Running on Empty.The parable of the Virgins from the eye of present truth.

Running on Empty.

I have often looked at the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25 countless time.
But it was when I heard it was fulfilled in the Millerite History and also when I heard that the Millerite History would repeat to the very letter; when I also have seen the hard evidence of Islam being restrained in the 1840 by the world powers which is the very Millerite History also and saw that Islam was restrained just recently. My heart jump.

This put full meaning on the phrase “This the history (Millerites 1840-1844) will repeat to the very letter. Now I see the virgins in a whole new light. I now see the characteristics of the virgins in my church. The virgins are growing up right before me. You will soon understand what I mean by this.
This tells me that events leading up to and during the Millerites History will happen and is happening as we speak.

This friend is a sobering taught knowing full well that the virgins are in the congregations at this time waiting for the call “Behold the Bridegroom cometh”.
Know this you are one of them!

I want to stay focus on not so much the fact that 5 were wise and 5 were foolish but more on the fact that why 5 were saved and why 5 were lost.
Some will say out rightly they did have the oil and that is correct, Lets dive a little deeper, can we?

Matthew. 25:1-3
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Pen of Inspiration says: “The two classes of watchers [in the parable of the ten virgins] represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the Word of God. . . . The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. . . .
{Gods amazing Grace 214.2}

But there is more:
The book Christian Service says:
“The oil of grace gives to men the courage, and supplies to them the motives, for doing every day the work that God appoints to them. The five foolish virgins had lamps (this means a knowledge of Scripture truth), but they had not the grace of Christ. Day by day they went through a round of ceremonies and external duties, but their service was lifeless, devoid of the righteousness of Christ. The Sun of Righteousness did not shine in their hearts and minds, and they had not the love of the truth which conforms to the life and character, the image and superscription, of Christ. The oil of grace was not mingled with their endeavors. Their religion was a dry husk without the true kernel. They held fast to forms of doctrines, but they were deceived in their Christian life, full of self-righteousness, and failing to learn lessons in the school of Christ, which, if practiced, would have made them wise unto salvation.-- Review and Herald, March 27, 1894. {ChS 263.1}

Note:

1. All the virgins had lamps (this means a knowledge of Scripture truth)
1. Don’t we all have our Bibles?
2. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
3. We all have the lamps do we not? Yes this is not only talking about Christians in general, but those who have access to light. Bible truth. I would go on as to say even present truth. Now that’s sobering,even to preachers of present truth like myself.
4. They are virgins they professed a pure faith. My Friends these are no one but those who resides within the borders of truth may I say SDA’s. SDA’s you say ? Noticed Rev 14:4.
5. Note : Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

The fact that they are virgins suggest they are a particular group of “Christians” let me submit to you those who reside within the boundaries of truth .SDA’s. Don’t get confuse as to think .Well Rev 14:4 talks about virgins and these virgins in Mathew 25 are different because some were lost.. Virgins are virgins. Anyway you slice it,but that did even the parable tells us that some were lost and some were saved. The aim is to know why..What are the reasons for these two results?

Residing in truth does not save you ..Point blank.
And as I said in the sermon regular church attendance will not save you.
Associating with right living people don’t save you.
The first elder can’t save you.
Need the president of the conference.
Being a Seventh day Adventist does not guarantee you being saved.

There is a group in the world that has the truth. The last Bastian of pure religion exist at this time .
• this group is making known who is the Beast of Rev 13 & Rev 17
• They know three fold Union of the Dragon, the Beast and False prophet.
• This group is making clear the Sabbath vs Sunday sacredness.
• The is making know the errors of the state of the dead.
• In this group some people have seen the evidence. (Falling towers 911, sons of Ishmael = Islam Medianites =strife= Abaddon and Apollyon which by the way means Destruction (Rev 9:11). Genes 16:12
• This same group the truth seen in the parallel lines of Reformation from Moses to Miller .
• Testimonies to the church Vol 9 ,page 11-15. mentions also Financial Crisis in James 5 just after the fall of towers.
• This group has taken notice that the signs of the Latter rain is here we are just experiencing the sprinkling.
• Some have seen the signs and are move by the events of the closing moments. the earthquake the famine ,the floods ,the pestilences, Members in this group notices all these precious trues..
But still yet this group of virgins are divided into too classes, saved and lost. Why? Because although we have Lamps, “MANY OF US DON’T HAVE OIL.” we are not saved by groups!
What makes the difference between the two classes within the borders of truth.

It is the Oil !

What is the Oil? Strait off we know the Oil is the Holy Spirit.
But the Holy Spirit moves upon all. He convicts of sin righteousness and judgment John 16:8-11.
But is there more to the oil that meets the eye?

Quote : “The oil of grace gives to men the courage, and supplies to them the motives, for doing every day the work that God appoints to them. The five foolish virgins had lamps (this means a knowledge of Scripture truth), but they had not the grace of Christ. Day by day they went through a round of ceremonies and external duties, but their service was lifeless, devoid of the righteousness of Christ. The Sun of Righteousness did not shine in their hearts and minds, and they had not the love of the truth which conforms to the life and character, the image and superscription, of Christ. The oil of grace was not mingled with their endeavors. Their religion was a dry husk without the true kernel. They held fast to forms of doctrines, but they were deceived in their Christian life, full of self-righteousness, and failing to learn lessons in the school of Christ, which, if practiced, would have made them wise unto salvation.—
Review and Herald, March 27, 1894. {ChS 263.1}

The oil of grace, The oil of grace, The oil of grace, The oil of grace, let this sink in..
Grace is not only unmerited favor.

Lets see what else Grace does.

Where sin abounds What ? Grace much more abound.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Strongs says: Grace means charis
Pronnced khar'-ece : the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.

Simply put, overcoming power!
Now take any scripture with Grace in it and replace it by overcoming power.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace “overcoming power” !
2Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace “overcoming power” is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace “overcoming power”;

Now we can see what the Oil meant.. The overcoming power used not available but used to overcome.
Do you know that many think that we don’t need to be overcomes of sin to make it into the kingdom.. many believe they will slide into heaven with faults.

Notice: Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

• They ( We) knew they were going to meet the Bridegroom = Christ was coming.
• They ( We) knew that it was a night journey “Darkness coming = uncertainty was coming,
• darkness was in the horizon they knew Zephaniah 1:14-17, Daniel 12:1mathew24 :21-26,Luke 21.
• They knew that if they have “The Truth” = lamp (yet some in Adventism boast) without oil it was useless.

