(also see: Praying for the Holy Spirit PDF)

As you may well expect, many ‘well-meaning’ folk have been objecting to our speaking up so strongly against the popular idea that is afoot among SDAs at this time. I will include some replies to these objections but the sad thing to me is that people are not seeing the fact that IF we want God’s blessings, we MUST seek them only in His way with nothing added and nothing left out.

Some are telling me I should be for it because some folk behind it are earnest and well meaning. I am sorry, but that does not and cannot take the place of a ‘thus saith the Lord’. I have been young and now am old, and I have seen many, many popular fads in Adventism come and raise much hoopla and vanish into time accomplishing little or nothing—why? Because we cannot have Holy Fire by walking in sparks of our own kindling.

Here is a case in point. David wanted to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. A worthy project no doubt—I am sure he was honest in his intentions and as well-meaning as you could get. So we see him doing this—all happy and rejoicing in the Lord. Surely the Lord would be pleased!

And we see priest Uzzah, following the directions of his King no doubt, surely he too was well meaning and had the best of intentions, he stretches out his hand to steady the Ark when the oxen stumbled—only meaning to be helpful I am sure. But he died before the Lord! He did not even get a second chance. David, with all his good intentions dashed to the ground, was horror-struck.

But what was the problem? They were doing something that was right in itself, BUT they had neglected to find out and follow God’s instructions in the matter. They were willfully ignorant or willfully negligent of the directions of the Lord in such matters.

God is the same today, He changeth not. He says: John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

If His Words abide in us, then we are careful to obey them and not add our own ideas to them. He does not promise that we can make up whatever we like and ask for it however we like and it shall be done unto us.

De 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

I do believe many are sincere but need some extra insight; the idea that Pentecost came about after some marathon prayer meeting is totally false! --They met together for prayer and church business meetings, yes, but they went about their daily work and preached in the Temple to the people, and even went fishing also. They were told merely to abide in Jerusalem, not to hold marathon prayer meetings. Pentecost was only 10 days after Jesus' ascension.

John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee.

Luke 24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.

Please note this—and it is an important fact—Pentecost happened because of WHAT JESUS WAS DOING IN HEAVEN not because of any super effort the disciples were doing on earth. It was in God’s timing, not man’s. 

Did you not notice that later in this article is shown a quote from SOP where EGW rejects the idea of holding marathon prayer meetings to 'pray for the Holy Spirit'? Never in the SOP was a meeting or series of meetings held for the purpose only of praying for the Holy Spirit--not even once!

 "Some have said that they thought that at this meeting several days ought to be spent in prayer to God for the Holy Spirit, as at the day of Pentecost. I wish to say to you that the business which may be carried on at this meeting is just as much a part of the service of God as is prayer. The business meeting is to be just as much under the dictation of the Spirit as the prayer meeting. There is danger of our getting a sentimental, impulsive religion." 3SM 336

We cannot expect to be able to make up ideas in our own heads and make up ceremonies that have no precedent in the Bible or SOP and then think that God is going to honor our demands. The Holy Spirit is one thing - If we are truly converted we HAVE it:

 Ro 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

The Latter Rain is another thing and its' timing is in the hands of God. Demanding it be poured out on a particular day because of an idea obtained from spiritualists and because of a man-made lucky number-- is dangerous - putting ourselves in a place where only Satan could answer such prayers.

Myself I am deeply concerned and weeping between the porch and the altar as churches have been, and are preparing to holding 'eye-anointing ceremonies' and there is not a hint in Bible or SOP that we should ever do such a thing. The results could be tragic. Again I repeat:  De 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

If you show me from Bible or SOP where I should have a special meeting and kneel down and have the pastors or elders come around and anoint my eye-lids with water or oil-- to receive the Latter Rain, or spiritual discernment then I will gladly remove the article and say no more about the idea.

The 'eyesalve' we are to apply ourselves for our discernment is the Spirit guided study of the SOP- and if people were doing this- such performances would not be seen among us. Re 3:18 . .and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

If I am to have my eye-lids literally anointed—then why should I not go and buy a white robe and some gold coins also??

