IS ‘ANTICHRIST’ YET TO COME OR IS HE ALREADY HERE? Part VII

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

IS ‘ANTICHRIST’ YET TO COME OR IS HE ALREADY HERE? Part VII

Fellow students of the Bible whoever and wherever you are and whatever Christian church or denomination you belong to or identify with, remember this:

“The Reformation did not, as many suppose end with Luther” [as is being actively promoted by busy papal apologists embedded in the churches and publishing houses of the world printing textbooks for the academe from primary to doctoral level end with Luther].

“It is to continue to the close of this world’s history. Luther had a great work to do in reflecting to others the light which God had permitted to shine upon him [at that time at the last half century of the Dark Ages of the supreme reign of the papacy in the Old World, 538-1798 A.D.] yet he did not receive all the light which was to be given to the world.

From that time to this [post 1844, the year ending the 2300-day/year prophecy of Dan. 8:14], new light [in the three angels’ messages of Rev. 14] has been continually shining from the Scriptures, and new truths have been constantly unfolding.” (Great Controversy, 1911 ed., pp. 148,149).

It was and is only the ones “who, by intelligent faith “follow the the Lamb withersoever He goeth,” tracing His steps from His ascension at Calvary as the victorious “Lamb of God” to His change of role, office and authority as the penitent sinner’s merciful High Priest, Intercessor, Mediator, Advocate, and finally Judge of all the earth before He returns in all His glory as King of kings and Lord of lords bringing His eternal rewards of either eternal life or eternal death that was determined by the book of records in heaven during Christ’s pre-advent judgment announced by the first angel’s message of Rev. 14:6, who see and understand the advancing light of the truth, specifically the unfolding and fulfillment of the “time of the end” prophecies (from 1798 and onward).

All the rest remain where they begun and never advanced with the truth though their numbers multiplied rapidly. That helps to explain why these are so many denominations and churches all claiming to be Christian yet have different and even conflicting doctrines, creeds, dogmas. Prophecy also revealed this sad and fearful falling away of the once-Protestant churches to soon become the “image of the beast” as spiritual harlot “daughters” of “Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and the Abominations of the Earth.” See Revelation chapters 13 and 17.

For all who profess to be members of the remnant church of prophecy (Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 19:10) please also remember this:

“The Reformers whose Protest has given us the name PROTESTANT felt that God had called them to give the light of the gospel to the world [in their time, at that stage and condition of the church according to the prophecy of the seven churches of Rev. 2 and 3], and in the effort to do this, they were ready to SACRIFICE their possessions, their liberty, even life itself.” (Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 627).

“We are engaged in an important and essential work, and must carry on an aggressive [not passive, only when-convenient or “seasonal”] warfare. We are to stand on PROTESTANT PRINCIPLES; for the POLICY OF THE PAPACY will edge their way into every possible PLACE to PROSCRIBE LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.” (Vol. 5 Review & Herald, p. 540, Sept. 9, 1909).

Are we unconsciously functioning on Protestant principles or Papal policies? If we thoroughly “examine and prove ourselves whether we are in the faith” by “the law and testimony” (Isa. 8:20) we might be surprised to discover “dross” and “tinsel” mixed among the genuine articles that need to be discarded quickly lest they become permanent “fixtures” or worse,  stubborn “barnacles” so difficult to scrape away!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF