Category: Mid-week Manna

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Mid-week Manna

GOD’S SAVING ENMITY
Part 3

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 18, 2023

GOD’S SAVING ENMITY
Part 3

Without the enmity which God immediately “put between the serpent and his seed and the woman and her seed” (Gen. 3:15), immediately after the transgression and fall of Eve, followed by Adam, in Eden, there was nothing natural or intrinsic in man’s nature to counteract the mysterious power of the “mystery of iniquity” to unite Satan and his fallen angel “seed” with man, now fallen and sinful.

Apostasy and rebellion by a third of the angels led by Lucifer, against the rest of the loyal angels led by Christ, eventually resulted in the first (and last) war ever in heaven. Lucifer and his “seed” of rebellious angels were defeated and cast out of heaven and “fell” to the freshly-created earth.

Lucifer’s pride over his unparalleled beauty and excellence in knowledge, power, and privileged position and honor as a “covering cherub,” led to covetousness and jealousy against the preeminence of Christ the Creator over all heaven, all created beings and all creation.

Lucifer and all the angels were mere created angels to serve exclusively as “ministering spirits” and “all were to worship Christ only.” (Ps.104: 4; 103: 20, 21; Heb. 1: 6, 7). They were of a fixed number and had no power, reason, or purpose for multiplication by procreation. Thus they are sexless. When an angel falls he becomes a fiend. No plan of redemption exists for them for they were not “made in the image and likeness of God,” as only man was. Since then a third in the original number of angels remains “unfilled.” The plan of salvation for fallen men includes the provision for this “vacancy.” But it is not as most would carelessly opine and presumptuously assert. (A subject for another time).

This thing called “enmity,” was first manifested, mysteriously, in heaven, as part of the “mystery of iniquity.” It was LUCIFER’S (later called “the great dragon, the old serpent, Satan, the devil.” Rev. 12: 3-9). HATRED against Christ and His law, asserting the latter could not be kept by created beings and still enjoy “freedom, liberty, and happiness.” He secretly desired more and all the attention, adulation, reverence, and worship due to Christ only for himself. But “The first and greatest of all commandments” and the highest form of love and worship is to “love God with ALL your heart, all your mind, all your might or strength” (see Matt. 22: 35-38: Luke 10:25-18).

Lucifer coveted this “all.” And this led to jealousy, scheming, subtle subterfuge, and primordial “politicking”among the angels, which finally broke out openly in rebellion and finally, war. Since angels are spirits and not made of flesh and blood, this first conflict of the great controversy was “bloodless,”nonetheless an all-out, “scorched-heaven,” and pivotal war bearing eternal consequences.(See Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4).

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

GOD’S SAVING ENMITY
Part 2

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 11, 2023

GOD’S SAVING ENMITY
Part 2

The new principle of enmity (or hatred, antagonism, variance, etc.) between fallen mankind and Satan beginning at Eden (Gen. 3:15), is the first of the divinely-endowed supernatural powers given to man to wage a successful warfare against sin and Satan.

The second one was grace, amazing, empowering grace indeed! “The divine INFLUENCE upon the heart and its manifestation in the life” so that “where sin abound grace MUCH MORE abounds.” (Rom. 5:20).

Sin is of Satan. Grace is from God. In Christ’s current kingdom of grace and righteousness, we cannot serve both God and mammon” or “two masters for we either hate one or love the other” (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:8-13).

This enmity and grace were not selectively given to certain dispensations or generation nor only to certain select few but to “every nation, kindred, tongue, or people, members of the human family for “God is no respecter of persons” but to fallen mankind!

But it is only when one studies the creation account of the Bible that he will come to understand these saving truths. Evolution is devoid of any such divine powers and hope of eternal salvation in its forlorn and hollow entirety.

Man was created a free moral agent to choose rationally and willingly who to obey and what to believe. And the conscience is at the core of this faculty. Thus choose wisely for your eternal happiness and destiny depends upon it. It is only in this profound, Biblical spiritual sense that you become the “master of your destiny.” Hence, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”

In the great controversy that has been raging on earth since the fall of man in Eden six thousand years ago, no natural enmity exists between EVIL MEN AND FALLEN ANGELS! They are in league. Note the following (all emphasis and words in brackets mine):

GC 505; Te 284: “Satan tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel [in heaven, Rev. 12:4,7-9] that he might thus secure co-operation in his warfare against Heaven. There was NO dissension between himself and the fallen angels as regards THEIR HATRED [enmity] OF CHRIST; while on all other points there was DISCORD, they were firmly UNITED in opposing the authority of the Ruler of the universe.

“But when Satan heard the declaration that ENMITY should exist between him and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he KNEW that his efforts to DEPRAVE human nature would be INTERRUPTED [not instantly cut off]; that by some means [fallen, sinful] men would be ENABLED to resist his power

NOTE: Satan immediately “knew” at Eden that Adam and Eve and their “seed” would not be totally helpless against him because of God’s declaration. In these last days he also “knows his time is short.” Prophecy not merely declares but warns us: “WOE to the inhabitants of the EARTH and of the sea [whole creation] for the devil is come down upon you, having GREAT WRATH, because he KNOWETH that he hath but a short time.!” (Rev. 12: 12, KJV). This helps explain the mysterious intensifying “enmity”of all kinds manifesting itself at all levels in our world today!

“Satan’s ENMITY AGAINST THE HUMAN RACE is kindled, because, through Christ, they are the SUBJECTS of God’s love and mercy. He desires to THWART the divine plan for men’s redemption, to cast DISHONOR upon God, by defacing and defiling His handiwork; he would cause GRIEF in heaven, and fill the EARTH with woe and desolation [through the overspreading curse of sin and it’s exceeding sinfulness and malignant nature]. And he points to all these evil as a RESULT OF GOD’S WORK IN CREATING MAN. “ E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., pp, 505-6.

This is what Satan, “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning,” the master “tempter” and “accuser of the brethren” does for a living before he is finally destroyed at the end of the. true Biblical millenium (which commences at Christ’s glorious second coming). And so does his “seed.” Indeed, “by their fruits you shall know them!”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

GOD’S SAVING ENMITY

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 4, 2023

GOD’S SAVING ENMITY

It’s already the fourth day of the new year 2023. If you have already started implementing whatever resolutions, quickly yet prayerfully add this “new principle,” which, in fact and truth, is as “old and ancient” as the fall in Eden but is as potent as when first given, and even more critically vital as we near the stupendous closing events of the great controversy between good and evil laid out in the closing chapters of the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation.

Instill this divine principle in your heart and mind and inject it into your mental and spiritual arsenal of the “whole armor of God”(Eph. 6: 10-18).

See Gen. 3: 15. Enmity is a translation from the Hebrew and Greek words that means hatred; trouble; agitation; variance; hostility; a reason for opposition.”

It was God Creator who put this new principle of enmity or hatred between Satan and man immediately after the fall—the first of all PROVISIONS that accompany all of His promises and prophecies.

“[Gen. 3: 15 quoted]. The divine SENTENCE pronounced against SATAN after the fall of man, was also a PROPHECY, embracing all the ages to the close of time, and foreshadowing the GREAT CONFLICT to engage all races of men who should live upon the earth.

“God declares, ‘I will put enmity.’ THIS ENMITY IS NOT NATURALLY ENTERTAINED. When man transgressed the divine law [hence sinned and fell in Eden], his nature [instantly] became EVIL, and he was IN HARMONY, and NOT IN VARIANCE, with Satan. [This is part of the ponderous “mystery of iniquity” or sin].

“There exists naturally NO ENMITY between sinful man and the originator of sin [Satan, the enemy of God and man, “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning;” the “old serpent;” the devil]. Both became evil through APOSTASY [a falling away from the truth, disobedience and rebellion against God’s law].

The apostate is NEVER AT REST [never has Christ’s peace “that passeth understanding”], except as he obtains SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT by inducing others to follow his example. For this reason, fallen angels and wicked men UNITE IN DESPERATE COMPANIONSHIP.

