Three Angels Messages Part 78
Last time, we took a look at the word “preparation” as it applies to being ready for the final events of earth’s history. We found that the term “preparation” may be divided into two categories; there is God’s preparation, with which we have nothing to do, and there is man’s preparation, which God will accomplish in us if we surrender and comply. We looked at three Bible stories, Noah preparing for a flood by building an ark, Joseph preparing for a predicted famine, and the giving of the manna, that illustrate how important it is that we allow Him to prepare us for the times ahead.
What else can we find in Scripture to encourage us for these last days? Have you heard the story in the Bible of the man whose hand became “stuck” to his sword? His name was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, and he was one of David’s “mighty men;” in fact, one of the three leading mighty men of David. When others had retreated during a battle against the Philistines, Eleazar “arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.” II Samuel 23:10.
Eleazar battled against the Philistines so diligently that his hand “stuck to the sword.” We believe this is a picture of the victorious Christian, who engages the enemy of souls with the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the Bible. His hand is “stuck to the sword,” meaning that the principles of Scripture are so embedded in his or her mind that they are, as it were “stuck to his hand.” In these last days, that’s what we need to be; so rooted in the teachings of the Bible that a “Thus saith the Lord” is the answer to the temptations and harassments that Satan brings against us. That’s how Jesus defeated the devil.
Do we have any evidence that these things are soon to become reality? The prophet Jeremiah, seeing by faith the “day of the Lord” in his time, the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, sounded this poetic alert. “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan.” Jeremiah 8:16. He was speaking of the cavalry of Babylon on their way, just at the northern border of Israel. What a meaningful phrase! Dan was the northernmost of Israel’s tribes, and because of the way the travel routes were laid out, most invaders approached Israel or Judah from the north. By saying “the snorting of his horses was heard from Dan,” Jeremiah was speaking of their being on cusp, the edge of the territory of Israel. The invasion of Babylon was just around the corner. Though the popular prophets preached peace and safety, Jeremiah knew otherwise. What the prophet predicted seemed impossible, but already he could sense the approach of the enemy, already he could hear the hooves announcing the coming invasion. “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan.”
Likewise, what prophecy predicts today seems impossible. Could it really be that America would repudiate her heritage of liberty and enforce religious laws in cooperation with the papacy? Many would dismiss that prospect with a figurative wave of the hand as being outside the realm of possibility. We have constitutional guarantees of freedom in the country, don’t we? We have First Amendment rights.
Yet, prophecy has spoken and the “Scripture cannot be broken.” John 10:35. To the discerning ear, the “snorting of his horses” can be heard from Dan. Apocalyptic Babylon is mounting its attack. The clatter of her chariots can be heard in the streets. But don’t expect that Satan will show himself as he really is. He is much too wise and cunning for that. His specialty is the “behind the back” strategy; the swing of a dragon’s tail.
How did he first tempt mankind? Do we read that he introduced himself to Eve with something like, “Hello. My name is Lucifer. I’m the rebel angel you’ve heard about. I’m here to try to get you to disobey your Maker and eat of the fruit He has forbidden, though it will result in severe punishment.” Where do we read in the Bible that Satan said anything like that? He knew that that approach wouldn’t succeed. So here’s the question: if Satan began his career of tempting others through subtlety, cleverness and deception, will his last day ploy be any different? No. He will cause it to be dressed in the finest clothes. He will make it appear that this move is good, even necessary for man’s survival.
Even now there is a movement to champion the “family day” of Sunday as being the logical choice to bring about a “cohesive society” through “synchronized free time.” It’s a day labor unions can support as a “worker rest day.” See www.europeansundayalliance.eu. Already, amidst the calamities of tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods, combined with an economy teetering on the precipice of disaster, joined by a society that is outdoing Sodom in vulgarity and immorality, there are calls to “return” to the roots of our heritage. See www.theresponseusa.org. Is it good to have calls to prayer and repentance? Yes, but be careful! Satan is lurking to deceive and lead the unsuspecting minds into his pathway of rebellion.
At the same time, the world of atheistic humanism is pushing forward its agenda. God is being shoved out of the classroom, the public square, Hollywood and much of America. Militant secularism has advanced its policies of unscriptural behavior and lifestyles. Godlessness, violence, immorality, injustice and corruption of every type characterize our nation.
At some point, in the context of all these unsolvable problems, Satan will suggest to the minds of religious leaders that for the good of the country it is paramount that worship be encouraged, protected and eventually enforced. Led by the master deceiver, it will be the worship of the beast, the elevation of the Sunday sabbath that will become the law of the land. This movement will gain swift and surprising momentum. Those not participating from a religious motivation will nevertheless acquiesce along the grounds of national unity, health and safety or avoidance of the harsh penalties attached to disobedience. Thus Satan will attempt to gather all souls on earth under his dark flag of defiant rebellion.
