Archives: Articles

IssueM Articles

Why Apostasy Must be Exposed

by

Just to sit and contemplate what has happened in the last several years and what tomorrow will surely bring, is enough to make one mentally exhausted.

We will be sorely tempted to just throw our “helpless” hands in the air and give up. In fact, this is exactly what the majority are being programmed to do and what they will do. In reality our very continued existence depends on how we deal with the issue of apostasy both in our calling to Adventism and the question of eternal life or death. As we understand this, we will better appreciate what Jesus meant when He had John write, “Here is the patience of the saints,” in Revelation 14:12, and why He had this verse placed at the end of the Three Angels’ Messages.

Over the last several years, I have heard it all—all the reasons why we should not even talk about the apostasy that has become thick. Even more I have heard why it is “sin” to expose it, especially if it is in high places, although the Bible plainly tells us that we must. I have heard statements made, as have all those who are standing firm, such as “Jesus never offended anyone.” This not only demonstrates the point, but exposes the success of the very apostasy that most are unwilling to deal with on any level. The majority which claim to be Adventists are actually and factually defending apostasy, knowingly or unknowingly, both in word and action. It is difficult to put into words the mental anguish this causes the few leaders who are trying to stay the poisonous tide of confusion and apostasy, as wave after wave continues to break upon the house which has been built on the Rock. Many times, the passion and pity displayed in the messages of warning by these messengers, are labeled hate and anger. The deception perpetrated on them is so deep that many do not realize that there is appropriate as well as inappropriate types.

The good and everlasting news about Adventism and the house built on the Rock is that it may appear as about to fall, but it does not!! In these few words lies the key, the secret, the hidden treasure which promotes health, happiness, peace and salvation, in the context of exposing apostasy. And although God knows that the overwhelming majority (yes, even in the Adventist community) will be lost, He has set these truths forth for the few who seek and shall find them.

These truths invite and warn us that we must understand our calling to Adventist Christianity in the total sense, and we must be willing to accept it in its total sense, or be lost. We must realize that what we are facing in the experience of Adventism, as it pertains to apostasy, is perhaps shocking to our generation, but certainly nothing new. In fact, what is happening, in and to this movement, is a continuation of a six thousand year history.

My brothers and sisters, we have the golden opportunity to witness the victory that all the Bible writers spoke of for the last generation in these final hours. Whether we realize it or not, we are writing history as it pertains to the eternal record both individually and collectively. Those who make a profession of Adventism, who will be saved in the end, will come to the realization and understanding of the necessity of dealing with the apostasy. They will end up being most appreciative that Jesus and all heaven have untiringly worked to bring us the “eyesalve,” or spiritual discernment, we must have in this final great struggle, in the controversy between Christ and Satan.

As our understanding is sanctified by our Lord, the mighty Captain of the Lord’s host, we will become aware that this study and the reality it portrays is both horrible and fascinating. Dear friends, we will also realize what it means to be a Seventh-day Adventist, the price paid, and the extreme privilege given to us who have been called, which none deserve or merit. We must understand by that experimental knowledge which builds the faith of Jesus. We must understand and experience the hymns, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross,” “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and “Soldiers of Christ Arise,” not just sing them. This must become who we are, and not just a fanciful wish or hope, but a Christ empowered reality. We do not “do” Adventism, Adventism is something we become, it is who we are.

Motives

The motive for dealing with apostasy, in the way that Christ did, and with the same intent, is the love of souls and the hatred of sin. The passion generated both in Christ and in His followers does not come from a hatred of people, but rather a proper understanding of, and hatred for, what sin did to our Lord and His creation, the human race.

In dealing with the subject of apostasy and the principles surrounding it, we are obliged to be straightforward and accurate. But also, rightly understood, the same unwavering principles dictate that our motive must be one of salvation, not destruction. Here is where many are deceived from two different points of view. One group believes that we can hate the enemy along with the apostasy he is promoting. This is totally false, but the dilemma lies in the fact that we can only come to understand this in practical terms as we give ourselves over to the One who loves us even when we are wicked. It is very natural to hate the enemy. Why? Because he does not agree with us and is working to undermine what we believe and who we are. But one who is caught in this trap, although perhaps in “the work of the Lord,” is in reality in the business of using the Word of God to further his own cause. This has and will continue to prove to be fatal. Clean water poured into a dirty glass pollutes the water, it does not clean the glass. Right words out of a hateful heart will bring undesirable results and will not save the unclean vessel.

The other conclusion is just as deadly, both to the one who is infected and to those who are influenced wrongly by the polluted witness which follows. This comes from one who wrongly believes that because we are to love the sinner, then we are obligated to accept and tolerate (in the spiritual sense) open sin and apostasy in the church, and we are “sinning” if we expose this wrongdoing. Herein lies one of the biggest problems of Christianity in general, and certainly the plight of current Adventism. Our people are so immersed in the deception of this satanic mind set that much of their energy is used to defend wickedness and our “right” to do as we please instead of witnessing for God’s honor and defending His pure law and character.

To add to this, we have been set up to fail on all fronts since birth, through an agenda which is almost universally demonstrated in those who hold the power in the structure—the recognized organization of Adventism. This agenda surfaced in the mid-fifties, and I believe, for the last time, is coming into full bloom, not only in the Adventist movement, as we will discuss later. It will bring the whole world into the reality of what was once prophecy, now fact, found especially in the books of Daniel and Revelation and in the Spirit of Prophecy. These are the reasons we see a unified open war on God’s Word and the writings of Ellen G. White within the organized structure of Adventism today.

Sick of Hearing About Apostasy

With all of this in mind, with much more to come, we humbly, but seriously and most sincerely invite all who will, to take a hard, critical look, based on a thus saith the Lord, with much prayer and the spirit of a true student of God, and to join us in this study, of why we must deal with and expose apostasy until the job is finished and the battle over.

Frankly, it does not matter that “we are sick of hearing about apostasy.” We neither write the rules of the warfare nor does it matter how we feel, but it is eternally important to understand that the value lies in what God says and how He directs. May we be compelled through our love for Jesus, the love of His truth, and the sanctification this brings, to stand properly in our lot as Seventh-day Adventists.

We plan not only to retrace our past to establish a foundation and platform for why exposing apostasy is vital, but we hope, along the way, to keep demonstrating with clear evidence that the agenda to tear every waymark of true Adventism down is fully alive and at work in the ranks of the leadership within the structure.

We will also make the bold assertion, define, and prove, that the power of the structure has been captured by these leaders who are promoting and pressing their agenda of apostasy. Included will be some of the reasons why these leaders are not really Adventists at all, and how this complicates the warfare from the perspective of the true Adventist.

In doing this delicate but bold work, the writer is aware of what many will say. This very work is what caused the death of Christ, and virtually all those who stood firm, that we would know by name, either in the Biblical account, or the historical time of the dark ages. But this is to a large degree why we must investigate it! For if Jesus and His followers thought it worthy of dying for, and if the rejection of this aspect of the work (exposing the apostasy among the professed people of God) drove the majority to become their murderers, then we must know why and be in the right relationship with the facts, no matter how it makes us feel.

May the Holy Spirit attend every writer with love, clarity, boldness and balance; and every reader with honesty, discernment, a love for the truth, and the mind of Christ, is our prayer.

The Last Invitation, Part II

by

Let us consider four ways you and I can fall into the same condition as the man in the wedding parable of Matthew 22. He thought he was right, but he was wrong. There are three things that we must guard against.

How do You Measure Yourself?

1 Many professed Christians are falling right here: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12.

You will notice, at the outset of this text, Paul talks about these people as commending themselves. They commend themselves based on what they see in others. They are measuring themselves with a totally different measuring device than God has given them. There are two things by which the true Christian should measure his life: The Law of God and the life of Jesus.

In the life of Jesus you see a revelation of the Law of God. But if we are measuring ourselves among ourselves, we are opening ourselves up to possible deception, believing that we are better than we are, that we are right, when in fact, by the very act, we are wrong. If we are going to measure up to the full stature of a man or of a woman in Christ Jesus, we had better use the measuring rule by which God is measuring us.

We will not come short of the measure, if we follow His rule and the Law of God, if we pattern our lives after the life of Jesus Christ.

2 In Romans 10:2, Paul is talking to and about Israel, and he says, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Knowledge is essential to be ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb—a rightknowledge, the knowledge that is found in God’s Word, the knowledge that is rightly interpreted to us by the Holy Spirit, which we receive when we have a willingness to do God’s will. We do not receive God’s Spirit apart from a willingness to do God’s Will.

Without God’s Spirit we will be misled; we will wrest the Scriptures unto our own destruction. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3.

They have a zeal; they are working for God, but they are not working with God. There is a distinct difference, brothers and sisters. There are many people working for God but not with God. If you have a question about that, all you have to do is turn to Matthew 7:21–23, and you will find there a group described who work for God but not with God.

Establishing Our Own Righteousness

3 Paul, in Romans 10:3, identifies a group as “being ignorant of God’s righteousness.” What did they do? They established their own righteousness. Brothers and sisters, this should alarm us. This is speaking of the professed people of God, those within His house of worship who are taking His righteousness and twisting it this way and bending it that way and making it their own righteousness. How do you do that? How do we establish our own righteousness within the sanctuary of God’s righteousness?

We compromise His righteousness. What God tells us to do, we only go part way with Him, and that is our own righteousness, because God’s righteousness is perfect and whole and complete. Anything short of that is ours. You can even add to God’s righteousness, and it becomes your own righteousness. Many churches that profess to be Christian are doing that today. They are adding to what God has said. Rome is foremost in this, but many churches are following her lead.

What righteousness will they have when they get to the marriage supper of the Lamb? They will have their own, and their own is not enough. They will be cast out. You can add to the righteousness of God, or you can subtract from the righteousness of God; either way, or both, what you have left is your own righteousness and a profession of godliness.

Satan is concerned about us. He wants us to be derailed from a full readiness to enter into that marriage supper some day. He wants to derail us, and he can, brothers and sisters, if he can get us measuring ourselves among ourselves or by compromising the righteousness of God by adding or subtracting from it.

We Are Not Saved by being in the Right Place

4 “Trust ye not in lying words.” This is God Himself speaking through Jeremiah. “Thus saith the Lord…Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these.…Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” Jeremiah 7:34, 8–10.

