Christian Love (Gal. 6:10)

In (Gal.6:10) we read  “Therefore, whenever we have opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the household of faith”.  Here we see two directives. One, do well to those outside the faith, secondly, do well especially to those among our household (church) of faith.” With this short paragraph of inspired words, we can gain volumes in instructions of  righteousness (right doing).

Within the last couple of weeks the Lord brought me two examples  on the first part of the above. I mention these not to infer you must do them, only as examples of the doing good to our people outside the faith.

In both instances they occurred at gas stations. The first, I pulled in  to get gas, I noticed this  long haired skinny unkept man looking through the trash can. Also immediately I felt the urge . “Invite this man into the Arco and buy him lunch” I thought. So I said “hey brother, follow me into the store, I’ll buy you lunch.” He looked at me with a surprised look, but quickly came along. I said upon entering  “go over there and get a sandwich and what ever else you want.”

So we checked out and he gave me a big “thank you”. I said “God be with you bro.”  No preaching, no words of advice, the actions had spoken instead. Just maybe this act will be remembered and the Lord will start to work on His heart in some way.

The second happened when I pulled up, again to an Arco. I get out and this man about 30 comes up and points to his truck with his wife and kid inside. “Hey bro, could I bum a few dollars from you, we need to go to Ontario and we’re out of money.”  I didn’t have any cash on hand and so I said “No, I don’t have cash”. And proceeded to walk in to the store  to purchase gas with my debit card. As I was in there, it occurred to me –how would I feel in that position stranded with my family? So after getting the gas, I walked out and yelled over to him “what pump you on?”  He told me and I went back in and purchased 25.00 gas for him. He was profusely thankful and I felt the Lord’s will had been done.

Did I have “opportunity” to do good to my brethren in the above examples? Yes, of course. Our Lord very well may have placed those in my path, knowing I had the means to help, to see my actions.

I have Steps to Christ books in the back of my truck, and when the opportunity arises I hand out to certain people. Yet, in both of these instances I felt the kind acts were sufficient to touch them and possibly lead them to think of “brotherly love” and thereby to their Maker. The old saying “action speaks louder than words” can be so true in many instances. “..Be ye doers of the word..” (James 1:22)

Christian love clearly is shown in our actions.  Our Lord said the following “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another ” (John 13:35). We should  remember the simple things of our Christian walk. The basics can sometimes be overlooked, as if we don’t need them. The common courtesies, the prompt return calls, emails, etc. can be very good habits showing our love and kindness.  We can become careless and neglect the plain simple truths and acts of love.

Can we imagine someone in the Lord’s circle asking Him a sincere question and the Lord just looking at Him then walking away? Our Lord  is our example in all things right? Look at His courtesy, He even wrapped and folded His own burial clothe upon His resurrection!

How important is love?  Perhaps no where in all of scripture can we find just how important it is as in these words  ”If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2).

The second part of (Gal.6:10) has much more ramifications. Our own brothers and sisters in the faith are the ones we especially do good to.

Recently I had a talk with a dear brother who has done some real solid works for the Lord for many years. He was upbeat despite the fact that he was sincerely struggling on the financial front. But I thought “how is it that none of the brothers and sisters knew about this, or if they did, how did they turn their backs?”  We all can face tough times but it is at those times when we as true  brothers and sisters should step up to the plate and do something if it is within our power.

We should  look out for our own,as our brother’s and sister’s keeper.  It can be like the old saying “too close to the forest to see the trees”. Again, it’s the basics of Christ’s love that we can sometimes overlook.

 Let’s look at some specific ways we can do good to our brethren.

1) When a brother or sister asks us a question or drops a line to say hello(via email, or voice message, or whatever)  we make a good effort to get back to them in a reasonable time. Again, our Lord said  ”Do unto others whatever you would like them to do unto you”(Matt. 7:12)  If you want to be ignored, then  –ignore.  But we shouldn’t be a hypocrite and expect answers or responses  when we don’t give them.

2) Check in now and then with your brothers and sisters of the faith. We shouldn’t expect them to come to us always. Our own members of the faith are the ones who have at least made the profession of Christ, so we should hold them up in our remembrance  and reach out when possible.

3) If we know their profession, and we have a need of that service, let’s use them for it,as opposed to calling someone outside our faith. I sure wish our own churches would have a church directory showing the different occupations of the members.

4) Of utmost importance, let’s never forget that sharing of the word and bible study with our brethren is extremely important. Share the word when possible and learn together. We must have knowledge as we know our Lord said  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6)  One of the most sad things to see, is when a bro or sis want’s to learn something from a fellow bro or sis in the faith, and they are ignored!  Oh what a true travesty! 

 The bible says “be angry and sin not”  (Eph 4:26) And this is describing me right now. I just can’t for the life of me, comprehend how someone would see that as acceptable to the Lord.  Our knowledge should be shared.  “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8)  Why should it be coveted by us? It’s like “I have my knowledge,  you go get your own, don’t bother me”. I couldn’t look myself in the mirror if I was ignoring  my brethren in the faith, who would inquire of me.

5)  As we are nearing the very last days. Our reach-outs to our brethren must be accelerated. As we have shown many times in this blog, our Lord pronounced that the Elijah message would be His last. Let’s get that out there to our people.

6) Be a “great” person to our brethren. What do I mean?  “But he that is greatest among you, will be your servant” (Matt.23:11)  We must have the mind set that we are to “serve” and not be aloof and have others serve us. Translated in practical advice, it means we look to help where we can.

