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Archives => Remnant Online Newsletters (public) => Topic started by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:14:43 PM

Title: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:14:43 PM
March 2, 2007                         
 
Welcome to the Remnant-Online !!!
 
"At a time when many are facing difficult trials and some are confused we need to set our eyes upon Jesus and what He has prepared for us. Here is a view of the Paradise of God. Let us not barter away our inheritance for a mess of pottage!

I saw the exceeding loveliness and glory of Jesus. His countenance was brighter than the sun at noonday. His robe was whiter than the whitest white. How can I . . . describe to you the glories of heaven, and the lovely angels singing and playing upon their harps of ten strings!  The wonderful things I there saw I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world.  Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen and exclaim, "Oh, what love! what wondrous love!" The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour's love.

Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God. If we could have but one view of the celestial city, we would never wish to dwell on earth again.

Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of God. Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life. On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold. At first I thought I saw two trees. I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree. So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life. Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious; it looked like gold mixed with silver.

There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.

I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, "They will never fade." Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts--the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after.

Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees moved to and fro, and we all cried out, "We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods." We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion. . . .

On the mount was a glorious temple. . . . There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs--these made the place all over glorious. . . .

And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit.

All come forth from their graves the same in stature as when they entered the tomb. Adam, who stands among the risen throng, is of lofty height and majestic form, in stature but little below the Son of God. He presents a marked contrast to the people of later generations; in this one respect is shown the great degeneracy of the race. But all arise with the freshness and vigor of eternal youth. . . . Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed will "grow up" (Mal. 4:2) to the full stature of a race in its primeval glory." - Last Day Events

Here are a few ongoing discussions in the Bread of Life forum ...
 
1844
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000013.html
 
144,000
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000005.html
 
Abide in Me and I in You
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000016.html
 
Behold a Shaking
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000015.html

Bible Interpretation
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000038.html

Bible Translations
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000058.html

Being Born Again
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000072.html

Christ and Him Crucified
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000025.html

Discipline
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000033.html

The Fourth Commandment
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000082.html

The Gospel and Salvation
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000012.html

The Health Message in the Light of the Cross
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000065.html

The Hebrew Sanctuary
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000019.html

The Investigative Judgment
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000064.html

Justification by Faith
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000037.html

The Latter Rain
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000002.html

Lesser Light
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000006.html

Marriage
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000043.html

The Narrow Road
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000084.html

Re-baptism and Communion
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000075.html

Revelation 14:1-5
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000097.html
 
Romans 7
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000001.html

Sabbath
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000059.html

Sanctuary
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000019.html

Satan's Great Lie
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000046.html

Second Coming
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000067.html

Sinless Human Perfection
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000060.html

Science and Creation
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000021.html

Science - Does Satan Influence Science?
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000017.html

Steps to Eternal Life
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000031.html

Truth Lost
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000083.html

Unconditional Love
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000031.html

The United Nations
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000073.html

Willow Creek
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000040.html

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men. Men who will not be bought or sold. Men who in their inmost souls are true and honest. Men who do not fear to call sin by its right name. Men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole. Men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Ed. 57
 
www.remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:19:58 PM
April 5, 2007


Welcome to The Remnant-Online !!!
 

                                   
 
www.remnant-online.com
In this issue:

    *
      Satan's Delusions in the Great Controversy
    *
      The Scriptures a Safeguard
    *
      Nature Lessons by Young People
    *
      The Remnant-Online Topic Links

 
Satan's Delusions   
Satan commenced his deception in Eden. He said to Eve, "Ye shall not surely die." This was Satan's first lesson upon the immortality of the soul, and he has carried on this deception from that time to the present, and will carry it on until the captivity of God's children shall be turned.  Adam and Eve in Eden partook of the forbidden tree, and then the flaming sword was placed around the tree of life, and they were driven from the garden, lest they should partake of the tree of life, and be immortal sinners. The fruit of this tree was to perpetuate immortality. Who of the family of Adam have passed that flaming sword and have partaken of the tree of life? Not one of the family of Adam has passed that flaming sword and partaken of that tree; therefore there is not an immortal sinner. The soul that sinneth, it shall die an everlasting death--a death from which there will be no hope of a resurrection; and then the wrath of God will be appeased.

Today, we hear many teachings that the soul that sins shall not die, that it is impossible to keep the law of God. God understands our desire to keep the law and that is good enough. On that day when these appear before Christ, He shall say "Depart from Me ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you." The soul that sinneth shall indeed perish unless it is brought to repentance.
 
Another lie at which we marvel and that Satan has succeeded in making men believe that the words of God, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4), mean that the soul that sinneth it shall not die, but live eternally in misery.

Satan told his angels to make a special effort to spread the lie first repeated to Eve in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die." And as the error was received by the people, and they were led to believe that man was immortal, Satan led them on to believe that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Then the way was prepared for Satan to work through his representatives and hold up God before the people as a revengeful tyrant--one who plunges all those into hell who do not please Him, and causes them ever to feel His wrath; and while they suffer unutterable anguish, and writhe in the eternal flames, He is represented as looking down upon them with satisfaction. Satan knew that if this error should be received, God would be hated by many, instead of being loved and adored; and that many would be led to believe that the threatenings of God's Word would not be literally fulfilled, for it would be against His character of benevolence and love to plunge into eternal torments the beings whom He had created.
 
Another extreme which Satan has led the people to adopt is entirely to overlook the justice of God and the threatenings of His Word, and to represent Him as being all mercy, so that not one will perish, but that all, both saint and sinner, will at last be saved in His kingdom.
 
In consequence of the popular errors of the immortality of the soul and endless misery, Satan takes advantage of another class and leads them to regard the Bible as an uninspired book. They think it teaches many good things, but they cannot rely upon it and love it, because they have been taught that it declares the doctrine of eternal misery. 
 
Another class Satan leads on still further, even to deny the existence of God. They can see no consistency in the character of the God of the Bible, if He will inflict horrible tortures upon a portion of the human family to all eternity. Therefore they deny the Bible and its Author, and regard death as an eternal sleep.

There is still another class who are fearful and timid. These Satan tempts to commit sin, and after they have sinned, he holds up before them that the wages of sin is not death but life in horrible torments, to be endured throughout the endless ages of eternity. By thus magnifying before their feeble minds the horrors of an endless hell, he takes possession of their minds, and they lose their reason. Then Satan and his angels exult, and the infidel and atheist join in casting reproach upon Christianity. They claim that these evils are the natural results of believing in the Bible and its Author, whereas they are the results of the reception of popular heresy.
 

The Scriptures a Safeguard

 

God knew that Satan would try every art to destroy man; therefore He had caused His word to be written out, and had made His purposes in regard to the human race so plain that the weakest need not err. After having given His word to man, He had carefully preserved it from destruction by Satan or his angels, or by any of his agents or representatives. While other books might be destroyed, this was to be immortal. And as we near the close of time, when the delusions of Satan have increased, the Bible is so available that all who desire might have a copy, and, if they will, might arm themselves against the deceptions and lying wonders of Satan.

God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But, the Word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err, for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.

God sets before man life and death. He can have his choice. Many desire life, but still continue to walk in the broad road. They choose to rebel against God's government, notwithstanding His great mercy and compassion in giving His Son to die for them. Those who do not choose to accept of the salvation so dearly purchased, must be punished. But, God will not shut them up in hell to endure endless misery, neither will He take them to heaven; for to bring them into the company of the pure and holy would make them exceedingly miserable. But He will destroy them utterly and cause them to be as if they had not been; then His justice will be satisfied. He formed man out of the dust of the earth, and the disobedient and unholy will be consumed by fire and return to dust again. The benevolence and compassion of God in this matter should lead all to admire His character and to adore His holy name. After the wicked are destroyed from off the earth, all the heavenly host will say, "Amen!"

Satan looks with great satisfaction upon those who profess the name of Christ, yet closely adhere to the delusions which he himself has originated. His work is still to devise new delusions, and his power and art in this direction continually increase. He led his representatives, the popes and the priests, to exalt themselves, and to stir up the people to bitterly persecute and destroy those who were not willing to accept his delusions. Oh, the sufferings and agony which the precious followers of Christ were made to endure! Angels have kept a faithful record of it all. Satan and his evil angels exultingly told the angels who ministered to these suffering saints that they were all to be killed, so that there would not be left a true Christian upon the earth. The church of God was then pure. There was no danger of men with corrupt hearts coming into it, for the true Christian, who dared to declare his faith, was in danger of the rack, the stake, and every torture which Satan and his evil angels could invent or inspire in the mind of man.

How is it today? Persecution in most of the world lingers, so we have men with corrupt hearts in the church. But, soon it shall not be. When the Holy Spirit is poured out upon God's church (see Ezekiel 36 and 37), persecution shall no longer linger. Then, many will flee from the wrath of those who are offended by a pure people reflecting the Truth of heaven.

Today is the day that we are given to prepare for the days ahead. Let us be faithful witnesses to those who are weak in the faith and those who know not Jesus.

 

    gh   

 

~*** Nature Lessons by Young People ***~


The Remnant Online will begin publishing art work submitted by our young people. Here are the guidelines for submissions:

    * Art work must be accompanied by a short written statement expressing a spiritual lesson seen in the art work.
    * Submissions may be a photograph, painting in any medium-oil, water color, colored pencil, charcoal, or a drawing. All work needs to be submitted as a jpg not to exceed 1,000 x 1,000 pixels and a resolution of 300 dpi. Publishing will reduce the size and resolution to conform to our space requirements.
    * Any young person may participate if they have a sponsor who is a registered member of The Remnant Online. All submissions to be made by the sponsor via e-mail to webmaster@remnant-online.com
    * Spiritual lessons must be in harmony with Scripture. Sponsor to work with young person prior to submission. TRO will be the final judge of the suitability of each submission.
    * Submissions will be published online and will not be used for other purposes unless agreed to by the young person and parents.
    * Each young person who submits an entry will receive a personal note of encouragement and suggestions from a professional artist that will help them develop their skills as an artist. All correspondence will be through the sponsor. No age limitations nor skill level. This is a program to encourage all of our young people. We would like a first name, age,  and a city if parents desire this. Otherwise we will accept submissions with just a first name. Due to the problems with the internet we are trying to maintain a separation between our young people and the internet. We will work with parents in any way that will achieve this. All submissions will be published on our homepage remnant-online.com or a linked page. This program is not associated with the bulletin board.

Current Discussions at The Remnant Online--

The FDA still doesn't know where all the contaminated imported wheat gluten ended up, though it appears unlikely any made it into human food.
http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/001681.html

Now scientists create a sheep that's 15% human
http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/001676.html

Heart Disease......"Putting a stent in the most narrowed area in the artery doesn't really address the underlying problem..."

http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum15/HTML/000565.html

Spring in the North
http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000201.html


1844
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000013.html

 

144,000

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000005.html

 

Abide in Me and I in You
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000016.html

 

Behold a Shaking
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000015.html

Bible Interpretation

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000038.html

Bible Translations

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000058.html

Being Born Again

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000072.html

Christ and Him Crucified

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000025.html

Discipline

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000033.html

The Fourth Commandment

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000082.html

The Gospel and Salvation

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000012.html

The Health Message in the Light of the Cross

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000065.html

The Hebrew Sanctuary

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000019.html

The Investigative Judgment

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000064.html

Justification by Faith

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000037.html

 

The Latter Rain
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000002.html

 

Lesser Light
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000006.html

Marriage

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000043.html

The Narrow Road

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000084.html

Re-baptism and Communion

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000075.html

Revelation 14:1-5
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000097.html

 

Romans 7

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000001.html

Sabbath

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000059.html

Sanctuary

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000019.html

Satan's Great Lie

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000046.html

Second Coming

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000067.html

Sinless Human Perfection

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000060.html

Science and Creation

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000021.html

Science - Does Satan Influence Science?

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000017.html

Steps to Eternal Life

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000031.html

Truth Lost

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000083.html

Unconditional Love

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000031.html

The United Nations

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000073.html

Willow Creek

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000040.html

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men. Men who will not be bought or sold. Men who in their inmost souls are true and honest. Men who do not fear to call sin by its right name. Men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole. Men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Ed. 57
 
www.remnant-online.com

Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:21:10 PM
May 8, 2007


 
To the Remnant-Online !!!     
www.remnant-online.com

In these final hours of probation for the sons of men, when the fate of every soul is so soon to be decided forever, the Lord of heaven and earth expects His church to arouse to action as never before. Those who have been made free in Christ through a knowledge of precious truth, are regarded by the Lord Jesus as His chosen ones, favored above all other people on the face of the earth; and He is counting on them to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into marvelous light. The blessings which are so liberally bestowed, are to be communicated to others. The good news of salvation is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

We desire to encourage this by providing a fellowship area to study and organize our efforts that we might, as a people, hasten the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We do not provide this fellowship area for debating or idle talk. We have a work to do and we are looking for those who have a burden for souls as we do.

The Word of God is our rule and by this we shall test all things. The Spirit of Prophecy has been entrusted to the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be a blessing to our world. We will follow the counsels given for ministry and actively teach those things God has seen fit to give for our edification and the salvation of those in darkness.

Please join with us in our efforts to work with God in preparing a people to receive Jesus at His second coming.

gh

In this Issue:

    *
      Fruits of the Spirit
    *
      Nature Lessons by Young People
    *
      The Remnant-Online Topic Links

Fruits of the Spirit

Works Reveal Conversion

We are to form characters after the divine Model, Jesus Christ, and bring every power and capability of our natures into subordination to him in this life, that we may through him have a right hold of the future immortal life. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." Those who have a character that will be found worthy of a place in the kingdom of God, will be those who have become acquainted with God, who have obeyed the explicit directions given in his word. They will be entitled to a seat at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The only way in which we can distinguish between the true Christian and the pretender to Christianity is by the fruit of the life. The works will testify whether or not Christ, the hope of glory, is formed within. Everyone who enters the kingdom of heaven will have been tested and proved. Judas was one who was favored in being associated with Christ and his disciples. He was with Jesus during the time of his public ministry, and he possessed qualities of character that would have made him a blessing to the church had he but submitted to the discipline that Jesus desired him to have. He was privileged to have the same advantages as did John and the other disciples, and might have been benefited by the education and training of the greatest Teacher the world ever knew.

In Christ he beheld a character that was pure, harmless, and undefiled, and his heart was drawn out in love for his Master. But the light that was shed upon him from the character of Christ, brought with it the responsibility of yielding up every natural or acquired trait that was not in harmony with the character of Christ. In this Judas did not stand the test. The love of the world was deeply rooted in his heart, and he did not give up his love for the world, nor surrender his ambition to Christ. He never came to the point of surrendering himself fully to Jesus. He felt that he could retain his own individual judgment and opinion. While he accepted the position of the minister of Christ, yet he never brought himself under the divine moulding of Christ. He clung to his objectionable traits of character, and indulged in his own sinful habits, and, instead of becoming pure and Christlike, he became selfish and covetous. Selfishness became the controlling power of his life.

Judas listened to the lessons which Christ gave to his disciples and to the multitudes, and he did not offer any opposition, or seem to question their importance. He made no outward murmur until the time that Mary anointed the feet of Jesus. The record says: "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."

In the circumstance of Mary's anointing Jesus' feet, the plague spot of Judas' character was revealed. The crisis had come in the life of Judas, and the ruling trait of character took its supremacy over every other trait. Covetousness, which is idolatry, had been cultivated, and had strengthened in his heart, and when temptation came upon him, he was held under its control. The temptations of Satan will ever thus meet a response from the elements of depravity that are in the human character that have not been resisted and overcome. The covetous greed that Judas had indulged for years, now held in control and overpowered every other characteristic of his nature. He harmonized with the drawings of Satan, and evil triumphed as he yielded to temptation. Although he was professedly a follower of Jesus, yet he was in heart strengthening the evil of his character. Jesus knew every transgression, and he now looked sorrowfully upon him who was numbered with the twelve, and who was yet not a doer of the words of Christ.

The disciples could not discern the evil of Judas' heart; only the eye of God could discern the hidden motive, the unholy desire. When an impure thought is welcomed, an unholy desire cherished, a rebellious purpose formed, the purity of the soul is stained and its innocence is ruined, temptations prevail, and hell triumphs. "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." A man is tempted to sin when some attractive object or indulgence is presented to him, and he is drawn to overstep principle, and to violate his conscience in doing that which he knows to be wrong. This was what Judas was doing. He had no oil in his vessel with his lamp. He professed to have a deep interest in the welfare of the poor, but all his professions were pretenses, mere hypocrisy. He wanted to give others the impression that he was a very pious man, but the fact was that he was nothing else than a self-conceited sinner.

It was his day to seek grace and purity and holiness; but he failed to seek them. He did not cultivate humility, and die to the world. He did not cultivate hope and love, and manifest pure devotion to God. He did not obtain a strong, noble character, full of faith and holy endeavor, but permitted the wild, unsanctified elements of character to prevail. During his whole life he continually repeated acts of selfishness, though wearing the garb of religion.

 
Those who are satisfied in having merely a form of religion, who do not carry out the lessons of Christ in their practical life, make manifest the weakness of their character when trial and temptation come upon them, and they prove that they were not Christians. Every duty that is performed in love to Jesus, in simplicity and humility, divested of all selfishness, has its effect on the character and shapes it after the divine Model. Through faithfulness in the Christian life the soul is braced to withstand sudden assaults of temptation; for the true Christian learns to depend upon Christ for strength and grace. When the first temptation is met and resisted, the second is more easily met and resisted. We may be able to resist every temptation that assails the heart by calling upon our mighty Deliverer.

It is not in the power of Satan to force anyone to sin. Sin is the sinner's individual act. Before sin exists in the heart, the consent of the will must be given, and as soon as it is given, sin is triumphant, and hell rejoices. But there is no excuse for sin, either great or little. Christ has been provided as the tempted one's refuge. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted."

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Temptation is not sin, and is no indication that God is displeased with us. The Lord suffers us to be tempted, but he measures every temptation, and apportions it according to our power to resist and overcome evil. It is in time of trial and temptation that we are enabled to measure the degree of our faith and trust in God, and to estimate the stability of our Christian character. If we are easily jostled and overcome, we should be alarmed; for our strength is small. Let us consider the words of comfort that have been left on record for our instruction: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God has apportioned the temptation in proportion to the strength he can supply, and he never permits us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist or to endure. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation." "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." Through prayer and the word of God we shall be enabled to overcome temptation.
gh   

 

~*** Nature Lessons by Young People ***~


The Remnant Online will begin publishing art work submitted by our young people. Here are the guidelines for submissions:

    * Art work must be accompanied by a short written statement expressing a spiritual lesson seen in the art work.
    * Submissions may be a photograph, painting in any medium-oil, water color, colored pencil, charcoal, or a drawing. All work needs to be submitted as a jpg not to exceed 1,000 x 1,000 pixels and a resolution of 300 dpi. Publishing will reduce the size and resolution to conform to our space requirements.
    * Any young person may participate if they have a sponsor who is a registered member of The Remnant Online. All submissions to be made by the sponsor via e-mail to webmaster@remnant-online.com
    * Spiritual lessons must be in harmony with Scripture. Sponsor to work with young person prior to submission. TRO will be the final judge of the suitability of each submission.
    * Submissions will be published online and will not be used for other purposes unless agreed to by the young person and parents.
    * Each young person who submits an entry will receive a personal note of encouragement and suggestions from a professional artist that will help them develop their skills as an artist. All correspondence will be through the sponsor. No age limitations nor skill level. This is a program to encourage all of our young people. We would like a first name, age,  and a city if parents desire this. Otherwise we will accept submissions with just a first name. Due to the problems with the internet we are trying to maintain a separation between our young people and the internet. We will work with parents in any way that will achieve this. All submissions will be published on our homepage remnant-online.com or a linked page. This program is not associated with the bulletin board.

Current Discussions at The Remnant Online--

The FDA still doesn't know where all the contaminated imported wheat gluten ended up, though it appears unlikely any made it into human food.
http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/001681.html

Now scientists create a sheep that's 15% human
http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/001676.html

Heart Disease......"Putting a stent in the most narrowed area in the artery doesn't really address the underlying problem..."

http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum15/HTML/000565.html

Spring in the North
http://remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000201.html


1844
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000013.html

 

144,000

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000005.html

 

Abide in Me and I in You
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000016.html

 

Behold a Shaking
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000015.html

Bible Interpretation

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000038.html

Bible Translations

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000058.html

Being Born Again

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000072.html

Christ and Him Crucified

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000025.html

Discipline

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000033.html

The Fourth Commandment

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000082.html

The Gospel and Salvation

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000012.html

The Health Message in the Light of the Cross

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000065.html

The Hebrew Sanctuary

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000019.html

The Investigative Judgment

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000064.html

Justification by Faith

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000037.html

 

The Latter Rain
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000002.html

 

Lesser Light
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000006.html

Marriage

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000043.html

The Narrow Road

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000084.html

Re-baptism and Communion

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000075.html

Revelation 14:1-5
www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000097.html

 

Romans 7

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000001.html

Sabbath

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000059.html

Sanctuary

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000019.html

Satan's Great Lie

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000046.html

Second Coming

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000067.html

Sinless Human Perfection

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000060.html

Science and Creation

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000021.html

Science - Does Satan Influence Science?

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000017.html

Steps to Eternal Life

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000031.html

Truth Lost

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000083.html

Unconditional Love

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000031.html

The United Nations

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000073.html

Willow Creek

www.remnant-online.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000040.html

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men. Men who will not be bought or sold. Men who in their inmost souls are true and honest. Men who do not fear to call sin by its right name. Men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole. Men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Ed. 57
 
www.remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:22:49 PM
 

 

The Remnant Online Newsletter

March 2008

remnant-online.com

 

Hello!  We have missed you!

 

 

 

"We are nearing the end of this earth's history, and the different departments of God's work are to be carried forward with much more self-sacrifice than has yet been practiced. The work for these last days is a missionary work. Present truth, from the first to the last letter of its alphabet, means missionary effort. The work to be done calls for sacrifice at every step of advance. The workers are to come forth from trial, purified and refined, as gold tried in the fire."  Review and Herald, Nov. 18, 1902.

 
Have you noticed that the prophecies are fast fulfilling and Jesus will be here soon?  The world is fast becoming as it was at the time of Noah. We have been here far too long.  We are now making our choice, and we shall soon discern between him that serveth God, and him that serveth Him not. Read the fourth chapter of Malachi, and think about it seriously. The day of God is right upon us. The world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting on a shortsighted policy.

 

“Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendancy of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. The Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the state. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin. The protest of Bible truth will be no longer tolerated by those who have not made the law of God their rule of action. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by the souls which John saw slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ which they held; then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law.” GCB, January 1, 1900

Come and work with us to hasten the soon coming of Jesus!

 

 

Some of the Discussions at The Remnant Online~~~

 

 

Social Hall

 

Ernie Knoll- Prophet of God?

 

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy." Acts 2: 17, 18 (Joel 2:28)

 

We have been studying the dreams of Brother Ernie Knoll in an attempt to discern if he is a prophet of God or a false prophet. He has had 30 dreams over the last three years. Come and see. Share with us if you think Brother Ernie is a prophet.

 

Worship Forum

 

How Should We Worship

 

"Some are not satisfied with a meeting unless they have a powerful and happy time. They work for this and get up an excitement of feeling. But the influence of such meetings is not beneficial. When the happy flight of feeling is gone, they sink lower than before the meeting because their happiness did not come from the right source. The most profitable meetings for spiritual advancement are those which are characterized with solemnity and deep searching of heart; each seeking to know himself and earnestly, and in deep humility, seeking to learn of Christ."   1MCP  39.

 

 

 

Laodicea Forum

 

Beyond Belief, In Our Church

 

"Every time we fall or sin we become unjustified.  This is another common misunderstanding about justification.  It is a monstrous teaching that has no support from the Word of God." Elder Jack Sequeira.

 

It is important that we understand the gospel of grace. Does grace save one while sinning or does salvation require repentance?

 

 

Questions on Doctrine

 

After a 40-year hiatus, the book “Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine” is back in print. Andrews University Press, part of the church-owned university and seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan, recently released the 597-page, annotated edition of the book. Now you can get MP3s of the presentations made at the QOD seminar.

 

Bread of Life Forum

         

Separation of Church and State

 

The Ten Commandments, the great law of God, is the basis of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God's commandments will conform to every good law of the land. While all good laws conform to the law of God, is there any law that would conform to one of the commandments that would not be good if made the law of the land? What are the principles involved in the separation of church and state?

 

 

       Spring is a reminder of the "new life" that comes with Christ … and the new earth that shall one day replace this old one.  Winter shall soon pass and all tears shall be wiped away! Look up, for our redemption draweth nigh!!

 

remnant-online.com

 

 
 
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:23:25 PM


The Remnant Online Newsletter

April 2008

  

If I know everything there is about the ins and outs of righteousness by faith and Grace is not ever-present, working in my life – what good is that knowledge?

If I know everything there is about last day events and can recite for memory the 2300-day prophecies explaining each and have not the power of Grace in my life – what good is that knowledge?

 

 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.   And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.   And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,   Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  1 Cor. 13:1-6.




Message to the  Laodicean Church (Seventh-day Adventist Church today)

 

       And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  Rev 3:14-22

 



Current Discussions

In Public Boards

 

·       Sabbath is becoming an Issue. World Net Daily posts Sabbath Sunday Debate on their homepage.

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7513.0

 

·       California governor outraged over court's decision to jail parents that home school their children

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7473.0

 

·       Amazing Facts television broadcasting 24/7 over the internet

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7525.0

 

·       Time to plant those tomatoes. Join our Gardening Tips discussion in the Nature Forum.

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3814.0

 

·       Ever wonder about your Bible?  In Bible Translations we are looking the New King James Version. Is it as faithful to truth as the King James?

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=783.0

 

·       Warning!!! Do want to buy a computer with Vista loaded on it?

http://2remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3005.0

·       Warning!!! Do not buy a HD DVD player or recorder.

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7421.0

·       Ever wonder about the "free software" being offered?  

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2965.0

·       Know anyone with Alzheimer's, you soon will. It is the 8th leading cause of death in the US according to Loma Linda. Do we look for a cure or can it be prevented?    

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3455.0

·            Prayer fails and girl dies without treatment. Will the parents face jail time?        
             Prayer Fails

 




 

                                            Current Discussions
                           In "SDA" Private Forums

 

 Seventh-day Adventist "Bible" soon to be published – See Andrews Study Bible

Ernie Knoll dreams tell church members to with hold tithe from church if church is misusing tithe. Social Hall Forum (board)

Ought evangelistic meetings be moved to the church for Sabbath services without telling the attendees?  Worship Forum

Is the Christian Coalition working with legislators to pass a national Sunday law?   End Time Prophecies Forum

 

Seventh-day Adventist Minister hands in credentials and becomes a Roman Catholic.  Laodicea Forum



Remarks from George Knight …

"The perfectionistic, fundamentalistic sub-denominations within the denomination still largely rely on Ellen White for their theology and have no problem viewing her as an infallible commentary on the Bible. This sector of Adventism has even developed an Ellen White Study Bible that has Ellen White notes and marginal references. Such a Bible would have been totally rejected in early Adventism. Even though the Study Bible is published by an independent group it is unfortunately marketed by the main denominational publisher. Some years ago I persuaded the publishing house administration to drop its marketing of the Ellen White Study Bible on the grounds that Ellen White would vigorously object to it from what we know of her principles historically. But after some months the publishing house president phoned me, notifying me that they were reversing their decision because there was a demand for the Study Bible and it sells well. So much for higher principles!"  George Knight

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7558.0



 

 

Last Chance! Western Union is expensive, so now is the time to be included in our donation!

Brother Martin Kiogora has been doing evangelism in Kenya. He and his country have been experiencing great trial. We do not solicit funds for our own work, but we feel impressed to make a call for help for our dear Brother.  We have opened a special forum for this purpose that we might give an accounting of any funds received and when they have been forwarded to our brother. Any member who donates any amount will receive access to this forum. Please make this a matter of prayer and consider that a large number of small donations can add up to provide help for our dear brother. You may read of his work in the Testimonies Forum His user name is godsgraceatwork. Contact administrator@remnant-online.com to arrange for donations and access to the forum.  Thank you.

 

-------------------------------------------------

 

If you have not fully registered to have complete access to all boards on the forum, please contact adminstrator@remnant-online.com

                                                                      



 Jesus is "even at the door."

Let us Pray for revival in our families and churches.



remnant-online.com

 

 

  

 
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:23:54 PM
The Remnant Online Newsletter
May 2008
remnant-online.com
 
There is a day that God hath appointed for the close of this world's history.
 
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. The false watchmen are raising the cry, "All is well"; but the day of God is rapidly approaching. Its footsteps are so muffled that it does not arouse the world from the deathlike slumber into which it has fallen. While the watchmen cry, "Peace and safety," "sudden destruction cometh upon them," "and they shall not escape"; "for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." It overtakes the pleasure-lover and the sinful man as a thief in the night.
 
When all is apparently secure, and men retire to contented rest, then the prowling, stealthy, midnight thief steals upon his prey. When it is too late to prevent the evil, it is discovered that some door or window was not secured. "Be ye also ready: for in an such hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." People are now settling to rest, imagining themselves secure under the popular churches; but let all beware, lest there is a place left open for the enemy to gain an entrance. Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul.
 
Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised.
 
Let no one's interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand.
 
- Fundamentals of Christian Education 335.2
 
Some Current Discussions on the Forum

    * Righteousness by Faith is gaining ground!
    * Revival and reformation is coming!
    * False religion seen in Mormon polygamy. Results in loss of children...increased interest in religion and children
    * False theology results in death of diabetic girl whose parents refused medical treatment.  Increased interest in religion and children
    * California home schooling still threatened....increased interest in religion and children

In the Laodicea Board
Nine Points of the Omega
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=298.0
 
Emergent Theology and the Seventh-day Adventist Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7411.0
 
Following Jesus into His Mission Field - Ohio's Plans for Church Growth
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7248.0
 
 
In the Social Hall Board
Ernie Knoll - Prophet of God? Or a false prophet?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5074.0
 
Women, Faith Development Alliance
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7630.0
 
 
End Time Prophecies Board
NAD Statement on Wayne Bent and the L0R Situation in New Mexico - False Christs
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7670.0
 

If you have not fully registered for full access to all the forums, please do so. We need updated e-mail addresses to continue to receive newsletters and notices. Contact administrator@remnant-online.com
 

www.remnant-online.com




 
 
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:24:30 PM

May 26, 2008

The Remnant Online Forum Statement
on the Dreams of Ernie Knoll

On November 5, 2007, a number of interested persons on The Remnant Online Forum formed a special study group to examine the dreams of Ernie Knoll. Each dream was examined and compared to the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, for we have been told "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established" (Proverbs 15:22). And finally, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

For the next several months each of Mr. Knoll's dreams were examined and discussed by the group in the special forum opened for that purpose. By May of 2008 a decision was reached concerning the source of Ernie Knoll's dreams and the conclusions are given in this statement. Though a number of discrepancies were noted throughout the dreams, it was not felt that these alone were enough to make a definitive decision regarding the source of the dreams. It was the examination of the "Stand Fast" dream of  February 5, 2008, that solidified the decision of the majority of the study group. In this dream, Ernie was told by the angel:

"It is important that His people understand while it is important that we are to return a tithe to God's storehouse, it is equally important that they understand what the funds are being used for. If an individual is providing funds and they understand that the funds are not being used according to His will, that person will be held accountable."

When compared to the inspired counsel of both the Word of Scripture and Ellen G. White, no where can such a statement be found that the tithe payer is guilty if tithe funds are misused. In direct opposition to the "herald's" statement are these two statements from the Spirit of Prophecy:

"Some have been dissatisfied and have said: 'I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.' But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right."  {9T 249.2}

"I pay my tithe gladly and freely, saying, as did David, "Of Thine own have we given Thee." A selfish withholding from God will tend to poverty in our own souls. Act your part, my brethren and sisters. God loves you, and He stands at the helm. If the conference business is not managed according to the order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring one. The Lord will not hold you responsible for it if you do what you can to correct the evil. But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from the Lord His own property. "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully" or negligently."  {2SAT 74.4}

Jesus told us that not one jot or one tittle shall pass away from the law until heaven and earth pass away. Jesus did not scold the poor widow who placed her two mites into the offering in the temple, though apostasy was widespread among the Jewish leaders. The conclusion arrived at by the study group is that these dreams are not from God, that Ernie is deceived and is holding communion with a demon. Our prayers are that his eyes will be opened and he will see the deception that he is under. We have prepared this statement as a warning to others to beware of this deception.

www.remnant-online.com



Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:24:57 PM

The Remnant Online Newsletter
  August 2008


God will work in supernatural ways for His Church, when we will give our hearts to Him. We are now living in the antitypical day of atonement. The great and solemn closing work is going forward in the sanctuary above. Every man is required to afflict his soul before God; every heart is required to be in harmony with the divine will. In this important time the great enemy intercepts himself between man and his Creator. He is continually seeking to separate the people of God from the love of Jesus, to draw them away from his protecting care. He it is that inclines the human soul unto vanity. He leads men to gather attention to themselves, and to receive praise and honor that should be given to God. And the greatest trials that men meet come in consequence of their blindness to Satan's temptations.
 
The Lord works in behalf of his people. He seeks to break the cruel power that Satan exercises over the children of men; and he would do great things for them if they would submit to his authority instead of choosing the service of Satan. He wrought wonderfully for his ancient people Israel to deliver them from their oppressive bondage in Egypt. He went through the proud land of the Pharaohs with tempest and fire, with plague and death. He rescued them from their servile state, and brought them to a good land,--a land that in his providence had been prepared for them as a refuge from their enemies, where they might dwell under the shadow of his wings. He brought them to himself and encircled them in his everlasting arms; and in return for all his goodness and mercy to them, they were required to have no other gods before him, the living God, and to exalt his name and make it glorious in the earth.


Current Topics of Discussion


Healthful Living
Cell Phone Risk
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3667.0

Breast Cancer
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3186.0

Handysides and Landless on Eating fish
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7924.0

Cow Milk
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3216.40

Signs of the Times
Judgments in California
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7846.0

SDA UN Liaison Fired by GC
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7950.0


The "Right Arm"
Mission of Our Hospitals
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2775.0

Evangelism
Musings - Missionary Stories and Experiences
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1859.0

Social Hall (Private SDA forum)
Pray at the Pump
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7911.0

Jerry Thomas - Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7606.0

End Time Prophecies (Private SDA forum)
Eleventh-hour Workers
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3119.0

Religious Liberty (Private SDA forum)
Current attitude toward "heretics"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7945.0

Laodicea (Private SDA forum)
Deceiving the Church: the Secretive Plans of "Team One"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7891.0

Wrong Turns in Seventh-day Adventist History
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=38.0

Spiritualism in the Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=40.0

Ministers of God, great is your responsibility to go forward in Christian experience and righteousness, from light to still greater light, walking conscientiously, striving to reach a high and exalted standard. As the powers of darkness with intense activity work from beneath, the agencies of God should be more and more vigilant in cooperating with the divine, in giving the trumpet a certain sound. In earnest tones, distinct and startling, they are to proclaim the righteousness of the law, that no watchman may fail to catch the sound of alarm, and in their turn sound the warnings coming from heaven. All must be aroused from their lethargy to wakeful, earnest, watching for souls as they that must give an account.

Light, increased light from heaven, is waiting to be imparted to those who will walk and work in the light which they already have. There is to be quick and earnest thought, talent, and tact displayed in enterprises that will communicate light to those who are near and afar off. Careful consideration should be made of every way that is not the way of the Lord. No sleepy watchman must be tolerated. Under their leader the principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness of this world are at work.
 
Because it has been so difficult to arouse from their lethargy the many who have long professed to know the truth, spiritual wickedness in high places has increased. Men have taken their stand to hedge up the way of the Lord's army of workers. They have taken souls unaware and led them into strange paths. May the Lord show these men who have long been hindrances, who, whenever opportunities have presented themselves, have placed a stumbling block in the way of others, [by] whose side they have worked, and make diligent work of repentance. They have weakened the hands of others, and given the enemy every advantage. 1SAT 296

Computers
Moaning and Groaning  :-)
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7903.0

Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
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Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
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To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com



By beholding we are to become changed, and as we meditate upon the perfections of our divine Model, we shall desire to become wholly transformed and renewed in the image of his purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to be made like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of him to others, and represent him to the world. We are called to come out and be separate from the world, that we may be the sons and daughters of the Most High; and we are under sacred obligation to glorify God, as his children upon the earth. It is essential that the mind should be stayed upon Christ, that we may hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it is necessary for us to keep before us this blessed hope, that we may not say in our hearts, "My Lord delayeth his coming." Unbelief in the heart will be expressed in the actions, and if you cherish it, you will soon deny the faith and become bodies of darkness.

There is a great work to be done, and the nearer we live to Jesus, the better fitted we shall be for fulfilling our mission in the world. We are to gather sheaves for the Master. We cannot afford to live simply to please ourselves, and to seek our own will. "Even Christ pleased not himself."He lived  a life of self-denial and sacrifice. He passed through every pathway of human suffering and temptation. He gave his life that he might reach to the very depth of human misery, and lift up a fallen race. What an infinite price he gave for the life of this rebellious world! He bought us with his own precious blood, and we are not our own. Our thoughts and affections belong to him. There are many who profess to love Jesus, but they seek nothing but the gratification of their own selfish desires. They are not seeking to gather with Christ; but, by example and influence, they are scattering abroad. It is only in proportion to the devotion and consecration to Christ, that the "Christian exerts an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind. If there is no actual service, no genuine love, no reality of experience, there is no power to help, no connection with Heaven, no savor of Christ in the life. The church can reflect light to the world only by the manifestation of sincere piety and devotion.


The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.



http://remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:25:27 PM
August 6, 2008


Should the Spirit of Prophecy be re-written in a more simple manner?

If so, what precautions need to be taken? Let us know what you think.



Jerry Thomas - Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing Rewrite
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7606.0


Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:26:25 PM

The Remnant Online Newsletter
September 2008


We hear the footsteps of an approaching God ...

"... he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:
he giveth wisdom unto the wise,
and knowledge to them that know understanding." Dan. 2:21.

     In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will. . . .

     In the history of nations the student of God's word may behold the literal fulfillment of divine prophecy. Babylon, shattered and broken at last, passed away because in prosperity its rulers had regarded themselves as independent of God, and had ascribed the glory of their kingdom to human achievement. . . . The kingdoms that followed were even more base and corrupt; and these sank lower and still lower in the scale of moral worth.

     The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. . . . To recognize the outworking of these principles in the manifestation of His power who "removeth kings, and setteth up kings" -- this is to understand the philosophy of history.


gh

Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study

Signs of the Times
The Next President Will Dissappoint Us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8053.0

The Next Vice President of the US
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8047.0

Earthquake Swarms off the Oregon Coast
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7593.0

European Churches Adopt Ecumenical Charter
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5386.0


Worship (full registration required for access)
God's True Calendar Not a Seven-day Cycle?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8027.0

Regional Conferences in NAD
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7295.0


Social Hall (full registration required for access)
Michigan Men of Faith
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5072.0

Mainstream Protestants, Adventists Make Efforts to Remove "Stereotypes"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7997.0


Bread of Life
The Cost of Unbelief
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7944.0

Matthew 24
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7707.0

The Conversion of Paul
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7837.0


Laodicea (full registration required for access)
Spiritualism in the Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=40.0

Deceiving the Church: The Secretive Plans of Team One
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7891.0

Gallimore on the Emergent Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7891.0

Natural Church Development - NCD
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7875.0


End Time Prophecies (full registration required for access)
Daniel 2:21
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7375.0

Prophecies of Impending Disaster
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7984.0

RCC's Universal Destination of Goods Dogma
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7817.0

Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0


FTo access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God, as He comes to punish the world for its iniquity. We are to prepare the way for Him by acting our part in getting a people ready for that great day.

Living power must attend the message of Christ's second appearing. We must not rest until we see many souls converted to the blessed hope of the Lord's return. In the days of the apostles the message that they bore wrought a real work, turning souls from idols to serve the living God. The work to be done today is just as real, and the truth is just as much truth; only we are to give the message with as much more earnestness as the coming of the Lord is nearer. The message for this time is positive, simple, and of the deepest importance. We must act like men and women who believe it. Waiting, watching, working, praying, warning the world--this is our work. . . .  {Ev 219.3}


The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.



http://remnant-online.com






Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:26:52 PM
The Remnant Online Newsletter
October 2008



~* Rise and Measure the Temple of God *~

All who occupy positions in our institutions will be tested. If they will make Christ their pattern, He will give them wisdom and knowledge and understanding; they will grow in grace and aptitude in Christ's way; their characters will be molded after His similitude. If they fail of keeping the way of the Lord, another spirit will control the mind and judgment, and they will plan without the Lord and will take their own course and leave the positions they have occupied. The light has been given them; if they depart from it, let no man present a bribe to induce them to remain. They will be a hindrance and a snare. The time has come when everything is to be shaken that can be shaken, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Every case is coming in review before God; He is measuring the temple and the worshipers therein.

The Lord must be believed and served as the great "I AM," and we must trust implicitly in Him. Let not men prescribe laws to take the place of God's law. Never educate men to look to men, to trust in men; for man's wisdom is not sufficient to decide as to their right to engage in the Lord's work. When God lays a work upon individuals, men are not to reject His sanction. God must not be impeded in the working out of His plans by man's interference, but this has been done again and again.

