The Truth About Present Truth

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Therefore, I will not neglect to make you always mindful of these things, although you already know them and have been established in the present truth. (2 Pet 1:12)

present truth is eternal
present truth is eternal

The first chapter of Second Peter is full of instruction, and strikes the keynote of victory. The truth is impressed upon the mind by the way it is presented in this chapter. Let us more abundantly recommend the study of these words, and the practicing of these precepts (Letter 43, 1895). {7BC 942.9}

When it comes to Present Truth, we are not merely to preach new truths which people do not know, but we are also to preach the old truths with which they are already familiar. The doctrines in which they are well established are still to be proclaimed to them. Every wise preacher brings forth from the treasury of truth things both new and old; –new, that the hearers may learn more than they knew before; old, that they may know and practice better that which they do already know in part.

Traditionally, when people talk about present Truth, they get very busy detailing their latest beast watching, Pope speaking, Sunday Law panic and abject fear. Present Truth to most people is simply an aggressive diatribe of fear-mongering and stinging criticisms. The many people who loosely use quotes from Christian writers to “prove” their clouded theology seem to have no idea what the Bible actually says about present truth. They would rather use quotes from anywhere but the Bible to force their pain and misery on everyone around them. People who dare to question such things are quickly whipped with labels like “rejecting present truth,” just because they question the party line, and dare to suggest that present truth is about Jesus. Present truth is about the cross.

The Bible has only one place where the phrase Present Truth is mentioned. It is found in 2 Peter

Therefore, I will not neglect to make you always mindful of these things, although you already know them and have been established in the present truth. (2 Pet 1:12)

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet 1:1-4)

What a grand theme this is for contemplation–the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Contemplating Christ and His righteousness leaves no room for self-righteousness, for the glorifying of self. In this chapter there is no standstill. There is continual advancement in every stage of the knowledge of Christ {7BC 942.10}

By the looks of Scripture alone, it is starting to appear like “Present Truth” is primarily about “the righteousness of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Yes, Jesus is involved in a great controvery between good and evil, between Himself and Satan. Yet the thins of Satan are not what God’s people are to dwell upon. By making the devil, the Pope, or Sunday law babble primary in our message, we are ruining present truth and turning it into somthing that it is not. Some of us so love to condemn others by stinging accusations of having rejected “present truth” just because they will not go for our personal version that is filled with religious invectives and fear-mongering that is not in the Bible.

According to Gal 6:14, and Eph 2:13, there is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the scriptures, and that must be “Christ and Him crucified.” All other truths are invested with power and influence, according to their relationship to this theme.

Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised; (Heb 10:23)

God Behind All His Promises.

Promises are estimated by the truth of the one who makes them. Many people make promises only to break them, to mock the heart that trusted in them. Those who lean upon such people lean upon broken reeds. But God is behind the promises He makes. He is ever mindful of His covenant, and His truth endures to all generations {7BC 942.12}

2 Peter, chapter one is about present truth. It is the only place in the Bible where the phrase present truth is mentioned. Christians would do well to pay closer attention to these words. Now, in 2 Pet 1:12,the Apostle is saying that”for this reason” he will not be negligent to “remind us always of these things.” So let us briefly examine two items from that verse.

1/ “For This Reason” The Bible is telling us that we are to make our calling and election sure. Making our calling and election sure is what present truth is all about. When Peter says “for this reason,” he is referring to our calling and election in Christ:

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 1:8-11)

That very entrance into the eternal kingdom, according to the next, has everything to do with God’s precious promises and the Bible calls them. We experimentally have a personal relationship experience with Jesus by His divine promises (2 Pet 1:4) which do give us even right now “a way to partake of the divine nature, and to escape all the corruption that is now in the world through wrong desires.

2/ The other thing that our text talks about here (2 Pet 1;12) is how even though we are already established in all of the present truth mentioned before Verse 12, we still need reminding, because in our mortal humanity, thats just how we are. And according to 2 Pet 1:16-21, Christ’s glory also is shown through the prophetic word, some of which we have yet to learn. This is why the Apostle says more than once in this chapter, that we need constant reminders. (see 2 Pet 1:15)

The reason that we need those “precious promises,” is also revealed to us in this chapter of the Bible.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 1:5-8)

How can this transformation mentioned in 2 Pet 1:5-7 be accomplished without God’s precious promises? As one Christian writer puts it, “we must NOW acquaint ourselves with God by proving His precious promises.” (Great Controversy, pg 632) THAT my friends is PRESENT TRUTH. Present truth is truth for right now. present truth is for the people of God now. Present truth is how we relate personally to Jesus and get to know Him.

Present Truth And The Prophetic Word

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own private interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of humanity, but people spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet 1:19-21)

Even when it comes to Bible prophecy, Present truth is always primarily about our Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Christ and Him crucified is the hallmark of all doctrines. Especially Bible prophecy. Could this be why God’s people say things like “Prophecy is not so much about History, as it is “HIS – Story.” This is why Peter said:

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet 1:16-18)

Here in 2 Pet 1:16 the Apostle talks about “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and it is this glory and righteousness that He and the disciples had seen with their own eyes. (2 Pet 1:16-17) is where he says that they saw the confirmation by the Holy Spirit of Christ’s power and glory.

For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet 1:17-18)

Its truly a sad state of affairs to see all the beast watchers, Pope Sayers, and Sunday law groupies making such a big push with all their F.E.A.R (False Evidence Appearing Real) because they are rarely in the mood to discuss the central point of Present Truth. They prefer, like our modern media factories, to feed us with fear, and all of the great powers of our enemy, the devil. You can see this all over the internet.

In conclusion, the Apostle calls Bible prophecy “a light that shines in a dark place.” (2 Pet 1:19).

And we need to be careful what we tell people when it comes to Bible prophecy. As one Christian writer puts it, in some cases, we need to refrain from mentioning the more fearful aspects:

In these meetings we should not at first present doctrinal subjects, of which the hearers have no understanding. Hold the attention of the people by presenting the truth as it is in Jesus. The very first and most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-pardoning Savior. Keep before the people the cross of Calvary. What caused the death of Christ?–The transgression of the law. Show that Christ died to give men an opportunity to become loyal subjects of his kingdom. {GCDB, March 2, 1899 par. 23}

The Truth About Present Truth

It is always about Jesus. Jesus Himself is present truth.

The Truth as it is in Jesus

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. Ephesians 4:21. {LHU 153.1}

When prophets stood in defense of the truth, it was the word of God that was given to them. They understood the work of salvation to be accomplished by the Messiah to come. But after Christ came, after He died as man’s sacrifice, after the typical sacrifices were fulfilled by the Antitype, the old truth in the typical service was revealed more clearly. In Christ, the representative of the Father, a wonderful truth was revealed to the world. The light from the cross of Calvary, reflected back upon the Jewish age, gives character and significance to the whole Jewish economy; and on this side of the cross, in a special manner, we have the truth as it is in Jesus. Truth communicated through our Redeemer becomes indeed present truth. {LHU 153.2}

What a truth is presented as we gaze upon Jesus in connection with the cross of Calvary, as we see this Wonderful, this Counselor, this mysterious Victim, stooping beneath the amazing burden of our race! That the transgressor might have another trial, that people might be brought into favor with God the Father, the eternal Son of God interposed Himself to bear the punishment of transgression. One clothed with humanity, who was yet one with the Deity, was our ransom. The very earth shook and reeled at the spectacle of God’s dear Son suffering the wrath of God for man’s transgression. The heavens were clothed in sackcloth to hide the sight of the Divine Sufferer. {LHU 153.3}

It was the transgression of the law of God that made this suffering necessary. And yet men harbor the thought, and give expression to the suggestions of Satan through those who trample upon the law of God, that all this suffering was to make that law of none effect. Deceived and blinded by the great transgressor, they tell the people that there is no law, or that, if they keep the commandments of God in this dispensation, they have fallen from grace. What a delusion is this that Satan has fastened upon human minds! {LHU 153.4}

When the theory that the law of Jehovah is not binding upon the human family is adopted and taught, man is blinded to his terrible ruin. He cannot discern it. Then God has no moral standard by which to measure character, and to govern the heavenly universe, the worlds unfallen, and this fallen world. Could God have abolished the law in order to meet man in his fallen condition, and yet have maintained His honor as Governor of the universe, Christ need not have died. But the death of Christ is the convincing, everlasting argument that the law of God is as unchanging as His throne {LHU 153.5}

Present Truth is always about “Christ and Him crucified.”