7) Last and most importantly, we strive to show kindness and concern for our brethren in our correspondence. We show –Christian love.

May our ever seeing Lord guide you and keep you always, my beloved brethren(which always means sisters too).

The Spirit of Truth

In our searching of Scripture and SOP and SRod we should be aware that certain important issues are controversial. Not because there is no truth in them but because their has been attempts to discredit them and make them of no effect to us,  His people.  Issues that need to be straighten out require a serious study, with an open mind and heart, we must be willing to get at the truth.

Our Lord said “But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear he shall speak, and he shall show you things to come.” (John 16:13)

This is a  great promise our Lord gives us. We shall know the truth! This is such great news. Not only know truth, but the future truth. That means we will be guided by Him to get at the  evidence and arrive at the truth. We only have to search it with a humble open honest heart. Prejudice cannot be allowed to cloud our minds, because the truth will lose nothing upon close investigation.

We must also keep in mind that having the “Spirit of truth” is a gift. Can the Lord bestow gifts on us if we are in a state of continual sinning  and careless backsliding? Can we have the best of both worlds–knowing our Lord’s precious truths and cherishing the wickedness of sin?  The Pharisees were perfect examples that it was not possible. They were blocked from seeing the truth due to their prideful sins. “But your sins have separated you from your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

In my own walk when I was still holding on to tobacco, TV, worldly music and  others, I was not enjoying the gift of the Spirit of truth as I should have. Sure I was able to understand “some” truth but not what the Lord had ready for me and what was needed most – present truth. It wasn’t until I got serious in my walk and was prayerfully asking  for the Holy Spirit’s help,  that I threw the above sins out the window. I  was able to put on what the Lord handed me, the “spiritual glasses”,  and the Spirit of truth came, like a tidal wave of truth flooding my soul. The word came alive as never before. This can and will happen to you if you commit and convert, our Lord promises it to any and all truth seekers.

Once we receive the gift of the Spirit of truth, we will then be able to focus on future events and see clearly what our Lord has in this regard. Once we know this, we then naturally have a desire to share it with others, a watchman more or less. “Let the watchmen now lift up their voice and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let us show the people where we are in prophetic history.” (Testimonies for the Church, p.716)

 We must be careful not to fall into the all to familiar trap of following what others say about what is “truth”.   Sister White says ” God cannot glorify His name through His people while they are leaning upon man and making flesh their arm” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p.729). If we base our opinions on another man or woman’s teachings while ignoring our own search, then instead of the Spirit of truth, the arm of flesh guides us. Even this blog, although possibly helpful, should not be a substitute for your further searching of the inspired writings on this and other posted topics.

Did not the multitude in Jesus’ day side with their leaders and believe what they said, instead of observing and carefully considering the whole matter themselves? So afraid were  many, that they knew that if they believed in Jesus, they were risking their membership to their own church. We know their sad ending. Let us not repeat it. 

As we’ve seen by the Lord’s promise in (John 16:13), the Spirit of truth will guide us into present as well as future truth, knowing of the things to come.

With the above firmly in our minds, let’s look at 3 very important   present truth issues, carefully addressing each so that the truth will be clearly understood. In these very last hours of probation for our church, we cannot afford to be misled by the adversaries any longer.

1) The 144,000 issue.

  Some say that we are not supposed to talk about it or study it. They use this quote as their basis  ” It is not His plan that His people shall present something which they have to suppose, which is not taught in the word. It is not His will that they should get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand? This those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.(1 Selected messages, p. 174)

At first glance one would be inclined to generalize this statement.That the 144k  issue should be muted.  If we carefully read the statement, we see should notice the word ”compose” . It means to identify  who is and who is not, going to be among the 144,000. In other words, we should not go around saying ” brother Tom , or sister Jane, will be one of the 144,000.” Or, “I don’t think so and so will be among the 144,000.”  This provides no spiritual help to us and puts us in a position of judge.

Additionally if she meant that we were not to look into the 144k subject, how is it that she could then make the following statement  concerning the issue? In (Review and Herald, March 9, 1905) she said “Let us strive with all the power God has given us, to be among the 144,000.”  Can we logically strive to become a  part of a group we know nothing about? Ofcourse not.  It’s similar to wanting to be a pilot, for example,  and not looking into how we can become one. Striving with all power from God, does indeed mean to pursue it with everything we have.

Lastly,  her very first vision was about the 144,000. God, in His wisdom obviously was making a statement in announcing the importance of this issue among His people.

2) The Lord’s last Elijah message.

This is the issue for today. The absolute –present truth.  Our Lord said He would bring someone (Elijah) right before He comes. How important can this message be then? It’s a message, that if we know it and heed it, it will spare us in the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Mal. 4-5). It has key specific messages from the Lord to us.  Is our church discussing this message and it’s solemn ramifications? Or are we asleep with a carnal peace and safety attitude? Smooth sermons week after week proclaiming we all got our “get into heaven free pass card” just because we show up to church every Sabbath.

