Jesus is even at the doors! We understand the last steps in this world's history will be rapid ones. When will He come? Jesus said that we will not know the day nor the hour, but we will be able to know when we are nearing the end. When the world is as it was just prior to the great flood in Noah's day, then the end is very near. When the two Beasts in Revelation are making plans to persecute those who refuse to worship God on the Sun Day, for the sake of the whole world, then we shall begin to see evidence that national Sunday laws on the horizon. Then it will be time to pray that our flight will not be in the winter nor on the Sabbath Day for our redemption draweth nigh.
If one cannot see the rapid steps leading to the destruction of the world, then what can we say? One thing after another is happening around the world. Fires, floods, earthquakes, wars, rumors of wars, crime, corruption, failing economies, and talk about shutting down all work one day a week to save the Earth. Is it possible the two Beasts will concur that this needs to be done? Then which day will it be, the Sabbath or the sun day? When shutting down all work one day a week, it will need to be the same day. Who is it that would object to making that day the sun day? The United States is going to lead the world to make the image to the beast. How will American conservatives that defend the constitution feel about making it Sunday? Many of these Constitution believing souls are professing Christians. Do we truly understand their true relationship to God? What do we now and for many years teach about the fall of Babylon? Then, why would they not support that day to be the sun day? Non professing Christians who are conservative will see a benefit from not working one day a week. They are being told the wealthy will have to support those who cannot afford to give up fossil fuels.
If all in the world would cease work one day a week, we are told that this would be enough to avert the global warming crisis. America and Europe would be the ones who if this is not done would be called upon to financially support the poorer nations in their effort to convert to green energy. Thus, if all were to cease working one day a week, the wealthy would not have to support the poor countries in their effort to cease using fossil fuels.
This is just one scenerio that might add support to the call for national Sunday laws. Unions in Europe have been calling for Sunday laws for many years for the sake of families having a rest day.
| Immorality which is rampant, and the destruction world-wide is a result of desecrating God's holy day, Sunday |
Not all will believe this, but who will object to making Sunday the day of rest? I can think of only a very few who would resist such a move to make a religious law, under cover of saving the Earth. None will want to share in the persecution that comes upon those who refuse to go along with national Sunday laws.
The wise will object, understanding what is really happening. Making a law forcing worship is contrary to God's ways, and a violation of the Constitution of the United States. The vast majority of Protestants and Catholics will believe that the immorality which is rampant, and the destruction world-wide is a result of desecrating God's "holy" day, Sunday. We have light as to who it is that is behind the push for Sunday laws and why it is.
It is on the law of God that the last great struggle of the controversy between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels will come, and it will be decisive for all the world.... Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk will urge upon the people the observance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom in behalf of this man-made institution. They will point to calamities on land and sea—to the storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction by fire—as judgments indicating God’s displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed. These calamities will increase more and more, one disaster will follow close upon the heels of another; and those who make void the law of God will point to the few who are keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the ones who are bringing wrath upon the world. This falsehood is Satan’s device that he may ensnare the unwary.—The Southern Watchman, June 28, 1904.
How is it possible that professing Christian Churches would unite in forcing people to worship God on a particular day? How was it possible for Israel, God's chosen people to put to death the Son of God? The leaders of Israel perverted the very foundation of their faith. "A nation’s sin and a nation’s ruin were due to the religious leaders." Christ's Object Lessons, pg 305. When the fullness of the time had come, God sent His innocent Son into a sin darkened world to sweep away the man made laws making of no effect the commands of God.
In His effort to correct the understanding of His people, Jesus delivered a message that all might understand the foundation principles of God's
| We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God |
kingdom. The sermon on the mount is a message that transcends time. All may be blessed in hearing His Words of truth.
The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.
The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow.
The Spirit reveals the ingratitude of the heart that has slighted and grieved the Saviour, and brings us in contrition to the foot of the cross. By every sin Jesus is wounded afresh; and as we look upon Him whom we have pierced, we mourn for the sins that have brought anguish upon Him. Such mourning will lead to the renunciation of sin.
“Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God;” “and I will not cause Mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 3:13, 12.
Through affliction God reveals to us the plague spots in our characters, that by His grace we may overcome our faults.
| His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character |
If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character.
All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied. The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him.
The only power that can create or perpetuate true peace is the grace of Christ. When this is implanted in the heart, it will cast out the evil passions that cause strife and dissension.
Who of them would be saved if this Man’s teachings were true?
