Final Act: Catalytic Initiation & Progression
All the people of this world must stand before God, the judge of all the earth, to answer to our deeds. The final act is all about living our life to arrive at a decided end that God our maker has promised in His word. God permitted Covid -19 pandemic is a wakeup call, reminding everyone living of the inevitability of death. It is Gods final message of love as foretold in Revelation as the three angels’ messages This threefold message is being proclaimed by God’s remnant church guidied by the Holy Spirit since the beginning of the investigative judgment on October 22, 1844. We must decide on the life and death decision before the judgment of the whole world is ended with the close of our probation, The crucial step in the final act is the decision to quit whatever you are doing that is wrong while you are still alive. This must involve a deep search of your heart and mind on your worldview that is grounded in your belief about God and how solid and time tested is your anchor, your principal source of reference, Truth in the word of God is the catalyst that will initiate you to the true knowledge of God who declared in Genesis that God created the heaven and the earth for the beginning of the human race as the lesson book for the unfallen race in His Universe on the horrendous cruelity of sin that He must exterminate to uphold His Justice.
Tips for Reading:
(Each article stands on its own and yet related to earlier articles on the main theme of “Finishing Act” in welcoming Jesus Second Coming.)
Contents - (pg 1-72) posted April 30, 2021
1 Invitation; 1.1 The Catalytic Initiation & Progression; 1.2 The Initiation Primers in D27 & D28; 1.2.1 The Knowledge of God; 1.2.1.1 Knowing the Time; 1.2.1.1.1 Christ’s Burden; 1.3 Fundamental Catalyst; 1.3.1 Confirmation of Truth as Primary Catalyst; 1.3.1.1 Bible Truth -Some Key Texts; 1.3.1.2 Believe Bible Truth by Faith; 1.3.1.2.1 TheGospel Is True Science; 1.3.2 The Perfect State Before Sin; 1.3.2.1 Breaking of God’s Law- Ensuing Consequence of Sin; 1.3.2.1.1 God’s Specific Warning; 1.3.2.1.1.1 At the Tree; 1.3.2.1.2 Breaking the Relationship; 1.3.2.2 The Fallen State in Unbelief; 1.3.3 Belief in the Spirit of Prophecy; 1.3.3.1 Authority of Scripture; 1.3.3.1.1 Division into Historical Jesus and Christ of Faith; 1.3.3.1.2 The Remnant Church; 1.3.3.2 Inspiration in the Spirit of Prophecy; 1.3.3.2.1 Ellen White's Writings; 1.3.3.2.1.1 All From God; 1.3.3.2.1.1.1 Danger of Rejecting EGW Messages; 1.3.3.2.1.2 What Does Lesser Light Mean? 1.3.3.2.1.2.1 Study Approach to Bible and Spirit of Prophecy; 1.3.3.2.1.3 Prophets sent to Reprove Unfaithfulness; 1.3.3.2.1.4 Does Ellen White Have Doctrinal Authority? 1.3.3.2.1.2 The Foundation of SDA Faith; 1.3.3.2.1.2.1 Response to Unfounded Cult Sect Accusation;
2. Endless Love of God; 2.1 Rejection of Loud Cry at Minneapolis: 1888 Message; 2.1.1 Now is the Time of Preparation; 2.1.1.1 Doubts & Skepticism; 2.1.1.1.1 God is Infinite & Supreme; 2.1.1.1.2 Love of Sin in Doubt & Skepticism; 2.1.1.1.3 The Bible is the Revelation of Jesus Christ; 2.2 Abundant Evidence of the Living God; 2.2.1 Past and Future Link Evidence of Christ’s Resurrection; 2.2.1.1 The Resurrection of Moses; 2.2.1.2 Resurrection of Lazarus; 2.2.2 Earth's Cup of Iniquity Soon Full; 2.3 God's Final Message of Love; 2.3.1 Twelve Amazing Facts of the Three Angels’ Messages; 2.4 The Seven Last Plagues of Revelation Timeframe; 2.4.1 The Succession of the Plagues (Rev 16:1- 21); 2.4.2 God’s Loving Protective Assurance - Psalm 91, ….
Final Act: Catalytic Initiation & Progression
1 Invitation
The “final act” pertains to the way to live life for the eventuality of the days of God’s great final review when the people of this world must stand before God, the judge of all the earth, to answer to our deeds. The catalytic initiation and progression is to enable us who will be willing to spare the time to read the discussions here in which the ground works is begun in two preceding articles, D 27 and D28. The final act is all about living our life to arrive at a decided end that God our maker has promised in His word:. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”-Jer 29:11.
God gave His Son to die for the fallen human race and appoints His Holy Spirit to be man's teacher and continual guide because He loves and desire us in His eternal Kingdom to replace the fallen angels.
1.1 The Catalytic Initiation & Progression
“Quit before payday” provides the best and only outcome for payday is death that comes to every living person. Covid -19 pandemic is a wakeup call, reminding everyone living of the inevitability of death, with the added fearful eventuality of the injustice of life’s termination as a victim of this pestilence that prophecy has warned us about..
The crucial step in the final act is the decision to quit whatever you are doing that is wrong while you are still alive. This must involve a deep search of your heart and mind on your worldview that is grounded in your belief about God and how solid and time tested is your anchor, your principal source of reference. The catalytic components will be addressed which basically is the seed of truth from the word of God causing the resultant faith in the righteousness of Christ. Evidences will be provided on the reality of Christ as revealed in the Bible as the standard of truth. The interrelated topics covered range from the Judgment, the close of probation, the pivotal certainty of resurrection, righteousness by faith; all not by human invention but by the inspired word of God, from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Progression in steadfastness in the spiritual life starts with being born –again and growing in Christ through daily surrender and a strong prayer life.
1.2 The Initiation Primers in D27 & D28
Our eternal destiny is being shaped based on the decision we make every moment in our lives. “The character as formed in this world determines one’s destiny for eternity.”-E.G White . A character formed after the divine likeness is the only treasure that people can take from this world to the next. Earlier article, D27 takes us to discover the signs and wonders given by God for His people. But, nowadays, many secular people do not have the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah, Old Testament prophet was committed to looking for sign and wonders as he and his family has fear in the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and understanding”)That is why not all will believe and still question the reality of God,It is to these people that this article “ Final act catalytic initiation and progression” hope to reach to offer a solution to have a good outcome to our life’s journey in quitting before payday, before death the end of all hope in life.
The catalytic initiation is the prerequisite* of your acceptance and believe in the truth of God’s word revealing to us that the greatest biblical sign or wonder that was ever given to mankind, Jesus Christ , who is the Son of God , sent by God , the Father, to show us the love of the Father and His desire for humanity, made in His image with unique individual feature and talents. It is pointed out in the previous article, D2, that the biggest challenge in the acceptance of the reality of God lies in the true fact that no one has seen God other than Jesus who came from heaven to reveal God to humanity. D27 endeavours to share the reality of God in the prophecy God gave to Isaiah more than 2700 years ago on the greatest biblical sign or wonders that was ever given to mankind in His plan of salvation for us. For our eternal destiny, we must believe in the truth of God’s word based on the historical evidence in the fulfillment of this prophecy in the first advent of Jesus Christ as Immanuel, God with us. This truth is vital for us to know, to have a purpose and hope in our life. We need to know that we must be born again in order to overcome sin, the consequence of which is eternal death. D28 hopes to share the enabling miracle, the enabling grace of God to genuine believers for character transformation and claiming victory over sin
Christians are believers in Christ as their Creator, Redeemer, Restorer and Saviour, with Christ as head of the church in a recognizable religion that worships the living true God. Christ is central and the church provides education in the knowledge of the righteousness of Christ based on the revelation and teaching He has provided on the truth about God. There is the character transformation of our fallen human nature by the “enabling miracle”* that attends the genuine believer who have Christ manifested in their lives. They are God’s people for signs and wonders to draw the watching unbelievers to the glory of God. They are the 144,000, the last generation of earth, who will vindicate that God’s law could be obeyed in refuting the charges of Satan that God’s law could not be obeyed. Then Satan and Sin will be eradicated from the universe forever.
We are living in the closing scenes of this earth's history and Judgment Day. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time--not a moment--to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works: "My Lord delayeth His coming." Let the message of Christ's soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation, for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields to tell the unconcerned and indifferent to seek the Lord while He may be found. The workers will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible. They will find those who will accept the truth and will devote their lives to winning souls to Christ. {8T 252.4}
The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. He is soon coming, and we must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud: "Homeward bound!" We are nearing the time when Christ will come in power and great glory to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home. {8T 253.1}
Isaiah is committed to looking for sign and wonders as he and his family has fear in the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and understanding”. Isaiah is given specific instruction to go and meet Ahaz with his son whose name mean a remnant shall return- Isa 7:3 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” Isa 7:14, The word of the Lord to Ahaz is the hope for us that in times of such circumstance when people are out to destroy us (when leaders are making secret plans against us to take us down, even evil counsels to break us, when our lives are in complete turmoil, God always sends us a message of hope and God sends us in a personal practical way a message of deliverance where we are.
Christ was born of the Holy Ghost. He was born of the Holy Spirit from conception (on December 25 - six months after John the Baptist, His cousin - v 36 See D20 Discovery Trip into Xmas Myth at http://www.discoverylifediy.com/441400672 ) He was born of God. He did not have any human father. He was born of the Holy Spirit to the virgin Mary. He had an earthly mother but He had a Divine Father. believers of Christ are caledl Christians because we are to be like Christ through the new birth experience of the Holy Spirit that leads to Christ being born within the believer, the Christian. This is the working of the Holy Spirit. This is the greatest wonder when your life is changed such that your neighbours will want to know what happened to you. This is the sign that will set the world on fire as God’s Holy Spirit is manifested in our lives in the end time.
“The conversion of the human soul is of no little consequence. It is the greatest miracle performed by divine power. Actual results are to be reached through a belief in Christ as a personal Saviour. Purified by obedience to the law of God, sanctified by a perfect observance of His holy Sabbath, trusting, believing, patiently waiting, and earnestly working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, we shall learn that it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.” --Manuscript 6, 1900. {Ev 289.2}
The gospel (the power of God unto salvation) is now resolutely opposed on every hand. Never was the confederacy of evil greater than at the present time. The spirits of darkness are combining with human agencies to set them firmly against the commandments of God. Traditions and falsehoods are exalted above the Scriptures: reason and science above revelation; human talent above the teachings of the Spirit; forms and ceremonies above the vital power of godliness. We need the divine touch. {RH, March 19, 1895 par. 7}
It is of immense importance, in the light of the lessons of Christ, that every human being should study the Scriptures, that he may be convinced in whom his hopes of eternal life are centered. The Bible should ever have been made the great, grand book of study, which has come down to us from heaven, and is the word of life. Should that book which tells us what we must do in order to be saved, be set aside in a corner, and human productions be exalted as the great wisdom in education? The very knowledge children and youth need to obtain for usefulness in this life, and that they may carry with them in the future life, is found in the word of God. But this is not encouraged and presented before them as the most essential knowledge, and as that which will give the most correct information of the true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. There are gods many and doctrines many. There are maxims and commandments placed before our youth as the commandments of God. It is impossible for them to understand what is truth, what is the sacred, and what is the common, only as they understand the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. {FE 384.1}
The only remedy for our churches, for our families, and for individuals, is entire conformity to the will and character of God. Unless God shall work through the two olive-trees, his witnesses, causing them to empty from themselves the golden oil through the golden tubes into the golden bowl, and hence to the burning lamps, representing the church, no one will be safe for a moment from the machinations of Satan. He will, if possible, deprave human nature, and assimilate it to his own corrupt principles. But this golden oil will revive the Spirit of God in the heart of man. A Christlike principle will be introduced which will be like leaven. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, satanic agencies will be overcome. {RH, September 14, 1897 par. 6
“We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour effected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with Christ. Let this grace be revealed to others. {COL 250.1}
“When one turns away from human imperfections to behold Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in the character. The Spirit of Christ working upon the heart conforms it to His image. Then let it be your effort to lift up Jesus. Let the mind's eye be directed to "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. And as you engage in this work, remember that "he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20”… {COL 162.3}
“God does not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His thoughts are thoughts of mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. "He will abundantly pardon." He says, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions." . . The mighty Helper is nigh to bless, lift up, and encourage the most erring, the most sinful, if they will look to Him by faith. But the sinner must look up. “ {. {OHC 27.4}
The right understanding of the gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ depends on what you believe sin is. The entire comprehension of how God saves us is changed by your belief in what is sin in order to know how to be right with God and to prepare for the tragic end to this world with the second coming of Jesus Christ ( to see HIM face to face).
Sin caused the fallen nature in humanity when six thousand years ago Adam and Eve made the tragic decision to disbelieve God’s word and turned the world upside down and completely changed. God gave us a perfect nature, a beautiful nature which founded a delight to serve God, to be loving, kind, gracious and having compassion. This original nature found it easy and natural to obey God’s law which is the law of life. However our fallen nature after Adam and Eve sinned became selfish instead of loving, anger replaced compassion, and it became natural for us to disobey God and ignoring God’s law is the normal way of doing things. Disobedience and unbelief in God is thus humanity natural leaning. ( See D3 Discovering the True Path: D3 Overview - http://www.discoverylifediy.com/430284794 )
1.2.1 The Knowledge of God (From Wp5.9.7.1.2, par 5.9.7.1.2.2 Jacob’s Birthright Blessing & Time of Trouble- http://www.wakeupow.com/440101197 )
The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul. In the beginning, God created man in His own likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was well balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the Fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created is the great object of life--the object that underlies every other. It is the work of parents and teachers, in the education of the youth, to co-operate with the divine purpose; and in so doing they are "laborers together with God." 1 Corinthians 3:9. {PP 595.2}
The student would seek the development of God's gifts in himself, not to excel others, but to fulfill the purpose of the Creator and to receive His likeness. Instead of being directed to mere earthly standards, or being actuated by the desire for self-exaltation, which in itself dwarfs and belittles, the mind would be directed to the Creator, to know Him and to become like Him. {PP 595.4} (Growing in love with God)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10. The great work of life is character building, and a knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education. To impart this knowledge and to mold the character in harmony with it should be the object of the teacher's work. The law of God is a reflection of His character. Hence the psalmist says, "All Thy commandments are righteousness;" and "through Thy precepts I get understanding." Psalm 119:172, 104. God has revealed Himself to us in His word and in the works of creation. Through the volume of inspiration and the book of nature we are to obtain a knowledge of God. {PP 596.1}
As an educating power the Bible is without a rival. In the word of God the mind finds subject for the deepest thought, the loftiest aspiration. The Bible is the most instructive history that men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and a divine hand has preserved its purity through all the ages. It lights up the far-distant past, where human research seeks vainly to penetrate. In God's word we behold the power that laid the foundation of the earth and that stretched out the heavens. Here only can we find a history of our race unsullied by human prejudice or human pride. Here are recorded the struggles, the defeats, and the victories of the greatest men this world has ever known. Here the great problems of duty and destiny are unfolded. The curtain that separates the visible from the invisible world is lifted, and we behold the conflict of the opposing forces of good and evil, from the first entrance of sin to the final triumph of righteousness and truth; and all is but a revelation of the character of God. In the reverent contemplation of the truths presented in His word the mind of the student is brought into communion with the infinite mind. Such a study will not only refine and ennoble the character, but it cannot fail to expand and invigorate the mental powers. {PP 596.2}
In the study of the sciences also we are to obtain a knowledge of the Creator. All true science is but an interpretation of the handwriting of God in the material world. Science brings from her research only fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. Rightly understood, both the book of nature and the written word make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works. {PP 599.2 . Lessons echo and re-echoe down the centuries from the Old Testament story that speaks to an end-time people in this generation
1.2.1.1 Knowing the Time (Rom 13:11)
Some of the Bible verses provide the present truth: 1 Chr 12: 32 –In understanding time , Issacar knew what is real, what to do. He perceived the intended and knew what to do. Jesus was never taken by surprise –(Gal 4:4; Mk 1;15, Jn 7 :6; Mat 26:18; Jn :13 1; Luk 4: 21). The manifestation of God’s wrath on Satan and the sins he has caused was the victory Jesus secured when He said, it is finished and died. (Jn 19:28-30) He understood exactly where He was because Jesus studied the scriptures.
It is very essential to comprehend Christ’s struggling with Himself as the Son of God to overcome His final submission to go through to die on the cross bearing the burden of the sins of the world and complete His mission on earth so that those who belief in the love of the Father who sent Him might overcome death, the penalty of sin, and have eternal life.
We must learn of the Jesus struggle in supreme agony in order to contemplate and initiate our experience of the love of God and having received this love that God dispense to us through the people in our life. And having received we will then be able to love others. This is the circle of love, the cycle of life, which will be stopped when stagnated. The divine love is displayed by Jesus final prayers at the garden of Gethsemane in willing Himself, the Majesty of heaven, to go through the crucifixion as a bleeding victim to the rage of an infuriated mob, fired to insane madness by the wrath of Satan It was love for a world as a consequence of sin that Christ leave His honor and majesty in heaven, and come to a sinful world, to be neglected, despised, and rejected by those He came to save, and finally to suffer upon the cross. This is the eternal, redeeming love, which will ever remain a mystery.
1.2.1.1.1 Christ’s Burden
The burden of Christ’s preaching was “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Thus the gospel message as given by the Savior himself was based on Bible prophecies. For almost all of us, we have not seen the Lord, Peter assures us of “the sure word of prophecy” as he one of the main eye witness at the mount of transfiguration when His majesty was revealed. (2Pet 1:16,19) Furthermore, Jesus saith unto Philip at the last supper“Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”- Jn 19:29-30 We can have an experience of His blessing and grace in time of trouble although we have not seen the Lord by the sure word of prophecy.
At the garden of Gethsemane,” sleeping disciples represents a sleeping church wnen the day of God’s visitation is nigh.To be found asleep is most perilous.They were warned- Mat 16:13-21; Caesarea Phillippi, Galilee - Mat 17: 20-23; -Jerusalem- Mat 20:17-20; Luk 18:31-34. They were warned by Jesus prophetically but they did not understand. So in the prophecies, the future is opened before us not to repeat the same mistake again when we face the time of Jacobs, after the close of probation. “..The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble is clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed..
1.3 Fundamental Catalyst
Truth is the primary catalyst that will quickens the life of a sinner to free him from the bondage to Satan’s temptations and lies. The word of God in the Bible is the absolute truth. The Bible* is the records of the history of the world from the beginning to the end of the world. God appoints prophets (numbering over 40 ranging over 1500 years time period, with Isaiah as the most prominent) in their time to write their portion inspired by His spirit. God uses this indestructible revelation to unfold the truths of His words giving us prophecies that are fulfilled in history and to tell of things before it happens in the future, as in the end of the world and the destruction of sin. He imparts instructions contained in the lessons of history which will be repeated in the end but with manifold intensity and our terminal death if we choose not to heed and obey His word.
(Note: The Bible* is written by inspired men, but it is not God's mode of thought and expression. It is that of humanity. God, as a writer, is not represented. Men will often say such an expression is not like God. But God has not put Himself in words, in logic, in rhetoric, on trial in the Bible. The writers of the Bible were God's penmen, not His pen. Look at the different writers. {1SM 21.1} God committed the preparation of His divinely inspired Word to finite man.- 2 Timothy 3:16. This Word arranged into books, the Old and New Testaments, is the guidebook to the inhabitants of a fallen world; bequeathed to them, that by studying and obeying the directions, not one soul would lose its way to heaven. {7BC 944.8} ) (One of the main substance of the catalyst)
1.3.1 Confirmation of Truth as Primary Catalyst
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”- Rom 11:33
It is the duty and privilege of all to use reason as far as man's finite faculties can go; but there is a boundary where man's resources must cease. There are many things that can never be reasoned out by the strongest intellect or discerned by the most penetrating mind. Philosophy cannot determine the ways and works of God; the human mind cannot measure infinity. {6BC 1079.7}
Jehovah is the fountain of all wisdom, of all truth, of all knowledge. There are high attainments that man can reach in this life through the wisdom that God imparts; but there is an infinity beyond that will be the study and the joy of the saints throughout eternal ages. Man can now only linger upon the borders of that vast expanse, and let imagination take its flight. Finite man cannot fathom the deep things of God; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The human mind cannot comprehend the wisdom and power of God (RH Dec. 29, 1896). {6BC 1079.8}
Human talent and human conjecture have tried by searching to find out God. But guesswork has proved itself to be guesswork. Man cannot by searching find out God. This problem has not been given to human beings. All that man needs to know and can know of God has been revealed in His Word and in the life of His Son, the great Teacher. {6BC 1079.9}
Let men remember that they have a Ruler in the heavens, a God who will not be trifled with. He who puts his reason to the stretch in an effort to exalt himself and to delineate God, will find that he might far better have stood as a humble suppliant before God, confessing himself to be only an erring human being. {6BC 1079.10}
God cannot be understood by men. His ways and works are past finding out. In regard to the revelations that He has made of Himself in His Word, we may talk, but other than this, let us say of Him, Thou art God, and Thy ways are past finding out. {6BC 1079.11}
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”- Joh 17:3
There is a knowledge of God and of Christ which all who are saved must have. "This is life eternal," Christ said, "that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." {6BC 1079.12}
The question for us to study is, What is truth--the truth for this time, which is to be cherished, loved, honored, and obeyed?
The devotees of science have been defeated and disheartened in their effort to find out God. What they need to inquire is, What is truth (MS 124, 1903)? {6BC 1079.13}
Christ's Life Was Unborrowed.--"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men."- Jn1:4. It is not physical life that is here specified, but eternal life, the life which is exclusively the property of God. The Word, who was with God, and who was God, had this life. Physical life is something which each individual received. It is not eternal or immortal; for God, the Lifegiver, takes it again. Man has no control over his life. But the life of Christ was unborrowed. No one can take this life from Him. "I lay it down of myself," He said. In Him was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as his personal Saviour. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3. This is the open fountain of life for the world (ST Feb. 13, 1912). {5BC 1130.3} –( the catalyst of truth).
1.3.1.1 Bible Truth -Some Key Texts
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”Joh 1:14. Jesus name (meaning God saves) is a promise that He covers in full our sins until someday in the future at Calvary for those living before His advent and its fulfillment. The only thing that prevents us from receiving that promise is unbelief.
When Jesus came we saw the last Adam, the second Adam. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Joh 1:11
One has come from the heavenly courts to represent God in human form. The Son of God was made man, and dwelt among us. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. . . . That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." {TM 365.1} The only hope for fallen man is to look to Jesus and receive Him as the only Saviour
1.3.1.2 Believe Bible Truth by Faith
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHvh4ldnEqA 14. Worship Service - 04/03/2021 - Pastor Stephen Bohr and Pastor James Rafferty Apr 6, 2021 140SHARESAVE; supplement with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8QYVLD4aqE “This is Why Satan Hates the Sabbath so Much” by Mark Finley Aug 1, 2020 3.7K166SHARESAVE)
The first lesson of the SDA Bible School 2nd quarterly study is on “What happened (in the world)?’’ to look way back to the beginning of creation and understand what God established in creating this earth (Adam and Eve as the first man and women in His own image –Gen 1:26-27) and what happened to that creation and the promise He has given to us in restoration.
The first point to note is that there is a lot of differences found in Bible translations and new revised versions that does not reflect the Hebrew original texts (OT) or the Greek text (NT) ( E.G. Gen 1:26,27- “man” become “humankind“ which then says “so God made “humankind” in His image when God first made Adam specifically. When reading the Bible, we must be like the Bereans to check out whether the Bible version used reflects the original languages, by comparing with other versions as well ( at least compare it with the KJV to clarify).
When it comes to the word of God, the only authority is what God has said which is preserved in the Bible. Some of these key verses discussed below established that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Gen 1:1, that God is the Creator and we are created. These verses (texts) provide and settle the perennial questions on–Who we are, How we get here and Where are we going. It gives us our identity, purpose in life and our destiny.
However, we still have tio take that by faith, because we weren’t there to observe the creation. But, this is applicable to the other presumptions of those who do not believe in God, whether it be the Big Bang Theory, Evolution over billions of year from a single cell, they also have to take that by faith because they were not there. So our faith is based on the word of God, The word of God establishes our faith, not just because God says it. He does not give any proof, But the reason why we accept what He says is because of many other evidences of who He is and what He has done. Ellen White states that we are not to believe because of demonstration but because of evidence. Evolutionists seem to find a lot of evidence for evolution but their preponderance cannot match the evidences of a wise God creating this world. Jesus says to Thomas “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.“- Jn 20:29. When we are sustain by the word of God we can see the invisible for spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
A lot of the documentary on the scientific evidence for evolution versus creation is the same evidence for creation. It just depends on the predisposition what are you actually looking to conclude in the comparison. The conclusion is biased toward using that same evidence to a different conclusion as the evidence in math, in science and in the world itself, that nature evolved over billions years ago. The simple illustration is in the new science known as geology. We are introduced to whole new geological processes that supposedly took billions of years buy rejecting the narrative of the great flood in Gen 7. If you begin with a worldview* that everything in this world was created by God even the problematic things you see you’re going to be able to resolve according to your worldview. If you have an evolutionist worldview then you’re going to analyse everything in the light of your worldview. It all depends on your presupposition that will analyse everything else. ( e,g. a glass can be half empty or half full perspective.) ( See Invitation to D2 The Mystery behind Darwinism at http://www.discoverylifediy.com/430259250 )
(Note: Worldviews*- A worldview is an understanding of reality which shapes our values and our purpose as living human beings. Prominent examples are: Marxism, atheism, postmodernism, existentialism, and nihilism. The hidden ones are which, often unconsciously, influence all of our lives are Individualism, consumerism, moral relativism, the New Age,and postmodern tribalism. Worldview shapes how we engage with people and the physical world around us. Worldview helps us make sense of the reality we face. We soak up a worldview as we grow up in a particular culture. Transforming a worldview, especially our hidden worldviews, is complex.
We all have a worldview, whether we realize it or not. We need a worldview that is anchored in Scripture. God as Creator is a biblical worldview. ( the insignia of initiation ). Creation is splashed all over the Bible. Any conscientious Bible reader must recognize that God is personally engaged as the Creator of all living beings. God is engaged in human history. He is not far removed or distant. He acts in history and makes history. A biblical worldview needs to recognize God’s involvement in history. (See more at Do We Know Who We Are? - Dennis Priebe ) (- an open mind receptive to truth)
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
Isa 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.Isa 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Gen 1:26-29: “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 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (The evolution worldview in not accepting this text brings racial disparity and tension in difference whereas the creationist view this verse brings a lot of peace in removing all the tensions between different races and nationalities because we all come from the same origin. When we see ourselves as His creation , all of the same blood, not only will we relate to each other better but will also relate to our creator in a certain way and it is easy to take our direction from Him.
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.(God the Father saying Christ is God and that His throne is forever and ever.)
Rom 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Heb 11:1-10: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
The most receptive condition of the human heart is by the grace and mercy of God given in Jesus sermon of the Mount of Blessing in the very first blessing:
Mat 5:3-12: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Christ's first words to the people on the mount were words of blessing. Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of redemption. The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit. {DA 299.4}
The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15. {DA 300.1}
The sense of need, the recognition of our poverty and sin, is the very first condition of acceptance with God. "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3. {COL 152.1}
The classic Biblical case study is Joseph’s conversion experience as related in an earlier article WP5.9.7.1.2 Connecting the Dots: Be Still and Know God, 5.9.7.1.2.1.1 The Story of Joseph ( Part I).. at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101197 . It is replicated here as Joseph’s conversion experience is a lesson for us in relation to its application in the Covid-19, pandemic.
5.9.7.1.2.1.1 The Story of Joseph ( Part I)
The story of Joseph, the favoured son of Patriarch Jacob provides Bible students linking it the purpose of the enforced lockdown. It is about how Joseph, a 17 year old, was able by turning to God and became the second most powerful men in Egypt, where he was sold as a slave. This is one of the message in the historical anecdote from God to strengthen our faith in God’s leading. ( Watch The Secret Advantage of Quarantine | Chris Holland (SDA Sermon) May 4, 2020 HopeLives365 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAgT3U8UY-g (54:13) This sermon discussed why you should not miss an opportunity available right now to get back to the right standing with God our Creator, Redeemer and Restorer as marked with in the Sabbath rest. Many may have read about Joseph but have failed to connect the lessons that God has provided to overcome pestilence “that come and go “ by getting into the root cause of Covid-19 which is sin.
We need to discern how Joseph found favour in God’s sight in Joseph’s traumatic time as a slave in Egypt (Gen 39:4). This is brought about by his brothers pent up reactions on him as the favorite son who told on his brothers and received special treatment and gifts from the father, Jacob. Thus, the brothers hated him. Then come one day, Joseph was cast into the pit by his elder brothers (Gen 37:1-2 , and then sold to slavery to the Ismaelite traders and taken to Egypt (Gen 37: 26-27). On the journey, how Joseph would have felt being alone away from a doting Father, sold undoubtedly having been mistreated. He was hungry, thirsty and worried about the future (This is the kind of situation we in the present time are in because of Covid -19 when our life and economic livelihood is being threatened and as we experience the situation worsening.) Being detained he was anxious and fearful. He was in quarantine defined as to exclude, detain or isolate for political, social or hygienic reasons. Now all of us are experiencing a quarantine, a stay at home for hygienic reasons to protect and keep safe people around us. But Joseph was involuntarily detained. However, what did Joseph do in this detainment that he was then experiencing? On the 15 day journey to Egypt, confused, bewildered, anxious and fearful, was he going to curse God, the very existence of God?. By providence, the life of Joseph of the early patriarchs was amplified by Ellen White for our discernment and settling in the faith and hope in God. Here are some passages illustrating how Joseph maintained his faithfulness in the terrible times ( in hopeless and helpless condition , in total spiritual poverty and desirous of a saviour. Mat 5:3))
5.9.7.1.2.1.1.1 Joseph in Egypt (Patriarchs and Prophets, Chap 20) – (Gen: 39,40)
“Meanwhile, Joseph with his captors was on the way to Egypt. As the caravan journeyed southward toward the borders of Canaan, the boy could discern in the distance the hills among which lay his father's tents. Bitterly he wept at thought of that loving father in his loneliness and affliction. Again the scene at Dothan came up before him. He saw his angry brothers and felt their fierce glances bent upon him. The stinging, insulting words that had met his agonized entreaties were ringing in his ears. With a trembling heart he looked forward to the future. What a change in situation--from the tenderly cherished son to the despised and helpless slave! Alone and friendless, what would be his lot in the strange land to which he was going? For a time Joseph gave himself up to uncontrolled grief and terror. {PP 213.1}
5.9.7.1.2.1.1.1.1 God’s Still Small Voice
But, in the providence of God, even this experience was to be a blessing to him. (Here ia the seed of the secret advantage of quarantine) He had learned in a few hours that which years might not otherwise have taught him. His father, strong and tender as his love had been, had done him wrong by his partiality and indulgence. This unwise preference had angered his brothers and provoked them to the cruel deed that had separated him from his home. Its effects were manifest also in his own character. Faults had been encouraged that were now to be corrected. He was becoming self-sufficient and exacting. Accustomed to the tenderness of his father's care, he felt that he was unprepared to cope with the difficulties before him, in the bitter, uncared-for life of a stranger and a slave. {PP 213.2}
Then his thoughts turned to his father's God. In his childhood he had been taught to love and fear Him. Often in his father's tent he had listened to the story of the vision that Jacob saw as he fled from his home an exile and a fugitive. He had been told of the Lord's promises to Jacob, and how they had been fulfilled--how, in the hour of need, the angels of God had come to instruct, comfort, and protect him. And he had learned of the love of God in providing for men a Redeemer. Now all these precious lessons came vividly before him. Joseph believed that the God of his fathers would be his God. He then and there gave himself fully to the Lord, and he prayed that the Keeper of Israel would be with him in the land of his exile. {PP 213.3} ( This is the key in Joseph conversion.)
His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to God--under all circumstances to act as became a subject of the King of heaven. He would serve the Lord with undivided heart; he would meet the trials of his lot with fortitude and perform every duty with fidelity. One day's experience had been the turning point in Joseph's life. Its terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, courageous, and self-possessed. “ {PP 214.1}
You may not have parents like Jacob, then the Covid-19 challenge we are facing in the world is God’s desirous of wanting you to hear this and learn of God’s plan of salvation Would you be like Joseph who in the quiet time of quarantine reflect on life like Joseph to decide in this moment of crisis make the decision God had provided for those who believed in God who gave us this miraculous life. The decision Joseph made was clear and plain. Did he stayed in uncontrolled grief and terror or will he moved from a pampered boy to a man of God. Instead of questioning God, Joseph did not give up on God, instead Joseph took those enforced quiet moment of quarantine, his 15 day od travel from Dotham to Egypt to take spiritual inventory in his life, He took those moments to be accountable to himself and accountable to God.
As we are given the lockdown in Covid-19 will we be like Joseph to reassess life and recommit to valuable priorities or will we let this moment pass and simply go back to life as normal. Will this quarantine be a fundamental change for you Are we given this time to be even busier, allowing our phones and tablets and laptops and zooms to enable us to work from home that we can be anywhere and anytime we want to be. (There is a place for technology, but is it possible that the devil is capitalizing on the wonderful tool of technology and entertainments to make us miss the quiet moments with God, to hear His voice and what He wants us to do. This quarantine is a double edged sword, providing the advantage for those who are willing to listen to the word of God. )
“There is the story told of the great man of God, Elijah, the great prophet who had come to a very pinnacle moment in his life. He had a moment of depression and wished for death. God spoke to him as recorded in 1 Ki 19: 11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 1Ki 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. It was that still small voice that gave Joseph peace gave him joy and led him to faithfulness.and fruitfulness.” (Therefore, understand that in moment of trouble and despair call out to the Lord tol hear His still small voice,)
5.9.7.1.2.1.1.1.2 Upholding the Faith in God
“Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's guard, in whose service he remained for ten years. He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character. He was in the midst of idolatry. The worship of false gods was surrounded by all the pomp of royalty, supported by the wealth and culture of the most highly civilized nation then in existence. Yet Joseph preserved his simplicity and his fidelity to God. The sights and sounds of vice were all about him, but he was as one who saw and heard not. His thoughts were not permitted to linger upon forbidden subjects. The desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians could not cause him to conceal his principles. Had he attempted to do this, he would have been overcome by temptation; but he was not ashamed of the religion of his fathers, and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of Jehovah. {PP 214.2}
"And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. . . . And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand." Potiphar's confidence in Joseph increased daily, and he finally promoted him to be his steward, with full control over all his possessions. "And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat." ( Gen 39:2-6) {PP 214.3}
“The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph's care was not the result of a direct miracle; but his industry, care, and energy were crowned with the divine blessing. Joseph attributed his success to the favor of God, and even his idolatrous master accepted this as the secret of his unparalleled prosperity. Without steadfast, well-directed effort, however, success could never have been attained. God was glorified by the faithfulness of His servant. It was His purpose that in purity and uprightness the believer in God should appear in marked contrast to the worshipers of idols--that thus the light of heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of heathenism. {PP 214.4}( This is how God will use us as the last generation on earth to herald His second coming.)
Joseph's gentleness and fidelity won the heart of the chief captain, who came to regard him as a son rather than a slave. The youth was brought in contact with men of rank and learning, and he acquired a knowledge of science, of languages, and of affairs--an education needful to the future prime minister of Egypt. {PP 217.1}
5.9.7.1.2.1.1.1.3 Persecution by Fiery Trials
But Joseph's faith and integrity were to be tested by fiery trials. His master's wife endeavored to entice the young man to transgress the law of God. Heretofore he had remained untainted by the corruption teeming in that heathen land; but this temptation, so sudden, so strong, so seductive--how should it be met? Joseph knew well what would be the consequence of resistance. On the one hand were concealment, favor, and rewards; on the other, disgrace, imprisonment, perhaps death. His whole future life depended upon the decision of the moment. Would principle triumph? Would Joseph still be true to God? With inexpressible anxiety, angels looked upon the scene. {PP 217.2}
Joseph's answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph's first thought was of God. "How . . . can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" he said. {PP 217.3}
If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions, and that we must meet it all, we would fear to sin. Let the young ever remember that wherever they are, and whatever they do, they are in the presence of God. No part of our conduct escapes observation. We cannot hide our ways from the Most High. Human laws, though sometimes severe, are often transgressed without detection, and hence with impunity. But not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight is no cover for the guilty one. He may think himself alone, but to every deed there is an unseen witness. The very motives of his heart are open to divine inspection. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the attention of heaven were centered upon him. {PP 217.4}
Joseph suffered for his integrity, for his tempter revenged herself by accusing him of a foul crime, and causing him to be thrust into prison. Had Potiphar believed his wife's charge against Joseph, the young Hebrew would have lost his life; but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence; and yet, to save the reputation of his master's house, he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage.” {PP 218.1…. This is only the first part of Joseph manifestation of his faithfulness. The race to attain the crown from Christ is a lifetime race. But we must have an interlude to point out the message of Covid-19 f or our generation.
5.9.7.1.2.1.1.1.1.4 Interlude: Covid-19 Message
The whole world is experiencing the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus to his disciple and the world, of another pestilence (in greater intensity in the last days. There is the possibility of Covid-19 being the last pestilence prior to Jesus second coming, His promise to come again to take us to heaven, our future home (Jn 14:1-3) But how many are aware that it is the truth given in the Word of God that provides the believers in God of the remedy He has given Jesus, the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us, to save any repentant sinners from the tragedy of eternal death by wars, by natural causes, by diseases, and pestilence as in Covid-19. We are only in the beginning period of the outbreak with daily reports of increasing infection and death casualties mounting. And the world leaders are at a lost as to how to cope with this disease.They are yet to awaken to the truth as they are separated from God under the deception of Satan and his evil hosts.
Consider the deadly impact of this pandemic, physically and economically, and can you imagine another which is prophesied as the worst time of trouble as never was since there was a nation. Is this Covid -19 experience providentially assigned for the ungodly world to live through to wake up individually and collectively like the Assyrian City of Nineveh who needed Jonah’s warning; repented and returned to God and had a peaceful end.
here are spiritual lessons contained in every crisis. But the natural man will not be able to discern them “for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”-1 Cor2:14. The Bible becomes more contemporary like when Luke says men's hearts failing them for fear and from the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth –Luk 21:26. Men (who do not know about the grace of God) are concerned about what's coming on the earth, because every one of us at some point, or the other, can be a casualty of some major event unfolding on our planet. The young man named Timothy also writes “in the last days perilous times will come”- 2 Tim 3:2 (that means dangerous, stressful, out of control. And we're living in the midst of that crisis.)
The deadly contagious Covid-19 pandemic crisis existing now is a timely lesson to the world’s most deadliest disease, Sin, for the wages of sin is death (eternal death) –Rom 6:23; and the transgression of the law is sin (1 Jn 3:4). This is the Bible primary lesson and warning on Sin, ”For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”Rom 3:23. Wp5.9.6 Covid-19 http://www.wakeupow.com/440101195)
We must have this spiritual lesson on the remedy for sin that will be our best protection against the Covid-19 virus. The lesson on sin as the deadiest infection* is far more to be feared than any pestilence that Jesus mentioned that will come and go, but with sin for which we are all infected that will bring about your eternal death which most of the secular world are ignorant about.. The most impactful lesson must come from your fearful admonition of getting infected and possibly dying as the disease develop and grow exponentially to envelope the whole world reflected in the exponential number of deaths as time progresses.( How will the world leaders get to learn of this truth that it is by faith in the blood of the Lamb as the only remedy for sin? President Trump wants to be great as counter to Jesus principle of being the servant of all.)
The Bible says Satan is the host of sin. But, Sin could not affect us unless there was contact made with Sin, the host (Rev12:7-9), The Bible tells us “and Michael and his angels fought with the Dragon and the dragon and his angels fought But they did not prevail” (There is no longer a virus in heaven. Only righteousness dwells there, because the Bible says “but they did not prevail nor was a place found for them in heaven” any longer. There was no sin carrying host affected by sin. The Bible tells us what happened to them in verse 9, “So the Great Dragon was cast out that serpent of old called the devil” clearly identifying Satan who deceives the whole world, the originator of sin, the host of sin in the world. He was cast out and had nowhere to go. Then God purposed the creation of Earth (Gen 1:1) as the theatre for the universe as the live lesson on the consequences of sin. Satan, the host sin, came to Earth with a third of his evil angels that were cast out with him.
Is the second Coming going to catch us by surprise! Is the Covid-19 a message with almost all the tracing of the final warning that has been prophesied in Rev 18? Consider its characteristics and in addition ask yourself, Is it better to be sure by getting ready now than later seeing the fulfillment the foretold events happening currently.)
5.9.7.1.2.1.1.1.5 Joseph Second Prison Term
“At the first Joseph was treated with great severity by his jailers. The psalmist says, "His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron: until the time that his word came to pass; the word of the Lord tried him." Psalm 105:18, 19, R.V. But Joseph's real character shines out, even in the darkness of the dungeon. He held fast his faith and patience; his years of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid, yet this did not render him morose or distrustful. He had the peace that comes from conscious innocence, and he trusted his case with God. He did not brood upon his own wrongs, but forgot his sorrow in trying to lighten the sorrows of others. He found a work to do, even in the prison. God was preparing him in the school of affliction for greater usefulness, and he did not refuse the needful discipline. In the prison, witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny and the effects of crime, he learned lessons of justice, sympathy, and mercy, that prepared him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion. {PP 218.2}
Joseph gradually gained the confidence of the keeper of the prison, and was finally entrusted with the charge of all the prisoners. It was the part he acted in the prison--the integrity of his daily life and his sympathy for those who were in trouble and distress--that opened the way for his future prosperity and honor. Every ray of light that we shed upon others is reflected upon ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in blessings to the giver. {PP 218.3}
Says the prophet, "When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness, . . . and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah." Isaiah 26:9, 10. Thus it was after the Flood. Released from His judgments, the inhabitants of the earth again rebelled against the Lord. Twice God's covenant and His statutes had been rejected by the world. Both the people before the Flood and the descendants of Noah cast off the divine authority. Then God entered into covenant with Abraham, and took to Himself a people to become the depositaries of His law. To seduce and destroy this people, Satan began at once to lay his snares. The children of Jacob were tempted to contract marriages with the heathen and to worship their idols. But Joseph was faithful to God, and his fidelity was a constant testimony to the true faith. It was to quench this light that Satan worked through the envy of Joseph's brothers to cause him to be sold as a slave in a heathen land. God overruled events, however, so that the knowledge of Himself should be given to the people of Egypt. Both in the house of Potiphar and in the prison Joseph received an education and training that, with the fear of God, prepared him for his high position as prime minister of the nation. From the palace of the Pharaohs his influence was felt throughout the land, and the knowledge of God spread far and wide. The Israelites in Egypt also became prosperous and wealthy, and such as were true to God exerted a widespread influence. The idolatrous priests were filled with alarm as they saw the new religion finding favor. Inspired by Satan with his own enmity toward the God of heaven, they set themselves to quench the light. To the priests was committed the education of the heir to the throne, and it was this spirit of determined opposition to God and zeal for idolatry that molded the character of the future monarch, and led to cruelty and oppression toward the Hebrews. {PP 332.2}
1.3.1.2.1 TheGospel Is True Science.--[Ephesians 1:3-6 quoted.] (another catalytic component)
These divine heights the true believer may reach. All who will may see the mystery of godliness. But it is only through a correct understanding of Christ's mission and work that the possibility of being complete in Him, accepted in the Beloved, is brought within our reach. His long human arm embraces the human family; His divine arm grasps the throne of the Infinite, that man may have the benefit of the infinite sacrifice made in his behalf. And to as many as receive Him, He gives the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. {6BC 1113.9}
There are many who are too exalted in their own opinion to receive this mystery. There is a science that the Most High would have these great men understand; but they cannot see the Truth, the Life, the Light of the world. Human science is not divine enlightenment. Divine science is the demonstration of the Spirit of God, inspiring implicit faith in Him. The men of the world suppose this faith to be beneath the notice of their great and intelligent minds, something too low to give attention to; but here they make a great mistake. It is altogether too high for their human intelligence to reach. {6BC 1113.10}
The gospel message is far from being opposed to true knowledge and intellectual attainments. It is itself true science, true intellectual knowledge. True wisdom is infinitely above the comprehension of the worldly wise. The hidden wisdom, which is Christ formed within, the hope of glory, is a wisdom high as heaven. The deep principles of godliness are sublime and eternal. A Christian experience alone can help us to understand this problem, and obtain the treasures of knowledge which have been hidden in the counsels of God, but are now made known to all who have a vital connection with Christ. All who will may know of the doctrine (RH July 18, 1899). {6BC 1114.1}
1.3.2 The Perfect State Before Sin
https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2021:2Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ221_02.pdf ; 2021 Q2 Lesson 1 E. G. White Notes for the Adult Bible Study Guide What Happened?
God created man in His image as the crowning act on the sixth day and the rested on seventh day making up the first week of creation. “The weekly cycle of seven literal days, six for labor, and the seventh for rest, which has been preserved and brought down through Bible history, originated in the great facts of the first seven days”-{3SG 90.1}.
“Adam was crowned king in Eden. To him was given dominion over every living thing that God had created. The Lord blessed Adam and Eve with intelligence such as He had not given to any other creature. He made Adam the rightful sovereign over all the works of His hands. {AG 40.2} Created to be "the image and glory of God," Adam and Eve had received endowments not unworthy of their high destiny. . . . Every faculty of mind and soul reflected the Creator's glory. Endowed with high mental and spiritual gifts, Adam and Eve were made but "little lower than the angels." {AG 40.3} Above all lower orders of being, God designed that man, the crowning work of His creation, should express His thought and reveal His glory. But man is not to exalt himself as God. {MH 415.3}
“As Adam came forth from the hand of his Creator he was of noble height and of beautiful symmetry. He was more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and was well proportioned. His features were perfect and beautiful. His complexion was neither white nor sallow, but ruddy, glowing with the rich tint of health. Eve was not quite as tall as Adam. Her head reached a little above his shoulders. She, too, was noble, perfect in symmetry, and very beautiful. {SR 20.2} Adam was surrounded with everything his heart could wish. Every want was supplied. There were no sin and no signs of decay in glorious Eden. Angels of God conversed freely and lovingly with the holy pair…Adam was in the perfection of manhood, the noblest of the Creator's work. {AH 26.3} Not a shadow interposed between them and their Creator. They knew God as their beneficent Father, and in all things their will was conformed to the will of God. And God's character was reflected in the character of Adam. His glory was revealed in every object of nature. {AH 26.4}..He was in perfect harmony with the nature and the law of God; the principles of righteousness were written upon his heart. …{GC 467.2} Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained loyal to God, all this would have been his forever. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to gain new treasures of knowledge, to discover fresh springs of happiness, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the wisdom, the power, and the love of God. {FLB 166.2}
The whole natural world is designed to be an interpreter of the things of God. To Adam and Eve in their Eden home, nature was full of the knowledge of God, teeming with divine instruction. To their attentive ears it was vocal with the voice of wisdom. Wisdom spoke to the eye and was received into the heart, for they communed with God in His created works. {CT 186.1}
He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. "Behold," He said, "I have given you every herb yielding seed,. . . . and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food." Upon leaving Eden to gain his livelihood by tilling the earth under the curse of sin, man received permission to eat also "the herb of the field." {CD 81.1} Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet. {CD 81.2} If men today were simple in their habits, living in harmony with nature's laws, as did Adam and Eve in the beginning, there would be an abundant supply for the needs of the human family. There would be fewer imaginary wants, and more opportunities to work in God's ways. But selfishness and the indulgence of unnatural taste have brought sin and misery into the world, from excess on the one hand, and from want on the other. {DA 367.1} ( See D6 Discovering the Best Health Plan at http://www.discoverylifediy.com/430332456 )
1.3.2.1 Breaking of God’s Law- Ensuing Consequence of Sin
The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love, and His law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and love to man. {GC 467.1} But sin alienated him from his Maker. He no longer reflected the divine image. His heart was at war with the principles of God's law. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7 (But "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son," that man might be reconciled to God. Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace; he must have a new life from above. This change is the new birth, without which, says Jesus, "he cannot see the kingdom of God." {GC 467.2})
His high privilege of face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker by disobedience was forfeited. Through sin the divine likeness was marred, and well-nigh obliterated. Man's physical powers were weakened, his mental capacity was lessened, his spiritual vision dimmed. He had become subject to death. (Yet the race was not left without hope. By infinite love and mercy the plan of salvation had been devised, and a life of probation was granted. To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized--this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life. {FLB 166.3})
1.3.2.1.1 God’s Specific Warning
The warning given to our first parents--"In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17)--did not imply that they were to die on the very day when they partook of the forbidden fruit. But on that day the irrevocable sentence would be pronounced. Immortality was promised them on condition of obedience; by transgression they would forfeit eternal life. That very day they would be doomed to death. {PP 60.2}
1.3.2.1.1.1 At the Tree
In the midst of the garden, near the tree of life, stood the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This tree was especially designed of God to be the pledge of their obedience, faith, and love to Him. Of this tree the Lord commanded our first parents not to eat, neither to touch it, lest they die. He told them that they might freely eat of all the trees in the garden except one, but if they ate of that tree they should surely die. {SR 24.1}
When Adam and Eve were placed in the beautiful garden they had everything for their happiness which they could desire. But God chose, in His all-wise arrangements, to test their loyalty before they could be rendered eternally secure. They were to have His favor, and He was to converse with them and they with Him. Yet He did not place evil out of their reach. Satan was permitted to tempt them. If they endured the trial they were to be in perpetual favor with God and the heavenly angels. {SR 24.2}
When God made man He made him rule over the earth and all living creatures. So long as Adam remained loyal to Heaven, all nature was in subjection to him. But when he rebelled against the divine law, the inferior creatures were in rebellion against his rule. Thus the Lord, in His great mercy, would show men the sacredness of His law, and lead them, by their own experience, to see the danger of setting it aside, even in the slightest degree. {PP 59.4}
Through the work of the Spirit the divine relationship between God and the sinner is renewed. The Father says: "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. I will exercise forgiving love toward them, and bestow upon them my joy. They shall be to me a peculiar treasure; for this people whom I have formed for myself shall show forth my praise." {OHC 77.2}
The Father sets His love upon His elect people who live in the midst of men. These are the people whom Christ has redeemed by the price of His own blood; and because they respond to the drawing of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of God, they are elected to be saved as His obedient children. Upon them is manifested the free grace of God, the love wherewith He hath loved them. Everyone who will humble himself as a little child, who will receive and obey the word of God with a child's simplicity, will be among the elect of God. {OHC 77.3}
1.3.2.1.2 Breaking the Relationship
When Adam and Eve were placed in the beautiful garden, Satan was laying plans to destroy them. In no way could this happy couple be deprived of their happiness if they obeyed God. Satan could not exercise his power upon them unless they should first disobey God and forfeit His favor. Some plan must therefore be devised to lead them to disobedience that they might incur God's frown and be brought under the more direct influence of Satan and his angels. It was decided that Satan should assume another form and manifest an interest for man. {EW 146.2}
Satan commenced his work with Eve, to cause her to disobey. She first erred in wandering from her husband, next in lingering around the forbidden tree, and next in listening to the voice of the tempter, and even daring to doubt what God had said, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." She thought that perhaps the Lord did not mean just what He said, and venturing, she put forth her hand, took of the fruit and ate. It was pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the taste. Then she was jealous that God had withheld from them what was really for their good, and she offered the fruit to her husband, thereby tempting him. {EW 147.2}
1.3.2.2 The Fallen State in Unbelief
After Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, they were filled with a sense of shame and terror. At first their only thought was how to excuse their sin before God and escape the dreaded sentence of death. When the Lord inquired concerning their sin, Adam replied, laying the guilt partly upon God and partly upon his companion: "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."... The spirit of self-justification originated in the father of lies and has been exhibited by all the sons and daughters of Adam. Confessions of this order are not inspired by the divine Spirit and will not be acceptable before God. True repentance will lead a man to bear his guilt himself and acknowledge it without deception or hypocrisy. {5T 637.2}
The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." {5T 641.3}
The mercies of God surround you every moment; and it would be profitable for you to consider how and whence your blessings come every day. Let the precious blessings of God awaken gratitude in you. You cannot number the blessings of God, the constant loving-kindness expressed to you, for they are as numerous as the refreshing drops of rain. Clouds of mercy are hanging over you, and ready to drop upon you. If you will appreciate the valuable gift of salvation, you will be sensible of daily refreshment, of the protection and love of Jesus; you will be guided in the way of peace.... {SD 340.5}
Through the work of the Spirit the divine relationship between God and the sinner is renewed. The Father says: "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. I will exercise forgiving love toward them, and bestow upon them my joy. They shall be to me a peculiar treasure; for this people whom I have formed for myself shall show forth my praise." {OHC 77.2}
The Father sets His love upon His elect people who live in the midst of men. These are the people whom Christ has redeemed by the price of His own blood; and because they respond to the drawing of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of God, they are elected to be saved as His obedient children. Upon them is manifested the free grace of God, the love wherewith He hath loved them. Everyone who will humble himself as a little child, who will receive and obey the word of God with a child's simplicity, will be among the elect of God. {OHC 77.3}
Men of the greatest intellect cannot understand the mysteries of Jehovah as revealed in nature. Divine inspiration asks many questions which the most profound scholar cannot answer. These questions were not asked that we might answer them, but to call our attention to the deep mysteries of God and to teach us that our wisdom is limited; that in the surroundings of our daily life there are many things beyond the comprehension of finite minds; that the judgment and purposes of God are past finding out. His wisdom is unsearchable. {8T 261.1}
Skeptics refuse to believe in God because with their finite minds they cannot comprehend the infinite power by which He reveals Himself to men. But God is to be acknowledged more from what He does not reveal of Himself than from that which is open to our limited comprehension. Both in divine revelation and in nature, God has given to men mysteries to command their faith. This must be so. We may be ever searching, ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there is an infinity beyond. {8T 261.2}
All the systems of philosophy devised by men have led to confusion and shame when God has not been recognized and honored. To lose faith in God is terrible. Prosperity cannot be a great blessing to nations or individuals, when once faith in His Word is lost. Nothing is truly great but that which is eternal in its tendencies. {3SM 310.3}
He whose soul is imbued with the Spirit of God will learn the lesson of confiding trust. Taking the Written Word as his counselor and guide, he will find in science an aid to understand God... {3SM 310.4} ( See D3 Discovering the true Path at http://www.discoverylifediy.com/430284794 & FoC12 “Tales of Unbelief” (in the world under deception) at http://www.wakeupow.com/159912051 )
1.3.3 Belief in the Spirit of Prophecy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59HjXLYLGc Inspiration in the Spirit of Prophecy Apr 10, 2021 LIKEDISLIKESHARESAVE)
How does inspiration work through a prophet? Ellen White said that she was the "lesser light" to lead us to the greater light of Scripture. What did she mean? Was Ellen White inspired in the same way that Moses or Isaiah or Paul was? What authority does Ellen White have, particularly in doctrine? How we understand this issue will affect how we understand everything else in Adventism.
Dennis Priebe in his presentation on “Inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy” shares that this truth -“Belief in the Spirit of Prophecy” is the testing truth for the SDA church along with our relationship to Jesus Christ, righteousness by faith, the true Gospel and preparation for the end of time. This truth (catalyst) is going to be the make or break subject for those who will go through the end of time events and survive everything that Satan is going to throw at us and those who will fall by the wayside. There is also a testing truth for the world known as the Sabbath Sunday issue.
1.3.3.1 Authority of Scripture
Sola Scriptura was the defining hallmark of the Reformation. What does it mean for us today? How we see the world, how we assess ourselves and others, and how we define our values and beliefs might be quite different from how Scripture sees, assesses, and defines these important matters. Thus, if we want to follow Jesus and the apostles, we need to do three things: (1) develop a healthy skepticism toward our own beliefs and values; (2) trust the Scriptures more than current or long-held understanding of any particular doctrine; and (3) be willing, through the Scriptures, to see, assess, define, and live more truthfully.
A Sola Scriptura church says that the Bibleis regarded as standing alone as the highest authority for faith, practice, and hope. The very core and passion of the early Adventist movement was to question Christian doctrines and traditions on the basis of the Word, and be willing to relearn Christianity in faith and practice from scratch.
Are we obligated to obey everything in the Bible? Or just those things that we find convenient? In the words of twentieth century preacher Peter Marshall: “There are aspects of the gospel that are puzzling and difficult to understand. But our problems are not centered around the things we don’t understand, but rather in the things we do understand, the things we could not possibly misunderstand. Our problem is not so much that we don’t know what we should do. We know perfectly well, but we don’t want to do it.”
Do we trust without question what Scripture tells us, without trying to reinterpret it? Every so often we hear people make the comment that Genesis 1 and 2 is not a scientific account of creation. Genesis is clearly describing, at some level, what God did at creation and how He did it. Key indicators in Genesis show that God gave this revelation to us as a historical account. Saying that Genesis 1 and 2 is not a scientific account may actually lead people to negative and unhelpful perspectives. This should be more accurately stated. We should say that Genesis 1 and 2 is not a detailed and comprehensive scientific account. But this does not mean that it lacks any answers to scientific questions—even better and true answers—compared with the standard answers that science currently given us. The best description of these two chapters is that they are a divinely inspired, historical account by God, the eyewitness, who created this world and everything in it, and He is the only one with the omnipotent capacity to bring it all into reality. Yes, we can trust all of the answers that Genesis 1 and 2 gives to scientific questions, even if it does not answer all our interesting questions. Seventh-day Adventist—points to the truth of our origins as revealed in the first two chapters of Genesis.
1.3.3.1.1 Division into Historical Jesus and Christ of Faith
As a whole and outwardly the world manifest great interest by the great volumes in every seminary library on the subject “The Search for the historical Jesus.“ Authors of these books believe that in the Bible, the four gospels, is a mixture of stories and parables and some of these stories, parables and miracles were actually taught and given by Jesus Christ. Others were added later in the second/third century by well-meaning Christians who added a few legends to the story of Jesus Christ. They have divided the Bible into two sections: “The Historical Jesus”, and “The Christ of Faith”-meaning the Jesus who actually lived and the Christ that people believed in and added stories to flesh out the picture a little bit, to give it a little more interest, a little more detail to the life of Christ.
The search for the historical Jesus is the attempt to help us to understand which part of the gospels are genuine, authentic and can be trusted. At the Jesus Seminar held twice yearly, scholars from around the world gather to present papers on this subject. In one of this seminar, they decided to find out by unanimous vote on which parts of the gospels are authentic 100%. On the Book of Mark, the unanimous opinion is that only one sentence in the Book of Mark was authentic. In the Book of John, written about 70 years lafter Christ lived, they coundnt find one sentence to be authentic.
This is just a symptom. Here is the problem we have to come to believe that we apply the same tools in interpreting the Bible as is applied to the interpretation of ancient literature , say Shakespeare. They use literary analysis to be able to tell the authentic from the fraudulent. This is called the historical critical method.of approaching Bible study. Approaching it using human techniques to understand literary materials, Genesis ch1-11 are considered not authentic and are discounted completely by Bible scholars on how God brought this world into existence.
One Crisp and stark statement on the state of Believe in SDA church: “ The two theological streams that is really the threat to fragment us are the varying views on the authority of scripture being taught in the church today. The historical critical hermeneutic destroys the foundations of Adventism, both at the scriptural and spirit of prophecy levels.”
The scholars will all say they believe in the Bible as the word of God. But they will maintain that not the whole Bible has authority, and only in some parts.
1.3.3.1.2 The Remnant Church
Seventh-day Adventists have been known to search vigilantly for evidences of prophecy. Looking at signs and identifying their fulfillment in prophecy is nothing new for Christians, especially Seventh-day Adventists. We must ask the question, Where does our faith find its foundation? If it is in the events of prophecy, could it be possible that when some predicted event ends up being seen differently or finds another explanation, our faith would be so shaken that we lose our grasp on all the promises we hold confidently? Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us, but are we growing in Him in peace and joy every day? Is it our fear or our faith that’s increasing? Looking for signs can actually be a means of delaying our personal preparation, because we are waiting for the last sign before we prepare.
In our present uncertain world, it is easy to become discouraged and fearful.
The late Christopher Hitchens was an atheist. Responding to the inevitable question about how one finds meaning in life apart from God, Hitchens wrote: “There are the beauties of science and the extraordinary marvels of nature….There are the infinite splendors of literature and poetry….There is the grand resource of art and music and architecture….In all of these pursuits, any one of them enough to absorb a lifetime, there may be found a sense of awe and magnificence that does not depend at all of any invocation of the supernatural.”
Then in 2010, Christopher Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He wrote about the experience. He talked about the pain, about how crummy the treatments made him feel, and about the needles in his arms. But there was nothing about drawing hope and comfort from the “awe and magnificence” of art, literature, poetry, or music. Art and music is for the living, not the dying. When dying, we desperately need Jesus and the promise of eternal life. Scripture is about transitioning from a sinful world to eternal life, and no other book or human pursuit can tell us how to do that.
1 Peter 2:9 is very relevant here: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We are a church that presents the whole truth. Many churches lead people to Jesus. But if the great truths for this hour are excluded, it’s an incomplete gospel. Deception is mixing truth with error, and more subtly, not telling the whole truth.
We are not just another church. We are the final movement God raised in a prophetic time, with a prophetic message centered on Jesus and His grace to restore the whole truth and prepare the whole world for His return. Ellen White wrote: “Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself….The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world.” (7T 138}
Of course, Satan presents distractions which can undermine our identity, purpose, and mission as the remnant.
One last generation will stand firm and love the Lord so much that it will obey Him. They will be sealed for eternity, established in all biblical truth so they cannot be moved. That generation will participate in wonderful things—the latter rain and the completion of God’s work. The earth will be illuminated with the glory of God.
