New Truth not from Ministers
“I inquired who these men were, and was told that they were ministers and leading men who had rejected the light themselves, and were unwilling that others should receive it.” E.W. 241
“While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send.” (GW p.310)
“I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active, doing a work which savors of hell rather than of Heaven. Satan exults over the condition of God’s professed people. While they are neglecting their own souls, many eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticise and condemn one to whom Yah has entrusted responsibilities in his work.” 5T 94
“Some souls will see and receive the light; but those who have stood long in resistance of light, because it did not come just in accordance with their ideas, will be in danger of calling light darkness, and darkness light; but the power of Yah will sweep away the refuge of lies, and his glory will be revealed. Let not one ray of light be resisted , let no operation of the Spirit of Yah be interpreted as darkness. Yah will not leave his people to wrestle with principalities and powers, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with spiritual wickedness in high places, without the cooperation of heavenly angels. The power of Yah will be manifested to hold in check the power of the enemy. Yah will give victory to the truth.” {1881 1254.1}
“There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations, they will oppose the work. ” {EGW Materials 1888, p. 765}
“I was pointed to those who claim to be Adventists, but who reject the present truth, and saw that they were crumbling and that the hand of the Lord was in their midst to divide and scatter them now in the gathering time, so that the precious jewels among them, who have formerly been deceived, may have their eyes opened to see their true state. And now when the truth is presented to them by the Lord’s messengers, they are prepared to listen, and see its beauty and harmony, and to leave their former associates and errors, embrace the precious truth and stand where they can define their position. {EW 69.2}
“But the Holy Spirit will, from time to time, reveal the truth through its own chosen agencies; and no man, not even a priest or ruler, has a right to say, You shall not give publicity to your opinions, because I do not believe them. That wonderful “I” may attempt to put down the Holy Spirit’s teaching. Men may for a time attempt to smother it and kill it; but that will not make error truth, or truth error. The inventive minds of men have advanced speculative opinions in various lines, and when the Holy Spirit lets light shine into human minds, it does not respect every point of man’s application of the word. God impressed His servants to speak the truth irrespective of what men had taken for granted as truth. Even Seventh-day Adventists are in danger of closing their eyes to truth as it is in [the Savior], because it contradicts something which they have taken for granted as truth but which the Holy Spirit teaches is not truth.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers pages 70, 71.
“The rebuke of the Lord will rest upon those who would bar the way, that clearer light shall not come to the people. A great work is to be done, and God sees that our leading men have need of more light, that they may unite with the messengers whom He sends to accomplish the work that He designs shall be done. The Lord has raised up messengers, and endued them with His Spirit, and has said, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.] Let no one run the risk of interposing between the people and the message of Heaven. This message will go to the people; and if there were no voice among men to give it, the very stones would cry out.”{GW 304.I 2}
“But we see that the God of heaven sometimes commissions men to teach that which is regarded as contrary to the established doctrines. Because those who were once the depositaries of truth became unfaithful to their sacred trust, the Lord chose others who would receive the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and would advocate truths that were not in accordance with the ideas of the religious leaders. And then these leaders, in the blindness of their minds, give full sway to what is supposed to be righteous indignation against the ones who have set aside cherished fables. They act like men who have lost their reason. They do not consider the possibility that they themselves have not rightly understood the word. They will not open their eyes to discern the fact that they have misinterpreted and misapplied the Scriptures, and have built up false theories, CALLING THEM FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers pg. 69, 70. [Emphasis ours]
“It is hardly possible for men to offer greater insult to Yah than to despise and reject the instrumentalities He would use for their salvation… Satan caused them to reject Yah as their leader, by rejecting the men of God’s appointment.
The rejection of light darkens the mind and hardens the heart, so that it is easier for them to take the next step in sin and to reject still clearer light, until at last their habits of wrondoing become fixed. Sin ceases to appear sinful to them.” Conflict and Courage 108
Conference Men
“The voice from Battle Creek, which has been regarded as authority in counselling how the work should be done, is no longer the voice of God.”–17MR 185 (1896).
“It has been some years since I have considered the General Conference as the voice of God.”–17MR 216 (1898).
“That these men should stand in a sacred place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be–that is past.”–GCB April 3, 1901, p. 25.
” The Lord’s servants will be called enthusiasts. Ministers will warn the people not to listen to them. Noah received the same treatment while the Spirit of God was urging him to give the message…” TM p 233
“The Church is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst.” A New Life [Revival and Beyond] 1:99 (1898) LDE 48.2
Unction of Holy Spirit
“In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged…. 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. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.—Testimonies for the Church 5:80, 82 (1882).{LDE 204.3
Last Day Events, p. 205.1 (EGW)
“To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy Word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory.—Testimonies for the Church 5:729 (1889).{LDE 205.1}
Last Day Events, p. 205.2 (EGW)
It is discipline of spirit, cleanness of heart and thought that is needed. This is of more value than brilliant talent, tact, or knowledge. An ordinary mind, trained to obey a “Thus saith the Lord,” is better qualified for God’s work than are those who have capabilities but do not employ them rightly.—The Review and Herald, November 27, 1900.{LDE 205.2}
The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.—The Great Controversy, 606 (1911).{LDE 205.3
Times and Laws 