The Way Study Blog

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

We Only Want Truth.

What does Jesus say about prophets?

Mat_2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (((Notes: Jesus' birth was foretold by PROPHETS))))

Mat_5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Mat_5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mat_7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Mat_7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (((Note: Being told to BEWARE of false prophets- so if there are false there must be true.))))

Mat_11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Mat_13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Mat_16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Mat_22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Mat_23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Mat_23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Mat_23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Mat_23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city (((Jesus sends PROPHETS…))))

Mat_23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Mat_24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mat_24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mat_26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Mar_1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mar_6:15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

Mar_8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Mar_13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Luk_1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

Luk_6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Luk_6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luk_9:8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

Luk_9:19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

Luk_10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Luk_11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Luk_11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

Luk_11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

Luk_13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Luk_13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Luk_16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Luk_16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luk_16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Luk_18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

Luk_24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Luk_24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luk_24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Joh_1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Joh_6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Jesus spoke of prophets, the Bible is filled with prophets and yet today we scoff at prophets and prophecy. We hide from the truth by claiming the prophecies are impossible to comprehend. We say if God wanted us to understand He would have wrote things plain and we stick to the plain things, the easily comprehended. We would rather study of God's love as if His prophecies exclude love. Out of love we were given prophecies and out of love we will be able to comprehend prophecies.

All through the love of our Father may we understand.

I wanted to study a bit about the Sunday Law issue, why? Because our future predicted by prophets foretells of this, and if I were to ignore it all I put myself at eternal risk. God help us all, we only want truth!

*******

Continuing from yesterday--

'NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW Present Truth or Distraction?

(Revised 3/20/11)

Parts One and Two of Wm. H. Grotheer's A National Sunday Law - PAST? PRESENT? FUTURE? Elder Grotheer's analysis is that of a highly skilled expositor, and is exhaustive. It will be convincing to the unbiased mind. There are timely warnings that should not be ignored.

(Continued)

Application

When we apply the two simple rules to the question of a "National Sunday Law" and start comparing testimony with testimony, the first thing we discover is that this phrase is not found in the Writings. The application of "time and place" to that which has been written in regard to a Sunday Law could be divided into pre and post 1900.

At the very time - 1885 - the incidents which we cited on page 1 were taking place in Arkansas, Ellen G. White was emphasizing two things. Starting in 1878 and continuing through 1886 she wrote:

We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world. (4T:306)

The end of all things is at hand. (5T:16)

Brethren, I have been shown that we are standing upon the threshold of the eternal world. (5T:18)

We are standing, as it were, upon the borders of the eternal world. (5T:382)

We are standing upon the very verge of the eternal world. (5T:460)

Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. (5T:464)

In connection with this emphasis on the nearness of the end, she wrote also about a Sunday Law and its significance. Her words are:

By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. (5T, 451)

This "decree enforcing" the papal Sabbath is noted as a "warning" signal "to leave the larger cities" with the ultimate objective of "retired homes in secluded places among the mountains." (5T:464-465)

In 1889, Ellen White would write:

Events which for more than forty years we have, upon the authority of the prophetic word, declared to be impending, are now taking place before our eyes. Already the question of an amendment to the Constitution restricting liberty of conscience, has been urged upon the legislators of the nation. The question of enforcing Sunday observance has become one of national interest and importance. (5T:711; emphasis mine)

This was a true evaluation of what was then taking place. On May 21, 1888, Senator H. W. Blair introduced a National Sunday-Rest Bill into Congress. It was opposition to this and subsequent religious legislation which catapulted A. T. Jones to the forefront of Adventism. However, out of this agitation for Sunday legislation, Congress finally voted into an appropriations bill for the Columbian Exposition of 1892, a Sunday closing amendment which was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison on August 5, 1892.

Rightly or wrongly, A. T. Jones perceived this law as giving life to the image of the beast of Revelation 13, and that the mark of the beast had been established. Coupling this Congressional action with the Message of 1888, Ellen G. White could write – "The time of test is just before us" indicating that God's people had reached the time for the fulfillment of Revelation 18; and "the loud cry of the third angel had already begun." (R&H, Nov. 22, 1892)

During this final decade of the 19th Century, there was constant agitation over the Sunday question which presented an unparalleled opportunity for the Adventist to witness to the Sabbath truth. Major statements concerning Sunday, its origin as a day of worship, were made which were used and have been used by Adventist evangelists in the decades since then. (See end of Part One)

Since 1900

Counsel to get out of the cities continued to come from the pen of Ellen G. White. In 1906, she wrote "'Out of the cities; out of the cities!' this is the message the Lord has been giving me." (Life Sketches, p. 409).

But the "message" was not connected with the Sunday Law as a sign to leave the cities. Instead, she declared - "On these cities, God's judgments will fall." (Letter 158, 1902) In 1905, she indicated the global extent of the message to get out of the cities, by writing - "The world over, cities are becoming hot beds of vice." (Ministry of Healing, p. 363) Then in 1907, the warning came - "Our cities are increasing in wickedness, and it is becoming more and more evident that those who remain in them unnecessarily do so at the peril of their soul's salvation." (Ms. 115, 1907)

By comparing testimony with testimony, there is revealed a broadening of the issues which will bring about the same ends had the objectives of the Sunday Law issue of the final decade of the 19th Century been realized. Observe these two statements written with a 22 year time gap, but with the same end result:

1888 -- A time is coming when the law of God is, in a special sense, to be made void in our land. The rulers of our nation will, by legislative enactments, enforce the Sunday law, and thus God's people will be brought into great peril. When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of man in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land; and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin. (R&H, Dec. 18, 1888; 7BC:977)

1910 -- When the Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution; when the state shall use its power to enforce the decrees and sustain the institutions of the church - then will Protestant America have formed an image to the papacy, and there will be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin. (ST, March 22, 1910; 7BC:976)

You will observe that these two quotations are connected by the end result - national apostasy will be followed by national ruin. But in 1910, the base has been widened from a single issue of a law "enforcing Sunday observance" to the exercise of the power of the state "to enforce the decrees" of the church and to sustain their "institutions." The picture calls for a union "with the secular power to sustain a false religion."

Why is this change of means indicated for the accomplishment of the same ends? Again it must be remembered that in 1901, Ellen White wrote:

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. (Ms. 184, 1901)

To this might be added that because we have been in this world "many more years," we should now compound our present predicament by wrongly comparing "testimony with testimony" and giving a perverted picture of the Sunday Law question to further personal ends? God has given in the same Testimonies a sign to look for, and He has clearly indicated the nature of a Sunday Law which will indeed be oppressive. Besides this, there is clearly suggested the fact that all will not be so apparent to perceive as we would hope, but rather will be more deceptive and far more difficult to combat.

Tragically, when the full force of the reality will become apparent, too many will be caught totally unprepared because they have been lulled into a fatal delusion by a misinterpretation of the Testimonies. Surface reading plus the siren calls of false "watchmen" will have produced tragic consequences. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6;) but it is knowledge they could have had if they would have but followed the rules given for understanding the Writings.

SABBATH QUESTION AGITATION - 1889-1905

1889

T. Enright of the Redemptorist Fathers - Industrial American, Harlan, Iowa:

The Bible says; "Remember the Sabbath day. to keep it holy," but the Catholic Church says: "No, keep the first day of the week," and all the world bows in obedience. (January 19, 1889)

1893

The Christian Sabbath, (2nd Ed.; Baltimore: The Catholic Mirror [Official Organ of Cardinal Gibbons]):

The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday. (p. 29)

Dr. E. T. Hiscox, Baptist Clergyman and Author of the Baptist Manual in a paper read August 20, 1893 at Saratoga, NY, at a Baptist Minister's Meeting:

Of course I quite wall know that Sunday did come into use in early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from the Christian Fathers and other sources. But what a pity that it comes branded with the mark of Paganism, and Christened with the name of the Sun-god. Then adopted and sanctified by the Papal apostasy, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to Protestanism, and the Christian world.

1894

The Catholic World, a magazine of General Literature and Science, March, 1894:

The church took the pagan philosophy and made it the buckler of faith against the heathen. She took the Roman Pantheon, temple of all the gods, and made it sacred to all the martyrs; so it stands to this day. She took the pagan Sunday and made it the Christian Sunday.

The sun was the foremost god with heathendom ... Hence the church in these countries would seem to have said, "Keep that old, pagan name. It shall remain consecrated, sanctified." And thus the pagan Sunday, dedicated to Balder [White God of the Scandinavians], became the Christian Sunday sacred to Jesus. (p.809)

1895

A Letter from the Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons to J. F. Snyder of Bloomington, Illinois, Nov. 11, 1895:

Of course the Catholic Church claims the change was her act. It could not have been otherwise, as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and ecclesiastical without her. And the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.

1897

John Milner, a Roman Catholic Divine, to James Brown, a member of a Protestant Religious Society, Letter #11 in The End of Religious Controversy (New York: P.J. Kenedy) [After reviewing the history of the Sabbath from Creation through the life of Christ, Milner drew the following conclusion in his letter]:

Yet with all of this weight of Scripture authority for keeping the Sabbath or seventh day holy, Protestants, of all denominations, make this a profane day and transfer the obligation of it to the first day of the week, or the Sunday. Now what authority have they for doing this? None at all, but the unwritten Word, or tradition of the Catholic church, ... (p. 89, Emphasis his)

1899

T Enright CssR, Kansas City, MO, June 16, 1899:

I hereby offer $1000, to anyone who can prove to me, from the Bible alone, that I am bound, under pain of grievous sin, to keep Sunday holy.

1902

Letter from T. Enright, dated April 26, 1902 from Detroit, MI:

I still offer $1000 to any one who can prove to me, from the Bible alone, that I am bound under pain of grievous sin, to keep Sunday holy. We keep Sunday in obedience to the law of the Catholic Church. The church made this law long after the Bible was written; hence the law is not in the Bible. The Catholic church abolished not only the Sabbath, but all the other Jewish Festivals.

1905

Letter from T. Enright, dated June, 1905 from St Louis, MO:

I have offered and still offer $1000 to any one who can prove to me from the Bible alone, that I am bound, under grievous sin. to keep Sunday holy. It was the Catholic Church which made the law obliging us to keep Sunday holy. The church made this law long after the Bible was written. Hence said law is not in the Bible. Christ, our Lord empowered his church to make laws binding in conscience.

The four articles in The Catholic Mirror demonstrated from the Bible that Adventists were the only consistent Protestants since the Bible provided no justification for Sunday observance. These articles challenged Protestants either to admit their debt to the Roman Catholic Church or to keep the Bible Sabbath. The Adventists had these articles published in a booklet - Rome's Challenge to Protestants. It was given wide circulation and used effectively by their evangelists.

Part Two

During the crucial years of 1901-1903, Ellen G. White introduced three factors into the events of the last days. Not only did she indicate that we would have to remain many more years in this world because of insubordination (Ms. 184, 1901), but she also wrote immediately following the 1903 General Conference session that - "In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to weighed." (8T:247) In simple terms this was telling the Church, that it, too, as a corporate entity had to pass the review of the Judgment. The Church could not take for granted that its status, as the recipient in trust of "the last warning message for a perishing world" (9T:19), would place it beyond accountability as to how it ministered that sacred trust. If it did not prove true to that trust, it would be "found wanting." (8T:247)

Further, in 1902, Ellen White wrote - "All need wisdom to carefully search out the mystery of iniquity that figures so largely in the winding up of this world's history." (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 118) The working of "the mystery of iniquity" in the final affairs is not going to be as simple as 2+2=4, but must be "carefully searched out." Simply printing a national Sunday Law booklet and urging its distribution is not searching out "the mystery of iniquity," but is rather lulling the unsuspected into a fatal delusion that the final issues will be very obvious. While it is true that "the day of the Lord" is not to overtake us "as a thief in the night," it is conditioned upon the premise that we must be "children of the light." (I Thess.5:1-6) One cannot be a child of the light, following the principles set forth to understand that light - "time and place;" and yet be the devotees of the hawkers of the sensational who are soliciting through that means a "fast buck." Not only did Ellen G. White call attention to the working of "the mystery of iniquity;" but in 1901, she observed that Christ connected specific historical events with the scenes that were to take place "just prior" to His return a second time. It would be a new "signal" as the Sunday Law was intended to be in the preceding decade. She wrote:

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. (Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 23-24, emphasis mine)

By specifying Luke 21, rather than Matthew 24 or Mark 13 which are parallel chapters, Ellen G. White was focusing on a specific prophecy in Luke concerning Jerusalem which the other two gospel writers did not. All the synoptic writers - Matthew, Mark and Luke - call attention to the prophetic sign Jesus gave in regard to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, but only Luke records that Jesus also said - "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles (nations) until the times of the Gentiles (nations) be fulfilled" (21:24) This Ellen White wrote would signal the time "just prior" to Christ's return. This time we have reached. It is the "now" time for us!

This factor does not exclude an "oppressive" Sunday Law, but it does place it as an "International Sunday Law" rather than the emphasis on a "National" Sunday Law. In the same year - 1901 - Ellen White wrote:

The substitution of the false for the true is the last act of the drama. When this substitution becomes universal, God will reveal Himself. When the laws of men are exalted above the laws of God, when the powers of earth try to force men to keep the first day of the week, know that the time has come for God to work. He will arise in majesty, and will shake terribly the earth. (R&H. April 23, 1901)

Observe this statement carefully. Note and retain in memory the words - "exalted" and "substitution." We will see them again in use. Carefully consider that the final issue is not some "Sunday Closing Law" but a forcing by law the observance of "the first day of the week." At that point in time, God "will arise in majesty, and shake terribly the earth."

