The Triumph of Truth
The whole world is in a state of retaliation.
Countless sins are committed with each rotation.
This is the cause of all retardation.
What follows after is more retrogration.
This may be called the age of modernization.
But the need continually increases for moralization.
Everywhere we look we see self–centralization,
When what is needed most is self–renunciation.
Satan is the cause of indignation.
He is the author of Babylon’s intoxication,
And seeks to keep God’s character in obscuration
To misrepresent God is his sole occupation;
And he never reveals his own reputation.
But the wise will avoid his deserved destination.
Now, Christ our Savior came to make reclamation
Of this sinful world in all its degradation.
His work was to make a complete revelation
Of God’s character in each situation,
And to make a sacrifice for our salvation.
All this was accomplished in Christ’s incarnation.
His perfect life destroyed all speculation,
For the angelic host were granted satisfying verification.
The Almighty’s character was given it’s rightful recognition.
Now only men needed the same restoration
From Satan’s deception and depreciation.
You know he is angry with much determination
To bring mankind to certain devastation.
Whoever is wise to shun damnation
Will listen to His words of exhortation.
Mankind isn’t headed for complete annihilation,
Because God has His people in every single nation.
These people, you see, have gone beyond justification;
For all have experienced total sanctification
In God’s judgment hour called investigation.
This is the process of entire extermination
Of all that’s called sin to its foundation.
They have all been made new, a recreation.
These are God’s people for His vindication,
And for His holy character, a grand manifestation.
Satan has no power or manipulation
Over these people of God in any location
Now you probably wonder the identification
Of the people portrayed in this illustration.
They can be found in God’s Revelation,
In chapter fourteen of much familiarization.
An interesting study without limitation
Is the hundred forty four thousand for God’s glorification.
A profound responsibility rests upon this population,
To be to the world a perfect representation,
To give God’s true character reconciliation,
And to the people of the earth this realization.
So let’s put to an end all procrastination,
For near is the end of our probation.
Short is the time of our liberation,
And nearer and nearer is the great tribulation.
The rapidity of the last movements is beyond imagination,
As the upswing begins its intensification.
Know and understand the interpretation.
Study to know without any cessation.
This age we are in is the last generation,
So come to the Lord in deep humiliation.
Be always ready for the great translation,
On the day of heaven’s glad celebration,
Where we shall spend the thousand year vacation.
S. Leacock
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
My Notes on Daniel 2
Daniel 2 Notes King Nebuchadnezzar got a strange dream in the second year of his reign & when he awoke he was really upset. He couldn’t remember the dream. But he knew it was important. So he called all the wise man of Babylon to tell him what had dreamed---
Wise men = psychics,
Magicians = casters of spells, witches
Astrologers = Foretelling future by star charts, fortune tellers
Sorcerers = Claim to communicate with the dead.
Spiritualists Chaldeans = Philosophers of psychic divination,
They all failed to tell the King, so He was so angry. “Kill all these wise men and magicians!” he said. Daniel and his friends were to die too because they were among the wise men and magicians. “Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.” Daniel 2:16 “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon."Daniel 2:17,18
NB--Daniel could have prayed alone, and doubtless would have been heard. But in the union of God’s people there is prevailing power.
Then He returned---"Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king ebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days" Daniel 2:26-28
" ...for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done....Isaiah 46:9,10
“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.” Daniel 2:31-33
“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands,which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together,and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:34,
35 Now Daniel begins to open one of the most comprehensive histories...He says to the King
"...Thou art this head of gold.” Daniel 2:38“And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.” Daniel 2:39 images
“And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the firmness of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. ” Daniel 2:40-1 Iron is used in the Bible as a symbol of ruling power. It stands for Civil or State power. Clay is used in a figurative way in describing God’s people or church. Miry clay denotes filthy or corrupted churches.
Ten Kingdoms—Huns , Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, and Lombards.
“…but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”Dan 3:43
Time and again men have dreamed of rearing on these dominions one mighty kingdom. Charlemagne tried it. Charles V tried it. Louis XIV tried it. Napoleon tried it. Hitler tried it. None of them succeeded. A single verse of prophecy was stronger than all their hosts. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
"Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Daniel 2:44-45
The ‘Stone, cut out without Hands’ represents the final generation of God’s faithful who will be prepared by God to carry forth an important work in the final hours of earth’s history. They carry forth the final message of mercy and warning that leads quickly to the Second Coming of Christ to take His faithful home.
This Final Generation of God's Faithful ones will be a people who have turned from sin and rebellion to totally love, honor and obey God. They will stand in the last generation as a wonder to behold--a small group of faithful people showing the character of Jesus in a world gone crazy with pride and rebellion. We must choose to be among them--because when Jesus comes, only they, with the resurrected righteous dead, will go home with Jesus!
Jesus will come for His children who have obeyed His word and accepted His salvation. We must be ready for this coming! All signs foretold indicate it must be soon! Now is the time to seek the Lord with all our hearts and He promises to be found of us--as we study His Word and practice obeying what we learn, He will lead us to be ready to meet Him in peace on that day!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Lets Prophesy Again 2
"... Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."Revelation 10.
To prophesy again,its very important brethren that we go back to the man who unlocked the 2300 days prophecy and hear the revelation he got from God as he was studying the scriptures.
WILLIAM MILLER’S EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[This was provided strictly for a better understanding of William Miller’s, as well as that of many other Millerites, mind set and not necessarily to provide an understanding of Biblical symbolism.]
ADULTERY – Idolatry Jer. 3:9; Ezek. 23:37
AIR – Spirit of piety - false theories Eph. 2:2
ALTAR – Christ Ps. 43:4; Heb. 13:10
AMON – A people, or son of my people
ANCIENT OF DAYS – God Dan. 7:9
ANGEL – Christ or messenger of God Ex. 23:20; Rev. 1:1; 20:1
ARK – Christ Ps. 132:8; Num. 10:33
ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN – Dignity and honor John 6:62; Isa. 14:13, 14; Rev. 11:12
ASLEEP – Death Acts 7:60; 2 Pet. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:18
AWAKE – Resurrection Job 14:12; Ps. 17:15; John 11:11; Dan. 12:2
BABYLON – Confusion, mixture, worldly
BALAAM – Their destruction without the prophet
BALANCE – Justice or worldly mind Daniel 5:27; Rev. 6:5
BANNER – Gospel ensign, love Cant. 2:4
BEASTS – Kingdoms or powers Dan. 7:3, 17; Rev. 4:6-8; 5:8, 9
BEHELD or BEHOLDING – Joy, or grief, according to the circumstances Ps. 119:158; Rev. 11:12
BED – A place of confinement Rev. 2:22; Isa. 28:20
BELLY – Practical part Rom. 16:18; Job 15:35; Rev. 10:9, 10; Luke 15:16;John 7:38
BIND – To judge and condemn Matt. 12:30; 22:13
BIRD or FOWL – Warriors and conquerors Isa. 46:11; Jer. 12:9; Rev. 18:2
BIRTH – Deliverance from heavy judgments Isa. 37:3-20; 66:9
BLACK – Error, cruelty, death Jer. 4:28; Rev. 6:5-12
BLASPHEMY – Idolatry Isa. 65:7; Ezek. 20:24-27
BLESS or BLESSED – Saved from sin and from death Ps. 28:9; 37:22; Isa. 61:9; Rev. 14:13
BLIND – Self-righteousness Matt. 1514; 23:16-26
BLOOD – Death, war and slaughter Matt. 27:24; Isa. 15:9; 34:3; Rev. 6:10; 8:8; 11:6; 14:20
BLOWING OF THE WIND – The Holy Spirit doing its office in regeneration Cant. 4:16; John 3:8; Rev.7:1
BOOK – God's designs, knowledge and counsel.
