D33 Discover Promises in God’s Law

Contents ( pg 1-42 Posted Feb 27, 2022):

1. Invitation; 1.01 Three in One Study; 1.1 How to Study the Bible; 1.1.1 How to Pray/Ask; 1.1.1.1 The Privilege to Ask in Faith; 1.1.2 Search to Find; 1.1.2.1 Seek First the Kingdom of God; 1.1.3 Door Opens after Knocking  ; 1.1.3.1 Knocking at Heart’s Door; 1.1.3.1.1Spiritual Riches for the Soul; 1.1.3.1.2 The Conflict is for Us;Added on 20/2/22: 1.1.4 Asking to Give; 1.1.4.1 The Parable to The Lord’s Prayer; 1.1.4.1.1 The Pledge of Intimate Relationship; 1.1.4.1.2 Divine Science in Prayer; 1.1.4.1.3 Conditions to Prayers being Answered; 1.1.4. 1.3.1 Obedience  & Persistence in all Prayer; 1.1.4. 1.3.2 Have Faith; 1.1.4. 1.3.3 Pray Believe and Watch; 1.1.4. 1.3.4 Ask God for Wisdom; 1.1.4. 1.4  Assurance in Jesus Invitation; 1.1.4. 1.4.1 Rainbow Assurance from Heaven;

 2. True Spiritual Picture of God; 2.1 he Laws of God - Ten Commandments; 2.1.1 Background and Setting in Proclamation; 2.1.1.1 The First Stone Tablet; 2.1.1.1.1The First Commandment; 2.1.1.1.2. The Second Commandment; 2.1.1.1.3 The Third Commandment; 2.1.1.1.4 The Fourth Commandment; 2.1.1.1.5 Love God Supremely to Love Others; 2.1.1.2 The Second Stone Tablet; 2.1.1.2.1 The Fifth Commandment; 2.1.1.2.2 The 6^th, 7^th & 8^th  Commandments; 2.1.1.2.3 The Ninth Commandment; 2.1.1.2.4 The Tenth Commandment; 2.1.1.2.5 Background on God’s Law; 2.1.2 Satan’s Counterfeits and Lies; 2.1.3 Get the True Picture of God;

3 Bible Prophecy and Reality for Preparation and Sharing; 3.1 Prophesied Deformation of True Religion; 3.1.1 The Antichrist Power in Deformation; 3.1.1.1 Recent Evidence of the Antichrist; 3.1.2 Prophecies of Daniel & John; 3.1.2.1 History and Works of the Roman Church ( Rev 13); 3.1.2.2 The Beast From the Sea: 3.1.2.2.1 Healing of the Deadly Wound (Rev 13:3); 3.1.2.2.2 Lessons from Forgotten* History of Past; 3.2 The Only One Deserving Total Worship.

 

1. Invitation

There are lots of different opinions about who God is. Many in our secular post-modern world do not think God exist. However, to a seeker of the truth there abound numerous evidence of truth in the only ancient literature, the Bible*, the most published book , that had survived being banned, burned, scoffed and ridiculed. This book* was written by over 40 writers spanning over a period of over 1,500 years. This book* has endured through the centuries because it is preserved by God as the writers were inspired by God in documenting God’s messages for the salvation of mankind.

The confusion over who God is proves that countless copies of the bible in practically most homes sit unread on the book-selves. Simply put it is because people don’t know that the Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. It contains the treasure map that leads us to God’s highest treasure, eternal life. It provides answers about our origin, identity, and the purpose of our existence. Secondly, people have lost the art and desire for reading prints being displaced by instant information available on the hand-phones. People don’t know how to read the Bible*. It is important to share how to understand the Bible according to the word of Christ revealed in the Bible. Then people will be able to get the true picture of God through keeping God’s laws as they are promises of God’s blessings. Our faith in the second coming is strengthen with the study of Bible prophecies.

(Note: If you don’t believe in the Bible as the inspired word of God watch  The Authenticity of the Bible at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36-4goMDXaM ( 57:33)  How Did We Get The Bible? ( 57:33) - Pastor Gary Jensen Jan 7, 2021 secretsunsealed)

1.01 Three in One Study

It is therefore crucial to learn how to study the Bible and to make the Bible real in our lives. D33 is to share the very simple way in how to study the Bible as provided in the Bible itself for the Bible is its own interpreter. At the same time, the truth about God must be put right in piecing together the true picture  based on God's character of love  depicted in the law of God’ government in the universe as the supreme ruler. It is through the power outside of us, the power from above by which we can overcome our fallen nature and to be restored into the true image of God. This is D33 cental theme.

We will approach the study along the theme of this website in the DIY format but with the help of the Holy Spirit of truth as our comforter and our guide to discern spiritual truth. Spiritual truth can only be discerned spiritually to lead us to the spiritual light, Jesus Christ , our Creator, Redeemer and Restorer.

 Starting with this article, the reader is to Do It Yourself (DIY) in reading the referenced video presentations. In this case there are three main video presentations. D33 is special in attempting to bring learning the word of God as the process of character transformation to grow in the likeness of Jesus... Reading about the knowledge of God does not transform character unless it is spiritually discerned such that we know the ten commandments are actually attributes of love in God’s promises of blessing  in keeping them and obedience is unforced and natural  without  any thought,  instinctive as it is the gift of God. In order to instil the learning experience the trustworthiness of God’s word must come from knowing about Bible prophecies. The accuracy of the visions of Daniel  in depicting  history, thousands of years ago in advance  is irrefutable proof  to convict us  to trust all of God’s promises for the future. 

1.1 How to Study the Bible  (Part One)

(Adaptation of the Inspirational Study Bible , Max Lucado. Main editor with amplification of the Bible passages from the Spirit of Prophecy documented by Ellen G. White )

The Bible itself provides the purpose in reading the Bible as it is God’s book and God’s voice. His purpose is to proclaim God’s plan and passion to save His children and get them home to be with Him in the eternal city of God. The bible has endured being banned, burned, scoffed and ridiculed because it is preserved by God. .It contains the treasure map that leads us to God’s highest treasure, eternal life.

To make the Bible real in our lives, the first essential step in reading the Bible is to pray, inviting God to speak to you. Don’t go to Scripture looking for your idea, go searching for His. Jesus Himself gives us the three steps in understanding God’s word

 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”( Mat 7:7; Luk 11:9-13)

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Joh 14:26; 15:26)

We understand God’s word only because He has provided  the Holy Spirit to guide us into the truth when we ask in prayer.  

1.1.1 How to Pray/Ask (Passages from SC –Steps to Christ – chap The Privilege of Prayer

Jesus taught His disciples how   to pray with His prayer found in Mat 6: 9-13; and Luk 11:1-4).  We are to address God as our father in heaven since Jesus is now our brother.  

“Jesus said, "Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you." "I have chosen you: . . . that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you." John 16:26, 27; 15:16. But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.”  {SC 100.2

“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. “ {SC 93.2}

“Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is much manifest reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. What can the angels of heaven think of poor helpless human beings, who are subject to temptation, when God's heart of infinite love yearns toward them, ready to give them more than they can ask or think, and yet they pray so little and have so little faith? The angels love to bow before God; they love to be near Him. They regard communion with God as their highest joy; and yet the children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit, the companionship of His presence. “ {SC 94.1}

“There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." Isaiah 44:3. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit's influence, or God's blessing cannot be received.”  {SC 95.1}

“Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. Jesus said to His disciples, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24. Do we take Him at His word?”  {SC 96.1}

“When we come to ask mercy and blessing from God we should have a spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts. How can we pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," and yet indulge an unforgiving spirit? Matthew 6:12. If we expect our own prayers to be heard we must forgive others in the same manner and to the same extent as we hope to be forgiven.”  {SC 97.1}    

“Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We are to be "instant in prayer," to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2. Peter exhorts believers to be "sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7. Paul directs, "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6. "But ye, beloved," says Jude, "praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God." “Jude 20, 21.

“Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. …{SC 98.3} 

“There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. ..A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul.”  {SC 99.1} 

“We need to praise God more "for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." Psalm 107:8. Our devotional exercises should not consist wholly in asking and receiving. Let us not be always thinking of our wants and never of the benefits we receive. We do not pray any too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. We are the constant recipients of God's mercies, and yet how little gratitude we express, how little we praise Him for what He has done for us.”  {SC 102.2}

“Our God is a tender, merciful Father. His service should not be looked upon as a heart-saddening, distressing exercise. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord and to take part in His work. God would not have His children, for whom so great salvation has been provided, act as if He were a hard, exacting taskmaster. He is their best friend; and when they worship Him, He expects to be with them, to bless and comfort them, filling their hearts with joy and love. The Lord desires His children to take comfort in His service and to find more pleasure than hardship in His work. He desires that those who come to worship Him shall carry away with them precious thoughts of His care and love, that they may be cheered in all the employments of daily life, that they may have grace to deal honestly and faithfully in all things.  {SC 103.2} 

We must gather about the cross. Christ and Him crucified should be the theme of contemplation, of conversation, and of our most joyful emotion. We should keep in our thoughts every blessing we receive from God, and when we realize His great love we should be willing to trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.  {SC 103.3} 

The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our gratitude we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth" God. Psalm 50:23. Let us with reverent joy come before our Creator, with "thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." Isaiah 51:3.  {SC 104.1}

1.1.1.1 The Privilege to Ask in Faith

“The Lord has sought to show us how ready is God to hear and answer our request by the use of a most familiar and commonplace occurrence. He said: "What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:9-11). Christ made an appeal to us concerning the willingness of God to help, arguing from the natural love of the parent to his offspring. What father could turn from his son who asks bread? Should anyone dishonor God by imagining that He will not respond to the call of His children? Would we think a parent capable of trifling with his child, and tantalizing him by raising his expectation only to disappoint him? Will a father promise to give good and nourishing food to his child and then give him a stone? If ye then, being human and evil, give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? The Lord assures those that ask Him that He will give them the Holy Spirit.  {1SM 329.1} 

1.1.2 Search to Find

Seek (search) and you shall find is God’s pledge. The Bible is not a newspaper to be skimmed but rather a mine to be quarried. “If thou seekest  her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; “Pro 2:4. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2Ti 2:15 . 

