« French Tranlastion “Awake, Arise, Schine” Deuteronomy 30,31,32 »
By Their Fruits Will You Know Them
Posted by: DeepWaters | Sat, Jun 2, 2007 9:43 pm | Tag(s): Testimonies | Permalink |
I have heard that Operation Global Rain just might be the devil’s counterfeit to the real outpouring of the Latter Rain. I have heard that some of the things being introduced into this great convocation is nothing less than Rick Warren’s influence. But what I know is that we are nearing the end of time. Events are lined up to happen rapidly, and our church is not ready for them to break upon us, as they surely must. The angels holding back the four winds of strife are waiting for us to choose this day whether we will serve God or serve the gods of this world. But, they will not be holding those winds of strife for much longer. Those who criticize the call to prepare and pray for the Holy Spirit had better not stand in the way of others to prevent the blessing God is so willing to give those who seek it single-mindedly. God will not give the blessing to the double-minded. As in every movement ordained by God, Satan will attempt to counterfeit and deceive. But we will always know those agents by the banner under which they march. We have been told, “By their fruits you will know them.” Not by the fruit of their lives only, but by the fruit of their doctrine. Isaiah 8:20 tells us: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
”We cannot exert a correct influence when we are under a cloud of anxiety and depression. We must reach out the hand of faith, and grasp the hand of our Redeemer. We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled. ‘For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations’ (Isaiah 61:11).” Letter 151, 1897, pp. 1, 2. (To James Edson and Emma White, August 29, 1897.
”Brethren, we have little time in which to work. Certainly we need to stop complaining about each other, and lay our whole hearts open before God, that we may receive the Holy Spirit. Years ago the time came for the Holy Spirit to descend in a special manner upon God’s earnest, self-sacrificing workers. The Lord will greatly bless His tried and chosen ones if they will cooperate with Him. When the Holy Spirit came down in the day of Pentecost, it was like a rushing, mighty wind. It was given in no stinted measure; for it filled all the place where the disciples were sitting. So will it be given to us when our hearts are prepared to receive it.” Ms 2, 1899, p. 1. (”The Need for Greater Consecration,” January 24, 1899.)
”Many who claim to be children of God are only a burden to the church. God has given them capabilities which, if properly used, would enable them to be a great help in his work. He expects them to be colaborers with Christ. Their inexcusable indolence is causing them to be recorded in the books of heaven as unfaithful servants. The ‘well-done’ will be spoken to those only who are earnest, faithful workers.
”Shall this state of indifference continue from year to year! Are we looking forward to the latter rain, confidently hoping for a better day, when the church shall be endued with power from on high, and thus fitted for work? The latter rain will never refresh and invigorate the indolent, who do not use the powers God has given them. Is Christ always to be disappointed in the beings he has redeemed at an infinite cost?” Review & Herald, May 17, 1906.
”The time has come when we must expect the Lord to do great things for us. Our efforts must not flag or weaken. We are to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord. Before the work is closed up and the sealing of God’s people is finished, we shall have the out-pouring of the Spirit of God. Angels from heaven will be in our midst. . . . The present is the fitting up time for heaven, when we each must walk in full obedience to all the commandments of God.” Letter 30, 1907, pp. 2, 3. (To Mr. N. D. Faulkhead, February 5, 1907.)
”The work then, must be observed of all nations, whether it is in an indifferent state, or moving in the fulness of the power of God. When it reaches that stage that God’s people walk with Him in such confidence as this chapter describes, the message will be attended by the refreshing showers of the latter rain, and the earth will be speedily lighted by His glory.
”This is an individual work, and an everyday life. ‘Let us, therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.’ It is time to walk honestly, having a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Now is the time to lay up a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life. It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Shall we awake?“ Bible Training School, November 1, 1911.
”God designs that the plan of redemption shall come to His people as the latter rain; for they are fast losing their connection with God. They are trusting in man, and glorifying man, and their strength is proportionate to the strength of their dependence. Some matters have been opened before me which will be fulfilled ere long. We are to know more than we do at the present time. We are to comprehend the deep things of God. There are themes to be dwelt upon which are worthy of more than passing notice. Angels have desired to look into the truths which are revealed to the people who are searching God’s word and with contrite hearts praying for wisdom, for greater lengths and breadths and heights of that knowledge which God alone can give.” Bible Training School, January 1, 1913.
”When the churches become living, working agencies for the salvation of the perishing, the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. The truths of God’s Word will be regarded with new interest, and will be searched after as if they were fresh revelations from heaven. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, will cease. The study of the Word will absorb the mind, and its truths will feast the soul. The promises of God that all too often in the past have been repeated as if the soul had never tasted of his love, will glow upon the altar of the heart, and fall in burning words from the lips of the messenger of truth. The members of our churches will be pleading for souls with an earnestness that cannot be repulsed. The windows of heaven will be open for the outpouring of the latter rain.“ Review & Herald, November 5, 1914.
So, let us prepare and pray that our fruits, our doctrine, will be consistant with that God has revealed through His Son and His prophets. Let us “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3. This means we are to strive to obtain for ourselves that faith of Jesus. We are not called to contend with each other. We are called to contend on our own behalf for this faith. And when we take up our work, as we are called to take it up, then we will receive the fulfillment of the promise, “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Isaiah 49:25. ”Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
4 Responses to “By Their Fruits Will You Know Them”
matt allen | June 9th, 2007 at 3:44 pmAmen!!!
Hart | June 13th, 2007 at 2:30 amExcellent references which confirm the basis of truth upon which the OGR originated from. Thank you! I’m going to copy them for myself. I have also faced questions. By the way, could it be that the same Spirit which inspires some of the things that Rick Warren, James Dobson, and Pat Robertson say, inspired Ellen White? Just as she was discerning about what historical writers she quoted, we must be discerning, right? It isn’t the medium, but the message. REmember, God can use a donkey if He chooses.
DeepWaters | July 1st, 2007 at 2:32 pmHart, do you really think that the same Spirit inspired Ellen White as these others? How have you proved this to be true?
hart1 | August 5th, 2007 at 12:35 amDeepWaters,
I made my remarks based on the fact that I have heard other speakers, whether SDA or not say things that are true. If their ideas agree with the Bible, then their “message” would be inspired by the same Holy Spirit that inspired men of old to record what they did in the Bible. Does it mean that everything they say is inspired by the Holy Spirit or that they have the gift of prophecy? No, I don’t believe that. But what I do acknowledge is that truth is truth no matter what vessel God uses. Biblically speaking, we know God used heathen leaders such as Pharaoh, King Nebuchadnezzar, King Cyrus–even a donkey (of course the angel spoke through the animal, as in the case of Balaam)– to do His will and speak truth. My point was NOT to recommend these men’s ideas apart from Scriptural truth/principles. James 1:17 gives me the principle that all “good gifts” come from God, wherever they are found. My response focused on “How do we know truth?” rather than worrying about who said it. I am not defending Rick Warren’s methods (whatever it was that was being referred to), but asking if it’s right for us to focus on preparing and asking for the Latter Rain. (We know this is Biblical and supported by Spirit of Prophecy!) It seems like it is the devil’s work to derail truth by raising objections that focus on the vessel.
Does this make sense? I’m open to further comments.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.