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SPECIAL TEXT MESSAGE FOR WGM TEAM PARTNERS February 10, 2024: HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE LAODICEAN MESSAGE THROUGH THE YEARS (Second Part)

SPECIAL TEXT MESSAGE FOR WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
February 10, 2024

The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 12

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAODICEAN MESSAGE THROUGH THE YEARS
(Second Part)

1898 – “The message to the Laodicean church comes home to those who do not apply it to themselves.” Ibid, Letter 60, 1898/Counsels to Writers & Editors, p. 99.

Note this: If, for whatever self-justifying reason or lame excuse, we do not humbly accept the divine Physician’s solemn, yet truthfully incisive diagnosis of this soul-destroying malignancy of self-deceived spiritual ignorance (“knowest not that thou art. . . .?”), then it is the very evidence that it applies to us, and are suffering this spiritual malady.

When I first read this Testimony many years ago in my search for the details of present truth, I could hardly believe my eyes! I had to prayerfully read and analyze it over and over again, “comparing it line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little there a little” with the wealth of directly and indirectly related Bible and SOP references in the broader context of the already-revealed end-time, deadly deceptions and unnumbered schemes of Satan for the churches. It surely opened my blurred and even blind spiritual eyes of discernment! But I did not reject it, as humiliating and painful as it stung my pride and ignorance of God’s infinite wisdom and perfect ways.

But the complete antidote and perfect cure for this malignant spiritual disease of the seventh church, accompanies the diagnosis is at by the very same Physician of physicians! There is absolutely no other cure or solution to any and all of the soul-corrupting and conscience-defiling spiritual diseases, maladies, and illnesses of the church in all its seven stages to be found anywhere and with anyone outside of the Father in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit as revealed only “to the law and the testimony” (Isa. 8:20), the Bible and the “Spirit of Prophecy which is the Testimony of Jesus” for these closing hours of earth’s probation.

Indeed, the Word admonishes us: “Examine yourselves; prove your own selves whether you are really in the faith [of Jesus].” Because “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.”

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

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SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS February 8, 2024: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAODICEAN MESSAGE THROUGH THE YEARS

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
February 8, 2024

The Straight Testimony to Laodiceans – Part 11

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAODICEAN MESSAGE THROUGH THE YEARS

Notice the changing content and “tone” of the straight testimony to Laodiceans by the year they were issued, which I found in the course of close study and research. For want of space, they are not comprehensive but are clearly indicative of the deteriorating spiritual condition of those afflicted by this specific spiritual malady. Now this (emphasis mine):

1887— “Are we hoping to see the whole church revived?! That time will never come. . . . we must enter into that work INDIVIDUALLY.” – E.G. White, Review & Herald (RH) Mar. 22, 1877.

1889 — “The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to OUR CONDITION. How clearly is pictured the POSITION of those who THINK they have all the truth, who take PRIDE in the knowledge of God, while its SANCTIFYING power has NOT been felt in their lives. The fervor of the love of God is WANTING in their HEARTS [though professed in the lips], but it is this very fervor of love that makes God’s people the light of the world.” RH July 23, 1889. (NOTE: “If any man love the world and the things that are in the world the love of the Father is not in him.”)

1892 — “The Laodicean message has been sounding [since it became applicable in the seventh and last church of Revelation!]. Take this message in ALL of its phases and sound of forth to the PEOPLE wherever Providence opens the way. Justification by faith and the righteousness of Christ are the THEMES to be presented to a PERISHING WORLD.” Ibid, Letter 24, 1892.

1894 — “The message to the Laodicean church is HIGHLY APPLICABLE to us AS A PEOPLE. It has been placed before us for a LONG TIME but had NOT been heeded as it SHOULD have been. When the work of REPENTANCE is earnest and deep the INDIVIDUAL members will ‘buy the rich goods of heaven’ [the perfect righteousness of Christ that become the “fine, white linen which is the righteousness of the saints,” the “wedding garment” to be worn at the “wedding supper of the Lamb.”].