If the church on earth is to resemble a temple, let it be built according to the pattern shown in heaven and not according to man's genius. The invention of man often counteracts the working out of God's plans. The golden measuring rod has not been placed in the hands of any finite man or any class of men, whatever their position or calling, but is in the hand of the heavenly Architect. If men will not meddle with God's plan, and will let Him work upon minds and characters, building them up according to His plan, a work will be accomplished that will stand through the severest of trials.

~~~~~*****~~~~~

Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study


Worship (full registration required for access)
The Apostle Paul Betrayed by Church Leadership  The elders, the disciples, did not like or appreciate the work of Paul given him by God. In Paul's last trip to Jerusalem it was his hope to be united with his fellow apostles and brothers in the faith. But, it didn't happen as he hoped.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8095.0

Youth and Music The most important step is to get this commitment from the individual: I purpose in my heart that I will not defile myself.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=950.0


Social Hall (full registration required for access)
Michigan Men of Faith    The topics and speakers at these meetings were enlightening, informative, and growth inspiring.  I highly recommend all future 'Michigan Men of Faith' conferences to all who can possibly attend! This conference has just ended for 2008 - give us you reports!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5072.0

Amazing Adventure (Amazing Facts Evangelism for Kids)   A mother reported: "My eight-year-old was glued to the television and cried last night when the series ended."
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8127.0


Signs of the Times
Economic Times - US Bails out Financial Institutions   The federal government, in what will be its most far-reaching effort yet to contain the financial crisis, is planning to help banks dump bad mortgages
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8118.0

Clergy Have the Right to Endorse Political Candidates from Pulpit  Declaring that clergy have a constitutional right to endorse political candidates from their pulpits, the socially conservative Alliance Defense Fund is recruiting several dozen pastors to do just that on Sept. 28, in defiance of Internal Revenue Service rules.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8081.0

The Next Vice President of the US   Her maternal grandparents were Jews who immigrated from Lithuania in 1915. That is why she has a little Israeli Flag pinned to the drapes in the Governor's office. Her husband Todd is a Native American from the Inuit tribe of Eskimos.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8047.0


Bread of Life
Matthew 24   Why had not Christ come at the time of the first fulfillment of the gospel reaching to all the world? Did God give Daniel and John more prophecies to be fulfilled in the meantime? And did Jesus, Himself, have more to tell the disciples? Come study with us this most exciting book of prophecy from the lips of Jesus.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7707.0

Desire of Ages    As we are to prepare the way for the Second Coming, how does this fit in with the rebuke coming from the Faithful and True Witness to the Laodiceans? John the Baptist purposefully dressed simply as a rebuke to the richly dressed - we are told to do the same. John the Baptist ate simple foods - we are told to do the same these days just to keep us alive, healthy and alert for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The parallel for John's mission and ours is the same.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=838.0


Laodicea (full registration required for access)
Deceiving the Church: the Secretive Plans of Team One    This program that is coming in is very secretive for some reason. The members who I spoke to say that those on the committee for this program are not to talk about it until in is implemented into their church. Some members are being disfellowshipped for protesting against it. This program is called TEAM ONE.  
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7891.0

Why Christians do not Keep the Feast Days   The teaching continues to find adherents. It is now necessary that we address this false teaching so that many will not be carried away and bring more reproach upon our church and Christ. The teaching of the "feast days" is alive and thriving in our church.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8126.0


Testimonies
The Poet's Testimonies
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2727.0

End Time Prophecies (full registration required for access)
What is the Interpretation of "Horn"?   Many of the beasts in prophecy have a horn or horns. What is the correct interpretation of "horn" in prophecy?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3026.0

And the World Wondered ...  With the exaltation of the papacy by Bush and Clinton, the appointment of five supreme court justices, including the chief justice who are Roman Catholic, the election of a Catholic as Speaker of the House, the third highest position, and the election of a Roman Catholic Vice President, the working together of American "Protestants" with Roman Catholics, yes, I think the wound has been healed.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=484.0

Healthful Living
Natural Remedies   The father of a child with chronic ear infections was told by a physician friend that his son would need ear tubes. The father asked the doctor, "If you had 3 feet of water in your bathroom would you just cut a hole in the floor? Wouldn't you want to know how it got there?" And better yet, how to prevent it!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3212.0

Big Beef Recall (again) The Chino slaughterhouse that triggered the nation's largest ever beef recall regularly bought sick, crippled and emaciated cows and forced them to their feet so they could be slaughtered for food, said a former employee who worked 23 years at Westland/Hallmark Meat Co.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7417.0



~*** Nature Lessons by Young People ***~


The Remnant Online will begin publishing art work submitted by our young people. Here are the guidelines for submissions:

    * Art work must be accompanied by a short written statement expressing a spiritual lesson seen in the art work.
    * Submissions may be a photograph, painting in any medium-oil, water color, colored pencil, charcoal, or a drawing. All work needs to be submitted as a jpg not to exceed 1,000 x 1,000 pixels and a resolution of 300 dpi. Publishing will reduce the size and resolution to conform to our space requirements.
    * Any young person may participate if they have a sponsor who is a registered member of The Remnant Online. All submissions to be made by the sponsor via e-mail to webmaster@remnant-online.com
    * Spiritual lessons must be in harmony with Scripture. Sponsor to work with young person prior to submission. TRO will be the final judge of the suitability of each submission.
    * Submissions will be published online and will not be used for other purposes unless agreed to by the young person and parents.
    * Each young person who submits an entry will receive a personal note of encouragement and suggestions from a professional artist that will help them develop their skills as an artist. All correspondence will be through the sponsor. No age limitations nor skill level. This is a program to encourage all of our young people. We would like a first name, age,  and a city if parents desire this. Otherwise we will accept submissions with just a first name. Due to the problems with the internet we are trying to maintain a separation between our young people and the internet. We will work with parents in any way that will achieve this. All submissions will be published on our homepage remnant-online.com or a linked page. This program is not associated with the bulletin board.


Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
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Spirit of Prophecy Books
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To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com



The wants of the soul, only the love of Christ can satisfy.



http://remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:27:18 PM

The Remnant Online Newsletter
November 2008

We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.

The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.
 
The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails. The enemy has succeeded in perverting justice and in filling men's hearts with the desire for selfish gain. "Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." Isaiah 59:14. In the great cities there are multitudes living in poverty and wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; while in the same cities are those who have more than heart could wish, who live luxuriously, spending their money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse still, upon the gratification of sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that destroy the powers of the brain, unbalance the mind, and debase the soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God, while by every species of oppression and extortion men are piling up colossal fortunes.
 
I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify the owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: "How can we best glorify God?" The Lord was not in their thoughts.

As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah.

The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings and said: "They are perfectly safe." But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.

I am instructed that when the Lord's time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God's appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition.

There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God's word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them.



Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study

Prayer

    * Jere Patzer Memorial Set

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8328.0


Social Hall (full registration required for access)

    * Principles Involved with Voting

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7794.0



Signs of the Times

    * California to Vote on Homosexual Marriage

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8209.0

    * Teachers' Union Donates $1 Million to Oppose Proposition 8 in California

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8284.0



Bread of Life

    * Watchmen

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=778.0

    * Crucifying Christ Afresh

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8334.0

    * Desire of Ages!

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=838.0



Laodicea (full registration required for access)

    * Deceiving the Church: the Secretive Plans of Team One

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7891.0

    * Ministry of Heresy?

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8257.0

    * The Last Deception of Satan

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8181.0



End Time Prophecies full registration required for access)

    * Time of Trouble

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8169.0

    * Prophetic Events Timeline

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7686.0



Healthful Living

    * Side Effects of Drugs

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3236.0

    * Cancer and Nutrition Symposium 2008

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8310.0

    * Why Physical Activity and Exercise are Important

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7413.0



Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0



Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0

In closing ...

I saw that we should not put off the coming of the Lord. Said the angel: "Prepare, prepare, for what is coming upon the earth. Let your works correspond with your faith." I saw that the mind must be stayed upon God, and that our influence should tell for God and His truth. We cannot honor the Lord when we are careless and indifferent. We cannot glorify Him when we are desponding. We must be in earnest to secure our own soul's salvation, and to save others. All importance should be attached to this, and everything besides should come in secondary.

I saw the beauty of heaven. I heard the angels sing their rapturous songs, ascribing praise, honor, and glory to Jesus. I could then realize something of the wondrous love of the Son of God. He left all the glory, all the honor which He had in heaven, and was so interested for our salvation that He patiently and meekly bore every indignity and slight which man could heap upon Him. He was wounded, smitten, and bruised; He was stretched on Calvary's cross and suffered the most agonizing death to save us from death, that we might be washed in His blood and be raised up to live with Him in the mansions He is preparing for us, to enjoy the light and glory of heaven, to hear the angels sing, and to sing with them.

I saw that all heaven is interested in our salvation; and shall we be indifferent? Shall we be careless, as though it were a small matter whether we are saved or lost? Shall we slight the sacrifice that has been made for us? Some have done this. They have trifled with offered mercy, and the frown of God is upon them. God's Spirit will not always be grieved. It will depart if grieved a little longer. After all has been done that God could do to save men, if they show by their lives that they slight Jesus' offered mercy, death will be their portion, and it will be dearly purchased. It will be a dreadful death; for they will have to feel the agony that Christ felt upon the cross to purchase for them the redemption which they have refused. And they will then realize what they have lost—eternal life and the immortal inheritance. The great sacrifice that has been made to save souls shows us their worth. When the precious soul is once lost, it is lost forever.

To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com


http://remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:27:56 PM
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/TRONEWBANNERbbtitle5.jpg)
The Remnant Online Newsletter
December 2008

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"As it was in the days of Noah ..."

          We cannot fail to see that the end of the world is soon to come. Satan is working upon the minds of men and women, and many seem filled with a desire for amusement and excitement. As it was in the days of Noah, every kind of evil is on the increase. Divorce and marriage is the order of the time. At such a time as this, the people who are seeking to keep the commandments of God should look for retired places away from the cities.

          To the long-lived, antediluvian race, only a step from paradise, God gave rich gifts, and they possessed a strength of body and mind of which men now have but a faint idea; but they used His bounties, and the strength and skill He gave them, for selfish purposes, to minister to unlawful appetites, and to gratify pride. They expelled God from their thoughts; they despised His law; trampled His standard of character in the dust. They reveled in sinful pleasure, corrupting their ways before God, and corrupting one another. Violence and crime filled the earth. Neither the marriage relation nor the rights of property were respected; and the cries of the oppressed entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. By beholding evil, men became changed into its image, until God could bear with their wickedness no longer, and they were swept away by the flood.

          In the days of Noah the overwhelming majority was opposed to the truth, and enamored with a tissue of falsehoods. The land was filled with violence. War, crime, murder, was the order of the day. Just so will it be before Christ's second coming. The labor unions are quickly stirred to violence if their demands are not complied with. Plainer and plainer is it becoming that the inhabitants of the world are not in harmony with God. No scientific theory can explain the steady march of evil workers under the generalship of Satan. In every mob wicked angels are at work, rousing men to commit deeds of violence.

          In the last scenes of this earth's history war will rage. There will be pestilence, plague and famine. The waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood. The terrible reports we hear of murders and robberies, of railway accidents and deeds of violence, tell the story that the end of all things is at hand. The perversity and cruelty of men will reach such a height that God will reveal Himself in His majesty. Very soon the wickedness of the world will have reached its limit and, as in the days of Noah, God will pour out His judgments. Now, just now, we need to be preparing for the Lord's second coming.


Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/bible6.gif)


Bread of Lifehttp://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=742.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=797.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=826.0


End Time Prophecies (SDA)
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3119.0


Healthful Livinghttp://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3401.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3176.0


Signs of the Timeshttp://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8427.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8503.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8510.0


Worship (SDA)http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8376.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1029.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8441.0


Social Hall (SDA)http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7630.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=4535.0


Laodicea (SDA)http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8090.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8181.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=38.0


Evangelismhttp://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7154.0

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=55.0


Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0


Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0



To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com



http://remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:28:25 PM
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The Remnant Online Newsletter
January 2009



For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come,
and will not tarry


Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:35-37.
 
         The long-suffering of God is wonderful. Long does justice wait while mercy pleads with the sinner. But "righteousness and judgment are the establishment of his throne" . . . . The world has become bold in transgression of God's law. Because of His long forbearance, men have trampled upon His authority. . . . But there is a line beyond which they cannot pass. The time is near when they will have reached the prescribed limit. Even now they have almost exceeded the bounds of the long-suffering of God, the limits of His grace, the limits of His mercy. The Lord will interpose to vindicate His own honor, to deliver His people, and to repress the swellings of unrighteousness. . . .

          In this time of prevailing iniquity we may know that the last great crisis is at hand. When the defiance of God's law is almost universal, when His people are oppressed and afflicted by their fellow men, the Lord will interpose. . .."There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Daniel 12:1. From garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains and deserts, from the caves of the earth and the caverns of the sea, Christ will gather his children to himself. . . . By human tribunals the children of God have been adjudged the vilest criminals. But the day is near when "God is judge himself." Psalm 50:6. Then the decisions of earth shall be reversed. "The rebuke of his people shall he take away." Isaiah 25:8. White robes will be given to every one of them.

          Whatever crosses they have been called to bear, whatever losses they have sustained, whatever persecution they have suffered, even to the loss of their temporal life, the children of God are amply recompensed. "They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." Revelation 22:4.

          To us who are standing on the very verge of their fulfillment, of what deep moment, what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come--events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God's children have watched and waited, longed and prayed!




Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study
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Prayer
*     Samuele Bacchiocchi Dies
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8595.0

Lessons From Nature:  
*       Black hole confirmed in Milky Way  
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8565.0

End Time prophecies (SDA):
*      Evangelical Alliance
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8544.0
*     "The Times of the Gentiles"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8554.0
*     More Blasphemous Jesus Books ...
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3087.0

The Family Circle
*     Caring for Elderly Parents
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=66.0
*     The Modern "Family"?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=67.0  

Education (SDA)
*     AUC-Loma Linda partnership talks moving forward
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8350.0

Healthful Living
*     Cow Milk    
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3216.0
*     MRSA
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3375.0
*     Stevia
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3398.0

Signs of the Times
*     Pope says end of the world not nigh  
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8575.0
*     The Next Mortgage Meltdown
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8574.0
*     Pope calls for church-state cooperation for peace
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8577.0

Worship (SDA)  
*     Should Women Wear Pants?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8573.0
*     The Book of Jude
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8376.0
*     How do we keep the Sabbath?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1335.0
*     Our Convictions
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8527.0

Social Hall (SDA)
*     Religious Makeup of New Congress
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8586.0
*     Mutilated Christian Girl forgives attackers
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8582.0

Religious Liberty (SDA)
*     Sunday Laws?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8365.0
*     They Killed Their Neighbors
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8535.0

Laodicea (SDA):
*     Julius Nam, Loma Linda University Professor's statement on Homosexuality
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8591.0
*     Wrong Turns in SDA History
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=38.0
*     Deceiving the Church: the Secretive Plans of Team One
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7891.0
*     The SDA Church, ADRA, and the UN
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7932.0
*     Jan Paulsen's Remarks at Oakwood
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8572.0
*     Housing project to secure endowment for Avondale College
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8579.0

Evangelism  
*     Generation of Youth for Christ - GYC
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1803.0
*     Personal Witnessing
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1820.0

Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0

Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0




          Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities; but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter as pictured by the hand of God. He who died for the sins of the world is opening wide the gates of Paradise to all who believe on Him. Soon the battle will have been fought, the victory won. Soon we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence the trials and sufferings of this life will seem as nothingness. The former things "shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." "Israel shall be saved . . . with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end."

          Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed.

"As I live, says the Lord, to me every knee shall bow and every tongue acknowledge God." Romans 14:11.



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http://remnant-online.com

Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:28:54 PM
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February 2009



The President, Politics, Prophecy
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& Seventh-day Adventists




The American political system is of great interest to Seventh-day Adventists. Many subjects of a moral nature are being eyed for legislation. The world-court will be of interest to us all as Obama moves to exalt it. The UN Treaty on Rights of the Child, supported by our church, will injure US sovereignty as well as parental rights. Obama's Congress is likely to ratify it.

Obama is intent on promoting abortion and the homosexual agenda. It is very sad to see that the president of our General Conference has voiced support for him and even more disconcerting to find many others in our church who voice support for the Obama administration. We recognize the great joy to many in our church that a black would be elected president, but this is no reason to support immorality. We all rejoice that the color of a man's skin has not prevented election to the second most powerful position in the world. But, the issue of what Obama has supported and what he will now do that is contrary to Bible morality is of great concern.

Politics ought not be a matter of great importance to us, but there are times when it would be wrong to not speak up. That there are some in the church at the highest levels who deem it proper to voice their political ideas, requires a response. For church leaders to voice support for those who are promoting abortion and homosexuality is wrong.

We have a number of topics of discussion that address the subject. One is Jan Paulsen's Remarks at Oakwood.  GET LINK

The economy continues to deteriorate world-wide. It is changing our personal lives as well as our opportunity to do evangelism. Our people are interested and need to see the counsel given to us as a people. It appears to many in the church that end times prophecies are fast being fulfilled. Some do not believe in a "new world order", but others see that the world is being unified under one banner. Both Republicans and Democrats have joined hands to make this an economic reality and now Obama and his administration may further solidify these gains by governmental treaty. We are reminded that the last steps will be rapid ones.

Quote
We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. {CCh 37.1}
The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.
 
The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails. The enemy has succeeded in perverting justice and in filling men's hearts with the desire for selfish gain. "Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." Isaiah 59:14. In the great cities there are multitudes living in poverty and wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; while in the same cities are those who have more than heart could wish, who live luxuriously, spending their money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse still, upon the gratification of sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that destroy the powers of the brain, unbalance the mind, and debase the soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God, while by every species of oppression and extortion men are piling up colossal fortunes.

I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify the owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: "How can we best glorify God?" The Lord was not in their thoughts.

As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah.

The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings and said: "They are perfectly safe." But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines. {CCh 38.1}

I am instructed that when the Lord's time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God's appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition.

There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God's word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them.
 
The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ's second coming. Of the men who by robbery and extortion are amassing great riches, it is written: "Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you." James 5:3-6. CCh 38

As we read of the corruption on Wall Street, the plans of labor unions, the violence in our societies, the state of the nations of the world, are we not convinced that Jesus is even at the doors!!



Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study

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Bread of Life
We Glory in Tribulations
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=779.0

Investigative Judgment
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=789.0

Inspiration
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=800.0


Lessons From Nature
Open Space in Orion
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3858.0


End Time Prophecies
A Delusion
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7723.0

Literal or Spiritual After Christ's Death?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3116.0


King of Kings
The Nature of Christ
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6621.0


The Family Circle
Caring for Elderly Parents
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=66.0


Education
School of the Prophets
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7789.0

Required School Attendance on Sabbath?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8671.0


Healthful Living
Salmonella in Peanut Butter Continues to Kill
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8631.0

Mercury in Food
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8692.0

The Healing Effects of Plants, Trees and Flowers
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8664.0


Signs of the Times
Sale of Childrens' Books Banned
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8636.0

Sunday Law Discussed on CBS News
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8695.0

Christless "Christians"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8633.0

Homosexual Marriage Bill Advances in New Mexico
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8691.0

California Court Says Christian School Can Expel Lesbian Students
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8687.0


Worship
Sermon Topics
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7454.0


Laodicea
Pathfinders
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=136.0

Rights of the Child UN Treaty
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=71.0

A Fresh Look at Labor Unions       
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=103.0

Paulsen's Remarks at Oakwood     
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8572.0


Social Hall
Dangers of Hypnosis
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8667.0

New Legislation Authorizes FEMA Camps in US
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8689.0

Global Warming
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8623.0


Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0


Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0



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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:29:36 PM
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The Remnant Online Newsletter
March 2009



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Have you ever heard ...
"It is not what you know, but Who you know?


There is a popular saying today in the church and there many different flavors of the same idea. I'm sure that you've heard one or two of them. It goes something like this: "all that matters is your relationship with the Lord".  In the fullest sense this is true. However, it can be also be used to lower standards and excuse sin in our personal lives and corporately in the church body since the reasoning is that it's only my relationship with God that counts not what I do.

Most every Christian assumes their relationship with the Lord is good and is on the path of the narrow way. But according to Jeremiah 17:9 we are told that the heart is deceitful and wicked. Who can understand it? We are also told that we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling and according to the Bible there will be some who are lost who sincerely believed that they would be saved. They state their case before the Lord by listing their good works but Jesus turns to them and says... "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

So, if our heart is deceitful how can we discern whether or not our relationship with the Lord is truly what it should be? Well we are not left to wander and wonder or even to make a good educated guess. There is a way to know. Many times in the Old Testament God says that He is the One that searches the heart and tries the reins.  He is the One who truly knows the condition of our hearts and our relationship with Him. So how can we know if our relationship with God is good? Ask Him!! Be like David and ask God....

Psalm 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psalm 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.


There are also some questions that you can ask yourself. A Christian who has found grace and has been forgiven desires nothing more than to obey God and the law is the standard. So ask yourself: how does your heart, thoughts, actions, and desires line up with the Word of God? Does the law condemn them? If so, be like David and ask God to lead you in the way of everlasting.

Another question you can ask yourself is: Do I love others more than myself? Do I esteem others better than myself? Jesus told us that others will recognize that we belong to Him by our love for each other. A very famous preacher once said that every Christian is a missionary or an impostor. Are you involved in working to help save souls and introduce them to Jesus?

Maybe you once knew Jesus but have fallen away. Don't be discouraged! God has not cast you off. Rather, He says this ...

Jeremiah 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.


For a closer look at Relationship Theology click on this link: Venden (https://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=74.0)


Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study

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Bread of Life
Christian Character
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=843.0

The 144,000
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=740.0

Matthew 24
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=740.0

On Being "Born Again"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=797.0


End Time Prophecies
Time of Trouble
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8169.0


The Family Circle
The Modern "Family"?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=67.0

Parental Duty
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=24.0

Back to the Blueprint of Parenting
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=41.0


Education
Home Schooling and the states
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7473.0


Healthful Living
Salmonella in Peanut Butter
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8631.0

Arrowhead Mills Recall
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8769.0


The "Right Arm"
How Weighty is it?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8773.0

The Mission of our Hospitals
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2775.0


Signs of the Times
Hearts Failing for Fear
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8725.0

SDA Plane Down in Venezuela
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8758.0

The Great American Stickup
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6116.0

Pope has Change of heart on Darwin
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=57.0


Worship
Laodicean Message
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=989.0

Gracelink Concerns
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=956.0

Joyful Noise, the book by Ed Christian
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=956.0


Laodicea
"New Perspectives on Christianity" Conference in Cooranbong
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8712.0

Church Membership
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8771.0

Good News in Laodicea
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8678.0

To call the Church "Babylon"
http://remnant-online.com/index.php?topic=83.0


Social Hall
Randy Skeete = Samuel K. Pipim on Steriods!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7688.0

Questions on Bible Texts
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5006.0

New Legislation authorizes FEMA Camps in U.S.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8689.0

Tithes and Offerings
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8722.0


Religious Liberty
RL Update
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=613.0


Evangelism
Evangelism Methods
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=55.0


Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0


Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0



To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

http://remnant-online.com
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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:30:33 PM
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April 2009


Unions and the Remnant--Men Binding up Bundles
by Immanuel

Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men.

AMERICA Speaks ...
The President: "I don't see organized labor as part of the problem," Obama said. "To me, it's part of the solution.…"  - Los Angeles Times, January 30, 2009

ROME backs America's statement the next day ...
The Pope: "The great challenge and the great opportunity posed by today's worrisome economic crisis is to find a new synthesis between the common good and the market, between capital and labour. And in this regard, union organisations can make a significant contribution," the Pope told directors of the Confederation of Italian Labor Unions on January 31. - The Catholic Leader, January 31, 2009

PROPHETIC COUNSEL warned in 1902:
Ellen G. White:  "Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us?--Letter 201, 1902." "These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God, for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire Decalogue. {2MR 179.1}

--------------------------

The "Employee Free Choice Act" - or card check - allows unions to organize workplaces if half of its workers sign a card saying they support a union. Others place this figure at thirty percent. What is this "card check" bill?

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) (H.R. 1409, S. 560) is pending legislation in the United States which aims to "amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an easier system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes."[1] The latest version was introduced into both chambers of the U.S. Congress on 10 March 2009. - Wikipedia

In the Obama revolution, unions are the vanguard force. Contrary to promises of moderation, the Administration has so far sided firmly with the union left. On the day after the Inauguration, the Department of Labor stopped the implementation of new union financial disclosure rules that provide greater transparency about union finances. A fortnight on the job, President Obama issued four executive orders, on federal contracting and political spending, demanded by Big Labor. Mr. Obama this month endorsed card check and vowed that it "will pass." - Wall Street Journal, Labor's European Model, Opinion Journal 3/16/09  Source (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123716333620835923.html)

In this same article the WSJ adds:

The bill also gives the government power to influence wages and benefits under its binding arbitration provision. The exact terms of a first contract between an employer and a new union would be set by a state-appointed mediator if parties fail to reach a deal by a state-appointed deadline. Unions would have every incentive to make maximum demands, knowing that an arbitrator would more often than not split the difference.

What does this mean for the remnant?

Unionism has revealed what it is by the spirit that it has manifested. It is controlled by the cruel power of Satan. Those who refuse to join the unions formed are made to feel this power. The principles governing the forming of these unions seem innocent, but men have to pledge themselves to serve the interests of these unions, or else they may have to pay the penalty of refusal with their lives.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself," (Luke 10:27). These words sum up the whole duty of man. They mean the consecration of the whole being, body, soul, and spirit, to God's service. How can men obey these words, and at the same time pledge themselves to support that which deprives their neighbors of freedom of action? And how can men obey these words, and form combinations that rob the poorer classes of the advantages which justly belong to them, preventing them from buying or selling, except under certain conditions! How plainly the words of God have predicted this condition of things. John writes,

"I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. . . . And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in the 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. Revelation 13:11 ... 17

The forming of these unions is one of Satan's last efforts. God will care for those who love Him and keep His commandments. A Fresh Look at Labor Unions (http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=103.0)




    * The Family Circle

The Modern "Family"?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=67.0


    * Education

Obama's Educational Goals
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8818.0


    * Healthful Living

Why Become a Strict Vegetarian?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3404.0

Eggs
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3613.0

Bioengineered Foods
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3613.0


    * The "Right Arm"

How Weighty is it?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8773.0


    * Signs of the Times

No More Marriage?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8819.0

February 2009's Bailout Package
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8740.0

Will the Government Soon Control the Nation's Food Supply?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8831.0


    * Worship

Historic Message
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8837.0

Laodicean Message
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=989.0


    * Social Hall

President Obama Will Expand National Service Programs
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8418.0

Aaron's Rod
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8843.0


    * Religious Liberty

Faith-Based Hiring to be Overturned by Obama Administration?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8709.0


    * Laodicea

A Fresh Look at Labor Unions
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=103.0

Rebellion Against World Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=90.0

The Gospel According to Graham Maxwell
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7057.0

Emergent Theology and the Seventh-day Adventist Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7411.0

Review Falls Further into the World
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8805.0


    * Evangelism

Those Who Can't Keep the Commandments
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8825.0

Christ's Methods of Evangelism
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8392.0

Advertising for Evangelistic Meetings
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8765.0


    * Sabbath School Lesson

Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0


    * Resource Exchange

Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0


To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

http://remnant-online.com




To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

http://remnant-online.com
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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 13, 2009, 03:31:08 PM
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Daniel Eleven

May 2009

by Immanuel


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Daniel chapter 11 is one of the most fascinating chapters in the Bible. Because of the clear recitation of earth’s history, students of Daniel 11 are faced with two choices: either accepting the Bible as true or try to “prove” that Daniel 11 is a more recent work.

The latter position has been proposed from very early on in the Christian world. The philosopher Porphyry first concluded in the 3rd century that Daniel must have been written shortly after many of the events occurred. His view, largely discounted at the time, was given new life during the “enlightenment” period of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today this view is held by all atheists who are informed on the subject. It is the view that they must hold because the detail is too clear, if they were to admit that the book of Daniel was written in the 6th century B.C., they would also have to admit that the information contained in Daniel 11 must have come from a supernatural source. The other chapters of Daniel can be reasoned away by non-believers because of the use of symbols. But Daniel 11 is given in clear, plain language, free of symbols, whose meaning cannot be mistaken.

Unfortunately, this amazing chapter has been largely forgotten by the Christian world. Growing up, I do not remember hearing a sermon or even a reference to this chapter in church or in church school. I believe that this neglect is a result of the controversy surrounding the interpretation of the final 10 or so verses of Daniel 11. There is no doubt that the enemy is pleased with the confusion over these verses, because the event that immediately follows their fulfillment is the Second Coming of Christ. If we can be mislead in the interpretation of these important verses then, perhaps, we can be mislead into just how close we are to the end of time.

In Testimonies vol. 9 p. 14 we read “The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.” It is clear that time covered in Daniel 11 is near it fulfillment. From Cyrus through the Seleucid empires to Cleopatra and Mark Antony and through the rise and fall of the Roman empire history has been precisely foretold. But what of the last verses occurring just before the time when “Michael shall stand up” (Daniel 12:1)?

When the last verses are examined in their chronological sequence, following the sequence of the rest of Daniel 11, we find some interesting conclusions. First, the eventual outcome of the unification of church and state is chronicled in the history of the French Revolution in vs. 36-39. What an important story! Who could foretell what the eventual outcome would be when the Frank king Clovis was the first secular ruler to unite his country with Papacy in 508? Only the Word of God could accurately foretell that the unification of civil government and false religion would eventually result in anarchy and atheism. What a blessing to have an example that we can point to in the time of trouble that comes not only from history but, most importantly, is recorded in the Bible.

The second item of note is that we find Turkey, formerly known as the Ottoman Empire, occupying the position of the “King of the North.” Why is this important today? The Ottoman Empire is where we find the roots of the Muslim religion. This religion is controlling or greatly influencing the governments of the countries that occupy the region of the King of the North, including Turkey, where 99% of the population is Muslim. When we realize this reality and compare it with the significant place that Islam holds in today’s world we can see why the closing verses of Daniel deal with Turkey, and by extension the religion that controls her, Islam.

Let us for a moment consider what the impact would be if these interpretations are reexamined and changed. If we dispense with the first item, that of France in 36-39, we take away our foundation for a proper understanding of the 1290 days in Daniel 12. Now the way is opened up for a futuristic interpretation. This futuristic interpretation is, unfortunately, gaining popularity today. But, if we hold to the classic interpretation we have a solid logical foundation to build off of in interpreting the 1290 days as extending from 508, when Clovis made his alliance with the Papacy, to 1798, when the French general Berthier removed the pope from his throne. This helps us see how close we are to the end as opposed to the futurists view which places more time between now and the return of Jesus.

The second item, that of Turkey as the King of the North, provides us with a solid foundation for a proper understanding of the trumpets of Revelation. Notice this statement, “The prophecies of Daniel and of John are to be understood; they interpret each other.” – PH139. If we have an incorrect understanding of Daniel that will lead to an incorrect understanding of Revelation and vice-versa. One of the most amazing prophecies of the book of Revelation is that of the sixth trumpet. In this prophecy we see the decline of the Ottoman Empire predicted down to the day! This significant fulfillment led to a revival when it happened in 1840 and should continue to give people confidence in the Word. But today, coinciding with a reinterpretation of Daniel 11, we have people who are now boldly proclaiming a new interpretation of the trumpets. And, similar to the 1290 day prophecy, they proclaim that the seven trumpets refer to the future, again putting more events to happen – more time – between now and the Second Coming.

Friends, the time is very near when “Michael shall stand up.” Soon He will come in all of His glory. The prophecies of Daniel 11 will soon reach their complete fulfillment. Now is the time to study and understand them, so that we will not be led astray by looking for things to happen that have already come to pass. 


Continuing Forum Discussions and Topics of Study

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Bread of Life -- "Present Truth" Seventh-day Adventist Bible study. Questions and answers from the Word of God.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=6.0

Lessons From Nature -- God's second book. Nature testifies to the power and love of our Creator.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=15.0

End Time Prophecies (SDA) -- Seventh-day Adventists discuss the prophecies that relate to the time of the end (our time).
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=16.0

Computer Forum -- Can't live without them and can't live with them! We are blessed to have computers to fellowship around the world, but we need to keep them running. Need some help? Have some answers? Closed on Sabbath.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=13.0

King of Kings -- The life and teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=30.0

Family Circle -- A well-ordered family exerts a more powerful influence in favor of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=7.0

Education (SDA) -- Seventh-day Adventist education. Preparing our children and youth for this world and the next.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=8.0

Healthful Living -- We are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet it is our duty to study that we might understand our part in preserving good health, and as Seventh-day Adventists share the truth with others.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=9.0

The "Right Arm" -- As the arm opens the door for the body to pass through, so will the medical missionary work open the doors to many hearts.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=18.0

Signs of the Times -- News that reveals the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=10.0

Worship (SDA) -- Music, testimonies, prayer, or sermons, discuss what is acceptable worship in God's church.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=14.0

Social Hall (SDA) -- Fellowship with brothers and sisters from around the world.
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=19.0

Religious Liberty (SDA) -- What shall we do as the time nears when those that "have one mind....shall give their power and strength unto the beast"?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=20.0

Laodicea (SDA) -- "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3:19 
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=21.0

Evangelism -- "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations....teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=22.0

Sabbath School Lesson -- Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0

Resource Exchange -- Have a book? Need a book? Have seeds? Need seeds? Bulk whole Foods, Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0

To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

http://remnant-online.com
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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 28, 2009, 09:18:22 AM
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June 2009

Discernment

The track of truth lies close beside the track of error

by Brian M

Mark 13:5, 6 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

          Deception! Someone once said that the essence of deception is that you are unaware that you are deceived. In other words, someone who is truly deceived does not realize that they are. Why is it that a teaching can be seen as error by some and embraced as truth by others? How can some see things in black and white while others seem to muddle around in shades of gray? How can we be sure we are following truth when so many different doctrines are presented as truth, even within the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

          For deception to occur, a person must accept as truth a false teaching. If that is true, then the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong would be the most effective way to avoid deception. Thankfully, God has provided just such a tool, one that is available to all His people: Spiritual Discernment.

          Discernment is a gift from God. Through the Holy Spirit God gives discernment, in varying measure, to all who walk with Christ.1 It also comes in response to prayer.2 Though it is a gift, discernment can be cultivated3 and will grow in strength as we grow in Christ as Paul indicates in Hebrews 5:12-14:

           12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

          As we walk with Christ, He will provide us with the discernment needed to follow His will for our lives. Often this requires great struggle through study and prayer, but we have His assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

          However, though He has promised never to forsake us, we can diminish or even lose the power of discernment given through His Spirit. Obviously when we reject Christ we cannot properly use the gifts He’s given us; but there are also many ways we can cloud our discernment, without openly rejecting Him. For example, resisting conviction4, gratification of appetite5, criticism and bitterness6, frivolity7, and impurity in thought and speech8 are all things that dim our ability to discern truth from error. And this is not an exhaustive list!

          How important is it for us to cultivate a keen sense of discernment? Look at this quote from Selected Messages, Volume 1 page 202:

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/railroadtrackimages.jpg)The track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error.

          Matthew 24:4 and Testimonies, Volume 9, page 63, tell us that the Devil is at work trying to deceive the very elect. The majority of attacks are coming from inside the church, where error is mingled with truth and presented as the gospel. Even more astonishing is that error unmingled with truth is being presented as truth!

          The time has come for the faithful leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to stand up for truth “though the heavens fall”9. As leaders we must be held accountable for the false doctrines that are being allowed to sweep through the church on our watch.

          The time has come for converted educators, parents and students to reject the errors that are being taught on our campuses. Even now a line is being drawn in the sand over the teaching of evolution at La Sierra University. Who will rise up in support of truth there?

          The time has come for the consecrated laity to stand up and say, “enough is enough”. For too long, especially here in North America, we have stood by while some leaders try to move independently from the decisions made at our General Conference Sessions.

          Together, we as leadership and laity have been given a charge to spread the truth to every nation, kindred, tongue and people; however this cannot and will not be done, until we awake from our Laodicean condition. Only then can we learn again to discern truth from error and present that truth in its purity, untarnished by the doctrines of the fallen churches of Babylon.

          There is only one track of truth! Everything that deviates from that track is error.

1. White, E.G., Review & Herald, October 26, 1905 par. 5

2. Bible, 1 Kings 3:9-11

3. White, E.G., Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 159.2

4. Ibid. Conflict and Courage, 35.5

5. Ibid. Confrontation 81:1

6. Ibid. Testimonies Vol. 6, p. 297

7. Ibid. Counsels to Parents, Students and Teachers, 368.1

8. Ibid. Desire of Ages, 302.2

9. Ibid. Signs of the Times, May 4, 1882 par. 16





Continuing Forum Discussions
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/bible6.gif)

Bread of Life
Binding Aspects of the Mosaic Law
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=844.0

Investigative Judgment
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=789.0

Watchmen
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=778.0


End Time Prophecies
Time of Trouble
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8169.0

Islam
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1233.0

Seven Trumpets
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3021.0


The Family Circle

What kind of books for our children?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12.0

Dangerous Amusements
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=25.0

Debt
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9008.0


Education
Asscherick's letter regarding La Sierra
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0 

La Sierra's Conservative Creationist's Guest Speaker's Reception
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9046.0

Homosexuality and SDA Campuses
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8890.0


Healthful Living
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3433.0

Growing a Garden
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3444.0

Why be a Strict Vegetarian?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3404.0


Signs of the Times
Same-Sex Marriage Swarm
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=47.0

Ida, the Missing Link?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9070.0

Legalizing Pot?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9049.0


Worship
The Book of Jude
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8376.0

Why do Some Adventists Want to Abandon Ellen G. White?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1470.0

Count Your Blessings!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8913.0

       
Religious Liberty
Religious Liberty and Gay Rights
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9016.0

Adventist Lawyer appointed Religious Liaison in Obama Administration
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8972.0

Census 2010
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9012.0


Social Hall
EGW CD-Rom New Low Price
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9062.0

The President to Expand National Service Programs
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8418.0

Obama and Religion
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8968.0


Laodicea
The General Opinion
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9055.0

Adventism's Two Theological Societies
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8673.0

Nonprofit Hospitals' CEO's Pay will make you Sick!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8673.0


Evangelism
Ways to bring Christ to your community
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9103.0

Those who "Can't" Keep the Commandments
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8825.0

Missionary and Colporteur Stories
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=59.0


Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0


Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0
 



To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

http://remnant-online.com
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on July 27, 2009, 02:49:12 PM
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August 2009

    The Garment of Salvation
by Tirza

“In the beginning was the Word,...and the Word was God” who is “clothed with honor and majesty” and covers Himself “with light as with a garment.”  He makes “his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire,”  (John 1:1; Ps. 104:1,2,4).

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”  “All things were made by Him.”  He “created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created he them.”  “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; Gen. 1:27,31).  The male and the female, Adam and Eve, came forth from the Creator's hands perfect in every way. 

“He was of lofty stature and perfect symmetry.  His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health and glowed with the light of life and joy.  Adam's height was much greater than that of  men who now inhabit the earth.  Eve was somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble, and full of beauty.”  (PP 45:3).

“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Gen 2:25).  They were perfect, not only in physiology, but spiritually, as well.  “The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear.  So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them.”  (PP 45:3).  They were clothed with “the light of God.” (COL 310:4).

In perfect innocence, peace, and happiness, the pair began life in Eden, a beautiful garden planted by God Himself for their contentment.  True happiness was theirs, the happiness that is found “in communion with God through His created works.” (PP 49:3).  They had been given dominion over every living thing and not one thing had been withheld from them that would bring them joy and delight.

While Adam and Eve continued obedience to their Maker, they continued to be clothed with the garment of light, which is the righteousness of saints.  “Light is sown for the righteous,”  “and he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light.” (Ps. 97:11; 37:6).  “This light illuminated everything which they approached.  There was nothing to obscure their perception of the character or the works of God.” (MH 461-2).  That light allowed them to read nature correctly, to discern the character of God in his works. 

“The book of nature, which spread its living lessons before them, afforded an exhaustless source of instruction and delight.  On every leaf of the forest and stone of the mountains, in every shining star, in the earth and sea and sky, God's name was written.  With both the animate and inanimate creation — with leaf and flower and tree, and with every living creature, from the leviathan of the waters to the mote in the sunbeam — the dwellers in Eden held converse, gathering from each the secrets of its life.  God's glory in the heavens, the innumerable worlds in their orderly revolutions, 'the balancings of the clouds' (Job 37:16), the mysteries of light and sound, of day and night — all were objects of study by the pupils of earth's first school.” (Ed 21:3).

With undimmed vision they could study with microscopic detail the inner workings of leaves and flowers.  Through telescopic vision they could study the heavenly bodies of the far flung universe.  Oh, what a wonderful garment to have, this garment of light which was the light of God.  How great were the opportunities their cloaks gave them for incomparable study of nature and the joy and delight of discovery.  But Adam and Eve would keep their garments only as long as they maintained their loyalty and obedience to God.

Tragically, there came a day when things went terribly wrong.  Eve wandered away from Adam, and became fascinated by a talking serpent — so fascinated that she ate of the one tree in the garden God had said they must not eat of.  Adam, horrified by the thought of being separated from Eve, also ate of the forbidden fruit.  Loyalty and obedience had been flung aside and the darkness of sin entered their lives as it also entered the whole world.  “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” (Gen. 3:7).  As they looked at themselves, at each other, they were, for the first time, aware that they had no covering.  The light, the precious light, was gone.  They were no longer righteous, no longer perfect.  Though their eyes were opened, their vision was dimmed.  “In losing the garments of holiness, they lost the light that had illuminated nature.  No longer could they read it aright.  They could not discern the character of God in His works.” (MH 462:0).  What fear must have found its way into their hearts, what recriminations must have formed in their minds as the world around them went dark, as the glorious wonders of creation grew dim and gray to their eyes. 

“The halo of glory, which God had given holy Adam, covering him as a garment, departed from him after his transgression.  The light of God's glory could not cover disobedience and sin.  In the place of health and plenitude of blessings, poverty, sickness, and suffering of every type were to be the portion of the children of Adam.” (1SM 270:1).

Standing alone in the twilight, trying to find some excuse for what they had done, shivering in the coolness of the evening air… shivering?  They had never felt chilled before.  And they felt so naked.  So “they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Gen. 3:7).  Wearing the garments of their own making, they heard a familiar voice calling their names.  Fear, shame, and embarrassment flooded over them, and instead of running to meet their Lord, they hid among the trees.  But the One who knows all things and sees all things came to their hiding place and called, “Adam,… where art thou?  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked and I hid myself.  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked?  Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee thou shouldest not eat?” (Gen. 3:9-11).  Standing before the Lord covered only in the skimpiest of garments, they had to face the horrible, terrible reality.  Nothing was ever going to be the same again.  Everything had been forever changed.

“After Adam's transgression he at first imagined that he felt the rising to a new and higher existence,  But soon the thought of his transgression terrified him.  The air that had been of a mild and even temperature, seemed to chill them.  The guilty pair had a sense of sin.  They felt a dread of the future, a sense of want, a nakedness of soul.  The sweet love, and peace, and happy, contented bliss seemed removed from them, and in its place a want of something came over them that they never experienced before.  They then for the first [time] turned their attention to the external.  They had not been clothed, but were draped in light as were the heavenly angels.  This light which had enshrouded them departed.  To relieve the sense of lack and nakedness which they realized, their attention was directed to seek a covering for their form; for how could they meet the eye of God and angels unclothed?

“Their crime is now before them in its true light.  Their transgression of God's express command assumes a clearer character.  Adam censured Eve's folly in leaving his side, and being deceived by the serpent.  They both flattered themselves that God, who had given them everything to make them happy might yet excuse their disobedience, because of his great love to them, and that their punishment would not be so dreadful, after all.” (1SP 41-2).

But as they stand looking into the face of Jesus, as they hear Him pronounce the curse upon the serpent and on themselves, a sense of the enormity of sin begins to pervade their senses.  They hear, with joy, the promise of hope, that a Redeemer will come and die that they might be pardoned.  Then the “angels of God were commissioned to visit the fallen pair and inform them that although they could no longer retain possession of their holy estate, their Eden home, because of their transgression of the law of God, yet their case was not hopeless.  They were then informed that the Son of God, who had conversed with them in Eden, had been moved with pity as he viewed their hopeless condition, and had volunteered to take upon himself the punishment due to them, and die for them that man might yet live, through faith in the atonement Christ proposed to make for him.  Through Christ, a door of hope was opened, that man, notwithstanding his great sin, should not be under the absolute control of Satan.  Faith in the merits of the son of God would so elevate man that he could resist the devices of Satan.  Probation would be granted him in which, through a life of repentance, and faith in the atonement of the Son of God, he might be redeemed from his transgression of the Father's law, and thus be elevated to a position where efforts to keep his law could be accepted.” (1SP 50-1).

Standing there in their brief garments which are typical of man's righteousness, the plan of salvation is laid out to them.  They are told that God's law requires the punishment of death for disobedience, that until the Redeemer should come, a lamb will represent Him.  The lamb is brought forth, a quiet, gentle creature; Adam, with a breaking heart, must slay this animal and burn its flesh upon an altar.  How their hearts must have wrung, how the inhabitants of heaven and the unfallen worlds must have watched with grief and amazement as the lamb died.  There had never been death before in the universe.  Not so much as a leaf or an insect had died, for God is not the bringer of death but of life.  But the transgression of the law required the shedding of blood.

“When Adam, according to God's special directions, made an offering for sin, it was to him a most painful ceremony.  His hand must be raised to take life, which God alone could give, and make an offering for sin.  It was the first time he had witnessed death.  As he looked upon the bleeding victim, writhing in the agonies of death, he was to look forward by faith to the Son of God, whom the victim prefigured, who was to die man's sacrifice.” (1SP 53:1).

Now, the Lord takes the skins and from them He makes two coats, one for Adam and one for Eve.  These are garments long enough to cover their nakedness, a coat with sleeves to protect from the chilly air.  Man had made himself only an apron and that from fig leaves which would dry up and crumble in just a few days.  God made coats from skins which both covered their bodies and were long lasting.  Why did man feel satisfied with such a minute covering as his apron of leaves?  With our dimmed vision we have little sense of our unrighteousness, our unfitness to stand before the King.  We're quite content with only a little covering, but all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, or a fig leaf apron.  But when Jesus comes, He illuminates our eyes and we see our nakedness.  In our distress, we give ourselves into His hands, He forgives our sins, and gives us coats of His righteousness so that the shame of our nakedness does not appear. 

“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying,  Take away the filthy garments from him.  And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head.  So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments.  And the angel of the Lord stood by.” (Zech. 3:3-5).

Morning by morning as Adam and Eve arose, they would look upon their coats and were reminded of the death of the lamb, and the future death of their own Creator.  They were reminded daily of the consequences of sin, that He whose hands had fashioned these coats would one day come to earth as a man, and live and die that they might be restored to their Eden home.  Man today must continue to wear the coat made for him by Jesus' hands, a robe invisible to the human eye, but not to the heavenly intelligences.  “This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising.  Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us.” (COL 311:4).  This robe is a robe of Christ's own righteousness, a robe of light.  Jesus has promised that when we “confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9).  “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:18).

“When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is united with His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him, we live His life.  This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness.  Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” (COL 312:0).

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isa. 61:10).  We cannot manufacture for ourselves garments of salvation or robes of righteousness.  These are put on us by God; we accept them by faith in Jesus' spilled blood.  When we try to cover ourselves, it's as though we are weaving spider's webs into garments.  “Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.”  (James 2:17).  Works alone will never cover us; they must be the outgrowth of a life that has been given into God's hands, of accepting that we can of our own selves do nothing, but that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

“Since that first sin committed by Adam and Eve, men have tried to sew together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression.  They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.

“But this they can never do.  Nothing can man devise to supply the place of his lost robe of innocence.  No fig-leaf garment, no worldly citizen dress, can be worn by those who sit down with Christ and angels at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

“Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God's presence.  This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul.” (COL 311:1-3).

Someday soon, if faithful, Jesus will pronounce of His saints:  “They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” (Rev. 3:4).  They have prayed, as did Moses, “Lord, show me thy glory” and as they beheld the Lord, “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,” they were changed “into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (Ex. 33:18; 34:6,7; 2Cor. 3:18).

When this mortal shall have put on immortality, the garments of light will be restored.  In the city that has no need of sun nor moon, whose light is the glory of God and the Lamb, the “saved shall walk in the light of it.” (Rev. 21:23-24).

“There, when the veil that darkens our vision shall be removed, and our eyes shall behold that world of beauty of which we now catch glimpses through the microscope; when we look on the glories of the heavens, now scanned afar through the telescope; when, the blight of sin removed, the whole earth shall appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” what a field will be open to our study!  There the student of science may read the records of creation and discern no reminders of the law of evil.  He may listen to the music of nature's voices and detect no note of wailing or undertone of sorrow.  In all created things he may trace one handwriting — in the vast universe behold “God's name writ large,” and not in the earth or sea or sky one sign of ill remaining.

“There the Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field.  “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”  Isa. 65:21,22.

“There shall be nothing to “hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.” Isa. 65:25.  There man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful.” (Ed 303-4).




Continuing Forum Discussions
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    *  Ernie Knoll Admits Deceit

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5074.0

    * Activists Claim Christian Woman Executed in Korea

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9364.0

    * Deception

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9365.0

    * Why do Some Seventh-day Adventists Want to Abandon Ellen G. White?

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1470.0

    * The Ten Virgins

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=741.0

    * The Gospel According to Christ

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6611.0

    * A Sister Sleeps - Liane

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9187.0

    * Lesser Light - What Does it Mean?

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=745.0

    * Gardening Tips

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3814.0

    * End Time Prophecies

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=16.0

    * Children's Book Project

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=60.0

    * David Asscherick's Letter on La Sierra University

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0

    * Education - A Call for Reform

http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=913.0

To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on August 30, 2009, 07:17:08 AM
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September 2009


We are called with a holy calling

How to Become Strong Christians
by Mrs. E. G. White
Contributor: Lewis


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   Those who are of the household of faith should never neglect the assembling of themselves together; for this is God's appointed means of leading His children into unity, in order that in Christian love and fellowship they may help, strengthen, and encourage one another. My brethren and sisters, if you would come together for prayer-meetings, if, after confession of sin and humiliation of soul, you would have a love-feast,--every heart filled with true love for his brethren,--you would see the salvation of God.

     As brethren of our Lord, we are called with a holy calling to a holy, happy life. Having entered the narrow path of obedience, let us refresh our minds by communion with one another and with God. As we see the day of God approaching, let us meet often to study His Word and to exhort one another to be faithful to the end. These earthly assemblies are God's appointed means by which we have opportunity to speak with one another and to gather all the help possible to prepare, in the right way, to receive in the heavenly assemblies the fulfillment of the pledges of our inheritance.

     Remember that in every assembly you meet with Christ, the Master of assemblies. Encourage a personal interest in one another, for it is not enough to simply know men. We must know men in Christ Jesus. We are enjoined to "consider one another." This is the key-note of the gospel. The key-note of the world is self.

     Christ declares to His disciples: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Christians are to reveal to the world that they are wearing the yoke of the Great Teacher and learning of Him His meekness and lowliness. As obedient sons and daughters of God, they are to fulfill their obligations to Him, giving to the world a proper representation of His character. Thus they become lights in the world.

     The Christian pilgrim is not left to walk in darkness. Jesus leads the way. Those who follow Him walk in the sunshine of His presence. The path that the pilgrim treads is clear and defined. Christ's righteousness goes before him,--the righteousness that makes possible the good works characterizing the life of every true Christian. God is his rereward. He walks in the light as Christ is in the light. As he travels onward in the Christian journey, he combines faith with earnest endeavor to win others to accompany him. Constantly receiving the light of Christ's presence, he reflects this light to others in words of encouragement and deeds of self-denial. He bears the sign of obedience to God's law, which distinguishes him from those who are not following the pathway that leads to life eternal.

