God's Fabric of Truth

`As one studies the history of the Christian church, he cannot help but see the destructive results of unraveling even one thread (one doctrine) of the coherent fabric of truth. The inner consistency of truth is one mark of its authenticity. When a person takes one doctrine - for instance, the nature of man - and imposes upon it an unscriptural definition such as the immortal soul notion, other doctrines are affected in some way. When one removes conditionallity from the plan of salvation, human responsibility is diminished and the sovereignty of God is misunderstood.

Truth is not the sum of paradoxes. Truth is a union of harmonious components. Its components interconnect in such a way that when one part is removed, something serious is missing because of that incompleteness. Truth is a whole - and it changes people as they respond in regard to it. The Spirit of God has a work to do within us to change us and prepare us for heaven; this is not an optional work. Truth has been given to meet our emergency and our necessity; while truth alone does not save us, it plays a crucial role in the inward motivations and attitudes that cause us to be saved by grace through faith. This is forgiving grace. We are changed by beholding, and so when we behold only a part of God's truth, we are only changed in part - and that part, being isolated, means the change is distorted. Distorted people present a distorted picture of God. A distorted picture of God lengthens the great controversy by lending the appearance of credence to Satan's claims about God.

The Great Controversy Theme ties together the plan of redemption, Bible truth, and the peril and triumph of Jesus' entry into humanity and His death upon the cross. It holds together Christ's death for us with the application of His power within us. It shows why God purposes to demonstrate through His end-time people the ultimate fruition of what His grace can do, and clarifies how Satan's charges will be finally negated. At the end of time God has called a people to understand, live out, and present to the universe God's love through our individual opportunities in the climax of the great controversy.' The final generation will have their sins canceled by forgiving grace in a final atonement.

What is the final atonement? It is Christ's final ministry of grace in the heavenly sanctuary, as He replaces forgiving grace with enabling grace in my heart. It is His final process of at-one-ment. I am partly at-one now. I don't sin as often as I used to, but I still sin. I still interrupt the continuous connection I could have with the Holy Spirit. I am not totally at-one yet. The universe is not yet completely safe. Christ must demonstrate that the process of at-one-ment can be completed, so that even if He would leave us here on this sin-cursed earth for another hundred years, we would never sin once. Only then will the universe be totally safe from another attack of sin. God will demonstrate, not state, this incredible fact which Satan says can never happen. The final atonement is Christ ministering His blood, no longer in forgiveness, but in enabling power - power for victory over sin - and it will be seen in our lives. [Dennis Priebe, "What is the Final Atonement?"][lkgc] -- Amen, Halleluja.

But resolving the sin problem does not end here. While Jesus died so we can live, sin has been with us even after calvary. Why? Didn't Jesus bruise the serpents head sufficiently? Ah, Paul under inspiration, what does he write? "And the grace of God shall bruise Satan under your feet." Rom. 16:20. Satan is trampled on by whom? According to Paul, he is being bruised after calvary by "your feet", the feet of God's faithful people. What does that mean? Let us read Rev. 7:13,14: "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." -- Wow. Here we are told that "they", God's faithful people, washed their robes - they washed them by doing what? Jesus is with them. His blood is the solvent which washes the stains of sin out of their robes as his forgiveness is extended toward them. The saints emerge from the testing and tribulation, like Job, purified and perfected because they maintained their faith under adversity. God is proven right in making high claims for what His gospel ["the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16)] can do, and for insisting upon holiness (Hebrews 12:14).

John echoes Paul's theology. We read, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife (God's faithful followers) hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints (the justness of the holy people)." Rev. 19:7,8. -- Like Moses sang a song after the double deliverance out of Egypt and the Red Sea (Ex. 15:1), so also in the end time, the mighty deliverance out of the time of trouble and out of Jacob's trouble will result in the redeemed singing a song only they can sing because of their unique experience, Rev. 7; 15:3. -- As God in Heaven hid Himself when Jesus hung on the cross, for Jesus had to drink the cup alone, so in the end too God hides himself as the saints cry for deliverance but the sanctuary is closed, probation is over, now their 100% commitment to God is being demonstrated. All those observing can tell, these truly trust God and their faith carries them through these trials. "They" is us friends. We are that generation who very likely will see these events take place. Resolve in your mind to remain true to God at all costs. Do not give in to the taunts and temptations of the wicked. As God's people pray for deliverance in the time of Jacob's trouble, all they perceive is deafening silence. Job's wife cried out, "... curse God and die." Don't do it friends. Do not listen to such `voices'. Redemption is just around the corner. As Jesus prayed all night without a reply, so must we have faith. This kind of faith we must learn to obtain now. All these words are meant to help us with it. Despite the silence, despite our eyes being shut to all the guardian angels around us, we know by faith it is so -- so that our deliverance will be the more glorious and we can sing that Song of Moses before the Throne of God, Prov. 4:18. -- Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Sayings we should ponder

Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and Washington, D.C., do not have a divine mandate to renew American spirituality; the church does.
It is high time for the church to recover her authentically prophetic voice and function - speaking truth to power instead of grasping for power.
A religion that seeks to destroy those who do not worship in the "right" way, is a false religion.
Prophetic Scripture warns against the reunion of church and state in the United States!
To understand where we are headed we need to look back (To here is quite instructive from another age). We need to study our history. The medieval union of church and state gave the world the Inquisition. This was an institution founded on the moral premise that the end justify the means - a malignant fruit of Rome. It was permissible to destroy the body in the hopes of saving the soul. Torture was justified to achieve a positive religious goal and therefore seen as moral. God's Law prohibits killing.
[See C. & A. Reinach, Politics & Prophecy, Pacific Press Publ., 2007.]

But what kind of days were they? What is the testimony of those who lived then? They knew that people around them needed to be woken up. There was not a moment to lose. Often it became evident that all respond to influences that either testify to the truth or against it. A follower of Christ must daily decide to place his allegiance on Christ's side and cherish all the unmistakable evidences that God will bless him or her with. True followers of Christ want the daily living principle and to daily feel individual responsibility to work for Christ. This is shunned by many, and the result is carelessness, indifference, a lack of watchfulness and spirituality. Where is the spirituality of the church? Where are the men and women full of the holy Spirit? May our prayer be, `Purify thy church, God Almighty.' It is time to order our conversations and our ways, to determine, to always live right before the Lord for we know whom we believe.

A day of reckoning is coming, and all will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. It is true that the world is in darkness. Triflers and scorners are everywhere. We must learn now to lean upon the arm of the Mighty One for strength.

God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy people. While we can not read the heart of man, He provides means to keep His church pure. While this church may not own offices, it will remain. A corrupt people is found world wide who can not live with the people of God very long. They despise reproof, and do not want to be corrected. They will have an opportunity to know that their warfare against God is an unrighteous one. They have still a little time to repent of their sins; but self often is too dear to die in many. They fed self every day, and it grew strong, they desire now no connection with God's people whom He is purifying for Himself. We all thank God that He still opens ways to save many inside and outside the church. May the reading of these words provide a way of escape from death for those who seek it.

As we near the close of the investigative judgment, all will reveal their true character, and it will be plain to which company they belong. The sieve is sifting; let us not say, `Stay your hand, O God.' We know not the heart of man. God's church must be purged, and will be. God reigns, let us praise Him.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:8-11

1) a great period of the presentation of the gospel, preaching of the First Angels Message [See below], in all the world.
2) accompanied by a great period of the grace of God upon His people everywhere

The `First Angels Message' is found in Revelation 14:6-7 and quotes from the law which is being changed. [See in red below][250]

"And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God..." Deuteronomy 26:10

"For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." 1.Cor. 4:9.

Before presenting the judgment, the gospel must be championed. For Christians today it is important that we keep our attention on the reason for our faith; that we look outside of us to Christ, not inside of ourselves, for saving grace. Looking upon Jesus the righteous one we know that only through His righteousness can we have life. In the light of divine revelation, through the atoning Sacrifice, we may see the glorious plan of redemption whereby our sins are pardoned, and we drawn near to the heart of infinite love. We see how God can retain all his justice, and yet pardon the transgressor of his law. And we are not simply forgiven, but we are accepted of God through the Beloved. The plan of redemption is not merely a way of escape from the penalty of transgression, but through it the sinner is forgiven his sins, and will be finally received into heaven,--not as a forgiven culprit pardoned and released from captivity, yet looked upon with suspicion and not admitted to friendship and trust; but welcomed as a child, and taken back into fullest confidence. The sacrifice of our Saviour has made ample provision for every repenting, believing soul. We are saved because God loves the purchase of the blood of Christ; and not only will he pardon the repentant sinner, not only will he permit him to enter heaven, but he, the Father of mercies, will wait at the very gates of heaven to welcome us, to give us an abundant entrance to the mansions of the blest. Oh what love, what wondrous love the Father has shown in the gift of his beloved Son for this fallen race! And this Sacrifice is a channel for the outflow of his infinite love, that all who believe on Jesus Christ may, like the prodigal son, receive full and free restoration to the favor of Heaven. {RH, September 21, 1886 par. 12} We read, "Those who are so gloomy and desponding, gathering clouds of darkness about them, would find strength and encouragement if they would spend one hour of each day in searching the Scriptures for these precious promises, gathering and treasuring them like precious pearls (Mt. 13:46). Let them dwell especially upon the mercy of God (Ps. 52:8) and his willingness to forgive sins (Ps. 103:3). Many who have all their lives walked under a cloud, would be filled with amazement as they view the channels overflowing with mercies instead of dark clouds heavy with wrath and denunciations." {Matth. 28:20; RH, September 21, 1886 par. 7}

"... The sacrifice of our Saviour has made ample provision for every repenting, believing soul. We are saved because God loves the purchase of the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28); and not only will he pardon the repentant sinner, not only will he permit him to enter heaven, but he, the Father of mercies, will wait at the very gates of heaven to welcome us, to give us an abundant entrance to the mansions of the blest (Lk. 15:20). . . . Oh what love, what wondrous love the Father has shown in the gift of his beloved Son for this fallen race!" {RH, September 21, 1886 par. 12}

That is why the Bible says this,

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Colossians 1:19-20.

You see here that things must be reconciled not only on earth but also those in heaven. Sin is a universal `mess' or problem. Any remaining doubts in the minds of angels must be cleared up. The devil had used very powerful arguments against the government of God. That is why he succeeded in seducing one in three angels to follow him, Rev. 12:4. For Satan, Lucifer, was once the covering angel before the throne of God, Eze. 28:12-19. The wicked, Baal worshipping king of Tyre is used as a role player for Lucifer.

Lucifer succeeded in his wicked plan by "... the multitude of thy merchandise ... the multitude of thy traffick ..." v. 16,18.

Satan was a slanderer, a tale bearer, Lev. 22:9 (Hebr). He sold his lies to the angels. They were deceived by his lies about God.

In order to find a solution, which can resolve the sin problem, there must be a court procedure, a universal judgment, - and this judgment is not a day long affair or event but a lengthy process. Records kept in heaven must be examined. All those written in the Book of Life, must be processed in that judgment. We should know that this judgment comes in three stages.

1. Stage - The Pre-Advent Investigative Judgment
We read about it as follows,

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6-7.

Does it say, the hour of his judgment will come?

Does it say that?

No. It says the hour of his judgment is or `has' come - present time, starting after about the time of the great earthquake, the moon looks like blood and the meteor (stars) shower.

With the First Angel's Message begins the pre-advent judgment. Probation has not closed. The door to salvation is still open.

Where does the judgment take place?

Let us read about it:

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit (God Father), whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan. 7:9-10.

God Father opens up the great heavenly judgment and it says, the "books" - plural - were opened. Heaven keeps two types of books, `books' plural and the `book', singular. The book, singular, is the Book of Life. Only names are written in this book, the names of God's faithful people, his saints. The `books', plural, contain the lives record of all other people whose names are not written in the Book of Life.

Question: I was a great sinner and didn't care about God, now I found and accepted Christ as my Saviour. Which book am I written in?

What is the answer?

At birth your name is in the Book of Life. As you live, and when sin enters without conversion, and express desire to belong to God and exercise faith, your name is written in the `Books', plural.

After your conversion during which you repented and asked for forgiveness your sin was forgiven. However, forgiveness of sin does not automatically result in blotting out of sin in the heavenly record books (overcoming does, Rev.3:5 at end of life) but the fact that the sinner repented is also recorded. When a name of the Book of Life comes up and the record reveals that this person has been forgiven then his or her entry in the "Books of Record" is deleted or washed away by the precious blood of Jesus but it is retained in the Book of Life.

Is the judgment written about in Revelation the same as in Daniel 7?

Well, let us read it,

"Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come." Rev. 14:7.

Question: Is it talking about the same judgment?

Of course it is. The same sequence of prophetic nations are reported providing a link between Revelation and the Book of Daniel.

That is important. It lets us know that all the Bible is inspired by the same Spirit. That is why we can read anywhere in the Bible. If the content agrees with one another, and no obvious discrepancies result, such portions of scripture can explain each other.

Question: `Must all appear before the judment?'

Well, eventual, `Yes', 2.Cor. 5:10.

But not before the pre-advent judgment. This judgment decides only about those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

How do we know? Let us read the Bible again at a place where the verdict is pronounced.

"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11.

So when the heavenly verdict is pronounced after the judgment, the sentence also still waits before it is executed.

In fact, the next verse tells us when the sentence is executed. We read,

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12.

How then could anyone before the time of the 4th beast get into heaven right after death?

Ah, that is why such believers came up with the idea that since we are not under judgment (John 5:24), all get into heaven.

Only trouble is, the Bible says also the following,

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:17.

Because it is a word which has quite a number of different shades of meaning depending on the context it is used in. In both cases the translators agreed that `condemnation' was the better shade of meaning to use rather than the word `judgment' for the Greek word `krisis.'

In other words, because of a Christian's dependence on Jesus, he is not condemned but still must go through judgment so no one can say later, `This fellow's life was never properly examined before he got into heaven. He should not be here.'

Now, we might ask, while we are still here on earth, how can we be under judgment in heaven?

What is the answer to that question?

We appear in the heavenly courts at this stage by our records, not in body.

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27.

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1.Thess. 4:15-17.

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2.Tim. 4:6-8.

Therefore, Paul did not believe he had innate immortality, only conditional immortality. He knew, just the same as we do not have God's omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence and immutability, we do not have His immortality; that can only be a gift from God after resurrection.

The Bible teaches we are present in heaven only through the written records, not in the form of an immortal soul, bodily, or any other way.

The pre-advent judgment began at the end of the 2300 prophetic day/years, in 1844. That is also when the First Angels Message began.[260] God sends this world only these three messages before He comes again. We must react to them and accept them, if we want to be part of the first resurrection (if we should die before Jesus comes in the clouds), be in heaven. For the second resurrection is way too late ...

"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished...." Rev. 20:5.

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3.

This then is the pre-advent judgment. It began at the end of the 2300 year period in 1844 and is still in progress. When it is finished, Jesus comes again.

We find the information about this judgment here,

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Rev. 20:4.

Actually Revelation 20:4 refers back to the 3rd Angels Message by mentioning `worshipping the beast and his image and the mark on their forehead.' This way the Bible augments and authenticates itself repeatedly.

We read,

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?" 1.Cor. 6:1-3.

The redeemed will be in heaven for a thousand years - on a `working' vacation. Its judgment time for the wicked and the fallen angels. No one else in God's universe will make better judges than those who were intimately familiar with the reign of sin. This millennium span of time is a time of cosmic reflection and analysis. The participants, both, the redeemed and Satan, will explore and learn the results of the great controversy after reviewing the records. Satan, confined on a desolated, voided earth, has time to reflect on his role in the rebellion he started against the government by love of the Almighty. God will open up the record books and the saints will inspect every case, every name (Rev. 3:5; 13:8), sort of in an instant replay of the entire life of those who chose a life of disobedience, and did not want to be a part of God's family.

That way these questions, later on, will never come up ...

`Is there anyone up here who should be down there?'

And the answer will come up, `No, you got it right.'

Or

`Is there anyone down there, who should be up here?'

And the answer will come up, `No, you got it right.'

You see, the instant replay is not doctored. It shows exactly where everyone was and what they did or thought. It shows if the penalty, the fault, is called correctly.

The scene also clarifies that the resurrection of the wicked does not take place until after the 1000 years. We read,

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls ... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Rev. 20:4-5.

"This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Rev. 20:5c-6.

After the 1000 years are up and the judgment of the wicked is completed and the verdict determined, sentencing will take place after all the wicked and the evil angels have been shown why they are not part of those who were given eternal life. And all will acknowledge that God's judgments are right and they will suffer the second death. The first death of the wicked is their natural death which every human dies. For those wicked which are alive on the day of Christ's coming, the brightness of His Coming will slay them, which is their first death.

By now all God's people are convinced of the righteous judgments of God. But one work still remains, Satan and the evil angels need to be convinced that their sentence is just for evil not to rise again for ever more among all the beings of the universe.

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [the graves] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." Rev. 20:11-13.

We are in the time after the (1000 year) millennium. God's throne has come down from heaven on the earth and a loud voice calls and all the wicked rise up from their death sleep. They rise up minus their good deeds, with only their bad charcateristics since the judgment struck their good works from the books as indicated that they see that their names are not found in the Book of Life, Rev. 20:11-15. There they stand, talking and acting just the way they did when death took them. There is not a smidgen of repentance. Their eyes are furtive as they survey the scene. They realize its judgment time.

The saints look on them as they mill about, wondering what to do. Suddenly the books appear above them and they look and read the story of their life. Their blood pressure rises immediately as they discover everyone can read their hearts secrets. Not the least they did is hidden away anymore. The terrible deeds many of them committed are starkly spread across the sky. Their faces flushed, they begin to shake and to squirm. The husband's wife stands next to him as his sins are revealed. Sins he did not care to ask forgiveness for. His children stand aghast on what they read. There stands Cain, and so many mighty looking antediluvians. They shake their fists and cry aloud. One can see Pharaoh, his quivering lips try to say, `I didn't let them go.' There is the man who gathered sticks on Sabbath morning, now crying, `I didn't want to believe God.' King Saul is red in his face. He tries to cover it, but can't. There is a lot of commotion now. People bump into each other and utter muffled curses. Saul grins, spear in his hand. There is Jezebel. Everyone knows its her. They saw her statue in the history books. But she has no smile. Her face is frozen in ice and her neck bedeckt with pearls. Her arms and hands waive to the crowd but her eyes spit glaring fire. Baal's priests begin to gather around her. She hardly acknowledges them but utters short and sharp commands. They gather stones. Over yonder stands Emperor Nero. Shrunk into a pitiful man, he banters around, crouching and hiding for many soldiers are looking for him. They punch him when they get close and he aches already all over. One can also see someone who looks like a Hun, tall tribes man, medicine man, witch doctors, slave drivers, poisoners, shooters, stabbers, drunks, liars, profligates, falsifiers, haters, yellers, unloving people, thieves, rapists, proud builders counting their ill gotten gains, dishonest types of all sorts, Mullahs, false prophets, murderers, Hitler and Stalin, Maotsedung, and all those who acted likewise. A sea of wickedness waves back and forth. Then quiet. Satan steps up. All eyes on him. He twitches his nose and rubs his ears. He calls, `Attention.' Everyone stiffens up. `Forward, march.' The crowds form a unified army and walk, walk and walk around the city of God. ... They consult how they could take the city. Its the generals turn to sweat. They begin to feel the heat of God's fire. Some among them begin suddenly to dry up like a leaf and fall shrunk like dead wood to the ground.

In a corner stands Pilate, close by Herod and someone who looks like a Pharisee - hunched over, gritted, inclement, incorrigible, uncouth. A sad sight. They were so close, yet are so far.

All of them saw that their names were not in the Book of Life. They saw it instead in the Books of Record. The instant play-back said it all.

"It is when we are engaged in earnest work, working according to our several abilities, that God manifests Himself to us, and gives us grace for grace. A working church in travail for souls will be a praying church, a believing church, and a receiving church. A church whose members are found upon their knees before God, supplicating His mercy, seeking Him daily, is a church that is feeding upon the bread of life, and drinking of the waters of life. The promise, `Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you," will be verified to them.'" Mt. 21:22.

The whole universe, the inhabitants of all the planets throughout space, are observing with an intensity of interest that cannot be expressed in words, to see how we will relate ourselves to the momentous issues, of the Judgment of the Living, when it will begin. Please notice, firstly, this reveals that we will know when this court session will convene, otherwise there would be no ground for doing any different when this great tribunal goes into session, than at any other time. Secondly, the whole universe being so concerned in our welfare in this court trial, that it cannot be told in words, reveals the solemnity of this ordeal. They are not going to be judged, their interest is all in our behalf. Therefore, shouldn't we who are going to be judged for Life or Death, take an even greater interest in this judgment? Most surely we should!

We still have opportunity to prepare ourselves, but soon the judgment of the living will commence, the time of which is made known by the revealing of the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Ps. 50:6. Therefore we must make haste and `Be Ready'!

Since the judgment takes place in heaven while we are still here on earth. That is the reason why all the cooperation on our part has to be done by faith. This requires diligent study of all the light placed within reach of us on this subject, so that we can have an intelligent understanding of our precious High Priest's work for us in the court of heaven.

That is why Jesus said:

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." Mark 13:33.

