Bible Truths
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Pastor John E Parker
"The Devil's Biggest Dilemma"
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Satan’s greatest fear is knowing that believers know and understand that they have power over him through Christ and the WORD of God! Our text today says, THE ENTRANCE of thy words giveth light. Revelation 3:20 speaks with respect to Jesus knowing at the door seeking ENTRANCE into the heart of His people. A logical and reasonable question could be asked, How did the Savior of the world wind up outside knocking and seeking entrance into the heart and life of His children?
The POWER and LIFE of Christ lives through the WORD He spoke, all sixty-six books. The entrance of the WORD of God handcuffs and shackles negative thinking. Satan’s design is for us to NOT reflect on God’s perspective for our lives. The enemy wants us to lean unto our own understanding, which strengthens the flesh and silences the Holy Spirit. Satan wants us to not read God’s WORD. He comes up with excuse after excuse as to why we should study the WORD. He even breathes on us the spirit of sleep, right when God wants to reveal a revelation of Himself to us. The telephone rings and long lost relatives, exes, and friends call right when you are ready to get deep in the WORD or in prayer.
Satan knows that the entrance of God’s WORD breaks his hold on the mind and life of the believer, thus freeing them to see God’s perspective for the situation or circumstances they are facing. Let’s saying you and I are struggling with unbelief, then we read in the WORD where it says, Lord I believe, but help thou my unbelief. At that moment, the entrance of God’s perspective regarding unbelief enters our thoughts, showing God’s light and understanding on that given subject. In other words, instead of wrestling with our own negative thoughts, God’s WORD overshadows the images and suggestions of the devil that doesn’t have it origin in the WORD. God’s thoughts through the printed page has POWER of any attempts the devil may throw at you. It’s the same way Jesus defeated him by saying, It Is Written!
Satan’s sophistries are so cunning, that he will use GOOD THINGS to keep the mind occupied and busy, that time with God slips to second place in our lives. He knows that down the line, temptations are waiting for us. The enemy likes to get us weak and powerless before he pulls out a temptation he knows we find hard to resist. He cannot read the mind, but he studies our words, actions, and places we frequent and various type people we socialize with, THEN centers his temptations around our weaknesses. Satan studies our eyeball movement, to see what we BEHOLD! He is mindful the type movies we watch, music we listen too, so that he may setup the perfect temptation. Remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.
We are NO MATCH for the devil. The devil is NO MATCH for Christ! So, my friends, keep allowing the WORD of God to agitate your flesh, subduing it and keeping it under the control and power of the Holy Ghost. The WORD is designed to shed light on what is sin and offensive to God. The Spirit of God then highlights what is separating us from God. The Spirit of God directs us to the WORD to validate what God said about it. This way, we won’t have our hope in what man said, but in what God said and we read. Please read these very important Scriptures:
Ephesians 1:18; I Corinthians 2:10,11,14; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Psalms 119:15,16,18,34; Jeremiah 15:16; John 17:17; Isaiah 8:20!
Keep putting God’s thoughts in your mind so you can think like Him, act like Him, and soon be like Him, I John 3:1-3, Amen!
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Word of the day
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[ Jesus said, ] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:43-45
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
We often talk about the privileges of being a child of God - forgiveness, salvation, a future in heaven with him, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and ultimate victory when Christ comes. One of the greatest privileges we get, however, is the opportunity to act toward those who dislike and hate us in a way that reflects the character of God himself. Anyone can return hate for hate, but it takes a child of God to return a blessing and a prayer for their enemies.
MY PRAYER...
Father, thank you for loving me when I was still an enemy to you. Thank you for risking the death of your Son to offer me the chance to accept or reject your love. As you have promised, please pour your love into my heart so I may love even my enemies as you have loved me. Through Jesus, the gift of your love, I pray. Amen.
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Devotional
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
A Better Way to Live
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Bible ?
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Bible ?
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How will the Lord provide in the last days?
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Monday
Bible Truths
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Pastor John E Parker
"This Too Shall Pass"
Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
God has a purpose and plan for every person born into this world. The Lord doesn’t judge you by your status or pedigree. If this were the case, He would not have chosen humble fishermen to comprise His first church. He chose individuals who were not perfect, but were striving for perfection.
Our text says, Commit thy way unto the Lord. What is the Psalmist really saying here? God is mindful of our ambitions and aspirations. God’s goal is to put His stamp and blessings on ALL we say and do, so that the effects are permanent and lasting for time and eternity. God, who reads the hearts and knows the motives of all his people is able to PLACE us and POSITION us, where He can best be glorified through the gifts, skills, and talents He’s given us. This is why He encourages us to commit our ways, ideas, and agendas unto Him so that whatever we do, He will PROSPER it and us.
When we pray to God with an open heart and mind, He will take the gifts and talents He gave us, dip them in His favor, so that people who come in contact with us will readily see and know that God’s blessings will be obvious. Please Read Genesis 39:1-6. God blesses us to benefit others. When who we are is blessed by who He is, then we know we have His favor. Favor positions God to MAXIMIZE His special blessings upon us because He can trust us. He can trust us with wealth, knowing we will do right by Him and people who need us. The key is to seek God because we need Him, not what we can get from Him to absorb on ourselves.
Then, we are to trust Him to bring to pass that which we’ve committed to Him. All God wants is a full surrender of our hearts and minds to Him. He knows EVERY step need to ensure our complete happiness and joy. He knows WHO we need in our lives that will encourage and inspire us to be better. There are times we run ahead of God’s plans only to discover He wasn’t in them.
Remember, His promise to bring it to pass is based on COMMITTING and TRUSTING Him to bring it to fruition. His plans and purpose for us are ALREADY in His mind, but simply need to be transmitted to us. Each day we live, the Lord will unfold His will based on our ability to see and understand it. Through His Providential leadings, circumstances and situations will guide us to His perfect will. If today, your plans seems unclear and your direction obscured, know that God is at work when you least expect Him! His ways aren’t our ways. His destiny for us may require a dip in a dirty river, especially when cleans ones are 30 ft. away. It is always best NOT to try and figure God out. When you do that, you’ll find yourself in a WHALE of trouble, just ask Jonah. When we move without God, we pay the price like Jonah did, then we find ourselves going down , down, down! Then in exhaustion we fall asleep in the bottom of the ship until the mariners suddenly realize that Jonah is the cause of the storm.
