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A Courageous Sermon

July 2, 2023


His name is Danny Shelton. He is the founder of 3 ABN (Three Angels Broadcast Network). He’s been working within his organization for decades now. Recently we saw his video and we were, frankly, impressed! Very few SDA leaders today have taken such a brave and compelling stance against “sins in our midst”. 

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

The above Bible counsel has been put into practice by Danny and we’d like for you to spend some time watching this truly powerful video. Be Blessed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2gcZbqfHT0

Posted in Courage, Sighing and Crying | Leave a Comment »

God’s courage versus the Globalist’s Sheep herd

May 30, 2020

Americans don masks haltingly or not at all, despite CDC advice ...

We are witnessing a mass sheep-like obedience to non-sensical and even nonhealthy practices. Blind faith to Big Brother and his numerous lockdown restrictions, certainly is worrisome for what the future will behold. Only those who take the courageous stand for the Lord and His Word/Law will be victorious.

In one of the Scripture’s most striking examples of courage, we find the story of the 3 Hebrew slaves who refused to bow down and worship the king. This is one of the numerous times throughout Scripture where God’s people had courage. We would do well to re-read this story at this time.

“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”(Daniel 3:1-30)

 

Let us look at some Scripture that speak of courage —

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:19)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”(Duet. 31:6)

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13)

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Prov. 28:1)

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (Psalms 31:24)

“But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”(Mark 5:36)

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalms 112:7)

 

In closing brethren, as our King is about to manifest Himself. We must stand strong, show courage and not act as sheep who follow man, but be strong and not fearful.

Posted in Courage | Leave a Comment »

Oh how easy the Mark of the Beast will be!

April 25, 2020

San Francisco forced people to wear masks during the 1918 Spanish ...

In the above picture, we see a man walking out in the fresh air wearing a mask. No one close to him yet he has a mask on to “protect” him from the big bad monster–the coronavirus! But let us look at this behavior and how this blind faith and total obedience surely is a precursor to a future prophetic event –The Mark of the Beast!

First let us look at the reality of this mask-wearing.

Recently the World health Organization headquarters (W.H.O) made an announcement of mask-wearing. In a recent article in Business Insider, it read —

“The use of face masks on healthy people during the coronavirus pandemic has been a major point of contention and confusion among scientists and the public.

On Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all Americans wear face masks when they are in public.

But new guidance from the World Health Organization released on Monday says healthy people don’t need to wear face masks and that doing so won’t provide added protection from the coronavirus.

There’s some evidence that caretakers of infected people can protect their health by wearing masks, the WHO guidance said, but “there is currently no evidence that wearing a mask (whether medical or other types) by healthy persons in the wider community setting, including universal community masking, can prevent them from infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.” (Dated 4/7/20)

There is much discussion of this as to whether it really protects and safeguards against airborne diseases, ie. coronavirus.

Personally, I can understand a general precaution for public gatherings of condensed people but to wear a mask outside while you are walking in the fresh clean air, or driving in your car –give me a break! No wonder in many cases we are not acting like people but sheeple!

In Scripture we read —

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”(Rev. 13:14)

Deception will be a key trick that the very powerful “false prophet” will use soon. But already we are witness to mass sheep-like obedience! Without common sense, nor even good solid medical sense, many are blindly following orders from “big brother”, our government.

So with the already willingness to follow ridiculous commands, how much easier will it be to be swayed by a powerful Satan-inspired “prophet” who shall perform miracles and cause many to cry out in joyful voices–“It is from the Lord!!” ?

As we have posted many times before we will have to make one of two choices –God’s team, join the 144,000 warriors of God who proclaim the Loud Cry (Come into His kingdom and obey His Commandments), or the Satanic servants who proclaim Sunday as the worship day of the Lord and demand Sunday worship for the masses, thus getting the Mark of the Beast. Remember this Mark is final for eternity!

No one can remain neutral.

Just as the lack of proper study and seeking REAL information cause many of us to be sheeple in things of this world, the word of God tells us this same laziness will be the undoing of the masses soon in the world that counts–God’s final kingdom! Spirit of Prophecy speaks of Satan’s trick —

“I will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the commandments of God. That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage. The people accept their ministers’ explanations of Scripture, and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will.” (GC, p.338, 1884 edition)

In closing, let us be faithful and smart, willing to listen, learn and study and do as God’s Word instructs. Then we shall indeed be God’s people not the world’s sheeple.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim, 2:15)

Posted in Christian walk, Courage, Delusion, General thoughts, Healing and health | 5 Comments »

“His Servants must Vigilantly Watch”

June 15, 2019

Image result for Joshua finding Achan

Many of us are familiar with the trials and lessons of Joshua. One of the foremost is the lesson of Achan. This lesson is very important for us present truth believers because today of all times in history Satan is on the attack as never before. In fact, the Lord instructed His final messenger to our church to say the following.

“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his  tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the Valley of Achor.

   “And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us?  The Lord shall trouble thee this day.  And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” Josh. 7: 24, 25.

