Since our last version on this topic, time has advanced and with it the Coming of our dear Savior has come closer. This time we want to try to shorten the article and concentrate on the important aspects. The old version will then be gradually phased out to make room for the new. At least that is the plan.

Be reminded that Apollyon works through people. That means that last day events are instigated or inspired by Apollyon but carried out by people. In our days that may be seen as a result of greatly advanced human technology, in particular in the areas of destructive agents and those who aid control. In ages past the power that is, used "interdict" and "excommunication" as powerful tools to control rulers, governments, members, regions and countries. [10]

Today they use more secretive societies some of which came about especially since the crusades; they are deeply entrenched and further their goals by infiltration. That is why so many people can hardly `see' - causes, pathways, sequences, history - how everything takes place.

Having arrived in the year 2011, almost half gone already, we look around and what do we see? We see rapidly changing developments some of which seem to spearhead certain plans of the powers that are. Most seem to think that these societies are just a club where people meet for a good time and a few local benefits, etc. Their hierarchical structure may help to realize there is more to it. Among them are the movers and shakers of the changes in the world. What are their goals? They have three goals.

1. To reestablish absolute control in the entire world for their leader.
   
2. To undo what Protestantism has done.
   
3. To restart persecution in order to make their faith the supreme system of belief for everyone on earth.

Right now they are working especially on 1 and 2, and are preparing for 3.

They demand unquestioning submission of all of their members (despotism), akin to feudalism (see Encyclo.).

We shall try to make a list of what could come about.

1. They must destroy all liberties the United States of America's Constitution gave us.
   
2. They must control us by their own Canon Law.
   
3. That means they will endeavor to control all aspects on who can how make a living so as to identify those who don't comply and destroy them.
   

List of things happening to unsettle life that we have come used to in order to cause unrest, hardship, deaths . . . why? so we will accept canon laws, loss of liberties and freedoms, religious laws.

1. We see strange weather patterns - 2 days nice, followed by a number of days of strong winds accompanied with strange (seeded) cloud patterns and showers varying in intensity coming from the Pacific to bring tons of rain and snow to flood lands, to drive out the poor. Early May weather started out nice (they gave us a break).
   
2. Make the masses poor so they'll beg their destroyers for help.
   
3. Drastically reduce world populations by whatever means.
4. Show the world what it means to be a dragon controlled "beast" power.
   
5. Fulfill again and again the "all" in Rev. 18:24 (offline link).
   
6. Unwittingly speed up the soon Coming of Christ in Might and Power.

In the previous version we spoke on the three stages of the judgment. They are important to understand in so far that we must realize that we don't float into heaven without examination. It shows Christ died for those who do follow Him in His footsteps, not our own, or those of a dragon.

How Can We Enter Into the Rest

Realizing the shortness of time, believers will seek to be part of God's family in order to be in harmony with the heavenly kingdom. Once that happens, the sinner's sins are laid up in the sanctuary to be washed by His blood and he can rest in Christ his Savior. Now all these end time events are not anymore a fearful looking forward to judgment day, but they become milestones on his way to heaven, and our hearts warm up as we see God 's wonderful Word of Prophecy light the way so we can look up and see the Redeemer of all mankind come to take those who willingly chose Him, to take them home.

Peace can then reign in the heart from day to day and all fear is gone, for assurance of salvation replaces it daily through prayer, praising God and being aware of the power of God that surrounds each and every one of His people.

Where do we find this in the Bible?

The Sure Result of Trusting in God

"Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people." Ephesians 6:18, GNB.

God's people are a praying people, the breathing of the soul; they are a God trusting people for victory, healing, love and divine power, based on the promises of God. Their prayers are often in the quietness of their chamber, in their thoughts without public fanfare or display, in the recesses and quietness of nature, at church.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2, ESV.

The Apostle to the gentiles advises his listeners to continue in living the gospel message and at the same time to always pray in order not to be sidetracked and caught by surprise by the devil and sin. Rather, God's people are to always cling to faith in prayer, praise and in the sustaining power of God in their life.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1.Thess. 5:18, KJV.

Living according to this principle of praying, praising, and claiming God's power to get us through the day, God's people cannot fail for they will be equipped with the armor of God which defeats the arrows of the wicked and keeps us safe. Now we can glory together with the Psalmist as he wrote,

107:1 "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
107:2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
107:6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
107:8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalms 107:1-9.

Now we can understand how God can strengthen us beyond all we ever imagined. Here it is.

"Those who look within (themselves) for comfort will become weary and disappointed. A sense of our weakness and unworthiness should lead us with humility of heart to plead the atoning sacrifice of Christ. As we rely upon His merits we shall find rest and peace and joy. He saves to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.
We need to trust in Jesus daily, hourly. He has promised that as our day is, our strength shall be. By His grace we may bear all the burdens of the present and perform its duties. But many are weighed down by the anticipation of future troubles. They are constantly seeking to bring tomorrow's burdens into today. Thus a large share of all their trials are imaginary. For these, Jesus has made no provision. He promises grace only for the day. He bids us not to burden ourselves with the cares and troubles of tomorrow; for "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
The habit of brooding over anticipated evils is unwise and unchristian. In thus doing we fail to enjoy the blessings and to improve the opportunities of the present. The Lord requires us to perform the duties of today and to endure its trials. We are today to watch that we offend not in word or deed. We must today praise and honor God. By the exercise of living faith today we are to conquer the enemy. We must today seek God and be determined that we will not rest satisfied without His presence. We should watch and work and pray as though this were the last day that would be granted us. How intensely earnest, then, would be our life. How closely would we follow Jesus in all our words and deeds." {5T 200.1-3}

Thus we see, once we have become followers of Christ we can rest. We can then live one day at a time for that one day and claim God's promises for that one day and not be worn out by tomorrow until it comes. For many worry, will I have something to eat for my family and me? Will I still have a place I can call home? - For you see today, many lost these very things. - The Bible states that God's people need not fear for they will be protected, they can find shelter under the wings of God. - Then when the flood waters come, you can plan ahead and the Lord will lead you to take the right steps for you are not anymore alone, the family of God is on your side.

God has told His church to help those in need. The church is to live up to this challenge especially today. We are not to erect costly palaces, but palaces where the mercies of God can be displayed. For we are told ...

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

And again,

"But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy." Psalm 59:16,17.

Do we see now that there is a difference between the `time of the end' and the `end of time'?

We are still in the former, we have not quite yet arrived in that latter, but we are headed straight into it, however, until it is here, we serve those around us in need.

In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue. But will they profit by His teachings? will they receive His reproofs and heed His warnings? God will accept of no partial obedience; He will sanction no compromise with self. {4T 147.4}

So what can we learn from ancient times which will lighten our day today?