When you’re blessed and highly favored by God, your anointing is a threat to Satan’s kingdom. God restricts the activities the enemy hand planned for you and me, in order that His will and purpose come to pass. If you keep on COMMITING, and you keep on TRUSTING, God will keep on BRINGING things to pass right in your presence that He knows you need!
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Word of the day
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We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
"Increase my faith, O Lord." "Increase my strength." "Increase my wisdom." We often pray for these things, but when is the last time you thanked God for your love increasing? Can you think of anything more exciting to say about your church than "The love every one of you has for each other is increasing!" Lets pray and act to make it so!
MY PRAYER...
Holy God, may your love so fill us that I share it with others who call on your name. May this love grow and increase in my life so others may readily see its benefits and recognize that it is a direct response to your lavish love shared with me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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Devotional
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
A Better Way to Live
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Q & A on Doctrine
The book, Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions On Doctrine was written to answer specific questions asked by certain scholars and representatives of other Christian denominations as to what we believed on certain major doctrinal points. Thus it does not cover the full spectrum of SDA thought, but only those areas in which other Christians wanted explanation of things they had heard about our beliefs.
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Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy Salvation Only Through Christ
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TUESDAY
Bible Truths
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Hospitality & The Poor,and Our Duty Toward Them
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Word of the day
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Matthew 5:43-45
[Jesus said,] “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."
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Devotional
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
A Better Way to Live
Click the pic for daily devotionals
Spirit of Prophecy
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If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Steps to Christ, pp. 96, 97
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Wensday
3 Angel's Club
3 Angel's Video
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Institution of the Sabbath
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3 Angel's Book Shelf
FOX's BOOK of MARTYRS
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Some Private Enormities of the Inquisition Laid Open, by a Very Singular Occurrence
When the crown of Spain was contested for in the beginning of the present century, by two princes, who equally pretended to the sovereignty, France espoused the cause of one competitor, and England of the other.
The duke of Berwick, a natural son of James II who abdicated England, commanded the Spanish and French forces, and defeated the English at the celebrated battle of Almanza. The army was then divided into two parts; the one consisting of Spaniards and French, headed by the duke of Berwick, advanced towards Catalonia; the other body, consisting of French troops only, commanded by the duke of Orleans, proceeded to the conquest of Arragon.
As the troops drew near to the city of Arragon, the magistrates came to offer the keys to the duke of Orleans; but he told them haughtily that they were rebels, and that he would not accept the keys, for he had orders to enter the city through a breach.
He accordingly made a breach in the walls with his cannon, and then entered the city through it, together with his whole army. When he had made every necessary regulation here, he departed to subdue other places, leaving a strong garrison at once to overawe and defend, under the command of his lieutenant-general M. de Legal. This gentleman, though brought up a Roman Catholic, was totally free from superstition; he united great talents with great bravery; and was the skilful officer, and accomplished gentleman.
The duke, before his departure, had ordered that heavy contributions should be levied upon the city in the following manner:
1. That the magistrates and principal inhabitants should pay a thousand crowns per month for the duke's table.
2. That every house should pay one pistole, which would monthly amount to 18,000 pistoles.
3. That every convent and monastery should pay a donative, proportionable to its riches and rents.
The two last contributions to be appropriated to the maintenance of the army.
The money levied upon the magistrates and principal inhabitants, and upon every house, was paid as soon as demanded; but when the persons applied to the heads of convents and monasteries, they found that the ecclesiastics were not so willing, as other people, to part with their cash.
Of the donatives to be raised by the clergy:
The College of Jesuits to pay - 2000 pistoles.
Carmelites, - 1000
Augustins, - 1000
Dominicans, - 1000
M. de Legal sent to the Jesuits a peremptory order to pay the money immediately. The superior of the Jesuits returned for answer that for the clergy to pay money for the army was against all ecclesiastical immunities; and that he knew of no argument which could authorize such a procedure. M. de Legal then sent four companies of dragoons to quarter themselves in the college, with this sarcastic message. "To convince you of the necessity of paying the money, I have sent four substantial arguments to your college, drawn from the system of military logic; and, therefore, hope you will not need any further admonition to direct your conduct."
These proceedings greatly perplexed the Jesuits, who despatched an express to court to the king's confessor, who was of their order; but the dragoons were much more expeditious in plundering and doing mischief, than the courier in his journey: so that the Jesuits, seeing everything going to wreck and ruin, thought proper to adjust the matter amicably, and paid the money before the return of their messenger. The Augustins and Carmelites, taking warning by what had happened to the Jesuits, prudently went and paid the money, and by that means escaped the study of military arguments, and of being taught logic by dragoons.
But the Dominicans, who were all familiars of, or agents dependent on, the Inquisition, imagined that that very circumstance would be their protection; but they were mistaken, for M. de Legal neither feared nor respected the Inquisition. The chief of the Dominicans sent word to the military commander that his order was poor, and had not any money whatever to pay the donative; for, says he, "The whole wealth of the Dominicans consists only in the silver images of the apostles and saints, as large as life, which are placed in our church, and which it would be sacrilege to remove."
This insinuation was meant to terrify the French commander, whom the inquisitors imagined would not dare to be so profane as to wish for the possession of the precious idols.
He, however, sent word that the silver images would make admirable substitutes for money, and would be more in character in his possession, than in that of the Dominicans themselves, "For [said he] while you possess them in the manner you do at present, they stand up in niches, useless and motionless, without being of the least benefit to mankind in general, or even to yourselves; but, when they come into my possession, they shall be useful; I will put them in motion; for I intend to have them coined, when they may travel like the apostles, be beneficial in various places, and circulate for the universal service of mankind."
The inquisitors were astonished at this treatment, which they never expected to receive, even from crowned heads; they therefore determined to deliver their precious images in a solemn procession, that they might excite the people to an insurrection. The Dominican friars were accordingly ordered to march to de Legal's house, with the silver apostles and saints, in a mournful manner, having lighted tapers with them and bitterly crying all the way, "heresy, heresy."
M. de Legal, hearing these proceedings, ordered four companies of grenadiers to line the street which led to his house; each grenadier was ordered to have his loaded fuzee in one hand, and a lighted taper in the other; so that the troops might either repel force with force, or do honor to the farcical solemnity.
