HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE LIFE ETERNAL?

"...We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren, He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. -- But whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dweleth the love of God in him? -- My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth." -- "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, bacause that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him....Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another....God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." -- But although John dwells so particularly on love, he does not clasp hands with sin. Hear his words regarding the apostate from the faith, he who has had a knowledge of the truth but has departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. -- If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." -- Let all consider this. -- John writes further, "He that saith, I know him, and keepth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected....He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he wallked." -- THE LORD HAS PLAIN WORDS FOR THOSE WHO, LIKE THE PHARISEES, MAKE GREAT BOAST OF THEIR PIETY BUT WHOSE HEARTS ARE DESTITUTE OF THE LOVE OF GOD. The Pharisees refused to know God and Jesus Christ whom He had sent. -- ARE WE NOT IN DANGER OF DOING THE SAME THING AS DID THE PHARISEES AND SCRIBES? -- But while reproof is to be given, it must be given in accordance with Christ's direction. The apostle Paul writes, "Bretheren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, RESTORE such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED." -- This is the work given not only to ministers but to every individual member of the church. It is to be carried out in the family and in the church. -- LOVE AND UNITY STRENGHTEN BY EXERCISE. Do not become impatient with your brother's faults and weaknesses. ON ANOTHER POINT YOU MAY WELL BE DISGUSTED WITH YOUR OWN WEAKNESS. -- We are related to one another in the mysterious web of humanity. We are but threads which help to compose the great whole. [TO BE CONTINUED]. Discourse by E.G. White, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 21, 1888. [Thirteen Crisis Years, pg. 285

THIS IS AND EVER WILL BE PRESENT TRUTH!!!

In Psalm 90 & 91, we find a wonderful revelation of the Character and Love of God. They are filled promisses we would do well in taking to heart for we'll need them in the future. (Please read it before continuing). "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." John declares, "That which was from the biggining, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; ...that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ." --As John studied the life of Christ in the Word, he beheld as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and he became changed into the same image, from glory to glory, from character to character, till he was like that which he adored. He imitated the life in which he delighted. He knew the Saviour by an experimental knowedge. His Masters lessons were engraved on his soul. When he testified of the Saviour's grace, the simplicity of his language was eloquent with the love that pervaded his whole being. He had not a doubt nor suspicion. He entered into no controversy, no wearisome contention. --In witnessing for Christ he declared what he knew, what he had seen and heard. There was no supposition, no guesswork, about what he said. And when insult was put upon Christ, when He was slighted, John felt the slight to the very depths of his being, and broke forth into indignation which was a manifestation of his love for Jesus. Christ had humbled Himself; He had taken man's nature; and few could see Him as John saw Him. But John had had -- an advanced experience; the darkness had passed away. On him the true light was shining, and in his epistles he brakes forth against sin, presenting Christ as --the One who could cleanse from al iniquity. --It was Johns deep love for Christ that led him to desire always to be close by His side, and this position was awarded him. --Jesus loves those who represent the Father, -- and john could talk of this love as no other of the disciples could.--He reveals to his fellow men that which he knows by living experience-- it is his duty to reveal, representing in his character the character of Christ. --The glory of the Lord was expressed in his face. The beauty of Holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christ radience from his countenance. --Those who truly love God must manifest loving-kindness of heart, judgment, and righteousness to all with whom they come in contact; for these are --the works of God. --There is nothing Christ needs so much as agents who feel the neecessity of representing him.--Evil speaking and evil thinking are ruinous to the soul. [this has been current in this conference*]. There is nothing the church lacks so much as the manifestation of Christlike love.--As the members of the church unite together in sanctified association, cooperating with Christ, He lives and works in them. Our eyes need the anointing with the heavenly eyesalve, that we may see what we are, and what we ought to be, and that power is provided in christ sufficient to enable us to reach the high standard of Christian perfection. --We must keep Jesus our pattern ever before us. --This is and ever will be present truth--. It was by beholding Jesus and appreciating the virtues of His character that John became one with his Master in spirit. With spiritual vision he saw Christ's glory, the glory as of --the only begotten of the Father--full of grace and truth; and he was changed from glory to glory into his likeness. and to him was committed the work of telling of the saviour's love and the love His children should manifest for one another. -- *Exerpts taken from: Sermon by Ellen G. White at Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 21, 1888. [TO BE CONTINUED]

