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Drums, Dancing and Noise, August 14
Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:40
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The things you have described ... the Lord has shown me would take
place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demon-
strated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses
of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to
make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam
of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for
making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying
truth for this time.... A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts
that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of Satanic
agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed
the Holy Spirit’s working.... Those participating in the supposed revival
receive impressions which lead them adrift. They cannot tell what they
formerly knew regarding Bible principles.
No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. The same
kind of influence came in after the passing of the time in 1844. The same
kind of representations were made. Men became excited, and were worked
by a power thought to be the power of God....
Men and women, supposed to be guided by the Holy Spirit, held meet-
ings in a state of nudity. They talked about holy flesh. They said they were
beyond the power of temptation, and they sang, and shouted, and made
all manner of noisy demonstrations.... Satan was moulding the work, and
sensuality was the result. The cause of God was dishonored. Truth, sacred
truth, was leveled in the dust by human agencies....
I bore my testimony, declaring that these fanatical movements, this din
and noise, were inspired by the spirit of Satan, who was working miracles
to deceive if possible the very elect.
We need to be on our guard, to maintain a close connection with Christ,
that we be not deceived by Satan’s devices. The Lord desires to have in His
service order and discipline, not excitement and confusion.
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