Introduction.
Before we begin to look at the shaking we must take a look back at some of the things that have historically brought humanity to where we are today, spiritually, which will cause the shaking, which for us, in our time, is not so far into the future.
God created man so that he would live forever with his Creator in the Garden of Eden. Humans were given the freedom to be able to choose what they wanted, a freedom under responsibility. As long as they didn’t break God’s commandments, everything was fine, but it wasn’t long before people sinned against God, and they were banished from the Garden of Eden and God’s presence.
When Cain and Abel were old enough to offer sacrifices themselves, we see that God’s people were divided into two camps after Cain killed Abel. Shortly after this, Adam and Eve had a third son, Seth, and now things happen quickly. Cain had moved away from his parents and took one of his sisters with him. These form the tribe of the group of people that the Bible calls «the daughters of men» (Genesis 6:2). In Genesis 4,26 it says that “and to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD”. Seth is therefore the ancestor of those whom the Bible calls «sons of God», (Genesis 6:2).
Since then, the spiritual battle between good and evil, between Christ and Satan has been fought on this planet. More than a thousand years later, we come to the great flood, and we read the following in Genesis 6:5-8: And God saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
For the first time we see that the Lord has chosen a small remnant. Noah and his sons and their wives, 8 people in all. These were faithful to God. Since then, God has always had a small remnant of faithful people on earth, who have put God’s word and law before themselves and who have given their lives to serve the Lord. This is how God has always preserved a small remnant on earth from the beginning until today, in order to preserve God’s word pure and untainted by paganism.
All Bible texts are from the King James Version (1611/1769) unless otherwise stated.
The end times.
As we entered the 19th century, God raised up William Miller shortly after the American/English war of 1812-1815. Miller began to study the Bible, and eventually Ellen G. White heard about Miller’s preaching and in 1844 she had her first visions. From the advent movement that Miller founded, a cross-denominational movement emerged which eventually took the name Seventh-day Adventists. This denomination is God’s end-time church, God’s remnant in the last days, and will complete God’s plan. But it will not happen without major problems.
We are in the centre of the great conflict raging in the spiritual world, and if there is one thing Satan hates more than anything else, it is this small, strange and strange group of Seventh-day Adventists who keep God’s commandments and God’s word in high regard, and honor God the Creator as the only God. It is these people and this church that Satan hates most of all on earth, and Satan has set himself the goal of destroying this church completely.
In order to do that, God’s end-time church is infiltrated by people who are not Adventists in order to influence the others in the congregation, and in that way lead them away from God’s light. This is a well-tried plan on Satan’s part, and which he used after the Reformation became a reality with Luther at the beginning of the 16th century. Even before Luther died, Satan through his agents had managed to split up the Reformation by the new ones who joined the Reformation finding new points they could reform. But, instead of uniting and becoming stronger, they drifted apart in separate directions and began to compete with each other.
But God has a plan for his end-time church, it shall not be destroyed but it shall be refined and purified so that it reflects God’s purity. We can call this plan the Shaking.
The preparation for what will shake the church in the end times is already in full swing. In Testimony Treasures Volume 1, Ellen G. White tells of a vision she had:
Said the angel: God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people. Some are willing to receive one point; but God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly at some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus. They prize something higher than the truth, and their hearts are not prepared to receive Jesus. Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: They are joined to their idols, let them alone, and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation, (65.1).
Slowly but surely, elements have crept into God’s end-time church who try to destroy it. These are people who can be anything from pastors, elders, to ordinary members. Before we enter the last time when the Sunday law will be implemented, the message of the three angels, the direct testimony, must be preached with power. This is what will lead to the big and dramatic change in our church community.
What is important is that those who are to preach the straightforward testimony must have developed a Christ-like character. It is a prerequisite that this whole group is together in the same spiritual place and has the same goal and desire. In other words, they must be similar to the early church that was in Jerusalem shortly after Jesus died on the cross. About the original church we read this in the Acts of the Apostles:
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren, (1:14) … and … And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, (2:1).
These are those who have prepared over time for Jesus’ second coming, and who have been sanctified by spending a lot of time with God by studying the Bible and being persistent in prayer. They have also searched their hearts for hidden sins and gotten rid of them. This is this group that is like the first church, and it is these that will be with one accord in prayer and supplication and be with one accord in one place.