1.3.3.2 Inspiration in the Spirit of Prophecy
(How Inspired Was Ellen White? - Dennis Priebe )
For the early Christians the “Spirit of Prophecy” was a reference to the Holy Spirit, who imparts the prophetic gift to God’s messengers. This also becomes evident when we compare Revelation 19:10 " And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” with Revelation 22:8 , 9.
Specific to the Seventh-Day Adventists(SDA) Church, the Spirit of Prophecy refers to the writings of Ellen G. White* who was the messenger of God for the beginning of the Adventist movement in the church formation after the great disappointment in Oct 22, 1944. She received visions, dreams and inspiration to write more than 100,000 words in her life-time for the edification of the church. (From Wikipedia Text: Ellen White* (November 26, 1827 – July 16, 1915) was a prolific author, writing more than 80 books, 200 fliers, and 5000 periodical articles. There are over 60,000 manuscript pages of her writings. She was one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, believed by many readers to have the spiritual gift of prophecy described in the Bible.)
Alarming 2010 statistical data in N. America reveals that about 17 % of SDA reads the Spirit of Prophecy books and most of those readers are over 65 in age. In his personal conversational enquiry, less than 10% of SDA youth know about these books, reflecting the future of the Church. If new members are not oriented as to why we’re SDAs and what motives us as a church . If they don’t understand “The Great Controversy “ theme; if they don’t see the emphasis that God has given us through the writings of Ellen White then we’re going to have a lot of people who don’t totally understand why they’re SDAs and who may not be fully prepared to stand true to God in the last days.
1.3.3.2.1 Ellen White's Writings - Their role and function
Many questions have been raised in recent years relating to the proper function of Ellen White's writings. What relation do her writings bear to the Bible? Was everything she wrote inspired? Does she have doctrinal authority? What is proper and what is improper in using her writings? Therefore, It is crucial that we understand the proper place of the ministry of Ellen G. White to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes that God has given divine inspiration to Ellen G. White. We do not mean by the occasional prophetic utterances, but this person claims that her entire life was guided by inspiration. Now a person who claims to be a prophet or to receive prophetic messages and visions must be judged by a different standard than individual Christians who try to interpret the Scriptures. We must be fair and evaluate the claims that are made by the claimant to a prophetic office. If a person claims to have received visions or direct guidance from God, either this person is under inspiration or she is not. We do not have the gray areas that we seem to find in other speakers for God. For a prophet who lies or is misguided misleads a whole people. God does not speak some truth and some error through the same messenger, or we would have no way of knowing which parts of the messages have been given from God and which come from the prophet's own ideas. God exercises very strict control over the content He reveals to His messengers. Either all that the messenger speaks is truth, or the prophet is impelled by Satan or his own ideas.
In the case of Ellen White, her own ideas in claiming is ruled out by the physical phenomena which could not have been self-induced. Thus her visions had to come either from God or from Satan. Either her visions are genuine or they are a masterpiece of deception, and should be shunned as coming from Satan. No other option is open for one who claims the prophetic gift and has experienced the physical phenomena which Ellen White did. In fact, she herself states that her visions come either from God or from Satan. Thus we must accept or reject the messenger as a whole.
1.3.3.2.1.1 All From God
We must begin with some statements by Ellen White herself, because it is only fair to evaluate the claims made by the person who supposedly received messages from God. We must not make up our own claims for the work of a prophet, but we must evaluate the prophet's own claims. Just what did Ellen White claim for herself?
"I speak that which I have seen, and which I know to be true." (Letter 4, 1896) She claimed that she was told "In all your communications, speak as one to whom the Lord has spoken. He is your authority." (Letter 186, 1902) "Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her lifework God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light, that God has graciously given His servant to be given to the world." (CM 125) "I do not write one article in the paper expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision--the precious rays of light shining from the throne." (51 67) "Weak and trembling, I arose at three o'clock in the morning to write to you. God was speaking through clay. You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me." (ST 67) I conclude, after reading these statements, that she claims that she is not the source of her articles and her letters. That does not mean that she could not have used materials from other writers in writing out the messages God had given to her. We are concerned here about the source, the originating point of her messages. Did they come from God, or did they come from her own opinions or the ideas of others? She expressly says that her messages come from God, that the originating point is God. So let us remember that her claim is that the messages she writes are God's messages, not her messages.
However, her claim becomes clear and specific. "God is either teaching His church, reproving their wrongs and strengthening their faith, or He is not. This work is of God, or it is not. God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work... bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil." (4T 230) I'm very thankful that she is that honest with us. She is willing to say that we have to make up our own minds about her writings. She lays out a specific principle to guide our decision here. She says that this work is either God's work or it is Satan's work, because if Satan were operative in the prophet God would cease speaking. God does nothing in partnership with Satan--that's the principle. This means that her writings must either come from God or they must come from Satan. They cannot be partly from God and partly from Satan, or even partly her own opinions. She is either controlled by God or by Satan. Let us be sure that we are evaluating her own claims. We must not put another claim in the place of the one she has made herself. She has asked us to judge her work and then attribute it to either God or Satan, and I believe that we must accept her challenge.
Perhaps the greatest danger we face is not from those who deny the inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy, but from those who profess to believe in the inspiration of Ellen White. When it comes to specific points, they take great pains to declare that these were her judgments and opinions. This is the ‘last deception of Satan’*--making God's testimony of none effect by attributing parts of it to her opinion and accepting only those parts which square with our opinions.
(Note:’ last deception of Satan’* - Priebe singles out that this is the biggest issue sweeping SDA churches in recent times since 2010. He mentions “The White Lie” (1982) by Walter Rea a former SDA preacher accusing her copying the works of others in her writings. His case is the total denial and rejection of Ellen White. Dr Desmond Ford heads the group who believes thoroughly in the gift of prophecy and Ellen White is messenger from God, but who would not accept her writing on the investigative judgment that began in 1844 to have been influenced by individuals around her. He would determine which part of her writings is inspired and acceptable.
He then relates the states of some very faithful members who believe that there are no three beings in the Godhead but only one ultimate God, the Father, Christ was created before history, and there is no Holy Spirit, which is only the power of the Father and the Son. They would dismiss any of Ellen Whites writings that refute their belief saying those passages were inserted by people around her or she was influenced by them. When it comes to something that contrasts what they have understood and believed they will discrimination between the testimonies defining what is Sister White’s opinion and what is the word of the Lord. “They make into non effect the counsel of God by their tradition”
The big issue in the last days of SDA church is in those who believe almost but not completely. They are not denying but make into non effect the spirit of prophecy, Satan’s last act of deception. This is sweeping the SDA Church today believing almost and discarding those things that is out of date, impractical culturally, things she did not understand, etc.
“I have my work to do, to meet the misconceptions of those who suppose themselves able to say what is testimony from God and what is human production. If those who have done this work continue in this course, satanic agencies will choose for them. . . . {3SM 70.3}
Those who have helped souls to feel at liberty to specify what is of God in the Testimonies and what are the uninspired words of Sister White, will find that they were helping the devil in his work of deception. “{3SM 70.4}
“Do not by your criticisms take out all the force, all the point and power, from the Testimonies. Do not feel that you can dissect them to suit your own ideas, claiming that God has given you ability to discern what is light from heaven and what is the expression of mere human wisdom. If the Testimonies speak not according to the word of God, reject them. ( for any prophetic gift). Christ and Belial cannot be united….” {5T 691.2} (There are many books claiming to be inspired books in the early church, (such as the Apocrypha, and pseudepigrapha) that have been rejected by those faithful believers at that time.)
We dare not make distinctions between messages from heaven and her opinions. But if her opinions are mixed into these writings, if in fact she does present her own ideas as the word of God, then her counsel to us is very clear. We are to reject the testimonies, not just those parts which we feel are her own opinions, but all of the testimonies, because Christ and Satan cannot be united.
As a messenger speaking for God, a prophet claims a higher authority than an interpreter trying to understand the word of God. A prophet claims to have direct revelation from God, direct communication from God, regarding God's will for our lives. Thus we must decide whether a prophet's writings come from God or from Satan.
This means that part of a prophet's responsibility is not to speak when the Lord has not spoken. In one instance, Ellen White said, "I have no light on the subject [who would constitute the 144,000]. . Please tell my brethren that I have nothing presented before me regarding the circumstances concerning which they write, and I can set before them only that which has been presented to me." (Quoted in a letter by C. C. Crisler to E. E. Andross, Dec. 8, 1914) That is a major responsibility of a prophet. A prophet cannot give his own opinion. A prophet cannot suggest what he thinks is true, because his listeners would assume that his opinion is the word of the Lord on that subject. So if the Lord has not spoken, the prophet must not speak.
The bottom line of this discussion is that we cannot pick and choose what we think is inspired out of her writings and leave the rest alone. The same principle applies to her that applies to Bible writers. If John and Paul were inspired, then their writings were totally inspired, and they brought us messages directly from God. There are no degrees either of inspiration or revelation. If Ellen G. White is inspired, then her writings are totally inspired, and her messages come directly from God.
There is one more point we must address. If Ellen White includes her own messages among God's messages and thus confuses God's people as to when God is speaking and when He is not, then the movement she guided--the Seventh-day Adventist Church--is also suspect because of her tremendous impact upon this movement. In that case, this movement may not be the remnant church at all.
If you find anything in her writings which contradicts the Bible, it is your responsibility to reject her as a messenger of God. In light of her dramatic claims, it is impossible to accept her as a good woman while believing that certain things she wrote are contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
If we determine that Ellen White or any other claimant to the gift of prophecy is teaching error on any significant Bible doctrine, then we must follow the Biblical counsel that there is no light in that messenger. Ellen White must stand or fall on the basis of her agreement with Scripture, which means total harmony with previous revelation. If she is in error on one Biblical doctrine, then it is unsafe to follow her on any doctrine. If her messages are not from God, then we must reject her work, and it is imperative that we take a second look at the movement that she was so prominent in guiding.
1.3.3.2.1.1.1 Danger of Rejecting EGW Messages
However, if her messages are from God, then it is extremely dangerous to reject her work. "It does not become anyone to drop a word of doubt here and there that shall work like poison in other minds, shaking their confidence in the messages which God has given, which have aided in laying the foundation of this work, and have attended it to the present day, in reproofs, warnings, corrections, and encouragements. To all who have stood in the way of the Testimonies, I would say, God has given a message to His people, and His voice will be heard, whether you hear or forbear. Your opposition has not hindered me; but you must give an account to the God of heaven, who has sent these warnings and instructions to keep His people in the right way. You will have to answer to Him for your blindness, for being a stumbling block in the way of sinners." (1 SM 43) "I saw the state of some who stood on present truth, but disregarded the visions,--the way God had chosen to teach in some cases, those who erred from Bible truth. I saw that in striking against the visions they did not strike against the worm--the feeble instrument that God spake through--but against the Holy Ghost. I saw it was a small thing to speak against the instrument, but it was dangerous to slight the words of God. I saw if they were in error and God chose to show them their errors through visions, and they disregarded the teachings of God through visions, they would be left to take their own way, and run in the way of error, and think they were right, until they would find it out too late." (1 SM 40)
The last sentence describes the state of SDA church in the last 50 years according to Priebe. We have virtually set aside most of her counsel as to how to run our church. The two examples he points out are: Medical missionary, and Education.
Ellen White’s vision for medical missionary work is to have a clinic ( health center like Weimar) in every reasonably sizes town in the U.S. run by a minister and a doctor working together on the same salary. (This is not taken up seriously and it is through dedicated self supporting SDA groups that this work is met throughout the world, eg. Health wellness centre in Tampin, Malaysia)
Ellen White’s vision for education is teachers and students working together, teachers mentoring students on a prescribed individualized course of study to equip them to go out and do the work they are trained to do. (This is the work study programme that most institutions of higher learning are practicing for some time now)
There is coming a day of reckoning within the SDA church on all the councils we have ignored, set aside or rejected from what God intended for us to do.
If God is speaking, and we slight God's words, we're not really slighting the prophet, we are rejecting God. "What reserve power has the Lord with which to reach those who have cast aside His warnings and reproofs, and have accredited the testimonies of the Spirit of God to no higher source than human wisdom? In the Judgment, what can you who have done this, offer to God as an excuse for turning from the evidences He has given you that God was in the work?" (TM 466)
We must take Ellen White's challenges seriously. If her messages do not come from God, then we must reject her claim to be a messenger of the Lord. But if her messages are from God, then we must listen very, very carefully to what God says, because to reject her message is to reject God's message. Ellen White as a person is not the focus, the issue is about her mission as a messenger of God for His remnant church in the end times.
Ellen Gould White is God’s third choice, a woman, third grade education and in poo rheath.The first isBaptist preacher William Foy who gave up after giving a few messages. Hazen Foss is next, a young Millerite preacher man, who told Ellen: “The Lord gave me a message to bear to His people and I refused after being told the consequences” “I heard you talk last night. I believe the visions are taken from me and given to you. Do not refuse to obey God.” He finally looked up at her and his eyes wore a tortured expression “Do not refuse to obey God” he repeated “for it will be at the peril of your soul…I am a lost man. You are chosen of God” he turned away again and slowly spoke the next few sentences “Be faithful in doing your work, and the crown I might have had, you will receive”
1.3.3.2.1.2 What Does Lesser Light Mean?
If we believe that these writings are inspired by God, what is the proper relationship of these writings to the Bible? We must remember that she said that her messages were given because God's people were not faithful students of the Bible, so God sent these messages to lead them back to the Bible. (5T 665) Thus her function is not to be another Bible, or to be part of the canon. Her function is to lead us to the Bible, so that we may better understand the messages contained in Scripture. She characterized her work as a lesser light to lead people to the greater light--the Bible. (CM 125) Her function is to direct attention to the Bible, to help us understand the Bible, and to apply Bible principles to our lives.
It is crucial that we understand exactly what she means when she uses the term lesser light, to explain her relationship to the Bible. "The written testimonies are not to give new light, but.to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man's duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God's word, yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given, and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse." (5T 665) She understands her role to be that of bringing out more clearly the truths already contained in the Bible, and simplifying the great truths already given. Her purpose is to lead to the Bible as the basis of all truth.
But she also says, "In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue." (5T 661) So lesser light does not mean less important light. God is not less serious today when He speaks through a prophet. This means that we must carefully define lesser light and greater light so that we will understand what the words mean and what they do not mean.
Lesser light is not God being less serious in communicating with His people. Lesser light is not God speaking less clearly. Lesser light does not mean dimmer light, or unreliable light, or unimportant light, or untrustworthy light. Lesser light does not refer to an inferior quality of inspiration. The messages that came through Ellen White were just as much the word of God as the messages that came through Isaiah or Ezekiel, but Ellen White's purpose is different.
The purpose of the Bible is to reveal the plan of salvation to man. God is trying to reveal Himself to mankind, and He's trying to reveal the way of salvation, which is God's plan of restoration. The purpose of Ellen White is to reveal more clearly the plan of salvation which is already contained in the Bible. She is not giving us a new plan of salvation. She is not intending to show us another way to heaven. God's plan is outlined for all men in all times in Scripture. Ellen White simply reveals more clearly those areas of Scripture which pertain to our time and our needs. Thus her light is lesser in that it shines back upon the greater light.
Perhaps this is a good way to understand the difference between lesser light and greater light. Lesser does not refer to authority, for the authority of the book describing the ocean voyage and the authority of the pilot come from the same source. Lesser refers to function, for the pilot comes on board later, at the end of the journey, to give specific guidance for God's people.
Graphic of Light helped us to understand lesser light, especially in this sentence. "The work of any one prophet cannot be compared to the cumulative light that shines across the centuries from the many prophets." Could it be that any prophet as a single light is a lesser light pointing to the greater light of the prophets who preceded him? If the source of the ministry of all prophets is the same, then the authority of all prophets is the same, and lesser cannot refer to authority. Greater refers to the cumulative effect of the Scriptures, namely, the combination of many prophets writing under inspiration. Ellen White is one prophet writing near the end of time, compared to the many prophets collected within Scripture. Lesser light is lesser in relation to the greater cumulative light of many prophets shining through the books of the Bible. Thus lesser light does not apply to authority or to the quality of inspiration, but to the function and purpose of Ellen White's writings.
We have always ‘taught’ that Ellen White must be tested by the Bible, but what does this mean? When Paul was writing his letters how could the Christians of his day be sure that his letters were from God? Paul commended some Christians who studied the Scriptures to see if he was teaching truth. What did they study to test his messages? Obviously, the Old Testament, which was their Scripture. Paul's letters would be accepted if they were in agreement with the Old Testament. Now we must remember that Paul did take some new directions which seemed to conflict with currently held beliefs. But the crucial question was, Did he contradict what the Old Testament taught? As long as Paul did not contradict the Scriptures, then he could take some new directions. So we see that Paul's writings were tested by previous revelation. Now, what happened when Paul's writings were accepted after passing the test? They became part of the standard to test future claimants to the gift of prophecy. Paul's writings, along with the other writings of the New Testament, are now used to test anyone who claims to have the gift of prophecy.
Would it not also be true that Jeremiah's message or Isaiah's message or Ezekiel's message would have to be tested by the writings of Moses? If they passed the test, they would then become part of the Scriptures which would test later writings. Could it be that Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel were lesser lights, individually, pointing back to the greater light which was given through Moses? As individual prophets spoke and wrote, were they not being tested at all times by previous revelation? But when they were accepted, having passed the test, did they not function authoritatively for the people of God? When Ellen White's writings pass the test, do they not function in the same way? If she passes the test, then she is a genuine prophet, and she becomes as authoritative as any Biblical prophet.
Some will object immediately that this is making her part of the canon. No, the canon is closed and we have no desire to add her to the Canon, but does this mean that she has less authority than the canonical prophets? What about Nathan and Elijah and Elisha and John the Baptist? They were not part of the canon but were they authoritative? The authority of a prophetic message depends upon revelation and inspiration, not canonicity. The messages of these prophets came directly from God and were authoritative, yet they never became part of the canon. An extremely important principle here is that a writing is canonized because it is authoritative; it is not authoritative because it is canonized. The authority of a prophetic writing precedes the canonization of that writing. So the question we're really interested in is not if Ellen White is canonical, but is she authoritative? It is the question of authority that is crucial.
The questions of the early church about Paul were the same questions that the Seventh-day Adventist pioneers had about Ellen White. The early church surely asked, "If the fullness of revelation has come in Jesus Christ, why do we need to listen to this man Paul? Jesus Christ is the greater light. He is the supreme light. Who is this Paul?" Now listen to our questions. "The greater light has come in Scripture. Why should we listen so carefully to Ellen White? Why should we take her seriously if the fullness of revelation has come in Scripture?" Perhaps not only the questions, but the answers will be similar.
This position does not deny Sola Scriptura, because Scripture itself points to the continuance of prophecy in the church. Scripture says that we will have further messages coming from God in the same way that messages came through Bible prophets.
1.3.3.2.1.2.1 Study Approach to Bible and Spirit of Prophecy
How, then, should we approach our study of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy? The Bible must remain first in our study. When we study any topic, we must go to the Bible first to understand God's will. We will go next to Ellen White to understand God's will on the topic under study. Only after we have done this study of the messages of God can we form our opinions and our own interpretations of what God is saying. We dare not place our opinions before the Bible or before the messages of Ellen White. The Bible must be first as the source and the foundation of our message. Ellen White's writings come after that, to illuminate and to amplify that message, and only then may we make judgments about doctrines, God's will, and our responsibilities.
1.3.3.2.1.3 Prophets Sent to Reprove Unfaithfulness
Sometimes it is suggested that Ellen White herself said that her writings were not necessary for our salvation. This statement may clarify her meaning. "If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt; they would have kept God's law in mind, and there would have been no necessity for it to be proclaimed from Sinai or engraved upon the tables of stone. And had the people practiced the principles of the ten commandments, there would have been no need of the additional directions given to Moses." (PP 364) What she is saying is that God gives messages according to man's need. If man would have been obedient to God's law in its unwritten form, we would never have had many of the specific directions given by Moses. Each of these messages was given because of need, because God's people needed additional information. Does that mean that the ten commandments were unimportant? Or does that mean that the additional information given by Moses to the people of Israel was unimportant because it need not have been given?
It is safe to say that the messages of Isaiah and Jeremiah came to Israel because of their unfaithfulness in obeying God's will as expressed through the writings of Moses. Their messages should not have been given, but because of Israel's unfaithfulness, we have them. Does that mean that they are less important? Are they not extremely important for God's people to study and to follow? Just so, Ellen White's writings would not have been given if God's people had been faithful to the messages contained in Scripture. God would not have needed to send more messages. But because God's people did not understand and obey the messages of Scripture, her messages were sent. Does that make them less important? Or of less authority? When God speaks, He speaks for a purpose. And whenever He speaks, we must listen, just as it was important for Israel to listen to Isaiah or Jeremiah speaking for God. We must be alert to God's word and willing to obey it wherever we find it.
1.3.3.2.1.4 Does Ellen White Have Doctrinal Authority?
Is it true that Ellen White is authoritative on devotional and counseling levels, but not on the doctrinal level? We need to refresh our memories about early Adventist history. "When they came to the point in their study where they said, 'We can do nothing more,' the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me." (1 SM 206,207) When the brethren were at an impasse in their studies because they held contradictory opinions, the Spirit of the Lord would take Ellen White off in vision and explain Scriptural passages regarding Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. This was certainly doctrinal material, and it was very authoritative when she returned from vision and told the brethren what God had told her. Obviously some men would have to give up their opinion about truth when her message came through vision. It seems that one of the functions of the prophetic gift was to establish which Scriptural interpretations were correct and which were not.
"The Lord showed me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crosier had the true light on the cleansing of the sanctuary, etc., and that it was His will that Brother Crosier should write out the view which he gave us in the Day-Star Extra, Feb. 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord to recommend that Extra to every saint." (A Word to the Little Flock, p. 12) Certainly we are dealing with doctrinal material here. "At this time, a few days before the new time set in 1845, Ellen was with the band at Carver, Massachusetts, where she saw in vision that we should be disappointed, and that the saints must pass through the 'time of Jacob's trouble,' which was future. Her view of Jacob's trouble was entirely new to us, as well as herself." (Ibid., p.22) The time of Jacob's trouble certainly impinges on doctrine.
"I beg leave to state.. . . what I have seen in vision relative to these things on which you have written. I fully agree with you, that there will be two literal resurrections, 1000 years apart. I also agree with you, that the new heavens, and the new earth, will not appear till after the wicked dead are raised and destroyed, at the end of the 1000 years. . . . You think that those who worship before the saints' feet (Rev. 3:9) will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God showed me that this class were professed Adventists. . . . In the 'hour of temptation' . . . they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saints' feet. You also think that Michael stood up, and the time of trouble commenced, in the spring of 1844. The Lord has shown me . . . that . . . Michael's standing up (Dan. 12:1) to deliver His people, is in the future. (A Word to the Little Flock, pp. 11,12) Here she is speaking authoritatively on issues that are clearly doctrinal.
1.3.3.2.1.2 The Foundation of SDA Faith
Now let us review the story of one of the early conferences. "Our first conference was at Volney in Bro. Arnold's barn. There were about thirty-five present, all that could be collected in that part of the State. There were hardly two agreed. Each was strenuous for his views, declaring that they were according to the Bible. . . . Bro. Arnold held that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 were in the past, and that the 144,000 were those raised at Christ's resurrection. . . . And as we had the emblem of our dying Lord before us, and was about to commemorate His sufferings, Bro. Arnold arose and said he had no faith in what we were about to do, that the Sacrament was a continuation of the Passover, to be observed but once a year. These strange differences of opinion rolled a heavy weight upon me, especially as Bro. Arnold spoke of the 1000 years being in the past. I knew he was in error, and great grief pressed my spirits. . . . The light of Heaven rested upon me. I was soon lost to earthly things. My accompanying angel presented before me some of the errors of those present, and also the truth in contrast with their errors. That these discordant views, which they claimed to be according to the Bible, were only according to their opinion of the Bible, and that their errors must be yielded, and they unite upon the third angel's message. Our meeting ended victoriously. Truth gained the victory." (2 SG 97-99) She was given specific information about the doctrinal errors of the people in that meeting and also the truth in contrast with these errors. She was told by God which was which. The brethren meeting together accepted the message from God on doctrinal issues, and some had to yield their erroneous positions.
"At that time one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures, and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays." (GW 302) Once again, she defined truth and error on points of doctrine, by means of the messages given to her in vision. ( She is more than confirming the 28 doctrines of tne SDA faith. She helped shaped these doctrines with the inspirations and visions from God.)
"The foundations of our faith . . . were laid at the beginning of our work by prayerful study of the Word and by revelation." (GW 307) Notice the two phrases, "by prayerful study of the Word and by revelation." God's Spirit speaking through His messenger helped to lay the foundations of our faith. "Serious errors in doctrine and practice were cherished... God revealed these errors to me in vision and sent me to His erring children to declare them." (5T 655, 656) The evidence is clear that she did understand her writings to have full authority in doctrinal areas.
"The Lord has given me much light that I want the people to have; for there is instruction that the Lord has given me for His people. It is light that they should have, line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. This is now to come before the people, because it has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth. The Lord has revealed many things pointing out the truth, thus saying, This is the way, walk ye in it." (Letter 127, 1910) "I was sent by the Lord from place to place to rebuke those who were holding these false doctrines." (Ev 610)
The issue to be decided is not whether she is speaking on doctrinal issues or on pastoral issues, but whether she is speaking for the Lord at all. If she is speaking for the Lord, then the Lord will speak pastorally, He will counsel, He will direct, He will encourage, and He will speak doctrinally. It is totally improper to make a distinction between doctrinal and pastoral authority.
We must be sure that we understand the full implications of her inspiration, and what that means for us. "In my books [PP, GC, DA) the truth is stated, barricaded by a 'Thus saith the Lord.' The Holy Spirit traced these truths upon my heart and mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of God upon the tables of stone." (3 SM 122) She also says, "There is one straight chain of truth, without one heretical sentence, in that which I have written." (3 SM 52)
She says, "All who believe the Lord has spoken through Sister White, and has given her a message, will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days." (3 SM 84) What a magnificent promise. Her messages can be a tremendous blessing if we will accept them and not try to dodge their full impact on our lives. God has chosen to speak clearly and authoritatively to His people in these final days of earth's history. Praise His name!
1.3.3.2.1.2.1 Response to Unfounded Cult Sect Accusation
The majority of Christians of other denominations maintains (without personally checking the facts) that SDA doctrines are based on the writings of a woman and not on the Bible and SDA is a cult sect.
The fact as we have shared above is Ellen White was a major participant in the forming of the doctrines of the SDA Church. The 28 doctrines of the Church was defined and set with the involvement of Ellen White’s many visions, some of which are unique such as the sanctuary message, investigative judgment, and three angels’ messages. SDA is different from the other Bible believing Christian churches through Ellen White’s visions.
To address the problem, we don’t call an individual like Walter Martin to define what a cult is. He came to SDA HQ in the 1950’s saying He placed SDA in the cult category and can change it if SDA would agree to the terms he had set out.. Unfortunately SDA leaders agreed to those terms and he took us out of that category. But that did not affect the Christians in the street who still brand SDA a cult. A cult is very simply an organization taking the teachings of an individual above the word of God instead of the word of God. ( E.g Peoples Temple Cult –Rev Jim Jones, Heaven’s Gate Cult- Marshall Applegate and Bonnie Nettles; Branch Davidian Cult- David Koresh, Manson Family Cult – Charles Mansion.)
In the case of Jeremiah, he had the unpleasant task of telling Judah to surrender to the Babylonians, advocating treason, sounding like a cult leader in contradicting what Moses had said. That this nation would stand for ever. Jeremiah’s message frorm God was, the nation to go into captivity and the temple raised to the ground, But we recognize by hindsight that Jeremiah was a true messenger from the Lord telling what they need to know as present truth for their time. They were given proof that a false prophet will not survive in proclaiming a lie that God has not given to him, like the Priest Hananiah who contradicted Jeremiah’s enacted parable and died as prophesd (Jer 28:17)
Therefore, we have to make this determination first of all. whether Ellen White is an individual making her own opinions or she is a messenger of God 100% of the time. If she inserts any opinions of her own then she is a cult leader. But sadly, most SDAs are saying most of what Ellen White said is valuable, her devotional writings are very good especially her book , “Steps To Christ”. However, what she said in “Councils on Diet “ is based on her own opinion. So many, many SDAs are unwittingly saying we’re a cult because they don’t understand what they are saying. (She had solemnly said “not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner….” { -ChS 41 (1893). {LDE 172.1} ( more about this in next section)
In the 1950’s the Ministry magazine stated “ No doctrinal truth or prophetic interpretation ever came to this people through the Spirit of Prophecy, not in a single case.” This is a magazine for the ministers of the SDA Church.
M L Andreason, a very sound SDA scholar replied: “ I am charitable to believe that the brother who wrote in the Ministry did not know any better. But if so his ignorance was profound, the tendency in the article of the Ministry is to down grade Mrs. White. It would be more nearly true to say that many of our doctrines including those of Christ’s mission and priesthood came to us a light direct from heaven through the visions.”
Ellen White has been proved by the evidence that she is a true prophet of God and that therefore she stands in relation to God to us and to God exactly as Paul, Jeremiah and Isaiah stood giving the word of the Lord. SDA doctrines were shaped by Bible study and by vision. The Bible is not given by verbal inspiration where every word is directly from God. God did not dictate every word to the prophet . He gave prophet thoughts and the prophet then had to put it in human language that complicates things.
Her writings points everything she says as coming from the Bible as the greater light. So everyone can go to the Bible and find what she says as present truth and we don’t have to use Ellen white’s writings to prove any of the doctrines of faith of SDA.
“The enemy will seek to seduce souls from the truth, but all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White, and has given her a message, will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days.--Letter 50, 1906. {3SM 83.5} What Satan is going to lay upon this church, upon the very elect are going to be delusions that are imperceptible unless you have a solid understand of Ellen White’s warnings and how to meet them as we face the last days. This is the make or break of every SDA in God’s remnant church in the end time. Those who are sound on this teaching of the Adventist church that God spoke through Ellen White are going to survive. Those who do not are not going to make it.
“The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy.” { 3SM, 30}
Every church member will either believe the Spirit of Prophecy or be deceived before the end of time. in the 1950’s, Raymond Cottrel, one of the Adventist leader responded to Walter Martin; “ There is no intrinsic difference between the Bible and the writings of Ellen G White as to degree of inspiration, infallibility, reliability, authoritative quality, or binding force upon the conscience and lives of SDAs.” That is a statement many SDAs are not very comfortable with today.
Dennis Priebe final counsel to the readers: 1. Make up your mind after studying and checking the presentation carefully. God will give you time to sort out your worldviews and discuss it with others. Don’t make any rash decision, but don’t sit on the fence forever. Decide what is truth and what is error. Then share the truth with others to free them from the lies of Satan; 2. To pray for those people in our circle of influence ( family members, neighbours, work colleagues and acquaintances) who do not know the truth about God . We try to give them little bits of help now and then if they receive it. We try to witness to them and we praise the Lord when they are receptive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to the goodness of God in attempting to save them from the clutches of the second death. The class of people that must be reached is those who may be a Christian attending church regularly but who do not know they are lost, as Jesus narrated in the parable of the lost coin. The lost sheep and the prodigal son know that are lost and need help, but not the lost coin lying in the dirt of the home (in church). They need to be prayed for and earnestly searched out and be found by the grace of God.
This is the make or break issue that will precede the Sabbath Sunday decision that this world is coming to before the second coming of Jesus Christ.
2. Endless Love of God – (Goodness & Mercy of Redeeming Love)
God does not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His thoughts are thoughts of mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. He says, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins." Isaiah 55:7; 44:22. {SC 53.1}
"I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." Ezekiel 18:32. Satan is ready to steal away the blessed assurances of God. He desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ray of light from the soul; but you must not permit him to do this. Do not give ear to the tempter, but say, "Jesus has died that I might live. He loves me, and wills not that I should perish. I have a compassionate heavenly Father; and although I have abused His love, though the blessings He has given me have been squandered, I will arise, and go to my Father, and say, 'I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son: make me as one of Thy hired servants.'" The parable tells you how the wanderer will be received: "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:18-20. {SC 53.2}
But even this parable, tender and touching as it is, comes short of expressing the infinite compassion of the heavenly Father. The Lord declares by His prophet, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jeremiah 31:3. While the sinner is yet far from the Father's house, wasting his substance in a strange country, the Father's heart is yearning over him; and every longing awakened in the soul to return to God is but the tender pleading of His Spirit, wooing, entreating, drawing the wanderer to his Father's heart of love. {SC 54.1}
2.1 Rejection of Loud Cry at Minneapolis: 1888 Message
Ellen White made the solemn statement in 1893 that in vision she saw that only 1 in 20 in the church “are prepared to close their earthly history, and the rest,19 in 20, “would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.” { -ChS 41 (1893). By God’s mercy and goodness, this vision may serve as a lesson for the SDA in the end times to take to heart. It pointed to the condition of the church goers then who rejected the preaching of E.J. Waggoner and A.T.Jones on the “Righteouness by Faith” message ( Minneapolis SDA Conference) and as a result the intended return of the Lord’s in the 1890’s was deferred indefinitely (a curse for that generation which is a blessing and privilege of becoming God’s children unto the final generation, the 144,000, to finish the work in lightening the whole world with the glory which is the cleansing of our hearts and minds while Jesus is cleansing the sins of the world.)
“A world is to be warned; and when the third angel's message goes forth with a loud cry( Rev 18:1-5) minds will be fully prepared to make decisions for or against the truth. {1888 510.2}…The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth ( Rev 18:1). For it is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, ..Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of him. {1888 1073.7}.. The Lord has a time appointed when he will bind off the work; but when is that time? When the truth to be proclaimed for these last days shall go forth as a witness to all nations, then shall the end come. If the power of Satan can come into the very temple of God, and manipulate things as he pleases, the time of preparation will be prolonged. {1888 1525.2}.. In rejecting the message given at Minneapolis, men committed sin. They have committed far greater sin by retaining for years the same hatred against God's messengers, by rejecting the truth that the Holy Spirit has been urging home. By making light of the message given, they are making light of the word of God. Every appeal rejected, every entreated unheeded, furthers the work of heart-hardening, and places them in the seat of the scornful. {1888 913.2} (See Dennis Priebe sermon on the fulfillment of the promise in 1888 in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtggORkk (58:43) “Why Does Why Does 1888 Matter “ Jan 23, 2016, Stateline SDA Church)
2.1.1 Now is the Time of Preparation
To be “prepared for the close of our earthly history” means the close of probation, either individually at our death or corporately at the end of the investigative judgment when “Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. “-Dan 12:1-2.
The assurance of salvation and possession of Christian character and the mind of Christ is a now activity. We must pray and surrender daily to God and spend an hour to study closely the teaching of the Bible to search into the” deep things of God” for those things that are revealed (1 Cor2:10).
The Bible unfolds truth with a simplicity and a perfect adaptation to the needs and longings of the human heart, that has astonished and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, while it enables the humblest and uncultured to discern the way of salvation. And yet these simply stated truths lay hold upon subjects so elevated, so far-reaching, so infinitely beyond the power of human comprehension, that we can accept them only because God has declared them. Thus the plan of redemption is laid open to us, so that every soul may see the steps he is to take in repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to be saved in God's appointed way; yet beneath these truths, so easily understood, lie mysteries that are the hiding of His glory--mysteries that overpower the mind in its research, yet inspire the sincere seeker for truth with reverence and faith. The more he searches the Bible, the deeper is his conviction that it is the word of the living God, and human reason bows before the majesty of divine revelation. {SC 107.2}
2.1.1.1 Doubts & Skepticism
To acknowledge that we cannot fully comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit that the finite mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with his limited, human knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience. {SC 108.1}
Because they cannot fathom all its mysteries, the skeptic and the infidel reject God's word; and not all who profess to believe the Bible are free from danger on this point. The apostle says, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12. It is right to study closely the teachings of the Bible and to search into "the deep things of God" so far as they are revealed in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:10. While "the secret things belong unto the Lord our God," "those things which are revealed belong unto us." Deuteronomy 29:29. But it is Satan's work to pervert the investigative powers of the mind. A certain pride is mingled with the consideration of Bible truth, so that men feel impatient and defeated if they cannot explain every portion of Scripture to their satisfaction. ..They feel that their unaided human wisdom is sufficient to enable them to comprehend the Scripture, and failing to do this, they virtually deny its authority. It is true that many theories and doctrines popularly supposed to be derived from the Bible have no foundation in its teaching, and indeed are contrary to the whole tenor of inspiration. These things have been a cause of doubt and perplexity to many minds. They are not, however, chargeable to God's word, but to man's perversion of it. {SC 108.2}
2.1.1.1.1 God is Infinite & Supreme
If it were possible for created beings to attain to a full understanding of God and His works, then, having reached this point, there would be for them no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge, no further development of mind or heart. God would no longer be supreme; and man, having reached the limit of knowledge and attainment, would cease to advance. Let us thank God that it is not so. God is infinite; in Him are "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3. And to all eternity men may be ever searching, ever learning, and yet never exhaust the treasures of His wisdom, His goodness, and His power. {SC 109.1}
God intends that even in this life the truths of His word shall be ever unfolding to His people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God's word only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the word was given. "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God;" "for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11, 10. And the Saviour's promise to His followers was, "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth. . . . For He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." John 16:13, 14. {SC 109.2}
God desires man to exercise his reasoning powers; and the study of the Bible will strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study can. Yet we are to beware of deifying reason, which is subject to the weakness and infirmity of humanity. If we would not have the Scriptures clouded to our understanding, so that the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, we must have the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn, and beseeching the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of the power and wisdom of God, and of our inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire us with humility, and we should open His word, as we would enter His presence, with holy awe. When we come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself, and heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM. {SC 109.3}
There are many things apparently difficult or obscure, which God will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an understanding of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever men are not in word and deed seeking to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they may be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust to their explanations. Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies, have not spiritual insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple. {SC 110.1}
2.1.1.1.2 Love of Sin in Doubt & Skepticism
Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God's word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation. {SC 111.1}
Christ has said, "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching." John 7:17, R.V. Instead of questioning and caviling concerning that which you do not understand, give heed to the light that already shines upon you, and you will receive greater light. By the grace of Christ, perform every duty that has been made plain to your understanding, and you will be enabled to understand and perform those of which you are now in doubt. {SC 111.2}
2.1.1.1.3 The Bible is the Revelation of Jesus Christ
There is an evidence that is open to all,--the most highly educated, and the most illiterate,--the evidence of experience. God invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His word, the truth of His promises. He bids us "taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8. Instead of depending upon the word of another, we are to taste for ourselves. He declares, "Ask, and ye shall receive." John 16:24. His promises will be fulfilled. They have never failed; they never can fail. And as we draw near to Jesus, and rejoice in the fullness of His love, our doubt and darkness will disappear in the light of His presence. {SC 111.3}
The apostle Paul says that God "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." Colossians 1:13. And everyone who has passed from death unto life is able to "set to his seal that God is true." John 3:33. He can testify, "I needed help, and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of my soul was satisfied; and now the Bible is to me the revelation of Jesus Christ. Do you ask why I believe in Jesus? Because He is to me a divine Saviour. Why do I believe the Bible? Because I have found it to be the voice of God to my soul." We may have the witness in ourselves that the Bible is true, that Christ is the Son of God. We know that we are not following cunningly devised fables. {SC 112.1}
Peter exhorts his brethren to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. When the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. "The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18, R.V., margin. {SC 112.2}
By faith we may look to the hereafter and grasp the pledge of God for a growth of intellect, the human faculties uniting with the divine, and every power of the soul being brought into direct contact with the Source of light. We may rejoice that all which has perplexed us in the providences of God will then be made plain, things hard to be understood will then find an explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. "Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. {SC 112.3}
2.2 Abundant Evidence of the Living God
Evidence of the Living God and His promises are too numerous to recount. What has been shared is sufficient (by God’s grace) in this quick jump start for the new hearer of the word and also novice Christians. The reception of truth in the word of God is the catalytic initiation that will bring in its train the progression to the settling of the truth unto the faith of Jesus and being sealed by the Holy Spirit before the close of probation, the end of the investigative judgment. The closing events that has been prophesied in the Book of Revelation such as the enforcement of the Sunday law and the ensuing time of Jacob’s trouble with the outpouring of the seven last plagues and the desolation of the world. Jesus finally returns; “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ( the first resurrection* of the righteous dead)”1Th 4:16.
Many do belief in the resurrection* and doubt the reality in the resurrection of Jesus on the Sunday after His crucifixion. The resurrection witnesses to the immense power of God Himself. To believe in the resurrection is to believe in God. The doubters and skeptics would rather believe in evolution, survival of the fittest and the eventuality succumb to death when weakened with age. They are unbelievers whose faith is on self and to squeeze as much out of this life even at the expence of other lives while they are alive. They rely on what they see and yet are blind to the spiritual dimension of time and eternity. They need to free and open their mind to the miracle that is in the reality of their life being alive and do some speculation on the hope of resurrection in the second coming of Jesus Christ as follows:
If God exists, and if He created the universe and has power over it, then He has power to raise the dead. If He does not have such power, He is not worthy of our faith and worship. Only He who created life can resurrect it after death, only He can reverse the hideousness that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting and gain the victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54–55). In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.( https://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-Christ-important.html.) ( So to the unbeliever, the atheist, the freethinker, the new ager, the evolutionist , heed the need to personally seek out the truth.
The truth in the Resurrection of Christ substantiates the Christian faith in Christ, in the word of God, His physical resurrection at the heart of the gospel message proclaimed by the apostles as well as the Church throughout its history. Paul indirectly gives us an answer to this question in the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians. It appears that there were some believers in Corinth who questioned the reality of a physical resurrection of believers. At the heart of Paul’s response to them is the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, including its importance.
Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 goes something like this: If there is no resurrection, then not even Christ has been raised from the dead. And if Christ has not been raised then Your faith and our preaching are in vain. We are still in our sin. We are to be pitied above all people. But Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of the dead. And when Christ returns, we who have believed will also be raised from the dead.
This argument for resurrection concludes with why Jesus’ resurrection is important for us. If Jesus was not resurrected, then we have no hope beyond the grave. But because Jesus has been raised, we can look forward to our own resurrection. Christ is the first fruit of the harvest that is to come, the resurrection of believers.
2.2.1 Past and Future Link Evidence of Christ’s Resurrection
The irrefutable and abundant evidence of Christ’s resurrection forty days before His return to Heaven is witnessed by over five hundred believers. Since this is real and true it follows that Jesus is divine and came down from heaven, took on human form to bear all our sins and die for us, the second death, as our substitute. We thus have the link to the truth in the past as foundational truth that gives us the assurance in the future that at the Second Coming the righteous, who have the faith of Chris.t will be resurrected with an immortal body.
The truth in the reality of resurrection must demand evidence revealed in the Bible to understand the truth on the framework of the last resurrection that will take place.
2.2.1.1 The Resurrection of Moses
The first resurrection recorded in the Old Testament on the resurrection of Moses requires amplification because the evidence of this truth has raised most doubts even among Christians (from anomaly in the only four texts, Deu 34:5-6, Act 17:3, Jud 9).
Deu 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
Deu 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. ,
The Lord buried him using the ministering angel to bury Moses. The anomaly is no one knows of his grave. But Mat 17:3 says Moses and Elija appeared at the mount of transfiguration and the disciple saw Jesus talking to them. So Moses must have been resurrected. Scripture proves that Moses resurrected from the dead. Jude confirms this “Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. “ and Michel is Jesus is clarified in 1Th 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” (Michael is the only archangel in Scripture.)
2.2.1.2 Resurrection of Lazarus
There are amplifications from Ellen White on Jesus raising the dead through the Holy Spirit. “During His ministry, Jesus raised the dead to life. He raised the son of the widow of Nain, the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus; but these were not clothed with immortality. After they were raised, they continued to be subject to death. But those who came forth from the grave at Christ's resurrection were raised to everlasting life. They were the multitude of captives that ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. {1SM 304.2}
The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, as recorded in the eleventh chapter of John. In the inspired record we are told that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus," yet after He received the message, "He abode two days still in the same place where He was." Guided by divine wisdom, He did not go at once to His beloved friends. The message that came to Him did not meet with an immediate response. Mary and Martha did not say, "Lord, come at once and heal our brother." They had confidence in Jesus, believing that He would do what was best for them. At length He said to His disciples, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." {21MR 111.1}
Here, Jesus is teaching the truth that this death of Lazarus is a sleep that he can wake up in His coming to resurrect him. This is the truth that applies for God’s people who are now sleep in the grave, not the false teaching that they are risen to be with the Lord at death. It is only at His Second Coming at His calling with a shout (very audible, not at all in secret- so where is the secret rapture*) in mid air (visible) that the righteous dead will be awaken in immortal body to meet the Lord and together with the living saints be taken to heaven for a thousand years (1 The 4; 16-17; 1 Cor 15;51-52; Jn 17:24; Rev 20:4-6). The Bible tells us there are two types of death; the first death is a deep sleep for the righteous in Christ that will not have to experience the second dead, which is the resurrection of the unrighteous wicked at the third coming after the thousand years to face damnation and eternal death.(Jn 3:18; Rev 20:4-6,14: 21:8) ( Note; * The secret rapture is man’s invention that does not harmonise with the word of God will be discussed in par 2.4 The Seven Last Plagues of Revelation Timeframe)
By the raising of Lazarus, many were led to believe in Jesus. It was God's plan that Lazarus should die and be laid in the tomb before the Saviour should arrive. The raising of Lazarus was Christ's crowning miracle, and because of it many glorified God. But those who had again and again rejected light would not yield, even in the face of this overwhelming evidence. They were hardened in unbelief, and they went away immediately to tell the priests and rulers what Jesus had done. They aroused anew the hatred of His bitterest enemies, the Pharisees, whose jealousy was increased by every act of mercy performed by the Saviour. {21MR 111.2}
Christ delayed, that by raising Lazarus from the dead ( after four days), he might give to his stubborn, unbelieving people an evidence that he was indeed "the resurrection, and the life." He was loath to give up all hope of the Jewish people. They were to him as the poor, wandering sheep of the house of Israel. His heart was breaking because of their impenitence. He knew that by their course of action they would bring upon themselves swift destruction. God would not avert the terrible retribution that was to come upon the Jewish nation because of the treatment of his Son. They were loading the cloud of indignation that was soon to burst upon them with uncontrollable fury, leaving them a scattered people, and a curse in the whole earth. But in his mercy, Christ purposed to give his deceived, deluded countrymen one more evidence that he was the Restorer, the One who alone could bring life and immortality to light through the gospel. This was to be an evidence that the priests could not misinterpret to destroy the faith of all whom they could influence. This was why Christ deferred going to Bethany. {YI, April 13, 1899 par. 5}
Jesus has declared: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." From the apostle Paul's inspired testimony in 1 Corinthians 15, many positive and comforting assurances concerning the resurrection of the righteous. "If there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept." "In Christ shall all be made alive." "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
(For a thorough study see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPLrxFEdX0 ( 1:01:55) "Resurrections" - Pastor Doug Batchelor May 29, 2018
Listed for your leisurely study in the progression to more truth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j28GCL3Uuz8 (54:44)- "Open and Closed Doors" - Pastor Stephen Bohr Oct 8, 2017 47329SHARESAVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixc0dRij4Kg (58:29) 6. The Three Stages of Judgement - Stephen Bohr - Summit 202 Nov 10, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EvjisEVMVk – “The Investigative Judgement On Trial - What's Up Prof” Premiered Mar 26, 20211.7K42SHARESAVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwOdpKYNM2o (27:47)#BL3025 BLT: Pastor Mark Finley on End Time Events •Jul 25, 2020 2497SHARESAVE. Pastor Mark Finley presents what the Bible says about end time events and what you need to do to be ready for the second coming of Jesus!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONjFy4t5YTs (48:50)”The Words of Christ from the Cross" with Doug Batchelor, Streamed live on Mar 28, 2021, 90216SHARESAVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_nYDxHBKWo (57:45) "What on Earth Happened in 1844?" with Doug Batchelor Streamed live on Apr 4, 2021 Hear the heavenly rendition of the opening song “ Temple of Time”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozfln-D4E7Q ( 51: 42) "Crucified and Risen (Luke)" - Pastor Doug Batchelor Apr 5, 2020
2.2.1 Earth's Cup of Iniquity Soon Full (Isa 26:19-21)
Isaiah, in the Old Testament, understands and foretells of of the assurance in God’s promise of resurrection “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.”- Isa 26:19; and the need to hide in the shelter of God’s protection (Isa 26:20) because of the impending Day of the Lord “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”- Isa 26:21. (This is the lesson for the final generation to strive to be the 144,000.)
“The point is fast being reached when the iniquity of transgressors will be to the full. God gives nations a certain time of probation. He sends light and evidence, that, if received, will save them, but if refused as the Jews refused light, indignation and punishment will fall upon them. If men refuse to be benefited, and choose darkness rather than light, they will reap the results of their choice. "Behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." The professed Christian world is advancing, as did the Jewish nation, from one degree of sinfulness to a greater degree, refusing warning after warning, and rejecting a Thus saith the Lord, while crediting the fables of men. The Lord God will soon arise in His wrath, and pour out His judgments upon those who are repeating the sins of the inhabitants of the Noachic world. Those whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil, as were the hearts of the inhabitants of Sodom, will like them be destroyed. The fact that God had long forbearance, patience and mercy, the fact that His judgments have been long delayed, will not make the punishment any less severe when it does come” (Undated MS 145). {4BC 1143.7}
This takes to the final sharing on the all encompassing truth in doing the will of God in the creation of this world as a lesson book for the universe in the vindication of God’s love and His law can be freely obeyed by those who love Him and worship Him.
2.3 God's Final Message of Love (Rev 14:6-12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcOzAO-4tGk (44:33) God's Final Message of Love by Stephen Bohr Apr 4, 2021 00SHARESAVE Amazing Sanctuary presented by Amazing Facts
This message is to prepare a world for the coming of Jesus . It is the called the three angels’ messages. The third angel’s message increases in importance as we near the close of this earth’s history. It is a life and death question. This message is warning men against receiving the mark of the beast or of his image in their foreheads or in their hands. (God is permitting the Covid-19 Pandemic as a precursor warning to the time of Jacob’s trouble that precedes the Second Coming of the Lord. The wind of strife is gradually loosening to be fully released when Satan fills up the cup of God’s wrath.)
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
In the study to understand this message based on this passage, the series of question need to be answered:
1. What is the everlasting gospel;
2. What do the three angels represent;
3. Why are they described as flying in the midst of heaven;
4. Why are the messages proclaimed to the whole world;
5. What does it mean to fear God;
6. What does it mean to give glory to God;
7. What and when is the hour of God’s judgment;
8. What does it mean to worship the creator;
9. What is Babylon;
10. Why did Babylon Fall;
11. What is Babylon’s wine of wrath;
12. What is the meaning of “Babylon fornicates with the kings of the earth.
13. Who is the beast; Who is the image of the beast; What is the mark of the beast; What is the number of the beast;
14. What is wine of God’s wrath; Why is it poured out without mixture;
15. Will the worshippers of the beast be incinerated in fire that will never go out;
16. What is the patience of the saints;
17. What are the commandments of God;
18. What is meant by the faith of Jesus;
19. Who are the 144,000 and when will they live?
From these questions Pr Bohr who has presented the three angels’ message many times, and in particular have given presentation on each of these question as one hour presentation and totaling 24 altogether, is going to distill all the answers into twelve amazing facts about the three angels’ messages.
2.3.1 Twelve Amazing Facts of the Three Angels’ Messages:
1. The angels mentioned are not the ones who proclaim the messages. Rev 1:1-4 tells us that there is a chain that God uses to share His message with this earth. The message originates with God, the Father, who gives it to Jesus, who gives it to the Holy Spirit, who gives it the angel. The angel gives it to John. John sends it to the churches and the churches are to proclaim it to the world.
The two spies sent to Jericho are called angels or messengers In the New Testament human beings are called angels, for example, John the Baptist is called God’s messenger (Luk 7:24). Apostle Paul is called an angei of God (Gal 4:14). Stephen had the face of an angel when he was bearing witness (Act 6:15). The seven stars are the seven angels to the seven churches ( Rev 1:20) and Ellen White identifies them as the ministers or preachers of the churches. So when we’re told here that the everlasting gospel is preached by an angel we are to understand it is the angel co-operation with human beings. God has not given the proclamation of the gospel to angels but specifically to men in the great commission (Matt28:18-20). “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”- Act 1:8. Thus. these three angels represent God helping His people proclaim these messages. Act 8:26;10:3 are verses of angel assistance to individual human. Ellen White says angels are standing by when we are giving Bible studied to enlighten our mind to give us words to speak.
The first amazing fact is that the angels represent the work of God’s people on earth in proclaiming these messages.
2. “The angels fly in the midst of heaven” means that the messages are of heavenly origin. God lives in heaven and heaven is North, and up above. The Bible tells us Satan is the king of the Abyss, the bottomless pit( Rev 9:11) He is the prince of darkness. God’s point in the compass are North and East. Satan’s point in the compass are West and South. It has to do with the location of the Sun. Light originates in the East and reaches its highest intensity above our head in the North. The Sun sets in the West and reaches its deepest darkness directly below, in the South. That is the reason why Jesus came to this world from the East. –(Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring (rising Sun) from on high hath visited us, Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.) That is why Jesus return in the seconding coming will come from the East.- (Matt 24:27). The angel with the seal of God comes from the East. The loud cry angel of Rev 18:1-4 comes from heaven from the North. Thus the message is of heavenly origin Whatever hat doesn’t come from above comes from below (Ja 3:15-17), from Abaddon, the destroyer , the king of the abyss.
3. Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
This is the loud voice of the first angel and the two following angels represents the power and the authority of the message that is given. It is shouted from the roof top no matter what the consequences might be
4. The fourth amazing fact is that these angels fly with the utmost velocity. Eze 1:13-14 describes how the angels move “Eze 1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. Eze 1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.” So God wants us to proclaim the three angels message, His final warning of love to the sin infested world with the utmost speed, particularly as we see the things are happening in the world today.
5. The Messages are global. They must circle the entire world, to go to every people, every language group, every person on planet earth. This is Jesus word to His disciples: Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In order for the message to go globally there must be a global church to proclaim it. God has chosen the SDA church for one specific purpose and that is to plant believers in every country of the world to proclaim the three angles’ message. That is the reason for SDA existence. If we are not doing it there is no reason for our existence. In the word of Sister White:
“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import--the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.” {9T 19.1} ( God wants every one to have the opportunity of knowing God’s last message of love.)
6. These messages must be proclaimed in order, in the stated sequence. The everlasting gospel must be first made known in proclaiming Jesus lived and died for us so as to impress us to repent and confess our sins to have the faith of Jesus in order to have the assurance of forgiveness. The everlasting gospel tells us what Jesus did for us and we have something to do in response to the three imperatives/ commands, being fear God, give glory to Himand worship Him.
The second message tells us that Babylon has fallen because it has rejected the first angel’s message. Babylon does not fear God, nor give glory to God, and does not worship the Creator on His holy day. So Babylon would ignore the call to come out of Babylon.
The third angel’s message warns that if you don’t come out, you are going to end up worshipping the beast in his image and end up receiving the mark of the beast. This is a message of love from God because He doesn’t want you to be lost in worshipping the beast.
7. There will be no more messages of God after these threefold messages. The fourth angel’s message is the magnification being the loud cry of these three angel’s messages. It intensifies and gives more power to God’s final threefold messages and is not a separate message. It will divide the world into two groups. This is the last message because immediately after these messages, Rev 14:14 describes Jesus coming in the cloud to harvest the earth, signifying the end of the world when ” this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”- Mat 24:14.
8. The messages of the three angels is empowered by the latter rain. In Biblical times, the latter rain ripens the crops which is the harvest of the righteous saints of the earth and also the grapes which represents the wicked. The three angels’ messages ripened the saved for salvation and the lost for perdition, being intensified by the loud cry (Rev 18:1-5)-(see amazing facts 12)
9. These messages come from the Most Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuarybased on three important aspects:
1. “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”- Ecc12:13,14 - In the fear of God we keep His commandments that are kept inside the ark of the covenant in the sanctuary.
2. We are told to worship the Creator and Sabbath is the sign that God is the Creator. The fourth commandment says, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy….”- Exo 20:8-11.
3. The hour of His judgment has come and the great day of judgment for Israel in the OT is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The Most Holy Place is central to the day of atonement. Rev 11:19, 12: reads “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Rev 14 is the announcement of the judgment which begins in the Most Holy Place (Oct 22,1844) and Jesus is both High Priest as intercessor and also as Judge in the investigative judgment phase, meaning probation is not closed in Rev 13 &14. Probation closes closes in Rev 15 when the temple is opened again, but not for people to go into the temple to follow Jesus and His work in the Most Holy Place; but for the seven plagues angels to come out and pour out God’s wrath upon the earth.
10. The acceptance of these messages is not a trivial matter, receiving them orrejecting them is a matter of life and death. To reject them is to reject eternal life. Those who receive the messages will receive the seal of God and be saved. Those who reject the messages will receive the mark of the beast and be lost. There is no middle ground. As we proclaim these messages we need to make sure that people are aware that these messages are not simply optional but a matter of life and death whether they are accepted or not.
11. God will have a faithful remnant who receive, obey and proclaim the three angels messages. This is expressed in Rev 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev 13:11-18 talks about the beast and his image and receiving his mark. “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”-Rev 13:17 This raises the question that in the midst of this severe trial will there be any that will remain faithful to God. But the next five verses is the character description of the 144,000 in Rev 14:1-5 giving the perspective of the remnant who are faithful. The victorious group is described in Rev 15:2-4 “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (We must share the messages now in times of relative peace and prosperity and through into the time of tremendous opposition when we can’t buy or sell. When our life is on the line, we need to have passion to implement these 12 amazing facts )
12. The final controversy is all about worship and obedience to God, to His commandments. Worship the Creator is the first angel message Butthe third angel message Rev 14:9-11 says “If any manworship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:” Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
The worship to God specifically centers on the fourth commandment. The first angel message tells us to keep the Sabbath because God establishes the Sabbath as a memorial at creation. But the beast says we are to keep the first day of the week, Sunday. The issue is much larger than the day for weare obeying the authority of the one who made the Sabbath. By keeping Sunday we are accepting the authority of the beast who changed the Sabbath. Behind the day is the issue of which authority will we obey.
The proclamation of the three angels message will eventually be finally proclaimed with power in the loud cry foretold in Rev 18:1-5 by “another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. that will light up the whole world.” (This is the latter rain from the Holy Spirit. Ellen White says the churches have degenerated greatly since this way first preached leading up to 1844.) Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Most of God’s people are still in Babylon. Angels from heaven will help us to proclaim the message to reach them). Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.“
We have a task to perform. So let us pray to the Lord to help us, empower us to proclaim these marvelous messages, which are the reasons for our existence as SDAs.
2.4 The Seven Last Plagues of Revelation Timeframe
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIj-XeaTt3I (29:47) The 7 Last Plagues of Revelation Timeframe (An Urgent Truth) Apr 24, 2021 HopeLives365)
By providence this article will conclude with the presentation by Pr. Mark Finley revealing the Bible truth about the tribulation, rapture and the seven last plagues. One of Satan's greatest temptations is that God's people the church are raptured before the tribulation. Books have been about the idea that God’s people be somehow mysteriously whisked away before the seven last plagues. Some became best sellers and even have been Hollywood productions that have perpetrated this idea. (This false theory or belief is human wisdom based on Christ coming secretly to rapture His believers leaving the “left behind”* to go through the seven years of tribulation to wake them up. Then Christ will return with the raptured righteous to reign on earth for a thousand years so that the meek, humbled by the seven last plagues will be converted. Note that the “left behind “in Noah’s day all perished ) It is a deception for the evidence specifically from the Book of Revelation clearly foretells that God’s people must go through the tribulation. Millions of Christians have misunderstood this Bible topic. The problem is that if you believe this way you are setting yourself up to be deceived when the Mark of the Beast is enforced.
(Note: “Left Behind” is a multimedia franchise that started with a series of 16 bestselling religious novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins that dealt with Christian dispensationalist End Times: the pretribulation, premillennial, Christian eschatological interpretation of the Biblical apocalypse. – Wikipedia. This is not in harmony with what Moses was impressed to convey to us concerning Noah and the great flood. The left behind are all the antediluvians who disbelieved and ridiculed the building of the Ark for 120 years even when they witnessed all the animals entering the Ark and the door was shut. They were the “left behind” that were swept and drowned in the great flood. They will be resurrected in the third coming of the Lord to face sentence and execution in the second death. (Gen 6:1-9:17) (See par 2.2.6 Noah Preaching on the Flood,.. 2.2.7 After the Flood .. 2.2.7.8.2 God is the Foundation of Everything at http://www.wakeupow.com/159912051 )
The secret rapture is Satan’s lie repeated from his temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. He exercised his power of hypnotism over Adam and Eve, and this power he strives to exercise over Christ. But after the word of Scriptures was quoted, Stan knew that he had no chance of triumphing. He is endowed with angelic miracle working power manifested through spiritualism to deceive the whole world to receive the mark of the beast by worshiping him on Sunday (GC 591}.) ( See Wp 5.9.4 Satan’s Fresh imprints: Nov 2019 at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101194 )
The events to be discussed are the progression occurring after the proclamation of the three angels messages ( Rev 14:6-12), God final message of love in the last days of earth’s history (as has been discussed) is to prepare God’s prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus immediately at the end of the seven last plagues. Jesus died to redeem us and He’s coming again to take to heaven what He has purchased on the cross as His desired possession.