Today we need to be in the Word and in prayer. We need to be able to defend our beliefs from Scripture when asked. “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12. We need to pray for our hearts to be softened to receive the “early rain” so that when the “latter rain” falls we will be ready to receive it. Those who expect that they can procrastinate and put off the work of heart preparation until the Holy Spirit is poured out in Pentecostal power will be sadly deceived. His holy influences will run off the surface of their minds like rain on concrete.
Now we need to be repenting of our sins, asking God to search our souls and make true and complete confession. Now we need to ask God to instill in us a hatred of sin, a loathing of anything corrupt or impure. We need to ask God to give us a thorough change, a total conversion by the renewing of our minds so that we can appreciate His truth and His ways. May God help us to surrender our lives to Him each day, to honor and vindicate His name by willing obedience.
The issue is clear; it has never changed. It was the issue in heaven when Lucifer rebelled. It was the issue in the Garden when Adam and Eve fell. It will be the issue as the story of Planet Earth comes to its grand climax. Will the creature submit to the beneficent rule of a loving Creator? Will the creature obey the One Who brought all into existence and maintains all through His power?
Those who have known the Sabbath truth, we encourage to walk in the light and develop now a deep and personal relationship with the Lord. The Sabbath day is important, but the issue is much broader than being merely about a day, just as the issue in Eden was about much more than a tree and its fruit. We have to know the “truth” not as an abstract concept, but know the Truth as a living Being.
Those who have been unacquainted with the truth of God’s Sabbath, we encourage to investigate, accept and embrace this wonderful revelation of God’s power and purpose. There is a blessing in keeping His day holy not to be found anywhere else. Don’t fall into the traps set by the devil, who says, “It doesn’t matter that much.” Could what God wrote in stone with His own finger be unimportant? Don’t fall into the trap of those who say, “Keeping Sabbath is legalism.” Loving obedience from a proper motivation is always appropriate. Is it “legalistic” to refrain from murder because you love your brother as yourself? Of course not. Is it “legalistic” to refrain from stealing the goods of your brother, whom you love? Of course not. Is it “legalistic” to refrain from taking the name of your dear Lord in vain? Certainly not. Then why would it be “legalistic” to obey His command to worship Him on the day of His choosing, since you are doing it from the motivation of love and appreciation? “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15.
There are a host of other objections that Satan offers why Sabbath keeping is outdated, irrelevant or unnecessary. They are all without foundation. Solomon summed it up concisely, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. Read His Word, follow His leading, obey His commands. We never read in Scripture about the “Ten Suggestions.” They are commands; they are promises of what we can become through Him.
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” I Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9, 10.
“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.’” Revelation 15:2-4.
What else can we find in Scripture to encourage us for these last days? Have you heard the story in the Bible of the man whose hand became “stuck” to his sword? His name was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, and he was one of David’s “mighty men;” in fact, one of the three leading mighty men of David. When others had retreated during a battle against the Philistines, Eleazar “arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.” II Samuel 23:10.
Eleazar battled against the Philistines so diligently that his hand “stuck to the sword.” We believe this is a picture of the victorious Christian, who engages the enemy of souls with the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the Bible. His hand is “stuck to the sword,” meaning that the principles of Scripture are so embedded in his or her mind that they are, as it were “stuck to his hand.” In these last days, that’s what we need to be; so rooted in the teachings of the Bible that a “Thus saith the Lord” is the answer to the temptations and harassments that Satan brings against us. That’s how Jesus defeated the devil.
Do we have any evidence that these things are soon to become reality? The prophet Jeremiah, seeing by faith the “day of the Lord” in his time, the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, sounded this poetic alert. “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan.” Jeremiah 8:16. He was speaking of the cavalry of Babylon on their way, just at the northern border of Israel. What a meaningful phrase! Dan was the northernmost of Israel’s tribes, and because of the way the travel routes were laid out, most invaders approached Israel or Judah from the north. By saying “the snorting of his horses was heard from Dan,” Jeremiah was speaking of their being on cusp, the edge of the territory of Israel. The invasion of Babylon was just around the corner. Though the popular prophets preached peace and safety, Jeremiah knew otherwise. What the prophet predicted seemed impossible, but already he could sense the approach of the enemy, already he could hear the hooves announcing the coming invasion. “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan.”
Likewise, what prophecy predicts today seems impossible. Could it really be that America would repudiate her heritage of liberty and enforce religious laws in cooperation with the papacy? Many would dismiss that prospect with a figurative wave of the hand as being outside the realm of possibility. We have constitutional guarantees of freedom in the country, don’t we? We have First Amendment rights.
Yet, prophecy has spoken and the “Scripture cannot be broken.” John 10:35. To the discerning ear, the “snorting of his horses” can be heard from Dan. Apocalyptic Babylon is mounting its attack. The clatter of her chariots can be heard in the streets. But don’t expect that Satan will show himself as he really is. He is much too wise and cunning for that. His specialty is the “behind the back” strategy; the swing of a dragon’s tail.
