WHICH

is the

Off—Shoot

God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who Keep His (not man’s) commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people.

Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p. 61

“A company was present-ed before me under the name of Seventh-day Ad-ventists, who were advis-ing that the banner, or sign,

which makes us a distinct people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed that this was not the best policy in order to secure success to our institutions. But this is not a time to haul down our colors, to be ashamed of our faith.”

Testimonies Vol. 6 p. 144

“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no counte-nance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps-- the first, sec-ond, and third angels' mes-sages. Said my accompa-nying angel, "Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messag-es.”Early Writings p. 258

Back to “The Old Paths”

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein." Jeremiah 6:16

For Many years messages of solemn warning and earnest appeal, such as the following, were sent of God to Seventh-day Ad-ventists—

“As Jesus views the state of His professed followers today, He sees base ingratitude, hollow formalism, hypocritical insincerity, pharisaical pride and apostasy.” 5T p. 72

 “My heart aches day after day and night after night for our churches. Many are progressing, but in the back track.” 5T p. 93

 “They must face square about. I know what I say. Unless they shall become Christians indeed, they will go from weakness to weakness, divisions will increase, and many souls will be led to perdition.” 5T p. 93 “You are following the same path as did ancient Israel.” 5T p. 75

 “The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts. Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as sure-ly resting upon them.” 5T p. 93

For long years, too, the Lord demanded that a “decided” and “thorough” reformation should take place among His professed people,—

“I call upon all who have united in a course of action that is wrong in principle, to make a decided reformation and forever after walk humbly with God. . . . 8T p. 68 “The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place.” 8T p. 251

And God Made clear, also, just where the work of reform should begin, and just how it should be conducted,—

“A reformation is needed among the people, but it should first begin its purifying work with the ministers. (Leaders) ” 1T p. 469

 “A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.” RH, February 25, 1902

But God’s plans for this, surely the most important of all work at this time, have not been followed. The leaders do not acknowledge, repent of, and turn away from their unrighteous condition— their disloyalty to revealed light— their hypocrisy—their APOSTASY. They say, as did unfaithful men of old, “Wherein shall we return?” Hence their present efforts for reform—“among the people,” but excluding themselves—are out of harmony with divine instruction. The work is not carried forward “under the min-istrations of the Holy Spirit,” and God will not— He cannot—prosper a partial counterfeit effort. It is neither “decided” nor “thorough,” and it must therefore fail.

But in spite of man’s faithlessness, God has promised that a great spiritual revival and reformation will take place among His people, and He has made positive provision for the fulfillment of His promise. Through the medium of the Spirit of Prophecy the Lord has revealed the simple means to be used, and the certainty of the accomplishment of His ultimate purpose, thus,—

“When this reformation begins... One member working in right lines will lead other members to unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the Holy Spirit...The barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God's servants will speak the same things.” 8T p. 251

 “We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself….The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. 5T p. 81

 “The little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world…. These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. 5T p. 209, 210

This “little company” whom the Lord plans to use so efficiently in the work of genuine reform, are those faithful believers in every precious, peculiar principle of the third angel’s message who are described in “Early Writings” as being “firmly united,” bound together by the truth,”—”well guarded and firm, giving no heed to those who would unsettle, the faith of the body.” THEY are loyal and true—NOT an “offshoot.” They believe in the system of organization which was originally given of God , and they faithfully support the work. They love to walk in “the old paths” of the “Three Angels Messages.”

“ Which Side Will You Be On? ”

“Have faith in God. However stormy may be the times, looking unto Jesus (not a organization commonly called a church) who is the author and the finisher of your faith, you will be complete in Him. Abide in the old paths, whoever may turn back. Be rooted and grounded and built up in the most holy faith, a living epistle known and read of all men.” TMK p. 212

“God is sifting his people. He will have a clean and holy people….A corrupt people has arisen who could not live with the people of God….As we near the judgment all will manifest their true character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. 2SG p. 201, 202

 “ Now is the time when we should closely connect with God, that we may be hid when the fierceness of His wrath is poured upon the sons of men. We have wandered away from the old landmarks. Let us return. If the Lord be God, serve Him; if Baal, serve him. Which side will you be on?” 5T p. 137

Conclusion

God calls upon the ministers of the gospel not to seek to stretch themselves beyond their measure by bringing forward artificial embellishments, striving for the praise and applause of men, being ambitious for a vain show of intellect and eloquence. Let the ministers’ ambition be carefully to search the Bible, that they may know as much as possible of God and of Jesus Christ, whom he has sent. The more clearly ministers discern Christ, and catch his spirit, the more forcibly will they preach the simple truth of which Christ is the center. They will then preach the truth as it is in Jesus, and there will be no betraying of the sacred trust that has been committed to them in the work of the gospel. How painfully is the Lord Jesus Christ kept in the background! How his glory is veiled by the character and life of his representatives! Let the watchmen on the walls of Zion not join with those who are making of none effect the truth as it is in Christ. Let them not join the confederacy of infidelity, popery, and Protestantism in exalting tradition above Scripture, reason above revelation, and human talent above the divine influence and the vital power of godliness. RH March 24, 1896, par. 13

Dear reader, if you are interested and wish to make further study with reference into the old-fashioned principles of truth loved and upheld by the loyal “little company,” visit email  us for more resources at ramahlifestylecenter@gmail.com or +254701165870