Saturday, January 3, 2009

ASTONISHING CURRENT EVENTSBy: Elder Lawrence NelsonThis sermon is part of a series entitled Spiritualism
As an introduction to the amazing spiritism events that are now taking place in this last decade of this century we must not fail to keep our focus on the prophetic words of God. I read from the Holy Scriptures in 2 Peter 1: 16,19, "We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."
Divine prophecies have outlined clearly the course of this earth's history and have described in detail coming last-day events culminating in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The books of Daniel and Revelation and the Spirit of Prophecy are filled with heavenly insight, telling us just what to expect just before Jesus Christ appears in the clouds to give His saints immortality and to destroy the wicked. How thankful we should be to our God for sharing with us the needed information concerning last-day events. How assuring that with this prophetic revelation also comes divine counsel and guidance to enable us to make the right decisions for eternity.
Let us pray. Loving Father, we cannot praise Thee enough for the prophetic guidance Thou hast given to Thy people. We pray that Thou wilt impress upon us the urgency to carefully study every day Thy inspired counsel so we may be ready for the coming crisis. Open our understanding in this study that we may comprehend these closing events that have heavenly assurance in facing the final test. In Jesus' name we ask, Amen.
Christian publications such as Christianity Today, of March 6, 1995, report that there are some 20,000 organizations representing the United Nations, world governments, business, educational and religious bodies who have special plans for the year 2000. Some forty Christian organizations, including the Roman Catholic Church, plan to reach the whole world with the gospel by the year 2000.
Reading in the book Sunday's Coming p. 8,9 it says, "Pope John Paul II has been working toward uniting the world by the year 2000 and participating personally in the great Jubilee. On November 19, 1994 Pope John Paul II issued an apostolic letter from the Vatican. This letter is a 62-page document that outlines his plan to prepare for the new millennium."
John Januik has simplified this apostolic letter in his book The Great Controversy Endgame. From p. 28,29 I quote the following, "'The year 2000 will be celebrated as the great Jubilee. As the eve of the new millennium approaches, unity among all Christians of various confessions will increase until they reach full communion. I pray that the Jubilee will be a promising opportunity for fruitful cooperation in many areas which unite us. These are unquestionably more numerous than those which divide us. It would thus be quite helpful if with the due respect for the programs of the individual churches and communities, ecumenical agreements could be reached with regard to the preparation and celebration of the Jubilee.'"
"The Pope says that as Bishop of Rome he has special responsibilities to prepare for the great Jubilee of the year 2000. He goes on to say that the increase of Papal journeys over the past several years have been designed to bring about unity. In addition, the pope has divided the time between 1996 and the year 2000 into two periods. The first phase is the preparation period through the year 1996, and the second is the strictly preparatory phase for the years 1997 and 1998."
I continue to read, "'The second phase is divided into thirds among the trinity with Mary added to each one. The first year (1997) will thus be devoted to reflections on Christ, the Word of God made man by the power of the Holy Spirit.' He concludes his thoughts on the year 1997 by stating, 'The blessed Virgin will be, as it were, indirectly present in the whole preparation phase.'
"The second year (1998) will be dedicated in a particular way to the Holy Spirit. Christians are called to prepare for the great Jubilee of the beginning of the third millennium by renewing their hope in the definite coming of the kingdom of God. The pope continues his discussion of the second year countdown by emphasizing unity in the Spirit and the role of Mary.
"According to the pope's countdown, this year (1999) will be the third and final year of preparation. The pope emphasis the role of conversion, penance, and charity in preparing for the Jubilee. He then goes beyond unity among Christians to include other world religions. He says, 'As far as the field of religious awareness is concerned the eve of the year 2000 will provide a great opportunity especially in view of the events of recent decades for inter-religious dialogue. In accordance with the specific guidelines set down by the Second Vatican Council, in this dialogue the Jews and the Muslims ought to have a preeminent place. Attention is being given to finding ways of arranging historic meetings in places of exceptional symbolic importance like Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Mount Sinai. In this broad perspective of commitment, Mary, Most Holy, the highly favored daughter of the Father, will appear before the eyes of the believers as the perfect model of love toward both God and neighbor.'
"He concludes by saying, 'The ecumenical and universal character of the sacred Jubilee can be fittingly reflected by a meeting of all Christians. This would be an event of great significance. I trust this responsibility of the whole church to the maternal intercession of Mary, mother of the Redeemer. She, the mother of the Fairest Love, will be for Christians on the way to the great Jubilee of the third millennium the star which safely guides their steps to the Lord.' It is with this great event in mind that the pope is preparing the world." (Additional notes were taken from Sunday's Coming p. 9 – 11 and The Thunder of Justice p. 53-62)
Thank you, John Januik for this summary of the pope's objectives. So now we can visualize the definite plans for the celebration of the great Jubilee that are now underway. On January 17, 1996 the pope met in the Vatican with the Israeli Minister of Religious Affairs who said, "I express great appreciation for the connection the pope has made between Rome and Jerusalem in the celebration of the Jubilee of the year 2000 - especially that Jerusalem will be included as a place of ceremonies in addition to Rome." (Inside the Vatican February 1996)
I must here emphasis the plan of the papacy to involve the Jews and Muslims in this great Jubilee. Jerusalem will be the place for the Jews and the Protestants together with the Catholics to celebrate by participating each other in the celebration of the Eucharist. As for the Muslims, they are to celebrate the Jubilee in Bethlehem where they will be joined by Catholics and Protestants to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, where she gave birth to the Christ Child. Arafat is spending over one million dollars to clean up the old town of Bethlehem by paving the streets, developing parking facilities and providing a center for the anticipated crowds that will gather to celebrate.
Now before we proceed further, let us consider how these papal plans are affecting the Seventh-day Adventist church. I am sorry to state that the news is not good. If you were following closely the papal plan of preparation for the Jubilee year of 2000 you will have noted the following:
1. A dialogue must take place between the various churches to develop unity. And what has been the response of the Seventh-day Adventist leadership to such a dialogue between churches? Could this be the reason why our church recently dialogued with the leadership of the Lutheran Church as reported in the Review? Our participation in the World Council of Churches insists that every church dialogue with another church to discover ways in which we can fulfil unity by the year 2000 as planned by the pope. Think it over.
2. During the 1998, the churches are to emphasize the Holy Spirit in developing a spirit of unity. What about this special emphasis that is to be given to the Holy Spirit in 1998? Could this be the reason why last fall, in 1998, the Review issued a special edition on the Holy Spirit? Could it be because our church is so deeply involved in the World Council of Churches, which demands its cooperating churches carry out Rome's ecumenical program as planned by the pope? Was this done to fall in line with Rome's program? Think it over.
