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Righteous Discernment

March 8, 2014

Pharisee and sinner

Have you ever known or heard of some people who have the uncanny ability to “read” people? They can size them up in a short period of time. There perception is keen and acutely accurate. The Inspired writings says that those who are “filled” with His Spirit can do  a “spiritual reading”, they can know the condition of the soul of another,  much like a physician can determine the condition of the physical body. And that is not all, we are told they will know sin , in all it’s traps.

One of the most important aspects of our Christian walk is –discernment. This is so important that if we do not have it,  His word says we can fall into many snares and traps.

In Revelation 3:18 we are counselled to anoint our eyes with “eye slave”, that we may see. We as SDA know that the Lord was specifically talking to us as the Laodicean church.

In explaining Rev. 3:18, our prophetess said, “The eye salve is that vision and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise” (Testimonies, vol.4, p.88).

“”..the eye salve is that spiritual discernment which will enable you to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and obey it” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.441).

Wow, now who wouldn’t want that eye  salve? We have ability to distinguish good from evil, see Satan’s tricks, detect sin , and to see truth! That to me seems like the “whole armor of God”!

Unfortunately we as SDA do not possess this eye salve to a large degree. The truth is waiting for us yet many do not pursue it. In the same chapter of Revelation, He tells us why we don’t.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ –“ (Rev.3:17).

Here we see that we cannot expect the healing eye salve as long as we continue to think we do not need — more truth.

Recently I came upon a quote from the Elijah prophet that really was powerful. It registered fully and motivated me to do this post.

 “For  only a true Christian, one who has a personal experience with God, a perfect knowledge of His Word, and who is filled with His Spirit, can discriminate saint from sinner.  He, only, can recognize who has the seal and who does not have it, when the latter is cloaked in a counterfeit robe of righteousness.” ( Tract 5, p.63)

The above makes us think. You mean some has the ability to know whether a “Christian” has the seal of God? Yes. This is ground shaking!

We can see that only those who walk daily under obedience are qualified to have this discernment. What a blessing to know that God gives such 20/20 vision.

But if we are blessed with this ability we must be very careful not to “cross the line” into judging a brother or sister. This is an opposite purpose of this gift.

As with any gift from God, it comes with responsibility. Unfortunately some have assumed that they have this gift, yet if they profess judgment upon others, it’s a sure sign they don’t!

“Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him. (Testimonies for the Church, vol.2, p. 441) 

The King gave us specific advice in helping others and discerning sin in another. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:42)

Let look at some ways that those who have felt this gift can help others with it.

1) Reach out to those who the Lord has guided you to.

We do not walk  haphazardly  when we are serving the Lord. People are placed in our path for a reason. We should understand that because they are there, we should reach out by letting them know God’s will for them. And what is that?

Ellen Whites explains. ” 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)

If there is one thing that most of our beloved SDA brethren need right now it is –present truth. We are, for the most part unfortunately stuck on past truth. As we have studied many times, truth is advancing.

Recently I bumped into a fellow SDA church member  and as we were discussing church affairs, we both agreed that most if not all sermons given are really sad lullaby affairs. The emphasis is on “let’s not rock the boat, let’s give the people good ol fluffy easy smooth teachings.”

2) Be ready to warn and admonish when necessary.

Scripture gives us the straight testimony. “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

Love is telling them the truth. Fluffy peace and safety is securing them in their wrong way. And where will that lead them?

Of course we are told to be, “..be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.(Matt. 10:16)

But sometimes we need to adjust to those who we are dealing. Recently I was having an email exchange with a brother who , to be quite frank, had reached a point where a stern warning was in order. In discerning the matter, I could see that no small talk or light language would awake him. He needed tough medicine.

3. Desire to take the lead.

As those of us who have studied and accepted the Lord’s Elijah message know, time is very short and His last pleading message is going out throughout the SDA church worldwide.

With so many of our brethren in the dark about His final message, we should initiate Bible studies, phone calls, emails, Facebook chats, and other communications.

The Lord says, “Why stand idle here all day long?..You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.”(Matt 20:6-7)

In closing, the Lord has given a most precious gift–righteous discernment. Let those who have it, use it, to help our brethren see that the kingdom is just about ready to appear. Will you or I be a part of it?

Posted in Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

The Church Triumphant

February 1, 2014

Cherub

How many of us have been involved in a club, where we were  proud to be a part of it? Maybe the boy scouts, cub scouts, girl scouts, a social club or whatever. And we remember that the meetings were in order and the leaders taught us things that were practical, applicable and really mattered.

But what if that club had many come in and began to ever so slyly disrupt and dis-unite the membership? Even infiltrate the leadership, so that soon the club was nothing like the original beginnings of the club. Soon the original members would be startled to see that the club was no longer holding to its principals, no longer teaching the original helpful message to its members. In other words, the club had morphed into a new strange club, where different ideas and plans were taught. Values changed.

The above scenario is similar to God’s church from the beginning until today. The original Apostolic  Christian church held strict Biblical values. Sabbath keeping was “by the book”, yet not overly restricted by man-made rules but Christ inspired love.

The believers were of one accord, the plans and goals, all united. Oh my my, what has our church today “morphed” into? This is not lost in God’s sight, He is ever watchful of His prized possession. What will He do about the current  degraded condition of His church?

There is without question an answer soon to come . The prized possession of the Lord will do a 180% turnaround. But how will this come about? What does the Scriptures, SOP and the Elijah message tell us about this “sinless” church to come?

Let us look at some promises from the Lord regarding purification of His church.

“When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with good, in need of nothing.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 8, p.250).

Right now what do we see in our church? A few weeks ago we posted how dress reform is so neglected in His church. Mini-skirts, high heels, loud talking and laughing in His sanctuary, money passing in His sanctuary,  are some examples of  our offensive sins we see committed each and every Sabbath. We don’t see the leaders stepping forward to warn our members of such dis-honor in His house. Why? Because they are “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing”.

“The Lord will work to purify His church. I tell you in truth, the Lord is about to turn and overturn in the institutions called by His name. Just how soon this refining process will begin I cannot say, but it will not be long deferred. He whose fan is in His hand will cleanse His temple of it’s moral defilement. He will thoroughly purge His floor “(Test. to Ministers, p.373).

Some may say, “Well yes, He will do all this but it will be at the last moment of time, at the coming of the Lord”. This is not the Lord’s plan. He will purify the church for a purpose. The following quote gives the reason.

” Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One, will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it (the 3rd angel’s message) when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry “(Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908).

Ah, we see that the purpose is to fit the church for the Loud Cry. To enable the church is be able to receive His full outpouring of His Spirit.  In going back into His history in this regard we see that His Spirit was only “poured out” when His church was worthy and pure.

Two great examples are Joshua and Achan and the Pentecost church.

One sinner in His camp stopped the Lord from performing His mighty power in the case of Achan. Once this sinner and his family were removed the power of the Lord was able to perform. Did the Lord tolerate sin and at the same time pour out His Spirit? The co-mingling,  isn’t that the reason we don’t see His mighty power working in His church right now?

Then we saw how the 120 disciplines were given His full Spirit at Pentecost. During this time His church was composed of only faithful members. Two sinners tried to come into the church and were eliminated.  “So great fear came upon all those who heard these things”(Acts 5:5). The sinners were not allowed among God’s church and as such,  His Spirit worked mightily upon the people.

” But the days of purification are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor “(Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.80).

Notice that this “mighty sifting”  happens to His church –Israel. Who is this Israel? The Seventh-day Adventist Church (Test. for the Church, vol. 9, p.164).

“Oh, that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people ” (Test. for the Church, vol. 1, p.190).

“The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain” (Letter B-55, 1886).

What a promise! The prophetess of God says, “God..will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.” 

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiners fire, and like launderers soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Mal. 3:2-3).

So how did His church get to be in the current condition it is in? SOP spells it out.

 ” While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God” (Test. to Ministers, p.46).

“He who presides over His church and the destinies of nations is carrying forward the last work to be accomplished for this world. To His angels He gives the commission to execute His judgments. Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation. 

The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary. ‘And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.’ Read Ezekiel 9:2-7.” Testimonies to Ministers p. 431.

Hopefully we all can agree that some day soon the Lord will do what needs to be done. But some may say, “With the current condition of the church, why don’t we get out and worship in a more holy and pleasing way? Maybe even start a group or small church ourselves. Then the Lord would be pleased with us and spare us in the upcoming purification.”

To our human thinking this might sound like the right thing to do. But here is where we must ask the Lord directly what to do. The Lord knew that such excellent and insightful questions needed to be addressed in the very last hours of the church’s probation.

