on this point of Sr. White's visions, the last message before Christ comes brings to view those who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The faith of Jesus embraces the gifts of the Spirit. The last generation of the church, "those that are alive and remain" when Christ comes, keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony, which is declared to be the spirit of prophecy. If we cannot find a people with both these characteristics, we shall be driven to the conclusion that we have not yet got to the last generation of the church. Nor have the signs given in Matt. xxiv been yet fulfilled; for they were to be seen by the last generation. Nor have Daniel's prophecies been yet unsealed; for the time of their unsealing is the period called the time of the end. I do feel that if we will look at this matter as we ought, we shall have faith in the visions; and if we are ashamed of such a faith, we are ashamed of present truth. And now we call for the yeas and nays. And remember, brethren, before you vote in the negative on this question, that by so doing you would say, My Lord delayeth his coming.
D. H. Sanborn.
Hadley, Mich.