Satan has set up his final deception with the enforcement of Sunday worship as a counterfeit of the true worship on Sabbath .The people will have to make a choice between worshipping the creator or the beast. This is not about a secret rapture before the beast power comes before the seven last plagues. Worshipping the beast is taking his mark on the false Sabbath and separating from God’s people who keep the commandments and have the faith of Jesus . Here are those faithful to God who stand firm, who goes through the tribulation of the seven last plagues. They will go through a period of time where the visible presence of God is not there since the close of probation at the end of the investigative judgment and they have received the seal of God. They hang on by faith and Christ’s love and grace sustains them.
Revelation 15 &16 is the summation of what takes place in Rev14. It is the continuation of this conflict over the issue of the mark of the beast.
Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
People either accept the worship of the Creator in the true Sabbath or they receive the mark of the beast. Those who worship the Creator will be unable to buy or sell (Rev 13:16) Once that final irrevocable decision is made, Once they have been given the opportunity to accept one of those two signs, human probation closes as everybody has made up their decision and their destiny is fixed (Rev 22;11). Once that takes place the judgment of God falls and the seven last plagues are poured out. God’s people go through those days of tribulation protected and come out victorious and delivered to heaven “Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,..” They must go through the tribulation because they have stood firm for Christ and have victory over the beast as their testimony. They sing the song of Moses, the song of deliverance. The redeemed who have victory over the mark of the beast , the redeemed who stood for Christ and worshiped the Creator, the redeemed according to the Scriptures sing will sing the song of the lamb.( like the Israelites sing the song of Moses)
Rev 15:3 …Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. They have seen the judgments of God on earth. Then the temple was opened “and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues,” ( Rev 15:5,7) Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
The Bible (in Rev 15) clearly says that in this final generation God’s faithful people must go through the tribulation. There is no mention of any secret rapture, whatsoever. They will go through the plagues, faithful to Christ hanging on in a test of their faith. That is why God allows us to have trials now so that we will learn to trust Him, so that we will learn to have greater faith in Him.
2.4.1 The Succession of the Plagues (Rev 16:1- 21)
The first plague is loathsome sores from head to toes, a physical plague on those who have the mark of the beast This is in response to what those who enforced the mark of the beast said Unless you take the mark of the beast we are going to physically harm you, put you in prison. You will be tortured and your body will be in pain. So God metes out the sores to inflict the persecutors with the sores. These sores do not affect God’s people who have physical security in Christ.
In the second plague, the sea turns to blood. All the commerce using the sea lanes for shipping good will be stopped. The whole economic system of the world would be disrupted. All economic security is in Christ. When they say you cannot buy or sell we can trust Jesus who says that your bread and water will be sure (e.g. Elijah). In these last days of earth’s history God will provide for us.
The water turns to blood also in the third plague because they have passed the death decree to shed the blood of saints “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink;”( Rev 16:6) All our life is hid with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3) God is not going to allow us to be killed after probation closes because it would serve no purpose. Martyrs are God’s witness to others like Huss and Jerome in the reformation. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the gospel. The more they are persecuted and martyred the more Christianity grew.
The Sun scorches menin the fourth plague; “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”- Rev 16:9. Many have accepted Sunday, the day of the Sun, as the false day of worship and eventually turned from the true God and enforced Sunday worship by law. (It should noted that nobody receive the mark of the beast until the first day of the week is enforced by law which is prophesied (Rev 13: ). There are many genuine Christians who are presently worshiping on the Sunday and God is shining His light in this final generation and will be impressed by the truth in the three angels’messages when it is proclaimed with the loud cry (Rev 18:1-5)) Jesus our Creator provides us with security as we worship Him. All true worship is in Christ.
Darkness is the fifth plague since the secular world ignorantly looked to the beast for light need to be plunged in darkness and to bring them to recognize that Jesus is our only light (Jn 8:12). He lights this world with His word (Ps 119:105). All light and truth are in Christ.
The sixth plague is the drying up of River Euphrates. Euphrates ran through Babylon as its source of water and sustains life. People that have supported the false religious confederation (spiritual Babylon) dries (gives) up under the terrible ordeal of the plagues. The beast power that is uniting the world says there would be peace in the world but there is no peace and support The sixth plague is to prepare the coming of the King of the East (Jesus Christ coming in glory, in power and majesty to this world as the support system with spiritual Babylon dries up. - Rev 19 Mat 24.
Rev 16:13 “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Rev 16:14 “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev 16:16 “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
As the sixth plague is being poured out, Satan sees the confusion in our world and that he must destroy God’s people. So he works false miracles through paganism, through Catholicism, through false Protestantism, and all these various religions. He attempts to unite the world into one world government, (as the New World Order) for peace, safety and security. He thus sets up the final battle of Armageddon (Mountain of Slaughter).
John is impressed to encourage us, interjecting with “Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Here, Jesus is encouraging God’s people in the sixth plague to hang on by faith in Christ for will come quickly but unexpectedly (like a thief who comes least expectedly) for no one knows that day or the hour. This is to remind us what Jesus has taught the disciples “Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
So during the plagues, Jesus is tell His people to keep alert for His coming is sure and they are to keep His character and to hang on by faith.
Peter adds more details: 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Paul tells usthe living saints will not be mysteriously and quietly raptured away at Jesus Coming. “1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This will happen at the end of the plagues which every living saints must go through (not secretly raptured so that they need not be watching and praying that they will survive the test of the plagues. Every eyes will see the Lord coming in the cloud.)
At the time appointed in the death decree to annihilate the law breakers, as the evil enemies were about to rush upon the religious that the seventh plague occurs. Hailstones fall from heaven and the armies of the wicked are destroyed. Jesus comes as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The wicked are consumed with the brightness of His Glory and we’re caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Throughout those seven last plagues God gives us assurances and some amazing wonderful promises. We need not have fear to live through the plagues for it is foretold we are going to experience these issues in the last days. If we look where they are looking we will fear their fear. We are not looking at the beast power, we are looking at Jesus. We are not looking at the time of trouble but we are looking at the time of deliverance. We are looking at not the plagues but looking at the promises of God.
2.4.2 God’s Loving Protective Assurance - Psalm 91
In the ninety-first psalm is a most wonderful description of the coming of the Lord to bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end, and to give to those who have chosen Him as their Redeemer the assurance of His love and protecting care. {3BC 1150.3}
Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler ( Satan wants to trap us with deception, but we know the truth and Jesus will deliver us), and fromthe noisome pestilence (the seven last plagues).
Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
The righteous understand God's government, and will triumph with holy gladness in the everlasting protection and salvation that Christ through His merits has secured for them. Let all remember this, and forget not that the wicked, who do not receive Christ as their personal Saviour, understand not His providence. The way of righteousness they have not chosen, and they know not God. Notwithstanding all the benefits He has so graciously bestowed upon them, they have abused His mercy by neglecting to acknowledge His goodness and mercy in showing them these favors. At any moment God can withdraw from the impenitent the tokens of His wonderful mercy and love. {3BC 1150.5}
Oh, that human agencies might consider what will be the sure result oftheir ingratitude to Him, and of their disregard of the infinite gift of Christ to our world! If they continue to love transgression more than obedience, the present blessings and the great mercy of God that they now enjoy, but do not appreciate, will finally become the occasion of their eternal ruin. They may for a time choose to engage in worldly amusements and sinful pleasures, rather than to check themselves in their course of sin, and live for God and for the honor of the Majesty of heaven; but when it is too late for them to see and to understand that which they have slighted as a thing of naught, they will know what it means to be without God, without hope. Then they will sense what they have lost by choosing to be disloyal to God and to stand in rebellion against His commandments. In the past they defied His power and rejected His overtures of mercy; finally His judgments will fall upon them. Then they will realize that they have lost happiness-- life, eternal life, in the heavenly courts. . . . {3BC 1150.6}
In the time when God's judgments are falling without mercy, oh, how enviable to the wicked will be the position of those who abide "in the secret place of the Most High"--the pavilion in which the Lord hides all who have loved Him and have obeyed His commandments! The lot of the righteous is indeed an enviable one at such a time to those who are suffering because of their sins. But the door of mercy is closed to the wicked, no more prayers are offered in their behalf, after probation ends. {3BC 1150.7}
But this time has not yet come. Mercy's sweet voice is still to be heard. The Lord is now calling sinners to come to Him (MS 151, 1901) {3BC 1150.8}
Jesus is our Saviour who died on the cross for us, the One who gave His life for us, the One for whom we are very precious, is the One who will protect us. Jesus is near just when you falter, just when you fear, just when you need Him most. Today, you may be going through your time of trouble and Jesus is there reaching out to you. In the future, we will need to look back at the lessons of faith that Jesus taught us. Today, we thank Him for these lessons of trust. The great deliverance day is coming. Praise God. The last generation, the 144,000, will one day soon look up and see Him coming in the clouds of heaven and rejoice that the trials, the suffering, the heartache, the pain, the sickness, the disease, and death are over. Until that day we keep trusting in God and the truth of His word.
This short condensation by Pr Finley serves to pack all the seemingly difficult to understanding passages together. It makes it easier to add any additional truth that may be necessary. For instance Rev 17 needs to be part of the revelation on the seven last plagues. This would require more searching and study requiring more time to put together and will be attempted in the next article,
(End of Fa1 - 72 pages.)
Posted 30 April 2021 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo,com
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FA2 Come See Mercy /Come and See for EndTime Crisis Participation
Final Act: Come and See God’s Mercy & Judgment
GOD is perfectly JUST. He is the source of all JUSTICE.But He is also full of MERCY and loving KINDNESS. The balancing of MERCY & JUSTICE flow through the BIBLE from GENESIS to REVELATION.
Tips for Reading:
(Each article stands on its own and yet related to earlier articles on the main theme of “Finishing Act” in welcoming Jesus Second Coming.)
Contents: (pg 1-42) posted May 30, 2021
1 Invitation; 1.1 Jesus “Come and See” Invitation; 1.1.1 Philip Invitation to Nathanael*; 1.1.1.1 The True Israelite (Christian); 1.1.1.2 Spiritual Israelite ( The Church & Believers); 1.1.2 Samaritan Woman Effective Missionary;
1.1.3 “Come and See” Objectives; 1.1.3.1 History Repeats in God’s Design; 1.1.4 Prophetic Insights on the Last Three Plagues; 1.1.4.1 Seven Last Plagues Prophecy in Revelation (Rev 16:1-21); 1.1.4.2 Historical Lesson from Exodus; 1.1.4.2.1 The Exodus – Type and Antitype; 1.1.4.2.1.1 Parting of the Red Sea Miracle; 1.1.4.2.1.2 The Seventh Last Plague; 1.1.4.2.1.3 The Song of Moses; 1.1.4.3 Amplification of 5Th, 6th & 7th Plagues; 1.1.4.3.1 Decide Today before the Close of Probation;
2. The Close of Probation; 2.1 Pattern in God’ Mercy and Justice; 2.1.1 Antediluvian World Judgment; 2.1.2 Sodom and Gomorrah Judgment; 2.1.3 The Amorites judgment; 2.1.4 The Jewish Theocracy; 2.1.5 The Church Judgment; 2.1.5.1 Apostate Protestantism in U.S; 2.1.5.2 The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church; 2.1.5.2.1 The Lukewarm and Complacent Church; 2.1.5.2.2 The Two Doors of Life Probation; 2.1.5.2.1.1 King Agrippa; 2.1.5.2.1.2 Felix; 2.1.5.2.1.3 Nero; 2.1.5.2.2 Vital Decision for Eternal Destiny;
3 Revelation of Jesus Christ- An Essential Appreciation; 3.1 Revelation Framework; 3.1.1 The Seven Churches; 3.1.2 The Seven Seals; 3.1.2.1The Fifth Seal; 3.1.2.2 The Sixth Seal; 3.1.2.2.1 Prophecy on End of Sixth Seal; 3.1.3 The Seven Trumpets; 3.1.3.1 The interlude in Rev 10:1- 11:13); 3.1.3.2 The Seventh Trumpet; 3.1.3.4 The Angel with An Open Book ( Rev 10); 3.1.3.4.1 Supreme Salvation as God Swears to Himself; 3.1.3.4.1.1 Abraham’s Faith at Mount Moriah; 3.1.3.4.1.2 Daniel’s Time Prophecy Assurance; 3.1.3.4.1.3 Opening of the Little Book (Dan 10:5-7); 3.1.3.4.1.3.1 Eating the Scroll (Rev 10:8–11);
4 Come, See, Abide & Love like Christ…. , ….The Interim End.
FA2 Final Act: Come and See God’s Mercy & Judgment
1. Invitation
The world is still grappling with the resurgence of Covid-19 just after four months into the vaccination implementation. SARS-CoV-2, like many other viruses from influenza to HIV, constantly mutates, and a handful of these mutations are now circulating around the world, like the strain first identified in South Africa. An additional dose, scientists believe, may boost that response back up to where it should be. ..In data released in April, both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna reported that their current two-dose vaccines contribute to strong antibodies that can neutralize the COVID-19 virus for up to six months… As more people continue to get vaccinated, both Moderna and Pfizer are expecting people will need to get a booster shot roughly a year after they receive their second dose of the vaccine. Covid-19: Booster dose will be needed in autumn to avoid winter surge, says government adviser News Exclusive BMJ 2021.
We do not have any assurance of finality to this pestilence affliction by relying on human wisdom and invention; unless we return to the word of God who says: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”- Amo 3:7.
Isaiah’s comprehensive prophecy concludes with God’s assurance: “it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.”- Isa_66:18
Come and see is the invitation to events foretold in the Bible in the last days of this world’s history. They are the events that must follow when the third angel’s message has been proclaimed with a loud cry. God has lovingly given His final warning* before the outpouring of the seven last plagues preceding the second coming of our Lord to take the righteous to heaven for a thousand years. The in-depth study is too overwhelming considering the amount of lessons that Pr Stephen Bohr of Secrets Unsealed Ministry has presented. We must come and see for ourselves what God as revealed that is needed for our salvation based on our circumstances.
We must come and see what triggers the last day events, which is the seven last plagues, and the signs to look out for as foretold in the Bible when there are many different theories about what will bring the end of the world. (to be continued below in par 1.1.3)
1.1 Jesus “Come and See” Invitation
“Come and see” is Jesus invitation to two of John's disciples at the event when John (the baptist) recognizing Jesus coming to be baptised was prompted by the Holy Spirit cried, “Behold the Lamb of God.” The attention of John {the revelator) and Andrew was drawn to follow Jesus. “Seeing them following him, he turned and said, “What seek ye? They said unto him,” “Master, where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see.” And when they had come and seen where he dwelt, he opened to them the great plan of salvation. The words which he there spoke to them were too precious to be kept to themselves, and they immediately went and found their friends, and brought them to Jesus.” {HS 149.3}
With the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael*, began the foundation of the Christian church. John directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these, Andrew, found his brother, and called him to the Saviour. Philip was then called, and he went in search of Nathanael*. These examples should teach us the importance of personal effort, of making direct appeals to our kindred, friends, and neighbors. There are those who for a lifetime have professed to be acquainted with Christ, yet who have never made a personal effort to bring even one soul to the Saviour. They leave all the work for the minister. He may be well qualified for his calling, but he cannot do that which God has left for the members of the church (to finish the work in every nook and corner of the world.) {DA 141.2}
We are judged by the manifestation of our faith in Christ by our works ,out of love, in witnessing to others less fortunate sinners who have not heard to come and see God’s mercy and judgment in His plan of salvation for you and me, for humanity. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. “ -2Pe 3:9 God is waiting for us to do our part in sharing the truth
“And he (those) who seeks to give light to others will himself be blessed. "There shall be showers of blessing." "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." Proverbs 11:25. God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ's, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy,--the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice,--we must participate in His labors for their redemption. {DA 142.2}
1.1.1 Philip Invitation to Nathanael*
Philip said to Nathanael*, "Come and see." He did not ask him to accept another's testimony, but to behold Christ for himself. (Now that Jesus has ascended to heaven, His disciples are His representatives among men, and one of the most effective ways of winning souls to Him is in exemplifying His character in our daily life. Our influence upon others depends not so much upon what we say as upon what we are… A consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in the world.) {DA 141.5}
Joh 1:47 “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Joh 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Joh 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. Joh 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
(Nathanael's first expression of his faith, so full and earnest and sincere, fell like music on the ears of Jesus. And He "answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these." The Saviour looked forward with joy to His work in preaching good tidings to the meek, binding up the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to the captives of Satan. At thought of the precious blessings He had brought to men, Jesus added, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." {DA 142.3} )
Here Christ virtually says, On the bank of the Jordan the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove upon Me. That scene was but a token that I am the Son of God. If you believe on Me as such, your faith shall be quickened. You shall see that the heavens are opened, and are never to be closed. I have opened them to you. The angels of God are ascending, bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the Father above, and descending, bringing blessing and hope, courage, help, and life, to the children of men. {DA 142.4}
The angels of God are ever passing from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth. The miracles of Christ for the afflicted and suffering were wrought by the power of God through the ministration of the angels. And it is through Christ, by the ministration of His heavenly messengers, that every blessing comes from God to us. In taking upon Himself humanity, our Saviour unites His interests with those of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, while through His divinity He grasps the throne of God. And thus Christ is the medium of communication of men with God, and of God with men. {DA 143.1}
1.1.1.1 The True Israelite (Christian)
Joh 1:47 “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite hindeed, in whom is no guile!
Jesus says in this verse single out that Nathanael is a genuine Israel who has no guile (falsehood) as there are false Israelites in the spiritual sense. Jesus said He saw Nathanael sitting under a fig tree (a symbol of Israel) What made Nathanael an Israelite indeed? It is the fact that he recognized and confessed that Jesus was the Messiah(Jn 1:49), he was an Israelite indeed. Therefore an Israelite is one who has accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. So those Jews that are rejecting Jesus are not a genuine Israelite in the spiritual aspect. They do not have a true relationship with the Lord.
Apostle John also confirms that Jesus says the Jews in Jesus days are descendants of Abraham , but not really. Joh 8:40 “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Joh 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Joh 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Joh 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? Joh 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”
So, what determines whether you’re an Israelite is your relationship to Christ. Apostle Paul clearly states: Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. There are also many other verses ( Rom 2:28-29; 9:6-10; Phi 3:3-8;
1.1.1.2 Spiritual Israelite ( The Church & Believers)
The Declaration of independence of Israel in 1948 and received international recognition as a nation could not be a fulfillment of prophesy because the Jewish nation was still rejecting Jesus as Messiah. God does not restore Israel to their land in disobedience. When they forsook the Lord, the Lord cast them out from the land. God scattered Israel at the destruction of Jerusalem because they rejected the Messiah.
From Ellen White: “That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today…." Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people. {PK 713.1}
Such was the prospect that greeted Isaiah when he was called to the prophetic mission; yet he was not discouraged, for ringing in his ears was the triumphal chorus of the angels surrounding the throne of God, "The whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3. And his faith was strengthened by visions of glorious conquests by the church of God, when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:9. "The face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations," was finally to be destroyed. Isaiah 25:7. The Spirit of God was to be poured out upon all flesh. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness were to be numbered among the Israel of God. (The 144,000 in the last generation are willing to die for the name of the Lord) "They shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses," said the prophet. "One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." Isaiah 44:4, 5. {PK 371.2}
“I was shown that those who are trying to obey God and purify their souls through obedience to the truth are God's chosen people, His modern Israel. God says of them, through Peter: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." {2T 109.1}
“Among earth's inhabitants, scattered in every land, there are those who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Like the stars of heaven, which appear only at night, these faithful ones will shine forth when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South America, in China, in India, in the islands of the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law. Even now they are appearing in every nation, among every tongue and people; and in the hour of deepest apostasy, when Satan's supreme effort is made to cause "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive, under penalty of death, the sign of allegiance to a false rest day, these faithful ones, "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, " will "shine as lights in the world." The darker the night, the more brilliantly will they shine.--Prophets and Kings, pp. 188, 189. {ChS 165.2}
“Solemn are the lessons of Israel's failure during the years when ruler and people turned from the high purpose they had been called to fulfill. Wherein they were weak, even to the point of failure, the Israel of God today, the representatives of heaven that make up the true church of Christ, must be strong; for upon them devolves the task of finishing the work that has been committed to man, and of ushering in the day of final awards. …The conflict before us calls for the exercise of a spirit of self-denial, for distrust of self and for dependence on God alone, for the wise use of every opportunity for the saving of souls. The Lord's blessing will attend His church as they advance unitedly, revealing to a world lying in the darkness of error the beauty of holiness as manifested in a Christlike spirit of self-sacrifice, in an exaltation of the divine rather than the human, and in loving and untiring service for those so much in need of the blessings of the gospel.” {PK 74.2}
The fact that God warns all nations, kindred tongue and people about the seal of God and the mark of the beast indicates that it is possible for all people to receive the seal of God or the mark of the beast. The seal for the twelve tribes of Israel cannot be literal Jews only.
1.1.2 Samaritan Woman Effective Missionary
As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour. She carried the light at once to her countrymen. {DA 195.1}
This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life. {DA 195.2}
This is the lesson taught by Jesus in the life event of Jesus asking the Samiritan woman at Jacob’s well at Sycar to quench His thirst at noon time.
“The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indicted, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to make them His sons and daughters. {DA 189.2}
As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words. Never had she heard such sentiments from the priests of her own people or from the Jews. As the past of her life had been spread out before her, she had been made sensible of her great want. She realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy. Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul. She began to have some conviction of His character. The question arose in her mind, Might not this be the long-looked-for Messiah? She said to Him, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things." Jesus answered, "I that speak unto thee am He." {DA 189.3}
As the woman heard these words, faith sprang up in her heart. She accepted the wonderful announcement from the lips of the divine Teacher. {DA 190.1}
This woman was in an appreciative state of mind. She was ready to receive the noblest revelation; for she was interested in the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her mind to receive more light. She had studied the Old Testament promise, "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken." Deuteronomy 18:15. She longed to understand this prophecy. Light was already flashing into her mind. The water of life, the spiritual life which Christ gives to every thirsty soul, had begun to spring up in her heart. The Spirit of the Lord was working with her. {DA 190.2}
The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them. That which had been withheld from the Jews, and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was revealed to her. Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge in bringing others to share His grace. {DA 190.3}
The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received. {DA 191.2}
"Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did," she said to the men of the city. "Is not this the Christ?" Her words touched their hearts. There was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. They were interested to see Jesus. "Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him." {DA 191.3}
In the words spoken to the woman at the well, good seed had been sown, and how quickly the harvest was received. The Samaritans came and heard Jesus, and believed on Him. Crowding about Him at the well, they plied Him with questions, and eagerly received His explanations of many things that had been obscure to them. As they listened, their perplexity began to clear away. They were like a people in great darkness tracing up a sudden ray of light till they had found the day. But they were not satisfied with this short conference. They were anxious to hear more, and to have their friends also listen to this wonderful teacher. They invited Him to their city, and begged Him to remain with them. For two days He tarried in Samaria, and many more believed on Him. {DA 192.2}
The Pharisees despised the simplicity of Jesus. They ignored His miracles, and demanded a sign that He was the Son of God. But the Samaritans asked no sign, and Jesus performed no miracles among them, save in revealing the secrets of her life to the woman at the well. Yet many received Him. In their new joy they said to the woman,
"Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." {DA 192.3}
The Samaritans believed that the Messiah was to come as the Redeemer, not only of the Jews, but of the world. The Holy Spirit through Moses had foretold Him as a prophet sent from God. Through Jacob it had been declared that unto Him should the gathering of the people be; and through Abraham, that in Him all the nations of the earth should be blessed. On these scriptures the people of Samaria based their faith in the Messiah. The fact that the Jews had misinterpreted the later prophets, attributing to the first advent the glory of Christ's second coming, had led the Samaritans to discard all the sacred writings except those given through Moses. But as the Saviour swept away these false interpretations, many accepted the later prophecies and the words of Christ Himself in regard to the kingdom of God. {DA 193.1}
1.1.3 “Come and See” Objectives
Come and see is the invitation to events foretold in the Bible in the last days of this world’s history. They are the events that must follow when the third angel’s message has been proclaimed with a loud cry. God has lovingly given His final warning* before the outpouring of the seven last plagues preceding the second coming of our Lord to take the righteous to heaven for a thousand years. The in-depth study is too overwhelming considering the amount of lessons that Pr Stephen Bohr of Secrets Unsealed Ministry has presented. We must come and see for ourselves what God as revealed that is needed for our salvation based on our circumstances.
This article attempts to bring together some interrelated aspects of last day events concerning the very vital issue on the Close of Probation with respect to Judgment in the context of the seven Seals and the seven Trumpets (quite a tall order.) The human race is given this one lifetime of probation that ends at our physical death , and if we are still alive at the corporate close of probation at the end of the investigative judgment when the righteous are sealed with the seal of God unlike those who rejected God’s love and receive the mark of the beast.
We must come and see God’s mercy and justice in the Bible and amplified by the Spirit of Prophecy. In all the Bible, God is presented not only as a Being of mercy and benevolence, but as a God of strict and impartial justice.--ST March 24, 1881. {LDE 240.4} It is the glory of God to be merciful, full of forbearance, kindness, goodness, and truth. But the justice shown in punishing the sinner is as verily the glory of the Lord as is the manifestation of His mercy.--RH March 10, 1904. {LDE 240.1}
The prophecy in the Bible tells us the last day events are solemn events before us yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded; vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth.--3SM 426 (1890). {LDE 238.1} The world is soon to be left by the angel of mercy and the seven last plagues are to be poured out. . . . The bolts of God's wrath are soon to fall, and when He shall begin to punish the transgressors there will be no period of respite until the end.--TM 182 (1894). {LDE 238.2}
(Note; God’s final warning* message is discussed in the previous article. The message of salvation has been preached in all ages; but this message is a part of the gospel which could be proclaimed only in the last days and the hour of judgment had come. The prophecies present a succession of events leading down to the opening of the judgment. Investigative judgment is ended when this message has been preached to the end of the world (Mat 24:14) (and everyone has decided on their allegiance and then probation closes.) The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready.” {Mar 263.5})
1.1.3.1 History Repeats in God’s Design
In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. 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. {CCh 359.4}
We should never forget that “whatso ever things were written aforetime were written” for the “learning’ of future generations to the end of time, to inspire patience, comfort and hope ( Rom 15:4). They are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”-1Co 10:11. The repeated Messianic predictions (through the 16 OT prophets, starting with Isaiah) were designed to lift the eyes of the people from the transitory events of their own time to the coming of the Messiah, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This afford them a view of the thingsin the light of eternity to banish the Satanic deception in the theory of evolution, the worldview of post modern society that unknowingly they are worship the Dragon. They provide men of Christ’s day with confirming evidence of His Messiahship. The profound conviction that the messges of the prophets had been fulfilled led many to believe in Christ as the Son of God ( DA 775, 779) The prophets thus provided provided a direct and vital contribution to the Christian faith.
Some prophecies foretold have a dual application as they were partially completed. This is the way in which God dealt with men in the crises of the past. Events are often cited as examples of the manner in which He will deal with all the world in the last days (Deut 18:15). For example, the judgment that came upon Sodom & Gomorrah literal cities of the past that practiced sodomy in homosexuality and same sex marriage, is used by Bible writers as description of the judgment God will bring upon all the world. (4BC, 25-38}
Before opening discussion on the close of probation, we need to address additional perspectives providentially provided recently by Pr Bohr on the last three plagues of Rev 16 as follow up to the last article. At the end of these three plagues after the close of probation, then only is the Second Coming of Christ.. They were ”written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
1.1.4 Prophetic Insights on the Last Three Plagues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a2JwGCgUzM (58:29) 13. 3 Perspectives of the Last Three Plagues by Pastor Stephen Bohr - Watch and Pray At Midnight - May 13, 2021
The three perspectives by Ps Bohr are based on the Book of Revelation, the Book of Exodus and of Ellen White’s writings in the Spirit of Prophecy. It is the harmonious integration of the history of the Exodus providing lessons that has meaning in the end time as foretold in the last book of Revelation. God has provided His remnant church with the Spirit of Prophecy through the inspired writings of Ellen G. White to amplify and show us in advance so as to be prepared for the time of trouble in the last day.
1.1.4.1 Seven Last Plagues Prophecy in Revelation (Rev 16:1-21)
During the first four plagues there is the danger of people’s lives being wiped out because of the wicked anger against God’s people grows progressively. The first plague is sores on the body of those who are in apostasy. (Rev 16: 2) Then, the sea is turned into blood, rivers are turned into blood and the Sun scorches all of the vegetation. (Rev 16: 3,4,8) For each one that falls, the wicked becomes more and more angry. When it looks lie the wicked are going to destroy God’s people the fifth plague, a plague of darkness fall upon the kingdom of the beast (the last ruling power on this earth before the coming of the Lord). The sixth plague is the drying up of the River Euphrates symbolically describing the harlot, an apostate church, seated on many waters and her name is Babylon (Rev 17: 1-5) The river she is seated on is the River Euphrates. It is not the literal drying up but the multitudes, nations, tongues and peoples are going to dry up or leave her. In the seventh plague, we have noises and earthquake such as never before, thunder, lightning, horrific precipitation, islands and mountain ranges disappear (Rev 16:18.20,21)
1.1.4.2 Historical Lesson from Exodus
There is a connection between the Exodus from Egypt and the final deliverance of God’s people at the seventh plague. After Israel was delivered from Egypt the Egyptians were buried in the Red Sea, and they sang the song of Moses. The book of Revelation tells us that the 144,000, the living saints who go through the time of trouble when they are delivered they will sing the songs of Moses and the Lamb at the end of time.
1.1.4.2.1 The Exodus – Type and Antitype
Israel was in bondage in Egypt. (Exo 2:23-25) to the great dragon (Eze 29:3) They were enslaved and God promised because they cried out to Him to deliver them (Exo 3:7-8) . In order for God to fulfill His purpose and to keep His promise of delivering Israel from Egypt, He sent plagues upon Egypt The purpose was to encourage Pharaoh to let His people go so that they could come out of Egypt. Each plague has the purpose of God’s saying let my people go. ( Exo 8:1, etc) But with each plague the rage of Pharaoh against God’s people actually grows. Israel originally, tried to keep the Sabbath in Egypt, but the Bible tells us that their desire to observe the Sabbath caused greater oppression and suffering for them because Pharaoh did not like the idea of them resting on the Sabbath. Exo 5:4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. Exo 5:5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.”
Ellen White wrote: “In their bondage the Israelites had to some extent lost the knowledge of God's law, and they had departed from its precepts. The Sabbath had been generally disregarded, and the exactions of their taskmasters made its observance apparently impossible. But Moses had shown his people that obedience to God was the first condition of deliverance; and the efforts made to restore the observance of the Sabbath had come to the notice of their oppressors.” {PP 258.1}
At the tenth plague, Pharaoh finally relents and allows God’s people to go. However, Pharaoh repents of letting the people go and so he is going to make one last attempt to recover the subjects that he lost. The Pharaoh said they must be subject to my authority or be killed, Pharaoh pursues them with his army and Israel is caught next to the Gulf of Aqaba. “For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.”- Exo 14:3 . (“The Hebrews were encamped beside the sea, whose waters presented a seemingly impassable barrier before them, while on the south a rugged mountain obstructed their further progress. {PP 283.5})
So Pharaoh prepares for battle with 600 of his choice chariots saying I am going to recover those people for myself and lead them into apostasy against their God or else they are going to be killed.”Exo 14:5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? Exo 14:6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: Exo 14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. Exo 14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. Exo 14:9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.” This is the Israelites severe time of trouble.Exo 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. On their own they were doomed, but the their battle was the battle of the great God Almight. All Israel had to do was trust in the Lord, to not follow what their eyes and ears and their feelings said. But what God said He had promised to deliver them. “Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (In the time of trouble, God says don’t worry, this is not your battle. This is the battle of the great God Almight. (This is similar to Rev 16 where Armageddon is spoken about, )
1.1.4.2.1.1 Parting of the Red Sea Miracle
There was a problem. The Red Sea was an impassable obstacle. The people could not be delivered while the waters of the Red Sea were united unless they were divided or dried up. God had made a covenant with Israel and if an enemy came against His subjects, the enemy is really messing with God.
“As we approach the last crisis it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord's instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head--the papal power--the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate, (Satan)”.--7T 182 (1902). {LDE 131.5}
As the enemy attacks, suddenly a plague of darkness falls ( like the fifth lat plague) “Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: Exo 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. “ (This history will be repeated in the fifth last plague.)
“But now, as the Egyptian host approached them, expecting to make them an easy prey, the cloudy column rose majestically into the heavens, passed over the Israelites, and descended between them and the armies of Egypt. A wall of darkness interposed between the pursued and their pursuers. The Egyptians could no longer discern the camp of the Hebrews, and were forced to halt. But as the darkness of night deepened, the wall of cloud became a great light to the Hebrews, flooding the entire encampment with the radiance of day.” {PP 284.3} (This is the equivalent of the fifth plague in the last day.)
The sixth plague is the drying up of the waters of the Euphrates symbolizing the harlot, the religious apostate religious system, sitting on multitudes, nations, tongues and people, as the ruler. As long as they are united with her God’s people are in jeopardy. But the way of escape for God’s people will be provided with the drying of the waters as was the case in the Red Sea. The Bible tells us that Moses extended his rod (symbolizing God destroying the wicked with the rod of His mouth) and the waters of the Red Sea dried up or divided to prepare a way of escape for God’s people. (Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exo 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.Exo 14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. )
As the Sun was about to rise, God took the battlefield. Suddenly confusion and a panic came among the Egyptians and the objects of their were forgotten. Now they turn around and begin to flee because God has intervened. It is the battle of the Lord God Almighty. “Exo 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, Exo 14:25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.Exo 14:26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. Exo 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Exo 14:28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. Exo 14:29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Exo 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. Exo 14:31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.”
1.1.4.2.1.2 The Seventh Last Plague
Finally, the seventh plague occurs with an earthquake, lightning, thunder, noises (The Psalmist recoded:“Psa 77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. Psa 77:16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. Psa 77:17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. Psa 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. Psa 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Psa 77:20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”) (This is an illustration of what will happen in the seventh plague as it was at the Red Sea. This is righteousness by faith, trusting in our relationship, for the Lord to deliver us from literal death during the time of trouble apart from spiritual deliverance from sin.
1.1.4.2.1.3 The Song of Moses
The people then sang the song of Moses with utmost emotion because it’s the song of their miraculous experience. “Exo 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Exo 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exo 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Exo 15:4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. Exo 15:5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Exo 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. Exo 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. Exo 15:8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. Exo 15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Exo 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Exo 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exo 15:12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Exo 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. Exo 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Exo 15:15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. Exo 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. Exo 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. Exo 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.” (After the deliverance God took them to the mountain of God’s inheritance, the earthly Mount Zion. What happened to the Israelites is a type of what is going to happen with God;s people on a global scale, God’s spiritual Israel all over the world.
1.1.4.3 Amplification of 5Th, 6th & 7th Plagues
The interpretation of the last three plagues by Ellen White: first four plagues were described in GC, 627-628; and the last three plague in GC 635-636; the song that the 144,000 sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
“When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. ( Pharaoh pursuit of capture and death). As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof. {GC 635.1}
The people of God--some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains--still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. (just like Israel at the edge of the Red Sea.) It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen. Saith the Lord; "Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth . . . to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel. And the Lord shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones." Isaiah 30:29, 30. {GC 635.2}
With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth.( fifth plague) Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company. The angry multitudes ( sixth plague) are suddenly arrested. Their mocking cries die away. The objects of their murderous rage are forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God's covenant and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness. {GC 635.3}
The people see that they have been deluded. They accuse one another of having led them to destruction; but all unite in heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers. Unfaithful pastors have prophesied smooth things; they have led their hearers to make void the law of God and to persecute those who would keep it holy. Now, in their despair, these teachers confess before the world their work of deception. The multitudes are filled with fury. "We are lost!" they cry, "and you are the cause of our ruin;" and they turn upon the false shepherds. The very ones that once admired them most will pronounce the most dreadful curses upon them. The very hands that once crowned them with laurels will be raised for their destruction. The swords which were to slay God's people are now employed to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife and bloodshed. {GC 655.4}
"And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold everyone on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor." Zechariah 14:12, 13. In the mad strife of their own fierce passions, and by the awful outpouring of God's unmingled wrath, fall the wicked inhabitants of the earth--priests, rulers, and people, rich and poor, high and low. "And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried." Jeremiah 25:33. {GC 656.3}
In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: "It is done." Revelation 16:17. {GC 636.2}
That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, "such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." Verses 17, 18. ( the seventh last plague). The firmament appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There is heard the shriek of a hurricane like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the great has come in remembrance before God, "to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." Great hailstones, every one "about the weight of a talent ( 50 lbs)," are doing their work of destruction. Verses 19, 21. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world's great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and God's people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free. {GC 636.3}
The song of the 144,000 is sung ( GC 648) . This is in exact sequence as in appeared in Revelation and the way it appeared in the Exodus of Israel from Egypt.
1.1.4.3.1 Decide Today before the Close of Probation
What will determine whose side we are on in this great final battle is the vital important question for our own subsistence and eternal destiny. We need to discern that Jesus spoke in messages to the churches (Rev 3:21) and did not speak again until Rev 22:7 There is one exception in Rev16:15 , as an insertion, in the context of the sixth plague. It is a parenthesis which tells us the secret of which side you are going to be on; whether you are on the Lord’s side or whether you are on the enemy’s side.
“Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
This unexpected coming as a thief refers to the close of probation as the world will be oblivious to the idea that probation is closed.. The closing of the door represents the close of probation after which you have the time of trouble as in the seven last plagues to be followed by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. By the way, the closing of the door in the parable of the Ten Virgins is closing the door of probation, and not referring to the Second Coming of Christ.The foolish virgins have time to look for oil (Holy Spirit) but they will not find Him as probation is closed. Therefore, we need to be prepared for the close of probation, because If we are not prepared for the close of probation we are not prepared for the second coming of Christ.
Jesus counsel is clear, we are to to watch, to be awake and alert; to be aware of everything that is happening out in the world. We must be sober, not be drunk with false doctrine. We must keep our garment of sanctification, the garment of holiness. It is not God declaring us righteous, it is the righteousness He develops in us so that we may not be found walking naked This is a special message to the SDA church who is the Laodicean church, the lukewarm church, and that the Laodicean is in the greatest danger of being found naked and their shame revealed. ( Rev 3:18). .
2. The Close of Probation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h03cbi_wP78 7. Open and Closed Doors by Pastor Stephen Bohr - Watch and Pray At Midnight May 7, 2021
The best way to “Quit before Payday” is to do so before the close of probation, before your death which could happen anytime (by a freak accident, or by contacting Covid-19 which has taken many millions so far). Therefore, we must know what the Bible has revealed to us. We are to live our life one day at a time, to do good as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. The decisions and actions we make today, while we are alive before the close of probation, has profound influence on our eternal destiny as to whether you right with God and are prepared for the close of probation starting from today. (Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.)
2.1 Pattern in God’ Mercy and Justice
God has a particular way in which He relates to the world, nations cities, churches and individuals. God marks off a period during which a door of mercy is open for all these entities. Although God’s love is endless His patience and forbearance are not endless. While the door is open God imparts abundant light to all these entities so that they will repent and obey the will of the Lord. Toward the end of the probationary period that God has established, He opens the floodgates and imparts greater light than ever before. That greater light is either accepted or rejected. When the greater light comes to an end probation comes to a close. God examines the ledger and if it is found that the city, nation, church, individual or the world have ignored, rejected or slighted God’s light and abused His mercy then God pronounces the sentence of doom. Shortly thereafter the sentence of doom is executed
“God keeps a reckoning with nations, as well as with individuals. He allows to nations a certain period of probation, and gives them evidences of his requirements, of his supremacy, and makes known to them his laws which are to be the rule of his kingdom in the government of nations. All this he does that heathen nations may not be given up to destruction unwarned and without light; but after he has given them evidence and light, and they still persist in insolence toward him, then, when iniquity is full, as in the case of the Amorites, God takes the matter in hand, and his judgments are not longer withheld. “ Mrs. E. G. White. {YI, February 1, 1894 par. 6}
2.1.1 Antediluvian World Judgment
God gave the antediluvian world abundant light for a period in the history of the world before the flood. There were eight generations of righteous people alive (Adam, Seth…Enoch and Methuselah living about the same time teaching the world about the fall and the plan of salvation. Toward the end of this probationary period God opened up the floodgates of light through the preaching of Noah (10th Generation). The light which God could give was ignored slighted and mocked. The last act was to reject even the miracle that God performed by having the animals come Noah in the Ark. During this period of 120 years God was performing a work of judgment (Gen 6:3) Then at the end of this period when the world has rejected the message with only the acceptance of eight people, (a remnant), God shuts the door of probation (Gen 7:16). Seven days passed and then the judgment was executed.
2.1.2 Sodom and Gomorrah Judgment
God followed the same pattern when He judges Cities as in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. “And Abraham's influence extended beyond his own household. Wherever he pitched his tent, he set up beside it the altar for sacrifice and worship. When the tent was removed, the altar remained; and many a roving Canaanite, whose knowledge of God had been gained from the life of Abraham His servant, tarried at that altar to offer sacrifice to Jehovah.” {Ed 187.2} (Abraham left altars as a witness to the people who lived in Canaan. Abraham also defeated a confederation of four kings and rescued Lot and all the loot with only 318 men. Furthermore the city of Sodom had the witness of Lot who told about the righteousness of Lot ( 2 Pet 2:7-8)God even sent to angels with a powerful message inviting people to come out before the judgment. The message fell on deaf ears except for Lot’s wife and his two daughters. Before the destruction of the cities , God evaluated the cities in performing the work of investigative judgment ( Gen 18:20,21) The message was slighted, The men wanted to commit sexual intercourse with the angels and the angels pulled Lot in and shut the door ( Gen 19:9-11) The very next morning after the passing of a short period was the execution of the judgment upon the cities whose door had closed. ( Gen 19:24,25, 28)
Ellen White wrote on the night before the sentence: “The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. "Escape for thy life" is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard saying: "Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm." Those who are at ease in Zion cry "Peace and safety," while heaven declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor. The young, the frivolous, the pleasure loving, consider these warnings as idle tales and turn from them with a jest. Parents are inclined to think their children about right in the matter, and all sleep on at ease. Thus it was at the destruction of the old world and when Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire. On the night prior to their destruction the cities of the plain rioted in pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and warnings. But it was these scoffers that perished in the flames. That very night the door of mercy was forever closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants of Sodom. {CC 53.4} The same voice that warned Lot to leave Sodom bids us, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . .and touch not the unclean" (2 Corinthians 6:17). Those who obey this warning will find a refuge. “ {CC 53.5}
2.1.3 The Amorites judgment
“The judgment of the Amorities (given 400 years probation) is the example of apostate nations. ( Gen 15:13-16) ´Although the Amorites were idolaters, whose life was justly forfeited by their great wickedness, God spared them four hundred years to give them unmistakable evidence that He was the only true God, the Maker of heaven and earth. All His wonders in bringing Israel from Egypt were known to them. Sufficient evidence was given; they might have known the truth, had they been willing to turn from their idolatry and licentiousness. But they rejected the light and clung to their idols”. {PP 434.2} (They in spite of the light given to them they fought against Israel when Israel went into the promise land The cup of their iniquity was filled up. God’s ledger in heaven was examined and it was found to be full.as a result mercy was withdrawn and destruction came.)
“For more than four hundred years he spared them, but when, instead of turning to repentance, they hardened their hearts in iniquity, and made war upon his people, their day of probation closed, and the mandate went forth for their utter extinction. With unerring accuracy, the Infinite One keeps a record of the impiety of nations and individuals. Long is his mercy tendered to them, with calls to repentance; but when their guilt reaches a certain limit, which he has fixed, then mercy ceases her pleadings, and the ministration of wrath begins.” {LP 318.1}
The same apply in the doom of Babylon of Nebuchadnezzar’s day. God gave the kingdom great light. Daniel and his three friends gave witness. God delivered the three young Hebrews from a fiery furnace. He delivered Daniel from the Lion’s den. He caused Nebuchadnezzar to become insane for a period of seven years and only then was Nebuchadnezzar finally converted to the Lord. But when the story come to an end in pointing out that Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, had filled up the cup of iniquity for ancient Babylon. On the final night, Belshazzar was having a banquet and using the holy vessels from the sanctuary to drink wine with his courtiers. A finger appeared writing on the wall with a message of doom. Daniel was eventually called to tell him the entire story of the conversion of his grandfather but “thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:” -“Dan 5:22. Dan 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. Dan 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Dan 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. God pronounced the doom of Babylon by a judgment and then shortly after God executed the punishment. Belshazzar was slain and Darius, the Mede received the kingdom (Dan 5:30-31).
2.1.4 The Jewish Theocracy
The first destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC eventuated after God sent messenger after messenger to his people , but Judah ignored, rejected and mocked the messengers and the message. 2Ch 36:15 “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 2Ch 36:16 “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy “ So God is now going to perform a work of judgment to separate the righteous from the unrighteous in the city of Jerusalem. Firstly, the righteous had to be sealed so that they will not suffer the execution of the judgment ( Eze 9:3-6).Then comes the execution of the sentence because the door of probation for Jerusalem has closed. 2Ch 36:17 “Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 2Ch 36:18 “And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 2Ch 36:19 “And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.”
But that was not the final close of probation for the Jewish theocracy. The prophecy of the 70 weeks tells us that God gave them another opportunity after the Babylonian captivity. But once again they rejected and slighted the message that God had given them. At the very end of the period of probation, God sent a great light like He did to all of the previous cases. God sent John the Baptist, He sent, the twelve apostles, and the 70 and He sent especially Jesus to impart light. They were all rejected. So Jesus pronounced the sentence against the Hebrew theocracy ( Mat 23:32-36; Luk 19:41-44)
“With what unwearied love did Christ minister to Israel during the period of added probation. Upon the cross He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:24. After His ascension the gospel was preached first at Jerusalem. There the Holy Spirit was poured out. There the first gospel church revealed the power of the risen Saviour. There Stephen--"his face as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15)--bore his testimony and laid down his life. All that heaven itself could give was bestowed. "What could have been done more to My vineyard," Christ said, "that I have not done in it?" Isaiah 5:4. So His care and labor for you are not lessened, but increased. Still He says, "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." Isaiah 27:3. {COL 218.1}
The parable of the ten virgins has three fulfillments. It has a fulfillment with the Jewish nation ( in the year 34 AD) Jesus predicted this in Luk 13:25). It has a fulfillment with the Millerite movement. It will have a fulfillment with the loud cry of Revelation chapter 18.
Ellen White wrote about the longsuffering of God with the Hebrew theocracy:
“The long-suffering of God toward Jerusalem only confirmed the Jews in their stubborn impenitence. In their hatred and cruelty toward the disciples of Jesus they rejected the last offer of mercy. Then God withdrew His protection from them and removed His restraining power from Satan and his angels, and the nation was left to the control of the leader she had chosen. Her children had spurned the grace of Christ, which would have enabled them to subdue their evil impulses, and now these became the conquerors. …{GC 28.1}
2.1.5 The Church Judgment
God operates in the same way with churches. God had a message to the church of Thyatira, the fourth church of church history, the period of papal supremacy during the 1260 years. Rev 2:21 “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication (1260 years); and she repented not.” This is the Jezebel system, the harlot of Revelation 17. The light during this period was from witnesses in Wycliffe, Jerome, Huss, and the Waldersee. Toward the end of this period, was the message of the Protestant reformers. These messages were rejected by the papacy.and the messengers were killed. Therefore God said I am going to judge the system. Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. “( Now God is going to judge what this little horn has done) Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.( This judgment is conducted in heaven. It is the work of separation. God is going to look at the ledger and He is going to perform a work of judgment against this little horn. This judgment begins in 1844 and then when Jesus comes this system, the last system that will rule this earth before the eternal kingdom of Christ, will be destroyed in the execution of the judgment “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” ( Dan 7:26).
2.1.5.1 Apostate Protestantism in U.S.
God has given the U.S. great light and great opportunities. But this country has rejected and slighted the light that God has given.
“The greatest and most favored nation upon the earth is the United States. A gracious Providence has shielded this country, and poured upon her the choicest of Heaven's blessings. Here the persecuted and oppressed have found refuge. Here the Christian faith in its purity has been taught. This people have been the recipients of great light and unrivaled mercies. But these gifts have been repaid by ingratitude and forgetfulness of God. The Infinite One keeps a reckoning with the nations, and their guilt is proportioned to the light rejected. A fearful record now stands in the register of Heaven against our land; but the crime which shall fill up the measure of her iniquity is that of making void the law of God” {4SP 398.1} ( It is by enforcing Sunday as the day of worship according to prophecy :.
The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and "national apostasy" will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin. {Mar 216.2}
“When Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will the papal sabbath be enforced by the combined authority of church and state. There will be a national apostasy, which will end only in national ruin.” --Manuscript 51, 1899. {Ev 235.1}
“When the state shall use its power to enforce the decrees and sustain the institutions of the church--then will Protestant America have formed an image to the papacy, and there will be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin”.--7BC 976 (1910). {LDE 134.4} (We see in America, the materialism, the spiritualism and the covetousness and the immorality that God is going to write “found wanting” in the ledger.)
2.1.5.2 The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church
The SDA Church has more light than any church in the world because we have the Spirit of prophesy. Ellen White tells us:
“Our position in the world is not what it should be. We are far from where we should have been had our Christian experience been in harmony with the light and the opportunities given us, had we from the beginning constantly pressed onward and upward. Had we walked in the light that has been given us, had we followed on to know the Lord, our path would have grown brighter and brighter. But many of those who have had special light are so conformed to the world that they can scarcely be distinguished from worldlings. They do not stand forth as God's peculiar people, chosen and precious. It is difficult to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. {8T 247.1}
“In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: "Found wanting." By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.” {8T 247.2}
2.1.5.2.1 The Lukewarm and Complacent Church
We are called the church of Laodicea which means judging the people.The words of Jesus himself admonishes, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”- Rev 3:16.
The world has received great light, at least since 1844, SDA Church is the only movement preaching the three angels messages that have literally circled the world. However, towards the end of human history and we are living in that time, a prophecy in Rev 18 tells us that the world is going to be filled with the glory of God. God is going to open the floodgates of light, known as the latter rain and the loud cry. During this time the judgment of the living will take place. Final decisions will be made and the world like in the days of Noah is going to be divided into two groups. When the messages is finished, when everyone has made their decision, the door of probation will close. This is also found in the parable of the Ten Virgins. (Mat 25:10-13)- Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Mat 25:11 “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
That closed door (v.10) is not for the coming of Jesus but the closing of probation in heaven when the investigative judgment came to an end. This is the close of probation for the entire world at the end of time.
2.1.5.2.2 The Two Doors of Life Probation
There are two doors of probation for this world. One is call the corporate door of probation and the other is called the individual door of probation. “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”- Rev_22:11.This is the end to the investigative judgment by Christ in heaven when every case is decided. Then corporate door of probation closes for the world. But before that there is an individual close of probation and that is when a person rejects the message finally the message Jesus sends him and he dies without repentance.
2.1.5.2.1.1 King Agrippa
The first example: King Agrippa in granting an audience to hear Paul, who tells of his conversion story to ask him to do the same: “Act 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” The reaction to of Agrippa to Paul’s testimony in the words of Ellen White: “Deeply affected, Agrippa for the moment lost sight of his surroundings and the dignity of his position. Conscious only of the truths which he had heard, seeing only the humble prisoner standing before him as God's ambassador, he answered involuntarily, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." {AA 438.1} But Agrippa put aside the preferred mercy refusing to accept the cross of a crucified redeemer., i.e. his door of probation closed because he rejected the message.
2.1.5.2.1.2 Felix
Felix was another individual before whom the Apostle Paul provided the light. Act 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Ellen White wrote,”A ray of light from heaven had been permitted to shine upon Felix, when Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come. That was his heaven-sent opportunity to see and to forsake his sins. But he said to the messenger of God, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." He had slighted his last offer of mercy. Never was he to receive another call from God. {AA 427.2} (His door of probation closes while he was alive.)
2.1.5.2.1.3 Nero
The third case was Paul witnessing to Nero: “ Never before had the enormous guilt of his own life been so revealed to him. The light of heaven pierced the sin-polluted chambers of his soul, and he trembled with terror at the thought of a tribunal before which he, the ruler of the world, would finally be arraigned, and his deeds receive their just award. He feared the apostle's God, and he dared not pass sentence upon Paul, against whom no accusation had been sustained. A sense of awe restrained for a time his bloodthirsty spirit. “ {AA 496.1} For a moment, heaven was opened to the guilty and hardened Nero, and its peace and purity seemed desirable. That moment the invitation of mercy was extended even to him. But only for a moment was the thought of pardon welcomed. Then the command was issued that Paul be taken back to his dungeon; and as the door closed upon the messenger of God, the door of repentance closed forever against the emperor of Rome. No ray of light from heaven was ever again to penetrate the darkness that enveloped him. Soon he was to suffer the retributive judgments of God. {AA 496.2}
2.1.5.2.2 Vital Decision for Eternal Destiny
The door of probation closed for Agrippa, Felix and Nero while they were alive. What are we doing with the truth that we are hearing? What are we doing when Jesus calls us to make a total and complete commitment to Him? Are we like Felx who said I will call you at a convenient time, or like Agrippa who rejected the message , or like Nero who was impressed for just a moment, but then his heart closed to the message? What about us? Consider also the fact that the door of probation can close while a person is alive. An individual door of probation can also close when a person dies. When a person dies their case is finally decided. After that come the judgment. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: “-Heb 9:27 When we die our probation closes and then comes the judgment. There will not be a second opportunity after death. This is why it is so important for us to accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. if we are in Christ when we die we have absolutely nothing to fear. Apostle Paul tells us the dead in Christ will rise first. So death is simply a siesta. It is a period during which we sleep. If we are not in Christ, our case is decided for life or death.
“God bears long with the rebellion and apostasy of His subjects. Even when His mercy is despised and His love scorned and derided, He bears with men until the last resource for leading them to repentance is exhausted. But there are limits to His forbearance. From those who to the end continue in obstinate rebellion, He removes His protecting care. Providence will no longer shield them from Satan's power. They will have sinned away their day of grace.” {RH, September 17, 1901 par. 7}
“God keeps a reckoning with the nations. Through every century of this world's history evil workers have been treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath; and when the time fully comes that iniquity shall have reached the stated boundary of God's mercy, His forbearance will cease. When the accumulated figures in heaven's record books shall mark the sum of transgression complete, wrath will come, unmixed with mercy, and then it will be seen what a tremendous thing it is to have worn out the divine patience. This crisis will be reached when the nations shall unite in making void God's law. {Mar 262.3} .
So this is the way God operates. God gives us abundant light. That light is found in His word. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ´Psa 119:105 . God imparts great light to us because He wants to respond to His love. He wants us to be obedient to Him because we love Him. God gives ua a period of mercy which is our lifetime. But if we reject the light and say that I am not interested Lord in what you say to me, there comes a certain point sometimes while the person is alive, the unpardonable sin is committed where God cannot do any more that for that person; the door of probation closes or if the person has rejected the light of God till the moment of death when at death the door of probation closes. And the case is concluded. That is why the Bible says Today as you hear His voice do not harden your heart. The Bible says, Today is the day of salvation; not tomorrow. We have a tendency to say I’ll give my life to the Lord after I’ve some fun in my life. There is nothing fun in the Lord and living a Christian lifestyle. Being with Jesus is marvelous . It brings peace and serenity and calm to our lives. We must make our decision to accept Christ and to live with Him and for Him.
3 Revelation of Jesus Christ- An Essential Appreciation
The prophecies of Revelation were revealed in vision to the apostle John more than nineteen centuries ago during his exile on a small rocky island known as Patmos in the Aegean Sea (Rev. 1:9). Revelation 1:3 pronounces a blessing on those who read the book and hear and obey the teachings (compare Luke 6:47, 48)
The prophecies of Revelation are an expression of God’s care for His people. They point us to the shortness and fragility of this life, to salvation in Jesus and His work as our heavenly High Priest and King, and to our calling to spread the gospel. Biblical prophecies are like a lamp shining in a dark place (2 Pet. 1:19). They are intended to provide guidance for our life today and hope for our future. We will need this prophetic guide until the coming of Christ and the establishment of God’s everlasting kingdom.
The primary purpose of biblical prophecies is to assure us that no matter what the future brings, God is in control. Revelation does just that: it assures us that Jesus Christ is with His people throughout this world’s history and its alarming final events. Consequently, Revelation’s prophecies have two practical purposes: to teach us how to live today and to prepare us for the future. The book reveals only those aspects of the future important for us to know. (In the Seven Churches, Seven Seals and Seven Trumpets are respective aspects that expands their progressive understanding.) They are disclosed to impress upon us the seriousness of what will happen so that we will realize our dependence on God and, in that dependence, obey Him.
The conclusion of the prologue of Revelation points to the true focus of the whole book: the return of Jesus in power and glory. Christ’s promise to come again is reiterated three times in the conclusion of the book (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20).
3.1 Revelation Framework
(Passages taken from https://absg.adventist.org/archives#lessons)
There are three sets of seven in Revelation: the Seven Churches, the Seven Seals, and the Seven Trumpets.
3.1.1 The Seven Churches
The seven churches cover the seven periods of Christian church history (Rev 2,3). Jesus gives an appraisal of the church, and then He counsels the church how to get out of its predicaments. Finally, each message concludes with an appeal to hear the Spirit’s message and with promises to the overcomers of each era and gives messages for them to heed in order to be accepted as His people.
The vision of Revelation 4 and 5 takes place in heaven’s throne room. The scene of chapters 4 and 5 symbolically portrays God’s control of history and of the plan of salvation. Before the future is revealed, however, we are shown the centrality of Christ’s high-priestly ministry in heaven to His sovereignty over the affairs of the earth and to His redemption of the human race. In such a way, chapters 4 and 5 provide Heaven’s perspective on the meaning of future events recorded in the rest of the book.
3.1.2 The Seven Seals
Revelation 6 continues the scene of chapters 4 and 5, which describes Christ as worthy to open the sealed scroll ( containing the whole human history), because through His victorious life and death, He regained what was lost through Adam. He is now ready, by opening the seals on the scroll, to carry forward the plan of salvation to its ultimate realization
Revelation 3:21 gives us the key to the meaning of the seven seals: “ ‘ “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” ’ ” (NKJV). Chapters 4 and 5 tell us of Christ’s overcoming and His worthiness, as a result of His sacrifice at Calvary, to be our heavenly High Priest and to open the scroll. The last verses of chapter 7 describe the overcomers before Christ’s throne. Thus, chapter 6 is about God’s people in the process of overcoming so that they might share Jesus’ throne.
The scenes of the seven seals portray the past transiting to the future of the church. As was the case with the seven churches, the seals correlate to the different periods in Christian history. During the apostolic times, the gospel rapidly spread throughout the world. This expansion was followed by the period of persecution in the Roman Empire, from the end of the first century to the beginning of the fourth century, as portrayed in the scene of the second seal. The third seal points to the period of compromiseof the fourth and fifth centuries, which was characterized by a spiritual famine caused by a lack of the Bible and its truths, leading to the “Dark Ages.” The fourth seal aptly describes the spiritual death that characterized Christianity for nearly a thousand years.
(The periods::The Apostolic Church –White Horse, A.D.31-100 A.D(Ephesus); 100-313(Symnr) Red Horse; 313-538 (Pergamos):Black Horse; 538-1570(Thyatira):Pale Horse) These three horsemen were the disciplinary judgments by which God, seeking to awaken His people to their spiritual condition, chastised them when they became unfaithful to the covenant. In a similar way, the four horsemen are the means that God uses to keep His people awake as they await Jesus’ return. The 5th seal:1570-1740 (Sardis) is partially fulfilled and is to be completed in the next two seals. The 6th seal is the longest period that started in 1740. It will end after the seven last plagues transitioning into the seventh seal that opens up the revelation on God’s judgment in the seven trumpets.
3.1.2.1The Fifth Seal
The fifth seal is an overview portraying the martyrdom of God’s faithful and persecuted people.
The martyred saints were given white robes representing Christ’s righteousness, which leads to their vindication—His gift to those who accept His offer of grace (Rev. 3:5, Rev. 19:8). Then, they were told that they would have to rest until their brothers, who would go through a similar experience, are made complete. It is important to notice that the Greek text of Revelation 6:11 does not have the word number. Revelation does not talk of a number of the martyred saints to be reached before Christ’s return, but of completeness regarding their character. God’s people are made complete by the robe of Christ’s righteousness, not their own merit (Rev. 7:9, 10). The martyred saints will be resurrected and vindicated only at the second coming of Christ and the beginning of the millennium (Rev. 20:4).
The scene of the fifth seal applies historically to the period leading up to, and following, the Reformation, during which millions were martyred because of their faithfulness (Matt. 24:21). It also brings to mind the experience of God’s suffering people throughout history, from the time of Abel (Gen. 4:10) until the time when God will finally avenge “ ‘the blood of His servants’ ” (Rev. 19:2, NKJV)
3.1.2.2 The Sixth Seal
The Opening of the Sixth Seal (Period starting from 1570 and still in progress) (https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2019:1Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ119_05.pdf )
In the fifth seal, we see God’s people suffering injustice in a hostile world, as they cry out for God’s intervention on their behalf. The time has come for God to intervene in answer to the prayers of His people.
