Reformation

“Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and
carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”
Hebrews 9:10 KJV

The verse shows us that at the first advent of Christ there was a
reformation. What exactly happened at the first advent of Christ? That will
make us understand what reformation is

So the message from Moses time down to the Advent of Christ was the
killing of animals sacrifices. And the Jewish church was honored in
proclaiming the message.

God in mercy had said -“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy
people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an
end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the
most Holy.” Daniel 9:24 KJV

Which was later repeated by Paul -- “46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed
bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been
spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy
of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord
commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that
thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:46-47
KJV

So God wanted to revive the Jewish church so that it fulfills holiness

within the time frame of 70 weeks. But this was sadly concluded by their
rejection of Christ and his message.

So Paul says in Hebrews their message stood until the time of

reformation. So they left Christ with no choice but to do a reformation. So, in
the New testament Christ was the first reformer that is he came out of
the Jewish church.

If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored

them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. To them first was
given the opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and grace of God.
But Israel knew not the time of her visitation. The jealousy and distrust of the
Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of the people
were turned away from Jesus DA 231.3
 So this was sad time for they failed to progress with Christ so the only
way to go forward was reformation.

The Sanhedrin had rejected Christ's message and was bent upon His
death; therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple,
the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and
turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those
who should carry the gospel to all nations. DA 232.1

So he came out from the Jewish so that his followers was maid solely of
the people that had been cast out of the church. He did not preach from
within but he came out

“34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in
sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they
had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou
believe on the Son of God? ” John 9:34-35 KJV

To follow Jesus Christ meant to be cast of out of the church

“42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him;
but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be
put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the
praise of God. ” John 12:42-43 KJV

While remaining inside meant you have rejected Christ and chose the
love of men and it's praise.

As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical

authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding
generation. Again and again the history of Christ's withdrawal from Judea has
been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no
thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the
religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were
forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few
of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. DA
232.2

In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated
by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept
truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the
steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love,
in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times
those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the
church of their fathers, that they may render obedience. DA 232.2

So the Spirit of Christ and spirit of Reformation is to come out. Now

Christ Reformation resulted in the establishment of the Christian church.

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it
came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church,
and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in
Antioch. ” Acts 11:26 KJV

To be called a Christian was no good name it was associated with

reformation from the Jewish church. That's why Paul would write saying am
not ashamed of the Cross because it was associated with shame and
rebellion from the Jewish church. Now the Christian church progress and
departure from the truth was prophesied by Paul.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus

Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken
in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from
us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he
as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. ” 2
Thessalonians 2:1-4 KJV

The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the
great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power.
He declared that the day of Christ should not come, "except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who
opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself
that he is God." And furthermore, the apostle warns his brethren that "the
mystery of iniquity doth already work." 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7. Even at
that early date he saw, creeping into the church, errors that would prepare
the way for the development of the papacy. GC 49.1

Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it
increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, "the mystery
of iniquity" carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost
imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian
church. GC 49.2
 So the Christian church was invaded by heathen customs which came
in little by little.

The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by

the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as
persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings,
she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp
and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of
God, she substituted human theories and traditions. GC 49.2

The once glorious Christian church founded by reformation of Christ

was overrun by human theories and tradition.

The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth

century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of
righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly
progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the
conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and
superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed
followers of Christ. GC 49.2

Remember the it was the Roman leaders that had helped the Jewish
church kill Christ; But now they appeared converted

But it was no true conversation - it was simple the church joining the
world.

What was the result of this marriage between Christian church and
heathenism?

This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the

development of "the man of sin" foretold in prophecy as opposing and
exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a
masterpiece of Satan's power—a monument of his efforts to seat
himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will. GC
50.1

It developed the masterpiece of Satan.

So what develops papacy or man of sin it's compromise between

Christianity and heathenism. What did the Christian church lose here

“I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons,
and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. ” Hosea 2:11 KJV
 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear
out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and
they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of
time.” Daniel 7:25 KJV

Many people who tried to protest against the man of sin lost their lives
during and prior to the dark-ages.

They were killed with several means as recorded in here -“And I looked,
and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell
followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of
the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the
beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:8 KJV

So this left God with no other options as in the first advent. The only
way forward was reformation.

