Friday April 1, 2011

While we are on the subject of the 144,000, let’s not forget that this group must also be the ones who are actually worshiping God in the true spirit of the great anti-typical Day of Atonement. There are some subtleties involved in this.

For starters, health reform. To me that is a toughie. In this day and age when you have absolutely no idea of where the food comes from and/or if it is GM (genetically modified) it becomes more of a total trust in God’s providence.

The water God has provided for me to use is hard water, meaning, of course, that it is full of minerals which leave deposits when the water dries up. I just trust in God’s providence, and use what he has provided for me. He has not given me enough money to buy a fancy water purifier, so I wait, until he does, that’s how I’ll know that he want’s me to drink more pure water.

But what if you live in the city? Fluoride is really bad for your health. Ask God to help you get into some pure water. He just may help you into the country for that water.

The biggest focus about health reform is keeping your mind in the best possible health. Even when hanging on the cross, Christ would not take any drugs to dull the pain, and cloud the brain. The common practice in the USA today is to pump you up with morphine so you “feel no pain” as you are dying. I choose to follow Christ’s example, even in dying, to absolutely do your best to preserve your ability to think.

Which is the reason we should not overeat. No. 18 has quite a lot on this subject in the first portion of it. None of the 144,000 will be grossly overweight, they will have gained the victory over self, they will have suppressed the urge of the body.

Interestingly, No. 18 on pages 45 and 48 mention having a little wine, just like Paul does. Frankly, I was blown away! I have a hatred for alcoholic drinks. For me, that is probably a good thing as it is not a good fit for my character.

Keeping your mind clear for spiritual reasons, that is the major goal of health reform. It’s kinda tough to be watching when you are sleeping off that birthday dinner. I know, I been there done that. Praise God for his mercy in putting up with our sin while trying to save us!

Read the first portion of No. 18. It was put there for the benefit of the 144,000 who will be following Christ every step of the path that he walked before us. We just follow the blood-stained trail. No. 20, p. 28-32.

God Bless the re-formation of your health

Thursday March 31, 2011

But as many as received him,….. to them gave he power….. to become….. the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:….. Which were born,….. not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but….. of God. John 1:12-13

One of the major points of this faith, that was once delivered to the saints, is the clear teaching that those who embrace this message have a positive duty to perfect a Christian character. (You can select the topic on the right to learn more detail.)

It further teaches, that failure to do so will prevent your entrance to Heaven and eternal life. It is this concept that the 144,000 will have learned in their lifetime and applied to themselves, to correct their defects, thus fulfilling the word of God, “without fault before the throne.” Revelation 14:5.

Satan’s agents in the SDA church, have done, and are continuing to, do their best to hide the light of this truth from God’s people.

I want to be there. I now know that I MUST change. Because of my greatly depreciated mental abilities, as a result of 6,000 years of the curse of sin, God has sought to reach me, in his own chosen way, through the testimonies. No. 20, p. 44. And shall I refuse them? Nay, but I will embrace, with a thankful heart, what God has done to help me, perfect a Christian character for a place in Heaven.

And in the same place God tells us that Satan has made it a special object to prevent this light from reaching God’s people, “who so greatly need it amid the perils of these last days.” Satan has succeeded, for a time. But God has come in with a strong hand. He has preserved these original testimonies for his people for the last days.

I believe this resurrection of the original Spirit of Prophecy is, in fact, the light that goes before the fourth angel of Revelation 18. 1858 Great Controversy, p. 194. And should constitute the second rise of the third angel’s message. No. 1, p. 3; No. 23, p. 8.

I believe that the original, authenticated Spirit of Prophecy is, in fact, the counsel of the true witness to the Laodiceans. No. 5, p. 32. Which is why so many, who love sin, hate the SOP.

I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof, is shutting away the light from God’s people. No. 23, p. 7.

We have a crown, eternal life and Heaven to win. Get Ready!

God Bless your study

Wednesday March 30, 2011

The 144,000 are a very tiny group. Some people have made efforts to reconcile this very small number with the comparatively huge numbers of the peoples of the world; even to the point of suggesting that God can’t count. This, and other numerous other suggestions of Satan, have clouded the issues.

So how is it that someone could be a part of that group? Or, what exactly are the issues?

The more you study the King James Version of the Bible with the original, authenticated Spirit of Prophecy you will come to this same conclusion; unless you have a heart set against being obedient to that truth.

First in line, is that truth is truth. It is pure. It is pure in it’s harmony with all it’s parts. God is the author, not David, or Jeremiah, or Ezekiel, or Paul, or Peter, or John, or Ellen. Many do not want to believe that. And right there is where the problem starts. Claiming that Ellen wrote “as she remembered” instead of “being totally controlled by God” is attributing the work of God, to man. This is blasphemy.

There is all the evidence you need on this site. There is more to come, but there is enough extant at this time to convince those who are drawn by God to the truth. John 6:44. Who are those who are drawn by God? You. You would not have read this far if you were into lies. You have received a love of truth, pure truth. Your heart has longed for something to anchor to, that could not be moved! “ the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

On truth, you can take a stand; and know, fully know, that you can not be moved. That no argument can take away your position. You must prove your position. That is a large part of what this site is about. It thrills my heart to know my anchor, for myself! And here, I get to share with you discoveries of truth. None of this is my doctrine. I am only a carpenter.

Second, when God leads you to truth, you are one of the few who takes the time to examine it, to prove all things. It just amazes me at the great numbers of people in this country who accept, hook, line and sinker, the government’s explanation of events on 9/11. To my understanding, the believability rate of the main-stream media “news” is something on the order of 97 percent. Those who receive a love of the truth are also those who check it out, “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11

Around here we want to know! Is it so?! We check it out. Only with a computer could the comparisons have been made in such detail as are available to you on this site. And in spite of the passage of so many years, there are those who know and understand the depth of the counterfeiting work that went on, against God, in the Spirit of Prophecy. That was/is a conspiracy against God’s people. We unwind that, just a bit, here.

So first, you are drawn to the truth by God. Second, you check out the truth, you prove the truth to be real. Now, thirdly, you embrace the truth, you are obedient to the truth, the truth has a transforming power in your life through Christ. You are “obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7.

I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet were sliding, because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling. p. 12, Para. 4, [CEV].

The different parties of professed Advent believers have a little truth, but God has given all that to his children who are being prepared for the day of God; also truths that neither of these parties know, and will not understand. Things which are sealed up to them, the Lord has opened to those who will see, and are ready to understand them. And if God has any new light to communicate, he will let his chosen and beloved understand it, without their going to hear those who are in error and darkness to have their minds enlightened. p. 45, Para. 1, [SUPCEV].

The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people. p. 22, Para. 1, [23OT].

Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God, and murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them, and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! These, unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work, and holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, will never receive the mark of God’s sealing approval. p. 22, Para. 2, [23OT].

Those who have not had an opportunity to access these truths will not be held accountable for them. This, is where “a great multitude, which no man could number” comes from. God be praised!

God Bless your preparation

Tuesday March 29, 2011

The 144,000 are a very tiny group. Starting from Christ’s entry into the Most Holy on October 22, 1844, we have about 166 years to today. Doing a little math here… that equals about 867 people per year.

Now let’s see what the world population was in 1844.  Here, we have found a handy chart on Wikipedia. It shows an estimated world population in 1844 of about 1.2 billion. Doing a little more math … we discover that 144,000 is 0.000144 percent of one billion. So assuming that figure was correct, you had one chance out of 144 ten thousandths, to meet one of the 144,000 saints. (I hope I stated that correctly, my math is not too good and I have no human help at the moment)

Now think about the fact that ALL those people are gone, in the grave, awaiting a resurrection. And ALL their children are gone. Today we have a world population of about 6.91 billion. I believe it is of God’s providence that we ALL have a common means of communication through the internet, even language translation (which is getting better every day).

