Luke 21:8

Christian, Be Not Deceived!

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​7. THE SPECIAL SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD

Some have expressed the thought that the seal must be received before the latter rain is given (see Prologue). However, this is opposite to the truth, for, as we hope to show, the latter rain is given to

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complete the preparation for the reception of the seal. A sufficient refutation of the error advanced may be found in Testimonies to Ministers, page 506-512. Not all of our readers possess a copy of “Testimonies to Ministers”, so we will quote as briefly as possible the salient features to which we wish to draw attention, showing that the latter rain precedes the sealing, for it is necessary for the final development and preparation of character: “The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest [‘the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul’], represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection [God’s special seal is placed only on perfected characters (5 Testimonies, pages 9-14, 216; Early Writings, page 71), thus showing that the latter rain precedes the giving of the seal]. While we cherish the blessing of the early rain, we must not, on the other hand, lose sight of the fact that, without the latter rain, to fill out the ears and ripen the grain, the harvest will not be ready for the sickle. The growth and perfection of the seed rests not with the husbandman. God alone can ripen the harvest. But man’s co-operation is required. As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain.”

The foregoing extracts show God’s plan for ripening the harvest: “God alone can ripen the harvest.” “The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest prepares the church” and completes “the work of God’s grace for the soul”. It is the latter rain that brings the “seed to perfection”. “Without the latter rain to fill out the ears and ripen the grain, the harvest will not be ready”. In answer to our earnest prayers, the Lord will send us “the perfecting latter rain”. These extracts (and Acts of the Apostles, page 55) show that the latter rain is God’s gracious gift to those who are earnestly praying for perfection of character. “Man’s cooperation is required. We must seek His favors with the whole heart if the showers of grace are to come to us.” “It is God who begin 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.”

Thus it is clearly taught that the latter rain is necessary to perfect the character, and the seal of God is given only to those who have perfection of character, therefore the latter rain must precede the giving of the seal. The seal, suggesting finality, is placed upon the finished article as the Sabbath rest completed the Lord’s work of Creation. After stating that those with certain character deficiencies will not receive the seal, the Lord’s servant says: “All who receive the seal must be without spot before God - candidates for Heaven” (5 Testimonies, page 214). “When the decree goes forth, and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity” (5 Testimonies, page 216).

The Lord’s servant most emphatically states: “Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot, or stain upon them.” Then we are presented with the steps to be taken to perfect the character in preparation for the reception of the seal: “It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost” (5 Testimonies, page 214). This statement has been quoted in the endeavor to prove that the seal must be received before the latter rain. However, this position misinterprets the statement made by the servant of the Lord and also contradicts her frequent declaration that the latter rain perfects the character, which is necessary for the reception of the seal. As we have shown in “Power Unlimited”, the Apocalypse often states the climax before giving the steps leading to that climax.

So in this statement in 5 Testimonies, page 214, the Lord’s servant, as she shows in other places in this same chapter on “The Seal of God”, declares that the character must be perfect to receive the seal, then, having drawn attention to the high standard, proceeds to present the steps to be taken to reach that standard. “It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us.” The end product of this process will be the seal of God.

The apostle Paul, employing the figure: “You are the temple of the living God”, refers to the effort we must exert in order to cleanse the soul temple for the indwelling of God by His Spirit: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1).

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“Man can accomplish nothing without God, and God has arranged His plans so as to accomplish nothing in the restoration of the human soul without the co-operation of the human with the Divine. The part man is required to sustain is immeasurably small, yet in the plan of God it is just that force that is needed to make the work a success” (Manuscript 113, September 8, 1898). “As we thus work, God cooperates with us. If we are faithful in doing our part, in co-operating with Him, God will work through us to do the good pleasure of His will, but cannot work through us if we make no effort” (Review & Herald June 11, 1901). “God does nothing for man without his co-operation. We are to strive, wrestle, agonize, watch, pray, lest we shall be overcome by the wily foe. His power awaits the demand of those who would overcome” (Manuscript, 26a, 1892).

This is the significance of the Lord’s counsel given in the message to the Laodiceans: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich” (Revelation 3:18). The price paid is to strive with all our power to overcome to obtain the greatest treasure on earth - a character that will stand the test. Then, when we have done all within our power, the Lord will graciously pour out His Spirit in the latter rain, “the perfecting latter rain”.

There must be a thorough preparation of heart to receive the latter rain. The Lord’s servant says:

“God requires of His people to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. All those who are indifferent and excuse themselves from this work, waiting for the Lord to do for them that which He requires them to do for themselves, will be found wanting when the meek of the earth, who have wrought His judgments, are hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. I was shown that if God’s people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors. If they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (1 Testimonies, page 619).

There must be a thorough preparation of heart to receive the latter rain. The Lord’s servant says: “The third angel’s message is to enlighten 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 this message when it shall have swelled into a loud cry” (Week of Prayer, 1908).

Writing of the message to the Laodiceans, the servant of God says: “It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their back sliding, and to lead them to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel” (1 Testimonies, page 186). As God’s people prepare, the latter rain is sent to complete their preparation for translation: “Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation” (1 Testimonies, page 188). “As great power and glory attend the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble” (1 Testimonies, page 353).

“The work of this angel [Revelation 18:1-3] comes in at the right time, 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” (Early Writings, page 277).

“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 a greater degree, must be done now” (Testimonies to Ministers 507).

“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to he among the hundred and forty-four thousand” (Review and Herald, March 9, 1905).

The Lord’s servant, in Early Writings, page 71, again presents the fact that the latter rain perfects the receivers to receive the seal of God and thus be protected in the time of trouble: “Those who receive the seal of the living God, and are protected in the time of trouble, must reflect the image of Jesus fully. I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord, and live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the

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Lord, and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.”

Observe the climax of our preparation for the day of God: “Those who receive the seal of the living God, and are protected in the time of trouble, must reflect the image of Jesus fully.” How will this be accomplished? We must co-operate with God in the work of preparation, then God will pour out the Holy Spirit to make us “fit” “to live in the sight of a holy God”, “to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord”, when those without the seal will be cut down with the destroying weapons.