Understanding and searching the basics of this message, we’ll find why our Lord needs to tell it clearly. In much Scripture in the OT, He points out through the prophets about a “day” which will happen that will be so solemn and filled with His  indignation. Make no mistake, we as a people have torn down the holy reverence in His temple, walked carelessly in His Commandments and generally have done worse than the Israelites of old.  Therefore He must warn us first as He has always done. This was the  ”type” message of the original Elijah. Our Lord had  enough of the false teachers and leaders, with their false God’s and idols, so through His prophet Elijah, He warned them thoroughly. So much so,  that the people labeled Elijah a “troubler”. Someone who was harassing and bothering  the “good”  people.

 Many of the today’s messengers declaring today’s Elijah’s message are also looked upon as troublers and some are disfellowshipped just like Elijah was. The messengers are trying to lead the people astray, so it is thought.  Anti-type is following type in many aspects.

The original Elijah message you’ll remember was a message he took to his own people, not to the world. This point is very important. It’s a warning message of the impending “church judgement” per Ezekiel 9, among God’s people, not the world. Ignoring this, we clearly see our church today,  putting the first priority of reaching the world now , instead of addressing our own house, our church, and doing the work of preparation for His  surprise coming.

Our Lord’s own words to the “angel”, which in greek signifies messenger or by implication — pastor (strongs Hebrew and greek dictionary), in (Rev.3:16-17) gives the reason why the Elijah message of warnings must be given– ” So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say ‘ I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ –  and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked—”. They must be awaken, it’s the only remaining hope.

Brother Victor Houteff addressed the issue , as to exclusiveness of the message going to the SDA church only. He was questioned about the fact that this last day Elijah message ignored the people of the world. Here is his response.

 ”Nowhere is the position taken ‘that everyone that is brought into the Seventh-day Adventist church is unconverted, and that there should not be anyone brought in.’  The most extreme position which the message  takes in this connection is that which the Spirit of Prophecy in the following testimony obliges it to take: “The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted but have backslidden.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p.371)

This far we come, not an inch short, not an inch beyond. Those who do go beyond this point as well as those who refuse to come up to it are both committing equal extravagances which the truth rebukes.

Concerning the idea that the present time is not the day for individuals outside the SDA church, though they know and believe the message, to repent and be baptized, we would say that God nowhere justifies a man, regardless of what his status might be-whether Jew or Gentile, church member or infidel — for putting off the day of repentance once light is come to him. This is the sin against the Holy Ghost. “Today, after so long a time;as it is said, Today if ye hear His  voice harden not your hearts.”

However, under the dispensation of a special message to the church, such as Christ bore to the Jewish church for three and a half years and such as it is our lot to bear to the SDA church today, we are not to understand that it is the work of those, who bear such a message, to carry on at the same time the Gospel program for the world at large.

The Lord has not left us in the  dark in regard to what should be our position in this matter. Jesus was “holding forth” to the church members “in the border of Tyre and Sidon when a woman who “was a greek, a Syrophoenician by nation, came and fell at His feet” beseeching “Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus  said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meat to take the children’s bread, and cast it unto the dogs (Gentiles). And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: But the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And He said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.” (Mk.7-26-29)   (Brother Houteff’s Symbolic Code News, Vol.1, No.7 , paragraph 6)

 Let’s understand that the biggest hurdle our adversaries present to this last Elijah message , is one of ignorance. It’s a Laodicean trap, not to look into what the Lord clearly declared as His final message to us, His church.(Mal. 4:5)

3) Ezekiel 9 .

Some of the SDA brethren  who do admit and understand that EGW did  indeed say that Rev. 7 sealings and Ezekiel 9 are one and the same event , claim that the church judgement comes  “in”  the plaques. Let’s carefully look at this with preponderance of the evidence.

The SOP quote that they predominantly rely on for this belief is found in ( Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p.267)  ”Who is standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse the wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them  and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God’s sealing approval. They will fall in the general  destruction of the wicked , represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons.”

Here we see that their main view is that EGW uses the term “general destruction of the wicked” to mean the destruction of Ezekiel 9 comes in the general world destruction, specifically during or after the plaques. However there is just one problem about that usage of  that description.  In (Great Controversy, p.26) EGW states that the Jews ” must not hesitate a moment, lest they be involved in the general destruction.”  She is describing the destroying of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which Christ predicted. Does that mean EGW is speaking of a world-wide  destruction? Ofcourse not. That term meant local and specific  in it’s sphere.  So we see this reasoning really is a subjective one at best,  to make it’s supposed claims. Let’s look at  more certain evidence.

After describing Ezekiel 9 in (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.5 , p.211) she adds this clear statement “Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary– was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God.”  She goes on to say that the leaders will tell the people that God is  ”too merciful to visit His people in judgement.”  Obviously the leaders were telling the people  to ignore the warnings given  by God’s faithful in His church.

 Here’s  the most powerful evidence that she presents that the Ezekiel judgement comes way before the plaques.

She identifies that the four winds being held back in Rev.7 are symbolic of the Sunday laws.  ”The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that have the mark of the beast. We come near having this realized in California a short time since ; but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p.152)

So we logically then understand that the sealings in (Rev. 7:1-4) come before the release of the four winds, therefore Ezekiel 9 is done before the Sunday laws are established. The plaques happens after the time for the people to make their choice for or against God’s Sabbath.  We know that the Sunday law is God’s great test upon mankind, and the mark of the beast is the agreement to keep the Sunday Sabbath over the Saturday Sabbath.