In the 1858 Great Controversy we have a very interesting point to look at. It says, speaking of the fourth, or Revelation 18, angel, “The light which went before…” page 194. Now go to the next page and it says, “The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated every where,….” This is the effect also of the internet. When I post this, it is instantly available to the whole world!

Light = truth. God’s truth is so pure, so clean. I hope that at some point you take the time to meditate on that truth. You will be amazed at the communication of the Holy Spirit when you do. So where is truth? Where is the pure truth? It must be pure to be real light. It can not be found in the counterfeited Spirit of Prophecy works for, “God will never enter co-partnership with worldlings.” p. 45, Para. 1, [16OT].

The source must be pure. I submit to you that the original, authenticated Spirit of Prophecy is that pure source. I further submit to you that Ellen was a true prophet of God for his people in these last days.

Do you want light? which equals truth, because you want to obey?

Only those who ask, seek, and knock, obtain.

You are reading these words because you have sought for them. God bless your every effort. Angels surround you every minute of every day to help you be in Heaven. Surrender all to God. He will help us, he will save us, even if we are called upon to lay down our lives for him, we shall live again!

The Bible we have had for about 2,000 years. The great light of the Spirit of Prophecy shone for a time, about 37 years, on God’s people and then was put out. Satan has triumphed, for a time. Now, today, in God’s providence, that light IS shining again.** This site is a testament to that fact.

Largely and since 1881, after the death of James when W. C. White took control (click on the topic W. C. White on the right), the Spirit of Prophecy has been taken from the SDA church as God said it would be. No. 20, p. 47. For the last 130 years the darkness has only grown deeper and darker. Most SDA members know absolutely NO THING of the Spirit of Prophecy. Of those who do, even they know VERY little of the original.

The leadership of the Jews, in the time of Christ, were taken to be “the nation” and their actions were accounted as the actions of “the nation.” Probably this is so because the leadership simply reflected, or telescoped, the values of those Jews living at that time. This was so irregardless of the fact that there were faithful followers of God, there, who were Jews. Even so faithful that they were led by God to meet Christ in the temple at his dedication as a baby.

The same is true for the General Conference Seventh-Day Adventist church of today. So much so that those men in leadership positions have even gone and bowed at the feet of the man of sin, the pope. (Two references, here and here.)

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1

Christ came to his own another time in the person of his prophet, Ellen, and once again, his own received him not. There are two points I wish to remind you of at this juncture. 1.) Satan has 100 times more power to deceive now, than when he deceived the angel’s in Heaven. No. 23, p. 103. 2.) Humanity (that would be you and me) are much more highly susceptible to Satan’s devices in these last days. R&H, February 18, 1862, about the 8th paragraph.

Please go back to yesterday’s post and re-read the last paragraph, carefully. It speaks volumes.

Going forward, look again at the trouble that is coming on this “land of light” (1858 GC, p. 192). I believe this trouble will fulfill the words of No. 12, p. 40. “Something must arise to lessen the hold of God’s people upon the world.”

The USA is on a path of no return. It would take some miracle of God to prevent the great trouble in our yet future. In the last depression of the 1930’s, people were largely living on the land, in the country. Plus, no one thought milk came from a carton, they knew where food originated. Today, we are totally vulnerable. Most people are highly specialized, doing a work that is also highly dependant upon others.

Our civilization is a very thin crust. We are about three days away from total chaos. It is real simple. There is only three days supply of food on the store shelves at any given time, period. People do not have a pantry, they depend on the store having food when they need it. All things, including food, are delivered on a just-in-time basis. Any disruption causes immediate loss on the shelf.

The trouble the USA is going into is, just now, this year, being actually “felt” by a large percentage of the population. It will get much worse this year, much worse. Things in the Arab world are simply a small preview of what we can expect. Want proof? Here it is. Enough said. I currently believe this trouble will be, as it were, the scourge of the Egyptian whip on the back of the slave Jews; thus, being that which “should arise to lessen the hold of God’s people upon the world.”

Go to God and surrender to him. Embrace this message of the truth. Get your questions answered. Believe in the pure truth. Put yourself on God’s side. We are not far from the kingdom.

God Bless your preparation

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** I just checked the ABC site and they have the following books available. We can praise God for his providence.

1.) Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 2, 3, &4

2.) Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1-4 in two small books

3.) Vol.1 of the Review and Herald, reprints of only Ellen’s articles

4.) Life Incidents, by James White (their facsimile reprints have been excellent in the past)

5.) A Word to the Little Flock, by James White. Ellen’s first vision is in there. (Take with a grain of salt the comments by the White Estate.)

6.) The Youth’s Instructor, First Issue Reprint, by James White.

Here is the link for the ABC, use the search box in the upper right corner.

If you can not afford to buy them all at once, I highly recommend you get Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, it is the 1858 Great Controversy. You will be glad you did.

Monday March 28, 2011

We believe that the 144,000 are composed of two groups 1.) those who have died in faith under the third angel’s message, if they were obedient to God’s law and perfected a Christian character, for they have become perfect and holy, and prepared for translation, (R&H, May 6, 1862) and, 2.) those who have perfected a Christian character and will live through the last day’s events and be alive to hear the voice of God call forth group No. 1 to join with them in hearing God’s voice then declare the covenant of peace and the day and hour of Christ’s coming. For then, the prophet’s voice proclaims, “The living saints, 144,000 in number,” applies.

I was reading in No. 27 of Abraham and the great test of faith with which God tested him; at the most trying hour of his life, when he was very old and ready to die.

But God in his providence reserved his last most trying test for Abraham, until the burden of years was heavy upon him and he longed for rest from anxiety and toil. The Lord spoke unto him, saying, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and offer him for a burntoffering.” The heart of the old man stood still with horror. p. 3, Para. 2, [27OT].

Yet God had spoken and his word must be obeyed. Abraham was stricken in years, but this did not excuse him from his duty. He grasped the staff of faith, and in dumb agony, took his child by the hand, beautiful in the rosy health of youth, and went out to obey the word of God. p. 4, Para. 1, [27OT].

But Abraham did not stop to question how God’s promises could be fulfilled if Isaac was slain, he did not stay to reason with his aching heart; but he carried out the divine command to the very letter, till, just as the knife is about to be plunged into the quivering flesh of the child, the word came, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, “for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.” p. 4, Para. 2, [27OT].

This great act of faith in penciled on the pages of sacred history to shine forth upon the world as an illustrious example to the end of time. Abraham did not plead that his old age should excuse him from obeying God. p. 4, Para. 3, [27OT].

No; God had spoken, and man must obey without questioning or murmuring or fainting by the way. p. 4, Para. 4, [27OT].

Age will never excuse us from obeying God. Our faith should be prolific of good works, for faith without works is dead. Every duty performed, every sacrifice in the name of Jesus, brings an exceeding great reward. In the very act of duty, God speaks and gives his blessing. But he requires of us an entire surrender of the faculties. The mind and heart, the whole being must be given to him, or we fall short of becoming true Christians. p. 5, Para. 1, [27OT].

There is a man, who by reason of age, has been brought to the back door of the house of life. He is David Bauer. He is one of three to whom I sent a copy of this open letter. Another, seeking to excuse the man, offered the idea of age being heavy on the man. You decide.

As I myself am traveling the pathway of all humanity into the dimming future of age, and it’s encroachments on production, many, more and more, that I have known, are gone or going to the grave before me. But to each one the test comes. Christ says, “Follow me.”

Many are the hindrances that lay in the path of those who would follow in obedience the commandments of God. There are strong and subtle influences that bind them to the ways of the world; but the power of the Lord can break these chains. He will remove every obstacle from before the feet of his faithful ones, or give them strength and courage to conquer every difficulty, if they earnestly beseech his help. All hindrances will vanish before an earnest desire and persistent effort to do the will of God at any cost to self, even if life itself is sacrificed. Light from Heaven will illuminate the darkness of those, who, in trial and perplexity, go forward looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of their faith. p. 8, Para. 1, [27OT].

In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouths of prophets and apostles. In these days he speaks to them by the testimonies of his Spirit. There was never a time when God more earnestly instructed his people concerning his will, and the course that he would have them pursue, than now. But will they profit by his teachings, will they receive his reproofs, and heed his warnings? God will accept of no partial obedience nor sanction any compromise with self. p. 8, Para. 2, [27OT].

God Bless your study

Sunday March 27, 2011

In our study group, yesterday, we came across this passage, in No. 18. There are two main points to look at here. I’ll comment below.

Bro. _____ has a very set will. His likes and dislikes are very strong. If he starts on a wrong track, and follows the bent of his mind, not moving in wisdom, and his error is presented before him, and he knows he is not right, he will have such a reluctance to acknowledge that he has been in error, and has pursued a wrong course, that he will frame some kind of an excuse to make others believe he is, after all, about right. This is the reason he has been left to follow his own judgment and wisdom, which are foolishness. p. 50, Para. 1, [18OT].

In his father’s family he has not been a blessing, but a cause of anxiety and sorrow. His will was not subdued in childhood. He has such a reluctance to acknowledge frankly that he has made mistakes and done wrong, that, to get out of a difficulty, he would set the powers of his mind at work to invent some excuse that he flattered himself was not a direct lie, rather than to humble himself sufficiently to confess his wrong. This habit had been brought along with him into his religious experience. He has a peculiar faculty of turning away a point by pleading forgetfulness, when, many times, he chooses to forget. p. 50, Para. 2, [18OT].

If you took the trouble to look this up, and read it in context, you would be amazed at what a jerk this guy was! At one point he is called “mulish.”

Our first point is from the first paragraph. Notice that this man “has been left to follow his own judgment and wisdom,” apparently by God.

Those who choose to make excuses, continue in sin and conformity to the world, will be left to their idols. p. 30, Para. 1, [15OT].

God looks at the heart. He is proving and testing souls in this manner. In rebuking the wrongs of one, he designs to correct many. But if they fail to take the reproof to themselves, and flatter themselves that God passes over their errors, because he does not especially single them out, they deceive their own souls, and will be shut up in darkness, and be left to their own ways, to follow the imagination of their own hearts. p. 2, Para. 2, [16OT].

The second point is about the man’s will not being subdued. We posted about this point before. Today’s passage is a confirmation of the message from God.

God Bless your study

Sabbath March 26, 2011

Ok, so I just could not resist. This little book I have (from Leaves of Autumn) is actually three of Joseph Bates’ publications. Having finished the Way Marks and High Heaps one, I just had to go on to the next one. An Explanation of the Typical and Anti-Typical Sanctuary, by the Scriptures. With a Chart. (No Chart.) 🙁

Another long title and only 16 pages. No wonder I could not resist. I thought it was very good. Most interesting to me was his more specific view on the Shut Door. Now this particular pamphlet was published in 1850, therefore we have a more developed and matured view of what the pioneers believed, as Joseph was not alone in his thinking.

I will definitely be keeping this book close for a time. I want to capture the thought here and see just where God corrected their interpretation of the texts.

Here is my understanding of Joseph’s views. He gives his reasoning, from the Bible, for the work that Christ was doing after he left earth. I think we all agree that he became our priest to minister in the heavenly temple. Ok. But, exactly what changed on October 22, 1844?, besides him going into the Most Holy. Christ is still in the temple.

Here is the operable verse.

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Rev. 10:7

This is our seventh trumpet and third woe. This trumpet began to sound October 22, 1844. Now we ask the same question in a different way. What is the mystery of God that should then be finished? According to Joseph, this is what changed. He makes the case from the Bible that the mystery of God is the gospel going to the Gentiles. Thus, the shut door, or, no more Gentiles allowed.

Remember too, we stand at a vantage point of the future, looking back. We are 161 years into the future of Joseph’s words. This is why I say, the book will be close for a time as I study this out. Joseph is saying that the door to the Holy Place is closed to the Gentiles (and us all), which is the only way they can become a part of the family of God.

It will be good to examine this, as something has changed in Christ’s ministry. What is it?

I touched on this point a few days ago here and it begs to be understood.

It has been said that if you ask a better question you get a better answer. It used to be when I was hungry I would ask the question of myself, “What can I eat to stop the hunger?” The answer could correctly be any form of junk food. But I learned to ask a better question, “What can I eat that will nourish my body?” Better question, don’t you think?

Back to the point. Did probation close for the Gentiles on October 22, 1844? At this point I have to say, “well… yes… and… no.” This next portion from the 1858 Great Controversy will help.

The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the Most Holy place where JESUS stands before the ark, making his final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers, and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of GOD. p. 162, Para. 1, [GC58].

At this point in my understanding, there is a dividing line between those who heard the first angel’s message and embraced it and those who rejected it. The door was forever shut to those who rejected it. But the final test for the world will be between God’s law and the law of the man of sin; keeping the Sabbath of the Lord our God holy, or obeying the law of the land and giving honor to Sunday as the day to worship God.

It is very interesting to me that God has made so plain the stakes in the final test. Keep the law of God, the Sabbath, or, keep the law of man, Sunday. It will become so plain that no argument can cover the true nature of the test. All will be tested. Each one will choose. Everyone’s choice will be honored by God.

God Bless your study

Friday March 25, 2011

Back to the book, Way Marks and High Heaps, by Joseph Bates.

Joseph’s tenth, and last Way Mark, “Perilous Times have come in the Last Days. — The Little Flock Pressing up to the Eleventh and Last Way Mark in Their Pathway.” For all the length of this title, there is one page of comment on it. We give it in full.

All the text is set in a smaller point size. It is thought it’s purpose is to save space and not run over onto another page.