The most important message we can learn is not to hang on to anything that is as an idol before us, for that was their undoing anciently.

Do people have anything in their lives today that takes the place of such idols? And we recall that every idol is a devil, 1.Cor. 10:19,20. [16]

To find out let us look first briefly at the ancient idols.

22:51 "Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.
22:52 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
22:53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the Lord God of Israel, according to all that his father had done." 2/Kings 22:51-53.

Are we to live like our parents? What if our parents were not faithful to God? We must quit looking at their example, and live according to God's faithful models we read about in the Bible.

So, what happens if we still live like our parents who did not believe in God and we encounter disastrous hardship?

"And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease." 2.Kings 1:2

Ahaziah knew about the Creator God, yet he clung to what his parents had clung to. Consequently, God in His mercy sent His prophet to tell the new king what the end result of his actions would be.

"But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed." 2.Kings 1:3,4.

In effect Elijah states, `Is it because you don't trust the living God that you seek help from a man made god?'

How much had the king of Israel heard and seen in his father's time of the wondrous works of the Most High! What terrible evidence of His severity and jealousy had God given apostate Israel! Of all this, Ahaziah was cognizant; yet he acted as though these awful realities, and even the fearful end of his own father, were only an idle tale. (Today many treat the whole Bible like that. Do not follow them.) Instead of humbling his heart before the Lord he ventured upon the most daring act of impiety which marked his life. He commanded his servants: "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease." {5T 192.1}

Prejudices Blind Eyes to Truth.--The more closely the Scriptures are studied, the more clearly shall we understand the true character of our thoughts and actions. But thousands put the Bible on one side for the same reason that Ahab hated Micaiah, 2.Chr. 13:1ff. Because it prophesies evil against the sinner, they claim that they find objections and contradictions in God's Word. While professing to be open to conviction, they allow prejudice to hold sway, and refuse to see the truth which that Word reveals. {2BC 1036.1}

What had happened in earlier times, in the days of Ahaziah, after he fell through the lattices? The king got mad at Elijah, God's faithful servant.

The First Incident.

"Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty." 2.Kings 1:9,10.

Those men were not ignorant men on the history of their people. They knew God, but sided with the unbelievers.

The Second Incident.

"Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly. And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty." 2.Kings 1:11,12.

Apparently these did not learn a single lesson. Yet, that changed during ...

The Third Incident.

"And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. And the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. So he died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he (Ahaziah) had no son." 2.Kings 1:13-17.

Now, why could at least the second captain not have reacted like that?

It is there for our admonition in our days.

Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan, may boast of great benefit received; but does this prove their course to be wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to have disregarded the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an irrecoverable loss. We cannot with impunity break down a single barrier which God has erected to guard His people from Satan's power. {CC 219.6}

That takes us back to always pray, praise and trust in the power of God alone.

Ahazaiah ultimately distrusted the Spirit of God. We are to be watchmen on the wall of the city of God, His church, to avoid falling away from God and trusting Baal-zebub and his leading away from the Word of God.

God's wheels may grind slowly at times, yet we are always to only trust in the Lord.

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" 1.Cor. 9:16.

The words of the prophet declare the solemn responsibility of those who are appointed as guardians of the church of God, stewards of the mysteries of God. They are to stand as watchmen on the walls of Zion, to sound the note of alarm at the approach of the enemy. Souls are in danger of falling under temptation, and they will perish unless God's ministers are faithful to their trust. If for any reason their spiritual senses become so benumbed that they are unable to discern danger, and through their failure to give warning the people perish, God will require at their hands the blood of those who are lost. {AA 361.1}

"God will do what is right: he will bring suffering on those who make you suffer, and he will give relief to you who suffer and to us as well. He will do this when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with his mighty angels, with a flaming fire, to punish those who reject God and who do not obey the Good News about our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious might." 2.Thess. 1:6-9, GNB.

The sure result of our faith, dear reader, will be success.

"And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent." John 17:3, GNB.

The Word of God

These are eventful times. With history-making changes passing rapidly before men's eyes, the questions press upon thoughtful minds in all lands, What do these things mean? What is next in the program of world-shaping events?

Like a searchlight shining across the centuries, the sure Word of Prophecy focuses its bright beams upon Our Day. In this light we see clearly the trend of events, and may understand what comes next in the program of history fulfilling prophecy.

In the Volume of the Book of the living God speaks to Our Day of events of the past that have a lesson for the present, and of things to come. Divine prophecy fulfilled before men's eyes is God's challenge to unbelief. The Word of Holy Writ has been the guiding light through all the ages. It is the lamp to our feet today.

"When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Prov. 6:22.

Here is companionship, faithful and true, a blessed guide and guardian and friend.

God Its Author

The sixty-six books of Holy Scripture were written by many penmen, over a space of fifteen centuries; yet it is one book, and one voice speaks through all its pages. Spurgeon once said of his experience with this book:

Yet, we just have come out of a few days, where the words of someone professing to believe the Word of God was tested and that man was found to be a false interpreter. Some, no doubt. after this will shelve religion and fall away from God. That usually occurs as a consequence of dashed hopes because some hop on the bandwagon to be on board for the trip, without deep examination. They believed the words of a man who openly trespassed the Law of God, and since they also regarded the law of God lightly, the Bible was not the shining book on their way through life but it was a book of riddles and hard to understand concepts without them even realizing it for they are condemned already, for they were not of God.

So we ask, `What kind of things condemn already? The answer of Jesus was:

3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.(measured against God's eternally valid standard, His law)
3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." John 3:17-20.

The people Moses led out of Egypt broke the law of God (Ex. 20:1-17; 31:18) right after it was given to them, despite the fact, that they had agreed to keep it. - For you see, that all nations make laws to govern by indicates that all nations believe that human beings can keep laws. - Yet, God was patient with them and with Moses after he broke the stone tablets in His fervor for the Lord God, Ex. 32:15-35. And Moses made new stone tablets and God wrote His eternally binding law once more on it, (Ex. 34).

This book, God's Word, declares of itself: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2.Tim. 3:16. "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2.Peter 1:21.

It is the voice of the Almighty. Very different it is from the sacred books of the non-Christian religions. In these writings it is man speaking about God; in the Holy Scriptures it is God speaking to man. The difference is as great as heaven is higher than the earth. Here it is not man groping in the darkness after God. In this book of God's revelation we see the divine arm reaching down to save the lost, and hear the voice of the living Father calling to His children, every one and everywhere. "Incline your ear," He calls, "hear, and your soul shall live." Isa. 55:3.

