OLD BOTTLES

NEW WINE

by
Vernon Sparks
 Contents

Old Bottles, New Wine .............................................3

The Final Search For New Bottles ...................... 14

Copyright © 2009

Vernon Sparks

Published
by

Digital Inspiration
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 Old Bottles, New Wine

O
NE day, a group of scribes and Pharisees were attempting
to engage Christ’s disciples in controversy. Christ re-
sponded by telling the brief but important parable of
the new wine and the old bottles. See Luke 5:30-39. “And no
man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will
burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But
new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.”
Luke 5:37-38
This parable was based upon the usage of goat skins as bottles
for liquids such as water, oil, and wine. It was well-known that
new wine placed in old, dry, and brittle skins would tend to burst
the skins resulting in loss of the leather bottle as well as wasting
the treasured fruit of the vine.
This parable establishes important principles in God’s kingdom.
Only fit vessels will be used of God to contain His new wine.
Unfit vessels will perish as they come in contact with the new wine.
Vessels, though previously faithful containers of the Lord’s wine,
will be passed by for receiving the new wine if they have become
dry and brittle. Such vessels will need to be discarded and eventu-
ally destroyed. New, fit bottles will be used in their place. Some
of these same principles were brought out in other parables of
Christ such as the vine and the branches and the vineyard with
unfaithful servants.
“The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve
Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life,
He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gen-
tiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch
of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the work of the
Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred
their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are
3
4 Old Bottles, New Wine
then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn
do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not
establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord
will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent,
will remove them from their place and make them a reproach.” The
Upward Look, 131
When Christ came to the Jewish nation, He encountered two
major, related reasons for the old bottles not to be usable for His
new wine of truth. Firstly, they were too involved in doing their
own ways rather than God’s ways. They were placing man’s wis-
dom and directions above God’s. In other words, self was in charge
of the individual and corporate service of God. The righteous-
ness of the Jewish leaders consisted in rightdoing as defined by
themselves rather than by God. They believed that they could fin-
ish the Lord’s work and be saved while living and working in their
own ways. They were too full of their own ways to receive God’s
ways.
“Jesus came to impart to the human soul the Holy Spirit, by
which the love of God is shed abroad in the heart; but it is impos-
sible to endow men with the Holy Spirit, who are set in their
ideas, whose doctrines are all stereotyped and unchangeable, who
are walking after the traditions and commandments of men, as
were the Jews in the time of Christ. They were very punctilious in
the observances of the church, very rigorous in following their
forms, but they were destitute of vitality and religious devotion.
They were represented by Christ as like the dry skins which were
then used as bottles. The gospel of Christ could not be placed in
their hearts; for there was no room to contain it. They could not be
the new bottles into which He could pour His new wine.” Review and
Herald, vol. 3, 131
Attempting to do the Lord’s work in ways other than He has
instructed is attempting rightdoing or righteousness by wrong
means. Working other than in harmony with God’s will is to limit
one to a robe of self-righteousness and is to seek glory and praise
for man rather than for God. To do so is to be an unfit vessel for
 Old Bottles, New Wine 5
God’s new wine.
The second major reason the leaders in Christ’s day could not
be used for His new wine was that they were unwilling to be trans-
formed into new bottles. As long as the vessels contained only true
wine they were maintained as fit vessels, but if they became empty
or contained impure wine, they would dry out, crack, and become
unfit for the next crop of wine. The leaders of that day were unfit
vessels because they refused to obey previous light. They refused
the regeneration of heart, the sanctification experience necessary
for the receiving of further truth. By neglecting or rejecting previ-
ous truth, they were unable to perceive or receive present truth.
“Christ was obliged to seek elsewhere than among the scribes
and the Pharisees for bottles for His doctrine of truth and life. He
must find men who were willing to have regeneration of heart.”
Ibid.
By refusing transformation they refused the entrance of truth
and the Holy Spirit even though they were outward professors of
truth.
“The old bottles were found unfit to contain the new wine, and
new bottles must be provided for the new wine. Thus it was with
priests and rabbis, scribes and Pharisees; they were as old bottles
that could not contain the new wine of the kingdom of Christ.
Although they had hitherto held undisputed authority in religious
matters, they must now give place to the great Teacher, and to a
religion which knew no bounds and made no distinction of caste
or position in society, or of race among nations.” Ibid., 251
Seventh-day Adventist leadership in 1888 had to be passed by
as unfit vessels for new wine because of their tendency also to do
things their own way rather than God’s way.
“Every inch of the ground had to be fought in presenting the
present message, and some have not been reconciled with the provi-
dence of God in selecting the very men which He did select to
bear this special message. They ask, Why is it that He has not
chosen the men who have been long in the work? The reason is
that He knew that those men who had had long experience would
6 Old Bottles, New Wine
not do the work in God’s way and after God’s order.” The Ellen
G. White 1888 Materials, 1245
There is present truth for every age. Just as Christ was search-
ing for fit vessels for His new wine in A.D. 30 and in 1888, so He
is today.
“If there was ever a people in need of constantly increasing
light from heaven, it is the people that, in this time of peril, God
has called to be the depositaries of His holy law and to vindicate
His character before the world.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 746
“God’s people must go on from light to a greater light, or they
will become, as did the Pharisees, unwilling to receive additional
light. They will find themselves in the condition represented by
withered, dried-up bottles. In their religious faith they will be un-
movable, inflexible, like the withered fig tree dried up by the
roots.” Signs of the Times, vol. 2, 512
As on previous occasions Christ proffers us His new wine by
agents and channels of His own choosing.
“Men professing godliness have despised Christ in the person
of His messengers. Like the Jews, they reject God’s message. The
Jews asked regarding Christ, ‘Who is this? Is not this Joseph’s son?’
He was not the Christ that the Jews had looked for. So today the
agencies that God sends are not what men have looked for. But the
Lord will not ask any man by whom to send. He will send by whom
He will. Men may not be able to understand why God sends this
one or that one. His work may be a matter of curiosity. God will
not satisfy this curiosity; and His word will not return unto Him
void.” Review and Herald, vol. 3, 492
“We should be ready to accept light from God from whatever
source it may come, instead of rejecting it because it does not come
through the channel from which we expected it.” Review and Her-
ald, vol. 2, 327
“The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He sur-
prises us by revealing His power through instruments of His own
choice, while He passes by the men to whom we have looked as
those through whom light should come. God desires us to receive
 Old Bottles, New Wine 7
the truth upon its own merits—because it is truth.” Testimonies to
Ministers, 106
As always the devil will work contrary to God’s plans. He will
encourage older vessels to resist God’s new wine and/or His choice
of vessels.
“If we are to bear a part in this work to its close, we must
recognize the fact that there are good things to come to the people
of God in a way that we had not discerned; and that there will be
resistance from the very ones we expected to engage in such a
work.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1024
“At the great heart of the work, Satan will use his hellish arts to
the utmost. He will seek in every possible way to interpose him-
self between the people and God, and shut away the light that
God would have come to His children.” Review and Herald, vol. 2,
354
In spite of hindrance and interference God will be success-
ful in presenting His new wine to His people.
“But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great dan-
ger with our people has been that of depending upon men and
making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of
searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have
confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make;
and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people,
if these leading brethren do not accept them.
“No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God’s
people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, ‘I have set
before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.’ Even if all our
leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still
remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people
the message for this time.” Testimonies to Ministers, 106-107
What is the nature of the new wine that Christ offers His
final generation and which we are in danger of resisting? The
Adventist movement was founded to give the three angels’ mes-
sages. It has been laboring for over one hundred years to give that
message to the whole world. We have known that our work cannot
8 Old Bottles, New Wine
be finished without the latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We have longed for it; we have prayed for it. We have sung, “Come,
Holy Spirit,” but He has not come and we are still here. Could it be
that we, as the old bottles, are having difficulty recognizing and
accepting the new wine? Yes, it is essential that we be alert and
attentive in order that we not fail in perceiving and receiving God’s
truth through whatever vessel or vessels He chooses.
We are all, regardless of background or position, in danger of
failing to recognize God’s advancing moves and of being replaced
by others. Various ones of us may stumble on different aspects of
the new wine. We have been given specific examples of some rea-
sons why old bottles are being passed by. Those who are complain-
ers and have not a self-sacrificing spirit will be replaced.