"If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Rev. 3:3.

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1.Thess. 5:4.

"If, however, you fail to rouse yourself, and keep (spritually) awake, I shall come upon you suddenly, like a thief, and you will certainly not know the hour at which I shall come to Judge You." Rev. 3:3.

God's Judgment of His people is good news for it does not take place to find reasons to keep us out of heaven but even the smallest reason to accept us into God's sinless universe.

Just like people may compare what they believe in with the scriptures to discover if they follow the will of the Lord, so could a nation, as the sum of its people, do the same. When Israel of old was true to the Lord, when they had faithful leaders, God would fight their wars for them. If a nation fights a war and is unfaithful, the blood of its soldiers will flow and perhaps God may not directly effect the outcome of the conflict. They are on their own. A nation harboring a multitude of sins against the Most High can hardly call upon the Lord to save them unless they repent. Even as we read this, we may realize that God calls all the world to come clean of another trespass of His law right now before Jesus comes again. What could that be? We find it in Isaiahs 66:17. There we read that the eating of swine's flesh is an abomination in God's sight. Dear reader, we must come clean of eating things forbidden in the Word of God.

In the religious world, one sign that the Second Coming is near is the Protestant disavowal of the separation of church and state.

In the natural world, signs that the Second Coming is near seem to abound. The world is running out of clean water, food production is in jeopardy everywhere, pollution of all descriptions abounds, weather phenomena are strange to say the least, all creatures suffer and many are in danger of extinction, single earthquakes happen which are measured all around the world (Chile) ... .

In society signs of the Second Coming abound. They are too many to enumerate, one sign is the search for life on other planets or even just planets by astronomers. That searching is born out of a knowledge that our planet is headed for extinction. Humanity is crowded like colonies of microbes on a plate. The age of muscle cars is over, probably the age of much of heavy industry is soon over. The nations arm themselves. ...

Each one must ready him or herself for the Coming of Jesus by drawing close to Him in the reading and keeping of His Word. We have not a life time left to become saints who are safe to be saved into God's kingdom. This world is not survivable. The action to take is not to react irrational but considerate of the fact that God reveals a plan of salvation from a sin sick planet for all who believe and want to be with God. While we cannot see all the signs clearly, it is God's plan that we shall be saved by faith alone. So take courage and excercise your faith and trust in the Word of God and heed the things designed to ready you to be part of the crowd which will be redeemed.

We see that the three nations which were uprooted [300], the three horns, were the Heruli, Vandals and Ostrogoths.

As we read:

"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 and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
Luke 21:25-26

But before the Lord comes again in might and glory, there are more events to take place we must know about.

To hold people in darkness and impenitence till the mediation of Christ in the Most Holy is accomplished is the object which Satan seeks to accomplish. As we get closer to the time when the intercessory ministry of Jesus' priestly service in the Most Holy of the heavenly sanctuary comes to an end, He will divest Himself of the priestly attire and put on the robes of His Kingship. Now His faithful people on earth will be without a mediator and Satan is allowed to commence with his destruction of those who chose him as their captain. When a sore appears among people in many parts of the world we may realize that the seven plagues have begun.[325] But we must understand that the High Priestly service of Christ in the Most Holy of the Heavenly Sanctuary is designed to prepare the last generation of a people for translation without experiencing death, Titus 2:11-14. This truth is tucked away in an obscure text of the Bible where we read, "Unto 2300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14. These scriptures teach a special preparation of the heart for the return of Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes again the second time, he does no come as a babe but as a King to Conquer death and bring about the final end of the reign of sin. It is the task of all believers to cooperate in this work of preparation by having such a mind in which is found no guile. We are to stop hindering God's work for us. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men for God's grace is greater than our sin. No one is left out. If we accept this free gift and become committed to the Lord in truth for all things, we will be saved.

But the Bible says:

"I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. ..."
"Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." Psalms 119:99,104

"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead (spiritual death), and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly ... redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:14-16

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:6-7

"Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God ..." Ezekiel 28:2

The Biblical Account of the Image of the Beast

Openly disobeying God's Law constitutes rebellion against God. For this reason it is vital for all of us to understand these issues for there are consequences to it.

Could the `Mark of the Beast' be something as simple as professing the name of Jesus? Something like Christians proclaiming their allegiance to Jesus Chirst?

No, not really. The `Mark of the Beast' is represented as being the opposite to the `Seal of God'.

What is the `Seal of God' [400]? "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ... For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth ... Exodus 20:8,11.

Here we have the `Seal of God': the name ("the Lord"), his title (he "made" or Creator), his territory ("heaven and earth").

So, how does the `Seal of God' relate to the `Mark of the Beast'? Well, the `Mark of the Beast' ought to be something then which is a substitute for the `Seal of God'. Since the `Seal of God' is imbedded in the fourth commandment, the one which states to "Keep the Sabbath" day holy, what is a substitute for God's seventh day Sabbath? Do we need to be more descriptive? If so click here.

During the last 10 to 15 years Protestantism has changed to a significant degree. This change becomes noticeable when one, knowing their history, reads their creeds or browses what they claim to believe and preach today via Internet websites, radio, or television. Whereas in times past, doctrinal differences set them apart, today, they seem to emphasize all the same message. `Just love God and Jesus,' they say now. They present now a more united front emphasizing what they have in common rather than their differences. Their message dwells now on topics like

God, heaven, salvation, we are sinners, hell, Jesus, the Bible, the resurrection, tithing

While at first, such an approach may appear to be desirable, we must examine it a bit closer for pulling together to achieve a common goal may be a worthy cause, however, if the underlying reasons are suspect, we ought to listen up and exercise caution.

We find Protestantism to still engage in Evangelistic endeavors, they hold meetings to fire on their flock, they love to present topics on practical help for a Christian life, but there seems to be a deafening silence on doctrines. Speaking on doctrines, in some ways, seems to have become a matter to de-emphasize - except when it comes to directing attention to those who follow a faith outside of mainstream Protestant Christian persuasions. But among themselves, the Lutherans and Baptists, Congregationalists and Episcopalians, Pentecostals and Calvinists seem to get along better than ever before.

The first time economic hardships are mentioned in the Bible is when Abraham was forced to migrate into Egypt because of `raab' translated as famine in English which amazingly has no good, one word way, to express such a simple term as can be done in German with the word `Teuerung' or the adjective `teuer.' Well, they have `expensive', but it sounds a bit strange to say, `expensive' times. Now `Teuerung' is not famine, it indicates drastically or quickly rising prices, however, perhaps because of a famine. The same happened in the days of Joseph when Jacob migrated to Egypt because of such occurrences just like father Abraham did. (Gen. 12:10; 41:54; 42:1) The next time such events are mentioned in the Bible is in 2. Samuel 24:13; 1. Kings 18:2 and Psalm 33:19. - - In the New Testament Jesus used the word `Teuerung' in a parable, Lk. 15:14 and the last we read of it in Acts 11:28. - - But we are interested if `Teuerung' is something mentioned in connection with end time events. The other German word `teuer' occurs in a prophetic context in Matthew 24:7 where it says, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." - - `In divers places', does that apply to all of these events or just earthquakes? Well, we may find out soon how this will occur in the days ahead under the specter of rising prices (especially oil and rice), and the specter of economic hardship for masses of people.?! - - More importantly, there may be a famine for the Word of God ahead of us too. A recent visit to a major book store chain showed no Bibles on their shelves. That is what Rome likes.

Actually the Bible supports the idea that, yes,

I) Doctrines are Necessary for Salvation

1.Timothy 4:16; 2.Tim. 4:2

II) Doctrines Protect us from Deceptions

Ephesians 4:11-16

III) Following Doctrines Shows God that We Love Him

Matthew 22:34ff.

What led to this?

A View on the Prophecy in Daniel Chapter 11

Many of you may agree that this world has changed greatly not for the better but for difficult times ahead. In looking at events today, we are reminded of the divine prophecy given to Daniel in the eleventh chapter of his book. We understand that much of the history that has already taken place in fulfillment of the sayings in this chapter, will be repeated. At first we read of the king of the south, followed by the king of the north. Looking at our world today, before unimaginable events play out before our eyes. The `king of the south', is it the Muslim world loosely united? The `king of the north', could that be the United States? Is there going to be a showdown in the Middle East between America and the Islamic world? With these thoughts in mind let us test what is written. To aid our interpretation we use red for references to the king of the south and blue for references to the king of the north. We read:

"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."
He shall also enter into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom ... He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape."
"But he shall have power over the treasure of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps."
"But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many."
"And he shall plant his tabernacle of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." [This last verse appears to combine the terrible beast powers making up Babylon.]

One important point of this story is how the Bible identifies the kings of the north and south. By comparing recorded history with the testimony of Daniel 11, historians and anyone willing to listen discover that the king of the north was the kingdom which controlled the geographical area of Babylon. They discovered that the king of the south was the kingdom which controlled the geographical area of Egypt. This principal in Daniel 11 brings together the testimony of the Bible with the record of history. This geographical key is the rule which we shall apply when we study Daniel 11:40-45, verses which illustrate things happening today with the stark recognition that it is the lamb of Revelation 13:11 who speaks like a dragon (spiritualism) who today controls Babylon. This ought to give us pause on world events today.

Through the first 13 verses of Daniel 11 we find the ebb and flow of history described, as different kingdoms rose and fell. In verse 14, we see the primary subject of all of Daniel 11 identified for the first time in the vision by the phrase, "robbers of thy people." This verse states that these "robbers," will "establish the vision" and we recognize that those who historically said the following:

"`To establish the vision.' The Romans more than any other people are the subject of Daniel's prophecy. Their first interference in the affairs of these kingdoms is here referred to as being the establishment, or demonstration, of the truth of the vision which predicted the existence of such a power." [Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, p. 244.]

We agree with those who stated that primarily the Romans are referenced in Daniel 11:1-14. Their period is followed by either pagan or papal Rome. In Daniel 11:20 we find pagan Rome summoning Joseph to pay taxes in Bethlehem. In verse 22 pagan Rome breaks "the prince of the covenant", by crucifying Jesus Christ.

In verse 24 we see pagan Rome's time of dominion related within a biblical time prophecy. The last phrase of this verse sets forth 360 years as the time when pagan Rome would rule the world by the words, "even for a time." Daniel 11:30-36 marks a transition time for Rome. Pagan Rome was about to leave the scene of action as the ruler of the earth, and papal Rome was about to step into the vacuum. Daniel 7 addresses this very same transition.

As papal Rome rises to power, three horns, or three kingdoms, had to be removed to prepare the way. This was in itself a repetition of history, for as pagan Rome came into control of the world, it first had to conquer three areas. The south, east and pleasant land.

Soon we shall see that the king of the north also shall subdue three entities, before he can take control of the world.