The Word That Creates

We must have something more than instruction; we must have a word of power that is able to tell of sins forgiven, and to conduct us beyond the grave to heaven. One of the greatest of China's sages, Mencius, said, "Instruction can impart information, but not the power to execute." That touches the crucial point. We must have instruction that can come with power divine to execute, to bring about. We have it only in God's words. Christ said, "It is spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. And yet, today there are so many people who do not even know what sin is, much less of what to do about it. They have missed out on an important aspect of common education. For them the words may become true where it says, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not (, yasha=saved) saved." Jeremiah 8:20.

The words of God are living words. When God spoke in the beginning, "Let there be light," lo, the light sprang out of the darkness. There was power in the word spoken to bring forth. "Let the earth bring forth grass," was the word of the Lord: and the earth was carpeted with its first rich greensward. So through all the work of creation, the creative power was in the word spoken.

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." "He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Ps. 33:6,9.

Even so, when this word speaks instruction to man, there is creative power in the word, if received, to work mightily in the soul that is dead in trespasses and sins. Man must be born again, be re-created. That we know; for Christ says, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again ["from above," margin], he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 2:4.

And the word of God - the Bible from heaven - received by faith, is the agency by which this new birth "from above" is wrought. This is the declaration of our text: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1.Peter 1:23.

The Word that Works Within

Not only does the word of God give new birth, making the believer a new man, - the past forgiven and a new heart within, - but the word that re-creates abides in the believing heart that studies it and clings to it, to work in the life with actual power that is not of the man himself. To the Thessalonians, who had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God," the apostle wrote:

"The word itself works within, and works effectually. There is nothing mechanical about it. The mere letter profits nothing. The Bible on the center table, unstudied and unloved, has no magic power. But God promises to abide by His Spirit of power in the heart that listens to His voice and trembles at His word. Jesus Himself tells us the secret of this power of the word to work in the believing heart.

"If man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23.

No wonder, then, believing and receiving the word brings divine power into the life, making it possible for transformations of character to be wrought, for victories to be won and obedience rendered to every command of God.

Simply believing God's word touches the current of everlasting power, even as the trolley arm of the electric car reaches up and touches the current of power flowing through the wire overhead. The faith that takes the living word brings the power divine into the heart to move all the spiritual mechanism of life's service.

The Word Our Safety and Defense

When Christ came to live as our example in the flesh, and to give His life a sacrifice for sin, He, the divine Son of God, made Himself like unto His brethren. "I can of Mine own self do nothing," He said. John 5:30. Tempted and tried, He found His defense in the Holy Scriptures. When Satan came to tempt Him to sin, the Saviour said, "It is written." He clung to the sure defense. Again the tempter came. He was met with the word, "It is written again." The third time it was the same weapon of defense, "It is written." Matth. 4:1-11.

Christ found safety only in the Scriptures of truth. So the Bible is the Christian's shield against the enemy's attacks. As Jesus studied the Scriptures and kept the words ever in His heart for a defense against temptation, so must every Christian study and meditate upon God's Holy Word if its counsels and precepts are to be his defense in the moment of sudden temptation to sin. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart," said the psalmist, "that I might not sin against Thee." Ps. 119:11. It was the only way for Christ, our Pattern; it is the only way for us,

The Bread of Life

The word of God is the daily food for the soul. "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Mt. 4:4.

Who has not, in hurried times, missed a meal, working on through the day, never thinking of the prolonged fast? But after a time there came a sense of weakening force, a lack of physical power. What was the trouble? At once the reason was evident - one had not taken food, and the system was calling for a renewal of its forces. Just so the spiritual life must needs be fed by the word of God.

Do we at times feel a sense of weakening of the spiritual power, a letting down of the vital forces of the soul? Ah, in the hurry of life we have neglected to feed upon the living bread. We can no more sustain spiritual vigor and health without feeding daily upon God's Holy Word than we can maintain physical power without eating our daily bread. Eat of the life-giving word, the taste for it grows with the partaking.

There is life in "every word." The psalmist found the Lord's testimonies "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb," or, as the marginal reading has it, than "the dropping of the honeycomb." Ps. 19:10. We get the picture of the honeycomb inverted, the cell caps broken open, the sweetness dripping down. Just so every word of the Lord is a cell full of sweetness and life for the soul that feasts upon the Holy Scriptures.

The Source of All Doctrines

The Bible is the complete and perfect rule of faith and doctrine. Here every doctrine of salvation is found. Inspiration has declared it in the words of the apostle Paul to Timothy.

"From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2.Tim. 3:15-17.

The divine command is, "Study." For every generation there has been a message borne by this living word, making call to reformation of life, or giving warning and comfort. "The Bible is not a collection of truths formulated in propositions," said Dr. Samuel Harris, of Yale, "but God's majestic march through history, redeeming men from sin."

In every age God has been ruling and overruling, witnessing by His Spirit through the living word. The experiences recorded of past ages have their special lesson for the present time:

"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4.

"Let vs therefore all with feruent desyre," as the Old English of 1540 spelled the exhortation of Erasmus, "thyrste after these spirituall sprynges. . . Let vs kisse these swete wordes of Christ with a pure affeccion. Let vs be newe transformed into them, for soche are oure maners as oure studies be."

The Book for All Mankind

It speaks in every tongue to the human heart. Its power to transform has been shown through all the centuries in every climate and among every race. One of the Gospels was put into the Chiluba tongue of Central Africa. After a time a Garneganze chief came to Dan Crawford, the missionary, changed from the spirit of a fierce, wicked barbarian to that of a teachable child. Explaining his conversion, the chief said: "I was startled to find that Christ could speak Chiluba. I heard him speak to me out of the printed page, and what he said was, `Follow me!'"

Of the Bible's universal speech to all mankind, Dr. Henry van Dyke has said:

"Born in the East, and clothed in Oriental form and imagery, the Bible walks the ways of all the world with familiar feet, and enters land after land to find its own everywhere. It has learned to speak in hundreds of languages to the heart of man. It comes into the palace to tell the monarch that he is the servant of the Most High, and into the cottage to assure the peasant that he is the son of God. Children listen to its stories with wonder and delight, and wise men ponder them as parables of life. It has a word of peace for the time of peril, a word of comfort for the day of calamity, a word of light for the hour of darkness. Its oracles are repeated in the assembly of the people, and its counsels whispered in the ear of the lonely. The wise and the proud tremble at its warnings, but to the wounded and penitent it has a mother's voice. . . .

