​​The study of the final events of this world is not new to Adventists. End-time Bible verses and quotations from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White have been studied, analyzed, debated, and for the most part, forgotten or ignored.
In this reflection, my thoughts gravitated to passages of scripture and Ellen G. White quotations on the time of the end, and the conclusion of stewardship, church finances, administration, governance, and leadership. In essence, the fulfilment of our presence as stewards and messengers is a sacred part of God’s mission on earth. 

Jesus, in expressing the urgency of being ready for the final events, said: “But know this, that if the Master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, He would have watched and not allowed His house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:43,44). Ellen G. White echoed this urgency when she stated, “We are now standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. A crisis is before us, such as the world has never witnessed. And sweetly to us, as to the first disciples, comes the assurance that God’s kingdom ruleth overall. The program of coming events is in the hands of our Maker. The Majesty of Heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church in His charge.”[1]

In addition to scripture and the writings of Ellen White, my thinking on these issues has also been informed by the works of Dr Fernando Chaij and Dr Marvin Moore.[2] However, these lines reflect my view of the dynamic connection between mission and church finances even through final events, and of the solemn stewardship resting today on the men and women entrusted with the financing, operation, and guidance of the mission the Seventh-day Adventist Church in these times.

The reader should know that my motive is not to issue a new version of what is already revealed, or to make people fearful, nor to present myself as other than a student of God’s Word. Whether my understanding is correct or lacking, I only wish to remain a seeker of Truth. The counsel of the Apostle Paul remains relevant to me, especially when he cautioned, “Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”[3] I pray the urgency of the topic never leaves me.

Mission and Giving are Dynamically Linked

Giving in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is considered an act of individual worship. Whether one is returning tithes, weekly offerings, and/or contributing through long-term giving instruments such as wills and trusts, personal giving is a constant flow that feeds multiple areas of mission, systematically impacting the mission of the Church worldwide. In 2019, weekly funds flowing through the hands of mostly volunteer church treasurers averaged 68.5 million US dollars.[4] This amount did not include money contributed by members and non-members directly to education, community services, or hospitals, nor funds extended personally to missionaries and/or others in need. 

The purpose of giving through the channel of the Seventh-day Adventist Church organizational structure is to affirm and advance the mission of the Church beyond the borders of the local congregation. This is possible because the Church maintains a comprehensive worldwide financial system. Members rely on the integrity and diligence of those who serve the Church as volunteers and employees, and they likewise trust the effectiveness of the system. 

Giving is the lifeblood of mission. Without the flow of funds, it would be impossible to sustain mission work in many parts of the world or to effectively enter new territories, establish schools, and erect institutional building facilities. Without this worldwide financial system, it would be practically impossible to manage, administer, govern, and lead the church as it is operated today, and the sharing of resources from one part of the world to another would be much more difficult. Finances are important to the church, and even if they may not be the sole determinant in decision-making today, they tend to guide much of what happens, or not. As it is, mission and giving are dynamically linked. 

The Adventist Church embodies a comprehensive worldwide mission effort. This mission effort is largely invested in fixed assets, as mission growth requires investing in land, buildings, and equipment for congregations and institutions. If church operations are to be halted or terminated, it would represent a significant impact on mission as we currently know it. Nevertheless, it would not be a challenge for the “Lord of Mission” who has other ways to accomplish His plan. Mission would not come to a screeching halt because the Omnipotent is always ready to implement plans B, C, or Z.[5] God never runs out of options. After all,

1) He is the Lord of mission (Matt. 10:16; John 17:18; Rev. 1:12-18).

2) The Holy Spirit guides God’s servants as they give of their resources and engage in the fulfilment of God’s mission (2 Cor. 8:1-5).[6]

3) God will guide mission to a conclusion when He considers it appropriate (Is. 19:23-25). 

Let us look at the final events and see how they provide guidance and orientation to the honest searcher of truth at this crucial time.

Four Moments in the Final Events

As I read Ellen White’s statements on the end times, it became clear that four moments are of critical importance. They are Today, the upcoming Time of Trouble, the Close or End of Probation, and the ultimate event of the ages, the Second Coming of Jesus. Let me offer a few comments on each, starting sequentially from the last. 

