Poona, India

I wish to thank you for sending me a copy of the book, As Many as I Love. This book reminded me again so graphically of God’s love for me and His provision of forgiveness...I pray that the Holy Spirit will be able to accomplish a mighty work through his church which will climax in the glorious appearing of our Lord. I do appreciate your concern and your eagerness to help bring the church to this blessed event.—GC

 

Harare, Zimbabwe

Recently I had the joy and privilege of spending a short while with Pastor D. K. Short and he very kindly presented me with a copy your latest publication entitled As Many As I Love. I have already gone through this little book and appreciate its message tremendously and believe that your exposition is a remarkable revelation of what God desires of His church. I have committed myself to not only an experience of personal repentance but repentance on behalf of the church. I would appreciate it if you would let me know the cost of this publication and if a bulk order was placed what the financial arrangements would be.

 

During the second half of this year, I will be retiring and returning to South Africa and am dreaming of plans to bring this message to our people there.—EA

 

Loma Linda, California

I read the Newsletter as soon as the latest one reached me. Although I could not read it as fast as I could read Japanese, it gave me great joy. On page 5 I found a letter from Indonesia. Now I believe that it is time that the 1888 message should go to every part of the world.

 

I have just decided to do a thorough study of the entire Bible but especially Hebrews, Daniel and Revelation, comparing scripture with scripture just as William Miller did. Since I have been allowed to live in this country with student status, as long as I stay here I must take full-time classes. So I'm going to leave the US on May 6 and embark on a study of the Bible myself. I'm willing to help you distribute the Newsletter to fellow Adventists in Japan if you will send me extra copies of each issue.—YT

 

Gallatin, Missouri

We rejoice to hear the news from your office. Our interest and prayers ascend daily that "righteousness by faith" will accelerate rapidly and extensively. Keep the communications coming! We anticipate them and appreciate the information you provide.—SM

 

Franklin, Georgia

I appreciated and welcomed 1888 Re-examined back in 1960 and have reread it off and on since then That is where I received my foundation for what took place and its meaning in 1888, and so I taught it to my children, who are now taking an active interest in studying, to prepare for the final crisis which we can see is right upon is.

I appreciated your pamphlet on agape love.—IC

 

Danielson, Connecticut

My wife and I received a rich blessing when we attended the Righteousness by Faith Seminar in Massachusetts. We are both now studying Galatians using the book, Glad Tidings, and are getting a real blessing so far. The book of Galatians comes alive with hope, life and assurance in Christ.—DT

 

Iola, Kansas

I would like ten more copies of As Many As I Love. Keep up the good work and may this message spread like fire through the brush. I am still learning about this important message. I am a denominational teacher and firmly believe we missed the boat in 1888. I hope and pray 1988 will bring a large revival of it.—JB

Thirteen Impossibles

"One of the highest attainments in the Christian life is to control appetite... without this victory, all hope of Heaven is vain." CTBH 206

 

"Who will enter in through the gates into the City?—Not those who declare that they cannot break the force of appetite." CTBH 19

 

1.       "It is impossible for a man to present his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, while continuing to indulge habits that are depriving him of physical, mental and moral vigor." CH 23

 

2.       "It is impossible to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God when we continually fill them with corruption and disease by our own sinful indulgence." CH 24

 

3.       "It is impossible for the spirit and power of the truth to sanctify a man soul, body, and spirit, when he is controlled by appetite and passion." 3T 570

 

4.       "A diseased body and a disordered intellect, because of continued indulgence in hurtful lust, make sanctification of the body and spirit impossible." CDF 44

 

5.       "It is impossible for those who indulge the appetite to attain to Christian perfection." 2T 400

 

6.       "It is impossible for men and women while under the power of sinful, health-destroying, brain enervating habits, to appreciate sacred truth." CH 21

 

7.       "It is impossible for an intemperate man to be a Christian, for his higher powers are brought into slavery to the passions." 3T 51

 

8.   "In order to render to God perfect service we must have clear conceptions of His will. This will require us to use only healthful food, prepared in a simple manner, that the fine nerves of the brain be not injured, making it impossible for us to discern the value of the atonement and the priceless worth of the cleansing blood of Christ.”