3. In the year 2000 the leadership of all the churches is to gather in Jerusalem to celebrate the Eucharist together. What about this papal plan for all churches to celebrate the Eucharist in Jerusalem during the Jubilee of 2000? Once again, I must ask, since our church leadership participates in the World Council of Churches, is it possible that our church leadership is planning to unite in this ecumenical celebration of the pagan Eucharist in Jerusalem? If this happens, mark my words, there is but one step left – to embrace the pope's plan for a Sunday Law. Think it over.
This is why I have repeatedly emphasized that we are not saved as a church but as individuals who have determined not to be misled by a few leaders who have infiltrated into God's ranks. There will be God's faithful few who will hold fast to the pillars of our faith as found in the Word of God and emphasized in the Spirit of Prophecy. Such dedicated, individual members make a loyal stand to obey God come what may. Remember, "We have far more to fear from within (the church) than from without." Last Day Events p. 156. As the coming storm darkens this is no time to abandon Zion's ship for God has a church and there will be found a faithful few, a remnant, who will be ready to meet Jesus.
Now getting back to our subject of unity and spiritualism. The Great Controversy p. 588 and 589 states, "Papists, Protestants, and worldlings…will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium." Beloved, this prediction about the millennium is being fulfilled before our very eyes. Almost all Christian denominations in this world teach that when Christ comes the second time that He will commence a literal reign on this earth which will start the great 1000 years of peace.
This is why Satan has chosen the pope to unite the world by the year 2000 and conduct a great Jubilee for the inauguration of the millennium in which Satan will counterfeit the Second Coming and confer on the pope his thanks for making possible the counterfeit coming. This is what the pope has in mind by choosing Jerusalem as the celebration site.
Inspiration further states in Great Controversy p. 561, "Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world….He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: 'I saw three unclean spirits like frogs;…they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.' Revelation 16:13,14."
Note this carefully. Except those that are kept by the power of God, through faith in His Word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. These unclean spirits of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet are religious powers who appeal to the political powers to unite in a New World Order under the domain of the pope. Reading Revelation 17: 12,13 we find, "And the ten horns which thou sawest...[which] have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."
Referring to this verse, Ellen White says in Manuscript 24, 1891, "There will be a universal bond of union. One great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." In his book, The Keys of This Blood, by Malachi Martin, he explains on p. 48,50 how this New World Order originated. And, (this is very important) he says that John Paul II received a personal communication from heaven, the Great Design of God, for the New World Order. This is a heaven geopolitical agenda for our time.
Pope John Paul II would now stride in the arena of the Millennium End Game. And so now the question, "When is this New World Order to start?" I am reading from Keys of This Blood, p. 639. Pope John Paul II "is waiting for an event….It will be an event on public view in the skies, in the oceans, and on the continental landmasses of this planet….Then his ministry as the servant of the Grand Design will begin. This is why John Paul II is waiting, for God must first intervene before John Paul's major ministry to all men can start."
And what is this supernatural event that will give the pope the signal to commence this New World Order in which the entire world will obey him? In John Januik's book, The Great Controversy Endgame he states on p. 29, "This will be Satan's counterfeit of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church has a prophecy which says, 'When Jesus Christ comes, then the pope will give him the pope's tiara and throne. Jesus will give him the keys and then Jesus will bless the pope.'" I believe when Satan's counterfeit of the Second Coming of Jesus takes place, then this Catholic prophecy will be fulfilled and the whole world will worship Satan as Christ and the beast (the papacy) as the Vicar of Christ.
We read in Revelation 13:4, "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" Who is the dragon? Revelation 12:9 says, "And the dragon is Satan." So the whole world will worship Satan who counterfeits the Second Coming of Christ and the beast (the papacy). And note this, the people who were not quite sure before as to who the papacy is, when they see the counterfeit Christ blessing the pope, then they will exclaim, 'Who is like the beast (the papacy)? Who is able to make war with him?" (Revelation 13:4). They will all be deceived.
Right now all leaders and people of this world are looking for someone who will bring peace, justice and especially prosperity. The Jews are waiting for the Messiah in His first coming, the Christians are waiting for Jesus Christ in His Second Coming, the Buddhists are waiting for Buddha in his fifth reincarnation, the Hindu's are waiting for Krishna, the Muslims are waiting for a man, Mahdi, the New Age Movement is waiting for Maitreya, Cosmic Christ. When Satan counterfeits the Second Coming of Christ they will all welcome him as their Savior. Then Satan, together with the pope, will promise peace, justice and prosperity to the people of the world. Then will start the religio-political system called the New World Order.
Ellen White agrees. Testimonies to Ministers p. 62 tells us, "Fallen angels upon earth form confederations with evil men. In this age (notice those words) antichrist will appear as the true Christ." This statement implies that the counterfeit coming of Christ takes place when unity among the nations of this world has been achieved. Could this be the reason that President Clinton of the United States has been stressing global reconciliation and unity in his visits to other countries? You will recall that he made this a part of his message in his speech to Congress.
This is also the main objective of John Paul II. As I read in the book Sunday's Coming p. 8, what is John Paul II's main objective? "Pope John Paul II has been working toward uniting the world by the year 2000." Ellen White speaks of such unity in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7, p. 182, "Under one head - the papal power - the people will unite."
In describing the counterfeit coming of Christ the Spirit of Prophecy uses simple, understandable words. Listen, "The world is a theater; the actors, its inhabitants, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 27. And what is this last great drama? "A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama – Satan coming as Christ." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 28.
And so you can easily imagine how this united world will react to the people of God who would dare to say, "This is a false Christ who has appeared. This is the antichrist spoken of in God's Word." And how will the New World Order respond? - "You Seventh-day Adventists are against peace, justice and prosperity. Away with you."
This is why Inspiration tells us in the book Maranatha 209, "I saw our people in great distress, weeping, and praying, pleading the sure promises of God, while the wicked were all around us, mocking us, and threatening to destroy us. They ridiculed our feebleness, they mocked at the smallness of our numbers, and taunted us with words that were calculated to cut deep. They charged us with taking an independent position from all the rest of the world. They had cut off our resources so that we could not buy or sell, and referred to our abject poverty and stricken condition. They could not see how we could live without the world; we were dependent upon the world, and we must concede to the customs, practices, and laws of the world, or go out of it. If we were the only people in the world whom the Lord favored the appearances were awfully against us. They declared that they had the truth, that miracles were among them, that angels from heaven talked with them, and walked with them, that great power, and signs and wonders were performed among them, and this was the temporal millennium, which they had been expecting so long. The whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law and this little feeble people stood out in defiance to the laws of the land, and the laws of God, and claimed to be the only ones right on the whole earth."
Oh what a day this is going to be! This will surely be our time of Jacob's Trouble. Question: "When will a world-wide Sunday Law be enacted?" Great Controversy p. 624 says, "As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. (And what will take place?)…He claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name….This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion."