The treasures in the Bible requires effort not brilliance. We must be willing to earnest search for this truth in studying the Bible daily. Don’t be discouraged if your reading reaps a small harvest . Here is the practical point. Study the Bible  a bit at a time. What is important is to search every day for that day’s message. A steady diet of God’s word over a lifetime builds a healthy soul and mind. (This was introduced in the previous article L1 “Evidence of Truth to Spiritual Light at www.wakeupow.com  )

Hunger is not satisfied by eating twenty-one meals in one sitting once a week. The body needs a steady diet to remain strong. So does the soul. When God sent food to His people in the wilderness, He didn’t provide loaves already made. Instead, He sent them manna in the shape of thin flakes, like frost… on the desert ground ( Exo 16:14(.

God sends spiritual food the same way. He opens the heavens with just enough nutrients for today’s hunger He provides “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” Isa 28:10  - The rule here is the Bible interprets itself and the rule is searching a little lesson here, a little lesson there. Understand comes little by little over a lifetime.  

1.1.2.1 Seek First the Kingdom of God ( Mat 6:33)

There are many verses stressing on searching for the truth in God’s word. The most  important is Jesus teaching us in His sermon on the Mount of Blessing,  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mat 6:33 

The people who listened to the words of Christ were still anxiously watching for some announcement of the earthly kingdom. While Jesus was opening to them the treasures of heaven, the question uppermost in many minds was, How will a connection with Him advance our prospects in the world? Jesus shows that in making the things of the world their supreme anxiety they were like the heathen nations about them, living as if there were no God, whose tender care is over His creatures.  {MB 98.2} 

"All these things," said Jesus, "do the nations of the world seek after." "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Luke 12:30; Matthew 6:32, 33. I have come to open to you the kingdom of love and righteousness and peace. Open your hearts to receive this kingdom, and make its service your highest interest. Though it is a spiritual kingdom, fear not that your needs for this life will be uncared-for. If you give yourself to God's service, He who has all power in heaven and earth will provide for your needs.  {MB 99.1} 

Jesus does not release us from the necessity of effort, but He teaches that we are to make Him first and last and best in everything. We are to engage in no business, follow no pursuit, seek no pleasure, that would hinder the outworking of His righteousness in our character and life. Whatever we do is to be done heartily, as unto the Lord.  {MB 99.2} 

Jesus, while He dwelt on earth, dignified life in all its details by keeping before men the glory of God, and by subordinating everything to the will of His Father. If we follow His example, His assurance to us is that all things needful in this life "shall be added." Poverty or wealth, sickness or health, simplicity or wisdom--all are provided for in the promise of His grace.  {MB 99.3} 

God's everlasting arm encircles the soul that turns to Him for aid, however feeble that soul may be… The soul that lives for God shall abide with Him. "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:17. The city of God will open its golden gates to receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope, amid loss and affliction. The songs of the angels will welcome him there, and for him the tree of life shall yield its fruit. "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." Isaiah 54:10.  {MB 99.4} 

1.1.3 Door Opens after Knocking  (Mat 7:7)

After the asking and seeking comes the knocking. This is the final and most crucial spiritual aspect  in studying the Bible.  Knocking is striking a door for entrance. This is necessary in order to be able to share the good news of the gospel that Jesus has commissioned His followers  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Mat 28:19-20.  We are co-workers with Christ who came to this fallen world, usurped by Satan to save the lost sinners Satan has deceived and are under his bondage.Jesus gives us the example and He has left us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all things He has taught us so that we will be able to do our part to finish the work in carrying the cross and follow Him such that all may repent and return to God as this is the will of the Father. (2 Pe 3:9)

Jesus has said we” Can do nothing without Him.” (Jn 15:5) Therefore we are to stand at God’s door and knock to make yourself available and willing.. Knocking goes beyond the realm of thinking and and into the realm of acting.

To knock is to to ask, What can I do? How can I obey? Where can I go? The truly happy people are those who carefully study God’s perfect law  (The next main section, the central theme-Promises in God’s Law” coming up after this topic) that makes people free and to make them grow in their faith by falling  in love with Christ in their communion with Him. (See notes* -New Covenant written in the heart- Sabbath Bible Study 2022 first quarter- weekly lesson 8 – Feb 12-18)

Happiness and peace comes to those who do what they daily read in Scriptures. It is the same with medicine.By reading the label and ignoring the pills wont cure. It is the same with food. If you read the recipe but never cook, you wont be fed. In the same way, by reading the words in the Bible but never obey, you will never know the joy that God has promised.  

1.1.3.1 Knocking at Heart’s Door (Rev 3:18-20; Job 22:21-25)

We are to be able to discern the spiritual significance in the principle of knocking by the example of Christ and how you must open the door of your heart to His knocking.

“The Lord knocks at the door of your heart, desiring to enter, that he may impart spiritual riches to your soul. He would anoint the blind eyes, that they may discover the holy character of God in his law, and understand the love of Christ, which is indeed gold tried in the fire…. Christ has made rich promises in regard to bestowing the Holy Spirit upon his church, and yet how little these promises are appreciated!  “Ye say that we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, while we are poor and wretched, and miserable, and blind, and naked. “ {RH, February 25, 1890 par. 1}

“If our hearts* are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the principle of love is implanted in the heart*, when man is renewed after the image of Him that created him, the new-covenant promise is fulfilled, ‘I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.’ Hebrews 10:16. And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the life? Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, ‘This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.’ ‘He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’ 1 John 5:3; 2:4. Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. . . .” {SC, 60}

1.1.3.1.1Spiritual Riches for the Soul, (Isa 13:12; Mat 13:45,46)

“Jesus is going from door to door, standing in front of every soul-temple, proclaiming, "I stand at the door, and knock." As a heavenly merchantman, he opens his treasures, and cries, "Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." The gold he offers is without alloy, more precious than that of Ophir; for it is faith and love. The white raiment he invites the soul to wear is his own robes of righteousness, and the oil for anointing is the oil of his grace, which will give spiritual eyesight to the soul in blindness and darkness, that he may distinguish between the workings of the Spirit of God and the spirit of the enemy. Open your doors, says the great Merchantman, the possessor of spiritual riches, and transact your business with me. It is I, your Redeemer, who counsels you to buy of me.”  {RH, August 7, 1894 par. 4} 

1.1.3.1.2 The Conflict is for Us (Phi 3:12-15)

“The True Witness presents encouragements to all who are seeking to walk in the path of humble obedience, through faith in his name. He declares, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

These are the words of our Substitute and Surety. He who is the divine Head of the church, the mightiest of conquerors, would point his followers to his life, his toils, his self-denials, his struggles, and sufferings, through contempt, through rejection, ridicule, scorn, insult, mockery, falsehood, up the path of Calvary to the scene of the crucifixion, that they might be encouraged to press on toward the mark for the prize and reward of the overcomer. Victory is assured through faith and obedience.

Let us make an application of the words of Christ to our own individual cases. Are we poor, and blind, and wretched, and miserable? Then let us seek the gold and white raiment that he offers. The work of overcoming is not restricted to the age of the martyrs. The conflict is for us, in these days of subtle temptation to worldliness, to self-security, to indulgence of pride, covetousness, false doctrines, and immorality of life. “ {RH, July 24, 1888 par. 14}

(Notes*: The writing of this section on studying the Bible is written on18/2/22. It is truly providential to have this Sabbath Bible Study together the Sabbath Worship Service Sermon Why Should We Pray? - Gary Will  (2/19/22)  at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe0szZx2kCQ  (1:57:30)  in two parts:

1.Sabbath School - Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant with Elder Melvin Blue, Pastor Stephen Bohr, and Pastor Daniel Miranda ( 53:32) . (The coverage on the new covenant * must be understood to convict us with the hope in Christ and to fall in love* with Jesus and grow in faith* in drawing closer and closer to Him in our personal relationship with God by daily surrender and study of the Bible.)

2. Sermon Title: Why Should We Pray? Why Should We Pray? - Gary Will || Worship Service (2/19/22)(1:01:07- 1:57:30)  When everything around us seems to be in upheaval and society appears to be a tottering mass, ready to crumble at any moment, where can we turn for help. Does anybody care? There is one, with almighty power, that is ready and willing to answer our sincere prayers. In this presentation by , we see that God teaches us how to pray, lays out the conditions for answers, and then gives utterance through the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (This sermon is most appropriate for the topic being discussed  elaborating on the detailsthat you can also watch and listen as well. )

This event must be conveyed to every reader of the webpage immediately and is posted today . The rest of D33 will be posted when it is completed hopefully before the end of February.  Page 10/10 – Posted Feb 19, 22 by singtsc@yahoo.com 

1.1.4 Asking to Give

(https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/15.555#555 – Christ’s Object Lessons, Chap 12, 139-149))

In response to the opportunity to glorify our Father, God, D33 is posted in the portion that is completed, As such it is necessary to revise the structure into three parts with  Pt 1 posted 2/19/22 ,Pt2 – Character of God in Scripture and Pt 3 – Bible prophecy &History.

