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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: GOD’S PURPOSE FOR NOT QUICKLY ABORTING EVIL AND ITS ORIGINATOR LUCIFER

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

April 22, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR NOT QUICKLY ABORTING EVIL AND ITS ORIGINATOR LUCIFER

TEXT: “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but the things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deut. 29:29, KJV. 

Having first laid down “the greater light” foundations from the Bible of this profound subject, we now quote excerpts of its magnification from “the lesser light” (all emphasis and bracketed words/numbers provided): 

     “To many minds, the ORIGIN of sin and the REASON for its existence are a source of great perplexity. They see the work of evil, with its terrible results of woe and desolation, and they question HOW ALL THESE CAN EXIST under the sovereignty of One who is INFINITE in wisdom, in power, and in love. Here is a MYSTERY, of which they find no explanation.

    “And in their uncertainty and doubt, they are BLINDED to the truths plainly revealed in God’s word, and ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION. 

    “There are those who, in their inquiries concerning the existence of sin, endeavor to search into that which GOD HAS NEVER REVEALED; hence they find no solution of their difficulties; and such as are actuated by a disposition to doubt and cavil, seize upon this as an EXCUSE for rejecting the words of the Holy Writ.

    “Others, however, FAIL OF A SATISFACTORY UNDERSTANDING of the great problem of evil [due] from the fact that TRADITION AND MISINTERPRETATION have obscured the teaching of the Bible concerning [1] the character of God, [2] the nature of His government, and [3] the principles of His dealing with sin. 

    “It is IMPOSSIBLE to explain the origin of sin so as to give a REASON for its existence. Yet ENOUGH may be understood concerning BOTH THE ORIGIN AND FINAL DISPOSITION OF SIN, to make fully manifest the JUSTICE AND BENEVOLENCE of God in all His dealings with evil.

    “Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God was IN NO WISE RESPONSIBLE for the entrance of sin [either in heaven or earth]; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, NO DEFICIENCY in the divine government, that gave occasion to the uprising of rebellion. 

    “SIN IS AN INTRUDER FOR WHOSE PRESENCE NO REASON CAN BE GIVEN. IT IS MYSTERIOUS, UNACCOUNTABLE; TO EXCUSE IT IS TO DEFEND IT. Could excuse for it be found, of CAUSE be shown for its existence, it would CEASE to be sin. Our ONLY DEFINITION OF SIN is that given in the word of God; it is ‘the transgression of the law’ [1 John 3: 4]; it is the outworking of A PRINCIPLE AT WAR with the great law of love which is the foundation of the divine government [of God’s everlasting kingdom].”- Ellen G. White, ‘The Origin of Evil,’ ch. 29, Great Controversy, 1911, Pacific Press Publishing, pp. 492-3. 

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration : EVIL AND SIN ORIGINATED IN HEAVEN: WHY GOD DID NOT ABORT IT IMMEDIATELY  

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

April 15, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration 

EVIL AND SIN ORIGINATED IN HEAVEN: WHY GOD DID NOT ABORT IT IMMEDIATELY  

It is almost-to-midnight hour of our “late, great planet Earth” of mankind’s second and last probation. 

Regardless of one’s religious persuasion, faith, belief system, or none at all, and whether you choose to “hear or forbear; to “come now and let us reason together” or postpone “for a more convenient time;” brush off or outright reject, none can ever diminish one iota of this factual truth as fundamental as God and the everlasting gospel. What is it? That “the central power of the earth” since the fall in Eden six thousand years ago, is not a kingdom, nation, empire, “universal secret cabal,” or anything human. It is a demon. Yes, the demon himself. 

Let’s begin from the last of the 66 books of God’s Word, Revelation, that simply traces us back to who, what, where, when, why, and how these all started. Thereafter we will summon the testimonies of the other prophets of the Old Testament, and on to Christ Himself, and the writings of His apostles and messengers in the New Testament. 