The friars did all they could to raise the tumult, but the common people were too much afraid of the troops under arms to obey them; the silver images were, therefore, of necessity delivered up to M. de Legal, who sent them to the mint, and ordered them to be coined immediately.
The project of raising an insurrection having failed, the inquisitors determined to excommunicate M. de Legal, unless he would release their precious silver saints from imprisonment in the mint, before they were melted down, or otherwise mutilated. The French commander absolutely refused to release the images, but said they should certainly travel and do good; upon which the inquisitors drew up the form of excommunication, and ordered their secretary to go and read it to M. de Legal.
The secretary punctually performed his commission, and read the excommunication deliberately and distinctly. The French commander heard it with great patience, and politely told the secretary that he would answer it the next day.
When the secretary of the Inquisition was gone, M. de Legal ordered his own secretary to prepare a form of excommunication, exactly like that sent by the Inquisition; but to make this alteration, instead of his name to put in those of the inquisitors.
The next morning he ordered four regiments under arms, and commanded them to accompany his secretary, and act as he directed.
The secretary went to the Inquisition, and insisted upon admittance, which, after a great deal of altercation, was granted. As soon as he entered, he read, in an audible voice, the excommunication sent by M. de Legal against the inquisitors. The inquisitors were all present, and heard it with astonishment, never having before met with any individual who dared to behave so boldly. They loudly cried out against de Legal, as a heretic; and said, "This was a most daring insult against the Catholic faith." But to surprise them still more, the French secretary told them that they must remove from their present lodgings; for the French commander wanted to quarter the troops in the Inquisition, as it was the most commodious place in the whole city.
The inquisitors exclaimed loudly upon this occasion, when the secretary put them under a strong guard, and sent them to a place appointed by M. de Legal to receive them. The inquisitors, finding how things went, begged that they might be permitted to take their private property, which was granted; and they immediately set out for Madrid, where they made the most bitter complaints to the king; but the monarch told them that he could not grant them any redress, as the injuries they had received were from his grandfather, the king of France's troops, by whose assistance alone he could be firmly established in his kingdom. "Had it been my own troops, [said he] I would have punished them; but as it is, I cannot pretend to exert any authority."
In the mean time, M. de Legal's secretary set open all the doors of the Inquisition, and released the prisoners, who amounted in the whole to four hundred; and among these were sixty beautiful young women, who appeared to form a seraglio for the three principal inquisitors.
This discovery, which laid the enormity of the inquisitors so open, greatly alarmed the archbishop, who desired M. de Legal to send the women to his palace, and he would take proper care of them; and at the same time he published an ecclesiastical censure against all such as should ridicule, or blame, the holy office of the Inquisition.
The French commander sent word to the archbishop, that the prisoners had either run away, or were so securely concealed by their friends, or even by his own officers, that it was impossible for him to send them back again; and, therefore, the Inquisition having committed such atrocious actions, must now put up with their exposure.
Some may suggest, that it is strange crowned heads and eminent nobles did not attempt to crush the power of the Inquisition, and reduce the authority of those ecclesiastical tyrants, from whose merciless fangs neither their families nor themselves were secure.
But astonishing as it is, superstition hath, in this case, always overcome common sense, and custom operated against reason. One prince, indeed, intended to abolish the Inquisition, but he lost his life before he became king, and consequently before he had the power so to do; for the very intimation of his design procured his destruction.
This was that amiable prince Don Carlos, son of Philip the Second, king of Spain, and grandson of the celebrated emperor Charles V. Don Carlos possessed all the good qualities of his grandfather, without any of the bad ones of his father; and was a prince of great vivacity, admirable learning, and the most amiable disposition. He had sense enough to see into the errors of popery, and abhorred the very name of the Inquisition. He inveighed publicly against the institution, ridiculed the affected piety of the inquisitors, did all he could to expose their atrocious deeds, and even declared, that if he ever came to the crown, he would abolish the Inquisition, and exterminate its agents.
These things were sufficient to irritate the inquisitors against the prince: they, accordingly, bent their minds to vengeance, and determined on his destruction.
The inquisitors now employed all their agents and emissaries to spread abroad the most artful insinuations against the prince; and, at length raised such a spirit of discontent among the people that the king was under the necessity of removing Don Carlos from court. Not content with this, they pursued even his friends, and obliged the king likewise to banish Don John, duke of Austria, his own brother, and consequently uncle to the prince; together with the prince of Parma, nephew to the king, and cousin to the prince, because they well knew that both the duke of Austria, and the prince of Parma, had a most sincere and inviolable attachment to Don Carlos.
Some few years after, the prince having shown great lenity and favor to the Protestants in the Netherlands, the Inquisition loudly exclaimed against him, declaring, that as the persons in question were heretics, the prince himself must necessarily be one, since he gave them countenance. In short, they gained so great an ascendency over the mind of the king, who was absolutely a slave to superstition, that, shocking to relate, he sacrificed the feelings of nature to the force of bigotry, and, for fear of incurring the anger of the Inquisition, gave up his only son, passing the sentence of death on him himself.
The prince, indeed, had what was termed an indulgence; that is, he was permitted to choose the manner of his death. Roman-like, the unfortunate young hero chose bleeding and the hot bath; when the veins of his arms and legs were opened, he expired gradually, falling a martyr to the malice of the inquisitors, and the stupid bigotry of his father.
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Is the Virgin Mary Dead or Alive?
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The Crowning Act in the Drama of Deception– Satan’s Personation of Christ
Friends, I believe the demon- originated, counterfeit Virgin Mary will soon make her bodily appearance to the world, and by this masterpiece of Satan’s, thousands, yea, millions of innocent people will be deceived! And perhaps, the Virgin herself, a very familiar spirit, will present her son, the counterfeit Jesus, to the world, who, in reality, is Satan himself . If so, this will be the crowning act of Satan’s deceptions! But even before this, we may see demons in the form of the apostles, such as Peter and Paul, contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth. Here is one such prediction: “After three days of darkness, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, having come down from Heaven, shall preach in the whole world and designate a new Pope. A great light will flash from their bodies and will settle upon the cardinal who is to become Pope. Christianity, then, will spread throughout the world. He is the Holy Pontiff, chosen by God to withstand the storm. At the end, he will have the gift of miracles, and his name shall be praised over the whole earth. Whole nations will come back to the Church and the face of the earth will be renewed.” (The Thunder of Justice, p. 353). It is perilous to conclude that “seeing is believing.” Satan is counting on this human fallacy in order to delude earth’s inhabitants.