The last three signs of the sixth seal were foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24:29, 30. They were to occur near the end of the “great tribulation” (Rev. 7:14), in 1798, as the harbingers of the Second Coming. As with Christ’s prophecy in Matthew 24, the sun, moon, “stars” (meteors), and sky are literal here. The use of the words “as” or “like” paints a picture of an actual thing or event—the sun became black as sackcloth, the moon became like blood, and the stars fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its late figs. The Christians in the Western world recognized the fulfillment of Jesus’ words in the order of each of these signs: the Lisbon earthquake, in 1755; the dark day of May 19, 1780 (experienced in eastern New York and southern New England); and the spectacular meteor shower over the Atlantic Ocean, on November 13, 1833. The fulfillment of this prophecy, in Revelation 6:12–14 led to a series of revivals and to the realization that Christ’s second coming was near. (Watch the Bible study for biblical explanation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZu_3gazLGc (47:55) "The Seven Seals*" with Doug Batchelor Feb 27, 2019 AmazingFacts)
3.1.2.2.1 Prophecy on End of Sixth Seal
Revelation 6:15–17, Isaiah 2:19, Hosea 10:8, and Luke 23:30. project the dreadful scenes unbelieving people of all walks of life in a panic trying to hide from the terror of the upheaval at the coming of Christ. They are asking rocks and mountains to cover them in order to protect them from “ ‘the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb’ ” (Rev. 6:16, NKJV). The time has arrived for justice to be dispensed as Christ comes “to be glorified in His saints” (2 Thess. 1:10, NKJV). The end of the wicked is described in Revelation 19:17–21. The scene concludes with the rhetorical question by the terror stricken wicked: “ ‘The great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’ ” (Rev. 6:17, NKJV; see also Nahum 1:6, Mal. 3:2). The answer to that question is given in Revelation 7:4 that those who will be able to stand in that day are the sealed people of God. (Revelation 7 is the interlude before the description of the seventh seal that continued with the seven trumpets.in Rev 8, 9.
3.1.3 The Seven Trumpets (https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2019:1Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ119_07.pdf )
The vision of the seven trumpets shows that, throughout history, God already has intervened on behalf of His oppressed people and has judged those who harmed them. The purpose of the seven trumpets is to assure God’s people that heaven is not indifferent to their suffering.
Revelation 8:3–5 provides important information regarding the trumpets in Revelation:
a. The seven trumpets are God’s judgments on rebellious humanity in response to the prayers of His oppressed people.
b. The trumpets follow the death of Jesus as the Lamb and run consecutively throughout history until the Second Coming (see Rev. 11:15–18)
The events triggered by the trumpets in Revelation denote God’s intervention in history in response to the prayers of His people. While the seals concern primarily those who profess to be God’s people, the trumpets herald judgments against the inhabitants of the earth (Rev. 8:13). At the same time, they are warnings for those who dwell on the earth to bring them to repentance before it is too late.
The seven trumpets cover the course of events from John’s time until the conclusion of this earth’s history (Rev. 11:15–18). They are blown while intercession goes on in heaven (Rev. 8:3–6) and the gospel is being preached on earth (Rev. 10:8–11:14). The judgments of the trumpets are partial; they affect only one third of creation. The seventh trumpet announces that the time has arrived for God to assume His rightful rule. The seven trumpets apply approximately to the same periods covered by the seven churches and the seven seals: The trumpets are a response to the prayers of the suffering saints of God (Rev. 6:9, 10; Rev. 8:2–6). It assures them that God has noticed their suffering, and, even though He may seem silent in their experience, He is already acting in history against those who have persecuted them (compare Rev. 6:10 and Rev. 8:13
(a) The first two trumpets herald judgments upon the nations that crucified Christ and persecuted the early church: rebellious Jerusalem and the Roman Empire, (Destruction of Jerusalem A.D.70) and the Roman Empire (breakup of Roman Empire and relocation in Constantinople A.D,538).
(b) The third and fourth trumpets portray heaven’s judgment against the apostasy of the Christian church in the medieval period.
(c) The fifth and sixth trumpets describe the warring factions in the religious world during the late medieval and post-Reformation periods. These periods are characterized by increasing demonic activity that ultimately draws the world into the battle of Armageddon.
3.1.3.1 The interlude in Rev 10:1- 11:13)
The sixth trumpet brings us to the time of the end. What are God’s people called to do during this time? Before the seventh trumpet sounds, an interlude is inserted, explaining the task and experience of God’s people at the end time. The trumpets focus on the wicked (Rev. 9:4, 20, 21), but the “interlude” (Rev. 10:1–11:13) focuses on God’s people. The “interlude,” however, is not separate from the trumpets; it is part of the sixth trumpet. Revelation 8:13 describes three woes coming upon those who live on the earth. The first is the fifth trumpet (Rev. 9:12). The second woe is the sixth trumpet, but it does not end until Revelation 11:14. So the bulk of chapters 10 and 11 are part of the sixth trumpet. While the forces of evil are gathering for the final crisis during the sixth trumpet (Rev. 9:16), the forces of the righteous are gathering to counter them (Rev. 7:4, Rev. 10:1–11:13). Rev 10 will be covered by Dr Norman in greater detail following this.
3.1.3.2 The Seventh Trumpet
The seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15–18) signals the conclusion of this earth’s history. The time has come for God to reveal His power and to reign. This rebellious planet, which has been under the dominion of Satan for thousands of years, is about to come back under God’s dominion and rule. It was after Christ’s death on the cross and His ascension to heaven that Christ was proclaimed to be the legitimate ruler of the earth (Rev. 12:10, 11). Satan continues to wreak all the havoc he can, knowing that his time is short (Rev. 12:12). The seventh trumpet heralds that the usurping powers have been dealt with and that this world finally has come under Christ’s rightful rule. The seventh trumpet outlines the content of the remainder of the book: (1) The nations were angry: Revelation 12–14 describes Satan as filled with anger (Rev. 12:17), who with his two allies—the sea beast and the earth beast—prepares the nations of the world to fight against God’s people. (2) Your wrath has come: God’s answer to the anger of the nations is the seven last plagues, which are referred to as God’s wrath (see Rev. 15:1). (3) The time for the dead to be judged is described in Revelation 20:11–15. (4) And to reward God’s servants is portrayed in Revelation 21 and 22. (5) To destroy those who destroy the earth: Revelation 19:2 states that end-time Babylon is judged because it destroyed the earth. The destruction of Satan, his hosts, and his two allies is the final act in the drama of the great controversy (Rev. 19:11–20:15).
3.1.3.4 The Angel with An Open Book ( Rev 10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWJZT9N7YeU (47:03) 5. The Prophetic Destiny of Adventism by Norman McNulty, M.D., Sep 8, 2020
Dr Norman McNulty provides a big picture of the Book of Revelation of 22 chapters. The primary purpose of “Revelation” (apart from Ch 13 &17 describing the antichrist along with the second beast) is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Our Lord, Jesus personally conveys to John His grand plan in the development of God’s people, especially as seen through the second advent movement which will defeat Satan in the great controversy. Christ reveals Himself as the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, the first begotten of the dad, the prince of the kings of the earth. He is the faithful and true witness, the lamb who was slain, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the word of God…, The one key purpose in His self-revelation is that through the rise of His end time second advent movemen, He is in fulfilling the mission of God, the Father to save the fallen human race from Satan’s deceptions, and lies. Satan thwarts that purpose all the way until he defeats himself. Revelation tells us where we are in earth’s history. Come and see what His plan is through the development of His people as foretold by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Christ reveals His master strategy in the first half of the book, chap 1-11, on how He is going to defeat Satan in the great controversy that began in heaven. We get to know the entire sanctuary service as it plays out in heaven after Christ ascends to heaven forty days after His resurrection from death on the cross. He portrays this with seven churches, seven seals, and seven trumpets. At the beginning in each set of seven, Christ is in the Holy Place and moving across to the Most Holy Place at the end. For example, chap 1, John hears the voice of trumpet, turns around to see the voice and he sees Christ walking in the midst of the candlesticks which is in the Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. In the beginning of the seals John sees the throne of God right in the front across from the seven lamps (candlesticks) burning with fire. He sees a lamb who has been slain. Opposite to the candlesticks is the table of showbread with twelve loaves of bread, six per stack (representing Jesus as the bread of life, the word of God) This table of showbread shows the oneness of the Father and the Son as they both represent the bread and the word of God. So Jesus is at the right hand of God in the throne room of the heavenly sanctuary. The throne of God has wheels because Dan 7 shows that it has wheels of fire and it moves into the holy place in 1844. Finally John sees an angel with a censor in his hand standing at the altar of incense which is before the ark of the covenant and the throne of God (In the beginning of the seven trumpets (Rev 8).
Christ does not stay in the holy place. He eventually moves into the most holy place when we come to the Laodicean Church, the seventh and the last or end-time church of the world. He then takes on the title of faithful and true witness to the judged people (meaning of the word Laodicea)- the church of the judgment hour, and signifying the beginning of the judgment beginning in 1844. Jesus is the witness that gives testimony in the court of Justice. This is His judgment hour church. He is the witness from the most holy place.
In the beginning of the seven seals*, the four winds are being held until the 144,000 receive the seal of God in their foreheads. The work of sealing takes place from the most holy place. Then at the end of the seven trumpets in Rev 10, a mighty angel comes down from heaven as the mystery of God is to be finished. The “mystery of God is Christ in you the hope of glory” ( Col 1:27). So, from the most holy place the mystery of God is going to be finished in you. By the way, when the seventh trumpet sounds (Rev 11), the temple of God is opened in heaven and there is seen in this “temple the Ark of the Testament. and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (signifying the destruction of the world)”- Rev 11:19. (The sanctuary message is not following cunningly devised fables)
The whole first half of Revelation shows that Christ starts in the holy place and He eventually moves to the most holy place. To this seventh church, His end-time church, He says to His lukewarm people that are wretched, miserable, poor and blind and naked: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:21 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. (Rev 3:21) From that last day church that is lukewarm, God has His 144,000 that He seals. When His people overcome as Christ overcame the message to the Laodicean Church and then receive the seal of the living God on our foreheads ( Rev 7: 2-4). He raises up the second advent movement who prophecy again through the preaching of the three angels messages.
Christ has produced a revelation of Himself from the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. Christ says, This is my master strategy to defeat Satan in the great controversy because Satan says My law is arbitrary and that it couldn’t be kept. And I am going to produce from the weakest group of people who has ever lived a people that will be in the likeness of My character. But Satan says, I am not giving up yet and then we get to chapter !2, the great controversy chapter.
Rev 12 describes the war that started in heaven and it comes to this earth. God’s church flees into the wilderness and then the final controversy where Satan makes war against Christ and His people; the woman “with the remnant of her seed, whichkeep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”- Rev 12:17.
Satan’s final strategy is the universal enforcement of Sunday law.This is in Revelation 13, the revelation of the antichrist. But don’t let one chapter diverts our focus on Christ and come to know who Christ is, see who He is, and see what His plan is through the development of His people.
Revelation 14 is Christ response to Satan’s last strategy. Christ defeats Satan by raising a movement who proclaimed the three angels' messages and from the three angels' messages he produces the 144,000 who stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb.
The loud cry of the mighty angel from heaven will be proclaimed by the 144,000 to “lighten the world with His glory”- Rev 18:1. This represents the giving of the last and threefold message of the warning to the world. Then comes the harvest ( Rev 14:14-20) which is the second coming. So once we have the big picture then we can fill in the details.
Before the sounding of the seventh trumpet is Revelation 10 (when probation is still open), Christ is the mighty angel coming with a censor in his hand (in the role of the High Priest) at the beginning. He is clothed with a cloud as He was in His pre-incarnate state in the earthly sanctuary in leading Israel from Egypt to Canaan. In symbolic language, He is saying I’m about to lead a special people, My last day spiritual people, from the Egypt of this earth to the Canaan of heaven. The rainbow above His head is the symbol of the covenant.and He is ready to announce He is ready to renew His covenant with the people who will keep the commandments of God. His face shines like the Sun being the son of righteousness. and his feet as pillars of fire:( Rev 10:1) Significantly, He holds“in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,” (Rev 10:2). He is claiming His universal rule and that what He is about to proclaim has worldwide significance. (But, John is not allowed to write down what the seven thunders have said, There are things concerning the future that God has not revealed to us through John ( Rev 10: 3-4))
Historically, the end of the sixth trumpet (Rev 9) coincides with the fall of the Ottoman Empire in Aug 11, 1840. a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy (GC 334).as an announcement that He is about to move to the most holy place in 1844. That little book in His hand is the Book of Daniel and specifically it was the sealed portion that even though reformers in that era understood that the papacy was the little horn but they did not understand the vision of the 2300 days (Dan 8:14).as it was sealed to their understanding. But Christ Himself comes down from heaven bearing the foundational prophecy for the last day church that the sanctuary shall then be cleansed commencing in 1844. This is showing that the sanctuary message from holy place to the most holy place in the seven churches, the seven seals, and seven trumpets, in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word will be established. Dan 8:14 connects to the 70 weeks into the death of Christ, Christ’s sacrifice and salvation, having Him as our Saviour and also having Him as High Priest. We now have Him that was completed on the cross and that which will be completed from the most holy place., making a complete movement , a complete church, a complete people that God is able to use to develop into a people who will be like Him.
3.1.3.4.1 Supreme Salvation as God Swears to Himself
Rev 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
This is one of the three times Jesus Swears to Himself. Surely when God says tha, what He is swearing by has supreme importance. In order to describe its immense certainty and significance we must start with the first oath that was made on Mount Moriah .
3.1.3.4.1.1 Abraham’s Faith at Mount Moriah
Abraham, the father of the faithful revealed his willingness to sacrifice his only son in obedience to the command of Jehovah. The son of promise, an unresisting victim, had been bound to the altar--emblem of the offering of the Son of God, manifesting their willingness to carryout God’s command. There the covenant of blessing, the glorious Messianic promise, had been confirmed to the father of the faithful. Genesis 22:9, 16-18.
Gen 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:Gen 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; Heb 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, - Note that God is called the angel of the Lord, then as the Lord, but God refers to Him as God. Here, God is swearing that in Abraham the children of the faithful have a father of faith and that God will raise up a seed after Abraham who will have faith like Abraham. Faith to believe in them the impossible, Faith to believe that God can call those things be not as though they were. And when God asks the seemingly impossible of us. When at the end He asks obedience of us even when it seems as if we will face certain death to obey the Lord, we will obey God the way Abraham faithfully obeyed Him. Abraham is the father of faith and God said I will raise up a “seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; “ And I will have a people on the earth who will have faith like Abraham.” The same faith is in Isaac, in Jacob (when he wrestles with God). Then, through Israel we have his 12 sons who possess the promised land. Seemingly God’s promises are going well.
But through history the children of Israel apostasize. They forfeit the covenant and fall into idolatry.
Since God has sworn by an oath that He would have a people of faith, so Christ comes as the prince of the covenant ( Dan 11:22) . But the children of Israel put Him to death and forfeited the covenant to the rest of the human race. The covenant (adjusted) was confirmed by His death on the cross as expressed by Paul : “Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. So the Christian Church is raised up to fulfill the promises that the children of Israel forfeited.
But, once again the professed Christian church largely forfeited the covenant blessings. They persecuted the true followers of Christ.
3.1.3.4.1.2 Daniel’s Time Prophecy Assurance
Dan 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half (1260 years); and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
The second oath is in Dan 12:7 as the second of Jesus extreme assurance that the great falling away of the church is to end accordingly to Daniel’s 1260 days time prophecy. During the Dark Age, Satan has given his power, seat and authority to the professed Christian church. The on-looking universe is left to wonder what happened to God’s sworn promise and Why are God’s people scattered.
This is Christ, as Michael, replying: I am guaranteeing you by an oath that my people will no longer be scatted after 1798. The oath that I made to Abraham seems not being fulfilled because of the falling away of the children of Israel, then the falling away of the Christian church, but, after 1798 that falling away will be no more and there will be a gathering instead.
3.1.3.4.1.3 Opening of the Little Book (Dan 10:5-7)
We next return to the third oath in Rev 10:5. Christ has in His hand the little book that is open which had been sealed.( the portion of Dan that was sealed from understanding – the prophesy of Dan 8:14.) This takes us to 1844 (the 2300 years prophecy, the longest and the last prophetic period in earth’s history. God has sworn by Himself that after the fulfillment of 1844 there will be no more prophetic time, signifying the end of time is the finale. Christ is also saying that the purpose of the fulfillment of the 2300 day prophecy is to take us to the second advent movement. The two time prophecies get us to 1798 and to 1844. God gathers His people in 1798 and in 1844 God begins to cleanse the sanctuary in heaven and correspondingly the necessity for God’s people on earth to be purified of sin.as the sanctuary is cleansed above. The purpose of the second advent movement He is raising up as delineated in Rev 10, is based on people with a unique experience (v.7). Christ is swearing by an oath for the third and final time, that I am raising up a people that when I move into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, they will be the people that I promised to Abraham in my first oath. They will be the people of faith and have an experience of character wherein the mystery of God is finished with “Christ in you the hope of glory.” This is what Christ is swearing the oath to Abraham that when he demonstrated his faith in offering Isaac as a sacrifice that I would have a people on earth who would have that same degree of faith. Isaac was as good as dead when God told him to stop from dropping the knife into Isaac on the altar sacrifice. Father and son had both faithfully carried out God’s demand.
When the Angel states that there will “be time no longer” (Rev. 10:6), the Greek word chronos shows that He refers to a period of time. This points back to Daniel 12:6, 7, where an angel states the persecution of the saints will last for a time, times, and half a time, or 1,260 years (a.d. 538–1798) during which the church was persecuted by the papacy (compare Dan. 7:25). Since in Daniel and Revelation a prophetic “day” symbolizes a year (Num. 14:34, Ezek. 4:6), 360 “days” equal 360 years, and three and a half times (or “years”) equals 1,260 “days” or years. Sometime after this prophetic period, the end would come.
The statement that time will be no longer refers to the time prophecies of Daniel, particularly the 2,300 prophetic days of Daniel 8:14 (457 b.c.–a.d. 1844). After this period, there no longer will be prophetic time periods. Ellen White states: “This time, which the angel declares with a solemn oath, is . . . prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord. That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 971
3.1.3.4.1.3.1 Eating the Scroll (Rev 10:8–11)
Eating in the Bible is used to describe the acceptance of a message from God in order to proclaim it to the people (Ezek. 2:8–3:11, Jer. 15:16). When received, the message is good news; but when it is proclaimed, it sometimes results in bitterness as it is resisted and rejected by many.
John’s bittersweet experience in eating the scroll (representing the book of Daniel) is related to the unsealing of Daniel’s end-time prophecies. John here represents God’s end-time remnant church that is commissioned to proclaim the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6, 7) at the close of Daniel’s time prophecy (Dan. 7:25) or 1,260 days/years.
The context indicates that John’s vision points to another bittersweet experience at the conclusion of the prophetic 2,300-year period. When, on the basis of Daniel’s prophecies, the Millerites thought that Christ would return in 1844, that message was sweet to them. However, when Christ did not appear as expected, they experienced a bitter disappointment and searched the Scriptures for a clearer understanding.
John’s commission to “prophesy again” to the world points to Sabbath-keeping Adventists, raised up to proclaim the message of the Second Coming in connection with the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.
Christ swears the second and third time to counter the falling away of the children of Israel, and then the Christian church that He will begin to gather His people beginning in 1798 ( Dan 12: 7). They will be a movement based on the development of His character, They will have the character of Christ and their faithfulness will be the same as Abraham and Isaac. Abraham is a type of the Father and Isaac is a type of the son. The Father was willing to sacrifice the son for the salvation of man and Christ fulfilled that on the cross. God says He will have a people at the end of the world who will be faithful unto death and follow Christ so completely that the mystery of God will be finished in their lives. ( Col 1:26-28; 2:1)To the Laodicean people, Christ is standing at the door knocking saying. let me come into your life..
God is not going into battle with Satan during this mark of the beast crisis and the seven last plagues in Jacob’s time of trouble with a group of baby Christians who are long in the faith and never grow up because they are not eating the meat of the word, the flesh of Christ. God is saying He will have a people some day that will have a mature faith like Abraham to go through the final crisis so that He can say to the on looking universe someday soon, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”- Rev 14:12.
4 Come, See, Abide & Love like Christ
It is important to realize when we see the world around us, this pandemic and the social unrest, is suggesting the probability that God has a people that are just about ready to go to the final crisis of earth’s history. When He has that group of people (the 144,000) the crisis will start and the Sunday law will come as prophesied - the little time of trouble will happen leading to the death decree and probation will close; t he seven last plagues will begin to fall and eventually we will go through the time of Jacob’s trouble; then we will be delivered by the grace of Jesus. Jesus will come in the clouds of heaven. But in order for it to happen, He needs a people who really want it.
In His own time, God will have a people who will say it’s time to go up and possess the heavenly Canaan. Every word that God says is true. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”- Joh 3:16 Scriptures says that it is impossible for God to lie. We have now seen the three times God has sworn by an oath that He would have a people of faith who will be the chosen of Abraham because they have the same faith as Abraham. And that He is raising the second advent movement to be that people that Abraham had. God will take that people of faithfulness to the final crisis. That is the prophetic destiny of Adventism ( Rev 10) . This movement is not a declension into worldliness and to be more and more like Babylon. The future of Adventism is a revival of godliness such as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. God has allowed this pandemic to hit so that we would search our hearts, search our lives and make sure that we are ready to meet Jesus. It is time to head to the finish line of this earth’s history. It is the finishing act. We are to be the demonstration to the universe of what God can do. Satan who was made a perfect being in a perfect environment saying he does not to keep God’s law as a perfect angel and charging that God’s law was bad. By producing a people who have never been in heaven; never seen the glory of the Father and the holy angels and all the beauty and splendor of heaven and know of my character in its perfect setting in heaven. But I gave them just enough, I gave them the demonstration of the cross, I gave them my word despite their weakness and sinfulness. I have taken the weakest group of people who have ever lived and I have transformed them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. They keep the commandments of God, They have the faith of Jesus. Satan has no further excuses and the great controversy id ended.
Very soon we are going to see the great power of God manifested for the deliverance of His people. It’s up to us, individually, to choose whether or not we will be on the Lord’s side. …. Interim End
(End of FA2 - 42 pages.)
Posted 31 May, 2021 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo,com
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.(The periods::The Apostolic Church –White Horse, A.D.31-100 A.D(Ephesus); 100-313(Symnr) Red Horse; 313-538 (Pergamos):Black Horse; 538-1570(Thyatira):Pale Horse) These three horsemen were the disciplinary judgments by which God, seeking to awaken His people to their spiritual condition, chastised them when they became unfaithful to the covenant. In a similar way, the four horsemen are the means that God uses to keep His people awake as they await Jesus’ return. The 5th seal:1570-1740 (Sardis) is partially fulfilled and is to be completed in the next two seals. The 6th seal is the longest period that started in 1740. It will end after the seven last plagues transitioning into the seventh seal that opens up the revelation on God’s judgment in the seven trumpets.
FA3 Discerning the Signs of the Times
See the illustration of the UN 2030 Global Agenda in slides below after 1.0.4.1
Tips to Reading – selective trimming of many-page- article
(Each article stands on its own and yet related to “earlier articles”* on the main theme of “Finishing Act” in welcoming Jesus Second Coming)
FA3 End Times Signs - Final Act- Sign-Post of U.S.A. National Sunday Law
Contents - (pg 1-61 posted June 30, 2021
1. The Invitation;1.0.1 Note: “New World Order”*; 1.0.2 USA as Global Superpower; 1.0.3 Note: “First World Order”*1; 1.0.4 Bible is Prophetic History & Revelation; 1.0.4.1The Final Events;
1.1 The Last Crisis Catalyst; 1.1.1 End of Earth’s History; 1.1.1.1 Arouse the Church; 1.1.1.2 Speculations on Final Crisis Events;1.1.2 The Ten Virgins;1.1.2.1 Babylon's Sins Reach Heaven; 1.1.2.2 National Sunday Law (NSL) is Catalyst; 1.1.2.2.1 Agitation for Sunday Law; 1.1.2.2.1.1” Why God Took Sunday Away” Conjecture; 1.1.2.2.2 Sudden Unlooked for Calamity; 1.1.2.2.2.1 The Ten Virgins Evening Watch; 1.1.2.2.3 Redemption Near the Door;
2. Day and Hour of Jesus Coming; 2.1 Abomination of Desolation; 2.1.1 Gospel to the World; 2.1.2 Final Siege of Jerusalem; 2.1.3 Earth’s Final Warning; 2.1.3.1 Four Stages of Sunday Law; 2.1.3.1.1 Stage One of Sunday Law; 2.1.3.1.2 Stage Two of Sunday Law; 2.1.3.1.2.1 The little Time of Trouble*; 2.1.3.1.2.2 The Promise of the Latter Rain; 2.1.3.1.2.2.1 The Latter Rain Will Produce the Loud Cry; 2.1.3.1.2.2.2 Not All Will Receive the Latter Rain; 2.1.3.1.3 Stage Three of Sunday Law;
2.1.3.1.4 Stage Four of Sunday Law; 2.1.3.1.4.1 The Second Beast Speaking; 2.1.3.1.4.2 The Death Decree; 2.1.3.1.4.2.1 Reaction to Loud Cry; 2.1.3.1.4.2.1.1Close of Probation; 2.1.3.1.4.2.1.2 Satan’s Crown Act (in the sixth plague); 2.1.3.1.4.2.1.3 Prayer of Deliverance; 2.1.4 Preparation for the Final Crisis; 2.1.4.1 Jacob’s Time of trouble; 2.1.4.2 The Seventh Plague; 2.1.4.2.1 Special Resurrection;
2.1.4.3 The Preparation for Jacob’s Trouble; 2.1.5 Bible Prophecy’s Climax; 2.1.5.1 Start of Millennium; 2.1.5.2 During the Millennium; 2.1.5.2.1 Satan Bound in Bottomless Pit; 2.1.5.2.2 The Reward of the Saints; 2.1.5.3. Climax of Millennium; 2.1.5.3.1 The Second Resurrection; 2.1.5.3.1 The Great White Throne Judgment; 2.1.5.3.2 Creation of New Heaven and New Earth; 2.1.5.4 The Urgent Crucial Decision of Life;
3 Takeaway Epilogue; Appendix 'A' “Blueprint of End-time Events"; Appendix ‘B’ Testimony on Overcoming Covid-19.
(Note: “earlier articles”*- The End-time Events theme began in October, 2015 as a result of discernment based on Bible prophecy of Signs in Pope’s U.S. Tour 22-27 Sep 2015 - FoC 13 Watch and Pray Updates as WaP1 i.e. WP2 = FoC14. Then, in March 2020, closer focus is brought about in sharing hope inthe Covid -19
Pandemic - Wp5.9.6 Covid 19 at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101195 and this is the continuation.
As pointed out right at the start in 2015, the nature of “Watch and Pray Updates” (WP series) is ongoing until Jesus returns.Our urgent duty is to be prepared and prepare others for His Second Coming as our final act!)
Reproduced specially before the beginning of the next section 1.1 The Last Crisis Catalyst is the chart of the chronology of End-time Events that is most appropriate for this article from FoC14/Watch & Pray Pt2: Reality of Enmity and Beyond @ http://www.wakeupow.com/159912053 )
FA3 Discerning the Signs of the Times
1. The Invitation
The world is in a state that it wouldn’t take much to push us to the edge of eternity. Covid -19 pandemic crisis shows how all of a sudden things started happening and even when the vaccination solution is available in quick time that new surprises and challenges needs to be overcome. This is discerned in the word of God that tells His remnant people waiting for His appearing that the world would fall apart leading to the coming of Christ. This is the end of theworld at the second advent of the Lord. The world will not return to normal after the pandemic which is projected by wise men to be at least 3-4 years time. But world leaders are taking the opportunity in sounding out to prepare for the new normal, even a “new world order”* to come.
The study and discussion into the prophetic catalyst revealed in the word of God as presented by Dr McNulty (series of 11) must be collated and shared to assure and convict the world of the sure word of prophecy and to prepare for the imminent coming of Jesus in our lifetime. Surely, to be able to understand how our life would end must be our first and urgent quest, but for most of us we do not know where to search for this knowledge. (It may sound like dismal and bad news that you don’t want to hear. But it is good news giving us hope for our life’s destiny.) This is now being shared with you the events given by Christ in explaining to His disciples how the world will end and how to be prepared for His second coming to receive them into His Kingdom of Glory. The end-time events given in chronological order in Matthew 24 must be the vital truth for us who will have to face it at the end of this world’s history. This information was providentially given to recognise the prophetic catalyst that once we get to see the prophetic catalyst, the trigger to the final movements of earth's history, the final movements will be rapid ones.
How close are we to the end of time? Dustin Pestlin in the video reveals 7 unmistakable signs that we are living at the time of the end and to know the urgency of the days we are living in, and the nearness of the coming of Jesus. It will help you to decide to immediately get prepared for the soon return of Jesus Christ!
All these signs are given by Jesus himself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3RDVD02fWs Signs of the Final Days - HAPPENING NOW by Dustin Pestlin Nov 21, 2020 Hope Through Prophecy
People living now in the midst of Covid-!9 are worried as they look toward the future and wonder what is coming next. The book of Revelation clearly reveals God’s plan for the future.( Jesus Christ is the great trustee of divine revelation. It is through Him that we have a knowledge of what we are to look for in the closing scenes of this earth's history. God gave this revelation to Christ, and Christ communicated the same to John. {7BC 953.7}) This book begins and ends with the glorious coming of Jesus.(Rev 1:7, 22: 20) We are told to lift up our eyes to heaven from the problems, trauma and disappointments of life to God who will send his son to solve this world’s problems, All the promises of God in the Bible will be fulfilled. Jesus gave signs of his coming and the end of the world to His disciples. Matthew 24 outlines more than 20 signs of His return. He gave signs in the world of religion, in politics, in nature, in society. In Noah’s day God destroys the world with a flood because it was filled with violence ( Are most of our world governments filled with violence?) - Mat 24:37,38 Gen 6:11,12 Economic uncertainty (Jam 5:1-3; Rev 18:17) Bible prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes today; that love is degenerated into sexual immorality. God can give you a new heart, a new sense of His love and care, offers you a new future and a new start (be born again by faith)
“He came at a time when the human race has the capacities to destroy the earth the nuclear weaponry enough the destroy the earth multiple times over Jesus says he will return when the world is gripped with fear to take us home. To deliver us ( Luk 21:26) When you are fearful look up for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.”- Rev11:18
Focus on Divine Reality
All of history is moving towards a grand climax. Signposts that Jesus is on the way are in the signs being fulfilled: 1. False Christs and prophets Rev 16:14; 2. Wars and rumours of wars (Mat 24:7); 3. Cries of peace, but no peace (1 The 5:3) ; 4. Famines; 5. Pestilences (Mat 24:7); 6. Earthquakes Luk 21:11); 7. Sexual immorality (Mat 24:37-38; Gen 6:11,12) ); 8. Homes falling apart; Violence filling our lands;10. Economic uncertainty (Ja 5:1-3; Rev 18:17 ( See Appendix: “Blueprint of End-time Events”)
But, there is one more sign which will prove beyond any shadow of doubt that, indeed we are living in the last days of this world’s history. The final sign that Jesus gives of His soon return in Matthew 24 is the gospel being proclaimed to the entire world (Matt 24:14). Rev 14:6 also echoes this truth. Jesus says you will know we have come to the end by the final sign when you see the Gospel going quickly around the world through the internet and radio network. With satellite transmission the gospel is going forth in remarkable ways. God is working miracles all around the world. Many are seeking for a better world to come. We are on the verge of the kingdom of God. It is the midnight hour that will end with the midnight cry and God is appealing to you and me to be ready for His return.
As believers in the soon return of Jesus, Seventh-day Adventists have long looked at prophecy to best understand what signs will precede the coming of Jesus. In this presentation, we will look at the prophetic catalyst that will usher in the point of no return for the final events of Earth's history. It is the National (U.S.A) Sunday Law that will be the trigger. It will trigger the domino effect in the final events of the destruction of the world with the second coming of Jesus. This presentation forms the foundation for the topics that come afterward as we seek to understand end-time prophecy and be convicted to be ready for Christ's soon return.
(1.0.1 Note: “New World Order”* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpaYSBjDAAU&t=2325s (starts at 5:46- 45:30) 4 The New World Order - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA Sep 25, 202
President H.W. Bush (1989-1993) and Pope John Paul II were the key figures in the development of the New world Order based on well documented news reports (recent history) and what the Bible foretells of the events being fulfilled in our time. The First meeting between President Reagan and Pope John Paul II on June 7, 1982 was called as one of the great secret alliances of all time –Time magazine, Feb 24, 1992- Holy Alliance”. Reagan pledged the economic and military power of the U.S. to support the solidarity movement in Poland and the Pope pledged his political assistance from the Vatican. This helped to apply significant pressure on the Soviet Union which eventually led to its collapse. Five years after that meeting on June 12, 1987 standing at the Brandenburg Gate of the Berlin Wall, Reagan said: “Mr. President tear down this wall.” It was ten years later the Berlin wall came crushing down. This led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The term New World Order was initially used by Woodrow Wilson shortly after WWI ended. President H.W Bush focused on the need of a New World Order in the speech at the League of Nations (forerunner before UN) given on September 11, 1990. The key prophetic events happening in U.S were: nuclear disarmament of Soviet Union; break away of Eastern Europe from Russia; German unification; United Sates as leading Global Superpower (symbolic second beast in Prophecy in the ways U.S. operate (not Russia (past) nor China (future)*2 fits into our understanding of end time events.) The two horns like a lamb ( Rev 13:11) refers to civil and religious liberty; Republicanism (a 1% minority protected by the Constitution from the 99% majority from voting away their civil and religious liberty) and Protestantism (religious liberty), freedom of speech, rights to privacy and worship according to the dictates of personal conscience. However this second beast will speak (through its law) like a dragon which gave authority to the first beast which tried to change God’s law -i.e. the second beast will reinstate the world order back to the way it was before 1798. This will be the national Sunday law (NSL) that will then become universal as nations follow suit according to Bible prophecy as the first beast “deadly wound was healed (when the papacy has power over the state again ( the world acknowledging the Pope as the supreme moral leader of the world): and all the world wondered after the beast. (Rev 13:3) 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, This is substantiated in Rev 17:8, 10,11,12) identifying the Papacy as the fifth head, Protestant U.S.A, the sixth supporting the papacy and the seventh are the ten (universal - UN) kings reigning for one hour (short period) with Papacy to form the one world government ( New World Order), also eighth, the final head. This shows the flow of history from 1980’s particularly with the visit of the Pope to the White House on September 23, 2015 to where we are now.
(Note*2: Not Russia (past) nor China (future) as Super Power – The Soviet Union broke up in 1991 under President Gorbachev and U.S.A. became the supreme Super power. The Chinese Communist Republic (CCP) celebrated its centenary, July 1, 2021. President Xi facing an assembly of 70,000 (without wearing masks to boast of its success in overcoming Covid-19) in Tiananmen Square in a continuation of his hardline foreign policy said China would no longer be "bullied, oppressed or subjugated" by foreign countries, while China would welcome "helpful suggestions" from other governments, it would not accept "sanctimonious preaching." China as the second largest economy is now contenting to displace U.S.A. But being an atheistic nation, it is so far from knowing the true God, that God knowing the end from the beginning does not need to mention the futility of China aspiration as a super power. (See Wp5.9.3 Deception at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101193 - par 5.9.3.1.3.2 Striving for Greatness in Politics and Religion- 1 Make the World Greta Again; 2. Global Religious and Moral Leader; 3. Make America Great Again; 4. China as Contender for Economic Supremacy;) (But this does not apply in God’s care for the Chinese race- forthcoming article on this topic in www.discoverylifediy.com ). It is providential, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, to have this celebration in July when U.S.A. is also celebrating Independence Day (the Fourth of July ) commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. This article deals with the final end of the world crises that revolves around U.S.A to remind Americans and the whole world on the Signs of End-times and the reality of the imminent coming of Jesus Christ to deliver the human race from the bondage to sin in worshipping Satan (by default option). (The pestilence is only one of the outworking of sin by Satan.))
Eleven years later on September 11, 2001 the terror attack on the Twin Towers leads to the global war on terror under President G. W. Bush. This is a development of signposts that Jesus is coming. Presently in 2021 the U.S.A is still the global Super power. Basically the U.S. president helped to initiate a cascade of events for the U.S and the Papacy to start working much more closely together and having an alliance that was maintained ever since then. Events in Eastern Europe break away from the Soviet union and compliance to nuclear disarmament enable President H.W. Bush to advocate the establishment of a new world order.
“As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Our people are not half awake to do all in their power, with the facilities within their reach, to extend the message of warning.” {6T 18.2}
“The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal, God will reveal Himself. He will arise in His majesty to shake terribly the earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity, and the earth shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain.” {7T 141.1}
1.0.2 USA as Global Superpower
Here we are in the pandemic and civil unrest of 2020. The Bible tells us the change in the superpower. Sudden crisis like the September 11, 2001 and now Covid-19 pandemic changes the framework of how the world operates, and nations sounding out end of the old way with the “New Normal.”(They who do not know God will not return to the old way (give up post modern social media and return to reading), to return to God’s way, to return back to Eden). When this war on terror begins American citizens gave up some of their God given freedom and privacy by enactment of civil law leaning towards marshal law. The Bible tells us of the land beast (USA) coming up out of the earth as the new power on earth in Rev 13:11 (Historically, it had to vie for supremacy with the Soviet Union as a superpower. The first change with respect to recent history as it relates to the USA is prophesied in Rev 13:1-3; Connected with this role is what the prophecy reveals of the other key player, the papacy, the religio-politico system that ruled for 1260 year in the Dark Ages of tyranny against civil and religious liberty, identified in Dan 7:5 . The papacy received a deadly wound in 1798 was the first change of the world order because from A.D.538-1798 (1260 days prophecy) was the ruling power of union of church and state through the Roman Catholic Church state power, the papacy) mouth speaking great things and blasphemies for 42 months (Rev 13:5) , the first beast that speaks like a lion ( Babylon)- Dan 7:4 was the transition from the Roman Empire, pagan Rome (168 B.C. – A.D.468) to the little horn power ( Dan 7:8,11,20,25); “that think to change God’s law” (Dan 7:25) This composite beast, the amalgamation of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece, was the “first world order”*1 for the persecution of God’s people for a period of 1260 years. The Church lost the state power when the pope was taken captive by Napoleon in 1798 was indicative of call for a change of new world order. Right at that time, the US is starting up and growing in prominence as a nation founded on Christian principles in the world scene and it attains the new world order with the collapse of the soviet Union in 1991. (Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GnZnWQKZ7w (27:45) BLT: America in Bible Prophecy- Pastor Steve Wohlberg Jan 16, 2021)
(1.0.3 Note: “First World Order”*1 -(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. With the decree of emperor Justinian in A.D. 533, made effective only in A.D. 538, declaring the pope the head of all the churches, the door was open for the papacy to implement its rule. Now the bishop of Rome held not only religious authority but also political power. The popes soon began to call themselves Pontifex and adopted other customs and laws of the pagan Roman Empire. By means of alliances with temporal powers, the persecuted church became the persecutor. Through the Crusades and the Inquisition, the Roman church inflicted tremendous pain on many who wanted to remain faithful to biblical teachings. So, already during the Middle Ages the pope came to be identified with the Antichrist (Matthew 24; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4; Rev. 13:1–10). In 1798, Napoleon put the pope in prison, bringing to an end the 1,260 years of papal rulership.” https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2020:1Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ120_08.pdf )
1.0.4 Bible is Prophetic History & Revelation https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2020:1Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ120_12.pdf
Amo 3:7 “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Jesus speaking at the Last Supper:“Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. “-Joh 13:19 ,.
Joh 16:4 “But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.”
“In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 499, 500.
The Lord reveals ahead of time all the wars because these wars are on God’s people. As evidence in the sure word of God we have Bible prophecy of the history of the world as summed up in Daniel 11:
Daniel 11 stands in parallel overall with the previous prophetic outlines in Daniel, As in chapters 2, 7, 8, and 9, the prophetic message extends from the days of the prophet to the end of time. Second, a succession of world powers emerges, powers that often oppress God’s people. Third, each prophetic outline climaxes with a happy ending. In Daniel 2, the stone obliterates the statue; in Daniel 7, the Son of man receives the kingdom; and in Daniel 8 and 9, the heavenly sanctuary is cleansed through the work of the Messiah. Chapter 11 follows three basic points. First, it begins with the Persian kings and discusses their fates and the time of the end, when the king of the north attacks the holy mountain of God. Second, a succession of battles between the king of the north and that of the south and how they affect God’s people is described. Third, it concludes with a happy ending as the king of the North faces his demise by the “glorious holy mountain” (Dan. 11:45). Such a positive conclusion signals the end of evil and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.-
Most Bible students understand the wars between the king of the North and the king of the South prophesied in Daniel 11:5–14 as referring to the many battles involving these two dynasties. According to the prophecy, an attempt would be made to unite these two dynasties by marriage, but that alliance would be short-lived (Dan. 11:6). Historical sources inform us that Antiochus II Theos (261–246 B.C.), grandson of Seleucus I, married Berenice, a daughter of the Egyptian king, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. However, that agreement did not last, and the conflict that directly involved the people of God soon resumed. Thus, Daniel 11 deals with some important events that will touch the lives of God’s people during the centuries after the prophet Daniel passes from the scene.
A transition in power from the Hellenistic kings to pagan Rome seems to be depicted in Daniel 11:16: “But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power” (NKJV). The Glorious Land is Jerusalem, an area where ancient Israel has existed, and the new power that takes over that area is pagan Rome. The same event also is represented in the horizontal expansion of the little horn, which reaches the Glorious Land (Dan. 8:9). So, it seems clear that the power in charge of the world at this point is pagan Rome. Some additional clues in the biblical text reinforce this perception. For example, the “one who imposes taxes” must refer to Caesar Augustus. It is during his reign that Jesus is born, as Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for the census (Dan. 11:20). Also, according to the prophecy this ruler will be succeeded by a “vile person” (Dan. 11:21). As history shows, Augustus was succeeded by Tiberius, an adoptive son of Augustus. Tiberius is known to have been an eccentric and vile person. Most important, according to the biblical text, it was during the reign of Tiberius that the “prince of the covenant” would be broken (Dan. 11:22). This clearly refers to the crucifixion of Christ, also called “Messiah the prince” (Dan. 9:25; see also Matt. 27:33–50), as He is put to death during the reign of Tiberius. The reference to Jesus here as “the prince of the covenant” is a powerful marker that helps show us the flow of historical events, again giving readers powerful evidence of God’s amazing foreknowledge. God has been right on all that has come before in these prophecies; so, we can surely trust Him on what He says will happen in the future.
Daniel 11:29–39 refers to a new power system. Although this system stands in continuation with the pagan Roman Empire and inherits some characteristics of its predecessor, at the same time it seems to be different in some aspects. The biblical text says that “it shall not be like the former or the latter” (Dan. 11:29, NKJV). As we look further, we find that it acts as a religious power. It aims its attack mainly at God and His people. Let us look at some of the actions perpetrated by this king. First, he will act “in rage against the holy covenant” (Dan. 11:30, NKJV). This must be a reference to God’s covenant of salvation, which this king opposes. Second, this king will produce forces that will “defile the sanctuary” and take away the “daily sacrifices” (Dan. 11:31). We noted in Daniel 8 that the little horn casts down the foundation of God’s “sanctuary” and takes away the “daily sacrifices” (Dan. 8:11). This must be understood as a spiritual attack against Christ’s ministration in the heavenly sanctuary. Third, as a consequence of his attack on the sanctuary, this power places the “abomination of desolation” (NKJV) in God’s temple. The parallel expression “transgression of desolation” points to the acts of apostasy and rebellion by the little horn (Dan. 8:13). Fourth, this power persecutes God’s people: “some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end” (Dan. 11:35, NKJV). This reminds us of the little horn, which cast down some of the host and some of the stars and trampled them (Dan. 8:10; compare with Dan. 7:25). Fifth, this king will “exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods” (Dan. 11:36, NKJV). Unsurprisingly, the little horn also speaks “pompous words” (Dan. 7:8, NKJV), even against God (Dan. 7:25).
1.0.4.1The Final Events (Dan 11:40-45- 12:1)
Examination of Daniel’s prophecies indicates that the time of the end extends from the fall of the papacy in 1798 to the resurrection of the dead (Dan. 12:2). King of the North: This name first geographically designates the Seleucid dynasty, but then it refers to pagan and finally papal Rome. As such, it does not describe a geographical location but the spiritual enemy of God’s people. In addition, we also should note that the king of the North represents a counterfeit of the true God, who in the Bible is symbolically associated with the North (Isa. 14:13). King of the South: This name at first designates the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, south of the Holy Land. But as the prophecy unfolds, it acquires a theological dimension, and is associated by some scholars with atheism. As Ellen G. White, commenting on the reference to Egypt in Revelation 11:8, says, “This is atheism.”—The Great Controversy, p. 269. The glorious holy mountain: In Old Testament times this expression referred to Zion, the capital and heart of Israel and geographically located in the Promised Land. After the Cross, God’s people are no longer defined along ethnic and geographical lines. Therefore, the holy mountain must be a symbolic designation of God’s people spread throughout the world. So, perhaps, we can interpret events like this: (1) The king of the South attacks the king of the North: the French Revolution attempted to eradicate religion and defeat the papacy but failed. (2) The king of the North attacks and defeats the king of the South: the forces of religion headed by the papacy and its allies will eventually overcome the forces of atheism and will form a coalition with the defeated enemy. (3) Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon will escape: some of those not counted among God’s true people will join the fold in the last hour. (4) The king of the North prepares to attack the holy mountain but comes to his end: the forces of evil are destroyed, and God’s kingdom is established.) (Continue in next section after viewing the Chart)
Note: Update on Jacob's time of trouble to be at the Sixth Plague based on deeper understanding of Spirit of Prophecy as discussed in Par 2.1.3.1.4.2 The Death Decree.
1.1 The Last Crisis Catalyst (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0alg0LxJYS0&t=1147s (34:43) Dr Norman McNulty 1 The EndTime Prophetic Catalyst - Last Day Events Explained SDA 2020 Sep 25, 2020)
This is a passage that was written over 100 years ago by Ellen White, the messenger of God for the last day events, that is so appropriate in the our present experience with Covid-19 since February 2020:
We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. {9T 11.1}
The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones (when that trigger comes) {9T 11.2}
The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers (modern day media) are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails. {9T 11.3} (Things could change very rapidly as we have seen through this Covid-19 pandemic, the civil unrest which is a very unsettling time to be alive not knowing what the future holds if we don’t have faith in the Lord.)
1.1.1 End of Earth’s History
This should be our response as we see the end of earth’s history. We should be examining ourselves whether we are in the lukewarm Laodicean state when God is giving us an opportunity to wake up and to work as never before.
“We are rapidly approaching the end of this earth's history; and as we realize that Jesus is indeed coming soon, we shall be aroused to labor as never before. We are bidden to sound an alarm to the people. And in our own lives we are to show forth the power of truth and righteousness. The world is soon to meet the great Lawgiver over His broken law. Those only who turn from transgression to obedience can hope for pardon and peace. “ {2SM 402.4} (To be a witness to the power of truth and righteousness, the people should see righteousness in our lives and would want the same experience.
1.1.1.1 Arouse the Church
We are to raise the banner on which is inscribed, "The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Obedience to God's law is the great issue. Let it not be put out of sight. We must strive to arouse church members, and those who make no profession, to see and obey the claims of the law of Heaven. We are to magnify this law and make it honorable. {2SM 403.1} (It is by understanding how to love the law of God which is a transcript of God’s character, and in loving the law of God our lives are strengthened daily to meet new crisis and prepare for the final crisis before the second coming. Living in times like this that are causing great unease and anxiety in the world around us we need to have answers from the word of God. Everything we do now in expectancy is to advance God’s kingdom is to prepare ourselves and help others to prepare for Jesus coming)
In God’s last day church, the thing that enrages Satan is that there are people who by the grace and power of Jesus Christ are keeping the commandments of God (Rev 12:17). It is not by our own strength that we can live obedient lives because by faith Christ is living within us. The great issue in the great controversy is obedience in keeping God’s law which Satan contends that God’s law cannot be obeyed. We must strive to reach out to wake up Laodiceans within the church and to secular people who don’t believe in God.
1.1.1.2 Speculations on Final Crisis Events
It is only natural that Covid-19 that has impact to anyone’s death on a world-wide scale will cause many different theories (even in the church) about what would trigger the end of the world. The popular ones are: financial collapse, nuclear bomb going off, and global warming and causes a lot of confusion in knowing how the world will end.
Bible prophecy tells us the 1260 day prophecy taking us to 1798 which identifies the time of the end and the 2300 day prophecy takes us to 1844 as the hour of God’s judgment. (Watch The Investigative Judgment: Is it Biblical? 10 Facts! , Dustin Pestlin Apr 3, 2021 Hope Through Prophecy)
1.1.2 The Ten Virgins
The Bible then gives us the scenario on the sign that the end of the world has truly come in “The Ten Virgins.”(Matthew 25:1-13) which is one of Jesus parables, The church (Virgin symbol) is sleeping because of the delayed coming of the bride groom (Christ) -vv 1-5. The midnight cry wakes up the sleeping church (v 6), the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins are all asleep. The midnight cry signifies the end of all things with the second coming of Christ, and only the wise virgins are prepared with sufficient oil in their lamp to enter into the wedding before the door closes on the foolish virgins who had to look for oil to their lamps and consequent found the door shut on them because of their delay.The midnight cry tells the church that Jesus is at the door. The entire church wakes up as Jesus is at the door and is here. But only the wise were prepared to enter the door to the marriage and the door is shut meaning that probation closes shortty after the midnight cry.
The midnight cry of Matt 25:6 is the prophetic catalyst that makes us know as it is synonymous to the loud cry in Rev 18:1. The entire church wakes up to the message of Rev 18, i.e. the latter rain is poured out on the wise virgins because they have the experience of the early rain (having the fruits of the Holy Spirit). Thus under the power of the latter rain, the wise virgins are able to give the loud cry message under the power of the latter rain before they go into the marriage and before probation closes.
The loud cry repeats the second angel’s message that Babylon is fallen and that her sins have reached unto heaven. Ellen White explains:
1.1.2.1 Babylon's Sins Reach Heaven
"She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 14:6-8). How is this done? By forcing men to accept a spurious sabbath.--8T 94 (1904). {LDE 198.2}
Not yet, however, can it be said that . . . "she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She has not yet made all nations do this. . . . {LDE 198.3}
Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future ( since it was given in 1844. The midnight cry can be given because the National Sunday law is enforced, the abomination of desolation.).--GC 389, 390 (1911). {LDE 198.4}
When do her sins reach unto heaven [Revelation 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation.--ST June 12, 1893. {LDE 198.5} The National Sunday law (NSL) is when Babylon’s sins reach heaven and there is the loud cry message from heaven where God’s character illuminates the earth with its glory and warning calling His children to come out of Babylon.
1.1.2.2 National Sunday Law (NSL) is Catalyst
Sunday law is our last chance to flee the cities. The way the world is heading, the sooner we have the opportunity to get out with a safe plan; this is the counsel, The siege of Jerusalem (connected with the abomination of desolation) is analogous with the NSL, not the Covid-19 or something else. It is the papal Sabbath being enforced by a decree, i.e. the enforcement of National Sunday law (NSL).
It is no time now for God's people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure in the world. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize. Every talent lent of God should be used to His glory in giving the warning to the world. God has a work for His co-laborers to do in the cities. Our missions must be sustained; new missions must be opened. To carry forward this work successfully will require no small outlay. Houses of worship are needed, where the people may be invited to hear the truths for this time. For this very purpose, God has entrusted a capital to His stewards. Let not your property be tied up in worldly enterprises, so that this work shall be hindered. Get your means where you can handle it for the benefit of the cause of God. Send your treasures before you into heaven. {5T 464.3}
1.1.2.2.1 Agitation for Sunday Law
There is going to be an agitation for a Sunday law. So when things start happening in the world where Sunday is being agitated then we will know that we are really at the end. ( Sunday rest as effective way to combat environmental pollution and climate change – Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=383WORq1O3U&t=115s -Stephen Bohr - Climate Change, Is It Real? May 8, 2017Autumn Leaves NZ)
Latest must watch YouTube videos:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXtmnaQWXr8 (19:56) - The World Wonders After The Beast | The Path To A Sunday Law | EYES ON THE TIMES Jun 29, 2021 ProphesyAgainTV
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey7WkWois8w ( 40:54) Mene Mene Tekel: Weighing Climate Change, Pope Francis, and Vegetarianism by Matthew Priebe, Jun 27, 2021 Dennis Priebe Ministries
SPECIAL ALERT!! In 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical on caring for the Earth. What are the implications of the Papacy taking a stand on this issue? Climate change has received a lot of attention over the last few decades. Is this a real threat? What should be the Christian response to this issue? Finally, does vegetarianism have anything to do with either of these issues? In this presentation, my son Matthew Priebe will be sharing his research about these questions. For a written version of this presentation, visit our Free Documents section of our website at https://ask-the-animals.com/free-arti.
Notice the statement by Ellen White:
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}
Since the middle of the nineteenth century, students of prophecy in the United States have presented this testimony to the world. In the events now taking place is seen a rapid advance toward the fulfillment of the prediction. With Protestant teachers there is the same claim of divine authority for Sundaykeeping, and the same lack of Scriptural evidence, as with the papal leaders who fabricated miracles to supply the place of a command from God. The assertion that God's judgments are visited upon men for their violation of the Sunday-sabbath, will be repeated; already it is beginning to be urged. And a movement to enforce Sunday observance is fast gaining ground. {GC 579.1}
So when we start to see Sunday observance being agitated we will know that we are getting close. The next passage makes it even clearer how the Sunday law movement will be agitated. Satan is the one who brings calamities that God permits and then he will deceive men to declare that these calamities that he created people have desecrate Sunday. .
(This time is right upon us. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth. ) When the angel of mercy folds her wings and departs, Satan will do the evil deeds he has long wished to do. Storm and tempest, war and bloodshed,--in these things he delights, and thus he gathers in his harvest. And so completely will men be deceived by him that they will declare that these calamities are the result of the desecration of the first day of the week.(Satan is the one who brings the calamities and then deceive men to declare that these calamities that he created are because people have been desecrating Sunday.) From the pulpits of the popular churches will be heard the statement that the world is being punished because Sunday is not honored as it should be. And it will require no great stretch of imagination for men to believe this. They are guided by the enemy, and therefore they reach conclusions which are entirely false.) {RH, September 17, 1901 par. 9} So when we hear the leading Sunday ministers of our time, (Jerry Falwell Jr., Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Rick Warren) agitating in calling for Sunday worship because God has been pouring out judgment on America, we will know that Jesus is at the door and Sunday law is about to come. Sudden unlooked for Calamity
1.1.2.2.1.1 Why God Took Sunday Away Conjecture
Consider the take that a Sunday minister, Pr Robert Field ( Baptist Church) has given on the reasons in his sermon “Why God Took Sunday Away” - (https://4the10.net/god-took-Sunday-away.html)
He commented that the live-streams are a poor replacement for gathering on the Lord’s day. He says this is a judgment on His people and the Sunday churches need to wake up and hear His voice. He says the virus is a judgment on the Christian Church. The church is closed on Sunday as God has eradicated worship on His day. He is sending a message that He is not pleased with what the Christian church has done to His day of worship. (Note the irony that Sunday worshippers do not realize yet they have not been following the fourth commandment in worshipping on Sunday instead of on Sabbath) He says perhaps with the loss of Sunday worship we will see its necessity. He is advocating for the return of the Sunday worship law by the civil government. Then will we look at what will eventually trigger the Sunday law for the wrong understanding of God’s final warning (even from many Christian demoninations) that is agitating for Sunday worship of the beast..
1.1.2.2.2 Sudden Unlooked for Calamity
It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will show whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied. {COL 412.1}
1.1.2.2.2.1 The Ten Virgins Evening Watch
It will be an unlooked for calamity that will trigger the Sunday law, the midnight cry. When we look at what’s happening in the world around us will we be able to discern it? But unless we are sound asleep to know what’s happening with the Covid-19 pandemic and also the civil unrest that if it doesn’t get better in a hypothetical sense, if we have a terrible second wave of Covid-19, unrest get out of control, how people will call for Sunday to be honoured because we have been desecrating that day as a nation. The issue raised is to come back to God Then we will realize that Jesus is at the door. Certainly the C-19 is a wakeup call but it’s not the end of all things. It is a precursor. It serves a clear sign. It could be a sign for the end.
As believes in the soon return of Jesus, Seventh-day Adventists have long looked at prophecy to best understand what signs will precede the coming of Jesus. In this presentation, we will look at the prophetic catalyst that will usher in the point of no return for the final events of Earth's history. It is the National Sunday Law that will be the trigger. This presentation forms the foundation for the topics that come afterward as we seek to understand end-time prophecy and to be ready for Christ's soon return.
1.1.2.2.3 Redemption Near the Door (Luk 21:25-31).
Luk 21:25 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; Luk 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.”
(As we see the Covid -19 infections and fatalities climbs and signs of the associated crisis all around us we see that the Summer Fig tree and be reminded of Jesus parables and then see clearly the signs of the coming of Jesus. We can have confidence that as other hearts is failing them for fear, we can look up knowing that our redemption draws near. This is the good news we must share that we have a friend in Jesus. We need to have a clear understanding on what are going to be coming upon this world. We need to have a clear walk with the Lord and to realize that He is coming to save us. We must make use of this window of opportunity to share the truth for this time with the world around us. We should not be caught up in speculation but to follow the clear delineated prophetic signs that have been given that the Sunday Law is the trigger, the catalyst upon which all other end-time events will fall into place as domino pieces based on this earth’s history. All of the things that are happening right now are setting the table for a Sunday law at some point ( Sunday rest as a disguise in combating Global warming) We don’t know exactly when the Sunday law will take place, but we must be mindful and be ready for the soon coming of Jesus.
2. Day and Hour of Jesus Coming – Day of Destruction & Deliverance/Reward
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx7yD6S8Pqc (40:21) 2 The Abomination of Desolation - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SD Sep 25, 2020)
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”- Mat 24:36
The Lord has shown me that the message of the third angel must go, and be proclaimed to the scattered children of the Lord, but it must not be hung on time. I saw that some were getting a false excitement, arising from preaching time; but the third angel's message is stronger than time can be. I saw that this message can stand on its own foundation and needs not time to strengthen it; and that it will go in mighty power, and do its work, and will be cut short in righteousness. {EW 75.1} Time has not been a test since 1844 (2300 days prophecy), and it will never again be a test. Anyone who reapply the 1290 days and 1335 days (Dan 12:11,12) to literal prophecies beyond the historical fulfillment in setting time are false teachers.
Ellen White says, I there stated in public that the Lord had been pleased to show me that there would be no definite time in the message given of God since 1844.--2SM 73 (1885). {LDE 35.3} Our position has been one of waiting and watching, with no time-proclamation to intervene between the close of the prophetic periods in 1844 and the time of our Lord's coming.--10MR 270 (1888). {LDE 36.1}
The people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time [Revelation 10:4-6], reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.--7BC 971 (1900). {LDE 36.2}
The significance and purpose of 1290 days & 1335 days (Dan 12:11,12) is a referral to Dan 10:31, describing the historical event then and pointing to the key pivot of 508 A.D. to arrive at 1798 A.D and 1843 A.D. God’s people as sworn by Christ will no longer be scattered after 1798 and those who live to 1843 who would be a part of the Millerite movement would gain a special blessing.
From 1844, we have a message that is based on character preparation not date setting. Jesus has clearly said no one know the time of His coming. God raised up the second Advent movement to take the Gospel to the world. It is not only a proclamation but a demonstration as a witness to vindicate against Satan lies that God’s law cannot be obeyed. Then, the world will end. When God has a people whom He can entrust His latter rain power and receive the seal of the living God, then we will see the abomination of desolation which is the National Sunday law. Therefore the signs and trigger is when we see the abomination of desolation which is the National Sunday law.
God is not waiting on the Pope, He is not waiting on the U.S. President and the Pope to form a conspiracy to create a national Sunday law. But that will be the trigger to let us know that Jesus is here. God, however, is waiting for a people who can give the everlasting gospel as a witness with the fruits of the Spirit as a demonstration of what Christ’s character is like. Then God will allow the Sunday law to move forward. We must want to be the people who God uses to be filled with the Spirit. We want to be the wise virgin with the extra oil in our vessels which is the spirituality in our life (heart, mind and soul) We want to have that extra oil, the fruits of the spirit in our lives so that we can reflect Christ. We will then be prepared when the final crisis hits.
The Covid-19 pandemic isn’t necessarily settling down in spite of the vaccination. With the rise in civil unrest, we have to keep an eye prophetically because if the world continues the way it is, it will not be able to stand much longer economically. The fact that all this is happening suggests that we as God’s people are getting closer and closer to being ready to receive the seal of the living God. If your heart is not right with the Lord make sure that you surrender all, place all on the altar and that you are ready for Him to come.