God have mercy on us all when truth and error is so mixed and people are gulping down error like it doesn't matter.  Ho 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee. .

Notice too: Zec 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

God says when it is the time, not people looking at lucky numbers! Now the promoters of this idea are telling us that the number 777 has nothing to do with it- and yet they clearly told us before that it was the 666 thing last year that gave them the idea for 777 this year! I am sorry as I see this sidestepping to keep an unacceptable plan in the favor of the people when some are trying to warn that there is a problem here—a big problem!

By the way, what is the FIRST thing the Holy Spirit does when He works with any one of us? Is it to give us jolly feelings and laughter; or warm fuzzies; or set us dancing and clapping? No, it is to reprove us of sin! Yes, He truly ‘gets on our case’ and brings to our memory the darkness and evil of our deceitful hearts. Many who experience this, hasten to their pastors or counselors and are told, “Oh, that is just the devil, don’t worry about that, just be happy.” So the Holy Spirit is made to be the devil and the people resist His efforts to humble their pride and bring them to repentance and surrender. Jesus warned that to attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil is committing the unpardonable sin!

Who then is it that sets people to dancing and partying and swaying and clapping? We are told:

“A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit's working. . Those participating in the supposed revival receive impressions which lead them adrift. They cannot tell what they formerly knew regarding Bible principles.  {2SM 37.1}

  . . The third angel's message is to be given in straight lines. It is to be kept free from every thread of the cheap, miserable inventions of men's theories, prepared by the father of lies, and disguised as was the brilliant serpent used by Satan as a medium of deceiving our first parents. Thus Satan tries to put his stamp upon the work God would have stand forth in purity.  {2SM 37.4}

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Items from original article

Looking Further

This is Time Setting

“ ….The idea was presented to one conference just a week ago (January, 07) and has become a reality. Last year, a great deal was made about the date 6.06.06. A popular movie about the antichrist was released on that date, and underground satanic movements glorified the day. This year is 7.07.07! And it happens to be a Sabbath. The date for Operation Global Rain will be 6.27.07 to 7.07.07!

But the vision of Operation Global Rain is much larger. Imagine all the churches of California petitioning the throne of God, at the same time for the same thing. Then, imagine all the churches in North America petitioning the throne of God at the same time, for the same thing. And then imagine the entire global church praying at the same time for the same thing, the outpouring of the latter rain!! Hence, Operation Global Rain!....” From article "An Amazing and Perhaps Prophetic Movement is Under Way.”

Beware of Any Time Setting

"It is Not For You to Know the Times or the Seasons"

[SERMON AT LANSING, MICHIGAN, September 5,1891.] Emphasis supplied.

"He shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power" (Acts 1:3-7).

The disciples were anxious to know the exact time for the revelation of the kingdom of God; but Jesus tells them that they may not know the times and the seasons; for the Father has not revealed them. To understand when the kingdom of God should be restored, was not the thing of most importance for them to know. They were to be found following the Master, praying, waiting, watching, and working. They were to be representatives to the world of the character of Christ. That which was essential for a successful Christian experience in the days of the disciples, is essential in our day. "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." And after the Holy Ghost was come upon them, what were they to do? "And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:7, 8).

This is the work in which we also are to be engaged. Instead of living in expectation of some special season of excitement, we are wisely to improve present opportunities, doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth.

Satan is ever ready to fill the mind with theories and calculations that will divert men from the present truth, and disqualify them for the giving of the third angel's message to the world.

It has ever been thus; for our Saviour often had to speak reprovingly to those who indulged in speculations and were ever inquiring into those things which the Lord had not revealed. Jesus had come to earth to impart important truth to men, and He wished to impress their minds with the necessity of receiving and obeying His precepts and instructions, of doing their present duty, and His communications were of an order that imparted knowledge for their immediate and daily use

Jesus said: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). All that was done and said had this one object in view--to rivet truth in their minds that they might attain unto everlasting life.

Jesus did not come to astonish men with some great announcement of some special time when some great event would occur, but He came to instruct and save the lost. He did not come to arouse and gratify curiosity; for He knew that this would but increase the appetite for the curious and the marvelous.