1894 — “Many [not all] are Laodiceans, living in SPIRITUAL DECEPTION. They clothe themselves [like guilty Adam and Eve] in garment of their OWN righteousness [antitypical ‘fig leaf’ covering], IMAGINING themselves to be ‘rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing,’ when they need DAILY to learn of Jesus, His meekness and lowliness, else they find themselves BANKRUPT, THEIR WHOLE LIFE BEING A LIE.” Ibid, Letter 66, 1894.

1897 — “I tell you IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, that those who have had GREAT LIGHT are TODAY [note the date] IN THE STATE described by CHRIST in His message to the Laodicean church. They THINK they are rich and increased with goods, and FEEL they have need of nothing. CHRIST [through the Holy Spirit in the written Word] SPEAKS TO YOU. Hear, O hear, IF you have any regard for YOUR SOULS, the WORDS of the great Counselor, and ACT upon them! [Rev. 3:18 quoted].” Ibid, Letter 5, 1897.

1898 — “Love of self EXCLUDES the love of Christ. Those who live for SELF are ranged UNDER THE HEAD OF THE LAODICEAN CHURCH [certainly not Jesus!] who are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. The ardor of the first love [for God and His law] has LAPSED INTO SELFISH EGOTISM. The love of Christ in the heart is expressed in ACTIONS. If love for Christ is DULL, the love for those for whom Christ has died will DEGENERATE. There may be wonderful APPEARANCE for zeal and ceremonies, but this is the SUBSTANCE OF THEIR SELF-INFLATED religion. Christ represents them as NAUSEATING to His taste. [‘I will spue thee out of My mouth.’]” Ibid, Manuscript 61, 1898.

I hope and pray that if any one of you, like me, when I first studied this startling messages continuing to this very moment, have been “awakened,” humbled, and convicted by these pointed yet healing messages that you will not harden your hearts while you still can “hear His still small voice” speaking to your conscience! I will continue this dated messages next time, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Satan’s Deceptions Part 7: THE MEANINGS AND DEADLY VARIANTS OF DECEPTION

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
February 7, 2024

Satan’s Deceptions
Part 7

THE MEANINGS AND DEADLY VARIANTS OF DECEPTION

Before we peel back the many-layered coverings, “scales,” skins,” and “hides” Satan’s deception are camouflaged and hiding under, let’s remember this solemn warning, especially those described in Revelation 3 – as spiritually-lukewarm Christians, or those who confidently say, “I am already saved” for “once saved, always saved,” or “I have been baptized and my name is already in the church books and written in heaven’s book of life,” etc.

“Satan rejoices when he can lead souls to follow MISTAKEN IDEAS, UNTIL THEIR NAMES ARE BLOTTED OUT from the book of life and recorded in the names of the UNJUST.

 “We can overcome only in the way Christ overcame—by WHOLEHEARTED OBEDIENCE to every commandment of God [not just the fourth!]. 

  “TRUE RELIGION is obedience to all the commandments of God. . . . 

“We should keep EVER BEFORE US the fact that time is  short. Iniquity [sin; transgression of God’s law] is increasing on every hand. The RIGHTEOUS [the commandment-keeping saints of Rev. 14:12] are set as LIGHTS

in the world. Through them the GLORY of God [His character which is transcribed in His law] is to be revealed to the world.

“Keep ever before you the SOLEMN EVENTS OF THE FUTURE—-the great review of Judgment and the coming of Christ. You and your family are to PREPARE for that day.” -E.G. White, Letter 92, Nov. 9, 1911.

Jesus promised His true disciples then and now that He would “go” to the Father after His resurrection “to PREPARE A PLACE for them that “WHEREVER I am THERE you may be ALSO” (John 14: 1-3, KJV).

The true and faithful, patiently-enduring commandment-keeping saints of these last days identified in Rev. 14:12, are Christ’s human ambassador “angel-messengers” who are His co-laborers on earth, functioning under the unction of the Holy Spirit, helping to swell to the loud cry earth’s final three-fold warning messages. They are simultaneously also intellectually and spiritually PREPARING their characters for “that day.”

