As I visit and fellow ship with our people and church leaders throughout the world, I discover there is a longing on the part of many for revival and reformation. There seems to be a growing recognition of our spiritual needs. This emphasis has often been the subject of discussion and prayer, and was the great burden of Robert H. Pierson, my predecessor as General Conference president. I along with other leaders share this burden.
Several Annual Councils of the General Conference Committee have appealed to the churches and the ministry to give priority to revival. And in 1979 the General Conference sponsored the righteousness by faith consultation that led to the publication of the document "The Dynamics of Salvation" in the Adventist Review in 1980 (republished in MINISTRY, February 1988).
But revival is not something that can be voted. It is not something that can be produced by a study commission. So in spite of the efforts of leadership, the church still seems to be drifting toward a Laodicean condition of lukewarmness and apostasy.
Symptoms include an escalating divorce rate, questionable practices and standards, disunity, pockets of rebellion, and a general attitude of worldliness. Too many of our people are doctrinally illiterate, and as a result, they have no firm convictions or commitment to this prophetic movement.
Redemptive discipline, or for that matter any type of church discipline, seems to be passe. Tolstoy's comment that Christianity has made no demands on its followers has come to be generally true of the Christian church.
A careful comparison of membership lists with church attendance would likely reveal an appalling discrepancy. We can count more than 5 million members on our books, but the question is Where are they on Sabbath mornings? More important, how are they faring spiritually?
Although we have placed strong emphasis on evangelism, it is all too true that "not one in a hundred among us is doing anything beyond engaging in common, worldly enterprises. We are not half awake to the worth of the souls for whom Christ died" (Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 148). This statement may be viewed as a homiletical device, but one wonders if the ratio isn't realistic.
In 1893 Ellen White wrote: "It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. ... I lay down my pen and lift up my soul in prayer, that the Lord would breathe upon His backslid den people, who are as dry bones, that they may live" (Christian Service, p. 41). What is the ratio today? Some might be tempted to say that the readiness ratio is now worse than 1 in 20.
What has brought us to this unenviable state? And what can we do about it other than to criticize and utter lamentations? If we were to ask our leaders to prioritize the church's needs, their list might read as follows: We need to
- enter new territories
- enroll all Adventist youth in our schools
- employ more ministers
- enlarge our medical work
- circulate more literature
- increase lay involvement
- increase our financial base
These are excellent and worthy objectives. But fulfilling them without meeting the deeper spiritual needs of each member's heart will not fulfill our real objectives.
At this point you may feel that this appeal is largely negative or even a bit depressing. You will discover, however, that I affirm that the grace of Christ can transform a negative outlook into a positive one, and that God's promises are bright with hope.
In my own personal study of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, I have become convinced that there are three major elements that keep the spiritual flame burning in the Christian's heart. They are Bible study, prayer, and witnessing. We have strongly emphasized the witnessing aspect. Presently we are engaged in Harvest 90, and are moving toward a global strategy. In no way should we diminish this emphasis. But what have we done in a tangible way to move our church in the direction of Bible study and prayer?
The church, and each of us individually, need a renewal of Bible study, a renewal of earnest prayer, and a renewal of the fervor of witness for our Lord. It is for this reason that I would urge that we now press for this renewal. That we all participate in what we might call an Adventist Renewal Initiative.
Jesus asked, "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). Dedication and commitment to our Lord and to His church are built on faith, and "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). The reason for the paucity of end-time faith is lack of knowledge and understanding of God's Word. The Holy Spirit operates within the realm of God's revealed will--His Word. It is as a person studies the Bible or hears the spoken word that the Holy Spirit has opportunity to enter the soul to bring conviction and conversion.
One hundred years ago Ellen White pointed out the importance of Bible study as a shield against Satan's assaults: "Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth, there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be pro claimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming" (The Great Controversy, p. 464).
Notice carefully the following points in this statement:
1. This revival of primitive godliness occurs just before the end of time.
2. This revival exceeds all revivals since apostolic times.
3. This revival leads many to separate from other churches and accept the truths we proclaim.
4. This revival experience prepares a people for the Lord's second coming.
5. It is implied that love for God and His Word has not been supplanted by love for the world among those who receive the outpouring of God's Spirit and power and are part of the revival.
The same chapter, which carries the title "Modern Revivals," makes it clear that extensive movements of the future will include revivals based on emotional excitement and a mingling of the true with the false that will mislead people. "Yet none need be deceived." "The light of God's Word" can protect us from being misled. But "wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God's blessing is not bestowed." And "in the truths of His Word, God has given to men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world" (ibid., pp. 464, 465).
Although this chapter deals with obedience to the law of God as part of the revival formula, Ellen White uses the term law in a broader sense than just the Ten Commandments. On page 478 she points out that "it is by beholding that we become changed. And as those sacred precepts in which God has opened to men the perfection and holiness of His character are neglected, and the minds of the people are attracted to human teachings and theories, what marvel that there has followed a decline of living piety in the church. ... It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. 'Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls'(Jer. 6:16)."
This declaration contains several important concepts:
1. God's character, His will, and His holiness are unknown to many simply because they are not beholding Him through His Word.
2. Human teachings and theories are being received by the people resulting in a decline of living piety in the church.
3. Our only hope of a "revival of primitive faith and godliness" is in a return to the Word, the law of God that reveals the old paths, the good way.
Another statement relative to our need to study the Scriptures is found in Testimonies, volume 5, page 273: "The Christian is required to be diligent in searching the Scriptures, to read over and over again the truths of God's Word. Willful ignorance on this subject endangers the Christian life and character. It blinds the understanding and corrupts the noblest powers. It is this that brings confusion into our lives. Our people need to understand the oracles of God; they need to have a systematic knowledge of the principles of revealed truth, which will fit them for what is coming upon the earth and prevent them from being carried about by every wind of doctrine." The above concepts mandate that a thorough study of the Scriptures is the major key for revival and reformation and is a safeguard against apostasy.
Can there be a better time to lead our people into this experience than in 1988? The framework is already in place for intense study of the fundamental doctrines that make us a church. The Sabbath school lessons for the last two quarters of this year focus on our 27 fundamental beliefs. Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . ., the 325-page doctrinal book on which we have been working for two years, will be on the press by May 1. The manuscript for this book has been read and critiqued by more than 200 Adventist scholars and church leaders around the world. Each of the 27 chapters takes an in-depth look at one of our beliefs. And yet the book is written in such a way that every member of the church can understand and grasp the importance of these great truths that bind us together.
In addition, there is a renewed emphasis on righteousness by faith this year as we think back to 1888 and the message that came from the General Conference session in Minneapolis. Tens of thousands of extra copies of MINISTRY'S special righteousness by faith issue have been ordered for study in Adventist churches around the world.
Could it be that Providence has ordained 1988 as a year of unprecedented opportunity for revival and reformation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church? That the Sabbath school lessons, Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . ., and the emphasis on righteousness by faith together will lead us to the kind of faith in God that will open the way for Him to empower us to finish His work on this earth?
We want to see a great movement of renewal, revival, and reformation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church--a rising tide of spirituality that will carry us all to a closer walk with God. We want to see a new commitment to the great truths for these times.
Will you join me, pastor? Will you pray with me, administrator? Educator, physician, shepherdess, local elder--whatever position of leadership the Lord has placed you in, God looks to you to lead His people to a deeper experience with Him.
Let us all join together to lead God's people to the experience of renewal we need. --Neal C. Wilson.