   At that solemn time, Achan was the only sinner in the camp, but because of his sin the whole nation was about to fall and thus God’s great  name be dishonored in the eyes of the heathen.

   The Lord’s dealings with Joshua reveal that His servants must vigilantly watch that no evil enter into their ranks, and that His words through His prophets be feared as though He Himself were speaking directly to the people…. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition,  upon whom the ends of the world are come.  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he  fall.” 1 Cor. 10:11, 12. (Tract 4, p.30-31)

What a powerful counsel! Yet as we look out in the present truth vineyard, we see few servants “vigilantly” watching that ” no evil enter their ranks”. We sometimes wonder like the Lord did  “I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted..” ( Isaiah 63:5)

Let us look at some current applications of our Joshua lesson today.

First, as we mentioned Satan is on the full attack to infiltrate the movement that will soon destroy him. Why? Because He has diligently studied God’s word and knows that when His last prophesied prophet “Elijah” comes and gives the final message to God’s church, his final hours of the clock begins. The message describes his last actions —

” …we must remember that when the last prophet comes he will have the greatest opposition to meet, for Satan well knows that if he loses now, he loses forever.  What makes Elijah’s work especially hard is that Christendom has long been drilled in the idea that no prophet is to come, that there is no necessity for one, that it has enough revealed Truth to carry it inside the Pearly Gates. It is therefore only to be expected that the predicted Elijah will be denounced as a false prophet, perhaps even as the anti-Christ, offshoot, or what not.

   Moreover, the old Devil has already put all his forces to work, piping pleasing tunes to lure Truth seekers to climb aboard his golden bandwagon.   Its glittering tinsel of truth is already beguiling many with his wares while his captains and generals are to the top of their voices shouting their “Hallelujahs,” “Holy Ghost,” “gift of healing,” “gift of tongues,” “gift of miracles,” and all the rest, although the entire fanfare is devoid even of a spark of life.  Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak.  Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.

   Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.   His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before.  Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition.” (GCS, p.6-8)

We know that His final message, as stated, will be under attack. But our all-knowing God has not left us without counsel in what to do in watching that “no evil enter into their ranks”. Let us read —

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed..” (2 John 1:10)

Quite powerful indeed! To put this into perspective into today’s terms, for example, our Facebook group “Truth Tellers” has often had to deal with some who come in, who then start to promote a counter message of the Lord’s Rod message. We follow counsel and warn. If they continue to post alternative messages to that of the Lord’s Elijah message, we take action and remove them. Remember that His final message says — “..there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition.”

“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him..” (Titus 3:10)

This group of people often are not outsiders but insiders. Those who claim to be present truth believers yet at every opportunity they lamblast His organizations, stirring up division and confusion among the brethren. This situation is perhaps the most insidious, as they have the most damaging effect on some. Again, we do not hesitate to warn, and if needed–remove. As we do that we see a decided lessening of the contention, as Scripture says —

Cast out the scorner and contention shall go out; yes strife and reproach shall cease. (Proverbs 22:10)

The Spirit of Prophecy has warnings as well on our subject —

“I saw that many souls will sink in darkness because of their covetousness. The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins. God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for these sins. But to deal with minds is the nicest work in which men ever engaged.

All are not fitted to correct the erring. They have not wisdom to deal justly, while loving mercy. They are not inclined to see the necessity of mingling love and tender compassion with faithful reproofs. Some are ever needlessly severe, and do not feel the necessity of the injunction of the apostle: “And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.”

There are many who do not have the discretion of Joshua and who have no special duty to search out wrongs and to deal promptly with the sins existing among them. Let not such hinder those who have the burden of this work upon them; let them not stand in the way of those who have this duty to do. Some make it a point to question and doubt and find fault because others do the work that God has not laid upon them.

These stand directly in the way to hinder those upon whom God has laid the burden of reproving and correcting prevailing sins in order that His frown may be turned away from His people. Should a case like Achan’s be among us, there are many who would accuse those who might act the part of Joshua in searching out the wrong, of having a wicked, fault-finding spirit. God is not to be trifled with and His warnings disregarded with impunity by a perverse people.”  (Testimonies , vol.3, p.269-270)

The above is truly packed with far-reaching counsel! Let’s review the points —

1 ) The Body of believers are held accountable when sins exist among them, that are not addressed. We are talking about PUBLIC sins, not private. Those are dealt with individually with God.

2 ) The leaders have a responsibility to deal with the sins among them.

3 ) Some leaders go the opposite extreme and are unnecessarily severe in dealing with sinners.

4)  Many do not deal promptly with sins. Worse yet some try to hinder those that do because they cannot relate to the work God has given them to reproof.

5 ) Perversely, many even accuse the faithful workers of God of doing harsh and unnecessary work of reproof and correction. These have a wicked spirit.

So we see that those of us who have a work to do have to be closely connected to our King, because not only Satan and his angels but even those among the brethren will try and tear down the faithful watching and reproving that keeps God’s wrath withheld. A tough job indeed if we are not in connection to the Most High! Prayer, supping, and living His word is a MUST for those called for service in this special calling.

