Remnant Country Living

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has long held the prophetic understanding that a National Sunday Law will mark a critical turning point in Earth’s history, ushering in the final scenes of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Ellen G. White, in The Great Controversy, Country Living, and other inspired writings, gives clear and urgent counsel for God’s remnant people to prepare for this time—not merely in theology, but in lifestyle, geography, and obedience. One of the most neglected areas of preparation is the Country Living Message.

Yet, while many individual Adventists are waking up to the importance of relocating to the country, simplifying their lives, and preparing spiritually and practically for the storm ahead, many local SDA churches seem unaware, unconcerned, or actively resistant to this message. This article explores 10 key ways SDA churches are failing to heed the country living message, each point supported by a direct quote from the Spirit of Prophecy. If your church is not preparing its members in these ways, it’s time for a personal spiritual audit—and perhaps a course correction in your own walk.

1. Ignoring the Call to Leave the Cities

Many SDA churches are located in urban areas and not only stay silent on the message of leaving the cities, but actively discourage their members from doing so. Urban ministry is necessary, but living in the city is not.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“Get out of the cities as soon as possible and purchase a little piece of land where you can have a garden... Children should be taken into the country.”
(Country Living, p. 17)

2. Prioritizing Church Expansion in Urban Centers

Rather than preparing for an exodus from the cities, some churches are investing in multi-million dollar urban building projects—placing permanence where there should be preparation to flee.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“Repeatedly the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions.”
(Country Living, p. 9)

3. Failing to Teach Self-Sufficiency and Food Growing Skills

Churches rarely host practical workshops on gardening, food preservation, or sustainable living. Yet this knowledge will be essential during the crisis when buying and selling is restricted.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“The time is fast coming when the controlling power of the labor unions will be very oppressive... We are to prepare for what is coming upon the earth.”
(Country Living, p. 10)

4. Treating the Country Living Message as Optional or “Extreme”

When members bring up country living, some leaders label them as fanatics or extremists, instead of recognizing that this counsel is based on divine revelation—not personal opinion.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“Let children no longer be exposed to the temptations of the city. Their future welfare demands a change.”
(Country Living, p. 13)

5. Emphasizing Academic Success Over Character Building in Nature

Many SDA churches push members into competitive academic environments rather than promoting country-based schools that emphasize character, Bible, and practical labor.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“It is not the object of true education to send out men and women merely to earn their daily bread, but to fit them for usefulness in this life and for the future life.”
(Country Living, p. 20)

6. Promoting Modern Lifestyles Incompatible with Simplicity

Churches often mirror worldly standards—encouraging materialism, technology addiction, and debt slavery—rather than advocating the simplicity and independence of country living.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country... The call is for our people to locate miles away from the large cities.”
(Country Living, p. 31)

7. Neglecting Prophetic Preaching on the National Sunday Law

Sermons are increasingly focused on feel-good messages rather than the solemn warnings of prophecy. Members are unprepared for the very crisis we’ve been told will test the whole world.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“The Protestant world today see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate... They will see the true Sabbath as the great test of loyalty.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 605)

8. Discouraging Members from Moving Out Due to Tithes and Offerings Loss

Some churches discourage families from moving to the country because they fear it will weaken the local church’s finances. This reveals a misplaced priority on dollars over destiny.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“God calls for His people to locate miles away from the large cities... Let there be nothing done that will hinder this work.”
(Country Living, p. 24)

9. Avoiding the Topic of Persecution and End-Time Testing

Many pastors avoid discussing persecution, the shaking, and the Sunday law crisis, even though Ellen White warned these would come suddenly. Members are caught off guard.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world.”
(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 11)

10. Not Modeling Country Outpost Centers or Small Ministry Retreats

Instead of training centers and outposts in rural areas, churches often focus on urban evangelism campaigns. Yet God’s end-time work includes healing centers and rural outposts.

Ellen G. White Quote:
“Out of the cities is my message at this time. Be assured that the call is for our people to locate miles away from the large cities.”
(Country Living, p. 32)

Conclusion:

The country living message is not a side project or a fringe doctrine—it is part of the divine blueprint for surviving and thriving through the final crisis. If your SDA church is not preparing its members in these ten key areas, it's not fulfilling the solemn role given to God’s remnant church.

Ellen White didn't write Country Living to be admired and ignored. She penned those words under inspiration to prepare God's people for what’s soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise. The National Sunday Law crisis is not a matter of if, but when. And when it comes, only those who have studied, prayed, and obeyed will stand firm.

If your local church is not sounding the trumpet, then you must decide whether you will heed the message anyway—for your family's salvation may depend on it. As Sister White once declared:

“Let everyone take time to consider carefully; do not move hastily... Let every family who claims to believe the truth sell their homes and properties in the cities, and get out into the country.”
(Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, p. 376)

The time is now. The warning has been given. The preparation must be made. Will you follow where the Lord has led?