Tag: Laodicean

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March 16, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 23

THIS SPIRITUAL DISEASE IS NOT HOPELESS (No. 5)

See Luke 9:18-26 first for fuller context. Then this (emphasis mine):
“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, and follow Me. For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life FOR MY SAKE, they shall SAVE IT. For what is a man ADVANTAGED, if he gain the WHOLE WORLD, and lose himself, or be cast away? verses 23-25. Compare to Matt. 16: 24-27; Mark 8: 34-38 to further synoptically magnify the subject scripture-wise. Now this:

 “There are a LARGE NUMBER   OF PROFESSING CHRISTIANS who do not really FOLLOW Jesus. [Why? How?] They do not BEAR THE CROSS BY PROPER SELF-DENIAL AND SELF-SACRIFICE. Although making a great profession of being earnest Christians, they weave into the fabric of CHARACTER so many of the threads of THEIR OWN IMPERFECTIONS that the beautiful pattern [of Christ’s life example of self-denial and self-sacrifice] IS SPOILED. 

“Of them Christ says, ‘You boast of being rich and increased with SUPPOSED  spiritual attainments. In REALITY you are neither cold nor hot, but are FILLED WITH VAIN CONCEIT. Unless converted, you CANNOT be saved; for you would MAR heaven with your UNSANCTIFIED WISDOM. I CANNOT endorse your SPIRIT and your WORK. [Why?] You do not act according to the DIVINE EXAMPLE. You are following a PATTERN merely of your OWN INVENTION. Because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of My mouth.’ 

“Let us thank the Lord that while this class is SO NUMEROUS, there is still TIME FOR REPENTANCE. Jesus says, ‘I, your Redeemer, know your WORKS. I am familiar with the MOTIVES that prompt you to declare BOASTINGLY in regard to your spiritual condition, [Rev. 3: 17 quoted]. 

“Those who are in this condition are WILLINGLY IGNORANT. They do not discern the real character of SIN. By their wrongdoing they CONSTANTLY MISREPRESENT THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME. [cf. Heb. 6:4-6]. Professing to have a knowledge of the truth, they act in spirit as NOVICES. They do not seem to understand the truth that must be EXPRESSED IN WORD AND DEED to show a DECIDED DIFFERENCE between ‘him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.’ 

 “They are FALSE CLAIMANTS of EVERY Christian blessing and privilege, when, as Christ’s representatives, they are NOT RICH in spiritual grace or in works. They are ‘wretched, poor, blind, maimed. What a position to be in! THEY STAND IN THEIR OWN LIGHT. [fuller meaning of ‘neither cold nor hot!’]. 

“But not withstanding their willful ignorance, they are NOT left by the Lord WITHOUT ADDED WARNINGS and counsel.” -Ibid, Manuscript 138, 1902 (note the date again and see where we stand today). 

Once again, “Today, if you will hear His voice of warning and counsels, persist not in this deadly “lukewarm” spiritual condition! This last church spiritual condition is, at its core and substance, self-deception.

Self, not Christ is uplifted though His name and teachings are profusely professed. Self is not crucified by self-denial and self-sacrifice. The “old man” is is yet alive, reasserting itself every so often. The “new man in Christ Jesus” cannot be “born again” unless this “old man” is crucified dead even as Christ died “the death of the cross.”

Rather it is “the form of godliness” and physical “sign of the cross” and “stations of the cross” rituals that are displayed, not the “garment of Christ’s righteousness” which only enmity/hatred for sin and love of Christ and His commandments can produce. To such putting on the whole armor of God has no meaning at all; they cannot be real soldiers rallying under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel “fighting the good fight of faith” of the “battles of the Lord where champions are few.”

Once more, prideful lukewarmness will never pass muster during this ongoing most-solemn judgment hour session in heaven. All are weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, not “once saved always saved.”

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

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March 8, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans- Part 22

THIS SPIRITUAL DISEASE IS NOT HOPELESS (No. 4)

It become terminal unless the warnings mercifully given are ignored, made light of, or rejected. Now note the dates of each particular testimony below and consider ourselves warned by the Lord:

 “Self-exaltation is a dangerous element. It TARNISHES everything it touches. It is the OFFSPRING of pride, and it works so ingeniously that, unless guarded against, it will take possession of the THOUGHTS and control the ACTIONS. 

“The Laodicean message must be PROCLAIMED WITH POWER [by the Holy Spirit]. Now [year 1900] more than ever before, are seen pride, worldly ambition, self-exaltation, double-dealing, hypocrisy, and deception. MANY are speaking ‘great, swelling words of vanity,’ saying, ‘I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.’” Yet they are miserable, poor, blind, and naked.’” Review & Herald, Sept. 25, 1900.

 “Those whom Christ WARNS have some excellent qualifications, but they are NEUTRALIZED by all who have a DISEASED self-love, self-deception, self-justification for gross neglect [for what?] TO HELP BRETHREN IN THE SERVICE OF GOD by encouraging words and deeds. [Jesus warned, “Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of My BRETHREN, ye have done it to Me.’]. There is a DEAD FLY in the ointment. They are BEING WEIGHED by One who never makes a mistake. He tells the result of ACTIONS which demonstrate that the LOVE OF CHRIST IS NOT an abiding principle in the soul. [Indeed, ‘By their fruits ye shall know them.’]. 

  “God calls upon you ALL to learn from Christ His meekness. Put away your faculty for seeing the MISTAKES OF OTHERS. TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO YOUR OWN DEFECTS. Your self-righteousness is NAUSEATING to the Lord Jesus Christ [Rev. 3:15-18 quoted]. These words apply to the CHURCHES and many of those in POSITIONS of trust in the work of God.” EGW Manuscript 108, 1899. Yes, as far back as 1899 this Laodicean testimony was already sounding. But have they been heeded? 

 “Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart” for tomorrow is not assured to anyone. 

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

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March 2, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 21

THIS SPIRITUAL DISEASE IS NOT HOPELESS (No. 3)

“Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm. . . . Blessed is the man that trusteth on the Lord.” Jer. 17: 5-7, KJV. 

NOTE: There are both a curse or a blessing of God clearly specified here that are conditional. The first is if we place our trust on finite mortals like us, or on ourselves, “I am already rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing.” Now ponder upon the following (all emphasis mine):

“TDG 64. “Like the JEWS in the days of Christ, MANY today HEAR AND BELIEVE, but are NOT WILLING to step out upon the PLATFORM OF OBEDIENCE, and accept ‘the truth as it is in Jesus.’ [Why?] “They are afraid of losing WORDLY advantages. Their minds ASSENT to the truth but to OBEY means to LIFT THE CROSS OF SELF DENIAl AND SACRIFICE [meaning of Luke 9:23, etc.]. 

They might ‘sit at the feet of Jesus,’ learning daily of Him whom to KNOW ARIGHT is life eternal, but they are NOT WILLING [to ‘lift their own cross of self-denial and self-sacrifice.’ They refuse to ‘crucify flesh and its lusts and desires thereof!

 “Everyone who is SAVED must SURRENDER his OWN plans, ambitions, schemes, which means SELF-GLORIFICATION, and follow where Christ leads the way. [meaning also of ‘they that follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth’ as the Example]. 

“The UNDERSTANDING must be yielded up to Christ, for Him to CLEANSE, and REFINE, and PURIFY [by the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire’]. This will be done when a RIGHT reception is given to the TEACHINGS of the Lord Jesus. IT IS HARD FOR SELF TO DIE DAILY [as Paul did], even when the WONDROUS STORY of God’s grace is presented with the wealth of His love, which He unfolds to the soul’s necessity.

 “O how much we need a MORE INTIMATE acquaintance with the [yet-invisible] Lord Jesus [in the Holy Spirit in the Word!]. We need to ENTER into His will and CARRY OUT His purposes, saying, ‘LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO?’ [Instead of ‘I have need of nothing.’]. 

“O how l long to see our CHURCHES [written in 1903] in a condition DIFFERENT from the condition in which they ARE NOW—GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT DAY BY DAY WITH THEIR LUKEWARM RELIGIOUS LIFE,  life neither cold nor hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will SPUE THEE out of My mouth.’ Rev. 3: 15, 16. 

“O how GREATLY Christ would be honored and glorified before irreligious, worldly men and women IF HIS FOLLOWERS were what they CLAIM [or profess] to be—-true Christians, the love of Christ constraining them to make known before an IDOLATROUS WORLD, showing the MARKED CONTRAST between those who serve God and those who serve Him not’. . . .” Letter 35, Feb. 25, 1903|TDG64. 

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

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February 29, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 20

THIS SPIRITUAL DISEASE IS NOT HOPELESS (No. 2)

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.” Rev. 3: 16, KJV. 

“Spue’ is ‘spit,” in the margin. This of course is spiritual and prophetic language yet bears a more profound and somber meaning for it references Jesus and His work—not when He was on earth performing His mission as the promised “Seed” and Messiah but as having already victoriously resurrected and ascended to the right hand of the Father in the heavenly sanctuary, performing His all-powerful intercessory atonement in His penultimate office as merciful High Priest, Advocate, Intercessor, and Mediator for penitent believers.