     The Christian pilgrim cannot be sour, gloomy, depressed. It is a misrepresentation of the Christian faith to be surly, unreasonable, or sour in spirit. My brethren and sisters, no longer cherish such a spirit. Heed the apostle's admonition to provoke one another unto love and good works. How can you do this?--By conscientious, consistent behavior. Occasionally pause to sum up the results of such a course, to ascertain whether it is the wisest course to pursue. You will find that careful regard for one another's needs, kindly words of sympathy, and thoughtful assistance in helping others in their work, encourage not only them, but yourselves as well, because you thus become laborers together with God.
- Bible Training School, February 1, 1910 par. 1-6


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Topics of Study
&
Continuing Discussions



Bread of Life
Biblical Questions
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9501.0
How to Grow in Grace
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=775.0
The Ten Virgins
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=741.0

End Time Prophecies
Time Prophecies in Daniel 12
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9428.0

King of Kings
God's Amazing "Grace"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6619.0
The Gospel According to Christ
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6611.0
What is the Value of the Soul?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6618.0

The Family Circle
What kind of books for our children?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12.0
Mother's Position is Sacred
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3.0
Parental Duty
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=24.0

Education
Asscherick's letter regarding La Sierra
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0
Homeschooling and History
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9338.0
When God Said— Don't Send Your Children to Battle Creek to Receive an Education
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9323.0

Healthful Living
Sprouting and Drying Foods
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3464.0
Florida Crystals
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9465.0
Cutting Edge Recipes
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3401.0

Signs of the Times
U.S.A. 'very concerned' about Swine Flu (H1N1) outbreak
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8962.0
Evangelical Christians now thanking Allah
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9490.0
Homosexual Immorality
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=47.0

Worship
Modest Clothing - Women
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7652.0
The 144,000
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=740.0
Why Do Some Adventists want to Abandon Ellen G. White?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1470.0
     
Social Hall
Ernie Knoll - Prophet of God?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5074.0
Okay, I think I'm done with Fellowship Dinner
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9422.0
Affection among the Saints - What is true modesty of Deportment?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9475.0
Read "Testimonies for the Church" in a Year
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9415.0

Religious Liberty
Standish appointed new UN Liaison for SDA Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9491.0
Alan Reinach on the Lutherans' decision to ordain gay clergy
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=613.msg102687#msg102687
Wal-Mart Policy Change Affecting Adventist Employees
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=613.msg102346#msg102346
Principal and Athletic Director face criminal charges for prayer at luncheon
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9455.0

Laodicea
The Pathfinders Organization
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=136.0
Shepherds and Watchmen or Hirelings and Wolves?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9424.0
The Last Deception, Making of No Effect the Testimonies
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8181.0
Review Falls Further into the World
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8805.0
Beyond Common Ground by Alden Thompson
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9426.0

Evangelism
Ways to bring Christ to your community
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9103.0
Missionary and Colporteur Stories
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=59.0
What is your Witness?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8764.0
Evangelism Works!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7154.0
Christ's Method of Evangelism
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8392.0

Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0

Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0




To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on September 27, 2009, 09:08:26 AM
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October 2009



Why Does God Let This Happen?

By  Cop

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          Why did God let this happen? Why did this happen to me? Why do things go wrong? Misfortunes come into our lives, unexplained tragedies occur, and we ask,

   
‘Why? Why did this happen?’


(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/Sadmanatgrave.jpg)         Sometimes it is the loss of friends or family through death. Perhaps it is the death of a husband, a wife, a son or a daughter, or someone else important to our well-being, someone on whom we depended, someone to whom we looked for direction and understanding. Perhaps a loved one: husband, wife, son, daughter, a grandchild, or ourselves, are crippled or struck by disease. A child of God oppressed, suffering sorely, often driven to his wit's end…what a strange thing!

          One who has been regenerated and is now indwelt by the Holy Spirit, daily harassed by Satan, and frequently overcome by indwelling sin…what an mystery! Loved by the Father, redeemed by the Son, his body made the temple of the Holy Spirit, yet left in this world year after year to suffer affliction and persecution, to mourn and groan over countless failures, to encounter one trial after another, often to be placed in far less favorable circumstances than the wicked; to sigh and cry for relief, yet for sorrow and suffering to increase…what a mystery! What Christian has not felt the force of it, and been baffled by it. Do we wonder and cry out, ‘Why God. Why did You let this happen?’

          There are two ways in which we can ask those questions. We can ask them with our fists clenched, shaking them at heaven in rebellion against God, saying to him, ‘Why did You let this happen to me?’ In that form the question is really an accusation. It means,


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'If you are who you say you are, if you are a loving God, if you are true to your promises, none of these things should have happened.’



          Or we can ask, as saints have asked down through the history of the Christian church when they found themselves in dreadful circumstances, ‘Dear God, why is this happening? I am puzzled by it. Please explain it to me.’ If you ask the question that way, if you are saying to God, ‘I don’t understand what is happening, because I live in a world where my horizons are limited and where, because of my sin, I certainly do not see things as You see them; I come to You for the insight You alone can provide,’ then God, Who is faithful to His people, may indeed provide some answers.

          By such trials, afflictions, and tribulations, God is faithfully pursuing the great design of love upon the souls of His people, and orders all these afflictions as instruments consecrated to that end. Afflictions come not by accident, but by Divine direction. By this guidance of God they are ordained as means of much spiritual good to His children. “By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is this the fruit to take away his sin,” [Isa. 27:9]. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” [Ro. 8:28].

          These trials are God’s workmen upon our hearts, to pull down the pride and carnal security of them; and doing so, their nature is changed; they are turned into blessings and benefits. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.” [Ps. 119:71] says David. Surely we have no reason to argue with God, but rather to wonder that he should concern himself so much in our good as to use any means for accomplishing it. James says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.” All that God does is in accordance of, and in reference to some eternal, glorious ends upon our soul. It is our ignorance of God’s design that makes us quarrel with him. He says to us in this case, as he did to Peter, “What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.”

           Much of Protestantism today believes in, and teaches, a new gospel, a gospel of ‘Health, Wealth, and Prosperity’. In this gospel, a Christian always receives only pleasant things from God. He is healed of all illness, receives money, property, and anything he desires. This is on the condition that he ‘truly believes’ in the power of this ‘God’ and has the correct amount of faith. If these things are not forthcoming, it is because the person has not enough faith (Just send us another $1,000 and your faith will grow and grow!). The very ideal that God allows and uses affliction and trials to further His aims is rejected by the purveyors of this gospel as being of the Devil and a lie. But what does God’s word say?

           Are tribulations, trials, afflictions an element of the Christian‘s life? Christ says we will have tribulation, but we are not to worry: “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [Jo. 16:33]. Paul says: “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.” [1Th. 3:3], and that he was: “…exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” [Ac. 14:22]. Peter says: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: “[1Pe. 1:6-7].

          Affliction and trial is used by God to bring us back to Him: “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I have kept thy word.”[Ps. 119:67]; “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”[Ho. 5:15].

          To chasten and purify our faith: “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” [Is. 48:10]; “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” [Mal. 3:3].

          The person who has never gone through any struggle, who has never had any misfortune in his or her life, who has never suffered any kind of loss, will not develop the kind of character that can endure calamity. And certainly such a person will not have the kind of character that will be able to instruct and help other people. Some misfortune is sent, not because of sin or even because it is the common lot of humanity, but simply because God wants it to develop traits of strong Christian character that would not be developed in any other way.


The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work. - Ministry of Healing, 471.

The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord's permission, and "all things" that are permitted "work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28. -  Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 71.


          Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us if we truly love and obey Him in all things.

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Topics of Study
&
Continuing Discussions

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Bread of Life
Does Satan Influence Science?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=752.0



Gardening
Visit the new gardening board
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=63.0



End Time Prophecies
False Prophets
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9544.0
Standing Alone
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9510.0
Prophetic Event Timelines
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7686.0



The Family Circle
Family Worship
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=50.0
Debt
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9008.0
The Work of Fiends Destroying Marriage
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=62.0



Children's Book Project
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=60.0


Education
Asscherick Letter - La Sierra
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0
Core Values of Seventh-day Adventist Education
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=850.0


Healthful Living
Immunizations
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3246.0
Cutting Edge Recipes
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3401.0
New Health Rationer
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9525.0



The "Right Arm"
World is Ready for Health Reform!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2800.0



Signs of the Times
Swine Flu Outbreak
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8962.0
Our President
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9183.0
Is the Reformation Over?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6510.0



Worship
The Review's Promotion of Music
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1457.0
Modest Clothing - Women
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7652.0
Modest Clothing - Men
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9472.0
What is the Head Covering?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1405.0


Social Hall
Testimonies for the Church - Read them with us
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9415.0
Ernie Knoll - False Prophet, Continues Ministry Outside the Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5074.0
Michigan Men of Faith
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5072.0
The Work of our Publishing Houses
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=4657.0



Religious Liberty
One Step Away
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=432.0
Standish Live from the UN
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9609.0
Religious Liberty Updates
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=613.0


Laodicea
Spiritualism in the Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=40.0
The Pathfinder Organization
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=136.0
Building Boldly for Jesus?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9419.0


Evangelism
Students experiences - Emmanuel Institute of Evangelism
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9537.0
Colporteuring Experiences
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9003.0
Mission Updates from the Far North!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9004.0


Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0



Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0


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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on November 01, 2009, 01:59:31 PM
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November 2009

Numbering Our Days

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12

By JimB
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/abacus2.jpg)Is there another commodity on earth more precious and valuable than time? Our whole society revolves around time. People who work in a service industry bill for time and labor. Manufacturers try to see how much product they produce in a set amount of time. Often times you’ll hear people say that they wish there was more time in a day. I myself have been guilty of saying this but we must ask:

Why do we want more time?

       It is said that on her death bed, Queen Elizabeth expressed a desire to give all her riches just for a few more moments of time.

          In the Bible, King David had this to say about time. Psalms 39:4 "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am."

          Why should we be measuring our days? He answered this question by saying so that we know how frail we are. We barely begin to live before we start to die. Our 70, 80, or even 90 years of life are not even a speck on the scale of time.

          I’m not pointing this out to scare you or anyone else. But it is indeed something to consider, isn’t it? Whether we like it or not, our few days here on earth are our probation to ready ourselves for Heaven. Life is too short to be pursuing selfish interests, desires, and goals. Now is the time that we are to form characters that are fit for Heaven.

          Some may look back on their life and see all the wasted moments and time, and it’s true that we can’t call back even one single moment of time, but don’t waste your precious time now fretting about the past. Paul in Ephesians 5:15-17 admonishes us to redeem the time. While we can’t recall time, we can redeem the time at hand by making the most out of it by sharing the love of Christ with those who don’t know Him yet.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd271/sybilinanaumer/abacusred.gif) Let us, like David, ask the Lord… “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12


__________________________________

Topics of Study
&
Continuing Discussions

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Bread of Life
Romans 7:5 to 8:14
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=742.0
New Covenant Experience
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=813.0
Free Bible Software
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=846.0



Gardening
Winter Garden
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9614.0
Harvesting Seeds
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9458.0
Growing Plants From Cuttings
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9459.0
Canning Food
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3465.0



End Time Prophecies
Daniel 11:30-45 Part Two
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3113.0
Parliament of Religions Agenda
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9750.0
A Sanctified Ministry - A Promise!!!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9745.0
What is "The Glorious Holy Mountain?"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8938.0
Would you Teach a SDA to Fight Back or Not?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9633.0



The Family Circle
Autumn Lap Book for Children
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9718.0
Healthy Games
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9676.0
More Time on the Computer than with Your Spouse?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=58.0



Children's Book Project
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=60.0


Education
Core Values of Seventh-day Adventist Education
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=850.0
Canadian University College
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9168.0
Homeschooling and History
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9338.0
Call for Reform
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=913.0



Healthful Living
Milk and Dairy Products
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3216.0
Charcoal
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3288.0
Immunizations
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3246.0
Leukemia
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3756.0
Diet and Intestinal Bacteria Linked to Healthier Immune Systems
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9747.0
Cough Medicine
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9727.0
More Food Recalls
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9037.0
Spices
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9700.0



Signs of the Times
Swine Flu Outbreak
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8962.0
Our President
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9183.0
Is the Reformation Over?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6510.0
British Christians Face Trial for Criticizing Muslims
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9709.0
Vatican Opens Door for Anglican Converts
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9714.0
Judiciary Committee Greenlights "Hate Crimes" bill
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8960.0



Worship
Modest Clothing - Women
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7652.0
Modest Clothing - Men
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9472.0
Righteousness by Faith
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=111.0
Day of Atonement
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1207.0



Social Hall

Testimonies for the Church - Read them with us
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9415.0
Rahab & Lying
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9717.0
Hebrews 9:12
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9704.0
Seventh-day Adventists' Attitude Shift on Abortion
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9318.0
SDA Church Annual Business Meetings
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8220.0
Cosmic Conflict DVD
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9630.0



Religious Liberty
Religious Liberty Updates
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=613.0

A Cross in the Desert
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9749.0
UN Resolution Undermines RL for Christians & Other Faiths
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9703.0
One Step Away
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=432.0



Laodicea
The Teachings of Hyveth Williams
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9738.0
Gender Neutral Spirit of Prophecy
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=424.0
SDA Hospitals
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9736.0
Rich, in Need of Nothing
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9728.0
What is true modesty of Deportment?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9475.0
Jan Paulsen on O's Nobel Peace Prize
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9664.0
Jan Paulsen's Talk to Urban Professionals
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9631.0
It is Lawful to "do well" on the Sabbath
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9637.0
Pathfinders
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=136.0


Evangelism
Evangelism Methods - Tracks and Literature
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9724.0
What to do with Children?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9660.0
GYC
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7189.0

Colporteuring Experiences
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9003.0
Mission Updates from the Far North!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9004.0



Sabbath School Lesson
Away from home or your local congregation this Sabbath? Come study the lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0



Resource Exchange
Have a book? Need a book?
Have seeds? Need seeds?
Bulk whole Foods
Spirit of Prophecy Books
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0


To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on November 24, 2010, 04:26:37 PM
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November 2010

One of the Greatest Blessings Given by God
~Music~


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by Elder John Thurber

“One of Satan’s primary tools to ensnare the young.”

When I left the Voice of Prophecy in 1967, I went to the Texas Conference where Patsy and I both started working in youth evangelism. We spend the next eighteen years in working with the youth. We couldn’t have a more rewarding experience than those many years of just spending time and energy with the youth. Someday we may write a book of stories we have collected from those years; however, we have written a book called “The Music of Heaven” and many of the following thoughts and quotes are taken from it.

“How can I endure the thought that most of our youth in this age will come short of eternal life; Oh that the sound of instrumental music might cease and they no more while away so much precious time in pleasing their own fancy…” Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2, page 144.

The Angels are a great source to explore the music of heaven because they have been and will be present at every event of this worlds history. Here some great quotes to guide us in heavens music.

Angels and Music


"Let us all bear in mind that in every assembly of the saints below are angels of God, listening to the testimonies, songs, and prayers. Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above .... Let the love of God be the burden of the speaker's utterance. Let it be expressed in simple language in every song of praise."
Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, page 366.

"When human beings sing with the spirit and understanding, heavenly musicians take up the strain and join in the song of thanksgiving."  Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, page 143.

"The spiritual ear alone can hear the harmony of heavenly voices .... And as the Lord’s army of workers here below sing their songs of praise, the choir above joins with them in ascribing praise to God and His Son."  Acts of the Apostles, pages 153, 154.

"All the inhabitants of heaven unite in praising God. Let us learn the song of the angels now, that we may sing it when we join their shining ranks."  Patriarchs and Prophets, page 289.

"As the Redeemer leads us to the threshold of the infinite, flushed with the glory of God, we can catch the themes of praise and thanksgiving from the heavenly choir round about the throne; and as the echo of the angels song is awakened in our earthly homes, hearts will be drawn closer to the heavenly singers. Heaven's communion begins on earth. We learn to hear the keynote of its praise."  Education, page 168.

What a privilege to be able to learn the music of heaven. It seems to tell us that there is heavenly music, and it is different than the music of the world. Selfishness and our own interest will keep us from participating with the angel choir.

"Let none suppose that they can live a life of selfishness, and then, having served their own interest, enter into the joy of their Lord. In the joy of unselfish love they could not participate. They would not be fitted for the heavenly courts. They could not appreciate the pure atmosphere of love that pervades heaven. The voices of the angels and the music of their harps would not satisfy them. to their minds the science of heaven would be an enigma."  Christ's Object Lessons, pages 364, 365.

Angels Warn us of Music that is not Blessed by God

"Christians are gathered there, but what is that you hear? It is song, a frivolous ditty, fit for the dance hall. Behold the pure angels gather their light closer around them, and darkness envelops those in that dwelling, The angels are moving from that dwelling. The angels are moving from the scene. Sadness is upon their countenances. Behold they are weeping. This I saw repeated a number of times all through the ranks of Sabbath keepers." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1, page 506.

"Music forms a part of God's worship in the courts above. We should endeavor in our songs of praise to approach as nearly as possible to the harmony of the heavenly choirs. I have often been pained to hear untrained voices, pitched to the highest key, literally shrieking the sacred words of some hymn of praise. How inappropriate those sharp rasping voices for the solemn, joyous worship of God. I long to stop my ears, and flee from the place, and I rejoice when the painful exercise is ended." Evangelism, pages 507, 508.

"In some churches I have heard solos that were altogether unsuitable for the service of the Lord's house. The long drawn out notes and peculiar sounds common in operatic singing are not pleasing to the angels. They delight to hear the simple songs of praise sung in a natural tone. The songs in which every word is uttered clearly, in a musical tone, are the songs that they join us in singing. They take up the refrain that is sung from the heart with the spirit and understanding." Evangelism, page 510.

"Your singing is far from pleasing to the angel choir. Imagine yourself standing in the angel band elevating your shoulders, emphasizing the words, motioning your body and putting in the full volume of your voice. What kind of concert and harmony would there be with such an exhibition before the angels?" The Voice of Speech and Song, page 424.

The question we need to answer is: are we willing to search out the truth for ourselves?

Worship With a Bedlam of Noise

Mrs. S.N. Haskell wrote Ellen White about a camp meeting in Muncie ,Indiana, concerned whether those things she had seen were indeed blessed by God. Here is Ellen White’s answer to her letter.

“The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting souls. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working.” Selected Messages, Volume 2, page 36.

"Prove what is acceptable unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10 NAS)

In closing, I would like to share a concern about how we in the church look at music.  In society’s continuing search for entertainment, we often forget that there was nothing entertaining about the eternal deity of Christ, bathed in the glory He had with the Heavenly Father “…before the world began.” John 17:5

Do we treat our music in the church as "entertainment"? A dear friend of mine shared a few thoughts about this. He is concerned that there may be some problems related to becoming absorbed with watching a lot of Hope Channel and 3ABN. It seems to him that a group of "Adventist celebrities" have been created. He went on to say that he "believes it is dangerous for the spirituality of the 'celebrity' and for the ones who look up to them, perhaps they are even idolized like movie stars. Being on a TV program that is being seen around the world must be very seductive, and because of competition and the way things are done in the world of television, there seems to be a lot of self promotion." He also expressed sadness when watching a large group connected with a TV ministry that he said was imitating the Gaither gatherings with what was purely entertainment using mostly contemporary pop music styles with religious words.

How does this compare to the life and teachings of Christ?

In society’s continuing search for entertainment, we often forget that there was nothing entertaining about the eternal deity of Christ, bathed in the glory He had with the Heavenly Father “…before the world began.” (John 17:5)


“When we reach the standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will regard Seventh-day Adventists as odd, singular, strait-laced extremists.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, page 289.

May God find us faithful and safe to save, for it will be soon, and very soon, we will see the King. Let's sing His praises for ever and ever together with our families. Amen and Amen.

Elder John Thurber




Topics of Study & Continuing Discussions
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General Conference Session - 2010
Videos, Interviews and Observations
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=82.0
The Heart of the Session http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=83.0


Bread of Life
Thought for Today http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10088.0
The Desire of Ages Audio Book http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11129.0
New Covenant Experience http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=813.0
"We Glory in Tribulations" http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=779.0


Gardening
Winter Garden http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9614.0
Tomatoes http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10002.0
Squash Varieties http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10788.0


Sabbath School Lesson
Study the Current Lesson with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0


End Time Prophecies
Camp-meetings at the End of Time http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11144.0
And the World Wondered http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=484.0
Dual Application of Prophecy http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11036.0


King of Kings
Christ In You http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10013.0

Seventh-day Adventist Family
Family Modesty http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11047.0
Newly Converted Parents http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10708.0
Back to the Blueprint of Parenting http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=41.0


Seventh-day Adventist Education
Ending the Teaching of Evolution at La Sierra University
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0
Atlantic Union College http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10730.0
Kohl's Care Program on Facebook http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10978.0
Hyveth Williams to Teach Pastors? http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10237.0
Time for a bit of Good News in our Educational System http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10562.0


Healthful Living
NEWS! Missing Link to Alzheimer's? http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3455.0
NEWS! Harvard Medical - Hormones' Breast Cancer Risk CONFIRMED! http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11186.0
Food - Your Best Medicine http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3178.0
Side Effects of Drugs - http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3236.0


The "Right Arm"
A Treatment Room in Every City http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10558.0
Our Prophet Proven to be Right http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2887.0
Vegetarianism, Is it Scientific or is it God's Directive? http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2881.0


Signs of the Times
Economic Times
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=48.0
"Natural" Disasters
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=46.0
Homosexual Immorality (SDA)
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=47.0
Roman Catholicism (SDA)
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=57.0
Other Signs of the Times
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=10.0


Worship
Unity Amid Diversity http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=4190.0
Kneeling for Prayer http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6747.0
How Should we Worship? http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1507.0
The Fallen Nature of Man http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9050.0
Modest Clothing - Women http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7652.0
Elder Wilson's Five-Year Plan http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10823.0
Worship - A Topic of Instruction to New Believers http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10428.0
Music in the Church http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=41.0
The Role of Women http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=78.0
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=41.0


New Music Board with Elder John Thurber
Most Beautiful Hymns http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7449.0
27 Principles of Music http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11090.0
Music in My Life http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1018.0


Social Hall
Read Testimonies to the Church with us!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10343.0
Comments on "Testimonies" Reading http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9415.0
Things Children Say http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9021.0
Somalia's Ruling - ADRA Out! http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11170.0
October 22 http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=4837.0
GC Annual Council 2010 http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11103.0
Experiencing God http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11152.0


Religious Liberty
Persecution - Historical and Current
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=42.0
RL Updates
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=613.0
Homosexual Marriage and Sunday Law
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10197.0
Faith-Based Hiring to be Overturned?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8709.0
Counting down the Erosion of our Freedoms
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10675.0


Laodicea
Wrong Turns in SDA History
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=38.0
Spiritualism in the Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=40.0
Derrick Morris - New Editor of Ministry Magazine http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11156.0
Innovation Conference http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1527.0
Progressives & Conservatives React to GC President Wilson http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10705.0
When a SDA Emergent Pastor Praises the GC President's Theology http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9623.0
SDA Women and the Earth http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8672.0
Seventh-day Adventist Church and Tithe
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=380.0
Call for Reform in Ohio Conference
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10464.0
Attitude Toward Wrongs in the Church http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=154.0
Elders and the Health Message http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11023.0
Undermining of Literature Evangelism Work
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10780.0
Shaking in the Church
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=82.0
Call for Reform of our Presses
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=72.0
Young Adult Congress http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10910.0


Evangelism
Evangelism Methods
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=55.0
Missionary and Colporteur Experiences
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=59.0
Book of Revelation Literature
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10741.0
Angels are Ever Engaged!
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10230.0


Resource Exchange
Do you wish to exchange books, seeds, DVDs, CDs with others?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0


To access the private forums contact
administrator@remnant-online.com


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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on March 03, 2011, 09:33:59 AM
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March 2011

Do We Need a Reformation?

The greatest evidence of a need for revival and reformation is the fact that we are still here. If we had done the work entrusted to us as a people, Jesus would have come long ago. At our feet may be laid all of the suffering now being endured in this world. There need never have been two world wars, Vietnam, Communism, and the new battle with Islamic terrorism. All of this would never have been had Jesus come in 1888. Why does He delay His coming? He is waiting for His church to prepare the way.

There are many second and third generation Seventh-day Adventists that do not like to hear such reproof, but they err in closing their ears to what Jesus has to say. The third chapter of the Book of Revelation is a message sent directly to us.  "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Revelation 3:17.

Today we are thankful to God for sending us Elder Ted Wilson who has been faithful to forward the call for revival and reformation to God's church. If there were no need, then he would not do so. There is need, and rather than my words, we present to the church what God has said through His prophet, Ellen White, in support of Pastor Wilson's call for revival and reformation. May God's Spirit attend this call that shall indeed purify a people to receive Jesus at His soon coming.

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The Need of a Revival and a Reformation
The Review and Herald, February 25, 1902

Mrs. E. G. White

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"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

I am instructed to say that these words are applicable to Seventh-day Adventist churches in their present condition. The love of God has been lost, and this means the absence of love for one another. Self, self, self, is cherished, and is striving for the supremacy. How long is this to continue? Unless there is a reconversion, there will soon be such a lack of godliness that the Church will be represented by the barren fig tree. Great light has been given to her. She has had abundant opportunity for bearing much fruit. But selfishness has come in, and God says, "I will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Jesus looked upon the pretentious, fruitless fig tree, and with mournful reluctance pronounced the words of doom. And under the curse of an offended God, the fig tree withered away. God help His people to make an application of this lesson while there is still time.

Just before His ascension, Christ said to His disciples, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." God's people today are not fulfilling this commission as they should. Selfishness prevents them from receiving these words in their solemn significance. 

In many hearts there seems to be scarcely a breath of spiritual life. This makes me very sad. I fear that aggressive warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil has not been maintained. Shall we cheer on, by a half-dead Christianity, the selfish, covetous spirit of the world, sharing its ungodliness and smiling on its falsehood?--Nay! By the grace of God let us be steadfast to the principles of truth, holding firm to the end the beginning of our confidence. We are to be "not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." One is our Master, even Christ. To Him we are to look. From Him we are to receive our wisdom. By His grace we are to preserve our integrity, standing before God in meekness and contrition, and representing Him to the world.

Sermons have been in great demand in our churches. The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit. Uncalled for and unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed on them have dwindled into feebleness. If the ministers would go forth into new fields, the members would be obliged to bear responsibilities, and by use their capabilities would increase.
 
God brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.

A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend. 

"Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Christ gave His life for a fallen race, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps. To him who does this will be spoken the words of approval, "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 

The word of the Lord never represses activity. It increases man's usefulness by guiding his activities in the right direction. The Lord does not leave man without an object of pursuit. He places before him an immortal inheritance, and gives him ennobling truth, that he may advance in a safe and sure path, in pursuit of that which is worth the consecration of his highest capabilities,--a crown of everlasting life.   

Man will increase in power as he follows on to know the Lord. As he endeavors to reach the highest standard, the Bible is as a light to guide his footsteps homeward. In that word he finds that he is a joint heir with Christ to an eternal treasure. The Guidebook points him to the unsearchable riches of heaven. By following on to know the Lord, he is securing never-ending happiness. Day by day the peace of God is his reward, and by faith he sees a home of everlasting sunshine, free from all sorrow and disappointment. God directs his footsteps, and keeps him from falling.

God loves His Church. There are tares mingled with the wheat, but the Lord knows His own. "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." 

Shall not the counsel of Christ have an effect on the churches? Why halt, ye who know the truth, between two opinions? "If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him." Christ's followers have no right to stand on the ground of neutrality. There is more hope of an open enemy than of one who is neutral. 

Let the Church respond to the words of the prophet, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee."

God's people have lost their first love. They must now repent and make steady advancement in the path of holiness. God's purposes reach to every phase of life. They are immutable, eternal; and at the time appointed they will be executed. For a time it may seem that Satan has all the power in his hands; but our trust is in God. When we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us, and will work with mighty power to accomplish His  gracious purposes. 

God rebukes His people for their sins, that He may humble them, and lead them to seek His face. As they reform, and His love revives in their hearts, His loving answers will come to their requests. He will strengthen them in reformatory action, lifting up for them a standard against the enemy. His rich blessing will rest upon them, and in bright rays they will reflect the light of heaven. Then a multitude not of their faith, seeing that God is with His people, will unite with them in serving the Redeemer.


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Topics of Study
&
Continuing Discussions
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(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Testimony and Prayer
    We are Going Home!
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=95.0
    Prayer
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=4.0
    Testimonies
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=5.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Study
    Bread of Life
          Separation of Church and State
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7172.0
          Romans 7 & 8
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=742.0
          Daniel & Revelation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11721.0
          Matthew 24
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7707.0
          Latter Rain
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=743.0
          Genesis 3:15
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=832.0


   Sabbath School Lesson
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0

   Lessons from Nature
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=15.0

   King of Kings
          The Gospel According to Christ
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6611.0

          Dying to Self
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10995.0

          He Will Purge Thy Dross
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11240.0


   End Time Prophecies
          Book of Revelation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=70.0

          Book of Daniel
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=81.0

          Daniel & Revelation Merged
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=97.0

          Islam
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1233.0

          Signs and Wonders
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11678.0

          Seven Seals
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11635.0

          The Green Machine
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11560.0

          Dual Application of Prophecy
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11036.0

          As it Was at the Time of Noah
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11365.0


    Roman Catholicism
          Pope's Plea for Religious Sundays
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6371.0

          Confess to your iPhone
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11691.0

          Vatican and Wikileaks
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11633.0

          Politics, RCC and Child Molestation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5650.0

          New Hope For Unity: Anglicans and Catholics
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5122.0

         
    Homosexual Immorality
          Unity Launches Online Resources for LGBT Community
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11751.0
          "Seventh-Gay Adventists: A film about love, sex, and eternal life"
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9683.0
          DOMA Unconstitutional?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11740.0
          Combat troops to get gay sensitivity training
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11738.0
          "Light" Presbyterians on Inclusion = Lite Religion
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11732.0
          Opinion: Scripture's Mixed Messages on Sexuality
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11687.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)The Seventh-day Adventist Family
    The Obstinate Child
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11208.0
    Family modesty
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11047.0
    Training up a Child
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10.0
    What Kind of Books for Our Children?
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12.0

    Education
          Southern Seventh-day Adventist University
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7431.0
          Ending the Teaching of Evolution at LSU
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0
          Walla Walla College
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=933.0
          Parental Responsibility
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=862.0
          Home School Threats
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11488.0
          "Occupy Until I Come" - New College in Fiji
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11679.0
          How Much Authority?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11486.0
          Christian Science Lauds SDA Education
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11259.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Healthful Living
    Cutting Edge Recipes
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3401.0
    Mad Cows and People
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3219.0
    Maximize longevity - "like a Seventh-Day Adventist"
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11644.0
    Salmonella - more recalls
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8870.0
    Taco Bell - "Thank you for suing us"
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11626.0
    Help needed: high triglycerides, low HDL
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11585.0
    Listeria bacteria - another recall
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8814.0
    Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11583.0


    Gardening
          Tomatoes
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10002.0
          Harvesting Seeds
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9458.0
          Starting Seeds
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10372.0


    The "Right Arm"
          Call for Reform among SDA physicians
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2865.0
          Washington Post Article re. Adventist Abortion Policy
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11613.0
          Natural Medicine Under Fire, Again Involving Parental Rights vs Authorities
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11696.0
          Fasting...How Long is Too Long?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6741.0
          U.S. Pig Farms May Be 'Flu Factories'
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11438.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Church and News
     Signs of the Times
          Middle East Chain Reactions to Revolts
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11746.0
          Dr. Walter Strachan Critically Injured in Crash
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11744.0
          An Overview of Religious Financial Fraud - The $34 Billion Scandal
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11739.0
          SDA Plane Down in Venezuela
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8758.0
          $5-a-Gallon Gas by 2012, Energy Shortages by Decade's End
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11437.0
          Super pack of 400 Wolves!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11681.0
          The Adventists Airs on PBS
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10228.0
          Elder Coon Has Died
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11673.0
          Unchain Yourself! Let Dr. Oz Hypnotize you!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11653.0
          False Prophet, Harold Camping--May 21 Will Come and Go
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11584.0


    Economic Times
          Warren Buffett - Down with Doom and Gloom!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11745.0
          Crude Oil Prices
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6947.0
          Half the World Soon to Be in Cities
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6884.0
          US national debt at trillions - what really is a trillion?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11222.0


    "Natural" Disasters
          Australia Floods Followed by Cat 5 Cyclone
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11503.0
          Quake Devastates New Zealand
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11722.0
          Earthquakes in Diverse Places
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5280.0
          Brazil flood death toll rises over 500
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11559.0
          Flooding in Philippines Kills 51
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11566.0
          2010--Deadliest Year in a Generation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11396.0


    Heavenly Music
          27 Principles of Music
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11090.0
          Most Beautiful Hymns
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7449.0
          Turns out that music really is intoxicating, after all
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11575.0
          Scripture Songs
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10421.0
          Music in my life - Elder John Thurber
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1018.0


    General Conference Session - Atlanta
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=82.0

    Worship
          Unity Amid Diversity
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          Is This Too Bold?
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          Inroads to Counter Emergent Church Growth in SDA Churches
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          Satan's sly attack upon the Bible across centuries
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          What is Genuine Revival?
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          A Study Guide to Mind, Character, and Personality by EGW
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          What was nailed to the cross in Col 2:14?
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          "Fashionable Modest Dress"
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          Modesty of Deportment—Part 2
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    Wrong Turns in Seventh-day Adventist History
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    Spiritualism in the Church
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          Derrick Morris invited to be Editor of Ministry Magazine
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11156.0
          "Spiritual Formation"-What is it?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=395.0
          Spiritual Disciplines
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7395.0
          Mike Tucker, the VOP and Spiritual Formation
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          Ted Wilson on the Emergent Village - Spiritual Formation
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          "Spiritual Formation" at Avondale
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          Max Lucado's Contemplative Books
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          Conference on Innovation-Kaiser--Open SDA Spiritualism
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          How Will We Deal with Transsexual Individuals?
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          Followup to "Steps to Christ"?
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          27 Principles of Music - Elder John Thurber
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          The Power of Music
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          Little Seventh-day Adventist Boys Dancing and Singing for the World
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    Religious Liberty
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          Leslie replaces Standish
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          Religious Demographics of Congress
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          Islamic Countries Dominate Open Doors 2011 World Watch List
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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on March 28, 2011, 11:14:17 AM
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April 2011

Spiritual Formation—Is It Biblical?
by LindaRS


   If you are a reader of church papers, books, periodicals, or a peruser of internet, then you have almost certainly heard the terms spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines and perhaps even spiritual director. What are they; where do they come from; and are the biblical? The following definitions are taken from various sources but give the best overall definition of these terms.

"Spiritual Formation" is a popular concept that stems from ancient roots. The term describes the dynamic process of growth and change in one's spiritual development. A variety of subjects, methodologies, disciplines and theologies coexist within this framework. (1) (#post_N_1_)

   The spiritual disciplines are an important aspect of discipleship. These are the skills and methodologies that bring about faith and behavioral maturity, and which, in combination with God's Spirit provide the experiential basis of wisdom. (2) (#post_N_2_)

   Spiritual direction is essentially companionship in the spiritual life. Other ways of describing spiritual direction include holy listening, spiritual friendship, or sacred journeying. Spiritual direction invites a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human, offering a place to explore prayer practices, meditation, spiritual experiences, and our growing desire for significance. (3) (#post_N_3_)

Does the Bible give us a list of practices and methodologies that we are to follow in order to be a disciple of Christ's? Is there any mandate stating that if we develop a certain list of skills that we will become mature  Christians? There is no such list per se; though the Bible gives us the tools that will enable us to develop a Christ-like character. The most comprehensive method of character development, also known as sanctification, we find in God's Word is one we call Peter's Ladder.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:5-8

This list is concise, with each rung building upon the previous rung. Ellen G. White says of Peter’s Ladder:

   We have men claiming sanctification. Their works will show if they are transformed into the image of Christ. Sanctification is not brought about instantaneously, but it is accomplished by climbing the rounds of Peter's ladder of eight rounds. We must step on the first in order to reach the highest. This ladder reaches from earth to heaven, and every soul that enters the city of God will have to climb this ladder of self-denial, and this can be accomplished by laying hold of the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Without this strength, temptation will sweep us down the current to final destruction. 3MR 84.2

This is the ladder that reaches to heaven, the ladder that all who enter the New Jerusalem will have climbed. How does Peter's Ladder compare with the spiritual disciplines that are promoted through spiritual formation? Lets compare the ladder rungs to the core list of spiritual disciplines that are being promoted within Protestant churches today. The most common list is one endorsed by Richard Foster (4) (#post_N_4_)who writes and teaches extensively about spiritual formation and the disciplines. On his list are the following practices: meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, celebration. How does this list compare with Peter's list?

Peter's Ladder                Richard Foster's Disciplines
Faith
virtue
knowledge
temperance
patience
godliness
brotherly kindness
charity (godly love)
           meditation
          prayer
          fasting
          study
          simplicity
          solitude
          submission
          service
          confession
          worship
          guidance
          celebration

As you can see, the differences in the two lists is like comparing grapes to grapefruit. Why are there such discrepancies in these two lists? We know that the first list is definitely biblical. What about Foster's list? He claims it is biblical. What about other lists of disciplines that have even more methods and practices? They may contain one or more of the following different disciplines such as frugality, chastity, secrecy, sacrifice, worship, fellowship, confession, submission, journaling, evangelism, stewardship, learning, accountability, spiritual direction, affirmation, watching. Whose list is correct? Which have a true biblical foundation and which are questionably biblical?

Let's return for a moment to Peter's Ladder. Notice what Peter says about the list he has given.

   For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:8-11)

These things will make sure that you are not barren or unfruitful in your character building. Those who lack these things, Peter says, are blind and forgetful. He then admonishes us to do these things and if we do, we shall not fail or fall. This is the ladder of sanctification.

Let's turn our attention to the other list, a list of practices that are professed to be "the skills and methodologies that bring about faith and behavioral maturity." We can see that perhaps a few of the disciplines on the list have a slight equivalence to some of the rungs of Peter's Ladder. We gain knowledge through study. Brotherly kindness will lead us to serve others. In order to climb the ladder, we must submit ourselves to God. We are told elsewhere in the Bible to confess our sins to God (5) (#post_N_5_), to worship God in the beauty of holiness (6) (#post_N_6_), to prayer without ceasing (7) (#post_N_7_), to meditate day and night in the book of the law (8) (#post_N_8_). Therefore we see that some of the disciplines have biblical validity.

What is the origin of spiritual disciplines from which these lists are compiled? Why do they differ from Peter's Ladder? What about the practices on the list—are they truly biblical both in practice as well as in concept? The origins of spiritual formation (SF) and the accompanying disciplines go back many centuries and is Catholic (both Roman and Orthodox) in origin. Very often today, the term is used somewhat generically but from it's roots there can be no escape. They began with a group of monks and nuns referred to as the Desert Fathers (and mothers) who are considered the originators of spiritual formation. Who were they?

   In the early Middle Ages, there lived a group of hermits in the wilderness areas of the Middle East. They were known to history as the desert fathers.

   They dwelt in small isolated communities for the purpose of devoting their lives completely to god without distraction. The contemplative movement traces its roots back to these monks. They were the ones who first promoted the mantra as a prayer tool. (9) (#post_N_9_)

   At the heart of Christianity's monastic, contemplative, and mystical traditions lives the spirit of a fourth-century band of Christian renunciates known today as the Desert Fathers. These spiritual zealots lived outside the boundaries of society, pursuing spiritual purification through the renunciation of all worldly distraction. The legacy of their devotion lives on today in the inspiring lives of the contemporary practitioners who are dedicated to the pursuit of the timeless spirit and true meaning of the sacred Word. (10) (#post_N_10_)

It is from these men and women, monks and nuns, that we have gotten these mystical practices. Particular among them was the practice of a form of meditation, contemplative prayer, that is at the heart of spiritual formation. For centuries they were lost sight of until the time of Ignatius Loyola. His spiritual exercises revived the mystical practices of the desert fathers. These practices, including contemplative prayer, lectio divina, the silence, and solitude as well as prayer journaling and spiritual direction are making serious inroads into the protestant, evangelical churches, and yes, into the Seventh-day Adventist church, particularly in our institutions. Yet many are unaware of the inroads of spiritual formation into our church though it has been creeping in for years in books, magazine articles, college courses, audio and video presentations, seminars, and retreats. Several years ago, the Australian Signs of the Times published an article called "Stillness is Golden", promoting silence and contemplative practices.

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   In a silent place, uninterrupted, spend 20 minutes contemplating the Divine—goodness, truth, love—being receptive to connect. Contemplation is essentially wordless, but its core cry is "I consent to Your presence and Your action within." (See Psalm 139:1-4; Romans 8:26, 27.) Feel your hunger for connection with the Divine and express your adoration. God is waiting to connect with you (Revelation 3:20), but it may take some time for you to focus. If you are distracted by thoughts, let them float past you without following. One method, called "centering"prayer, encourages you to refocus on God by internally saying one of the names of God that you relate to. This can help you to be present to God again. (11) (#post_N_11_)

What is centering prayer? It is contemplative prayer. It is the same methodology that has been used for centuries by the pagan religions, in particular Hinduism, of going into a trance-like or alpha state for the purpose of becoming one with the oversoul (also called universal life force) or in the Christian tradition, of coming into the presence of God. In more recent times in the West the Hindu practice has been called transcendental meditation. Those who promote this practice among Christians claim contemplative prayer is not the same as the pagan practice. However, those who have been involved with New Age (new spirituality) mysticism and have left it to become Christian, are fearless in proclaiming that it is the same as the pagan version. The only difference between the two is that the words, or mantra, used to induce the alpha state are  "Christian" words and phrases or scripture rather than the Hindu word "ohm". Christians who promote this pagan practice have used this difference to say that contemplative is not the same thing as TM. This excuse is found in the book, Hunger: Satisfying the Longing of Your Soul, by Jon Dybdahl, published by Autumn House Publishing, a subsidiary of the Review and Herald Publishing. Jon Dybdahl is a retired college professor and president who still teaches courses in spiritual formation in the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Andrews University.

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   Another method of simple praying is the use of one's own breathing, a form often called the breath prayer. Since most religious traditions practice it, can we consider it Christian? Yes, if the content and context are Christian. The way I use the prayer for myself is to pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I simply say as I inhale, "Spirit of the living God" and as I exhale, "Fall afresh on me!" I find the combination of the words with my breath very powerful, especially as I remember that "spirit" means "wind" or "breath." We can employ any scriptural words. In fact, we pray a shortened Jesus prayer. Simply inhale to "Lord, Jesus Christ" and exhale to "have mercy on me (a sinner)." (12) (#post_N_12_)

Breath prayers and the Jesus prayer, are both forms of contemplative prayer. The Jesus prayer came directly from the Desert Fathers.

   The Jesus Prayer or "The Prayer" is a short, formulaic prayer esteemed and advocated within the Eastern Orthodox church: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

   The prayer has been widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Eastern Churches. It is often repeated continually as a part of personal ascetic practice, its use being an integral part of the eremitic tradition of prayer known as Hesychasm (Greek: hesychazo, "to keep stillness").The prayer is particularly esteemed by the spiritual fathers of this tradition as a method of opening up the heart (kardia) and bringing about the Prayer of the Heart. The Prayer of The Heart is considered to be the Unceasing Prayer that the apostle Paul advocates in the New Testament. St. Theophan the Recluse regarded the Jesus Prayer stronger than all other prayers by virtue of the power of the Holy Name of Jesus. (13) (#post_N_13_)

   The hesychastic practice of the Jesus Prayer is founded on the biblical view by which God’s name is conceived as the place of his presence. The Eastern Orthodox mysticism has no images or representations. The mystical practice (the prayer and the meditation) doesn't lead to perceiving representations of God. Thus, the most important means of a life consecrated to praying is the invoked name of God, as it is emphasized since the fifth century by the baidanchorites, or by the later Athonite hesychasts. For the Eastern Orthodox the power of the Jesus Prayer comes not only from its content, but from the very invocation of Jesus' name.

   Based on Christ's injunction in the Gospel of Matthew to "go into your closet to pray", hesychasm in tradition has been the process of retiring inward by ceasing to register the senses, in order to achieve an experiential knowledge of God. (14) (#post_N_14_)

Yet Dybdhal promotes the use of these unbiblical prayer methodologies as well as lectio divina, or "sacred reading"; another method used to enter a trance or alpha state to "connect" with God.

   Multitudes of potential methods for meditation exist, but I want to outline two major possibilities to give an example of what you can do. You can modify both of them to fit your particular need and preference.

   The first is a variation of an ancient Christian method called lectio divina, or sacred/divine reading. One reason I use it is that either an individual or a group can employ it. Often I find people are more willing to try meditation personally if they have had a good experience in a group setting. In class I have often done this type as a means of introducing meditation and of helping people see the discipline's value." (15) (#post_N_15_)

   A very ancient art, practiced at one time by all Christians, is the technique known as lectio divina- a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. This ancient practice has been kept alive in the Christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious treasures of Benedictine monastics and oblates. (16) (#post_N_16_)

Dr. Dybdhal here clearly states that he has taught these practices to his students in the college and university classrooms where he has been a professor. Sadly, he is not alone in teaching these practices. Lectio Divina has also been promoted in a pamphlet available on the Calimesa Adventist church website. (17) (#post_N_17_) Alexander Carpenter wrote on the Spectrum blog about his practice of group lectio divina. (18) (#post_N_18_)

The Adventist News Network (ANN) published a report on February 2, 2004, ANN Feature: Church, Congregations Increase Focus on "Spiritual Formation". (19) (#post_N_19_) This rather lengthy article quotes Jon Dybdhal and Martin Feldbush, as well as others, as proponents of spiritual formation in the Seventh-day Adventist church. This was not lost on the discernment ministry, Lighthouse Trails Research (which is not Seventh-day Adventist), who reported on the article on their blog on December 23, 2007.  (20) (#post_N_20_)

The General Conference Stewardship Department promotes books by two of the foremost authors and teachers of spiritual formation to contemporary Christians, Richard Foster and Brennan Manning, who, among others, promote spiritual formation and contemplative prayer. (21) (#post_N_21_) The editor of The Adventist Chaplain wrote concerning an article in the magazine:

   While serving as a chaplain near Chicago, I took a class in Spiritual Direction at nearby DeAndreis Theological Seminary. It was my introduction to the classic ministry form refined through the centuries by Catholic religious and clergy and in recent decades discovered by many Protestants as well. It is a ministry that focuses on discerning God's moving and guiding in our daily lives. I have asked two Seventh-day Adventist women trained as spiritual directors to give us an overview of their ministry. First Delcy Kuhlman will provide an overview of the ministry and its process; then Diane Forsythe will focus on the qualifications of spiritual directors. (22) (#post_N_22_)

Contemplative prayer has also been promoted in the Adventist Review. An article by Bonita Joyner Shields appear in the January 29, 2004 issue titled, "The Gentile Whisper." She refers to and quotes from a book by Belden Lane, The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality. Shields says:

   In the fourth century, men and women entered the desert en masse in a movement known as the Monastic movement. These "desert fathers and mothers," as they were called, exited society in order to lead a solitary, contemplative life of prayer. They were seeking a deeper experience with God. While I'm not advocating a reclusive lifestyle (neither did Jesus), I've had a fascination with these men and women of faith, and have learned much from them about the spiritual discipline of silence.

She goes on to tell of her experiences of solitude and going to a retreat. The book that inspired her openly promotes contemplative. Lane, a Presbyterian minister teaching at a Catholic college, says of the practice of contemplative:

   My own approach to desert experience is formed, in large part, by a fledgling practice of contemplative prayer, rooted in early desert writers such as Evagrius and John Cassian. These desert Christians practiced a particular habitus, a way of ordering one's life around silence which was shaped by the desert-mountain terrain in which they lived. Calling themselves to a poverty of language and self, as well as goods, they plowed ground for later growth of the apophatic tradition....

   Finally, the ordinary means by which these two deserts (of God and the self) are joined is a discipline shaped by the community's ascetic and liturgical life, anchored in the imitation of Christ. While teachers in the tradition insist that contemplation (and union with God) is a gift having nothing to do with human accomplishment, they also stress that attentiveness to the Word in lectio divina, the Liturgy of the Hours, the celebration of the Eucharist, and even the discipline of the body are intimately a part of the purgative and illuminative process by which one moves toward oneness with God. Sometimes spiritual methods are reduced to the very simplest performances, as in the silent repetition of a single word for dispelling thoughts and entering stillness. Yet the exercise of the discipline necessarily remains centered in the broader liturgical life of the faith community. (23) (#post_N_23_)

Retreats are a popular and common method of teaching contemplative to others and giving spiritual direction. Still Waters Retreat, located in Buchanan, Michigan, is a retreat started by Delcy Kuhlman (who graduated from the seminary at Andrews), along with her husband Tom. Robert and Sarah Fusté (also Andrews graduates) have joined them as the co-directors. Delcy is a spiritual director who took training at the Shalem Institute which states on its home page that it is "dedicated to the support of contemplative living and leadership." The Fusté's spent time at the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, operated by a Franciscan Catholic priest and offers "a practical integration of contemplative spirituality for social activists." (24) (#post_N_24_) Still Waters attracts a number of students from nearby Andrews University. Just recently, one of those students made the news when he survived a fall through the ice on the lake there. Sarah says of her experience with Still Waters and the contemplative tradition:

   Robert and I met while taking a course at Andrews called "Introduction to Discipleship." We were both desiring more in our walk with Christ, and we were drawn by the honest and practical nature of the course. It was the beginning of finding words for our longings.

   Eventually we joined a discipleship group with Delcy at Still Waters that lasted for six years. It became a spiritual community for us, a place to know God and ourselves better. It was also a safe place, since Delcy is a Seventh-day Adventist and very sensitive to the fears that many Adventists experience while beginning to learn from people of other denominations and faith traditions. (25) (#post_N_25_)

This last statement is particularly egregious. They are openly stating their desire to lead Seventh-day Adventists into areas that we have been no biblical mandate to enter but rather have been warned against. We are not to learn how to worship, pray and serve God from those who are no longer under His direction but are part of Babylon. This is the road the church is now on because of the missteps of the past.

The Bible records many beautiful prayers—Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple, David’s prayer of forgiveness, Nehemiah's many prayers while rebuilding Jerusalem, Jesus’ prayer he taught to the disciples. None of these or any other prayers recorded in Scripture teach us to go into silence, to still our thoughts through repeating a mantra so that we can enter into the presence of God. Nor does it teach us to use any of these methods to pray to a holy God who is our Father in heaven:

   Several retreat leaders have led people in topics such as "Refreshing our Prayer Journey: Multiple Intelligences and Prayer," "An Evening of Hand Drumming: Drumming as Prayer,""Developing a Rule of Life," "Painting and Praying," "Telling Your Life Story," "Abba, Look at my Picture - Collage as Prayer," "Pray and Play" and more. (26) (#post_N_26_)

Indeed, Jesus warned us not to pray as the heathen do, that is, the pagan method of praying. "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" Matthew 6:7. Jesus specifically mentions the use of vain repetitions. Repeating a word or phrase over and over is a vain repetition. Whether it is the name of Jesus, or a phrase from Scripture, it is vain to repeat it continuously with the desire to empty one's mind of thoughts so you can hear God speaking to you. Nor does the Bible give any examples of using painting or drumming or play as a method of praying to a most holy Creator God who dwells in the heavens.

It is an unfortunate reality that little has been written against the spiritual formation by Seventh-day Adventist pastors and authors or published by Adventists presses, while much more has been published in favor of spiritual formation and the contemplative practices. We are grateful that the GC president, Elder Wilson, spoke out against these practices in his Sabbath sermon at the GC session last July. There are two books that are most helpful for Seventh-day Adventists to understand what spiritual formation and contemplative prayer is. The first is the recently published The Omega Rebellion by Elder Rick Howard, a Seventh-day Adventist minister. He tells his story of coming out of the occult practices of the mystical New Age and becoming a Christian and Seventh-day Adventist. He proceeds to warn us about the dangers of these practices to our faith.

   Henry J. M. Nouwen, one of the fathers of modern spiritual formation and others during the last few centuries, have simply revived an ancient mystical method of altering one's consciousness, through the knowledge and control of certain mental processes. They gave these processes the names centering prayer and contemplative prayer, tucking them nicely within the Roman Catholic discipline called spiritual formation, deceiving Christians into believing this is a blessing, promoting the spiritual growth of the Christian and eventually leading to a new experience with God, the experience of coming into His presence. (27) (#post_N_27_)

He goes further by revealing how these mystical practices lead to pantheism, the belief that God is in everything and everything is God. This was the alpha of apostasy, written about by God’s latter day prophet, Ellen G. White. She wrote that we did not need the mysticism found in John Harvey Kellogg’s book, Living Temple.