Now some think the time of trouble is only bloodshed and war!Thre is more than that.

The virgins and darkness:
Remember the virgins were to go with lamps into darkness or into the soon coming darkness night was an in our case is approaching.

Notice with me : Zephaniah 1: 14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Remember the topic is still NO OIL.

Now that “darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness” Represent a day of spiritual confusion, all winds of doctrine will be flying at this time. Note that this time is the time when distress is upon the land. This is the little time of trouble judgments famine ,disasters will be falling on the earth.
This is the time when people will be seeking to explain the reason for the judgments. Now the reason for the media hype and the propagation of this 2012 doomsday scenario seems to seem to make sense. All sorts of religious and spins will be made of the things that are falling upon the earth when mens heart will be failing them for fear (Luke 21:26).

At this time the 3angels message truth just before the close of probation and has to be given in time of trouble.the work that has not been done in time of peace would have to be done now. Just before the great time of trouble then the plagues will be poured out.

Acts of the Apostle
“All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil. Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. The stronger and purer the faith of God's people, and the firmer their determination to obey Him, the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up against them the rage of those who, while claiming to be righteous, trample upon the law of God. It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints. {AA 431.1}
God desires His people to prepare for the soon-coming crisis.
Prepared or unprepared, they must all meet it; and those only who have brought their lives into conformity to the divine standard, will stand firm at that time of test and trial. When secular rulers unite with ministers of religion to dictate in matters of conscience, then it will be seen who really fear and serve God. When the darkness is deepest, the light of a godlike character will shine the brightest. When every other trust fails, then it will be seen who have an abiding trust in Jehovah. And while the enemies of truth are on every side, watching the Lord's servants for evil, God will watch over them for good. He will be to them as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. {AA 431.2}
.
Spiritual darkness and confusion will be upon the land mixed that with Terror by the War horses of the woes of Islam which will be in action Gen 16:12.
Do you have the spiritual oil to withstand the confusion and Darkness?

Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. . . . {Last Days Events 179.3}

Now note the history of 1840-44 that would be repeat


Not all was lost, some will have oil.

History has show: The Danger of Orthodoxy

• When John the Baptist preached the coming Savoir the orthodox Jews the “hierarchy of the Seventh day Adventist” resisted it.
• When Miller preached Christ Return in 1844 the other the Orthodox churches resisted. Why ? not that the date was incorrect but that they didn’t want Christ to come.Much evidence came to the people but they denied the light so .Darkness overtook them.
• When the latter rain goes forth (and brethren the sprinkling has started) the Orthodox church will resist the truth of the events to soon fall on this world. Many of us don’t want Christ to come. we don’t want to see the light .
• We don’t want to put away sin or the things of this world.The same is happening now.
• These are the ones without oil then and these are the one that will be found without oil verry soon.

The things of the past are the mirror image of that of the past.

Past Experiences Prepare for Future.

Again and again I have been shown that the past experiences of God's people are not to be counted as dead facts. We are not to treat the record of these experiences as we would treat a last year's almanac. The record is to be kept in mind, for history will repeat itself. The darkness of the mysteries of the night is to be illuminated with the light of heaven. . . . {PM 175.3}


Remember: Ecclesiastes 1:
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Listen to this statement:
“When the third angel's message is preached as it should be, power attends its proclamation, and it becomes an abiding influence. It must be attended with divine power, or it will accomplish nothing. I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time.
{RH, August 19, 1890 par. 3}

Many of Gods people would not be ready because they have not been daily advancing in Christian virtues .And because they do not heed to simple prompting of the spirit in simple test and temptations they will not hear the voice of the Same God who seeks to give them the latter rain message.
Those who take lightly the message of John the Baptist, receive not Christ into there hearts. Thus they were not benefited by the Pentecost. A similar scene will take place in our time.

Many will not discern the latter-rain .
Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.
{FLB 333.6}
Many Adventists Brace Themselves Against the Light why ?
Day would be in darkness without oil.

There is to be in the [Seventh-day Adventist] churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose the work. "Why," they say, "should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?"--RH Extra, Dec. 23, 1890. {LDE 209.3} The third angel's message will not be comprehended, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory.--RH May 27, 1890. {LDE 210.1}

{LHU 375.1}
God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them up to different points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure at one point, but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer. If the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, if they would not be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: "God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people." Some are willing to receive one point; but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly at some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus. They prize something higher than the truth, and their hearts are not prepared to receive Jesus. Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. . . . Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation.

In Closing.

“ In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," many are unready. . . . They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His Word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. . . . Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan. . .

The grace of God has been freely offered to every soul. . . . But character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. . . . No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit's working. . . . {AG 214.4}
We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom!" and then gathering up our empty lamps to have them replenished. . . . In the parable the wise virgins had oil in their vessels with their lamps. Their light burned with undimmed flame through the night of watching. . . . So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory--His character--is to shine forth in His followers. {AG 214.5}
Ask God to give you much of the oil of His grace. {AG 214.6}


Would Ceremonies and external duties alone characterize journey then your loss?
Would lifeless service ! be your testimony ?
Would your life have a from of godliness yet it is devoid of the righteousness of Christ ?
Would your character be developed from a lack of love of the truth which conforms us into Christ likeness?

Appeal
Even at this time Wise and foolish virgins are formed. It’s not too late. Nothing is set in stone yet. The fact that The Holy Spirit has not cease its work.
Two classes of men.
No you cant see the heart of another.
Examine your self. Amen

The King of the North is laying down the infrastructure

Daniel 11:40-45 gives us the History of the time of the end,The very time in which we are living in. We are presently between verse 40 and 41 . He shall enter into the glorious land and None shall escape his hand ,Edom ,Moab and the chief of the children of Amon.

Glorious Land = USA

Edom,Moab and Amon= Apostate protestantism

Hand= Sunday law

Just close by we have Daniel 12:1 when probation close for man. This in itself is a different study.

A simple study could be found here. The advance study has more details here pages 36-69

The King of the North is laying down the infrastructure. This tells me the implementation will be swift,sudden and surprising to many. WAKE UP REMNANT PEOPLE OF GOD. ITS GONNA HIT AND ITS GONNA HIT HARD.

Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

This the weakening the bringing down of Babylon ,then it will fall.

Who or what is the great River Euphrates and who are the Kings of the East?

LEST LOOK IN THE PAST FOR THE ANSWERS IN THE FUTURE.

STATEMENT :

"The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened"
SDA Bible commentary page971

"In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days."
Acts of the Apostles page585

"When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart."
Faith I live by page 345

Answers in the past

The question is "Who or what is the great River Euphrates and who are the Kings of the East?

