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Because It Is A Trial (Ezekiel 21:13)
Introduction
Ever wonder why things happen? Why do people go through difficulties? Why do the wicked seem to get away with things? It is because there is a trial going on. Court is in session and has been for almost six thousand years. Like it or not, believe or not, you are involved. In fact, even atheists are involved.
The Parties
As in any court case, there is the plaintiff. In this case, Satan is the plaintiff for Satan is known as "the accuser" (Revelation 12:10).
Other than taking it out on all the brethren, as the rest of the verse states, Satan's vendetta is with God, for Satan has stated, "I will be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:14).
So the legal document thus far should read, Satan vs. God.
The Complaint
Though we do not have the official complaint, for it was filed in the heavenly courts and not on earth, we can use some of the evidence provided to piece together the complaint. According to the evidence presented by John, it was stated, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Also, John presented that "now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ" (Revelation 12:10).
Focusing upon the power of Christ, which has far more power than those who "have a form of godliness" profess (2 Timothy 3:5), Jude presented that the power "is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).
There is only one theme that appeared frequently in the evidence, even that of Jeremiah stating, "The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!" (Lamentations 5:16) Falling is associated with sin. To fall into "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).
Therefore, the complaint by Satan is that God is not loving, especially presenting a law, known as the Ten Commandments, that is unable to be kept.
The Venue
The venue is earth (Revelation 12:4).
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20)
The Remuneration
As any case would have, there is a goal or reward or in technical terms, remuneration. If Satan wins the case, Satan tells us, "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" (Isaiah 14:13-14).
Heaven has revealed, "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Lk. 1:31-33).
Fortunately, when God wins (see the "verdict" below), all the witnesses will celebrate with Him in the remuneration for it has been declared that "the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46).
Unfortunately, those on the losing side will suffer the punishment intended upon Satan. Just as in any court case, if it has been proven that false accusations have been leveled at someone and are blatant enough, the courts may prosecute the one originating the charge. In this case, we know Satan’s claims are totally false. In a quick trial, verdict, and execution, Satan and all those who choose to witness for him "shall go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46).
The Evidence
In this venue, nearly six thousand years of evidence has been presented. About four thousand occurred before Jesus was called to testify in person on earth and about two thousand years afterwards. Jesus even said, "because I testify of it" (John 7:7).
So Jesus and all of the witnesses testify every moment. Much has been recorded in the Bible as written evidence. Unfortunately, Satan has perpetrated a lie that is so far reaching that even many who profess to witness for God witness for Satan instead because many witnesses do not believe the Bible to be a true representation of evidence. In other words, way too many Christians do not believe the Bible to be accurate. So such witnesses are already beginning on a false premise and such represent God’s side in a bad light.
Look at the many Christians who continue in their sins and claim to be forever saved! Such are not witnessing that a sinless life is possible. Again, it is understandable that a person shall fall, but to excuse the continuance of it would be unheard of years ago but it is acceptable theology today.
The Witnesses
Who are the witnesses? "I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God" (Isaiah 43:12). "And ye are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:48).
This list of witnesses is pretty broad. The direct answer as you search the Bible is that everyone is a witness and every moment you are on the stand to give a witness. As one preacher stated, "Witnessing is not something you schedule to do; it is something you are."
Satan unfortunately has many more witnesses than God has. And of God’s followers, not all have been perfect in their witness. Sometimes God’s witnesses represent Satan for a moment of time. The good news is that one can be a strong witness for Satan’s side and switch to God’s side. Likewise, the reverse is true as well (Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 3:20).
Luke states that there are things to be witnessing of. What are they? "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).
If something goes into remission, such as cancer, it means that it is no longer active. Therefore, God’s true witnesses show forth that sin is no longer active in their lives. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Romans 6:12) "for the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
True, we ought to provide testimony declaring Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, but the greater witness is the power of grace to forgive us of all of our past sins without works (Galatians 2:16) and to live by faith a sanctified live shown by works or evidence. One faithful witness named James stated, "I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:18).
Another faithful witness even encouraged others to witness properly. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not" (1 John 2:1). At the same time, he also encouraged those that gave a momentary false witness stating that "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).
