Archive for September, 2016

The Quote Scripture Plan for Addictions

September 24, 2016

smoking

Let’s face it, nicotine is one powerful substance. I have personally seen its devastating work. My Mother passed away at age 72 from emphysema due to smoking for 50+ years. My Grandfather had a large portion of his jaw removed when he was 68 due to cancer after being a long time pipe smoker.

But there is a plan which, if followed and believed can defeat this very addictive substance. It is God’s proven plan. Let us read.

“Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. And having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.” Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” “Away from me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'” Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.” (Matt. 4:1-11)

These Scriptures show us the powerful effect our King had with the devil. And what method did the Lord use? Scripture! We see that Satan came at Jesus and when tempted our Lord rebuked him , not with subtle arguments or persuasive words, but with a “thus sayeth the Lord”.

Recently  during my work travels I received a call from “Gary” a former church friend of mine, whom I had not seen for a good 3 years. He is a member of the prior church I belonged to. We chatted for a bit, then he said he needed some help with his refrigerator. We made plans for the service call the following day.

So I showed up at the appointed time and went in to see his refrigerator. Sure enough, it was a solvable problem (bad freezer fan) and I proceeded to do the repair. While working on it I was able to chat with Gary. Soon we discussed church. But as we spoke  the Spirit indicated to me that Gary was not ready yet for some deeper present truth studies. He was to be reached at his level. As we talked it clicked. So I told him about how there is so much sin in our church, poor dressing, poor eating, socializing among our members instead of studying and testifying of God’s power and work.

He agreed and said that the church was turning into a “country club.” Then I was moved to tell him how I overcame some of my worldly ways such as drinking, chewing tobacco, poker, etc. Then Gary told of his “current” bad habit–smoking. He admitted he was not an over-comer and really needed to stop this bad habit. Bingo! The plan came.  I told Gary about the “quote Scripture plan”. He was all ears.

Basically, I said, it requires that one find a favorite Scripture. Then on day one you start out the day armed with this Scripture and use it on the first temptation from the devil. In my personal case chewing tobacco was my vice. So that first day I had to quote Scripture maybe 10 or 12 times. But , and this is very important, you must quote Scripture and then say “Be gone from me devil in the name of Jesus Christ!”

This effectively chases away the devil/temptation. He will come back again, but you will quote and rebuke him again.  A tampering off should be achieved as the month goes by.

Gary liked the plan. He said he would try it. I encouraged him and told him that he must believe each time he quotes God’s word and not doubt.

A few days ago I got a text from Gary saying he’s successful so far. We praised the Lord and told him not to give up, keep going until you have no more desire and the devil has left for good.

The Lord’s messenger gave us a serious warning concerning our bad habits–

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” (Testimonies, vol.5, p.214)

Our King said- “Do not fear; only believe.”(Mark 5:36)

There is no disagreement among the world’s medical leaders that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet. Only Heroin and Cocaine ranked higher in addictiveness. So of all the “legal” substances one can use, it is nicotine that has the highest addiction among the world’s population.

About 1.1 billion people — one in every three adults — are smokers, according to the World Health Organization. And yours truly is a witness to the powerful effect of nicotine.

One of the best testimonies one can give is that of a personal testimony. So I would like to give my own testimony about the quote Scripture plan.

Back in early 2009 I came upon the Bible truth that the Sabbath of the Lord was real, this was new to me being raised a Catholic. I soon came into the Seventh-day Adventist church and was baptized in mid 2009. But as I began my SDA membership and church attendance, I carried into it a few bad habits, chewing tobacco being one of them. In fact I remember  at least a couple of times going to church with some tobacco in my cheek. Let me briefly regress to the past.

This bad habit actually started back in my late teens when , as a bat boy for the San Diego Padres national baseball team. The players often would have a big load of “chew” in their mouth and spit it out often on the field. One day I decided I would try it. BIG mistake! I almost immediately began to get dizzy and felt like vomiting. The natural body defenses warned me–bad stuff!

But I soon tried it again and it gave a strange feeling of exhilaration. You see nicotine raises the blood sugar and one gets a feeling of being “high” , the degree of this depends on the amount and the length of the chew. The more one chews, though, the more one gets used to it and it becomes an addiction. But fortunately after those Padre years, I left the bad habit for a long time.