“Some that are laboring in the cause of God know not when
they do have an easy time. They have had so few privations and
know so little of want or wearing labor or burden of soul that
when they have an easy time, when they are favored of God and
almost entirely free from anguish of spirit, they know it not and
think their trials great. I saw that unless such have a spirit of self-
sacrifice, and are ready to labor cheerfully, not sparing themselves,
God will release them. He will not acknowledge them as His self-
sacrificing servants, but will raise up those who will labor, not
slothfully, but in earnest, and will know when they have an easy
time.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 130
Those with means who fail to use them for the furtherance of
God’s cause will be passed by.
“God in His providence has moved upon the hearts of some
of those who have riches, and has converted them to the truth,
that they with their substance may assist to keep His work mov-
ing. And if those who are wealthy will not do this, if they do not
fulfill the purpose of God, He will pass them by, and raise up oth-
ers to fill their place who will fulfill His purpose, and with their
possessions gladly distribute to meet the necessities of the cause
of God.” Ibid., 174
Fearful will be the end of those who treat the Lord’s funds as
 Old Bottles, New Wine 9
their own.
“God requires those who have possessions here, to put their
money out to usury for Him—to put it into the cause to spread the
truth. And if the truth lives in the heart of the receiver, he also
will aid with his substance in sending it to others; and through his
efforts, his influence, and his means, other souls will embrace the
truth, and begin also to work for God. I saw that some of God’s
professed people are like the man who hid his talent in the earth.
They keep their possessions from doing good in the cause of
God. They claim that these are their own, and that they have a
right to do what they please with their own; and souls are not saved
by judicious efforts made by them with their Lord’s money. Angels
keep a faithful record of every man’s work, and as judgment passes
upon the house of God, the sentence of each is recorded by his
name, and the angel is commissioned to spare not the unfaithful
servants, but to cut them down at the time of slaughter. And that
which was committed to their trust is taken from them. Their
earthly treasure is then swept away, and they have lost all. And
the crowns they might have worn, had they been faithful, are
put upon the heads of those saved by the faithful servants whose
means was constantly in use for God.” Ibid., 197-198
Unconverted physicians will have their places taken in the work.
“The work of the medical profession calls for men who love
and fear God. The people have long been afflicted with uncon-
verted men, who have acted independently of the church, and have
followed their own unsanctified judgment, imperiled our institu-
tions by their unsanctified independence. But our institutions need
not accept unconsecrated men and women, because they know
not what better to do; for converted physicians will be raised up to
take their place in the work.” Manuscript Release, vol. 1, 209
The principles of the old bottles and the new wine applies also
to the ministry.
“There are those in the ministry who have had light and a knowl-
edge of the truth, who will not be overcomers. They will not re-
strict their appetite and passions, or deny themselves for Christ’s
10 Old Bottles, New Wine
sake; and many of the poor outcasts, even publicans and sinners,
will grasp the hope set before them in the gospel, and will go into
the kingdom of heaven before the ones who have had great oppor-
tunities and great light, but who have walked in darkness. In the
last great day, many will say, Lord, Lord. open unto us. But the
door will be shut, and their knock will be in vain.” Special Testimo-
nies, Series A, No. 11, 27-28
“God will carry on His work through wholly consecrated work-
men. If His ministers fail of representing Christ, He will turn to
others, many of whom have not been prepared for the work by a
regular course of study, and will put a message into their lips, even
the last message of warning. He will call men from their various
employments, and at His bidding they will go forth to proclaim
present truth.” Review and Herald, vol. 4, 472
Undoubtedly, other examples could be given of various types
of old bottles being replaced by the new but a study of all failed
bottles will reveal a common reason for their failure. The reason
a bottle fails will be because it has become dry and brittle, because
at some point it has refused to be emptied of self and to receive
the preserving influence of the new wine. By failing to receive the
new wine of truth, it has failed to do right in the eyes of the Lord
of the vineyard. It has lacked the faith of Jesus in the express
will of God to enable it to live and work in harmony with that
will Those who fall by the way are those who have failed to under-
stand or experience true righteousness by faith. Those of the final
generation who endure not unto the end will have fallen for Satan’s
last deception.
“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none
effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vi-
sion, the people perish.’ Proverbs 29:18. Satan will work inge-
niously, in different ways and through different agencies, to un-
settle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testi-
mony.
