The Shaking and Rebellion of Korah Dathan and Abiram

Camron Schofield

1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry.

The Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. There was a fiery pillar by night and a cloudy pillar by day. All the way their Saviour led them. But it was often that they actually forgot that he was. Murmuring and complaining day in day out. Moses heard nothing but complaints from the ears of the Israelites even though that fiery pillar was right before their eyes. God was with them when things were good but when things got hard, they forgot their Saviour was leading them all the way.

1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. We see the danger of forgetting who our true commander, leader and guide is. We endeavour to lay before us a deep appreciation of this rebellion and to draw a parallel with the prophesied shaking in Gods church in the last days.

Numbers 16:1-2 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took [men]: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

The Story

This introduces us to the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Korah was a cousin of Moses, a Levite and a man of ability and influence. Though he was appointed to the service of the sanctuary, he was not satisfied with his position desiring the priesthood. He was jealous that Aaron’s house was given the priesthood and secretly opposed the authority of Moses and Aaron.

Dathan and Abiram were of the tribe of Reuben. As Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, they claimed that the civil authority belonged to them and they determined to divide the honours of the priesthood with Korah.

The state of feeling among the people favored the designs of Korah. In the bitterness of their disappointment, their former doubts, jealousy, and hatred had returned, and again their complaints were directed against their patient leader. The Israelites were continually losing sight of the fact that they were under divine guidance. They forgot that the Angel of the covenant was their invisible leader, that, veiled by the cloudy pillar, the presence of Christ went before them, and that from Him Moses received all his directions. – {PP 395.3}

They were unwilling to submit to the terrible sentence that they must all die in the wilderness, and hence they were ready to seize upon every pretext for believing that it was not God but Moses who was leading them and who had pronounced their doom. {PP 396.1}

They kept forgetting that their Saviour led them all the way. Because the Israelites had just been sent back into the wilderness, they looked for every excuse to lay blame on Moses. This worked well for Korah, Dathan and Abiram. They themselves were of the seventy who had been in the mount with God. They had seen the form of Christ. These three men were of the seventy elders that had been with God in the mount and beheld His glory and the covering of Christ and ate and drank in His presence.

Jealousy had given rise to envy, and envy to rebellion. They had discussed the question of the right of Moses to so great authority and honor, until they had come to regard him as occupying a very enviable position, which any of them could fill as well as he. And they deceived themselves and one another into thinking that Moses and Aaron had themselves assumed the positions they held. The discontented ones said that these leaders had exalted themselves above the congregation of the Lord, in taking upon them the priesthood and government, but their house was not entitled to distinction above others in Israel; they were no more holy than the people, and it should be enough for them to be on a level with their brethren, who were equally favored with God’s special presence and protection. – {PP 397.2}

They thought, why should Moses be the leader? They could do it just as capable. Besides, we are all the same people.

At first they hinted and expressed doubts, which took so readily with many minds that they ventured still further. And being more and more confirmed in their suspicions by a word from one and another, each expressing what he thought of certain things which had come under his notice, these deluded souls really came to believe that they had a zeal for the Lord in the matter and that they would not be excusable unless they carried out to the full their purpose of making Moses see and feel the preposterous position he occupied toward Israel. A little leaven of distrust and of dissension, envy, and jealousy was leavening the camp of Israel. – {3T 343.3}

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram first commenced their cruel work upon the men to whom God had entrusted sacred responsibilities. They were successful in alienating two hundred and fifty princes who were famous in the congregation, men of renown. {3T 344.1}

Men of Renown

Not weak men, not ignorant men, but enlightened men they gained to their side. Then once they had gained such a formidable band of sympathisers, they worked next upon the people.

Who were these? Not the weak, not the ignorant, not the unenlightened. 14MR 108

The next work of the conspirators was with the people.

He claimed that God had opened the matter to him and laid upon him the burden of changing the government of Israel just before it was too late. 3T 346.1

It’s my duty, I have to.