Reading, is to make his designs known. To Seal, is to shut up, or make sure Ps. 139:16; Is. 34:16
BOW AND ARROWS – Victory over enemies Isa. 41:2; Rev. 6:2
BRASS – is used for impudence and sin, warlike Isa. 48:4; Jer. 6:28; Mic. 4:13
BRANCH – a descendant or offspring Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5; Dan. 11:7
BREAD – Doctrine of life Amos 8:11; Matt. 4:4
BREAST-PLATE – Defense or armor Isa. 59:17; Rev. 9:9
BREASTS – Consolation, word of God Isa. 66:11
BRIDLE – The restraining power of God Isa. 30:28
BRIMSTONE – Curse of God Isa. 30:33; 11:4
BURNING WITH FIRE – is to destroy, or change their state completely Mal. 4:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10, 11;Rev. 20:9
BUY, or BUYING – is used as an act of giving or receiving religious instruction Isa. 55:1; Rev. 3:18; 13:17
CANDLE – is light Jer. 25:10; Matt. 5:15; Luke 11:36; 15:8
CANDLESTICKS – The means of light; as the kingdom of Christ, the two witnesses, and seven churches, are called candlesticks Dan. 5:5; Zech. 4:2, 11; Rev. 2:5; 11:4
CARMEL – The vineyard of God Mich. 7:14
CHAIN – signifies the laws of God; or man, in prophecy Ps. 149:8; Acts 28:20; Jude 6
CHITTEM – Those that bruise Dan. 11:30
CITY OF GOD – New Jerusalem Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12
CITY OF NATIONS – Antichrist, or Babylon. The streets of the great city are the ten kings Rev. 16:19; 17:18; Rev. 11:8, 13
CLOUD, or TO RIDE ON A CLOUD – is an emblem of power and great glory. Sometimes it means heavy
judgments Matt. 24:30; Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15
CROWN – Dignity and honor Prov. 16:31; Isa. 28:1-5; 62:3
CRY or CRIED – To be sensible of want. Prayers and petitions for relief; or forerunner of war
2 Kings 4:40; Ps. 30:2-8; Rev. 14:18
DARKNESS – Ignorance, unbelief, and every evil work, confusion, and horror Prov. 4:19; Isa. 60:2; Eph. 5:11
DAY – is one year - revolution of the earth in its orbit Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:5, 6; Dan. 9:24
DAY OF THE LORD – Judgment day, or 1000 years 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:8-10; Rev. 20:4-7
DEATH – Separation from body, from holiness, from God; inactive, separate from former state. This is the proper sense
DESERT or WILDERNESS – paganism, or away from the force of the laws of the Romish Church
Isa. 40:3; Ezek. 47:8; Rev. 12:6
DEVIL – Roman government; pagan and papal, when used as a symbol Rev. 2:10; 12:9; 22:2
DEW AND RAIN – signify the pouring out of the Spirit and heavenly blessing Ps. 133:3; Prov. 19:12; Hosea 14:5
DOGS – Wicked men and teachers Isa. 56:10; Rev. 22:15; Phil. 3:2; Ps. 59:6-14
DRAGON – Rome pagan, afterwards papal, persecuting governments
Rev. 17:8
DRUNKENNESS – Intoxicated with worldly riches, pleasures and honors Isa. 29:9; Matt. 24:49; Luke 21:34
EAGLE – denotes a people hid, or out of sight Rev. 12:14; 4:7; Matt. 24:28
EARTH – The Roman kingdom Rev. 13:12; 19:2
EARTHQUAKE – Revolutions Hag. 2:21, 22; Rev. 6:12; 16:18
EAT – To consume or destroy Rev. 17:16; James 5:3; Rev. 19:18
ELDERS, TWENTY-FOUR – denote the whole priesthood, taken from twenty-four courses 1 Chron. 24
FIRE – is used to denote destruction, and justice of God or the Word of God Ps. 68:2; Heb. 12:29; Jer. 5:14
FLESH – Riches and honors of the world 2 Pet. 2:10-18; 1 John 2:15, 16; Rev. 19:18
FLOOD – Great numbers Isa. 59:19; Dan. 9:26; Rev. 12:15, 16
FOREHEAD – Public profession, or character Jer. 3:3; Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 7:3; 13:16
FROGS – The symbolic meaning of frogs (say some) is flatterers or impostors Rev. 16:13
GARMENTS – denote the character, as white denotes purity or righteousness; rags, filthy; sackcloth, mourning Dan. 7:9; Zech. 3:3, 4; Rev. 16:15
GOD – when used as a symbol, denotes a prince, ruler, or magistrate 1 Cor. 8:5; Gal. 4:8
GRAVE – To hide in secret; put out of memory Job 14:13
GRASS – means people, as green the righteous, dry or stubble the wicked Isa. 40:6, 7, 8; 1 Pet. 1:24; Rev. 8:7; 9:4
HAIL – denotes wars, slaughter and desolation, by some Northern government Isa. 28:2, 17; 30:30, 32; Rev. 8:7
HAND – Symbol of action and labor Isa. 10:13; 48:13; Rev. 20:1; Dan. 8:25 HARLOT – An idolatrous community, or church Isa. 1:21; Jer. 3:1-8; Rev. 17:5
HARVEST – The gathering of men to their final destiny Matt. 13:39; Jer. 51:33; Joel 3:13
HEAD – The supreme power of the object Dan. 2:38; Eph. 1:22; Rev. 19:12
HEAT – Anger, calamity Deut. 29:24; Ezek. 3:14; Rev. 16:9
HEAVEN – Government of God with his people Deut. 11:21; Isa. 49:13; Matt. 16:19; 25:1, 14; Dan.
7:18, 22
HILL – Kingdoms Isa. 2:2; 5:25; Mic. 6:1, 2
HORN – Kings Dan. 7:24; 8:20, 21; Rev. 17:12, 16
HORSE – War and conquest Prov. 21:31; Jer. 8:6 White, victory – Rev. 6:2; 19:11
Black, distress and calamity – Rev. 6:5
Red, war and hostility – Rev. 6:4
Pale, death and destruction – Rev. 6:8
IRON – Strength Dan. 2:33-41; Rev. 2:27
ISRAEL – Christian church Isa. 45:4-25; Gal. 6:16
ISLANDS – Small governments in Roman states Ezek. 26:15, 16; Zeph. 2:11; Rev. 10:20; 6:14
JERUSALEM – The church of God Isa. 52:9; Gal. 4:26
JEZEBEL – Antichrist 1 Kings 18:19; Rev. 2:20; 8:36; Rev. 6:4; 11:7
KILLING – Depriving of power Ps. 44:22; Rom. 8:36; Rev. 6:4; 11:7
KING – Forms of government or power Dan. 8:23; Rev. 9:11; 17:10
LAMB – Messiah Isa. 16:1; John 1:29; Rev. 5:12
LAMP – Word of God or Mahometan Bible Ps. 119:105; Rev. 8:10
LEOPARD – A cruel, fierce, and quick conqueror Hosea 13:7; Hab. 1:8; Rev. 13:2
LION – Valiant, strong, courageous Prov. 28:1; 30:30; Rev. 10:3; 13:2
LOCUSTS – Great armies Isa. 33:4; Nah. 3:15, 17; Rev. 9:3-7
MARK – To profess allegiance. The Roman soldiers had marked foreheads and hands Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 13:16, 17; 14:9, 11
MEASURE – Completed, finished Ps. 29:4; Jer. 51:13; Matt. 23:32; Rev. 11:1
MERCHANTS – Professed ministers of Christ Isa. 23:8, 18; Jer. 14:18; Rev. 18:11, 12, 23
MOON – Gospel or church Isa. 30:26; Rev. 12:1; Cant. 6:10
MOUNTAIN – Governments Isa. 2:2; Dan. 2:35
MOUNTAIN, HOLY – The gospel kingdom or the seat of Antichrist Isa. 11:9; Ezek. 28:14; Dan. 11:45
MORNING – Resurrection of the just Ps. 49:14
MOUTH – Commands, or laws Dan. 7:8; Rev. 13:5; 16:13; 1 Thess. 2:8
NAKED – Shame and disgrace Mic. 1:8, 11; Rev. 3:18; 16:15; 17:16
NIGHT – Moral darkness or wickedness Isa. 21:8; Rom. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:5; Rev. 21:25
NUMBER or NUMBERED – Finished - end Ps. 90:12; Dan. 5:26; Ezek. 4:4-6; Rev. 13:17, 18
OIL – Faith Matt. 25:8; Cant. 1:3; Heb. 4:2
OX – denotes a people for slaughter Prov. 7:22; Jer. 11:19; Num. 23:1
RAIN – Reformation, grace, refreshing Deut. 32:2; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7
RED – Persecuting, bloody Rev. 6:4; 12:3
RIVERS – People living on the rivers, mentioned Isa. 8:7; Rev. 8:10; 16:4
ROD OF IRON – Power of Christ Ps. 2:9; Isa. 11:1; Rev. 2:27
SCARLET – Bloody, cruel Rev. 17:3, 4
SEA – A large body of people Isa. 57:20; Dan. 7:3; Rev. 7:2, 3
SHIELD AND BUCKLER Ps. 91:4
STARS – Ministers in the church, or rulers in the world Rev. 12:1; Dan. 8:10; 12:3; Jude 13
SUN – As in the natural, so in the moral world, source of all light, Christ or his word Gen. 37:9; Ps. 84:11; Mal. 4:2
SWORD – SlaughterJer. 15:3; Ezek. 21:28
SWORD, TWO-EDGED – Word of God Ps. 149:6; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16; 2:12
TAIL – Subordinate officers or provinces Isa. 9:14, 15; Rev. 12:4
TEETH, LARGE IRON – Strong devouring enemy Dan. 7:7, 19; Rev. 9:8
TEMPLE – The church professedly of Christ or Antichrist Mal. 3:1; 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 7:15
THUNDER – Sudden dispersion of armies or kingdoms 1 Sam. 2:10; Isa. 29:5, 6; Ps. 18:13
TREE OF LIFE – Jesus Christ Rev. 2:7; 22:2
VINE – A class of people, as wicked or righteous Hosea 10:1; Rev. 14:18
VOICES – Many people engaged in the same cry to be eased of burdens, or rejoicing Luke 23:23; Rev. 8:5; 11:15, 19
WALK WITH GOD – is to live with and be in communion with him 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 3:4
WATERS – Flesh or people Num. 24:7; Isa. 48:1; 8:7; John 5:8; Rev. 17:15
WHIRLWIND – Heavy judgments of God Ps. 58:9; Prov. 1:27; Isa. 66:15
WILDERNESS – Outlawed from the great city Deut. 32:10; Jer. 12:10; Rev. 12:6
WIND – Doctrine, good and bad Cant. 4:16; Isa. 26:18; Eph. 4:14
WINE – is consolation, and anger, and justice Cant. 5:1; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 16:19; 17:2
WINGS – Protection, defense Ex. 19:4; Ps. 17:8; 36:7; Rev. 9:9; 12:14
WITNESS – Christ, prophets and apostles Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8, 22; Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 20:4
WITNESSES, TWO – Two testaments, scriptures, figured by the two cherubim Rev. 11:3, 4; Zach. 4:3-6; John 5:39; 1 John 5:9; Ex.31:18
WOMAN – The true church and anti-Christian church Isa. 54:6; Jer. 6:2; Rev. 12:1; 17:3, 7
WOOD – People Jer. 5:14
WORDS OF GOD – Fire Jer. 5:14
WRATH, DAY OF – Judgment day Job 21:30; Ps. 110:5; Zeph. 1:15; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 6:17
To prophesy again,its very important brethren that we go back to the man who unlocked the 2300 days prophecy and hear the revelation he got from God as he was studying the scriptures.
