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SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS January 16, 2024: The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS
January 16, 2024

The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series

Before zeroing into the specific dated Testimonies addressing the Laodicean condition both generally and individually to whom it applies, it is vital to know that all who are truly committed in mind and heart to preserving, promoting, and declaring “by pen and voice” earth’s final merciful warnings, are designated in Revelation as “ANGELS,” the Greek “aggelos,” meaning, “messengers.”

That is, messengers of God in heaven bearing specified urgent messages on earth. These are they who practice what they teach and preach under the guidance and unction of the Holy Spirit, assisted and protected by the holy angels. If you know without a doubt that you are of these, whether ordained or laymen (for “God is no respected of persons”) be reminded of the following:

“Now as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that REPROVES the sins and errors of the times will EXCITE OPPOSITiON. [John 3:20 quoted. Read it]. As men see that they CANNOT maintain their position by the Scriptures [perhaps by church traditions or long-held opinions], many determine to maintain it AT ALL HAZARDS, and with a malicious spirit ASSAIL the characters and motives of those who STAND IN DEFENSE of unpopular truth [a clear manifestation of Satan’s enmity towards God’s truth].

“It is the SAME POLICY [not principle nor precept] which has been pursued IN ALL AGES [‘there is nothing new under the sun; what was, will be’]. Elijah was declared to be a TROUBLER OF ISRAEL [the ancient chosen people]; Jeremiah a TRAITOR, Paul a POLLUTER of the temple [the center of Jewish worship]

“From that day to THIS [day], those who would be LOYAL TO TRUTH [not merely to the ‘’church’ or ‘religion]

have been denounced as SEDITIOUS, HERETICAL, or SCHISMATIC [causing division, separation]. Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept THE SURE PROPHECY will receive with UNQUESTIONING CREDULITY [have been deceived] AN ACCUSATION against those who DARE TO REPROVE FASHIONABLE SINS.

“And the Bible teaches that a time is approaching [it's just around the bend by now] when the LAWS OF THE STATE will so conflict [the ‘enmity’ with the LAWS OF GOD] all ten, not only the fourth that whosoever who would OBEY ALL the divine precepts must brave REPROACH and PUNISHMeNT AS EVIL EVILDOERS.” - E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911, pp. 458-9.

Notice that it plainly states here “all the Ten Commandments,” not merely and only the fourth! The Jewish nation kept the seventh-day Sabbath but broke all in precept and principle. Let us beware lest we repeat this fatal error. That is why I have been emphasizing on “magnifying the law and making it honorable.”

Just because we keep the Sabbath does not relieve us of the equal duty to keep and obey the nine. That would be presumptuous, self-deception,, willing ignorance, and even self-righteousness. Remember “if we break one we break all.”

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

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SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS January 12, 2024: The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
Januaryq 12, 2024

The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.” Rev. 3:19.

Following the Isa. 28: 9-13 study method and truth-vetting principle, I am providing herewith just a couple of verses to contextually cross-reference
the words “rebuke”, “chasten” and “repent” with—-in order to better realize and comprehend their vital nature in the Laodicean testimony of the True Witness so that we may receive the message’s divine intent humbly and gratefully, and thereby be “sanctified by the truth; Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The life-time work of sanctification is to make us FIT for heaven and to live with the angels that never fell.

REBUKE: See Titus 1:10-14. Verse 13 says:
“This Witness is true. Wherefore REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, that they may be SOUND IN THE FAITH.”

Then Titus 2:11-15 (a vital passage to explain what grace is designed to accomplish). Verse 15 says:
“These things speak, and exhort, and REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY. Let no man DESPISE you [for saying these things].”
NOTE: Timothy was the youngest of the apostles as John the beloved as the youngest of the first Twelve disciples.

CHASTEN: See Heb. 12: 5-11. Verses 7 & 8 says:
“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with SONS; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all [who are true sons] are partakers, then ye are BASTARDS, and NOT sons.”

REPENT: See Christ’s very words, verily His testimony itself in Luke 13: 1-5. Verse 5 says:
“I tell you, Nay: but, except [unless] ye REPENT, ye shall ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.” Verse 5 repeats the same warning of Christ.

See 2 Cor. 7:9-11. Here Paul uses very emphatic language to illustrate the true spiritual nature of GODLY SORROW THAT WORKETH REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION” in verse 11. The popular and counterfeit repentance is one that “needs repentance of” itself for it is “the sorrow of the world that worketh death” (not salvation).

We often sorrow for our sins because of its humiliating and painful consequences. But genuine sorrow is for the SIN we commit “for it crucifies Jesus afresh” -and not for its consequence, which may be temporary and temporal. But the “wages” of unrepented sin is the “second death” which is not covered by Christ’s blood.

Remember: “Repent ye therefore and BE CONVERTED, that YOUR SINS [not your name] MAY BE BLOTTED OUT when the times of refreshing [in the latter rain] shall come from the PRESENCE of the Lord.” Acts 3:19.

To be continued, God willing. Bless all. See you tomorrow with a mind and heart prepared for the holy Sabbath’s blessings of the Lord of the Sabbath. NMF

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Mid-week Manna

Satan’s Deceptions Series Part 3: RATIONALISM IDOLIZES REASON AS BASIS OF RELIGION OVER INSPIRATION

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 10, 2024

Satan’s Deceptions Series:
Part 3

RATIONALISM IDOLIZES REASON AS BASIS OF RELIGION OVER INSPIRATION

“Satan is constantly seeking to DECEIVE men, and lead them to call sin righteousness, and righteousness sin. How SUCCESSFUL has been his work! [Here’s the evidence]:

How often censure and reproach are cast upon God’s FAITHFUL servants because they will stand fearlessly in DEFENSE of truth! Men who are but AGENTS OF SATAN are praised and flattered, and even looked upon as martyrs, while those who should be respected and sustained for their FIDELITY to God, are left to STAND ALONE, under suspicion and distrust.

“COUNTERFEIT HOLINESS, SPURIOUS SANCTIFICATION, IS STILL DOING ITS WORK OF DECEPTION. Under various forms it exhibits the same spirit as in the days of [Martin] Luther, DIVERTING MINDS from the Scriptures, and leading men to follow their own FEELINGS AND IMPRESSIONS rather than yield obedience to the LAW of God. This is one of Satan’s most successful DEVICES to cast reproach upon PURITY and TRUTH.

“Fearlessly did Luther defend the Gospel from the attacks which came from every quarter. The Word of God proved itself a WEAPON MIGHTY in every conflict. With that Word he warred against the usurped authority of the POPE, and the RATIONALISTIC PHILOSOPHY of the schoolmen [scholars, church theologians, etc.], while he stood firm as a rock against the FANATICISM [specifically the Munzer Movement] that sought to ally itself with the [Protestant] Reformation.

“Each of these opposing elements was in its own way SETTiNG ASIDE the Holy Scriptures, and exalting human wisdom. Rationalism idolizes reason [a prominent form of spiritual idolatry forbidden by the second commandment] and makes this the criterion for religion. . . .

“True Christianity receives the Word of God as the great TREASURE-HOUSE of inspired truth, and the TEST of all inspiration.” – E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., pp. 192-3 (all emphasis and bracketed words mine).

When anyone who loves God undertakes the sacred and difficult work of exposing the deceptions ensnaring the churches and the world in these last days, he must be constantly aware that he is not confronting “flesh and blood” but “principalities and powers of spiritual wickedness in high places”—Satan himself and his host of evil angels. He must carefully “count the cost” first, then “make his calling and election sure” by knowing how to “put on the whole armor of God” and how to use it efficiently to secure the victory in and for Christ.

We are called to be courageous soldiers in God’s spiritual army. Have you willingly volunteered and enlisted?

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

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Special Message

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS January 8, 2024 : The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series (Rev. 3:14-22).

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS
January 8, 2024

The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series (Rev. 3:14-22).

