Two Sealing Reports (Part 2 of 2)

June 21, 2014

continued…….

After the 144,000 are sealed and the church is purified, the Lord has an instrument upon whom He can pour out His Holy Spirit enabling them to bring in the last section of the final harvest from every nation, kindred, tongue and people (Rev. 7:9).

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

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

SECOND SEALING REPORT.

After John saw the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8), He saw another group harvested.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; . . .And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev. 7:9,13,14.

The Spirit of Prophecy tells us this second group of saints are also sealed.

“The message of the renewing power of God’s grace will be carried to every country and clime, until the truth shall belt the world. Of the number of them that shall be sealed will be those who have come from every nation and kindred and tongue and people. From every country will be gathered men and women who will stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb, crying, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Revelation 7:10. But before this work can be accomplished, we must experience here in our own country the work of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students p. 532.

Notice this group of sealed saints come from all over the world, not from the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus we see that not only 144,000 are sealed but also a great multitude. The 144,000 first fruits (Rev. 14:4) are sealed prior to the blowing of the four winds (the time of trouble, Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 152; 7 Bible Commentary p. 968, E.G. White), while the great multitude are sealed during the time of trouble as they “came out of great tribulation.” (Rev. 7:14)

Since both groups are sealed, there must be two sealing reports.

REPORT #1

“And behold,” says Ezekiel, “the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter”(while on earth), saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded Ezek. 9:11. Here is First Report made at the completion of the sealing in the church—the sealing of the first fruits, the 144,000.

REPORT #2.

“I saw,” says the servant of the Lord, “…an angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered arid sealed. ” Early Writings p. 279. Here is his second report, made at the completion of the sealing in the world-the sealing of the second fruits, the great multitude.

Comparing both reports, each is seen to be a different event: At the first report, the Lord was at “the threshold of the house” on earth (Ezek. 9:3); at the second, He was in the heavenly sanctuary. After the angel had made his first report, the Lord commanded him: “Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.” Ezek. 10:2.

But following his second report, “…all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ‘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.'” Early Writings pp. 279,280.

Were probation to close at the time of the first report (Ezek. 9:11), the Lord must, according to the foregoing statement, (Early Writings pp. 279,280) be in heaven, then descend to earth to receive His saints, instead of being already on earth, then mounting up in His throne, as He actually does without His saints (Ezek. 10:19).

Also: the prophet’s being left behind when the Lord went up, figuratively shows that at this particular descent and ascent, the saints are not to be taken to heaven, but only to be set free from sin and sinners-fitted for the final work.

At the angel’s second report, however, Jesus, being in heaven, “moved out of the most holy place” (Early Writings p. 280) to descend to earth.

This brief comparison brings into primary focus the twofold fact that at the time of the first report, Jesus went into the temple on earth, whereas at the time of the second report, He went out of the Sanctuary in heaven.

TWO REAPINGS.

Revelation 14: shows us that two harvests are reaped after the three angel’s messages had first been given.

“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Rev. 14:14-16.

Is this coming of Christ, His second advent? Let us compare this text with other Scriptures pertaining to His second advent.

Description Of Christ’s Second Advent.

“His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev. 19:12-16.

The Spirit of Prophecy comments on the second coming of Christ as referred to in Rev. 19:12-16.

“Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven..” Early Writings p. 281.

“Soon appeared the great white cloud, upon which sat the Son of man. When it first appeared in the distance, this cloud looked very small. The angel said that it was the sign of the Son of man. As it drew nearer the earth, we could behold the excellent glory and majesty of Jesus as He rode forth to conquer. A retinue of holy angels, with bright, glittering crowns upon their heads, escorted Him on His way. No language can describe the glory of the scene.

The living cloud of majesty and unsurpassed glory came still nearer, and we could clearly behold the lovely person of Jesus. He did not wear a crown of thorns, but a crown of glory rested upon His holy brow. Upon His vesture and thigh was a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. His countenance was as bright as the noonday sun, His eyes were as a flame of fire, and His feet had the appearance of fine brass. His voice sounded like many musical instruments.

The earth trembled before Him, the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.. . .The living saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and caught up with the risen ones, and together they meet their Lord in the air. Oh, what a glorious meeting! Friends whom death had separated were united, never more to part.” Early Writings. pp . 286,287.

Coming Of Christ In Rev. 14: Not His Second Advent.

The coming of Christ in Rev. 14:14-16 is not the same as the one in Rev. 19:12-16. In Rev. 14:, Christ has only one crown on his head, and one angel tells the Son of man to thrust in His sharp sickle and reap, for the harvest is ripe. In Rev. 19: and Early Writings pages 281, 286, 287, it tells us Christ has many crowns, a retinue of angels accompanies Him, and a sharp sword goeth out of His mouth to smite the nations and on His vesture and thigh is a name written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

These two comings are not the same. Christ’s coming in Rev. 19 is His second coming, but His coming in Rev. 14 to reap this first harvest must be when He comes to His church in judgment when He directs the sealing and slaying from His traveling throne that Ezekiel saw in vision, recorded in Ezekiel chapter 1, when He comes to the threshold of the house (church). At this invisible coming, Christ Himself directs the reaping of the first fruits harvest (144,000).

The Spirit of Prophecy in speaking of the condition of the church just before the purification and the reaping of the first fruits by Christ says: “They will question and criticize everything that arises in the unfolding of truth, criticize the work and position of others, criticize every branch of the work in which they have not themselves a part.

They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, ‘until,’ said the angel, the Lord Jesus shall rise up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary and shall clothe Himself with the garments of vengeance and surprise them at their unholy feast, and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ Their taste has been so perverted that they would be inclined to criticize even the table of the Lord in His kingdom.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 690.

These solemn words, may each lay will to his heart, and may none let the enemy beguile them” with good words and fair speeches” on this life-and-death matter. Fix in your mind the fact that Christ’s rising “up from His mediatorial work” cannot be after probation has closed for the world, note carefully, He is to “rise up” during the unfolding of truth.

Let each take heed that he fall not to criticizing the message or the messengers, but rather that he “sigh and cry,” as the Lord bids, ” for all the abominations that be done in the mist (the church),” Lest he be found on the wrong side, ranged with the evildoers, and thus doomed to fall under the angels’ slaughter weapons.

Now let us continue our study of Rev. 14 and see if another harvest or reaping is brought to view.

“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.” Rev. 14:17, 18.

After John saw the Lord Himself reap the first fruit harvest, he is shown another harvest, only this second harvest is not reaped by the Lord but by someone else prefigured by an angel. This angel has a sharp sickle in his hand prepared to reap a second harvest which is prefigured by clusters of grapes, (the great multitude of Rev. 7:9).

“The Master of the vineyard is even now gathering from among men of all nations and peoples the precious fruits for which He has long been waiting.” Prophets and Kings p. 22. Also, in the parable of Matt. 20:, laborers are sent into the vineyard to reap a harvest.

Who is this angel that reaps the second fruit harvest? Sometimes the Lord symbolizes His ministry by an angel as He does in Revelation 3:14-16, the Laodicean angel. We know the Laodicean angel is not a heavenly angel as he is lukewarm. In Rev. 1:20, it says: “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” The seven stars and the seven angels are one and the same. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us these stars are ministers. “God’s ministers are symbolized by the seven stars,…” Gospel Workers p. 13.

This angel in Rev. 14:17,18, that reaps this second fruit harvest must represent the 144,000 who will be God’s ministry during the Loud Cry. They will bring in the last section of the final harvest from Babylon.

The Spirit of Prophecy in speaking of the Lord’s Loud Cry ministry says, “The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.”Letter 55, 1886. Selected Messages Book 3 p. 385.

Isaiah calls this ministry, the Lord’s new, sharp threshing instrument. “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.” Isa. 41:15.

Isaiah 4:2 also tells us that in the day the Lord purifies His church (Isa. 4:3,4), “the fruit of the earth” (harvest) “shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” The escaped of Israel are those that are left after the purification of God’s church has taken place. See: Isa. 4:3,4.

Notice in Rev. 14:18, that the angel who has power over fire commissions the other angel (God’s purified ministry) to reap the final harvest. This angel who comes out from the altar and has power over fire represents the Holy Spirit that will be poured out upon the Lord’s Loud Cry Ministry for the purpose of bringing in the last section of this final harvest. This same truth was borne out concerning the man in linen (Ezek. 10:1-4) Who scatters the coals of fire over the city (church) after the purification of the church takes place.

What is done with the vine after the clusters of grapes have been harvested?

“And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14:19.

The wrath of God is also depicted in Rev. 15:7,8. “And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” Thus we see that the empty vine, (the wicked), is destroyed after the fruit has been harvested.

SUMMARY

We found in the beginning of our study why the third angel’s work is so fearful and his mission so awful. He is the one who is to select the wheat from the tares. This commences the judgment for the living which begins at the house of God (our Church).

The Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible shows us clearly that the harvest itself is not the second coming of Christ. The harvest covers a period of time, the time that it takes to gather in the final harvest.

We found four different thrones of God. Two traveling (Isa. 6:1-4, Ezek. 1:) and two stationary thrones (Rev. 4:2,4-6, 22:1). The Lord comes down to earth on one of His traveling thrones (Ezek. 1:9) to the threshold of the house (church) and directs the marking and the slaying as recorded in Ezek. 9: this is an invisible coming.

Just as there are two harvests, there are two sealing reports. The first sealing report is given in Ezekiel 9:11, after the 144,000 are sealed. The second sealing report is at the final close of probation (Early Writings p. 279), after the great multitude (Rev. 7:9) are harvested.

In Rev. 14:14-18, two harvests are brought to view. Christ Himself reaps the first fruit harvest and His Loud Cry ministry (144, 000) reaps the final harvest.

How marvelous it is that centuries ago the Lord had us in mind when His Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the prophets to write these wonderful promises for those who were to have a part in the final work of harvesting in earth’s final harvest. What a terrible tragedy it would be for any to lose out at this late hour.

“We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all living. The controversies of the past are to be revived; new controversies will arise.

The scenes to be enacted in our world are not yet even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies. Those who are making an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday observance little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 753.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; if it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 8:6.