You see, there is no greater evidence of what God does for us than to show forth that we are free from sin. By the power of grace being witnessed we show "that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Romans 6:6-7).
And to be a fulltime witness is "being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:18) because "when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness" (Romans 6:20). In other words, you are witnessing for Satan at that moment when you give into temptation and sin. "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).
And when you think yourself all alone and can enjoy a little sin in private consider what Paul encourages. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2). Evil angels watch every move to be able to point to God and say, "See, that Christian is sinning. If you let that person in heaven, you have to leave us in too!" In addition, there are God’s angels watching every move, holding out the hope that you would be a perfect witness. And then there are the numerous bystanders throughout the universe that are waiting for the outcome of what is being revealed here on earth.
To encourage you to endure the constant testifying we are all called to do, Paul writes, "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).
And how perfect of a witness ought we to be? "Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12). At some point Paul was walking holy. Not only that but no one was able to point out a sin he had committed. The verse states that he was "unblameable" and this is in regard to his behavior. Why did he do that and live that way? So that you would also believe.
Would you believe more in Jesus if your Christian friend walked without sin or if he joined in some sinful practices just to fit in? Paul says the sinless life is the pattern and the best way to win converts.
Now if you think this is an impossible thing to do, just remember that you are not working in your own might. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13). "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). "We are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32). And remember the power of the Holy Ghost is not only to pass out gifts, but "he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).
The Verdict And Execution
Fortunately, we know the verdict already. This should make it easier to witness more fully for the winning side, but for some unknown reason, the vast majority witness for the losing side. This is quite peculiar.
What is the verdict? "The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love." {The Great Controversy, page 678}
Please note that the execution also takes place. Sinners shall be no more.
Counsel
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, [and] that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).
"Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21).
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Romans 6:16).
How about giving your best witness to God’s side? By the undeniable power of Jesus Christ, cease from sin in all forms. Avoid even the little misdeeds. Avoid even the things that if you avoid, you will probably be called a legalist by someone. "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
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ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)
QUESTION: You refuted for a certainty the notion that George Bush would stay in office past his term despite the voices even in the church exclaiming he would declare martial law allowing him to stay in acting like a dictator for congress would have been suspended. How did you know for so long?
ANSWER: As the January 2009 newsletter declared, we need to be stable Christians. For the past two years I have received e-mails and met people who were expecting George Bush to declare martial law. Some voices were very adamant. A couple of things revealed that this was a false expectation.
First, George Bush was not as “religious right” as everyone expected. This was so revealed that it more than likely cost the Republicans a lot of seats and the White House itself.
Second, George Bush had ample opportunity, especially during 9/11, to declare martial law and did not. Another attack would not necessarily do such.
Much of the hype grew from executive orders that he enacted giving him sweeping powers under certain circumstances. But the proponents of the false theory neglected to acknowledge that prior presidents, including Bill Clinton, have done the same thing.
But most important, it was the Spirit of Prophecy. A dictatorship of any president, including Barack Obama, cannot fulfill this prophecy. As stated in the October 2008 newsletter, leaders are to enact the Sunday law – not the president’s sole declaration. {Last Day Events, page 125}
Debt Reduction Progress
Over our 10 year history, $80,000 accumulated in ministry debt both from short periods of time of not being able to cover all of the expenses and the over 4 year period (Jan. 2004 - May 2007) when we personally could not sustain this ministry.
Jerry had lost his employment due to refusing to work on Friday afternoons during the winter, which would have infringed upon the Sabbath hours. Without that income we were not able to sustain this ministry and so the debt accumulated.
Financial blessings are occurring in his work, but to recover financially it requires him to work very long hours. Can you help eliminate this ministry debt faster?
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OVERALL STATS |
JAN. STATS |
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$80,000
- 12,429 - 44,698 $22,873 |
Starting Balance
Readership O'Donnell's Current Balance |
$25,375
- 340 - 2,162 $22,873 |
Starting Balance
Readership O'Donnell's Current Balance |
We are over TWO-THIRDS of the way there! We praise the Lord for your help!
WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED (1 John 2:6)
Walking sinless does not mean we can never sin. In fact, as one draws closer to Jesus and are leaving sin behind, eyes shall be opened to what has not yet been confessed and possibly not forsaken.
None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ.