This is where God’s end-time church must come in order for the straightforward testimony to have the desired effect. In Early Writings, Ellen G. White says that on November 20, 1857, she was shown God’s people, and saw that they will be mightily shaken: I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them, (269.1).
It is when this group begins to preach the straight testimony that great things will happen, and the desired effect of the straight testimony will be visible both in God’s end-time church and among other people outside this church. In God’s end-time church, many will wake up and repent and follow those who preach the message, while others will leave the church because their hearts have hardened over time and are unable to accept the straight testimony. This will be a terrible time in the church, but it is absolutely necessary, because it is now the last preparations before Jesus’ return will be made.
Furthermore, Ellen G. White writes in Early Writings the following: Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud, (270.1) … / and / … I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded, (270.3).
What is the Pope’s agenda?
Nowadays, there is extensive cooperation between all denominations and congregations under the Catholic ecumenical umbrella. The SDA is also an associate member in the ecumenical cooperation, and our church’s leaders point out that we are only observers, and they justify this by saying that then we as a church can tell other churches about our faith, and thereby have a unique opportunity to influence the others. I wonder if it doesn’t also apply the other way, that our representatives in the ecumenical forums are exposed to untimely influence and pressure. The ecumenical cooperation is based on a minimum common multiple, or so to speak, they must focus on the little they have in common and completely ignore everything that separates them.
Pope Francis calls all Christians together with other religions to unite – and of course under the Pope’s umbrella. Jesus and the Bible are clear that we must separate ourselves from the world and the pagan religions and the fallen churches. In Genesis 12:1, God asks Abram to leave his family because 1) they had a bad influence on Abraham, and 2) God wanted to use him in a special way. In Revelation 18:4, God says through John that those who hear the preaching and take it to heart must leave (come out of) Babylon so that they do not share in her sins. God has not changed anything, but the papacy is trying to annul God’s word – also in this area.
We see clear signs that ecumenism is beginning to make itself felt in our church community. There is a clear change in the rhetoric used, and leaders both locally and globally are submitting to the regime of ecumenical cooperation. The end-time message is no longer preached in our churches, and what our pioneers considered important has today been swept under the rug.
Those who have become involved in the ecumenical cooperation, and promote this in God’s end-time church, will thereby set themselves up against this straight testimony, and they will therefore be shaken out of God’s people. I believe that the shaking will hit our church with full force before long, and then, as I have mentioned, all those who have participated actively in the ecumenical cooperation will be shaken out of our ranks, because God wants a pure and undefiled church in the absolute end time. These are the ones who will bring the final warning to a world shrouded in the ecumenical fog and darkness of the devil.
The omega apostasy.
Are we now seeing the start of the dangerous omega apostasy? We will see that in a relatively short time. But it harmonizes perfectly with everything else we can see unfolding before our eyes. God will judge all those who carry out what God himself calls abominations that are done in His temple, and as far as God’s own end-time church is concerned, it will be affected by a shaking caused by what Ellen G. White calls the straight testimony.
Those who are not shaken out are God’s true remnant, and they are those who have hungered and thirsted for the truth that is more important to them than life itself here on earth. About these, Ellen G. White says the following in Early Writings: They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel, (271.2) … / and / … This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified, (270.3).
What does the Bible say about the shaking? This word is not used in the Bible, but similar expressions such as «sift» can be found in Amos 9:9, among others. It says: For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. Here the prophet says that Israel will be shaken so that everyone who does not meet God’s requirements will be shaken out. The prophet also guarantees that no one who is faithful will be shaken out. Israel is also used for God’s people in New Testament times. Israel is not only fleshly Israel but also spiritual Israel.
To the church in the last days, Jesus says in Revelation 3:15-18: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
How does this relate to the shaking? Some of the Seventh-day Adventists are indifferent which is the same as being lukewarm and are therefore easy prey for the enemy. Still others are proud because they are members of the church that has received the greatest light on the truths of the Bible, and say that they are rich, have in abundance and need nothing more. These are also easy prey for the enemy.
But fortunately, there are some who are passionate, and who have already bought both …
… gold tried in the fire, which means having developed a strong faith through trials
… white raiment, which means they are justified in the name of Jesus Christ, and
… eye salve, which means they are blessed with the Holy Spirit.
