The Message to the Church of Laodicea has numerous parallels to the wedding parable in Luke 12:35-44

1.       “when He comes” is end-time; Laodicea is the last of seven churches

2.       “loins girded” is like “white raiment”

3.       “lights burning” is like “eye salve”

4.       both groups receive His knock

5.       both are to open and be blessed by His presence

6.       “sit down to meat” is like “sup with Him”

7.       “ruler over all He has” is the same reward as to sit with Him in His throne.

Luke 12 is positive; it’s for over-comers; it doesn’t have the negative language that is addressed to the lukewarm, materialistic church of Laodicea. The main difference is our attitude. If we are seeking to serve God because Christ is Lord of our lives, out of gratitude for the salvation He offers, it’s a positive experience for us. 

Seventh-day Adventists should consider reasons why church leaders may soon experience a serious loss. SDA prophetess, Ellen White wrote,

"Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God and striving to conform their lives to its precepts." Prophets & Kings, 626

The "overwhelming surprise" for them may be the earthquake that may be devastating to Loma Linda where she had her vision in which "many lives were blotted out...It seemsed that the forebearance of God was exhausted, and that Judgment day had come." 9Testimonies, 93.

To delineate reasons for such a calamity is difficult, but here is a letter send individually by email to 25 church leaders. There were no replies!

Dear Elder _________                                                  January, 2010

I have the highest regard for you and other good men whom I know are working hard, intelligently, faithfully, for the church, yet I'm constrained to share information that I think is needful.

We are not responsible for sins or mistakes of our predecessors, but we are entering a time of judgment when “the bill comes due.” Even Moses faced death in a time of judgment for non-compliance. Exodus 4:24

Here is a brief review from Ellen White’s time: “The church has turned back from following Christ, her leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed…Jerusalem is a representation of what the church will be if she refuses to receive and walk in the light God has given…We aren’t walking in the light…How is the faithful city become an harlot? My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed…The apostasy that is developing will continue to do so until the Lord descends from heaven with a shout.” 5T 217; 8T 67,247-250; Special Testimonies, Series B #7.

If Ellen White was a true prophet, we should not be complacent or lukewarm satisfied, but should expect a rude awakening as suggested by her numerous counsels.

More than most things in life, marriage is a test of maturity, and we will be tested when the Bridegroom  comes. This isn’t His coming in the sky (GC 426), and it will sort wise from foolish who do not understand. When God got ready to deliver Israel from Egypt, He attacked the gods of Egypt (Nile, cattle, frogs), and the initial plagues fell on God’s people as well. God took them from calamity to a covenant relationship like marriage—God later said, “I am married unto you,” Jer 3:14. “All those things happened unto them for [types] and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.1Cor 10:11

The church has been focused on the 3^rd angel’s message (Sunday) and it has not seen that all three messages will reapply (CWE 26,27) and that the message of judgment goes with a midnight cry (GC 398) which is “a sudden and unlooked-for calamity” that will awakens the church (“ready or not”), COL 412.

While God investigates on the Day of Atonement, Passover is when He said, “I will execute judgment,” Exod 12:12. Christ’s clues—of the fig tree when summer is nigh, “as in the days of Noah,” the goodman, and “like a man traveling to a far country” each point to a late Passover provided in the law, Num 9:10,11, Christ said, “not one jot shall pass from the law.” They are “shadows of things to come” Col 2:17; GC 399,
bottom.

I’ve expected it before now, but several reasons point to this year for judgment to begin. One reason is the General Conference session. Ellen White said she “could no longer regard…a few men as the voice of God, but…an assembly of representative men from all parts of the field” should be respected. 9T 261. Such an assembly will occur within the 50 day time frame that Israel went to Sinai to make a covenant!

Ms. White’s last definition of the church is a “covenant-keeping people” (PK 713,714) and to be such, we need to make a covenant like Israel did 50 days after calamity struck Egypt. “All those things happened for types…” The GC Session in Atlanta is strategic timing for God to act as suggested by this information, but I’m afraid that making a covenant with the Bridegroom is not on our radar screen for this July and I’m concerned that we are not ready to “open to Him immediately” when He “knocks,” Lk 12:36,44,47*

Thank you for considering this. I welcome your response to this information and Christ’s richest promise* You may email me at Ruhling7@juno..com