Our prayer is that the reader of this booklet, “sink the shaft of truth down deep into the mine of God’s word (1 Selected Messages p. 413)”, enabling him to be prepared for the tremendous events just ahead.

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Two Sealing Reports (Part 1 of 2)

June 14, 2014

The following report will explain in detail what , where, and how the Lord will have two reports given Him on those who will receive the seal. This shows two distinct sealings, one for the 144,000, the first fruits, and one for the great multitude, the second fruits.We hope you’re blessed.

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Since the final harvest is in two sections, there must also be two groups of saints sealed, the 144,000 first fruits, and the great multitude of second fruits.

The Lord has no instrument by which to reap His first fruit harvest, as the church is lukewarm, in a Laodicean condition (Rev. 3:14-17). the Lord Himself comes down to earth and directs the sealing, and the separating of the wheat from the tares in the remnant church which produces the first fruit harvest, the 144,000. The church then being purified can go forth to give the Loud Cry with great power and gather in the great multitude, the last section of the final harvest.

“For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.” Isa. 63:4-6.

Ezekiel tells us how the Lord Himself will come down from heaven and direct the marking (sealing) and the slaying that commences at the house of God.

“And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. .

. .And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings. And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.” Ezekiel 1:4-10, 25-28. (See attached chart.)

To this marvelous scene which Ezekiel saw on the river bank in the land of the Chaldeans, our undivided attention is now called. Being “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord, ” obviously, then, it was

THE LORD ON ONE OF HIS THRONES.

The wheels were so complicated in arrangement that at first sight they appeared to be in confusion; but they moved in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings, sustained and guided by the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, were impelling these wheels; above them, upon the sapphire throne, was the Eternal One; and round about the throne a rainbow, the emblem of divine mercy.” Education p. 178.

“The bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning represents the speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 754.

At the end of the 2300 days (1844), the antitypical day of atonement, this same chariot transported Jesus from the throne of the Father and the Son (Rev. 22:1) into the Most Holy apartment of the Sanctuary, where God the Father was sitting.

“I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son…. I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down…. Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father.” Early Writings pp. 54,55.

It is interesting to note that this chariot also transports the saints to heaven at the second advent. “The living saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and caught up with the risen ones, and together they meet their Lord in the air. Oh, what a glorious meeting! Friends whom death had separated were united, never more to part.

“On each side of the cloudy chariot were wings, and beneath it were living wheels; and as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, ‘Holy,’ and the wings, as they moved, cried, ‘Holy,’ and the retinue of holy angels around the cloud cried, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!’ And the saints in the cloud cried, ‘Glory! Alleluia!’ And the chariot rolled upward to the Holy City.” Early Writings pp. 287,288.

Besides this divine appearance which Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:28), the Bible describes God enthroned on three other occasions-once as seen by Isaiah, and twice as seen by John the Revelator; to wit:

(1). . .I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” Isa. 6:1-4.

(2)”And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne….And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold….and there wereseven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” Rev. 4:2,4-6

REV. 4: A STATIONARY THRONE

(3) “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Rev. 22:1.

Since the throne seen by Isaiah was a “train” (retinue), and since as it entered into the temple, “the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke” (Isa. 6:1,4), it therefore is a traveling throne, whereas both the one of Revelation 4, having the “sea of glass” before it, and the one of Revelation 22, having the “river…of life” before it, are stationary thrones.

Though the one which Ezekiel saw, is similar to the one which Isaiah was shown, yet they are distinct and separate thrones, for each of the “seraphims” of Isaiah’s vision has six wings, while each of the “cherubims” of Ezekiel’s vision has but four. In the latter, moreover, the cherubims stood under the throne,whereas in the former, they stood above it. On record, therefore, are the four thrones—two stationary, and two traveling.

Our greatest interest, however, at this point, is to know the location and the mission of the throne which Ezekiel saw, and concerning which he says: ” . . . I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north.” Ezek. 1:4. The fact that the “whirlwind,” enveloping the throne, “came,” says Ezekiel, shows that this throne, just as with the one of Isaiah 6, is a moving one, and that it came to the banks of the river Chebar.

“This is the living creature,” continues Ezekiel, “that I saw under the God of Israel (Who is “above the cherubims”), by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the Cherubims.” “And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight.” Ezek. 10:20,19.

As the chariot’s mounting “up from the earth’ shows that in this particular throne, God visits the earth and then, when His mission is accomplished, returns to heaven, naturally our uppermost desire is to know the answer to the question, when will this prophetic vision be fulfilled?

“And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.

And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sighand that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. . . .And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.” Ezekiel. 9:2-6,11.

Here we see the man clothed in linen, (the third angel, Early Writings p. 118) giving the first sealing report at the close of the sealing of the first fruit harvest.

In the clear light of these facts, chapter nine is seen to hold-the climactic scene of Ezekiel’s vision. Describing the awful work which the Lord is to do when,on this traveling throne He visits the earth. It shows the fearsome consequences to those who do not receive the seal.

“Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 212.

“This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation.” Testimonies to Ministers p. 445.

“What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption (Letter 126, 1898).

“The angel with the writer’s ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel (Letter 12, 1886).” 4 Bible Commentary p. 1161, E.G. White.

The prophet Ezekiel saw the Lord Himself, come to the threshold of the house (church) and direct the marking and the slaying of those who have not the seal of God from this traveling throne (Ezek. 9:3-6).

The man in linen reported to the Lord. While the chariot was still here on earth (Ezek. 9:3-6,11), that he had marked or sealed the 144,000 as the Lord had commanded him to do.

After the purification of the church, the separation of the wheat from the tares had been accomplished, another command was given to the man clothed in linen.

“Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory.” Ezekiel 10:1-4

Here we see the Lord’s chariot is at the threshold of the house (church) after the 144,000 have been sealed and the church has been purified. This is the same chariot mentioned in Ezek. 1: portraying the Lord on one of His traveling thrones (Ezek. 1:26-28).

The man in linen is told to scatter coals of fire over the city (church) after the first fruits (144,000) have been sealed. what do the coals of fire represent? Isaiah gives us the answer.

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” Isaiah 6:5-7.

The Spirit of Prophecy in commenting on this Scripture says: “The live coal is symbolical of purification, and it also represents the potency of the efforts of God’s true servants. To those who make so full a consecration that the Lord can place His touch upon their lips, the word is spoken, Go forth into the harvest-field. I will co-operate with you.” Gospel Workers p. 23.

(Continued next week with part 2)

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Light Illuminated

June 7, 2014

This week was one of those weeks, where one gets a revelation that truly makes us go–“wow”! As an Elijah messenger to or people, I am constantly studying ways to improve my delivery, to solidify the message in a more straight forward and understandable way. The Lord came through again!

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

The message gives us an almost uncontrollable love for our brethren. We realize the danger that faces the church unless we humble ourselves and take up the largely unpopular message of Elijah.

So the Lord divinely showed me something that really explained this message in a different way, and from a new angle, that may dig the dagger of truth into those who may be still stubbornly resisting the last message to the Laodiceans.

Ok let’s look now, at this approach and angle.

First, we know that we as Laodiceans need something. Why? Because our Lord said so.

“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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Rev. 3:17-18).

Ok, we all know this (or should). What our Lord said is that we have this stuffy proud feeling that we know the Lord and that we don’t need anything over and above what we know, to make it to the kingdom. I think we all can agree that this is a fair description.

So understanding the above, we must now admit that there IS SOMETHING we must learn or know, else He would not admonish us for being naked and without hardly anything. In other words, we need to stop deceiving ourselves, and awake to the fact that there is something out there that the Lord want’s us to know.

In this fascinating deception we find ourselves in , we read, “ “What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God.

While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and his testimony must be correct.” — Testimonies, Vol. 3, pp. 252-253.

I underlined two important points I’d like to address. First, we see that Inspiration confirms what the Lord said about us. But she adds that we are “honestly” deceived. We are so convinced that we have it all (truth) that we aren’t looking for more. What’s worse is that our “shepherd’s” (pastors and leaders) aren’t helping. They too are in the same condition!

The second underlined point gives us a big clue as to what we need. We need a “cutting and severe” testimony that breaks our lukewarm condition. In other words– a straight testimony, with no sugar-coating. And we know one thing for sure, the “peace and safety” message that we hear almost every Sabbath from the pulpit is not it.

Ok let’s admit that we need something, and that something is obviously a message from the “True Witness”. And how has this True Witness in times past, delivered it? Yes, the PROPHETS. As a church body, He sends His message strictly through His prophets. In our case through His promised Elijah (Mal. 4:5).

All our Scriptures are written by His prophets. In (Amos 3:7) we read, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

So we have found that we need two things up to this point:

1) A important message from our Lord

2) A message to be delivered by a prophet.

Ok, what is the word of God in relations to an end time prophet? It is found in the last book of the old testament–Malachi. I like to think of this book as His “sign off” letter of the OT. In other words it has His last words of extreme importance in them.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Mal. 4:5).

We see that this Elijah is to come right before this great and terrible day. Ah hah! This should be what the Lord is talking about! For this is the LAST message that He will send before the end.

3) The anti-typical Elijah prophet has the Lord’s last message.

Recently I was involved in an online discussion with a solidly entranced Laodicean woman . I pointed out the fact that there was one last prophet (Elijah) to come to our SDA church. She responded, “Oh that doesn’t mean a literal prophet, it’s a message.” Huh?

Let’s look at counsel from the very prophetess she claims to believe in.

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to it’s obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” (Great Controversy, p.598)

So instead of believing the Lord’s literal word, she must twist that into a non-literal meaning. Needless to say I pointed this out to her. But it was like water off a Duck’s back. It did not register.

I also pointed out that that kind of reasoning is right up Satan’s alley. When God said a straight testimony “Surely you shall die”, Satan twisted it to say “Surely you shall not die”. In other words she was not believing in the clear unmistakable word of God. And His promise as well.

When God makes a promise to send somebody, we don’t dare say, “No, you won’t God” do we?

Ok, let’s get to the quote that opened up this new idea of explaining the message to our brethren.

“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God’s people.

The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 1, p.181)

Let’s carefully go over this very important inspired word of God. We see that a “shaking” is going to happen among us, and that this shaking won’t be caused by anything else other than “the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans.”

