ACT II

[Liane H]

Some people, when seeing this topic title probably think of a play that they went to see, which usually has several parts, called acts, but more than likely in this generation, most think of the popcorn they buy at the supermarket and eat while watching their favorite show or movie.

This topic is not about either one of them. The first great scene in history took place two thousand years ago in ACT I.  The beginning of this ACT I, was the death and resurrection of Christ and the beginning of the work of Pentecost.

The primary emphasis in the book of Acts is the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sweeps in upon the diciples like a rushing wind.  Followers who formed the church were required to wait and pray.  They were empowered to be witnesses unto Christ.

The Book of Acts is our best guidebook in understanding the working of the Holy Spirit through the church and in the world. It gives us a profound understanding of the nature and mission of the early church.

Book of Acts in Chaper 2:1

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2:41

Then they that gladly received his word (Peter) were baptized: And continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The word ACT means: a thing done, a doing, to have an effect on.

EGW states in Letter 100, 1909

"The whole of the book of Acts should receive careful study.  It is full of precious instructions; it records experiences in 'evangelistic work,' the teachings of which we need in our work today."

She states further in RH 4/4/1893

"Jesus says, 'Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.' It is the union of the Holy Spirit and the testimony of the living witness that is to warn the world."

This first ACT followed the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to this lowly sinfilled world.  It was His work for three years that prepared the Apostles for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

ACT II is to come in glory and righteousness. The King is coming.  It is our mission, calling and responsiblity to make known and ready a dying world, every soul aware of the great and terrible day of the Lord.

Now God is preparing the world to meet their King.  Are we ready?

In the wee hours of the Sabbath morning I will continue with ACT II.  As this Sabbath has begun, is beginning to be experienced around the world, let us pray that our hearts will be prepared to go out into the world and tell every soul of the soon coming of the great King.

Liane    

[This message has been edited by liane (edited 01-06-2001).]

[Richard Myers]

Amen, Sister Liane. That is why we are here!  

Richard

[Liane H]

With an event that is going to be so panoramic in nature, with the eternal destiny of every soul to be determined, this should be on the mind and lips of every person living on this planet, but it is not.

The earth, rumbling and nature acting out in fury as never before seen in the history of this earth seems to know and is reacting more than we are to the coming of this great cosmic event that will forever alter every living thing for all eternity.

ACT II is about to come upon us.  For many this will be a rude awakening, but for some it will be the most sought after event in their short lives, the coming of the King.

Ellen G. White stated in RH 7/20/1886 in   words that express a heart compeling statement that should or could very well be our own words:

"It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the time when the events of the Pentecost shall be repeated with even greater power than on that occasion...
...God can breathe new life into every soul that sincerely desires to serve Him, and can touch the lips with a live coal from off the alter, and cause them to become eloquent with His praise. Thousands of voices will be embued with the power to speak forth the wonderful truths of God's Word."

With words such as, earnest longing, live coal, eloquent praise, wonderful truths, power to speak, should impress on our minds that she is trying to say something that can be within the power of a "thousand voices" to proclaim, the great news is, that the King is coming, but sad to say, I, as some of us realize, we are only hearing whispers of soft voices.

Why?

Let us read what she says in volume 7, page 33:

"Everyone on whom is shining the light of 'present truth' is to be stirred with compassion for those who are in darkness. From all believers, light is to be reflected in clear distinct rays. A work similar to that which the Lord did through His delegated messengers after the Day of Pentecost. He is waiting to do today.  At this time, when the end of all things is at hand, should not the zeal of the church exceed even that of the early church?  Zeal for the glory of God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty power.  Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a longing to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ and Him crucified?  Should not the power of God be even more mightily revealed today then in the time of the Apostles?"

These are good questions from the pen of inspiration to us today.  We should be asking them to ourselves.

Remember the definition of ACT:

A thing done: have you been doing?
A doing: are you doing right now?
To have an effect on: are you?

Notice these are not passive in nature, but the very word means action.  

The key word that reaches out to me in the  above quote says a lot: "Everyone on whom is shining the light of present truth," seems to make a point that she speaks of in Volume 7, page 146:

"Those who follow Christ's example of self-denial for the truth's sake make a great impression on the world. Their example is convincing and contagious.  Men see that there is among God's professed people that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from selfishness.  In the lives of those who obey God's commandments, worldlings see convincing evidence that the law of God is a law of love to God and man.

The experience of apostolic days will come to us when we wholeheartedly accept God's principle of benevolence--consent to all things to obey the leading of His Holy Spirit."

Again we are brought back to the greatest resource that every follower of Christ should have, and that is the power of the Holy Spirit.  Nothing would have happened two thousand years ago, that will not happen today, if we are not embued with this same heavenly power in our lives. Holy Spirit mixed with present truth, should awaken in every heart, every soul and every follower that longs for the coming of the King.

It is in the writing of these words here and those that I have expressed in God's WILL, that tells me that there are things happening throughout the world in the name of Jesus Christ, some great and wonderful, others simple and direct, but for the vast majority of the church, it is sleep.

It is not how many that Jesus looks for, but in what are we doing for Him on this earth. For in one voice can bring many to repentance, to the knowledge of the salvation of their soul. We all must reach out and proclaim the good news, the King is coming.

Liane

After I come back from church I will finish  ACT II, regarding our relationship to Christ in these closing days of earth history.          

[This message has been edited by liane (edited 01-06-2001).]

[Richard Myers]

Amen, Sister Liane!

The harvest field is white! Where are the workers?   Heavenly Father, send forth workers into your vineyard, amen!

Richard

[Liane H]

The most important information that EGW gives regarding the early church and will be repeated at the coming of the King is clearly laid out in Christ's Object Lessons starting with page 121:

"One interest prevailed.  One object swallowed up all others. All hearts beat in harmony.  The ONLY AMBITION of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character, and to labor for the enlargement of His Kingdom.

These scenes are to be repeated, and with greater power.  The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Spirit awaits our demand and reception.  Christ is again to be revealed in His fulness by the Holy Spirit's power.  Men will discern the value of the precious pearl, and with the apostle Paul they will say, 'What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.' Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.' Phil 3:7,8."

What is the Bible and SOP saying here?

It is very clearly saying, that before the coming of the King, there is going to be a movement of God's people that will not only experience the former rain, but will experience the latter rain with all the force that the Holy Spirit will give to a last generation that believe and follow Him. She says, and I want to repeat it in bold letters:

THE SPIRIT AWAITS OUR DEMAND AND RECEPTION.

What is the Spirit waiting for?  

The Spirit is waiting for us to commence ACT II. To set the stage for all the events that will follow after, for us to proclaim the good news to the whole world.

The final message in Revelation is this:

"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

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.

And behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

These are not sealed words, the message of Revelation 14 is to go forth with such a loud cry, the world will hear, that there will such light shining for all to see and those that love the light will embrace it and those that cannot receive the light will hide in darkness.

Christ is to be the centerpiece of ACT II as he was in ACT I, but not as the carpenter, but as the King coming to reclaim his Kingdom on earth once and for all eternity.

We must prepare the world for this grand ACT II, for the King is coming!

Liane    

 

[Liane H]

We are now living in the final stages of ACT II of Gods plan for the ending of the life of this planet as we know it today.  Will we be part of that plan or are we working against Him, or are we just not doing anything. Take a few minutes to read these words from the Desire of Ages, page 822:

The Saviour's commission to the diciples included all the believers.  It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister.  All to whom the heavenly inspiriation has come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men.  For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.

This statement is very clear. Not one member in God's church is to lack in proclaiming the good news to the world. The work of saving souls is COMMISSION upon ALL. And it is to continue to THE END OF TIME. The TRUST WITH THE GOSPEL is given to every member. This is a SACRED VOW that we all have been PLEDGED to do. To be CO-WORKERS with Christ.

We have been given the gift of being part of ACT II. We should be pleased that we live in the greatest and final time of the finishing of the Great Controversy. It has been the Desire of all Ages that this time would come and here it is.

Let us bring ACT II to a closure, so that Christ can end his work as our Mediator, So that there will be an end to pain, suffering and death once and for all.

We must do this work so that the Angels in heaven can proclaim: The King is Coming!

Liane

   

Liane    

[Richard Myers]

Amen!  

Jesus IS coming soon and we can hasten that day!  In order to do this we must be found abiding in Christ, that His Spirit is working in and through us. We may have this experience today and may encourage others to have it also. Let us encourage one another as we travel up that narrow, steep path that leads to our God.  

In His love and grace,   Richard

[Edward F. Sutton]

Our thoughts determine what we do & why. Our thoughts and motives & feelings have an action on our faith and actions.  After a while our faith begings to conform to the habitual tenor of our thoughts, our actions follow either good or bad. Selfish or unselfish.

But it is our privilidge to obtain, to obtain what ever God can implant in us. Well what can He do ?

(only one facet)
"The soul of the prophet, emptied of self, was filled with the light of the divine. As he witnessed to the Saviour's glory, his words were almost a counterpart of those that Christ Himself had spoken in His interview with Nicodemus. John said, "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. . . . For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him." Christ could say, "I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." John 5:30. To Him it is declared, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Heb. 1:9. The Father "giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him."  {DA 180.1}

    "So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full." Col. 2:9, 10, R. V.  {DA 181.1}

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What would that do to evangelism ? Consider what did it do to evangelism.  It propelled it to where Paul could accuratly say after the Gospel command had been earlier given. The command that carried in it obtainable presence and power.

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Paul could later report that this had happened.
Colossians 1:23  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,  and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

When it happens in our generation - guess what will happen ?

Matthew 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

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Ed Sutton

[Wendy]

Amen!

Come soon Jesus and help us to surrender 100% so that we will not obstruct the work you wish to do through and in us. Amen.

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Maranatha!:)