Faith Undone by Roger Oakland is a definitive book on spiritual formation and the emerging church written by a Protestant author. It is well researched and informative and has been a defining book for those seeking answers to their questions about the mystical practices coming into their congregations. The emergent (or emerging) church, also referred to as emergent spirituality, has been most instrumental in incorporating the Roman Catholic mystical practices of spiritual formation into Christian religious practices. Purported to be the new face of Christianity, Emergent proclaims itself as the religion for the postmodern world in which we live. It is especially attractive to the youth and young adults. It has few doctrines, denying many of the doctrines that Protestants have held for centuries such as the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for our sins. Referred to as the ancient future faith, it believes in social justice, disdains the belief in the second coming of Jesus, and relishes experience over doctrine, thus setting the stage to incorporate the spiritual disciplines into their rituals and leaning heavily on the mystical experiences they give rise to. Roger Oakland says:

   I believe history is repeating itself. As the Word of God becomes less and less important, the rise in mystical experiences escalates, and these experiences are presented to convince the unsuspecting that Christianity is about feeling, touching, smelling and seeing God. The postmodern mindset is the perfect environment for fostering spiritual formation. This term suggests there are various ways and means to get closer to God and to emulate Him. Thus the idea that if you do certain practices, you can be more like Jesus. Proponents of spiritual formation erroneously teach that anyone can practice these mystical rituals and find God within. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is not a prerequisite. In a DVD called Be Still, which promotes contemplative prayer, Richard Foster says that contemplative prayer is for anyone and that by practicing it, one becomes "a portable sanctuary" for "the presence of God." (28) (#post_N_28_)

Many are coming and telling us that these are wonderful methods for growing into spiritually mature Christians. But God’s Word does not support that claim. It gives us, instead, a ladder of eight rungs that is promised to keep us fruitful and productive, profitable Christians.

   One and another come to me, asking me to explain the positions taken in Living Temple. I reply, "They are unexplainable." The sentiments expressed do not give a true knowledge of God. All through the book are passages of Scripture. These scriptures are brought in in such a way that error is made to appear as truth. Erroneous theories are presented in so pleasing a way that unless care is taken, many will be misled. 
 
   We need not the mysticism that is in this book. Those who entertain these sophistries will soon find themselves in a position where the enemy can talk with them, and lead them away from God. It is represented to me that the writer of this book is on a false track. He has lost sight of the distinguishing truths for this time. He knows not whither his steps are tending. The track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error.   (29) (#post_N_29_)

Spiritual darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people. There are in many churches skepticism and infidelity in the interpretation of the Scriptures. Many, very many, are questioning the verity and truth of the Scriptures. Human reasoning and the imaginings of the human heart are undermining the inspiration of the Word of God, and that which should be received as granted, is surrounded with a cloud of mysticism. Nothing stands out in clear and distinct lines, upon rock bottom. This is one of the marked signs of the last days.  (30) (#post_N_30_)


1.  Description found in a college syllabus

2.  H. Bruce Stokes

3.  Newsletter for St. Mary's Road United Church

4.  Another well known author, Dallas Willard, has his own list with differs somewhat from Foster's list.

5.  1 John 1:9

6.  Psalm 29:2, 96:9

7.  1 Thessalonians 5:17

8.  Joshua 1:8

9.  Ray Yungen A Time of Departing

10.  Enlighten Next online magazine

11.  Signs of the Times, March 2004 (Australian edition). Originally accessed online but no longer available.

12.  Hunger, page 52. As quoted in "How to Still the Hunger of the Soul: A Critique of the Book, Hunger" by John Witcombe.

13.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer

14.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Fathers

15.  Hunger, page 62. As quoted in "How to Still the Hunger of the Soul: A Critique of the Book, Hunger" by John Witcombe.

16.  Accepting the Embrace of God: the Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B.

17.   http://calimesa.adventistfaith.org/jesus-focused (http://calimesa.adventistfaith.org/jesus-focused) though as of this date (March 22, 2011) I am unable to access from the above link; it is available through a Google search.

18. Spectrum blog, May 4, 2007

19.   http://news.adventist.org/2004/02/a-feature-church-cogregatios-icrease-focus-o-spiritual-formatio.html

20.  http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1988

21.   http://www.adventiststewardship.com/article.php?id=38) (http://(http://www.adventiststewardship.com/article.php?id=38)) include Lenonard Sweet, Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, Eugene Peterson (author of The Message paraphrase), George Barna, Jane Rubietta, Sally Morgenthaler.

22.  July-September, 2003. The editor at the time was Martin W. Feldbush. The Adventist Chaplain is published by Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. The two articles he referred to are "The Ministry of Spiritual Direction" by Delcy Kuhlman, who with her husband operates Still Waters Retreats."Qualifications and Training for Spiritual Direction" is by Diane Forsythe, pastor and college Bible teacher.

23.  Pages 11-13

24.  "A Year at the Center for Action and Contemplation", Spectrum, March 1, 2010. The article is an interview with Joelle Chase, who at that time was an intern at CAC and is now employed there. She is also an Adventist graduate of Andrews.

25.  "A Spiritual Retreat Center by Adventists", Spectrum, September 28, 2010.

26.  Ibid.

27.  The Omega Rebellion, page 15

28.  Faith Undone, page 91

29.  1 Selected Messages 202:1, 2

30.  1 Selected Messages 15.2




Topics of Study
&
Continuing Discussions



(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Japan 9.0 Quake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Meltdown
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=99.0

(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Testimony and Prayer
    We are Going Home!
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=95.0
    Prayer
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=4.0
    Testimonies
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=5.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Study
    Bread of Life
          Separation of Church and State
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7172.0
          Romans 7 & 8
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=742.0
          Daniel & Revelation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11721.0
          Matthew 24
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7707.0
          Latter Rain
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=743.0
          Genesis 3:15
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=832.0


   Sabbath School Lesson
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0

   Lessons from Nature
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=15.0

   King of Kings
          The Gospel According to Christ
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6611.0

          Dying to Self
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10995.0

          He Will Purge Thy Dross
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11240.0


   End Time Prophecies
          Book of Revelation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=70.0

          Book of Daniel
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=81.0

          Daniel & Revelation Merged
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=97.0

          Islam
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1233.0

          Signs and Wonders
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11678.0

          Seven Seals
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11635.0

          The Green Machine
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11560.0

          Dual Application of Prophecy
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11036.0

          As it Was at the Time of Noah
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11365.0


    Roman Catholicism
          Pope's Plea for Religious Sundays
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6371.0

          Confess to your iPhone
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11691.0

          Vatican and Wikileaks
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11633.0

          Politics, RCC and Child Molestation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5650.0

          New Hope For Unity: Anglicans and Catholics
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5122.0

         
    Homosexual Immorality
          Unity Launches Online Resources for LGBT Community
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11751.0
          "Seventh-Gay Adventists: A film about love, sex, and eternal life"
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9683.0
          DOMA Unconstitutional?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11740.0
          Combat troops to get gay sensitivity training
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11738.0
          "Light" Presbyterians on Inclusion = Lite Religion
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11732.0
          Opinion: Scripture's Mixed Messages on Sexuality
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11687.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)The Seventh-day Adventist Family
    The Obstinate Child
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11208.0
    Family modesty
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11047.0
    Training up a Child
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10.0
    What Kind of Books for Our Children?
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12.0

    Education
          Southern Seventh-day Adventist University
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7431.0
          Ending the Teaching of Evolution at LSU
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0
          Walla Walla College
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=933.0
          Parental Responsibility
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=862.0
          Home School Threats
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11488.0
          "Occupy Until I Come" - New College in Fiji
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11679.0
          How Much Authority?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11486.0
          Christian Science Lauds SDA Education
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11259.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Healthful Living
    Cutting Edge Recipes
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3401.0
    Mad Cows and People
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3219.0
    Maximize longevity - "like a Seventh-Day Adventist"
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11644.0
    Salmonella - more recalls
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8870.0
    Taco Bell - "Thank you for suing us"
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11626.0
    Help needed: high triglycerides, low HDL
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11585.0
    Listeria bacteria - another recall
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8814.0
    Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11583.0


    Gardening
          Tomatoes
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10002.0
          Harvesting Seeds
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9458.0
          Starting Seeds
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10372.0


    The "Right Arm"
          Call for Reform among SDA physicians
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2865.0
          Washington Post Article re. Adventist Abortion Policy
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11613.0
          Natural Medicine Under Fire, Again Involving Parental Rights vs Authorities
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11696.0
          Fasting...How Long is Too Long?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6741.0
          U.S. Pig Farms May Be 'Flu Factories'
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11438.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Church and News
     Signs of the Times
          Middle East Chain Reactions to Revolts
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11746.0
          Dr. Walter Strachan Critically Injured in Crash
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11744.0
          An Overview of Religious Financial Fraud - The $34 Billion Scandal
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11739.0
          SDA Plane Down in Venezuela
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8758.0
          $5-a-Gallon Gas by 2012, Energy Shortages by Decade's End
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11437.0
          Super pack of 400 Wolves!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11681.0
          The Adventists Airs on PBS
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10228.0
          Elder Coon Has Died
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11673.0
          Unchain Yourself! Let Dr. Oz Hypnotize you!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11653.0
          False Prophet, Harold Camping--May 21 Will Come and Go
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11584.0


    Economic Times
          Warren Buffett - Down with Doom and Gloom!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11745.0
          Crude Oil Prices
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6947.0
          Half the World Soon to Be in Cities
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6884.0
          US national debt at trillions - what really is a trillion?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11222.0


    "Natural" Disasters
          Australia Floods Followed by Cat 5 Cyclone
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11503.0
          Quake Devastates New Zealand
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11722.0
          Earthquakes in Diverse Places
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5280.0
          Brazil flood death toll rises over 500
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11559.0
          Flooding in Philippines Kills 51
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11566.0
          2010--Deadliest Year in a Generation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11396.0


    Heavenly Music
          27 Principles of Music
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11090.0
          Most Beautiful Hymns
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7449.0
          Turns out that music really is intoxicating, after all
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11575.0
          Scripture Songs
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10421.0
          Music in my life - Elder John Thurber
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1018.0


    General Conference Session - Atlanta
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=82.0

    Worship
          Unity Amid Diversity
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=4190.0
          Righteousness by Faith (Justification by Faith)
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=111.0
          Applause
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1165.0
          The Fallen Nature of Man
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9050.0
          Bible Truth Confirmed in Chinese Language
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11384.0
          Wedding Bands
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=958.0
          Should the church be relevant to the world around it?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11597.0
          Teaching Sabbath School
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9672.0
          Abortion - A huge perenial topic, BUT . . .
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1171.0


    The Role of Women in Worship
          Rebellion Against World Church
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=90.0
          Ordained Deaconessses
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10689.0


     Laodicea
          A Fresh Look at Labor Unions
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=103.0
          A Call for Reform in the Ohio Conference
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10464.0
          Is This Too Bold?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11649.0
          Inroads to Counter Emergent Church Growth in SDA Churches
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11730.0
          Satan's sly attack upon the Bible across centuries
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11702.0
          What is Genuine Revival?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=275.0
          A Study Guide to Mind, Character, and Personality by EGW
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11648.0
          What was nailed to the cross in Col 2:14?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7953.0
          "Fashionable Modest Dress"
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11668.0
          Modesty of Deportment—Part 2
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10014.0


    Wrong Turns in Seventh-day Adventist History
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=38.0

    Spiritualism in the Church
          Spiritual Formation - Contemplative Prayer
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7396.0
          Derrick Morris invited to be Editor of Ministry Magazine
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11156.0
          "Spiritual Formation"-What is it?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=395.0
          Spiritual Disciplines
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7395.0
          Mike Tucker, the VOP and Spiritual Formation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11293.0
          Ted Wilson on the Emergent Village - Spiritual Formation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11752.0
          "Spiritual Formation" at Avondale
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11599.0
          Max Lucado's Contemplative Books
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11401.0
          Conference on Innovation-Kaiser--Open SDA Spiritualism
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1527.0


    Social Hall
          Big Prayers
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8511.0
          Adventists - The Documentary
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11749.0
          The Loaded Wagons
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11748.0
          Ack! and Ack! and Ack!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11731.0
          YOO HOO! Anybody home?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8009.0
          How Will We Deal with Transsexual Individuals?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11736.0
          Followup to "Steps to Christ"?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11733.0
          Harold Camping and Family Radio
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11720.0
          Our Writing Skills
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11672.0


    Music in the Church
          Youth and Music
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=950.0
          Principles of Music - Private Discussion
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=963.0
          27 Principles of Music - Elder John Thurber
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1390.0
          The Power of Music
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5934.0
          Little Seventh-day Adventist Boys Dancing and Singing for the World
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11408.0


    Religious Liberty
          Egyptian Christians asked to bow in submission to Allah
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11737.0
          Leslie replaces Standish
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11684.0
          Blasphemy Laws & Restrictions on Religion
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11690.0
          Step forward for church-state relations in Azerbaijan
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11674.0
          Religious Demographics of Congress
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=453.0
          Is Islam An Enemy of Christianity?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11506.0
          Islamic Countries Dominate Open Doors 2011 World Watch List
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11507.0


    Revival and Reformation
          Accepting the Call or Rejecting the Call?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11574.0
          Revival and Reformation: What Is It and How Do We Get It?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11518.0
          Revival for Mission Video from GC
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11511.0


    General Conference Session Atlanta - Private Discussion
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=83.0

continued in next post ...
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on March 28, 2011, 11:15:55 AM
April TRO Newsletter concluded:

(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Evangelism
    Evangelism Methods - Tracts and Literature
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9724.0
    SDA History & Bible Bowl
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7786.0
    Fishing for fish
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11600.0
    General Youth Conference
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1803.0
    The Work of an Evangelist
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11070.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Links and Resources
    Computer Forum
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=13.0
    Web Site Links
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=23.0
    Resource Exchange: Books, Seeds, Plants, CDs & DVDs ... and more!
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0


To access the private forums contact administrator@remnant-online.com

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on May 11, 2011, 06:13:08 PM
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May 2011


"Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!"


(http://remnant-online.com/Images/second_coming3.jpg)

"Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever yet died."

Harold Camping and Family Radio have billboards around the world proclaiming judgment day, May 21, 2011.  He preaches the 2300 day prophecy. He says that the dead in Christ will arise and go with the raptured saints to heaven at 6pm on May 21. He has established a large following with his 140 radio stations that play conservative Christian music. He says that the churches have fallen from grace and is calling all out of their churches.  Thousands and thousands believe his message and act accordingly. How do we act as we see the signs fast fulfilling?  Are we ready for the soon coming of Jesus?  God knows and so do those who watch us.

Harold Camping is not ready. He says he is, but we know better. We have been watching him. The Bible is very clear about certain things that have to happen before Jesus returns. We know Jesus is not coming on May 21, 2011.  So, we offered Harold Camping one million dollars for his radio stations. We offered to give him the money now and not take possession of the radio stations until May 22. What a deal!!  An extra million to save souls in exchange for radio stations that will serve no good after the rapture. What was Harold's response? No, thank you.

Jeremiah on the other hand, knew what he was doing when he purchased a piece of ground in Israel even though Israel was going into captivity in Babylon. His actions proved that he believed God's promise to bring God's children back to Israel in 70 years. Harold does not act upon his convictions. How about us? Do we believe Jesus is coming soon? Do others see in our actions that we believe Jesus is coming very soon?

We have the sure Word of prophecy, Christ has given signs of His coming. He declares that we may know when He is near, even at the doors. He says of those who see these signs, "This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." These signs have appeared. Now we know that the Lord's coming is at hand. "Heaven and earth shall pass away," He says, "but My words shall not pass away."  Christ is coming with clouds and with great glory. A multitude of shining angels will attend Him. He will come to raise the dead, and to change the living saints from glory to glory. He will come to honor those who have loved Him, and kept His commandments, and to take them to Himself. He has not forgotten them nor His promise.  A little longer, and we shall see the King in His beauty. A little longer, and He will wipe all tears from our eyes. A little longer, and He will present us "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."  Wherefore, when He gave the signs of His coming He said, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." 

God has always given men warning of coming judgments. Those who had faith in His message for their time, and who acted out their faith, in obedience to His commandments, escaped the judgments that fell upon the disobedient and unbelieving. The word came to Noah, "Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me." Noah obeyed and was saved. The message came to Lot, "Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city." Genesis 7:1; 19:14. Lot placed himself under the guardianship of the heavenly messengers, and was saved. So Christ's disciples were given warning of the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who watched for the sign of the coming ruin, and fled from the city, escaped the destruction. So now we are given warning of Christ's second coming and of the destruction to fall upon the world. Those who heed the warning will be saved.

Ellen White saw in vision and wrote in Early Writings, "Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have, for the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altar--self, property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where no thief can approach or rust corrupt. Ye must be partakers of Christ's sufferings here if ye would be partakers with Him of His glory hereafter." Early Writings, page 66.

"I saw that the remnant were not prepared for what is coming upon the earth. Stupidity, like lethargy, seemed to hang upon the minds of most of those who profess to believe that we are having the last message. My accompanying angel cried out with awful solemnity, "Get ready! get ready! get ready! for the fierce anger of the Lord is soon to come. His wrath is to be poured out, unmixed with mercy, and ye are not ready. Rend the heart, and not the garment." Early Writings, page 119.

When we see the revival and reformation that Pastor Wilson continues to call for, we then will be able to give the last warning message to a world soon to perish. We cannot give a message we do not live. "Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment is come." To give glory to God is to reflect His character, to manifest all of the fruits of His Spirit. When we as a people are converted, when we reflect the character of Christ, then His promise to us as a people will be fulfilled.  Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel (Seventh-day Adventist Church), but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  Ezekiel 36:22-25. 

Breathe your Spirit upon us Lord Jesus! Cause these dead bones rise and to walk!!  We have been dead in trespasses and sins, but all who will come to Christ, will be healed. Then, let us come to Christ and He will empower us to go forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners!

Get ready, get ready, get ready!! 


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Topics of Study
&
Continuing Discussions



(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Ongoing Devastation from Japan's 9.0 Quake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Meltdown
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=99.0

(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Testimony and Prayer
    We are Going Home!
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=95.0
    Prayer
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=4.0
    Testimonies
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=5.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Study
    Bread of Life
          Bible Translations
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=783.0
          Romans 7 & 8
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=742.0
          Daniel & Revelation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11721.0
          Matthew 24
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7707.0
          Latter Rain
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=743.0
          Crucifying Christ Afresh
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8334.0


   Sabbath School Lesson
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0

   Lessons from Nature
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=15.0

   King of Kings
          Baptism
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11769.0
          The Gospel According to Christ
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6611.0

          Dying to Self
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10995.0

          He Will Purge Thy Dross
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11240.0


   End Time Prophecies
          Book of Revelation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=70.0

          Book of Daniel
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=81.0

          Daniel & Revelation Merged
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=97.0

          Islam
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1233.0

          The US Will Lead the World Until the End
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12074.0
          Signs and Wonders
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11678.0

          Seven Seals
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11635.0

          The Green Machine
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11560.0

          Dual Application of Prophecy
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11036.0

          Armageddon, both a literal and spiritual battle
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3117.0
          As it Was at the Time of Noah
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11365.0


    Roman Catholicism
          A Bold, "Moral" Move by the Pope
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12066.0

          Secret Access, The Vatican on History Channel
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12038.0

          Confess to your iPhone
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11691.0

          Vatican and Wikileaks
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11633.0

          Politics, RCC and Child Molestation
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5650.0

          New Hope For Unity: Anglicans and Catholics
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5122.0

         
    Homosexual Immorality
          Opinion: Scripture's Mixed Messages on Sexuality
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11687.0
          Episcopalians Elect 1st Openly Gay Bishop
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5941.0
          California on its way to mandating teaching gay history in schools
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12006.0
          "Seventh-Gay Adventists: A film about love, sex, and eternal life"
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9683.0
          "Queer Theology" Book just Released!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11909.0
          DOMA Unconstitutional?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11740.0
          Combat troops to get gay sensitivity training
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11738.0
          "Light" Presbyterians on Inclusion = Lite Religion
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11732.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)The Seventh-day Adventist Family
    True Home Misionary Work
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11957.0
    Responsibility Towards Children
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=38.0
    Training up a Child
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10.0
    What Kind of Books for Our Children?
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12.0

    Education
          Southern Seventh-day Adventist University
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7431.0
          Laurelbrook Academy not in violation of child labor laws
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12086.0
          Ending the Teaching of Evolution at LSU
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9010.0
          Public Funding for Our Schools
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12030.0
          Gracelink Material
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=869.0
          Walla Walla College
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=933.0
          Parental Responsibility
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=862.0
          Home School Threats
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11488.0
          "Occupy Until I Come" - New College in Fiji
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11679.0
          How Much Authority?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11486.0
          Christian Science Lauds SDA Education
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11259.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Healthful Living
    Cutting Edge Recipes
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3401.0
    Mad Cows and People
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=3219.0
    Maximize longevity - "like a Seventh-Day Adventist"
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11644.0
    Salmonella, Metal, Mold, Ecoli - more recalls
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8870.0
    GMO and Monsanto Win the Organic Battle
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11937.0
    Help needed: high triglycerides, low HDL
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11585.0
    Listeria bacteria - another recall
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8814.0
    Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
    http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11583.0


    Gardening
          Tomatoes
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10002.0
          Harvesting Seeds
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9458.0
          Starting Seeds
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10372.0


    The "Right Arm"
          Call for Reform among SDA physicians
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=2865.0
          Washington Post Article re. Adventist Abortion Policy
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11613.0
          Natural Medicine Under Fire, Again Involving Parental Rights vs Authorities
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11696.0
          Fasting...How Long is Too Long?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6741.0
          U.S. Pig Farms May Be 'Flu Factories'
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11438.0


(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/AA_gold_bullet_4titles.jpg)Church and News
    Signs of the Times

          Record Number of Tornadoes Rip US (Worst Disaster Since Katrina)         
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12012.0
          Middle East Chain Reactions to Revolts
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11746.0
          Church of Nazarene Lost 10,000 Members - Emergent Teaching, the Cause
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12049.0
          An Overview of Religious Financial Fraud - The $34 Billion Scandal
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11739.0
          SDA Plane Down in Venezuela
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=8758.0
          $5-a-Gallon Gas by 2012, Energy Shortages by Decade's End
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11437.0
          Super pack of 400 Wolves!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11681.0
          Unchain Yourself! Let Dr. Oz Hypnotize you!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11653.0
          False Prophet, Harold Camping--May 21 Will Come and Go
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11584.0


    Economic Times
          Coming ... Spiritual Embargo!
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6234.0
          Crude Oil Prices
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6947.0
          Half the World Soon to Be in Cities
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6884.0
          US national debt at trillions - what really is a trillion?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11222.0


    "Natural" Disasters
          Record Flood Waters Hitting Southern US
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12071.0
          So Many Disasters
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12013.0
          Earthquakes in Diverse Places
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=5280.0
          Few Americans see earthquakes and other natural disasters a sign from God
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11907.0
          2010--Deadliest Year in a Generation, or is 2011?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11396.0


    Heavenly Music
          27 Principles of Music
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11090.0
          Most Beautiful Hymns
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=7449.0
          Turns out that music really is intoxicating, after all
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11575.0
          Scripture Songs
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10421.0
          Music in my life - Elder John Thurber
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1018.0


    Worship
          Kneeling, a Mortal Sin?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=6747.0
          What is Conversion?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11812.0
          Righteousness by Faith (Justification by Faith)
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=111.0
          Prayer for the Sick, Ministry of Healing
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12069.0
          Applause
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=1165.0
          The Fallen Nature of Man
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9050.0
          Wedding Bands
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=958.0
          Should the church be relevant to the world around it?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11597.0
          Teaching Sabbath School
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=9672.0


    The Role of Women in Worship
          Rebellion Against World Church
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=90.0
          Ordained Deaconessses
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10689.0


     Laodicea
          The Flowering of the Cross
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12005.0
          A Call for Reform in the Ohio Conference
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=10464.0
          Is This Too Bold?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11649.0
          Inroads to Counter Emergent Church Growth in SDA Churches
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11730.0
          Satan's sly attack upon the Bible across centuries
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11702.0
          What is Genuine Revival?
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=275.0
          A Study Guide to Mind, Character, and Personality by EGW
          http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=11648.0
          What was nailed to the cross in Col 2:14?
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          "Fashionable Modest Dress"
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          Cleansing the Camp
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    Wrong Turns in Seventh-day Adventist History
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          Followup to "Steps to Christ"?
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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on October 02, 2011, 10:30:08 AM
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October 2011

Hope
by JimB

Where is your hope today? Without hope in Christ where would we be? If you've been separated from a loved one for a long time and you know that you're going to see them again soon, what do we do and how do we act? Do you tell others how much you are looking forward to seeing them? If they are coming to your house, do you clean, making it nice and presentable? Each of us is different and our responses to these questions will probably be different based upon knowing the likes and preferences of the one we are separated from. But there is One who we should all be hoping to see again in the very near future. And yes, I'm speaking of the hope of the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Are we getting ready? I've heard some say that it's time to stop getting ready and "be ready" for Christ. His return to gather His sons and daughters is our only hope!

Jesus spoke these words of hope to us in John 14:1-4

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.


There is hope of eternal life and salvation and living with the God we love but in this hope there are contained other hopes, such as the hope of seeing our dead loved ones again.
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1Th 4:13, 14:  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Can you imagine the the day that not only do we get to Jesus Christ return in the clouds of glory but also get to see our friends and family that have passed before us? As one hymn says:

What a day of rejoicing that will be!!

There too is another hope that those who are looking for Jesus to return have and this is the hope of being like Christ. This hope works in us fashioning and reforming our character to be like Christ's.

1Jn 3:2, 3:  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Jesus is coming soon and as another hymn says....

My (Our) hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.





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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on December 03, 2011, 01:41:52 PM
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November 2011


Lessons From the Rich Young Ruler
by asygo

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Matthew 19:16-22
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Mark 10:17-22
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Luke 18:18-23
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

Notice that when the man asked what was required to inherit eternal life, Jesus starts by pointing out that ONLY God is good. In Matthew's account, the man asked, "What good thing shall I do...?" And Christ's response was to get the man to take his eyes off himself to find good, and look to God, the ONLY place we can find good. The first step toward life is to LOOK AT CHRIST.

Christ continues, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," and gives a list of commands from the Old Testament. The question was, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Christ answered by giving a list of commandments. Was He not paying attention to the question? Did He really mean to say that keeping the commandments has something to do with receiving eternal life? Yes, that is what He said.

But how does that reconcile with the first part of His answer, that only God is good? The key is to realize that our keeping of the commandments does not, and cannot, make us good. Even if we kept all the commandments all the time, which is what God requires, it still does not make us good. Note Christ's words, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10) These are good commands from our good God, who only has our good in mind. And Jesus says that even though our keeping them does not make us good, our keeping them is needed if we are to inherit eternal life.

Then why does God require obedience if our obedience does not merit eternal life? It is a matter of ownership. "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34) "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Romans 6:16) Who is our master? Who is our owner? Invariably, our master is the one we obey. And we, being the servants, will reside where our master resides. If our owner is God, obeying His commands, we will live with Him. If our master is Satan, obeying his commands and disobeying God's commands, we will live and die with him.

The Rich Young Ruler has a ready answer, "All these things have I kept from my youth up." In the face of God's requirements, he can say that he has fulfilled them. But does he mean it? Does he believe it himself? He continues, "What lack I yet?" He claims to keep God's commandments, but knows in his heart that he is lacking. Jesus agrees by replying, "One thing thou lackest."

"If thou wilt be perfect," Jesus says, agreeing with the man's admission of incompleteness, "Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." Here, Jesus begins to reveal how the man's claim of obedience was empty. Among the commands Christ gave was, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." And now, he cites one way of obeying this command. "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." He claimed to love his neighbor, but when it came time to act on that professed love, he refused. He finally admits to himself and everyone else, through the undeniable evidence of his works, that his claim to obedience was a farce.

But the issue goes much deeper than that. Christ knew that this young man had great possessions, and the command addresses it. Are you willing to give up your earthly treasures for heavenly treasure? Are you willing to give up temporal pleasures for heavenly pleasure? Are you willing to give up your comfortable life for eternal life? The Rich Young Ruler had a choice to make. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

But there was an even harder choice to make, because there was a bigger problem. And the words Jesus said next struck squarely at the root of the problem, "Come, take up the cross, and follow me." On one level, this was just an extension of the command to exchange his temporal wealth for eternal wealth. "And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Luke 9:58) To follow Christ meant having none of this world's comforts, but it meant having all of Heaven's promises.

But it is the next level that causes most to turn around and go home grieved. In order to follow Christ, we must "take up the cross." What does the cross mean? It did not just mean discomfort, hardship, and torture. Taking up the cross always meant an ignominious death.

Christ was telling the young man that before he could live, he must die. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25) Moreover, this was not a one-time event. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) As long as we want to follow Him, we must take up our cross. If we want to follow him all the time, we must take up our cross all the time.

In what sense do we die? In what sense are we crucified? "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24) "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Romans 6:6) The Old Man, our flesh, the part of us that "wars against the soul" is to be crucified whenever we want to follow Christ. And the result is that we come to the place where "henceforth we should not serve sin." Of the experience of crucifying the Old Man, Paul writes, "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:20-22) "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:21-24) "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:4-7) This is what Jesus wanted the Rich Young Ruler to do.

So we see that Christ's command to "take up the cross" is just a reiteration of the idea of ownership. It is just another way of saying, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

But He doesn't stop there. He continues with, "Follow me." There are several aspects of following, and we will cover just a few of them here. To follow someone means to go where he is going, or where he has gone. Jesus has gone to Heaven, and that is where we want to go. "Take up the cross, and follow me," is exactly the answer the Rich Young Ruler asked for. He wanted to know what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Christ's answer was, "Crucify your Old Man with its fleshly lusts, and you can be with me in Heaven."

To follow someone means to do what he is doing, or what he did. Jesus testified of Himself, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." (John 8:29) He always pleased the Father; He always obeyed. As we saw from the writings of Paul - the Apostle to the Gentiles, the great advocate of righteousness by faith - when we crucify the flesh, we rise up to walk in newness of life. When the Old Man is put to death, the New Man is born, which is "created in righteousness and true holiness." When we are freed from the slavery of sin, we become slaves of God, to obey Him. In essence, Jesus said, "When you crucify the flesh, you can be with Me in obeying God."

But the most fundamental aspect of following someone is this: We must look at the one we are following. If we are not looking, we won't know where to go. If we are not looking, we won't know what to do. Christ's command to "Follow Me," entails the first and foremost step toward gaining eternal life: LOOK AT CHRIST. Again, this is just a reiteration of what Jesus already said.

We see here a Jewish way of emphasizing a point: Say the same thing twice, in different ways. (We can find many examples in the poetic books of the Bible, such as Proverbs and Isaiah.) The Rich Young Ruler asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The answer is given, "Look at God and obey Him." The young man says, "I've done that." The truth is brought out, "You have not obeyed because you do not love your neighbor as yourself." And the requirements for life are given again, "Look at God and obey Him."

Backing up a little bit, we will notice that the Rich Young Ruler did not really know what he was asking for. He asked, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" He seemed to be eager to have eternal life. But what is "eternal life"? "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) To know God, the Father and the Son, is the essence of eternal life. Christ, knowing this, gave him what he asked for.

"You want eternal life? Leave everything and be with Me."

Many think that eternal life is having a never-ending life. But Satan has invented the doctrine that sinners will live forever while being tortured in Hell; that's not the eternal life I want. God has so much more in mind. The eternal life that He promises is quality, not just quantity. It is a life of joy in obedience, that lasts forever. It is a never-ending life spent with Christ. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

By saying, "Follow Me," Jesus offered the Rich Young Ruler the opportunity to have the kind of eternal life that is truly satisfying. But the young man showed that he did not really want that kind of eternal life. He exchanged eternal life for his temporal life.

What lessons can we learn from this story? Here are some:

    Claiming obedience to God does not necessarily mean it is true.
    If we are to have life, we must look at Christ.
    If we are to have life, we must crucify the Old Man and forsake sin.
    When we crucify the Old Man, the New Man is born.
    When we stop being Satan's slave by obeying him, we can start being God's slave by obeying Him instead.
    Wanting to be saved does not necessarily mean being willing to do what it takes to be saved.
    Eternal life is not just living a long time; it is living RIGHT a long time.


There is one more lesson from the Rich Young Ruler.

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:21-22)

Jesus loved the Rich Young Ruler, and His love for him led Him to say what He did: 1) He revealed the man's deficiency, and 2) He told the man how to overcome it. In His love for the young man, Christ supplied everything he needed to be saved.

But the problem was not with God's love; it was with the man's love. Did the Rich Young Ruler have love? Of course he did. But the object of his supreme love was improper. He loved God enough to go to Jesus asking what he must do to live with God forever. But he proved that he loved his possessions more than he loved God. When made to choose to be with God or with his possessions, he chose to stay with his possessions.

As usual, the issue goes deeper than that. Many of us do not need to choose between God and our possessions because we do not have substantial possessions. But we all have to choose between righteousness and sin. We can say God loves us and we love God. We can say we want righteousness and don't want sin. But like the Rich Young Ruler, regardless of our profession, our action will reveal our true choice. Regardless of what we say, what we do will reveal our true love.

Not only that, but what we do will reveal our destiny. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2Corinthians 5:10) "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Revelation 20:12)

Clearly, it is not a matter of whether or not we have love in our hearts. The question is, Who and what do our hearts love? And that question is infallibly answered by our actions.

Do our actions testify that we are owned by God or owned by Satan? Do our actions reveal that we love righteousness or sin? Jesus said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16) According to our fruits, what is our root? John the Baptist said, "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Luke 3:9)

If the evidence shows that we have the wrong fruit, that we have the wrong root, that we have the wrong owner, that we have the wrong destiny, rejoice that there is still hope. All we have to do is choose today whom we will serve.




Ongoing Studies
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Bread of Life
Genesis 3:15
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The Gospel and Salvation
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=748.0
On Being "Born Again"
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=797.0
The Fruit of the Spirit
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12723.0
Spiritual Formation - Why the Lie?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=12421.0
A Thought for Today
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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on December 13, 2011, 05:23:36 PM
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December 2011



The Remnant Online Ministry drafted and sent the following letter to the NAD and the TED with copies to the president and vice presidents of the General Conference.





Daniel R. Jackson, North American Division President of Seventh-day Adventists
Bertil Wiklander, Trans-European Division President of Seventh-day Adventists
All executive committee members


Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

It is with very heavy hearts that we write this letter. We understand that we have no church authority for doing so, but as church members we believe that it is our duty. God in His Word has not only authorized us to do so, but has made it very clear that in such an emergency as this, we are constrained to do so. If we did not address this issue, we would be as "dumb dogs that do not bark." We would be cowards of the worst sort. "If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God." [1]

What is this emergency that constrains us to action? It is rebellion in the church. When two divisions of the world church reject the authority of the General Conference and violate their own constitutions, it is open rebellion. None are confused over the issue. All of you sitting on the executive committees of these two divisions understand what you have done. All who voted to violate your constitutions and reject the authority of the General Conference know that you are in rebellion against the world church. You may feel it is within your right to do so. And, you would have some ground to stand on if you were obeying the Word of God, but you are not. The distinction between men and women in the home and in the church is a Biblical principle, not a man made tradition as some of you have taught. Therefore, you are in rebellion against God as well as His Church when you attempt to remove this distinction as you have done.

We come to you pleading that you prayerfully consider your actions and reverse them. The division you have created in the church is not of God. The consequences are far more involved than you have imagined.  Church leaders around the world are praying as to what will happen next, what will be their response.

There is a battle between right and wrong. This is no time to compromise. It is no time to hide your colors. When the battle wages hot, let no one turn traitor. It is no time to lay down or conceal our weapons, and give Satan the advantage in the warfare. But unless you watch, and keep your garments unspotted from the world, you will not stand true to Jesus. You are to maintain your allegiance, bearing testimony for God and for truth.

Daniel Jackson and Bertil Wiklander, you both led the rebellion. Daniel Jackson, you said, "As Chair I do not know what other way I could have lead the group." [2] There is no excuse for the rebellion. You knew that the General Conference had said "No" over and over. You know what your constitution says about the requirements for conference president, yet you led your division in this rebellion. Don't pretend you did not want it, you did. The only course is to repent of your sin. Jesus stands at the door knocking.

Bertil Wiklander, you plead for this rebellion by saying that Europe wants no such thing as the Bible to set standards of behavior. That in order to gain new church members we must set church standards to the world's standard. [3] What next?  Do you want to follow Europe's lead in giving homosexuals equal rights? Do you want to ordain homosexuals? That is where your principles lead. No! We do not lower our standards to meet the world's demands. The world does not belong in the church. Jesus loves you and gave His life for you. Do not continue to resist His Word and His love.

There were 65 faithful church leaders who voted against the rebellion, 61 in the NAD and four in the TED. God has recorded it. We now ask that you do not hide your colors behind a secret ballot. There is a line drawn in the sand. This is a time when all must choose to stand with God if they love Him and want to serve Him.

We are reminded of another rebellion when a man wanted that which God had not appointed him. Korah was appointed to the service of the tabernacle, but he had become dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood. That position was entrusted to Aaron and his house. It had formerly been the responsibility of the firstborn son of every family, not the firstborn daughter. The Bible is clear in regards to the distinction made between men and women in the home and in the church.

Korah was successful in winning over two hundred and fifty princes, men of stature in the congregation. With these strong and influential supporters he felt confident of making a radical change in the government and greatly improving upon the administration of their leaders, Moses and Aaron.  So it appears today. Some feel very confident because they are surrounded by 162 "princes" of influence in the church. They believe they can make radical changes in God's church despite what the leaders of the world church have decided. If their vote were unanimous, it would have given these men in both divisions a little more reason to believe they might be right and the world church wrong. But, neither vote was unanimous. There was disagreement in the divisions. This should have been a warning. To separate from the world church when there was not unanimity was a very unwise act.

How does God view rebellion? "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.  And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense." Numbers 16:32-35. 

Our hope is that those of you who are in rebellion will turn and be reconciled with the church and God. The thought that the NAD and the TED are in harmony with Scripture is not true. The church in General Conference Session decided the issue in 1990 and 1995. First, they said "No" to women's ordination, then they said "No" to allowing each division to decide the matter. At the 1995 Session in Utrecht, Ted N. C. Wilson, then president of the Euro-Asia Division, "emphatically declared that this is a 'potentially divisive issue' making 'widespread factionalism possible." [4] Before the vote, then NAD president Alfred McClure said, "Whatever the outcome, we shall continue to be a loyal part of the church family..."   After the vote McClure repeated his promise: "We have done our best to present the proposal as we felt was right. We believe that it is something [ordination of women] that would be very helpful in North America. However, the world Church has spoken. And we believe in the unity of the world Church. We must stay together, and we support the decision of the Church." [5]  How far removed from this attitude are the 162 NAD delegates today as they push away from the world church?

The subject of the role distinction in the church has been studied over many years. A study was initiated in 1971 and the 1975 General Conference Session in Vienna, Austria, discussed the issue. At the 1990 GC Session in Indianapolis, Neal Wilson, as the GC president for the previous ten years, spoke to the issue of women's ordination. "An appeal has been made to authorize each division to decide on this matter. This area has also been carefully analyzed, and you see in the report that it is specifically mentioned. Up to this point this church has considered that ordination is something that should be universal in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We should not fragment the church. The unity of the church is extremely important. It has been felt by the commissions that to give way on this point and to say that every division may do what it chooses to do will lead to pluralism in this church. Anyone who initiates pluralism in this church is certainly going in the wrong direction. The commissions felt that one of the greatest sources we have of keeping this world church together is through our ordained ministers and pastors. That is one of the main functions....And so, because of the lack of clear Biblical guidance and clear Spirit of Prophecy guidance, the commissions have brought to you the recommendation that you have today." [6]

The world church has not changed its position on this subject.  A survey was taken prior to the Atlanta GC Session last year and it was decided that there was no point in bringing up the subject at that session. The sentiment had not changed. [7] Just prior to the NAD and the TED voting to reject their constitution which states that there will be role distinction between men and women in that a conference president must be an ordained minister, the General Conference rejected their request for a variance to allow other than ordained ministers to be a conference president. In the face of these decisions by the General Conference, you have rebelled. You have discarded the rule of law and done that which seemeth right in your own eyes, stating that yours is a Scriptural position. It is not.

At Utrecht, Dr. P. Gerard Damsteegt, associate professor of theology, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, presented the theological case "against" the women's ordination. "While affirming women's 'equality of nature and worth before God,'" he suggested that women are "different in functional roles." He suggested that the Bible does not allow "spiritual headship" of women either in the family or in the Church. Dr. Damsteegt suggested that those who are "for" female ordination are departing from the traditional Adventist method of Scriptural interpretation. He explained that this proposal conflicts with three basic Bible doctrines, namely, "the doctrine of the Church, the doctrine of Holy Scripture, and the doctrine of the unity of the Church." [8]


We concur with Dr. Damnsteegt, the General Conference, and the many other faithful Seventh-day Adventists that have decided the issue from Scripture. There is to be role distinction in the home and in the church; it is a Biblical principle.  "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." Ephesians 5:22-24. Many who err state that Paul was speaking according to the culture of his day. We can see in these following verses that culture has nothing to do with his statement. He is expressing Biblical principle and also states the reason for it.

"But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy  2:12-15.

Revival and reformation is coming. The call has gone forth and is centered in Christ. The church will not long remain in its Laodicean condition. There is a shaking coming in response to the preaching of vital truth.

The prophet of the Lord expressed a very sad fact: "Soon God's people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal." [9] This rebellion is one such "fiery trial". It will test God's people. All must choose on which side of the line they will stand. "When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few--this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason." [10]

The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. [11]

Has not the Lord Jesus sent message after message of rebuke, of warning, of entreaty, to His church? Have not His counsels been despised and rejected? Have not His delegated messengers been treated with scorn and their words been received as idle tales? Christ sees that which man does not see. He sees the sins which, if not repented of, will exhaust the patience of a long-suffering God. Christ cannot take up the names of those who are satisfied in their own self-sufficiency.

The great Redeemer represents Himself as a heavenly merchantman, laden with riches, calling from house to house, presenting His priceless goods, and saying, "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:18-20.
 
Let us consider our condition before God; let us heed the counsel of the True Witness. Let none of us be filled with prejudice, as were the Jews, that light may not come into our hearts. Let it not be necessary for Christ to say of us as He did of them, "Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life."

The precious message of the righteousness of Christ will bring revival and reformation. We thank God that there are souls who realize that they are in need of something which they do not possess--gold of faith and love, white raiment of Christ's righteousness, eyesalve of spiritual discernment. If you possess these precious gifts, the temple of the human soul will not be like a desecrated shrine. Brothers and sisters sitting as leaders of these two divisions, we call upon you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth to work where God works. Now is the day of gracious opportunity and privilege. Accept Christ as your Leader and return to Him and your church.

[1]  3Testimonies 280

[2]  http://www.scribd.com/doc/75197103/Statement-2011-Year-End-Mtg%E2%80%94Jackson-3

[3]  http://www.ted-adventist.org/news/to-avoid-misunderstanding
       http://www.ted-adventist.org/features-and-analysis/leadership-and-ordination-of-women


[4]  Adventist Review, General Conference Bulletin 1995

[5]  ibid.

[6]  Adventist Review July 13, 1990 pg 12, 13. [typographical errors corrected]

[7]  http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=3249

[8]  Adventist Review, General Conference Bulletin 1995

[9]   Last Day Events 180

[10]  5Testimonies 136

[11]  2Selected Messages 380





A Line Drawn in the Sand
Petition
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As 2011 draws to a close a line has been drawn in the sand for Seventh-day Adventists around the world. We must choose whom we will serve. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15. During the Autumn Council in October 2011, the General Conference Executive Committee chose to stand on the Lord's side and uphold its constitution and the decisions made by the General Conference in session in 1995 and again in 2000 regarding the ordination of women to the ministry. The Autumn Council decision this fall confirmed that a conference president must be an ordained minister. There are some in disagreement with this decision who seek to make changes that are contrary to the vote of the Autumn Council, the world church and God's Word. The time has come when each person must make a decision—on which side do you stand? Will you uphold the decision of the world church made in session and the Autumn Council which is in accordance with the Biblical mandate giving men the headship role in both the home and the church?

Click here (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/a-line-drawn-in-the-sand) to sign iPetition: "A Line Drawn in the Sand."




Circulation of letter is restricted to Seventh-day Adventists.

Correction appearing in December 22, 2011 newsletter:

Quote
Correction in December 2011's newsletter:
It was 1990 that the General Conference said "No" to women's ordination and in 1995 they said "No" to letting the divisions decide. We regret the error.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on December 23, 2011, 12:26:35 PM
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Year End 2011



As we approach the end of the year, we realize - more than ever - the need of petitioning heaven, not only for ourselves and our families, brothers and sisters in Christ, but especially for ministers of the gospel standing on the front lines of the work. Theirs is a holy work ordained of God with spiritual responsibilities whose end results are eternal. Pray for our world-wide leaders as they listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit for guidance. Encourage them, tell them you are praying for them, for the messages they are charged to give hold no small consequence. Consider the solemnity of the following:

The attention of the people must be arrested. Our message is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. The destinies of souls are balancing. Multitudes are in the valley of decision. A voice should be heard crying, "If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21. . . Counsels to Writers and Editors, 14.

Twenty-twelve is upon us. We welcome the opportunity to talk of Jesus yet another year. A message so appropriate is the one shown below. Our salvation is an individual work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Let us give it heed and take it to heart so that one day very soon, we can meet Him face to face, that Lovely One who is our heart’s Desire.
 
Who will seek at the beginning of this new year to obtain a new and genuine experience in the things of God? Make your wrongs right as far as possible. Confess your errors and sins one to another. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be put away; let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience. . . .   
     What fruit have we borne during the year that is now past? What has been our influence upon others? Whom have we gathered to the fold of Christ? The eyes of the world are upon us. Are we living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men? Do we follow the example of Jesus in self-denial, in meekness, in humility, in forbearance, in cross-bearing, in devotion? Will the world be compelled to acknowledge us to be the servants of Christ? . . . 
     Shall we not in this new year seek to correct the errors of the past? It behooves us individually to cultivate the grace of Christ, to be meek and lowly of heart, to be firm, unwavering, steadfast in the truth; for thus only can we advance in holiness, and be made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Let us begin the year with an entire renunciation of self; let us pray for clear discernment, that we may understand our Saviour's claims upon us, and that we may always and everywhere be witnesses for Christ.
Signs of the Times, Jan. 4, 1883.

- Contributor, Sybil



We want to encourage everyone to participate in our online Sabbath School lessons (http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=12.0). We also are sharing a link to an interview with Dr. Lawrence Geraty at the Atlanta GC Session, in light of the lawsuit brought by La Sierra administrators against the church.  http://remnant-online.com/v_gc301.html



The Gospel and the Church   

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The Sabbath School Lesson for Thursday, the 22nd of December, 2011 with comments in black by Richard Myers, Administrator:

THURSDAY    December 22

Sowing and Reaping (Gal. 6:6–10)

  6:6   Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 
  6:7   Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 
  6:8   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 
  6:9   And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 
  6:10   As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 

In Galatians 6:7, the word translated “mocked” (mukterizo) occurs only here in the New Testament, though it often appears in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. It literally means “to turn up one’s nose in contempt.” In the Old Testament it typically refers to the despising of God’s prophets (2 Chron. 36:16, Jer. 20:7), and it even is used once to describe graphically a rebellious attitude toward God (Ezek. 8:17).

"The despising of God's prophets." That sounds like truth.  God sends a message through a prophet and it is ignored. Yes, ignoring the message is "to turn up ones' nose in contempt." Shall we count how many messages have been ignored? And when we bring them up one by one, who will stand with God?  The message in our lesson is very clear, God will not be mocked. When one despises the truth, he will reap what he has sown. Either we love the truth or we do not.  I think many reading this today may be jarred a little. Do you despise a message from God? Do you ignore a message from God?  We can stop here, or we can go on. Because Jesus is coming soon and the call for revival and reformation has gone forth, I am inclined to go forward. We are all sitting on the truth about this verse. God's sends a message in plain English and it is ignored, despised. Or as the author suggested, it could be called rebellion (a rebellious attitude).

Maybe some think that teaching our students evolution is just fine. Or how about Shakespeare? Tennis and basketball? The disease in animals is increasing rapidly and soon there will be no safety in using eggs and milk.  Soon? That truth was a hundred years ago. Most dairy is full of Leukemia and eggs infected with Salmonella. Still eating meat? Mad cows, mad sheep, mad deer, all unclean. The head of every woman is man? God will not be mocked. Despise what He has given to us and it will be seen in what a man reaps.  There will be no love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, or temperance. They only come with the Spirit. When He comes, they all come with Him, not one is missing. When we are filled with His Spirit, we appreciate the truth even when it cuts across our vile evil fallen human nature.

Paul’s point is that people may ignore God or even flout His commandments, but they cannot outwit God. He is the ultimate judge, and in the end they will have to pay the price for their actions.

Read Galatians 6:8. What does Paul mean here? What examples can you find in the Bible of characters sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit? (See, for example, Acts 5:1–5, Luke 22:3, Dan. 1:8, Matt. 4:1.)

Paul’s metaphor about sowing and reaping is not unique. It is a fact of life that appears in many ancient proverbial sayings. What is significant, however, is how Paul uses it to highlight his previous comments about the flesh and the Spirit. James D. G. Dunn notes, “A modern equivalent is that we are free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choice.”—Galatians, p. 330.

Although God does not always deliver us from the earthly consequences of our sins, we should not be overcome with despair for the bad choices we have made. We can rejoice that God has forgiven us of our sins and adopted us as His children. We should capitalize on the opportunities we have now to invest in those things that will yield a heavenly harvest.

Our first work is to go to Jesus. We cannot "capitalize on the opportunities" given to us if we are not abiding in Christ. In Christ, we will reap all that God has for us. The message in Galatians is that we first need to make a full surrender to Christ, then our good works will be truly good. Then we will take advantage of the light given to us. Otherwise, we would just be little "whited sepulchers" attempting to make ourselves good. We need Jesus, we need His Spirit, then all else will follow in His train.

6:10   As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10, meanwhile, illustrates the point that “Christian ethics has a dual focus: one is universal and all-embracing, ‘Let us do good to all people’; the other is particular and specific, ‘especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’ Paul’s universalistic appeal was based on the fact that all persons everywhere are created in the image of God and are thus infinitely precious in his sight. Whenever Christians have forgotten this primary datum of biblical revelation, they have inevitably fallen victim to the blinding sins of racism, sexism, tribalism, classism, and a thousand other bigotries that have blighted the human community from Adam and Eve to the present day.”—Timothy George, Galatians, pp. 427, 428.

You are sowing, either for good or bad. Look at yourself. What kind of harvest are you going to reap? 

It is called character development. Every second that we are outside of Christ, we are creating habits by actions and words repeated. Our thoughts makeup  our character.  Is it our habit to think on Christ or have we developed the habit of thinking on things of this world? Is it our habit to respond in love to those who despitefully use us or are we meek and lowly as is our Lord?  Are we fearful of what our friends will think or are we going to stand with God no matter what?  Each day we are creating a character that will either be happy in heaven or will not. God does not decide who goes to heaven, we do. When God draws a line in the sand, His true children will be seen standing with Him. It is their character to do so.



Correction in December 2011's newsletter:
It was 1990 that the General Conference said "No" to women's ordination and in 1995 they said "No" to letting the divisions decide. We regret the error.


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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on February 06, 2012, 03:44:01 PM
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February 2012



The Righteousness of God
by Richard Myers

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Jesus tells us that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. In our daily devotions we spend that thoughtful hour contemplating the life of Christ. In so doing, we learn of the character of our heavenly Father. He and Jesus are one in character. Now, I want to take the little time we have together to share with you how it is that I have come to know our heavenly Father, beyond seeing Him through His Son.

We whose hearts have responded to the divine touch continue to seek for that which will increase our knowledge of God. As a flower turns to the sun, that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty, so will the soul turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ. [1]

Abraham had greatly desired to see the promised Saviour. He offered up the most earnest prayer that before his death he might behold the Messiah. He saw His day, and was glad. The command had come to him,

"Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, . . . and offer him . . . for a burnt offering."
Genesis 22:2.
                                                                         
Upon the altar of sacrifice he laid the son of promise, the son in whom his hopes were centered. Then as he waited beside the altar with knife upraised to obey God, he heard a voice from heaven saying,

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"Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me."
Genesis 22:12.

This terrible ordeal was imposed upon Abraham that he might see the day of Christ, and realize the great love of God for the world, so great that to raise it from its degradation, He gave His only-begotten Son to a most shameful death. 
 