These are the ones who daily prepare for Jesus’ return, and these the enemy will not be able to defeat because they have surrendered 100% to God and are willing to follow Jesus wherever he goes if it will cost them their lives.
Our task as God’s end-time church is to preach the end-time message cleanly and clearly, but we cannot do that without proper preparation. When we have made all the necessary preparations, we will preach the eternal gospel which consists of the three angels’ messages. We all know the three angels’ messages that we find in Revelation 14:6-11, and begin with these words: And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
When we preach this with anointing and with the power of the Spirit, this testimony will have its effect both outside our church and not least within our own church community. It is this message that will cause the shaking. Ellen G. White says this in Early Writings: 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, (270.2)
As soon as the straight testimony is preached, the shaking will begin in full. Now those who do not want to accept the straight testimony will begin to leave God’s end-time church, and soon it will look as if the whole church is disintegrating, but God is in control of events. It is now what Jesus is talking about in the parable of the wheat and the tares, which we find in Matthew 13:24-30, happens: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
In 1 Timothy 4:1 Paul talks about the great apostasy that will come in the end times: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. We will see this in connection with the straightforward testimony being preached with the help of God’s spirit.
What will be the result of the shaking?
Ellen G. White says in Early Writings: Said the angel, List ye! Soon I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel, Look ye! 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 in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armour 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 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, (270.4) … / and / …
The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and 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, (271.1).
The shaking is one of the last things that will affect God’s end-time church. When this is done, God’s church will appear pure and sanctified before the Lord, they will be without spot and blemish before God. Anyone who could not bear to hear the straight testimony has left God’s end-time church. But their places will not be left empty, because the preaching of the straightforward testimony will bear rich fruit. The preaching of the Loud Cry, Revelation 14:6-11 and 18:4, will influence those of God’s people, who at this time are still in Babylon = the fallen churches, so that they hear the cry: Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, (Revelation 18:4).
When they get out of the fallen churches, they have only one place to turn, and that is to apply to God’s end-time church and unite with them. The Bible describes it like this in Revelation 14:12: … they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus … … and in Revelation 12:17: … which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I have mentioned the shaking several times in the past, now I want to try to delve a little deeper into the term «the shaking«, what it means and what the shaking is supposed to do.
What I am writing here applies especially to God’s end-time church, the Seventh-day Adventists, as it is this church God raised up when we entered the end times, and which was given a special message. It was raised up to proclaim God’s last warning to a world that is in a deeper darkness than the world has ever been in before. Darkness lies even more closely over the people of the world now than it did in Noah’s day.
As we near the end of the end times, God’s end time church will be exposed to what may look like complete destruction. I am unable to say where we are on the timeline at the time of writing, but many signs indicate that we are fast approaching this time. I will cover this with the following.
Many of our leaders, both locally and centrally, have subordinated themselves to ecumenical cooperation, and this entails an adaptation of the mandate the Advent movement was given by God when He raised up the Advent movement in the first half of the 19th century.
Our leaders highlight Codex Sinaiticus as the best and oldest manuscript and praise this manuscript to the top of the clouds. The fact is that this copy which was found in a trash can in the St. Catalina Monastery in 1844 – note the year – is full of corrections, corrections of corrections, deletions and additions. This manuscript was written in Alexandria around the year 325-350 and has not been in use over a period of approx. 1,500 years before it was put into use towards the end of the 19th century.
We also see that individual members, certain congregations, unions, and divisions are willing to compromise with the truth in order to achieve ecumenical cooperation, which is one of the Catholic Church’s main ideas in relation to uniting all of Christendom under its umbrella. These members, congregations, unions, and divisions are more concerned with «… greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.» (Matthew 23:7), than holding God’s Word high, and they all love to get «… the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,» (Matthew 23:6), instead of giving God the best place in their hearts. Only if they get this «honour» they are willing to accept whatever it is. The only problem is that this «honour» is a rather dubious «honour«, if there is any «honour» at all. They have completely surrendered to the ecumenical community’s least common multiple of their faith. By ‘least common multiple of their faith‘ I mean that the ecumenical churches only look at the little that they have in common, and completely overlook all the points that separate the different denominations from each other.