Remember these vital words in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7, p. 141, "The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama." Current events indicate that we will soon be faced with a national Sunday Law in America. Two historical documents regarding ecumenism have emerged. One was written at the Vatican over the signature of John Paul II on May 25, 1995 entitled, "That They May Be One." The pope wrote of this, "The path to be followed toward the celebration of the great Jubilee of the holy year of 2000, the Holy Spirit, who leads all Christians toward full and visible unity."
The other document is titled "Evangelicals and Catholics Together." This twenty-five page document was developed by Protestant Chuck Colson and former Protestant Richard John Newhouse and signed by forty well-known evangelical and Catholic leaders. The magazine, The Christian America of May/June 1994 reported, "After nearly four centuries of division and hostility, Protestants and Catholics have taken an important step toward unity. Forty key evangelical and Catholic leaders signed this statement at the Institute on Religious and Public Life in New York City on March 29, 1994 urging their followers to accept each other as Christians and to put aside differences and contend for common, civil causes."
Now let's take a look at how Protestantism is changing. As Ellen White wrote in Great Controversy p. 588, "Through the agency of spiritualism, (notice, "through the agency of spiritualism") miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be preformed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power."
I like the way John Januik summarizes these details. I am taking this from the book The Great Controversy Endgame 32-35. "Today's Protestantism is becoming increasingly Pentecostal and charismatic, in part due to television preachers who, like Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn, John and Carol Arnott, and Oral and Richard Roberts, to name but a few. Public healings has become a specialty with the spectacle seen not just by the audience in attendance but by millions around the world. Not only Pentecostals but some mainstream Protestants are praising and publicizing such miraculous feats. The miracles ignore denominational boundaries making doctrinal differences seem not to matter and unity among the churches seems much more likely. This unity is based on common experience.
"The official theme of the 1996 Promise Keepers Men's Conference was to break down the walls. No doubt about it, the walls are coming down. The walls between conservatives and liberals, the walls between Charismatics and Southern Baptist, the walls between professing Fundamentalists and New Evangelicals are breaking down. Are you aware that the largest clergy gathering in history was held in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996 where some 39,000 clergyman gathered under the Georgia Dome at a massive Promise Keepers Convention. By the end of three days, by one report, the clergymen had seemingly become pawns ready to exhibit any emotional response by hollering, cheering, clapping, whooping, chanting, even roaring – solicited and engineered by the worship leader of the Promise Keepers, Bill McCartney who reported, 'No such meeting was held in the past four hundred years. It is exciting to see the denominational barriers come down. The purpose of this meeting is to have the unity of the church.'
"John and Carol Arnott, the pastors of the church in Toronto where the recent 'laughing revivals' and 'holy rolling' began in North America, reported twenty-seven months of continuous, nightly meetings in their church. Dr. Richard Roberts, the Oral Roberts University President, then came to the center stage and had the entire group join hands for prayer asking for miracles, healings and deliverances. After a contemporary, big-beat musical group sang 'The Holy Spirit Fall Afresh On America,' Jerry Falwell, said, 'We must network together or we will lose this country.'
"The 'Washington for Jesu'" event concluded with a signs-and-wonders miracles service led by Benny Hinn who held a faith-healing ceremony right on the Georgia capital steps. One by one, persons made their way up the stage. When Mr. Hinn touched each one on the forehead each fell backward into the arms of a waiting attendant. Pentecostals call this being 'slain in the spirit.' People tossed aside their crutches, canes and walkers as these miracles were performed. This is modern spiritualism manifestations in our day.
"Today the Catholic world is entranced with the apparitions of the Virgin Mary seen nearly worldwide. Catholics also have modern visionaries with prophetic utterances as well as miracles of all kind. Pick up a catalogue of a Catholic publication and you will be amazed at the number of popular books on the subject of prophecy and the end-time."
And now I want to read to you a most alarming statement found in The Catholic International, August, 1994 p. 384 and 394. It says, "Dialogue: Buddhists and Christians, Evangelicals and Catholic Reformation Reversed. Protestants Embrace Rome." Billy Graham and John Scott have been saying it. Now Charles Colson, Bill Bright, J.I. Packard, Pat Robertson, John White echo it. Evangelicals and Catholics together. The Evangelicals have sounded the death knell for the reformation and the impending demise of the Protestant church. The ecumenical reunification of all Christendom under Rome is unstoppable and the end is in sight."
Are you listening? It's coming, surely, it's coming. Ellen White predicted this unity between Catholics and Protestants. Listen. She stated in Great Controversy p. 445, "When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, (that's the image of the beast), and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result."
O friend, this process is beginning to happen now. Ellen White also predicted that Protestants and Catholics would come together. She wrote in Bible Echoes, February 1, 1887 an article entitled, "Protestants and Catholics Uniting." "Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years….Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, and to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done….
(O friend, wake up!) "Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism, and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy.…The Romish church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christ-like garments; but she is unchanged….(Shall this power, whose record for a thousand years is written in the blood of the saints, be now acknowledged as a part of the church of Christ) It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth that Catholicism is now almost like Protestantism. There has been a change; but the change is in Protestants not in Romanists. (What is the secret of the papacy's power?)…The papacy is well adapted to meet the wants of all these. It is prepared for two classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world, - (first,) those who would be saved by their merits (their works), and (second,) those who would be saved in their sins. Here is the secret of the papacy's power."
The New Theology teaching being presented from many Adventist pulpits is preparing the way for professed Adventists to accept Catholicism, which also teaches that you can be saved in your sins. The Bible clearly teaches that there is no salvation by works and there is no salvation if we are in sin. In other words, there is no salvation in a legalistic way and also no salvation in cheap grace. Those who are in the above categories are under papal power.
As I worked on this tape the present pope has given his strongest message yet in preparing the world to accept Sunday as a day of worship. These typewritten statements came to me over the Internet and it was also published in such newspapers as The Detroit News on July 7, 1998 with the headline, "The Pope's Call For Worship. Welcome." In this message the pope warned that Sunday should be dedicated to celebrating God and not for free time. It should be a day in which the church celebrates the resurrection of Christ in obedience to the third commandment. Sunday must be sanctified.
And then came this outstanding statement: The pope said a violator should be punished as a "heretic." Anyone acquainted with the history of the Dark Ages, when the pope's words were the universal law of the land, will recognize in these words what the pope has in mind as an enforcement of a coming Sunday Law. Soon, very soon, you and I will see and meet this crisis.
