Archive for November, 2015

Ultimate Goal for Seventh-day Adventists

November 28, 2015

144000

We as Seventh-day Adventists are just like the many other Christians in the world, we say “I want to be with Jesus, I want to be in heaven.” This is our true desire our hope in which we live. Yet, how few SDA truly know what the Lord requires of us to indeed –see Him. You see we are a peculiar people, a group of people of which has been shown great light. The Spirit of prophecy and the Lord’s Elijah message, we are ( or should be) privileged to know and follow.

In this post we will endeavor to learn more of the knowledge of the 144,000. Because we should be seekers of more truth, we must not neglect to improve our Scripture knowledge. In fact there are serious warnings if we become lazy or ignorant.

“Ignorance is a sin, when knowledge can be obtained. ” (HR, Sept. 1, 1866)

“If light and truth is within our reach, and we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it, we virtually reject it; we are choosing darkness rather than light.” Great Controversy, pp. 595, 596, 597.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”(Hosea 4:6)

The Christian world claims to know Christ through the Bible, yet they don’t have that illumination that the Bible foretold would come (Mal. 4:5 and Rev. 19:10). We as SDA and DSDA have no excuse , we  can have it  IF we seriously want it.

Last week we spoke of the current dire situation unfolding in the world. But those who are serious in their walk with the Lord, those who have accepted the Lord’s final message of Elijah, really do not fear. No, not in the least! They are secure and prepared. The Scriptures are illuminated to them and they rejoice that the Lord has dealt bountifully with them by “guiding them into all truth” (John 16:13).

Let us now look at our ultimate goal, our ultimate passion for our existence today. To be among the 144,000 and stand with Jesus in the Kingdom.

We have posted several posts on this subject but we’d like to delve into it more because the time truly is so close at hand of the disclosure of God’s elect.

God started our church under the leadership of a woman named Ellen Gould Harmon, later to be Ellen G. White. Her very first vision from God is our subject–the 144,000. This is telling. God was to get our church off on the right step, the most important topic for us today. It’s amazing how God often does things in a circle. He began our church with the knowledge of the 144,000 and His word says he’ll end our SDA church with the knowledge (disclosure) of the 144,000.

To begin with, both Ellen White (Spirit of Prophecy)  and Victor Houteff (The Lord’s Elijah message) began their ministry by announcing their calling in discussing the 144,000. EGW , as mentioned had that first vision , which can be read in Early Writings, p.13-20. Brother Houteff had his first publication , The Shepherd’s Rod, volume 1, preface with this announcement–

“THIS publication contains only one main subject with a double lesson; namely the 144,000, and a call for reformation.”

So if we are truly focused on being a part of that group we then are truly obedient to God’s word–

“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven.”(Review and Herald, March 9, 1905)

Ok now that we know what our goal should be, let us look at what the 144,000 will be like. Be prepared to see some eye-opening things , God holds back nothing in His granting them a work to do!

We know that the world is going crazy and evil is on the loose throughout the world. The winds are breaking through the cracks of the Angel’s corners. But who will the Lord use to confront them head on and utterly defeat them at every turn? Yes, the 144,000.

The 144,000 will–

1.In the Name of the Lord , defeat all enemies who arise against them and not be hurt.

“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground.” (Early Writings, p.15)

“…the swords that were raised to kill God’s people broke and fell  as powerless as a straw..” (Early Writings, p.285)

“And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:12)

“In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.”(Zech. 12:6)

“Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.”(Joel 2:8)

2. Be saviors.

“And saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.” (Obadiah 1:21)

Isa. 49:6 — “And He said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.”

   This scripture had as its type the time when the Apostles were finally instructed to preach the gospel to Gentiles as well as to the Jews.  Now to raise up the tribes of Jacob, is first to raise up the first fruits, 144,000 — 12,000 out of each tribe of Israel (Rev. 7:3).  Moreover, to be a light and salvation to the ends of the earth, means that these latter-day servants of God are to finish the gospel work, are to preach the gospel of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and thus bring the end (Matt. 24:14).