Q. What “day” is here meant?
ANS. “The day of the Lord,” meaning, first, the antitypical DAY of atonement of the pre-advent investigative judgment that is now going forward in the most holy in the heavenly sanctuary that begun in 1844 where “our lives are passing in review. This is where it is eternally determined who are truly and fully fitted-up character wise, sealed in their foreheads, ready either to be raised in the “resurrection of the just” and the special resurrection, or translated, numbered among the 144, 000 in “whom there is no guile,” to finally see Jesus face to face in that “DAY and hour” of His actual appearing in all His glory with rapturous joy, after the seventh and last plague.

Are you and I preparing for this “day” of final reckonings? Not if we are heedlessly, presumptuously, or carelessly “following” any of the last day conspiratorial and esoteric “errors” of Satan’s unnumbered schemes and deceptions!
“”Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.”

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

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Special Message

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS February 1, 2024: PONDER UPON THIS AWESOMELY-SOLEMN TRUTH

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
February 1, 2024

The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 10

PONDER UPON THIS AWESOMELY-SOLEMN TRUTH

 “We are in the [antitypical] great day of atonement, when our sins are, by confession and repentance, to go BEFOREHAND to judgment. God does NOT NOW ACCEPT a tame, spiritless testimony from His MINISTERS. Such a testimony would NOT BE PRESENT TRUTH. The message for THIS TIME must be ‘meat in due season’ to feed the church of God. But Satan has been seeking GRADUALLY to rob this message of its POWER. [Satan is the father of lies, master deceiver, thief and robber!], that the people may NOT BE PREPARED to stand in the day of the Lord. 

 “In 1844 our great High Priest entered into the Most Holy PLACE of the heavenly sanctuary, to BEGIN the work of investigative judgment. The cases of the RIGHTEOUS DEAD have been passing in review before God [as recorded in the book of records]. When that work shall be completed, judgment is pronounced upon the LIVING. How precious, how important are these SOLEMN MOMENTS! Each of us has a CASE pending in the court of heaven. We are INDIVIDUALLY to be judged according to the ‘deeds done in the BODY.’ [2 Cor. 5:10, etc.]. 

 “In the typical service [during the OT ceremonial law of the Mosaic dispensation], when the work of the atonement was performed by the high priest [starting with Aaron] in the most holy place of the EARTHLY sanctuary, the people were required to AFFLICT their souls before God, and CONFESS their sins, that they may be ATONED FOR AND BLOTTED OUT. 

“Will any less be required of us in this ANTITYPICAL day of atonement [that begun on October, 1844], when Christ [our merciful High Priest, Advocate, Intercessor, Mediator, and righteous Judge] is pleading in behalf of His people, and the FINAL, IRREVOCABLE DECISION is pronounced upon every case [in heaven]?

 “What is our [spiritual] condition in this fearful and solemn time? Alas, what PRIDE is prevailing in the church, what HYPOCRISY, what DECEPTION, what LOVE OF DRESS [fashion], FRIVOLITY [‘trifling, jesting and joking’], and AMUSEMENTS, what desire for the SUPREMACY! All these sins have clouded the MIND, so that ETERNAL THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN DISCERNED. 

“Shall we not search the SCRIPTURES [Bible and SOP; not the social media and internet], that we may KNOW WHERE WE ARE in this world’s history? Shall we not become INTELLIGENT in regard to the WORK that is being accomplished FOR US [by Christ in heaven and the Holy Spirit, on earth] at this time, and the POSITION that we as sinners should OCCUPY WHILE this work of atonement is GOING FORWARD? 

“If we have regard for OUR souls’s SALVATION, we must make a DECIDED CHANGE. We must seek the Lord with true [not shallow, feigned, pretended, reactionary, performative] penitence; we must, with DEEP contrition of soul CONFESS [not excuse, justify, rationalize, worse, ignore] that they may be BLOTTED OUT [‘when the times of refreshing’ of the latter rain ‘shall come from the PRESENCE of the Lord.’ Acts 3:19]. 

“We must no longer remain upon the ENCHANTED GROUND. We are fast approaching the CLOSE OF OUR PROBATION. Let every soul inquire, HOW DO I STAND BEFORE GOD [not before our fellow mortal sinners]. We know not HOW SOON OUR NAMES MAY BE TAKEN IN THE LIPS OF CHRIST, AND OUR CASES BE FINALLY DECIDED. 

“What, O what will these decisions be! Shall we be counted with the righteous, or shall we be numbered among the wicked?” -E. G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, 124, 125. (All emphases and bracketed words mine).

