FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
August 12
CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’- NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’!
We start this series with two foundational Scripture verses that unmistakably reveal the stark contrast between the “Son of man” and the “man of sin,” (as a natural continuum of the previous series on the Gospel of Christ vs the ‘Gospel’ of the Antichrist).
Here they are from the KJV:
“Then Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. (see verses 28, 29).
Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of the world be cast out [note that]. And I, IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, WILL DRAW [the attention of] ALL MEN UNTO ME. This He said, SIGNIFYING WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD DIE [by crucifixion].
The people answered Him, we have heard out of the law [the writings of Moses] that CHRIST abideth forever. And how sayest Thou, THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP? WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the LIGHT with you. Walk WHILE ye have the light, lest DARKNESS come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness, KNOWS NOT whither he goeth. While ye have Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the CHILDREN OF LIGHT [opposite of ‘children of darkness’].” John 12: 30-46.
Now, to these foregoing verses regarding the Son of man, compare and contrast the following regarding the man of sin as revealed by apostle Paul:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [Christ’s advent] shall not come, except there come a falling away first [of the Church] and that MAN OF SIN be revealed, the SON OF PERDITION. [What are his outstanding characteristics?] “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God [the church], shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thess. 2: 3-12.
Uriah Smith wrote: “Here Paul introduced to our view the man of sin, the LITTLE HORN, or the papacy, and covers with a caution the whole period of his supremacy. which as already noticed [in our past series], continued 1,260 years [beginning 538 A.A.] ending in 1798.” -‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ p. 521, Revised 1932, 1974, Southern Publishing Asso.
Ellen G. White, in harmony with the early Protestant Reformers, wrote (emphasis mine):
“This COMPROMISE between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of the ‘MAN OF SIN’ foretold in prophecy as ‘opposing and exalting himself above God.’
That gigantic system of false religion is a MASTERPIECE of Satan’s power,–a MONUMENT of his efforts to sit himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.” -Great Controversy, 1911 ed., p. 50, Pacific Publishing Association
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF