“For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth” (Amos 9:9, KJV).

ABSTRACT

The article delves into the profound spiritual process known as the shaking, a divine refinement that tests and purifies the community through trials, straight testimony, and the message of righteousness by faith, ultimately preparing us for Christ’s imminent return while demonstrating God’s loving discipline to fortify genuine faith against compromise and indifference.

THE SHAKING: A CRUCIBLE OF FAITH

The concept of a “shaking” is one that resonates deeply with me. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. It’s a concept that can evoke a spectrum of emotions, from anxiety and fear to hope and determination. It’s like a refiner’s fire, meant to purify and strengthen, but also capable of revealing the true mettle of our faith. This isn’t just an abstract theological point; it’s a reality that impacts each of us, regardless of our specific religious background. Have you ever felt the ground beneath your faith tremble? We explore this challenging concept, drawing on scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White, to understand its implications for our lives today. Scripture supports this refining through trials, as in Haggai 2:6, “For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land” (KJV). Isaiah 48:10 declares, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing” (Maranatha, Mar 200.3, 1976). In Patriarchs and Prophets we read, “God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the true gold of the Christian character” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 129.3, 1890). This shaking calls us to deeper commitment. What sparks this shaking through straight testimony?

CLARION CALL: WHAT IS STRAIGHT TESTIMONY?

The “shaking,” as described in eschatology, isn’t some arbitrary act of divine displeasure. Christ reveals the necessity of truth in love. It’s a consequence of the “straight testimony,” the unvarnished truth spoken in love, which, like a surgeon’s scalpel, cuts away the dross of compromise and worldliness. Sr. White explains, “The straight truth, though necessary, will cause division, as some members will not bear its demands and rise against it, leading to a shaking among God’s people” (Early Writings, 270). This isn’t comfortable, and it’s not meant to be. It’s a call to examine our hearts, to align our lives with God’s will, even when it’s difficult. This reminds me of the words of Hebrews 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” The straight testimony is a call to holiness, a call to separate ourselves from the things that hinder our walk with God. In the inspired pen we find, “The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there is to be a resurrection from apparent death. By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King’s highway” (Testimonies for the Church, 8:297, 1904). Through inspired counsel we are told, “God designs that His people shall be a unit, that they shall see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. This cannot be accomplished without a clear, pointed, living testimony in the church” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 361.2, 1875). Luke 12:51 states, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (KJV). Matthew 10:34 affirms, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (KJV). Straight testimony demands response. How does this shaking reveal character through earnestness and indifference?

CRUCIBLE OF CHARACTER: EARNEST OR INDIFFERENT?

The shaking reveals the true character of us. God separates the genuine from the superficial in testing. It’s a time of testing, a sifting process where the genuine wheat is separated from the chaff. Sr. White paints a vivid picture of the faithful: “pleading with God” with great earnestness, their countenances marked by deep anxiety as they engage in an internal struggle (Early Writings, 269). This resonates with my own experience. I’ve felt that internal struggle, that wrestling with doubt and temptation. It’s not easy, but it’s in these moments of struggle that our faith is forged. On the other hand, those who are indifferent and careless will be swept away by the tide of worldliness. “The indifferent ones fail to resist the surrounding darkness and are eventually left by the angels, while the earnest ones receive assistance from God’s messengers” (Early Writings, 270). This is a sobering thought. It underscores the importance of cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God, a relationship that can sustain us in times of trial. A passage from Spiritual Gifts reminds us, “The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out, and left by the way. The careless and indifferent who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to agonize, persevere, and plead for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their numbers were immediately made up by others taking hold of the truth, and coming into the ranks” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 186.1, 1860). The inspired pen notes, “The purification of God’s people cannot be accomplished without suffering. God permits the fire of affliction to consume the dross, to separate the worthless from the valuable, in order that the pure metal may shine forth” (The Review and Herald, par. 3, 1894). Revelation 3:16 warns, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (KJV). James 1:8 describes, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (KJV). Earnest faith endures. What role does the message of righteousness play as a dividing line in this process?

MESSAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: DIVIDING LINE?