Actually this idea of leaving the church because of “church wrongs” was first  started corporately in the early 1920’s. That movement was called  “The Seventh Day Adventist Reform movement”. Later as time went by, the movement basically called the mother SDA church–Babylon. So this idea has been around for decades, but is it the Lord’s will?

As we’ve studied, the one whom the Lord choose to come to His church with the “restoring” answers (truth) was the prophesied–Elijah. Here is what we are given on this issue. (His words in brown)

Question No. 235:

Why do not The Shepherd’s Rod believers and the Reformed S.D.A.’s unite in one?

Answer:

The Rod adherents and the Reformed S.D.A.’s do not unite because, unfortunately, they do not agree.  Being in wide variance on some doctrinal issues, union under the circumstances is impossible.

One such doctrinal difference, for instance, is that the Reformed S.D.A.’s teach that the sins in the mother S.D.A. church make her a part of Babylon, whereas the Rod teaches that though she is in a bad condition, yet she is not Babylon: for the sins do not make the name any more than the name makes the sins.  Babylon is not so named because of its sins, nor condemned because of being named Babylon, but is denounced because of having fallen and because of having “become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” Rev. 18:2.

The S.D.A. church may be in even a worse condition,–so bad a condition, in fact, that she does not even know that she is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17),–-yet in spite of it all, she is called “Laodicea,” not Babylon.  And her members stand, not to be called out as do those in Babylon, but rather to be spued out.  The Rod is laboring to save them from being spued out, whereas the Reform movement is calling them to come out.

So their believing as they do, and consequently rejecting the Rod’s message, make mutually impossible our uniting with them and their uniting with us.

As the Lord, moreover, has revealed advanced truth through the Rod, but none through the Reformed S.D.A.’s, obviously, then, were there to be any such union, they must necessarily correct their views and then join with us in accepting the message of the Rod, rather than our throwing overboard its jewels of truth and then joining with them.

“If unity,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, in expressing the attitude of the early Christian church, “could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference and even war.”–The Great Controversy, p. 45.

“We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.”–Mrs. E.G. White, Series B:2, p. 47.

Thus one may easily see that, though our fervent desire is to fulfill Christ’s prayer for unity, we dare not attempt to do so by sacrificing truth, for then we would not be one with Christ, even were we one with all others.

“There is danger of our being so overzealous to keep out of Babylon,” says the founder of the S.D.A. church, “that we shall commit her most noted blunder–that of sticking a stake and refusing to pull it up and advance.  When we cease to unlearn errors, we shall fall like those who have gone before us.  We have learned much, and no doubt there is much more for us to learn. …It is the ‘follow on’ and the ‘go through’ spirit that will finally land the remnant ‘without fault’ on the heavenly Mount Zion. 

My conclusion is that we should give up no Scripture truth, but that our false applications and interpretations of Scripture, and consequent false ideas of order and propriety, should be given up as fast as possible.”–The Review and Herald, May 29, 1860.(Vol. 7   Symbolic Code   Nos. 7-12. page 18.)

So we see that despite the church’s numerous sins, we are NOT to leave her. It would be similar to us being on a boat in the ocean and it’s sinking and we get into the lift raft and wave to our family and friends as we paddle away  making no effort to help them onto our life raft.

We are to be ever ready to profess the truth to our brethren in the church. If we are enlightened and have been given God plans for His church, the upcoming church purification, we must have a deep love and concern for them. The vast majority of SDA members have no clue about the Lord’s pleading Elijah message, it’s our duty to share it with them.

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people” (Test. for the Church, vol.3, p.266)

“Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer” (Prophet’s and Kings, p. 725)

In closing, we know that there is a purpose why God must do what He must do. He longs to pour out His Spirit upon His church. Will you or I be a part of this upcoming church? Let us dwell on this important issue. Let us strive to become part of His–   Church Triumphant.

Posted in Church, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 2 Comments »

“What other Criticism do you Have?”

December 21, 2013

church dress

As I heard the above words coming from the “leader” of the church, I sat in amazement. Then it all came forcibly  down, “..and knoweth not that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-.” (Rev. 3:17)

I had been invited to one of our local churches for the Sabbath. Some new friends whom I had recently met invited me to come worship with them so I took them up on their offer. I was excited to visit one of the churches where I had never been before.

I found it small yet very clean and simple. I arrived early enough to enjoy the bible study.  One of the first things I had noticed upon entering was several young women, some as young as 13-14 I suppose, wearing very short mini-skirts. Some with high heels as well. If I didn’t know better I would have thought I was entering a youthful discotheque.  This was not good in God’s house. The place where His word said that He calls  His “temple”. His holy place.

Keep in mind I was not there to “snoop” around. I was there to worship our Lord and enjoy the fellowship. But when something is right in front of you, we must not shrink back from ignoring it and start whistling a happy tune, looking away as it were. It should genuinely bother us. Remember what we have learned about “sighing and crying” for the abominations in the church?

“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. ” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.211)

Our prophetess also  said –

“While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse
the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honour and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favour of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.210)

As I have noticed this poor dressing in my own church on occasions,  I was hoping to see God-fearing people showing a higher standard and  proper reverence in “His house” in this other church. Sadly, what I saw was a real need for better shepherds to lead the flock there.

So I stayed for the rest of the service and had a chance to mingle with some of the members after, as they invited me to their lunch next door. I had been impressed with one of the young men there who had spoken in the Sabbath class. So I handed him one of the business cards I carry showing this blog site. So all was not fruitless I pray.

But as I got home the Lord had impressed upon my heart to say something about this. I had received the church program and noticed that the church leaders phone numbers were listed. So I decided to talk to the main shepherd, the head pastor.

I picked up the phone and gave him a call. After pleasantries I told him how I enjoyed the service for the most part, however, I told him that the Lord had placed upon my heart to let him know that I saw some things that were not right in his church. He responded “and what was that?” Then I spoke about the several young ladies dressed with short mini-skirts and high heels.

He was caught off guard for a moment and there was silence. Then he said, “what other criticism do you have?”  At this  it was my turn to get caught off guard.  I thought quickly and said that there was quite a bit of loud unnecessary talking in the Lord’s sanctuary. “What else?” he said again. At this point I told him “that’s all for now”.

Then he proceeded to say that maybe those were visitors. The rest of the conversation was one of denial. The attitude was one of indifference. Although he did invite me to come back again. Will I see a change? The Spirit of Prophecy gives us many warnings of the wrong attitude.

“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.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 3, p. 265-266)

So we see from the above that we have a duty to speak up. And that in so doing we are letting , first, our ever watching King and Savior, and secondly, our beloved brethren, know that we care for their souls and don’t want them to be cut down in the soon to come church judgment.

Scripture also gives us a clear picture of the end-time cleansing of His house.  “In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; finger rings, nose rings,the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; mirrors, fine linen garments, head ornaments, and shawls.

Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; Instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty” (Isaiah 3:18-24).

This describes the very terrible day known as the “dreadful day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5) and the labeling and branding of those who defiantly did not reform in the dress. Now is our time to reform and get our dress in simplicity and compliance with the honor due our King.

“Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own.(Patriarchs and Prophets, p.578)

“There are ever those who will despise the one who dares to reprove sin. But when required, reproof must be given. Paul directs Titus to rebuke a certain class sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And how shall the reproof be given? Let the apostle answer: “With all long-suffering and doctrine.” The one at fault must be shown that his course is not in harmony with the Word of God. But never should the wrongs of God’s people be passed by indifferently. Those who faithfully discharge their unpleasant duties under a sense of their accountability to God, will receive his blessing.” (Signs of the Times, Sept. 16, 1880)

” God expects us to impart to others the knowledge that He has given us. It is His purpose that divine and human instrumentalities shall unite in the proclamation of the warning message.

So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same responsibility as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word: “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 33:7-9. (Test. for the Church, vol. 9, p.19)

In closing, let us remember that the church is not a country club. It’s the place where the Lord has promised He’d meet us corporately every Sabbath. When we dress carefully and modestly, we show Him holy reverence, for after all we are in the presence of the maker of the universe! So let us not shrink back from doing our God-given duty, when the Spirit  leads us,  to reach out and warn those who are heading for disaster. This is indeed  –true Christian love.

For more specific counsel on dress reform see Ellen White’s chapter on “Simplicity in Dress”  in volume 4 of the Testimonies.

http://www.gilead.net/egw/books/testimonies/Testimonies_for_the_Church_Volume_Four/index.htm

Posted in Courage, Proper teachings, Sighing and Crying, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 4 Comments »

Tough Love

September 21, 2013

images

Many of us remember the famous documentary called ” Scared Straight”. Wikipedia describes it as follows, “Scared Straight! is a 1978 documentary directed by Arnold Shapiro. Narrated by Peter Falk, the subject of the documentary is a group of juvenile delinquents and their three-hour session with actual convicts. Filmed at Rahway State Prison, a group of inmates known as the “lifers” berate, scream at, and terrify the young offenders in an attempt to “scare them straight” (hence the film’s title) so that those teenagers will avoid prison life.”