With the above as our clear timeline, we then can understand that if the church judgement comes prior to the Sunday laws, the 144,000(those who survive Ezekiel 9)  must have time to work upon Babylon and call them out of it. Otherwise it would make no sense for our Lord to have His church judgement and cleanse His church so that His 144,000 do nothing and watch the 7 plaques destroy the world. Also we must bear in mind that the 144,000 call the people out of Babylon, and they must have somewhere to go. It will then be into the purified church. They will not be called out of one sinful church into another, as envisioned by those who deny Ezekiel 9 will take place (which really is the vast majority).  They say, “The Lord is too merciful”.  Just as prophesied! Yes, the Lord is merciful but He is also righteous, holy and just and keeps His word.

Lastly, Ezekiel 9 speaks of six men with slaughter weapons in their hands who come from the way of the higher gate to the “city” , to “Jerusalem” to perform the marking or sealing followed by the slaying. Revelation 15 and 16 speaks of quite a different scenario. It tells of seven angels who come out of the temple with seven vials, for the seven last plaques to be poured out on Babylon, not Jerusalem. (* note- “men” are sometimes symbolic of angels , see Dan.9:21  “the man Gabriel”.)

My brothers and sisters, it is so important to have His Spirit of truth within us. Our King said  ”My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The Spirit of truth helps us discern truth from error.  All who live justly and walk upright in the Lord will have the Spirit of truth- this is His promise. If you feel you have not received it, pray feverishly for this gift!  He wants so much to give it.

Let us close with the prophetess’ applicable words about this posted topic.

“Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depends upon the course of action we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?” We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. (Great Controversy, p.601)

The most precious help is the Lord’s gift —–  The Spirit of Truth.

Some questions and answers.

1) How do I know I have the Spirit of truth?  As we mentioned it is a gift from the Lord. And it is not carelessly given around to all those who profess His name. The best answer I can give is my own example above. When I finally decided to commit my life 100% and walk in His Commandments to the best of my ability, then I began to see and understand the truths of His word as never before-past, present and future. ALL are promised this upon a true heartfelt humble conversion.

2)How can we know what is present truth?  As we are well aware the Lord’s truths are like an unrolling scroll, handed form one prophet to the next. The last prophet always carries the “present truth”  for their generation. As we search the scriptures, we find that the very last message prophesied to come to His people is that of the Elijah. And the prior prophetess EGW gave us a big clue who it would be–an interpreter of scriptures( 1 Selected messages, p.412, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475). Many are convinced, and say –by the Spirit of truth, that this man “Elijah” was brother Victor T. Houteff. Consequently the message bore by him is the present truth for us today.

3) Can I be safe if I choose to ignore the present truth? Brother Houteff answered this most clearly ” Always man’s greatest test, and the one which ever involved almost an instantaneous decision, has been in the unrolling of the scroll– in the eclipse of a past message by a new one,–present truth. On every such occassion each one has had to decide: Shall I heed the new and unpopular truth and walk in it’s light, joining with those who are despised by nearly every religious leader in the land? Or shall I allow myself to be deterred by the decision and counsel of the ministry in my church?”(The Judgment and the Harvest, tract 3, p.9)

We can also look at this illistration. Suppose you set out on a journey to a great destination. You are given 2 maps to follow for the first 2/3 of your trip. The last map is to be given to you at the 2/3 mark.  But you decide to by pass that mark and travel the rest of the way without that important map. You think you can arrive to your destination without it. What will happen? You’ll most certainly get lost and waste time and energy in vain, when all you needed to do was go to the place where you pick up the last map, and arrive safely to your destination.

In the case of our Lord’s last Elijah message, their are specific messages to us that require us to act upon, if we neglect this, we may have serious consequences. Our final “map” to the promised land is present truth. With it we are safe , we heed it and obey it and it helps us arrive to our destination (the Kingdom).

Ellen White’s Battle Creek Vision

This week in the studies I came across a fascinating EGW description of her Battle Creek vision in August of 1868.  It tells of their hard struggles on their journey to the promised land.  I believe God gave it for us, to let us know that our journey will indeed require a “full” effort. If we try to get there “kind of” trying we stand a real chance of falling off down the “precipice”. 

“While at battle Creek in August, 1868, I dreamed of being with a large body of people. A portion of this assembly started out prepared to journey. We had heavily loaded wagons. As we journeyed, the road seemed to ascend.  On one side of this road was a deep precipice; on the other was a high smooth, white wall, like the hard finish upon plastered rooms.

As we journeyed on, the road grew narrower and steeper. In some places it seemed so very narrow that we concluded that we could no longer travel with the loaded  wagons. We then loosed them from the horses, took a portion of the luggage from the wagons and placed it upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback.

As we progressed, the path still continued to grow narrow. We were obliged to press close to the wall, to save ourselves from falling off the narrow road down the steep precipice. As we did this, the luggage on the horses pressed against the wall, and cause us to sway toward the precipice. We feared that we should fall, and be dashed in pieces on the rocks. we then cut the luggage from the horses, and it fell over the precipice. We continued on horseback, greatly fearing, as we came to narrower places in the road, that we should lose our balance, and fall. At such times, a hand seemed to take the bridle, and guide us over the perilous way.

As the path grew more narrow, we decided that we could no longer go safely on horseback, and we left the horses and went on foot, in single file, one following in the foot steps of another. At this point small cords were let down from the top of the pure white wall; these were eagerly grasped, to aid us in keeping our balance upon the path. As we traveled, the cord moved along with us.

