“Cry Aloud, Spare Not”

April 14, 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings given them. ” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p.255)

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

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

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

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

Posted in Warning our brethren | 6 Comments »

Thy Kingdom Come (Part 2 of 2)

April 7, 2012

As we continue in part 2, let’s first take a look at why our Lord must set up His kingdom first among the heathen.

Since the Lord established his people with Abraham, He has always had the intent of setting up His kingdom during “this” world. Ofcourse the evil one has effectively blocked those plans even to this day. His people have succumbed to Satan’s giles at almost every turn in history. As we read in part 1 , EGW specifically mentioned that Israel was to accomplish His will, through  His established  kingdom. They utterly failed. Not to be outdone, by Satan or mankind, our King  has remained firm  — that His church kingdom will be established through out the world while the heathen exist. But not for “our” sakes is He going to do this, He must clear His name and show the heathen world just who He is and what He can do in their site!

In ( Ezek. 36:23-24 ) we read ” And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord”, say the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.”

“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.”

The Lord prefaces the above words with verse 22 “..I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.”

Let’s just take a stroll back into time. How about one of the first “Christian” people to profane His name by claiming that sin is forgiven, even though you can continue in it, without repentance. These were known as the people holding the doctrine of the Nicolaitans(Rev. 2:15).  How about the dark ages? The inquisition for example. Look at whose name they chose to use, as their God during those horrible crimes—Our Lord Jesus Christ! Fast forward to today. The church which proclaims the keep ALL His Commandments, the SDA church is allowing all kinds of abominations in their midst (active dishonoring within His temple just to name one). When we profane His word, we profane His name.

(Isaiah 52:5) “..And my name is blasphemed continually every day.”

At this point it would be fair to ask –Why would our Lord not just put an end to this wicked world and be done with evil? To start fresh with heaven, then an earth made new?

This question is answered as only our Lord’s prophetess can explain.  ” The children of Israel were to occupy all the territory which God appointed them. Those nations that rejected the worship and service of the true God were to be disposessed. But it was God’s purpose that by revelation of His character through Israel men should be drawn unto Him. To  all the world the gospel invitation was to be given.

Through the teaching of the sacrificial service, Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto Him should live….As the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders until their kingdom should embrace the world.”

 So we see our Lord’s intended purpose of His people, His church. He had a clear objective to have His church kingdom “embrace” the world.

Let’s look at further scripture proclaiming His pre-millenial kingdom. In (Isaiah 11:6-10) we gain  much insight, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and young lion and the fatling together; And the little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

And in that day ther shall be a root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.”

As we can see from  the very clear words above, this is describing a most heavenly situation, although not in heaven. God’s love and knowledge is known by His people and even the animals! Yet we see “Gentiles” exist in this world. Now who in their right mind can say there will be “Gentiles” in heaven or the earth made new?

Even though this pre-millenial kingdom light was not clearly given to Ellen White, like it was Victor Houteff, we see a gleam of light given her on it.  She writes “Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a little while we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, in the kingdom of God, take up our work once more.”(Test. for the church, Vol. 7, page 17)

This is quite revealing if we truly comprehend what she is saying. After she “rests” in the grave, she will be called forth to do more work “in the kingdom of God”. What was her work while on earth? Was it not reaching out for souls to bring to the Lord’s salvation? So her statement “our work” can only mean that work which she had done. So our Lord will have her partake in the final Loud Cry to reach those in babylon, along with many faithful who accepted the 3 angels message post 1844 (this is another area of an indepth subject we may do in future).

We must keep in mind that no prophet or prophetess has been given “all”  the light in regard to prophecies. EGW states “But no man, however honored of Heaven, has ever attained  to a full understanding of the great plan of redemption, or even to a perfect appreciation of the divine purpose in the work for his own time” (Great Controversy, p.343)

 In Jeremiah, we find first, the description of Ezekiel 9 church judgement and then the subsequent mention of the kingdom.  “Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it.”(Jer.30:23-24)

“At the same time,” says the LORD, “I will be the God of all the  families of Isreal and they shall be My people.”(Jer.31:1)

Notice after  His fury deals with the wicked and then “at the same time” He is claiming a  people who will be His. And this is perfectly understood in “the latter days”–that is today! These prophecies are at the door.

In Ezekiel we see some other striking evidence that this kingdom will be in the midst of the heathen nations. In Ezekiel , chap. 36 , our Lord describes much of what He will do for His church kingdom, in verse 28 it reads ” Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.”  Then further in verse 36 it reads “Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that, I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

In the above we see His people will possess Israel again. But notice it was desolate and then it will be rebuilt. You may ask — How is Israel being referred as desolate? There shall be the long dreaded world war in Israel.  The Lord shall allow the bombs to make desolate the area in the near future. In fact here is scripture that fortells this.

“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation undesired, before the decree is issued, the day passes like chaff, before the LORD’S fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you! (Zeph. 2:1-2)  Then in verse 4 and after,  it describes  the land of “Gaza” and the surrounding areas as being utterly destroyed. This can be none other than the current “Israel”(undesired nation) and the whole surrounding areas.

So in order for our Lord to bring His people back to Jerusalem, the current land occupiers must be driven out. His word declares this will come to pass.

Please keep in mind that this church kingdom will indeed embrace the world, but at the same time a counter kingdom will be setting up. The Satanic false “Sunday worship” system. So as Satan sees the miracles and wonders being performed by the 144,000, he’ll bring up his deceived followers to perform counterfiets. This will be similar to when Moses did the miracles and Satan had his men imitate them in front of Pharoah. This will be the time of great wonder and confusion. Many will be truly confused, unless they are grounded strongly in God’s word (ie. His Sabbath Commandment).

Let us close with one more quote that shows powerful evidence that His kingdom will soon be upon this earth. “For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,” says the Lord God, “there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve me;there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifice, together with all your holy things.

Has there been a time , ever in history since Ezekiel’s time where “all” the tribes of Israel has come back to His land–Israel? No. This is yet to happen. The many tribes of Israel  are assimilated through out the world. And when it does the “Gentiles” will behold it.

Continuing it reads “I will accept you as a sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles.” (Ezek. 20:40-41)

There you have it, as clear as you can get. The “Gentiles” will be here on earth in this current world to behold God’s Glory. Like we mentioned earlier, let us read and believe Scripture as it reads. For His word is made for the humble, pure, simple of heart, that they may know His will.

 We must thank our Lord for this present truth light. The veil has been lifted for us to understand the big picture and just what our Lord’s plans are. For me personally, once I came to this understanding of His end time plans, it cleared up so much confusion in the said verses. I sure hope you’ll prayerfully seek our Lord and His understanding. These events are shortly to happen and He’s now calling for His elect to step forward and say ” Your will is my will Lord, count me in”.

In Christ, Whom we serve, —Rob

Posted in Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom | 4 Comments »

Thy Kingdom Come (Part 1 of 2)

March 31, 2012

“Thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying,”Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, and seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also.” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.” (Zech.9:20-22)

Perhaps the greatest light given in the last message from God, was the fact that the Lord will establish His long sought after and desired “earthly kingdom.” Before you start thinking that we are talking about the kingdom when the earth will be made new–think again. What you are about to see will probably either confound you, enlighten you, or both.

