30
Last Day Events
light from the Word of God. They have been given a work of the most
solemn import—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’
messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are
to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.—
Testimonies for the
Church 9:19
(1909).
Reasons Why the Seventh-day Adventist Church Was Organized
As our numbers increased it was evident that without some form
of organization there would be great confusion, and the work would
not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of
the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both
the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding
church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and
for many other objects, organization was indispensable....
Light was given by His Spirit that there must be order and thorough
discipline in the church—that organization was essential. System and
order are manifest in all the works of God throughout the universe.
Order is the law of heaven, and it should be the law of God’s people on
the earth.—
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 26
(1902).
Organization Will Always Be Essential
Unless the churches are so organized that they can carry out and en-
force order, they have nothing to hope for in the future.—
Testimonies
For The Church 1:270
(1862).
[47]
Oh, how Satan would rejoice if he could succeed in his efforts to
get in among this people and disorganize the work at a time when
thorough organization is essential and will be the greatest power to
keep out spurious uprisings and to refute claims not endorsed by the
Word of God! We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no
breaking down of the system of organization and order that has been
built up by wise, careful labor. License must not be given to disorderly
elements that desire to control the work at this time.
Some have advanced the thought that, as we near the close of time,
every child of God will act independently of any religious organization.
But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no
such thing as every man’s being independent. [
From manuscript read