Month: November 2020

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Devotionals

WHAT MITHRAISM, CHRISTMAS, AND SUNDAY WORHIP HAVE IN COMMON

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHAT MITHRAISM, CHRISTMAS, AND SUNDAY WORHIP HAVE IN COMMON

Yes. you read it right: not Communism, Socialism, Fascism, jingoistic Nativism, Federalism or Feudalism, but MITHRAISM, the earliest form of universal (or “catholic”) RELIGION of sun-worship!
Now read on and be better informed; for the choices and decisions we make are only as sound and enduring as the information and knowledge we have on the matter.
As the Bible says, “My people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge [of truth].” Consider the following carefully as we approach the traditional holidays, particularly Christmas,  under this unprecedented period of national and global anxiety and uncertainty, in the advancing light of the end-time prophecies of Daniel and Revelation:

“MITHRAISM, an outwardly refined sun worship, invaded the ROMAN EMPIRE in B.C. 67, and made way for itself by gathering under its wing ALL THE GODS OF ROME, so that ‘in the middle of the third century [A.D.] Mithraism seemed on the verge of becoming the universal religion.” – Encyclopedia. Britannica, Vol. XVIII, art. ‘Mithras,’ p. 624, 11th edition, 1911.

“That which made Mithraism so popular was the fact that the Roman Caesars adopted it, and the [Roman] soldiers planted its banner where ever they went [remember what Cestius did in the prophesied first invasion of Jerusalem in A.D. 70?].
The higher schools of GREEK learning also adopted it, so also did the NOBILITY, or the better classes of society which gave it great PRESTIGE. Its ‘Mysteries’ had a bewitching and fascinating influence on the people (general populace). And SUNDAY, called ‘the venerable day of the sun,’ was the popular HOLIDAY [not yet ‘holy’ day] of Mithraism.

“On the other hand, the PRIMITIVE Christian religion appeared to the learned Greek scholastics and their followers of eminent nobility as ‘foolishness’ (see 1 Cor. 1:18-23), and the Romans looked down upon the Christians with disdain and utter contempt. After the Jews had rebelled against the Roman government [see Josephus’ ‘Antiquities’] (Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed by Titus, A.D., 70, and multitudes of the Jews were sold as slaves), hatred and contempt for them had become quite general among the Romans, and everything Jewish was despised. Thus Sunday, in the Roman world, stood for what was eminent ans popular, while the SABBATH, kept by the Jews, stood for what was despised and looked down upon. The temptations placed before an aspiring man, therefore, lay all in one direction.” Facts of Faith, p. 97.

More following tomorrow, God willing, NMF. 

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Devotionals

GOOD-BYE HERULI, HELLO EMPEROR JUSTINIAN

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

GOOD-BYE HERULI, HELLO EMPEROR JUSTINIAN

First, the last thoughts of the prophesied end of the Arian Heruli kingdom, then to how and why Justinian, then emperor of Eastern Rome, is called “the Son of the Church,” that is, the Church of Rome, not  Christ’s church:

The historian “Hodgkin points out that this coming of the archbishop to meet the Ostrogoths was STAGED so as to ‘impress vividly on the minds of both Italians and Ostrogoths that Theodoric came as a FRIEND of the Catholic Church.’ -‘Italy and Her Invaders,’ Vol.III, book 4, pp. 234, 235. Hodgkin further states that the Roman clergy were PRIVY to a terrible secret plot of murdering the followers of Odovacar all over Italy.(Ibid, 225, 226).

“The Heruli disappeared from from history. Thus the FIRST of the ‘three horns’ of Daniel 7:8 was ‘plucked up by the roots,’ and history leaves no room for doubt that the Papacy THROUGH its allies engineers this act because of its opposition to Arianism.

The Emperor Justinian.”Before passing on to the next power  destroyed by the Papacy we shall briefly state the CONDITION of the Roman Empire at [that] time.

“Justinian had finally ascended the throne of Constantinople as the Emperor of the East, 527 A.D. [The Roman Empire was divided into Eastern and Western Rome]. He was a SHREWD POLITICIAN, and in his effort to extend his rule over the WHOLE of the Roman Empire he realized his need of securing the COOPERATION of the HIGHLY ORGANIZED Catholic Church, for it was directed by a single head (the pope), and worked as a UNIT all over the [Roman] empire, while the Arian nations STOOD SEPARATELY, without a central organization, and hence they were weak.