In Daniel 11:30-36 we see that pagan Rome is waning in power. When threatened by other powers in the past, Rome prevailed. Not so at this time. As Rome went out to do battle it was grieved by its inability to prevail. At this time period the "three horns," which were waging war against pagan Rome, were also waging a theological war against the new universal church.

The Heruli, the Goths, and the Vandals, symbolized by the three horns, embraced the Arian faith. During this time period Justinian declared the bishop of Rome to be the head of the church, and the corrector of heretics, in an attempt to restrain the Arian faith from dominating Catholic doctrines. Justinian's efforts to uphold Catholic doctrines against the Arians opened the door for the Catholic Church to restrict certain books which threatened their man made doctrines. This restriction included the Bible, for they began to teach that only the church fathers could safely read it. This attack against the Bible was "the indignation against the holy covenant," and the appointment of the bishop of Rome to the head of the church was the "intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant," of verse 30.

Verse 31 records that "shall stand on his part." As history and prophecy move forward to the next step in the sequence to set papal Rome on the throne of the world, we find that Clovis, the king of France, dedicated his sword and his country to the Papacy. France became the first Catholic nation, the first of seven kingdoms found in Europe to renounce their pagan beliefs and embrace Catholicism, and also the first to submit the nation to the service of the Papacy. This alliance provided the ways and means to defeat the three Arian horns. Prophecy taught that these three horns would be removed before that Papacy assumed authority over the world, which happened exactly.

Not only did Clovis and the other horns of Europe bring their finances and arms to bear against the three horns, they also seized (took away) their pagan resistance against Catholicism. This fact is illustrated as the "take away the daily."

[Of course we remember that the word "sacrifice" which follows after `the daily' in Daniel 8:12 was supplied by man's wisdom and is not part of the original text.]

How was the `daily', or paganism, taken away? ... The conversion of Clovis [496 A.D.] is said to have been the occasion of bestowing upon the French monarch the titles `Most Christian Majesty' and `Eldest Son of the Church.' Between that time and 538 A.D., [the other horns of Europe] were brought into subjection.

From 508 A.D. on, the Papacy was triumphant so far as paganism was concerned ... When the prominent powers of Europe gave up their attachment to paganism, it was only to perpetuate its abominations in another form; for Christianity as exhibited in the RCC was, and is, only Paganism baptized. To learn about this, study the history of Simon Magus, Acts 8:9-25. [You can see it here in German.]

The history of Daniel 11:31 is a description of the pagan royal powers of Europe coming to the aid of the Papacy to set it upon the throne of the world. The removing of the "daily," and the polluting of the "sanctuary of strength," is a description of their turning from open paganism, which previously was their confessed religion biblically symbolized as their "sanctuary of strength." The words "take away" carry a two-fold meaning as they not only teach a removal, but also a secondary definition which conveys the idea of lifting up. When paganism was set aside by the powers of Europe, through their submission to Catholicism, paganism was actually lifted up, for Catholicism embraced many of their religious ideas and incorporated them into their own religion thus making themselves into the greatest manifestation of paganism even into our days. Just one visit into the cathedral of Cologne, Germany, will underscore that.

In 508 A.D. the powers of Europe began to wage war against countries represented by the `three horns,' and by 538 A.D. the last of the three horns met defeat, and the Papacy ascended to the throne of the world. Then "the abomination which maketh desolate," symbolic of the Papacy, was set up.

In verses 32-35 we see the persecution of the `Dark Ages' illustrated, `dark' especially with respect to spiritual knowledge and lack of what the Bible teaches rather then Rome. The final phrase in verse 35 points to the end of the 1260 year period with the words, "even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." This phrase takes us up to verse 40. But before Daniel gets to verse forty, verses 36-39, present the description of the main subject of Daniel - which is the Papacy.

"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous (in the sense of astounding) things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done." Daniel 11:36

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2.Thessalonians 2:3-4

As we continue the study of Daniel 11:40-45, we will see a historical sequence within these verses which closely parallels the history we have just reviewed. Next we shall be able to recognize that Daniel 11:40 contains a description of the spiritual war between the Papacy and atheism which began in 1798 subsequent to the French Revolution. France wore the crown of the king of the south in 1798, but in 1917 that crown was passed to its successor - the Soviet Union. In 1798 the king of the north was the Papacy which is still wearing that prophetically predicted crown.

Verse 40 teaches that initially in the war between the king of the south and the king of the north, the king of the north was grieved in his ability to prevail against the southern kingdom. In fact, the war begins with the king of the north receiving the deadly wound, as his political kingdom was taken away.

Revelation 13 describes the Papacy as the head which receives a deadly wound. The deadly wound is a repetition of pagan Rome being grieved over her ability to maintain control of her former empire, Daniel 11:30. The war and the grieving of the Papacy is described when the king of the south would "push" at the king of the north in Daniel 11:40.

Not only that, to identify the power which was wounded correctly, this identifying mark occurred perhaps more than once as the following comparison shows (Rev. 17:11).

"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space." Revelation 17:9-11

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." Rev. 13:1,16

Who will be the last Pope?

The phrase `Here is wisdom' connects Rev.13:18 with Rev.17:9 already cited above. But we also read:

"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Rev. 13:3

"And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space." Rev. 17:10.

Since these kings belong in the time close to the end of time, we are interested to find out who this king is who received such a wound and we are reminded on the events of May 13, 1981. On this day the sixth of these seven kings was severely wounded by the bullets of an assassin. Even though the injury was severe and the `king' was near death for a time, he survived. The five kings who reigned before him cover the following period: 1. 1922-1938; 2. 1939-1958; 3. 1958-1963; 4. 1963-1978 and the fifth for only 33 days in 1978. The sixth reigned then between 1978-2005 and today the seventh king is ruling in the city of the seven hills.

But some may ask, why should we start these 7 kings with Pius XI? Why not some later pope?

One answer may be, while it is tempting to take the 6th pope as the starting point and let the remaining ones fall into the time slot before and after him, we may say this about the first pope: The first of these seven popes happens to be the pope during whose pontificate the Vatican became a state once again (ca. 1929) after the 1798 wounding. So, in a sense that is a pivotal starting point as far as the beginning of his rise to power is concerned.

The reader may find out who these kings were, but if this scenario holds true, it seems, we are indeed close to the end of time. - Well, now I believe more than before that the scenario is holding true. Not only that, but we also can know today that the seventh ruler, being the last, also means, that he and our current ruler are the last rulers in power in their sphere (working together for how many years we do not know) before Jesus comes.

Continuing our study of Daniel chapter 11 we observed in verse 40 that a change will take place. In time, the king of the north would return and, through military and economic power, sweep away the king of the south. We will see that economic and military power are controlled by the king of the north in the same way that Clovis came to the aid of the Papacy in the past. We recognize that in fulfillment of this verse the Soviet Union, the modern king of the south, was swept away by the Papacy and we are reminded of the events in Poland and the voting with their feet of the people in the communistic controlled East Germany bringing down their Marxist government and demolishing the walls which separated the two Germanies since WWII.

For this to happen was greatly aided by the United States when President Reagan said, `Bring down this wall.'

Ever since the days of President Kennedy, the United States had followed a course of reapprochement of their largely Protestant land with the Papacy in Rome. This was not only supported by the new president but also by Protestant clergy and theologians who had forgotten where they were coming from. The Fall of East Germany also brought about the Fall of the Soviet Union or vice versa. Ever since that time the United States had some form of government contact with the man in Rome, a fact which does not pass unnoticed by the Papacy.

But in this new century, before unimagined events occurred which brought the new king of the north, the United States right into the heart of Babylon. No human before 2001 could have foreseen such a turn of events. What does it mean?

Christians everywhere are now looking for developments which may delineate the future as prophetically described in Daniel 11:40-45 and 12:1-4. There are still outstanding events which may come about even though today we cannot imagine how that would all occur. Many of these may be disasters brought about especially by environmental factors, wars and social problems (2.Tim. 3:1-5). All of these are to lead people to search the Word of God and discover how to serve Him. That is why we read, "The great I AM is vindicating his law. He is speaking to those who make it void in storms, in floods, in tempests, in earthquakes, in perils by land and by sea. Now is the time for his people to show themselves true to principle." [440] The changes in character among individuals and multitudes of people are listed as: (a) every imagination is evil, (b) the purposes of the heart are evil, (c) many opposers of God, (d) many unjust and lawbreakers, (e) no love for the truth, (f) always eager to hear tales, but not truth, (g) exulting themselves above God. As we near the end we must keep our focus on Protestantism extending its hand to Rome for whatever reasons and thus bring about long predicted change. Much of the groundwork may take place behind the scenes - even in our time. We have little time left. As Satan sees his time is running out, all stops will be pulled and one disaster will hit upon another just before Jesus comes again in might and power. Satan, has great mental ability, second only to the mental ability of Jesus Christ Himself. He has a higher intelligence than any angel in heaven. We read that the devil's deceptive power is now ten times greater than it was in apostolic times (Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2, 277). Therefore, students of Bible prophecy will continually check to see how things will proceed from here on out for our salvation is drawing nigh, but there will be no third world war. Nuclear annihilation of humanity is not what ends the world, Christ's coming does. Although we might get close to world wide nuclear threats (we are in it now), because Satan is like a roaring lion, he will not destroy mankind. Can there be a nuclear disaster or attack? Perhaps, but no nuclear world war. Even though governments have prepared for massive deaths, in the millions, we know God reigns. Even though some world leaders would like to reduce the world's population to a billion or less, because there is wickedness in high places, God is in control. Even though people will probably be dying in masses - be it by disease (government `no' health plan), war or persecution - there is a resurrection - for it is true, if you seek to preserve your life, you will loose it; if you give up your life, you get it back. That is how we find out who really belongs to God.

What God wants His people to realize is concisely presented in the messages to the seven churches. In these seven messages we find three statements that Jesus makes which are given to all seven churches. These statements are, (1) "I know thy works", meaning: God knows all about each one of us. We cannot deceive Him (Gen. 16:13).; (2) "To him that overcometh", meaning: `Overcoming' is imperative. It takes place only through Jesus (Rev. 12:11).; and (3) "Hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches", meaning: I, we all, must heed the voice of the Holy Spirit at all times (Jh. 16:8,13). These three messages are addressed to every person alive today. While we read and hear much about the love of God, redemption, salvation, and many similar concepts and terminology having to do with faith, few speak of probation and being sealed. For this reason we include a short explanation at this time.

