Month: January 2021

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

PROPHECY, NOT PUNDITRY REVEALS WHO AND WHAT THE REAL ENEMIES AND LAST CRISIS AMERICA IS FACING

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

PROPHECY, NOT PUNDITRY REVEALS WHO AND WHAT THE REAL ENEMIES AND LAST CRISIS AMERICA IS FACING

Dear friends, review the spiritual warning given in Rom. 13:11-14 in conjunction with mankind’s final threefold merciful last warnings with this specific prophecy revealing America’a end-time role in the closing scenes of the great controversy. As prophetically symbolized, she starts as a peaceful beast with (two) lamb-like horns” but as ‘truth is stranger than fiction, she metamorphoses into “one speaking [legislating and acting] “like a dragon,” that is, like the composite yet “leopard-like beast” introduced at the opening of Revelation 13.

Wake up, Christian Right, Moral Majority, Christian Nationalists, Patriots (of all stripes and colors), mainstream Christianity, the body politic, the pundits and the people of this greatest of all nations in the New World.

As Jesus Christ declared: “My kingdom is not of this world!” The spiritual kingdom Christ established at His FIRST coming, which prepares incorruptible and immortalized citizens for His final kingdom of glory that is ushered into reign for eternity at His SECOND coming, is not like any of man’s vaunted kingdoms, empires, nation-states, republics, democracies or any monolithic institutions venerated by mortals——which have all crumbled and fill the dustbins of history. So declared “the sure word of prophecy” that will never fail though the heavens and the earth will pass away!

“The prophecy of Revelation 13 that the power represented by ‘the beast with lamb like horns’ shall CAUSE ‘the earth and them which dwell therein’ to worship the Papacy—-there symbolizes by the beast like unto a leopard.’

“The beast with [two lamb-like] horns Is also to say ‘to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an IMAGE to the beast,’ and furthermore, it is to COMMAND ALL, ‘both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to RECEIVE ‘THE MARK of the beast.’ [know what ‘beast’ this is because many ascribe it to everything else but].

“It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamb-like horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled WHEN the United States shall ENFORCE Sunday observance, which ROME [the papacy] claims as the SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of her supremacy. But in this homage [worship by subservience, obedience and compliance and alliance] will not be alone.

“The influence of Rome in the countries that ONCE acknowledged her dominion, is still far from being destroyed [see the Philippines, South America, the once-Balkan states, Europe, the Africas, etc.].” E. G. White, ‘The Great Controversy.’ 1911 ed. ‘Aims of the Papacy,’ chap. 35, pp, 578, 579. Pacific Press Publishing Asso. Mt. View, CA: 1911.

Only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth “as it is in Jesus” will any sinner be set free from the heavy bondage of darkness of ignorance and error and the galling chains of sin! Bless all, NMF

Categories
Sermon

Theocracy Today Is Apostasy, Not Better Christianity

YouTube

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Theocracy Today Is Apostasy, Not Better Christianity

Audio Version:

Play, download or share the good news

Powered by RedCircle

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

POLITICS AND RELIGION: A MATCH MADE BY SATAN

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

POLITICS AND RELIGION: A MATCH MADE BY SATAN

Benjamin Franklin, sage of the Continental Congress, expressed this as his conviction:

“When religion is good, it will take care of itself; when it is not able to take care of itself, and God does not see fit to take care of it, so that it has to appeal to the civil power for support, it is evidence to my mind that it’s cause is a bad one.”- Letter to Dr. Price.

Writing of the election of bishops, the historical Schaff declares that:

“Many are elected in account of BADNESS, to prevent the mischief they would OTHERWISE do.’ – ‘History of the Christian Church,’ Vol. III, Sec. 49, par. 2, note 6, p. 240.

“Even the sanctity of the church was not respected by the fighting parties. The historian Milman, speaking of the installation of a bishop at Constantinople says,——-‘In the morning, Philip [the prefect of the East] appeared in his car, with Macedonius in his side with the pontifical attire; he drove directly to the church, but the soldiers were obliged to HEW [cut] their way through the dense and resisting CROWD to the altar. Macedonius passed over the DEAD bodies (three thousand are said to have fallen) to the throne of Christian prelate.’- ‘History of Christianity,’ Vol. XI, p. 426. NY. 1870. Socrates (‘Ecclesiastical History,’ Bk. II, chap. 17, p. 96) gives the number slain as 3150.