It is our privilege, therefore, not only to bring the light of God to the Denomination where the “first-fruits” (the 144,000 — Rev. 14:4) of the great spiritual harvest are, but even to bring the same light to the second fruits, to the great multitude that are gathered out of all nations, a multitude which no man can number (Rev. 7:9). (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 46, p.5-6)             

3. Be God’s army.

“Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.”(Jerimiah 51:20-23)

“They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course.”(Joel 2:7)

“And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:11)

4. Stand with Jesus in the Holy land.

“Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”(Rev. 14:1)

“The first fruits stand with the Lamb, safe on Mt. Zion (in the Kingdom).” (Answerer, vol. 2, Question- 37)

“..John’s vision of the 144,000 as they stood on Mount Zion with the Lamb, is an incident after this special company of saints had been sealed, and some time before the close of probation.  The sealing of the 144,000 is at the closing of the judgment of the dead, and at the beginning of the judgment of the living.  Therefore, they have a great duty to perform upon the earth in connection with the judgment.  Their service was typified by ancient Israel when they were obliged to possess the Promised Land.”(SRod, vol. p.171)

5. Proclaim the Loud Cry with God’s power.

“..and with power they sounded abroad the third message. I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven.” (Early Writings, p.278-279)

6.Will be servants for God’s miracle power.

“Mighty miracles were wrought, the sick were healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers. God was in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed the convictions of his own conscience and united with those who were keeping all the commandments of God;” (Early Writings, p.278) and with power they sounded abroad the third message. I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. (Early Writings, p.278-279)

7. Sing a new song of a unique experience.

“And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.” (Rev.14:3-4)

8. Be protected at all times.

“In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” (Zech. 12:8)

Zech. 12:8 — “In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.”

   “Besides giving us the assurance that the Lord shall defend His people, Inspiration likens them unto David and unto God.  Even the feeble ones “shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God,” “as the angel of the Lord before them.”  What a great and wonderful statement!  What a privilege to be likened unto God Himself!” (TG, vol. 1 no.9, p.6-7)

“And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zech 2:3-5)

9. Be the Lord’s “arm”.

“Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?  Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?”

   If His people were not asleep, then what need would there be for calling them to awaken?  We are glad that God Himself is arousing us and plainly telling us that as our forefathers did great things, we, too, as the Lord’s “arm,” can and shall do even greater things than they.” (Timely Greetings, vol.1, no. 37, p.15-16)

10. Kings and Priests in the New earth.

“In Volume 5, pages 475-6, speaking of the 144,000, we read: “They are to be as kings and priests unto God….’These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth’.”  Therefore, the 144,000 are priests, and Christ the High Priest, (and King). 

It may be said that when probation closes Christ takes off His priestly garments, and is Priest no longer, but there need be no confusion in this, for we read in Isa. 66:22, 23: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.  And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me saith the Lord.” Thus we see that there is to be a system of worship in the new heaven and earth which will require Priests and Levites. (SRod, vol. 1, p.39-40)

In closing, isn’t this the greatest opportunity before us? To be born today (of all times in history) and have this opportunity before us? To be among those God will use to finish His work? The above is only a partial list of the work God will place upon His elect.

My beloved, please make a covenant today with God , that you will– “strive will all power God has given us to be among the hundred and forty four thousand.” This number has not been filled yet, unbelievable as it sounds, you and I still have a chance–IF we want it bad enough.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13)

Note: For approximately the last year in our posts the following color code is used  Orange=  the Lord speaking Blue= Scripture or SOP Brown= Lord’s Elijah message brought by Victor Houteff. As not to get too confusing, if Scripture or SOP are quoted by brother Houteff we still keep it brown.

Posted in The Loud Cry, Who are the 144K? | 2 Comments »

World Madness

November 21, 2015

Paris killings

Recently the world learned the latest world madness–the Paris shootings. It seems almost every week there is a new disaster, a new mass killing. What is happening?