This is part of the unvarnished core truths the present, testing truth for this very time that few are emphasizing. It was thus prophesied. But by divine power and grace I hope to stay focused, remain faithful and true to this calling to the end in spite of its given consequences. Christ promised, “Rejoice, for your reward is in heaven [not on earth].” Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Satan’s Deceptions Part 6 : GOD’S TEST REVEALS THE TRUTH AND EXPOSES SATAN’S DECEPTIONS AND LIES

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 31, 2024

Satan’s Deceptions
Part 6

GOD’S TEST REVEALS THE TRUTH AND EXPOSES SATAN’S DECEPTIONS AND LIES

During His ultra-brief yet fully-finished, three and-a-half year mission and work on earth as the prophesied “seed of the woman” who would “bruise the head of the serpent” (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4), Christ the Messiah, when replying to the accusations of the Pharisees and Jews against Him, also identified Satan and his character and works in these solemn words:
“Why do you not understand My speech? Even because ye cannot hear My word. Ye are of your father the DEVIL, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and ABODE NOT in truth, because there is NO TRUTH in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a LIAR, and the FATHER of it.” John 8: 43, 44, KJV. (Read the whole chapter for broader and proper context).

The first of all tests was administered by the Creator to the last and crowning act of His creative wisdom and power. Man was the only creature He made “in His own image and likeness.” This was because man, first named Adam, was divinely designed to be the Creator’s vicegerent on planet earth “and all that was in it,” was specifically created for him in six literal working days to be his kingdom. He was “to subdue and have DOMINION” over all the lesser creatures. (Gen. 1: 28, 26-31).

As the Creator’s designated vicegerent to eventually fully embody and reflect the glory of the character-image of the God “to the world, man, and angels,” man was created, formed from the pure dust of the ground in Eden by the Creator’s hands into a fully-formed man, not an infant, an intelligent, free moral agent, endowed with a conscience and a will, the God-endowed freedom, liberty, and power to choose intelligently, voluntarily, and willingly—the governing power in the nature of man.

At his creation man was sinlessly pure and perfectly innocent, yet had an undeveloped character slated to be developed by a simple test of obedience, activating his inherent power to choose intellectually and spiritually. (Note: “The thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character”).

The transcript of God’s character—His law embodying His eternal and universal precepts and principles of love, wisdom, mercy, righteousness, and justice were written into their yet-sinless and uncorrupted hearts and minds.

God Creator’s first test was so simple as for a child to understand, as clear and distinct as day is to night, yet so all-encompassing in its divine diagnostic and prescriptive comprehensiveness that its results and consequences were instant, stark, and irreversible. At stake were God’s glory and man’s eternal interests. Awaiting to be revealed at the epochal moment in time were the great still-unknowns: the mystery of iniquity and the mystery of godliness. The destiny of man and the earth was to be decided by that first simple test in Eden.

And that test, the test of the ages administered in perfect love, wisdom, mercy, righteousness, and justice of Desire of Ages, who is the “same yesterday, today, and forever,” is still the the same simple test of OBEDIENCE—that obedience that is “constrained only by love;” driven only by the “fear” to offend the awesome God of love and mercy, and “to crucify Him afresh and put Him to open shame every time we sin;” that is produced by the divine “enmity” against “the world, the flesh, and the devil;” that springs from a longing desire to enter into that eternal covenant relationship of the church triumphant-bride with Christ the Bridegroom.

The first test of the Creator to the creature, then after the fall, the Savior to the sinner, the Redeemer to the redeemed, and finally the Bridegroom to the bride-to-be, contains the sum and substance of the everlasting covenant of God’s law, stated simply in Christ’s words : “If you love Me, keep [do, obey] My commandments” (John 14:15).

Thus, “the only question asked in the Judgment is, have they kept My Commandments.” So how much do you really love God in Christ through the Holy Spirit? There is only evidence and proof where God’s infallible Word is concerned. Any other is a deception and a lie.