Dear friends, I can not say that Satan, through his hellish arts, will, or will not, enact the above scene in exactly the way it has been described, but this I do know— that the Scriptures warn us that “such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ . And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light . Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (II Cor. 11: 13- 15)
“Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle- working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world’s Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures.
“As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ . The church has long professed to look to the Saviour’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1: 13- 15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: ‘Christ has come! Christ has come! ’ The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday , and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is ‘the great power of God. ’ Acts 8: 10.
“But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God’s unmingled wrath shall be poured out.
“And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming. ‘There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.... Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ’ Matthew 24: 24- 27, 31; 25: 31; Revelation 1: 7; 1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17. This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known— witnessed by the whole world.
“Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive . By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only?” (The Great Controversy, pp. 624, 625).
Oh, friends, I know that it is not a question of whether these supernatural deceptions will happen or not, but of when they will happen! By their own admission, the authors of The Thunder of Justice believe that since Mary, in giving birth to Jesus, brought Him into the world for His first coming, she will be the one who will usher in His second coming to the world . After all, the book continues: “As John the Baptist prepared the way for the first coming of Jesus, Mary prepares the way for His Second Coming. Mary proclaims that a new world and era is upon us, and the triumph of Her Immaculate Heart and the Second Pentecost (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit) will usher in the Reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Blessed Mother spoke through Father Gobbi on October 13, 1990, about the glorious reign of Jesus and His Second Coming: ‘The glorious reign of Christ, which will be established in your midst with the Second Coming of Jesus in the world is close at hand... This is His glorious return, to establish His reign in your midst and to bring all humanity, redeemed by His most precious blood, back to the state of His new terrestrial paradise. That which is being prepared is so great that its equal has never existed since the creation of the world .” (The Thunder of Justice, p. 12).
The authors conclude, according to their expectations and predictions, that Mary will not only make more grand appearances very soon (perhaps in full bodily form this time for millions to see), but many supernatural things will also take place in the near future— like a permanent pagan red cross for all the world to see in the sky (with its “T” for Tammuz). Also, “she has promised to leave a visible sign for all humanity at the site of the apparitions of Medjugorje [‘ the new Fatima ’ (Newsweek, August 25, 1997, p. 52)].” (The Thunder of Justice, p. 207). Others say that Mary will leave a prominent sign for the world to see by the year 2000. I guess we will just have to wait and see. And will the counterfeit “Mother of God,” together with the ecumenical efforts of the pope, be the one to tip the scales of public opinion in favor of uniting the churches of the world and of bringing the harlot “daughters” back to their mother? Not only is this possible, friends, but Mary, since she “never saw corruption, but was assumed into heaven” according to the Catholic belief, or, as most Christians and nonChristians believe, is a “living spirit” after death, could be the one who will unite the churches of the land in a common goal under spiritualism in its modern form— the New Age movement! A three- fold union consisting of Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and spiritualism will thus be formed by the beliefs they hold in common— Sunday sacredness [or the worship of the Babylonian sun- god, which New Agers call their “father”] and the doctrine of the immortality of the soul [which the New Agers simply call “reincarnation”]. God has prophesied that this three- fold union will be formed, and He revealed it to John in the following symbolic language: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon [pagan spiritualism], and out of the mouth of the beast [Roman Catholicism], and out of the mouth of the false prophet [apostate Protestantism]. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles , which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Rev. 16: 13- 15). The doctrine of the immortality of the soul, which is the basic reason behind image worship and the adoration of the Virgin Mary, in whatever form one accepts it, sets the stage for the worship of demons! If you believe that a spirit from the dead can communicate with the living, you are a sitting- duck, just waiting for the over- powering delusion of the New (Age) Eve— the Queen of the Coming (New) Age .
And could the Virgin Mary be the one to sway the Moslems to join with the other religions on common points of faith? Interestingly enough, Fatima, the famed city in Portugal where the Virgin Mary has appeared many times, was named after Muhammad’s daughter, Fatimah. Furthermore, one of the books of the Koran is entitled Maryam or Marium (the Virgin Mary). She is respected by Moslems all over the world as the ”the pious woman of the Word,” who, some Moslems have told me, is already in Heaven!
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Sermons
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The Undisputed Champ
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Thursday
Remnant Informer
Babylon Lingo
Revelation 13:1-3 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”
Revelation 17:3-5 “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”Revelation 14:7-12 “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
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Popes claiming to be God on Earth
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drakōn lēros
Revelation 12:15-17Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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drakōn lēros Presents Antinomianism
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Matthew 7:15-17Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mark 13:22-24Mk 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Reclaiming Sabbath
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it
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Reclaiming Sabbath Presents:Candid Confessions
Reflections Of A Lifetime
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Are You Reading From The LEPRECHAUN Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16
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Truth On Trial
(CREATED BY ROBERT DAVIS)
I STAND BY THE WORD
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Truth On Trial Did The Seventh Day Adventist Lie About The Catholic Church Changeing The Sabbath To Sunday?
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The Top Ten
Exodus 20:1-26Ex 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.Ex 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's
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The Law OF God Why The Law Was Given At Sinai
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Entertainment Derangements
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Entertainment Derangements Presents: A Book Review "The Shack"
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Remnant Informer Bulletin Archives
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Friday
Bible Truths
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Bible Truths Good Water John 4:6-14
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Word of the day
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The Place We Long For
For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
—Hebrews 11:14
I am navigationally challenged, so I like having a GPS to help keep me from getting lost. But I read about a Wisconsin motorist who actually ended up on a snowmobile trail because her GPS led her in the wrong direction. She ended up stuck in the snow and had to call 911. A deputy who responded to the call said, "People shouldn't believe everything those things tell you."