What persuasive power will overcome all "pluralistic" factors which now stand as a barrier to "oppressive" religious legislation? Observe carefully this paragraph from a letter written in 1893:

Fallen angels upon earth form confederations with evil man. In this age antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of God will be fully made void in the nations of our world. Rebellion against God's holy law will be fully ripe. But the true leader of all this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God. and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and to the apostate churches that unite in the exaltation of Satan, the sentence will go forth, "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning. and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 62)

It should be obvious that these two quotations - one written in 1901, and the other in 1893 following "a national Sunday Law" - end with a focus on the same point of time, a time when God "will arise in majesty" thus interposing His "Omnipotence." The future "oppressive" Sunday Law coincides with the deification of Satan by the "apostate churches." In the final drama, it is to be a universal Sunday Law originating at the instigation of Satan as "an angel of light."

[In this schema of events as portrayed by Ellen G. White, one obtains the answer as to the decision made in the Sanctuary when the Church was weighed in the balances. For many it will be too late. She wrote commenting on Ezekiel 9 - "Here we see that the church - the Lord's sanctuary - was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God." (5T:211) The "first stroke" is upon those that "had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." (Rev. 16:2)

The issue is far more than "a national Sunday Law" for many of those "who profess to keep the Sabbath" will not be "sealed." (5T:213-214) And if one is not sealed with the seal of God, with what is he marked? But today, Satan is using his agents to profiteer and to deceive concerned Adventists in agitation over a National Sunday Law issue instead of studying the Writings as to "time and place."]

Interestingly, Ellen G. White places the setting of the "oppressive" Sunday law in the context of Luke 21:24. She wrote:

After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations [in other words, the times of the nations was fulfilled], every conceivable power of evil will be set in operation, and minds will be confused by many voices crying, "Lo, here is Christ, Lo, he is there. This is the truth, I have a message from God. He has sent me with great light." Then there will be a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith. A more decided effort will be made to exalt the false Sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God himself by supplanting the day He has blessed and sanctified. This false Sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. (R&H, Dec. 13, 1892)

This prophetic warning, again written after a National Sunday Law, can serve several purposes. It not only tells us about the nature of the coming "oppressive" Sunday Law, but also alerts sincere seekers of truth as to what they face in this "now" time of the fulfilled prophecy of Luke 21:24.

First, let us note in passing the "red" alert this warning gives. One has only to mark the date of the complete fulfillment of Luke 21:24 in 1980 when Jerusalem was proclaimed by the Knesset of Israel to be the Capital of its government, to see that after that date there came on the periphery of Adventism, the "many voices" as foretold. Ellen G. White indicated these "voices" would be confusing voices which would deceive. Ask yourself when you listen to tapes sent to you, when did that voice begin its ministry, or when you receive a newsletter, check the date of first publication of that journal or paper, and you will have a key that will keep you from deception no matter how good it looks or sounds.

We need to consider next the implications of the words describing the nature of the "oppressive" Sunday Law which is to occur in this "now" time. It states that there will be a "more decided effort to exalt the false Sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God Himself by supplanting the day He blessed and sanctified." Now go back to the reference from the Review & Herald, April 23, 1901, (p. 2) and compare these same words, and the synonym used for "supplanting" - "substitution." It should be obvious that these two quotations are referring to the same Sabbath law that is to be enacted.

While we do not believe in verbal inspiration, nevertheless words give thought as perceived by the writer. In the paragraph preceding the one quoted from the Review and Herald, Dec. 13, 1892, Ellen G. White speaks of -Sunday as a "rival Sabbath," a "spurious Sabbath." But "after" the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all "nations," this rival and spurious Sabbath is "exalted" and made to "supplant" the true in seeking to cast contempt upon God. Supplant means "to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence of power." Thus the exaltation leads to supplanting. There is an interesting calendar in use today in various parts of the world which alters the arrangement of the week, and gives to Sunday the place which God assigned for the true Sabbath - the seventh day.

The details of the future are not open before us, and will be known only as the scroll unfolds. Today, we can see only the broad outlines. However, one has only to do a minimum of thinking to grasp the implications if this calendar form should become universal, and a world-wide law were enacted enforcing the observance of the seventh-day as outlined in this calendar. Do not forget there are forces within society today who would return to such "Sabbath regulations." See WWNXX-6; "Now You Can Hear the Thunder".

The concept from Puritanism giving to Sunday the status of the seventh-day Sabbath and robing "the Lord's day" with the sanctity of the Sabbath is firmly held by the Lord Day Alliance. The cover of Sunday (Jan./March, 1989), the official organ of the LDA in the United States, reads - "May God's JOY of the Sabbath Enter Your Heart THIS SUNDAY!" Of import is the theology of Pope John Paul II on this point. During his 1987 visit to the United States, the Pope observed concerning Sunday:

Today is Sunday: the Lord's Day. Today is like the "seventh day" about which the Book of Genesis says that "God rested from all the work he had undertaken." (Gn 2:2) Having completed the work of creation, he "rested." God rejoiced in his work; he "looked at everything that he had made, and found it very good." (Gn 1:31) So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy" (Gn 2:3).

On this day we are called to reflect more deeply on the mystery of creation, and therefore our own lives. We are called to "rest" in God, the Creator of the universe. Our duty is to praise him: "My soul, give thanks to the Lord ... Give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings." (Ps. 102 (103):1-2) Quoted in Sunday, op. cit, p.23) . . .

Elder Grotheer wrote these articles in 1989, just over twenty (Almost 30 years ago now- 6/11/18) years ago. Jesus said in relation to the prophecies of Luke 21, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (Vs. 32) Taking a biblical generation to be approximately forty years, nearly thirty years have passed since (Nearly 40 years now) 1980.

Romans 9:28 states, "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Ellen White predicted that the final movements will be rapid ones (9T 11.) Referring to the fulfillment of Luke 21:24, Elder Grotheer stated in 1989, "It is the "now" time for us!" How much more is it the now time at the end of 2009 (2018)! Truly, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2b.) Now is the time to give diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10.) Now is the time to search the Scriptures diligently before it is too late, following the counsel of Ellen White:

Do not trust to the wisdom of any man, or to the investigations of any man. Go to the Scriptures for yourselves, search the inspired word with humble hearts, lay aside your preconceived opinions; for you will obtain no benefit unless you come as children to the word of God. You should say, "If God has anything for me, I want it. If God has given evidence from his word to this or that brother that a certain thing is truth, he will give it to me. I can find that evidence if I search the Scriptures with constant prayer, and I can know that I do know what is truth." You need not preach the truth as the product of another man's mind, you must make it your own. (RH, March 25, 1890; emphasis added)

From <http://adventistlaymen.com/Special%20Topical%20Pages/NATIONAL_SUNDAY_LAW.htm>

Sunday, June 10, 2018

The Mark.

We've talked about the mark of the beast before and if you aren't familiar with it then PLEASE go back and do a search through these studies until you learn more, unless you just want to dive in to this study- you're very welcome. God will lead, may His will be done!

Taken from Adventist Laymen's Foundation- NOT an association affiliated with the corporate Seventh Day Adventists. Please say a prayer right now, asking God to grant you understanding, to have spiritual enlightenment to only His truth, all by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

'NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW Present Truth or Distraction?