It is not the ready speaker, the sharp intellect, that counts with God. It is the earnest purpose, the deep piety, the love of truth, the fear of God, that has a telling influence. A testimony from the heart, coming from lips in which is no guile, full of faith and humble trust, though given by a stammering tongue, is accounted of God as precious as gold; while the smart speech and eloquent oratory of the one to whom is intrusted large talents, but who is wanting in truthfulness, in steadfast purpose, in purity, in unselfishness, are as sounding brass and a tinkling symbol. He may say witty things, he may relate amusing anecdotes, he may play upon the feelings; but the Spirit of Jesus is not in it. All these things may please unsanctified hearts, but God holds in his hands the balances that weigh the words, the spirit, the sincerity, the devotion, and he pronounces it altogether lighter than vanity. {PH028 26.1}

The truly converted soul is illuminated by the light shining from the Sun of Righteousness. That light tells upon hearts, lightens the pathway, dispels the darkness, because it comes from Him who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Let everyone, to a man, now rise, and let his “light so shine before men that they may see his good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.” Do what you can, and do it at once, cheerfully, heartily, prayerfully, joyfully, not as unto men, but unto God. Settle it in your hearts that you are not on the earth to exalt self, to make a great name, but to sink self wholly out of sight in Jesus Christ. Let Jesus be lifted up. Let the great truths connected with the salvation of man be the theme of your meditation day and night. Your work, both by precept and example, is to hold forth the word of life, to seek with all your power to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth. {PH028 27.1}

Remember, Bible prophecy is called “a light in a dark place.” That kind of light has to be Jesus! In Christ alone will present truth be made known in all it’s fullness!

As the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth. . . . At this time, when the enemy is working as never before to engross the minds of men and women, we should be laboring with increasing activity. Diligently, disinterestedly, we are to proclaim the last message of mercy in the cities–in the highways and byways. All classes are to be reached. As we labor we shall meet with different nationalities. None are to be passed by unwarned. The Lord Jesus was the gift of God to the entire world–not to the higher classes alone, and not to one nationality, to the exclusion of others. His saving grace encircles the world. Whosoever will, may drink of the water of life. A world is waiting to hear the message of present truth. {AG 338.5}

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Heb 13:8-9)

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet 3:17-18)

Living Lies About Death #1

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Perhaps you are reading this article now and maybe you are experiencing strong emotions. Someone close to you is dying or they have already died. Did you know there is assurance in God’s Word about this topic that can make you happy, grateful, joyful even “in the valley of the shadow of death?” Your loved one may die soon, or maybe has already died. Yet, our happiness in Christ can’t be erased by any earthly sorrow. Jesus expressly stated, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) which means you will see your loved one again.

"the dead in Christ shall rise"
“the dead in Christ shall rise”

As the Scriptures say

“For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed. But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:36-38, ERV)

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

I lost my wife to cancer a few years back and have lost many other people I have known to death. It is times like this when I think our Shepherd’s staff is of relevance. Supporting us. Giving us a living Hope. His promises are our special comfort. We ride all of the waves in this life on the wings of God’s promises.

1 Thes 4:18 says “comfort one another with these words.”

“Those words” are the Shepherd’s staff that we may lean on for support when a loved one is dying or has died already. Those words, that we are to comfort one another with are the promise of the resurrection. “Those words do not say “your loved one is happy in Heaven now. That tradition does not come from the Bible. The Bible does not say anywhere to comfort one another by saying your loved one is in Heaven, but to comfort one another with this promise of the resurrection. (1 Thes 4:13-18) If our loved ones are promised the resurrection, how can it be that they would go to Heaven as soon as they die? Waiting for the resurrection must mean that a person has died! The Christian should not be in ignorance of the blessed hope, the return of Christ to resurrect the dead in Him, and to translate living believers, together with those who have died in Christ to meet together with Jesus in the air. (1 Thes 4:15, 17).  This “precious promise” (2 Pet 1:4) is designed to be the greatest comfort for all believers, of all times.

Fear not my friends. You are not really going to lose your loved one. At least not permanently. You will see them again. The next thing they will know after they die will be meeting us all together with the Lord in the clouds. (1 Thes 4:17, Rev 1:7). “At the last day.” (John 11:24). At the resurrection! (John 6:40)

In Heaven, I can see my mom being so surprised and laughing when she sees her David finally realizing his childhood dream of flying. I tried so hard as a kid to make myself artificial wings so I could fly. And I would hit the ground every time with a polite but surprised thud. The thing my mother taught me about God is His patience and love for us. She didn’t realize it at the time, but she had set the foundation for me to accept the resurrection truth (1 Thes 4:13-18) later in my life.

I remember the day well. It was a cold winter day, and I was only 5 yrs old. I got mad one day and said to her “I’m leaving home!” I remember the sweet smile she had as she helped me pack a little suitcase with a few things. I remember wondering about that grin.

And then out I stomped angry as can be. I started marching through the snow and down the street. I got about a block away and realized

“O my. It’s like minus 20 out. Now what do I do?”

So of course I went slinking back home, tail between my legs, and Mom was standing at the door, arms crossed, with that same grin on her face.”

The lesson I learned from that was that something like my mom, God knows us and loves us anyway. God will always be there for us. I can never doubt the love of God again because of my mom. And because God keeps telling me everyday that He loves me through all kinds of people that remind me of her. Suddenly, I have this urge to go out and try again to make me a pair of wings so I can practice my flying. I have no doubt that God will still love me, no matter what kind of stunts I pulled.

Thank you, God, for my mom. It’s not hard to think of God’s promises when I think of her.

The Bible assures us:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus (back to Heaven) those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up TOGETHER with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:13-18)

Now, of course, everyone’s light in that cloud of 1 Thes 4:17 will be Jesus!

Sadly, many people have gone with false theories on what happens when we die. Many have said to me that Jesus told us “We would never die” in John 11:26 Here is the exact wording of what Jesus said:

“And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

At first their explanation sounds true but when we look at the context of John 11:26 we soon realize that this idea of going to Heaven as soon as we die cannot be true, based on John 11:26. The context of that verse is shown clearly by John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”

According to Jesus people die first, just like Jesus did. Then we await the resurrection after we die. There would be no need for the resurrection if we went straight to Heaven when we die. And if we don’t need the resurrection then what do we need the cross for?

We must keep in mind that God never contradicts Himself (Numbers 23:19) and that God never lies. (Heb 6:18) God is never the author of confusion. (1 Cor 14:33) When we study any given subject in the Bible it is never right to use just one verse to try to negate several other verses that seem to say differently. It is important to use the Bible text to identify the context and to reconcile what we think are differences. They are just a paradox. If many verses say that the dead know not anything or that we die first before the resurrection and that we don’t go to Heaven as soon as we die, then why would it be OK to try to use just one or two texts to dismiss or negate all of the many verses that clearly say differently?

The Bible says that if anyone negates or lessens our need for “the cross” then they are the spirit of antichrist.

Every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. (1 John 4:3, WEB)

There simply is no need for Jesus to “come in the flesh” and to die on the cross if there is no need for a resurrection if we go to Heaven as soon as we die. Sadly, anyone who teaches different than what the whole Bible actively teaches on this subject is teaching antichrist doctrines, no matter how many Bible verses they quote. (1 Tim 4:1-2)

Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. 15 Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. (1 Cor 15:12-17)

When I was a little boy, I always drove my mom nuts because I was constantly asking questions. My most common question was just “WHY?” WHY Mom? WHY?

I think I was only 5 years old when Great Grandpa died. I remember my mom standing at the kitchen sink preparing supper when she told us. She said several times that Great Grandpa was in Heaven now and that he was finally very happy with no more pain. Even as a young child I had questions about this. No one had yet had a chance to brainwash or indoctrinate me yet. All I knew was how grossed out I was at the funeral when the adults told us kids, we all had to file past his body in the coffin and kiss him. I was so disgusted, and I started wondering how the adults could say that Great Grandpa was alive and in Heaven now. As a little boy, he looked dead to me.

I remember after the funeral asking my mom another one of my many whys. I said “Mom. They said at the funeral that there would be no tears or sadness in heaven, (Rev 21:4) right? Well, how can Great Grandpa be happy up there if he is looking down on us and sees me crying and so sad that he is gone? How could he ever be happy there when he sees what’s happening to us down here?” I didn’t get any answers as a boy. The answers to that why came later when I was an adult.

The Bible a provides penetrating insight into the future. It reveals the plans of God. It unmasks the plans of Satan and his schemes against the people of God. One of the devil’s greatest deceptions has to do with spiritualism. It has to do with the impersonation of our dead loved ones by evil spirits. My friends, today’s topic is about how The Word of God reveals the deadly delusions of end time events that we will all face soon.

One of Satan’s deadliest delusions has to do with what happens when you die. The very first lie ever told by “the father of lies” (John 8:44) was about this very subject. On the one hand God says, “You will surely die,” (Gen 2:13) and on the other hand Satan says, “You will not surely die.” (Gen 3:4) The very first lie will also be the very last lie in the time of the end spoken of in Bible prophecy.

