Who and What is the Church of God

Who and what is the “Church”

Church defined from Greek:

“An assembly, congregation; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers.”

And we also know that the word church can refer to denominations and a place of worship, but what does the word church in scripture actually mean?

During His ministry on earth, Jesus referenced the church in multiple ways. Sometimes He said the church, other times he said peoples. Through history we see that the church began as a people (e.g., Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc), and progressed into a nation that has had many dark times as well as that of good.

What defined the church in Abraham’s time?

Galatians 3:6-9

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

The believer’s in Abraham’s day were defined by their faith, correct? And because of Abraham’s faith in God, God promised that his seed would be heirs to righteousness in Faith. So, here Abrahams family who feared the Lord were defined as God’s people by their faith, and thus the Children of Israel also were defined as the people of God because of their faith and lineage, and again today those who are of faith in God (which is the same God of Abraham and Israel) are called the people of God, and by their faith are heirs to Salvation in Through Christ.

In the time of Christ, what was considered the “Church?” (Or thought to be)

Again, looking back through history, we find that the Israel nation in the time of Christ considered themselves the heirs of Salvation because of their lineage from Abraham. So, the Jews were thought to be considered the Church of God, but were the Jews actually the true church of God?

Matthew 10:5, 6

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

What does this verse show about the Israel nation? “the lost sheep of Israel.” Does this show that there were some in Israel who were erring and not in the truth? Certainly. So, as a nation, Israel could not be considered the church because if the nation was taken to heaven, there would be vile sinners in it.
How about the denominational church of the Jews? Was that the true Church of God? They did keep the ordinances of the Sanctuary and of the laws, but how did many of the members and leaders of that church treat Jesus? The chief priests and Pharisees certainly did not approve of Christ and the ministry work that He worked among them, and many times those religious leaders sought to Kill Jesus. Does that sound like God’s church? God forbid.
However, with all the corruptions of the Jewish religion, did Jesus turn His back upon them? Did He not worship on the Sabbath day in their synagogues? Of course He did. It says in Mark 1:21 that Jesus went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and taught. Why? Because He went to seek after “the lost sheep of Israel. (Mat 10:6)”

This is the example for us in this: We can see that a denomination cannot be God’s defined church, for their can be leaders and members in a denomination that do err. It is by the condition of our heart and the condition of our faith that will define whether or not we are a member of God’s Church. I would rather have my name written in the book of Life in heaven and go to spend eternity with My Lord, rather than to have my faith put in an earthly denomination (instead of God) and have my name written in the that earthly book. Our Salvation is in Christ alone, and we must work out or Salvation with Him in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), and prove our steadfast faithfulness in Him to be counted among the faithful. This is my prayer for each, that we would each lift our eyes upon High, and trust in the Lord rather than in man.
Let us also not turn our back upon those whose eyes are upon men, but be like Jesus who sought to reach the “lost sheep of Israel.”

(Ended last week)

In the time that Christ ministered, the Jews believed themselves to be the heirs of Righteousness, and because of it they felt themselves as superior above all other nations of the world, and any person who was not a part of their “Church” of Israel was considered a Gentile (the Gentiles were treated like dogs by the Jews and downtrodden upon). Is this the character that was described as that of God’s church? Certainly not so. The so-thought church of that time was not actually the real church of God because that organization had separated from God. The Jews were early Seventh day Adventist, for they professed in the Advent of Christ and kept the Seventh day Holy, but as Jesus said, the Jews were the “lost sheep of Israel” and were in need of being shown the gospel, for they had certainly gone away from God. Through the time of Christ’s ministry, Jesus focused upon reaching the people who were once the chosen people of God, but as was shown when Christ was crucified, the largely established “Church” of that time rejected the Messiah and actually condemned Him to death on the cross. It was shortly after which when the door was opened for the gospel to be spread to the whole world and was no longer secluded to one nation and one people. The advent message of the redemption that Christ bought for us was able to be accepted by any and all who could hear it, and in being brought to faith in God, all could become heirs of righteousness.

            Now, let’s quickly follow the church of God up to our time.

Matthew 28:19 and 20

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 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.

At Jesus’ last conversation with His disciples before He was taken up to Heaven, He charged the disciples to now take the gospel to all the world teaching and baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. To teach all to observe what Christ had taught the disciples leaving them with the Promise that He would be with them always (this promise still applies to us today if we heed the calling to go and teach all the truth of Salvation).