Healthful Living 43:172”

 

9.       "It is impossible for those who make free use of flesh meats to have an unclouded brain and an active intellect." 2T 62

 

10.     "It is impossible for any to enjoy the blessing of sanctification while they are selfish and gluttonous." CH 66

 

11.     "It is impossible for you to increase in spiritual strength while your appetite and passions are not under perfect control." CDF 63

 

12.     "It is impossible for those who give the reins to appetite to attain to Christian perfection." CDF 236

 

13.     "It is impossible to work for the salvation of men and women without presenting to them the need of breaking away from sinful gratifications, which destroy the health, debase the soul, and prevent divine truth from impressing the mind. Men and women must be taught to take a careful review of every habit and practice, and at once put away those things that cause an unhealthy condition of the body." CH 445

Questions People Ask

Must the alcoholic wait until the Lord takes away his desire for alcohol before he can stop drinking?

 

Must the cigarette smoker wait until the Lord gives him an aversion for tobacco before he can stop smoking?

 

Must the immoral person wait until the Lord takes away sexual desire before he or she can gain the victory over lust?

 

Some people claim that the Lord miraculously takes away the desire for their addiction, but this leaves many others deeply discouraged. Many, including homosexuals, have prayed for years that the Lord might change them, even make them feel that they are heterosexual, and they say their prayers have not been answered. Is there no hope for them?

 

Waiting for the Lord to make temptation become something uninviting, something repulsive, may be the same as waiting to get "holy flesh." The Lord has not promised to take away our capacity to be tempted (although some people claim He has done that); what he has promised is to give us grace to say "No" to temptation through genuine faith in Christ. Knowing the truth can save us discouragement.

 

And so, before we get holy flesh, while we are still in our sinful flesh, we can learn not to "fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). The word of God clearly warns us that after conversion we shall still dwell in sinful flesh and that the flesh will still war against the Spirit (verse 17). It is good to know the facts so we won’t get discouraged when we realize that the same old flesh we always had clamors for indulgence. This doesn’t mean that the Lord has let us down, or that the plan of salvation is a failure!

 

Before we were converted, we "had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Eph 2:3). But when we let Christ live in us by His Holy Spirit, we are no longer helpless to withstand the temptations of Satan. "For the grace of God teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," (Titus 2:11,12,13 NIV).

 

This does not mean that we save ourselves—a million times no! It is not pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. But it is taking up our cross every day to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23), denying self, saying "No" to its clamors. Even if you have to say "No" a thousand times a day, thank God and praise Him that you can! Christ has set you free, not from living in your sinful flesh, but from being a slave to the desires or lusts of your sinful flesh. (See Lessons on Faith pp. 90-92.)

 

This is why the nature of Christ is so important to understand. It is dangerous to misconstrue the truth, to expect that "holy flesh" is necessary for victory over sin. Christ Himself did not come in holy flesh; He was sent "in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. 8:3, 4).

 

There is great hope for the alcoholic, the drug addict, the cigarette addict, the food addict, the homosexual, the nymphomaniac. Let them see the true Christ and His cross. Let them see how He was tempted in all points like they are, yet without sin; let them kneel with Him in Gethsemane when He prayed, "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39). Let them understand John 5:30 and 6:38 and Romans 15:3, how Christ said ’No" to His own will in order that He might follow His Father’s will. That’s what "looking unto Jesus” means. The Saviour saves us to the "right action of the will" (a Steps to Christ phrase) so that it becomes our privilege to cooperate with Him, to let Him save us. In His own good time, God will see to it that victory over sin includes victory over temptability; but for now, let us gratefully learn from Him how to say "No" to the flesh.

 

Don’t be fooled by the devil’s invention of a counterfeit salvation without a cross. We could never have that high privilege of sitting with Christ in His throne unless we overcome as He overcame.

The Holy Spirit Awaits Our Requests

In an unpublished manuscript, Ellen White has left a thrilling account of the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated in the revival meetings that followed the 1888 General Conference session:

 

"I had a deep, earnest desire for the Lord to work with His people. Oh, how my heart was drawn out i wrestling prayer to God that He would manifest His power on the Sabbath day and greatly bless His people. He did all this and far more than I had asked. It seemed that a tidal wave of the glory of the Lord swept over the congregation, and many, many souls were filled with a rich blessing of God, and this occasion to them was one never to be for- gotten. They bore testimony that the power of God thrilled through and through them. Some persons were as pale as death, but their countenances were shining with the glory of God. This church had been newly raised up, and was in need of encouragement. Oh, bless the Lord, bless the Lord! Oh, my soul! For the great goodness and mercy of God!

