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Finished by Electronic Equipment

June 18, 2016

In the fast closing hours of our Seventh-day Adventist probation, the Lord has pulled out all stops. And one of the main ways His final message of hope and salvation to us is– Electronic equipment.

The Lord sent our final prophet to pen these words–

“God’s servants shall have no time or desire for the cares of this world, for there is a city prepared for them whose builder and maker is God. As we have just enough time to get ready for translation, we must not let the enemy steal our precious moments. Because the work is so broad, its expansion so vast, and its importance so great, God has inspired modern science to invent, and build speedy equipment to quickly finish His work. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:4, 10.)(SRod, vol. 2, p.229)

Just imagine how far we have come in the last 25 years. The world has been so intertwined with the mass communication of electronics, that in the year 2000, we remember that some well-known computer experts were predicting a literal shut down of the world, with the predicted date change mal-function of the 2000th year.

The computers, cell phones, advanced copiers, and all the other electronic items have truly revolutionized our world. But just as we see from the inspired Daniel quote, “knowledge shall be increased.” And indeed it has!

But let us step back and ponder this a little. We all know that the world and the souls in it belong to God. Yes, Satan has commandeered it temporarily but God has not abandoned His people. This being so, who do we think inspired the pioneers like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to come up with all their brilliant ideas? You got it, our ever-loving and all-seeing–King of Kings!

And the reason the computer and electronic age has so developed is for the primary reason–to get His message out to all who are willing. And the next step we as present truth believers know well, is the securement of His elect– the 144,000.

It truly is a marvel that the message of Elijah has gone so far and wide via electronics. Yet despite this very few have taken the time to devote to “study to show yourself approved unto God ..”(2 Tim. 2:15). Nevertheless the Lord has set the table, who will come and eat the bread of life?

But let us not lose track that a good 25 years of the Lord setting the table of electronics before us comes with a condition. That is that this message is literally at our fingertips and we have no excuse to plead ignorance. The solemn words of the prophet come to us again–

“And just as soon as this message reaches every church member, just that soon will the purification take place.” (Timely Greetings, vol.1, no.12, p.26).

We also notice that the world’s electronic build up started in direct correlation to the Lord’s final message, which begin in 1929-1930 with the first volume of the Shepherd’s Rod.

Wikipedia states — “Television became available in crude experimental forms in the late 1920s. After World war two an improved form became popular in the United States and Britain, and television sets became commonplace in homes, businesses, and institutions. During the 1950s, television was the primary medium for influencing public opinion.”

Today, the TV has been very instrumental in furthering His final message. Not so much for actual TV programming but for the use of DVD’s and other medium which uses the TV for playback abilities.

Those striving to become one of His end time servants have little time for worldly TV. Their all-consuming passion is to be about the Lord’s business in His vineyard.

So with this mass electronic spread, we can see that the message is being given through it, so that every member of God’s remnant church shall have no excuse. It is there, available to be read, seen and heard.

CD’s have also played a big role in spreading the message. Computer websites are numerous and people from all over the world can go on and order Tracts, CD’s, DVD’s, and other literature. YouTube videos are plenty today as well, describing the final message of the Lord. For this very reason has the Lord allowed advanced electronics to become so central in our world today!

I think of a vision of the Lord looking at his subject upon judgment and they say ” I did not know about your final message, Lord.” And the Lord asks if they had a computer and of course, in most cases, the answer is yes. The message is all over that computer they just don’t want to see it. Instead news, work, worldly games, friends and relatives, shows and other entertainment comprise almost all their computer time.

On our Facebook group Truth Tellers, we are providing message updates and studies and those with computers, cell phones and handhelds, regularly view and partake in this medium. Praise the Lord for this avenue because most of them are from the far away countries, which only electronic media makes possible. The poor often cannot afford a computer or laptop but usually have a cell phone and can access our site.

There’s been a long time denial of the Elijah message in our church and through the pulpit, and as such our Lord’s inspired electronic media has provided one of the main sources of His message of hope for His remnant. However at the same time, His warnings of the upcoming “judgment for the living” that begins in the house of God first is solemnly given.

“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

“God does not send judgments upon His people without first warning them to repent. He uses every means to bring them back to obedience and does not visit their iniquity with judgments until He has given them ample opportunity to repent.” (Testimonies, vol.4, p.179)

This electronic media will no doubt stay an important tool for the Lord once the Loud Cry begins. From Israel there shall be much of the Lord’s activity and no doubt live TV coverage. Satan, no doubt will counter the Lord’s final message to the world and with electronic media will likewise try to influence the masses.

It shall be as our prophetess says, “The Great Controversy”. And the Lord’s method of choice to a large degree will be– Electronic Equipment.

Posted in Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 3 Comments »

The Dad is Stumped (Part 2 of 2)

June 4, 2016

Last week we showed the first part of the study, and so far we see that Art has been quite perplexed as to his son’s revealing Scriptures and SOP.

Johnny: Do you remember where we showed that the Lord is to have a conquering church?

Art: Yes, that was from our prophetess.

Johnny: But how can this be Dad, when right now we have our own beloved church allowing abortions upon demand ,and people with non-Biblical perverted lifestyles ministering in our churches, for example?

Art: Son, we are still sinful people and the Lord is to work upon us as we walk through our Christian experience.

Johnny: That’s true Dad, but the word says there will be a church purification before the Loud Cry.

Art: I never heard of such a thing show me where you get that? My understanding is that there will be a testing time, the Sunday law, and that will cause the weak in faith to depart the church and thus this produces a solid deep faith church, willing to stand for Christ and His word.

Johnny: There is way too much to address all of the evidence now but I will show you a few.

“The third angel’s message is to lighten the earth with its glory; but only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.” (Review and Herald, Nov. 19,1908)

“The church may appear as about to fall, but it dies not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.” (2 Selected Messages , p.380)

“God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church 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.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.80)

“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.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.372-373)

The Scriptures also show it —

“Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.” (Nahum 1:15)

“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” (Isaiah 52:1)

“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken.” (Obadiah 1:17)

Art: Ok son you are presenting much that is quite different from what we as SDA have learned or teach , now tell me how you found all this?

Johnny: Ok, let’s turn to Malachi chapter 4 verses 5 and 6. It reads-

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

In 1929 a man taught in our church, in the Sabbath school lessons in Los Angeles. His name was Victor Houteff. This is how I came across all this. He has some publications called the Shepherd’s Rod.

Art: Victor who?

Johnny: Houteff, he is believed by some to be the prophesied Elijah to come that the Lord promised He would bring to His people.

