FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE ‘ARMOR’ WE ARE ‘WEARING’ NOW DETERMINES WHAT SIDE OF THE COMING FINAL CONFLICT WE WILL TAKE
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [How?]. Put on the WHOLE armor of God, that ye may be ABLE to stand against the WILES of the devil. For we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood, but AGAINST principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this WORLD, against SPIRITUAL wickedness in high places. (Continue to verses 13-18). Now this:
“At every revival of God’s work [which I’ve been trying to since the 1990s alongside with others for the love of the present, testing truths for these last days], the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; He is NOW putting forth his utmost efforts for the FINAL STRUGGLE against Christ and His [true] followers. The LAST GREAT DELUSION is soon to open before us. Antichrist is soon to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So CLOSELY will the counterfeit resemble the true, that it will be IMPOSSIBLE TO DISTINGUISH between them EXCEPT by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.”
None but those who have FORTIFIED the mind with the truths of the Bible will STAND THROUGH THE LAST GREAT CONFLICT. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I OBEY God rather than men? Are our feet PLANTED on the rock of God’s immutable Word? Are we PREPARED to stand firm IN DEFENSE of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?”
“It is the FIRST and HIGHEST DUTY of every RATIONAL being to learn from the Scriptures what is TRUTH, and then to WALK in the light [of the truth], and ENCOURAGE OTHERS to follow his example.
“We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought, and comparing scripture with scripture [following the ‘precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little’ specs in Isaiah]. With divine help [the three Persons of the Godhead, as well as the ministry of angels] we are to form our opinions for ourselves, as we are to answer for ourselves before God.”
“Jesus promises His disciples: ‘The Comforter, who is the the Holy Spirit, whom your Father will send in MY NAME, He shall TEACH you all things, and bring all things to your REMEMBRANCE whatsoever I have said to you.’ John 14:26. But the teachings of Christ must PREVIOUSLY have been STORED in the mind, in order for the Spirit of God to bring them to remembrance IN THE TIME OF PERIL [that is rapidly approaching].”
“When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s word their RULE OF LIFE will be revealed…..Let persecution be kindled, and the HALFHEARTED and HYPOCRITICAL will waver and yield the faith; by the TRUE CHRISTIAN will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.” Great Controversy, 593-602.
As long as God gives me the strength, provides the opportunity, and moves by the unction of the Holy Spirit, it is my desire and commitment to “the truth as it is in Jesus,” to continue the work of revival and reformation in these closing hours of earth’s probation, as the steadily deteriorating conditions in the world are clearly revealing to “those who have ears that will still hear” and are not hardening their hearts to the “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit. As God commanded Noah to warm the antediluvian world, “My Spirit will not always strive with men,” so did Jesus for our time, declaring: “As it was in the days of Noah, son shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of man.” Are we truly preparing to meet and stand firm as rock when the time of test that precedes Christ’s return, shall come upon us very soon? God has been faithfully doing His part. How about you? How about me? God bless all, NMF