Monday November 1, 2010
November. Soon we will be writing 2011 for a date. I am amazed. God has his protecting arm stretched out still over this nation. I believe it is because this nation is the cradle of the Advent message. Not because it was, but because it is.
I have often said over the years that California is to the USA what the USA is to the world. It’s influence is all out of proportion to it’s importance, at least that is my perspective. Alas, IRL, (in real life,) it is even so. Much of the rest of the world hates America, with good reason. Much of the rest of the USA hates California, with good reason.
I decry that I am still here. But God’s providence has not opened the way for me to leave my present situation,… yet.
The ongoing collapse of the American dollar is happening in slow motion. Somewhere between 45 to 60 million people on food stamps hides the depression era “soup lines” from the public eye, they “sanitize” the situation. Besides, it prevents panic, that’s a good thing. Mostly because it gives you and me a bit more time to prepare our characters for Heaven.
I just recently heard some folks discussing “Christ our Righteousness” and it did not take too long before someone lays it on the line. They verbalize that Christ’s righteousness covers our sins,… because we can not be perfect here in this life. Those are not the exact words they used, but what they said meant the same thing. This is part and parcel of the darkness the SDA church is in.
If we could not be perfect here, then Christ came in vain! God tells us to be perfect, just like him. Enoch became perfect living in a sin filled world. God took him to Heaven without seeing death. Now hold it right there. I purposely stated it the way I was taught for fifty years in the church. It is said with the feeling like something happens to change a sinner into a saint through death. That is a lie.
The Bible states that when a person dies they no longer have a part in any thing, ever, until resurrected. Which happens in a moment. So, really, there is no difference between dying or translation. Both happen instantly, well, sorta. Have you ever “passed out”? I mean lost consciousness? I have. No dreams, no nothing. So while there is a waiting in the sleep of death, that waiting is all about the living, for the dead it is instant. The whole point is this, you must be ready to enter Heaven, before you enter…. you must become perfect, here, now; that’s the whole reason the Bible teaches perfection.
Remember Daniel? “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried”
Truth. What is it to you? Is it the pearl of great price? Would you sell all that you have to be able to get that pearl? In the last few years my parents passed away, often I think of their dreams and hopes. Gone. Done. Nothing. These people, who I knew so intimately, are dead, waiting now in the grave for a resurrection, which will surly come. Is their character fit for Heaven? Will my character be fit for Heaven? Do I have enough truth to access Heaven at last and avoid Hell?
The question was then asked, Why have you not washed your robes of character, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb? God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that through him it might be saved. My love for you has been more self-denying than a mother’s love. It was that I might blot out your dark record of iniquity, and put the cup of salvation to your lips, that I suffered the death of the cross, bearing the weight and curse of your guilt. The pangs of death, and the horrors of the darkness of the tomb, I endured that I might conquer him who had the power of death, unbar the prison-house, and open for you the gates of life. I submitted to shame and agony because I loved you with an infinite love, and would bring back my way-ward, wandering sheep to the paradise of God, to the tree of life. That life of bliss which I purchased for you at such a cost, you have disregarded. Shame, reproach, and ignominy, such as your Master bore for you, you have shunned. The privileges he died to bring within your reach have not been appreciated. You would not be partaker of his sufferings, and you cannot now be partaker with him of his glory. Then were uttered these solemn word: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” The book then closed, and the mantle fell from the person on the throne, revealing the terrible glory of the Son of God. p. 7, Para. 1, [29OT].
The scene then passed away, and I found myself still upon the earth, inexpressibly grateful that the day of God had not yet come, and that precious probationary time was still granted us in which to prepare for eternity. p. 7, Para. 2, [29OT].
(BTW, the link downloads the whole book, you should read the first six pages that goes before what is posted here. Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!)
God Bless your preparation for Heaven