Category: Daily Manna

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

THE IMAGE OF OR TO THE BEAST SOON TO TAKE OVER AMERICA

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE IMAGE OF OR TO THE BEAST SOON TO TAKE OVER AMERICA

See Revelation 13. For those who have been “slumbering in carnal security” lulled into fatal slumber by the “peace-and-safety” false assurances of hope and salvation offered by the purveyors of the ear-pleasing and conscience-stifling prosperity gospels and the conspiracy-shrouded prophetic interpretations causing paranoia, extremism, fanaticism, political militancy and producing a heady mix of misplaced fears, misguided zeal, feelings of a divine calling and anointing for a sacred and higher calling and empowerment for religious militancy to enforce one’s beliefs, as the past fueled the Crusades and all other religious wars such as the bloody Christian Crusades, Muslim jiihad, etc.—-it is “high time now to wake out of sleep for now is” the fulfillment of Revelation 13 “nearer than when we first believed.” See also Rom. 13: 11-14. Now this:

The Earliest Efforts to Unite Church and State in America in Contradiction to the Ideals of the Founding Fathers;
Christian Edwards wrote: “In Holy Scriptures Christ Jesus is repeatedly spoken of as the Lamb of God. Bible prophecy represents America by a similar symbol, which had ‘two horns like a lamb.’ The Word of God informs us, however, that this peace-loving power, despite of its lamb-like principles [symbolized by its two horns], eventually would say ‘to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an IMAGE to the beast [the Papacy], which has a wound by a sword, and did live.’ Rev. 13:14.

“The Papacy was formed by a UNION of church and state, which resulted in the persecution of dissenters [against religious laws enacted and enforced by the state].

“An ‘IMAGE,’ or ‘likeness ‘ to the Papacy IN AMERICA would be a union of church and state, or CO-OPERATION between them, as in the days of papal ROME. And, seeing it to be ‘an image to the beast,’ it CANNOT be the beast itself, but must be an EFFORT started among PROTESTANTS [mainstream Christianity today], who desire the aid of state to enforce some of her dogmatic. For nearly three quarters of a century Protestant churches and CIVIC organizations have kept at work to create just such a RELATION between church and state in the United States.” – ‘Facts of Faith,’ Christian Edwardson, p. 302, Southern Publishing Asso. Nashville, TN. 1943.

Notice what is blatantly absent or glaringly wanting is that of the forgiveness of Christ, not the forgiveness of the “church.” More follows, only by God’s grace, NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

MEANS THE PAPACY USE TO DESTROY ARIAN ENEMIES

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

MEANS THE PAPACY USE TO DESTROY ARIAN ENEMIES

Neither deceit nor force are pathways to true freedom and liberty.

“Religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together.” – ‘Writings of James Madison,’ Vol. III. p. 373.

Christian Edwardson wrote: “In order to give the reader a better understanding of the MEANS used by the Papacy these three Arian kingdoms, we shall quote from Thomas Hodgkin a few brief statements. He states that THEODORIC, the Ostrogothic king, ‘endeavored to have ‘a close league of mutual defense formed between the four great Arian and Teutonic monarchies, the Visigothic, the Burgundian, the Ostrogothic, and the Vandal.’ But ‘diplomatists were wanting [who could act] as their skillful and eloquent representatives, traveling like Epiphanius from court to court, and bringing the Barbarian sovereigns to understand each other, to sink their petty grievances, and to work together harmoniously for one common end.

Precisely these men [the skillful diplomats] were the CATHOLIC PRELATES of the Mediterranean lands to whom it was all-important that NO such Arian league should be formed….All over the Roman world there was a serried array of Catholic bishops and presbyters, taking their orders FROM A SINGLE CENTER, ROME, feeling the interest of each one to be the interest of all. In lively and constant intercourse with one another, quick to discover, quick to disclose the SLIGHTEST WEAK place in the organization of the new heretical kingdoms [of Arians]. Of all this there was NOT A SLIGHTEST TRACE on the other side [the Arians]. The Arian bishops…..stood APART from one another in STUPID AND IGNORANT ISOLATION.’- ‘Italy and Her Invaders,’ Thomas Hodgkin, (8-vol. ed.) Vol. III, Book 4, pp, 381-383. Oxford. 1889.

“The SAME principle was clearly stated by the Catholic Bishop Avitus, when the Arian king Gundomad appealed to him not to allow the Catholic king CLOVIS [of the Franks] to overrun his country. Avitus answered: ‘If Gundobad would reconcile himself to the [Catholic] Church, the Church would guarantee his safety from the attacks of Clovis.’- Ibid, p 384.”- Facts of Faith, pp. 45, 46.

Take note of Clovis, king of the Franks [later called France]. The year he converted to Catholicism marks the starting date of a specific time prophecy in Daniel that has already been fulfilled within the longest time prophecy of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14.

Even as Friday is preparation day for each weekly Sabbath so is this short stretch of probation our preparation time for “the day of God”—-the day of final reckoning and visitation! Have a sanctifying Sabbath! NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

WHEN HE COMES WILL HE FIND TRUTH ON THE EARTH?

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHEN HE COMES WILL HE FIND TRUTH ON THE EARTH?

in His parable of the “unjust judge who feared not God nor regarded man” in his interaction with a persistent widow, He ends it with a question: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?’ Luke 18:1-8, KJV.