So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." "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." Romans 7:18; Galatians 6:14.
Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and conflicts of the people of God; let them record their prayers and tears; but let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, "I am sinless; I am holy." Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words. {Acts of the Apostles, page 561}
Do you know the address of a MINISTER outside of our faith?
IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS (Acts 2:17)
I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the "last days"; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth. Thus God dealt with Peter when He was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. (Acts 10.)
To those who may circulate this little work, I would say that it is designed for the sincere only and not for those who would ridicule the things of the Spirit of God. {Early Writings, page 78}
One of the things that must be realized for these last days is that there is the potential for modern day prophets. The prophecy says, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:17). But at the same time, remember "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
It is most commonly understood that when it comes to prophecy and the Seventh-day Adventist Church that the gift appears to have been bestowed upon Ellen White so much so that it is made to believe she was the only one. Remember, there were two other men that God gave messages to before bestowing so much light upon Ellen. Also, many of the pioneers had visions and dreams, but hardly a person knows about such.
But what of today? Where are the prophets for these last days? If a prophet shows up during rebellious times, you know the wrath of God is not far behind. But what of the guiding prophets. The little unknown thing is that the vast majority must be open to receiving such light. "The law [is] no [more]; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD" (Lamentations 2:9).
If the church were to have obeyed all the light that was given her, we would probably be in heaven right now, but nonetheless, we would have seen many more prophets. But as the church resembled more of the world and less of a movement called to give the unique saving message for this time, another prophecy also has become fulfilled. "The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it" {Selected Messages, book 1, page 204}.
Although the church proclaims to keep all Ten Commandments, God says that certain ones have become lightly regarded. On the outside it may be kept but the deep meaning has been at least forgotten. With the new theology that permits someone to sin and still go to heaven, it is no wonder that God says, "her prophets also find no vision" (Lamentations 2:9).
Of course that will all change, but that is a different story. The lack of prophets today simply point to fulfilled prophecy.
Do you know an SDA that is not on our mailing list?
ART THOU IN HEALTH (2 Samuel 20:9)
Without Dimness Of Eyes
I went to the eye doctors when I turned forty and heard the doctor say, “Now that you are forty…” This was to prepare me to fail the eye test and expect to be wearing glasses. It would have been the third time I needed glasses.
In second grade I wore glasses but a baseball injury knocked my eyes “straight”. Then again, shortly after college I had to wear the glasses because of all the computer work I was doing, but with a change in diet to being a Vegetarian and eating at least one kiwi and one carrot a day, both great in Vitamin A, I went from bifocals to no glasses whatsoever.
Now again, being forty I was being told to expect to wear glasses, but I passed without incident only to be warned that the next time I will definitely need them. Three years later I received the same story from a different doctor, but once again I left the office without needing them. How long will this continue? God only knows. But this time I received the speech that, hardly anyone escapes turning forty-five without needing glasses. We will wait and see.
Society believes it is inevitable, but then "Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim" (Deuteronomy 34:7). Why do we have to give in to society’s expectation that just because you become older you must eventually just wither down and become frail?
It was not a thought in years past, but today and only a few centuries ago, heavy amounts of sugar have entered the diet. And especially today, sugary deserts are readily available at a low cost. Could the intake of sugar be causing society’s decrease in vision?
Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in food. Cakes, sweet puddings, pastries, jellies, jams, are active causes of indigestion. Especially harmful are the custards and puddings in which milk, eggs, and sugar are the chief ingredients. The free use of milk and sugar taken together should be avoided. Sugar clogs the system. It hinders the working of the living machine.
There was one case in Montcalm County, Michigan, to which I will refer. The individual was a noble man. He stood six feet, and was of fine appearance. I was called to visit him in his sickness. I had previously conversed with him in regard to his manner of living. "I do not like the looks of your eyes," said I. He was eating large quantities of sugar. I asked him why he did this. He said that he had left off meat, and did not know what would supply its place as well as sugar. His food did not satisfy him, simply because his wife did not know how to cook. {Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 327}
Do you know someone from the GENERAL PUBLIC that is not on our mailing list?
WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM IS THE ARM OF THE LORD REVEALED? (Isaiah 53:1)
SHE sews, cooks, knits, gardens and raises chooks. The housewife is back with younger women embracing traditional domestic crafts in droves, new figures show.