The Word says-

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, sea roaring and surge rolling, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”(Luke 21:25-26)

Who can deny that today, right now, many are very fearful of the things coming? The spiraling out of control is part of the great plan, part of God’s allowing things to take place to awake the world of its utter need of the One who alone can sit upon the throne and make peace upon the world.

As many of you are aware we here at Godsloveandlaw have primarily posted exclusively on the message of Christ, but this week we’d like to discuss some world events and politics because this formation now taking place is helpful and enlightening to know, to prepare us to see how prophetic events are unfolding.

Many of us here in America, think that the current situation in Syria is the following the script below.

USA is and has been actively trying to “destroy” the evil ISIS terror organization. Yet it is well documented that for over a year our bombing in this region has produced a stronger ISIS! So what gives?

This author has delved into this situation and found some strange and amazing current political and world-wide gamesmanship at work. Let me begin by saying that our mass media is not our friend. It is controlled by the elite of the world , the relatively few who control the world’s money supply  and war machines (which even control terrorists). Some say the Bilderberg group, some say the Rothchild empire, some say the Roman influence with the Jesuits and Illuminati as their warriors. Most likely it is a combination of all these.

As such we, as a whole swallow what we read in the elite controlled media hook, line, and sinker for the most part. The general masses are told something and they believe it. The relatively few look deeper. This brings me to the point of –balance. If we cannot really trust our media then what are we to do? Go to the alternative source out there today. That source is called RT Today. A global news source that is, as the Fox news motto says –fair and balanced.

If you aren’t aware this is the “Russia Today” network. Their link https://www.rt.com/. What I believe is happening is that our real friends are not our enemies as many think. Yes, we are brought this line that Russia wants to “control” the world and therefore has seized Crimea, caused disruption in Ukraine, and now has inserted itself into Syria. The propaganda is that Russians are the evil empire. Not at all true!

We as present truth believers know that the last world war will be fought over the Holy land, Israel. In 1948 the “Jews” gathered together to form their own homeland.  They may or may not be true Israelites from ancient times. We know that they are , for the most part, unbelievers in Christ. The Word began to be fulfilled–

“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree takes effect– The day passes like the chaff– Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you. Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger.”(Zeph. 2:1-3)

The Lord’s hand is working in all this as we speak. Russia has inserted itself into Syria because they know that the elite are planning to take over the world for a one world government. They rightfully have come to the aid of the Syria government because , just as Libya, Iraq and Egypt before, a sovereign power was toppled by the elite in the guise of “freedom and justice for all”. And yes the protesters and terrorists were the means of choice. Yet look at the mess in those countries. Much worse than before they were toppled. Killings and chaos abound.

Further Russia did not come into Syria by force, like USA and other coalition countries have , but were invited in by the  Syria government.  Russia has continually stressed this in the RT media reports.

The elite had built up a sort of momentum, until they came into Ukraine. There they found out that Russia , the big bear as it is known, was awoke to  what was going on.

So now Russia has found itself in the middle of the hot action in the middle east. Before it was on the sidelines as the elite conquered Libya, Iraq and Egypt. Now it has said “No” to the elites and their conquering war machines. This is the beginning of the steps up to the gigantic war. Russia, USA and NATO now have armory in or near this region.

Israel is feeling it’s back to the wall as it perceives USA and even Russia backing it’s arch enemy-Iran.

So what do we see as forming?  The sides are shaping up. Russia and China, Iran and Syria with possibly India against USA, England, Germany, France, and Australia, Saudi Arabia and maybe Canada as well.  Israel of course sides with the west, yet they have shown lately they don’t trust anyone except their own power. And they do have the nuclear warheads and much armory.

All this gamesmanship will come to a close shortly as we know Scripture has the final say. Once the bombs fly in Israel we are then to know that the church judgment has arrived–

“..while the powers of the earth are engulfed in a gigantic war, the wicked in the church shall be cut off, no more to pass through her.” (Tract 14, p.22)

After this church judgment , God’s power is finally loosed upon His servants and this causes a shift in the world’s priorities. Religion is the foremost topic of all the world and press. The world-wide protestant religions are exposed as lying prophesiers. For they have continually proclaimed that “God will protect Israel” and when the world sees Israel is utter desolation they will be seen as false prophesiers. They will be dumbfounded as to what happened.