To Pt 1 is added section 1.1.4 Asking to Give. This is the pinnacle, the extension of praying in asking to give, the selfless act as Christ’s representative to save lost souls as co-workers with Christ. “Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the principle of our lives." “Our mission to the world is not to serve or please ourselves; we are to glorify God by co-operating with Him to save sinners”

1.1.4.1 The Parable to The Lord’s Prayer ( Luk 11:1-13)

“ Christ was continually receiving from the Father that He might communicate to us. "The word which ye hear," He said, "is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me." John 14:24. "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." Matthew 20:28. Not for Himself, but for others, He lived and thought and prayed. From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others. His words were given Him fresh from the heavenly courts, words that He might speak in season to the weary and oppressed. "The Lord God hath given Me," He said, "the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned." Isaiah 50:4 {COL 139.1} 

Christ's disciples were much impressed by His prayers and by His habit of communion with God. One day after a short absence from their Lord, they found Him absorbed in supplication. Seeming unconscious of their presence, He continued praying aloud. The hearts of the disciples were deeply moved. As He ceased praying, they exclaimed, "Lord, teach us to pray."  {COL 140.1} 

In answer, Christ repeated the Lord's prayer, as He had given it in the sermon on the mount. Then in a parable He illustrated the lesson He desired to teach them.  {COL 140.2} 

"Which of you," He said, "shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed: I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."  {COL 140.3}

Here Christ represents the petitioner as asking that he may give again. He must obtain the bread, else he cannot supply the necessities of a weary, belated wayfarer. Though his neighbor is unwilling to be troubled, he will not desist his pleading; his friend must be relieved; and at last his importunity is rewarded, his wants are supplied.  {COL 140.4} 

In like manner the disciples were to seek blessings from God. In the feeding of the multitude and in the sermon on the bread from heaven, Christ had opened to them their work as His representatives. They were to give the bread of life to the people. He who had appointed their work, saw how often their faith would be tried. Often they would be thrown into unexpected positions, and would realize their human insufficiency. Souls that were hungering for the bread of life would come to them, and they would feel themselves to be destitute and helpless. They must receive spiritual food, or they would have nothing to impart. But they were not to turn one soul away unfed. Christ directs them to the source of supply. The man whose friend came to him for entertainment, even at the unseasonable hour of midnight, did not turn him away. He had nothing to set before him, but he went to one who had food and pressed his request until the neighbor supplied his need. And would not God, who had sent His servants to feed the hungry, supply their need for His own work?  {COL 140.5} 

But the selfish neighbor in the parable does not represent the character of God. The lesson is drawn, not by comparison, but by contrast. A selfish man will grant an urgent request, in order to rid himself of one who disturbs his rest. But God delights to give. He is full of compassion, and He longs to grant the requests of those who come unto Him in faith. He gives to us that we may minister to others and thus become like Himself.  {COL 141.1} 

Christ declares, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."  ( Luk 11:9, Mat 7:7)  {COL 141.2} 

The Saviour continues: "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"  {COL 141.3} 

1.1.4.1.1 The Pledge of Intimate Relationship

In order to strengthen our confidence in God, Christ teaches us to address Him by a new name, a name entwined with the dearest associations of the human heart. He gives us the privilege of calling the infinite God our Father. This name, spoken to Him and of Him, is a sign of our love and trust toward Him, and a pledge of His regard and relationship to us. Spoken when asking His favor or blessing, it is as music in His ears. That we might not think it presumption to call Him by this name, He has repeated it again and again. He desires us to become familiar with the appellation.  {COL 141.4} 

God regards us as His children. He has redeemed us out of the careless world and has chosen us to become members of the royal family, sons and daughters of the heavenly King. He invites us to trust in Him with a trust deeper and stronger than that of a child in his earthly father. Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. It is immeasurable. Then if earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more shall our Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?  {COL 142.1} 

1.1.4.1.2 Divine Science in Prayer

Christ's lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and His illustration brings to view principles that all need to understand. He shows what is the true spirit of prayer, He teaches the necessity of perseverance in presenting our requests to God, and assures us of His willingness to hear and answer prayer.  {COL 142.2} 

Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the principle of our lives. "For their sakes," He said, speaking of His disciples, "I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified." John 17:19. The same devotion, the same self-sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of the word of God, that were manifest in Christ, must be seen in His servants. Our mission to the world is not to serve or please ourselves; we are to glorify God by co-operating with Him to save sinners. We are to ask blessings from God that we may communicate to others. The capacity for receiving is preserved only by imparting. We cannot continue to receive heavenly treasure without communicating to those around us.  {COL 142.3} 

1.1.4.1.3 Conditions to Prayers being Answered

In the parable the petitioner was again and again repulsed, but he did not relinquish his purpose. So our prayers do not always seem to receive an immediate answer; but Christ teaches that we should not cease to pray. Prayer is not to work any change in God; it is to bring us into harmony with God. When we make request of Him, He may see that it is necessary for us to search our hearts and repent of sin. Therefore He takes us through test and trial, He brings us through humiliation, that we may see what hinders the working of His Holy Spirit through us.  {COL 143.1} 

1. Love God by Keeping His Commandments

There are conditions to the fulfillment of God's promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. "If ye love Me," Christ says, "Keep My commandments." "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." John 14:15, 21. Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Jehovah. They bring the name of Christ as their authority for the fulfillment of the promise, but they do not those things that would show faith in Christ and love for Him.  {COL 143.2} 

Many are forfeiting the condition of acceptance with the Father. We need to examine closely the deed of trust wherewith we approach God. If we are disobedient, we bring to the Lord a note to be cashed when we have not fulfilled the conditions that would make it payable to us. We present to God His promises, and ask Him to fulfill them, when by so doing He would dishonor His own name.  {COL 143.3} 

The promise is "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. And John declares: "Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." 1 John 2:3-5.  {COL 144.1} 

2. Must Love One Another

One of Christ's last commands to His disciples was "Love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34. Do we obey this command, or are we indulging sharp, unchristlike traits of character? If we have in any way grieved or wounded others, it is our duty to confess our fault and seek for reconciliation. This is an essential preparation that we may come before God in faith, to ask His blessing.  {COL 144.2} 

3. Not Robbed God in Tithes

There is another matter too often neglected by those who seek the Lord in prayer. Have you been honest with God? By the prophet Malachi the Lord declares, "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings." Malachi 3:7, 8.  {COL 144.3} 

As the Giver of every blessing, God claims a certain portion of all we possess. This is His provision to sustain the preaching of the gospel. And by making this return to God, we are to show our appreciation of His gifts. But if we withhold from Him that which is His own, how can we claim His blessing? If we are unfaithful stewards of earthly things, how can we expect Him to entrust us with the things of heaven? It may be that here is the secret of unanswered prayer.  {COL 144.4} 

But the Lord in His great mercy is ready to forgive, and He says, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, . . . if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field. . . . And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:10-12.  {COL 144.5}

1.1.4. 1.3.1 Obedience  & Persistence in all Prayer

So it is with every other one of God's requirements. All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience. God has a heaven full of blessings for those who will co-operate with Him. All who obey Him may with confidence claim the fulfillment of His promises.  {COL 145.1} 

But we must show a firm, undeviating trust in God. Often He delays to answer us in order to try our faith or test the genuineness of our desire. Having asked according to His word, we should believe His promise and press our petitions with a determination that will not be denied.  {COL 145.2} 

God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks. Christ said to Martha at the grave of Lazarus, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God." John 11:40.  {COL 145.3} 

1.1.4. 1.3.2 Have Faith

But many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more of the power of God. Their weakness is the result of their unbelief. They have more faith in their own working than in the working of God for them. They take themselves into their own keeping. They plan and devise, but pray little, and have little real trust in God. They think they have faith, but it is only the impulse of the moment. Failing to realize their own need, or God's willingness to give, they do not persevere in keeping their requests before the Lord.  {COL 145.4} 

Our prayers are to be as earnest and persistent as was the petition of the needy friend who asked for the loaves at midnight. The more earnestly and steadfastly we ask, the closer will be our spiritual union with Christ. We shall receive increased blessings because we have increased faith.  {COL 146.1} 

1.1.4. 1.3.3 Pray Believe and Watch

Our part is to pray and believe. Watch unto prayer. Watch, and co-operate with the prayer-hearing God. Bear in mind that "we are labourers together with God." 1 Corinthians 3:9. Speak and act in harmony with your prayers. It will make an infinite difference with you whether trial shall prove your faith to be genuine, or show that your prayers are only a form.  {COL 146.2}

When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God.  {COL 146.3} 

1.1.4. 1.3.4 Ask God for Wisdom

You need not go to the ends of the earth for wisdom, for God is near. It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you.  {COL 146.4}

1.1.4. 1.4  Assurance in Jesus Invitation 

Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited you to come unto Him? Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible. The Lord is rich in resources; He owns the world. Look heavenward in faith. Look to Him who has light and power and efficiency.  {COL 146.5} 

There is in genuine faith a buoyancy, a steadfastness of principle, and a fixedness of purpose that neither time nor toil can weaken. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:30, 31.  {COL 147.1}