This belief of a premillennial kingdom is one of the hallmark beliefs of the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists.  A definite stand apart belief from the vast Christian word, including the regular SDA. When this subject is mentioned to most, they usually say “Huh? What are you talking about?”  Well, there is alot to talk about! Let us look into this great light that was revealed by way of God’s last messenger –Victor Houteff. He was inspired to diligently search Scripture and Ellen White, and now we can learn and share this light of the kingdom on earth.

Let us begin with the book of Daniel. In  (Dan 2:44) we read “And IN the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

Notice that this prophecy is to occur while “in”  the days of the kings being upon the earth. These kings are represented by the toes of iron and clay. EGW in (Test. for the church, Vol. 1, p.361) says “our present world is represented by the toes”. Now, here is where we must see the clear meaning of the word–in.  If, as is commonly believed, the stone is Christ and smites the kingdoms, then the popular view is our Lord then grows into a great mountain and fills the earth.

However,according to traditional interpretation, when our Lord comes and smites the kingdoms of these kings, they will no longer exist. The Lord will finish the earth’s governments and the wicked and establish His kingdom(grow into a great mountain-a great people).  So if we are to hold that view, then after the smiting  or destroying by the Lord of the king’s kingdoms, there will be no more wicked Gentiles or heathen, or even other nations at all. Keep this view in mind and see if it stands as we look at further explanations from Scripture and EGW.

In the above Daniel prophecy, the Davidian view is that the stone is not our Lord but His 144,000  last day servants. They are “cut out without hands” (meaning separated by God per Ezekiel chapter 9 -no man does this) from the “mountain” (meaning God’s people or church-see Dan. 9:20, Zech.8:3) and empowered by God, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (latter rain), they go forward with much power to “break the kingdoms” in the midst of the kings existing days.

Let us stop here for a moment to discuss the word-mountain. In scripture the Lord often has used the word mountain (by way of the prophets) to describe His people or church. It is also used to describe Peoples in general, and of course the literal application. Let’s look at Micah, verse 4:1 to get a perfect example.

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’S  house  shall be established on top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ “For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

So now that we know the proper meanings of mountain,let’s translate the above. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the “people” of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the “world’s people”. And shall be exalted above the hills (this means the Lord’s people will be VERY highly exalted) and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the “people” of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He (The Lord) will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

So in understanding Daniel 2:44, we  must always remember the cardinal Bible rule of interpretation, that is to read the words as they read not as we want them to read. Notice  it specifically says–  In the days of the kings  =  God setting up His kingdom  not after the days of the kings  =  God setting up His kingdom. The devil is so crafty, and if he can throw us off in one little word, we can be led down a whole different direction. Such as in the long-held traditional interpretation of Daniel’s prophecy.

Notice a perfect description found in (Jer.5:20) speaking of these 144,000 warriors that closely describes the same thing Daniel saw. “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces: With you  I will destroy kingdoms.”  Has this ever happened since Jeremiah’s time? No. It is yet to come. Very important to notice that these words aren’t saying that “you”  is describing the Lord. Who else after Jeremiah’s time  can scripture point to that will go out and “destroy” kingdoms and break nations in pieces, nothing else makes sense except the 144,000 servants of God.

Let’s continue with the prophecies of Jeremiah.  (Jer. 7:7-8) “For thus says the LORD: “Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’  Behold, I will bring them from the north country,and gather them from the ends of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there.”

What strikes out to us from the above?  First, the return “there” is Zion, as it describes it in the verses before (Jer. 31:5-6).It is not heaven where He returns them. Has our Lord ever gathered His people (remnant) from “the ends of the earth” and brought them to Zion, after Jeremiah’s time? A “great throng” returning there? Not yet. Some may say “Yes, in 1948 the people God is talking about,the Jews were gathered back to Zion”.  No it cannot be. The people of God, are not the unbelievers who deny God’s Son and willfully reject Him. Secondly, the above Scripture cannot be describing the earth made new, because there will be no blind, lame or children.(for no children see 1 Selected Messages, p.172-173)

Ellen White clearly states who is the Israel of today. “…Seventh Day Adventists must have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and in their homes. The Lord has given me light that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him…” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 9, p.164) Clearly the Jews of old are not the Israel of today. This area has continued to be a giant deception that most of Christendom has bought hook, line, and sinker from the great deceiver.

Let us keep in mind that because the  Seventh Day Adventist’s are the Israel of today, all God’s promises made to His people are to be fulfilled through the Israel of today. As we continue let us be confident that what the Lord said He will do–He will do. EGW confirms this ” That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today…These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.” (Prophets and Kings, p.713-714)

Let’s continue with Jeremiah. “For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the LORD— For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.” (Jer. 8:11-14)

Again we notice the exciting pure joy of what the Lord will do when He brings His people back to Zion. tradition has said that this is describing the earth made new. But that cannot be because during the earth made new world, there will be –no old people. So obviously these promises take place in the future, yet cannot be in the “earth made new” after the millennium –so it must occur in this world and in the future.

In Zechariah (8:3-8) we find revealing descriptions of how life will be in the earthly kingdom. Before we quote this, keep in mind this “kingdom” will not be a worldly government kingdom per se, it will be God’s church kingdom. There will still exist “other worldly nations” as Satan will be countering this kingdom, setting up “his” own kingdom of Sunday worshippers, and eventually mandating this around the world- the mark of the beast decree (this is a whole other in-depth area). But keep in mind that due to the power God has enabled His 144,000 servants, the world’s kingdoms shall be “broke”, in other word’s –turned on their head as they observe the awesome power of the Lord and the many people coming out of babylon (false churches and religions). This power does indeed cause a “break” in the world’s long held religions.

“Thus says the LORD : ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.’ Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Ol men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of old age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’ says the LORD of hosts. Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ Behold , I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.”

Once more we can see without doubt that this cannot be describing anything but during our current world. For the old men and women are dwelling in Jerusalem, and our God has brought them there.

They say that to  prove something out, there must be a preponderance of evidence. Next week we’ll bring more Scripture evidence, showing our Lord will indeed establish His Church Kingdom on earth before He comes in the clouds.  The Lord must finally clear His name among the heathen and leave them with no doubt His is the–King.

“He will set up a banner for the nations,and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12)

Continued next week….

Posted in Final Events, Our Lord's kingdom | 4 Comments »

The Converted Life

March 24, 2012

Note: This post comes with a plea, that we must realize that there is a cost to enter God’s kingdom–it costs you your life, that is, a changing from a sinful life into a holy life. A careless attitude of “I got my Jesus free pass card” must be  changed to a ” I want to walk upright with my Lord everyday”.

It really saddens me to think that being called a “Christian” or even a “Seventh Day Adventist”  will soon be a thing of the past. Sadly, the Lord will finally have had it , with those names. The degrading and mis-representation of those who profess something wonderful, yet do what is wrong in our Lord’s site, will have finally reached the heavens.

Speaking to those who falsely profess His name, He says ” You will leave your name for a curse to my chosen ones, and the Lord God will slay you. But My servants will be called by another name. ( Isaiah 65:15) And just so you don’t think our Lord means calling us a new name in heaven, but here on earth (Isaiah 62:2) reads “The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name.”