But the small group from the SDA church known as Davidian Seventh-day Adventists will arouse the world for their prophesies are the only ones to be found as Truth to the letter. YouTube videos that proclaimed the events will be seen. Tracts that proclaimed the events will be seen. CD’s and DVD’s that proclaimed the events will be seen. This no doubt will awake the Truth seekers and the last Gospel proclamation will begin, it is the –Loud Cry.

Now that we know the background leading up to this war, let us read about the four winds (religious trouble and persecution).

“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” Rev. 7:2-4.

From the implication that “the four winds” are to blow and the four angels are to hurt as soon as the servants of God are sealed is seen looming the “time of trouble” such as never was (Dan. 12:1).

 

   Moving from the four corners of the compass, the winds must represent a worldwide disturbance of some kind.  Very obvious it is, too, that their blowing and the angels’ hurting, represent two armies in conflict.  The wind’s blowing is, of course, the anger of the nations against the saints; and the angels’ hurting is doubtless  the Lord’s judgment falling upon His enemies.  In other words, the angels and the winds together represent a trouble between God and the nations involving both saints and sinners.  Indeed, it is the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

   The difference between the “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world” (Matt. 24:21), and the “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1), is that during the “great tribulation” the saints are slain (Matt. 24:21, 22), whereas during the “time of trouble” they are delivered (Dan. 12:1).

   That the angels’ holding the winds does not denote their restraining the nations from warring among themselves, is made clear by the fact that the winds were not held from clashing wind against wind (nation against nation), but rather from hurting the earth, the sea, and the trees. 

Moreover, that the nations from the north and from the south, from the east and from the west were engaged in World War I, and also in World War II, although the 144,000 are not yet sealed, is another irrefutable evidence that the trouble which is forecast by the winds’ blowing and the angels’ hurting, is yet future.  That it is a global disturbance, is again seen in the fact that the winds on the one hand, and the angels on the other hand, are to trouble both earth and sea.

It being a foregone conclusion that Satan is against the saints, and that the Lord is against the truth-hating and evil-doing multitude, the  subject becomes crystal clear: When let loose, the winds are to strike against the faithful “remnant,” against those who are left after the earth has opened her mouth and swallowed up “the flood,” the “tares” (Rev. 12:16, 17); but the angels who are stationed to hurt, are  to smite those who make war against the remnant. 

Those whose names are found in the book, are “delivered.” Dan. 12:1.  Seeing that the 144,000, the servants of God, are not as yet sealed (not yet enclosed, protected, guarded, and ready to take their stand with the Lamb on Mt. Sion, but rather are still commingled with the tares) the angels are commanded to forestall the clash.

   Consequently, when this sealing work is completed, then the angels who hold the winds, will let the winds blow, and the angels who are to hurt the earth, sea, and trees, will then commence their given work.

Otherwise stated, to let the winds blow, is to permit the two-horn beast to decree “that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Rev. 13:15); and to let the angels hurt, is to allow the Lord’s decree to take its course: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” Rev. 14:9, 10.  This warning is followed by the forecast:

“The four angels were loosed, which were prepared  for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” Rev. 9:15.

   Both decrees will be in force after the 144,000 are sealed. (Tract 15, p.58-62)

“..I do know that the greatest of all wars is to be fought about the holy land; “Behold,” says the Lord, “the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” Zechariah 14:1, 2. (Timely Greetings (sermon), vol. 2, no.41, p.18)

Let us close with the message’s prophetic words made in 1951 that are being fulfilled today.

“Just look at the brute, predatory forces loose and lurking everywhere, and causing the whole earth to erupt with violence, tumult and terror. Verily, they are making “men’s hearts [to fail] them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth….” Luke 21:26. Will not all Christians everywhere be aroused by these things to “put on the whole armour of God” and to “take…the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:11, 17) while following the Lord as He leads ahead?  If not, then certain it is that the Church and the World as well are hopelessly doomed.