(Revised 3/20/11)

Comments followed by:

THE USE OF THE TESTIMONIES - In the words of Ellen G. White herself, "Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely. . . " This counsel is evidently ignored by those who are agitating a National Sunday Law as the sign that the Second coming of Jesus Christ is near.

It is interesting to note that the term "National Sunday law" can nowhere be found in the Writings of Ellen White. It is a gloss on what she wrote during a period of intense pressure on the U.S. Congress to pass a Sunday law in the late 1800s. It was not until 1946 that The Ellen G. White Publications published a compilation of statements by Ellen White in a pamphlet titled Country Living, in which a national Sunday law was presented as the signal to move out of the cities. Section V of the pamphlet was titled "Preparing for the Sunday Law Crisis." In these present times this pamphlet continues to be regarded as the blueprint for action by a multitude of earnest believers within the corporate body of Seventh-day Adventists as well as among Independents. The most sensationalist publications do not mention Country Living, and represent that "Revelation 13 is revealing to us the astonishing fact that Protestant America will cause all to worship the Papacy and receive its “mark” by passing a national Sunday law." However, it is probably safe to say that among the vast majority of Seventh-day Adventists the belief that a national Sunday law will be passed in the United States is based on Country Living. Thus we have those who entertain the dangerous deception that receiving the Mark of the Beast is a simple matter of submitting to a national Sunday law. Some think that there is plenty of time to move out of the cities and become settled in the country - because the National Sunday Law is yet future. This is a sad and tragic misinterpretation of the Testimonies.

THE HISTORY OF THE LATE 1800s - Ellen White's references to the oppressive enforcement of the false sabbath are so numerous that it is not easy to pinpoint time and place. Nevertheless, the law which she mentioned as the signal to move out of the cities can be placed with certainty in the year 1885. She wrote:

It is no time now for God's people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure in the world. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize.-- Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 464, 465. (Emphasis added.)

Interestingly, there were at least two earlier statements (1876 & 1882) in which she recommended country living to "avoid many evils and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children" (1876.) In 1882 she specifically mentioned the habits of vice and dissipation acquired in the cities. Credit must be given to "Back to Enoch Ministries" (hereinafter BEM) for revising Country Living to arrange its quotations from the Writings in chronological order. From this chronological arrangement it becomes apparent that she did not mention the decree enforcing the papal sabbath as the signal to move out of the cities after that one statement in 1885.

It becomes apparent from the revised Country Living that Ellen White must have perceived the passing of a decree enforcing the papal Sabbath before the end of the 19th century. This is contrary to the conclusion drawn by BEM under the heading "Purpose of this Edition" that focuses attention on the "Blair Amendment" which was not enacted. Oddly, BEM states "Ellen White recognized that this signal had come" (to move out of the cities;) but sees this as analogous to the first encirclement of Jerusalem by the Romans under Cestius Gallus in AD 66. BEM further states, "The national Sunday law issue subsided, and God's people have had more than a century to act on the His (sic) counsel. Now we hear rumblings of a return of the Roman armies. It is time to act!" This overlooks the fact that the Roman army surrounding Jerusalem was the only sign to flee. There would be no repetition. Contextually, by Ellen White's recognition that the signal had come to move out of the cities, the linkage between a Sunday law and country living was broken. She continued to urge believers to move out of the cities, without mentioning a Sunday law.

The statement of Ellen White which implies a recognition that the Sunday decree had been passed is as follows:

The Protestant world have set up an idol sabbath in the place where God's Sabbath should be, and they are treading in the footsteps of the Papacy. For this reason I see the necessity of the people of God moving out of the cities into retired country [places,] where they may cultivate the land and raise their own produce. (Letter 90, 1897) (Emphasis added)

Not only is there this clear implication in Ellen White's statement; but A. T. Jones, who was the leading authority on the issue of religious liberty in the Church, and instrumental in the defeat of the "Blair Amendment," also recognized that a sufficiently significant law had been passed by the U.S. Congress:

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."] 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. (From a sermon delivered by Elder A. T. Jones, in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, Mich., Sunday evening, March 5, 1893.)

The significance of the World's Fair Closing Bill is confirmed by contemporary reports :

DATELINE SUNDAY

CHICAGO IS DISCOURAGED; NO SUNDAY OPENINGS . . .

As Ellen White continued to urge church members to get out of the cities without connecting this to the signal of a Sunday law, so she continued to write about a law enforcing the false sabbath with no connection to moving out of the cities. In statement after statement she made it clear that the enforcement of the papal sabbath will be a worldwide event. Here is one particularly telling description of the event:

History will be repeated. False religion will be exalted. The first day of the week, a common working day, possessing no sanctity whatever, will be set up as was the image at Babylon. All nations and tongues and peoples will be commanded to worship this spurious sabbath. This is Satan's plan to make of no account the day instituted by God, and given to the world as a memorial of creation.

The decree enforcing the worship of this day is to go forth to all the world. In a limited degree, it has already gone forth. In several places the civil power is speaking with the voice of a dragon, just as the heathen king spoke to the Hebrew captives.

Trial and persecution will come to all who, in obedience to the Word of God, refuse to worship this false sabbath. Force is the last resort of every false religion. At first it tries attraction, as the king of Babylon tried the power of music and outward show. If these attractions, invented by men inspired by Satan, failed to make men worship the image, the hungry flames of the furnace were ready to consume them. So it will be now. The papacy has exercised her power to compel men to obey her, and she will continue to do so. We need the same spirit that was manifested by God's servants in the conflict with paganism (ST May 6, 1897).

Here is another pointer to the time of the decree enforcing the false sabbath:

The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. . . . [Revelation 13:11-17 quoted.] . . .

This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast . . . (Letter 11, 1890).

It is clear that the Sunday law will be decreed and enforced so near to the very end of time that very few of the multitude who have resisted Present Truth (if any at all) will be able to escape the strong delusions that already hold the world captive. (Cf. 2 Thess. 2:10-12, which is contextually linked to the papacy.)

A NEW SIGNAL - Ellen White never mentioned the decree enforcing the papal sabbath after 1885. She did however specify another signal unrelated to Sunday legislation. This is a signal which she said would mark the beginning of the closing movements of earth's history:

A Message for Frequent Appearance.--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. Mark the words: "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. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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."

This is a warning to those who claim to be Christians. Those who have had light upon the important, testing truths for this time, and yet are not making ready for the coming of the Son of man, are not taking heed. "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." There is no period of time when spiritual slothfulness is excusable.