He stated that the congregation were not at fault; they were righteous; that this great cry about the murmuring of the congregation bringing upon them the wrath of God was all a mistake; and that the people only wanted to have their rights; they wanted individual independence. 3T 346.1

To do things as they saw fit. If it was the wrong way, we will learn but don’t think it’s wrong as we are all right. The next work of the conspirators was with the people.

Korah gained the ears of the people, and next their sympathies, by representing Moses as an overbearing leader. He said that he was too harsh, too exacting, too dictatorial, and that he reproved the people as though they were sinners when they were a holy people, sanctified to the Lord, and the Lord was among them. Korah rehearsed the incidents in their experience in their travels through the wilderness, where they had been brought into strait places, and where many of them had died because of murmuring and disobedience, and with their perverted senses they thought they saw very clearly that all their trouble might have been saved if Moses had pursued a different course. He was too unyielding, too exacting, and they decided that all their disasters in the wilderness were chargeable to him. {3T 345.2}

They accused Moses of being too harsh, too exacting. When trouble came upon them, he should have done things right in the first place.

Korah, the leading spirit, professed great wisdom in discerning the true reason for their trials and afflictions. {3T 345.2}

If he wasn’t so particular, we wouldn’t have a problem. Because he is so particular, he has brought trouble upon us. If he had not been so steady in his convictions, then the going would be much easier. We would be saved all of these problems. There were also those who would not join with Korah and his friends. They would ask the question, why is it then if all you say is true; why is Moses so caring for us and manifesting so great interest in us?

Korah, Dathan and Abiram must assign some reasons before the people why from the first Moses had shown such great interest for the children of Israel. They suggested they had at last found out the object of the apparent interest of Moses. All will perish and he should come into possession of their property. Why is he being so kind to us? So he can abscond with our possessions. This is how they justified Moses kindness to them. His tender watch care over his flock so he could run off with their possessions and money. If Moses wasn’t so particular, we wouldn’t have this problem.

But there were those who would not wholly join with Korah in his views of Moses and tried to speak in his behalf. “Why is it then,” they asked, “that Moses shows such great interest in us?” Korah, Dathan and Abiram must assign some reason for this.

Their selfish minds, which had been debased as Satan’s instruments, suggested that they had at last found out the object of the apparent interest of Moses. He had designed to keep them wandering in the wilderness until they all, or nearly all, should perish and he should come into possession of their property. 3T 346.2

They declared that Moses would keep them wandering in the wilderness until he could abscond with their money and their possessions.

They decided that all their disasters were chargeable to him, and that their exclusion from Canaan was in consequence of the mismanagement of Moses and Aaron; that if Korah would be their leader, and would encourage them by dwelling upon their good deeds, instead of reproving their sins, they would have a very peaceful, prosperous journey; instead of wandering to and fro in the wilderness, they would proceed directly to the Promised Land. PP 397.4

The Israelites decided that all their disasters were chargeable to Moses. Their exclusion into Canaan was Moses. If Korah would be their leader and would encourage them by their good deals, they would have a very peaceful prosperous journey. They would proceed directly to the Promised Land.

Numbers 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, [Ye take] too much upon you, seeing all the congregation [are] holy, every one of them, and the LORD [is] among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? 4 And when Moses heard [it], he fell upon his face: 5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will show who [are] his, and [who is] holy; and will cause [him] to come near unto him: even [him] whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be [that] the man whom the LORD doth choose, he [shall be] holy: [ye take] too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

When Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. What accusations, what completely unfounded allegations. The Spirit of Prophecy declares that he didn’t even know this was happening until this point. That the whole congregation were against him. The very people he had nurtured and cared for. He didn’t justify himself or seek to enter into argument to them. Bring your incense and censors before the Lord and he will clarify. Korah is so self-deceived and so confident that God who has called him is going to declare him as being in his favour, he called all the congregation to come. Come and see me lifted up before the Lord.