The path finally became so narrow that we concluded that we could travel more safely without our shoes; so we slipped them from our feet, and went on some distance without them. Soon it was decided that we could travel more safely without our stockings; those were removed, and we journeyed on with bare feet.

We then thought of those who had not accustomed themselves to privations and hardships. Where were such now? They were not in the company. At every change, some left behind, and those only remained who had accustomed themselves to endure hardships. The privations of the way only made these more eager to press on to the end.

Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed close to the white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path. for it was too narrow. We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming, “we have to hold from above! We have to hold from above!” The same words were uttered by all the company in the narrow pathway.

As we heard the sounds of mirth and revelry that seemed to come from the abyss below, we shuddered. We heard the profane oath, the vulgar jest, and low, vile songs. We heard the war song and the dance song. We heard instrumental music, and loud laughter, mingled with cursing and cries of anguish and bitter wailing, and were more anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult pathway. Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed.

I noticed that the beautiful white wall was stained with blood, it caused a feeling of regret to see the wall thus stained. This feeling, however, lasted but for a moment, as I soon thought that it was all as it should be. Those who  are following after will know that others have passed the narrow, difficult way before them, and will conclude that if others were able to pursue their onward course, they can do the same. And as the blood shall be pressed from their aching feet, they will not faint with discouragement; but ,seeing the blood upon the wall, they will know that others have endured the same pain.

At length we came to a large chasm, at which our path ended. There was nothing now to guide our feet, nothing upon which to rest them. Our whole reliance must be upon the cords, which had increased in size, until they were as large as our bodies. Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in fearful whispers, ‘To what is the cord attached?’ My husband was just before me. large drops of sweat were falling from his brow, the veins in his neck and temples were increased to double their size, and suppressed, agonizing groans came from his lips. The sweat was dropping from my face, and I felt such anguish as I had never felt before. A fearful struggle was before us. Should we fail here, all the difficulties of our journey had been experienced for naught.

Before us, on the other side of the chasm, was a beautiful field of green  grass, about six inches high. I could not see the sun, but bright, soft beams of light, resembling fine gold and silver, were resting upon the field. Nothing I had  seen upon earth could compare in beauty and glory with this field. But  could we succeed in reaching it? was the anxious inquiry. Should the cord break, we must perish.

 Again, in whispered anguish, the word were breathed ‘What holds the cord?”  For a moment we hesitated to venture. Then we exclaimed, ‘Our only hope is to trust wholly in the cord. It has been our dependence all the difficult way. It will not fail us now.’ Still we were hesitating and distressed. The words were then spoken, ‘God holds the cord. We need not fear.’ These words were then repeated by those behind us, accompanied with, ‘ He will not fail us now. He has brought us thus far in safety.’

My husband then swung himself over the fearful abyss into the beautiful field beyond. I immediately followed. And oh, what a sense of relief and gratitude to God we felt! I heard voices raised in triumphant praise to God. I was happy perfectly happy.

I awoke, and found that from the anxiety I had experienced in passing over the difficult route, every nerve in my body seemed to be in a tremor. This dream need no comment. it made such an impression upon my mind that probably every item in it will be vivid before me while my memory shall continue.”  (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p.594-597)

 As we can clearly see, even though our walk will not be easy many times, once we submit fully to Him, it will be well worth it, He’ll be right there with us. And as we go further into our journey our faith will be tried, to see if we can “toss away” the worldly pleasures and stay focused,  holding onto our Lord , the “cord”.

“But Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of chracter is an easy matter. A noble all-around character is not inherited, it does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merit and grace of Christ”(Christ Object Lessons, p.331)

“Boss, We Can’t Kill em!” (Part 2 of 2)

The meeting has just started, the world’s richest and most powerful (formerly) men are at their chairs. There is a solemn look on all faces. Their plans are now in complete disarray. The human agents whom Satan directly worked through  can no longer stop a certain group of people. The rumors of great miracles and many around the world joining up with these people has caused great concern.

These men , who had been so used to controlling mankind, through finances and even murder and wars, were now dealing with the Great– I AM. What could they do? This is the purpose of the meeting, to arrange their final plans to get back control of the world, to stop this madness of people doing all these wonderful things. For they serve Satan, and this light is driving them crazy.

They have  recently seen the prophetic words being fulfilled “… For the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, the like of who has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations” (Joel 2:2).  The 144,000 have come upon the world’s scene. The day is gloomy but in it’s midst comes the “great and strong”.

So on one hand we have great and marvelous things happening, on the other we have a building rage against the people of God. EGW  states in (Early Writings, p.272)  ”My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers. They were astir. The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them. Confusion, confusion, was on every side. I saw measures taken against the company who had the light and power of God.”

The Loud Cry period is under way. The time when the earth is being illuminated with the true living gospel.  “As the third angel’s message swells into a loud cry, great power and glory will attend it’s proclamation. The faces of God’s people will shine with the light of heaven.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p.17)

The 144,000 are perfectly described again in Micah, during this loud cry period. “Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, that tary for no man nor wait for the son’s of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, who, if he passes through, both treads down and tears in pieces, and none can deliver. Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.” (Micah 5:7-9)

I’ve highlighted the above verse to show the true power God entrusts His servants during this time. Remember when EGW also saw the “hand raising” and the wicked going down(Early Writings,p.15)?  Isn’t it wonderful how when we search for God’s word as searching for gold, we find many nuggets of complimenting truth?

