The Great Orchestrator

March 23, 2013

As I go on in my walk I am more and more aware of how awesome of a God we serve. In Scripture we know that His word says, “..with God all things are possible” (Matt.19:26). The daily movements, the planning , the reactions, just the great orchestration of it all!  He truly is as the song says, “How Great Thou Art”. Let’s look at some of the specifics of the orchestrating of God.

Recently there were a couple of examples of God’s orchestrating . In my service repair business I am often called to several job locations around the city. About a week ago, I was called to do a repair job. I met a nice woman, we’ll call Laura (name changed).

We exchanged niceties and then she led me to the kitchen where her disposal was broken. But I stopped at her counter and looked at her many pictures of Jesus and some Scripture passages. We stopped there and I commented, “Oh I see you’re a Christian.”  Little did I know instead of continuing on and inspecting the unit, I would be there at that counter talking with her for what seemed like 30 minutes!

As we chatted I learned that she was a Catholic. I explained that I also was once a Catholic (being raised one). As we discussed the things of God, I sensed a very unusual dedication for the Lord. The Holy Spirit was working on me, saying to listen to her carefully. We both seemed to interact in a deeper level and I marvelled at how she really wanted to know the Lord more closely.

As we talked, I learned that she had been pleading with the Lord. She often wasn’t sensing His presence and her walk was very intermittent. She also had been sighing and crying. I had mentioned some of the basics such as keeping ALL 10 Commandments as the way to know God on a deeper level. Obviously as a Catholic, I expected her to politely disagree about which day was the “Lord’s day”. But she listened keenly as I explained how the Roman empire was instrumental in changing the Lord’s day from Saturday to Sunday.

She also told of her sighing at work. Her boss was a frequent 3rd Commandment breaker. He would say JC this and JC that. She had told him she preferred he didn’t say that, but that only fueled him for more breaking.

As many of you know from our studies in the Lord’s current message to us, the Elijah message, it requires us to show we really love our Lord by “sighing and crying” for the sins done in our own life and in the church. So it was clear to me she was sighing for the sake of the Lord. His Holy Name was being mis-used. Although she doesn’t have the light of the Sabbath and other truths, she was expressing true love for the Lord.

Finally after our lengthy discussion I finally got to check out the unit. But before we finished we agreed that I would lend her the 5 part DVD set of Hal Holbrook’s “The Seventh Day”. But it was clear to me that the Lord had guided me to her. She was honestly seeking the truth and as such I was part of His orchestration of events.

We are told in (John 16:13) “..When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”  So as a true seeker of the Lord and His truth, Laura’s path and mine came together. If she continues to want the truth and nothing but the truth, she’ll find it. “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will  find, knock and the door shall be opened for you “(Matt 7:7).

The next story occurred about a week ago as well. Cathy (name changed) and I had been Facebook friends for about 2 years. She was a frequent Godsloveandlaw blog reader. She and I had emailed now and then and had a cordial friendly relationship. What struck me about her, was similar to Laura. She was a truth seeker and a walk advancer. They both had these  traits in common. They both mentioned to me that they would gladly accept being unpopular if it meant knowing the Lord and His straight truth.

What struck me is that both had mentioned that they knew that all who live Godly would suffer persecution. So Cathy and I chatted off and on and as many SDA were learning, she was interested in the Elijah message. As she was seeking to advance in her walk, the last light from the Lord, the Elijah message was very intriguing to her.  As she learned more and more, she would send a question or two to me for advice.  I sensed her progress was being guided from the hand of the Lord.

 A couple of weeks ago we finally had a chance to talk directly by phone. It was for over an hour. I had sent her some CD’s and DVD’s of the message and she had reviewed a some of it. So she had some questions.

But as we talked she gave me some of her history. Soon I learned that she also was a sigh and crier. She told of the story how she, being a health therapist, was appalled when her church had a lunch a while back and had donuts and pastries full of sugar for the members. Her field involves colonics and other clean out methods, to help rid the body of toxins which cause disease.

So she went to the lady in charge of the meals and let her know that those sugar packed denured of vitamins and mineral foods were worse than worthless. Instead of listening carefully to Cathy, who was trying to keep the Lord’s temple pure and clean, the lady took offense and later complained to others that Cathy was off base.

So what do we see from Cathy’s standing up for true principles? Mocking and derision from those who aren’t willing to be corrected. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble…” (James 4:6). Cathy assured me that her advice was given in a loving manner, yet even this approach was rebuffed.

From the stories we mentioned, one thing is common. The sighers and criers were heard from by our Great Orchestrator. He then guided them into my path, that I might help them further in discovering advanced light. This is how the Great I Am works. He knows our hearts and when we show Him we are for real and want to know of His presence and love, we’ll find Him. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to  you” (James 4:8).

Also they both are desirous of advancement in their walk. Our prophetess said some great words concerning this, “When God’s people are at ease, and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favour them. It is His will that they should be ever moving forward, to receive the increased and ever increasing light that is shining for them.” (5T pp. 708, 709).

” Those who will devote their powers to the study of God’s Word, and especially the prophecies referring to these last days, will be rewarded by the discovery of important truths.” (Ms 75, 1899, pp. 4,5. [Untitled Manuscript, May 11, 1899] — may be found as Manuscript release #54 in Manuscript Releases, Vol. 1, pp. 195-196).

“We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.’ The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” (RH: March 25, 1890).