TODAY → TIME OF TROUBLE → END OF PROBATION → SECOND COMING OF JESUS

The Second Coming of Jesus is the supreme hope for humans born and enslaved by sin on planet earth. It represents the fulfilment of the promise of Jesus to be with His people for eternity.[7] The Time of Probation is a term used to identify the period in which the evil one persecutes and hurts the children of God. Its ending marks the conclusion of the pre-advent judgment, which indicates the conclusion of the intercessory work of Jesus in heaven.[8]

The Time of Trouble is a period that extends from the moment the evil one incites persecution on the people obedient to the commandments of God until the Second Coming of Jesus takes place. It is identified in three different forms and purposes: 1) the Early Time of Trouble, (also called the “Little” Time of Trouble); 2) the Main Time of Trouble (also called the “Great” Time of Trouble); and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. Finally, Today identifies the present moment in which we are living. To the keen searcher of truth, this present moment could be the most critical decision time for us. Only the Father knows when He will allow the Early Time of Trouble to develop, and when these final events will begin to take place.

Other manifestations and events showing divine intervention mentioned by Dr Fernando Chaij as part of the end times include the reform movement within the Church;[9] the shaking;[10] the Sunday Law;[11] the latter rain of the Holy Spirit;[12] the sealing of the saints;[13] and the loud cry.[14] As the last message preached to a perishing world is sounded, the righteous will leave the large cities,[15] the four angels will release the four winds,[16] the righteous will leave the small towns as the death decree is given,[17] and will find places of refuge before probation ends for those who have not repented. [18] The falling of the seven last plagues[19] will take place at the end of probation,[20] after the investigative judgment has ended,[21] and before the second coming of Jesus.[22] Understanding the time of trouble in detail helps us understand much about the end of mission and church finances. 

Understanding the Time of Trouble 

The time of trouble is identified in three different moments or forms representing three different purposes: 1) the Early Time of Trouble (also called the “Little” Time of Trouble); 2) the Main Time of Trouble (also called the “Great” Time of Trouble); and 3) the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. Let us look at each of them and their implications. 

The Early Time of Trouble is a period in which the people of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, begin to proclaim the message of salvation to the world, and in particular the Sabbath.[23] During this period the nations will be held in check to allow the proclamation of the Third Angel’s Message to go forward.[24] At the commencement of the Early Time of Trouble, the faithful believers will be filled with the Holy Spirit just before the plagues are poured out while Christ is in the heavenly sanctuary.[25] During this time the people of God will be attacked by pen and voice and subject to ridicule, threats, haughtiness, and arrogance. [26] Organized Church structures will operate intensively, but with difficulties and limitations. Many believers will decide to sell their properties to donate the proceeds to the Church and giving will increase as the Sabbath question agitates the whole world. The United States will declare Sunday as Sabbath, and its observance will involve imposing imprisonment, torture, and death on dissidents who refuse to comply. Religious liberty in the United States will come to an end,[27] and other countries will institute laws to restrict religious liberty as well.[28]

The purpose of the Early Time of Trouble is to allow Satan to reveal his character as a liar, accuser, and murderer.[29]The Lord will begin to purify the church,[30] and God will intervene when the defiance to His Law is universal.[31]Many believers will be guided by the Holy Spirit to sell their properties and bring the funds to the church in the last major funding for mission.[32] This will become the greatest giving ever witnessed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit will begin to fall. The organizational structure of the Church may still operate and be active in processing funds, but ISEs (International Service Employees)[33] may need to be recalled. Other personnel considered non-essential—and perhaps even those considered essential—may be released in recognition of the imminence of the moment. The structure of the Church and its local congregations will operate with limitations.

The Main Time of Trouble is identifiable by the progressive worsening of opposition and persecution of believers. Because business transactions will be severely limited, the Church will not be able to sell property at any price unless some mark or clear identification aligns it with the opposing evil power. While this is happening, the angels of God will be bidden to let go the winds of strife,[34] and every earthly support will be cut off to the obedient children of God.[35]Some will be imprisoned, and many will flee[36] as the restraining work of the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from all who are disobedient to God.[37] The people who claim fidelity to the true God will be treated as traitors and enemies of law and order.[38] It is during this time, as persecution intensifies and events move closer to the end of probation—and concurrently to the end of the pre-advent judgment in heaven—that God will make His final effort to save the lost. 

It is during this time of tribulation that the fulfilment of Matthew 24:14 will reach its climax. The Holy Spirit will seal the righteous, the loud cry will take place, and the last call to those still in Babylon will occur. At this time, many will be searching with great haste and desperation for the righteous that they might teach them the truth they had not known or understood before.[39] As the intensity of persecution varies geographically, people will be either looking for the truth or abandoning the truth and light they have received.[40] Congregations, church structural levels, and institutions will be of no help to the obedient. Properties will be left abandoned, church bank accounts will be closed, remaining assets will be abandoned and stewardship, finances, administration, governance, and leadership in the Church will be officially ended as the Lord of Mission remains totally in charge of the concluding scenes of the work, and of His faithful remnant.