Now, even while the Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, as the appointed vicegerent of Christ on earth after His ascension “makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered because we do not often know what we ought to pray for” (Rom. 8: 26, 26) because of our finite helplessness, it is still Christ our merciful High Priest and all-powerful Intercessor who TAKES UP OUR INDIVIDUAL NAMES IN HIS HUMAN-DIVINE MOUTH when pleading our prayer petitions and requests to the Father seated in His “great white throne.”

For such prayers though already divinely “processed” here on earth by the Holy Spirit, still have to be covered with the “incense” fragrance of the merits of Christ’s perfect righteousness in order to be acceptable to the Father.

Thus, unless the remnant believer who is afflicted unawares (‘knowest thou not?’) with this seventh, end-stage Laodicean disease—so highly infectious it needs no “vectors” for transmission to others—humbly and fully accepts the divine Physician’s turn-key comprehensive diagnosis and prescribed cure, his most sincere and importunate prayers is useless regardless if he asks “in the name of Jesus.” Why?

Prayer does not replace nor negate known duty. Ponder upon the following Testimony (all emphasis mine):

 “The figure [of speech] of spewing out of His mouth means that HE CANNOT OFFER UP YOUR PRAYERS OR YOUR EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE TO GOD. HE CANNOT ENDORSE YOUR TEACHING OF HIS WORD OR YOUR SPIRITUAL WORK IN ANY WISE. HE CANNOT PRESENT YOUR RELIGIOUS EXERCISES WITH THE REQUEST THAT GRACE BE GIVEN YOU.” -Vol. 6 Testimonies for the Church, p. 408. 

It is these eye-opening and jolting spiritual revelations such I have “unearthed” in my continuing search of “the law and testimony” (Isa. 8:20) that awakened me from my ignorance, spiritual slumber, and yes, self-deceiving lukewarmness! I thank and praise God by sharing these by “pen and voice” with all “whether they will hear or forbear,” while time allows.

Salvation is individual, never corporate or institutional for Christ is a “personal Savior” while being a “corporate” Example.

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

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
February 26, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 19

THIS SPIRITUAL DISEASE IS NOT HOPELESS (No. 1):

 “And unto the ANGEL of the church of the Laodiceans WRITE; These things SAITH the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning [that is, ‘the Beginner] of the creation of God: I know thy WORKS, that thou art neither cold nor hot . . . .” (read verses 15-17).” Rev. 3: 14, 15, KJV. 

NOTE: 1) “Angel” here, as in all throughout the messages to the seven churches of Rev. 2 and 3 up to the “three angels” of Rev. 14 is the Greek aggelos, “messengers.” They are finite human beings yet in the mortal flesh, not the angelic “ministering spirits” of God, although the latter guide, protect, and minister to the former in their appointed calling as “special watchmen and light-bearers” of specific prophesied messages that require consecration, self-denial, self-sacrifice and enlightenment by the Holy Spirit in and by the Word for they treasure in heart and mind, and thus preserve, promote, and “proclaim by pen and voice” and their living life testimony, the present testing truths specific to their time.

All these began after Pentecost empowered the 120 disciples (including Mary, mother of Jesus) to proclaim the “first edition” of the New Testament and Christian dispensation which was the proclamation of Christ, the risen/resurrected Savior. The appointed “chosen people” status was then transferred from the literal tribal-nation of
Israel of the Mosaic dispensation of the Old Testament to the spiritual Israel of the Christian dispensation, as recorded in the book of Acts (magnified in the Acts of the Apostles by EGW).

The church dispensation undergoes seven periods of spiritual conditions symbolically described for each of the “seven churches.”
Laodicea is the seventh and last stage and spiritual condition. There is no “eighth church.”

While the SDA church or denomination is the true “remnant church” of the last days, it is the “church militant NOT the “church triumphant.” Only those whom the most-solemn pre-advent, Investigative Judgment currently in session taking place in the most holy of the heavenly sanctuary.

Only those who Christ our High Priest and Judge determines—during the most-solemn pre-advent, Investigative Judgment currently in session now in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary—as “having overcome even as He overcame” “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” and “loved not their lives unto death” will make up the “church triumphant.”

Never ever forget this stark truth: ultimate salvation is individual, never corporate or institutional! Hence the admonitions—“Work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling”. . . . “Make YOUR calling and election sure,” etc.

I am just humbly doing my spiritual due diligence in leaving no stone unturned in my personal search for truth from the “law and testimony” and sharing these, “whether they will hear or forbear.” It is thus that I “strive to keep my conscience void of offense towards God” and crave “God’s peace that passeth understanding.”