But in my early 40’s I began to chew on cigars. Having asthma I did not want to inhale smoke, so I found chewing on the cigar released the nicotine  and gave me the “buzz” I liked. Ok, I have digressed to show you how the habit came let’s get back to the story.

But as we all should know the process of sanctification is a process not a one time event or immediate occurrence. The key is that we should want to keep drawing closer to Christ, we should want to “chop away” at our sins, much as a tree remover keeps chopping away at the stump to bring it down.  We keep choppin til we bring down our sins (eliminate them) until the sins we do are mostly unconscious or without deliberateness.

So as I continued my walk the Lord was telling me to straighten up with this bad habit. So I came across the Scripture where Jesus , our perfect example, fought temptation. It was in the desert where Satan tempted Him. But how the Lord handled it was with–Scripture! I figured if it was good enough for our King, it’s good enough for me. Armed with this idea, I decided to use it to overcome my tobacco habit.

That first day I quoted ” The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1). I used this because of two reasons. One, it was my mother’s favorite Bible verse. Two, it had in the words “I shall not want” meaning not wanting tobacco. This was quoted alot that first day, as the devil came again and again to tempt  me to partake in this habit, which off and on I had done for a good 15 years or so.

In other words, the devil had me just where he wanted me–hooked and bound by his chain called tobacco. But I trusted in Christ, through His Holy Spirit, and His –word.

This is key my brothers and sisters, we MUST believe in order for Christ to work in our life. I believed that with Christ’s word and it put into action —it would work!

As the days went on I kept quoting the Scripture with the very important devil rebuke added– “Be gone from me devil in the name of Jesus Christ!” This was the plan and I followed it day after day. Soon it was tampering off and by the third week I was down to quoting it maybe 2 or 3 times a day. Finally by the 4th week  the devil left for good!

The word says– “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

To this day I have never went back to this evil habit and all praise and honor to Him who made it possible. By all means tell your friends and family if you should know of anyone who needs help with an addiction. The Lord’s word is powerful if you believe.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him.”(Testimonies, vol. 1, p.144)

Posted in God's power, Healing and health, Prayer's answered | 4 Comments »

Refuse to be Corrected

September 17, 2016

poor-dress-girl

“God has not altered nor changed. He is a jealous God, and will not look upon sin now with any more allowance than He did among ancient Israel. Sin is sin. Sins have not been held forth in their sinfulness, but it has been made to appear as though sins have been lightly regarded by God.” (TSB, p.247)

Several weeks ago the spirit urged me to speak to a young lady in our church. I had noticed her for quite a while as she was well established in the worldly attire routine. As we have posted many times before when sin is placed in front of us we have two choices, turn and ignore it or decide to face it, for the betterment of the afflicted. I chose the latter.

As my wife and I were leaving the church lunch, she excused herself to the ladies room. A few moments later the Lord had placed the young lady in my path, now was my time to act. I gently said hello, then I asked if I could speak to her for a moment. She agreed politely.

I started out, “You know dear sister if you were invited to the president of the United States office, you would want to dress nice and modest , yes?” She nodded in the affirmative. “You would want to be conservative and presentable. So when we go to our church and into God’s sanctuary are we not going in front of Someone who is much more important than president of the United States, the God of the universe?” Again she nodded. “So maybe next time you might want to dress a little more conservative in His presence, is that ok?” She said yes,and thanked me for the chat.

Now we must understand that this really should not be my duty, it should be the leaders (ie, the Pastor, elders, deacons). But Inspiration warned us a long time ago–

“Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and stupid, and ministers have no power to arouse them; they are asleep themselves. Sleeping preachers preaching to a sleeping people!” (Testimonies, vol.2, p.337) 

The next time I saw her at church, she had on her typical alluring worldly attire. Nothing changed. The warning is done it’s now up to her.

“I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings given them.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.255)

This dress problem is not solely with the ladies but with some of us men as well. Sometimes we dress like we are going on some kind of fishing expedition. Casual T-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes or loafers, etc.  Again would we dress like that if called to  a one on one meeting with the president of the USA? Not even!

“All should have a special sabbath suit, to be worn when attending service in God’s house.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.355)

There are two great messages concerning these things. The Lord saw that these very situations would occur within our churches. Let’s read from our two last church prophets some specific counsel.

“Sabbath my husband spoke in the forenoon, and I followed for two hours before taking food. The meeting was then closed for a few moments, and I took a little food, and afterward spoke in a social meeting for one hour, bearing pointed testimonies for several present. These testimonies were generally received with feelings of humility and gratitude. I cannot, however, say that all were so received.

The next morning, as we were about to leave for the house of worship to engage in the arduous labors of the day, a sister for whom I had a testimony that she lacked discretion and caution, and did not fully control her words and actions, came in with her husband and manifested feelings of great unreconciliation and agitation.

She commenced to talk and to weep. She murmured a little, and confessed a little, and justified self considerably. She had a wrong idea of many things I had stated to her. Her pride was touched as I brought out her faults in so public a manner. Here was evidently the main difficulty. But why should she feel thus?

The brethren and sisters knew these things were so, therefore I was not informing them of anything new. But I doubt not that it was new to the sister herself. She did not know herself, and could not properly judge of her own words and acts. This is in a degree true of nearly all, hence the necessity of faithful reproofs in the church and the cultivation by all its members of love for the plain testimony.

Her husband seemed to feel unreconciled to my bringing out her faults before the church and stated that if Sister White had followed the directions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 he should not have felt hurt: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

My husband then stated that he should understand that these words of our Lord had reference to cases of personal trespass, and could not be applied in the case of this sister. She had not trespassed against Sister White. But that which had been reproved publicly was public wrongs which threatened the prosperity of the church and the cause. Here, said my husband, is a text applicable to the case: 1 Timothy 5:20: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”The brother acknowledged his error like a Christian and seemed reconciled to the matter. It was evident that since the meeting of Sabbath afternoon they had got many things about the matter wonderfully magnified and wrong.

It was therefore proposed that the written testimony be read. When this was done, the sister who was reproved by it, inquired: “Is that what you stated yesterday?” I replied that it was. She seemed surprised and quite reconciled to the written testimony. This I gave her, without reserving a copy. Here I did wrong. But I had such tender regard for her and her husband, and such ardent desires and hopes for their prosperity, that, in this case, I broke over an established custom.

Already meeting time was passing, and we hastened one mile and a half to the waiting congregation. The reader may judge whether the scene of that morning was well adapted to aid us in the collection of thought and nerve necessary to stand before the people. But who thinks of this? Some may, and show a little mercy, while the impulsive and careless will come with their burdens and trials, generally just before we are to speak, or when perfectly exhausted by speaking. My husband, however, summoned all his energies, and by request spoke with freedom on the law and the gospel.

I had received an invitation to speak in the afternoon in the new house of worship recently built and dedicated by the Methodists. This commodious building was crowded, and many were obliged to stand. I spoke with freedom for about an hour and a half upon the first of the two great commandments repeated by our Lord, and was surprised to learn that it was the same from which the Methodist minister had spoken in the forenoon. He and his people were present to hear what I had to say.

In the evening we had a precious interview at Brother Spooner’s with Brethren Miller, Hatch, and Haskell, and Sisters Sturges, Bliss, Harrison, and Malin. We now felt that our work for the present was done in Tuscola County. We became very much interested in this dear people, yet feared that the sister referred to, for whom I had a testimony, would let Satan take advantage of her and cause them trouble. I felt an earnest desire that she might view the matter in its true light.

The course she had been pursuing was destroying her influence in the church and outside of it. But now, if she would receive the needed reproof, and humbly seek to improve by it, the church would take her anew into their hearts, and the people would think more of her Christianity. And what is better still, she could enjoy the approving smiles of her dear Redeemer. Would she fully receive the testimony? was my anxious inquiry. I feared that she would not and that the hearts of the brethren in that county would be saddened on her account.

After returning home, I sent to her for a copy of the testimony, and on the 15th of April received the following, dated at Denmark, April 11, 1868: “Sister White: Yours of the 23d ult. is at hand. Am sorry I cannot comply with your request.”

I shall still cherish the tenderest feelings of regard for this family, and shall be happy to help them when I can. It is true that such treatment from those for whom I give my life casts a shade of sadness over me; but my course has been so plainly marked out for me that I cannot let such things keep me from the path of duty.

As I returned from the post office with the above note, feeling rather depressed in spirit, I took the Bible, and opened it with the prayer that I might find comfort and support therein, and my eye rested directly upon the following words of the prophet: “Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.” Jeremiah 1:17-19. (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.15-18)

The Responsibility of Those Who Bear the Message.

Since Ezekiel represents those whose hearts the message has reached, then to them the Lord is speaking when He says: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

   “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because  thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezek. 3 :17-21.

   Because of the unfaithfulness of the former watchmen, the Lord makes the antitypical Ezekiel — he and she who “sigh and cry for the abominations  that be done in the midst thereof” (the church) — a “watchman” (Ezek. 3:17) in their stead.  Be careful, therefore, Brother, Sister, lest you also betray your trust and find yourself thrust out.  “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12.  Only those who thus humble themselves now, will the Lord exalt in due time to be His Faithful Watchmen to Stand Before the Unfaithful.(Tract 1, no.41-42)

 In closing my brothers and sisters, time is short, any little or big thing we can do to strike a heart, to warn a wrong course, we should do. Those souls shall not stand in the surprise church judgment if they do not turn from their careless and sinful behavior. If we love them and truly care for their souls –we will make the effort somehow some way.

Posted in Obedience, Sighing and Crying, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Marriage Supper of the Lamb

September 10, 2016

Marriage Supper

One of the most glorious anticipated events to come is the marriage supper of the Lamb. Imagine a perfect supper with all the settings and pure atmosphere (no trace of sin around). But this subject is not often looked into and there is even some confusion about it. Let us look at it from Inspiration.

Question No. 44:

What is the marriage spoken of in “Christ’s Object Lessons,” p. 307, and in “The Great Controversy,” pg. 426, 427? In one instance, it is said to be “the union of humanity with divinity”; in another “the reception by Christ of His kingdom” in still another it is said that the marriage “takes place in heaven, while [the saints] are upon the earth” waiting “for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding.” Will you please clear this complex subject for me?

Answer:

Let us remember that these figures of speech, along with many others, are only illustrations of truths, not the truths in themselves. For example, the setting up of the Kingdom is illustrated, in one instance, by the “harvest;” the subjects of the Kingdom, by the “wheat”; and the kingdom itself, by the “barn.” Matt. 13:30.

In another instance, the setting up of the Kingdom and the separation of the sinners from among the saints, are illustrated by the angels drawing “the net” to shore then sitting down, segregating the bad from the good fish, and putting the good into “vessels, ” but casting out of it the bad (Matt. 13:48). In this instance, the subjects of the Kingdom are represented by the good fish; and the Kingdom itself, by the “vessels.”

So, while it is true that the marriage of Christ is a “union of humanity with divinity,” it is also true that the marriage is “the reception of His kingdom,” for humanity makes up the Kingdom. Therefore, the marriage is equivalent to the coronation; the Kingdom itself, to the city, or bride; and the guests, to the saints or subjects of the Kingdom. From this we see that when Christ receives His Kingdom, He indeed will unite humanity with divinity.

The reception of His Kingdom takes place in heaven while the saints are still on earth, as Daniel was shown: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Dan. 7:13, 14.

Bringing into prophetic focus this same event Jesus declared parabolically: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for Himself a kingdom, and to return.” Luke 19:12. Note that He receives the Kingdom (acquires ownership of it) while He is away, not when He returns. (See The Great Controversy, pp. 426, 427).

So, the marriage is the coronation of Christ, which takes place in the heavenly temple when all His subjects on earth are made ready, while the work is drawing to completion, and probation to a close. Obviously, then, the marriage takes place before He comes to “receive” the saints unto Himself (John 14:3), and before they meet Him “in the air.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. Afterwards is served the “supper.”

Consequently, though the wedding takes place in heaven, the saints while on the earth are the prospective guests for the marriage supper. Then, after the marriage is solemnized in the Holy of Holies, Jesus descends from heaven and takes the guests unto Himself, so that where He is, they may be also (John 14:1-3). There they eat of the “marriage supper of the Lamb.”–The Great Controversy p. 427; Rev. 19:9. In this instance, while the saints are said to be the guests, the Holy City is said to be “the bride.” Rev. 21:9, 10.