“Can we wonder at the lack of spiritual insight and sound judgment of such bishops when they met at their Councils to formulate the CREED OF CHRISTENDOM? They decreed in favor of image worship, purgatory, prayers for the dead, veneration of relics, and many other HEATHEN customs, PERSECUTING all who would not fall in line with their MONGREL customs. At the Council of Laodicea, A. D. 304, they anathemized Sabbath-keepers in the following way:

“Christians must not JUDAIZE by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honoring the Lord’s Day [Sunday]; and if they can, resting then as CHRISTIANS. But if any should be found to judaizers [keeping the seventh-day Sabbath], then let them ANATHEMA from Christ.’ – ‘Canon XXIX, ‘Index Canonum,’ John Fulton, D.D., LL.D., p. 259.” (From Facts of Faith, C. Edwardson, pp. 115, 116.

Be a blessing not a burden, to someone today, only by God’s grace, NMF.

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

FACT-CHECK ALL INFO FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

FACT-CHECK ALL INFO FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Paraphrasing an old but still sound cliche, IF anything sounds or looks too good and too easy to be true, it most likely is—especially in the last days when confusion, contradiction, counterfeiting, deception and distraction were prophesied to prepare the way for Satan’s final “over mastering delusion,” just before Jesus comes.

Hence, it is even more vital now that we first “stop, look, and listen,” “look to the left and right before crossing the street” or “test the condition and depth of the waters before leaping in. Or as the Bible says, “Count the cost first” before engaging in any endeavor.

Indeed, Caution and precaution are the “parents of safety.” An American Indian proverb says “Words [spoken but particularly printed] are like arrows; when you shoot them they never come back again.” Just look at the American democracy-shattering and history-making event that the nation and the world watched in disbelief abs horror that happened at the Capitol Building—the physical symbol and center of the exceptionalism of the American democratic process—-as men and women, egged on and corrupted by conspiracy theories and lies propagated on social media platforms, deteriorated into fanatical “patriots” and turned them into irrational, wild-eyed, war-like people you would normally see acting that way in third-world countries and banana republics.

“It is part of my responsibility and accountability to God towards you, members of His flock, as one of His little “watchmen and light bearers” and “under shepherd” to remind all to be EXTRA discerning and vigilant on how you access, accept, search, receive, process and handle all kinds of information and content in age of information explosion—-especially coming from the mammoth social media platforms and influencers. While their owners have set their own standards of public interest and safety, God’s people in these last days described as not only as the “commandment-keepers that have the faith of Jesus” but are “patient.” This characteristic virtue of patience—-in an overwhelming global environment and atmosphere of impatience, impulsive-compulsive behavior and reactionary rather than well-informed proactive, thoughtful decision-making and plans—-is in itself, a valuable defense and protection. It dramatically reduces, if not totally preemptive, of many unanticipated, unforeseen, unhelpful and even regrettable choices, decisions, and actions.

Here are some practical tips:
1) Read carefully and unhurriedly: do not immediately “read between the lines” with your own preconceived ideas and opinions involved right away—these leans heavily on subjectivity instead of objectivity.
2) Pray and consult the Bible and Testimonies first as your main “man of counsel,” focusing on what God has chosen to reveal in prophecy: that is what is for: use it to your advantage and to Satan’s disadvantage.
3) Fact check in the internet what other official sites are saying.
4) Consult those whom you know and trust as having experience, maturity, knowledge and understanding of such matters, intellectually and spiritually. Remember that sincerity and purity of motives, in and of themselves alone, are not enough to win a war. We are in fact fighting the war of all wars, hence, our General personally designed and ordered us to wisely use “the whole armor of God” specified in Ephesians 6:10-18. Review your war manual again in conjunction with the marching-working orders detailed in Matthew 10: 1-42.