We can be deceived, brothers and sisters, by believing that we are right, just because we are in the right place. You see, we are not saved by being in the right place alone. We are saved, and will be saved, by being in the right place, doing the right things, for the right reasons. No mere physical connection with the truth will save us, whether that connection is in the church or with the Word of God itself.

Merely memorizing the Word of God is not salvation. Salvation is righteousness, God’s righteousness within us. It is having this Word taken by God’s Spirit and put upon our hearts. There is salvation. I can memorize the Word; I can know it from Genesis to Revelation and be lost. No mere physical connection will save us, and we should never trust in such things.

Our anchor, our security, is in the Lamb of God, the Lamb that taketh away the sins of the world. He is able to make us worthy. He is able to get us ready. He is able, if we are willing. Oh, God has made all things ready, and all we have to do is cooperate with Him, and He will make us ready too.

You may be wondering, just what is the wedding garment? We have already alluded to it, but it is a wonderful thing to see it in the Word of God. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10.

Without His Righteousness

There it is. The wedding garment is two in one: it is the garment of salvation; it is the garment of righteousness. Whose righteousness? Jesus’ righteousness. And I want you to note, you cannot possess the one without the other. You cannot have salvation without His righteousness. They go together.

There are some people who believe that you can have salvation without His righteousness. Believe—that is what we hear. Only believe! God says, “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:20. It is the work of His righteousness that He wants to see in us. It comes by way of faith. So the garment is a robe of righteousness.

Now what is righteousness? If you were to define righteousness, what would you say? It is doing what is right. We have a God Who created us; Who does everything right, at the right time, in the right way, for the right reason. As His creation, He wants us to be right.

Jesus echoed these thoughts in Matthew 6:33 in the Sermon on the Mount, when He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” They go together, brothers and sisters, you cannot go into the kingdom of God without His righteousness.

He Wants YOU There

We saw a man who tried to circumvent the rules in the parable in Matthew 22. He tried to get into the kingdom of God with his own righteousness. It does not work. God is up front with us. He is telling us all the facts, because He wants us there at the marriage supper. He wants to put a place setting right there for you and for me. There may even be a little plaque there with our names. It is going to happen as verily as we are here, because what God says will happen, will happen.

The righteousness of Christ comes in two parts, but it makes up one whole. The robe is in two pieces, but it is in one. Let me explain. The righteousness of Christ is first imputed to us through the righteousness that Jesus lived out in the flesh in this world. He lived a perfect life. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. He imputes that righteousness on us, when we confess our sins and receive the invitation of the Gospel. We confess our sins; we forsake all that we know is wrong before Him, then He imputes His righteousness upon us.

Now, where do we stand in the sight of God when we have that experience? We are perfect, perfect in Jesus’ righteousness. But now God wants to do something more for us than merely forgive us, because He knows that we must continue to walk in and grow in the Gospel truth. So God has a part of His righteousness that is called the imparted righteousness. That imparted righteousness makes us whole.

The imputed and the imparted cannot be separated. There are some people who are trying to separate those two. You cannot do it. It is like the garment of salvation and the garment of the robe of righteousness. They go together. It is like seeking the kingdom of God first and His righteousness. You cannot separate the kingdom and His righteousness. You cannot separate salvation and His righteousness.

If you have imputed righteousness, you have imparted righteousness, or access to imparted righteousness. And thereby you and I, by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit, are able to maintain justification. That is how He keeps us justified, through the sanctifying influence of His Spirit and His Word and our cooperation with it.

Righteousness Within Is Manifested Outwardly

“Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without. He who is righteous within is not hard-hearted and unsympathetic, but day by day he grows into the image of Christ, going on from strength to strength. He who is being sanctified by the truth will be self-controlled, and will follow in the footsteps of Christ until grace is lost in glory. The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven.” Messages to Young People, 35.

You see, God wants to take us beyond the title; He wants to give us the fitness. He wants to take us beyond saving us from the penalty of sin, into the area of saving us from the power of sin. God wants a people who shine in this world, and we are only going to shine if we have on the full garment. It is an inward/outward experience. It can never go outward/inward. If you have the true experience, it is an inward/outward experience.

It is an experience that takes us beyond the right day to worship, to keeping it in the right way. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Paul said it this way: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14.

You see, God helps us forget the past, when He imputes His righteousness unto us. When we confess our sins and, by His grace, forsake them, then the impartation of His righteousness gives us power to maintain that condition.

I want to make it clear how we are to be ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. In Zechariah 3:3-4, is an illustration on how Christ’s righteousness becomes our righteousness. “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.” [This is how you and I stand before God without His righteousness. All our righteousness is as filthy rags.] “And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And unto him he said, ‘Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, [This is justification by faith in action.] and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.’”

Praise the Lord! Whose work is this? It is God’s work. It is our submission, our choice to cooperate. God says, I will do the work, be submissive, be obedient and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment. Behold, all things become new. This is the righteousness of Christ that becomes our righteousness through a transaction.

What did Joshua give? His own righteousness which was filthy rags. You see, not only unrighteousness, but all my righteousness I need to give God, and He will give me His righteousness. It is an exchange; it is a transaction. Jesus alludes to it very strongly in the message to Laodicea in Revelation.

I Counsel Thee, Laodicea

Laodicea is the last period of Christian experience on the face of this earth. It is the last church, the last remnant of time for God’s people just before Jesus comes. There are some problems in Laodicea, to say the least, but Jesus says to Laodicea, “I counsel thee, [Here is the invitation.] to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18.

Do you see the transaction? He wants us to buy of Him. That means that there is an exchange occurring. We just saw in Zechariah 3, that exchange is the exchange of our righteousness for His righteousness. Do you see that? Now notice what is going to enable us to make that transaction. He says, “Buy of Me gold tried in the fire.” What is gold tried in the fire? It is faith that works by love under fire.

You see, only God can give you that kind of faith. It is a faith that works by love in the fire of temptation; in the fire of trial, it will be victorious. That kind of love, that kind of faith, God gives to us. When we are motivated with the kind of faith that comes by looking at Calvary and seeing what Christ did for us, it warms our hearts, so now we are motivated with that kind of faith. We are able to receive the white raiment; we are able to make that exchange.

When we receive that righteousness, it anoints our eyes with eyesalve, so we can see spiritual things for what they are. There are very few professed Christians, even in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who have anointed eyes, who have spiritual eyesight to see the true issues that are transpiring today in this world.

If we never have that anointing of our eyes, we will never be able to see spiritual things. We will never put on His robe of righteousness fully and completely unless we have a faith that works by love in the midst of the fire. We are almost at the expected end.

Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Revelation 3:20. Is that an invitation? That is what I do colporteuring. I knock at the doors, and what I am basically doing is inviting those who come to the door to have the Word of God. That is all that God is doing with you and me. He is knocking. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” There is the qualifying factor for getting ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. If we are going to sup with Him some day at His table and be served by Him, we must sup with Him now. We do that by being a laborer, together with God, in the salvation of our souls first, then in the souls of others. Paul said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12. Face to face with Jesus! We can be there, because He made it possible.

Watchman, Beware! – Part II

by

We Have Not Been Called to Convert

After all, we have not been called to convert people; God has not been calling us to convert people. No! It says we are to preach the message and to publish the message. That is what God has been telling us.

We put our ad in the Fresno Bee awhile ago, and a Roman Catholic priest wrote us a letter, dated April 4, 2000.

Look at the reasoning he gives for opposing this message, this ad. He says, “I am a Catholic priest who was engaged in interface dialog for many years. It always pains me to see the promotion of an anti-ecumenical divisive spirit such as displayed in your organization’s recent full-page advertisement published in the Fresno Bee.”

Brothers and sisters, when I read letters like this, I say to myself, what would the people today do to Christ if He were to come back to earth? Crucify Him again? He said it pains him—it gives him a lot of pain—because this is not ecumenical. But if you read the Bible, forget about the Spirit of Prophecy for a moment, let us just consider the Bible, where can we find the spirit of ecumenism in the Bible? The Bible says, to each one of us, to call God’s people to come out of her (Babylon) (See Revelation 18:4.) That is not being ecumenical. I think it is just the opposite.

Heritage Denied

And yet, the next day the Seventh-day Adventist pastor of a church of about 1,400 members, put a letter in the Fresno Bee. Now, by the way, this pastor happens to be a friend of mine. He has stayed in my home in the past. He has preached in my church before, and he is fully bilingual. He is the pastor of the English church in Fresno.

In the letter he said, “Oh, do not be alarmed. That is not a Seventh-day Adventist. We are the Seventh-day Adventists in Fresno. Those people are from Florida, and they are being sued already by our church.”

I do not understand it, my brothers and sisters. But do you know what? Praise the Lord!

To offset a letter like that, we got another letter from an ex-Roman Catholic Monsignor. He has not only accepted the Sabbath already, but he also spoke out on the radio program that we had a few weeks ago in South Florida. He said that he knew that something was wrong with his church. After 40 years working under the Roman Catholic Church as a priest and as a Catholic Monsignor, he knew something was wrong.

This man said that he read the ad a couple of years ago in the L. A. Times, and that for two years he was debating inside of his heart whether he was going to accept this or not. A couple of months ago he decided to give me a call. He had read The Great Controversy that we sent him.

He came on the radio program in Spanish, he is from Spain, and he publicly said that he has not only accepted the Sabbath, but he is also willing to start working with us. We have to pray for that man. He was revealing things on the radio program that shocked me! I thought we were talking plainly, but he was revealing things that made us tremble.

He said, “The sad part is that even the Seventh-day Adventist Church which God has called to give this message, does not realize that they are being used as an instrument of the Vatican by persecuting people like you.” That was a monsignor talking on the radio. His name is Raphael also. So now there are two Raphael’s giving the message in America!

Persecution About to Begin

The time is not far, brothers and sisters, when we are going to see a world criminal court being implanted on this earth. Look what the Roman Catholic newspaper, April 13, 2000, came out with in Florida. “Pope Urges United Nations to Promote Holistic Vision of Development.” There are pictures of John Paul II with the Secretary of the United Nations, and it says, “John Paul II greets United Nations Secretary General.” Then, at the Vatican on June 15, 2000, he opened a worldwide conference seeking to establish the first permanent global criminal court.

Do you know where the central criminal court is going to be? In Rome. They are not hiding it any more. They know that they even have the Seventh-day Adventist structure on their side. You can imagine who they are going to be trying.