The counsel here represents those who are delivering that straight testimony for the Lord, beginning with and including the anti-typical Elijah. Notice something VERY IMPORTANT. This message is given only to us! Not the world. We, the Laodiceans, are the ones the Lord must give it to. It is us who are about to be sprued out not the world.(Rev.3:16)

Next we see that this message will cause division among us. Some will “rise up” indicating that they will not only be against it, they will be strongly against it because it unbearable. It obviously exposes our sins and lukewarmness, making them uncomfortable and defensive.

The last underlined point gives the seriousness of it all. THE CHURCH DESTINY HANGS UPON THIS MESSAGE. AND THAT IT WILL BE LARGELY–REJECTED.

So we can add two more points to our list.

4) Our Church’s ( Seventh Day Adventists) future destiny ( our eternal life) hangs upon this message.

5) This last message of Elijah will be almost entirely rejected.

The last point in that reference establishes what this message does to us upon reception and obedience to it. We repent and thus are purified. What does these miraculous things? THE LAST MESSAGE FROM THE LORD, It has such a transforming effect upon us.

6) This last message causes repentance and brings eternal life to those who accept it.

This is so important let us read it again,

“What greater deception can come upon human minds than
a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct.” (Testimonies, vol.3, p.253)

We see that this last message “breaks our security”, it exposes our true condition. If we are walking in its light, the message does not bother us. But if we are not walking in this light, refusing it for whatever reason, we shall either “rise up against it”, be intimidated by it, or humble ourselves and draw close to it causing us to have “deep repentance” and obedience. The Lord knew what He was doing in bringing this Elijah message. It works!

“The light which will lighten the earth with its’ glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory.” (Review and Herald, May 27, 1890)

“In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. “Why,” they say, “should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?” Because they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties, of the messages of God, but persistently said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”(Maranatha, p.220)

This is getting more and more clear. We continue to see a clear and unmistakable rejection from God’s remnant people of the last message. They see it as dangerous and not from the Lord.

“..but prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”(1 SM p.412.2)

The above is one of two clear and unmistakable Inspired quotes (the other is Mal. 4:5) showing that the Lord would send a male prophet to His remnant church at the very end of time. But we see, again, a rejection from the people.

Are we starting to see a common theme here? Yes, indeed!

So let us now add up the meaning of this post. What we can now see is that it is the REJECTED MESSAGE that is the one we are to follow. This is the one the Lord has sent! The real message that the vast majority of us SDA think is false!

We can add our last point now.

7) The last day message that saves us (seals us) is the rejected message of Elijah.

With this clear conclusion, we must now ask ourselves–What message has come to us SDA promoting that it is the Elijah message and been soundly rejected?

The answer– The Shepherd’s Rod.

Search our history, there has never been any another Elijah message that went church wide around the world that was soundly rejected and labelled as false by our leaders.

In closing, let us humble ourselves and begin to accept this rejected message, for as we’ve seen , it is the one we need. The Lord said we as Laodiceans need something, and the rejected Elijah message is the sure message that saves us from being “sprued out”. Amen.

Posted in Elijah, End times, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Witnessing | 7 Comments »

The Loud Cry

May 31, 2014

Soon the world will witness a united voice, God’s remnant people, who have been tried in the “refiner’s fire”(Mal. 3:2-3). Their voices will be sounding out mightily because God’s pouring of His Spirit has occurred.

In Joel 2:28 we read, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”

Our Lord calls them “His jewels”. “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.(Mal.3:17)

This glorious time is very close and we can be a part of this elect group, His servants that will be allowed to do this grand work. Let us now look at this special time.

Scripture, Ellen White and the Elijah message give us some good information. Obviously the people who are called to give the Loud Cry will have a great responsibility. We’ll ask some questions and then look at some specific references.

Who are the ones to participate in the Loud Cry?

“The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, p.327)

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

In the above we see that those allowed to give the Loud Cry will be over-comers. Right now we are being tested daily. Are we living for the world? Do we cherish idols such as TV, music, social clubs, hobbies, sports, or other things that take most of our time? Does the Lord and His work constitute a sizable part of our available time?

We can’t fool God, He watches our time and knows where we direct it to. Each day our time goes into either our account with the Lord or our account with the world.

What are the Loud Cry givers able to do in the Loud Cry?

“The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God’s people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom.” (Early Writings, p.277-278)

“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.279)

“I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”(Early Writings, p.271)

Are we now to give the Loud Cry?

Today we see many false crusades go forth. Our churches today think that the Lord is working to reach the many in the false churches, yet that time has not come.

Brother Houteff explains, “.. to devote our time to evangelizing the world while neglecting the church, would be a criminal act, one of highest treason both to God and to His people. The church must first be saved from her Laodicean condition of being “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” She, not the world, is just about to be spued out. She “is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard.”-Testimonies to Ministers, p. 15.(Answerer, vol. 2, question 32)

So with our church in need of a revival and reformation first and foremost, we can’t expect the Loud Cry until purification comes for our church.

“If the presence of one Achan was sufficient to weaken the whole camp of Israel, can we be surprised at the little success which attends our efforts when every church and almost every family has its Achan?” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.157)

We also remember that the Lord does not change (Mal 3:6) and that in the time of Joshua, He would not pour out His Spirit to help the people until that one sinner, who was in their midst, was removed (Joshua, chapter 7). For this same reason a mixed church, sinners and converted, cannot go forward with the Loud Cry.

Let us read from Inspiration a summation of this magical yet troubling time.

There must be a marked difference between the voice of the message before the Loud Cry, and the voice of the message in the Loud Cry; otherwise it would not be called “loud.”

The message swells to a Loud Cry by virtue of an “addition” which gives it “power and force.”–Early Writings, p. 277. The only conclusion admissible, therefore, is that since the church has never accepted an additional message, and since there has never come one (other than that in The Shepherd’s Rod publications) that would give “power and force” to the old message, the Loud Cry could not have begun at any time previous to this.

Moreover, the “abominations” in the church have not only kept back the Loud Cry but have also even silenced the fainter cry which precedes it. Indeed, “the angel of the church of the Laodiceans,” being unfit even to finish the proclamation of the message in its fainter cry, must be altogether unfit to proclaim it in the Loud Cry. Obviously, if he does not now quickly repent and accept the additional message which is to begin the Loud Cry, then not only will he not help proclaim it but he will even be “spued out.”

“…only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One,” warns the Spirit of Prophecy, “will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it [the Third Angel’s Message] when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.”–The Review and Herald, No. 19, 1908.

So while the fainter cry is proclaimed by those who have, as well as by those who have not, overcome temptation, the Loud Cry is to be proclaimed only by those who have.

Though the Loud Cry was to have begun by 1892, it was muffled when the church rejected the message of Righteousness by Faith in 1888. Thus, the scroll which contained the “additional” message that was to give “power and force” to the Third Angel’s Message, for the time then being ceased unrolling. And consequently, instead of becoming the light of the world, the church herself went into darkness. Seeing this, the Spirit of Truth made a fearful pronouncement of doom upon unrepentant Laodiceans, while giving joyous promise of future glory to all who will arise and walk in the light that proceeds from the throne.

“How will any of our brethren know when this light shall come to the people of God?” was the sweeping question then asked by Inspiration. And the inspired answer was: “As yet we have certainly not seen the light that answers to this description. God has light for His people, and all who accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition.”– The Review and Herald, Oct. 7, 1890.

“In the manifestation of the power that lightens the earth with its glory, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose the work. Why, they say, should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?”–Bible Training School, 1907. (Reprinted in The Review and Herald, Nov. 7 1918.) This statement plainly projects the Loud Cry into the future from 1918.

“The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.”–Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 401. (Answerer, vol. 1, Q-10)

In describing the strength of the Lord’s army in the Loud Cry we read, “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..” (Jer. 51:20-21)

The time of the Loud Cry will be war indeed. Souls will be fought over, the servants of God versus the marshaled army of evil servants. The Lord will destroy His adversaries through His servants. Oh, what a time of trouble. Yet, if we are found to be among God’s elect we shall indeed sing unto the Lord.

“And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.” (Isaiah 12:4-5)

Let us continue to walk on the straight and narrow path so that soon when the time comes, we can stand up and be counted among those “jewels” the Lord has prepared for this most special work given to the whole world.

Posted in End times, Final Events, Loud Cry | 4 Comments »

When it Gets Too Much

May 24, 2014

As many within our church, are learning the great light of the Lord’s Elijah message, often there is a sober consequence to obeying it. Our eyes are made wide open and we start to view sin as the Lord views sin. No longer are we care-free and inattentive. What we behold does start to matter.

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

As shown above, those who are now dedicating themselves to the Lord’s work, walking daily in His Commandments, committed to helping souls within their reach in our church and across the land via today’s communications, “feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people.”

Recently a close sister of mine (in the faith) let me know that the numerous unholy acts and sites of the Sabbath service where she attends was becoming unbearable. She was indeed “sighing and crying” for the sins done in the midst. (Ezek. 9 and Testimonies, vol.3, p.267). Passionately she said, “I think I’ve had enough”. Meaning she was contemplating leaving the church because of the lack of honor due the Lord in the service and on the Sabbath by His “professed” people.

The site of ladies, many of them young, wearing short skirts, high heels, pendants, flashy ornaments of all kinds, commercial trucks pulling up to the church to transact worldly business on the Sabbath, excessive talking in the sanctuary, cell phones and smart phones being used in the sanctuary for business and worldly pleasure , money-raising goals discussed on the Sabbath from the pulpit, and the list goes on and on.

And then there’s the endless sermons of “baby’s milk”, meaning teaching old truths that are still truth but many times take the place of present truth.

“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those weaned from milk, and those drawn from the breast. “(Isaiah 28:9)

Yes, the mentioned dis-honoring of the Lord is often hard to take, and I am speaking as someone who also often shares her sadness , disappointment and disgust. Where once I was blissfully blind to the dis-honoring of the Lord within His sanctuary, now I am keenly aware of it all. But having said all this, we logically come to a very important question.

So we ask — Should we get out of the church, no longer attend a service that is so degraded and leaves us shaking our heads many times? The Lord’s word is beyond clear — NO WE SHOULD NOT.