A GPS can fail us. But that isn't the case with the sophisticated homing instinct God has given to certain birds. Their built-in navigational systems are probably better than our latest technology. The Manx Shearwater, for example, nests off of the coast of Wales and has an amazing homing instinct. Scientists tagged and released a number of these birds at different points around the globe to see whether they could find their way back home. In just 12 days, all the birds made their way back. One bird in particular made it all the way from Boston, traveling 250 miles a day from a place it had never been to get back home. Now that is what you call a homing instinct.
God has placed a homing instinct within you and I as well, and I believe it is a homesickness for heaven. We long for a place we have never been before. We are prewired that way. The Bible tells us that God has put eternity in our hearts (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Heaven is the real thing that we long for. Heaven is not an imitation of Earth, but it is really the other way around. Earth is the copy, the temporary dwelling place. Heaven is the real deal, the eternal dwelling place of every follower of Jesus Christ. It is the place we long for, because it is our future home.
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Devotional
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
A Better Way to Live
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Lighter Notes
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Tanica Campbell
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Two Edged Sword
Topics
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Your idea on a movie about the Bible!
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Magazine Rack
Amazing Facts
AmazingFacts.tv
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Jesus Throughout the Bible, Part 2
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Signs of the times
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February 2010
Why Does a Good God Allow Pain and Suffering?
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The applause went on— maybe six, seven, or even ten minutes! Only after eleven minutes of a sustained standing ovation did the first person cease and sit down in his seat. Did this come about because of genuine admiration and appreciation?
After all, the person they were applauding had created a “worker’s paradise”–a man named Joseph Jughashvili at birth, but who became better known to history as “the man of steel.”
By the time of this incident, in 1938, Joseph had spent much of his life in the effort to produce a perfect state, an egalitarian society in which everyone contributed according to their ability and received according to their needs. But people, being people, didn’t all agree with that idea. If such a society is to be a reality, then human selfishness must be put aside. And if people don’t put it aside voluntarily, then, Joseph reasoned, the state must force them to put it aside, even if that makes them unhappy. And Joseph became known as Stalin, “the Man of Steel,” precisely because he was very thorough in dealing with those he thought opposed his pursuit of an ideal state.
For example, a state agency called the NKVD was watching those applauding that day to see who might secretly be opposing Joseph and his ideal society. The first ones to cease applauding and sit down were identified as independent thinkers, a danger to the state. Many went to prison, some were executed. All in the name of a perfect society that would eliminate pain and suffering.
It may seem strange that this comes to my mind whenever I hear the question, “Why does a good God allow pain and suffering?” After all, why wouldn’t a good God want to make life pleasant and comfortable for everyone? Unfortunately, history demonstrates that any time we attempt to eliminate pain and suffering by preventing it, those efforts invariably end up in tyranny.
It’s relatively easy to imagine a utopian society where there is no prejudice, no selfishness, where everyone works together to eliminate disease. But efforts to create such a society always come up against human nature.
It’s not just that human beings are selfish—though we certainly are. It’s not just that we die—though we do. Virtually all pain and suffering arise because of these two realities: we are selfish, and we die.
But even if we could eliminate disease and death, that would not eliminate pain and suffering. We experience emotional pain and suffering even when we are in perfect health physically. People we love fail to love us back; people we trust betray our trust; we miss opportunities; we experience disappointment. And when these things happen, we experience pain, we suffer.
However noble the attempt, our efforts to reduce pain and suffering through government action often simply change the recipients of injustice rather than reducing it. And, as the record of Communism demonstrates, well-meaning attempts to produce a utopian society by coercion inevitably end in tyranny.
Of course, many use the existence of pain and suffering as evidence that there is no God. They believe that the mindless forces of nature, most magnificently portrayed in the workings of evolution, provide the real drivers in human nature and human society. Evolution that not only tolerates pain, suffering, and death, but requires them.
In a real sense, death is the God of evolution. How can I say that? According to evolution, natural selection provides the mechanism that drives the continual improvement of species. But natural selection is simply another name for death. For the evolutionist, life is chaotic, undisciplined, continually mutating and changing. By far the majority of these mutations and changes would not be advances; in evolutionary terms they are “dead ends,” changes that lead nowhere. But how do we know they lead nowhere? What cosmic enforcer eliminates these dead ends, and thereby channels the energies of life in other directions? Why death, of course. Nonadaptive organisms die out.
In evolution, death does all the heavy lifting. When a mutation makes an organism less competitive, death eliminates it. When a new species, a more competitive species comes to occupy an evolutionary niche, death eliminates the old one. Let us not forget that, according to evolution, dinosaurs, giant reptiles, ruled the earth for millions of years, many times longer than the human race has existed.
Fortunately for us, scientists believe a giant meteor struck earth, killing off the dinosaurs. Death cleared the way so that our so-called forebears, the relatively tiny mammals, could evolve.
So where does that leave us? All man-made attempts to eliminate pain and suffering founder on the rocks of human selfishness and mortality. Selfishness causes us to hurt others, and mortality means that we will die and grieve others. Evolution not only holds no promise to end pain and suffering, but actually requires it in order to work. What we have to grapple with is that pain and suffering exist.
The Bible tells us that pain and suffering exist because of choices made by free moral agents, both angelic and human. Revelation tells us all this began as a war in heaven (Revelation 12:7). Before that, there had been no pain and no suffering, but once begun, the problem became how to deal with it.
God recognized that simply destroying Satan and the rebellious angels could only result in a form of tyranny. Every thinking being would have obeyed Him out of fear. Like the fear-induced applause for Joseph Stalin, the residents of heaven would have praised God openly, but inside they would still have felt doubt and anxiety, both very painful emotions.
Instead of eliminating the rebellion and the pain it brought, destroying the rebels would eventually have spread the pain to every creature on earth and made it permanent.
Another factor we may lose sight of is that God himself experienced pain from the moment the rebellion began. He experienced the pain of seeing the creatures He made joyous, turn against Him and sow doubt and unhappiness through all of creation. But had He destroyed the rebels, He would have grieved their loss, and lost the trust of the rest of creation as well.
Lucifer is the one who introduced pain and suffering, and as soon as he did so, God experienced it. And because, as Paul says, “ ‘in Him we live and move and have our being’ ” (Acts 17:28), God experiences the pain and suffering of every one of His creatures.
