There is to be a shaking among
God’s people; but this is not the
present truth to carry to the
churches; it will be the result of
refusing the truth presented. (CTr
363.5)
I was shown the people of God, and saw
them mightily shaken. Some, with
strong faith and agonizing cries, were
pleading with Good.
Some, I saw, did not participate in this
work of agonizing and pleading. They
seemed indifferent and careless. They
were not resisting the darkness around
them, and it shut them in like a thick
cloud. (CCh 338)
I asked the meaning of the shaking I
had seen, and was shown that it
would be caused by the straight
testimony called forth by the counsel
of the True Witness to the
Laodiceans. This will have its effect
upon the heart of the receiver, and
will lead him to exalt the standard
and pour forth the straight truth.
(Ibid.)
Some will not bear this straight
testimony. They will rise up against it,
and this will cause a shaking among
God’s people. The testimony of the True
Witness has not been half heeded. The
solemn testimony upon which the
destiny of the church hangs has been
lightly esteemed, if not entirely
disregarded. This testimony must work
deep repentance, and all that truly
receive it will obey it and be purified.
(Ibid.)
Said the angel: “Look ye!” My attention was then turned
to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I
was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and
praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian
angels around them had been doubled, and they were
clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They
moved in exact order, firmly, like a company of soldiers.
Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which
they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed
through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal
anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven.
They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from
them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy. (Ibid.
339)
The angels of God left these, and I saw them
hastening to the assistance of those who were
struggling with all their energies to resist the
evil angels, and trying to help themselves by
calling upon God with perseverance. But the
angels left those who made no effort to help
themselves, and I lost sight of them. As the
praying ones continued their earnest cries, a
ray of light from Jesus would at times come to
them, to encourage their hearts, and light up
their countenances. (Ibid.)
The mighty shaking has commenced
and will go on, and all will be shaken
out who are not willing to take a bold
and unyielding stand for the truth, and
to sacrifice for God and His cause. The
angel said: “Think ye that any will be
compelled to sacrifice? No, no. It must
be a freewill offering. It will take all to
buy the field.” (CET 107.3)
The apostle exhorts the brethren, saying,
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of His might. Put on the
whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
stand . . . in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.” Oh, what a day is before us! What sifting
will there be among those who claim to be the
children of God! The unjust will be found
among the just. Those who have great light and
who have not walked in it will have darkness
corresponding to the light they have despised.
(CCh 338.1)
Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his
power as supreme. The church may appear as about to
fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in
Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the
precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless
it must take place. None but those who have been
overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of
their testimony will be found with the loyal and true,
without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths.
. . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the
truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting
the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy
(Letter 55, 1886). (7BC 911.6)
But the days of purification of the
church are hastening on apace. God will
have a people pure and true. In the
mighty sifting soon to take place we
shall be better able to measure the
strength of Israel. The signs reveal that
the time is near when the Lord will
manifest that His fan is in His hand, and
He will thoroughly purge His floor. (CCh
338.2)
Every true child of God will be sifted as wheat, and in
the sifting process every cherished pleasure which
diverts the mind from God must be sacrificed. In many
families the mantel shelves, stands, and tables are filled
with ornaments and pictures. . . . Thus the thoughts,
which should be upon God and heavenly interests, are
brought down to common things. Is not this a species
of idolatry? Should not the money thus spent have
been used to bless humanity, to relieve the suffering, to
clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry? Should it not
be placed in the Lord's treasury to advance His cause
and build up His kingdom in the earth? (Mar 48)
This matter is of great importance, and it is
urged upon you to save you from the sin of
idolatry. Blessing would come to your souls if
you would obey the word spoken by the Holy
One of Israel, “Thou shalt have no other gods
before me.” Many are creating unnecessary
cares and anxieties for themselves by devoting
time and thought to the unnecessary
ornaments with which their houses are filled.
The power of God is needed to arouse them
from this devotion; for to all intents and
purposes it is idolatry. (Ibid.)
He who searches the heart, desires to win
His people from every species of idolatry.
Let the Word of God, the blessed book of life,
occupy the tables now filled with useless
ornaments. Spend your money in buying
books that will be the means of enlightening
the mind in regard to present truth. . . .
Grasp the Word of the Lord as the treasure
of infinite wisdom and love; this is the
Guidebook that points out the path to
heaven. (Ibid.)
Something will arise to test
everyone. The great sifting time is
just before us. The jealous and the
faultfinding, who are watching for
evil, will be shaken out. (1T 251)
In the mighty sifting soon to take place
we shall be better able to measure the
strength of Israel. . . . Satan, clothed in
angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the
very elect. There will be gods many and
lords many. Every wind of doctrine will
be blowing. Those who have rendered
supreme homage to “science falsely so
called” will not be the leaders then. (5T
79, 80)
Those who have trusted to intellect,
genius, or talent will not then stand at
the head of rank and file. They did not
keep pace with the light. Those who
have proved themselves unfaithful will
not then be entrusted with the flock. In
the last solemn work few great men
will be engaged. . . . (Ibid. 80)
The Lord has faithful servants, who in
the shaking, testing time will be
disclosed to view. There are precious
ones now hidden who have not bowed
the knee to Baal. They have not had the
light which has been shining in a
concentrated blaze upon you. But it may
be under a rough and uninviting
exterior the pure brightness of a
genuine Christian character will be
revealed. (Ibid.)
But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be
accursed. As we said before, so
say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than
that ye have received, let him be
accursed. (Galatians 1:8, 9)
Who does the sifting?
Had Peter walked humbly with God, hiding
self in Christ; had he earnestly looked for
divine help; had he been less self-confident;
had he received the Lord’s instruction and
practised it, he would have been watching
unto prayer, working out his own salvation
with fear and trembling. Had he closely
examined himself, the Lord would have
given him divine help, and there would have
been no need of Satan’s sifting. (YI
December 15, 1898)
Satan was permitted to tempt the too
confident Peter, as he had been permitted to
tempt Job; but when that work was done, he
had to retire. Had Satan been suffered to have
his way, there would have been no hope for
Peter. He would have made complete
shipwreck of faith. But the enemy dare not go
one hair’s-breadth beyond his appointed
sphere. There is no power in the whole satanic
force that can disable the soul that trusts, in
simple confidence, in the wisdom that comes
from God. (YI, December 15, 1898 par. 5)
By the sifting of temptation the genuine
Christian will be revealed. Are the people
of God now so firmly established upon
His word that they would not yield to the
evidence of their senses? Would they, in
such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the
Bible only? (DD 42.3)
I enter into no arguments, but I
cannot allow the work of God,
which has borne fruit that has been
before the people during almost my
whole lifetime, to be brushed away
as a cobweb, by whom? A human
being, subject to temptation, whom
Satan is now sifting as wheat.-Letter 65, 1897 (3SM 349.4)
He who sifts all motives and reads all
hearts, is proving, and trying, and sifting
His people, especially those who have
light and knowledge, and who are
engaged in His sacred work. God is a
searcher of hearts, and a trier of the
reins, and will accept nothing less than
entire devotion to the work, and
consecration to Himself. (PH150 32.1)
God is sifting His people.
He will have a clean and
holy people. (10MR 21.2)