COMMENT: Again I repeat, good, old-fashioned mothers are wanted. It is not as essential that our children should learn how to embroider and do fancy work as to learn how to sew, knit, mend, and cook the food for the family in a wholesome manner. {HR, September 1, 1873 par. 10}
When a girl is nine or ten years old, she should be educated to take her regular share in household duties, as she is able, and to feel responsible for the manner in which she does it. {HR, September 1, 1873 par. 11}
The reason for her termination turns on a theological tenet. According to Catholic doctrine, participants in a marriage must be an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. LaFortune told the principal that her fiance had been divorced -- a proceeding not recognized by the Catholic Church. We have very clear policies on what we expect from Catholic people on our faculty, and there has been a violation of that, Brother Peter Pontolillo said. When a person does something that is obviously contrary to everything that our Catholic school stands for, we cannot just look through our fingers. A s a general matter, religious institutions are free to engage in religious discrimination in employment, said Ira C. Lupu, a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School.
COMMENT: Isaiah 62:10 "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people." In this specific issue, we appreciate the stance taken by the Catholic Church. Too many times society deems right and wrong and then Christians cave in. Too many times Christians cave in to sympathy. True, things happen and there are sad situations, but we have to keep in mind the example set especially before impressionable, young minds.
For a decade, Russian academic Igor Panarin has been predicting the U.S. will fall apart in 2010. For most of that time, he admits, few took his argument -- that an economic and moral collapse will trigger a civil war and the eventual breakup of the U.S. -- very seriously. Now he's found an eager audience: Russian state media.
COMMENT: "The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause "the earth and them which dwell therein" to worship the papacy--there symbolized by the beast "like unto a leopard." . . . This prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. . . ." {LDE 129.2} We know better. We have Revelation 13 and explanations from the Spirit of Prophecy that tell us that the United States will remain united.
Now some people are fed up with public school treatment of Christianity and have launched a campaign calling for a rescue of kids from government education programs a "Call to Dunkirk." "State-run public schools have become destructive to our children's Christian faith. They no longer educate but rather indoctrinate. Not only morally corrupt, public schools are unsafe because of the violence and crime that occurs in them on a regular basis," the campaign says.
COMMENT: "Many years ago, in Oakland, my husband and I conversed with a public school teacher in regard to the public schools in the city. He said to us: "If parents knew of the iniquity that is to our certain knowledge practiced in these schools, there would be a furor raised in regard to these schools such as neither you nor I can imagine. The young people are rotten; and what kind of homes they have is more than our teachers can tell." This statement was made over twenty years ago. Have the conditions in our public schools improved since that time?" {3SM 210.3} Do you have a choice as to what to do with your children but out of convenience you send them to public school? What a disservice! To those that have more money than they need for a basic life, have you looked around the church to find families in need of financial assistance so as to get their children out of public school? True, some of our schools offer financial assistance but for a family of multiple children and a stay home mom, more assistance than that is needed. Then we wonder why our children leave the church when they can.
In an age of sexual liberation, marriage between cousins remains taboo, at least in the United States and from a scientific perspective, laws against the unions are a socially legitimized form of genetic and sexual discrimination. Thirty-one states outlaw marriage between first cousins, making the United States the only developed country in which the practice is regularly banned.
COMMENT: Expecting God to condemn such a union, we actually found that the ban of marriage extends furtherest at the level of no-blood related aunt/uncle. Leviticus 18:14 "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she [is] thine aunt." Sister, brother, father, mother, direct relatives further up the line, step relations directly in the family (such as step-mom), uncle, and aunt (even if not directly blood related) are all forbidden. But nowhere in the Bible are first cousins forbidden. So do not come out against such, even though many cannot imagine the allowance of such, for God has not said a word against it in His list of forbiddings.
Young people were particularly doubtful about the nativity, with 78 percent of 16-24-year-olds saying they were not convinced of its historical reliability. Overall, 70 percent were skeptical of the baby's birth in a manger to a virgin mother, according to the poll of 1,000 people by the British Marketing Research Bureau. Almost a quarter of those questioned, who described themselves as Christians, admitted they did not believe certain aspects of the Bible's teaching about Jesus.
