Tag: death

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Daily Manna Devotionals

WILL LIFE “RETURN TO NORMAL’ IF AND WHEN THE COVID PANDEMIC ENDS? (Part III)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WILL LIFE “RETURN TO NORMAL’ IF AND WHEN THE COVID PANDEMIC ENDS? (Part III)

Jesus said that following the “trodding down of Jerusalem and the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24)—a triple application prophecy—this one referring to the Dark Ages when the “Gentiles trod down spiritual “Jerusalem” of the “Israel of the Alps,” the Waldenses, and the rest of the unnumbered millions of faithful Sabbath-keeping saints of the ages, persecuted and martyred by the Roman papal church by the Church of Rome onward for 1, 260 years ending in 1798.

After this, in this broad outline of the end-time prophecies given in its details in Daniel and Revelation, Jesus said. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth DISTRESS OF NATIONS, WITH PERPLEXITY; THE SEA [of peoples, humanity] AND THE WAVES ROARING; MEN’S HEARTS FAILING FOR FEAR, AND FOR LOOKING AFTER THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE COMING ON THE EARTH; FOR THE POWERS OF HEAVEN SHALL BE SHAKEN.” Luke 21: 25, 26, KJV.

Note that Jesus was declaring a prophecy, and therefore used prophetic language. “Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.” Following the prophetic chronology after the end of the 2300-day prophecy in 1844, to the present time of a disturbingly unsettled state in the world, then consider the following excerpts from the book The Great Controversy by E. G. White, 1912 ed., ‘The Impending Conflict,’ ch. 36, pp. 589, 590 (be sure to read the whole chapter for yourself).

“Through Spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the (human) race, HEALING THE DISEASES of the people, and professing to present a NEW AND MORE EXALTED SYSTEM OF RELIGIOUS FAiTH; but at the same time he works as a destroyer. His TEMPTATIONS are leading multitudes to ruin. INTEMPERANCE dethrones reason; sensual indulgence, strife, and bloodshed follow.

“Satan delights in WAR: for it excites the worst passions of the soul [the whole living person], and sweeps into eternity it’s victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to INCITE NATIONS to war against one another; for he can thus DIVERT the minds of the people FROM THE WORK OF PREPARATION TO STAND IN THE DAY OF GOD [the pre-advent, investigative judgment currently taking place in the heavenly sanctuary with Christ as both High Priest and Judge of all the earth].

“Satan WORKS THROUGH THE ELEMENTS also to garner HIS HARVEST OF UNPREPARED SOULS. He has studied the SECRETS OF THE LABORATORIES OF NATURE, and he uses all his power to control the elements, as far as God allows. When he was suffered to afflict Job [read the book of Job], how quickly flocks and herds, servants, houses, his [ten] CHILDREN were swept away, ONE TROUBLE SUCCEEDING ANOTHER AS IN A MOMENT.

“It is GOD that shields His creatures, and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer [Satan].”
To be continued. Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna Devotionals

WILL LIFE ‘RETURN TO NORMAL,’ IF AND WHEN THE COVID PANDEMIC ENDS? (Part II)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WILL LIFE ‘RETURN TO NORMAL,’ IF AND WHEN THE COVID PANDEMIC ENDS? (Part II)

Here’s one take, among countless others and counting, in hindsight, sadly, yet understandably a common assessment shared among the whole spectrum of humanity, this side of the pandemic:

“The most menacing, disruptive, psychologically aggressive period that our world has been in since the ‘60s.” – Sharon Stone, as told in The NY Times story and quoted in People, on-line news, Mar. 24, 2021.