“There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which
is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of
 Old Bottles, New Wine 11
the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear
a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions
if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are
heeded.” Selected Messages, book 1, 48
Those who fail will be those who believe that they can live and
work in their own ways contrary to God’s ways. They will believe
that they can do and finish the Lord’s work even though laboring
contrary to His expressed will. They will live and labor under the
assumption that they can be saved in disobedience—that Christ
came to save them in their sins rather than from their sins. They
will believe or act as though Christ’s robe of righteousness covers
their sins rather than cleansing them from their sins. Those who
receive not the final wine of Christ’s kingdom will not have un-
derstood (or will not have experienced) that righteousness by faith
involves, not only justification (forgiveness of sin), but also sanc-
tification (victory over sin) through day-by-day surrender to the
transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
The old bottles of today are those who put self before God;
man’s wisdom before God’s wisdom, their wills and ways before
God’s will and ways. Rejection of or neglect of God’s counsels is
to become an old bottle.
“Today there are thousands and tens of thousands who are mak-
ing the same mistake as did Cain, and as did the Pharisees in the
days of Christ. They are trusting in self, and depending upon their
own wisdom, and do not realize their own spiritual poverty. To them
comes the Laodicean message: ‘I know thy works, that thou art
neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then
because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew
thee out of my mouth.’ “ Revelation 3:15-16; Signs of the Times, vol
3, 83
Those who are passed by will have rejected truth because of
its coming through unexpected channels. “The Lord does not ask
permission of those in responsible positions when He wishes to
use certain ones as His agents for the promulgation of truth.
But He will use whom He will use. He will pass by men who have
12 Old Bottles, New Wine
not followed His counsel, men who feel capable and sufficient to
work in their own wisdom; and He will use others who are thought
by these supposedly wise ones to be wholly incompetent. Many
who have some talent think that they are necessary to the cause of
God. Let them beware lest they stretch themselves beyond their
measure, and the Lord shall leave them to their own ways, to be
filled with their own doings.” Review and Herald, vol. 3, 275
The wine of Christ’s kingdom is His truth. Down through the
ages He has revealed His truth to man through the Holy Spirit’s
moving upon the minds of His chosen channels. The Holy Spirit’s
task is to guide us into truth. See John 16:13. We pray for a knowl-
edge of God’s will and truth, and the Holy Spirit directs us to
the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. We pray for the personal
guidance and direction of God and we are directed to the minis-
try of the Holy Spirit in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. We
pray for the latter rain power and guidance of the Holy Spirit and
we are reminded of our rejection of His prior guidance through the
Scriptures and the Testimonies.
We talk about, we sing about, and we pray about the desired
transforming and empowering work in our lives of the promised
latter rain while we turn from the day-to-day guidance of the
Bible and Spirit of Prophecy in the early rain. By neglecting and
by being unfilled by the previous wine we are dry and brittle and
unfit for the new wine. By neglecting the ministry of the Holy Spirit
in the early rain as described in the Bible and the Testimonies we
have been unfitted for, and we have long delayed, the outpouring
of the latter rain. By our disobedience we are unable to give ef-
fectively a message to the world that requires obedience.
“The people of God are not ready for the fearful, trying scenes
before us. not ready to stand pure from evil and lust amid the
perils and corruptions of this degenerate age. They have not on
the armor of righteousness, and are unprepared to war against
the prevailing sin and iniquity around them. Many are not obeying
the commandments of God; yet they profess so to do. If they would
be faithful to obey all the statutes of God, they would have a power
 Old Bottles, New Wine 13
that would carry conviction to the hearts of the unbelieving.” Re-
view and Herald, vol. 2, 73
14 Old Bottles, New Wine
The Final Search For
New Vessels

I
N 1888 the Lord of the vineyard proffered to His people His
final new wine. Through E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones He
offered to His people the message of righteousness by faith.
His people were offered a true understanding of the final message
(new wine) that was to go to the whole world.
“The end is near. We have not a moment to lose. Light is to
shine forth from God’s people in clear, distinct rays, bringing Jesus
before the churches and before the world. God will give addi-
tional light, and old truths will be recovered and replaced in the
framework of truth; and wherever the laborers go they will tri-
umph. As Christ’s ambassadors, they are to search the Scriptures
to seek for the truths that have been hidden beneath the rubbish
of error, and every ray of light received is to be communicated
to others. One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up all
others, Christ our Righteousness.” Paulson Collection, 342
“Several have written to me, inquiring if the [1888] message
of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have
answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity.’ The prophet
declares, ‘And after these things I saw another angel come down
from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with
his glory.’ “ Review and Herald, vol. 2, 381
That message was to have begun the loud cry of the angel of
Revelation 18 to lighten the whole world.