WILLIAM MILLER’S EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[This was provided strictly for a better understanding of William Miller’s, as well as that of many other Millerites, mind set and not necessarily to provide an understanding of Biblical symbolism.]
ADULTERY – Idolatry Jer. 3:9; Ezek. 23:37
AIR – Spirit of piety - false theories Eph. 2:2
ALTAR – Christ Ps. 43:4; Heb. 13:10
AMON – A people, or son of my people
ANCIENT OF DAYS – God Dan. 7:9
ANGEL – Christ or messenger of God Ex. 23:20; Rev. 1:1; 20:1
ARK – Christ Ps. 132:8; Num. 10:33
ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN – Dignity and honor John 6:62; Isa. 14:13, 14; Rev. 11:12
ASLEEP – Death Acts 7:60; 2 Pet. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:18
AWAKE – Resurrection Job 14:12; Ps. 17:15; John 11:11; Dan. 12:2
BABYLON – Confusion, mixture, worldly
BALAAM – Their destruction without the prophet
BALANCE – Justice or worldly mind Daniel 5:27; Rev. 6:5
BANNER – Gospel ensign, love Cant. 2:4
BEASTS – Kingdoms or powers Dan. 7:3, 17; Rev. 4:6-8; 5:8, 9
BEHELD or BEHOLDING – Joy, or grief, according to the circumstances Ps. 119:158; Rev. 11:12
BED – A place of confinement Rev. 2:22; Isa. 28:20
BELLY – Practical part Rom. 16:18; Job 15:35; Rev. 10:9, 10; Luke 15:16;John 7:38
BIND – To judge and condemn Matt. 12:30; 22:13
BIRD or FOWL – Warriors and conquerors Isa. 46:11; Jer. 12:9; Rev. 18:2
BIRTH – Deliverance from heavy judgments Isa. 37:3-20; 66:9
BLACK – Error, cruelty, death Jer. 4:28; Rev. 6:5-12
BLASPHEMY – Idolatry Isa. 65:7; Ezek. 20:24-27
BLESS or BLESSED – Saved from sin and from death Ps. 28:9; 37:22; Isa. 61:9; Rev. 14:13
BLIND – Self-righteousness Matt. 1514; 23:16-26
BLOOD – Death, war and slaughter Matt. 27:24; Isa. 15:9; 34:3; Rev. 6:10; 8:8; 11:6; 14:20
BLOWING OF THE WIND – The Holy Spirit doing its office in regeneration Cant. 4:16; John 3:8; Rev.7:1
BOOK – God's designs, knowledge and counsel.
Reading, is to make his designs known. To Seal, is to shut up, or make sure Ps. 139:16; Is. 34:16
BOW AND ARROWS – Victory over enemies Isa. 41:2; Rev. 6:2
BRASS – is used for impudence and sin, warlike Isa. 48:4; Jer. 6:28; Mic. 4:13
BRANCH – a descendant or offspring Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5; Dan. 11:7
BREAD – Doctrine of life Amos 8:11; Matt. 4:4
BREAST-PLATE – Defense or armor Isa. 59:17; Rev. 9:9
BREASTS – Consolation, word of God Isa. 66:11
BRIDLE – The restraining power of God Isa. 30:28
BRIMSTONE – Curse of God Isa. 30:33; 11:4
BURNING WITH FIRE – is to destroy, or change their state completely Mal. 4:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10, 11;Rev. 20:9
BUY, or BUYING – is used as an act of giving or receiving religious instruction Isa. 55:1; Rev. 3:18; 13:17
CANDLE – is light Jer. 25:10; Matt. 5:15; Luke 11:36; 15:8
CANDLESTICKS – The means of light; as the kingdom of Christ, the two witnesses, and seven churches, are called candlesticks Dan. 5:5; Zech. 4:2, 11; Rev. 2:5; 11:4
CARMEL – The vineyard of God Mich. 7:14
CHAIN – signifies the laws of God; or man, in prophecy Ps. 149:8; Acts 28:20; Jude 6
CHITTEM – Those that bruise Dan. 11:30
CITY OF GOD – New Jerusalem Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12
CITY OF NATIONS – Antichrist, or Babylon. The streets of the great city are the ten kings Rev. 16:19; 17:18; Rev. 11:8, 13
CLOUD, or TO RIDE ON A CLOUD – is an emblem of power and great glory. Sometimes it means heavy
judgments Matt. 24:30; Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15
CROWN – Dignity and honor Prov. 16:31; Isa. 28:1-5; 62:3
CRY or CRIED – To be sensible of want. Prayers and petitions for relief; or forerunner of war
2 Kings 4:40; Ps. 30:2-8; Rev. 14:18
DARKNESS – Ignorance, unbelief, and every evil work, confusion, and horror Prov. 4:19; Isa. 60:2; Eph. 5:11
DAY – is one year - revolution of the earth in its orbit Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:5, 6; Dan. 9:24
DAY OF THE LORD – Judgment day, or 1000 years 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:8-10; Rev. 20:4-7
DEATH – Separation from body, from holiness, from God; inactive, separate from former state. This is the proper sense
DESERT or WILDERNESS – paganism, or away from the force of the laws of the Romish Church
Isa. 40:3; Ezek. 47:8; Rev. 12:6
DEVIL – Roman government; pagan and papal, when used as a symbol Rev. 2:10; 12:9; 22:2
DEW AND RAIN – signify the pouring out of the Spirit and heavenly blessing Ps. 133:3; Prov. 19:12; Hosea 14:5
DOGS – Wicked men and teachers Isa. 56:10; Rev. 22:15; Phil. 3:2; Ps. 59:6-14
DRAGON – Rome pagan, afterwards papal, persecuting governments
Rev. 17:8
DRUNKENNESS – Intoxicated with worldly riches, pleasures and honors Isa. 29:9; Matt. 24:49; Luke 21:34
EAGLE – denotes a people hid, or out of sight Rev. 12:14; 4:7; Matt. 24:28
EARTH – The Roman kingdom Rev. 13:12; 19:2
EARTHQUAKE – Revolutions Hag. 2:21, 22; Rev. 6:12; 16:18
EAT – To consume or destroy Rev. 17:16; James 5:3; Rev. 19:18
ELDERS, TWENTY-FOUR – denote the whole priesthood, taken from twenty-four courses 1 Chron. 24
FIRE – is used to denote destruction, and justice of God or the Word of God Ps. 68:2; Heb. 12:29; Jer. 5:14
FLESH – Riches and honors of the world 2 Pet. 2:10-18; 1 John 2:15, 16; Rev. 19:18
FLOOD – Great numbers Isa. 59:19; Dan. 9:26; Rev. 12:15, 16
FOREHEAD – Public profession, or character Jer. 3:3; Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 7:3; 13:16
FROGS – The symbolic meaning of frogs (say some) is flatterers or impostors Rev. 16:13
GARMENTS – denote the character, as white denotes purity or righteousness; rags, filthy; sackcloth, mourning Dan. 7:9; Zech. 3:3, 4; Rev. 16:15
GOD – when used as a symbol, denotes a prince, ruler, or magistrate 1 Cor. 8:5; Gal. 4:8
GRAVE – To hide in secret; put out of memory Job 14:13
GRASS – means people, as green the righteous, dry or stubble the wicked Isa. 40:6, 7, 8; 1 Pet. 1:24; Rev. 8:7; 9:4
HAIL – denotes wars, slaughter and desolation, by some Northern government Isa. 28:2, 17; 30:30, 32; Rev. 8:7
HAND – Symbol of action and labor Isa. 10:13; 48:13; Rev. 20:1; Dan. 8:25 HARLOT – An idolatrous community, or church Isa. 1:21; Jer. 3:1-8; Rev. 17:5
HARVEST – The gathering of men to their final destiny Matt. 13:39; Jer. 51:33; Joel 3:13
HEAD – The supreme power of the object Dan. 2:38; Eph. 1:22; Rev. 19:12
HEAT – Anger, calamity Deut. 29:24; Ezek. 3:14; Rev. 16:9
HEAVEN – Government of God with his people Deut. 11:21; Isa. 49:13; Matt. 16:19; 25:1, 14; Dan.
7:18, 22
HILL – Kingdoms Isa. 2:2; 5:25; Mic. 6:1, 2
HORN – Kings Dan. 7:24; 8:20, 21; Rev. 17:12, 16
HORSE – War and conquest Prov. 21:31; Jer. 8:6 White, victory – Rev. 6:2; 19:11
Black, distress and calamity – Rev. 6:5
Red, war and hostility – Rev. 6:4
Pale, death and destruction – Rev. 6:8
IRON – Strength Dan. 2:33-41; Rev. 2:27
ISRAEL – Christian church Isa. 45:4-25; Gal. 6:16
ISLANDS – Small governments in Roman states Ezek. 26:15, 16; Zeph. 2:11; Rev. 10:20; 6:14
JERUSALEM – The church of God Isa. 52:9; Gal. 4:26
JEZEBEL – Antichrist 1 Kings 18:19; Rev. 2:20; 8:36; Rev. 6:4; 11:7
KILLING – Depriving of power Ps. 44:22; Rom. 8:36; Rev. 6:4; 11:7
KING – Forms of government or power Dan. 8:23; Rev. 9:11; 17:10
LAMB – Messiah Isa. 16:1; John 1:29; Rev. 5:12
LAMP – Word of God or Mahometan Bible Ps. 119:105; Rev. 8:10
LEOPARD – A cruel, fierce, and quick conqueror Hosea 13:7; Hab. 1:8; Rev. 13:2
LION – Valiant, strong, courageous Prov. 28:1; 30:30; Rev. 10:3; 13:2
LOCUSTS – Great armies Isa. 33:4; Nah. 3:15, 17; Rev. 9:3-7
MARK – To profess allegiance. The Roman soldiers had marked foreheads and hands Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 13:16, 17; 14:9, 11
MEASURE – Completed, finished Ps. 29:4; Jer. 51:13; Matt. 23:32; Rev. 11:1
MERCHANTS – Professed ministers of Christ Isa. 23:8, 18; Jer. 14:18; Rev. 18:11, 12, 23
MOON – Gospel or church Isa. 30:26; Rev. 12:1; Cant. 6:10
MOUNTAIN – Governments Isa. 2:2; Dan. 2:35
MOUNTAIN, HOLY – The gospel kingdom or the seat of Antichrist Isa. 11:9; Ezek. 28:14; Dan. 11:45
MORNING – Resurrection of the just Ps. 49:14
MOUTH – Commands, or laws Dan. 7:8; Rev. 13:5; 16:13; 1 Thess. 2:8
NAKED – Shame and disgrace Mic. 1:8, 11; Rev. 3:18; 16:15; 17:16
NIGHT – Moral darkness or wickedness Isa. 21:8; Rom. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:5; Rev. 21:25
NUMBER or NUMBERED – Finished - end Ps. 90:12; Dan. 5:26; Ezek. 4:4-6; Rev. 13:17, 18
OIL – Faith Matt. 25:8; Cant. 1:3; Heb. 4:2
OX – denotes a people for slaughter Prov. 7:22; Jer. 11:19; Num. 23:1
RAIN – Reformation, grace, refreshing Deut. 32:2; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7
RED – Persecuting, bloody Rev. 6:4; 12:3
RIVERS – People living on the rivers, mentioned Isa. 8:7; Rev. 8:10; 16:4
ROD OF IRON – Power of Christ Ps. 2:9; Isa. 11:1; Rev. 2:27
SCARLET – Bloody, cruel Rev. 17:3, 4
SEA – A large body of people Isa. 57:20; Dan. 7:3; Rev. 7:2, 3
SHIELD AND BUCKLER Ps. 91:4
STARS – Ministers in the church, or rulers in the world Rev. 12:1; Dan. 8:10; 12:3; Jude 13
SUN – As in the natural, so in the moral world, source of all light, Christ or his word Gen. 37:9; Ps. 84:11; Mal. 4:2
SWORD – SlaughterJer. 15:3; Ezek. 21:28
SWORD, TWO-EDGED – Word of God Ps. 149:6; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16; 2:12
TAIL – Subordinate officers or provinces Isa. 9:14, 15; Rev. 12:4
TEETH, LARGE IRON – Strong devouring enemy Dan. 7:7, 19; Rev. 9:8
TEMPLE – The church professedly of Christ or Antichrist Mal. 3:1; 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 7:15
THUNDER – Sudden dispersion of armies or kingdoms 1 Sam. 2:10; Isa. 29:5, 6; Ps. 18:13
TREE OF LIFE – Jesus Christ Rev. 2:7; 22:2
VINE – A class of people, as wicked or righteous Hosea 10:1; Rev. 14:18
VOICES – Many people engaged in the same cry to be eased of burdens, or rejoicing Luke 23:23; Rev. 8:5; 11:15, 19
WALK WITH GOD – is to live with and be in communion with him 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 3:4
WATERS – Flesh or people Num. 24:7; Isa. 48:1; 8:7; John 5:8; Rev. 17:15
WHIRLWIND – Heavy judgments of God Ps. 58:9; Prov. 1:27; Isa. 66:15
WILDERNESS – Outlawed from the great city Deut. 32:10; Jer. 12:10; Rev. 12:6
WIND – Doctrine, good and bad Cant. 4:16; Isa. 26:18; Eph. 4:14
WINE – is consolation, and anger, and justice Cant. 5:1; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 16:19; 17:2
WINGS – Protection, defense Ex. 19:4; Ps. 17:8; 36:7; Rev. 9:9; 12:14
WITNESS – Christ, prophets and apostles Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8, 22; Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 20:4
WITNESSES, TWO – Two testaments, scriptures, figured by the two cherubim Rev. 11:3, 4; Zach. 4:3-6; John 5:39; 1 John 5:9; Ex.31:18
WOMAN – The true church and anti-Christian church Isa. 54:6; Jer. 6:2; Rev. 12:1; 17:3, 7
WOOD – People Jer. 5:14
WORDS OF GOD – Fire Jer. 5:14
WRATH, DAY OF – Judgment day Job 21:30; Ps. 110:5; Zeph. 1:15; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 6:17
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lets Prophesy 1
Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
“The events of the future will be discerned by prophecy, and will be un-derstood.” {1888 materials 1055.7}
“When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.” FLB 345.
The best place to begin with prophecy is to start with the symbols and their meanings.....Ok lets hear what William has to say :
WILLIAM MILLER’S RULES OF INTERPRETATION
In studying the Bible, I have found the following rules to be of great service to myself, and now give them to the public by special request. Every rule should be well studied, in connection with the Scripture references, if the Bible student would be at all benefited by them.
1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible. Matthew 5:18
2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study. 2 Timothy 3:15,16,17
3. Nothing revealed in the Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering. Deuteronomy 29:29; Matthew 10:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Philippians 3:15; Isaiah 14:11; Matthew 21:22; John 14:13, 14; 15:7; James 1:5, 6; 1 John 5:13, 14, 15.
4. To understand doctrine, bring all the Scriptures together on the subject you wish to know; then let every word have its proper influence, and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in an error. Isaiah 28:7-29; 35:8; Proverbs 19:27; Luke 24:27,44,45; Romans 16:26; James 5:19; 2 Pet. 1:19,20
5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound it to me,and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, not the Bible. Psalms 19:7-11; 119:97-105; Matthew 23:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Ezekiel 34:18,19; Luke 11:52; Malachi 2:7,8
6. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables, and in this way the same things are often times revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures and parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. Psalms 89:19; Hosea 12:10; Habakkuk 2:2; Acts 2:17; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 9:9, 24; Psalms 78:2; Matthew 8:13, 34; Genesis 41:1-32; Daniel 2; 7; 8; Acts 10:9-16
7. Visions are always mentioned as such. 2 Corinthians 12:1
8. Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy to represent future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning kingdoms, waters, meaning people,lamps, meaning Word of God, day, meaning year. Daniel 2:35,44; 7:8,17; Revelation 17:1,15; Psalms 119:105; Ezekiel 4:6
9. Parables are used as comparison to illustrate subjects, and must be explained in the same way as figures, by the subject and Bible. Mark 4:13
10. Figures sometimes have two or more different significations; as day is used in a figurative sense to represent three different periods of time.
• Indefinite.
• Definite, a day for a year.
• Day for a thousand years.
If you put on the right construction it will harmonize with the Bible and make good sense, otherwise it will not.Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ezekiel 4:6; 2 Peter 3:8
11. How to know when a word is used figuratively: If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally; if not, figuratively. Revelation 12:1,2;17:3-7
12. To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no further; if not, look again.
13. To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfillment of a prophecy: If you find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the
true event. But if one word lacks a fulfillment, then you must look for another event, or wait its future development. For God takes care that history and prophecy doth agree, so that the true, believing children of God may never be ashamed. Psalms 21:5; Isaiah 14:17-19; 1 Peter 2:6; Revelation 17:17; Acts 3:18
14. The most important rule of all is, that you must have faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and, if tried, would give up the dearest object on earth, the world and all its desires, character, living, occupation,friends, home, comforts and worldly honors. If any of these should hinder our believing any part of Gods word, it would show our faith to be vain. Nor can we ever believe so long as one of these motives lies lurking in our hearts. We must believe that God will never forfeit His word. And we can have confidence that He that takes notice of the sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our head, will guard the translation of His own word, and throw a barrier around it, and prevent those who sincerely trust in God, and put implicit confidence in His word, from erring far from the truth, though they may not understand Hebrew or Greek.
