The shaking is something that both Paul the Apostle and Ellen White wrote about. It’s a very deep subject I’m sure, but one of the more pertinent aspects of the Shaking is that we want to be on the right side of “The Shaking.” You see there are those who will be shaken out and those which cannot be shaken. We don’t want to be shaken out, but we want to be among those which cannot be shaken but remain.
Hebrews 12 :27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
To the subject of “The Shaking” Ellen White also wrote some very critical aspects. She is obviously talking about the 144,000, but in dictating this prophetic sequence of events there are golden nuggets of instruction. Let’s take a look at what she says so we can see what these golden nuggets are.
I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them. {CET 175.1}
This first paragraph points out some very significant characteristics of these people who Ellen White describes as facing “The Saking,” so let’s list them out here:
- They had a strong faith.
- They were pleading to God with agonizing cries. (They were praying)
- Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle.
- Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances;
- Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation
These things obviously reveal a great struggle and spiritual battle which is ensuing among those who want to remain in the body of Christ and not be shaken out. Their weapon of warfare was prayer. Another most significant thing this statement points out is that these people have great earnestness and firmness in their determination. Last, and certainly not least, it literally says they had a strong faith. As we see the day approaching, if we are not already engaged in this behavior of earnest determination or fail to employ this behavior to our spiritual life soon, then we will surely be shaken out.
So these are a list of things that will be prerequisite to those who desire and expect to remain and not be shaken out of the body of Christ.They must have a strong faith and they must plead and agonize with God in firmness and earnestness of determination, but for what? Well, for that which cannot be shaken. So what cannot be shaken?
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
God’s Word cannot be shaken. The truth cannot be shaken. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. God’s Word is the expression of who God is. Those who cannot be shaken are those who have God’s word so deeply ingrained in their life that they perfectly reproduce the character of Jesus Christ. Those who put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness cannot be shaken. Some may say that they don’t aspire to become one of the 144,000 and so they don’t need to be concerned about this, but the Bible says the contrary.
1st John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Note the words “even as he is pure at the end of 1st John 3 verse 3. The “he” spoken of here is referring to Jesus Christ. So we must purify ourselves even as Jesus is pure. In other words we must become just as pure as Jesus is. For the Christian nothing short of purification and perfection is acceptable. So even though many may feel there isn’t any possibility they can be one of the 144.000, it must still be their goal to perfectly reproduce the character of Jesus Christ and they must struggle, strive and plead for it with earnestness and firmness of determination and faith.
Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God, and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward. Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness. {CET 175.2}
This is reminiscent of the vision Ellen White had of the Advent people walking on a narrow path cast up high above the world on page 14 of Early Writings. She said, ” If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe.” Their only safety was in keeping thier eyed directed upward and keeping Jesus in their view.
It is common knowledge that the term “straight and narrow” is referring to a life without sin, and it’s derived from the very words of Jesus, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” {Matthew 7:14} Therefore we can conclude that when this group is striving and pleading for that which cannot be shaken, they are struggling to live a sinless life.
The one overarching character trait of Christ is His love. He expressed that love to His Father through obedience to His Father’s commandments. He expressed His love for mankind by obeying His Father’s will and commandments even to the death of the cross. Now in order for us to perfectly reproduce the character of Christ, we must obey the Father’s commandments and take up our cross and follow Jesus.
1st John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
We know that sin is the transgression of the law. In order to perfectly reproduce the character of Christ, then we must keep the commandments. So if we keep the commandments, then we will not be transgressing the law and therefore we would not be sinning. So we know that this struggle we must face is the battle to purge all sin from our lives.
As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts, and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these, and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them. {CET 175.3}
I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people. {CET 176.1}
I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it, and be purified. {CET 176.2}
Said the angel, “List ye!” Soon I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy. {CET 176.3}
The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them. {CET 177.1}
I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.” {CET 177.2}
Great power was with these chosen ones. Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers. They were all astir. The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them. Confusion, confusion, was on every side. I saw measures taken against the company who had the light and power of God. Darkness thickened around them, yet they stood firm, approved of God, and trusting in Him. I saw them perplexed; next I heard them crying unto God earnestly. Day and night their cry ceased not: “Thy will, O God, be done! If it can glorify Thy name, make a way of escape for Thy people! Deliver us from the heathen around about us. They have appointed us unto death; but Thine arm can bring salvation.” These are all the words which I can bring to mind. All seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness, and manifested entire submission to the will of God; yet like Jacob, every one, without an exception, was earnestly pleading and wrestling for deliverance. {CET 177.3}
Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said: “The will of God is not yet fulfilled. They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism.” {CET 178.1}
Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down on every side. I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical, and clear. I looked upon the company who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. A glorious light shone upon them. How beautiful they then looked! All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance. Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead men; they could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory. And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, “Victory over death and the grave;” and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord in the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue. {CET 178.2}