When Belshazzar 's kingdom fell it was by whom ?

Daniel 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
Answer :Darius

How did he take the kingdom what was his war strategy ?

Seeing the immense size of Babylon, he knew there was no way to bring the walls down or scale them with any success. Learning of the feast that was to take place, Cyrus decided to divert the river Euphrates and march his army in when the water level was low enough. With this accomplished, his army marched in, and if it were not for two gates that had been left ajar, they would have had to march out the other side as there were walls and gates down both sides of the river.

On gaining access to the inside of the city, they quickly subdued it and put the king to death. Thus ending the short reign of Babylon over the then known world.

Cyrus was from the East.
When Jesus comes the second time, as described in Revelation 16:12. In this verse we see the drying up of the River Euphrates so as to prepare the way for the kings of the east.

Cyrus was a type of Christ he brought freedom to the children of Israel captured Babylon.

The drying up of the River Euphrates represents a cutting off of all earthly support from the Papacy(Spiritual Babylon) at the end of the world When babylon will fall again.Rivers,water see represents people hence The papacy will have no support..All earthly support will be terminated.

Daniel 11:44 shows that tidings out of the East will trouble him ..This is the tidings.. The loud cry of the 4th angel will bring down Babylon.

...yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. Dan11:45

Through the three fold power--beast dragon and false prophet--the son of perdition is placed once more in control but only for a short time. Almost as soon as he is put in place and has FULL CONTROL he is taken back out an hour the Bible says by the dragon and false prophet. After that Jesus returns.

Its a Good time to note the "Triple Action" of prophecy happens here

1.Wise men ..good tidings from east..troubled Herod (Pagan King)
2.Cirus ..came from east..troubled Belshazzar(Pagan King)
3.Kings of the east..tidings Daniel 11:44..Troubled Papacy (Paganism Baptized)

When you add the first two histories 1+2= history of the 3rd

Check out other triple action that relates to you and the time in which you live.

after you been through this study.Triple action in the Woes of Revelation (Islam)

Triple action int the 3 Elijahs

Moving on ,Note the Scripture:

'And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain;yet he shall come to his end and none shall help him.And AT THAT TIME shall MICHAEL STAND UP..'{Dan 11:45;12:1}
The Bible ,does not say that the Papacy comes to her end BEFORE MICHAEL STANDS UP.It tells us that during the time of the PLAGUES,WHEN MICHAEL STANDS UP,that is when the Papacy will be destroyed totally. The coming to Her end is the weakening process. It's also during THAT TIME when Jesus comes ,this will be her final end.

The 5th plague therefore,falls correctly in the context of Daniel 11:45 and Daniel 12:1.I hope that helps shed more light on this subject.

Revelation 16:12
And the 6th angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates;and the water thereof was dried up,that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

The 6th plague can be better understood in the light of the 6TH TRUMPET.
Revelation 9:13-15 which weakened Rome in the past this is the 2nd woe of Islam.
And the 6th angel sounded..Loose the 4 angels which are bound in the GREAT RIVER EUPHRATES.And the 4 angels were loosed,which were prepared 4 an hour,& a day,& a month,& a year,for to SLAY the third part of men.
The 6th Trumpet:
The slaying of the support of the Papacy,didn't directly destroy her.But it placed her in a position that when France would attack her in 1798,she would fall,with none to come to her help.But in that same year we see Rome's daughters arise to carry her agenda-Apostate Protestantism.

The 6th Plague:
The slaying(removal)of the support of the Papacy,does not directly destroy her.But it places her in a position,that when Jesus comes& puts an end to her kingdom,there'll be none who will come to her help.....And this time, not even another power who will carry her agenda.Truly,it can be said,that SHE WILL COME TO HER END WITH NONE TO HELP HER.

The glorious holy mountain,verse 45 is not speaking of LITERAL JERUSALEM.It is speaking of SPIRITUAL JERUSALEM.

Note these statements From the Inspired pen
'The city of Jerusalem is NO LONGER A SACRED PLACE.The curse of God is upon it because of the rejection and crucifixion of Christ.'{RH,July 30, 1901}

'In our largest CHURCHES the greatest evils exist,because these have had the greatest light..They have forfeited the terms of peace;there is reason for an alarm to be sounded in all 'MY HOLY MOUNTAIN'.The sinners in ZION should be afraid..'{RH,Dec23,1890}

God has shown me about some trying2get a substitute after the time has passed,some would get Jesus upon the GREAT white cloud,OTHERS WOULD BE LOOKING2 OLD JERUSALEM,OR AS THEY CALLED IT THE AGE-TO-COME.'{4MR, 404}

'We should be gathering up every ray of divine light,NOT LOOKING to OLD JERUSALEM where Christ was once,but to the NEW JERUSALEM where He is now.'

{The Paulson Collection,138-139}

Glorious= Goodly; in sense of prominence

GLORIOUS MOUNTAIN= CANAAN:

'I pray thee,let me go over,& see the good land that is beyond Jordan,that GOODLY MOUNTAIN,& Lebanon.'{Deut 3:25}

HOLY MOUNTAIN=God's Temple/Church:
Isa 56:7;Ezek 20:40;Dan 9:16,20;Psalm 48:1,2;Isaiah 51:16;Joel 2:1;Joel 3:17;Zech 8:3

When did the HOLY MOUNTAIN become SPIRITUAL ISRAEL?Luke gives the answer....
Matthew 24:3
'..what shall be the SIGN of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?'

The disciples were seeking for a SINGULAR event,which would tell them that CHRIST WAS ABOUT TO COME.

The Answer: Mark 13:28
'Now learn a parable of the FIG TREE;WHEN HER branch is yet TENDER,&putteth forth leaves,ye KNOW that SUMMER IS NEAR.'

Luke 21:29
'And He spake to them a parable;Behold the FIG TREE,& ALL THE TREES;WHEN they[FIG TREE],now SHOOT forth,ye see &KNOW of your own selves that SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND.'

THE FIG TREE

Proverbs 27:18
'Whoso keepeth the FIG TREE shall eat the fruit thereof: SO HE THAT WAITETH ON HIS MASTER shall be honoured.'

Someone waiting for the Master is an Advent believer.

Hosea 9:10
'I found ISRAEL like grapes in the wilderness;I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the FIG TREE...'

Israel is the FIG TREE

So who are the 'other trees'?

Answer: The Gentiles.

What does Shoot means ?

Answer: Sprout;Bud;The BEGINNINGS of the GROWTH of Israel.

But this is NOT talking about the 1ST TIME ISRAEL WAS GATHERED AS A PEOPLE....
The context is given in the verse:'..WHEN her branch is yet TENDER,& putteth forth leaves,ye know that SUMMER is near.'{Mark 13:28}

The context is the END OF THE WORLD.

So there'll come a point in time when God,for the SECOND TIME will gather an 'Israel' to Himself,at the END OF THE WORLD.This will be a time,according to Luke 21:29,when there will be a CLEAR DISTINCTION being made between ISRAEL & 'all the trees'- the Gentiles.

WHEN did God for the SECOND TIME gather an 'Israel'2 Himself,where there was a DISTINCTION.. ?
between ISRAEL & the GENTILE world?

Luke 21:24 '..&Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES BE FULFILLED.'

So at the TERMINATION of the TRAMPLING DOWN of Jerusalem,THAT is the TIME when the 'TIMES OF THE GENTILES' will be FULFILLED,FINISHED.

Rev 11:2 'But the court which is without the temple leave out,& measure it not;for it is given unto the Gentiles:and THE HOLY CITY SHALL THEY TREAD UNDER FOOT FORTY&TWO MONTHS.'

The TRAMPLING DOWN of Jerusalem(HOLY CITY)...

TERMINATED in 1798(Rev 11:2)

Jerusalem being trodden down,is NOT the LITERAL Jerusalem being spoken of in Luke.It's SPIRITUAL JERUSALEM(God's ppl).

At 1798,is when the 'TIMES OF THE GENTILES'CEASED.

At 1798,God began to grow an 'Israel' unto Himself for the SECOND TIME;and it wasn't literal Israel,but spiritual Israel.

This 'Gathering Time'extended until October 22nd,1844,when God DENOMINATED a peoplel;MARRIED a people and gave the LAW to His ppl.Mount Sinai was REPEATED...

Mount Sinai
'And all the ppl saw the THUNDERINGS,&the LIGHTNINGS..'{Exodus 20:18}

October 22,1844
'And the temple of God was opened in heaven,&there was seen in His temple THE ARK OF HIS TESTAMENT:& there were LIGHTNINGS,and voices,and THUNDERINGS..'{Rev 11:19}

The Millerite history gets REPEATED to THE VERY LETTER.So when we see 1798 repeated,you can be SURE that God has begun to gather a people e unto Himself for the harvest.Not a new denomination,but the development of the REMNANT.This is the SIGN of the coming of Christ.

It took 46 years to build the temple.And sure enough, from 1798 to 1844, is 46 years!God was rearing up the spiritual temple.

Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Would God gather a 3rd and final time.the same way he
1. Gathered Israel at Sinai where the law be the center.?
2. Gather His people in 1844 where the law (Sabbath)was central ?

Is he going to do it like this.
3. Gather a residue where the law (sunday Law) is the center.? Is this the 4th angel in action in Revelation 18 the other voice. Is this the latter rain experience ..

I think it is.

Are you ready for Jesus to come . Are you ready for the Little time of trouble and the great time of trouble. Are you prepare to face the close of your probation.

Are you ridding your self of the filthiness of the flesh and having Christ in you, the Hope of Glory Col 1:26,27.

These are the questions we need to ask ourselves now.

Amen.

A VIEW INTO THE FUTURE: PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON THE SUNDAY LAW

A friend of mind sent this to me and i thought it will be good to share this..

Junior Cufor Gospel of Health Ministries

....what might a statement look like announcing the death decree at the passing of the Universal Sunday Law? We might only need look back a few years to 9-11. In thisdocument, I just exchanged Islam/Muslim or Taliban with Adventist terms and titles.....let's be prayerful as we enter 2010!



WHO IS DESECRATING THE LORD’S DAY AND BRINGING THESE CALAMITIES AND DIVINE JUDGMENTS UPON US?

The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated ADVENTIST organizations known as TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT. They are some of the murderers indicted for SHOOTINGS AT WACO TEXAS OVER 20 YEARS AGO.

THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT is to EVIL what the Mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money, its goal is remaking the world and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.

The CULT practice a fringe form of SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST extremism that has been rejected by SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST scholars and the vast majority of SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST THEOLOGIANS; a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of THE OFFICIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.

The CULT'S directive commands them to OBSERVE A FALSE DAY OF WORSHIP IN OPEN VIOLATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY LAW. This group and its leader(s), are linked to many other organizations in different countries, including the THE BRANCH DAVIDIANS, THE SHEPHERDS ROD MOVEMENT OF SDAS.

There are thousands of these CULTISTS in more than 260 countries.

They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought to camps in places like FLORIDA where they are trained in the tactics of ERROR. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in countries around the world to plot evil and destruction.


THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY is not only ENDANGERING its own people, it is threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT.

By aiding and abetting SABBATH BREAKING, the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY is committing SABBATH BREAKING. And tonight the United States of America makes the following demands on the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY:

-- Deliver to United States authorities all of the leaders of the SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CULT who hide in your land.

-- Close immediately and permanently ALL CULT training camp in FLORIDA. And hand over every ADVENTIST CULT MEMBER and every person and their support structure to appropriate authorities.

-- Give the United States full access to CULT training camps, so we can make sure they are no longer operating.

These demands are not open to negotiation or discussion.

(APPLAUSE)

The GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS must act and act immediately.

They will hand over the SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CULT or they will share in their fate. I also want to speak tonight directly to OFFICIAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS WHO HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY LAW AND ITS REQUIREMENTS throughout the world. We respect your faith. It's practiced freely by many millions of Americans and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of ELLEN WHITE blaspheme the name of ELLEN WHITE.

(APPLAUSE)

The HE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS itself.

The enemy of America is not our many SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST friends. It is not our many JEWISH friends. Our enemy is a radical network of RADICAL, FUNDEMENTALIST SEVENTH -DAY ADVENTISTS and every government that supports them.

(APPLAUSE)

Our war on ERROR begins with, THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT but it does not end there.

It will not end until every TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.

(APPLAUSE)

Americans are asking "Why do they hate us?"

They hate what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.

They want to overthrow existing governments in many CHRISTIAN countries such as BRITAIN, CANADA & AUSTRALIA. They want to drive THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE POPE AND THE VATICAN out of the EUROPEAN UNION AND UNITED NATIONS They want to drive THE PURE Christians and Jews FAITH out of vast regions of CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA and Africa.