As I close I must remind you that neither the Bible nor the Spirit of Prophecy says anything about the year 2000, and they give no suggestion that Christ will come in the year 2000, but we know that all time prophecies ended in 1844. Yet, the prophets of the scripture and God's mouthpiece for these last days reveals that in the very last end time, spiritualism will cause Protestant America to join hands with the papacy bringing about a national Sunday Law. God help us to be prepared for what is coming.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, without Thy mighty power we shall never be able to stand faithful in view of what is to come. So please, Father, guide and transform us into sinless saints and may we be sealed as Thy Holy Spirit prepares us to meet this evil power. We thank Thee, dear God, for the wonderful promise that Thou wilt never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.
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Friday, January 2, 2009

THE LAST END-TIME PROPHECY
By: Elder Lawrence Nelson

This sermon is part of a series entitled SpiritualismNote : Chart included at the end of this article
Let us begin this study by asking a question. "Does the Bible contain a prophecy that deals with the culmination of Satan's masterpiece of spiritualism?" The answer is a very definite, "Yes."
Revelation chapter 17 is a prophecy of the final objective to which the papacy has been working under the daily guidance of Mary to unite the world by the year 2000. This achievement will make possible the millennium of peace in which the antichrist will be the ruler of the New World Order for a very short period of time, ending when Jesus Christ shall come as King of kings.
But before we proceed let us seek for heavenly guidance. Loving Father, grant us Thy divine wisdom as we explore the final achievements of spiritism as prophesied in Thy Word. Open to our understanding how Satan will set up his throne here on this earth to fulfil his satanic desire to be a king like the Most High. Help us to unravel this masterpiece of Satan as described in Thy Holy Word as "mystery Babylon," "the mother of harlots." May the Holy Spirit touch our spiritual eyesight that we might think Thy thoughts and discover the truth that we may not be misled by spiritism. This we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Now, we are ready to study God's Word. I am reading from Revelation 17:1-5, "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
"And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABONINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Now, please keep in mind that there must be no guessing about this woman who is riding a beast, for this is a life and death issue. To be more pointed, it is a matter of heaven or hell. I invite you, at this time, to place the chart of the eight beasts before you. This chart was enclosed with this tape. If for some reason you do not have the chart you will find one in the back of the book The Antichrist. These beasts on this chart portray the earthly kingdoms covering some 6000 years from the creation of our world down to the last days when Christ has promised to return and usher in His everlasting kingdom.
Now, with this background, we are ready for a quick review of the first seven beasts which will help us to clearly understand the eighth beast which is the antichrist who has used spiritism to enthrone himself in a New World Order.
Now the Bible tells us exactly how this all started. The war broke out in heaven between Christ and His angels, and Satan and his angels who chose to follow him. The devil and his angels were cast out of heaven and came to this world where Adam and Eve had been given dominion over this earth. Let us read this in Revelation 12:7-9. Notice, "There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
It was not long before Satan, coming to this world, deceived Adam and Eve, causing them to sin against God by eating of the forbidden fruit. This disobedience automatically placed the family of man on the side of Satan in the battle against God. Thus, the war, which began in heaven, continues on this earth with two opposing forces – the sons of God (who obey God the Creator) and the sons of men (who are loyal to Satan).
In prophecy God pictures this enemy power, now on this earth, as a great red dragon. This is beast #1 on the chart you have before you. Since God knows the end from the beginning, He has given us this picture of Satan's power which will continue to control this world until the end, when Jesus will come the second time to fight and to win the last battle called Armageddon, destroying Satan's kingdom forever.
Notice how God describes in detail how the devil's kingdom got started here on this earth. I'm reading Revelation 12:3,4, "There appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." These seven heads of the dragon symbolize the seven time periods in which the dragon power controls the people under his influence beginning with the antediluvians, who became so evil that God destroyed them with a world-wide flood.
After the flood Satan continued his control over the world by developing a universal pagan kingdom in the year 606 BC called Babylon. (Are you looking at your chart?) You will notice that God used a lion, the second world power, with wings to portray this powerful kingdom of Satan. But Babylon was conquered by the next kingdom (the third kingdom) called the Medes and the Persians in 538 BC. The prophet portrayed this transfer of the dragon power by picturing a bear representing Persia which was devouring the three provinces of Babylon and eventually overthrew the Medes. Look at your chart.
Next, the fourth beast was a leopard with wings representing Greece when it conquered Persia in 331 BC. Then came pagan Rome which arose in 168 BC to conquer Greece. Thus the dragon power again was transferred for in AD 31 the devil, through pagan Rome, (the fifth world kingdom) crucified our Savior in an attempt to destroy Jesus Christ forever. But, praise God, Jesus arose from the tomb victorious over Satan and is alive today in heaven.
Pagan Rome continued as the universal kingdom on this earth, as the dragon power until the year 476 AD when it divided into ten separate kingdoms just as God had prophesied in Daniel 7:7, as a beast having ten horns. But in the year 538 AD a little horn power destroyed three of the ten kingdoms which caused the remaining seven kingdoms to accept the next (sixth) world power of papal rule over them. Thus the dragon continued to control the world.
Now at this point God has given us a caricature of this beast of Revelation 13 as you read in Revelation 13. "I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."
Now to reveal that this pagan power it nothing more than a continuation of the dragon power which revealed itself in all of the past universal kingdoms of this earth, look carefully now at this chart. In the developing of this caricature, Inspiration reaches back through past history by taking the horns from pagan Rome, the body from the leopard beast of Greece, the feet from the bear (Medo-Persia), the head from the lion (Babylon) and then Inspiration adds, "the dragon gave him his power." (Revelation 13:2). This brings us back in time to the very beginning when the dragon seized control of the world soon after creation.
Now, however, as you look forward in time, (look at the beast chart before you) you suddenly make an important discovery. This Satanic power of this first beast, the dragon, was passed on from one world empire to the next succeeding kingdom such as the dragon to Babylon, then to Medo-Persia, then to Greece, then to pagan Rome and finally to papal Rome. This is clearly indicated in Revelation 13 for it says, "The dragon gave him his power."
But this papal power of the dragon, suffered a setback in the year 1798 AD when Napoleon dethroned the pope, causing him to die in exile. The scripture speaks of this as receiving a "deadly wound." (Revelation 13:3). In that same year that the wound was inflicted in 1798, the seventh beast (are you looking at your chart?) the United States of America was recognized as the coming world power. Prophecy predicted it would be an uncrowned, two-horned beast. The two horns, representing Republicanism and Protestantism – that which the world had not seen for centuries, a church without a pope and a nation without a king. During this time period the deadly wound, which had been inflicted in the year 1798 began to heal.
When Mussolini agreed to make the Vatican a papal state in 1929 we read the following words of scripture in Revelation 13:14 in which this two-horned beast says to its citizens, "That they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." For it says in Revelation 13:11 (speaking of the United States), "He spake as a dragon."