HOLINESS - ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE

THE MOST HOLY PLACE IN THE SANCTUARY -- WHERE CHRIST ABIDES

MOST HOLY PLACE Next is the Most Holy Place, representing the final sealing and glorification; man fully restored to the very presence of his God, able to see His face and live. Behind a most beautiful red, blue and purple curtain, all full of golden pictures of angels, was the Most Holy Place. This place represented God’s throne room in heaven. Inside was an ark, which is a Bible word that means a box. It was a beautiful golden box. Inside were three things; the two stones with the Ten Commandments on them, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a pot of Manna. Over top of this box was a pure gold lid called the Mercy Seat. It represented the very throne of God and two angels made of gold, stood, one on each end, just like the angels that are near God’s throne in heaven. Their heads (325) were bowed reverently, and they looked towards God’s Law in the ark, which had been written by the finger of God. In the sanctuary on earth there was a bright, beautiful light called the Shekinah Glory there above the Mercy Seat. Do you know what that light really was? It is such a wonderful thing! It was the very presence of Jesus. When Christ died, the inner veil was rent in twain from top to bottom; this showed that the way to the Most Holy Place was now open. No human priesthood is now needed, as Christ our Mediator and High Priest stands interceding for us, pleading the merits of His blood before His Father. We are to enter by faith, trusting only in that merit. The Ancient Sanctuary (326) [Daniel and the Revelation] “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession….Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14, 16 The Ark of the Covenant, like the Table of Showbread and the altar of incense was wood, covered by gold which represents the union of humanity with Divinity in Christ. It is covered by a solid gold mercy seat where the glory of God is to be seen brooding over His Law of Love, the foundation of universal government. It contains the Tables of the Law, the Pot of Manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded. Many spiritual lessons are seen here: the Manna shows God’s willingness and ability to provide all our needs. Aaron’s rod, a dead walking stick which came to life and in one night leafed, budded and brought forth almonds, shows us God’s willingness and ability to take the sinner, dead in trespasses and sins and restore him to life, recreate him and make him fruitful. In the earthly service, only once a year the High Priest would enter the Most Holy on the Day of Atonement, the Day of Judgment. Now in this great antitypical Day of Atonement, we are called to be a part of the vindication of God’s character and government before the universe. Satan has accused God of having a law which man cannot obey, which would show Him to be a cruel tyrant. It is our privilege to allow God to work His complete restoration in us, restoring man to holiness and happiness. The end result of the restoration process is for man to be restored to the very presence of the Holy God; to see Him in the beauty of holiness, and live! When we are fully surrendered and abiding in Him, we will naturally bring forth fruit unto holiness, the Power all coming from Him. Then comes the pruning, He takes off from us whatever He sees we don’t need, or that interferes with our spiritual development. The true Christian walk is a long trail of dropped habits, indulgences and worldly en (327)[The Ancient Sanctuary] tanglements. The life is simplified, the affections channeled heavenward. It is only this way that we can bear more fruit. Sometimes the pruning knife is most unpleasant to us and if we decided to pull out of the vine and stop abiding, we can always do so. But if we do, we begin to wither and die, first spiritually and eventually physically. The Sanctified life is a movement, a walk with God, not a social club or a place to sit and be entertained. Jesus said “Follow Me”; this movement ends only when we leave this earth. “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.” Psalms 96:9 The Hebrew here means ‘in holy adornment’. This has to do with what we put on both physically and spiritually. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4 Nothing should be put on or done to direct people’s attention to ‘self’. Our Redemption has been purchased at a great price to God! It is our transformation that He is working for. We are to Worship Him; it means to bow down, admire and adore Him and submit to Him. Then He fills us with power to resist sin and Satan; we win by surrendering. “Educate the soul to cheerfulness, to thankfulness, and to the expression of gratitude to God for the great love wherewith He hath loved us . . Christian cheerfulness is the very beauty of holiness.” Child Guidance pg 146 If our life is oriented to performance, to rules and regulations, it is not joyful, but if the focus is on following Jesus, then the joy just radiates from that life. “I am the Vine,” said Christ; “ye are the branches.” The closest possible connection is here represented. Engraft the leafless twig upon the flourishing vine stock, and it becomes a living branch, drawing sap and nourishment from the vine. (328) [Daniel and the Revelation] Fiber by fiber, vein by vein, the sapling clings, until it buds and blossoms and bears fruit. The sapless twig represents the sinner. When united to Christ, soul is joined to soul, the feeble and finite to the holy and infinite, and man becomes one with Christ. 5 Testimonies p. 591 “Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God, is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit…” Desire of Ages p. 189 Some try to say this obedience is Legalism, but the redeemed do what they do out of Love for their Redeemer, who gave His life for them. This is Love, not Legalism. True Love obeys! Our Redemption has been purchased at a great price to God! It is our transformation that He is working for. A religion of externals is of no value to Him, only character matters. True worship must be in Spirit and Truth; it must be compatible with God. We can’t bring in our carnal packages and then call that Worship. What happened when two rebellious priests decided to ‘do their own thing’ in the sanctuary and brought in ‘strange fire’? They perished before the Lord! The principles of God’s truth must be applied to the heart or our worship is in vain. We must always keep in mind the Great Controversy in which we are all involved, the whole thing about the seal and the mark is about worship; Who and how will you worship. Will it be God and His Law, or self and man’s laws? “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” Psalm 77:13

JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE SANCTUARY

"Justification is like getting married and the sanctified life is staying married; coming into Christ and abiding." Understanding Daniel and the Revelation,324 --

(9) 2nd Apartment The Holy of Holies (8) The Ark of the Testimony of God containing the 10 commandments (7) The Table of Showbread (6) The Golden Altar of Incense (5) 1st Apartment The Holy place (4) The Golden Candlestick (3) The Laver (2) The Brazen Altar of Burnt Offerings (1) The Sacrifice of the Lamb The graphics of the sanctuary are adapted, with very minor revision, from an illustration by Tom Dunbebin. "The whole plan of Salvation is to be found here in the sanctuary and its services: the vindicating of the honor of God’s name from Satan’s accusations and the transformation of the repenting sinner to the Divine character of unselfish Love (Agape). This is the Gospel; Good News. If there is no transformation, there is no Good News. All doctrines must fit with the sanctuary or they are not true doctrines and should be rejected. This gives us a useful guide while evaluating new theories on the Gospel. John 1:9 “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” The sanctuary was a very beautiful tent shaped like a rectangle. It had two parts inside which were like two squares. All around this tent was a courtyard. We are going to look at that courtyard first. COURTYARD As the repentant sinner, through the working of the Holy Spirit, is led to feel his need and to desire to approach to God, he is invited to enter by the one doorway open to all. The courtyard tells us about things that were going to happen on earth. It had only one entrance on the east side. This was so the people coming to worship would have their back to the rising sun and not think about worshipping the sun like the pagans did. The one entrance means Jesus is (318)[Daniel and the Revelation] the only way for us to be saved. There are not ‘many different ways’. John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” The first object to catch the eye upon entering the courtyard of the sanctuary was a pile of ashes. These were systematically removed from the Altar of Burnt Offering and were the remains of the sin offerings. The pile was kept in view there until the next cleaning of the altar, whereupon the old ashes were carried out of the camp and the newly removed ashes put in their place. These ashes showed clearly to the people what the final end of sin really is; the destiny of the unrepentant. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 This represented the work of the Spirit in reproving sin and urging to repentance and righteousness. We see this in the words of David in Psalms 73, when he couldn’t understand the prospering of the wicked; “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” He saw their end in the pile of ashes. The next object to meet the gaze is the Brazen Altar of Burned Offering. On this the innocent lambs, symbolically bearing the sin of the repentant sinner were consumed. It pointed clearly to Jesus, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, who would take upon His innocent soul the sins of the world and pay the death penalty. We are going to look at this service and what it shows us about Jesus and what He is to us It was only as the sinner saw by faith that the sacrifice of the lamb pointed to Christ, the sin bearer, that this service served the purpose God intended. Later the Israelites began to adopt the pagan idea that the burnt offering was a gift from them to please or pacify God, as the heathen made offerings to please their demon-gods. When Adam first sinned, God told him a way to be saved would be provided and he was to offer a lamb to show his faith in what the Lamb of God had promised to (319)[The Ancient Sanctuary] do for him. The very first man born on earth[after fall] had his own ideas about how to worship God, and we know what happened in the story of Cain and Abel. The ones who followed Cain’s ways had their own kind of religion. Their offerings were a gift from them to the god they worshiped, but the offering of a lamb by God’s people was to show faith in the great Gift God was giving to man. It was the opposite. If we give something to God, we can be proud of that. But when we know the truth, that God has to give everything to us, or we will perish, then we can’t be proud any more. God wants us to be humble, so He can change our wicked hearts and give us Jesus’ unselfish heart. The lamb was slain by the sinner himself, to impress that his sins caused the death of the Son of God. Without this unspeakable gift, mankind would perish. And as the lamb suffered eternal loss, so Christ forever lost certain abilities of Deity, such as omnipresence, the ability to be in more than one place at one time. Now forever bearing human flesh, He cannot do this. His body will always bear the marks and scars of the crucifixion, while the redeemed will have perfect bodies. God gave His Son; He didn’t lend Him. Next on our journey through the courtyard, representing Justification, we see right in front of the sanctuary tent, a double dish of water called the Laver. It is where the priest would wash their hands and feet before they would go into the tent. The Laver also is like baptism; a dying to sin, burial of the ‘old man’, and a rising to a new life in Jesus. It indicates we have given ourselves to Jesus, and represents Christ’s cleansing power in His blood. It shows us that Justification is not only pardon and forgiveness for past sins, but cleansing for the sinful heart and a bringing of the self under the control of the Holy Spirit. It tells us about the power of Jesus to cleanse our souls and take sin out of our hearts. Jesus’ power can set us free from the chains of sin, creating in us a new, kind, obedient (320)[Daniel and the Revelation] heart, in place of our selfish, rebellious one. David shows this in Psalm 51:9-11: “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” It is clearly shown that those who would enter into the Holy Place and have the New Birth must not only be forgiven but cleansed and then the white linen Ephod, pure and clean, must be put on. This represents the righteousness of Christ—synonymous with His Love, His obedience to the Law, His Divine Nature, His holiness. This is imparted to us at conversion. All these things take place simultaneously at the New Birth. The repentant sinner accepts the death of the Savior as his death and rises as a New Creation to live the life of Christ, not only imputed to him, but imparted to him. He is justified and sanctified, forgiven, cleansed, set free from sin’s hold on him and empowered to live the Christ-life by abiding in Christ. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Notice it doesn’t say he ‘will become new’, but ‘is become new’. This is the ‘New Creation’, not the ‘New Evolution’. At this point he stands before God as if he had never sinned, Christ’s life covering him and living in him by the Holy Spirit. This is where many mistake; they think the Holy Spirit is something extra, given later, sort of an option, but notice what it says here: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:9 No Spirit—no new birth; no new birth—no forgiveness; no forgiveness—no salvation. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the (321)[The Ancient Sanctuary] kingdom of God.” John 3:3 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13 This shows that being given power to ‘do the law’ is a part of justification, without which there is no justification. Anyone who would just receive forgiveness of sins, but not cleansing; removal of sin from the life; surrender and the new birth; putting on and wearing the robe of Christ’s righteousness; must dwell forever in the courtyard, they can approach no closer to God at all. Unless a change takes place, they can never see God in peace. The ‘Courtyard’ experience is the best the ‘new theology’ has to offer, and it is woefully inadequate. The aim of the Sanctuary is to get rid of sin entirely, not just ‘forensic substitution’. HOLY PLACE Now we are ready to enter in through the veil, into the Holy Place—the Sanctified life. Notice that Sanctified means: sacred, holy, blessed, set apart. Because of what happened in the courtyard we now belong to Jesus. Everything in this Holy Place tells us what Jesus has given us and how He helps us to grow up in Him. You see, when we first choose to belong all the way to Jesus, we are like a little, newborn baby. Even if we are a grownup, a new Christian is a baby Christian. He needs to be cared for and grow. Jesus takes care of us so we can grow. Now the new-born child of God is taken into the Holy Place, a kind of nursery, where everything needful for his growth in grace is to be found. It is a quiet, sheltered place where he comes into closer personal relationship with the Godhead, who have pledged themselves to recreate and restore him. Although both justification and sanctification are received at the new birth and one cannot be had without the other; living the sanctified life is an ongoing process. This is also where cooperation between the sinner and God is emphasized. God provides everything, Light, Power, Nourishment, Guidance, Victory, and Love, but each individual must receive and utilize all this for his self, no one else can do (322)[Daniel and the Revelation] --Grafics-- (323) it for him. In the Holy Place we find three articles of furniture; the Table of Shewbread is for his daily food. The loaves of the Bread of Life and the unfermented wine represent the Word of God, body and blood of the Lord. On this he must feed, eating it for himself chewing it and assimilating it into his life. Just as no-one can eat for another, we all must eat for ourselves. We can share food with each other; but we must eat it and assimilate it for ourselves. “That he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” Deuteronomy 8:3. The loaves had incense sprinkled on them to show us that we must always pray, before reading the Bible, for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit, to help us understand His Word. He is our own personal Teacher, and will help everyone who asks in the name of Jesus. Did you know that Jesus sends you a Teacher to help you understand the Bible? No matter if you are young or old; He will teach you if you ask Him. The loaves were arranged carefully, showing that our study must be systematic and orderly, approaching the Word with care and prayer for the Holy Spirit’s teaching. They are always fresh, showing that our experience is to be vibrant and living. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 The seven Lamps continually burning are God’s promise to His children that they need never walk in darkness, but always they can have the light of life. God pledges to give us light always through the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in The Ancient Sanctuary (324) [Daniel and the Revelation] darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 The Altar of Incense is our communication station. This is God’s pledge to be always available to us. Like the incense kept constantly burning, the prayers of His children ascend up before the throne continually, bearing praise and thanksgiving heavenward from hearts made joyful through the mercies of God and confidently presenting His promises, fragrant with His love, for all needs. Like a mother always alert to the cry of her child, so God’s ear is bent low to hear the least plea from lip or heart directed to Him through Christ. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15 Thus is described to us what pure worship is. It requires participation; each must do it himself. It is not a spectator sport or an entertainment, but rather an intimate giving and receiving between the individual and God. True worship must take place on God’s terms, not man’s. Justification is like getting married and the sanctified life is staying married; coming into Christ and abiding." Understanding Daniel and the Revelation,324.