Now this (all emphasis and bracketed words provided):

  “And there was WAR IN HEAVEN: MICHAEL and His angels fought against the DRAGON; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed NOT; neither was their place found ANYMORE in heaven. And the GREAT DRAGON was cast out, that OLD SERPENT [cf. Gen. 2: 15-17; 3: 1-24] called THE DEVIL, and SATAN, which DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD: he was cast out INTO THE EARTH, and HIS ANGELS were cast out with him [to the earth].” Rev. 12: 7-9, KJV.

     “MICHAEL.” Christ has many “names” and “titles,” all indicative and descriptive of His various offices, authority, powers, roles, and relations heaven, the whole universe, and to the earth He created, particularly towards man whom He alone He “made in His image and after His likeness,” and in particular, in the great controversy and the Plan of Redemption of the Gospel. 

Most Christian scholars and commentators and their Bible dictionaries (including the SDA Bible Dictionary, Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 8) say that “Michael the archangel” is “the highest of the  angels”, drawing primarily from the Jewish religious literature such as the Targum of Jonathan as well as the Talmud. 

However, the simple truth is that “Michael the Prince” and “Archangel are Christ’s

 names and titles of authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the angelic host in their capacity as heaven’s army. See references provided here from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White: 

    – Christ is Michael: Desire of Ages, pp. 99, 421; Prophets & Kings, p. 572; Story of Redemption, p. 173. 

    – Heaven’s Prince, Archangel, Sanctified Life, p. 51

    – Moses was raised from the dead by, Desire of Ages, p. 421; Early Writings, p. 164. 

    – When Christ shall stand up as heaven’s Prince and Archangel, Early Writings, p. 36; Great Controversy, p. 613; Life Sketches, p. 117. 

Indeed the great controversy between Christ and Satan started in heaven and with the defeat of Satan and his angels, the cosmic conflict transferred here on earth, beginning with the downfall of man in Eden, merely six thousand years ago. It is soon to end in its prophesied stupendous climax before Jesus finally returns in all His glory in the true second advent! 

Are you preparing and staying prepared and awake? 

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration:GOD’S PURPOSE FOR PERMITTING SIN FIRST IN HEAVEN THEN ON EARTH

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

April 8, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR PERMITTING SIN FIRST IN HEAVEN THEN ON EARTH

Scripture Foundations of this sub series: 

   “The secret things belong to the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deut. 29: 29, KJV. 

     “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. 

    “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1: 13-15. 

   “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point [any of the ten], he is guilty of all.” James 2: 10. 

   “Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death, by sin; and so death passed into all men, for that all have sinned. For until the  the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude [likeness] of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of Him [Christ, ‘the last Adam’] who is to come.” Rom. 5: 12- 14. 

Sin, of all places, began in heaven, the home of God and angels! Since Almighty God Creator is in full control of all beings and things created in heaven, earth, and the unfallen worlds and beings in His immeasurable universe, He must have allowed or permitted sin to start in heaven. Why? What divine purpose was to be served by allowing “the mystery of iniquity” to form and break out in heaven, and then continue here on earth for six thousand years now? 

The answers and explanations  to these fundamental questions is the burden of this sub series. We shall source two parallel chapters, namely: “Why was Sin Permitted?”, chapter 1, Patriarchs & Prophets) and “The Origin of Evil,” chapter 29, Great Controversy, 1911 edition; both authored by Ellen G. White. 

I long struggled with these questions and found no satisfactory explanations and reasons offered and propounded by any and many. That is, until in my persistence, I was finally blessed undeservedly by being led by the Holy Spirit to these ‘Testimonies’ and the said chapters. I “return His favors” by sharing these enlightenment by emphasis with all who “have eyes to read, ears to hear, and hearts to yield to the “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit. 

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Prophecy and Fulfilled as History

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

April 1, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Prophecy and Fulfilled as History

DANIEL: GOD’S FAITHFUL REPRESENTATIVE WHILE SERVING 

Quoted below are extracts from Commentary on the Book of Daniel, A Section Of Volume IV of The SDA Bible Commentary, published and copyrighted, 1955, by the Review & Herald Publishing Asso.. Washington, D. C., pp. 750-1 (all emphasis and bracketed words provided).