When I first read this as a new Christian, I did not understand why God would ask such a thing of a father. I did not object, I just could not understand. Now, I do and hold these verses as the greatest revelation in all of Scripture. Why? Because in my search to know God, I find here what I hunger after. Here is a revelation of a God that is a God of love. Sinful man is saved by grace. There is no greater revelation of grace in the Bible than right here.  When we contemplate the horrendous suffering of Abraham as he lifted that knife to slay his son, we can identify with him if we have children. To take the life of one's own child would be very painful. Abraham knew the voice of God and he trusted Him. By faith, he knew all would be well. God would take care of Isaac. He was the son of promise and God's promises are sure.

But, what if the outcome was uncertain? What if there was no one to raise Abraham's son from the grave? Then, how would Abraham feel about killing his son? If there were an unknown about the outcome, then it would be much more painful. This is what our heavenly Father experienced when He allowed His innocent Son to come to our dark world a helpless baby subject to the weaknesses or humanity. I love God! He loves me and proved it when he stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son and promised to provide the Lamb Himself. Here is the reality of what God was revealing to Abraham and to us. There is no greater love than what you will read here.

The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life. 

Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.

The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life's peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. "Herein is love." Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!
[2]

Think it was easy for God to allow Christ to come to our world? No, it was not easy. Three times Jesus pleaded with His Father that He might take our sins upon Himself. There was a great risk that His Father understood. How could He risk His only Son, His innocent Son? Yet, He loved us so much that He not only was willing to allow His Son to suffer, but to risk being separated from Him for eternity.

Sorrow filled heaven as it was realized that man was lost and that the world which God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness, and death, and that there was no way of escape for the offender. The whole family of Adam must die. I then saw the lovely Jesus and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon His countenance. Soon I saw Him approach the exceeding bright light which enshrouded the Father. Said my accompanying angel, "He is in close converse with His Father." The anxiety of the angels seemed to be intense while Jesus was communing with His Father. Three times He was shut in by the glorious light about the Father, and the third time He came from the Father we could see His person. His countenance was calm, free from all perplexity and trouble, and shone with a loveliness which words cannot describe. He then made known to the angelic choir that a way of escape had been made for lost man; that He had been pleading with His Father, and had obtained permission to give His own life as a ransom for the race, to bear their sins, and take the sentence of death upon Himself, thus opening a way whereby they might, through the merits of His blood, find pardon for past transgressions, and by obedience be brought back to the garden from which they were driven. [3]

We have a message to bear to a world soon to perish! We have not appreciated the treasure heaven has entrusted to us as His people. Go and tell the world of His greatness! Tell of the loveliness of Jesus and our heavenly Father. Tell of our heavenly Father's great love for us while we were yet sinners. What a God we serve!


[1] Ellen White; Desire of Ages, 1898; pg. 468
[2] Ellen White; Desire of Ages, 1898; pgs. 48, 49
[3] Ellen White; Early Writings, 1882; pg. 126



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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on March 04, 2012, 10:50:03 AM
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March 2012


Constrained to Come

“Incline your ear, and
Come unto Me:
Hear,
and your soul shall live”
Isaiah 55:3

The power of God's love and grace constrains us to come.  (COL 235.1)
by Sybil

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With deepest longing to see an end to the great controversy and that of sin and death, we are indeed constrained to “come,” for the sake of Christ Jesus. For in Jeremiah He says, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee."

I sit in profound amazement at the extent of His love for me, a sinner, utterly unworthy of His notice, yet He loves me with an everlasting love. It knows no end and it has no bounds. The sheer magnitude of His words is beyond comprehending because I know a little of myself. The Bible says He draws us “with loving-kindness” and my heart’s response is an immediate posture of “sackcloth and ashes,” melted and subdued. Oh how in humility I think on these things. When justice required my death, that the Creator of this vast universe, the Son of the living God, would step between the Father and me to say, “I will pay the debt. Let the sinner be spared; I will suffer in her stead,” I am constrained to “come,” incline my ear to hear, that my soul shall live to love Him, honor and reverence Him yet this day that He gives me breath.

The presentation of the love of God has a convincing power above that of argument, controversy, and debate, and drops the seed of gospel truth in the heart. The fact that Jesus, innocent and pure, should suffer, that God should lay all his wrath upon the head of his dear Son, that the guiltless should bear the punishment of the guilty, the just endure the penalty of sin for the unjust, breaks the heart; and as Jesus is lifted up, conviction strikes to the soul, and the love that prompted the bestowal of the infinite gift of Christ, constrains the sinner to surrender all to God.  (RH, July 24, 1894 par. 1)

You and I are two of 17,214,683 Seventh-day Adventists fairly educated in truth and doctrine. We were given the great commission and we accepted the call. Our lives were forever changed and we have been about His business since our conversion. Sometimes we remind ourselves of Noah, a hammer in one hand concentrating on building the ark, and the other hand outstretched to those in need of a Savior. We tend to our immediate families all the while giving Bible studies, assisting the poor and sitting on church boards. It is a decidedly busy time for everyone in His vineyard. At the end of the day a question arises: are we “freshly” constrained to come and hear that our souls might live? Did we anew give our hearts wholly to Him this morning? Are we freshly filled with His Spirit? Two chapters in The Desire of Ages will bring to memory the love that constrains us to come and drink anew from the Living Waters: Gethsemane and Calvary.


Gethsemane

"Tarry ye here," He said, "and watch with Me."...

As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. In the wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Christ was then conqueror. Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle. For this he had been preparing during the three years of Christ's ministry. Everything was at stake with him. If he failed here, his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of the world would finally become Christ's; he himself would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan's kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power. With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ's soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan's kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God...

The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing out His life...

Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me." Yet even now He adds, "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."


Calvary

All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father's mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father's reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt...

The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father's acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father's wrath upon Him as man's substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God...

The angry lightnings seemed to be hurled at Him as He hung upon the cross. Then "Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"...

The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes; those hands so often reached out in blessing, nailed to the wooden bars; those feet so tireless on ministries of love, spiked to the tree; that royal head pierced by the crown of thorns; those quivering lips shaped to the cry of woe. And all that He endured--the blood drops that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father's face--speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, It is for thee that the Son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for thee He spoils the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise. He who stilled the angry waves and walked the foam-capped billows, who made devils tremble and disease flee, who opened blind eyes and called forth the dead to life,--offers Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, and this from love to thee.

He, the Sin Bearer, endures the wrath of divine justice, and for thy sake becomes sin itself.


He paid a debt we will never be called upon to pay.

"Come."


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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on October 29, 2012, 10:49:59 AM
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The Remnant Online Newsletter
November 2012

God is in Charge
by Elder John Thurber

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The world is not without a ruler...

The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations as well as the concerns of His church in His own charge." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 753 (1889).

Nothing of this world escapes His notice. The words of the wonderful old hymn, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" (Fanny Crosby) brings joy and hope to all of God's children looking for His soon coming.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast
Here by His love o'er shaded, Sweetly my soul doth rest.
Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, Bourne in a song to me,
Over the fields of Glory, Over the Jasper sea


GOD'S HAND IS ON THE WHEEL - The Upward Look - E.G. White.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His Might. Ephesians 6:10.

The future is before us, and unforeseen events will surely take place, changing the present aspect of the things in the world. Lust and greed are striving for supremacy. Oppression and hatred will be exercised to destroy. Inspired by a power from beneath. Satan's instrumentalities will work with intensity to carry out his will. "The wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand." Daniel 12:19. Every truly converted soul will put on the armor of God, and will bravely face the unseen foe. God's servants will realize the necessity of partaking of the divine nature.

Now is our time of peril. Our only safety is in walking in the footsteps of Christ, and wearing His yoke. Troublous times are before us. In many instances, friends will become alienated. Without cause, men will become enemies. The motives of the people of God will be misinterpreted, not only by the world, but by their own brethren. The Lord's servants will be put in hard places. A mountain will be made out of a molehill to justify men in pursuing selfish, unrighteous course.

The work that men have done faithfully will be disparaged and underrated, because apparent prosperity did not attend their efforts. By misrepresentation their men will be clothed in the dark vestments of dishonesty, because circumstances beyond their control made their work perplexing. They will be pointed to as men that cannot be trusted. And this will be done by the members of the church. God's servants must arm themselves with the mind of Christ. They must not expect to escape insult and misjudgment. They will be called enthusiasts and fanatics. But let them not become discouraged. God's servants must arm themselves with the mind of Christ. They must not expect to escape insult and misjudgment. They will be called enthusiast and fanatics. But let them not become discouraged. God's hand is on the wheel of providence, guiding His work to the glory of His name.

God calls upon His people to be bright lights in the world shining amid the darkness of sin. Living the life of the life-giver brings its reward. He went about doing good. This every true follower of His will do, filled with a sacred sense of his loyalty to God and his duty to his fellow beings. Through the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, Christians are to grow in grace, constantly drawing nearer perfection of character.--Manuscript 75, June 12, 1902, The Signing of Agreements. The Upward Look - E.G. White.

GOD FEELS OUR PAIN

Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father's heart. In all our afflictions He is afflicted. In every temptation and every trial the angel of His presence is near to deliver. - The Desire of Ages, page 356.

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-NOAA

How blessed we are to have and to know that Jesus has His watchful care over each one of us.

The Lord's care is over all His creatures. He loves them all, and makes no difference, except that He has the tenderest pity for those who are called to bear life's heaviest burdens. - God's Amazing Grace, page 116.

Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears, before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.

The Lord does not press on anyone burdens too heavy to be borne. He estimates every weight before He allows it to rest upon the hearts of those who are laborers together with Him. To every one of His workers our loving heavenly Father says: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee" (Psalm 55:22). Let the burden bearers believe that He will carry every load, great or small. - God's Amazing Grace, page 116.





Topics of Study & Continuing Discussions

Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath School Lesson
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Revival and Reformation
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=96.0

Romans 7 - Is this Our Christian Experience?
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=742.0

Abide in Me and I in You
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?topic=751.0

Women's Ordination
http://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php?board=95.0



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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on November 17, 2012, 08:37:33 AM
The Remnant Online Newsletter, November 17, 2012 - "Stop Saying That" by Elder Victor Vaughn. (http://ymlp.com/z6TH3K)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on December 06, 2012, 12:05:05 PM
The Remnant Online Newsletter, December 6, 2012 - Wisdom (http://ymlp.com/zYaF0e)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on December 13, 2012, 09:17:53 PM
Hosanna in the Highest! - December 14, 2012 (http://ymlp.com/zlqpID)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on January 27, 2013, 08:50:14 AM
The Remnant Online Newsletter: Look Up !!! Our Redemption Draweth Nigh - January 27, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/z6NVdA)
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Post by: Mimi on February 24, 2013, 05:41:18 AM
Keeping Focused - February 23, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/z1N518)
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Post by: Mimi on June 02, 2013, 04:03:55 PM
A Higher Experience - June 3, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/z1pvCD)
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Post by: Mimi on June 14, 2013, 07:56:20 AM
The Platform of Eternal Truth - June 14, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/z4LtJI)

An Appeal - June 26, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zSzsV9)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on July 17, 2013, 04:22:05 PM
What is a Christian? - July 17, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zlKisQ)
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Help in Daily Living - July 26, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zrBSNb)
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The Church's Greatest Need - August 8, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zQUdVk)
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"Repent Ye, and Believe the Gospel" - August 25, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zUgqo7)
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Graces of the Spirit - August 30, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zvsFPn)
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The Sinner's Trials - September 14, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zCgo77)
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The Power of Love - September 30, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zfEPBL)
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Post by: Mimi on October 10, 2013, 08:49:21 PM
The Plan of Redemption - October 10, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zaqVkb)
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Post by: Mimi on November 04, 2013, 01:30:43 PM
Lessons from the Past - Korah and the 250 Princes  November 4, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zDiQ17)
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Post by: Mimi on November 10, 2013, 06:06:15 PM
 The Sacrifice of Separation - November 10, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zJu2VU)
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Partakers of the Divine Nature - December 1, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zxAxtk)
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Brilliant Messengers with Assurance and Great Joy! - December 20, 2013 (http://ymlp.com/zrGaby)
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A New Year - January 1, 2014 (http://ymlp.com/zcXZ3z)
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Dear Brethren and Sisters, In this time of trial ... - February 4, 2014 (http://ymlp.com/zMRM80)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
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Love for the Erring - February 14, 2014 (http://ymlp.com/zZkMSN)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on March 18, 2014, 08:01:28 AM
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Living Water
by Al
March 18, 2014

My property borders BLM land. This affords me a place to walk every morning. My dogs seem to get in three to four miles as they inspect the surrounding terrain and sniff every bush in sight. Every once in a while they scare up a Jack Rabbit and the chase is on and don't forget the low flying birds who give the dogs a daily dose of their morning exercise. When we get home, the dogs - panting hard - make a mad rush for the water dish. This makes me think of the scripture in Psalms 42:1-2: "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"

I wonder if any of you have sung this song in church or at home for worship. It is one thing to chant the words of this scripture and quite another to really have this experience. In this psalm, David is making the comparison of a hart that desires or longs after the water brook to his desire to seek after God. David goes on to say that his soul is thirsty for God just as much as my dogs desire the water dish.

This same idea is expressed again in Psalms 84:2 "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." While the main emphasis is on spending time with God in prayer, we are also talking about spending quality time with God in study and meditation.
 
"O that we might have a consuming desire to know God by an experimental knowledge, to come into the audience chamber of the Most High, reaching up the hand of faith, and casting our helpless souls upon the One mighty to save. His loving kindness is better than life. He desires to bestow on the children of men the riches of an eternal inheritance. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom." Sons and Daughters of God, Chapter 1, page 24; 1991.

Let's say I have a sign out front of my property which says "Corn for sale - You pick." Then when you stop and ask about the corn, I tell you I have two fields. One field has some corn worms and the other field is 100% pure corn. In order to get your money's worth you would naturally want to pick in the field with the best corn. While this illustration seems simple enough, how often do we trade our time with God for a little more sleep in bed or some important project?

Have you ever heard the expression that "We destroy the best by the good"?  It is a good thing to get some more sleep in the morning and there are plenty of good books to read and good places to go. But what happens to the best things in life? Are we picking corn that is infected with worms?
 
Jesus talked about being thirsty in the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6.
 
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are said to be "blessed." This word carries the idea of being happy and well off and being in favor with God. If a person is not hungering and thirsting after God, they should ask, "Why?" as something has gone wrong in their experience with Christ. This is not the time to deceive ourselves into thinking that our experience is a good one when it really is not.  If we are not drawing from the well of salvation and gaining new strength and power every day then we have fallen away and need to be restored to fellowship with God. Jesus is longing for us and waiting to bless us. Our Savior desires to speak to us through His word and refresh us with His Spirit.

"Those who make room in their hearts for Jesus will realize His love. All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied. The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him. If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image. The pure element of love will expand the soul, giving it a capacity for higher attainments, for increased knowledge of heavenly things, so that it will not rest short of the fullness. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled."  Desire of Ages, page 302.

When we spend time with God we will have fresh supplies of His grace to carry us through the day. Unconsciously we will have an influence with those we meet because we have made room in our hearts for Jesus. If we do not have a fresh supply of grace and are living on an old experience, our influence on others will die. We will be handing out old leftovers from days past. How can we love our neighbor as ourselves if we neglect prayer and fresh views of our Lord and Savior? If we want to give glory to God and carry out the first angel's message then we need to realize our desperate need to be at the feet of Jesus.

If you are not hungry and thirsting after God then pray to become hungry and thirsty. Though you might not feel like taking time for God, do it anyway. We cannot let our feelings dictate our faith. Living by faith is doing what is right no matter what our feelings say.

This is not about simply putting in time with God. When we realize our weakness, we learn to depend upon a power beyond our own resources. If you no longer realize your weakness and your need then something has gone wrong in your experience. I am sure we have all sung "I Need Thee Every Hour." Here is the refrain.

"I need Thee, oh I need Thee;
     Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
     I come to Thee."


Is this truly our experience?

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on April 07, 2014, 06:45:21 PM
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Newsletter - April 2014


Christ Our Great Sacrifice
by E.G. White
Published in The Review and Herald, March 16, 1886
Sermon Delivered at Basel, Switzerland, Sabbath, September 12, 1885


     "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; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:11-14.
 
     While we were under the power of the enemy, in slavery to him, Christ gave his life a sacrifice for us. We are not our own; he has purchased us with the price of agony and blood. The object of this great sacrifice was to bring us into the liberty of sons and daughters of God. But if we cherish iniquity in our hearts, we defeat the purpose of our Saviour, and rob God of the service that is his due. Jesus came not to save men in their sins, but from their sins. "Sin is the transgression of the law," and if we fail to obey the law, we do not accept our Saviour. The only hope we have of salvation is through Christ. If his Spirit abides in the heart, sin cannot dwell there.

     The love of Christ in the soul not only sanctifies the life and character, but it creates a desire on the part of its possessor to bring others to see and rejoice in that love. Christ came to draw all men unto himself and if we accept him, we shall, by the power of his grace working in us, attract others to him. But when those whom we thought to be our best friends resist our efforts for them, and turn upon us a cold shoulder, how apt we are to think that we are having a hard time, that we endure many trials and make great sacrifices for the truth.

     At such times we should do well to think of Jesus. He left his throne in glory, came to earth, and died the ignominious death of the cross, "that he might redeem us from all iniquity." But he was despised and rejected by the very ones whom he came to redeem. Can the servant expect better treatment than was received by his Master? When we are disappointed in men, let us think how many times Jesus has been disappointed in those whom he came to save. How often he has sought fruit upon the fig-tree of his own planting, and found nothing but leaves! Shall we then become discouraged when personal friends forsake us, or when those whom we seek to bring to Christ choose a life of sin rather than of holiness?

     Jesus said to those who refused his love, "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life." He presented before them no worldly honor, no earthly bribe; but he tried to impress them with the fact that it was to their advantage to possess this heavenly treasure; it was their only hope of being rescued from the slavery of sin and the cruel power of Satan. But when his teachings came close home and reproved their darling sins, many closed their eyes to the light. 

     Shall we, like the Jewish nations, reject the light, and turn from the eternal reward? God forbid! It is said of Moses, that he "had respect unto the recompense of the reward;" and why not we? What is this recompense?--It is being made partakers with Christ of his glory. But only those will be made partakers of his glory who have also been partakers of his sufferings. Are we willing to drink of the cup that he drank of? 

     How is it in our home experience? Do we bear the little vexations and disappointments of life without complaint? If we do not, neither would we endure greater trials. Compared with the great sacrifice of the Majesty of heaven, our petty trials sink into insignificance. But if these are rightly borne, we shall realize the truthfulness of the apostle's words, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 

     We all need to cultivate a firm trust in Jesus. When our eyes are fixed upon him, we shall not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. He says, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Our faith is altogether too weak. Severe trials will soon come upon the people of God in this and other countries. The present is the time for them to learn to exercise strong faith in God, and to obtain a better understanding of his word.

     What greater evidence can we have that Jesus loves us than that he died for us? And because he lives we shall live also. He is to us not a Saviour in Joseph's new tomb, that tomb closed with a great stone, and sealed with a Roman seal. Mourn not, brethren and sisters, as those who are hopeless and helpless; but from grateful hearts, and lips touched with holy fire, let the glad song ring out, "Jesus is risen; he lives to make intercession for us." "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like a sure, tried anchor. Believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God. 

     This is a world of darkness. Those to whom the precious truths of God's word have been presented are to search the Scriptures for themselves, that they may, in turn, present the truth to others. The loyal and true are now called upon to come to the front, and let their light shine forth in firm, steady rays to those who are in darkness. None of us can meet the darkness of the world unless we rely firmly upon Jesus, our mighty helper. All heaven is interested in the salvation of the human family; and when God sees that we are interested in the salvation of others, he will work with us and for us. I entreat you, my brethren and sisters, to go to work to save the souls for whom Christ died. Do not wait for a strong impulse before you move. If I had waited for feeling, one-half of my life would have been spent without doing anything. Feeling is not to be our criterion. As soldiers of the cross of Christ, we must put on the whole armor of God. We have his promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." 

     When Jesus ascended to heaven, he appointed men as his representatives to carry forward, in his name, the work which he had begun, promising them that, as they engaged in this work, they should have special help and strength. In view of this promise, and the great love of God for man, it has been difficult for many to understand why he permits his followers to suffer as the martyrs did through the Satanic cruelty of men professing to be the successors of Christ. This question troubled me for years. But when I saw how the angels of God hovered over these precious jewels, even as they hovered over the cross of Christ, my feelings were changed. By faith these faithful ones saw the crown of immortal glory, the white robe, and the palm branch of victory, and Jesus, their loved commander, watching over them. I then understood why our heavenly Father permits temptations, trials, and afflictions, to come to his loved ones. These are designed to give his children a deeper sense of his presence and providential care. They are also his providences, visitations of mercy, to bring back those who stray from his side. The peace that passeth understanding is not for those who try to shirk trials and self-denial. We cannot fully appreciate peace and joy in Christ, and the gift of eternal life, unless we are called to make some sacrifice to obtain these great blessings.
 
     Let not the Christian feel that he is forsaken in the hour of trial. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the notice of our Father in heaven. He loves and cares for the feeblest of his creatures. We cannot dishonor him more than to doubt him. We need that living faith that will trust him in the hour of darkness and trial. 

     I wish I could impress every soul before me today with the importance of having a close connection with God. If the heart is pure, we can come with boldness to the throne of grace. Believing that God hears us, we shall act just as though we knew that he heard. This is faith. If we wait for a special feeling, we may be disappointed. Feeling has nothing to do with faith. The conditions of acceptance are, that we come out from the world and be separate, that we put away secret sins, and that we cease to transgress knowingly any of God's requirements. 

     What a heaven we would have if each were to go there with his peculiar temperament, his desire to have his own way! How unhappy would such persons be, even in heaven, if they could not always do as they pleased! The love of right must be inwrought in us while on the earth. The light of heaven will then come in, our hearts will open to Jesus, and we shall have perfect submission to the will of God.

     Jesus gave us a perfect pattern. Let us study it carefully, and as we study and pray, we shall come into close connection with Heaven. Shall we not try harder to be like Jesus? Shall we not pray more? Shall we not make more earnest efforts for others? There is no time to be idled away. Every one who enters heaven will have, as the result of his labor, some soul to present to Jesus. The "well done" will never be said to those who have not done well. We must be faithful, we must be active, if we would receive the reward promised to the faithful.

     The religion of Christ does not consist in merely having our names written on the church book; they must be written in the Lamb's book of life. Examine again the text. From this it will be seen that there is a decided difference between the followers of Christ and the world. They are a peculiar people; Jesus came to make them thus. The great motive presented to them is, "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Let us keep our minds fixed upon the glorious appearing of him "who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works;" and let us act every day of our life as though we believed that his coming was near at hand.

     Let us open the door of our hearts, that Jesus may come in and that sin may go out. Let us forsake the evil and choose the good, remembering that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." All who enter the city of God will do so as conquerors. Jesus overcame; and we may overcome, if we will fight our battles in his name. 

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on June 08, 2014, 09:00:26 PM
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Deliverance in the Midst of the Storm
"Fear not; I will help thee."
by Mimi
June 8, 2014

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

And He did. First, one bright evening star and then two more, and then - the moon. The storm clouds rolled away to expose the glory of the night heavens and to reveal an answer to fervent prayer. “Fear not; I will help thee.” And He did.

The desire of a young man to spend extra time alone with his father came sooner than planned and necessitated an unexpected road trip, one we have made for the last fifteen years meeting half way between our homes. Once down to the lowlands, we would take the Interstate route so familiar to us. It stretches from sea to shining sea and encompasses a good portion of tornado alley. As a good retired Pathfinder, a check of the weather was done and our lunch was packed. We hit the road at noon to meet up with “father” by early evening.  It was uneventful, routine as usual. We met and I delivered my precious cargo to father’s waiting arms. It is always a joyous reunion to observe – a fifteen year-old now taller and more robust than all of us. With the handoff, the first leg of the annual trek had been completed and “home” was the next destination.

It was Sabbath and I had three CDs in the glove box. As much as they had been played and replayed, I was not ready to hear them again, not just yet, so I turned on Weatherband1 for company. “A strong line of thunderstorms are in the area with potential for damaging winds, softball-size hail and possible tornadoes” were on tap for the Interstate I had to retrace. They had been building in the west as we traveled east. We didn't notice them.

The sun was quickly covered with dark grey clouds. I was into the second hour of travel homeward. The rains began and then the winds. The next town was fifteen miles away: “Lord, guide me safely to cover until the storm passes over.” And He did. The huge truck stop was packed with cars, trucks, motor homes and I had to quickly park and get inside. The winds were already shaking the car, whipping it from side to side. The lightning and rains were as heavy as I had seen in my long lifetime. Grabbing my purse, I stepped out into the torrent of rain, wind and lightning and ran to the door. Standing under the full force of a bathroom shower for five minutes could not have deemed me any more soaked than I was during that sprint for cover. But I was only the latest person to experience this, for inside stood 50 to 75 people in the same condition. We waited for word on the weather when an employee of the truck stop announced a tornado ten miles north of our location is “headed our way. Take cover in the coolers or the shower bathrooms.” Some of us did, some did not. Standing in a cooler with wet clothes on was not too appealing, even though it could have helped save lives, so the inner rooms of the showers slowly filled. The majority of the people did the very thing we are warned not to do, they stood looking out of large glass windows and doors. My thoughts turned to the Bible and the warnings given therein. Who will heed the warnings?

We had a mass of humanity huddled there. Observations: mothers with small children, grandmothers, and men of all varieties. Young mothers whose breasts were so laid bare that one move could have caused them to full exposure at any moment, and why would I notice? Embarrassment. I internally took the shame for them and looked away while a particular woman caught my immediate attention, a Mormon. She was wearing their standard dress. It was yellow, high necked, long-sleeved and to the ankle. She was beautiful in her simplicity. Her hair was just as distinctive. She was “peculiar” among us and the picture of calm. I thought to myself, “I am the Seventh-day Adventist. Peculiar is my declared label in thought and expression, yet this woman’s very presence and demeanor, from outward appearances, had me trumped by a thousand yards." I noted it and squirmed at the idea. “Lord, help me be a better visual witness.”  Gazing stalk crossed my mind, but the Lord knew exactly what I meant. There was no need to get into that. And of course, my appearance was not like everyone else’s, but it still fell short of the true ideal and far short of the Morman’s who took it to heart. Just an observation and internal reprimand most women make but never speak of.

Time passed. The better part of an hour did not produce the possible destruction we awaited. Slowly, people began to disperse to check the skies. One by one they left. The radar showed heavy rains behind the storm but with it was an interlude I needed to take advantage of, so I crept out and off to the next town that would bring me closer to home. It was just then when hail and high winds reappeared and I stopped under an overpass with many other cars. We waited for close to another hour when I saw something in the two-o’clock position. A star. We were in a location where towers and antennas dot mountain tops and it caused me to think that was the source of the light, yet it never blinked. It was constant and did not move. Then to the left was an emerging light. It was the moon! And then two other stars joined the first one on the right! “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” What a representation they made in my mind as I was trying to comprehend what was happening. Oh the thoughts of an old woman waiting for deliverance. 
 
“Fear not; I will help thee,” Isaiah wrote God's message thousands of years ago, yet it was Psalm 103 that I began to recite. That beloved Psalm that has brought comfort to millions in a myriad of situations saturated my thoughts. Then came Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." His stars and His moon brought it home and produced an experience. In my solitude, His promises removed all fear of any kind.
 
Two hundred miles of road yet lay before me and the way was cleared. It was as if the stars and moon stood still and remained in constant position just as they were under the overpass when I first saw them. I turned and wove my way toward home, changing directions many times, yet there they were – still there.  And another thing did not escape my notice – home was north. The Bible makes many references to God as being “in the north.” I was going in the right direction.
 
Weatherband1 was still reporting dangerous weather directly ahead of my path but the skies to the north were clear. The three stars and the moon were brightly shining while I cruised along those long stretches of mountain roads with songs of gratitude in my heart. At one point WB1 mentioned the very name of the little valley in which I live as receiving the brunt of the series of storm cells, tornadoes and all. How could that be when the skies are clear? Will home still be there? Will I have a roof, a bed, a cup or saucer? Again, thoughts of an old woman who had been delivered but was not quite home.
 
Incremental deliverance is faith building. Evidence of His guidance shores us up to keep on going because His promises are true. It is day by day, moment by moment. He gives us what we need when we need it. He was there while we stood as a huddled mass packed into shower stalls. He was there when I hit the road to go a little further in the face of dark clouds, winds, rain and hail. He was there waiting to show Himself while we waited at the overpass as high winds shook the cars with a vengeance. So, whatever befalls my vision upon turning into my driveway will bring with it strength from heaven to face it.

“Fear not; I will help thee.”

Yes, Lord.

The last ten miles are always the longest. Why so? Our longing for home has with it the cumulative experiences of the long trip. We are battle worn and exceedingly weary even in the midst of incremental deliverance that brings us joy untold at each mark. Home cannot come soon enough, yet each of those miles and minutes are necessary for the required experience to be able to stand before men and angels, to say nothing of standing before the most holy God. "We joy in our tribulations." It is a hard saying except as we understand where tribulations lead us in that experience. Do we fully understand or are we yet that dense? May the Lord have mercy as we appeal to heaven to give us a deeper experience, as painful as it is.
 
When He gives us a bitter draught to drink, He also holds a cup of blessing to our lips. He fills the heart with submission, with joy and peace in believing, and enables us to say submissively, Not my will, but Thy will, O Lord, be done (Letter 65a, 1894).

Home was in tact. Thank you, Lord. Bean poles were strewn and among other things, neighbors’ skylights were blown out. The answering machine was full of concerned messages that I promptly returned even at that late hour.

It was at midnight when full deliverance was given. We are familiar with that prophetic time reference. GC 636.2 Its representation did not go unnoticed when I looked at the clock. It was mine for that day - yesterday, Sabbath, June 7, 2014. Today will bring blessings afresh because of a deeper experience that was needed yesterday.
 
Yes, Lord.
 
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

-Karolina W. Sandell-Berg, 1865

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on July 06, 2014, 05:29:09 PM
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Newsletter - July 4, 2014


Our Country - Its Dangers
by E.G. White - Signs of the Times, July 4, 1899

     The greatest and most favored nation upon the earth is the United States. A gracious Providence has shielded this country, and poured upon her the choicest of Heaven's blessings. Here the persecuted and oppressed have found refuge. Here the Christian faith in its purity has been taught. This people have been the recipients of great light and unrivaled mercies. But these gifts have been repaid by ingratitude and forgetfulness of God. The Infinite One keeps a reckoning with the nations, and their guilt is proportioned to the light rejected. A fearful record now stands in the register of heaven against our land; but the crime which shall fill up the measure of her iniquity is that of making void the law of God. 
 
     Between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah will come the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. Upon this battle we are now entering,--a battle not between rival churches contending for the supremacy, but between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition. The agencies which will unite against truth and righteousness in this contest are now actively at work.   

     God's Holy Word, which has been handed down to us at such a cost of suffering and blood, is but little valued. The Bible is within the reach of all, but there are few who really accept it as the guide of life. Infidelity prevails to an alarming extent, not in the world merely, but in the church. Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith. The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers, the fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of the law of God, are practically rejected by a large share of the professedly Christian world. Thousands who pride themselves upon their wisdom and independence regard it an evidence of weakness to place implicit confidence in the Bible, and a proof of superior talent and learning to cavil at the Scriptures, and to spiritualize and explain away their most important truths. Many ministers are teaching their people, and many professors and teachers are instructing their students, that the law of God has been changed or abrogated; and they ridicule those who are so simple-minded as to acknowledge all its claims.   

     In rejecting the truth, men reject its Author. In trampling upon the law of God, they deny the authority of the Lawgiver. It is as easy to make an idol of false doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of wood or stone. Satan leads men to conceive of God in a false character, as having attributes which He does not possess. A philosophical idol is enthroned in the place of Jehovah; while the true God, as He is revealed in His Word, in Christ, and in the works of creation, is worshiped by but few. Thousands deify nature, while they deny the God of nature. Tho in a different form, idolatry exists in the Christian world today as verily as it existed among ancient Israel in the days of Elijah. The god of many professedly wise men, of philosophers, poets, politicians, journalists, the god of polished fashionable circles, of many colleges and universities, even of some theological institutions, is little better than Baal, the sun-god of Phoenicia. 

     No error accepted by the Christian world strikes more boldly against the authority of Heaven, none is more directly opposed to the dictates of reason, none is more pernicious in its results, than the modern doctrine, so rapidly gaining ground, that God's law is no longer obligatory upon men. Every nation has its laws, which command respect and obedience; and has the Creator of the heavens and the earth no law to govern the beings He has made? Suppose that prominent ministers were publicly to teach that the statutes which govern our nation and protect the rights of its citizens were not obligatory,--that they restricted the liberties of the people, and therefore ought not to be obeyed; how long would such men be tolerated in the pulpit? But is it a graver offense to disregard the laws of States and nations than to trample upon those divine precepts which are the foundation of all government? When the standard of righteousness is set aside, the way is open for the prince of evil to establish his rule in the earth.   

     It would be far more consistent for nations to abolish their statutes, and permit the people to do as they please, then for the Ruler of the universe to annul His law, and leave the world without a standard to condemn the guilty or justify the obedient. Would we know the result of making void the law of God? The experiment has been tried. Terrible were the scenes enacted in France when atheism became the controlling power. It was then demonstrated to the world that to throw off the restraints which God has imposed is to accept the rule of the cruelest of tyrants.

   Wherever the divine precepts are set aside, sin ceases to appear sinful, or righteousness desirable. Those who refuse to submit to the government of God are wholly unfitted to govern themselves. Through their pernicious teachings, the spirit of insubordination is implanted in the hearts of children and youth, who are naturally impatient of control; and a lawless, licentious state of society results. While scoffing at the credulity of those who obey the requirements of God, the multitudes eagerly accept the delusions of Satan. They give the rein to lust, and practice the sins which called down judgments upon the heathen.   

     Let the restraint imposed by the divine law be wholly removed, and human laws would soon be disregarded. Because God forbids dishonest practices,--coveting, lying, and defrauding,--men are ready to trample upon His statutes as a hindrance to their worldly prosperity; but the results of banishing these precepts would be such as they do not anticipate. If the law were not binding, why should any fear to transgress? Property would no longer be safe. Men would obtain their neighbors' possessions by violence, and the strongest would become richest. Life itself would not be respected. Those who disregard the commandments of God sow disobedience to reap disobedience. The marriage vow would no longer stand as a sacred bulwark to protect the family. He who had the power, would, if he desired, take his neighbor's wife by violence. The fifth commandment would be set aside with the fourth. Children would not shrink from taking the life of their parents, if by so doing they could obtain the desire of their corrupt hearts. The civilized world would become a horde of robbers and assassins; and peace, rest and happiness would be banished from the earth.

     Already the doctrine that men are released from obedience to God's requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation, and opened the flood-gates of iniquity upon the world. Lawlessness, dissipation, and corruption are sweeping in upon us like an overwhelming tide. In the family, Satan is at work. His banner waves, even in professedly Christian households. There is envy, evil surmising, hypocrisy; estrangement, emulation, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, indulgence of lust. The whole system of religious principles and doctrines, which should form the foundation and framework of social life, seems to be a tottering mass, ready to fall to ruin. The vilest of criminals, when thrown into prison for their offenses, are often made the recipients of gifts and attentions, as if they had attained an enviable distinction. The greatest publicity is given to their character and crimes. The papers publish the revolting details of vice, thus initiating others into the practise of fraud, robbery, and murder; and Satan exults in the success of his hellish schemes. The infatuation of vice, the wanton taking of life, the terrible increase of intemperance and iniquity of every order and degree, should arouse all who fear God to inquire what can be done to stay the tide of evil.

     Courts of justice are corrupt. Rulers are actuated by desire for gain, and love of sensual pleasure. Intemperance has beclouded the faculties of many, so that Satan has almost complete control of them. Jurists are perverted, bribed, deluded. Drunkenness and revelry, passion envy, dishonesty of every sort, are represented among those who administer the laws. "Justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." 

     Our land is in jeopardy. The time is drawing on when its legislators shall so abjure the principles of Protestantism as to give countenance to Romish apostasy. The people for whom God has so marvelously wrought, strengthening them to throw off the galling yoke of popery, will, by a national act, give vigor to the corrupt faith of Rome, and thus arouse the tyranny which only waits for a touch to start again into cruelty and despotism. With rapid steps are we already approaching this period. When Protestant churches shall seek the support of the secular power, thus following the example of that apostate church, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will there be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on August 06, 2014, 08:02:28 PM
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The Third Option
by Richard Myers
August 6, 2014

As we study the history of the newly organized Christian Church, we find that Satan did all he could to arrest the new church's progress. He led Judaizers into newly established churches to attack the foundation of our faith. Paul had labored untiringly to establish churches in Corinth and Galatia. They were on solid ground with their understanding resting upon righteousness by faith in Christ and His Word. Converts began their journey trusting in Jesus for their salvation, but in the apostles absence, they were led astray. Instead of looking unto Jesus, they began looking to self and their good works to save themselves. The Judaizers had perverted Scripture and the people lost sight of their dependence upon Christ. They were following another gospel.

Unlike the Galatians and the Corinthians, the Bereans placed their belief in Christ and his Word. Even the Apostle Paul's teaching was not accepted until it had been compared to Scripture. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  Acts 17:11. How does God look at those who turn from the light given to His church? Paul was inspired to tell us that when the Gospel message once delivered unto the Saints is perverted, he who has done this is accursed. He made it clear in his letter to the Galatians. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8,9.

Today, we have rebellion in the church. All are aware of the situation with Western Europe, Australia, and North America. As in their societies, they want to make women leaders of men. The North American Division voted to reject the World Church and change their bylaws to allow women to be conference presidents, to remove the distinction between men and women in the church. While this is not Biblical and was rebellion against the church, it is not the gospel message.  Many who are in leadership positions reveal a lack of discernment and a rebellious heart. Many of these are responsible for bringing a false gospel into God's church.  A rebellious heart is a bad tree and a bad tree does not bring forth good fruit.

Today the hellish torch of Satan is found in God's church leading away from the light of inspiration. The gospel has indeed been perverted and strange teachings have come into God's church. The teaching of Shakespeare and evolution in our schools, the acceptance of homosexuality is in the church, and God is a "she" is heard from Seventh day Adventist pulpits.

The battle between Scripture and human wisdom has taken a new turn. Some who believe the Bible does not allow for Women to rule over men have proposed a third option, a compromise that would allow women to rule over men to preserve unity in the church.

This reminds me of Paul's situation when he came to Jerusalem for the last time.  With the arrival of Paul there was great fear on the part of the other apostles. Paul had been preaching and teaching against the ceremonial law. The other apostles knew that when Paul came back into Jerusalem he would be met with fierce opposition from the Jews. They rightly understood that this would mean persecution for the Christian Church in Jerusalem. Fear caused them to compromise the truth. They asked Paul to partake in the purification rites that were soon to take place. This was contrary to the truth and what Paul had been teaching. Paul, not wanting to offend his friends did what they asked. This brought about the death of one of the church's greatest pillars. It was not God's will for Paul to give up the truth in order to maintain unity with the leadership of the Christian Church.

Jesus never purchased peace by compromise, we ought not either. We should be very careful lest in seeking to prevent discord we surrender the truth. We are to "follow after the things which make for peace." Romans 14:19. But, real peace can never be secured by compromising principle. And no man can be true to principle without exciting opposition. A Christianity that is spiritual will be opposed by the children of disobedience. Those who are true to God need not fear the power of men nor Satan. In Christ their eternal life is secure. Their only fear should be lest they surrender the truth, and thus betray the trust with which God has honored them.       

Today there is set before us a choice, we can offend God by not following the truth that He has entrusted to us, or we can offend friends who refuse to walk in the light given in Scripture. Whom do we fear to offend most, God or our friends?  Jesus told His disciples, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28. Or, better yet, whom do we love more, God or our friends?

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:34-37.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on September 05, 2014, 07:55:05 PM
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The Feminization of Seventh-day Adventist Males
by Mimi
September 5, 2014

The following Spirit of prophecy statement troubled me for the greater part of a day:

In the face of the most positive commands of God, men and women will follow their own inclinations, and then dare to pray over the matter, to prevail upon God to allow them to go contrary to His expressed will. Satan comes to the side of such persons, as he did to Eve in Eden, and impresses them. They have an exercise of mind, and this they relate as a most wonderful experience which the Lord has given them. But true experience will be in harmony with natural and divine law; false experience arrays itself against the laws of life and the precepts of Jehovah.  Counsels on Health, 109

It worked upon my heart because something was terribly wrong and it addressed the problem: men and the authority of God's Word. Mankind is given "most positive commands of God"... and yet "men and women will follow their own inclinations, daring to pray over the matter, to prevail upon God to allow them to go contrary to His expressed will." It brought to mind the feminization of the Seventh-day Adventist male and the turbulence left in its wake.

Is the following an exaggeration or is there truth in it as you have seen it unfold?

“Feminists are neutering the American male and the American male is letting it happen…No matter who they have been—capitalists, communists, college students, dropouts, Christians, atheists, blacks, whites, young, or old—they have had one problem in common. They have suffered to one degree or another from the touch of the feminizing forces that have taken over the land. These men have not been sure what it means to be a man...they are men who refuse to take responsibility. Their passivity and inaction ensure that…leadership in their homes belongs to their wives. Bowing to the strident sniping of radical feminists, men have allowed themselves to be transformed into a bunch of wimpy eunuchs who, rather than stand their ground, have ceded their manhood to women who want to be men.” 1

Here’s more from another cultural observer:

“God's prophet warned that one of the marks of a nation under divine judgment is when "women rule over them." (Isa. 3:12) Today, women must be appeased and catered to. They are the heads of businesses, the heads of churches, and the heads of their homes. In politics, the women's vote is usually the one that turns the election. Women serve on military ships and in military operations. They dictate their children's upbringing (which explains why most of them grow up undisciplined and spoiled, by the way) and have the final word on virtually all family decisions. Such a phenomenon is the sign of a nation in trouble.

“Men have abandoned their responsibilities of leadership, and our nation is going down the tubes because of it. In the black community, the vast majority of children are being raised without a father. The white community is not far behind. Furthermore, in those homes where fathers do exist, they are largely detached and provide no real influence. Mom is in charge, and everybody in the household knows it.

“There was a time when men took their families to church and taught their children the fundamental values of honesty and integrity. Believe it or not, there was a time in America when men took pride in being the spiritual heads of their homes. They actually knew how to balance a checkbook and how to read the Good Book. They were the kind of men that women loved and children respected.

“However, the feminization of America is so complete, so thorough, that I am not certain if old-fashioned, masculine men are even desirable anymore. You would not know it by looking at our politicians, or our preachers, that is for sure. The politicians, and everyone else, seem determined to continue to appease the feminized majority that comprises this new America.” 2

 
And it is that majority comprising America that is quickly spreading world-wide. But alas we can say, it had been brewing far and wide for decades.

Friends will once more indulge me for telling of my experience when rejoining God’s church. For a year I was headlong into Scripture and the Spirit of prophecy. Grandfather left me his Bible and books. I was rich with time, so I read them, re-read them and studied them to exhaustion. The Ellen G. White Estate had listed more books than Grandfather owned, so I continued reading online. It was a glorious year of discovery and recollection of the religion of my childhood. As an adult making inquiry of heaven, daily was my prayer, “What must I do to be saved?” God’s Spirit wooed me to the church doors at the end of that year. It was June 2001 when the Holy Spirit nerved me up to go to prayer meeting and finally to meet the "saints." A woman elder met me at the door in cutoffs and tee top, red lipstick and diamond rings. I literally blurted out, "Isn't this the Seventh-day Adventist Church?" The one I left in 1967 was very different than the one I stepped back into in 2001. I did not recognize it. Very little of it remained. But because a decision with eternal consequences faced me every single day, I decided it was Jesus Who had not changed His Word or His messages in the Spirit of Prophecy, but a people inside His church did this, molding it after earthly culture and fallen churches. Most were worldly, reckless, and far from holy. Anticipating I would return to a band of righteous people, a blue lagoon far from the storm I was battling, it was devastating, yet it directly resonated with His message in Revelation 3 and it was only then that a determination came over me to live among them, come-what-may. Jesus described the Laodiceans and gave a remedy of great promise if heeded. She would repent and return to her first estate and "go through" to the end victorious, bright and clean – without blemish! That hope and absolute promise remains for Jesus' sake, to say nothing of ours.

Immediately after the encounter, the agitating question on the drive home was: Why is there a woman who has the title of elder? It was intriguing, confusing and against everything I had studied up to that moment of shocking discovery. There was nothing that caused me to investigate the church prior to joining it. Why would I? Rejoining her was my heart’s desire. Church people would be my people and reconciliation with the Father would be complete while all of us abided in Him and worshipped together. But a woman was holding an office historically and Biblically reserved for men. It shocked my very foundation. What happened to His church? But more importantly, where are the men? What gave way to cause this change and, what would be God’s reaction? The Bible always recorded consequences to bad behavior, so what would He do in answer to this? I began to cry, wondering if I made a huge mistake. For weeks I wrestled with what to do. In direct answer to prayer, I left home for a year to study further. There were people with answers who faithfully led me through the chain of events that produced the woman elder and many more throughout the rank and file of our denomination. Little did I know how widespread it had become.

Would it become a deal-breaker? Almost.

Could I join a church that so flagrantly disregards Scripture and the Spirit of prophecy?

After agonizing over that one question and almost walking away, I had to join. There was no other choice. We do not turn our backs on God or His church because of bad decisions the church makes. We stay despite the error. God’s promises are true and Grandfather did not make foolish choices. I moved forward in faith with a determination to hold on and remain focused on the prize: an eternity with Jesus, the redeemed, and worlds unknown.

In the ensuing years, women elders became women pastors and one even became a conference president, all with presumed yet usurped authority over men. The heat of change intensified. Study committees were formed 3 and although the focus was in response to the question of ordination, women’s ordination continued to have the spotlight. It has reached such a fevered pitch that now there is under consideration “A Third Option” 4 for fear of disunity interrupting mission. Can you imagine compromise at this point in the great controversy?  Said a prophet, “If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.” 5  Strong words, but that is where we are – examining women and their roles, again, as if that is the real problem. It is not the real problem. It is a symptom of a much deeper problem.

As a woman who holds Scripture as the absolute authority on all issues having to do with activities on earth and in heaven, I have a few questions. Where are the men and what has become of them? It is a serious question deserving an equally serious answer. Do the men cited at the opening of this paper have it right? Have we feminized our men because culture demands it? Women’s ordination is only part of a larger problem and it happened when the men sat down refusing to stand. The woman elder, pastor or conference president in your district holds office because a collective of ungodly men allowed this present state of disruption to occur, spreading as a cancer among us, heaping shame upon God’s name, His creation order, and the bulk of Scripture. Are they evolutionists as well? Their actions would certainly suggest it by discounting the opening chapters of Genesis. God has always held the male to a higher level of accountability because of his responsibilities within the home and the church. He is the priest and Divine lawgiver of the home 6 while the female presides as queen over her domain. 7  How are we to reconcile the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy with role reversals both in the home and the church and expect God to bless it? He cannot and He will not. How do I know? The Bible says He won’t if He holds true to past actions against rebellion, which He will.

Why did the men cease listening to God when they could have curbed the rebellion? Why are men so willing to suddenly (in the context of 6,000 years) allow women to rule over them through an acceptance of The Second Option?8  Isaiah 3 places such a thing under Divine judgment. And to make matters worse, as a possible solution of compromise to pacify both camps for the sake of unity and mission, The Third Option coming from The Ordination Study Committee wants us to go expressly against God’s will by accepting conditions that are second best lest we fall apart? At a time in earth’s history when we have so much light as to God’s expectations for fallen humans, how can such a compromise lead us over the river and into the kingdom? To what lengths will the feminization of man go to appease an aspiring woman, relinquishing that which was his, mandated by God?

While the world and church suffer under the devastating taint of sin, it is imperative to remember those who are faithful to God. Not all are in the ranks of the men described. Let us personally remember and individually name in prayer those we know are unceasingly faithful and display the character of Christ. May God keep them. In the meantime, we can examine women and their roles ad infinitum but that will not address the core problem of men who sat down and refused to stand while a wave of silly women crept in to take their places.

_____________________________
1  David L. Goetsch, Neutering the Male of the Species: The Feminization of American Society
2  Author Unknown, The Feminization of America
3  http://www.adventistarchives.org/ordination#.VAJEz2ODu28
4  http://www.scribd.com/doc/228366133/TOSC-Final-Papers
5  Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 45
6  Ellen G. White, Adventist Home, p. 212
7  Ellen G. White, Adventist Home, p. 87
8  http://www.scribd.com/doc/228366133/TOSC-Final-Papers

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on November 06, 2014, 02:55:49 PM
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To Him that Overcometh
by Richard Myers
November 6, 2014

Jesus speaks to His people today "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." Such an honor to be sent to the world by our Creator God! We surely do not deserve such an honor. And, there are many who are not yet prepared to go anywhere, for they neither have a message nor an experience. To take a message not sent of God to those seeking truth would be deceive and cause the loss of souls. Who then is called? It is those who have overcome and are overcoming.

What then does it mean to "overcome"? Let's look at the statement in context. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne." Revelation 3:21.  Here we have a study set before us. I fear that many do not understand that even though Christ was perfect, He did indeed overcome. So, how about us? If we have truly overcome, is that the end of overcoming? Of course not. That is why we do not say "I am saved" even though we may be in a "saved" condition at the moment. Sanctification and justification are the work of a lifetime. As Paul said "I die daily."

A proper understanding of what it means to overcome sets aside the false teaching that one is justified in having eternal life when sinning a known sin. Who will sit with Jesus on His throne? "Him that overcometh" will be in heaven. Those who do not overcome will not enter the kingdom of God. Overcome what? That is a hard question for many who have  been taught they are saved in sin, or that they are in a converted or saved state when sinning a known sin. For Jesus means "Him that overcometh" sin. He who ceases to sin is he that over overcometh sin.

Moses sinned just prior to his death. Did he overcome sin? Well, what would you say about Moses just prior to his last great sin of pride and anger? The Bible says that he was faithful. "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth..." Numbers 12:6-8. Moses had overcome sin. That does not mean that he would never sin again. It means that he had ceased sinning just as the thief on the cross had ceased sinning. The difference being Moses had ceased over a longer period of time. Since the thief had overcome, he will be in heaven. "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise." It is "to him that overcometh" that Jesus will I grant to sit with Him in His throne.

"In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism. It is not earned, nor is it received through an arbitrary bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and the throne are the tokens of a condition attained; they are the tokens of self-conquest through our Lord Jesus Christ." The Desire of Ages, pg. 549. Does this mean that salvation is purchased? No, that is not what is being said. It was stated clearly this is not the case. "It is not earned." That "self-conquest" was not the result of self, but of the divine nature which empowered the repentant sinner to develop habits of righteousness. Those habits that Moses had developed by allowing Christ to rule in his life were seen in what happened after he sinned his great sin of pride and anger at the end of his earthly life. His character, his habits, enabled him to turn back to Jesus when he came to his senses and saw what he had done to Jesus with his great sin.

Would we not be better off if we had been living a righteous life over an extended period of time? Do you really have to think about getting out of bed early, or eating healthy food, or making your bed, or brushing your teeth? For those who used to smoke, they do not have to think about not smoking anymore because they have developed a character that does not smoke. They are no longer a slave to cigarettes. How is it with us? Are we still enslaved by sin?

"I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." Romans 7:23. Or, have we been set free from sin? "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." Romans 6:22. Are we overcoming temptation or yielding to it? Are we filled with the Spirit of God or are we walking after our flesh? "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 6:22. When we surrender to Jesus, His Spirit comes into the heart and purifies it then and there. The motives are then holy, not corrupt. The flesh remains vile and evil, but it has no power to do any wrong thing. The divine nature of Christ indwelling the heart keeps the body under, as Paul puts it. We do not yet have holy flesh, but we may possess a holy mind and heart. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5. The new covenant promise is to write God's law upon the heart, the new heart, the purified heart that comes with power to obey God's law. We are recreated from the inside out. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:26, 27.

Cleansed from sin, that is what it means to be an overcomer. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalms 51:5-7. It is the power of grace received into the heart that brings about this miracle of miracles, the new birth wherein dwells Christ and His righteousness through His Spirit. That experience must be maintained if the righteousness of Christ is to remain in the sinner. We must remain dead to sin and alive unto Christ.

So....where do we stand today? Or better yet, where is Christ standing in your life today? Is He in your heart? If not where does He stand? Many err here. They do not understand what it means when Christ says that He will not forsake us when we sin. He does not mean He will remain in the heart, He does not mean He will cover unconfessed and unforsaken sins. Then where is Jesus when we sin? "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." Why does He stand at the door knocking? Because Jesus promises the unrepentant sinner "if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation  3:20. Then we will have both a message and an experience to go where He sends us, to a world soon to perish. "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on December 17, 2014, 06:27:59 PM
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The Teacher Sent From God
by E.G. White
Education, Chapter 8
December 17, 2014

   "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
 
     In the Teacher sent from God, heaven gave to men its best and greatest. He who had stood in the councils of the Most High, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the Eternal, was the One chosen to reveal in person to humanity the knowledge of God.

     Through Christ had been communicated every ray of divine light that had ever reached our fallen world. It was He who had spoken through everyone that throughout the ages had declared God's word to man. Of Him all the excellences manifest in the earth's greatest and noblest souls were reflections. The purity and beneficence of Joseph, the faith and meekness and long-suffering of Moses, the steadfastness of Elisha, the noble integrity and firmness of Daniel, the ardor and self-sacrifice of Paul, the mental and spiritual power manifest in all these men, and in all others who had ever dwelt on the earth, were but gleams from the shining of His glory. In Him was found the perfect ideal.
 
     To reveal this ideal as the only true standard for attainment; to show what every human being might become; what, through the indwelling of humanity by divinity, all who received Him would become--for this, Christ came to the world. He came to show how men are to be trained as befits the sons of God; how on earth they are to practice the principles and to live the life of heaven.

     God's greatest gift was bestowed to meet man's greatest need. The Light appeared when the world's darkness was deepest. Through false teaching the minds of men had long been turned away from God. In the prevailing systems of education, human philosophy had taken the place of divine revelation. Instead of the heaven-given standard of truth, men had accepted a standard of their own devising. From the Light of life they had turned aside to walk in the sparks of the fire which they had kindled.
 
     Having separated from God, their only dependence being the power of humanity, their strength was but weakness. Even the standard set up by themselves they were incapable of reaching. The want of true excellence was supplied by appearance and profession. Semblance took the place of reality.

     From time to time, teachers arose who pointed men to the Source of truth. Right principles were enunciated, and human lives witnessed to their power. But these efforts made no lasting impression. There was a brief check in the current of evil, but its downward course was not stayed. The reformers were as lights that shone in the darkness; but they could not dispel it. The world "loved darkness rather than light." John 3:19.
 
     When Christ came to the earth, humanity seemed to be fast reaching its lowest point. The very foundations of society were undermined. Life had become false and artificial. The Jews, destitute of the power of God's word, gave to the world mind-benumbing, soul-deadening traditions and speculations. The worship of God "in Spirit and in truth" had been supplanted by the glorification of men in an endless round of man-made ceremonies. Throughout the world all systems of religion were losing their hold on mind and soul. Disgusted with fable and falsehood, seeking to drown thought, men turned to infidelity and materialism. Leaving eternity out of their reckoning, they lived for the present.
 
     As they ceased to recognize the Divine, they ceased to regard the human. Truth, honor, integrity, confidence, compassion, were departing from the earth. Relentless greed and absorbing ambition gave birth to universal distrust. The idea of duty, of the obligation of strength to weakness, of human dignity and human rights, was cast aside as a dream or a fable. The common people were regarded as beasts of burden or as the tools and the steppingstones for ambition. Wealth and power, ease and self-indulgence, were sought as the highest good. Physical degeneracy, mental stupor, spiritual death, characterized the age.
   
     As the evil passions and purposes of men banished God from their thoughts, so forgetfulness of Him inclined them more strongly to evil. The heart in love with sin clothed Him with its own attributes, and this conception strengthened the power of sin. Bent on self-pleasing, men came to regard God as such a one as themselves--a Being whose aim was self-glory, whose requirements were suited to His own pleasure; a Being by whom men were lifted up or cast down according as they helped or hindered His selfish purpose. The lower classes regarded the Supreme Being as one scarcely differing from their oppressors, save by exceeding them in power. By these ideas every form of religion was molded. Each was a system of exaction. By gifts and ceremonies, the worshipers sought to propitiate the Deity in order to secure His favor for their own ends. Such religion, having no power upon the heart or the conscience, could be but a round of forms, of which men wearied, and from which, except for such gain as it might offer, they longed to be free. So evil, unrestrained, grew stronger, while the appreciation and desire for good diminished. Men lost the image of God and received the impress of the demoniacal power by which they were controlled. The whole world was becoming a sink of corruption.
 
     There was but one hope for the human race--that into this mass of discordant and corrupting elements might be cast a new leaven; that there might be brought to mankind the power of a new life; that the knowledge of God might be restored to the world.   

     Christ came to restore this knowledge. He came to set aside the false teaching by which those who claimed to know God had misrepresented Him. He came to manifest the nature of His law, to reveal in His own character the beauty of holiness.
 
     Christ came to the world with the accumulated love of eternity. Sweeping away the exactions which had encumbered the law of God, He showed that the law is a law of love, an expression of the Divine Goodness. He showed that in obedience to its principles is involved the happiness of mankind, and with it the stability, the very foundation and framework, of human society.
 
     So far from making arbitrary requirements, God's law is given to men as a hedge, a shield. Whoever accepts its principles is preserved from evil. Fidelity to God involves fidelity to man. Thus the law guards the rights, the individuality, of every human being. It restrains the superior from oppression, and the subordinate from disobedience. It ensures man's well-being, both for this world and for the world to come. To the obedient it is the pledge of eternal life, for it expresses the principles that endure forever.
 
     Christ came to demonstrate the value of the divine principles by revealing their power for the regeneration of humanity. He came to teach how these principles are to be developed and applied.
 
     With the people of that age the value of all things was determined by outward show. As religion had declined in power, it had increased in pomp. The educators of the time sought to command respect by display and ostentation. To all this the life of Jesus presented a marked contrast. His life demonstrated the worthlessness of those things that men regarded as life's great essentials. Born amidst surroundings the rudest, sharing a peasant's home, a peasant's fare, a craftsman's occupation, living a life of obscurity, identifying Himself with the world's unknown toilers,--amidst these conditions and surroundings,--Jesus followed the divine plan of education. The schools of His time, with their magnifying of things small and their belittling of things great, He did not seek. His education was gained directly from the Heaven-appointed sources; from useful work, from the study of the Scriptures and of nature, and from the experiences of life--God's lesson books, full of instruction to all who bring to them the willing hand, the seeing eye, and the understanding heart.

    "The Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him." Luke 2:40.
 
     Thus prepared, He went forth to His mission, in every moment of His contact with men exerting upon them an influence to bless, a power to transform, such as the world had never witnessed.
 
     He who seeks to transform humanity must himself understand humanity. Only through sympathy, faith, and love can men be reached and uplifted. Here Christ stands revealed as the master teacher; of all that ever dwelt on the earth, He alone has perfect understanding of the human soul.   

     "We have not a high priest"--master teacher, for the priests were teachers--"we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are." Hebrews 4:15, R.V.
 
    "In that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:18.
 
     Christ alone had experience in all the sorrows and temptations that befall human beings. Never another of woman born was so fiercely beset by temptation; never another bore so heavy a burden of the world's sin and pain. Never was there another whose sympathies were so broad or so tender. A sharer in all the experiences of humanity, He could feel not only for, but with, every burdened and tempted and struggling one.
 
     What He taught, He lived. "I have given you an example," He said to His disciples; "that ye should do as I have done." "I have kept My Father's commandments." John 13:15; 15:10. Thus in His life, Christ's words had perfect illustration and support. And more than this; what He taught, He was. His words were the expression, not only of His own life experience, but of His own character. Not only did He teach the truth, but He was the truth. It was this that gave His teaching, power.

     Christ was a faithful reprover. Never lived there another who so hated evil; never another whose denunciation of it was so fearless. To all things untrue and base His very presence was a rebuke. In the light of His purity, men saw themselves unclean, their life's aims mean and false. Yet He drew them. He who had created man, understood the value of humanity. Evil He denounced as the foe of those whom He was seeking to bless and to save. In every human being, however fallen, He beheld a son of God, one who might be restored to the privilege of his divine relationship.
 
    "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17. Looking upon men in their suffering and degradation, Christ perceived ground for hope where appeared only despair and ruin. Wherever there existed a sense of need, there He saw opportunity for uplifting. Souls tempted, defeated, feeling themselves lost, ready to perish, He met, not with denunciation, but with blessing.
 
     The beatitudes were His greeting to the whole human family. Looking upon the vast throng gathered to listen to the Sermon on the Mount, He seemed for the moment to have forgotten that He was not in heaven, and He used the familiar salutation of the world of light. From His lips flowed blessings as the gushing forth of a long-sealed fountain.

     Turning from the ambitious, self-satisfied favorites of this world, He declared that those were blessed who, however great their need, would receive His light and love. To the poor in spirit, the sorrowing, the persecuted, He stretched out His arms, saying, "Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.
   
     In every human being He discerned infinite possibilities. He saw men as they might be, transfigured by His grace--in "the beauty of the Lord our God." Psalm 90:17. Looking upon them with hope, He inspired hope. Meeting them with confidence, He inspired trust. Revealing in Himself man's true ideal, He awakened, for its attainment, both desire and faith. In His presence souls despised and fallen realized that they still were men, and they longed to prove themselves worthy of His regard. In many a heart that seemed dead to all things holy, were awakened new impulses. To many a despairing one there opened the possibility of a new life.

     Christ bound them to His heart by the ties of love and devotion; and by the same ties He bound them to their fellow men. With Him love was life, and life was service. "Freely ye have received," He said, "freely give." Matthew 10:8.   

     It was not on the cross only that Christ sacrificed Himself for humanity. As He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), every day's experience was an outpouring of His life. In one way only could such a life be sustained. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering.
 
     As a man He supplicated the throne of God, till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that connected humanity with divinity. Receiving life from God, He imparted life to men.   

    "Never man spake like this Man." John 7:46. This would have been true of Christ had He taught only in the realm of the physical and the intellectual, or in matters of theory and speculation solely. He might have unlocked mysteries that have required centuries of toil and study to penetrate. He might have made suggestions in scientific lines that, till the close of time, would have afforded food for thought and stimulus for invention. But He did not do this. He said nothing to gratify curiosity or to stimulate selfish ambition. He did not deal in abstract theories, but in that which is essential to the development of character; that which will enlarge man's capacity for knowing God, and increase his power to do good. He spoke of those truths that relate to the conduct of life and that unite man with eternity.
 
     Instead of directing the people to study men's theories about God, His word, or His works, He taught them to behold Him, as manifested in His works, in His word, and by His providences. He brought their minds in contact with the mind of the Infinite.   

     The people "were astonished at His teaching (R.V.), for His word was with power." Luke 4:32. Never before spoke one who had such power to awaken thought, to kindle aspiration, to arouse every capability of body, mind, and soul.

     Christ's teaching, like His sympathies, embraced the world. Never can there be a circumstance of life, a crisis in human experience, which has not been anticipated in His teaching, and for which its principles have not a lesson. The Prince of teachers, His words will be found a guide to His co-workers till the end of time.
 
     To Him the present and the future, the near and the far, were one. He had in view the needs of all mankind. Before His mind's eye was outspread every scene of human effort and achievement, of temptation and conflict, of perplexity and peril. All hearts, all homes, all pleasures and joys and aspirations, were known to Him.
 
     He spoke not only for, but to, all mankind. To the little child, in the gladness of life's morning; to the eager, restless heart of youth; to men in the strength of their years, bearing the burden of responsibility and care; to the aged in their weakness and weariness,--to all, His message was spoken,--to every child of humanity, in every land and in every age.
   
     In His teaching were embraced the things of time and the things of eternity--things seen, in their relation to things unseen, the passing incidents of common life and the solemn issues of the life to come.   

     The things of this life He placed in their true relation, as subordinate to those of eternal interest; but He did not ignore their importance. He taught that Heaven and earth are linked together, and that a knowledge of divine truth prepares man better to perform the duties of daily life.

     To Him nothing was without purpose. The sports of the child, the toils of the man, life's pleasures and cares and pains, all were means to the end--the revelation of God for the uplifting of humanity.
 
     From His lips the word of God came home to men's hearts with new power and new meaning. His teaching caused the things of creation to stand out in new light. Upon the face of nature once more rested gleamings of that brightness which sin had banished. In all the facts and experiences of life were revealed a divine lesson and the possibility of divine companionship. Again God dwelt on earth; human hearts became conscious of His presence; the world was encompassed with His love. Heaven came down to men. In Christ their hearts acknowledged Him who opened to them the science of eternity--
 
    "Immanuel, . . . God with us."

     In the Teacher sent from God, all true educational work finds its center. Of this work today as verily as of the work He established eighteen hundred years ago, the Saviour speaks in the words--

     "I am the First and the Last, and the Living One."   
     "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end." Revelation 1:17, 18, R.V.; 21:6, R.V.
 
     In the presence of such a Teacher, of such opportunity for divine education, what worse than folly is it to seek an education apart from Him--to seek to be wise apart from Wisdom; to be true while rejecting Truth; to seek illumination apart from the Light, and existence without the Life; to turn from the Fountain of living waters, and hew out broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
 
     Behold, He is still inviting: "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said," out of him "shall flow rivers of living water." "The water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life." John 7:37, 38; 4:14, R.V.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on February 07, 2015, 03:17:36 PM
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Islam, the Counterfeit Revealed
by Richard Myers
February 7, 2015

When studying our Bibles and history, we find that Satan has been very successful with his deceptions. He led one third of the angels to rebel against God. He tempted successfully Adam and Eve to turn against God. He led Cain to kill Abel. He caused Israel's first king to apostatize. He led the wisest man to build idols to worship and his father to murder a faithful servant. His greatest victory was to lead God's chosen people to put to death His dear Son, their Messiah.

Have we fully considered what he has done with Islam? We know that Islam is revealed in Daniel chapter 11 and in Revelation chapter 9. We know that the Prophet Mohammed taught that Jesus was a lessor prophet and the Koran supersedes the Bible. Muslims believe that Abraham's son Ishmael was the promised one, not Isaac.

We also understand that God used Islam to block the spread of the papacy in the dark ages and allowed the Protestant Reformation to succeed and spread light around the world. Not all of the prophecy involving Islam has been fulfilled. What we witness today is prophecy unfolding before our very eyes. In the process we find that a counterfeit has been revealed.

Since the terrorist attack on America on 9/11, I have been sharing the truth about Islam's persecution of those who do not believe as they do, especially Muslims who leave Islam. I do so not so much to reveal what Islam is, but to reveal the truth about liberty of conscience and that there are other religions that are like Islam. They do not believe in religious freedom, nor do they believe in separation of church and state. We know that the test just before us will involve persecution of God's faithful by those who will use the state to enforce a religious doctrine. As the world is horrified by what ISIS is doing, we have set before us the truth of what is to come upon all of the faithful, but not by way of Islam. The attention of the world is focused away from the beast power to the counterfeit. Meanwhile the "image to the beast" is being formed.

Yet, we have a wonderful opportunity to discuss the lie that is the underlying principle that Satan is using. We may point to the Protestant Reformation and the presentation of the truth that God does not want forced worship, but leaves man free to choose whom he will serve. Islam does not allow liberty of conscience, neither does the beast power. In their effort to convert Christians to Islam, ISIS attempts to force conversions through fear. But, their butchery is evoking a backlash from even Muslim nations. Some are infuriated over the horror of ISIS placing the Jordanian pilot in a cage and burning him alive. This is not the work of God, as some Muslims believe and is taught by Sharia law.

It is interesting to note that a Roman Catholic priest has something to say about liberty of conscience. Fr. Samir believes Muslims need to respect freedom of conscience and the rights of religious minorities. “The importance of liberty of conscience, few people feel that or understand it." “But the Pope is repeating it — and in my experience it is fundamental.” On the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attack in America Pope Benedict spoke to the issue of Islam and their failure to allow religious freedom. On September 12, 2006, he addressed an audience of seminary students, professors, and theologians in the lecture hall of Regensburg in his native Bavaria. He stated
 
"No God can be the enemy of reason. No deity who desires but does not command the worship of free willed creatures could operate outside the realm of logic." - Pope Benedict

We must teach this principle and hold up these truths as presented by not only Roman priests, but by a pontiff himself. This brings us to what the current papal monarch has said publicly regarding freedom of religion. He condemned the violence done in the name of Allah when ISIS burned alive the Jordanian pilot, but he then went on to threaten you and me: If a friend "says a swear word against my mother, then a punch awaits him." "One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people's faith, one cannot make fun of faith." It appears that the pope is saying you cannot kill one who insults your faith, but it is ok to exhibit violence against him. Seems inconsistent? We know the answer, but many do not. Here we see the greatest adversary of religious freedom is religion itself. Not all who profess to love and serve God do so in love. Some countries have strict laws enforcing freedom of religion. Others such as Islam have laws restricting religious liberty. The principles involved in this important subject will become more important as we near the end.

In the time of the Reformers, some were afraid of the influence on the church of those in error, and hence special pain was taken to make iron rules that the common people should not read and interpret the Scriptures for themselves. Thus the church came to exercise tyranny over dissenters. . .

We should never let the impression prevail that only a privileged few have a knowledge of the Scriptures and that others must refer to these—one or another of their favorite ministers—as authority for their doctrines. People should be educated to search the Scriptures for themselves, to dare to think for themselves, taking the Bible as their guidebook, their standard of faith. Although heresy may lift its head boldly, and insult the truth by perverted ideas and false interpretations and misapplication of Scripture, there should be no suppression of religious freedom by reformers.

The church should ever bear in mind that they are never to ascribe to fallible mortals the unerring wisdom of the one living God. . . . We want all souls to have a pure gospel and to feel the necessity of searching the Scriptures for themselves, to know what saith the Lord, and bind themselves to the great heart of Infinite Love. Letter 12, 1890.

We are nearing the end of time on this Earth as we know it. We have not done that which has been assigned to us. Soon our way is going to be much more difficult. Yesterday at the National Prayer Breakfast, the President of the United States gave us an opportunity to share truth in a most remarkable manner. He did what we could not do. He spoke a truth that all need to hear. He did not do it for God's glory, but he did it to lessen the image of evil being done by Muslims from Northern Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and all around the world. But, God wanted him to say what he said and will turn it to good. He said “humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.”
 
They killed millions who would not give up their Bibles nor their faith. They too, burned alive those who would not recant.

We are reminded of the work done by the Roman Catholic Church in the past. They killed millions who would not give up their Bibles nor their faith. They too, burned alive those who would not recant. Many do not know this history, others believe the Roman Church has changed. But, the pope's remarks about curtailing our freedom to speak about his church's failings reveal that she has not changed. And, despite what is uttered, we see other contradictory actions taken by the papacy. Under the rulership of Pope John Paul II we heard his call for the nations of the world to legislate a religious law, a Sunday law (Dies Domini, 5/31/98). The Roman Church has not changed, she seeks to force us to keep the Sunday holy.

Whenever the church has obtained secular power, she has employed it to punish dissent from her doctrines. Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers, have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. An example of this is given in the long-continued persecution of dissenters by the Church of England. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, thousands of non-conformist ministers were forced to leave their churches, and many, both of pastors and people, were subjected to fine, imprisonment, torture, and martyrdom.

It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government, and this prepared the way for the development of the papacy,—the beast. Said Paul, There shall “come a falling away, . . . and that man of sin be revealed.” [2 Thessalonians 2:3] So apostasy in the church will prepare the way for the image to the beast. And the Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord there will exist a state of religious declension similar to that in the first centuries. “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” [2 Timothy 3:1-5] “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” [1 Timothy 4:1.] Satan will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.” And all that “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” will be left to accept “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” [2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.] When this state of ungodliness shall be reached, the same results will follow as in the first centuries.  The Great Controversy, pgs. 443,444.

Are we ready? Do we clearly see past the counterfeit to the real object of the usurper of the throne of God? The counterfeit, Islam, is only a marker of end time events, the real threat to the world is taking the stage and will soon manifest his power to deceive by working through apostate Protestantism and what used to be a "Protestant" government.

When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.  Testimonies, vol. 5, pg. 451.

The Roman Catholic pope has never been allowed to appear before the Congress of the United States, but that will soon change. Speaker of the House, John Boehner, has invited him and he will address Congress September 24. Boehner, a Republican and a Catholic, just announced “we’re humbled that the Holy Father has accepted our invitation and certainly look forward to receiving his message on behalf of the American people.” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat and also a Catholic, was equally delighted. “We are eager to welcome His Holiness to the U.S. Capitol and we look forward to hearing his call to live our values, to protect the poor and the needy, and to promote peace.”

That the law which was spoken by God's own voice is faulty, that some specification has been set aside, is the claim which Satan now puts forward. It is the last great deception that he will bring upon the world. He needs not to assail the whole law; if he can lead men to disregard one precept, his purpose is gained. For "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10. By consenting to break one precept, men are brought under Satan's power. By substituting human law for God's law, Satan will seek to control the world. This work is foretold in prophecy. Of the great apostate power which is the representative of Satan, it is declared, "He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand." Daniel 7:25.

Men will surely set up their laws to counterwork the laws of God. They will seek to compel the consciences of others, and in their zeal to enforce these laws they will oppress their fellow men.

The warfare against God's law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion.  Desire of Ages, pg. 763.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on March 10, 2015, 02:03:15 PM
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The World is on the Verge of a Stupendous Crisis
by Mimi
March 10, 2015

Humankind, long in years, experience, and saving faith in God Almighty, has through His grace the ability to endure untold hardships. They have tested the Lord and found He is good, merciful and just. In turn, God has tested them to the benefit of eternal salvation, a character in the similitude of Christ Jesus. They are His elect. Yet, in the time of the end they will be among those which will be found crying and sighing for the whirlwind of evil marching upon the land, and more importantly, marching into the inner offices of His church.
 
     The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church, because its members are doing after the manner of the world.
     The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity, and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them. – Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, 187
 
Today we are eyewitnesses to worldwide atrocities that have largely heretofore been kept from sight. Evil’s agenda is spread before us on a level that is numbing to the senses. Daily we are shown new acts of torture of those opposed to the enemy of souls. He has agents proud of evil deeds. Nightly news, cable news, You Tube, Twitter, websites and blogs spew forth their dreadful acts and agenda. While many recoil at the viewing, others are enticed to join them. It is enough to cause the world to sigh and cry, even those who reject the existence of our coming Savior. How much more the elect who know these things must come to pass and of what is about to take the world by huge surprise? How much more the heart of Christ Jesus as He watches the great controversy unfold upon His creation, knowing the evils of Satan must be exposed to the full?
 
     Satanic agencies have made the earth a stage for horrors, which no language can describe. - The Review and Herald, February 6, 1900

     The world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis. - Education, 180

Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus told His disciples: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” – Matthew 24:16

Those words are as relevant today as they were the day Christ spoke them. Evil will appear to rein victorious, yet the horror of death and massive bloodshed is a prophecy that must be fulfilled. But, the end is not yet.

All these are the beginning of sorrows. The world is in agitation. Trumpet after trumpet is blowing. There is more evil to come. And then Jesus said, "See that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass." What a statement! Do we have the faith today to be untroubled? Did the disciples while they were with Him? Or can we rejoice in peace and steady calm, looking up knowing our redemption draws nigh? It is a difficult thing to consider, knowing our quivering hearts, seeing the slaughter and persecution in the world as well as abominations in the church. A prominent South African evangelist informed a group of attendees of his excitement in seeing the fulfillment of prophecies, as difficult as they are, because it means God's word is the sure word of prophecy. Jesus is quickly coming.     

     The Saviour's prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God's mercy and trampled upon His law.
     Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old. – Great Controversy, 614

From a Review and Herald article dated November 23, 1905, comes an encouraging present truth statement that should be of particular interest to us:

     Men are now passing the boundary line, and the Lord is permitting the enemy to do his will. We hear of floods, of earthquakes, of storms by land and on the sea, blotting out hundreds of lives in a moment of time; but the end is not yet. The tread of the Lord will be heard upon the land and upon the water. For his own honor's sake, God is now about to repress iniquity. He will soon, very soon, vindicate the claims of his law. – Review and Herald,  November 23, 1905 par. 2

There is no need for more commentary when we have the words of a prophet. Here is the article in its entirety. I realize most if not all have read it because the time of the end is of great interest to us as a people. Please read it again - with fresh eyes given what we are witnessing in 2015. God is now about to repress iniquity in the world and in His church. Signs of the times bear witness.
 
Take comfort. Fear not.

 
The Time of the End
Review and Herald - November 23, 1905
Mrs. E. G. White

     The Lord is soon to come. Wickedness and rebellion, violence and crime, are filling the world. The cries of the suffering and the oppressed rise to God for justice. In the place of being softened by the patience and forbearance of God, the wicked are growing stronger in stubborn rebellion. The time in which we live is one of marked depravity. Religious restraint is thrown off, and men reject the law of God as unworthy of their attention. A more than common contempt is placed upon this holy law. David in his time saw the wickedness of the last days. He saw the law of God's kingdom trampled under foot, and in righteous indignation he exclaimed, "It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law."

     Men are now passing the boundary line, and the Lord is permitting the enemy to do his will. We hear of floods, of earthquakes, of storms by land and on the sea, blotting out hundreds of lives in a moment of time; but the end is not yet. The tread of the Lord will be heard upon the land and upon the water. For his own honor's sake, God is now about to repress iniquity. He will soon, very soon, vindicate the claims of his law.

     The final overthrow of all earthly dominions is plainly foretold in the Word of truth. In the prophecy uttered when sentence from God was pronounced upon the last king of Israel, is given the message:--

     "Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: . . . exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him."

     The crown removed from Israel passed successively to the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. God says, "It shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him."

     That time is at hand. Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour's prophecy of the events to precede his coming: "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. . . . Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."

     The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they realize that something great and decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.

     Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth, and when God shall bid his angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture.
 
     "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof; . . . because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate. . . . The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth."
 
     "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down."

     "Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."
 
     "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast."   

     To us who are standing on the very verge of the fulfilment of these great scenes, of what deep moment, of what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come--events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God's children have watched and waited, longed and prayed!

     At this time, before the great final crisis, as before the world's first destruction, men are absorbed in the pleasures and the pursuits of sense. Engrossed with the seen and the transitory, they have lost sight of the unseen and the eternal. For the things that perish with the using, they are sacrificing imperishable riches. Their minds need to be uplifted, their views of life broadened. They need to be aroused from the lethargy of worldly dreaming.

     A moment of respite has been graciously given us of God. Every power lent us of heaven is to be used in doing the work assigned us by the Lord for those who are perishing in ignorance. The warning message is to be sounded in all parts of the world. There must be no delay. The truth must be proclaimed in the dark places of the earth. Obstacles must be met and surmounted. A great work is to be done, and this work has been entrusted to those who know the truth for this time.

     Now is the time for us to lay hold of the arm of our strength. The prayer of David should be the prayer of pastors and laymen: "It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law." Let the servants of God weep between the porch and the altar, crying, "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach." God has always wrought in behalf of his truth. The designs of wicked men, the enemies of the church, are subject to his power and his overruling providence. He can move upon the hearts of statesmen; the wrath of the haters of his truth and his people can be turned aside, even as the waters of a river could be turned, if thus he ordered it. Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep--the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of his people, if they will call upon him in faith. He will restrain all the forces of darkness, until the warning is given to the world, and all who will heed it are prepared for his coming.

     God's people should make mighty intercession to him for help now. And they must put their whole energies into the effort to proclaim the truth during the respite that has been granted. As they consecrate themselves unreservedly to God's service, a convincing power will attend their efforts to present the truth to others, and light will shine into many hearts. My brethren and sisters, sleep no longer on Satan's enchanted ground, but arouse, and call into requisition every resource for the proclamation of the message of mercy. The last warning is to be given "before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

     My heart is often burdened because so many who might work are doing nothing. They are the sport of Satan's temptations. Every church-member who has a knowledge of the truth is expected to work while the day lasts; for the night cometh, wherein no man can work. Erelong we shall understand what that night means. The Spirit of God is being grieved away from this earth. The nations are angry with one another. Widespread preparations are being made for war. The night is at hand. Let the church arouse and go forth to do her appointed work. Every believer, educated or uneducated, can bear the message.

     Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. What are we doing, what are we thinking of, that we cling to our selfish love of ease, while all around us souls are perishing? Have our hearts become utterly callous? Can we not see and understand that we have a work to do in behalf of others? My brethren and sisters, are you among those who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not? Is it in vain that God has given you a knowledge of his will? Is it in vain that he has sent you warning after warning of the nearness of the end? Do you believe the declarations of his Word concerning what is coming upon the world? Do you believe that God's judgments are hanging over the inhabitants of the earth? How, then, can you sit at ease, careless and indifferent?

     Every day that passes brings us nearer the end. We are one year nearer the judgment, nearer eternity, than we were at the beginning of 1905. Are we also nearer to God? Are we watching unto prayer? Another year of the time granted us for labor has rolled into eternity. Every day we have been associating with men and women who are judgment-bound. Each day may have been the dividing line for some soul. Each day some one may have made the decision which will determine his future destiny. What has been our influence over these fellow travelers? What effort have we put forth to bring them to Christ?

     Those with whom we associate day by day need our help, our guidance. They may be in such a condition of mind that a word in season will be sent home by the Holy Spirit as a nail in a sure place. Tomorrow some of these souls may be where we can never reach them again. May God help us to work while the day lasts.

     Unmistakable evidences point to the nearness of the end. The way must be prepared for the coming of the Prince of Peace. Let not our church-members complain because they are so often called upon to give. What is it that makes the frequent calls a necessity? Is it not the rapid increase of missionary enterprises? Shall we by refusing to give, retard the growth of these enterprises? Shall we forget that we are laborers together with God? From every church, prayers should ascend to God for an increase of devotion and liberality. My brethren and sisters, do not plead for retrenchment in evangelical work. So long as there are souls to save, our interest in the work of soul saving is to know no abating. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can do the work waiting for them in their own neighborhood; and all can give of their means for the carrying forward of foreign missions.

     There are new fields to be entered, and we must have your help. Shall we ignore the commission given us, and thus forfeit the fulfilment of the promise accompanying the commission? Shall the people of God become careless and indifferent, and refuse to give of their means for the advancement of his work? Can they do this without severing their connection with him? They may think thus to economize; but it is a fearful economy that places them where they are separated from God.

     Let the Lord's people pay a faithful tithe, and let them, also, from parents to children, lay aside for the Lord the money that is so often spent for self-gratification. The Lord has made us his stewards. He has placed his means in our hands for faithful distribution. He asks us to render to him his own. He has reserved the tithe as his portion, to be used in sending the gospel to all parts of the world. My brethren and sisters, confess and forsake your selfishness, and bring to the Lord your gifts and offerings. Bring him also the tithe that you have withheld. Come confessing your neglect. Prove the Lord as he has invited you to do. "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land."

     My brethren and sisters, it is too late to devote your time and strength to self-serving. Let not the last day find you destitute of the heavenly treasure. Seek to push the triumphs of the cross, seek to enlighten souls, labor for the salvation of your fellow beings, and your work will abide the trying test of fire.

    "If any man's work abide . . . he shall receive a reward." Glorious will be the reward bestowed when the faithful workers gather about the throne of God and of the Lamb. When John in his mortal state beheld the glory of God, he fell as one dead. He was not able to endure the sight. But when the children of God have put on immortality, they will "see him as he is." They will stand before the throne, accepted in the Beloved. All their sins have been blotted out, all their transgressions borne away. Now they can look upon the undimmed glory of the throne of God. They have been partakers with Christ in his sufferings, they have been workers together with him in the plan of redemption, and they are partakers with him in the joy of seeing souls saved in the kingdom of heaven, there to praise God through all eternity.       

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on June 11, 2015, 08:15:09 AM
REPUBLISHED
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The Remnant Online Newsletter
June 2012


"The Shaking" Has Begun

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"Gold Tried in the Fire"

by Richard Myers


The Seventh-day Adventist Church is foretold of in Bible prophecy. In the Book of Revelation, it is the last of the seven churches, the church of Laodicea. Some may wonder if it is good or bad to be the Laodicean Church. It is both - good and bad. Bad, because we have brought great reproach upon Christ and His Word. Good, because Laodicea is the last church and it will repent of its evil deeds and accomplish the work entrusted to it. I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.....Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. Ezekiel 36:23,25. The glory of God will be seen in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We will be His witnesses on this earth.

How is it that this transformation will take place? When will it begin?



I was shown the people of God, and saw them mightily shaken. Some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, were pleading with God.

Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these, and I saw them hastening to the assistance of those who were struggling with all their energies to resist the evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But the angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them. As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, a ray of light from Jesus would at times come to them, to encourage their hearts, and light up their countenances.

I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people. The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified.
  [1]


Many today disregard this message. Some hate it and have devised a false theology in their attempt to obscure this message that will "work deep repentance" and purification of the church. Who is this True Witness to the Laodiceans and what is His counsel? What is this "straight testimony"? And why will some "rise up against it"? 

The straight testimony is that God's church, as a people, are in a lost condition and do not know it. As a people, we believe we are "rich and increased with goods." Jesus, the True Witness to the Laodiceans says Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Now, will you rise up against this? Will you want to kill the messenger, or just demean him? There is more straight testimony, but if this cannot be swallowed, then what good would it do to share more? It is all recorded in the "little red books" that have been despised by so many in North America and Europe where many are rich and increased with goods and know better than the "little old lady" who lived almost two centuries ago. Unlike these, there are many who do appreciate the truth and know that she was more than a prophet. How many have read all she wrote? Sadly, very few. It is not just Ellen White that is despised, but the One who inspired what she wrote. This is the straight testimony that is causing a shaking in the church.

The call for revival and reformation has gone forth from the highest authority in the church. There is a response. Rebellion has taken hold of some and they are standing in defiance of the authority of the world church. When there is a need for reformation, it means  something is not right. The truth is, much is not right. Counsel after counsel has been ignored or rejected. Bible truth is ignored or rejected. The world has come into the church and many will not have Jesus rule over them.

The church today has its "Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" with their 203 princes. They see the World Church as responsible for the division in the church and deny any Biblical basis for headship in the church. [2]  The shaking has begun. How will it end?

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Soon I heard a voice that sounded like many musical instruments, all in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard. It seemed to be so full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel: "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, firmly, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy. The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out, and left by the way. [See Revelation 3:15-17.] The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, but their numbers were immediately made up by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. [3]


The message to the Laodiceans, is more than a strong rebuke, it is a message full of hope from Christ Himself. "All that truly receive it will obey and be purified." Such a promise!! It is for us, today!  We have heard the rebuke, but there is more. Jesus tells us how it is that we may escape the corruption that we possess. Like the message to Nicodemus in the garden, Jesus does not just reprove us, He encourages us to be changed, to be born of His Spirit, and He tells us what we must do to be changed into His likeness and be saved.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev 3:18-21.

Jesus loves us! He loves you! We may have the power to overcome our flesh, to overcome sin, by the grace of God.

The answer to our lostness is found in the words of the True Witness. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich." What is this gold tried in the fire that will make us rich? And what is the "white raiment" and the "eyesalve"? Today, we will look at the gold tried in the fire. Gold is a precious metal. It is a representation of Jesus in Scripture. The purity of His character is seen in gold that has been tried in fire, that has been purified of all impurities. This He offers to us, as a free gift. He has already paid a very high price to purchase it for us. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:8,9.

The Laodicean Message was heard in the early church. But, in 1888 the "gold tried in the fire" offered to us by the True Witness was manifest in unmistakable terms. The gold is faith. But, you may say, "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3. Yes, but "gold tried in the fire" is not just a measure of faith. No, it is faith that works unto salvation. It is "saving faith." How does one get this faith that works? Jesus told Nicodemus how to get it. He did not leave Nicodemus without instruction on how to be "born again." He told the leader in Israel "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14,15. What has this to do with gold tried in the fire? The answer to our lost condition is the very same answer that Christ gave to Nicodemus. We must drink His blood and eat His flesh (John 6:53). Unless we have Christ, we do not have life (Romans 8:9). We must feed upon Jesus, upon His Word. By beholding the uplifted Brazen Serpent,  those bitten by the fiery snakes would live. So, today, all who will behold Jesus will be saved. By beholding His glory, which is His character, we shall be recreated in His image (2 Cor. 3:18). It is a spiritual and an intellectual truth that by beholding we become changed.

The True Witness to the Laodiceans offers us gold tried in the fire. This gold that has been purified is the character of our Lord. If we will accept the offer He has made to come into our hearts, He will give us His character. He will both impart it and impute it to all who will love Him supremely. This gold which has been purifed through suffering is ours for the taking. Jesus says to buy it. With what shall we buy it? We are to give in exchange for His character, our sin polluted hearts, our selfishness, our evil desires. The gold tried in the fire is faith, saving faith, that works by love. Love begets love. "We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14. It is by beholding His love that we are enabled to work the works of righteousness. Gold tried in the fire, is faith that works by love, His love for us while we were yet sinners. The Righteousness of Christ is everything to us. It is His grace that transforms our very nature as we partake of His divine nature.


______________________________________________________

Continued    Part 1 of a 3 part series.

[1]  Counsels for the Church; EG White,  pg. 338

[2] Jan Paulsen suggests the World Church is responsible for the division in the church while denying there is a Biblical principle involved in headship in the church.

April 17, 2012 Jan Paulsen Spring Meeting devotional

It is appropriate that we should remind ourselves that while uniformity is no biblical requirement, unity is!

You have heard me speak often in the past on the value of unity. Well, I am not done yet, for we must answer to God on how we handle this. --

Our unity as a global family is these days being tested with respect to the role of women in ministry and leadership in our church. Some insist that those who advocate the ordination of women in our church will split the church. Maybe. The other side answers that those who deny women ordination will be the ones who split this church. Maybe. If the church cannot find a way forward in this matter without compromising the unity God wants us to hold and preserve, we shall all have to answer for how we contributed or failed to contribute to overcome our impasse, and I suspect that those who said “No” will be held as responsible in the eyes of God as those who said “Yes”.....
 
If there were clear inspired mandates, in the Scriptures or in the Writings of Ellen White, giving us directions in this matter, we would not be having this discussion as a global church. We have in the past concluded, through the work of several commissions and reported back to this council, that we find no such mandate on which there is broad agreement. If that is the case, then it all comes down to a matter of time and place. - Adventist News Network.

October 31, 2011 vote from NAD

According to the General Conference’s Office of General Counsel, the vote numbered 162 in favor of the affirmation and 61 against it.

Prior to the discussion of this policy, Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division, led the congregation through the hymn “Have Thine Own Way Lord” and asked for the Holy Sprit’s leading in the discussion. Also, attendees separated in small groups (about three times) to pray about the proceedings. “My desire is that at the end of this discussion everyone present says in their own mind ‘I was in the presence of the Spirit of God,’” said Jackson. - Adventist News Network.

Mid November 2011 vote from TED

This week's vote affirms unions in TED to manage the parity between male and female pastors within the framework of the division's existing guidelines for ordained and commissioned pastors, voted in 2009. Additionally, any decisions made by union officials must be in consultation with TED.

"What works best for the TED at this time is to let all know where we stand and what we want regarding women in leadership, while doing all we can to promote women as pastors and leaders in our church within the working policy," said TED President Bertil Wiklander. The vote took place at the division's year-end business meetings, held in Montenegro. Division officials passed the motion by 91 percent via secret ballot. There were 45 voting delegates. - Adventist News Network.

[3] Counsels for the Church; EG White,  pg. 339





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God's Church in Crisis
by Richard Myers
May 6, 2015

As we near the upcoming General Conference Session in San Antonio, we do so with a heavy heart. No matter which way the church votes on the subject of making women rulers over men, there will be a great divide in the church. How shall we look upon this very sad situation? How does God view the matter?

There is much written on the subject of our blind condition as a people, and some light has been given on rebellion. Therefore, we are not left without understanding as to what to do and what will be the end result. Jesus does not want His children to fear for the future nor doubt He is in control of all that will happen in and out of the church. Let us review what has been so graciously given to His church.

God foresaw our present condition when Jesus inspired this counsel: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation 3:14-21.

Not only has Jesus warned us of our dangerous condition, but He gave us the solution to the problem in these precious verses. And, if we are so blinded that we cannot understand what has been stated in Scripture, then we have this additional counsel: "The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth. The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal. God signified that He wanted men at the great heart of the work to correct the state of things existing there and to stand like faithful sentinels at their post of duty. He has given them light at every point, to instruct, encourage, and confirm them, as the case required. But notwithstanding all this, those who should be faithful and true, fervent in Christian zeal, of gracious temper, knowing and loving Jesus earnestly, are found aiding the enemy to weaken and discourage those whom God is using to build up the work. The term 'lukewarm' is applicable to this class. They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the principles of their faith.
     The only hope for the Laodiceans is a clear view of their standing before God, a knowledge of the nature of their disease. They are neither cold nor hot; they occupy a neutral position, and at the same time flatter themselves that they are in need of nothing. The True Witness hates this lukewarmness. He loathes the indifference of this class of persons. Said He: 'I would thou wert cold or hot.' Like lukewarm water, they are nauseous to His taste. They are neither unconcerned nor selfishly stubborn. They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests; but they hold aloof and are ready to leave their posts when their worldly personal interests demand it. The internal work of grace is wanting in their hearts; of such it is said: 'Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.'   
     Faith and love are the true riches, the pure gold which the True Witness counsels the lukewarm to buy. However rich we may be in earthly treasure, all our wealth will not enable us to buy the precious remedies that cure the disease of the soul called lukewarmness. Intellect and earthly riches were powerless to remove the defects of the Laodicean church, or to remedy their deplorable condition. They were blind, yet felt that they were well off. The Spirit of God did not illumine their minds, and they did not perceive their sinfulness; therefore they did not feel the necessity of help.
     To be without the graces of the Spirit of God is sad indeed; but it is a more terrible condition to be thus destitute of spirituality and of Christ, and yet try to justify ourselves by telling those who are alarmed for us that we need not their fears and pity. Fearful is the power of self-deception on the human mind! What blindness! setting light for darkness and darkness for light! The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich; for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depositary of all graces. He says: 'Buy of Me.'
     Some may say it is exalting our own merits to expect favor from God through our good works. True, we cannot buy one victory with our good works; yet we cannot be victors without them. The purchase which Christ recommends to us is only complying with the conditions He has given us. True grace, which is of inestimable value, and which will endure the test of trial and adversity, is only obtained through faith and humble, prayerful obedience. Graces that endure the proofs of affliction and persecution, and evidence their soundness and sincerity, are the gold which is tried in the fire and found genuine. Christ offers to sell this precious treasure to man: "Buy of Me gold tried in the fire." The dead, heartless performance of duty does not make us Christians. We must get out of a lukewarm condition and experience a true conversion, or we shall fail of heaven.
     I was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, many are offended.
     Let these look back a few months to the time when they were sitting on the cases of others who were in a condition similar to that which they now occupy. Let them carefully call to mind the exercise of their minds in regard to those tempted ones. Had anyone told them then that notwithstanding their zeal and labor to set others right, they would at length be found in a similar position of darkness, they would have said, as did Hazael to the prophet: 'Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?'
     Self-deception is upon them. During the calm, what firmness they manifest! what courageous sailors they make! But when the furious tempests of trial and temptation come, lo! their souls are shipwrecked. Men may have excellent gifts, good ability, splendid qualifications; but one defect, one secret sin indulged, will prove to the character what the worm-eaten plank does to the ship--utter disaster and ruin!" Vol. 4, Testimonies For the Church; pg. 90.

We may disdain the rebellion taking place in regards to making women rulers over men, when the  Bible and the world church have have refused to do so, but the doctrinal error upon which the rebellion is founded is not nearly so important as is the truth upon which the foundation of God's church is established, the gospel of grace. It would be well to study the whole statement since it reveals much. We need Jesus in order to be saved. Without Christ in our hearts, we can do no good thing. Notice the statement quoted is contrary to what is widely taught in the church: "Some may say it is exalting our own merits to expect favor from God through our good works. True, we cannot buy one victory with our good works; yet we cannot be victors without them. The purchase which Christ recommends to us is only complying with the conditions He has given us."

Let's follow this truth a little deeper. Many abhor the false religion of the papal power. We understand that salvation can be purchased by indulgences, that man can merit favor with the church and God in this false teaching. How shocked many will be to find this same teaching in God's church. The following is a description of the two great deceptions within the Roman Church. "A prayerful study of the Bible would show Protestants the real character of the papacy, and would cause them to abhor and to shun it; but men are so wise in their own conceit that they feel no need of humbly seeking God that they may be led into the truth. Although priding themselves on their enlightenment, they are ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They must have some means of quieting their consciences, and they seek that which is least spiritual and humiliating. What they desire is a method of forgetting God which shall pass as a method of remembering him. The papacy is well adapted to meet the wants of all these. It is prepared for two classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world,--those who would be saved by their merits, and those who would be saved in their sins. Here is the secret of its power."  Bible Echo, February 1, 1887.

Which of the two are being taught in our church? Both, the latter being most widely seen. Being "saved in their sins" means just what it says,  believing one is in a saved condition when having sinned one known sin. The first error can be seen when one believes he has salvation because he is keeping the commandments, but does not see the need to be vitally connected to Christ. This is to say that he does not see that when converted, he will manifest the fruits of the Spirit, not one will be missing. He does not understand that his good works are as filthy rags because he does not have Christ in his heart. Until converted, we remain unsanctified and unholy.

We are to be encouraged by this in that we have precious promises that the Laodicean condition need not be fatal. We see in the  statement by Christ, that He is pleading  with His people to repent, and offers a solution free of charge. We are to come to Jesus just as we are. What do we bring in exchange for the gold, the white raiment, and the eye salve? We bring to Jesus a sin polluted heart. We are to give our hearts to the One who gave all for us. What a deal!!! Who can refuse such an offer!! Most of the world and many in the church.

If this statement as written is hard to understand, listen to a further explanation of the promise to the church:

     Dear Brethren and Sisters: The Lord has again visited me in much mercy. I have been greatly afflicted for a few months past. Disease has pressed heavily upon me. For years I have been afflicted with dropsy and disease of the heart, which has had a tendency to depress my spirits and destroy my faith and courage. The message to the Laodiceans has not accomplished that zealous repentance among God's
    The heart must be purified from sins which have so long shut out Jesus. This fearful message will do its work.
people which I expected to see, and my perplexity of mind has been great. Disease seemed to make continual progress upon me, and I thought that I must lie down in the grave. I had no desire to live, therefore I could not take hold of faith and pray for my recovery. Often when I retired to rest at night I realized that I was in danger of losing my breath before morning. In this state I fainted at midnight. Brethren Andrews and Loughborough were sent for, and earnest petitions were offered to God in my behalf. The depression, the heavy weight, was lifted from my aching heart, and I was taken off in vision, and shown the things which I now present before you.   
     I saw that Satan had been trying to drive me to discouragement and despair, to make me desire death rather than life. I was shown that it was not God's will that I should now cease from the work and lie down in the grave; for then the
enemies of our faith would triumph, and the hearts of God's children would be made sad. I saw that I should often feel anguish of spirit, and should suffer much; yet I had the promise that those around me would encourage and help me, that my courage and strength might not fail while I was so fiercely buffeted by the devil.   
     I was shown that the testimony to the Laodiceans applies to God's people at the present time, and the reason it has not accomplished a greater work is because of the hardness of their hearts. But God has given the message time to do its work. The heart must be purified from sins which have so long shut out Jesus. This fearful message will do its work. When it was first presented, it led to close examination of heart. Sins were confessed, and the people of God were stirred everywhere. Nearly all believed that this message would end in the loud cry of the third angel. But as they failed to see the powerful work accomplished in a short time, many lost the effect of the message. I saw that this message would not accomplish its work in a few short months. It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel.......
     God proves His people in this world. This is the fitting-up place to appear in His presence. Here, in this world, in these last days, persons will show what power affects their hearts and controls their actions. If it is the power of divine truth, it will lead to good works. It will elevate the receiver, and make him noblehearted and generous, like his divine Lord. But if evil angels control the heart, it will be seen in various ways. The fruit will be selfishness, covetousness, pride, and evil passions.
     The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Professors of religion are not willing to closely examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith; and it is a fearful fact that many are leaning on a false hope. Some lean upon an old experience which they had years ago; but when brought down to this heart-searching time, when all should have a daily experience, they have nothing to relate. They seem to think that a profession of the truth will save them. When they subdue those sins which God hates, Jesus will come in and sup with them and they with Him. They will then draw divine strength from Jesus, and will grow up in Him, and be able with holy triumph to say: "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." It would be more pleasing to the Lord if lukewarm professors of religion had never named His name. They are a continual weight to those who would be faithful followers of Jesus. They are a stumbling block to unbelievers, and evil angels exult over them, and taunt the angels of God with their crooked course. Such are a curse to the cause at home or abroad. They draw nigh to God with their lips, while their heart is far from Him. The Laodicean Church, Volume One, Testimonies For the Church.

The Laodicean Message will bring revival and reformation to God's church. It is a promise, "this fearful message will do its work." It is the straight testimony of Jesus, the True Witness, it will bring a shaking in the church. I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.

The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified.  ibid pg 181.

On the subject of rebellion we are told "I question whether genuine rebellion is ever curable. Study in Patriarchs and Prophets the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This rebellion was extended, including more than two men. It was led by two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, men of renown. Call rebellion by its right name and apostasy by its right name, and then consider that the experience of the ancient people of God with all its objectionable features was faithfully chronicled to pass into history. The Scripture declares, 'These things . . . are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.'" 1 Notebook Leaflets, pg 57.
 
Be not fearful, Jesus knows the end from the beginning. He has revealed to His prophets what is to come. We claim the promises of God and look beyond what we see with our eyes, those things which will pass away, to the things which are unseen, which are eternal. If we will come to Jesus just as we are, then all things will work for our good and God's glory!! Let us press together as we see darkness falling upon the world and God's glory will fall upon His church!



God's Church in Crisis....Part Two
by Richard Myers
June 6, 2015

In part 2 of our series on God's Church in Crisis we will continue to address issues that pertain to the upcoming General Conference Session at San Antonio. We do so in hopes that the delegates will make decisions based upon the light we have been given as a people. It is shining brightly upon us.

The crisis is a result of the Laodicean condition of which Jesus warned us. The solution follows the warning as we revealed in our last article. Jesus is our only hope, and He stands at the door knocking. It is an extremely encouraging message that we find  in the third chapter of Revelation in the message to the Laodicean Church.

Some leaders in God's church have not faith enough to believe that God  can purify His church. They see the present situation and have revealed they think God may not bring the church through to the end. They believe the  "organized church" may fail to do its appointed work. That is contrary to the light we have in in Scripture and the Spirit of Prohecy. We read in Ezekiel chapters thirty six and thirty seven that God has promised to cleanse his church. Some take that to mean those who are keeping the commandments of God, not the  organized church. If it is not the organized church, and it is the faithful who are not in apostasy, then why is there need of reformation?  Those who are faithful need not repent. No, the message given by Ezekiel addresses a filthy dead, dead, dead church. These two chapters need to be studied by our pastors that the church may be encouraged that there will be revival and reformation in the organized church.

Jesus is speaking to a church through the prophet, He is speaking to us, we are modern Israel. "Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes....Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you" Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes....Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."

The message is a promise, it is unmistakable and coincides with the Laodicean message. When God wants to make a point, He always repeats the message as we see in the rest of chapter thirty six. But, this message is of such  importance that He continues through the prophet Ezekiel in chapter thirty seven.

"The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel." Ezekiel 37:1-11.



God's Church in Crisis...Part Three
by Richard Myers
June 6, 2015

Having revealed from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that God has promised revival and reformation to the organized Seventh-day Adventist Church, we can be thankful that the trials we experience are part of the reformation process. The division in the church was not created by God, but He warned us that there would  be division. In last week's Sabbath School lesson we read from the Book of Luke, verse 12:51: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." The truth divides those who believe and live it from those who do not. We are seeing prophecy being fulfilled before our very eyes.

We mentioned rebellion in the first part of this series. The rebellion is not because some are wanting to ordain women pastors or even wanting to make women rulers over men as conference presidents. Being in doctrinal error does not rise to rebellion. The rebellion is composed of those who are acting contrary to their bylaws, Scripture, and the World Church's decision to not ordain women. When the General Conference turned down the North American Division's request for a variance so they could make women conference presidents, the division voted by a large majority to go ahead and change their bylaws anyway. This  is rebellion. This reveals the separation taking place amongst leaders in God's church.

The division over the ordination of women pastors is only a symptom of the real problem, a Laodicean church. As with  the  Jews at the time of Christ, many leaders are leading their churches away from seeing their continual need of Jesus to do any good thing. Thankfully, there are faithful pastors and elected conference officials that do understand the power of grace to transform our lives. Amongst them are two General Conference presidents, Robert Folkenberg Sr. and Ted Wilson. They have both been special targets for the arrows from the evil one. Both are of good courage and have been doing an excellent work within the church. Let us pray for Elder Wilson, that he will be re-elected as General Conference president at San Antonio. The thing that impresses me most about the man is not that he is faithful to Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, but that in every message he delivers, he places Jesus at the center. Praise God for the spiritual discernment of our dear brother, Ted Wilson. We also solicit your prayers for Elder Folkenberg in his illness. As always, he is looking beyond what he sees with his eyes to that which is unseen and eternal.

There has always been a spiritual battle wherein some exalt the Holy Spirit while transgressing the Word of God, while others exalt doctrine and have no connection with the Holy Spirit. When we neglect either, we are in trouble. It is the Spirit of God that opens our minds  to understanding Scripture. It is He who comes to live within our hearts when  we fully surrender to Jesus. It is His power that is seen in the life with the fruits of His Spirit.

When we presented the promises found in Ezekiel, the promises of God's church coming  alive, we read in chapter 36 verse 25, that water would be sprinkled upon the church to cleanse us from our idols and filthiness. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." What does the water represent? "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:26, 27. Ezekiel 36 reveals a cleansing by the  Word. But, Ezekiel 37 presents raising up a dead church by breath. "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." What does breath represent? "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7. This is the Spirit of God. Without the Spirit, we ought to be dead, but God granted to sinful man a period of probation that he might learn his need of God, to be reconciled to Him. In Ezekiel 37 we see that we need the Spirit, and in Ezekiel 36 we see we need the Word. God has promised both if we want them.

Let  us not neglect either our study of the Word nor asking for the Holy Spirit to indwell our hearts. "The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. Only those who are thus taught of God, those who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the Christ-life is manifested, are to stand as representative men, to minister in behalf of the church." The Desire of Ages; pg 805.

This statement is the truth, yet what is preached from many pulpits and printed on our presses is contrary to it. When we have the Holy Spirit in the soul, then we have the life of Christ. Notice what that means. When we make a full surrender to Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes possession of the heart. When this happens the receiver is imbued with the "attributes of Christ",  the character of Christ. His character is not only imputed to repentant man, but it is imparted. When? Not at the end of time, but at conversion. There is a radical transformation of character at the beginning of the Christian walk. Yes, there is much growth that must take place, but do not ignore what happens at a true conversion. The heart is cleansed from selfishness. The motives are then pure and holy even though the repentant sinner may eat the wrong food, wear the wrong dress, and attend church on the wrong day. The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches.

In other words what we have been taught to a great extent is a cause for the Laodicean condition in the church. Here is what inspiration has to say about this: "The minds of many are clouded with unbelief because those who unite with the church as the chosen of God do not reveal the virtues that are the fruits of the Spirit. Joining the church is not a sure evidence that a man has joined himself to Christ. The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ." Manuscript 148, 1897.

It was "rare" to find those who had truly been converted when the prophet was alive in the church. Notice the date, it was after 1888. When we look around at the neglect of our institutions to follow the  light given, it would be hard  to deny the situation is any better today. In fact, we today are facing the greatest crisis ever to come upon  the Seventh-day Adventist  Church. By God's grace you and I shall not be sifted out. But, we must turn to Jesus with the whole heart, not part of it. "The great inquiry should be: 'How can I save my own soul and be the means of saving others?' I saw that no halfhearted work in this matter is accepted of God. He wants the whole heart and interest, or He will have none." Adventist Home; pg 355.

Those who are delegates to the General Conference Session in San Antonio have a great responsibility resting upon them. If they are not fully surrendered, if the Holy Spirit is not in their hearts, if they lack spiritual discernment, then what will be the  results of the meeting? This brings to mind the General Conference Session in 1990 at Indianapolis. Robert Folkenberg was elected GC president at that session. I was sitting with the Russian  delegation when he addressed the church for the  first time after his election to that office. As he preached, I was impressed, so much so that I wanted to know if he was reading a prepared text or if the Holy Spirit was leading him. I quickly went up three levels to the GC Communications leader, Shirley Burton and asked for a copy of the sermon which  she gladly provided. I sat there and continued listening as I caught up with the sermon's text. Elder Folkenberg was following the text very closely when suddenly he departed from the text. Now, my question was did he know the voice  of God? Did he know the Holy Spirit was to be his power and guide? Or was he just following a prepared text which many church  pastors are very good at preparing and delivering without any connection to God.

When he departed from the text, his subject was the Holy Spirit. He said that the night before he was attending a small meeting with some pastors. He then said that the Holy Spirit was in that meeting. That was just why I had left the floor of the session and sought a copy of the text. I wanted to know if this new GC president understood that we are dependent upon the Spirit of God in order to do any good thing. My concern was answered in a most remarkable manner. Elder Folkenberg knew the voice of God. He recognized the Holy Spirit.

Do you have the Holy Spirit in your heart? How can we tell? Listen to what Jesus said about this subject: "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."  Matthew 7:17-20. What are these fruits that come when the Spirit is invited into the heart? Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance which is self-control. You can find them in Galatians. It is interesting that not only does Paul identify what we possess when we are in a converted state, he also identifies in Galatians chapter five what things are not in the life of those who are converted. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.

Have you discovered why many are not converted, because there are teachings throughout Christianity that have convinced many that they are converted when self has never died. They do not believe the wages of sin is death. They have been taught that Jesus will cover their unconfessed and unforsaken sins. But, Seventh-day Adventists, the "people  of the Bible" ought to understand. We have such clear unmistakable counsel that tell us "No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven." The Desire of Ages; pg 555. Paul is also very clear on what it means to be converted: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:5-9.

We need Jesus. We need Him continually, not just now and then. When we have Jesus, when we abide in Him and He in us, then we have life. If we do not have Christ living in the heart through the  Spirit, we do not have eternal life. This is the simplicity of the gospel. In 1888 a message was brought before the church in a most remarkable manner. What was this message? It can be summarized simply as "the loveliness of Jesus". If we would behold Christ, we would love Him. If we would spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating His life, we would be changed into His likeness. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18. This is a well kept secret. Satan has worked  hard to hide this from the church. Why? Because  it is a spiritual and an intellectual  truth that by beholding, we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. The mind is malleable. We already know why it is that so many young people are driving their cars so haphazardly and why some can kill without batting and eyelash. What are they doing daily on the computer? They have become what they have been beholding day after day while gaming.

What do we spend  our time doing each day? Do we stop morning, noon, and night to strengthen our connection with God as did Daniel, through prayer? This is not some kind of game that  we can start over again when the  end comes.  We are in a drama called  "the  great controversy". We are acting our part. How  are we doing? Are we being faithful witnesses  for  our  Lord? Or are we not reflecting His character? There is still time to choose Jesus, to let Him into our hearts. If we cannot do that today, it is alright. If we will go to Him just as we are, and  pray this prayer: "Lord take my heart for I cannot give  it, I believe, take away my unbelief," Jesus will help us come to Him. Does not the Bible say that He  is drawing us to Himself? "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 2:32. If we will not resist that drawing, Jesus will finish the work He began in us.

As we look at the world, we see that Jesus' coming is imminent. The pope is going to address for the first time, the  Congress of the United States of America. Pope John Paul II had already called for national Sunday laws. Homosexuals have influenced enough in the United States to cause the President of the United States to promote homosexual marriage. The world economy  is headed downhill  when it is already devastated. Natural disasters occur on a regular basis. The seventh trumpet is blowing loudly. By these signs we are  being warned  that time shall not last much longer. Many are already being laid  to rest around the world. Jesus wants to come and take us home. If we will give to Jesus our sin sick hearts, He will cleanse them. Then when He comes, He shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. "And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." 

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on October 26, 2015, 06:05:08 AM
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The Loveliness of Jesus
by Richard Myers
August 7, 2015

With the issue of women's ordination settled, it is good to be able to move to more important subjects in God's church. The loveliness of Jesus is the all important subject that we all need to concentrate on. It is by beholding this great love that we are transformed into the same image from glory to glory by His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

It is a beneficial study to compare the sanctification of Enoch with the sanctification of the thief and on the cross and how it is they became sanctified. By so doing we gain a better understanding of what it means to be a true Christian. Some do not understand when one is converted he is transformed in character. When justified, we are sanctified. I knew a pastor who did not ever want to say that one was "sanctified", past tense. He was never willing to admit that one could be sanctified. The thief on the cross was indeed sanctified when Jesus told him he would be in heaven. It was not a future event that would cause him to be sanctified. No, if we are not sanctified in this life, we shall not be sanctified when Jesus returns to take us home.

Enoch was sanctified when he was converted, but when he left this earth there was something very different about his character than the character of the thief on the cross when he died. It is that difference that we want to look at more closely.

We know Enoch was sanctified for he walked with God. "And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Genesis 5:22-24. Does this make Enoch something that we are not when we are converted, justified, and sanctified? There is a difference, but it is not that he was holy and we are not when we are truly in a converted state.

Many regard Enoch as a man to whom God gave special power to live a life more holy than we can live. But the character of the man who was so holy that he was translated to heaven without seeing death is a representation of the character to be attained by those who will be translated when Christ comes in the clouds of heaven. Enoch's life was no more exemplary than may be the life of every one who maintains a close connection with God.

Surrounded with influences so corrupt that God brought a flood of water upon the earth to destroy its inhabitants for their wickedness, Enoch was by no means free from temptation; yet in the midst of a society no more friendly to righteousness than that which surrounds us, he lived a life of holiness. Breathing an atmosphere tainted with sin and corruption, he remained unsullied by the prevailing iniquity of the age. For three hundred years he "walked with God."
 
It was through constant conflict and simple faith that Enoch walked with God. He realized that God is "a very present help in trouble." When in perplexity, he prayed to God to keep him, and teach him His will. What shall I do to honor Thee, my God? was his prayer. His will was submerged in God's will. His feet were always directed in the path of obedience to God's commandments. Constantly his meditations were upon the goodness, the perfection, the loveliness, of the divine character. His conversation was upon heavenly things; he trained his mind to run in this channel. As he looked to Jesus, he became changed into the glorious  image of his Lord, and his countenance was lighted up with the glory that shines from the face of Christ. Signs of the Times, October 12, 1904.

What was the difference then between the thief and Enoch? He was more sanctified, he was more holy, he was more perfect in character. We mature after conversion in the same manner as did Jesus. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:8,9. What does it mean "being made perfect"? Was not Jesus always perfect? Indeed He was. Our idea of perfect generally does not allow for growth in perfection, but Bible perfection does. It is maturity. Jesus matured. He was not ready for Gethsemane when He was twelve years old. "For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." Mark 4:28.

Each blade of corn is perfect, so is each truly converted Christian. Perfect in moral character. His motives are holy, just, and good. He may eat the wrong food and keep the wrong day, but it is out of ignorance. Christ sits on the throne of his heart. The truly converted Christian has the mind of Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5. Those who have made a full surrender to Christ have become partakers of His divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.