So let us be mindful of the Great Orchestrator, and how He is ever ready and willing to help us advance in our walk. We just have to “want to”. As Laodiceans we have to fight the ever tempting attitude of self complacency. If we seek–we find.

Posted in Christian walk, Courage, Loving the Lord, Sighing and Crying | 4 Comments »

The Loud Cry

March 16, 2013

Very soon God’s wonderous plan for His church will arrive. The long-awaited “Loud Cry” will be given. This will be the time that our prophetess has spoken of,  “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 as terrible as an army with banners, she is to go forth into all the world conquering and to conquer.” (Prophets and Kings. P.725). Who will be a part? What is the message of the Loud Cry?  Let’s look at this special time of God’s full power and Spirit, soon to come upon His remnant church.

Let’s address the first question — Who will be a part?

There can be no doubt that those of us who are truly watching, listening and caring for our beloved remnant church, the SDA church, cannot help but sigh and cry. Today our church leaders are supporting great abominations before the Lord.They are fulfilling prophecy, “for they say, “The Lord has forsaken the land and the Lord seeth not.” (Ezek.9:9)

 As an example, many of our SDA hospitals today support and provide abortions. The Wikipedia research article states “Since 1973, many Adventist hospitals perform elective abortions under any circumstance.” (for the full article click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventist_Health )

The above is just one of the many abominations taking place today within our church. Brother Houteff points out other worldly and pagan customs in our current SDA  organization and church —

“…the Roman system that is now carried on by the church: plate-passing, high-powered speeches, Big Day, Book Day, high pressuring, campaigning, selling, auctioneering, Harvest Ingathering, birthday offerings, Christmas-tree hangings, baby weighings, Dorcas sales, investment funds, and what not!  As none of these squeezings are Biblical, and as all of them are Pagan in origin and condemned by the Scriptures, they could not possibly be considered freewill offerings. Search and see.

   Instead of Sabbath-keeping the day is devoted to money-raising, and instead of a house of worship, the church is turned into a den of thieves — disgusting to observers, and most discouraging for a member to invite a friend or a neighbor to a church service… ” (Jezreel Letter, no.9 , p.7)

Victor Houteff and Ellen White  both add, “…the denominational schools, through the accrediting boards of the state universities, are joined hand and hand with the schools of the world, despite the following solemn instruction to contrary;  “Let us determine that we will not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God and who will not hearken to His commandments.” —  (Symb. Code News, vol.2, no.9 p.2) (Counsels to Teachers, p.255)

So we now  ask  – is it possible that the Lord’s pouring out of His full Spirit upon the church in the Loud Cry,  will include these leaders and spiritually complicit,  which include those who are aware of it yet don’t sigh and cry about it?

The Lord speaks of  the  complicit and abomination doers. “Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall..”(Jeremiah  6:15)

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

“Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done” in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.”(Test. for the Church, vol.3, p.267)

Could those who are now partaking in the abominations against the Lord be those considered to have “withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One’? 

Another identifying quote about who will take part in the Loud Cry, we read, “In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged.. God will work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. (Test. for the Church, vol.5, p.80)

When we look back to the Lord’s choosing of men for His first advent, we see that the humble honest of heart were chosen for the 1st proclamation of the gospel. It appears the Lord will choose the same types for the great Loud Cry proclamation. The learned and self exalted, who have dug their doctrine stakes deep, and who are unwilling to be corrected, surely stand a slim chance in taking part in the most important work of all earthly history–the proclaiming of the true gospel with God’s full power and Spirit.

 Brother Houteff clarifies the true messengers of today, “..His messengers of today will bear no greater credentials of their calling than did those of ages past. Even Jesus Christ with His supernatural birth, sinless life, and miraculous works was condemned by the leading men of His time, who said, ‘This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matt. 12:24) (Tract 7, p.63)

So the answer to the question is that the Lord cannot use the current church, as it now stands,  to proclaim the final gospel. Those who think He will,  are ignorant of the Scriptures, SOP, and the Elijah message. Only the “overcomers” of temptations, the ones who are listening and walking according to the Holy Spirit, will be involved in the Loud Cry.

In the very near future we will know that the Lord’s Elijah  messenger, then follwed by the messengers,  have warned. The Lord has come to His temple(Mal. 3:1-5). The reins are now “in His hands” (Test. to Ministers, p.300). The world has been shocked and bewildered as God’s word has been fulfilled (1 Peter 4;17). Now it’s time for the great proclamation to appear.When the above has been completed,  God’s final plan is  to be implemented.

The second question is –What is the message of the Loud Cry?

Ellen White explains–

“In every generation God has sent his servants to rebuke sin, both in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible.

But the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah, and they could not refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible,–doctrines which they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth, and the danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning.”

 “Thus will the message of the third angel be proclaimed. As the time comes for the loud cry to be given, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.

The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of a union of Church and State, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,–all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands have never listened to words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven.

The people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? The ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” The popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, are filled with anger as their authority is questioned; they denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.

As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the people are called to God’s down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message only maddens those who oppose it. The clergy put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions.

The church appeals to the strong-arm of civil power, and in this work, papists are solicited to come to the help of Protestants. The movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided. The law is invoked against commandment-keepers. They are threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some are offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is, “Show us from the word of God our error,”–the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances.

Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light is brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.” (Spirit of Prophecy, vol.4, p.423-425)

So the above gives us a good look at the events that happen within the Loud Cry period. There is to be great wonders and yet great stress. Our beloved prophetess gives  a great account of this time.