So we see the converted life really involves careful warnings to our brother and sisters.

One of the great deceptions produced from the evil one, is the old belief we have no accountability per se.We think  ” Our Lord died for me and paid my price, therefore I’m safe. I don’t have to be concerned with my walk, just as long as I’m fairly good and live a good clean life, I’m fine.” It’s the twisted belief in “righteousness by faith”. A  completely false idea of just what that means. Let’s look at how narrow the path to life really is. But as narrow as it is, anyone can stay on it, they just have to want it badly enough.

How bad? Let’s let scripture answer this. ” If you look for Me with all your heart, you will find me”. (Jer.29:13)  How about when we seek Him with half our heart, what then? Well, I don’t know about you but that sounds like lukewarmness to me. The kind our Lord will sprew out of His mouth.

The purpose of this post is not to make you feel all is helpless, rather it is a real account of what it takes to enter the kingdom. The solemn fact is that our Lord cannot compromise on His word, and it specifically call us to repentance. Repentance that is true, a turning away from sin.

Let us remember, there was one family in all the world saved in Noah’s time. There was very few saved in Sodom and Ghamorah. There was only two (above the accountability age of 20) that God allowed into the promised Israel. He has always been loving but He cannot compromise with sin and unrighteousness.

It’s so sad that many of us think our Lord is but a big Santa Claus up there in heaven saying ” Oh, Oh, Oh, come on in all you sinners, no need to repent, just some on in, Oh, Oh, Oh”.

Ellen White says “If we have any regard for our soul’s salvation, we must make a decided change. We must seek the Lord with true pentience; we must with deep contrition of soul confess our sins, that they may be blotted out.” (1 Selected Messages  p.125) Should we be so foolish to think we can continue to purposely sin and without repentance be forgiven? No, true repentance means we’re sorry for doing a certain sin, and then turn away from that sin. Asking our Lord to help us with His power to overcome.

Sometimes I truly wonder how many in our church, in God’s true loving way, reach out to a wayward brother or sister and say ” You know brother, you rally shouldn’t be smoking, that’s not right before the Lord.”  Or “you know sister, you shouldn’t be listening to that rock in roll music, the Lord can’t be pleased with that music.”

(Isaiah 58:1) tell us what we must do about this. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob thier sins.”  Some  may think this verse describes our Lord showing His people their sins–it does not. The “your” in your voice is not captilized in the scripture. So it’s a direct plea to–us,  His people.

As we have wrote about in  a prior post, the sealings of God is happening now. This sealing is not being lightly and carelessly placed on His people. A converted life is the foremost requirement to receive this eternal seal. Just how converted ? Let’s look at the prophetess’ inspired words.

“…everyone must deliver his own soul by his own righteousness.” (Test. for the church, p.215)  Whoa, wait a minute. What about Christ righteousness is our righteousnes? He’s our righteousness, so we are always righteous.

Yes, our Lord’s righteousness is ours indeed! But we claim that righteousness (which means –right doing) ONLY when we have made a full commitment to live a right doing life. You see, even after we make that commitment we’ll fall short, but then we can claim His righteousness because we are striving with our whole heart. His righteousness is no longer a cop out or convient excuse and claimed by us as we walk sinfully through our professed “Christian” life.

Let’s now look at some examples of a “converted life”.

— You know the Holy 10 Commandments  1 to 10  and 10 to 1. If someone asks you–“What is Commandment no. 7?”  you know immediately. For the original short form of the 10 Commandments, see this link http://www.levitt.com/hebrew/commandments.html

— Come Friday sunset, you are well aware this is the Holy Sabbath, honoring God is the primary focus you have, and this lasts through out the Sabbath

–At the store the cashier gives you back 10.00 extra, you notice it after you get to your car. You walk back in to that cashier and hand it back.

–A close friend or relative calls and invites you to their wedding this coming Saturday. You don’t even hesitate, and politely decline.

–At work you notice a co-worker wants to take a small item from the office, you gently remind them that they shouldn’t do that, and you have a chance to share God’s Law with them (No.8 -Thou shall not steal)

–On Friday, you know it’s preparation day, so you make sure to get gas, meals ready, clothes ready, etc. It is dreadful to you if you do these things on Sabbath

–You no longer watch TV every night, instead you are studying God’s word, alone or with family or friends.

— You bring your bible with you each and every week to church. Your bible is marked up, due to numerous passages you have noted and love. His word is in your mind and heart. Especially each and every Commandment.

— A  Friend calls you on Friday night to fill you in on the big news at work, you politely explain it’s the Sabbath and you’ll call them back on Saturday night or Sunday

–You dress on the Sabbath as if you are going to see the president of the USA. But in this case you know you are seeing a much greater than that!

–Worldly music is out, you shun it in the car, home and work.

Those are just a few of the examples. The Holy Spirit will guide you on so much more as you make an effort to convert.

I gave a short sermon in our church a few weeks back explaining how many members look at going to Sabbath services as “punching in their time card.” They do as they please during the week, and when Sabbath comes they get well dressed and “do their time” and so the Lord is pacified. No, the Sabbath is the culmination of our “right doing” during the week, and so we come before the Lord, arms stretched out and ready to faithfully worship Him. This is the converted life in action!

We must remember the devil has took over Christianity to a great degree. This has been so at least from the 2nd or 3rd century. And one of his greatest deceptions is to get you to feel complacent.  Our Lord described His people in His last church (the Laodicean church)  “Because you say, ” I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”(Rev.3:17) This lukewarm attitude tells us to relax, don’t worry about our walk, or even learning new light and truth. We’re safe, no need to search any further for His truth.

 We should “fear” Him in a healthly way. Frequently we should ask Him to guide us, and warn us. This is so important in our walk. We are admitting we can’t rely on our own strength and even our own knowledge, we need more! Why do I  bring up knowledge?  His solemn words.  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee..”(Hosea 4;6) The ones who come to us seriously saying “listen brother or sister, I want to show you this light that has been revealed to me” –we should not blindly ignore them, if it is something we don’t agree with or understand, we must search it out. Zealousness comes from the Lord, and if someone has it and wants to share it, it should always be listened to, and studied.

One of the most solemn areas of study, we will do once we are converted is the upcoming Ezekiel prophecy. In Manuscript releases, Vol 1, page 260, Ellen White says “Study the  9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble themselves and be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience.”

In case some of you are not familiar, Ezekiel 9 is the sealings of the 144,000  as spoken of in Revelation 7:3. This is where are Lord will begin the judgement of the living in the house of God, His church. EGW knew this, yet today very few speak of this from the pulpit  — Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel.

What are some of the keys to knowing a brother or sister is coming to us with a message from God?  1) They are zealous (Rev. 3:19)  2) They are “blowing the trumpet” (giving many warnings) “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of Israel. Because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My Law.” (Hosea 8:1)  3)They stand solidly on the Law and the testimony (Isaiah 8:20)  4) They are willing to study with you and want to share knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

When  a brother or sister comes us to do a study, engage it, find out the matter. Don’t  think you’re above it and don’t need it. Afterall how do you know, that the Lord Himself did not specifically send that person into your life to learn some important truth you need?