Before we go any further let’s look at two quotes from Ellen G. White, and what she says about those who flirt with the fallen denominations. She says the following in Early Writings: I saw that many of these shepherds had denied the past teachings of God; they had denied and rejected the glorious truths which they once zealously advocated and had covered themselves with mesmerism and all kinds of delusions. I saw that they were drunken with error and were leading on their flock to death. Many of the opposers of God’s truth devise mischief in their heads upon their beds, and in the day they carry out their wicked devices to put down the truth and to get something new to interest the people and divert their minds from the precious, all-important truth, (123.2) … // … I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness, (124.3).
In 2011, we received a new Bible translation in Norway. This Bible is an interdenominational Bible that most denominations helped to translate, including the Catholic Church. This Bible is in other words the first completed ecumenical Bible translation in Norway, and is promoted, also in my own denomination, as if this translation were something unique. Well, I have to admit that this Bible translation is highly unique, but not in a positive sense, because here our representative on the committee has compromised with our beliefs. Let’s look at some of the things our representative has submitted to.
In the light of the Norwegian 2011 Bible, let us look at one of the personalities who have worked eagerly for ecumenical cooperation, Cardinal Johannes Geradus Maria Willebrands. He was also Archbishop of Utrecht and President of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. He became strongly involved in the emerging ecumenical work in the Catholic Church and organized ecumenical congresses in the Netherlands. In the Vatican this was noticed, and in 1960 he was called there by Pope John XXII, who made him secretary of the newly created Secretariat for Christian Unity. During the Second Vatican Council, he helped prepare the documents that dealt with Christian unity, religious freedom, and relations with non-Christian religions.
Here are some statements from Cardinal Willebrands regarding Bible translations.
As before, the cross-denominational translation will continue to be based on a Hebrew version of the Old Testament and a Greek version of the New Testament, which representatives from the various denominations have agreed upon. Drafting and review of the translation will be carried out in close collaboration, with the goal that the new text will be accepted and used by all Christians and Christian communities that speak the language in which the translation was made. The clear goal of this cross-denominational effort is to create editions of the Holy Scriptures that give everyone who speaks the same language a common text. This will then enable, often for the first time, a common witness to God’s word in today’s world.
Everything that has to do with the interpretation of scripture is ultimately subordinated to the Church’s* decision, because it is the Church* that has been given the divine mission and the service of taking care of God’s word and interpreting it. However, when the word of God is to be at hand at all times, the Church*, like a mother, ensures that correct and applicable translations are published into the various languages, especially from the original text of the holy books. And if a translation, when the circumstances require it and the ecclesiastical authority consents to it, is made in communion with our separated brothers, all Christians will be able to use it.
It belongs to the bishops**, because with them the apostolic teaching is to provide the believers who are placed under their responsibility with the necessary introduction to the correct use of the Scriptures, especially the New Testament and primarily the Gospels. That is to say, they must ensure translations of the biblical texts provided with the necessary and truly sufficient explanations***, so that the children of the Church will be able to interact safely and profitably with the Holy Scriptures and allow themselves to be filled with their spirit. Moreover, it is recommended to publish editions of the Bible aimed at non-Christians, adapted to their needs, and provided with the desirable comments.
(* with this Willebrands mean only the Catholic Church)
(** with this Willebrands mean only the Catholic bishops)
(*** that is to say, the Catholic Church will lay down guidelines for how to interpret and understand words, expressions, and verses).
The Catholic Church is not a little rude when it claims to be the only one who can interpret and understand the Bible. Fortunately, God himself says something completely different than the Catholic Church. God pronounces a blessing on whoever reads and hears what is written in this book, which is the Bible. We read in Revelation 1:3: Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand. The Bible thus describes an active action. The Bible must be read by the individual Christian in prayer to the Holy Spirit.
When the time has come to end God’s work on earth, something wonderful will happen in our church community. Those who have involved themselves in the ecumenical cooperation will be exposed to what the spirit of prophecy calls a shaking. This is because God can only bless those people who stick to Him in one and all, and these are those «which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins«, (Revelation 14:4).
The shaking.
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts, Haggai 2:7.