Prayerfully and carefully read and ponder upon the startling message of “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning [actually, the ‘Beginner’] of the creation of God” to the last of the seven churches depicted in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

Omniscience and omnipresence combined with perfect love, divine mercy and the rule of righteousness prepared these startling messages specifically for the spiritually lukewarm members of the remnant church of prophecy.

To humbly “hear His voice and harden not our hearts” is to accept the divine Physician’s diagnosis that the seemingly benign disease of “lukewarmness” is actually malign in nature such that He will “spew out of His mouth” those “infected” and inflicted by the self-deception of presumptuous self-confidence.

The tell-tale symptoms of this end-time spiritual disease is when the remnant church member already believes and manifests by word and action that he is “rich and increased with goods, and has need of nothing.” This is actually saying “I am already doctrinally and spiritually safe and sound.” Such is the outrageously deceptive power and work of Satan, the master deceiver who deployed his first great deception with Eve, the mother of mankind, in garden of Eden of all places!

The divine diagnosis is indeed alarming: “Knowest thou not [don’t you know] that thou are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” The first-ever nakedness revealed the first-ever guilt of transgression of God’s law by Adam and Eve in Eden. God never changes and neither does His standard of righteousness. And like ifs Author, the Law-giver, it is also “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” All are measured and judged by one and the same standard as defined in His law and magnified in the life and teachings of Christ.

What God required and expected of Adam He does the same for all mankind, particularly those who profess to be part of the “saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” in these last days.

The only hope of those guilty of spiritual lukewarmness is to quickly accept the divine Physician’s diagnosis and immediately comply with all He has specifically prescribed. To respond in any less a manner, for whatever excuse or reason, is to reject the terms of one’s salvation. Hence, “Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

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

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Mid-week Manna

Satan’s Deception Series Part 2: DECEPTION CORRUPTS THE MIND; THE HOLY SPIRIT ENLIGHTENS IT

Satan’s Deceptions Series:
Part 2

Satan’s Deceptions Series:
Part 2

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
January 3, 2024

Satan’s Deceptions Series:
Part 2

DECEPTION CORRUPTS THE MIND; THE HOLY SPIRIT ENLIGHTENS IT

 “For I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled [deceived, NKJV] Eve through his subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:3, KJV (see verse 4).

From E. G. White’s The Great Controversy, 1911 ed., we are further enlightened and warned (all emphasis and bracketed words mine):

“Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are WILLING to be deceived, who desire to shun the SELF-DENIAL AND SELF-SACRIFICE demanded by the truth; but it is IMPOSSIBLE for him to hold under his power one soul who HONESTLY desires, at whatever COST, to know the truth. CHRIST is the truth, and ‘the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ (John 1:9).

The Spirit of truth [the Holy Spirit] has been sent to GUIDE men into all truth. And upon the AUTHORITY of the Son of God
it is declared, ‘Seek and ye shall find.’ (Matt. 7:7). ‘If any man will DO HIS WILL, he shall know of the doctrine [of the ‘truth as in Jesus.’].” – p. 528.

One of the most important divinely-appointed ways to protect oneself from falling victim to the “roaring lion” Satan’s end-time “wrath” manifested in any and all of his unnumbered schemes of deception is to faithfully obey and practice Christ’s example of self-denial and self-sacrifice—the opposite of self-pleasing, indulgence, and intemperance even in things that are good in and of themselves. This is part of the “fiery baptism of the Holy Spirit, the work of sanctification “unto righteousness and holiness,” the fitting up for heaven, the earth made new, and eternity.

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

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SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS December 12, 2023: THE SIMULTANEOUS CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY IN HEAVEN & THE BODY TEMPLE ON EARTH

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:

THE SIMULTANEOUS CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY IN HEAVEN & THE BODY TEMPLE ON EARTH

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all the filthiness of the flesh and the spirit, perfecting HOLINESS in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7: 1, KJV.