Art: No son, we are told by our prophetess that we as faithful workers in these last days are the prophesied Elijah to come. Here it is–
“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.” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.254)

Johnny: Dad, there is something better, read this —

“Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.475)

But I must tell you that the first two original publications of the Testimonies to Minsters this quote was left alone. But in 1962, the General Conference added an asterisk to it saying that Ellen White was talking of herself as the Elijah to come. It was after Victor Houteff died and the SDA church was dealing with an underground movement saying that his writings were inspired and should be followed. So to quiet the speculation they published a 1962 version of the book and added the asterisk telling people to not take her words as they appear.

In other words Dad, they were saying that when she said “somebody is to come” she was saying it was herself who had already came. And when she said “when he appears” she meant “when she appears”. It’s pretty ridiculous Dad.

Art: Ok , let’s recap son. First, this Victor guy taught we are to go into the land of Israel after the church purification for the purpose of what?

Johnny: The Loud cry. You see Dad, the Lord cannot pour out His Spirit upon a mixed group, converted and unconverted. No where in the Bible has He ever done such a thing. Do you remember when the Israelites were defeated in the land of Ai, after their great victory in Jericho?

Art: Yes

Johnny: Well the people did not have God’s Spirit with them because of one man, just one sinner named Achan. God told them that He would abandon them if that one sinner was not removed. So Joshua discovered who it was that had stolen some items from their prior victory in Jericho. The Lord had Achan and his family along with all their possessions stoned and buried right in the desert.

According to Victor this was a type of the church purification, because in order to get to the kingdom (Israel) the Lord had to do a purification of any sinner in the midst. So the anti-type is us today and the upcoming purification.

Art: Well that all makes sense but does the Scriptures say anything more concrete about this purification?

Johnny: Yes it does, In two places we see really good revelations of it. Both were brought to our attention and taught by Victor , let’s read–

“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press?

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.” (Isaiah 63:1-6)

Johnny: His garments are stained red because of the unfortunate dreadful church work the “Mighty to save” One has to do.

(At this point Art is sitting up straight marking every word Johnny says.)

Johnny: And this is perhaps the best one in all the Bible–

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

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

And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:15-20)

Johnny: Do you see that after this slaying by the Lord there are those who escape and go to all the world to proclaim the Lord’s glory and then bring in brothers and sisters from around the world, into a clean vessel, meaning they will worship the Lord in a clean church? Never before has this happened in history Dad, it is yet future.

Art: My Son, why haven’t we as SDA known about all this? What are we doing? I never knew all this was in the Bible and SOP!

Johnny: It’s because of our refusal to diligently study the Scriptures and SOP for ourselves Dad. SOP nails it with this one —
“But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them. ” (Testimonies to Minsters, p.106-107)

Johnny: Too many of us are “rich and increased with goods” as the Scriptures say. We think we know all the truth when we are””Blind and naked” as the Lord said. The General Conference knew all about Victor’s writings and decided to make efforts to spread falsehood about Victor and his work. Soon the SDA was hearing how he was bad and not teaching truth. But remember when SOP said–

Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”(Testimonies to Ministers, p.475)

Johnny: The Lord through Ellen White saw that when the Elijah comes he would be told he teaches falsely and they , the SDA church leaders and General Conference, will tell the people what is truth not this man who many think is the Elijah.

In fact, Victor said this about it–

“..I would remind you, Brethren, that no prophet of God has ever been welcomed by the church. On the contrary, each in his time was rejected, abused, and most of them were martyred by the ones to whom they were sent — the very ones who were supposed to be serving God! Indeed, the Lord Himself paid the same price. For this very reason we must remember that when the last prophet comes he will have the greatest opposition to meet, for Satan well knows that if he loses now, he loses forever.

What makes Elijah’s work especially hard is that Christendom has long been drilled in the idea that no prophet is to come, that there is no necessity for one, that it has enough revealed Truth to carry it inside the Pearly Gates.

It is therefore only to be expected that the predicted Elijah will be denounced as a false prophet, perhaps even as the anti-Christ, offshoot, or what not.” (General Conference Special, p.6-7)

Art: Why do you think they wanted to hush him up?

Johnny: It was because he was calling out their sins. He was showing the people how God, through the Scriptures and SOP, was soon not going to tolerate the people who had great light yet continued in their sins. Reformations such as dress, eating, worship, medical, schools, Sabbath keeping , etc were all addressed in his writings and the GC knew that should this reformation call take hold the leaders and their own growing structure would be forced to change everything. They had already began to retreat towards Egypt and had no intention of halting this backward direction.

Their medical institutions and schools were fast conforming to worldly standards, and just as the Romans in Constantine’s day decided to appease the worldly masses and lower their standards to gain more attendance to their churches, so too the SDA leaders. The Lord’s strict word became loosely followed. Sin no longer meant sin but a human weakness that we couldn’t really overcome in this life.

Victor called all this out. He found new interpretations of Scripture that had never been revealed. The true understanding of Daniel 2, Hosea 1 and 2, Ezekiel 1 and 2, and more, Isaiah and Jeremiah and the list goes on and on. But the main thing Dad, as the type did (original Elijah) his message was of warning that the Lord is about to come unexpectedly and shall surprise the hypocrites and non-converted. Thus the church will be as SOP puts it, “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners”

Art: This truly is enlightening son. So how long have you been studying these writings?

Johnny: For a little over a year. What I did Dad, is I checked it all with Scripture. The main test was –“To the Law and to the testimony.” (Isaiah 8:20) I checked if he taught correctly about all the Ten Commandments, and then I checked if he taught what the prophets taught as well, including our prophetess Ellen White.

Art: Ok son, this has been a good study, I will make you a promise. I will study what you have and if it’s truth your Dad will be on board, deal?

Johnny: Deal!

*********************************************

The above story, although a allegory, is intended to make us think. The truth is something we as SDA are truly in need of today. The Lord knew we would need more truth and a better understanding of prophecy, otherwise he would never have promised a prophet, Elijah, to come and bring the Lord’s last message to us. Just as Art showed that despite his prior beliefs, when new light was presented to him, he was willing to look, listen and move upon it. My prayer is that all who read this blog will be like Art. You’ll not regret it!

Posted in Elijah, Loud Cry, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Victor T. Houteff, Witnessing | 4 Comments »

The Dad is Stumped (Part 1 of 2)

May 28, 2016

Johnny is 14 years old and by all accounts, he seems gifted. But Johnny is not gifted in the sense of talent such as sports, music, art or any other human passion. He studies the Bible, that is his consuming passion. His father, Art, is a long-time Seventh-day Adventist and he is doing a good job with Johnny following the Lord’s counsel.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Being active in his Bible studies, Johnny prefers to go one on one with the Spirit of Truth in learning the Scriptures and of course, as an Adventist, the Spirit of Prophecy. Johnny knows well what the Lord has told us about knowing Truth.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)

And being of such a young age, the Lord cannot be but thrilled to know Johnny is searching Bible Truth as a miner searches for gold. So this being the case, Johnny was guided to some literature concerning the Lord’s Elijah message. He has been studying it in private for a good year now, marking every word and confirming it to the Scriptures.