1. Pray for Strength to Help Others

There are many who long to help others, but they feel that they have no spiritual strength or light to impart. Let them present their petitions at the throne of grace. Plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back of every promise He has made. With your Bible in your hands say, I have done as Thou hast said. I present Thy promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."  {COL 147.2} 

We must not only pray in Christ's name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit "maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26. Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity we breathe a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that very intensity a pledge from God that He is about to answer our prayer "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Ephesians 3:20.  {COL 147.3} 

Christ has said, "What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13. And the beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaks with great plainness and assurance: "If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John 5:14, 15. Then press your petition to the Father in the name of Jesus. God will honor that name.  {COL 147.4}

1.1.4. 1.4.1 Rainbow Assurance from Heaven  

The rainbow round about the throne is an assurance that God is true, that in Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. We have sinned against Him, and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas, "Do not abhor us, for Thy name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory; remember, break not Thy covenant with us." Jeremiah 14:21. When we come to him confessing our unworthiness and sin, He has pledged Himself to give heed to our cry. The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word unto us.  {COL 148.1} 

Like Aaron, who symbolized Christ, our Saviour bears the names of all His people on His heart in the holy place. Our great High Priest remembers all the words by which He has encouraged us to trust. He is ever mindful of His covenant.  {COL 148.2} 

All who seek of Him shall find. All who knock will have the door opened to them. The excuse will not be made, Trouble Me not; the door is closed; I do not wish to open it. Never will one be told, I cannot help you. Those who beg at midnight for loaves to feed the hungry souls will be successful.  {COL 148.3} 

 In the parable, he who asks bread for the stranger, receives "as many as he needeth." And in what measure will God impart to us that we may impart to others?

"According to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 4:7. Angels are watching with intense interest to see how man is dealing with his fellow men. When they see one manifest Christlike sympathy for the erring, they press to his side and bring to his remembrance words to speak that will be as the bread of life to the soul. So "God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19. Your testimony in its genuineness and reality He will make powerful in the power of the life to come. The word of the Lord will be in your mouth as truth and righteousness.  {COL 148.4} 

 Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for ministering to the people.  {COL 149.1} 

Let your heart break for the longing it has for God, for the living God. The life of Christ has shown what humanity can do by being partaker of the divine nature. All that Christ received from God we too may have. Then ask and receive. With the persevering faith of Jacob, with the unyielding persistence of Elijah, claim for yourself all that God has promised.  {COL 149.2} 

Let the glorious conceptions of God possess your mind. Let your life be knit by hidden links to the life of Jesus. He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness is willing to shine in your heart, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will take the things of God and show them unto you, conveying them as a living power into the obedient heart. Christ will lead you to the threshold of the Infinite. You may behold the glory beyond the veil, and reveal to men the sufficiency of Him who ever liveth to make intercession for us.  {COL 149.3}

End of Pt1- Pg 18/18, Posted Feb 20’22 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo.com

2. True Spiritual Picture of God (Part Two)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX__Jf__58g&list=PL13eE2x3qhPnjYTHDrGsB_Jn40KBtNWWz&index=6 (1:07:59) 531 - Your Picture of God / Beyond Tomorrow - Daniel Pel Aug 20, 2013 Amazing Discoveries

In the Scriptures, God pictures Himself as the potter and us as the clay, revealing His desire to fashion us in His image. The picture has been twisted and man is now forming God in his own image. How do we know what God is really like? Where do we learn about His character?)

There are lots of opinions about the character of God in our world  today. However, God in scripture represents Himself as the potter and mankind is to be the clay. He wants to form us and moulds us into His image and likeness. This was His desire in the creation of mankind. But the reverse is true for instead of God being the potter, mankind is forming God in their image resulting in the various and different picture of God. In order for us to come back to the original plan of God in placing ourselves  back in the hands of the potter. We must rediscover the character and nature of God. God is invisible to humans as He is in the spiritual realm. We can only recognise His omnipresence  and power by a clear study of the word of God.

First and foremost we must know how to study the word of God as is shared in Section 1. It is in the study of the Law of God’s government that  we will begin to know God’s character transcribed in the ten commandment s These ten precepts are not a list of do’s and don’ts. They are the ten promises to humanity We will learn what they are truly and look at their roles in our life today. Why were they given and what do they mean for us. It is only in the proper study that we are going to discover something new about God, The true new picture Is to emerge from these ten promises that He has given us.

The fact that everyone agrees that there is suffering in this world, irrespective of their belief, presupposes that there is something such as evil exists and there is such things such as suffering  happening to a created being. Then by definition there must be something such as good because otherwise we cannot measure what suffering and evil is. Then we must  have something by which to measure the difference between good and evil. Logic tells us there must be a moral standard . If we have a moral standard there must be a moral standard moral giver. If we intuitively know that certain things are not right  and that there is suffering and something is not right about it there must be a moral standard to measure the difference . Without this standard  things fall apart and society, government s families  fall apart. Even religious system fall apart by the removal of the very standard of God. God has given this rules out of his love and it actually leads us into a relationship with the God that loves us so much.

2.1 The Laws of God - Ten Commandments

The  ten commandments of God, which is the law of His government can be condensed as: 1. No other gods before me; 2. No bowing to idols, or serving images; 3. No taking of the Lord’s name in vain; 4. Keep the Sabbath holy; 5. Honour your parents; 6. Do not kill; 7. Do not commit adultery; 8. Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; 10 do not covet. They deal with the very basic things in everyday life.

King David describes  the result of his life, given in pursuit of God’s 10 promises, bear abundant fruits. (Psa 1:1-3)

There are two functions in the laws of God. The first function is to reveal our sins.  It reveals ways in which we have transgressed or walk contrary to the will and way of God. ( function of a mirror to show us the sins we have committed  so that we know we have a need of a saviour, Jesus who came to save us from our sins ( Rom 7:7,8) The law cannot save us, only Jesus, the spirit of God can change us and save us,)  

The second function ( Heb 10:16.17) is God wants to write the law in our hearts and minds so that it becomes the foundation of our lives. This is the new commandments  that replaces the commandments written in two tablets of stones and pronounced on Mount Sinai  to the Israelites in the wilderness having been delivered out of slavery from Egypt. We don’t have the power to keep the commandments in our own strength because it is God that gives us the power from above  It is a power outside of ourselves. It is  God who writes his commandments in our hearts . This is the great promise of the gospel - He performs His good works in us not only to save us from sin but the power to overcome sin. Paul says we are no longer under the condemnation of the law (Gal 5:18-21) The law that once revealed our sins was like a mirror is no longer revealing that sin because we are now walking by the spirit and the law that once condemned us is now written in our hearts and in our minds;  we are now set free from the works of the flesh. The change is the fruit of the Spirit of abiding in the ten commandments written in the hearts and minds   ( Gal 5:22-23)  The fruit of the spirit is manifested in our hearts that correspond with the will and way of God. When we embrace His plan for our life through accepting Jesus as our saviour , He imparts to us His spirit, His character, and we live in harmony with the will and way of God.

2.1.1 Background and Setting in Sinai Proclamation

It is important to know the setting for the reading of the ten commandments. At the mount of Sinai , the Hebrews were gathered together to receive the ten commandments from God given to Moses to relate to the people . This is a very significant message to His people saying I am your God. I belong to you. When I brought you out of Egypt. I brought you out of bondage. It took ten plagues and in the last plague that brought about the real deliverance. It was the death of every first born of the Egyptians but Passover the house hold with the blood of the lamb on the doorpost s of the the Jewish house. That lamb that was slain on the 14th day of the first month points to Jesus  who shed His blood for you and me. It was because of the blood of Jesus that we are delivered from the slavery of sin.as the antitype of the Passover lamb that the Hebrews were delivered out of the bondage  of Egypt. This is the typology that Jesus shed his blood for us as the lamb with sin and when he shed his blood  set us free from the bondage of sin. The cross is right on display that God brings before the people before He utters the commandments. This is the very bedrock of the commandments, the sacrifice of the son of God on our behalf . It is only through the death of Jesus that we can abide by the law of God.  It is only through the death of Jesus that we are imparted power to walk in obedience to God.

God is saying I set you free because of the Passover lamb  that you shall have no other Gods before me . You shall not bow down to idols. You will not take the words of God in vain  and wants all our time. Every commandment is the outgrowth of the deliverance that was wrought for the people through the Passover lamb. Our Passover lamb is Jesus Christ that was slain for us over 2,000 years ago. Because of His deliverance and His power that we can abide by the law of God as we are imbued from a power from on high.

God wants to be everything for us. He has set us free from sin, delivered us from bondage and He wants all our affections and love because He has given us everything. He wants to receive from us everything. This is a mutual beautiful powerful relationship God in His commandments is giving us, the promise that He will be everything for us. We don’t need any other gods. We don’t need any other things or objects or whatever it may be to satisfy the deepest  longing of our hearts. He has promised to satisfy all that longings in our hearts,

Jesus  tells in His parable “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Mat 13:44 This man in the parable found  a treasure in a field that is worth everything he has  and buy the field by selling everything he has.

Have you come to the point in your experience, whether you are Christian or not, that God has put Himself on display for you? God has shown you what He is worth more than anything else? Your  response will be I want to pursue Him. I want to belong to Him. I want Him to be the treasure of my life.