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

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Mid-week Manna

Satan’s Deceptions Part 5 : ALWAYS CUNNINGLY DISGUISED IN MEDIUMS, SCHEMES, WILES, AND CRAFTY DEVICES

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

Satan’s Deceptions
Part 5
January 24, 2024

ALWAYS CUNNINGLY DISGUISED IN MEDIUMS, SCHEMES, WILES, AND CRAFTY DEVICES

After starting the first war and failed rebellion in heaven, Satan’s strategies were first employed upon Eve and Adam in their Eden home on yet-unfallen earth.

“Had Satan revealed himself in his real character, he would have been REPULSED AT ONCE, for Adam and Eve had been WARNED against this dangerous foe; but he worked in the DARK, concealing his purpose, that he might more effectually accomplish his object.

“Employing as his MEDIUM the serpent, then a creature of FASCINATING APPEARANCE, he addressed Eve, ‘Hath God said, Ye shall NOT EAT of every tree of the garden?’ (Gen. 3:1). Had Eve REFRAINED from entering into ARGUMENT with the tempter, she would have been SAFE; but she VENTURED to PARLAY with him, and fell a victim to his WILES.

“It is thus that MANY are still overcome. They doubt and argue concerning the REQUIREMENTS of God; and instead of OBEYING the divine commands, they accept HUMAN THEORIES, which but DISGUISE the devices of Satan. 

‘The woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the MIDST of the garden, God hath SAID, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye TOUCH of it, LEST YE DIE. And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL SHALL NOT SURELY DIE: for God doth know that in the day that ye eat thereof, then your EYES shall be opened, and ye shall be as GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.’ (Gen. 3:2-5). 

“Satan declared that they would become like God, possessing GREATER WISDOM than before, and being capable of a HIGHER EXISTENCE. 

“Eve YIELDED to temptation; and through her INFLUENCE, Adam was LED INTO sin. They accepted the words of the serpent, that God did NOT MEAN what He said; they DISTRUSTED their Creator, and IMAGINED that He was RESTRICTING THEIR LIBERTY, and that they might obtain GREAT WISDOM AND EXALTATION BY TRANSGRESSING HIS LAW.” - E.G. White, Great Controversy, 1911, pp. 531, 532 (All emphasis and bracketed words mine).

NOTE: In addition to the words I highlighted with caps, ponder the following:
The only guarantee of Eve and Adam from falling into sin were not:
1) their sinless natures “made in the image and likeness of God,” thus free of any propensities of disobedience or sin
2) the “citadel” of their garden Eden home that was exclusively designed-and-made by their Creator for them
3) their 20/20 vision for Eve’s eyes did not see Satan, disguised as the serpent, hidden among the branches of the forbidden tree till she approached it
4) then, mysteriously did not even stop to think that the lesser creature of animals do not talk,much less converse in intelligent human discourse
5) that the dazzling serpent she begun parleying with was actually Satan, who God had warned them of earlier.

It was and always will be love and trust that results in unquestioning and unhesitating obedience to all of God’s commandments and requirements.

Satan’s power to tempt is completely neutralized each time the tempted refuses to yield unconditionally, and resists by empowering grace. “God giveth more grace to the humble.

SUBMIT yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will FLEE from you.” (James 4: 7, KJV). Satan’s diabolical power to deceive is rendered impotent when the humble sinner relies exclusively on “it is written,” not on feelings, senses, human institutions and mortal wisdom.

Looks can deceive and have deceived from the beginning until its prophesied climax of Satan’s final “overmastering delusion” just before Christ’s return.

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

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Special Message

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS January 18,2024: THE OBSTACLE AGAINST THE FINAL TESTING TRUTHS

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans

THE OBSTACLE AGAINST THE FINAL TESTING TRUTHS

“The great obstacle BOTH to the acceptance and promulgation of  truth is the fact that it involves INCONVENIENCE AND REPROACH. This is the ONLY argument which its ADVOCATES  have never been able to REFUTE. 

 “But this does not deter the TRUE followers of Christ. These do not wait for truth to become POPULAR. Being convinced [and convicted by the Holy Spirit] of their DUTY, they deliberately accept the CROSS [of inconvenience and reproach], with the apostle Paul, counting that ‘our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far MORE exceeding weight of glory,’ ‘with one old’[Moses] esteeming the REPROACH OF CHRIST greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.’ (2 Cor. 4:17; Heb. 11: 26). 