“Had not God SPECIALLY interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an ALLIANCE against Heaven; and instead of cherishing ENMITY against Satan, the WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY would have been united in opposition to God.” (From the inspired pen of E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., Pacific Press Publishing Asso., p. 505. All emphasis and words in brackets mine).

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Remain blessed and “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” NMF

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Mid-week Manna

A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM WHOLE GOSPEL MINISTRIES

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
December 28, 2022

A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM WHOLE GOSPEL MINISTRIES

As we bid good-bye to the waning days and hours of this momentous year 2022—-with its unprecedented yet prophesied, mind-boggling, sanity-provoking, emotionally-jarring, ethics and values challenging, and generational lifestyle-altering changes and innovations—-we all need to take a deep breathe. He is speaking, “Be still and know that I am God.” “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” including the god of self!

Seek some quiet, safe place or any time space that enables introspection, free of unwelcome intrusions within and without. You can do it. Only be “willing to be made willing,” and God will find a way. That’s what the empowering grace of Christ will do. This is His will for all, to “Examine yourself; prove thyself whether you are in the faith.”

In more ways than we realize, the way we will meet the incoming year 2023 individually and collectively, with both its certainties and uncertainties, is determined by how much we’ve unlearned of our bad habits and presumptuous mistakes, self-centered, unChristlike spirit, immature and unbecoming ways and learned truly new and better ones, going forward from this outgoing year. Otherwise, how can we truthfully greet any one “A Happy New Year?” What could be happy and new?

Let’s adopt Apostle Paul’s eminently edifying and inspiring declaration, knowing that his martyrdom in the hands of the cruel Roman emperor Nero, was drawing near: Hear him and let’s take this as our New Year’s Resolution, as recorded in Philippians 3:7-15, KJV (emphasis mine):

 “But 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 KNOWLEDGE of Christ Jesus our Lord: for whom I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, and do count them but DUNG, that I may WIN Christ.
 “And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the RIGHTEOUSNESS which is of God BY FAITH:
 “That I may KNOW Him, and the POWER of His resurrection,  and the FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, being made conformable to His death; if   by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
 “Not as though I had already ATTAINED, either were already PERFECT: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 
 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: BUT THIS ONE THING I DO, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS ARE BEFORE,
 “I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
 “Let us therefore, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, be THUS MINDED: and IF in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall REVEAL this unto you.”

Be thus-minded, then we can humbly yet confidently claim this most precious promise of true and lasting peace that all the superpowers of this world can never achieve, much less give. Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be TROUBLED, neither let it be AFRAID.” John 14: 27.

Dear friend, resolutely meet the incoming year 2023 by giving your heart and surrendering your life to God the Father in Christ, who purchased you with His blood shed at Calvary. Then you can rightfully claim this promise by His faith:
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them [false prophets, false spirits, and the Antichrist. see vs 1-3]: because GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD.” 1 John 4: 4, KJV.

Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS UNVEILED BEFORE THE EYES OF MAN AND ANGELS IN GOD INCARNATE IN A MANGER OF ANIMALS

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
December 21, 2022

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS UNVEILED BEFORE THE EYES OF MAN AND ANGELS IN GOD INCARNATE IN A MANGER OF ANIMALS

First, you can, if you will, find time in your multi-layered, multi-tasking hectic and stressful schedules during these unprecedented, mind-boggling times, to literally take a pause. Take your Bible (preferably the KJV or NKJV) and read, “pondering in your heart,” the following verses in this order, focusing on the “Seed of the woman”: Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4: 4, 5; John 3:16: Matthew 1: 21-23.

Then follow these scriptures (all emphasis and bracketed words mine]:
“And without controversy, GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels [both the holy and the fallen angel-demons], preached [first to His own people, the Jews, then to the] Gentiles, believed on in the world [by the true believers], received up into glory [after His death, resurrection, and ascension].” 1 Tim. 3: 16, KJV.

If we are truly convinced and fully convicted that Christ indeed is the REASON we celebrate the Christmas SEASON, then our most precious thoughts and affections would center upon the glorious revelation of the great mystery of godliness, when, according to the plan of redemption, God Creator was manifested “before man and angels” as the promised “Seed of the woman,” made in the flesh and blood nature of man four thousand years after the Fall in Eden.

Love divine and love excelling, unfolded in the humblest yet immaculately-pure and majestic simplicity of the birth of the only begotten Son of God into the Son of man, when and where divinity was manifest in humanity in the unfallen universe in greatest act of divine condescension—-the incarnation!

Without ever ceasing to be God, the Creator became a Man to walk among men for thirty-three and a half years, beginning as every human does “according to natural law, an infant “born of a woman” but of a virgin birth,” Mary being “overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.”

In the Incarnation God Bound Himself to Humanity with Ties that can Never be Broken.

“In STOOPING to take upon Himself HUMANITY, Christ [the Creator] revealed a character OPPOSITE the character of Satan [the fallen covering cherub, Lucifer]. But He stepped STILL LOWER in the path of humiliation. [Phil. 2:8].

“Christ was treated as WE deserve, that we might be treated as HE deserves. He was condemned for OUR sins, which He had no share, that we might be justified [forgiven; pardoned] by His righteousness, in which we had no share, He suffered the DEATH which was OURS, that we might receive the LIFE which was HIS. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’. . . .

“In taking our nature, the Savior has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is LINKED with us [John 3:16 quoted]. He [the Father] gave Him NOT only to BEAR our sins, and to DIE as our sacrifice; HE GAVE HIMSELF TO THE HUMAN RACE. [God gave divinity to to humanity, even to the depths of fallen humanity].

“To assure us of His IMMUTABLE COUNSEL OF PEACE [Zech. 6:13; Heb. 6:17), God gave His only-begotten Son to BECOME ONE OF THE HUMAN FAMILY, FOREVER TO RETAIN HIS HUMAN NATURE.” E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 25-6 (emphasis mine).

In the incarnation, as visibly manifested in Christ’s birth, fallen humanity gained a new member of its family—the sinless “second Adam.” He partook of and will forever retain the human nature which He did not possess prior to the incarnation. And yet He never gave up His divinity. He who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” the “great I am,” “who changeth not,” never ceased to be God Creator when He became the Man Christ Jesus, the Savior of mankind whose promised second advent “draweth nigh: even at the door!”

It is only when we hold these profound, precious and glorious truths close to our hearts that we will truly understand, appreciate, and receive the specific blessings enfolded in the grand anthem sang by the celestial choir over the plains of Bethlehem at Christ’s birth. “Glory to God,‘peace on earth and good will towards man!”

Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

THE ‘ENMITY’ OF GENESIS.3:15  –  ‘EVERY MARTYR OF JESUS HAS DIED A CONQUEROR’ BEGINNING WITH ABEL

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

December 7, 2022

THE ‘ENMITY’ OF GENESIS.3:15  –  ‘EVERY MARTYR OF JESUS HAS DIED A CONQUEROR’ BEGINNING WITH ABEL

The following is quoted from Patriarchs and Prophets by E. G. White, ‘Cain and Abel Tested’ Chap. 5, (all emphasis and words in brackets mine).

“Cain hated and killed his brother not for any wrong that Abel had done, ‘but because his [Cain’s] works were evil, and his brother’s righteous’ (Gen. 4:6, 7). 

So in ALL AGES the wicked have HATED those who were better than themselves [note that!]. Abel’s life of obedience and unswerving faith [‘the faith that works by love ‘ Gal. 4:6] was to Cain a PERPETUAL REPROOF. ‘Everyone that doeth evil HATETH the light, neither cometh to the light [of truth and righteousness as revealed in the law as the transcript of God’s character] lest his deeds be REPROVED’ (1 John 3:12). 

“The brighter the heavenly light that is REFLECTED in the character of God’s FAITHFUL SERVANTS, the more clearly the sins of the ungodly REVEALED, and the more determined will be their efforts to DESTROY those who DISTURB their [carnal, self-pleasing-justifying] peace.

“The MURDER of Abel was the first example of the ENMITY that God had declared would exist between the SERPENT and the SEED of the woman—-between SATAN and his SUBJECTS and CHRIST and His FOLLOWERS. Through man’s sin [‘the transgression of the law,’ 1 John 3:4], Satan had GAINED CONTROL of the human race, but Christ would ENABLE [and empower] them to CAST OFF HIS YOKE. [The ‘enabling’ of the ‘enmity’ and empowerment of the grace of the Father in His Son, as imparted by the Holy Spirit]. 