"its great words grow richer, as pearls do when they are worn near the heart. No man is poor or desolate who has this treasure for his own. When the landscape darkens and the trembling pilgrim comes to the valley named the Shadow, he is not afraid to enter; he takes the rod and staff of Scripture in his hand; he says to friend and comrade, `Good-by, we shall meet again.' and comforted by that support he goes toward the lonely pass as one who climbs through darkness into light." [The Century Magazine]

In the days of His life on earth, Jesus was a welcome guest in humble homes in Judea and Galilee. "The common people heard Him gladly." His presence brought peace and comfort to the home, he is no longer with us in bodily presence; but He is the same Saviour still - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever." Heb. 13:8. By His Spirit, through the living word of Holy Scripture, He enters the home where faith receives Him, and speaks again the gracious salutation, "Peace be to this home."

Christ in the Middle of it all

All the Bible bears witness of Christ as the Saviour of the world, John 4:42;1.Jh. 4:14. He Himself said of the Scriptures, "They are they which testify of Me." John 5:39. "To Him give all the Prophets witness." Acts 10:43. We see Him as the coming Messiah in promise and prophecy, in type and shadow. His is the divine, living personality standing out in every book that makes up the Sacred Volume. As we read with loving heart, the Author seems near in every page.

And having beheld Him in giving His life as the divine sacrifice, and rising in triumph over death to be our great High Priest in the heavenly temple, as we read these Sacred Scriptures yet again, in every book, from Genesis to Revelation, we see Him as the coming King of kings, coming to take His children to the eternal home of the saved. The whole book is a bright window through which we gaze on coming glory.

"The Word of God . . . liveth and abideth forever." 1.Pet. 1:23. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." Mt. 24:35.

The continuous form is a form of speech we notice frequently in the Bible. It is indicated by those words that end with "eth", `liveth, abideth, readeth.' It keeps on occurring, and goes on and so it is, for God is its author. God's word shall never pass away, especially those uttered by God on Mt. Sinai but those who despise God's law shall pass away and be lost unless they repent like Israel did - for a while.

Coping with A False Prophet - Why is He False?

Therefore, dear reader, while the false prophet led you away from obedience to the Word of God up to May 21, 2011, do not blame God for it, blame the false prophet and return unto the Word. You should have learned in May 2011, it is never, never good to follow the exposition of the Bible of a single man. We are to learn from each other - to recognize truth from error - those that have already occurred in ages past. God gives His truths not out like that, so leave him and read Revelation chapter 12 so you can discover how the Bible describes God's true church on earth and follow it, word for word and test each phrase in all the Bible to derive at the truth. - It is dangerous to look at apparent charisma of speech and gentle behavior alone. Test each `prophet' according to Isa. 8:20 (the litmus test); Rev. 19:10; 1:2,9.

The false prophet said over his radio stations, `The whole Bible is the law of God.' Is that true? No! The truth is that the whole Bible contains laws, various types of laws, but the `Law of God' which He wrote with His own finger on hard stone are the Ten Commandments which the false prophet hated - otherwise he would have kept all ten - and he will be lost, unless he repents. Let this be a warning to all those who teach falsities along those same lines, for there are many of them.

Last Day Events

1. Many supposed Christians are like the world; they will unite together, 2.Tim. 4:10.
   
2. Papists, Protestants and worldlings alike will accept the form of godliness without the power to convert, 2. Tim. 3:1-5.
   
3. Worldlings are the pleasure-seeking ones who would never go along with the devil's religious law if they were not tricked into it by spiritualism, or pressured into it by a threat of losing their ability to make money, or by a threat of some other punishment.
   
4. Thus the three, Papists, apostate Protestants, Worldlings, will see in their union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long expected millennium, Rev. 20:3-7. {GC 588,589}
   
5. Could we see, we would see forms of evil angels around us, trying to invent some new way to annoy and destroy us, for we are on enchanted ground and must have the full armor of faith, and then we shall be able to stand, and the fiery darts of the wicked cannot harm us. God's people must go through a thorough understanding of present truth, which they will be obliged to maintain from the Scriptures. {Rev. 12:12; Eph. 6:13-17; EW 59-61}
   
6. Could we see, we should also see angels of God guarding us from their power; for God's watchful eye is over Israel for good, and He will protect and save His people, if they put their trust in Him, Ps. 91:11.
   
7. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him, Isa. 59:19.
   
8. Satan will have the power to bring before us the appearance of forms of the dead to deceive us, only those who know what happens to the dead will be able to withstand, Rev. 16:14.
   
9. Through Spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the human race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer through intemperance since it dethrones human reasoning power, through sensual indulgence, strife, and blood shed follow.
   
10. Satan delights in war, for it excites the worst passions of the soul and then sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood, 1.Peter 5:8.
    
11. The arch deceivers wicked helpers will cause unrest worldwide, for we read, "... the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence." Ezekiel 7:23. That is exactly what we increasingly see happening today around the whole world.
    
12. It is Satan's object to incite the nations to war against one another, for he can this way divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God.[250]
    
13. Satan works through the elements of nature to garner his harvest of unprepared souls, Job 1.
    
14. It is God who shields His creatures and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer, Ps. 33:20; 84:9.
    
15. But when the Christian world shows contempt for the law of God; the Lord will do just what He has declared that He would do - He will withdraw His blessings from the earth and remove His protecting care from those who are rebelling against His law and teaching and forcing others to do the same, Dt. 31:16-18.
    
16. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. Satan will favor and prosper some in order to further his own designs, and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them, Job.
    
17. While appearing to people on earth as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster that only God can heal (Mt. 9:35; Ps. 41), until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation [Case in point, Syria].
    
18. He works now in accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power, Nahum 1:3; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11.
    
19. Satan sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow, Gen. 45:6.
    
20. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence, Ex. 9:15; Dt. 28.
    
21. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous, Rev. 12:12.
    
22. Destruction will be upon both man and beast, Isaiah 24:4,5

The whole wicked world stands arraigned at the bar of God, on the charge of high treason against the government of Heaven. They have none to plead their cause; they are without excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is pronounced against them. {GC88 668.2}

It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. The wicked see what they have forfeited by their life of rebellion. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory was despised when offered them; but how desirable it now appears. "All this," cries the lost soul, "I might have had; but I chose to put these things far from me. Oh, strange infatuation! I have exchanged peace, happiness, and honor for wretchedness, infamy, and despair." All see that their exclusion from heaven is just. By their lives they have declared: "We will not have this Man [Jesus] to reign over us." {GC 668.3; Lk. 19:14}

As if entranced, the wicked have looked upon the coronation of the Son of God. They see in His hands the tables of the divine law, the statutes which they have despised and transgressed. They witness the outburst of wonder, rapture, and adoration from the saved; and as the wave of melody sweeps over the multitudes without the city, all with one voice exclaim, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints" (Revelation 15:3); and, falling prostrate, they worship the Prince of life. {GC 668.4}

Satan seems paralyzed as he beholds the glory and majesty of Christ. He who was once a covering cherub remembers whence he has fallen. A shining seraph, "son of the morning;" how changed, how degraded! From the council where once he was honored, he is forever excluded. He sees another now standing near to the Father, veiling His glory. He has seen the crown placed upon the head of Christ by an angel of lofty stature and majestic presence, and he knows that the exalted position of this angel might have been his. {GC 669.1}

No Rapture - Second Coming of Christ Instead

The rapture actually is not taught anywhere in the Bible. The word `rapture' does not even occur in its pages. So, let us start by first describing what the Bible teaches about Christ's Second Coming to this earth in Might and Power.

