Another Church to Follow?

Occasionally the thought is expressed that “the Adventist ship is going through, no matter what!” Equally confident people say that “the church is Babylon” and a new organization must be formed to nurture “true believers.” Both groups appeal to Ellen White for their authority. Here is another instance where careful study will avoid the unthinking optimism of some and the undue pessimism of others. Here again, without Ellen White modern church members would be adrift in their speculation.MOL 537.1

Prophets, beginning with Moses, have always been identified with rebuke and reproof, as well as with encouragement and promise. People can read selectively and, depending on what they are looking for, they could consider Jeremiah or Isaiah either prophets of doom or of hope. Such may also be true with Ellen White.MOL 537.2

She courageously pointed out to fewer than 3,000 fellow church members in 1856 that the Laodicean message (Revelation 3) applies to Seventh-day Adventists. That was very sobering to a people who saw themselves virtually alone in the world as those who “keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).MOL 537.3

At the same time, she said very clearly that “God has invested His church with special authority and power which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising; for in so doing he despises the voice of God.” ^{15Testimonies for the Church 3:417 (1875).}MOL 537.4

Though she used strong language to describe the spiritual lethargy of the church, she was equally emphatic regarding its high destiny: “Has God no living church? He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the church triumphant. We are sorry that there are defective members, that there are tares amid the wheat.... Let all be careful not to make an outcry against the only people who are fulfilling the description given of the remnant people who keep the commandments of God, and have faith in Jesus.... God has a distinct people, a church on earth, second to none, but superior to all in their facilities to teach the truth, to vindicate the law of God.” ^{16Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 45, 58.}MOL 537.5

In the early 1900s, when certain forces within the church were attempting to deflect the church’s message and mission, she steadied those who “listened” with courage and optimism: “We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new organization, for this would mean apostasy from the truth.” ^{17Manuscript 129, 1905, cited in Selected Messages 2:390.}MOL 537.6

With a further look into the future, she wrote in 1908: “I am instructed to say to Seventh-day Adventists the world over, God has called us as a people to be a peculiar treasure unto Himself. He has appointed that His church on earth shall stand perfectly united in the Spirit and counsel of the Lord of hosts to the end of time.” ^{18Selected Messages 2:397. Ellen White stated this even though she recognized the larger principle of conditionalism. Organizations, as well as individuals, have not always continued to fulfill their responsibilities, and God could “no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities.”}MOL 537.7

Revelation 3 depicts no last-day church beyond Laodicea, thus giving hope that some day many of them will repent, overcome, and fulfill God’s plan for the last-day church (Revelation 3:18-21). No other subject for any church-related agenda, either for individuals or institutions, can be more urgent or important to implement.MOL 537.8