“When Satan can bring his craftiness to bear on human minds, deceptive influences are received as from heaven. If his deceptions are allowed to enter, many souls will be ensnared by them before it is seen that they are not from God, but from the enemy of all righteousness.” (Manuscript Releases, 37, 1903) 

SOP concludes this report with faithful pointed counsel —

“He who has placed upon men the heavy responsibility of leaders and teachers of His people, will hold the people accountable for the manner in which they treat His servants. We are to honor those whom God has honored.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p.36)

Posted in Christian walk, Courage, Warning our brethren | 2 Comments »

No Greater Love

June 8, 2019

Image result for no greater love

Our King said —

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

The Apostles, as we know, we all dedicated followers of Christ. All of them gave up all they had to follow the Lord of the Universe. Yet few of us know how and under what circumstances they died. The following is an Apostle by Apostle account of how they died.

1. Matthew. Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, Killed by a sword wound.

2. Mark. Died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being dragged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.

3. Luke. Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous Preaching to the lost.

4. John. Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered From death.
John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully

5. Peter. He was crucified upside down on an x shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

6. James. The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller’s club.

This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.

7. James the Son of Zebedee was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry.

As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.

Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

8. Bartholomew. Also known as Nathaniel. He Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present-day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

9. Andrew. He Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony.

His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words, “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it”. He continued to preach to his tormentors For two days until he expired.

10. Thomas. He Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Subcontinent.

11. Jude. He Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

12. Matthias. The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot. He was stoned and then beheaded.

13. Paul. He Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

What faith! They held on to the very end. But the message tells us that soon some we seek to die for Christ but will not be able. Let us read —

“Despite great persecution against the faithful of the primitive Christian church, their vision of the world’s great need urged them on to preach the gospel of Christ at the cost of their lives.  And notwithstanding cruelest death awaiting them, they in faith and courage in God held the light of the gospel before the people as constantly as the sun holds its rays over the earth.

   “I came into Asia,” testifies the death-bound apostle, “after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:…

   “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God….

   “And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.  Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?  for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:18, 19, 25-27;  21:12, 13.

   By preaching in the name of Christ, the Christians in Paul’s time were indeed seeking death.  Esteeming it the greatest privilege and honor to die for Him, they desired to do so if others might by their death obtain eternal life.

   Though God’s people today shall go through a “time of trouble such as never was” (Dan. 12:1), when earthly tribunals shall cause to come to pass “that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Rev. 13:15), yet the Word declares: “…at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1.

   O what a promise and what assurance!  Who can comprehend God’s mighty power, and the glory of this long awaited deliverance?  Those who at all do, and who fully trust in the Lord will, for the good of His people, “go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” Heb. 13:13.

   In thus pursuing a course against all earthly favor (by proclaiming the message of the “hour”), they will be going “forth as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt. 10:16) — “seeking death.”  And although happy to “die” for Christ’s sake, or, as the Revelator puts it though they “shall desire to die,” the promise is that “death shall flee from them,” making it impossible for them to die.  Even the sword of the wicked that is raised to kill them, shall break and fall “as powerless as a straw” (Early Writings, p. 34), making them utterly invincible.

   “In that day,” saith the Lord, “whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:31, 33.  In short, only those who “desire to die” for Christ’s sake shall obtain eternal life.” (Tract 5 ,p.76-78)

Oh what a promise indeed! Those honored of God to be his very last day’s servants shall be so confident and connected to Him that death will be welcomed if it means they do it for Christ. But this will not be their fate as it was our beloved Apostles.

Posted in Courage, Loving the Lord | 1 Comment »

Satan’s Dark Activities

June 2, 2018

Image result for tommy robinson

Recently a ground breaking situation has happened that has the alternative media in an uproar. And once we understand this situation it should make all “seekers of righteousness” very concerned.

In Luke 4:5-6 we read —

“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”

So clearly we know that Satan has been given the world’s kingdoms since he made Adam and Eve fall from God’s grace into his deceptive ways. Even down to today Satan has had the power to control to a large degree the kingdoms of this earth. So how does this all fit in with a young England man named Tommy Robinson?

Some of you may recall we did a post about Kim Davis, the county clerk from Kentucky who refused to issue gay marriage licenses. It was a nation wide main headline with many coming to her defense in support of God’s traditional marriage covenant. But more importantly it was about –courage. The one character trait we see time and again through out the Bible as being truly important and valued by God.

This situation is the same in this regard, let us look more into this.

The report is that back in 2011 Robinson had a tanning salon in England. He noticed next door a young girl being shoved into a car with an older man. Upset he looked further into what was going on and found out that a pedophile ring was going on within his neighborhood! He began to organize a counter movement. He’s been involved in fighting this problem since. Granted he is no saint according to his past history yet this cause is worthy to fight for. (Source: Infowars)

Fast forward to a few days ago. Robinson was outside a Leeds court-house live streaming and reporting a pedophile case involving a gang rape from outside the building. Shortly thereafter seven British police officers arrived and hand cuffed Tommy for “disturbing the peace”. He was hauled off in a paddy wagon and very little has been known about him since. This has outraged the worldwide online community. We say “online” because the mainstream media has all but blacked out this story. Who runs the world? Let us not for a minute think that “good guys” are in charge of this world and media.