There are many different ideas about what happens when a person dies. The question arises

“Can we find hope beyond the grave?” A hope that goes beyond the tomb. A hope that pierces the darkness of night. A hope that can rise above the many false, hopeless theories that are being proffered, even by many churches?”

What really happens when you die? What takes place five minutes after death? Is it heaven? Is it hell? Is it nothingness? If we went out and took a survey about what happens when you die, and if we asked five different people, well, one might say, oh, when you die, nothing, that’s it, it’s the grave. You go into the grave, the ground, and you stay there. Somebody else might say, well, you’re reincarnated to a variety of life forms. Somebody else might say, well, when you die, you do not die. You just go immediately to heaven, or you go to hell.

Yet others will say, when you die, you rest until the coming of Christ. In the most pejorative ways possible, many professing Christians will label this as “soul sleep.” It is a sad fact that many of our churches have swallowed the lie that death is some kind of friend and will bring peace to us somehow. But the Bible doesn’t call death an enemy for no reason. (1 Cor 15:26) The fact is, is that the Bible says how death should be viewed:

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor 15:26)

Why do so many churches repeat the first lie in Eden that ‘we will not surely die” but we will just go to Heaven right away as soon as we die? How can such a death be “the last enemy” (1 Cor 15:56) if that first lie in Eden was true? (Gen 3:4) If death is in fact the last enemy to be destroyed, then it would have to take place at the resurrection when Jesus comes again. Only then would death truly be

“The last enemy to be destroyed.”

The real answer to the problem of death, of course, must be found in the Bible. We have a variety of opinions about death, but what Scripture says is authoritative, because the author of life reveals secrets about death. Are the dead asleep, waiting for the resurrection when Jesus comes, or are they in Heaven already? Many Christians are quite confused about that point. many false prophets are teaching them anti Christ doctrines on this point.

Sometimes when we go to a funeral, the preacher will say,

“Well, your dead loved ones are up in heaven looking down upon you now. Don’t worry. They are very happy there now.”

Then a few paragraphs later in the same sermon, they will say,

“Well, your dead loved ones will be resurrected when Jesus comes.

And people will be quite confused because of such contradictions. Where are our loved ones who have died?” Are they already in Heaven, or are they waiting for the resurrection? How can it possibly be both?

Some say, well, when we die, there is kind of a spirit being that goes up to Heaven, but that spirit being has to be somehow reunited with the body when it’s resurrected. Then we must ask, if the spirit lives in Heaven, what is it? Does it have eyes? Does it have hands? And why does it need to be reunited with the body if it’s already been up there for hundreds of years? The Bible is much simpler than that, much clearer and definite than that, and much less confusing. We must recall here that “God is not the author of confusion.” (1 Cor 14:33) The Apostle Paul raises some startling points about this very thing: he says

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Cor 15:16-19)

If it’s true that we go right to Heaven when we die, then there is no need for the resurrection, or the cross for that matter. Anything that lessens or negates the need for Christ and Him crucified is clearly the voice of the Antichrist speaking. (1 John 2:18-19, 1 John 2:21-22)

To understand death, we really have to understand this idea of immortality. Is the soul immortal, or is there a resurrection? If you have an immortal soul that wings its way to Heaven after you die, why would you need a resurrection of the body? So, we have to look at what does the Bible teach about immortality? Do we have it now? Will we have it in the future? Do we have an immortal soul? Is this thing called the soul immortal? What is the soul? And what about the resurrection that the Bible teaches about? Where can we find answers? The truth of the matter is we can find answers. We find answers deeply embedded in Scripture. We find answers in the Word of God. The Bible helps us to understand the mystery of death.

In Rev 1:18 we read:

” And behold, I’m alive for evermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of death.

Christ was alive, crucified on the cross, went into the grave, but was resurrected from the dead. It was at that point that he said, I’m going to my father. Remember, Mary tried to cling to his feet and Jesus said,

“Touch me not, I have not yet ascended to the Father.” (John 20:17)

So now we have the basic idea of death. Rest in the tomb over Sabbath. Resurrection. Jesus ascending to heaven. But notice what Jesus says.

“I have the keys of Hades and death. Hades, the grave.” (Rev 1:18)

This is incredibly good news. Why? Death is not some locked up tomb or prison in the earth. Jesus said, I have the keys. You need not fear death. Why don’t we need to fear death? First, Jesus already experienced it. And he already conquered the grave. Death is a defeated foe. Every time Jesus faced death, Jesus won and death lost. Every time Christ faced the grave, he came out victorious. And he demonstrated his power over the grave by raising from the dead people who had died in New Testament times.

Why don’t we need to fear death? Because Christ has conquered the grave. He went into the grave and came out. And because he has the keys to the grave, death is an unlocked mystery through Jesus. The Bible teaches that one day Jesus will come again. And one day the dead in Christ will be resurrected. Check out

1 Thessalonians 4:16. It talks about the second coming of Jesus.

“The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first.”

If the dead in Christ “rise first” then how can it be possible that they are in Heaven as soon as they die? We can see already that it is quite impossible that we go to heaven as soon as we die, short-cutting on the resurrection promised for all who love Jesus. We are told to not fear death because Jesus is coming again. (Rev 1:7) We can see our loved ones again!

What then, does the Bible teach about the idea of the immortal soul?  Does the Bible teach that the soul is immortal? In our study for next week, we will go back to the book of Genesis because if we understand how God created humanity, in the beginning we can also understand about what happens when we die.

Until then, may we all say and believe with the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord

I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ. I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. Then there is hope that I will somehow be raised from death. (Phil 3:8-11, NIV)

In Christ all the fullness of the Godhead dwells. Jesus teaches us to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. This knowledge is the highest science that any person could ever reach. It is the sum of all true science.

“This is life eternal,” Christ declared, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3)

Stay tuned for next week’s study on Immortality. May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.

The Olivett Discourse And The Great Delay of The Second Coming

Reading Time: 11 minutes

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Mat 24:3)

are you ready?
are you ready?

So joyous is the prospect of Christ’s return, that Jesus knew His followers would become almost eagerly impatient for it to happen. In such a state of mind, because of their humanity, and shortsightedness,Jesus knew that His disciples could at times fall prey to the false signs of His second coming; and to the many false teachers that were to arise, and who could entirely spoil all of their hard work in preparation. And so Jesus started out His Olivett Discourse with a warning to us against being deceived:

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.”

Jesus certainly would know the Proverb that tells us “hope deferred makes the heart sick;” (Proverbs 13:12 ). Without the assurances in God’s Word that the delay has been anticipated, and that Jesus has made provision for us to deal with any eventuality, we would feel lost and hopeless in the tirades of all of the self appointed prophets of doom.

Jesus cautioned us clearly but tactfully, that there would be a delay. He would not in fact, be coming again; at least not right away, as some were hoping for. Nor would Jesus be coming in the manner that many, including His own disciples of the day were expecting Him to.

Jesus told a story about two supervisors (masters) and one of them said the following:

“My master is delayed,” (Mat 24:48), and then in the famous parable of the talents, Jesus described the master as returning “after a long time.” (Mat 25:19). In the similarly famous parable of the ten (sleeping) virgins, Jesus likened Himself to a Bridegroom and said quite clearly:

“As the Bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” (Mat 25:5).

Hints of this delay in the second coming are implied in other texts as well:

“you will hear of wars and rumors of wars…but the end is not yet.” (Mat 24:6).

And “Many will fall away…” (Mat 24:10).

“They that endure to the end shall be saved.” (Mat 24:13).

“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world; as a testimony to all nations; and then the end shall come.” (Mat 24:14).

In scripture, the delay is clear enough. BUT the “testimony to all nations is sadly lacking almost everywhere. Friends, the church is not converting the world anymore. The world has in a large part, converted the church. Its hard to tell the difference anymore because “everyone is doing whats right in their own eyes and Jesus is largely lost sight of. It would also follow that because of this, the preparation for the second coming is made even clearer. And many who profess the name of Christ show anything but His character of love, mercy and grace.

Its very important to note that the cookie-cutter evangelism that is out there has no idea what it means to say “the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world.” They just don’t have a clue what that means. Many tritely say

“Oh the modern technology has connected everyone and there is hardly a corner anywhere in the world now where they have not heard about Jesus.”

But does hearing the doctrine professed in a worldly frenzy or the one-sided teaching of sheep in wolves clothing really mean that “the gospel has been preached?”

