Call for Preparation & Warning Lest the Latter Rain be Condemned
During the 1880s, Ellen White began to express more urgency in her statements concerning the loud cry and latter rain. A real message was coming that would lighten the earth with its glory. She wrote of God’s plan to send simple men to do this great work that would create a “religious interest” far exceeding that of the sixteenth century Reformation. The message would be more than just a revival of the evangelical preaching of the day. Ellen White also spoke of the “spurious loud cry” that Satan was sending to try and divert minds from the true message for “this” time. To her, these manifestations were one of the “greatest evidences” the loud cry was on its way:In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. … But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. …
God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. … God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.
God is raising up a class to give the loud cry of the third angel’s message. [Acts 20:30 quoted] It is Satan’s object now to get up new theories to divert the mind from the true work and genuine message for this time. He stirs up minds to give false interpretations of Scripture, a spurious loud cry, that the real message may not have its effect when it does come. This is one of the greatest evidences that the loud cry will soon be heard and the earth will be lightened with the glory of God.
The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of worldwide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God … in this country there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message. The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. … By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given. Miracles are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth are brought to take their stand.
During the summer of 1885, through the evangelistic efforts of E. P. Daniels, a revival began in Healdsburg, California. Deep heart searching and repentance had brought a wonderful manifestation of the Spirit of God, which resulted in love and unity among many members. Some of the older workers (J. H. Waggoner and J. N. Loughborough) stepped in and put a stop to the meetings, branding them a “delusion” and “fanaticism.” When Ellen White, who was traveling in Sweden, heard what had happened she sent several letters of warning. The work that had begun at Healdsburg was the very work that every church needed. Yes, Satan would always send a counterfeit, but unless changes were made, while fighting against fanaticism, men would “condemn the work of the latter rain”:
From the letters written I have reason to judge a good work was begun in Healdsburg. Those who felt it was wrong, and condemned it, committed, I believe, one of the greatest errors. …
Brethren, it is high time that revivals similar to the one that has stirred the church in Healdsburg should come to every Seventh-day Adventist church in our land, else the church will not be prepared to receive the latter rain. A work must be done for the individual members of the church. They will confess one to another. … And whenever this work begins and wherever it is seen, there will be the working of the power of Satan—envy, jealousy, evil surmising will be in exercise. …
If there is a true, there will be, most assuredly, a counterfeit. …
Why I dwell so much on this now is because there will be most remarkable movements of the Spirit of God in the churches, if we are the people of God. And my brethren may arise and in their sense of paring everything done after their style, lay their hand upon God’s working and forbid it. I know what I am talking about. …
We have limited faith and sinful hearts and God cannot work in power for us for if He should … [we] could not distinguish the work of God from the counterfeit.
[I]n reference to the revival at Healdsburg I am not in harmony with your treatment of this matter. That there were fanatical ones who pressed into that work I would not deny. But if you move in the future as you have done in this matter, you may be assured of one thing, you will condemn the work of the latter rain when it shall come. For you will see at that time far greater evidences of fanaticism.
When an effort shall be made in the work of God, Satan will be on the ground to urge himself to notice, but shall it be the work of ministers to stretch out the hand and say, This must go no further, for it is not the work of God? …
I have not confidence in Elder J. H. Waggoner’s judgment in these matters. … If this is the way you manage when God sends good, be assured the revivals will be rare. When the Spirit of God comes it will be called fanaticism, as in the day of Pentecost. …
God has chosen man to do a certain work. His mental capacities may be weak, but then the evidence is more apparent that God works. His speech may not be eloquent but that is no evidence that he has not a message from God.
During this same time G. I. Butler, General Conference President, took actions to “restrict the work at the New York camp meeting” because of a lack of funds. Ellen White responded in a similar way as she had to the situation at Healdsburg. Unless a change was made, men would bind up the work of the Holy Spirit:
Never take action to narrow and circumscribe the work unless you know that you are moved to do so by the Spirit of the Lord. … Unless those who can help in New York are aroused to a sense of their duty, they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.
Preparation Needed
While Ellen White was writing letters of warning against making moves that would hinder the work of the Holy Spirit, she was also expressing in many letters and articles the great need for preparation in order to receive the latter rain. As described in her earlier writings, this involved the cleansing of the soul temple in connection with Christ’s work in the heavenly Sanctuary (Dan. 8:14). When the latter rain came, it would bring light, and those who were prepared and received the light, would proclaim the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. This third angel’s message was not to be given by debate, but by the deep movings of the Holy Spirit. Notice several Ellen White statements:The third angel, flying in the midst of heaven and heralding the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, represents our work. The message loses none of its force in the angel’s onward flight, for John sees it increasing in strength and power until the whole earth is lightened with its glory. … Soon it will go with a loud voice, and the earth will be lightened with its glory. Are we preparing for this great outpouring of the Spirit of God?