“The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third
angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of
Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the
light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Review and
Herald, vol. 2, 615
But the new wine was not accepted. “Our older brethren . . .

14
 The Final Search For New Vessels 15
do not accept the message, but treat it as though it were of no
consequence.” Review and Herald, vol. 2, 377
“At Minneapolis . . . Satan succeeded in shutting away from our
people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that
God longed to impart to them. The enemy prevented them from
obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the
truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of
Pentecost. The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory
was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great
degree kept away from the world.” Selected Messages, book 1, 234-235
The power of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain was rejected.
The loud cry did not take place, and God’s people are still here. We
say that we believe in righteousness by faith and we celebrate
100 years of knowing about righteousness by faith. But we are still
here. We believe it, but we haven’t experienced it. Righteousness
is right doing as defined in the Scriptures and in the Spirit of Proph-
ecy. We have desired the justification of the Holy Place ministry
without the transformation of the sanctification of the Most Holy
Place ministry. We have desired to be counted righteous but we
have not been willing to be made righteous. We have rejoiced with
a knowledge of the gospel but we have spurned the power thereof.
“There is a lack of moral and spiritual power throughout our
Conferences . . . . The members do not give evidence that they are
branches of the True Vine, by bearing much fruit to the glory of
God, but appear to be withering away. Their Redeemer has with-
drawn His light, the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, from their as-
semblies. . . . There has been a separation of the soul from God;
many have cut off the communication between Him and the soul
by refusing His messengers and His message.
“In our largest churches the greatest evils exist, because these
have had the greatest light. They have not a true knowledge of
God, and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The leaven of unbe-
lief is working, and unless these evils which bring the displeasure
of God are corrected in its members, the whole church stands
accountable for them. The deep movings of the Spirit of God are
16 Old Bottles, New Wine
no with them; the glorious presence of the King of saints, and
His power to cleanse from all moral defilement, are not mani-
fest among them. Many come to the assembly as worshipers, like
the door upon its hinges. They understand not the true application
of the Scriptures, nor the power of God. They have eyes, but
they see not; ears have they, but they hear not; they continue in
their evil ways, yet regard themselves as the privileged, obedi-
ent people who are doers of the Word. A carnal security and
ease in Zion prevail. Peace, peace, is sounded in her borders,
when God has not spoken peace. They have forfeited the terms
of peace; there is reason for an alarm to be sounded in all ‘My
holy mountain.’ The sinners in Zion should be afraid; in a time
when they do not expect it, sudden destruction will surely come
upon all who are at ease.” Review and Herald, vol. 2, 453
“Those who profess to receive the truth, and yet who are
unchanged in character, make it manifest that they have received
but a theory of the truth, and do not know what is the vital
influence of its operations. Practical godliness leads its possessor
to keep the commandments of God.” Signs of the Times, vol. 3, 333
“Only those who live the life of Christ are His co-workers.
If one sin is cherished in the soul, or one wrong practice
retained in the life, the whole being is contaminated. The
man becomes an instrument of unrighteousness.” The Desire
of Ages, 313
We have spurned obedience to the early rain, transforming
ministry of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the Word and in the
Testimonies, and thus we have been unfitted to receive the prom-
ised ministry of the latter rain. We have delayed the latter rain
because of our disobedience to the early rain.
“The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover uncon-
fessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principal of life that trans-
forms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is whole-
ness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the
indwelling of the principles of heaven.” Ibid., 555-556
“Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome
 The Final Search For New Vessels 17
all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress
His own character upon His church.” Ibid., 671
“We may have to remain here in this world because of in-
subordination many more years, as did the children of Israel.”
Evangelism, 696
We must not wait for the power and guidance of the latter rain.
We must be treasuring the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit
in the early rain.
“We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all
who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace
that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when
we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us
trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled.” The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 984
Our vessels must be purified (by the early rain) before we
can receive the latter rain.