Only by being clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness can we escape the judgments that are coming upon the earth. Let all remember that these words were among the last that Christ gave His disciples. If this instruction were often repeated in our papers and publications, and less space were taken for matter which is not one hundredth part so important, it would be more appropriate. In these sacred, solemn warnings the danger signal is lifted. It is this instruction that church members and the people of the world need; for it is present truth. Letter 20, 1901 (CW 23-25)

It is a simple exercise to single out the prophecy of Jesus that Ellen White was identifying. Only in verse 24 of the 21stchapter of Luke is there a prophecy that appears in none of the other Gospels. The disciples had unwittingly posed a dual question, and Jesus gave a dual answer. The first part appears in the earlier verses of Luke 21, and in the other Gospels. The second part appears in Luke 21:24. What Jesus stated in verse 32 applies to both parts of the dual question. In other words, we are warned that within a generation from the end of the times of the Gentiles Jesus will return – no date setting here, but a definite time frame within which the closing events of earth’s history are now happening. (Cf. Jesus' Own Prophecy)

ELDER WM. H. GROTHEER'S CONTRIBUTION - Elder Grotheer was a Seventh-day Adventist Bible expositor who applied the view of the Church dating back to James Edson White, that the fulfillment of Luke 21:24 would mark the completion of the preaching of the gospel to the nations of the world. He demonstrated exegetically, with particular reference to the antitypical Day of Atonement, that this signaled the completion of the judgment of corporate bodies in the Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary. (Cf. TA HAGIA ) The word translated "gentiles" is more appropriately translated "nations." Nations are corporate bodies, and you will find instances where the Church is called a "nation" in the Bible. Elder Grotheer's exegesis confronts the Church with the reality that the commission to preach the gospel to the nations ended in 1980. Neither the Corporate Body of the Church nor Independents are willing to accept that fact, or the prophetic warning that we are very, very close to the end in the stream of time. The National Sunday Law expectation stretches the prospect of time beyond the limit predicted by the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Elder Grotheer brought together the issue of Luke 21:24 versus the National Sunday Law in a series of three articles in Watchman, What of the Night? dated 6-8(89). The first two are excerpted below:

A NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW

PAST? PRESENT? FUTURE?

Parts 1&2 Excerpted from WWN June-July 1989

Part One

In 1873, a Mr. McCoy moved from Louisville, Ky., to Arkansas. He served as constable for seven years, and two terms as Justice of the Peace in Hot Spring County. In 1884, he became a Seventh-day Adventist. At the August, 1885, term of the Circuit Court of that county, he was indicted for Sabbath breaking being charged with plowing his field on Sunday.

In 1884, Mr. J. L. Shockey, a Seventh-day Adventist, moved from Ohio and settled on a piece of railroad land six miles north of Malvern, the seat of Hot Spring County. On September 14, 1885, he was arrested for having been seen plowing his field on Sunday the previous Spring. He gave bond for his appearance before the February term of the Circuit Court in Malvern. (See The Two Republics, pp. 879-880)

This year, on March 9, now over 100 years later in an adjoining county - Garland - the citizens of Hot Springs, Arkansas in a public referendum by an almost 2 to 1 margin voted to legalize horse racing on Sunday with its pari-mutuel betting.

During the recent American national election in November, of last year, both in Maryland and in Arkansas, municipalities overturned "blue laws." Mandatory Sunday closing statutes were repealed in Maryland, and in Arkansas, two communities approved Sunday alcohol sales. In Little Rock, the capitol and one of the communities to so decide, the vote was 65% for and 35% against. All of these expressions at the voting booth reflect the pluralistic and changing attitude of American society.

Not only here in America is this change visible, but the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops also noted this change in Canada. In a release, "The Meaning of Sunday in a Pluralistic Society" (September, 1986), the bishops cited a need to review the place of Sunday in a secular society. While they noted that "most Christians" celebrate Sunday to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, they observed, "however, that in our multicultural and pluralistic society there are others who do not share this belief. They honor a different day of worship or see no need at all for setting aside a day of praise and thanksgiving to God. Given the change in our society, it is no longer appropriate to protect Sunday closing laws on the basis that most Christians hold it to be the Day of the Lord."

This does not mean that the Bishops are planning to abandon Sunday legislation. Citing Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on human work, that all have a "right to rest," they declare that "this right includes at least one regular weekly day of rest." Their perceptions and solutions are interesting. They write:

In our pluralistic society, the choice of Sunday as the day of renewal for all is rooted more in tradition than religious conviction. Many groups, especially the labor movement, have emphasized repeatedly that Sundays are our traditional days of pause. In our society, the observance of Sunday as a holiday is more firmly entrenched in people's habits than any other day of the week. Sunday's off are a part of our culture, a culture that Christians have shaped in the past and in which they continue to take their rightful place in full and free cooperation with people of other religions and world views.

Maintaining Sunday as our common day of rest does not exclude special respect and consideration for people who wish to celebrate another day as their day of spiritual and physical renewal. We should be able to devise laws that will not penalize people with different beliefs as long as these laws protect the shared experience of leisure and rest for the majority. It should also be possible to devise shopping regulations that permit the purchase of basic necessities without destroying Sunday's emphasis on people and playfulness.

Finally, it is clear that there will always be some members of the workforce who will have to work on Sunday to provide essential services for the public. They deserve our understanding and appreciation for their contribution to the common good. However, even for these workers, employees or professionals, we should carefully protect and respect their right to enjoy the full benefits of Sundays, at least on an alternating basis.

These pastoral reflections of the Canadian bishops of the Roman Catholic Church should be noted carefully. The goal is to have a "Protected Sunday" for the majority without a "penalty" on the minority. However, this "protected Sunday" would fall short of forbidding all Sunday business and would not interfere with sports ("playfulness").

The impact of a pluralistic society seems to be recognized by all except some Seventh-day Adventists who wish to make capital of the Sunday Law issue for their own ends. There is no question but that the subject of Sunday laws catches Adventist attention. The experience of the past as noted above, not only that which occurred in Arkansas, but also in Tennessee, arouses deep emotions. Besides this, various quotations can be marshaled from the Writings to sustain the emphasis. But it is over the misapplication of the Ellen G. White Writings that has led to this blind spot in our evaluation of the present. This is compounded by the fact that we are not willing to apply the rules which Ellen White gave for the study of her Writings.

The Rules

Ellen G. White wrote that "the testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture." (SM, bk i, p. 42) A second rule states - "Regarding the testimonies; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered." (Ibid., p. 57; emphasis supplied.)

A failure to follow these simple rules has led to a jangling jungle of voices on the periphery of the Adventist Community. Each voice claims to have discovered some new way to attain perfection by human endeavor. These siren calls come from persons with varied backgrounds of experience, some from the drug culture, and some with no other objective than personal gain. Each call regardless of motive takes some statement or statements from the testimonies, related or unrelated, and builds upon this a theory of salvation through human works. These verily make of non-effect the Writings.

Interestingly, Ellen G. White in setting forth the rules noted above, warned that there would be those "who would search for new and strange doctrines, for something odd and sensational to present to the people. They will bring in all conceivable fallacies, and will present them as coming from Mrs. White, that they may beguile souls." These "will misinterpret the messages that God has given, in accordance with their personal blindness." (Ibid., p. 41)

If we would compare testimony with testimony as we do (or should do) the Scriptures, taking time to note in regard to these testimonies "time and place," we would have a clear line of truth which would be in harmony with Bible truth arrived at in the same way. For example, if in our studying from the Bible the basic doctrine of the state of man after death and eternal rewards, we accepted as literal the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, and set forth as cardinal teaching the conclusions to be thus drawn, what would we believe? This same approach is being made in the study of the Writings with only those segments of the Writings being compiled which support some preconceived theory to appeal to the human desire for something sensational or something which will sustain their ego.'