It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the time when the events of the day of Pentecost shall be repeated with even greater power than on that occasion. John says, “I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” … Thousands of voices will be imbued with the power to speak forth the wonderful truths of God’s word. The stammering tongue will be unloosed, and the timid will be made strong to bear courageous testimony to the truth. May the Lord help his people to cleanse the soul temple from every defilement, and to maintain such a close connection with him that they may be partakers of the latter rain when it shall be poured out.
When the latter rain comes upon the people of God you must have a preparation to press right on, because those whose vessels are clean, whose hands are free just when that latter rain comes get the light that comes from on high and their voices are lifted every one to proclaim the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The Lord appoints and sends forth ministers not only to preach, for this is a small part of His work, but to minister, to educate the people not to be fighters but to be examples of piety. … Some have … educated themselves as debaters, and the churches under their care show the character of their work. … The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.
Is this indifference to continue from year to year? Is Satan always to triumph, and Christ to be disappointed in the servants whom he has redeemed at an infinite price? We are looking forward to the time when the latter rain will be poured out, confidently hoping for a better day, when the church shall be endued with power from on high, and thus fitted to do more efficient work for God. But the latter rain will never refresh and invigorate indolent souls, that are not using the power God has already given them.
Law in Galatians
While Ellen White was counseling church leaders and members to prepare for the latter rain, admonishing them to be careful lest moves be made that would hinder the needed work, a controversy arose in Battle Creek. On the surface, the controversy was over the law in Galatians, but it involved much more than that. It was really a controversy over justification by faith, the gospel itself. How did this controversy begin, and what did it involve? The rest of this chapter will be devoted to answering these questions.In Galatians 3:19, The apostle Paul wrote of the “added Law,” and in verse 24, of the “schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” To which law did these verses refer; the ceremonial law or moral law—the ten commandments? Adventists pioneers during the 1850s, including James White, J. N. Andrews, Uriah Smith, and Joseph Bates, had held that the law Paul referred to in Galatians chapter 3 was the ten commandments. This however, had changed.
Protestant dispensationalists of that day were proclaiming emphatically that men were now living in the New Testament dispensation of grace, using texts such as Galatians 3:19 and 3:24 to prove that the ten commandments were done away with altogether. This had brought about a shift in the thinking of many Adventists, who hoped to counter such arguments by explaining that Galatians chapter 3 referred to the ceremonial law. However, in 1854, J. H. Waggoner (father of E. J. Waggoner) published a pamphlet entitled: “The Law of God: An Examination of the Testimony of Both Testaments.” When this pamphlet presented the view that the law in Galatians chapter 3 referred to the ten commandments only, other Adventists took exception, and a controversy developed.
Several days of meetings were held in Battle Creek in which the position of J. H. Waggoner was, according to Uriah Smith, proven wrong. James and Ellen White attended these meetings, and soon after the meetings convened Ellen White had a vision about the law issue. She immediately wrote to J. H. Waggoner stating his position was not to be pressed to the front. James White, as a result of this vision, withdrew J. H. Waggoner’s book from the market. According to Uriah Smith, J. H. Waggoner repeatedly solicited to have the pamphlet reprinted, but James White replied, “‘NOT until you revise your position on the law.’”
The controversy over the law in Galatians remained dormant for almost 30 years until the mid 1880s when A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner came on the scene. On October 1, 1883, one year after his campmeeting experience, Waggoner began sharing his newfound faith by teaching Bible classes at Healdsburg College, which had opened on April 11, 1882. Somehow, he also found time to pastor the Oakland Seventh-day Adventist church and help his father in editing The Signs of the Times. A. T. Jones came to California in 1884, relieving Waggoner of his teaching responsibilities in the fall of 1885 and also helping as assistant editor of the Signs. In addition to his other duties, Jones pastored one of the local churches. When J. H. Waggoner left for Europe in 1886, A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner became the chief editors of the Signs, a position that Jones held until 1889, and E. J. Waggoner held until 1891, when he was sent to England. Both men also took over as chief editors of the American Sentinel, a position Waggoner held until 1890, and Jones held till 1897 when he was placed on the General Conference Executive committee.