   “Theme. The book of Daniel might properly be called a handbook on history and prophecy. Predictive prophecy is a PREVIEW OF HISTORY; history is predictive prophecy PASSING IN REVIEW. 

     “The elements of prediction 1] enables GOD’S PEOPLE to see the things of TIME in the light of ETERNITY, 2] alerts them for effective action at appropriate times 3] facilitates personal preparation for the final crisis, and 4] provides a firm basis of FAITH upon the fulfillment of the prediction. 

    “The FOUR MAJOR LINES OF PROPHECY in the book of Daniel set forth in brief outline, AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF WORLD HISTORY,  the EXPERIENCES of God’s people

from the days of Daniel down to the close of time: ‘The curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and powers and passions THE AGENCIES OF THE ALL-MERCIFUL ONE, silently, patiently, working out the COUNSELS OF HIS OWN WILL’ (E. G. White, PK 500) 

     “Each of the four lines of prophecy reaches a climax when ‘THE GOD OF HEAVEN’ sets ‘UP A KINGDOM, which shall never be destroyed ‘(ch. 2:44), when the ‘SON OF MAN’ receives ‘EVERLASTING DOMINION’ (ch. 7: 13, 14), when opposition to the ‘Prince of princes’ is ‘broken without hand’ (ch. 8:25), and when GOD’S PEOPLE are delivered FOREVER from their oppressors (ch. 12:1). 

     “The prophecies of Daniel thus provide a DIVINELY CONSTRUCTED BRIDGE from the precipice of time to the boundless shores of eternity, a bridge over which THOSE WHO, LIKE DANIEL, PURPOSE IN THEIR HEARTS TO LOVE AND SERVE GOD, may pass by faith from the uncertainty and distress of the PRESENT LIFE to the peace and security of LIFE EVERLASTING.” (End extract, p. 750). 

And so goes the “Old time religion” song’s challenge and exhortation: “Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone,” with the God of heaven, that is. For “If God be with us, who can be against us?”

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

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Special Message

THE DIFFERENT CLASSES TO WHOM THIS MESSAGE IS MEANT

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
July 12, 2024

The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series

THE DIFFERENT CLASSES TO WHOM THIS MESSAGE IS MEANT

Hereunder are specific examples, both individuals and classes of people to whom the Straight Testimony of the “Amen, the Faithful and True Witness” applies to. (All emphasis and bracketed words mines):

 “The PROUD HEART strives to earn salvation; but both our TITLE to heaven [thru justification by faith] and our FITNESS for it [thru sanctification by faith] are found in the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ. The Lord can do nothing for the recovery of man [from the degradation of sin] until, convinced of his OWN WEAKNESS, and stripped of all SELF-SUFFICIENCY he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the GIFT that God is waiting to bestow.”

Q. What gift is this? “From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has UNRESTRICTED ACCESS to Him ‘in whom all fullness [of the Godhead dwells [bodily, Col. 2:9; 1:19]. ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place [of the heavenly sanctuary], with him ALSO that is of a contrite and humble spirit not with the proud and self-sufficient Laodicean], to REVIVE the spirit of the humble, and revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ Isa. 57: 15, A.V. “- E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 300.

“In the days of Christ THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS of the people felt that they were RICH IN SPIRITUAL TREASURE. The prayer of the Pharisee, ‘God, I thank Thee, that I am not as the rest of men’ (Luke 18:11, R.V.), expressed the feelings of HIS CLASS [the religious hierarchy] and, to a great degree, of the WHOLE NATION. But in throng that surrounded Jesus there were SOME who had a sense of their SPIRITUAL POVERTY. When in the miraculous draft of the fishes the divine power of Christ was revealed, Peter fell at the Savior’s feet, exclaiming, ‘Depart from me; for I AM A SINFUL MAN, O Lord’ (Luke 5:8); so in the MULTITUDE gathered upon the mount, there were souls who, IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST’S PURITY, felt that they were

‘wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked’ (Rev. 3:17); and they longed ‘for the grace that bringeth salvation’ (Titus 2:11). In these souls, Christ’s words of greeting awakened HOPE; they saw that their lives were under the BENEDICTION of God.” -Ibid, Mount of Blessing, pp. 6, 7.