Further  recent news shows the deputy Pope , George Pell, has been arrested for child trafficking for sexual purposes! This is a massive underground network worldwide.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)

There has been mass protests in England over this and they are spreading to other countries. People are getting enlightened of the “wickedness in high places” and they are not happy. It’s all a prelude to the great uncovering of evil by God’s servants.

As this event will have some profound repercussions as it has shines a bright light on the dark sinister world-wide network of sex slavery and pedophilia, yet Britain is compounding this case by attempting to silence it. It appears the higher ups over there are implicit.

If you are a British journalist and you even  REPORT on this case, you can go to jail! Wow, tell us we are not living in the 1984 Orwellian world.

This is not a “mom and pop” network. No! It’s involving the higher echelons of our world, the richest and most powerful men in the world — “wickedness in high places”.  Yet this horrible business will shortly come to an end because there is the Word of God that will soon takeover.

God’s righteous kingdom is ripe for its appearance brethren and this case is a prime example of the Satanic perversion that the servants of God will expose and deal with, complete with God’s power! Let us read of God’s soon to come plan —

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;  A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 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.

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

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 Lordis great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lordyour God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” (Joel 2:1-13)

So what do we have now going on behind the scenes? Satan’s undercover dark world of sex trafficking, drug dealing, Satan worshiping, false monetary systems,  and other dark activities. Indeed, the great spiritual battle is coming  and ultimately the evil will  be destroyed!

Amazingly, even though the above is terrible, we know that Satan’s greatest traps are not for the ignorant, but set for “religious folk”. Specifically those who claim to be His people but “knoweth not” (Rev. 3:17). Those who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

Let us read what the message tells us Satan is up to today with us religious folk aka “remnant people” —

“..the old Devil has already put all his forces to work, piping pleasing tunes to lure Truth seekers to climb aboard his golden bandwagon.   Its glittering tinsel of truth is already beguiling many with his wares while his captains and generals are to the top of their voices shouting their “Hallelujahs,” “Holy Ghost,” “gift of healing,” “gift of tongues,” “gift of miracles,” and all the rest, although the entire fanfare is devoid even of a spark of life. 

Every wind of doctrine will be blowing, false revivals and reformations will be at their peak.  Everything that can be done will be done to distort the Truth and thus distract and dishearten believers and draw their attention to something other than the message of Elijah.

   Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.  

His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before.  Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition.” (General Conference Special, p.7-8)

“The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power. They have to a great extent forgotten his past record; and when he makes another advance move, they will not recognize him as their enemy, that old serpent, but they will consider him a friend, one who is doing a good work.

Boasting of their independence they will, under his specious, bewitching influence, obey the worst impulses of the human heart and yet believe that God is leading them. Could their eyes be opened to distinguish their captain, they would see that they are not serving God, but the enemy of all righteousness. They would see that their boasted independence is one of the heaviest fetters Satan can rivet on unbalanced minds.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.294)

“There are but two parties. Satan works with his crooked, deceiving power, and through strong delusions he catches all who do not abide in the truth, who have turned away their ears from the truth, and have turned unto fables. Satan himself abode not in the truth; he is the mystery of iniquity. Through his subtlety he gives to his soul-destroying errors the appearance of truth. Herein is their power to deceive.

It is because they are a counterfeit of the truth that spiritualism, theosophy, and the like deceptions gain such power over the minds of men. Herein is the masterlyworking of Satan. He pretends to be the saviour of man, the benefactor of the human race, and thus he more readily lures his victims to destruction.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p 365.)

So Satan is working his two-prong attack, to those who could care less, and to those who are religious folk and particularly those who claim to be in God’s remnant church.

In closing, let us keep vigilant as our adversary is a roaring lion as Scriptures tells us, and right now the workers of darkness are slowly but surely being exposed. Very soon the full exposure will come and yet even so Satan will have one more trick up his sleeve, sending his miracle-working power of the 666 man and the false prophet against God servants, the 144,000 and the Great Multitude (Rev. 7:9). There will be only two sides. Let’s be ready.

Posted in Courage, Delusion, Satan | 2 Comments »

Are We Afraid?

January 27, 2018

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NOTE: Color code : Orange – The Lord speaking  Blue — Bible/SOP  Brown– Elijah message –Victor Houteff

Many of us know well the story of the courageous Joshua and Caleb. 10 of the 12 spies had just come back from the land and gave a dire report, telling the people that there was just too much danger for them to go over there and conquer the land. In effect, Christ was not able to deliver them.

Yet Joshua and Caleb trusted the Lord fully. Despite the mockery and murmuring against them, they held fast, standing up firmly for the Lord–they were courageous.

