War Forecast

January 23, 2016

swords-into-plowshares-isaiah-24-www-rockefellercenter-com

As many of us are aware, the current outlook for a world war is highly likely. They seem ready to go full force once the Lord commands. Wars and rumors of wars in these very last days were predicted by the Holy Scriptures. To those who do not know the Lord’s final message of Elijah, these can be extremely worried times.  As SDA we all profess to believe in the soon coming of Christ, but the vast majority are hazy in understanding the final world’s war forecast based on Scripture.

This haziness really does not need to exist if one truly seeks the truth as spoken by His prophets. Let’s take a look at this subject, to know what we should expect in regards to war related events to come.

To begin with, we know that the Word tells us there shall be a big world war over the promised land.

Zeph. 2:1, 2, 4, 5 –“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you…. For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.  Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites!  the Word of the Lord is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.”

The fourth verse definitely implies that the “nation” is to gather together in the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron, in the land of the Philistines, in the land of Canaan — in Palestine.

   In view of the fact that this scripture is now being unfolded, and also the fact that there is but one people, one nation (the descendants of the ancient scribes, priests, and Pharisees who rejected the Lord and who have not even to this day accepted Him, that are hardly desired anywhere in the world) that is now doing all she can to gather together in Palestine — in view of all this, the present-day Jews are that undesired nation. 

…Moreover, in these verses, two truths stand out clearly: (1) that in vain the Jews seek to establish themselves in the Promised Land; (2) that we who are bearing the message of the great and dreadful day of the Lord are counselled to seek meekness and righteousness, for thus only shall we “be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger,” that is, merely bear knowledge of the message will not save us, there should be corresponding deeds with it. (Timely Greetings, vol. 1, no.22, p.25-26)

So here is our first and next expectation in regards to war– the world’s battle over the land of Israel. Already we see the pieces of the puzzle starting to come together in the surrounding areas. Russia is there, USA is there, the Arab powers are there, Israel is there and many nations represented by NATO are there.

Of special note, China,  as of the last few months has started to set up its presence in the middle east as well. See this link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/12055805/China-is-moving-intyo-Syria-why-is-no-one-worried.html

During the upcoming gigantic war, an even more spectacular event occurs,  and it will be a world shaking event–the long prophesied SDA church judgment. How do we know this? The message is tells us–

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

We aren’t told how long the war is to be, but with the very powerful  destroying weapons in use today, one can see that it would take a  relatively  short period of time to desolate any land. Remember the whole purpose of this war is to clear out the land, which God had promised in the Scriptures, and give it to His end time people “Israel and Judah”. The 144,000 first and then the called out ones from Babylon. These are the people destined to possess the land.

“For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.” (Jeremiah 30:3)

After this war is over then we can look at the next war related event, which is really a disarmament.

“And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein.  For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her…. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 

And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.  And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the Holy Land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.  Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for He is raised up out of His holy habitation.” Zechariah 2:4, 5, 10-13.

Isa. 2:4 — “And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

   Not the nations, but Inspiration Itself declares that in the day God judges the living, then those nations who go to the mountain (Kingdom church purified) of the Lord “shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks” — they will go farming instead of spending their strength in war.

 The nations that do not accept the Lord’s “rebuke,” in that day, though, will madly arise against the “mountain” of the Lord, as forecast by the prophet Joel, saying: “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.  Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord.  Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.” Joel 3:9- 12. (Timely Greetings, vol.1, no. 5, p.5-6)

This is very interesting. During this disarmament,  one group of the post war living, choose the Lord and His protection and the other refuse and shall learn the hard way that you can’t fight the great I AM and win. All this happens pre-millennially, here on earth in front of the world. We see that two opposite reactions happen– swords into plowshares and plowshare into swords.

In describing this most unusual time the message explains-

“When the Lord thus takes “the reigns in His own hands” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300), and again rules the church as a theocratic government (in the last days), “it shall come to pass,” as says Isaiah, “…that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. 

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isa. 2:2-4.

   So with the ushering in of this everlasting kingdom, and the consequent restitution of all things, there shall be on the one hand a great awakening among the nations; scrapping vast stores of war implements which they have for years been laying up, they shall seek to go up to and become subjects of the kingdom, and to join the armies of the Lord, allowing Him to fight for them; while on the other hand there shall be feverish war preparations among those who refuse to awaken: hurling all into a super armament program, they turn even their farm implements into weapons of war against the kingdom of Christ — His church” (Joel 3:9-12; Zech. 12:3). (Tract 8, p.19-20)

Madness will grip the unbelievers making them “feverish” to defeat God’s people. Having seen the Lord work a mighty miracle and bring back the glorious land of Israel very quickly, and after the world war,  the unbelievers shall devise plans to overthrow the land. Why? let us read–

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence! 

I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them! (Ezek. 38:10-12)

But the Lord will reveal His power —

You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.(Ezek. 38:16)

So this attempt by the unbelievers shall come to naught.  It’s like God says “give it your best shot you heathen, bring it on.” And they do, only to be made a spectacle before the world.

You see brethren, the Lord’s holy land shall be the epicenter of the final Gospel proclamation. Thus, it will be both glorious for the believers and dreadful and worrisome to the unbelievers. Satan at this time is rallying the world for his counter play–the one world religion, the Sunday sacredness-Mark of the Beast system.

Two stark and very different ways to go! No middle course or non-decision. Get the world’s mark and be free to buy and sell, exist in comfort. Or get out of Babylon and come to the kingdom, which has true comfort and the Lord’s bountiful riches. Though most of the called out ones will arrive in the kingdom safely, unfortunately some will have to suffer persecution and not make it there.

The word explains how inviting the land will be —

“Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.” ( Isaiah 60:11) 

So great will the Loud Cry be that even some kings and rulers of the world will come into the land to accept the Lord’s kingdom, beginning right there in Israel. The 144,000 are looked upon with great appreciation.

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

So we see four consecutive war related scenarios with the addition of the a fifth as explained below. 1) The gigantic world war over Israel  2) the 144,000 first arrive and the land is miraculously revived and the weapons are destroyed in the land  3) The unbelievers (which shall be the majority living upon the earth) shall not believe that God is with His people or their land, and attempt to invade (by war) the unwalled land 4) God shall make an example of them for all to see. 5) As per below, the plagues come and when the seventh plague hits, the wicked lose their minds and decide to pursue the righteous of God. The battle of Armageddon begins. The angels of God fight for them.

What and where is Armageddon? Four Inspired references show specific views of this last struggle.

The Armies of God Take the Field—We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field (Manuscript 175, 1899

“..under the seventh plague, the hosts arrayed for the battle of Armageddon will fight with, and will be decimated by, the armies of Heaven (Testimonies, Vol. 6, pg. 406), and that Christ shall appear in all His glory, destroy the remaining wicked, resurrect the righteous dead (1 Thess. 4:15-16), and usher in the millennium (Rev. 20:5). (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.10. p.31)

So we see that as the final plague comes, the bitter and angry wicked make their last play, only to lose out to the brightness of His coming in the clouds. The wicked no doubt are delusional and think , under the auspices of Satan, that the ones causing the horrible plagues are the righteous ones. While not a war as such in the true sense , it’s a fierce concerted effort to destroy God’s people. The Armageddon battle is cut short by the Lord.