One of Johnny and his father’s custom is to have a couple Bible studies each week. So it was Tuesday evening and they went into the family’s study room and began their study.

After prayer Johnny tells Art he has some really interesting points and questions he’d like to review with his Dad.

Johnny: Dad, we as SDA teach that the Sunday law is coming and that once it comes, we’ll have to run to the hills because we can’t buy or sell, is that right?

Art: Yes son that is right. Our prophetess showed us that the Sunday law will be in place in the final days and that we’ll have to get out of the cities and rely totally on God. Even for water and bread. Here’s a good reference for that —

“I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. Then I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy around them.

I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a certain time to put them to death. But in this hour of trial the saints were calm and composed, trusting in God and leaning upon His promise that a way of escape would be made for them.” (Early Writings, p.282. 283)

Johnny: So that means our SDA church will be fragmented and really dispersed and just barely surviving soon?

Art: Pretty much son, it will a real tough time.

Johnny: But how do we explain this SOP quote?–

“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.” (PK, p.725)

Art: That’s a good point. I guess the church still tries to do the Loud Cry during the time of trouble.

Johnny: Not only that but look at this one–

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:1-2)

Art: Um, that is interesting. We as SDA don’t discuss that one much.

Johnny: Why not? This shows that we as the Lord’s remnant people will be part of a great church, a church based in Jerusalem.

Art: No son, that is not correct. Our prophetess told us the following —

“I also saw that old Jerusalem never would be built up.” Early Writings, p.75

Johnny: But Dad there is more —

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

“The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the LORD.”(Jeremiah 30:3)

“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:”(Jer.32:37-38)

“I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. “(Ezek. 36:24-27)

Johnny: The only land and place that the Lord gave to His people was Israel.

Art: But son those were conditional promises made to the ancient Jews. They did not fulfill their word and therefore God could not fulfill His promise.

Johnny: No Dad, when we read all those four quotes there is words like “I will” “shall be” “they shall”. And nowhere in the context or even before those words in the chapters is any condition given. Let’s read what the Spirit of Prophecy says about this matter.

“That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today. He has “let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen,” even to His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully “render Him the fruits in their seasons.”Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.” (PK, p.713-714)

Johnny: Do you know Dad that the promise to restore the land of Israel back to His remnant people is one of the main covenant promises made by God to His ancient people?

( At this point Art is both confused and a little uneasy. He knows that his son is speaking rightly , yet this is not what he has been taught.)

Art: Son , where did you get this stuff?

Johnny: I will tell you in a minute Dad, but first let me show you something else I learned. It’s here in Isaiah chapter 11. Let me read it.

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; And his resting-place shall be glorious.”(Isaiah 11:6-10)

Art: Ah, one of my favorites Scriptures. This shows a beautiful time when on the new earth there will be beauty and harmony abounding.

Johnny: No Dad that is incorrect.

Art: What? What are you talking about?

Johnny: Allow me to explain. As we know God does not use any useless words in the Scriptures. Therefore we must pay very close attention to each and every word because it has meaning.
First, did you notice that a little child leads the goat, calf and lion? And the infant will play near the cobra’s nest?

Art: Yes

Johnny: That cannot be in the new earth. Let me show you why. This is what our prophetess said.

“There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages and births in the new earth, but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines. The doctrine that children will be born in the new earth is not a part of the “sure word of prophecy.” The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood. They should forever settle the question of marriages and births in the new earth. Neither those who shall be raised from the dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage. They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family.” (Maranatha, p.370)

Johnny: Dad, there will not be any little children or infants in the new earth. Because we know that the word says we will grow like calves in the stall (Mal. 4:2). Further, it is foolish to think that during the 1000 years in heaven we will still have babies and young children that won’t grow up there.

Art: Go on I’m listening.

Johnny: We see also that in this time there will be someone whom the Gentiles seek. Will there be any Gentiles in the new earth?

Art: Ok, ok you’ve made your point. Now, where did you get these ideas?

Johnny: I will tell you Dad but I still have more to show you first.

(To be continued…)

Posted in Proper teachings, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Self Sacrificing Workers

May 21, 2016

In our post last week we talked about getting out of our me box. This week we’ll look at a related subject of being a self-sacrificing worker in God’s vineyard. Once we decide to get outside ourselves and start doing the things of God, we can also benefit greatly from learning how to “put our money where our mouth is”. In other words start “doing” instead of talking only.

“God is displeased with the lack of self-denial in some of his servants. They have not the burden of the work upon them. They seem to be in a death-like stupor. Angels of God stand amazed, and ashamed of this lack of self-denial and perseverance. While the Author of our salvation was laboring and suffering for us, he denied himself, and his whole life was one continued scene of toil and privation.” (Gospel Workers, p.55-56)

With our SDA probation fast closing upon us it is paramount that we get to our post of duty and that is most likely a sacrifice in time and money required of each of us. As we have posted many times our King makes clear in His word that we are not to “rob” Him (Mal. 3:8).

We all know about the required Tithes but what about the offerings? The extra that comes from our heart’s benevolent love of God and His cause. By way of example let me tell you of my own personal example of self-sacrificing.

In a corner of the house the Lord laid upon my heart to “set up shop” as it were. There is set up a smorgasbord of present truth material. Several times each month packages are sent out around the country and the world. Those hungry for the Lord’s final message to us are indeed feasting in the things of God.

But who is paying me to do this? No one. This all comes from what the Lord has placed upon my heart. I do not ask for any donation neither do I want such. Occasionally there has been offers to help on the cost and for that I am truly thankful , but for the most part it all comes from the private pocketbook.

Below is a picture of the shop and some material.

Often many of our receivers will send me a picture of the material received such as below

This truly is a joyful experience knowing that they are now in possession of the most valuable gift on the planet- God’s final word to us! But how could this all happen if yours truly was not self sacrificing? We all know nothing would get done.

You see brothers and sisters, there is a great reward for you if you will but -get going. Each day that goes by many are just content to “ride along” while those few self-sacrificing ones keep the wheels turning.

The reason, I believe that this personal work is able to be accomplished is by taking very seriously the Lord’s promise–

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Mal. 3:10)

Due to having our current business rated number one in our field in a large city (about 800,000) this work is able to provide the necessary funds to get packages sent. The Lord has returned His promise in full. All we have to do is our part- be a faithful servants and return what belongs to Him.