The first analogy having to do with the finalization of a decision we read about in the Book of Genesis. There is Eve and there is Adam. Once Eve decided to listen to the snake and Adam decided to partake of the same mistake, the course of sin in this world was set (Gen. 3:6-7). Next we read of Abel that he offered animal sacrifices while Cain thought it was enough to offer bloodless plant sacrifices (Gen. 4:3-4). Their minds were made up on how to worship. Then we jump ahead to the time of Noah, and thank God we have what appear to be the actual remains of the mighty ship he built as a witness for the people living at the end of time so none shall have an excuse (but really all we need is the Bible itself) - Noah spent 120 years to build it. The findings of rivets and being able to make out where the rib timbers once stood, is truly amazing and shows that Noah was a thorough workman. Of the 120 years a good amount of time must have been spent in preparation, devising the plans, forging the tools and implements. But on that last day, after all those nearby watching saw the animals walk into the ark, and the door was shut, the fate of those outside and inside was sealed. Those on the outside had ridiculed Noah, those eight people inside believed and were saved. Each group had formed their decision. They joined one or the other group, like Jesus said,

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Matth. 13:30.

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2.Timothy 2:19

"And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Zechariah 3:2

"... Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2.Timothy 2:19

While it is true that the brighter the light is which we shine on us, the more we realize the continual need of the Saviour's blood to cleanse us, we should show growth in the maturity in the faith. This process we should have started yesterday. We should turn off - completely - the sin besetting us. We must spend time with God and not the newspapers and television and in idle talk. Those don't save us. God is waiting for His people to fall in line. The disciples were to become more like Jesus, so should we - so nothing separates us from the love of God. It is `heart' work inside of us which we must accomplish.

Some imagine that during the time of trouble they will have been raptured safe into heaven and won't have to endure any hardship. Is that true? Should the Lord endure everything for us so we can get into heaven unscathed? Should our faith never be tested if it is truly genuine before God translates us into people fit to live in heaven? Who ever invented this doctrine of the rapture and the seven years at the end of time? People, study and think this over. There is something wrong here - a compilation of minor, misunderstood texts is put up as something major. There will be a period of testing for all the people who confess to be God's people. His church on earth. His remnant people.[460] The elect if you please. Those who follow Jesus all the way.

"This is intended as a warning to the people of God living in the last days. A people who know that righteousness is always a term that means holiness that has confronted temptation in sinful nature and has overcome. If they follow after righteousness and true holiness, if they keep all the commandments of God, Satan and his agents will not be permitted to overcome them. All the opposition of their bitterest foes will prove powerless to destroy or uproot the vine of God's own planting. Satan understands what Balaam learned by sad experience, that there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither divination against Israel, while iniquity is not cherished among them; therefore his power and influence will ever be employed to mar their unity and defile the purity of their characters. His snares are laid in a thousand ways to weaken their power for good." [5T, 599.]

God saves a purified people, purified while they were still living on earth, not in heaven. Our minds must be made up before we can show up in heaven. We must be sealed beforehand. It is taking place all around us. The presence of God surrounds such people. We must say no to sin starting today. And if we fall we must keep on praying and believing. We must grow to maturity - quicker, the closer we get to that day - all of us, young and old. As time goes on the contrast between the world and God's people will become greater because they have purged their life and possessions of everything that reminds of sin. Compromise with sin, `feeding' on worldly pleasures, is not possible anymore for God's people.[GC, 48]

Parents, like the mother and grandmother trained Timothy for Jesus, so train your children that they don't have to do the guilty things, the sin, the bad thing. We must know, we do not have to commit that sin which presents itself. We must train us to think, Jesus be the Lord in my life. We must die to self so that the looks and oblique comments of those who do not know Christ do not affect our decision. Living a life which is close to Jesus and training our children from a young age to love the Lord, that way, if a child should die before reaching the age of accountability, the faith of the parents is needed in the child's salvation and only God knows how to decide these cases. Thank God, the sealing time is of short duration.

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4

We are told, that when the third angel's message closes after the power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them.

`They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message.'

`The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they realize that something great and decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.'

`Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth, and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. . . .' [473]

`A moment of respite has been graciously given us of God. Every power lent us of heaven is to be used in doing the work assigned us by the Lord for those who are perishing in ignorance. The warning message is to be sounded in all parts of the world. . . . A great work is to be done, and this work has been entrusted to those who know the truth for this time.'

`Angels are holding the four winds, represented as an angry horse seeking to break loose, and rush over the face of the whole earth, bearing destruction and death in its path.'

`I tell you in the name of the Lord God of Israel that all injurious, discouraging influences are held in control by unseen angel hands, until everyone that works in the fear and love of God is sealed in his forehead.'[480]

Salvation is a personal thing. You are saved. You cannot make your best friend to be saved unless he willingly chooses it. You are saved and those you led to Christ. Hopefully that will include your own family and those close to you.

Today it is still true: `The more we study the life of Christ with a heart to learn, the more Christlike we become.' How much longer?

" Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

The following Bible passages reveal the concept of probation:

1) The story of Noah.
2) The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
3) The Jewish people.
4) The wheat and the weeds, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
5) The fish in the net, Matthew 13:47-50.
6) The ten virgins, Matthew 25: 1-13.
7) The men with talents, Matthew 25:14-30.
8) The sheep and the goats, Matthew 25:31-46.

So we ask, `How can one uphold `the true spirit of the law' of Almighty Creator God without `the letter of the law?' The "letter" or the very "letters" of the law are the very basis for the spirit of it. - Therefore, Christianity, by altering the wording of the law to say in effect what is shown on the right side, introduces another spirit which is not of God - and we remember, because human beings are the special objects of God's tender love, they are also the special target of Satanic hatred; and only God's protecting care preserves them. And our mind goes back to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert toward the end of which Satan came to tempt him. But Jesus repelled the advances of the fallen angel each time with a brief quotation from the Bible. Dear reader, all we need to do on this question of Sunday observance is, read the law of God and let it decide. That is what a righteous judge would do. That is what Jesus would do. That is all we need to do.

The first Sunday Law [470] constitutes the establishment of the `Mark of the Beast' and leads to the Second Angel's Message. According to the Apostle John, it will be the lamb like beast with two horns which speaks like a dragon (USA), that is exercising its power like the first terrible beast (Rome) which will "cause", that is force "the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." (Rev. 13:12). God will use the Sunday law in the near future to allow the devil to drive us to our dear Saviour. He showed Isaiah that He will safely lead His cleansed and glorious bride through the time of trouble as He led His people through the wilderness, Isa. 4:4-6; 30:29-30. Our country, historically a Protestant nation, is rapidly changing. On both sides of the Atlantic strenuous efforts are underway for some time to reunite the estranged, once protesting and orthodox religions back into one. Historically that is never good for the people for it causes leaders to flaunt and abrogate laws as they wish and bring about persecution. This is what will happen. America, after some trigger event, will be foremost in reaching across to clasp hands with Rome and to "cause" enforced laws to be pronounced directed at minority groups. The groundwork for this to happen quickly has been laid. Rome has flirted with the eastern orthodox religions which, after the 1054 AD schism, had become estranged. Together with even the mullahs and muftis of Islam, they are primed to unite at any occasion. In 1964 Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras rescinded the mutual communication in an early effort of ecumenism (Regensburg September 2006); and before his death Pope John Paul II apologized for the sack of Constantinople. Overall then we know, as Chuck Colson stated: "In truth the gulf between Catholics and Protestants, opened by the Reformation, has been bridged," (R&H, July 26, 2007) and that is why our President addressed his visitor this April 08, "Holy Father". Dear Sabbath keepers. As it stands now, the current pope would have religious people worldwide see papal authority as the solution to the religiously motivated violence that now plagues the world. But the vehicle for all religious people to come under one common banner will be the false Sabbath. We stand at the threshold of the first law. It may easily be provoked in one of the upcoming elections when the vast majority of perhaps well meaning Christians feel compelled to vote for a moral agenda as they did in 2004. If next time a candidate and his constituents decide to make `Sunday' church going or a related item an issue, we may have pretty much arrived in the days prophecy has predicted so long ago. As the political stakes in America are pitched to a higher and higher level along the lines of abortion, the gay issues and the intensifying creation evolution debates, before unheard of developments will take place and the cry, `We will take America back', may just turn out to become a national one. Unfortunately both sides are pitching anti-Godly views, one side sexual immorality and the other side religious immorality by pushing a day not ordained by God. God's faithful people will increasingly so have no place to turn to except for faith in God's Word. Openly defying a known, stated Law of God will cause Satan to increase his efforts to seduce the disobedient into still deeper disobedience. Untruths will be publicized claiming that Sunday is the original Primordial holy day when the holy Sabbath day reaches back to creation week.[482] Devils will enter the places where these anti-God efforts are originating from and work their miracles which will include to even call fire to fall down from heaven and make it look like the dead are being raised.[483] They will pull all stops and issue world wide a revised calendar in which Monday is the first day of the week and Sunday the seventh like they use them already in some countries. [The Vatican has become a member of Interpol (International Police) and they push for setting up a world wide criminal court in Rome.] Unrest will accompany these developments and Sabbath keepers must increasingly fend for themselves.

But while these changes are taking place in society around the world, the gospel will still reach people. The time of probation has not yet closed. But the faith of those believers who regard the Law of God as binding will be shaken. Those who waver and prefer their own safety in place of obedience to God's law will leave and fall by the wayside.

As the beast and its image seek ways to get their way and hasten their goal, Satan will be brought to increased fury against those who defy him. In order to sway people to follow him, the Bible indicates that he will even transform himself into an angel of light, walk among them and speak words which will fascinate people into believing he is God.

Why would Satan make such an appearance? The same reason that a dog would never bark unless you upset it. The only reason can be that God's people will be successful in showing the true gospel that only Jesus can save man and the three angels messages to the world, including God's holy Sabbath. That will cause Satan to go through extrordinary efforts to defeat these messages. All these happenings in divers places will take place in the midst of increased acts of war, famine and rampant diseases as the 6th Trumpet echoes these words:

"`Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.' And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were 200,000: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these were the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For the power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for there tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repent they of their murders, not of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Rev. 9:14-21.

"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornications." Revelation 14:8

"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8

"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" Matthew 25:6

And even though, God's faithful people are called merely a remnant, they know that Jesus said,

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Luke 12:32

And so there exists a great problem. `When men who handle sacred things will humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, the Lord will lift them up. He will make them men of discernment - men rich in the grace of His Spirit. Their strong, selfish traits of character and their stubbornness will be seen in the light shining from the Light of the world. "I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." If you seek the Lord with all your heart, He will be found of you.'

`Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.'