 

"One brother in a prominent position in the Chicago mission had been so weighted down with discouragement that we all feared that he would separate from the work, but he was present and was greatly blessed. He said that he came to that meeting heavy in heart and under a dark cloud, but the Lord Jesus met him while bowed in prayer. We had called them forward, but he did not come; but the Lord met him. 'I seemed to have the Lord Jesus close beside me,' he said. 'How lovely, how precious, I thought I could touch Him. I knew Jesus was by my side.' And then he broke out in a description of Christ as seen by the eye of faith. He was a man very reticent, but of few words' but his tongue was loosed, his language was eloquent, as he expressed the attributes of Christ as He was revealed to him. Said he, 'I am light as a feather, I am happy in God, and I want to get back to 'Chicago and tell them what the lord has wrought for me.' Others bore testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit that came upon them." (Ms. 2, 1891)

The Sunday Law - When?

"While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he (Satan) will bring disease and disaster until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast...

 

And then the great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God's commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors. It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced; and that those who present the claims of the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal prosperity. Thus the accusation urged of old against the servant of God will be repeated and upon grounds equally well established: "And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah that Ahab said unto him ‘Art thou he that troubleth Israel?’ And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim’" 1 Kings 18:17, 18). As the wrath of the people shall be excited by false charges, they will pursue a course toward God's ambassadors very similar to that which apostate Israel pursued toward Elijah" (GC pp. 589,590).

 

At the Roman Catholic cathedral in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday, November 19, Pope John Paul II said, "There is a growing conviction that something must urgently be done to secure the peace and development that are the conditions for a better future for the whole human race. We are painfully aware that man’s God-given dignity, and even survival itself, are gravely threatened."

 

In the Catholic Twin Circle magazine, which is a national magazine of the Catholic Church there was an article in the August 25, 1985, issue that said, "All Americans would do well to petition the President and the Congress to make a Federal law—an amendment to the Constitution if need be—to reestablish the Sabbath as a national Day of Rest, so that religious and non-religious Americans can rest in peace."

 

How long will it be before some of the terrible calamities such as the current world-wide epidemic of AIDS, or the continuing rash of earthquakes in every part of the globe, or a sudden economic collapse will be linked to a public discussion of Sunday legislation? We don’t know. Take the quote from the Pope and add on the end of it "and we believe that the reason for all the misery in the world is because Sunday is not being held sacred like it should be," and, friends, you would have fulfilled the above-quoted prophecy from Great Controversy.

 

God is holding back the winds of strife for only one reason. He is not waiting for the world to get a little bit more-wicked, or for a few more diseases to come. Everything is set up right now for the end-of-time events to happen just like we have understood them from the Spirit of Prophecy. Everything that is, except for one thing. God's church is not ready. God is holding back the winds of strife until His servants are sealed. He is holding back the winds of strife until He can be revealed through His people.

 

Back in 1876 Ellen White wrote "The Laodicean message (Rev. 3:14-22) applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth..." (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 87). If this statement was present truth then, it is present truth now. What is God waiting for? He is waiting for His church to answer the knocking at the door. (Rev. 3:20).—Chris Ezell

The Third National 1888 Message Conference, Andrews University, August 18-22, 1987

 

1.       FIRST MEETING: Tuesday at 7 PM

2.       LAST MEETING: Sabbath at 7 PM

3.       MEETING PLACE: Meetings will be held in Lamson Hall where they were held last year. Children’s programs will be held in the basement. Meals will be served in the cafeteria.

4.    DORMITORY ACCOMMODATIONS: Room rates will be $18.50 per night (double occupancy), for air conditioned rooms with linen supplied. The room rate for single occupancy is $14.00 per night. The residence hall will supply the following items for each person (maximum of two): cups, soap, one blanket, two sheets, one pillow and pillow case, one bath towel, one hand towel, one wash cloth. Each occupant must care for his/her room as there will be no maid service during the week.