“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! (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.267)

How many of us have heard of the great rescues at sea, or in a fierce battle of combat? The stories are legion where the hero could have abandoned ship or the field but instead decided to “tough it out” to save others. In like manner our church analogy is similar. We are on a great “rescue” mission in the battle. And so it makes no sense for us to up and walk off the battlefield ( and I do mean a real spiritual battlefield) in the midst of the war.

So my dear sister in the faith needs some answers. So what to do? Well we must always go to the Lord’s word and see what He instructs us to do through Inspiration. Our ideas, our solutions, come second to the Lord’s word.

As Elijah messengers of the Lord, we face distinct difficulties once we step forward and accept His final message and their instructions. Here are some points we wish to address.

1) As shown above, the first issue is the observation of much sin in the midst of our people (ie. church). Should we walk away from such people?

Once we become truly converted and learn to listen to Him , we see sin as He sees it. The numerous violations done each Sabbath is clear, as we learn the message and its specific descriptions of the sins done in the midst. But despite this we must stay with the church and do our duty as “‘sighers and criers”.

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

Can we effectively work within it if we abandon it?

2) Should we call our church –Babylon, and start our own church or group and meet independently each Sabbath?

Ellen Whites said-” The Lord has not given you a message to call the Seventh-day Adventists Babylon, and to call the people of God to come out of her. All the reasons you may present cannot have weight with me on this subject, because the Lord has given me decided light that is opposed to such a message. . ” (Selected Messages , vol. 2, p.63)

One of the well known SDA movements called the “SDA Reform Movement”, is solidly behind such error-filled beliefs.

“Assuredly we do believe that this is no time to be pulling apart, but indeed to be pressing together. And the message which we are bearing to the church, not only does not contain any doctrine or teaching which would warrant our leaving her ranks to become a separate cult, but does on the contrary absolutely forbid our doing so. For these reasons, we have from the beginning steadfastly refused, even in the face of abusive treatment, to leave the Mother church.” (The Answerer, vol. 2, Q-32)

We have already dealt with the issue of some calling the church –Babylon, please see this post — https://godsloveandlaw.com/2013/01/05/is-the-sda-church-babylon/

3) What is the point for us to stay in the church today, and what happens to us if we leave?

“Two of the chief reasons for not staying away from Sabbath School and church services are, (1) that we would be depriving ourselves of the privilege of public worship in the church we helped build, and (2) that by absenting ourselves from services, we would become strangers to our brethren and would have to become reacquainted with them if ever we were to give the message to them.

By continuing, though, to go to church, we are then, after the congregation is dismissed, afforded an opportunity to speak with the brethren in the interest of the message, urging them to investigate for themselves either by attending our studies or by reading the publications of Present Truth…

..So, if we voluntarily stay away from the church services, we lay ourselves open to the charge of being offshoots from the body, and at the same time forfeit the opportunity of coming in contact with the congregation.

Moreover, if in this wise we separate ourselves, then in the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. when those who have not the “mark” are taken away, we shall not have the same right to claim an inheritance in the Denomination.” (Answerer, vol. 4, Q- 90)

Whoa! That says a mouthful. Did you notice the dire consequences of us leaving the church? We “shall not have the same right to claim inheritance in the Denomination” when The Lord executes His church judgement.

The “escaped” ones (the 144,000) are given great power from the Lord and thus protected as they call the sinners out of Babylon. Not so with those who attempt to come back to God’s church.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17)

Another very important point to remember is that of our Lord’s example. He faithfully returned to Sabbath services each Sabbath despite being among those who wanted to kill Him! He fellow-shipped with the hypocrites, thieves, and those who publicly despised Him. But He returned.

In closing, we see that despite the hardships and struggles we inherit in stepping forward to embrace an unpopular message of truth that must go to our church, the Lord bids us –stay the course. The sealing of God’s people today is the one instructed by Ezekiel — “sigh and cry for all the abominations” in the church. We continue to pray and reach out whenever we can for those who are blind to His last message of hope, the one that they need.

Let us keep in mind the great instruction from Apostle Paul.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”(2 Tim 4:7)

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews, 10:24-25)

Posted in Christian faith, Church, Sighing and Crying, Witnessing | 5 Comments »

False Teachers in the Midst

May 17, 2014

Bohr

The Spirit of prophecy says, ” False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths. They are to be met and opposed, not because they are bad men, but because they are teachers of false hood and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the stamp of truth (Test. to Ministers, p.55)

Last week we concluded our two-part post on the Seven Seals of Revelation and the heavenly judgment of chapters 4 to 6. As I have mentioned many times, the posts we do here are guided by our walk with the Lord. Our path was led the last two weeks to look at the fore-mentioned studies because our own church was and is conducting a Revelation study.

During Sabbath service a couple of weeks ago, a church friend of mine came up and said, “What do you think of our Revelation studies?” I replied , “It’s a deep subject but I listening.” She then began to speak of the Revelation YouTube studies that a SDA pastor named Stephen Bohr has made. Her eyes glowed as she spoke very highly of him and told me to watch them if I could.

Later during the week I sent her part 1 of the Rev. posts we just made. She called me a few days later, again glowing, however this time it was about the post I sent her. She commented that the post and Mr. Bohr were very much alike in their teaching except the 24 Elders. So I decided to inquire about what his teachings were on the Elders.

Realizing that my friend knows very little about the “Elijah to come” that came to our church to restore all things (truth), I wanted to try to show her where the truth and the falsehood existed between the two teachers, Mr. Bohr and brother Houteff.

I was not to fail. The “Spirit of Truth” guided and I subsequently made a report for her, which I have adapted to share in this post.

Remember in our above quote from SOP where it said, “they are to be met and opposed”? Well that is what we are doing here, exposing one glaring false building block that Mr. Bohr attempts to build his castle of truth on. the Seals and judgment scene is very important for us to understand in these last hours of probation.

THE REPORT

Stephen Bohr goes into the Revelation Seals quite in-depth. However, we should always defer to the Scriptures on any “man’s” report, looking closely at them. For the Bible says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20).

If one is a writer, teacher, or instructor of Scripture they should always check with Inspiration first prior to writing about a subject , especially Revelation! We read in (rev. 22:18), “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:”

Inspiration said, ““New Light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness . . . The diligent seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forthfrom the Word of God . . . Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God. (CSW, p.35)

So we’ve read his report with our “eye’s open” to possibly finding “new light” nuggets of truth supporting inspiration, but instead we found a large gaping hole of falsehood.

I’m afraid Mr. Bohr has interjected “his” interpretation on this important subject. For example let’s look at the subject of the 24 “Elders” in Rev. 4:4. He comes to the conclusion that the 24 Elders around the throne, are not former human beings but rather “They are neither angelic nor human. They must be some other order of being.” If he attempts to teach us on this subject, he concludes he doesn’t know who they are, only who they are not (?).

In addressing an admitted potential problem with his interpretation, his written report says —

A Problem in Translation

Bohr –– “How, then, do we explain Revelation 5:8-10 where the 24 elders (in the KJV and NKJV) appear to be singing the song of their redemption from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation?” Let’s take a look at the passage as it appears in the King James Version:

Revelation 5:8-10–

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Doesn’t this passage explicitly state that the elders were redeemed from the earth, that they were made kings and priests and that they shall rule upon the earth? How then could they be representatives from other worlds?

Before I answer this question I would like to share a word about the King James Version. I personally believe that the KJV is an excellent translation. It is a reverent version which is written in beautiful Victorian English. Having said this however, some people revere the KJV so much that they practically give the impression that it was verbally dictated by God! Anyone attempting to amend or change anything in the King James Version is accused of being an agent of the Jesuits. But the KJV translation is by no means perfect. For example, the much maligned NIV is much more accurate than the KJV when it translates texts that deal with the state of the dead.

The simple fact is that the King James Version has mistranslated Revelation 5:9, 10 and every modern translation has corrected the error.” (The Twenty-Four Elders – Secrets Unsealed–Bohr)

The bold statement is made –”every modern translation has corrected the error.” Let us look at several of the top authoritative translations of the Bible, and many of which he obviously overlooked. We are specifically looking at verse 9.

New International Version

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

New Living Translation
And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

English Standard Version
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Wycliffe Version (oldest English version)

And they sung a new song, and said [saying], Lord our God, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals of it; for thou were slain, and again-boughtest us to God in thy blood, of each lineage [of all lineage], and tongue, and people, and nation;

New American Standard Bible
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

King James Bible
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.

International Standard Version
They sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered. With your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

NET Bible
They were singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Singing a new hymn of praise, and they were saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to loosen its seals, because you were slain and you have redeemed us by your blood to God from every tribe, nation and people,”

GOD’S WORD® Translation

Then they sang a new song, “You deserve to take the scroll and open the seals on it, because you were slaughtered. You bought people with your blood to be God’s own. They are from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

Jubilee Bible 2000

And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation

King James 2000 Bible
And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation;

American King James Version
And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

American Standard Version
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Darby Bible Translation
And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

English Revised Version
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

Webster’s Bible Translation
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals of it: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and language, and people, and nation;

Weymouth New Testament
And now they sing a new song. “It is fitting,” they say, “that Thou shouldst be the One to take the book And break its seals; Because Thou hast been offered in sacrifice, And hast purchased for God with Thine own blood Some out of every tribe and language and people and nation,

World English Bible

They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,

Young’s Literal Translation and they sing a new song, saying, ‘Worthy art thou to take the scroll, and to open the seals of it, because thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

e-Sword And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and open the seals thereof: for thou was slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation;

What we see from 22 translations is that 11 of them agree with the original King James version of verse 9. In other words, they concur that the word indicates “us” in that verse. That would obviously mean that the Elders were “redeemed” and could not be angels or other beings apart from human beings who once lived upon the earth.

So we see a serious error that Stephen Bohr makes – “every modern translation has corrected the error.” Error according to who Mr. Bohr?

Let us look at the original Hebrew words ourselves. We can “study to show ourselves approved” by going to the original language.

A God sent site called “e-Sword” is a must for those who wish to be serious students of Scripture. It’s a free download and I have personally found it invaluable in researching Scripture.