The true members of God’s church following the Stoning of Steven were a peculiar people of faithfulness, accepting the truth and following in faith after righteousness, but they were persecuted for their faith. Who were the people who stoned Steven? Were they not Jews too? Even those claiming to be the church of God (falsely of course) continued to reject the truth and persecuted the real Christians of that time. Because of the Pride of the nation, the Jews lost sight of the covenant that God made with Abraham and its conditions that they were required to keep. They rejected the gospel, they rejected the righteousness, and rejected everlasting life.

            These things of history show very important lessons for us today, amen? We are given a proper example to follow in order to be heirs of righteousness, and also are given examples of what disobedience to God can do to those who were once the true people of God.

            What does a woman represent in Scripture when spoken as a symbol?

Jeremiah 6:2
I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.

What is Zion?

2 Kings 19: 30 and 31

30 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

31 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

So, Zion, or the mount of Zion is reference to Jerusalem which was the capitol of the Israelite nation. Therefore, the daughters of Zion represent the people of God, for Israel was the chosen people of God. Jeremiah 6:2 says that the “daughters of Zion” are likened “to a comely and delicate woman.” Often in scripture, when speaking of prophecy, the people of God are symbolized as a woman then, correct?

Now, let’s turn to Revelation and read about the church in the last days.

Revelation 12: 7-17

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 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.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Here, the dragon represent Satan who was cast out of heaven with 1/3 of the angles for rebelling against God and making war in heaven. Satan sees that he has but a short time and then he will be utterly defeated, so he turned to the bride of Christ to persecute her and to try and destroy her. We know from our previous two bible studies that the woman, who is the people of God, was nourished in faithfulness for 1260 years (time, times, and a half) through the time of trouble.
Now, notice verse 17 that says, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

This portrays the character of God’s church in the last days; they are those who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus.
Also notice how the verse says that the devil went to make war with the remnant or her seed. Also note that in 2 Kings 19, verse 30 and 31 says, “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

This remnant mentioned in Revelation 12:17, and in 2 Kings 19 are the remaining people of God’s church in these last days. They will be scattered throughout the earth, and afflicted, and tried and tested for their faith; they will be those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus though the heavens fall. This remnant I want to be among: which are the people of God, and the inheritors of righteousness through faith. Amen?

Conclusion

The sum of the matter is simple. The Church represents the woman who is the people of God, of whom Christ died for to present to Himself as a bride clean and spotless (Ephesians 5:25-27). The remnant represents the remnant of God’s people in the last days.
            In the world today, we all hear many peoples and nations and denominations as well as individuals claiming to be the church of God. But are they truly the People of God? How do we know what is the true church of God? How do we know who is working by the Spirit of God, and who is working by the Spirit of Satan? Matthew 7:20 says, “By their fruits, ye shall know them.” By this and study of the word of God we will be able to discern who are the true people of God, and who are false teachers.
The True Church of God are a people –not a denomination, a structure, building, or a nation, but are a people; a people who keep the commandments of God, who are not afraid to call sin by its right name, who keep the faith and testimony of Jesus, who are as true to duty as the needle to the pole though the heavens fall. This is who I want to be numbered with in the day that Christ comes to gather us with Him to take home with Him.
            We have to realize that the people of God put their full trust and attention on God, and not in any man. We cannot put our trust in a denomination, or a modern theology, but instead we must look unto Christ (who is author and finisher of our faith) for truth and discernment, Amen?
We must be sober and vigilant, because no matter where we are, or with whom we worship with, the devil strives to continually deceive the people of God away from the truth.

I pray that we each would recognize the duty of God’s church (us) for these last days. I pray that we would study diligently to shew ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim 2:15), and that we would pray for discernment from the holy Spirit to rightly know our teachers, ministers, pastors, and fellow believer’s by their fruits. Keep your eyes upon Jesus, and don’t look away. Remember to keep the commandments in faithfulness, and to keep the testimony of Jesus to be among the saints of God (Rev 14:12).

Is freedom free?

  Is Freedom Free?

   Freedom was bought by the blood of Christ so that we would be able to be free from sin, so the price has been paid for those who would accept His life as payment for the sinners debt; it was certainly not a cheep price. Those who reject the blood of Christ and choose to stay in sin will have made Christ's sacrifice for them of no success, but He died for them just as much as for me. The only price for freedom on our part is the forsaking and surrendering of sin in our lives to walk therein no more.

Christ Conquered death and rose from the grave again to live, so that we, in Him, would be able to be conquerors of the flesh.

