An Hour and An End - Pt. 8 (Prophetic Signs)

Like it or not, Biblical history is behind the Seventh Day Adventist movement.

In the early 1800's suddenly knowledge of the Bible was opening up to people all over the world- not just the United States. In the United States it was opened to William Miller and other and the unfolding of the books of prophecy- Daniel and Revelation began to make sense.  There was an understanding going only so far and then this--

Rev_10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Rev_10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

The little book of Daniel was eaten up in understanding and oh the sweetness of that understanding! It was amazing, unlike anything ever understood before. But then, because the interpretation was off… then the sweetness of the truth turned to an ache in the belly, an awful ache of disappointment. It was foretold!

The full truth had yet to be comprehended and getting to that place a lot of those who were in it simply for the thrill were shaken away, peeled off, their belief shattered because they did not have faith.

This was the beginning of the Seventh Day Adventist movement, this is where the roots are buried, right here in this prophecy.  Out of that bitter disappointment came truth.

Rev 10:11  And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

The truth.

And yet those given the great truths, those mentioned in this prophecy also left the full truth- the movement they became leaving off shoots of that group to hold fast to the full truth.  With all this in mind, let's continue with 'An Hour and An End' by William Grotheer.

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p 25 -- Chapter IX -- Some History

The 20th Century dawned with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in crisis. The message of 1888 which was to prepare a people for the finishing of the work and the coming of the Lord had received only lip service at best. The professed people of God still clung to their "works" hoping for acceptance with God.

In 1901 December to be exact - the messenger of the Lord wrote to Dr. P. T. Magan - "We may have to remain here in this world many more years because of insubordination."

Earlier that year, the General Conference had convened in Battle Creek. As soon as this conference was officially opened, Ellen G. White came forward and asked some very penetrating questions: -      Are you under the control of God? Do you see your responsibility to Him? If you do realize this responsibility, you will realize that you are to mold and fashion minds after the divine similitude; and then those in the different institutions here, who are being trained and educated to become workers, will work for God, to hold up the standard of righteousness.

0 my soul is drawn out in these things! Men who have not learned to submit themselves to the control and discipline of God, are not competent to train the youth, to deal with human minds. It is just as much an impossibility for them to do this as it would be for them to make a world. That these men should stand in a sacred place, to be the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be, -- that is past. What we want now is a reorganization. We want to begin at the foundation, and build upon a different principle. (1901 , GC Bulletin, No. 1, p. 25)

At the closing meeting of this 1901 session, Ellen G. White again spoke. She said: -      Who do you suppose has been amongst us since this Conference opened? Who has kept away the objectionable features that generally appear in such a meeting? Who has walked up and down the aisles of this Tabernacle? -- the God of heaven and His angels. And they did not come here to tear you to pieces, but to give you right and peaceable minds. They have been among us to work the works of God, to keep back the powers of darkness, that the work God designed should be done and should not be hindered. The angels of God have been working among us. (Ibid., p. 463)

The Constitution adopted under Divine Guidance was unique. No provision was made for a General Conference President. In its place was a committee of twenty-five with power to organize itself. While the report given to the delegates in 1901 setting forth the organization of the Committee indicated A. G. Daniells as "Permanent Chairman" (Ibid., #17, p. 377), the concept was understood that the committee would reorganize itself each year. W. C. White during a floor discussion of this new Constitution indicated a sentiment prevailed that "no one should be chairman of this committee for a period of more than twelve months at a time." (Ibid., #9, p. 206) Daniells, at a minority meeting of the Committee on February 14, 1902, said "that in harmony with the plan adopted at the late General Conference, the General Conference Committee should organize itself from year to year." With only six of the twenty-five members present, and a few observers, it did reorganize itself, with Daniells remaining as chairman.

On the surface, it would appear that the type of organization as envisioned in the 1901 Constitution would give the Church an inadequate and ineffectual leadership; however, if the organization under the Constitution had been permitted to continue, it would have produced a group of men leading the Church governed by its Unseen Head. During two short years the human element prevailed, and what might have been was not attained. (8T:104-106) In 1903, at Oakland, California, the General

p 26 -- Conference was again reorganized under a Constitution which provided for a visible head in the office of President of the General Conference. Responding to the "Majority Report" of the Committee on Plans and Constitution, Dr. P. T. Magan - the one to whom Ellen G. White had written in December, 1901, and who as an observer had attended the minority meeting of the General Conference Committee in 1902 held in Daniells office - declared: -      It may be stated there is nothing in this new constitution which is not abundantly safeguarded by the provisions of it; but I want to say to you that any man who has ever read Neander's History of the Christian Church, Mosheim's or any other of the great church historians, - any man who has ever read these histories can come to no other conclusion but that the principles which are to be brought in, are the same principles, and introduced in precisely the same way, as they were hundreds of years ago when the Papacy was made.(1903, GC Bulletin, #10, p. 150)

Ellen G. White was quick to respond to this new situation. Within twelve days of this discussion, she wrote from St. Helena, California, the following: -   

In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost. has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence, "Found wanting." By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged. (8T:247)

Before closing this testimony, Ellen G. White gave a solution. She counseled:

"Unless the church, which is now [1903] being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself." (p. 250)

 This was not an ordinary call to repentance. It was a call to denominational repentance. The "church" was to repent. As a corporate body she faced the judgment of the sanctuary, and unless the church repented, the sentence would be pronounced - "Found wanting."

Here is a prophecy that dare not be overlooked. In unmistakable language, it is declared that "the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed" in the balances of the Heavenly Sanctuary. This was stated as future in 1903 - "is to be" and "on her will be pronounced." The greatest question facing the individual member of the Church today is simply - "Has this prophecy been fulfilled?"

And, if it has, what decision was rendered?

God is on record that He will not do anything, but He will reveal it by prophet and prophecy. (Amos 3:7) This is no minor decision which would be rendered, for should the decision be negative, that pronouncement would declare that the organizational vehicle He chose to use for the completion of His final movement on earth had betrayed its sacred trust. If so judged, as a corporate entity it would be "Found wanting."

Continued involvement in such a corporate structure would have eternal consequences. Such is the gravity of this prophetic testimony written in 1903.

After 1903, time continued.

In the newspapers, one could read of wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in divers places, famines and pestilences. But no major event could be assigned to a specific prophecy. It seemed that the prophetic clock of God had been stopped.

Then came 1929.

In an agreement reached between Italy and the Vatican, the "deadly wound" began its healing process, a modern rejuvenated Papacy was born, not only politically, but also financially.

As a Church, Seventh-day Adventists believed in the guidance afforded by prophecy. In her Statements of Belief, the Church was on record as affirming: -     

That prophecy is a part of God's revelation to man; that it is included in that Scripture which is profitable for instruction (2 Tim. 3:16); that it is designed for us and our children (Deut. 29:29); that so far from being enshrouded in impenetrable mystery, it is that which especially constitutes the word of God as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Ps. 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19); that a blessing is pronounced upon those who study it (Rev. 1 :1-3); and that, consequently, it is to be

p 27 -- understood by the people of God sufficiently to show them their position in the world's history and the special duties required at their hands. (1914 Yearbook, p. 293)

The last sentence of this confession of faith by our spiritual forefathers is worthy of thoughtful consideration. Prophecy "is to be understood by the people of God sufficiently to show them their position in the world's history and the special duties required at their hands."

But in 1931, a new Statement of Beliefs appeared in the Yearbook. This statement on prophecy was omitted!

At the very moment when God's prophetic time clock began ticking off the final hours of human history, we chose to delete this statement from our beliefs.

In 1948, the State of Israel was formed.

True, no prophetic significance can be attached to this event, per se, but coming events were casting their shadows before.

This fact was recognized at the 1952 Bible Conference. (See p. 1) But something else was happening in the Church. As human history was setting the stage for coming events, God was not leaving Himself without a witness to the Church. To the newly formed 1950 General Conference Committee, two young men, missionaries to Africa, addressed the issue of the penetration of Baal worship into the Church, and echoed God's call for denominational repentance. In their original monumental manuscript - 1888 Re-Examined - they wrote: -      It is now abundantly evident that "we" have traveled the road of disillusionment since the Minneapolis meeting in 1888. Infatuation with false teachings has taken the place of clear, cogent, heaven-inspired truth, as regards "righteousness by faith." By the hard, humiliating way of actual experience with counterfeit, Israel has brought herself to the time when she is ripe for disillusionment. The simple faith to believe, which was spurned at Minneapolis, is now replaceable with the bitter tears of humble repentance, occasioned by our history. The following prophecy has been fulfilled, and awaits only its realization by the church:

Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. (ST:250)

Such an experience will be a repentance very similar to that of Mary Magdalene, whose faith and love were spoken of by the Saviour as that of the model Christian. The genuine repentance of heart-broken love is righteousness by faith. (p. 242, old edition)

It must be observed that while Elders Wieland and Short applied the call to repentance given in 1903 to the rejection of the 1888 message instead of to the action of the 1903 General Conference replacing the God-directed 1901 Constitution, nevertheless the call for a "denominational repentance" was made to the Church's leadership in 1950.

 However, by calling attention to the "message" of 1888, these men presented to the leadership of the Church its only remedy.

Thus God used these two young missionaries to tell the Church's leadership that the hour was approaching when the Church was to be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. The warning and the call were all a part of the same testimony which God sent through Ellen G. White in 1903. (See 8T:247-251)

The need for corporate repentance cannot be divorced from the reason for that need. The Church was to be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and if she did not meet certain criteria, she would be found wanting. It was just that simple.

The answer to the challenge of Wieland and Short was not long in coming.

In 1952, Elder W. H. Branson, who in 1950 had been elected to the high office of the presidency of the General Conference, called for a Bible Conference. Its motivation was two-fold: 1)   To proclaim the message of 1888, and thus in an indirect way circumvent the call sent through Wieland and Short two years previously; and 2)   Reaffirm the fundamental truth believed by the Church. Branson, himself, presented the studies on Righteousness by Faith. Concluding these studies, he said: -      To a large degree the church failed to build on the foundation laid at the 1888 General Conference.

p 28 -- Much has been lost as a result. We are years behind where we should be in spiritual growth. Long ere this we should have been in the Promised Land.

But the message of righteousness by faith given in the 1888 Conference has been repeated here. Practically every speaker from the first day onward has laid stress upon this all-important doctrine, and there was no prearranged plan that he should do so. It was spontaneous on the part of the speakers. No doubt they were impelled by the Spirit of God to do so. Truly this one subject has, in this conference "swallowed up every other."

And this great truth has been given here in this 1952 Bible Conference with far greater power than it was given in the 1888 Conference because those who have spoken here have had the advantage of much added light shining forth from hundreds of pronouncements on this subject in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy which those who spoke back there did not have. The light of justification and righteousness by faith shines upon us more clearly than it ever shone before upon any people.

No longer will the question be, "What was the attitude of our workers and people toward the message of righteousness by faith that was given in 1888? What did they do about it?" From now on the great question must be, "What did we do with the light on righteousness by faith as proclaimed in the 1952 Bible Conference?" (Our Firm Foundation, Vol. II, pp. 616-617)

Branson in outlining his objectives for the Bible Conference indicated it was being called "for the particular purpose of reaffirming those great and fundamental truths that have most certainly been believed amongst us throughout all our history." (Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 45) As one reads the messages given at the 1952 Bible Conference on the subjects of the atonement, and the mediatorial work of Christ in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary, it must be happily admitted, the presentations did reflect historic Adventist beliefs. Those beliefs were reaffirmed.

Nevertheless, Wieland and Short's prophetic insight into the real condition of the Church - that she was "infatuated with false teachings" and "ripe for disillusionment" was not long in surfacing.

Within three years, under another administration, the conferences between Seventh-day Adventists and the Evangelicals - Barnhouse and Martin - took place. (See Appendix C) The very doctrines confirmed at the 1952 Bible Conference were now denied by the Adventist conferees.

The resulting book - Questions on Doctrine - sought to assure the Evangelicals that there was a change in the position of the Adventist leadership on the doctrine of the Atonement, but at the same time to verbalize this apostasy in such a way so as to camouflage this change as not to be perceived by the rank and file of the laity of the Church.

To questions raised the answer was simply - "It is just a matter of semantics."

The Adventist conferees were themselves deluded by this answer. T. E. Unruh, who chaired the conferences, reported: -      We came to see that many misunderstandings rested on semantic grounds, because of our use of an inbred denominational vocabulary. Our friends [the Evangelicals] helped us to express our beliefs in terms more easily understood by theologians of other communions. (Adventist Heritage, Vol. 4, #2, 1977, p. 40)

Again the Lord did not leave Himself without a witness. M. L. Andreasen, the Adventist Church's greatest 20th Century theologian, protested. In a letter, responding to a report he had recanted in his opposition to the apostasy, he wrote: -      Let me assure you that I am in good health - not a mental case, not senile, not even dead, as has been reported. But I am so busy that I cannot keep up with my correspondence. I am all alone in my work.

No, I have not recanted. The denomination is departing from the fundamentals, and I must protest. (Letter. posted June 8, 1959, Glendale, California)

And protest he did through Letters to the Church!

Others joined in the challenge to the book - Questions on Doctrine. The local elder

p 29 -- of the Baker, Oregon, Seventh-day Adventist Church, A. L. Hudson, brought into the open the long suppressed manuscript of Elders Wieland and Short, the original, 1888 Re-Examined.

Hudson's pressure on the leadership of the Church caused a "Further Appraisal of the Manuscript '1888 Re-Examined"' to be released by the General Conference in 1958. This Appraisal addressed the issue squarely but tragically.

The General Conference leadership rejected the only solution given by the messenger of the Lord to the Church in 1903. They wrote confirming the 1951 evaluation: -       The solution proposed, of the denomination making confession of the mistakes of men made in the 1880's and 1890's and of a denominational repentance, is not possible nor would an attempt to do so be of value. The experience of the church is the collective experience of its members and leaders, and thus rightness with God is a matter of present day personal relationships." (A Warning and Its Reception, 2nd Printing. Green Tint Section, p. 2)

In this answer, the leadership of the Church ignored not only the specific counsel of the Lord as given in 1903, but also the plain teaching of Scripture on corporate accountability.

One illustration of corporate accountability in the Old Testament is the sin of Achan and how it involved all of Israel. In the New Testament, Peter filled with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost charged the whole of the "house of Israel" with the murder of Jesus. (Acts 2:36)

While the book - Questions on Doctrine - was not republished after the first edition, its apostate teachings were confirmed in the book - Movement of Destiny - which in its first edition carried the imprimatur and nihil obstat of the Presidents of the General Conference and the North American Division, respectively. The then president of the North American Division is now president of the General Conference.