And that is not only returning the Tithes but giving some offerings.

“Every convert to the truth should be instructed in regard to the Lord’s requirement for tithes and offerings…Those who are truly converted are called to do a work that requires money and consecration. The obligation that binds us to place our names on the church roll holds us responsible to work for God to the utmost of our ability.”(Testimonies, vol. 6, p.447)

The Elijah message gives us the Lord’s final instructions on the offerings-

“Though the Lord commands, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” (Mal. 3: 10), He does not say to bring all the offerings. Thus, He shows that if we would engage in some personal charity or missionary activity, we should sustain it from offerings, not from the tithe.” (Answerer, vol. 4, p.45, Q-97)

So we see that we can use some of our offerings for our personal work in behalf of the Lord. The main thing is we are “doers” of the Word, not “hearers” only.

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

A few weeks back we told of a long time present truth believer who advocated that we should do as we feel is right with our Tithes and offerings, not necessarily what His word says. This, we pointed out, is in direct violation of the Lord’s message as shown below.

IS IT MY DUTY TO SET RIGHT THE LORD’S TREASURY?

Question No. 98:

Should we pay our tithe to the “storehouse” if we know that it is not used rightly?

Answer:

Knowing that our tithe belongs to God’s storehouse, our greatest burden should be to see that it is faithfully paid there. Nowhere in the Bible do we find that the Lord has laid upon any tithe payer the policing of the channels through which these funds pass.

The Lord’s treasury is under His control, and if He Himself should not see fit to correct an abuse in the handling of His money, certainly we could not correct it however hard we might try. If we guard carefully that part of His work which He entrusts to us, our only concern will be to find out where His “storehouse” is, and then faithfully to deposit His money there. He has not made us responsible for its use; that, He will personally take over–even as He is now “taking the reins in His own hands.”

When the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi received no land for an inheritance, as did the eleven tribes. Instead, the Lord decreed that the tithes of the other tribes were to go to the Levites. This was their inheritance. It was actually their own. And just as they, as the tithe receivers, had no right to dictate to the others, the tithe payers, what to do with their own increase after it had been tithed, so the tithe payers had no right to dictate to the tithe receivers what to do with the tithe. Each tribe was itself to be accountable to the Lord for that which He had entrusted to it. Thus it must be today. (ANSWERER, vol.4, p.46-47)

Believe me brethren the above snare is much more common than we think. Far too many of us mount the judgment seat and declare this shortcoming and that shortcoming from the few large organizations that our doing their best to provide present Truth “meat” to all those hungry for it. But as we point out in this post we don’t have to solely rely on the formal organizations to send out and spread the Truth today. A great tool is to obtain a church directory and send a few to get started.

To obtain free material see this post for the “storehouses” and you can contact them.https://godsloveandlaw.com/2015/01/17/who-really-is-a-davidian-seventh-day-adventist/

“No need to depend on the sanction of any minister or any people to do God’s work, God will vindicate you.”(1888 Materials , p.1746)

We’ve heard the famous quote, “He marches to his own beat.” Well, that’s another way of saying we don’t have to be told what to do, we pick up the shovel, hammer, wheelbarrow (figuratively speaking) and get to work! All that is required for us to be active in spreading the sealing message today is to be–self sacrificing.

Posted in Hard work, Tithes and Offerings, Witnessing | 4 Comments »

Truth in the Sanctuary

April 2, 2016

A couple of weeks ago at the local church’s Friday night vespers study, this servant was able to give a study in present truth. It was a short study on the Revelation 12 prophecy. As many of us know we are told by Inspiration that we must have “present truth” now.

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

What is noteworthy and remarkable is how the Lord has opened doors for such powerful truth to come into His house at this late hour. Many of us, especially us Elijah messengers, know very well that the Lord’s important present truth prophetic lessons are rarely spoken of in His church today.

There was many reasons why this occurrence developed. Let us look at this latest development.

We know that our adversary is pulling out all stops to prevent God’s remnant church from getting the all important seal in their foreheads.

Much of the credit goes to the fact that our current pastor is of a “Burean” spirit. The Bureans as we recall were a people who did not scoff nor smugly disregard “new truth”.

“Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.” (Acts 17:11)

Pastor A, we’ll call him, has received many things with an open mind and a searchable spirit. As such our email studies and in-person studies have been one of mutual benefit. It has been quite refreshing to experience such willingness to “love the Truth” by a SDA leader. Now, contrast this from my last church.

The leaders there were proudly “rich and increased with goods”. New light/truth was something they were not interested in. “We have it all, we don’t need any more truth, let’s just rehash all the old truths and we’re good to go.” This was their attitude.

The Spirit of Prophecy is too clear to misunderstand —

“New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God.” (Counsels to writers and editors, p.35)

So that week prior to the appointment to give the study, I prayed and supped(Rev.3:20) with the Lord on what to speak about. A brother, a fellow Elijah messenger, mentioned that I should do the Revelation 13, “beast” prophecy. But as I dwelled on that, even to the point of searching more out on that propehcy , something did not click.

What came to me was that the Rev. 13 prophecy is more complicated and therefore with the short time I had scheduled in (about 30-45 minutes) I figured I could not properly cover it. So later the bell sounded–Revelation 12!

This seemed the ideal topic because it is relatively short and easily understood. It’s a beautiful story of how the Lord takes back His church from the “Dragon” who tries to over run the church with his “flood”, ie. unconverted so-called Christians, within God’s remnant church.

Prior to speaking , the pastor and I went into a small room and prayed. Those prayers were heard and answered! As I began to speak and not being accustomed to speaking publicly, I was alittle tight and uneasy. But as the study progressed the Spirit began to guide and the words came forth that were to be spoken.

Once the study concluded my wife and I handed out supplemental papers on this Rev. 12 study so that they could further review what was said about it.

Back to the point of the Pastor. The Spirit of Prophecy makes a startling statement —

“Unless the ministers are converted, the people will not be.” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p.445)

Once we have a leader (Pastor or Head Elder) who shows that they love the Truth more than anything else, we stand on good ground that the flock is in good hands. Now, contrast this will a uncoverted Pastor or Head Elder.

I left the prior church about 1 and half years ago because I could see the writing on the wall. The church, headed by the Pastor, was stuck in slow gear and often–neutral! And to confirm that Inspiration is spot on with the above quote, the current pastor was responsible for bringing into the church sanctuary serious abominations. See this post — https://godsloveandlaw.com/2016/01/02/a-sda-christmas-celebration/

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?(Ezek. 34:1-2)

Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet?’As for My flock, they must eat what you tread down with your feet and drink what you foul with your feet!'”(Ezek.34:18-19)

Despite the many shepherds who are “feeding themselves” within our beloved SDA church today, there exists some who are willing to “listen” to the Truth and for this we can truly praise the Lord. Being an Elijah messenger it really brings true joy to be able to go up before the people and give present truth, which the flock is hungering for. I can tell you not one person was asleep during the vespers study.