And sin entered

And Sin Entered

A major question that sits in the minds of many is the question of how sin entered the world.  Some entertain the belief that God created sin, but God is love, His throne is the habitation of Justice and judgement, and mercy go before His face (Psalm 89:14).

            What is sin?

1 John 3:4
 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

So, sin is the transgression of God’s law, or initially disobedience, correct? Does God cause men to sin? Does He cause men to disobey Him? Why would He? God is Just and merciful, He would not make any to commit disobedience. God created all beings with the gift of choice. They were created to make a freewill choice to serve Him, and all living beings did serve God with all joy and satisfaction. But, if God did not create sin, how did sin come about?

Let’s turn to Isaiah 14:
Isaiah 14:12-15
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 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:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

“So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures. Sin originated with him who, second to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer, “son of the morning,” was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him. “Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering.... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:12-15. {PP 35.1}”

“Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. The Scripture says, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Ezekiel 28:17. “Thou hast said in thine heart, ...I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.... I will be like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13, 14. Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone. {PP 35.2}”

Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. Lucifer began to harbor feelings of pride, jealousy, and selfishness. As time progressed, his feelings became greater and greater and he boasted to himself that He would become higher than God. Instead of looking continually to God, he began looking unto self, and sin entered.

Sin is like a disease, an awful terrible consuming disease. The more sin is allowed to dwell in the heart and mind, the more destruction it causes. The more a person indulges in gratifying self, the more the curse of sin can grasp upon the person. Lucifer was in a very great position in Heaven, he was a commander of the Angels. What God commanded, Lucifer would deliver to the angels to carry out. But, Lucifer began to doubt and question the nature of God’s perfect laws. He began to defy them in his heart, and let self reign instead. Even with all such overwhelming evidence to how good, and merciful and worthy God is, Lucifer still turned blindly away, and sin entered.

We established earlier what sin was in 1 John 3:4, that it is the transgression of God’s law, or disobedience to God. Lucifer committed transgression against God’s law and rebelled against Him, and convinced one third of the Angels to rebel with him (Lucifer was very much loved in heaven by all the Angels, and it was a very tragic thing when he fell into rebellion). One third of the angels chose to follow Lucifer, but the rest chose to remain faithful unto God. Note: Even the faithfulness of all the angels has been tested.

Since we know how sin began, how did sin enter our world?

Genesis 2:17, 18:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

After God have created all of creation and given all for Adam to partake in, He gave Adam Specific instructions of all that he may do in Eden, and what Adam was responsible for. However, there was one thing in Eden that God had put forth their as a test of Adam’s faithfulness. God gave one specific instruction to Adam that He should not eat of tree that was in the midst of the Garden. The purpose of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil is as a test. God knew that Satan would try and tempt his Creation into falling under his rebellious tyranny, and He needed a way to make Adam’s faith grow and increase and be proved. Thus, the tree was a test to Adam’s faithful obedience to God.
 Also, God saw that Adam was in need of a help meet--a person to stay with Adam and be the meet for his help. Thus, God created Eve for Adam out of Adam’s rib, signifying that she was not from his head to rule over, nor from his feet to be trampled upon, but from his side to be under his arm and by him through all things.  This was one of the best gifts that God gave Adam.

Now turn to Genesis 3, and we will read the history of the fall.

Genesis 3:

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Let’s stop for a moment. What do we have happening here?

Where is Adam? So, Eve is walking through the garden without her faithful and wise husband with her to help protect and shield her from any wrong doings (Man was created with the same gift of choice as the Heavenly beings were, and thus were capable of deciding to turn away from God).

“Our first parents were not left without a warning of the danger that threatened them. Heavenly messengers opened to them the history of Satan’s fall and his plots for their destruction, unfolding more fully the nature of the divine government, which the prince of evil was trying to overthrow. It was by disobedience to the just commands of God that Satan and his host had fallen. How important, then, that Adam and Eve should honor that law by which alone it was possible for order and equity to be maintained. {PP 52.2}”

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

(The first lies ever uttered in this world)