Sadly, we have people who say they are “preaching the third angel’s message,” yet the whole world has seen how badly so many misrepresent God’s character. The everlasting gospel is NOT preached by a profession alone. The everlasting gospel is only “fully preached” “to all the world” when the world can see that we His Church, that God’s people, have been with Jesus and are His adopted sons and daughters. (John 1:12) Something in the character of the Christian that reveals Christ and Him crucified IS THE message. (2 Cor 5:17)

The change that must come to the natural, inherited, and cultivated tendencies of the human heart is that change of which Jesus spoke when He said to Nicodemus, “Except a person be born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God.” He virtually said to Nicodemus, It is not controversy that will help your case. Arguments will not bring light to your soul. You must have a new heart, or you cannot discern the kingdom of heaven. It is not greater evidence that will bring you into a right position, but new purposes, new springs of action. You must be born again. Until this change takes place, until all things are made new, the strongest evidence that could be presented would be useless.{CTr 233.2}

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34,35)

The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian. {HDL 8.1}

Some pride themselves in their shiny crusades gleaming away just like our secular “social media.” Constantly creating the well-known FEAR factor that our “news” is adored for. The mark of the beast, what the Pope is up to, and all manner of evil are yapped about as if thats all there is. Presumptuously adding fuel to the frenzy of current-day events as depicted by the secular world. In the entire Bible, the mark of the beast is only mentioned 7 times. It would be safe to say that Bible writers sometimes seem to mentioned it parenthetically. It was never the main focus of a single Bible writer anywhere. That third angel’s message from Rev 14: 8-12 is really not a message, without the other two messages from the first and second angels of the same passage. (Rev 14:6-7)It is far more accurate and in proper context, when we call those three angels messages, together “the everlasting gospel,” or “the three angels MESSAGE. (Rev 14:6) All three are one, unified message. Just like all 66 books of the Bible are ONE MESSAGE. The Three Angels MESSAGE. Three angels. ONE message.

What happens if we separate one of those messages from the other two? Then it becomes less of Jesus and more of fear because we are over-emphasizing one over the other two and presenting a very unbalanced message to the world. Just like the news! It’s not that it is wrong to preach all three angels and their parts in the message. But there is a proper time and place as is often reflected upon in scripture for such things: (Eph 3:1,Prov 15:23)

A change must come to you through the moving, melting love of God, a change that will enable you to carry the credentials that you are one who loves souls. I think I have spoken so plainly that you will seek to learn of Christ His ways and methods, and seek to bring more of the sunshine and joy of the truth, the brightness of the Sun of Righteousness, into your own individual experience. Let your own heart break; let the routine and precision be broken down. Look unto Jesus, and not to men, to be told what to do…The simplicity of Christ, the melting love of Jesus, will speak to hearts when the mere reiteration of the truth will accomplish nothing. Self must not be brought in as a specialty; it must be hid with Christ in God.(2 Cor 5:17)

I have done a lot of palliative care during my nursing years. I am sure we could all picture what would happen if any nurse approached a dying patient at the bedside and tried to preach to them about “the mark of the beast.” I have seen such things happen. I have asked myself, if this “everlasting gospel” is in fact THE end time message for today, then HOW does it relate to what is happening here and now to the dying or the lost souls who do not know Jesus? Friends, the love mercy and grace of Jesus Christ in the face of our darkest hour is the three angel’s message. Rev 14:6 in the Murdock translation and a couple of others says it like this:

“And I saw another angel WITH BLOOD having the everlasting gospel to preach to dwellers on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people” Every message, every doctrine must have as its central pillar “Christ and Him crucified.” The cross is to be central to every doctrine and if its not then the doctrine is not Christian no matter how many Bible verses you holler into your message.

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures–Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. {FLB 50.2}

Love is more than simply warm feelings. It is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loves us? By helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others’ welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of loving can be hard to do. That is one reason why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source.

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not brag, it is not puffed up, it does not behave inappropriately, it does not seek its own way, it is not provoked, it keeps no account of wrong, it does not rejoice over injustice but rejoices in the truth; it bears all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, it endures all things. (1 Cor 13:4-7, TLV)

It is not the ready speaker, the sharp intellect, that counts with God. It is the earnest purpose, the deep piety, the love of truth, the fear of God, that has a telling influence. A testimony from the heart, coming from lips in which is no guile, full of faith and humble trust, though given by a stammering tongue, is accounted of God as precious as gold; while the smart speech, the eloquent oratory, of the one to whom is entrusted large talents, but who is wanting in truthfulness, in steadfast purpose, in purity, in unselfishness, are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. He may say witty things, he may relate amusing anecdotes, he may play upon the feelings; but the spirit of Jesus is not in it. All these things may please unsanctified hearts, but God holds in His hands the balances that weigh the words, the spirit, the sincerity, the devotion, and He pronounces it altogether lighter than vanity {6BC 1091.4}

I would just sum it all up by saying that if I cannot see Jesus, and experience His light in the darkness, (John 1:5, Micah 7:8, etc),then I don’t really know Him very well and I need to get moving on that right away. As we can read in Rev 12:11, God’s end time people,which we may very well be, shall

“overcome the devil by the blood of The Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony,” [about that blood, applied to their life today].

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

While we can know something of God, and “whom He has sent,” (John 17:3) by just reading the Bible, and learning doctrines, we can only learn a very small fraction of the everlasting gospel in that way, compared to another method that is mentioned often in scripture. Consider carefully, the following verse:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Pet 1:2-4)

The Bible is clear. Grace and peace are “multiplied” as we learn more of Jesus in whatever situation we are in today by “proving His promises.” The knowledge of Jesus gives “to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, and this is all done by His “precious promises,” to the end that we are “partakers of the divine nature.” Now the Pantheist would say: “we are little Gods” because of this verse, but it has nothing to do with physical nature of divine Substance. Nothing at all. The divine nature is the character of Christ, and as we realize fully His promises, in response to our prayers and our needs; then we really do get to experience a personal friendship with God and we will see our future as friendly, because we have taken Jesus at His express word, in divine response to our felt, living needs.

Mat 24:30 of the Olivett Discourse tells us that everyone in the world “will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” But how many of us see Jesus in the clouds of our personal experience? This message is trying to reflect on how there is light in every cloud and as God’s people, we must know Him so well that we just expect it; much like we do the sun or the rain.

I recall, sometime ago now,visiting someone on their death bed. They were dying of cancer. On the bedside table there was a shoe box. I was really curious and kept wondering what was in it. So of course, I eventually asked, and they said it like this:

“This is my promise box. When people visit me,I get them to either write one out on a scrap of paper, and put it in the box, or they can just take one from the box and read it to me. Then I asked “can I take one out and read it?”

The piece of paper I took out of that box had the following quote from The Great Controversy written on it:

“We should acquaint ourselves NOW with God, by proving His promises!” (pg 622).

My friend died just a few hours later. But what a seed was planted in my heart there in “the valley of death.” (Psalms 23:4) Even the clouds of death, do not hold any Christian in the prison of sin. I wonder, how many of us are willing to make that ultimate sacrifice, to really know God, and to make Him known? (see 1 John 1:1-3).

Oh friend. How many of us see “Light In The Clouds?” How many of us see Light in our clouds? Do I, personally, see Jesus in my clouds? (Rev 1:7)

Christ submitted to crucifixion, although the heavenly host could have delivered Him. The angels suffered with Christ. God Himself was crucified with Christ; for Christ was one with the Father. Those who reject Christ, those who will not have this man to rule over them, choose to place themselves under the rule of Satan, to do his work as his bondslaves. Yet for them Christ yielded up His life on Calvary.

He who died for the sins of the world was to remain in the tomb the allotted time. He was in that stony prison house as a prisoner of divine justice. He was responsible to the Judge of the universe. He was bearing the sins of the world, and His Father only could release Him.

He identified Himself with our interests, bared His breast for the stroke of death, took man’s guilt and its penalty, and offered in man’s behalf a complete sacrifice to God. By virtue of this atonement, He has power to offer to man perfect righteousness and full salvation. Whosoever shall believe on Him as a personal Savior shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

The price of our redemption has been paid, and all we have and are should be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, dedicated to God; for it all belongs to Him. {FLB 50.4-7}

This is why the first angel says:

And I saw another angel flying in heaven: and with blood, he had the everlasting gospel, to proclaim to dwellers on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; saying with a loud voice, Worship God, and give glory to him; because the hour of his judgment is come; and adore ye Him, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. (Rev 14:6-7, Murdock)

The Secret Rapture Is Not So Secret

Reading Time: 16 minutes

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:23-26)

Rev 1:7
Rev 1:7

Last week, we began exploring some basics about what has been called by many Christians as “the secret rapture” in an article called “Christianity’s Biggest Lie EVER.”

This article will do a little more digging to explore the topic of the not so “secret rapture” in much more depth.

Christians who insist on a secret rapture rarely relate this great secret to the cross. And this is one of the fundamental failures of the makers of such false doctrines. There is a brief paragraph, along with some scripture, that will help us to begin bringing the cross to bear on this urgent topic. The cross of Christ must be central to EVERY doctrine or it is not a Christian doctrine no matter how many Bible verses one quotes to cover up this kind of mistake. In fact it is not even a mistake. It is a lie. By The father of lies. (John 8:44) Many Christians, knowingly, unknowingly assist the father of lies in this confusing belief held by many to be “prophecy.” Here is some brief explanation on how the cross of Christ is central the the true, Biblical version of THE resurrection.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. {FLB 50.1}

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures–Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. . . . The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. {FLB 50.2}

Gal 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NIV)

The world is full of enticements. Daily we are confronted with subtle cultural pressures and overt propaganda. Especially un-Biblical ideas about the second coming. The only way to escape these destructive influences is to ask God to help crucify our interest in them, just as Paul did. How much do the interests of this world matter to you? See Gal 2:20 and Gal 5:24 for more on this idea. The Bible also tells us

“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:12-13)

The popular belief on The Secret Rapture fails to follow the Pattern set before us in Christ’s own experience with the cross. Jesus Himself did not go away secretly, and our experience will be like His. Our birth. Our life. Our resurrection. And our Heavenly home. The secret rapture, so called, creates two second comings. One partial. The other one, essentially a third coming, is just plain mixed up.

Rapture and the Bible

Jesus promised that He would return to Earth to take His people to be with Him. He said

“Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3, NKJV).

Did Jesus mean that He would return secretly and “rapture” His people from Earth, leaving behind those who are lost to wonder where their raptured friends and relatives have gone? This is the belief of those who hold to the idea of the “secret” rapture. In these verses, Jesus doesn’t say how He will return—secretly or otherwise. But other Bible texts make it plain what will happen when Jesus returns.

Is the “SECRET” Rapture Biblical?

After His resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven, and the disciples watched as He rose into the sky. The Bible says, “While they [the disciples] watched, He [Jesus] was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men [angels] stood by them in white apparel, who also said

‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’ ” (Acts 1:9-11, NKJV).

Two points stand out in these verses. First, the Jesus who returns to Earth the second time is the very same Jesus who lived here on Earth with us and went back to heaven following His resurrection. And second, He will return to Earth the same way—“in like manner”—as He went back to heaven that day. How did Jesus go to heaven following His resurrection? Did He go secretly? No. The disciples watched Him rise, literally, bodily, into the air until a cloud hid Him from their sight. So these verses tell us that Jesus will return to earth the same way—not secretly.

Is Jesus’ Second Coming Secret?

Another Bible text makes it even more clear that Jesus will not return secretly.

“Behold, He [Jesus] is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7, NKJV).

This text says that when Jesus comes, every eye—everyone on earth—will see Him come. That doesn’t sound like He is coming secretly! Matthew says that Jesus’ coming will be as visible as the lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other.

“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27, NKJV).

The Bible says that Jesus will come in glory with the angels (see Matthew 16:27); that He will come with the shout of the archangel and a blast from the trumpet of God (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17); that the wicked will see Him coming and cry out for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from His face (see Revelation 6:14-17); and that He will return as King of kings, leading the armies of heavenly angels (see Revelation 19:11-16). All these texts make it very clear that Jesus’ second coming is anything but secret!

Will Jesus come like a thief in the night?

The Bible says, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:2). But does this mean that He will come secretly and snatch away the saved, leaving the wicked behind? No. This very text that says Jesus will come like a thief in the night, also says that the heavens will pass away with a great noise. That won’t be secret!

So what does it mean for Jesus to come “like a thief in the night?” The apostle Paul says

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, NKJV).

Jesus’ coming will be unexpected by those who are not watching and waiting for Him. It will come upon them like a thief in the night. But His people—who are not of the night nor of darkness—will be looking for Him. They will be aware of the signs of His coming and will know that it is near. Jesus’ coming will not overtake them like the unexpected appearance of a thief. That’s what the Bible means by saying that Jesus’ coming will be like a thief in the night—it will be unexpected to those who are not watching for Him.

The “Day” of the Lord comes as a thief in the night

Both 2 Peter 3:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:2 do not speak about the “Lord” coming as a thief in the night, but rather the “day” of the Lord coming as a thief. This completely changes the meaning of the verse. In fact, the subject of the sentence is “day,” while the phrase modifying the subject is “of the Lord.” Christians are to watch and be ready for the “day” of the Lord to come suddenly, but once the event is at hand it cannot be hidden. It will be very obvious when Jesus comes again!

Raptured or Left Behind? Really?

But doesn’t Matthew 24:37-42 say that when Jesus comes, some people will be snatched away and others will be left behind? Let’s see what Matthew says.

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:37-42, NKJV).

Matthew says that when Jesus comes it will be like it was in the time of Noah—some people will be saved (left) and other people will be destroyed (taken). Looking more in-depth at Matthew’s wording, those who are “taken” when Jesus comes are those who are lost, taken away, and destroyed by the brightness of His coming (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

You can think of it like this, imagine a flood swept through your town. Those who escaped, were left behind by the waters of the flood, while those who lost their lives were taken away by the water. Additionally, in the parallel passage of Luke 17:37, Jesus’ 12 apostles ask the question

“Where Lord?”

They were referring to those who are taken. Jesus responds by saying, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” Thus Jesus again explains that those who are taken will be destroyed as is symbolized by the gathering of vultures seeking to consume the dead. Therefore, we can see that the Bible does not support the idea of the secret rapture for the saved. Biblically, the question “where” only applies to those who are taken, because the location of those who are left would be the exact same location as before the event occurred.

Those who hold to the idea of a secret rapture also believe that there will be seven years of tribulation following the rapture and that during this time individuals who were left on earth will have another opportunity to accept Jesus and be saved. Is there any Bible evidence for this belief? My son’s question from last week’s article can now be addressed:

“When will all the days be over so that Jesus can come?”

Seven Year Tribulation?

First, there is no biblical evidence for a seven-year period of tribulation following Jesus’ return to Earth. And the Bible is clear that when Jesus returns, every person’s eternal fate has already been decided. Individuals who are lost will not have a second chance to be saved. Jesus says

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to their work” (Revelation 22:12, NKJV).

The Bible presents Jesus’ second coming as the great climactic event of the ages when men and women are either saved or lost for eternity. There is no seven-year period to reconsider our lives and change our destiny. Jesus pictured the separation that will take place at His coming between the righteous and the wicked—the saved and the lost—in these words:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ . . . Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ ” (Matthew 25:31-34,41, NKJV).

That is not to say there will not be a tribulation. The Bible does certainly foretell of a soon coming “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” before Jesus’ return (Daniel 12:1, Rev 3:10). But the Bible always describes God’s people as going through the trouble not avoiding it. Why would we even need faith in Christ during final events if we were supposed to avoid all the trouble that is coming? No need for the cross if thats how it will be. Does Scripture really support the interpretation that Christian believers will be secretly raptured, and taken away from the tribulation, leaving only the wicked?

No it doesn’t. Jesus doesn’t leave us in the dark and sheds light on the event that will be like none other before it.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22).

Its Impossible The The Elect Are Secretly Raptured Before the Tribulation

One must question, if the “elect,” or God’s people, are raptured before “the great tribulation,” why would they need the days “shortened?” Throughout the Bible, we are given examples of God’s people being saved in the middle of tribulations, and trials. Not being saved before it.

When the Israelites were captive in Egypt, God preserved them in the midst of the plagues that devastated Egypt. Just as Israel was delivered from Egyptian bondage after the plagues, so too will God’s church will be protected through the plagues and be delivered from the hand of the oppressor (1 Corinthians 10:11; Psalm 91; Psalm 46).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego entered the flames when they refused to yield to the universal death decree of Babylon’s King. Their death-defying faith forced them to face the flames of tribulation, and in those flames God miraculously delivered them (Daniel 3:16-28).

Daniel’s decision to be faithful in his daily prayers caused him to be tossed into the lion’s den. God saved Daniel while he was going through tribulation, not before it came (Daniel 6).

Similarly, right before Christ returns, the faithfulness of the elect will cause them to be the target of the ungodly, bringing about a time of persecution and great tribulation. However, just as throughout all of Biblical history, God preserves His elect. The same Jesus that was with the Hebrew men in the fire and lion’s den, will go with us through our fiery trials. When the last day judgments are poured out on the world, God will shield those who follow Him with all their heart and mind. (Jer 17:10, Mark 12:30)

How old is the rapture theory?

Historically, the belief in the secret rapture is relatively new. Many of the notable Christian leaders of the faith understood from the Bible that Christ’s coming would be a literal, audible, glorious event for God’s persecuted people who would be raptured after they endured the great tribulation brought about by the antichrist including: John Bunyan, John Calvin, Adam Clarke, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Matthew Henry, John Huss, John Knox, Hugh Latimer, C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther, D.L. Moody, George Mueller, Sir Isaac Newton, John Newton, Charles Spurgeon, William Tyndale, Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, John Wesley, George Whitefield, William Wilberforce, John Wycliffe, Ulrich Zwingli, and many others.

Of course, the truth of a teaching is not dependent upon who believes it, but whether or not it is in line with all of the Scriptures. Secret Rapture adherents are stuck with using one text out of context to dismiss many other texts that say different. Its essential to reconcile such paradoxes by scripture, not by fanciful ideas that “seem to fit.”

There are other points to consider when seeing if the “secret rapture” and pre-tribulation understanding fits into the last day events of earth’s history as outlined in the Bible:

The notion that the tribulation will occur after Christ comes for the church is glaringly inconsistent with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, which makes it plain that the antichrist is revealed before Jesus comes and is destroyed by the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

As we have now seen, the teaching of the secret rapture is not found to be in harmony with what the Bible teaches about the Second Coming of Jesus.

“Every eye shall see Him” (Rev 1:7) is NOT secret by any stretch.

Bible verses about the rapture

John 14:1-3 (NKJV), “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV), “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ ”

Revelation 1:7 (NKJV), “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Matthew 24:27 (NKJV), “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Matthew 24:37-42 (NKJV), “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”

Luke 17:35-37 (NKJV), ” ‘Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.’ And they answered and said to Him, ‘Where, Lord?’ So He said to them, ‘Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.’ ”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV), “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Revelation 6:14-17 (NKJV), “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV), “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV), “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV), “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

Revelation 22:12 (NKJV), “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Matthew 25:31-34, 41 (NKJV), “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:’ … Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Be Ready at All Times

The Bible repeatedly assures us that Jesus will return. But will He come a year from now? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years? No one knows for sure. Jesus Himself declared, “‘Of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only'” (Mat 24:36).

At the end of His earthly ministry Christ told the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the experience of the church of the last days. The two classes of virgins represent the two kinds of believers who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. Their lamps represent the Word of God, the oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

Superficially, these two groups appear alike; both go out to meet the Bridegroom, both have oil in their lamps, and their behavior doesn’t seem to differ. They have all heard the message of Christ’s soon coming and are looking forward to it. But then comes an apparent delay-their faith is to be tested. Suddenly, at midnight-in the darkest hour of earth’s history-they hear the cry,

“Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” (Mat 25:6).

Now the difference between the two groups becomes very apparent: some are not ready to meet the Bridegroom. These “foolish” virgins are not hypocrites; they respect the truth, they treasure what they know of the Word of God. But they lack the oil-they have not been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Rev 7:1-3). They have been content with a superficial work and have not fallen on Jesus Christ the Rock. They have a form of godliness but are destitute of God’s power. (2 Tim 3:5)

When the Bridegroom comes, only those who are READY NOW to go in with Him to the marriage celebration, and have the door shut will go in.

Eventually the foolish virgins, who had gone to purchase more will, return and call

“Lord, Lord, open to us!”

But the Bridegroom answers

“I do not know you”(Mat 25:11-12, John 17:3)

How sad that when Christ returns to this earth, He will have to speak these words to some whom He loves. He warned

“‘Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”(Mat 7:22-23).

Before the Flood, God sent Noah to alert the antediluvian world to the coming destruction. In a similar way, God is sending a threefold message of warning to prepare the world for Christ’s return (see Rev 14:6-16).

All who accept God’s message of mercy will rejoice at the prospect of the Second Advent. Theirs is the assurance

“Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”(Rev 19:9).

Indeed, “to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Heb 9:28).

The Redeemer’s return brings to a glorious climax the history of God’s people. It is the moment of their deliverance, and with joy and adoration they cry out

‘Behold this is our God; we have waited for Him. . . we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation’ (Isa 25:9).

Arise! Shine! Your Light Is Come!

Reading Time: 7 minutes

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. (Eph 5:8-10)

arise shine your light is come
arise shine your light is come

Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian, are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth, or the favor of other people. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power. {CM 81.3}

As people who have light from the Lord, our actions should reflect our faith. We should live above reproach morally so that we will reflect God’s goodness to others. Jesus stressed this truth in the Sermon on the Mount

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:15-16)

Christians ought to be seen, and they ought to let their light be seen. They should never even attempt to conceal it. If you are a lamp, you have no right to be under a bushel, or under a bed; your place is on the lampstand where your light can be seen. Not that they may glorify ourselves, but that they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.

“…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…(Phil 2:13-15)

What do we do when we don’t feel like obeying? God has not left us alone in our struggles to do his will. He wants to come alongside us and be within us to help. God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases him. The secret to a changed life is to submit to God’s control and let him work. Next time ask God to help you desire to do his will. John 7:17

To be like Christ, we must train ourselves to think like Christ. To change our desires to be more like Christ’s, we need the power of the indwelling Spirit (Phil 1:19), the influence of faithful Christians, obedience to God’s Word (not just exposure to it), and sacrificial service. Often it is in doing God’s will that we gain the desire to do it.

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

Paul had an amazingly selfless attitude. He knew that some were preaching to build their own reputations, taking advantage of his imprisonment to try to make a name for themselves. Regardless of the motives of these preachers, Paul rejoiced that the Good News was being preached. Some Christians serve for the wrong reasons. Paul wouldn’t condone, nor does God excuse, their motives, but we should be glad if God uses their message, regardless of their motives.

To Live Is Christ

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Phil 1:15-20)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:8-9)

We may all do what Jesus wants and trust Him to change our desires to His.

Those who attempt to know God’s will and do it will know intuitively that Jesus was telling the truth about himself. Have you ever listened to religious speakers and wondered if they were telling the truth? Test them: (1) Their words should agree with, not contradict, the Bible; (2) their words should point to God and his will, not to themselves.

Jesus once said: If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me. If I wanted to bring honor to myself, I would speak for myself. But I want to honor the one who sent me. That is why I tell the truth and not a lie. (John 7:17-18, CEV)

This is why God says:

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Rev 14:6-7)

The angel who preaches the gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people helps to fulfill God’s promise that the gospel “will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Mat 24:14) before Christ returns. But not all preaching is a good witness of Christ. Some of it is done for malicious or self centered, FEAR based reasons. (Phil 1:15-20)

The word gospel, which literally means “good news,” is used here only in Revelation. Even at this late stage in God’s judgment He continues to offer everlasting life to the world (John 3:16). The gospel message at this point asks unbelievers to fear God and give glory to Him

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:23-26)

Justification Means Complete Pardon

Here the truth is laid out in plain lines. This mercy and goodness is wholly undeserved. The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment we are pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, and we are no more to doubt God’s forgiving grace. {6BC 1071.8}

There is nothing in faith that makes it our Savior. Faith cannot remove our guilt. Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe. The justification comes through the merits of Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for the sinner’s redemption. Yet it is only through faith in His blood that Jesus can justify the believer. {6BC 1071.9}

As a sinner, we cannot depend upon our own good works as a means of justification. We must come to the point where we will renounce all our sin, and embrace one degree of light after another as it shines upon our pathway. We simply grasp by faith the free and ample provision made in the blood of Christ. (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13)

AS we believe the promises of God, which through Christ are made unto us sanctification and righteousness and redemption. And if we follow Jesus, we will walk humbly in the light, rejoicing in the light and diffusing that light to others.

Being justified by faith,we carry cheerfulness with him in his obedience in all his life. Peace with God is the result of what Christ is to him. The souls who are in subordination to God, who honor Him, and are doers of His Word, will receive divine enlightenment. In the precious Word of God there is purity and loftiness as well as beauty that, unless assisted by God, the highest powers of mankind cannot attain to {6BC 1071.10}

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isa 60:1-3)

Each to Give THEIR Own Measure of Light

In the loneliest places, when we cannot remember what grace is, when we look in the mirror and see what we don’t want to be, so afraid to receive God’s love because we are in the midst of our dark night. We feel too sinful. We believe the devils lie that we are beyond God’s help. It is then that we can go to Gods Word and know that we are the one that Jesus loves. YOUR “eternal life” can only happen in the Light of the cross. (Gal 6:14)

Every shining star which God has placed in the heavens obeys His mandate, and gives its distinctive measure of light to make beautiful the heavens at night; so let every converted soul who has given over their life to Jesus show the measure of light committed to them. As it shines forth the light will increase and grow brighter. Give out your light, let your light shine. Pour forth your beams mirrored from heaven. People of God! “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee”

You will rise again. No life is too far gone to rise again. Yes, we have to break so that love can make us whole. Love comes down to redefine us. And we rise again. Praise God. We rise again. For God’s glory.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 Pet 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

“Arise, shine, for your Light is come.” (Isa 60:1)

Perfectly Broken

Reading Time: 12 minutes

Perfectly Broken

“By reason of breakings they purify themselves” (Job 41:25 LSV).

light in your clouds
light in your clouds

I recall an experience downtown in a major city recently that seems to resonate with today’s subject. Perfectly Broken. I came across a man who was obviously living on the streets, and he was passed out in the doorway of a convenience store. I was stunned to see that all the many people coming and going into that store were quite literally just walking over him and simply ignoring him. One lady even stepped on his arm, she just sneered down at him for being in the way when she was in such a hurry to buy her cigarettes and coffee.