The judgment of the living in the investigative judgment begins when the NSL begins. This is when the Church (its members) is tested individually when the fruits are seen and then probation closes, sometime after the NSL begins. (Watch The Investigative Judgment: Is it Biblical? 10 Facts!, Dustin Pestlin Apr 3, 2021 Hope Through Prophecy) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFc5ZzLlj6Q )
The basis for the midnight cry to be the same as the Loud cry is covered by Ellen White:
When the third angel's message is preached as it should be, power attends its proclamation, and it becomes an abiding influence. It must be attended with divine power, or it will accomplish nothing. I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter (in the Millerite movement* ), for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time. In the parable, the ten virgins had lamps, but only five of them had the saving oil with which to keep their lamps burning. This represents the condition of the Church. The wise and the foolish have their Bibles, and are provided with all the means of grace; but many do not appreciate the fact that they must have the heavenly unction. They do not heed the invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." {RH, August 19, 1890 par. 3}
(Note: The Millerite* movement was a fulfillment of the parable of the Ten Virgins. The midnight cry in their history took place when the date was set for October 22, 1844. They believed that Jesus was coming on October 22, 1844. But that date was not set very clearly until Aug 18, 1844 in a camp meeting in the message that was given by Samuel Snow ( Aug 12). His will happen again with the Second Advent movement, the SDA church, then the midnight cry is the Loud Cry (Rev 18:1) when the latter rain is poured out and the church goes forth proclaiming the message, behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye to meet Him which correlates with Rev 18 that concludes with the message that her (Babylon) sins have reached unto heaven. God hath remembered her iniquities (when the law of God is made void by legislation).) This law singularly reaches all the way to heaven, that is enforced nationally in America and eventually internationally that changes Sabbath to Sunday. This is the fulfillment of the final events of earth’s history. ) (Watch The Investigative Judgment: Is it Biblical? 10 Facts! , Dustin Pestlin Apr 3, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFc5ZzLlj6Q
2.1 Abomination of Desolation
Jesus made reference to the abomination of desolation in Scripture Matt 24:14,15; Mk 13:14; Luk 21:20,21. He wants us to study it.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Matthew 24, the chapter on signs of Jesus coming)
Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: (Roman army idolatrous standards surrounding Jerusalem. The abomination is to unite the sacred with the profane and idolatrous and then destruction would follow. This was because the Jews rejected the Messiah and their probation close as a nation in 34 A.D. The execution took place when the city of Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D, Effective from 34 A.D the Christian church became the spiritual Israelite as prophesied in Dan 9:24-27 – 70 weeks (490 years) and the abomination of desolation. Jesus ministry began in the last week of the 70 weeks He was cut off in the midst of the week, 31 A.D, Dan 8 reveals that shall make Jerusalem desolate that king of fierce countenances as a judgment for the Jews )
Luk 21:20 “ And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto:”(This is the initial fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem as the initial application. This is also going to apply to the end of the world. )
“Jesus declared to the listening disciples the judgments that were to fall upon apostate Israel, and especially the retributive vengeance that would come upon them for their rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah. Unmistakable signs would precede the awful climax. The dreaded hour would come suddenly and swiftly. And the Saviour warned His followers: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains." Matthew 24:15, 16; Luke 21:20, 21. When the idolatrous standards of the Romans should be set up in the holy ground, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight. When the warning sign should be seen, those who would escape must make no delay. Throughout the land of Judea, as well as in Jerusalem itself, the signal for flight must be immediately obeyed. He who chanced to be upon the housetop must not go down into his house, even to save his most valued treasures. Those who were working in the fields or vineyards must not take time to return for the outer garment laid aside while they should be toiling in the heat of the day. They must not hesitate a moment, lest they be involved in the general destruction. {GC 25.4}
The end-time application is the NSL which is our abomination of desolation. So when we are investing in this world with our money, we are investing in the wrong place. This world is going to fall apart very rapidly at the rate it is going. We want to make sure we are laying treasures in heaven.
This is history as amplified by the Spirit of Prophecy. The initial abomination of desolation is the Roman army surrounding Jerusalem. Placing its idolatrous standard in the holy place and outside the city of Jerusalem. Then it destroyed the city, the abomination of desolation. The end-time application for God’s people is the NSL. The abomination is that a law is passed that proclaims a common secular day to be sacred, in trying to unite that which is common with that which is sacred. When church and state unite to create a law that unites the sacred with the profane then those who don’t go along with the law will be prosecuted and threatened with death.
The first trumpet is God meting out judgment on the holy city of Jerusalem for the abomination of the Jewish nation in A.D. 70 and also on Rome in A.D. 538 for the abomination in the union of church and state 508/538 (Dan 11:31). Clovis uses his army to give assistance to the papacy in A.D. 508 and then in 538 Justinian enforces the decree first given in 533 when Belisarius drives the last barbaric tribe out of the city of Rome. That decree allows the bishop of Rome to have control over the state. That is the abomination that led to the desolation throughout the 1260 years in the persecution of the saints who don’t go along with the abomination of the union of church and state. This sets the stage for final event according Ellen White inspired insight: “Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of: [Daniel 12:1-4, quoted.] {13MR 394.2}
Dan 9 shows the first abomination of desolation was the Jewish nation being destroyed by the pagan Roman Empire. But Dan 11 then sets the stage for the end of the world by showing that the abomination of desolation for the end of time starts when church and state unite with the Roman Catholic Church-state Power. This power receives a deadly wound in 1798 and no longer has power over the state. But prophecy tells us the deadly wound is healed later and again the abomination of desolation will be an issue again at the end time. Living in this end-time it is our main concern. We need to watch how it plays out and to participate in it as a co-worker with Christ.
2.1.1 Gospel to the World (Matt 24:14,15; Rev 18)
God’s people are going to take the gospel to the world for a witness (Rev 18); not simply a declaration but be seen as a demonstration of the gospel- that final demonstration of the gospel is Revelation 18 -“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.”(v.1) When this is done then the end will come (Matt 25:14)
The loud cry message will be given simultaneously with the Sunday law being agitated and being carried out in some places causing the beginning of the little time of trouble. ( The four stages of the Sunday law will be discussed next)
Final Abomination of Desolation Scenario (Repetition Pattern) (Dan 11:41-45)
The papacy (King of the North) when healed makes a comeback against the atheism ( King of the South )that delivered the deadly wound, enters (to conquer) into the glorious land (universal territory of God’s people- Spiritual Israel) Papacy conquer God’s people through a law that will force them to severe their allegiance with the God of heaven, which is the law of God, especially Sabbath, the fourth commandment, by following a man-made law that shows the papacy has power over the church and the state. This is the mark of the beast. This is the renewal of the abomination of desolation (Dan 11:41).
2.1.2 Final Siege of Jerusalem (Dan 11:44-45)
It was the tidings from the East and the North that infuriates the King of the North and “he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many (the death decree).” v44. “And he shall plant the tabernacles ( place of worship) of his palace ( political authority) between the seas in the glorious holy mountain ( Mount Zion); yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.”-v45. (The death decree is associated with the a Sunday law that if you don’t go along with this Sunday law that was first enacted when th King of the North enters into the glorious land. By the time it comes down to the glorious holy mountain (Jerusalem) he threatens a death decree. It is at that time that Michael stands up to deliver His people.(Dan 12:1). Michael stands up because God’s remnant church is under siege by the end-time Papal power. The abomination of desolation reaches a climax.
2.1.3 Earth’s Final Warning
"I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:1, 2, 4. {GC 603.1}
This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible condition of the religious world is here described. ..In defiance of the warnings which God has given, they will continue to trample upon one of the precepts of the Decalogue, until they are led to persecute those who hold it sacred…. {GC 603.2}
The prophet says: "I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. . . . And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Then the extremity of God's people is his opportunity to show who is the governor of heaven and earth. As a Satanic power is stirring up the elements from beneath, God will send light and power to his people, that the message of truth may be proclaimed to all the world. {ST, June 12, 1893 par. 13}
Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been--the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before. {GC 605.3} (We have reached the point where many SDAs are scoffing at the idea of a Sunday law. So it is this Sunday law that will empower the church to give the loud cry message because it’s been so long doubted that there are many scoffers in the church even today. It will produce an effect of the third angel’s message that we have not yet seen. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been--the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before. {GC 605.3}
2.1.3.1 Four Stages of Sunday Law (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGT9yIKflBo (40:23) 3 The Four Stages of the Sunday Law - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA Sep 25, 2020)
The imposition of the Sunday law goes through four stages, and it is not going to be a short period for it to arrive to its final judgment for the perpetrator to be exposed and justifiably eradicated. At the same time the final movements will be rapid ones as foretold by Ellen White, so it will not be long periods either (not like the Covid -19 pandemic), but it will be more than a few weeks or a few months at least.
The skeletal outline:
1. Refrain from Working on Sunday – 9T 232, 233; CT 550, 551
2. Honour Sunday, but can still worship on Sabbath – GC 608
3. Cannot worship on Sabbath, only Sunday fines and imprisonment imposed – GC 607
4. Cannot buy or sell without the mark of the beast; Death penalty to those who worship Sabbath and disregard Sunday- Rev 13:15-17; GC 604, 621, 635
2.1.3.1.1 Stage One of Sunday Law
The Sunday law will start off because of the agitation for it with an encouragement to refrain from working on Sunday as a day of rest. There is already the Green Sabbath Project promoting: one day every week to do nothing- Take a weekly day of rest. Make it a real Sabbath for you. Don’t drive, don’t shop, don’t build. These sentiments are gathering steam in certain corners of the earth that we have not seen before. These are environmentalists, not evangelical Christians. They are agitating for this idea without know the truth about Sabbath rest. So pay attention. Watch and pray. Jesus is coming and this is going to happen and even at the door.
This is the counsel from Ellen White: “Dear Brother: I will try to answer your question as to what you should do in the case of Sunday laws being enforced.” {9T 232.1}
The light given me by the Lord at a time when we were expecting just such a crisis as you seem to be approaching, was that when the people were moved by a power from beneath to enforce Sunday observance, Seventh-day Adventists were to show their wisdom by refraining from their ordinary work on that day, devoting it to missionary effort. {9T 232.2}
To defy the Sunday laws will but strengthen in their persecution the religious zealots who are seeking to enforce them. Give them no occasion to call you lawbreakers. If they are left to rein up men who fear neither God nor man, the reining up will soon lose its novelty for them, and they will see that it is not consistent nor convenient for them to be strict in regard to the observance of Sunday. Keep right on with your missionary work, with your Bibles in your hands, and the enemy will see that he has worsted his own cause. One does not receive the mark of the beast because he shows that he realizes the wisdom of keeping the peace by refraining from work that gives offense, doing at the same time a work of the highest importance.” {9T 232.3}
Refraining from work is not receiving the mark of the beast. It is the worshipping on the day prescribed. But refraining from work on Sunday gives us an opportunity to go out and do new missionary work, to do door-to-door work. (to allow god’s people with the face lighted up to give the message of the loud cry)
“When we devote Sunday to missionary work, the whip will be taken out of the hands of the arbitrary zealots who would be well pleased to humiliate Seventh-day Adventists. When they see that we employ ourselves on Sunday in visiting the people and opening the Scriptures to them, they will know that it is useless for them to try to hinder our work by making Sunday laws. {9T 232.4}
Make no demonstration on Sunday in defiance of law. If this is done in one place, and you are humiliated, the same thing will be done in another place. We can use Sunday as a day on which to carry forward work that will tell on the side of Christ. We are to do our best, working with all meekness and lowliness.” {9T 235.1}
2.1.3.1.2 Stage Two of Sunday Law
Stage One will not last for very long to get to Stage Two where you can still observe Sabbath Rest. Now a law is put in place everyone must honour and worship on Sunday in addition to refrain from working. Now social pressure will increase and once there is a law actually enforces the worship of Sunday, this is the beginning of the “little time of trouble.”* So this is the dilemma, if you worship on that day you are receiving the mark of the beast either on your forehead or on your right hand (Rev 13:16) . At this point many SDAs will compromise even though it has not reached stages III and IV (imprisonment, can’t buy or sell and death decree).
2.1.3.1.2.1 The little Time of Trouble* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSA_79iAPvY - 5 The Little Time of Trouble - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA Sep 25, 2020)
(Note: “The Little Time of Trouble”* refers to A Time of Trouble Before Probation Closes and the pouring of the seven last plagues. On page 33 [of Early Writings] is the clarification: ". . . At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully." {LDE 143.1}
This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfillment of that view is beginning to be seen. "The commencement of that time of trouble," here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel.--EW 85, 86 (1854). {LDE 143.2} )
This pressure to compromise is expressed in this statement:
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. {GC 608.2} (This warning is applicable to us now. If we are not being sanctified through obedience to the truth; if the sweet Spirit of Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit are not developing in your heart on a daily basis, you are preparing to receive the mark of the beast. If you are learning to unite with the spirit of the world and choose the easy popular side when there is a crisis, you are preparing to receive the mark of the beast.
The “little” time of trouble is the initial stage of the “great” time of trouble implied but not used by Ellen White. This “little” time period covers the first thee stages of the National (U.S.A.) Sunday law as front-runner for the rest of the world. By the mercy of God, when the NSL is enforced initially in the first stage mode, we who are still skeptical about the truth in God’s word, in the end-time prophecies and in particular the final message of warning in the third angel’s message that will swell to the loud cry that will be given in stage one of the Sunday law must check things out by reading the Bible. Jesus tells the world through His disciples the sign of His coming, and of the end of the world starting with “take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”-Mat 24:4-5. 11 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Therefore, the people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness.The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested. {GC 593.1})
“So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready. {GC 594.1}
But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority--not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support. {GC 595.1}
The truth and the glory of God are inseparable; it is impossible for us, with the Bible within our reach, to honor God by erroneous opinions. Many claim that it matters not what one believes, if his life is only right. But the life is molded by the faith. If light and truth is within our reach, and we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it, we virtually reject it; we are choosing darkness rather than light. {GC 597.2}
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 16:25. Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin, when there is every opportunity to know the will of God. A man is traveling and comes to a place where there are several roads and a guideboard indicating where each one leads. If he disregards the guideboard, and takes whichever road seems to him to be right, he may be ever so sincere, but will in all probability find himself on the wrong road. {GC 597.3}
God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us…. {GC 598.1}
Important events that begin and end with the close of probation and the beginning of the great time of time are:
1. Judgment of the living begins when the cases of all the dead ( starting with Adam and Eve that started in Oct 22, 1844, have been decided.
2. The Outpouring of the Latter Rain and the Loud cry (Rev 18:1-5)
3 The sealing of the living, the 144,000, the last generation, and all the cases for citizenship of God’s kingdom are decided.
The progression to the great time of trouble is Stage Four of the Sunday law with the close of probation. Then the winds of strives are unchecked and Satan and his evil angels are allowed free rein to persecute and kill God’s people, filling up the cup of God’s wrath with the outpouring of the Seven Last Plagues.
“All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard of God's holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast.--2SM 380 (1886). {LDE 145.1}
Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God's messages of warning will be under strong deception and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God. . . . {LDE 145.2}
This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.--14MR 162 (1899). {LDE 145.3}
The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work papists and Protestants unite.--GC 607 (1911).” {LDE 145.4}
In the last great conflict in the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers they will be forbidden to buy or sell.--DA 121, 122 (1898). {LDE 148.4}
Satan says . . . "For fear of wanting food and clothing they will join with the world in transgressing God's law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion."--PK 183, 184 (c. 1914). {LDE 149.1}
Some will be imprisoned because they refuse to desecrate the Sabbath of the Lord.--PC 118 (1907). {LDE 149.2}
Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be "betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends," even unto death.--PK 588 (c. 1914). {LDE 150.3
The best thing for us is to come into close connection with God and, if He would have us be martyrs for the truth's sake, it may be the means of bringing many more into the truth.--3SM 420 (1886). {LDE 149.5}
Many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth.--3SM 397 (1889). {LDE 150.1} (NSL is the last chance to flee from the cities. It is best to get out when you can. Do not wait until the last moment (like Lot in Sodom and the plight of his wife and his children who wil not be in the kingdom) ) if you can leave sooner (for people living in small island nation we will have to trust in god fully.)
“It is no time now for God's people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure in the world. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places- the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize. Every talent lent of God should be used to His glory in giving the warning to the world. God has a work for His colaborers to do in the cities. Our missions must be sustained; new missions must be opened. To carry forward this work successfully will require no small outlay. Houses of worship are needed, where the people may be invited to hear the truths for this time. For this very purpose, God has entrusted a capital to His stewards. Let not your property be tied up in worldly enterprises, so that this work shall be hindered. Get your means where you can handle it for the benefit of the cause of God. Send your treasures before you into heaven.” {5T 464.3} (Towns and cities are not so safe as the Sunday law crisis escalates through the four stages. The final refuge will be in the mountains and wilderness.)
The members of the church should individually hold themselves and all their possessions upon the altar of God. Now, as never before, the Saviour's admonition is applicable: "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Those who are fastening their means in large houses, in lands, in worldly enterprises, are saying by their actions: "God cannot have it; I want it for myself." They have bound up their one talent in a napkin and hid it in the earth. There is cause for such to be alarmed. Brethren, God has not entrusted means to you to lie idle nor to be covetously retained or hid away, but to be used to advance His cause, to save the souls of the perishing. It is not the time now to bind up the Lord's money in your expensive buildings and your large enterprises, while His cause is crippled and left to beg its way, the treasury half-supplied. The Lord is not in this way of working. Remember, the day is fast approaching when it will be said: "Give an account of thy stewardship." Can you not discern the signs of the times? {5T 465.1}
In harmony with the light given me, I am urging people to come out from the great centers of population. Our cities are increasing in wickedness, and it is becoming more and more evident that those who remain in them unnecessarily do so at the peril of their soul's salvation.--Manuscript 115, 1907. {CL 9.4}
In the little time of trouble, some of God’s people will die as martyrs for the faith (Dan 11:33) to be witnesses to convict unbelievers to believe in God. But there will be no more deaths of God’s people after the close of probation in the fourth stage of the Sunday law with the death decree.
2.1.3.1.2.2 The Promise of the Latter Rain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOfYuWwX72Y - 6 The Latter Rain and the Loud Cry - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA Sep 25, 2020)
The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was "the former rain," and glorious was the result (at Pentecost). But the latter rain will be more abundant.--8T 21 (1904). {LDE 185.5}
Near the close of earth's harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain.--AA 55 (1911). {LDE 186.1}
Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children.--GC 464 (1911). {LDE 186.2} (The future of Adventism is a revival of primitive godliness that has not been witnessed since apostolic times and that will take place when God has a people who have allowed Christ to come in so that we will have the fruits of the Spirit as we live obedient lives that we can receive the outpouring of the latter rain.It is not to look to the new normal of the New World Order, to be like the world, but to return to primitive godliness in looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.)
The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the "former rain" was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the "latter rain" will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest.--GC 611 (1911). {LDE 186.3}
The Early Rain Experience
At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. . . . As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain.--TM 507, 509 (1897). {LDE 187.1}
The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in each soul. If it is welcomed as an honored guest, those who receive it will be made complete in Christ. The good work begun will be finished; the holy thoughts, heavenly affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of impure thoughts, perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts.--CH 561 (1896). {LDE 187.2} (This is the fruits of the Holy Spirit received in the early experience (Act 1:8-9,2:1-4) so that we can be developed for the receiving of the latter rain- don’t expect the latter rain to be poured out upon you if you were not asking and preparing for it in order to be able to withstand the time of Jacob’s trouble, (See Zec 10:1; Jer 3:1-3- Act 3:19,20, tells the apostate church to repent “and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”- (on the day of atonement with the outpouring of the latter rain and seal of God)- then probation closes shortly after );”And he shall send Jesus Christ (His second coming),” God will give the Holy Spirit ln the early and latter rain only to those “that obey Him” - (Act 5:32). We are saved by grace through faith which produces obedience in our lives and God pours out the Holy Spirit to those that obey Him.
The Latter Rain Experience
In the Jewish economy, the early rain allowed the seeds to germinate and the latter rain is needed for the ripening of the harvest. Prophetically the early rain is received at Pentecost and Christ is waiting patiently to pour out the latter rain to gather the precious fruit of the earth (Ja 7:7,8; Mk 4: 28,29). But many in the church are content to be lukewarm and are not ashame of our spiritual nakedness. So Jesus is standing at the door knocking saying let me come in. But we refuse to let Him come in because we enjoy our comfortable worldly lifestyle and play the part of the harlot towards God (Jer 3:1-3).
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Galatians 5:22, 23. This fruit can never perish, but will produce after its kind a harvest unto eternal life. {COL 68.1}
"When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. {COL 69.1}
It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain. {COL 69.2}
2.1.3.1.2.2.1 The Latter Rain Will Produce the Loud Cry
At that time the "latter rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.--EW 86 (1854). {LDE 186.4}
I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. . . . I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel."--EW 271 (1858). {LDE 186.5} (When Laodicea lets Christ come in we receive the outpouring of the latter rain so that we can give the loud cry of the third angel’s message (Rev 18:1-5.) This is not just a proclamation but a demonstration of the character of God as the end-time message.
The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel. - {6T 19.1} (When we are truly filled with the fruits of the Spirit then thw world will see who Jesus really is through God’s last day people . That message has to sound from one end of the world to the other.
As the third message swells to a loud cry and as great power and glory attend the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble.--7BC 984 (1862). {LDE 201.1}
As the third angel's message swells into a loud cry, great power and glory will attend its proclamation. The faces of God's people will shine with the light of heaven. {7T 17.1}
I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. {EW 278.1}
When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, ..Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) {Ev 693.2} ( It is during the little time of trouble while the persecution breaks upon the world that this loud cry will swell and lighten the earth with the glory of God. So while the little time of trouble is happening we are going to be filled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. With holy boldness we are going to give this message with great power and glory for the glory of God.
The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. .. {GC 611.1 Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. ..{GC 612.1}
2.1.3.1.2.2.2 Not All Will Receive the Latter Rain
There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations, they will oppose the work. "Why," they say, "should not we know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?"-- {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 18}(This is the result of Babylonian influences that have come into Adventism and have dumb down the gospel to make it think we can’t have victory over sin. So there will be those who are rejecting the light that is needed for this time that will prepare us to receive the outporing of the latter rain and the seal of God and give the loud cry message.
I was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting.--1T 619 (1867). {LDE 195.1}
Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come. There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who will not unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less.--1SM 122 (1887). {LDE 195.2}
We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain.--TM 399 (1896). {LDE 195.3}
Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.--TM 507 (1897). {LDE 195.4}
Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the work of God.--ChS 228 (1903). {LDE 196.1}
In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. .. {5T 80.1} God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals. {5T 82.4} (Don’t look to Norman or any human speaker but to check out what they say by studying the word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy say and let the Holy Spirit bring conviction to you and to make use of you. In the last day thousand of voices will be united to give the last message of warning to the world. Rev 14:14-20 is a description of the great harvest at the time of the second coming of Jesus- Christ sitting on a cloud and He has a sickle in His hands and He thrusts it into the earth because the harvest of the earth is ripe.
We have a special message at this time of earth’s history. We want to be ready for Jesus to come. Jesus is coming very soon.as we see in the signs of the times. He wants to pour out the Holy Spirit upon us in the form of the latter rain. The Holy Spiritis given to those who obey Him, to those who repent, to those who turn away from the idols of this world and return to Christ and who allow Jesus to come in as He is knocking on the door of our heart. We must accept Christ and His righteousness for all that it truly us by putting away the shame of our nakeness. By His grace we will be fitted with Christlikeness and give the loud cry message.as the Sunday law is coming soon and we need to be prepared for that final crisisand we need to be fitted with the character of Jesus to face that time.
2.1.3.1.3 Stage Three of Sunday Law
The law escalades to prohibit worship on Sabbath and to worship only on Sunday. Fines and imprisonment are imposed and it will escalate to no buying or selling to violators in transition to the fourth stage.( Rev 13:15-17; Dan 11:43)) ( Note that the prophecy (Dan 11;43-44- 45) points out that the law to control monetary transaction is enacted when the King of the North controls the treasury of the entire world and then the death decree will follow.) This will surely cause many SDA to succumb who have not had the experience and trials in their lives to rely fully trusting their lives in God’s provision. Our faith is being exercised in not working on Sabbath and paying tithes even when we don’t know where the money is coming from. Those kinds of faith prepare us to receive the seal of God and avoid receiving the mark of the beast because we know that god is faithful.
Spirit of Prophecy statement on the escalation in the Sunday crisis:
“As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God's downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: "Show us from the word of God our error"--the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths. {GC 607.1} ( God vindicates Himself through the power He bestows on his people. God is vindicate through their faithfulness.)
2.1.3.1.4 Stage Four of Sunday Law
Finally we reach the fourth stage where the death decree is announced to come into effect on a specified date (Rev 13:15-17; Dan 11:44-45) What brought his about is revealed in Dan 11:44,45- 44 “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many (death decree). 45 “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas ( people of the world who are on the side of the papacy pushing this final abomination) of desolation, the death decree on the God’s remnant) in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” The little time of trouble snowballs into time of Jacobs trouble and probation closes as the investigative is completed. Dan 12:1 “ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
Statement to substantiate this final phase of the Sunday law:
“Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator's rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts. {GC 604.2}
With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. (People will be receiving the mark of the beast at various stages of the mark of the beast enforcement, especially from stage Two onwards by way of social pressure when you are faced with fines and imprisonment and not being able to buy and sell. Some will succumb when they face death. So the mark of the beast can come at that point from Stage Two onward.) The warning from heaven is: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Revelation 14:9, 10. GC 604.3} (This is going to be part of the loud cry message that SDAs are giving during the Sunday Law crisis in telling the world don’t fall for this false religious law that is going to cause you to receive the mark of the beast. In receiving the mark of the beast, you are receiving the wrath of God which is the seven last plagues. Stand on God’s side even when it seems the whole world may be in it. With God on your side you will be brought through this crisis. This will be the final giving of the third angel’s message.
2.1.3.1.4.1 The Second Beast Speaking (Rev13: 11-14)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28yeJ87EyV8 -7 The Death Decree - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA Sep 25, 2020)
The French Revolution (1789-1799) marks the end of 1260 day prophecy. Atheism reigned supreme when God was abolished. There was the reign of terror, a 10-month period in which suspected enemies of the revolution were guillotined by the thousands. Napoleon quelled the revolution and also put the pope of Rome in prison (inflicting the deadly wound thus ending the power of the papacy for a period -Rev 13:3).
The guillotine was the swift instrument of death for the innocent French citizens is a reminder to us of the Sunday law death decree to intimidate God’s people to comply to receive the mark of the break as a final resort in the end time.
Rev 13:11-12 describes the characteristic of the second beast that identifies Protestant America speaking as a dragon (dragon had given to the first beast (papacy) his power and authority). This is when the Sunday law takes place, speaking through laws, speaking as a dragon to enforce the worship of the first beast.
Satan makes “fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” – Rev 13:13. “And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”- Rev 13:14. (This is to convince the secular world that God is on the side of this apostate Protestant power. This is ultimately fulfilled when Satan personates Christ as pointed out by Ellen White .)
2.1.3.1.4.2 The Death Decree (Rev 13:15-17)
Rev 13:15 And he (Protestant America) had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast(the first beast which is the papacy, the system of union of church and state) should be killed. (the death decree) Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (The mark of the beast is enforced Sunday worship. Enforced Sunday worship starts even in stage two and by the time we get to stage four we have a death decree for those who would not worship the image of the beast.. Rev 17:8. 11,12 also make mention of this, Rev 11:8 “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not (the papacy); and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Rev 17:11 “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” Rev 17:12 “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” Rev 17:14 “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (When the kings unite with the resurrected papacy to make war with the lamb is tentamount to enforcement of the death decree, the final fulfillment of making war with the lamb. The death decree is explicitly mentioned in Rev 13:15 and implied in Rev 17:14 and other texts in Daniel.
2.1.3.1.4.2.1 Reaction to Loud Cry
The death decree is a reaction to the loud cry message. The latter rain empowers the loud cry message to go to the entire world. It says that “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird”.-Rev 18:2. This message is given by God’s new covenant people who are obedient. It is the commandment keeping people who will infuriate the papacy to make war (invoke the death decree) (Rev 12;17 and Dan 11:41-45). Daniel’s prophecy says Papacy enters the Glorious land represents the enforcement of the national Sunday law. He enters the territory of the church for the purpose of conquering God’s people through the national Sunday law.( Dan 11:41) The loud cry message is the “tidings out of the East and out of the North shall trouble him therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.” (v 44) –this parallels Rev 12:17. “Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas (people of this world uniting with the papacy in the death decree) in the glorious holy mountain (Mount Zion); yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (Note that the latter rain power of the loud cry is unstoppable and it’s preventing Satan through the papacy from gaining control of the whole world. So he will be enraged by the remnant who keeps the commandment of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is crucial that you believe that God through His grace and strength can give you the power to obey and to write His law in your heart and mind. Don’t expect the latter rain power in the loud cry message if you reject the Spirit of Prophecy, writings of Ellen White.
2.1.3.1.4.2.1.1Close of Probation (Dan 12:1)
In response to the death decree to destroy God’s people “shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” –Dan 12:1. At that point all cases have been decided, “those who are righteous will remain righteous and those who are wicked will remain wicked” ..Rev 22:11.
“Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all things is at hand. The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath. {RH, November 19, 1908 par. 12}
Ellen White mentions that there is a death decree to those who will keep the Sabbath and do not observe the first day of the week. That leads to the close of probation where she then says and at that time Michael shall stand up.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." By this we see the importance of having our names written in the book of life. All whose names are registered there will be delivered from Satan's power, and Christ will command that their filthy garments be removed, and that they be clothed with his righteousness. "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." {RH, November 19, 1908 par. 13}
“Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator's rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts. {GC 604.2}
With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. The warning from heaven is: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Revelation 14:9, 10. {GC 604.3} (Those who think that they are doing so to save themselves will eventually find them receiving the outpouring of the full wrath of God.)
Everything at the end of the world will be going against our natural mechanism of self preservation So if we can’t buy or sell, if we can’t support our family or sustain our lives, every fiber of our being (if we are not connected with the Lord) is going to say go along , compromise, save yourself. Don’t allow yourself to lose your existence over something that seems so arbitrary. Yet, as we face death by the grace of God we will remain faithful because God’s faithful “overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”-Rev 12:11 We will be faithful even when face with a death decree and the loss of everything we have.
When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof. {GC 635.1}
The people of God--some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains--still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen. ..
With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth. Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company. The angry multitudes are suddenly arrested. Their mocking cries die away. The objects of their murderous rage are forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God's covenant and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness. {GC 635.3}{GC 635.2} – This the the moment when God‘s people will be delivered.
Chronology of Death Decree:
1. Death Decree is after the close of probation;
2. Seven last plagues begins to fall; (only the righteous with the seal of God will survive and not receive the plagues);
3. Jacob’s time of trouble is in the sixth plague and when Satan personates Christ coming. This begins- a trying time for God’s people, gone from facing martyrdom during the little time of trouble, not being able to buy or sell to the mental and spiritual anguish of knowing that probation is closed. And wondering if they are truly ready to meet Jesus in the cloud;
4. God’s people delivered at end of Jacob’s time of trouble, and at the end of the seven last plagues.
When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. ..{5T 212.5}
Being prepared for the time of Jacob’s trouble is the greatest importance for each one of us. It is not enough to know the sequence of last days events, it’s not enough to know the chronology, not enough to know the different stages of the Sunday law and when the little time of trouble and Jacob’s time of trouble begins and where these events fits into the death decree. We need to have spiritual preparation. God is giving us that time now. We are in a time of perplexity in this world. This is a trying time, a great time as God’s people to allow this moment in time of perplexity to come closer to the Lord and to allow these trials to remove impurities from your lives. God is giving this time in His mercy for every individual to be prepared for what is going to be an overwhelming surprise that strikes this world. The way this world is going that could happen at any time. God has given us clear warning signs that Jesus is coming soon. We want to be found faithful and ready.
2.1.3.1.4.2.1.2 Satan’s Crown Act (in the sixth plague)
Satan personates Christ as the last great act of the great controversy drama. This act occurs after the close of probation base on the statements:
We are warned that in the last days he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will continue these wonders until the close of probation, that he may point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light and not of darkness. {2SM 50.4} (There will be deceptions and miracles before probation closes.)
In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of light, with great power and heavenly glory, and claim to be the Lord of the whole earth. He will declare that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week; and as Lord of the first day of the week he will present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty to him. Then will take place the final fulfillment of the Revelator's prophecy. [Revelation 13:4-18, quoted.] {19MR 282.1} (This refers to Satan’s impersonation of Christ In Rev 13:3 the papacy receives a deadly wound then Verse 4 say they worship the dragon which gave power under the beast and they worshiped the beast saying who is like the beast. So this will take place when Satan personates Christ. Rev 13 is not chronologically structured and v5 does not follow v4 and skips to v8)
When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God's people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image." The sea "became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea." And "the rivers and fountains of waters . . . became blood." Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . . because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. In like manner Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all the blood of holy men which had been shed since the days of Abel; for they possessed the same spirit and were seeking to do the same work with these murderers of the prophets. {GC 627.3} At the end of this paragraph we see Satan’s performing miracles to deceive during the plagues (i.e faking Christ’s coming)
(Quotes from GC627 shows that the plagues begin to fall when probation closes. Rev 16:2 is first plague, GC 561 shows that Satan’s masterpiece of deception involves spiritualism (Rev 16:13,14) Rev 16:13-14 is a description of th sixth plague and of the battle of Armageddon. Probation has closed and yet only those kept by faith in the word of God will not be swept away by delusion. The chapter,”The Time of Trouble”, pg 613-634 begins with the close of probation on GC 613 . Satan’s crowning act of deception is in GC 624.)
Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world ( Rev 16:14), to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world's Redeemer.( false prophets ) They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures. {GC 624.1}
“Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: "Ye shall not surely die." "In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: "I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. {GC 561.2}
Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes one last desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ. He clothes himself with the garments of royalty which have been accurately described in the vision of John. He has power to do this. He will appear to his deluded followers, the Christian world who received not the love of the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (transgression of the law), as Christ coming the second time. {LDE 164.1} (This is analogous to the drying up of the river Euphrates (Rev 16:12 which is the beginning of the sixth plague.)
“As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is "the great power of God." Acts 8:10. {GC 624.2} (Many who are teetering on the fence will be swept away by this last great deception. This is the ultimate form of spiritualism when Satan does a supernatural miracle.) .
But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out. {GC 625.1} (God’s people having come through all the way to this stage are not going to be deceived because anyone who says the Sabbath has been changed to Sunday is a false Christ or a false prophet..
2.1.3.1.4.2.1.3 Prayer of Deliverance
The prayer of deliverance from the saints comes especially during Jacob’s time of trouble. It is at the end of Jacob’s time of trouble when God’s people are delivered. The battle of Armageddon is another way of describing Jacob’s time of trouble as this time occurs during the battle. When the three frogs have been released where Satan will perform his last act which is the almost overpowering delusion and God’s people have been praying for deliverance. God’s people will be at the weakest point in a sense at the end of Jacob’s ordeal and this is the final abomination.
“Then I saw that Jesus' work in the sanctuary will soon be finished. And after His work there is finished, He will come to the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the Scape Goat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance. Then the plagues will come upon the wicked, and they do not come till Jesus puts on that garment, and takes His place upon the great white cloud. Then while the plagues are falling, the Scape Goat is being led away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by the hand (The hand of the 144,000) that leads him. If he should effect his escape, Israel would lose their lives. I saw that it would take time to lead away the Scape Goat into the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put on his head. {SpM 2.1}
“When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof. {GC 635.1} (This marks the turning point for God to exercise His wrath to protect is people on the verge of being killed.)
With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth. Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company. The angry multitudes are suddenly arrested. Their mocking cries die away. The objects of their murderous rage are forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God's covenant and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness. {GC 635.3}
Satan personates Christ in his last ditch attempt to win the Great controversy. Should God’s people fail here there will be not be a people who keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. So Satan charges will be proven by the 144,000 to be a deception as he is the father of lies.
2.1.4 Preparation for the Final Crisis
There is a season of distress that is before us. Now that this pandemic is still with us, has there been change in your character from pre pandemic days. This crisis should have brought each of us closer to the Lord. Ellen White provide this counsel:
“The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God's promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded…. {GC 621.2} (So right now, after knowing about the signs of the time and relying on God’s promises that you are allowing God to strengthen and develop your faith. This is the time and opportunity and preparation to be ready for the final crisis.)Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God--how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God! {GC 621.2}
Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble. {GC 623.1} (There are a lot of false theology even in the Adventist Church today that basically says you can be covered by the righteousness of Christ while sin is in your life. Ellen White clearly says while Christ is making the atonement we should seek first to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought our Saviour be brought to yield to the temptation. This should also be our condition. As the mystery of God is finished in our lives, Christ in you the hope of glory as we receive the seal of the living God. In the time of trouble Satan will find nothing in us, It is not true that sanctification is not complete when probation closes while we are still alive. May we have a sprit now of being faithful unto death and not compromise no matter what even with delusions all around us and with any support.
We want to be found ready for the four stages of the Sunday law as the wise virgins with the extra oil in our vessels with our lamps, having the fruits of the spirit. We want to pray to be strengthened to give the loud cry fearlessly with the power of God. Christ is more than willing to aid each one of us in our preparation for that time.
2.1.4.1 Jacob’s Time of trouble (8 Jacob's Time of Trouble - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA - YouTube)
It is important to correct the misunderstanding in earlier article (FoC7 par 6.2.2.1.2.1 The Death Decree (between 2nd & 3rd plagues)) that placed it after the second last plague – and as shown in the Chart). It is true according to Dan 12:1 that as Michael stands up signifies the close of probation and the beginning of the transition from the little time of trouble to the time of trouble such as never was in the seven last plagues . Note that there were other great tribulations as in the destruction of Jerusalem that also prefigured the great tribulation of God’s people during the Dark Ages for 1260 years (great in its length of duration (Mat 24;21,22) The final great tribulation will climax in intensity instead of duration with Jacob’s time of trouble that will occur in the sixth last plague after which is the deliverance of God’s people in the seven last plague.
Jacob’s time of trouble is compared to men being in intense labor pain of women in child birth (Jer 30:5-7).The promise is given that he shall be saved out of it. It is an intense period of trouble that nobody has ever experienced. During this period God’s people are suffering intense mental anguish as Jacob did. The wicked are also suffering with the seven last plagues and those who tried to save their lives by compromising to receive the mark of the beast so as to be able to buy and sell will then agonise that they are lost and suffering the seven last plagues.
Amplifications from Ellen White: “Then I saw that Jesus' work in the sanctuary will soon be finished (close of probation). And after His work there is finished, He will come to the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the Scape Goat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance (Michael as the warrior in God’s battle of vengeance and judgment). Then the plagues will come upon the wicked (the seven last plagues), and they do not come till Jesus puts on that garment, and takes His place upon the great white cloud. Then while the plagues are falling (during Jacob’s time of trouble), the Scape Goat is being led away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by the hand that leads him (this is the spiritual of symbolic fit man, the 144,000.) If he should effect his escape, Israel would lose their lives. I saw that it would take time to lead away the Scape Goat into the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put on his head. {SpM 2.1} (The 144,000 are going to be going through Jacob’s time of trouble and the way they are holding fast to Satan, the scapegoat, as analogous to their remaining true to God during this time of intense mental anguish. God is not going to have the 144,000, the final generation of this earth until he has a people who are ready to lead Satan away and presumably that is why this time has not happened yet.
When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received "the latter rain," "the refreshing from the presence of the Lord," and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received "the seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done;" (Rev 16:17- the seventh last plague) and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins.( signifying the atonement was not finished at the cross, at the most holy place with blotting out of sins. Then the plagues begin to fall with the first plague.) The number of His subjects is made up; "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven," is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. {GC 613.2}
Clarification on the first plague begins to fall after the close of probation. But the plagues are not universal. It hits different parts of the works at different time: “When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God's people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image." (first plague) The sea "became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea." And "the rivers and fountains of waters . . . became blood." Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . . because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. In like manner Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all the blood of holy men which had been shed since the days of Abel; for they possessed the same spirit and were seeking to do the same work with these murderers of the prophets. {GC 627.3}
As described in earlier article, when we get to the sixth plague , the great River Euphrates dries up represents the people withdrawing support that cause the push from the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, the three unclean spirits like frogs, that leads to the final battle of Armageddon. This is the struggle in Jacob’s time of trouble where we have spiritualism , papacy and apostate Protestantism unite in one last great struggle to try to convince the world that is still actually on their side despite the fact that God’s judgment are being poured upon them in receiving the plagues. Satan will personate Christ during this time. This is described in Rev 16:13-16)- the spiritual struggle between the dragon, the beast and false prophets versus God’s people (This is to reiterate that Satan personates Christ after Jacob’s time of trouble which is in the sixth plague. It is the crowning act of Satan to shore up support of those who have been receiving the plagues.)
Finally, By this time the wicked are going to blame these judgments on the righteous and the death decree is decided against God’s people ( Dan 11:44,45) and a date will be set for it. God’s people will be in isolated places in the wilderness, in significant difficult place. The battle of Armageddon is not the battle in the Middle East as what despensationalist teach. This is a spiritual battle where God’s people will be going through intense mental anguish. Then there is to be the battle of Gog and Magog which takes place at the end of the thousand years where the entire wicked are resurrected and then fire fire comes down and destroys the wicked in the battle of Gog and Magog.
2.1.4.2 The Seventh Plague
In the seventh plague, there is a voice that comes from heaven saying “It is done.” It will be heralded with lightning and thunder together with a mighty earth quake and mountains and islands disappearing. Hail weighing a talent (50 kg) falling down on the wicked. (Revelation 16:18, 20, 21) This will culminate with the deliverance of God’s people (Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhJsMIYRMXI&t=31s 9 God's People Delivered - Last Day Events Explained Dr Norman McNulty SDA Sep 25, 2020.)
(Note:The deliverance come at the second coming. But even before the second coming there will be a period, a short period of time where it becomes clear that God’s people will have survived the death decree ( Dan 12;1; Joel 2:32; Isa 4:3-6).
Passages from Ellen White:
I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst.. {EW 282.2}
During the night a very impressive scene passed before me. There seemed to be great confusion and the conflict of armies. A messenger from the Lord stood before me, and said, "Call your household. I will lead you; follow me." He led me down a dark passage, through a forest, then through the clefts of mountains, and said, "Here you are safe." There were others who had been led to this retreat. The heavenly messenger said. "The time of trouble has come as a thief in the night, as the Lord warned you it would come." {Mar 270.4}
There is also a parallel in the marvelous deliverance from the death decree in the Book of Esther. Haman moved upon the King Ahasuerus to declare a death decree against the Jews and God worked in a marvelous way to deliver the Jews through Queen Esther and Mordecai. – “The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath. {PK 605.2}
Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people. {PK 605.3} (God’s people will be delivered from the death decree at the end of the world. We have the promise of deliverance. We don’t need to be worried about whether or not God’ people will prevail at the end once Jacob’s time of trouble comes.)
2.1.4.2.1 Special Resurrection (Dan 12:2 (12:1-3))
This is a special resurrection of the small groups of people before the general (main) resurrections, i.e. the first resurrection of the righteous (Rev 20:6) at the trump of Christ in mid air (1 The 4:16,17), and then after the 1000 years at Christ third coming, the second resurrection of the rest of the dead who are the wicked ( Rev 20:6) in the execution of their condemnation to eternal death. They are resurrected from the graves in the mighty earth quake that accompanied the voice of God at midnight of the sixth plague.
This special resurrection stated in Dan 12:2 is amplified by Ellen White:
It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: "It is done." Revelation 16:17. {GC 636.2}
That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, "such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." Verses 17, 18. The firmament appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There is heard the shriek of a hurricane like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the great has come in remembrance before God, "to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." Great hailstones, every one "about the weight of a talent," are doing their work of destruction. Verses 19, 21. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world's great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and God's people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free. {GC 636.3}
Graves are opened, and "many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth. . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. "They also which pierced Him" (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.” {GC 637.1}
(The special righteous group will be those like Ellen G. White and company who have died in the faith of the third angel's message ;the righteous dead after 1844 (Rev14:13). She mentioned sister Hasting – “I saw that she was sealed and would come up at the voice of God and stand upon the earth, and would be with the 144,000. I saw we need not mourn for her; she would rest in the time of trouble, and all that we could mourn for was our loss in being deprived of her company. I saw her death would result in good.” {2SM 263.3}. Pr Bohr explains that she was sealed with the gospel seal at her death which applies to all who died with the faith of Christ as their Lord and Saviour. For the living saint after the close of probation, they are sealed with the eschatological seal of the living God.
The wicked group were those who crucified Christ, the ones that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people ( Mat 26:63,64; Rev 1:7)They will be brought forth from the graves to seethe fulfillment of the divine promise and the triumph of truth.)
2.1.4.3 The Preparation for Jacob’s Trouble
It is essential for us learn and heed the experience that Job went through in order to be prepared for the time in the end when we are to face the death decree.
“Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance.” {GC 620.1}.(The important point is now is the time to be confessing all our sins. Now is the time to be sending our sins ahead to judgment for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all have sins that need to be confessed. If those sins are unconfessed when the time of trouble comes we will be overwhelmed by them ( carrying the guilt in our conscience. The Lord is now wanting to give us victory now over the trials and temptations in our lives especially when this pandemic is playing out, in being given the time to reflect and make sure our hearts are right with the Lord. God will abundantly pardon all our confessied sins (1 Jn 1:9)
“The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God's promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God--how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God.” {GC 621.2} (Just as Jacob was reminded of his sin by Christ in the night of wrestling that will be the case with us. But Jacob remembered that God is a merciful God and He is a forgiving God. He has shown mercy to us throughout our lives and we will lay hold of those promises by faith, believing He has not come to destroy us but He has come to save us.
The "time of trouble, such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job" were in the land, "as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness." Ezekiel 14:20. {GC 622.4} (We must be prepared to stand for ourselves before God in the day of judgment. We must spend time with the Lord through His word and wrestle with them in prayer about the areas in your life that need to be surrendered, the areas in your life that need further growth. Ask the Lord to lead you to passages in Scriptures and passage in the Spirit of Prophecy that will teach you about who you are so that God can speak to you directly to help you to grow to be the person you need to be able to stand during that critical time.)
Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble. {GC 623.1} (Remember: the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble is to be like Christ who does not even by a thought yield to the power of temptation. When Christ is dwelling in our hearts by faith we too can overcome. Christ is developing a people and that we are living at the precipice of eternity for we can discern in the signs of the times that angels are beginning to allow the four winds to blow taking place. God’s people are closer to being sealed than ever before (since 1888?). God is raising a people who not even by a thought would yield to temptation and they are learning to be like Christ each and every day. We need to allow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, our Comforter, to change our hearts. Don’t allow the Devil to get into your way in trying to discourage us and to slow us down. Learn to be like Jacob and to lay hold on Christ with faith and say, “I will not let you go unless you bless me”. That is the experience we must gain when we learn through the trials that we go through now to be ready for the final crisis. We will grow and be strengthened by each trial that come. The Lord is going to begin to start sealing us. He is ready to find a people that He can place His seal upon, to be in the 144,000. We must ask for the latter rain so that we can make the loud cry to reach everyone so that they will want to be part of the family of God.
2.1.5 Bible Prophecy’s Climax (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxte4EHJCqM (15:21)The MILLENNIUM: Bible Prophecy’s CLIMAX – What you MUST KNOW! Sep 22, 2019)
A counterfeit teaching of the millennium has deceived millions of Christians. In this video, we will let the Bible reveal what happens at the start, middle, and end of the millennium - a misunderstanding of just one of these events could lead to eternal loss.
The deliverance of God’s people living in the time of Jacob’s trouble is in answer to their agoniising prayer of deliverance. It is at the end of Jacob’s time of trouble, the end of the sixth plague when God’s people are delivered. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”- 1Th 4:16-17. King Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, will triumphantly return with the entire army of heavenly hosts setting the sky ablaze with glory and the whole world will be fully aware. This is not a secret rapture event as many have been deceived into believing. This second coming of Jesus is the most anticipated event in human history.
This is the seventh last plague starting with a powerful earthquake. “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.”- Rev 16:18 This earthquake will even cause the islands and mountains to disappear (v20).
2.1.5.1 Start of Millennium
The millennium starts with the resurrection of God’s righteous people who are killed for their faith. The Bible says, Rev 20:4-6.”..and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. “-5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Apostle Paul says of the living wicked who were trying to kill the saints in 2Th 1:7-9: 7 “……When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”.
The rejecters of God, those who have chosen sin and self- righteousness over Jesus, who have rejected His love, His pleadings and His mercy will be filled with terror and shame as Jesus returns as the conquering King. The wicked will be killed when Jesus returns (Isa 11:4) They will join the dead who did not resurrect to await the second resurrection after the thousand years.
2.1.5.2 During the Millennium
The earth will experience a thousand year of total blackout.The earth will be empty, void and desolate. “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.”- Jer 4:23-27. But there is the false teaching that those who reject Christ will have a second chance to repent during the thousand years which is not Biblical for the living wicked were destroyed at the return of Jesus. “And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.”- Jer 25:33. This is to remind us that we must choose and decide now to accept Jesus, before the close of probation, when it is too late.
2.1.5.2.1 Satan Bound in Bottomless Pit
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless* pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,- Rev 20:1-2. (*Note- Bottomless*- “abussos” or abyss- deep - Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters”.
Satan is now unable to tempt the nations because everyone is either dead or has gone to heaven. He will have a thousand years to reflect on his rebellion, and the pains, anguish and destruction he has caused.
2.1.5.2.2 The Reward of the Saints
Rev 20:4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
Jesus comes with His reward- to repay every person according to their works. During the millennium, the saints will judge the world and even angels by reviewing the books of record in heaven. The righteous will be given thrones of judgments during the millennium. They are to be jurors to deliberate and ascertain that the judgment for each case (even angels -1 Cor 6:3) in the investigative judgment is totally righteous. . God’s government is transparent and wants us to know that His is fair, Just and good. This is all part of His plan to fully exterminate sin from the universe.
2.1.5.3. Climax of Millennium
John the revelator saw in vision, Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The New Jerusalem, the capital city of God’s heavenly kingdom , will descend to this vey earth. It will be at this time that Jesus will return for the third time with the saints, and stand on the Mount of Olives ( Zec 14:1, 4-5).
2.1.5.3.1 The Second Resurrection
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Satan will marshal the nations of earth together for battle to make the final siege on the government of God. The wicked who are dead will be resurrected at the end of the thousands years (Rev 20;5) They will revive from the grave with the same selfish, wicked character that they took to the grave. Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Satan and all his followers will be destroyed by showers of fire falling from the sky.
But before the wicked are destroyed, there is another momentous event- the Great White Throne Judgment
2.1.5.3.1 The Great White Throne Judgment
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
This will be the one time in human history where every human being who has ever lived will be present. The wicked will all be on the earth, outside of the holy city, while all the righteous will be inside the city. God will reveal to the wicked why they have been excluded from heaven, In a panoramic vision across the sky the scenes of their life will flash before their eyes. Despite their hardened hearts being unchanged, every knee will bow, including Satan himself, and they will acknowledge God’s goodness and justice. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”- Rom 14:11. Then sin will be fully eradicated from the universe. This will be the third and final phase of the judgment- the execution phase. Fire will rain down from God out of heaven and destroy the wicked. Contrary to popular belief, the wicked will not burn for all of eternity; God , full of justice and mercy, will destroy them, not torture them for endless ages: “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.”- Mal 4:3. The Bible refers to this as God’s strange act, and tells us that “ Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”- Eze 33:11
2.1.5.3.2 Creation of New Heaven and New Earth
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”- Isa 65:17
God will recreate this earth! We will now be able to see how God originally created the heaven and the earth. The former beauty of the Garden of Eden will be fully restored. There will be no more pain, sin, or death. And we will be reunited with our Creator. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”- Rev 21:3.
2.1.5.4 The Urgent Crucial Decision of Life
Apostle Paul was inspired by The Holy Spirit to impress us saying, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”- 1Co 2:9.“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”- 1 Cor 2:10. The pain of missing out on eternity would be unbearable. Don’t let it happen to you.
“..there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." No one will taste of the marriage supper of the Lamb who has not on a wedding garment.”.. “Let no one put off the day of preparation, lest the call be made, "Go forth to meet the bridegroom," and you be found as were the foolish virgins, with no oil in your vessels with your lamps.” {YI, January 30, 1896 par. 2}
We have a hell to lose, and a heaven to gain! Make it a decision to choose Jesus today and every moment from now onward.
3. Takeaway Epilogue
One sentence summary:“COVID-19: A Warning to ADVENTISTS*”of the “Message Adventists have Forgotten” -- ”Why ADVENTISTS* Don't Fear COVID-19 And Neither Should You”; or Covid -19 is a precursor to the final end of the world at the second coming of Christ; or News on the soon close of this earth’s history is good news to give you notice of the way to be saved. Here is the blessing for you persevering in reading FA3 Signs of End-time to the end. The epilogue is an encapsulation of the amplification in just 21 minutes of listening to “COVID-19: “Message Adventists have Forgotten” - Premiered Apr 4, 2020 21st Missionary.athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDitaV5itq4 ) (This is the revised title.). Had you been shown in the invitation the title of the earlier YouTube video, ”Why ADVENTISTS* Don't Fear COVID-19 And Neither Should You"*1 you may have turned away and miss out from being able to discern the signs of the times we are living in and the urgency to accept Jesus and have His righteousness by faith in Christ the hope of glory.
(Note: Adventists* are members of God's remnant church, that is described in Rev 10, the movement appointed by God after the great disappointment in 1844. In the word of Ellen White by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the Word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import--the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.” {1NL 51.5}
“The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God's people are to be true to the trust committed to them”.--9T 19.)
(Note*1 Why ADVENTISTS Don't Fear COVID-19 And Neither Should You,”*1-See Appendix ‘B’ Testimony on Overcoming Covid-19.
Also revisit Wp5.9.6 Covid 19 at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101195 - posted from Mar 29- May 1- Aug 2, 20. And in particular Contents 5 posted Apr 22, 20 (Good news just disseminated on Apr 11, to Adventist’s Medical Professionals. This is very informative and important information to help everyone maximize the effectiveness of their immune system to avoid hospitalization and pneumonia. Share it with the fearful that they may now find relief in God’s love, healing and watch care.)
The End 59/61 (The next issue will be at www.discoverylifediy.com (the companion website.)
Posted 30 June 2021 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo,com
Your feedback, comments, suggestions and article contributions will be deeply appreciated. There is a provision for brief comments below. And better still email me at singtsc@yahoo.com
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Appendix 'A' “Blueprint of End-time Events”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2O_E98lqTk - 17. Blueprint of End Time Events - Pastor Stephen Bohr - Matthew 24 •Mar 3, 2021
This is the perspective of Ellen White, a prophet for the end time, who wrote some 130 years ago as she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the book “The Great Controversy” ( the best commentary on Matthew 24) and end-time events from the prophetic perspective.) . The main points:1. U.S.A. will embrace Roman Catholic principles by uniting Church and state; Papacy is not the RCC, it is the system in the union of church and state. It received a deadly wound and is to resume on revival. We are now living in the pause between what the papacy did in the past and what it will do in the future.) 2.The Protestant churches in the United States will unite on common points of doctrine. They will set aside differences where they have discrepancies and they will unite on what they have in common. 3. The populace instigated by their ministers will blame the social and natural upheaval to those who are keeping God’s holy seventh-day Sabbath day of rest. 4. The legislators of this country will support the Sunday law because of the pressure that is put upon them. 5. Politicians are not aware of the motivations of the religious leaders that are attempting to use them to accomplish their purpose; 6. The religious leaders will press for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. 7. Sunday laws will eventually become anti-Sabbath laws and people will be forbidden to keep the Sabbath (unconstitutional); 8. The clergy will use underhanded and devious methods to secure Sunday Law legislation (linking it to many good causes- family welfare, climate change, gender issue, marriage; and the sanctity of life.) 9. The entire world will follow in the footsteps of U.S.A.and eventually enforced a universal Sunday law. ( the natural disasters and the social disasters and the signs and miracles of Satan will lead people to believe that God is on their side in enacting the Sunday law.) 10. God’s people who refuse to keep the Sunday law in insist on keeping the Sabbath will lose their civil rights and suffer persecution. Eventually they will not be able to buy or sell and finally they will be sentenced to death. Prophecy tells us this is going to happen and we know that prophecy is going to be fulfilled. Jesus says “ I have told you So when you see these things mentioned happening remember where you have heard it and seek for guidance.
(Please continue to watch the video on the amplification from Ellen White)
Appendix ‘B’ Testimony on Overcoming Covid-19
GoBeDo Missions(Southern Philippines) Update ( Apr 14,2021)
To our Dearest friends and Church family
We are praying daily that each and every one of you are fine and are finding ways to adjust to the ever changing world we are now living in. There are surely no shortages of challenges and without Jesus I just don’t see how any of us could maintain our sanity. Stay connected and stay positive. We are living in exciting times.
We have a few things to share with you. Let’s begin
TIME OF REAPING
Many, many, years ago before becoming a Christian, I had gotten caught up in the world. Drinking, drugs, __ , and fast cars were just a glimpse of the prodigal way in which I walked. Those 20 years took a tremendous toll on my body and although we have taken huge strides in life changes over the years with God’s help, sometimes, no...We always, must reap what we sow. This is what put my heart and health at risk.
Over two weeks ago after long hours of driving and work to help out two tribal areas under our direction, I contracted a bad case of COVID. For the first week I couldn’t eat or breathe. The body pains were so severe and for the second time this year I was facing death squarely in the eye. My blood oxygen levels were below 79% and I frankly was thinking to myself that suffocating is not the way to go
The laws here (Philippines) are very strict. After people started getting vaccinated here recently, many became very sick and started to overload the local hospital system. We went on lockdown a week ago. The COVID cases begin to rise as well and so did the death tolls. Anyone with COVID symptoms was to report to the hospital to be admitted. Our ICU nurse friends begged us not to admit because of what they were seeing in protocol of patients in my condition and they were fearful I wouldn’t be seen again
I praise God He gave me a caring wife who forced water down my throat, hot and cold and steam therapy, and offered prayer often at my side. He gave us people in the system to give advice and we are loving the Lord more and more each day.
I’m in week two now and I’m finally eating again after losing 20 more lbs. My lungs are still very weak but we are feeling positive and pushing forward one day at a time. We apologize for not letting you know. My father in law was affected a week before I was and was worse than I was. He is also recovering now. One of our bible workers and teacher are also very sick. We have them isolated and we are working on them now. Please keep Bemboy and Lorna in prayer. This is terribly time consuming and physically demanding on all of us.
One of my most loving friends
Because we recently sold the mission land and travel restrictions have continued to worsen, we have begun to move in and out of areas that, when we can go to visit, we do so, in order to help those who’ve helped us along the way.
This is Datu Yokmo (photo). I love this man more than words can express. We have become close over the 3years. Once one of the most feared men on the island, he now has softened under the influence of The Holy Spirit. Since just before Covid begin Datu Yokmo has been making strong efforts to gather all his tribal children to go back to the village to prepare for the “Mark of the Beast”. He never joined the church but he knows and has accepted most of the truth over the years. Because of our friendship he finally allowed the organized church to build a church in his village. I’m here to tell you that The Lord will have an order of things we know nothing about and there will be a great harvest that we can’t now see.
More Covid relief from Jesus4asia (jesus4asia.org)
Here we were blessed to be a part of the distribution of rice to 50 of the poorest and most needy tribal families in our local area. Every time we are face to face with the poorest we are blessed. We talk, laugh and cry together and a common bond of love is made that only God can provide. Thank you supporters and friends for allowing us to be mediums for the Lords needs
More News
Although we have sold the land, we are still living on it at the request of the new owners while they make development plans. One of the things we decided to do before leaving the area was to set up a project between the local government and tribe. This fund is only a small help that will help the tribe generate a small income from the fast developing tourism in this place we used to call home. We are praying it will be a lasting token of how much we cared for them although they didn’t want our God.
Two of the chieftains apologized with tears over how some of their loose members had continued to threaten and harass us over the years. We enjoyed a season of bonding and they gave me the privilege to pray and short sermonize to them as we did to the recipients of the Covid relief. We can only praise God for these opportunities.
Final message
We are still under much prayer as to what to do next. We decided against taking the beautiful fruit farm for now because of a couple reasons
1. It would take most all of the money from the sale of the property just to make it work without any buffers
2. It is within an hour of the big city of Cagayan de Oro and only a mile from a large farm community of about 25,000 people or more.
We are living near the end where we must look at the country living message more seriously and we have decided this might not be our best option at this point.
We have purchased an old house in a very small community with no Adventist presence, that we are presently having a new roof and electrical system put into it. It’s located in a place that will hopefully give us some time to get healthy and allow us time and location to find that next place to re-establish the mission. We all wish we had better options. The land available in ideal places is tribal and can’t be titled. They only have rights and those rights can be revoked at any time if you don’t have enough to give the tribe in charge on a regular basis
In the meantime we will continue to lift each of you up as each day continues to bring fresh challenges. We want to always let you know how grateful we are for your continued prayers
Love
Mike & Michelle and Team
Also revisit Wp5.9.6 Covid 19 at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101195 - posted from Mar 29- May 1- Aug 2, 20. And in particular Contents 5 posted Apr 22, 20 (Good news just disseminated on Apr 11, to Adventist’s Medical Professionals. This is very informative and important information to help everyone maximize the effectiveness of their immune system to avoid hospitalization and pneumonia. Share it with the fearful that they may now find relief in God’s love, healing and watch care.)
FA4 Lest We forget the Beginning
John, the Revelator “saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. “-Rev 21:1 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}
Tips to Reading – selective trimming of 92 page article compiled over 2 months.