“The third angel’s message is swelling into a loud cry, and
you must not feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still
entertain the idea that at some future time you will be the recipi-
ents of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a won-
derful revival will take place. . . . Today you are to have your
vessel purified, that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready
for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come,
and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from
every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ,
that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the pres-
ence of the Lord—fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
Evangelism, 701-702
Those who are not worked by the Holy Spirit in the early
rain will not receive, nor recognize the latter rain. They will be
replaced by vessels of God’s own choosing.
“There are poor, honest, humble souls whom the Lord will
put in your place, who have never had the opportunities you have
had, and who could not have them because you were not worked
by the Holy Spirit. We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is
18 Old Bottles, New Wine
poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early
rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain.” Tes-
timonies to Ministers, 399
“Under the showers of the latter rain the inventions of man,
the human machinery, will at times be swept away, the bound-
ary of man’s authority will be as broken reeds, and the Holy Spirit
will speak through the living, human agent with convincing power.
No one then will watch to see if the sentences are well rounded
off, if the grammar is faultless. The living water will flow in God’s
own channels.” Paulson Collection, 102
Those old bottles that receive not and perceive not the lat-
ter rain will rise up against it.
“There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of
the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not
humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the
heart by confession and repentance In the manifestation of
that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they
will see only something which in their blindness they think dan-
gerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will
brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work
according to their ideas and expectations, they will oppose the
work. ‘Why,’ they say, `should not we know the Spirit of God,
when we have been in the work so many years?’—Because they
did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties of the messages
of God, but persistently said, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing.’ Talent, long experience, will not make
men channels of light, unless they place themselves under the
bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and are called, and
chosen, and prepared by the endowment of the Holy Spirit.”
Review and Herald, vol. 2, 454
Even if they repent and are saved at last, it will be with eter-
nal loss.
“God will send by whom He will; His message will not return
unto Him void, but will accomplish that whereunto it is sent.
And if they refuse the message, the men whom God designed
 The Final Search For New Vessels 19
should hold the same relation to the younger workers as did Moses
to Joshua, will fail of doing the work the Lord designed they should
do. They will be a hindrance in the place of a blessing. The work
will go forward; but these brethren, who might have received
the richest blessings, will meet with eternal loss, for though they
should repent and be saved at last, they can never regain that which
they have lost through their wrong course of action. They might
have been God’s instruments to carry the work forward with
power; but their influence was exerted to counteract the Lord’s
message, to make the work appear questionable. Every jot and
tittle of this will have to be repented of.” The Ellen G. White 1888
Materials, 1128
The old bottles become the worst enemies of truth and the
true bottles.
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed
faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified
through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join
the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and par-
taking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly
the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared
to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing ad-
dress, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to
deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter en-
emies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are
brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apos-
tates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and
accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the
rulers against them.” The Great Controversy, 608
Those who remain disobedient by following their own way
will he passed by and will have no part in the triumph of the
gospel.
“All who venture to have their own way, who do not join
the angels who are sent from heaven with a message to fill the
whole earth with its glory will be passed by. The work will go
forward to victory without them, and they will have no part in
20 Old Bottles, New Wine
its triumph.” Review and Herald, vol. 2, 454
“The Lord reads the heart as an open book. The men who
are not connected with God have done many things after the
imagination of their own evil hearts. The Lord declares con-
cerning them, ‘They have turned unto Me the back, and not the
face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet
they have not hearkened to receive instruction.’ Jeremiah 32:33.
We are amid the perils of the last days, the time will soon come
when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy
should be carefully studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very let-
ter.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1303
Those who are not sanctified will be purged out.
“I saw that some . . . do not partake of the spirit of the
lovely Jesus; they have not vital godliness, and unless they soon
partake of the spirit of Jesus and have their hearts sanctified by
the truth they profess to believe, they will be purged out of the
camp of Israel,” Manuscript Release 1302, 1
“Many, I saw, were flattering themselves that they were good
Christians, who have not a single ray of light from Jesus. They
know not what it is to be renewed by the grace of God. They have
no living experience for themselves in the things of God. And I
saw that the Lord was whetting His sword in heaven to cut them
down. Oh, that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean
work that God is about to make among His professed people!”
Testimonies, vol. 1, 190
Those who arc content with a Holy Place experience of jus-
tification without the Most Holy Place experience of sanctifi-
cation will have their prayers for the. Holy Spirit answered in-
stead by Satan with his spirit.
