What is The Straight Testimony?

In the process of studying end time events in the writings of Ellen G. White, the phrase "the straight testimony" comes to one's attention.

Following is probably one of most commonly read quotations that uses the term "the straight testimony:"

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. {EW 270.2}

The word Straight can be defined as being: candid, honest, undiluted, accurate, to the point, direct. Testimony means evidence, witnesses, statement, authentication, proof, divine decree, solemn declaration. In context of the above quotation, the straight testimony then, is a direct divine decree. It is accurate, and it comes with the authority of heaven standing behind it. And it is extremely important because we are told that it is "the solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs."{CCh 338.5}

It is significant to note that the giving of the straight testimony causes the shaking! We understand the shaking to be a separating experience in God's church as we near the end. We are told that many will be shaken out, while many others will come in during the outpouring of the latter rain, and the loud cry.

The light given me has been very forcible that many would go out from us, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. {2SM 392.2}

The shaking, or sifting, is a time of purification of the church. God will purge the church of those who are not truly converted.

But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place, we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that his fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor. There are few really consecrated men among us; few who have fought and conquered in the battle with self. {PH117 62.2}

It is indeed a sobering fact to realize that the majority of church members are not ready for this crises:

In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved. {1T 608.3}

The possibility of being shaken out of God's church right at the very end should be a terrifying thought. It is a tragedy to be avoided at all costs! We must make certain that we are not shaken out!

We are coming to a crisis, and I am in terror for our souls. Why is it that we find men leaving the faith? Are we in a position where we shall know what we believe, and shall not be shaken out? {YRP 129.4}

In order not to be shaken out, we need to make sure we do not rise up against the straight testimony. Rising up against this straight testimony is equivalent to being eternally lost! All church members should be asking themselves - how can I make sure I won't rise up against the straight testimony!

The straight testimony must be revived, and it will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God's people should come nearer to Him and wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Then will they see sin in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of God. {3T 324.1}

What exactly is the straight testimony? The straight testimony is also called the Laodicean message, or the counsel of the True Witness. It is summarized in Revelation 3:14-18. It is a message from God for His people especially in these last days.

The message to the Laodicean Church is appropriate to the church at this time: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent." There are many who are priding themselves upon their spiritual riches, their knowledge of the truth, and are living in guilty self-deception. When the members of the church humble themselves before God by zealous, not half-hearted, lifeless action, the Lord will receive them. But he declares, "I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." How long shall this warning be resisted? How long shall it be slighted? {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 14}

The True Witness says, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot." And again, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent." Then comes the promise, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." "To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." {RH, September 16, 1873 par. 23}

The revival of the straight testimony will remove everything that hinders our connection with Jesus.

There must be a revival of the strait testimony. The path to Heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed, if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom, and to receive the kingdom of Heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained? {PH001 6.3}

The straight testimony, or the plain testimony, also refers to the testimonies given by God to this church through the writings of Ellen G. White.

Those who permit themselves to rise in opposition to the plain testimony, become self-deceived, and have really thought that those upon whom God laid the burden of His work were exalted above the people of God, and that their counsels and reproofs were uncalled for. They have risen in opposition to the plain testimony which God would have them bear in rebuking the wrongs among God's people. {CD 428.2}

Several times she refers to the message God gave her to bear as the straight testimony.

I have no desire to hurt the soul of any one, but I must bear the straight testimony given me. {LLM 43.7}

I am now charged to write out the straight testimony which was given to me Monday night. I am to withhold none of it. {LLM 164.5}

But some of those who know of my experience, and who have had all the evidence that the Lord will ever give them, evade the truth when the straight testimony comes to rebuke some of their plans. {13MR 122.1}

This company who bound themselves together by cords of unsanctified sympathy would not receive reproof and counsel. The straight testimony was irksome to them. {PH159 179.1}

I have been instructed to give a message of warning to our churches in Oakland and Berkeley. Many who love self-indulgence and who murmur at the straight testimony of the Laodicean message, are ignorant of how sinful their actions really are;{18MR 232.1}

What is it about this message that would cause many to resist it?

While these evils remain untouched everything passes along smoothly, but when the straight testimony comes and reproof and rebuke are given, there is a rising up against the straight testimony. It does not agree with the carnal mind, their carnal security is disturbed, they resist the work of God, and some will fall off. {15MR 330.1}

We can see that those who are not fully converted, those who are not willing to subdue the carnal mind, will resist the straight testimony and rise up against it.

Only those who are willing to habitually abide in Christ, and are continually surrendering their wills to God, will be receptive to the straight testimony.

Jesus must abide in the heart; and where He is, the carnal desires will be subdued and be kept in subjection by the operation of the Spirit of God. {ST, June 6, 1892 par. 5}

The straight testimony is specifically designed to disturb our carnal security.

God's plan is not to send messengers who will please and flatter sinners, He delivers no messages of peace to lull the unsanctified into carnal security. But He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrong-doer, and pierces his soul with sharp arrows of conviction. {ST, February 12, 1880 par. 25}

Thank God that He cares enough about us to alert us to our need! The straight testimony is a loving gift from Jesus, because He wants to prepare us to live with Him forever! His rebuke is evidence of His love! Praise God for His startling denunciation!

The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time. {3T 252.1}

This message is not designed to discourage us. Oh no!

God reproves men because He loves them. {1SM 48.1}

He reproves, He rebukes, He chastens; but it is only that He may restore and approve at last. {TM 22.2}

The Lord is merciful. He does not chastise His people because He hates them, but because He hates the sins they are committing. He must chastise them, that they may return to their loyalty. If the warnings and reproofs given in the Word of God and in the testimonies of His Spirit are not plain enough, what words would be sufficiently plain to bring about a revival and a reformation? {UL 240.7}

Because of His great love for us, Jesus is longing to be allowed to have complete access to our hearts.

He is knocking, knocking at your heart. Open the door and let Him in. Empty the heart of all selfishness, by living right, eating right, thinking right. Enthrone the Saviour in the heart. With His long human arm He encircles the race, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. I am hungry for the Spirit of God. Are you, brethren? My soul longs for it. May the Lord help us to take steps heavenward.--Ms 29, 1901

The straight testimony comes straight from the heart of Jesus, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, bringing hope and comfort, so that we may be completely purified of all sin.

The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly treasure. "Buy of me gold . . . that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb (RH July 24, 1888). {7BC 965.3}

When we come to understand the rich treasure God has given us as a people, we will value the Spirit of Prophecy as great wealth.

A wealth of moral influence has been brought to us in the last half century. Through His Holy Spirit the voice of God has come to us continually in warning and instruction, to confirm the faith of the believers in the Spirit of prophecy. Repeatedly the word has come, Write the things that I have given you to confirm the faith of My people in the position they have taken. {1SM 41.1}

The closer we get to the end of time, the more urgent this message becomes.

If ever there was a people that needed to heed the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodicean church to be zealous and to repent before God, it is the people who have had opened up before them the stupendous truths for this time, and who have not lived up to their high privileges and responsibilities. We have lost much in not living up to the light of the solemn truths which we profess to believe. {RH, June 4, 1889 par. 9}

Jesus calls for this message to be given with power as we near the end.

The Laodicean message must be given with earnestness and power, as a message from heaven. {SpTB02 20.1}

Praise God for the Straight Testimony!

Go to Reaping the Whirlwind