Although Jones and Waggoner worked together as editors of the Signs, they studied separately, coming to many of the same conclusions. Consequently, in their articles in the Signs, their classes at the college, and in their preaching in local churches, their underlying message was the same. Jones describes it this way:
Each of us pursued his own individual study of the Bible and teaching and preaching. Never in our lives did we spend an hour in study together on any subject or upon all subjects. Yet we were led in perfect agreement in the truths of the Bible all the way. To illustrate: On Sabbath Bro. Waggoner was away from Oakland in a campmeeting, and I preached in his place in Oakland church. My subject was “Righteousness by Faith.” The next Sabbath he was home and preached in his own place in Oakland church, and I in San Francisco. Sunday morning when I came into the “Signs” office and began to work, I said to Bro. Bollman, “What did Bro. Waggoner preach on yesterday?” He replied, “The same that you did last Sabbath.” I asked him, “What was his text?” He replied, “Same one that you had.” I said, “What line did he follow? What illustration?” He replied, “The same that you did.”
During the summer of 1884, E. J. Waggoner wrote ten articles on the law and the gospel and their relation to one another. In his September 11, 1884 Signs article he dealt more specifically with the law in Galatians and departed from the accepted Adventist position that the law in Galatians chapter 3 referred to the ceremonial law. It was during the 1884-85 school year that E. J. Waggoner began to present the same views at Healdsburg College. Although some were pleased with Waggoner’s writing and teaching, others became very concerned. Uriah Smith, Chief Editor of the Review, and G. I. Butler, President of the General Conference, were the most outspoken in their concerns.
In the spring of 1885, before Ellen White and W. C. White left for England, E. J. Waggoner talked with W. C. White about the concerns he had regarding his writing for the Signs and his teaching at the college. His first concern was about writing articles that “would be in conflict with Eld. Canright’s writing.” D. M. Canright was one of the most prominent evangelists of the time who had successfully debated many Adventist opponents. He had also written many books including, The Two Laws which was first published in 1876. In this book Canright took the same position on the law in Galatians as Uriah Smith and G. I. Butler.
The second concern Waggoner shared with W. C. White was in reference to the controversy regarding the law in Galatians, which his father had been involved in years before. W. C. White expressed his “opinion freely that he [E. J. Waggoner] and the editors of the Signs should teach what they believed to be truth” even if it did “conflict with some things written by Eld. Canright and others,” but regarding the old controversy, he should “avoid it if possible.” W. C. White also advised Waggoner to publish “articles on the subjects he had presented at the college.” E. J. Waggoner took his advice and continued to present the law and gospel through the pages of the Signs and adult Sabbath School quarterly, and in college classes and local campmeetings.
It was not long before A. T. Jones’ and E. J. Waggoner’s teaching and writing came under fire. In early 1886, G. I. Butler visited Healdsburg College and was informed that “strenuous efforts” had been made by Jones and Waggoner to “impress upon the minds of theological students” that the “added law” of Galatians was the “moral law of the commandments.” Butler expressed great concern over the situation since, in his mind, the issue had been settled years before. Besides, E. J. Waggoner’s view was contrary to that of James White, Uriah Smith, D. M. Canright and himself. In a letter to Ellen White, he reminded her that she had received light on the subject years before “to the effect that it [the law in Galatians] related to the remedial system rather than the moral law.”
In response to Butler’s letter, Ellen White immediately sent off a letter to Jones and Waggoner “protesting against them doing contrary to the light which God had given us in regard to all differences of opinion.” This letter, however, would never arrive (and has not been found to this day). Consequently, Jones and Waggoner continued presenting their views. During the summer, Waggoner even published a nine-part series in the Signs specifically on Galatians chapter 3. In these articles, Waggoner took the position in regard to the “schoolmaster” of Galatians 3:24, that “by no possibility can this refer to the ceremonial law.”
After reading Waggoner’s new series in the Signs and having heard nothing from Ellen White personally, Butler once again sent a letter to her, protesting against Waggoner’s work. According to Butler, Waggoner was causing a “great debate” by presenting views which “three-fourths of the denomination” did not believe. Butler pressed Ellen White once again to settle the matter, stating that he was “impressed to write a brief comment on the Epistle to the Galatians,” and implied that he believed the law referred to in Galatians chapter 3 was the ceremonial law only.