This means that God knows more about pain and suffering than any human being ever can. He experienced it before the first human did, and He experiences all the pain and suffering that we do. And only God can remedy the twin causes of pain and suffering: human selfishness and human mortality. Because we are so familiar with the story of the Bible, we sometimes lose sight of the breathtaking audacity of God’s remedy to the problems of human selfishness and human mortality.
God recognized the scope of the problem, for the psalmist tells us, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:2, 3). Selfishness infected every human heart, and death awaited everyone. The only solution—the only possible solution— was for God to take human selfishness and death into Himself. To deal with death and selfishness, God had to take them on at their source—He had to take on humanity.
And that is just what He did. Prophets and seers, poets, and preachers, have pondered the Incarnation for 2,000 years—20 centuries— and still we cannot comprehend fully who Christ is and what He has done. But God, by becoming human in Christ, by coming and sharing our pain and suffering, by bearing our guilt, all of it—and finally by dying—took human selfishness and human mortality into His infinite self and conquered it forever.
And He offers to share that victory with us. The only place in all the universe where we can find refuge from pain and suffering is in Christ. When He returns to this world, He will put an end to suffering and death. But we can find relief even now. As He told Mary and Martha at Lazarus’s tomb, “ ‘You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all’ ” (John 11:25, The Message).*
Stalin’s Communism and other man-made attempts to become God and eliminate the possibility of suffering have shown us repeatedly that all attempts to prevent suffering only result in tyranny and more suffering. A truly good God, then, had to allow freedom. When His creatures misused that freedom, and thus caused suffering and death, that supremely good God took that suffering and death upon Himself, and in doing so, He provided a way for every human being to escape pain, suffering, and death.
But He won’t force us to accept His way out. The beauty of God’s solution to the problem of suffering is that we are free to accept or reject it. The choice is ours.
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It Is Written
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A Final Warning
Have you ever heard of a man by the name of Harry Truman? Not the president, though—the other Harry Truman, the guy whose life had something to teach us about last-day Bible prophecy.
Harry Randall Truman, the other Harry Truman, ran the Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake. Originally born in West Virginia back in 1896, Harry brought his family to Spirit Lake in 1926, where he started a small business that consisted of a gas station, grocery store and boat rental shop.
By 1939, he had added a lodge and eventually his fleet of watercraft included 100 boats. That really should have been the end of the story—a successful man with a successful business and a long life of prosperity. But then came the spring of 1980, when park rangers came and knocked on Harry’s door.
Rangers: “Harry, you’ve got to get off the mountain, because we have evidence that before too long, it’s going to blow.”
Harry: “If this mountain blows, I’m going with it.”
In Harry’s mind the reports of danger at Mount St. Helens were greatly exaggerated. In his opinion, the signs of impending destruction weren’t all that clear. So when the mountain exploded on May 18, 1980, with a force 500 times greater than a Hiroshima atomic bomb, Harry Truman lost his life, and to this day his body has never been found, because it’s buried so deeply under the ash and debris of Mount St. Helens.
You know, when you think about a guy like Harry Truman, you have to wonder why anybody would choose to deliberately ignore the obvious signals that your life is in danger. The mountain was already rumbling, and once in a while it would spit out just a little bit of smoke and ash, but for some reason Harry just couldn’t see it. The geologists could see it, the rangers could see it, and the people who lived a long way off could see it, but the man who lived closest to the problem just couldn’t believe it.
There was no way, in his mind, that the place where he had spent the last 54 years of his life would ever be subject to the kind of apocalyptic devastation that wiped out half the mountain in 1980.
Then again, if you really think about it, most of us are wired a little like Harry Truman. We hate to think that in spite of the doomsday predictions of environmentalists and other modern pessimists that anything truly catastrophic could ever happen to this little blue marble we call home.
The reason that most of us hate to think about it is because we’ve spent so much of our lives building our personal little empires. The loss of everything we have would be more than most of us could bear. But the fact remains that our generation has been warned that the way things are is not the way things are going to be.
Listen, for example, to the words of Jesus found in the 24th chapter of the gospel according to Matthew, where Jesus gives us a long list of things to watch for that will let us know when we are running out of time. As He gets to the end of His detailed description, which includes signs in the political, religious and natural world, Jesus sums it up like this (Matthew 24:32-33):
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the door!”
So what exactly is Jesus talking about? Well, if you study Matthew 24 carefully, you discover that He’s really describing two events that closely parallel each other. On the one hand, He’s describing the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans almost 40 years into the future. But at the same time, He’s using the destruction of Jerusalem to paint a picture of what the world is going to look like as it enters the final lap of human history.
In the underlying message that runs through the whole thing, it’s pretty hard to miss. When the end comes close, when we are pulling up to the Second Coming of Christ, you are going to have plenty of evidence to let you know we are getting close.
Let me take you back to Harry Truman for just a minute. Not only could Harry feel the rumbling of the mountain, but people actually showed up on his doorstep to let him know that time was short.
He had absolutely every opportunity to save his life before the tragedy struck, and if you compare what happened to Harry Truman with the book of Revelation, you’ll find a startling parallel, because not only does the Bible speak about natural signs that tip us off when times are changing, but it also mentions a last-day messenger that knocks on every human heart before the prophetic clock hits midnight. Listen to this (Revelation 18:1-4):
“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven having great authority. And the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. And the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’”
You know, I’ve come to believe that a lot of folks have the wrong idea about God. Far too many people grow up thinking that God is all to eager to wipe out those who make a mistake, but the evidence of the Bible presents a completely different story.
In the last moments before Jesus comes, a message born in heaven flashes across the planet pleading with people to make things right. And if you study it carefully, you’ll notice that it’s not the timid voice of someone making a quiet announcement so that the legal notice has been served. It’s the passionate voice of the Heavenly Father, whose heart is broken over the fact that some of his children might not be ready for Jesus to come.
It reminds me of the heartfelt message God sent to Israel when they were captives in Babylon almost 2,500 years ago. As the prophet Ezekiel communicates the words of God to a stubborn, rebellious people, you can almost hear the tears in the voice of the creator (Ezekiel 18:30-32):
“‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions, which you have committed. And get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God, ‘therefore turn and live!’”
You know, when some people read that God is going to judge this world, they assume it’s some kind of vendetta against people who don’t do things God’s way. But nothing can be further from the truth. A God of love has to draw a line in the sand, because the thought of suffering, should the problem be allowed to fester forever, is simply unbearable to God.