The question that I want to put to you is, Do you see the urgency, brothers and sisters, to wake up the people? Wake up not only the media. I praise the Lord that the men in the media have been telling me, “As we see the development of this nation trying to repudiate the principles of our Constitution, we are going to be standing on your side very soon.” Men in the media! We are praying for those men. They are waiting to see the final development of all these things that are taking place today.

Suppressing the Message

And while this is happening, the church, the structure, the organization that God raised up to give this message, is trying to suppress the message. It is like in Jesus’ time. It is a mystery. No wonder Jesus was trying to draw His people away from the structure.

The disciples were trying to bring Jesus to the structure. Look at the structure! Look at the building! Look at the beauty of the building! It is the same thing today. Look at the structure. Look at Loma Linda. Look at White Memorial. Look at the Review and Herald. The same thing.

Christ Jesus is trying to tell us, “No, forget about the structure. Come to Me. Follow Me. I am the way. I am the life. I am the gate. Follow Me.” We are so far off, brothers and sisters. We have to ask the Lord each day for discernment. It is so deep, the apostasy, today.

In the Catholic newspaper, April 27, 2000, it says, “Pope calls for a New World Order. Surrounded by a multitude of Jubilee Year Pilgrims, Pope John Paul celebrated the holiest day of the Christian Calendar with a call for a New World order.” The pope is speaking more clearly than ever.

Who do you think the leader of that New World Order is going to be? The pope, of course. That has been their aim for many years. They have been waiting to give the last strike against people.

Remember when the pope went to Israel not too long ago? (March 2, 2000.) Two years ago we read his famous letter on the Sunday, Dominus Dei Domini. Now John Paul II, at Mount Sinai, calls for a return to universal moral law.

How Long Before We Wake?

What is the universal moral law to which he is trying to return? You know, brothers and sisters, when I read all these things happening today, I ask myself, How long are God’s people going to wait to wake up and give this message like never before?

People have been asking me, “Are you not afraid, seeing that even in Florida the Catholic Church leads? According to them, there are several agencies that they need to be watching in America. On the top of the list is the Eternal Gospel Church.

Do you know what, brothers and sisters? The Bible tells us that we should not fear man, but we should fear God. (See Ecclesiastes 12:13.) As long as we do God’s work and God’s will and surrender ourselves to Him every day, we have nothing to fear. All these threats are nothing. It does not matter.

That is why I can tell you, with a clear conscience, yes, we have to be wise as serpents. We are to take some precautions, you know. But the Lord is the one who has to be in control of our life.

God is in control. He has to be in control. In the meantime, we have to do His will, His work. Forget about what His enemies are trying to do to destroy us.

A few days ago I was given material from my brother who was researching the possibility of an environmental Sabbath. Remember 1992? There was a big meeting in Brazil, and the participants set aside an environmental Sunday for that weekend. This brother gave me some information that I was kind of skeptical of at the beginning, but he also gave me a phone number and he said, “I want you to call.” I guess he noticed that I was not too sure what he was telling me was the truth.

So he said, “If you want, you can call yourself.” The name of the organization was International Organization for Standardization. Have you heard of that? It is some kind of governmental agency that has to do with the calendar and the time, sun timing, and all those things. So I called them and I said to them, “Is it true that you have a web site in which you are presenting the idea of trying to implement a new calendar in America?”

The man said, “Well, if you want to check all our information, I can give you the web site.”

I said, “Okay, give me the web site.”

A New Calendar

So they gave me the web site, and I found that they are trying to bring in a world calendar. You see, most of the countries already have Sunday as the seventh day and Monday as the first day of the week. Spain and most of the Latin American countries are like that.

But they are trying to introduce the idea that Monday is the first day officially and Sunday is the seventh day. Even though we can go to the Bible and prove that Sunday is the first day, many people do not care about the Bible, you know.

Under this calendar—remember this is a government agency—it says, this PFC calendar object displays the days of the week, Monday through Sunday. According to the International Organization of Standardization, IOS, Monday is the first day of the week. The purpose for this extension is to allow the calendar object to comply with standardization.

And then it presents the new calendar. I was told by the brother who gave me all of this information, that the idea of the Y2K “scare” thing was just a smoke screen. They wanted time to have this calendar established.

It was interesting to see, on the web site of this governmental agency, that piece of information.

In The Keys of This Blood, Malachi Martin says (paraphrasing) that the Pope has to use whatever must be used to bring in this New World Order—even fixing the timetable. In the End Game, according to Malachi Martin, the End Game follows a new calendar.

Martyrs for Christ

You know, he died from a heart attack in 1999. I believe that this man was maybe revealing too many things that he knew were coming, things that the establishment did not want him to reveal. He died unexpectedly.

I had the ex-Catholic Jesuit priest, Alberto Rivera, on my radio program a couple of times, and we became quite close to each other. We shared information for a few years. One day his wife called me. She was crying; she was desperate. She said, “I am calling you to let you know what they did to my husband.”

I said, “What are you talking about?”

She said, “My husband was killed. He was poisoned a couple of days ago.”

I said, “What are you talking about? Who did it?”

She said, “Who else?”

I said, “But do you know where he was poisoned?”

She said, “We had an idea but . . .”

I said, “Well, if you had an idea, then why do you not start a legal action in this?”

“No, no, you do not understand”, she said. “You do not know; you do not understand yet how hard it is in the situation that we are in. I am just letting you know to please take care of yourself. I am going away to another state.”

This lady has been hiding since then. It is sad to see such happenings in a free country. This man was revealing too much.

If I can just accomplish one thing for you as you read this article, it would be that you feel the urgency of the hour, the need to see this work proclaimed unto the ends of the earth. If God does not give you the calling to go yourself, at least try to see the need for support that this work might move forward.

Tried for God’s Glory

I want to review with you a statement that I think is more relevant today than it was 100 years ago when Sister White wrote it. This is a matter of religious freedom. This is a matter of God’s Word being involved. She said, “We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 714.

Some sincere brethren have asked me, “Is it worth it to be involved in this lawsuit?”

Sometimes I answer; sometimes I stay quiet. But I have not started a lawsuit. I am being taken to court. It is different. When I think about Jesus, He could very well have prevented my being taken to court. But He did not prevent it. He Himself went to court.

And Paul not only allowed himself to be taken to court, but he appealed to the highest court. So, I do not know how we see all this, but God is telling us that we are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude and say, “Okay, so they took you to court.”

You know they give you 20 days to answer, and one man even called me to say, “Do not worry about that. Throw that in the garbage.”

If you throw the summons in the garbage, like he was telling me, you will be picked up by an officer after the 20 days, because you will be in violation of the law. You have to answer this type of a thing. It is not a matter of choice. And we are called to preserve liberty of conscience.

We know that there is going to be trouble later; we know that. But can you think of how many people are going to come into the knowledge of the message by doing what God tells us to do?

Great Loss to be Suffered

Let me share this quote from Testimonies, vol. 5, 715, 716. It says, “If the leading men in our conferences [I want you to pay attention to this because this is a clear picture of what is going on today within the leadership of the conferences. They are not only denying the message but also persecuting the people who are giving the message.] do not now accept the message sent them by God, and fall into line for action, the churches will suffer great loss. [We have seen that for many years.] “When the watchman, seeing the sword coming, gives the trumpet a certain sound, the people along the line will echo the warning, and all will have opportunity to make ready for the conflict.”

Are we willing to come into line with the watchman to give the warning that God has for mankind? Or are we going to entertain ourselves and appease our conscience by saying, “Well, that is God’s work. Let me try to work out my salvation by myself or my little group, my little church, my little ministry?”

Again, the calling of God is more than that. “The people along the line will echo.” We need people who will be willing, for God’s sake, to come along the line and echo the cry of the watchman. All have an opportunity to make ready for the conflict.

“But too often the leader has stood hesitating, seeming to say: Let us not be in too great haste. [Let us pray first. I have heard people pray for seven years already, trying to start doing something, and they are still praying. Do you know what? The time of probation will close and we will still be praying, trying to get into line and do the watchman’s work.] There may be a mistake.” Ibid., 715.

“Well, we will see.” I had a man, not too long ago say to me that he took the whole afternoon, and after he reviewed the Earth’s Final Warning ad, he said, “You know what? I have to admit it to you. This is the first time I have read it all. It is 99 percent the Word of God.” The other 1 percent, of course, is quoting from the Catholic Church, so we put it over on a different page.

How long do we have to do God’s work? How long? Look at what it says:

“‘There may be a mistake. We must be careful not to raise a false alarm.’ The very hesitancy and uncertainty on his part is crying: “Peace and safety.” Do not get excited. Be not alarmed. There is a great deal more made of this religious amendment question than is demanded. This agitation will all die down. Thus he virtually denies the message sent from God, and the warning which was designed to stir the churches fails to do its work. The trumpet of the watchman gives no certain sound, and the people do not prepare for the battle. Let the watchman beware lest, through his hesitancy and delay, souls shall be left to perish, and their blood shall be required at his hand.” Ibid., 715, 716.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus spoke very clearly. The last sign, the specific sign that will bring the end to this world, is the publishing of this gospel. God is waiting for a people to be ready, yes, to be translated to heaven, but those people have to do a work in this earth. If we do not do it, who is going to do it? If we do not do it now, when are we going to do it? God help us to be faithful to the calling of the great watchman, who is Christ. We are just fellow watchmen with Him. God bless you as you prepare to meet thy God.

Principles of Protestantism

by

The root word of Protestantism is protest, which means “to express strong dissent or objection.” Do Protestants today know the protest of their forefathers? Are Protestants today still standing in protest? During the Reformation, our forefathers stood for and died for the principles of Protestantism. Can you do the same? Do you know the principles of Protestantism?

The Bible alone is the foundation of faith

Protestants took the position that the Bible, and the Bible alone, constituted the rule of faith and doctrine, that the word of God is the only unerring guide for human souls, and that it is unnecessary and harmful to take the words of priests and prelates instead of the word of God. The Bible alone is the religion of true Protestantism.

All men may read and understand the Bible

The Protestant Reformers believed that the Bible was written for all mankind, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, everyone could read and understand God’s Word.

Truth is progressive — Accept all new truth

Protestant Reformers believed that truth is progressive, and all should be ready to accept new light as it shines from God’s Word.