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

 The first mistake that Eve made was to wander away from Adam’s side, something of which the angels had warned her against in their communion with each other.
 Eve’s second mistake was to go near the tree which they were not to partake of, putting herself in the enemy’s territory to be tempted.
When Eve had already fallen into the temptation, she further made mistake by adding to that which God had commanded them. Eve showed her ignorance when she said that God commanded them to not touch of the fruit. God commanded them to not go near the tree, let alone touch or eat it. In this way Eve opened herself up all the more to the deceptions of the serpent (at that point, Eve was near to point of no return). In this way Satan, in the form a serpent, which was the wisest creature in Eden and a very beautiful creature in the garden, used Eve’s ignorance to her destruction. When Eve touched the fruit, she did not die, and thus she then took to eat for the serpent deceived her. And sin entered into Eden.
Adam, when Eve took fruit to him to eat, he was troubled and sad that Eve had sinned when he recognized what she came bearing to him, but against his own conscience, Adam became blinded by his passion for Eve, and disregarded the Instructions from God. Adam hastily took to eat so he would not become separated from Eve, and sin again manifested.
            Right after having committed the disobedience to God’s command, the guilt and impact of their deed began to set in. Surely, such a small sin as that could not have such a strict penalty of death and destruction? But sin is sin, no matter its condition, it is still a curse and rebellion unto God and thus the only consequence of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23).”

Conclusion

The lessons in this story are numerous, but one that I want to point to is the state and actions leading up to the actions of sin. With Lucifer, whilst he was yet a noble angel in the presence of God, he turned to feelings of pride and jealousy allowing self to become present. He began to question the perfect and holy laws of God and gradually in his heart set his mind to rebel against them. He desired to rise above the throne of God, a position that only the creator is worthy of. Slowly the feelings of pride and arrogance crept into his heart and he committed sin by rebelling against the Almighty God.
Eve also made decisions that led her to the fall. She and Adam had been forewarned of the history of the fall of Lucifer in heaven, and the conflict that had begun from it. Adam and Eve had been instructed to remain with one another lest the enemy should come to temp them separately. Yet, even after all the warnings and instructions, Adam permitted Eve to wander from him, and Eve chose to leave Adam which compromised both of their faithfulness. By this first action, both Adam and Eve put them in jeopardy of being tempted. Eve continued farther down the path of treading upon dangerous ground when she went near to the tree which they were instructed to stay away from. At the tree she was further digging herself deeper into danger by lingering and speaking with the serpent, which should have been enough to cause alarm, but Eve tarried until she fell.

Similarly today, we can often time put ourselves in the way of temptation. When Christ calls us, beckons us to leave off from sin and follow Him, He makes it very clear that we must surrender all to follow Him. Sin, being like a curse, clings onto the spiritual garments, and cannot be removed except by the cleansing blood and forgiveness of Christ. By repentance to Christ, we can have our sinful and stained garments replaced by the pure and clean covering of Christ. Yet, we cannot become clean if we continue to remain in Sin. We have to turn from our sins to be able to remain clean in Christ. With every temptation we must resist the urge and desire to turn to self-indulgence. But, we cannot do that upon our own efforts, we have to have the strength and enabling that Christ gives us. However, we can put ourselves in the way of danger by walking upon the ground that leads to temptation like that of Adam and Eve in Eden. There is a song known as Little feet be careful where you take me to; anywhere for Jesus, only let me do. Let us not walk in the way that is near to temptation, or that opens us up to the temptations of evil, because how can the angels deliver us strength if we go where they cannot. Trust in the Lord, and walk steadfastly in Him; be sober and vigilant, pray without ceasing, so as to not fall into temptation. Let us remember these things continually as we strive to walk with the Lord. Amen?
 

Notes:

Satan represented to the holy pair that they would be gainers by breaking the law of God. Do we not today hear similar reasoning? Many talk of the narrowness of those who obey God’s commandments, while they themselves claim to have broader ideas and to enjoy greater liberty. What is this but an echo of the voice from Eden, “In the day ye eat thereof”—transgress the divine requirement—“ye shall be as gods”? Satan claimed to have received great good by eating of the forbidden fruit, but he did not let it appear that by transgression he had become an outcast from heaven. Though he had found sin to result in infinite loss, he concealed his own misery in order to draw others into the same position. So now the transgressor seeks to disguise his true character; he may claim to be holy; but his exalted profession only makes him the more dangerous as a deceiver. He is on the side of Satan, trampling upon the law of God, and leading others to do the same, to their eternal ruin. {PP 55.1}

"If Satan was cast out of Heaven because of sin, what makes man think they can get to heaven in Sin?"

Two Prophecies seldom Mentioned (Part 2 of the Abominations of Desolation)

Two seldom mentioned prophecies

Dan 12:11, and 12.