More than two people may stay in a room according to the following policy:

The residence hall will assess $4.00 for every additional person 12 years of age or older staying in a room already occupied by two adults. For this charge, the additional person will receive one set of towels, but no sheets, blanket, bed, pillow or mattress. This charge is automatic. Persons under 12 years of age may stay in a room with parents or guardians at no charge. The residence hall has no obligation to provide any service for children staying with parents. Nor more than five persons of any age may stay in one room.

Camping facilities are available at Shamrock Park on the nearby St Joseph River. Contact the Berrien Springs Village Hall, 123 Ferry St. Att: Bob Wiles. Phone 616-473-5691 for arrangements and prices. Space is available at Beaver Point on the campus of Andrews University but there are no hookups.

5.       REGISTRATION FEE: In order to cover overhead expenses we must assess a registration fee of $10.00 per family who attends two or more days at the meetings. We urgently need to know in advance who is coming.

6.       BOOKS AND TAPES: Books on the 1888 message will be available at the meeting. We plan on being able to immediately reproduce tapes of subjects presented at the meeting.

Cafeteria Plan

Meal payments should be made directly at the cafeteria.

Package plan (Adult) $7.00 per day       2 meals per day

Package plan (Child) 5.00 per day

Single Meal Purchases

$3.15

4.75

4.75

Child breakfast $ 2.35 Child dinner 3.15 Child supper 3.15

Adult breakfast Adult dinner Adult supper

(Note: - Child's rate is for 4-10 years inclusive: less than 4 years - no charge.)

HERE ARE THE TOOLS!

Has the beautiful message of Christ’s righteousness brought joy to your heart? Are you eager to share the good news with your friends, neighbors, fellow church members? We are happy to announce that tools are available to fit your needs.

1.       An attractive two-color folder which introduces the 1888 MESSAGE and THE 1888 MESSAGE STUDY COMMITTEE and its objectives. It invites the reader to request the Newsletter, or our book or tape lists. Free. Ask for the quantity you can use.

2.       Postcards for use in requesting the Newsletter or the book and tape lists.

3.       1888: A BRIEF LOOK AT THE HISTORY AND CONTENT OF THE MESSAGE. This is a reprint of the previous "Summary" designed to fit a business envelope and lightweight enough to be mailed for 22 cents. 50 cents each. 10/$4.00.

4.      THE GOOD NEWS—BETTER THAN YOU THINK Bible study guides. 15 studies especially suited for non-Adventists. $1.95/set. 10/$15.00. (Elder Wieland has begun work on a series of Bible study guides for the use of Adventist study groups.)

5.       New THOUGHT PAPERS of special interest to ministers and laymen concerned with key theological issues involved in the 1888 message. 50 cents each. 10/$4.00

No. 1 In Search of Truth about Corporate and Denominational Repentance.

No. 2. Christ’s Repentance for Sins He Never Committed

6.       KNOCKING AT THE DOOR. Every Adventist minister should read this appeal of the True Witness to the ''anger (the leadership) of the Laodicean church. Take advantage of the special discount to present a copy to a pastor you know. Paperback, $3.95 each. 10/$2.95 each. Case (110 copies) $1.95 each. Hard cover, $4.95 each.l0/$3.50 each.

7.       AS MANY AS I LOVE…Second printing is in process. Still available at the bargain price of $3.95 each. 10/$2.00 each.

These two books by Robert Wieland will prepare readers to give open-minded consideration of 1888 RE-EXAMINED, the first printing of the original manuscript to be authorized by Elders Wieland and Short. This volume, the most soul-searching challenge to come to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is to be released in August. Help to prepare the way for it by distributing KNOCKING AT THE DOOR and AS MANY AS I LOVE.

Now is the time to pray and share "this most precious message" so that an informed and responsive church can respond in unity and love to the Holy Spirit’s renewed invitation to repent and welcome the Bridegroom, who has waited so long to receive His Bride.

 

Editorial Committee: Helen Cate

Steven Grabiner, R. J. Gravell Alexander Snyman, Sidney Sweet

The 1888 Message Newsletter is distributed free of charge. Those who wish to make tax-deductible gifts toward the cost of 1888 Message publications may make checks payable to ’The 1888 Message," and send them to: 2934 Sherbrook Drive Uniontown, Ohio 44685

1888 MESSAGE NEWSLETTER 2934 Sherbrook Dr. Uniontown, Ohio 44685

Address Correction Requested

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID