Image to the Beast (Pt 2)

Yesterday we began to study the Image of the Beast.  Why is it important to do this? Seriously, why should we bother with studying the image of the beast, shouldn't we just leave all that confusing prophecy stuff to Bible scholars? We could but then what about this--

Rev_16:2  And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Read that again, please, indulge me.

The seven last plagues are beginning to fall in this verse and who receives the plagues? Who experiences  the plagues effects? Those who have the MARK of the BEAST and….   did you get that…. AND … yep, I'm emphasizing the AND… those who worship the IMAGE of the BEAST!

Of course if you want to believe you'd never a worship a beast, that you're safe because you refuse to worship monsters, well it's that sort of understanding that will lead you to do just that because this image, and this beast are NOT vile creatures that have come up from some underground fire pit with horns dripping blood, with razor sharp claws, and a serpentine tail capable of cutting a man in two. That is the stuff of horror, fantasy, and science fiction.  Just a cursory glance at the book of Revelation can leave someone mystified and very confused, but I'm here to tell you that all those SYMBOLIC beasts can be explained, they can and guess what? The Bible itself explains them right along with undisputed history.  I'm not lying! I'm not trying to deceive anyone! I have no reason to do that, none whatsoever.

You can remain stubborn and stuck with believing it's impossible to understand all that gobblygook symbolic prophetic stuff but ask yourself this… why would God give us these books of prophecy if there weren't a message for us.

Did you know the same book of Revelation which talks about the image of the beast also says this--

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Rev 22:3  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Rev 22:4  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Rev 22:5  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev 22:6  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

And this--

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

No more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain-  these are things most Christians have NO trouble at all believing, that one day God is going to destroy this sin-filled earth and there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

So while people love to hear all the pleasant things to come from the book of Revelation they just want to brush aside all the hard, seemingly incomprehensible  beast and mark stuff. Leave it to the scholars, the pastors, they'll learn and then teach us what we need to know, that way we don't have to trouble our pretty little heads with stuff that is just too darn confusing.

Maybe that sounds harsh, it probably does. I don't understand everything, but by the grace of God I'm going to study and pray, hoping that He will reveal His truth to me. We can't hide from the truth. We are responsible for rejecting knowledge.

Joh_5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Rom_15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Rev_1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Rev_22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Those are NOT my words! Those are GOD'S words!

I'm not trying to convince you to study, or maybe I am, but only because when we read the words- 'Blessed is he that reads and hear the words of THIS prophecy and keeps the things in that prophecy' - we have to comprehend that those who do not will not be blessed!

If we are to keep the sayings in the book of Revelation we have to know them, don't we? How can you keep something you don't have?

By the GRACE of God alone, through His mercies and the ever loving guidance of the Holy Spirit, may we study, may we hear, may we understand and keep all that we need to so that we may be among those blessed.

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If you didn't read yesterday's study yet, please go do so, I don't want to repeat all the cautions and suggestions, but I will say, if you don't have a background already in prophecy please go back in my blogs to June 11, 2011 and on from there and read all the blogs on prophecy you can- it will give you the basics that are used here for those who know the basics already.      Thanks!

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I'm taking excerpts from yesterday's study so that I can expound on them a bit- my expounding will be between parentheses such as these -- ((( ))))

Rev_19:20  And the BEAST was taken, and with him the FALSE PROPHET that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

(((Miracles are wrought to what end? To deceive those who already HAVE the mark of the beast and worship his image.  It states- 'which he deceived them that HAD received'  So, these miracles aren't there to convince people to take the mark of the beast or worship his image. It's easy to believe that the miracles are done to CONVINCE people to choose the beast and his ways. It's easy for us to say when we see those miracles foretold then we'll make sure we don't believe them. But according to the Word of God which we just read, if we wait till then it will be too late. The sign of this miracle is surely given at a point just like the seven last plagues, announcing that the time of trouble such as never was (Dan 12:1) has begun and we know at that point everything has been decided, probation for all of mankind is over. ))))

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Let us read on.  Twelfth verse:  "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the beast, whose deadly wound was healed."

Now, has this beast that was seen coming up out of the earth been exercising as yet all the  power that the first beast before him did?  [Congregation:  "No."]

Has he compelled them that dwell on the earth to worship the first beast?  [congregation:  "No."]

 Is that verse, then, the 12th verse, fulfilled until the time of the 15th verse?  [Congregation:  "No."]

Until the time after the image is made?  [Congregation:  "Yes."]

Then those two verses of the prophecy are manifestly NOT FULFILLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE STATEMENTS ARE SET DOWN.  Is that so?  [Congregation:  "Yes."]

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The thirteenth verse:  "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men."  Is that fulfilled before the image of the beast is made?  [Congregation:  "No."]

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And what then? -- Fire comes.

"He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men."

Men will see it; and it is done to decide this question-- to decide that they are the people of God; that they are men of God.  And when the true people of God say that that is not the test -- that that does not prove anything, then you see, they will say:  "Well, you go back on your own evidences.  You say you believe the Bible, you say that is your foundation, and you agree that that decided this question once."  "Yes, sir."  But now, when we do the same thing, you deny that that is any decision at all.  What is the use of reasoning any more with such men as that?  They all go back on the plainest evidence, that they themselves say that they stand upon.  What more should be done but to kill such a people as that?  You can't reason with them anymore, and the fate of the world, the plagues, and pestilences and all these things are coming upon the people on account of your craze, because you will not surrender or yield; you are stubborn, you will have it your own way anyway.  Now, in order to save people whose lives are precious, the only thing we can do is to put you out of the way."

So, we say, and you will see by reading, that that is NOT DONE BEFORE the image of the beast is made; it is AFTER that, that it comes.

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SO THEN THE THREE VERSES WHICH WE HAVE READ, YOU YOURSELVES SEE, THEY ARE NOT FULFILLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE STATEMENTS ARE SET DOWN.

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But do men receive the mark of the beast before the image is made?

Under the message, and the responsibility which the message brings, are men held responsible for receiving the mark of the beast and worshipping the beast before the image comes on and undertakes to compel them to do it? -- NO; because we found in our lessons here that UNTIL THE IMAGE WAS MADE THERE WAS A WAY OF ESCAPE FROM THE WORSHIP OF THE BEAST.

 The way was open for a man to refuse; but AFTER the image is made, there is NO WAY open for a man to refuse to worship the beast, because there is no place on the earth where the power comes, there is no escape any more, and then it is that men become responsible for worshiping either the beast or his image.  There is no other way of escape.  The only way is to turn to God, then.  Then the time comes that the decision is clear cut, and must be made between God and the powers of the earth alone.

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Now then, these spirits, they are the spirits of devils.  The next verse (Rev. 16:14) says:  "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."

But these spirits of devils working miracles come from where? -- They come from certain places to do these miracles.

That is the truth, isn't it?  And they come from those places, to gather the people to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.  These spirits of devils come at that time with this miracle-working power, in this miracle-working power, in this miracle-working way, to do a certain thing.


Where do they come from? -- The beast and the false prophet (or the image of the beast).  Then, from those testimonies, and from those two verses, isn't it plain that the deceiving miracles-- the great miracles that are wrought to deceive men, come  AFTER THE IMAGE IS MADE, AND NOT TO MAKE THE IMAGE [Congregation:  "Yes."]

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Then you can see again that up to the fifteenth verse, NOT ONE of the verses is fulfilled in the order in which its statements are set down.

"Well, then," says one, "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT THAT WAY FOR? HOW ARE WE TO KNOW, THEN, WHEN IT DOES COME?"

"Vol. 4" tells you that, too.  It says this, page 443:--

"TO LEARN WHAT THE IMAGE IS LIKE, AND HOW IT IS TO BE FORMED, WE MUST STUDY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BEAST ITSELF,-- THE PAPACY."