(((We are going to stop here and continue tomorrow because this is a lot to take in. The mark of the beast is forced worship of the beast as opposed to the sole worshiping of God. A death decree will go forth against those who refuse to worship, for those who refuse the mark- the actions of those solely intent upon following God's truth only. These are BIBLICAL facts. Comprehending that a Sunday law isn't what it's been made out to be in the grand scheme of things, will shock a lot of people who have held fast to that as their personal standing point on the side of God. We have to realize that our way is NOT God's way. This study is presenting facts through history and prophecy, yes it is also using the writings of E.G. White, but we have to remember, even she told people that GOD'S WORD comes before everything. The Bible first, not her writings. We don't prove the truth of the Bible by her words! The truth is there and speaks for itself, and her words point to the BIBLE TRUTH, not to herself!

These studies are doing the same thing, right? Go to God's WORD first, always! The truth is in His word, the truth is in proven history. The truth! If what I'm presenting here is filled with lies- I welcome enlightenment to that end. I only want truth!

God willing we will continue this study tomorrow. All by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior forever and now!

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Jerusalem.

Jerusalem. What comes to mind when you read that word? Jerusalem. We know that Jerusalem is a city in Israel and is considered political and religious in nature, much more so than any other city. Jerusalem has been considered a holy city for thousands of years. David - King of Israel, a relation to Jesus Christ Himself, resided in Jerusalem and wanted to build God a permanent temple there- as opposed to their traveling sanctuary which was brought into existence after God used Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. That traveling sanctuary moved with them as they wandered the desert for forty years. After they moved into the promised land the traveling tabernacle remained portable until Solomon, David's son, built the permanent temple in Jerusalem. Throughout the Bible you can read of Jerusalem. There are 814 references to Jerusalem in the King James Version of the Bible. Four references to Salem in the same Bible. To ignore this history of Jerusalem is all but impossible. The people of God are called Jews, the religion is called Jewish.

'The English term Jew originates in the Biblical Hebrew word Yehudi, meaning "from the Kingdom of Judah", or "Jew". It passed into Greek as Ioudaios and Latin as Iudaeus, which evolved into the Old French giu after the letter "d" was dropped. A variety of related forms are found in early English from about the year 1000, including Iudea, Gyu, Giu, Iuu, Iuw, and Iew, which eventually developed into the modern word.'

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew_(word)>

From the Kingdom of Judah- Jerusalem was in the Kingdom of Judah. The Jews have since the days of David considered Jerusalem a holy city. Several times the Jews were ousted from their homeland but never stopped returning.

When Jesus said this--

Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

He was telling the Jewish people that they would no longer be God's chosen- their house would be left desolate. The Jewish corporate body denied that Jesus was the Son of God, and still today, the Jewish religion denies Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah.

Still, Jerusalem remained a focal point for prophecy and history.

Jesus said this as well--

Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And Jerusalem WAS trodden down of the Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles was filled- and that happened in 1980.

'This Day in Jewish History 1980: Israel Enacts the Symbolic 'Jerusalem, Capital of Israel' Law

East Jerusalem was never actually annexed, but in 1980, Tehiya's Geula Cohen decided to protect 'the integrity and unity of greater Jerusalem,' to the world's annoyance.'

On July 30, 1980, Israel’s Knesset passed the “Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel.”

https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-1980-jerusalem-capital-of-israel-enacted-1.5380650

No longer were Gentiles in control of Jerusalem.

This fulfilment of prophecy is so incredibly important. The next prophecy concerning Jerusalem is this--

Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

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.

Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

The 'between the seas in the glorious holy mountain' -

Dan 9:16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

Thy city Jerusalem- thy holy mountain.

'And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in -JERUSALEM- and he shall come to his end and none shall help him and at THAT time shall Michael stand up, that great prince which stands 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, everyone that shall be found written in the book…'

END TIME PROPHECY.

Our EYES NEED to be on Jerusalem!

So much is happening there in Jerusalem right now. Closer and closer the end comes. The prophecies will all be fulfilled.

Remember this from yesterday's study--

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

Rev 16:13 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.

Rev 16:14 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.

Rev 16:15 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 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

'While the sixth plague is poured out on what is termed "the great river Euphrates," the "spirits of devils" had gathered the leadership of earth with their forces to a place with a Hebrew designation. Herein is a factor of the Jewish equation. God's wrath reveals how He views this development. To Him it is what He has always revealed it to be - Babylon, the epitome of rebellion. Thus the symbolism of "the great river Euphrates," and the fact that the "whore" is carried by the beast that "was, and is not, and yet is" who makes war with the Lamb. (Rev.17:14) But the spirits of devils do not gather their devotees to the river Euphrates, but rather to a place called in the Hebrew, Har-Magedon. . . .

Har-Magedon

In the Hebrew language - har - means, mountain. This rules out "Megiddo" for it is a valley. (Zech. 12:11) However, there is a mountain named in the Old Testament which meets linguistic requirements. It is called, har-mo'ed - Mount of the Congregation. It is described as being "in the sides of the north" or Mt. Zion "the city of the great King." (See Isa. 14:13; Ps. 48:2) By noting the objectives of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12-14, it is he who plans to "sit upon the mount of the congregation" - har-mo'ed. To this end, the spirits of devils gather the nations of the earth. Daniel simply states - "He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain." (11:45)

To John it revealed that "the spirits of devils" coming from the dragon, beast and false prophet gather the nations to the mount of the congregation. But the prophetic message behind this symbolism is that literal Jerusalem is to be made "an holy city" from man's view-point, while God's view-point the deception is in reality, Babylon the Great. The significance to us is that when this occurs, the prophecy states - "And at that time shall Michael stand up." (Dan. 12:1) "But the true leader of all of this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and to the apostate churches that unite in exaltation of Satan, the sentence will go forth, 'Therefore shall her plagues come in one day...'" (TM, p. 62) How near are we to the fulfillment of this Divine edict? (Bold and italicized emphasis added.)

From <http://adventistlaymen.com/Documents/MARK_OF_THE_BEAST.html>

*******

The HOLY CITY, JERUSALEM, the place where so many people go to on pilgrimages to renew their faith- Christian faith, Jewish faith, and yes…Moslem faith. This special city that is being fought over is truly desolate to our Savior. While people may hold fast to the *good* things about Jerusalem in truth it isn't special, it isn't holy to God any longer. Satan has laid claim to the holy city and so many can't even conceive that it could be so. Satan has BLINDED them, DECEIVED them and while the fight over PEACE in the HOLY LAND, PEACE in JERUSALEM wages on, it won't always be that way. There will come a day when 'HE" will plant his tabernacles in Jerusalem and then… probation is over and soon, so soon our SAVIOR returns, but not before the 'time of trouble.'