2.1.1.1 The First Stone Tablet

The first four commandments on the first stone tablet can be condensed as :

1. No other Gods before me; ( See Exo 20: 3)

2. No bowing to, or serving, images; (See Exo 20:4- 6)

3. No taking of the Lord’s name in vain (See Exo 20: 7)

4. Keep the Sabbath holy (See Exo 20: 8-11)

2.1.1.1.1The First Commandment

God is more than our Lord and Christ is more than our Saviour. Many of us have this relationship to God in Christ as Him being our Lord and Saviour and this is absolutely true, beautiful, and important. But there is an aspect or dimension that must be added to God being our Lord and Saviour that He must be our treasure., our desire. We must long for Him more than anything else in life.  The first commandment puts that so beautifully on display when God says “Thou shalt have no other gods before me*.” Exo 20:3.  It is a promise as God is saying I will be everything for you and I want you. I want to be everything for you.I want to be your treasure. We love Him because He first love us!

2.1.1.1.2. The Second Commandment

Beginning in the book of Genesis God said “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Gen 1:26 Male and female were to be made in His image.  They were  the only two images made in the image of God, the human image. Adam and Eve and all of us were made in the image of God. We are the very crownship of creation. God spoke everything else into existence, the Sun, Moon and stars, all the animals, all the life that we see around us. But in creating Adam , He molded Him from the dust of the ground like a potter . Then He breathes His own breath into his nostril and man becomes a living soul. This tells us about God and the beautiful relationship He has with each of us.

This is why idol worship is so offensive to God. Because idol worship is ruining this entire this relationship with God. When man starts making God in their image they are distorting this picture that God has established from the beginning  that He wants to make us in His image. So instead of God being the potter and man being the clay; now man has become the potter and God has become the clay. Isaiah describes the foolishness of idol worship saying of a man going into the forest and cuts down a tree. He brings the tree home, and he measures the tree in half. And cuts  the tree and with half of the tree he cooks his meal, warms up his house  When all is well, then he uses the other half and carves an idol that he bows down and worships that idol. The question that could be asked how does he knows that he didn’t burn the wrong half.

We may say that we do not carve these images any more. But we can have an idol in our hearts and in our minds  by seeing a false picture of God. A false picture of God doesn’t have to be carved out in wood or stone. It could be carved out in the mind. If you have a wrong understanding of who God is based upon traditions or your own fanciful ideas you are actually an idol worshipper. You have formed a picture which is not the true picture of God and the only way we can learn about God is by going to Scripture. It is by taking scripture and by studying what God has given in a revelation of Himself. He has revealed Himself to every one of us. This is the only place where we can go to understand God’s nature and character.

God says here that those who worship idols “hate me”(Exo 20:5)  that they will have to face judgment for their iniquities.  But He is always “shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love  me, and keep my commandments. “ Exo20:6.

When we look (in contemplation)  at God’s image  in that He puts on display of Himself by doing that we become changed ( 2 Cor 3:18) But if we change the character of God then that is what we behold and become changed according to what we have changed. We want to be changed to the true character of God as He puts on in scriptures. Jesus came to earth as a person to put the character of God on display. (In Christ we find a knowledge of the glory (synonymous to character) of God -2 Cor 4:6) .

The second commandment is an invitation to have a true  spiritual  realm picture of God as we are not to bow down to images but we are to look at the image of God that He has given us in the scriptures through His Son. By beholding we will become changed.

2.1.1.1.3 The Third Commandment

Name has a bearing on character in the Bible. God has said to Moses I will make my name known to you ( Exo 33:18-19; 34:5-7; Exo 20:7). God in proclaiming his name  made His character known to Moses on his request.

The third commandment is the progression from God saying I will be everything to you, you are not to bow down to idols because I made you in M image and you are to be changed into My image when you look to Me through Jesus whom I Have sent. The change is by understanding who He is so we don’t take the Lord’s name in vain ( 3^rd Commandments) 

2.1.1.1.4 The Fourth Commandment

All the laws are a succession of the Christian experience with God. In the 4^th God asks us to keep the Sabbath holy. God wants us to enter into the rhythm of heaven, The seventh day is a special day that He wanted to spend with each of us and for each of us to commune with Him  It is telling us that our time belongs to God for He is the source of our life. When we consecrate ourselves to God and allow Him to write His commandments in our hearts and in our minds that we will give Him our time and on a special day of the week. On the seventh day of the week we will set aside the work and commemorate Him as our maker. We want to be refreshed and renewed. God knows the rhythms of our bodies that without rest we will burn out. He created the week and in this weekly cycle the seventh day is a day of special rest.and a time together with you

2.1.1.1.5 Love God Supremely to Love Others

The first four commandments is God saying let me have all your affections and don’t give them to anyone. I want it all for I have given everything for you. “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3.  You will find your greatest joy you could ever experience in Him. He knows it is to our best interest  for He loves you and knows what is best for you. I don’t want you to bow down to serve any images as that is no how I set up things. I created you in my image. Let me have your body and God wants you to give everything to Him - your affections,  your words and also your time by keep the Sabbath  holy.  By giving everything back to Him and letting Him take care of it for Christ says we can do nothing with Him, we are to find the greatest joy in Him. This is brought together in Jesus saying

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “ This is the first and great commandment. “ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Mat 22:37-40. (God wants all of us. He wants all of our hearts, ore minds and all of our souls,  The first four is on the first stone tablet that comprise  the first and great commandment . On the second tablet are the rest of the six making up the ten commandments. The first four are dealing with our relationship/ our love to God.

2.1.1.2 The Second Stone Tablet

The other six deals with our relationship to others, to people around us and in our circle of influence – our inter- personal relationship: 5. Honour your parents; 6. Do not kill; 7. Do not commit adultery; 8. Do not steal; 9. Do not bear false witness; and 10. Do not covet. .

2.1.1.2.1 The Fifth Commandment

In honouring our parents we are going to enhance our joy, our quality and quantity of life ( Exo 20:12) This promise basically apply to all relationships starting with your love for your parents. When we show attributes of love and kindness and compassion to all those around us, this will be health to the soul, both physical and spiritual.

2.1.1.2.2 The 6^th, 7^th & 8th Commandments

Jesus sheds light on the 6^th ,7^th &8^th laws in addressing the act of committing adultery saying that in order not to commit them we must understand that  all actions must begin in the mind that “whoever looks at a woman and lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Mat 5:27-28.   Jesus makes it clear that we have all come short , that we have all transgressed because when we even think, or even when  we are for a moment angry with our brother or someone in reality committing the act of killing.( or the tendencies to kill), it maybe lust for adultery, or the act of steal. The law is a mirror thar shows everything about us to the very depths of our hearts and souls. It reveals that we are in need of a savior.

The promise is this, If it starts in the heart , in the mind  as Jesus says  before you lust , or before you kill or steal, then it is exactly in the heart where God also wants to give us victory God promises that He can transform the heart and mind as according to the new covenant . Our thoughts can be brought into “captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” ( 2 Cor 10:3-5). God wants to give us victory , not only to actually abstain from striking  a person in king him, or not being caught in adultery, but victory where these things start. This applies in stealing as well. God can keep our minds through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.

2.1.1.2.3 The Ninth Commandment

Jesus tells us what it means to a false witness and breaks the 9^th commandment. He relates it in the parable “A Tree and Its Fruit ‘( Luk 6:43-45)  The underlying teaching is very simple. Whatever you are from the inside is going to be manifest on the outside. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” V.45. So if your heart is transformed, if your mind is transformed then out of the abundance of your heart your mouth is going to speak. With a transformed heart you  can only be a true witness.

2.1.1.2.4 The Tenth Commandment

The last commandment brings it all together. Covetousness desires something that is not yours. In this precept God is giving us a promise that we don’t need to covet because He has promised to be everything for us in the first law with the promise attached. He is our treasure, our Lord, our Saviour and there is no need for us to covet. In fact He will change our desires for life when you give your life to God, to the cause of Christ, in becoming a follower of Christ . All you will desire is your relationship with Jesus above everything else. Your pursuit and focus is on God and Christ and other things will diminish in the light of Jesus Christ.  You will not covet because you will be filled with the fullness of God. This is the only way for our souls to be filled. To be fully satisfied is to find our Creator, and our God and our savior and to enter into a relationship with Him.

2.1.1.2.5 Background on God’s Law

God first proclaimed through Moses “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth´ Gen 1:1. He then put Himself on display in His commandments  “When the law was spoken, the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, stood by the side of his Son, enshrouded in the fire and the smoke on the mount. It was not here that the law was first given; but it was proclaimed, that the children of Israel, whose ideas had become confused in their association with idolaters in Egypt, might be reminded of its terms, and understand what constitutes the true worship of Jehovah.  {ST, October 15, 1896 par. 4}

The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it. (Adam and Eve, at their creation,  had knowledge a knowledge of the law of God. It was printed in their hearts, and they understood its claims upon them {MS 99,1902} After the fall, the principles of righteousness were unchanged. Nothing was taken from the law; not one of its holy precepts could be improved. And as it has existed from the beginning, so will it continue to exist throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. "Concerning thy testimonies," says the psalmist, "I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever."  {ST, April 15, 1886 par. 14}

The God of heaven has places a benediction upon them that keep the commandments of God,In the law every specification is the character of God (MS 12,1894)

The ten holy precepts spoken by Christ upon Sinai’s mount were the revelation of the character of God and made known to the world that He had jurisdiction over the whole human heritage.That laws of ten precepts  of the greatest love  that can be  presented to man is the voice  of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise. “This do and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan,” There is not a negative in the law although it may appear thus.  It is Do and Live. ( Letter 89.1898)  

In the ten commandments God has laid down  the laws of His kingdom. Any violation of   the laws of nature is a violation of the laws of God.