Here is the e-Sword translation with the Hebrew translation code numbers:

Rev 5:9 And^G2532 they sung^G103 a new^G2537 song,^G5603 saying,^G3004 Thou art^G1488 worthy^G514 to take^G2983 the^G3588 book,^G975 and^G2532 to open^G455 the^G3588 seals^G4973 thereof:^G848 for^G3754 thou wast slain,^G4969 and^G2532 hast redeemed^G59 us^G2248 to God^G2316 by^G1722 thy^G4675 blood^G129 out of^G1537 every^G3956 kindred,^G5443 and^G2532 tongue,^G1100 and^G2532 people,^G2992 and^G2532 nation;^G1484

The specific part of verse nine in Hebrew says– “ Hoti (because or for) Sphazo (killed or slaughtered) Kai (and) Agorazo (redeemed or purchased) Hemas (us or we) Theos (Diety or God) En (by or in) Sou (thy or thee) Aima “(blood)…

Note carefully the word “Hemas”. This word is very important to note because apparently some translations make that out to be one of the following –“men, persons, people, some”.

What we have now learned, it escapes us how these ‘translators” can depart from the clear and correct King James translation. No wonder that this version is still the “gold standard” of translations. Ellen White almost exclusively used it. Victor Houteff did the same.

We know that in order to be redeemed one must obviously have been human at some point. For angels cannot be redeemed. Those in heaven have not “fallen”.

In order to support Mr. Bohr’s idea of the 24 Elders being something other than former human beings, he has to join up with the translations that say that the word Hemas means something other than “us” or “we”.

In the widely popular and well researched site “ blueletterbible.org” we found research on the word Hemas and it’s use in other places within the KJV Bible.

Lexicon :: Strong’s G2248 –hēmas

ἡμᾶς

Transliteration hēmas	Pronunciation hā-mä’s (Key)
Part of Speech pronoun	Root Word (Etymology) Accusative case plural of ἐγώ (G1473)
Outline of Biblical Usage us, we, our etc.
KJV Translation Count — Total: 178x The KJV translates Strongs G2248 in the following manner: us(148x),we(25x),our(2x),us-ward(withG1519)(2x),not tr(1x).

Notice that Hemas is used as “us” 148 times in other Scripture within the Bible. It would be interesting to know about the other 147 times Hemas is used in Bible. How do the other translations translate the word ?

We clearly see that Mr. Bohr has taken liberty to put his ideas and therefore his agenda into Revelation 5:9. This is just one area that is exposed from his report on the Revelation Seals. As time allows we may delve more into his report to look at other aspects. We are bringing this to your attention because in these last days, we must be careful of the teachers who depart from the truth and thus may lead us down “false paths”.

Scripture (Rev. 4 through 6) addresses the very important subject of the judgment scene in heaven of God’s people, can we carelessly follow man’s fables in interpreting such an event?

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1)

“A judgment in session requires a judge, an advocate,a jury, and representatives of those who are to be judged, for they cannot be there (in heaven) in person. There must be books containing the names, and the records of the deeds, of those who are judged; also the time of judgment, and the reward… The following verse depicts the jury: “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats:and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of Gold. (Rev.4:4). The crowns of gold denotes their kingly authority to act upon the case. The white robes show that they are men from earth, redeemed by the blood of Christ.” (SRod, vol. 2, p.194-195)

There is clear evidence that the judgment scene is a “court room” scene. And as such, common and clear reason says that a defendant is heard by a “jury of his peers”. Now tell me, why would this court room have beings of some “other order” as our jury?? This is what Stephen Bohr wants us to believe!

The final conclusion –The 24 Elders are some of those who were raised with Christ.

When one knows the true from the false, we can discern much clearer any deception that attempts to come in. We know that in the real world, there are professional detectors of false money, such as one hundred-dollar bills and it’s their job to spot the counterfeit. But they only know the counterfeit from the original because they are well familiar with the original.

There has, thank God, been an “Elijah message” sent to our church to “restore all things”. Meaning all truth would be restored. The “original” is now within our reach. We sincerely hope you study the prior posts on the interpretation of the Revelation Seals and other prophecies. Once you have done this very closely, you may be like us and say is Hallelujah, let HIS truth shine!

One final note. I personally happen to like Stephen Bohr , just as I like Doug Batchelor. But to be a “lead teacher” in our midst, they must know that the Lord had a “restorer” of truth sent to us. Are these men brushing aside a heaven-sent prophet to straighten our paths and brace ourselves for the “great and dreadful day of the Lord”? Or are they doing as Korah and his gang did, proclaiming to God’s messenger (Moses), that they are equal and can lead the people instead of God’s chosen one?

Once you learn the Elijah message as brought by the prophet who Ellen White said would come after her, you learn truths that just dazzle the soul! We are made to want to know the truth as God gives us and our radar will dial in these truths if we open our mind and hearts to studying these things out. As mentioned , once we see clearly the truth in prophecies, we can be better in detecting any falsehood that may try to side track us.

May we prayerfully ask our Lord to send His gift of the “Spirit of Truth” that we may be guided into all truth.

Posted in Proper teachings, Revelation teachings | 14 Comments »

The Revelation Seals (Part 2 of 2)

May 10, 2014

The Opening Of The Book– The Seven Seals

When do the Seals begin? –With Adam. The Seven Seals begin with those who first lived upon the earth, and closes with the living. Therefore, it covers the entire world’s history. See (GC P.483, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 9,p 7)

The Book of Seven Seals is the same as the book of life. Therefore, the unveiling of the seals must be the revelation of the lives of all those who ever entered the service of God. The first person would have to be Adam. (GC 483). It cannot then start in the New Testament period as it is generally taught.

The setting of the Seven Seals is in the context of the Judgment, and the investigative judgment includes all of the world’s history not just the New Testament.

What is the meaning of the:

Colors: (White, Red, Black, Pale) A progression of worsening conditions as explained further.

Implements: Similarly, the symbols of the crown, sword, balances and death indicate that by men‘s deeds, the earth has gone from good to bad to worse.

Horses: Something created by God but ruled (driven) by man. It symbolizes the earth given by God to man to rule.

First Seal

White Horse — The earth in a pure, sinless state (PP, p.47)

Rider — Adam (Gen. 1:26, 28)

Crown — Kingly authority (Gen. 1:26)

Bow — The instrument with which Adam was to conquer and people the earth. It represents Eve. In harmony with the symbolism, children are compared to arrows. (Ps. 127:4, Gen. 3:20.)

Conquering and to conquer — Man was to inhabit the earth-fill it with people, conquer it symbolically speaking. (Gen. 1:26,28)

The first seal reveals those who first lived upon the earth– particularly Adam and Eve who were commanded to reproduce and thereby conquer it, subdue it. These were the first ones to be judged in 1844 when Jesus our High Priest took the Book of Life (book of seven seals) and began the investigative Judgment for the dead.

Second Seal

This Second seal period denotes the period in which murder and war broke out among the nations.

RED is a symbol of curse, bloodshed. Abel was the first victim. This condition climaxed just after the flood and the Babel disaster with its confusion of languages.

To “take peace from the earth” (verse 4), implies that there was PEACE BEFORE THE TIME OF THE RED HORSE. This again proves that the first seal must have begun with Adam when the earth was pure and at peace. There was no peace on earth at the time of the New Testament era–the time generally taught to be the beginning of the seven seals. The second seal reveals the lives of those who lived particularly during the time just after the flood. Remember, the seals overlap. So, after Adam and Eve, the world gradually became “red” –curse, wars, and murders until it peaked with the birth of the nations at the Tower of Babel.

Third Seal

Black Horse — Spiritual darkness-idolatry. This is the time when the knowledge of God was almost obliterated. In fact, we have record of only Abraham and Lot who served God.

Balances — Trading, commercialism led by the Phoenicians. Tyre and Sidon, were the chief centers of commerce (ISA. 23:8.) The Phoenicians were known as the “busy bees of the ancient world.” (See ancient history Encyclopedia –Phoenicians)

One measure of Wheat for a penny and three measures of Barely-

SEE MATT. 20: 8-16 and the study of the 11th hour.(Separate study)

All workers received a penny (symbolic of eternal life).

The last workers worked for only one parabolic hour, however, all other workers worked for three parabolic hours. The first workers complained that they should have received more. The 11th hour workers received their penny first even though they were hired last.

Penny — Eternal Life-Salvation (Only human beings receive salvation as a reward for labor here on earth)

Wheat — 144,000 & GREAT MULTITUDE (GM) –who were hired last. (For the study on the 11th hour workers, please request to email on this blog)

Barley — JEWS –who were hired first.

One measure — The ONE HOUR (Matt. 20:6,12) –the length of time the 11th hour workers labored.

Three measures — The THREE HOURS (Matt. 20: 1-3) –symbolizing the work of the Jews.

The Reward was given to the 11th hour workers FIRST, showing that the 144,000 will receive (penny) eternal life or SALVATION BEFORE THE ancient JEWS and the other laborers. Thus, the voice (God) said, “ONE measure of WHEAT [first] for a penny and Three measures of BARLEY [last].” Jesus said, the “last shall be first and the first last.” Matt. 20:16

Do Not Hurt the Oil and the Wine — Instructions not to interfere with the Holy Scriptures which was then being written by Moses (GC, preface V)

Oil and the Wine — Oil and Wine are symbols of spiritual food-Jesus said that His words are “Spirit and Life” (John 6:63. See also Ps. 45:7; Zech. 4:12.)

It is during the time of the black horse (third seal) that God called Israel, the time when Moses began to write the Bible. Thus it was appropriate for God to announce protection for the Scriptures. The third seal reveals the time when mankind well nigh lost the Knowledge of God, the time God called Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel–the time men introduced commerce, the time the Bible was introduced.

Fourth Seal

Pale horse — Non-descript color. Same period as the non-descript beast of Dan. 7:7,8 – the period of the ancient Roman government. The color denotes a mixture of paganism and Christianity.

Rider (death) — Persecution. Rome killed thousands and thousands of people, especially Christians.

Fourth part of the earth — Rome was allowed to persecute the Christians for a fourth part of earth’s time. After which its power was to wane.