We all go and wait for something to happen in relation to the preaching of the straight testimony. This preaching will cause violent upheavals in our church community. The reason for this is that the straight testimony has not been taken completely seriously by many of our leaders. They are more concerned with ecumenical cooperation, and frequently participate in what are called joint church meetings, which are nothing more than ecumenical meetings, with the aim of uniting all, absolutely all denominations under the umbrella of papacy. This they do instead of preaching the straight testimony.
In order to be able to resist the influence of the fallen denominations, it is absolutely necessary that we seek God every single day, and that through this search we return to the spiritual position Jesus’ apostles had just before and on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The Acts of the Apostles describes the church in the following way: And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren, (Acts 1:13-14). And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, (Acts 2:1).
The people who started God’s church on earth were united in Christ, and no one else. All the disagreements they had had while Jesus was with them on earth were gone. All adhered to the prayer and the invocation in unison and were gathered in the same place with one mind. The end-time church must come to the same place spiritually as the apostolic church was in Jerusalem. As long as we live scattered all over the earth, we cannot physically gather in one place, but we can spiritually be in the same place. We are to be united in Christ, and no one else. Then we cannot be observers in the ecumenical cooperation. We have to break out of it. Even if our leaders say we are only observers, it has major and far-reaching consequences for our church. We already see the results of these consequences on a daily basis in statements from leaders both locally and internationally.
When our church leaders join all other denominations in the ecumenical cooperation, they walk together with the fallen churches, this despite the fact that they claim that they are only observers in the ecumenical cooperation. Amos 3:3 says about this: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? This is a statement that I believe is very clarifying in relation to the attitude shown by our leaders.
A small parallel to the ecumenical approach, or the kneeling our leaders have done at the ecumenical altar, is Norway’s association with the EU. We are not members of the EU, we are observers, called EEA members. We have no opportunity to influence the policy that is decided in Brussels, nor can we help shape laws and regulations, but we are the boy in the class who implements everything that comes to Brussels. Over 90% of all laws, statutes and rules that are made in Brussels are implemented in Norway, even though it often challenges and conflicts with the Constitution.
Considering our observer status in the ecumenical cooperation, our leaders claim that we are there to influence the others. How much greater influence do the rest of the ecumenical churches have over us? As already mentioned, we now clearly see the results that come as a direct consequence of this flirting with the ecumenical churches.
In Norway, we have leaders who more or less dismiss the importance Ellen G. White has for our church community. She is still the prophet God raised up to lead his end-time people home to the Lord. She predicted this development, and it is now a frightening development we are witnessing. The whole thing is like a four-act drama. As observers, our leaders voluntarily expose themselves to false teachings that make up this four-step rocket: First 1) see, then 2) hear, and then 3) learn, and finally 4) DO. First, our leaders are influenced by what they have seen, heard, and learned, then to do = to transfer this to their respective congregations.
It is those who have involved themselves in the ecumenical cooperation who will stand up against the straight testimony, and because of this they will be shaken out of God’s people. I believe that the shaking will hit our church with full force before long, and then, as mentioned, all those who have participated actively in the ecumenical cooperation will be shaken out of our ranks, because God wants a pure and undefiled church in it absolute end times, for it is these who will bring the final warning to a world shrouded in the ecumenical fog and darkness of the devil.
In Prophets and Kings, Ellen G. White says the following about the leaders who allow themselves to be used in the ecumenical cooperation: Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness, (188.1).
Many of our leaders’ self-absorption and love of the world’s praise closes off the sincere searching people who want to find the truth. When the leaders of a congregation are involved in the ecumenical cooperation, the preaching in these congregations will be accordingly. There are congregations where people are more concerned with preaching the «new religion’s message» – the climate change – and what can be done about this instead of preaching the straight testimony. Fortunately, there are still leaders in our church who take their call seriously and preach the end-time message with the second coming of Christ and the coming judgment.
In a vision Ellen G. White received in 1857, she was shown that God’s people would be greatly shaken. It is in this view that our church community will be divided in the end times. I have already mentioned the unfaithful ministers in our church. Fortunately, there are some who are still holding on, and she writes the following: I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them, (Early Writings 269.2).
An explanation of the shaking.
And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain, Hebrew 12:27.