We read,

"Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebr. 9:28.

Too often the second coming of Christ is looked upon simply as a doctrine. It is, however, more than a doctrine merely to be believed; it is an impending event, something that is to take place on earth, you might say, it is a friendly invasion from Space for those who are in tune with God.

This second coming of Jesus Christ, like His first coming when He was born in Bethlehem, has been the theme of divine prophecy from the very beginning, Acts 3:18-21.

As iniquity abounds more and more on earth, we know,

"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him." Psalm 50:3.

And the prophets of later time were unceasingly moved upon to talk of the glory of that coming, of events preceding it, and of the preparation necessary for it.

What Will It Look Like When He Comes?

Christ's second coming is to be visible to all the world. There is to be nothing secret or mystical about it. John wrote,

"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." Rev. 1:7.

Jesus himself described the scene for his disciples, saying,

"As the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matth. 24:27.

And again,

"Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:26.

You see, Christ comes visibly for all to near this earth - He does not set foot on it - but will take us up to heaven in a visible space journey, a visible "lift off", an astronaut's dream come true, except without their oxygen tanks and clabong if you please, for the redeemed of God will be changed in that very moment, to ride on the chariots of God, 1.Cor. 15:51,52. That is what the Bible teaches - for why should God do anything in secret? The type for this event was when the prophet Elijah was taken up into heaven.

No. There is no secret rapture. All God's redeemed will be changed, translated, in an instant - the living as they are taken up to meet Christ in the air, and the dead, who are resurrected as they rise from their graves.

That is the glorious day all of God's people are waiting for; it is the day of victory for what Christ did for the human race when He died on the Cross and rose again to serve as our Mediator in the Heavenly Sanctuary to cleanse us from sin and all unrighteousness while we still live on earth.

The day of the Lord - the close of probation -, the initial outpouring of the judgments of God - will come "as a thief in the night," but Christ's personal appearing will be visible to all. The heavens will open, the earth quake, the trump of God resound and reverberate, and such glory as mortal eye has never seen will burst upon the world when He comes a King of kings and Lord of lords. It is the day when those who did not believe, will try to hide in the rocks or in their underground bunkers, the nuclear fallout shelters, yet they will cry to the rocks to fall on them for the brightness of His coming is too much for their `unchanged' eyes, for it will be to all sinners as a consuming fire.

The sale of doomsday bunkers up 1,000%. - Sales of bomb shelters and doomsday bunkers are surging as Americans fear the disasters and chaos erupting abroad will soon spread to the United States. [CNN, March, 2011]

"This Same Jesus"

The Lord would have His children understand that this One who comes in power and glory is the same Savior of men who once walked among the hills and towns of Palestine. As the disciples were watching their Savior, and ours, ascending bodily into heaven from Mount Olives, until "a cloud received Him out of their sight," suddenly two angels stood by them, who said,

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9,11.

"This same Jesus"! It was the loving Friend and Elder Brother, Son of man as well as the Son of God, who was passing from their sight. He will come back again as the "same Jesus" though in glory indescribable, having "all the holy angels with Him."

The prophet Habakuk describes Christ's glorious appearing this way,

"God is coming again from Edom (from the east); the holy God is coming from the hills of Paran. His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise. He comes with the brightness of lightening; light flashes from his hand, there were his power is hidden." Habakuk 3:3,4, GNB.

As the redeemed see Him who was crucified for them coming in glory, they will cry, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9.

But that day will also be a day of darkness as well as of light. The unready, the unrepentant, will realize too late that in rejecting Christ's pardon and love and sacrifice, they have rejected the only means by which they might have been prepared to meet the coming King, before whose face no sin can endure. No bomb shelter will help.

6:15 "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev. 6:15-17.

The scenes in the Bible describing that day are so far beyond human expectations and anticipations that it is difficult to realize that such a time is actually before us.

What is the purpose of His coming?

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13.

It will fulfill the promises made in the pages of the Word of God. All the promises made to those who believed over the years of human history after the Fall of Adam. It is the great climax of salvation. Not until this day are God's people ushered into the eternal kingdom. Then the crowns of life will be handed out, and the saved all go together through the gates into the city of God.

Today, the conflicts raging in the world, in the end, they will all be about `What have you done with Jesus?' (Joshua 22:24 paraphrased) and "Why did you not keep my laws?" Ezekiel 44:24; John 8:43.

Thus, we may not know the very day when God will reveal Himself in Might and Power, we may only know when it is near, even at the door, for we are only saved by faith and not by sight, for when faith has turned to sight, probation was closed already for some time.

The Bible teaches that the signs of the nearing of His coming, on God's clock, will be after the division of the fourth beast empire, the Roman Empire, after the "little horn" has become great, and persecuted God's people who believed in the salvation through Jesus, not earthly priests who do not keep the law of God. According to the prophet Daniel, the period of trial and persecution was to reach way ahead, "even to the time of the end," Daniel 11:35. This `time of the end' is delineated in the Bible by a series of historically documented events.

1. The great earthquake, Rev. 6:12.
   
2. The darkening of the sun and moon, Joel 2:31; Mt. 24:29; Mark 13:24; Lk. 21:25; Acts 2:20; Rev. 6:12.
   
3. The moon turns into the color of blood which happened the night following the dark day, Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; Rev. 6:12.
   
4. The falling of the stars (meteorites), Mt. 24:29.
   
5. Distress of nations, and other signs, Lk. 21:25.

When were these signs to begin?

These cosmic signs would begin "immediately after the tribulation of those day."

So we ask, when did the bloody persecutions of those long centuries of supremacy of the persecuting power stop?

Here is the account.