“As the saints left the cities and villages, they were pursued by the wicked, who sought to slay them.  But the swords that were raised to kill God’s people and fell as powerless as a straw” — (Early Writings, pp. 284-285.)

In describing the scenes of the end of Armageddon, SOP explains —

“It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession.

Everything seemed turned out of its natural course. The streams ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law.” (Early Writings, p.285)

We should keep in mind that , as we have seen, the land of Israel will be protected by the Lord. Therefore the great battle of Armageddon will take place in the world. The message offers clarity–

“….”Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4), is a call for them to come out of her dominion, that they share not in her sins, nor receive of her plagues.  Those who respond to the Lord’s bidding, must, of course, have a sin-free place to go to, where they may “dwell safely,” though there be “neither  bars nor gates” around it (Ezek. 38:11).  To this haven they shall be “brought forth out of the nations, and [there] they shall dwell safely all of them.” Ezek. 38:8.  So, “all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isa. 54:13.

   God’s people at that time can no more serve the Lord in “Babylon” and in “Egypt” than they could have in the days of Ezra or of Moses, for when the plagues are poured upon Babylon, as the “fire and brimstone” were poured upon Sodom and Gomorrah, then if they be living among worldlings, they can no more escape the damage of the plagues than Lot could have survived the fire, had he stayed in Sodom.  So all who want to escape the foretold ruin verily must come out of Babylon, as Lot and his family came out of Sodom. (Tract 12, p.46-47)

So it appears that this last great battle will be between God’s people who are out of the cities and living in the country or hills . Those who for one reason or another have not made it to the Holy land. The mobs shall attempt to destroy them and when this happens en masse–God delivers them. In other words, Armageddon is the very last battle before the thousand-year reign in heaven.

In closing, now is our time to prepare ourselves to be found worthy to be one of God’s Loud Cry  truth warriors. The war scenarios are not at all frightening to those who trust in the Lord’s Word  as spoken by His prophets. We have much to look forward to as the victory will be for those who are on the side of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Amen.

 

Posted in End times, Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Seeds Planted

January 16, 2016

seeds planted

In the book of Matthew, chapter 13,  we read of the well-known three parables of the seed sowers. These tell us of the good lessons in obeying God’s word. But what are some of the seed planting experiences of today? Let us look at two specific examples.

Let us first look at the case of brother R.

Brother R is a proclaimed practicing believer in “present truth”. In other words he appears active in discussing and proclaiming the final message of the Lord’s Elijah. But he has embraced the doctrine of feast keeping. He is attempting to blend both the Davidian message (Elijah message) and the practice of feast keeping. This is not uncommon. As we have shown before, the real studiers of God’s word will come to the understanding that the Lord does indeed have a final message to us–His Elijah message (Mal. 4:5), but some read only parts of it and think they know the message.

 

The challenge is– are they “grounded” in the Lord’s word as proclaimed by His prophets? For a good three weeks, brother R and I went into a study concerning this subject. Being very familiar with what the Rod and SOP says about feast keeping, I felt the Lord leading me to “give it my best shot” to expose how dangerous it is to profess the Rod and also feast keeping!

It was a good back and forth discussion. But as it went on I sensed it was about time to wrap it up as no progress was forth coming.But there was a key question I asked in the last week of our correspondence. And in hindsight, was the reason for this post.

The question was this — Where did your understanding of keeping the feasts originally come from? A man’s report or the Inspired writings (Bible, SOP, or Rod) ?

He responded  that it came from a Television show from a Seventh-day Adventist well-known for his feast keeping doctrine–John VanDenburgh.

Ah, the light went on! I then knew that rather than brother R reading and knowing FIRST what the Word says on this doctrine( SOP-Ellen White, Shepherd’s Rod-Victor Houteff), he allowed VanDenburgh to lay the seed in his mind and it sprang from there. In other words, the plan brother R was following was all backwards. Instead of reading what God’s prophets said carefully FIRST and having the Holy Spirit (ie. the Spirit of Truth) lay the true seed into his mind and soul, he allowed a man to put his spin on this doctrine and it worked within him and was sown.

Then as the seed had been sowed, brother R went about reading the SOP and the Rod to confirm what he now believed was truth. He wanted to search out the carefully selected references VanDenburgh relied on and build upon that.

You see, had the following seed been planted first, then the usurping teachings may not have had the deceiving effect. As is well-known, the professional currency inspectors must first become well familiar with the original before they can discern the fake.

Here is what would have grounded him —

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. (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.37, p.14-15)

Additionally there are some powerful clear SOP references that leave little doubt as well. But the seed has been sown and because he has fallen hard for the “requirement” of keeping the feast days, the Lord’s final restoring message of the Rod cannot do him much good. The very fact that the message tells us we show “unbelief in Christ” by feast keeping is sufficient evidence  that this is a salvational issue. Serious indeed!

“All who are too lazy to study, and who give the Devil a chance to sow devilish seed in their hearts, making them believe that the preacher or the minister will take them through the Pearly Gates, having no experience of their own, are cheated of eternal life; they instead get eternal death.”(Timely Greetings, vol. , no.21, p.12)

“The Bible must not be interpreted to suit the ideas of men, however long they may have held these ideas to be true. We are not to accept the opinion of commentators as the voice of God; they were erring mortals like ourselves. God has given reasoning powers to us as well as to them. We should make the Bible its own expositor.

All should be careful about presenting new views of Scripture before they have given these points thorough study, and are fully prepared to sustain them from the Bible” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 106)

From Scripture alone, we know that the Word cancelled these ceremonial feast obligations–

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”(Daniel 9:27)

“At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. ” (Matt 27:51)

Our second case concerns sister B.

She is a good friend and I have been very impressed with her over the years for “walking the walk” not just talking the talk. But Satan has his marks set on just these types, the doers. They are his ever watching targets.  Our job is to be our “brother’s (sister’s) keeper”.

“Show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Show them where they are making a mistake. Set their danger before them.” (Bible Commentary, p.1149)

Sister B is involved in a new age business. They  sell products to help protect against the ever-growing threat of radiation coming  from our everyday electronic gadgets that we cannot live without. A while back I was invited to one of her company’s presentations. I sat there impressed as this really seemed a timely business and I purchased some products.

One of their presentations involves the following:

Four people are selected to help. One person is selected to sit in a chair. One of their products ( a fine one) is “realigned molecule” water.  We won’t bother you will all the scientific benefit of this water, but briefly it is water that has it’s water molecules made into a straight line (single file) so that when one drinks it, it can hydrate the body much more efficiently but entering the cell.