The earth is said to be 6,000 yrs old. To get a fourth part you must Divide four into 6,000 (6,000/4=1500). Beginning from the crucifixion (31 AD) add 1500, which will bring you to 1530 AD – the date of the Augsburg Confession-the separation of Lutherans from Catholicism, the beginning of “Protestant” movement.

Fifth Seal

Souls under the Altar — Souls slain for the word of God, already dead at the time of the opening of the fifth seal. These were martyrs from the preceding period (4th seal). Their untimely deaths demanded justice.

Altar — An altar signifies a renewal of faith, worship-a reformation. Even in our churches, we use the expression an “Altar Call” “come down to the altar”, etc. Therefore, the altar must symbolize the PROTESTANT REFORMATION which began the downfall of Rome, the beginning of a spiritual renewal and revival.

How Long — The answer that they should “rest for a little season, until their fellow servants and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled”. It is evidence that the persecution and martyrdom of the 4th seal were to overlap the fifth seal and the judgment was not to begin until after the persecution had ceased completely. That is, although the reformation brought the decline of Rome (the papacy), some of God’s people were still to be martyred for their faith up to the complete fall of the papacy. Then the Judgment of the dead would begin.

White Robes — Accounted worthy of eternity.

Sixth Seal

Earthquake — Lisbon: Nov. 1, 1755 (GC p.304)

Sun, Moon — May 19, 20, 1780 (GC p.306)

Falling Stars — Nov. 13,1833 (GC p.333)

(Rev. 6:14-17) — It is normally taught that these verses apply to the second coming of Christ. However, the following will prove that in fact it applies primarily to the purification of the church–the Ezekiel 9 church judgment.

Reasons why Rev. 6:14-17 cannot primarily apply to The Second Coming of Jesus–

a. THE JUDGMENT IS STILL IN PROGRESS. All seven seals must be opened and reviewed before Jesus can leave the sanctuary judgment. There are still more names to be judged.

b. JESUS IS STILL A BLEEDING LAMB (verse 6,16). That indicates that probation is still open.

c. THIS IS THE WRATH OF THE LAMB, not the wrath of God. This shows again that probation is still open. The wrath of God is the seven last plagues and the 2nd advent. (See Rev. 15:7; 16:1,18-21).

d. INSPIRATION APPLIES THESE VERSES TO THE CHURCH. (Vol. 9, Testimonies, p.267-268.)

e. VERSE 17 IS THE SAME AS MALACHI 3:1-3, AND THIS PASSAGE APPLIES TO THE PURIFICATION OF THE CHURCH IN THE TIME OF THE JUDGMENT.

Note: In Malachi chapter 3, the word’s “will suddenly come to His temple” and subsequent words describes a purification of His people. The words “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when he appears?” (Verse 2) are declared in context further in chapter, as indicative of some being “spared” and “the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the Lord as in the days of old as in former years”. (verse 4).

Chapter six ends with the question “who will be able to stand?” The answer is found in Rev. 7 – the 144,000 and the Great Multitude.

Also See (Isa. 2:19-21) – this shows that wicked in the church will also “go into the holes of the rocks and into the caves of the earth.”

These holes of the rocks and caves of the earth may be symbolic, maybe indicating a refuge of sorts such as locked away in the houses or other dwellings. As we will learn later the time of the church purification shall take approximately 7 days and there most likely will be those in the church that are spared for a few days to witness what their fighting against His truth has sadly rewarded them. Hence the “fall on us to protect us” attitude. The witnessing of the unpopular and scorned truth of the church Ezekiel 9 judgment has now been done, and now they know they have made an eternal and fatal error in not believing the Lord’s unliked and un-appreciated trumpet blowers.

Additionally, these words cannot describe the day of the Lord coming in the clouds because notice in context after describing these troubles it says, “And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning.”(Isaiah 4:3-4)

Thus the sixth seal will close not with the second coming of Christ, but with the Ezekiel 9 church judgment. THE BEGINNING JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING (JOL) ON EARTH. (See 1 Peter 4:17, Testimonies, Vol. 5, p.211, Vol. 3, p.266)

Seventh Seal

This seal is also generally taught to be the second coming. However, the following will prove that this is the opening of the judgment of the living in Heaven. The SIXTH SEAL CLOSES WITH THE JOL ON EARTH, but the SEVENTH SEAL OPENS WITH THE JOL IN HEAVEN, which is after the church judgment of Ezekiel Nine and continues during the loud cry to the final close of probation.

The JOD involves only cleansing the books in Heaven since those on trial are not alive. However, the JOL involves two parts-the cleansing of the books in Heaven and the cleansing of the church on earth. Please keep these two distinct parts in mind.

Is The Half Hour Of Silence The 2nd Advent Of Christ?

a. THE JUDGMENT IS STILL IN PROGRESS since Jesus is still in the Sanctuary opening the seventh seal which means that he is still investigating the names of those during this period.

b. CHRIST IS STILL A BLEEDING LAMB.

c. A HALF HOUR OF SILENCE IMPLIES THAT AFTER THE HALF HOUR WHATEVER WAS GOING ON BEFORE MUST CONTINUE –The Judgment continues. Therefore the half an hour divides the judgment into two sections, the JOD and the JOL.

d. THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS ARE OFFERED UP BEFORE GOD. This indicates that probation is still open since you cannot offer prayers after Jesus 2nd advent because there will be no need.

e. THE ANGEL CAST DOWN FIRE TO THE EARTH. Fire is a symbol of THE HOLY SPIRIT. ( See Acts 2:1-4). No one will need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit after the second coming of Christ.

f. THE VOICES, THUNDERINGS, LIGHTINGS, RETURN, SHOWING THAT THE JUDGMENT STARTED AGAIN

Compare with Rev. 4:5. The voices must represent the speaking of the beasts, elders, angels, etc. When God speaks it is like thunderings and lightnings. The voices clearly indicate that judgment continues AFTER THE HALF HOUR OF SILENCE.

What Happens During The Half Hour Of Silence? The Purification of the Church.

The silence reveals that the Judgment must have ceased for a time. The only event which would cause silence during the judgment is the purification of the church. Ezek. 9 is the only time that Jesus will interrupt His mediatorial work. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 690)

How long is the half-hour silence — About 7 days–1 week

[Using PROPHETIC TIME (A day=a year)]

a. One day=24 hours

b. One year=360 days

c. 360/24=15

d. 15=1 hour

e. 15/2=1/2 hour

=7.5 days (about a week).

Summary

The study of the seven seals reveal that God’s professed people have been on trial since 1844. This court case is the greatest and most important in the history of earth and the Universe. Each individual and generation is investigated with terrible exactness. It especially, and more importantly, reveals that the Judgment in the SDA Church will mark the opening of the Judgment for the living. Thus we see, that soon we will have to stand before the never erring Judge and give an account for our deeds not physically, but our records will testify to whether we are worthy through the merits of Christ to be sealed, allowing the slaughtering angels to pass by and have our names retained on the Book of Life. Thus, we determine our own destiny by either holding on to our sins or repenting of them.

” One of the proofs that the seals include the entire world’s history is in the fact that the book with the seven seals is “The book of life,” which contains the record of God’s professed people, and also in the fact that it was to be opened in the day of judgment. Hence, it proves that in 1844, when the judgment began, Christ opened the book before the throng that surrounded the throne, and this being the Lamb’s book of Life (which no one but the Lamb could open), containing the record of the people from Adam’s time and on, it is obvious that the seven seals, which were broken at the beginning of the judgment, contain the entire history of the human race, divided into seven periods, which sealed the book up to the day of judgment.” (Vol. 2 Symbolic Code No. 7, 8 pg. 9)

Summary of Commencement and Termination of Seals

The first seal covers the entire period from Adam to the flood; the second, from the flood to Abraham; the third, from Abraham to Christ; the fourth, from Christ to 1500 A.D; the fifth, from 1500 A.D. to 1755 A.D.; the sixth, from 1755 A.D. to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9; the seventh, to the close of probation.

We wish to thank the Mt. Dale organization for the majority of this study outline of the Seals. The interpretation of these truths came from Victor Houteff. My own comments were in green.

Posted in Revelation teachings | 4 Comments »

The Revelation Seals (Part 1 of 2)

May 3, 2014

(Click to enlarge)

Perhaps one of the most exciting and deep subjects in all the Bible is the Seven Seals of chapter 6 of Revelation. But God has been faithful and it’s now time to know what exactly they mean and the symbolism of it all.

Daniel was stumped and bewildered and inquired, “Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “go your way Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Dan.12:8-9)

Here we see that end time visions were given to Daniel that could only be understood at “the time of the end”. In other words the revealing of chapter 11 and 12 was to be understood when the Lord unsealed its knowledge.

As we shall soon show, both Daniel and Revelation saw the very important judgment occurring in heaven. Now(today) is the time that we do indeed understand these things. This is part of the “restoring of all things” (truth for us today) as come through His Elijah prophet.

Let us now look at this subject.

To begin with we must look at the two preceding chapters 4 and 5. Let’s point out specific important points therein.

A Door was opened (Rev. 4: 1)

One Sitting on the Throne (Rev. 4: 2)

A Rainbow Around The Throne (Rev. 4: 3)

24 Elders (Rev 4: 4)

Seven Lamps (Rev. 4: 5)

Sea of Glass (Rev 4:6)

Four Beasts (with four faces, six wings, and full of eyes) (Rev 4: 6-8)

The Lamb (with seven eyes and horns) (Rev. 5:6)

Thousands of Angels (Rev 5: 11,12)

The Book (Rev. 5:1)

What is all this describing? As the verse says, ” a door was opened”. The only place where this door could be, is the door to the most holy place– The Heavenly Sanctuary. (See Early Writings, p.42 and Great Controversy, p.429-430)

And further proof comes from the fact that “Seven lamps of fire burning before the throne” shows the candlestick, a sanctuary fixture. So once we know “where” this scene takes place we can then ask “when” it takes place.

Since John was told of things to come “hereafter”, the only judgment known to us as SDA is–the investigative heavenly judgment beginning in 1844. So we are now in the great court where all those who “professed” Christ are to be judged. What a spectacle! So john beheld in vision the 1844 court being opened.