The restoration of power to the Vatican makes it possible for the appearance of the last and final beast to control the world in a New World Order developed through spiritualism. This beast of Revelation 17 is described as an evil woman riding upon it which depicts the antichrist.
Now you will notice that God has given eight points of identity of this last beast.
1. The woman is seated on the beast. This is very significant. We have learned from God's Word that a woman represents a church in Jeremiah 6:2 and Isaiah 51:16. A pure woman in white indicates a pure church. An impure, or scarlet colored woman, depicts an impure woman such as a whore or an apostate church. Here we have a woman, seated upon a scarlet colored beast (the civil authorities), by which she is upheld and which she is controlling and guiding to her own ends - just as a rider controls the animals upon which he is seated. Thus the antichrist, the papal power, is to be in absolute control of the New World Order.
2. This woman holds a cup in her hand from which she causes the inhabitants of this earth to drink and become drunk with the wine of her false doctrines. This wine represents the deceptive false teachings and policies from which the inhabitants of the earth have become unstable (or drunk), leading to a universal breakdown of law and order.
3. This woman is riding the beast and is called "The Mother of Harlots" revealing that as a result of the spiritualistic, ecumenical movement the entire religious systems of the world have joined hands with her in religious unity of their doctrines which are held in common.
4. The deadly wound inflicted in 1798 has been completely healed, for you notice she rules the entire world. Revelation 17:8 makes this clear. "Behold the beast that was (538 – 1798), and is not (1798 – 1929), and yet is (1929 – today)."
5. The color of the beast and the woman's dress are very important. We shall read Revelation 17:4, "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." Now take note – these are the official colors portrayed in papal church pageantry.
6. Notice these words, "Full of names of blasphemy." This is the same beast of Revelation 13 which claims to have changed the divine law of God by removing the second commandment and changing the fourth commandment. Thus the seventh day, God's holy, Sabbath day, has been changed to a false first day – Sunday worship; and this beast is responsible for enforcing the mark of the beast by making it impossible to buy or to sell unless this mark of authority (Sunday) is accepted.
7. This papal power portrayed by God, is stated to be drunken with the blood of saints. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." Revelation 17:6. History reveals that the papal Rome destroyed millions of God's saints.
8. Finally, the unthinkable – for Paul calls the antichrist "the mystery of iniquity," (2 Thessalonians 2:7) which will attempt to fight the return of Jesus Christ to this world in the final battle of Armageddon. God clearly reveals this in Revelation 17:10-14: "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Then these words...) These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
Now in Revelation 17:10 the scripture states of these beasts, "There are seven kings: five are fallen, (Now look back at your chart. Now count the beasts starting with the dragon as displayed on this chart. These time periods or world powers, which are controlled by Satan, were described by God as 1. The dragon (during the time of the antediluvians) 2. The lion (Babylon) 3. The bear (Medo-Persia) 4. The leopard (Greece) 5. The monster (pagan Rome). These were all in the past as scripture states. All are fallen. [And now let's read Revelation 17:10 again:] "Five are fallen (beast #6 refers to the papacy and the beast of Revelation 13 which is composed of a part of each of the previous beast powers) [now the scripture continues], and one is, and the other is not yet come." (referring to #7 - the United States of America.).
Remember when the book of Revelation was written this was before the rise of the United States in this earth. These last six words refer to the United States. The prophet continues by stating that this seventh power, the United States, would continue a short space after it appeared which means an indefinite period of time. If God had given a date when it would end we would know the exact time when Christ would come and men would procrastinate and not be ready for His coming.
It is during this short time period that scripture states in Revelation 13:11,12 regarding the United States of America, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." Notice that this beast with the lamb-like horns is to speak as a dragon. This reveals that there is to be a complete change of character in the actions of the United States. Thus speaking like a dragon is its very last activity just before the Second Coming of Christ.
Today, America has become the only political and military superpower and has begun to express this power, such as in the bombing of Libya for a terrorist attack. The United States under President Reagan worked together with the pope breaking the power of communism. Then there was the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991 and again in the middle of 1996 when she bombed Iraq's storage facilities. She is continuing to cause this nation to submit to the dealings of the United Nations and we also know that she sent missiles into Afghanistan to destroy the headquarters of a Middle East terrorist organization.
John Januik states in his book, The Great Controversy Endgame p. 37,38 that Bill Clinton, president of America, has made the statement, "The world is looking to America to act as a policeman to the world." This is exemplified now, as she is the main mediator in the Middle East Peace process. She is also playing the main role in solving the ethnic war in Bosnia (the former Yugoslavia) and in all troubles and problems and conflicts in our world today.
These are the preparatory events to the direct fulfillment of the end-time prophecy in Revelation 13:11-17 that soon, very soon, America will speak as a dragon in a religious context and we will show you how soon. For scripture says the beast coming up out of the earth which had the two horns like a lamb and speaks as a dragon will make an image to the beast.
At the present time in America, church and state is separated. But when this separation is abolished, at that time the image to the beast will have been established. I would like to share with you the latest development in the United States, in order that we might understand what is happening at the present time, and how the end-time prophecies are beginning to fulfill before our very eyes.
Note the following: This statement which was taken from the Washington state newspaper about the Moral Majority which says, "Separation of church and state is a dangerous concept. Wipe the phrase 'Separation of church and state' out of your vocabulary. This means wipe it out! Don't even talk about it." W.A. Criswell, the pastor of one of the largest United Churches in the United States and a speaker at the Republican Convention said, "I believe that this notion of the separation of church and state was a figment of some infidel's imagination." Can you imagine!
Thus the situation in the United States with regard to the separation of church and state is changing decisively today. In the United States there is a strong movement called the Christian Coalition. The founder and the leader of this Christian Coalition is Pat Robertson. In 1988 he was a candidate for Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States, but George Bush was selected.
He then established an organization known as the Christian Coalition. He is a charismatic, television preacher. He owns Regent University and seven hundred religious broadcasting outlets, which are under his control in the United States. He is one of the most powerful religious voices in the United States today. The Christian Coalition is a gathering together of Protestants, Roman Catholics and Jews. These peoples have come together with a common goal and aim. The common purpose is to bring America back to God.
They have an agenda that includes traditional Christian family values. They are against abortion and special privileges for homosexuals; they want prayer in the public schools and no separation between church and state. And they also want Sunday to be the family day when people go to church. They want to see the church controlling the government. They want the church to use the power of government to enforce moral values on its society. They are already planning and speaking in this way.
The Christian Coalition is really moving mountains in the United States. Have you noticed that now it is possible for a state to pay for the education of its children in religious schools - that this was upheld by the Supreme Court? The separation of church and state is falling apart before our very eyes. As a result, I predict it will not be long before this happens in every state of this union.