About in the middle of the 18th century, when a period of a so-called enlightenment flooded Europe changing the opinions of its people, including men and women in those countries ruled by Catholicism, the long period of persecutions, in which the papacy used the secular state to accomplish the elimination of those who did not agree with papal assumptions, teachings and pronouncements, came to its end. As far as we can tell, one of the last so-called heretics who was mercilessly tortured and executed was a Huguenot in France by the name of Jean Calas. Monsieur Calas had been falsely accused of a crime, yet he was killed nevertheless, causing many among the Huguenots, thinking the old spirit of persecution was raising its head again, to get ready to flee to Switzerland and other countries. When Francois Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire, 1694-1778), became aware of this he was able to influence public opinion so much as to prompt the Parliament in Paris to examine the case and had King Louis XV. (1715-1774), pay a large sum of money to the family of the deceased.
Thus it came that the old spirit of persecution came to its prophesied end at least in western Europe shortly before the 1260 years ended in 1798, Matth. 24:22. It was now time for the other prophetical events to occur, like the earthquake. the dark day and the stars falling. [For the cosmic signs follow the link. For an explanation of the 1260 day/year period click here]

What does the Bible say we ought to expect as the Second Coming draws near?

Well, we find in the Bible a list of events, which, when they happen together let us know that the Second Advent of Jesus is near, at the door.

Why does God allow that?

Here is why. God allows men a period of probation; but there is a point beyond which divine patience is exhausted, and the judgments of God are sure to follow. The Lord bears long with men, and with cities, mercifully giving warnings to save them from divine wrath; but a time will come when pleadings for mercy will no longer be heard, and the rebellious element that continues to reject the light of truth will be blotted out, in mercy to themselves and to those who would otherwise be influenced by their example.

The time is at hand when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn. Disasters by sea and by land follow one another in quick succession. How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God's purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.

Do these calamities in nature (earthquakes, tornadoes, fire, flood) remind you of the list above? Why, I just learned that (GM) genetically engineered foods have been tested in laboratories and Bt toxin was found in those who ate these products. That means some items on the list don't happen with a bang. They stealthily steal themselves upon us without us realizing it, unless we have prior warning. That is what it means to be aroused to a sense of our danger. While we may not be able to prevent to be exposed to all these things, we are able to accept the saving grace and divine messages which are designed to get us (our character) ready for the Second Advent.

God's messengers in the great cities are not to become discouraged over the wickedness, the injustice, the depravity, which they are called upon to face while endeavoring to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. The Lord would cheer every such worker with the same message that He gave to the apostle Paul in wicked Corinth: "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." Acts 18:9, 10. That is a promise of God you can claim. Let those engaged in soul-saving ministry remember that while there are many who will not heed the counsel of God in His word, the whole world will not turn from light and truth, from the invitations of a patient, forbearing Saviour. In every city, filled though it may be with violence and crime, there are many who with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus. Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led to receive Christ as a personal Saviour. {PK 276.3-277.2}

Amen to that. - But remember, all these signs are signals that we are on track to that great day, but other things have to occur also, pretty much like in the order we have on our graphic display.

"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Rev. 7:2,3.

The sealing work is to take place while the winds of strife are being held back. God's seal will be placed upon the righteous just before the great final destruction breaks over the world. Anarchy and lawlessness such as never seen before is just about to sweep this world. What we see happening in Japan, New Zealand, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and other nations is just a shadow of what is coming.

God in His mercy is giving us a preview of what is just about to transpire. Unhealthy foods and poison containing things people ingest and/or handle are on the increase, being manufactured that way on purpose. Food shortages have caused prices to shoot up more and more people are unable to feed themselves. In America starvation is already there for many, while the government is sending sustenance, costing millions, abroad. In Japan, just after the tsunami destroyed parts of the northern country, people waited in long lines that circle around city blocks, just to have a chance to buy food. The World Trade Organisation says that the Source of Food is none of your business to know, "Do you want to know what country produced the food you eat? Too bad, says the WTO. That is a barrier to free trade, so you don't get to know." - Why would you want to know, to avoid radioactive contaminated foods? Yes? Well, you won't know now. That is, the common man (the catechumes) will not know, but apparently the goyims will, depending how useful these terms are.[450]

Terrible times are ahead of us; however, those who are sealed with the seal of the living God will be protected when the four winds are loosed. We must have God's stamp of approval before we enter those times.

But while God is placing His seal upon His remnant, the wicked powers of earth, by sentence of death, are seeking to compel all to receive the mark of the beast, and to worship and obey the beast or his image. But God's warning is, "... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture. ..." Rev. 14:9,10.

The Bible says that the seven last plagues "is filled up the wrath of God." Rev. 15:1.

Yet those who receive the seal of God are those who the dragon (Satan) makes war against. This remnant people who have the seal of God are those who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus." Rev. 12:17.

Again this same remnant is described in Rev. 14:12, who under the work of the Third Angel's Message receive the seal of God. We read, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.

Thus all the inhabitants of this world are divided into just two classes,

1. the one keeping the commandments of God, and having His seal in their foreheads, and against whom a sentence of death is passed;
   
2. the other class obeying the dictates of the beast, receiving his mark in their foreheads or hands, and destined to drink of the seven last plagues that contain the "wrath of God."

In which class will you be found? Will you have the seal of God or the mark of the beast? How important then is it that we know what constitutes the seal and mark, that we may receive the one and avoid the other?

The Seal of God verses the Mark of the Beast

A seal is a sign of power or authority, and must contain the name or descriptive title of the one who exercises the power, or asserts the authority. That power of authority is found in God's law, particularly the 4th Commandment.

God's servants are sealed on their foreheads and also have their Father's name written therein. In other words, God's seal contains His names and names are descriptive of character.

"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." Isaiah 8:16.

From this verse we see that God's law or seal and character has been robbed from among His disciples, for it has to be bound to them now. Yet prophecy declares that in the latter days it is to be restored to its rightful place.

The work of Revelation 14:4-12 is the message that needs to be given to the world because it is a call to receive the seal of the living God. It also warns us to refuse the mark of the beast.

In order to properly understand the seal of God and the importance of the message of Revelation 14 we have to also understand Daniel chapter 7 which talks about how the little horn would attempt to change God's law or seal and institute the mark of the beast - a counterfeit seal. A proper study of prophecy will reveal how the little horn is none other than Rome. For we read, "And he shall speak words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws . . ." Daniel 7:25.

There is only one power in the world that fits all the descriptions of this power - it fits only the Roman Papacy. It does not refer to the people but to the office, the seat, which represents the leadership.[500]

To understand this further we have to go to Revelation 13. Here we see the same description of this beast: "And the dragon (Satan) gave his power, and his seat, and great authority." Rev. 13:2.

Today the evangelical churches are wondering after her. Protestantism no longer protests the abominations and drunkenness of this beast. Martin Luther believed that the Papacy was the anti-Christ. Huss and Jerome believed that also, and so did John Calvin too. Even in the 17th, 18th, 19th, and early part of the 20th Century almost every Protestant church still believed that.