There can be no doubt that the above is an extreme example of–tough love. The object is to reach out yet because of the circumstances, the approach is somewhat harsh and  firm. The situation calls for more than “nice words” to reach the parties. Let us look at a similar plan that God’s inspired word teaches us. A path that although “tough” is the right one to reach the wayward or lost.

Some of us also remember when we were kids, our mothers would make us take that awful tasting medicine. We’d yell and scream-“no, no!” Then in a little while we’d be much better and realize that the tough medicine really was good for us.Those with child like faith and humbleness would also see that tough love medicine is good for them, if they would repent from their unrighteousness.

In (Gal.6:10) we read,”So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Here we see that we are “especially” to do good to our brothers and sisters in the faith. There should be a special interest here. But when we desire to do good, could it be that being tough and firm, is the right approach, the real way to “do good” under a specific situation? We care so much for them that we give them tough medicine because under the circumstance, this is the best hope for a “cure”. A way to make them awake and hopefully to help them see that they are heading down the wrong path, potentially a deadly path.

Another example of tough love is from the Lord Himself, “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten…” (Rev.3:19). Our Lord loves us enough to straighten us out by correction in rebuke and chastising.

Some of us brethren have witnessed  brothers or sisters “in the faith” who take it upon themselves to kind of be the lone ranger, the gunslinger (spiritually) if you will. They closely watch others with a keen eye. Ready to criticize or rebuke at any thing they might witness that was not to their liking. They scour Facebook. Soon they leave a trail of discord. The brothers and sisters are all witnesses to the dissension they put forth, which they claim as God inspired.

Their approach is not Biblical because they fail to consult a couple of “neutral” brethren on the thing which they accuse the brethren publicly. Neutral parties could help collaborate it or not. All of this is the God inspired practice of settling the issue.

But over time it appears that nothing good comes from their attempt to straighten out what they claim as error. Worse yet some publicly lambasted the brethren. In (Roman 16:17) we read, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

So what are we to do with such a brethren? We are to give him tough love. That means avoid them. We shouldn’t appease them and mislead them by supporting them in any way. If we take the attitude of a sister who suggested that we “continue to love them and support them”, we are  in fact  dismissing our duty. Her idea of love is not real love, its false love and security, and goes against clear Scripture. Kind of like “forget your medicine brother, we’ll let you die but we love you.”

Remember sowing discord is one of the things the Lord hates. “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:…A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”(Proverbs 6:16-19)

Paul gives us clear tough love advice, “”If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matt. 18:15-17).

Again Paul counsels, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”(Titus 3:10-11)

So here we see that we reach out first. If that fails we separate ourselves from them. The objective is to send a clear desperate signal that what they are doing is not right, even if they think it is. It is important , though, to let them know before you dis-associate from them why you are doing so and with the appropriate inspired words of God. This will at least let them know your reasons and they’ll hopefully ponder them. If you are somewhat close to them or friendly, this most surely will send a strong signal to awake IF their conscience  is not seared.

One thing you should not do is leave then with out telling them why. This would be most selfish and leave nothing but confusion with the person you are suppose to be helping.

What about a brother or sister who teaches a doctrine not firmly supported by the Scriptures, SOP, or Elijah message?  John has our tough love answer. ” He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”(2 John verses 9-11).

That’s very strong tough love, ” do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” How many of us today do this? But it’s the firm word of God is it not? Are we to ignore it has too harsh? No, it’s God tough love medicine to make them think strongly of their wrong course.

Today we hear from our pastors and leaders, “love everybody, fellowship with Sunday keepers, just accept them for who they are.” In fact it’s even worse than that. See the post “Backs to the Temple” of how we have not  turned them away from our house but welcomed them with arms wide open!  https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/08/17/backs-toward-the-temple/

Let us review what we have learned. We should want to help those who we know to be in error. But we should be prepared that, should they dismiss our reaching out to them, we must dis-fellowship from them in order to send a serious signal that we see their path as a dangerous one.

So what are the main things we should consider in dis-fellowshipping with the brethren? To summarize —

1) Sowing discord — Constant criticizing, judging, arguing and so forth surely causes discord. As such we cannot support such behavior.

2) Spreading false doctrine — As we are obedient in the Lord, we’ll be helped to know what is from God and what is not. You can rest assured that those who are spreading false doctrine are not obeying the Lord, somewhere , somehow they are dis-obeying Him. The Spirit of Truth is promised us (John 16:13) and once we have received this gift we shall know Truth. Thus we cannot associate with those wanting to subvert His truth.

Some of the false doctrine may include :

a) Teaching that there is to come more than one prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

b) Teaching that no church purification happens prior to the Loud Cry.

c) Teaching that tells us we have to keep all the feasts and ceremonies. Jesus’ blood did not cover that.

d) Teaching of extreme grace. Our sins can remain in our life and practicing them is of no consequence to our salvation. The Lord forgives us regardless.

3) Hypocrisy — If we know a brother or sister who actively professes the faith yet we witness their continual sinning openly, we cannot support such behavior. This is quite serious and can only lead to their destruction and therefore we must send as strong a signal as possible to hopefully awake them.

How long must we reach out before we dismiss? There’s no set answer to that. The Holy Spirit must guide each case. In my own walk, I have been told to quickly dismiss certain individuals, with others I have been told to strive longer with them. I would suppose it depends on the unrighteousness (lack of right doing) they are doing.

As far as the ones who are planting seeds of false doctrine, we are more clear. “If anyone desires to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is of God or whether I speak of Myself.(John 7:17)

If we are obedient to the Lord we shall have that “sixth sense” of what is true doctrine and what is false. Consequently those who we know to be spreading false teachings and doctrines, we must avoid, even to the point of not accepting them into our homes. computers, or wherever.

The willingness to obey the Lord and live a converted life, no longer cherishing sins, really does give us 20/20 vision in knowing truth from error.

In closing, should they ever come to us in repentance, we should be like the proverbial father in the parable who sees him afar and can’t wait to accept him again (Luke 15:11-32). Unity is what gives us  brethren in Christ a strong foothold against the evil ones. If we obey the word of God in regards to tough love when we know by the Holy Spirit it’s to only course to take,  we will do as He says and leave the results with God.

Posted in Brotherly love, Warning our brethren | Leave a Comment »

Spiritual Warfare

August 10, 2013

Temptation of Jesus

As we are all aware, in war there is a supreme requirement– preparation. That is to prepare, to plan, to execute. What army does not calculate who, what and where the enemy is, and how to formulate their battle? The greatest “war” of all time is happening in our midst, it’s the final Spiritual war happening in an intense battle. The souls of the world and particularly the Seventh Day Adventists (God’s remnant church) , are being fought over. Christ our King and holy angels against Satan and his army of angels.

Obviously we know who wins this battle, but does that make the battle go away? Do we have to remain in this war, to endure it’s struggles? The answer is that only a “few” are active in this battle. The evil ones have no problem with the vast majority who haven’t decided to engage in the battle. The “rich and increased with goods” people are just who the devils enjoy. So what is this battle centered on? The last word from the Lord–His Elijah message of hope and life saving instructions.

In describing the plans and words of Satan to counter this last message of warnings, admonitions,  and instructions, we read, ” I will have unbelieving ones present who will express doubts in regard to the Lord’s messages of warnings to His church. Should the people read and believe these admonitions, we could have little hope of overcoming them. But if we can divert their attention from these warnings, they will remain ignorant of our power and cunning, and we shall secure them to our ranks at last.” (Test. to Ministers, p.475)

Let us now look at the many facets of this war and learn more about this enemy we are fighting.

In (Eph.6:12) we read, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

In the above we find powerful and clear clues to this spiritual warfare.  First, we see that our struggles are against the ones in power, the rulers, the powers of the dark world and the spiritual forces of evil surrounding us. This clearly points out that Satan and his army is behind our struggles and battles. Our family, neighbors or friends may upset us, but the real upsetting comes from the “dark forces” behind it all. But as hard and tough as this battle becomes, we must ever remember “greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

As we go into this post, it’s important to ask yourself — “Am I having spiritual struggles, battles on a somewhat regular basis?” If you are not, and find that your walk with Christ is mostly a coasting experience, a mellow all’s well  and comfortable experience, then you should be awoke to the fact that something may be amiss. You may not have decided to enter the war.  For we are directly told that, “.. all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,“(2 Tim. 3:12). This “persecution” isn’t like the days of old, the throwing you into the lions den, or going to the stake, but rather the murmurs against you, the demotions and dis-fellow shipping from positions in the church, the loss of friends, the mental struggles because of the dark forces surrounding you. All these are evidences that you are in the war. You’re not a looker on or bystander.

Let’s briefly speak about the mental struggles. Once you begin to stand up for the Lord and his purpose for you, you’ll notice that your sighing and crying, your warnings, will sometimes place a burden upon you. After all it’s tough to speak of the negative of situations, instead of the positive. But because we serve a “HOLY GOD” we must view sin as HE sees it.

Ellen White spoke about this, “The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God.” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 5, p.211). “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 true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in it’s real, sinful character.” (Test. for the Church, vol.3 , p.266)

So now let us look at our enemy and some of his devices he uses today to trip us, to even make us fall if possible.

1) Rich and increased with goods. This is so prevalent today. The devils are active in whispering in the lukewarm member’s ears–“You’re safe you got the knowledge concerning your walk with Christ. Who needs any more messages from the Lord? You have “need of nothing”(Rev. 3:17).

The messages from the pulpit today are largely peace and safety. The same ol same ol. You are saved just because you show up to church.

“The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God’s visitation has
about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk
in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned
expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the
day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others,
looking with strong faith to God for help.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5 p.209)

Remedy- Learn all you can about the Elijah message. This strikes the enemy in his heart. This message helps you survive the upcoming church purification. The instructions given are specific and clear. In (Mal 4:5) we read, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Obviously the focal point of Elijah’s message is to warn us how we are to survive the great and dreadful day.

2) Murmurs and slander against you.  The evil ones are not letting anyone who decides to accept the sealing message of Elijah, get away from people saying things against you. This is a center piece in their drive to divide the people of God. What better way to do it than to get the unconverted to talk against you? If we are silent and speak no words of warning to our brethren, then we can rest assured we won’t have this problem. For the devils love those who look the other way at sins in our midst. Does the speaking against us bother us- of course. But does this ploy by Satan and his unsuspecting workers become effective in stopping us from proclaiming the Elijah message of warning? Absolutely not. Did the multitude against Joshua and Caleb succeed in persuading them that the land of Canaan wasn’t able to be taken? They looked to God and believed in Him, not man.

Ellen White describes the actions of Satan in the last days. “We must cause distraction and division. We must destroy their anxiety for their own souls, and lead them to criticize, to judge, and to accuse and condemn one another, and to cherish selfishness and enmity. ” (Test. to Ministers, p.475)

“…The messages from heaven are of a character to arouse opposition. The faithful witnesses for Christ and the truth will reprove sin. Their words will be like a hammer to break the flinty heart, like a fire to consume the dross. There is constant need of earnest, decided messages of warning. God will have men who are true to duty. At the right time He sends His faithful messengers to do a work similar to that of Elijah.” (Test. for the Church, vol.5, p.254).

Remedy- Keep on doing what you are suppose to–warn, counsel and admonish when needed. As we read, it is our “duty to labor diligently to save others.”

3) Neglect to sigh and cry. This is a real biggie. For we know from the Lord’s  Elijah message that “only” those who sign and cry for the abominations done in the church and our own life, will be sealed. God is not playing around when He says in Ezekiel 9 –“..put a mark (seal) on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst. To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. (Ezek. 9:4-5)

But the devils are very active in countering these words of God. One of the sure ways they deceive is to say that this was past. Ezekiel 9 happened in the old days of Israel. But when you study and learn the truth you can tell anyone who doubts to  read Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p.260.  “Study the ninth chapter of Ezekiel, these words will be literally fulfilled.”

Remedy– Learn the specific abominations being done in the church. Then protest against them. There are many ways to do this. You can mention the wrongs to the fellow church members, elders, or even pastor. For example, a while back we had noticed that cell phones were going off in the sanctuary. We brought to the pastor’s attention. Shortly after, the church now prints on the Sabbath program flyer “please silence all electronic devices in sanctuary”.

You can start a blog and speak out about them. You can email brethren. You can from a small study group to discuss them. You can spread the posts and studies of present truth to the brethren. You can post your comments on Facebook. The main point is that you sigh and cry. You let the Lord know you are not a partaker and therefore you have the real chance of getting that eternal seal in your forehead.

4) Dark forces surrounding you. One can look at the situation like this. The whole world is in much darkness. Yet the ones who are converted, the ones who “sell-out” to Jesus and walk in all the light given them, are shining in the midst of the darkness. In other words the devils can spot them right away. In the spiritual realm this is obvious to them. So what happens? They concentrate on these elect of God. Satan has his army stationed around the ones who are doing the most damage to his cause.

Ellen White describes the dark forces surrounding the people of God in the last days.

“I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them.

Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward. Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness.

As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.”(Early Writings, p269-270)

We see that only the ones with “strong faith and pleading” are the ones having to deal with the “pressing darkness”. But then she describes the others who are “indifferent and careless”. Notice that these put up no resistance and go through no “agonizing and pleading” for the Lord. The hard stance of proclaiming the unpopular message of Elijah of church warnings,  is the all consuming truth for today from the Lord, and hence the devils continue to press their “poisonous atmosphere” at the ones with the “earnest cries.” The sighers and criers are the ones in the battle!

In describing this darkness we read, “Moral darkness, like a funeral pall, covers the earth. All manner of false doctrines, heresies, and satanic deceptions are misleading the minds of men. Without the Spirit and power of God it will be in vain that we labor to present the truth.” ( Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.158)

Let us remember a very important Scripture, which we have brought up several times in past sudies. It  is the Lord’s first description of those who won’t make it to heaven. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly...shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:7-8).  The Lord has always rewarded those who have stood up. David, Noah, Elijah,  Caleb, Joshua, Moses, among others were steadfast in courage.  In this final war we must be of courage and not be afraid.

Remedy- Stay focused on Him who gives you strength. Read the Scriptures, SOP, and the Elijah message often. Know that because you are taking a stand in the battle that the evil ones will come at you. But because you know their schemes you can be better prepared to withstand their arrows. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:11)

Here’s an appropriate  quote from the Elijah prophet, “The old devil well knows that this is the last message the world will ever receive and that it will chain him for a thousand years and at last reduce his being down to ashes as though he never was.”(Symbolic Code News, vol. 2, no.3-4, p.3)

5) No need to worry about the Tithes.  In our present system, there is no doubt that “money makes the world go round.” The Lord knows full well that His work needs funds to reach the honest and willing souls. But Satan and his angels know this just as well. EGW states what Satan says about it , ” We must do our utmost to prevent those who labor in God’s cause from obtaining means to use against us. Keep the money in our own ranks. The more means they obtain, the more they will injure our kingdom by taking from us our subjects. Make them care more for money than for the up building of Christ’s kingdom and the spread of the truths we hate, and we need not fear their influence; for we know that every selfish, covetous person will fall under our power, and will finally be separated from God’s people.” (Test. to Ministers, p.474)

The tithe we must remember is the Lord’s, it’s not ours. So if we deny the Lord His money, we are in effect–thieves. And breakers of His 8th Commandment. His blood can cleanse us of our sins if we repent and turn away from them . But if we continually trespass without asking for repentance (such as stealing from him on a regular basis) are we not in a very dangerous position?

We also know that our Lord pleaded His case to us in His final letter to us in the Old Testament. “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. (Mal 3:8)

But this has two elements to it. One, we must be loyal to tithing to Him. Two, we must bring the tithe into His “storehouse”, so that their will be “food in My house.”(Mal. 3:10). The big problem today in our churches is that there is no food (present truth). Meaning that their message is not one of present truth, but past truth.  The message of peace and safety week after week is largely what we see. And the devils are perfectly fine with it! So the tithes must be sent to God’s storehouse of present truth. Where the latest and most applicable truth from the Lord is proclaimed.

Remedy- Be faithful in providing the Lord’s money to the right storehouse. If we pay our tithes faithfully yet they go to places where the Lord’s end time truths are not spoken of, are we not defeating the whole purpose of “food in His house”?