“Whatever may be a man’s intellectual advancement, let him  not for a moment think that there is no need of thorough and continuous searching of the Scriptures for greater light..” (Gospel workers, p.300)

“We should now feel the responsibility of laboring with intense earnestness to impart to others the truths that God has given for this time. We cannot be too much  in earnest.” (Test for the Church, Vol. 6, p.16)

EGW was given these words from the Lord, please read and understand them, as it clearly shows our path we must follow will require a sincere effort.

“In concluding this narrative, I would say that we are living in a most solemn time. 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.” (Test. for the church, Vol.1,p.608) Why is this so startling? Because sadly, few of us want of make the whole hearted effort to live the converted life to the Lord.

Does that mean our own individual life will become a never ending struggling tight rope, always worrying about whether we are right with God? No, when we convert and start overcoming temptation after temptation, we gain a power from God, a type of momentum that keeps us strong and steady. A true feeling that we are indeed walking on that straight and narrow path.

My brothers and sisters, let none say what EGW pointed out in (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.331) “Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to that decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining life.”

So in closing, we must realize that just going through the motions won’t do it now. Anyone of us could have tomorrow be the “close of probation’ for us. Our Lord said near the end of His final book (Revelation) “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” (Rev.21:7)  Overcome what? It can be none other than- continual sinning.

I remember my Dad told me something when I was a kid that really stuck with me. He said God gave us only one thing that is only ours, and everything else is His. That one thing is our will. When we will truly want to find the Lord with all our heart, we’ll find Him. This half way stuff won’t cut it. We’ll no longer cherish sins, rather we’ll change and commit to the life we must have—  The Converted Life.

In Christ, from Whom all knowledge flows, –Rob

Posted in Christian walk, once saved always saved fallacy | 2 Comments »

God’s Storehouse blessings

March 17, 2012

Note: This post is for SDA and Davidians, if you are not one, it may not be understandable to you.

She said again and again “I can’t believe I did that”.  We were both in a bit of a haze, she had just broadsided me on my drivers door as we came toward the intersection. Thank God she  did it at an angle and no one was hurt. This accident happened about 2 months ago, little did I know at the time, God’s hand was in it.

One of the most emphatic promises made by our Lord was given in His last Old testament book – Malachi. In (Mal 3:10) we read “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food  in My house, and try Me now on this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessings that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

As I had mentioned above, little did I know that through this accident , God was keeping His word in that Malachi promise. And I have no doubt , this is just the beginning! I’ll finish a bit later on this story.

Today in our “Christian” world the promises of (Mal.3:10) have been so perverted and mis-aligned that the Lord Himself must be in utter disgust, to see how the many false teachers and sooth sayers (especially on TV and Radio) are using these words to scam the people into pouring out millions and millions of dollars each and every year. It’s the ol “give to get” philosphy that these twisted men and women use to line their, and their croonies pockets.

One thing is sure, almost all of these scammers have luxury homes, and very expensive cars, not to mention the large annual salaries. It’s a pathetic misapplication of God’s word. They speak  nothing of present truth in regards to God’s storehouse.  Let’s look at the real intented meaning of this clear promise.

First we notice God tells us the “bring all the tithes into the storehouse.” Two things here we notice, all our God intended funds (tithes) should go into to His storehouse.  We should know just what is God’s “storehouse”.

In Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 30:18, we read ” The statement, “bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,” implies that some are already bringing  into it, but not all. This, along with the charge that the whole nation is robbing God, positively shows that the tithes are now brought, not to God’s storehouse, but to some other house. To repeat, God’s storehouse has ever been and ever will  be where “the message of the hour” is, where “Present Truth” is, the house from which “meat in due season” is dispensed at the time the tithes are paid.”  – Victor T. Houteff

Also brother Houteff says we can deceive ourselves by thinking our charitable gift can replace the tithes to God. His command is, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,

Tract 4                            43

that there may be meat in Mine house. “Mal. 3:10.  The storehouse is the only place designated where one may bring the tithes and offerings and unload from his shoulders the heavy responsibility which a faithful stewardship imposes.  To do otherwise with them, is to leave one’s account in the heavenly ledger standing in the red, even though one may appropriate them to some meritorious work of charity.  While it is yet today, therefore, flee from this sin of Achan before it is forever too late!  “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezek. 33:11.

So we see that the real storehouse brings the present truth to the people and fills the people up with their “meat in due season”. This being the case, can we see that almost all of the churches today are not speaking and dispensing “meat in due season”, therefore can’t really be called God’s storehouse.(For info on what is present truth -please see our last post)

God’s storehouse is currently teaching the “Elijah meesage” or also know as the Davidian message. This is the solemn warning message of the Lord’s imminent return to His churches to begin the beginning phase of the judgement for the living. The old past truths being taught week after week to satisfy the lukewarm laodiceans, is not where God’s storehouse is.

But we must be ever understanding that almost all of us today within the SDA, are currently going to a local church that is not preaching and teaching present truth. What to do? Well,  I stand on solid ground when I say —do not quit that church.  But what to do about the tithe? Here’s the best answer God has inspired me to give.

Week after week we go to our local SDA church, we use their electricity, their pews, their carpet, their meals (at times), their ac./heating, etc.  Would it be right in God’s eyes to take and take, without contributing? I would say not. Therefore we should give  weekly to our local church for their expenses. Many of us feel we are not contributing to God’s storehouse, but we are paying our dues, to fellowship with our friends and family.

But let us be mindful of our Lord’s quote “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s give to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). On God’s intended funds to His storehouse we can send it (most likely by mail) to a real storehouse of God. Then and only then can God keep His promise to pour out  blessings that we have not have room enough to receive it.

Where then is the storehouse of God? As we read above, it’s where present truth is taught, the message of the hour. Not stale old messages consisting of present truth for a generation past, but our meat in due season. Lukewarm sermons are certainly not the “message of the hour”.The Lord is about to enter upon His churches –He want’s this message out there now.

Here’s a short list of 2 of God’s storehouses, which I have found are teaching present truth.

1) Original Shepherd’s Rod Davidian http://shepherdsroddavidian.org/index.html

2) G.A.D.S.D.A  http://www.shepherds-rod-message.org/

Ok, back to the story. As we had just collided, we got out and inspected each others truck/car. I remember her in a stupor saying more than once “I can’t believe  I did that”. Those words somehow struck me as a message to me for some reason. We politely exchanged info, and even called the police for a report (she requested it).

We were both going toward the upcoming intersection, but she was ahead and had stopped , due to the backed up traffic at the red light ahead. I was behind but saw that it was better to go on the right side passing lane because I was going to be going right ahead. As I pulled over and continued on ahead, she all of a sudden pulls out of her lane and goes right, into my left side door.

So after the accident we were able to (fortuantely) drive our vehicles home. But as I got home, thoughts started to swirl in my head. I knew it was her fault and she did have insurance but even still doubts creep in as to the final outcome. I really didn’t need this headache I thought. Then the Holy Spirit spoke. I listened.