You would think that such an instance would be most convincing that these men were not of God. The Israel of today is no different.

Jesus, the Angel who went before the Hebrews, sought to save them from destruction. Forgiveness was lingering for them. The judgment of God had come very near, and appealed to them to repent. A special, irresistible interference from heaven had arrested their rebellion. Now, if they would respond to the interposition of God’s providence, they might be saved. But while they fled from the judgments, through fear of destruction, their rebellion was not cured. They returned to their tents that night terrified, but not repentant. {PP 401.3}

They believed they had been wrong and abused by Moses. Should they admit that Korah and his company were wrong, then they would be compelled to receive the sentence that they must die in the wilderness? They were not will to submit to this. They tried to believe that Moses had deceived them. Moses was too strict, too exacting. They cherished a new order of things that praise would be substituted for reproof and ease for anxiety.

Numbers 16:16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: 17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each [of you] his censer. 18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. 19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 20 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? 23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. 27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for [I have] not [done them] of mine own mind. 29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; [then] the LORD hath not sent me. 30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that [appertain] unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that [was] under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that [appertained] unto Korah, and all [their] goods. 33 They, and all that [appertained] to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34 And all Israel that [were] round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up [also]. 35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39 And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad [plates for] a covering of the altar: 40 [To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

They had been flattered by Korah and his company until they really believed themselves to be very good people, and that they had been wronged and abused by Moses. Should they admit that Korah and his company were wrong, and Moses right, then they would be compelled to receive as the word of God the sentence that they must die in the wilderness. They were not willing to submit to this, and they tried to believe that Moses had deceived them. They had fondly cherished the hope that a new order of things was about to be established, in which praise would be substituted for reproof, and ease for anxiety and conflict. The men who had perished had spoken flattering words and had professed great interest and love for them, and the people concluded that Korah and his companions must have been good men, and that Moses had by some means been the cause of their destruction. {PP 401.4}.

They spent the night terrified but not in repentance.

Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. 42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. 44 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. 47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

How deceived were they? They accused Moses of killing Gods men. How strong was Satan’s delusions and the power to convince themselves that they were right?

Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

Sr White writes that the facts of a rebellion are for us in these last days to investigate very closely. These things we read are for our examples.

The Shaking in the Last Days

We want now to compare this rebellion with the shaking that will take place amongst Gods people in the last days. To understand what took place at the rebellion of Korah, helps us to appreciate what will happen in our time.

Revelation 3:17 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: 18 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 eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The people of God are represented in the message to the Laodiceans as in a position of carnal security. They are at ease, believing themselves to be in an exalted condition of spiritual attainments. “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.” {3T 252.3}

What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct. {3T 252.4}

Isn’t that what Korah said? God is with them, they are a holy people.

Sin prevails among the people of God. The plain message of rebuke to the Laodiceans is not received. Many cling to their doubts and their darling sins while they are in so great a deception as to talk and feel that they are in need of nothing. They think the testimony of the Spirit of God in reproof is uncalled for or that it does not mean them. Many inquire: Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the Testimonies continually charge us with backsliding and with grievous sins? We love the truth; we are prospering; we are in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible, let them humble their souls before God, let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will realize their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. {3T 254.2}

The Israel of old were of the line of Israel. They were secure in their carnal hereditary. No different to the church of Laodicea. They talk among themselves like did Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

They think the testimony of the Spirit of God in reproof is uncalled for or that it does not mean them. Many inquire: Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the Testimonies continually charge us with backsliding and with grievous sins? We love the truth; we are prospering; we are in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible, let them humble their souls before God, let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will realize their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. {3T 254.2}

Why is it so important for us to understand this? Sr. White was shown the people of God and saw them mightily shaken.

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}

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. {CET 175.2}

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. {CET 175.3}

Sr White relates a vision. She saw the people of God mightily shaken. There were those who persevered in supplication before God with supplication and tears. When Satan came in with his angels, they could not discern their saviour. Those who were not resisting, Sr White lost sight of them.