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

In last week’s bible study we went over the 1260 day prophecy and discovered its beginning and end dates of the prophecy, and all the historical events that distinguished those dates. We saw the connection of the fourth beast in Daniel 7 to that of the first beast in Revelation 13. They are very similar, but the latter seemed to have grown larger and more powerful than the first beast from Daniel. These beasts represent the same thing, but in two different stages of earth’s time.
            The Beast in Daniel was described as the one that would rise up from the earth and gain power to rule and commit abomination and create desolation of the earth. This beast made war with the saints and thought to change times and laws for a time, times and a half (1260 prophetic days, or literal years).
            Now, the beast in Revelation 13 was said to also have received power and ruled the earth; he committed abomination against the Lord, and brought desolation upon the earth while making war against the saints. Like that of the Beast in Dan 7, the beast of Rev 13 also was given power for 42 months, or 1260 literal years.
            These two beast from Dan 7 and Rev 13 represent the same earthly power: Papal Rome, or Roman Catholicism. The beast in Dan 7 was the description of the beast before the ending of the 1260 days were complete. The papal power first became recognized in 538 A.D. as being a religious and governmental power. Exactly 1,260 years after 538 A.D., the Papal power was overthrown by Napoleon’s Army when General Berthier took the pope captive and threw him into prison in the year 1798. Thus, the beast received its deadly wound and the 1260 day prophecy was fulfilled. However, that same power represented by the beasts was returned to power after 1798 and its deadly wound was healed. Again, Papal Rome was given power and is said that he will go and make war against the saints and will rule over the earth again. The beast after the 1260 days is much more powerful than before when it grew to power between 538 and 1798. This is the time that we are in now where the beast is rising to power and preparing for the final conflict against the Lamb of God.
            Note: During the 1260 years it was said that the Woman in Revelation 14, which represent the People of God, was flown into the wilderness to be nourished for a time, times and a half, or 1260 prophetic days. During the persecution that Rome afflicted God’s people with through the 1260 years, God nourished and kept His people through the whole time. The Everlasting gospel was carried through that time of trouble into our day. The same faith of Jesus was kept alive into our day. Now, in the last time of trouble, God will strengthen and nourish His people to carry forward the everlasting gospel unto the end of the earth. May we be willing and ready to do just that.

            Now that our memory has been refreshed on the last 1,260 years, let’s figure out what the two times mentioned in Daniel 12:11 and 12 are.

Dan 12:11, and 12.

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

So, here we have the following:

•      1290 days (Or literal years using a day for a year conversion from Ezekiel 4:6)
•         1,335 days (or years)

            These two time periods mentioned above are related to the 1,260 years that we talked about last week. Read verse 7 of Dan 12 and you will see.

Daniel 12:7
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

            Question is, when do these two time begin, and when do they end?

            It says in the verses above that when the daily sacrifices are taken away, that is when the abominations that maketh desolate were set up, is that referring to the midst of the last week of the 70 when the Sacrifices and oblations were made to cease? Therefore, did the 1290 days begin near the end of 70 weeks?

Well, that is not likely because Christ did not take away the daily sacrifice, instead He became the sacrifice; He fulfilled it and it was no longer necessary. The work in the Heavenly sanctuary was just beginning. And we already determined that the 1260 days ended when the abomination that maketh desolate was made to cease in the year 1798, so this 1290 day prophecy obviously did not begin in A.D. 31 when Christ was crucified. 

Perhaps this prophecy is marking the exact starting point of the setting up of abomination of desolation? 

Since the Abomination that made desolate was to last until the beast received its deadly wound, that means that the 1290 days ended the same time the 1260 days ended, in the year 1798. Now, by using reverse math we can define precisely what year the 1290 days (or literal years) began. Are you following me?

            1798-1290= the year 508 A.D.

(Note that the beginning of the 1260 day prophecy was not when the abomination of desolation was set up, but rather was when the fourth beast in Dan 7 received its power. That was in 538 AD when the papacy became a recognized government. The actual beginning of abomination of desolation was thirty years prior in 508 A.D.)

What happened in 508 A.D. that could be the reason for beginning the prophecy?

Most history books say very little about the year 508. Yet one significant event stands out. In Europe, one of the major events of that year was the conclusion of the war between Clovis, king of the Franks (later France), and the Visigoths, whom he defeated and pushed into Spain.

Who was Clovis, and who were the Visigoths?

“Clovis (c. 466-511) was the first King of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one king. He also introduced Christianity. He was the son of Childeric Iand Basina. At age 15, he succeeded his father, in the year 481.”

The quote above says that Clovis was a Christian, but if you read Wikipedia (which is a popular online encyclopedia that leans toward an influence to Catholicism), you will find that Clovis was noted for his conversion to Catholicism.
Clovis was, most certainly, a catholic king. He aligned his views with that of the Roman Catholic Church and thus made war in the name of Rome to conquer for him. In 508, Clovis defeated the Visigoths, marking a notable victory for the Roman Church.