It is only those who humbly accept “the Amen and True Witness’s stern, yet soul-saving rebuke that they are spiritually-bankrupt as “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” instead of self-confidently thinking they are already “rich and increased with goods, and have no need for anything more” whose lives are under the benevolent power of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit. They have the “hope that does not deceive nor disappoints!

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

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Special Message

THE DIVINE VENDOR IS PRESENTING HIS PRICELESS GOODS: WILL YOU BUY?

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
June 9, 2024

THE DIVINE VENDOR IS PRESENTING HIS PRICELESS GOODS: WILL YOU BUY?

Read Rev. 3:18-20, KJV first. Now this (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):

“The great Redeemer [Christ in and through the Holy Spirit, the ‘faithful and true Witness’] represents Himself as a heavenly Merchantman, LADEN with riches, calling from house to house, presenting His priceless goods [Rev. 3:18-20 quoted].” E. G. White, Review & Herald, July 23, 1899.

“The Lord KNOCKS on the door [never breaks it down and forces Himself in] of your heart, desiring to enter [through the Holy Spirit], that He may impart SPIRITUAL RICHES to your soul. He would ANOINT THS BLIND EYES, that they may discover the HOLY CHARACTER OF GOD IN HIS LAW, and understand the LOVE OF CHRIST, which is indeed GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE” - ibid, RH Feb. 25, 1890.

NOTE. It is through the convicting, convincing, and enlightening work of the Holy Spirit upon the individual’s conscience via the word of “the law and testimony” (Isa. 8:20) and the messages of counsel, reproof, and warning issuing from God’s anointed and appointed human “angel” messengers] that the Lord KNOCKS on hearts.

“Jesus is going from door to door, standing in front of [not hiding behind] every soul temple, proclaiming, ‘I stand at the door and knock.’ As a heavenly Merchantman, He OPENS His treasures and cries, ‘Buy of Me GOLD TRIED IN FIRE that thou mayest be rich. . . .” -Ibid, Aug. 7, 1894. 

Q. What is this “gold tried in fire”? 
A. “The gold that He offers is without alloy, more precious than that of Ophir; for it is FAITH AND LOVE.” -Ibid.

 “By FAITH AND LOVE, the precious, beautiful ATTRIBUTES of our Redeemer, which will ENABLE US to find our way into the HEARTS of those who do not know Him, who are COLD and ALIENATED from Him through UNBELIEF and SIN. . . . Oh, shall we not open the heart’s door to this heavenly Visitor?” Ibid, 7BC 964. 

“The GOLD that Jesus would have us buy of Him is gold tried in fire: it is the gold of faith and love, that has NO DEFILING SUBSTANCE MINGLED with it.” Ibid, RH Apr. 1, 1890. 

“The counsel of the True Witness is FULL OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMFORT.  The CHURCHES may yet obtain the GOLD OF TRUTH, faith and love, and be RICH in heavenly treasure”-ibid, RH July 24, 1888.

NOTE: Ophir, gold of. “A land celebrated for its gold (1 Chron. 29:4; Job 22:24; 28:16; Ps. 45: 9; Isa. 13:12). It is also mentioned in an ancient Hebrew inscription. . . Solomon sent expeditions to Ophir. . . . A similar expedition begun by King Jehoshaphat miscarried because his ships were wrecked. The location of Ophir has been much discussed, and India, Elam, South Arabia, East Africa, and South Africa have been suggested. . . “ SDA Bible Dictionary, Commentary Ref. Series, Vol. 8, 1960, RH Publishing Asso. Wash., D. C.