“The Puritans had joined themselves together by a solemn covenant, as the Lord’s free people, ‘to walk together in all His ways made known or to be made known to them.’…Here was the true spirit of reform, the vital principle of Protestantism.…John Robinson…said: ‘Brethren, . . I charge you before God and His blessed angels to follow me no farther than I have followed Christ. If God should reveal anything to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth of my ministry; for I am very confident the Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of His holy word.’.…‘Remember your church covenant, in which you have agreed to walk in all the ways of the Lord, made or to be made known unto you. Remember your promise and covenant with God and with one another, to receive whatever light and truth shall be made known to you from His written word; but withal, take heed, I beseech you, what you receive for truth, and compare it and weigh it with other scriptures of truth before you accept it; for it is not possible the Christian world should come so lately out of such thick antichristian darkness, and that full perfection of knowledge should break forth at once.’”
The Great Controversy, 291, 292.

Church has no authority against the Scriptures

“In the presence of the monarch and the leading men of Sweden, Olaf Petri with great ability defended the doctrines of the reformed faith against the Romish champions. He declared that the teachings of the Fathers are to be received only when in accordance with the Scriptures. …Christ said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me’ (John 7:16); and Paul declared that should he preach any other gospel than that which he had received, he would be accursed (Galatians 1:8). ‘How, then,’ said the Reformer, ‘shall others presume to enact dogmas at their pleasure, and impose them as things necessary to salvation?’…He showed that the decrees of the church are of no authority when in opposition to the commands of God, and maintained the great Protestant principle that ‘the Bible and the Bible only’ is the rule of faith and practice.” Ibid.,243.

Stood for freedom of speech

The Reformers believed in the right to teach and preach their convictions of truth. They denied the power of the church to try to control what they could preach.

Freedom to worship according to your conscience

The Protestant Reformers believed all men have the right to freedom of conscience, the freedom for all to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience.

Protesting the Principles of Rome

Bible interpreted by the leaders

“The mistake made by the Roman Catholic is that he reads the Bible in the light of the priests and rulers of the church, the early fathers, or other Catholic expositors.” Review and Herald, August 13, 1859. “The Roman Church reserves to the clergy the right to interpret the Scriptures.” On the ground that ecclesiastics alone are competent to explain God’s word, it is withheld from the common people.” The Great Controversy,596.

Human traditions above the commands of God

“The spirit of the papacy,—the spirit of conformity to worldly customs, the veneration for human traditions above the commands of God,—is permeating the Protestant churches…” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 390.

Rome’s plans reach far into the future

“The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation.” Signs of the Times, June 30, 1898.

Rome will use oppression to further it’s cause

“It was a fundamental principle of the [Jesuit] order that the end justifies the means. By this code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were not only pardonable but commendable, when they served the interests of the church.” The Great Controversy, 235.

Rome never changes

“It is the boast of Rome that she never changes. The principles of Gregory VII and Innocent III are still the principles of the Roman Catholic Church.” Ibid., 581.

America, a Protestant Nation

America was founded upon religious freedom. Many of our forefathers came to the shores of America fleeing from Roman oppression.

Fleeing from Papal religious intolerance

“Those who first found an asylum on the shores of America rejoiced that they had reached a country free from the arrogant claims of popery and the tyranny of kingly rule. They determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty.” Signs of the Times, November 1, 1899.

Government founded on Religious Liberty

“Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that ‘all men are created equal’ and endowed with the inalienable right to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’…Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. The Great Controversy,441.

Our greatest fear is to forget the past

Have Protestants forgotten the cruelty of Roman oppression, the slaughter of thousands of Christians? Have Protestants forgotten that Rome never changes? She may work in secret, but her plan is still the same—to take control of government power and rule with oppression. Take a look at a very recent Apostolic letter (decree) from Pope John Paul II, given May 28, 1998, and instituted into the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church.

“Canon 1436:

  1. Whoever denies a truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or who calls into doubt, or who totally repudiates the Christian faith, and does not retract after having been legitimately warned, is to be punished as a heretic or an apostate with a major excommunication; a cleric moreover can be punished with other penalties, not excluding deposition.
  2. In addition to these cases, whoever obstinately rejects a teaching that the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishops, exercising the authentic Magisterium, have set forth to be held definitively, or who affirms what they have condemned as erroneous, and does not retract after having been legitimately warned, is to be punished with an appropriate penalty.”

It is now time for Protestant churches to take a stand, before it is too late, and protest any concessions with Rome or Roman principles.

The greatest fear of the future is to forget the past.

Satan’s Last Attempt to Thwart God’s People, Part II

by

Spiritualism Coming In Among our People

When Christians are deceived by Satan, they think that something wonderful has happened. That is why it is so deceptive. In 1903, Ellen White said that in her days a strain of spiritualism was coming in among the people. (See Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, 173.) That was the time of the Kellogg crisis, the pantheism crisis, the alpha of deadly heresies, which, Ellen White said, would go on and later the omega would be manifested.

She said there is a strain of spiritualism coming in among our people. This is the first part, the first phase of the attack. Ellen White said that this spiritualism would “undermine the faith of those who give place to it, leading them to give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (Ibid.)

Now, I wonder, these people who are giving heed to these seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, what are they thinking or doing? What is going on in their minds?

I am so thankful that the Spirit of Prophecy opens up the secrets of the arch deceiver, so we can understand what is happening. Do you know what it means to be under the seducing spirits and doctrines of devils? Do you know what happens when you are under that influence?

Where Are Your Affections?

I was very interested in the way Ellen White described it. She said it produces a change in the state of your affections. People who have a change in the state of their affections have changed leadership.

If you told them that they were under the influence of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, they would say, “Why, no! No! I am an Historic Adventist. I believe everything that you believe.”

What has happened to your affections? Have they changed? Are your affections pure and holy in the sight of God, so you would not have a guilty conscience, if Jesus should come today?

Let us see what the prophet wrote: “I have seen the arch-deceiver tempting several of our ministers, teachers, and medical workers, presenting fanciful theories to them in a most subtle and charming manner, to wean their affections from those whom they should love and cherish.” Ibid.

Now who are the people that you should love and cherish? If you are married, have you taken vows to love and cherish anybody? Yes, you have. You have made a solemn covenant in the presence of witnesses and in the presence of God. It is the devil’s business to wean your affections, to get you to place your affections on somebody else.

Do you know how deceptive this gets? Here is what happens. “He [that is the devil] shows them charming pictures of women whom they have found congenial, suggesting that in the future life they will be united to the one who is so congenial and whom they will ever love throughout the ages of eternity.” Ibid.

The people to whom this counsel was written did not leave their wives or their husbands, but there had been some change in their affections. It is still a violation of the marriage vow, and the person that has a change in his affections like that is on a direct road to hell. They are not converted. They do not belong to Jesus Christ at all. She says, “My message to our teachers is, if you hold such views you need to be taught the first principles of truth. You need to stand where you know that you are not departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. When you break the spell that is upon you, and become teachable, you will escape Satan’s snare.…To all who are thus tempted I would say, I want to see you standing free before God. I want to see you sound in the faith, holding the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end. Leave every false issue alone.” Ibid.

Oh, friends, the devil wants to wean your affections away from those you should love and cherish and get them on somebody else. If he can do that, he already has you. He does not need to wait for a Sunday law for you. He already has you, right now.

Uniting with Babylon

Then there is another design; another way he attacks to deceive God’s people. People do not want to have to stand for something that is unpopular, and they do not want to be alone. They want to be united with others so much that they want to fraternize with Babylon. People do not like to call it Babylon anymore. Adventists have forgotten who Babylon is, and so they go and associate with Babylon.

Oh, friend, it is under cover now, so I cannot say very much about it, but there is plenty of evidence that God’s professed people, secretly, are in the process of uniting with the Papacy. I can tell you that it is going to happen. I am not saying that it has been completed now, but I know that it is going to happen, because prophecy predicts that it will happen. We know that it will happen.

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” Luke 19:41, 42.

People do not really know what is best for their peace. If you want to be at peace with God, you see to it that you are standing in favor of, and taking a bold and uncompromising stand for, the Three Angels’ Messages.

In commenting on this text in Luke 19:41, 42, Ellen White said, “When the Saviour saw in the Jewish people a nation divorced from God, He saw also a professed Christian Church united to the world and the Papacy.” Review and Herald, October 8, 1901.

Who was that professed Christian Church united to the world and the Papacy? If you continue reading that Review and Herald article, you will see very clearly that she is talking about Seventh-day Adventists. Uniting with the Papacy is the first part of the attack.

The Final Attack

Let us look at the second and final part of the attack, which will seem very long but actually will be very short.

We know the devil has deceived the great majority already, for we have people today who want to sue others for openly and publicly proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages. There are people who no longer know who Babylon is. And when Seventh-day Adventist Churches start having Sunday worship services, they have been deceived.

After the majority are deceived, then the final attack will be on the remnant, the ones who are not deceived, to force them into submission. That will be the Sunday law crisis. The Sunday law crisis will result from the great apostasy we see occurring in Christendom today. It is predicted in Revelation 13 that the leading churches in the United States are going to unite on those doctrines that are held by them in common. Do we see that happening? Yes, we do.

When they unite, they are going to have power to influence the government and get it to do what they want. The government will be forced to submit to the wishes of the church, because the church will have enough of a majority that they will be able to elect whomever they want. They will influence the government to enforce their decrees.

When they do that, Ellen White says, “Then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” The Great Controversy, 445.

There are three ways in which the churches will influence the government to enforce their decrees:

The Judicial Process

1 The churches will, through the judicial process, force the courts to make happen what they want to happen. That is the first step. Of course, that is forbidden in Scripture. (See Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6.)

Mrs. White tells us that those who ignore this Bible counsel will be written in the courts of heaven as unbelievers. God is very clear on that point. Are you really part of the church if you are written in the books of heaven as an unbeliever? She also says God will take away from them His Holy Spirit. Will the Latter Rain be poured out on people who are doing something like that? Absolutely not. (See Selected Messages, vol. 2, 299.)

When you try to force, you cannot always get what you want to happen, therefore, since the first step quite often does not work, you have to go to step two.

The Legislature

2 The second step is to go to the legislature and get different laws passed. That will result in a national Sunday law.

The Executive Branch

3 Use the executive branch of the government to enforce what you have legislated. That means using the police, jails, fines and so forth. “The ‘image to the beast’ represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.” Ibid.

Receiving the Wrath of God

If you read history, there is one thing about the Third Angel’s Message, in Revelation 14:9–12, that stands out crystal clear. In the Third Angel’s Message, two groups are described. One group is going to receive the mark of the beast and, as a result, the wrath of God. But there is another group described who are called the saints of God. (See verse 12.) The saints of God keep the commandments.

What about those who receive the mark of the beast; what is their problem? They do not keep the commandments, and they receive the wrath of God. The Bible says that nobody who obeys the truth receives the wrath of God. But the people who receive the wrath of God are those who obey unrighteousness. (See Romans 2:8.)

“All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. And “sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. So nobody receives the wrath of God unless they obey unrighteousness or unless they sin, unless they break God’s law. Since the people who receive the mark of the beast will receive the wrath of God, it is evident that the mark of the beast involves the breaking of God’s law. And the mark of the beast involves a deliberate, intentional change in God’s law.

What is the area of God’s law that prophecy predicts the antichrist power would deliberately attempt to change and that the whole world would follow after? It is the area of God’s law that deals with time, according to Daniel 7:25. That is the very area that the antichrist power claims they have changed.

The Papacy Speaks

Here is a statement from them in answer to the question as to what day is to be observed in obedience to the fourth commandment: “During the old law Saturday was the day sanctified, but the church, instructed by Jesus Christ and directed by the Spirit of God, had substituted Sunday for Saturday so now we sanctify the first not the seventh day. Sunday means and now is the day of the Lord.” Catholic Catechism of Christian Religion.

So in their own words, the change of the Sabbath is the sign, or the mark, of authority of the Roman Church. It is the sign, or the mark of the beast power. It is the sign, or the mark, of the antichrist power. Protestants acknowledge the same. Here is what one Protestant paper says about that: “To me it seems unaccountable that Jesus, during three years’ discussion with His disciples, often conversing with them upon the Sabbath question, discussing it in some of its various aspects, freeing it from its false (Jewish Traditional) glosses, never alluded to any transference of the day; also, that during the forty days of His resurrection life, no such thing was intimated. Nor, so far as we know, did the Spirit, which was given to bring to their remembrance all things whatsoever that He had said unto them, deal with this question. Nor yet did the inspired apostles, in preaching the gospel, founding churches, counseling and instructing those founded, discuss or approach the subject. Dr. E. T. Hiscox, report of his sermon at the Baptist Minister’s Convention, in “New York Examiner,” November 16, 1893.

So there is no biblical evidence. There is no evidence from the apostles. There is no evidence from Jesus. It is the sign, the mark, of the authority of the papal power. When people reject the Bible Sabbath and accept Sunday worship knowing this, and as Sunday observance and the movement for the enforcement of Sunday observance grows stronger, as it is doing right now, those who understand the claims of the fourth commandment and choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath, thereby pay homage to that power by which alone Sunday worship is commanded—the Papacy.

Forming an Image to the Beast

In the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power, the churches would themselves form an image to the beast. So the enforcement of Sunday keeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image.

Force, of course, is the last resort of every false religion. We have the promise that as we draw near this final attack, God’s grace will be given in every way proportionate to the trials suffered to come upon us. Is that not wonderful encouragement?

“My grace,” the Lord said to Paul, “is sufficient for you.” (See 2 Corin-thians 12:9.) Ellen White wrote, “Angels will be sent to our rescue.…If we do not deliberately go into temptation, God will sustain us when the temptation comes.” Signs of the Times, September 2, 1897. If we have enough faith for the times in which we are living, we will be sustained. The most exciting times in world history are right before us, because the signs are all there that Bible prophecy is about to be fulfilled in rapid succession, and Jesus is coming soon.

But we have a work to do to see to it that we are not deceived, that the devil does not change the state of our affections so that we are not ready for Jesus to come. The devil is working. In Patriarchs and Prophets, in the chapter, “Apostasy at the Jordan,” (453–461 onward.) Mrs. White talks about this and gives approximately 20 ways in which the devil tempts people to break the seventh commandment. She says that just as he did with Israel right before they entered the Promised Land, he is going to do with us just before we enter the Promised Land. I want to tell you, friend, it is happening all over the world.

Breaking the Seventh Commandment

The devil is seeking to bring about a change in the state of our affections, because if he can do that, he has got us. Do not accept all of the devil’s lies. The devil tells people, “You can do it, and then later on people will forgive you, and you can be rebaptized and join the church again.” Watch out! The devil is talking to you! There are going to be plenty of people who come to the marriage supper but are not allowed in.

There are many, many people who make their final separation from God’s people, but they go to church every week. They get divorced, and then they remarry, when they had no biblical grounds. Friends, God has not changed, but the devil has come in to deceive the people. This is one of the main areas where he is deceiving the conservative Adventists.

“Satan often finds a powerful agency for evil in the power which one human mind is capable of exerting on another human mind. This influence is so seductive that the person who is being molded by it is often unconscious of its power. God has bidden me speak warning against this evil, that His servants may not come under the deceptive power of Satan. The enemy is a master worker, and if God’s people are not constantly led by the Spirit of God, they will be ensnared and taken. For thousands of years Satan has been experimenting upon the properties of the human mind, and he has learned to know it well. By his subtle workings in these last days, he is linking the human mind with his own, and imbuing it with his thoughts; and he is doing this work in so deceptive a manner that those who accept his guidance know not that they are being led by him at his will.” Our High Calling, 110.

They still go to church. They still think that they are Seventh-day Adventists. “The great deceiver hopes so to confuse the minds of men and women, that none but his voice will be heard.” Ibid.

Spiritualism Prepares the Way

Oh, friends, we are looking forward to the final phase of the attack. Do not be deceived and get taken over by the devil in the preliminary phase before the final attack even happens. “Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism.” The Great Controversy, 561.

Where spiritualism is involved, it involves changing the state of a person’s affections. That is how the devil uses spiritualism in the Adventist Church; he changes the state of a person’s affections. “He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time.” Ibid.

Oh, friend, I believe that we are living in that last remnant of time, where we see the devil reaching the full accomplishment of his designs. He is bringing spiritualism right in among Seventh-day Adventists and deceiving them in such a skillful way that they do not even know anything is happening.

Be ready for the attack. It is Satan’s last attempt to thwart God’s purpose. God has something wonderful for you, friend. The Lord wants to deliver you from all attachment to sin. He wants to restore the state of your affection so that you love God with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself.

Oh, friend, the devil is after you. Do you want to keep this from happening? Do you want to seek divine strength and help for the attack? See if the state of your affections has been changed. If it has, when the attack comes, you will not make it. To make it, you are going to have to be ready.

The devil is trying to destroy us all before it even happens. Do you want the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and in your mind so that you will be ready to survive the devil’s attack on your soul? Are you praying? Are you studying? You must be praying, “Lord, work in my heart by Your Holy Spirit so that my heart will be pure and holy, so the state of my affections will be acceptable in Your sight.”

Editorial – The Weight of Evidence

by

Some Christians believe that everything should be absolutely proved, or they will not have anything to do with it. One Christian stated that it would not be fair if God had not given us a perfect Bible!

People had similar troubles in Ellen White’s time. Look at her response to a physician: “In your letter you speak of your early training to have implicit faith in the testimonies and say, ‘I was led to conclude and most firmly believe that every word that you ever spoke in public or private, that every letter you wrote under any and all circumstances, was as inspired as the Ten Commandments.’

“My brother, you have studied my writings diligently, and you have never found that I have made any such claims, neither will you find that the pioneers in our cause ever made such claims.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 24.

“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.” The Review and Herald, July 26, 1892.

She is not claiming infallibility for herself, nor claiming infallibility for the words in the Bible either.

“The Lord speaks to human beings in imperfect speech, in order that the degenerate senses, the dull, earthly perception of earthly beings may comprehend His words. Thus is shown God’s condescension. He meets fallen human beings where they are. The Bible, perfect as it is in its simplicity, does not answer to the great ideas of God; for infinite ideas cannot be perfectly embodied in finite vehicles of thought. Instead of the expressions of the Bible being exaggerated, as many people suppose, the strong expressions break down before the magnificence of the thought, though the penman selected the most expressive language through which to convey the truths of higher education. [Notice the strong expressions are not exaggerations, but actually understatements because we do not have speech sufficient to express the thought.] It is not the words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that were inspired. Inspiration acts not on the man’s words or his expressions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued with thoughts.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 21.

Somebody may ask, how am I to believe if there is not something perfect upon which to place my faith?

Jesus is perfect and you can place your faith in Him, but everything in this world, including human language, is imperfect. God expects us to make our decisions, not on perfect knowledge, which we will never have in this world, but rather on the weight of evidence. If you are waiting for perfect knowledge you will never be saved: The unbelief that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to the evidence that God is pleased to give. He requires of His people faith that rests upon the weight of evidence, not upon perfect knowledge.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 258.

“Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.” Ibid., vol. 5, 675, 676.

“‘But there are some things that are not explained.’ Well, what if everything is not explained? Where is the weight of evidence? God will balance the mind if it is susceptible to the influence of the Spirit of God; if it is not, then it will decide on the other side. They will come just exactly where Judas came; they will sell their Lord for thirty pieces of silver or something else. They will sacrifice everything to unbelief.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 145.

Bible Study Guides – “What Shall be the End of These Things?”

by

September 22, 2001 – September 28, 2001

MEMORY VERSE: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth 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.” Daniel 12:1.

STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, 635-650.

Introduction: “In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of God’s law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 256.

“Thy People Shall be Delivered”

1 What wonderful promise is made for God’s people during the “time of trouble such as never was”? Daniel 12:1.

NOTE: “God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble.…The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob’s trouble. Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in that trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds, foreheads, and written in our hearts.…What leisure time we have should be spent in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last day.…Let the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ be in your minds continually and let them crowd out worldly thoughts and cares. When you lie down and when you rise up, let them be your meditation. Live and act wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of man.” The Faith I Live By, 339.

2 Of what two resurrections was Daniel told? Daniel 12:2. Compare John 5:28-29, Mark 14:61-62, Revelation 1:7.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 637.

3 What promise is made to those who have sought to bring others into harmony with God’s will? Daniel 12:3. (For “wise” compare verse 10.)

NOTE: The marginal reading for “wise” in this verse is ‘teachers.’

