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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 24

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
June 21, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 24

REPROACH IS PART OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP AND THE CHRISTIAN’S LEGACY

“Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for My sake.” Matt. 5:11

As someone aptly said, “If a man deceive me once, shame on him; If twice, shame on me.”
Deception is deployed through numerous ways, including but not limited to, false accusation, evil-speaking, character-assassination, blackening motives, derision, misrepresentation, malicious imputations and imprecations, innuendo, sly suggestions, mocking, reproaching, slandering, reviling, or in today’s social media lingo, “shading,” “gaslighting,” etc.

Mount of Blessing, page 53:
“Ever since his fall, Satan has worked by means of deception. As he has misrepresented God, so, through his agents, he misrepresents the children of God [particularly His chosen messengers declaring unpopular yet present, testing truths of the everlasting gospel for earth’s final generation before its probation closes].

The Savior says, ‘The reproaches of them that reproach thee are fallen upon Me.” Ps. 69:9.

“There was never one who walked among men MORE CRUELLY SLANDERED than the Son of man [Jesus Christ the Creator incarnate]. He was derided and mocked [by the chosen nation and people, His very own] because of His UNSWERVING OBEDIENCE to the PRINCIPLES of God’s holy law. ‘They hated Him without a cause’ [John 15:25, 20-24].

Yet He stood CALMLY before His enemies, declaring that reproach is a part of the authentic, genuine] Christian’s legacy, counseling His followers HOW to meet the ARROWS of malice, bidding them not to faint under persecution!” Why?

“While slander may BLACKEN reputation it cannot STAIN the character. THAT IS IN GOD’S KEEPING. So long we do not CONSENT TO SIN, there is no power, whether human or Satanic [or a deadly combination of both in desperate confederacy] that can bring STAIN [of sin and its corrupting nature] upon the soul [the living, rational person]. 

“A man whose heart is stayed upon God is just the SAME in the hour of his most afflicting trials and most discouraging surroundings AS WHEN he was in prosperity when the light and favor of God SEEMED to be upon him. His WORDS, his MOTIVES, his ACTIONS may be misrepresented and falsified, BUT HE DOES NOT MIND IT, because he has GREATER interests at stake.

Like Moses, ‘he endured as seeing Him who is invisible’ (Heb. 11:27); looking ‘not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen’ [another application of “walking by faith not by sight.’].” E G. White, Mount of Blessing, pp. 53-4, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1943 (All emphasis and bracketed words supplied).

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 23

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 23

CHRIST’S SCHOOL OF GREAT TRIBULATION ON EARTH

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS also; knowing that tribulation worketh PATIENCE; and patience, EXPERIENCE; and experience, HOPE.” Rom. 5:2-4. “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that WE MUST THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” Acts 14: 22, KJV.

“Through trials and persecution, the glory—CHARACTER—of God is revealed in His [real] chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They walk on narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction.

“They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial, and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them the GUILT AND WOE OF SIN, AND THEY LOOK UPON IT [sin, the transgression of God’s law] WITH ABHORRENCE [and hatred]. 

 “Being PARTAKERS of Christ’s sufferings, they are DESTINED to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet [John the beloved] saw the TRIUMPH of the people of God. He says:

‘I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the VICTORY. . . . stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God, and the SONG OF THE LAMB, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou KING OF SAINTS.’ [Rev. 15:2, 3, KJV]. 

‘These are they which came out of GREAT TRIBULATION, and have washed their robes [of character] and made the white in the BLOOD OF THE LAMB [‘without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish.’ Eph. 5: 27.

Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” Rev. 7: 14, 15.” E. G. White, Mount of Blessing, pp. 50-1, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1943. (All emphasis and bracketed words added].

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 22

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
June 7, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity Part 22

CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING IN THE THICK OF ENMITY AGAINST IT

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was there guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him [the Father] who judgeth righteously.” 1 Pet. 2:21-23, KJV.

Now, prayerfully ponder upon the profoundly sobering, testing truths contained in the following excerpts from the inspired pen, especially as we near the prophesied “hour of temptation which shall come upon all the WORLD, to TRY THEM that dwell upon the earth.” Rev. 3:10, KJV. (All emphasis and bracketed words mine):

  "Jesus did not present to His followers the HOPE of attaining EARTHLY glory and riches, and having a life free from trial, but He presents to them the PRIVILEGE of walking with their Master in the paths of SELF-DENIAL AND REPROACH. 