To be sure, though, the few who do arouse to make the total surrender which the hour demands, God will save from, the conflagration to come.” (The White-House Recruiter  p.9)

Posted in End times, Final Events | 2 Comments »

Sabbath Business Meetings?

November 14, 2015

Meeting- church members

On any given Sabbath, we could be observing a gathering like pictured above. It would be a –Sabbath church council meeting. Many members of the church gather together to discuss topics such as, bill paying, allocating funds for church business/activities, current and future projects and/or the financial requirements, etc.

But as anything we do, we should follow the Lord’s word in our actions. What does Inspiration tell us about this all too common practice among us as Seventh-day Adventists? Let us look at the “Thus sayeth the Lord.”

As we are well aware, being SDA, our hallmark sign is our obedience to the Lord’s 4th Commandment. We understand this to be absolutely crucial in our Christian walk with the Lord. No one can dispute this. But it seems there are two camps today in our church. One, the people who seem to think a “general” observance is required, i.e show up to church, do the service, continue the rest of the day doing more or less your own thing albeit in a religious cloak. They shun the obvious such as working in secular work, buying and selling, worldly activities like movies, TV shows , music, etc.

Then we have the other camp. While observing the above as well, they make it more of a serious observance. Not that they are being Pharisaic, rather the Lord’s honor is a prime concern for them. The “Thus sayeth the Lord” is their guideline. Observance even in the fine points matters to them.

A fine point, or maybe we should say a main point would be a Sabbath council member meeting. Would this issue be a concern to the Lord? Let’s see.

Before we begin let’s look at some foundation quotes concerning the Sabbath–

“Those who wish to be blest and approved of the Lord in this world, and who expect to finally be saved, and have right to the tree of life, must keep the Sabbath holy. They should pray daily for grace and wisdom to keep from polluting it in any way. Isaiah says: “Every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain.”(The Youth’s Instructor, Feb. 1, 1853)

“There is need of a Sabbath reform among us, who profess to observe God’s holy rest-day. Some discuss their business matters and lay plans on the Sabbath, and God looks upon this in the same light as though they engaged in the actual transaction of business.” (Review and Herald, March 18, 1884)

“Any work that is neglected until the commencement of holy time, should remain undone until the Sabbath is past. This course might help the memory of these thoughtless ones, and make them more careful to do their own work on the six working days.” (Signs of the Times, Feb. 7, 1911)

“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.” (Lev. 23:3)

In 1912 W.C. White (EGW’s son) answered a letter concerning what EGW wrote concerning the offering and purchasing of periodicals and subscriptions ( even religious) during Sabbath. She was 84 at the time and had limited time/energy to respond to all the requests that came in.

He wrote, “The question of proper Sabbath observance is one about which Mother has often spoken. She has often  appealed to our people to make the Sabbath a day of worship, devotion, and communion with God, and to sacredly guard it from secular business.” (Source–ellenwhite.org)

But some may say, “That is talking about regular working business in the world not church business.” This is a classic example of why the Lord needed to send a “restorer of all things”. Our all-seeing King knew that this issue should be clarified and thus we should have no confusion and then without excuse as to which way is the right course here.

So with this understanding let us look at the Lord’s Elijah message for the restoring word on this issue.

“Turning back to Isaiah 58, verse 13, tells the kind of fast this is. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.”

Therefore, the fast mentioned here is not a fasting of food, but of pleasure, labor and our own ways and thoughts, and that we must honor God and keep His Sabbath holy. The charge is, that we exact all our labor on the Sabbath day. As a people we have forgotten the true meaning of Sabbath keeping. We have come to suppose that anything which pertains more or less to religion is permissible on God’s holy day. It is said, It is the Lord’s work.

But God has never said anywhere in the Scriptures that His people are at liberty to do all manners of work (that pertain to religion) on the Sabbath day. Work which can be done on a day other than the Sabbath is not a work for the Sabbath. “Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: In it thou shalt not do any work.”