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. And the carnal mind is enmity against the law of righteousness. The “cleansing” of the flesh here does not refer to outward, physical cleanliness or sanitation, as important as they are, but to moral pollution, secret or public.

The following quotes are extracts from the chapter “Clean Hands and Pure Hearts,” a reprint from the tract, The Sin of Licentiousness, Testimonies to Ministers & Gospel Workers, pp. 427, 428 (all emphasis and words in brackets mine):

“There is much preaching of the truth, but few are sanctified through the truth [see John 17:17]. Piety and righteousness are NOT brought into the practical life, and the Lord is DISHONORED; and having no VITAL connection with God, poor, weak human nature has NO strength to resist temptation, and never will have TILL the converting power of God [in His grace imparted by the Holy Spirit] takes hold upon the soul [the living person].

“We are nearing the judgment, and those who bear the message of warning to the world MUST HAVE clean hands and pure hearts They must have a living [and vital, not superficial, mere form or professed]. Their THOUGHTS must be pure and holy for God ‘examines the reins of the mind, the thoughts and intents of the heart’], the soul untainted, the BODY, soul, and SPIRIT [the moral character and individual personality] be a pure, clean OFFERING to God [not the pecuniary ‘tithes and offerings’], or He will NOT accept it!

“Recent painful developments of EVIL are one of the greatest EVIDENCES that the end is NEAR. Satan, like a roaring lion, is going about [all around us], seeking whom he may devour, and IF men and women, under the BLAZING LIGHT [of the Present, testing truth] that now shines in these PERILOUS times, will be found FORNICATORS [both literal and spiritual], I [God’s last-day messenger] am afraid that God will SEPARATE them from the work forever!” – E. G. White.

Lest we forget or yield to the deadly peace-and-safety, once-saved-always saved, “we are already forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice counterfeit gospel—the lives of all who “profess faith in Christ” have been passing in review during the ongoing pre-advent, Investigative Judgement session in the most holy of the heavenly sanctuary. It began with the cases of the dead, starting with Adam and Eve and soon will pass on to the cases of the living! Remember Peter’s solemn warning:

“For the time has come that Judgment must begin at the house of God [‘household of faith]: and if it first begin at US, what shall the end be of them that obey not the GOSPEL of God? And if the righteous SCARCELY be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Pet. 4: 17, 18.

Humbly ponder upon these solemn thoughts dear ministry partners! I will continue quoting from this particular resource. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

DECEPTION: THE DEADLIEST FORM OF SATANIC WRATH

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
December 27, 2023

DECEPTION: THE DEADLIEST FORM OF SATANIC WRATH Series

(“To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”)

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ: and deceive many.” Matt. 24:4, K.J.V.

Deception heads the list of Christ’s familiar ‘mini Apocalypse’ recorded in Matt. 24:1-51, given in answer to His disciples’ two-part question of time and circumstance: “WHEN shall these things be? And WHAT shall be the sign of Thy [second] coming, and of the END of the world?” vs 1-3. A parallel chapter to this is Luke 21: 1-36. Read it.

Beginning with Eve’s fall first, followed by Adam’s, rendering thereafter all “their seed” as sinners till the close of earth’s second and last probation, there are two general classes of sinners, where deception in all its forms and variations are concerned, namely: the honestly deceived and the willingly ignorant.

An example of the former is the Pharisee Saul, the over zealous persecutor of Christ’s earliest followers before his dramatic conversion and amazing transformation to Paul, Christ’s leading “apostle to the Gentiles” after His resurrection. Hear his confession and testimony: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a PERSECUTOR, and injurious: but obtained mercy, because I DID IT IGNORANTLY in unbelief.” 1 Tim. 1: 12, 13, KJV (emphasis mine).

In verse 15 he reveals the spirit and attitude of all previously honestly-deceived but were convicted when they saw the light of truth, then were transformed by grace. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF.”

The latter are revealed as countless by another apostle: “Knowing this first, there shall come in the LAST DAYS, SCOFFERS, walking in their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His [second] coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation: for this they WILLINGLY ARE IGNORANT OF.” (Read verses 5-18 for fuller context).” 1 Pet. 3: 3-5, KJV.