"He who came to redeem a lost world, was exposed to the UNITED FORCES of the adversaries of God and man. In  an UNPITYING CONFEDERACY, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves against the Prince of Peace. Though His every word and act breathed of divine compassion, HIS UNLIKENESS TO THE WORLD PROVOKED THE BITTEREST HOSTILITY. Because He could give NO LICENSE for the exercise of the evil passions of our [fallen, sinful] nature, He aroused the FIERCEST OPPOSITION AND ENMITY. 

"So it is with ALL 'who will live godly in Christ Jesus' [2 Tim. 3:12]. Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and falsehood, there is an IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT. When one presents the love [and life example] and the BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, he is drawing away the subjects of Satan's KINGDOM, and the prince of evil is aroused to RESIST it.

“Persecution and reproach await ALL who are IMBUED with the Spirit of Christ [in and through the person and presence of Holy Spirit]. The CHARACTER of persecution CHANGES WITH THE TIMES; but the PRINCIPLE –the spirit that underlies it–IS THE SAME THAT HAS SLAIN the CHOSEN of the Lord ever since the days of ABEL.” E. G. White, Mount of Blessing, pp. 49, 50, Pacific Press Publishing Asso. 1943.

Bear this in mind. Immediately after the fall in Eden God put the new principle of ENMITY that is designed, empowered, and contained in God’s saving grace imparted by the Holy Spirit to the humble suppliant to create and produce “irrepressible conflict” between “righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and falsehood.” And what the omniscient and omnipotent God of love and light has separated, for man’s salvation, let no fallen, finite mortal ever dare unite or attempt to excuse, justify, reconcile, compromise, amalgamate, or repurpose against God’s express will and declared purpose.

For “cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm.” “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” “For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 21

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 31, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 21

WHY DOES PERSECUTION OF THE GODLY SEEM TO BE DORMANT? IS THIS A GOOD SIGN?

“For all that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.”2 Tim. 3:12, KJV. 

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise’ (2 Pet. 3:9). He does not forget or neglect His children; but He PERMITS [and thus is in control| the wicked to REVEAL their true character, that NONE who desire to do His will may be DECEIVED concerning them  [the wicked]. Again and again the RIGHTEOUS are placed in the furnace of affliction, that they themselves might be PURIFIED; that their EXAMPLE [under fiery affliction and duress| may convince others of the REALITY of FAITH AND GODLINESS, and also that their consistent course may CONDEMN the UNGODLY and unbelieving.

“God permits the wicked to PROSPER, and to reveal their ENMITY against Him, that when they shall have FILLED UP the measure of their INIQUITY, all may see His JUSTICE AND MERCY in their utter destruction. The day of His vengeance HASTENS, when all who have transgressed His law and OPPRESSED His people will meet the JUST recompense of their deeds, when every act of CRUELTY or injustice towards God’s faithful ones will be punished as though DONE TO CHRIST HIMSELF!

“There is ANOTHER AND MORE IMPORTANT question that should engage the attention of the CHURCHES OF TODAY. The apostle Paul declares that ‘all that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.’

Q. “WHY IS IT THEN, THAT PERSECUTION SEEMS IN A GREAT DEGREE TO SLUMBER?

Ans. “THE ONLY REASON IS, the church has conformed to the world’s standard, and therefore awakens NO opposition. The RELIGION which is CURRENT in our day is NOT of the pure and holy character that MARKED the Christian faith in the days of Christ and His apostles. It is only because of the SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE WITH SIN, because the great truths of the Word of God are so INDIFFERENTLY regarded, because there is SO LITTLE VITAL GODLINESS IN THE CHURCH, that Christianity is apparently SO POPULAR with the world! [But] let there be a REVIVAL of faith and power of the EARLY CHURCH, and the spirit of PERSECUTION will be revived, and the FIRES of persecution will be rekindled!” -E. G. White, Great Controversy, p. 48, 1911, Pacific Press Publishing Asso. CA.(all emphasis and words in brackets mine).

No wonder “in the last days perilous times shall come,” because as Paul warned that professed Christians will have superficial, not vital godliness for “they will have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:4, KJV). This is but one of over a dozen Peter-like, antitypical fearful denials of Christ in these last days!

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 20

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 20

ENMITY OF WORLDLY KINGDOMS AGAINST CHRIST’S KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12, KJV.

That is, ALL who lovingly and willingly choose to faithfully and progressively obey God’s law and follow Christ’s example of living godly lives in and through Him, will, not might, suffer reproach and persecution.