Then too, the Arians were VERY WEALTHY, and if Justinian could conquer them IN THE NAME OF ‘THE TRUE CHURCH,’ he could confiscate their property and thus secure means to carry on his many wars. We read:

“Justinian (527) ….already meditated ….the conquest of Italy and Africa.’ – ‘Decline and Fall,’ Edward Gibbon, ch. 39, par. 17. “Justinian felt that the support of the Pope was necessary in reconquering the West [i.e., the Western Roman Empire].  – ‘History of Medieval Europe,’ L. Thorndike, Ph.D., p. 133, Cambridge, Mass.: 1918.

“Justinian spared nothing in his efforts to conciliate the Roman Church, and we find inserted with evident satisfaction in Justinian’s CODE PONTIFICAL LETTERS, which praised his efforts to maintain the peace of the Church and the unity of religion [Roman Catholic].” – ‘Cambridge Medieval History,” Bury, Gwalkin, and Whitney, Vol. II, p. 44, NY, 1913.  
More to follow,  NMF. 

Categories
Devotionals

THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ GETS THE OSTROGOTH ARIAN ‘HORN’ TO DESTROY HIS FELLOW HERULI ARIAN ‘HORN’

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ GETS THE OSTROGOTH ARIAN ‘HORN’ TO DESTROY HIS FELLOW HERULI ARIAN ‘HORN’

As the trite but always relevant saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall.’ The enemy of all truth knows this truism all too well. Hence, his diabolical mind devised an all-too-successful scheme and strategy out of it and weaponized it, known as: “Divide and conquer.”

“Nearly all the wars which the northern barbarians carried on in Italy…..were occasioned by the pontiffs [popes]; and the hordes, with which Italy was inundated, the generally called in by them [the pontiffs].- ‘History of Florence,’ p.13. Universal Classics Library, 1901.

“The historian Villari says THEODORIC at the head of the OSTROGOTHIC hordes entered Italy in the autumn of 488, backed by the authority of the emperor and the [Roman] Church. Because of the discord that had now broken out between Odovacar [king of the Heruli kingdom] and the Pope had weakened the former and consequently made him less formidable, after two disastrous battles he retreated toward the city of Rome for safety from the Ostrogoths, but ‘the gates of Rome were shut in his face, and the inhabitants of Italy began to show him marked hostility; partly on account of his recent conflict with the [Roman] Church, partly from the increased deeds of spoliation ….

“The [Roman] Church HAD TAKEN ADVANTAGE of all these causes of this DISCONTENT in order to excite the populace against him; and before long it was openly said that the CLERGY had organized a GENERAL CONSPIRACY against him somewhat, it would seem, in the style of the Sicilian Vespers.’ – ‘The Barbarian Invasion of Italy,’ 1880, Vol. I, pp. 153-156.

“John Henry Cardinal Newman, D.D., says: ‘Odovacar was sinking before Theodoric [his fellow Arian] and the Pope was CHANGING one Arian master for another.’ – ‘An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine,’ Part II, p. 320. London. 1878.

“Villari continues: ‘On the 5th of March, 493, Theodoric entered Ravenna in triumph, all the CLERGY coming forth to meet him, chanting Psalms, and with the Archbishop at the head of the procession.’ -‘The Barbarian Invasion of Italy.’ Vol. 1, p. 158.

“Ten days later Odoacer (Odovacar) was murdered in cold blood.” – Edwardson, ‘Facts of Faith,’ Southern Publishing, 1943, pp. 38, 39.

Satan, “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning,’ used ‘subtility’ and craftiness to deceive Eve in Eden. His main agency on earth, the Papacy, has ever used the same strategy in her growth and development as clearly revealed in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. “Knowledge is power.” “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” God bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

THE ‘TEN HORNS’ AND THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ OF THE ‘FOURTH BEAST’

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ‘TEN HORNS’ AND THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ OF THE ‘FOURTH BEAST’

The Ten Horns. This is explained in the same chapter as ‘ten kings’ in verse 24.  If the ‘four kings’ of v. 17 represents ‘kingdoms’ (see on v.3) parallel to the four EMPIRES of ch. 2, then there is fully as much reason to understand these ‘ten kings’ as kingdoms also, even as the ‘four horns’ of the GOAT (ch.8:22).