In Rev. 21: 7-8 we read —

“He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

As we have posted many times, when we search the Scriptures we see that the Lord has always honored those who have stood up for Him, even under tough circumstances.

“Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me– for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.” (1 Sam. 2:30)

Going back to Joshua and Caleb. How many in the hundreds of thousands Israelites that heard that silently whispered “hey you know I admire these guys courage”, or “you know they might be right”, etc.?

Yet how many other adults over 20 made it to the promise land even if they did silently side with Joshua and Caleb? NO OTHERS! That’s right just Joshua and Caleb were allowed to go into the promised land. Do you suppose because no one else had courage to step forward and stand with them, they were all guilty alike? Courage was very rare at that time.

Today my brethren, we have the same anti-type fear. Let’s look at a case in point, a brother we’ll call bro.C. We met bro. C about 3 years ago at church, we had a chance to talk shortly with him  after service in the parking lot. We then handed him some present truth material which he graciously took.

Time when by and we never heard a peep from him. Then about a year later we ran into him in the local Home Depot parking lot. By the way, these haphazard meetings are NOT by chance, God arranges them for us. We inquired how he was and asked if he’d ever had a chance to review the material. He responded, “oh brother I know what you believe, and you better watch out of those Shepherd’s Rod teachings.”

Before I could hardly discuss the matter he interrupted me and said “sorry, my wife is waiting and I have to go.”

This brother is an older gentleman and a respected elder in one of the local churches we attend. As I have often thought of this man and his wife, the Lord has reminded me of those who are basically cowards. They are truly afraid of being outcast from the church. You see church membership is more important than the Truth.

There is a clear lesson of this same fear and that is found in John 9:21-22 —

“But by what means he now sees, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.”

Sadly today, this lesson is not learned from. There are many within our church that do not want to stand for the Truth, lest they run afoul of the Laodicean leadership. In other words being throw out of the church is worse than being thrown out of the Kingdom!

Just a few days go I ran into another church member in my travels. She is an older woman who is in a responsible position within the church. In our conversation, the subject of the disastrous 2015 gay Christmas presentation held in a local SDA church of which she attends was mentioned. I asked her what she thought of that event. She responded “I did not like it.”

I thought that was a good response but I inquired further if she rose up against it in the church to voice her displeasure. She hesitated then said, “No I think they know how I felt about it.” It was at this point that I told about the aforementioned example of only two making it to the promised land and that even though there may have been some silent admirers or supporters of Joshua and Caleb–it did not count in God’s judgment. Again we go back to standing up and being counted!

Scripture tells to watch out for an important priority.

“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” (Proverbs 27:5)

Now why would this be so? Because great love and caring means standing for the right and warnings given when needed. Love is at the center of this behavior if done in truth and righteousness.

Mind you that we do  not imply that we are to be scornful people walking around looking for sin or evil ways, not at all. But as the message tells us, Satan has mostly filled our church with tares and the subsequent abominations done continually within her. In order to “love” our brethren we are, at times, to show them their wrong paths.

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

SOP gives us specific and powerful counsel —

“The prejudice which has arisen against us because we have reproved the wrongs that God has shown me existed, and the cry that has been raised of harshness and severity, are unjust. God bids us speak, and we will not be silent. If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty.

In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it.

The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among God’s people have been reproved has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their own souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they do not feel as did Joshua and humble themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266-267)

The Elijah message also tells us that we are for the most part — church devoted instead of Christ devoted.

” The greatest trouble with most S.D.A’s is that they are baptized in the name of the denomination rather than in the name of the Trinity.” (SC, vol. 3, no.5-6, p.8)

“Regardless how long one’s name may have been on the Church record, if he is not born again (justified by faith) , he is out of Christ, and is alien to the blessing of the Gospel.”(SC, vol. 6, no. 1-6, p.15)

Here is , I believe the main reason that many church members are afraid. They do not want to run afoul of the church leaders! Just as the blind man’s parents were. But brethren the Truth will require us to stand up for Him sooner or later! But when at last you want to, will it be too late?

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? (Mal. 3:2)

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deut. 31:6)

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

As in the Days of Amos

December 2, 2017

Image result for picture of Amos rebuking at the gate Bible

In the days of Amos, he wrote under Inspiration the following —

“They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.” (Amos 5:10)

What was Amos doing that caused people to “hate” him for rebuking at the gate? What is “rebuking at the gate” mean? We found a good commentary.

“The prophets seized the opportunity of finding the people together, and preached to them there. So it was even in the days of Solomon. “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets; she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates, in the city she uttereth her words, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?…”Proverbs 1:20-22, and again, “She standeth in the top of high places, by the way, in the meeting of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors; Unto you, O men, I call, “Pro 8:2-4.