Experts, pundits, preachers, modern, self-anointed, self-sent, time-setting prophets and seers of all stripes and different, dissonant, and even conflicting religious persuasions, will divine their individual “tea leaves” and either “see a bad moon rising” and the start of the “battle of armageddon, or the “dawning” of another “Age of of Aquarius (since the first, touted in the Hippie generation, proved to be an illusion) that finally ushers in global peace, love, unity. and untrammeled liberty to whatever desire dictates, etc. that finally ushers in the long-awaited global peace, love, prosperity, and untrammeled liberty to indulge whatever desire dictates.

l dare not hazard any personal opinions, insights, or interpretations on a subject that is increasingly moving up, front and center of the global discourse for it not only impacts the present but shapes the trajectory of everyone’s future and plans. In fact there is absolutely no need for all these vain efforts of mortals with finite minds! The divine Revealer of secrets and the eternal destiny of mankind has already “revealed His secrets to and through His servants, the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Here is perhaps one the greatest of opportunities to test and prove beyond a doubt whether the writings of Ellen G. White are truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and is “the gift of prophecy given to the remnant church” of Revelation.

All by now, nationally and globally, are expecting that the worst is soon to be over and that light at the end of the dark pandemic tunnel is already getting brighter and brighter and that soon this pandemic will enter the books of history with whatever degree of ignominy the historians and writers assign it but was conquered by the wisdom, innovative and creative powers of man.

Now, here’s what the book, The Great Controversy reveals, in the context of all Biblical prophecies of the last days of the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament, the mini apocalypse of Christ recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, particularly the last part of Daniel and amplified in greater and end-time detail in Revelation?

Read it here tomorrow, then test it’s truthfulness and reliability by the coming events on the horizon, anticipated or otherwise. Be patient, remain calm, pray as you never did before and place your souls in God’s hands. Remember that salvation, has, and always will be individual to the close of probation. God bless all, NMF

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Devotionals

MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS IN THE INCARNATION FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH

October 16, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS IN THE INCARNATION FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Heb. 1:9, A.V.

Notice that it was “by the GRACE of God” that Christ the Creator, was both “made a little lower than the angels” in the mystery of the Incarnation and by that same “grace of God” ‘taste death for every man.” Every diligent and thorough Bible student should take this profound scripture into proper account when addressing familiar lines “by grace you are saved, not of your works lest any MAN should boast.” Remember these: God does not boast; only fallen man does. Now this:

“A little lower than angels.’ When Jesus became man He was made [according to the divine plan of redemption ‘prepared  before the foundation of the world’] a little lower than the angels, or as the margin reads, ‘a little while inferior to.’ Thus Jesus in a very real sense took our nature WITHOUT losing His Godhead, though He [temporarily] relinquished the independent use of the prerogatives of Deity. At no time did He exercise His divine powers EXCEPT as He received commandment from God. (John 4:31: 5:19). As a man He was at all times subject to God. 

“For the suffering of death.’ The KJV affirms that Jesus became man that He might SUFFER and DIE. He was made ‘a little lower than the angels for [the purpose of] suffering and death.’ The Revised Version affirms that it was as a REWARD for His suffering and death that Christ was ‘crowned with glory and honor.’

“By the grace of God.’ Christ’s sufferings here are not considered as PUNISHMENT laid on Him, for it was ‘by the GRACE of God’ that He tasted death for every man—a significant expression. Some of the older manuscripts instead of ‘by the grace of God’  have ‘apart from God,’ which suggests that Christ in His death suffered ALONE without the SUSTAINING presence of God. This would give point to His DESPAIRING cry, recorded in Matt. 27:46: ‘And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast Thou FORSAKEN Me?’

“Taste death for every man.’ This does not mean, as some suggest, that He merely tastes LIGHTLY of death, and did not suffer the WHOLE measure. GETHSEMANE shows that He ‘drank the cup to the dregs and tasted death as NO OTHER MAN ever tasted it!” —M.L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, pp.95, 96.
Ponder on these! Bless all, NMF. 

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Devotionals

LEST WE DRIFT AWAY

September 16, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

LEST WE DRIFT AWAY

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest we drift away.” Heb. 2:1, NKJV. (The KJV says, “lest at any time we should let them slip.”)

“Lest at any time we should let them slip,’ or more literally, ‘lest we be floated past them,’ or ‘drift away from them.’

“The picture is that of a boat being carried along with the current, the occupants unaware of the fact that they are drifting. Before they realize it they are nearing the cataract, far pat the OLD LANDMARKS, and danger is at hand, and possibly, destruction.

