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.

Wednesday March 31, 2010

Ezekiel 9 – Part 27

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.

Well, where we left off yesterday has been pounding my brain all day! The ramifications here seem quite large. With the SDA background that I have, I know this is an important point. Many others will be watching the direction. But that direction is not mine. None of this site is mine. I simply made some discoveries, in my search for truth, and am sharing those with you. Also you are invited to share in my current studies, and consequently discoveries are made.

So let’s go back to page 22 and we’ll start there.

Our focal point is the “slaughtering” of Ezekiel 9. Elijah was a representative of God’s people in the last days. “Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand….” (Page 22)

We posted this yesterday. Today I am compelled to re-examine these things much more closely. This phrase, “…the closing work for the church,…” has to mean something like this, “the closing work for God’s true church,” not the SDA church. (I have a strong tenancy to think of events “happening” in my lifetime, rather than seeing the big picture in the context of the plan of salvation. A process of some 6,000 years now.)

Here’s why. The Christian dispensation started while Christ was on the earth. That is God’s true church, and the closing work for that church actually started October 23, 1844, with the vision given to Hiram Edson in the corn field. Here is how we know this to be true. There is a comma after the word “church” in the above phrase. The next portion of the phrase tells us specifically what the time is for that “closing work.” That time is clearly stated to be, “…in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand….”

We know exactly when that sealing time is, for we have a vision given to Ellen, November 18, 1848, and so reported by an eye witness, Joseph Bates, in his pamphlet, The Sealing Message, pages 24 – 26. This tells us that the sealing message is the Sabbath, contained within the third angel’s message, which started on that date and continues to the present.

Further, in the 1858 Great Controversy, page 194, “The work of this angel [ Revelation 18 ] comes in at the right time, and joins in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells into a loud cry.” “…the last great work…” of this angel is the last work involving the SDA church, which is THE church so intimately connected with the third angel’s message.

At this stage of their apostasy the loud cry will not be given BY them, but TO them; by those who Elijah represented when he faced Ahab. I find no indication that there will be another “test” like Ahab had of a period of no rain. But something may happen. What I do see is we are very deeply into the context of Ezekiel 9 and the all important story of Elijah’s message to an apostate “church.” Which message seems to be the cut-off point, the decision point, the slaughtering point, of Ezekiel 9.

Which may be foreshadowed in the giving of the first angel’s message, so chronicled on pages 133 – 140 of the ‘58GC. In fact, as I review these pages, a sentence just caught my attention. “…and servants of God were raised up in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the message.” (page 134) The same point is made by Christ’s comment about John the Baptist’s message being the Elijah message. The fact being that your rejection of a particular message may just be your last chance and you will “put out our own spiritual eyesight so that we will call evil good, and good, evil.” (page 98 of No. 23)

God Bless your study.

Tuesday March 30, 2010

Ezekiel 9 – Part 26

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.

After the victim was laid upon the altar, he commanded the people to flood with water the sacrifice, and the altar, and fill the trench round about the altar. Elijah then reverentially bows before the unseen God, raises his hands toward Heaven, and offers a calm and simple prayer, unattended with violent gestures, or contortions of the body. No shrieks resound over Carmel’s hight. A solemn silence, which is oppressive to the priests of Baal, rests upon them all. In his prayer, Elijah makes use of no extravagant expressions. He prays to Jehovah as though he was nigh, witnessing the whole scene, and hearing his sincere, fervent, yet simple prayer. Baal’s priests had screamed, and foamed, and leaped, and prayed, very long– from morning until near evening. Elijah’s prayer was very short, earnest, reverential, and sincere. No sooner had his prayer been uttered, than flames of fire descend, in a distinct manner, from Heaven like a brilliant flash of lightning, kindling the wood for sacrifice, and consuming the victim, licking up the water in the trench, and consuming even the stones of the altar. The brilliancy of the blaze is painful to the eyes of the multitude and illumes the mountain. The people of the kingdom of Israel, not gathered upon the mount, are watching with interest the gathering of the people upon the mount. As the fire descends, they witness it, and are amazed at the sight. It resembles the pillar of fire at the Red Sea, which by night separated the children of Israel from the Egyptian host. p. 45, Para. 2, [23OT].

The people upon the mountain prostrate themselves in terror and awe before the unseen God. They cannot look upon the bright, consuming fire sent from Heaven. They fear that they will be consumed in their apostasy and sins. They cry out with one voice, which resounds over the mountain, and echoes to the plains below them with terrible distinctness, “The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.” Israel is at last aroused and undeceived. They see their sin, and how greatly they have dishonored God. Their anger is aroused against the prophets of Baal. With fearful terror, Ahab and Baal’s priests witnessed the wonderful exhibition of Jehovah’s power. Again is heard, in startling words of command, the voice of Elijah to the people, “Take the prophets of Baal, let not one of them escape.” And the people were ready to obey the word of Elijah. They seized the false prophets who had deluded them, and brought them to the brook Kishon, and there Elijah, with his own hand, slew these idolatrous priests. p. 46, Para. 1, [23OT].

Our focal point is the “slaughtering” of Ezekiel 9. Elijah was a representative of God’s people in the last days. “Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand….” (Page 22)

This clearly teaches that the saints will be doing the “slaughtering,” probably with the sword of the Bible, which cuts both ways, and not a physical sword. It appears to be the decision making process. Probably a forced decision, under pressure, “probation is about to close, what is your decision,” type pressure.

It appears to me at this time, that all these major “events” actually are more of a process which has taken place over many years. Witness the shaking, clearly, in the light of the passing of the last 160 years, it is a process. Identified so in the above sentence from page 22, “… the closing work for the church…”
“The mighty shaking has commenced,…” January 26, 1850 vision.

I am stunned somewhat by this material. I just came to this realization at lunch time, (I read then) about that sentence on page 22. It is another piece of the puzzle which taken together makes the picture, indicating to me that there probably will be NO WARNING before the loud cry starts. It will just start,… and finish, very quickly.

Those who have any type of connection with the Seventh-Day Adventist church, past or present, will be held accountable for the light they could have had, especially from the living testimony.

We will look at some other points tomorrow.

Monday March 29, 2010

Ezekiel 9 – Part 25

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.

From page 40

What astonishing deception and fearful blindness had, like a dark cloud, covered Israel. This blindness and apostasy had not closed about them suddenly, but it had come upon them gradually, as they had not heeded the word of reproof and warning which the Lord had sent to them because of their pride and their sins. They, in this fearful crisis, in the presence of the idolatrous priests and the apostate king, remain neutral. If God abhors one sin above another, of which his people are guilty, it is doing nothing in a case of emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime, and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God. p. 40, Para. 3, [23OT].

The reason we are spending so much time on this material is it’s importance. If we can not study and apply the simple concept of actually doing what God asks us to do, what else is there?

Christ gave something on this point. When asked about how to pray one of the items mentioned is that God’s will is done in Heaven. What do you think it will be like when you get there? It will be just like it’s always been, in this respect, God’s will is done in Heaven.

Reproof is a part of God’s plan, his chosen way. Our part is to conform our lives with his will. That takes something to do on our part. What can it be?

God Bless your search for truth.

Sunday March 28, 2010

Ezekiel 9 – Part 24

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.

From the top of page 38

The awful solemnity in the looks of the prophet gives him the appearance of one standing in the presence of the Lord God of Israel. The condition of Israel in their apostasy demanded a firm demeanor, stern speech, and commanding authority. God prepares the message to fit the time and occasion. Sometimes God puts his Spirit upon his messengers to sound an alarm day and night, as did his messenger John, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Then, again, men of action are needed, who will not be swerved from duty, but whose energy will arouse, and demand, “who will be on the Lord’s side,” let him come over with us. God will have a fitting message to meet his people in their various conditions. p. 37, Para. 3, [23OT].

God will prepare the message to the apostate SDA church. But, it could be that that message already exists in the authentic Spirit of Prophecy…..

It’s interesting to me that this indicates that John the Baptist sounded the alarm both “day and night.”

