“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” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV).

ABSTRACT

This article examines the spiritual trials and opportunities for renewal in the church from 1882 to 1913, drawing from Scripture and inspired writings to highlight themes of drift from divine principles, calls to righteousness, persistent resistance, and God’s corrective mercy, offering timeless insights for strengthening faith and communal commitment today.

THE SHADOW OF EGYPT: A CRY FOR REFORM

This blog post delves into a critical period exploring the spiritual challenges faced between 1882 and 1913. God reveals the church’s vulnerability to decline through apathy and neglect of unity. Scripture warns in Revelation 3:15-16, KJV, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth,” illustrating how indifference erodes spiritual vitality. Similarly, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, KJV, states, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables,” showing the danger of turning from truth. Using the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) and the writings of Ellen G. White, in Mind, Character, and Personality we read, “In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should” (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 255, 1977), emphasizing how isolation fosters decline, while a passage from Testimonies for the Church reminds us, “It was designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of God, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 186, 1859), urging renewal through self-examination. We will examine the church’s struggle with spiritual decline, God’s call to reform, and the consequences of resisting divine guidance. This study is relevant for various faith traditions as it explores universal themes of faith, repentance, and the importance of heeding divine messages. It is my hope that as we journey through this historical period, we can find lessons applicable to our lives today, but what specific signs of retreat did the church exhibit during this period?

IS APATHY ATTACKING?

The late 19th and early 20th centuries presented a time of testing for the church. A creeping spiritual apathy began to take hold. Imagine a ship slowly drifting off course, almost imperceptibly at first. This is what happened. Sr. White paints a stark picture: “The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217). This “retreat” was marked by a growing disbelief in the Testimonies, which, like a compass, were meant to guide the church. This disbelief was not just a minor issue; it symbolized a deeper problem: a loss of devotion and a drift away from Christ. Christ alerts us to the peril of lukewarm faith in Revelation 3:16, KJV, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth,” highlighting rejection from divine favor. In the same vein, Romans 12:11, KJV, urges, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord,” calling for active zeal against apathy. It was as if the church was slowly losing its first love. This was not a problem confined to a few individuals; it was a collective failure. Through inspired counsel we are told, “His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 442, 1870), exposing hidden influences, while a prophetic voice once wrote, “Such a condition never exists without cause in the church itself. The spiritual darkness which falls upon nations, upon churches and individuals, is due, not merely to the rejection of truth through conflict with error, but to neglect of brotherly love and unity” (The Great Controversy, p. 378, 1911), pointing to internal neglect as the root. Sr. White lamented, “The Testimonies are unread and unappreciated” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 390). The leadership, instead of acting as shepherds guiding the flock, were often more focused on “self-promotion than on Christ,” exacerbating the church’s spiritual decay, but how did God respond to this retreat?

DOES RIGHTEOUSNESS RESCUE?

Even in the darkest of times, God’s mercy shines through. He did not abandon His people. He sent a message of reformation through Elders Waggoner and Jones, a message centered on the righteousness of Christ. This message was like a lifeline thrown to a drowning person, emphasizing justification by faith and obedience to God’s commandments. It was a call to turn back from “Egypt” and return to Christ. Imagine a beacon of light cutting through the thickest fog; this was the message of Christ’s righteousness, a clear path back to God. God declares the essence of this gift in Romans 1:17, KJV, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith,” affirming life through belief. Likewise, Habakkuk 2:4, KJV, proclaims, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith,” stressing reliance on divine righteousness. This message was the heart of the third angel’s message, a call to reawaken the church’s spiritual focus (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 91-92). Sadly, this message was not fully embraced. “The prejudices and opinions that prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by any means” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 467). In Gospel Workers we read, “The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of man and God is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented” (Gospel Workers, p. 161, 1915), revealing opposition to this truth, while a passage from Christ Our Righteousness reminds us, “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith” (Christ Our Righteousness, p. 67, 1925), underscoring its saving power. The resistance from the leadership, like a dam blocking a river, hindered the flow of God’s reform, yet how far had the blindness spread by 1893?

BLINDNESS BEFALLS WHOM?