“Drifting is one of the easiest and pleasantest means of locomotion, but it is also a most treacherous one. NO EFFORT IS NEEDED TO DRIFT, and as one glides down the river toward sure death, the FEELING is that of well-being with contentment with accompanying delightful DROWSINESS. The downward movement is hardly perceptible, for as the boat moves down the river it seems to remain MOTIONLESS. The water moves with the boat and APPEARANCES ARE DECEITFUL. Unless one awakens in time, the danger is very real.

“This was the condition of the church to which the author [Paul] was writing. They were drifting SPIRITUALLY, and did not sense their danger. Slowly they were nearing the precipice, and soon it would be too late.” M.L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, pp. 81, 82.

The global deterioration at every level and endeavor of human society is God’s “voice” warning mankind that earth’s probation is soon to close! Soon it will be too late for those who have persistently resisted heaven’s invitation to repent of and turn away from their sins! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.” Sow seeds of righteousness, reap the fruits of righteousness! God bless all, NMF.  

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Devotionals

GODLY REPENTANCE DELAYED IS PARDON DENIED

June 22, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

GODLY REPENTANCE DELAYED IS PARDON DENIED

“For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted [or repented of]; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Cor. 9:10, NKJV (See verses 8-11).

Even as ‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ Achan’s deadly sin of covetousness produced a “worldly,” not a godly repentance. This is possibly one of the deadliest combinations of sins. Achan lost both temporal and eternal life!

Continue reading “GODLY REPENTANCE DELAYED IS PARDON DENIED”
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Devotionals

JESUS MAGNIFIED HIS LAW & MADE IT HONORABLE: HOW ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS?

June 10 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

JESUS MAGNIFIED HIS LAW & MADE IT HONORABLE: HOW ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS? See Isa 42:21

“Many religious teachers assert [who claim ‘the Bible and the Bible only’ as the basis of faith] assert that Christ by His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There are some [multitudes by now] who represent it as a ‘grievous yoke’; and in contrast to the ‘bondage of the law,’ they present the ‘liberty’ to be enjoyed under the gospel.

“But NOT SO did the prophets and apostles regard the holy law of God. Said David, ‘I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.’Ps.119:45. The apostle James who wrote AFTER the death of Christ, refers to the Decalogue as the ‘royal law’ [Law of the King and His kingdom]’ and the ‘perfect law of liberty.’ James 2:8; 1:25.

Continue reading “JESUS MAGNIFIED HIS LAW & MADE IT HONORABLE: HOW ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS?”
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Devotionals

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT: “Thou shalt not kill.”

June 7 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT:  “Thou shalt not kill.” Exo. 20: 13; Deut. 5: 17; Matt. 5: 21,22, KJV.

O if only men would understand the spiritual magnification of this commandment (and the rest of the nine), the nation and mankind would not be suffering all the prejudice, racial hatred and killings hemorrhaging society today!

“Whosoever HATETH his brother is a MURDERER: and you know no murderer has life in him.” 1 John 3:15. “The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan: and it led him to put to death [thru his combined Jewish and Roman agencies] the Son of God. Whoever cherishes MALICE or UNKINDNESS is cherishing the same spirit; and its fruit will be unto death. In the REVENGEFUL THOUGHT the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed.” E. G. White, Mount of Blessing, p.89.

Continue reading “THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT: “Thou shalt not kill.””
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Devotionals

BEWARE OF OUR OLD SUPERSTITIONS & FEARS

June 5, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

BEWARE OF OUR OLD SUPERSTITIONS & FEARS

As the Israelites impatiently waited for Moses (reminding us of how impatiently the first king of Israel, Saul, waited for prophet Samuel, and committed his first apostasy), something happened that lead worst things:

“Feeling their HELPLESSNESS in the absence  of their leader, they RETURNED  to their OLD SUPERSTITIONS.

“The ‘mixed multitude’ had been the first to INDULGE murmurings and impatience, and they were the LEADERS in the APOSTASY that followed.

Continue reading “BEWARE OF OUR OLD SUPERSTITIONS & FEARS”