“He [Jesus) stepped into the chariot and was borne to the
holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High
Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment
was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those
who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the
holiest, and pray, ‘My Father, give us Thy Spirit.’ Then Jesus
 The Final Search For New Vessels 21
would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. . . .
“I turned to look at the company who were still bowed be-
fore the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan
appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of
God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, `Father give us
Thy Spirit.’ Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy in-
fluence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet
love, joy, and peace.” Early Writings, 55-56
During the time of Jacob’s trouble the unrepentant, old
bottles, will recognize with despair their lost condition.
“This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints
cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice
of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up
with the glory of God. Then I was shown a company who were
howling in agony On their garments was written in large charac-
ters, ‘Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting.’ I
asked who this company were. The angel said, These are they
who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up.’ “ Ibid., 37
“If those who have had great light have not corresponding
faith and obedience they soon become leavened with the pre-
vailing apostasy; another spirit controls them. While they have
been exalted to heaven in point of opportunities and privileges,
they are in a worse condition than the most zealous advocates
of error.” The Ellen G White 1888 Materials, 1016
The dry, brittle bottles, unsuitable for the new wine will make
up the synagogue of Satan that will worship at the feet of the
saints following their deliverance by the voice of God.
“You think that those who worship before the saints’ feet
(Revelation 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with
you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists,
who had fallen away, and ‘crucified to themselves the Son of
God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.’ And in the hour of
temptation,’ which is yet to come, to show out every one’s true
character, they will know that they are forever lost; and over-
whelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saints’ feet.”
22 Old Bottles, New Wine
A Word to the Little Flock, 12
Many with great light will be indecisive in the crisis ahead.
Others who have had lesser light will respond to the increasing
light of the Holy Spirit.
“There are many who have been preparing themselves for moral
inefficiency in the great crisis. They are wavering and undecided.
Others who have not had so great light, who have never identified
themselves with the truth, will, under the influence of the Spirit,
respond to the light when it shines upon them. . . .
“Amid the confusion of delusive doctrines the Spirit of God
will be a guide and a shield to those who have not resisted the
evidences of truth.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1016
But there are men who will receive the truth, and these will
take the places made vacant by those who become offended and
leave the truth. . . .
“Men of true Christian principle will take their place, and will
become faithful, trustworthy householders, to advocate the Word
of God in its true bearings, and in its simplicity. The Lord will
work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true
and loyal ones. . . . The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are
firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those
who become offended and apostatize.” Maranatha, 200
The Lord will find new vessels both large and small.
“God always has men of His appointment to step into the
places where work needs to be done, men with whom and by whom
He can work. . . . The Lord makes use of vessels both large and
small.” Paulson Collection, 12
He will take humble men who feel the need of guidance and
instruction.
“Christ will take humble men, and reveal to them the great
and precious truths for these last days; these He will use in carry-
ing to completion His work in the earth.” Ibid., 72
The Lord as of old will of necessity need to resort to the
common people for new vessels.
“We are made sad as we see in many places so much left un-
 The Final Search For New Vessels 23
done that should be done. But the Lord will use in the accomplish-
ment of His work means that we do not now see. He will raise up
from among the common people, men and women to do His work,
even as of old He called fishermen to be His disciples. There will
soon be an awakening that will surprise many. Those who do not
realize the necessity of what is to be done, will be passed by, and
the heavenly messengers will work with those who are called the
common people, fitting them to carry the truth to many places.
Now is the time for us to awake and do what we can.” Loma Linda
Messages, 83
To receive the new wine man must be emptied of self—self-
pride, self-wisdom, self-guidance, and self-righteousness. Rather
than looking to self or other men they must behold and obey Christ
and be transformed into His likeness. 01d bottles can be trans-
formed into new bottles.