On November 16, 1886, Butler again wrote to Ellen White, telling her that he expected “to call our good Signs brethren to an account” at the upcoming General Conference, “for the way they have done in reference to some of the disputed points of our faith; the law in Galatians.” This Butler readily did.
1886 General Conference
As soon as the Conference opened on November 18, Butler gave the delegates his “brief comment” on the Epistle of Galatians in the form of an eighty-five page pamphlet entitled; The Law in the Book of Galatians: Is It the Moral Law, or Does It Refer to that System of Laws Peculiarly Jewish? Although not mentioning them by name, the pamphlet was nothing more than a rebuttal written against Jones and Waggoner; taking many shots at them personally, their “minority” views, and their “much vaunted doctrine of justification by faith.”Butler also brought the matter to the attention of the Theological Committee at the General Conference. He wrote several resolutions with the intent to suppress the publication of views contrary to the position “held by a fair majority of our people” unless these views had first been “examined and approved by the leading brethren of experience.” All but one of Butler’s resolutions were approved by a majority vote of the committee. However, Butler reported all his resolutions in an article in the Review, including the resolution that was voted down, which censured Jones and Waggoner for the course they had taken. As W. C. White would later put it: “There has been a desire on the part of some, that Elds. Waggoner and Jones should be condemned unheard.”
On December 16 Butler again wrote to Ellen White, more emphatically than before. He reminded her that he never received a reply on the issue of the law in Galatians, and that the church had been waiting “for years to hear from [her] on the subject.” Again on December 28, Butler wrote to Ellen White mentioning the subject of the Signs articles, which in his words, “were opposed to the principles of our faith.” The issue was obviously becoming immensely important in his mind as time went on. Perhaps in a final attempt to make Ellen White speak to the matter, Uriah Smith, editor of the Review, ran an old article where Ellen White explicitly stated: “Let individual judgment submit to the authority of the church.”
Ellen White Responds
Finally, early in 1887 (and after badgering from Butler for nearly a year), Ellen White wrote once again to Jones and Waggoner and sent copies to Smith and Butler. In her letter she told them she hadn’t read any of the material written by either party representing the different views on the law in Galatians. She mentioned several times her frustration over not being able to find what she had written years before on the subject. She felt she had been shown that J. H. Waggoner’s “position in regard to the law was incorrect,” And now, not being able to find this material, her mind was not “clear” on the issue and she could “not grasp the matter.” She expressed her great concern over seeing the “two leading papers in contention.” She even stated that Jones and Waggoner were too “self-confident and less cautious than they should be,” and that she feared E. J. Waggoner had “cultivated” a love for “discussions and contention” like his father. “Especially at this time should everything like differences be repressed” and unity be sought. Many discourses and articles in the Church papers were “on argumentative subjects” and “were like Cain’s offering; Christless.” Ellen White was also concerned that those “who are not Bible students” would take a stand on the issue without sufficient study; “yet it may not be truth.” If “these things” were to come into a General Conference she would “refuse to attend”:We have a worldwide message. The commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ are the burden of our work. To have unity and love for one another is the great work now to be carried on. …
From the Holy of Holies, there goes on the grand work of instruction. Christ officiates in the sanctuary. We do not follow Him into the sanctuary as we should. There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth, in harmony with Christ’s cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven. There we shall see more clearly as we are seen. We shall know as we are known.
It is the deep movings of the Spirit of God that is needed to operate upon the heart to mold character. … The little knowledge imparted might be a hundred fold greater if the mind and character were balanced by the holy enlightenment of the Spirit of God. Altogether too little meekness and humility are brought into the work of searching for the truth as for hidden treasures, and if the truth were taught as it is in Jesus, there would be a hundred fold greater power … but everything is so mingled with self that the wisdom from above cannot be imparted.
Ellen White’s letter seemed to catch Jones and Waggoner by surprise, but it did serve a good purpose. Jones thanked Ellen White for her letter, stating that he would “try earnestly to profit by the testimony,” and that he was “sorry indeed” that he had “any part in anything that would tend to create division or do harm in any way to the cause of God.” He also shared his side of the story, giving the background into the controversy over the law in Galatians. He had never heard of the letter sent to them before, nor of the testimony sent to J. H. Waggoner years earlier. He offered gladly to print any light that Ellen White had on the subject in the Signs. He also made it plain that he had not allowed the subject to come up in his classes at the College, telling the students that he “would not attempt to say which [view] is right. …”:
I have told them to look for the gospel of Christ in Galatians, rather than to discuss the law there. … I thought that if they would keep Christ and the gospel before their minds they would be sure to be on the right side whichever way the question of the law should be finally decided. With Christ before them I could not see how they could possibly go astray. I think however that I have told them that I thought they would find both laws there, and the gospel— justification by faith—underlying the whole of it.