This is how to “fight the good fight of faith,” “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints,” and “overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil” as we navigate the treacherous stretch ahead heavily-mined with Sagan’s “unnumbered snare.”

Remember that God is on our side IF we are on His side, not on the opposite, opposing or complacent or compromising side of the great controversy. Win a personal battle today. God bless all, NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

POLITICS AS WELL AS PAGANISM CORRUPTED THE EARLY CHURCH

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

POLITICS AS WELL AS PAGANISM CORRUPTED THE EARLY CHURCH

We resume from where we left off as we trace from cause to effect to be properly guided as to what to pay attention to, which have been taking place behind the scenes (that are not more “conspiracy theories” but prophetic facts) and thus be spiritually and mentally prepared for what greatest crisis mankind will ever face. Thus, in review we see that:

“The church at that time [even now and at the close of probation time] consisted to two widely different kinds of church members:

  1. The OLD class, with their devoted leaders, had accepted Christianity in the PRIMITIVE [original apostolic purity] way, by genuine observance and SEPARATION from the world [in their religion and life practices], suffering for Christ and His unpopular truth. This class lived mostly in the country and out-of-way places.
  2. The NEW converts lived mainly in the large cities, and had come through a MASS MOVEMENT, following the CROWD on what was MOST POPULAR, attracted by the hopes of TEMPORAL gain of honor, or they had been FORCED in by the SECULAR arm. These were DEVOID of any personal Christian experience, but constituting the MAJORITY [as in the more recent ‘Moral Majority,’ and lately, the growing “Christian Nationalism” movement], they ELECTED [political process] bishops of their own kind [or ‘political party’ on strictly party lines].

“The election of bishops were attended with SECRET CORRUPTION AND BLOODY VIOLENCE, which was only too natural for that ‘kind of Christians.’! The respected historian Edward Gibbon says of these elections:

“While one of the candidates boasted the honors of his family, a second allured his judges by the delicacies of a plentiful table, and a third, more guilty than his rivals, offered, offered to share the PLUNDER OF THE CHURCH among his accomplices of his SACRILEGIOUS hopes.’ – ‘Decline and Fall,’ chap. XX, par.22.

“Rev. H.H. Milman says:
“Even within the Church itself, the distribution of the superior dignities became an object of FATAL AMBITION AND STRIFE. The streets of Alexandria and of Constantinople were deluged with BLOOD by the partisans of RIVAL BISHOPS.’ – ‘History of Christianity,’ Book 3, chap. 5, par. 2, p. 410. NY. 1881. (From ‘Facts of Faith,’ C. Edwardson, (Revised), p. 115. Southern Pub. Asso. 1943.

Be a blessing, not a burden, to someone today. NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

THE WATCHMEN’S SPECIAL MESSAGE AND DISTINCTIVE WORK THAT PREPARES FOR THE CLOSE OF EARTH’S PROBATION

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE WATCHMEN’S SPECIAL MESSAGE AND DISTINCTIVE WORK THAT PREPARES FOR THE CLOSE OF EARTH’S PROBATION

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, therefore hear the word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.” Ezekiel 3: 17, KJV. (read verses 18-27): and 33: 1-33..

And the faithful watchmen should never forget that: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain.” Ps. 127:1.

This is another parenthetical pause from our progressive daily series on the three “horns” and the “little horn” of Daniel 7. It is necessary to be constantly reminded that we are on a definite mission, not some rag-tag band, with a specific work and goal to accomplish, not guesswork or a trial-and-error endeavor. The quote below is specifically for those who identify themselves as “Seventh-day Adventist” or members of the commandment-keeping remnant church of prophecy.
In brief but concise and comprehensive words here it is for your records:

“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as WATCHMEN and LIGHT BEARERS. To them has been entrusted the last warning
for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a WORK of the most solemn import—-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is NO other work of greater importance. They are to allow NOTHING else to absorb their attention.

“The MOST solemn truths EVER entrusted to MORTALS have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these TRUTHS is to be our work. The world is to be WARNED and God’s people are to be TRUE to the trust committed to them.

“They are not to engage in SPECULATION, neither are they to enter into BUSINESS enterprises with UNBELIEVERS for this would HINDER them in their God-given work.