During the day, prior to that evening’s service, my wife and I spoke about what I’d speak about. In our conversation she mentioned that she could record the presentation but I told her no, as I did not want attention drawn to myself. To look like the presentation was rehearsed or set up for a certain purpose. But once I got up and began she said that the “Holy Spirit told me to do it” so it was recorded. So pray for this servant’s ministry that the Lord will continue to open doors so that His final message to us will go before the people, enlightening and encouraging, helping them to “stand ” in the”great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

May the Lord’s word arouse us and guide us!

The Rev. 12 study — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9q2xzskHR8

Posted in Proper teachings, Witnessing | 3 Comments »

Watch your Pearls

December 26, 2015

Our King said, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matt. 7:6)

Quite some powerful and direct words for sure. Let us look at this great admonition and how we can observe it.

If you are active in the Lord’s vineyard, hopefully proclaiming present truth message of Elijah, you should be acutely aware of this instruction. By obedience to this rule we can save ourselves much precious time and even heartache as the Lord warned.

You see, the Lord’s truth is as priceless gems to us. They are our meat, our golden nuggets and yes–our pearls. Understanding why we should not cast them to the swine is very important lesson for us.

Our confidence in the Lord and His word should be guarded.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Hebrews: 10:35)

And we can throw it away if we continue to cast our pearls of Truth before those who will trample it afoot.

Recently I have been in an email study with a brother we’ll call bro. J. He is active in studies but unfortunately he has been led into one of the adversary’s rabbit trails– Feast day keeping. As we have posted many times before, the last message of the Lord, the Elijah message, shows us beyond doubt that the Old Testament Feast days observance has been replaced by Christ and His work in the heavenly sanctuary. The sermon address that dealt with this is here — http://shepherds-rod.org/TGvol2/2tg37.htm

But as we continued the study the Spirit started to remind me of what I was doing. The hard work and plentiful study I have done to know this message, was being dangled about to someone who either a) wasn’t reading the truth I was showing him b) was reading it yet it was like water off a duck’s back–or put another way–trampled under his feet.

Either way I sensed I was barking up the wrong tree. So the Lord reminded me to stay focused and not venture into a situation where your pearls are being chewed up and spit out. Here is where some thoughts came.

What I sense is that if we get involved in a discussion and very soon it becomes obvious that the truth (plain obvious statements) does not get agreement or acknowledgment, then we can come into perilous ground. Why?

Because we can start to lose our own confidence! Yes, we can think, “maybe I need to show him more truth because this is not clear enough” yet it is very clear, it is just our desire to come down to his non-truth loving level that starts to blur our vision, make us doubt our own message.

The message deals with this subject–

IS IT SAFE TO CHALLENGE?

Question No. 132:

If we are to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, then ought we not challenge those who are enemies of “The Shepherd’s Rod” to prove it in error?

Answer:

Even those who have settled it once and for all that The Shepherd’s Rod contains a heaven-sent message, not to mention those who are incapable of defending it in all its aspects, are in no wise justified in exposing their precious jewel of Truth to the Enemy, whose only aim is to take it away from them. Especially so when he is not coming with a promise to give them something that will replace that which they already have.

They cannot afford to invite his challenge to prove whether or not he can cheat them of their treasure. When it is gone, the “proof” will be sad consolation! Placing themselves thus on Satan’s vantage ground will make them guilty not only of the folly of presumptousness but waste of time and of energy as well. It will be but inviting the Devil to rob them of eternal life.

All of us must guard our heavenly treasure with the utmost care, and preserve our faith by studying to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, but not by challenging him to ply us with deceitful questions, and then debating with him.

If, though, for any compelling reason you assume the risk of meeting the Enemy in this great spiritual warfare, then you must at least hold him to answer to the whole Truth; do not let him switch you to some certain moot point which no one, perhaps, at the moment could clear. Do not permit yourself to be backed into a defensive position, but rather keep yourself on the offensive, yet never debate.

Do not forget that the Enemy who seeks to take your crown is mightier than you, and that therefore if you are not absolutely settled on the message, then by all means rather than to study with its enemies, go study with its friends. Not until you have thus done all to let the messengers prove it right, and are still convinced that it is not Present Truth, can you rightly study with its opposers. Do all to make sure that someone does not cheat you of a message from the Lord. Let “no man take thy crown.” Rev. 3:11.

Remember that if there is someone ready to undermine one truth, there is another one ready to undermine another truth, and so on and on. In fact, the Enemy is ready to dynamite every truth in existence, even the Bible Itself, if you but give him the chance. Certain it is, though, that Satan does not begin to have as much room for an argument against the Rod’s truths as Sunday keepers have against the Sabbath truth.

Ever bear in mind that “the efforts made to retard the progress of truth will serve to extend it” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 454), and that you will be promoted with it if you faithfully keep in the middle of the road, not running ahead with a zeal that is not according to knowledge.

“Our convictions need daily to be re-enforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the word. While we each have an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we must hold them as God’s truth and in the strength which God imparts. If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 401.

Hence, for one who is settled in the Truth and who is searching for more, to challenge the Enemy, is like putting one’s sword in his hand and daring him to cut off one’s head.

Never challenge, therefore, but ever be ready to give the right answer intelligently and convincingly to every man; never debate, but always teach the Truth; never go to an enemy or to a non-believer of a message to prove it right or to prove it wrong; rather, do all your proving with its friends, with its authors–those who know all about it. (Answerer Book, vol. 5, Q-132)

Back to brother J. In regards to not keeping the feast days, I showed him this unequivocal statement–

Broadly speaking, the law of Moses consists of three parts. The first is the Ceremonial law, the law of the temple — the sacrificial law. This law, of course, we today must not observe, except in antitype, for it foreshadowed things to come, particularly Christ’s first advent. Thus it is that if we had lived in Old Testament times and had failed to comply with the sacrificial law and system of that day, we would thereby have demonstrated unbelief in Christ, Who was to come. But since we are living in the Christian era, if we should now observe the typical sacrificial law and system, we should thereby demonstrate unbelief in Christ, Who has come.

And so, as this law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), we need not, and must not, observe it now. (TG, vol. 2, no.37, p.14-15)

Ok clear enough right? Not according to the types like brother J. You see we must be very cautious when we show Scriptural plain statements, for a fictional example– “The lady had on a blue dress.” And they come back, “Well it’s not really blue because, blue has other colors in it to make it blue. So it’s a mixture of different colors scientifically.” Huh? We say or think to their secret mysterious meaning!