Let us now look at the striking similarities of Daniel’s vision and John’s vision.

Daniel’s vision (chapter 7) John’s vision (Rev.)

a. “Thrones were cast down” (Dan 7:9)

a. “And I saw thrones” (Rev.20:4)

b.”The Ancient of Days did sit”(Dan.7: 9)

b. “And One sat on the throne” (Rev.4:2)

c.”And a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him”(Dan 7:10)

c. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire” Rev. 15:2.

d. “One like the Son of man came…to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.” (Dan 7:13)

d. “In the midst of the throne and of the four beasts…stood the Lamb.” (Rev. 5:6)

e. “The books were opened.” (Dan 7:10)

e. “And the books were opened.” (Rev. 20:12)

f. “Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.” (Dan 7:10)

f. “I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne…and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” (Rev.5:11)

g. “The judgment was set, and the books were opened.” (Dan 7:10).

g. “And I saw the dead small and great stand Before God; and the books were opened…and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books…” (Rev. 20:12)

As we can see they both saw the judgment scene, however the difference being that Daniel saw the judgment being set up while John saw it in full session. As his visions were the “revelations” it only makes sense that John be revealed more.

John describes the judgment in three parts, one before the “half-hour silence (Rev. 8:1), one after it, and a third one during the thousand years (Rev.20:11,12). We’ll go into this more in part 2.

Concerning the judgment we know there will be three phases:

First phase: The investigative judgment of the dead (GC p. 390, EW p.280)

Second phase: The investigative judgment of the living (same quotes above)

Third phase: The judgment of the wicked–sentencing (GC p. 480, EW p.52, 53)

The first two phases are during probationary time while Jesus is still the “bleeding Lamb”. It involves ONLY those who have entered the service of God (See GC p.380,381 Christ’s Object Lessons , p.310) And we as SDA well know the third phase takes place during the 1000 years.

But as we go further we’ll notice that the Seven Seals deal primarily with the investigative judgment.

Let us now focus on the symbols and their meaning

Door — The door to the Most Holy Place. (EW p. 42)

The One who sat — The JUDGE-God the Father

Rainbow — God’s faithfulness to His promises. (Gen. 9:12-15, COL. 148, ED. 178, DA. 834)

24 Elders — JURY. They are from among those who ascended with Christ. (Matt. 27: 51-53; DA 785, 786; EW 184.)

7 Lamps of Fire (Candlestick) — Completeness of truth—the church throughout all ages.

Seven spirits (Rev. 4:5) — Seven is complete—this shows that the Holy Spirit has been guiding the church from the very beginning by revealing light and truth.

Sea of Glass — Sea denotes expansive—endlessness. Clear as crystal denotes perfection. Together it represents eternal perfection—life eternal.

Four Beasts — The saints—The DEFENDANTS—those to be judged.(Rev. 5: 8,9)—only human beings have been redeemed. Note that the saints are not physically there yet represented there as beasts. (EW 54, 92)—like the beasts of Daniel and Revelation symbolizes nations.

The individual beasts as represent as-

Lion — First period of the church before the ceremonial system.—Adam to Moses.

Calf — Period of the ceremonial system (Moses to Cross).

Man’s head — Cross to harvest period —144,000 & Great Multitude.

Eagle — Period when the church is to be translated (144,000 & Great Multitude).

Full of eyes — Eyes give light to the body, it provides sight. Thus it shows that God’s people had sufficient light in every age.

Eyes before and — Prophetic light-past, present and future.

behind Six Wings — Wings represent periods of time. Thus the six wings represent the sixth period of the judgment when the judgment begins.

Lamb — Jesus—ADVOCATE—LAWYER—as a priest—a lamb bleeding, “as it had been slain.

Seven horns—Seven eyes —Seven spirits of God– These symbols indicates that Jesus has complete power. (Matt. 28:18) Complete vision-knowledge ( Ps. 139:12 God’s Spirit at work in all ages. John 14:26.)

Many Angels — The WITNESSES-Angels record and testify to all events. (GC 482,483.)

The Book — The BOOK OF LIFE—the book that decides every man’s destiny.( Rev. 13:8, 20:12, 21:27, 22:19; EX 32:33; COL 294; GC 483. )The Book of Life is the only book that is specifically claimed for Christ. Christ alone opens the Book with seven seals. Thus they must be one and the same.

Next week we’ll look at the individual seals in chapter 6., stay tuned as it’s quite enlightening. For instance, what is the meaning of the different colored horses? What is the meaning of “take peace from the earth”? What is the meaning of the “1/2 silence in heaven”? What time span does each seal represent?

Stay tuned as it’s quite enlightening.

Posted in Heaven, Revelation teachings | 2 Comments »

A Stephen-Sermon to the Church Today (part 2 of 2)

April 26, 2014

So long as Satan can successfully carry on this subversive work of flooding the church, he will never move a finger to persecute any for joining her, lest thereby he thwart his own evil design to honeycomb her ranks with his agents–the flood, the tares. To insure the success of this insidious work, he casts out those who dare live a consistent Christian life there among the tares, while he is going about with his extinguisher turned on, trying to put out every lifespark of light.

Finally, though, as prophecy discloses, the tables are turned, and the long controversy ends with the Lord’s casting out and destroying (Rev. 12:16) Satan’s agents, the “flood” (the tares, the bad fish), and then lighting the earth with the glory of His angel (Rev. 18:1)!

Here we see that the approaching work of making rid of the flood, thereby freeing the church from the unconverted, is the work of “the harvest” in “the end of the world.” Matt. 13:39. Next we must ascertain whether the “end of the world” brings the millennial age of peace or the great time of trouble such as never was. To determine which, we must consult subsequent events.

Since it is after the earth swallows the flood, that the dragon is to be wroth with the woman and to go “to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:16, 17), there is no escaping the conclusion that the harvest, in taking away from the church Satan’s flood, his multiplied tares, does not bring the millennium of peace. Indeed not, but rather it brings God’s wrath–the time of trouble such as never was: the time in which His people in Babylon are called to “come out of her” and into His purified church–the Kingdom.

The harvest, therefore, is a short period of time just before, rather than the moment at, the appearing of Christ in the clouds. It is the very last days of probation for earth’s kingdoms,– the days and work which bring the end of the world.

The fact that there is a remnant (that which is left) of the seed of the woman, shows that her seed is divided into two parts, and that consequently the symbolism represents three groups of people: (1) the woman; (2) the first part of her seed–those who in this instance are not the remnant; (3) the second part of her seed–those who are the remnant.

In the light of this symbolical representation, the woman, herself, is seen to symbolize the mother part of the church–God’s appointed and Spirit-filled ministers who bring in the bornagain (John 3:3) converts. The first part of her seed must, accordingly, be the first fruits, the 144,000, who, separated from the sinners that were among them, are taken to Mount Sion, there to stand with the Lamb (Rev. 14:1).

Hence, “the remnant of her seed” are in this instance those who are yet in the world when Babylon rides the beast (Rev. 17). Thus they are the second and last fruits which are to be taken to the purified church, the Kingdom, where there is neither sin nor fear of Babylon’s plagues falling upon them (Rev. 18:4).

And now, since in her progression of time, the woman represents each successive ministry, therefore at the time that the dragon is wroth with her, she necessarily must represent the last ordained ministry, the 144,000, those who bring all their brethren from all nations to God’s “holy mountain Jerusalem.” Isa. 66:20.

With this light shining on the subject, the truth is clearly seen that after the earth swallows the flood, after the angels separate the wicked (“the tares,” the “bad” “fish”) from the righteous (the “wheat,” the “good” “fish”) in the church, and take the righteous to Mount Sion (“the barn,” “the vessels” Matt. 13:30, 48), the dragon will then be angry with the woman (the servants of God), and as a result will war against the remnant (the second fruits, those who are then to be called out of Babylon–Rev. 18:4).

“In the last days,” says Micah in his forecast of the time in which the first fruits stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, and in which the second fruits leave Babylon to go to Mount Zion, “it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

“And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

“And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” Mic. 4:1-4.

Conclusively, therefore, the Kingdom-church must be “set up” before the Devil turns upon the remnant, those who are left behind and who are then being gathered, and against whom he wars for refusing to worship him in the person of the beast and his image (Rev. 13:15).

In this cumulative light, one sees never so clearly that though the Lord is to allow persecution to come anew upon His people in Babylon, He will do so only to serve His own end to cause them to get out of her dominion (as He caused His ancient people to get out of Egypt), and to go into the Kingdom-church–the only place on earth where there will be no sin and upon which the destruction of the plagues will not fall. (See Revelation 18:4).

“Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee,” O Lord, and “the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain.” Ps. 76:10.

The separation of the wicked from among the righteous while sojourning in the wilderness in Moses’ time, before entering the land of promise, was effected not only for the benefit of the church then (typical Israel) but also for an ensample to the church today (antitypical Israel), typically pointing to the forthcoming separation of the bad from among the good (Matt. 13:48), before the good are taken into the Kingdom, their own land, “the barn.” Matt. 13:30. “All these things,” therefore says Paul, “happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11.

Through the forewarning, herein, of this imminent providence, the Lord is again pleading with each Present-truth believer:

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

“The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on Mine altar, and I will glorify the house of My glory.

“Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because He hath glorified thee. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in My wrath I smote thee, but in My favour have I had mercy on thee.

“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. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” Isa. 60:1-12.

So, dear brethren of Laodicean, plain it is that “while the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.”– The Great Controversy, p. 425.

Then, “clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. ‘Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,’ she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.”–Prophets and Kings, p. 725. At that time “only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it [the Third Angel’s Message] when it shall have swelled into the loud cry.”–The Reviev and Herald, No. 19, 1908.

As a flaming torch in the blackness of night, stands forth the truth that the time of trouble such as never was, finds the church free from the flood of tares, free from the “bad fish,” and consequently able not only to withstand the Devil but also to go forth conquering and to conquer in the mighty power of Michael, Whose standing up delivers “every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1.

From this rehearsal of the long history of God’s people, we see that Abraham is the only one with whom God was not compelled, in order to get the desired results, to resort to means other than the simple command: “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” Gen. 12:1.

