Yes Pastor Sean, so it is today with many in God's church.
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.
Christ is bringing into His church those who are open to the gospel truth. We thank Jesus for those leaders in the church who are faithful to the gospel message. Those who have closed their minds have hardened their hearts and are moving further and further away from the simple truth of the power of God's grace to save to the uttermost all who come to Christ.
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. 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.
Yes, few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. But, there is a difference as to what God is doing today. We may have to leave our local church, but we do not have to leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We are living in the time of the end. We are the last church. God is not going to start another church. This church will see revival and reformation. There is no prophecy saying it will be cut off as was Israel, to the contrary, we read in Ezekiel that the power of the Spirit can and will be breathed upon His modern day "Israel" and the dead dry "bones" will get up and walk in the light of His glory and grace. "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel." Ezekiel 37:10,11.
God is pouring "living water" upon His church. It will be cleansed, all who will allow it. "Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." Ezekiel 36:22-25.
Amen!!
The people of Galilee were despised by the rabbis of Jerusalem as rude and unlearned, yet they presented a more favorable field for the Saviour’s work. They were more earnest and sincere; less under the control of bigotry; their minds were more open for the reception of truth.
And, here lies the truth that we need to pray about. Are we open to the reception of truth? When we find truth that cuts across the natural heart, will we repent and walk in the light? There are many in the church who need to be re-baptized, and will see this and accept God's grace. They will be part of the organized church and take the last message or warning and mercy to a world soon to perish. Let us be a part of that great movement to prepare a people to receive Jesus as His soon coming!