“The Reformers of the 16th century had done much to bring people back to the primitive Christianity of apostolic times. While they did not live long enough to see their work fully carried through, they had laid a deep and broad foundation for their children to build upon; namely, faith in “the Bible, and the Bible only.” They expected their followers to carry their work through to a triumphant conclusion. But after the death of the Reformers, the Jesuits nearly wrecked the work of the Reformation, and some of the Protestant countries formed state churches to protect themselves from utter annihilation.
“The popes and the Jesuits worked incessantly in conjunction with the bishops and the heads of the larger Catholic states to force the smaller Protestant countries back under the papal rule. This compelled Protestant princes to make common cause and stand together to save the day, as was the case in the Thirty Years’ War.
“After the worst storm had blown over, the Protestant churches found themselves under the protection and control of the state. They were no longer free to accept more light, and to progress along the way they originally had started. The state now dictated what they should believe and teach, who should be taken into church fellowship, and who should be their leaders. Their growth was stunted, their spiritual life stifled. Instead of progressing along the line of reform, they retrograded and gave up several of the points of truth held by the Reformers. This was especially true during the period of Rationalism in Europe. But God’s work must go on to completion. No human consideration can stop it, and the time has now come for the work of the Reformation to be finished”(Christian Edwardson, FACTS OF FAITH(Southern Publishing Association, NT., 1943), p.159.
What is our part in this work of Finishing the Reformation? Inspiration tells us:
“This work must be done. The end is near. Already much time has been lost, when this books should have been in circulation…. Scatter then[the books] like leaves of autumn. This work is to continue without the forbidding of anyone. Souls are perishing out of Christ. Let them be warned of His soon appearing in the clouds of heaven”(Ellen G. White, REVIEW AND HERALD, Aug. 13, 1908).
So why should we be so serious as well as excited about sharing the unabridged THE GREAT CONTROVERSY as we celebrate the jubilee of jubilees to fan the dying embers of true Protestantism into a mighty inferno once again? The messenger of the Lord to the remnant answers in the following two quotes:
“THE GREAT CONTROVERSY should be very widely circulated. It contains the story of the past, the present, and the future. In its outline of the closing scenes of this earth’s history, it bears a powerful testimony in behalf of the truth. I am more anxious to see a wide circulation of this book than any others I have written; for in THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books”(Ellen G. White, LETTER 1, 1890. See also COLPORTEUR MINISTRY, 127.1).
“By reading it[THE GREAT CONTROVERSY], some will be aroused, and will have courage to unite themselves at once with those who keep the commandments of God. But a much larger number who read it will not take their position until they see the very events taking place that are foretold in it. The fulfilment of some of the predictions will inspire faith that others will come to pass, and when the earth is lighted with the glory of the Lord, in the closing work, many souls will take their position on the commandments of God as a result of this agency”(MANUSCRIPT 31, 1890. See also COLPORTEUR MINISTRY, 128.4).
Surely this is a movement of destiny and the privilege is ours to be part of it. Nothing should be more exciting as you consider the present reality of the last quote! Are you aware that the events prophesied in THE GREAT CONTROVERSY are so amazing and are fast coming to pass? Three quick examples will do to convince you of this fact:
1) She predicted that the US will become a world superpower(You will be regarded a lunatic if you say that when she did–over a hundred years ago).
2) She foretold that apostate Protestantism will make alliance with Rome and such a union will lead lead to the forming of the image of the sea beast of Revelation 13–union of church and state that will lead to the final tribulation(This is happening right before our eyes).
2) She prophesied that Rome will try to cover her horrible past with apologies but she(Rome) will remain unchanged while the deluded and fallen Protestant world will be making all the changes and concessions in the alliance we call ecumenism–giving up their historic beliefs (If you are awake to the signs of the times, you will know this has gone far in its fulfilment).
Do you see why we must make haste to get the word out in these final hours of probationary time?
Join ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS FOR CHRIST(AVC) in fervent prayers so that all the ploys of the devil to stop or slow down this initiative to be truncated by God in Jesus’ name.
Plan to register for the conference coming up in October/November 2017 and sacrificially contribute your quoter to see the truth triumph in the end and God will not forget your sacrifice of love to make others see the light of the present truth and be saved before it’s too late. May your contributions and participation make positive eternal difference in the lives of many. Amen.
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EDDY THOMPSON
OLEH, 06/09/16