“This know also, that in the latter days perilous times will come; men will become money lovers, proud, blasphemers, unholy, COVENANT BREAKERS, (despising the commandments of God,) having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it;” 2 Tim. 3:1-5, and 4:3, 4 (Macknight’s trans.) Isaiah’s DARKNESS; 60:2, and 59:16. PETER’S “FIERY TRIALS. Don’t think strange of it;” 1 Pet. 4:12. James’ “patient waiting time,” 5:7, 8. Angel Gabriel’s time of trial, and “scattering the power of the holy people in the latter days;” Dan. 11: and 12. Zachariah and Malachi — Purifying and refining time; 3:3; 8:9. Three parts — lst. Nominal Adventist; 2d. Spiritualizers; 3d. Keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” One out of three to be saved; God hears them when they call, and says, I will say it is my people, and they shall say the Lord is my God.” The other “two parts to die.” Amos, Hosea, and Esdras, “famine for the word of the Lord,” 5:6, 7; 2 Esdras 5:2, 12; Amos 8:11, 12. “Wandering from sea to sea; (certainly as far as London, Eng.) to the east, to seek the word of the Lord, and from the north, to and fro, and shall not find it.” “They will beget strange children,” which will not stand more than one moon, or month; Hosea, Isa. and Joel’s “famine for bread and water,” H:19; Joel 1:15-20. “Seed rotten under the clods — man and beasts perplexed,” Hab. and David, and Paul’s opinion and determination in these direful times. Ps. 91: Hab. 3:16-18. Rom. 8:35-39. Esdras says, “the seed shall fail through blasting and hail.” xv. same prophet says, “provision shall be cheap, (they have been) and suddenly the sown places appear unsown, (seed rotted under the clods,) the full storehouses suddenly be found empty.” Here is the fulfillment: hundreds on hundreds of our ships almost constantly leaving our shores, laden with provisions from the store-houses, to supply the famine in Europe. If accounts respecting the famine be true, they will continue to go until our store-houses be emptied. This is neither fancy nor fable, but history and the word of the Lord our God. The prophecy of Esdras begins to search and burn like fire. See also Isa. and Jer. overflowing scourge, whirlwinds, (God’s judgments) and sword and famine, and floods and plagues, hurrying us all on to Daniel and Jacob’s time of trouble, and great battle, of the great day of God Almighty! Rev. 16: Isa. 28:18; Jer. 25:26-38. “Look out of your houses and behold the terribly shaken fir-trees (the buttonwood, sycamore, &c. &c.). This is a prophecy of 2500 years, fulfilled 4 years ago. Go and look at them and read Nah. 2:8; neither worms nor frost has made this universal standing miracle, any more than they have caused the simultaneous potato rot in 48 hours, throughout America and the continent of Europe. “Fear not, little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom:” “Hold that fast which thou hast;” Rev. 3:8, 10-12. Remember the way marks and high heaps in your pathway. If we ever gain the kingdom, it will be by overcoming “the world, the flesh, and the devil.” “And DOING his commandments. Look for your final redemption at the feast of TABERNACLES. The chart has all the time that we shall ever be arraigned to. Let us be watching then for the voice of God to shake the heavens and earth, for that is the next sign. Amen. p. 81, Para. 2, [WAYMARKS].

Remarkable, don’t you think? It reads like the headlines of today’s news. We are surly in the third “WO” and big it is. It seems this collapse is the “Something [that] must arise to lessen the hold of God’s people on the world.” No. 12, p. 40

I am not sure what to make of the pioneer’s use of the apocrypha. I usually just ignore it.

When it comes to “news” and world events, it certainly seems prudent to not ignore them, but also not become fixated upon them. Some people professing this faith, when you talk to them, are more full of “events” than they are of Christ. This has to be a device of Satan to get God’s people to take their eyes off Christ and looking at the darkness that surrounds. 1858 GC, p. 183

God Bless your preparation

Thursday March 24, 2011

Back to the book, Way Marks and High Heaps, by Joseph Bates.

We are now at the ninth Way Mark. The Patience of the Saints Keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith or Testimony of Jesus. (another long title)

It is quite interesting to me in reading the personal experience of a man, who went through all the messages and was firm in all the present truth, telling his understanding of the Bible. He speaks of the third angel’s message as having been delivered, done. Also that it was the same as the angel of Revelation 18. Notice how close he was to how we understand it today. See the Loud Cry chapter in the 1858 Great Controversy, starts on page 193.

He points to the message of the first and second angels and notes that they could not proclaim what the third does about God’s people. Namely, it was not until after the third angel’s message was given, that God’s people went from keeping just nine commandments, to keeping all ten. Then, is when they are identified as keeping “the commandments of God.”

Then follows eleven pages of evidence for the Sabbath. He has elsewhere written a pamphlet on the Sabbath. In fact James in The Advent Review, November, 1850, last page, tells us this interesting fact about Joseph.

Sister Bates, the wife of our faithful Bro. Bates, is strong in the present truth. The deceptive influence of some who professed to preach the true advent faith, blinded her mind, and prejudiced her against the truth. Bro. Bates persevered, and for years, yes, all through the scattering time, has kept the Holy Sabbath alone. But when the gathering time came, and God began to reach out his arm to recover his precious “jewels” from beneath the “rubbish,” sister Bates was lead to examine the truth for herself. And now she and her husband are walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.” Praise the Lord for what he is doing for the trusting remnant.