It was His aim to impart knowledge whereby men might increase in spiritual strength, and advance in the way of obedience and true holiness. He gave only such instruction as could be appropriated to the needs of their daily life, only such truth as could be given to others for the same appropriation.

He did not make new revelations to men, but opened to their understanding truths that had long been obscured or misplaced through the false teaching of the priests and teachers. Jesus replaced the gems of divine truth in their proper setting, in the order in which they had been given to patriarchs and prophets. And after giving them this precious instruction, He promised to give them the Holy Spirit whereby all things that He had said unto them should be brought to their remembrance.

Christ gave to His disciples truths whose breadth and depth and value they little appreciated, or even comprehended, and the same condition exists among the people of God today. We too have failed to take in the greatness, to perceive the beauty of the truth which God has entrusted to us today. Should we advance in spiritual knowledge, we would see the truth developing and expanding in lines of which we have little dreamed, but it will never develop in any line that will lead us to imagine that we may know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power.

Again and again have I been warned in regard to time setting.

There will never again be a message for the people of God that will be based on time. We are not to know the definite time EITHER FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OR FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST,

I was searching through my writings, before coming to this meeting, to see what I should take with me to Australia, and I found an envelope on which was written, "Testimony given in regard to time setting, June 21, 1851. Preserve carefully." I opened it, and this is what I found. It reads:

"A copy of a vision the Lord gave Sister White, June 21, 1851, at Camden, N.Y. The Lord showed me that the message must go, and that it must not be hung on time; for time will never be a test again.

I saw that some were getting a false excitement arising from preaching time, The third angel's message can stand on its own foundation, and that it needs not time to strengthen it, and that it will go with mighty power, and do its work and will be cut short in righteousness.

Selected Messages Book 1, page 185 -188.

A Caution Against Time-Setting Expressions.

The times and seasons God has put in His own power. And why has not God given us this knowledge?—because we would not make a right use of it if He did.

A condition of things would result from this knowledge among our people that would greatly retard the work of God in preparing a people to stand in the great day that is to come.

We are not to be engrossed with speculations in regard to the times and the seasons which God has not revealed. Jesus has told His disciples to "watch," but not for definite time.

His followers are to be in the position of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for the coming of the Lord; but no one will be able to predict just when that time will come; for "of that day and hour knoweth no man."

You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years.... We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ.-Review and Herald, March 22, 1892. (Evangelism, page 221)

Ours Is Not a Time-setting Message

We are not of that class who define the exact period of time that shall elapse before the coming of Jesus the second time with power and great glory.

Some have set a time, and when that has passed, their presumptuous spirits have not accepted rebuke, but they have set another and another time.

But many successive failures have stamped them as false prophets.--FE 335 (1895). Last Day Events, page 34,

Time-setting Leads to Unbelief

Because the times repeatedly set have passed, the world is in a more decided state of unbelief than before in regard to the near advent of Christ. They look upon the failures of the time­setters with disgust, and because men have been so deceived, they turn from the truth substantiated by the Word of God that the end of all things is at hand.--4T 307 (1879 (Last Day Events, page 34)

 (From: www.operationglobalrain.org]

Rededication Service Outline

For Heads of Household

Hello All,

I just had to write and share this testimony with all of you who have registered. Last Sabbath, February 24`s, my message was entitled Every Man a Lamb, taken from Exodus, showing how it was the heads of households, the men in particular who responsible for putting the blood upon the posts of the homes. This meant in today's terms, that men are supposed to lead by example, and that the spirituality of the church can rise no higher than the spirituality of the heads of household (be they men and in many cases women). At the end an appeal was made for the heads of households to be present at the next Wednesday night prayer meeting for a special rededication and anointing service, in which they would be anointed, and also lead out in the work of cleansing and rededicating their homes.

What an incredible response we had! Wednesday night came (last night, Feb. 28th) and our fellowship hall was full. I want to share with those of you who would be willing to do this at you churches, the format we used.

Start: Song Service Charge: Pastor

Here I addressed the heads of household with scripture like the "strong man" in Mark 3:27, and others. This lasted about 10 minutes.