The people of the world have  been astonished at the wonders and power God has revealed to the world through His servants. Nahum’s prophecy has been fulfilled ” As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them wonders. The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall put their hand over their mouth;their ears shall be deaf.They shall lick the dust  like a serpent; they shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of You.” (Nahum 1:3)

Nevertheless, the hardened elite of the world must make a game plan. It can be only one that prophecy has dictated–the establishment of the Sunday law. Satan knows this is the last act, and cunningly guides these men to implement it worldwide. Keep in mind the Lord’s prophetic “Church kingdom” is successful at this time in bringing the great un-numbered company (known as the great multitude) into His pure church.

Let us point out something here worth noting . Before the loud cry, Satan had pulled off one of his greatest deceptions on God’s people. He was able to trick a vast number of SDA with false prophetic timelines. The great many were looking for the “Sunday law” instead of looking for the “church judgement”. He had very successfully convinced many that the “Elijah message” wasn’t anything, that it was a un-applied prophecy of no real concern. Just ignore it.

In (Amos 5:18) we find scripture that foretells of the outcome of this “trick” done to the people, they were ultimately looking for the wrong day(coming in the clouds)and ignored, insulted,and even lamblasted the ones who tried to warn them of “The Day”.  ”Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness, and not light. It will be as though a man fled a lion, and a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house;leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him! Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it? We  know that the Lord’s coming in the clouds will have great brightness as He nears the earth. But this day will not have any light to it as prophesised.  Ezekiel 9 will be a dreadful day, not a happy day.

The 144,000 knew what that day was, because they had accepted the Elijah message of warnings and reproofs to the church, and their life was one of study and prayer to know His will.  They knew that EGW prophesied that the church judgement would come before the Sunday laws. They were ready and most importantly, they believed in the last message as the Lord had directed.

As the servants of God do their last duty, it works beautifully. “I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry.” (EW p.278)

The evil men and angels can’t stop this power, for it is from God, but they can hinder it and they sure do this. The Sunday law starts to get implemented around the world and then it’s  real trouble for God’s people. The 144,000 can’t be touched but the great multitude are not untouchable.

The central loud cry message, as many know, is the 144,000 proclaiming to the world to come out of the false religions. God pleads His case before mankind through His servants. “…Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place tp proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers.” (Great Controversy, P.611-12)

Now is the most confusing time for mankind. One group, the Sabbath keepers, performing miracles and wonders. The other , Sunday worshipers, performing similar feats. The only hope at this point is that the people are grounded in the word. If they are not, then the deception will be too strong and overpower them.

Remember, Satan’s ploys are very cunning indeed. After all , how is it that our Lord can use only 144,000 from His church? Is it not the fact that even one cherished sin, promoted time and again by the evil ones, cause the vast multitude to fall? That is why we must strive with all the power God gives us to –overcome. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and he shall be My son.” (Rev. 21:7)

Let us close with a couple more nuggets of complimenting truth (SOP and scripture). Speaking of the 144,000, we read “The LORD their God will save them in that day, as a flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land.” (Zech. 9:16)

“Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrrible as an army with banners”, she is to go forth into all the world conquering and to conquer.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 725)

Don’t you want to be a part of these people? The ones whom even the elite of the world will not be able to contest, the ones who the evil men will say “Boss, we can’t kill em!” The ones who our Lord trusts fully to do His final will?

Let us  remember  that  our Lord is still looking for His servants. Probation is still open. His last message is pleading with us to come aboard. First, overcome our sins. Second, sigh and cry for the sins in our midst and in the church.  Third, learn and accept His last Elijah message. This will get us the seal of God. Then we will be prepared for the great and dreadful day.

“Boss, We Can’t Kill em!” (Part 1 of 2)

Very soon these words will be spoken throughout the world. Many of  Satan’s henchmen will be at a loss for words. Their guns, their explosives, nothing at all will be able to kill God’s elect. The world shall be turned upside down. It shall indeed be the time prophesied “Yet he shall come to his end and no one shall help him “(Daniel 11:45). Satan will be furious, God’s servants will go to work. Let us look at this fascinating subject–God’s  indestructible 144,000.

As we are aware, this present world basically belongs to Satan. In (Luke 4:6) we read ” I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them”, Satan said. “Because they are mine to give to anyone I please”. Here the Lord let His word show that since the beginning Satan has had much power to set up those things that he wishes. The vast church world empire has been largely controlled by him. EGW in (Early Writing, p.273) said that an angel of the LORD told her the following ” Satan has taken full possession of the churches as a body.”

But let us not fool ourselves, he knows scriptures better than any human. In fact he is certainly aware that as soon as the last messenger comes and the last message goes to the people, his final short span of time is here. What is that final message? It’s in the final book of the OT, let’s read it again. “ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Mal.4:5)

Many are putting 2 plus 2 together today, as they kneel in prayer asking our Lord for the Spirit of Truth to come upon them, and realizing that this Elijah must have a message before our Lord comes, and it must have the basic characteristics of the first type message. That message was one of warning to –his– own–people. Not to the world. Is our SDA church giving out warnings today, of the wrath of our Lord to come upon His own people? No, generally no. It’s a peace and safety message. Just go on 3abn, or listen to the many pastors speeches this Sabbath. Are they warning us to get our life together and stop sinning? Taking the hard tough spiritual stand with our Lord of reproving   and warning? Instead the shepherd’s are lulling the flock to sleep. This will not be tolerated much longer by our Lord.