When the Third Angel’s Message closes, mercy will no longer plead for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God will have accomplished their work. They will have received the latter rain that prepared them for the trying hour before them, and as Jesus ceases His intercession in the heavenly sanctuary, the world will have rejected His mercy and the wicked will pass the boundary of their probation.[41] Satan will assume complete control of the impenitent.[42]It is at this juncture that mission and giving cease. There is no more world to save, and there is no more giving needed. As in the sacrificial offering system of Israel where the animal sacrificed as a burnt offering became incinerated completely, the individual who is a part of the people of God at this point will have given everything to Him. They will have nothing left. The believer will now live entirely under the care of the Omnipotent.[43]

The Time of Jacob’s Trouble will begin after the pre-Advent judgment in heaven has finished, and as the angels of God completely release the fierce winds of human passion. The death decree will then be issued, and people will be authorized, after a certain time, to kill the obedient children of God. The sign to the children of God that this critical period has begun will be the outpouring of the seven last plagues on the earth.[44] These plagues will enrage the wicked against the righteous. The saints will have been sealed for salvation by the Holy Spirit, as men and women feverishly seek their death for causing the widespread pain and suffering brought about by the plagues. This is the context of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble when the saints will cry out in anguish to God—not in fear for their lives, but with a deep desire to be right with God and cleansed of all sin and attachment to the world.[45]

While the Holy Spirit will remove His influence from human beings who have rejected God’s invitation, He will remain close to the faithful believers, guiding them into a unique experience prior to the Second Coming of Jesus. This will mirror His closeness to Jacob before meeting his brother Esau again (Gen. 32). It will be a time of self-examination and soul searching like none before, that will culminate in the return of Jesus, but not before this soul-searching guides the faithful to an even deeper desire to stay away from sin, sinful ways, and any association with the wiles of the evil one. The believers will long for nothing else but the Second Coming of their beloved Savior and Lord! 

The End of Probation, the end of Judgment in Heaven, and the Holy Spirit 

The moment that probation ends—when salvation is no longer available to non-believers—and Jesus completes His intercessory work for humanity in the heavenly sanctuary, is when the judgment in heaven will cease.[46]

During the Early and Main Times of Trouble, the enemy will unfold his last attempts to disrupt the efforts of God and His messengers to reach a dying world, but all such evil-doing will end with the conclusion of the judgment in heaven.[47] This will be the end of the salvific work of the Holy Spirit for the impenitent world, and the Holy Spirit will concentrate His efforts in the protection and the preparation of the saved for the return of Jesus. The activities of buying and selling, financial transactions, church governance, administration, leadership, institutional life, and even personal financial transactions and property ownership, will have ended sometime during the Main Time of Trouble. By this time, the structure of the Church and its institutions will be inoperable or disbanded. Our properties, both denominational and personal will be taken from us, our institutions will no longer be under our care, and the people of God will be in hiding. Access to earthly possessions will end, and we will all depend on the intervention of the Lord and His powerful angels to protect us against the attacks of the Adversary. The Time of Jacob’s Trouble will begin at the end of the Judgment as the Holy Spirit no longer invites sinners to repentance,[48] and the Holy Spirit will concentrate His efforts in the affirmation, protection, and guidance of the people of God. Death will not come to any of them because there will no longer be a need for more martyrs to offer their lives in sacrifice. Grace will no longer be available to save the unsaved. It will be a time when grace no longer encircles the earth as it did before.[49] Evil will run rampant on the earth, but the children of God will remain firmly under the care of the Omnipotent.

During the very final events of earth’s history, the Holy Spirit will remain close to God’s people. As they persevere through the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, they will have the opportunity to hear the “voice of God declare the day and hour of Jesus’ coming,”[50] and they will remain guided, motivated, obedient, and affirmed. 

The tribulation will bring moments of challenge, uncertainty, and financial limitation[51] to the faithful followers of Christ, but their hearts will be at peace. The diligent perseverance of the faithful—treasuring the truths of the word of God,[52] confessing their sins, and prayerfully surrendering themselves to the God of all grace—will have a settling, affirming effect on them.[53]

Figure 1 above shows the issues involved in the Four Moments in the Final Events discussed in this article and their potential impact on mission operations. These represent the opinion of the author and are not intended to be a prediction. We must remember that “The program of coming events is in the hands of our Maker.”^[53]  