“The latter rain is coming on those that are pure — all then will receive it as formerly. When the four angels let go, Christ will set up His kingdom. None receive the latter rain but those who are doing all they can. Christ would help us. All could be overcomers by the grace of God, through the blood of Jesus. All heaven is interested in the work. Angels are interested.”(Spalding Magan, 3:2)

A few Scriptures that speak about  this time period.

“Awake, awake! Put on your strength O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you.”(Isaiah 52:1)

“For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns, the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name.” (Isaiah 62:1-2)

“The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake;But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” (Joel 3:16)

May we  strive to be among those who take part in this last great work– the Loud Cry. A most exciting and extraordinary work that sets up His everlasting kingdom.

Questions and Answers  about the Loud Cry—

HAS THE LOUD CRY BEGUN?

Question No. 10:

Sister White wrote in 1892 that the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message had already begun; please explain why others claim that it is yet future. And what makes it “loud”?

Answer:

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 Nov. 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.(The Answerer Vol. 1)

What additonal proof can you give that the present church will not complete the work of the Loud Cry?

Answer–  “If the present church leadership is to complete the work , then how can our brethren explain the following quotation which is found in “The Testimonies for the Church”, Vol. 5, p.80, from which we quote?

“But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true..Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent, will not then stand at the head of rank and file…They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He can not use them..The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view… But, it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed.”(End of quote)

“If the purification takes place after the gospel work is finished, then why should He disclose another set of servants, and say, after purification He cannot use those who are self-sufficient and independent of God?” (Symb. News Code, vol.1, No.18 p.9)

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

Counted As Worthy

March 9, 2013

In Luke chapter 21 we read of our Lord explaining the last days. A very descriptive account of the travail that will come upon the earth. Then in verse 36 He says “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” So clearly the end time people, those living in the last days(our time),  must be found worthy.

What does this mean–worthy? We have all heard week after week, – Grace, grace, and more grace. Does not these two words– worthy and grace, seem somewhat contradictory? However, it seems today that the great masses are solidly in the “grace” camp. The leaders and pastors have drilled them again and again , that we really don’t have to worry in our walk–we are covered by grace. Just be kinda good and let all the rest fall unto Jesus. Our Savior is our excuse, our reason why we don’t have to be that careful and obedient, right?  Absolutely wrong. Let us see clearly why.

In speaking of  “worthiness” our Lord shows further examples “He who loves His father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37). 

In researching for this post I found someone’s comments that I found right on concerning what (Matt 10:38) means “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”  In the article, the author says  “(Mt.10:38) has been grossly abused. The phrase, “taking up one’s cross” has become so ubiquitous, that practically any unavoidable difficulty, aggravation, or inconvenience is likely to be piously labeled, “just the cross I have to bear.”
WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT STATEMENT FOR THE BLASPHEMY THAT IT IS!!!
The cross, for Jesus, was NOT an unavoidable inconvenience! Neither was it a case of submission to illness, natural disaster, or insurmountable evil! Jesus was speaking sober truth when he said he could have called upon all the hosts of heaven to rescue him! He CHOSE not to do so, in order to ransom the people of his Kingdom from the domain of death and fear (Heb.2:14-15), by his triumph over both! Cross-bearing entails voluntarily suffering completely undeserved injustice for the sake of the Kingdom of Jesus!”

In other words, to be found “worthy”, we should be taking up the cross and be willing to be, among other things — scorned, murmured against, unpopular among some, ridiculed or a host of other injustices simply for proclaiming God’s truth and walking therein.  Just like our Lord. We’re a  chip off the ol block as they say.

Ellen White explains, “Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice again the truth for this time.”(Gospel Workers, p.324)

“Satan works at the very ones that do him most harm. God can make them a host against their enemies. Ye give up too quick.  Ye let go too soon. That arm, the arm of God is mighty.” (Spalding and Magan Collection, 3:4)

 Brother Houteff explains,  ” Just as did the Jews of old, thousands today dearly believe that there is a certain saving magic simply in membership in the church, thus letting themselves be brought to prize and depend upon it more than upon the message, which demands repentance of sins and in return lifts the penitent sinner from the dark and miry pit, into the healing, saving light of Present Truth. 

Had these worshipers of temples made by hands, lived in the days of Christ, they would have shown their utter ignorance of and disregard  for the Truth, by rejecting the respective messages of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the apostles, in order to maintain their membership in the “synagogue” and to shun the reproach they would otherwise have been called upon to bear.  Whereas God’s true people have always bound themselves to new and unpopular truths which, while new, the self-styled men “of  experience” have denounced as heresies.” (Tract #7, p.60-61)

So how do we balance grace with worthiness? The answer is that we as His followers are striving with all our hearts to obey Him through His word, as said by the prophets.  Then as we become obedient to His messages as sent by the prophets, we can count on His grace to save us. You see, as we strive to be obedient we will sometimes slip and fall, that’s when we can count on His grace. When Paul was striving with all his heart to work for the Lord, being obedient as possible, what did the Lord say in response to his request? ‘My grace is sufficient for thee..” (2 Cor. 12:9). Grace covered a righteous man , not an indifferent,  careless man of God.

Grace abuse is described in (Romans 6:1) “What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”  Those who repeatedly fall in their walk often think that grace will cover them, leading them  in effect to not claim the Lord’s power to help them overcome sin.

