There is altogether too little account made of the Holy Spirit’s power to work on the mind and character. Those who reject the Holy Spirit, thinking that the human being, single-handed, can struggle with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places, will find themselves overmatched.
R. & H. 5-22-’98
Those who have once been convicted of the truth, but have resisted the Holy Spirit’s influence, walk and work in cooperation with Satan, the first apostate. Blinded by the sophistry of him who was once found in the heavenly courts, they join his ranks. The apostle Paul, speaking of this, says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”. 1 Tim. 4:1 Those who have turned from a plain “Thus saith the Lord” will be blinded in a superstitious faith in every kind of apostasy, and will be led into that terrible iniquity which God’s Word represents as being drunken with blood of the saints. R & H, Aug. 31, 1897
The Jews pursued their course of rejecting Christ until, in their self-deceived, deluded state, they thought that in crucifying Him they were doing God a service. Thus it will be with all who resist the entreaties of the Spirit of God, and persist in doing what they know to be wrong. The Spirit once resisted, there will be less difficulty in resisting it a second time. R & H, July 27, 1897
If you would have light, you must intelligently cherish it, and constantly exercise faith, and not be controlled by feeling. . . . and he who charges the work of God to undue excitement, and calls it fanaticism, is certainly standing on dangerous ground. If such do not retrieve their steps, their consciences will become less and less sensitive, and they will have less appreciation of the Spirit of God. It will become harder and harder for them to understand the message of God. Why? Because they are sinning against the Spirit of God and place themselves where they cannot recognize the Spirit of God, but set themselves against every instrumentality that God might use to save them from ruin.
When God moves upon the hearts of men to draw them to Christ, it seems that a compelling power comes over them and they believe, and give themselves up to the influence of the Spirit of God. But if they do not maintain the precious victory that God has given: if they permit old practices and habits to revive, and indulge in amusement or worldly luxury, if they neglect prayer, and cease resisting evil, then Satan’s temptations are accepted and they are led to doubt the verity of their former experience. They find that they are weak in moral power, and Satan declares24to them that it is of no use for them to try the experiment of living a Christian life. He says, “The experience you thought was of God was only the result of undue emotion and impulse.” As soon as the human agent entertains these suggestions of the evil one, they begin to appear plausible, and then those who ought to know better, who have had a larger experience in the work of God, second the suggestions of Satan, and the Holy Spirit is grieved from the soul. It is a dangerous thing to doubt the manifestations of the Holy Spirit: for if this agency is doubted, there is no reserve power left by which to operate on the human heart. Those who attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to human agencies, saying that an undue influence was brought to bear upon them, are cutting their souls off from the fountain of blessing.
The people of God need ever to keep the evidences of His workings fresh in their minds. They need to consider the sacred, heavenly character, and to realize how easily they can grieve the Holy Spirit away, by walking contrary to its ennobling, sanctifying, sacred influence. Oh, how the gift has been abused!
Satan has planted himself between God, and man, and seeks to interrupt every ray of light that God would have come to man. . . O that God might arouse his human agents, so that they would cast aside their schemes and inventions, their love for earthly amusements, and cherish his revealed grace and truth. Shall the Comforter be treated as a common thing, and be cast aside for some earthly, sinful, sensual enjoyment? My heart cries out in pain, “O, God, pity thy people: for they will never discern the light from the throne of God, unless they walk circumspectly and put away their foolishness, and take the cup, the full cup of the Lord’s blessing.”
R & H, February 13, 1894
The period of great spiritual light, if that light is not sacredly cherished and acted upon will be turned into a time of corresponding spiritual darkness. The impression made by the Spirit of God, if men do not cherish the sacred impression, will fade from the mind. Those who would advance in spiritual knowledge must stand by every fount of God, and drink again and again from wells of salvation so graciously given them.
R & H, January 1894 (30)
• • • And the longer the youth remain in impenitence, the more confirmed they become in their resistance of the Spirit of God. With increase of years it is probable that there will be a decrease of sensibility to divine things, a diminished susceptibility to the influences of religion. Every day Satan works to fasten them in their habits of disobedience, their spirit of impenitence, and there is less probability that they will become Christians. . . . Why not let the Holy Spirit create an atmosphere about the soul that will drive away moral darkness and bring heavenly light to others?
T. S. S. W. 44, 45
Men have the power to quench the Spirit of God: the power of choosing is left with them. They are allowed freedom of action. They may be obedient through the name and grace of our Redeemer, or they may be disobedient, and realize the consequences.
G. W. 174
Some souls will act in blindness and insensibility, ready to grasp cheap, common, and even infidel sentiments, while they turn against the demonstrations of the Holy Spirit.
Vol. 8:66
We have no right to indulge in anything that will result in a condition of mind that hinders the Spirit of God from impressing us with the sense of our duty. It is a masterpiece of Satanic skill to place men where they can with difficulty be reached with the gospel.