I went over to help him and called 911 for help and then I had people glaring and hollering at me for getting in their royal way. In today’s world, broken things are looked down upon, avoided, rejected, or ignored, and sometimes, just thrown out. Anything we no longer need; we often just throw it away. Damaged goods are rejected, and that includes people.

In marriage, when relationships break down, the tendency is to walk away and find someone new rather than work at reconciliation. Unseemly “men” abusing their wives until they cannot take it anymore. And then calling themselves “Christian” or saying “she made me do that.” Everything is now fair game by the worldly standard that rejects broken things. Broken people are not wanted by so many.

The world is full of people with broken hearts, broken spirits and broken relationships. But there is hope amongst the fragments. Because of “the everlasting gospel” (Rev 14:6), we may bring all the broken fragments of our life to Jesus and He makes art with the pieces. (John 6:37)

Here are just a few scriptures that talk about some aspect of “broken pieces” (fragments) that others have experienced.

1/ “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

There is something about reaching a breaking point that causes us to seek the Lord more sincerely and to experience Jesus more fully.

2/ King David, for example, was once a broken man, and he prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:10, 17).

Conversely, there are some things in our lives that need to be broken: pride, self-will, stubbornness, and sinful habits, for example. These are also things that can be perfectly broken by THE unseen Hand. (Dan 2:34, Dan 2:45)

When we personally feel our brokenness, God is there. Jesus cares:

3/ “I live in a high and holy place, but also with anyone who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15).

Truly, Jesus uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. (Psalms 51:17). It was the breaking down of Jacob’s natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. (Gen 32:20).

4/ It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses’ rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people. (Exodus 17:6)

5/ It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. (Judges 7:19-20)

6/ It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. (2 Kings 4:1-7)

7/ It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. (Esther 4:14)

8/ It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. (John 6:12)

9/ It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. (Luke 7:37)

10/ It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that his inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.

11/ It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. (Mark 4:28)

And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God uses and fixes BROKEN THINGS. How can we be fixed if we are not broken? Of a truth, we are not useless to Jesus when we are broken and grieving. It is quite the opposite.

Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, must know that Jesus is in the active business of befriending each soul who is searching and open to His leading. To something bigger. To something better. Jesus is drawing near to, and using anyone who asks or desires for God’s glory.

“The lame take the prey,” Isaiah tells us. (Isaiah 33:23).

When certain of the disciples were headed to Emmaus, sad, dejected, and losing all hope, they started talking about Jesus, and right then, the minute they started talking about their Lord: Jesus Himself drew near:

“And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them.” (Luke 24:15)

I am reminded of a horrifying thing that happened a few years ago in Nova Scotia. A young lady was raped by four young men at a house party and the young men decided it would be a good idea to share a few pictures of what they were doing to her on “Social Media” (so called). These disgusting photos were widely shared, not just in Nova Scotia, but around the world. At this time in our history the provincial law enforcement entities involved decided it was “safer” for them to blame the poor victim of this horrific crime against her person.

IMO, victim blaming in and of itself should be a crime against humanity as it simply doubles the terror of the victims involved. The entire family was devastated, but the young lady who was the victim was so distraught after intense bullying from many people who blamed/threatened her, hung herself to stop her terrible pain and suffering. This story made me cry and caused a lot of distress. I was mortified to learn all the evil details. I believe after reading all I could find about this event that this family that was completely broken by this crime done to them. But then I came across one final detail that happened shortly after this young lady committed suicide which really blessed me and made me realize more than ever how resilient people can be in their brokenness.

It was one of those things that came as a complete surprise, and it seemed to somewhat echo the Biblical idea how that.

“…all things work together for good…” (Rom 8:28).

Apparently, the parents of this young lady decided to participate in that Province’s organ donation program as their daughter was just 14 and her organs were in very good shape because of her young age. As the article explained, another young teen age girl received her heart, and four other people had their life saved from one or another of her organs. So, at the end of this tragic story, the young lady who had all this happen to her saved 5 lives. As the dad said:

“Now I can rest in the fact that a part of her is still living, still here today, in and through others.”

This made me think of how, being perfectly broken, that anyone can all bring all of the resulting little fragments of our brokenness to Jesus and He will “make art with the pieces.”

Jesus said “Gather up the fragments that NOTHING be lost.

I remember standing beside the stretcher in emergency the day my own son was in a life-threatening state. I was told he “Might die any moment.” I was so distraught I could hardly speak but I managed to whisper in his ear how I loved him no matter what. No matter how broken he was I would be there to help him pick up the pieces. I told him I was praying for him and how Jesus would always be there for us and that he still had a good life to live. I prayed with all my heart for his life and his soul. And I remember well a couple of years later when he sent me a very special text. After he got established again with a job, I told him the next thing I am going to pray for is for him to finally find a woman who was truly good for him. A few months after this he sent me the text:

“Dad, you got to stop praying it’s working too well!”

His brokenness was turned to praise. He is in love and doing well now.

I was once told I would never work again, and the government put me on a permanent disability pension. I was told I would never be able to climb mountains, lift weights, nothing like that. Today I do all those things and more.

Friends, do not feel discouraged, for from the lips of our Lord, who died to save anyone who calls on Him, we all have this promise:

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me in Judea, and in Jerusalem, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

If we Christians would smarten up and put ourselves in the broken paths of someone every time, we encounter them to make it a path to prayer, what mighty things would be happening around us? And not just during the “holidays.” How about the rest of the year?

Jesus, in His Word, assures everyone how they are to “receive power from on high.”  THIS is THE Very Good News! We must collectively and individually put away all hardness, all denunciation of our brethren, our neighbors, friends or family, all criticisms, and turn that into the path of prayer. We can and must rest “perfectly broken” at the feet of our Lord. The Holy Spirit is our only need in our abject brokenness!

The amazing story of Mary in the Bible is a beautiful way to see this “power” in action:

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:3). There are gifts that we may rightly proportion to the character and necessities of the ones upon whom we bestow them. Jesus meets us all at the point of our felt and expressed needs. Not many of the poor would appreciate Mary’s offering, or our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on the rude cross, which gift was infact the highest that could be given.

That ointment was a symbol of the overflowing heart of the giver. It was an outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly streams until it overflowed. And that ointment of Mary, which the disciples called waste, is repeating itself a thousand times in the open and susceptible hearts of many people today. Jesus is preparing His own forth second coming.

Are you broken and hurting now?

You may come to Jesus, rest at His feet with all the fragments, which he will then divide and multiply for the blessing of both you and others whom He will put in your path. (John 6:12, John 6:37). Jesus wants us to “gather up all of our fragments” of whatever is broken and bring it to Him in prayer so that “NOTHING IS LOST.” (John 6:12). Many of us would likely be tempted to say when they are going through a period of brokenness:

“I called upon him, but he gave me no answer” (Song 5:6).

The Lord, when He has given great faith, has been known to try it by long delays. He has suffered His servants’ voices to echo in their ears as from a stormy sky. They have knocked at the golden gate, but it has remained unmovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges.

Like Jeremiah, we have cried out:

“Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.” (Lam 3:44)

But there IS Light in every cloud. Thus, have true saints in every age, every nation tongue tribe and people continued long in patient waiting, seemingly without reply, not because their prayers were not sincere, nor because they were unaccepted, but because it so pleased Him who is our Savior and Lord, and who gives according to His own good pleasure. (see Phil 2:13). Our patient waiting may just be that light in the clouds of/for others. (2 Cor 1:3-4).

Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should just go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. We must understand that being “comforted” can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, direction, and hope to deal with our troubles. In other words, if Jesus leads us to it; then He will surely bring us through it. Not over it, not around it, but right through it.

In my experience, the more I suffer, the more comfort God gives to me. If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask and allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you to comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles. This is why there is always “light in the clouds.” (Lev 16:2, Psalms 18:11, Psalms 104:3, Isa 19:1, Mat 17:5, etc.)

If it pleases Jesus to ask that our patience exercise itself, shall He not do as He will with His own? Clearly then, no prayer is ever lost. No praying breath was ever spent in vain. (1 Cor 15;58) There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things that we count as refusals or denials are simply delays designed for our own best good. Jesus will sometimes delay His help that He may try our faith and invigorate our prayers.

The boat may be covered with the waves, and Jesus may sleep on; but He will wake up before it sinks. He sleeps, but He never oversleeps; and there are no “too lates” with The Savior. (Mark 4:39). Perfectly broken is rest in Christ by bringing to Him, all the fragments of our broken lives and shattered hearts. Our stolen dreams.

