EGW LOMA LINDA TRAIN STATION VISION , by Elmer M. Johnson
Elmer M. Johnson, related about Brother Will Ross, now deceased, was a personal friend for about 45 years. He says in his church fellowship they very often spent Sabbath afternoons discussing his experience in the message, and his conversations with Mrs. Ellen G. White./
About 1908, while living in Loma Linda near Sister White, he
frequently accompanied her in her walks, and would discuss the message and future events. On one of these occasions, while waiting at the railroad depot, in company with Sister Mcinterfer and Elder D. E. Robinson, her granddaughter’s husband, Sister White related to the
three of them about the storm of persecution that was to come upon
Seventh-day Adventists. Brother Will related it to me as follows:
“Sister White told us as we three stood there on the depot
platform, that a terrible storm of persecution was coming like a
windstorm that blew down every standing object. There was not a
Seventh-day Adventist to be seen. They, like the disciples, forsook
Christ and fled. All who had sought positions were never seen again.
“After the storm there was a calm, then the Adventists arose like
a great flock of sheep, but there were no shepherds. They all waited in
earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered by helping them to choose leaders from among them who had never sought positions before. They prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them making them fully ready for service. They then went forth ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,’ to give this message to the world.
“I was astonished, and asked if that applied to Loma Linda, as we
were looking in that direction. Sister White replied to my question by
stating that it applied to the entire denominational world. It so
stunned me that I did not ask any more questions.”
/— Will Ross, Boulder, Colorado/
/In the year 1943 when Elder D. E. Robinson was visiting the
churches in Colorado, I was serving on the platform the Sabbath that
Elder Robinson visited the Boulder Church, having with him the large
Bible which Sister White held in her hand and leafing through during
one of her visions.
At the close of the service Brother Ross spoke with Elder
Robinson about when he, Sister Mcinterfer and Sister White were
standing on the depot platform visiting together, and Sister White
related to him about the terrible storm of persecution that was coming
to Seventh-day Adventists. Elder Robinson replied, “Yes, Brother, Ross, I remember it.”
So Elmer M. Johnson documented this reply January 15, 1946, not wishing to forget this important narration related to him by Brother Ross. I frequently discussed it with him in later years, and his statement never varied. – [signed] Elmer M. Johnson/
STORM OF PERSECUTION:
Brother A, you need to watch with the greatest care how you build. There is a storm coming which will test your hope to the utmost. You should dig deep and lay your foundation sure. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Steadily the builder places one stone upon another until the structure rises stone upon stone. The gospel builder frequently carries on his work in tears and amid trials, storms of persecution, bitter opposition, and unjust reproach; but he feels deeply in earnest, for he is building for eternity. Be careful, Brother A, that your foundation is solid rock, that you are riveted to it, Christ being that Rock. {3T 414.2}
As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, STRIFE FOR SUPREMACY WILL CEASE; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true believers will say: “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas.” The testimony of one and all will be: “I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour.” {6T 400.3}
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