Joseph closes this Way Mark with a comment about S. S. Snow, who actually started the Midnight Cry at the true prophetic midnight, giving up the present truth.

S. S. Snow declares that he is the prophet Elijah! the restorer of the law. How can that be when he and his followers are living in open violation of the law? desecrating the holy Sabbath of the Lord, how clear it is that their course will prove a perfect failure.

God Bless your study

Wednesday March 23, 2011

Taking another day off the topic, we here develop an important point.

The 144,000 are a unique group of people. After the resurrection these will “follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth.” Revelation 14:4 We are familiar with the story of Christ’s path.

Jesus sought to draw their minds away from himself personally, to the importance of his position as the heir of all things, an equal with God himself; that through suffering and conflict he had gained his great inheritance, the kingdoms of Heaven and of earth. p. 236, Para. 3, [3SP].

Jerusalem had been the scene of Christ’s amazing condescension for the human race. There had he suffered, been rejected, and condemned. p. 239, Para. 3, [3SP].

We think that this path of suffering, stained with the blood of Christ, is exactly the path to be trod by those who will be a part of the 144,000, for they will have followed him closely on earth. We think this path, albeit, not the only, lies right through the SDA church, the Jerusalem of our day; for there, are the faithful, suffering, being rejected, and condemned. It seems clear that this is, and has been, an on-going process since shortly after October 22, 1844. God gave a view of this path to us on the pages of No. 20, p. 28-32. There is a line from that view I will share with you now.

At every change, some were left behind, and those only remained who had accustomed themselves to endure hardships.

I would submit to you, that this, you can expect, hardship. Embrace it. We near the final days, our watch just about over. God gives us warning of the future.

Something must arise to lessen the hold of God’s people upon the world. [p. 40, No. 12].

We think that here, in America, in this “land of light” (1858GC, p. 192) we, God’s people, are to have our hold loosened on the world, by suffering, by close hardship, as the nation collapses.

Heaven will be cheap enough, if we obtain it through suffering. We must deny self all along the way, die to self daily, and have Jesus alone appear, and have his glory continually in view. I saw that those who of late have embraced the truth would have to know what it was to suffer for Christ’s sake. That they would have trials to pass through that would be keen and cutting, in order that they may be purified, and fitted through suffering to receive the seal of the living God, pass through the time of trouble, and see the King in his beauty, and dwell in the presence of God, and in the society of pure and holy angels. p. 29, Para. 1, [CEV].

Jesus is coming, and will he find a people conformed to the world? And will he acknowledge them as his people? Oh, no. None but the pure and holy will he acknowledge as his. Those that have been purified and made bright through suffering, and have kept themselves separate, unspotted from the world, he will own as his. p. 19, Para. 2, [2OT].

God designed through the furnace of affliction to loosen her grasp upon earthly treasures. Through suffering alone could this be done. Sr. —– is one of that class whose system has been poisoned by drugs. She, ignorantly, has made herself what she is, by taking drugs; yet God did not suffer her life to be taken. He has lengthened her years of probation and suffering that she might become sanctified through the truth, be purified, made white and tried, and through the furnace of affliction, lose her dross, and become more precious than fine gold, even than the golden wedge of Ophir. Love of the world has become so deeply rooted in the hearts of this brother and sister that it will require a severe trial to remove it. p. 87, Para. 2, [16OT].

We believe this severe trial is at the door. This nation has been spared much suffering, noticeable by comparison with the rest of the world, which protection is being withdrawn because Christ’s coming is at the door. Get Ready!

We do not think this special path of the 144,000 in any way excludes any one from Heaven, for the text is very plain, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number…” Revelation 7:9 Nor do we think each one, of the 144,000 must go through the SDA church in membership, that is not the point. Suffering is the point; withersoever Christ leads, you.

God Bless your preparation, overcoming as he overcame