At the same time as people everywhere turn their life over to follow God, the agitation against the message will also intensify and some will waver and leave the faith, thus purging and purifying God's true church just like it happened during years of persecution. Since the laws of the land have turned against God's people, their plight will lead to the `Loud Cry'. It is the time when the woman rides the scarlet dragon openly. This unification of fallen churches and the state will also tighten the economical squeeze on God's faithful people (Isa. 41:17). The State, the Church and the Banks turn against the keepers of God's Law, and the biblical message, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen", swells on to higher levels than ever before.[485]

As the question of obedience to the Law of God has been agitated for quite some time, this presentation of truth that reproves sins and errors will excite opposition as foretold by Jesus, "Everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (Jh. 3:20) As more and more people realize that the churches cannot maintain their positions on God's holy day, Jesus predicts a change in attitude will occur. Such behavioral changes happened throughout history for we read, "The house of Israel will not hear you, for they will not listen to Me." (Eze. 3:7). Nevertheless says God: "You shall speak My words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." (Eze. 2:7)

Christians everywhere realize more and more that we need to stand up for Bible truth or else become guilty of the demise of the whole world. We must speak out, but before we can do that we must live the truth ourselves. We must cleanse our own court, before we can speak and admonish people to cleanse theirs. A work of cleansing and reformation must parallel our work. As a result we shall encounter the great obstacle, both, to the acceptance and the promulgation of truth, since it involves inconvenience and reproach, rebuke and censor. This is the only argument against the truth which the defenders of it have never been able to refute. But this does not discourage the true followers of Christ. They do not expect to become popular. Being convinced of duty they deliberately accept the cross. 2.Cor. 4:17; Hebr. 11:26. It takes people of principle, faith and daring to carry on the work of God. Please stand up and be counted in this great work of salvation.

"I saw that Jesus' work in the sanctuary will soon be finished. And after His work there is finished, He will come to the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the Scape Goat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance. Then the plagues will come upon the wicked, and they do not come till Jesus puts on that garment, and takes His place upon the great white cloud. Then while the plagues are falling, the Scape Goat is being led away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by the hand that leads him. If he should effect his escape, Israel would lose their lives. I saw that it would take time to lead away the Scape Goat into the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put on his head.

The great white cloud I saw was not the holy place, but entirely separate from the holy and most holy place, entirely separate from the sanctuary.

Then the angel repeated these words, and said, "This is the time spoken of in Isaiah. He saw that there was not man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. He had no mediator between God and man, and these plagues could be withheld no longer, for Jesus had ceased to plead for Israel, and they were covered with the covering of the Almighty God, and then they could live in the sight of a holy God, and those who were not covered, the plagues fell upon them, for they had nothing to shelter or protect them from the wrath of God."

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." Isaiah 59:16.

What we must know is this, when the "Loud Cry", a cry uttered by suffering saints, a cry of despair and agony, when that `Loud Cry' sounds probation also closes (Rev. 15:8) and the Seven Plagues begin while the wicked agree to issue ...

Parallel with the period during which the first six plagues work their effect God's professed followers are under a death decree [488] for which a date will be set in the time of `Jacob's Trouble', Revelation 13:15; 17:12-14; (`ten horns, one mind, make war').

"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:7

When the opposing forces are united ("Sisera gathered together all his chariots", Judges 4:13), consolidated ("his multitude", v.7) and confederated ("all the people that were with him", v.13;Ps. 83:5), God delivers his people. Israel had not a single chariot, Sisera had 900 iron chariots (v.3) which must have gotten bogged down in the mud of the valley, and Israel (God) discomfitted, confounded, confused them and "there was not a man left" of the enemy king Jabin of Canaan after the battle, v. 16. This battle took place in the valley of Jezreel, also known as Armageddon. Later under Gideon (which means `barley bread', Jdg 7:13), whose name was also Jerub'baal, another Armageddon like battle took place in the same valley.[See Psalm 83]
Will the last battle of Armageddon be a literal battle?

Not necessarily. But we must study it.

"The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind." Isaiah 17:13

As in the earthly shadowy sanctuary services on the day of Atonement the Most Holy apartment was cleansed from the year's accumulated sins, so Christ our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary performed in reality what the earthly priests did in the shadowy services. But once the cases of all sinners who ever lived and who repented and confessed their sins before God, and whose sins the High Priest cleansed, have been decided, at some point the intercessory services of Christ - simultaneously the lamb, priest, judge and king - will come to decide the cases of the living.

This is meant by the words we read, "Thou ... hatest iniquity ... they shall perish ... they shall wax old ... as a vesture thou shalt fold them. ... (Hebr. 1:9,11,12) Wherefore holy brethren ... consider the Apostle and High Priest ... Christ Jesus. ... who was faithful ... as Moses was faithful in his house ... he was counted worthy of more glory than Moses (2:1-3) ... he became the author of salvation unto all that obey him. ... (5:9) ... And so, after ... (Abraham) ... had patiently endured, he obtained the promise ... and the oath of God ... two immutable things of God ... an anchor sure and steadfast ... which entered into that veil ... where ... entered even Jesus made high priest for ever. (6:13,15-20) ... he is able to save ... makes intercession for them ... he did once offer himself up for us ... the Son. (7:25-28) ... a high priest of the true tabernacle ... on earth ... the ... shadow of heavenly things ... now has he obtained a more excellent ministry ... a better covenant ... better promises ... put my laws into their mind ... write them in their hearts ... my people. (8:1-13). ... the first covenant ... a worldly sanctuary ... after the second veil ... the Holiest of all ... into (it) went the high priest alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people. ... and for this cause (Christ Jesus) is the mediator of the new testament. (9:1-15)

When God decides that the time is fulfilled, no more people will be swayed to place their faith in him, the time of the end has been reached and the intercession of Jesus comes to an end. God's people must now for a season be without a heavenly intercessor. Heaven can trust these now to be free from sin while the world is in deep rebellion. God's people are now without protection from governments and the true character of those who forsook God's law in favor of tradition reveals itself. Their allegiance belongs now to the god of this world and the object of their faith is found out to be rooted in man for God never published a new law which canceled the 7th day Sabbath. Most of them never followed Jesus from the altar of burned offerings into the holy apartment and from there into the Most Holy apartment. To them these services were a closed mystery. They read the Bible only in a few places and had no grasp of deep truth.

The image of `hail' (Rev. 8:7) may represent the sweeping away of false teachings by means of the power of Truth:

"Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." Isaiah 28:17.

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass." Isaiah 40:7.

"So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isaiah 59:19

Some preach that this world's history has endured for about 6000 years now - about 1600 years from Adam to Noah and about 4400 years from after the Flood to our days. Will the 7th millennium be the Bible's Millennium? God made the earth and all we see in 6 days and rested the 7th day, how can 8th day - Sunday observance - be resting on biblical grounds? Should we assume this world's history goes on for another 1000 years before Christ comes in order to accomodate the 8th day holiness? That is hardly possible and underscores the truth of the seventh day sabbath and the errors of Sunday rest.

The Sign of the Son of Man appears and the seventh trumpet sounds!

The Book of Zechariah describes those who fight against Jerusalem, as fighting against the city of God, i.e. God himself and his people. These prophecies having to do with Jerusalem are even today a prophecy of God's people. Those who thus fight against God shall waste away under grievous conditions. Interpreters have long stated that this describes the punishment on the foe, the last Antichrist confederacy
(Isa. 59:18; 66:24; Eze. 38,39; Rev. 19:17-21).
Revelation chapter 11 then describes the echoing (voices) `announcement of God' when the `kingdoms are become the Lords."

"And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth."
Zechariah 14:12

"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."
Malachi 3:17-18

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders ... fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks ... because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great ..." Revelation 11:15-18a. "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Psalms 16:10. "In the day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terrible the earth." Isaiah 2:20,21. "... and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."
Revelation 11:18b-19

Finally the redeemed are removed from the presence of evil in all its forms. This will lead to a new mode of existence, one permanently detached from the sphere of sin. Removed from the sinful social conditions that predominate societies and cultures, the redeemed will be restored to the conditions originally created by God for the human race.
Now there will be permanent, unhindered, and visible access to our Savior. Believers all over the world look forward to a time when they will exist in the immediate presence of the Savior, never to be separated again (1.Thess. 4:17). This permanent union with our Lord and Redeemer will enrich the quality of human life in dimensions that we cannot even begin to anticipate now.
The consummation of the Adventist hope at the Second Coming will also consist of a harmonious social interaction. That will be a moment of reunion, a re-encounter. The separation from loved ones occasioned by the power of death comes to an end through the re-creative power of the Savior (1.Cor. 15:54-57). The individual hope merges here with the collective hope of those who, throughout the ages, died in Christ while embracing the promises of God. This is the consummation of our reconciliation and will not be threatened by the presence of sin.

Can we hasten the return of our Lord? The Apostle Peter gives us the answer:

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" 2.Peter 3:11-12.

"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20.

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev 14:12.

Dear people. That sacred ark represented Jehovah amid His people. In Noah's days God found that he could save only eight people. So it will be at the last day. In comparison to the billions of people on earth, God's people may indeed be a small group. As the judgments of God sweep over this world, be true to God who is willing and ready to save those who turn to him and will be true to him in everything they know. Do not hesitate today, to be true to God, His commandments and His calling to leave self behind and dress in the white dress He said would be the garb of His people.

For the Bible says:

"To the wicked God says: What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue in deceit. You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son. These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. Consider this, you who forgot God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." Psalm 50:16-23

The Eleventh Hour Workers

The world population is growing so fast that it seems the work will never be finished, however, the following statements from the Spirit of Prophecy based on Matthew 20:1-16, help us see that God is never short of solutions:

1st: "The laborers for the Master were His official servants, upon whom He laid the weightiest responsibilities to do His work…Some were found waiting for work at the eleventh hour, only one hour before the close of the working-day." {Review and Herald, June 28, 1898.}

2nd: "There are diligent students of the word of prophecy in all parts of the world, who are obtaining light and still greater light from searching the Scriptures. This is true of all nations, of all tribes, and of all peoples. These will come from the grossest error, and will take the place of those who have had opportunities and privileges and have not prized them. These have worked out their own salvation with fear and trembling, lest they should become deficient in doing the ways and will of God, while those who have had great light, through the perversity of their own natural heart, turned away from Christ because they were displeased with his requirements. But God will not be left without witnesses. The one-hour laborers will be brought in at the eleventh hour, and will consecrate their ability and all their entrusted means to advance the work. These will receive the reward for their faithfulness, because they are true to principle, and shun not their duty to declare the whole counsel of God. When those who have had abundance of light throw off the restraint which the word of God imposes, and make void his law, others will come in to fill their places and take their crown." {Review and Herald, June 15, 1897}

3rd: "At the eleventh hour the Lord will gather a company out of the world to serve Him. There will be a converted ministry. Those who have had privileges and opportunities to become intelligent in regard to the truth, and yet who continue to counterwork the work God would have accomplished, will be purged out, for God accepts the service of no man whose interest is divided. He accepts the whole heart, or none." {20MR 320.1}