The "Christian" world today claims that we are no longer subject to God's moral standard of righteousness. Prophecy has declared in 2.Thess. in context, that "sin" would be "revealed" in the "temple of God." This describes the condition of the fallen churches who have apostatized from truth for they were once part of the `Temple of God.' Even more, the "man of sin" does not only claim infallibility, but he accepts by that claim to have authority to change the very law of God.

Prophecy also tells us that the little horn of Daniel 7:25 would attempt to change God's seal or God's law.

Here is why the sealing message is very important. The fact is that among the disciples today the law is robbed of its sign or seal, for God's Sabbath, the seventh day, has been set aside and another, the first day, has been substituted. But God calls upon those who are "looking for Him" to restore the seal to the law. This is the heart and soul of the three angels' messages found in Revelation 14; 14:14.

How This Character Is Received

In spite of the hardships and the death threats from the beast and his image against the remnant, God's faithful will continue to worship the Lord God alone by keeping his commandments. This is a test of character. We will be tested to see whether or not our profession of faith goes farther than just a mere theoretical knowledge.

Today multitudes sin and go to church to praise God. Even in the nominal churches thousands fill the arenas lifting their hands to worship the God of heaven proclaiming "hosannas" in the name of Jesus. But how many have accepted the seal of God's authority in their lives? How many of us are obeying Christ, keeping all of His commandments including the Sabbath? We demonstrate Christ's sovereignty in our lives by our obedience to Him.

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46.

To accept Christ is to accept His character. God's character is revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. To have Christ in us is to be one with God. As Jesus said, "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one." John 17:23.

This is the seal of the living God. This is what it means to have the name of God written on our foreheads. Today we must ask ourselves: Up to what point is Jesus the Lord of my life? How far am I willing to serve him and be faithful?

Dear reader, if you truly desire to receive the seal of the living God we ought to carry to the world His Sabbath, which is the sign or seal of His creative power. We should keep and encourage others to keep all of God's commandments. We should be one with God through Jesus Christ and accept His sovereignty. If we do this we will be numbered among His remnant who will have the seal of God. In the end we will either receive the seal of God or the mark of the beast. Whose image and superscription will you bear? [Ralph Perez]

Out of The Cities

The world is headed toward alarming conditions in numerous ways. In the past many have drawn comparisons with the two cities in the vale of Sodom. So we ask,

Could it be, that sometime soon, God will bring judgment on modern cities around the world, as He has on Sodom and Gomorrah?

If so, is it safe to remain in the path of danger?

Or, should all believers leave the cities? - Even if you are doing some kind of work for the cause of God in there?

Because God sent the warning and told us to leave the cities, does it follow naturally, to remain would be disobedience? How did the account read?

19:24 "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
19:25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
19:27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:
19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace." Gen. 19:24-28.

"The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar." The bright rays of the morning seemed to speak only prosperity and peace to the cities of the plain. The stir of active life began in the streets; men were going their various ways, intent on the business or the pleasures of the day. The sons-in-law of Lot were making merry at the fears and warnings of the weak-minded old man. Suddenly and unexpectedly as would be a thunder peal from an unclouded sky, the tempest broke. The Lord rained brimstone and fire out of heaven upon the cities and the fruitful plain; its palaces and temples, costly dwellings, gardens and vineyards, and the gay, pleasure-seeking throngs that only the night before had insulted the messengers of heaven--all were consumed. The smoke of the conflagration went up like the smoke of a great furnace. And the fair vale of Sodom became a desolation, a place never to be built up or inhabited--a witness to all generations of the certainty of God's judgments upon transgression. {PP 162.2}

"Even in the cities where the judgments of God have fallen in consequence of such transgression there is no sign of repentance. The saloons (beer joints) are still open, and many temptations are kept before the people." And now the people see the alcoholic beverages in grocery stores everywhere. - But consider what may be just ahead if the wicked have their way - to save space click on the links: Link here.

"Men will continue to erect expensive buildings, costing millions of money. Special attention will be called to their architectural beauty and the firmness and solidity with which they are constructed, but the Lord has instructed me that despite the unusual firmness and expensive display, these buildings will share the fate of the temple of Jerusalem." {6BC 1098.7}

"Costly mansions, marvels of architectural skill, will be destroyed without a moment's notice when the Lord sees that the owners have passed the boundaries of forgiveness. The destruction by fire of the stately buildings, supposed to be fireproof, is an illustration of how in a short time earth's architecture will lie in ruins." {TDG 152.3}

"The destroying angels are today executing their commission. Death will come in all places. This is why I am so anxious for our cities to be warned." {R&H July 5, 1906, par. 16}

Is there anyone left who would learn from the past?

1. Galveston, Texas. In a sermon, Elder H.M.S. Richards told how night after night, an evangelist pled with the city of Galveston to turn to God. They drove him out of town. Days later, in September of 1900, a hurricane wiped the city off the map. You can read about it in Reader's Digest. They didn't have a warning system as they are used now. Many could not believe that it would be so bad. One man said that he didn't believe it was so bad until a body floated past his door. Twice as many died in Galveston (ca. 8,000) as died in the great San Francisco earthquake and fire. Three days later, an 80 mph wind came out of nowhere and hit Chicago.

2. Remember Waco? It teaches us the future action of the beast power. The Time article stated, that the prosecuting attorneys tried to show that the church members of David Koresh's group "were bent on killing federal officers." It says that "30 ATF agents" "testified to their terror in what they repeatedly called `an ambush.' `It was raining blood,' said Special Agent Bernadette Griffen." Things looked bad until the defense attorney played a tape of a 911 emergency call by one of the church members who cried out, "Call them off - there are women and children in here!" The jury found them all not guilty as charged! The article ends by intimating that it was not the church members who were being judged that day, (but the two-horned beast that was once like a lamb of Rev. 13, which "causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive the mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name"). {Time, March 7, 1994.} In the following article you get a better understanding what certain lawmakers are thinking about now.

3. Guess what lawmakers want counties to post! WorldNetDaily Exclusive, By Drew Zahn. - "Throughout America's rich history," asserts a Tennessee House Resolution that was passed 98-0 this week, "both the citizenry and their elected officials alike have deeply respected the Ten Commandments, its profound influence on the formation of American legal thought and its fundamental place in the history of law and government." - Therefore, H.R. 107 declares, "This body hereby urges all Tennessee counties to allow the Ten Commandments to be posted in their respective courthouses." {WND, June 4, 2011}
   WHEREAS, 88 Tennessee counties have already adopted resolutions acknowledging the historical significance of the Ten Commandments and pledging to defend their right to display them; and
   WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized the historical importance of these sacred texts and even upheld Sunday closing laws, which originated in the Fourth Commandment's exhortation to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy; and
   WHEREAS ..."
   May we ask, `Did you notice that it mentions Sunday laws?