“Whenever, through FAITH in the Lamb of God [not ‘trusting man and making flesh his arm.’ Jer. 17:5]. a soul RENOUNCES [not excuses or justifies] the service of sin, Satan’s WRATH is kindled [see Rev. 12:17; 13:12]. The HOLY LIFE of ABEL testified AGAINST Satan’s claim that it is IMPOSSIBLE for man to keep  God’s law [sounds ultra familiar in mainstream Christianity, doesn’t it!] 

“When Cain, moved by the spirit of the wicked one [Satan], saw that he could NOT CONTROL Abel, he was so ENRAGED that he destroyed his [own brother’s] life. [Jesus warned His first Disciples, “Your greatest enemies will be your own household,’ both biological and spiritual “household of faith’ or ‘church’ or ‘religion.’ See Matt. 10: 32-39, etc.]. 

“And WHEREVER there are any who will STAND IN VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW OF GOD, the SAME SPIRIT will be manifested against them [History indeed will repeat itself till the close of man’s probation!]. It is the SPIRIT that through all ages has set up THE STAKE and KINDLED THE BURNING PILE  for the disciples of Christ. [Study/review the 1260-day prophecy spanning the Dark Ages when the Roman church ruled Christianity and then the known world, 538-1798 A.D.]. 

“But the CRUELTIES heaped upon the follower of Christ are instigated by Satan and his hosts [his ‘seed’] because they CANNOT FORCE THEM to submit to their control. IT IS THE RAGE OF A VANQUISHED FOE. EVERY MARTYR OF JESUS HAS DIED A CONQUEROR. 

“Says the prophet [John the beloved], ‘They [the saints and martyrs in particular] overcame him [‘that old serpent, called the devil’] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they lived not their lives unto the death.’ (Rev. 12: 11, 9).” -pp. 76-7. 

Dear friends, In this our day and time, whose “seed” do you and I belong to? Do not guess or speculate. “Make your calling and election sure” for “By our fruits we are known.” It is either the irrefutable “fruits of the Spirt” and “righteousness” “unto life eternal” (Gal. 5:22-25) or the unmistakable “works of the flesh and sin “unto eternal damnation” (Gal. 5:19-21). In God’s plan of redemption no provision exists for “purgatory,” compromises, “a mixed multitude” of “part wordling-part Christian, amalgamations, mutants, or spiritual synthetic clones of both classes. At the close of our probation at death, we are judged eternally as either one or the other. So “today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” 

To be continued in the next MWM, God willing.  Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

GENESIS 3:15: EMBRYO OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, THE GOSPEL SEED AND OF PROPHECY AND HISTORY (Part 1) 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

November 30, 2022

GENESIS 3:15: EMBRYO OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, THE GOSPEL SEED AND OF PROPHECY AND HISTORY (Part 1) 

“I will put ENMITY between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. It shall bruise your head and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen. 3:15, KJV.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The kingdom of God is founded upon infinite love, compassion, and purity. In perfect obedience is found perfect joy.” (E. G White, Special Testimonies, Series B, Nos. 2 and 7, p. 18). This sublime truth is enfolded and unfolded in Christ’s conclusive summation of verses 1-7: “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48, KJV.

The two mechanisms through which the information, truth, nature, dynamics and spiritual nuances of both the great controversy and the GREATER plan of redemption are unfolded to mankind, are prophecy and history. 

Where eternal Bible truth is concerned, prophecy and history are inseparable; one without the other is incomplete and handicapped; a two-legged creature as it were, vainly struggling to stand, much less walk, on one. 

Furthermore, when one is foisted over the other

—-either through being a zealous but unsuspecting victim of guile and deception, willing ignorance, or reckless disregard for sacred truth, or worse, a calculated perpetration of the darkness of error and confusion, they but turn into Petri dishes where Satan “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning” cultivates and unleashes broadcast his most potent, deceptively-alluring, and widely-embraced counterfeit doctrine and errors. 