During the last convention, the Republican Party and the Christian Coalition was on TV. They said, "We control this party." What does that mean? In the history of the United States there has never been a time such as this in which the church has moved to control civil power. In the light of all this, and from a study of the end-time prophesy and events currently happening in America I believe that soon, very soon, she will make an image to the beast and will speak as a dragon in a religious context. A national Sunday Law will be issued in America. This is where we are at the present time. "God's Word outlines very clearly the course of earth's history from the time of Daniel right to the time of the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. Our Savior has revealed to us what will happen just before He comes to this earth the second time. And I believe we are seeing these events taking place right now." Sunday's Coming p. 3.
Let's go back to the scriptures. Revelation 17:11 states, "The beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven." Here is a perfect synopsis of the papacy ruling the world from 538 – 1798 and then, because of the deadly wound, "it is not" until 1929 when the wound began to heal to a full worldwide reign again. Then God adds these significant words, "and is of the seven," revealing that the power of Satan, which is found in all seven preceding beasts, is now fully developed in the eighth beast through spiritualism.
This is God's explanation of the antichrist for he rules through his earthly representative which the Bible calls the "eighth beast" the papacy. In Revelation 13:3, 8 we read, "All the world wondered after the beast. All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." This shows the world's attitude toward the beast of Revelation 13 when its deadly wound is healed.
I believe that when Satan counterfeits the Second Coming of Jesus Christ that a Catholic spiritualistic prophesy will be fulfilled which says, "When Jesus comes, the pope will give Him his tiara and throne and Jesus will give him the keys and bless the pope." As the people of the world watch this on worldwide television the entire world will worship Satan as Christ and the pope as the Vicar of Christ.
This is exactly what the scripture says in Revelation 13:4, "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast (for the people say,) Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" This will be the time when all nations give their power and their authority to the beast.
Does not the scripture say, "All the world wondered after the beast?" Thus the eighth beast, whose deadly wound is healed, will commence its brief, worldwide reign in a New World Order. "Now we know why Pope John Paul II has been working as no other pope in history since the reformation to unify the world by the year 2000." Sunday's Coming p. 8.
And Ellen White adds, "Under one head, the papal power, the people will unite." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 182. Bible Commentaries, Volume 7, p. 857 states, "The nations of the earth represented by ten horns are here purposed to unite with the beast. To unite the world under her beast control. This is the climax of Satanic planning for the unification of the world through a compact between the apostate religious organizations of the earth and the political powers of the earth."
Ellen White in her comment on this prophecy states, "There will be a universal bond of union; one great harmony. A confederacy of Satan's forces and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Manuscript 24, 1891. "Reconciliation and unity" is the trend and the spirit that is found in our world today under the bewitching power of spiritualism.
Now as a climax to this study you may ask, "What is Satan trying to achieve in all of this?" The answer is found in Great Controversy p. 50. "That gigantic system of false religion (speaking of the Roman Catholic Church under the leadership of the papacy) is a masterpiece of Satan's power; (and notice these words) a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will."
And this is exactly what Satan has wanted to do in heaven - to be a god and rule a domain. Isaiah the prophet expressed these intentions of Lucifer when he was still in heaven. In Isaiah 14: 13,14 we read, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
So you can see what Satan wants to accomplish – to seat himself upon the papal throne to rule this earth. In the Review and Herald, August 9, 1906 are these words, "The time is at hand when Satan will work miracles to confirm minds in the belief that he is God." And in Testimonies to Ministers p. 64 it tells us that he will succeed. "Men will be deceived and will exalt Satan to the place of God and deify him."
This is why Satan will demand worship by a worldwide law to worship him on Sunday. But there will be a very few who believe that God, the Creator, is the only one who should be worshipped, for He, "in six days...made the heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the [Sabbath] day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." Exodus 20:11.
Ellen White saw in vision that Satan, with his demons, in a meeting was discussing how to deal with the very end-time people who will not submit to his authority. "We will finally have a law to exterminate all who will not submit to our authority." Testimonies to Ministers p. 473. So, in the end there will be only two groups of people on the face of this earth in the end-time. There will be those who worship on Sunday at the pope's command, and who receive the mark of the beast and become a part of great Babylon; and the other group, a small remnant, who keep the commandments, the seventh-day Sabbath, and receive the seal of the living God.
It is this remnant that Satan plans to blot from the face of the earth so that every living soul on the earth will worship him as God. In Revelation 13:15,16 I read that "the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." In this verse are two words "speak" and "cause" – what do they mean? "Speak" means to legislate; "cause" means to enforce. This indicates legislation of a death decree upon God's people which will be enforced by law. In the next two verses I read, "And he causeth (or enforces) all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
The Great Controversy p. 581 states, " Rome is aiming to reestablish her power, to recover her lost supremacy, (and then these words…) her former persecution will be repeated." But beloved, never forget, there is a promise to those who obey God, the Creator, and who are living ready to meet Jesus; a remnant who will have nothing to do with Satan's masterpiece of spiritualism.
I am reading from Daniel 12:1, "At that time...thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book of life." Oh friend, praise God! Hallelujah! The end is very near. We have the possibility to belong to the 144,000 who will see Jesus coming in the clouds as our Savior to deliver us from the great destroyer. Don't you agree that it is high time, now to fully surrender our lives and our means and our talents to Jesus? Isn't it time to share the Three Angel's Messages with others that they to can be ready to meet Jesus? Oh the Lord is coming quickly. Soon He will come and "present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24.
Let us pray. Precious Jesus, in Thy name we beseech Thy Father to wake us up and to arouse us in action to be ready. Grant us Thy almighty power to transform our lives to be in complete harmony with Thy righteous character. Amen.
www.ElderNelson.com

Thursday, January 1, 2009

HOW TO MEET THIS COMING CRISIS
By: Elder Lawrence Nelson

This sermon is part of a series entitled Spiritualism
There can be no doubt that the end time of this world is right upon us as you have listened to the four previous tapes concerning this masterpiece of Satanic deception. I quote from Great Controversy p. 371, "Though no man knoweth the day nor the hour of His coming, we are instructed and required to know when it is near." And then Ellen White gives this warning, "We are further taught that to disregard His warning, and refuse or neglect to know when His advent is near, will be as fatal for us as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming."
O how we should praise God for giving to us the foreknowledge of Satan's masterpiece so we may fully know what to expect. With our eyes opened by the Holy Spirit we can see how quickly our blessed Savior may come. Our reaction should be,"What must we do now that we might have full assurance that we are ready?"