Elders, who are Heads of Household Anointed: I had all my elders (6) come forward. We knelt and I anointed all of them on their eyelids (this was explained from Rev.3, that we might all see our true need, and be enabled to see what needed to be cleansed from our homes, etc.) I then prayed aloud for them.

Pastor Anointed:

Two of the Elders in turn anointed my eyelids and both prayed for me aloud. Elders anoint Heads of Households:

We then had the 6 elders turn and face the seated. 6 came up at a time, knelt with an elder as they anointed and quietly but audibly prayed for each head of household. (This was done simultaneously). After six were anointed, we would say amen, and another six would come up. We continued this until all heads of household had been anointed on their eyelids. We closed with a heartfelt song.

This was truly a blessing, and I want to encourage all your registered churches to do something similar as soon as possible.

Pastor

OGR Team

{ IF anointing of the eyelids with literal water is to be used, why not encourage everyone to start buying literal gold coins. Where do you get white raiment? .. Sears?... Pennys?... .Kohls?}

A Sampling of Statements Concerning Eye Salve/Anointing of the Eyes with Water?

The Review and Herald, September 23, 1902, paragraph

We have only a little longer time in which to prepare for eternity. May the Lord open the closed eyes of his people, and quicken their dulled senses, that they may realize that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. I desire if possible to impress our people with the importance of giving so pure and righteous a representation of God that the world shall see him in his beauty. I desire them to be so filled with the Spirit that dwells in him that the world shall have no power to divert them from the work of presenting to men the wonderful possibilities before every soul who receives Christ. My heart is so full of this matter that sleep departs from my eyes and slumber from my eyelids.

Christian Leadership (1985), page 24, paragraph 3

The Danger of Looking to Men--A great crisis is coming upon us. If men still yield to men, as they have been doing for the last fifteen years, they will lose their own souls, and their example will lead others astray. God's soldiers must put on the whole armor of God. We are not required to put on human armor, but to gird ourselves with God's strength. If we keep God's glory ever in view, our eves will be anointed with the heavenly eve salve; we will be able to took deeper, and see afar off what the world is. As we discern its dishonesty, its craftiness, its selfish eye service, its pretense, and its boasting, its want of fair honest dealing in the ordinary intercourse of life, and its grasping covetousness, we can take our stand, by precept and example, to represent Christ, and convert souls from the world by our sound principles, our firm integrity, our hatred of all dissembling, and our holy boldness in acknowledging Christ.-­Letter 4, 1896, pp. 13, 15, 16 (July 1, 1896 to Men in Responsible Positions).

Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists (1886), page 125, paragraph 5

Even though you think you are right, you are not to urge your individual ideas to the front, so that they will cause discord. Do not take the position that you cannot err. All are liable to make mistakes; all need to anoint their eyes with the eye-salve spoken of by the True Witness, that they may see themselves as them are in God's sight.

Spiritual Gifts Volume 4b (1864), page 28,

Heed the counsel of the true Witness. Buy gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich, white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and eye-salve that thou mayest see. Make some effort. These precious treasures will not drop upon us without some exertions on our part. We must buy; "be zealous and repent" of our lukewarm state. We must be awake to see our wrongs, and to search up our sins, and to zealously repent of them.

I saw that the brethren who have possessions have a work to do, to tear away from their wealth and love of the world. Many of them love this world, but are not willing to see it. They must be zealous and repent of their selfish covetousness, that the love of the truth may swallow up everything else. I saw that many of those that have riches will fail to buy the gold, white raiment, and eye-salve. Their zeal does not possess intensity and earnestness proportionate to the value of the object they are in pursuit of.

The Advocate, June 1, 1902, paragraph 9

The eyes of our brethren and sisters should be anointed with the heavenly eve-salve, that they may discern the necessities of this time. The lambs of the flock must be fed, and the Lord of heaven is looking on to see who is doing the work he desires to have done for the children and youth. The church is asleep, and does not realize the magnitude of this matter.