“The successive invasions of the Roman Empire by numerous Germanic tribes, and the replacement of the empire by a number of separate states or monarchies, are well established facts of HISTORY.

“Owing to the fact that a score or more BARBARIAN tribes invaded the Roman Empire, commentators have compiled lists of the kingdoms that were founded. The following list is representative:

“Ostrogoths, Visugoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Heruli, Lombards, Burgundians. Some prefer to list the Huns in place of the Allamanni, however the Huns DISAPPEARED early without leaving a settled kingdom.  The period was one of great upheaval, confusion and change  [in the Old World of Europe] during which a large number of states secured their independence.

“Another Little Horn.’ “Better, ‘another horn, a little one.’ Though ‘small’ in the beginning, this little horn is described LATER as ‘more stout than his fellows,’ literally, ‘greater than its companions.’ It will be seen that this is the CONTINUATION of the Roman power in the Roman church.  (Note what these historians wrote, emphasis mine):

“Out of the ruins of POLITICAL Rome arose the great MORAL Empire  in the ‘giant form’ of the Roman Church.” (A. C. Flick, The Rise of the Medieval Church, 1900, p.130.

“Under the Roman Empire the popes had NO TEMPORAL POWERS. But when the Roman Empire had DISINTEGRATED and its place had been taken by a number of rude, barbarous kingdoms, the Roman Catholic Church not only became INDEPENDENT of the states [civil powers] in religious affairs but DOMINATED SECULAR affairs as well.

“At times under such rulers as CHARLEMAGNE (768-811), OTTO THE GREAT (936-73), and HENRY III (1039-56), the civil power controlled the church to some extent, but in general, under the weak political system of FEUDALISM, the well-organized, unified, and centralized church, with the POPE AS ITS HEAD, was not only independent in ecclesiastical affairs, but ALSO CONTROLLED CIVIL AFFAIRS.’ (Carl Conrad, Eckhardt, “The Papacy and World Affairs, 1937, p. 1.” Commentary on the Book of Daniel, A Section of Vol.4 of the SDA Bible Dictionary,p. 826.

The diligent study of the prophecies and the whole sanctuary message that gives the wonderful details of the comprehensive plan of redemption of the everlasting gospel, unmistakably reveals how very close we are to the final test of mankind, the close of probation, the final time of trouble, and then the glorious appearing of our blessed Lord and Savior, bringing with Him the promised reward to all “the saints” who patiently “keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus”!!

My prayer is that we shall “endure” and be found of Him “faithful to the end.” Bless all, NMF. 

Categories
Devotionals

ARIANISM OF THE HERULI, VISIGOTHS, VANDALS AND OSTROGOTHS: THE THREE HORNS ‘UPROOTED’ BY THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK: 

ARIANISM OF THE HERULI, VISIGOTHS, VANDALS AND OSTROGOTHS: THE THREE HORNS ‘UPROOTED’ BY THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER

We now resume our focus on the “another little horn” that came up “from among” the “ten horns” of the fourth beast, Rome, and uprooted “three of the ten horns” bringing it into power.

D & R 120: What was Arianism, the religion of the Heruli, Vandal, and Ostrogoth kingdoms of Italy at that time?

“The fourth century was destined to witness an obstacle thrown across the path of the ambitious dream [of the Bishops of Rome]. The prophecy had declared that the power represented by the little horn would ‘subdue three kings’ (kingdoms). In the rise and development of ARIANISM early in the fourth century and the challenge it presented to the Papal supremacy, we find the CAUSES leading to the ‘plucking up’ of 3 of the kingdoms of WESTERN Rome by the papal power.

“ARIUS, parish priest of the ancient and influential church in Alexandria [Eastern Rome], promulgated his doctrine to the world [civilized world then], occasioning so fierce a controversy in the Christian church [at that stage of the seven church periods] that a general council was called at Nicaea, by the emperor Constantin in A.D. 325, to consider and rule upon its teaching.