Our final quote says the following, ”

“Satan’s snares are laid for us as verily as they were laid for the children of Israel just prior to their
entrance into the land of Canaan. We are repeating the history of that people. Lightness, vanity, love of
ease and pleasure, selfishness, and impurity are increasing among us. There is need now of men who
are firm and fearless in declaring the whole counsel of God; men who will not sleep as do others, but
watch and be sober.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.160)

In closing, I must say that prior to accepting and proclaiming the Elijah message, the comfort and ease in my walk was much more prevalent. But what kind of servant, relaxes on the couch and takes life’s ease? They go to work, but in this case it’s war– the great spiritual war of all-time. The above 5 points are just a small example of some of the ways we are tempted and pursued by Satan and his angels. The enemy can and will be defeated. It’s only when we can look to our all powerful Lord and His word that we gain strength in this battle of all-time. As I am active in this spiritual war, I have found one of the best ways to combat the arrows thrown (and I feel many ),  is to sing to the Lord in the middle of your moments of trial. When things seem very tough, that’s when I turn the tables and sing as if all is just fine. This flusters the evil ones to no end! And it also pleases the Lord! Remember Paul singing in jail?(Acts 16:25).

Ok, let’s put on that armor and go to work, knowing that “.. For the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:12)

Posted in End times, Satan, Sighing and Crying, Tithes and Offerings, Warning our brethren | 6 Comments »

Let He Who Is Without Sin

February 23, 2013

One of the most telling experiences of our Lord’s life here on earth was the adulteress woman story(John 8:1-11). The scribes and Pharisees caught a woman in adultery, in fact in the very act itself. So according to Jewish law she was as guilty as one could get. Then they brought her to Jesus and it was to be another test upon our Lord by the Pharisees. A test that would turn out to be a great learning example for us sinners.

We pick up the story  ” They said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?’ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear..

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the youngest. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her , “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”(John 8:4-11)

There are quite a few lessons we can draw from this story.Let’s look at a few. First we see that the leaders, teachers, so-called religious  scribes and Pharisees were the accusers. They no doubt had the air of self-righteousness. But perhaps the most sinister and dark trait they had been–they were scheming. Their purpose wasn’t even to administer justice as much as it was  to trip up a righteous Man.

But our Lord saw all through that and made them think. Thus they were made to awake to their real situation and not their deceiving one. They knew all to well that they too were sinners.

So how does this lesson fit in today? The first and most obvious one is we must be very careful of accusing a brother or sister of sin.

What are the things we need to look at in our own lives before we accuse someone of sinning?

We  must look in the mirror first. Are we doing what we are accusing someone else of doing? Again our Lord has the right instructions for us  “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brothers eye.” (Matt.7:5)

This requires us to be self-aware and humble in our dealings with the sin of others. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees we cannot rashly accuse someone until we have searched ourselves very carefully in the area where we attempt to charge someone with a sin.

It is true that our prophets said that we must sound the alarm and show the peoples their sins, as an example, “Cry aloud, spare not:Lift up your voice like a trumpet:Tell My people their transgression, and the house of  Jacob their sins.” ( Isaiah 58:1)

 But this can only happen once we ourselves are walking upright with the Lord. Watching carefully that we are “doing right” in our daily walk. If we carry repetetive sins around, and not wanting seriously to clean up our own walk, can we fool God and throw that stone at someone and be guiltless?

Our Lord said, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use,  it will be measured to you” (Matt.7:2) . This is quite far-reaching. We read in the Old Testament  that our Lord gives  His judgments known as  “recompense”.

Here is just one of the 24 verses where the word recompense is used. Most of them are found in Ezekiel. And as we know this book has the soon to come church judgment prophecy and God’s end time plans through out it. No doubt the Lord will give the great recompense in the great and dreadful day.

Ezekiel 7:3
“Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.”
 
 This Scripture also plainly explains what we do we will sow, “For the day of the Lord upon all nations is near;As you have done, it shall be done to you;Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)
 
So we see that on one hand we should be our ‘brother’s keeper” and help to keep him or her stay on the straight and narrow but we must be careful not to be found a hypocrite. In (Job 27:4) we read,  “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?”
 
 In our prior studies we have learned that we must sigh and cry of all the abominations done in our lives and the church. So once we have converted, and called upon the Lord to help clean up our walk, we can then be in a better position to help/warn our brethren.
 
So in closing,  we can and should certainly warn our brethren when the time and circumstance  is appropriate, but before we do, we should know for sure that we are not doing the very same thing ourselves or else , God forbid,  we be found a hypocrite in the day of His great recompense.
 
 
 
 

Posted in Warning our brethren | 4 Comments »

Stepping up to the Plate

February 2, 2013

“Indeed, all who live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

What do we notice with this word of God? We see a –promise. Notice it doesn’t say “may suffer” it says, “shall  suffer”. I remember when I first became a SDA member I read that verse then I began to ponder. I thought  “Um? That really doesn’t apply to my life. I mean I really don’t have anyone or anything “persecuting” me. My walk is rather pleasant. I am trying to live a good Godly life, yet how come I don’t see any of that in my life, what am I missing?”

I seriously contemplated this. Little did I know I would indeed find out later with full understanding,  just what this truth is and how it works. Let us look into this important aspect of our walk with Christ.

As I pondered this aspect of my walk, I thought, “Well the only thing close to me being persecuted is maybe my online debates with Sunday keepers, as they would deride me and say that I wasn’t right with Christ, etc.” But this was a big stretch.

Our Lord gave some direct words about what He thinks about this subject, and they are very clear. “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Luke 7:23) We’ll explain how this verse ties in with suffering persecution later in this post. Next we see one of the most direct and plain Scriptures on our subject.

“Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23)

So after reading so far, we can ask, “Ok this is all plain but how does this really fit in today? How can we who are professing Christ, really suffer much, in our religious free society? Aren’t those days past? And if we aren’t suffering persecution  for Christ in some aspect, are we living Godly, despite what His word says?” There is only one true answer– no we are not. His words must stand as they read, and the truth said must apply.We  must dig deep to ask –What can we do to live Godly?

How does one’s  life  today, within our Seventh Day Adventism  cause our people to want to exclude  us, mock us,  to demote or cast us out from their company? It can only be when we decide to boldly proclaim the Lord’s message of the hour, the straight testimony. Ellen White explains ” Now as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that reproves sins and errors of the times will excite opposition.” ( Great Controversy, p 458).  “We have 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.” (Review and Herald, March 22,1887).

The different forms of persecution can be mocking, derailment, slander , false accusations, and of course physical abuse. And as we look at the history of our church, the ones who suffered persecution were the ones who “stepped up to the plate”. Each of the prophets suffered as they spoke the straight unpopular truth.

So this brings me back to how I learned what it meant to be persecuted. When I came into our SDA church I learned that our church was indeed the “remnant church of God”. We are the ones professing the Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus (SOP). But as I was not content to sit on this knowledge, I searched Scripture and EGW writing regularly and prayerfully. Then on one fateful Sabbath around the end of May, 2011, I found an online audio sermon called “The 144,000, who are they?”  This was no accident, for the Spirit of Truth was indeed guiding.

I listened spellbound to the truths said (from Scripture and EGW) and I thought “Wow! Why haven’t I been taught this in our church?” So I undertook a serious study into the new truths I learned and it caused a complete 180% change in my understanding of our Lord’s plans. As I mentioned before,  the Lord’s last prophet expounded on the Old Testament writings and Revelation, so that clear light began to flood my mind and soul.

I had become a semi-regular pre-Sabbath school speaker and went up for maybe 20-25 minutes each time. Each time, I talked on the “straight truth” despite the church custom of the normal “peace and safety” message. Surprisingly I received mostly a heart warm response from several in our church.

Do you remember what our prophetess said above? “..the presentation of a truth that reproves sins and errors of the times will excite opposition.”  That is exactly what happened. Some could not bear the testimony and soon a couple complaints went to the higher-ups. “Many visions have been given to the effect that we must..occupy a position to stir up the people of God, for they are asleep in their sins (Test. for the Church, Vol. 1, p.247).

So let’s fast forward to the last few months.  I was called into the pastors office a few months ago and asked if I was a “Davidian”. I answered affirmatively.  “Blessed is he who is not offended of Me”(Luke 7:23). Then after the 3 against 1 meeting was over, I got demoted from  the deacon position I had. Then a couple of months later the church council held a church meeting to discuss “Davidian” topics. I was there.

As the meeting later progressed the “head elder” came up front and began his monologue on “his take” on Davidians and their beliefs. I silently listened and held my peace as he uttered falsehood after falsehood. Among other things he said “I want you to know that the teachings of the Davidians have been studied by our church, and found to be in  error.” Although another falsehood, I remained silent until he said ‘This brother came into our church and got baptised and didn’t tell us he was a Davidian”. At that point I had to speak up against the lies. I let him and the rest know that this was not true, for I accepted the message about one year after I was baptised.

Anyway to make the story short, I received at least 4 or 5 un-solicited statements from church members  that night,  backing up my character and basically supporting my church contributions. So I went home that night shaking my head in amazement, I thought “I now know what it’s like to be slandered and  derailed.” Church persecution had riled its ugly head and I now look back and understand the words said in (2 Tim. 3:12).

