In Seventh-day Adventist parlance, a period preceding the second coming of Christ when many members leave the church because of indifference, satanic deceptions, and the pressure of circumstances. The expression is apparently derived from Heb. 12:26 , 27 , especially the phrase “that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” ( cf. “the shaking of an olive tree” [ Isa. 17:6 ]; “a great shaking in the land of Israel” [ Eze. 38:19 ]; “as a fig tree . . . shaken of a mighty wind” [ Rev. 6:13 ]). This period is also sometimes referred to as a sifting time or testing time ( 5T 80, 47).
Ellen White speaks of the shaking time as a “time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken,” including those who know the truth but do not obey God ( 6T 332; cf. 7T 219; 9T 15, 16). This shaking will be “caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people” ( EW 270).
This “shaking” has been taking place since the early days of the SDA Church, but it will become more severe as the end of time approaches. In 1850 Ellen White wrote: “The mighty shaking has commenced and will go on, and all will be shaken out who are not willing to take a bold and unyielding stand for the truth and to sacrifice for God and His cause” ( EW 50). Among those “shaken” will be some of the leaders of the church, as well as laypersons: “Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness” ( 5T 81).