And so it is today. Many when hearing these truths cannot understand how anyone can be saved.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is yourreward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Each fiery trial is God’s agent for their refining. Each is fitting them for their work as colaborers with Him. Each conflict has its place in the great battle for righteousness, and each will add to the joy of their final triumph. Having this in view, the test of their faith and patience will be cheerfully accepted rather than dreaded and avoided.
True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within.
The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example,—these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world.
It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin.
The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence
| The excellence of character that obedience would develop |
of character that obedience would develop.
Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life.
The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him.
The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning.
Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God.
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be perfect in their life.
| There is no excuse for sinning |
His character is to be ours.
By the life we live through the grace of Christ the character is formed. The original loveliness begins to be restored to the soul. The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth.
All who have chosen God’s service are to rest in His care. Christ pointed to the birds flying in the heavens, to the flowers of the field, and bade His hearers consider these objects of God’s creation. “Are not ye of much more value than they?” He said. Matthew 6:26, R. V. The measure of divine attention bestowed on any object is proportionate to its rank in the scale of being. The little brown sparrow is watched over by Providence. The flowers of the field, the grass that carpets the earth, share the notice and care of our heavenly Father. The great Master Artist has taken thought for the lilies, making them so beautiful that they outshine the glory of Solomon. How much more does He care for man, who is the image and glory of God. He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude. As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character.
The good tree will produce good fruit. If the fruit is unpalatable and worthless, the tree is evil. So the fruit borne in the life testifies as to the condition of the heart and the excellence of the character. Good works can never purchase salvation, but they are an evidence of the faith that acts by love and purifies the soul. And though the eternal reward is not bestowed because of our merit, yet it will be in proportion to the work that has been done through the grace of Christ.
“Everyone therefore which heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, which built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.” Matthew 7:24, 25, R.V.
Copy and share these truths as you have opportunity. Then be prepared to rejoice with those who are seeking truth, and sorrow over the tribulation that will follow when presenting these truths to those who have long had the light and reject it.
The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We, no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.
Amen. The Jews had so perverted the truth that when their Messiah came they knew Him not and crucified Him. Today, a Laodicean Church does not understand the foundation principles of the kingdom of God, not my Words, but inspired Words that can be found in the chapter The Sermon on the Mount in Desire of Ages from which all of the above quotes can be found.
Today is the day of salvation. So very many in the world are seeking answers as to why the world is falling apart. It was not God's original plan to destroy the world by flood, or to destroy this world by fire. He loves us and proved it by giving us such a beautiful world in the beginning. But, man chose to not follow Him who made us. The longer man lived, the more evil he became. Flooding the world was an act of goodness in order to save the few that were faithful on the ark. So it will be soon. Jesus will come to take home all who love Him supremely and have been transformed from sinner to saint reflecting His character of love and justice. Not all have decided which world they want, the world we see with our human eyes, or the world without sin wherein the saints will dwell for eternity. Do we want to spend eternity with Jesus or will we choose the things of this world which are temporary?
Jesus told Nicodemus that which was necessary to enter heaven. We must be born again of the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. It is evil by nature and cannot enter heaven. We must be transformed by becoming a partaker of Christ's divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Then we shall by beholding His glory (character) be transformed into His image (character, 2 Cor. 3:18). Most importantly Jesus revealed to Nicodemus how this will happen. Jesus would not leave him ignorant as to what he must do in order to be transformed. What He revealed is what we read in 2 Cor. 2:18, but He put it in different words. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up."
| By His stripes are we healed |
Paul put it this way: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. And how do we receive this grace that saves? By His stripes are we healed. It is by beholding His umerited love which is so easily seen by beholding Him lifted up on the cross with bleeding back caused by the stripes that ought to have been mine. How did His Father feel about Him agonizing on the cross? How would a human father feel about seeing his son being tortured? Jesus suffered for every sin that has ever been in this wicked world. How much more did our heavenly Father suffer watching His innocent Son suffer in our place!
It was not easy for His Father to agree that He would become our Savior. He knew the risk and what suffering would come to His Son. Yet, He allowed Him to come to this wicked world where Satan claimed dominion. He came a helpless baby in the likeness of sinful flesh to fight the battle of life as we must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss! What love! Wonder O heavens and be astonished O Earth!! This is the grace that when allowed into the heart cleanses it whiter than snow and enables repentant sinners to witness the power of God's unmerited love. It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Christ, especially the closing ones where we will be reminded of the great Sacrifice made that we might live with Jesus for eternity! So much to be thankful for even in a wicked world soon to perish. It is our privilege to share this love with others who are seeking truth. Be blessed by searching them out. There is no greater joy than to find those who are open to the truth. So much sadness in our world, so many seeking answers. Tell them what great things our God has done and will do!