The prophet Ezekiel was shown Judah’s «abominations» in chapter 8.
a) He is led to the door of the north gate of the inner court where he sees the image of jealousy (verse 5). This may have been an image of Tammuz, a Babylonian god, who is mentioned in verse 14, but it may also have been an image of Astarte. Actually, it is immaterial which image it is that has been erected, the problem is that an image has been erected. Whatever image it is, it is an idol that has been erected in the court of the Lord’s temple. This has been done for many hundreds of years in the Catholic Church, but the frightening fact is that this will also happen in the end-time church of God, SDA, in the end times through ecumenical cooperation.
b) Son of man, seest thou what they do? God asks Ezekiel in verse 6, the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here. This is in Ezekiel’s time. But what about our time, is this valid for us too? How are things with me and you? Have we too set up a little image of jealousy of Tammuz or Astarte in our hearts that we care for and with? We are quick to judge old Israel and Judah, but are we really any better than them when it comes down to it
c) Then the prophet is asked to turn around again (verse 13), and then he sees some women crying over Tammuz. Tammuz was the son of life and a symbol of nature, fertility and beauty, and the Epic of Gilgamesh refers to Tammuz as one of Ishtar’s lovers.
d) Again the prophet is asked to turn around (verses 15 and 16), and now he sees about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Sun worship is, after all, the origin of the pagan religions that the Catholic Church has absorbed, and which have spread to all the fallen denominations.
The prehistory of chapter 8 tells us about the fall of God’s people, a fall that has now become so deep and extensive that they have even begun to set up idols inside God’s house. This chapter in Ezekiel can be placed in a typological context where what happened in ancient times will happen again in the end times. The narrative had its mission and fulfilment in Ezekiel’s time, but there is also a fulfilment in the church of our day.
God will judge all those who carry out what God himself calls abominations that are done in His temple, and as for God’s own end-time church, it will be hit by a shaking caused by what Ellen G. White calls the straight testimony: 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, (Early Writings 270.2).
These faithful servants of God are the core of the final work that will be carried out in the time just before Jesus’ return. However, they are not allowed to do this in peace. Satan will do everything in his power to make them feel inadequate, he will make them doubt the work they are doing, and he will try to make them lose sight of Jesus. Everything that can be done is being done to destroy this group of God’s faithful servants. Ellen G. White says the following: I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified, (Early Writings 270.3).
As always, God has a plan behind everything He does. Those who are shaken out of God’s end-time church, which Ellen G. White also calls the Laodicean church, are those who are not fit to help finish God’s wonderful work on earth. There are those who have not prepared properly. They have probably made their preparations, but it is not the kind of preparation God wants us to make. These make no attempt to get to where the apostolic church was, unity in Christ, but instead they seek unity with the fallen churches, and instead of holding God’s Word high and honouring God, they help to promote the ecumenical the cooperation’s ‘least common multiple’ as a platform for you believe.
In the time when the shaking of the church will take place, many will invoke the name of the Lord with fervent cries, while others are indifferent and uninterested in this, and are consequently not as willing to take part in this painful invocation. This is a spiritual battle that must be fought in order to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord, (Ezekiel 13:5).
Those who are not shaken out are God’s true remnant, and they are those who have hungered and thirsted for the truth, a truth that is more important to them than life itself here on earth, and Ellen G. White describes them this way: They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel, (Early Writings, 271.2).
For those who will eventually preach the end-time message, an hour of trial awaits. Before they can go out to do the works God has entrusted to them, they must be cleansed from all impurity. They must become as Jesus describes them in Revelation 14:4: These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth … … They do not mingle with the fallen churches but keep away from association with them. Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying we should isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. Remember the words Jesus said in his prayer for the disciples: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world, (John 17:15-16). We are still in the world because we have a task to perform. We shall preach the eternal gospel.
Ellen G. White says this: Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said, The will of God is not yet fulfilled. They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism, (Early Writings, 272.2). In Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 this time is described as follows: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Suddenly the time is there when the faithful will be sealed, and then they will shout out in victory. Ellen G. White says: Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down on every side. I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical, and clear. I looked upon the company, who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. A glorious light shone upon them. How beautiful they then looked! All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance. Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead men; they could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, (the sealing of the 144,000 has been completed), and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory. And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, Victory over death and the grave; and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord in the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue, (Early Writings, 272.3).