Thursday April 1, 2010
Ezekiel 9 – Part 28
Some very interesting connections have come to light.
Continuing our look at Testimonies for the Church, No. 23. I strongly suggest you get out your copy or download it from the link provided. It’s important.
Continuing with an in depth look at the context of this material which sets Ezekiel 9 side by side with the living testimony, in the church, drawing parallels, making comparisons and generally, strongly implying that the living testimony of reproof against sin in the church is, in fact, represented by the five men with the slaughter weapons in hand. The material on Ezekiel 9 is found on pages 22 – 23 of this book. This study is by no means exhaustive.
His [ Elijah’s] work of slaying the pagan priests did not unfit him for the solemn exercise of prayer. He had performed the will of God. p. 47, Para. 2, [23OT].
This will be the testimony of those giving the loud cry, that they “…had performed the will of God.”
You must not, my brother, rise up against the reproofs and warnings God sends to his people because these admonitions are humiliating to human nature. You need to die daily, to have a daily crucifixion to self. p. 97, Para. 2, [23OT].
According to the light God has given me in vision, wickedness and deception are increasing among God’s people, who profess to keep his commandments. Spiritual discernment to see sin as it exists, and put it out of the camp, is decreasing; spiritual blindness is fast coming upon God’s people. [remember, this No. 23 was published in 1873] The straight testimony must be revived, and it will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God’s people should come nearer to him and wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Then will they see sin in the true light and will realize how offensive is sin in the sight of God. p. 97, Para. 3, [23OT].
The last two paragraphs are from deeper within the book, but I am noticing more and more the large portions of this No. 23 that are devoted to the topic at hand. We will be looking at more of these. At this point I wish to urge upon you to read three chapters from the 1858 Great Controversy. Chapter 32, The Shaking; 34, The Loud Cry; 35, The Third Message Closed.
In our little group we see the ‘58GC as one of the greatest books we are privileged to have. And, by the way, in God’s providence we were able to obtain an original copy, perhaps even handled by James, and prove correct the photocopies we use and also the digital copy from Prepare Ye the Way, CD. We praise God for his great mercy in providing this for us.
The reading of these chapters will fortify your mind as you follow our current studies. The Loud Cry, to my current understanding, is not dependant on any event happening before it starts. I say this knowing full well that SDA members are waiting for the sign spoken of in Volume 5 of the Testimonies, page 464, “As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight…” (I believe it to be a counterfeit statement) In other words, I find no thing indicating the loud cry is dependant on the national sunday law being passed before it starts.
Jesus has left us word, “Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.” We are waiting and watching for the Master’s return, who is to bring the morning, lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping. What time is here referred to? Not the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but his return from his ministration in the most holy, laying off his priestly attire, and clothing himself with garments of vengeance, when the mandate goes forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” p. 94, Para. 1, [16OT].
It is the close of probation that comes as a thief. How does the thief come? with trumpets? No, the thief comes quietly. You know not until he is in your face.
What if it is God’s plan that the Loud Cry actually is the trigger to cause the mark of the beast to be put forth as the test for the world?
It’s just a question.
God Bless your study.