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 will cause a shaking among God’s people. {1T 181.1}

You think you are alright when you are not. Why did the Israelites rebel against God? Because Moses was continually reproving them. All of these sufferings because all you ever do is murmur and complain. So they rebelled and said that’s not true. You’re saying things that do not apply to me. That is a lie. Why are we constantly charged with back sliding? Same counsel today will cause the same thing. It is when the word of God cuts across the path.

There are some that will rise up against it. This is what causes the shaking. Only those who are agonising with God who say I will not let thee go in heart. Only they will not be shaken. Though Israel is as the sand of the sea, yet only a remnant will be saved. How many cannot bear the straight cutting testimony. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like leaves. Only a remnant will endure the shaking. Only a remnant will endure having their sins revealed.

The counsel of the True Witness will cause a shaking among God’s people. And those who are not earnestly agonising with God, who are not in heart crying out, I will not let Thee go, will be shaken out. Though Israel was as the sands of the sea, yet a remnant shall be saved. Why will they be shaken out?

I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings given them. {3T 255.1}

Very many feel impatient and jealous because they are frequently disturbed with warnings and reproofs which keep their sins before them.

Very many feel impatient and jealous because they are frequently disturbed with warnings and reproofs which keep their sins before them. {3T 256.3}

Like the Israelites of old, there will be those in the church today who are chaffed under the instruction of God.

Some will not receive the testimony that God has given us to bear, flattering themselves that we may be deceived and that they may be right. They think that the people of God are not in need of plain dealing and of reproof, but that God is with them. These tempted ones, whose souls have ever been at war with the faithful reproving of sin, would cry: Speak unto us smooth things. 3T 259.1

Many are tempted in regard to our work and are calling it in question. Some, in their tempted condition, charge the difficulties and perplexities of the people of God to the testimonies of reproof that we have given them. They think the trouble is with the ones who bear the message of warning, who point out the sins of the people and correct their errors. Many are deceived by the adversary of souls. They think that the labors of Brother and Sister White would be acceptable if they were not continually condemning wrong and reproving sin. 3T 258.4

Just like they blamed Moses of old from all their difficulties. In Sr Whites time they charged it to her.

It’s the same old story. That which has been shall be again. That which is has already been. When you look at the rebellion of Korah, you realise if the Israel of old is no different, then why should we become confused about our experiences? History repeats itself. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram will be repeated up until the close of the 3am. It will not take much for a rebellion to happen again. The shaking in Gods church is caused by the straight testimony of the counsel of the true witness of Laodicea. It is the reproof of sin that shakes. Those that cannot bear the reproof of sin will be shaken out.

Is it possible that we can come here thinking yes, I will not be shaken out and then be shaken out? Have you ever heard something, a sin exposed or a sin that’s not yours exposed? Is it possible that we could be thinking in our hearts that those reproofs and admonitions that come from the ministry in our own church is not of God? That those harsh, critical cutting messages are not for me?

The Same Old Story

There is no need for us to become confused about the experiences we are to meet in these last days. We need not be left wondering what causes shakings and divisions in God’s church. But we must be left wondering and searching our own souls, how am I receiving the reproof that God sends me?

In the time of Korah they laid blame upon the servant of God for all their problems and said Moses unnecessarily reproved them. They were just fine, thank you very much, yea, a holy people. Could we be in danger of doing the same? Could we be in danger today of thinking that the reproofs and admonitions we receive from the ministry in our church is not of God and that those harsh, cutting messages are not for me?

The testimony of the True Witness is not a smooth message. The Lord does not say to them, You are about right; you have borne chastisement and reproof that you never deserved; you have been unnecessarily discouraged by severity; you are not guilty of the wrongs and sins for which you have been reproved. 3T 257.2

It’s not smooth, it will cut. This is something for consideration.