1. 1. Read Invitation for Aim
2. Scan Contents for overview and the end at 3.3.2 The Bottom line
3. 3. Apportion reading in short reading periods of your choice
(This article stands on its own and yet related to “earlier articles”* on the main theme of “Finishing Act” in welcoming Jesus Second Coming)
(FA4 Don’t Forget God- C-19 Spiritual Call-Seek Forgotten God/Master Healer)
Contents (pg 1-92 posted October 3, 2021)
1. The Invitation; 1.0.1 God Our Creator; 1.0.1.1 The Main Theme of Genesis; 1.0.2 The Great Controversy; 1.0.3 Eternal Cycle of Life in God’s Law; 1.0.4 Restoration of The Old Way; 1.0.5 Pilgrims and Strangers on Earth;
2. The Divine Inoculation; 2.1 Seek Wisdom in Genesis; 2.1.1 Chinese “Shang Di” is Jehovah; 2.1.1.1 The Great Flood and the Ark; 2.1.1.2 Tower of Babel & Language Confusion; 2.1.1.3 Genesis Embedded in Chinese Language; 2.1.1.3.1 The Historical Root of True Worship; 2.1.1.3.2 The First Apostasy in China; 2.1.1.3.3 Christianity in China through Foreigners; 2.1.1.3.3.1 Matteo Ricci; 2.1.1.3.3.2 Emperor Kang Xi; 2.1.1.3.4 Idols Worship with Forgotten True Worship; 2.1.1.4 Credibility Substantiated with Genesis; 2.1.1.4.1 “The Seven Day Week Cycle”; 2.1.1.4.2 Adam & Eve (Mankind) Fall into Sin; 2.1.1.4.2.1 The First Murder and The Great Flood; 2.1.1.4.2.2 The Tower of Babel; 2.1.1.4.2.3 Origin of Races; 2.1.1.4.2.3.1 Skin Colour and Physical Features; 2.1.1.4.3 Unrecognised Evidence in the Border Sacrifice; 2.1.1.4.3.1 History of the Border Sacrifice; 2.1.1.4.3.2 Shang Di Worship in the Beginning;
2.2 Divine Shepherd as Sacrificial Lamb; 2.2.1 Christ Is the Door; 2.2.2 Divine Shepherd Knows All His Sheep; 2.2.3 Faith in Christ Sets You Free; 2.2.4 Christ our Everlasting Father; 2.3 Jesus Open Invitation: “Come Unto Me”; 2.3.1 Sin the Root of All Burden; 2.3.2 Find Rest in Christ; 2.3.2.1 The Yoke of Christ; 2.3.2.1.1 Meekness & Lowliness; 2.3.2.1.2 Jesus Yoke is Easy; 2.3.2.2 Imperative Response to Jesus Invitation of Restoration; 2.3.2.3 Christianity in China Report; 2.3.2.3.1 China Recent History from 1949;
3. Biblical Discernment of Current Events; 3.01 King Nebuchadnezzar*2 Testimonyfor President Xi*1 (Notes*1,*2); 3.02 God’s Revelation to Ancient Chinese Kings & Sages; 3.02.1 Seven Truths not taught in China's Education; 3.02.2 Bible Reference to China; 3.03 Testimony of God’s Calling- Oracle Bones Inscriptions Revelation;
3.1 Bible Perspectives on Pandemic Remedy; 3.1.1 The Beginning is God’s (Old) Way – Return Back to Eden; 3.1.1.1 Bible is Guide Book of Life; 3.1.2 Wrong Way Warning; 3.1.2.1 Signs of Satan’s Way; 3.1.3 The Right Way, Jesus Way (Jn 14:6); 3.1.4 Impeaching The Golden Rule Imperceptibly; 3.1.4.1 Stand for Truth & Right; 3.1.4.2 Unveiling the Truth; 3.1.4.2.1 Unjustified Coronavirus C-19 Inoculation Disclosure; 3.1.4.2.1.1 Authorised Misinformed C-19 Remedy Pandemic; 3.1.4.2.2 Liberty Discerns Hidden Ultimate Agenda; 3.1.4.2.2.1 Dr. Lela Lewis; 3.1.4.2.2.1.1 Important Lesson in C-19; 3.1.4.2.2.1.2 Bible Study lesson by Dr Tim Jennings; 3.1.4.2.2.2 Scott Ritsema; 3.1.4.2.2.3 Jonathan Zirkle;
3.2 Great Controversy Cosmic Week Perspective; 3.2.1 Study Signs of the Times; 3.2.2 National Sunday Law in U.S.A; 3.2.3 Signs of the End of the Age; 3.2.3.1 Age of the World Search; 3.2.3.1.1 The Cosmic Week Concept;
3.3 Discernment from C-19 Pandemic Signpost; 3.3.1 The Bottom Line;3.2.2 C-19 Final Reminder- Beware Lest Thou Forget The Lord;
FA4 Lest We forget the Beginning
1. The Invitation
This is the main salvo of “Lest We Forget !”
The origin (beginning) of the Chinese people is indelibly embedded in the written Chinese language characters (Han Zi). It was discovered by Pr C.H Kang around 1950s while evangelizing in China. This is covered in the article “D29 Discover the Forgotten Religion of the Chinese People”- www.discoverylifediy.com which will be reviewed below in the next section. It is uncovering the truth that has evaded most of us who are still skeptical that God made us in His image and that He is the Supreme Ruler of the universe. The first declaration from God is: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”- Gen 1:1 But how many really believe this vital truth whereby we breathe and live and have hope of everlasting life as the sure promise of God. (Note: The debilitating and terminal impact of the Delta Variant of Covid-19 on breathing must bring home that we breathe without consciousness or effort because God has so designed and provided for this vital function in sustaining life. We die when Oxygen is cut off for 4 minutes.)
The Chinese people (not race which taints of racism in the world today), is the most fruitful of God’s children in spreading all over the world with 20% (1 in 5) of the world’s population. The Jews were the chosen people of God as a nation entrusted with the Oracle of God to disseminate to the whole world. Written evidences show that the Jews and the Chinese are two of the earliest and the oldest enduring civilizations. We know the Jews handed the Old Testament*3 to us. But they were so inward looking in preserving this truth of salvation for themselves in formality and rituals that they rejected Jesus when He came and God thus rejected them as a Godly nation, but not as individual according to their faith in the righteousness of Jesus. . But do we know how God has left us as additional witness in the indelible Chinese language to unify us as one people in the knowledge that we are all descendents of Adam and Eve as recorded in the book of Genesis, of the Old Testament. The Chinese language is unique in telling a true story for posterity. its written form is common for all the diverse Chinese dialect groups throughout China. This feature surely must be by design of God the Creator.
1.0.1 God Our Creator
The word of God revealed in the Bible is very concise and very profound. It covers over wide span of history and could be amplified by inspired prophets chosen to reveal its mysteries at the appropriate time. Apostle John explained that if everything were written “even the world itself could not contain the books that could be written” -Jn 21;25.
The need to remember lest we forget starts with the very first declaration by Moses: “In the beginning God created (造-zao) the heaven and the earth.”- Gen 1:1. (The Chinese word “zao” is made up of life, earth, mouth, and walk forming the pictogram of God spoke the word and living things began to move on earth.) It brings in its train all the connected elements and eventualities in the fulfillment of the will of God(with the consummation of the great controversy).
God chose Israel as His main instrument and thus His main subject of discourse is the Jewish nation as the center of care and concern in its interaction with the other great civilizations that had risen in Egypt, in Mesopotamia, and in the neighbouring civilizations. ( Note that these great civilizations are not described in great depths, and why there is no mention of Russia and China as future super power.) Being the most important remnants of the true worshippers of Jehovah, they were therefore the men who formed the center of the inspired author’s word.
1.0.1.1 The Main Theme of Genesis
Lest we forget: The book of Genesis is the first permanently recorded divine revelation accorded to men. The two main themes are: First, the narration of God’s dealing with the faithful few who loved and served Him:. and Second, the depths of depravity into which those that have left God and His precepts fell.
The book records the creation of this world and all its living creatures, the entrance of sin, and God’s promise of salvation ( of everlasting life without death). It teaches that man is a free moral agent, the possessor of a free will (by God’s design), and that the transgression of the law of God is the source of all human woe. It gives instruction concerning the observance of the holy Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, the sanctity of marriage and the establishment of the home, the reward for obedience, and the punishment for sin.
1.0.2 The Great Controversy
“The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God's original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation with the Kingdom of God. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found. “ {Ed 190.2}
Lest we forget the Great Controversy as we discern the signs of the End-times; of the nearness of Jesus second coming, and strive with fear and trembling trusting in the faithfulness of “God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”- Phi 2:13. This discourse will highlight the snares of Satan by way of the current distraction in the Covid-19 innoculation as his strategy in masking the issue of true worship in the guise of receiving the vaccination for the collective good (as advocated in Laudato si' (24 May 2015) by papacy) But is it really and truly?)
1.0.3 Eternal Cycle of Life in God’s Law
Lest we forget: It was Satan who deceived Eve into accepting his assertion that the God’s word was not true, underlying his charge that the Law of God could and need not be obeyed.
In the record of the vision given to John we read, "The dragon was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Satanic agencies have made the earth a stage for horrors, which no language can describe. War and bloodshed are carried on by nations claiming to be Christian. A disregard for the law of God has brought its sure result. {RH, February 6, 1900 par. 15}
"By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20); for "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). It is through the law that men are convicted of sin; and they must feel themselves sinners, exposed to the wrath of God, before they will realize their need of a Saviour. Satan is continually at work to lessen man's estimate of the grievous character of sin. And those who trample the law of God under their feet are doing the work of the great deceiver; for they are rejecting the only rule by which they can define sin, and bring it home to the conscience of the transgressor. {1SM 219.1}
The law of God is simple, and easily understood. There are men who proudly boast that they believe only what they can understand, forgetting that there are mysteries in human life and in the manifestation of God's power in the works of nature--mysteries which the deepest philosophy, the most extensive research, is powerless to explain. But there is no mystery in the law of God. All can comprehend the great truths which it embodies. The feeblest intellect can grasp these rules; the most ignorant can regulate the life, and form the character after the divine standard. If the children of men would, to the best of their ability, obey this law, they would gain strength of mind and power of discernment to comprehend still more of God's purposes and plans. And this advancement would be continued, not only during the present life, but during eternal ages; for however far we may advance in the knowledge of God's wisdom and power, there is always an infinity beyond. {NL 31.2}
The great conflict now being waged is not merely a strife of man against man. On one side stands the Prince of Life, acting as man's substitute and surety; on the other, the prince of darkness, with the fallen angels under his command. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." {RH, February 6, 1900 par. 16}
There will be a sharp conflict between those who are loyal to God and those who cast scorn upon his law. The church has joined hands with the world. Reverence to God's law has been subverted. The religious leaders are teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. As it was in the days of Noah, so it is in this age of the world. But shall the prevalence of disloyalty and transgression cause those who have reverenced the law of God to have less respect for it, to unite with the powers of earth to make it void?--The truly loyal will not be carried away by the current of evil. They will not throw scorn and contempt on that which God has set apart as holy. The test comes to every one. There are only two sides. On which side are you?
The divine law requires us to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. Without the exercise of this love, the highest profession of faith is mere hypocrisy. . . . {NL 32.1}
Obedience to the law is essential, not only to our salvation, but to our own happiness and the happiness of all with whom we are connected. "Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165), says the Inspired Word. Yet finite man will present to the people this holy, just, and good law, this law of liberty, which the Creator Himself has adapted to the wants of man, as a yoke of bondage, a yoke which no man can bear. But it is the sinner who regards the law as a grievous yoke; it is the transgressor that can see no beauty in its precepts. For the carnal mind "is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). . . . {NL 32.2}
1.0.4 Restoration of The Old Way – Redemption & Restoration in Christ
Lest we forget the remedy for sin and diseases. Consider the spiritual perspective, the spiritual dimension, as we return to God in repentance, as we contemplate the following passages of Ellen White:
“Through the plan of salvation, power was to operate in the re-creation of man. The remedy for the sinner was of a supernatural character. It was not essential that fallen man should understand the philosophy of the scheme of redemption, or comprehend how divinity and humanity were united in Christ. It was not essential that doctors of divinity, that men of learning, should be able through worldly wisdom to unfold all that pertained to the grand scheme of redemption. It was made plain that it was essential that fallen man should believe in the word of God, and obey to the letter his commandments. The word of God may be compared to a treasure-house, and the more we search it, the more we find its hidden riches. Here we may behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. It is in the word of God that we find encouragement to turn our eyes to Christ, to lift up our voice in hope and expectation, saying, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." It is in the word of God that we find what is the effectual remedy for the leprosy of sin. Here it is that we see the ransom that has been provided, hear the gracious invitation, and look upon the mercy of God, that has no parallel, toward those who are rebels and enemies. {ST, July 2, 1896 par. 4}
Many believe in the wrath of God, but put forth no earnest efforts to escape it. They believe in Heaven, but make no sacrifice to obtain it. They believe in the value of the soul, and that erelong its redemption ceaseth forever; yet they neglect precious opportunities to make their peace with God. They read the Bible; but its threatenings do not alarm nor its promises win them. They approve things that are excellent; yet they follow the way which God has forbidden them to take. They know a refuge, but do not avail themselves of it. They know a remedy for sin, but do not use it. They know the right, but have no relish for it. They have never tasted, and learned by experience, that the Lord is good; and all their knowledge will but increase their condemnation. {ST, July 7, 1887 par. 13}
1.0.4 Pilgrims and Strangers on Earth
“Abel had led a pastoral life, dwelling in tents or booths, and the descendants of Seth followed the same course, counting themselves "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," seeking "a better country, that is, an heavenly." Hebrews 11:13, 16. {PP 81.1}
Lest we forget: “We are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Our sojourn here is as it were the Christian's winter. But our faith and hope reach forward and upward to the better life, to the home that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him.(Jn 14:1-3). "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."-1 Cor 2:9. {18MR 138.4}
"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."-Rev 3:21. There are many things to be overcome. Day by day the battle goes on. The struggle is lifelong; for Satan watches every opportunity to take advantage of us, that he may ensnare us to our ruin. {18MR 138.5}
2 The Divine Inoculation
As outlined above, the intended coverage of FA4- “Lest we Forget..” is the integration of the two previous, articles: FA3- Signs of End-times, and D29- Forgotten God of Ancient Chinese”, in the context of the Great Controversy, the cosmic battle started by Satan and we are key participants, despite whether we know it or not. This heavenly vaccination is the remedy to preserve us from the lies and ravages Satan is capable of doing like the Covid-19 which is a precursor to the final issue as discussed in FA3, of mandatory worship on Sunday as the day of rest. God permits things to happen for our ultimate good so that we will heed His Word that we will not forget and willingly choose the true godly inoculation. The process begins with receiving by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. It is full proof, freely offered and abundantly available and completely free of any coercion or consequential deprivation of privileges for rejecters..
2.1 Seek Wisdom in Genesis
Here is where we need to search for evidences that our Creator, the God of love, has provided in the Bible*2 as the primary standard that contains the revelation of Jesus Christ filled with His teachings, prophecies and histories to anyone who earnestly seek for the truth and promises that is in His word. Jesus Christ came to personally reveal the true and living God, the Father, to us. Jesus had taught us to see the works of God in nature. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, is to be our comforter who will remind us of what Jesus had taught us.
Knowing the signs of the time (see Fa3 Signs of End-times at http://www.wakeupow.com/449830812 ) for such a critical time when we are in the midst of the Covid-19/ Delta Variant Pandemic is in knowing that we are living in the midnight hour before the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. The unification that could come about by the revelation of this truth in the Chinese language characters could be the catalyst for all to believe in the true and living God who gave us revelations in the Bible*3.
(Note:The Bible*2 is predictive prophecies and history from the inspired writings of chosen prophets. Prophecy is God foretelling events before they occur. Furthermore, biblical predictions are not vague prophecies, but are specific in nature. In addition, they cannot be accounted for by chance, common sense, or collusion
The Bible*2 itself is a starting point for us to believe in the existence of God. One of the strongest lines of evidence that can be marshaled for God’s existence is the subject of predictive prophecy. The Scripture records many events that were predicted in advance by God. Fulfilled prophecies are evidence of God’s knowledge of all things. Only God, who is outside of our time-space existence and our finite knowledge, could accurately and consistently reveal the future. (For more about Bible prophecy, watch “The Bible’s Time Prophecies” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie7m3Q8vAS43ABN Today Live (TDYL190031))
2.1.1 Chinese “Shang Di” is Jehovah
"God has not left Himself without witness." The true historical account by Moses in the book of Genesis on the beginning of mankind in this world has a witness in the Chinese language. The interpretation of the stories embedded in the characters of the Chinese language are not speculations or fables as they are supported by historical documents and rituals within the Chinese culture. The ancient Chinese celebrated an annual Border Sacrifice to the "Lord of Heaven." This system of worship is very similar to the worship described in the book of Genesis. This begs the all important question: Did the ancient Chinese know the God of the Bible? (This ritual points to the first advent of the Messiah as the sacrificial “lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”- Jn 1:29. (See Divine Shepherd and Sacrificial Lamb). This truth of the Bible is embedded in the Chinese language characters that tell the story to corroborate the story in Genesis. This is the mystery to the majority of Chinese people that will now be made known that their ancestors who they faithfully worship, in turn, worshipped the one true God, Shang Di, the same God that the Jews worship.
Lest we forget: God is the Maker of all mankind. All men are one family by creation. This knowledge and memory is crucial to everyone today brought to full focus as the consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.. The spiritual anti-Satan infection test is in passing the discovery of Genesis in the Chinese language.
2.1.1.1 The Great Flood and the Ark
The origin of the Chinese language goes all the way back to the Great Flood that destroyed the antediluvians for their evils they practiced in defiance of God’s law and only one man, Noah (rest) who feared God was preserved to start anew as the faithful remnant and we are the descendants from Jephthah (God given), Ham (warm) and Shem (name) after the great flood.
It was God’s purpose in the creation of this world and the human race to be part of His family. God knew that Satan*4 was the angel He created that was the mastermind who deluded the antediluvians to rebel against God as he did. God allowed him rather than killing him to demonstrate the terrible consequences of sin as a ‘lesson book for the universe’(see D29 Appendix “A” Great Controversy- Lesson Book of the Universe)
So God picked Noah who has been faithful to be the example as the new beginning with Noah and his family of eight in 2348 B.C. (Read Patriarchs & prophets – Appendixes “Aa”- The Flood & “Ab”-After the Flood.)
(Note*4 Satan is the antagonist in the great controversy that we are all engaged in, even though we are not aware of it and are by default being deluded by his lies about the true God who is Satan’s Creator and our Creator. As such God is the Supreme Ruler of the universe. - See D29 Appendix A:The Lesson book for the Universe.)
2.1.1.2 Tower of Babel & Language Confusion
The Bible tells us the whole world had one language and a common speech as we are all descendents from Adam and Eve. But the antediluvian people forgot God and live as they please and became evil and wicked in following Satan as the chief rebel who was cast out from heaven together with one third of the angel he had deluded. God decided to remove the antediluvians by the great flood and save only Noah and his family of eight in the Ark which he built according to God’s instruction.( Gen 6-10). Again, later on, Nimrod from the line of Ham, rebels against God by building the Tower of Babel, to make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth as God has commanded. So God intervened by confusion the language so that they could not understand each other in wicked works (11:1-9). (See D29 Appendix A-Aa-Ab-Ad )
It was at the Tower of Babel (Appendix “Ad”- Fall of Babylon) when the original language was divided and spread out to populate the whole world which is the outcome of our present world. It was oral tradition that was handed down. The people of China would have known the very same story that is recorded in the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis. They knew about Shang Di (Lord on High} based on Chinese historical Classics. The pioneer ancient Chinese people honored and worshipped Him.
The nations and languages were divided around 100 years after the flood in 2348 B.C., i.e. about 4200 years. Most probably the oldest written language was developed over the first five hundred years as the divided groups migrated from Babylon and settle in the respected parts of the world.
But over time the knowledge of God became diminished until it was the emperor’s worship of the God of the Emperor only (under the incessant work of Satan*4 to take every opportunity to sow unbelief to those who forget God). However it doesn’t change the reality of the history that brought all this into being and the very purpose of it. God (as embedded in the Chinese language characters) needs to be known by the people of China today (and for all of humanity to return to God before the close of probation and the day of judgment with the coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world). He is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ who was sent by God the Father to reveal the truth and He died on the cross, as the sacrificial lamb who bore all our confessed sins that we may live.
2.1.1.3 Genesis Embedded in Chinese Language
The ancient Chinese knew of their origin and was appointed to tell all humanity irrespective of colour and tongue that we are all descendants from Adam and Eve. They want to tell us to remember the great flood was a true epic global event by simply depicting in the Chinese word “Boat” made up of eight, mouth and water.
Satan and his evil accomplice has implanted the clinical treatment of knowledge of worldly wisdom we are all conditioned to acquire from the worldly wise. We are educated in public schools provided by most nations into the belief in Darwin’s theory of evolution.(See D2 Darwinism) in all living things.. This will be the main obstacle in our acceptance of the information being shared in D29 that contradicts the natural history (Anthropology) we learn in school and is now the main premise of documentaries on nature touting millions of years of earth’s origin (e.g. National Geographic documentaries)
This is what we accept without questioning about our origin; (Homos started out like other animals, foraging for plants, small insects/animals, carrion from carnivores, and occasionally hunting larger game. Initially, all Homo species were living on the Afro-Asian landmass. Around 70,000 years ago, Homo sapiens started to break away from other species; about 45,000 years ago, we flooded to other continents and caused massive extinction globally, including all other Homo species. This was the first of the 3 revolutions.)
Chinese Christians are made to feel that they have forsaken their Chinese roots. We are made to feel that we have abandoned our heritage and culture by embracing a foreign, Western religion. Generally, relatives will remark that they no longer love their family.
Most Chinese are deeply rooted in ancestral worship and most homes will have an altar. The popular religions are Daoism (6th B.C, Lao Tze), Confucianism (5th B.C.) (so called) and Buddhism ( 5th B.C. but imported from India very much later and adapted as the goddess Quan Yin)..(See D29 Appendix “B” The Five Historical Dynasties of China (Simplified))
By unlocking the mysteries in each character together with archaeological evidence and historical records available the world has the forgotten history that by God’s design is indelibly recorded in the Chinese Language characters (a combination of pictograms and ideograms)
It began with the Great Flood which destroyed all living things other than Noah and his family, together with the animals that went into the Ark under divine guidance, Noah built the first altar and offered animal sacrifice in worship of God. The disruption in the construction of the Tower of Babel and caused people to be scattered everywhere and languages to come forth after the confusion to the one language by God to cause them to disperse rather than congregate together under Nimrod, who rebelled against God by building the Tower.
It was recorded in the Bible. Noah was the tenth generation from Adam to the flood (The people had a life span of over 900 years and Adam’s offsprings must remember their origin as conveyed by him. Adam was able to tell Methuselah (8th Generation) and just died when the flood came. Surely they would want to pass down the information for posterity. The original classical Chinese language was unique because it was able to capture Chinese history. Every Chinese word not only expresses a meaning, it captures a history and tells a story of the past. All the stories of creation, Genesis chap 1-11, are recorded in the Chinese language characters (words).
This is the hypothesis based on the premise that the ancient Chinese people were descendants from the three sons of Noah and the event of the need for the confusion of the one language at the Tower of Babel. It was the will of God that they will disperse and spread to every parts of the world. Therefore the people will want to tell the global cataclysmic events to their children and through them from generation to generation so that they will know their origin and identity.
2.1.1.3.1 The Historical Root of True Worship
Lest we forget as most Chinese of today have forgotten the God their ancestors worshipped as they are influenced to worship Satan by default through worshipping images of idols. Apostle Paul addressed this condition of the Athenians who had an inscription made “To the Unknown God.”-Act 17:22. (See Appendix “D”) We need to go back to our roots rather than thinking that the religion of Christ is a western religion.
The religion of China from the Shang Dynasty (1776-1122 B.C) , coincided with the time of Exodus ( 1491-1451B.C) and all the way to the Book of Judges. Confucius in his five classics and Sima Qian in his historical classics records. confirmed that the ancient Chinese then worship Shang Di. Shang Di had sovereignty over the nations, as revealed in Daniel 2 in the Bible, He appoints and removes kings. He governs the elements of nature and is the Lord of the harvest.
The Chinese are descendants of Shem, the third son of Noah, just as Abraham was from the same lineage. (15:30) (However, a small number of interpreters prefer instead Japheth, the eldest son ) , So the Israelites and the Chinese share a common heritage.
Noah built an altar to the Lord as the first thing when he came out of the Ark. Similarly, ancient Chinese celebrated an annual Border Sacrifice to the "Lord of Heaven" the Border*1 Sacrifice. This worship ritual is the longest and most continuous religious practice in China. This practice started when the Chinese civilization started.. It only stopped officially in 1911 by Dr. Sun Yat Seng who overthrew the Qing Dynasty and ushered in a Republic. But in 1914, this sacrifice was performed by Yuen Sir Kai as the usurper.
(Note*1 “In ancient time, the son of Heaven (i.e. the emperor) of the Xia Dynasty personally and reverentially sacrifices to Shang Di at the border, That’s why it is called the Border Sacrifice “- Historical Records, Vol 10, Chronicle 10. Xiao Wen Vol 28, Book of Feng Shan.). The Xia dynasty is considered as the first dynasty of China’s civilization- namely Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties ( 2070 – 771B.C))
There are more people that speak Chinese than any other languages in the world. Together with the Jews, Chinese is one of the earliest and the oldest enduring civilizations. Chinese history is recorded all the way back to 2200 BC. Daoism came about in the 6th century BC. Confucianism came about in the 5th century BC. Records show that China worshipped the true eternal God dating back to 2200 BC. They called God by the name of Shang Di (上帝) Shang Di (上帝) = "Emperor (or Sovereign) Above," "Lord On High," "Highest Lord," "the Supreme God," or "Celestial Lord." The Xia Dynasty is the oldest Chinese dynasty recorded in history (About 2200 BC.) The Xia Dynasty worshipped Shang Di Historical Records (Volume 10, Chronicles 10, Xiao Wen Volume 28, Book 6, Feng Shan)
In ancient times, the son of Heaven of the Xia Dynasty personally and reverentially sacrificed to Shang Di at the border, that was why it is called the Border [(Sacrifice)]." Centuries later...
The Xia Dynasty was succeeded by the Shang Dynasty who also worshipped Shang Di (1766 BC.) Centuries later... The Shang Dynasty was conquered by the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC.) The Zhou people replaced Di with Tian (天) and called God by the name Shang Tian (上天) Tian (天) = Heaven Many centuries later...
2.1.1.3.2 The First Apostasy in China
But, over time, Satan instigated Qin Shi Huang ( 259-210 B.C.) to be the first Chinese emperorof a unified China (221 BC.). His strive and attainment of greatness caused him to attribute his conquests to himself rather than to Shang Di and to reject Shang Di worship and shun this practice. He became the most corrupted king in Chinese history, although he united the whole of China. During his reign, massive idolatory came into China. Taoism, and Confucianism grew and dominated the Chinese.
2.1.1.3.3 Christianity in China through Foreigners
Many centuries later... An Italian Jesuit Priest by the name Mateo Ricci traveled to China to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, (1552 AD.) He was very intelligent and full of wisdom, he studied the history, culture and science of the Chinese. Mateo Ricci was a well respected man and became the 1st foreign advisor of the Chinese Imperial Court. (1601 AD.) Mateo Ricci converted many chinese men to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many years later... The Roman Catholic church was wicked and demanded China to renounce their honor for their Chinese ancestors in order to be accepted by the Roman Catholic church. Several leaders of the Roman Catholic church wrongfully slandered and condemned all Chinese Emperors to burn in hell, The Chinese Emperor 'Kang Xi' was a Christian and he stated that they don't pray to their ancestors or worship them, they simply honor their ancestors as a manner of respect. (1715 AD.) Pope Clement 11th (XI) sent Papal missionaries to Kang Xi, they demanded China to renounce their honor for their ancestors, this demand was insensitive and offensive to Kang Xi. The Pope insulted the Chinese, their culture and even their fellow Jesuit Missionaries. A French Bishop confronted Kang Xi with insults and challenged the Chinese Emperor, Kang Xi stumbled and banned the Westerners permission to preach in China to avoid further conflict. Evangelism was greatly hindered in China. (1721 AD.)
2.1.1.3.3.1 Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) (43:00- 53:23) (from D29, para 1.5.2.1)
Matteo Ricci was a lawyer and scientist who became a Jesuit priest. This portion is discussed in R1b and his rendition is equally good. When Ricci was convicted the Chinese worshiped the same God of heaven, he began to show the Chinese the similarities and translation many Christian books into Chinese and translated the Chinese books into Latin for the Europeans and was the first man to show Chinese culture to the west. He showed great respect to the culture and sometimes dressed himself as a Buddhist monk or as a Confucian scholar and was not as rigid to his sworn Jesuit oath (See Appendix “E”The Jesuit Counter Prostestant Reformation) . His purpose was to engage the culture of the Chinese and win them to Christ through his genuine love and friendship. His goal was to gain a position in the royal palace and share the love of Christ to the Chinese emperor himself, because you can’t change a nation without changing the elite (This is why the endtime prophecy did not mention China, but only the U.S.A , although China is now challenging the U.S for supremacy. This is why China’s President need to know about the forgotten God of the Chinese people and in due time he will be convicted as was King Nebuchadnezzar.) Matteo believed that if he can convert the emperor, he can change the whole of China.
After 20 years of hard work, Ricci became an advisor (the first foreign advisor,( just like the biblical Joseph, and Daniel) to Emperor Wan Li . He died at 58 and led 2500 Chinese to Jeus Christ , the first man to bring the gospel to China. He established four mission bases throughout China. Through his leadership among the Jesuits, a number of Chinese elite, the top of society they came to Christ. By 1664, there were more than a quarter million Christians in China. Many princes, and dowagers became Christians. Among those saved was one of the greatest emperor in Chinese history, Emperor Kang Xi.
2.1.1.3.3.2 Emperor Kang Xi (1654-1722) (From D29 par 1.5.2.2)
By 1692, Emperor Kang Xi issued an edict granting Christians all throughout China to evangelise. The Bible was spread throughout China. Then crisis hit with persecution as Jesus had taught . The worst were from the leaders within the Catholic church who were against the missionaries engaging Chinese culture. These religious Catholic Christians considered Chinese as pagans and looked down on their culture and their language. They were against the learning of the Chinese language and condemn all Chinese emperors to burn in hell. They demanded all converts to give up the rites of honoring their ancestors. Although most Chinese don’t worship their ancestors but they honour the dead. It is part of the Chinese culture. Kang Xi made it very clear he and most Chinese believe in the supreme sovereign Most High God. The rites of honoring ancestors were only signs of respect. They don’t pray to them and they are not afraid of departed spirits and they have no superstitious beliefs concerning spirits. But the pope cannot accept it and this became known as the “Rite Controversy”*1 Pope Clement XI sent Dominican*2 missionary to Kang Xi demanding all China must renounce the honoring of the ancestors. The Pope’s missionary were totally insensitive to the feelings of the Chinese and insulting the Chinese and their culture. It was the French bishop who challenged Emperor Kang Xi and insulted him. This result in Kang Zi banning Christianity in China.
God who is working behind the scene among the Chinese people from the beginning will not let this long period of silence since Kang Xi to bring all His children (from all ‘races’ ) to know the truth and be reconciled through Christ to Him. We are all of one blood and the descendents of the righteous Noah. It is God’s design and timing that this knowledge of the story in the Chinese Language be the catalyst to bring us to seek the truth that is in God’s word.
Historical records show that for the first thousand years there was no idol in the Temple of Heaven. There was no worshipping of ancestors in the first one thousand years of Chinese history. If we look today at Chinese culture and Chinese religion we will find a large majority of Chinese are Buddhists, another large majority subscribe to the teachings of Confucius, and also Daoism.
2.1.1.3.4 Idols Worship with Forgotten True Worship
Like Israel, the Chinese people later began to worship other gods. (See D29 Appendix “D” The Unknown God Inscription in Athens) The Bible records Israel in a short time when they went into Canaan, the promise land, they were influenced by their environment, by the elements of nature to be the attributes of gods, and be detached from their origin. From one God they have many gods with one major God over many gods. So now Shang Di became Tien Di and in the Chinese pantheon of Gods are Buddha and Quan Yin But where did Quan Yin come from? He came as a male god from India in the Han Dynasty. But by the Tang Dynasty, he became a female goddess. This understanding was passed down parents to their children and she is now entrenched as a goddess by many Chinese. We now have the elderly Chinese praying to the kitchen god, door god, and all other kinds of god. There are parents who go to the temple of Confucius to pray for their children’s good grades in school. Some religion turns people into god. The concept is from many gods of all things to all things are gods, and this extends to praying to all departed ancestors which is perpetuated in some of the traditional rites such as “Ching Ming” festival. when many families visit the graves and tombs of their ancestors.The festival usually begins on April 4th or 5th, but activities may start as early as 10 days prior. This festival is perpetuated by Chinese living overseas but banned in China.
Everyone of us do need the Saviour for we cannot save ourselves. Many Chinese unbelieversof the one true god believe in the “eighteen levels of hell”. As preparation to go to hell, they burn some hell notes for those who go to hell to use. This is extended to paper models of Mercedes, house, maids, handphone, laptop, etc. But the Bible says we don’t have to be citizens of hell, the netherworld. Satan said the wages of sin is death and you must go hell. But Jesus said I will pay the price, He went to hell to pay the price for all confessed sins and on the third day he rose again to give us the chance to have life. Because He is alive today, we have the chance to be set free from the bondage to Satan and sins. This is the good news. He paid the price so that we can make it to heaven. He also gives anyone who believe in Him and the Father, the third person of the Holy Spirit who tarts to transform you to become more and more like Jesus. It is only by the righteousnes of Jesus Christ coming upon you who have humbled yourself to receive the kindness and grace of God and you are saved from yourself while on earth and be prepared to go to heaven.
2.1.1.4 Credibility Substantiated with Genesis
(R3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK559_ZuQH8&t=192s (56:07) Who was the God of Ancient Chinese? Part 1 of 4, May 10, 2014 May 2, 2014 New Life International Church. Only three of the four parts are available on YouTube from New Life Church (SDA)
This is a very bible base presentation by a Caucasian SDA Pastor from Australia who does not know Chinese purposely researching in Taiwan to seek out the credibility of the hidden story of Genesis in the Chinese language. Pastor Robbie Berghan was impressed as to why China was original called “God’s Land” and he wanted to know that God. His reference resources are: 1. The Chinese Classics as translated by James Legge; 2. Oracle Bone Scripts; (1500 -1000 BC); 3. Bronzeware Scripts ( 1100-700 BC.); 4.Shuo Wen Jei Gee” ( 200- 206 BC) – the first dictionary that studied the Chinese characters covering 85568 words ( at 1994 count - and the normal literate Chinese knows about 5000 words); and 5.The Holy Bible.(1440 BC- 90 AD)
Watching these three presentations is the best form of a comprehensive review to get to know the true God of the Bible that the Ancient Chinese worshiped as Shang Di.
Studying the Chinese language characters is probing into the way the Chinese pioneers thought and taught about the beginning of everything. (20:08- 25:08)
There are three historical writings that harmonise with the Genesis account on creation:
- “Dao came forth from nothingness and was the mother of all thing”- Lao Zi (cf Bible verses : Jn 1:1; Gen 1:1, 26, 28; 3:20) Early Chinese called Adam “Ah Deng” and Eve “Nu Wa”. And there is the KaiFeng stone inscriptions about Adam and Eve being ancestors of Abraham found in KaiFeng, Henan Province.
- “Who made An Deng the governing king and how was Nu Wa’s body created ?”- Qu Yuan (340-278 BC) whose death is traditionally commemorated as Duan Wu Festival ( Dragon Boat Festival). This poet was contemplating on the mystery of Adam and Eve existence in the beginning of humanity.
- “There are four rivers under heaven they are the sacred springs of God which harmonise and nourish all living creatures.” ( cf – Gen 2:10)
He then presented the story of creation according to the Chinese character ( 25:08-36:29) starting with “God” as the emperor above; “Create” composes of dust, mouth and motion. (expressing Gen 2:7). In forming the word “Create” they go back to their first understanding of their beginning. This is the principle by which all the characters are formulated. “Fire” is a person radiating heat and “Glory” is formed by two persons radiating heat on a cover above a tree (cf Isa 43:}.”Flesh “ is border, enter. and man: ( cf Gen 2:22-23) “First/ Beginning “ is two and person ( Gen 2:24) “Palace” is two months making a pair under a cover. “Complete” is first under a cover ( roof ) ( Gen 1:31: 2:1)
2.1.1.4.1 “The Seven Day Week Cycle” (36:29- 41:56)
“The Way of Heaven goes forth and returns after seven days”- Zhou Yi – Classic of Change ( 2194-2149 BC) Cf Gen 2:2-3; Exo 20:8-11)
(Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. )
God is saying He created everything iin six days and rested on the seventh day to mark out the creation week as a continual cycle, recognized and pointed out by the ancient Chinese as “the returning seventh day” . Even today the seventh day of the first lunar month of the Chinese year is known as “the birthday of mankind.” The week comes exclusively from Creation and the origin of man. The fact that for four thousand years the ancient Chinese have understood that there’s a “Seven Day Week Cycle” prior to any Westerner stepping into China proves they understood the creation week in the origin of man and that they worship the one and only true God.
Even Confucius ( a contemporary of Daniel) taught: “This rule goes and returns, every seven days it comes again “ The French tried to change the cycle to ten days in the French revolution and after two months the animals started going crazy and they had to revert to the seven days cycle. (Watch 35. Worship Service Sabbath School - The Rhythms of Rest Elder Melvin Blue, Pastor C.A. Murray, and Pastor Daniel Gouveia (0:12-52:12).This lesson covers the Creation week Rest on the seventh day -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJVritrr7tY&list=RDCMUCcopRbQkzivS5Kx6Y1hve-g&start_radio=1 35. Worship Service Sabbath School - The Rhythms of Rest Elder Melvin Blue, Pastor C.A. Murray, and Pastor Daniel Gouveia (0:12-52:12).This lesson covers the Creation week Resy on the seventh day. )
The issue of rest day on the Sabbath day as the day of true worship will ultimately be contested that will be settled on the day of the Lord with the second coming of Christ Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords.(See FA3)
“In the last conflict in the great controversy between good and evil, God has called us to give the final warning to the world. The Christian world are honoring a false Sabbath, and we are to show them its true character and foundation. We must make it plain to them that they are honoring a man-made institution in place of that which God himself has sanctified. Every rival to God must be made to appear as an idol. Solemn is our responsibility.” {RH, January 31, 1893 par. 9}
2.1.1.4.2 Adam & Eve (Mankind) Fall into Sin
“ Shan Hai Jing” – “Collection of the Mountains and Seas” Chinese classic ( 1-5 BC) stated:
“There was a sacred tree and a tree of immortality, eating the fruit from the sacred tree would make people wise like gods.” ( Cf Gen 2:16, 17- God says in addition there is also one tree,“the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”-Gen 2:17)
The reminder of this message is embedded in the Chinese language. The character “tree” as a radical is incorporated in many other characters to tell the story of sin in mankind:
“Forbidden” is tree of knowledge + tree of life + to show . The Chinese recognized the first time they were forbidden as a command by God at the two trees.
“Control/Restraint” = tree+mouth;
“Devil/Ghost” = garden+man+ speaking; (Gen 3:1; Rev 12:9 )
“Wizard” = devil + two trees+ to stretch; ( Gen 3:2-5)
“Soul” = devil + to say ( The ancient Chinese belief that the soul was the devil speaking lies to you. (Unfortunately, nowadays, many Chinese worship the souls of their dead relatives because they have forgotten the God that their ancestors worshipped.)
“Covetous” = woman under two trees ( Cf Gen 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
“Fruit” = tree + garden;
“Naked” = clothing + fruit; ( It is senseless unless we know about Gen 3:7 “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons”)
“Shang Shu “ – Classic of History (300 BC), compilation of documentary records related to events in ancient history of China states:
“Because human beings sin, God ordered Shong Li to block the way of communication between man and God.” (cf Gen3:22 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”- Gen 3:24.
From these similarities presented we can draw out conclusion that without the Bible account of Genesis on the creation of man the story embedded in the Chinese language does not make much sense . It is only credible when we know the truth in God’s word that is revealed in the Bible.
2.1.1.4.2.1 The First Murder and The Great Flood
The presentation is continued in R3a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2E6pc_KXNc (1:21:07) “The Origin of the Chinese People”Part 2 of 4, May 10, 2014, New Life International Church. It covers words based on the first sin which was murder over difference in manner of worship, (Gen 4) (12:41- 22:02) leading into the great flood with this important Chinese historical evidence: “Gong Gong stated a revolt which caused a flood that damaged the earth. The poles of heaven collapsed and the cables of the earth were broken.”(22:21)- HuaiNanZi (2nd Century BC-Han Dynasty) (Cf Gen 6:5,7). In “Dinosaurs by Design” by Dr Duane Gish (p 74-75): ‘One legend from China tells the story of a man named Fuxi who, along with his wife and three sons and three daughters, was saved from the great flood. One ancient temple in China has a painting that depicts Fuxi’s boat in the water and a dove with an olive branch in its beak” Cf Gen 8:10)(30;09-34;36) The understanding of the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant (Gen 9:12-15) was expressed by Liu An : “In remote antiquity, the four poles of the Universe collapsed, and the world descended into chaos: the firmament was no longer able to cover everything, and the earth was no longer able to support itself, -- water flooded the land, ;.. Hence, Nuwawa took five-colored stone to mend the Heavens.” The words designed after the flood were based on the eight people that were saved in the boat ( 38:30- 41:30)
2.1.1.4.2.2 The Tower of Babel (41:36- 55:30)
“ Why was the earth divided into many parts after the great flood?” –Qu Yuan, Tien Wen (310-278 BC.) This answer the poet asked is answered in the Bible- Gen 10 9,10, 32: 11:1-4) After the flood the life span was reduced to 30 years in explaining why Nimrod can build four cities in the space of about 100 years. (derived words “unite”, “tower “ God confused the one original language to stop the building of the tower where they will gather and do evil under Nimrod who separated from God. It was God’s purpose that the people spread out and populate the whole earth (Gen 11:5-9) Thus the Chinese Language and the Hebrew language based on their accounts of their origin were God gave. All other languages were evolved for example English borrowed from many other languages. The people who can live together by way of a new means of communication then form into groups and spread out to build their new homes in a new land.( this is depicted in “Migration” = great + to cease + west + motion. (west because they came from the west to China.)
2.1.1.4.2.3 Origin of Races (55:34-
The study by University of California, Berkley on Mitochondrial DNA mutations (1992) was able to track which part of the world that person come from originally by checking the person’s DNA. The study was able to map out the migratory pattern of the respective people group. However, they had assumed the Darwinian* theory in setting the dates which does not harmonise with the Bible giving us the genealogy* of Adam and Eve all the way to Jesus Christ as the Son of David. The finding concluded that all DNA originated in the middle East (Iraq- Babel). Science by DNA studies have proved that the Bible migration pattern is true and substantiates the Chinese historical records and the story embedded in the Chinese Language characters.
2242 BC was the date for the tower of Babel based on five different sources. The nest kingdom was Babylon in 2234 BC. Egypt (descendants of Ham) was next in 2188 BC. Greece was founded in 2089 BC, who were descendants of Japheth . China according to historical records was founded around 2200*( any dates before 2349 is not biblical)and the Chinese were the descendants of Shem as were the Hebrews who did not move far away:Japheth- northern and westerly- Europe, Russia; Ham- Southerly to Egypt and Africa; and Shem- Palestine Region and easterly to China.)(1:00:00- 1:04: 10)
(Note*- Biblical Dating: Summary of important dates found in Ussher, James. Annals of the World (1658): to refute Darwinism as a lie from Satan in his great controversywith Christ.
4004 BC: Sunday, October 23, in the middle of which God created light (Gen. 1:1-5; cf. Job 38:7 [angels singing]) (P1, 2). The first day of creation started at 6 pm the evening before. “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day” (Gen. 1:5b, English Standard Version)….Saturday, October 29: seventh day. God rests on this first Sabbath (Gen. 2:1-3; cf. Ex. 31:13, 17; Heb. 4:4, 9, 10)
4003 BC: birth of Cain (Gen. 4:1).3874 BC: birth of Seth (Gen. 4:25). Adam and Eve are both aged 130 (Gen. 5:3) (P13)… 3074 BC: Death of Adam aged 930 (Gen. 5:5) ..2948 BC: Birth of Noah (Gen. 5:29) 2448 BC: When Noah is 500 years old, his first son Japheth is born (Gen. 5:32, 10:21).(Seth is the third son. .
2349 BC: Death of Methuselah aged 969 years—longest living human (Gen. 5:27) His name is a prophesy meaning “at his death it (flood) shall be sent.” It rains for 40 days and 40 nights and afterward the Earth remains flooded for 150 days (Ge 7:4, 6, 11-13, 17, 24)… 2348 BC: Wednesday, May 6: The Ark comes to rest on the mountains of Ararat (Gen. 8:3-4). .
2346 BC: Shem is 100 years old when his son Arphaxad is born two years after the Flood (Gen. 11:10) ,,2247 BC: Eber is 34 years old when his son Peleg (“Division”) is born (Gen. 11:16). The boy was given the name “Division” because in his days the Earth was divided (Gen. 10:25)
Before taking control of their lands, these grandsons and their families migrated from the mountains of Ararat to the Valley of Shinar (Gen. 11:2). There they started to build a great tower to the heavens to make a name for themselves. Yhwh, however, confused their language and scattered them abroad. The tower came to be known as Babel (Gen. 11:9) and its city Babylon. Scattered abroad, the grandsons of Noah and their families settled in their lands according to their languages)
2.1.1.4.2.3.1 Skin Colour and Physical Features (1:05:00 -1:20:00)
Darwin’s theory says the human evolved from monkey and progressed to our present form and intellect, the highest being the English race – white skin and Caucasian features. The other colour types being less evolved are the rest of the other races, ie. the black being closer to the monkey and Asian skin colours are in between. Racism is the outcome of this worldview created by Satan through Darwin( Englishman) to cause so much hatred and violence in the world. To be freed from this bondage to Darwinism is by the law of liberty in God’s law by believing in God who created Adam and Eve as the progenitor of all mankind.
The evidence to explain this Biblical truth that we are all descendants from Adam and Eve (no racial groups but different social and cultural groups) is using basic level genealogy in the study of DNA. The different skin colours is explained by Adam and Eve being created in mid tone colour ( not black or white) that over time become the four main “Racial “ Groups: Caucasoid (European “White”); Mongoloid (Chinese? American Indians); Negroid (African “Black”); and Australoid ( Australian Aborigines). The difference in the DNA(genes) between any two persons (white and Black) is 0.2 % compared with the difference between two persons in the same “race” ( family members) of 0.12%.
The Skin colour issue is best to illustrate with basic biological science. Pigmentation comes from AABB- Dark colour, A and B = lots of Melanin ; AaBb- Middle Brown colour which is mixed with a and b being small amount of Melanin (the colour of Adam and Eve); and aabb- Light colour all small amount of Melanin. The male and female has one of four genes: AB, Ab, aB and ab Their children will have 16 outcomes A mother with ab and a father with ab will have aabb, the pure white colour, in contrast to a child with AABB (black). The dark brown range is AABb, AaBB, AABb, AaBB; lhe lighter brown is.AaBb, aaBB; light white is Aabbb, aaBb, Aabb, aaBb; and the Pure White is aabb. Depending on what the genes of the mother and the father is will determine offspring ‘s skin colour which could be different from the parents. In the course of time the stronger genes will get stronger and the weaker genes will disappear. Thus, the skin colour distinction between the “racial” groups and there is no means to change this final make up in your skin colour. This refute Darwin’s theory that over time we develop by gaining information.. On the contrary we lose information.
2.1.1.4.3 Unrecognised Evidence in the Border Sacrifice
(R3b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex7KKKJSrjs&t=10s (56:46) The Unknown God Part 3 of 4 May 17, 2014 New Life International Church)
The ancient Chinese who migrated from the Tower of Babel, like Noah, set up an altar and this is documented as the border sacrifice. The emperor (a type of Christ) acts as the high priest who intercedes for the sins of people in his land. The spiritual truth was lost over time and only by connecting it to the Jewish sanctuary service as revealed in the Bible, could it be fully understood. God has given the Chinese language to ensure that the people of all languages and tribes will not forget the importance in remembering their beginning. This task God has appointed His remnant church after the world misunderstood and did not recognize the purpose of the border sacrifice, to convey to the world the Sanctuary Doctrine which is the central pillar of faith of the Seventh -Day Adventist Church. The central truth is on Jesus Christ who was sent by God to reveal the knowledge of God and His plan of salvation. This plan is in saving all of Adam’s descendants who have his fallen nature because of sin that will believe in God’s word to heed the message embedded in the Chinese language. The border sacrifice is a type pointing to Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man at the cross of Calvary expresses the Father's love to lost humanity.
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son."(Jn 3:16). He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice. He gave Him to the fallen race. Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is "not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11); He is our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father's throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed--the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness. {SC 14.3}
2.1.1.4.3.1 History of the Border Sacrifice
Emperor Shun ( 2256-2205 B.C.) was the first emperor of China and he sacrificed to ShangDi. (The Chinese Classics: Shu Jing (600BC)– James legge,Vol110 p33-34) {clip 4:22-7.24) This was the beginning and it lasted to 1911. Around 1400 the Temple (Altar) of Heaven was built in Beijing. There is no references to idols in the Temple (Altar) as the central display on the alter is a plaque inscribed with four Chinese characters “Supreme Ruler of Heaven “ ( 7:24- 9:54) (The alter furniture reflects Exo 20:3-7)
The Tower of Babel (9:55- 12:00) is the key that starts the split in the sacrificial system with the group in the Middle East becoming the Hebrews in the Israelites and the group that migrated to the East to become the Chinese Civilization. For the first one thousand years of the Chinese civilization there isn’t a single idol to be found. This was documented by Confucius with the riddle: stating: He who understand the ceremonies of the sacrifices to heaven and earth.. would find the government of a kingdom as easy as to look into his palm!”
The detail description of the Border Sacrifice is possible due to James Legge translation of the Chinese classic from 2205BC- 1911AD.
“ In the ceremony, the emperor, who had fasted for three days and was reverentially humble in demeanor, bowed before an altar in recognition of his – and China’s- compact with Shang-Di.”
“The Emperor of China would go to the northern and southern border of his land and give a sacrifice of a spotless bull. Before the ceremony began, the emperoe would fast and go through a purification period. This was the emperor whose people believed he was the Mandate of Heaven. This meant that he was part god, that he was holy, and that he had blessing of heaven. Yet, he subjected himself to no food and no concubines, and granted pleasures of life.”
The main purpose of sacrificial offerings from a Hebrew perspective is stated in Leviticus 11:2 in taking the bull and the lamb without blemish to present to the Lord as the offering for sin.
There are eleven songs and prayers of what the Emperor said during the border sacrifices. (as stated in R1 but watch clip 15:35- 24:13) which is a better presentation) of the “Emperor who is unable to express himself and not knowihg how to express reverence correctly this mighty Shang- Di.” In the process of the songs and prayer he burns an incense offer followed by gems and silk. After praising The lord as eternal and powerful offers the wine offering as a toast after song 5. He carries on in praises of all the blessing bestowed to his people iith further wine offering in song 6 and then the traditional dance would begin. There follows further praises in recognition of all works of His hands that the emperor regrettably is unable to express his respect in song 8. , he would after song 9 in expressing all all His sovereign goodness and blessings He bestows to him and all his subject despite their faults He grants them life and prosperity. After this the emperor retreats backwards and removing the offers and in Song 10 thank Him for accepting their service and ask for great blessing to the increase of happiness to his house as we have all expressed our gratitude in pin praises of You. And as an undeserving servant he bows his head, laying in the dust , bathed in His grace and glory. He then takes the silks and offerings burning at the outer altar as he sings Song 11 to end the service.
After the prayer, the emperor and his retinue come to the ground alter and sacrifice the unblemished bulls. They were obtained by the official going to the country side several months before to look for as a type of savior. Animal carcass were offered as a burnt offering identical to the way the Jews operated. Ist part religion identical to region in Bible. The present Chinese people who worship other gods of their belief. don’t understand the full meaning that the sacrifice was pointing to Christ, the Lamb of God, shedding of blood. We who know must share this message to them.
All that were mentioned by the Emperor the songs are similar to the Holy Bible ( see 25:10-32:14) This is possible because Lamech ( 9th generation and father of Noah ) heard it from Adam ) and Methuselah (8th generation, father of Lamech) was also alive to help in the building of the Ark. Adam would tell his story of when he and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden after they sinned in disobeying God’s commandment ( Gen 3) and introducing the system of sacrifice to cover their nakedness and a token of their forgiveness that would bring death. Cain and Abel was taught to offer sacrifice for their sins (Gen 4) . Then It was Noah who remembered and built an alter immediatel after getting out of the ark built an altar and sacrificed.) This was remembered by the first inhabitants of China when they set up their first dynasty less than 50 years after the Tower of Babel and began the Border Sacrifice. They did it on the border as they were expelled from the Garden they would stay as close as possible close to the border of the garden to do their daily sacrifice. And having the hope that they were connected still to the Garden of Eden. Ie. being close to the border where God is.
2.1.1.4.3.2 Shang Di Worship in the Beginning
When you read the ancient Chinese historical records, Shang Di has the same character, nature and power as the God in the Old Testament. The Earliest-known religious system of the Han Chinese people who worshipped Shang Di was a monotheistic religion. They did not make any graven images or idols of Shang Di, he was known as the unseen one in heaven. The earliest references to Shang Di are found in Oracle Bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty. The inscriptions bear record that Shang Di is soverign over all nations and in complete control of all things. Apart from the Oracle Bone, Shang Di is mentioned 96 times in the Wujing (Collection of 5 classic books) And 79 more times in other Chinese classics.
The emperor of every dynasty would function as a high priest and make a yearly animal sacrifice. During the ritual an unblemished bull would be slaughtered and presented as an animal sacrifice to Shang Di, where it was offered to the god's "spirit tablet" (神位) During an annual sacrifice, the emperor would carry these tablets to the north part of the Temple of Heaven, a place called the "Prayer Hall For Good Harvests," and place them on the throne. There are no physical representations recorded of Shang Di. However, there are many references to the attributes and character of Shang Di, including: maleness, emotion, compassion, intellect, judgment, mastery, and greatness.
Pr Robbie in his third presentation posed, The Great question to be asked Who is this Shang Di worshiped in Ancient China? ( 32:19- 38: 08)) He researched and found that Shang-Di was mentioned 32 time in Clasic of History, 24 times in Classic of Poetry; 20 times in Classic of Rites, 8 times inSpring and Autumn Annals; and 2 times in Classic of Changes. Every time He is mentioned not as an emperor or a person but as a supernatural power that is beyond human comprehension. These are some of the common attributes between Shang Di and God: 1/ Creator; Father; 3. Eternal[ 4 Loving; 5. Merciful; 6. Good; and 7. Ability to hear Prayer These characteristics especially 5 and 7 are never professed by any other religion. They are identical with the God of the Bible.. Other characteristic that matches are: eternal; Sovereign; Omnipotent and Omnisient, Infinite. All these documented classical historical records in describing Shang Di is in fact the same as El Shaddai, the same as Jehovah; the same as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . Unfortunately the video stops playing. (38:08) The very next vital question is posed as to how present Chinese people don’t continue to worship ShanDi and instead worsip other gods in idolatory? (In D29 is provided a summary and simple answer by Rev Kang from Malaysia in R3 : He asked the question, What happened to Shang Di of the Chinese?) However, we clearly understand by Bible historical account how in forgetting our beginning that has caused the great flood as the wrath of God in judgment against the Antediluvian. This is the first lesson of past historical events that will be repeated as a lesson to warn and to prepare us for the final endtime event prior to the Second Coming and deliverance.
2.1.1.4.3.3 Forgetting God as our Creator
This is based on the inspired writing of the Spirit of prophecy on lesson in the Great flood.
“In the days of Noah a double curse was resting upon the earth in consequence of Adam's transgression and of the murder committed by Cain. Yet this had not greatly changed the face of nature. There were evident tokens of decay, but the earth was still rich and beautiful in the gifts of God's providence. … {PP 90.1} The human race yet retained much of its early vigor. But a few generations had passed since Adam had access to the tree which was to prolong life; and man's existence was still measured by centuries…. {PP 90.2} God bestowed upon these antediluvians many and rich gifts; but they used His bounties to glorify themselves, and turned them into a curse by fixing their affections upon the gifts instead of the Giver. They employed the gold and silver, the precious stones and the choice wood, in the construction of habitations for themselves, and endeavored to excel one another in beautifying their dwellings with the most skillful workmanship. They sought only to gratify the desires of their own proud hearts, and reveled in scenes of pleasure and wickedness. Not desiring to retain God in their knowledge, they soon came to deny His existence. They adored nature in place of the God of nature. They glorified human genius, worshiped the works of their own hands, and taught their children to bow down to graven images. {PP 90.3}
2.1.1.4.3.3.1 Worshipers of Human inventions- Idolatry
Men put God out of their knowledge and worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as the result, they became more and more debased. The psalmist describes the effect produced upon the worshiper by the adoration of idols. He says, "They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them." Psalm 115:8. It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed. Man will rise no higher than his conceptions of truth, purity, and holiness. If the mind is never exalted above the level of humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the man will be constantly sinking lower and lower. The worshipers of false gods clothed their deities with human attributes and passions, and thus their standard of character was degraded to the likeness of sinful humanity. They were defiled in consequence. "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. . . . The earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence." God had given men His commandments as a rule of life, but His law was transgressed, and every conceivable sin was the result. The wickedness of men was open and daring, justice was trampled in the dust, and the cries of the oppressed reached unto heaven. {PP 91.2} Polygamy had been early introduced, contrary to the divine arrangement at the beginning. The Lord gave to Adam one wife, showing His order in that respect. But after the Fall, men chose to follow their own sinful desires; and as the result, crime and wretchedness rapidly increased. Neither the marriage relation nor the rights of property were respected. Whoever coveted the wives or the possessions of his neighbor, took them by force, and men exulted in their deeds of violence. They delighted in destroying the life of animals; and the use of flesh for food rendered them still more cruel and bloodthirsty, until they came to regard human life with astonishing indifference. {PP 91.3}
The world was in its infancy; yet iniquity had become so deep and widespread that God could no longer bear with it; and He said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth." He declared that His Spirit should not always strive with the guilty race. If they did not cease to pollute with their sins the world and its rich treasures, He would blot them from His creation, and would destroy the things with which He had delighted to bless them; He would sweep away the beasts of the field, and the vegetation which furnished such an abundant supply of food, and would transform the fair earth into one vast scene of desolation and ruin. {PP 92.1}
2.1.1.4.3.3.2 One Hundred and Twenty Years Probation
Amid the prevailing corruption, Methuselah (when he is dead it shall come), Noah (rest, consolation), and many others labored to keep alive the knowledge of the true God and to stay the tide of moral evil. A hundred and twenty years before the Flood, the Lord by a holy angel declared to Noah His purpose, and directed him to build an ark. While building the ark he was to preach that God would bring a flood of water upon the earth to destroy the wicked. Those who would believe the message, and would prepare for that event by repentance and reformation, should find pardon and be saved. Enoch had repeated to his children what God had shown him in regard to the Flood, and Methuselah and his sons, who lived to hear the preaching of Noah, assisted in building the ark. {PP 92.2} … "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Hebrews 11:7. While Noah was giving his warning message to the world, his works testified of his sincerity. It was thus that his faith was perfected and made evident. He gave the world an example of believing just what God says. All that he possessed, he invested in the ark. As he began to construct that immense boat on dry ground, multitudes came from every direction to see the strange sight and to hear the earnest, fervent words of the singular preacher. Every blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people. {PP 95.1}
Many at first appeared to receive the warning; yet they did not turn to God with true repentance. They were unwilling to renounce their sins. During the time that elapsed before the coming of the Flood, their faith was tested, and they failed to endure the trial. Overcome by the prevailing unbelief, they finally joined their former associates in rejecting the solemn message. Some were deeply convicted, and would have heeded the words of warning; but there were so many to jest and ridicule, that they partook of the same spirit, resisted the invitations of mercy, and were soon among the boldest and most defiant scoffers; for none are so reckless and go to such lengths in sin as do those who have once had light, but have resisted the convicting Spirit of God. {PP 95.2}
The men of that generation were not all, in the fullest acceptation of the term, idolaters. Many professed to be worshipers of God. They claimed that their idols were representations of the Deity, and that through them the people could obtain a clearer conception of the divine Being. This class were foremost in rejecting the preaching of Noah. As they endeavored to represent God by material objects, their minds were blinded to His majesty and power; they ceased to realize the holiness of His character, or the sacred, unchanging nature of His requirements. As sin became general, it appeared less and less sinful, and they finally declared that the divine law was no longer in force; that it was contrary to the character of God to punish transgression; and they denied that His judgments were to be visited upon the earth. Had the men of that generation obeyed the divine law, they would have recognized the voice of God in the warning of His servant; but their minds had become so blinded by rejection of light that they really believed Noah's message to be a delusion. {PP 95.3}
.. Had the antediluvians believed the warning, and repented of their evil deeds, the Lord would have turned aside His wrath, as He afterward did from Nineveh. But by their obstinate resistance to the reproofs of conscience and the warnings of God's prophet, that generation filled up the measure of their iniquity, and became ripe for destruction. {PP 97.2} … Mercy had ceased its pleadings for the guilty race. The beasts of the field and the birds of the air had entered the place of refuge. Noah and his household were within the ark, "and the Lord shut him in." ..by unseen hands. Noah was shut in, and the rejecters of God's mercy were shut out. ..{PP 98.2} …
2.1.1.4.3.3.3 Prophesied Endtime Judgment
"By the word of God . . . the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:5-7. Another storm is coming. The earth will again be swept by the desolating wrath of God, and sin and sinners will be destroyed. {PP 101.1}
The sins that called for vengeance upon the antediluvian world exist today. The fear of God is banished from the hearts of men, and His law is treated with indifference and contempt. The intense worldliness of that generation is equaled by that of the generation now living. Said Christ, "As in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:38, 39. God did not condemn the antediluvians for eating and drinking; He had given them the fruits of the earth in great abundance to supply their physical wants. Their sin consisted in taking these gifts without gratitude to the Giver, and debasing themselves by indulging appetite without restraint. It was lawful for them to marry. Marriage was in God's order; it was one of the first institutions which He established. He gave special directions concerning this ordinance, clothing it with sanctity and beauty; but these directions were forgotten, and marriage was perverted and made to minister to passion. {PP 101.2}
2.1.1.4.3.3.3.1 The Excessive Lifestyle
A similar condition of things exists now. That which is lawful in itself is carried to excess. Appetite is indulged without restraint. Professed followers of Christ are today eating and drinking with the drunken, while their names stand in honored church records. Intemperance benumbs the moral and spiritual powers and prepares the way for indulgence of the lower passions. Multitudes feel under no moral obligation to curb their sensual desires, and they become the slaves of lust. Men are living for the pleasures of sense; for this world and this life alone. Extravagance pervades all circles of society. Integrity is sacrificed for luxury and display. They that make haste to be rich pervert justice and oppress the poor, and "slaves and souls of men" are still bought and sold. Fraud and bribery and theft stalk unrebuked in high places and in low. The issues of the press teem with records of murder--crimes so cold-blooded and causeless that it seems as though every instinct of humanity were blotted out. And these atrocities have become of so common occurrence that they hardly elicit a comment or awaken surprise. The spirit of anarchy is permeating all nations, and the outbreaks that from time to time excite the horror of the world are but indications of the pent-up fires of passion and lawlessness that, having once escaped control, will fill the earth with woe and desolation. The picture which Inspiration has given of the antediluvian world represents too truly the condition to which modern society is fast hastening. Even now, in the present century, and in professedly Christian lands, there are crimes daily perpetrated as black and terrible as those for which the old-world sinners were destroyed. {PP 101.3}
2.1.1.4.3.3.3.2 God’s Last Warning Must be Given
Before the Flood God sent Noah to warn the world, that the people might be led to repentance, and thus escape the threatened destruction. As the time of Christ's second appearing draws near, the Lord sends His servants with a warning to the world to prepare for that great event. Multitudes have been living in transgression of God's law, and now He in mercy calls them to obey its sacred precepts. All who will put away their sins by repentance toward God and faith in Christ are offered pardon. But many feel that it requires too great a sacrifice to put away sin. Because their life does not harmonize with the pure principles of God's moral government, they reject His warnings and deny the authority of His law. {PP 102.1}
Of the vast population of the earth before the Flood, only eight souls believed and obeyed God's word through Noah. For a hundred and twenty years the preacher of righteousness warned the world of the coming destruction, but his message was rejected and despised. So it will be now. Before the Lawgiver shall come to punish the disobedient, transgressors are warned to repent, and return to their allegiance; but with the majority these warnings will be in vain. Says the apostle Peter, "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning." 2 Peter 3:3, 4. Do we not hear these very words repeated, not merely by the openly ungodly, but by many who occupy the pulpits of our land? "There is no cause for alarm," they cry. "Before Christ shall come, all the world is to be converted, and righteousness is to reign for a thousand years. Peace, peace! all things continue as they were from the beginning. Let none be disturbed by the exciting message of these alarmists." But this doctrine of the millennium does not harmonize with the teachings of Christ and His apostles. Jesus asked the significant question, "When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8. And, as we have seen, He declares that the state of the world will be as in the days of Noah. Paul warns us that we may look for wickedness to increase as the end draws near: "The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1. The apostle says that "in the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Timothy 3:1. And he gives a startling list of sins that will be found among those who have a form of godliness. {PP 102.2}
As the time of their probation was closing, the antediluvians gave themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities. …{PP 103.1} In Noah's day philosophers declared that it was impossible for the world to be destroyed by water; so now there are men of science who endeavor to show that the world cannot be destroyed by fire--that this would be inconsistent with the laws of nature. But the God of nature, the Maker and Controller of her laws, can use the works of His hands to serve His own purpose. {PP 103.2}
When great and wise men had proved to their satisfaction that it was impossible for the world to be destroyed by water, when the fears of the people were quieted, when all regarded Noah's prophecy as a delusion, and looked upon him as a fanatic--then it was that God's time had come. "The fountains of the great deep" were "broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened," and the scoffers were overwhelmed in the waters of the Flood. With all their boasted philosophy, men found too late that their wisdom was foolishness, that the Lawgiver is greater than the laws of nature, and that Omnipotence is at no loss for means to accomplish His purposes. "As it was in the days of Noah," "even thus shall it be in the days when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26, 30. "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10. When the reasoning of philosophy has banished the fear of God's judgments; when religious teachers are pointing forward to long ages of peace and prosperity, and the world are absorbed in their rounds of business and pleasure, planting and building, feasting and merrymaking, rejecting God's warnings and mocking His messengers--then it is that sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3. {PP 103.3}
2.2 Divine Shepherd as Sacrificial Lamb.
This section based on Ellen White’s amplication is to magnify the truth in the documentation on the border sacrifice of the Ancient Chinese . The present Chinese people had failed to perpetuate to the whole world by forgetting it themselves through the act of apostasy of Qin Shi Huang at the instigation of Satan.