Counterfeit prophecy throws God’s orderly revealed plan and timetable into fanciful speculations, disarray, and confusion. The  theory of evolution is the counterfeit history of the origin of man, the earth and of all things visible and invisible. It presumptuously attempts to depose and occupy the sacred space and throne of omniscient and omnipotent authority that belongs to the God CREATOR alone. Satan, through Antichrist, his gigantic monolithic masterpiece, blasphemously attempts to be “verily God Himself on earth.

True prophecy and it’s corresponding adjunct of true history both expose the above fallacies and clarify and magnify the plan of redemption of the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the promises made and fulfilled—-beginning with Genesis 3:15. 

To be continued next week, God willing. Bless all, NAF.

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Mid-week Manna

EARLIEST PRECURSORS  OF COUNTERFEIT FAITH, SACRIFICE, RELIGION, WORSHIP, AND MEANS OF REDEMPTION (Part 6)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

November 2, 2022

EARLIEST PRECURSORS  OF COUNTERFEIT FAITH, SACRIFICE, RELIGION, WORSHIP, AND MEANS OF REDEMPTION (Part 6)

“And almost all things are by law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9: 22, KJV. (See verses 1-28; cf. Gen. 4: 3, 4; Rom. 3: 23-26; 5: 6-11, etc.).

None of the false assumptions and hope-crushing pretensions and presumptions of the counterintuitive  doctrine of “predestination” was (or ever will be) at work at the epilogue of the grand drama of the ages and the history book of the generations of man after the fall in Eden. 

Only that the “mystery of iniquity already was at work”—-it’s devastating immediate effects on progeny, biological and spiritual, and the cumulative, downward consequences and visceral manifestations of the “curse of sin,” quickly revealed the all-encompassing, all-pervading forces and true nature of great controversy between Christ and Satan, good versus evil, righteousness versus its opposite and counterfeit, the spiritual mind versus the carnal mind—-so immediately we learn that:

Cain and Abel, the [first] two sons of Adam, [already] DIFFERED WIDELY IN CHARACTER. Abel had a spirit of LOYALTY to God; he saw JUSTICE AND MERCY in the Creator’s dealings with the fallen race [beginning with the banishment of his parents from their Eden home and the curse pronounced upon the serpent, Eve, and the earth itself, and GRATEFULLY accepted the HOPE of redemption.

But Cain cherished FEELINGS of REBELLION, and MURMURED against God because of the CURSE pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race FOR Adam [and Eve’s] sin. Cain permitted his MIND to run on the SAME CHANNEL that led to Satan’s fall [in heaven]—-INDULGING THE DESIRE FOR SELF-EXALTATION, and questioning the DIVINE JUSTICE and authority. 

“These brothers were TESTED, as Adam [their father had been tested before them to PROVE whether they would BELIEVE AND OBEY THE [spoken] word of God. They were [equally] acquainted with the PROVISIONS made for the SALVATION of man, and understand the SYSTEM OF OFFERINGS [and sacrifices] which God ordained. They knew that in these [definitively defined and specified] offerings [and sacrifices] they were to EXPRESS FAITH in the Savior whom the offerings TYPIFIED [symbolized; a figure and representation of], and at the same time acknowledge their TOTAL DEPENDENCE on Him for PARDON [forgiveness; justification]; and they knew that by thus CONFORMING TO THE DIVINE PLAN for their redemption, they were giving PROOF of their obedience to the WILL of God.” (E. G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, Pacific Press, 1890, 1913, p. 73. 

[All emphasis and words in brackets, mine].

Remember this:  Faith is proved by Obedience: the highest, most sublime form of worship is loving, voluntary, willing, and spontaneous obedience. Therefore, trust and obey, pray without ceasing

and obey unceasingly without murmuring, for even zealous, sincere and “importunate” prayer never every replaces, is  a substitute for, or negates known duty as defined in God’s “law and testimony.” 

One without the other is incomplete, self-serving, self-justifying, vain, dead, a counterfeit of the Cain-worship brand! Likewise, it is totally unacceptable to the merciful yet just and righteous God! 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.