It reminded me that I had just recently started sending my tithes to the above mentioned storehouses. Suddenly I understood! This was from God! The plan shown me was that I would receive a large check , much more than it would cost to fix the truck, and that I would be able to funnel much of that back into God’s work, what an excellent blessing!

The final blessing was this — I got to keep my truck amd get 2314.00 check, which the actual repair will be close to 500.00 to fix. God had poured out a blessing, and I will use much of it  for God’s purposes, maybe even alittle treat here and there too 🙂

So my brethren God keeps His word, and if we start putting HIS tithes into HIS storehouse, we shall reap His promises.

In Christ, Whose guidance makes possible this post –Rob

Posted in God's storehouse | 4 Comments »

What Is Present Truth?

March 10, 2012

If someone was to give you a 1 year old newspaper, or even a 5 or 10 year old newspaper, while intriguing, could you expect to gain knowledge of current events, local and worldwide? If that is your latest information or knowledge of current events, would you be in a position to really know the “current” situation? Obviously not. Present truth is much the same way, it’s the current or latest unfolding of God’s scroll of truth, the “latest” newspaper as it were. And who are the delivery people? You got it, the prophets and prophetesses. By them God’s latest “news”(truth)  is announced.

The question is– do we want to read it and understand it? Pilate asked our Lord -“What is truth?”  Today our Lord is asking each of us— ‘What is present truth?”  Can we say “We know exactly what that is Lord.”   Let’s look deeper into this most serious subject- present truth.

The term “Present Truth” has been a term particularly exposed by the SDA church. Wikipedia in describing “Seventh Day Adventist theology” states the following:

“The founders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church had a dynamic concept of what they called ” present truth”, opposed to creedal rigidity, and had an openess to new theological understandings that built upon the landmark doctrines, or Pillars of Adventism that had made them a people.”

Here Wikipedia describes even better than most within our SDA community the term “present truth”, noting that this present truth isn’t rigid and has an openess to new theological understandings, as long as it “builds upon” the solid established doctrines.

I would whole heartedly agree that present truth must stand upon established truths exposed by our SDA church. With truth being light, present truth must be a  brighter form of that light, a clearer focusing of that light upon our path, as we walk ahead in our Christian walk.

If we call our selves Christians, we must ever be striving to walk onward and forward, not walking in place. And this forward walk can only be done by walking on God’s unfolding scroll of truth, the latest “news” as delivered by His messengers, the prophets.

As we look back into time we can learn two great examples of  God’s people not advancing in present truth. The most important example was our Lord’s message He gave Himself. The Jews were full of themselves, as to knowing the truth of God, and then Jesus came with a present day truth. He announced He was sent of God, the great “I AM”.  He taught day after day the presnt truths with so much light. But it was rejected by most of the people. They were content with what the “leaders” were saying, as to Jesus not telling truth. That day’s present truth–flatly rejected.

Scroll ahead to 1844. The SDA movement announced God’s revealing of present truth- the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The beginning of the judgement for the dead, in God’s Holy Temple in heaven. The people were as one, for great light of present truth flooded their souls. They accepted it! But this unity would soon die out. Particularly in 1888, when the understanding of  Dr. Waggoners  “The Righteousness in Christ by faith”, caused division among the people. This was that day’s present truth-a deeper understanding of the righteousness of Christ in us. The present truth after 1888 became hazy and dimmer. No real advancement took place, and they (SDA people) wandered in the anti-type desert for about 40 years until about 1929.

Again, we must understand that the powerful present truths are not revealed to ordinary man. Yes, many men and woman have revealed light given to them in different times, in different areas, but the most sacred and powerful light for His people  come –from — the –prophets. This is a most solid truth. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealth His plans to His servants, the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

In the above scripture we see a powerful key. Notice that the Lord will “do” something, in other words act in some way, and He won’t do that thing until He reveals it first, to His prophets. Obviously this thing to be done is important for all of God’s people to know, because it announced by His servants, the prophets. Many have been revealed things from our Lord (dreams, signs. etc.) but those are for us privately, not for the whole people. This is the big difference, the prophet messages are extremely important for all of us. Hence present truth will be found in their messages they bring from God.

In 1827 God raised up a woman named Ellen Harmon (Later to be Ellen G. White). She was one of the founders of the SDA church.Visions and profound writings would flow from her, starting in 1844,  in such power that the people were amazed. She gave the flock of God it’s present truth for that period (approx. 1850 to 1915)

Each prophet prepares the next prophet, kinda like they set the table for the next. The unfolding of the truth scroll is handed to the next messenger.  Ellen did her job superbly. She time and again had many warnings to her people (particularly in the Testimonies for the church series-9 volumes and Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel workers). God was setting the people up for the final prophet, the one who would come to “prepare the people” for the great and dreadful day.(Mal. 4:5)

Let’s look at what EGW had to say about present truth. “Their are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of messengers running off from the important points of  present truth, to dwell upon sujects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take very possible advantage to injure the cause.”(Early Writings, P.63)  (This quote has direct implications to the Davidian messengers, to remain united on the main points).

” In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are essential; new truth is not independant of the old, but only an unfolding of it.” (Christ’s object lessons, p.127-128)

So the prophetess, EGW, was a superb listener to our Lord. She knew that God had a messenger to come after her and she announced it! “Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says; “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit  and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say; “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the scriptures in the proper way, let me tell you how to teach your message” (Testimonies to Ministers, p.475).

Now let’s look at that profound statement. She directly states a “somebody”  not a group or even somebodies. One person, and it’s a HE .(Note- the then SDA general leadership put out a * asterick by the above statement, claiming EGW really was talking about herself when she mentioned “he”. Shows the desperate acts they were doing to counter this message).

What is the outstanding characteristic of this somebody? He will “interpret scripture.” What is  his purpose? He has a “message” for the people. And it is a Elijah-type message. What was Elijah’s message in the OT? A warning to His own people, get right with God, quit following  false leaders(Baal leaders)  and their ways! What will happen when he trys to give this message? The people will interupt and claim he is all wrong in his interpretations. This somebody will be mostly ignored by God’s people. How much clearer can it get in identifying this next messenger (prophet) and his message,  God’s latest present truth?

Again God explains how He sends His most important messages to His people. “But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” (Rev.10:7) So if each and every prophet carries a most important message, should we sincerely try to find out who EGW was pointing to–to come after? Yes indeed!

In about 1929, a man began to look upon scripture in a whole different light. The great scroll of present truth was being handed to him from God. He saw new light on many prophecies previously hidden from view. Like EGW, he began to write and preach. Soon the SDA leadership interupted. “Stop” they cried “you interpret wrongly, let us tell you the message.”  —Just as prophesised!

Some may say that’s not enough proof that Victor T. Houteff was the man EGW prophesised about. Have you looked into his work?Do you say that some leaders of the church tell you, VTH was a false prophet? Or do you say “I will investigate this myself” (just as we are told to in sripture) We are promised that the  “Spirit of Truth” is to come to us are we not? So if we have this Spirit can we trust that when we read brother Houteff’s work, it will guide–yea or nay? But be  aware, recently we did a post called ” Help I can’t see” and the point was directly made that if we are living a non-converted life(cherishing sins), we very likely will not be able to understand God’s present truth. The Spirit of Truth is stymied.