C. H. 432
I would that all my brethren and sisters would remember that it is a serious thing to grieve the Holy Spirit: and it is grieved when the human agent seeks to25work himself, and refuses to enter the service of the Lord because the cross is too heavy, or the self-denial too great.
C. H. 561
Those who receive the Holy Spirit will feel the chilling atmosphere that surrounds the souls of others by whom these great and solemn realities are unappreciated, and spoken against. They feel that they are in the council of the ungodly, of men who stand in the way of sinners, and sit in the seat of the scornful. . . . The Spirit of God is departing from many among His people. Many have entered into dark, secret paths, and some will never return. They will continue to stumble to their ruin. They have tempted God, they have rejected light. All the evidence that will ever be given them they have received, and have not heeded. They have chosen darkness rather than light, and have defiled their souls. . . The only remedy is belief in the truth, acceptance of the light. Yet many have listened to the truth spoken in demonstration of the Spirit, and they have not only refused to accept the message, but they have hated the light. These men are parties to the ruin of souls. They have interposed themselves between the heaven-sent light and the people. They have trampled upon the word of God and are doing despite to His Holy Spirit.
T. M. 90, 91
Whatever the sin, if the soul repents and believes, the guilt is washed away in the blood of Christ: but he who rejects the work of the Holy Spirit is placing himself where repentance and faith cannot come to him. It is by the Spirit that God works upon the heart: when men wilfully reject the Spirit, and declare it to be from Satan, they cut off the channel by which God can communicate with them. When the Spirit is finally rejected, there is no more that God can do for the soul.
D. A. 322
THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST
To reject the Holy Spirit, through whose power we conquer the forces of evil, is the sin that surpasses all others: for it cuts us off from the source of our power,—from Christ and communion with Him.
R & H, August 25, 1896
The most common manifestation of the sin against the Holy Spirit is in persistently slighting heaven’s invitation to repent. Every step in the rejection of Christ is a step toward the rejection of salvation, and toward the sin against the Holy Spirit.
D. A. 324
No one need look upon the sin against the Holy Ghost as something mysterious and indefinable. The sin against the Holy Ghost is the sin of persistent refusal to respond to the invitations to repent.
R. & H. 1897, No. 26
What constitutes the sin against the Holy Ghost? It is wilfully attributing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit. . . and when men wilfully reject the Spirit, and declare it to be from Satan, they cut off the channel by which God can communicate with them.
Vol. 5:634
They had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, a sin by which man’s heart is effectually hardened against the influence of divine grace. “Whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man,” said Christ, “it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him.” These words were spoken by our Saviour when the gracious works which he had performed through the power of God were attributed by the Jews to Beelzebub. It is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that God communicates with man: and those who deliberately reject this agency as Satanic, have cut off the channel of communication between the soul and heaven. God works by the manifestation of His Spirit to reprove and convict the sinner: and if the Spirit’s work is finally rejected, there is no more that God can do for the soul. The last resource of divine mercy has been employed. The transgressor has cut himself off from God: and sin has no remedy to26cure itself. There is no reserved power by which God can work to convict and convert the sinner. “Let him alone,” is the divine command. Then “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” P. P. 405
Pharaoh’s Sin Against the Holy Ghost
God never compels a man to offend and be lost. We read that he hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and that Pharaoh refused to let Israel go. Did God strengthen and confirm the king in his obstinacy? No, he simply allowed the seeds of unbelief to produce their fruit: and the seed sown when the first miracle was rejected, produced a harvest of infidelity. God left the king to the inclinations of his own heart. . . Thus the work went on, finite man warring against the expressed will of an infinite God. This case is clear illustration of the sin against the Holy Ghost. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gradually the Lord withdrew his Spirit, removing his restraining power, he gave the king into the hands of the worst of all tyrants, - self.” By rejecting mercy and truth, we prepare for a course of resistance which, if followed, will continue till we have no power to do otherwise. A point is reached where the most pointed appeals are without effect. The desire to submit to God and to do His will is no longer felt. The spiritual senses become dulled. Darkness is the result, and how great is that darkness. The Holy Spirit strives with every man. It is the voice of God speaking to the soul. But let that voice be resisted and we, like the Pharisees, shall stifle conviction and resist evidence, however plain. God will give us up and we shall be left to our own inclinations.
R & H July 27, 1897
This case is placed on record for our benefit. Just what took place in Pharaoh’s heart, will take place in every soul that neglects to cherish the light, and walk promptly in its rays. God destroys no one. The sinner destroys himself by his own impenitence. When a person once neglects to heed the invitations, reproofs, and warnings of the Spirit of God, his conscience becomes seared, and the next time he is admonished, it will be more difficult to yield obedience than before. And thus with every repetition. Conscience is the voice of God, heard amid the conflict of human passions: when it is resisted, the Spirit of God is grieved.