These are some of the most important rules which I find the word of God warrants me to adopt and follow, in order for system and regularity. And if I am not greatly deceived, in so doing, I have found the Bible, as a whole, one of the most simple, plain, and intelligible books ever written, containing proof in itself of its Divine origin, and full of all knowledge that our hearts could wish to know or enjoy. I have found it a treasure which the world cannot purchase. It gives a calm peace in believing, and a firm hope in the future. It sustains the mind in adversity, and teaches us to be humble in prosperity. It prepares us to love and do good to others, and to realize the value of the soul. It makes us bold and valiant for the truth, and nerves the arm to oppose error. It gives us a powerful weapon to break down infidelity, and makes known the only antidote for sin. It instructs us how death will be conquered, and how the bonds of the tomb must be broken. It tells us of future events, and shows the preparation necessary to meet them. It gives us an pportunity to hold conversation with the King of kings, and reveals the best code of laws ever enacted.This is but a faint view of its value; yet how many perishing souls treat it with neglect, or, what is equally as bad, treat it as a hidden mystery which cannot be known. Oh, my dear eader, make it your chief study. Try it well, and you will find it to be all I have said. Yes, like the Queen of Sheba, you will say the half was not told you. The divinity taught in our schools is ways founded on some sectarian creed. It may do to take a blank mind and impress it with this kind, but it will always end in bigotry. A free mind will never be satisfied with the views of others.Were I a teacher of youth in divinity, I would first learn their capacity and mind. If these were good, I would make them study the Bible for themselves, and send them out free to do the world good. But f they had no mind, I would stamp them with another's mind, write bigot on their forehead, and send them out as slaves! -- Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology, 20-24
Hear What Ellen said on William Miller's rules
“Those who are engaged in proclaiming the third angel's message are searching the Scriptures upon
the same plan that Father Miller adopted. In the little book entitled "Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology," Father Miller gives the following simple but intelligent and important rules for Bible study and interpretation:
"1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible; 2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study; 3. Nothing revealed in Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering; 4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know, then let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction,you cannot be in error; 5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not the Bible."
“The above is a portion of these rules; and in our study of the Bible we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth.” {RH, November 25, 1884}
Monday, February 9, 2009
Before We stand as a Perfect People 2
Let me touch a very sensitive subject "meat-eating".This is important because before we see God greater reforms should be seen among God's people.
"There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation."GC,p506
Let me start from Eden since we are from eden to eden.
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."--Genesis 1:29
"It was not in the plan of God in creation that the life of any of His creatures should be taken.Death, in man or beast, wherever it might exist,came in consequence of sin,and this whole mammoth custom of taking the life of God's creatures to sustain human life,is simply the fruit of transgression.Had our first parents maintained their Eden innocence,had the curse never fallen upon man or beast,the earth would never have been stained with a drop of blood;the almost universal custom of flesh-eating, with its attendant pain and death, would never have been known. The Creator, in definately stating what should constitute food for man, did not mention flesh." "C.T.B.H p169.
"Even in this life it is not for our good to depart from the will of our Father in heaven. When we learn the power of His word, we shall not follow the suggestions of Satan in order to obtain food or to save our lives. Our only questions will be, What is God's command? and what His promise? Knowing these, we shall obey the one, and trust the other."DA 121.2.
In Numbers chapter 11-We see God tried to make His people vegetarians when He took them out of Egypt.It is important that we study the history of the children of Israel so that we may not repeat the same mistakes.Consider these qoutes:
"Satan's snares are laid for us as verily as they were laid for the children of Israel just prior to their entrance into the land of Canaan. We are repeating the history of that people."5T,p160
"I have seen that self-glorification was becoming common among Seventh-day Adventists and that unless the pride of man should be abased and Christ exalted we should, as a people, be in no better condition to receive Christ at His second advent than were the Jewish people to receive Him at His first advent."5T ,p727.3.
Let me look closely what happened....
"And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?"--Numbers 11:4
"And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."--Psalm 78:18.
Then Moses sayed "Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat."--Numbers 11:13.
Then the Lord gave them their own desire--"And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth."Number 11:31.
NB-"And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted."Numbers 11:33,34.
Pork eaters be reminded--"They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD."--Isaiah 66:17
Paul says--"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted...Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."1 Corinthians 10:6,11
" Our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord by His mighty cleaver of truth has separated from the world. These are His peculiar people, zealous of good works. God has spoken in His word. In the case of Daniel and his three companions there are sermons upon health reform. God has spoken in the history of the children of Israel, from whom for their good He sought to withhold a flesh diet. He fed them with bread from heaven; "man did eat angel's food." But they encouraged their earthly appetite; and the more they centered their thoughts upon the fleshpots of Egypt, the more they hated the food which God gave them to keep them in health physically, mentally, and morally. They longed for the fleshpots, and in this they did just as many in our own time have done. "6T ,p 372.2
"Satan, the author of disease and misery, will approach God's people where he can have the greatest success. He has controlled the appetite in a great measure from the time of his successful experiment with Eve, in leading her to eat the forbidden fruit. He came with his temptations first to the mixed multitude, the beiliving Egyptians, and stirred them up to seditions murmurings.They would not be content with the healthful food which God had provided for them. Their depraved appetite craved a greater variety, especially flesh-meats.This murmuring soon infected nearly the whole body of the people."SOP. Vol 1,p281.
Lets here what the prophet says now........
"The Lord intends to bring His people back to live upon simple fruits, vegetables, and grains. He led the children of Israel into the wilderness where they could not get a flesh diet; and He gave
them bread from heaven. Man did eat angel's food. But they craved the flesh pots of Egypt, and mourned and cried for flesh, notwithstanding that the Lord had proposed that if they would
submit to His will, He would carry them into the land of Canaan, and establish them there, a pure, holy, happy people, and there would not be a feeble one in all their habitations, for He would
take away all sickness from among them. But although they had a plain 'thus saith the Lord,' they mourned, and wept, and murmured, and complained, it displeased the Lord;..." SpM45-46
"Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,-- that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God's original purpose in the creation of man." Counsels on Diet and Foods, pg. 380.
"Meat eating...has always been a curse to the human family..., and our only safety now is in leaving meat entirely alone." Counsels on Diet and Foods,p 412
"Will the people who are seeking to become holy, pure, refined, that they may be introduced into the society of heavenly angels, continue to take the life of God's creatures, and enjoy their flesh as a luxury? From what the Lord has shown me, this order of things will be changed, and God's peculiar people will exercise temperance in all things." CTBH 48.2.
"...we do not hesitate to say that flesh meat is not necessary for health or strength. If used it is because a depraved appetite craves it. Its use excites the animal propensities to increased activity and strengthens the animal passions. When the animal propensities are increased, the intellectual and moral powers are decreased. The use of the flesh of animals tends to cause a grossness of body and benumbs the fine sensibilities of the mind."2T p63.2.
“If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple kind, it is now. Meat should not be placed before our children. Its influence is to excite and strengthen the lower passions, and has a tendency to deaden the moral powers. Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven.” 2T 352
"Those who believe present truth...should refuse to eat flesh meat." EV 265
"It has been clearly presented to me that God's people are to take a firm stand against meat eating." CDF 383
"Those who use flesh meat disregard all the warnings that God has given us concerning this question. They have no evidence they are walking in safe paths." Ibid., p. 383.
"Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be
done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavour to work steadily toward it." Counsels on Health, p. 450.
"Those who are in a position where it is possible to secure a vegetarian diet, but who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually
grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth and will lose their perception of what is truth." Testimonies, Vol. 9, pp. 156, 157.
"Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people, to walk no more with them .... Far better give up the name of Christian than make a profession and
at the same time indulge appetites which strengthen unholy passions .... [God] calls for decided reformation." Counsels on Health,pp. 575-579.
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."--1 Corinthians 3:16,17.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."--1 Corinthians 6:19,20 .
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."1 Corinthians 10:31.
May God help us to live up to the light He has given us up to the present.
God Bless.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Before We Stand as a Perfect People 1
We are from Eden To Eden.......
How did we lose Eden and How can will we gain it back?..."And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."Genesis 3:6
Listen to what the prophet of God says...
""Adam and Eve fell through intemperate appetite. Christ came and withstood the fiercest temptation of Satan, and, in behalf of the race, overcame appetite, showing that man may overcome. As Adam fell through appetite, and lost blissful Eden, the children of Adam may, through Christ, overcome appetite, and through temperance in all things regain Eden."Counsels on Diet and Foods ,p70
"As our first parents lost Eden through the indulgence of appetite, our only hope of regaining Eden is through the firm denial of appetite and passion."3T ,p491
Christ came to redeem us on the point on which Adam fell...........
"Intemperance lies at the foundation of all the moral evils known to man. Christ began the work of redemption just where the ruin began. The fall of our first parents was caused by the indulgence of appetite. In redemption, the denial of appetite is the first work of Christ."In Heavenly Places, p194
"One of the temptations that overcame our first parents was the temptation to indulge appetite. By this long fast Christ was to show that appetite can be brought under control."The Story of Jesus,p45
Christ began this work of redemption by reforming the physical habits of man.--3T. p. 486.
God expects nothing from us but self-control.....................
"One of the strongest temptations that man has to meet is upon the point of appetite."3T p485.
"God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people."9T 153.
