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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

God’s Saving Enmity Part 16

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 19, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 16

This is a special “parenthetical” information so vital to our current series. I urge all who desire to quickly advance in the understanding and knowledge of the comprehensive nature, application, reach, scope and magnitude of the “enmity” that God immediately “put between the serpent and the woman and their respective seeds,” just before the first couple and the father and mother of humankind were banished from Eden because of the first experiment by free moral agents with disobedience and the first experience of its incurred guilt. Genesis 3:15.

The abundant and profound enlightenment of the combined historical and spiritual truths of the subject is revealed in The CONFLICT [enmity] OF THE AGES Series comprised of five books, all penned by Ellen G. White, my favorite author next to writers of the 66 books of the Bible.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have and continue to be blessed by the assisting enlightenment of these books in my quest to understand the present, testing truths of the Bible gospel for these last days. This and a compelling conviction to share in waning hours of earth’s probation and in preparation for the stupendous climax of the enmity and controversy between Christ and Satan and their respective agencies and followers, is all I am interested in. I am in no capacity or manner an agency of the publishers of these books and therefore don’t receive nor am interested in receiving any commendations, much less any form of commissions if any of these books are purchased from the publishers or from anyone. The only “reward” I may receive, if “faithful to the end,” is what Jesus promised, “Behold, your reward is in heaven,” not here on fallen earth.

From my personal library, here are the books, bound in dark, red cloth and the summary highlights of each as printed on the last page of the Patriarchs & Prophets, written by editors of the publisher, Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, CA, 1819, 1913 (all emphasis mine):

“THE CONFLICT OF THE AGES SERIES By Mrs. E. G. White:

“A series of five intensely interesting volumes dealing with the GREAT CONFLICT between the forces of good and the forces of evil, from the inception of the rebellion in heaven to the time when ‘sin and sinners are no more.’ Each volume is complete in itself, INSOFAR as it deals with its special period of time and its special subject. TO READ THE VOLUME CREATES THE DESIRE TO COMPLETE THE SERIES.” The Publishers.

This is exactly what happened to me years before I ever read these specific lines in fine print in this early edition, just this week! The very first volume I got to fully read of this series was The Great Controversy, 1884 original edition, or Vol. 4 of the Spirit of Prophecy, abbreviated as “4SOP.”

It immediately opened my eyes and mind and jump-started a compelling desire to study and really understand the Bible and the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation. It’s high time to awake from our spiritual stupor and slumber. “The night is far spent.” The time of the churches’ and mankind’s final test is so much nearer now “than when we first believed,” i.e.. If we even ever did of the genuine gospel!
As prophesied, the ear-pleasing, sin-excusing counterfeits are virally-spreading in the end-time deceptions during these closing hours of earth’s probation.

It’s time to closely, critically, humbly, and honestly examine and prove ourselves, not others, “whether we are really in” and “have the faith of Jesus.”

The five volumes and their highlights will be given in next week’s MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 15: DELIVERED OUT OF ANTITYPICAL SPIRITUAL LIONS

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 12, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 15

DELIVERED OUT OF ANTITYPICAL SPIRITUAL LIONS

“At my first defense no one took my part, but all forsook me. . . .But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear [the gospel]: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the LION.” 2 Tim. 4:16, 17, R.V.

Who said/wrote these words, and under what circumstances? Apostle Paul, writing of his own trial at the court of the ROMAN Caesars! The Roman or “Romish element” is ever present throughout the great controversy between truth and error till it’s astounding climax, revealed in the inter-linked, end-time prophecies of Daniel and Revelation! The lion is the animal “beast” symbol of Rome.

“Continuing His instruction to His disciples [and first evangelists of the Christian dispensation], Jesus said, ‘BEWARE of men’ [meaning] They were not to put implicit confidence in those who KNEW NOT GOD, and open to them their counsels; for this would give Satan [‘the enemy of God and man’] and his AGENTS an ADVANTAGE. Men’s inventions often COUNTERWORK God’s plans.