AS WE NEAR THE END - Part # 08

IS THE REMNANT CHURCH PREPARING FOR HEAVEN BY KEEPING PAGAN HOLIDAYS?

"Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Halloween, Christenings, First Communions, Birthdays and so on...." -- "Fall of Great Babylon 'And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Revelation 18:1, 2. This is a wonderful chapter in the Bible because it shows us that this cruel power, that has hurt so many people, is going to come to an end. These verses also show us a repeat of the second angel’s message; only this time it is telling everybody to get out of these fallen churches before they end up destroyed along with them. And we see another angel; a special fourth angel, and he has so much power that the whole earth gets lighted up with his mighty message. This mighty angel comes down to mark the beginning of the preparation time leading to the ‘Loud Cry’ message given by the great power of the Holy Spirit in what we call the Latter Rain. This is a very important part of our study. This other angel, the fourth angel, is declaring again the message of the second angel of Revelation 14, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” But this time it says Babylon the Great. We learned that Babylon the Great is the three-fold combination of the Beast, False Prophet and the Dragon and when it is seen here, it is a persecuting power; a combination of the 6th, 7th and 8th heads of the cruel scarlet monster that represents Satan’s efforts, through man-made organizations, to fight and destroy God’s people and His truth down through the whole history of the world. We are also told it has become full of devils; though claiming to belong to God, it has rejected His Word and His ways, until Satan is in full control of it. And a cage of unclean and hateful birds; crows, hawks, eagles, vultures and buzzards, make their living by picking to pieces other animals and birds, and eating their flesh. The Fall of Babylon[(288) Daniel and the Revelation]. There are so many in our society now that profess to be helping people, but that really are getting a very good living off of the misery of others, and are actually increasing that misery by casting doubt on the Word of God, the only real answer for man’s distresses. Also the informers, and bribed officials, that cast down justice and do not care about poor and suffering ones, are also cruel and unclean kinds of birds. “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Revelation 18:3 Notice what it says about how the merchants of the earth have gotten rich because of Babylon’s delicacies. Have you ever thought about all the money that people spend because of holidays that had their start in Paganism and were brought into the Roman church? Why if it wasn’t for all these holiday, the stores wouldn’t sell nearly as much. Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Halloween, Christenings, First Communions, Birthdays and so on. It seems as if half or more things sold, have to do with one of these holidays. And people buy so much more unhealthful food and sugary treats, and waste so much money just because of holidays, rather than buying only what they need to live. The holidays all came from paganism and really have nothing to do with the Bible at all. “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4, 5. God has set a limit beyond which the wickedness of man will not be allowed to continue. It was that way at the flood; it was that way at Sodom and Gomorrah; and it is that way now. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” Psalm 76:10. As the final trouble comes, God’s people will press very close to Jesus and put away all their sins and worldly ways['NO DEW NOR RAIN' TILL SINS ARE CONFESSED AND PUT AWAY]. Then the full power of the Holy Spirit will come to them (289) and Jesus will send the final warning through the earth like lightening.

