Revival and Reformation for Seventh-day Adventists

Revival and Revival and ReformationReformation

Preparation for the Latter RainPreparation for the Latter Rain

upa7.org upa7.org presentspresents

GC Session 2010GC Session 2010Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia

Sabbath, July 3rd, Sabbath, July 3rd, 20102010

Nearly 70,000 in attendanceNearly 70,000 in attendance

Keynote Keynote AddressAddressPresident Ted N. C. President Ted N. C.

Wilson calls for revival Wilson calls for revival

and reformationand reformation

Outline for StudyOutline for Study

Revival and Reformation: What does Revival and Reformation: What does

it involve?it involve?

Return to the Bible and the Spirit of Return to the Bible and the Spirit of

ProphecyProphecy

Proclamation of the three angels Proclamation of the three angels

messagesmessages

The latter rainThe latter rain

Revival and Revival and ReformationReformation

“A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.” ― Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902

Return to the Return to the Bible and Bible and

the Spirit of the Spirit of ProphecyProphecy

Arthur White, Ellen Arthur White, Ellen White’s White’s

grandson, standing next grandson, standing next to ato a

stack of her published stack of her published writingswritings

“Brethren, cling to your Bible, as it reads, and stop your criticisms in regard to its validity, and obey the Word, and not one of you will be lost. The ingenuity of men has been exercised for ages to measure the Word of God by their finite minds and limited comprehension. If the Lord, the Author of the living oracles, would throw back the curtain and reveal His wisdom and His glory before them, they would shrink into nothingness and exclaim as did Isaiah, "I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of people of unclean lips" (Isa. 6:5).” – Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 18

Take the Bible as it Take the Bible as it ReadsReads

“Satan is . . . constantly pressing in the spurious―to lead away from the truth. The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony.―Letter 12, 1890.” ― Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 48

Satan’s Very Last Satan’s Very Last DeceptionDeception

“There is the most imperative necessity of urging the injunction of Christ upon the minds and hearts of all believers, men and women, youth and children: "Search the Scriptures." Study your Bible as you have never studied it before. Unless you arise to a higher, holier state in your religious life, you will not be ready for the appearing of our Lord. As great light has been given, God expects corresponding zeal, faithfulness, and devotion on the part of His people. There must be more spirituality, a deeper consecration to God, and a zeal in His work that has never yet been reached. Much time should be spent in prayer, that our garments of character may be washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.” ― Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 717

““Search the Search the Scriptures”Scriptures”

“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us.”―Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217

Result of Result of Disregarding the Disregarding the

TestimoniesTestimonies

Proclamation of the Proclamation of the Three Angels Three Angels

MessagesMessages

“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. But how few take up this message in its true bearing, and present it to the people in its power! With many it has but little force. . . . 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, and decisions will be made for God as supreme Governor; His law will [be] looked upon as the rule of His government. Ms 15, 1888, p. 5.”―Manuscript Releases, Vol. 1, p. 56

Few Comprehend Few Comprehend the Messagesthe Messages

1.“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Verses 6, 7 “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Verse 8“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation;” Verses 9-10

Revelation 14:7-10Revelation 14:7-10

“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.". . .”

The Messages to be The Messages to be RepeatedRepeated

“The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message.”―Early Writings, p. 277

Antitypical Babylon will Antitypical Babylon will FallFall

Who Will be Able to Who Will be Able to Stand?Who will Stand?Who will

Proclaim the Proclaim the Messages?Messages?

Will you, will I?Will you, will I?

Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 80, 81Review and Herald, November 19, 1908 par. 9

“In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. 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. .”―Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 80

“When trees without fruit are cut down as cumberers of the ground, when multitudes of false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to view, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David—willing to do and dare.”―Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 81.

What are the What are the Requirements?Requirements?

“The third angel's message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.”―Review and Herald, November 19, 1908 par. 9

The Latter Rain is The Latter Rain is ComingComing

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”― James 5:7-8

Promise of Early and Promise of Early and Latter RainLatter Rain

“The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church. But near the close of earth's harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest "in the time of the latter rain." In response, "the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain." "He will cause to come down . . . the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain," Zechariah 10:1; Joel 2:23.”―Acts of the Apostles, p. 55.1

The Latter RainThe Latter RainWhat does it What does it represent?represent?

“It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.”―Testimonies to Ministers, p. 507.1

The Latter RainThe Latter RainWho will receive it?Who will receive it?

“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. . . .

Former Rain to Former Rain to Proceed Proceed

the Latter Rainthe Latter Rain

“It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him.”―Testimonies to Ministers, p. 507.1

Work Needed to Work Needed to Receive Receive

the Latter Rainthe Latter Rain

Who will be found Who will be found striving striving

to overcome Sin to overcome Sin today?today?

Summary PointsSummary PointsRevival and Reformation is our greatest Revival and Reformation is our greatest need.need.

The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy should The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy should be uplifted up.be uplifted up.

Satan’s very last deceptions is to make the Satan’s very last deceptions is to make the Testimonies of none effect.Testimonies of none effect.

The three angels messages will be repeated The three angels messages will be repeated with power and force by a purified ministry.with power and force by a purified ministry.

We must overcome all known sin if we are We must overcome all known sin if we are going to take part in the Loud Cry.going to take part in the Loud Cry.

The latter rain can only be given to those The latter rain can only be given to those who receive the former rain.who receive the former rain.

“Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

The Former Rain is The Former Rain is Already Falling!Already Falling!

Please, investigate for yourself and searchthe scriptures to see if these things are so.

For further studies and information, come and see:www.shepherds-rod-speaks.org