By 1893, five years after the pivotal 1888 Minneapolis Conference, the situation was dire. Sr. White made a sobering statement: “Not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history” (Christian Service, p. 41). This means less than 5% of the church had fully accepted the message of Christ’s righteousness! This was a wake-up call, a stark reminder of the church’s spiritual condition. It was as if most of the church was walking in broad daylight with their eyes closed. Satan obscures truth as described in 2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them,” preventing illumination. God speaks through Isaiah 6:10, KJV, “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed,” depicting hardened hearts. Despite God’s continued efforts, the church remained entangled in worldliness. Only a small remnant responded to the call for renewal. A prophetic voice once wrote, “Here was the cause of that fearful condition of worldliness, backsliding, and spiritual death which existed in the churches in 1844” (The Great Controversy, p. 376, 1911), linking blindness to prior failures, while in The Present Truth we read, “The church cannot convert the world by worldly methods. It cannot win people by conforming to worldly standards” (The Present Truth, vol. 8, p. 124, 1892), warning against compromise. Even if the leaders rejected the light, God would raise up others to carry His message forward (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 107), what chance did the 1901 conference offer?

OPPORTUNITY OVERLOOKED HOW?

The 1901 General Conference offered a chance for the church to finally embrace the needed reforms. Sr. White expressed hope for change (The General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1901). It was a moment of anticipation, like the calm before a storm. Sadly, despite the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the leaders once again failed to implement meaningful reforms. The decisions made were just words on paper, with no real action to revive the church. Paul advises seizing moments in Ephesians 5:16, KJV, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil,” urging wise use of opportunities. Jesus illustrates closure in Matthew 25:10, KJV, “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut,” showing consequences of unpreparedness. This resistance, particularly from those connected to influential institutions like the Review and Herald Office, continued to hinder God’s work. Through inspired counsel we are told, “The interests of the General Conference and all that concerns the handling of the work require minds that are controlled by the Holy Spirit. Unless those carrying the responsibilities shall lean upon God, and reveal a living connection with Him, they will make serious mistakes” (Manuscript 43, 1901), highlighting needed dependence, while a passage from Selected Messages reminds us, “God has told me that my testimony must be borne to this Conference, and that I must not try to make men believe it. My work is to leave the truth with the people, and those who appreciate the light from heaven will accept the truth” (Selected Messages Book 3, p. 37, 1980), stressing faithful presentation despite rejection, despite these failures, how does God’s love persist?

LOVE LINGERS AMIDST CHAOS?

God’s love is evident even in His rebukes and calls to repentance. God’s love is demonstrated through His persistent efforts to draw His people back to Himself, even when they stray. For example, “The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217). This quote asserts that the church had turned away from God. Sr. White’s description of the church retreating toward Egypt, a symbolic representation of worldliness and sin. Despite the backsliding, God still sought to correct and guide them back to righteousness. The Lord disciplines those He cherishes as in Hebrews 12:6, KJV, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth,” affirming correction as affection. Solomon echoes this in Proverbs 3:12, KJV, “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth,” portraying paternal care. Another example is the message of righteousness by faith sent through Waggoner and Jones (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 91-92). This message, even in the face of rejection, demonstrates God’s unwavering desire to save His people. Even when the church resisted, God continued to offer salvation and reform. In Signs of the Times we read, “The love of God will never lead to the belittling of sin; it will never cover or excuse an unconfessed wrong” (Signs of the Times, April 21, 1890), clarifying firm guidance, while a passage from Evangelism reminds us, “Christ never made peace by anything like compromise. The hearts of God’s servants will overflow with love and sympathy for the erring, as represented by the parable of the lost sheep” (Evangelism, p. 368, 1946), showing compassionate pursuit. God’s love is not passive; it is active and corrective, seeking the best for His children even when they choose a different path, how then should we reflect on these lessons?

REFLECTION REVEALS WHAT?

Jeremiah 2:19 (KJV) states, “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.” This verse speaks powerfully to both individual and collective responsibility. I must ask myself: Have I, like the church of that time, allowed worldliness to creep into my life? Have I neglected the study of God’s word and the guidance of the Spirit? We, as a church, must also examine ourselves. Are we truly heeding God’s messages today? Are we allowing prejudice and tradition to hinder the work of reform? Repentance brings renewal as in Acts 3:19, KJV, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord,” promising refreshment. Sorrow leads to salvation per 2 Corinthians 7:10, KJV, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death,” distinguishing true change. We must learn from the past to avoid repeating its mistakes. Just as the church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries faced a crisis, we, too, face challenges today. In Steps to Christ we read, “Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy” (Steps to Christ, p. 9, 1892), inviting contemplation of divine goodness, while a prophetic voice once wrote, “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him” (Prayer, p. 8, 2002), encouraging intimate self-examination. We see similar trends of worldliness and a neglect of spiritual things in our society and sometimes within the church. It is my prayer, and should be our collective prayer, that we learn from the past, embrace God’s messages, and remain faithful to Him.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these historical spiritual truths, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about these topics in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s righteousness and God’s call to reform?