Do you remember the Chernobyl nuclear disaster? The radiation was found spreading far and wide from the area. But there was a certain group of people living nearby who were found not affected by it. They lived by a running stream and drank from this source for their water needs.  A Russian scientist was perplexed and decided to investigate. He found that the stream’s flow had realigned the water molecules and had greatly benefited against the effects of radiation. In other words, their bodies were completely hydrated and the immune system worked strongly to counteract any harmful invasion.

So the scientist developed an electronic machine that straightens out the molecules in a single file, as opposed to the disarray of molecules of regular water.

Back to the experiment. So the four volunteers are placed at four corners of the chair surrounding the person sitting on it. They are told to put their hands into a specific postilion, clasping them together and with their two index fingers pointing straight out (kind of like a steeple). Then they are to put their pointed index fingers under the person’s arms and knee bends. And at the signal they are to try to lift the person off the chair into the air with just their fingers.

Of course there is no way that such limited strength  can physically lift an adult off the chair into the air like this.

I had been chosen as one of the volunteers. After our first failed try, the speaker then sprayed us with the straight line water. We got it on face, neck and arms. Then we went back to our attempt to lift the person again. At the signal we tried and  WOW! As if by magic the person was literally raised over one foot off the chair! I saw and felt this with my own eyes. I also knew that some force was doing this and it was NOT anything from our efforts.

So impressed was I that later I called sister B and raved how this water product was truly amazing. She said she agreed and we both were excited. The experiment was put on basically to show the “molecular force” that the water had. In other words we were told that all our molecular cells were in harmony and therefore were able to lift the person.

But  the next week or two, something was nagging at me. I was no doubt being alerted by the Holy Spirit to look into this. So one night I decided to check YouTube out to see if this same experiment had been done as well by others not connected with this water. To my amazement there were 3 other videos showing the same lifting!

There was no mention of the water but they all had one thing in common. It was the clasping of the hands like we did in our presentation. So I then looked up devil hand signs, and sure enough! One of them was this same hand clasping. Then the light went on. Rather than our molecules working together, there was another force active here!

I at once phoned sister B. She listened as I explained that it was not the single file water that had lifted the person but another force. She tried to explain that it was not anything evil and that it was something beyond our understanding. But that could not be, I countered because there were others not associated with the water who could do the same thing. The only common denominator was the hand signs.

Her company truly has some good products and she does not need to be involved in this specific presentation. Likely the owners are not even aware of this connection with the hand signs.

So how does this connect with planting a seed? Just this. A few days after that original experiment I had participated in,  I was in the kitchen one night and began to ponder whether I could place my hand over the cup before me and lift it. In other words, could I have some type of  special powers? This was quite unusual thinking on my part. Later I wondered where these thoughts had come from?

Then the bell went off in my head. Because I had been involved in that mysterious force power, could it be that a small dark seed had tried to take root? Was I affected by what I had inadvertently been a part of? This seems quite logical and even likely. Thankfully I was able to see this as it was, a bad seed from the adversary.

So with all these warning bells going off sister B was  clearly  warned. By God’s mighty power we can only hope that she  no longer gets involved in that mysterious power working and stops any wrong seeds from growing. If I was wrongly influenced by participating in one presentation, how will that effect someone who does many?

“..do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” (Eph 4:27)

 

“There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by the teachings of Christian Science, and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions.

The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. They attribute this power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called “sympathetic remedies,” or to latent forces within the mind of man.” (Prophets and Kings p.210-211)

In closing, seeds are being planted all the time in our life, let’s make sure the right seeds take root. And if a bad seed attempts to come in, by the power of the Holy Spirit may we at once throw it out.

“Of the almost innumerable lessons taught in the varied processes of growth, some of the most precious are conveyed in the Saviour’s parable of the growing seed. It has lessons for old and young.

“So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:26-28.

The seed has in itself a germinating principle, a principle that God Himself has implanted; yet if left to itself the seed would have no power to spring up. Man has his part to act in promoting the growth of the grain; but there is a point beyond which he can accomplish nothing. He must depend upon One who has connected the sowing and the reaping by wonderful links of His own omnipotent power.

There is life in the seed, there is power in the soil; but unless infinite power is exercised day and night, the seed will yield no return. The showers of rain must refresh the thirsty fields; the sun must impart warmth; electricity must be conveyed to the buried seed. The life which the Creator has implanted, He alone can call forth. Every seed grows, every plant develops, by the power of God.

“The seed is the word of God.” “As the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth.” Luke 8:11; Isaiah 61:11. As in the natural, so in the spiritual sowing; the power that alone can produce life is from God.” (Lessons of Life, p.104-105)

Please pray for brother R and sister B, that God will open their eyes to the deceptive seeds of the enemy and toss them out for good!

UPDATE: Our prayers have been answered as sister B has withdrew from those presentations.

Posted in Delusion, Parable studies | 5 Comments »

Messenger of the Covenant

January 9, 2016

Messenger of the covenant

Recently I came across one of our church leaders, Steve Wohlberg, and his latest YouTube video called “The Sunday Law Crisis”. He has a 5 part series explaining all the points pertaining to this upcoming world crisis. As I watched part of it, my mind drew me to the thought “how presumptuous, how utterly fooled are our leaders”.

However sincere Mr. Wohlberg is, the Lord’s Word will come and not Mr. Wohlberg’s false idea that there will be no major move by the Lord prior to the Sunday Law. The following Scripture is being fulfilled by these leaders–

“And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.”(Ezekiel 22:28)

You see the Scriptures point unmistakably to the next coming of the Lord. And that is not coming in the clouds as we are led to believe. Yes, we all hear and speak of Jesus’ SECOND coming, our leaders have us all just waiting for the “second” coming.

Yet when we study the Scriptures, SOP and Rod, we know that this coming is the second “public and visible” coming. But we know there is an invisible secret coming, that the Lord’s three Inspired sources clearly teach us. It’s the one that Satan and his angels have fought with all their might to keep you and I from knowing about.

So let us look at this invisible coming as specifically explained in Malachi chapter 3.

To begin with we see that Malachi 3:1 is a classic example of some confusion that needed the Lord’s messenger  to  “restore” (the Truth). We will see in all It’s beauty, the Truth shown amid the easy confusion one gets if he does not listen to the Lord’s Rod (Micah 6:9 and 7:14).

Let’s look at Malachi 3:1.

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.”

The Spirit of Prophecy in Gospel Workers (1915) page 44 explains —

“Never was there such an evangelist as Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven, but He humbled Himself to take our nature, that He might meet men where they were. To all people, rich and poor, free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation.”

So one can say based on the above that Christ is the messenger of the covenant, right? Not so fast,  we read this–

 “The minister stands as God’s mouthpiece to the people, and in thought, in word, in act, he is to represent his Lord. When Moses was chosen as the messenger of the covenant, the word given him was, “Be thou for the people to Godward.” [Exodus 18:19.] (Gospel Workers, p. 20)

Then we have our King saying that John the Baptist was the messenger of the covenant spoke of in Malachi 3 (Matt 11:7, 9,10, 14)

So we have three different messengers of the covenant?  Who then is real messenger of the covenant in Malachi 3? The one who is to “prepare the way” before Christ suddenly comes to His Temple (Church)?