As immediately recorded in Genesis, the very book of beginnings for fallen and sinful mankind’s instruction and warning, this painful truth was illustrated by and manifested in the life and consequent martyr’s death of the righteous Abel in the hands of his older brother Cain, the first unthankful and unholy rebel against God’s word of law, becoming the prototypical hater, persecutor, and murderer of his own brother of his own household. Thus, as the first human hater of righteousness and murderer of the righteous, God cursed him to be the first vagabond of fallen, sinful earth.

Cain stands as the head of the line of all the rebellious, unrighteous and wicked haters of truth and righteousness at the core of the great controversy between Christ and Satan and their respective “seeds” till “six thousand years of sin is ended” at His glorious second advent. Then commences the true Biblical millenium. (We will expound on this topic in a separate mini series).

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus introduced to the world He came to save the spiritual nature of His kingdom in His sermon on the mount. It is a kingdom of righteousness See Matthew, chapters 5-7. Hence, the “good news” of the Bible is the everlasting gospel of righteousness of Christ—the divine antidote against Satan’s dark kingdom of “unrighteousness, which is sin,” “the transgression of the law of God.”

In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus declared to the multitudes and taught His disciples, saying,
“BLESSED are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for THEIRS is the KINGDOM of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall REVILE you, and PERSECUTE you, and shall SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL against you FALSELY, FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.

 "Rejoice, and be EXCEEDING glad: [Why] for GREAT is your reward [not ‘awards’] in heaven [not on earth]: for so PERSECUTED they the PROPHETS which were before you.” (All emphasis mine).

It is only those who suffer for righteousness’ sake who receive a great reward in heaven, sharing the high, holy, and eternal distinction with the persecuted, faithful prophets of the Bible, Christ being the Arch Prophet or “Preacher and Teacher of Righteousness.”

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 19

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 17, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 19

Again, lest we forget where we began this discovery, the very first promise and first prophecy is given in Genesis 3:15. It immediately revealed to the fallen first couple in Eden, and thereby thereafter, to all the generations of fallen mankind, the fundamental twin “core” seeds of eternal import:

1) the nature of the controversy between Christ and Satan and their respective “seeds” and
2) the plan of redemption

Both would develop and reveal more of themselves over the course of time til they reach their startlingly stunning climax in the days ahead of our final generation—as revealed in the prophecies, Daniel and the Revelation in particular.

In that supreme combined historical and prophetic moment in Eden, where we are shown the Creator speaking to Satan, Adam, and Eve in a very different position than that which He is first revealed to mankind as the Creator and Maker of “the heavens and the earth in the beginning. At that pivotal moment, the Creator is revealed, in its earliest forms that would unfold in its predetermined aspects, roles, and timetables (both in timed prophecies as well as divine chronological order), as the mighty Deliverer, Savior, Advocate, Intercessor and Mediator, all first preceded by and prefigured in the first lamb that would be sacrificed and the first blood of redemption that ever flowed after the bloodless work of creation.

Here, at the quintessential “moment of moments” of earth time and place, before Adam and Eve were to be banished from their divinely-designed and built garden home, God spoke, not in creative fiat but redemptive language and tones, declaring and demonstrating the immutability of His law by immediately counteracting Satan’s first lie that deceived Eve into believing that the soul is immortal (“you shall not surely die”) through and by first lamb slaughtered in sacrifice—-the death of the first type all countless specified animals offered under ceremonial law of the Mosaic dispensation fill they reached their antitype in the “once and for all” sacrifice of the very “Lamb of God” at Calvary’s cross, four thousand years after the fall in Eden.

Thus immediately demonstrated and viscerally revealed by actual participation of Adam, the certainty that “the wages wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), for sin is but “the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4), manifested by and in disobedience to God’s command, and express will as revealed in His Word, “It is written” and “unto the law and testimony.”

Thus immediately revealed by visceral demonstration to the startled and wondering eyes of Adam, Eve, Satan and the fallen and good angels as well as the numberless beings in the unfallen worlds in the universe—through Adam’s actual participation as the first offeror of sacrifices—of the certainty that “the wages of sin is DEATH” (Rom.6:23) and that “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3: 4).