We have to pay attention! We have to study this! We have to watch and we have to PRAY!

Please, Father, please….help us to ever watch and pray so we are not taken unaware, so that we are ready for You, so we are ready for the return of our Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!

Signs Everywhere! Jesus Is Coming Soon!

From WWN5(87) - The Jewish Equation -- Part 2:

The Seven Last Plagues

There is a principle to the interpretation of the revelations given in the Seven Last Plagues chapter which is frequently overlooked.

All the plagues, save one, constitutes God's RESPONSE to what man has done in probationary time. (The one exception is the third plague which is a repeat of, "blood" due to the death decree against the "saints". See comment, Great Controversy, p. 628)

'When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those

628

more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God's people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image." The sea "became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea." And "the rivers and fountains of waters . . . became blood." Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . . because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. In like manner Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all the blood of holy men which had been shed since the days of Abel; for they possessed the same spirit and were seeking to do the same work with these murderers of the prophets.

From <http://www.whiteestate.org/books/gc/gc39.html> '

This principle of understanding Revelation 16 is easily seen by noting the first plague. (16:2)

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.

The "grievous sore" falls on those who "had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." When was this mark received, and when was this worship begun? Before or after the close of probation? The answer is simple - prior to the close of probation.

Using this same principle for the sixth plague, we find the plague itself falls "upon the great river Euphrates." (16:12) Its results carry over into the seventh plague "great Babylon comes into remembrance before God." (16:19) But what causes God to pour out this plague? The answer is that the triumvirate of evil - the dragon, beast (Rev. 13), and the false prophet (2nd beast of Rev.13) - gather the rulers of earth to Har-Magedon.

Lest there be a misunderstanding, let it be clearly understood that all the Seven Last Plagues come after the close of human probation. However, the explanation as to WHY the plague is poured out is distinctly separate from the plague itself. This needs to be understood and distinguished in the study of Revelation 16.

(((Knowing WHY the plague is poured out, knowing the REASON for the plague is important. God has never allowed a single plague to fall- not in the days of Moses and not ever- without reason. Do you imagine that perhaps God wants us to comprehend the plagues and why they are given because He is trying to open our comprehension to the reality of His wrath to come in punishment for our actions? How can we not understand that throughout history God has only ever revealed the truth of our condition and His willingness to love us in spite of our sinfulness. He OFFERS a way to reunite with Him, but He doesn't force anyone to join with Him. Time and time again throughout the Old Testament God's people would repent and follow God only to allow time to pass and their willingness to follow God to fade away so that once more than are need of repentance and forgiveness. This happened over and over, and we might be tempted to say- why didn't they ever learn their lesson and just stay faithful to God? Individually we fight the spiritual battle and often fail and need to repent and seek forgiveness. Corporately it is the same way, though you'd perhaps think that it should be a lot harder because the more people involved there is accountability to each other. Yet our failings time and time again will not end, not until probation is over and we are completely and utterly protected under the Holy Spirit until our Savior comes to claim us and take us to heaven with Him.

You see, it is important to KNOW that there ARE plagues to come, perhaps maybe, just maybe it can put a fear into us, a fear of receiving those plagues. Prayerfully that fear will be a godly fear as we turn towards God in all truth and reverence, knowing that His powerful wrath is something we do NOT want to feel.))))

'Thus Revelation 16:13-16 will be fulfilled PRIOR to the close of probation.

Rev 16:13 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.

Rev 16:14 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.

Rev 16:15 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 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

(See use made of Rev. 16:13-14 in Great Controversy, pp. 561-562)

'Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the people of this generation. Thousands reject the word of God as unworthy of belief and with eager confidence receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics and scoffers denounce the bigotry of those who contend for the faith of prophets and apostles, and they divert themselves by holding up to ridicule the solemn declarations of the Scriptures concerning Christ and the plan of salvation, and the retribution to be visited upon the rejecters of the truth. They affect great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and superstitious as to acknowledge the claims of God and obey the requirements of His law. They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell-- as if they had erected an impassable, impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. Nothing can arouse their fears. So fully have they yielded to the tempter, so closely are they united with him, and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit, that they have no power and no inclination to break away from his snare.

Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: "Ye shall not surely die." "In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: "I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth

562

unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God.

Saith the Lord God: "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it." Isaiah 28:17, 18.

From <http://www.whiteestate.org/books/gc/gc34.html> '

Har-Magedon

From <http://adventistlaymen.com/Documents/MARK_OF_THE_BEAST.html>

(((Right now Jerusalem is in the news quite extensively. Truth be told, Jerusalem has been in the news for quite some time. Peace in the Middle East has been something people are striving towards for a long while. Just last month the president of the United States made a huge ripple in the Jerusalem pond by moving the United States embassy to Jerusalem, signifying that Jerusalem is in fact Israel's Capital. The Palestinians are up in arms against this move because they want Jerusalem as theirs. The Papacy wants Jerusalem to be a holy city for all faiths. Truly we can see the hand writing on the wall, can't we? Things are quickly coming to pass as prophesized. Jerusalem is going to be center stage in this prophetic countdown and we really shouldn't take our eyes off it, right? These things will transpire before probations closes but right after they occur… probation does close and the plagues come. This is truth for our times, truth for right now! Our Savior is going to return! Please, please pray He knows you! I pray He knows me, that my Christian walk isn't all lip service, that my candle isn't hidden under a bush, that I HAVE extra oil for my lamp as I await the Bridegroom! Please, Lord, I would be YOURS! Please, Father! This is my prayer, my request, my supplication- to belong to You- thank You, Lord, THANK YOU!!!!!!! ))))

Friday, June 8, 2018

Heeding the Warning.

(((Continuing once again with our study on in part on Revelation and the end times. May God bless our endeavor with His guidance. All through Jesus Christ our Lord!))))

'From WWN4(87) - The Jewish Equation -- Part I:

A Look at Revelation

The book of Revelation naturally divides itself into two sections: Chapters 1-11 & 12-22.

(((For those who have studied Revelation before you may already know this. For those who haven't it's a very interesting to really note this factually. The book of Revelation is divided into two sections, it really is, read it for yourself.))))

The final section contains two predominant symbols - two women and two cities - with the other symbols either as war with, or in alliance with these two women or cities.

As the final section of the prophecy opens, the power operating behind the symbols of the book of Daniel is revealed - the dragon, that old serpent, the devil or Satan. However, because of the victory of the Cross, he is pictured as defeated, and a time limit set upon his activities. He is "cast down" (12:10) and he knows he has "but a short time." (12:12)

Satan is also pictured as operating behind a facade. He gives "his power, and his seat, and great authority" to the beast, one of whose heads is "wounded to death." (13:2-3)

He has his prophet, "a false Elijah," who though lamb-like speaks as a "dragon." (Comp. 13:14 with 19:20; note 13:11,13)

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 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.