In 1934 Victor Houteff was asked about this subject. Brother Houteff was sent many questions in his 25 year ministry. Often the questions were of the  “prove it”, “How can you escape this wrong idea of yours?”, or “can you clear it?” type of questions. He addressed this particular Malachi quandary of statements.

Question No. 7:

How do you harmonize “Gospel Workers" p. 44, par. 2, with “The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 2, p. 240, par. 2, presented comparatively as follows:

“The messenger is not the Lord Himself,...he is the one who shall prepare the way for the Lord.”--"The Shepherd’s Rod,” Vol. 2, p. 240.

“Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation.”--"Gospel Workers," p.44.

Answer:

While on page 44, Gospel Workers applies the title “Messenger of the Covenant” to Christ, on page 20 it applies it to Moses. In juxtaposition, these are seen as follows:

When Moses was chosen as the messenger of the covenant, the word given him was, ‘Be thou for the people to Godward.'”—Gospel Workers, p. 20. “Christ, the messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation.”–Gospel Workers, p. 44. Whereas Gospel Workers applies the term to both Moses and Christ, Christ Himself applies it to John the Baptist.

He said “unto the multitudes concerning John…But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.” Matt. 11:7, 9, 10, 14.

As God had made both spoken and written covenants with His ancient people that He would send them Moses, John, and Christ, they came in fulfillment of those covenants. And each having brought a message, each in his own time was the Messenger of the Covenant. Nevertheless, the words of Malachi make plain that the Messenger of the Covenant is, in the strictest sense, Elijah the prophet (Mal. 3:1-5; 4:5), the last messenger who prepares the way of the Lord. (See Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475.)

In the last analysis, however, the title Messenger of the Covenant belongs to the Holy Spirit. For example, I Peter 3:18-20 states that Christ preached to the antediluvians by the same “Spirit” Who “quickened” Him. But as He preached by the Spirit in the person of Noah, not of Himself, He thereby unfolded the truth that the Holy Spirit is in all His messengers alike.

Thus “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1:21. Briefly summarized, the term Messenger of the Covenant means the Holy Spirit (the invisible Christ) in Heaven’s visible representative-be it Moses, John, Christ, Elijah, or some other.

So we see that while the underlying true Messenger of the Covenant is the Holy Spirit, we know that the literal application for our time is Elijah the prophet.

Now, to add further confusion we read —

“This coming is foretold also by the prophet Malachi: “The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:1. The coming of the Lord to His temple was sudden, unexpected, to His people. They were not looking for Him there. They expected Him to come to earth, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8. (GC, p.424)

Another quandary ?  No,  let us look at the following.

“..Jesus applied the message of Malachi Three to that of John the Baptist, and named him the Elijah that was to come, but when the Jews, priests, and Levites asked John saying, “Art thou Elias?…he saith, I am not.” (John 1:19, 21.) Shall we here conclude that both Jesus and John violated the truth? What then?

   Moreover, the “Gospel Workers” applies Malachi 3:1 to Christ’s first advent, but the same author in “The Great Controversy,” p. 424, par. 3, applies it to Christ’s coming to the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844; and on p. 425, is applied to the soon expected purification of the church.

Again, on p. 426, the author states that “…Dan. 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented in Dan. 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25.”

   If only one of these applications could be right, then which one should we choose? When the questioner harmoniously unifies the above scattered periods to which Malachi 3:1 is applied, then “The Shepherd’s Rod” will prove to him to be in perfect harmony with “The Great Controversy” and “Gospel Workers.”

Though one statement seems to contradict the other, yet we are compelled to conclude that every one of these inspired applications must be correct. Says the great apostle, “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged.” (Rom. 3:3, 4.)

   The trouble does not lie in the statements themselves, but rather in man’s limited knowledge of the truth therein, which proves that we are in the period of the Laodiceans, — “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

But the worst part of it all lies in that the Lord is saying to the church of today, “Thou knowest not” your great ignorance in not understanding rightly the Word of truth, and she does not believe Him! The apparent contradictions being discussed in this article are harmonized, in short, as follows:

   Any fair Bible student will, without difficulty, perceive at a glance that the perfect fulfillment of Malachi Three is yet future, and is directly applicable to the imminent “purification of the church,” — “temple” — for saith the Lord, “Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope.” (Mal. 3:2.)

   Though Christ and the “Gospel Workers” apply this scripture to Christ’s first advent, any student of sacred history knows that it did not meet its perfect fulfillment there, for the Jews did not “delight” in Him as prophesied in Malachi 3:1, but instead, they hated Him. Neither did Christ at that time purify His church as described by the prophet.

But by the fact that Christ applied Malachi Three to John the Baptist’s message, and as this scripture did not meet its fulfillment at that time, it proves that John was a type of the Elijah that is to come before the coming of the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5), at which time the prophecy will be fulfilled in its fullness.”(SC, vol.1, no. 4, p.4-5)

Commenting further on Malachi 3 , the restoring Elijah message says more —

This final work for the church, being of such great importance, is still further elucidated in the prophecy of Malachi 3.

   Of this impending purge, hope-inspiring and heartening to the righteous, but terrifyingly sorrowful to the wicked, the prophet declares:  He “shall suddenly come to His temple [the church or ‘floor’],…but who may abide the day of His coming?  and who shall stand when He  appeareth?  for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the  sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,  that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in  righteousness.” Mal. 3:1-3.

 In explanation of this scripture, the denominational publication (published and owned by the denomination as well as endorsed and used by the Sabbath School  Department throughout the world in 1929), Isaiah,  the Gospel Prophet, Vol. 3, p. 49, says: “Verse  20. [Isa. 59.] ‘The Redeemer shall come to Zion.’  This is not the coming in the clouds, but coming to the church.  And when He comes, He will do the work mentioned in Malachi 3:1-3.”

   This official exposition of the text shows that in 1929 the denomination taught that the prophecy of Malachi 3, promising a thorough work of purification, is a message to the church.(Tract 4, p.36-37)

“A message to the church”– In 1929 our church (SDA) taught that Malachi 3 was prophesying  of our church purification!

This is a classic example of how Satan has infiltrated our church and it’s teachings, we’ve gone from the real truth to false ideas and timelines. The Sunday law has been bandied about and put on such a high pedestal  as our next big event to watch for, leaving behind what we originally taught as truth–Malachi 3 predicting the church purification.

But we praise the Lord , restoration has wiped the dusty words clean and we see God’s true prophetic words in their right application to us today for hope of a powerful Holy Spirit filled Gospel proclaiming church to all the world.