God has put Himself on display in His commandments. He is giving these commandments as ten promises to you so that you will experience this progression into this relationship in which you will not want anything else but you will fing yourself fully fulfilled. He made you and He knows what you need and He knows that when you have connected yourself with the life-giving force of the entire universe that then you will come to a moment in your life that you will no longer covet. It is this experience that this world need If there is anything that this world need ,

God wants you to know Him more so that as you go to the word of God and you read and spend time in prayer and you search for Him, He wants to moment by moment reveal to you that He loves you so much that when you connect yourself to Him that love is going to flow into your soul, your mind and into your heart. He is going to be for you what no one else can be on this earth.

2.1.2 Satan’s Counterfeits and Lies

There is an enemy in the great conflict between good and evil . He is trying to distort the character of God , to misrepresent the character of God. He is Satan, the devil . He counterfeits every commandments to work against the very purpose in ways of God to misrepresent Him.

From the first commandment after God has delivered His chosen people from Egypt, from the slavery to sin and all the way to the tenth commandment we find this beautiful progression of what God wants to do in our life. He wants us to be set free, to experience Him, to have no other Gods before Him (1^st), to be fully His. He wants to reveal Himself through His image (2^nd ) and experience His character ( 3^rd) and wants all our time (4^th)  to belong to Him. We are led through all the ten promises.  But the enemy wants to lead you in the opposite direction . Satab wants you to disobey, to transgress on these commandments and he wants to lead you right back in the opposite direction so that where you came out of bondage he wants you to lead you back into bondage.

This can be played out as we walk backwards when we are not walking in the Spirit This is the progression or regression that Satan wants you to disobey the very commandments of God.

Satan from the very beginning of this great controversy* in heaven, coveted the position of God. The Bible tells us that Lucifer ( Satan’s original name) , the archangel in great esteem in heaven, coveted (10^th) the position of God and started to spread lies about God in heaven  So he disobeyed then broke the 9^th in bearing false witness. He was seeking to steal (8^th) the position of God in heaven . In doing so, he broke his relationship with God like a spiritual divorce (7^th) He makes war with Christ and His angels and seeks to murder them ( 6th) . He is cast out of heaven. His rage is now against the family made in the image of God(5^th) . He attacks the holy time of God revealed in the Sabbath (4^th). He attacks the very character and name of God by misrepresenting Him ( 3th). He creates a new image of God for people to bow down to worship ( 2^nd ) . Finally he will proclaim himself god (1^st).

The result of all this is that he is going to step into bondage for it is God that brought the Israelites out of the bondage of sin and eternal death

In understanding the great controversy* that God Has revealed to us through prophets and by the display of His character and attributes of love we know that the hidden ruler of this world  Satan, a created being  who has usurped this world from Adam and has crafted temptation and  deceptions to make you to disbelief God to follow him instead. By breaking any of Gods commandments you make yourself under bondage to Satan and sin. (Note* The great controversy* is understood by the study of Bible prophecies  in section 3.)

2.1.3 Get the True Picture of God

God wants to set you free . There may be something in your life that is keeping you in bondage, keeping you bound to this world keeping you bound to the slavery to sin. But , God can set you free and there is nothing in your life that He cannot set you free from. The cross is standing is standing right before us fresh in our memories by faithand the evidence of truth in the Bible and in annals of human history. As we look to the cross we see Jesus who gave His life for us . By giving His life for us  He can set us free from whatever besets us. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He will set you free when you put your confidence and faith in Him. Allow Him to write His commandments on your hearts. Whatever difficult valley you are going through right now, whatever darkness you are encountering, whatever opposition  it is that there seems to be no way out Jesus has died for that sin for just that difficulty in your life, 

Do not murmur in doubt as there is no picture or image of the living God. God’s children see the true picture of God not by sight but by faith.We know Him because Christ abides in us and lives in our hearts. He clearly says “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Joh 6:56-57.In the spiritual sense, we eat Christ’s flesh  and drink His blood when by faith we lay hold of Him as our Saviour, i.e. by feasting on His word in our daily bible study hour guided by the Holy Spirit .

To make an image of God dishonors Him. No one should bring into service the power of imagination to worship that which belittles God in the mind and associates Him with common things. Those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth. They must exercise living faith. Their worship will then be controlled not by the imagination, but by genuine faith.  {4BC 1145.7} 

Let men worship and serve the Lord God, and Him only. Let not selfish pride be lifted up and served as a god. Let not money be made a god. If sensuality is not kept under the control of the higher powers of the mind, base passion will rule the being. Anything that is made the subject of undue thought and admiration, absorbing the mind, is a god chosen before the Lord. God is a searcher of the heart. He distinguishes between true heart-service and idolatry (MS 126, 1901).  {4BC 1145.8}

God calls men to look upon the heavens. See Him in the wonders of the starry heavens. [Isaiah 40:26 quoted.] We are not merely to gaze upon the heavens; we are to consider the works of God. He would have us study the works of infinity, and from this study, learn to love and reverence and obey Him. The heavens and the earth with their treasures are to teach the lessons of God's love, care, and power.  {4BC 1145.9}

Satan will manufacture his diversions that men may not think about God. The world, filled with sport and pleasure-loving, is always thirsting for some new interest. And how little time and thought are given to the Creator of the heavens and the earth. God calls upon His creatures to turn their attention from the confusion and perplexity around them, and admire His handiwork. The heavenly bodies are worthy of contemplation. God has made them for the benefit of man, and as we study His works, angels of God will be by our side to enlighten our minds, and guard them from satanic deception. As you look at the wonderful things God's hand has made, let your proud, foolish heart feel its dependence and inferiority. As you consider these things, you will have a sense of God's condescension (MS 96, 1899).  {4BC 1145.10} 

The sun and the moon were made by Him; there is not a star that beautifies the heavens which He did not make. There is not an article of food upon our tables that He has not provided for our sustenance. The stamp and superscription of God is upon it all. Everything is included in and abundantly supplied to man, through the one unspeakable Gift, the only begotten Son of God. He was nailed to the cross that all these bounties might flow to God's workmanship (Letter 79, 1897).  {4BC 1145.11}

3 Bible Prophecy and Reality for Preparation and Sharing  (Part Three) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTKKpR8jZo&list=PL13eE2x3qhPnjYTHDrGsB_Jn40KBtNWWz&index=5 (1:06:14) 530 - Has Religion Failed? / Beyond Tomorrow - Daniel Pel Aug 16, 2013 Amazing Discoveries (For many, Christianity has become powerless and been reduced to mere forms and traditions. Prophecy and history, hand in hand, reveal how and why this has occurred. A journey through the formation, followed by the deformation, and, finally, the reformation of Christianity looks at where religion failed and its implications for us today.)

The study of church history tells how the followers of Christ developed and moved forward with the formation of the early church by the power from above. But subsequently, the church was deformed and became irrelevant to the people as it became an oppressive power. Reformation is needed to make things right. The reason why religion has failed for most people is because things that have developed in the past where people forming powerful organization have misrepresented the very nature and character of God. The man of sin identified by Paul is papacy who is the main agent of Satan, the originator of sin, who is working from behind the scene. He is the ruler of this world as the usurper of Adam’s dominion, and He has deceived many to be his agents in deforming the true picture of God. Religion has failed on many occasions but there is one that does not fail and that is God Himself. His promises can be trusted. All His promises have come to pass at the appointed time giving us the assurance of the rest that have been prophesied. 

3.1 Prophesied Deformation of True Religion

When you study the Bible, you get a very different picture of God and of Jesus than when you look at many churches today, the consequence of deformation over time. It is the failure of humanity, not God; because power tends to corrupt where power, prestige and tradition were placed above the word of God. This fits into the account of prophecy.  Bible prophecies were made long in advance that this deformation of the true church would happen.  This deformation led to the nation of France to fully reject religion altogether. “It was popery that had begun the work which atheism was completing…” (Atheism is basically the outgrowth of a rejection of a false picture of God}. “The policy of Rome had wrought out those conditions, social, political, and religious, that were hurrying France on to ruin.” {GC 276.3}  The decision was based on a long period of corruption by the Roman Catholic Church which was to represent God, but misrepresented Him through its doctrines and its human prestige and power and oppressive practices.  This very fact is revealed in Bible prophecy and checked out in secular history books.

“it was only a little time till she descended to degrading idolatry, by the worship of the Goddess of Reason, in the person of a profligate woman.” …{GC 275.1} “When the goddess was brought into the Convention, the orator took her by the hand, and turning to the assembly said: "Mortals, cease to tremble before the powerless thunders of a God whom your fears have created. Henceforth acknowledge no divinity but Reason!"  .. {GC 276.1}..

The Roman Church ( little horn power) had created a picture of God that led to fear. It was not the God that we find in scripture and so France turned away from God altogether.  Now they embrace this new worship of this divinity, the profligate woman , the Goddess of Reason, and they would centre  on nothing else but reason. This was what happened in the French Revolution.This decision cause the ruin of France as a consequence of a long history of corruption by the church which was to represent God, but misrepresented Him. This is revealed in Bible prophecy that will be discussed.