4th: "At the eleventh hour the Lord will call into his service many faithful workers. Self-sacrificing men and women will step into the places made vacant by apostasy and death. To young men and young women, as well as to those who are older, God will give power from above. With converted minds, converted hands, converted feet, and converted tongues, their lips touched with a living coal from the divine altar, they will go forth into the Master's service, moving steadily onward and upward, carrying the work forward to completion." {YI, February 13, 1902 par. 10}

5th: "But I speak not my own words when I say that God's Spirit will pass by those who have had their day of test and opportunity, but who have not distinguished the voice of God or appreciated the movings of His Spirit. Then thousands in the eleventh hour will see and acknowledge the truth." {2SM 16.1}
"A great work is to be done in a short time." {Review and Herald, December 18, 1888}
"The bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning represents the speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion. (Ezek. 1:13) He who slumbers not, who is continually at work for the accomplishment of His designs, can carry forward His great work harmoniously. That which appears to finite minds entangled and complicated, the Lord's hand can keep in perfect order. He can devise ways and means to thwart the purposes of wicked men, and He will bring to confusion the counsels of them that plot mischief against His people." {5T 754.2}

6th: Many Not in Our Ranks to Come to the Front. -- "There are many souls to come out of the ranks of the world, out of the churches - even the Catholic Church - whose zeal will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth heretofore. For this reason the eleventh hour laborers will receive their penny. These will see the battle coming and will give the trumpet a certain sound. When the crisis is upon us, when the season of calamity shall come, they will come to the front, gird themselves with the whole armor of God, and exalt His law, adhere to the faith of Jesus, and maintain the cause of religious liberty which reformers defended with toil and for which they sacrificed their lives. . . . " {3SM 386,387} The bold phrase means the 11th hour workers will keep God's seventh day Sabbath holy because God does not accept any half heartedness or holding back conversion..

7th: "Many souls will come from other denominational churches, and at the eleventh hour will obey all the truth, because they have not set themselves in array against heaven's light, but lived up to all the light they had; while those who have had great light, large privileges and opportunities, and have failed to live in the light and walk in the light, will drop out by the way. Their light will shine less and less until their lamps will go out for the want of the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps." {Letter 36a, 1890.}

Remember, "As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the Third Angel's Message…abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side…They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren." {The Great Controversy, 608.}

Filling the Ranks

The scenes appear to be simultaneous. While the companies leave us, whole tribes will join us. It would be rational to believe that these tribes are the eleventh-hour laborers. Soon we may expect a manifestation of the great power of God, for Ellen White says,
"The Lord can do more in one hour than we can do in a whole lifetime, and when He sees that His people are fully consecrated, let me tell you, a great work will be done in a short time, and the message of truth is to be carried into the dark places of the earth, where it has never been proclaimed." {Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 347, 348)

As you have read these inspired quotations, I trust you have felt the divine impression that God is only waiting for an adequate number of fully consecrated people who will cooperate with Him in finishing the work. Will you be ready? I hope so, for God will soon put His hand to His final work. He will call faithful, humble people wherever He can find them. He will finish His work using only consecrated people. This work will be accomplished against incredible resistance. God will do His work quickly, and He will do it to the eternal glory of Jesus Christ.

One last observation. As Mrs. White searched for security that would apply even to the last generation, she received a heavenly response. In a vision given in 1880, I asked,

Where is the security for the people of God in these last days of peril?"

The answer was,

"Jesus maketh intercession for His people."
[Rom. 8:26,27; EGW, Diary, Oct. 30-Nov. 4, 1890, Ms 44-90.] {LS 324.1}

A list of helpful parameters to be able to know,

How can we measure our spiritual life?

Are we willing to receive correction?

Do we still have doubts about God?

Do we still have objections on how God leads His people?

When given a choice, do we chose God or an hour of amusement?

When we read admonitions of warnings do we still have unbelief?

Do we still ask, `Why are all these reproofs given?'

When we hear a testimony, do we know what is scriptural (not pastoral) or not, or can't we tell?

Do we enjoy cultivating Bible holiness or not?

Do we think we are pretty good as long as we feel good?

Do we ask us daily, `How would Jesus handle this situation?'

Do we think we are backsliders?

Do we think it is intelligent to be unbelieving and to question and quibble?

Do we believe that eternal life is of infinite value and it will cost us all that we have, and yet remain committed to it?

Do we still have feelings of impatience and jealousy?

[0010] A list of words to study which have to do with last events: salvation, blood of Jesus, forgiveness, redeemed, ascending, unexpected, forever, sealed, probation, foreheads, vengeance of God, wrath of God, `keep them from'.
[0040] The phrase `Son of Man' can refer to people in the sense, the human look - upright walk, head, body, legs and arms, but is then expanded upon by inspiration of God to guide David to write in Psalm 2: "... the Lord has said unto me, Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee." Psalm 2:7. This phrase is used by the prophet Daniel again in Daniel 7:13 and applied to Jesus Christ who frequently uses it for himself.
[180] The Greek word `aiwn', translated world means basically `aeon' or `eon', that is `age'. Some interpreters therefore refuse to read `world', in particular to its occurrence in Matthew 24:3. This writer's understanding would prefer translating `aiwn' as world since the intend of Jesus is to assure his followers that he will be with them not only to the day of the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, but to the very end of time. `Aiwn' occurs 5 times in the Greek New Testament: Mat. 13:39,49; 24:3; 28:20; Hebr. 9:26. In the verse in Hebrews it becomes apparent that the disciples and authors of the New Testament, thought of their age or time as the end of the age or world. They did not perceive, like Daniel did, that time would last another 2000 years or more. Today we know that the meaning of `eon' must be expanded by the time frame which elapsed since this was written.
[200] "I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered. [See also Rev.13:10]
Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:
And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
And the Lord God of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name.
Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the Lord. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord." Amos 9:1-8.
[250] What kind of writing does the Book of Revelation represent? Some have characterized the `Revelation of Jesus Christ' as a book concerned with end time events, some read it as a book explaining the plan of redemption, others think of it as a book of mysteries, and on it goes. Of these characteristics, we consider the first one as the best supported one of the stated choices. References to increasingly significant and/or cataclysmic events preceding the Second Coming of Christ abound in its pages until the final verses where the goal - being with Jesus Christ in heaven - is finally reached.
[255] Connecting the non-descript beast written about in Daniel 7:3-8 to the beginning of the pre-advent judgment. It also begins after the fourth, terrible beast, sprouts a `the little horn' uprooted three previously existing horns (kingdoms or powers) begins to speak great things. We pick up this scene again in Revelation 13:2 which enumerates the three kingdoms (Greece, Medo-Persia and Babylon) and says in Rev. 13:1 that the `beast', which arose from the sea (having the characteristics of the three prior powers), has seven heads and ten horns (Europe divided in 10 parts, and by extension represents the whole world). History shows that the Roman Empire arose by warfare causing the Greek power to weaken. The history of the Roman Empire reveals the characteristics of this "beast" power very closely once we realize that "heads" are nations ruled by kings and horns are those nation powers through which the beast extended its influence. One of the heads was wounded almost to death, but survived. Until this wounding prophetic time had passed. The important connection with Daniel and the continuing account is provided by the time span, this at first little horn but now powerfully influential, does its work. The link shows that these variously stated time spans are all of the same duration, 1260 years. Of course such a span must begin when such a power reaches a point where that influence starts. Empirical Rome was surplanted by Ecclesiastical Rome, which developed a methodical way to worm its nefarious influence into all 10 powers of Europe. Under threat of expulsion from the church kings bowed down and did Rome's biddings. The horn power would endure for 42 months, the 3½ times of Daniel, which all add up to1260 years (538-1798).
[260] Question: What is the purpose of the Three Angels Messages? To proclaim eternal truths about God and His Heavenly Kingdom. Is that something real? It is as real as the stary sky above, with its galaxies and star clusters, its planets and unimaginable riches of the Creator's Glory spread out all around us. As the Bible says, `Only a hardened unbeliever could deny the Creator.' Or as the saying goes, `There are no atheists in foxholes.' The Three Angels Messages consist of the command, `Fear or Reverence God, and give glory to Him, ... and worship Him that made the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water.'
Without God having taken care of our world for millennia, we soon would have run out of the necessities for life. But there are three angels messages of ever increasing consequences. Together they cause a separation in the world, those who love God and those who don't. We may say, we are witnessing this separation today as it progresses all around us.
[270] While some may argue that the flow of thought presented here is wresting scripture from its original meaning, we hold that the application of Old Testament passages as done here is no different then how Jesus applied scripture during his ministry, scriptures the Jewish scholars had never thought to apply as Jesus did.
[280] Some of the more violent persecutions during the papal period of absolute reign was directed against Sabbath keepers. The pope, having (by the 6th century) declared himself the head of the entire church and set himself above the law of God, sent his hirelings to round up those who would oppose him on the key doctrines of the church.

[329] What might those `principles of truth' be? We mention some in various places. You may find some in the Encyclopedia under `truth,' a number of them are found here. Careful, private study may reveal more to the reader.