"Every true Christian will have control of his appetite and passions. Unless he is free from the bondage and slavery of appetite he cannot be a true, obedient servant of Christ. It is the indulgence of appetite and passion which makes the truth of none effect upon the heart. It is impossible for the spirit and power of the truth to sanctify a man, soul, body, and spirit, when he is controlled by appetite and passion."3T p569
Eating merely to please the appetite is a transgression of nature's laws.-- U. T., Aug. 30, 1896
'The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, then they would have had the moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character."3T ,p491
"I then saw that the appetite must be denied, that rich food should not be prepared, and that which is spent upon the appetite should be put into the treasury of God. It would tell there and those that denied themselves would lay up a reward in heaven. I saw that God was purifying His people."3SM ,p274
"It is impossible for those who indulge the appetite to attain to Christian perfection.--2T, p. 400.
"We repeat, intemperance commences at our tables. The appetite is indulged until its indulgence becomes second nature. By the use of tea and coffee an appetite is formed for tobacco, and this encourages the appetite for liquors."CH,p607.
"When we realize the requirements of God, we shall see that He requires us to be temperate in all things. The end of our creation is to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are His. How can we do this when we indulge the appetite to the injury of the physical and moral powers? God requires that we present our bodies a living sacrifice. Then the duty is enjoined on us to reserve that body in the very best condition of health, that we may comply with His requirements. Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." CD ,p155
"...one of the highest attainments in the Christian life is to control appetite, and that, without this victory,all hope of heaven is vain." --James White,Christian Temperance 206
It is possible brethren....
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."Daniel 1:8.
JUST FOR FUN-In Daniel 6 maybe the lions purposed in their hearts that they will not defile themselves with the body of a vegetarian man :).
If lions were able to control their appetites ,sure we can.
"Christ fought the battle upon the point of appetite, and came off victorious; and we also can conquer through strength derived from Him. Who will enter in through the gates into the city?--Not those who declare that they cannot break the force of appetite. Christ has resisted the power of him who would hold us in bondage; though weakened by His long fast of forty days, He withstood temptation, and proved by this act that our cases are not hopeless. I know that we cannot obtain the victory alone; and how thankful we should be that we have a living Saviour, who is ready and willing to aid us!"CD, p169
"A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is possible to every one who will unite his weak, wavering human will to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God."CD,p170.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. "--Philippians 4:13.
God Bless ,As we prepare to meet our Lord in Peace.
How did we lose Eden and How can will we gain it back?..."And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."Genesis 3:6
Listen to what the prophet of God says...
""Adam and Eve fell through intemperate appetite. Christ came and withstood the fiercest temptation of Satan, and, in behalf of the race, overcame appetite, showing that man may overcome. As Adam fell through appetite, and lost blissful Eden, the children of Adam may, through Christ, overcome appetite, and through temperance in all things regain Eden."Counsels on Diet and Foods ,p70
"As our first parents lost Eden through the indulgence of appetite, our only hope of regaining Eden is through the firm denial of appetite and passion."3T ,p491
Christ came to redeem us on the point on which Adam fell...........
"Intemperance lies at the foundation of all the moral evils known to man. Christ began the work of redemption just where the ruin began. The fall of our first parents was caused by the indulgence of appetite. In redemption, the denial of appetite is the first work of Christ."In Heavenly Places, p194
"One of the temptations that overcame our first parents was the temptation to indulge appetite. By this long fast Christ was to show that appetite can be brought under control."The Story of Jesus,p45
Christ began this work of redemption by reforming the physical habits of man.--3T. p. 486.
God expects nothing from us but self-control.....................
"One of the strongest temptations that man has to meet is upon the point of appetite."3T p485.
"God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people."9T 153.
"Every true Christian will have control of his appetite and passions. Unless he is free from the bondage and slavery of appetite he cannot be a true, obedient servant of Christ. It is the indulgence of appetite and passion which makes the truth of none effect upon the heart. It is impossible for the spirit and power of the truth to sanctify a man, soul, body, and spirit, when he is controlled by appetite and passion."3T p569
Eating merely to please the appetite is a transgression of nature's laws.-- U. T., Aug. 30, 1896
'The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, then they would have had the moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character."3T ,p491
"I then saw that the appetite must be denied, that rich food should not be prepared, and that which is spent upon the appetite should be put into the treasury of God. It would tell there and those that denied themselves would lay up a reward in heaven. I saw that God was purifying His people."3SM ,p274
"It is impossible for those who indulge the appetite to attain to Christian perfection.--2T, p. 400.
"We repeat, intemperance commences at our tables. The appetite is indulged until its indulgence becomes second nature. By the use of tea and coffee an appetite is formed for tobacco, and this encourages the appetite for liquors."CH,p607.
"When we realize the requirements of God, we shall see that He requires us to be temperate in all things. The end of our creation is to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are His. How can we do this when we indulge the appetite to the injury of the physical and moral powers? God requires that we present our bodies a living sacrifice. Then the duty is enjoined on us to reserve that body in the very best condition of health, that we may comply with His requirements. Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." CD ,p155
"...one of the highest attainments in the Christian life is to control appetite, and that, without this victory,all hope of heaven is vain." --James White,Christian Temperance 206
It is possible brethren....
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."Daniel 1:8.
JUST FOR FUN-In Daniel 6 maybe the lions purposed in their hearts that they will not defile themselves with the body of a vegetarian man :).
If lions were able to control their appetites ,sure we can.
"Christ fought the battle upon the point of appetite, and came off victorious; and we also can conquer through strength derived from Him. Who will enter in through the gates into the city?--Not those who declare that they cannot break the force of appetite. Christ has resisted the power of him who would hold us in bondage; though weakened by His long fast of forty days, He withstood temptation, and proved by this act that our cases are not hopeless. I know that we cannot obtain the victory alone; and how thankful we should be that we have a living Saviour, who is ready and willing to aid us!"CD, p169
"A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is possible to every one who will unite his weak, wavering human will to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God."CD,p170.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. "--Philippians 4:13.
God Bless ,As we prepare to meet our Lord in Peace.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Fighting Real Temptations
The prophet said long time ago..........
"Those who are partakers of the divine nature will not give way to temptation. The enemy is working with all his might to overcome those who are striving to live the Christian life. He comes to them with temptations, in the hope that they will yield. Thus he hopes to discourage them. But those who have planted their feet firmly on the Rock of Ages will not yield to his devices. They will remember that God is their Father and Christ their Helper. The Saviour came to our world to bring to every tried, tempted soul strength to overcome even as He overcame. I know the power of temptation; I know the dangers that are in the way; but I know, too, that strength sufficient for every time of need is provided for those who are struggling against temptation." MYP p81
When Jesus taught us to pray He said we should say "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"Matthew 6:13.
This is kind of prayer we should not just mention but live.If God is to answer this part of prayer it means that then we should obey the word by not inviting or leading ourselves into temptations.God cannot bless disobedience.
NB--"When the youth attempt to break away from Satan's control, he will redouble his temptations. Taking advantage of their ignorance and inexperience, he attempts to obscure the distinction between right and wrong. He transforms himself into an angel of light, and beguiles by promises of pleasure in a forbidden path. If the youth have formed the habit of following inclination rather than duty, they will find it hard to resist temptation. They do not see the danger in indulging even once in forbidden pleasures. The suggestions of Satan will stir every lingering element of depravity in the heart."--The Signs of the Times, January 19, 1882.
"If you are not experienced in discerning the devices of Satan, your only safety is in prayer." Sons and Daughters of God, p 191.
Jesus said himself "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
But we may be praying and still find ourselves overcome by temptation.Why?
Here is a list of the reasons why we find ourselves overcome by sin
1. Not having Christ in your life.
2. Not keeping your eyes on Christ.
3. Allowing your mind to be diverted from God.
4. Failing to realize the need of a constant dependence upon God.
5. Neglecting prayer.
6. Neglecting silent prayer.
7. Appetite and intemperance are the greatest reasons.-Testimonies, vol 3, p 485
8. Not being faithful in the little things.
9. Doubt.-SC-119
10. Impure thoughts.-PP p459
11. Inward sins.-PK p82
12. Not having a correct knowledge of self. 4Tp246
13. Love of money and earthly treasures.-3T p480
14. Ambition for and love of the world.
15. Love of rank and position.
16. Selfishness.
17. Being self-confident or self-righteous.
18. Unbidden association with worldlings and corruption.MYP p82
19. Inviting temptation.
20. If overcome, is easier to fall again.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded." James 4:7-8.
Ways on how to resist every temptation are :
1.Knowledge and use of the Scriptures as used by Jesus.-Mathew 4:1-11 i.e by By Christ's example.
2.Obedience to God's word is a shield.
3.Restrict reading to Bible and spiritual books only.-3T p81-2
4.Fully surrender your heart to God.
5.Continual prayer is necessary and essential.-MHp509-10
6.Pray, then firmly resist with every nerve and power.MYPp 248
7.Agonize in prayer.-EW p46
8.Victory over appetite is power to resist all other temptations.3Tp491-2
9.Call and claim divine aid/God's promises.-DAp129
10.Realize own weakness.-DAp382
11.Self knowledge on weak points.-GW p276
12.Unite your weakness with Christ's strength.-MYP p50
13.Strength increases with every victory gained. 5T p183
14.By a godly conversation.