COMMENT: 1 John 2:5 "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." Once again we appeal to those that do not accept the Bible as the Word of God, to leave Christianity. Christianity is not a club. By being part of Christianity, you give a poor example of what a Christian is and non-believers exploit it. And pastors that encourage membership without true belief are guilty as well.
Outraged theatre-goers walked out of a performance of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, describing a simulated sex scene between two men as 'pornography'. No genitals were on show, but buttocks were visible. There was nothing on the ticket that said it was unsuitable for children.
COMMENT: Jude 1:7 "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." We have now come to an age that all forms of sex can be flaunted and are approaching the time where in the name of art or a claimed right, exposure will not be restricted. Just when one thought it could not get any worse. Sin just keeps waxing bolder and bolder.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger reaffirmed his call for the incoming Obama administration to use the current financial crisis to create a "new world order," in a commentary piece for the International Herald Tribune. Kissinger's commentary makes clear globalists intend to utilize the current global financial meltdown to advance globalism.
COMMENT: "These have one mind." 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." Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanists. {3SM 392.4} Could what Kissinger is asking for be the ground work for fulfillment of this prophecy? Unfortunately many of our leaders and the president are seriously considering such.
"The crises in society, the family, morality, politics, security and the economy ... have come about because the prophets have been forgotten, the Almighty has been forgotten and some leaders are estranged from God," Ahmadinejad said, according to a translation of his message. "If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly he would stand with the people in opposition to bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers."
COMMENT: Sounds a lot like Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." But here is the rest of the story. Hosea 4:1-5 "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because [there is] no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother." But more concerning, he appears to be pushing what is foretold at the end of time, the resurrection of referencing a turning from God or should we say, a god. "The one class of religions are those which men have invented, in all of which man saves himself by ceremonies and good works; the other is that one religion which is revealed in the Bible, and which teaches man to look for salvation solely from the free grace of God." {GC page 220} The “one that men have invented” is the eventual unification of religions against the true.
Seven Christian students in Quebec have been handed suspensions in the last few days, and could face expulsions for refusing to participate in a new mandatory Ethics and Religious Culture course that, according to a critic, is a "superficial mishmash of trendy theoretical platitudes" with the goal of convincing children that "all religions including pagan animism and cults are equally 'true.'"
COMMENT: 1 Timothy 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." Paul believed there was only one true religion. If any Christian does not believe in this fundamental stance, which sadly many Christian do not hold, you ought to leave the church. Imagine if Israel had this attitude when God chose them to be His only people. Come to think of it, that is exactly why they intermingled with the other nations and accepted their customs. Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:6, "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." The Israelites are our example. If God punished them for thinking all religions were the same, He surely will not accept us thinking the same way. The true God chose the Israelites, they were chosen of God. Deuteronomy 14:2 "For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth." He chooses the Christian people much the same way. 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." True Christians are those that believe we are God’s peculiar people today. Such are found in every denomination and even without a denomination. You may call yourself a Christian but in not believing we are the true religion, you are no friend of Christ. Face it. You are a Christian because you follow Christ. If you believe Israel is the true religion today, you are wrong. They do not follow Christ. If you think Hindus or Muslims are equally true, you are lying to yourself because they do not follow Christ. This thought of equality between religions accelerated after 9/11. Do not sell out your faith. Jesus says in Luke 18:8, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? " Will Jesus find His faithful people or will they be part of the get along with everyone else religion? How in the world are we going to take the gospel to the whole world when every form of religion is equally accepted. That is because you have been lied to or you are believing a lie. Of course, it began with the dismissing of the Bible as the Word of God. So this is probably falling on deaf ears if you do not believe the Bible to be wholly true and the guidance for everyone's life today.
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A "Thus Saith the Lord..."
We need to study diligently that we may gain a knowledge of the laws of God. How can we be obedient subjects if we fail to understand the laws that govern the kingdom of God? Then open your Bibles and search for everything that will enlighten you in regard to the precepts of God; and when you discern a Thus saith the Lord, ask not the opinion of men, but whatever the cost to yourself, obey cheerfully. Then the blessing of God will rest upon you....
{That I May Know Him, page 297}
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Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.