Again: just before the marriage, when the saints are still on earth, their righteousness is said to be the bride’s (city’s) “fine linen.” Rev. 19:8.

The lessons that are taught by these and other illustrations become priceless jewels of truth to those who take heed to them. (Answerer, vol. 2, p.86-89)

The Spirit of Prophecy uses the Lord’s kingdom marriage supper as a warning —

“They will question and criticize everything that arises in the unfolding of truth, criticize the work and position of others, criticize every branch of the work in which they have not themselves a part. They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, “until,” said the angel, “the Lord Jesus shall rise up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary and shall clothe Himself with the garments of vengeance and surprise them at their unholy feast, and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Their taste has been so perverted that they would be inclined to criticize even the table of the Lord in His kingdom”(Testimonies, vol.5, p.690).

“The guests at the marriage feast were inspected by the king. Only those were accepted who had obeyed his requirements and put on the wedding garment. So it is with the guests at the gospel feast. All must pass the scrutiny of the great King, and only those are received who have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.312)

So let us often think about our end goal, to be with the King and our beloved relatives and friends in that precious marriage supper table. We want to be there and we will indeed be married with the King for eternity–wow!

Posted in Our Lord's kingdom | Leave a Comment »

Addressing Pastor Doug Batchelor

September 3, 2016

 

Image result for picture of doug batchelor

As we have posted a few times before, Doug Batchelor (hereafter referred as DB) holds a close place to many SDA’s heart. He was one of the first SDA leaders I learned from when I became a Seventh-day Adventist. Many of his DVD’s were purchased and I especially appreciated his very knowledgeable teaching of the Sabbath.

In fact when we decided to run a church Billboard advertising campaign high-lightening the Sabbath day, we didn’t even ask DB or Amazing Facts organization to put their information on the Billboard. We knew that their site was so informative and powerful in Sabbath information for those wanting to learn more, it was a no brainer. Later, they got wind of it and put an article in their world-wide magazine, picture and all.

I say all this to point out that DB is gifted in much knowledge of the Bible and our SDA doctrinal teachings. However, as we’ll show this knowledge must include “present truth” which is God’s latest road map to the kingdom.

“There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now.” (Early Writings, p.63)

We’ve personally had an email study with DB in the past and enjoyed it, although the intended result was not accomplished –to hear the Elijah message from DB. The following is the latest communication we’ve had with DB’s group–Amazing Facts.

We initiated the conversation by sending them the following video–
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxTomqQtFLb2aU5lOFpCNVVnRk0/view

After we sent it to Amazing Facts and several others via email, we received an email response from AF. It read as follows —

“Thanks for sharing”

K –Amazing Facts.   (name omitted for their privacy)

We promptly responded –

“You’re welcome. Did you find it revealing?” Their response came a few days later–

“Robert, no I wouldn’t say revealing. I know there are some who believe this… of course you probably already know pastor Doug’s position:

“Although 1 Peter 4:17 says that judgment begins at the house of God,there is no exact statement that I know of in the Spirit of Prophecy regarding probation closing for the Adventists before others.

If probation closes for the church, what that essentially means is that people can no longer be saved into, or lost out of the church. If probation closed for the church, how could others be saved into it, as the loud cry goes out? So, to me, it seems to make more sense that probation closes for those individuals who have had the greatest light.

The evidence in Ezekiel 9:6 and 1 Peter also goes along with the story of Mary being caught in adultery in John 8:9. It says that beginning with the eldest even unto the last.

So I think that judgment, rather than beginning with those who are specifically members of the church, will begin with those who have had the longest lives and the greatest opportunities to respond to salvation. That is also why it says in Ezekiel 9:6, begin with the ancient men.” (We do not know whether “K” asked DB for a direct answer to the video or whether this was a statement made in prior recorded reports or videos)

Ok there is much for us to analyze here. Let’s look at DB’s position and see how it holds up to God’s word from His prophets, specifically compared to the Lord’s Elijah message.

In order to address his points clearly , we’ll discuss each paragraph’s main points.

1)  In this first paragraph we see that DB has no knowledge of an “exact statement” in the SOP (EGW writings) showing that probation closes first for Adventists before others. While DB is right that there exists no direct statement saying this, there is a preponderance of evidence when the Scriptures, SOP and the Elijah message is studied.