Jesus, “the way, the truth and life.” through the Holy Spirit now on earth, is the “Faithful and TRUE Witness.” Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 19:11. “The Holy Spirit comes to the world as Christ’s Representative (Vicegerent) It [He] not only speaks the TRUTH, but it [He] is the truth—-the Faithful and True Witness. It [He] is the great Searcher of hearts and is acquainted with the CHARACTERS of all.” (E.G. White, ‘Counsels to Teachers and Parents,’ p. 68).

Seriously diligent students of Bible prophecy know with a certainty that we are now living in the very last days of earth’s history, as mankind has known it from the testimony and witness of both the Bible and extant extra-biblical records, historians and even scientists of various disciplines whose views harmonize with the Biblical account of creation.

These last days are specially characterized and symbolized by prophecy as the “great Babylonian confusion” of doctrinal mash-up of truth and error entering its most confusing, deceptive and thus. deadliest stages (see Rev. 14 and 18).

The gospel-prophet described it as: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” Isa. 5:20, KJV.

Lying in the last days is of the most sophisticated, professional-grade (of the corrupted quality) and in cascading torrents in quantity and influence, is fast taking hold of the people and the nations.

As one put it so accurately, “The first casualty in a war is the truth.” And the nations, kingdoms and even still-existing tribes or those of tribal-mentality in the digital age are at war or deeply-rooted bitter conflict, protracted guerilla-type, sudden surgical strikes with superior weapons, tactics and stratagem, whether low-grade conflict, internecine, or officially declared.

In-your-face lying-without-batting-an-eyelash in the highest and most influential stages and broadest of newly-found spaces are quickly draining the last remaining precious gallons, if not drops from the once-abundant public wells of primitively-pristine truth which is only “the truth as it is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:27, see verses 20-32).

Sadly indeed, they have given “that which is holy to the dogs and cast the pearls before swine that they trample them under their feet [sharp hooves] and turn again and rend [tear] you.” Matt. 7:6, KJV.

Indeed , the “two witnesses of truth” have been spiritually assaulted again and their almost-dead bodies are “lying on the street of fhe antitypical spiritual “great city.” (See Revelation 11).

The question “When He (Jesus) comes, will He find FAITH?”’now is, “Will He find TRUTH in the earth?” The answer of He who is “the way, the TRUTH, and the life” is: No and Yes.

No, never among those comprising “Babylon the great that is fallen twice” and who is specifically described as “Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth….the Woman drunken with the blood of martyrs and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Rev. 17 (see verses 1-8).

And Yes, happily yes but only to be found with “the saints who patiently keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12), who conscientiously refused to “receive the mark of the beast in their foreheads or in their right hand” and “worshipped his image,” (Rev. 13: 15; . 19:20) and have “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over his mark” (Rev. 15:2).

Will you and me be part of the No or Yes? Your convictions, and choices of courage now, based on the divinely-endowed will of man with its fundamental inalienable rights, regardless of any changes, will determine your eternal destiny, so near at hand! Make that your perpetual “new year’s resolution;” better yet, daily resolution and plan for the day, one day at a time as it comes. Bless you and your families, NMF

Categories
Daily Manna Devotionals

OSTROGOTHS: THE THIRD AND LAST ARIAN ‘HORN PLUCKED UP BY ITS ROOTS’

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

OSTROGOTHS: THE THIRD AND LAST ARIAN ‘HORN PLUCKED UP BY ITS ROOTS’

We now come to the last of the “three horns” that were “plucked up by their roots” paving the way for the “little horn” power of Daniel 7.:20, 21 “to wax exceeding great…” Dan. 8: 9-12. (Be sure to read these verses for yourself):

Theodoric, king of the Ostrogothic nation of Italy, maintained COMPLETE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY for all classes and creeds. He wrote to Justin, Emperor of the East [of the Roman Empire]:

‘To pretend over the conscience, is to usurp the prerogative of God; by the nature of things the power of sovereigns is confined to political government; they have no right of punishment but over those who disturb the public peace; the most dangerous heresy is that of a sovereign who separates himself from part of his subjects, because they believe not according to his beliefs.’ – ‘History of Latin Christianity,’ H. H. Mailman, Vol. I, Book III, chap. 3, p. 439. NY: 1860.

“The wars of the migrating barbarians on one side, and the persecutions of the heathen, Jews, and Arians by the CATHOLIC CHURCH on the other, had kept Italy in constant turmoil. Agricultural pursuits were neglected, people crowded into the cities, and want and starvation faced the population. But Theodoric’s wise and firm rule, and the strict RELIGIOUS LIBERTY he established in Italy, brought PEACE, PROSPERITY, AND HAPPINESS to all others [the secret of true peace and prosperity of any nation for “righteousness exalteth a nation.”]. J. G. Sheppard, D.D., says:

‘Theodoric deserves the highest praise; for, during the thirty-eight years he reigned in Italy [not only 4 years!], he brought the country to such a state of greatness [sounds familiar somehow’] that her previous sufferings were no longer recognizable……What prevailed this man, with so great a genius for government, and so splendid an opportunity from its exercise, from organizing a Germanic Empire, equal in extent and power to that which obeyed the scepter of the old Roman Caesars? Of why did he fail, when Charlemagne, with a greater complication of interests to deal with, for a time at least, succeeded? ‘“- ‘Fall of Rome,’ John G. Shephard, D.D., pp. 301, 302. London: 1861.” – Facts of Faith, C. Edwardson, pp. 44, 45.

Why did Theodoric not succeed? Because prophecy revealed it so. That’s how much we can trust unconditionally on God’s infallible Word! Bless all as we continue to learn, be enlightened and better prepares for the final crisis and test of mankind! NMF

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
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