So leaders like Steve Wohlberg, however sincere they may be are giving us a false path to follow, false ideas and assumptions to look for.  Let us be mindful that the Elijah prophet made clear that the Lord want’s us to —“Hear ye the Rod and Who has appointed it.”(Micah 6:9)

Thus will be the Devil’s deal while the day of God is approaching, and while Elijah is making the announcement of it as the scroll unrolls and while the prophecies concerning the day of God are being unsealed.   His work and his interpretation of the prophecies for the great day will identify him as the promised Elijah the prophet (“Testimonies to Ministers,” p. 475), and this will enrage the Devil as never before.  Nevertheless, one’s only safety will be in the teaching of Elijah, for there will be no other voice of timely Truth and authority to whom one may turn.  Any others will lead their victims blind-folded into perdition. (Gen. Conference Special, p.7-8)

Are we listening to His Rod?

To give you an idea how miserable and lost we are, an SDA sister when shown the Micah 6:9 statement, responded , “The Rod is Christ!”  Ok then let’s just have everyone call Christ– “it” (“appointed it”). Let’s get real! If we only take the time to read God’s word as it plainly says we’ll not get tripped up and snared by false ideas.

In closing my dear brothers and sisters, the Word tells us in so many areas, to expect the Lord to come unexpectedly and not how Satan has hoodwinked our leaders to explain. As we have pointed out before– history repeats itself. The Jews were looking for Christ to come another way than He actually did. Same with our standard SDA ideas and expectations today. Let’s be serious and know the –Truth.

 

 

Posted in Covenants, Elijah Interpretations | 4 Comments »

A SDA Christmas Celebration

January 2, 2016

Gay Chorus  (Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Christmas 2014)

About three weeks ago I needed to find a book in the bookshelf and found it. Upon opening it I found an old business card from my former church. As I looked at it the thought came that I had not visited their website in a long time and should check up on what was happening there. Was  I in for an update!

The above picture  was prominently posted on their front page. The 2014 picture was to show the chorus group that was performing and the church’s “diversity” in the annual Christmas program of 2015. I was stunned. For several reasons as we’ll soon discuss, this situation within the SDA church has come out more publicly within the last few years and thus should be addressed.

As we Christians should all know, we are taught to “love the sinner, but hate the sin.” Nevertheless His word is abundantly clear on the homosexual lifestyle.

To begin, we must all know that our Christian life is to be upon the solid rock of His word. It tells us the path we must walk. So let us look at what His word says about our subject.

Leviticus 18:22 – Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.

Romans 1:27 – And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Jude 1:7 –Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

His word shows that we must not entertain the idea that two men can have a relationship that involves unnatural affections one to another.

So how can we as Seventh-day Adventists claim to believe in His word and practice active support of this lifestyle by proudly presenting men that declare themselves to be of this persuasion? It can only be viewed as one word– Hypocrites.

Our own SDA public statement shows what we “officially” believe–

“Seventh-day Adventists believe that sexual intimacy belongs only within the marital relationship of a man and a woman. This was the design established by God at creation. The Scriptures declare: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Gen 2:24, NIV).

Throughout Scripture this heterosexual pattern is affirmed. The Bible makes no accommodation for homosexual activity or relationships.  Sexual acts outside the circle of a heterosexual marriage are forbidden (Lev 18:5-23, 26; Lev 20:721; Rom 1:2427; 1 Cor 6:911). Jesus Christ reaffirmed the divine creation intent: “‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?” So they are no longer two, but one'” (Matt 19:46, NIV). For these reasons Seventh-day Adventists are opposed to homosexual practices and relationships.” (www.adventist.org)

We remember Jesus was confronted with the alleged adulteress Mary. She was an example of sexual perverted lifestyle, Jesus did not condemn her but freed her and then said “Go and sin no more”. Our Lord gave her undeserved forgiveness but with the condition to reform.

We see that forgiveness came but also the solemn responsibility to turn from her lifestyle lest she be found doing it again, thus holding in contempt the precious forgiveness granted her.

As this sin and lifestyle is described as an abomination, let us look at some of the other related abominations to the Lord.

Proverbs 17:15 – He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 22:5 – The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

1 Corinthians 6:9 – Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to nor perform homosexual acts,

After finding out about the 2015 Christmas program, I then discussed it with a few brothers and sisters. Several were of the opinion that the church was wrong for promoting this. But what really caught my attention was  two sisters who gave counter views of each other. Let’s look at each and then we’ll quote some “Thus sayeth the Lord” to see which of the two is based on the sure word of the Lord.

Sister S has been a SDA member for many years. She attends services most Sabbaths. She’s considered a member in good standing. When I spoke to her concerning this she said the following–

“Well, I don’t see it as wrong. I see it as we are trying to bring all people together. Yes, we don’t condone the gay lifestyle, but we need to show we love them.”

Sister L has likewise been a long-term member and in good standing, and her response was–

“Oh no. This is not right. God’s word is clear. We should not be doing this.”

Sister L later called back to say, “I still can’t believe this. You know brother, I cried after you told me about this. We need to pray.”

There are some specific SOP references that address each of these positions. Let us see if Inspiration backs one of the sisters diametrically opposed positions.

“In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.266)

“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.” (Same, p.266)

“Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed!” (Same, p.267)

“Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done” in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.” (Same, p.267)

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

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

“The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God–candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour.” ((Same, p.216)

In closing, we see that Inspiration calls on us to “sigh and cry” for the sins done in the church. His word is too clear that no one should have any doubt as to where we must stand on this issue.

“Sodomitish Impurity—Oh, how disgusted is God with the tame, lifeless, Christless efforts made by some of those who profess to be His servants! God’s work must be carried forward strongly and upward. This cannot be done unless the sensuality that corrupts the whole man is separated from the religious experience. This work must be done.

Church members need to fast and pray, striving earnestly to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Not one particle of Sodomitish impurity will escape the wrath of God at the execution of the judgment. Those who do not repent of and forsake all uncleanness will fall with the wicked. Those who become members of the royal family and form God’s kingdom in the earth made new, will be saints, not sinners.” Isaiah 30:1-3, 8-16. (Testimonies on sexual behavior, adultery and divorce, p.119)

Posted in Christmas, Church, Sighing and Crying | 2 Comments »

Watch your Pearls

December 26, 2015

swine picture

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 »

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

December 19, 2015

Ten Virgins

One of  the parables most often studied and quoted around the  world is that of Matthew 25–the parable of the Ten Virgins.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matt. 25:1-13)

In order to know the true interpretive meaning of this parable (or any other parable or prophecy) we are counseled to not trust in our own “private interpretation” but rather a “Thus sayeth the Lord” by His prophets. And we who are living in these very last days, should yell to the mountain tops in joy that the Lord gave us His promised –restorer of all things, Elijah. We are just very blessed because as you’ll see the end time prophetic meaning of this parable is directly applicable to us today. Let us heed the lesson!

Who are the Virgins?