“Those who build the TEMPLE of the Lord [the spiritual kingdom/church/bride] are to build according for the pattern shown in the mount [to Moses],—the divine similitude. God is DISHONORED and the gospel BETRAYED when His servants depend on the counsel of who are NOT under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.[‘By their fruits ye shall know them’]. Worldly wisdom is ‘foolishness with God.’ Those who rely on it will SURELY err.

“‘They will deliver you up to councils. . . . yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for My sake, for a testimony to them and the Gentiles.’ Matt. 10: 17, 18, R.V. PERSECUTION WILL SPREAD THE LIGHT. [‘The blood of martyrs was the seed of the gospel’ for over a thousand years starting in 538 A.D. in the Old World]. The servants of Christ will be brought before the GREAT MEN OF THE WORLD, who, but for this, might never hear the gospel. The truth has been MISREPRESENTED to these men. They have listened to FALSE CHARGES concerning the faith of Christ’s disciples. Often their ONLY means of learning its true character is the TESTIMONY of those who are BROUGHT TO TRIAL for their faith [not because of any evil or wicked deeds].

“Under EXAMINATION they are required to answer, and their judges to LISTEN to the testimony borne [as in ‘the word of their testimony’]: ‘It shall be given you,’ says Jesus, ‘in that same hour WHAT ye shall speak. For it is NOT ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father, which speaketh IN you.’ As the Holy Spirit of God ILLUMINATES the minds of His servants, the TRUTH will be presented in its DIVINE power and preciousness.

“Those who REJECT the [cutting, unpopular, yet present, testing] truth will stand to ACCUSE AND OPPRESS the disciples. But UNDER LOSS, SUFFERING, and even DEATH, the disciples are to REVEAL THE MEEKNESS of their divine Example. Thus will be seen the CONTRAST between Satan’s agents and the representatives of Christ. The Savior will be LIFTED UP before the rulers of the people [‘the kings and great men of the earth’].”

“The disciples were not endowed with COURAGE AND FORTITUDE OF MARTYRS UNTIL SUCH GRACE is needed. Then the Savior’s promise was fulfilled. [Here are examples]:

“When Peter and John testified before the Sanhedrin council, men ‘marveled; and took knowledge of them, that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.’ Acts 4:13. Of Stephen it is written that ‘all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the FACE OF AN ANGEL.’ Men ‘were NOT ABLE to resist the WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT by which he spake.’ Acts 16: 15, 10.

“And PAUL, writing of his own trial at the court of Caesars, says, ‘At my first defense no one took my part, but ALL forsook me. . . But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me: that THROUGH me the MESSAGE might be FULLY proclaimed, and that the Gentiles might hear; and I was DELIVERED OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LION.’ 2 Tim. 4:16,17, R.V.” -E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 354, Apr. 1950, Pacific Press Publishing Asso. (All emphasis and words in brackets mine).

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 14: HOW THE ‘PRINCE OF PEACE’ IS ALSO THE CAUSE OF DIVISION IN THE WORLD

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 5, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 14

HOW THE ‘PRiNCE OF PEACE’ IS ALSO THE CAUSE OF DIVISION IN THE WORLD

   “Shortly BEFORE His crucifixion, Christ bequeathed to His disciples a LEGACY OF PEACE. ‘Peace I leave with you,’ He said, ‘not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27).

   “This peace is NOT the peace that comes through CONFORMITY to the WORLD [meaning, its standards, methods, philosophies, principles, strategies, tastes, trends, styles].

   “Christ said of Himself, Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword.” (Matt. 10: 34). THE PRINCE OF PEACE, HE WAS YET THE CAUSE OF DIVISION. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and create hope and joy in the hearts of men, OPENED A CONTROVERSY that burns deep and arouses intense passions in the human heart.