The message tells us that the wise will understand (Be guided into all truth) and the wicked will not.

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”(Dan. 12:10)

SOP also gives us great counsel–

“The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false teachers.” (GC, P.598)

Now to be clear, we are not advocating avoiding good back and forth discussions, but once it becomes clear that straight clear Scripture, SOP or Elijah message does not have them agreeing or even acknowledging, that should be our Que that we may be “casting our pearls…”.

“I have beheld angels grieved as the most precious jewels of truth have been brought before men utterly incapable of appreciating the evidences in favor of the truth.”( Testimonies, vol. 3, p.425)

In closing my brethren, let’s hold onto our pearls bought at a great price( hard study and deep devotion). If we give them away let it be to our friends and the Bureans. If we obey the Lord in His admonition we shall not get snared in time-wasting.

“No one is lost for believing a false interpretation of a prophecy before the truth of it is revealed, provided the false interpretation does not draw him away from some other truth. Such individuals, however, are in great danger because, as history reveals, very few who become thus involved in error are willing to humble themselves by renouncing their errors and accepting the truth when it is made known.

They are consequently in constant peril of sinning against the Holy Ghost. And being acutely aware of this, Satan misinterprets the prophecies before they are divinely revealed. He realizes full well that many, unwilling to be corrected and to exchange their errors for revealed truth, will thereby be led to eternal ruin. All-important, therefore, is the need that the student of the truth fortify himself with all honesty and humility..” (Tract 5, p.7)

Posted in Proper teachings, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Reformation at the Door

November 7, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let us begin with the Spirit of Prophecy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examination of Candidates

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Church, Elijah Interpretations, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | Leave a Comment »

Voice Like A Trumpet

October 24, 2015

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

The above word of God is too plain for us to misunderstand. This crying aloud has been a Biblical trait from the people of God since ancient times. The prophet Amos knew all too well that this crying out the straight forward warning is not readily accepted by many, and often by those today who proclaim themselves as Christians, even some advanced Elijah messengers. But why is this faithful act so often misunderstood? Let’s take an in depth look at it.

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

We as Seventh-day Adventists hardly ever see or hear of someone warning others in a straight forward way, just as they did back in Amos’ day.

A little history of what “rebuking in the gate” was, from Biblehub. com–

“The gate” is the well-known place of concourse, where just or, in Israel now, unjust judgment was given, where all was done which was to be done publicly . Samaria had a large area by its chief gate, where two kings could hold court, and the 400 false prophets and the people, in great numbers, could gather and a market could be held . Josiah broke down an idol-shrine, which was in one of the gates of Jerusalem. The prophets seized the opportunity of finding the people together, and preached to them there.

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

Jeremiah mentions two occasions, upon which God bade him reprove the king and people in the gates of Jerusalem . There doubtless Amos and Hosea reproved them, and, for reproving, were “hated.” As Isaiah says, “they lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate”. They sinned publicly, and therefore they were to be rebuked publicly. They sinned “in the gate” by injustice and oppression, and therefore were to be “rebuked before all, that others also might fear”.

We can gleam much from the above short synopsis. We see that the prophets found gatherings as an opportune place to rebuke “open sin” and to place warning in front of all, that the honest and God-fearing among them may be set straight, hopefully repenting. Their conscience needed to be aroused.

A while back a fellow present truth believer said to me ” our people are in a coma”. I could not have said it better. So I thought, “how can they be awakened?” One of the ways is the straight testimony from the pulpit. But how often do we see that? Not frequent.

Let me tell you of another way, a way that hearkens back to the “old days”, a way that clearly shows the rebukers lifting their voice “like a trumpet” at the “gate”, a place where the people of God gather.

Her name is sister Patricia. Her and her two children have a ministry where they travel to different SDA churches around the country and world. They bring with them Tracts, CD’s and DVD’s. They also carry signs of warning. For instance , during Christmas, they may have signs warning against the pagan practice of Christmas.

Recently they traveled to Michigan to Doug Batchelor’s seminar at a church in Lansing. I had been in contact with her prior to the event and she let me know she would look into it and possibly make the trip (she’s from Michigan). So they soon went to the event.

The first night they were able to get inside and see Doug speak. But as present truth believers , their love for souls just could not sit back and “enjoy” a seminar of basically peace and safety. As we are surely aware, the Lord through His prophecies show that the Lord “will suddenly come to His temple.”(Mal. 3:1). There is warning message now to be given.

“Our message must be as direct as was that of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding the peril his life was in, he never allowed truth to languish on his lips. Our work in this age must be as faithfully done..” (Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p.1184)

“Our message is not to be one of peace and safety. As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a definite message to bear,—“Prepare to meet thy God.” (BC, vol. 4, p.1184)

With the next event, the solemn church judgment about to take place, we have no time to be whistling Dixie while the iceberg is straight ahead! So they decided to do what they call a “siege”. This is their act of love, their way of arousing the conscience of the “sinners in Zion.”

They follow Inspired counsel–

“Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty and leave the results to God.” (GC, p.609-610)

During their last siege, their signs included “S.D.A Does Abortions Just Like Planned Parenthood” and “We Love You”. They recorded it and later placed it on their YouTube channel for wider distribution.

The Spirit of Prophecy confirms their approach–

“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.”(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

“In the case of Achan’s sin God said to Joshua: “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” How does this instance compare with the course pursued by those who will not raise their voice against sin and wrong, but whose sympathies are ever found with those who trouble the camp of Israel with their sins? Said God to Joshua: “Thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” He pronounced the punishment which would follow the transgression of His covenant.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.267-268)

“Some will not receive the testimony that God has given us to bear, flattering themselves that we may be deceived and that they may be right. They think that the people of God are not in need of plain dealing and of reproof, but that God is with them. These tempted ones, whose souls have ever been at war with the faithful reproving of sin, would cry: Speak unto us smooth things. What disposition will these make of the message of the True Witness to the Laodiceans? There can be no deception here. This message must be borne to a lukewarm church by God’s servants. It must arouse His people from their security and dangerous deception in regard to their real standing before God.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.259)

“Satan trembles when the voice of God speaks through his instruments, giving cautions and warnings, and rebuking sin.” (RH, June 20, 1882)

The Lord’s last message of Elijah says this about our issue-

“Speaking of those who indulge in criticizing those who reprove at the gate, we read: “They will question and criticize everything that arises in the unfolding of truth, criticize the work and position of others, criticize every branch of the work in which they have not themselves a part. They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, ‘until,’ said the angel, ‘the Lord Jesus shall rise up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, and shall clothe Himself with the garments of vengeance, and surprise them at their unholy feast; and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ Their taste has been so perverted that they would be inclined to criticize even the table of the Lord in His kingdom.” — “Testimonies for the Church.” Vol. 5, p. 690. (Sym. Code, vol. 1, no.15, p.4-5)

The Scriptures point to the people of God each having a specific duty to perform.

