Throughout history there have been times of crisis when a generation came face to face with prophecies of judgment upon those who would not heed the warnings of God, and therefore received the punishment which fell upon unbelievers. The time of Noah is an example of such a generation. After Noah’s faithful preaching of warning for 120 years, only he and his family survived the deluge which destroyed the Edenic condition of the then-known world. Jeremiah, who prophesied the 70-year captivity of Israel by Babylon (Jer. 29:4-14), is another example…
The people of God have long waited for the time when the battle with Satan and sin would be ended, and Jesus would return to take His faithful people home to heaven. We are now nearly 2000 years from the time when Jesus went back to His Father and began His intercessory work in the heavenly sanctuary. Many of the early Christians thought that perhaps Jesus would come in their day, but Paul warned them that Jesus would not come until the “man of sin” was revealed, who would then be destroyed by the brightness of Jesus’ coming.
The Day of Atonement in ancient Israel “was the most solemn day of the year. . . .On this day all the sins of the preceding year were finally disposed of in the ceremony of cleansing the sanctuary (Lev. 16). All who did not afflict their souls on that day were cut off from Israel (ch. 23:29). The Day of Atonement was to the Jews a day of judgment. . . .The Day of Atonement services represented cleansing from sin.” 8 BC (S.D.A. Bible Dictionary), p. 93. 1960 ed.
From the time that Jesus ascended back into heaven until He comes again, His office work has been and will continue to be centered in the heavenly sanctuary, and all the mysteries of that work are revealed in the book of Revelation. Both the important events that have and will happen in heaven, as well as the corresponding events upon earth, are recorded there. It is a book that is chronicled for God’s people through the ages since Jesus’ ministry on earth ended and His ministry in heaven began. However, there are some vital things to understand about the book of Revelation.
What will it be like to be living when the final events of earth’s history take place? How will we know that Jesus’ coming is “near, even at the door”, and that we have come to the generation of people who will be alive when He comes? Near the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He listed many signs of His second coming, and bade His followers to watch and be ready. The most well-known recording of His sermon on this topic is found in Matthew 24. Notice carefully these words which are found in vs. 32-35
In my previous writings about the fifth trumpet, I have mainly focused on the significance and meaning of the locusts that are released when the Abyss is opened, as is mentioned in Revelation 9:1-4:
“The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”
Many people through the ages have wondered about the meaning of the 7 thunders of Revelation 10:3, 4. The truths contained in these thunders seem to be of great importance, because they come directly from God through a heavenly messenger who is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. (7 BC 971.) It is especially intriguing because although John heard and understood what the thunders said, he was told not to write them down. This presents a mystery that surely needs to be unlocked by God’s people before Jesus comes back again. The urgency of understanding these messages is underscored by the fact that it was given especially to those who would live when the 7th angel was about to sound his trumpet.
Revelation 14:6-13
As I begin this article, I want to introduce the concept that all pertinent messages which were found in the books of Daniel and Revelation by William Miller and his associates in the early Advent movement, must also be understood and experienced by God’s remnant people who will live through the end of time. Here is a sampling of quotes from Ellen White which underscores the importance of a present understanding and application of the truths found in these two books.
“All power is given into [Christ’s] hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.” TM 92. (Emphasis supplied.)
Many years ago in the mid 1970’s, soon after God revealed to me the experiential sanctuary message, I attended a camp meeting where Elder Martin*(not his real name), a very popular speaker and author on the subject of righteousness by faith, was the featured speaker of the week. I had written some articles on my discoveries, and presented them to him for his comments. The next day I met with him, and he said that he had been praying for new light on the sanctuary, and believed that this was an answer to his prayers. He encouraged me to take this light to the world. Then He told me the following story.
This morning when I began my prayer and study time, I opened the Bible to search for a topic which would bring inspiration for the day. I looked down at the page where my Bible had opened and began to read:
“This is what the Lord says to me: ‘Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end.’” Isa. 21:16.
When Adam and Eve were created, they were placed in the beautiful Garden of Eden. Their home was a replica of the Garden in heaven where God dwells (4 BC 675). Angels came and went to associate with them and teach them wisdom and understanding. They warned the young couple about the fall of Lucifer, and how to avoid ever falling prey to his temptations and deceptions. Jesus Himself came each evening to talk with them and provide a time for them to have open communion and bonding with Him. Thus they had access to whatever they needed to remain pure and holy.
From the time Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, there has been a change in the relationship between men and women that have followed us down to the 21st century. God meant for there to be perfect harmony and unity between the two, each in their appointed spheres of activity and interaction with each other. Man was to be the king and leader of the home and society, and woman was to be the queen and supportive co-leader, working together for the good of all within their sphere of influence. This was to be reflective of the Godhead in heaven as they work together harmoniously for all the created beings in the universe.
When God gave me the understanding of the events of the 7 trumpets shortly after the fall of the NY towers in 2001, I had no idea that a timeline would emerge as the years went by. Briefly, these events are: 1. The fall of the NY towers in September, 2001; 2. Catastrophic naturals disasters in December, 2004, through the spring of 2005; 3. The fall of the economy in September, 2008; 4. Escalating of the papal power from spring of 2012 – September, 2015. 5. Moslem atrocities, and invasion of refugees into western countries; sealing and protection of God’s remnant; 6. Winds of strife let go, probation closes, plagues fall, wars rage around the world; 7. Second coming of Jesus.
There is probably no more important subject for every Christian than the elusive topic of righteousness by faith. I say elusive, because although there have been, no doubt, millions of words written and spoken on this topic, there is yet more to understand, more to discover. I do not claim to be able to end all mysteries about it in this relatively short article. But I do hope, by God’s grace, to bring more understanding to the subject as it is seen from the light shining from the sanctuary.
One of the most momentous days in the history of mankind was the day God the Father and God the Son came down on the top of Mt. Sinai together (1 BC 1103) in a magnificent display of heavenly fireworks to audibly speak the ten commandments to the people they had chosen to represent them and their character to all the inhabitants of earth. Just previous to the actual verbal presentation of the sacred precepts, Moses received an amazing message from God which he took to the people…
One of the most exciting and enjoyable events in human life is the joining of two people in marriage who have found that they want to live the rest of their lives together and celebrate the mysterious and beautiful experience of becoming husband and wife. God Himself instituted this sacred union, for He wanted to share with humanity the blessing of love and communion that exists in the heavenly family. All of God’s creation is dependent upon connection with Him. Nothing lives or moves without being constantly connected to the source of life and power. When Adam and Eve were created, their life was dependent upon their connection to God and obedience to His will and His law…
To begin this study I am going to use two quotations from the pen of Ellen White which will set the tone for this important topic which all must understand in order to be prepared to receive the seal of God and stand through the time of trouble…
It has been a long journey since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Many generations have come and gone and now lie sleeping in their dusty beds awaiting the culmination of history when they will arise to receive the divine decision concerning their eternal destiny. Though millions have accepted the plan of salvation which God has offered through His Son, many more millions have refused the gracious offer, and have preferred the devil’s promises of wealth, fame, happiness, and self-gratification through fleshly lusts and worldly pleasures. God has suffered long with the human race because...