Sabbath Mar 27, 2010, 4:19 PM

Reading from Ezekiel 9.

Verse 1: How is it that those who give the loud cry can be said to “have charge over the city?”

Verse 2: Why is the north gate called the “higher gate?” Amos 8:12 talks about the people in the last days’ famine for the word of God searching in the “north even to the east.” Daniel 11:44, “… tidings out of the east and out of the north” we think to be the loud cry; which in this case causes him to “…go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.”

This looks like Ahab’s anger against Elijah, but I don’t think it goes here. I think this is as spoken in the 1858 Great Controversy, page 197, “The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had enraged the inhabitants of earth.” Something else seems to be in waiting for the church.

Verse 9: “… for they say, the Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.” This is exactly what the SDA church tells it’s membership, by it’s counsels, and the world, by it’s actions.

Sabbath Mar 27, 2010, 12:07 PM

God hath made some more things clear about our subject at hand.

These thoughts are not really organized, you can just add them in to your own notes.

No. 23, pages 22 – 23, actually defines the true understanding of Ezekiel 9. Now the amazing thing about these pages is the context thereof, which is a total of 55 pages. One major piece of the context is the sin of covetousness existing in the church and is examined through the story of Achan, who stole from God gold, silver and a Babylonish garment.

I thought it interesting that the garment is said to be “Babylonish.”

Not sure what that might mean.
Let’s go to Habakkuk 2:9-10. This nails covetousness on the head, but look again at some context here in this book. Look at verse one of the same chapter. “I will stand upon my watch,” this is exactly where we are today, in the waiting watching time. “…and will watch to see what he will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved,” there you have it, the living testimony!

Check out Hab.1:5, the phrase “among the heathen” is the same word as the same phrase in Obadiah 1:1; which would indicate some tie-in to the rest of Hab.1:5 and the last days.

No.23, page 22, asks the Q, “Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time?” Is not this from Revelation 3? I think so.

Habakkuk 3:16, uses the word “invade” in the phrase which tells us that God is going to use his army, probably of Joel 2, to “invade” the enemy. That word is Strongs number 1464, which actually includes the total phrase “will invade them” which the margin says means, “cut them in pieces,” which must be the “slaughtering” of Ezekiel 9.

Sabbath March 27, 2010

Ezekiel 9 – Part 23

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.

All this evidence of God’s justice and judgment does not awaken Israel to repentance. Jezebel is filled with insane madness. She will not bend nor yield to the God of Heaven. Baal’s prophets, Ahab, Jezebel, and nearly the whole of Israel, charged their calamity upon Elijah. p. 34, Para. 2, [23OT].

Jezebel then decided, as she could not make Elijah feel her murderous power, that she would be revenged by destroying the prophets of God in Israel. No one who professed to be a prophet of God should live. This determined, infuriated woman executed her work of madness in slaying the Lord’s prophets. Baal’s priests, and nearly all Israel, were so far deluded that they thought if the prophets of God were slain the calamity under which they were suffering would cease. p. 34, Para. 3, [23OT].

As I was reading the above two excerpts I could not help but be impressed with an idea. First, we know that Elijah represents God’s people in the last days. Second, we even call the message “the Elijah message.” Third, the whole of the Spirit of Prophecy is really for the church and not for the unconverted. Fourth, I’m sitting here with my mind racing; Elijah certainly gave God’s message to the to Ahab with a loud cry, I thought that the loud cry was for the world, this is looking like some portion of the loud cry is actually to the General Conference Seventh-Day Adventist church. Fifth, this whole 55 pages is all about Ezekiel 9 and STARTING(!) at the church.

Maybe the loud cry actually does start at the church. I always thought it was a message to the world. Hummm….

The only thing I can see at the moment to match the no rain judgment, is where God’s people are setting a standard of conduct, perhaps, publicly, somehow in the limelight of the world view, a major embarrassment to the SDA church,…. I don’t know, we’ll see how the day progresses and the thoughts accumulate.