        Note the way the commandment reads: “Any work.” God does not mean that we can do our work in the six days, and His on the Sabbath. He says it is a day of rest: Not physical, but spiritual rest. For instance, it would be wrong for one to sell good religious books on the Sabbath, even if he turned all the proceeds to the church.

It would be wrong for a surgeon to perform surgical operations on patients on the Sabbath day if it can be done at another time. It would be wrong for a nurse to give treatments to patients on the Sabbath day if it was not absolutely necessary. Read Volume 7, page 106.

It would be wrong for a church council to meet on the Sabbath and discuss church business, or make plans of any kind. It would be wrong for a Sabbath keeper to load himself with evangelical announcements for a series of meetings, and distribute them from house to house on the Sabbath day. All this manner of work could be done on a day other than the Sabbath.

When we do this kind of work on the Sabbath, we do it to save ourselves an hour or so of time for the next day, thus we rob God of His time and add it to our secular pleasure. If it is wrong for one to go and sell good religious books on the Sabbath, though he turns all the proceeds to the Church, it would be doubly wrong to sell that same book in the house of God on the Sabbath day, regardless of what is done with the income.

If all of this is true, then it would be wrong to go out with Harvest Ingathering papers and receive contributions for missions on the Sabbath. It is time for God to call our attention to these things. (SRod, vol. 1, p.148-149)

Let our hearts rejoice as we see that the Lord makes this issue very clear as to leave no excuse. A Sabbath business meeting is a human convenience cloaked in the name of religion! Let us not fall for this Satan trap. It’s not real hard to figure out by human standards. We have all the members there during Sabbath, why not have the meeting then and save our precious leisure time later? Our conveniences over the Lord’s word–a recipe for disaster!

We can arrange a weekly evening gathering and do all the business we want, and thus please the Lord and more blessings shall flow.

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11:27-28)

Here is an example of a church posting that would glorify God-

Chruch council meeting

This could be posted in our Sabbath bulletins to remind our members that we can make time to do business that does not pollute our King’s holy day.

“Arise against the abominations and now take your stand with this revival and reformation (“Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 126), called forth by the True Witness to the Laodiceans (“Testimonies,” Vol. 3, pp. 252, 253). Read “Testimonies,” Vol. 3, pp. 266, 267; Ezekiel 9.” (Jezreel Letter, no. 7, p.9) 

We as present truth believers know that we must “sigh and cry” for all the abominations that be done in the church (Testimonies vol. 3, p.267), in order to get the seal of God in our forehead. And as this sin of working on His Sabbath has been seen as wrong in God’s word, let us turn from this practice and do the right thing here.

The word says–

“..we should pray that we judge not others; that we as a church deal only with open sins. (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.38, p.2)

This business gathering is open and thus we must deal with it openly. Lest we be looked at from God’s view as contributors to breaking His holy Sabbath.

We should never forget that Inspiration says that ONLY those who sigh and cry for the all the abominations done in the church (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.267 and Testimonies, vol. p.212) will receive the seal of God. Should we gamble our eternal life by presumptuously assuming that Sabbath business meetings are not an abomination? That’s an eternal gamble we cannot afford to take!

Can we image the Lord saying , “My Son/Daughter shame on you for fearing me and avoiding Sabbath council meetings.” Of course not. Rather we can walk in full faith that we stand on solid God breathed words when we take His word literally and obediently.

In closing we are in the time of the end and the Lord’s angel with the writers inkhorn is doing the all important marking of those who fear the Lord. If we error in anything let us error in fearful obedience rather than careless presumptuousness.

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.” (Psalms 128:1)

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Reformation at the Door

November 7, 2015

Reform at the door

As we look at the above, let us image that this man wants to see Donald Trump or maybe the office of Bill Gates. Their secretary must screen them, see how they are and do an inspection of sorts. If they are well-mannered and well dressed, after being screened as to who they are,  they can usually get the ok to go in. But if they are sloppy and dirty or not dressed well chances are they are refused entrance.

What about our church? What about the “house of God”? Should the standards be high as well? The word says-

“Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.” (Ezekiel 5:11)

Here we see that defilement of His “sanctuary” , His house, causes our Lord to “diminish thee”. Or to put another way “sprue” them out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16).