Apostle Paul reminds all professed Christians lest they be confused and deceived again like Eve. He wrote in 1 Cor. 15: 19-26:

 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable [note that] 
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept [died]. 
 “For since by man [the first Adam] came DEATH, by man also [Christ the Son of man, the “second Adam”] also the RESURRECTION  of the dead. For as in Adam ALL DIE [because of the non-immortality of the soul], even so in Christ [the second Adam, the Creator incarnate as God in  the flesh] shall all be made ALIVE. 
“But every man in his (this) ORDER: Christ the first fruits [the first or preeminent of the resurrectees[; AFTERWARD, they that are in Christ [when] AT HIS COMING. 
“Then cometh the END, when Hs SHALL HAVE delivered up the kingdom of God, when He shall have PUT DOWN all rule and authority and power [‘against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness in this world, against SPIRITUAL wickedness in high places” Eph. 6: 12]. 
“For He [the the first Adam] shall reign [first, as merciful High Priest, Advocate, Intercessor, Mediator, and righteous Judge of all the earth], TILL He hath put ALL ENEMIES under His feet.
“And the LAST ENEMY [as a part of the original enmity and its wages] that shall be DESTROYED is DEATH.” 1 Cor. 15: 19-26; see verses 1-18)

These, and so very much more, was first intimated and comprehended in the declaration of Genesis 3:15! Follow the rule of First Mention when tracing From Cause to Effect, guided by the Holy Spirit who enables the earnest truth-seeker to discern spiritual things with a spiritual (not carnal or worldly) mind. Such will see that indeed Bible prophecy is but relevant history in advance and Bible history is but prophecy fulfilled! “There is nothing new under the sun.” What was will be but magnified and multiplied as taught in the type-antitype principle.

Only when we intellectually and spiritually invoke by faith, and harness the fullest dynamic powers of the ENMITY God first PUT BETWEEN Satan and his agencies versus His people on earth, will we learn to abhor and HATE SIN and its exceeding sinfulness. Only then can we victoriously, not vicariously “overcome” all the “sins that so easily beset us” even as Christ the second Adam.

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 18

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 10, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity Part
Part 18

THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS (OF THE CRUCIFIXION OF SELF) HAS NOT CEASED

“As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deut. 33: 25, KJV.

In the Sermon on Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5, 6, 7, the promised “Seed of the woman” (Gen. 3:15), the promised Messiah, introduced the nature of the spiritual kingdom He came to install on earth. It was and is so unlike any and all the earthly kingdoms, monarchies, and forms of government of fallen man, past, present, and future.

“Jesus [did not] present to His followers the hope of attaining EARTHLY glory and riches, and of having a life FREE FROM TRIAL, but He presents to them the PRIVILEGE of walking with their Master in the paths of SELF-DENIAL AND REPROACH, because the world knows them not [cf. 1 John :1]. 

“He who came to redeem the lost world was OPPOSED by the united forces of the ADVERSARIES of God and man. In an UNPITYING CONFEDERACY, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves against the Prince of peace. Though His every word and act breathed of divine compassion, His UNLIKENESS to the world provoked the bitterest HOSTILITY.

“Because He would give no license [excuse, exemption, justification, occasion] for the exercise of the evil PASSIONS of our [fallen, sinful, human| nature, He aroused the fiercest opposition and ENMITY [beginning with His very own chosen people!].

“So it is with ALL who live godly in Christ [2 Tim. 3:12]. Between righteousness and sin [‘all unrighteousness is sin,’ 1 John 5:17, first part] love and hatred, truth and falsehood, there is an IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT. When one presents the love of Christ [revealed in His condescension, incarnation, life of self-denial, self-sacrifice culminating in His substitutionary death on Calvary], he is drawing away the subjects of Satan’s kingdom [all fallen mankind], and the prince of evil [Satan] is aroused to RESIST it. Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The character of the persecution CHANGES with the times: but the PRINCIPLE—the spirit that underlies it—is the SAME that has SLAIN THE CHOSEN of the Lord ever since the days of ABEL. [see Gen. 4:1-16].

“As men seek to come into HARMONY with God, they will FIND that the offense of the cross has not ceased [at Calvary two thousand years ago; meaning? ‘Principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places’ [Eph. 6:12] are arrayed against all who yield OBEDIENCE to the law of heaven. Therefore, so far from causing GRIEF, persecution should bring JOY to the [true] disciples of Christ; for it is an EVIDENCE that they are following in the steps of their Master.

“While the Lord has not promised EXEMPTION from trials, He has promised that which is FAR BETTER. He has said, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ ‘MY GRACE is sufficient for thee; for MY STRENGTH is made perfect in [your; our] weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9).

If you are called to go through the FIREY FURNACE for His sake, Jesus will be BY YOUR SIDE, even as He was WITH the faithful three [Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego] in Babylon. Those who LOVE their Redeemer will REJOICE at every opportunity of SHARING with Him [the glory of] His humiliation and reproach! The LOVE they bear for their Lord, makes suffering for His sake SWEET.” E. G. White, Mount of Blessing, pp 49, 50, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1943. (All emphasis and words in brackets mine).