BY BREAKING THE SABBATH AND BRINGING JUDGEMENTS IN EARTHQUAKES, HURRICANES, FLOODS AND FIRE These CULTISTS kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us because we stand in their way.

We're not deceived by their pretenses to piety.

We have seen their kind before. They're the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions, by abandoning every value except the will to power, they follow in the path of fascism, Nazism and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way to where it ends in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies. Americans are asking, "How will we fight and win this war?"

We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the destruction and to the defeat of the global CULT network.

Now, this war will not be like the war against DAVID KORESH AT WACO TEXAS TWO decade(s) ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo SOME years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat.

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV and covert operations secret even in success.

We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest.

And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the CULT.

From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put on notice, we're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans. Today, dozens of federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local governments, have responsibilities affecting homeland security.

These efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. So tonight, I announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me, the Office of TRUE AND FAITHFUL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS EXTERMINATION. And tonight, I also announce a distinguished American to lead this effort, to strengthen American security: a military veteran, an effective SENATOR, a true patriot, a trusted friend, ARIZONA’s JOHN MACAIN..............................


(capitalized words/phrases represent insertions to the original text)

The Sequence of Last events before the second coming of Christ

Wetting wheat and tares.

The History to Be Repeated.--Near the close of this earth's history Satan will work with all his powers in the same manner and with the same temptations wherewith he tempted ancient Israel just before their entering the Land of Promise. He will lay snares for those who claim to keep the commandments of God, and who are almost on the borders of the heavenly Canaan. He will use his powers to their utmost in order to entrap souls and to take God's professed people upon their weakest points.
Adventist Home page 328 E G White

God forewarns Israel via Amos..

AMOS 6
1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Royalblood :In the church today are many who claim the name,live in the fame of those who keep the commandment of God and have the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophecy.But we deny the power of the very God who brought us out of the protestant churches in the 1800s. Many are at ease in the church, We feel confident that we feel confident of your position of safety. for this is the foolishness of a Laodecian State.

3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; ( These are the Luxuries of the world)

5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;
6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. ( in a literal sence this is the worship styles of many of our congregations .This is the so call revival that is seen ..music does not revive ! a message from God revives see Ezekiel 37 --Prophesy (give the message and these bones shall live)

In a spiritual sense this is the wine we have drunk ..Who serves wine at the end of the world ? Revelation 14:8,Revelation 17:2, Revelation 18:3) also you may be interested in Isaiah 28:7,8

Soon coming Judgments on those who are at ease in sin.

8The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

Who is the Jacob ? Israel..Is God saying he despise the apostasy of the church from the top to the bottom..The excellence ? you answer these questions for your self.
9 And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.
7 Thus he showed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.

What is a plumb line used for ?.. Its it used to measurer the level or the uprightness of a structure. This is Judgment. Do you line up.. Do your congregation line up ? The the strait way are you in it..Matthew 7:13,14. Those who are not gathered will be measured just like Belshazzar Daniel 5:27 .Those who do not humble themselves in this time will find themselves cut off in the time of trouble to come .. No protection is promised to them ..but worser yet. The eternal death is severer than the physical death.Even God's people who reside in Spiritual Israel must cease from sipping Babylon's wine. and stop serving Babylon's soft drinks to the kids too.

Chapter 7 The messenger of God not taken seriously.

8 And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
9 And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

In our mids there are may Amaziahs -These are enemies of the message even in the church.

11 For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. Judgments to fall on the Amaziahs

12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.

Preach no more chastening messages in our mids the Amaziahs say leave us alone in our comfort and filthiness of the flesh .We are happy as we are dont come and upset the apple cart now .

14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit:
15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. The humilty of the Amos the man for lowly beginning.
16 Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. Amos the Spoon God's word the food. Romans 11:3,James 5:10 ,If you are a messenger that gives the (strait=strict) testimony..Then expect persecution.Make thy forehead hard as flint and preach the truth.
17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

I see these Judgments coming upon Gods people who refuse to hear the word of the Lord.

There is more that can be squeezed out of this much more..

This is a replica of what is happening to Gods people and what will befall them at the close of probation .Many are watching for gauging the Sunday Law to be passed soon..But will be surprise .

Ths athing rebuke will come .

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Be found in the right camp as the wheat and the tares grow together .The harvest is right around the corner.

COMMENTS IN RED ARE MY OWN.

Royalblood

Why is our church celebrating Christ'S mass.

Why are we, Gods remnant, Spiritual Israel following the ensamples of the children of Amon, Moab and Egypt and going after other gods?

Do we now worship Mitre, and Dionysus , Baal ,The God of sex and fertility Yule key gods in the Christianized pagan festivals.

Do we understand what we are doing?

Jeremiah 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Is this the best time for our church to recognise Christ birth ?
Is culture more indelible than the cross.
Must we celebrate the Roman church baptised pagan festivals?

Its time for us to get out of the this stupor and stop drinking Babylon's wine Isaiah 28:7,8.

For this is the problem.

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea , all ye beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
12 Come ye, say they , I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

There is a few in Israel who would are not bowing to other gods.
A residue
Isaiah 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

If Baal be God serve him and if God be God then serve him.

It is vividly clear to me that the process of sifting and shaking is taking place at this time.
Lines have been drawn in the sand and those standing for truth have taken one side and others have been deluded by the message of peace and safety.
Souls are on the verge of deciding their eternal destinies and messages of truth are the tool of separating the two classes of men/women.