15.Form holy habits of thought.MH p454
16.By faith.-1 John 5:4
17.Practice and spread the present truth.-4T p397
18.Sing praises to God. AH p443
19.Do not reason with it. CH p587
20.Avoid evil associates .-1Corinthians 15:33
"When the first suggestion of wrong is heard, dart a prayer to heaven, and then firmly resist the temptation to tamper with the principles condemned in God's word." SDA Bible Commentary, vol 3, p 1155.
Lastly ....God has given us the promises to claim
1. God will keep you from the hour of.-Revelation 3:10.
2. God gives strength to overcome.-Temperance, p 105.
3. Light from heaven will come as we pray. DAp113; SCp 95.
4. Angels are sent to rescue the faithful. 3Tp47.
5. All can overcome. -1SM, p 226
6. Divine power unites with human power to resist. 4T,p 32-33.
7. Every provision has been made to help. 5T,p 574.
8. God removes for sake of the weak. PKp 255.
9. God will bring truths to memory to combat. GCp 600.
10.All things work together for our good. -Romans 8:28; MHp489.
11.God permits none to come which cannot be resisted. -1 Corinthians 10:13; PPp332.
"Temptation and trial will come to us all, but we need never be worsted by the enemy. Our Saviour has conquered in our behalf. Satan is not invincible. . . . Christ was tempted that He might know how to help every soul that should afterward be tempted. Temptation is not sin; the sin lies in yielding. To the soul who trusts in Jesus, temptation means victory and greater strength."Our High Calling p87
Lets "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."-1 Timothy 6:12.
God Bless as we look for that city.
"Those who are partakers of the divine nature will not give way to temptation. The enemy is working with all his might to overcome those who are striving to live the Christian life. He comes to them with temptations, in the hope that they will yield. Thus he hopes to discourage them. But those who have planted their feet firmly on the Rock of Ages will not yield to his devices. They will remember that God is their Father and Christ their Helper. The Saviour came to our world to bring to every tried, tempted soul strength to overcome even as He overcame. I know the power of temptation; I know the dangers that are in the way; but I know, too, that strength sufficient for every time of need is provided for those who are struggling against temptation." MYP p81
When Jesus taught us to pray He said we should say "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"Matthew 6:13.
This is kind of prayer we should not just mention but live.If God is to answer this part of prayer it means that then we should obey the word by not inviting or leading ourselves into temptations.God cannot bless disobedience.
NB--"When the youth attempt to break away from Satan's control, he will redouble his temptations. Taking advantage of their ignorance and inexperience, he attempts to obscure the distinction between right and wrong. He transforms himself into an angel of light, and beguiles by promises of pleasure in a forbidden path. If the youth have formed the habit of following inclination rather than duty, they will find it hard to resist temptation. They do not see the danger in indulging even once in forbidden pleasures. The suggestions of Satan will stir every lingering element of depravity in the heart."--The Signs of the Times, January 19, 1882.
"If you are not experienced in discerning the devices of Satan, your only safety is in prayer." Sons and Daughters of God, p 191.
Jesus said himself "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
But we may be praying and still find ourselves overcome by temptation.Why?
Here is a list of the reasons why we find ourselves overcome by sin
1. Not having Christ in your life.
2. Not keeping your eyes on Christ.
3. Allowing your mind to be diverted from God.
4. Failing to realize the need of a constant dependence upon God.
5. Neglecting prayer.
6. Neglecting silent prayer.
7. Appetite and intemperance are the greatest reasons.-Testimonies, vol 3, p 485
8. Not being faithful in the little things.
9. Doubt.-SC-119
10. Impure thoughts.-PP p459
11. Inward sins.-PK p82
12. Not having a correct knowledge of self. 4Tp246
13. Love of money and earthly treasures.-3T p480
14. Ambition for and love of the world.
15. Love of rank and position.
16. Selfishness.
17. Being self-confident or self-righteous.
18. Unbidden association with worldlings and corruption.MYP p82
19. Inviting temptation.
20. If overcome, is easier to fall again.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded." James 4:7-8.
Ways on how to resist every temptation are :
1.Knowledge and use of the Scriptures as used by Jesus.-Mathew 4:1-11 i.e by By Christ's example.
2.Obedience to God's word is a shield.
3.Restrict reading to Bible and spiritual books only.-3T p81-2
4.Fully surrender your heart to God.
5.Continual prayer is necessary and essential.-MHp509-10
6.Pray, then firmly resist with every nerve and power.MYPp 248
7.Agonize in prayer.-EW p46
8.Victory over appetite is power to resist all other temptations.3Tp491-2
9.Call and claim divine aid/God's promises.-DAp129
10.Realize own weakness.-DAp382
11.Self knowledge on weak points.-GW p276
12.Unite your weakness with Christ's strength.-MYP p50
13.Strength increases with every victory gained. 5T p183
14.By a godly conversation.
15.Form holy habits of thought.MH p454
16.By faith.-1 John 5:4
17.Practice and spread the present truth.-4T p397
18.Sing praises to God. AH p443
19.Do not reason with it. CH p587
20.Avoid evil associates .-1Corinthians 15:33
"When the first suggestion of wrong is heard, dart a prayer to heaven, and then firmly resist the temptation to tamper with the principles condemned in God's word." SDA Bible Commentary, vol 3, p 1155.
Lastly ....God has given us the promises to claim
1. God will keep you from the hour of.-Revelation 3:10.
2. God gives strength to overcome.-Temperance, p 105.
3. Light from heaven will come as we pray. DAp113; SCp 95.
4. Angels are sent to rescue the faithful. 3Tp47.
5. All can overcome. -1SM, p 226
6. Divine power unites with human power to resist. 4T,p 32-33.
7. Every provision has been made to help. 5T,p 574.
8. God removes for sake of the weak. PKp 255.
9. God will bring truths to memory to combat. GCp 600.
10.All things work together for our good. -Romans 8:28; MHp489.
11.God permits none to come which cannot be resisted. -1 Corinthians 10:13; PPp332.
"Temptation and trial will come to us all, but we need never be worsted by the enemy. Our Saviour has conquered in our behalf. Satan is not invincible. . . . Christ was tempted that He might know how to help every soul that should afterward be tempted. Temptation is not sin; the sin lies in yielding. To the soul who trusts in Jesus, temptation means victory and greater strength."Our High Calling p87
Lets "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."-1 Timothy 6:12.
God Bless as we look for that city.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Character of God
The Character of God-
"The Glory of God is His Character!"
He values and loves the individual.
He always focuses out and down to the little others.
He has never disowned us as his children- even though Satan has worked to make us ugly and disgusting.
Agape love, the true alterocentricity, other oriented, finding one's fulfillment and purpose in the other ones, that is God.
He has never been self centered or alone, the Father, Son, and Spirit always looked to and loved each other.
He has utmost respect for the individual and the right of choice that He gave to us-- without which there can never be any true Love or meaningful relationship.
He makes Himself small and pale as it were, so that his creatures can come into a relationship with Him.
Eros pride, which is the root of sin, on the contrary always seeks to become big and powerful and inspire fear and force obedience.
He is the one that is totally realistic, the day to day realities of our lives are meaningful to Him.
Little things, ordinary things, little people all have value with Him.
He is the one self sufficient being in the universe and yet He made Himself dependent-- on His creatures
He has even gone so far as to allow Himself and His government to be put on trial by His creatures
He will do everything He possibly can to save each of us and make us happy in His universe
His law is what holds the universe together-- that law is based on Agape love, His very essence.
Beings that persist in refusing to allow themselves to be brought into harmony with that universal law will at last have to be returned to where they came from-- nothingness.
This is not a tyrannical arbitrary decision on His part- He will have done everything in His power to give them the chance to see His love and if they consent to belong to Him He will use His mighty power to recreate them to fit into His universe.
He does not, however, at any time impose His will on us -He leads He never forces, drags or shoves- That is why we have to constantly ask Him for this changing, each little step in the process is shown to us a bit at a time and we have to agree and ask for it to be done for us- this is so He will never trespass on our freedom of choice.
Sin only leads to suffering & death, we don't always realize that here in this world but it is inevitable.
Death, decay, dissolution follows separation from God's law of life and His mighty power is what holds the universe and us together. He holds together both the good and the wicked at present as He is giving them a chance to choose and time to see the contrast between His government and Satan's ideas.
When Jesus was tortured to death- it was not His suffering that paid the penalty - somehow satisfying God's Justice- No! No! It was Jesus obedience to His Father's will and law that was needed. Satan did the terrible torture in a desperate attempt to force Jesus to violate the Law. He tried everything to force Jesus to retaliate, loose His temper or use His divine power to defend Himself. Satan failed!! Praise Jesus' name!
God makes Himself totally dependent on our decision and He will never use force or anything that takes from us that power of choice. Anything or anyone that uses force or coercion is in Satan's camp, not God's!
Ultimately there comes a time when some persons have had every possible evidence and yet will still be in rebellion and refuse to co-operate with God and then He will heartbrokenly return those ones to the oblivion they came out of.
He will never force anyone to live with Him who doesn't want to. It is not His wish for any to perish but there is no universe out there that can support life that is not in harmony with the life giver.
Satan cannot support even his own life- all his kingdom is is a fabrication of lies and fantasies- there is no reality to it- the reality is this- only those beings that are in harmony with God and His law can continue to exist- things out of harmony will ultimately perish. There is no problem for God to recreate - the same power that created us and sustains us will change us- but only with our full approval, co-operation and permission.
