God’s Model of Simplicity VISION OF IDENTITY: God’s Model of Simplicity Ted N. C. Wilson, presenter Global Leadership Summit, Feb. 7-9, 2017

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:17)

Those who keep the commandments of God Those who have the testimony of Jesus

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy . . .”

“the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy”

“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. . . . There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason:

“Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded.” (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 48)

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the Lord of hosts Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the Lord of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)

“Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself.

He has made them His representatives and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, Book 1, p. 138)

“I am instructed to say to Seventh-day Adventists the world over, God has called us as a people to be a peculiar treasure unto Himself. He has appointed that His church on earth shall stand perfectly united in the Spirit and counsel of the Lord of hosts to the end of time.” (Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 397)

“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful 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, vol. 9, p. 19)

Creator Example Redeemer High Priest Our coming King!

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Cor. 11:3)

Revelation 12 Revelation 17

“The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual life. . . . God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 297-298)

“Life’s best things—simplicity, honesty, truthfulness, purity, integrity—cannot be bought or sold.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 198) “The little ones should be educated in childlike simplicity.” (Education, p. 107)

“In simplicity He opened before them the blessing they might receive, and thus aroused a soul hunger for the bread of life.” (Welfare Ministry, p. 59) “Present in the simplicity of Christ the truths that He came to this world to proclaim, and the power of your message will make itself felt.” (Evangelism, p. 601)

“The teachings of Christ were marked with a simplicity, dignity, and power heretofore unknown to them.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 747) “I have almost despaired as I have seen, year after year, a greater departure from that simplicity which God has shown me should characterize the life of His followers.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 663)

“The plans and methods of God’s workers are to be thoroughly sifted from worldly policy. Their work is to be carried forward with Christlike simplicity.” (Evangelism, p. 634) “Simplicity and plain utterance are comprehended by the illiterate, by the peasant, and the child as well as by the full-grown man or the giant in intellect.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 18)

“A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and usefulness.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 667)

“And the more simple our plans for work in God’s service, the more we shall accomplish. To adopt worldly policy in the work of God is to invite disaster and defeat. Simplicity and humility must characterize every effective effort for the advancement of His kingdom.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 215)

“God would have his children appreciate his works “God would have his children appreciate his works . . . he would have us cultivate purity and simplicity . . .” (Steps to Christ, p. 85) “We must die to self and cherish humble, childlike faith. God’s people have departed from their simplicity. They have not made God their strength, and they are weak and faint, spiritually.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 75)

“In eating, dressing, and in the furnishing of our school building, we want to preserve the simplicity of true godliness.” (Testimonies to Ministers. p. 179)

“The gospel medical missionary work is to be carried forward in simplicity, as was the work of the Majesty of heaven.” (Counsels on Health, p. 319)

“. present the truth in the love of Christ “. . . present the truth in the love of Christ. . . . to be carried forward in humility, in the simplicity of the gospel.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 38)

“The simplicity of the gospel is fast disappearing from professed Sabbathkeepers. I inquire a hundred times a day, How can God prosper us? There is but little praying . . . Few are willing to bear the cross of Christ . . .” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 566)

“When Christ said to the disciples, Go forth in My name to gather into the church all who believe, He plainly set before them the necessity of maintaining simplicity. The less ostentation and show, the greater would be their influence for good.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 28)

“The leaders in God’s cause, as wise generals, are to lay plans for advance moves all along the line. In their planning they are to give special study to the work that can be done by the laity for their friends and neighbors. The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.

“The salvation of sinners requires earnest, personal labor “The salvation of sinners requires earnest, personal labor. We are to bear to them the word of life, not to wait for them to come to us. Oh, that I could speak words to men and women that would arouse them to diligent action! The moments now granted to us are few. We are standing upon the very borders of the eternal world.

“We have no time to lose. Every moment is golden and altogether too precious to be devoted merely to self-serving. Who will seek God earnestly and from Him draw strength and grace to be His faithful workers in the missionary field?” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 116-117)