The whole present truth message (this last one) is directly pertaining to preparing the people before the Lord comes in that great and dreadful day. The “Elijah”‘s  main purpose was thus –preparation of the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (the day of execution of the judgement for the living in His church). Brother Houteff did this superbly–the center of his message. His present truth, given by God was to be given to God’s people not to the world (just like the first Elijah’s message).

In speaking of the Elijah message, we read near the very end of God’s last book of the old Testament, Malachi 4:5 –“Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”  Knowing that Elijah’s coming right before the  end of the world will come, we must ask our selves what kind of message will he bring from the Lord? As many of us know, God provides types and anti-types. The first message of Elijah was given how?

1) He spoke only, I repeat only to his own people, the house of Israel. He did not speak his message to babylon, the world’s heathen.

2) He spoke of warnings to his people, that they were worshipping a false god and trespassing God’d Law.

3) The message was given loud and clear right before God’s judgements came down and destroyed the wicked from –His — Own –People (church)

So the anti-type message must be the anti-type, or similar type of message. This message is going on right now, and those who accept these warnings and turn from their backslidding will be sealed and protected in the near judgements that will fall on His church. Remember the upcoming  judgements starts first in the house of God  (1 Peter 4:17)

Today ten’s of  thousands have taken up this end time message. The Lord is getting His “elect” together right now, in preparation for the final “Loud Cry”. The elect 144,000, who have made the decision to wholely convert to the Lord, watching their own lives carefully, shunning sin whenever possible, are being sealed. This my brothers and sisters is —PRESENT TRUTH.

Let us not delay. Come as you are , asking our Lord “Lord , I want to be a part of your last day people, the elect. I am willing to search and learn your present truth. Guide me and send me the Spirit of Truth.”

In Christ, Whose guidance makes possible this post–Rob

Posted in End times, Present Truth | 7 Comments »

The Sealings of God

March 3, 2012

As we are quickly approaching the prophetic great and dreadful day of our Lord, many are discovering the importance of being “sealed” by our Maker. This  work is being done right now and it should be thoroughly understood by all who want to know about this important marking by our Lord. This is indeed a serious subject. It can be viewed as kind of a “holy branding”, with the Lord declaring who is and who is not His people.If we want to be with the Lord, and stand in that day, we must have this seal. Let us look into this most important area.

We shall look at this subject from God’s last two spokespersons, Ellen G. White (hereafter referred as EGW) and Victor T. Houteff (Hereafter referred as VTH). “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He reveals His secrets unto His servants, the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

First let us look at a direct description from EGW about the sealing, taken from Vol. 4, Bible Commentary , p.1161.

“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 inkhorn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel- just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads — It is not a seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the Truth, both intellectually and spiritually so that they can’t be moved.

The above is packed with telling information. First we notice that this seal is placed in the forehead. A direct sign of the thinking or intellectual area of our body. It appears that these sealed ones have been active in studying and abiding in the Truth (Word of God). For she makes very clear that “truth” is indeed deeply inside these chosen.For they have “settled” into it. So much so that they are so convinced, and rightly so, that their studying has revealed to them the perfect solid truth, and no one can shake them out of it.

Next, notice the circumstances of this sealing. It is placed by “angel with the writer’s inkhorn.” Where does those exact prophetic words come from? None other than the writings of Ezekiel, chapter 9, verse 3-4. “And the glory of the God of Isreal, was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in 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 , who sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”

We know that scripture sometimes refer to angels as “men or man”. See (Dan 9:21)  (Joshua 5:13) (Gen 18:2) for example. The Bible and EGW squarely places the sealings by angels as preceeding the destroying angel. But notice this sealing must come first and be completed before the destroying angel does his work. The sealed ones are to be “separated” for sin and sinners.

Let’s look further at when and where these sealings take place.

One of the main reasons I was brought into the Davidian truth (of which they are active in spreading), was the discovery that EGW said something that profoundly changed the end time scenario for seekers of the Truth. It was (Testimonies to Ministers, p.445)   where she said the Rev. 7 sealings of the 144,000 was the same as what Ezekiel saw in vision (Ezek. 9). Meaning there is a concurrent  one-two action of the sealings. With that being truth, we see that the 144,000 must all be sealed first then right after the dreadful act of the destroying angel takes place.

Who are sealed? The 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel(Rev.7:4). Who is Israel today? EGW states that it is the SDA people (Test. for the church, vol.9, p.164) What about the rest of the SDA? This is sadly spoken of in Ezekiel 9.

Some may say, “Well that’s your opinion, I’ll stick to Stephen Bohr, John Bradshaw, Dwight  Nelson, and the other leading men of the SDA who don’t believe what you say here.” I recently listened to Mr. Bohr, and was quite impressed with his sermon. I was thinking “so close yet so far”. He spoke of the need for conversion first, before coming into the church, which was spot on. But he made mentioned that the “shaking” is soon to come, and equated it to the “Sunday law”. But strangely, they ignore the “church judgement” by our Lord which are contained in the scriptures and SOP. They do not put the solid obvious prophetic time line into it’s proper place. The only ones that I know of who do,  is the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists.

Once more our beloved prophetess explains more on the seal of God. “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 character, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples in the day of Pentecost.” (Test. for the church, vol.5, p.214)

In the above statement, we must understand that EGW is not talking about our “occasional” sinning, because we all are guilty of this. She is describing “spot or stain” as a continual repetive sinning. In other words, we desire to sin time and again, thus it becomes a spot or stain on our character. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:18). So to be clear, it is our responsiblity, as shes says “it is left to us to remedy”, but definitely with the power of the Holy Spirit, to overcome our defects.

Here we are made to see that we must overcome sinning. Our Lord didn’t mince words when He said in (Rev.3:21) “To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”.  Overcome what? It is the continual sinning in our lives. We are placed a God given conscious, and when we do something we know we shouldn’t we cross that warning barrier, leading us to sin. If we continue in this way, that God given barrior is broken and we find we are in a most serious condition. Eventually we grieve away the Holy Spirit.

The last prophet, Victor T. Houteff, the interpretive prophet, who EGW described would come after her ( see Test. to Ministers, p.475, 1 Selected Messages, p.412) sheds more light on the sealings. In fact, he shows through scripture and EGW how there is to be “two” end time sealings. One for the 144,000 and then another for the “great multitude”, which are called out of babylon (the world) into God’s end time kingdom. A pure church kingdom, not a government kingdom. The following link shows brother Houteff’s report on the two sealings. http://shepherds-rod-speaks.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/two-sealing-reports.pdf

In the above report, VTH carefully points out that  EGW’s description of 144,000 seal and the endtime seal (the great multitude) is separate. Some have tried to show there is just one sealing in the last days, this report clearly show that there are two distinct sealings.

So my dear brothers and sisters, let us seriously study as never before. Put away earthly distractions as much as you can, and devote yourself to the inspired word’s of the Holy Scriptures and His prophets.This way you can know the truth and live it daily. The Lord has His arms stretched out right now, calling each and every one of us to learn, know and obey His truth. Can we know we are sealed?