 But the key is that we are trying very hard and not carelessly neglecting our walk, and then saying ” I’m going to sin and there is nothing I can do about it  but  He will save me through His grace anyway”.  We must decide that we cannot continue in sin( see Hebrews 10:26). With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can “overcome” our sins.(Rev.21:7)

Yes, we will slip and fall. But as the word says ” For though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again..” (Prov. 24:16) The key is to –rise again, meaning we get up and repent and continue on with our walk, being careful not to slip again. It’s all about wanting to do right thing before the Lord.

Ellen White speaks about worthiness, ” I was shown that fathers and mothers have departed from their simplicity and neglected the holy calling of the gospel. The Lord has admonished them not to corrupt themselves by adopting the customs and maxims of the world. Christ would have given them the unsearchable riches of His grace freely and abundantly, but they prove themselves unworthy.” (Test. for the Church, p.74)

Last year we did a post on backsliding call ‘Recovering from backsliding”. In it I pointed out that we all succumb to temptation now and then. As I mentioned last year I had fallen back for a few days into my old sinful behavior. The devils are particularly  hovering around those who are proclaiming God’s truth. We are viewed as their number one adversaries.

As the devils know a wide range of tactics, one of them is the old trick of “over-worthiness”. They tell us,  “You’re a hard worker for God, you deserve a little something now and them”.  I fell for it and went back to some espressos and even a few beers after work for a few days. Thinking that I had somehow earned these “treats”. But I was jolted to reality a few days later! Repentance was deep and I was received my Lord’s words, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten..” (Rev.3:19). It was quite scary to be honest, a real jolt of reality set in. 

In further illuminating the cost of being found worthy, Ellen White says, “God will test and prove his people. One sacred truth after another will be brought to bear upon their hearts, close and cutting, until their faith will be purified and tried like gold, until all their dross will be purged away, and Jesus will present them unto his Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. We must overcome through trials and sufferings as Jesus overcame. We must not shun the cross or the suffering part of religion. The language of the heart should be, let me know the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. Let me suffer with Him that I may reign with Him.(Review and herald, Sept.16,1862)

Let’s look at our prophetess’ words concerning the  struggles of those who are taking part in our last days work of the Lord.

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

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

As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones.” (Early Writings, p.269-270)

What I found interesting is that those who “participated” in the agonizing and pleading of God’s work and their own spiritual condition, were the ones involved in the dark struggle. The careless and indifferent ones, meaning those who don’t participate in the work of His present truth for this time and who also don’t plead with the Lord to help them overcome their sins.  Darkness “shuts them in” and the Angels have “left them”. This vision  is prophetic about what is going on right now. The true workers of God are in an internal struggle, complacency is the farthest thing from their mind. At times they feel the heat in other words!

Let us never forget that we as the Laodicean church have the strictest reprimand from the Lord. We are warned not to be lukewarm. Is lukewarmness a sin? Absolutely. The 11th hour message we are called to give–the Elijah message — is our test today. Ellen White says,  ” God means that testing truth shall be brought to the front and become a subject of examination and discussion, even if it is through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated. Every controversy, every reproach, every slander, will be God’s means of provoking inquiry and awakening minds that otherwise would slumber.” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 5, p.453).

To sum up our post, we ask the following– ” Must we be found worthy to inherit the kingdom of God?” For sure. “How do we know we can be found worthy?” By taking up His cross (standing up for His truth today). “And what can we expect once we decide to take up His cross?” The devil attacks, but we can then say and believe -“Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Let us close with the beautiful words of the Lord through his prophet Isaiah. ” Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near, let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

May our Lord give us wisdom for these last days, to be counted as worthy, amen.

Posted in Christian walk, once saved always saved fallacy | 4 Comments »

Equipping the Saints for the Spiritual Battle

March 2, 2013

There can be no doubt that right here, right now, we are in a gigantic spiritual battle. The forces of evil are at every side and in every corner of the world. The two sides are colliding in a “pre” armegedon  battle. Let  us look into this current battle.

Our brother Apostle Paul states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” (Eph. 6:12). How true that is! Unseen powers are behind the scenes, lest they be exposed, to thwart the work of God.

And how does the evil ones use their cunning and power? Through human agents. And what would be the most deceptive way to deceive the people? Through  religious people. For they are the ones the masses look to for guidance and help are they not? So once the devils have the religious  ones walking an unholy walk before the Lord, meaning not paying attention to their sins and ignoring them, then that’s the perfect person they can use.  Subversion at its Satanic best!

Once the devils, led by the master planning deceiver, Satan, take hold of the leaders in our churches they have an effective blockcade as it were, to stop the real light from the Lord from reaching the people! Let’s read spot on words from brother Houteff concerning this. Speaking of the folly of consulting a mininster, elder, or any other, before taking up a study into purported truths from the Lord, he says

   “And if we had consulted the ministers of our respective former denominations and accepted their counsel, how many of us would have become Seventh-day Adventists?  The overall answer is, “Not one of us.”  Such has been the fate of all who have followed the decisions of uninspired men against inspired men of God.  Men of piety, men deeply rooted in their religion, as were the priests and rabbis in Christ’s day, have been the most successful in keeping away the light of God from the people.  This is a fact that no one should ever forget or neglect to give consideration to.

   Moreover, since our personal rights of  investigating truths purported to be sent from God, without the interference of our former ministers, took us out of the churches which are mindful only of past truths, and brought us into the Advent present Truth some years ago, should we now surrender these rights and become spiritually dependent on others to tell us what is Truth and what is error? 