Jeremiah mentions two occasions, upon which God bade him reprove the king and people in the gates of Jerusalem Jeremiah 17:19; Jeremiah 19:2. There doubtless Amos and Hosea reproved them, and, for reproving, were “hated.” As Isaiah says, “they lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate”Isaiah 29:21. They sinned publicly, and therefore they were to be rebuked publicly. They sinned “in the gate” by injustice and oppression, and therefore were to be “rebuked before all, that others also might fear” 1 Timothy 5:20. (Bible Hub Amos 5:10)

Fast forward to today. There is a small group of people known as the “Siege Ambassadors” who are S.D.A members. They have a ministry where they go to churches around the USA and stand at the “gate” the entry areas for the churches. Their  mission is to warn the members that judgment is about to happen with our church.

While doing this, they also try and hand out Tracts, Cd’s, Dvd’s and other literature as the members drive or walk by. This small company usually takes videos of the siege and posts them either on their YouTube channel or Facebook.

How is this ministry received by S.D.A members and other present truth believers? Well, let’s say it’s a mixed bag. Many don’t subscribe to this method of reaching out. They see it as confrontational and not really helping the members to come to the message. Personally I see it as a last ditch effort to reach our Laodiceans. They are so near coma like in regards to the message, there can maybe be some who have their ears open to this pleading. Scripture also supports such pleading —

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

This appears to be exactly what the siege team does. They cry aloud and lift up their voices like a trumpet. A while back during one of our many conversations, I had an in depth discussion with their leader, sister Patricia.

What I said was that the work of God is multifaceted. Apostle Paul beautifully breaks it down.

 “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 

On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;  and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it.

But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” (1 Cor. 12:18-27)

So while many of us often don’t appreciate this difficult and trying work, we should realize that God has called these servants to do this part of the work. We as part of the body of Christ, His final Elijah messengers, cannot say “you are not needed” because even if this work is different than the norm, it is still Scriptural, a part of the body, and can reach out in a unique and peculiar way.

Has this work produced fruit? Yes it has. Several members have contacted the team over the years and Bible studies have been had. Only God knows who has come into the message, but rest assured this method has aroused some members from their sleep.

Some have argued that this method cause disturbances during the Sabbath. However, this is not the full picture. The siege team approaches their work with two main goals. First, they are warning the church it’s time to wake up, the Lord’s “suddenly coming to His temple” (Mal. 3:1-5) is about to happen. Second, they want to give out present truth because the leaders are derelict in duty on the Sabbath.

Now, the occasional “scene” usually goes as follows. The team simply starts lifting their voice like a trumpet and a pastor, elder or member soon comes over to the sidewalk to speak to them. They tell them to stop doing what they are doing. They are accused of trouble makers, disturbers, false witnesses, etc. Then the accusers of the brethren resort to calling the police on the Sabbath in hopes of removing them.

The police arrive and they quickly tell the accusers that the team has a right to protest. But Satan’s objective is now achieved. These “Amos” people are now looked on by the observing members as troublemakers, yet in reality it is the church leaders and members themselves that cause the trouble making scene!

So how should the church respond to this? If Christ’s voice is to be heard, the leaders should go up to them and ask them to come into the church and discuss the issues. Then calmly the siege team would lay out the charges and if true, the leaders should at once correct their error ways or at least set in motion the corrections. If found not true by Scripture or the Spirit of Prophecy, then that should be discussed to the team. Bottomline the search for unity and discussion for Truth’s sake is what would please our King!

But of course this does not take place, instead mocking, arguing, slanderous words, calling the cops,  all come from the members to these souls who have stepped up to the plate to give God’s message of Elijah.

In closing, with the S.D.A close of probation at hand, God is pulling out all stops in order to reach His people. These siege ambassadors are a unique and peculiar division of the body. Let us keep these brave souls in prayer.

Posted in Courage, Sighing and Crying, The Book of Amos, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Are You Persecuted?

June 10, 2017

Image result for picture of Apostles being persecuted

In the old Biblical times the word persecution usually encompassed stoning, crucifixion, flogged, or any other means of physical abuse. But today we know that this persecution is less severe physically yet no less emotionally and mentally troubling. In other words today’s suffering of God’s people is more discreet and less open than days of old, but nevertheless just as serious spiritually.

In  2 Timothy 3:12 we read,

 “Indeed, some who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Ah, did you catch that? We inserted a false word in there — “some” for the Word of God — “all”.

But to the vast throng of our people, we as Adventists,  it might as well say “some” because many do not believe it means all. The word all in our dictionary is —

“the whole of, every, any whatsoever, …” –Dictionary.com

Now there is no doubt that God’s Word says ALL who live Godly SHALL suffer persecution. This Word my brethren is vast and far-reaching in our lives today. Let me begin first by giving my own example of how this subject came alive to me personally.

In early 2009 I came into the truth of God’s Commandments, specifically the Sabbath. This changed my whole heathen life style. In short order I was on the path to knowing more about God. Who He was, what He stood for, and what He requires of us.