The parting message of one of our General Conference Presidents

An Earnest Appeal to Church Leaders
ROBERT H. PIERSON
Don't Let It Happen

This will be the last time that in my present role I shall stand before the world leaders
of my church, your church, our church, and I have a few words to leave with you.
I take my thoughts from something that Elder and Mrs. Ralph Neall have written
describing how typically a sect evolves into a church. They say a sect is often begun
by a charismatic leader with tremendous drive and commitment, and that it arises as a
protest against worldliness and formalism in a church. It is generally embraced by the poor. The rich would lose too much by joining it, since it is unpopular, despised, and persecuted by society in general. It has definite beliefs firmly held by zealous members. Each member makes a personal decision to join it and knows what he believes. There is little organization or property, and there are few buildings. The group has strict standards and controls on behavior. Preachers, often without education, arise by inner compulsion. There is little concern about public relations. And then it passes on to the second generation. With growth there comes a need for organization and buildings. As a result of industry and frugality, members become prosperous. As prosperity increases, persecution begins to wane. Children born into the movement do not have to make personal decisions to join it. They do not necessarily know what they believe. They do not need to hammer out their own positions. These have been worked out for them. Preachers arise more by selection and by apprenticeship to older workers than by direct inner compulsion.
In the third generation, organization develops and institutions are established. The need is seen for schools to pass on the faith of the fathers. Colleges are established. Members have to be exhorted to live up to the standards, while at the same time the standards of membership are being lowered. The group becomes lax about
disfellowshipping nonpracticing members. Missionary zeal cools off. There is more
concern over public relations. Leaders study methods of propagating their faith,
sometimes employing extrinsic rewards as motivation for service by members. Youth
question why they are different from others, and intermarry with those not of their
faith. In the fourth generation there is much machinery; the number of administrators increases while the number of workers at the grass roots becomes proportionately less. Great church councils are held to define doctrine. More schools, universities, and seminaries are established. These go to the world for accreditation and tend to become secularized. There is a reexamination of positions and modernizing of methods. Attention is given to contemporary culture, with an interest in the arts: music, architecture, literature. The movement seeks to become
society by becoming involved in popular causes. Services become formal. The group
enjoys complete acceptance by the world. The sect has become a church!
Brethren and sisters, this must never happen to the Seventh-day Adventist Church!
This will not happen to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is not just another
church—it is God’s church!
But you are the men and women sitting in this sanctuary this morning on whom God is
counting to assure that it does not happen.
Already, brethren and sisters, there are subtle forces that are beginning to stir.
Regrettably there are those in the church who belittle the inspiration of the Bible, who scorn the first 11 chapters of Genesis, who question the Spirit of Prophecy’s short chronology of the earth, and who subtly and not so subtly attack the Spirit of Prophecy. There are some who point to the Reformers and contemporary theologians as a source and the norm for Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. There are those who allegedly are tired of the hackneyed phrases of Adventism. There are those who wish to forget the standards of the church we love. There are those who covet and would court the favor of the evangelicals; those who would throw off the mantle of a peculiar people; and those who would go the way of the secular, materialistic world. Fellow leaders, beloved brethren and sisters—don’t let it happen! I appeal to you as earnestly as I know how this morning—don’t let it happen! I appeal to Andrews University, to the Seminary, to Loma Linda University—don’t let it happen! We are not Seventh-day Anglicans, not Seventh-day Lutherans—we are Seventh-day Adventists! This is God’s last church with God’s last message.
You are the men and women, the leaders, whom God is counting on to keep the
Seventh-day Adventist Church God’s remnant church, the church God has destined to
triumph! The servant of the Lord says, “Fearful perils are before those who bear responsibilities in the Lord’s work—perils the thought of which makes me tremble” (Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 391). And in Ezekiel 22:30 we read, “I looked for a man among them who could build a barricade, who could stand before Me in the breach to defend the land from ruin” (NEB).
I believe this morning, fellow leaders, that God is looking for men and women, intrepid leaders, men and women who love God’s church and God’s truth more than they love their lives, to see that this church under God goes through to the kingdom. The task ahead of us is not going to be easy. If I understand the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy aright this morning, ahead lies a time of trouble, a time of challenge such as this church and this world have never before known.
The servant of the Lord tells us: “The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the
supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists,
and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the
pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God Who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless” (Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 204,
205).
The Seventh-day Adventist Church had its alpha years ago. You and I are the leaders
who will face the omega that will be of the same subtle, devilish origin. Its effect will be more devastating than the alpha. Brethren, I beg of you, study, know what is ahead, then with God’s help prepare your people to meet it!
“God calls for men who are prepared to meet emergencies, men who in a crisis will not
be found standing on the wrong side” (Review and Herald, November 5, 1903).
“We are pressing on to the final conflict, and this is no time for compromise. It is no time to hide your colors. When the battle wages sore, let no one turn traitor. It is no time to lay down or conceal our weapons, and give Satan the advantage in the
warfare” (Review and Herald, December 6, 1892).
And then I call attention to a vision the Lord’s servant had, in which she saw a ship
heading toward an iceberg. She said: “There, towering high above the ship, was a
gigantic iceberg. An authoritative voice cried out, ‘Meet it!’ There was not a moment’s hesitation. It was a time for instant action. The engineer put on full steam, and the man at the wheel steered the ship straight into the iceberg. With a crash she struck the ice. There was a fearful shock, and the iceberg broke into many pieces, falling with a noise like thunder to the deck. The passengers were violently shaken by the force of the collision, but no lives were lost. The vessel was injured, but not beyond repair. She rebounded from the contact, trembling from stem to stern, like a living creature. Then she moved forward on her way.
“Well I knew the meaning of this representation. I had my orders. I had heard the
words, like a voice from our Captain, ‘Meet it!’ I knew what my duty was, and that
there was not a moment to lose. The time for decided action had come. I must without
delay obey the command, ‘Meet it!’” (Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 205, 206).
Fellow leaders, it may be that in the not too distant future you will have to meet it. I pray God will give you grace and courage and wisdom.
Finally, “What a wonderful thought it is that the great controversy is nearing its end! In the closing work we shall meet with perils that we know not how to deal with; but let us not forget that the three great powers of Heaven are working, that a divine hand is on the wheel, and that God will bring His purposes to pass. He will gather from the world a people who will serve Him in righteousness” (Selected Messages, bk. 2, p.
391).
What a wonderful assurance we have this morning, brethren and sisters, that you and I
are in God’s work. This work is not dependent on any man; it is dependent on our
relationship with Him. There is only one way for us to face the future, and that is at the foot of the cross. A church with its eyes upon the Man of Calvary will never walk into apostasy.
Thank you, brethren and sisters, for giving me the privilege of serving you for the past 45 years, and may God bless every one of you.

The Last Great Contest – Worship

There is real controversy in our church over the subject of worship. We hear rumblings of how we need to be more relevant in our style of worship, that we must do all we can to attract and keep our youth by having a style of worship that will appeal to them. We are told that if we cater to the unconverted, we will draw them by the type of worship service that will make them feel comfortable.

The subject of worship in the Bible begins with Genesis and ends in Revelation. Actually, the subject of whom to worship was contested in heaven, when Lucifer desired to be like the Most High. After his fall, Lucifer continued his controversy here on Earth.

The definition of worship from the American Heritage Dictionary is, “The reverent love and allegiance accorded a deity, idol, or sacred object. A set of ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. Ardent, humble devotion.”

Lucifer coveted the worship and adoration of the angels and of the created beings. He indulged in the desire for self-exaltation. Ezekiel 28:7 tells us that his heart was lifted up because of his beauty and his brightness. We are also told that he said in his heart, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Page 36 of Patriarchs and Prophets says, “Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself.” This continues to be his aim and goal even after losing the war in heaven and being cast down to Earth.

We see Satan’s continued desire for supremacy and reverence by his attack on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. By partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve fell and forever placed humankind in an environment where Satan could tempt and harass them. For six thousand years the struggle has continued. There are only two sides to choose from, now, just as there were then. Whom will we reverence and worship— our Creator God or the imposter, Satan?

The people in Noah’s day also faced the challenge of deciding to whom they would yield their allegiance. “Men put God out of their knowledge and worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as the result, they became more and more debased” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 91). Because the people chose not to worship the Creator God, they suffered the destruction of the Flood that God sent.

Choose you this day whom ye will serve
The Bible is full of examples of people having to make the choice as to whom they would worship and obey. Abraham made the choice to worship the Creator God rather than the gods of the nations around him. Abraham was instructed to move away from his kindred to a place that God would show him. The Bible tells us that Abraham went, not knowing where he was going. God knew that for Abraham to remain in his home environment would be too great a risk for him. Perhaps there is a lesson here for us to learn.

You will recall the story of the prophet Daniel’s faithfulness to the worship of God even though it took him to the lion’s den. Then there were his three friends who faced the fiery furnace because of their decision to worship God alone. The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel also speaks to us of the importance of making the right choice as to whom we will worship. All through the history of the Bible, men and women have been faced with this decision.

There is however, one particular Bible story that I find very intriguing. This is the story of the children of Israel just before they reached the Promised Land and were preparing to enter in. Israel was camped in a beautiful plain, surrounded by tropical plants and beautiful trees. The climate was ideal and the children of Israel found this to be an agreeable retreat while they waited for Moses, who was busy preparing for the occupation of Canaan.

Idle time is not conducive to spiritual growth and this was the case with the children of Israel. They were in a condition of outward ease and indulgence. In addition, they neglected prayer and cherished a spirit of self-confidence.

On every side of this plain, with its attractive surroundings, were places noted for idolatry and extravagance. These surroundings, which at first were repugnant to the Israelites, soon exerted a polluting influence on them. Their minds and eyes became familiar with the vile and the idolatrous. Slowly they began to depart from God. At first, the Israelites had little to do with their Midian neighbors. But soon the Midianite women began making visits to the camp.

Balaam, a man the Israelites considered to be a prophet of God, also made friendly overtures to God’s people. He had been appointed by the king of Moab to induce the Israelites to attend a grand festival in honor of their gods. Balaam had little difficulty in persuading the Israelites to come and join in the festive occasion. Great numbers of the people joined him in witnessing the celebration. When they ventured on Satan’s territory, his devices ensnared them.

It didn’t take much to cause the people of God to cast off their allegiance to Jehovah. The music, dancing, feasting, drinking of wine, and beautiful women soon had them infatuated. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that the rulers and the leading men of Israel were among the first to transgress. They led the way for multitudes to apostatize and join themselves to the worship of Baal.

By the time Moses realized what was happening to God’s people, many of them were beginning to observe the heathen rites right in the camp of Israel. The aged leader was filled with indignation. God’s wrath was poured out by a terrible pestilence that broke out in the camp, killing tens of thousands of the guilty people.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).

As we approach the close of time, as the people of God stand upon the borders of the heavenly Canaan, Satan will, as of old, redouble his efforts to prevent them from entering the goodly land. He lays his snares for every soul. It is not the ignorant and the uncultured merely that need to be guarded; he will prepare his temptations for those in the highest positions, in the most holy office; if he can lead them to pollute their souls, he can, through them, destroy many. And he employs the same agents now as he employed three thousand years ago. By worldly friendships, by the charms of beauty, by pleasure seeking, mirth, feasting, or the wine cup, he tempts to the violation of the seventh commandment – “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 458).

Do you think that something of this nature might be happening to our people today? Let’s just look at this story for a minute. What was it that caused the children of Israel to fall so easily into apostasy? There are a number of points to consider:

1. The Israelites were enjoying leisure time and were not spending time in spiritual renewal and prayer.

2. They were gradually enticed to sin. Sin was all around them and they became so familiar with it that it didn’t seem so sinful to them after a while.

3. They came to enjoy the Moabite music and feasting, and, finally, their mode of idol worship.

4. The leaders were instrumental in causing many to think that there would be nothing wrong with fraternizing with the heathens around them.

The Spirit of Prophecy makes it very plain that Israel of old is the type of the modern Church of God—the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The experiences that they went through can be seen in our church’s history. Are we now experiencing the apostasy at the Jordan?

Sensual indulgence weakens the mind and debases the soul. The moral and intellectual powers are benumbed and paralyzed by the gratification of the animal propensities; and it is impossible for the slave of passion to realize the sacred obligation of the law of God, to appreciate the atonement, or to place a right value upon the soul…

By beholding we become changed. By the indulgence of impure thoughts, man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him...Satan is using every means to make crime and debasing vice popular. We cannot walk the streets of our cities without encountering flaring notices of crime presented in some novel or to be acted at some theater. The mind is educated to familiarity with sin…

Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest (Patriarchs and Prophets, 458-460).

Then there is the problem of the way people dress and act that we encounter every day. This, also, becomes a means whereby Satan entices us to sin. Let us bring the points that led to Israel’s downfall to our modern age.

The Pursuit of Pleasure
Has there ever been a time in Earth’s history when more time is spent on pleasure than the present? I believe it is right for us to take some time to be with our families and to enjoy some relaxation after having exerted ourselves in work. But never should this be to the exclusion of time spent with God in His word and on our knees. In fact, God should be our first priority every day.

Familiarity with Evil
The children of Israel were enticed to sin by watching and seeing the evil on every side. Satan has now made such advances in this day and age that we do not need to leave our home in order to see and hear evil. Now he has brought the evil into the privacy of our homes. Television has bridged the gap.

Satan was very cunning in how he brought the evil into our homes. Originally, the programs were “innocent” and captivating. Then gradually, the programs became more violent and sensual. The ads also began with innocence. Now there is hardly a program that one as a Christian can watch and know that it would be approved of in heaven. Watching the news is also alarming. The ads that are put in between the news items are not fit for Christians to see. Even the news items themselves are so graphic, that we have become hardened to scenes of violence and crime. This is just how Satan wants it to be.