The Review and Herald, September 16, 1873, paragraph 9

This message of the True Witness has not accomplished the design of God. The people slumber on in their sins. They continue to declare themselves "rich, and having need of nothing." Many inquire, Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the testimonies continually charge us with backsliding and grievous sins? We love the truth. We are prospering. We are in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts, and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible; let them humble their souls before God; let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will sense their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. They will feel the necessity of buying gold, which is pure faith and love; white raiment, which is a spotless character, made pure in the blood of their dear Redeemer, and eye-salve, which is the grace of God, and will give clear discernment of spiritual things, and detect sin. These attainments are more precious than the gold of Ophir.

The Review and Herald, July 24, 1888, paragraph 5

You may say that you believe in Jesus, when you have an appreciation of the cost of salvation. You may make this claim, when you feel that Jesus died for you on the cruel cross of Calvary; when you have an intelligent, understanding faith that his death makes it possible for you to cease from sin, and to perfect a righteous character through the grace of God, bestowed upon you as the purchase of Christ's blood. The eyes of fallen men may be anointed with the eye-salve of spiritual comprehension, and they may see themselves as they really are,--poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked. They may be brought to realize their need of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Review and Herald, July 24, 1888, paragraph 7

So great has been the spiritual blindness of men, that they have sought to make of none effect the word of God. They have declared by their traditions, that the great plan of redemption was devised, in order to abolish, and make of none effect, the law of God; when Calvary is the mighty argument that proves the immutability of the precepts of Jehovah. The fact that God had to give his only begotten Son to die for a race condemned by the law, is sufficient to prove that the law could not be altered one jot or tittle. The Professed Christian world is indeed in need of eye-salve, that they may see the character of God and his law. Their prayer should be as was David's of old, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials (1987), page 387, paragraph 6

In every meeting since the General Conference, souls have eagerly accepted the precious message of the righteousness of Christ. We thank God that there are souls who realize that they are in need of something which they do not possess,-- gold of faith and love, white raiment of Christ's righteousness, eye-salve of spiritual discernment. If you possess these precious gifts, the temple of the human soul will not be like a desecrated shrine. Brethren and sisters, I call upon you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to work where God works. Now is the day of gracious opportunity and privilege. Let not one be a traitor to holy, sacred trusts, as were the Jews. Resist not grace, abuse not privileges, smother not in your human pride the convictions of the Spirit of God. Despise not warnings, settle not down in hardness of heart, in confirmed impenitence, as did Pharaoh, the rebellious king of Egypt. Let every one listen to the voice of the True Shepherd, and not only hear but obey, and it will be well with your soul.

Their prayer should be as was David's of old, "Open thou mine ewes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

{Anointing eyelids with water!!?? This is the worse spiritualistic ritualism I ever heard of! This man-scheduled and man-controlled play-acting is an insult to the Holy Spirit! May at least some of our people wake up and cry out against this farce before the Devil jumps at this opportunity and does his own anointing!!}

Following are the only texts in Scripture referring to 'eyelids'. None tell of anointing the eye-lids with water:

My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; Job 16:16

By his blessings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Job 41:18

The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Psalm 11:4

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Psalm 132:4

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Proverbs 4:25

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids Proverbs 6:4.

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. Proverbs 6:25

There is a generation, 0 how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. Proverbs 30:13

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. Jeremiah 9:18

Yes indeed let’s take up a wailing that such a thing should ever be seen among us—How have the mighty fallen!

It was by demanding of God in a presumptuous way that the ‘Brownsville Revival’ and the ‘Toronto Blessing’ occurred. God forbid we should see our people cackling, gabbling, crowing and oinking in the aisles, rolling on the floors or taken over by fits of uncontrolled weeping and belly-laughter as happened there!! Friends this whole thing reeks of spiritualistic charismatic babylonism.

Isa 1:13 “Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.  14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”

“Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come. There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who will not unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less.”--1SM 122 (1887).

 "Some have said that they thought that at this meeting several days ought to be spent in prayer to God for the Holy Spirit, as at the day of Pentecost. I wish to say to you that the business which may be carried on at this meeting is just as much a part of the service of God as is prayer. The business meeting is to be just as much under the dictation of the Spirit as the prayer meeting. There is danger of our getting a sentimental, impulsive religion." 3SM 336

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In all this there are two MAIN FLAWS: (and plenty of assorted other ones too)

1 ] Time Setting June 28 till July 7 10 days of intense prayer activity to bring on the 'out pouring'(?) on July 7. [7-7-7 Sounds like a perfect Sabbath for such !][Huh?] {Numerology even??} and...

