The Man with the Writer's Inkhorn

[Sammy Buruchara]

“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;

And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” Ezekiel 9:1-6.

 

“Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem [church], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” (Ezekiel 9:4). 

The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 18, 1884. 

 We have witnessed the fulfilment of this prophecy in our day. The men in responsible positions are church leaders. The Conference leaders, pastors and Elders in the local churches. 

For months we have witnessed a deplorable drama at Nairobi Central SDA Church pitting the leadership at Central Kenya Conference and that of NCSDA Church. This war has been going on for years. The CKC has always wished to gain control of this big church. Not control of finances for these are always faithfully sent to them every week. But is control of the conscience. Control of what is preached, who preaches, what programs take place. This control they have sought through the Pastors they appoint. In most of the smaller churches throughout the division, they have succeeded. But for the large churches such as NCSDA Church, for a long time they have attempted to gain this control while the local church leadership through the Elders has resisted it. But in the last eight months we have seen the climax of this battle unfolding right in our eyes. Using divide and rule tactics, the CKC has created a tribal animosity that has divided the church in the middle. People that were friends are suddenly not talking to each other. Even young people are no longer at ease with each other.

Many of us first witnessed the  move by CKC to have control of NCSDA  during the visit of the famous speaker, Jeremiah Davies. His two visits to Kenya were characterized by fierce opposition from CKC. In the second visit, he was called a “Savage Wolf”. Then the Amazing Facts Team came and conducted a successful training and evangelistic work. Many people gave their hearts to Christ and were baptized and trained on evangelism. The success of many evangelist work being carried today is largely as a result of their work. Unfortunately CKC was not happy with their straight testimony and they heavily fought to have them stopped and deported. But God overruled and His work continued long enough to lay a foundation for true evangelism. Recently evangelist Randy Skeet was stopped from speaking in another church by the same CKC. It is clear that the higher up leadership is uncomfortable with the straight message that these evangelists and organizations such as Amazing facts present to our churches. They have therefore sought every means to curtail them and the best means is to have full control of the affairs of especially the large churches through their appointed agent, the Pastor.

The SDA church known and founded on the proclamation of the three angel’s messages and which by virtue of its name proclaims the soon coming of Jesus and the keeping of the Seventh day Sabbath, has reached a point where the leaders are uncomfortable with these truths. This discomfort goes all the way to the General Conference. Prophecy is a taboo subject in most local churches and one will not be allowed to even touch Revelation 13. Therefore we have seen upheavals of leadership, especially in regard to the appointment of Elders, in SDA churches world wide and the battle has been for the Pastor to have full control and power to the choose the Elders he can work with and to unilaterally decide which speakers, programs and activities are held without consultation with an anyone. As it were the Pastor would have control of what is taught in the pulpit. He is in turn controlled by the CKC, the Union, the Division and ultimately the GC.

Were such a control to be for a good cause one would not complain. But we have witnessed the fierce battle against anyone preaching Prophecy, especially as it relates to Daniel 7 and Rev 13. We have also witnessed the fight against the Spirit of Prophecy, Health Reform, Education Reform and all other messages that the Bible and SOP considers as present truth. Messages without which the SDA church would not need to exist.

Meanwhile the work of evangelism languishes as pastors systematically curtail any speaker who is deemed to be preaching present truth. Camp meetings have become stale, and many gospel campaigns have been greatly hinderd. We have lost our mission. There is a general worldliness in the church, even pastors and conference leaders are fiercely after that which Satan offered Christ at the top of the mountain if only Christ would kneel and worship the deceiver. This has resulted in spiritual blindness. Men no longer distinguish between the holy and the common.

Scuffles and machinations as witnessed on the 20th of July 2019, in NCSDA Church are a clear indication of the drunkenness and blindness that is our condition today. Leader and member, great and small, we can hardly see the enemy making us pawns in the blasphemous game of life and death. The sacredness of God’s sanctuary has been lost, never to recover.

NCSDA church has become a monument, a proverb. The last bastion of freedom of conscience within the global SDA church, is finally crumbling in a heap of tribal squabbles instigated by the CKC through their appointed agents. Once the battle “is won” the invaders will have full sway on what you should think and meditate upon, if you still attend the formal meetings held in this defiled sanctuary.

This condition of our church and the state where we have reached is prophesied in Ezekiel 9.

"The command is: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. ibid., Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 210. (emphasis supplied). 

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.” 

“Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons.”

“Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church.”  3T p. 267

Notice that EG White does not refer to abominations done in the world, but in our Church.

“Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying,” Ellen White concluded. “Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.” (ibid., 3T, p. 267, emphasis supplied).

 

It is obvious from the way we have been conducting ourselves in the Church that we lack a love of purity and the honour and the glory of God. Reverence for the sacred is gone. We do not realise that the Church was consecrated as God's House. Else how can we behave as such? The innuendos, fightings on both sides that has been going on cannot be from people who have been converted by the Spirit of Christ.

"In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: “Found wanting.” By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged. Ellen G. White, “Shall We Be Found Wanting?” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, page 247. (St. Helena, California, April 21, 1903). 

We are often told that the Church will go through to the Kingdom of Heaven. Inspiration states that the Church is not going through without facing a judgement. 

Once the sentence “Found wanting” has been pronounced upon an organization or nation, what is the hope of that organization? In ancient Babylon, when the hand appeared writing upon the wall, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin,” what hope did the nation of Babylon have? Absolutely none. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain, and Darius the Median took the kingdom.” (Daniel 5:30, 31a). 

"The heavenly Teacher inquired: “What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything.” ibid., Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pages 249, 250).

“God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many are crying, `Peace and safety,’ while sudden destruction is coming upon them.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250).