“The worth of a soul cannot be fully estimated by finite minds. How gratefully will the ransomed and glorified ones remember those who were instrumental in their salvation! No one will then regret his self-denying efforts and persevering labors, his patience, forbearance, and earnest heart yearnings for souls that might have been lost had he neglected his duty or become weary in well-doing. Now these white-robed ones are gathered into the fold of the Great Shepherd. The faithful worker and the soul saved through his labor are greeted by the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and are led to the tree of life and to the fountain of living waters. With what joy does the servant of Christ behold these redeemed ones, who are made to share the glory of the Redeemer! How much more precious is heaven to those who have been faithful in the work of saving souls! ‘And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars.’ What is done through the co-operation of men with God is a work that shall never perish, but endure through the eternal ages.” In Heavenly Places, 364.

“Seal the Book”

4 What was Daniel told about his book? Daniel 12:4, first part, 9.

NOTE: See Prophets and Kings, 547.

5 What was Daniel told about “the time of the end”? Daniel 12:4, last part.

NOTE: ‘The book that was sealed was . . . that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days. The Scripture says, ‘But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased’ (Daniel 12:4). When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, ‘Time shall be no longer.’ [See Revelation 10:6.] The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 105.

See also Desire of Ages, 234, 235.

“How Long Shall It be?”

6 Whom did Daniel next see in his vision? Daniel 12:5, 6.

NOTE: “The inquirer was Gabriel, who years earlier had asked Jesus the same question concerning ‘cleansing-of-sanctuary day 2300.’ The identity of the other Being hovering above the waters is revealed by His sacerdotal [priestly] robes. He had appeared as the High Priest at the beginning of Gabriel’s explanation. [Daniel 10:5] Now at its conclusion He again appeared similarly ‘clothed in linen.’ The question ‘till when?’ as well as the two speakers, connect the reader with the discussion which Daniel overheard in his third oracle.’ [Daniel 8:13-14].” Hardinge, Jesus Is My Judge, 231.

7 What did Daniel hear the Man clothed in linen say? Daniel 12:7. Compare Daniel 7:25, Revelation 11:2, 3, 12:6,14, 13:5.

NOTE: “In the gesture used by God when making a covenant oath, [Ezekiel 20:5, Ezekiel 47:14] Jesus raised both His right and left hands towards heaven, and swore in the name of the One who lives forever. Because He could swear by no one greater, He pledged in His own name [Hebrews 6:13].” Hardinge, Jesus Is My Judge, 232.

“The ‘holy people’ are those who held to the religion of the Bible when the majority of those who called themselves Christians forsook the religion of the Bible and forbade anyone to own or read a Bible, who yielded their allegiance to the leaders of the church and lived in disobedience to the Bible and the law of God.…For reasons which God has not revealed to us, the great counterfeit system of Christianity was to destroy the holy people of God. It was to have power over the people of God—to ‘wear out the saints of the Most High’—for three and a half times (Daniel 7:25, 12:7). A ‘time” is the same as a year [Daniel 11:13, see margin] A Jewish year was 12 months of thirty days or each 360 days; therefore three and one-half years are 1260 days. This period of time of 1260 days when ‘the power of the holy people,’ that is the spiritual descendants of the apostles and the early church, was to be broken was to last until the time of the end. (Daniel 11:35-36).” Grosboll, God Predicts Your Future, 259.

“I Heard But I Understood Not”

8 What was Daniel’s reaction to this prophecy? Daniel 12:8. Compare 1 Peter 1:10–12.

NOTE: “The prophets to whom these great scenes were revealed longed to understand their import. They ‘inquired and searched diligently:…searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify.…Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you;…which things the angels desire to look into.’ 1 Peter 1:10–12. To us who are standing on the very verge of their fulfilment, of what deep moment, what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come—events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God’s children have watched and waited, longed and prayed!” Education, 183.

See also Great Controversy, 344.

9 How was Daniel gently shown that the understanding of this prophecy was not for him? Daniel 12:9.

NOTE: See Prophets and Kings, 547, 548.

“The Wise Shall Understand”

10 What was Daniel told about those who will live during the time of the end? Daniel 12:10.

NOTE: “The truth received into the heart accomplishes the transformation of the mind and heart and character. To Daniel the Lord revealed the condition of the inhabitants of the earth in these last days. ‘Many shall be purified,’ He said, ‘and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’ This is a subject the comprehension of which will put to the stretch every spiritual sinew and muscle. There is a great work to be done for the members of the church, to wean them from their idols. The church-members have had great blessings; they have had the living oracles of God opened to their understanding; they have not been left in darkness and error, as those who are doing wickedly. Now God calls upon those who claim to believe the truth to show to the world its converting power on the heart and character, and to reveal to the world that they are of the number who are being purified, and made white, and tried.” Review and Herald, March 7, 1899.

“Pardon is offered to all who will return their allegiance to the law of God. But there are those who refuse to accept a ‘thus saith the Lord.’ They will not reverence and respect His law. They make rigorous human enactments in opposition to a ‘thus saith the Lord,’ and by precept and example lead men, women, and children into sin. They exalt human enactments above the divine law. But the condemnation and wrath of God are suspended over the disobedient. The clouds of God’s justice are gathering. The material of destruction has been piled up for ages; and still apostasy, rebellion, and disloyalty against God is continually increasing. The remnant people of God, who keep His commandments, will understand the word spoken by Daniel, ‘Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand’ (Daniel 12:10).” This Day With God, 84.

11 How may we understand the teachings of the Bible? John 7:17, Psalm 107:43.

NOTE:“I am pained to know that some who preach the present truth today are really unconverted men. They are not connected with God. They have a head religion, but no conversion of the heart; and these are the very ones who are the most self-confident and self-sufficient; and this self-sufficiency will stand in the way of their gaining that experience which is essential to make them effective workers in the Lord’s vineyard. I wish I could arouse those who claim to be watchmen on the walls of Zion to realize their responsibility. They should awake and take a higher stand for God, for souls are perishing through their neglect. They must have that sincere devotion to God that will lead them to see as God sees and take the words of warning from Him and sound the alarm to those who are in peril. The Lord will not hide His truth from the faithful watchman. Those who do the will of God shall know of His doctrine. The wise shall understand;’ but ‘the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand.’” Testimonies vol. 4, 527.

“Blessed is he That Waiteth”

12 Of what further prophetic period did the Lord speak to Daniel? Daniel 12:11.

NOTE: These words remind us of Daniel’s previous visions. See Daniel 8:11–13, Daniel 11:31.

“We see that there are two rebellions mentioned: a. the continuance in rebellion (Daniel 8:12); (often called the ‘daily’) and b. the desolating rebellion (Daniel 8:13).…These two rebellions are two successive stages of the great spiritual war being described: First, that which is the ‘continuance in rebellion,’ and then the prophet sees an army given to the little horn power against the ‘continuance in rebellion’ (Daniel 8:12).” Grosboll, God Predicts Your Future, 40.

“The continuance in rebellion (Daniel 8:12) represented paganism but paganism was to be abolished and the abomination that depopulates set up.…The papacy was the abomination that did desolate, depopulate the world of holy people. Those who clung, at the cost of their lives, to the religion of the Bible, were hunted and destroyed until at times the religion of Jesus Christ was almost obliterated from certain parts of the earth. Clovis, leader of the Franks, renounced paganism and accepted papal or Catholic Christianity in ad 496. Clovis launched a religious war against the other nations around him whom he judged to be either pagans or Arians.…Clovis won many victories during the next few years after he became Roman Catholic. In ad 507 he defeated the Visigoths in Gaul {modern France] and in ad 508 he pursued them to their southern strongholds and vanquished them.…Concerning this time, historians note: ‘It was decided that the Franks, and not the Goths, were to direct the future destinies of Gaul and Germany, and that the Catholic faith, and not Arianism, was to be the religion of these great realms. Clovis was the first to unite all the elements from which the new social order was to be formed—namely, the barbarians, whom he established in power; the Roman civilisation, to which he rendered homage by receiving the insignia of patrician and consul from the Emperor Anastasius; and finally, the Catholic Church, with which he formed that fruitful alliance which was continued by his successors.’ Clearly then in ad 508 paganism, the continuance or the continuous rebellion, was taken away as the national religion and the papacy was set up as the national or state religion.” Grosboll, God Predicts Your Future, 262, 263.

France thus became “the first son of the church.” At the end of the 1260 years of papal supremacy, France was to be the instrument of its undoing 1290 years after Clovis, king of the Franks, united his political and military might with the papacy.

13 What further time period is briefly mentioned? Daniel 12:12.

NOTE: While no time is given for the start of this prophetic period, its absence would suggest that it runs parallel with the other time period previously mentioned. Beginning in 508, along with the 1290 days, it would therefore end in 1843. A blessing is pronounced on those come to the end of this period.

“In the matching vision given to John [Revelation 10] Jesus held up in His hand Daniel’s ‘little book open.’ Its messages may be understood. The student of Daniel and Revelation now has the chronological framework within which to consider the directive Christ gave to John. He was bidden to ‘eat’ the prophecies of Daniel which were now ‘open.’ In fact, he was to “eat it up” in its entirety, that is, read and mentally digest it thoroughly. John was promised that he would find Daniel’s ‘time’ messages as sweet as honey in his mouth and would be thrilled with their preciousness. He was warned, however, that after he had digested their meaning, ‘his belly’ would become bitter.…In this prophetic tableau John was representative of God’s people living at the time when the prophecy of the ‘2300th cleansing-of-the-Sanctuary day’ was reaching its consummation. In the opening decades of the nineteenth century the Baptist farmer William Miller, and others in Europe and South America, led believers to study the prophecies of Daniel.…Miller concluded that it pointed to the year 1843. This marked the end of the 1335 days. This year of joyous anticipation proved euphoric for all who believed that the Saviour would return.” Hardinge, Jesus Is My Judge, 238, 239.

“In every part of the land light was given concerning this message, and the cry aroused thousands. It went from city to city, from village to village, and into the remote country regions. It reached the learned and talented, as well as the obscure and humble. This was the happiest year of my life. My heart was full of glad expectation.” Life Sketches, 59.

“Thou Shalt Stand in Thy Lot”

14 With what comforting words did the Lord conclude His message to Daniel? Daniel 12:13.

NOTE: “The time has come for Daniel to stand in his lot. The time has come for the light given him to go to the world as never before. If those for whom the Lord has done so much will walk in the light, their knowledge of Christ and the prophecies relating to Him will be greatly increased as they near the close of this earth’s history.” Manuscript Releases vol. 21, 407.