Conclusion

The purpose of this limited review of the final events of earth’s history is to provide a perspective on the end of individual stewardship, church finances, administration, governance, and leadership. The closing of these functions also means the conclusion of mission, and the end of the operation and the finances of the Church as the dynamic of both are linked. In the final phases of the mission of the Church, it will be made evident who the Lord of Mission is. The role of the Church, as well as the role of the individual member, will be determined by the Holy Spirit. Angelic forces will guide and protect the righteous. Michael the Prince, the Holy Spirit, and an army of angels will protect the faithful under the fullness of persecution and danger of Armageddon. The end of mission will be nothing short of miraculous. God will show the opposing forces of the enemy that He is the God above all gods, just as He did when He liberated His people from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12:31,32), and when He proved He is the living God during Elijah’s confrontation with false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-40). 

Through miraculous interventions, the Lord will join His servants, and money will not be a deciding factor in accomplishing His mission. There will be enough resources for the mission to be completed, despite the limitations imposed on the faithful. Funds will be received in the amounts needed. Doors will be opened, miracles will occur, and the mission will be accomplished, even under the most difficult of circumstances. The needs of the saints will be provided supernaturally. The Lord will empower and guide His people to accomplish every one of His purposes, and His mission will be completed by faithful servants who are fully guided, totally empowered by the Holy Spirit, and fully protected by powerful heavenly angels. 

Finally, the trumpet will sound, and the crowning event of the ages will take place. The Lord Jesus will appear in the clouds in all His glory and seeing His face will make all troubles pale. The living will be given immortality, the dead will be resurrected with sinless bodies.^[55] God will have accomplished His purpose, and the grand objective of giving and mission will have been fulfilled.

__________________

Juan R. Prestol-Puesán, PhD, is an ordained minister who served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 49.77 years. He recently retired after serving as Chief Financial Officer for the world church. 

[1] White, Ellen G. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 120, 121. Pacific Press Publishing Association, Nampa, Idaho.

[2] Chaij, Fernando. Preparation for the Final Crisis, p.16. Pacific Press Publishing Association, Nampa, Idaho. 1966; Moore, Marvin. The 144,000 and the Nearness of Christ’s Return. Pacific Press Publishing Association, Nampa, Idaho. 2020.

[3] Romans 13:11, 12a. NKJV.

[4] 2020 Annual Statistical Report, Volume 2. Report of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 2019 Statistics, Page 9; Table 7. Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, David Trim, Director. 

[5] White, Ellen G. Ministry of Healing, p. 281.5.

[6] 2 Cor. 8:1-5; White, Ellen G. Counsels on Stewardship, p. 40.

[7] John 14:1-3. NKJV.

[8] Daniel 12:1; Revelation 22:11.

[9] Chaij wrote about the need for a Reform Movement as “church members must be awakened by a voice of alarm; they must seek a profound and genuine conversion—one of all the heart.” Preparation for the Final Crisis, p. 27. He quoted Joel 2:1,2, 12-17. E.G. White expresses the need for reform in Selected Messages, vol.1, p.121; Testimonies, vol. 7, 285; Testimonies. 1, p. 469; Messages to Young People, p. 317; Christian Service, p. 42; Testimony Treasures, vol. 3, p.441; Great Controversy, p.464, among other quotations. 

[10] On the Shaking, E.G. White wrote, “Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church.” Testimonies, vol. 4, p.89. She further affirmed, “In the absence of the persecution there have drifted into our ranks men who appear sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us.” Evangelism, p. 360. 

[11] On the Sunday Laws the reader is encouraged to read Ellen G. White, “Last Day Events” pp. 123-142, Also, see Moore, The 144,000 and the Nearness of Christ Return, pp. 108-115, and V. Norskov Olsen, “Papal Supremacy and American Democracy”. Loma Linda University Press, 1987.

[12] On the Latter Rain, Chaij writes “To hasten the completion of the gospel commission, God desires to pour out on His people the latter rain of the Holy Spirit…This outpouring of divine power will enable the people of God today to complete the unfinished work and to reach every nation, tribe, tongue, and people with the last evangelic message.” Chaij, Preparation for the Final Crisis, p. 17. Also, see Moore, The 144,000 and the Nearness of Christ Return, pp. 108-115.

[13] The Sealing of the Saints is referred to in 2 Corinthians 1:22,23, Ephesians 1:13; 4:30, 1 Peter 5:10, and Revelation 7:1-4. Fernando Chaij describes The Sealing in the second chapter of his book as “a spiritual process invisible to human eyes, [that] is now under way and will be finished soon, at the close of probation.” Preparation for the Final Crisis, p. 49. Marvin Moore writes “The forehead is a symbol of the mind, which means that the Holy Spirit will do something to the minds of God’s end-time people.” The 144,000 and the Nearness of Christ’s Return, p.43. E.G. White describes the sealing in Early Writings, p.279; Testimonies to the Church, v.5, pp. 451, 452, 475, 476; Testimonies to Ministers, p. 444-446; Patriarchs and Prophets, p.307; Testimonies to the Church, v.8, p.117.