Reproof and rebuke may, and will, come closer home to individuals than they dream of. God has His work in hand, and declarations will be made that will test the faith and loyalty of the people of God. There are those who have had great light, who are far from God, who in heart are apostates. CTr 125.6

When the chastening of God comes closer than we could even dream of, we will be tempted to say, no, that’s not me, it doesn’t apply to me. You’re being too harsh. God didn’t say that. We will cast off the testimony as being not applicable to me and instead I will lay charge all my problems to the one who bore the message.

If your minister does not preach the straight cutting truth as it is in Jesus and by the Word of God admonish you to a higher level of spirituality, then you are under a false ministry. They are not a true friend. They are your enemy. If all that your minister talks about is the love of Jesus and that if you just pray, it will come, get another minister or let him fall on the Rock and be broken. But if the one who labours for your soul seems to you or others that they never leave you in peace, don’t allow yourself to become confused.

When it comes God is not going to say, you are not guilty of that. God is not going to say, you never deserved that chastisement. Reprove and rebuke will come closer to you than you can dream. You will feel that you have had a truck drive into you. The temptation will be there to say, that doesn’t apply to me. Or that is not fair, you are being too harsh. God doesn’t say that. We will be tempted to believe it not being applicable to me. The reality is that you will seek to lay that charge upon the one that has reproved you.

It’s what they did with Moses. It will be no different today. They accused Moses of all their problems. They accused Moses of being guilty of the very things they were guilty of. The very instrument God speaks through, we will be in danger of fighting against.

If you feel that your minister never leaves you alone, never leaves you in peace, he is always pointing out your sins, let me testify he is a true friend.

Korah would not have taken the course he did had he known that all the directions and reproofs communicated to Israel were from God. But he might have known this. God had given overwhelming evidence that He was leading Israel. But Korah and his companions rejected light until they became so blinded that the most striking manifestations of His power were not sufficient to convince them; they attributed them all to human or satanic agency. The same thing was done by the people, who the day after the destruction of Korah and his company came to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Ye have killed the people of the Lord.” Notwithstanding they had had the most convincing evidence of God’s displeasure at their course, in the destruction of the men who had deceived them, they dared to attribute His judgments to Satan, declaring that through the power of the evil one, Moses and Aaron had caused the death of good and holy men. It was this act that sealed their doom. They had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, a sin by which man’s heart is effectually hardened against the influence of divine grace. “Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man,” said Christ, “it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him.” Matthew 12:32. These words were spoken by our Saviour when the gracious works which He had performed through the power of God were attributed by the Jews to Beelzebub. It is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that God communicates with man; and those who deliberately reject this agency as satanic, have cut off the channel of communication between the soul and Heaven. {PP 404.4}

Korah, Dathan and Abiram thought that they were opposing only a human leader, a man like themselves. But in rejecting God’s chosen instrument, they rejected Christ, their invisible leader.

Revelation 3:19, 20 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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.

Those who are reproved by the Spirit of God should not rise up against the humble instrument. It is God, and not an erring mortal, who has spoken to save them from ruin. Those who despise the warning will be left in blindness to become self-deceived. But those who heed it, and zealously go about the work of separating their sins from them in order to have the needed graces, will be opening the door of their hearts that the dear Saviour may come in and dwell with them. This class you will ever find in perfect harmony with the testimony of the Spirit of God. 3T 257.1

When reproof comes to us, the human nature becomes very short sighted. They think they are the one who disturbed my peace. They are the one who stuck out my foot and tripped me up. When the reproofs come from God and you say it’s not from God, you seal your doom.

God says as many as I love I chasten and rebuke. Don’t be surprised if the word cuts. Don’t be surprised if that word is spoken from a human being. It is God and not an erring mortal who has spoken. The true witness will give counsel which is so contrary to human nature that if we are still carnally minded, we will be shaken out. We will not endure. What does it mean to be shaken out?

Revelation 3:21 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.

Persevere with God and when you are tempted to think that it’s too hard, that the fire is too hot, persevere all the more. Don’t be shaken out. May we be among that which cannot be shaken.