“Daniel has been standing in his lot since the seal was removed and the light of truth has been shining upon his visions. He stands in his lot, bearing the testimony which was to be understood at the end of the days.” Sermons and Talks vol. 1, 225.

“There is something for every one to do. Every soul that believes the truth is to stand in his lot and place, saying, ‘Here am I; send me.’ Isaiah 6:8.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 49.

15 What blessing on the student of the Book of Revelation may equally apply to studying the Book of Daniel? Revelation 1:3.

NOTE: “I have been instructed that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation should be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and should be sent all over the world. Our own people need to have the light placed before them in clearer lines. Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. Every element of power is about to be set to work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God’s people on every side. Intensity is taking hold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth.…Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated.…We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know. Angels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching the word of God and praying for greater lengths and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge which He alone can give. As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study.…Christ through His servant John has here declared what shall be in the last days; and He says, ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.’” Maranatha, 30.

Bible Study Guides – “Now Will I Show Thee the Truth”

by

September 15, 2001 – September 21, 2001

MEMORY VERSE: “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32, last part.

STUDY HELP: Conflict and Courage, 257.

Introduction: “Heavenly agencies have to contend with hindrances before the purpose of God is fulfilled in its time. The king of Persia was controlled by the highest of all evil angels. He refused, as did Pharaoh, to obey the word of the Lord. Gabriel declared, He withstood me twenty-one days by his representations against the Jews. But Michael came to his help, and then he remained with the kings of Persia, holding the powers in check, giving right counsel against evil counsel.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,vol. 4, 1173.

“The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.” Testimonies,vol. 9, 14.

NOTE: Because of the nature of this lesson, many notes are written by the compiler, though he is indebted to the work of a number of commentators. The necessity of keeping the notes comparatively brief has made it difficult to quote directly from writers whose views the compiler respects. These notes express the views of the compiler and should not be regarded as authoritative.

“A God in Heaven That Revealeth Secrets”

1 How was Daniel shown the influence of heaven in the affairs of nations? Daniel 11:1.

NOTE: “Daniel’s prayer had been offered ‘in the first year of Darius’ (verse 1), the Median monarch whose general, Cyrus, had wrested from Babylonia the sceptre of universal rule. The reign of Darius was honored of God. To him was sent the angel Gabriel, ‘to confirm and to strengthen him.’ Daniel 11:1. Upon his death, within about two years of the fall of Babylon, Cyrus succeeded to the throne, and the beginning of his reign marked the completion of the seventy years since the first company of Hebrews had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar from their Judean home to Babylon.” Prophets and Kings, 556, 557.

2 How was the history of the Medo-Persian Empire summarized for Daniel? Daniel 11:2.

NOTE: This vision took place in the third year of Cyrus. See Daniel 10:1. These four Persian kings were Cambyses, Cyrus’ son, who reigned from 530–522 bc, and committed suicide in despair during a revolt by an impostor called Smerdis who held power for seven months in 522. He was succeeded by Darius the Great, who reigned from 522–486 bc. The one who stirred up all against the realm of Greece was Xerxes (called Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther.). According to the Greek historian, Heroditus, the Persian army numbered five and a quarter million men.

“His Kingdom Shall be Broken”

3 How was the rise and break-up of Alexander the Great’s empire explained to Daniel? Daniel 11:3, 4. Compare Daniel 7:6; Daniel 8:21, 22.

NOTE: Alexander became king of Macedonia and ruler of Greece at the age of twenty. With an army of 50,000 men he invaded the Persian Empire and in five years had conquered it. He never lost a battle. Having marched his troops as far as India, he found them unwilling to follow him further. ‘”Sighing for new worlds to conquer,” he gave himself up to debauchery. His end came in Babylon when, after a prolonged drinking bout, he collapsed in a high fever and died eleven days later in his thirty-second year. As prophecy had foretold, his infant sons did not succeed him. Instead his generals fought among themselves dividing the empire among themselves.

“Many falter and fall because of the indulgence of a perverse temper. Alexander and [Julius] Caesar found it much easier to subdue a kingdom than to rule their own spirits. After conquering nations, the world’s so-called great men fell, one of them through the indulgence of appetite, a victim of intemperance, the other through presumption and mad ambition.” Testimonies,vol. 4, 348.

4 What was Daniel told about the struggles between the king of the north and the king of the south? Daniel 11:5–15.

NOTE: Of the four divisions of Alexander’s empire, only two directly affected the people of God; Ptolemy and his successors, whose empire was based in Egypt, and Seleucus and his successors, whose empire was based in Syria. Indeed, as the wars among Alexander’s generals developed, Alexander’s empire gradually fell under the control of these two powers. Ptolemy and his successors are known as “the king of the south” and the Seleucids as “the king of the north,” which was their relationship to Jewish people. In the wars between these powers, God’s people suffered greatly, most notably at the hands of Antiochus Epiphanes, one of the Seleucid kings, in whose reign Rome asserted its power over “the king of the north.”

“As we see the fulfillment of prophecy, our faith in the final triumph of Christ’s kingdom should strengthen; and we should go forth with renewed courage to do our appointed work.” Christian Service, 111.

“The Robbers of Thy People”

5 What new power is then introduced into the account? Daniel 11:14, 16.

NOTE: The phrase “the robbers of thy people” literally means “the breakers of thy people” that is, the power that was to destroy the Jews. This destruction had been described in Daniel 9:26, last part and 27, last part. The “king of the south”, Ptolemy Epiphanes, was five years old and “the king of the north,” Antiochus the Great, formed an alliance with other powers to divide Ptolemy’s empire among them. At this point, Rome intervened on Ptolemy’s behalf “to establish the vision.” Rome was the most prominent power in each of Daniel’s visions. But notice that Daniel is reassured that the power which was to destroy his people would, in their turn, also fail. The phrase “the glorious land” is the same as “the pleasant land” in Daniel 8:9.

6 What was Daniel shown about the career of successive Roman emperors? Daniel 11:17–22.

NOTE: The careers of Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Tiberius are briefly referred to. Julius’ campaign in Palestine with support from the Jews, “upright ones,” his relationship with Cleopatra who was his mistress but not his wife, his subsequent conquests, and his assassination on returning to his own land are recorded. His successor, Augustus, is described as “a raiser of taxes”, which recalls Luke 2:1. He was not to die in battle but suffered from chronic ill-health which rendered him prematurely old, sickly and easily exhausted from the age of thirty-five. He was succeeded by Tiberius who was described by Augustus his stepfather as “too vile to wear the purple of Rome.” His name was a byword for appalling debauchery throughout his life. He succeeded to the purple peaceably, unlike his two predecessors who won power by conquest. His mock-humility won the senate’s approval for his claim to power. His armies won important victories on the northern frontier. But the most significant event of his reign was the death of “the Prince of the covenant,” the crucifixion of Jesus. Compare Daniel 8:25, last part.

7 What was Daniel shown about the methods of the Roman Empire? Daniel 11:23–28. Compare Daniel 8:24, 25.

NOTE: “At this time the Romans were only a small people; but by their clever methods of leagues and alliances, by which they always professed themselves ready to go to the assistance of the weak and oppressed, they were rapidly becoming strong.” Price, The Greatest of the Prophets, 294.

“If we regard this period, ‘for a time’ [verse 24], as a prophetic ‘time’ or 360 years, the years should probably be reckoned from the event mentioned in the next verse, which is 31 bc. [The Battle of Actium] Counting 360 years from this would bring us to about the year 330, when the seat of the empire was moved from Rome to Constantinople.…This removal to Constantinople marked the end of the exclusive rule of the seven-hilled city, though the empire continued.” Price, The Greatest of the Prophets, 295. (n.b. There was no year zero between bc and ad. Thus, for practical purposes, one subtracts a year in calculating times periods crossing this boundary.)

“They Shall Fall by the Sword”

8 How was the transition from imperial Rome to papal Rome described? Daniel 11:29–31.

NOTE: “The time appointed” may be the end of the period mentioned in verse 24. The conflict which took place was to be of a different nature from the previous two conflicts between Rome and Egypt. The source of the conflict was theological, rather than military. Rome intervened in a theological debate over the nature of the Trinity. Constantine wished to impose a unified religion over the entire empire and called a church council over which he presided. Constantine failed to resolve the debate, despite the resolutions of the Council of Nicea.

“The ships of Chittim” coming against Rome refers to the destruction of imperial Rome by Genseric the Vandal, whose great fleet played a vital part in his victory. But to reassert the power of Rome required both an alliance with those who had forsaken the holy covenant, and the use of military might. A marriage of pagan practices and Christianity took place and a union of church and state. The first king to impose this new religion by force was Clovis, king of the Franks who was named the first Catholic Majesty in 508 and France “the first son of the Church.” Following the intervention of Justinian’s armies, the last of the three barbarian powers was overthrown (see Daniel 7:8, 20, 24) and the pope installed as bishop-king of Rome.

9 What was Daniel shown about the years of persecution of God’s people? Daniel 11:32–35. Compare Daniel 7:21, 25.

NOTE: One is reminded of the missionary exploits of the Waldenses, who were nicknamed Sabbatati from their observance of the Sabbath. Rome reserved its most appalling persecutions for these faithful witnesses. As Daniel 7:25 foretold, these “many days” of persecution would be appointed by heaven to be 1260 years. Their history shows how many times their papal opponents deceived them by flattery and false promises, having failed to overcome them with military might. The Waldenses were but one group, perhaps the best known, of faithful believers during these Dark Ages. Faithful Sabbath-keepers are recorded in many countries, including India, France, Norway, Bohemia, Transylvania, Hungary, Lombardy, Scotland, Ireland and Bulgaria. Even in places like Ghana, the Sabbath was regarded as the sacred day.

“When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated sect, a bull was issued by the pope, condemning them as heretics, and delivering them to slaughter. They were not accused as idlers, or dishonest, or disorderly; but it was declared that they had an appearance of piety and sanctity that seduced ‘the sheep of the true fold.’ Therefore the pope ordered ‘that malicious and abominable sect of malignants,’ if they ‘refuse to abjure, to be crushed like venomous snakes.’—Wylie, b. 16, ch. 1. Did this haughty potentate expect to meet those words again? Did he know that they were registered in the books of heaven, to confront him at the judgment? ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,’ said Jesus, ‘ye have done it unto Me.’ Matthew 25:40. This bull called upon all members of the church to join the crusade against the heretics. As an incentive to engage in this cruel work, it ‘absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, general and particular; it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they might have taken; it legitimatized their title to any property they might have illegally acquired; and promised remission of all their sins to such as should kill any heretic. It annulled all contracts made in favor of Vaudois [Waldenses], ordered their domestics to abandon them, forbade all persons to give them any aid whatever, and empowered all persons to take possession of their property.’—Wylie, b. 16, ch. 1. This document clearly reveals the master spirit behind the scenes. It is the roar of the dragon, and not the voice of Christ, that is heard therein.” Great Controversy, 77.