[330] This form of spiritualism is very subtle and may take place in most churches of any persuasion. The `emerging church' may say, `The Bible does not mean what traditional people think it means.' Basically they are saying, that God may have spoken, but He mumbled, and we're not really sure what He said. Saying that Scripture is not clear is just another way to undermine biblical authority. [John MacArthur] While this observation is relevant to the subject of spiritualism, we try to draw attention that popular churches, in disobeying the commandments of God, have muddied the waters. They reap what they sowed. We must know whenever our prayers seem to be ineffectual, it is because God is not listening to those who disobey His clear commands, Proverbs 28:9. On another note, one can also encounter spiritualism in sweet songs being sung, songs which are not found in the hymn book, but someone gathers them, presents them, without as much as a thought about the content. Since the words themselves cannot be objected against, they leave out what we should remind ourselves of daily. In this writers experience, these songs leave out any mention of denying self, they always shun the word obey or obedience, keeping God's holy law and do not present distinctions between good and evil. Do traditional hymn books have those messages? Examples may be, `Trust and obey.'; `O worship the Lord ... with gold of obedience'; `We gather together', etc. With these comments we merely try to encourage careful discernment on the mood and message conveyed to a congregation. Some of these songs seem to encourage people to raise and waive their hands in the manner of Pentecostal, and not only Pentecostal but also pagan Hindu traditions. It is a known fact that in other cultures music is used for the purpose to get Satan to take over a body. We must consider the long range (decades and centuries) effects and what they can lead to way down the road. That is how unsuspectingly apostasy can walk into the doors of our churches. Please read carefully, EW p. 88 ("Then he showed me the conductor, who appeared like a stately, fair person, whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed and asked my attending angel who it was. He said, `It is Satan. He is the conductor in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive.'"); Maran. p. 166 ("The popular ministry cannot successfully resist spiritualism. They have nothing wherewith to shield their flocks from its baleful influence. Much of the sad result of spiritualism will rest upon ministers of this age; for they have trampled the truth under their feet, and in its stead have preferred fables.") In Maran. p. 146 we read: "Spiritualism asserts that men are unfallen demigods; that "each mind will judge itself"; that "true knowledge places men above all law"; that "all sins committed are innocent"; for "whatever is, is right," and "God does not condemn." The basest of human beings it represents as in heaven, and highly exalted there. Thus it declares to all men, "It matters not what you do; live as you please, heaven is your home." Multitudes are thus led to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself." GC p. 589 ("Through Spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the 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, and then sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to incite the 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.") and other passages. We believe that failure to study God's Word more discriminating and the SoP leads to these changes which may be what is called `strong delusions', 2.Thess. 2:10-11. These delusions are so strong that they destroy "the love of the truth", which is the reason why people are not saved. Our gaze ought to be toward heaven in all we do, for their is our hope for the longest time of our life. A principle to follow may be, use songs with care whose author is unknown or not part of God's remnant. Songs which say nothing about that this world and with it our time is coming to an end. We must take decided steps in abandoning sinful desires. How Satan uses music is demonstrated in the Bible, see Ezek. 28:13-14; Dan. 3:3-6. Churches who present individual artists instead of songs of worship by a choire, may lead that artist into thinking highly of him or herself, instead of just to glorify God. Some may feel offended when they are not asked to sing during worship. It may be a touchy subject and we must consider each case. Also the hearing of voices is of concern if it is not God's voice, "Some speak of hearing voices and of seeing sights of a supernatural character; but there is no sign in their daily course of action that the Spirit of God has wrought a change in the natural heart, for they are carnal, at enmity with God's law, and neither love God nor obey his commandments." ST, Feb 20, 1895. In these last days we must be especially weary.
[340] Non-Adventist denominations, of course, interpret the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation quite differently. What can we say about that? We would like to point out that smaller scale history repeats itself in the future on a world wide scale. This is seen in the events surrounding Abraham and Isaac on the Mount of Moriah, in the Israelite sacrificial system which is a pattern of the sacrifice of Jesus on calvary and in the account of the events in the life of Queen Esther, Mordecai and Haman of Amalekite ancestry. We need to understand from the Book of Esther that literal Israel, during her time, is symbolical, spiritual Israel in the time of the end, Galatians 3:29. Bible study also lets you discover that every story in the Bible meets and ends in the Book of Revelation. Individual incidents, therefore, represent world wide systems and movements in the end of time. In other words, the Book of Esther is not only a historical book but also has prophetic application. That means the individual Mordecai, in the end, is symbolical of a world wide group of people. Esther is symbolic of someone far greater than herself. King Artaxerxes, in the end, represents not one king but kings of the whole world in the same way that Haman is symbolic of world wide, global, religious systems. Even though the name of God is not found in the Book of Esther, we can say that the multitude of events show clearly the hand of God is working for His people. The absence of the word God in it may be akin to reading the events in the life of the Patriarch Joseph and assuming, if God was not mentioned in his story, a Bible reader could see from the providential events that God's hand was guiding affairs? God is saying to Israel, I am still here, I am present. You can see me working for you, my people. We can, therefore, say, that every story in the Bible has Jesus Christ as its hero. Jesus taught that he was the theme in all the Bible, Luke 24:27 referencing Deuteronomy 18:15; Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. In the Book of Esther we find a political figure, a religious coalition, a persecuted and an intercessory figure. The issues brought out are long standing issues. If King Saul would have obeyed God's command how to deal with the Amalekites, the events in the Book of Esther would not have happened. The issues are worship and obedience to God's commandments. We find that the civil powers are going to proclaim a decree to a worship, which, when not obeyed, the religious system is filled with wrath. A small minority spread all over the kingdom will feel the brunt of the plotters anger. We notice that the Persian decree was irrevocable and unchangeable, that the king and his advisers set down to drink wine (Rev. 17:4-6) and that a time of tribulation or trouble begins in which God's people cry out and fast and plead for their cause. The interecessor then comes on stage and her interests are welded together with her people (Esther 7:1-4) as the interests of Jesus Christ will be for His people (Isa. 59:16; Rom. 8:27). Memory books are opened and the case is read, Esth.3;8; Rev. 7:10; 20:12. We notice that on the day of the battle, the 13th day of the 12th month (Esth. 3:13) angels of God protected His people, Ps. 23:4; Esth. 4:13-14; 9:26-28. The Book of Esther than teaches that in the time of the end the issue will be again worship and the claims of God's law obeyed by a small, peculiar people. We realize that for the gospel of the soon Coming of Jesus as King, in His power and with all His holy angels, to be proclaimed to all people, the power and hold of vast groups of people now held in the grasp of false religious systems, these systems must be broken.
[348] The mark of the beast is received in the hand and in the forehead whereas the seal of God is received only in the forehead. Why is the mark of the beast also received in the hand? Because, in the Bible, the hand represents work, Eccl. 9:10. Two groups worship the beast, those who really believe the beast is right, their mind is totally given over to the beast. The other group fears not to be able to buy or sell and therefore work to make a living even on the Sabbath after the Sabbath law has been issued. Before this buying or selling is affecting individuals though, it will affect whole countries. At the same time, the Bible says, people will "eat and drink, marry and give in marriage . . . so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:38,39). This prophecy seems to preclude an economic collapse to usher in the end time. The economic stranglehold must be something orchestrated by secret powers to remove the middle class and make them either poor or rich, in order to control the world better. For a long time the RCC was planning just such an arrangement, to destroy capitalism. It may be this that is taking place now. The most powerful economic engines in the world are the big five. They hold the keys to key goods (money, food, metals, electronics, medicine, etc.) needed by all people on earth. Satan must arrange events so that people will not want to seek God, like they would in a total economic collapse, but will live ignorant of their danger. The economic hardships coming out of his scheming will affect only those who desire to be true to God's criteria for what constitutes a true man or woman of God. They will be God's remnant on earth, while those who set them up for difficult times are revealing themselves as enemies of God. This last group will receive the mark of the beast even though they know that the beast is wrong. With Adam and Eve existed the same situation. Eve was deceived by Satan; Adam knew she did wrong but ate the fruit anyway because he loved Eve more than God. At the end of time God will not have two groups of people but only one. He will not have those who worship Him only when it is convenient, but whose mind is totally given over to Him.

came a conservative reaction, and in 1795 a new constitution placed the state

"When, in 1797, Pope Pius VI fell grievously ill, Napoleon gave orders that in the event of his death no successor should be elected to his office, and that the papacy should be discontinued. - But the pope recovered; the peace was soon broken; Berthier entered Rome on 19th February 1798, and proclaimed a Republic. The aged Pontiff refused to violate his oath by recognizing it, and was hurried from prison into France. Broken with fatigue and sorrows, he died ..

August 1799, in the French fortress of Valence, aged 82 years. No wonder that half of Europe thought Napoleon's veto would be obeyed, and that with the Pope the Papacy was dead."

01) the One God,
02) His Holy Seventh Day Sabbath,
03) the Ten Commandments
04) His Special Creative work to make everything we see
05) the truth of the Sanctuary
06) the truth about what happens after we die
07) how to live healthy, in harmony with God's Word,
08) the Great Controversy between God and Satan - Origin of Evil
09) in the Spirit of Prophecy, the basis of our Judeo-Christian faith today
10) the Day of Atonement - no other religion has championed this truth
11) light about the great truth about our redeemer, Messiah

The third Trumpet, 8:10-11. a) `A great star from heaven' represents Jesus, Num. 24:17. b) A burning Lamp, smoking furnace', is described in Gen. 15:17. It fell upon the third part of the rivers. As `waters represent a multitude of peoples', and the previous trumpets were directed to apostate Protestants and Catholics respectively, these waters represent the non-Christian religions (the -isms) and the secular world (those who profess no religion). This indicates that 1/3 of this group will heed the trumpet and be saved, Rev. 17:15. c) Wormwood. The tree in the above passage symbolizes the cross of Christ, and accepting what Jesus did for us means that the bitterness of sin and resulting death will be removed by those who believe. Wormwood is a poison, and represents the poison of sin. `The star is called Wormwood' because Jesus has become sin by taking on our sins and dying for us: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2.Cor. 5:21. Wormwood is discussed in Deut. 29:18-20; Jer. 23:15; Amos 5:7-8; Ex. 15:22-25. d) `Bitter waters' represents those who refuse the Gospel message presented by the Third Trumpet and therefore will be blotted out of the book of life (more), Num. 5:23; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 22:19. Conclusion: The Third Trumpet is directed at the non-Christian religions and secular world, and 1/3 will respond to the message, those who don't after being presented with God's evidence will receive the third plague, and have blood to drink, Rev. 16:4-7.

The fourth Trumpet, 8:12-13. "And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise." Here we are told about what would happen to "The woman and the sun, moon and stars' which, grouped according to their relative brightness, represent the true and pure church of God, as opposed to the woman of Revelation 17, which is the corrupt apostate church, Rev. 12:1. While we cannot be certain as to the interpretation of this trumpet, perhaps it is trying to tell us about the effects of humanism, Darwinism and social decay on the Church of God in our days.

The fifth Trumpet 1st woe: Rev. 9:1-11 a) `A star fell from heaven.' This star falling to earth in the fifth trumpet is Satan, Lk. 10:18. God's people have been sealed. Probation closed after the 4th Trumpet (Rev 9:4). Satan is given power to torment those who have rejected God, but he will not be able to kill them, as he could not kill Job (Job 2:6). b) `Abaddon - Apollyon' represents the destroying angel, Satan. c) `The power to hurt men five months' means Satan and his angels will be able to torment the wicked who rejected God for five months, but will not be permitted to kill them. With the close of probation after the fourth Trumpet, those who rejected God will be left to Satan and his angels, and receive the fifth plague of spiritual and physical blindness and darkness.

The sixth Trumpet, 2nd woe: Rev. 9:12-21. `The four angels bound in the river Euphrates' means, Satan, knowing his time is short, tries under the sixth trumpet to kill the 1/3 (God's people), but instead an army of the angels of God slays 1/3 of the wicked on the earth. During the Sixth Trumpet, the wicked realize they have been deceived by Mystery Babylon, and false miracles are performed in order to still deceive them, as indicated by the Sixth Plague (Rev. 16:12-16), but they turn on her and destroy her with fire (Rev. 17:16-18).

The 3rd woe: "The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Rev. 11:14-19.

The Seventh Trumpet is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. - - It appears that in the end time, shortly before Jesus comes again, conditions in our world will be such that such tremendous conversions will take place in the world. While it is hard to imagine, prophecy seems to predict such sweeping changes.