I have been led to say that if you are at a place in your walk with the Lord, where sin done by you or in  your sight,  makes you truly sad, thus making you sigh or cry, then  you are well on that straight and narrow path, which our Lord promises us we can take right up to the kingdom.

Through the completion of His prophet’s messages to us, we now know what is required of us to be sealed. This revealing light is made clear to any and all who look for it. Can we afford to be lukewarm about our salvation? Or should we search and study the messages He has sent us through His last two prophets, whom the sealing message has clearly been shown? We were promised a end time “Elijah”, with a message.(Mal 4:5)  That my brethren, has come.

There is now coming a time when those who are serious enough to pursue His truth, will indeed find it and then settle into it and thus be forever—sealed.

In Christ, and Whose guidance makes possible this post- Rob

Posted in God's sealings | 4 Comments »

Satan’s Convention

February 25, 2012

Recently a church friend sent me some Christian literature and I saw a story written about how Satan would preside over a “devil’s convention”. It appeared right on target. So let us look into this meeting. (Author unknown)

                                 SATAN’S PLAN & MEETING

       It is said that Satan called a worldwide convention of demons…In his opening address he said, “We can’t keep Christians from going to church! We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.

Once they gain that connection with Jesus , our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches, let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus  Christ.

This is what you should do” said the devil. “Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection  throughout their day!” 

“How shall we do this?” the demons shouted. “Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their  minds ” he answered. “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!

Over stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small voice. Entice them to play the radio or stereo player whenever they drive…keep the TV, VCR,CD’s and their PC’s going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.

Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering for free products, services and false hopes.

Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what is important, and they’ll become dissatified with their wives. Keep the wives too tired to love theri husbands at night. If they they don’t give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!!

Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them Easter Bunny so they won’t talk about His resurrection and power over sin and death. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive…have them return from recreation exhausted.Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.

Keep them busy, busy, busy!!  And when they meet for fellowship, let them leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work! It will work!”

It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to have little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives. I guess the question is…. has Satan been successful at his scheme?

You be the judge, does “busy” really mean:

B-eing

U-nder

S-atan’s

Y-oke ???

In this convention plan, we can see his all encompassing influence through out the world. We must be fully aware that Satan and his demons are fighting for their lives right now! They know scripture brilliantly and they knew well the  last days sign of (Mal.4:5) “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” This was their cue to pull out all stops, distractions everywhere.

Look at the what happened in the mid 1950’s. Rock and roll music exploded onto the scene. And shortly after,  morality was “let loose”, free love and anything goes. Then the electronic bombardment came in the 1980’s (computers, cell phones,pagers, etc.). Now, there are so many distractions, that unless we summit to our King, we have but little chance of escaping their snares. It is indeed a super gigantic spiritual warfare for the souls of humanity.

Let’s change that word busy to mean,

B-eing

U-nder

S-avior’s

Y-oke

In Christ, and Whose guidance makes possible this post- Rob

Posted in Satan | 2 Comments »

“Help I Can’t See”

February 18, 2012

Recently a good friend of mine related how her efforts to reach her Father, a Seventh Day Adventist, with God’s end time message was going bad. As I listened over dinner with her, the Spirit was guiding me towards asking her some  questions.

I listened as she told of her outreach efforts. Diane (name changed) had studied, and I mean studied, the Lord’s end time message as presented in the Davidian message, and had accepted it, unable to prove it wrong. She naturally wanted to share it with her immediate family (ie. her Mother and Father, both SDA). So she slowly began to mention the truths and a little later handed him a DVD of the “Daniel 2” vision prophecy.

Soon the two were discussing the subject. He did not readily accept it and their discussions became more testy. At this point, I started to ask her about her Dad’s walk with the Lord.  I soon found out he much preferred TV to studying every night. This to me was a BIG warning sign. And frankly the reason I was guided to this post. Idol worship was involved.  Could it be that many are blind today because something has their devoted attention, thereby blinding them to truth? Let’s look into this area.

First, I would like to relate my own story that may shed some light on the point, of how idols and worldly interests can  hinder our discovery of God’s truth.

Even after I accepted the Sabbath truth and got baptised, my walk for at least the first year, was a little blurred. By that I mean, I still played poker occasionally, did tobacco, watched TV a fair amount of time. I did other things that weren’t exactly Christ like. But during that time I remember listening to Doug Batchelor talk about the 144,000. He said something to the effect that they weren’t  the “total saved” and sealed from the SDA church, only kinda like super apostles, and I was like “yeah that’s right!” in my heart. For I didn’t want to hear and believe anything otherwise.   I was still holding on to a few sins, unable to let go. I wanted the best of both worlds and yet claim the Lord as my Savior.

Fast forward to early May 2011. My walk was going at least somewhat strong despite the holding on as mentioned. But the fateful day came when I drove by a church in a close town nearby that would change my course forever. I was crushed to find out that their SDA church was allowing commercial business to remain open on their own property on Sabbath! I didn’t plan anything  (certainly not the   sighing crying)  as I drove on after learning this. But something awoke in me, something was triggered.

Shortly after,  our all knowing Lord then led me to listen to a Davidian message about the  144,000. Shocked and thrilled were the emotions I immediately felt. Shocked because this was so different and solemn from what I had been taught. Yet thrilled that the Lord had bestowed to me His light on  this important truth.

As I began to search these truths out I discovered much more than I even thought was possible. One of the most important truths I learned was that the Lord is not messing around,  He wants our full devotion and letting go of sin. His blood was His great sacrifice and we can’t claim that salvation with anything less than our full effort to walk upright and “sin no more”. I then looked upon each and every “little” continual sin I was doing and by God’s Holy Spirit started chopping them out of my life.

As I let go and studied, the scriptures began to get clearer and clearer, especially the Old Testament. Clear understandings and visions came that I couldn’t see before. The continual “little” distractions removed, I was no longer hindered in my understanding what God was trying to tell me.

In (Isaiah 59:2) we read “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. And you sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Could it be that those who cannot understand God’s end time message have not dealt , first and foremost, with their own sins?  Is there a blind wall that can only be removed by getting rid of our continual sinning? The answer certainly must be-yes.

God’s light in the word, as spoken through His prophets, cannot be rightly understood while we wish to stay in our unconverted state. This is why, as in the example above with Diane’s Father, he finds it nearly impossible to see the clear light shown him. As he listens to Diane speak , he has his idol (TV) going in the background, just waiting to ensnare him again, thus continuing his slippery slope away from truth.

Plain and simple, the “Spirit of Truth” cannot work for us as long as we have one foot in the world and one foot in our Lord’s work.  We cannot serve two masters. “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer:29:13).

Speaking to the apostles our Lord said “When the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you to all truth. He won’t speak His own words. He will speak what He hears and will tell you about things to come.(John 16:13)”  Were the apostles clean and converted when our Lord spoke those words to them? Ofcourse.  Our Lord knows that His Spirit of Truth can work for converted people, even showing them the things to come. It cannot work on the  unconverted. They will not be able to see and understand truth as God would have them.

I remember having long debates and discussions with Sunday keepers about the Sabbath. I would get so baffled why they could not see the plain spoken word as it reads. Now it is understood why. “Sin is transgression of the Law” (1 John 3:4) breaking the Sabbath continually will grind to a halt the Spirit of Truth working freely in their life.