As Bible students  and Adventists, we know that there are basically three sources of Inspired writings Scripture, SOP (EGW writings) and Elijah message (VTH). In order to find that the close of probation happens first for God’s remnant SDA church we can do the following deduction by seeing Inspired references that can give us no other conclusion.

a. SOP announced that Rev. 7 sealings (of the 144k) are one and the same event as Ezek. 9 church judgment (Testimonies to Ministers, p.445). One saw the sealing (marking) and the other saw what happened to those not sealed. In other words the “great and dreadful day” of the Lord completes the sealing and completes the purification. Great for those sealed and dreadful for those not.

b. As Rev. 7 is the Scripture that speaks of the 144,000 sealed, we see also that the four winds are held back until this sealing is done, Rev. 7 /Ezek 9– are done. The four winds  in this specific word of God represents the Sunday law ( Testimonies for the church, vol. 5, p.152).

There is much more evidence that the SDA probation closes first but that is one of the clear evidences that DB does not take into account.

2) In the second paragraph DB states that once the SDA probation closes the SDA church would cease to exist (unable to bring new converts into her). This is a fatal interpretive mistake and shows woeful ignorance of the Scriptural plan God has for His church. Additionally DB’s understanding of the “Loud Cry” is misguided because of his misunderstanding of the Ezek. 9 church judgment, its timing and purpose.

By looking at Rev. 12:15-17 we can see one of the clearest evidences that the church purification takes place before the time of trouble. Let us read–

“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”(Rev. 12:15-17)

DB ignores the fact that the “earth” , which is indicative of God’s miraculous work of Ezek. 9  (see Numbers 16:32 for the original type) swallows (takes away) the unconverted in the church. It is at this time  that Satan gets enraged and go to make war. In other words it is the church purification that cause the time of trouble as never was (Dan 12:1).

But the most clear of all for showing the church purification and subsequent Loud Cry work is found in Isaiah 66:15-20.

“For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. 

For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.”

Ah, in one fell swoop the Lord shows us the church purification and subsequent Loud Cry!

3) This third paragraph is quite a stretch in linking Ezek. 9:6 to John 8:9. There is simply no spiritual connection from what I see.

4) In this paragraph DB says that the judgment (meaning church) will begin “with those who have had the longest lives and the greatest opportunities to respond to salvation.”

This appears to be because DB uses the word “ancient” (“zaqen” H2205 in Hebrew) in Ezek. 9:6 to mean –old, advanced in years. But this fails miserably because when we understand the Hebrew word for ancient we learn the following:

The KJV translates Strongs H2205 in the following manner:elders (115x), old (23x), old man (19x), ancient (14x), aged (3x),eldest (1x), ancient man (1x), senators (1x), old women (1x). (source-Blue Letter Bible. org)

This word is predominantly used for elders not old people. On this strength alone we see that the church judgment begins with the elders, the leaders who have had great light. SOP reiterates these points–

“Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear? Will you receive His message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity.” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p.260)

Notice rather than saying it applies to old people or any other certain group of SDA, SOP says judgment will apply to “the people”. They should already know “great and important truths” but they continue to walk (show obedience) contrary to what they know. In other words the Lord’s final message of Elijah is predominantly a “no-show” among the SDA people. The message of the 144,000 and reformation sits alone and largely ignored. The leaders have refused to “receive His message” and therefore the people likewise.

Pastor Doug has much knowledge of the SDA truths yet as was shown  there seems no advancement into more light, the light of present truth. This glaring deficiency is typical of those who fail to truly believe in God’s word, as sincere as they may appear —

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. “(Mal. 4:5)

These words of Malachi do not register with many of our SDA leaders such as DB, Steve Wohlberg, Stephen Bohr, Danny Shelton, etc. They do not think that the Lord literally meant that He would send a prophet “Elijah” to His people in the last days. Hence, these self-important men feel that they have a message from the Lord and there is no such thing as any message from the  “Elijah” to come per Malachi 4:5-6.

But by God’s grace and mercy we average laymen will seek the Lord with all our hearts and believe in His word as it reads.

“In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

“In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began “at Moses and all the prophets” and “expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27. But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form. (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.127-128)

 


									


				
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