            Who and what are the Visigoths?

The Visigoths were a branch of the nomadic people of Germany known as the Goths. They were considered barbarians practically. Though, some of the ways of the Visigoths may have seemed barbaric, the Visigoths, like many of the Goths, did not believe the way that Rome did. In fact, many of the Goths were not pagans, but actually real Christians, keeping some of what the Apostles had taught the churches before that time. Thus the reason that Clovis made war with the Visigoths was because they rebelled against Rome and the papal rule. In the ultimate battle fought between Clovis, King of the Franks, and the Visigoths, it was actually an ultimate showdown between Catholicism and the free believers of Christianity.
When Clovis won the battle against the Visigoths in A.D. 508, this terminated the united resistance against the development of the papacy. The Bishop of Rome had gained a theological victory over the known world.

Now, do you see the importance of the date 508? 

What about the daily sacrifices, weren’t those supposed to be taken away at the beginning of the 1290 days as well?

The "daily" represents Christ's mediatorial ministry in the holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. It represents the continual work of Christ ministering in the sanctuary not made with hands, where He entered with His own blood to make intercession for His people.

So, how could Rome take away the Daily Mediatorial Ministry of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary?

Well, first of all, they took away the freedom of Religion and began oppressing all who believed in Christ and His true ministry, and the Roman Catholic church set up the confessional system where sinners would only need to confess to priests or bishops to receive forgiveness, instead of seeking the only one who could forgive and take away sins—Our High priest, Jesus Christ. In this manner the Roman Catholic Church, which is represented by the beasts in Dan 7 and Rev 13, took away the “daily sacrifices” and set up the “abomination that maketh desolate… (Dan 12:11). Thus, the freedom of Confessing directly to Christ was taken away starting 508 to 1798.

Do each of you understand, now, the importance of the date 508 as the beginning of the 1290 days?

What about the 1335 days?

Since we know the beginning point of the 1290 day prophecy, it can be assumed that the starting point of both the 1290 days and the 1335 days began at the same time. If we add 1,335 years to the year 508 A.D. what do we come to? If the 1335 years began in 508, when did it end?

The year 1843, amen?
 Surprised? Isn’t the sure word of Prophecy in Scripture so amazingly specific, clear and absolutely true?
Praise God for this gift.

Why, again, was 1843 so important in biblical prophecy?

In 1843 the good news of the Advent of Christ was beginning to be proclaimed in all the earth, and the freedom to accept it and believe it was for all. Of course, 1843 may seem so long ago, but considering the many years that led up to 1843, it was not that long ago. Again, all the prophecies mentioned above did in fact come to pass before or at 1844. That means we are in the earths final days. We are indeed in the time of probation. We are each being judged by God to know if we are worthy to be sealed by His mark or not. Oh, that we may earnestly search our hearts and study the word to ensure we are faultless before God, and completely grounded in His truth so we can stand unmoved in the time of trial and affliction. Amen.

Conclusion

 The 1260 days began when the Papacy became a recognized government and religious power in the year 538, and the prophecy ended when the Beast received it's deadly wound by the hand of Napoleon's army in 1798. The 1290 day prophecy began when the Abomination of desolation was set up in 508 AD, marked by the Victory of Clovis over the Visigoths in the fight of Papal Rome against Christianity. At that time the Papacy became the enforcer of her ways, and in a sense, she took away the daily sacrifices by replacing Christ with Idols and men.
The 1335 days began the same time as the 1290, and ended in 1843, which was marked by the Advent message and everlasting Gospel being proclaimed in a great awakening.
Now, we receive signs for our time to know that the time is short.
Let us lift up one another in truth and Righteousness and strive to be ready to stand for the truth, unmoved in the time of affliction. Let us lean and rely completely on Our Father in heaven.

Abomination of Desolation

The Abomination of desolation

Daniel 12:11, 12:

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

            What is the Abomination of Desolation? And what time is the thousand two hundred and ninety days?

Let’s turn to Matthew 24, now, to see what Jesus says about it.

Matthew 24:15-22

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

            Still, we have no explanation yet of what the abomination of desolation is, neither do we have a clarification of the time prophecy given. The Desire of ages chapter 69, titled on the mount of Olives, gives some clarification for Matthew 24.