Why judge ourselves spiritual invalids rather than full grown Christians?  And why take the ministers’ word now against advanced purported inspired present Truth, if such a step previously  taken would have been disastrous, would have cheated us from accepting the Advent Truth?  Is it not true that if we would let others think for us, we might be cheated as badly as were the Jewish  common people cheated by the priests and rabbis in Christ’s day? (Tract no.15, p. 1-2)

When I was a youngster, I had the privilege of being a bat boy for the San Diego Padres professional baseball team(age 16-18). This I did for about 3 years, then at the age of 19 I was promoted to assistant equipment manager. The job involved me helping to have all the equipment ready for the players. The shoes, the gloves, the bats, the uniforms, the food, the drinks, and many other necessities.

So I had a hands on experience in equipping our team to go to ‘battle” to beat the enemy. And once they had all the equipment ready and useful, then they could fight the battle against the opposition (the opposing team). The same applies to us today. We need useful equipment to fight the enemy (Satan and his devils). 

So what I would like to do this week is give you some good solid “equipment” to help you win this battle for souls today. Maybe even your own soul, if you may be stuck in the prevalent Laodicean , self satisfied, contentment of being “rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev.3:17).

Here’s some very useful sites and links.

1) Esword. This is a great Hebrew/Greek Bible site.  It’s free and a must for all serious Bible students. http://www.e-sword.net/

2) Elijah message site. It has much present truth that our Lord has for us today. It behooves us to seriously study this message, as it’s message, if obeyed,  will enable us to stand in the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” and be sealed. www.sighandcry777.wordpress.com

I would highly  suggest these present truth videos. Sometimes people would rather listen and watch studies as opposed to reading them. Here’s your answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rfa4MhzqwxI   (there are 32 videos to watch and learn. The speaker is Jimmy Kakouri, a gifted Elijah messenger.

3) The Answerer book. This is a series of volumes that contains about 165 questions and answers on the Elijah message. Brother Houteff was asked many, many hard and thought provoking questions from both friend and foe. In fact many tried to stump him or confuse him, yet as you’ll read, the answers are nothing short of divine.  Just like sister Ellen White, he only had a minimal grade school education (4th grade).

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer1.html

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer2.html

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer3.htm

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer4.htm

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/answerers/answerer5.htm

4) Free Cd’s and DVD’s of present truth and the Elijah message.

http://www.11th-hourministries.org/audio/cd_request.html

rene_reyes@sbcglobal.net   Free Cd’s and DVD’s of same in spanish.

5) The whole Shepherd”s Rod message with one click. You can read it all here. The “Timely Greetings” sermon addresses by brother Houteff. The “Jezreel Letters”. The “Symbolic News codes”, which were mostly reports during the early days of the Elijah message and the progress and some Q & A (very interesting reports). The 15 “Tracts”, which were small booklets of different areas of prophecy. And more.

So this is the place for any who would like to read about the Elijah message in total. If you are a doubter or skeptic, by all means look them over and try to find error and bring it to our attention. Believe me, thousands have tried over the years, and as EGW said “sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error.” (Test. to Min. p.106-107). Truth will stand close scrutiny, it shall not be afraid.

http://www.shepherds-rod.org/srinx.html

6) The Davidian vs. Branch Davidian confusion. This is so misunderstood. Because of the Waco disaster many people still falsely believe that “any” Davidian is a Branch Davidian. In other words, they all subscribe to the fanatic beliefs of the likes of David Koresh and gang. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here is the link that will help clear the confusion. http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/Downloads/True%20Davidians%20Versus%20Branch%20Davidians.pdf

7) God’s storehouses. As we are well aware our Lord made a  promise to us. We’d be blessed if we’d “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse” (Mal.3:10) That being said, we must be certain that we give our tithes to His “storehouse”. Which we explained in a prior post is where His present truth is dispersed (meat in due season). Here are some storehouses today you may consider, to receive that blessing.

http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/

http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/branch.html

http://www.thenightcometh.org/

http://sighandcry777.wordpress.com/

In closing, we must know for certain that there is only one message that shakes the devils to their core, the Lord’s last–The Elijah message. Let us now quote a  message from brother Houteff.

 “However, I would remind you, Brethren, that no prophet of God has ever been welcomed by the church.  On the contrary, each in his time was rejected, abused, and most of them were martyred by the ones to whom they were sent — the very ones who were supposed to be serving God!  Indeed, the Lord Himself paid the same price.  For this very reason we must remember that when the last prophet comes he will have the greatest opposition to meet, for Satan well knows that if he loses now, he loses forever.  What makes Elijah’s work especially hard is that Christendom has long been drilled in the idea that no prophet is to come, that there is no necessity for one, that it has enough revealed Truth to carry it inside the Pearly Gates.

   “It is therefore only to be expected that the predicted Elijah will be denounced as a false prophet, perhaps even as the anti-Christ, offshoot, or what not.

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

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

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Mal.4:5-6)

Posted in Elijah, Present Truth, Proper teachings, Victor T. Houteff, Witnessing | 6 Comments »

Let He Who Is Without Sin

February 23, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Warning our brethren | 4 Comments »

What about the Feast Days?

February 16, 2013

As many Bible students know, the Old Testament feast days were a very important part of the righteous walk with our Lord prior to our Lord’s sacrifice. The special days all pointed to Christ and His redemption plan. But today, we must not, as a requirement, keep the feast days as will be more  clearly  shown.