This was the experience of Enoch and it was the experience of the thief on the cross. Both were filled with the Holy Spirit, both manifested the fruits of the Spirit, not one was missing while they were abiding in Christ and He in them. Was there a difference in the kind of fruit? No, both had love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, not one of these was missing. But, Enoch had more of this fruit. Enoch had an experience that was much different from the thief's. He had more time to develop both a knowledge of God's ways and strength  of character. Therefore, God allowed greater temptations to come to Enoch. Remember the promise God has made to us? "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. This is a conditional promise. The only way it works is if we are truly converted and are partakers of His divine nature. Without Christ, we cannot resist the smallest temptation. But, through Christ, we can do all things. Christ did not have to endure Gethsemane at 12, nor do we. But, Enoch could be tempted way beyond what the thief on the cross could bear. His sanctification was more perfect.

There are great trials coming to God's people. As it was with Israel of Old, so it with us today. Great deceptions abound. Satan has had 6,000 years to plan for us. The Omega of Apostasy is well beyond the understanding of a Laodicean people. But the wise will understand. Our wisdom can only be found in Christ. If we will spend that thoughtful hour each day contemplating the loveliness of Jesus, we shall be granted wisdom from on high. As we near the end, the line between truth and error is ever so close. We are only able to discern the difference if we are abiding in Christ and have spiritual discernment. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14.
 
In the Sabbath School lessons we are studying Biblical Missionaries. The lesson continues to come home to us that if we wish to be missionaries for Christ, we must rightly represent Him in character, just as did the missionaries we are studying in the Bible. Otherwise, if we call ourselves Christians and misrepresent Him in character, we do damage to our God. We are here to not only tell of His goodness, but to reveal His goodness. That is only possible if we are abiding in Christ and He in us. We need to let His mind be in us that we might manifest each one of the fruits of His Spirit. Jesus had it right when He told Nicodemus he had to be born again. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:6,7.

It is not good enough to help someone to know he needs to be born again, that he is not right with God, and to leave him without a knowledge of what he must do in order to have this experience. Jesus told Nicodemus "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14,15. Jesus was speaking of the time when Moses was leading Israel out of Egypt. The people were rebelling against God, so He removed His hand of protection and allowed the serpents to come into camp. When a person was bitten, they would die. Moses was told to make a bronze serpent and hold it up before the people telling them if they would look, they would live. All who were bitten, if they looked upon the uplifted serpent, they would live. There was no magical power in the bronze serpent, it was a symbol of Jesus lifted up upon the cross.

We all have been bitten by sin. Our only hope is to look upon the loveliness of Jesus. If we will look, we shall live.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on October 26, 2015, 06:06:25 AM
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What Shall I Do?
by Richard Myers
September 6, 2015

Now that the World Church has made plain what it believes Scripture says about making women rulers over men, what will the General Conference do about the divisions, unions, and conferences in rebellion? Ask not what the General Conference will do, but what you can do. We do not have a hierarchy, no kings or popes in the church of God. While some General Conference Executive Committees have usurped the authority of the General Conference in Session, it was not in their prerogative to do so. The authority to make doctrinal decisions is to be made by the World Church leaders in Session. So it is with the decision to expel a rebellious conference. That authority is only given to the General Conference in Session, not to a smaller body of men at Annual or Spring Council. The procedure for removing a union is spelled out in the General Conference Working Policy B 95 15. It specifies that it is the General Conference in Session that has the power to expel a conference from the World Church. How does the process begin?  It begins with a determination that the conference is in apostasy and will not repent of wrong doing. In other words, it is in rebellion against the World Church. The case is presented to the General Conference Executive Committee and is placed on the agenda of either an Annual Council or a Spring Council for a vote on moving it to the next General Conference Session, or if deemed necessary, a specially called General Conference Session to vote on the matter. Again, we do not have a hierarchy. The General Conference Executive Committee does not have the authority to remove a conference. That authority rests with the representatives of the churches from around the world when in Session.

The General Conference Executive Committee has many responsibilities, some of which have been neglected. We suffered  many years with poor leadership in the Sabbath School. We have watched General Conference media spread false gospels and work contrary to the vote of the General Conference Session to not ordain women. The General Conference Executive Committee headed by President Ted Wilson has been patiently dealing with the rebellion and it will rest upon their shoulders to refer the rebellious unions to a General Conference Session if the rebellion does not end. Let us  pray for the administrators of the General Conference as they seek wisdom from above.
 
In His time, the General Conference administration has responded to the unions in rebellion and those who have contemplated joining with them. The General Conference Secretariat has just presented a document to the church entitled "Unions and Ordination to the Gospel Ministry-----Comprehensive Working Policy Explanation". It answers the heresy being widely circulated in the church that unions have the ultimate authority in deciding who shall be ordained to the gospel ministry. It is true they have the authority to make that decision as long as it is in harmony with their constitution and bylaws which  must be in harmony with the World Church, if they wish to remain in the World Church. After a detailed explanation of how authority in the church works, a summation is given. "In sum, there is nothing in the GC WP that enables unions to ignore the actions of the GC Sessions or the Executive committee. In selecting who should and should not be ordained to gospel ministry, each union is bound to maintain and implement the criteria for ordination found in the GC Working Policy, and to comply with the World Church practice and policies."

We see God's leading in the statement prepared  by the General Conference Secretariat. The statement has come in a timely manner, just as some unions are having to deal with the vote at San Antonio. In its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, August 19, the North Pacific Union Conference executive committee voted 26-4 to rescind the call for a special constituency meeting to discuss the ordination of women pastors. "We do not believe that convening a special constituency meeting about the ordination of women as pastors would be productive at this time for the North Pacific Union Conference."
 
The Netherlands Union, the Pacific Union, the Columbia Union, and the Northern German Union have all transgressed their Bylaws and voted to ordain women pastors. There are other things the General Conference Executive Committee can do in attempting to deal with the rebellion. The General Conference Bylaws provide for the removal of General Conference elected officers for cause. Three Divisions of the World Church have responsibility for unions in rebellion. A division president who is not faithful to the decision of the General Conference Session, to not ordain  women pastors and thus not make women conference presidents, can be removed from his office. "The General Conference Executive Committee shall have power to elect or remove, for  cause, officers, directors, and associate  directors  of departments/associations/services and committee members, and to fill for the current term any vacancies that may occur in its offices, boards, committees, or agents due to death, resignation, or other reasons. The phrase 'for cause,' when used in connection with removal from an elected or appointed position, shall include but not be limited to 1) incompetence; 2) persistent failure to co-operate with duly constituted authority in substantive matters and with relevant employment and denominational policies..." Article XIII -General Conference Bylaws   
 
Not being a hierarchy, the General Conference president does not make this decision, nor does a majority of the Executive Committee decide the matter. It takes a two thirds vote of the Executive Committee to remove an elected officer. "The removal from office by the General Conference Executive Committee of any person elected under Article VI, Sec. 1. of the Constitution or its withdrawal of credentials or license  shall  be by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting." Article XIII -General Conference Bylaws.

It was the highest authority in the church that said no to women's ordination at San Antonio. Some seek to act as kings and popes and take to themselves the authority given only to the World Church in Session. Doctrinal matters such as the ordination of ministers is to be decided by the World Church when in session, not by a local conference, union, or division. Not even the General Conference Executive Committee in its Annual Meeting is to decide such important matters. When important doctrinal issues need to be decided, it is the work of the General Conference in Session. The General Conference Executive Committee takes care of routine business between sessions. If something cannot wait until the next scheduled Session, then a meeting of the World Church can be called by the Executive Committee. It must not usurp the authority of the Session as it did when deciding a woman could be ordained as a local elder. That was an illegal act. It is a doctrinal matter and such a change in doctrine is to go before the World Church when in Session.

Since the matter of ordaining women elders was decided by an Annual Council, then an Annual Council can undo their error in usurping the authority of the General Conference in Session. The World Church has made clear women are not to be rulers over men. Yet, the General Conference Executive Committee voted years ago to allow women elders. This is a contradiction to what was just voted at San Antonio. We are hopeful the General Conference Executive Committee will address this at its upcoming Annual Council Meeting.

While the World Church leaders have their responsibilities, so do church members. What shall I do? Did I play a part in allowing rebellion to grow in the church? How did some unions end up with leaders that have rebelled? Because the church is not a hierarchy, and the church member has so much influence to select leaders, what happened? Well...work it out.  How did America end up with Bill Clinton being re-elected after the country found out who he was and what "it" is. Or how did America end up re-electing Obama after finding out who he is? Late term abortions and homosexual marriage did not just happen because Obama wanted it. Some think the system is broken, but it is not. Both America and the church see the results of what happens when the people are not right with God.

In order to have a just and moral society or church, the citizens and church members must be moral. They must care about what is happening around them. When they do, when church members are consecrated and living for Jesus, then they will elect consecrated representatives. They will have spiritual discernment. And, no matter what the cost, they will speak and vote their conscience. As with the County Clerk in Kentucky, USA, they will go to jail before compromising their faith. "The greatest want of the world is the want of men,--men who will not be bought or sold; men who in their inmost souls are true and honest; men who do not fear to call sin by its right name; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall." Education, pg. 57. How is it in your church? Do church members speak up? Or do they leave it all to the pastor? A good example of how representative government works is found in the South-eastern California Conference. Not all church members in Southern California are immoral and not walking with Jesus. But, it is hard to be consecrated when living in Sodom. Look at the surrounding culture. It is like the Netherlands and much of Western Europe, full of immorality. When the world comes into the church, the culture of the world is what you get -- the teaching of evolution in a Seventh-day Adventist university, homosexual church members, and the making of a woman conference president. There  is no difference between men and women in the world, the  husband stays home with the baby and the wife serves in the army on the front line. With the world in the church, there is no difference between men and women in the South-eastern California Conference, nor in their union. The Executive Committees of the Pacific Union and the Netherlands Union rebelled against their own constituency and bylaws, as well as Scripture and the World Church when they approved the ordination of women pastors.

In a representative democracy, leaders are a reflection of those who elected them. It all begins with the individual church member and works its way up to the highest level of church administration. That Elder Wilson is the General Conference president means that not all divisions are a reflection of Europe, North America, and Australia. How far has America fallen? She no longer appears as a lamb, but has transitioned to speaking as the dragon. She has invited the pope to speak to her legislature this month. Both Republicans and Democrats have revealed they no longer see America as a Protestant nation. Not one United States Supreme Court Justice is a Protestant. The Court consists of a majority of Catholics, six, and the rest, are Jews in name only. The influence of the nation is seen in God's church.

The course being pursued by the United States is not only far from Protestant, but is anti-Protestant, anti-Bible. We are nearing the end. What must I do? How can I make a difference in my local conference? It takes the power of grace to make us brave and courageous Christians. First we must believe. We must believe not only in Jesus, but in His promises to transform us, to change our characters. "Notwithstanding the prevailing iniquity, there was a line of holy men who, elevated and ennobled by communion with God, lived as in the companionship of heaven. They were men of massive intellect, of wonderful attainments. They had a great and holy mission--to develop a character of righteousness, to teach a lesson of godliness, not only to the men of their time, but for future generations. Only a few of the most prominent are mentioned in the Scriptures; but all through the ages God had faithful witnesses, true-hearted worshipers.

How often those who trusted the word of God, though in themselves utterly helpless, have withstood the power of the whole world--Enoch, pure in heart, holy in life, holding fast his faith in the triumph of righteousness against a corrupt and scoffing generation; Noah and his household against the men of his time, men of the greatest physical and mental strength and the most debased in morals; the children of Israel at the Red Sea, a helpless, terrified multitude of slaves, against the mightiest army of the mightiest nation on the globe; David, a shepherd lad, having God's promise of the throne, against Saul, the established monarch, bent on holding fast his power; Shadrach and his companions in the fire, and Nebuchadnezzar on the throne; Daniel among the lions, his enemies in the high places of the kingdom; Jesus on the cross, and the Jewish priests and rulers forcing even the Roman governor to work their will; Paul in chains led to a criminal's death, Nero the despot of a world empire.

Such examples are not found in the Bible only. They abound in every record of human progress. The Vaudois and the Huguenots, Wycliffe and Huss, Jerome and Luther, Tyndale and Knox, Zinzendorf and Wesley, with multitudes of others have witnessed to the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil. These are the world's true nobility." Conflict and Courage; pg.9.

Be a Daniel! Be an influence for Christ! Be a savor of life unto life. Time is running out. If not today, then when? The choice is ours. Want a fancy car, a large new home, or expensive clothes? Go for it, but think about it first. If you want the things  of this world today, then you are giving up your inheritance of tomorrow. And, like the young man who received his inheritance to enjoy the pleasures of this world, he landed in a pigpen without any friends. The worldly pleasures of this world are fleeting deceptions. They do not make one truly happy as does sharing Jesus with those who know Him not.

If you find yourself in a conference in rebellion, look around. What do you see? Reason from cause to effect. Who elected the delegate to your conference constituency meeting? He was at the meeting that elected your conference president, secretary, and treasurer. The conference business is not a rubber stamp. What happens at the constituency meeting is up to the church  delegates that vote. Twenty years ago I stood before my local conference constituency meeting with a resolution to support the decision of the General Conference to not ordain women pastors. The conference had asked me to withdraw the resolution numerous times before the constituency meeting. I refused. The conference secretary stood before the meeting opposing the resolution telling us there was no need to vote yes on the matter because the conference was bound by its bylaws to follow all General Conference regulations. The constituency followed the reasoning of the conference leaders and voted no on the resolution. Not long after that my local conference voted to ordain women pastors.

These are only symptoms of a much deeper problem. It is very sad, but many of the division leaders in both the NAD and the TED need to have a conversion experience. A vast majority of the NAD and TED leaders voted to rebel against the General Conference. It is one thing to disagree, it is altogether another  matter to outright go contrary to church law and Bible truth. The church remains in a Laodicean condition. The problem begins with unconverted pastors baptizing unconverted men and women. "The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ."  Vol. 6, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary; pg 1075.

False teaching pervades the church on the very foundation of our faith. How many NAD and TED pastors understand and agree with this truth: "Holiness is wholeness to God. The soul is surrendered to God. The will, and even the thoughts, are brought into subjection to the will of Christ. The love of Jesus fills the soul, and is constantly going out in a clear, refreshing stream, to make glad the hearts of others."  Ibid. pg. 1076.

According to the New Testament writings of the Apostle Paul many of these leaders in the NAD and TED are accursed. Paul says that those who have brought a false gospel into God's church are accursed. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8,9.

Achan had brought an accursed thing into the camp of Israel as they were on their exodus out of Egypt. "Accursed" is a very strong word to be used to identify those who have brought a false gospel into the church. Here is a passage from Joshua that describes what it means  to have an accursed thing  in the church. "Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you." Don't think the church will be blessed as long as we allow these false teachers to continue to teach false gospels in the church. God will allow us to continue to suffer as long as the accursed remain.

Come let us reason together saith the Lord. Reason from cause to effect. As long as we have the blind leading the blind, then we remain a blind people. Many want to kill the messenger, but don't argue with me. It is Jesus that tells us we are a blind  people, but He tells us this in an effort to save us from ourselves and our blind  leaders. Jesus gives us the solution to our lost condition. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Revelation. 3:17-22.

It would be good to spend a thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Jesus. For it is by beholding His character that we are changed into  the same character (2 Cor. 3:18). Matthew 24 tells  us the end is at hand. We see the world is as it was at the  time of the great flood, a sign that Jesus is coming very soon. America has reached across the abyss and is walking  hand in hand with the papacy. Have you considered what is about to happen in America with the campaign for the upcoming presidential election? A Seventh-day Adventist is on the campaign trail. What does this mean? Can it have a bearing on the soon coming of Jesus? I think so.

"I saw that the holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between the true Israel of God and unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is the great question, to unite the hearts of God's dear waiting saints...I saw that God had children, who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth, and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, God's chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. And I saw the sword, famine, pestilence, and great confusion in the land. The wicked thought that we had brought the judgments down on them. They rose up and took counsel to rid the earth of us, thinking that then the evil would be stayed." Broadside 3.

Notice that when the Sabbath is being brought to the attention of the world, there is a reaction because it is the truth especially controverted and cannot be refuted by Bible truth. It appears that God may not be waiting on us to begin this last act in the drama of the ages. He has been waiting on us for over 170 years. Something comes to mind when we see the pope coming to address the American Congress, and Dr. Ben Carson high in the polls for U.S. president. Do you recall one of the female candidates seeking the same position as Ben Carson, the Republican nomination for president four years ago, Michele Bachmann? It seems she had a problem that caused her to leave her church. "Michele Bachmann has removed her membership from a church in Minnesota which teaches the pope is the anti-Christ. Bachmann was asked about the church’s statement when she was running for Congress five years ago. 'It's abhorrent, it's religious bigotry, I love Catholics, I'm a Christian, and my church does not believe that the pope is the antichrist, that's absolutely false.'”  abibleanswer.org  She left that Lutheran Church when she found out it was true, her church does teach the pope is the anti-Christ.

That is not the only Seventh-day Adventist teaching that will come up in the next year as Dr. Carson and his beliefs are scrutinized with a fine tooth comb. What will Dr. Carson do on the Sabbath Day when meetings may be scheduled or work is to be done? The Sabbath will come to the attention of many who have no idea there is such a thing, or at least not that it is on the seventh day or that it is still binding, or that it means just what the fourth commandment says. "The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." When professing Protestants and Catholics who like his conservative positions on many issues discover just what Seventh-day Adventists believe, including Sabbath worship and rest, there will be arguments over these doctrines. If not in the primary election, absolutely in the election in November when the Democrats take aim if he is the Republican candidate.

But, astute Republicans are wise enough to see what lies ahead if he is their candidate. As attractive as he looks today, that can all change rapidly when church doctrine enters the debates. Of course this can all be dodged by Dr. Carson if he substitutes Sunday worship for Sabbath Worship. If this were to happen, then preparing a people for the second coming will be delayed until Seventh-day Adventists do the work of proclaiming the Sabbath more fully. That will require a revival and reformation in the church called by Jesus, Laodicea. That revival will begin with individuals seeking Christ. The question again to be asked is "what shall I do"? If we want to see a transformation in the Netherlands Union and the Pacific Union, then we need to see a revival in those union's churches. It begins with us. If we want consecrated leaders, then it will take consecrated church members to elect them.

It is past time that we buy "gold tried in the fire", "white raiment", and "eyesalve". What is the cost? We must give up our sin polluted hearts to Jesus. What a deal! Jesus stands at the door knocking, wanting in. Has He not done enough for us that we would finally let Him in? It is true, dying to self is the hardest battle we shall ever fight, but if we will go to Jesus, just as we are, if we listen to Him when He says "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst....I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world," what is the greatest battle ever fought will be won through the power of His grace. If we will feed upon Jesus, if we will spend that hour each day learning of Him, seeing His great sacrifice for us while we are yet sinners, then we shall be changed into His image from glory unto glory! It is a Bible promise that cannot fail!

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on October 26, 2015, 06:08:08 AM
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Will I Receive  the Latter Rain? - Part One
by Richard Myers
October 6, 2015

Who will receive the Latter Rain? Has the Latter Rain begun to fall? Has the Latter Rain ever begun to fall? What is the Latter Rain? These are all very important questions that involve each of us. Deceptions abound in the world and in the church. Satan has had 6,000 years to prepare for this day. If we think the deceptions ceased long ago, we will certainly be surprised when we find out that most professing Christians are on the wrong side of the  battle between good and evil. As it  was in the days of Israel when they, the chosen people of God, put to death God's dear Son, so it is today. It will be the  professed people of God that persecute those who love God and  keep His commandments.

There are many that have been encouraging church members to pray for the Latter Rain. That would seem to be good counsel. But, what if a Laodicean was praying  for the Latter Rain not knowing it would not fall upon him? To encourage those who have never received the "Former Rain" to pray for the "Latter Rain" would seem to be aiding Satan in his work of keeping the blind blind.

Why is it necessary for the Christian to be receiving the Former Rain before he can receive the Latter Rain? We first need to understand what we are speaking of when we say Former and  Latter Rain. We need to understand the purpose God has in sending the "Rain" upon His children. What is the Latter Rain?

As diligent Bible students, we first turn, not to man, but to  Scripture to understand what God means. The first mention of the term latter rain in found in Deuteronomy, verses 13 and 14 in chapter 11. "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil."

Here we see the use of latter rain, but rather than "former rain", we find "first rain". We find the object lesson in nature. God gives humanity rain that we might have food. Both the first rain which gets the seed to germinate and starts the growth of the plant, then the latter rain that brings the crop to maturity and the harvest. And again in Joel: "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil." 2:23,24. Here we see the term "former rain" being used to describe the "first rain".

Here are two last verses to study that we might understand the Spiritual application when using the term "Latter Rain". "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James  5:7,8.

James is here pointing us to the spiritual lesson using the  early and latter rain. As the plant cannot grow without the rain, both the former and the latter, so it  is with the Christian in the last days just before the coming of Christ. James tells  us the "husbandman" waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth." We, too, are to be patient, preparing our hearts for the soon coming of Jesus. As the plants need rain to live, so  it is with us, we need God. Jesus has left this Earth, but before leaving He made a promise that we would not be left alone. He promised the Comforter, the  Holy  Spirit. That Gift was richly poured out on the Day of Pentecost when great power came upon those in the upper room. Before  the disciples could receive the pouring out of the Spirit, there was a work to do. So it is in our day. If we wish  to glorify God by receiving the Holy Spirit in great power (the Latter Rain), we must first have received the Former Rain.

The "Early Rain" or "Former  Rain" is understood in two ways. First it was poured out on the  Day of Pentecost. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4. This pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost will be seen again as the Latter Rain in our day, but in greater measure.

Secondly, we use the term Former Rain as pertaining to the receiving of the Holy Spirit prior to our receiving the Latter Rain. If we are not receiving the  Spirit in the Former Rain, we shall not be given greater amounts of the Spirit when the Latter Rain falls. While there is associated with the Latter Rain, great power as on the Day of Pentecost, more important is what the Latter Rain reveals to those who are seeking more light. It is true there will be additional truths made known, but that is not what is most  important.

Before revealing the blessing to be poured out, let's consider the office of the Holy Spirit. For what purpose are we given the Holy Spirit?  What did Jesus say when He  promised the Spirit would come? "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26. It is the work of  the third person of the godhead to reveal truth to us. He is the great Teacher, without which our minds could  not  be enlightened.

Before the Spirit will come into the  heart of the sinner, there must first be a work done in the life of the sinner. He must be brought to repentance. What causes this repentance  not to be repented of? Is it not the "goodness  of God"? Until there is  "godly sorrow" for what we have done to the bleeding Lamb of God, there is no repentance not to be repented of. How  is it we come to know  of this great unmerited gift which  is offered to us at such a great  price? It is through  the teaching of the  Holy Spirit. He is the One that is revealing the  stripes laid upon our Lord, the  stripes which ought to have been mine and yours. We are saved by grace. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us that grace which  surrounds us as thick as the air we breathe.

Now we are beginning to see a picture develop in which  the Holy Spirit plays the important role. Who was it that caused you to fall on your face because standing on your feet was too high in the presence of our God? If you have seen God, then it was the Holy Spirit that revealed Him. As you read about Jesus, as you listen to His  Words, it is the Spirit revealing that unfathomable love. It is the Spirit of God seeking entrance into your heart. If you deny Jesus,  through  the Holy Spirit, your whole heart, then what do you think He can do when you ask  for the  Latter Rain which is the Holy Spirit in greater measure?

The Latter Rain is already beginning to fall. Will it fall on all who profess to be Christians? We know it won't. Will it fall on all Seventh-day Adventists? We know it won't. Will it fall on you, or will fall all around you?  "Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it." FLB 333

Do you wish to know more about the loveliness of Jesus? If so, then the Spirit is teaching you each day. If your study is not the goodness of God, then how can the Holy Spirit fall on you in great power. The all important theme the Latter Rain will bring  is the righteousness of Christ. These are not words when falling, but it is the grace of God revealed in the  character of our Savior and God. I pray this has inspired an interest in the righteousness of Christ and what the Spirit is attempting to do in our lives.
 
There will soon be only two classes of people in the world. Those who have the seal  of God, and  those who do not. Today is the day of salvation. Soon Jesus will throw down His censor and leave the precincts of the heavenly Sanctuary never more  to forgive  sins. He delays this departure and His coming  in glory, that those of us who are not yet  prepared to live in a heavenly kingdom where there is no sin, might gain the  experience necessary to fit  us for such a home. It is only through grace this  may be obtained. It  is  only through the work  of the Holy Spirit that we can see how far short we come, in and of ourselves, in being prepared to meet Jesus. It is the Spirit indwelling the heart that empowers a sinner to become a partaker of God's divine  nature. It is Christ through the Spirit that transforms the character of the truly converted Christian..

It would be well to heed the counsel of the true Witness, to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and  eye salve. If we do not yet understand what this means, then let us pray to God for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes that we might see. It would also be well to spend  a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the  life of Christ, especially the closing scenes. While we have been teaching from the Bible, I would be remiss if I did not testify to two things. It is by beholding Jesus in a book called The Desire of Ages that I have had so clear a revelation of my Lord that I know I  am too high when  fallen on my face. And, as I have come in contact  with others of our  faith,  I also testify that those who  I have found to be standing firmly on the Rock  of our salvation have  also been beholding Jesus in the same manner. This most beautiful revelation of Christ is God's gift to the world that we might know Him who gave all for us while we were yet sinners.

It is not too late to turn to Jesus with the whole heart. Pray, "Lord take my heart for I cannot give it, I believe take away my unbelief." Sincerely praying this, Christ will not desert you. The Holy Spirit is searching the Earth for all who are seeking to give their hearts to Christ. May God forgive us our sins, cleanse our hearts, and prepare us for the battle that has begun in earnest and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Latter Rain power.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on October 26, 2015, 06:09:39 AM
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Newsletter - October 25, 2015

Laodicean Condition of Church
by E.G. White

In many of our organized churches the banner of truth is trailing in the dust because the members are not doing service to God, but are serving their own pleasure. They work through the influences that surround the soul. By precept and example, in self-indulgence, in their worldly habits of dress, in their words and actions, they testify against the truth, against self-denial, against the meekness of Christ. They are cold spiritually, and far separated from Christ. If they followed in the footsteps of Christ, they would be partakers of His self-denial, of His self-sacrifice, that they might lift up and save the souls that are ready to perish. 
 
The talents entrusted to men may be used in an unconsecrated manner, by doing a good action from impulse in a haphazard way, refusing to see opportunities that are close by and that should claim the attention. Many practice self-denial and self-sacrifice by fits and starts. They need to seek the wisdom that comes from God alone. They need to consult their Leader. They need to do much praying, much trusting in Jesus Christ that His Holy Spirit may work in them, revealing a straightforward course of service which God will approve, and which will be a benefit and blessing to many souls. The consecration of all our words and actions to God makes us His witnesses. It develops a character that is the result of cherishing the truth in all its principles. Truth is not a cheap commodity; it is as precious gold, tried in the fire.

We pass through this world but once. Let every step taken by those who claim to be sons and daughters of God be forward. Listen to the words of Christ: He that "will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" [Matthew 16:24]. This alone will designate each of us as His disciples. Are we witnessing before the angels of heaven and before the worlds unfallen that we as human beings recognize that we understand what this means, "Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20]. 
 
Entire consecration to God, living an undivided heart-life of service, this is a living testimony to the world that you recognize your accountability to improve. Every entrusted talent is to be treated as absolutely and really belonging to Him whose you are by creation and redemption. Consecration of words, of voice, of every work, is needed. This act of sanctification of soul, body, and spirit is not an act on the part of the human agent of creating anything and rendering it to God. All we have is from God and by Him. It is just as much His, if we do not recognize it thus and take some credit to ourselves. By consecrating all to God, you are simply showing the angels of heaven that you recognize that soul, body, and spirit belong to the Lord, and are to be devoted to His service.

The talent given to the unprofitable servant, which he wrapped in a napkin and buried in the earth, was the Lord's own, entrusted to the servant for use. It was to be so used that it would gain other talents. Our life is to be a life of earnest, thoughtful service to God. Those who feel no real obligation to represent the truth in life and character, who do not testify to the power of the grace of Christ by revealing the reformation it has wrought in them, fail to exalt the law of God before those whose characters are demonstrated in making that law void by their wrong principles.

The true commandment-keeping people of God show to the world a character of unspotted integrity, testifying by their own course of action that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Thus the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, through His obedience to the law of God, exalted and made that law honorable. God will surely condemn every member of every church claiming to be Seventh-day Adventist, who is not doing Him service, but through pride, selfishness, and worldliness, is showing that the truth of heavenly origin has not worked a reformation in his character.

Please read carefully Revelation 3:15-18. The voice of Jesus Christ is heard. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore [not half-hearted], and repent. Behold, I [your Saviour] stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with My Father in His throne" [Revelation 3:19-21].

Will the churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that the most solemn message of truth--the third angel's message--is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin? This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world. If the church of God becomes lukewarm, it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments. 
 
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" [1 John 2:4]. This includes all who claim to have a knowledge of God, and to keep His commandments, but who do not manifest this by good works. They will receive according to their deeds. "Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him" [1 John 3:6]. This is addressed to all church members, including the members of the Seventh-day Adventist churches. "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" [1 John 3:7-10].

All who claim to be Sabbath-keeping Adventists, and yet continue in sin, are liars in God's sight. Their sinful course is counterworking the work of God. They are leading others into sin. The word comes from God to every member of our churches, "And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears" [Hebrews 12:13-17]. 
 
This is applicable to many who claim to believe the truth. Rather than give up their lustful practices, they venture on in a wrong line of education under Satan's deceiving sophistry. Sin is not discerned as sinful. Their very consciences are defiled, their hearts are corrupted, even the thoughts are continually corrupt. Satan uses them as decoys to lure souls to unclean practices which defile the whole being. "He that despised Moses" law [which was the law of God] died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" [Hebrews 10:28-31]. --Letter 35, 1898.

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Mimi on November 03, 2015, 04:40:44 AM
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Will I Receive  the Latter Rain? - Part Two
by Richard Myers
November 3, 2015

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12.

Many trust in the "arm of flesh" and are deceived with human wisdom. Yet, God has at great expense provided an opportunity for all sinners to be saved. We are granted a period of probation in which we can learn of God. If we will avail ourselves of the opportunity time affords, if we will study the light given, then there is the hope that we will be transformed in character so that we will be prepared for heaven. We are given precious promises. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30. Our part in the plan of salvation is to come to Jesus just as we are. Our part is immeasurably small, God's part is immeasurably large.

The Latter Rain is not necessary for you and I to be saved today. But, it will come as promised. As we discovered in our last  message, it will only come to those who have the Spirit of God in their hearts, those who are walking in the Spirit and keeping the commandments of God.

In part one we quoted Deuteronomy chapter 11, verses 13 and 14: "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil."

If God requires we love Him with the whole heart and with all of the soul in order to receive rain for our crops, do we then suppose He will require less in order to receive His  Holy Spirit in Latter Rain power? This brings us full circle to the truth we saw last month. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead is the Teacher of truth. His work is to reveal the character of God to the sinner. Before He can really do that, He must reveal to the sinner, he is a sinner in need of God. Many in this world believe they are good. They were reared with good characters. But, they do not know of what nature they really are. Given a certain situation, all who are not born again of God's Spirit will reveal the selfish fallen nature given to every human ever born. We come into this world in need of a Savior, in need to be transformed in nature. Our fallen nature is justly condemned for it can do no good thing until reconciled to God. When we make a full surrender of self, the Holy Spirit takes possession of the heart and we become partakers of a new nature, God's divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.

To pray for the Latter Rain in our fallen condition will avail nothing. Until we see who we are apart from God, we see no  need to seek out a Savior. It is when we understand we are condemned because of our nature, and when we have tried to do good, but cannot, that we then begin to seek an answer to our inability to cease sinning. It is then that we cry out "O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the  body of this death?"  It is then that the commandment, which was ordained to life, we find to be unto death. It is then that the law has done its work as the "schoolmaster" in pointing us to the Savior who only has the power to  deliver us from captivity to the law of sin which is in our members.

Again, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in first revealing our wretched nature and condemnation, and then to reveal the grace of God. When we read of Jesus standing at the door of the heart knocking, it is the Holy Spirit that is pleading with the sinner to cease resisting Christ's immeasurable love. It is through the Spirit that Christ indwells the heart of the penitent. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we have known the grace of God. The "goodness of God" that leads us to repentance is revealed by the third person of the Godhead when the Former Rain has fallen.

What we are attempting to show is the direct relationship between the "Former Rain" and conversion, without which one  cannot receive the Latter Rain. When building a house, do we ask for roofing shingles before we pour the foundation of the house?  So it would be by asking for the Latter Rain before we have sought the Holy Spirit that we might be transformed in character. Jesus made it perfectly clear that none will enter heaven unless born of the Spirit, for that which is born of the flesh is flesh and cannot enter heaven. The fallen flesh is evil by nature and must be replaced at the second coming. Jesus told Nicodemus "that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."  When Jesus returns in His glory, all who have been born of the Spirit will receive new bodies, but will keep the character given and formed after conversion.

The Holy Spirit, the True Witness who is inspiring the Laodicean message and its application to the church today, also has inspired the solution given in that message. What does God hope to achieve with the giving of the Laodicean message today? The same He hoped to achieve shortly after He was baptized in the River Jordan. He continued giving the message John the Baptist had been giving. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15.

We find Jesus saying the same to us today. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation  3:19-21.

Jesus loves us, He died for all in the world while we were yet sinners. He wants to bring us to repentance just as He wanted to bring Israel to repentance. Many are called, but few choose to come to Christ even though He is drawing all. The solution given in the Laodicean message is the same message given to Nicodemus who came to Jesus in the Garden under cover of darkness. It is also the same message given to the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1888 by Waggoner and Jones. It is also the same message given to the church prior to 1888 and for another 25 years by Ellen White. We will discuss this more in part three, the last part of this series on the Latter Rain.

What is this "solution" given to Nicodemus, and seen in the third chapter of Revelation, and in the 1888 message? How does it bring a sinner to repentance and what has it to do with the Latter Rain? In our last message we revealed from Scripture how it is that God  brings one to repentance. Let us repeat this since it is so important. All else is built upon this truth.There are two verses that speak directly to this. "Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Romans 2:4. It is a knowledge of God's character that transforms a sinner into a saint. When Satan sinned, he did so with a knowledge of God's character. He could not be  brought to repentance for he sinned despite knowing the goodness of God. There was nothing more God could show him. But,  with man it is different. We have been deceived about God's character. Through a knowledge of His character, by a revelation of His love, we may be reconciled with Him.

The second verse is like the first, it is a revelation of His love with the added thought that I have wounded the One who gave  all for me. "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of." 2 Corinthians 7:10. When I see His great love for me and understand it was my sins that put Him on the cross, it is then that grace is revealed, the highest of all forms of love. For His love is unmerited love. He loves us in our sins. We do not deserve it, we deserve death. He has proved His love and by His stripes we are healed.

This being the foundation of conversion, how is it seen in the three messages we speak of? Let's start with the Laodicean message. Here is the solution given to those who are blind to their lost condition. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Revelation 3:18.

What is "gold tried in the fire"? It is faith that works by love. Faith in what? In God. How do we get that faith? To each is given a measure of faith, but that is not enough or else all would be saved. We need "saving faith". We are told how to obtain more faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. But, what is the motivation for the Laodicean to hear the Word? Let the sinner find himself in the "fire" and see if his faith in God will grow. I can testify that I became a Christian  because I was in the "fire" and had no place to turn except to God. As I read my Bible I discovered  God's character of love and my faith was settled and has never been moved. Yes, I have  sinned, but never have doubted God's love and truth. In other words, it is by understanding God's love for us that our faith becomes steadfast so that we are converted from unbelief to trusting God with the whole heart and soul. This is how God purifies the heart at our conversion, this is gold tried in the fire. This is faith that works by His love.

When in an unconverted state we are indeed "naked". The problem for the Laodicean is he does not know he is shamefully naked. Christ has promised us "white raiment" to cover our black shame. We see here God promising to give us what we don't have. He will give us a pure and holy character. What will this cost us? We must surrender our pride and sinfulness. Is this too much to ask? For many, yes. But, if we will come to Jesus just as we are, He can make us willing to give up our filthy garments for white ones. He will bring us to repentance. It is then that Jesus gives the command "take away the filthy garments from him....I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." Zechariah 3:4. Born of His Spirit, the character is changed. We then being partakers of His nature, filled with His Spirit, manifest all of the fruits of His Spirit. He writes His law upon the heart. This is the white raimant He has promised to all who will come to Him.

And, for the blind, God has promised He will send the Holy Spirit that we might see. What does this cost? Nothing from us, if will but ask for it. The price was paid at the cross. As a father, I enjoy giving my children good gifts. I don't do it at Christmas or on their birthdays when gifts are expected. I want them to know I love them and it pleases me to give them things on any day, when it is not expected. "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:11-13. Ask that you might see, and you shall receive the Spirit of truth.

We find the solution to our lostness in Christ. There is a condition to receiving these promises. We must come to Jesus just as we are. We must spend time with Him that we might know Him, know of His love and grace.

Let's turn to Nicodemus and see what Jesus pointed him to that he might be born again of the Spirit. After telling Nicodemus he was not converted and did not have eternal life, did He leave Nicodemus without any understanding of what he must do in order to be born again (converted)? Is that the character of the God we love? Absolutely not. Jesus did reveal to Nicodemus how to be converted, how to be transformed in character.

After the reproof, Nicodemus then asked Jesus "how can these things be?" John 3:9. Jesus answered, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14,15. Is this similar to what we read in Revelation? Yes, it is. We saw in Revelation that it is Jesus that saves. We must have faith in Him. In order to have faith, we must learn of His love. So it is here revealed on that dark night in the Garden. Jesus is telling Nicodemus to consider what God required in order to save those bitten by serpents almost 2,000 years earlier. We remember the story how the Israelites were complaining about how bad things were. God had kept the poisonous snakes out of their camp, but now He wants to help them understand He loves them and has been protecting them. Sadly, human nature does not easily see God's love nor humanity's vileness. But, when God's protecting hand is removed, then man can better see his vulnerability and his need of help. When the bombs begin to fall, there are few atheists in foxholes.

"And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." Numbers  21:5-9.

Was there mystical power in the brass serpent? Of course not. Then what healed those who had been bitten and looked upon it? Since God commanded it and made the promise, then it was God who healed those who looked upon the uplifted serpent. For what purpose did God choose this method, and  why did Jesus speak of it? What has it to  do with the conversion of Nicodemus? It was an  object lesson to teach the  Israelites, Nicodemus, and us that there is power in looking up. There is power to save all who have been bitten by sin IF we will look. Look at what? Why was Moses commanded to make a snake? It is not good enough to know God loves the world. We must know that He loves those who put Him on the cross. That means we must understand He took our sins upon Himself, that He was made sin for us. Yes, the serpent represents sin. It was because He took our sins upon Himself that He was lifted up on the cross. It is by beholding Jesus taking the stipes that we deserve that we are saved. It is called grace, unmertied favor. Nicodemus must see the Messiah in a different light than he had been taught. He must look upon Jesus as a Lamb led  to the slaughter to pay the price for his sins. It is by grace that we are saved. It was by beholding Jesus on the cross that Nicodemus was saved.

Jesus was lifted up as He prophesied in John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." If we will behold Him lifted up, we shall be saved just as surely as those who were bitten by the serpents lived when they looked upon the uplifted serpent. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes which reveal our uplifted Savior.

Jesus wants us to know Him. Our heavenly Father wants us to know Him, He wants to give us the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised  to send Him that we would know this important truth. This is the "Former Rain" that we have been speaking of. If we want the Latter Rain, if we want to live, then we must fall in love with our God. Jesus said we must drink His blood and eat His flesh. If we want to have physical life, we must eat our daily bread. If we want to have spiritual life, we must feed upon the Bread of Life which came down from heaven. "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35.

Where do we find Jesus that we may behold Him? First, in the Word. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14. Then, God sent a prophet in our day who gave us the Desire of Ages which is the most beautiful revelation of Christ. And lastly, we see God in nature. Even with sin having perverted man and nature, we still see the handwriting of God in His creation. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork." Psalms 19:1. The Sabbath was given that we might take time to remember God's love for us as we contemplate what He created for us. It also testifies to His power to not only create, but to re-create fallen man in His image.
                                                                                                                                                                         
And when we are re-created and filled with His Spirit, we will press together with others who are likewise filled with the Spirit of God. The Latter  Rain will be poured out and we shall receive even greater revelations of our God. Jesus will continue to add to our number until the glory of God will lighten the earth. Amid the darkness of this Earth, God's church will be filled with His glory, a testimony to the power of His grace.

Let us behold our uplifted Savior that we might live and give glory to Him. By beholding His immeasurable love, we shall be transformed into His image from glory unto glory. It is an unfailing promise!

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on February 05, 2016, 08:53:36 PM
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The Enoch Walk
by Sean Brizendine
December 1, 2015



“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24.

As we near the close of the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan on Earth before the glorious second coming of Jesus, so many competing voices call for our attention. To which voice will we give heed? We are invited in God’s word to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. When every other voice is hushed, and in silence we wait before Him, the quietness of our souls allows the voice of God through sincere prayer to be more clearly heard. As Enoch beheld the prevailing iniquity surrounding him in his time before the Flood, he found it necessary to withdraw from constant association with people, and to spend much time with God in prayer and meditation.

The theme that so deeply moved Enoch’s heart was the infinite love of God. And this very theme is to be prominent in all our presentations of the gospel as it is in truth: the love that would lead the Father to give His only begotten Son to come and be born a helpless babe in Bethlehem, subject to the weakness of humanity, to live a life on earth with the risk of failure and loss for eternity. Not only did Christ come to our world to live for us, but He endured the most horrific death on account our sins, feeling the horror of divine justice against transgression, and in dying for us, makes the way of salvation available to all. Let us behold the Lamb of God! Let us meditate upon the matchless gift of God for a world that did not love Him! Through an entire surrender to Him, our sinful hearts can be replaced by the miraculous gift of a new heart! “A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26-27. The sure result of a union with Christ by faith is the evidence of His presence by the Holy Spirit. The word of God takes root in our lives: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” How is this fullness seen? Like the bright light of the sun containing every hue of the spectrum of color, Christ’s presence in the new heart by the Holy Spirit will reveal all each of His attributes. When we live by faith on the Son of God, His abiding presence means that all the fruits of the Spirit are present in the life—not one will be missing! Let us praise God for the assurance that “the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.” Proverbs 12:12. And these are the fruits He graciously fills us with, to be manifest to all in blessing: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

When Christ abides within you, His presence cannot be hidden, as is manifest by His Spirit. But if we choose to sin against God, His presence is no longer abiding in the heart—not that He leaves us to be lost, but that He takes the earnest position of seeking to arouse us to our need of being justified again by His blood, through confession of our sin to Him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. The only thing Christ hated on earth was sin—and that was because it separates humanity from God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2. But praise God, we do not have a picture in the Scriptures of God indifferently leaving us alone in our sins to die—no, no! His assurance is clear: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. The problem is not God forsaking humanity, but humanity turning from God. The fearful warning of trifling with sin is shown in the words of the wise man: “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22. By persistently refusing to surrender to God, the heart becomes hardened, no longer desiring to heed the invitation of Christ, and becoming less and less capable of yielding to Him. How important then that we continually behold Him, yield to Him, and if we sin—surrender to Him in penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross, knowing He will take us back in His arms of love—for He has sought us out! Thankfully, He earnestly seeks us back as straying sheep, calling to our hearts, knocking on the door of the hearts for entrance that we would choose to surrender anew to Him: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. Let us make it our prayer, then, that Christ will keep us abiding in Him.

But sadly, many who profess the name of Christ fulfill the prediction of the last days in the following words: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. The last point is so powerful—having a “form of godliness”—but there is no power in the life. What is the power we need?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17. The power we so need is the power of the gospel—not preached merely, but lived! Enoch exemplified the gospel because He understood the importance of deep, meaningful communion with God. How well would it be if each of us, without giving first concern or thought to all the pressing duties of the day, would spend a thoughtful hour in contemplation of Christ’s life for us, with a special focus upon what He has done for us in the closing scenes of His earthly life. Let us in imagination grasp the meaning of His sacrifice, and let us allow sacred emotions to rise in our hearts as we reflect upon His ministry now for us in the sanctuary above: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16.

Soon Jesus is to come—but the experience of faith needed is only possible when constrained by the active love of Christ in our hearts. That which we most need is “faith which worketh by love.” Galatians 5:6. But the love we are to behold is substantial—it is the love of God revealed in Christ, shown in His word, and beautifully exemplified in the book The Desire of Ages. What a privilege and opportunity we have to come to Him today with hearts willing to be shaped and molded by His divine grace. And as we contemplate His word and works in nature, as we take time from the intense strain of life’s activities to commune with God as did Enoch, our hearts, like those of the disciples on the road to Emmaus will also burn within us. “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:31-32.

To know God is to love Him. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3. What a privilege is afforded us to choose to continually abide with Christ. Learn to cultivate the habitual sense of His presence by praying without ceasing—even amid the daily duties of your life. When you have the opportunity, take time for memorization of Scripture, meditation upon God’s word, and sincere prayer. Let your whole life breathe out the fragrance of His holiness, as did Enoch’s life. In love and mercy, God did not permit His faithful servant to pass to the grave. He was the first to be translated to heaven, for He had the testimony of faith! “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5.

God is faithful, and He will fulfill His word to the weakest of His saints who choose to trust Him, as their relationship with Him is motivated by His infinite love. “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-13. None of us has any power to withstand temptation apart from Christ abiding in our hearts, as Paul could honestly confess in his agonizing struggle of being convicted of His sinfulness but unconverted in the experience of Christ abiding within Him: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” The power we need is the power of of God’s grace in the life, that which Christ imparts to us: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4. God’s goodness is what makes repentance possible—it is not something we achieve apart from Him. “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31. Yet He will not force His way—He asks for complete surrender!

May this day be a day of translation preparation. For Enoch’s holy life is a witness of the kind of lives God will have among His faithful whom He will translate to heaven: “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:3-5. May your whole soul’s desire be to remain, moment by moment, abiding in Christ, bearing fruit to His glory. Through the grace of God afforded in Christ, impelled forward by the Holy Spirit, may you even now, through entire surrender of your heart, mind, and will to Him, begin—or continue—the Enoch walk.
 

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on February 05, 2016, 09:03:10 PM
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Will I Receive the Latter Rain?- Part Three
 
by Richard Myers
January 6, 2016



 
As we begin a new year, we think of how close we are to the end of this world's history. Will it be two years, five years, or longer? We don't know, but we know it is coming very soon. All of the signs of the times are fast fulfilling. When the pope stands in front of the leaders of the Congress of the United States of America, and they are both Roman Catholic, and he addresses a joint session of Congress, we know the end is near. The pope supports the "global warming" theory. And now the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence is pushing a "green sabbath" rest. The sun day is gaining momentum and the world is wondering after the beast.
 
It may be that your time or my time will end in this world before Jesus returns. Who knows but God, how much time individuals have left. Today may be our last day. Are you ready to have your character judged? What is the standard in the judgment? It is the law of God. Are we keeping the commandments of God.....from the heart? If we are doing as did Paul before his conversion when he was "blameless", we will not inherit eternal life. Our faith cannot be of the flesh, but of the Spirit that allows Christ to impute and impart His righteousness to us. When we make a full surrender of all we are and all we have, He then takes possession of the heart and writes His law therein. Paul finally understood. "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Philippians 3:4-6. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:3-9.

Our righteousness must be pure and holy, it must be that which can only come from a heart purified by the Spirit of Christ. The law, the law, the law cannot save, it can only reveal our condemnation if we are not obeying from the heart. We understand the law has not been abolished, it is still binding, all of the moral law. The ceremonial and the civil laws are not binding, but all moral law remains as our guide to morality.
 
In our first two articles in this series we spoke of our need to be born again in order to receive the latter rain, that it will only fall upon those who have received the "former rain". We understand the direct relationship between the Holy Spirit and the reception of both the former rain and the latter rain. Let's review this statement again: "Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it." FLB 333

Notice "we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain." There are manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit that is residing in all who are converted and are receiving what the latter rain brings. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. How many today understand what was poured out in the church in 1888 by the Holy Spirit? The latter rain was falling and yet so few understood it. They did not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that were being poured out upon those who were converted and open to more of the Spirit.

In our second message in this series we made reference to the Laodicean message given by Jesus to us, the message given to Nicodemus by Jesus, and the message brought to the church in 1888 as the latter rain began to fall. All three messages were designed to reveal the need to be converted and to bring about a conversion experience. Whether it be one individual as with Nicodemus, or a whole church that is being addressed, the message is the same.

In 1888 the church had been backslidden for many years. It had been preaching the law, the law, the law until the church was as dry as the hills of Gilboa. "As a people, we have preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law, and there will be sap and nourishment in the preaching that will be as food to the famishing flock of God. We must not trust in our own merits at all, but in the merits of Jesus of Nazareth. Our eyes must be anointed with eye-salve. We must draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to us, if we come in his own appointed way. O that you may go forth as the disciples did after the day of Pentecost, and then your testimony will have a living ring, and souls will be converted to God." 1888, pg 560.

Notice the solution was not to do away with the law, but to "preach Christ in the law". The law was given that we might see our sins and know that we are condemned. Remove the law and the sinner will not see he is sick and in need of a physician. Christ came to save the lost, but He cannot save those who do not see they are lost, the Laodiceans. We see a direct parallel between the message to the Laodiceans and the 1888 message in that both were to a lost church, and both presented Christ as the only solution. The essence of the messages being given in 1888 was Jesus and the sinners great need of Him. The messages to Nicodemus, to the Laoicean church, and the message to the church in 1888 were all rebukes, but also were encouraging messages for they presented the solution to the sinner's lost condition, Jesus Christ.

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Though the professed followers of Christ are in a deplorable condition, they are not yet in so desperate a strait as were the foolish virgins whose lamps were going out, and there was no time in which to replenish their vessels with oil. When the bridegroom came, those that were ready went in with him to the wedding; but when the foolish virgins came, the door was shut, and they were too late to obtain an entrance.   
     But the counsel of the true Witness does not represent those who are lukewarm as in a hopeless case. There is yet a chance to remedy their state, and the Laodicean message is full of encouragement; for the backslidden church may yet buy the gold of faith and love, may yet have the white robe of the righteousness of Christ, that the shame of their nakedness need not appear. Purity of heart, purity of motive, may yet characterize those who are halfhearted and who are striving to serve God and mammon. They may yet wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Review and Herald, Aug. 28, 1894.

The message to Nicodemus began with reproof that shocked him. He was told he was not good enough to enter heaven, that he must be born again. But, Jesus did not leave this sinner without encouragement. He told Nicodemus that eternal life would come from looking upon the One who would be made sin and would be "lifted up". It is by beholding the loveliness of Jesus that we are changed into the same image, character, by the Spirit. "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18. It is an intellectual and a spiritual truth that by beholding we become changed. The mind is as plastic. It gradually adapts itself to that which it beholds. As those who were bitten by serpents would live if they looked upon the uplifted serpent, so would Nicodemus if he would look upon the uplifted Savior. He did look and he was converted.

In 1890 Ellen White had a message for the Brethren in Responsible Positions. It encompassed the message given in 1888. The message began "Brethren in responsible positions, you are in danger. I lift my voice in warning. Beware. Unless you watch, and keep your garments unspotted from the world, Satan will stand as your captain." God's prophet encouraged the leaders of His church to behold the loveliness of Jesus. Just as Jesus did with Nicodemus, and, as He encourages church members today in the message to the Laodicean Church. She closed her message then with what was not only important in their day, but is present truth in our day.

     As the end approaches, the testimonies of God's servants will become more decided and more powerful, flashing the light of truth upon the systems of error and oppression that have so long held the supremacy. The Lord has sent us messages for this time to establish Christianity upon an eternal basis, and all who believe present truth must stand, not in their own wisdom, but in God; and raise up the foundation of many generations. These will be registered in the books of heaven as repairers of the breach, the restorers of paths to dwell in. We are to maintain the truth because it is truth, in the face of the bitterest opposition. God is at work upon human minds; it is not man alone that is working. The great illuminating power is from Christ; the brightness of his example is to be kept before the people in every discourse.
     The rainbow above the throne, the bow of promise, testifies to the whole world that God will never forget His people in their struggle. Let Jesus be our theme. Let us with pen and voice present, not only the commandments of God, but the faith of Jesus. This will promote real heart piety as nothing else can. While we present the fact that men are subjects of a divine moral government, their reason teaches them that this is truth, that they owe allegiance to Jehovah. This life is our time of probation. We are placed under the discipline and government of God to form characters and acquire habits for the higher life. Temptations will come upon us. Iniquity abounds; where you least expect it, dark chapters will open that are most terrible, to weigh down the soul; but we need not fail nor be discouraged while we know that the bow of promise is above the throne of God. We shall be subject to heavy trials, opposition, bereavement, affliction; but we know that Jesus passed through all these. These experiences are valuable to us. The advantages are not by any means confined to this short life. They reach into eternal ages. Through patience, faith, and hope, in all the changing scenes of life, we are forming characters for everlasting life. Everything shall work together for good to those that love God.
     All the scenes of this life in which we must act a part, are to be carefully studied, for they are a part of our education. We should bring solid timbers into our character building; for we are working both for this life and eternal life. And as we near the close of this earth's history, we advance more and more rapidly in Christian growth, or we retrograde just as decidedly.
     "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth ..... And I will remember my covenant, ... and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh." In the rainbow above the throne is an everlasting testimony that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of truth point out the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. The glory of the law is Christ; He came to magnify the law, and make it honorable. Make it distinct that mercy and truth have met together in Christ, and righteousness and peace have embraced each other. It is when you are looking to His throne, offering up your penitence and praise and thanksgiving to God, that you perfect Christian character, and represent Christ to the world. You abide in Christ, and Christ abides in you; you have that peace that passeth all understanding. We need constantly to meditate upon Christ and His attractive loveliness. We must direct minds to Jesus, fasten them upon Him. In every discourse dwell upon the divine attributes.
     As the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the combined power of mercy and justice. It is not justice alone that is to be maintained; for this would eclipse the glory of the rainbow above the promise; man could see only the penalty of the law. Were there no justice, no penalty, there would be no stability to the government of God. It is the mingling of judgment and mercy that makes salvation full and complete. It is the blending of the two that leads us, as we view the world's Redeemer, and the law of Jehovah, to exclaim, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." We know that the gospel is a perfect and complete system, revealing the immutability of the law of God. It inspires the heart with hope, and with love for God. Mercy invites us to enter through the gates into the city of God, and justice is satisfied to accord to every obedient soul full privileges as a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. If we were defective in character, we could not pass the gates that mercy has opened to the obedient; for justice stands at the entrance, and demands holiness, purity, in all who would see God. Were justice extinct, and were it possible for divine mercy to open the gates to the whole race, irrespective of character, there would be a worse condition of disaffection and rebellion in heaven than before Satan was expelled. The peace, happiness, and harmony of heaven would be broken up. The change from earth to heaven will not change men's characters; the happiness of the redeemed in heaven results from the characters formed in this life, after the image of Christ. The saints in heaven will first have been saints on earth.
     The salvation that Christ made such a sacrifice to gain for man, is that which is alone of value, that which saves from sin, the cause of all the misery and woe in our world. Mercy extended to the sinner is constantly drawing him to Jesus. If he responds, coming in penitence with confession, in faith laying hold of the hope set before him in the gospel, God will not despise the broken and contrite heart. Thus the law of God is not weakened, but the power of sin is broken, and the scepter of mercy is extended to the penitent sinner. 1888 pg 730.

The penitent sinner will be forgiven. Thus the truth has been opened before our eyes. How many will accept such a straight message? That is not of concern. What is of concern is will I accept the truth and ask God to take my heart, my whole heart today. The impenitent sinner will not receive mercy. Unless one is repentant, he will not be justified. Unless one receives the Spirit of God into his heart, he will not receive the former rain. Only those who are born of His Spirit and maintain that experience will receive the latter Rain. It is the desire of Jesus that you and I receive the latter rain. He wants to reveal Himself to the world through you and me. Yes, we may reflect the character of Christ today, for "the change from earth to heaven will not change men's characters; the happiness of the redeemed in heaven results from the characters formed in this life, after the image of Christ." The thief on the cross made a full surrender to Jesus and thus he was born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit came into his heart, wrote the law of God upon his heart, and imparted to him the character of Christ. Yes, the thief will go to heaven with a character formed on this earth, for "the saints in heaven will first have been saints on earth" by beholding the loveliness of Jesus.
 
By faith born of spending that thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Christ, you and I can give honor and glory to our God. We may be witnesses of His love and power in a world soon to perish. What more could Jesus have done for us? Heaven was emptied that we might know of His love for us while we were yet sinners. Let us not deny Jesus His reward for all He has done. What a God we serve! Let us not only praise Him, but honor Him in all we think, say, and do. This will hasten His soon coming that will put an end to sin, suffering and death. As we do this, we may in principle and good conscience pray for the latter rain.
 
 

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on February 05, 2016, 09:48:41 PM
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Wisdom For the Church of God

by Richard Myers/Ellen G. White
January 21, 2016



 
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."   Proverbs 14:12.
 
In the year 1888, God had been delivering a most needed message to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He had been doing so for a great number of years prior to 1888, but it had not gotten through to most in the church. He added to the prophet's voice that of two young men, Waggoner and Jones. The message was not what the Apostle Paul would call "meat", but it was dealing with the foundation of Christian faith, the gospel of grace. Ellen White stated the difficulty the church was facing.

     There are many outside our people who are in the favor of God, because they have lived up to all the light that God has given them. For nearly two years we have been urging the people to come up and accept the light and the truth concerning the righteousness of Christ, and they do not know whether to come and take hold of this precious truth or not. They are bound about with their own ideas. They do not let the Saviour in. I have done what I could to present the matter. I can speak to the ear, but I cannot speak to the heart. Shall we not arise, and get out of this position of unbelief? Shall we not bruise Satan under our feet? I beseech of you, Come up where the living waters flow.
     Yesterday morning I arose with an agony upon my soul, and I could only say, "Lord, thou knowest all about it. My heart is burdened, and thou knowest that I cannot bear this load. I must have more help than I yet have had. Thou knowest that when I see men taking positions contrary to thy word, I am crushed under the load, and I can do nothing without thy help." It seemed that as I prayed a wave of light fell about me, and a voice said, "I will be with thee to strengthen thee." Since then I have been resting in Jesus. I can hide in him. I am not going to carry this load any longer. I shall lay it down at the feet of my Redeemer.   