Jesus declares: "I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." "I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep." ( John 10:11, 14,15) {DA 476.1}
(Christ is the divine shepherd who came from heaven to reveal the knowledge of the true loving God of the universe when Satan had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity.” None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory.” {DA 37.3}He presented Himself to the people as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (He is the truth serum and we are to) present the truth as it is in Jesus. Make plain the requirements of the law and the gospel. (He also is our remedy for sin which is the root of all diseases for instance Covid -19 and any mutated new strains.) Tell the people of Christ's life of self-denial and sacrifice (the sacrificial lamb); of His humiliation and death; of His resurrection and ascension; of His intercession for them in the courts of God; of His promise, "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself." John 14:3 ( as our personal Saviour) {COL 40.2})
This figure the prophet Isaiah had applied to the Messiah's mission, in the comforting words, "O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! . . . He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom." Isaiah 40:9-11. David had sung, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.,," Psalm 23:1-6. As a shepherd in his youth himself, presents the image of Christ as an intimate personal God who not only takes care of all the needs of the sheep, but also is a friend who generously bestow His blessings upon them. And the Holy Spirit through Ezekiel had declared: "I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them." "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick." "And I will make with them a covenant of peace." "And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen; . . . but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid." Ezekiel 34:23, 16, 25, 28. {DA 476.3}
Christ applied these prophecies to Himself, and He showed the contrast between His own character and that of the leaders in Israel. The Pharisees had just driven one from the fold, because he dared to bear witness to the power of Christ. They had cut off a soul whom the True Shepherd was drawing to Himself. In this they had shown themselves ignorant of the work committed to them, and unworthy of their trust as shepherds of the flock. Jesus now set before them the contrast between them and the Good Shepherd, and He pointed to Himself as the real keeper of the Lord's flock. Before doing this, however, He speaks of Himself under another figure. {DA 477.1}
He said, "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep." The Pharisees did not discern that these words were spoken against them. When they reasoned in their hearts as to the meaning, Jesus told them plainly, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." {DA 477.2}
2.2.1 Christ Is the Door
Christ is the door to the fold of God. Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance. In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples, and in the miracles wrought for the sons of men, they have beheld "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace. Many have come presenting other objects for the faith of the world; ceremonies and systems have been devised by which men hope to receive justification and peace with God, and thus find entrance to His fold. But the only door is Christ, and all who have interposed something to take the place other way, are thieves and robbers. {DA 477.3} … ( Satan was able to convey the legendary Chinese folklore of “The Door Gods”- watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLJ5TpPlKIs&t=381s (30:04) Legends of Ancient China Episode 13: The Door Gods 门神 Aug 23, 2017 VideoChinaTV)
In all ages, philosophers and teachers have been presenting to the world theories by which to satisfy the soul's need. Every heathen nation has had its great teachers and religious systems offering some other means of redemption than Christ, turning the eyes of men away from the Father's face, and filling their hearts with fear of Him who has given them only blessing. The trend of their work is to rob God of that which is His own, both by creation and by redemption. And these false teachers rob man as well. Millions of human beings are bound down under false religions, in the bondage of slavish fear, of stolid indifference, toiling like beasts of burden, bereft of hope or joy or aspiration here, and with only a dull fear of the hereafter. It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul. The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else can. Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in man; and whoever turns men away from Christ is turning them away from the source of true development; he is defrauding them of the hope and purpose and glory of life. He is a thief and a robber. {DA 478.2}
2.2.2 Divine Shepherd Knows All His Sheep
"He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep." Christ is both the door and the shepherd. He enters in by Himself. It is through His own sacrifice that He becomes the shepherd of the sheep. "To Him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice." {DA 478.3}
As the shepherd leads his flock over the rocky hills, through forest and wild ravines, to grassy nooks by the riverside; as he watches them on the mountains through the lonely night, shielding from robbers, caring tenderly for the sickly and feeble, his life comes to be one with theirs. A strong and tender attachment unites him to the objects of his care. However large the flock, the shepherd knows every sheep. Every one has its name, and responds to the name at the shepherd's call. {DA 479.1}
As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep, so does the divine Shepherd know His flock that are scattered throughout the world. "Ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God." Jesus says, "I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." "I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands." Ezekiel 34:31; Isaiah 43:1; 49:16. {DA 479.2}
Jesus knows us individually, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all by name. He knows the very house in which we live, the name of each occupant. He has at times given directions to His servants to go to a certain street in a certain city, to such a house, to find one of His sheep. {DA 479.3}
Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, "Follow Me," and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth. {DA 480.1}
“He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. . . . And the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice." The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-Shepherd with His sheep. The Scripture says, "Thou leddest Thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." Through the prophet, Jesus declares, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." He compels none to follow Him. "I drew them," He says, "with cords of a man, with bands of love." Psalm 77:20; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:4. {DA 480.2}
It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour's matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary's cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him. {DA 480.3}
As the shepherd goes before his sheep, himself first encountering the perils of the way, so does Jesus with His people. "When He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them." The way to heaven is consecrated by the Saviour's footprints. The path may be steep and rugged, but Jesus has traveled that way; His feet have pressed down the cruel thorns, to make the pathway easier for us. Every burden that we are called to bear He Himself has borne. {DA 480.4}
2.2.3 Faith in Christ Sets You Free
Though now He has ascended to the presence of God, and shares the throne of the universe, Jesus has lost none of His compassionate nature. Today the same tender, sympathizing heart is open to all the woes of humanity. Today the hand that was pierced is reached forth to bless more abundantly His people that are in the world. "And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." The soul that has given himself to Christ is more precious in His sight than the whole world. The Saviour would have passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast. {DA 480.5}
Through all our trials we have a never-failing Helper. He does not leave us alone to struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with burdens and sorrow. Though now He is hidden from mortal sight, the ear of faith can hear His voice saying, Fear not; I am with you. "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore." Revelation 1:18. I have endured your sorrows, experienced your struggles, encountered your temptations. I know your tears; I also have wept. The griefs that lie too deep to be breathed into any human ear, I know. Think not that you are desolate and forsaken. Though your pain touch no responsive chord in any heart on earth, look unto Me, and live. "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. {DA 483.1}
2.2.4 Christ our Everlasting Father
However much a shepherd may love his sheep, he loves his sons and daughters more. Jesus is not only our shepherd; He is our "everlasting Father." And He says, "I know Mine own, and Mine own know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me, and I know the Father." John 10:14, 15, R. V. What a statement is this!--the only-begotten Son, He who is in the bosom of the Father, He whom God has declared to be "the Man that is My fellow" (Zechariah 13:7),--the communion between Him and the eternal God is taken to represent the communion between Christ and His children on the earth! {DA 483.2}
Because we are the gift of His Father, and the reward of His work, Jesus loves us. He loves us as His children. Reader, He loves you. Heaven itself can bestow nothing greater, nothing better. Therefore trust. {DA 483.3}
Jesus thought upon the souls all over the earth who were misled by false shepherds. Those whom He longed to gather as the sheep of His pasture were scattered among wolves, and He said, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd." John 10:16, R. V. {DA 483.4}
"Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again." That is, My Father has so loved you, that He even loves Me more for giving My life to redeem you. In becoming your substitute and surety, by surrendering My life, by taking your liabilities, your transgressions, I am endeared to My Father. {DA 483.5}
"I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." While as a member of the human family He was mortal, as God He was the fountain of life for the world. He could have withstood the advances of death, and refused to come under its dominion; but voluntarily He laid down His life, that He might bring life and immortality to light. He bore the sin of the world, endured its curse, yielded up His life as a sacrifice, that men might not eternally die. "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. . . . He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:4-6. {DA 484.1}
2.3 Jesus Open Invitation: “Come Unto Me”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u26W7r2s8Hc&t=3162s (52:55) 31. Worship Service - 07/31/2021 - see Pt 1 Sabbath School "Come To Me..." (3:36 – 52:55)
Lest we forget our Bible account of the Creation story in Genesis (Beginning) that God rested on the seventh day after six days of His creative work. God instituted a memorial in the time of rest to make up the weekly cycle which they keep but many being ignorant of its origin. Adam and were invited to observe the rest as they require no rest from any labour yet. God knew that when they succumbed to the test of obedience to His law (by forgetfulness) He wants to provide rest for them after the fall from the burdens that are the consequences of Sin.
Life is a burden to most of humanity, while we are living and breathing there are all kinds of burdens – personal, family, school, work, health, relationship, society etc.
So in today’s world of busyness, of difficulties, of concerns and anxieties there is a rest that Jesus wants to provide for us, to help with our burdens . This is Jesus invitation: “: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” . – Matt 11: 28.( see Matt 11:25-30) Jesus has claimed that He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him – Jn 14: 6. (Read Matt 11:20-28 is the context to what was happening that led Jesus to make the scathing rebuke and then make that open invitation of rest .( Best to watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u26W7r2s8Hc&t=3162s (52:55) to hear the bible study discussions .)
2.3.1 Sin the Root of All Burden
The heaviest burden we bear is sin according to Ellen White. Sin
broke our relationship with God. It caused us to have toil and we needed a mediator mentioned in the Bible “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” -1Ti 2:5 . Isaiah says by inspiration: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”- Isa 53:6. (Jesus can say come to me because He has taken our burden of sin and paid the cost for that. He is also the only one to heal the broken hearted “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. “-Psa 147:3 .
2.3.2 Find Rest in Christ
Coming to Jesus is imperative for there is no rest outside of Christ. But this is not the natural way we handle things for we want to do it ourselves-to work out our own situation and burden. (Rom 8:5-8). But Jesus says if you want rest you have to come to Me.
People of that time and now have the wrong conception of the Yoke . The Israelites connected the yoke with the law of God because the Priests had added to the laws that made the laws very hard to obey. For example in Act 15:10 “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” This is in contrast to what Christ offers “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” -Gal 5:1. ( Christ has made us free and we don’t have to bear the yoke of bondage of Judaism and come to Christ directly.)
2.3.2.1 The Yoke of Christ
Christ is teaching us (v 29) to take His yoke and to form a relationship with Him in working out our salvation in life. We are called to service as long as life shall last we are to take upon His yoke that we maybe co-workers with Him. The yoke that binds to service is the Law of God. If we are yoked up with Christ and are surrendered to Him with His spirit living in us, it is natural for us to want to do His will and to keep His law and to live the life of Christ. (We need Christ to cast off the heavy yoke you have. This world is a heavy yoke because Satan abuse those who fall under his sway. The only way to get free is in Christ Jesus by accepting His light yoke where He bears all the heavy burden. We just cooperate with Him and learn from the master and He will never leave us to bear it alone. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”- Phi 2:13). In the process of learning through association with Him we take on and He develops in us through the Holy Spirit the character of Christ. Then the works become almost unidentifiable
2.3.2.1.1 Meekness & Lowliness.
Being meek and lowly works in our favour The more we are childlike the more able is Christ able to work in us. Therefore, the more we are able to surrender and die to our selfish self is our profitability in the kingdom of God, not our talents or our abilities (Matt 5:5; 1 Pet 3:4 ; Isa 57:17 2 Cor 10:1)
The characteristic admissible to heaven is a contrite and humble (meek and lowly) spirit .Jesus exhibitied many of these characteristic in His mission to carry out the works of His Father. He came to serve rather than to be served ( Phi 2:7) typified by washing the feet of his disciples at the last supper ( Jn 13: Moses also has this character ( No 12:3; Deut:18:15) and He prophesied that God is going to send a prophet like him and Christ professed “I am meek and lowly..” (Mat 11:29) Learning the lesson of humility is difficule . It is not in our nture but it is something we need to learn to be like Christ . It takes much more self control to hold our peace than to react to an difficult contfrontation By accepting and coming to the Lord who saya that He is meek and gentle is that it frees you from wanting to get even or the upper hand. Jesus will fight the battle If the battle needs to be fought.
2.3.2.1.2 Jesus Yoke is Easy
Jesus encouragingly says to take His yoke is easy for by being joined to Him and with His help we can face even the tough times Walking , working and living and loving Christ is an easy thing and gets easier tae longer you do it. The challenges are easier to face. When yoked with him we are going to have that peace and the rest that only comes from Him. Some of the laws on the sacrificial service were done away at the cross ( Heb 8:10) In its place is the new covenant ( jer 31:33) Having that law in our heart then we can say I delight to do thy law. In the Jewish economy their focus is on the law and their rules kept growing by rabbinical decreed. By coming to Me and if you allow the spirit to replicate My character in you, then He will carry this burden, not in your strength for I can do all things. It’s Christ providing the energy.
Jesus in saying, “My yoke is easy” is telling us “I am going to write my law in your mind and in your heart that you won’t be at war with yourself trying to accommodate this. You are going to be like me. I am going to make you like me that it will be an easy thing for you, (1 Jn 1:7) walking and working with Christ. This is the outworking of this relationship. We walk in the light as He is in the light. His blood cleanse us from our sins. And we become His child. (1 Jn 5:2-3) His commandment is not burdensome.
“Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory--character--of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy. “ {DA 331.2}
“ As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness.
As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is this compared with the hereafter? There "are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7:15-17. {DA 331.3}
2.3.2.2 Imperative Response
This is the imperative response to Jesus Invitation of rest and restoration.
Jesus is inviting all of us where he says it is imperative if you want salvation, if you want to be free from the burden of sin, if you want to do the will of God, if that is your desire come to me and learn of me. And I will give you an easy burden and a light yoke.
We should earnestly seek to know and appreciate the truth that we may present it to others as it is in Jesus. We need to have a correct estimate of the value of our own souls; then we would not be as reckless in regard to our course of action as at present. We would seek most earnestly to know God's way; we would work in an opposite direction from selfishness, and our constant prayer would be that we might have the mind of Christ, that we might be molded and fashioned after his likeness. It is in looking to Jesus and beholding his loveliness, having our eyes steadfastly fixed upon him, that we become changed into his image. He will give grace to all that keep his way, and do his will, and walk in truth. But those who love their own way, who worship their idols of opinion, and do not love God and obey his word, will continue to walk in darkness. O, how terrible is unbelief! As well let light be poured upon the blind, as to present truth to these souls; the one cannot see, and the other will not see. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 4}
I beseech you whose names are registered on the church-book as worthy members, to be indeed worthy, through the virtue of Christ. Mercy and truth and the love of God are promised to the humble and contrite soul. The displeasure and judgments of God are against those who persist in walking in their own ways, loving self, loving the praise of men. They will certainly be swept into the satanic delusions of these last days, because they received not the love of the truth. Because the Lord has, in former days, blessed and honored them, they flatter themselves that they are chosen and true, and do not need warning and instruction and reproof. The True Witness says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." The professed people of God have the charge against them, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 5}
2.3.2.3 Christianity in China Report
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvgveawp4oY (1:16:23) Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power Nov 12, 2010 USC Price)
Veteran TIME magazine senior correspondent and Beijing bureau chief, Dr. David Aikman, details the story of China's enormously rapid conversion to Christianity and what this change means to the global balance of power. He mentions that China’s social scientist found that one of the success of the West is religion,Christianity, the heart of western culture. The Christian moral foundation of social and cultural life made it possible the emergence of capitalism and then the successful transition to democratic politics. This is how God has not forgotten His promise to the Ancient Chinese who remembered Him in their written language characters. Dr Aikman cites that a very large number of Chinese citizens are becoming Christian. Some of them hold fairy high levels in different parts of society in academic life, in the judiciary and even in the political structure. Aikman makes the prediction that it is possible that within 20 years , about 25-30% of China are Christians. What is to follow when that takes place may be based on the transition that took place in the democratization of South Korea as a result of the influence of 30% Christian component in South Korea by 1980. His hypothesis is that 25% of population to be committed to a particular faith for the whole of the cultural balance in the society to be changed
2.3.2.3.1 Christian Growth in China (49:39- 53: 00)
There is no census and nobody knows the number of Christians in China. Dr. Aikman says it is all a guessing game, based on reality and on fantasy. The Three Cell Patriotic Movement which supervises all the Protestant churches in China claims that about 20 million Chinese attends the officially approved churches on any given Sunday. They grudgingly admits there might be 10 million or so are members of the house (underground) church. But observers opinion is 60 million attends house churches (3:1). His insider information from a senior party member (baptized recently) is around 125 million (talk posted in 2012). The number in 1949 was 4 million, even if it is 80 million say in 2012, this growth is phenomenal. He opined that it is going to impact on how China behaves, how Chins develops, whether China is able to make the transition from a one party state to some form of pluralistic democracy. Whether it happens in a peaceful orderly way he thinks will depend on whether China’s Christians can persuade their fellow Chinese that the way to an orderly transformation of China is through restraint and respect and honour and peaceable. If that happens with China, inside China (through the will and power of God) the rest of the world will have a lot to be grateful for.
(Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg904MHZJok&t=8910s (2:51:05) The Cross, Jesus in China (Full Version) Mar 4, 2016 SermonIndex.net)
2.3.2.3.2 China Recent History from 1949
He presented the recent history of China from 1949 when the People’s Liberation Army marched into Beijing and in a few months took over the country. With the triumph of Communism all Christian missionary member and leaders were expelled which spells the end of Christianity in China. This appears to be the direction which China is moving at the grassroots and it is going to have an impact on the rest of the world with the ensuing movements in the 1950’s of the Hundred Flowers movement, followed by the Anti Rightist campaign, and the Great leap Forward. In the Anti Rightist movement some 300,000 Chinese intellectuals were banished to the countryside because they were considered to have had incorrect political influences as young people and many died in exile. In the Great leap forward .42-47 million Chinese perished because of a man made famine. Orchestrated by MaoZedong the Cultural Revolution which started in 1966 that led to the closure of every single place of worship of any faith. The serious persecution of people of faith , people executed for owning a Bible or a Koran or Buddhist scriptures. However, the Cultural Revolution also destroyed the belief amongst the ordinary Chinese in the veracity of Marxism-Leninism that MaoZedong thought was the valid theory of politics of Life. (See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN5PkCESunc (47:29 ) Jesus In Beijing 18OCT2010 Jul 11, 2014 USNAAsiaForumVideos Asia Forum Lecture: Jesus in Beijing United States Naval Academy October 18, 2010)
3. Biblical Discernment of Current Events
The two current global events spring from political and economic measures to protect the supremacy of America in response to China’s meteoric rise as the main contender. This is providentially demonstrated in these two nations recent celebrations in July, 2021. It was the grand Centenary celebration of the Chinese Communist Republic (CCP) and then the Fourth of July U.S.A Independence Day. This is in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic which God has permitted Satan to carry out as it was in the case of Job. (The ongoing Covid-19 pestilence is only one of the outworking of sin by Satan.)
The main issues revolve around the methods in resolving Covid-19 pandemic, and Climate Change that is threatening the survival of the world. China is made out to be the likely source of the Corona virus. The world needs to know the sure word of Bible prophecy that China will not displace U.S.A as tthe next new world order. As it was in the first instance In the past, the Soviet Union broke up in 1991 under President Gorbachev and U.S.A. became the supreme Super power. China is an atheistic nation, who has forgotten Shang Di, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and President Xi*1 is a type of King Nebuchadnezzar*2 who will need to be converted to this truth that is embedded in the Chinese language characters( topic of discussion)), God knowing the end from the beginning does not need to mention the futility of China aspiration as a super power.
Base on Bible prophecy we are entering into the very final movements before Christ returns. All of history is moving towards a grand climax. Signposts that Jesus is on the way are in the signs being fulfilled with the United Sates as leading Global Superpower (symbolic second beast in Prophecy in the ways U.S. operate (not Russia (past) nor China (future) fits into our understanding of end time events.
Solomon in Ecclesiastes is telling the world that without God in the picture all is vanity under the Sun. God’s mercy is manifested in Jonah accounting of his reluctance to warn the people of Nineveh who repented and did not suffer the prophesied destruction of Nineveh i.e. the truth that God’s grace brings salvation to all (Tit 2:11)( See http://www.discoverylifediy.com/436092075 -D12 Buried Past , par 2.2.1 Prophet Jonah Preached in Nineveh.) The prophecy of Nahum reveals the fact that God may prolong the time He begins His judgment. But he will ultimately carry it out as in the His judgment in the destruction of the Assyrian Empire, whose capital was Nineveh and destroyed in 612 BC.( more than 120 years later when the people returned to their apostasy). There are many other biblical narratives to provide guidance for us in our sojourn on this world.This is one of the reason why God permitted Satan to inflict Covid -19 pandemic so that all may get to repent like the people in Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrian empire.)
This leads to the prophecy of Isaiah on the destruction of the world. The book of Isaiah contains more prophecies on the Messiah than other books in the Old Testament. This involves the need to know about the great controversy between Satan and Christ, judgment, deliverance of the righteous, the destruction of the wicked, and the destruction of the world with the replacement of a new heaven and new earth, our eternal city.
Finally we will relate these lessons with the current events so that we may discern and be convicted to the urgency of truth and reality as foretold in the Bible. The world by rejecting the word of God, will be led as captive of the antichrist. We have this spirit of the movement in climate change among us now. (Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1FWtOtk7-c (30:01) The G7 Summit Through A Prophetic Lens - TM Bytes Ep. 1- Aug 31, 2021 (Outline- the agenda at the 2021 G7 Summit convened by Biden with open address by Pope Francis who is guiding it from behind the scenes. Discussions at G7 among the world leaders will impact decisions to be made at COP 27 – decisions that will affect our life. The papacy is pushing for Sunday observance because of climate change. This will set the stage that will eventuate as civil law enforcement of Sunday rest starting in America and followed by the rest of the world as prophesied.
These movements confirm the prophecy of Daniel 2, where you’ll find a description of the new world order in the Bible) (Note: The Lucis Trust ( Spiritist movement of Alice Bailey) is on the Roster of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. World Goodwill strongly believes that the UN should be supported as the main hope for humanity’s future. The papacy is pushing that UN is the only hope for humanity’ future and that is the spirit of anti Christ.)
The prophetic understanding in Daniel and Revelation (subjects for last days study as advised by Ellen White) would lead us to look at the papacy and the United States (not China) as the main drivers for the push for these changes towards to common good , one world religion, one world government, They are going to use the Covid-19 Crises as the instrument to advance the curtailment of individual freedom for the vital preservation of life. The lock-down, social isolation, new normal lifestyle, etc are being implemented to condition the world to conform to the U,N 2030 Global Agenda.
3.01 King Nebuchadnezzar*2 Testimonyfor President Xi*1 (Notes*1,*2)
Xi*1 JinPing, (People’s Republic of China President) stands out in this endeavour of striving for greatness having secured his presidency for life, instead of striving for their own salvation in fear and trembling (Phi 2:12,13). (God knows his heart, whether he is striving for self or for improving the livelihood of the poor) The first one striving for greatness was Lucifer who became Satan, the arch enemy of Christ, by wanting to be like God ( Isa 14:12-14) The inevitable outcome is ”Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
He is a type of King Nebuchadnezzar*2 in the narration by Daniel. One pastor from a state-run Protestant church said that the CCP's latest move is part of a systematic plan to erode Christian doctrine in the country, adding that the ultimate goal of the party is to 'become God.' President Xi needs to learn of the forgotten God of his ancestors just as King Nebuchadnezzar was led by Daniel and the three Hebrews friends and instrumental in the final conversion of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Dream which King Nebuchadnezzar dreamt but could not remember was orchestrated by God in using Daniel to interpret that dream which God had revealed to Daniel in chapter 2
This dream of a huge metallic image of a king perfectly predicted each and every global kingdom on Earth up to the present and final kingdom we see today. We are living in the time of the end as prophesied in Daniel chapter 11 according to the word in the Spirit of Prophecy ). Daniel 11 is an indispensible study that points us in the right direction, tying in perfectly with historical developments and other chapters of prophecy in the book of Revelation.
This is the big picture that God has revealed to His children who put their trust in Him and believed in His only begotten Son whom He had sent. (John 3:16) God saw that a clearer revelation than nature (and the words spoken through Moses and the lesser prophets before the four hundred “silent years”) was needed to portray both His personality and His character.He sent His Son into the world to reveal, so far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God.
Through the Hebrew captives the Lord was made known to the heathen in Babylon. This idolatrous nation was given a knowledge of the kingdom the Lord was to establish, and through His power maintain against all the power and craft of Satan. Daniel and his fellow-companions, Ezra and Nehemiah, and many others were witnesses for God in their captivity.
There was also Naaman, the great general of Syria, who was a leper. Naaman heard of the words that the Israeli maid captive had spoken to her mistress, Mrs Naaman, of the prophet in Israel, Elisha; and, obtaining permission from the king, he went forth to seek healing from Elisha and was healed by dipping himself in the muddy River Jordan as instructed by Elisha. (If it is God’s will, President Xi will also be witnessed to and be converted before the close of probation.) .
This is a lesson also for our leaders who do not know the true God of heaven as the supreme ruler of the universe. He putteth down and setteth up another (Pa 75:7) God is the judge. Every man has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Read Prophets and Kings, Chap 40 -42 beginning at https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/88.2180#2180 )
3.02 God’s Revelation to Ancient Chinese Kings & Sages
(Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaCUa2Hhlhc (39:46) Chinese History and the Bible by Steven Liu (10 September 2016) Sep 22, 2016 fountaininthecitytv)
Pr Steven Liu, Chinese national (Shanghai) born and educated in Communist China who came to Melbourne, Australia as a student and later became a SDA. This presentation is significant in understanding the worldview of the secular Chinese people.
Students in public schools in China are taught: three major points concerning the Christian religion: 1. Bible is a western religious book; 2. The Bible never made mention of China, therefore it is irrelevant to Chinese people; 3. Confucius and our ancestors have our own religion, and nothing to do with Christianity.
He is now able to refute all these points to be untrue and lies from Satan, the father of lies who deceives the whole world. (5:14- 21:26)
Confucius believes in the God of the Bible (not just any gods) This is directed from his own writings to describe the God his believes in. The most common word he used is ShangDi (Siong dai -Cantonese dialect - which sounds like El Shaddai ( Almighty in Hebrew - God of the Bible) Hebrew) ( Cantonese could be the oldest dialect of Chinese culture, The official language Mandarin is about 600 years old. The written language is one only but spoken in many dialects (5000) depending on locations and cultural grouping.) The number of times the word “ShangDi” used in ancient Chinese writings is 980 times. The three current major religions in China are fairly young comparatively: 500 BC Confucianism; 500BC. Daoism ( teaching of LaoZi); Buddhism founded India 550 BC. was received around 73 AD. As the history of Chinese civilization started in 2070BC with the Shia dynasty based on archeological evidence, the initial period of about 1400 years, the ancient classical writings will tell us about the God they worshipped.
3.02.1 Seven Truths not taught in China's Education
The seven things that were never taught in China and never allowed to know from the China’s early history when it comes to religion.
1. The Ancient Chinese believed that God owns the world ( Col 1:17) . When King Yao handed over the kingship to Shun, he said”You, Shun, God’s will has fallen on you. You should earnestly keep the right principles…”
2. They did not practice idol worship ( Exo 20:4-6). Until about 1198 BC. King WuYi( Sha Dynasty) who was the first king who worshipped idols and soon he was struck to death by lightning on a hunting journey.. (Instead students were taught that they were superstitious and primitive and have totem poles and worship different animals, and things.)
3. They made sacrifice to God ( Lev1) The sacrifice had always been made to God throughout Chinese history until 1911 AD. Today, the Temple of Heaven (God’s altar) in Beijing { which was used for animal annual sacrifice) is still one of the most famous tourist attractions. This is one of the only remaining religious structure in China that still preserved the ancient rites of worshipping and sacrificing of animals to the heavenly God. In the heavenly temple there is absolutely no idols because the God they were worshipping in those days and passed down through this imperial sacrificial rite is invisible,, who is the Creator, who is Ruler of the world and we have the moral duty to pay sacrifice to Him for forgiveness of our sins ( as stated in the Bible)
4. They have always prayed to God ( Ps 5:2) They always prayed in the temples or on the hills. In fact that was how Confucius received his name Kong Qiu ( qiu means hill) ( Nowadays, the secular Chinese pray to almost anything for good luck, e.g statue of Confucius, MaoZedong, etc.)
5. They believed in the confession to God ( Ps 32:5). During one of the early severe droughts recorded in Chinese history, the king made confession to God for forgiveness. In fact he offered himself as a sacrifice so God of heaven will stop the famine to stop the punishment. The drought was ended and he was reprieved from being sacrificed.
6. They believed God is a loving God ( Jer 31:3) They believed the loving God will answer prayers, and is like a intimate father to them. We love Him because He loved us first, He created us, gave us the moral law and the moral freedom to choose. ( For most Chinese today their idea of God is somebody who sits in the temple so they had to bring offerings and pay tributes in the hope that this God would be happy with their gifts and repay them accordingly. If hhe doesn’t then they go to another temple and its gods. )
7. They believed in the coming Messiah, Saviour ( the Holy One) ( Isa 9:6). Confucius said that the Holy King will come from the West and establish the Word in about thirty years. MengZi (his follower who lived a few hundred years later) predicted the Holy King will come about five hundred years after Confucius. (This is pointing to 27 AD., the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist at the River Jordan and the starting of His ministry to save His people.)
3.02.2 Bible Reference to China
The next very important point is to answer “Does the Bible talk about China?
Yes , only once, in Isaiah: “Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.” - Isa 49:12
The word Sinim is referring to a place in the Far East. From that word we derive the word Sino which is China today. During the period of Isaiah (ca. 650 BC), there was a group of kingdoms that occupied the territories that is China today. It was one of the kingdoms called Qin who became so strong under Qin Shi Huang and conquered all the other kingdoms and became the superpower of that time Satan instigated Qin Shi Huang ( 259-210 B.C.) to be the first Chinese emperor of a unified China (221 BC.). His strive and attainment of greatness caused him to attribute his conquests to himself rather than to Shang Di and to reject Shang Di worship and shun this practice. He became the most corrupted king in Chinese history, although he united the whole of China. During his reign, massive idolatory came into China. Taoism, and Confucianism grew and dominated the Chinese
Isa 49:12 must be understood in the context of that chapter which is a challenge to Israel to represent God before all nations. By this verse, the Chinese people is assured and is reminded of their responsibility of sharing the truth embedded in the Chinese language The Chinese language is unique in that each character is a pictograph that tells the story of God’s creative work. For example, God’s will in preserving only the family of eight in Noah’s Ark as a witness to unify the world. All nations are to be gathered back to Mount Zion, the house of prayer. Jesus says “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Jn 10:16. Jesus also teaches that in the final judgment ; “Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”
Here we also need to discern what is not mentioned is good news. There is no mention of China in Bible Prophecy as becoming a superpower which presently seems to be quite probable by becoming the second largest economy in the world, The sure word of Bible prophesy says by implication China will never overtake USA who is identified as the second land beast that “exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”- Rev 13:12
The presentation ends with Questions and Answers which is quite informative ( 26::23- 39:46) The second session of his presentation is in Hidden Codes in Chinese Characters by Steven Liu (10 September 2016) Sep 22, 2016 at Hidden Codes in Chinese Characters by Steven Liu (10 September 2016) - YouTube ( 1:05:44)
His second session covers some of the key Chinese characters that has been shared by a number of other presenters. His commentaries on some of the characters are informative and worth a review Before the Q&A he states the Bible was written about 1500 BC., whereas the oldest Chinese historical writing is only about 600-700 BC. so it is logical to find out whether the Chinese ancient writings in the Chinese language talks about the Bible accounts to justify its relevance to the Chinese people. Many secular Chinese do not believe the Bible as a result of the simplification of the traditional Chinese language to a simplified version as the official writing. It was in 1949 where there was a big change in China with the change of government with its new ideology. This plainly means in losing the meaning by changing the picture of the character of the language that was supposed to communicate the message to the people who are writing them and reading them. One of the primary purpose of languages is it should preserve knowledge and to communicate a certain message or idea to the future generations. As a result all people in China today have lost the heritage of its ancestors who worship the true ShangDi. ( 0:00 – 42:00) . .
Some of his answers are outlined here. God gives revelation to some chosen people apart from the Hebrews as the chosen people but like in the case of the Sabbath, the seven day weekly cycle is mentioned in the Book of change( 700BC) even before Confucius time. But it was not observed by the Chinese people as did the Jews.. He mentions that Christianity in general is the fastest growing religion in China, and the biggest viable printing company in the world is in Nanjing, China printing millions of bibles yearly.. (See par 2.3.2.3.1 Christian Growth in China (See para 2.3.2.3.1 Christian Growth in China)
Regarding, evangelism in China by foreigners, this is quite miraculous that In 2014, Pr Doug Batchelor (SDA) was allowed to to preach a two-week evangelistic meeting. That was the first time ever a foreign missionary or person that was able to do that in China since 1949. One of the key reasons why he was able to do that is because SDA had a ministry in China that actually translated Amazing Facts DVDs into Chinese, dubbing his voice in perfect Chinese. The DVDs were given also to lots of Sunday Church people. It become so popular that the network becomes the most sought after Bible DVDs of the Chinese Christian churches in China. He was invited to preach in Sunday Churches in the cities he visits. The advantage of being a SDA is that we have the truth given to the remnant church by revelation of the Spirit of Prophecy. But not all SDA members are aware of this.
The Chinese Bible is mainly translated from the Latin Vulgate version, not the King James version. The uniqueness of the Chinese Language is in its pictogram that is always designed to tell a story. The characters all tell the same theme revealed in the Bible account. The consistency in the messages in the language also refute the Chinese mythologies which are not consistent at all.
3.0.3 Testimony of God’s Calling- Oracle Bones Inscriptions Revelation
Consider next the testimony of Richard Broadberry, an English Missionary worker serving in Taiwan at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OltAJtPySpw&t=4207s ( 1:27: 29) God's Promise for the Chinese (English Version) - Richard Broadberry Apr 4, 2018 TCCSA: Twin Cities Creation Science Association
He testified of how he was called to his missionary work with quite a number of personal revelation from God. The one that is most important is how he was led to learn about the oracle bones inscriptions of Chinese language characters:
One morning, while in Taiwan and in the process of preparing for the publication of his first book with Dr. Ethel Nelson (on Genesis in the Ancient Chinese Lanuage characters) Richard stayed at home in bed due to a very bad cold and sore throat. Suddenly God spoke to him and said: 'I want you to go to the National Palace Museum and find an Oracle Bone expert'. Instantly his nose stopped running and his sore throat was healed. He arose from his bed, completely healed, and walked to the National Palace Museum. He asked the receptionist if there was an oracle bone expert there and she told him to wait a moment. A few minutes later he was introduced to Mr. Chang Guang Yuan, an oracle bone expert. Richard showed him the manuscript for the first book that was being prepared for publication. Expecting him to laugh at the idea that the ancient Chinese writing contained the truths recorded in Genesis, Richard was surprised when Mr. Chang said: 'No one knows for certain who invented the ancient Chinese writing so there is no reason why foreigners can't have their theories about the origins of the Chinese characters. However, in your manuscript you are not analyzing the most ancient forms of the Chinese writing. You need to analyze 'Oracle Bone Characters'
3.1 Bible Perspectives on Pandemic Remedy
Apparently the Covid-19 vaccines are not arresting the spread of the corona-virus infection as was expected. The people with the authority on this matter have not given any consideration to seeking the sovereign ruler of the universe because they are separated from Him by the lies of Satan who is the ruler of this world. (The mode of operation of Satan is deception, perversion and coercion. His policy was first conceived in causing a rebellion in heaven.) The people making the decision need to read the Bible to learn the truth that the Corona virus is caused by Satan and that God allowed to fufill His plan in saving humanity as was revealed in the story of Job. Satan then had charged that Job was only righteous and loyal because of the privileges he received. Therefore God allowed Satan to do anything to Job other than to take his life. God’s judgment on Job was vindicated and Satan was proven a liar. There are many lessons contained in the book of Job in learning how to overcome Satan’s persecution by stripping us of our family, property, without support of friends and afflicted with disease and pain (such as the current surging Covid -19) that would even cause us to feel that God is our enemy. This is the nature of the time of trouble which God raised as a rhetoric question for Job, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, “ Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?”-Job 38:22, 23. The spiritual depth in understanding the intricacies of each snowflake as a unique thing of beauty is discussed in D10, Nature’s Majesty at http://www.discoverylifediy.com/432560771, par 3.1.2.2. Snow could also be the hailstone that will rain down on the wicked in the time of trouble at the end of the world.
The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel ( the Jewish authority in the first advent of Jesus) did not understand the lesson. The same error for which God had reproved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their rejection of Christ. {WM 21.3} This is being repeated by us today in the handling of the pandemic crisis based on human wisdom and invention. The trapping of the final bait comes in the form of insistence on vaccination for the common good. (This is the key issue where more information is now available will be referred to later.)
The inspired writing of Ellen White states the principle in God allowing Satan to inflict disasters and sufferings :
“The followers of Christ know little of the plots which Satan and his hosts are forming against them. But He who sitteth in the heavens will overrule all these devices (permits Satan to carry out as in the case of Job’s afflictions) for the accomplishment of His deep designs. The Lord permits His people to be subjected to the fiery ordeal of temptation, not because He takes pleasure in their distress and affliction, but because this process is essential to their final victory. He could not, consistently with His own glory, shield them from temptation; for the very object of the trial is to prepare them to resist all the allurements of evil. “ {GC 528.3}
Based on Bible perspectives, one of the many reason for God to allow Satan to inflict the current pandemic is to wake the world who has forgotten the origin and identity that we are His adopted children who have gone astray. God is allowing the apostate world to realize what the antichrist is plotting in introducing Sunday as a rest day in combating climate change in saving the world to ensure that Satan will still be the ruler.. Remember Covid-19 is only a precursor to the final conflict in the time of trouble that has never been experienced before. All of God’s faithful children must go through the time of trouble prior to the second coming of Jesus who is almost at the door as is recently shared by Pr John Lomacang on “Our Soon Coming King”, Aug 26, 2021at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uft39QScBs&t=199s )
3.1.1 The Beginning is God’s Way – Return Back to Eden
God is Everlasting. God’s way is the only way. God is God even before the beginning, in the past, now and into the future; in time everlasting.
Every trials in our lives that God permits such as the Covid-19 pestilence is God’s benevolent act (as exemplified in Job’s afflictions by Satan) to draw us to return to Him, to begin again by returning back to remember the beginning in Eden before sin. It is the the best way to make us realize that we are engaged in a spiritual conflict of cosmic proportion.The great controversy is about the fight against powers of darkness, not against earthly human powers (such as being anti-vaccination) Eph 6:12) When we are overcome with fear and helplessness in a crisis, God has planted the instinct to call out to Him for Help.This is the first of nine blessings of righteous by faith from Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”-Mat 5:3.
In times of crisis and persecution we are to look to the cross and pray for His grace and help in the battle against Satan on our behalf. We are to be encouraged by remembering that Jesus defeated Satan at the cross. We are counseled to read Daniel and Revelation in the last days of earth’s history for apocalyptic prophesies in discerning the nearness of the second coming. As human history unfolds, God is working to defeat evil and establish His eternal kingdom. The inspired writing of Ellen White said: “ 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” (TM 31)
Believing and understanding of Genesis is the way to recovery and restoration. We must daily seek God the first thing on waking up to spend an hour in studying the word of God and ask for guidance of the Holy Spirit to return to the old way as was revealed in Genesis ( Matt 6;33)
In Eden, Satan disguised himself as a serpent and used trickery against Eve. The trickery is to sows doubts on God’s word and to rely on self and not depend on God. It was successfully accomplished when Eve separated from his other half, Adam, and placed herself at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She was hypnotized the moment she engaged in conversation with the serpent. As he has done all through history, even up through today, Satan also will use deception at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:8) in an attempt to gain his ends.
Satan has ability to suggest doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and to question and quibble. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith. {CCh 93.4}
3.1.1.1 Bible is Guide Book of Life
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Jesus is the Word, He is the Son of God. He created the world in the beginning and He clearly declared it right at the start of the Bible. He provided this answer to Thomas, the doubting disciple, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”- Joh 14:6.
The Bible, the word of God, confirms:“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV)( (The great controversy started in Heaven was allowed by God in His wisdom to continue on earth to show the horrible consequence of sin in rebellion and separation from God as a lesson book for the universe.)
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”(Rev 12:12)
Unfortunately, he’s much smarter, more powerful, and craftier than any of us, which is why we need to cling to Jesus and to His Word in order to protect ourselves from his wiles. “ ‘But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you’ ” (Deut. 4:4, NKJV). The principle espoused here, indeed, still holds true today, as well.
Human knowledge of both material and spiritual things is partial and imperfect; therefore many are unable to harmonize their views of science with Scripture statements. Many accept mere theories and speculations as scientific facts, and they think that God's word is to be tested by the teachings of "science falsely so called." 1 Timothy 6:20. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because they cannot explain these by natural laws, Bible history is regarded as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments too often go a step further and doubt the existence of God and attribute infinite power to nature. Having let go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity. {GC 522.3}
3.1.2 Wrong Way Warning
God's authority in all realms of knowledge is absolute. We believe the Bible as God's love letter to us, intended to reveal His salvation plans and instruct us on how we can best serve Him. Christ has revealed principles of health to us through the scriptures, and offers eternal healing by knowing and choosing Him... especially during a pandemic. (See http://www.discoverylifediy.com/430332456 )- D6 Discovering the Best Health Plan)
This is the reason in focusing the signs of the End-time with respect to the Corona-virus pandemic that is still raging in spite of the vaccine inoculations worldwide. The blame is being levied on those who refuse to get vaccinated. Already this has brought about discrimination in the work place with condition in retaining employment. They are being shunned within family circles taking the cue from the government and being influenced by the information from government agencies. Society is on the verge of preparing to deprive the individual’s freedom of choice, the gift from God to set man apart from being preprogrammed robots. Apart from implementing condition for travel and access restrictions, the government is allowing employers to set the pace. We are now witnessing unrest in quite a number of nations in Europe in protests on issues arising from vaccination refusal,
3.1.2.1 Signs of Satan’s Way
The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time of trouble. We are entering into the very final movements before Christ returns as we discern the fulfillment of the prophesied signs of end-times. This fearful and life threathing reminder is most likely one of the key reasons for God to permit Satan to unleash the Covid -19 pandemic lest we forget what the lessons of the past has taught us. As the Laodicean church, we have been too set in the worldly ways. engaging in ” the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 Jn 2:16) Satan, the prince of darkness and father of lies, is the prince of this world. He holds everyone captive who fall for the worldly ways and who have forgotten God’s commission to share the gospel of Christ to the dying world for the lack of the knowledge of God.
There is no time for delay as preparation is meant for reaching out and sharing the gospel to the unsaved. This is crucial in our decision making (immediate commitment now in recognizing of our present predication) that will determine our destiny founded on the hope in Christ, to be enabled to survive the destruction of this world (not just the Covid -19 pandemic)
Total dependence on science and technology is total dependence on the wisdom of men. Many of the wise men are wise in their own estimation and none of them have been able to overcome death, the final challenge and leveler. Apostle Paul pointed out “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. “For it is written, I (God) will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.“Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” -1 Cor 1:18-21.
Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived, who desire to shun the self-denial and sacrifice demanded by the truth; but it is impossible for him to hold under his power one soul who honestly desires, at whatever cost, to know the truth. Christ is the truth and the "Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:9. The Spirit of truth has been sent to guide men into all truth. And upon the authority of the Son of God it is declared: "Seek, and ye shall find." "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." Matthew 7:7; John 7:17. {GC 528.2}
3.1.3 The Right Way, Jesus Way (Jn 14:6)
The unlearned man, if he knows God and Jesus Christ, has a more enduring wisdom (Pro 3:13,14) than the most learned man who despises the instruction of God – {MS 33, 1911} There will be an effort made on the part of many pretended friends of education to divorce religion from the sciences, in our schools. a training in the truth of God would develop the mind, and impart secular knowledge as well; for the very foundation of true education is in the fear of the Lord...- {RH, August 21, 1888 par. 16})
Quote from the book, Education: “The student (we who are yoked with Christ) should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts, should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God's original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation . He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found. Ed 190.2
The youth need to understand the deep truth underlying the Bible statement that with God "is the fountain of life." Psalm 36:9. Not only is He the originator of all, but He is the life of everything that lives. It is His life that we receive in the sunshine, in the pure, sweet air, in the food which builds up our bodies and sustains our strength. It is by His life that we exist, hour by hour, moment by moment. Except as perverted by sin, all His gifts tend to life, to health and joy. {Ed 197.5}
"He hath made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11, R.V.); and true beauty will be secured, not in marring God's work, but in coming into harmony with the laws of Him who created all things, and who finds pleasure in their beauty and perfection. {Ed 198.1}
It is by trusting in God as the supreme ruler of the universe, as the Creator (by His power made the earth (Jer 10:12) in the manifestation of His beneficent love), is the only One with the prerogative of judgment in permitting the appointment and the disposal of any rulers on earth at His appointed time (Consider the biblical historic account of the transition of rulership from Babylon to Medo-Persia in the history of the world (Dan 5:1-30). God is righteous, merciful, gracious and all wisdom; knowing the end from the beginning (evidenced by the sure word of prophecy and His promise in Amos3:7).
3.1.4 Impeaching The Golden Rule Imperceptibly
As discussed earlier, the way in handling the Covid-19 crisis is raising some concerns over the fundamental principle of free choice and the individual right versus the common good (stamp of past authoritarian rulership - RC Church in the Dark Ages). This is indicative that we are entering into the very final movements before Christ returns. We are being placed into positions in which we are being asked to make a decision—to decide what we will do in governance of ourselves—take an experimental injection or not, wear mask or not, attend church or not, visit family or not—and how we will treat others, in lockdowns that affects personal livelihood.
"By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20); for "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). It is through the law that men are convicted of sin; and they must feel themselves sinners, exposed to the wrath of God, before they will realize their need of a Saviour. Satan is continually at work to lessen man's estimate of the grievous character of sin. And those who trample the law of God under their feet are doing the work of the great deceiver; for they are rejecting the only rule by which they can define sin, and bring it home to the conscience of the transgressor. {1SM 219.1}
The law of God is simple, and easily understood. There are men who proudly boast that they believe only what they can understand, forgetting that there are mysteries in human life and in the manifestation of God's power in the works of nature--mysteries which the deepest philosophy, the most extensive research, is powerless to explain. But there is no mystery in the law of God. All can comprehend the great truths which it embodies. The feeblest intellect can grasp these rules; the most ignorant can regulate the life, and form the character after the divine standard. If the children of men would, to the best of their ability, obey this law, they would gain strength of mind and power of discernment to comprehend still more of God's purposes and plans. And this advancement would be continued, not only during the present life, but during eternal ages; for however far we may advance in the knowledge of God's wisdom and power, there is always an infinity beyond. {NL 31.2}
The divine law requires us to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. Without the exercise of this love, the highest profession of faith is mere hypocrisy. . . . {NL 32.1} (The golden rule that is received by all in whatever faith is being violated when we coerced others to be vaccinated based on no certainty that it is a treatment for the corona-virus.)
Obedience to the law is essential, not only to our salvation, but to our own happiness and the happiness of all with whom we are connected. "Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165), says the Inspired Word. Yet finite man will present to the people this holy, just, and good law, this law of liberty, which the Creator Himself has adapted to the wants of man, as a yoke of bondage, a yoke which no man can bear. But it is the sinner who regards the law as a grievous yoke; it is the transgressor that can see no beauty in its precepts. For the carnal mind "is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). . . . {NL 32.2} (If the law of the land encroaches on the Law of God ( law of liberty), then as God’s loyal children we must not obey even at the cost of our lives.)
The body, which God calls his temple, should be preserved in as healthy a condition as possible. Many act as though they had a right to treat their own bodies as they please. They do not realize that God has claims upon them. They are required to glorify him in their bodies and spirits, which are his. While they give themselves up to the gratification of unhealthy appetites, and thus bring disease upon themselves, they cannot render to God acceptable service. None should remain in ignorance of God's claims. All his promises are on conditions of obedience. All should work for themselves. They should do that which God requires them to do, and not leave God to do for them that which he has left for them to do. It is a sacred duty which God has enjoined upon reasonable beings, formed in his image, to keep that image in as perfect a state as possible. Those who bring disease upon themselves, by self-gratification, have not healthy bodies and minds. They cannot weigh the evidences of truth, and comprehend the requirements of God. Our Saviour will not reach his arm low enough to raise such from their degraded state, while they persist in pursuing a course to sink themselves still lower. {4aSG 148.1}
All are required to do what they can to preserve healthy bodies, and sound minds. If they will gratify a gross appetite, and by so doing blunt their sensibilities, and becloud their perceptive faculties so that they cannot appreciate the exalted character of God, or delight in the study of his Word, they may be assured that God will not accept their unworthy offering any sooner than that of Cain. God requires them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. After man has done all in his power to insure health, by the denying of appetite and gross passions, that he may possess a healthy mind, and a sanctified imagination, that he may render to God an offering in righteousness, then he is saved alone by a miracle of God's mercy, as was the ark upon the stormy billows. Noah had done all that God required of him in making the ark secure, then God performed that which man could not do, and preserved the ark by his miraculous power. {4aSG 148.2} (God has given us His Health Laws which is also incorporated in the third angel’s message as His final warning of love. This will be completed with the loud cry message and many will be called out of Babylon to join God’s true remnant church before the close of probation.)
Our Redeemer, laying aside his glory and majesty, to take human nature, and to die man's sacrifice, was a miracle of God. It was God's wise arrangement to save fallen man. God requires his people to be laborers together with him. He requires them to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, and present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is the only service he will accept from reasonable mortals. Jesus has stooped very low in order to reach man in his low estate. And God requires of man to make earnest efforts, and deny self, that he may preserve his vigor of mind, and elevate himself, and imitate the example of him in whom was no guile. Then will he be benefited with the atonement of Christ. As the Lord bade faithful Noah before the flood, Come thou, and all thy house, into the ark, he will, previous to the time of trouble, say to his faithful saints, who have been preparing for translation, "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee. Hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth, also, shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." {4aSG 149.1}
Satan caused the fall of the first Adam, and he boasted to the angels that he should succeed with the second Adam, Jesus Christ, by approachinghim through the appetite. Before Christ entered upon his ministry, Satan commenced his series of temptations. He knew that he could lead astray through the appetite sooner than in any other way. Eve fell in consequence of appetite when she had every kind of fruit good to satisfy her wants. Christ suffered a long fast of forty days, and endured the keenest hunger. Satan came to him with his series of temptations while thus weak and suffering, tempting him to do a miracle for his own sake, to appease his hunger, and by so doing give him evidence that he was the Son of God. "And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Christ answered him with Scripture. "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Christ refers to his Father's law. The words of God spoken from Sinai are the conditions of life. These words obeyed will give man again free access to the tree of life, that our first parents forfeited all right to by disobedience. Their transgression made it needful for Christ to come to reconcile fallen man to God by his own death. {4aSG 150.1}
3.1.4.1 Stand for Truth & Right
Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Romans 12:2, Phillips. {TDG 284.1}
We must free ourselves from the customs and bondage of society, that, when the principles of our faith are at stake, we shall not hesitate to show our colors, even if we are called singular for so doing. Keep the conscience tender, that you may hear the faintest whisper of the voice that spake as never man spake. Let all who would wear the yoke of Christ show an inflexible purpose to do right because it is right. Keep the eye fixed on Jesus, inquiring at every step, "Is this the way of the Lord?" The Lord will not leave anyone who does this to become the sport of Satan's temptation. {TDG 284.2}
When perplexities arise, as they are sure to do, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. And then, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard for you. Decide that there is a great work to be done, and that no man's influence or opposition shall divert you from the plain path of duty. Then you can say with Nehemiah, "The hand of my God is good upon me" (see Nehemiah 2:18). {TDG 284.3}
When men connected with the work of God allow themselves to be bought and sold, when they violate truth to gain the favor and approval of men, God records them in His book as betrayers of sacred trust. Let every man stand in moral independence, resolved that his mind shall be molded by the Holy Spirit. God calls for minutemen, who are not ready to voice the words of men who, if converted could exert a good influence, but unconverted, are not to be depended upon. In an emergency they are sure to lead into false paths. The Lord would not have us imitate any man, but follow on step by step to know Him. . . . {TDG 284.4}
We are not to fashion ourselves by the world's criterion or after the world's type. God's people will hear conversations regarding the carrying out of wrong methods and plans. Words of irreverence will be spoken. Religion will be jested about. Hear the voice of God, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not" (Proverbs 1:10). Those who are controlled by the Spirit of God need to keep their perceptive faculties awake. . . . Have courage to do the right. The Lord's promise is more valuable than gold and silver to all who are doers of His word. Let all regard it as a great honor to be acknowledged by God as His children.-- Manuscript 121, Oct. 2, 1898, "An Example of Faithfulness." {TDG 284.5}
"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." ..Let all who would wear the yoke of Christ show an inflexible purpose to do right because it is right. Keep the eye fixed on Jesus, inquiring at every step, Is this the way of the Lord? The Lord will not leave any one who does this, to become the sport of Satan's temptation. {RH, May 9, 1899 par. 13}
3.1.4.2 Unveiling the Truth
Having outlined the Biblical perspectives on the way to rightly live with the Corona-virus pandemic, which is a Satan device , we need to check out whether there are evidence and testimony in public presentation that is readily accessible on the internet. Some of the presentations on You Tube are referenced for you to personally watch and check out
3.1.4.2.1 Unjustified Coronavirus C-19 Inoculation* Disclosure
God’s warning message in the covid-19 (C-19) pandemic is to alert the world that this is a foretaste of the final time of trouble. Covid -19(C-19) is Satan’s strategy in conditioning people to accept the corona-virus inoculation and to even practice coercion to achieve the presumed cure. From behind the scene, Satan is using C-19 to soften the world into coercive submission. Thus, when it comes to the real issue of worship Satan is plotting to achieve total acceptance in receiving the mark of the beast.
The very essential video to watch very carefully is the weekend seminar conducted recently by the newly formed Liberty and Conscience Alliance in disclosing the hidden agenda of Satan and his evil accomplice, some of whom are leaders of their nation that have not the knowledge of God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eMxbJR02B0&t=8450s (10:24-2:43:06) Friday, Coercion & Conscience Weekend Sep 2, 2021 Stan Orr ( Alternatively in a shorter clip on Peter McCullough, MD testifies to Texas Senate HHS Committee Mar 12, 2021 Association of American Physicians and SurgeonsTestimony given March 10, 2021. Patient Guide at https://aapsonline.org/covidpatientgu...)
The integrated and structured approach of the weekend seminar fits the purpose of our theme in conveying God’s message and purpose in allowing the C-19 pandemic President Biden now calls it “Pandemic* of the Unvaccinated”, a wicked misnomer to inflict fear into submission. The whole world is focused in overcoming C-19 at all cost. By forgetting God, the leader in the world order become mesmerized in Satan’s trap to rely on human invention in the indispensable C-19 vaccination and extending it to encompass the liberty of conscience issue in order to get herd immunity.
Pr Ron Kelly outlines the topics of the weekend seminar to help people make informed choices regarding the C-19 vaccination. In the opening speech (10:29- 25:27) he points out that God gives us the freedom to make our own decisions fully aware of the consequences. The issue isn’t whether or not the vaccine is good or bad. The issue is access to the whole truth encompassing the vaccine and the freedom to decide based on the truth because C-19 vaccinations are the current extension of compulsion and enforcement . (In spite of concerns from physicians, scientists and health care workers along with a whole host of concerned citizens.) The audience is reminded of the story of Pilate’s self-imposed blindness who asked Jesus, the essence of all truth and the light of the world. “What is the truth”? Truth is a function of the heart in desire more than it is a set of data that needs to be interpreted correctly and not with a preconceived supposition. The mind must be set in wanting to know the truth before we can see the truth. This seminar is organised by the SDA church purely on this premise in seeking the truth according to the Word of God, our Creator, Supreme Ruler, and Ultimate Authority
3.1.4.2.1.1 Authorised Misinformed C-19 Remedy Pandemic*
The main topic is on early detection and treatment as the right way to ward off death when infected by C-19 by Dr, Peter McCullough ( 25:27- 1: 53:35) . Some of key and crucial truths that the world must need in defeating C-19 are:
1. The first time in medical history that doctors do not treat a medical problem; in this case anyone tested positive with C-19 sent home to rest in isolation without any medication!!!.They are to wait until their illness worsen before hospitalization. This was the regulation from NIACD in October, 20 – Nobody gets treatment until they get sick enough and they can’t breathe are then admitted into hospital. Even then, they get their first milligram of Remdesivir. This would take 2-3 weeks for a Senior to get that sick and by that time the virus is long gone and the drug is no longer effective. The three phases of the virus in the body is 1. Viral replication, 2 cytoline storm or inflammation and 3. thrombosis, Thus, no single drug can work alone and we must use multiple drugs as for HIV and Hepatitis B.
2. There was no randomized trials by NIH to treat the infected to prevent hospitalization and death. Consider the common fact that even a common cold will get immediate treatment with medication. The U.S and the blind leaders of the entire world has not lifted a finger to address this problem other than to rely on the vaccines that in fact causes more infections through the new variants. Medicine is an art and science requiring the practitioner to make judgment . Strangely in C-19, out of global fear. no judgment was being applied. No one looked at this as a mass casualty situation.