The knowledge of the things of God became my whole focus. God became real to me as I witnessed one sign after another. He showed me clearly He was alive and He was personal. But as I read more and more of the Scriptures, I found a reference that made me ponder, it was —

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

I had been a SDA member for a good year already and when I read that , I wondered to myself, “Um, I do not suffer any persecution. Maybe this is not really applicable for us today.” Yet that idea came into my belief that God’s word is truth and means what it says. So I put it away in my memory bank for another time.

Fast forward a couple of years. I came into the message of our Lord’s final message of Elijah by listening an online audio sermon of the subject of the 144,000.

It struck me hard. Because a short time prior to listening to it, I had driven by one of our local SDA churches during the course of my work day and the Spirit had told me to inquire of one of the retail businesses on this church property.

I was led to call and ask this Chiropractor shop whether they were open on Saturday. They responded, “Yes we are would you like to make an appointment?” This devastated me and I broke down right then and there. Keep in mind , up to this point I was growing in faith with my church. Thinking firmly that we were God’s people, not perfect but striving to keep His Commandments as a corporate body. Yet, here I saw that we were gigantic hypocrites! We teach that God’s true day of worship is the seventh day, the Sabbath, yet right there in front of the world for all to see we were letting people “within our gates” work and break His Sabbath!

But as I mentioned, this sighing and crying was seen by our Lord and He guided me to that audio sermon to awake my soul to what His plans were for purifying His people, His church. In other words, I soon saw that He knows all about this hypocrisy and will do something about it. Soon I was in deep into this “new light” and my soul was truly filling up with the “bread” from heaven, His words of life.

The whole Scriptures came alive as if Someone had anointed me with “eyesalve”  to see (Rev. 3:18). Thus, being excited of these new truths I was very zealous and anxious to share them. I had been a frequent pre-Sabbath school speaker in our church,  well received as well,  and after learning of the Elijah message, I shared some new insights to the church. Much as a man who found gold in a field would want to share the news to his family, I too wanted my church to know these marvelous valuable things.

BAM! What is going on??  Before I knew it a couple of weeks later I was called into the pastor’s office. “Rob, are you a believer in the Shepherd’s Rod?” They asked.  “Sure” I said, thinking they too loved the truth and this was God’s truth because it passed the test–to the Law and to the Testimony.

Long story short, I was told that if I did not relinquish my faith in the Rod, I would be demoted from Deacon to regular member with no rights to leadership roles in the church.

Soon it dawned on me and the Lord reminded that I had finally learned the personal meaning of “all” shall suffer persecution! This now was understood! To no longer be able to contribute to the discussion of the Lord’s word from His house was a big disappointment and an injustice. Persecution indeed!

“No man can be true to principle without exciting opposition.” Desire of Ages p. 356.

We mentioned that today’s persecution is not yesterdays, but nevertheless it exists, as can be seen by my personal testimony, it came in the form of demotion, murmuring against  and slandering. It also may include dis-fellowship which our last prophet , Victor Houteff experienced.

These following examples are what happened to brother Houteff while simply attending church and trying to inquire of Truth–

“At the close of a service conducted by a field secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist in one of our city churches, Brother Houteff was asking the speaker of the evening a question on some statement which he had made from the pulpit in opposition to the teachings of The Shepherd’s Rod.  Without warning or conversation of any kind, a man approached  him from the rear, took him by the neck and shoulders, and thrust him from the building. 

But what was worse, the offender was not even an Adventist; in fact, his mother said he was not even a Christian!  Now what incited this poor man to commit such an unprovoked and unlawful act?  What, if not the false accusations from the pulpit,  made against Brother Houteff?  For up to that moment Brother Houteff had never met the man or even spoken to him, and there had been no excitement whatever, but only quite friendly reasoning on the part of the conversers.

   “Shortly after this experience, Brother Houteff and I, along with another brother, attended a Sabbath service in another one of our churches, and this time the president of the conference spoke in opposition to The Shepherd’s Rod.

“At the close of this service, a lady approached Brother Houteff and spoke to him as he stood with a number of others in front of the building, and before he had time to reply to her, a young man, also whom Brother Houteff had never seen before, rushed up to him, rolled up his sleeves, and threatened to smash the glasses off his face if he did not stop talking to his mother!  But some one led him away, and his mother, too, said he was not an Adventist.  What could have put such hatred in the heart of this young man?  What except the sermon which he heard from the pulpit?  For up to that moment neither one had in all his life seen or spoken to the other!

   “A third incident very similar to the ones related above came to my attention, all within a period of four weeks.  This time the president of the Union Conference, had on Sabbath afternoon called a large congregation together, many miles away from either of the churches mentioned above, to hear him refute The Shepherd’s Rod.  During the service, he conducted himself in such a way as to instil in the hearts of all his hearers hatred for the author of the message  contained in The Shepherd’s Rod series of books and tracts. 

After the meeting closed, a group of young people were gathered around Brother Houteff outside the church, near an embankment.  Suddenly a young man rushed up to the crowd and thrust himself as hard as he could upon the one nearest Brother Houteff in an effort to knock him over the embankment.