“God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His Own hands.” (Test. to Ministers, p.300) When our Lord finally decides to make His execution of judgement, He will indeed be showing that He has taken the “reins” into His Own hands. No longer can He wait and wait for His shepherds to come through, the 144,000 mus be let loose!

EGW- “..the message to be borne  to His people by the ministers whom He has called to warn the people is not a peace and safety message … the people of God are represented in the message to the Laodiceans as in a postition of carnal security. They are at ease believing themselves to be in an exalted condition of spiritual attainments.” (Test. for the Church, Vol. 3, p.252)

But there is a group  active within the SDA who are doing what the Lord wants–they are called Davidian Seventh Day Adventists. They are speaking the solemn message of church judgement to come to His people BEFORE the Lord comes in the clouds and even before the plaques start. They are literally doing what the prophetess said “Let us strive with all the power that God has given us, to be among the 144,000″ (Review and Herald, March 19, 1905).

Because Satan knows that this Elijah message came upon the SDA church in approx. 1930, he has aggressively fought it, his minions as well. History into the SDA church will show that there has been ONE message since then, that has caused a great stir within the church, it has been the Shepherd’s Rod message. Can we really think that Satan will stand calmly by and let God’s church accept this final message? 

The Lord is still looking for His elect through out the world, the ones who are seriously striving to become the 144,000. They are willing do as our prophetess said “Eternal life is of infinite value and will cost us all that we have ” (Test. for the church, Vol. 3, p.255)  We must listen to the last solemn message to know our Lord’s will, or likely be un-prepared to survive the great and dreadful day, which will come as a great surprise to many.

Look at the following to see  why the Elijah message is to come forth right before He comes into His churches(temple). “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming.” says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal. 3:1) Here we see that the messenger is to “prepare the way”. Then our Lord is to come to His temple. The preparing is one of warning.

So we have seen some of the setups now that is taking place. 1) Satan and his angels are fiercely fighting the last message 2) The people who are serious about God’s final plan, are actively doing what God requires of them right now. Now let’s go to some scripture and Ellen White, to see the future plans of God, and His elect.

There are so many, I wish I could put them all in these two parts, but will condense for now.

“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between righteousness and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him(Mal. 3:17). 

This  describing “the day” is none other that the Ezekiel 9 church judgement. Once this is done and the jewels are spared from it, they help to bring discernment to the world, of who is really following God and who is going through the motions. Right now, can we or even the world really tell who is and who is not serving the Lord, within His SDA church? Co-mingling of the wheat and the tares exists right now.

“My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the goatherds. For the LORD of hosts will visit His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as His royal horse in the battle. From him comes the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. They shall be like mighty men, who treads down their enemies, in the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be put to shame (Zech. 10:3-5)

Here we see His anger is not against the world, rather His own people and particularly the leaders. But never the less after His visit , His elect shall be like “mighty men” , able to tread down enemies of God. The Lord is with them therefore they have His power. This is what will infuriate Satan –the power of God’s servants, and there is nothing he can do about it!

The following are particularly clear scriptures, showing the great lengths the LORD will go to protect His elect in the post church judgement. Afterall these are the ones who have been “spared” from His church. They proved to Him  their worthiness by forsaking the world and all the entrapments. They have been found worthy to go into babylon to bring in the great multitude. They are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Rev.14:4).

“The LORD of hosts will defend them; they shall devour and subdue with slingstones. They shall drink and roar as if with wine; They shall be filled with blood like basins,like the corners of the altar. The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people, for they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land– (Zech. 9:14-16).

“A people , great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations. A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns: The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them…like strong people set in battle array. Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color. They run like mighty men, they climb the wall like men of war; Everyone marches in formation, and they do not break ranks. They do not push one another;Every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between the weapons, they are not cut down” (Joel 2:2-8)

In Joel we can find many great clues about the 144,000. We first see that these people are unlike any other in history. The LORD will protect both front and back. The fire that devours before them, show that they have the LORD’S power to destroy wickedness at His command, and the flame behind is shown that they are protected from the rear. Obviously with Satan’s fury many attacks will be made upon them, yet nothing will cut them down.

 God’s truths frequently have types and anti-types. The 12 Apostles were the type, the 144,000 will be the anti-type. As an example of the entrusted power the elect will have we need only look at (Acts 5: 8-11). “And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her,” How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she feel down at his feet and breathed her last.” The Lord’s pure church will no longer allow the uncoverted and it will be  clearly made evident.

Ellen White speaks about her first vision from God, concerning the 144,000. “At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison when we would stretch forth the hand, in  the name of the Lord, and the wicked would fall helpless to the ground “(Early Writings, p.15).

Again we notice the correlation with scripture and EGW about the 144,000. “Every one marches in formation, and they do not break ranks.” (Joel 2:7)  And EGW, in describing a “company” in Early writings, she says ” They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers.” (Page 270) For a great read concerning the many aspects of the work of the 144,000, please read EGW, Early Writings p.269-288. It’s a great timeline of final events of mankind.

From the soldier formation verses above we see that instead of a literal meaning, it is pointing to a total oneness among God’s elect. They have one purpose, and as “soldiers” they do as they are told. You see, one of the BIG qualifications to be among the 144,ooo is the ability to take the Lord’s orders. Many today are not willing to even listen and learn the “present truth” message from the Lord, His very last Elijah warning message He promised. They are self satisfied and in need of nothing.  This proud self content will only serve to shut their own doors to the last message the Lord is pleading for us to have.