Desire of Ages pages 628 and 636:

            Christ's words had been spoken in the hearing of a large number of people; but when He was alone, Peter, John, James, and Andrew came to Him as He sat upon the Mount of Olives. “Tell us,” they said, “when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples’ future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for themselves. When He referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the final conflagration in that day when the Lord shall rise out of His place to punish the world for their iniquity, when the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. This entire discourse was given, not for the disciples only, but for those who should live in the last scenes of this earth's history. {DA 628.1}

            Here we see that the abomination of desolation is a conflict between good and evil both in the early Christian’s days and in the days near the end of this world. Perhaps we are getting close to understanding what the time prophecy is referencing.

Let’s turn to Luke chapter 21 to establish what was mentioned in the quote from DA:

Luke 21:20-22, see also 25, 26

This is a continuation of what Christ was saying to the disciples on the mount of Olives when they proposed the questions about the end.

 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

            With these verses we can be certain that Jesus was talking about two crisis’s that were to come to pass: one near the earlier part of the Christian church and one in the times of the end. Notice verse 25 that says that there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars, and distress among the nations. As Christ showed the disciples in verse 20 what signs would indicate what time was upon them, so also Christ gave an explanation of the sign of the times for the Christians in the last days.  Some of these thing have come to pass.
            May 19, 1780, is known as the dark day. On this date the sun was covered by what seemed to have been thick darkness. It had never been so dark during the day ever in recorded history. Candles were required for light in the midday, and it stayed dark all the way to midnight. Then, when the moon would have come out and showed its brightness, it also did not seem to shed as much light. The moon had turned red as blood and cast an eerie glow on everything.
 Again, in Nov 13, 1833, there was an even that took place in the heavens that had never happened before or been seen since. It is known as the night the sky fell. A massive meteor shower that cannot even be explained took place for hours on end throughout the night. Many were convinced it was the end of the world. But, we remember that all of these things are just fulfillments of prophecy. These things go to shew that we are nearing the final conflict that has been waging before the world began.

The Fourth Beast of Daniel 7

If you would read with me in Daniel chapter 7, we might find some background to who is openly responsible for the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation. In Daniel 7, Daniel describes the vision he was given about the four beasts that came up out of the earth. We will focus on the fourth beast -- the most diverse beast from the rest.

Dan 7:7 and 8 (the fourth beast):

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Dan 7:19-26 (The interpretation given to Daniel by an angel)

 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (The Lord reigns victorious)

               So, here we have portrayed in Dan 7 is a frightening beast that is strong, great and powerful. This beast commits great abomination against the Lord of lords and King of kings, and creates desolation upon the earth and the people of God. Therefore, this beast appears to set up the abomination of desolation. In verse 25 is given another time prophecy. Now we have two time prophecies that we have to define. Let’s turn to Daniel 12 and compare.

               Dan 12:7 -

6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

At this point, Daniel was confused about what the end of these things were, and eager to understand he inquired from the angel, but he was told to go his way for the things were sealed unto the end and not for his time.
Notice verse 7 that another time prophecy is given; two and a half times. What does that mean? A time represents a year, or 365 prophetic days. So, the time, times, and a half are 3 ½ years, or 1260 Prophetic days. Amen? Remember this number.

 Alright, is there another beast that comes to mind while reading of the one mentioned above? Revelation 13?
Let’s turn to Revelation now and compare the first Beast in Chapter 13 with the one we just read about.

The first beast of Revelation 13

The beast in Revelation 13:1-10

 1 And 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.

2 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.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

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?

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And 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.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

            Note: Notice the similarities between this beast and the one in Dan 7? They both are fierce and powerful; they both have ten horns; they both waged war against the saints and against God. Both beasts committed the abomination against God, and brought desolation to the earth and the people of God. At this point I am sure we can be sure that the fourth Beast in Dan 7, and the first beast in Rev 13 are representing the same power. Are you following me? From what we know, we already know who these beasts represent. They represent Rome, and the Papal Pagan Rome. Also note in verse 5 that it was given its power to continue forty two months. How many days is that? Let’s do the Math: there are about 30 days in a month, so multiply 30 by 42 and we have 30x42=1260 days. Remember this from the time, times and a half from Daniel 12? The time, times and half, or 3 ½ years, and the 42 months are the same time period. Now we are getting somewhere. Amen?
           