So what are we saying here? What we are saying is that today, right now, there is a work to be done and that work is NOT to bring more and more unconverted into His church. Reformation among us as Seventh -day Adventists, should be our main objective right now. How do we know this? Both of His last messengers say so.

We need to get real. Let us stop thinking of the Lord God as –Jolly Ol Saint Nick.  “Ho Ho Ho, my little children, come into my house, abominations and all, I’m so happy to see you.” No! Our Lord is holy, HE IS GOD.

Let us begin with the Spirit of Prophecy.

“Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God’s purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some who join the church. Those who admit them say, We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God’s people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts. 

Many of those whose names are registered on the church books are not Christians. They have not a genuine experience. If they were copying their Pattern, they would pray more and quarrel less. They would strive to be laborers together with God. Their sincere faith in Christ would lead to entire dependence on Him and perfect co-operation with Him.” (RH May 21, 1901)

“The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.371)

There is no doubt that those who do not know the Lord’s last message of Elijah (which are legion in our church) will say “What?? What are you talking about? Don’t work to bring others into our church??”

I admit that I too once thought this. When I first came into the Elijah message this part of the message was so foreign to me that I felt it almost strange, or put another way–not quite right. Yet it was “my thinking, my ideas” that I was relying on, not God’s word as spoken by His prophet and prophetess.

I led our church to design and install a large Billboard in our city, trying to win new people into our churches! It was our billboard idea and soon Amazing Facts was writing an article about it in their quarterly magazine. I was zealous for what I thought was the right thing to do. Yet the Lord was guiding and soon I walked up that next step to light I never knew was there. “My” plans soon changed into God’s plan.

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We as SDA, and nearly all other denominations of Christianity, teach the formal doctrine of “bring em in, ask little or no in-depth questions,  baptize them as soon as they request it.”

To be clear we are not saying NO ONE should join the church. The message of Elijah is clear here.

“..if we truly understand the situation, and believe in faithfully executing our trust, we should be working for the sinners in Zion with such an  all-consuming burden that we would at present have neither time nor energy left to work for the  sinners in the world, save for such as those  represented by the “Syrophenician” woman (Mark 7:26).  Then we shall be doing our full part in the calling of the 144,000 to their task, and thus hastening  the time of the in gathering of the great multitude from the world–the day of the Loud Cry.” (Answerer, vol. 5, Q-129)

If God leads anyone into the Truth, then we should not discourage them. But as we saw from Inspiration, “The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth.”

So we ask. Who is doing God’s work today, for HIM? Is it those who try to reach the heathen? Or is it those who try to save the ones who will be first to receive judgment (the SDA church)(1 Peter 4:17, Testimonies Vol. 5, p.211)? The world WILL be preached to, when the time comes and that, by the purified church the 144,000.

But this understanding certainly is not being followed except by the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. Those who are following in the final light to His church through His pleading message of Elijah.

“God does not want to bring the heathen unconverted into the church for the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine, but He is exceedingly anxious to save the church: neither is He working “to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church-members who have never been converted….Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 6, p. 371.  (Symbolic Code, vol. 2 no.5-6, p.9)

Let me interject here and say this is SO TRUE. What happens when there comes an honest God loving -God fearing soul into the church and he or she sits down and quickly notices nightclub dressed up gals, complete with short skirts and high heels? Do we think he is comforted or sorrowful–think about it.

“..to devote our time to evangelizing the world while neglecting the church, would be a criminal act, one of highest treason both to God and to His people. The church must first be saved from her Laodicean condition of being “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” She, not the world, is just about to be spued out. She “is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard.”-Testimonies to Ministers, p. 15.