3.1.1 The Antichrist Power in Deformation

Paul predicted that before the second coming of Christ something else is to happen first  “that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God”.2 The 2:3-4.

Martin Luther and many biblical scholars have identified this being papacy as the antichrist, which is the opposing power that not only works against the principles of Jesus, but also seeks to stand or sit in the very place of Jesus.  

This corruption is not from without but from within as in the case of Judas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus who betrayed him.  The son of perdition, refers to Judas who bears the characteristics of working against Christ. The word ‘antichrist’ means against Christ  and ‘anti ‘can also mean ‘in place of’ Christ .The passage clearly states that there is going to be an opposing power that not only is an opposing power but also works against the principles of Jesus and also seeks to stand or sit in the very place of Jesus.

Paul shortly before his captivity and ultimately his death warned, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ‘Also of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Act 20:28-30. Paul says deception, like that of Judas  is coming from within the church, of this antichrist power that is prophesied in scripture. Details of this prophecy that traces the history of this antichrist is revealed in the book of Daniel where he received four visions from God .

3.1.1.1 Recent Evidence of the Antichrist

Attached here is passages from Wp 5.94/5S Par 5.9.4 Satan’s Fresh imprints:  November 2019 - https://www.wakeupow.com/440101194 :

The Bible identifies the Anti-Christ as the counterfeit man of peace (Isa 9:1-21); Dan 8:23-25) . And here are recent events of Satan’s fresh imprints (November, 2019) to provide further substantiating evidence of the nearness of Christ’s promised return when He went back to heaven, ten days before the Pentecost: “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”-Jn 14:3.

(Pope Francis is the best witness in incriminating papacy as the antichrist. His statement made in 2013 had revealed the origin of Sun worship, the perpetuation of pagan worship on Sunday that is hallmark of the Roman Catholic Church, which Pope Francis is using to unify all religions under her One World Religion through ecumenism since 1965, the One World Government for the common good with the UN, and now adding the Climate Change movement to gradually enforce Sunday worship.

“Sunday is a child of the papacy. It has been nourished and cradled by the Protestant world as a genuine requirement of Jehovah, but it has no foundation in the word of God. The Christian world is tested by their relation to this matter. God moves upon men to search the Scriptures for evidence to sustain Sunday. Those who search with a desire for truth will see that in the past they have been relying on tradition, and have accepted an institution of the papacy. Those who, with contrite hearts, search the word of God for truth, will receive a blessing from God. Their characters are formed after the divine similitude. The mind is in a state of continual advancement. By beholding they become changed into the divine likeness. Their education is begun on earth to be carried on in the school above.”  {RH, July 13, 1897 par. 9 - God’s Holy Sabbath, by EGW})

Pope Francis wrote that many Christians in many parts of the world still experience discrimination “and at times pay with their own blood the price of their profession of faith.” He noted that 2013 marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan – a proclamation of tolerance of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, which is often seen as a symbol of the first affirmation of the principle of religious freedom.The edict “put an end to religious persecution in the Roman Empire in both East and West, and opened new channels for the dissemination of the Gospel,” he wrote. (But, after 313 AD  then came a Sunday law in 321AD- “ in the In the early part of the fourth century the emperor Constantine issued a decree making Sunday a public festival throughout the Roman Empire. (“the day of the Sun’ as a day of rest.”) The day of the sun was reverenced by his pagan subjects and was then coerced to honoring by Christians; it was the emperor's policy to unite the conflicting interests of heathenism and Christianity. He was urged to do this by the bishops of the church, who, inspired by ambition and thirst for power, perceived that if the same day was observed by both Christians and heathen, it would promote the nominal acceptance of Christianity by pagans and thus advance the power and glory of the church. But while many God-fearing Christians were gradually led to regard Sunday as possessing a degree of sacredness, they still held the true Sabbath as the holy of the Lord and observed it in obedience to the fourth commandment.  {GC 53.1}  The archdeceiver had not completed his work. He was resolved to gather the Christian world under his banner and to exercise his power through his vicegerent, the proud pontiff who claimed to be the representative of Christ. Through half-converted pagans, ambitious prelates, and world-loving churchmen he accomplished his purpose….” {GC 53.2}) (Then came persecution for God’s people who would not be compromised in its acceptance that brought about the Dark Ages in world history. This is now being revived by Pope Francis with the healing of the deadly as prophesied ( Rev 13:3) ..

3.1.2 Prophecies of Daniel & John

The prophecies of Daniel are closely related to those of the book of Revelation. In large measures Revelation covers the same ground but gives particular emphasis to the role of the Christian church as God’s chosen people. Thus details that may be obscure in the book of Daniel are often clarified by comparison with the book of revelation. That part of his “prophecy which related to the last days, Daniel was bidden to close up and seal "to the time of the end," when through a diligent study of the book,  “knowledge shall be increased.A clearer interpretation of any portion of the book of Daniel that tend to be obscure, we should search carefully the book of Revelation for light to dispel the darkness, and all the more so as we hear the rumbling, and see the fear out of confusion as occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic ( Vision Bible, pp 875).

Daniel Pel in his presentation gives a clear and concise version of portions of the prophecies connecting the prophesy of world history- overview ( Dan 2) in the first vision – 603/2 B.C  (using the repeat and enlarge principle in the study on prophecy) that is provided in Dan 7 as his second vision -553/2 B/C.  (This prophecy brings us from the days of Babylon all the way to the rise of this antichrist power. This is this power that will deform the true Church of God. This is the system that has been set up in the world by Satan (working behind the scene) to misrepresent the character of God.  Watch the presentation by Daniel in describing the verses 7: 4-8 with very clear explanation the two parallel visions – video marker 17:30- 34:40. He then transitions to Revelation 13 that expands on the later development in history.

3.1.2.1 History and Works of the Roman Church ( Rev 13)

The historical timeline of the prophesied kingdoms are: 1. Babylon-  605 – 539 B.C (Dan 7:4); 2 Medo-Persia – 539-331B.C( Dan 7:5);  3 Greece 331- 168 B.C (Dan 7:6). 4. Pagan Rom 168 B.C.- 4 76 A.D (Dan 7:7) ; 4+.Ten Horns ( Dan 7:24) – division into ten kingdoms   This is the panoramic scene of Bible prophecy.  The Roman Church  538 -1798 – Papal oppression in the Dark Ages received a deadly in 1798. But it now almost  fully healed to again demand worship (The prophecy is taken up by John the revelation in Rev 13 which describes  characteristics of the Sea beast that is the same as the little horn* in Dan 7:8.)

Revelation 13 tells us this power, the Church of Rome received its seat of authority from Pagan Rome and it would be a persecuting power ( V.7) and to make wars against the holy people of God. This is the irrefutable argument that religion has failed because the church has failed to represent God as He should be represented.  Prophecy points out the deformation of a system not so much the people that are in the church who may not be aware of this truth and the reason God is still trying to reach them to come out with the three angels’ message  (Rev 14:6-12)  ( Watch Video ticker 34:40 onward.)

This is the purpose of studying the word of God that gives us prophecies that  point out a system that has, and is, misrepresenting God, in counterfeiting teaching of Jesus with false doctrines. The study will direct us not to be part of this deformation and to come back to the spirit of the reformation to come back to the word of God and have the Bible alone as the true standard, This is to lay aside the tradition of man and to uphold the word of God.

The condensed details in the prophecy is so elaborate that this information can only be from a divine source. It  emphasizes the experiences of God’s people during the sovereignty of the powers mentioned in the first vision, and forecasts the ultimate victory of the saints and God’s judgment upon their enemies ( Dan 7:14, 18, 26, 27).  The third vision- (Dan 8 & Dan 9) supplementing and adding to the second , emphasizes Satan’s attempts to do away with the religion and people of Christ. The fourth vision- (Dan 10-12) summarises the preceding visions and covers the ground with more detail than any of the others. It amplifies the subject of the second vision and that of the third vision, The focus of its emphasis is on “what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet for yet the vision is for many days (Dan 10:14), and “the time appointed was long” (Dan 10:11). The narrative outline the history covered in Dan 11:2-39 leads up to the “latter days”(Dan 10:14) and the events of “the time of the end” (Dan 11:40)

The little horn* of Daniel 7 represents the papacy, the vertical expansion of the little horn in Daniel 8 must represent the same power. Thus, as in Daniel 2 and 7, the final main power is Rome, both pagan and papal.

(Note*- “The little horn” grows out of, and among, the other horns of the terrible animal that represents the Roman Empire. Indeed, it uproots three of the ten kingdoms(The Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths were eliminated by the year 538 A.D.) that grow out of pagan Rome. The little-horn power is an extension of pagan Rome and thus shares essential characteristics of the former empire. It usurps the prerogatives of Christ, persecutes God’s people, supposes to change God’s law, speaks against God, and acts as it pleases for three and a half times (which is 1,260 calendar years). These activities indicate that this entity holds both political and religious power, which fits with the papacy. History shows that the conversion of the emperor Constantine, the official recognition of Sunday as a day of worship, the fall of Rome to barbarians, and the foundation of Constantinople in the East were important factors that favored the rise of the papacy. With the demise of the pagan western Roman Empire, the bishop of Rome filled the power vacuum that was created in Rome with the transfer of the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople.)