AS WE NEAR THE END - Part 07

THE LAST GREAT CONFLICT -- When we can not buy or sell!!! "The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath.—In Heavenly Places, 344 (1908). Last Day Events, 257. THE WARNING!-- "The beast with two horns “causeth [commands] all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” [Revelation 13:16, 17] The third angel’s warning is, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopard-like beast of Revelation 13,—the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. The “mark of the beast” still remains to be defined. {GC88 445.2} The time to sell is soon coming:-- "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 he that hath the mark of the beast.—Testimonies for the Church 5:152. Counsels on Stewardship, 59 "Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance ["BEFORE"]before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar, and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh them down." IBID, 59 'I saw that if any held on to their property, and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: “The cause was languishing, God’s people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. O that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!” IBID,60 "I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time, but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.—Early Writings, 56, 57. IBID,60 "Hoarded wealth will soon be worthless. When the decree shall go forth that none shall buy or sell except they have the mark of the beast, very much means will be of no avail. God calls for us now to do all in our power to send forth the warning to the world.—The Review and Herald, March 21, 1878. Last Day Events,148 "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 hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since [1880-1890], but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth.—Testimonies for the Church 5:152 (1882). IBID,148 "In the last great conflict in the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers they will be forbidden to buy or sell.—The Desire of Ages, 121, 122 (1898). IBID,148 RATHER OBEY GOD THAN MEN -- "The adherents of truth are now called upon to choose between disregarding a plain requirement of God’s Word or forfeiting their liberty. If we yield the Word of God and accept human customs and traditions, we may still be permitted to live among men, to buy and sell, and have our rights respected. But if we maintain our loyalty to God it must be at the sacrifice of our rights among men, for the enemies of God’s law have leagued together to crush out independent judgment in matters of religious faith and control the consciences of men.... Last Day Events, 141 The people of God will recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment and will by precept and example teach obedience to it as a sacred duty so long as its authority is exercised within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God we must choose to obey God rather than men. The Word of God must be recognized and obeyed as an authority above that of all human legislation. “Thus saith the Lord” is not to be set aside for a “Thus saith the church or the state.” The crown of Christ is to be uplifted above all the diadems of earthly potentates.—The Home Missionary, November 1, 1893. IBID,142 Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie.—Testimonies for the Church 4:495 (1880). IBID, 142 A Quote from the famous book:-- "“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Often the follower of Christ is brought where he cannot serve God and carry forward his worldly enterprises. Perhaps it that obedience to some plain requirement of God will cut off his means of support. Satan would make him believe that he must sacrifice his conscientious convictions. But the only thing in our world upon which we can rely is the word of God. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. Even in this life it is not for our good to depart from the will of our Father in heaven. When we learn the power of His word, we shall not follow the suggestions of Satan in order to obtain food or to save our lives. Our only questions will be, What is God’s command? and what His promise? Knowing these, we shall obey the one, and trust the other." The Desire of Ages,121 "In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell. It will finally be decreed that they shall be put to death. See Revelation 13:11-17. But to the obedient is given the promise, “He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Isaiah 33:16. By this promise the children of God will live. When the earth shall be wasted with famine, they shall be fed. “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” Psalm 37:19. To that time of distress the prophet Habakkuk looked forward, and his words express the faith of the church: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17, 18. IBID,121 Of all the lessons to be learned from our Lord’s first great temptation none is more important than that bearing upon the control of the appetites and passions. In all ages, temptations appealing to the physical nature have been most effectual in corrupting and degrading mankind. Through intemperance, Satan works to destroy the mental and moral powers that God gave to man as a priceless endowment. Thus it becomes impossible for men to appreciate things of eternal worth. Through sensual indulgence, Satan seeks to blot from the soul every trace of likeness to God." IBID,122 "The uncontrolled indulgence and consequent disease and degradation that existed at Christ’s first advent will again exist, with intensity of evil, before His second coming. Christ declares that the condition of the world will be as in the days before the Flood, and as in Sodom and Gomorrah. Every imagination of the thoughts of the heart will be evil continually. Upon the very verge of that fearful time we are now living, and to us should come home the lesson of the Saviour’s fast. Only by the inexpressible anguish which Christ endured can we estimate the evil of unrestrained indulgence. His example declares that our only hope of eternal life is through bringing the appetites and passions into subjection to the will of God." IBID,122 "The uncontrolled indulgence and consequent disease and degradation that existed at Christ’s first advent will again exist, with intensity of evil, before His second coming. Christ declares that the condition of the world will be as in the days before the Flood, and as in Sodom and Gomorrah. Every imagination of the thoughts of the heart will be evil continually. Upon the very verge of that fearful time we are now living, and to us should come home the lesson of the Saviour’s fast. Only by the inexpressible anguish which Christ endured can we estimate the evil of unrestrained indulgence. His example declares that our only hope of eternal life is through bringing the appetites and passions into subjection to the will of God." IBID,122 In our own strength it is impossible for us to deny the clamors of our fallen nature. Through this channel Satan will bring temptation upon us. Christ knew that the enemy would come to every human being, to take advantage of hereditary weakness, and by his false insinuations to ensnare all whose trust is not in God. And by passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for us to overcome. It is not His will that we should be placed at a disadvantage in the conflict with Satan. He would not have us intimidated and discouraged by the assaults of the serpent. “Be of good cheer,” He says; “I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. IBID,122. OUR HOPE DURING THAT TIME -- "Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all things is at hand. The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath." Review and Herald, November 19, 1908 “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” By this we see the importance of having our names written in the book of life. All whose names are registered there will be delivered from Satan’s power, and Christ will command that their filthy garments be removed, and that they be clothed with his righteousness. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” IBID.