Then came 1967. The recapture of Jerusalem by the Israeli forces marked the beginning of "the last week" - figuratively speaking - of the times of the Gentiles as foretold by Christ that night long ago on the Mount of Olives.'

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The very movement prophesized gave up their truths, much like Israel of old, they left the ways of God. Over and over we read of the failure of the children of Israel to adhere to the covenant of God. Time and time again they were called to repent.  And time and time again they did repent, but it never lasted for very long.

Is it any wonder that God's chosen movement in the end, the people He called to bring the truth to the world, would also apostatize?  They've been called to repent off and on since the  early 1900's, and time and time again they refuse to repent. 

We have passed the time of corporate repentance, the times of the gentiles has been fulfilled, the Seventh day Adventist corporate church has been weighed in the balance and found wanting.

The landmark truths of the church remain, never to be altered and it is to these we must adhere to, not the corporate church. Individually we are to be judged and individual probation for all of us is almost up.  The hour is very late.  Please, may we be YOURS, LORD.

More tomorrow by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

Suppose... ('An Hour and An End' Pt 7 Prophetic Signs)

Suppose I told you that Jesus was going to return in the year 2100. Suppose I gave you all sorts of facts pointing to the truth of that year. What would you think? Are you disappointed knowing that you won't be alive when Jesus is supposed to return? How do you live your life differently in light of such knowledge? You know you're stuck here on earth until your life is over, that death is going to take you to the grave for your long sleep. Does it really alter how you live though? Are you suddenly changing your ways?  You see, often people who live with the conviction that Christ is returning in their day do change their ways. They try to prepare their lives accordingly. They strive to live less self-centered and more Christ-centered. The closer they imagine it is to the return of their Savior it's very likely the more they are striving to be Christ's.  This striving isn't their trying to work their way to heaven, because we all know that it's by grace we are saved. The striving is to stomp down their flesh nature, the selfish nature that demands satisfaction, the nature that quickly succumbs to Satan's temptations.  They are actively engaged in the great battle that isn't for salvation, but rather for the desire to be a true disciple of Christ's right now, used of Him to further His message, His love, His gospel of the kingdom. Satan wants to take us from Christ especially after we've been born again into Him. Satan will stop at nothing to make our lives miserable on all fronts so that we just give up believing we have an advocate with the Father who loves us, who died for us. Satan lives to discredit the Savior and he'll put up a constant barrage of- 'If God really loved you then this, that, and the other horrific thing would not be happening.' Satan uses our desire for a life free of conflict- mental, emotional, physical conflict to put down God.  There is a constant battle, a SPIRITUAL battle that we are all a part of, yes, all of us, every single human being is a part of this spiritual warfare just because they've been born.

 
Back to the supposing...

No matter when our Savior returns we HAVE to live our lives for HIM as HIS soldiers here upon earth. We have to wield His armor as we fight the spiritual war.  We could very well choose to go armorless and give ourselves over to Satan and His ways, in fact millions are doing just that. Or we can fight the spiritual battle knowing our SAVIOR has prevailed and won the war, the outcome is already known, what is undecided is which side you will personally choose to live for, to die for. And while it seems almost ludicrous to imagine people choosing to live and die for the losing side, more people will do this than will choose to live and die for the winning side.  They choose the losing side now because that losing side has seduced them into believing that there is no real war at all. They choose the losing side now because they are caught up in serving mainly self and no others even those cloaked with the disguise of helping others and for all outward appearances are selfless. Some of the most selfless appearing people are really the most selfish, their every selfless act done under the pretense of selfishness to gain accolades and recognition from others, even if the others are only a single other person.

The truth is...

We are watching the prophetic signs and they are unfolding before our eyes.

The truth is...

God working in His time could have the fulfillment of the last sign concerning Jerusalem many years in the future according to His plan.

The truth is...

There WILL be a people alive that will never taste death's sleep when Christ returns.

The truth is...

We have to be ready always, we have to be Christ's always, right now without any delay seeking forgiveness from our Savior, repenting of our flesh desires, repenting of the temptations that so easily overcome us, trusting in Christ to do in us what we can never do for ourselves.

Now let's read another chapter in the prophetic study all about supposing--

By the grace and mercy of our Lord may we find understanding and in finding understanding be His and only His, always!



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Excerpt from 'An Hour and An End' William Grotheer - Adventist Laymen's Foundation

p 22 -- Chapter VIII -- Suppose

A.D. 66 -- Suppose you were living in Jerusalem in 66 A.D. You were a Christian. As a tradesman you were providing a modest but adequate living for your family. You were aware of the prophecy Jesus had given concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem, having heard it from the lips of the Apostles. Furthermore, it was also a matter of record in the Gospels already written, and you had heard it read frequently in the Christian assembly. But no Roman or alien armies had as yet surrounded the city. There were rumors, but Jesus had not said to rely upon rumors.

Then one morning you awakened to the fact that Roman armies had surrounded the city, and all the gates were closed and carefully guarded. How were you to leave the city? It appeared there was no way out. What did Jesus mean? Had you waited too long? No, suddenly the Roman armies withdrew for no apparent cause. The Jewish forces pursued, and the gates were once again open. What would you have done? What should you have done?

Believing the words of Jesus, you hurriedly leave the city taking what you and your family can carry with you. It was a complete uprooting of your life, and meant leaving behind many a cherished possession. You did not stop till you were safely across the Jordon River, and located in a small village in the region beyond. There you sought to establish a form of existence. It was most difficult; life was hard. As time went by, news reached you that the armies of the Romans had not returned. Things were not exactly normal, but from the reports, those in the city were faring far better than you were across the Jordon. What would you have been tempted to do? What should you have done? You chose to stay, and continued to struggle to make ends meet.

A.D. 70 came. The Roman armies returned. You received news of the terrible slaughter and devastation which resulted when the city was taken. You were glad, though life was far from easy, that you had believed and obeyed the words of Jesus. Your very life - salvation - depended upon your faith in what Jesus had said.

A.D. 1832 -- Suppose you were living in a small New England town in the year 1832. One day during the week as you were reading the notices on the bulletin board in the village square, you read the announcement that one William Miller was going to lecture the coming Sunday night in the Town Hall on the soon return of Jesus. The next Sunday morning found you sitting in your usual place at church as your pastor introduced his sermon with the announcement you had read. He then proceeded to decry the fanaticism of thinking that Jesus was going to return to earth in just a few years. He ridiculed the prophecies as mere dreams with only an allegorical meaning. You had planned to go that night to hear Mr.Miller. But the pastor had some things to say about him, too. So you decided not to go, and you didn't.

The next year - one morning, well before daybreak - you were suddenly awakened with the sound of cries and the terrified voices of your neighbors. Looking out to see what was causing this unusual disturbance, you saw what they saw - the stars of heaven failing. You began to tremble, because you knew what Jesus had said, and what was

p 23 -- written in the book of Revelation which was being so vividly fulfilled before your eyes. What were you to do? You recall distinctly your decision of the previous year with deep regret.

Weeks pass, and again as you one day read the bulletin board in the village square, you discover that William Miller will speak in a near-by church the next Sunday night. Regardless of what your pastor will say on Sunday morning, you are determined to go and hear Miller. So you do, and you are completely convinced that the presentation of prophecy is accurate. The end of all things is at hand, and so you start attending the study group organized to prepare folk for the coming of Jesus, and to provide support that others may hear also.

October 23, 1844 -- Since you believed expectantly that Jesus was going to return on October 22, 1844, you gathered with those of like precious faith, uniting with them in prayer and watching all that day. Into the hours of the night you waited; but still Jesus did not come. The little sleep you got the rest of the night was fitful, and with the dawning on October 23, you could not rest. Your mind was agitated; your heart was torn with disappointment. What should you do? What could you do? Where in the word of God could you turn for an answer?

The Midnight Cry which had established the date, October 22 - "the tenth day of the seventh month" - had also opened minds to further and deeper study of the type and antitype relationship between the earthly and heavenly sanctuary. One who lived through this experience wrote: -    The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment, showing that God had led His people in the great Advent movement. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, and revealed present duty as it brought to light the position and work of God's people. (SP, IV, p. 268)

Note that the study of the sanctuary brought "to view a complete system of truth" and "revealed present duty."

What was that duty? Again from the pen of one who had lived through those trying days following the disappointment, we read: -      The passing of time in 1844, was followed by a period of great trial to those who still held the Advent faith. Their only relief, so far as ascertaining their true position was concerned, was the light which directed their minds to the sanctuary above. As has been stated, Adventists were for a short time united in the belief that the door of mercy was shut. This position was soon abandoned. Some renounced their faith in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods, and ascribed to human or Satanic agencies the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which had attended the Advent movement. Another class firmly held that the Lord had led them in their past experience; and as they waited and watched and prayed to know the will of God, they saw that their great High Priest had entered upon another work of ministration, and following Him by faith, they were led to understand also the closing work of the church, and were prepared to receive and give to the world the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. (Ibid., pp. 271-272; emphasis mine)

Observe - those who followed Jesus by faith were led to understand "the closing work of the church." They also perceived the Third Angel's message was to be given to the world.

As Time Continued -- Although disappointed, being sincere and believing the Word of God, you chose to unite your interests and endeavors with those who would be proclaiming to the world the Message of Revelation 14. You looked for the time when the message would

p 24 -- swell into a "loud cry" as foretold in Revelation 18. You rejoiced to hear the messages of Elders A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner when they came to South Lancaster to give what they had presented at the Minneapolis General Conference session in 1888. Then one day, a few years later, you opened the Review and Herald which had just come in the mail. In it you read: -       The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. (Nov. 22, 1892, p. 615)

This caused you to rejoice. The "Loud Cry" had commenced. Revelation 18 was about to be fulfilled. Soon Jesus would come. You recalled the experience which filled your soul on October 22, 1844. Surely you would not again be disappointed. But then time dragged on. Nothing happened. The revival that had been so evident at the South Lancaster meetings died out. What had happened? You were getting older, and hoped, so much, to be alive and see Jesus come. Many of your friends who had shared this same hope had already fallen asleep in Jesus. Must this be your experience, also?

Ten more years pass, and you hear about a letter which Ellen G. White had written to Percy T. Magan. It had said: -       We may have to remain here in this world many more years because of insubordination, 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. (Letter dated, Dec. 7, 1901)

As the full impact of this letter comes home to your mind, you ask - "How many is "many more years'?" The same day a friend of yours visits, and you both discuss things dear to your hearts - the coming of Jesus, the advancing years of your life, your hopes and expectations. This friend tells you about another letter, also written in 1901. You want to see a copy. In a few days, your friend returns and brings you a copy. You take it, and read it very slowly and carefully. It tells you -      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 and Editors, pp. 23-24)

That evening when you had time to think it through more carefully, you ask yourself the question - "Why did Ellen White just ask us to note Luke 21? Why not Matthew 24 and Mark 13? These were also reports of what Jesus gave in prophecy that night long ago. Why did she specify that what Luke had recorded about events to come upon Jerusalem would be 'connected [with] the scenes which were to take place... just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory'?" Then you took your Bible and re-read thoughtfully Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 2 1. You discovered that the only things that Luke said about Jerusalem which Matthew and Mark did not was in regard to Jerusalem being trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

As the evening hours lengthened into the dark shadows of the night, you continued that year in the early 1900's to ponder what you had read. Jerusalem was still under Gentile control. But you did recall reading in the newspaper of the first Jewish International Congress in 1897 for the purpose of promoting a Jewish Commonwealth in Palestine. Would this Jewish state - if it could be achieved - free Jerusalem from Gentile control? Thinking, wondering, pondering - would it be in your day? - you fell asleep.

*******

May God bless us all and keep us IN HIM always! 

In Christ's love forever!

An Hour and An End - Pt. 6 (Prophetic Signs)

One more prophetic sign involving Jerusalem before Christ returns.



ONE more prophetic sign.



That is to say, before 1980 there was more than one sign remaining.



1980.



I was 17 years old in 1980 and today I am 50, going on 51 in a short six months. Thirty-three years have passed since the second to last prophetic sign connected with Jerusalem came to pass. When it came to pass it didn't do so in a shocking, world rocking way that stunned everyone in the world causing them to take notice.  The signs don't work that way especially in the last days when we've been told that Jesus' return will be as a thief in the night. ONLY those waiting and watching for that thief will keep him from robbing them. Most aren't watching and waiting for thieves, who wants to live their lives that way? The sudden-ness, the unexpectedness will take many by shocking surprise. Even though they've been forewarned.  You see, if you are told a thief will rob you, you'd ask when in order to prepare. If you are told no one knows when, just that it will happen, you might take precautions- an alarm system and such, you might even keep guard for awhile. But as time passed and nothing happened you'd be inclined to not be as on guard as you were at first. Then when it happens you would be shocked, taken by surprise all because you weren't prepared always.



In 1980 Jerusalem was once again controlled by the Israeli people, those not considered gentiles.



Today you can read in the news the fight for peace in the Middle East and the gentiles wanting East Jerusalem to be theirs, not the Israeli's.  They say they will agree to NO peace treaty without East Jerusalem becoming THEIR capital.  The Israelis in turn say NO WAY, they aren't going to divide Jerusalem.  The fought for and won Jerusalem back in a war and they're not going to just hand it back to their sworn enemy to make peace in the region.  This is happening now and has been happening for years.  What will the final outcome be? I don't know. I do know this…



'There remains but ONE more prophetic sign involving Jerusalem before the end.



It reads:       And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain (Jerusalem, Dan. 9:16); yet he shall come to his end and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:45)



Papal policy indicates that this is its objective and desire.



The Word of God indicates that when this happens, THE NEXT MAJOR EVENT is the close of all human probation: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people." (Daniel 12:1)



We have arrived at the end. This generation shall not pass away till all things are fulfilled.'



There is no prophetic talk of Jerusalem being divided in two, but there IS prophetic talk of a POWER putting THEIR POWER there in Jerusalem and that destroying the POWER.



A HE shall establish a representative power base of theirs in Jerusalem in such a way that it is  significant and this will signal his end, something no one will be able to stop.



Signal the end.



The very next thing that will take place…



Dan 12:1  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.


Is it possible that Jerusalem will be divided? Could the prophecy still remain intact? All that was mentioned was Jerusalem being trodden down until the times of the gentiles being fulfilled. That happened. So even now if Jerusalem were to once more under go some dramatic change of hands it would not nullified the fulfilled prophecy- it happened, it's history.  We are now waiting and watching for the 'HE' power to 'PLANT' himself in Jerusalem.  All of our studying, many biblical scholars who have studied the issue agree that the 'HE' power is none other than the Papacy.  And to further comprehend what this means... the Vatican is right now poised to take *BACK* some very prominent historic/religious sites establishing its presence in a very significant way in Jerusalem. These sites have been in contention between the Vatican and Israel for some time. They've worked over the years in many talks to come to some sort of understanding as to what belongs to the Vatican and what does not. THIS IS CURRENT HISTORY. I'm not talking about something that transpired centuries ago, but last year and yes, even this year.  In the news we read that 'supposedly' the sites in contention issue should be resolved this May when the Pope visits Jerusalem.  Will it happen? I don't know, I honestly cannot say for certain that this is the moment we are looking for, that this is the planting of the tabernacles, that this is the power establishing itself in Jerusalem and this is it... the time immediately prior to the time when Michael stands up, the great prince, the time before the time of trouble such as never was before, the time before the deliverance of Christ's people found written in the book of life.

I cannot say for certain but I'm WATCHING as we are told to WATCH and I'm PRAYING as we are told to PRAY, all by the GRACE of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Prophetic signs fulfilled, and being fulfilled in our day.

Maybe we can't know for certain to look back upon things in the last days because we will be living in prophecy, but we can see the signs, know the signs. When we see shoots on a tree budding forth we KNOW summer is on its way- that's a sign of the impending summer.  When we see these signs of Biblical prophecy unfolding we know that it is a sign of impending salvation from this world of sin, the impending return of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

So tell me, knowing these signs are unfolding can we afford to think about anything but the life battle we are in for eternity?

Satan would have us concerned about eating, drinking, and various cares of this life which there are an unending multitude of. Satan wants us completely wrapped up in all things but Christ and His soon return.

Luk_21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

We cannot let ourselves become so wrapped up in THIS life that we neglect the life of eternity, to do so is to lose eternity altogether.

Satan would have us lulled into a great stupor so that we are caught unaware, at every turn we are facing spiritual obstacles put in our path by the great deceiver who wants us to be his, not Christ's.

Please Lord, we would know YOUR truth and KEEP YOUR truth, all through YOU and YOUR amazing love, YOUR grace and mercy, YOUR righteousness!

Please, Lord, save us from Satan, save us from ourselves and keep us off the path of destruction that Satan makes so incredibly tempting through His deceptions.

Keep our eyes opened LORD, let us know the hour we are living in and understand that no matter the time whether the beginning of the very end is in May 2014, or if it's a hundred years from now, let us be in You always watching, always hoping, always loving YOU!

An Hour and An End - Pt. 5 (Prophetic Signs)

Could we be living in the VERY last years, months, days?

From a Biblical point of view, it would appear so. However, God's time is much different than ours. Things transpire, changing other things, all the time. The children of Israel were supposed to be freed from Egypt and go directly to the promised land and yet…

Heb 3:16  For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses?

Heb 3:17  And with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient?

Heb 3:19  And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

They didn't all go directly into the promised land, did they? No, they did not.

Again, Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family were taken out and given a chance to live and yet, Lot's wife looked back. She could have been saved too, but she looked back.

The flood, Noah didn't have to have the only family saved and yet none other believed, none other found grace in God's eyes.

Jonah going to Nineveh, Nineveh was going to be destroyed and yet...they repented and were saved.

Do you see, things happen and things change.

God has a plan and has given prophetic signs. Every one of those signs will have come to pass before Christ comes.  When the signs come to pass and the results of those signs take place are all done according as God plans AS things happen. 

Could Christ have come sooner? 

Could the children of Israel freed from Egypt have gone into the promised land before forty years?

Could Nineveh have not repented?

Could Lot's wife not looked back?

Could more of those families before the flood have found grace in God's eyes?

If we say NO, then we are saying that there truly is NO power of choice.

We all have that power of choosing, and the power of collective choice as a group as well. 

Consequences for actions take place all the time… so when we understand that things happen as we are told, but not necessarily how we imagine, we have to know that all these signs will be fulfilled and we must watch - understanding that our personal probation could be up at any moment, and the entire world's probation could be up very, very soon.

Let's read more from 'An Hour and An End' by Elder William Grotheer and by the grace of our LORD understand more of His truth. 

*******

p 19 -- Chapter V11 -- Data of History and 1980

The prophecy of Jesus recorded in Luke 21:24 indicates that the ending of the times of the Gentiles or nations is a brief but definable period of time.

Luke used the idiom - achri hou - translated by our word, "until." (See p. 8) We have focused on events which marked the beginning of the brief period in 1967; now we turn our attention to an event in 1980 which marked the CLOSE OF THIS PERIOD, and some other events which preceded this date that are also interrelated in the overall picture of prophecy.

There was no way to tell in 1967 just how long this period of time would be, since we are not dealing with a time prophecy which foretells in advance how much time must elapse till the next event, such as the 1260 days or the 2300 days.

This prophecy concerns events, and when the event does occur, we can say - "This is it!"

In 1967 a man had a religious experience which had an effect on the course of history in 1979. Jeffrey Hart in a syndicated column dated May 7, 1976 (Oroville, California, Mercury Register), writing on "Carter and Religion" stated: -       ' " In 1967, ' says Carter, 'I had a profound religious experience that changed my life."'

This obscure, mediocre Governor of Georgia had by 1979 been catapulted into the White House. There on October 6, 1979, President Jimmy Carter welcomed Pope John Paul II with these words: -       I welcome you to the White House the symbolic home of all our people. On behalf of every American of every faith I also welcome you into our nation's heart. God bless you for coming to our country. We are proud to have you here. - (RNS, Oct. 8, 1979, p. 1)

Here was a man, a Southern Baptist by confession, whose religious devotion was such that he taught Sunday school while serving as President of the United States, who in 1967 had such a "profound religious experience" that his life was changed, who now twelve years later as head of the American government reaches across the gulf and clasps hands with the reigning head of the Papacy. (See Exhibit #6) This was done on behalf of "every American of every faith."

Religious News Service (RNS) observes that the reception for the Pope was possibly the largest ever held in the White House. Over 10,000 invitations were issued. At this reception were gathered representatives of all three branches of the American government - executive, legislative, and judicial. "At the conclusion of the reception the pope surprised the audience by saying, 'the pope wants to bless you -- with the permission of the president of the United States."' (Ibid., p.2) Carter made no objections, neither did any other officially appointed or elected leader of government. Ellen White had declared in 1891: -       It is at the time of national apostasy, when, acting on the policy of Satan, the rulers of the land will rank themselves on the side of the man of sin - it is then the measure of guilt is full; the national apostasy is the signal for national ruin. (GC Bulletin, Vol. 4, #19, p. 259)

You will observe that when "the rulers of the land" - not just the president - rank themselves on "the side of the man of sin," in accordance with "the policy of Satan," that God marks it as "national apostasy." Within weeks, American prestige suffered the most humiliating defeat of its 200 year history - the insult at Teheran - and

p 20 -- Carter could do nothing to alter the situation; he was completely ineffective. The blessing of the pope had turned into a curse.

Another series of events were taking place during the final year of the Carter administration. These events involved Jerusalem.

As early as the second session of the United Nations (Nov. 29, 1947), the General Assembly had approved a resolution on Palestine.

This resolution was re-affirmed in two following sessions (Dec. 11, 1948; Dec. 9, 1949). On April 14, 1950, the Trusteeship Council approved a "special statute" based on the General Assembly's decisions. This envisaged a setting up of a "corpus separatum" for Jerusalem and the surrounding area to be administered by the Council.

This "territorial internationalization" of Jerusalem was never put into effect due to the 1948 conflict when Israel was reborn as a nation with the division of the city, the Arabs retaining control of "old" Jerusalem. 1967 changed this picture; still the capital of Israel remained at Tel Aviv.

On June 30, 1980, the Charge d'Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See asked that a Text of the Papal position on Jerusalem as published in Osservatore Romano be circulated as a document of the Security Council. This was duly done on the orders of the President of Council as document S/14032. (See Exhibit #7) The Papal position called for putting into effect the "special statute" formulated by the Trustee Council in 1950.

Three months earlier, the Egyptian parliament called for the establishment of Jerusalem as the seat of the Palestine autonomous authority. The government of Israel considered this as a "flagrant, unprovoked interference" in their internal affairs. The Israeli parliament - the Knesset - responded by adopting a Private Member's Bill - Basic Law: Jerusalem - on July 30, 1980. This law declared - "Jerusalem united in its entirety is the capital of Israel." It is to be "the seat of the President of the State, the Knesset, the Government and the Supreme Court." (See Exhibit #8)

This action on the part of the Knesset set the limiting date required by the idiomatic expression used in Luke 21:24. In 1967, the Israeli armies reoccupied Jerusalem - the Jerusalem of which Jesus spoke, the "old" city - and the end of the period of the times of the Gentiles began.

In 1980, the entire government of Israel was transferred from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem declared by law as "united in its entirety."

This completed the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles or nations.

If the prophecy of Jesus means anything, it means at least, the nations of earth are no longer under the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit, and Satan is now permitted to work his will in gathering them together for the final confrontation at the place called in the Hebrew tongue - Har-Magedon (Har Mo'ed) - Mount of the Congregation. (Rev. 16:16 RV; Isa. 14:13)

Since 1980, events have moved swiftly toward "the battle of the great day of God Almighty."

Carter was followed by Ronald Reagan. During his administration, the United States officially recognized the Vatican and exchanged ambassadors.

This was done with the aid and counsel of "the voice of Protestantism" - Billy Graham. Church and State noted based on a report in the Chicago Sun-Times "that evangelist Billy Graham helped to lay the political groundwork for the U.S.-Holy See diplomatic exchange." The article continued: -        The evangelist was asked by former National Security Advisor William Clark [a Catholic] to assess the reaction of evangelicals to the diplomatic adventure. Graham contacted such leaders as Jerry Falwell of the Moral Majority, the Rev. Pat Robinson of the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Rev. Billy Melvin of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Rev. David Hubbard, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Gilbert Beers of Christianity Today.

In a seven-page letter last spring, Graham advised that moderate evangelicals would present few problems, especially if the Vatican were recognized purely in a political way and without religious

p 21 -- implications. Graham predicted that Falwell would be in a difficult position because his Moral Majority constituency reportedly includes both Catholics and conservative Protestants. The evangelist noted, however, that "some people (like Jerry Falwell) could be persuaded to keep quiet on the issue."

"I honestly don't know what I personally would recommend that the president do," Graham wrote. He added that Reagan "would need to cover his political bases" and bring into the picture "people who might cause him trouble - Jews, Catholic Bishop's Committee, National Council (of churches), etc." (March, 1984, p. 7)

It should be observed Graham suggested the plan be put as a "political" recognition of Vatican State rather than a "religious" recognition of the Holy See. This was to suggest a deception to accomplish a desired end. Less than 110 acres of land is hardly justification for diplomatic recognition by the United States.

It was the Papacy which the United States recognized!

Both the legislative and executive branches of the government affirmed the action.

The way in which this issue was put through Congress - the almost total and callous disregard for the opposition by both the legislative and executive branches of the United States government - should tell us something. No longer are the "angels" holding "the four winds" as was done in every previous confrontation. The times of the nations are fulfilled.

The Papacy has again expressed its policy toward Jerusalem. On Good Friday, April 20, 1984, Pope John Paul II issued an Apostolic Letter called, "Redemptionis Anno." In this letter, he stated - "Jerusalem stands out as a symbol of coming together, or union, and of universal peace for the human family."

He called for peace as the fruit of redemption, and because of this peace, it -       makes Jerusalem the living sign of the great ideal of unity, of brotherhood and of agreements among peoples according to the illuminating words of the Book of Isaiah: "Many peoples shall come and say: Come let us go up to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." (Is. 2:3) (See Exhibit #9)

There remains but ONE more prophetic sign involving Jerusalem before the end.

It reads:       And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain (Jerusalem, Dan. 9:16); yet he shall come to his end and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:45)

Papal policy indicates that this is its objective and desire.

The Word of God indicates that when this happens, THE NEXT MAJOR EVENT is the close of all human probation: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people." (Daniel 12:1)

We have arrived at the end. This generation shall not pass away till all things are fulfilled.

*******

More on this tomorrow, all by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

In HIS LOVE!

An Hour and An End - Pt. 4 (Prophetic Signs)

History and the signs.

We have to know history if we are to know past signs.

The first prophecy seminar I ever went to really hit home when the revelation of prophecy's truth was revealed in our very own history.  So many times prophecies unfolding. Proof beyond doubt of God's reality, God's truths.  He doesn't ask us to believe in total blindness. Yes, there is a step of faith that HAS to be made, but God has given us an amazing amount of prophecies with history fulfillment.  We'd be foolish not to look at everything available to us.

These last few days we've been discussing the signs Jesus gave to us for the last days.

We discussed Jerusalem and the 'times of the gentiles' being fulfilled.  Today we're going to continue that study by  reading more of Elder William Grotheer's article- 'An Hour and An End'.

By the grace of God we'll have our hearts and minds open to ALL His truth!  Please, Lord, bless us, help us, keep us, know us!

*******

p 16 -- Chapter VI -- Data of History and 1967

In 1975, a section of The Reader's Digest was devoted to articles on Jerusalem, and peace in the Middle East.

One of these was captioned - "Jerusalem -- Too Holy For Its Own Good." The author, David Reed, wrote: -       A stone wall, rising starkly in the Walled City, figures strongly in Israel's adamancy over not wanting to give up East Jerusalem. This is the Western Wall, a fragment of the western rampart of the platform on which the First Temple of King Solomon and the Second Temple of King Herod stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, when the Jews were driven into diaspora, or dispersion. Throughout 19 centuries of diaspora, the wall or the memory of it, served as a spiritual beacon and a symbol of a lost homeland to Jews the world over. During this time, Passover and Yom Kippur services ended with the incantation in Hebrew: "Next year in Jerusalem." ...

When the British withdrew from Palestine in 1948, and Jews and the Arabs fought for the control of the state, the Jews managed to hold West Jerusalem and proclaimed it the capital of the new state of Israel. Yet, tantalizingly, the Western Wall remained just beyond reach. Jordon annexed East Jerusalem as well as the West Bank of the River Jordon, a territory that surrounds the city on three sides. For 19 years, a no-man's-land separated the two sectors, and the Jordanians refused to allow Jews to worship at the Western Wall.

When war came in 1967, Israel urged Jordan's King Hussein to stay out of it, promising, in return, not to attack Jordon. But, egged on by Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser and other Arabs, Hussein sent artillery shells crashing into West Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers counterattacked, and poured into the Walled City. Their religious fervor was such that many headed directly for the Western Wall, where they paused to pray. For the first time in 19 centuries. the wall was under Jewish control. (March, 1975, p. 132)

This gives concisely the events and Jewish feeling connected with the retaking of Old Jerusalem in 1967. It signalled the first step in the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus, marking the beginning of the closing of "the time of visitation" for the Gentiles, or nations. Beyond this actual event which Jesus gave as the "sign" when the times of the nations would begin to be fulfilled, a number of other happenings in the religious world occurred which marks 1967 as a significant date.

One is the Catholic Charismatic Movement. "Catholic Sociologist Andrew Greely estimates that two million Catholics have attended charismatic meetings." (Christianity Today (CT), June 6, 1975, p. 45) This same journal reports: -      Pentecost Sunday, 1975, will live in church history as the day when the charismatic movement in the Catholic Church arrived in St. Peter's with full force. During the pontifical mass presided over by Pope Paul VI on May 18, the sound of tongues and charismatic singing filled the massive nave of the ancient mother church of Roman Catholicism. ...

The conference which in previous years had met at Notre Dame University, convened in Rome in conjunction with the Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Paul. The theme was the same as the Holy Year "Renewal and Reconciliation." Participants came from over sixty nations representing more than one million Catholic charismatics in several thousand prayer groups. Several Protestant Pentecostal and charismatic leaders also attended as "official ecumenical observers."

Conference sessions were held on the outskirts of Rome in a large tent over the catacombs of St. Callixtus, a meeting and burial place for early Christian martyrs. ...

On Pentecost Sunday, the conference moved to St. Peter's for the mass celebrated by Pope Paul.

p 17 -- Although the charismatics were a minority in the throngs who filled the church and the square outside, their presence was apparent as the mass progressed. Spontaneous singing of the charismatic anthem "Alleluia" competed with the pipe organ at the beginning and the end of the service. At the consecration of the host, a soft murmur of "singing in the Spirit" (chanting in harmony in glossolalia) filled the cathedral. While the Pope continued the mass, hands were raised in praise, and at one point, a priest fell to his knees and asked to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Several persons laid hands on him and prayed quietly. ...

The climax of the conference came at St. Peter's on Monday, May 19, in a mass conducted by Cardinal Suenens, who was assisted by twelve bishops and more than 800 priests. This was the first specifically charismatic service ever held in St. Peter's. Suenens delivered his sermon in typically Pentecostal style. The cathedral reverberated with the shouted responses to his "hallelujahs." Such Pentecostal choruses as "Spirit of the Living God" and "Alleluia" were sung with hands upraised. Several times the well-filled basilica resounded with singing in the Spirit. ...

At the close of the mass, Pope Paul arrived to give special greetings to the conferees. As he entered, the congregation broke into cheers and applause. Most of his message was given in French, with short summaries in Spanish and English... At the end of his prepared text, the Pope broke into impromptu remarks in his native Italian. Reflecting on his encyclical on joy that was proclaimed the day before, he exhorted the charismatics to share their joy with the world. The conference erupted in applause as the Pope ended with, "Glory to the Lord, hallelujah!" Before he exited, the Pope embraced and kissed Cardinal Suenens and greeted about twenty leading charismatics. Many wept openly. ...

According to Catholic theologian Kilian McDonnell of Minnesota. it was a "triumphant day," while to Balthasar Fisher of Trier University, Germany, the meeting was "historical - of enormous importance." To Protestant Pentecostal spokesman David du Plessis, it was "the greatest charismatic and ecumenical event in history."

Cardinal Suenens summed up the feelings - and hopes - of many when he declared that by his actions and warm words of approval, "the Pope opened his arms and heart to the charismatic renewal." (Ibid., pp. 45-46)

However, the bottom line of this Catholic charismatic breakthrough in 1975 was reported in CT, June 22, 1973: -       On the surface, the big story is still the movement's phenomenal growth. From its beginning among a handful of mostly young persons at a retreat in 1967 on Duquesne University campus in Pittsburgh, it now encircles the earth. (p. 37)

When one perceives the charismatic movement as a manifestation of the working of the power of Satan, the event at Duquesne University, and the date - 1967 becomes significant. Here is an outward display of demoniac power in angelic garb moving into the Catholic church, the government of which, prophecy indicates will figure so largely in the final scenes of this world's history. This is not saying that such power has not resided in the Papacy since its inception as indicated in prophecy (Rev. 13:2; II Thess. 2:9), but does serve as a sign heralding the time for such manifestations in the devil's final movement to deceive the world. (Rev. 16:13-14)   1

Turning to another event, we find that 1967 marked the 450th Anniversary of Protestantism. The World Book Encyclopedia made this observation: -       World Protestantism celebrated its 450th anniversary in 1967 and encountered some of its most troublesome issues in history. Most Protestants consider October 31, 1517, as the symbolic beginning of the Reformation. On that day, Martin Luther issued his Ninety-Five Theses criticizing the Roman Catholic Church and pointing toward a fresh understanding of God's grace. In October, 1967, Protestants gathered - quite often with Roman Catholics - in countries throughout the world, to recall that event. (1968 Year Book, p. 468)

1 -- Revelation pictures Satan under the symbol of a "dragon" or "serpent" (Rev. 12:9; 20:2) In Rev. 16:13-14, the symbol changes to "like frogs" - an animal which catches its prey with its tongue.

p 18 -- From the same encyclopedia under the topic - "Eastern Influence" - an interesting summary was given of the introduction of Eastern philosophy into Western thinking. The summary stated:       Finally, news of non-Western religion came to the West in 1967 through the efforts of individuals and groups that might be described as commuters between value systems. The "hippie" phenomenon, which reached a peak in midsummer, was an example. Hippies turned to Zen Buddhism, the Vedas, the writings of Rabbi Hillel, and the teachings of Jesus, implying that these could provide meaning for a non-violent generation. The Beatles were the best known of the celebrities who turned to Eastern Religion as they sought "transcendental meditation" through contact with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, their chosen spiritual leader. Timothy Leary advocated a religion based not only on mind-expanding drugs like LSD, but also on literary resources of Eastern religion. (Ibid., p. 476)

Through the prophet Isaiah, God spoke concerning "the last days" in which a people professing His name would prefer a "law" going forth from Jerusalem rather than accepting what He had already proclaimed from Mt. Sinai. This people would be "replenished from the east." (Isa. 2:2-6)

Another happening which marks 1967 is a mix between religious elements and the toy industry. John Godwin in his Occult America describes it thus: -       The year 1967 was a historic milestone for the United States toy industry. In that year Americans ditched their longest -standing favorite among board games, and elevated Ouija boards to its place. Since then approximately ten million of these boards have been sold, making them a $50,000,000 business and assuring that a basic minimum of 20 million Americans have played with them.

I picked out a fairly random lot of thirty dedicated Ouija players and asked them if they could tell me where the game originated and what the name meant. Most of them, as it turned out, believed that it was a Far Eastern device, its origins lost in antiquity, its title meaning something or other in either Chinese, Hindi, or Korean. One lone individualist held out for Hebrew, another had it on authority of her card-reading girlfriend that Ouija meant "spirit" in either Sanskrit or Persian.

The fact is that the Ouija board was invented and patented in 1892 by one William Fuld of Baltimore, Maryland. At first he and his brother called the contraption Mystifying Oracle, but found the label too long and hit on a combination of the French and German word for "yes" as an alternative. Until 1966 the boards were made exclusively by the Fuld family's Southern Toy Company. Then Parker Brothers - who also manufacture Monopoly - bought the rights. To their astonishment the new acquisition outsold their No. 1 hit from the word go!

There was of course, a certain amount of sales push behind it. Ads - "Give One to a Friend" - in magazines, and a crescendo ditty, "Hey, Ouija, we needja" blasted over various rock-orientated radio stations. There was a war in Vietnam, confirming the pattern noted during both World Wars and Korea that Ouija boards always sell better in wartime. But the current dizzying surge is the result of a totally unexpected market combination. The usual wives, mothers, and sweethearts of service men were joined by millions of teenagers, right down to the thirteen-year-old level, who had never previously shown much interest in these gadgets. And while the involvement of servicemen's relatives had obvious reasons, the sudden enthusiasm of the teeners remains a mystery - even to Parker Brothers. (p. 272)

Even as the charismatic movement with its overtones of Spiritism garbed in angelic light, signals the arrival of the final manifestation of Satanic power to deceive, so also does the emergence of the raw spiritistic Ouija board signal the same thing - the time for the marvelous working of Satan. Both made a rebirth in the same year that the sign Jesus gave, concerning the times of the Gentiles, began to be fulfilled - 1967!

*******

Facts.

These are facts.

Some might shout that they are mere coincidences, or say that things are being read into other things that aren't there. A lot of time people will tear things apart because they want to remain blind, they refuse to see.  Blindness is comfortable when it comes to people not wanting to see their own faults, their own call to face judgment.  Yes, face judgment.

I'm not an old time preacher who is going to shout hellfire and damnation, I'm not. I'm just me, an ordinary average person who is going to shout that WE ARE ALL GOING TO FACE JUDGEMENT. 

When the probation hour is up every person will have had their eternal fate decided.  The living and the dead. 

God's HOLY Word tells us this--

2Ti 4:1  I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom

God's words, not mine!

Like it or not, we will be judged.  Are we Christ's or not?

Please LORD, let us be YOURS!

Please!

Let us be YOURS.

All by YOUR GRACE and MERCY, YOUR LOVE!

More tomorrow by the grace of God.

An Hour and An End - Pt. 3 (Prophetic Signs)

Are these the last days?

To answer that with certainty would mean I was saying I know something the Bible says is impossible to know.

Mat_24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth NO man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

However, we are told by our Savior to WATCH and PRAY because we don't know.

What are we watching and praying for?

We are watching for our Savior and praying we will be His.

We are given signs and told that we know when a fig tree puts forth shoots that summer is nigh. 

We MUST watch for the signs and we will KNOW Christ's return is near.

No, we don't know the exact time of it, but we can know when it is near. 

Let's read more of William Grotheer's study- An Hour and An End.

By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may we come to all truth, may we study and know all we need to know to be prepared. 

*******

p 14 -- Chapter V-- "This Generation Shall Not Pass Away"

Jesus outlined three major events which were to take place between His resurrection and His second coming.

These events were to serve as signs to His followers at the given time of their fulfillment.

First, as has been noted, Jerusalem was to be surrounded by armies. This would be the sign for the Christians to flee the city and its environs.

Then came the signs in the heavens - the sun darkened, the moon not giving its light, and the stars falling from heaven. This marked the beginning of the period of the revelation of the Son of man - first in judgment, then His coming as King of kings.

Finally Jerusalem was to be freed from domination by the Gentiles, thus marking the close of the times of the Gentiles, and the beginning of the distress of nations.

We have yet to look closely at what this means to us who are living in the time when this prophecy has been fulfilled.

After completing the enumeration of these signs and certain details concerning them, Jesus stated to His disciples: - Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Luke 21:32-33

Each generation, in which these major events as prophesied occurred, perceived itself as living in the end of time. This doesn't exempt even the generation living prior to the destruction of Jerusalem.

The Early Church -- When Paul wrote his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, he described the coming of Christ and the first resurrection. (I Thess. 4:16-19) While they were to be comforted by the hope of the resurrection, they were also warned to take heed that the day not overtake them "as a thief." (5:4) These new converts became convinced that the second coming of Christ would be in their day. Paul then had to write a second letter telling them that certain things were first to take place before the event. (II Thess. 2:3) Nevertheless, he noted that "the mystery of iniquity doth already work." (2:7) The message comes through - "Not just now, but not too far away."

In his prison epistle to the church at Colosse, Paul told them, "not to be moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature under heaven." (1:23) That hope of the gospel included what Paul in his letter to Titus called "that blessed hope, [even] the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (2:13) In describing the extent of the proclamation - "to every creature which is under heaven" - Paul is alluding in concept to the words of Jesus when giving the signs of His return. Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom would "be preached as a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14) Paul wrote this had been done. His essay to the Hebrews begins with the concept that God "in these last days" has spoken to us in a Son. (1:2) The early Christians thought of themselves as living in the end times - and it was to be the end time for the Jewish nation/church.

The fact dare not be overlooked that the Christians who saw the event which Jesus

p 15 -- had prophesied for that generation - Jerusalem surrounded by alien armies - lived to see the event to which it was connected, fulfilled - the destruction of the city. The Roman armies under Cestius surrounded the city in 66 A.D., and then suddenly withdrew. In a little less than four years - 70 A.D. - the Roman legions under Titus returned, captured and burned the city. Jesus' words did not pass away; they were fulfilled!

A Diagram of This Period

The Cross ----------------------------------------------------- 66 A.D.---------------- 70 A.D. 

___|________________________________________|______________|_____

The Second Major Sign -- The second major sign was to be seen in the heavens. These collective signs in the sun, moon and stars occurred during the period of 1780-1833.

Following this period, there was a worldwide stir concerning the coming of Christ. The followers of William Miller and finally Miller himself proclaimed that Christ would come October 22, 1844. Joseph Wolff heralded the message of Christ's soon return throughout the Near East. Other voices were raised in England, and in Sweden, young children moved by the Holy Spirit proclaimed the near return of Jesus.

Again the fact comes through - the generation who saw the last sign in the heavens, and who heard the proclamation that they were living in what was perceived to be the end times, also lived to hear the message concerning the event to which the signs given by Jesus directed mankind - His final ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary, the beginning of the period of the revelation of the Son of man.

A Diagram of This Period

May 19, 1780 -----------------------------Nov. 13, 1833 ------------------------ Oct. 22, 1844

___|________________________________|______________________|_____

The Final Sign -- We come now to the final major sign of His prophetic discourse, the sign which would signal that the times of the Gentiles had been fulfilled.

This has been fulfilled in this generation before the eyes of the whole world. Thus this generation which has seen the event which fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus will not pass away till all is completed and Jesus returns the second time. We have reached the end of time.

A Diagram of This Period

1948 ----------------- --1967 ------------ 1980 --------Dan. 11:45 --------- SECOND COMING

___|________________|_________|_________|___________________|_____

As we next turn our attention to the data which surrounds and supports the prophecy of the closing times of the Gentiles, we shall see that all prophecies concerning the end time are moving to their final climax. Well would it be for us to carefully ponder the words of Jesus as He brought His prophetic discourse to a close. Take your Bibles and read prayerfully His words in Luke 21:34-36.

Luk 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Luk 21:35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

More tomorrow by the grace of our GOD!

May we read and understand, truly understand!

All in HIS LOVE!