Waggoner expressed similar views. He had not taught in the College since the summer of 1885, therefore he had not been presenting his views to college students. He had never heard of any testimony to his father, nor that Ellen White had ever “spoken on the subject.” If he had known that, “the case would have been different.” Besides, the views he had taught were “different” from his father’s views. He had felt he was helping the advancement of truth but now lamented that he had “been too hasty in putting forth views which could arouse controversy.” He had learned a lesson he would not forget:
I do desire most earnestly that the time may soon come when all our people shall see eye to eye. … I am truly sorry for the feeling that has existed and does exist between the two offices. I think it is but the simple truth to say that it did not originate here, and that much of what is felt in the east is due to misunderstanding on their part, of the real state of things here, and of the motives of those here; but I do not wish you to consider this as a shirking of blame. I know full well that a feeling of criticism has been allowed to creep in here, as I think in no one more than me. As I now view this spirit of criticism, which springs from the meanest kind of pride, I hate it, and want no more of it. I am determined that henceforth no word of mine, either in public or in private, shall tend to the detraction of any worker in the cause of God.
Not only did Jones and Waggoner search their own hearts and repent, Waggoner lived up to his word of not wanting to detract “any worker in the cause of God.” The Gospel in the Book of Galatians—Waggoner’s seventyone page response to Butler’s pamphlet—although dated February 10, 1887, was not printed until the 1888 General Conference, and only after Ellen White’s recommendation for fair play.
G. I. Butler’s response was quite different, however. Having received a copy of the letter to Jones and Waggoner, he “rejoiced,” thinking that Ellen White had finally sided with him and Uriah Smith. He hoped that Ellen White would now make a public statement on the added law, because “the added law is either the moral or the ceremonial law systems.” Butler opened himself up for later problems by stating that if his position was ever proven wrong he would “have no confidence” in his “own judgement,” would not know the “leading of the Spirit,” and it would “perfectly unfit [him] for acting any leading part” in the work. Butler let his true feelings toward Waggoner slip out as well. He saw E. J. as inheriting “some of his father’s qualities,” stating that the “Waggoner stamp appears in all their editorials.”
Butler claimed that contrary to Waggoner publishing his articles in the Signs, he had refused to “publish [his own] views on the Law in Galatians in the Review,” forgetting perhaps that he had just published an aggressive article in the March 22 issue. It did not take long, however, for Butler’s rejoicing to be turned to bitter disappointment.
1886 in Retrospect
Before Butler’s letter of rejoicing made its way to Ellen White in Switzerland, the Lord opened before her the truth about the events of the previous year. Not only did she have some “impressive dreams,” but she had also taken the time to read Butler’s material, and she was not impressed. She wrote to Butler indicating that perhaps her Testimony to J. H. Waggoner years before, was in regard to making the issue prominent at that time (1856), and not in regard to condemning his position. Adventists were not to feel that they knew “all the truth the Bible proclaims.” If a point could not be supported, they should not be “too proud to yield it.” Instead of an admonishment that Waggoner submit his views to those in authority, Ellen White stated that it was now only fair for him to have equal time:Now, I do not wish the letters that I have sent to you should be used in a way that you will take it for granted that your ideas are all correct and Dr. Waggoner’s and Elder Jones’s are all wrong. … I think you are too sharp. And then when this is followed by a pamphlet published of your own views, be assured I cannot feel that you are just right at this point to do this unless you give the same liberty to Dr. Waggoner. … I have had some impressive dreams that have led me to feel that you are not altogether in the light. … I want to see no Phariseeism among us. The matter now has been brought so fully before the people by yourself as well as Dr. Waggoner, that it must be met fairly and squarely in open discussion. … You circulated your pamphlet; now it is only fair that Dr. Waggoner should have just as fair a chance as you have had. … I believe we will have to have far more of the Spirit of God in order to escape the perils of these last days.