Today we are told “Peace and safety,” and, “Stay by the ship, everything is going to work out.” The heavenly Teacher called this message a “strong delusion,” and again, “a great deception, a fascinating delusion.” (ibid.).

“Unless there is thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive the truth as it is in Jesus, they will never enter heaven,” Ellen White warned. “When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing.” (ibid., 8T, p. 250).

It should be noted that the testimony does not say “if” purification takes place in our ranks, but “when” purification “shall” take place in our ranks. This again is a prophecy of God’s special end-time work for the Church as recorded in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. 

 

"Who can truthfully say: "Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world"? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: "Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking." (8T250.2)

Leadership has continually covered-up their “defilement and rottenness of character.” 

Many scandals that have taken place in the East African Division and the rest of the Church hierarchy have been covered. 

Is this a true picture of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church? Yes indeed. This is a clear picture of the corporate SDA Church at the present hour. Remember, this is the period referred to as the sealing time, just prior to the close of human probation. Who can say that we live in an hour when the Church is spiritually strong? Who can say that we live in an hour when the Church is doing a mighty work, and is filled with the Holy Spirit? Upon attending any large Seventh-day Adventist Church today the reader can clearly see that this Spiritless condition, described by the heavenly Instructor, exists among those who claim to believe the third angel’s message.

We have been conditioned to look to the future for great things to happen in the Church, yet the great day of Seventh-day Adventist evangelism is past. In the past the great evangelists of Adventism preached the message in three to six month series. During the 1940's and 1950's great evangelists such as, Fordyce Detamore, Stanley Harris, J. L. Shuler, preceeded by Eveart and Nightengale, held meetings during this era. The straight message was preached during those days. A watered-down message was not preached as it is today. How do we know this? Because there was great opposition to these faithful evangelists! Similary when we have had great Evangelists such as Jeremiah Davies, Randy Skeete, and organisations such as Amazing Facts, giving the straight testimony, there is great opposition to their messages.

Today in the mainstream church, there is no opposition. Indeed, there is great cooperation between the contemporary Adventist Church and Evangelical evangelism. The “new” theology of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church is accepted in Evangelical circles. Even the Roman Catholic Church is no longer disturbed by the “new” Adventist evangelism. 

 In times long past the Voice of Prophecy, Signs of the Times, These Times, the Youth’s Instructor, the Review and Herald, Liberty, and other Adventist media presented the straight message –a straight testimony, if you please. The Church was a faithful city. What happened? The concessions made at the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56 is what happened! The Church became “an harlot” by compromising with the Roman Catholic Church and the fallen Churches of Babylon. “You shall know the altering of my purpose,” God said to ancient Israel. (Numbers 14:34). Are we any better than ancient Israel? “We are repeating the history of that people,” Ellen White replies. (5T. p. 160). “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11). 

"The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God’s visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  

The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.  Ellen G. White, “The Seal of God,” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 209. (emphasis supplied). 

Notice that God’s true and faithful are not to rest in the truth at this time, but are to try and save others. Also note that God’s true people are “the little company.” The little company’s prayers arise in behalf of the church. Why is the little company praying in behalf of the church? “Because its members are doing after the manner of the world.”

Dear reader, which company are you a part of? Are you a part of the many, who are doing after the manner of the world? Or are you a member of the “little company” who are sighing and crying over the abominations done in the Church, and who are praying for the majority who “are doing after the manner of the world?”

“The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world.” 5T, p. 210, emphasis supplied).

Have a blessed week.

Sammy Buruchara

[Michelle Ogutu]

Amen.

Be blessed

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[Wasonga Ojijo]

Thank you for the word Elder.

[Daniel Ogeto]

*True Religion Needed in the Church Today, July 23*

These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. Acts 16:17. RC 218.1
We need true religion in the church. It is God’s purpose that we shall show that we are born again, and that we are working out in our lives the great, heaven-born principles of truth. Thus only can we gain eternal life in the kingdom of glory.... RC 218.2
There might be a thousand more laborers than there are now if God’s people would deny themselves, and take up the cross, and follow Jesus. What we need is the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and we need it every day. What we need is men of prayer, men who in quietness and humility, without any display or excitement, are overcoming self. RC 218.3
What we need ... is to settle in to the living principles of present truth. Satan is creeping in with his sophistry to undermine the principles of our faith. You remember how when Paul and Silas were teaching in a certain place, a woman met them, and cried saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” This woman was possessed with a spirit of divination, and by soothsaying brought her masters much gain. Her influence had helped to strengthen idolatry. RC 218.4
“But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.” RC 218.5
But, you say, she spoke good words, and why should Paul rebuke her? It was Satan speaking through her, hoping to mingle his sophistry with the truths taught by those who were proclaiming the Word of God. RC 218.6
The same danger exists today. The enemy is trying to bring in his sophistry through those who ought to be on their knees before God, praying for an understanding of what saith the Scriptures, that they may stand against the evil influences that fill the world. God desires scientific sophistry to be purged from every heart. He desires us to rebuke every evil devising, every evil work. If we allow such devising to go unrebuked, we shall have to suffer the consequences.... God wants us to go to Him for light, and to carry His presence with us wherever we go.... RC 218.7
The enemy will present his sophistries, with little fibers that would take hold of your experience and undermine your faith. I pray that your eyes may be anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, that you may discern what is truth and what is error. We need to put on the white garments of Christ’s righteousness. We need to walk and talk with God.—Manuscript 66, 1905. RC 218.8

On Tue, 23 Jul 2019, 9:04 am 'Wasonga Ojijo' via Nairobi Central SDA Church Ambassadors, <nairobi-central-...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Thank you for the word Elder.

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