Abraham’s unquestioning and unfailing faith and his unhesitating obedience to the Lord’s naked command in every instance, made him a “friend of God,” the “father of the faithful,” and a great pillar of living truth, with a name to be remembered and venerated throughout time and eternity.

Jacob’s faith in the promises of God, and his overmastering desire to work himself into the Lord’s plans and to carry them out, resulted in his becoming the progenitor of the first fruits or ministry of the Kingdom-church–those who stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion (Rev. 14:1).

Joseph’s uncompromising fidelity to principle brought him into highest estate, in which he became the world’s greatest provisioner as a type of Christ, the Great Spiritual Provisioner.

Moses, in his meekness (humbleness) and in his determination “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25), rose to be the greatest general, leader, and deliverer of all times, and even to stand on the mount of transfiguration.

The apostles’ sacrifice of life for the sake of Christ and His Truth, won them the exalted honor of having their names placed in the foundations of the Holy City (Rev. 21:14).

Luther’s fearless and persevering efforts to lift up the down-trodden Truth (Dan. 8:11, 12; 11:31), fathered forth Protestantism.

Yet, Brother, Sister, none of these singularly glorious estates is greater than is yours to stand with the Lamb on Mount Sion. We beseech you, therefore, to “arise, shine; for thy light is come”! Isa. 60:1.

Now that on the one hand the Lord is pleading that you take hold of His mighty light of Truth and thereby be separated from sin, that you may escape His vengeance, be delivered from the coming trouble, and have a part in proclaiming the Loud Cry of the Three Angels’ Messages; and that on the other hand Satan is pleading that you take hold of his all-exhausted extinguisher; you are brought to the valley of decision.

Now has come the Zero hour to decide whether or not you will, if the Lord be God, follow His mighty Truth, or if Baal be God, follow his mighty men.

“Behold,” says the Saviour, “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20.

Will you not, then, do as did these faithful men of old, and be God s great men today! O let nothing, Brother, Sister, longer compromise and neutralize your efforts to obtain the promise now–the unmatched privilege of being Zion’s priests and kings!

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…” Rev. 3:22.

(V.T. Houteff, Answerer Book 2, page 13- 21)

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A Stephen-Sermon to the Church Today (part 1 of 2)

April 19, 2014

“Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, and said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.” Acts 7:2, 3. “So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him” (Gen. 12:4), and went at His lead into Canaan, wherein he dwelt, though the Lord “gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet He promised that He world give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.” Acts 7:5.

Then in time, the Lord purposed to lead Jacob and his household out of the land of Canaan, down into Egypt. Knowing, though, that the sons of Jacob would not go as did Abraham, by His simply telling them to, He therefore in His providence put into the heart of Jacob a greater love for Joseph than for his other children. This begot in them envy and jealousy, which in turn begot hatred and greed, manifesting itself in their cruel treatment and sale of Joseph, which resulted in his being carried away a slave into Egypt.

Years later when Joseph’s brothers went into Egypt to obtain food during the seven-year famine, Joseph, recognizing Providential design in the strange drama of his life from enslavement to enthronement, said unto his brothers as he “made himself known” unto them: “Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life…and…to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Gen. 45:1, 5, 7.

Thus the Lord providentially exalted Joseph to share the throne of Egypt in order to predispose Pharaoh to grant Israel permission to enter into the land.

Next, to draw them there, He brought thereabouts the seven years of plenty, followed by the seven years of famine. Whereupon He sent word to Jacob that Joseph was yet alive. At the overjoying news, there sprang up in the father an irresistible desire to see his son. This and the lifetaking hunger upon Joseph’s brethren, compelled them to remove into Pharaoh’s land of plenty, where they lived like kings.

Not purposing, however, to leave them there forever, the Lord did not let their living continue as pleasant as at the first, lest they refuse to take heed to Moses when he should come with the word that the time had arrived for them to go back home. But He brought about another saving providence, this time permitting unbearable hardship to befall them, so that when called they would respond gladly. So slaves they had to become: and still worse, they had to be bereaved of their male children, then mercilessly driven with cruel lashes upon their backs to produce ever more bricks.

Thus the power of the Spirit combined. horrible suffering from their hard Egyptian servitude, was an over-powering force compelling them to forsake the heathen land and to return to their own.

Then, on their way back they met with another providence–their long wilderness sojourn, forty years in all–which God permitted for the express purpose of separating from them the unbelieving, unfaithful multitude who accompanied the Movement out of Egypt.

These being destroyed, the survivors miraculously crossed the Jordan, just as they had forty years before crossed the Red Sea. There removing from their midst the one sinner, Achan, who then sprang up among them, they entered into the promised land and became the most glorious kingdom in their day. Slaves become kings–what a miracle indeed!

Naturally one would think that a people whom God had so miraculously freed from slavery, and of whom He had subsequently just as miraculously made a kingdom, would never fall now that they were strong. But losing sight of their Strength they again fell away into captivity! In weakness as slaves to Pharaoh, God had brought them to strength over their Egyptian masters; now in their strength as masters, themselves, He brought them down to servitude to the nations about them! Twice a miracle.

Here is proof positive that the Lord built them up, and also tore them down (2 Chron. 36:13,23), “that they” might, as He says, “know from the rising of the sun. and from the west. that there is none beside Me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.

In the course of time, with the fulfillment of the seventy years of which Jeremiah prophesied (Jer. 29:10), God once more brought Israel into their own land. But as the years wore on, replacing the old generations with new ones, Israel again lost sight of their Strength, this time so completely that when the long-looked for Messiah finally came, they rejected and crucified and spat on Him!

In divine retribution, God turned away His face in anger, and delivered them into the hand of the oppressor, who destroyed their temple and their city, drove them from their own land, and left them a forsaken, outcast race without God, without coin, without country, a people execrated by all nations from that day till this! Not all, however, were thus cast away. A multitude of them had their eyes opened to the fact that their great men were falsely accusing the Lord, misapplying the prophecies concerning Him, and deceiving the people.

Through those who remained faithful, He preserved the seed of Israel. Accepting Christ and becoming Christians, these faithful sons of Jacob had their name changed from Jew to Christian, as was foreshadowed in God’s changing their father’s name from Jacob to Israel, and their grandfather’s from Abram to Abraham.

Starting out with 120 Spirit-filled disciples, this Jewish-Christian church converted 3,000 souls on the day of Pentecost by the preaching of one simple, Spirit-indited sermon, and then “added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47.

This great ingathering of souls so angered Satan that he avengingly “persecuted the woman [the Jewish-Christian church] which brought forth the man child. (Rev. 12:13), so as to prevent her from making converts, and to prevent those whom she succeeded in making converts, from fellowshiping with her.

(The bed rock facts that the woman’s child Christ, Who was “caught up unto God,” Rev. 12:5, was born to the Jewish church, and that the Christian church emerged from the Jewish, solidly establish the woman as a figure of the faithful servants of God in both the Old and the New Testament churches.)

As a result of persecuting the woman, Satan was, ironically, only helping rather than hindering the divine purpose. Indeed, the church’s field (Matt. 13:38) grew only pure “wheat,” the “net” (Matt. 13:47) caught only good “fish,” because against such a persecution, only the faithful dared take their stand for Truth and to become members of the hated sect. So, seeing the results of his oppression, he quickly changed his tactics.

“By the edicts of toleration,” says Gibbon, “he [Constantine] removed the temporal disadvantages which had hitherto retarded the progress of Christianity; and its active and numerous ministers received a free permission, a liberal encouragement, to recommend the salutary truths of revelation by every argument which could affect the reason or piety of mankind.

The exact balance of the two religions [Christian and Pagan] continued but a moment….The cities which signalized a forward zeal by the voluntary destruction of their temples [the Pagan’s], were distinguished by municipal privileges, and rewarded with popular donatives….The salvation of the common people was purchased at an easy rate, if it be true that, in one year, twelve thousand men were baptized at Rome, besides a proportionable number of women and children, and that a white garment with twenty pieces of gold, had been promised by the emperor to every convert. “This was “a law of Constantine, which gave freedom to all the slaves who should embrace Christianity.”–Gibbon’s Rome, Vol. 2, pp. 273, 274 (Milman Edition).

Just as soon as Satan caused his agents to cease oppressing the Christians, and to start fellowshiping with them, he beguiled them into thinking him their friend. Thus being eased of his persecution, they fell asleep spiritually; and while they slept, he sowed the tares.

Yea, he made a complete turn-about and even compelled the heathen to join the church, thereby casting out of his “mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” Rev. 12:15. From persecuting those who would unite with the church, he turned to persecuting those who would not, so that she might be flooded with unconverted heathen and thereby “carried away of the flood.” Rev. 12:15.

In order to keep the multitude in darkness in the days of the reformers, he put his clamps on them, then opened wide his extinguisher against the burning light, and when it failed him, he set “sleeping preachers preaching to a sleeping people.”–Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 337.

This highly successful course he has unremittingly pursued ever since, until as a result the church today is almost choked with tares. It is, as it were, infiltrated with a fifth column.

“That night I dreamed,” says the servant of the Lord in a remarkable view of this very condition, “that I was in Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door, and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined.

I knew them well, and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene was changed. The company now presented the appearance of the Catholic procession. One bore in his hand a cross, another a reed. And as they approached, the one carrying a reed made a circle around the house saying three times, ‘This house is proscribed.

The goods must be confiscated. They have spoken against our holy order.’ Terror seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever I turned. I repeated frequently ‘If I could only understand this! If they will tell me what I have said, or what I have done!’

“I wept and prayed much as I saw our goods confiscated. I tried to read sympathy or pity for me in the looks of those around me, and marked the countenances of several whom I thought would speak to me and comfort me if they did not fear that they would be observed by others. I made one attempt to escape from the crowd, but seeing that I was watched, I concealed my intentions.

I commenced weeping aloud, and saying, ‘If they would only tell me what I have done, or what l have said!’ My husband, who was sleeping in a bed in the same room, heard me weeping aloud, and awoke me. My pillow was wet with tears, and a sad depression of spirits was upon me.”– Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 578.

The promise, however, is that the flood of tares will remain therein only until the harvest, the natural time for their separation–the end of the world.

(Answerer, V.T.Houteff, Vol. 2, p.5-12)

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