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.

And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. Now the eye is not able to say to the hand, “I have no need of you.” Or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But much rather, those members of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary, and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor.

And our un-presentable parts are treated with special modesty, whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, that there should be no division in the body, but the members should have the same concern for one another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:13- 27)

So we see that all of us , who proclaim to know Jesus and desire to work for Him and His kingdom, must respect what God has called another to do. We all cannot be the “hand”. Likewise we all cannot do the type of work sister Patricia and her family are called to do. But we do not call it wrong or misplaced work, because it is God’s work from long ago. His true “rebuking at the gate” work!

Some may ask–What motivates people to do this straight forward work? Again Inspired counsel tells us-

“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 a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm.

They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect.”(Testimonies, vol. 5, p.210-211)

In closing, the Scriptures tell us that we all have our work to do. Some work successfully from within some from without. Some, as sister Patricia and her ministry attests, are called to do the reproving at the gate. Let us pray for and support people like them that do a work that requires courage and fortitude to –

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

For their website-click here http://siegesda.wix.com/ministry

Posted in Courage, Sighing and Crying, Witnessing | 2 Comments »

Parents and their Solemn Responsibility

September 26, 2015

“Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:13-14)

“And whoever shall cause to stumble one of these of the little ones believing in Me, it is better for him that a heavy millstone should be hung around his neck, and he be sunk in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:16)

How precious are the children to the Lord. Yet few parents realize what awesome and solemn responsibility they have concerning their little ones and their eternal life! Let us look at what the word of God says about this very important subject.

What brought about this post this week is an experience I had a few weeks ago in church. As we know from learning the message of the Lord, abominations in God’s house should affect us. We can never take the “winking” attitude when we see them in our midst.

The Spirit of Prophecy warns us–

“He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

So about a month ago, during the time in service where the money bag is passed around by the elders and deacons, little children take their little basket and pass it around for collections. This in itself is a serious wrong to the Lord, but we have dealt with that issue many times already.

One little girl (about 7 or 8) came up to me as I sat in the pews and handed me the basket, I politely handed it back to her. But I noticed her fingernails were painted red, just as the worldly heathen women love to do. I was led to say something to her a short bit later. As she walked by me again, I reached over and motioned to her to come to me.

I began, ” you know young lady, see these fingernails?” She nodded. I continued, “In God’s house He wants His children to come to Him with their hands clean and not with polish, is that ok with you?” She nodded again and went her way. I made sure to be soft and gentle in my remarks.

The next week I saw her passing the basket again and her nails were clean. As she came near me, I whispered, “God is happy.” And we both had a smile.

But that got me thinking–where are the parents?? Clearly someone was not doing their rightful duty. It was left to me, a stranger more or less, to do what was not done by the parents.

Anyway, a couple Sabbaths ago, the nice young girl had her friend with her and they both were doing the basket routine. I then notice her friend was painted up just as the other girl had been before. I did the same polite warning to her little friend. But this girl definitely seemed not so agreeable to what I had to say. She didn’t say it but her face sure did.

Apparently the two later discussed what I had told them because I was to witness a charming thing the next Sabbath. Again while during the basket passing, the original girl came up to me and then motioned for her friend to come also. The little friend showed me her nails and had a big smile. The first girl was smiling too. We all felt a warm feeling inside and I gave them a big smile and said with my thumbs ups “Way to go girls!” They left knowing that they had pleased God because of what they had learned.

All we need to do as leaders and parents is bring the young ones up right and God will take it from there. His word says–

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6)

This is just a small example of a very LARGE problem in our church. How important is this issue. The older teens fall into Satan’s snare so easy, especially in dress. The parents can guide them with this simple counsel–

If you are asked to appear at the White House to meet the president of the United States, how would you dress? Would the men dress with a casual or sloppy apparel? Of course not , they’d be dressed in a clean suit and shoes polished.

Would the young ladies dress in a low-cut dress or mini-skirt with high heels? Or would they dress well-kept, neat and modest?

How much more important then, is it to us, as we are going every Sabbath to meet the King of the Universe. Remember He is in our midst and is watching. Is He not worth our best efforts with clean modest apparel?

“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” (1 Tim. 2:9)

Let us read what the Lord’s last message says that will impact every parent who has young ones —

“As to the salvation of infants and children whose parents are saved, the Spirit of Prophecy says:

“Angels ‘gather together the elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other.’ Little children are borne by holy angels to their mothers’ arms. Friends long separated by death are united, nevermore to part, and with songs of gladness ascend together to the city of God.”-The Great Controversy, p. 645.

“So was the faith of this woman rewarded. Christ, the great Life-giver, restored her son to her. In like manner will His faithful ones be rewarded when, at His coming, death loses its sting, and the grave is robbed of the victory it has claimed.

Then will He restore to His servants the children that have been taken from them by death. ‘Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded,…and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.’”—Prophets and Kings, p. 239.

And as to the salvation of children whose parents are lost, the Lord commands: “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark, and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” Ezek. 9:6.

“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they stoned them with stones.” Josh. 7:24, 25.

From these inspired passages, we see that infants and children are saved only because of the faithfulness of their parents. What a solemn, wonderful, and dreadful responsibility!” (Answerer, vol.3, Q-69)

Parents are the ones who must guide their children right. Unfortunately little or no sermons are given to address topics such as this in our SDA church. Again SOP counsels us–

“When God was about to smite the first-born of Egypt, He commanded the Israelites to gather their children from among the Egyptians into their own dwellings and strike their door posts with blood, that the destroying angel might see it and pass over their homes. It was the work of parents to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work, and the work of every mother who believes the truth.

The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young. God is not pleased with our inattention and trifling with His blessings placed within our reach. Neither is He pleased to have us place our children in worldly society, because this best suits their tastes and inclinations. If the souls of your children are saved, you must do your work. ” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.505-506)

“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, and by the spirit of burning.”(Isaiah 4:3-4)

In closing, parents must take control in these last hours of our probation.Let them lead the children in the right way, in God’s way. Their eternal life depends on it!

“There has been altogether too little attention paid to our children and youth, and they have failed to develop as they should in the Christian life, because the church members have not looked upon them with tenderness and sympathy, desiring that they might be advanced in the divine life.” (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, p.41)

Posted in Obedience, Proper teachings, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

Where is God’s Vineyard Today?