We are to learn of the fulfillment of the prophecy, and be able to detect that, from our knowledge of the things of which it is an image.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE NOT TO GET THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROPHECY FROM THE PROPHECY ITSELF ALONE; BUT WE ARE TO DETECT, AND TO LEARN OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROPHECY FROM THE RECORD OF THE NATURE, THE WORKING, AND THE DISPOSITION OF THE BEAST OF WHICH THIS IS ONLY AN IMAGE.

 So you see, in order to see when these passages are fulfilled, in order to see when they are met, we must be ACQUAINTED WITH THE ORIGINAL, we must be ACQUAINTED WITH THE BEAST, and well acquainted with it, that when any ONE of these points appear, we can see where that belongs, because we know where it belonged in the original; and then, knowing where it belongs, we can avoid that thing.

There is a peculiarity about this prophecy that is not about many others:  There are some prophecies, like the prophecy of Daniel seventh chapter, the passing away of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, and so on, -- those prophecies, men could see the fulfillment of them in the event, and they could be perfectly safe in it.  In other words, was it safe for men acquainted with the Scriptures to look for another kingdom to succeed Babylon, and to look for it as Medo-Persia, and know when that thing was fulfilled from the event itself? -- Yes; and they could see it fulfilled and the event itself.  But mark you, here is this prophecy that comes at the END OF THE WORLD, AND IN THE WHIRL OF EVENTS THAT BRING THE END OF THE WORLD, AND THE MAN WHO WAITS TO SEE THIS FULFILLED IN ORDER TO ACT, HE WILL BE TOO LATE.

Therefore this is a prophecy with which God wants us to be SO WELL ACQUAINTED BEFOREHAND THAT WE WILL LOOK AT IT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, AND NOT BE BEHIND IT WHEN IT DOES COME. AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU SEE THE LORD GIVES US A PICTURE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN WROUGHT OUT IN HISTORY; HE GIVES THE COURSE OF EVENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN CARRIED OUT, FULFILLED BEFORE THE EYES OF MEN, IN A SLOW PROCESS;  SO THAT IN STUDYING IT AS IT OCCURRED SLOWLY IN THAT, WE CAN BECOME THOROUGHLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE PRINCIPLES THAT WERE ESTABLISHED, AND THEIR GROWTH, AND THE RESULT OF THEM. AND HE DOES THAT IN ORDER THAT WE MAY BE SO WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THOSE THINGS IN ALL THEIR BEARINGS, THAT WHEN THE FIRST HINT OF THOSE THINGS IS TOUCHED HERE, WE MAY KNOW THE OUTCOME OF IT LONG BEFOREHAN, AND THEREFORE, HAVE AMPLE TIME TO TAKE WARNING, AND NEVER GET CAUGHT.

This is why the Lord does not want us to look for the fulfillment of this prophecy in the prophecy itself; because IF WE WAIT FOR THAT, THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY WILL BE THOSE THINGS UPON WHICH DEPEND OUR SALVATION AT THE VERY MOMENT THAT THAT THING IS FULFILLED; AND IF WE ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE, IF WE ARE LATE, WE ARE SIMPLY LEFT. THEREFORE HE FIXED IT, SO AS TO SHOW UP THE BEAST IN ITS FULNESS, IN ALL HIS WORKING,  IN ORDER THAT BY STUDYING THAT, WE MAY BE ABLE TO DETECT THE IMAGE, IN EVERY PHASE AND ON EVERY SIDE. THE FIRST HINT OF ANYTHING OF THE KIND IS ENOUGH; BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THE THING IS; EVERYTHING IS IN IT; AND THEREFORE JUST AS SOON AS THAT THING IS TOUCHED, WE CAN SAY, "THAT MEANS THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST; THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST IS IN THAT THING, AND I MUST AVOID EVERY CONNECTION OF IT OR WITH IT FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD." WATCHING THE GROWTH OF THAT THING WHICH HAS BEEN STARTED, WHICH I KNOW WAS THE SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE OF THE PAPACY WHEN IT WAS STARTED, WHICH I KNOW WAS THE SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE OF THE PAPACY WHEN IT WAS STARTED, WHEN I SEE THAT AND AVOID ALL OF IT AT EVERY STEP, I AM ON SAFE GROUND, AND UNLESS I DO THAT I AM ON DANGEROUS GROUND.


Therefore the Spirit of Prophecy has told us that if we would know about the image, we MUST STUDY THE ORIGINAL -- THE BEAST.  And those who are watching it in this way will be able to detect the evil thing in every one of its phases; no difference how it comes up, or where it comes up, even if it be only the merest glimmer.  AND GOD WANTS US TO BE SO WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE ORIGINAL THAT WE CAN DETECT THE IMAGE EVEN THOUGH IT BE ONLY A GLIMMER.

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My thoughts--

(((Truly this makes perfect sense, does it not? We are given prophecy straight on to the very end of the world. We are given prophecies concerning our Savior's second coming, we are given prophecies about that second coming that tell us that those who are HIS at His second coming will go with Him to heaven (obviously they're not there already)  even the dead that are His will be called from their graves, and those who are alive that are His will go with Him without ever tasting death's sleep.  We are told this!  This is prophesied. We are told what the end times will be like.  We are given prophecies like the one we've been discussing in Rev. 13 and we are told there is going to be an evil power that does miracles, and many are going to belong to that evil power. We are told what that power will be like- another power described in great detail so as to make no mistakes.  We are told that we must KNOW what is coming, because in the very end when we are living in that prophetic moment as prophecy meets reality there will be no time to sit down and study history, it will be history in the making and WE will be in that history in the making prophecy.   There will be many, in fact, NO ONE alive when Jesus Christ returns will escape being a part of prophecy unfolding in that very moment.

Jesus tells us to watch and pray... watch and pray...watch and pray.
Jesus tells us we are blessed if we read and understand.
Jesus tells us to be ready, to have extra oil by our sides.
Jesus tells us to have on the marriage clothes.
Jesus does not lack in the warning department. None will be able to say they didn't have a chance to know, not a single person.

So, if we are given warnings shouldn't we take heed to them!?

We need to be Christ's, wholly Christ's first and foremost. But every single apostle and disciple that lived when Jesus walked the earth before His death and right after His resurrection before His final ascent to heaven, had to go on and live their lives in Jesus. They spent their lives living the truth of Salvation in Christ, and we too must live that truth with a very active belief in our Savior.  Studying, praying, watching, waiting, living, loving all for HIM.

Knowing all this prophecy means NOTHING if we do not have the LOVE of Christ in our hearts, in our very lives. Christ must be in us teaching us, guiding us, blessing us, loving us.

Christ did NOT want us to be ignorant to the signs of His return. He gave whole discourses on it. He didn't want a single person to be ignorant of salvation in HIM and our need to love Him more than anything else, and in loving Him, obeying Him in all things.

Our studying this prophecy isn't over yet, by the grace of God we will continue to feast at the meat laden table of Scripture, praying always for guidance and understanding that will only ever bring us closer and closer to HIM and all HIS TRUTH, in HIS LOVE!

Image to the Beast

Tonight's blog is on the Image to the Beast.  A word of caution to the first time reader, okay, and the second, third, fourth time readers of this blog… if you haven't followed this blog for long, in order to get a lot of background on the Beast mentioned, may I suggest you go to past blogs- starting with the one written on June 11, 2011 and keep on reading those prophecy blogs until you understand what I mean by the following blog.  To just read this without any background it may seem totally preposterous, but I'm not asking you to believe my word at all-  I am asking that you believe God's word. So please, if you happen upon this blog and start reading only to be completely shocked and disbelieving, do yourself a HUGE favor and go back to that blog in 2011, I wrote a whole bunch on prophecy, BIBLICAL prophecy straight from the Bible and lived out through our history.  Thank you!