Therefore, remember this: When the honestly deceived see the truth they will cease to be deceived, or else they cease to be honest and join the class of the willingly ignorant, thereby ending up willingly deceived!

Added to this is the fearful truth, first manifested and demonstrated in Eden—-that one who becomes deceived, soon becomes a deceiver himself. Mark this: After being deceived into yielding to the serpent’s cunning temptation, Instead of faithfully functioning as a “helpmate” to her husband, Eve, the woman became the first agent of the master deceiver and ‘father of lies.”

The difference makers here are clearly “the truth as it is in Jesus,” (“to the law and testimony,” in “it is written” only), and the rational individual’s exercise of willing and voluntary choice, as a free moral agent endowed with will power in response to the conviction of his conscience by the Holy Spirit.

As someone put it so succinctly: “If a man deceived me once, shame on him; if twice, shame on me.”

Self-deception resulting from
self-love, self-worship, self-promotion, self-confidence, and all forms of self-centeredness are all fatal to the soul.

Only in and through Christ Jesus, the self-denying, self-sacrificing incarnated Creator, Savior, and Example can any and all sinners receive His Life and Light of truth that will dispel the darkness of sinful and willful ignorance of sin through the tempter’s cunning and deadly deceptions!

More souls will lose both temporal and eternal life through Satan’s tender and subtle deceptions rather than his wrathful persecutions. We will show this next time.

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

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SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM MEMBERS December 22, 2023: A MAJOR CAUSE OF INEFFICIENCY AND WEAKNESS IN WITNESSING FOR THE TRUTH AND ITS REMEDY

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM MEMBERS:

A MAJOR CAUSE OF INEFFICIENCY AND WEAKNESS IN WITNESSING FOR THE TRUTH AND ITS REMEDY

“Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. . . . Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and He shall lift you up.” James 4: 6, 10, KJV.

“I would address those who preach [and teach] the word: ‘The entrance of Thy words giveth life; it giveth understanding to the simple [humble of mind and heart].’ All the advantages and privileges that may be MULTIPLIED for your benefit, that you should be educated and trained, rooted and grounded in the TRUTH, will be NO real help to you PERSONALLY unless the mind and heart are OPENED so that the truth shall find ENTRANCE, and you make a CONSCIOUS SURRENDER of every habit and practice, and every sin that has CLOSED THE DOOR against Jesus [even if we know the doctrines intellectually].

Let the LIGHT from Christ [brought home to the conscience by the Holy Spirit through the Word] SEARCH every dark corner of the soul; [then] with EARNEST determination adopt a right course of action.

“If you hold on to a wrong course, as many of you are NOW doing; if the truth does not work in you with TRANSFORMING power, so that you OBEY IT FROM THE HEART [not in mere lip and mouth service] because you LOVE its pure principles: [you can] be sure that for you the truth will LOSE ITS VITALIZING POWER, and SIN WILL STRENGTHEN [rather than weaken].

“This is why many are not efficient agents for the Master. They are constantly making provisions to please and glorify THEMSELVES, or they cherish LUST in their heart. True, they ASSENT to the law of Ten Commandments, and many TEACH THE LAW IN THEORY, but they do not cherish its PRINCIPLES [one of the main reasons why I am emphasizing the sermon/studies on ‘Magnifying the Spiritual Nature of the Law and Making it Honorable’].

They do not obey the commandments of God to be PURE, to love God SUPREMELY, and their neighbor AS themselves. While constantly living a lie, can such have strength? Can they have confidence? Will such become efficient workers for God [not merely for the ‘church’ or the ‘ministry’]? “Testimonies to Ministers & Gospel Workers, p. 159. July 3, 1892. (All emphasis and bracketed words mine).

May these special Testimonies I am sharing with you truly prove to be, spiritually, a more incisive tool of eye-opening and heart-searching counsels for the truly humble workers of God in these last days. Bless all, NMF.