3.1.2.2 The Beast From the Sea

The beast from the sea resembles a leopard with feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. As such, the beast combines the characteristics of the four beasts (symbols of world empires) in Daniel 7:2–7: Babylon, Media[1]Persia, Greece, and Rome. However, John lists them in reverse order, which from his first-century perspective shows that the sea beast is related to the fourth beast of Daniel 7, the Roman Empire. The dragon (the pagan Roman Empire empowered by Satan) gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority. Just as the Father has given His throne and authority to Christ (Rev. 2:27), so Satan invests the beast as his coregent and representative on earth. Revelation 13:5–7 states that the period of the beast’s persecuting activities through Christian history is 42 “months.” As we have seen, persecution of the pure woman lasted for “a time and times and half a time;” that is three and a half “times” or prophetic “years” (Rev. 12:13, 14; compare Dan. 7:25). Forty-two prophetic “months” equals 30 days multiplied by 42, or 1,260 days/years (Rev. 12:6). Therefore, “a time and times and a half a time,” 42 “months,” and 1,260 “days” all refer to the same time period of 1,260 years.This phase ends when John sees “one of his [the beast’s] heads as if it had been mortally wounded” The subsequent healing of this deadly wound points to a time after 1798 when the beast would be revived and its power restored. The healing of the deadly wound draws the admiration of the world, and they worship both the dragon and the beast.

The year a.d. 538 marks appropriately the beginning of this prophetic period when the Roman church, with the pope as its head, established itself as a church-state power that dominated the Western world throughout medieval times. The events of the French Revolution inflicted the deadly wound upon the beast in a.d. 1798, thus bringing the church’s oppressive rule and the state-empowered religion to a temporary end.

The sea beast’s activities during the prophetic period of 1,260 days/ years are stated in terms of blasphemies. In the New Testament, blasphemy can denote a claim of equality with God (John 10:33, Matt. 26:63–65) and the action of usurping His authority (Mark 2:7). The sea beast’s blasphemies are directed “against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (Rev. 13:6, NKJV). The dwelling of God is the sanctuary in heaven, where Christ ministers on behalf of our salvation. The sea beast seeks to negate Christ’s mediatorial work by attempting to replace it with a human priesthood that claims to administer salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Assuming these powers that belong only to God is the essence of blasphemy.

3.1.2.2.1 Healing of the Deadly Wound (Rev 13:3  (pdf.php (adventist.org))

(It is providential that The SDA Bible Study for the first quarter of 2019 is on “The Book of Revelation” to preparree us for Covid -19 pandemic  that He has permitted Satan to unleash on the world at around that period and to give us the assurance from the sure of of prophecy that God is with us to protect us.Praise and bless the Lord and Glorify His Name,)

The healing of the sea beast’s deadly wound refers to the restoration of the Roman papacy as a religio-political power. The lamblike beast  (Protestant America*) also will begin speaking like a dragon and exercising the power of the sea beast, showing that it will become as intolerant as the nations represented by these symbols.

Revelation 12 describes Satan’s attacks against God’s faithful people, including persecution by pagan Rome and later papal Rome during the 1,260 days/years (a.d. 538–1798; see Rev. 12:6, 13, 14). Rev:13 describes in more detail Satan’s attacks during Christian history with the help of two allies, both portrayed as beasts. Under Satan’s direction, the dragon and these two beasts ( sea beast ( Papacy) and land beast* ( Protestant America- Rev 13:11) will unite at the end of time to oppose God’s redemptive activities and seek to win the allegiance of the world.

A word of caution is necessary. It is easier to interpret prophecies already fulfilled in the past. But when we come to prophecies yet to be fulfilled we need to be more cautious. God shows us what will happen at the time of the end so that we will not be surprised, but He does not tell us every detail we would like to know.

We must always remember that while these prophecies tell us what will happen at the end, they do not tell us when and exactly how the final events will unfold. We must, therefore, be careful not to speculate beyond what prophecy tells us. Let us not forget that the prophecies of Revelation have practical purposes: to teach us how to live today and to be prepared for the future.

( Note: The Lamblike Land Beast*- amplification by Sister Ellen White in “the Great Controversy”:

“The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause "the earth and them which dwell therein" to worship the papacy --there symbolized by the beast "like unto a leopard." The beast with two horns is also to say "to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast;" and, furthermore, it is to command all, "both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16. It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, "his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the "man of sin" will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church. {GC 578.3})

3.1.2.2.2 Lessons from Forgotten* History of Past

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”--LS 196 (1902).  {LDE 72.1}

Revelation 13 points to a time of major apostasy in Christianity, which was fulfilled when Roman Catholicism claimed the position and authority of God with the pope as its head. Those who refused submission to Rome experienced persecution and martyrdom. Although today such statements are viewed as harsh, even bigoted, the present cannot erase the history, no matter how much some people wish that it would

The world no longer remembers the horrendous acts of the Roman Church during the Dark Ages.  Much of this history is no longer being taught or receiving the credit that it should for what has happened in the past. The lesson to be remembered is how power has been corrupted and misused in the past so that it will not happen again.  Here are   two telling passages from history:

“The church may by divine rights confiscate the property of heretics, imprison their persons, and condemn them to the flames..The right to inflict the severest penalties, even death, belongs to the church. There is np graver offence than heresy. Therefore it must be rooted out.” –Institutes of Public Ecclesiastical Law, vol 2. P 142, Marianus de Luca.    

“That the Roman Church has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history,.. “ History of the Rise & Influence of Rationalism in Europe, vol 2, p 32, WEH Lecky.

If we know more about history or we know a bit more of what happened during that time we won’t be left in doubt as to who was responsible for the death of millions .

This dark period was also marked by some glimmer s of little light, in the work of the Waldenses who held on to their scriptures  and secretly spread the word of God. In later years there was Martin Luther, a former devout Catholic monk who started the Protestant Reformation in Oct 31, 1517. ( But, the Pope was able to cause the death to this reformation . The Protestant Era is officially  DEAD since October 31st, 2017 when Lutherans and Roman Catholic Church jointly celebrated the 500th anniversary of Luther’s Protestant Reformation a year earlier at Lund, Sweden. Protestants no longer point out the identify of the antichrist as being the papacy) The Christian religion has failed because it has stepped away from the foundation of Christianity which is the word of God. The early movement that went ahead in power to preach the word of God and multitudes were added to the church. But later, when Christian church became so large that Constantine, the Roman emperor became a Christian as a political move to unite the pagans with the church. Christianity then became a means of power and oppression rather than for preaching the plain teaching of Jesus. Power and prestige became more important than the word of God. This resulted in the French Revolution in turning away from the church. It resulted in a distorted picture of God, of who He is.

(Notes*: Consider the case of the Athenians with their “To the Forgotten God “Tablet amongst their idols. Most significantly of The forgotten God of the Ancient Chinese. (See L1 Evidence of Truth to Spiritual Light, par 1.01.1.2The Unknown God of Athenians - https://www.wakeupow.com/451521392  & FA4 Lest We forget the Beginning Par 1 The invitation at https://www.wakeupow.com/450683636 )

They are God’s reminders that  He is seeking to even restore even the ten tribes of Israel who had cut themselves off from Judah and Jerusalem , the centre of worship to the Lord. They are still His people and the message of salvation is addressed to all man made in His image. (Isa 55:6,7) Search the Bible for evidence of truth and return to God and be saved.( Act 3:19: Deu 30:19,20)

3.2 The Only One Deserving Total Worship

“The four and twenty elders (they are the faithful representatives from the other unfallen worlds in the universe) fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev 4:10-11.

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.” Psalm 45:6.   

There is a decision to be made at the end of time as to who will you worship. The Church of Rome has the counterfeit picture of God and sadly many churches that called themselves Protestants are no longer protesting against the false representation of Christ. They have united with them in false worship. We who “keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” Rev 14:12  can make the decision to rekindle the reformation into a coming back to the Sola Scriptura. Christ calls us to be the light of this fallen world and dead in sin and many need to see the light as they have been blinded by the counterfeit religion of the Roman Church and its unknowing allies. The word of God has the answer for us. When it comes to the character of God. every single page of scriptures add more colour  to the portrait of God revealing who He is, His character, His nature and all under girding the fact that God is love. We have earlier learned of Go ‘s attributes of everlasting love in His laws that are actually His promises of blessing. He is drawing you to himself through the person Jesus Christ whom He sent to put His character on display, more than anything else, God in the flesh. If you want to know who God is look into the person of Jesus. Many people have turned away from religion because of its oppression and because of its misrepresentation by the   

Your faith is not to  fail any longer when you make the word of God your foundation, when you make Christ your personal Saviour.

Prophecy points us both to the powers that existed in the times past and that exist today. We are able to discern in the signs of the times the prophesied healing of the deadly wound with the help of the apostate protestant nation in the last days to enforce worship to the beast  on the Sunday as rest day. But it also point us to the reality and the assurance that we have in the person of Jesus Christ. Our faith can be grounded in Him and that we can find great comfort there. We can have a true experience of true religion as we base our lives upon the clear word that God have given us in the Bible, in the revelation of Jesus Christ, our Lord- Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Restorer. 

Experience the new spirit and joy as we sing these two hymn songs :

1. “Give Me the Bible https://sg.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=Give+me+the+Bible+hymn&type=E211SG997G0#id=3&vid=c0a9c49b176ecd6bbe917a26940825c7&action=click

2. “To God be the Glory” https://sg.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=to+god+be+the+glory+youtube&type=E211SG997G0#id=1&vid=3c88657752eacaa02a77c70f15e94469&action=view

End of D33 –42 pages.

Posted  on February 27, 2022 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo.com

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