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

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Mid-week Manna

NOT PEACE BUT A SWORD

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 3, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 17

NOT PEACE BUT A SWORD

   “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I am come not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Matt. 10: 34-36, KJV.

It was no less than Jesus, the prophesied “Prince of peace” who declared these puzzling words. Did He contradict Himself? What did He mean? Tracing back to Genesis 3:15 provides the broadest, most comprehensive context. Read it again. Now this from the inspired pen:

    “Shortly before His crucifixion, Christ bequeathed to His disciples a LEGACY OF PEACE. [John 14:27 quoted]. This peace is NOT the peace that comes through CONFORMITY to the world. Christ never purchase peace by COMPROMISE with evil. The peace that Christ left with His disciples is INTERNAL rather than external, and was ever to REMAIN with His witnesses THROUGH strife and contention.

   “Christ said of Himself, [Matt. 10: 34 quoted]. The Prince of peace, He was yet the CAUSE of division. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of of the children of men, opened a CONTROVERSY that burns deep and arouses intense passions in the human heart.

   “And He warns His followers, ‘In the world you shall have TRIBULATION.’ ‘They shall lay their hands on you, and PERSECUTE you, delivering you up to the SYNAGOGUES [religious tribunals], and into PRISONS, being brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.’ ‘Ye shall be BETRAYED BOTH BY PARENTS, and KINSFOLKS, and FRIENDS, and some of you they shall cause to be put to DEATH’ (Luke 21: 12, 16).

    “This prophecy [of Jesus Himself] has been fulfilled in a marked manner. Every INDIGNITY, REPROACH, and CRUELTY that Satan could instigate human hearts to DEVISE have been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will be AGAIN FULFILLED in a marked manner, for the carnal heart is still AT ENMITY WITH THE LAW OF GOD, and will not be subject to its commands [see Rom. 8: 6-8]. The world is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ TODAY than it was in the days of the apostles. The SAME HATRED that prompted the cry, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ the same hatred that led to the persecution of the [early] disciples, still works in the children of DISOBEDIENCE.

    “The same spirit which in the DARK AGES [538 – 1798 A.D.]  consigned men and women to prison, exile, and to death, which designed the exquisite torture of the INQUISITION, which planned and executed the MASSACRE of St. Bartholomew [in France] and which kindled the fires in SMITHFIELD, is still at work with malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. THE HISTORY OF TRUTH HAS EVER BEEN A RECORD OF A STRUGGLE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. THE proclamation of the GOSPEL has ever been carried forward in this world in the face of OPPOSITION, PERIL, LOSS, and SUFFERING.

    Q. “What has been the strength of those who in the past have suffered persecution for Christ’s sake?” It was UNION with God, union with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ [the Godhead!]. Reproach and persecution have separated many from EARTHLY friends but never from the LOVE OF CHRIST. Never is the TEMPEST-TRIED soul MORE DEARLY LOVED by His Savior than when he is SUFFERING REPROACH FOR THE TRUTH’S SAKE. [Correct meaning of Rom. 8: 35-39]. ‘I will love him,’ Christ said, ‘and will manifest Myself to him’ (John 14:21).

   “When for the TRUTH’S SAKE the believer stands at the bar of EARTHLY TRIBUNALS [courts of law], Christ STANDS by his side. When he is confined within PRISON WALLS, Christ MANIFESTS Himself to him, and CHEERS HIS HEART with love. When he suffers DEATH for Christ’s sake, the Savior SAYS to him, ‘They may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul. ‘Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ ‘Fear them not; for I am WITH thee: be not dismayed for I am thy GOD: I will STRENGTHEN thee; yea, I will HELP thee; yea, I will UPHOLD thee with the RIGHT HAND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ (John 16:33; Isa. 41:3). Then Ps. 125: 1-3; 72:14; Zech. 9:15, 16 quoted.” -E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, pp. 84-86, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1911. [all emphasis and words in brackets mine].

Remember this testing truth for these last days: “Yea, and all that will live GODLY in Christ Jesus shall SUFFER persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12, KJV. Read verses 9-11. Paul was “fully known” by nine evidences. Per prophecy, typical history will repeat itself antitypically. Thus “to be forearmed” and then take heed, “is to be be forearmed” with the “Holy Spirit in the Word,” which “is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerned of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”’Eph. 6:17(13-16); Heb 4:12, KJV.

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