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

It is this false prophet who suggests "to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had a wound by a sword and did live." (13:14)

God's response to all "of this behind-the scenes activity of Satan is a message of warning that if- anyone worships .the beast and his image shall suffer the wrath of God which is poured out in the Seven Last Plagues (14: 9-10, 15:1)

(((Let's take a moment here to note… God IS giving us a warning. Who we worship is important and has been since we were created. Adam and Eve were to worship their Creator and they did until the serpent tempted Eve into giving up her allegiance to God and giving it to him. When they abdicated their position from being in charge of earth and all in it, and gave it to Satan to rule they were still allowed a choice. Everything changed in their situation yet they were still offered a chance to worship God. Of their three sons, Cain chose to follow Satan's ways, Abel was murdered yet dedicated to God, and Seth worshiped God. Adam and Eve were warned before they yielded to temptation and sin was conceived. Cain was warned before sin overtook him. We are all warned and in the end days- every single person alive is warned. We have to believe these are WARNINGS for us, not just a bunch of nonsense left to others to try and comprehend. Warnings are given for a very good reason, and left unheeded disaster follows. And disaster WILL follow! Eternal disaster where there is no more opportunity for recovery, for repentance. We must heed the warning and to do that, we have to comprehend the warning. It does us no good to have a warning we can't understand. God would not give us a warning that was impossible to heed. We need wisdom, we need understanding and our Lord will give these to us.))))

'God's response to all "of this behind-the scenes activity of Satan is a message of warning that if- anyone worships .the beast and his image shall suffer the wrath of God which is poured out in the Seven Last Plagues (14: 9-10, 15:1)

During the portrayal of the Seven Last Plagues to John, he is shown the second woman - "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." (17: 1)

The woman, Babylon, (17:5,18) had been seen sitting on the River Euphrates which was dried up under the sixth plague (16:12)

But when one of the angels of the plagues reveals in symbolic detail this whore, she is riding upon a scarlet colored beast. (17:3)

This beast is defined as one that "was, and is not, and yet is," and though being "the eighth" is "of the seven." (17:8,11) He is the source of the seven heads. In John's day, five had fallen - Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. One was - Rome. Daniel noted it consistently as being in two phases - pagan and papal. One was yet to come - the 2nd beast of Rev. 13, or the false prophet. (See 17:10)

The beast of Rev. 17 carrying the whore is the "yet is" phase of Satan. And it is in this connection that Revelation 17 touches Daniel 11:45. (Bold and italicized emphasis added.)

((( Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Making war with the Lamb- they that are with the Lamb are called, chosen and faithful. The Lamb WILL overcome.

This ultimate overcoming is the end. The war has an end. The war between Satan and God will end. We will be found on one side or the other when before it ends. When I think of Daniel 12:1- when our Savior finally ceases His intercession on our behalf I have to contemplate the things that happen prior to this because AFTER this, there is no more intercession, none! We want the end to come. This sin-sick world needs to end. The pain and suffering sin bring needs to stop. The cup is so full, just a few more drops and surely it can hold no more. We want the Lord to come, yet are we prepared for the truth of what that means? Before He comes so much will happen. Even after probation has ended and all intercession is over, the time of trouble - the seven last plagues will fall- all BEFORE our Lord returns. Let's continue with the study…tomorrow, all by the will of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST now and forever!!!!!!!

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Political and Religious.

Once again continuing from yesterday….

'From WWN1(87) - :

The first "beast" of Revelation 13 is likewise both political and ecclesiastical. It is given a "seat," "power," and "great authority" by the dragon - the Devil and Satan. (13:2; 12:9) The Devil boasted to Christ that the kingdoms (governments) of this world belonged to him, and "to whomsoever he would give them." (Luke 4:6) But this beast is also ecclesiastical - worship is involved. (13:4)

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

The second "beast" of Revelation 13 is likewise both political and ecclesiastical. It exercises all the power of the first beast whose power was derived from the dragon. (13:12, 2)

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 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

It has ecclesiastical overtones - it "causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast., whose deadly wound was healed." (13:12) But its horns of power are separated - "two horns like a lamb." This power arising out of "the earth" rather than "the sea" has been accurately identified with the American nation. From the United States is to come the suggestion of the formation of the "image to the beast." (13:14)

In the formation of this image which will demand obeisance to the beast through a mark, name, or number is a vital principle interlocked with the Third Angel's Message. The message is - "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark ..." (14:9) This is clearly defined by the "wisdom" of God. Those who accept God's wisdom have "understanding." The text says - "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man." (13:18) The worship of the beast in principle is the worship of man. The image to the beast in principle is the setting up of an organization in which man appropriates to himself that which belongs to God alone, and causes the adherents to that organization to give their allegiance under threat of excommunication. (Bold emphasis added.)

(((Are we comprehending this? Are we UNDERSTANDING?

Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Do we have understanding? It is wisdom if we have understanding in counting. What are we counting? We are counting the number of the beast which is the number of a man, and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. The dreaded 666 that Satan has made incredibly well known through fiction. How many people out there actually believe the 'Omen' and its depiction of the boy/man main character having a 666 on his head hidden under his hair? How many believe that the number is the actual mark? Satan truly has done his deceptive work almost to perfection.

Previous studies on the number of the man, beast, have proven definitively that with all prophecy/history involved the 666 can only be one man, beast.

Vicarius Filii Dei (Latin: Vicar or Representative of the Son of God) is a phrase first used in the forged medieval Donation of Constantine to refer to Saint Peter, a leader of the Early Christian Church and regarded as the first Pope by the Catholic Church.[1] Its interpretation has been disputed, at times, during the past four centuries.

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicarius_Filii_Dei>

The Pope does NOT deny, no one would deny the Pope (the position of Pope whoever takes it on) takes the claim in a professional capacity to be the representative of the Son of God on earth. He won't deny it, he can't deny this truth. Now, people will say that anyone's name can add up to 666, in fact lots of people have names that do- using Latin and attributing numbers to letters. However, NO one else fits all the criteria of the papal power, none. NO ONE reading this has to believe me, no one, I'm not asking you to. I want you to study, study, study and NOT close your eyes to facts, so many facts. Pray, don't stop praying! We need wisdom, we need understanding.

Satan has used his incredible guile to blind the masses to the truth. The papacy is the religious-political system represented as the beast. The United States is the religious -democratic system clearly with religious overtones throughout its history- representing the image of the beast. This system WILL force people to accept a law, it will happen and the circumstances for that to happen, will occur. We have to comprehend this truth, to deny it is to bury our heads in the sand so deeply there is no hope for enlightenment.

May God help us to have wisdom, to understand the number…. To know that the things that will come to pass can't take us by surprise and steal salvation from us. We watch, we see the signs all around us. Please Lord, please come, save us. Let us be Yours, wholly Yours now and forever!!!!!!! This is my plea, this is my supplication, this is my prayer. Please! Thank you, Lord, thank you! In the holy name, Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior!!!!!!!))))

The End of Days Approaches

http://sites.google.com/site/whostosaywereright2/Home

Christ's message for our days *(Revelation 14:7-13)

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

http://sites.google.com/site/whostosaywereright2/Home/christ-s-message-for-our-days--rev--14--6-13