Our Lord is about to do a most solemn act, which will shock the world. Now is the time convert. And when you do, you’ll see clearly God’s truth and end time plans and you’ll be comforted knowing you will be looked after. Thoughts of joy and bliss will engulf you, as you see visions of His kingdom and being with Him. The gold crystal streets, the beautiful landscape, the heavenly music, the pure crystal flowing water streams.

All this will be ours if only we make a full commitment to Christ, turning from our sins and enabling our Lord to fulfill His promise to  send us the Spirit of Truth, so that we can understand His truth clearly and then walk according to that light. If we don’t commit as we should,  our very soul may cry out “help I can’t see”.

Please keep my friend’s Father and Mother in your prayers.

In Christ, and Whose guidance makes this post possible–Rob.

Posted in Christian walk | 4 Comments »

Esteeming Our Brothers And Sisters

February 11, 2012

As the Lord often does, I was scheduled to post on another subject, but instead I was led to see the importance of this post, as how we can effectively  support our brothers in sisters in these very important last days.

Perhaps one of the most clear and divine words on “brotherly and sisterly love” is found in the much revealing — 1 Thes. 5:11 to 5:14. When I read it I was struck how much it really says in those verses. Let us read those words.  ” Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you warnings. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.”

Let’s take a closer look at what the above message is for us, particularly we’ll focus on the highlighted areas. As we know,  time is just about to close, as we know it. The next act upon the world will truly shake the world up.So it becomes very important that we, as brothers and sisters, take heed in our conduct towards each other. Let us read from God’s inspired writings how to love , respect and even honor each other — true “esteeming” one another, for the glory of God.

In the first highlight, we notice the point of “comforting each other”. This is paramount if we wish to show each other that we are indeed Christ’s disciples. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This means we are courteous, attentive, and caring in our relations to each other.  I have said it many times, but one of the worse actions we can do as representatives of Christ, is to ignore a brother or sister.

Our King set the example by showing a comforting care for His people, never ignoring them, even on their questions. I have heard people say ‘Even Jesus didn’t answer every question asked of Him”. Those questions or concerns from a brother or sister were always answered. He did ignore some of the pharisee’s and ungodly men’s questions, yes. He saw through them as a trap or useless points of contention. Remember we are called “servants” which means to serve or help.

In the second highlight –edify one another, we can see that we are told to work with and teach each other. This is an important part of our relationship to each other as brothers and sisters, most especially in these last hours. In (2 Tim. 2:15) we read  “Study to show your self approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Here we see that our teaching and learning is in fact -our work. Instead of watching TV, seeing a movie, reading  a novel, are we active in our learning and teaching one another? Are  we punching in our timecard for that great Employer in heaven, whose payback is awesome?

EGW says the following concerning our studies and what we’re do do about it. “Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help.” (Testimonies for the church, Vol.5, p.209)

Personally the Lord has convinced me of the importance of our work right now. As time is quickly running out. I even called my cable company and cut back the service to the bare minimum as I am finding I have very little time for distractions anymore, in favor of studying and spreading God’s end time message.  I look at soul winning now, as I used to in stock investment winning or property winning. “…Behold all things become new”(2 Cor. 5:17). Even our outlook on money.

On the next point “know them which labor among you” we see that we are instructed to get to know those who are co-workers in the message. We have such opportunities to get to know a fellow worker most likely in our church and internet groups (particularly Facebook). Infact Paul uses the words “we beseech you brethren…” in placing special emphasis on getting to know our co-workers.  We’ve all heard the phrase “no man is an island”, this most specially applies to our message work today.

As we set up our different bible study groups, within our churches or even the one on one correspondence in homes or internet,let’s keep foremost in mind that we are trying to win souls for Christ and as such we need to know who are co-workers are. Many times we may be stumped on some point or question and when we have many co-workers we know , we have a support team to fall back on.

Particularly you’ll notice we are told to get to know “those who have charge over you and give you warnings.” This is very important. Here the word charge doesn’t mean like a boss, or other worldly superior. It means get to know those who have more light or are “more studied” than you are in the last message from our Lord, in other word’s our leaders. We shouldn’t want to get to know those who are sending the same luke warm peace and safety everybody’s fine message. Why? Well Paul identifies who the well studied are —they give warnings! As we clearly know, we as the laodicean church need anything but lukewarm peace and safety messages  now.

Next we notice we are to  “Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.”  It basically is saying to hold in high regard those who are active in the work,  “love” them for it.  When we are very pleased with a brother or sister who is doing their share to uplift God’s word and message ,let’s love them for it. Sadly those who have not softened their hearts cannot “esteem” as shown here in God’s word. Instead some look for ways to criticize the work and workers.

EGW gives us some clear words of wisdom in this regard “Brethren, will you carry the Spirit of Christ with you as you return to your homes and churches? Will you put away unbelief and criticism? We are coming to a time when, more than ever before, we shall need to press together, to labor unitedly. In union there is strength.” (The Ellen White 1888 Materials, p.903)

The point about being united cannot be overstated. Let me give some specific examples. Let’s say you are involved in a group of like minded believers. You enjoy the studying and sharing but there is a certain one, you don’t really understand clearly. Instead of inquiring of them as to what they really mean on certain points you don’t understand or even disagree with, you instead hold inside a certain enmity(ill will) or even dislike for them. You even murmur on occasions. Is this the Christ like way to handle this situation?

Absolutely not, instead how about inquiring of them in a friendly manner “hey brother of sister,  you said …. and I don’t really understand it. Can you explain it more?” Why not clear the air? You just may find out that your understanding of their position is off and it’s not what you think. Again EGW says it beautifully   “Often if those who find fault knew the truth in regard to those whom they find fault, they would have an altogether different opinion of them.” (Test. for the church ,Vol. 8, p.83)

In the next highlight of our study we see we are to “warn the unruly”, this term in the hebrew is actually the “insubordinates”.This means those who fall out of line, who disrupt and generally cause division. In our Facebook group called Truth Tellers, we sometimes have members who join with the sole purpose of disproving our stated beliefs. It’s the pharisee type of questioning (entrapment) that shows us  a clear “out of order’ behavior, which we are careful to warn. So in a Christ like way we warn them.

As serious Christians it is good to ask questions to learn but when the answer has been shown clear from the inspired writings and the questioner doesn’t admit he or she sees the light. A serious problem exists. It shows that pride of being right is more important than the love of truth-not good. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”(James 4:6)

How we handle being corrected speak volumes in our relationship with God. When I have been shown to be in error, I must accept it and move on. If I don’t my whole walk takes a serious detour and “self” becomes more important than Truth(our Lord)

Lastly, we see that the weaker ones among us, are to be supported. And that our patience should be toward all. Again we should be quick to care and attend to a brother or sister. Any aloofness must be dealt with in our character and tossed out like a dirty rag.

So in closing, may we learn to esteem our brothers and sisters and be united in our cause to speak our Lord’ s last day message of “present truth”. Our Lord prayed for our unity, let us not fail Him in this regard.

In  Christ, and Whose guidance makes this post possible, –Rob

Posted in Brotherly love | 6 Comments »

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