Ichabod - The Glory Is Departed, The Rise and Fall of the Seventh-day Adventist Church: INTRODUCTION
Jerusalem would have stood forever, the elect of God. Jeremiah 17:21-25. But the history of that favored people was a record of backsliding and rebellion. They had resisted Heaven's grace, abused their privileges, and slighted their opportunities.” [1]
Great Controversy, page 19.
Great Controversy, page 19.
They forgot that “God's favor toward Israel had always been conditional on their obedience.” [2]
Prophets and Kings, page 293.
“They robbed God of His glory, and defrauded the world by a counterfeit of the gospel. They had refused to surrender themselves to God for the salvation of the world, and they became agents of Satan for its destruction. The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan... God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away.” [3]
Desire of Ages, page 36.
“Ichabod!"--the glory is departed.” [4]
Great Controversy, page 33; 1 Samuel 4:21-22.
“Already were the Saviour's words fulfilled: "Your house is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23:38.” [5]
Great Controversy, page 24.
“Therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those who should carry the gospel to all nations... Again and again the history of Christ's withdrawal from Judea has been repeated.” [6]
Desire of Ages, page 232.
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But who were responsible to these fatal results?
“For the rejection of Christ, with the results that followed, they were responsible. A nation's sin and a nation's ruin were due to the religious leaders.”
Christ’s Object Lessons, p 305.
When the Jewish church rejected Christ, does it mean that God has no longer has a chosen people to bear important responsibilities in giving the Gospel?
“The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the word of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities.”
Upward Look, p 131.
“The same danger exists today among the people who profess to be the depositaries of God's law. They are too apt to flatter themselves that the regard in which they hold the commandments will preserve them from the power of divine justice. They refuse to be reproved for evil, and charge God's servants with being too zealous in putting sin out of the camp. A sin-hating God calls upon those who profess to keep His law to depart from all iniquity. Neglect to repent and obey. His word will bring as serious consequences upon God's people today as did the same sin upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which He will no longer delay His judgments. The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel, that the corrections given through His chosen instruments cannot be disregarded with impunity. “
Testimonies for the Church, vol 4, p 166-167.
“Jerusalem is a representation of what the church will be if it refuses to walk in the light that God has given. Jerusalem was favored of God as the depositary of sacred trusts. But her people perverted the truth, and despised all entreaties and warnings. They would not respect His counsels. The temple courts were polluted with merchandise and robbery. Selfishness and love of mammon, envy and strife, were cherished. Everyone sought for gain from his quarter. Christ turned from them, saying: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem," how can I give thee up? "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37. So Christ sorrows and weeps over our churches, over our institutions of learning, that have failed to meet the demand of God. He comes to investigate in Battle Creek, which has been moving in the same track as Jerusalem.”
Testimonies for the Church, vol 8, p 67.
With this in mind, the ultimate question is: Did the SDA Church move in the same direction as Jerusalem did? Did they depart from God and fell as did ancient Israel? Let history give a clear answer through the SDA Church records from the inspired word of the Spirit of Prophecy as penned by God’s messenger, Ellen G. White in a year by year arrangement of events.
“Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered.”
Selected Messages, book 1, p 57.
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