Let’s read what Mrs. White says about these numbers:

The Great controversy: (based on Rev 13:1-10)

In chapter 13 [Verses 1-10.] is described another beast, “like unto a leopard,” to which the dragon gave “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once possessed by the ancient Roman Empire. Of the leopard-like beast it is declared: “There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies.... And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. {GC88 439.1}

“Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev 13:5)” And, says the prophet, “I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death.” And again, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” The forty and two months are the same as the “time and times and the dividing of time,” three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7,—the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the establishment of the papacy, A. D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time, when the papacy was abolished and the pope made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.” {GC88 439.2}

Now, does that makes sense? We established that the beast in Rev 13 represents the papacy, and it was given its power for 1260 years, but when one of its head was wounded, was that the end of the beast? The end of the conflict? It didn’t appear to be. Verse 3 says that it’s deadly wound was healed. Again the beast received its power, from the dragon, and again it went to make war with the saints. At least we know what the 1260 days, or years, stand for now. Amen? The dates between 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. were troublous times for God’s people, were they not? They endured through these dark times. But how did they endure? Well let’s find out.

“The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found, begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at his birth. The dragon is said to be Satan; [Revelation 12:9.] he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and his people during the first centuries of the Christian era, was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome. {GC88 438.2}”

Now, let’s look at the woman in Revelation 12. Bear with me, we are coming to the conclusion of this:

The woman of Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17:

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

            Note: Remember that the Dragon here has a dual application of representing Lucifer and the Roman church.

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Again we see the relationship of the 1260 Prophetic days with that of the time, times and half a time. We know from before that this time was set between 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. In this time was the affliction of the saints, but God Nourished them through this time, did He not? He certainly did, Praise the Lord.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. This chapter of the Revelation presents a series of events, some of which were history in John’s day, and others were prophecy. In the first part of the chapter there appears a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown with twelve stars on her head. She represents the true church. Then we see a great red dragon who attempts to destroy the Man-child born of the woman. The dragon is identified as the same enemy that warred against Michael and His angels and was banished from heaven. He is called the accuser of the brethren. It is made clear that through the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony of the saints, many have overcome him. Because of the shortening of the time, the efforts of the dragon increased and his persecution drove the woman into a place of refuge for “a time, and times, and half a time,” the 1260-year period from A.D. 538 to 1798. The woman was nourished during this time and received help that kept her from being destroyed completely. Many, but not all, who comprised the seed—the children of the woman—were put to death, forced into renunciation of their faith, or led astray through false doctrines and deceptive practices. A few, only a remnant, remained to launch once more God’s program of sending to all the world a message of His love and redeeming power. {APAY 143.3}

            Note: Now, the dragon which gave the Beast of Dan 7 and Rev 13 its power, went to make war with the woman, who is God’s church, and the remnant of her seed, which are the remaining people of God’s church. Remember how all of these tie in together.

Conclusion

So, what is the abomination that maketh desolation?

Well, so far we have established that the beasts in Dan 7 and Rev 13 set up the abomination of Desolation. They committed abomination unto God by blaspheming His name, and by making war with the saints, or the ones faithful to the lamb. Their abominations made desolate the people of God by persecution and sore afflictions. These beast represent the pagan religious power on the earth who received their power from the dragon, who sought to change times and laws, and to make war with the Saints. They have made and shall make desolate the earth by breaking it into pieces and stamping out the remnant of it. This power may have been wounded as if to death in 1798 when the pope was taken into captivity, but its deadly wound was healed. That Power is again rising up to challenge the authority of God. They commit great abominations on the earth, and seek to make desolate the remnant of God’s people. We are soon to enter into a great time of trouble, a time of sore affliction like there has never been before. Soon, that great Beast and its harlot mount will become drunken upon the blood of the saints – upon the blood those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But we have a blessed hope through these things. First, these things must come to pass before the coming of the Son of God can be, and second, as God nourished his people for 1260 years in the dark ages, so He will nourish all those who remain faithful and in all things even unto the end.

After these things, the Lamb which was slain for the abominations of the wicked shall come to bring his remnant faithful people with Him; he shall pour out His Righteous judgement. The Lamb of God shall put a finish to all the things of wickedness, abomination and destruction. He shall pour out the ultimate desolation upon the abominations of the Wicked. His wrath shall be poured out without mixture, and it shall not be quenched.

                                  

"Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly men are ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord's appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win. {DA 636.1}

            Be always prayerful and watchful -- The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut. {DA 636.2}

Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” {DA 636.3} (DA Chap 69)"

My prayer for each of us is that we would give ourselves completely unto God, to take up the banner of Christ to march forward with courage and unwavering faith. I pray that we would keep the Commandments of God, and not of man; that we would keep the faith of Jesus, and take up the cross and follow Him.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36).