Corporate repentance and the latter rain
The Spirit of the Lord rest upon me, to make this confession as a means of encouragement to us all.
As I study the messages of 1888 and righteousness by faith the lord has spoken to me in a way that has humbled my heart. What is corporate repentance? It is not a time for us to point a finger at each other. I believe it is the way for us to enter the most holy place of the sanctuary.
My useless religion. – No I am not criticizing Gods remnant church. I am a Seventh Day Adventist. I would defend this church vehemently to any Sunday keeping religion. I would emphasize here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev 14:12. Not one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law until all be fulfilled.
I kept the Sabbath with all my heart so I thought. The moment the sun was on the horizon on Friday evening the television went off and did not come on until the last ray of sun dipped below the horizon again on Saturday evening. Anyone in the church who I thought did not do the same was privately judged by my self-righteous standard. I attended church every Sabbath unless I was so physically sick I could not get out of bed. I must really love God to be so dedicated. Not like others who have any excuse to stay home. I attended prayer meetings regularly and prayed for other dear souls who were lukewarm because they never came. I paid my ten percent tithe flawlessly and I could go on and on with health reform, ingathering, busy bee, board meetings etc. etc. This subconscious comparison was going on between my performance and that of others all the time. But how much did I really love my brother? Do I have I the capacity to love? Do I, love Jesus?
The study of the 1888 messages by Jones and Waggoner and more recently the call to repentance by Robert Wieland caused me to see my egocentric religion. It is based between the fear of punishment, eternal death or of reward, a mansion in heaven. With this mindset I may have thought I was concerned about the salvation of others but the conviction of Gods spirit has shown me the selfish, self-righteous competition I am having. Dear brothers and sisters who have come to the truth of the Father and Son, we are still not exempt from falling into spiritual pride. Now that I know the truth, why am I still angry with my brother who holds on to the false teaching of the trinity? Why am I angry with certain leaders and brethren in the church?
When I feel guilt of my own sinfulness I automatically deflect the attention onto someone else. It goes back to the fall in the Garden of Eden. When the Lord calls out, where are you John? I say, look there is brother so and so hiding behind his fig leaf over there.
As my study on righteousness by faith continues for the first time in my life I have become willing to believe that Christ can and will prepare those who are to meet Him alive fully reflecting His sinless character. This leaves me in the extremities of a paradox, but true faith believes that which is humanly impossible. I am feeling acutely aware of my own sinfulness and I praise my Father for this baptism of fire. I would like to confess to you and before our God
Rev 3:17 Because you say, I am rich, (self-righteous) and increased with goods, (remnant church) and have need of nothing; and know not that…..{God be merciful to me a sinner} ”I am wretched, I am miserable, I am poor, I am blind, and I am naked”: (emphasize mine)
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Father, I want to agape you. Lord Jesus, I want to agape you. Brothers and sister I want to agape you and I cannot. Father, give us your spirit.
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I believe if we first do an individual work of preparation and ask our Father to show us our hidden sins, and ask Him to remove every speck of judgement we have towards each other, and then corporately by faith ask for Christ’s robe of righteousness, the latter rain will fall.
Some extra Notes:
1. So there is no misunderstanding anything written here is not meant to undermine the doctrinal pillars of our faith.
2. Bible truth is not by way of vote.
3. The Spirit will lead us into all truth.