Will you join with me in prayer, seeking for further light as to what God expects us to do today in preparing for this coming crisis? Oh loving Father which art in heaven, we see ourselves surrounded by Satan's spiritism which is preparing the world for a New World Order in which we will be faced with a time of trouble such as never was. We plead for Thy Holy Spirit to guide us in this study as to how we can be safely placed within Thy hands – protected and fill with divine power to meet the enemy and to give the Loud Cry. We ask these blessing in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Now let us first open the Holy Scriptures, and I am reading God's instruction for this needed preparation. I am reading from Joel chapter 2, "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand....Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
"Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people....Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month....And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."
It is very evident by this scripture what we must do by the gravity and the urgency expressed in this command. I like the way Ellen White puts this before us. I am quoting from Great Controversy p. 464, "Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times." What an eye opener! This is important! And she adds in Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 121, "A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work." So you can see if we will follow this counsel such a revival will result in a reformation. Let me tell you, beloved, both are needed to meet this coming crisis.
Listen to this quote: "A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. (Are you listening carefully? "Revival and reformation are two different things…") A revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of the mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 128.
So we can see the importance of this blending of a revival and a reformation. This is revealed to us in the parable of the ten virgins. You remember, five of them were wise and five were foolish as you read in Matthew 25:2. Why were the foolish virgins foolish? The pen of Inspiration answers in Review and Herald, September 17, 1895, "The foolish virgins do not represent those who are hypocritical. They had a regard for the truth, they advocated the truth, they…go with them, having lamps, which represent a knowledge of the truth. When there was a revival in the church, their feelings were stirred." Ah, but now notice this, "But they failed to have oil in their vessels." Why? "Because they did not bring the principles of godliness into their daily life and character."
Now, nothing could be more clearly stated. A reformation therefore, must be experienced following a revival. And I'm sure that each of us listening want to be among those wise virgins for we are told, "Those who earnestly search the Scriptures with much prayer, who rely upon God with firm faith, who obey His commandments, will be among those who are represented as wise virgins." Review and Herald, September 17, 1895.
So, there are but two choices before each of us. We may respond to God's call now for a spiritual revival which will produce a spiritual reformation in us, or we can sit back and do nothing and like the five foolish virgins be shaken out of God's true church. Anyone can see that this is the determining issue of life and death before each of us.
Let us spend a few moments to consider what actually takes place in a revival of primitive godliness. First of all we can learn much by defining the meaning of the word "revival." Its origin comes to us from two Latin deviations. The "re-" means "back or again" and the "vivo" means "I live once again." This helps us to understand what the Spirit of Prophecy means when it states, "There will be among the people of God such a revival (that is of "living once again") of primitive godliness." The next word, "primitive" comes from the Latin word "premetosis" which means "initial or original." This helps us understand the meaning of, "a revival of true godliness or of apostolic godliness."
But in seeking such an experience we must also comprehend the meaning of the word "godliness." This word is divided into two parts, "God" and "liness" which literally reflects a close connection with God. In other words, to become like Him in character. This is the godliness obtained by the wise virgins and this is in keeping with the Spirit of Prophecy. I read it again, "Those who earnestly search the scriptures with much prayer, and who rely upon God with firm faith, and who obey His commandments will be among those who are represented as the wise virgins."
And what are the attributes to be found in God's character which the five virgins will experience? In reading Testimonies to Ministers p. 362, "The Lord passed before him (that was Moses) and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abounding in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.' The goodness, mercy and love of God were proclaimed by Christ to Moses. This was God's character."
In other words, godliness is reflecting the character of Jesus Christ; His life, His righteousness, His Spirit, His love which must become a part of our lives. This is what Paul was trying to teach in Ephesians 3:19, "That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Or as Ellen White said in the book Education p.18, "Godliness--God-likeness--is the goal to be reached." It is thus that we become complete in Christ. As we seek for such an experience we must keep in mind how Christ works within us to produce such an experience within us.
In the book Acts of the Apostles p. 284 are these words, "The sap of the vine, ascending from the root, is defused to the branches, sustaining growth and producing blossoms and fruit. So the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Savior, pervades the soul, renews the motives and affections, and brings even the thoughts into obedience to the will of God, enabling the receiver to bear the precious fruit of holy deeds." Isn't that a beautiful illustration? And how simple it makes it. This is godly character building.
In the book Education p. 225 we find the most important work ever entrusted to human beings. "Never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous." So you can see the connection between a revival of true and primitive godliness and character building. Think of this – the apostles spent three and a half years with Jesus. They constantly beheld His life of righteousness. By beholding they became changed. Thus they possessed Christ's godliness.
Now of course you and I have never been able to personally daily see with our eyes the living Christ as did His disciples, but we have the depository of His every act as revealed in the Holy Scripture covering 6000 years. No other generation has such knowledge. And then in addition God has given to us the Spirit of Prophecy. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:11, "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." And what a model the apostles have set before us. They were given the task of preaching the message to the whole world in one generation, but they were taught to wait and prepare for the power of the early rain.
Likewise we have a great task to perform in giving the Loud Cry amid laws that bring untold hardship, because we can neither buy nor sell, and eventually face a death sentence. So we are counseled to prepare by experiencing a revival and a reformation of primitive godliness; bringing into our experience that like that of the apostles of "one accord" and a readiness for the Latter Rain. Once again, let us consider this preparation of the apostles. I'm reading from Acts of the Apostles p. 37, "These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. (The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men, and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ.) They were weighed with a burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised."
Never forget for a moment that when you and I come face to face with the satanic power of spiritualism, as we have discovered in this series of his devilish plans for us, we can meet God's conditions for receiving the Latter Rain. And praise the Lord, He is ready if we are ready, to give us the power to meet, resist, and remain faithful, and to receive a crown of eternal life.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14 I read, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." One of the conditions we must experience as a people is to reexamine the place that the law of God must have in our teachings. And I trust that you will listen carefully to this.
In the Great Controversy p. 478 we read, "It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people." You know, I must repeat that: "It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people."
It's no wonder that Satan today is putting forth every effort to destroy the preaching of God's law within our church today. You'll have to admit, seldom do you ever hear a sermon on God's holy law. Even the word "obedience" is seldom mentioned, for the emphasis today is on love and unity which is exactly the same message that is being preached in the churches of Babylon. Thus Satan hopes to derail a revival and a return to primitive faith and godliness.
Now since the law of God must be restored to its rightful place, what, and how, can this be done? The answer is found in Our High Calling p. 141, "We hear so many who are deceived by the enemy constantly claiming, 'I am saved', but…they show such contempt of God's rule of righteousness that we know that they…know nothing of saving grace. The heart is not in harmony with the law of God, but is at enmity with that law. Thus was the great rebel in heaven. Will the Lord take men and women to heaven that have no respect for the law of His universe? What is to bring the sinner to the knowledge of his sins unless he knows what sin is…as found in 1 John 3:4? 'Sin is the transgression of the law.' The sinner must be made to feel that he is a transgressor. Christ dying upon the cross of Calvary is drawing his attention. Why did Christ die? Because it was the only means for man to be saved….He took upon Himself our sins that He might impute His righteousness to all that believe in Him….
