The churches located where we have institutions of "higher" education suffer from the same things that the schools suffer from. If we examine the institutions of "higher" education in the world, we find that they are leaders in the destruction of Protestant society. And even in Roman Catholicism, their universities are hotbeds of rebellion. So it is within many of our colleges and universities in the North American Division, Europe, and Australia, they are generally leaders in rebellion.
In our Sabbath School lessons this quarter we are studying the need for revival and reformation. As we continue to watch the situation deteriorate with the placing of women as leaders over men, we may think that this rebellion is "the shaking" but it is not. It is only a symptom of the real problem. Pastor Finley, the author of this quarter's lessons has done a very good job of addressing the real problem, the Laodicean condition of the church. This condition is not restricted to the laity, but sadly infects the leadership also. When the schools that educate the pastors are suffering from unconsecrated teachers, then what do we expect from the pastoral ministry? "The shaking" has started with the publishing of the Sabbath School lessons this quarter. It is the counsel of the True Witness that is causing the disturbance. It will continue sound throughout the church and will be met with not only rejection, but anger by those who refuse to acknowledge the real problem in the church. As painful as this is, it must happen. The truth will do the separating in the church. May God grant us more of His Spirit as the shaking intensifies.