Within  the feast days and ceremonial observances, the animal sacrifices were an integral part of the services. These sacrifices, as we all know, signified our Lord’s sacrifice. As He died on the cross,  the vail in the temple, was ripped in two. This was to give a clear sign that the sacrifices, along with the ceremonial feast days were to end. The Anti-Type had met type.

A while back we did a post called “Original Davidians are not Branch Davidians”. The Branch DSDA are a break away group that was founded after the death of brother Houteff. One of the points we addressed is that, unlike Original Davidians, the Branch Davidians believe that the Lord’s followers still have to keep the feast days. This is one of the most striking differences between the two groups. Unfortunately, they are often both lumped together, with people assuming that ALL Davidians believe this way. Ignorance is indeed a mis-adventure for many.

Let’s look at some clear Ellen White quotes concerning our issue . In our first quote she says, ” There are many who try to blend these two systems (the ceremonial law and the Moral Law), using the texts that speak of the ceremonial law to prove that the Moral Law has been abolished; but this is a perversion of the Scriptures. The distinction between the two systems is broad and clear. The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with it’s sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met anti-type in the death of Christ, the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease.”(Patriarchs and Prophets, p.365)

“The rending of the vail of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received.” (Spiritual Gifts, vol.1, p.170)

Lastly she says, “Since the whole ritual economy was symbolical of Christ, it had not value apart from Him. When the Jews sealed their rejection of Christ by delivering Him to death, they rejected all that gave significance to the temple and it’s services. it’s sacredness had departed. it was doomed to destruction. From that day sacrificial offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless (Desire of Ages, p.165).

Remember last week in our post how we pointed out that the clear plain words of Scripture and Inspiration cannot be added to or subtracted from, lest we wrestle away our Lord’s clear intended will for us. Can it get any more plain than the above?Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems in Christendom is the ignoring of the straight words and meanings. It’s the old human nature to use our imagination and agenda reasoning to take the straight words and turn them into crooked words!

Ok we’ll add one more EGW quote to quash the issue. “He has swept away every ceremony of the ancient type. He has given no liberty to restore these rites, or to substitute anything that will recall the old literal sacrifices.” (Review and Herald, feb. 25, 1896).

One of my good friends has recently told me that she has been shown by a friend that the feast days are still a part of our walk.Surprisingly this belief is more prevalent than we think. Not only Branch Davidians teach it, but some other divergent groups within the SDA as well. So our purpose in this post is to help clear up this issue. Feel free as always to copy this report and use it as a study to counteract their false beliefs.

 The basic main feast days are a list of  seven.(perfect harmony with God’s completeness number-7)

1) Passover feast

2) Feast of the unleavened bread

3) Wave sheaf ceremony

4) Pentecost ceremony

5) Feast of trumpets

6) Day of Atonement

7) Feast of tabernacles

Something is very interesting about one of  the above feasts. We read in (Zech. 14:16) the following, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles”.

Apparently it appears that once the future premillennial kingdom is established in the holy land, the Feast of Tabernacles will be performed and kept. I am searching the last prophet’s writings concerning this, and will add them as soon as I locate them.

So with the above clear words of Inspiration, how can some still get into the trap of thinking we need to keep the feast days? Here’s a quote that is often used to support their ideas, “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations(feast days) in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world needed the light which God had committed to His church, how much more do they need it now!” (Ellen White, Testimonies, vol. 6, pages 39, 40, chapter title,“The Camp Meeting.”)

But if you read that real closely, she is talking about a “camp meeting” experience and as such, it would be a great LEARNING experience to observe them. In fact, the holy convocations really are a great experience and I personally would see the occasional observance as one of great enlightenment. I think in this light she was explaining them. If she was indicating that we must keep them, then God forbid, she would have said clear error and contradictions with her writings above.

Lastly, in finishing our study, we would be remiss to not post what the “restorer of all things” said about this issue. Remember that the Elijah prophet MUST be our go to source in these last days, right before the great and dreadful day. He is the last prophet from the Lord, consequently the most current “present truth” we can and must know. I can tell you one thing, my heart and soul soars knowing that I have all the writings of our Lord’s final message to refer to. It can give you great joy as well. The Lord knows what we need and He delivers it through His prophets!

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

   And so, as this law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), we need not, and must not, observe it now. ( Brother Houteff, Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No.37, para.14)

We see that brother Houteff minces no words on this issue “we need not, and must not, observe it now”. And as he clearly says, we demonstrate “unbelief in Christ” if we take the stance that we are required to keep them.

Hopefully this has cleared up the issue a little more. So next time someone who’s trying to “work” their way into heaven comes up and says, “What about the feast days?”  We can say we’ve looked into the plain straight forward words of the prophets and the answer is–NO, we don’t have to keep them today. May the Lord guide you into all truth (John 16:13)

Posted in Proper teachings, The Feast Days | 4 Comments »

Biblical Submission

February 9, 2013

One of the biggest traps we as Christians can get into, is to ignore or sidestep clear unambiguous words and meanings of Scripture. Ellen White explains “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).  Additionally brother Houteff says the same thing, “Hold not to what fabricated ideas seem to make Scripture say, but grip tenaciously to what the word, in simplicity, plainly says” (Tract 10, p.13).

We needed to lay that foundation first because this topic is somewhat controversial and therefore we must hold “tenaciously” to the obvious meaning and not use any of the often used sidestep explanations to throw out the plain obvious meanings.

