This last stratagem, of getting the forces of righteousness to fight among themselves and thus lose the advantage of strength gained through unity was described by Ellen White in a vivid metaphor employed in a Review and Herald article in October 1893, written while she was serving in Australia.GVEGW 137.4

An Adventist member, A. W. Stanton, had arisen, claiming that the Seventh-day Adventist Church had become spiritual Babylon, and alleged that Mrs. White herself supported this viewpoint. He quoted from her published writings frequently to support his erroneous view (one, incidentally, that we continue to hear even today). His tract, “The Loud Cry! Babylon Fallen!” published in 1893, created no small stir. ^{42See George E. Rice, “The Church: Voice of God?” Ministry, December 1987, pp. 4-6.}GVEGW 137.5

Mrs. White took pen in hand to refute this slander against the remnant church—and the wrongful use of her writings in support of such heresy. She wrote a series of four articles for the Review and Herald, which were published weekly between August 22 and September 12, 1893, under the title “The Remnant Church Not Babylon.” ^{43Republished in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 32-62.}GVEGW 137.6

Then in an article published the next month, on October 17, she characterized this attack against the church with this memorable metaphor:GVEGW 137.7

“When men arise, claiming to have a message from God, but instead of warring against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, they form a hollow square, and turn the weapons of warfare against the church militant, be afraid of them. They do not bear the divine credentials.GVEGW 138.1

“God has not given them any such burden of labor. They would tear down that which God would restore by the Laodicean message. He wounds only that He may heal, not cause to perish. The Lord lays upon no man a message that will discourage and dishearten the church. He reproves, He rebukes, He chastens; but it is only that He may restore and approve at last.” ^{44The Review and Herald, October 17, 1893. (Italics supplied.)}GVEGW 138.2

Eight years later Ellen White employed this graphic metaphor again in the same periodical:GVEGW 138.3

“Those who are fighting the battles for the Prince of life must point their weapons of warfare outward, and not form a hollow square and aim their missiles of destruction at those who are serving under the banner of Prince Immanuel. We have no time for wounding and tearing down one another.” ^{45The Review and Herald, August 27, 1901.}GVEGW 138.4

Tragically, there are still those in the church who continue this destructive practice to this very day!GVEGW 138.5

In 1885 Mrs. White’s attention was called to conditions that would obtain in the remnant church just before the return of Jesus—our time. She wrote in warning:GVEGW 138.6

“The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church.... The worst enemies we have are those who are trying to destroy the influence of the watchmen upon the walls of Zion [an obvious reference to ministers and church leadership]. Satan works through agents. He is making an earnest effort here. He works according to a definite plan, and his agents act in concert. A line of unbelief stretches across the continent and is in communication with the church of God. Its influence has been exerted to undermine confidence in the work of the Spirit of God.... Be careful lest you be found aiding the enemy of God and man by spreading false reports and by criticisms and decided opposition.” ^{46Testimonies for the Church 5:294, 295.}GVEGW 138.7

Satan’s Ultimate Snare

“Before” and “After”