The virgins are a figure of the church.  Number “ten,” has the symbolic meaning of universal (the church as a body).  Note that they are all “virgins.”  The 144,000 are designated by the same word. (See Rev. 14:4.)  The word “virgins,” signify that the class represented by them (ten), are not those who are called out from Babylon (fallen churches) at the time the “cry” is made. 

For, if they were to come out of Babylon by the call “Come out of her, my people” (Rev. 18:4), they would have been defiled with “women” (fallen churches), and therefore, could not be called “virgins.”  Thus, the message of the “Midnight Cry” must find them in the house of God — virgins. (SRod, vol. 2, p.181)

What is the “cry” that is made?

The “Midnight Cry” was first proclaimed prior to 1844, and the coming of the “Bridegroom” was Christ’s coming to the Most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary for the investigative judgment of the saints.  The investigation being in two sections; first, the judgment for the dead, and the second for the living, the “cry” must be repeated, otherwise we would have no present truth for the time of the judgment of the living. 

The “cry” for the living being of a greater importance to the world than the one for the dead, and as the “virgins” are a figure of the living church, the parable must have a direct application to the church at this present time, — the coming of the bridegroom for the judgment of the living.  But indirectly it points back to the commencement of the “Midnight Cry” (the first angel’s message — the judgment for the dead). 

The messages being of the same event, judgment, both (for the living and for the dead) are called the “midnight cry.”  The same is proven by the parable itself. (p.181)

What does the oil represent?

The “oil” is a symbol of the Spirit of God in the form of a message (truth); for, it is the substance that gives the light (the prophetic Word of God).  The lamp must be a symbol of the heart into which the Word (oil) is being retained.  The trimming of their lamps, is the “trimming” of their hearts; that is, their conscience being aroused they began to show interest. 

But only five of them had an extra supply of oil in their vessels.  As they started out to meet the bridegroom, the lamps of the foolish ones went out; and as they found themselves in darkness, it made their progress impossible.  Now, the question arises: What made their lamps go out, and why could they go backward, but not forward? 

As the message of the judgment for the dead was the present truth since 1844, at the beginning of the judgment for the living (when the cry was made), it became present truth no longer.  Consequently their lamps went out.  They could not move forward because they were foolish; that is, they did not accept the light — the judgment for the living.  Was the “oil” beyond their reach?  The words in the parable prove that they all heard the “cry, “arose, and trimmed their lamps.” 

Five of them failed to get the supply of oil because they were “foolish,” — they did not study for themselves.  Allowed others to think for them; they chose the easy, popular side, and accepted the decisions of the leaders, copies the mistakes of others and were thus left without a supply of oil, — robbed of the truth, cheated of glory, and left in darkness!

   “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”  At last the foolish virgins saw themselves in darkness.  Then they went to the wise and asked for oil as a gift; “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” 

The oil is sold and there must be something given in exchange to obtain the supply.  The price they had to pay was to “sigh and cry for the abominations done in the midst thereof,” give up sinning and obey the truth.  Their receipt for the value of exchange would have been the seal of the living God in their foreheads.(P.182-183)

What is the significance of the door being shut?

As the foolish virgins at last came to the door, it is evident that they obtained the oil (learned of the message) but there had been a delay — the door was shut, and they were left out.  Now, why were they unconcerned at first, and very zealous at last?  The experience in this instance is about the same as that of the deluge. 

While Noah preached the coming of the flood, the world paid little attention to this message; but those who believed, went into the ark at a given time and the door was closed.  But not long afterwards, signs of Noah’s prediction appeared; and as drops of rain began to fall the wicked multitude became alarmed and rushed for the ark, but the door was closed and they were left out. 

The door that “was shut,” is a symbol showing that probation for the church had closed just shortly after the foolish virgins became alarmed.  At last they were willing to pay the price and buy the oil; but it was not a change of heart, only the fear of losing out.  Their course of action had left them without the seal — “the man with the writer’s inkhorn” had passed them by.  What a terrible mistake! What a disappointment! Almost saved, but entirely lost.(P.183-184)

Why 10 virgins?

The number, “ten”, being a symbol of universal, it represents the church as a body prior to the commencement of the judgment of the living — in the sealing period of the 144,000, and before the “Loud Cry” of the Third Angel’s Message; being the period of the first fruits of the harvest. (P.185)

What is the lesson of the five foolish and five wise virgins?

The five wise virgins were they who trusted in God and His word only; having no confidence in man, and were hungry for truth, searching for light, and gladly accepting it when it came.  Thus they received the seal of God’s approval, their sins were blotted out, and their lives made sure — they passed from condemnation and death into glory and life eternal.  They are God’s servants, kings and priests — 144,000 in number.

   The five foolish virgins are they who had confidence in men; they were willing that others should think and study for them.  Their love for this world and the things of it, exceeded their love for Christ and the world to come.  They had no true sense of the awful result of sin.  Their zeal for self, drowned their zeal for the house of God and His honor. 

They were satisfied with their lamps trimmed and but little oil in them.  They saw no necessity for more light — prophets, truth or message.  They said in their hearts, we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing.  They were prejudiced against light upon the word of God, and accepted not the truth because the channel through which it came was not of their choice.

   The knowledge of present truth, which the five foolish virgins possessed since 1844 is the judgment of the dead, and was the only oil in their lamps.  When the judgment of the living commenced, and the “cry was made,” they were found without this extra oil in their vessels; they had neglected their Lord’s command: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” 

Thus when the wise ones started out to meet the bridegroom the lamps of the foolish went out, for, the judgment of the dead had passed.  Therefore, it was present truth no more, and thus they were left in darkness. 

At the beginning of the judgments of God they saw their mistake and rushed for the ark of safety, but it was beyond their reach for they knew nothing of the message, and by the time they acquired it (filled their lamps with oil), there had been a delay, the angel had passed “through the city, through Jerusalem,” the church — the sealing was finished, and probation for the church had closed — the door was shut.  Thus they were left out. 

Then they came with these words: “Lord, Lord, open unto us, But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”  “Appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  What a disappointment that will be!

   It will be noticed that the close of probation for the church and the one for the world are two different events.  The former is a miniature representation of the latter.  The Scripture for the preceding one is found in Matthew 25:11, 12; but of the final one we read: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Rev. 22:11, 12.) 

At this time those who were like the five foolish virgins, will say, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (Jer. 8:20.)  “And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:12.) ( SRod, P.185-186)

 

 

 

Posted in Elijah Interpretations, Parable studies, Present Truth, Proper teachings | 1 Comment »

History of the Heels

December 12, 2015

modern high heel

This week I observed something that burdened my heart. A young gal, maybe 18 or 19, whom I thought had taken good counsel before, showed that as the ol saying goes “went in one ear and out the other.” Sister L, we’ll call her, is a kind of leader in our church, especially to her peers. But before we get more into that let’s look at current worldly fashions in our church and specifically –the ladies high heel shoes.

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but — which becometh women professing godly piety — through good works.”(1 Tim. 2:9-10)

We are going to really get down and study this issue because the Lord has placed it on my heart to awake many of our sisters who for one reason or  another just cannot fathom  how “converted” Christians should come before the Lord.