The “straight testimony” that causes the shaking often centers on the message of Christ’s righteousness. Faith in Christ divides truth from error. This message, powerfully presented by A.T. Jones and E.J. Waggoner in 1888, emphasizes that salvation is not earned by our works, but is a free gift offered to us through faith in Jesus Christ. Sr. White noted that this message had a profound effect on the hearts of its receivers, leading them to “exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1052). However, this very message, so central to the gospel, became a point of contention, causing division within the church. Some embraced it, while others rejected it, revealing the deep-seated differences in their understanding of salvation. This reminds me of the importance of continually studying and seeking to understand the truths of Scripture. In Our High Calling we read, “Gold is tried in the fire, that it may be purified from dross; but faith that is purified by trial, is more precious than refined gold. Then let us look upon trials in a reasonable way. Let us not come through them with murmuring and discontent” (Our High Calling, 312.2, 2000). A prophetic voice once wrote, “True faith and true prayer—how strong they are! They are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith is trusting in God—believing that He loves us and knows what is for our best good” (Gospel Workers, 259, 1915). Romans 1:17 proclaims, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (KJV). Galatians 2:16 explains, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (KJV). Righteousness divides hearts. How does reformation lead to separation in a call to holiness?

REFORMATION AND SEPARATION: CALL TO HOLINESS?

The shaking leads to a clear distinction between those who are faithful and those who have compromised their faith. God calls for obedience and transformation. “The exaltation of the standard, which includes the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, calls for reformation, especially in relation to obedience to the law of God” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, 61). This reformation is not merely outward conformity, but a deep, inward transformation that affects every aspect of our lives. It’s a process of aligning our will with God’s will, of choosing to obey Him even when it means going against the current of popular opinion. This separation is not something we should seek or desire, but it’s an inevitable consequence of the clash between truth and error. Through inspired counsel we are told, “A refining, purifying process is going on among the people of God, and the Lord of hosts has set his hand to this work. This process is most trying to the soul, but it is necessary in order that defilement may be removed” (The Review and Herald, par. 2, 1894). In The Signs of the Times we read, “The furnace fires are not to destroy, but to refine, ennoble, sanctify. Without trial we would not feel so much our need of God and His help; and we would become proud and self-sufficient” (The Signs of the Times, August 18, 1909, par. 1, 1909). 1 Peter 1:15-16 commands, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (KJV). Hebrews 12:14 urges, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (KJV). Holiness defines separation. What burden do the faithful carry for souls in the final work?

BURDEN FOR SOULS: WHAT IS FINAL WORK?

The faithful during the shaking not only uphold the standard for themselves, but also carry a burden for others. Christ burdens us with love for the erring. They recognize the spiritual declension within the church and feel a deep sense of responsibility to call out sin and plead for repentance. “The faithful will bear the mark of those who sigh and cry for the sins committed in the church” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, 266). This is a difficult and often thankless task, but it’s a crucial part of the final work of God’s people. It reminds me that love for God is inseparable from love for our fellow in the community, even when they are in error. We are called to be our brother’s keeper, to gently and lovingly point them to the truth. A passage from Sermons and Talks reminds us, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. There is a great deal in that taketh away. The question is, Shall we keep on sinning as though it were an impossibility for us to overcome? How are we to overcome? As Christ overcame. He prayed to His heavenly Father; we can do the same, and that is the only way” (Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 153.1, 2000). The inspired pen states, “We are always to remember that we are members of the royal family, subjects of the heavenly King, and we are born anew with a new character unto God. The old cheap character, the frivolous character, the character which leads to the world, to pride, to vanity, and to folly, we have parted with that” (Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 154.2, 2000). Galatians 6:2 instructs, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (KJV). Psalm 55:22 advises, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (KJV). Love compels action. How do these concepts reflect God’s love in discipline?

CONCEPTS REFLECT GOD’S LOVE?

