Understanding the Withheld Testimony for Battle Creek Church

The specific article being referred to is a testimony of warning and reproof that had been sent to a brother with the explicit request that it be read to the church in Battle Creek5T 62.1+1. This communication was withheld from the congregation for several weeks after it was received, despite the fact that the Spirit of God had impressed the author so intensely that there was no rest day or night until it was written5T 62.1.

The Context of the Article

• A Divine Impression: The message was not a work chosen by the author but was prompted by the Lord moving so decidedly that the Spirit could not be resisted5T 62.1+1.

• The Content: It addressed the dangerous situation of the church, specifically regarding a most impressive testimony given on October 23, 1879, concerning the spiritual state of Battle Creek5T 63.1.

• The Purpose: The goal was to arouse the people to humble their hearts, return to God with penitence, and escape the snares of Satan in which they were becoming involved5T 62.2+1.

The Reception of the Message

• Withheld from the Church: The brother who received the testimony did not share it with the members for several weeks5T 62.1.

• Treated as Human Opinion: When the testimony was finally presented, many insulted the Spirit of God by declaring the message to be merely the personal opinion of the author5T 64.3.

• A Pattern of Disregard: This was part of a larger trend where many in the church were following worldly customs and practices, losing their power to discriminate between light and darkness5T 62.2.

It is a solemn thought to realize how much labor and soul-agony went into these messages, which were intended to save the cause of God from disaster5T 64.3+1. May we always cherish the precious rays of light that shine from the throne5T 67.2.

I understand that the testimony [Reference is here made to the preceding article.] which I sent to Brother -----, with the request that it be read to the church, was withheld from you for several weeks after it was received by him. Before sending that testimony my mind was so impressed by the Spirit ...— 5T 62.1 (1889)

...ting the situation of the church before you. Again and again reproofs and warnings have been given. October 23, 1879, the Lord gave me a most impressive testimony in regard to the church in Battle Creek. During the last months I was with you I carried a heavy bu...— 5T 63.1 (1889)

Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God. You know how the Lord has manifested ...— 5T 64.3 (1889)

...ite to you. God was speaking through clay. You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the t...— 5T 67.2 (1889)