Tag: God

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

SPECIAL FOR ADVENTISTS ONLY

God’s Saving Enmity
Part 27

THE STARTLING, STILL MERCY-MiNGLED, FINAL WARNING ENTRUSTED TO A SPECIAL PEOPLE

 “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the words of My mouth, and give them warning from Me.” “And go, get thee to them in captivity, unto thy children of thy people [Israel/Judah in Babylonian captivity], and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear or whether they will forbear.”Eze. 3: 17. 11, KJV.

“Whether they will hear or forbear” clearly reveals the unconditionality of the message and task. It is a stand alone, not dependent, framed, premised, or shaped by the messenger proclaiming it, much less the reaction and reception accorded it by the intended recipients. It cannot be amended in any manner of way for or by any person or entity for any reason, excuse, or justification.

To claim the divine recognition and special privileges attached to being called to do such a holy and lofty purpose, yet refuse to consistently and faithfully fulfill “in season or out of season” the heaven-honored role and undertaking of giving the message as it is to those who need it, or give another message, and as a consequence and result they “perish in their sins,” will assuredly receive the dreadful pronouncement, “his blood will I require at thine hand.” Eze. 3: 18, 20; 33; “his blood shall be upon his head” (Eze. 33: 4): “his blood will I require from the WATCHMAN’S hand” vs 6-8.

Now this from the inspired pen:

“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as WATCHMEN and LIGHT BEARERS. To them has entrusted the LAST WARNING for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given A WORK OF THE MOST SOLEMN IMPORT—-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is NO OTHER WORK of so great importance. They are to allow NOTHING ELSE to absorb their attention. 

 “THE MOST SOLEMN TRUTHS EVER ENTRUSTED TO MORTALS have been given us to proclaim to the world The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God’s people are to be TRUE TO THE TRUST committed to them. 

“They are not to engage in SPECULATION, neither are they to enter into BUSINESS ENTERPRISES WITH UNBELIEVERS; for this would hinder them in their God-given work. 

“Christ says of His people, ‘Ye are the LIGHT of the world.’ Matt. 5:14. It is NOT a small matter that the counsels and plans of God has been so CLEARLY OPENED to us. It is a wonderful PRIVILEGE to understand the will of God as revealed through the ‘SURE WORD OF PROPHECY.’ This places on us a HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY. God expects us to impart to others the KNOWLEDGE that He has given us. It is HIS PURPOSE that divine and human instrumentalities shall UNITE in proclaiming the WARNING MESSAGE. 

“So far as his opportunities extend, EVERYONE who has received the light of truth [of the three angels’ messages], is UNDER THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word [Eze 33:7-9 quoted. Pls. Read it]. 

“Are we to WAIT until the fulfillment of the prophecies of the end BEFORE we say anything concerning them? OF WHAT VALUE WILL OUR WORDS BE THEN? Shall we wait until GOD’S JUDGMENTS FALL UPON THE TRANSGRESSOR [of God’s complete Law] before we tell him HOW TO AVOID THEM [the judgments of the seven last plagues]? WHERE IS OUR FAITH IN GOD? Must we see things foretold come to pass BEFORE WE BELIEVE what He said [He will do]? 

“In clear, distinct RAYS OF LIGHT has come to us, showing us that the ‘great day of the Lord is near at hand,’ ‘even at the door.’ LET US READ AND UNDERSTAND BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” - E. G. White, Testimonies for the Church, p. 9. (All emphasis and bracketed words supplied).

An admonition, if immediately and thoroughly acted upon is a great saving grace, but which, IF IGNORED or presumptuously postponed for a “more convenient time,” becomes a foreshadowing and scriptural premonition of darkness and doom, which is, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the FAITH; prove your own selves [not others]. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.” 2 Cor. 13: 5.

What specific “faith” is this as this word is used far to loosely describe so many things—some of which openly contradict the other, if not the Bible itself! Verily, it is the faith of the last day saints described in Revelation 14. Hear ye, read ye! “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.” v. 12.

Next MWM we will provide a more definitive and comprehensive description of what “the faith of Jesus” is, in the context of the proclamation of the three angels’ messages, revealing its comprehensive, present truth relevance, God willing.

Bless all, NMF.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.