It is obvious that today we live in totally different customs than was in place back in  the early Christian days. Today we have seen an ever evolving change among the relationship between man and wife. With the main stream media, via TV, internet, radio, and written literature, we can see a tidal wave of “liberal” ideas put forth for the family unit.

While I am not a anti-womens liber, I do refer always to the hand book of life–the Bible. And as I have mentioned many times during our “posting career”, the Lord strictly guides me and certain subjects appear in my walk that leads me to discuss it. Recently the issue of the man-woman relationship has risen before me and therefore I would like to point out some clear Biblical understandings in these matters.

In Ephesians 5:22 we read, “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord.”  Obviously we know that to many women today, especially the women libers, these are inflammatory words. Yet of course to those, the Lord’s word generally doesn’t ring true on many aspects of their lives that –they don’t like.

The dictionary defines the word submit as follows -“To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.” As we are well aware we must always read the Bible verses in context.  After reading the above quote, our brother apostle Paul explains the order in which man and woman are to be established in a relationship. “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in everything.” (Eph.5:23-24)

So we see that this “order” is to be firmly established in the man being the leader of the relationship. And who said this order? Our all-knowing Lord. The one who understands how everything works. Today the divorce rate is truly astronomical. In the well researched book, “Marriage, Families, and intimate relationships” the statement is made —

“Married adults now divorce two-and-a-half times as often as adults did 20 years ago and four times as often as they did 50 years ago… between 40% and 60% of new marriages will eventually end in divorce. The probability within… the first five years is 20%, and the probability of its ending within the first 10 years is 33%… Perhaps 25% of children ages 16 and under live with a stepparent.” ”
—Brian K. Williams, Stacy C. Sawyer, Carl M. Wahlstrom, Marriages, Families & Intimate Relationships, 2005 

Wow! 40 to 60 % new marriages will end in divorce! After reading this, let’s see what our Lord thinks about it. “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal.2:16)

Could the fact that our divorce rate is so high be that we haven’t listened and obeyed the word of the Lord? Absolutely. Now I am not saying that the reason for such a high divorce rate is all the woman’s fault, because we learn in Paul’s writings that the man has a big responsiblity as well. He’s to love and respect His wife. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Eph 5:25)

So we see that as “head” of the relationship, the man has to establish a household of “love”. In fact this love is to be truly strong as we read, “..love His own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Eph5:33) Also we notice, again, the wife’s responsiblity to “respect” her husband.

So clearly, any breakdown of these responsibilities, can hurt the relationship. But as we have learned, there is a rightful process to all this and it’s to follow our Lord’s counsel–The man is to lead and have the authority. Does that mean women have no say or can’t have their desires and wishes met? Of course not, but if the man deems something important that should be done, and the wife disagrees, the man’s will should take precedent. This, I’m afraid,  is why the divorce rate is so high–the chain of authority is broken!

Again, we read in (1 Cor.11:3) that the Lord has established delegation of authority. “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” In this liberal world it’s very easy to fall trap to the devil’s ploy. They have to a large degree tricked the women into thinking ,”You have just as much authority in your marriage as the man!” And even more sadly, more than a few men, drop down from this authority and willfully submit to the woman!

Think of this relationship as a circle. The man starts it by requesting something and the wife obeys. Then the  man is very happy and respects his wife, and wants to “love” her even more. And she feels this strong love and gives it back to the husband. A perfect chain of love and unity before the Lord. True Biblical submission leads to true love!

Our customs, as we mentioned, are quite different today as they were back in the early Christian days, but has  men and women’s relationship to God changed? No. Likewise the relationship of man and wife hasn’t changed either, from the Lord’s point of view(His word).

Has our Lord usurped God the Father’s authority? Have we men quit acknowledging that Christ is our authority? Then the final layer of that authority chain must be kept as well–woman looking  to man for his leadership and authority.

Recently I’ve had to call it quits in a personal relationship, to a woman who was my fiance. It was tough to do but I came to the realization that I could not be the authority of the household. The arguments, the interruptions, the ignoring of my requests, all got too much to handle. I could see unfortunately, that should I go ahead and marry, the Lord’s chain of order and authority would not be there and struggles would frequently occur.

Let us always refer back to our Lord’s word for advice. His words are so plain in regards to the man-woman relationship. If we obey them we will be blessed, if we ignore them, then we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Let’s close with a brother Houteff quote, ” There could be nothing more pleasing to God than for one of His children to ask in sincerity the way of the truth; therefore, such a one shall not be left in darkness, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7) (Shepherd’s Rod, vol 2, p.90)

May the Lord give us all true wisdom and understanding and understand that true Biblical submission leads to true and eternal love!

Posted in Christian walk, Covenants, Obedience, Proper teachings | 8 Comments »

Stepping up to the Plate

February 2, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How does one’s  life  today, within our Seventh Day Adventism  cause our people to want to exclude  us, mock us,  to demote or cast us out from their company? It can only be when we decide to boldly proclaim the Lord’s message of the hour, the straight testimony. Ellen White explains ” Now as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that reproves sins and errors of the times will excite opposition.” ( Great Controversy, p 458).  “We have more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world.” (Review and Herald, March 22,1887).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The “Sunday Law” Hoodwink

January 26, 2013

 

Image result for picture of death decree

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Surely They are My People”

January 19, 2013

In (Isaiah 63:8) we read “For He said, ‘Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie.’ So He became their Savior”

How many of us men have been quite satisfied to hear someone  say the following about us –“He’s a man of his word.”? I know that would be just about the best compliment I could receive. Or how about, “His word is his bond”? Or “You can take his word to the bank”?

