This is not the time to be toning down our messages. It is not the time to be celebrating. It is not the time to be ashamed of our historic SDA beliefs. It is not a time to be afraid of being called a cult or a lunatic fringe. There is a strong movement today, even in the SDA Church, to minimize Protestantism. It is time to protest, to bring back the Protestant Reformation. It is time to be courageous when most are cowards. It is time to repent of our sins, reform our ways, and reach the world with the present truth for today. It is time to carry the cross of Christ, before receiving the crown of life.
The Great Controversy (1888), p. 201
The papists determined to put down what they termed daring obstinacy. They began by endeavoring to cause divisions among the supporters of the Reformation, and to intimidate all who had not openly declared in its favor.
Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 385
I was told that men will employ every policy to make less prominent the difference between the faith of Seventh-day Adventists and those who observe the first day of the week. In this controversy the whole world will be engaged, and the time is short. This is no time to haul down our colors.
A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to the close of probation. In describing the remnant people of God, John says, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12). This is the law and the gospel.
Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 289
When we reach the standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will regard Seventh-day Adventists as odd, singular, strait-laced extremists. "We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."
We are not here for a popularity contest; we are not here to be politically correct. We are not here to be lazy, have it easy, and party. We are here to vindicate the truth of God’s Word in our own lives and warn others of Satan’s tactics. While Bible truth is not popular on this planet, it is in the rest of the universe. So when you follow the Lord, you have much more for you than against you.
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
God is waiting for a people who will conduct His worship services, play and sing His type of music, read His books, watch His type of videos, do His kind of recreation, keep His health message, be His type of teachers, pastors, and leaders, and keep His doctrines. God is waiting for us to be like Jesus—to speak His words, think His thoughts, and duplicate His actions. Yes, we can be like Him through God’s power when we surrender self to Him each moment, study His Word, keep all His commandments, and pray His prayers. It is all about Him. When you replace self with Jesus, He will turn it into eternal life. What are we waiting for? Let us do it and go home.
May God help us as a people to come up to a higher standard. Let us pray toward that end so that God may be glorified and Christ can return. We must pray not only for ourselves, our families and our friends, but for our Church’s leaders, for those who have left the truth that they will come back, and for our enemies. We must pray for true repentance, revival, and reformation, and that we will be spiritually cleansed in preparation for the early and latter rain and the loud cry.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Christian Service, p. 42
Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the 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.
Division is in the SDA church, because the wheat and tares are together. Truth and error cannot be in unity. Two parties are developed because of this, as shown in Ernie’s dream, “Two Cars.” We must each decide which car we will be in—the one that goes to the left with the majority whose leader is Satan, or the car with the minority—a small remnant—that go to the right with Jesus as the Driver. It is our choice, and it is an eternal choice.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 124
If the professed followers of Christ would accept God's standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension.