“Man must be emptied of self before he can be in the fullest
sense a believer in Jesus; and when self is subdued, then the Lord
can make of man a new creature. New bottles can contain new
wine. “Nth will be received into the heart, the character will be
transformed into the likeness of Christ; the Son of God wilt be
revealed to the world by His followers, as the Fattier was revealed
to the world by the Son.” Signs of the Times, vol. 2, 449
“He who drinks from the water of the fountain of life, will be
filled with the new wine of the kingdom. Faith in Christ will be the
means whereby the right spirit and motive will actuate the believer,
and all goodness and heavenly mindedness will proceed from Him
who looks unto Jesus. the Author and Finisher of his faith. Look
up to God, look not to men. . . By beholding Christ, you will be-
come changed. until you will hate your former pride, your former
vanity and self-esteem, your self-righteousness and unbelief. You
will cast these sins aside as a worthless burden, and walk humbly,
meekly, trustfully, before God. You will practice love, patience.
gentleness, goodness, mercy, and every grace that dwells in the
child of God, and will at last find a place among the sanctified
and holy.” Review and Herald. vol. 3, 132
24 Old Bottles, New Wine
Let us not put the rules and directions of man before those
of God as did the Pharisees of old.
“Let it not be with us who are living in the last days as it was
with the Pharisees. Let it not be said of us, as it was of them,
that new wine cannot be put into old bottles. Let not those who
have been long in the truth, who haw been made the depositar-
ies of the law of God, exalt the ideas and opinions of men above
the advancing truth of heaven. lest they be left as old withered
bottles, whose place will be filled by new bottles which the Lord
shall select for the new wine. We must be in a position where we
shall ever have an appetite for the fresh manna, for the new wine
of heaven.
“Let all beware lest they imitate the example of the Jews, and,
fearing they must give up some cherished idea. or discard some
idol of opinion, refuse the truth which cometh down from the Fa-
ther of lights. It was adherence to tradition that proved the ruin of
the Jews. and will prove the. ruin of many, many souls in every age
Let us fear to become satisfied with that which we already have
acquired. but ever advance with the light, that Jesus may not have
to cast us aside as worthless bottles. when He would present to us
new truth.” Signs of the Times, vol. 2, 513
When men falter others must close ranks and work to counter-
act then take work.
“When the men, who have known and taught the truth, turn
aside to human understanding, and mean nut 1,, deceived minds
their twin dish of fables. it is high lime for those who have once
been laborers in evangelists work. bet who have been drawn away
into the management of restaurants, food stores and ether com-
mercial lines of work, to omen into line. study their Bibles dili-
gently, and with the Word of God in hand, dispense the Bible truth,
the spiritual food, in co-operation with the heavenly angels This
work now calls loudly for workmen of divine appointment.” Paulson
Collection. 74
In this late hour we must tread carefully lest others receive the
stars of our crowns.
 The Final Search For New Vessels 25
“Said the angel. ‘Jesus has nearly finished His work in the
sanctuary It is no time to be stupid now A quick work will the
Lord do upon the earth The four angels will soon let go the four
winds Said the angel. ‘Beware how thou treadest. . . . Will ye
sink and let others take the stars of your crown.?’“ Manuscript
Release 1302, 2-3.
Since 1888 the Lord w the vineyard has been searching for a
generation of bottles suitable for the new wine of the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain “The message, the last message
of warning and mercy, has been retarded in doing its work by the
unfitness ,it man to do a work that needs to be done The angel
that is to lighten :he earth His glory has waited for human instru-
mentalities through whom the light of heaven could shine “ Manu-
script Release 1165, 6
Because of a failure to accept the lesser manifestations of
the Spirit, His success has been long delayed. This is a crisis hour.
We are living on fragile, borrowed time.
“We are pressing on to the final conflict, and this is no time to
compromise. It is no time to hide your colors. When the battle
wages sore, let no one turn traitor. It is no time to lay down or
conceal our weapons. . . . It is no time for watchmen to slumber
on the walls of Zion. . . . It is no time now to relax our efforts, to
become tame and spiritless; no time to hide our light under a
bushel, to speak smooth things, to prophesy deceit. . . . On the
very eve of the crisis, it is no time to be found with an evil heart
of unbelief, departing from the living God.” Review and Herald,
vol. 2, 619
It is no time for despair either, for if God’s people will re-
nounce self and through day-by-day submission to the Spirit’s
working in the early rain, they will be transformed into new bottles.
We are promised that Christ will fill the new bottles with the Holy
Spirit in its greatest measure.
“When self is renounced, then the Lord can make man a new
creature. New bottles can contain the new wine.” The Desire of
Ages, 280
26 Old Bottles, New Wine
“If through the grace of Christ His people will become new
bottles, He will fill them with the new wine.” Review and Herald,
vol. 2, 454
If someone, why not me?
May that be the desire and experience of each one of us.