Next week, we’ll look at more EGW and scripture to find some great promises of the 144,000, and how many in babylon will be won over by God, through His empowered servants.

Honor In His Temple

As we are well familiar, in our Christian walk we are to be ever learning, looking for God’s truths as looking for gold nuggets as Ellen White said. Recently an experience happened concerning His truth  and awoke me to something I had not considered. It was — Honor in His Temple. I was aware of the basics, but learned that there was more to this honoring Him within His house. Let us look into this neglected area of proper reverence to our Lord.

The experience was mentioned in the prior post “Cry Aloud, Spare Not”. To summarize, I had learned that irreverent speaking should not occur within God’s temple. This led me to look into this area more fully.

As we have posted in prior posts, the sealings of God are now taking place . It is being placed upon only those who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the church and our lives. Let’s look at some of  the abominations that take place within —God’s temple.

Recently my church friend by whom God used to enlighten me about proper temple reverence, shared her thoughts about the subject. She said that when we go to the court house and into the judge’s courtroom, how must we act?  Are we respectful? Ofcourse. Do we chat with our friends and family in there? If we did we’d quickly be warned or else taken out. How much more should we keep an honorable quiet and show respect in our Maker’s earthly house, the God of the universe?

Let us read from the pen of inspiration.In speaking of entering the sanctuary, she says ” When the worshippers enter the place of meeting, they should do so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats…Common talking, whispering and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship, either before or after the service” (Testimonies for the church, Vol. 5, p.491) 

She continues “If when the people come into the house of worship, they have genuine reverence for the Lord and bear in mind that they are in His presence, there will be a sweet eloquence in silence.”(Ibid, p.492)

One of the main reasons we come to our Lord’s earthly house is to give Him our collective thanks and praise. We should think of what we experienced with our Lord during that week. Maybe a prayer answered, a revealing dream given, a general closeness felt in the week.  We can then give Him real sincere heartfelt thanks and praise as we come before Him in honor.

Here’s some good solid ways we can show our  Lord that we want to come before Him in the honor due Him–

1) We can dress our best.  But nothing extravagant. Wearing of shorts, mini-shirts, tennis shoes, etc. should be strictly avoided.

2) Our bible is with us, showing Him it’s His word that we cherish.

3) Our grooming is presentable. We certainly refrain from jewelry and chains and such. I was struck just how offensive jewelry and the like is to the Lord when I learned (Isaiah 3:18). In the last days, and after the church judgement, He tells us what he will do. “In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, the crescents; The pendants, the bracelets, the veils: The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands;The perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; The nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles: The outer garments, the purses , and the mirrors:The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.” If these are not pleasing to the Lord, let us begin now, to shun these upon entering the sanctuary.

4) As mentioned we keep a proper quiet upon entering the sanctuary. No chatting or worse–laughing.

5) We arrive early because one of the rudest, disrespectful things to our Lord and to others, is to arrive late. Would you  arrive 20 or 30 minutes late to a meeting with your boss? One of the worse sights is to see someone or a family come into church about half way through the sermon! Cmon, if you are going to blatantly advertise your lack of reverence for our Lord, don’t even show up. Better to try to arrive early next time  than to show such disrespect and carelessness.

6) Turn off the cell phones. It truly is abhorrent to see a person playing with their cell, such as a game or viewing  worldly sites, or even their own emails. Do we not have 6 days during the week to do this?

7) Sleeping or cat-napping is a BIG no-no. Again, try going to a meeting with your boss and as he is talking–take a nap.

8) Hats should not be worn by the men. Women may wear them, but modest in their appeal. As Paul clearly states “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.” (1 Cor.11:4)

9)Proper kneeling.  In the service we are asked to kneel and pray. Some do the “lazy” kneeling, with their bottom resting on the end of the pew and the knees on the cushion bracket. Is this the best you can do before the God who created you? Let us kneel upright and properly.

10)Keep control of the children. If you got a baby who continually is crying, step outside the sanctuary. If the little ones are chatting or playing, warn them sternly to keep quiet. The small ones are going to soak up the impressions of reverence if we teach it. ” Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov.22:6)

So when we come into God’s house, we are to be ever mindful that it’s not a social club, a place where we can chat, laugh, giggle and just forget who the great One is , who is there in our midst. I really think it would be a great idea to place a beautiful kingly chair right there in the altar area of the sanctuary. So people would remember every time they look up Who it is that is sitting there. One last thing, we as SDA many times fail to stay after church , to kneel and pray.Maybe, just maybe this can enhance our prayer life.

In closing, we will do well to place in our hearts and minds, the proper reverence due our Lord in His temple. He is worthy of this.

In Christ, Whom all glory and honor is due . Amen.

“Cry Aloud, Spare Not”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thy Kingdom Come (Part 2 of 2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ, Whom we serve, —Rob

Thy Kingdom Come (Part 1 of 2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continued next week….

The Converted Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“In concluding this narrative, I would say that we are living in a most solemn time. In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and saved.” (Test. for the church, Vol.1,p.608) Why is this so startling? Because sadly, few of us want of make the whole hearted effort to live the converted life to the Lord.

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

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

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

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

In Christ, from Whom all knowledge flows, –Rob