August 8, 2015

My Grandfather used to say “Son, there’s a right way to do things and there’s a wrong way to do things.” This saying truly applies to our work for the Lord in these final hours of our probation. Do it right and the Lord will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt. 25:21)

Do it wrong and it will be, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” (Matt 25:26)

So we ask our Title question–Where is God’s vineyard today? Meaning where is God’s true work to be done today for us as Seventh-day Adventists? Is it doing work like Doug Batchelor and his Amazing Facts team encourages, trying to “save” the world? Is it like Jim Gilley and 3 ABN, with their host of programs aimed at reaching the world and the heathen therein? Let us look squarely at this very important question. For if we do it one way we are rewarded , if we do it another, oh what sad sad end we’ll see.

“Advanced light is shining upon us in these last days. We cannot be accepted of God; we cannot honor him by rendering the same service, doing the same work that our fathers did. In order to be accounted guiltless before God, we must be as faithful in our time in following and obeying our light, as they were faithful in following and obeying the light that shone upon them.”(Review and Herald, April 25, 1893)

“In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began “at Moses and all the prophets” and “expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27.

But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form.”(Christ’s Object Lessons, p.127-128)

So we see that we, who are alive today have truths and light that was not necessarily shown to prior generations. This being so, what do you think could be “our” present light? This answer is found in the Scriptures, the rock foundation of our faith.

There is only one place that predicts a messenger (Prophet) to come right before the end of time with new light –The book of Malachi. As some of you faithful believers and students of the Lord’s last message know, this is a message from the Lord’s anti-typical “Elijah” (Mal.4:5). For there is promise of no other to come right before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

So with the above understood, we see that this Elijah message is our “development of truth” or “message of God.” So if this is so, we need to know why Elijah? As we have done a post already explaining most of this subject (Called-“Why Elijah?”), we’ll simply say that the reason is that –we, the SDA church, have a message that needs to go to us only. We must hear it and abide by it.

The reason the Lord wanted to send an “Elijah” was because his message was the type that we need. Elijah went to his own people to give them a message to repent from their wrongs. Elijah did not go and preach to the world such as Noah or the Apostles did. That is the real reason for Elijah!

Our Lord made it very clear, we the SDA church have need of more truth and heartfelt repentance. It’s very clearly pointed out in Rev. 3:15-19.

But look around our church, what do we see? Programs and efforts to reach the heathen! The message and truth from Elijah is like water off a ducks back to the majority of our leaders and laity. Because they don’t abide by the Lord’s final message, which is to go strictly to our church, they blindly proceed without Heaven’s authority to bring more and more into the church.

You see we cannot do Christ’s will as a church body while sinners exist in our midst.

“The kingdom of Christ will come; but who are laboring to that end? If those who know the Lord’s prayer would try to take in its meaning and realize its depth and breadth, the Church would be what God desires it to be—the light of the world. Men would have less desire for form and ceremony; for they would seek to plant in the heart those principles that sanctify the character.

Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God’s purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some who join the church. Those who admit them say, We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God’s people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts.“((Review and Herald, May 21, 1901)

Wow! Do we see these instructions being followed today? Almost all our Pastors and leaders welcome all comers, when they want Baptism! This is exactly the wrong thing to do. Better to have a very small church, with converted members, than a full church with a majority of unconverted.

You see our Lord has not changed. Back in Joshua’s day He could not take a sinner in the midst (Achan) and His word says the following about this-

” When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.”(Isaiah 1:12-15)

This is why the Lord cannot allow us to work to save the world right now. What would we as Seventh-day Adventists accomplish? Bring them into the church for the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Ezek. 9) ? Like Inspiration said there are too many bad influences (poor dress reform, lukewarmness, ignoring sins in the midst, etc.) that most likely will cause many to stumble.

Our work right now is to concentrate on His church. We are the ones to be judged first (1 peter 4:17).Who is about to be sprued out, the world? Of course not. And with so much sin in our midst, we cannot afford to whistle while the ship sinks!

The Elijah message is full of ways the Lord wants us to reform. And by learning His final message can we know for certain what is required of us. Sins such as poorly dressing in His sanctuary, passing the money bag around while in His presence during services (see the post “The Collection Box”), women disregarding wearing proper head coverings in His presence (see the post “Little Things Mean Alot”), speaking un-inspired sermons of past truths while he is at the door for judgment, talking business talk on His Sabbath, and on and on it goes!

Yes, there is soon to be a time when the vineyard expands to the world. God’s original intention. But that time cannot come until we as a church body stop sinning (doing those things displeasing to Him). But once He “takes the reins into His own hands” (TM. p.300) His prophecy comes–

Oh, what a time that will be!

The message explains this reformation–

“Since the church is indeed God’s dearest object on earth, He often has to admonish, rebuke, and chasten her so as to bring her to maintain the high standard which He has set for her. And though her history is but one long, sad record of sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, yet the Lord has borne with her in the infinite patience and long-suffering of Divine love so beautifully illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son. And finally in this love indescribable, He “gave Himself” (Gal. 1:4) for her in the person of His only begotten Son.

But this supreme sacrifice notwithstanding, she has never yet fully appreciated His undying love for her. Even now, the Saviour pathetically declares that He has somewhat against her, and admonishes her by strong words to repent and sit down with Him in His throne (Rev. 3:14-21), making clear the inevitable fate of all who fail to heed His counsel (Rev. 3:16). But, tragically, she has not heeded it, and so He “brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”’-Christ Our Righteousness, 1941 Edition, p. 121.

Thus God, in His boundless, all-discerning love for His church, “‘calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.”

“‘A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.’”- Christ Our Righteousness, 1941 Edition, p. 121.

In these inspired statements, three facts stand out in bold relief: (1) God sends this clarion call first to the ministers, and then to the laity; (2) He makes a positive declaration that He will spue out of His mouth all who fail to give heed to it, and to enter into a “spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation”; and (3) He makes clear that such a movement means “a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” Clearly, then, the church must experience a threefold change before she can ever look forth “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,” going “forth into all the world conquering and to conquer.”-Prophets and Kings, p. 725. (Answerer, vol. 1, Q-2)

In closing, this vineyard work is to be done now within our church, not merely thought about and talked about. The light of what our message truly is, is now before us, will we be “doers” in His church vineyard now?

In the very first publications of the Elijah message– Shepherd’s Rod volume one it begins with,

It is the intention of this book to reveal the truth of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7, but the chief object of this publication is to bring about a reformation among God’s people.

Amen! If we read, know and practice this message from the Lord -we can’t help but reform .It’s that powerful! Try going to work for the Lord in the right vineyard and you’ll find Him close and guiding you.

Posted in Church, Warning our brethren, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

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