We are told to be converted and to have a new spirit and mind. In other words things of the world, including fashion– must go. For a personal example, music was my worldly love prior to being converted. Just as many women love fashion as their worldly love. But one day the Lord convicted me of my idol and I grabbed the large outside trash can and went into the house and threw everything that was worldly music (CD’s, Albums, Tapes) into the trash. I never looked back.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Once we declare to our heavenly Father we are His, by Christ’s brutal death for us–we change. Our old ways go away–at least that is the plan of God. But unfortunately many want both worlds! Again Scripture warns us–

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

It’s the perfect deadly storm, with some saying secretly in their soul, “I want Christ but the world’s attractions I cannot ignore, Oh Lord help me to do both.”

Peer pressure is very powerful. We all remember our youthful days when we wanted to be liked and accepted. But we also remember our caring teachers, even those who were more stern than we liked, but looking back we admired them for their uprightness and firmness to showing us the right way the best path. The same applies to our youth in the church. They need help , they need guidance from our leaders.

Yet the Lord knows that today, our SDA church is filled with misguided shepherds. They “look the other way” at worldly snares that come into the Lord’s church. Jeremiah relayed the case in our church today–

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. (Jer. 23:1)

Today one of the most common and observable worldly fashions prevalent in the Lord’s sanctuary is the high heel shoes.  When you couple that with the miniskirt ( above the knees), voila– you have a strikingly similar dressed gal, to a night club gal! That’s right.

Back in the day  before being renewed in mind and spirit, I was often found in the clubs on a Friday or Saturday night, I remember quite clearly what we considered in style there. Yes high heels and short dresses. And that didn’t mean way above the knees, just above them.

Scriptures clearly tells us we are not to be viewed (seen) as a worldling. We are to be different.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

Of all the shoes in the women’s world, I can think of no other that resembles the worldly fashion. We see executive women with them, we see professional women with them, we see teachers with them, we see night club gals with them. They are THE WORLD FASHION, the “in” thing to wear.

Let’s look at the history of them.

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Men were the first sex to don the shoe. They were adopted by the European aristocracy of the 1600s as a signal of status.  The logic was: only someone who didn’t have to work could possibly go around in such impractical footwear.  (Interestingly, this was the same logic that encouraged footbinding in China.)

Women started wearing heels as a way of trying to appropriate masculine power.  In the BBC article on the topic, Elizabeth Semmelhack, who curates a shoe museum, explains:

In the 1630s you had women cutting their hair, adding epaulettes to their outfits…

They would smoke pipes, they would wear hats that were very masculine. And this is why women adopted the heel — it was in an effort to masculinise their outfits.

The lower classes also began to wear high heels, as fashions typically filter down from elite.

How did the elite respond to imitation from “lesser” people: women and workers?  First, the heels worn by the elite became increasingly high in order to maintain upper class distinction.  And, second, heels were differentiated into two types: fat and skinny. Fat heels were for men, skinny for women.

This is a beautiful illustration of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of class distinction.  Bourdieu argued that aesthetic choices function as markers of class difference.  Accordingly, the elite will take action to present themselves differently than non-elites, choosing different clothing, food, decor, etc.  Expensive prices help keep certain things the province of elites, allowing them to signify their power; but imitation is inevitable.  Once something no longer effectively differentiates the rich from the rest, the rich will drop it.  This, I argue elsewhere, is why some people care about counterfeit purses (because it’s not about the quality, it’s about the distinction).

Eventually men quit wearing heels because their association with women tainted their power as a status symbol for men.  (This, by the way, is exactly what happened withcheerleading, originally exclusively for men).  With the Enlightenment, which emphasized rationality (i.e., practical footwear), everyone quit wearing high heels.

What brought heels back for women? Pornography.  Mid-nineteenth century pornographers began posing female nudes in high heels, and the rest is history. (Lisa Wade is a professor at Occidental College and the co-author of Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions.)

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The above article is typical of the reports on these shoes. Now, I ask you, do you see Christ in this? Do you see modesty in this? Or do you see prestige, self glory and worldly style? Disturbingly these shoes have a solid history associated with prostitution! What is a converted Christ loving woman doing wearing such things? Just like my trash can experience, all gals reading this should seriously consider pulling that trash can out as well. Believe me you’ll be very much blessed.

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ” (Matt. 6:20)

Ok back to our sister L. I had observed her as a young lady striving to walk the walk. She gave a really good sermon about 3 months ago and I figured she would be the one to get some CD’s and DVD’s of the Lord last message to us–the Elijah message. So about 6 weeks ago during lunch I handed her some present truth along with a blog post on dressing for God in His sanctuary.

She seemed pleased to receive them. The reason I chose her was because she seemed as one of the young leaders of the church. Some other young gals were really dressing badly with the club outfits on. So I gently told her that she could review these reports and maybe discus with her friends. She happily agreed.

Over the course of the next few weeks she seemed to have a influence on some of them. Not a great big difference but I did see some improvement. Then this last week,   a typical night club goer would have definitely kept their eyes on sister L that’s for sure! So here we stand. I have prayed to the Lord and supped with Him on this and this is the reason for this post, to warn of this immodest behavior in God’s house.

Some may ask–“What about a moderate heel”? Again the word modesty comes into play. Take a look at this look and see if we can see modesty? From a personal view I see modesty and presentable dress before the Lord.

low heeled shoes

Another factor that comes into serious concern is that of a woman’s health. There are many many health reports showing some short term and long term physical damage done by wearing high heels. SOP gives us God’s word as well-

“I beg of our people to walk carefully and circumspectly before God. Follow the customs in dress so far as they conform to health principles.” (Selected Messages, Vol. 3, p.242)

For a good report on the physical ramification of wearing high heels click here- https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/09/09/do-high-heels-damage-your-feet/

To sum up,  our sisters should ask this one question– “Does my dress appear modest or worldly before the Lord?”  One thing is certain the high heels have a long and sure history of not only being “worldly” but a standard footwear for the prostitutes. And believe me Christ knows this and we should as well!

My beloved, all we can do is warn, we cannot by compulsion make them do what they do not want to do. Jesus warned the wrong doers but He never haggled them or pressured them. We simply do our job and let the results be what may.

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezek. 3:18.

As we posted recently, we as Seventh-day Adventists are to “strive with all power God has given us to be among the 144,000” and to be among the Lord’s remnant people prepared to give the very soon to come Loud Cry. To be sure, all that are found unconverted will not stand in the church judgment. 

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” (Romans 12:1)

“In all things we are to be representatives of Him. Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity.” (Testimonies, Vol. 6, p.96)

Lastly, the Chinese have an old saying, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Why don’t you young ladies who are reading this report take that same trash can idea that I did and get a truly God felt blessing that really lasts?  You may very well find that the all-seeing Lord gives you much more than you give up!