   “And He warns His followers, ‘In the WORLD, ye shall have TRIBULATION.’ ‘They shall lay their hands on you, and PERSECUTE you, delivering you up to the SYNAGOGUES [or churches, religious tribunals], and into PRISONS, being brought forth before kings and rulers for MY NAME’S SAKE.’ Ye shall be BETRAYED both by PARENTS, and BRETHREN [fellow church members], and KINSFOLKS [relatives], and FRIENDS; and some of you shall THEY cause to be put to DEATH.’ (John 10: 33; Luke 21: 12, 16, KJV).

   “This prophecy has been fulfilled in a marked manner. Every INDIGNITY, REPROACH, and CRUELTY that Satan could instigate in human hearts [see above for who many are and will be] to devise, has been visited upon the followers of Jesus [particularly during the Dark Ages of papal supremacy, 538-1798 A.D.]

    “And it will be AGAIN FULFILLED in a marked manner; [why?] “For the carnal heart is STILL AT ENMITY WITH THE LAW OF GOD, and will not be subject to His commands’ [See Rom. 8: 6-9]. 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 disciples, STILL WORKS IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE [against the Decalogue]. The SAME SPIRIT which in the Dark Ages consigned men and women to prison, to exile, and to death, which conceived the exquisite torture of the INQUISITION, which planned and executed the MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW [in France], and which kindled the FIRES OF SMITHFIELD, is still at work with MALIGNANT ENERGY IN UNREGENERATE HEARTS [although they have the ‘appearance and form of godliness’].

   “The HISTORY OF TRUTH has ever been a record of STRUGGLE between right and wrong. The proclamation of the [genuine] GOSPEL has ever been carried forward in the WORLD in the face of OPPOSITION, PERI, LOSS, AND SUFFERING.” – Mrs. E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, 1911, pp. 84, 85, Pacific Press Publishing Asso. (All emphases  and bracketed words mine).

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

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Saving Enmity Part 13: THE HARDEST ENMITY (VARIANCE) CHRIST’S FAITHFUL HAVE TO BEAR

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
March 29, 2023

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 13

THE HARDEST ENMITY (VARIANCE) CHRIST’S FAITHFUL HAVE TO BEAR

Jesus solemnly instructed—not just counseled, much less merely informed or suggested His first Twelve disciples including Judas Iscariot — what their working orders were. Read Matthew chapter 10 prayerfully. Ask for divine grace, wisdom, and power to fuel your effort to jettison whatever preconceived opinions you may have, especially those that have been “traditionalized” into your religious beliefs, upbringing, and widespread acceptance.

When diligently and objectively traced back to their earliest origins, it will be found to the horrified surprise of many that most of the prominent ones were not Biblical at all but were based on ancient heathen worship, and pagan beliefs and superstitions that were “Christianized,” as part of the prophesied “falling away.” The line of prophecies connecting Daniel with Revelation exposes these.

Now, for a closer look at one of the most startling and difficult aspects of individual “crosses they would have to bear” outlined in Jesus’ training manual and working orders for the first Twelve. He, the promised Messiah and the One who they promptly left all they were engaged in as their humble livelihoods, in response to His invitation, “Come, follow Me,” told them (all emphases and words in brackets mine):

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came 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. And he that loveth father or mother MORE than Me is NOT WORTHY of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that TAKETH NOT HIS [this] CROSS, and followeth after Me [His teachings and life example] is not worthy of Me.” Verses 34-3&, KJV.

And to think that the triumphant announcement of the incomparable angelic choir to the humble shepherds and pagan magi or Persian wisemen/scholars above the fields of Bethlehem at Christ’s birth was, “Glory to God in the highest, PEACE and goodwill towards men [on earth]”

Was there an imponderable mistake somehow? A staggering contradiction between that song of the angelic heralds and Christ’s words to His first Twelve?

We’ll see on next week’s MWM. Meantime, please contemplate for yourself the foundational principles laid down in Genesis 3: 15 regarding what I call the Grand Parallel Subjects of the Bible-
the great controversy and the plan of redemption!
Bless all, NMF.