3 The French Government placed on house arrest the two valiant doctors who set up field hospital in the Riviera for the elderly sick to reduce hospitalization and death. Similarly, Australia in April 20, has a new rule that any doctor that helps a patient with C-19 in prescribing an outpatient medicine such as hydroxychloroquin could be punished with imprisonment.
4. There were data on monoclonal antibodies by Dec 20 – Ivermectin, Colchicine, etc , that are the basis of the home treatment protocol (see chart 1:23:26) So Americans waited for the virus to hunt us and in May 20, were conditioned to wear a mask, wait in isolation, and be saved by the vaccine to materialize. The vaccine that was invented is branded new technology never ever used on a broad scale on human beings. During this period, the medical publications were slowing down also . It became an unreliable source for information with false information creeping in.
5. On Dec 10, ‘20 the trusted news initiative pledged: “ We are only provide information that promotes vaccines and the use of vaccines. Anything else will be squashed that could create vaccine hesitancy; meaning early treatment, vaccine safety, All the social media publicly supported this. There will be only one story on the vaccine that it is good for you , take it. (What supernatural force must be working to bring the whole world into this trance? )
6. Dr McCallough through his weekly publication warned about the dangers in rushing into accepting the new vaccine and the essential procedure to be taken. He pointed out that it was the standard that any medication that may cause 5 deaths will be stopped and investigated. With 50 deaths the product will be banned completely. These vaccines are brand new technology involving genetic material (a lasting messenger RNA) made from the virus, gaining access into your body. (The old vaccine is made from attenuated virus or a protein which is dead ie Tetantus vaccine , Polio, etc )
7. There is no information on safety and efficacy by the CDC since the vaccination began 5 months ago. On Jan 22, ’21 the Vaccine Adverse Event Report System (VAERS) .Covid Reports showed 182 death (with 27 million people vaccinated compared with 158 deaths total deaths/ year before 2020. This would have caused the urgent need for investigation. By July 9, the deaths from vaccination skyrocketed and there was no check on why people are dying. It was also made public that it was not the role of CDC and FDA doctors who are the sponsors of the program , to determine the safety of the vaccine which was always done by external experts. CDC and FDA doctors reviewed the death and none of it were related to the vaccine.
8. In July 30, ’21 12,366 Americans had died after the vaccine., 46,000 hospitalised , 68,000 urgent care visits. 5,238 heart attacks, 23,534 severe allergic reactions. Another analysis report on UK, showed 86% of deaths had no other explanation outside of the vaccine. About half the deaths occurred within 48 hours and 80% within a week. The spike protein on entering the body keeps producing, is lethal as it damages organs,and causes blood clots resulting in strokes, massive rises in blood pressure. The spike protein is a killer by design in the lab at Wuhan. Mrna has a dosage of 100 microgram and Pfizer with 30 miicrogram But as to which one is better is not provided. But it has been made known by the lead contact consulting group to the WHO on UK data that the vaccines are not safe for human use and to pull them off the market. Those who got through the vaccination have to thank the Lord that they were able to come through the vaccination. But this does not give them the right to coax and coerce others to be vaccinated because nothing adverse happened to them.
9. Unfortunately the vaccines does not seem to work as CDC reported that there was an outbreak in July 21 when two third of the people in the area were fully vaccinated. This is because the virus has mutated into other variants, the most infectious being Delta variant that can get past the vaccines. The protection from Pfizer is down to 42% and Mrna at 76% according to Mayo Clinic. Israeli data has Pfizer at 17%. And They are 86 % vaccinated. It is quite obvious that the vaccinated are carrying the virus and herd immunity breaks down by having one getting vaccinated. Even the CDC now is telling that the vaccines don’t work anymore. This mutation is more contagious but less injurious (being constraint by God’s law of love).The British has a weekly report tracking the status of new variants and reporting that they have 20 mutations within the delta variants.able to escape the vaccines.We cannot use the justification that the few deaths are a small price to pay for the masses.
10. CDC has data now to show that natural immunity of people healed from C-19 are protected but not with vaccinated people based on th death statistics. Not a single case of failing from natural immunity compared to thousands of vaccinated cases. This does not mean that those vaccinated are in jeopardy as there is now a home early treatment guide to cure infections (based on successful trials by dedicated renegade physicians. This not officially sanctioned by the CDC and most pharmacists and doctors will not prescribe it as treatment for fear of losing their license.The protocol is contained in a single chart as shown in clip1:23:22- 1: 35:33; and explained. – Sequence multi-drug therapy. Early treatment using the protocol can reduce the risk of hospitalization and deatb by about 85% compared to expected values fro surrounding countries. It is estimated that out of the 640,000 Americans who died, 85% of them died needlessly because they were denied early treatment. Proof of its success is demonstrated by the huge gathering in Italy, the Terapea Domiciliary Covid-19 who used the protocol and had no hospitalization.
11. Getting Covid 19 is likened to getting a Death Sentence so why is the public not updated weekly by the CDC and the NIH on the state of fatality and measure to prevent it. Surprising, the local and worldwide news media also were very silent about it. The world is in a trance and fixated on wearing a mask, social isolation and getting the vaccine as the elixir of life.
12.The vaccine program is making it worse, It is a menace created by American Politicians, (Biden the spokeman) as the only remedy when all have been vaccinated. But to date, it does not stop vaccinated people from getting sick and still needing hospitalization. It is a vaccine that is obviously causing people to lose their jobs and their freedom of conscience and movement. Things are getting out of control in the context of the virus and the people are still mesmerized by the lie and misinformation from the authority. This is a mass psychosis and the whole world is in a trance. Ask yourself, What supernatural* power can bring this about? (This is the reason why God has permitted (Satan to carry out this C-19 pandemic)* so that people will believe that God’s word is true about the great controversy started in heaven and is continued on earth as a lesson book for the universe on the consequence of sin. Bible believers, can discern and interpret what is going on. We are in a very special time in mankind history where every human being is involved in the Antichrist strategy to win submission to worship him by promoting fear, isolation, suffering and hospitalization and death. This is only preparatory to his final act of the enforcement of the national Sunday rest for worship as disused earlier. Hopefully in prayer, you will now see the significance of the primer sharing about the reality of God in our lives.) But C-19 is not amendable to a single drug treatment. It is inevitable that most of us are going to get infected just like the common flu that is with us, but we can get through it with early multiple drugs treatment without hospitalization and death. Some of the people who live healthy lifestyle have natural immunity and this also include those who have recovered from the illness. It is estimated that about 25-30 % of the people being vaccinated didn’t need it. What is needed is for the CDC to carry out an exercise to test people for their natural immunity level instead of just vaccination, wear mask and checking temperature. They must invest in researching on the correct lifestyle in enhancing natural immunity and using simple natural methods.. There were past treatment successes in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic as discussed in an earlier article ( Wp5.9.6 Covid -19 (par 5.9.6.4.2 ,5 Hydrothermal Therapy Treatment - http://www.wakeupow.com/440101195 )
(Note*:The Supernatural* Power of Satan* - The inspired writing of Ellen White amplified with these passages:
“Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows. When he was suffered to afflict Job, how quickly flocks and herds, servants, houses, children, were swept away, one trouble succeeding another as in a moment. It is God that shields His creatures and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer. But the Christian world have shown contempt for the law of Jehovah, and the Lord will do just what He has declared that He would--He will withdraw His blessings from the earth and remove His protecting care from those who are rebelling against His law and teaching and forcing others to do the same. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He will favor and prosper some, in order to further his own designs; and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. {CH 460.2}
While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. "The earth mourneth and fadeth away," "The haughty people . . . do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." Isaiah 24:4, 5. {CH 461.1} (This is so obvious to us nowadays.)
Some will be tempted to receive these wonders as from God. The sick will be healed before us. Miracles will be performed in our sight. Are we prepared for the trial which awaits us when the lying wonders of Satan shall be more fully exhibited? Will not many be ensnared and taken? By departing from the plain precepts and commandments of God and giving heed to fables, the minds of many are preparing to receive these lying wonders. We must all now seek to arm ourselves for the contest in which we must soon engage. Faith in God's word, prayerfully studied and practically applied, will be our shield from Satan's power and will bring us off conquerors through the blood of Christ.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. I, p. 302 (1862).
Satan is striving to gain every advantage. He desires to secure, not only students, but teachers. He has his plans laid. Disguised as an angel of light, he will walk the earth as a wonder-worker. In beautiful language he will present lofty sentiments. Good words will be spoken by him, and good deeds performed. Christ will be personified, but on one point there will be a marked distinction. Satan will turn the people from the law of God. Notwithstanding this, so well will he counterfeit righteousness, that if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. Crowned heads, presidents, rulers in high places, will bow to his false theories. Instead of giving place to criticism, division, jealousy, and rivalry, those in our schools should be one in Christ. Only thus can they resist the temptations of the arch-deceiver. {FE 471.3}
Such has been Satan’s work from the days of Adam to the present, and he has pursued it with great success. He tempts people to distrust God’s love and to doubt His wisdom. He is constantly seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity, a restless, inquisitive desire to penetrate the secrets of divine wisdom and power. In their efforts to search out what God has been pleased to withhold, multitudes overlook the truths that He has revealed, and that are essential to salvation.—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 53-55. {CTr 21.5}
Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world's Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures. {GC 624.1
“Then I (Ellen White in one of her vision (over 2000 in her life)) saw souls that were needy. They were honest, and they needed the prejudice torn from them that they have received from their leaders (the lies from their false prophets), and then they can receive the truth. I saw [that] the burden of the message should be the first, second, and third angels' messages, and those who had any hope in God would yield to the force of that truth. How mighty and glorious it looked to me. Oh, what privilege is ours, that of being among the children of God and believing the mighty truth - a poor, despised company, but how honored of God!” { 13MR 301.1 } ((See D 14 Earth History, par 14.2.2.1 The Vision of 1858; 14.2.2.1.1 Time Travel in Ellen White’s Vision; 14.2.2.1.1.1 Documentation of Ellen White’s Visions at http://www.discoverylifediy.com/436833720 ))
13. Dr McCullough concludes by exhorting, imploring every one of us to be unbreakable; for even administrators of colleges and universities, the brain of the nation are toeing the line of the mandate to get vaccination to continue study, The judges would not be sympathetically hear lawsuit cases against the CDC mandate against investigational vaccine. There will be no justice if there is no ability to have a rapid awakening by heeding God’s message in the C-19 crisis. He said that the only thing left is to be unbreakable by knowing the truth that is in God’s word. This can only happen when we are first broken on the Rock of Christ and be born again to receive His grace and righteousness in overcoming the deceptions and devises of Satan.
He was questioned on a radio show by a lawyer attempting to break him into the vaxxers camp. He asked him if somebody listens to you and don’t take the vaccine and they die of C-19, isn’t that on your shoulders? In his answer He clarified about the issue of moral hazard based on the advice given to somebody taking on the responsibility for that advice. If that person didn’t take the vaccine, it would have been the state ten months ago without the vaccine. Those who had C-19 can be treated with drugs to save their lives. This also applies to those who are now vaccinated and still get sick can be treated in the same way. The moral hazard is not about deferring the vaccine, but telling somebody to take the vaccine. The best evidence is in counting the surging dead statistics as vaccinations progressed past 70% of the breakable population. From the CMS data, about 45,000 Americans have died after the vaccine started. Half of them died within 48 hours, 80% within thw week and most of them are seniors. C-19 is preying on the seniors with respect to the immediate risk of death.The non-fatal injuries are going to the young people being hospitalized with heart failures and with lifelong neurologic conditions.
3.1.4.2.2 Liberty Discerns Hidden Ultimate Agenda* (2:05:46- 2:43:06)
The Seminar’s second part dwells on the bigger issue, the right to choose, that is at stake. C-19, the current primary concern of the world, is only a smoke screen which will lead next into other stringent measures to combat climate change for the common good in order to save the world and to perpetuate Satan’s kingdom. Biden had initiated the gathering of world leaders for the Papacy to dictate the way, but without divulging the ultimate agenda* (even assecret to the World Lears at the Summit). Issues connected with the ultimate agenda will be discerned by piecing together the sharing from the testimonies and convictions of the three speakers from the Liberty and Health Alliance (formed in 2021 (called by God for the specific purpose in standing for the truth), and chaired by Dr Conrad Vine.
(Note* The Hidden Ultimate Agenda can be discerned by what is being planned by the Pope calling an ecumenical meeting with 40 religious leaders and 10 scientist in the Vatican on Oct 4, 2021 to draft a statement to be delivered to the Political Leaders of the World leaders meeting in Glascow Nov1,2021 to combat climate change. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIbnMoxrDk4 (42:28) Breaking UN Pope Prophecy Update: Oct.4 & Nov. 1 Are Coming - Something Prophetic is Unfolding By Mark Fox of Forever Free Ministries and Amazing Prophecies YouTube Channel. Sep 19, 2021 Amazing Prophecies)
The other principal player in the final events is President Biden of USA (the symbolic land beast in End time Bible Prophecy ( Rev 13: 11-12) promoting the event of combating climate change that will be basis in the need for enforcing the Sunday rest. (This is the ultimate hidden agenda of (the man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, has exalted himself above God by presenting this spurious sabbath to the world; the Christian world has accepted this child of the Papacy, and cradled and nourished it, thus defying God by removing His memorial and setting up a rival sabbath. {3SM 406.1} )
President Biden’s vaccine mandate and attempt to pit one set of citizens against another is an affront to the freedom and liberty upon which this country was founded.
Having cleared this difficult hurdle with minimal adverse impact on his political office; US President Joe Biden on Friday Sep 17, 2021 urged the world to bring its "highest" ambition to a UN summit on climate change in November, warning that the planet faces a tightening deadline.
"We have to bring to Glasgow our highest ambitions. Those who have not yet done so, time is running out," Biden said in the White House at the start of a virtual summit with nine foreign leaders.
Biden said the United States was taking concrete steps toward UN climate goals but noted that recent devastating flooding in the US northeast and wildfires in western states echoed extreme weather events from China to the Amazon. We are seeing the fulfilling of signpost events closer to the end of the broad road.
The UN General Assembly in September 2021 has returned with the note of urgency after having to resort to virtual UN General Assembly in 2020. Greta Thunberg as the self appointed speaker for the world is given time to express her anger for all talk ” Blah Blah Blah” at the UN.)
3.1.4.2.2.1 Dr. Lela Lewis (2:08:42- 2:14:01)
Dr Lela Lewis, Liberty and Health Alliance (LHA) President and founder member, started her voluntary service in missionary work over a year ago as the Director for Adventist World Radio(AWR). AWR has weekly show on Covid. She was convicted that God gave us a health message and we need to be focused on that to share with the world. The C-19 pandemic means more than hand sanitiser, face mask and social distancing which is being manifested with the coercion of individual to get vaccinated without knowing very much about its long term ramification on health. As a front-line ER Doctor handling maternity cases she must be the first to get vaccinated , she began asking her colleagues about information on the vaccines , especially, about the tampering of the body as the temple of God. She was shocked by the official “just take the vaccine and don’t ask any question” curt reply. So her only recourse was to ask God what He wants her to do for three months( Nov-Jan).
This is her personal testimony
to attests to us of How God answered her earnest and sincere prayer*1 at the last few hours of her vaccination. After reaching out to all her fellow lifestyle colleagues and not getting any answer that was coming from the Lord, she finally fasted and prayed for three days before her scheduled afternoon vaccination, On
the scheduled morning that day, at 9:00. a.m, she called up some of her friends to pray together for the last time for God’s answer. The husband of the couple said he was going to pray asking the
Lord “if you don’t want Lela to get this Pfizer vaccine have something so crazy happen to
her indicating that You didn’t want her to get the shot.. She was feeling fine at 9:00. a.m when
she made the call. By 10:30 she had a 1030 Fand very sick lying in bed and having chest pains. She thought she had C-19. By the afternoon she was in Urgent care and transported to the ER and averted the vaccine . Her sudden illness*1 was not C-19. But she did get C-19 later and now have natural immunity by God’s grace.
God in actual fact told her twice not
to get vaccinated in similar manner and she began researching and sharing articles with colleagues what she found without drawing any enthusiasm but ridicules instead. Finally, God put her in contact with Dr, Peter McCullough, her good friend and mentor. She
was impressed that there was a need for SDA Christians to stand and give God’s holistic message of health at a time like this pestilence that God permitted Satan to inflict. She pled with the Lord and God put together the LHA team with the purpose to
provide and inspire people that we have liberty of conscience. We have the right to choose what we put into our bodies, the basis in the formation of LHA in 2021.
(Note*1- We are to ask God who answers sincere and earnest prayer is corroborated in the presentation by Dr. James Marcum on What does the Bible say about wisdom? James 1:5 Jun 5, 2020 Biblical Prescriptions for Life -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8LL4Zz_SK0 (4:56)
Searching for wisdom? James 1:5 tells us where to find it. Dr. Marcum shares commentary on this verse and describes how we can experience healing through acting on God's word. Typically, we can ask God for advice about the C-19 vaccination decision as Dr Lela did and we learn of the miraculous way God works out the best outcome for her. He shares that practices to improve symptoms from stress, anxiety, diabetes, blood pressure, mental health, and many other acquired diseases can be found in the Bible.
He also has other short presentations that covers C-19 that are worth watching . Search for it under Bible Prescriptions for Life.
3.1.4.2.2.1.1 Important Lesson in C-19
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wc-WdUIvLI ( 9:34) 10 things I've learned from treating COVID-19 patients Oct 1, 2021 Biblical Prescriptions for Life)
The latest video presentation from Dr. Marcum is very essential in the helping us to know the valuable lessons that we have gained by living through this C-19 pandemic.
He gets his wisdom by exalting the appropriate Bible verse for a specific event,. This week’s verse is in Jeremiah 17:14 “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”
Ten Facts in C-19
1.C-19 is real, very contagious, very deadly if not treated early on detcection
2. We must try to minimize the viral load that may get into our body by infection.
3. Vitamin D is ia critical ingredient in building our host immune system.
4. Building up our natural immunity through healthy lifestyle in accordance to keeping God’s eight health laws is most protective against C-19.
5. Early treatment can be lifesaving. Early symptoms are headache, sinus, loss of taste and smell . Don’t stay at home and let the virus replicate. Get treatment immediately. There is now treatment available.
6. For some groups of people the benefits is great. So each person has to evaluate their risks and benefits. There are some risks as much is unkown.
7. Different parts of the world are handling the pandemic differently. But they are all relying on USA for the remedy. Israel one of the most vaccinated nation now realizes that the vaccine didn’t fix everything as expected.
8. C-19 pandemic can be divisive in the methods adopted to cobat its spread.. We must endeavour to reduce this divisiveness by showing love in helping each other in the Jesus had shown us.. We are to share about the reality of Christ in our life and His promise of eternal healing.
9. Much is still unknown, but not admitted officially by insisting on urgency in getting vaccinated, We are literally learning about the disease on the go with millions of scientist researchers in real time, with all sorts of data, opinions and social media commentaries and bias. But the bottom line is we still don’t know a lot. The experts and decision makers would need to come up and say honestly that I don’t know or I made a mistake. Much is still unknown and we have a long way to go. Unfortunately, but not admitted openly, we haven’t solved all the problems with the mandate that all must be vaccinated.
10. The big picture in healing in all diseases, including C-19 is Jesus. It is about Him,, His grace and His love and His forgiveness and is desirous for each one of us to be with Him forever. If we just turn our lives over to Him, is really the big picture. He is our healer and our Saviour. This is embraced in Jer 17:14, by asking God with the sure word of God who is real.
3.1.4.2.2.1.2 Bible Study lesson by Dr Tim Jennings
(There are many other God loving doctors trying to provide an unbiased report. One of this is Tim Jennings, M.D. leading the discussion and study of the lesson in the "Rest In Christ" study guide for 3rd Quarter 2021 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISSVRLfmzzo (1:08:37) 2021 Q3 Lesson 7: Rest, Relationships, and Healing (Aug. 14)Aug 1, 2021 Come And Reason Ministries)
Some key truths pointed out are:
1. Why did the director of the CDC get on national news and tell people that children are dying at a h,igher rate from COVID than from seasonal flu, when the CDCs own data, published on their website, is exactly the opposite, children die at a much higher rate from seasonal flu than from COVID. And the government has never recommended mask mandates for seasonal flu, or forced vaccination for seasonal flu, which is more lethal to children than COVID. ( See 5-7 below on Mask wearing.)
2. One can tell whether the person in authority is advancing truth or not, because if they are not on the side of truth they will use Satan’s method of silencing the voices of opposition when anyone challenges them with evidence or presents truth that exposes their position as false. If the vaccines are really safe and effective, asking questions and pursuing evidence will only confirm that. But the fact that these methods are employed by the pro-vaccinators suggests they have something to hide.
3. God’s methods are truth, presented in love, allowing people the freedom to choose. These are the methods of God’s people
4. There is a well-known process to get good people to do evil. Psychologist Philip G. Zimbardo, PhD, describes the steps necessary in order to get good people to do evil. (Article written back in 2004)
5. Social psychologists have researched factors that lead to deindividuation, the loss of identity and surrendering their mind and actions to the group—it is part of the process that leads to mob mentality and groupthink. It is described by social psychologists in classic lynch mobs and genocide.
6. What would be the impact of wearing mask for children in schools for another year? Will they lose their sense of self, become more programmable, less capable of developing their own identity, more willing to surrender to the group?
7. Information from You Tube video : “In may 2020, China regulated that the students from Kindergarten to University, do not need to wear masks in classrooms if they can keep a distance of 1 metre. In medium and high risk area should wear masks in the classroom. However , China updated its requirements the third time recently. it was possibly because of the few outbreaks after May 2021 due to the Delta variant. College and University students are asked to wear masks on the campuses now.” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwWLgQtr_z0 (10:32) Dramatic Drop Of mRNA Vaccines' Protection Rate After 6 Months. Boosters Are Coming! Sep 6, 2021 Difference Frames the World.
3.1.4.2.2.2 Scott Ritsema (2:14:19 – 2:18:23-2:19:45)
Brother Scott Ritsema, Vice President LHA and founder member, is the Director and Speaker for Belt of Truth Ministries, presenting seminars on media use, true education, current events and prophetic interpretation. His passion for religious liberty drew him into the SDA movement about 10 years ago. At that time it was the picture of God’s character that captured his heart. He saw a different God in Adventism than the God in the churches he grew up in. He wanted to know more about the God who is not a God of force depicted as the lamb in the first sermon he heard. He was at that time writing a book about the coercive nature of the powers of this age and he was impressed with the church doctrines that teach God is love and freedom.
So the unease about the vaccine roll out and mandates aroused him to connect the current to the fulfilling of Rev 13 where the element of coercion and mandates of certain things are prophesied. We should be able to discern the preparatory stages that are leading into that end time scenario. The second beast speaking like a dragon to him means he is trying it on for size right now from a prophetic standpoint. We need to share the truth God has revealed to us, to reflect Hs desire to save all who would return back to Him by our own free choice on learning and getting to know about Him, Jehovah, El Shadai, Shang Di, God in the Highest, the forgotten God of the ancient Chinese.
In sharing the message of liberty and conscience, we are actually telling people about a great story called the great controversy and where we are in the prophetic timeline Speaking like a dragon is Satan’s methods using coercive power. Jesus methods are invitations to “Come ye who are heavy lade and I will give you rest.”- Matt 11:28. We have freedom to “ Choose this day whom ye shall serve” Jos 24:15. By accepting Jesus invitation to be yoked with Him, to take up the cross and follow Him, we have the hope of where we are going in the future, with no fear of C-19 and death and how we can be ready for that. The SDA movement with its prophetic identity of liberty and healh, have our doctrines, preaching and also our advocacy to help people to promote the health message and address the crisis over conscience that our world is facing today. The health message is the right arm of the third angel’s message which is God’s final message to the world before probation to salvation close and the beginning of the great time of trouble that ends with the second coming of Jesus. (Note that plant based diet has a 73 % reduction in getting C-19 - British Medical Journal. Add to it Vitamin D; exercise i.e. NEWSTART program, God’s 8 laws of healthy living. This message is of urgency for our world right now in having natural immunity that makes the C-19 vaccines obsolete and an unnecessary health hazard. Christ is the master healer rather than the inventions of the wise men of the world- C-19 vaccinations.)
Dr Conrad added that in the days of Daniel, the statue in Dan 3 was not built overnight and the three Hebrew boys saw the statue going up day by day. As government ministers they knew what was coming but they stayed in Babylon so that they might be a witness at that moment of truth, Like them It was necessary to exercise courage every single day to stay and endure to the end when the crisis of conscience will come upon the whole based on the sure word of prophecy ( Rev 13) Maybe this C-19 crisis is an invitation to us to ask ourselves testing questions: Are we so wedded to the gods of this world? Have we been bought by the materialism of the West? Have we been succumbed by the lies of the luxurious lifestyle that so many aspire to that we are willing to sell eternal salvation for a bowl of soup ( like Esau to Jacob,his younger brother).
God permitted Satan to inflict C-19 as a token invitation to us to reflect on the nature of our walk with God.
LHA has a great website (https://libertyandhealth,org) to assist and encourage people who are affected by the coercion mandate in the U.S.
3.1.4.2.2.3 Jonathan Zirkle (2:18:40- 2:26:20-
Brother Jonathan Zirkle is the Vice President for Liberty Affairs for LHA. He had serves as the President AWR. He is an attorney in private practice specializing on Non-Profit law, Federal Employment Law and Religious Liberty. He was asked to explain the EEOC exemptions giving specific guidance on the C-19 vaccines. If a person makes a religious objection then the employer should go through a process to see if they can make a reasonable accommodation . It is important to know that it is based your personal belief rather than the denomination that you belong to. https://libertyandhealth,org/exemption-resources/ It is a restatement of the U.S. Constitutional Laws. It applies to students as well.
The two basis of exemptions revolve around the violation of the sanctity of life. Firstly, in the testing of the vaccines on fetal cells, and then the sanctity of your own life since our body is the temple of God and we are to take care of it.
Many employees are facing the loss of employment by refusing the vaccination. Is it better for the employee to resign or is it better to be fired and why?. The answer is to stay and get fired so that the court can redress the wrong of the employer sacking you. Do not be intimidated and have the strength of your conviction.
To those who are in danger of losing their job the advice is given: If your employer starts to threaten you, you should go to libertyandhealth.org to look for letters there and try to work out with your employer. Once your employer refuses to accept your explanation then start looking for a lawyer. who you will engage the day you are fired. If you can’t afford one then seek the state agency for assistance and lodge the complaint with the EEOC or the appropriate local agency. Assistance to find a lawyer will be available from LHA. Payment of legal cost will be paid by the other side and there are organizations that will assist in upfront cost. Throughout the process we should maintain a Christ-like attitude and pray for those who are doing us harm and bless them for they do not know what they are doing. This is the way Jesus taught us how to live through these moments of crisis.
Dr Conrad mentions that we are living in a post-truth society where nobody knows what is true anymore and yet in this C-19 crisis people are yearning for truth about treatment, outpatient treatment protocols; truth about how to maintain their own health; about the vaccines, and truth about who they are and are they to be pushed over? Are they just going to be statistic? or Do they stand for something?
Truth is very important now in America. People are looking for truth and truth has a ring to it. Dr Peter McCullough by coming here is risking all his financial progress in life to come and speak here. Similarly we who are speakers and organizers are all facing that same moment of truth in life where you have to decide am I going to stand for what I believe is right.
Brother Zirkle adds that book of revelation talks about those who is not going to be in the Cty, the whoremongers and such like. But what stands out are people who lack courage that will not be in the City. If we don’t learn to stand now, when will you stand? (Rev 21 – the ones outside the City are the unbelieving and all of that.
Brother Scott adds that we are living in a post-truth society in all aspects, philosophically, religiously and even with science which is always going to be data driven. We have a CDC head that had recently said our vaccines can’t prevent transmission. Yet we are still forcing them on people because if they don’t get the vaccine they will transmit is not rational or unsound decision, and it doesn’t compute. But the preparatory stages through the schooling system and in the industrial ers schooling model are rather successful in trying to create automatons. The media (Satan’s devices) utilize methods to turn off our thinking capacity. (What about the hypnotic impact in mindfulness for young children in school’s program ?) The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a power and of love, and a sound mind. He tells us to reason together and when we are able to do that by His grace and His power. By walking with Jesus Christ daily and studying His word, we will be turning out all the noises of the media and all of the distracting opinions. Being the people of truth we have got to bring that back that is absolutely essential spiritually for the salvational issue in the last days.
Dr Conrad on behalf of LHA invites people to join into God’s remnant movement because it represents the truth. We don’t say follow the truth and then submit to group-think To be an Adventist means to continually search for truth, truth about God, truth about ourselves, to have a closer walk with God . We should never cease searching for truth no matter where truth leads us to be spiritually and intellectually honest.
Dr Lewis motivation to those who are going to lose a job over the refusal to get vaccinated is to stand for our believe and be willing to suffer loss. Jesus ask us to count our cost before we follow Him. saying “ he that prefers fatheror mother or child or job above me is not worthy of me.” We must ask ourselves what am I willing to stand for? What do I really believe and then stand. Expect God to give us the strength and stand and you will never regret it.
Scott: Some people would argue my health choices concerning what I eat is not such a spiritual issue. thus is not connected with the conscience issue. But the Bible says that whatever you deat or drink or whatever I do I do it all to the glory of God. This applies to whatever you put in your body. So everybobdy has to prayerfully ask God about that across the whole spectrum of our health choices. It is really a worship issue ( Rom 12:2; which lucifer the covering Cherub. (By eating right, our minds will be clear. By exercising and practicing the eight laws of health you will find more joy in Jesus , If you are down with depression, try those eight laws out as a spiritual quest and you will experience Christ through that. You will see Him more clearly. He will reveal Himself to you when we live by faith in His laws.)
Dr Lewis provides update on LHS services. The offer of exemption with all the letters is uploaded in the website and work is in progress to dispense telemedicine for early multi-drug treatment to overcome the refusal of doctors to prescribe medicine for C-19. She leaves the audience with the biblical example of Daniel and his three Hebrew friends in Babylon. They were caught in a testing situation involving putting their own lives at stake in refusing the royal feast offered to themwhere they had to prove that vegetarian diet were far superior. They made the stand and remained faithful to God and experienced God protection In the case of the three Hebrew worthies, they refused to bow down to worship the golden stature and were thrown into the fiery furnace as living testimony to the heathen Babylonians and their mighty king. King Nebuchadnezzar saw and identified the fourth person in the furnace as the Son of God.
Something similar may be happening in our time, the C-19 vaccination coercion is not the mark of the beast (Rev 13:15-17), but the decision we make today, little by little by faith in Jesus can strengthen us to be stronger to stand for harder, more difficult tests whatever they may be as they come up in preparation for the final crisis and the time of trouble that all of God’s faithful children must go through prior to the second coming. Her final advice is that Jesus will give us the strength to stand for what is right. If we make a decision, all we have to say is Jesus give me strength and He will strengthen us. Regardless of the outcome, He will give us peace , The peace He gives us passeth all human understanding as it is not of the world .He tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, neither be afraid (Jn 14:27). But we must not forget that He also tells us we can do nothing without Him- Jn 15:5 We The situation we are now in calls for us to cling tight to Jesus . We must pray to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and He will give you wisdom to act and stand unwaveringly and in accordance to God’s will. (Ja 1:5-6) No matter what you do, do it in good conscience . Do it because the Holy Spirit is convicting you. Live in love with our brethren in keeping with the golden rule in imitating the life of Christ. Do not condemn them for the decisions they make but celebrate with them, day by day the incredible gift of life and the promise of eternal life.
3.2 Great Controversy Cosmic Week Perspective (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6h4H1DHQzc (1:58:03) Walter Veith & Martin Smith - Is This The End? Part 1 (2 Hour In Depth Study) - What's Up Prof? 8 Premiered Apr 24, 2020 Amazing Discoveries Africa)
This is Dr Walter Veith in-depth study of the Spirit of Prophecy pertaining to the time of the end which people have been asking in view of C-19. This presention fits in with our theme of integrating Bible Truth and prophecy in working out God’s will in allowing Satan’s C-19 pandemic. Please watch the clip and then ask God for wisdom in coming to the right understanding where we are with respect to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ..
Some of the very key information are pointed out in this discussion that will clarify the lies that the public are unaware of concerning the C-19 origin.The information is very extensive and you will require to watch his presentation at the clip frame quoted within brackets.
The Spirit of Prophecy is the main reference and Dr. Veith explains that the SDA church is appointed by God after the 1844 Great Disappointment (Rev 10) blessed with this special gift of the Spirit of Prophecy to steer us through the times that we are living in right to the Second Coming of Christ. The Spirit of Prophecy is not to supercede the Bible but to amplify passages that may be obscure. It leads us back to the Greater light which is the Word of God. God has seen it fit to give us the special gift that we can consult and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
3.2.1 Study Signs of the Times
“Our ministers are not doing their whole duty. The attention of the people should be called to the momentous event which is so near at hand. The signs of the times should be kept fresh before their minds. The prophetic visions of Daniel and John foretell a period of moral darkness and declension; but at the time of the end, the time in which we are now living, the vision was to speak and not lie. When the signs predicted begin to come to pass, the waiting, watching ones are bidden to look up and lift up their heads and rejoice because their redemption draweth nigh. {5T 9.2} ( We must be in tune with what is happening in the world as watchman called to reach out to the lost souls. We need to know where we stand in the stream of time. In the presentation , Dr. Veith is of the opinion based on the information he provides, we are possibly in the little time of trouble and the C-19 crisis is a reminder for us that we we must get prepared and ready)
3.2.2. National Sunday Law in U.S.A (26:40)
First raised in 1888 by a movement to introduce a National Sunday Law in U.S.A and Alonso T. Jones (SDA) was the one who gave witness before the united States Senate ( Education and Labour) and they would have arrested those that keep God’s Sabbath and some were arrested. But the arguments of A.T. Jones prevailed and the Roman threat of Sunday Rest departed.
Are we living in a time when Rome is mustering her forces for a second time, having been wounded in 1798. ?
Therefore we have to keep our eyes open asking for the Holy Spirit to give us power in discerning the signs of the times.
Pope Francis in his Laudato Si Encyclical – Care for our Common Home (2015), has asked for the introduction of Sunday as a day of rest. To give the environment rest and to allow families to come together. This is in violation of God’s Law which says “ Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,six day shall you labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” So the Roman Catholic system is asking the world for legislation to introduce Sunday in the place of God’s law. So the abomination of desolation is again encroaching. Does he have the power to do this? (This will connect the C-19 is not a major issue of Satan but a trap to subjugate unprepared worldly people to give up their liberty of conscience. Now that this is set in place, we see the main issue involving worship of the image of the beast by way of enforcement of Sunday law. This is the hidden agenda of Satan which most of the world leaders are not aware of.
The pope is deviously seizing the pandemic crises as nature’s response to human inaction over climate change. He is cunningly using nature to remove the authority vested in the sovereignty of the God of heaven ( 29:08) He needs to use the civil powers to further his agenda and they are: Trump.Pence, and Fauci alls trained in prestigious Jesuit universities.
a. Donald Trump
Trump warns US headed for very, very painful two weeks amid coronavirus pandemic- The Levant April1, 2020 ( 29:49) He tell Americans to be prepared for very hard times ahead.
b. Anthony Fauci ( 30:50- 34:00)
This is the evidence that connects the dots of the devious origin of C-19 with the pre-knowledge of the C-19 since Jan 11, 2017 -some tthree years in advance.
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and infectious Diseases, said there is “no doubt “ Donald Trump will be confronted with surprise infectious disease outbreak during his presidency. Fauci has led the NIAID for more than 3 decades, advising the past five U.S. presidents on global health threats from the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s through to the current Ziki virus outbreak. – Healio Infectious Disease News , Jan 11, 2017
During a forum on pandemic preparedness at Georgetown University, he said the Trump administration will not only be challenged by ongoing global health threats such as influenza and HIV, but also a surprise disease outbreak. .. Fauci and other healt experts said that preventing disease pandemics often starts overseas and that a proper response means collaboration between ont only the U.S and other countries, but also the public and private health sectors. “We will definitely get surprised in the nexy few years.” He said.
c. Mike Pence ( 34:02-
Mike Pence represents many other people in high office who are Jesuits trained. He visited the Pope in connection with religious freedom and alliance in Jan 2020. Some of the key topics covered in the press associated with his visit are worth noting. Gingrich said; Citing of St. John Henry Newman is an aid in the discernment of truth at Catholic university. He was the instrument of death to Protestantism in England because of his defection by becoming a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic hierarchy and was made a Saint by Pope Benedict.
The Jesuits were created for one purpose and one purpose alone and that is the destruction of Protestantism. There was no crime too base for them to commit. They would do antthing in their power from assassination to whatever means that were at their disposal to meet their ends. They were to enter and rise in public office so that they could take hold of the reins of power so that the Roman Catholic papal system could be reinstated in its former glory of controlling the affairs of humanity.
President Trump has nominated Attorney General William Barr , a practicing Catholic and a Knights of Columbus as head of the Department of Justice. Barr reinstated the death penalty. The civil laws are now in place for the death decree enforcement for those who breaks the National Sunday Law.
3.2.3 Signs of the End of the Age (40:54-
Jesus answer given to His disciples is stated in Matt 24 with the emphasis to take heed that no man deceives you, even false Christ, and that the people in power will be out to destroy the last vestiges of Protestantism. It is not just the C-19 but many disasters that Satan has caused.
Jesus mentions that no one but only the Father know the Day and the Hour of the end of the world. This does not mean that Jesus as God does not know but that it Is not for Him to tell ( Mat 24:36; 1 Th 5:1-4; James Ehite-SEADV 19.1) ( 52;10- 59:42)
3.2.3.1 Age of the World Search
Dr Veith was led to seek the answer on the age of the world in his transition from a professor in evolution to believe in creation. He was disturbed by scholars speaking at a special meeting dismissing the Spirit od Prophesy statement on the age of the world as not definitive and may not be inspired. He had prayed to God for wisdom on the reliability of Ellen White writings without getting an answer. The answer came a few years later in one of the Spirit of Prophesy pamphlet
3.2.3.1.1 The Cosmic Age Concept
The explanation is in the Cosmic Week ( 6000+1000) concept - Ps 90:4; 2Pe 3:8; Rev 20:4 (1:00:00-
There are 42 (+32 in compilations)- 6000 year and 41- 4000 year statements in Ellen Whites writings. ( “about six thousand “ (13 times).,“almost six thousand “ (once), “nearly six thousand “ ( 12 times) and three times she states “more than six thousand “ and the rest are “for six thousand years”.
(i) The Great Controversy actually had this six thousand year time frame,
“The vision at Lovett's Grove, Ohio, on a Sunday afternoon in mid-March, 1858, was one of great importance. In this the theme of the great controversy between Christ and His angels on the one side and Satan and his angels on the other, was seen as one continuous and closely linked chain of events spanning six thousand years. This vision has put Seventh-day Adventists into a unique position with clear-cut views of the working of Providence in the history of our world—a viewpoint quite different from that held by secular historians, who see events of history as the interplay between the actions of men, often seemingly the result of chance or natural developments. In other words, this vision and others of the great conflict of the ages yield a philosophy of history that answers many questions and in prophetic forecast gives the assurance of final victory of good over evil. {1BIO 366.1}
The three statements of over three thousands years are clarified with two of them being related to the context with one concerning Satan’s practice being more than six thousand years, as deception started in heaven ( H S, 133) The second statement deals with the new earth when the earth will be about 7000 years old. (SJ 183.3)The third one (CT 154) is a copying error as the original did not contain the word over in the original material, 3T 491,492. This was the clarification to Dr Gentry’s query on the ages of the earth in 1977 (See D11 Discovery of Earth’s Age- http://www.discoverylifediy.com/432560781 )They do not negate Ellen White stand that the earth is almost six thousand years old. (1:14;10- 1:16:44)
(ii) How long does Sin Reign on Earth
This is what the Spirit of Prophecy says concerning the period of sin on earth:
The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God's favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God's original purpose in its creation is accomplished. "The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." {AH 539.3} (Ellen White definitively say sin reign for six thousand years on earth.)
So when according to the Spirit of Prophecy, will six thousand years have elapsed since the fall of man?
At Christ’s baptism sin hasd reigned 4000 years on earth. That was 27 A.D
Christ, in the wilderness of temptation, stood in Adam's place to bear the test he failed to endure. Here Christ overcame in the sinner's behalf, four thousand years after Adam turned his back upon the light of his home. Separated from the presence of God, the human family had been departing, each successive generation, farther from the original purity, wisdom, and knowledge which Adam possessed in Eden. Christ bore the sins and the infirmities of the race as they existed when He came to the earth to help man. In behalf of the race, with the weaknesses of fallen man upon Him, He was to stand the temptations of Satan upon all points on which man could be assailed. {Con 32.1}
The Saviour of the world had no controversy with Satan, who was expelled from heaven because he was no longer worthy of a place there. He who could influence the angels of God against their Supreme Ruler, and against His Son, their loved Commander, and enlist their sympathy for himself, was capable of any deception. Four thousand years he had been warring against the government of God and had lost none of his skill or power to tempt and deceive. {Con 45.1}
On Jordan's banks the voice from heaven, attended by the manifestation from the excellent glory, proclaimed Christ to be the Son of the Eternal. Satan was to personally encounter the Head of the kingdom which he came to overthrow. If he failed he knew that he was lost. Therefore the power of his temptations was in accordance with the greatness of the object which he would lose or gain. For four thousand years, ever since the declaration was made to Adam that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, he had been planning his manner of attack. {Con 78.2} ( We have precise time in the statement from the fall of Adam up to the wilderness experience of Jesus exactly 4000 years.i.e until the baptism of Jesus in 27 A.D.
(iii) Fullness of Time was 27 A.D.
"When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, . . . to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:4, 5. {DA 31.1}
The Saviour's coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, "The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth." Ezekiel 12:22. {DA 31.2}
(iv) Projection to our Time (1:26:02)
"When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son." Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiah's coming. {DA 32.2}
The one language now is English ( The old world before the confusion of lthis one language by God was because of the unification by the rebel Nimrod, grandson of Ham in building the Tower of Babel ( Emblem adopted by EU) instead of populating the whole earth.(Gen 11:5-6) . This is the reason why God has gifted the Ancient Chinese who were the descendants of Shem, with the written Chinese language characters that has embedded in them the story of Genesis but which the Chinese have since forgotten as discussed right at the beginning. This is meant to be remembered as part of the purpose of C-19 to tell the world that all human beings came from the one blood> It is by recognizing this that we can be unifiedto combat the false unification by the Pope that the secular world worship as their supreme moral leader to combat Climate Change at COP26 in Glasgow, Nov1, 2021.
In the time that Jesus came there was almost one nation ruling everywhere. So it could be the same in the Second Coming Dr Veith showed The Handeelsbatt news illustration of EU as theTowel of Babel with water rushing around it with the coronavirus catastrophy. In the corner it says, We need a global leadership. ( for unification to build the “tower of Bebel)(1;27:44)
“Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world. These enterprises were designed to prevent the people from scattering abroad in colonies. God had directed men to disperse throughout the earth, to replenish and subdue it; but these Babel builders determined to keep their community united in one body, and to found a monarchy that should eventually embrace the whole earth. Thus their city would become the metropolis of a universal empire; its glory would command the admiration and homage of the world and render the founders illustrious. The magnificent tower, reaching to the heavens, was intended to stand as a monument of the power and wisdom of its builders, perpetuating their fame to the latest generations”. {PP 118.5}
The signs are in the news pointing to the conditions that the Bible describes at the first coming of Christ:
Yuval Harari, very famous German author said , We will have a totally different world after the coronavirus, and in this fight against the pandemic we need one world leadership. God’s plan is to unite all humanity, says Pope – catholic Herald.co.uk 2 nd June 2013. The pope call all people to unite because of the pandemic Gorden Brown calls for global government to tackle coronavirus- The Guardiah-Mar 26, 2020. Angela Merkel asks for a new world order – t-online.de. Kissinger says “even the US cant defeat C-19 alone. His solution? Global NWO overenment, of course. Obama drops C-19 bombshell- Its all due to climate change.He is the one who supported the Pope when he came to give his speech in Set 23 , 2015.
(v) Satan Personates Christ Before Second Coming (Mat 24:5; 2 Cor 11:14; Rv 1:13-15)
“A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama--Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies.”--8T 28 (1904). {LDE 162.4} (This is not conspiracy theory but Prophetic fulfillment in the future.)
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is "the great power of God." Acts 8:10. {GC 624.2}
The issue of papal legislation must have already been discussed when this appearance takes place. How close are we to this appearing?
Based on News reports:
Israel Today- Israeli Rabbi says he’s holding Meeting with Messiah - Feb 20, 2021. (1:34:42- 1:37:57)) Reminder: this is looks at the signs of the times to try to bring a message based on the truth from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.)
(v) Projected End of the World in 2027 (6,000 years reign of sin) ( 1:38:10- 1:54;00)
The conditions are ripe for the second Coming according to the calculation that 4000 years from Adams fall was the baptism of Jesus in 27 A.D. The 6000 years for the end of sin is coming up soon in 2027. ( Review AH 539.3)
“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God's favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God's original purpose in its creation is accomplished. "The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." {AH 539.3}
(vi) The Third Coming ( 1:43:40- 1;5)
After the thousand years, the City of God has come down onto this new earth wher a plane has been created where Jesus’s feet land on the Mount of Olives and the city comes down on this purified area.
Then Jesus and all the retinue of holy angels, and all the redeemed saints, left the city. The angels surrounded their Commander and escorted Him on His way, and the train of redeemed saints followed. Then, in terrible, fearful majesty, Jesus called forth the wicked dead; and they came up with the same feeble, sickly bodies that went into the grave. What a spectacle! what a scene! At the first resurrection all came forth in immortal bloom; but at the second the marks of the curse are visible on all. The kings and noblemen of the earth, the mean and low, the learned and unlearned, come forth together. All behold the Son of man; and those very men who despised and mocked Him, who put the crown of thorns upon His sacred brow, and smote Him with the reed, behold Him in all His kingly majesty. Those who spit upon Him in the hour of His trial now turn from His piercing gaze and from the glory of His countenance. Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet now look upon the marks of His crucifixion. Those who thrust the spear into His side behold the marks of their cruelty on His body. And they know that He is the very one whom they crucified and derided in His expiring agony. And then there arises one long protracted wail of agony, as they flee to hide from the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. {EW 292.1}
All are seeking to hide in the rocks, to shield themselves from the terrible glory of Him whom they once despised. And, overwhelmed and pained with His majesty and exceeding glory, they with one accord raise their voices, and with terrible distinctness exclaim, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!" {EW 292.2}
Then Jesus and the holy angels, accompanied by all the saints, again go to the city, and the bitter lamentations and wailings of the doomed wicked fill the air. Then I saw that Satan again commenced his work. He passed around among his subjects, and made the weak and feeble strong, and told them that he and his angels were powerful. He pointed to the countless millions who had been raised. There were mighty warriors and kings who were well skilled in battle and who had conquered kingdoms. And there were mighty giants and valiant men who had never lost a battle. There was the proud, ambitious Napoleon, whose approach had caused kingdoms to tremble. There stood men of lofty stature and dignified bearing, who had fallen in battle while thirsting to conquer. As they come forth from their graves, they resume the current of their thoughts where it ceased in death. They possess the same desire to conquer which ruled when they fell. Satan consults with his angels, and then with those kings and conquerors and mighty men. Then he looks over the vast army, and tells them that the company in the city is small and feeble, and that they can go up and take it, and cast out its inhabitants, and possess its riches and glory themselves. {EW 293.1}
Satan succeeds in deceiving them, and all immediately begin to prepare themselves for battle. There are many skillful men in that vast army, and they construct all kinds of implements of war. Then with Satan at their head, the multitude move on. Kings and warriors follow close after Satan, and the multitude follow after in companies. Each company has its leader, and order is observed as they march over the broken surface of the earth to the Holy City. ( How much time would this take to prepare for the final battle?) Jesus closes the gates of the city, and this vast army surround it, and place themselves in battle array, expecting a fierce conflict. Jesus and all the angelic host and all the saints, with the glittering crowns upon their heads, ascend to the top of the wall of the city. Jesus speaks with majesty, saying, "Behold, ye sinners, the reward of the just! And behold, My redeemed, the reward of the wicked!" The vast multitude behold the glorious company on the walls of the city. And as they witness the splendor of their glittering crowns and see their faces radiant with glory, reflecting the image of Jesus, and then behold the unsurpassed glory and majesty of the King of kings and Lord of lords, their courage fails. A sense of the treasure and glory which they have lost rushes upon them, and they realize that the wages of sin is death. They see the holy, happy company whom they have despised, clothed with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life, while they are outside the city with every mean and abominable thing. {EW 293.2}
And fire came down from heaven and consumed them. (Rev19:20; 20:14,15)
(vii) Another Possible Scenario
I saw that the quick work that God was doing on the earth would soon be cut short in righteousness, and that the messengers must speed swiftly on their way to search out the scattered flock. {CET 107.2}
It is most probable that this 6000 years ends in the six millennium. This would exclude the time of preparation required after the second resurrection of the wicked at the seventh Millennium. (Rev 20:3, 7) If it is possible that a short time could be cut off ( Rom 9:28) from the 6,000 years before 2027.
If it takes time for Satan to prepare the army then the length of time that may be cut off as a possible course then the time of then end will be one or two years earlier as the case may for Satan to prepare for the final battle.Therefore, according to the Spirit of prophecy, that final week where for rrighteousness this time is to be cut off ( Rom 9:28). Then. Jesus must come in the next few years. This is to tell us that the Second Coming of Jesus is knocking at the door and It is a very urgent trumpet sound to get ready, get ready. Do not be those evil servants spoken of in Matt 24: 48-51 who hold that Jesus will delay His returnand even war against the faithful servants of God who tried to warn them. “The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,” And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 24:50,51)
On the other hand, some may raise the issue that the four thousand year period is also used for His crucifixion in 31AD This statement was made in {EW xiii.1} 1858 and was not as definitive as His baptism where she used the word "exactly" to describe 27 A.D) This would stretch the end time to 2031. But it is better to err on the save side. In fact we should be watching and praying that we are prepared for His surprise Return right now, today, for we do not know what tomorrow may bring.
If it is possible that a short time could be cut off ( Rom 9:28) from the 6,000 years before 2027, then Christ must come some time before 2027 to allow for this. Then we have very little time left. The Lord canadd to that time and delays His coming. The Lord acan take away from that time. The time is short for the Second Coming. Dr. Walter Veith believes that we are in the closing hours of this Earths history. We will see a new world emerge out of this C-19 crisis. Maybe there will be that time of peace and then again the repetition of turmoil of the great time of trouble. He can see the forces of Rome mustering their powers in the echelon of power up there in governments and in the UN.He sees the implementation of the directives of the man of sin. He is calling for all to come to be educated on the subject. of ultimate control.with the one world government. He wrote this in 2020.
This study by Dr Walter Veith is not time setting but a proper discernment that God wants to tell us through His servants, the prophets before the events occur ( Amos 3:7) This is part of the message contained in the C-19 pandemic.
The preparation of this part of the article is done during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sep 21-28, 2021) .This is significant as I (63 yrs old) was baptized on 7 Oct 2006, the 15th Tishri. My baptism was actually scheduled a week earlier but it was pushed back one week later because Pr Mark Chan felt that there were insufficient members present that Sabbath.
Many significant events occurred on this feast day. One of which was Solomon’s Temple dedication to the Lord (1 Kings 8:2). It was also at the Feast of Tabernacles that the Israelites, who had returned to rebuild the temple, gathered together to hear Ezra proclaim the Word of God to them (Nehemiah 8).
3.2 Discernment from C-19 Pandemic Signpost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbC7zkolBVA (57:10) Vaccine Mandates & The Mark of the Beast: Is There A Connection? Sep 22, 2021 White Horse Media
This is a great presentation to start this final section covering the issues of Coronavirus pandemic, Public safety,. Vaccine mandates, and Freedom of conscience. Do these hot topics have any connection with the coming "mark of the beast” (see Revelation 13:16,17; 19:20)? Secular people, and especially Christians, are pondering these issues worldwide. Do vaccine mandates, which can affect a person’s ability to earn an income (if they don’t comply), foreshadow the approaching time when “no man can buy or sell, save he that has the mark”? Prophecy tells us the image of the beast will be set up and we are not there yet. We are not in the time of the great miracles (Rev 13:13-15) and the vaccine is not the mark of the beast. But the C-19 vaccine mandates raises the possibility that we are moving toward the time when the mark of the beast is going to be enforced. God has permitted Satan to carry it out so that the people will in their helplessness return to Him. While the vaccine mandates are not the mark of the beast, but that much of what we are seeing is mark-like. Steve Wohlberg is convinced there is a connection and offers compelling insights about this raging controversy from the Word of God. We are witnessing a global phenomena where the majority are going along with the implementation of force and that is wrong and going against God;s law. ( 21:30-27:10- :55:10)
The vaccination is a test case which seems to have about 70% success and Satan is now staging on the final issue masked in the cloak of Universal Rest Day to combat climate change in COP26, Glasgow, Nov1 2021; but with the hidden agenda of worship to the beast undisclosed to the world leaders that are following after the beast. Many people as a result will go along with the mark and will buckle when the final crisis hit them. Ellen White has warned about this in the chapter “ Final Warning , The Great Controversy:
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren…” {GC 608.2} (There is a preparation before the final crisic hits and C-19 is the preparation time now. We are preparing for heaven or we are preparing for the mark. When the Final criss come they are going to go the wrong direction because they have not been preparing and following God’s law and developing a spirit of love for God and for others instead of anger
Pr Wohlberg concludes with the strong conviction that with C-19 vaccination mandate that are moving closer to the enforcement of the National Sunday Law. Christ lovingly speaks toJudah through Isaiah just as He is now using C-19 as a trial run to teach us to “enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. “-Isa 26:20-21. Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book of life. {GC 634.1}
What we are seeing in this world, the anger, the fear , the movements that are moving us in the use of force, are progressing closer to the final crisis when the mark of the beast is going to be enforced. So he counsel us to seek the lord now that when the beast comes we’ll be protected in the grace of God as commandment keepers who are ready for Jesus come and to get us out of here.
Dr, Walter Veith have presented the timeline of where we are with respect to the end time with the Second Coming as foretold in the Spirit of Prophecy.
3.2.1 The Bottom Line
FA4 Lest We forget the Beginning is the integration as a whole theme of three main topics: 1. The forgotten God embedded in the Chinese language characters ; 2. God’s purpose in C-19 pandemic; and 3. The duration of the great controversy . It is an attempt that has taken two months to compile from many presentations available on YouTube this article of over 90 pages to bring together as a whole the vital truth for the saving of our souls that harmonise with God’s will. God, the Father, our Creator, made us in His image desire that all who forgot Him shall return to Him before the close of probation prior to Judgment day and the reunification with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
The bottom line is to facilitate recall so that we wiil not forget by way of a mind-map It will be made up of a string in numbered sequence of sentences, phrases and words placed in one sheet.
1. The origin (beginning) of the Chinese people is indelibly embedded in the written Chinese language characters (Han Zi). Ancient Chinese worship ShangDi, the Most High in Heaven, the same God of Israel, Jehovah, El Shaddai. Pictograph of God’s creation in earth’s beginning, Mankind forgetting God, Judgment –Great Flood-Noah’s ark- Remnant of 8- Our Progenitor- all mankind one blood- truth knowledge to unify the whole world to remove enmity and violence in racism. Chinese race blessed – oldest civilization (4,000 years documented history–most dispersed in meeting God’s wiill– 1in 5 of world population.
2. Noah set up altar and remembered to sacrifice of animal-Pointing to Sacrificial Lamb as our Righteousness –Lamb covering self- ancient Chinese celebrated an annual Border Sacrifice to the "Lord of Heaven.This worship ritual is the longest and most continuous religious practice in China. But, over time, Satan worked on ambitious Emperors to forget ShangDi and people sought other gods. Simplification of Chinese language in1949 – lost God’s message- current Chinese population become atheists. Remnant remain faithful under persecution and in overseas Chinese that use traditional Chinese language writing.
3. Lest we forget the Great Controversy as we discern the signs of the End-times; of the nearness of Jesus second coming- Controversy Cosmic Week= 6000+1000 day/year concept –Satan given 6000 years to discredit God’s law. SOP insight says around 2027, about six year from 2021. Time is very short but probation is still open to accept open invitation of Jesus Christ to come to Him.-to be yoked with Him. He will fight all our battles against .principalities, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places.
4. C-19 is dress rehearsal of the final crisis- permitted by God as His most effective method to get all to return to Him and be saved. C-19 vaccination mandate - test of loyalty – counterfeit of Christ remedy to remove sin-root of C-19. We get to discern the great controversy in the story of Job- C-19 as Satan’s affliction – not the mark of the beast. Jonah God’s watchman can’t run away from evangelizing Nineveh who repented and lived.. Work of preparation must be startedCOP 26-Nov1 Glasgow - setting up world leaders doing antichrist bidding not knowing the ultimate agenda of the dragon- worship to the beast on spurious Sabbath. Christianity in China since 1949 is world’s fastest growth rate. Chinese Language is second witness of the Genesis story to unify and gather all God’s children into God’s kingdom.
5. C-19 is God’s reminder call to review the 4J’s in His Word: Job-Satan’s permit to afflict Job; Jonah’s reluctant message saves City of Nineveh;John the Baptist announcing Jesus –the Lamb of God; John the Revelator-annihilation of Satan- new Heaven and new Earth. Other 4J's: Joel-Judgment Day; Jeremiah-70 year captivity for apostasy; James-ask God for wisdom. Wise general Joshua had Jehovah, El Shaddai, ShangDi his Guide. Last 9thJ-Jude-defend the faith* in preparation for 2nd Coming of Jesus-Saviour- God&Man-All in All-Αα&Ωω-Centre of All-Jehovah-Eternal-MostHigh-ShangDi.
(Note*- Global appeal to SDA General Conference to defend the faith* at www.libertyandhealth.org. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imkkznXBQv0 (1::42:54) Liberty of Conscience Document: Official Release and Global Appeal Streamed live on Oct 7, 2021 Liberty and Health Alliance)
3.2.2 C-19 Final Reminder- Beware Lest Thou Forget The Lord – Deut 6:12
The Lord designed that by a faithful observance of the Sabbath command, Israel should continually be reminded of their accountability to Him as their Creator and their Redeemer. ..but when set aside as no longer binding, the Creator would be forgotten and men would worship other gods.
From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan's purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive men, and thus lead them to transgress God's law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued.,, GC 582.1}
We are nearing the day of God's great final review, when the people of this world must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for their deeds. We are now (deep) in the time of investigation (since Oct 22,1844). Before the day of God's review, every character will have been investigated, every case decided for eternity. Let the words of God's servant recorded in Deut 4-8 be read with profit (Letter 112, 1909). {1BC 1118.2} In this scripture we are taught that obedience to God's requirements brings the obedient under the laws that control the physical being. Those who would preserve themselves in health must bring into subjection all appetites and passions. .. If our will and way are in accordance with God's will and way; if we do the pleasure of our Creator, He will keep the human organism in good condition, and restore the moral, mental, and physical powers, in order that He may work through us to His glory.(Deut 6:1-9)
When we bring our lives to complete obedience to the law of God, regarding God as our supreme Guide, and clinging to Christ as our hope of righteousness, God will work in our behalf. This is a righteousness of faith, a righteousness hidden in a mystery of which the worldling knows nothing, and which he cannot understand. Sophistry and strife follow in the train of the serpent; but the commandments of God diligently studied and practiced, open to us communication with heaven, and distinguish for us the true from the false. This obedience works out for us the divine will, bringing into our lives the righteousness and perfection that was seen in the life of Christ (MS 43, 1907). {1BC 1118.4}( Deu 6:6-9,25; Rom 10:5)
We must remember that Satan can divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God. {GC 589.1) We must know that he has the power to control the elements as far as God allows as in the C-19 pandemic. .. While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He will favor and prosper some in order to further his own designs, and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. {GC 589.2}
C-19 is a wakeup call to get prepared for judgment day and the end of the world.
End of FA4 –92pages.
Posted on Oct 3, 2021 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo.com
Your feedback, comments, suggestions and article contributions will be deeply appreciated. There is a provision for brief comments below. And better still email me at singtsc@yahoo.com Also please refer and share the article with your friends and relatives
P.S A new article D30 Discover C-19 Mess and Clear up is being posted by October 25, 2021( Facing technical hitch to be delayed) Before that D29 Forgotten God at www.discoverylifediy.com (posted July 31, 2021)
We are now only seeing the modern Inquisition being established before our very eyes for those who want to see in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy
If you are convicted to want to know more about the truth that is in the Bible, the revelation of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, there are two ways suggested:
1. The articles are posted periodically in two websites and easy to print out or read online They are www.wakeupow.com (i.e. wake up prisoner-of-war (pow) and www.discoverylifediy.com All the topics are listed in either the menu bars on the left column or drop down menu at the top. A good earlier article to start with is FoC12 “Tales of Unbelief” at http://www.wakeupow.com/159912051
2. In addition there is also an upcoming very good weekly Bible study serried via Zoom that you may enrol in arranged by Yip Kok Toh and Roxana Yip on “Mystery Babylon & Prophecy Again”- End time prophecy study to gain clarity and confidence in Daniel and Revelation. . Starting date: Oct 30 (Sat). 2021. Time: 10 am ( USA 7pm PST 10/29) Meeting ID: 833 6741 7149 Password: faith For more information , please contact Roxans at +65 9327 6151 You need to have access to Zoom
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