At the same time, God’s not eager to put a stop to it, because the ones who are so wrapped up in wickedness might still be saved for the kingdom. So, if you think about it, it is a fine line that God is walking. How do you minimize the suffering caused by sin and still save as many sinners as you can?
All through the Bible, you find God drawing a line in the sand, but at the same time he pleads with people to change their ways.
“I have no pleasure in the death of an unrepentant sinner,” God says. “So why in the world won’t you change your ways and live?”
Over the years, I’ve seen people stand on the sidewalk with a sign that says God hates this group, or God hates that group, but when I checked that against the words of the Bible, I find that’s not true. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s no question God hates sin, and there’s no question He hates what sin does to us, but throughout the Bible, you always seem to find God pleading with people to turn their backs on sin, because He doesn’t want them to reap the terrible consequences of what they’ve done, and the pattern you find in the Bible. It seems that God waits until there are no more options left before he pulls the plug on human civilization.
Take, for example, of the remarkable story found in Genesis 18 and 19, where God declares his intention to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, because those cities had become so desperately wicked.
Frankly, God could have carried out his plan without bringing it to anybody’s attention, because it is well within his rights as God. But you’ll notice something really important beginning in the 20th verse of Genesis, chapter 18, where God reveals his plans to Abraham, a man whose heart belonged to God.
Here’s what it says (Genesis 18:20-21):
“And the Lord said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to me. And if not, I will know.’”
Now, before I go any further, we should probably clear up the fact that God already knew how wicked Sodom and Gomorrah really were. It’s not as if he needed to pay a personal visit to the streets of the city to find out just how wicked the people really were, because the Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.
So then why did God say he was going down to check things out? Well, pay attention carefully to the very next verse. The Bible says (Genesis 18:22):
“Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.”
You know, every time I read this story it gives me goose bumps, because what happens here on the plains of Mamre actually shows us what’s going on behind the scenes as our world gets ready for Jesus to come. If you’ve never seen it, let me show you what I mean.
As the story begins in Genesis 18, three mysterious beings come to visit Abraham, and we discover that those three men are actually the Lord himself accompanied by two angels. And when God says that He’s going down to visit the cities to see how wicked they have become, you read that it’s not actually God who goes to take a look. The two angels go to visit Sodom while God stays right there by Abraham’s tent to have a discussion with him regarding the fate of Sodom. Why is that so important?
It’s because it teaches us something critical about the character of God as you and I move toward the final moments of human history. The pattern you find over and over and over again is that God will always keep his people well informed before He makes a move to permanently solve the problem of sin.
In fact, in the book of Amos, chapter three, we are told that surely the Lord God does nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. In other words, you are always going to know if something big is going to happen. Before the world was destroyed by a flood, Noah sounded a clear alarm.
“Time is running out!”
Before the Assyrians invaded northern Israel, God sent the prophet Isaiah.
“Listen all you distant lands!”
Before the Babylonians sacked the city of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah publicly wept for the sins of his people. And before this world comes to a grinding halt, God’s people are going to know it’s getting close.
The Bible reveals that before God makes a move, He’s going to keep the world informed, and that’s exactly what happened in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. As the two angels leave to go and investigate the cities, God stays behind to discuss this thing with Abraham, and that discussion begins in verse 23 (Genesis 18:23-24):
“And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city, would you also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?”
Now pay careful attention to what’s going on. God has no question in his mind about the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, but Abraham does. In fact, his nephew, Lot is living in the city of Sodom, so Abraham has a vested interest in what is about to happen.
God, you wouldn’t destroy that city if you found out there were still some righteous people living there, would you? I mean what if there were 50 people whose hearts still belonged to you? What sense would it make to lose all those righteous people?
Do you see what’s going on? Before he destroys the wicked, God actually subjects himself to the scrutiny of his people. It’s almost as if God is putting Himself on trial, and you can see that in the very next verse. Listen carefully to what Abraham says next (Genesis 18:25):
“Far be it from you to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked. Far be it from you! Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?”
Did you catch it? Abraham is asking God if this is really the right decision. And the truly amazing part of this story is the fact that God lets Abraham do this.
In fact, if you remember what happens next God says, “Listen. For 50 people I would spare the city.”
“But Lord, what if there are only 45? What about them?”
“Well, even for 45 people I would spare the city.”
“And if there were only 40?”
“Yes, Abraham, even for 40 I would spare the city.”
And so it goes all the way down to 10 people, until Abraham is convinced that God is really doing the right thing, and at the same time God has already stated that the purpose of his visit is to conduct an investigation of the cities that he plans to destroy.
What we discover as we examine the story is that God’s investigation seems to be a public examination of the facts. Angels go to look at the city and Abraham asks his questions of God. So what does that have to do with last-day events?
Well, more than you might suspect. In the book of Daniel there is a stunning passage that shows us the judgment process that takes place just before Jesus comes. Take a look at this, beginning in Daniel. It’s amazing (Daniel 7:9):
“I watched till thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated. His garment was white as snow and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame. Its wheels a burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated and the books were opened.”
Now, without a question, that is one of the most awe-inspiring things you find anywhere in the Bible. Millions—maybe billions—of angels are gathered all around the throne of God, and the books are opened so the judgment can begin.
And of course we know that God, whose eyes run to and fro through the earth, who knows the name of every star in the sky, who knows the number of hairs you have on your head—well, he doesn’t need a bunch of books to remember what happened here on planet Earth. But the angels, because they are not all-knowing, just might need those books.
So, consider this stunning possibility. Before God brings an end to human history and before he brings us into the kingdom of heaven, he opens the books so the angels can examine the records for themselves. Not only is that a possibility, the Bible says that is exactly what happens. And you have to ask: Why would the angels want to check?
Don’t forget that the struggle between good and evil didn’t start here on earth. The book of Revelation, chapter 12, tells us that before we had any trouble here on earth, war first broke out in heaven, and because one third of heaven’s angels listened to Lucifer. Because Lucifer was kicked out, and because God now plans to bring forgiven sinners back into the courts of heaven, all the faithful angels just might have a few questions. And throughout the Bible there are a number of hints that heavenly angels spend a lot of time studying the plan of salvation.