Vol. 5:120
THE PENTECOST AND THE EARLY RAIN
On the day of Pentecost the Infinite One revealed Himself in power to the church. By His Holy Spirit He descended from the heights of heaven as a rushing, mighty wind, to the room in which the disciples were assembled. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now heaven rejoiced in being able to pour upon the church the riches of the Spirit’s power. And, under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession were mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven. Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy were heard. All heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of matchless, incomprehensible love. Lost in wonder, the apostles and disciples exclaimed, “Herein is love.” 1 John 4:10. They grasped the imparted gift. And what followed? Thousands were converted in a day. The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power, and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief. Vol 7:31
What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions, backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with unbelievers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, “He that is feeble . . . shall be as David: and the House of David. . . as the angel of the Lord.” Every27Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed: one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambitions of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character, and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. “With great power the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Under their labors were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of truth, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled their hearts with peace and joy. They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them, and as they went from place to place, the poor had the gospel preached to them and miracles of divine grace were wrought. So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His Spirit.
A. A. 48, 49
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses, to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they went forth with truth. After the death of their Lord, they were a helpless, disappointed, discouraged company,—as sheep without a shepherd: but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with no weapons but the word and Spirit of God, to triumph over all opposition.
T. M. 66, 67
It was after the early disciples had spent ten days in supplication, after all differences had been put away, and they had united in deep heart-searchings, and in confessing and putting away of sins, and in drawing together in holy fellowship, that the Holy Ghost came upon them, and the promise of Christ was fulfilled. Notwithstanding the fierce opposition that the disciples met, in a short time the gospel of the kingdom had been sounded to all inhabited parts of the earth.
R & H, 3/11/09
THE LATTER RAIN
I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place,- when the mighty angel will come down from heaven, and unite with the Third Angel in closing up the work for this world: my message is that our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our lamps trimmed and burning . . . day by day we are to seek the enlightenment of the Spirit of God, that it may do its office work upon the soul and character.
R & H, 3/29/92
The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of Man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life: the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.
Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving his light and knowledge, must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater28light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.
A connection with the divine agency every moment is essential to our progress. We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls and the responsibility will lie at our own door. . . The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God’s appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain.
Let us, with contrite hearts, pray most earnestly that now, in the time of the latter rain, the showers of grace may fall upon us. At every meeting we attend our prayers should ascend that at this very time, God will impart warmth and moisture to our souls. As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain. If we pray for the blessing in faith, we shall receive it as God has promised.
T. M. 506-509
What we need is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Pray without ceasing, and watch by working in accordance with your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the latter rain, when the Lord will give largely of His Spirit. Be fervent in prayer, and watch in the Spirit.
T. M. 512
To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as he endowed those who on the day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation. At this very hour his Spirit and his grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word. Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the Apostles was the “former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant. What is the promise to those living in these last days? “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee: so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.”
Vol. 8:20, 21
But unless the members of God’s church today have a living connection with the source of all spiritual growth, they will not be ready for the time of reaping. Unless they keep their lamps trimmed and burning, they will fail of receiving added grace in times of special need. . . Every worker who follows the example of Christ will be prepared to receive and use the power that God has promised to his church for the ripening of earth’s harvest. Morning by morning, as the heralds of the gospel kneel before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him, He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving, sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day’s duties, they have the assurance that the unseen agency of the Holy Spirit enables them to be “laborers together with God.”
A. A. 55,56
We may be sure than when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain.
T. M. 399
When we follow the directions of the Lord, the workings of His Spirit will be seen among us. God will bless the speakers, giving them the words essential to the29needs of the people, and that will lead them to take hold of the living promises of God, and to enjoy an experience similar to that which those enjoyed who were led to accept Christ by the teachings of the disciples on the day of Pentecost. . . My brethren, we need the converting power of God upon us if we would pass safely through the perils of the last days. We need to have heaven brought into our souls and Christ manifested in our lives. We need to be willing to deny self, and to sacrifice our own wills and ways to the will and way of God. It is our privilege to be overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We may follow on to know the Lord, and know that his goings forth are prepared as the morning.
God’s people are to learn what it means to be taught of God, what it means to deny self, to sacrifice self. Heaven is full of power, and this power would come to us did we but feel the need of it. But many of us are satisfied with a common cheap experience, and do not arise to the emergency. God help us to arise to the emergency. . . unless you make determined efforts for yourselves, the Holy Spirit will not come upon you, and the results seen after the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost will not be seen among you. R & H, April 1909 (8)
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 upon His children. G. C. 464
The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel, are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are “the times of refreshing” to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said, “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: and He shall send Jesus.” Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand. The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God.
G. C. 611, 612
As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.
G. C. 606
In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844.
C. H. 580