These concepts, though seemingly harsh, reflect God’s deep and unwavering love for us. God disciplines in love to prepare us. The shaking, though a time of trial, is ultimately an act of love, designed to purify and prepare God’s people for His return. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). God’s love is not a sentimental, permissive love that overlooks our faults. It’s a corrective love, a love that seeks our highest good, even if it means confronting us with uncomfortable truths. Just as a loving parent disciplines their child, God, in His infinite wisdom, allows trials and testing to come upon us, not to destroy us, but to refine us, to mold us into the image of Christ. The shaking, therefore, is not an expression of God’s anger, but an expression of His love, a love that desires our complete sanctification and eternal salvation. In Steps to Christ we read, “The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him lessons of submission, patience, and faith—lessons that were to be placed on record for the benefit of all who should afterward be called to endure affliction. God leads His children by a way that they know not, but He does not forget or cast off those who put their trust in Him” (Steps to Christ, 129.2, 1892). A prophetic voice once wrote, “It is by close, testing trials that God brings his people near to himself; for in trial and temptation he discovers to them their weakness, and teaches them to lean upon him as their only help and safeguard” (The Review and Herald, par. 4, 1894). Proverbs 3:12 confirms, “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth” (KJV). Job 5:17 states, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty” (KJV). Love refines eternally. How can personal reflection apply these truths?

PERSONAL REFLECTION: HOW TO EXAMINE SELF?

As I reflect on these things, I am reminded of my own need for constant vigilance and self-examination. Christ calls for honest self-assessment. The shaking is not just a future event; it’s a process that we experience in varying degrees throughout our Christian walk. I must ask myself: Am I clinging to Christ with unwavering faith? Am I willing to embrace the “straight testimony,” even when it challenges my preconceived notions? Am I willing to stand for truth, even if it means standing alone? Scripture emphasizes introspection, as in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (KJV). Lamentations 3:40 urges, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord” (KJV). Through inspired counsel we are told, “We must not think when we are afflicted that the anger of the Lord is upon us. God brings us into trials in order that we may be drawn near to Him” (That I May Know Him, TMK 278.2, 1998). In Christian Experience and Teachings we read, “If we overcome our trials, and get victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the trial of our faith, which is more precious than gold, and are stronger and better prepared to meet the next” (Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, CET 103.2, 1945). Reflection builds resilience. How does communal application strengthen us together?

COMMUNAL APPLICATION: HOW TO APPLY TOGETHER?

We must also be mindful of these things. The community fosters loving confrontation and support. Are we creating an environment where the “straight testimony” can be spoken in love? Are we willing to lovingly confront sin within our ranks? Are we supporting and encouraging those who are striving to live faithful lives? These are questions we must grapple with if we are to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Unity in Christ binds us, as Ephesians 4:3 exhorts, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (KJV). Romans 15:5 prays, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (KJV). A passage from Testimonies reminds us, “There will be men and women who despise reproof and whose feelings will ever rise up against it. It is not pleasant to be told of our wrongs. In almost every case where reproof is necessary, there will be some who entirely overlook the fact that the Spirit of the Lord has been grieved and His cause reproached” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 359.1, 1875). The inspired pen notes, “God designs that His people shall be a unit, that they shall see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. This cannot be accomplished without a clear, pointed, living testimony in the church” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 361.2, 1875). Togetherness fortifies. How do these principles connect to current events?

CONNECTING TO CURRENT EVENTS: END TIMES SIGNS?

We see the principles of the shaking playing out in the world around us today. Current events signal end-time testing. The moral decay, the increasing disregard for God’s law, the rise of false teachings – all these things are contributing to a spiritual climate that is becoming increasingly challenging for us. Just as the shaking was a time of testing for the early church, so too are we living in a time of testing. The call to faithfulness, the call to holiness, the call to stand for truth – these calls are just as relevant today as they were in the days of the apostles. We must be vigilant, we must be prayerful, and we must be rooted in the Word of God, so that we may stand firm in the face of the challenges that surround us. Signs herald the end, as 2 Timothy 3:1 warns, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (KJV). Matthew 24:6 notes, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (KJV). In Last Day Events we read, “We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and doctrine obey His commands” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 332, 1900). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death” (Maranatha, Mar 200.4, 1976). Vigilance prevails.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I deepen my understanding of this shaking process in my devotional life, allowing it to refine my faith and priorities?

How can we present these end-time themes accessibly to varied groups, maintaining biblical integrity?

What common misunderstandings about the shaking exist in our midst, and how can I correct them scripturally with Sr. White’s guidance?

In what ways can we as individuals and congregations embody this purification, becoming lights of hope amid trials?