So that brings us to the most important question. In our SDA church today, what message will most likely get you “persecuted” ? Only one really stands out, it’s the Elijah message of the Shepherd’s Rod. If you can take the time, you will find in many of brother Houteff’s writings, the history of many believers in the message being persecuted, and sadly it still happens today. Why is this? The Elijah message is one of revival and reformation, and how to get sealed before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Where’s the evil? Where’s the basis for all the incidents of abuse upon our courageous members who have spoken the truth?

It can only be traced to the king of evil-Satan. He knows beyond doubt that, as brother Houteff said, “..For Satan well knows that if he loses now, he loses forever.”(General Conference Special, p.6).

One thing is so very clear, now is not the time to sit back and say “Oh yes,  the Elijah message is true, but I’ll let others proclaim it, I don’t want to be unpopular or get in trouble with anyone.” Let me ask you, when the approx. 1 million people came out of Egypt, how many made it to the promised land over the age of 20?  TWO.  How many were there that were lukewarm toward the two courageous men, Joshua and Caleb? Don’t you think that there were hundreds if not thousands that QUIETLY supported and respected the courageous actions of those two? I would most definitely say there was indeed-many! Did the Lord spare them for “thinking” about supporting them? No, he did not.

He saved only those two who –stepped up to the plate! Our Lord gave them vocal cords and they used them! And what is the cost of us stepping up to the plate? We shall be persecuted.  But you will find yourself on the most powerful One of the universe’s side. And those who persecute you? ” Those who rise up against warning and reproof..to make no effect the plain words of reproof prompted by the Spirit of God, will find, in the great day of final reckoning, an account against them which they will not wish to meet (Signs of the Times, Oct. 4th, 1883).

In closing my dear brethren, let us not shrink back from our duty today. God is calling each one to do something. Start small and just where you’re at. Then as the Holy Spirit guides you, you’ll find a clear path to guiding and warning your particular sphere of influence. Let’s not fear opposition, for as we have learned, a Godly life will always meet opposition.Do we care enough for our brothers and sisters to warn them of the upcoming church disaster?(Mal.3:1-3)

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot (Rev.3:14-16)…Laodiceans..are neither cold nor hot; they occupy a neutral postition..The True Witness hates lukewarmness. He loathes the indifference of this class of persons (Test.for the Church, Vol. 4, p.87).

  Our Lord is near the door, and it’s the church door He’s about to enter, let’s be prepared and go to work!

Posted in Courage, The spirit of predjudice, Warning our brethren | 6 Comments »

The “Sunday Law” Hoodwink

January 26, 2013

 

Image result for picture of death decree

It seems many of our fellow SDA are pulling out all the stops on Facebook, emails, countless books and articles and a host of other ways, to warn the world about the dreaded upcoming Sunday law. Lately I have seen several new Facebook groups sprouting up, with quite a few invitations given to join. It is true that our beloved prophetess warned us years ago that the great test upon mankind will be the acceptance or non-acceptance of the “Sunday law”, thereby receiving or not receiving the “mark of the beast”.

However, the evil one , Satan, has taken full advantage of this upcoming event and has “hoodwinked” many of us into thinking that this is the next big upcoming event to watch out for. Let’s dis-mantle this ploy and expose why it is not something we must focus on now as God’s remnant church.

This is not the first time Satan and the evil angels have known about God’s upcoming plans and put a monkey wrench into it, a true diversion. All we have to do is go back to our Lord’s time  on this earth to see the same thing played out.

The Jews had mis-read the Scriptures (just like many of us SDA today) and as such were looking for a Kingly Messiah to soon come and thus bring  His majestic kingdom to the earth. They did not diligently search the Scriptures. The leaders had basically taught the people what was what in the Scriptures, so few studied for themselves ( as it is today).

So Satan basically had hoodwinked the leaders, thus the people, into looking for a certain event– the King’s arrival. However, as we know He came in a way that was not expected. So the people misread His appearance and it’s significance. And sadly the vast majority failed to believe in God’s plans and were lost. Why? Because they trusted their leaders first and foremost!

So let’s fast forward to today. The Satanic trick is no different. The leaders have got most of the people looking for and preparing to reject the “mark of the beast”. What presumptiousness! By taking this stand we are  claiming we will make it all the way to behold the Sunday law decree! Which means we assume we will be part of the “Loud Cry”, God’s elect who go out to the world and Sunday churches to warn them to “come out” of her. Do we not see great assumptions made here?

Furthermore, just like the Jews of old, we are telling the people to expect an other event than what the Scriptures and SOP clearly tell us. History and it’s mistakes are being repeated all over again.

As we have learned from our present truth studies, our Lord makes no moves upon us, His remnant church, unless He reveals it to His prophets, “Surely the Lord does nothing, unless he reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Has the last prophet, Elijah, told us what to expect in the last days? The events, and how they will play out? Ofcourse. We just have to search it out. Unfortunately we, as SDA remnant believers, are doing exactly what the Jews did–trusting our leaders and not personally investigating the word ourselves. We cannot expect any different results.

Look at what our prophetess has to say about this, ” Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One, will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it (the 3 angels message) when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry.” (Review and Herald, Nov.19.1908)

We as SDA know that the “swelling into the Loud Cry” comes only as the world receives the last and great final call to “come out of her my people” (Babylon)(Rev. 18:4). But as we have just read we must have reformed our lives and “withstood temptation” before we can be part of the last proclamation.

Why is it that Satan and crew want this Sunday law warning the primary focus today? It is because then, the Lord’s final Elijah message will be ignored. It’s what we have called the “great bypass”. They want us to forget about striving to be among the 144,000(Review and Herald, March 9, 1905). Forget about worrying and striving to be part of the “small portion” of the saved.(Test. for the church, vol.1, p.608-609).

Brother Houteff says, “..they are sound asleep, which is shown by the fact that they still think Satan is working terribly hard to fulfill God’s word by trying to pass blue laws and are not aware that he is only playing with them as a cat with a mouse, and the brethren “to whom the Lord has entrusted the spiritual interests of the people” (Test. for the Church, vol.5,p.211) instead of sounding the alarm to arouse the church are determined to even silence the voice of the Rod, and thus rocking her to a more sound sleep!” (Symb. News Code, Vol. 2, no.1, pg.9)

The work that God’s people do in the Loud Cry has not taken place yet, we read “God’s displeasure is upon His people, and He will not manifest His power in the midst of them while sins exist among them and are fostered by those in responsible positions.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 3,p.270) Thus we see that the outpouring of God’s Spirit (Holy Spirit), which gives us the power to declare the Loud Cry, is dependant upon a purification of God’s people. It’s the next event to come!

Again our prophetess explains “ God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many are crying, “Peace and safety,” while sudden destruction is coming upon them…When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing.” (Test. for the Church, vol. 8, p.250).

The Scriptures clearly explain this as well. “And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, by the spirit of burning” (Isa.4:3,4).

This is why we have continued to proclaim the message that the Davidian SDA  (Not to be confused with Branch Davidians), are the ones to listen to right now. They are taking up the burden of sounding the trumpet. Their message is not one of peace and safety, it’s one of  –be prepared, clean up your walk, sigh and cry for sins in the midst, for He is about to walk through the church doors, unannounced!

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:cAnd he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” (Mal. 3:1-3)

God’s people have to be purified in order for the Loud Cry to come. Then it is that the proclamation shall be loud and clear saying,  “Watch out for the Sunday law!! Come out of her my people!!”

“And at that time, I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts ‘ The LORD will not do good, nor evil” (Zeph.1:12)

So let us not be hoodwinked any longer. The evil ones got those who profess this “Sunday law” warning right where they want them–in total ignorance. Let that not be our situation dear brethren. Yes, there will indeed be a time when the Loud Cry will go out unto all the world, but that will be at our Lord’s appointed time when He will “search Jerusalem with lamps”, not before.

Posted in Sunday law, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 6 Comments »

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

December 15, 2012

 Many of us have been sport fans during our lives. And often we have heard the interviews of the winning team’s members. One of the most relied statements has always been something like this,  “Well we won because we are very united, we stick together as a close team. Our teamwork is superb”. It’s no different in the Lord’s work, let us explain.

A while back we did a post called “Sowing Unity or Discord”, where we pointed out that a brother let his idea of the way another brother should proclaim the Elijah message, offend him and bring him to post against the other brother in public. We showed that such selfish actions really did nothing but hinder the message, and unfortunately sowed discord instead of unity.