[14] The Loud Cry is the completion of the preaching of the eternal gospel of salvation to the world. Chaij affirms “The Bible gives us unqualified promises regarding the completion of the gospel commission.” He quotes Romans 9:28, Matthew 24:14, and Revelation 10:7. Preparation for the Final Crisis, p.75.

[15] During the time of trouble, the saints leave the large cities due to the intensification of persecution. White. Last Day Events, p.121.

[16] The release of winds by the Four Angels as the judgment comes to an end, grace is no longer available to unrepentant sinners. White. Education, pp.179-180; Early Writings, p. p. 36-38.

[17] As the time of trouble reaches a climax, the saint’s Leaving the small towns occurs as the intensity of the persecution increases. White. Testimonies, volume 5, 464,465; Great Controversy, pp 626, 627; Early Writings 282. 

[18] The death decree is an ultimate effort of the enemy to destroy the remnant of God. Dr. Chaij wrote, “Within the great time of trouble there is included a lesser time called “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” Jeremiah 30:7. It extends from the time of the death decree –and this after the plagues have already started to fall-to the liberation.” Preparation for the Final Crisis p.127, 132-141. See Early Writings 36, 37, 282, 283; Great Controversy 604, 631; Prophets and Kings 512. 

[19] The seven last plagues of Revelation 16 will be released on the earth after the conclusion of the judgement in heaven. See White, Last Day Events pp. 238-270; Great Controversy pp. 327, 629.

[20] End of probation means the end of grace for the inhabitants of the earth. See White. Last Day Events, pp. 227-237; Great Controversy, pp. 428, 429, 662.

[21] End of the investigative judgment in heaven marks a critical moment within the time of trouble. The conclusion of the judgement (Daniel 7:25) is marked by the time of anguish and tribulation that comes on the earth (Daniel 12:1). White. Great Controversy, pp. 352,353, 422-429, 436, 479-491, 615, 618.

[22] The Second Coming of Jesus is the supreme hope of the saints. Matthew 24:29-31; John 19:37; Revelation 1:7.

[23] White. Ellen G. Last Day Events, p. 143. 

[24] Ibid, p.45, 46. White. Ellen G. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, page 19.

[25] White. Ellen G. Early Writings, p. 33.

[26] White. Ellen G. Last Day Events, p 45, 46.

[27] White. Evangelism, 236.

[28] White. MS78, 1876.

[29] White. Events. P. 153. Counsels on Stewardship, p. 59,60. Selected Messages 3, p.414. 

[30] White. Testimonies for the Church 9, p.228.

[31] White. RH 6/15/1897. Events p.153. 

[32] White, Counsels on Stewardship, pp. 59, 60.

[33] ISE stands for International Service Employees. Refer to the GC Working Policy.

[34] White. Testimonies for the Church 5, p. 152.

[35] White. Desire of Ages, p 121.

[36] White. Selected Messages 3, p.397.

[37] White. Great Controversy, p. 608.

[38] White. Testimonies for the Church 6, p.394; Great Controversy, p. 592.

[39] Isaiah 4:1; Zechariah 8:23.

[40] White. Prophets and Kings, p.188,189; Selected Messages 2, p.16; Early Writings, p.279. 

[41] Genesis 6:3-7

[42] White. Maranatha, p.265; Great Controversy, p. 613, 614. 

[43] Psalm 91:1-16.

[44] Revelation 16:1-21.

[45] White. Early Writings, p. 36, 37.

[46] Daniel 12:1; Revelation 22:11.

[47] Moore explains probation “as a period during which people have opportunities to accept Christ, and the close of probation refers to the time when those opportunities have ended because Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary will have closed.” Moore, Marvin. The 144,000 and the Nearness of Christ’s Return, p. 219.

[48] Genesis 6:3.

[49] “In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe.” White. Steps to Christ, p.68. 

[50] White, Ellen G.. The Great Controversy, p. 640.

[51] Revelation 13:16,17.

[52] Hebrews 4:14-16.

[53] Daniel 12:1; 1 Peter 5:5-11.

[54] White, Ellen G. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 120, 121. Pacific Press Publishing Association, Nampa, Idaho.

[55] 1 Co 15:50-55.