Our words tell a great deal about each and every one of us. On the flip side, it’s quite shameful to be spoken of as “He never keeps his word” or “His word is worthless” and so on. How many of us have had that sinking feeling when we know we are talking to someone we can’t count on, as keeping their word?

But as much as most of us value keeping our word and not lying, our Lord values it so much more, as His word reminds us so often throughout the Scriptures. Let’s look at the basic and simple act (speaking and writing) and how we can make or break our life with God and even each other.

In the above quote we noticed that the Lord claims a certain kind of person (people) as “His”. They are non-liars. You see, lying is really so much worse than most of us think. In fact the Lord says it one of the things he “hates”. He says “These six things the LORD hates… A lying tongue.” (Proverbs 6:17)

Many of us think that lying is outright and purposely deceitful, however that’s not what generally constitutes–lying. For example, every time we say we are going to do something for someone, and fail to do it–we have lied. This is so much more plentiful in the world than outright lies. It’s kinda known as the “not so bad” little white lie. But let’s not get fooled, it’s just as bad as those outright lies.

Granted , we are all sinners and imperfect and we all have spoken lies in our lifetime, but knowing this important truth in His word in this regard, we are then made accountable for the truth we know and understand.

As we have learned in studying the present truth of the Elijah message, we are called on to strive “with all the power God has given us to be among the 144,000” (Review and Herald, March 9, 1905). And to be found to be one of those elect,  we must have “no deceit (guile)” in our mouth (Rev. 14:5).We, as present truth believers, are to be reforming our lives to be able to be among God’s elect, the 144,000.

This really cannot be over emphasised. Our promises made must be kept. It’s like anything in life , if we make an effort to get good at something, we’ll get good! So we must make a careful and thoughtful effort to please the Lord in this regard. And most importantly we should ask our Lord for His guidance and strength through the Holy Spirit to accomplish this.

In the 59th chapter of Isaiah, we read specific Scriptures concerning lying. ” For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity.” (verse 3) . And later in the chapter,  after explaining why we have become unrighteous, it reads “For our transgressions are multiplied before You…In trangressing and lying against the LORD, and departing from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.” (verses 12-13).

“Better that you do not vow, than that you vow  and not fulfill it”(Ecc.5:5)

Being in business most of my life, I can attest to the value of keeping your word and how people so much appreciate it. If I tell a person I’ll do something for them , I sincerely try to do it. If I can’t I at least call them and let them know. I just feel bad if I don’t do what I say I will do, kind of like a bad reflex that wells up inside and says ” Your integrity just got a lot lower”. On the flip side, when I receive a verbal commitment from someone, I expect that which they said they would do, to be done. I shouldn’t have to remind them. Again ,  our word = our bond.

In the “old days” a man would receive one of the best honors among his fellow-men, when someone would say “Oh so and so, when he shakes his hand on a deal, you can take his word to the bank”. Now that was and is, a high compliment, and no doubt cherished from our Lord.

Have you ever felt that good solid inner feeling and confidence when you are speaking to someone whom you can trust, and know that what they say they will do, they will do? This is what we , as God’s image bearers, were intended to be.

With the advent of the computer, todays society revolves around less speaking and more typing. But let us not think that this gets us off the hook for accountability with keeping our word, both to people and to our Lord. Although it’s in writing, we  still make commitments, which should require us to hold true what we promise. It’s just a different avenue of “keeping our word” but with no less accountability.

Let us not think that we can, for example,  go on a Facebook message or send an email to a friend and say ” I’ll send that article to you about —, tomorrow” and then forget all about it and never do it. We may think this is no big deal but the recording angel has recorded it as a lie, a false promise made.If we continue to do this on a regular basis, we’ll be known as liars, not word keepers.  “Every man’s work passes in review before God and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness…all chronicled by the recording angel.” (Great Controversy. p.482)

This truth telling is a basic component of our reformed Christian life. Unfortunately this simple yet needed requirement will be overlooked by the masses. We will get “above it”,  meaning we’ll look at it as  not really needed.  We know all the doctrines, attend church every Sabbath, why worry whether we speak lies?

Ellen White explains, ” In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and saved. Many will get above the simplicity of the work…” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.1, p.608)

Our Lord gave one of the most beautiful Scriptures for us to live by, known as the Golden Rule  — “Do under others as you would want done unto you.” (Matt. 7:12).  Would you like to be lied to? Not able to rely on what other tell you?  Most all of us would shun this like the plaque, and say “definitely not”. Then we must speak truth and keep our word. Both our Lord and fellow-man and woman would be very happy and appreciate it.We just might be fortunate enough to have the reputation, and spoken of as a word keeper, “He’s (or She’s) a person of their word”.

Let us remember that the Lord will be a Savior to the “truth tellers” not liars. In the end of Revelation our Lord puts out the last important warning on those who will not make it to heaven. Included in this list is “all liars” (Rev.21:8).

This elemental quality of truth-telling will lead us to draw closer to Him daily and thus wanting to fulfill even more of His will. We have spoken quite a lot on “present truth” the last year or so, but let us not forget the “basics”. An essential in our Christian walk,  is –keeping our word.

God the Father and  our Lord our King, together with the Holy Spirit be with you all,    Your servant, Rob.

Posted in Christian walk, Truth telling vs. lying | Leave a Comment »

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