     Brethren, shall we not all of us leave our loads there? and when we leave this meeting, may it be with the truth burning in our souls like fire shut up in our bones. You will meet with those who will say, "You are too much excited over this matter. You are too much in earnest. You should not be reaching for the righteousness of Christ, and making so much of that. You should preach the law." As a people, we have preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law, and there will be sap and nourishment in the preaching that will be as food to the famishing flock of God. We must not trust in our own merits at all, but in the merits of Jesus of Nazareth. Our eyes must be anointed with eye-salve. We must draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to us, if we come in his own appointed way. O that you may go forth as the disciples did after the day of Pentecost, and then your testimony will have a living ring, and souls will be converted to God.  1888 pg. 560.

The message has not been received and heeded by the church, even to this day. We may point to many things that are not right in the church, the rebellion against Scripture and church authority, the teaching of evolution in our schools, the high rate of divorce in the church, the loss of our children to the world, the acceptance of homosexuals into church membership, but these are only symptoms of the true problem, a lack of understanding of what it means to be a Christian and how to obtain that experience.

Recently I became aware of conference leaders in the North American Division who are intent on bringing about a change in church structure, a structure that has served the church well for many years and one that was ordained of God and patterned after the structure of the American system of government where the power is vested in the people through  a representative government, not a hierarchy run by popes and kings.

Worldly studies have led some men to think there is a better way to run a church than the method given by God. There are many leaders in two divisions in the church that would like to have more freedom from the decisions made by the world church. In restructuring the church to obtain this goal, they would also like to reallocate church funds. It is my prayer that the following article will be a blessing for those who are concerned about what is transpiring in God's church and are seeking His wisdom, not the wisdom of the world.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ___


 
Danger in Adopting Worldly Policy in the Work of God    
Ellen G. White



November 3, 1890, while laboring at Salamanca, N.Y., as I was in communion with God in the night season, I was taken out of and away from myself to assemblies in different States, where I bore a decided testimony of reproof and warning. In Battle Creek a council of ministers and responsible men from the publishing house and other institutions was convened, and I heard those assembled, in no gentle spirit, advance sentiments and urge measures for adoption that filled me with apprehension and distress.

Years before, I had been called to pass through a similar experience, and the Lord then revealed to me many things of vital importance, and gave me warnings that must be delivered to those in peril. On the night of November 3, these warnings were brought to my mind, and I was commanded to present them before those in responsible offices of trust, and to fail not, nor be discouraged. There were laid out before me some things which I could not comprehend; but the assurance was given me that the Lord would not allow his people to be enshrouded in the fogs of worldly skepticism and infidelity, bound up in bundles with the world; but if they would only hear and follow his voice, rendering obedience to his commandments, he would lead them above the mists of skepticism and unbelief, and place their feet upon the Rock, where they might breathe the atmosphere of security and triumph.

While engaged in earnest prayer, I was lost to everything around me; the room was filled with light, and I was bearing a message to an assembly that seemed to be the General Conference. I was moved by the Spirit of God to make a most earnest appeal; for I was impressed that great danger was before us at the heart of the work. I had been, and still was, bowed down with distress of mind and body, burdened with the thought that I must bear a message to our people at Battle Creek, to warn them against a line of action that would separate God from the publishing house.

The eyes of the Lord were bent upon the people in sorrow mingled with displeasure, and the words were spoken, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." He who wept over impenitent Israel, noting their ignorance of God, and of Christ their Redeemer, looked upon the heart of the work at Battle Creek. Great peril was about the people, but some knew it not. Unbelief and impenitence blinded their eyes, and they trusted to human wisdom in the guidance of the most important interests of the cause of God relating to the publishing work. In the weakness of human judgment, men were gathering into their finite hands the lines of control, while God's will, God's way and counsel, were not sought as indispensable. Men of stubborn, iron-like will, both in and out of the office, were confederating together, determined to drive certain measures through in accordance with their own judgment. I said to them: "You cannot do this. The control of these large interests cannot be vested wholly in those who make it manifest that they have little experience in the things of God, and have not spiritual discernment. The people of God throughout our ranks must not, because of mismanagement on the part of erring men, have their confidence shaken in the important interests at the great heart of the work, which have a decided influence upon our churches in the United States and in foreign lands. If you lay your hand upon the publishing work, this great instrumentality of God, to place your mold and superscription upon it, you will find that it will be dangerous to your own souls, and disastrous to the work of God. It will be as great a sin in the sight of God as was the sin of Uzzah when he put forth his hand to steady the ark. There are those who have entered into other men's labors, and all that God requires of them is to deal justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with God, to labor conscientiously as men employed by the people to do the work entrusted to their hands. Some have failed to do this, as their works testify. Whatever may be their position, whatever their responsibility, if they have as much authority even as had Ahab, they will find that God is above them, that his sovereignty is supreme."
 
Let none of the workers exalt themselves, and seek to carry through their ideas without the sanction and co-operation of the people of God. They will not succeed, for God will not permit it. The foundations of the institutions among us were laid in sacrifice. They belong to the people, and all who have denied self, and make sacrifices great or small according to their ability, to bring these instrumentalities into existence, should feel that they have a special interest in them. They should not lose their interest, or become despondent in regard to the success of the work. As the perils of the last days thicken about us, they should pray more earnestly that the work may prosper. Those who have lifted burdens when the work went hard, should have a part in important councils; for they acted a part when counseling together was considered a far more solemn and sacred matter than it is now. No confederacy should be formed with unbelievers, neither should you call together a certain chosen number who think as you do, and who will say Amen to all that you propose, while others are excluded, who you think will not be in harmony. I was shown that there was great danger of doing this.

"For the Lord spake thus unto me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy, neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. . . . To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The world is not to be our criterion. Let the Lord work, let the Lord's voice be heard.
 
Those employed in any department of the work whereby the world may be transformed, must not enter into alliance with those who know not the truth. The world know not the Father or the Son, and they have no spiritual discernment as to the character of our work, as to what we shall do, or shall not do. We must obey the orders that come from above. We are not to hear the counsel or follow the plans suggested by unbelievers. Suggestions made by those who know not the work that God is doing for this time, will be such as to weaken the power of the instrumentalities of God. By accepting such suggestions, the counsel of Christ is set at naught.

There is cherished altogether too little fear, love, and reverence for the God of heaven. There is far too little faith in the workings of his providence, in matters concerning his cause, with those who are connected with the active management of the publishing house. Why is this? Because they are not spiritually wise. The great peril is in the fact that men live so far apart from Jesus that they fail to discern his voice, receive his counsel, keep his way, and honor his name; they become self-exalted, and walk in the sparks of their own kindling. Because of this they fail to understand the devices of Satan, and are led to adopt measures that appear right, although they are instigated by the artful enemy of God and man, to place a human mold upon the work, dishonoring the name of God.

As far back as 1882, testimonies of the deepest interest on points of vital importance, were presented to our people, in regard to the work, and the spirit that should characterize the workers. Because these warnings have been neglected, the same evils that they pointed out have been cherished by many, hindering the progress of the work, and imperiling many souls. Satan is wide awake, and while men sleep, he sows his tares. In completing the work of rebellion, Satan is represented as a roaring lion, going about seeking whom he may devour. Those who are self-sufficient, who do not feel the necessity of constant prayer and watchfulness, will be ensnared. Through living faith and earnest prayer the sentinels of God must become partakers of the divine nature, or they will be found professedly working for God, but in reality giving their service to the prince of darkness. Because their eyes are not anointed with the heavenly eye-salve, their understanding will be blinded, and they will be ignorant of the wonderfully specious devices of the enemy. Their vision will be perverted through their dependence on human wisdom, which is foolishness in the sight of God.

The eye of the Lord is upon all the work, all the plans, all the imaginings of every mind; he sees beneath the surface of things, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is not a deed of darkness, not a plan, not an imagination of the heart, not a thought of the mind, but that he reads it as an open book. Every act, every word, every motive, is faithfully chronicled in the records by the great Heart-searcher, who said, "I know thy works."

I was shown that the follies of Israel in the days of Samuel will be repeated among the people of God today, unless there is greater humility, less confidence in self, and more trust in the Lord God of Israel, the Ruler of the people. It is only as divine power is combined with human effort that the work will abide the test. When men lean no longer on men or on their own judgment, but make God their trust, it will be made manifest in every instance by meekness of spirit, by less talking and much more praying, by the exercise of caution in their plans and movements. Such men will reveal the fact that their dependence is in God, that they have the mind of Christ.

Again and again I have been shown that the people of God in these last days could not be safe in trusting in men, and making flesh their arm. The mighty cleaver of truth has taken them out of the world as rough stones that are to be hewed and squared and polished for the heavenly building. They must be hewed by the prophets with reproof, warning, admonition, and advice, that they may be fashioned after the divine Pattern; this is the specified work of the Comforter, to transform heart and character, that men may keep the way of the Lord.

I now raise my voice in warning; for you are in danger. The people are to know when peril is threatening them; they are not to be left in darkness. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sins, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man that the righteous man sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."

Since 1845 the dangers of the people of God have from time to time been laid open before me, and I have been shown the perils that would thicken about the remnant in the last days. These perils have been revealed to me down to the present time. Great scenes are soon to open before us. The Lord is coming with power and great glory. And Satan knows that his usurped authority will soon be forever at an end. His last opportunity to gain control of the world is now before him, and he will make most decided efforts to accomplish the destruction of the inhabitants of the earth. Those who believe the truth must be as faithful sentinels on the watchtower, or Satan will suggest specious reasonings to them, and they will give utterance to opinions that will betray sacred, holy trusts. The enmity of Satan against good, will be manifested more and more, as he brings his forces into activity in his last work of rebellion, and every soul that is not fully surrendered to God, and kept by divine power, will form an alliance with Satan against heaven, and join in battle against the Ruler of the Universe.

In a vision given in 1880 I asked, "Where is the security for the people of God in these days of peril." The answer was: "Jesus maketh intercession for his people, though Satan standeth at his right hand to resist him." "And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" As man's Intercessor and Advocate, Jesus will lead all who are willing to be led, saying, "Follow me upward, step by step, where the clear light of the Son of Righteousness shines."

But not all are following the light. Some are moving away from the safe path, which at every step is a path of humility. God has committed to his servants a message for this time; but this message does not in every particular coincide with the ideas of all the leading men, and some criticise the message and the messengers. They dare even to reject the words of reproof sent to them from God through his Holy Spirit.

What reserve power has the Lord with which to reach those who have cast aside his warnings and reproofs, and have accredited the testimonies of the Spirit of God to no higher source than human wisdom? In the Judgment, what can you who have done this, offer to God as an excuse for turning from the evidences he has given you that God was in the work? "By their fruits ye shall know them." I would not now rehearse before you the evidences given in the past two years of the dealings of God by his chosen servants; but the present evidence of his working is revealed to you, and you are now under obligation to believe. You cannot neglect God's messages of warning, you cannot reject them or treat them lightly, but at the peril of infinite loss. Caviling, ridicule, and misrepresentation can be indulged in only at the expense of the debasement of your own souls. The use of such weapons does not gain precious victories for you, but rather cheapens the mind, and separates the soul from God. Sacred things are brought down to the level of the common, and a condition of things is created that pleases the prince of darkness, and grieves away the Spirit of God. Caviling and criticism leave the soul as devoid of the dew of grace as the hills of Gilboa were destitute of rain. Confidence cannot be placed in the judgment of those who indulge in ridicule and misrepresentation. No weight can be attached to their advice or resolutions. You must bear the divine credentials before you make decided movements to shape the working of God's cause.

To accuse and criticise those whom God is using, is to accuse and criticise the Lord, who has sent them. All need to cultivate their religious faculties, that they may have a right discernment of religious things. Some have failed to distinguish between pure gold and mere glitter, between the substance and the shadow.

The prejudices and opinions that prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by any means; the seeds sown there in some hearts are ready to spring into life and bear a like harvest. The tops have been cut down, but the roots have never been eradicated, and they still bear their unholy fruit to poison the judgement, pervert the perceptions, and blind the understanding of those with whom you connect, in regard to the message and the messengers. When by thorough confession, you destroy the root of bitterness, you will see light in God's light. Without this thorough work you will never clear your souls. You need to study the word of God with a purpose, not to confirm your own ideas, but to bring them to be trimmed, to be condemned or approved, as they are or are not in harmony with the word of God. The Bible should be your constant companion. You should study the Testimonies, not to pick out certain sentences to use as you see fit, to strengthen your assertions, while you disregard the plainest statements given to correct your course of action.

There has been a departure from God among us, and the zealous work of repentance and return to our first love essential to restoration to God and regeneration of heart has not yet been done. Infidelity has been making its inroads into our ranks; for it is the fashion to depart from Christ, and give place to skepticism. With many the cry of the heart has been, "We will not have this man to reign over us." Baal, Baal, is the choice. The religion of many among us will be the religion of apostate Israel, because they love their own way, and forsake the way of the Lord. The true religion, the only religion of the Bible, that teaches forgiveness only through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, that advocates righteousness by the faith of the Son of God, has been slighted, spoken against, ridiculed, and rejected. It has been denounced as leading to enthusiasm and fanaticism. But it is the life of Jesus Christ in the soul, it is the active principle of love imparted by the Holy Spirit, that alone will make the soul fruitful unto good works. The Love of Christ is the force and power of every message for God that ever fell from human lips. What kind of a future is before us, if we shall fail to come into the unity of the faith?

When we are united in the unity for which Christ prayed, this long controversy that has been kept up through Satanic agency will end, and we shall not see men framing plans after the order of the world because they have not spiritual eye-sight to discern spiritual things. They now see men as trees walking, and they need the divine touch, that they may see as God sees, and work as Christ worked. Then will Zion's watchmen unitedly sound the trumpet in clearer, louder notes; for they will see the sword coming, and realize the danger in which the people of God are placed.

You will need to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. We are surrounded by the lame and halting in the faith, and you are to help them, not by halting yourselves, but by standing, like men who have been tried and proven, in principle firm as a rock. I know that a work must be done for the people, or many will not be prepared to receive the light of the angel sent down from heaven to lighten the whole earth with his glory. Do not think that you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, in secret cherishing roots of bitterness. The frown of God will certainly be upon every soul who cherishes and nurtures these roots of dissension, and possesses a spirit so unlike the Spirit of Christ.

As the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, I seemed to be present in one of your councils. One of your number rose; his manner was very decided and earnest as he held up a paper before you. I could read plainly the heading of the paper; it was the American Sentinel. Criticisms were then passed upon the paper and the character of the articles therein published. Those in council pointed to certain passages, declaring that this must be cut out, and that must be changed. Strong words were uttered in criticism of the methods of the paper, and a strong unchristlike spirit prevailed. Voices were decided and defiant.

My guide gave me words of warning and reproof to speak to those who took part in this proceeding, who were not slow to utter their accusations and condemnation. In substance this was the reproof given: The Lord has not presided at this council, and there is a spirit of strife among the counselors. The minds and hearts of these men are not under the controlling influence of the Spirit of God. Let the adversaries of our faith be the ones to suggest and develop such plans as you are now discussing. From the world's point of view some of these plans are not objectionable; but they are not to be adopted by those who have had the light of heaven. The light which God has given should be respected, not only for your own safety, but also for the safety of the church of God. The steps now being taken by the few cannot be followed by the remnant people of God. Your course cannot be sustained by the Lord. It is made evident by your course of action that you have laid your plans without the aid of Him who is mighty in counsel; but the Lord will work. Those who have criticised the work of God need to have their eyes anointed, for they have felt mighty in their own strength; but there is One who can bind the arm of the mighty, and bring to naught the counsels of the prudent.
 
The message we have to bear is not a message that men need cringe to declare. They are not to seek to cover it, to conceal its origin and purpose. Its advocates must be men who will not hold their peace day nor night. As those who have made solemn vows to God, and who have been commissioned as the messengers of Christ, as stewards of the mysteries of the grace of God, we are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole counsel of God. We are not to make less prominent the special truths that have separated us from the world, and made us what we are; for they are fraught with eternal interests. God has given us light in regard to the things that are now taking place in the last remnant of time, and with pen and voice we are to proclaim the truth to the world, not in a tame, spiritless way, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God. The mightiest conflicts are involved in the furtherance of the message, and the results of its promulgation are of moment to both heaven and earth.

The controversy between the two great powers of good and evil is soon to be ended; but to the time of its close, there will be continual and sharp contests. We should now purpose, as did Daniel and his fellows in Babylon, that we will be true to principle, come what may. The flaming fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be heated, did not cause these faithful servants of God to turn aside from allegiance to the truth. They stood firm in the time of trial, and were cast into the furnace; and they were not forsaken of God. The form of the Fourth was seen walking with them in the flames, and they came forth not having even the smell of fire upon their garments.

The den of lions did not deter Daniel from a steady adherence to duty. He did not hide his purpose or lower his colors because death threatened him if he stood faithful to his God. Three times a day, in the face of the king's decree, he sought his Lord in his chamber, with his window open toward Jerusalem. He was cast into the den of lions, but God delivered him.   

Let us look at the case of Elijah. The time has come when he must meet his mortal enemy, the cruel Ahab, the despot of Israel, the apostate from the religion of his fathers. In anger the king inquires, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" Does Elijah weaken before the king? Does he cringe and cower, and resort to flattery in order to mollify the feelings of the enraged ruler? Israel has perverted her way, and forsaken the path of allegiance to God, and now shall the prophet, to preserve his life, betray sacred, holy trusts?

Does he prophecy smooth things to please the king, and to obtain his favor? Will he evade the issue? Will he conceal from the king the true reason why the judgments of God are falling upon the land of Israel? No; as the messenger of God he must proclaim the truth, just such truth as the occasion demands. He carries a great weight of sorrow on account of the apostasy of Israel. He must hold up before them their defection, that they may humble themselves in the sight of the Lord, that his fierce anger may be turned away from them. Elijah faces the enraged king, and answers, "I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim."

Today the world is full of flatterers and dissemblers; but God forbid that those who claim to be guardians of sacred trusts, shall betray the interests of God's cause through the insinuating suggestions and devices of the enemy of all righteousness.

There is no time now to range ourselves on the side of the transgressors of God's law, to see with their eyes, to hear with their ears, and to understand with their perverted senses. We must press together. We must labor to become a unit, to be holy in life and pure in character. Let those who profess to be servants of the living God no longer bow down to the idol of men's opinions, no longer be slaves to any shameful lust, no longer bring a polluted offering to the Lord, a sinstained soul.
                     
                                                                                                                   SpTA02b - pg 123 (1892)


 

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on February 08, 2016, 06:13:05 PM
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Wisdom For the Church of God --Part 2

by Richard Myers/Ellen G. White
February 6, 2016



 

"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."   Romans 7:6
 
In the year 1892, four years after Minneapolis, we read Ellen White's warning to a church that rejected the 1888 message. "I now raise my voice in warning; for you are in danger. The people are to know when peril is threatening them; they are not to be left in darkness. 'Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sins, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man that the righteous man sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.'"
     
Why was this passage from Ezekiel chosen by the prophet to share in her day? It was presented to the church because the condition of the church then was the same as it was in Ezekiel's day. And, it remains so today. Before looking closer at the inspiration given in these verses, let us consider how important they are. Do they not seem simple enough to understand? Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. So, some will not appreciate what was said. As with Israel, the message will be met with stern rejections. It is said "one does not lose their salvation because of one sin." Or, it is said, "one does not have to be re-justified after sinning one sin." We are not talking about Islam, modern day Judaism, or Evangelical theology. We are discussing what is in God's church today.

God considered this simple message very important when given by Ezekiel. How do we know? Read it in context in chapter three. It is made plain that God had given a message that would be hard for Israel to accept. It was designed to meet the error in the nation. When God wants a people to understand something is very important, He does not give it just one time. In this case, He gave it through Ezekiel three times. Yes, the very same simple message on three different occasions. You may read it in chapters three, eighteen, and thirty three.

The message proclaims God's mercy in forgiving  the repentant sinner, and it reveals God's justice in not giving eternal life to one who had life, but sinned. This appears as heresy to many in the church today. The message given to the church in 1888 was similar. It lifted up Christ and His righteousness. The church had been presenting the binding claims of the law, but had left Christ out of the message. Then, what happened to the law in 1888? Was it done away with as some teach today? Absolutely not. Christ can be both merciful and just. It is not just Christ, nor just the law. The message in 1888 was Christ in the law.

We must have Christ. We must abide in Him and He in us. We must be born of His Spirit. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Romans 8:9. Keeping the letter of law is not good enough. God wants the heart, the whole heart. And, this is what happens when true conversion takes place. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6. We must be born again of the Spirit of Christ. Then we will be living representatives of Christ. We will be His witnesses in a world soon to perish.


_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________   

   
Living Channels of Light
Ellen G. White



     The Lord has a people for whom he prays that they may be one with him as he is one with the Father. If we are, as Christians, doers of the word, we shall practice in our lives that for which Christ prayed; for by his Holy Spirit Jesus can bind heart to heart. We are living amid the perils of the last days; evil times are upon us; gross darkness has covered the land. Satan seeks to intercept his hellish shadow between us and God, so as to obscure the light of Heaven by every device at his command; but all who claim to be Christians, if they are Christlike, will follow closely in the footsteps of Jesus. They will have the mind which was in Christ Jesus.
     We are standing in the presence of the Lord God of Israel, and no one can stand before God in his own strength. Those only who stand in Christ's righteousness have a sure foundation. Those who attempt to stand before him in their own righteousness, he will humble in the dust. Those who walk in humility will feel their own utter unworthiness. To such the Lord says, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Noah preached the righteousness of God; Jonah called the city of Nineveh to repentance, and there is a similar work to be done today. There are now more than one Noah to do the work, and more than one Jonah to proclaim the word of the Lord. While discord and strife, crime and blood-shed are in the land, let God's people love one another. Plagues and pestilence, fire and flood, disaster by land and by sea, horrible murders, and every conceivable crime exist in the world, and does it not now become us who claim to have large light to be true to God, to love him supremely and our neighbor as ourselves?
     Shall not every soul who has light and truth now come before God in humility and with earnest prayer, that God may kindle a purer flame in our souls, and give us a higher, better love, a love pure and undefiled, a love for the truth as it is in Jesus, a respect and jealousy for the honor of God, and an intense desire for the salvation of our fellow-men? We have no time for the indulgence of pride. We must keep the way of the Lord, and speak and act as standing in his sight, living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, that no strange fire shall mingle with that which is holy. Light and darkness cannot be mingled and harmonize. Many act partly as children of time, and partly as children of eternity , and this course God abhors. "If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." If you believe the word of God, submit your ways to its guidance in all things, even though your own inclinations are crossed. Believe the truth heartily. Do not stand as many of you have done, apparently wavering between dependence upon the righteousness of Christ, and dependence upon your own righteousness. Deception has come upon some minds until they have thought that their own merits were of considerable value. Their minds are confused and perplexed where all is clear and plain. The end is near! We have no time to halt between two opinions.
     What has not the Lord God of Israel done for his people? He has given them his word; he has followed them with his testimonies, which have warned, reproved, rebuked, encouraged; he has given signs; he has given precious promises; and how few give him praise or glory! Many think if they tolerate the movings and workings of God in their behalf, they ought to be commended. Oh, how few really know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent! He has spoken by prophets and apostles of what will be in the future. He has given living testimonies of himself in these last days when he spake unto us by his Son, and yet it is a truth that pains my soul, that the Lord is grieved with hard hearts and unteachable minds. How few believe and repent! to how few is the arm of the Lord revealed! "And go, get thee. . . unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." All will come to a decision to declare wholly for God or for Baal. God has sent to his people testimonies of truth and righteousness, and they are called to lift up Jesus, and to exalt his righteousness.
     Those whom God has sent with a message are only men, but what is the character of the message which they bear? Will you dare to turn from, or make light of, the warnings, because God did not consult you as to what would be preferred? God calls men who will speak, who will cry aloud and spare not. God has raised up his messengers to do his work for this time. Some have turned from the message of the righteousness of Christ to criticize the men and their imperfections, because they do not speak the message of truth with all the grace and polish desirable. They have too much zeal, are too much in earnest, speak with too much positiveness, and the message that would bring healing and life and comfort to many weary and oppressed souls, is, in a measure, excluded for just in proportion as men of influence close their own hearts and set up their own wills in opposition to what God has said, will they seek to take away the ray of light from those who have been longing and praying for light and for vivifying power. Christ has registered all the hard, proud, sneering speeches spoken against his servants as against himself.
     The third angel's message will not be comprehended, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory. The work that might have been done, will be left undone by the rejecters of truth, because of their unbelief. We entreat of you who oppose the light of truth, to stand out of the way of God's people. Let Heaven-sent light shine forth upon them in clear and steady rays. God holds you to whom this light has come, responsible for the use you make of it. Those who will not hear will be held responsible; for the truth has been brought within their reach, but they despised their opportunities and privileges. Messages bearing the divine credentials have been sent to God's people; the glory, the majesty, the righteousness of Christ, full of goodness and truth, have been presented; the fullness of the Godhead in Jesus Christ has been set forth among us with beauty and loveliness, to charm all whose hearts were not closed with prejudice. We know that God has wrought among us. We have seen souls turn from sin to righteousness. We have seen faith revived in the hearts of the contrite ones. Shall we be like the lepers that were cleansed who went on their way, and only one returned to give glory to God? Let us rather tell of his goodness, and praise God with heart, with pen, and with voice.   
     The work of every ambassador of Christ is to bear witness to the light. He is not to take Christ's place, but to reveal Christ to the world, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. God has sent his ministers out as his standard-bearers. They are to point to Jesus who taketh away the sin of the world. They are not to awaken the sympathy of the people for themselves, but to carry their sympathies above themselves to the precious object of their praise and reverence, that they may lead the people to love Christ and him crucified. If, through the grace of Christ, you have caught some beams of the light of truth as it is in Jesus, do not place yourself upon the pinnacle; do not think that you have caught all the rays of light, and that there is no increased illumination to come to our world.
     We are to be constantly receiving and giving. We are to be living channels of light. The transforming grace of Christ must come to every minister that he may sanctify himself, that others also may be sanctified. There should be earnest effort put forth to wake up an ease-loving, sleepy Church that has great light and knowledge, but not corresponding faith and works. There must be a living testimony borne, pointing out the necessity of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God upon every church-member, that light may shine forth to others that are in darkness. There is altogether too little done in ministerial labors. There is plenty of surface plowing, and the result is manifest -- there is scarcity of fruit-bearing Christians. 
     There should be deep searching of the Scriptures that the ministers of God may declare the whole counsel of God. The relation of Christ to the law is but faintly comprehended. Some preach the law, and feel that their brethren are not doing their whole duty if they do not present the subject in the very same way in which they do. These brethren shrink from the presentation of justification by faith, but just as soon as Christ is discovered in his true position in relation to the law, the misconception that has existed on this important matter will be removed. The law and the gospel are so blended that the truth cannot be presented as it is in Jesus, without blending these subjects in perfect agreement. The law is the gospel of Christ veiled; the gospel of Jesus is nothing more or less than the law defined, showing its far-reaching principles. "Search the Scriptures," is the injunction of our Lord. Search to find out what is truth. God has given us a test whereby to prove doctrine: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Search the Scriptures diligently, earnestly, unweariedly, to find out what God has revealed concerning yourself, your duties, your work, your responsibilities, your future, that you may make no mistake in seeking for eternal life. You may, in searching the Scriptures, know the mind and the will of God; and although the truth does not coincide with your ideas, you may have grace to lay down every prejudice in favor of your own customs and practices, and see what is truth, pure and unadulterated. Here is the word of the Lord. Obey it from the heart. Christ is full of pitying tenderness to all who repent. He will pardon the transgressor.   
                                                1888 pg. 674.   (1892)

 

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Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on January 17, 2019, 03:37:41 PM
September 16, 2016 (http://remnant-online.com/newsletters/9-16-16.htm)
Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on December 31, 2021, 07:42:06 PM
~January 1, 2022~

A Message For the New Year
by Richard Myers

As a new year begins, it is often a time to make a decision for some changes in one's life. New year resolutions often prove a failure. Why? As a health educator in a medical practice I saw first hand how few would choose to make lifestyle changes in order to avert sickness or even to be healed from existing ailments. Those who chose to turn away from drugs and understood the benefits to be gained from changing their current lifestyle, found that actually making these changes would be very difficult. Habits once formed are not easy to forsake.

So it is with sin. It is the most difficult battle we will ever face. But, we all may gain the victory if we will come to Jesus just as we are and take hold of His offer to turn sinners into saints. If we will learn of Him, we shall be changed. It is by beholding His glory that we shall fall in love with Him and be changed into His image.
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour each day contemplating this love. It is the heart that God wants, and it is His character that He will impart to us if we will love Him with all of the heart.

In my devotions this morning I read a letter from a loving mother to her son. It is one that we would want to write to our child also. If you take time to read it you will be greatly blessed and be strengthened to make some changes in your own life in this new year. Changes that will bring honor and glory to our loving God.


My Dear Son,

Another year of your life closes today. How can you look back upon it? Have you made advancement in the divine life? Have you increased in spirituality? Have you crucified self, with the affections and lusts? Have you an increased interest in the study of God’s word? Have you gained decided victories over your own failings and waywardness? Oh, what has been the record of your life for the year which has now passed into eternity, never to be recalled?

As you enter upon a new year, let it be with an earnest resolve to have your course onward and upward. Let your life be more elevated and exalted than it has hitherto been. Make it your aim not to seek your own interest and pleasure, but to advance the cause of your Redeemer. Remain not in a position where you ever need help yourself, and where others have to guard you to keep you in the narrow way. You may be strong to exert a sanctifying influence upon others. You may be where your soul’s interest will be awakened to do good to others, to comfort the sorrowful, strengthen the weak, and to bear your testimony for Christ whenever opportunity offers. Aim to honor God in everything, always and everywhere. Carry your religion into everything. Be thorough in whatever you undertake. { 2T 261.4}
You have not experienced the saving power of God as it is your privilege, because you have not made it the great aim of your life to glorify Christ. Let every purpose you form, every work in which you engage, and every pleasure you enjoy, be to the glory of God. Let this be the language of your heart: I am thine, O God, to live for Thee, to work for Thee, and to suffer for Thee.

Many profess to be on the Lord’s side, but they are not; the weight of all their actions is on Satan’s side. By what means shall we determine whose side we are on? Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Upon whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are on the Lord’s side, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. We have no friendship with the world; we have consecrated all that we have and are to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His Spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.

You should pursue so decided a course that none need to be mistaken in you. You cannot exert an influence upon the world without decision. Your resolutions may be good and sincere, but they will prove a failure unless you make God your strength and move forward with a firm determination of purpose. You should throw your whole heart into the cause and work of God. You should be in earnest to obtain an experience in the Christian life. You should exemplify Christ in your life.

You cannot serve God and mammon. You are either wholly on the Lord’s side or on the side of the enemy. “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.” Some persons make their religious life a failure because they are always wavering and do not have determination. They are frequently convicted and come almost up to the point of surrendering all for God; but, failing to meet the point, they fall back again. While in this state the conscience is hardening and becoming less and less susceptible to the impressions of the Spirit of God. His Spirit has warned, has convicted, and has been disregarded, until it is nearly grieved away. God will not be trifled with. He shows duty clearly, and if there is a neglect to follow the light, it becomes darkness.

God bids you become a worker with Him in His vineyard. Commence just where you are. Come to the cross and there renounce self, the world, and every idol. Take Jesus into your heart fully. You are in a hard place to preserve consecration and to exert an influence which shall lead others from sin and pleasure and folly to the narrow way, cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in.

Make an entire surrender to God; yield up everything unreservedly, and thus seek for that peace which passes understanding. You cannot draw nourishment from Christ unless you are in Him. If not in Him, you are a branch that is withered. You do not feel your want of purity and true holiness. You should feel an earnest desire for the Holy Spirit and should pray earnestly to obtain it. You cannot expect the blessing of God without seeking for it. If you used the means within your reach you would experience a growth in grace and would rise to a higher life.

It is not natural for you to love spiritual things; but you can acquire that love by exercising your mind, the strength of your being, in that direction. The power of doing is what you need. True education is the power of using our faculties so as to achieve beneficial results. Why is it that religion occupies so little of our attention, while the world has the strength of brain, bone, and muscle? It is because the whole force of our being is bent in that direction. We have trained ourselves to engage with earnestness and power in worldly business, until it is easy for the mind to take that turn. This is why Christians find a religious life so hard and a worldly life so easy. The faculties have been trained to exert their force in that direction. In religious life there has been an assent to the truths of God’s word, but not a practical illustration of them in the life.

To cultivate religious thoughts and devotional feelings is not made a part of education. These should influence and control the entire being. The habit of doing right is wanting. There is spasmodic action under favorable influences, but to think naturally and readily upon divine things is not the ruling principle of the mind.

There is no need of being spiritual dwarfs if the mind is continually exercised in spiritual things. But merely praying for this, and about this, will not meet the necessities of the case. You must habituate the mind to concentration upon spiritual things. Exercise will bring strength. Many professed Christians are in a fair way to lose both worlds. To be half a Christian and half a worldly man makes you about one-hundredth part a Christian and all the rest worldly.

Spiritual living is what God requires, yet thousands are crying out: “I don’t know what is the matter; I have no spiritual strength, I do not enjoy the Spirit of God.” Yet the same ones will become active and talkative, and even eloquent, when talking upon worldly matters. Listen to such ones in meeting. About a dozen words are spoken in hardly an audible voice. They are men and women of the world. They have cultivated worldly propensities until their faculties have become strong in that direction. Yet they are as weak as babes in regard to spiritual things, when they should be strong and intelligent. They do not love to dwell upon the mystery of godliness. They know not the language of heaven and are not educating their minds so as to be prepared to sing the songs of heaven or to delight in the spiritual exercises which will there engage the attention of all.

Professed Christians, worldly Christians, are unacquainted with heavenly things. They will never be brought to the gates of the New Jerusalem to engage in exercises which have not hitherto specially interested them. They have not trained their minds to delight in devotion and in meditation upon things of God and heaven. How, then, can they engage in the services of heaven? how delight in the spiritual, the pure, the holy in heaven, when it was not a special delight to them upon earth? The very atmosphere there will be purity itself. But they are unacquainted with it all. When in the world, pursuing their worldly vocations, they knew just where to take hold and just what to do. The lower order of faculties being in so constant exercise, grew, while the higher, nobler powers of the mind, not being strengthened by use, are incapable of awaking at once to spiritual exercises. Spiritual things are not discerned, because they are viewed with world-loving eyes, which cannot estimate the value and glory of the divine above the temporal.

The mind must be educated and disciplined to love purity. A love for spiritual things should be encouraged; yea, must be encouraged, if you would grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Desires for goodness and true holiness are right so far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Good purposes are right, but will prove of no avail unless resolutely carried out. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians; but they made no earnest effort, therefore they will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. The will must be exercised in the right direction. I will be a wholehearted Christian. I will know the length and breadth, the height and depth, of perfect love. Listen to the words of Jesus: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Ample provisions are made by Christ to satisfy the soul that hungers and thirsts for righteousness.

The pure element of love will expand the soul for higher attainments, for increased knowledge of divine things, so that it will not be satisfied short of the fullness. Most professed Christians have no sense of the spiritual strength they might obtain were they as ambitious, zealous, and persevering to gain a knowledge of divine things as they are to obtain the paltry, perishable things of this life. The masses professing to be Christians have been satisfied to be spiritual dwarfs. They have no disposition to make it their object to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; hence godliness is a hidden mystery to them, they cannot understand it. They know not Christ by experimental knowledge.

Let those men and women who are satisfied with their dwarfed, crippled condition in divine things be suddenly transported to heaven and for an instant witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever abides there,—every soul filled with love; every countenance beaming with joy; enchanting music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb; and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the saints from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, and from the Lamb; and let them realize that there is higher and greater joy yet to experience, for the more they receive of the enjoyment of God, the more is their capacity increased to rise higher in eternal enjoyment, and thus continue to receive new and greater supplies from the ceaseless sources of glory and bliss inexpressible,—could such persons, I ask, mingle with the heavenly throng, participate in their songs, and endure the pure, exalted, transporting glory that emanates from God and the Lamb? Oh, no! their probation was lengthened for years that they might learn the language of heaven, that they might become “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” But they had a selfish business of their own to engage the powers of their minds and the energies of their beings. They could not afford to serve God unreservedly and make this a business. Worldly enterprises must come first and take the best of their powers, and a transient thought is devoted to God. Are such to be transformed after the final decision: “He that is holy, let him be holy still,” “he which is filthy, let him be filthy still”? Such a time is coming.

Those who have trained the mind to delight in spiritual exercises are the ones who can be translated and not be overwhelmed with the purity and transcendent glory of heaven. You may have a good knowledge of the arts, you may have an acquaintance with the sciences, you may excel in music and in penmanship, your manners may please your associates, but what have these things to do with a preparation for heaven? What have they to do to prepare you to stand before the tribunal of God?

Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Nothing but holiness will prepare you for heaven. It is sincere, experimental piety alone that can give you a pure, elevated character and enable you to enter into the presence of God, who dwelleth in light unapproachable. The heavenly character must be acquired on earth, or it can never be acquired at all. Then begin at once. Flatter not yourself that a time will come when you can make an earnest effort easier than now. Every day increases your distance from God. Prepare for eternity with such zeal as you have not yet manifested. Educate your mind to love the Bible, to love the prayer meeting, to love the hour of meditation, and, above all, the hour when the soul communes with God. Become heavenly-minded if you would unite with the heavenly choir in the mansions above.

A new year of your life now commences. A new page is turned in the book of the recording angel. What will be the record upon its pages? Shall it be blotted with neglect of God, with unfulfilled duties? God forbid. Let a record be stamped there which you will not be ashamed to have revealed to the gaze of men and angels.

Greenville, Michigan,


Title: Re: TRO Newsletter Archive
Post by: Richard Myers on September 11, 2023, 07:58:28 AM
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America, Land of Liberty

March 2016

by  Richard Myers

Suffering under oppression and tyranny, the American colonies crafted a declaration of independence from British rule stating "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

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Thus, the United States of America was founded upon Protestant principles of liberty and freedom, and recognized these were not granted by the state, but by the Creator God. The state was to recognize these as "unalienable rights."


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The Constitution and its Bill of Rights specifically guarantee rights to its citizens. The first amendment states  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Thus, any who would call for a religious law that would dictate how or when we are to worship God, would be directly attacking the freedom granted by God and the Constitution of the United States. Our liberty was obtained at great expense. One does not have to be a Christian to appreciate America is the land of liberty.  Each citizen must do all in his power to preserve that liberty.

Constitutional Convention

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Constitution

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Protestant Reformation

Where did these great truths come from? They are Protestant truths that served as the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. There was no freedom of conscience in the Roman Church. Millions were killed in an effort to force compliance with a religion that held her people in bondage to the dictates of church dogma rather than living free in Christ Jesus. The Bible teachings of the Apostle Paul were discovered after many years of darkness. It was understood that man is justified by his faith in Christ, not by his works of penance. Neither works nor money (indulgences) could buy that which is freely given to repentant sinners. The soul must be left free to choose whom it will serve. It is not to be constrained by church dogma and threatened with the rack if non-compliant.

Those who came to America seeking freedom from kings and popes learned they needed to be protected by laws that gave all citizens the right to liberty of conscience, and freedom from religious and political tyranny. They had seen the evil when power is vested in kings and popes, thus they established a system of government where the rights of the individual was protected from majority rule. The founders of America recognized the dangers inherent in a powerful central government, and so wrote the Constitution to provide the greatest protection from it and other powerful institutions.

Losing freedom

It is apparent that Americans are losing their freedoms established by the Constitution. Religious rights are trampled upon, the central government has secured unto itself rights reserved for the states. And most threatening of all is the papal power which is seeking to reestablish its rule over the world. The Roman pope was invited to stand in the halls of freedom to address the Congress of the United States of America. It was given opportunity to work towards its ultimate goal to "change times and laws" in the United States and then in the world. 

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                                                                              photo: Architect of the Capitol
Francis with Roman Catholic Cardinals and friends admire a statue of a Roman Catholic priest.
A move to remove the statue failed when Hispanic Catholics in California objected.



Almost 20 years ago Pope John Paul II  called for the nations of the world to legislate Sunday laws (Dies Domini, 5/31/98). In a most clever manner, the Vatican now has purposed to encourage nations to legislate Sunday laws under the guise of protecting the environment and giving the family a day of rest. In this effort will be secured the unity it has been seeking since the "deadly wound" was healed. In a church racked by corruption which included homosexual priests being protected by the church after molesting boys for years, we now see a "humble" Jesuit who has brought into the Roman Church the "oppressed and downtrodden." While not yielding up her supremacy, she is all encompassing. As it has always been, even pagan rites are allowed into her domain. Church traditions have precedence over Bible doctrine.

In America, churches professing to be Protestant have crossed over the abyss and now are aligned with their "mother church." Roman Catholicism, which at heart contradicts Protestant principles of Sola Scriptura and justification by faith, changed the day of Worship from the seventh day of the week to the first day. Now, both professing Protestant churches and the Vatican are aiming to make the false Sabbath a legislated sacred day. As with Islam, the Roman Church has no respect for the Constitution of the United States and is openly encouraging duly elected United States Congressmen and the President and Vice President of the United States to make Sunday the day of rest. We will continue to follow up on this in the near future.

America, world's last great hope for freedom

America was the world's last great hope for freedom. When America speaks as a dragon we may know freedom is lost. But, though we lose our freedom in this world, or have our bodies burned, we have been set free in Christ Jesus. There is still a profession of standing for freedom in America. Its Congress just voted to call the evil perpetrated upon non-Muslims by the Islamic State, genocide. But, even so, the current administration is not rushing to agree. That administration which is working hard to circumvent the Constitution has as its leader a man who in light of his failure to condemn such heinous crimes, attempted to downplay the Muslim slaughter of innocents by saying “humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.” Yes, it is true. And so it was on the other side also. A god-fearing leader would have condemned both sides for their past history, and would have condemned the Islamic State as they tortured, raped, and murdered men, women, and children who refused to deny Christ and accept Islam.

Satan had 6,000 to prepare for our day 

What we see today is the culmination of cleverly laid plans that if possible would deceive the very elect. But, the elect are walking in the Spirit and looking unto Jesus and reading from His Word. They will not be deceived, for are not looking to man, but to Christ for their wisdom. The last test to come to humanity is something so basic that God has kept it until the very end of this world's history. To whom will we give our allegiance? Will we follow the laws of man or the commandments of God? And, the last test is exactly that, one of the commandments written by God's own hand on tables of stone. Will we keep His commandment or the false commandment enforced by an alliance of church and state?

The fourth commandment is why I walked into a Seventh-day Adventist Church having never heard a church evangelist, not having family in the church, and not knowing anything about the state of the dead, a loving God who does not burn the sinner for eternity, or any other church doctrine. It was only understanding there was nothing in the Bible to undo one of God's ten commandments. Yes, it took some study to set aside the lies about the Sabbath, but it was not that difficult to understand. If I had a consecrated teacher, it would have been rather easy to arrive at the truth sooner. But, the point being is there are many who love God and want to keep His commandments, and they will learn the truth as they pray about why it is Christians are being persecuted for keeping one of God's ten commandments.

Then, if this is so obvious, how can it be that Satan has been so clever with his plan to deceive? There is a difference between those who love God and keep His commandments and those who don't. The professor of faith who is not fully surrendered will be taken snare if he rejects the simple truths about God's holy day. We understand the sun day is a religious matter. It is the belief by most of the Protestant world that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. But, there is nothing in Scripture to support such a teaching. As we near the end, disasters will be more frequent. The false pastors, unable to meet the truth of the Sabbath commandment from Scripture, will point to the disasters as God's displeasure for the sun day being desecrated. Having understood it is a religious law which will be legislated with the influence of both professing Protestant pastors and Catholic leaders, we have missed the clever plans now being put forth by the pope himself. If we go back to last year, we see he was advocating for restriction on burning fossil fuels in an effort to reverse global warming, now being called "climate change". Why would he take such a strong stand on this issue? At first, it appears to fit with his socialist agenda. But, as last year progressed, it became more apparent Satan had been working on another issue. He set the stage for what will be the Vatican's uppermost challenge, to "change the times and laws" in regards to one of God's ten commandments.

"Mother Earth" encyclical


Pope Francis published his "environmental" encyclical June 18, 2015. When we read how he began, we will better see how the stage was set far before he ever became pope. Why did he choose the name "Francis"? He said he chose to be called after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,” the same created world “with which we don’t have such a good relationship.”

Francis appears to be an honest man, but however well intentioned, he is marching down the wrong path. If one were to take time to carefully read his entire encyclical, most would be surprised at how much truth is revealed in this very thorough work. I was reminded of a statement most of us will be familiar with: "In the professed Christian world enough is expended for jewels and needlessly expensive dress to feed all the hungry and to clothe the naked."  CT 302. One cannot argue with the lifestyle of Jorge Mario Bergoglio either before or after he became pope. Here is a short statement that reveals some of the truth in his encyclical.

"The existence of laws and regulations is insufficient in the long run to curb bad conduct, even when effective means of enforcement are present. If the laws are to bring about significant, long-lasting effects, the majority of the members of society must be adequately motivated to accept them, and personally transformed to respond. Only by cultivating sound virtues will people be able to make a selfless ecological commitment. A person who could afford to spend and consume more but regularly uses less heating and wears warmer clothes, shows the kind of convictions and attitudes which help to protect the environment. There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and it is wonderful how education can bring about real changes in lifestyle. Education in environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly and significantly affect the world around us, such as avoiding the use of plastic and paper, reducing water consumption, separating refuse, cooking only what can reasonably be consumed, showing care for other living beings, using public transport or car-pooling, planting trees, turning off unnecessary lights, or any number of other practices. All of these reflect a generous and worthy creativity which brings out the best in human beings. Reusing something instead of immediately discarding it, when done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which expresses our own dignity."

Francis began his encyclical quoting Francis Assisi. “ 'Praise be to you, my Lord'. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. 'Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.' ” These words were penned long before the hippies began their love affair with "Mother Earth." This is a revelation of the pope and his intense desire to join forces with those who are fighting to protect "Mother Earth." In one very pointed publication, the pope has unified an army which will demand one day a week be set aside as a day of rest wherein "Mother" may rest from the attack by cruel mankind. That day will not be the Sabbath of the Lord, but it will be the sun day. It has been labeled the "green sabbath."

Obama statement on encyclical   

On the very same day the pope's message was published, the President of the United States immediately responded. "I welcome His Holiness Pope Francis's encyclical, and deeply admire the Pope's decision to make the case - clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position - for action on global climate change." This comes as no surprise, it is a plank in the Democrat Party's platform. What is unusual for an American president is to address the pope as "His Holiness" and to give the man "full moral authority" when he is but a man even though he is called "Vicar of Christ." This is not a Christian attitude, nor is it in harmony with the Protestant heritage of America.

Protestant America Crossing the Abyss

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photo: Architect of the Capitol

The Vatican leader was invited by the Republican leader of the House of Representatives and the Democratic Vice President who is the leader of the Senate, both Roman Catholics. The pope's address was just what all thought it would be, a statement of Roman Catholic beliefs which were presented to encourage American politicians to follow that path. The statement made regarding religious "fundamentalism" as a danger was interesting. " We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms. But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps." While God is separating the sheep from the goats, the "Vicar of Christ" is demanding no such separation take place. God forbid there would be two groups, saints and sinners. Soon, very soon, those two groups will be forever fixed. Characters will have been formed that none can escape. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11.

"Polarization" is taking place, and we know he will confront it. The long arm of the state will be used in an attempt to stamp out that small group that refuses to join the ecumenical movement. The whole world is being unified before our very eyes. Both conservative and liberal will join forces in paying homage to the image being created.

Pope Addresses United Nations

On September 25th, 2015, Francis addressed the United Nations assembled in New York on their 70th anniversary. He expressed his hope for action on the subject of "climate change." "The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the World Summit, which opens today, is an important sign of hope. I am similarly confident that the Paris Conference on Climatic Change will secure fundamental and effective agreements. Solemn commitments, however, are not enough, although they are certainly a necessary step toward solutions. The classic definition of justice which I mentioned earlier contains as one of its essential elements a constant and perpetual will.....Our world demands of all government leaders a will which is effective, practical and constant, concrete steps and immediate measures for preserving and improving the natural environment...."

Paris summit meeting

Both the President of the United States and the pope, the two most powerful men in the world, had been expressing their hopes the Paris Summit on climate change would yield success in reducing the use of fossil fuels. The meeting is United Nations "Conference of the Parties 21." The intent of the United Nations, the pope, and the president is to bring about change in the world. The subject of "Parties 21" is something which is important to understand as it pertains to the sovereignty of nations, or more pointedly, the removal of national sovereignty.

The Paris Summit was an attempt at social engineering. It is more than an attempt to reduce the use of fossil fuels. It sought to have the wealthy nations of the world pay for their use of fossil fuels. As the majority of the nations seek for this change in social relations, the pope and president are calling for, there is a clever plan to relax the need for taking from the rich to give to the poor. What if all of the nations of the world were to agree to cease doing business one day a week? This would create a huge reduction in the production of co2. Businesses and factories would cease burning fossil fuel, trains, ships, and trucks would cease  burning fuel.

Who could object? The great burden to pay for the cost of climate change would be lifted off the backs of the wealthy. The unions would be pleased. Their workers would be assured of one day a week off. Families would be together one day a week. There is agreement to allow "Mother Earth" to rest one day a week. There appears to be only one small group who will contest this arrangement.

Sunday rest

The urgent need for climate change action is uniting environmentalists with unions workers. The question comes up, which day shall we rest upon? The environmentalists don't care. One day in seven will be fine. But, to close businesses on different days is not workable. So, we have to agree on which day the world will rest. For the world to agree on such a matter, it will need the participation and leadership of the United States.  Is this something the Democrats and Republicans can agree on? They are generally opposed to each other on most political issues. Could the two sides agree on having a day of rest, and if so, can they agree on which day? One of the two most powerful men in the world, some would say he is the most powerful, has already made the decision as to which day will be the day of rest. The pope and his predecessors already have proclaimed Sunday as a sacred day. Is it possible America could agree? In an effort to reduce co2 emissions, it seems unlikely President Obama would disagree. The base of his party includes labor unions who have been pushing for Sunday laws in
Europe for some time. And, on the Republican side, conservatives would be happy to not have to pay for climate change. Also, there is a large Evangelical base in the party that already view Sunday as the Sabbath.

With the United States providing leadership, it would seem the United Nations, the pope, the environmentalists, the labor unions, and the Evangelical Christians would find success in seeking Sunday as the day "Mother Earth" could rest. The whole world would be willing to refrain from work on the sun day.

“It’s the alliance between science and religion and policy that’s going to save us,” said Veerabhadran Ramanathan, professor of atmospheric and climate sciences at the University of California, San Diego.  [  ] http://ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/right-role-technology-dissected-santa-clara-encyclical-conference

Objections to Sunday sacredness


There will be a few who will not accept legislation making Sunday a day of rest. They will fight such an attempt. And, they will be despised by the world. What can be done to quiet this small group that not only object, but insist on not working on the Bible Sabbath?  Not being able to refute their Bible doctrine, the pastors from the Sunday churches will point to the disasters taking place at an increasing rate as the result of the desecration of Sunday, it is God's wrath upon an impenitent world. The penalties for breaking the Sunday rest will be increased. And, those who speak against the world's desire to make Sunday special will be persecuted for their beliefs. The laws against hate speech will be strengthened. If one's religion is said to be the cause of resting on the Sunday, that will be a violation of the hate speech law. And, who will side with those who are attempting to swim against the current? None accept those who are moved by Biblical principle.

Could this battle devolve into physical violence against the little group resisting the sun day laws? That would seem contrary to what we see happening in the world today. There is much concern about violence. And, there is even serious discussion about using speech that may encourage others to violence. Many are pointing fingers at Donald Trump in response to his words which are felt to have encouraged violence. Is this fair? Trump's speech appears to be a concern. “I’m sorry but you’re 100 votes short, even though the next one is 500 votes short, I think you would have problems like you’ve never seen before. I think bad things would happen, I really do. I believe that. I wouldn’t lead it but I think bad things would happen.” [   ] 3-16-16 http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/03/16/donald-trump-warns-of-riots-and-bad-things-if-supporters-ignored/  He is unhappy, therefore he says "bad things would happen." Because someone disagrees with me, is that an excuse to use physical violence? Someone was punched at one of his rallies. Is it ok to punch someone because you don't like what they said? The one who threw the punch is charged with a crime.

The holy book of Islam prescribes punishment for those who speak against Muḥammad. This is foreign to America. Islam at its heart does not believe in a separation between church and state. Many Muslims today desire to have laws that dictate how we are to worship God. They would have the state punish those whose speech was unacceptable to their religion. Are there others who have the same beliefs?

We understand there is a limit to free speech when it calls for violence. Islam calling for violence against those who do not agree with their religion is not tolerated in America, or at least it never used to be under the Constitution. And, when we see some politicians which appear to accept physical violence at their campaign rallies we question the legality of such actions. And, we hear a great deal in the media today as a result.

Pope threatens violence

Not long ago, Francis was commenting on the torture and murder of innocents in Syria, how wrong it is. Then he said something very shocking to me, and I am sure some other Americans were surprised to hear what some call the "Vicar of Christ" say If a friend "says a swear word against my mother, then a punch awaits him." "One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people's faith, one cannot make fun of faith." I don't believe I have heard anyone in the media report this as being similar to the threats being made by Trump.    Thus, we get a glimpse of the principles which will soon be used against those who rise up against the false Sabbath Day of rest.

What are we to do?

We must resist any attempt to make a national Sunday law. There were some who saw the urgency to be at the Capitol Building when the pope came to address the U.S. Congress. What did they see, and what did they hear? Were there cardinals on the ground prior to the pope's address? There were. What were they doing on Capitol Hill?

Are there attempts being made to reach the lawmakers with the truth? What can we do to resist the Sunday laws that are coming?

   When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near." Vol 5, Testimonies For the Church, pg 451 (1885). 

It is not only the Roman Church that has turned to the state to enforce religious doctrine, we see it today and in the past with Islam. There is not separation of church and state. Islam employs the state to punish dissent from her doctrines. Today in India we see a strong move of the state to punish dissenters from the Hindu religion. In Greece their Constitution gives the state the right to enforce religious doctrine. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,  the Church of England persecuted those of other faiths. Pastors were forced to leave their churches. They and their church members were subjected to fines, imprisonment, torture, and death.

As we near the end of this world's history, we ought to have learned the lesson. But, spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The world is not improving its morality, it is falling lower and lower as Jesus predicted. "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:37. In the days of Noah the world was so evil, God destroyed every living thing except what was in the sea and on the ark. So, we are approaching that moral condition today.

As we approach the last crisis, it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord's instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head--the papal power--the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate. While he seeks to unite his agents in warring against the truth he will work to divide and scatter its advocates. Jealousy, evil surmising, evilspeaking, are instigated by him to produce discord and dissension. The members of Christ's church have the power to thwart the purpose of the adversary of souls. At such a time as this let them not be found at variance with one another or with any of the Lord's workers. Amidst the general discord let there be one place where harmony and unity exist because the Bible is made the guide of life.  7T 182

    Now is the time to lay up treasure in heaven, and to set our hearts in order, ready for the time of trouble. Those only who have clean hands and a pure heart will stand that trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds (foreheads), and written in our hearts. The Lord has shown me the danger of letting our minds be filled with worldly thoughts and cares. I saw that some minds were led away from present truth and a love of the holy Bible, by reading other exciting books; and others were filled with perplexity and care for what they shall eat, drink and wear. I saw some, looking too far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has continued on a few years longer than they expected, therefore they think it may continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from present truth, out after the world. In these things I saw great danger; for if the mind is filled with other things, present truth is shut out, and there is no place in our foreheads for the seal of the living God. This seal is the Sabbath. I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished, and that time can last but a very little longer; and what leisure time we have should be spent in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last day.   
     My Dear Brethren and Sisters:--Let the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ be in your minds continually, and let them crowd worldly thoughts and cares from the mind. When you lie down, and when you rise up, let them be your meditation. Live, and act wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of Man. The sealing time is very short, and soon will be over. Now is the time to make our calling and election sure, while the four angels are holding the four winds.  Broadside2, January 31, 1849.

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[  ] June 18, 2015, ENCYCLICAL LETTER, LAUDATO SI’ Pope Francis  on CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME     http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html



[  ]   Statement by the American President on Pope Francis’ Encyclical

I welcome His Holiness Pope Francis's encyclical, and deeply admire the Pope's decision to make the case - clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position - for action on global climate change.

As Pope Francis so eloquently stated this morning, we have a profound responsibility to protect our children, and our children's children, from the damaging impacts of climate change. I believe the United States must be a leader in this effort, which is why I am committed to taking bold actions at home and abroad to cut carbon pollution, to increase clean energy and energy efficiency, to build resilience in vulnerable communities, and to encourage responsible stewardship of our natural resources. We must also protect the world's poor, who have done the least to contribute to this looming crisis and stand to lose the most if we fail to avert it.

I look forward to discussing these issues with Pope Francis when he visits the White House in September. And as we prepare for global climate negotiations in Paris this December, it is my hope that all world leaders--and all God's children--will reflect on Pope Francis's call to come together to care for our common home.