God has given His people a message of love, peace, joy, protection, warning against sin, and separation from those who willingly practice it. The RC ecumenical movement also has a message of love, unity, and peace - but no real message of warning to those who practice sin. "The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. {1SM 204}

How much warning did the people have in days gone by? The judgment came swiftly, even suddenly. There was no time to get the mail and then pack up for a trip into the hills. - The link looks back before 2011. In this year, 2011, the world got acquainted with another disaster destroying a city in Japan. That chapter has not closed yet. As a result the world has not only to cope with earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and mud-slides but now also with crude oil pollution of the oceans and with unchecked radioactive nuclear contamination of the food chain from the bottom on up - in Japan, and it looks like a little in Nebraska too.

If the erring one persistently refuses to heed the voice that calls him with pitying, tender love, he will at last be left in darkness. The heart that has long slighted God's mercy, becomes hardened in sin, and is no longer susceptible to the influence of the grace of God. Fearful will be the doom of that soul of whom the pleading Saviour shall finally declare, he "is joined to idols: let him alone." Hosea 4:17. It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to choose the pleasures of a world of sin. {PP 165.2}

As for us today, do we have sinned away God's grace today as much as Sodom and Gomorrah? Or even worse then in those days long ago?

Do the erring one's today waste away their days of grace?

In the time of Abraham, mercy ceased to plead with the guilty inhabitants of Sodom, and all but Lot with his wife and two daughters were consumed by the fire sent down from heaven. So in the days of Christ. The Son of God declared to the unbelieving Jews of that generation: "Your house is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23:38. . . . In mercy to the world, God blotted out its wicked inhabitants in Noah's time. In mercy He destroyed the corrupt dwellers in Sodom. Through the deceptive power of Satan the workers of iniquity obtain sympathy and admiration, and are thus constantly leading others to rebellion. It was so in Cain's and in Noah's day, and in the time of Abraham and Lot; it is so in our time. It is in mercy to the universe that God will finally destroy the rejecters of His grace. {GC 431.1; 543.3}

How can we understand that kind of mercy?

Since the people involved have made up their mind not to listen to any gospel calls whatever anymore, but remain in unbelief, God says He will stop their continuous influence to lead others in rebellion against the government of God and that that step is done in mercy to end more and more dying because of incorrigible sinning.

God is the guardian as well as the sovereign of His people. He cuts off those who are determined upon rebellion, that they may not lead others to ruin. In sparing the life of Cain, God had demonstrated to the universe what would be the result of permitting sin to go unpunished. The influence exerted upon his descendants by his life and teaching led to the state of corruption that demanded the destruction of the whole world by a flood. The history of the antediluvians testifies that long life is not a blessing to the sinner; God's great forbearance did not repress their wickedness. The longer men lived, the more corrupt they became. {PP 325.2}

Would it have helped to be endlessly merciful? Or would it have added only more fuel to the fire?

Yes, it would have made things worse and worse with no recovery in sight. That is what the world is headed into today.

So we are reminded that in Revelation 11:8,13 and 18:8-24, the focal point in the time of the end will be again the cities - this time they are called Sodom and Egypt, Jerusalem and Babylon.

And there will be lamenting, weeping, moaning, mourning, wailing and crying.

So, today, what can God's people do?

Should we follow Lot's plan of evangelism and delay leaving the cities just a bit? Wait till we see smoke coming out of the cities?

Christ declared, "As it was in the days of Lot, . . . even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:28, 30. The daily record of passing events testifies to the fulfillment of His words. The world is fast becoming ripe for destruction. All indications are, soon the judgments of God are to be poured out, and sin and sinners are to be consumed.

Said our Saviour: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (excessive overdoing, crime), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth"--upon all whose interests are centered in this world. "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 21:34-36.

At last we may ask the question, where in all of this on Lot is the cross of Christ? Our answer may be, we may discern the cross of Christ in the pillar of salt. The message being, Christ died for all, if we would just implicitly trust Him in everything.

Therefore, dear reader, heed this call to leave the great and wicked cities. When the earthquakes come and bunches of volcanoes blow off their top in short order, when storms come and floods rage, then it is too late. It is a call from God, we just pass it on. Having gone through bombings of cities in my youth, I know there are no buts and iffs, people ought to heed God's call now, for He will protect His own who follow His voice, Isa. chapter 59; 60:12; 65:1-16.

Before the destruction of Sodom, God sent a message to Lot, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." The same voice of warning was heard by the disciples of Christ before the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:20, 21. They must not tarry to secure anything from their possessions, but must make the most of the opportunity to escape.

There was a coming out, a decided separation from the wicked, an escape for life. So it was in the days of Noah; so with Lot; so with the disciples prior to the destruction of Jerusalem; and so it will be in the last days. Again the voice of God is heard in a message of warning, bidding His people separate themselves from the prevailing iniquity. {PP 166.1-4}

We are now in the days where beginnings of more organised unrest may be planned in our land. Through the working of trusts, and the results of labor unions and strikes the conditions of life in the city are constantly becoming more and more difficult. Serious troubles are before us; and for many families removal from the cities will become a necessity. {CL 6.3}

Towards the Third Woe

Out of the cities, is my message at this time. Be assured that the call is for our people to locate miles away from the large cities. One look at San Francisco as it is today would speak to your intelligent minds, showing you the necessity of getting out of the cities. . . .

The Lord calls for His people to locate away from the cities, for in such an hour as ye think not, fire and brimstone will be rained from heaven upon these cities. Proportionate to their sins will be their visitation. When one city is destroyed, let not our people regard this matter as a light affair, and think that they may, if favorable opportunity offers, build themselves homes in that same destroyed city. . . .

Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the 11th chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the 18th chapter of the same book. {MR 1518 (May 10, 1906). LDE 95.1-4}

In Rev. 11:14b-18, we find the third woe. It appears the third woe that shall come over the world is that "the nations were angry" and that God will "destroy them which destroy the earth," v, 18. That certainly will be a grim time. How far reaching that will be may not be clear yet. Will it be directed against the top officials? Or will it also include consumers?

Doing the Bidding of the Woman of Rev. 17.

Even though the USA, England and some other countries, have no reason to fight any wars against other nations, they are fighting out of sheer prophesied madness led on by powers kept secretly out of the limelight of public scrutiny for they are the dark princes that run the world. The sins of Babylon and her daughters are mounting fast. God's word indicates that reckoning time is not far away. In the end God's Judgment of these powers are the event which unrepentant man should fear for it comes with certainty closer and closer.

It is those who refuse to learn from the past, who have unreasonable expectations of normalcy for the future. This world's history is blue printed for us in advance; we can follow it step by step and know where about we are today.