About to Fall
At some point the precious wheat begins to cleave together in heart. The distinction and even the tension between them and the chaff or the sinners in Zion becomes more obvious. It becomes harder to discuss things “across the aisle” as it were. It becomes obvious that the chasm between the two almost reflect what they see happening in the wider culture around us. Some of the same social and political issues divide them.
The fellowship of the precious wheat, with the message and the mission however, strengthens as the Holy Spirit binds them together across the earth. Other kernels of precious wheat from outside their fellowship join them periodically as their own frameworks in the world begin to show weakness. Even some in the church up and down the framework, from their offices, who have blindly trusted in the framework begin, like Nicodemus, to realize the vanity of their position and they too, join the fellowship of the precious wheat. Those sinners in Zion who are trusting wholly in the framework to save them notice that the precious wheat are clinging less and less to the framework but not totally separating. The chaff doesn’t like the appearance of that. In some places the precious wheat seems to them to be self-supporting, almost suspended without the framework. This frustrates the chaff because they see resources diverted away from the programs promoted from the offices on the framework. The precious wheat however don’t give up hope, because they have respect for the framework and there might still be some on the framework who will see their peril. The precious wheat realize the benefits that the framework has been over the decades, assisting them to spread the message globally. They support the concept of the framework to the very last, hoping against hope even though they can’t support some of those sinners in Zion sitting there in their offices. They hope to see the framework remodeled, repaired, or re-structured.
But in contrast to the faithful, those sinners in Zion trusting wholly in the framework, out of fear of losing control, use their assumed authority and begin, like the Pharisees, to lash out and cancel those most outspoken from among the precious wheat. The chaff becomes emboldened by their position on the framework. These framework devotees urge that we show loyalty to the framework. What they really mean is that they, like the Scribes and Pharisees in the time of Jesus, want the precious wheat to be devoted to the chaff who are in those offices on the framework, regardless of their connection with the Word. But the precious wheat realizes that they have no obligation to be devoted to people who have little connection to the Word. PUC all over again. The framework devotees keep focusing on preserving the framework. They are worried about where tithe is going. They keep printing their Reviews and Liberties, Recorders and Quarterlies. They press for more programs to keep people loyal to the framework. “The framework, the framework” they cry. “We must respect the framework.” But alas, to no avail, all their efforts are in vain.
Meanwhile in Babylon a “false revival” has been taking place. Because the planet is in such turmoil, laws begin to be enacted by the religionists of the world to counteract the rampant spread of immorality. Religious people all around the world join hands across the earth to make it a worldwide concerted effort. The connections that the chaff and the sinners in Zion have made from their offices on the framework, to join in these social reforms begin to become a snare to them. A Sunday law is enacted to bring the world together and save the planet. The precious wheat now begin to see the Three Angel’s Messages go forth with a power that it’s never before possessed. “Come out of Babylon,” they cry. Among those who have been caught up in the false (maybe Charlie Kirk?) revival are people who themselves are precious wheat. Many of them even remember that Charlie Kirk was committed to the seventh-day Sabbath. They study and begin to come out of Babylon in droves. They join the precious wheat who are sharing with them the Three Angel’s messages. They see the weakness of Babylon contrasted with the beautiful Bible message of the coming of Jesus and His kingdom.
“The framework, the framework” they cry. “We must respect the framework.” But alas, to no avail, all their efforts are in vain.”
At this point among the precious wheat there is no thought of getting these new convert’s names on the books of an organized framework. They silently go underground. There’s no explanation about how their tithes go this way and that way to support hospitals or schools or missions or publications or the salaries of those working from their offices on the framework. All the work throughout the world among the precious wheat becomes localized. The framework has done it’s job and is fading from the minds of the precious wheat.
They are making the final adjustments to a new paradigm. All their resources, as meager as they might be, are now used locally for the work. Now, giving even less attention to the framework and holding even more lightly to it, the precious wheat are focused fully on the message and the mission in their local areas. The honest in heart in the world, disillusioned with their own worldly frameworks which are crumbling, see this growing body of precious wheat as glorious. They hear the clear and beautiful message of the three angels. This ever-expanding body of precious wheat is on their mission. At the risk of their own lives, they are faithfully giving the message to every corner of the world to come out of Babylon. The glory of the Lord is shines from their faces. They are terrible as an army with banners. The seekers, who are themselves precious wheat, come out of Babylon to the glory of Jesus shining on the faces of those who follow the Bible and the testimony of Jesus. They themselves, as eleventh hour workers, with glory on their own faces, take up the banners that have been laid down by the departing sinners in Zion, and join in the mission and the message of the Bible. They are joining a movement, not an organization. Jesus is coming! Come out of Babylon! These precious wheat converts take the place of the chaff who have gradually separated themselves from Jesus, the Word.
Babylon in a rage strikes back. Some on the framework become the worst enemies of the precious wheat. Many among the precious wheat are martyred. Many are sealed. The work is closing up. A death decree is announced against the precious wheat. The church goes further underground.
At this point the Lord Jesus, Michael, arises from His throne in the Sanctuary to shake terribly the earth. He removes His priestly garments and puts on His garments of war. He will save His people from the wrath of Babylon. Everything that can be shaken is shaken. Worldly institutions collapse. Everything that Babylon has touched begins to come down. The framework devotees begin to fearfully realize the mistakes they have made and the damage they have done to souls. But, it is now too late for them.
Finally with one loud thundering boom the framework cracks and begins slowly to collapse. The money is gone. No one listens to the chaff anymore or reads their publications. The precious wheat, who have been slowly letting go of the framework, sadly watch as it collapses, carrying the chaff and the sinners in Zion down with it. It’s a terrible ordeal. The precious wheat watch as some who have been their friends disappear into the billowing dust. But the hearts of the sinners in Zion have been trending this way all along. For a moment fearing for their own lives, the precious wheat suddenly realize they are being supported and upheld only by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are clinging, as it were, to that green cord. They have no earthly support. The foundations are gone. All across the surface of the earth there is a great network of precious wheat faithful to the Word and the testimonies. They realize this network has a framework of its own held together, not with rusty bolts, rivets, or welds of human devising but with the bond of the unity of faith, hope and love through the Holy Spirit. They wonder why they couldn’t have had this earlier.
Suddenly they look up through the darkness and they see the sign of the Son of Man, that little cloud about the size of a man’s hand. It grows closer and closer. The loud piercing voice of Michael is heard. Graves are opened and the living precious wheat are glorified, the church is caught up to heaven. The framework, the organization with all its offices has disappeared into the dustbin of history. It is gone along with those who clung so tightly to it, trusting in it for their security. The precious wheat is now safe in the heavenly garner.
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Pastor Owen Bandy
After retirement, my wife and I moved back to that little community in north east California where I became an Adventist. We came to do missionary work. There are two little churches in this county and the Conference here has pulled me out of retirement part time to watch over them. Yes, I’m on the framework but I’m learning to hold on lightly. There is precious wheat in this county, inside and outside the Adventist faith. We’re giving whatever is left of our lives to help prepare all that we can for the coming of Jesus. If you are precious wheat and are looking for country living, come join us.