That is our God! That is the kind of God He is-- And that kind of God I can love forever!
=^..^=
"The Glory of God is His Character!"
He values and loves the individual.
He always focuses out and down to the little others.
He has never disowned us as his children- even though Satan has worked to make us ugly and disgusting.
Agape love, the true alterocentricity, other oriented, finding one's fulfillment and purpose in the other ones, that is God.
He has never been self centered or alone, the Father, Son, and Spirit always looked to and loved each other.
He has utmost respect for the individual and the right of choice that He gave to us-- without which there can never be any true Love or meaningful relationship.
He makes Himself small and pale as it were, so that his creatures can come into a relationship with Him.
Eros pride, which is the root of sin, on the contrary always seeks to become big and powerful and inspire fear and force obedience.
He is the one that is totally realistic, the day to day realities of our lives are meaningful to Him.
Little things, ordinary things, little people all have value with Him.
He is the one self sufficient being in the universe and yet He made Himself dependent-- on His creatures
He has even gone so far as to allow Himself and His government to be put on trial by His creatures
He will do everything He possibly can to save each of us and make us happy in His universe
His law is what holds the universe together-- that law is based on Agape love, His very essence.
Beings that persist in refusing to allow themselves to be brought into harmony with that universal law will at last have to be returned to where they came from-- nothingness.
This is not a tyrannical arbitrary decision on His part- He will have done everything in His power to give them the chance to see His love and if they consent to belong to Him He will use His mighty power to recreate them to fit into His universe.
He does not, however, at any time impose His will on us -He leads He never forces, drags or shoves- That is why we have to constantly ask Him for this changing, each little step in the process is shown to us a bit at a time and we have to agree and ask for it to be done for us- this is so He will never trespass on our freedom of choice.
Sin only leads to suffering & death, we don't always realize that here in this world but it is inevitable.
Death, decay, dissolution follows separation from God's law of life and His mighty power is what holds the universe and us together. He holds together both the good and the wicked at present as He is giving them a chance to choose and time to see the contrast between His government and Satan's ideas.
When Jesus was tortured to death- it was not His suffering that paid the penalty - somehow satisfying God's Justice- No! No! It was Jesus obedience to His Father's will and law that was needed. Satan did the terrible torture in a desperate attempt to force Jesus to violate the Law. He tried everything to force Jesus to retaliate, loose His temper or use His divine power to defend Himself. Satan failed!! Praise Jesus' name!
God makes Himself totally dependent on our decision and He will never use force or anything that takes from us that power of choice. Anything or anyone that uses force or coercion is in Satan's camp, not God's!
Ultimately there comes a time when some persons have had every possible evidence and yet will still be in rebellion and refuse to co-operate with God and then He will heartbrokenly return those ones to the oblivion they came out of.
He will never force anyone to live with Him who doesn't want to. It is not His wish for any to perish but there is no universe out there that can support life that is not in harmony with the life giver.
Satan cannot support even his own life- all his kingdom is is a fabrication of lies and fantasies- there is no reality to it- the reality is this- only those beings that are in harmony with God and His law can continue to exist- things out of harmony will ultimately perish. There is no problem for God to recreate - the same power that created us and sustains us will change us- but only with our full approval, co-operation and permission.
That is our God! That is the kind of God He is-- And that kind of God I can love forever!
=^..^=
Friday, January 9, 2009
We are Living in Earth's Final Hours!
The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.
Seek the Lord most earnestly while he may be found. We are in the day of God's preparation. Let nothing be regarded as of sufficient worth to draw your minds from the work of preparing for the Great Day of Judgment.
Get ready! Be Ready! Stay Ready!
Perfection of Character is the Aim set before Us
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"- Matthew 5:48
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"-Hebrews 12:14
" 'When the fruit is brought forth, immediately He putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.' Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced In His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.
"It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 3:12, margin. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how "quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain." Christ's Object Lesson, 69:1-2.
"None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character. By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has been made for the believer to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ's character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may In this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory." Acts of the Apostles, 531:2
"We are not yet perfect; but it is our privilege to cut away from the entanglements of self and sin, and advance to perfection. Great possibilities, high and holy attainments, are placed within the reach of all." Acts of Apostles, 565:01.
“Christ came that He might recreate the image of God in man." Desire of Ages, 478:2.
"God will accept only those who are determined to aim high. He places every human agent under obligation to do his best. Moral perfection is required of all. Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes." Christ Object Lessons, 330:2.
"As was Enoch's must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord's second coming." 8 Testimonies, 331:3.
"We can never see our Lord in peace, unless our souls are spotless. We must bear the perfect Image of Christ. . We shall never attain to this condition without earnest effort. We must strive daily against outward evil and inward sin, if we would reach the perfection of Christian character." Review, May 30, 1882, para. 1.
"When Christ shall come, our vile bodies are to be changed, and made like His glorious body; but the vile character will not be made holy then. The transformation of character must take place before His coming. Our natures must be pure and holy; we must have the mind of Christ, that He may behold with pleasure His image reflected upon our souls." Our High Calling, 278:3.
"When He comes He is not to cleanse us of our sins, to remove from us the defects in our characters, or to cure us of the infirmities of our tempers and dispositions. If wrought for us at all, this work will all be accomplished before that time. When the Lord comes, those who are holy will be holy still. Those who have preserved their bodies and spirits in holiness, in sanctification and honor, will then receive the finishing touch of immortality. But those who are unjust, unsanctified, and filthy will remain so forever. No work will then be done for them to remove their defects and give them holy characters. The Refiner does not then sit to pursue His refining process and remove their sins and their corruption. This is all to be done in these hours of probation. It is now that this work is to be accomplished for us." -2 Testimonies 355:1.
"Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven." 5 Testimonies, 216:2.
"I saw that none could share the 'refreshing' unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action." Early Writings, 71:2.
"Those who come up to every point, and stand every test and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation." 1 Testimonies, 187:1.
"It Is a solemn thing to die, but a far more solemn thing to live. Every thought and word and deed of our lives will meet us again. What we make of ourselves in probationary time, that we must remain to all eternity. Death brings dissolution to the body, but makes no change in the character. The coming of Christ does not change our characters; It only fixes them forever beyond all change." 5 Testimonies, 466:2.
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."-2 Peter 3:14
May God help us—each one—to be faithful to the end.
God Bless
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"-Hebrews 12:14
" 'When the fruit is brought forth, immediately He putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.' Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced In His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.
"It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 3:12, margin. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how "quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain." Christ's Object Lesson, 69:1-2.
"None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character. By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has been made for the believer to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ's character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may In this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory." Acts of the Apostles, 531:2
"We are not yet perfect; but it is our privilege to cut away from the entanglements of self and sin, and advance to perfection. Great possibilities, high and holy attainments, are placed within the reach of all." Acts of Apostles, 565:01.
“Christ came that He might recreate the image of God in man." Desire of Ages, 478:2.
"God will accept only those who are determined to aim high. He places every human agent under obligation to do his best. Moral perfection is required of all. Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes." Christ Object Lessons, 330:2.
"As was Enoch's must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord's second coming." 8 Testimonies, 331:3.
"We can never see our Lord in peace, unless our souls are spotless. We must bear the perfect Image of Christ. . We shall never attain to this condition without earnest effort. We must strive daily against outward evil and inward sin, if we would reach the perfection of Christian character." Review, May 30, 1882, para. 1.
"When Christ shall come, our vile bodies are to be changed, and made like His glorious body; but the vile character will not be made holy then. The transformation of character must take place before His coming. Our natures must be pure and holy; we must have the mind of Christ, that He may behold with pleasure His image reflected upon our souls." Our High Calling, 278:3.
"When He comes He is not to cleanse us of our sins, to remove from us the defects in our characters, or to cure us of the infirmities of our tempers and dispositions. If wrought for us at all, this work will all be accomplished before that time. When the Lord comes, those who are holy will be holy still. Those who have preserved their bodies and spirits in holiness, in sanctification and honor, will then receive the finishing touch of immortality. But those who are unjust, unsanctified, and filthy will remain so forever. No work will then be done for them to remove their defects and give them holy characters. The Refiner does not then sit to pursue His refining process and remove their sins and their corruption. This is all to be done in these hours of probation. It is now that this work is to be accomplished for us." -2 Testimonies 355:1.
"Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven." 5 Testimonies, 216:2.
"I saw that none could share the 'refreshing' unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action." Early Writings, 71:2.
"Those who come up to every point, and stand every test and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation." 1 Testimonies, 187:1.
"It Is a solemn thing to die, but a far more solemn thing to live. Every thought and word and deed of our lives will meet us again. What we make of ourselves in probationary time, that we must remain to all eternity. Death brings dissolution to the body, but makes no change in the character. The coming of Christ does not change our characters; It only fixes them forever beyond all change." 5 Testimonies, 466:2.
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."-2 Peter 3:14
May God help us—each one—to be faithful to the end.
God Bless
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If those who have been in the church for weeks and months have not learned the straightness of the way, and what it is to be Christians, and can not hear all the straight truths of the word of God, it were better that they were cut off from Israel. It is too late in the day to feed with milk. If souls, a month or two old in the truth, who are about to enter the time of trouble such as never was, can not hear all the straight truth, or endure the strong meat of the straightness of the way, how will they stand in the day of battle? ~Manuscript Releases, vol 1, p 33-34