 

 

Posted in Christian walk, Church, Obedience | 2 Comments »

Study to Show Yourself Approved

December 5, 2015

Bible-marked-up

In 2 Timothy 2:15 we read, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Last Sabbath I had a Bible study with a man we’ll call brother S. After Sabbath we had a Bible study that lasted a good 3 hours. After we prayed, which is a prerequisite before any Bible study, he opened his large bag and pulled out his Bible. As he opened it I was amazed to see nearly every page marked as the picture shows. Color  coded even with lines going from one part of page to another, showing that he saw them connected in some way.

This is not the first time I have seen such markings. A while back I had another study with a brother (we’ll call him brother F) who also had these same markings.

So what does this show to us and the Angels? It shows that people are taking seriously their study of the Scriptures. They have more than a surface interest in the Word. Like the Word says they are studying to be approved by God. This really should be a basic fundamental trait that all of us who call ourselves “Christian” should have.

Obviously these brothers are striving to know God’s Word better. But studying the Word and knowing the truth is not always mutually the same. We know that He has made us a great promise–

“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 1613)

This promise is one of the greatest promises we have. It says we are to know all truth. But let’s look at the two mentioned brothers and look at clues to who is being “guided” into truth.

To start, brother F and I had a study about a month ago concerning the prophecy of Daniel 2. We watched a DVD of Daniel 2 and while playing we’d stop it and discuss. Keep in mind most Adventists have been taught or have heard that the stone that comes from the mountain is Christ.

So as it played brother F began making comments like “I don’t believe that”. When I asked where is the presentation wrong, where is the error? He hemmed and hawed and basically summed it up by saying that the Scriptures showed that Christ is a “stone” and therefore that is the correct interpretation. He was no doubt parroting what we as Adventists have heard about Daniel 2.

But in an effort to look deeper into this prophecy,  I asked about where the stone came from? And what does the mountain symbolize? He wasn’t so clear. Bottom line, although he basically did not want to accept the study, he couldn’t refute the teachings.

As the study of Daniel 2 progressed and started to go into how the church abominations are leavening it, ripe for its purification, brother F began to “pass the buck” as it were. He explained that it is “Christ’s righteousness” that saves us and our works are as filthy rags. I agreed with this but pointed out that we cannot sweep the unholy acts of the church under the rug. I stressed that only sighers and criers of the sins in the church will be sealed and be saved in the SDA church (Testimonies, vol.3 , p.267). To this he kind of just shrugged his shoulders. As if the eternal point really did not awake him nor did he need to address it!

So this brings up the question–why and how can someone so devoted to studying and highlighting the Scriptures  ignore clear truth from the very Scriptures they study? How can they not see many truths within its sacred pages?  The answer is a long one but we can give some general guidelines.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Rev.3:17)

You see many are satisfied in their knowledge. If a new understanding of Scripture comes their way , they rise up a mental block wall to shut it away. They are content in what they think is truth because they do not embrace a new understanding mainly because they feel they might be deceived or off base if they accept it.

There is also the “herd mentality”. If the church believes it–so will I. The Jews of old had this same problem! The masses obeyed and believed what their Pharisee leaders taught, their version of truth. Jesus came along and taught truth that was not truth to those who refused to give up their many lessons they had been taught. Nothing has changed much. Truth is still seen by the few as opposed to the masses. No wonder the Scriptures say only 144,000 sealed from “all” the tribes of Israel.

SOP tells us we have been taught traditional ideas and lessons that we must “unlearn”.

“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.30)

Again SOP gives us counsel–

“It is a fact that we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that cannot be shaken; but we must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settled. While we hold to this position, the testimony of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, “And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, are in a condition of blindness as to their true condition before God, and they know it not. We must not think, “Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.” The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.“ (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.33)

Let us compare with brother S approach to study. First,  the reason the study took 3 hours was because he was asking some really good and pondering questions. Unlike brother F, he was searching instead of telling. Our study was about the church purification, backed up by 24 references shown by the Spirit of Prophecy.

As we progressed I started to see that his view of purification was in need of realignment. In other words, just like many within our SDA church he saw this purifying process of us as members drawing closer to God and doing more reform in the future. I countered that God has given the SDA church about 171 years to “get it together”. He cannot continue on and on, for it would probably be eons of years if and when we ever have meaningful reforms in our church. The word says that He will take the reins into His own hands (Testimonies to Ministers, p.300).

Our study was very satisfying as he made me think and I made him think. But I was heartened because by his questions I could see that his goal was knowing the truth not protecting lessons or ideas he could not rethink.

You see brethren our King who knows all, knew that we would , for the most part, reject His final message of Elijah. Therefore He warned us to get rid of our stuck in the mud know it all attitude and accept His new truths He would send via His messengers.

If someone comes to me and says, “hey Rob, I found this great new truth from Scripture.” I want to see it and apply the Lord’s remedy to see if it’s really true.

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20) 

I check first if the person who is telling me this 1) believes and keeps our Lord’s holy 10 Commandments (checking his fruits) 2) The “truth” they have discovered is not counter to what the prophets teach (and that includes His last Elijah prophet–who “restores all things”.) If these two important tests are passed then I praise the Lord for truth revealed to my brother or sister. But this concerns Bible nuggets of truth not Bible prophecy. Prophecy is not given to any “man” only to His prophets.

“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)

How important that we be ready for “fresh truth”?

“Ever have your ears open to any claimant of Inspiration if you are not to repeat the history of the Jews. God will not let you be deceived if you really hunger and thirst after righteousness, if you really want to know the Truth, for He is anxious that you keep up with His progressively revealed Truth. There is therefore no danger for one to be deceived by coming in contact with error, but there is a great danger for staying in darkness by not coming in contact with fresh Truth.” (TG, vol. 1, no.12, p.18

In closing, let us get away from our “rich and increased with goods” mentality and heed the message of the hour —

 “A new day is dawning on us, Brother, Sister.  And now, rather than imagining that we are rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing, we see ourselves in need of everything.  Shall we not accept these riches (Truth) that are tried in the fire, and these garments of righteousness by which to cover our nakedness? 

Shall we not anoint our eyes with this fresh golden oil of Truth that we may see and know the way, that we may reach “the door” on time?  There is no reason for staying wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.  The Lord is waiting at the door of our hearts.  He is anxious to pour out a blessing, to fill the cup to overflowing.” (TG, vol. 1, no. 25, p.12-13)

 

Posted in Present Truth, Proper teachings | 2 Comments »

Ultimate Goal for Seventh-day Adventists

November 28, 2015

144000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 144,000 will–

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Be saviors.

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

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

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

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

3. Be God’s army.

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

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

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

4. Stand with Jesus in the Holy land.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Sing a new song of a unique experience.

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

8. Be protected at all times.

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

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

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

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

9. Be the Lord’s “arm”.

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

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

10. Kings and Priests in the New earth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

World Madness

November 21, 2015

Paris killings

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

The Word says-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in End times, Final Events | 2 Comments »

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