Begotten Son Antidote to Laodicean Condition

Yesterday I have the privilege to meet with some Adventist brethren in Belgrade. One of the brothers asked a very good question. “How does your message [about the begotten Son] answer the temptation of Laodicea.” The problem with Laodicea is self-sufficiency.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:   Rev 3:17

Those in the Laodicean state look at what they inherently possess in order to determine their spiritual status. The texts does not speak of gratitude in possessing something given to them but rather pride in possessing something that they believe is theirs inherently. If it had been given to them they would acknowledge this and be filled with gratitude.

I explained that the begotten Son of God does not reveal to us a person who trusts in His own inherent power and wisdom to determine His divinity rather He is filled with gratitude to the Father who gave Him everything that He possesses. A true knowledge of the Begotten Son leads one to a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness. The Son of God was anointed with the oil of gladness and daily delighted before the Father because of the generosity of the Father.

Conversely the second person of the Trinity finds his confidence in his inherent power, wisdom and age. He does not feel any gratitude to anyone else for what He possesses for he is completely self-possessed. In beholding this “Son” a person beholds and is transformed into one that trusts in himself for a sense of his importance and value. In this context the second person of the Trinity contributes heavily to the Laodicean condition.

A second brother who works for the church raised another very good point. The anti-trinitarians are aggressive and attacking in their manner and are doing a destructive work against the church. I told him that in many cases that this was correct. The anti-trinitarian movement by and large has not embraced the spiritual truth of the begotten Son but rather has enriched itself with the knowledge but denied the power thereof. Like the philistines that blinded Samson, so many anti-trinitarians in their aggressive and unchristlike behaviour come bearing the doctrine of the begotten Son in the spirit of Satan. There are many who claim to believe in the begotten Son who boast that they are not part of Laodicea but Philadelphia. Indeed we need to accept the counsel to Philadelphia to enter the door which no man can shut but to reject the diagnosis of being part of Laodicea reveals the very self-sufficiency of the Laodicean condition and the tragic blindness of this state. As Ellen White states those who deny they are Laodicean prove that they are.

I am commissioned now to say to our brethren, Humble yourselves, and confess your sins, else God will humble you. The message to the Laodicean church comes home to those who do not apply it to themselves. CW 99

This dear brother from the Adventist church lamented the destructive manner in which anti-Trinitarians call the church Babylon and urgently seek to take people out of the church. I agreed with him that this approach to dealing with the church was sad and wrong and added that some people who become bitter do so because they are treated so badly by church leaders and other members. The same aggressive spirit attributed to anti-trinitarians exists in the hearts of many within the Adventist Church. It is hard to feel welcome in such a place where you are falsely accused, silenced and sometimes disfellowshipped. In both cases there is an aggressive spirit born of self-sufficiency in what one believes. In the case of anti-trinitarians the charge against them is worse because many hold in their hands the truth of the begotten Son and yet in some cases are worse in their ruthless treatment of church members. How it must make heaven weep.

It is a hollow claim to call the GC Adventist Church Babylon when the one is actuated by the same spirit. How very sad that the beautiful doctrine of the begotten Son is so butchered in the hands of those who claim to represent Him.

I affirm my belief that the GC Seventh-day Adventist Church is God’s remnant church and in so doing I identify myself with a church that has embraced the idolatrous doctrine of the Trinity. It causes me great sorrow that our church would embrace such a symbol of self-sufficiency as the second person of the Trinity. Yet I remember that I once worshipped in this manner and I repent. I feel very sad for the anti-trinitarian movement who take the beautiful doctrine of the begotten Son and enrich themselves in order to deny the very power that this truth would bring those who accept it in Spirit and in truth.

It matters not which side one chooses we are all in the same condemnation and worthy of death. And to those who accept this condemnation and the abounding of sin in their lives and receive the straight testimony to Laodicea they have the invitation to receive the Latter Rain. There is none righteous – no not one but to those who accept this truth we can turn in great hope to the Son of God and receive His righteousness.

The counsel of the True Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly treasure.  {FLB 306.2}

Lord Jesus have mercy on me a sinner.