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

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Daily Manna Devotionals

CHRIST’S LIGHTS SHINES IN AND THROUGH THE DARKEST PART OF THE NIGHT

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CHRIST’S LIGHTS SHINES IN AND THROUGH THE DARKEST PART OF THE NIGHT

Jesus, Himself the LIGHT OF LIFE OF THE WORLD, in His Sermon in the mount, told the multitudes and His first disciples as He defined and described the nature of the kingdom He had incarnated into in order to establish on earth:

“Ye are [going to be] the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A CITY set on a hill cannot be hid…..Let YOUR LIGHT so shine before men, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5: 14,16, K.J.V.

The multitudes and first disciples did not yet fully comprehend what being “light of the world” and what it’s “good works” meant. The “eye” of their minds (just like Paul before his conversion) were still enveloped with the thick “scales” of tradition, doctrinal misinterpretations of the Messiah and His kingdom, and personal temporal ambitions. But they were attracted to this simple Man from Galilee.

After Christ left for heaven, and the first disciples conducted their gospel commission within the first century of the newborn Christian church clothed in its original apostolic purity, the period soon began when and where their special calling and roles, following and patterned after that of Christ’s, as His “lights of the world” with their “good works,” would be understood by fiery experience, learning in “terrible lessons in righteousness.” This is what we are covering in the life and times of the Waldenses, etc., and onward. Thus we continue:

“Ignorance and superstition generated VICE of the basest sort, and brought the Christian world into the DARKNESS OF THE DARK AGES, which made the Reformation of the sixteenth century absolutely necessary. [We will cover this subject as opportunity presents itself].”

“And as ‘the darkest of the night is just before dawn,’ so the TWELFTH TO THE SIXTEENTH CENTURIES where the darkest in the Christian Era [CE]. For a time, however, there were still a FEW LIGHTS SHINING in the religious horizon, shedding their MILD GOSPEL LIGHT INTO THE DENSE DARKNESS. But when these were extinguished, the darkness became well nigh complete!

“The Celtic Church of Scotland and Ireland had sent their missionaries with and open Bible into almost every country in EUROPE. The gospel lamp in Scotland was EXTINGUISHED in 1069; that of Ireland in 1172; that of the ancient Albigenses in 1229; the Assyrian lamp of the East was extinguished at Malabar, India, by the INQUISITION in 1560; and the Waldensian lamp, that had been SHINING THE LONGEST, and had sent its MILD RAYS over EUROPE for centuries, was extinguished in 1686.

“The history of these [original, genuinely apostolical] evangelical churches during this dark period is very interesting and has MANY VALUABLE LESSONS for our day.

“The Waldenses and Albigenses were QUIET AND INDUSTRIOUS people, and followed the BIBLE STANDARD OF MORALITY, which actually CAUSED THEIR PERSECUTION! [Note]:

“But their crowning offense was their love and reverence for the Scripture, and their burning zeal in making converts. The INQUISITOR of Passau informs us that they had translations of whole Bible in the vulgar [common] tongue [language; dialect], which the [Romish] Church vainly sought to suppress, and which they studied with INCREDIBLE ASSIDUITY……
Many of them had THE WHOLE NEW TESTAMENT BY HEART…..
Surely if there ever was a GOD-FEARING PEOPLE it was these UNFORTUNATES [the typical scorn and hatred of the unrighteous towards the righteous, beginning with Cain towards his brother Abel] under the BAN OF THE CHURCH AND STATE [Precisely what the First Amendment stipulates]…..
The Inquisitors [not the messengers and prophets of God] declared that the SIGN of a Vaudois [Waldenses], DEEMED WORTHY OF DEATH, was that he FOLLOWED CHRIST AND SOUGHT TO OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.’ – ‘History of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages,’ H. C. Lea, Vol. I, pp. 86, 87. NY: Harper Bros., 188&.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, pp. 127, 128. Southern Publishing Asso., (Rev.) 1842.

Of such mold in the furnace of affliction and tribulation will be the genuine Christians of these last days till earth’s probation closes. These precious souls provide me hope, courage, and determination to keep my conscience free of offense towards God and to carry on, all by His empowering grace, until He shutters the windows and closes the curtains for the long night. Bless all, NMF

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Sermon

Hour of Worship

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