The Crisis

It was in 1913 that Sister White wrote "Words of Greeting" to those assembled at the General Conference. Apparently it was her final solemn appeal for a much needed reformation before her passing. But something is very significant, dear student: She linked this coming reformation to a certain "crisis" to come right then. She said:

• "God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. I see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His laborers to come into line." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 514

She obviously saw a crisis looming up right at that time in 1913. As early as 1909 she spoke about it:

• "The time is nearing when the great crisis in the history of the world will have come..." Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 97

And even before this she looked for it to come as described in Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 711:

• "A great crisis awaits the people of God. A crisis awaits the world. The most momentous struggle of all ages is just before us."

Speaking of this coming crisis, she also linked other events with it:

• "Soon God's people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 136
• "Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other." Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 17

Please note that it is not the last great test of the Sunday law that would initiate great tests and trials. The terms are given here in the plural form - "tests and trials". We must conclude that other, smaller tests would lead up to the last great test and that these tests had to do with war and bloodshed.

• "I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land." Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 268

These were the words with which God's servant introduced the World War I.

After Sister White saw war and bloodshed "abroad in the land" and "the inhabitants of the earth in utmost confusion," she continued:

• "My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace." Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 268

It is rather remarkable that following the World War I (1914-1918), there was a short time of peace after the hostilities ceased. For 20 years the nations hoped to achieve unity and peace through the League of Nations. But God's servant predicted another war to follow.

• "Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine." Testimonies, Vol.1, 268

We are also informed concerning the nature of the "tests and trials" and what they would involve:

• "There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle, at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even of life itself, to defend the law of God, which is made void by the laws of men." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 712
• "The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 81