The “impressive dreams” which Ellen White spoke of were set before her in “figures and symbols, but the explanation was given [her] afterwards …” Thus as time went on, Ellen White’s counsel adjusted to the varying circumstances as she understood more definitely what had taken place, and had been revealed to her while she was in Switzerland in 1887. Clearly the Lord was seeking to warn the church of the great dangers that lay ahead. The very light that was to lighten the earth with its glory was ready to be imparted, but the spirit of the Jews was coming into the church. In the latter part of 1888, Ellen White shared what had been revealed to her:
That conference [1886] was presented to me in the night season. My guide said, “Follow me; I have some things to show you.” He led me where I was a spectator of the scenes that transpired at that meeting. I was shown the attitude of some of the ministers, yourself [Butler] in particular, at that meeting, and I can say with you, my brother, it was a terrible conference.
My guide then had many things to say which left an indelible impression upon my mind. His words were solemn and earnest. He opened before me the condition of the church at Battle Creek. … [they] needed the “energy of Christ.” … A time of trial was before us, and great evils would be the result of the Phariseeism which has in a large degree taken possession of those who occupy important positions in the work of God. …
He [then] stretched out his arms toward Dr. Waggoner, and to you, Elder Butler, and said in substance as follows: “Neither have all the light upon the law, neither position is perfect.”
During the Conference at Battle Creek [1886], when the question of the law in Galatians was being examined, I was taken to a number of houses, and heard the unchristian remarks and criticisms made by the delegates. Then these words were spoken: “They must have the truth as it is in Jesus, else it will not be a saving truth to them. …” When finite men shall cease to put themselves in the way … then God will work in our midst as never before. … The Jews, in Christ’s day, in the exercise of their own spirit, of self- exaltation, brought in rigid rules and exactions, and so took away all chance for God to work upon minds, … Do not follow in their track. Leave God a chance to do something for those who love him, and do not impose upon them rules and regulations, which, if followed, will leave them destitute of the grace of God as were the hills of Gilboa, without dew or rain.
Two years ago, while in Switzerland, I was addressed in the night season. … I seemed to be in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, and my guide gave instructions in regard to many things at the [1886] conference …: “The Spirit of God has not had a controlling influence in this meeting. The spirit that controlled the Pharisees is coming in among this people, who have been greatly favored of God. … There are but few, even of those who claim to believe it, that comprehend the third angel’s message, and yet this is the message for this time. It is present truth. …”
Said my guide, “There is much light yet to shine forth from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness. This message, understood in its true character, and proclaimed in the Spirit, will lighten the earth with its glory. … The closing work of the third angel’s message will be attended with a power that will send the rays of the Sun of Righteousness into all the highways and byways of life, …”
Two years ago [1886] Jesus was grieved and bruised in the person of His saints. The rebuke of God is upon everything of the character of harshness, of disrespect, and the want of sympathetic love in brother toward brother. If this lack is seen in the men who are guardians of our conferences, guardians of our institutions, the sin is greater in them than in those who have not been entrusted with so large responsibilities.
The monumental year of 1888, and the Minneapolis General Conference, was rapidly approaching. Truly the Lord was seeking, through these visions in 1886, to warn and prepare His church for what lay ahead. In the context of the dreams Ellen White had in Switzerland, she would write very earnestly of Satan’s “greatest fear.” That fear was that God’s people would “clear the way” so He could pour out the latter rain. Satan would seek to hold back this blessing by working from within the church, but he could not stop the latter rain if God’s people were ready to receive it:
A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. … There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. …
We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world. … The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices. …
There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out his Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. If Satan had his way, there would never be another awakening, great or small, to the end of time. But we are not ignorant of his devices. It is possible to resist his power. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God’s people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth. Wicked men and devils cannot hinder the work of God, or shut out his presence from the assemblies of his people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim his promises.
In an earlier sermon, published in Review of May 10, 1887, Ellen White expressed the similar thoughts. It was time to get ready for the latter rain; time to prepare for the loud cry:
My brethren and sisters, let us remember here is the evidence that God will work. You are not to trust in any power but that of the Lord God of Israel. But if you have enmity in your hearts, you cannot expect that God will let his blessing rest upon you. No one will enter the city of God with anything that defiles. We must get ready for the latter rain. The earth is to be lighted with the glory of the third angel,—not a little corner only, but the whole earth. You may think that the work you are doing now is lost; but I tell you it is not lost. When the message shall go with a loud cry, those who hear the truth now will spring to the front and work with mighty power.
Would God’s people get ready for the latter rain? Would they be able to stand? We will seek to answer these questions as we take a look at the Minneapolis General Conference in the chapters ahead.