AS WE NEAR THE END - Part 06

NATIONAL APOSTASY LEADS TO NATIONAL RUIN “When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land, and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:977 (1888). (LDE 133.5) During the year 2015, we have seen two (2) major steps taken in that direction: Desecration of the “Marriage Institution” and the exaltation of the “Men of Sin” - Papacy. “It is at the time of the National Apostasy when, acting on the policy of Satan, the rulers of the land will rank themselves on the side of the man of sin. It is then the measure of guilt is full. The National Apostasy is the signal for National Ruin.—Selected Messages 2:373 (1891). (LDE 134.1) “ When the state shall use its power to enforce the decrees and sustain the institutions of the church—then will Protestant America have formed an image to the papacy, and there will be a National Apostasy which will end only in National Ruin.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:976 (1910). (LDE 134.4) “Men are prone to abuse the long-suffering of God, and to presume on His forbearance. But there is a point in human iniquity when it is time for God to interfere; and terrible are the issues. “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked” (Nahum 1:3). The long-suffering of God is wonderful, because He puts constraint on His own attributes; but punishment is nonetheless certain. Every century of profligacy has treasured up wrath against the day of wrath; and when the time comes, and the iniquity is full, then God will do His strange work. It will be found a terrible thing to have worn out the divine patience; for the wrath of God will fall so signally and strongly that it is presented as being unmixed with mercy; and the very earth will be desolated.” 2 Selected Messages, 372 OUR DIVINE APPOINTMENT “God has thrust His people into the gap, to make up the hedge, to raise up the foundation of many generations. The heavenly intelligences, angels that excel in strength, are waiting, obedient to His command, to unite with human agencies; and the Lord will interpose when matters have come to such a pass that none but a divine power can counteract the satanic agencies at work. When His people shall be in the greatest danger, seemingly unable to stand against the power of Satan, God will work in their behalf. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” 2 Selected Messages, 373 “Now is the time when the loyal and true are to arise and shine; for the glory of the Lord is risen upon them. It is no time now to hide our colors, no time to turn traitors when the battle presses sore, no time to lay aside our weapons of warfare. Watchmen on the walls of Zion must be wide awake.” IBID THE EMINENT CONFLICT “Wicked men and the church harmonize in this hatred of the law of God, and then the crisis comes. Then we see the class specified in Malachi 3:13-15: “Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? And now we call the proud happy: yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” Here is a company of disaffected, professed Christians, whose chief business is to murmur and complain, and accuse God by accusing the children of God. They see nothing defective in themselves, but very much to despise in others.” Review and Herald, June 15, 1897 “But while they are murmuring and complaining, and falsely accusing, and doing Satan’s work most zealously, another class is brought to our notice: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” IBID “This subject is urging itself upon my mind. Consider it; for it is a matter of vast importance. With which of these two classes shall we identify our interest? Read the fourth chapter of Malachi, and think about it seriously. The day of God is right upon us. The world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting on a short-sighted policy. Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendancy of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the state. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin. The protest of Bible truth will be no longer tolerated by those who have not made the law of God their rule of life. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by the souls that John saw slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ which they held; then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” IBID A TIMELY WARNING!!! “Our land is in jeopardy. The time is drawing on when its legislators shall so abjure the principles of Protestantism as to give countenance to Romish apostasy. The people for whom God has so marvelously wrought, strengthening them to throw off the galling yoke of popery, will, by a national act, give vigor to the corrupt faith of Rome, and thus arouse the tyranny which only waits for a touch to start again into cruelty and despotism. With rapid steps are we already approaching this period. When Protestant churches shall seek the support of the secular power, thus following the example of that apostate church, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will there be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin.” Signs of the Times, July 4, 1899 A LESSON FROM HISTORY "We are told that "when the United States passes a national Sunday law, national apostasy will be followed by national ruin". The same principles apply throughout history. After Constantine issues his Sunday laws, the Roman Empire begins to crumble. In former years when Rome warred against their enemies they found victory, but no longer." Understanding Daniel and the Revelation by P.G. Temple, pg. 146 "“VERSE 29. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.” Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith, 279.5 (1909 Edition) The time appointed is probably the prophetic time of verse 24, which has been previously mentioned. It closed, as already shown, in A.D.330, at which time this power was to return and come again toward the south, but not as on the former occasion, when it went to Egypt, nor as the latter, when it went to Judea. Those were expeditions which resulted in conquest and glory. This one led to demoralization and ruin. The removal of the seat of empire to Constantinople was the signal for the downfall of the empire. Rome then lost its prestige. The western division was exposed to the incursions of foreign enemies. On the death of Constantine, the Roman empire was divided into three parts, between his three sons, Constantius, Constantine II, and Constans. Constantine II and Constans quarreled, and Constans, being victor, gained the supremacy of the whole West. He was soon slain by one of his commanders, who, in turn, was shortly after defeated by the surviving emperor, and in despair ended his own days, A.D.353. The barbarians of the North now began their incursions, and extended their conquests till the imperial power of the West expired in A.D.476. IBID 280.1 This was indeed different from the two former movements brought to view in the prophecy; and to this the fatal step of removing the seat of empire from Rome to Constantinople directly led. IBID, 280.2 “VERSE 30. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.” IBID, 280.3 The prophetic narrative still has reference to the power which has been the subject of the prophecy from the sixteenth verse; namely, Rome. What were the ships of Chittim that came against this power, and when was this movement made? What country or power is meant by Chittim? Dr. A. Clarke, on Isaiah 23:1, has this note: “From the land of Chittim it is revealed to them. The news of the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar is said to be brought to them from Chittim, the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean; for the Tyrians, says Jerome, on verse 6, when they saw they had no other means of escape, fled in their ships, and took refuge in Carthage, and in the islands of the Ionian and AEgean Seas. So also Jochri on the same place.” Kitto gives the same locality to Chittim; namely, the coast and islands of the Mediterranean; and the mind is carried by the testimony of Jerome to a definite and celebrated city situated in that land; that is, Carthage. IBID, 280.4 Was ever a naval warfare with Carthage as a base of operations, waged against the Roman empire? We have but to think of the terrible onslaught of the Vandals upon Rome under the fierce Genseric, to answer readily in the affirmative. Sallying every spring from the port of Carthage at the head of his numerous and well-disciplined naval forces, he spread consternation through all the maritime provinces of the empire. That this is the work brought to view is further evident when we consider that we are brought down in the prophecy to this very time. In verse 29, the transfer of empire to Constantinople we understood to be mentioned. Following in due course of time, as the next remarkable revolution, came the irruptions of the barbarians of the North, prominent among which was the Vandal war already mentioned. The years A.D.428-468 mark the career of Genseric. IBID, 281.1 “He shall be grieved and return.” This may have reference to the desperate efforts which were made to dispossess Genseric of the sovereignty of the seas, the first by Majorian, the second by Leo, both of which proved to be utter failures; and Rome was obliged to submit to the humiliation of seeing its provinces ravaged, and its “eternal city” pillaged by the enemy. (See on Revelation 8:8.) IBID, 281.2 “Indignation against the covenant;” that is, the Holy Scriptures, the book of the covenant. A revolution of this nature was accomplished in Rome. The Heruli, Goths, and Vandals, who conquered Rome, embraced the Arian faith, and became enemies of the Catholic Church. It was especially for the purpose of exterminating this heresy that Justinian decreed the pope to be the head of the church and the corrector of heretics. The Bible soon came to be regarded as a dangerous book that should not be read by the common people, but all questions in dispute were to be submitted to the pope. Thus was indignity heaped upon God’s word. And the emperors of Rome, the eastern division of which still continued, had intelligence, or connived with the Church of Rome, which had forsaken the covenant, and constituted the great apostasy, for the purpose of putting down “heresy.” The man of sin was raised to his presumptuous throne by the defeat of the Arian Goths, who then held possession of Rome, in A.D.538. IBID, 281.3