Fathers and mothers see their children perish with no power to relieve them. And yet they were in such terrible darkness that they could not see that the justice of God was awakened against them because of their sins, and that this terrible calamity was sent in mercy to them, to save them form fully denying and forsaking the God of their fathers. p. 34, Para. 4, [23OT].

Apparently they had not FULLY forsaken God at this point. Could the same be true for the GCSDA church??? ( This in NO way gives you any sort of excuse to maintain membership in that church. ) If so in the least, then the first sentence of the following paragraph will apply with great force.

It will cost Israel suffering and great affliction to bring them to that repentance necessary in order to recover their lost faith, and a clear sense of their responsibility to God. Their apostasy was more dreadful than drought or famine. Elijah waited, and prayed in faith through the long years of drought and famine, that the hearts of Israel, through their affliction, might be turned from their idolatry, to allegiance to God. Notwithstanding all their sufferings, they stood firm in their idolatry, and looked upon the prophet of God as the cause of their calamity. And if they could have had Elijah in their power they would have delivered him to Jezebel, that she might satisfy her revenge by taking his life. Because Elijah dared to utter the word of woe which God had bidden him, he had made himself the object of their hatred. They could not see God’s hand in the judgments under which they were suffering because of their sins. They charged them to the man, Elijah. They abhorred not the sins which had brought them under the chastening rod, but hated the faithful prophet, God’s instrument to denounce their sins and calamity. p. 35, Para. 1, [23OT].

This certainly is a description of the purpose of the living testimony; which is the Spirit of Prophecy; which is the Testimonies for the church; which is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in hard copy; which is the word of the living God, given to mankind by his faithful servants the prophets, James and Ellen White being the first in the last days, with many more to come during the loud cry, last great work of the third angel’s message; which appears to be the slaughtering of Ezekiel 9.

Friday March 26, 2010

Time for some good news.

This passage ranks right up there with the best.

God will have a people zealous of good works, standing firm amid the pollutions of this degenerate age. There will be a people who hold so fast to the divine strength that they will be proof against every temptation. Evil communications, in flaming handbills, may seek to speak to their senses and corrupt their minds, yet they are so united to God and angels that they are as those who see not, and those who hear not. They have a work to do which no one can do for them, which is to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. They will not be selfconfident and self-sufficient. They know their weakness, and unite their ignorance to Christ’s wisdom–their weakness to his strength. p. 9, Para. 6, [25OT].

Now that is like a breath of fresh air! God’s word will not return void. It is high time to stand to the pole, raise the standard and show the colors!

Joel’s vision of God’s army will yet stand forth!

God Bless!

Thursday March 25, 2010

Ezekiel 9 – Part 22

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.

On page 29 is a great paragraph. This is in the sub-section about making confessions too late to save yourself. The same is true today. Those who will not repent and confess their sins to Christ will not have them blotted out of the books of record, they will remain unconfessed after the close of probation.
Then it will be too, too late.

I have been shown that God will not be trifled with. It is time of conflict when the true colors should be flung to the breeze. It is then the standard-bearers need to be firm and let their true position be known. It is then the skill of every true soldier for the right is tested; shirks can never wear the laurels of victory. Those who are true and loyal will not conceal the fact, but will put heart and might in the work, and venture their all in the struggle, let the battle turn as it will. God is a sin-hating God. And those who will encourage the sinner, saying, It is well with thee, God will curse. p. 29, Para. 1, [23OT].

It seems to me that this paragraph speaks to a time yet to come. The time of the last great work of the third angel’s message.

It is very interesting to me how we are having such a long slow slide down into collapse within the USA. I perceive that this process is stripping all the excess reserve most people have within their means. It’s just like milking a cow. And this is one big fat cow, the cream is very thick and it just takes time to get the job done.

But once that job is done, there will be no more unemployment benefits extensions, most states will be broke as well as Washington, it will be a new and terrible day. People will be looking for the enemy. The time will be just right. The big Q is, will God allow the end to happen then?

We do not know. Right now the shaking process is seemingly very subtle. You hear about something happening over there or over here. It’s all happening on a micro level. But soon it will go macro, then ALL will have to make a stand.

Where will you be?
Who is on the Lord’s side?