And he would have verily succeeded had Brother Houteff not been quick enough to catch himself in time to avoid pitching over head-long!

   “Again we are led to inquire, What put such hatred into the heart of this young man who also had never met Brother Houteff?  What, save the sermon he had just heard?

   ” ‘Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time.  As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth for this time.  The people will be led to acts of violence  and opposition which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth.’ ” — Gospel Workers, p. 324. (Tract 7, p.58-60)

SOP imports counsel here–

“We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by their consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of the truth proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.” ( 1 Selected Messages, p.122)

So we see that Satan hates the Truth and those who proclaim it. It is those indeed who are the “all” of which the Word speaks of. In fact SOP gets directly to the point in the following —

“Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed!

Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God’s sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done” in the church.

Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.”(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.267)

Who is working for Satan? Those who oppose those who are against sin and sinners in the church! These are who get persecuted. The ones who stand up for the right based on God’s word.

So this is where some soul-searching must be made. Each “believer” must ask himself the following.

  1. Do I have courage to stand for the right within my church, or do I fear to because it will affect my church relations?
  2. Am I experiencing any trouble from “within” due to proclaiming His truth within our church?
  3. Do I experience absolutely no “persecution” as in today’s application?

There is a sure reward for those who stand for the right and receive persecution.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23)

In closing brethren the Lord said –all– and that means all. And if we do not live Godly we cannot experience the truth of His word. Satan is watching those who dare take a stand for the Lord’s truth, and if you do , be sure that you will experience the fulfillment of this word.

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The Facebook “Like” Trap

March 18, 2017

Apostle Paul, under Inspiration wrote the following–

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet sought to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” ( Gal. 1:10)

Today, in our ever-growing world of electronics and social media we have the immensely popular site called –Facebook. This one site has definitely helped spread the Lord’s final message of Elijah. While our site “Truth Tellers” may have been the first active Elijah message site (back in Sept. of 2011), there exists many more today.

But there is a subject we’d like to cover in this week’s post. That is the ever prevalent and noticeable “like” button. Facebook from its foundation (Feb. 2004) has always had this button of expression. It has been useful by the vast FB population to gauge how well received your picture, post, comment, etc. is.

But in regards to Christ’s work, this area should be looked at a little closer. Popularity and the Lord’s Truth has never be ideal partners. Our King Himself experienced this lesson first hand. After doing great miracles and powerful sermons, He was treated as if He had never did anything good as written in John 6:57-6:66.

“As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

When Jesus knew in himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, “Doth this offend you?What if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you that believe not.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.

And He said, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”

Then we have our Type Elijah. He was very unpopular most of his life due to the fact he said things straightly without favor and a desire to please the masses. So what are we saying with all this?

We must not and can cannot be dependent upon popular signs of approval. For this can be a real trap! But we are all feeling human beings and it’s only natural to want to be liked. But as we grow in our Christian experience, self becomes less and less and His work becomes more and more. Thus, we begin to no longer desire to satisfy self, rather Jesus and the Word. And along with this, if we are truly following the “Lamb wheresoever He goeth” (Rev. 14:4) we soon realize that we cannot expect popularity for we are no better than our King.

So what does this like button have to do with our discussion? Just this, far too many, and yes even present truth believers, either consciously or subconsciously, rely upon approval for a gauge on whether they should be an active poster of the message. If they post a few times and get little or no likes, some feel discouraged and withdraw from active posting. But this is a big mistake!

Part of the challenge of those working today in social media, is that much of the Elijah message is–straight testimony. SOP counsels–

“Cutting truths must not be shunned. It needs something besides theory to reach hearts now. It needs the stirring testimony to alarm and arouse; that will stir the enemy’s subjects, and then honest souls will be led to decide for the truth. There has been and still is with some a disposition to have everything move on very smoothly. They see no necessity of straight testimony.

Sins exist in the church that God hates, but they are scarcely touched for fear of making enemies. Opposition has risen in the church to the plain testimony. Some will not bear it.” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p.283)

Once again we come to the issue of courage and fortitude. Just like Elijah, our type, who gave the straight truth despite the masses against him. But he knew, as we should, that with God on our side, we are in the majority.

“The truth must be made pointed, and the necessity of a decision urged. And as false shepherds are crying, Peace, and are preaching smooth things, the servants of God must cry aloud, and spare not, and leave the result with God.” (Ibid, p.285)

The results are often an ignoring and lack of any visible approval. From a personal perspective, I have often posted what the Spirit has urged me to post with zero likes, yet I know that there could be that one individual whom God wanted to reach through me.

You see brethren this work for today, the Lord’s  final message of Elijah is to be an unselfish work. In fact it must be as we will be confronted often with no support whether on Facebook or elsewhere. Our great adversary knows this weakness well–

“Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God.” (GC, p. 595)

In closing, let us push forward in our individual work God has called us to do. Popularity should be of no concern to us as God’s prophet Paul advised. Post away brethren and if you get no “likes” praise the Lord!

“And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matt. 6:18)

Posted in Courage, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 5 Comments »

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