What was Arius’ controversial doctrine? “Arius maintained that ‘the Son was totally and essentially distinct from the Father; that He was the first and noblest of those beings whom the Father had created out of nothing, the instrument by whose SUBORDINATE operation the Almighty Father formed the universe, and therefore INFERIOR to the Father, BOTH in nature and dignity.’

“This opinion was condemned by the council, which decreed that Christ was one and the same substance with the Father. Hereupon Arius was BANISHED to Illyria, and his followers were COMPELLED to give their assent to the creed composed at that occasion.” – Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, pp. 120, 121. 
To be continued tomorrow, God willing. Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

OUTLINE: THE PROPHETIC SECTION OF DANIEL

November 10, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

OUTLINE: THE PROPHETIC SECTION OF DANIEL

II. Prophetic Section, chapters 7-11: 12:13.

A. Daniel’s second prophetic message, 7: 1-28. (Under A). 1. The four beasts and the ‘little horn,’ 7:1-8.  2. Judgment and eternal reign of the Son of man, 7:9-14.  3. Interpretation of the vision by and angel, 7:15-27.  4. Impression in Daniel, 7:28.

B. Daniel’s third prophetic message, ch. 8:1 to 9: 27. (Under B) 1. The ram, he-goat, and horns, 8:1-8.  2. The ‘little horn’ and its wickedness, 8:9-12.   3. The TIME prophecy concerning the CLEANSING of the Sanctuary, 8:13,14.   4. Gabriel interprets the FIRST portion of the vision, 8:15-26.  5. Daniel’s sickness as the RESULT of the vision, 8:27.  6. Daniel PRAYS for restoration and CONFESSES his people’s [the Jews in captivity], 9:1-19.  7. Gabriel interprets the REMAINING portion of the vision, 9:20-27.

C. Daniel’s   fourth prophetic message, ch. 10:1 to 12:13. (Under C)  1. Daniel’s fast, 10: 1-3.   2. The appearance of a ‘certain man’ and the effect on Daniel, 10:4-10.   3. The ‘certain man’s preliminary talk with Daniel, 10:11 to 11:1.   4. A vision concerning future HISTORICAL events, 11:2 to 12:3.   5. The duration of the “wonders;” personal promises to Daniel, 12:4-13.”

There are four parallel visions in Daniel, given in the following: ch.2; ch.7; chs. 8, 9; and chs. 10-12. Take note that each of the four parallel visions end in the Roman element. Repeat, the Roman element, pagan than papal!

May God give all wisdom, skill and understanding as He did with Daniel because Daniel “purposed in his heart” to do God’s will! Bless all, NMF. 

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Devotionals

OUTLINE: HISTORICAL SECTION OF DANIEL

November, 9 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

OUTLINE: HISTORICAL SECTION OF DANIEL

To encourage and enable you to do your personal diligent study of the book of Daniel, in addition to our group effort, here under is the Historical Section outline. The Prophetic Section follows tomorrow.

Historical Section. 1:1 to 6:28.

A. The education of Daniel and his companions. 1:21. (Under A) 1. The first transportation of captives from Judah to Babylon,  1:1,2.  2. Daniel and his friends selected to be trained for royal service, 1:3-7.  3. Daniel procures permission to live according to his (God’s) law, 1:8-16. 4. Successful education and acceptance into the royal service, 1:17-21.

B. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, 2:1-49. (Under B) 1. Nebuchadnezzar disturbed by a dream, 2:1-11.  3. Daniel receives knowledge and expresses gratitude, 2:17-23.  4. Daniel communicates the dream to the king, 2:24-35.  5. Daniel interprets the dream, 2:36-45.  6. NEBUCHADNEZZAR acknowledges God’s greatness,  2:46-49.

C. Deliverance of Daniel’s friends from the fiery furnace, 3:1-30. (Under C) 1. Nebuchadnezzar erects an IMAGE and demands its its worship, 3:1-7. [Note parallel antitype in Rev. 13]. 2. The three faithful Hebrews refuse to worship image, 3:8-18.  3. The deliverance from the furnace by divine intervention, 3:19-25.  4. Nebuchadnezzar’s confession and decree; the Hebrews promoted, 3:26-30.

D. Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream, humiliation, and restoration, 4:1-37.  (Under D). 1. Nebuchadnezzar’s confession of God’s knowledge and power, 4:1-9.   2. Description of the dream, 4:10-18.  3. Daniel’s interpretation of the dream, 4:19-27.   4. Nebuchadnezzar’s fall and restoration, 4:28-36.  5. Nebuchadnezzar praises the God of heaven, 4:37.

E. BELSHAZZAR’S banquet and the loss of the monarchy, 5:1-31. (Under E). 1. Belshazzar’s desecration of the Temple vessels, 5:1-4.  2. The mysterious handwriting on the wall, 5:5-12.   3. Daniel’s interpretation, 5:13-28.   4. Daniel receives honor, Babylon FALLS, 5:39-31.

F. Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den, 6:1-28. (Under F). 1. Daniel’s elevation and the jealousy of his colleagues, 6:1-5.   2. Darius’ decree RESTRICTING prayers, 6:6-9.   3. Daniel’s transgression of the decree and his condemnation, 6:10-17.   4. Daniel’s deliverance and the punishment of the accusers, 6:18-24.   5. Public recognition of the greatness of Daniel’s God, 6:25-28.

Ask, seek, and knock for the Holy Spirit to guide, enlighten, teach, convince, convict and then bring all things you study into remembrance.  Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

THE FOUR PARALLEL VISIONS OF DANIEL AND WHAT EACH EMPHASIZES

November, 8 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE FOUR PARALLEL VISIONS OF DANIEL AND WHAT EACH EMPHASiZES

“The book of Daniel gives a demonstration of the principles according to which God’s WISDOM, POWER, and AUTHORITY operate through the HISTORY OF NATIONS for the eventual accomplishment of the divine purpose.

“God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill’ His ‘purpose’ (Ed 175). IT HAD ITS PERIOD OF TEST [as a nation/empire]; it failed, its glory faded, its power departed, and its place was occupied by another [Medo-Persia] (Ed 177). see on ch. 4:17).

All four visions of the book of Daniel are concerned with the struggle between the forces of good and evil [part of the great controversy between Christ and Satan] on this earth from the time of Daniel to the establishment of the eternal kingdom of Christ [the kingdom of glory]. Inasmuch as Satan uses the POWERS OF EARTH in his effort to thwart God’s plan and to destroy God’s people, these [4] visions introduce THOSE POWERS through which he [Satan] has been most active!

“The FIRST VISION  (ch. 2) deals primarily with POLITICAL changes. It’s primary objective was to reveal to Nebuchadnezzar his role as ruler of Babylon, ‘to make known to him ‘what should come to pass hereafter’ (v. 29).

“As if to supplement the first vision, the SECOND (ch. 7) emphasizes the EXPERIENCE of God’s people DURING the sovereignty of the powers mentioned in the FIRST VISION, and forecasts the ultimate victory of the [commandment-keeping] saints and God’s JUDGMENT upon their enemies (see vs. 14, 18, 26, 27).

“The THIRD VISION (chs. 8; 9), supplementing the second, emphasizes Satan’s ATTEMPTS to do away with the religion and people of Christ.[This is what we are facing very soon in the fulfillment of Revelation 13, starting in America!].

“The FOURTH VISION (chs. 10-12) SUMMARIZES the preceding visions and covers the ground with MORE DETAIL than any of the others. It AMPLIFIES the subject of the second vision and that of the third vision.

“The focus of the emphasis is on ‘what shall befall Thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is yet for many days’ (ch. 10:14), and the ‘time appointed was long’ (v.1). The narrative outline of history covered in ch. 11: 2-39 leads up to ‘the latter days’ (ch. 10:14) and the events of ‘the time of the end’ (ch. 11:40).” – Ibid, pp. 752, 753.

The “time of the end” here is not the end of time but the year 1798, the year in which the Dark Ages that started in 538 A.D., came to the end with the capture of Pope Pius Vi by Gen. Berthier, commander of Napoleon’s French Republican army. Pope Pius died in France the following year, “wounding as to death one of the heads of the beast.”’ See on Rev. 13. More tomorrow, God willing. Bless all, NMF