Let fervor for Jesus come into your hearts, and unfeigned love among yourselves. If you bite and devour one another, you shall be devoured one of another. Harshness and unkindness are a curse to any home, and it is like a desolating hail in the church, or out in the community.

How I wish that I could speak unto thousands:

“Come unto Jesus in all your brokenness.”

Do not wrap any kind of pretend love like a garment about you and say, “I believe the truth. So, I am righteous.” That never works!

Rather surrender your wills which you have idolized and let the will of God be done in you perfectly. Don’t step over the guy in the hallway, don’t keep disrespecting your wife! Stop beating your kids. You don’t need to smoke. You don’t need dope. Call Someone for help!

When the Jailer led Paul and Silas out of the prison, he was completely broken. And all he could respond with was a quivering question:

“What must I do to be saved?”

They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” So, Paul and Silas told the message of the Lord to the jailer and all the people who lived in his house. (Acts 16:31-32)

No matter how badly your home is fragmented, no matter how broken your heart is, no matter how lost your fondest dreams are, if you are not safe in your own home, if you think you want to “end it” you can begin again. I did! I know many others who did! And I know you can too.

Begin again to rest. But this time rest in Christ. You are the one that Jesus loves! That will never change!

Jesus says:

“Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give YOU rest!

When the Apostles were in that jail they “suffered extreme torture because of the painful position in which they were left, but they did not murmur. Instead, in the utter darkness and desolation of the dungeon, they encouraged each other by words of prayer and sang praises to God because they were found worthy to suffer shame for His sake. Their hearts were cheered by a deep and earnest love for the cause of their Redeemer. Paul thought of the persecution he had been instrumental in bringing upon the disciples of Christ, and he rejoiced that his eyes had been opened to see, and his heart to feel, the power of the glorious truths which once he despised. {AA 213.4}

It may be true that many are cruel and vindictive, or criminally negligent of the solemn responsibilities devolving upon them, but God had not forgotten to be gracious to His servants. All heaven was interested in the men who were suffering for Christ’s sake in that jail, in their brokenness and angels were sent to visit the prison. At the angel’s footsteps, the ground shook, the heavily bolted prison doors were thrown open; the chains and fetters fell from the hands and feet of the prisoners; and a bright light flooded the prison.  {AA 215.1}

The same light will be in your clouds. Now and always. Don’t let your holiday spirit obscure the fact that a time of trouble such as never was looming over our world. (Dan 12:1, Rev 16:18) If ever there was brokenness, if ever there were fragments to be gathered and brought to Jesus, that time is now. Its not the climate or the pestilence that is “the emergency” it is the fact that there are so many fragments and overwhelming brokenness and there is no one that wants to gather them unto our Lord and Savior!! (Luke 10:2)

Friends, the time has come to proclaim the everlasting gospel far beyond the structured confines of our own little religious boxes. In our brokenness, terror and grief, Jesus says that through our broken pieces, by the fragments of our lives, the way is preparing for the gospel to GO! Don’t receive it just to save your own skin! Save it for the purpose of imparting to others! THAT is being perfectly broken!

Believing in Christ and receiving His transforming grace is not guesswork, but a work which causes Christ’s virtues to be reflected in mind and character. When you gain this experience, you will say, “I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. The Lord Jesus shall be my portion forever.” The power of the cross will move in you the mysterious springs of hope and fear, adoration, and love. Angels are watching and waiting and will witness to the fact that the world has you not.

Jesus has found you sitting at His feet to learn from Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Henceforth, surrendering your will to the will of Christ, you are drawn into a region where the cross is the central object. The world fades from your view. The glory shining from the threshold of heaven is the all-attractive influence. The riches of the grace of Christ hold you in willing obedience. You are only too glad to impart to others the gift you have received.  {LHU 252.3}

Is it your desire to turn up the volume of “The Loud Cry?”

“God’s purpose is to disentangle His followers from all worldly conniving and policy, and to give them a work identical with the work that Christ did.” (Ms. Releases, Vol 18:109)

“Connected with Christ it will be as natural for us to minister to the needy and suffering as it was to Christ to go about doing good.” ( COL 385)

 

The Holiness Of Jesus In The Great Controversy Vol 2

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The Great Controversy Advances

“…those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.” (Mark 13:19) 

light in the clouds
light in the clouds

Scripture tells us that the great controversy between good and evil, between Christ and Satan will reach a literal boiling point.

Think things are bad now?

Maybe its time to examine what Scripture tells us about last day events and how to be prepared. Jesus’ words here in Mark 13:19 are directly alluding to other passages in the Old Testament, showing us how the Bible is united on what is happening in the great controversy. Note here in the book of Daniel, for one example:

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which Stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Dan 12:1

Several of the disciples marked the words of Jesus regarding a time of trouble such as never was since the world began:

“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” (Mat 24:21)

Even the beloved Psalmist has noted some promises we can count on during the coming world crises:

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalms 27:5)

The major preparation needed for Jesus’ second coming is for us to be born again:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)

Here is how we are born again:

You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. Now you can have true love for your brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply—with all your heart. You have been born again. This new life did not come from something that dies. It came from something that cannot die. You were born again through God’s life-giving message that lasts forever. (1 Pet 1:22-23)

For whatsoever is born of God overcomes  the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.

The Scriptures say, “Our lives are like the grass of spring, and any glory we enjoy is like the beauty of a wildflower. The grass dries up and dies, and the flower falls to the ground. But the word of the Lord lasts forever.” And that word is the Good News that was told to you. (1 Pet 1:24-25)

While Jesus, our Intercessor, pleads for us in heaven, the Holy Spirit works in us, to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13,Luke 11:13)

All heaven is interested in the salvation of the soul. what reason have we to doubt that the Lord will and does help us?

We who teach the people must ourselves have a vital connection with God. In Spirit and Word we should be to the people as a wellspring, because Christ is in us a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. Sorrow and pain may test our patience and our faith; but the brightness of the presence of the Unseen is with us, and we must hide self behind Jesus.

Talk courage to your church; lift them up to God in prayer. Tell them that when they feel that they have sinned, and cannot pray, it is then the time to pray.

Many feel humiliated at their failures, that they have been overcome by the enemy in the place of overcoming. Worldliness, selfishness, and carnality have weakened them, and they think it is no use to approach unto God; but this thought is one of the enemy’s suggestions. Ashamed they may be, and deeply humbled; but they must pray and believe. As they confess their sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive them their sins, and cleanse them from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). Though the mind may wander in prayer, be not discouraged, bring it back to the throne, and do not leave the mercy seat until you have the victory.

Are you to think your victory will be testified by strong emotion? No!

“this is the victory that overcomes  the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

The Lord knows your desire; by faith keep close to Him, and expect to receive the Holy Spirit.

The office of the Holy Spirit is to control all our spiritual exercises. The Father has given His Son for us that through the Son the Holy Spirit might come to us, and lead us unto the Father. Through divine agency, we have the spirit of intercession, whereby we may plead with God, as a person pleads with their friend.

Even you who are bad know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to the people who ask him.” (Luke 11:13)

Jesus assures us of the essential role of The Holy Spirit in being ready for whatever comes our way:

Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. (John 14;24-29)

Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them. This promise ensures the validity of the New Testament. The disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped them remember without taking away their individual perspectives. We can be confident that the Gospels are accurate records of what Jesus taught and did (see 1 Cor 2:10-14).

The Holy Spirit will always help us in the same way. As we study the Bible, we can trust him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it. (1 Cor 2:10-14)

Don’t be fooled during these serious times we live in. If you are told or if you believe that Bible prophecy and other truths cannot be accurately determined, Jesus says the following that there is but one way for us to know for sure whats what:

People who really want to do what God wants will know that my teaching comes from God. They will know that this teaching is not my own. If I taught my own ideas, I would just be trying to get honor for myself. But if I am trying to bring honor to the one who sent me, I can be trusted. Anyone doing that is not going to lie.(John 7:17-18, ERV)

Those who attempt to know God’s will and do it will know intuitively that Jesus was telling the truth about himself. Have you ever listened to religious speakers and wondered if they were telling the truth? Test them: (1) Their words should agree with, not contradict, the Bible; (2) their words should point to God and his will, not to themselves. (Life Application Notes)

Many are deceived today in the same way as were the Jews. Religious teachers read the Bible in the light of their own understanding and traditions; and the people do not search the Scriptures for themselves, and judge for themselves as to what is truth; but they yield up their judgment, and commit their souls to their leaders. The preaching and teaching of His word is one of the means that God has ordained for diffusing light; but we must bring every man’s teaching to the test of Scripture. Whoever will prayerfully study the Bible, desiring to know the truth, that he may obey it, will receive divine enlightenment. They will understand the Scriptures.

“If any person is willing to do whatever God reveals to them in His Word, they will know what is true or not true.” John 7:17 {DA 459.1}