The persecution of the church did not continue throughout the entire
period of the 1260 years. God in mercy to His people cut short the time of
their fiery trial. In foretelling the "great tribulation" to befall the church, the
Saviour said: "Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh
be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." Matthew
24:22. Through the influence of the Reformation the persecution was brought
to an end prior to 1798. GC 266.4

God's answer to the papacy is reformation and Christ prophesied it in

Mathew 24 :22 as means that was going to deal with the papacy.

So the first to lead in the reformation was Martin Luther in 1500.

Though we know that he started with the revival in 1500 when you found the
Bible.

Then in 1525 that's when he did the reformation coming out which he
sealed with his marriage. 1547 the Lutheran church did not accept the
message from Knox about the Holy spirit. Same with the church founded by
Knox did not accept the message by Wesley resulting in the reformation that
led to Methodist.

Methodist also did not accept the message of Campbell about Baptism
the result was reformation. Such that Puritans had to write pertaining these
churches saying.

‘When first constrained to separate from the English Church, the

Puritans had joined themselves together by a solemn covenant, as the Lord's
free people, "to walk together in all His ways made known or to be made
known to them."—J. Brown, The Pilgrim Fathers, page 74. Here was the true
spirit of reform, the vital principle of Protestantism. It was with this purpose
that the Pilgrims departed from Holland to find a home in the New World.
John Robinson, their pastor, who was providentially prevented from
accompanying them, in his farewell address to the exiles said: "Brethren, we
are now erelong. GC 291.3 - GC 291.4

For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed

churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go at present no
farther than the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be
drawn to go beyond what Luther saw; ... and the Calvinists, you see, stick
fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all
things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they were
burning and shining lights in their time, yet they penetrated not into the
whole counsel of God, but were they now living, would be as willing to
embrace further light as that which they first received."—D. Neal, History of
the Puritans 1:269. GC 292.1

In 1831 When Miller taught his message and the Baptists did not
accept his message.

Reformation continued to the first day advents. The first day advents
they failed to accept third angel message resulting in the reformation by
Ellen White.

Now in 1888 the SDA rejected the message of the law in Galatians.
Then Waggoner and Jones were not bold enough to carry the reformation
they remained within SDA.

Their message died a natural death because they remained within

trying to preach from within. Satan succeeded in blocking the light with that
method.

An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this

truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at
Minneapolis against the Lord's message through Brethren [E.J.] Waggoner
and [A.T.] Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting
away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy
Spirit that God longed to impart to them. The enemy prevented them from
obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth
to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The
light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the
action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the
world. 1SM 234.6

But Ellen White was clear that a reformation was the only solution for
the church.

I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that a reformation

must go through the churches. Reforms must be made, for spiritual
weakness and blindness were upon the people who had been blessed with
great light and precious opportunities and privileges. As reformers they had
come out of the denominational churches, but they now act a part similar to
that which the churches acted. We hoped that there would not be the
necessity for another coming out. [This is the only known statement from the
pen of Ellen White indicating that she might have lost confidence in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church organization. The doubt which she expressed
here was never repeated during the remaining twenty-six years of her life.]
While we will endeavor to keep the "unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of
peace, we will not with pen or voice cease to protest against bigotry.—The
Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 356, 357 (1889). LDE 48.1

The church rejected the idea of reformation as is seen by the brackets

in the quote above.

Now adding the prophecy of 430 years to 1500 resulted in 1930 in

which God brought the revival message to the SDA. The Rod message but it
was rejected again by the church and only way forward was reformation. But
reforms was not fully fleshed as shown by the Davidains who try to preach
from within.

Now adding 430 to 1525 when Luther did the reformation we come to
1955. At this time God brought the message to both Davidains and SDA they
all rejected the message. Then the Branch had to complete the reformation.

Who is to bring this revival and reformation, this great change? — The
BRANCH. And according to Isaiah 11:1 to 5, the Branch is the Lord, the Son of
David. We shall now read- {1TG8: 24.3}

Now in 1547 remember that's when we had a message of Holy Spirit by

Knox so adding 430 we come to 1977 at which time God sent the message of
the true identity of Holy Spirit. The Branch accepted the message so they
was no need for reformation.

God has continued with the Branch revealing more including the Elijah
message of statues and Judgments. The Branch had not rejected therefore
no need for reformation until the kingdom as this last phase of truth - The
third seal.

So this has been the progress of reformation from Christ until the
Branch. May the Lord help us to remain open to the progress of truth.

Because to stop progress results in reformation coming out.

May God bless the reading of his Word.