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Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

*******  (This study is meat, not milk, so if you're not into really studying and studying hard, please just skip this study. )

(For the purposes of living in the times we do- we must remember this was written

March 5, 1893. Yes, 1893 - 120 years ago.  Also- there are additional notes after Jones' study that are very pertinent so don't skip reading this all the way to the end, please.)

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A SERMON delivered by Elder A. T. Jones, in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, Mich., Sunday evening, March 5, 1893.

(((Note: In this sermon Elder Jones is actually speaking with the congregation, and they answer him.  I will be adding my interjections between parentheses such as these, as I try to expound on what we are studying. Also, all extensive capitalization of words and passages are mine and meant for emphasis for the blog placement where bold or italicize fonts do not work when copy pasting.))))

'Image to the Beast'

by A. T. Jones

Let us turn to the 13th chapter of Revelation to begin with this evening, and study that passage of Scripture that refers to the United States, and see if we may know WHERE in the prophecy the working of this power comes in to  DECEIEVE "THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH, BY THE MEANS OF THOSE MIRACLES WHICH HE HAD POWER TO DO IN THE SIGHT OF THE BEAST."  (((Rev 13:14)))) I know that a good many are losing sight of what has been done by looking for something that they had decided must be done first; and while looking for that which they had decided must be done, and neglecting to use that which has been done, they will still go on, getting further and further from the light, still less and less prepared to meet any of these things, whether they have come, or whether they are yet to come.

Now, in the 13th and 14th verses is the statement of prophecy about the working of that power:  "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.  (((Rev 13:13,14))))

From the connection in which this is placed, a good many have been writing to me and saying that all these things must come to pass before the image is made; that these workings and wonderful manifestations are the workings of Spiritualism, and are to persuade the people to make an image to the beast.  It is important, therefore, for us to study the prophecy and see what it says, and as much as possible, what it does not say.

Let us now begin with the eleventh verse of the  thirteenth chapter: 

 "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." 

When did he speak as a dragon? When he was coming up?  [congregation: "No."] 

When is it that he speaks as a dragon? 

Read the fifteenth verse:  "AND HE HAD POWER TO GIVE LIFE UNTO THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST THAT THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST SHOULD BOTH SPEAK, AND CAUSE THAT AS MANY AS WOULD NOT WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST SHOULD BE KILLED." 

That is when he speaks as a dragon, is it?  [Congregation: "Yes."]

Isn't it the image of the beast that speaks as a dragon?  [Congregation: "Yes."] 

Was the image of the beast made, when he was seen coming up out of the earth, was the image of the beast made?  [Congregation:  "No."]

Was he then speaking as a dragon?  [Congregation:  "No."] 

Then all of that verse does NOT APPLY in the place where it is printed. 

that you may see this a little more plainly, turn to "Testimony" 32, page 208.  [Vol. 5, page 452].  This was printed in 1885:--

"The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness.  The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the current is tending.  Its professions are mild, and apparently Christian."

Has that any reference to the two horns like a lamb?  [Congregation:  "Yes."]

"Its professions are mild, and apparently Christian; but when it shall speak, it will reveal the spirit of the dragon."

"When it SHALL speak."  That was written in 1885; he had not yet spoken.  Is that Correct?  [Congregation:  "In 1798."] 

"He had two horns like a lamb," when he was seen coming up, and has had them all the time.  Is that so?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

"its professions are mild, and apparently Christian."  But there is the prophecy,-- "He spake as a dragon."  And we have found by the connection that it is the image that speaks, and causeth that as many as will not worship the image of the beast shall be killed.  That is the dragon voice.  But "When it shall speak, it will reveal the spirit of the dragon."

Then, I say again, that that eleventh verse is NOT ALL FULFILLED IN THE PLACE WHERE IT STANDS IN PROPHECY, and in the order in which the things that it mentions are mentioned in the prophecy.  THE LAST EXPRESSION OF THE ELEVENTH VERSE IS NOT FULFILLED UNTIL WE REACH THE FIFTEENTH VERSE.

(((If you are experiencing confusion at this point, well so did I. Please keep on reading to the end and then after reading the entire sermon reread it and it will make more sense.))))

Let us read on.  Twelfth verse:  "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the beast, whose deadly wound was healed." 

Now, has this beast that was seen coming up out of the earth been exercising as yet all the  power that the first beast before him did?  [Congregation:  "No."]

Has he compelled them that dwell on the earth to worship the first beast?  [congregation:  "No."] 

 Is that verse, then, the 12th verse, fulfilled until the time of the 15th verse?  [Congregation:  "No."] 

Until the time after the image is made?  [Congregation:  "Yes."]

Then those two verses of the prophecy are manifestly NOT FULFILLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE STATEMENTS ARE SET DOWN.  Is that so?  [Congregation:  "Yes."]

The thirteenth verse:  "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men."  Is that fulfilled before the image of the beast is made?  [Congregation:  "No."]

We all know, who have read "Vol. 4," that that is one of the last things that is ever done before Satan comes himself, personally.  You who have read "Vol. 4" know that.  And you who have not read it, just read it, and you will see that the making of the fire to come down from heaven is one of the last things that are done before Satan appears personally, or after, but, taking the most extreme view possible of it, it is among those things that are carried on when the very powers of the Satanic agencies are exerted to their full extent, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. 

This miracle  is wrought to prove to the children of God that they are wrong in keeping the Sabbath.

This miracle is wrought as a deciding test, and it will be one of the very last things before the decree goes forth to put people to death; if not the very last before that, it will be one of the last.

The contest will be between the powers of the earth and the Lord; between those who yield and obey the powers of the earth, and those who obey the Lord.

Now, are these miracles all wrought openly, and above board, distinctly as against the Lord?  Is that what they pretended to do?  [Congregation:  "No."] 

Are they wrought by those who openly and professedly deny Jesus Christ?  [Congregation:  "No."] 

Who then? -- Those who profess themselves to be Christ.

"False christs will arise, and shall show great signs and wonders." 

 This will be done by those who themselves profess that they are representatives of Jesus Christ, and that Christ is with them, and that God is the God of that side of the question.  But it will be denied, and it will be known that it is not so, by those who know the Lord. 

But this challenge will be made.  There was a contest once as to whether the Lord was God or whether the sun was god-- Baal.  The test which decided that day amongst the people that Elijah was a man of God, and that God was the true God, and not the sun-- not Baal-- that test was, fire came down from heaven.

Now, that test comes again, but this time it will be done to deceive; and it will be done by those who claim now to be Baal's, or rather, those who are really Baal's servants, but profess that Baal is god, which is Satan, of course.  And they will present that challenge to you and me:  "Now, you say that the Bible is the word of God.  You stand on that?"  "Yes, sir."  "You say that God is your God?"  "Yes, sir."  "And that the Sabbath ought to be kept because that is the sign of what God is to man and what Christ is to man?"  "Yes, sir, that is the position exactly."  "Now, a test was put once before which decided this question.  That was that fire came down from heaven.  That decided there that the Lord was the true God.  Now, we offer you, upon your own proposition, today, the same challenge.  We say to you that we challenge you to this decision; we give you an open,  fair challenge; we say to you now:  If we are the men of God, if God is our God, and not yours, if we are men of God, let fire come down from heaven upon the earth."

And what then? -- Fire comes. 

"He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men."

Men will see it; and it is done to decide this question-- to decide that they are the people of God; that they are men of God.  And when the true people of God say that that is not the test -- that that does not prove anything, then you see, they will say:  "Well, you go back on your own evidences.  You say you believe the Bible, you say that is your foundation, and you agree that that decided this question once."  "Yes, sir."  But now, when we do the same thing, you deny that that is any decision at all.  What is the use of reasoning any more with such men as that?  They all go back on the plainest evidence, that they themselves say that they stand upon.  What more should be done but to kill such a people as that?  You can't reason with them anymore, and the fate of the world, the plagues, and pestilences and all these things are coming upon the people on account of your craze, because you will not surrender or yield; you are stubborn, you will have it your own way anyway.  Now, in order to save people whose lives are precious, the only thing we can do is to put you out of the way." 

So, we say, and you will see by reading, that that is NOT DONE BEFORE the image of the beast is made; it is AFTER that, that it comes.

Brethren, it is not only time for every one of us to read "Vol. 4,"  but to read it over and over and to know the situation of things as they are.  It is time to read it, and we cannot afford not to read it.

SO THEN THE THREE VERSES WHICH WE HAVE READ, YOU YOURSELVES SEE, THEY ARE NOT FULFILLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE STATEMENTS ARE SET DOWN.

Now let us read on:  "And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast." 

Let us read another passage now, in the 19th chapter of Revelation, referring to the coming of the Lord, 19th and 20th verses: 

"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image."

Some one told me the other day about another translation, speaking of that-- I do not know whether it is the Revised Version or some other-- that reads, "the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that had received the image."

[Elder D. T. Bourdeau:  "So reads the French."]  The same thought is in this.  That shows then that the miracles, the deceiving miracles, that are wrought, are done to deceive them that had the mark of the beast.

But do men receive the mark of the beast before the image is made? 

Under the message, and the responsibility which the message brings, are men held responsible for receiving the mark of the beast and worshipping the beast before the image comes on and undertakes to compel them to do it? -- NO; because we found in our lessons here that UNTIL THE IMAGE WAS MADE THERE WAS A WAY OF ESCAPE FROM THE WORSHIP OF THE BEAST.  The way was open for a man to refuse; but AFTER the image is made, there is NO WAY open for a man to refuse to worship the beast, because there is no place on the earth where the power comes, there is no escape any more, and then it is that men become responsible for worshiping either the beast or his image.  There is no other way of escape.  The only way is to turn to God, then.  Then the time comes that the decision is clear cut, and must be made between God and the powers of the earth alone.

Again:  read the 16th chapter of Revelation.  There the plagues, you know, are threatened to come upon the people because of worshiping the beast and his image.

Under the sixth plague, we read verses 13 and 14:  "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of"-- What?  Doesn't it read this way:  "I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and deceived people into making the false prophet?  [Congregation:  "No."]

What is the false prophet, in other words?  [Congregation:  "The two horned beast."]  The image of the beast is the false prophet, because that verse in the 29th chapter tells it:  "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  And the beast was taken, and  with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image."

In the 13th chapter, we read:  "He exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him [in his sight], and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed."  Then what is the false prophet? -- The image of the beast.[a]

 ((( I'm going to bring the little [a] reference up here instead of leaving it solely at the end of the article-

[a] Here we diverge from A. T. Jones’ exegesis.  The False Prophet is identified in the article “The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty It Is Pending” {Article from WWN3(05)} as follows:

”We have interpreted the "false prophet" as symbolic of apostate Protestantism, and rightly so, but we have failed to recognize that the second "beast” came up out of the "earth," not the "sea" where "historic Protestantism" under Luther originated. It is an evangelical "Protestantism" originating in the prophetic "earth," which has now become "the political religious right." It was coming up "in" the earth at the same time that the deadly wound was being healed in the "sea" following World War 1.”))))

Now then, these spirits, they are the spirits of devils.  The next verse (Rev. 16:14) says:  "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."

But these spirits of devils working miracles come from where? -- They come from certain places to do these miracles. 

That is the truth, isn't it?  And they come from those places, to gather the people to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.  These spirits of devils come at that time with this miracle-working power, in this miracle-working power, in this miracle-working way, to do a certain thing. 

Where do they come from? -- The beast and the false prophet (or the image of the beast).  Then, from those testimonies, and from those two verses, isn't it plain that the deceiving miracles-- the great miracles that are wrought to deceive men, come  AFTER THE IMAGE IS MADE, AND NOT TO MAKE THE IMAGE [Congregation:  "Yes."]

Well, let us see whether we are right.  Testimony 32, page 207 (Vol. 5, page 45):--

"To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday law."

Will they-- They have done it.  Is that fulfilled?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

(((And it was done, this is history))))

That has been fulfilled.  They have done it, and they have done it so certainly that they themselves have publicly said that they did do it for that purpose.  The evidence, more than we have had at any other time, is in this little pamphlet-- "The Captivity of the Republic."  It is a report of the hearing before the Committee on the World's Fair Sunday Closing Bill, an account of which I gave here in my second talk.  This is now being printed and coming from the press.  It is entitled "The Captivity of the Republic."  And the idea is that the Churches have captured the republic and hold it in the captivity in which they have taken it, and the quotations there from congressmen themselves, lately, not simply those of Hiscock and Hawley, and those of last summer, but those of the very latest -- members of that Committee which heard our arguments and refused to hear what they would not hear willingly, but which they had to hear-- statements from these very men saying that they must not go any further in that direction for fear of the damage to the Fair and country at large, that the church element would do.  You have it over and over there in several different ways; so there is further evidence than that which we had last summer; but they keep on saying that they did it then, for that reason, and they still maintain it for the same reason.  So that is fulfilled over and over, if anybody wants evidence on that point.  We continue reading from No. 32:--

"Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the decalogue."

Does this institution that has been set up by those men to secure popularity and patronage, refer in any way to a decalogue?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

Did they mention any precept of the decalogue in the doing of it?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

"Those who fear God cannot accept" it.  Do you hear that?  [Congregation:  "Amen!"]

"Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the decalogue."

And an institution that so entirely violates a precept of the decalogue that it itself could not be set up by the government without taking the precept of the decalogue out of the way, altering it entirely.  It is not set alongside of the other one.  They did not enact any Sunday law on its own merits, but they deliberately set up the precept of God, and took out of it what he put into it, and put into it what the Catholic church set up in the place of it.

"On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error."

And the battle is joined, and we are to go from this Conference into the midst of it.

"And we are not left in doubt as to the issue.  Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate his truth and his people.  By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness."

Now another thing:  I want to ask you whether it has been fulfilled.  This was written in 1885, remember.--

"When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power. . . . "

That is, "when she shall."  In 1884 it said, "She will."  This says, "When she shall."  That little special testimony, when it came a year ago now, said, "She is reaching."  She is doing it.  We know now that she has done it.  Don't we?  Let us read from "Testimony" No.33, page 240 (Vol. 5, page 72):--

"When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery."

But they joined hands with popery in the doing of it, in order to do it; and is it not all true in that one thing?  She has joined hands with the papacy.  That is fulfilled then, is it?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

Then the Testimony is fulfilled down that far.  Is that so?  [Congregation:  "Yes."]

Then further:  this same paragraph here, on page 240 of "Testimony" No. 33:--

"When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism."

We have found by our other studies and by the latest Testimonies that have come that it is through the influence of the United States government that all the nations are brought back to the papacy; and when that is done, it is through this country that life is given to that same tyrannical spirit which passes all over the world.  So then, we are up to that point now, are we?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

Now let us see what remains.  There is something else to come in this connection.  On page 207 of "Testimony" No. 32 (Vol. 5, p. 45)  we read:--

"When she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism. . . ."

It is fulfilled up to that point-- up to that last one now.  Is it?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

The other remains.

"When she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism. . . .When, under the influences of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government. . . ."

When they joined hands with popery, it was to set up the papal institution, as the testimony which has been printed in the BULLETIN told us, that God's memorial has been set aside, the false sabbath has been put in its place.  In the doing of that, she has joined hands with popery, has set up the institution of the papacy instead of the institution of God.  That much is fulfilled, then; that was accomplished in joining hands with popery.  Now, the next thing is to join hands with Spiritualism.  And then, "under the influence of this threefold union"  every principle, not only as a Protestant, but as a Republican government goes.  Now, a Republican government is a government of the people, not monarchial.  What is the object of Satan in working all these miracles?  Well, I shall read the rest of that sentence first:--

"When under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehood and delusion, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous workings of Satan, and that the end is near."

Now, why is it, and for what purpose is it, that Satan does these miraculous things?  Isn't it to prove that he is Christ?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

"False christs shall arise, and shall show great signs and wonders, if possible to deceive the very elect."  But he puts himself in place of Christ.

"Christ is King,"  isn't he?  [Congregation: "Yes."] 

When Satan in those miracles puts himself in the place of Christ, it is to be the same thing, is it?  [Congregation:  "Yes."] 

When this is done, then upon the very face of it, every principle of Republican government has been taken away, and they will have a monarchy established.  And so the object of Spiritualism is to open the way for the professed coming of Christ and the setting up of his kingdom on the earth.

So you see, having done so much already, it is easy enough to take the next step and to recognize "Christ" as king.  That is the thing that is being urged now by the National Reformers, who have been working for that which they have obtained; by those who recognize the strength of what has been done in making this a "Christian nation." 

This will be done in much the same way.  The principle will be recognized in some way; and they will clasp hands with Spiritualism.  Then, when that is done, when the way is opened, "Christ" is recognized as king, that opens the way for Satan to come as Christ and set up his kingdom here and do all these miracles and sweep the world with him, and then the cry is raised--"Vol. 4"  [SOP] gives it-- "Christ has come!  Christ has come!"

Then does not all this show to us that the working of Satan in Spiritualism, in these wonders and miracles that deceive men, is  AFTER the making of the image, even as the prophecy says?

"Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in the right hand, or in their foreheads:  and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the number of his name."

Then you can see again that up to the fifteenth verse, NOT ONE of the verses is fulfilled in the order in which its statements are set down. 

"Well, then," says one, "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT THAT WAY FOR? HOW ARE WE TO KNOW, THEN, WHEN IT DOES COME?"

"Vol. 4" tells you that, too.  It says this, page 443:--

"TO LEARN WHAT THE IMAGE IS LIKE, AND HOW IT IS TO BE FORMED, WE MUST STUDY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BEAST ITSELF,-- THE PAPACY."

We are to learn of the fulfillment of the prophecy, and be able to detect that, from our knowledge of the things of which it is an image. 

IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE NOT TO GET THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROPHECY FROM THE PROPHECY ITSELF ALONE; BUT WE ARE TO DETECT, AND TO LEARN OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROPHECY FROM THE RECORD OF THE NATURE, THE WORKING, AND THE DISPOSITION OF THE BEAST OF WHICH THIS IS ONLY AN IMAGE.

 So you see, in order to see when these passages are fulfilled, in order to see when they are met, we must be ACQUAINTED WITH THE ORIGINAL, we must be ACQUAINTED WITH THE BEAST, and well acquainted with it, that when any ONE of these points appear, we can see where that belongs, because we know where it belonged in the original; and then, knowing where it belongs, we can avoid that thing.

There is a peculiarity about this prophecy that is not about many others:  There are some prophecies, like the prophecy of Daniel seventh chapter, the passing away of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, and so on, -- those prophecies, men could see the fulfillment of them in the event, and they could be perfectly safe in it.  In other words, was it safe for men acquainted with the Scriptures to look for another kingdom to succeed Babylon, and to look for it as Medo-Persia, and know when that thing was fulfilled from the event itself? -- Yes; and they could see it fulfilled and the event itself.  But mark you, here is this prophecy that comes at the END OF THE WORLD, AND IN THE WHIRL OF EVENTS THAT BRING THE END OF THE WORLD, AND THE MAN WHO WAITS TO SEE THIS FULFILLED IN ORDER TO ACT, HE WILL BE TOO LATE.

Therefore this is a prophecy with which God wants us to be SO WELL ACQUAINTED BEFOREHAND THAT WE WILL LOOK AT IT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, AND NOT BE BEHIND IT WHEN IT DOES COME. AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU SEE THE LORD GIVES US A PICTURE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN WROUGHT OUT IN HISTORY; HE GIVES THE COURSE OF EVENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN CARRIED OUT, FULFILLED BEFORE THE EYES OF MEN, IN A SLOW PROCESS;  SO THAT IN STUDYING IT AS IT OCCURRED SLOWLY IN THAT, WE CAN BECOME THOROUGHLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE PRINCIPLES THAT WERE ESTABLISHED, AND THEIR GROWTH, AND THE RESULT OF THEM. AND HE DOES THAT IN ORDER THAT WE MAY BE SO WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THOSE THINGS IN ALL THEIR BEARINGS, THAT WHEN THE FIRST HINT OF THOSE THINGS IS TOUCHED HERE, WE MAY KNOW THE OUTCOME OF IT LONG BEFOREHAN, AND THEREFORE, HAVE AMPLE TIME TO TAKE WARNING, AND NEVER GET CAUGHT.

This is why the Lord does not want us to look for the fulfillment of this prophecy in the prophecy itself; because IF WE WAIT FOR THAT, THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY WILL BE THOSE THINGS UPON WHICH DEPEND OUR SALVATION AT THE VERY MOMENT THAT THAT THING IS FULFILLED; AND IF WE ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE, IF WE ARE LATE, WE ARE SIMPLY LEFT. THEREFORE HE FIXED IT, SO AS TO SHOW UP THE BEAST IN ITS FULNESS, IN ALL HIS WORKING,  IN ORDER THAT BY STUDYING THAT, WE MAY BE ABLE TO DETECT THE IMAGE, IN EVERY PHASE AND ON EVERY SIDE. THE FIRST HINT OF ANYTHING OF THE KIND IS ENOUGH; BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THE THING IS; EVERYTHING IS IN IT; AND THEREFORE JUST AS SOON AS THAT THING IS TOUCHED, WE CAN SAY, "THAT MEANS THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST; THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST IS IN THAT THING, AND I MUST AVOID EVERY CONNECTION OF IT OR WITH IT FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD." WATCHING THE GROWTH OF THAT THING WHICH HAS BEEN STARTED, WHICH I KNOW WAS THE SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE OF THE PAPACY WHEN IT WAS STARTED, WHICH I KNOW WAS THE SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE OF THE PAPACY WHEN IT WAS STARTED, WHEN I SEE THAT AND AVOID ALL OF IT AT EVERY STEOP, I AM ON SAFE GROUND, AND UNLESS I DO THAT I AM ON DANGEROUS GROUND.

Therefore the Spirit of Prophecy has told us that if we would know about the image, we MUST STUDY THE ORIGINAL -- THE BEAST.  And those who are watching it in this way will be able to detect the evil thing in every one of its phases; no difference how it comes up, or where it comes up, even if it be only the merest glimmer.  AND GOD WANTS US TO BE SO WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE ORIGINAL THAT WE CAN DETECT THE IMAGE EVEN THOUGH IT BE ONLY A GLIMMER.

Brethren, these things are important for us to consider, and for us to know, so that we shall not be overcome, so that we shall not be taken unawares on anything or at any point, but always be ahead in the thought and in the light of the Spirit of God.

So I say it over again.  From the nature of things and in the fast whirl of these last days and these things all coming so fast, in order to be safe we have got to be ahead of the actual occurrence of events.  And in order to prepare  us for that, God has drawn it slowly out before our eyes in the historical evidence of the beast.  He has drawn that out so that we can study it at leisure, and in this study as it occurred slowly, even up to the full development and ruin that was wrought by it before, we can, by the Spirit of God enlightening us, always be ahead of these things that are coming now; so that when they do come, however fast, we are only glad, because we know beforehand what it all means.  That is all that I can say upon that particular line of prophecy, or this particular passage.  But I did think that it was necessary as so many questions had been asked upon that, to call attention to it before we separate.

Now let us just sketch what is in the book of Revelation after that.  The third angel's message warns against the beast and his image and the danger of drinking the wine of the wrath of God.  And then follows the coming of the Saviour to reap the harvest of the earth, and the people of God standing on Mount Zion.  So there, that is the sketch through from where we are to the final victory.

Then the sixteenth chapter takes up the plagues; the seventeenth refers to Babylon the great, the mother; the eighteenth is the message of warning; the times of refreshing, the latter rain, the lighting of the earth with the glory of God, the calling out from Babylon, because she is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, as well as the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of unclean and hateful birds, and that ye receive not of her plagues; and God hath remembered her iniquities.  And then the word goes on and gives the actual occurrence of the judgment of God upon that great Babylon, to her utter ruin and perdition.

Then the nineteenth chapter you will remember, is that song, that voice of a great multitude of much people in heaven, saying, "Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God; for true and righteous are his judgments, for he hath judged the great" harlot, "which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.  And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying Alleluia:  for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him:  for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:  for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.  And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."  And the next thing he sees  is heaven opened and behold a white horse and the coming of Christ, the destruction of the nations of the earth, the beast and his image are cast together into the lake of fire, and the remnant are slain.

Then the 20th chapter is the binding of Satan, the resurrection of the righteous.  Then the thousand years expire, and then comes the resurrection of the wicked and the judgment and destruction of them.  The 21st chapter announces the new earth, and the heavenly city upon it.  And the 22nd chapter-- "And there shall be no more curse:  but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever."

Now, brethren, don't you see that from the message of Rev. 14, from the record of the third angel's message, when the image of the beast is made, that the rest of the book of Revelation is a straightforward story, as straight as can be written?  From the time the image of the beast is made, and the third angel's message goes forth as it reads, -- as now it goes forth from this Conference, as we go forth with the message,-- the rest of the book of Revelation is a straightforward story to you and me right through to the end of the book?  Don't you see that?  [Congregation:  "Yes]  One event right after another, all coming in directly in connection, and those things are right before us, -- the rest of the book is just that, and you know that well enough.

A sermon delivered by Elder A. T. Jones, in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, Mich., Sunday evening, March 5, 1893.

*

(((The rest of the following is written by the webmaster of Adventist Laymen's Foundation.))))

[1]  The fact that A. T. Jones perceived the form of the image to the beast as long ago as 1893 does not in any degree diminish the cogency of what he stated about how the image is formed, and how to recognize that it has been formed.  His perception at that time was valid, because of a series of statements written by Ellen G. White, such as the following, in “A Solemn Appeal to Ministers” dated 1890:

My brethren , we are living in a most solemn period of this earth’s history.  There is never a time to sin; it is always perilous to continue in transgression; but in a special sense is this true at the present time.  We are now on the very borders of the eternal world and stand in a more solemn relation to time and eternity than ever before.  (TM 147; emphasis supplied.)

In retrospect, we can see that events in the world were taking shape for the fulfillment of Rev. 13 and succeeding prophecies.  (See WWN XIII -  1(80):  WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN  PDF File)  Then came a dramatic change following the 1888, 1897 and 1901 General Conference sessions.  After that last GC session, Ellen G. White wrote the following in a letter to P. T. Magan:

We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel, but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action.  (M-184-1901) 

God’s people are still here over one hundred years later; but it is plain to see that a convergence of prophetic events in the religio-political realm has brought us once again to the very borders of the eternal world.  Sadly we are at this point in history in the midst of the most negative developments imaginable in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Again, Ellen G. White has alerted us to the fulfillment of a prophecy which reveals that this time the end will not be delayed: 

In the twenty-first chapter of Luke, Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  (Letter 20, 1901; Counsels to Writers, pp, 23-24) 

This is clearly a reference to Luke 21:24.  See “Jerusalem in Bible Prophecy” in the Documents folder of this website for an exposition of this prophecy. 

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  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 

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.  Luke 21:29-32

*******

I have to add-  more on this tomorrow.  It's late now and I really want to discuss what all this means to me.

By the grace and mercy of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ  we will continue to study this and perhaps become acquainted as we are told we must be, as is obvious, really.  In the end, as the last of prophecies are fulfilled we will be LIVING them, not able to look back upon them.  By the grace of God we will be wholly His, prepared for Him, by Him through His love, through His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, His righteousness, His faith!

Christ is made unto us "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

Do you need to keep the law of God, today? Yes? No? Maybe?

What is your immediate response to that question? Was it, yes? If so, can you explain why you should keep God's law?  If your answer was no, then the same question- can you explain why?  The answer, maybe, clearly indicates you're not sure, so you really don't need to explain that one.

Tell me, how could Christ say this--

Mat 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mat 19:19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

How could Jesus say- '...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.'   If He didn't mean it?

Clearly the one asking the question received an answer on 'WHICH' commandment- Jesus quoted from the MORAL LAW- the Ten Commandments.  The man replied that he's kept ALL those laws from his YOUTH till now.   So, if he was already doing what Jesus said- keeping the commandments- then he should have been all set, right? But He didn't rejoice in that knowledge did he? No, he didn't. He asked another question-  'What lack I?'   Something was missing. What was missing? JESUS.  Jesus was missing.  The need the man had was- Christ Himself!  And to reveal His belief in Jesus, that real knowledgeable belief that would show to one and all that He believed Jesus to be the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, would be to follow Jesus.  A personal invitation was given to the man, but Jesus knew the man didn't truly want to follow Him, he wanted eternal life but he wanted it on his own terms, by his own hand, not Jesus'.  If the man would give up EVERYTHING- all his riches and follow Christ, then He would have eternal life.  The man had to MAKE AN ADDITION to his keeping of the commandments.  The man had to realize that Christ is the way to eternal life, and Christ telling him to keep the commandments was great, but the commandments alone could NEVER save that man. Jesus didn't take that opportunity to say to the man- 'Don't keep those commandments any longer, just follow me.'  He did NOT remove the moral law, but expounded upon it to INCLUDE Christ in the law.

We really should know where we stand on this issue.  Either we believe that our Savior wants us to keep His moral law, or we don't.  If we aren't sure it's easy to realize that uncertainty will most likely result in not believing. We need to be sure. We need to study God's word, we need to pray, we need to yearn for ALL the truth- not just bits and pieces of it that we like to hear. We can't wrest a single scripture here and another scripture over there and piece them together so we hear the words we want to hear. We MUST examine the entire word of God for the truth. We MUST be willing to abandon the untruths when the truth is revealed to us.  To holdfast to things that aren't true just because it is easier, it keeps us in line with those we care about, or because it 'works' for us, it to holdfast to the deception of Satan. Your master really is the evil one and you will discover that when Christ looks at you and tells you to get away from Him, that He never knew you. You'll be SHOCKED.  You'll want to explain, you'll say… 'But, but I love you! I followed your word, I listened to you. I prayed! I did so many wonderful things because of you, YOU worked, and lived in me Christ!  You have to know me! You have to!    And He still won't know you, all your pleading for Him to understand won't change His mind.  You were too busy following the path of least resistance, the path of feel good religion, the path of the multitude, the path of only partial truth, the path you liked and made work for you.

We must know where we stand on the issue of God's Moral Ten Commandments, because Christ Himself told that man that the way to eternal life was through keeping those laws AS WELL AS following Him, His Savior!  And in truth, we can ONLY keep the law as we are meant to keep it when we have Christ in our lives, a living, breathing reality of Christ in us!

Read the following article by E.G. Waggoner, it sheds light on this subject.

By the grace and mercy of our Lord, may we always seek His truth, and follow His truth when He reveals it to us and NOT turn back as that man did.  Please, Lord, be our righteousness, be the end - be the all- of the Moral Law You designed for us.

In YOUR amazing LOVE always!

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'CHRIST THE END OF THE LAW--by E. J. Waggoner.--

In Rom. 10:4 we read as follows:

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Before showing what this text means, it may be well to briefly show what it does not mean. It does not mean that Christ has put an end to the law, because (1) Christ Himself said concerning the law, "I am not come to destroy." Matt. 5:17. (2) The prophet said that instead of destroying it, the Lord would "Magnify the law and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. (3) The law was in Christ's own heart: "Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." Ps. 40:7, 8. And (4) since the law is the righteousness of God, the foundation of His government, it could not by any possibility be abolished. See Luke 16:17.

(((Luk 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. ))))

The reader must know that the word "end" does not necessarily mean "termination." It is often used in the sense of design, object, or purpose. In 1 Tim. 1:5 the same writer says, "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith
unfeigned." the word here rendered "charity" is often rendered "love," and is so rendered in this place in the New Version.

In 1 John 5:3 we read, "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments," and Paul himself says that "love is the fulfilling of the law." Rom. 13:10. In both these texts the same word (agape) is used that occurs in 1 Tim. 1:5. Therefore we say that this text means, Now the design of the commandment (or law) is that it should be kept. Everybody will recognize this as a self-evident fact.

But this is not the ultimate design of the law. In the verse following the one under consideration, Paul quotes Moses as saying of the law that "the man that doeth those things shall live by them." Christ said to the young man, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17.

Now since the design of the law was that it should be kept, or, in other words, that it should produce righteous characters, and the promise is that those who are obedient shall live, we may say that the ultimate design of the law was to give life. And in harmony with this thought are the words of Paul, that the law "was ordained to life." Rom. 7:10.

But "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," and "the wages of sin is death." Thus it is impossible for the law to accomplish its design in making perfect characters and consequently giving life. WHEN A MAN HAS ONCE BROKEN THE LAW, NO SUBSEQUENT OBEDIENCE CAN EVER MAKE HIS CHARACTER PERFECT. And therefore the law which was ordained unto life is found to be unto death. Rom. 7:10.

If we were to stop right here with the law unable to accomplish its purpose, we should leave all the world under condemnation and sentence of death.

Now we shall see that Christ enables man to secure both righteousness and life. We read that we are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1. More than this, He enables us to keep the law. "For he [God] hath made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Cor. 5:21.

In Christ, therefore, IT IS POSSIBLE for us to be made perfect--the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD--and that is just what we would have been by constant and unvarying obedience to the law.

Again we read, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. . . . For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; THAT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1-4.

What could not the law do? It could not free a single guilty soul from condemnation. Why not? Because it was "weak through the flesh."

There is no element of weakness in the law; THE WEAKNESS IS IN THE FLESH. It is not the fault of a good tool that it cannot make a sound pillar out of a rotten stick.

The law could not cleanse a man's past record and make him sinless; and poor, fallen man had no strength resting in his flesh to enable him to keep the law. And so God imputes to believers the righteousness of Christ, who was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, so that "the righteousness of the law" might be fulfilled in their lives. And thus CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW.

To conclude, then, we have found that THE DESIGN OF THE LAW WAS THAT IT SHOULD GIVE LIFE BECAUSE OF OBEDIENCE.

All men have sinned and been sentenced to death.

But Christ took upon Himself man's nature and WILL IMPART OF HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THOSE WHO ACCEPT HIS SACRIFICE, and finally when they stand, through Him, as doers of the law, He will fulfill to them its ultimate object, by crowning them with eternal life.

And so we repeat, what we cannot too fully appreciate, that Christ is made unto us "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

*******

Saving Faith

The following article on 'Saving Faith' by E.J. Waggoner is very thought provoking.  Too often we hear people say that they do believe in God, that they do believe in Christ, and yet by their actions we find it very hard to believe.  Did I just sound like a pompous jerk? Did I come across as one who is judgmental, and not beholding the beam in my own eye?  Truthfully, I must confess right here and right now, I cannot judge anyone's eternal life.  But I have to be able to judge actions of others without condemning them. I have to be able to disapprove of the actions of others, without condemning them.  If we are not allowed to disapprove or judge the actions of others then we are clearly not 'knowing them by their fruits'.   The Bible does tell us this--

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Who are they talking about? Whose fruit will we know?

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

If I'm to look at a person's 'fruit' to know whether or not they are following truth, then it is certain that it means I am to be able to discern by someone's actions whether or not their profession of faith in God is a real profession or a false profession.

So while I cannot judge that person's eternal life, only God has that privilege, I have to be able to discern whether or not that person's professed belief is truly based upon God's truth.

Now, back to what I said at the beginning of all this--

Too often we hear people say that they do believe in God, that they do believe in Christ, and yet by their actions we find it very hard to believe.

We want to imagine that everyone who says the name of the Lord is truly God's, in a perfect world this would be true.  What E.J. Waggoner says about Saving Faith has a lot of truth to it.  Faith does save us, that belief does save us, without faith it is impossible to please God.   And faith, true faith will naturally produce the works, the fruit that is to God and His glory.  Faith without works is dead, the Bible says so.  But only the works that are wrought naturally through an active faith are the works God accepts.  Before I muddy it all up, let E.J. Waggoner expound on the subject.  By the grace and mercy of God may the truth of all that is written fill our hearts, our lives, as our love for God only deepens, growing stronger in FAITH.  By HIS LOVE!

*******
'SAVING FAITH
by E. J. Waggoner.

"But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above); or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead). But what saith it? The word is nigh thee,
even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach: that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:6-9.

May we accept these words, especially the statement in the last verse, as literally true? Shall we not be in danger if we do? Is not something more than faith in Christ necessary to salvation? To the first of these questions we say, Yes, and to the last two we say, No, and refer to the  Scriptures for corroboration. So plain a statement cannot be other than literally true and one that can be depended on by the trembling sinner.

As an instance in proof, take the case of the jailer at Philippi. Paul and Silas, after having been inhumanly beaten, were placed in his care. Notwithstanding their lacerated backs and their manacled feet, they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight and suddenly an earthquake
shook the prison, and all the doors were opened. It was not alone the natural fear produced by feeling the earth rock beneath him nor yet the dread of Roman justice if the prisoners in his charge should escape, that caused the jailer to tremble. But he felt in that earthquake shock a
premonition of the great judgment, concerning which the apostles had preached; and, trembling under his load of guilt, he fell down before Paul and Silas, saying, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Mark well the answer; for here was a soul in sorest extremity and what was sufficient for
him must be the message to all lost ones. To the jailer's anguished appeal, Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:30, 31. This agrees exactly with the words which we quoted from Paul to the Romans.

On one occasion the Jews said unto Jesus, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" Just the thing that we want to know. Mark the reply: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28, 29. Would that these words might be written in letters of gold and kept continually before the eyes of every struggling Christian. The seeming paradox is cleared up. Works are necessary, yet faith is all-sufficient, because faith does the work. Faith comprehends everything and without faith there is nothing.

The trouble is that people in general have a faulty conception of faith. They imagine that it is mere assent and that it is only a passive thing to which active works must be added. But faith is active and it is not only the most substantial thing but the only real foundation. The law is the righteousness of God (Isa. 51:6, 7),...

Isa 51:6  Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isa 51:7  Hearken unto me, YE THAT KNOW RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE PEOPLE IN WHOSE HEART IS MY LAW; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.


... for which we are commanded to seek (Matt. 6:33),

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

...but it cannot be kept except by faith, for the only righteousness which will stand in the Judgment is "that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
Phil. 3:9.

Read the words of Paul in Rom. 3:31. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." Making void the law of God by man is not abolishing it; for that is an impossibility. It is as fixed as the throne of God. No matter what men say of the law, nor how
much they trample upon it and despise it, it remains the same. The only way that men can make void the law of God is to make it of none effect in their hearts by their disobedience.

Thus in Num. 30:15, a vow that has been broken is said to have been made void. So when the apostle says that we do not make void the law through faith, he means that FAITH AND DISOBEDIENCE ARE INCOMPATIBLE. No matter how much the lawbreaker professes faith, the fact that he is a lawbreaker shows that he has NO FAITH. But the possession of faith is shown by the establishment of the law in the heart, so that the man does not sin against God. Let no one decry faith as of little moment.

But does not the apostle James say that faith alone cannot save a man and that faith without works is dead? Let us look at his words a moment. Too many have with honest intent perverted them to a dead legalism. He does say that faith without works is dead and this agrees most fully with what we have just quoted and written. For if faith without works is dead, the ABSENCE OF WORKS SHOWS THE ABSENCE OF FAITH; for that which is dead has no existence. If a man has faith, works will necessarily appear and the man will not boast of either one, for by faith boasting is excluded. Rom. 3:27.

Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Boasting is done only by those who trust wholly in dead works or whose profession of faith is a hollow mockery.

Then how about James 2:14, which says: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can faith save him?" The answer necessarily implied is, of course, that it cannot. Why not? Because he hasn't it. What doth it profit if a man say he has faith,
if by his wicked course he shows that he has none? Must we decry the power of faith simply because it does nothing for the man who makes a false profession of it? Paul speaks of some who profess that they know God but who deny Him by their works. Titus 1:16.

Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The man to whom James refers is one of this class. The fact that he has no good works--no fruit of the Spirit--shows that he has no faith, despite his loud profession, and so of course FAITH CANNOT SAVE HIM; FOR FAITH HAS NO POWER TO SAVE A MAN WHO DOES NOT POSSESS IT. ' 

*******

TRUTH.

Don't let your mind dwell on yourself

(Excerpt from- Steps to Christ)

'Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be,

 "Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine.
 I lay all my plans at Thy feet.
Use me today in Thy service.
 Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee."

This is a daily matter.

Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate.

Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.

A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. 

YOUR HOPE IS NOT IN YOURSELF; IT IS IN CHRIST.

Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might.

So you are not to look to yourself, NOT TO LET THE MIND DWELL UPON SELF, BUT LOOK TO CHRIST. LET THE MIND DWELL UPON HIS LOVE, UPON THE BEAUTY, THE PERFECTION, OF HIS CHARACTER. CHRIST IN HIS SELF-DENIAL, CHRIST IN HIS HUMILATION, CHRIST IN HIS PURITY AND HOLINESS, CHRIST IN HIS MATCHLESS LOVE-- THIS IS THE SUBJECT FOR THE SOUL'S CONTEMPLATION.

It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.

Jesus says, "Abide in Me."

(((Joh_15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ))))

These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He invites, "Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. The words of the psalmist express the same thought: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." And Isaiah gives the assurance, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15. This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour's invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: "Take My yoke upon you: . . . and ye shall find rest." Matthew 11:29. The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

WHEN THE MIND DWELLS UPON SELF, IT IS TURNED AWAY FROM CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND LIFE.

Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ.

The pleasures of the world, life's cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections--to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind.

Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory.

We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved.

All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength.

Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him.

Talk and think of Jesus.

Let self be lost in Him.

Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears.

Say with the apostle Paul, "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.

When Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity to Himself by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself.

Satan will constantly present allurements to induce us to break this tie--to choose to separate ourselves from Christ. Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that nothing may entice us to choose another master; for we are always free to do this.

But let us keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, and He will preserve us. Looking unto Jesus, we are safe. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand. In constantly beholding Him, we "are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18.

It was thus that the early disciples gained their likeness to the dear Saviour. When those disciples heard the words of Jesus, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed Him. They were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They were with Him as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from His lips lessons of holy truth. They looked to Him, as servants to their master, to learn their duty. Those disciples were men "subject to like passions as we are." James 5:17. They had the same battle with sin to fight. They needed the same grace, in order to live a holy life.

Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Saviour, did not naturally possess that loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries. But as the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, he saw his own deficiency and was humbled by the knowledge. The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love. Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ's Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.

When Christ ascended to heaven, the sense of His presence was still with His followers. It was a personal presence, full of love and light. Jesus, the Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was still upon His lips, been taken up from them into heaven, and the tones of His voice had come back to them, as the cloud of angels received Him--"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20. He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. They knew that He was before the throne of God, their Friend and Saviour still; that His sympathies were unchanged; that He was still identified with suffering humanity. He was presenting before God the merits of His own precious blood, showing His wounded hands and feet, in remembrance of the price He had paid for His redeemed. They knew that He had ascended to heaven to prepare places for them, and that He would come again and take them to Himself.

As they met together after the ascension they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23, 24. They extended the hand of faith higher and higher with the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34. And Pentecost brought them the presence of the Comforter, of whom  Christ had said, He "shall be in you." And He had further said, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 14:17; 16:7. Henceforth through the Spirit, Christ was to abide continually in the hearts of His children. Their union with Him was closer than when He was personally with them. The light, and love, and power of the indwelling Christ shone out through them, so that men, beholding, "marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13.

All that Christ was to the disciples, He desires to be to His children today; for in that last prayer, with the little band of disciples gathered about Him, He said, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word." John 17:20.
Jesus prayed for us, and He asked that we might be one with Him, even as He is one with the Father. What a union is this! The Saviour has said of Himself, "The Son can do nothing of Himself;" "the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works." John 5:19; 14:10. Then if Christ is dwelling in our hearts, He will work in us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13. We shall work as He worked; we shall manifest the same spirit. And thus, loving Him and abiding in Him, we shall "grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:15.'

Steps to Christ - E.G. White

*******
My thoughts-

I believe I've put this up before, if so, it's worth reading again and again.

Do we spend enough time contemplating Jesus?

What exactly do we spend our time doing?

We have to ask ourselves these questions because if we don't then we're letting ourselves be blinded, to be deceived and that's how Satan wants us.

These don't have to be easy questions, they don't have to be questions you want to hear or want to answer. Asking tough questions is needed, wake up calls are needed.

So answer the questions.

Do we, do you, spend enough time contemplating Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior?

What exactly do we, do you  spend time doing?

The answers are important. If you find yourself making excuses rather than giving a heart felt honest reply, then keep asking yourself the question and force yourself to answer with total honesty.

If you answer that you don't spend enough time contemplating Jesus, then what do you think must be done? Obviously, spend more time with Jesus, right? Seriously, if you've come to this conclusion then you really, really should heed the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the admonitions we find in the Lord's word.  We need to behold our Savior. We need to abide in Him. He must be in our lives!  Not on the outside of our lives peeking in from time to  time but a REAL part of our lives, an ACTIVE part of our lives.

If we honestly gave an assessment of what we spend our time doing, can we truly say that Christ is with us in all those things we do? He should be, shouldn't He? And if we can't imagine Christ with us doing those things with us, should we be doing them?

I know, believe me, I know that in the world we live in a world with television and such, it's hard to imagine our Savior sitting down watching television, isn't it? What about His reading the books we read? Doing the things we do?

Lord, please help us. Help us live our lives with YOU in them, in all things.  IF there are things in our lives that aren't what they should be, please Lord, help us get the victory over them. Please, Lord, please, let us be willing to sacrifice all to You, as You sacrificed all for us. 

Help us, Lord.

Save us!

Through Your love!  By Your mercy and grace!