2) Anointing our eyelids with literal water - - no such things in Authentic Scripture or SOP (Have they approached the local RCC for a few gallons of holy-water??)

Excerpted from an Article by Randy Maxwell, (Now pulled from their site) Pastor, Kuna Seventh Day Adventist Church, Kuna ID For Such a Time as this {Comments supplied}

"....The Upper Room. What must it have been like? I can imagine the room being alive with the mingled sounds of weeping and laughter {Have you heard of the Toronto blessing:? In Pentecostal circles this blessing is experienced frequently - - no not speaking in tongues: but uncontrollable laughter, belly Laughs, giggling. chuckling and snickering...: no words just lots of hilarity}

For ten days after Jesus left them, the disciples confessed their faults and their previous unbelief. They humbled themselves before their King in heaven and sought His face in continuous, fervent prayer. A spirit of repentance {Is there as much emphasis for repentance and reformation in this movement as there is for prayer and window-dressing?} brought great brokenness and great relief.

Passersby heard a symphony of sound coming from the upper-room windows. Songs of praise, {Does the style of music matter? Don't ask the Advent Praise Committee working at (GC Headquarters} words of Scripture, {Does the Version matter?} prayers, confession, {Will local and general conference leaders acknowledge, repent of and make restitution for past mistakes?} laughter, {Oh, this again!} and silence {When they laugh themselves out of breath?} daily rained down on a Jerusalem street from this gathering of believers-now numbering 120. {Now notice the sentimental fictional writing here :}

Who knows how it began. Perhaps as a whisper. As gentle as a child’s breath when blowing white dandelion fluff. A curtain stirs. The air suddenly smells sweet. It is He? Had Jesus returned already? {All this imagination!! Where is the solid WORD?}

Somewhere in the distance a dog is barking. Children are playing on the street below, but their voices are suddenly muted by a deep, thunder like rumble. Lights, colors, sound bigger than the shriek of a Galilean storm suddenly fill the room. {All this Psychic, spiritualistic stuff has no basis whatever in the scriptural account!} Heaven itself seems to have descended upon the praying company. Unspeakable joy wells up in the throats of these followers of Christ. The Comforter has come. Peter nudges Thomas and points to a spot just above his head. Thomas nods vigorously without saying a word. Cloven tongues of orange and magenta fire appear over their heads, {so now we know the colors??} and as the Holy Spirit fills them, the joy held captive in their throats bursts forth into languages they had never spoken before {Speaking in Tongues ? !, ? ! }

Pentecost! The inauguration in heaven was complete, and the hearts of Jesus' followers were empty of everything except love for their Master and love for their fellow human beings. {The scriptures say nothing of all this lovism! “Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism making little distinction between good and evil. God's justice, his denunciations of sin, the requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight.” GC88-558} the times of refreshing had come. {The times of refreshing refers to the LATTER rain not the former!}

"The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief. Thousands were converted in a day" (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 38).

It will happen again. "{Yes—in God’s own time—not when we decide it is to be!!}

According to this writer we know what to expect, and what they would like the 15 millions Seventh Day Adventists to experience.

With all of this HYPE it very possible that they may receive a spirit, when the Heavenly Father desires to send THE HOLY SPIRIT in His time and in His way.

Possibilities: 1) With all the hype and excitement and anticipation it is possible that Laodocia will receive a false spirit accompanied with speaking in tongues, Toronto Blessing (laughter), A FEELING of the PRESENCE, ecstasy, tears, deep emotions etc. All will readily fall into step with Pentecostals marching straight toward Rome !

Or

2) NOTHING HAPPENS. Resulting in the 2nd Great Disappointment of Adventism. The 1St Disappointment was in 1844. Many folks gave up in despair and left Adventism & religion all together. If disappointed members exit the church now, discouraged after following the false message, the financial base of Adventism could be severely affected.

 TEMCAT'S STUDY