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

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
February 23, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans – Part 18

THIS DEADLY SPIRITUAL DISEASE IS NOT HOPELESS

Caveat: it has only one sure cure and eternal solution. To refuse it is to knowingly condemn and places oneself beyond any hope whatsoever. This is a “Thus saith the Lord” of the divine Physician.

If you become aware, and are convicted by the Holy Spirit by first, a humble, thorough self-examination based God’s immutable Moral Law—-the divine diagnostic tool and sin-revealing “mirror” standard of Christ’s righteousness, transcript of His unchanging character, and the basis by which the characters of all who have professed faith in Christ (both in the Old and New Testament dispensations) “are weighed in the balances of the sanctuary” in the current pre-advent, Investigative judgement, “cleansing of the sanctuary” antitypical Day of Atonement session in the most holy place in heaven—-then, do not delay, procrastinate, or “put off for a more convenient, self-accommodating time” to act with attentive dispatch and compliance with the divine Doctor’s Orders.

For together with His omniscient diagnosis is attached His complete prescription, “To-do” list, and all that you will ever need. It is a Complete Kit that has been neatly Packaged for Turn-key application and guaranteed results. And is all in-house. You need not see anyone else nor take a single step outside of your door. This is also what is comprehended in Christ’s startling words, “Behold, the kingdom is WITHIN you!”

Indeed, “Today, If you will HEAR (through your spiritual eyes of discernment) His VOICE (the inaudible voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to your conscience), HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART.”

The Laodicean disease is deceivingly virulent in its metastatic nature. This should be our prayer and attitude: “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Stay “tuned,” and “keep your eyes on the road” as this series unfolds, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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February 22, 2024

Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans- Part 17

THE LAODICEAN STATE, TEN VIRGINS, AND THE SEALING

“Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil will be the favored ones to receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean [morally, spiritually], whose hearts are not pure, will NOT have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin [anything against God’s magnified law] and acting it will be PASSED BY. Only those who in their attitude before God [not man/institutions], are fulfilling the position of those REPENTING AND CONFESSING their sins in the great antitypical day of atonement [the current ongoing pre-advent, investigative judgment], will be recognized and MARKED [syn. with ‘sealed’] as worthy of God’s protection. 

The NAMES of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Savior MORE earnestly and wishfully THAN they who wait for the morning—will be numbered among those who are SEALED.

Those who, WHILE having all the light of truth [present, testing truths for these last days] flashing upon their souls, should have works CORRESPONDING to their avowed [professed] faith, but are ALLURED by sin, setting up IDOLS in their hearts, CORRUPTING their souls before God [God reads the heart], will have their NAMES BLOTTED OUT of the book of life; and be left in midnight darkness, ‘having no oil in their lamps.” -Ibid, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445.

Now note the following:
“The state of the church represented by the FOOLISH VIRGINS, is spoken of as the LAODICEAN state.” – Ibid, Vol. 2 Review & Herald, p. 420.

Q. What does it mean to be a foolish virgin?
“The class represented by the foolish virgins are NOT HYPOCRITES. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have NOT YIELDED THEMSELVES TO THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORKING. They have NOT FALLEN on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their OLD NATURES to be broken up.” -Ibid, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 411.

Q. What happens to the foolish virgins in the parable?
“When the foolish reached the banquet hall, an UNEXPECTED DENIAL was given them. They were left outside in the blackness of the night. The DOOR WAS SHUT.” -ibid, Man. 92a, p.1, 1898/ Vol. Signs of the Times (ST), p. 138/ 4RH 109.

A. What does it mean to be a wise Virgin?
“The wise virgins have faith and love and patience, whose EXPERIENCE day by day is NOURISHED by the Holy Spirit. They DO NOT CONFORM TO THE WORLD in careless inattention. They DO NOT PUT OFF THEIR DAILY PREPARATION, but follow Jesus wherever He leads the way [see Rev. 14: 4, 1-5].” – Ibid, Vol. 3 ST 132, Aug. 6, 1894.

 “The wise virgins are those who have PERFECTED A CHRISTIAN CHARACTER, who have ‘washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”- Ibid, Man. 92a, p. 4.5, 1898. 

Compare Matt. 7: 21-23 with Matt. 25: 11, 12 (1-13).

I feel it a solemn duty to “deliver the messages” of what I have been finding and learning in my continuing studies of “the law and testimony” to anyone, “whether they will hear or forbear.” I hope and pray that the receivers will also be “Bereans”(Acts 17:11).

Bless all, NMF.