 "Whatever may be their profession, it is only those who are world-servers AT HEART [man looks on the outward appearance; God looks at the heart] that act from POLICY RATHER THAN PRINCIPLE IN RELIGIOUS THINGS. 

“We should CHOOSE right [simply] because it is right, and leave the CONSEQUENCES with God. To men of PRINCIPLE, FAITH, and DARING, the world is INDEBTED for the great reforms. By such men the WORK OF REFORM FOR THIS TIME must be carried out.” -E.G. White, Great Controversy, 1911, p. 460. (All emphasis and bracketed words mine).

Keep in mind that the “greatest need of the church” in these last days are genuine spiritual revival and a thorough reformation of life and character. The straight testimony of the True Witness to the Laodiceans is designed to do this IF willingly accepted and faithfully acted upon quickly. “Remember how short our time is” to PREPARE for our searching judgment and the eternity beyond!

Also, remember this poignant words of one of the founding fathers of the U.S. Constitution: “Those who are willing to give up ESSENTIAL LIBERTY for TEMPORARY SAFETY deserve neither.” Never sacrifice the sanctity of the conscience neither compromise the freedom and liberty of the governing power of the will God endowed upon man—for convenience, the “political common good,” temporary safety, or for temporal life itself.

The will must be sanctified and preserved as such. These divine principles lie at the very core of the rapidly-approaching final test of the ages, mankind, and the churches. Are we intellectually and spiritually prepared for it?

To be continued, God wiling. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Satan’s Deceptions Part 4: THE FIRST GREAT DECEPTION

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 17, 2024

Satan’s Deceptions
Part 4

THE FIRST GREAT DECEPTION

“With the EARLIEST history of man, Satan began his efforts to DECEIVE our [human] race. He who had incited rebellion in heaven, desired to bring to the inhabitants of the earth to UNITE with him in his WARFARE [enmity] against the GOVERNMENT of God.

NOTES:
1) Inciting is one of many forms and stratagems of deception.
2) The eternal foundation of God’s everlasting government is His immutable covenant law of Ten Commandments, the transcript of His character and the revelation of His love, wisdom, mercy, righteousness, and justice.

“Adam and Eve had been PERFECTLY HAPPY IN OBEDIENCE to the law of God, and this fact was a constant TESTIMONY against the CLAIM that Satan had urged in heaven, that God’s law was OPPRESSIVE, and OPPOSED to the good of His people.

“And furthermore, Satan’s ENVY was excited as he looked upon the BEAUTIFUL HOME PREPARED for the SINLESS pair. He determined to cause their fall, that, having SEPARATED them from God and brought them UNDER HIS OWN POWER, he might gain POSSESSION OF THE EARTH, and here ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM, in opposition to the Most High.”

NOTES:
In the same manner that God Creator ‘prepared’ a beautiful home-the garden of Eden—for the first ‘sinless’ pair so is the Redeemer Savior ‘preparing a place’ for all whose characters have been washed from all defilement and stain of sin by “overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.”

They were rendered sinless by this process even while yet in their mortal nature and sealed in their foreheads as such. The “finishing touch” of immortality and the incorruptible, glorified body is conferred upon them at Christ’s glorious return for “the resurrection of the just” and the translation of the 144,000 living saints in order to present “her” to the Father as to His “purified bride” and church triumphant of the ages.

To them is rewarded the everlasting covenant and promised “inheritance of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” as “heirs with God and joint-heirs with Christ.” The earth made new is returned to them having been taken back from Satan “the prince of the earth”, by Christ “the promised Seed” and His “remnant of her seed who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” that have the “Spirit of prophecy which is the Testimony of Jesus.”

They, together with all the saints of the ages, starting with Abel, “overcame the world, the flesh, and devil” by faith in Christ and His plan of redemption in the everlasting gospel. They loved God and faithfully obeyed His law and died keeping and defending it. “The blood of martyrs was the seed of the gospel.” And the “blood of Christ is what cleanses from all sin.”

(All paragraphs in quotes are from the Great Controversy, 1911 ed.. p. 531 bearing the same title, The First Great Deception. All emphasis, Notes and Comments mine).

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