But let us look at how the real culprit, pride, can cause us to lose track of the ultimate goal–win souls for Christ as we proclaim His last sealing message to His church. We’ll look at 4  important areas in relating to our brethren. 1) Respecting other views on non-salvational issues 2) Respecting different approaches and ideas in going about the Lord’s work  3) Reviewing how pride can cause us to be blinded and possibility a sower of discord 4) How humility and respect brings unity.

In Tract 10 called  “The Sign of Jonah”  http://www.shepherds-rod.org/Tracts/trac010.html, brother Houteff dealt with the mysterious 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth issue. Many have diverse views on it. Did Jesus die on Weds. night, Thurs. night, Fri. night, or what? How could He have been in “the heart of the earth” for 3 days and nights if He died on Friday afternoon? And so on. Anyway,  as only he could do, he cleared the issue and explained the final days of Jesus’ life and how he fulfilled His promise to give the Jews the “sign of Jonah” and what “in the heart of the earth” really meant. (Matt. 12:39-41).

But I caught a real jewel of truth in this tract. In page 20  bro. Houteff writes,  “After one acquires all the knowledge necessary pertaining to the sign of Jonah, he is neither better nor worse off so far as his Christianity is concerned, without taking into effect the time wasted if his conclusions on the subject be wrong.

But what is still worse, should a group of people who are rightly proclaiming all the revealed doctrines, disagree with these zealous preachers of the sign of Jonah, as to what “the heart of the earth” may mean, the latter will in most instances not only forsake fellowshipping with their brethren, and cease helping to proclaim more important doctrines, but will also become so obsessed with their pet idea that their minds cannot comprehend much else.” (Tract 10, p. 20-21)

That is one packed statement! Let’s recap this. First we see that bro. Houteff is counselling us that certain non-salvational issues are just that -non-salvational issues. But when we differ  with someone else concerning these issues, we should let it go for the sake of unity. But as we read, the most often  case is that our pride of knowledge gets in the way and we cloud our true perspective and purpose! The unity fails due to the pride of one or both of the brothers, or sisters.

A while back we did the 2 part post on the “Special Resurrection” and I was careful to point out that there are many diverse views on this issue. But I also pointed out that this is what is termed “extra” knowledge, and specifically a non-salvational issue. But unfortunately, in times past,  even that issue has caused some to argue and break away from the fellowship and pridefully hold on to a “pet idea”.

In (1 Peter 5:5) we read”..God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  One of the prime reasons for a unrepetant heart is pride. We just don’t like to admit we are wrong many times. But this is where the “rubber meets the road” as they say. The essence of our Christian life is to show humility and love and understanding to our brothers and sisters. But that is hard to do in many cases if we have pride and  a uncompromising spirit. A “real” man or woman is one that can say ” Sorry bro (or sis) I was wrong about this, thanks for pointing that out to me”.

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will abide among the wise, if you reject instruction, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom, humility precedes honor.” (Proverbs 15:31-33).

Ellen White explains “There were others who had received the truth from Christ’s teachings…but who had lost their first love, and were without spiritual strength..they quibbled about matters of no special importance which were not given by the Lord as tests, and dwelt upon their differences of opinion, these differences became mountains, separating them from Christ and from one another, destroying unity and love.” (1888 Materials, p.1795)

The fact that a brother or sister sees things somewhat different from what we do on non-salvational issues should never cause us to abandon that person.

We need to point out that some may ask–How do we know what is salvational and what is not? The questions has many variables but it all comes down to this. If we have converted our lives to Christ and walking daily in His Commandments and obeying His last message and will  in order so we can be sealed and to stand when His church judgment comes – we will have the Spirit of Truth within us and He will guide us into ALL truth (John 16:13).

Ellen White expounds on this beautifully “God never honors unbelief and questioning and doubt. When He speaks, His word is to be recognized, and carried out in the daily actions. And if the heart of man is in living connection with God, the voice that cometh from above will be recognized….Those that do the will of God shall know of what doctrine whether it be of God, for no deception will cloud their minds.” (Test. on Sabbath School Work, p. 64,65).

So the short answer is that we will know if a doctrine is vital for our salvation or is extra learning (as in the case of the Jonah example). And the ONLY place we can safely go –is to His word as said by HIS prophets. And we are counselled by bro. Houteff to “Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make Scriptures say, but grip tenaciously to what the Word, in simplicity, plainly says.” (Tract 10, p.13)

As we pointed out in our post on sowing unity or discord, a brother accused another of posting brother Houteff’s writings and hiding the author’s name. But let us look at what transpired back in bro. Houteff’s day, and which was published by bro. Houteff.

In Symbolic Code News, January 15, 1935, a Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Wessel wrote “After hearing the tirade against the SRod at the Carolina Camp meeting last June, we returned home determined to fight it, and a little while later were glad to have the opportunity of voting to have 13 members disfellowshipped from the Charleston church. But now we can better appreciate their position, as we ourselves with another were cast out Dec. 19.

A short time ago we received from one of the SRod believers a letter containing many quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy which we never dreamed were there. They put us to studying and we soon clearly saw how unfair the denomination has dealt with the SRod teachings.

We thank God that He mercifully gave us willingness and courage to read and investigate for ourselves after we had set our hearts against the message. Praises be to Him for His goodness and for present truth. We expect to put ourselves and our all into this work.”   Signed– Mr. & Mrs. C.E. Wessel, Charleston, S. Carolina

In the above we notice how that certain brother reached out to the objectors, yet with tact and wisdom (they emphasised that which would not prejudice them -Ellen White writings). Look at the results. They won them to the Lord’s cause! Truth was revealed to them on  a basis of which they could relate to.  As bro. Houteff has pointed out, the Elijah message is largely based on Scripture and EGW.

So we see  two important areas that we should take close heed in relating to our brothers and sisters. Watch that we don’t get hung up on our “pet idea”, a doctrine or teaching that is non-salvational. And be careful and tactful in approaching a fellow bro or sis, that has a different, yet possibly successful way of  reaching out to the brethren. Unity should always be a foremost thought in our minds.

Ofcourse we can’t be so accommodating with salvational issues, such as keeping and waking daily in His Commandments (ie. compromise with Sunday keepers doctrine. Or debating whether the Lord’s last message of Elijah is important and needed (ie. SDA who claim no Elijah message is needed)

The  ultimate important focus should be that we want to stay united and that we want to win souls for Christ. With Satan and his devils fighting our Lord’s last message and messengers, can we afford to bicker and fight amongst ourselves?

If we take the counsel given from Paul we would solve many of our disagreements over the non essential issues. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3).

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.” (2 Thes. 5:11-13)

What work would that be? It cannot be the worldly work, so it is those who are active in the Lord’s work. Teaching, admonishing, spreading the Lord’s word and plans. So we must think very highly of each of our co-workers, minor disagreements and all.

We should point out that a good and in-depth discussion of certain non-salvational issues can be rewarding and be part of our “studying to show yourselves approved” (2 Tim. 2:15). However we must guard the ever tempting behavior to start lambasting the other one’s views as wrong or inferior to ours.

What I have found as a good way to gently leave the issue, if I  find that my view is not understood or coming across as I  intended, and is at odds with their different view,   is to say something like, “That’s an interesting view you have, we’ll just have to agree to disagree brother” (or sister). This way you let them know that their view is not “wrong” per se, but “interesting”. Who knows, they may have done lots of research to come to that view.

Conversely, there will definitely be times when the salvational issues come into discussion and we must hold firm (yet respectful) and give them our best viewpoints. But after trying to show the points and they mock or deride us about the issue, we must move on and at that point it is most likely left to the Holy Spirit to work on their hearts. Or there may be a situation that another brother or sister can reach them more effectively than we can.

Another example of all of the above, is concerning a well-known brother who teaches present truth. Recently I got his report on “The 144,000 and those with”,   again it’s another non-salvational issue. I studied it and then got an opposing report from another brother. I compared them both, with the Spirit of Truth guiding me on the latter’s report as truth. But the first brother was basically saying in his report that if one doesn’t believe in this issue exactly like he says–they are lost!  What a  selfish travesty of the work for the Lord! We see a selfish view is promulgated on a point,  that as brother Houteff says ” he is neither better nor worse off as far as his Christianity is concerned.”

We read counsel from James ” Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9). Is not what the brother , in the above example doing worse than grumbling? For he has mounted the judgment seat.

 Bro. Houteff  taught much about humility and that we should not seek to take credit for things we do for Christ. Speaking of those who desire the true Christian principles he states ” He is unselfish, he rejoices in the good fortune of others, and loves to have others receive credit for something he himself may have accomplished. He expects credit from the Lord only.”(Bro. Houteff’s Letter “To Any Seeking to be DSDA)

In closing, just as we made mention of what constitutes a winning team ,let us as team members of the Lord’s final team, also strive to be united. Let us not think of ways to divide but to unite. Yes, we must and will hold firm to the salvational issues, but the less important areas should not cause us to be a divided team.

In the 1970’s I remember a song that was famous around the country called “United We Stand”,  it had these words–  “For united we stand, divided we fall, and if our backs should ever be against the wall, we’ll be together, together, you and I”.(The Brotherhood of Man, 1970)

Questions and Answers:

I understand how the doctrine of the 10 Commandments can be a salvation issue, but how does the Elijah message fit into that catagory?

That really is a great and timely question. We as SDA and DSDA, certainly understand that one of the main doctrines we believe is that in 1844, Christ went into the most holy part of the sanctuary to begin the judgment of the dead. But soon this will pass unto the existing living. The prophesised Elijah to come (Mal.4:5), many believe is he who is to forewarn the next coming of the Lord. Just as John the Baptist warned his “own” people of the coming of the Lord, so too this anti-type Elijah is to warn our own people, in the church,  of the coming of the Lord( not to warn the world).

However this coming, as one truly studies Scripture, Spirit of Prophecy, and the Rod message, shows that it is the beginning judgment for the living and is to be in God’s house (His church–sanctuaries). (See Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.209-220.  Same book, vol.3, p.266-267, 1 Peter 4:17, Mal 3:1-5, and our post “Ezekiel 9”) Consequently, the soon to come solemn judgment and execution of judgment starts first among us,upon our Lord’s next “invisable” coming. This is more fully explained in the above references.

So the Elijah message is the last message to us to reform our lives and do right before the Lord, and gives us instructions on how we can escape the dreadful judgment that will soon come upon us, his church. It warns us to reform, in our work, dress, diet, worship and so forth.It asks us to truly care about the sins in our lives and in the church, so much so that we “sigh and cry” for these abominations. For those who have taken our Lord’s counsel in Rev. 3:18, and searched Scripture and anointed their eyes with eyesalve, they have been led to understand this last message clearly. So obviously this is a very real salvational issue. And as such we cannot compromise the teaching/spreading of this truth.

Posted in Brotherly love, Humility, Proper teachings, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 4 Comments »

“Cry Aloud, Spare Not”

April 14, 2012

One of the toughest aspects of our spiritual walk, is to be a concerned reprover of sin. Those who reprove sins in their midst are many times looked at as judgemental, holier than thou, or even downright mean. But let us now look at this most serious matter from God’s point of view, and not our own carnal view.

It is no secret that most of the prophets were stern, unwavering, rebuking types who catered not to the whims and wishes of man , but answered to a higher calling. They did that which pleased God, they showed their brethren their wrong doing. Many  prophets so displeased the masses that their own lives we called for. Is it safe to say that the prophets were so in tune with God that they saw sin in it’s rightful place- a horrible thing?

I often say that, we know we are right with God when we see sin as terrible and something that hurts our Lord and us. This is the place where we arrive to in our walk, our sanctification progression to being Christ like. Once we arrive there, we really can’t help from helping others and warning them, for in so doing we show the ultimate love and caring for their souls.

The apostle Paul equates us being “full of goodness” when we admonish our loved ones when the case arises.  “..you also are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Romans 15:14).

In (Isaiah 58:1) we find a  serious order ” Cry aloud, spare not;Lift up your voice like a trumpet: Show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

Our Lord really wants that a soul who is sinning in front of us–saved! Kinda like we are out at sea and we see someone drowning, it really is the same with those sinning in our midst, they may indeed be helped if we can show them a spiritual “bump in the road”.

Who among us, after being invited to a lunch from a fellow church member in their home, sits close to them and they light up a smoke in front of us, and we don’t warn them  that is really not right for them or us! Most likely we’d share this in a kind way , due to our health. How much more important is a soul! We’ll warn them about their health but we don’t dare warn them about their soul(?)

 The big problem comes when some look at our help as though we have a wrong motive. How we react to their reach out warnings, tells volumes of how our walk is going with the Lord. Let me give you a recent example. A few Sabbaths ago, I was sitting in the sanctuary with a dear SDA friend of mine. It was a few minutes before service and I leaned over and asked her a question, that really wasn’t important and had to do with worldly affairs. She looked at me in a caring way and just nodded. Taken alittle back, I asked “Is there something wrong?”  She said “I’ll tell you later”.

After service she explained that she had been inspired by the Lord recently to keep her conduct and conversation in holy reverence to the Lord, while in the sanctuary. I was stopped dead in my tracks!  She was right!  I was so pumped up in being corrected, that I later got down on my knees and thanked our Lord for being shown a most holy thing–keeping our conduct respectful and in holy reverence while in the sanctuary.  My carelessness (irreverent speaking) had been exposed.

Now let’s look at it as if I had taken that correction from a “personal” view. I would have  thought–who’s she with this  holier than thou attitude? It’s no big deal to speak what I want in the sanctuary.This gal is going overboard with this, etc. etc.  Who do you think God is looking at as doing their first duty — “Fear God, and keep His Commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”(Ecc. 12:13) ?  Her, with her careful holy reverence (holy fear) or me  with my “who cares” attitude? The answer is obvious.

A while back a brother, who runs the site www.keepnotsilent.com got a petition going, to warn the SDA people that a certain Sunday preacher was invited to speak before a large assembly of SDA. Kinda like inviting the wolf into the hen house. “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (pure gospel including Commandment keeping) receive him not into your house, nor bid him God speed.” (2 John 1:10)

Uh oh, wait a minute John , you’ll be judgemental and holier than thou if you don’t show hospitality at least, right ?  Definitely not. The word says–get them out! It is God whom we wish to obey- not man or woman. But we must always give our warning in love, and not hate or condemnation because if we do it in this way, we are indeed “judging” them. Kind of  saying “You better do this or you’ll go to hell” or some such words.

The aforementioned brother has the perfect Scripture on that site, it reads ” I have set watchman upon thy walls . O Jerusalem, they shall never hold their peace day or night, you who make mention of the LORD, keep not silent.” (Isa. 62:6)

Some may wonder, why are warnings even needed? Let’s look at our beloved Prophetess’ words from our Lord ” As a people, we are looked upon as peculiar. Our position and faith distinguish us from every other denomination. If we are in life and character no better than worldlings, they will point the fingers of scorn at us and say –these are “Seventh Day Adventists”. (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5 , p. 138) How much more are those with the brightest light-Davidian SDA , to show a good clean wholesome life in front of the world?

In (2 Cor:7-10) Paul explains after he had sent a letter of reproach to some in the church “For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it.For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a Godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing, for Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation….in all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

Here we see that Paul sent a warning letter, that they were doing unrighteous things before God. Then our Lord, through Paul’s actions, reached these erring ones and Paul rejoiced because they “cleared” the matter. The warnings had been heeded and Godly repentance occured.

I would be remiss, if I did not address God’s last messenger, Victor Houteff, on what he was inspired to say about warnings and reproof. As we did in the Christmas post awhile  back, we must search carefully to understand BOTH of our last two prophets for the combined light. God does not send a prophet after a prophet to teach completely contrary to  His message prior. If this was the case, the truth scroll would not be unfolding, rather it would be ripped out and replaced. God forbid.

In (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 22, paragraph 28) we read ” We are not to mount the judgement seat and encroach upon another’s conscience, not to judge another in matters that lay between the soul and God. All we are called to do, is to teach and practice the Truth for today, to let the people make up their minds for or against it. We are not to force them into anything.”

Here we see that “judging” a person is not our responsibility. If we give a warning out, in God’s love, we are not to judge them if they should make up their minds against our warning. Our infringement  comes when we cross a line where we try to force our opinions upon someone. Kind of ” You better do this or that, if not you’ll…”  As the prophet said, it’s a matter that is between them and God.

I learned this lesson first hand earlier in my Christian walk. I have a dear brother who happens to believe that Sabbath keeping is not a Law of the Lord to be obeyed. He’s a zealous street preacher. I emailed him several times over several months, getting into debates about how wrong he was, and I wouldn’t let up. Finally by the grace of God, I got wise, and rightfully gave this matter over to the Holy Spirit to do what was needed. This is what our prophet is saying.

Let us close with Sister White’s words “While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain the favor of any” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p.210)

“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 for the Church, Vol. 3, p.255)

“All who name the name of Christ must put on the full armour  and entreat, warn, and seek souls to win” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 5, p.495)

“In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by an neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 266)

So let us remember that those who really love us, are often the ones who look out for us. Their concern is that they be with us in the kingdom.

In Christ, who loves us beyond measure –Your servant, Rob

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