"The goodness and the love of God leads the sinner to repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ….Yet there is no saving quality in the law to pardon the transgression of the law, and his case seems hopeless. But the law draws him to Christ. (Did you notice those words? "The law draws him to Christ…") However deep are his sins of transgression, the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse him from all sin. The law and the gospel go hand in hand. The one is the complement of the other. The law without faith in the gospel of Christ cannot save the transgressor of the law. The gospel without the law is inefficient and powerless. The law and the gospel are a perfect whole."
The gospel does not undermine the importance of the law of God or removes it, but effectively gives power to keep it. In between the gospel and the law of God there is no tension, but harmony and cooperation. The pen of Inspiration says, "No man can rightly present the law of God without the gospel, or the gospel without the law. The law is the gospel embodied and the gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the gospel is the fragrant blossoms and fruit which it bears." Christ Object Lessons p. 128.
If we emphasize only the gospel or the law then we lose the proper understanding of both the gospel and the law. For when a train is derailed it comes off both rails at the same time. The same with us. We need to understand the relationship between the gospel and the law and their role in our Christian spiritual life. God through His servant said, "The law sends men to Christ, (that's the gospel) and Christ points them back to the law." Review and Herald, September 27, 1881.
Now you may ask, "What is the gospel?" "The gospel of Christ is the good news of grace, or favor, by which man may be released from the condemnation of sin and enabled to render obedience to the law of God." Review and Herald, September 27, 1881. This is in keeping with Paul's explanation in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel...For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
And then there is more. The gospel, and I'm quoting from Fundamentals of Education p. 199, includes "the tidings that Christ can forgive sin, renew the nature, can clothe the soul,…bring the sinner to His right mind, and teach him and fit him (that is sanctify)." So what then is the basis of our salvation? The answer is – the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross; His atoning sacrifice; His blood shed for our sins. This is the basis of our salvation.
In Desire of Ages p. 25 are those marvelous words, "Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His."
This profound truth must be the center of our spiritual life. In the book Acts of the Apostles p. 209, 210 I read, "Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope. From it shines the light of the Saviour's love, and when at the foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy, for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain."
In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 320 we read, "Let the cross of Christ be made the science of all education, the center of all teaching and all study. Let it be brought into the daily experience in practical life. So will the Saviour become to the youth a daily companion and friend. Every thought will be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. With the Apostle Paul they will be able to say, 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.' Galatians 6:14."
This is why the sanctuary service rested on the sacrifice of animals which symbolized Christ's death on the cross. What was the aim of this sacrificial system? In the earthly sanctuary, the aim was to sensitize the participants to the infinite love, mercy and justice of God, and to the sinfulness of sin, and to instruct in the way of salvation. In gaining a sense of the high cost of their redemption the Jews were to alienate themselves from sin and draw closer to their Savior.
It is exactly the same with us. In the Holy Scriptures we read, "And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21. And so it is very, very clear that Jesus came into the world to save sinners not in their sins but from their sins. And how does Jesus save sinners from their sins? In Signs of the Times, October 14,1897 Ellen White says, "That He (Christ) might restore to man the original mind…which he lost in Eden through Satan's alluring temptation, that man might realize that it is for his present and eternal good to obey the requirements of God. Disobedience is not in accordance with the nature which God gave to man in Eden."
The restoring of the original mind to man is the New Birth experience. It enables a man to be obedient to the requirements of the law of God. God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel and said, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh. Why? I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes (that's the law), and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them. Ezekiel 36: 26,27.
Thus it is that God gives a new heart and a new mind and gives us enabling power to walk in obedience to His law that we may reflect the lovely character of Jesus in our lives. Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 310 tell us, "The thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character." And Solomon adds in Proverbs 23:7, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
So we can clearly visualize the importance of having our thoughts and feelings always pure and holy. The Apostle Paul urges Christians, "To bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5. Since the law of God is the revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, (and we find this in Patriarchs and Prophets p. 52) this means that when we are obeying the ten moral commandments we are reflecting the character of God.
Thus far we may summarize that the gospel is the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross; His atoning sacrifice for our sins. This is a revelation of God's great and infinite love for humanity and through the power of the gospel Jesus is restoring the original mind in man through the New Birth or justification experience. Jesus Christ is also restoring the image of God in man and the living relationship of fellowship and friendship with Him in the sanctification process.
After the restoration of the original mind in us, Jesus, as the gospel dwells within, empowering us to obedience of God's law. Thus we reflect the character of Jesus Christ and are filled with the fruit of the spirit. This is the life of the Christian. Note how beautifully Ellen White expresses this great truth. "The salvation of the soul, through faith in Christ, is the ground and pillar of truth. Those who exercise true faith in Christ make it manifest by holiness of character, by obedience to the law of God." Review and Herald, September 17, 1895. Thus we can clearly see the conditions for a revival of primitive godliness among us.
I have one more question: "Do you think that the Lord plans to wait until everyone in the church has adequately fulfilled the conditions for the last great revival?" - The Spirit of Prophecy answers, "Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come." Now you ask, "Why?" I'm still quoting, "There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who will not unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less. Iniquity abounds, and the people must be taught to not be satisfied with a form of godliness without the spirit and power. If we are intent upon searching our own hearts, putting away our sins, and correcting our evil tendencies, our soul will not be lifted up unto vanity; we shall be distrustful of ourselves, having an abiding sense that our sufficiency is of God." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 122.
But don't overlook the fact that there will be a great movement of revival and reformation in God's church in the very end time. Life Sketches p. 425 says, "I have been deeply impressed by scenes which have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement--a work of revival--going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God's call. My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us. Shall we not heed His voice?"
When will this great movement occur in the church? Great Controversy p. 464 tells us, "Before the final visitation of God's judgements upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and the power of God will be poured out upon His children."
We, as God's end-time people, have now come to the time for the last great revival and reformation which must take place in our church. This will prepare us to receive the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the latter rain which will enable us to finish God's work in our time. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6.
O beloved, only by a personal revival and reformation of primitive godliness within our life will we be able to meet successfully the devil's masterpiece of spiritualism. So let us praise God that He has revealed to us how to meet this coming crisis.
Will you join me in pleading for this experience? Let us pray. Loving Father, as Satan's masterpiece of spiritualism gathers the whole world against us may we be prepared for this coming crisis because we have responded to God's call for a revival of primitive godliness. May the mighty, convicting power of God reveal to each of us what is needed in our personal lives to participate in this coming revival and reformation. Thank you, Lord, for such help and assurance that in Thy name we shall be ready to face every Satanic delusion, and we ask these blessings in Jesus name, Amen.
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