But in her present deplorable state of blindness and destitution as exposed by the True Witness (Rev. 3:14-18), she is utterly unfit for the task assigned her, and must be rescued from her sad deception before she can become a safe refuge and a saving influence to those who would join her ranks. Should God leave her in the Laodicean condition in which she now languishes, not only would she herself be lost but, in consequence, so also would the whole world along with her. He must therefore rouse her up or else raise up another to do the work which remains to be done.” (Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)

I don’t know about you but after truly understanding this situation we should at once determine to go to work helping our own. We, not the world,  as Inspiration says is just about to be sprued out. Meetings should be set up,  present truth Bible studies given, sermons arranged, phone conferences engaged, etc. There is SO MUCH we should be doing to enlighten our church to God’s final message of reformation and revival.

“Yes, the honest heathen must and will be evangelized, but “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:6) must be sought first. How thankful, therefore, and how cooperative they ought to be, and will be, when they discover that rather than being rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, they are actually “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”—in need of everything- and that the Lord is waiting for them to wake up to the fact so that He can make them what they ought to be.

For these reasons, God says now to work within the Laodicean congregation rather than without. And what He says, that He means, and we dare not disobey, regardless what men may say or do.”   (Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)

“The mission to save the world cannot be more important than the mission to save the church. Enlarging the church membership under the now prevailing lukewarm Laodicean conditions could no more advance the Kingdom of Christ than could have been done under the condition in the Jewish church in the days of His first advent. Understanding the true situation in the church, John the Baptist and Christ Himself and even the apostles at first, engaged them selves to work, not for the world in general, but only in the interest of their brethren in the church.

As the same departure from Christ exists within the church now as it did then (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217), it will take much greater effort to rescue the people from the Laodicean “sad deception” (Testimonies. Vol. 3, p. 253), than if they were in heathenism. For in Laodicea they are made to believe that they have all the truth there is to be had, that they are rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing,—their salvation forever secured as long as they hold membership in the church. Hence there is greater risk of their losing their souls in the church while she is “lukewarm” and about to be spued out, than if they remain in the world until the church awakes from her slumber, and anoints herself with the eyesalve (Truth)—sees right, does right, and leads an. feeds the flock aright.

Let every honest member ask the question, If the church herself is not saved (Testimonies Vol. 3, p. 253), not following Christ her Leader (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217) and “has become an harlot” (Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 250), how can she save others? The greatest need therefore is first to save those in the church, then those in the world. The “special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people” (The Great Controversy, p. 425), “the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand (Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266), must come first then is to follow the sealing of those in the world.” (Answerer, vol. 3, Q-67)

Right now we are perilously close to entering into either life everlasting or death everlasting.  The decision is ours. The course is laid out. Do we work within and follow the Lord through His messengers? Or do we follow our own path as Korah and his followers did? We must make a decision which will it be?

In closing what better and clearer word of God can we get than the following. Our prophetess gives us unmistakable instructions of why we are not to carelessly let people join  the church. As we have shown the Lord’s work is to do in- house work now. Why? because we are filled to the brim with unconverted among us. But should we find those who want to come into the truth , being led of God, then let us use the following example–

Examination of Candidates

“The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether they are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord’s side, to come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Before baptism there should be a thorough inquiry as to the experience of the candidates.

Let this inquiry be made, not in a cold and distant way, but kindly, tenderly, pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Bring the requirements of the gospel to bear upon the candidates for baptism.

One of the points upon which those newly come to the faith will need instruction is the subject of dress. Let the new converts be faithfully dealt with. Are they vain in dress? Do they cherish pride of heart? The idolatry of dress is a moral disease. It must not be taken over into the new life. In most cases, submission to the gospel requirements will demand a decided change in the dress.

There should be no carelessness in dress. For Christ’s sake, whose witnesses we are, we should seek to make the best of our appearance. In the tabernacle service, God specified every detail concerning the garments of those who ministered before Him. Thus we are taught that He has a preference in regard to the dress of those who serve Him. Very specific were the directions given in regard to Aaron’s robes, for his dress was symbolic. So the dress of Christ’s followers should be symbolic.

In all things we are to be representatives of Him. Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity. But the word of God gives no sanction to the making of changes in apparel merely for the sake of fashion, that we may appear like the world. Christians are not to decorate the person with costly array or expensive ornaments.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.95-96)

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