“Christ says of His people, ‘Ye are the LIGHT of the world.’ Matt. 5:14. It is not a small matter that the counsels and plans of God have been so clearly opened to us. It is a wonderful PRIViLEGE to UNDERSTAND the will of God as REVEALED in ‘the sure word of prophecy.

“This places on us a HEAVY responsibility. God EXPECTS us to impart to others the KNOWLEDGE He has given us. It is His purpose that DIVINE and HUMAN instrumentalities shall UNITE in the proclamation of the WARNING message.” – E. G. White, Testimonies. Vol. 9, p. 19.

“Unto whom much is given much is required.” In the Bible greater privileges equals greater responsibility and accountability, not exclusive entitlements and favors for “God is no respecter of persons.”
Blessings for the day, NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

THE ARIAN AFRICAN VANDAL ‘HORN’ PLUCKED UP BY THE ROOTS

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ARIAN AFRICAN VANDAL ‘HORN’ PLUCKED UP BY THE ROOTS

“Treachery, which with Rome and her allies has always been a JUSTIFIABLE WEAPON, was here used IN THE service of the [Roman Catholic] Church by her dutiful son. Justinian [the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire] sent an army of 200,000 trained men under the leadership [of command] of Belisarius to conquer the Vandals WITHOUT declaring war, and UNBEKNOWN to Gelimer, king of the Vandals. The historian Villari says:

‘Belisarius landed on the African coast at nine days march from Carthage (the Vandal capital]. He did not ASSUME the attitude as a conqueror, but came, he said, as the DELIVERER of the Catholics and Romans, the clergy and proprietors, who were all equally oppressed by those foreign barbarians, the heretic Vandals.’ – ‘The Barbarian Invasion of Italy,’ Vol. I, p. 198.

“Thus Belisarius [commander of Justinian’s army] won the enthusiastic support of a large part of the population [beware of the popular majority]. To UNDERMINE the zeal of the Vandal leaders FOR THEIR KING, he [Belisarius] sent the ‘leading men of the Vandals’ a letter from Justinian, stating that he intended only to dethrone the usurping king, who was tyrannizing over them, and to give them back their LIBERTY. The letter reads:

‘It is not our purpose to go to war with the Vandals nor are we breaking our treaty with Gaiseric [a bare-faced lie]. We are only attempting to overthrow your tyrant,who making light of Gaiseric’s testament keeps your king a prisoner….Therefore join us in FREEING YOURSELVES from a tyranny so wicked, that you may enjoy PEACE AND LIBERTY. We give you pledge IN THE.NAME OF GOD that we will give these BLESSINGS.’…..The overseer of the public post DESERTED and delivered all the horses to Belisarius.’ – ‘History of the Later Roman Empire,’ J. B. Bury, Vol. II, p. 130. London. The Macmillian Co., 1925.

“But Justinian never intended to keep his SOLEMN OATH to grant them liberty, and the people soon found Rome the SEVEREST of tyrants.

“In 533 A. D. the Byzantine general Belisarius landed in Africa. The Vandals were several times defeated, and Carthage was entered on Sept. 15, 533…..In the next year Africa, Sardinia, and Corsica were restored to the Roman Empire. As a NATION, THE VANDALS SOON CEASED TO EXIST.’ – ‘Nelson’s Encyclopedia, Vol. XII, art. ‘Vandals,’ pp. 380, 381. New York. 1907.

“Religious INTOLERANCE accompanied the imperial restoration in the West [Roman Empire]. In Africa, as in Italy, Arians were spoiled [destroyed] for the BENEFIT of the Catholics, their churches were destroyed or ruined, and their lands confiscated.’ – ‘Cambridge Medieval History,’ Bury, Gwatkin, and Whitney, Vol. II, p. 44. NY: 1913.” (Facts of Faith, pp. 42, 43.