How did he first tempt mankind? Do we read that he introduced himself to Eve with something like, “Hello. My name is Lucifer. I’m the rebel angel you’ve heard about. I’m here to try to get you to disobey your Maker and eat of the fruit He has forbidden, though it will result in severe punishment.” Where do we read in the Bible that Satan said anything like that? He knew that that approach wouldn’t succeed. So here’s the question: if Satan began his career of tempting others through subtlety, cleverness and deception, will his last day ploy be any different? No. He will cause it to be dressed in the finest clothes. He will make it appear that this move is good, even necessary for man’s survival.
Even now there is a movement to champion the “family day” of Sunday as being the logical choice to bring about a “cohesive society” through “synchronized free time.” It’s a day labor unions can support as a “worker rest day.” See www.europeansundayalliance.eu. Already, amidst the calamities of tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods, combined with an economy teetering on the precipice of disaster, joined by a society that is outdoing Sodom in vulgarity and immorality, there are calls to “return” to the roots of our heritage. See www.theresponseusa.org. Is it good to have calls to prayer and repentance? Yes, but be careful! Satan is lurking to deceive and lead the unsuspecting minds into his pathway of rebellion.
At the same time, the world of atheistic humanism is pushing forward its agenda. God is being shoved out of the classroom, the public square, Hollywood and much of America. Militant secularism has advanced its policies of unscriptural behavior and lifestyles. Godlessness, violence, immorality, injustice and corruption of every type characterize our nation.
At some point, in the context of all these unsolvable problems, Satan will suggest to the minds of religious leaders that for the good of the country it is paramount that worship be encouraged, protected and eventually enforced. Led by the master deceiver, it will be the worship of the beast, the elevation of the Sunday sabbath that will become the law of the land. This movement will gain swift and surprising momentum. Those not participating from a religious motivation will nevertheless acquiesce along the grounds of national unity, health and safety or avoidance of the harsh penalties attached to disobedience. Thus Satan will attempt to gather all souls on earth under his dark flag of defiant rebellion.
Today we need to be in the Word and in prayer. We need to be able to defend our beliefs from Scripture when asked. “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12. We need to pray for our hearts to be softened to receive the “early rain” so that when the “latter rain” falls we will be ready to receive it. Those who expect that they can procrastinate and put off the work of heart preparation until the Holy Spirit is poured out in Pentecostal power will be sadly deceived. His holy influences will run off the surface of their minds like rain on concrete.
Now we need to be repenting of our sins, asking God to search our souls and make true and complete confession. Now we need to ask God to instill in us a hatred of sin, a loathing of anything corrupt or impure. We need to ask God to give us a thorough change, a total conversion by the renewing of our minds so that we can appreciate His truth and His ways. May God help us to surrender our lives to Him each day, to honor and vindicate His name by willing obedience.
The issue is clear; it has never changed. It was the issue in heaven when Lucifer rebelled. It was the issue in the Garden when Adam and Eve fell. It will be the issue as the story of Planet Earth comes to its grand climax. Will the creature submit to the beneficent rule of a loving Creator? Will the creature obey the One Who brought all into existence and maintains all through His power?
Those who have known the Sabbath truth, we encourage to walk in the light and develop now a deep and personal relationship with the Lord. The Sabbath day is important, but the issue is much broader than being merely about a day, just as the issue in Eden was about much more than a tree and its fruit. We have to know the “truth” not as an abstract concept, but know the Truth as a living Being.
Those who have been unacquainted with the truth of God’s Sabbath, we encourage to investigate, accept and embrace this wonderful revelation of God’s power and purpose. There is a blessing in keeping His day holy not to be found anywhere else. Don’t fall into the traps set by the devil, who says, “It doesn’t matter that much.” Could what God wrote in stone with His own finger be unimportant? Don’t fall into the trap of those who say, “Keeping Sabbath is legalism.” Loving obedience from a proper motivation is always appropriate. Is it “legalistic” to refrain from murder because you love your brother as yourself? Of course not. Is it “legalistic” to refrain from stealing the goods of your brother, whom you love? Of course not. Is it “legalistic” to refrain from taking the name of your dear Lord in vain? Certainly not. Then why would it be “legalistic” to obey His command to worship Him on the day of His choosing, since you are doing it from the motivation of love and appreciation? “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15.
There are a host of other objections that Satan offers why Sabbath keeping is outdated, irrelevant or unnecessary. They are all without foundation. Solomon summed it up concisely, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. Read His Word, follow His leading, obey His commands. We never read in Scripture about the “Ten Suggestions.” They are commands; they are promises of what we can become through Him.
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” I Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9, 10.
“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.’” Revelation 15:2-4.
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1 Comment
Thank you for this post message. I am so encouraged to have pastors which uphold such distinct messages presented in such a loving bold way.