No, God doesn’t need a bunch of books to conduct the judgment, but the angels might need those records. So God opens himself up to investigation before he brings the world to an end. He allows the angels to ask their questions and weigh His motives so that everybody’s clear on what He is about to do. And then, when it’s all over, He allows the human race to do the same thing. Listen to this in Revelation 20 (Revelation 20:12):
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
There comes a point in the history of our race where God is going to open the books and let you ask your questions. “Lord, where’s my best friend, Mike? Why didn’t he make it into the kingdom of heaven?”
And with tears of compassion in his eyes, God can point you to the facts.
“Come,” He’ll say, “and take a look.”
“I did everything I could, short of forcing your friend into the kingdom of heaven, and he still chose to turn away from Me.”
Here is what it really boils down to: There really is going to be a final bell for planet Earth. The warnings are all over the place and the prophetic signs the Bible told us to watch for are headlines in the evening news right now.
Somewhere in heaven, before it all comes to a close, the judgment sits and the facts are examined. God doesn’t make a move without first giving us a warning. His motives are perfectly clear, because that’s just the kind of God He is.
And if you really want to see something stunning, look at the 14th chapter of the Book of Revelation, because you find that even as the judgment begins, God sends a message to the world (Revelation 14:6-7):
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come. And worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’”
You notice, he doesn’t say the judgment is coming, doesn’t say it will come, it says the hour of his judgment has come. And the question that leaves for you and me is really very simple. When the indicators are so clear all around you, and the message of God knocks on your door to get you off the mountain, are you going to respond?
Harry Truman blew it. Right now you don’t have to. You see—we get all these warnings because two amazing things are about to happen. First, God is going to put an end to sin and suffering. Secondly, He is going to save you if you are willing to let Him do it.
Right now, God is doing everything He can think of to get you ready for Jesus to come. As you think about what we’ve studied today, can you think of one good reason not to accept the gift of Jesus Christ?
Why don’t we pray together?
PRAYER:
Father in heaven, we marvel at a God of love who does so much to keep us informed as we move toward the prophetic finish line. We believe today that your message is for us, and we know that your deepest desire is to keep us for the kingdom. So, today we humbly and thankfully accept the gift of forgiveness that you offer us, and we ask you to take control of our lives. For we ask it in Jesus’ name, believing that He is coming again, Amen.
Scriptures Used in “A Final Warning”
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors!”
—Matthew 24:32-33
“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven having great authority. And the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. And the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’”
—Revelation 18:1-4
“’Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions, which you have committed. And get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God, ‘therefore turn and live!’”
—Ezekiel 18:30-32
“And the Lord said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether, according to the outcry against it that has come to me. And if not, I will know.’”
—Genesis 18:20-21
“Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.”
—Genesis 18:22
“And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city, would you also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?’”
—Genesis 18:23-24
“Far be it from you to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked. Far be it from you! Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?”
—Genesis 18:25
“I watched till thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated. His garment was white as snow and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame. Its wheels a burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated and the books were opened.”
— Daniel 7:9
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
—Revelation 20:12
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come. And worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’”
—Revelation 14:5-7
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If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 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. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Love - in the week before Valentine's Day we want to remember the real meaning of love. Without the motivation and expression of love, all "Christian" activities are more "activity" than Christian. Love is the expression of Christ's character and presence in our lives through deeds done for others.
MY PRAYER...
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your demonstration of love in Jesus. Help me to love as he did - selflessly, sacrificially, and consistently, so others may know of your love through my actions. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
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My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
A Better Way to Live
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Spirit of Prophecy
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Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Steps to Christ, p. 93
If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. Our own merit will never commend us to the favor of God; it is the worthiness of Jesus that will save us, His blood that will cleanse us; yet we have a work to do in complying with the conditions of acceptance. Steps to Christ, p. 95
The Faithful Ones will not Fail Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12. We have need now for more than human wisdom in reading and searching the Scriptures; and if we come to God's Word with humble hearts, He will raise up a standard for us against the lawless element. It is difficult to hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end; and the difficulty increases when there are hidden influences constantly at work to bring in another spirit, a counterworking element, on Satan's side of the question. In the absence of persecution, there have drifted into our ranks some who appear sound, and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in specious reasoning that has had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various snares to meet varied minds. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine. . . . But when the world makes void the law of God, what will be the effect upon the truly obedient and righteous? Will they be carried away by the strong current of evil? Because so many rank themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness, will God's commandment-keeping people swerve from their allegiance? Never! Not one who is abiding in Christ will fail or fall. His followers will bow in obedience to a higher authority than that of any earthly potentate. While the contempt placed upon God's commandments leads many to suppress the truth and show less reverence for it, the faithful ones will with greater earnestness hold aloft its distinguishing truths. We are not left to our own direction. . . . We should consult His Word with humble hearts, ask His counsel, and give up our will to His. We can do nothing without God. >From Maranatha - Page 28
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Project Rally Up For Feb 8-13 TOPIC "BASHER VIEWS"
Scheadule CENTRAL TIME
MON Subject of the week
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
TUE
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM,9:00 PM -12:00 AM
WED Subject of the week
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM , 9:00 PM -12:00 AM
THURS Subject of the week
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM,9:00 PM -12:00 AM
FRI Sabbath School Lessons
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
SAT Sabbath School Lessons
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
SUN Subject of the week
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
We will discuss the subject of the week we will have prayers,music,testimonies etc. come and be encouraged!
The time frame is for everyone to have a chance to attend the meeting
Scheadule is subject to change and all will be updated when it accures
If you wish to attened please register at this chat room site it is the Sabbath School Online site here http://xat.com/SabbathSchoolOnline
Note: We will only have Sabbath School Lessons FRI & SAT
If wish not to recieave any more updates or notifications and are not interrested in coming to the meetings let me know all is welcome to the Sabbath School FRI-SAT
THE SUBJECT Meetings are for SDA who are members of YOUTUBE feel free to invite others to the chat room if you feel they can benifit from the meetings also invite any to the Sabbath School Times
Please when registering use your YOUTUBE names so it easy to identify who you are
Thank you for your time and I pray that I will see you there
Feel Free to visit the site today for more questions I will be on today from time to time
Your Brother in Christ Jesus
Robert
As Always
I Stand By The Word
God Bless
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