Then there are the violent and often demonic games that nearly every home has. Our children play these games by the hour, never realizing that Satan is stealing their souls. All of this is causing us to find the study of God’s Word boring and uninteresting. And yet, when we feed our souls on the Word of God and commune with Him, the “things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!” It all depends on whom we will worship.

When we pray, we should ask God to help us instantly recognize what Satan is suggesting so we can resist the thought, or take our eyes away from seeing evil. How often after we see an immoral suggestion, Satan plays that scene over and over again in our minds trying to break us down so that we will fall when the opportunity comes! The admonition to “Guard well the avenues of the soul” should be taken very seriously. Whom do we intend to worship?

Music
Music is a very controversial subject. The music we listen to and participate in will tell whom we worship! Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life says this:
Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all—fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don’t like it all, but God does! If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, it is an act of worship…

Christians often disagree over the style of music used in worship…But there is no biblical style! There are no musical notes in the Bible; we don’t even have the instruments they used in Bible.

There is no such thing as ‘Christian’ music; there are only Christian lyrics. It is the words that make a song sacred, not the tune. There are no spiritual tunes.ⁱ

Compare the above statements with what the inspired writings say about music:
The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting the souls. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working…

The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with such a confusion of noise and multitude of sounds as passed before me last January. Satan works amid the din and confusion of such music, which, properly conducted, would be a praise and glory to God. He makes its effect like the poison sting of the serpent…Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted (2 Selected Messages, 36-38).

We are admonished that the character of our music can elevate our thoughts and feelings or degenerate them (See 2T, 322).

I realize that this quote refers to worldly music, but I also believe that it can apply to so-called Christian rock. Listening to the beat and the grating singing sounds that come along with even Christian rock only causes one to become insensitive to the sounds and words of worldly rock. Only the words are different.

Alan O’Day, singer, musician, and composer wrote this:
To me, Contemporary Christian music is the station that I tune in on the radio, thinking that I’m hearing secular music because it sounds so hip – until I catch the words and realize the lyric has a slightly different intent. I am happy to see that Christian music is moving into the 20th century, and that in some cases, the distinction between Christian and secular music is being blurred.ⁱⁱ

Richard Harrington, writing in the Washington Post, says that the religious recording industry recognizes the terrific sales potential in pushing more “positive pop” into the churches. He says it is capitalizing on its opportunity to make big sales by fusing current popular musical styles with religious words.ⁱⁱⁱ

In his book Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music? Paul Baker writes this:
“Christian rock” entered the churches—not through Christian musicians who sought to glorify the Lord—but by unsaved, secular rock performers who capitalized on religious themes.^iv

What is today hailed by church administrators, pastors, and youth leaders as a great victory…is actually a device of the devil to destroy everyone in the churches…

Rock music, by its very history and what it does in the lives of those who tamper with it, is unholy. To attempt to use it “to glorify God” is blasphemy…Rock music began as a rebellious sexual style of music. It remains that today. It is offensive to God and to genuine Christians who love Him and seek to obey His Word, the Bible…trying to unite a holy message with the unholy music of the world is an abomination in the eyes of God.^v

When you read about the children of Israel joining with the Moabites in their celebration, can you see a parallel in the Christian Church today joining in the worship celebration using the music of the world. We have been warned that this would happen before the Second Coming of Jesus.

Dr. Juanita McElwain writes this:
The same exact rhythms are used…in African and Indian music, in rock music and in music used in meetings of faith healers. The god comes, whenever he is called by anyone using those rhythms...Does the god come to celebration-type worship services, when the god’s rhythm is played in Christian rock music, even though the people present do not realize they are calling a god? There is quite a strong consensus that the god does come.^vi

There are many testimonials of Christian young people who were bound by Satan as they were listening to Christian rock. It has only been by sincere confession and turning away from listening to this music, asking God to cover them with His precious blood, that victory was gained. In some cases they said it took months of daily prayer and Bible study to regain the Christian experience that they had lost because of the “Christian” music they had been listening to. The question remains, whom will you worship?

I would like to encourage you not to get lost in the apostasy at the Jordan as the children of Israel did. My primary objective in writing this article was to point people to the dangers that are surrounding us. God has an adversary who has a plan to delude people in the name of our precious Saviour. I want to challenge you to study and pray that you will not be led by the subtlety of Satan. Let the Word of God be your final authority.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

By Nettie Gill

i Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life (Michigan: Zondervan, 2002): 65-66.
ii Alan O’Day, Contemporary Christian Music (November 1982).
iii Vance Ferrel, Inside Rock Music (Tennessee: Evolution Facts, 2006): 45-46.
iv Paul Baker, Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music? (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1979): 15.
v Vance Ferrel, Inside Rock Music (Tennessee: Evolution Facts, 2006): 46-47.
vi Dr. Juanita McElwain, Demon Possession and Music.

I like it when Spirit of Prophecy says Agitate. Its strong language

There are but few as yet who are aroused sufficiently to understand how much their habits of diet have to do with their health, their characters, their usefulness in this world, and their eternal destiny. I saw that it is the duty of those who have received the light from Heaven, and have realized the benefit of walking in it, to manifest a greater interest for those who are still suffering for want of knowledge. Sabbathkeepers who are looking for the soon appearing of their Saviour should be the last to manifest a lack of interest in this great work of reform. Men and women must be instructed, and ministers and people should feel that the burden of the work rests upon them to agitate the subject, and urge it home upon others.--Testimonies, Vol. 1, pp. 488, 489. {CME 32.2}

For years the voice of God has been saying to us, "Agitate, agitate, agitate." Study every point of truth, that you may know for yourselves what is truth in distinction from error. Let students search for themselves, that they may know the deep things of God. Let this work be done in the Spirit of Christ. Put no restriction upon the students. {CSW 36.2}
In searching the Scriptures there is need of great humility of mind and contrition of heart, of seeking earnestly unto God. Those who come in a lowly spirit, seeking for truth, will be aided in their search by the angels of God.--TSS 55, 56. {CSW 37.1}

But our peculiar faith should not be discussed with patients. Their minds should not be unnecessarily excited upon subjects wherein we differ, unless they themselves desire it; and then great caution should be observed not to agitate the mind by urging upon them our peculiar faith.{CH 245.2}

A Call to Enlighten the Masses.--I have been shown that Satan is stealing a march upon us. The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void. In our land of boasted freedom, religious liberty will come to an end. The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will agitate the whole world.
Ev 236.3}

Let us not agitate questions that will reveal a marked difference of opinion, but rather let us bring from the Word the sacred truths regarding the binding claims of the law of God. {2NL 160.9}