Bless all as we familiarize ourselves with details of church history in the light of prophecy. This is part of the comprehensive Third Angel’s message for the last days. NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

WHILE MULTITUDES PINE FOR THE “PAST” AND YEARN FOR THE “NEW,” HERE’S WHAT THE REMNANT SHOULD KNOW

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHILE MULTITUDES PINE FOR THE “PAST” AND YEARN FOR THE “NEW,” HERE’S WHAT THE REMNANT SHOULD KNOW

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there ANYTHING whereof it may be said, See this is NEW? It hath been ALREADY of old time, which was BEFORE us.” Ecclesiastes 1: 9,10, KJV

“The Roman Catholic Church, with all its ramifications throughout the world, forms one vast organization, under the control, and designed to serve the interests, of the Papal See. It’s millions of communicants, in every country [and nation] of the globe, are INSTRUCTED to hold themselves as BOUND TO ALLEGIANCE TO THE POPE. Whatever their NATiONALITY or their GOVERNMENT, they are to regard the authority of the CHURCH as ABOVE all other. Though they may take the oath pledging their loyalty [and ‘allegiance’] to the STATE, yet back of this lies the VOW OF OBEDIENCE TO ROME, absolving them of every pledge INIMICAL to her [The papacy’s] interests.

“HISTORY testifies of her artful and persistent efforts to INSINUATE herself into the affairs of NATIONS: and having gained a FOOTHOLD, to further her own aims, even at the RUIN of princes and people.

“In the year 1204, Pope Innocent III, extracted from Peter II., king of Arragon, the following extraordinary oaths: ‘I, Peter, king of Arragonians, profess and promise to be faithful and obedient to my Lord, Pope Innocent, to his Catholic successors, and the Roman Church, and to faithfully preserve my kingdom in his obedience, defending the Catholic faith, and persecuting heretical probity.’ (Doe longs, ‘History of Romanism,’ b. 5, ch. 6, sec. 55). This is in harmony with the claims regarding the power of the Roman pontiff [popes], that ‘it is lawful for him to DEPOSE emperors, and that “he can ABSOLVE subjects from their allegiance to unrighteous rulers.’

“And let it be remembered, that it is the BOAST of Rome that she NEVER CHANGES. The principles of Gregory VII, and Innocent III, are STILL the principles of the Roman Catholic Church. And had she but the POWER, she would put them into PRACTICE with as much vigor NOW as in PAST centuries [Never forget the Dark Ages!].

“Protestants (today’s Christian mainstream] little know what they are doing then they propose to accept the AID of Rome in the work of SUNDAY EXALTATION. While they are bent on the accomplishment of THEIR purpose, Rome is aiming to RE-ESTABLISH her power, to RECOVER her lost supremacy [from 538 to 1798 A.D.].

“Let the principles be once established in the UNITED STATES, that the CHURCH may employ or control the power of the STATE [which the new makeup of the Supreme Court and silent “Christian majority” of politicians, legislators, lawmakers and powerful pundits are now in strategic offices and positions], that religious observance may be ENFORCED by SECULAR laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to DOMINATE THE CONSCIENCE, and the TRIUMPH of Rome in this country [America] is ASSURED.

“God’s Word has given the warning of the [real] IMPENDING DANGER [not COVID, China, Iran, North Korea, Islam, invading space aliens, global warming, socialism, communism, etc.]; let this be UNHEEDED and the Protestant world [mainstream Christianity] will learn what the purposes of ROME really are, ONLY when it is TOO late to escape the SNARE! She [The RCC] is silently growing into power. Her DOCTRINES are exerting their influence in LEGISLATIVE halls, in the CHURCHES, and in the HEARTS [and minds] of men.

She is piling up her lofty and massive structures, in the SECRET RECESSES of which her FORMER PERSECUTIONS WILL BE REPEATED. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when THE TIME SHALL BE GIVEN FOR HER TO STRIKE. All that she desires is vantage ground [in America], and this is ALREADY being given her.

“We shall soon SEE and FEEL what the purpose of the ROMAN ELEMENT [as in Romanism\ is. Whoever shall believe and obey the Word of God, will hereby incur reproach and persecution.” – Great Controversy, 1911 ed., ‘Aims of the Papacy,’ ch., pp. 580, 581.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed, if one takes heed. Bless all and grow in the knowledge of the Lord and His testing truths starting this first calendar day of 2021. NMF