10 What was Daniel told about the papacy’s manner of proceeding? Daniel 11:36–39. Compare Daniel 7:75, first part; Revelation 13:5–7.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 77, 78.

“At the Time of the End”

11 What blow was the papacy to suffer at the time of the end? Daniel 11:40, first part.

NOTE: The literal king of the south was based in Egypt. Revelation 11:8 speaks of a spiritual Egypt.

See Great Controversy, 269, 270.

In 1798, France, “the first son of the church,” sent an army to Rome. The soldiers entered the Sistine Chapel and commanded the cardinals, there assembled for the anniversary of the pope’s accession to the throne, to perform a grand mass and Te Deum to commemorate the termination of the pope’s authority. Five days later he was taken from Rome and was taken from prison to prison to France where he died a prisoner the following year.

12 How would the papacy respond to this attack? Daniel 11:40, last part, 43.

NOTE: In dealing with unfulfilled prophecy, it is wise to be most cautious. In this closing part of the prophecy, the leading character is “the king of the north.” The literal “king of the north” was the Seleucid portion of Alexander’s empire. This power has played no part in the history of God’s people for over 2000 years. All Daniel’s previous prophecies in their closing stages focused on papal Rome. So do the prophecies of Revelation. It would be remarkable for this prophecy to finish differently. The literal “glorious land” was Palestine. The “glorious holy mountain” (verse 45) was Mount Zion, the site of the temple. Spiritual Israel does not look to literal Palestine as its home. Edom, Moab and Ammon (verse 41) were all nations closely related to Israel, though often hostile to God’s people. See Genesis 19:37, 38; Genesis 36:1. What would their spiritual equivalent be? The east (see verse 44) is associated with Christ’s coming and events connected with it. See Matthew 24:27; Revelation 7:2; Revelation 16:12.

“He Shall Come to His End”

13 What was Daniel shown about the end of the papacy? Daniel 11:44, 45. Compare Revelation 13:7, 8; Revelation 16:19; 18.

14 Who intervenes on behalf of His people? Daniel 12:1.

NOTE: “I want to be among that number who shall have their names written in the book, who shall be delivered. I want the overcomer’s reward. The masterly temptations of Satan will overpower many who now profess to believe the truth. Their unworthy course of action, their denial of Christ, will make it necessary for God to blot their names from the Book of Life. But O, may it not be so with us!” Review and Herald, March 26, 1889.

“By this we see the importance of having our names written in the Book of Life. All whose names are registered there will be delivered from Satan’s power, and Christ will command that their filthy garments be removed, and that they be clothed with His righteousness. ‘And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.’ In the time of trouble, Satan stirs up the wicked, and they encircle the people of God to destroy them. But he does not know that ‘pardon has been written opposite their names in the books of heaven.” Review and Herald, November 19, 1908.

Bible Study Guides – “I Saw This Great Vision”

by

September 8, 2001 – September 14, 2001

MEMORY VERSE: “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.” Daniel 10:18, 19.

STUDY HELP:The Sanctified Life, 49–52.

Introduction: “Daniel was an aged man. His life had been passed amid the fascinations of a heathen court, his mind cumbered with the affairs of a great empire; yet he turns aside from all these to afflict his soul before God, and seek a knowledge of the purposes of the Most High. And in response to his supplications, light from the heavenly courts was communicated for those who should live in the latter days. With what earnestness, then, should we seek God, that He may open our understanding to comprehend the truths brought to us from Heaven.” Review and Herald, February 8, 1881.

“He Had Understanding of the Vision”

1 When was Daniel finally able to understand the things revealed to him? Daniel 10:1.

NOTE: The vision had been given in Daniel 8. Gabriel had explained a great deal of the vision in Daniel 8:19–26. He was not able to complete this explanation, however, because of Daniel’s collapse, though he was able to tell the aged prophet that the vision “of the evening and the morning” (i.e. Daniel 8:14, remember that this prophecy concerned “evening–morning 2300”) would encompass many days. When Gabriel returned to Daniel, he was able to explain the part of the vision that concerned especially the Jewish people. That explanation finished with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Now it would appear that the remainder of the vision has been explained to the prophet.

2 What was Daniel’s reaction to his realization of the length of time encompassed by the vision? Daniel 10:2, 3.

NOTE: Once again Daniel is deeply distressed by what he has learned about the time that would elapse before the vision was fulfilled.

“It cannot now be said by the Lord’s servants, as it was by the prophet Daniel: ‘The time appointed was long.’ Daniel 10:1. It is now but a short time till the witnesses for God will have done their work in preparing the way of the Lord.” Testimonies,vol. 6, 406.

“The time of waiting may seem long, the soul may be oppressed by discouraging circumstances, many in whom confidence has been placed may fall by the way; but with the prophet who endeavored to encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently declare, ‘The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.’ Let us ever hold in remembrance the cheering message, ‘The vision is yet for an appointed time, ‘The vision is yet for an appointed time…: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.…The just shall live by his faith.’” My Life Today, 55.

“A Certain Man Clothed in Linen”

3 After Daniel’s three weeks of mourning, how did heaven respond to his grief? Daniel 10:4, 6.

NOTE: Hiddekel is the River Tigris.

“Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials.…He invites the weary and care-laden, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Lay off the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and ‘take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’ Matthew 11:28, 29. We may find rest and peace in God.” The Faith I Live By, 63.

4 Who was it that appeared to Daniel? Revelation 2:18. Compare Daniel 12:6, 7.

NOTE: “This description is similar to that given by John when Christ was revealed to him upon the Isle of Patmos. No less a personage than the Son of God appeared to Daniel. Our Lord comes with another heavenly messenger to teach Daniel what would take place in the latter days.” The Sanctified Life, 49, 50.

“There Remained No Strength in Me”

5 How did Daniel’s companions react to this vision? Daniel 10:7.

NOTE: “If one angel from heaven caused the Roman guard to fall as dead men, how can those who are unprepared, unholy, bear the sight and live, of seeing Jesus in the glory of His Father and ten thousand angels accompanying Him. O how can sinners bear this sight! They will cry for rocks and mountains to fall on them, and hide them from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Youth’s Instructor, April 1, 1854.

6 How did Daniel himself respond to the vision? Daniel 10:8, 9.

NOTE: “All who are truly sanctified will have a similar experience. The clearer their views of the greatness, glory, and perfection of Christ, the more vividly will they see their own weakness and imperfection. They will have no disposition to claim a sinless character; that which has appeared right and comely in themselves will, in contrast with Christ’s purity and glory, appear only as unworthy and corruptible. It is when men are separated from God, when they have very indistinct views of Christ, that they say, ‘I am sinless; I am sanctified.’” The Sanctified Life, 50, 51.

“Thy Words Were Heard”

7 How was Daniel addressed by the heavenly messenger? Daniel 10:11, 12.

NOTE: “What great honor is shown to Daniel by the Majesty of heaven! He comforts His trembling servant and assures him that his prayer has been heard in heaven. In answer to that fervent petition the angel Gabriel was sent to affect the heart of the Persian king. The monarch had resisted the impressions of the Spirit of God during the three weeks while Daniel was fasting and praying, but heaven’s Prince, the Archangel, Michael, was sent to turn the heart of the stubborn king to take some decided action to answer the prayer of Daniel.” The Sanctified Life, 51.

8 What had delayed heaven’s response to the prophet’s distress? Daniel 10:13.

NOTE: “While Satan was striving to influence the highest powers in the kingdom of Medo-Persia to show disfavor to God’s people, angels worked in behalf of the exiles. The controversy was one in which all heaven was interested. Through the prophet Daniel we are given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus; and before the contest closed, Christ Himself came to Gabriel’s aid. ‘The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days,’ Gabriel declares; ‘but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.’ Daniel 10:13. All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days of his son Cambyses, who reigned about seven and a half years.” Prophets and Kings, 571, 572.

The marginal reading for “Michael, one of the chief princes,” is “Michael, the chief or first of the princes.” The name “Michael” means “He who is like the Most High.” (Some commentators express it as a question.) This title was coveted by Lucifer. See Isaiah 14:14. But it rightly belongs to the One we know as Jesus Christ. Compare Philippians 2:6 and John 1:1. Jesus is called by this name five times in the Scriptures (three times in Daniel, once in Jude and once in Revelation). The New Testament references describe Him as the leader of the angels (Jude 9, Revelation 12:7). In Matthew 13:41; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:26, 27, Christ is clearly the Leader of the angels. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, we are told that the voice of the Archangel will call the dead in Christ to arise. John 5:28, 29 shows that the voice that will call the dead to arise is the voice of Christ.

“Now I Am Come to Make Thee Understand”

9 What was Gabriel’s purpose in coming to Daniel? Daniel 10:14. Compare Daniel 8:16, 17; Daniel 9:21–23.

NOTE: “The words of the angel, ‘I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God,’ [Luke 1:19] show that he holds a position of high honor in the heavenly courts. When he came with a message to Daniel, he said, ‘There is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael [Christ] your Prince.’ Daniel 10:21. Of Gabriel the Saviour speaks in the Revelation, saying that ‘He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.’ Revelation 1:1. And to John the angel declared, ‘I am a fellow servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets.’ Revelation 22:9, R. V. Wonderful thought—that the angel who stands next in honor to the Son of God is the one chosen to open the purposes of God to sinful men.’ Desire of Ages, 99.

10 What was Daniel’s reaction to Gabriel’s words? Daniel 10:15–17.

NOTE: “So great was the divine glory revealed to Daniel that he could not endure the sight. Then the messenger of heaven veiled the brightness of his presence and appeared to the prophet as ‘one like the similitude of the sons of men’ (verse 16). By his divine power he strengthened this man of integrity and of faith, to hear the message sent to him from God.” The Sanctified Life, 52.

‘‘O Man Greatly Beloved”

11 How did Gabriel reply to Daniel’s trembling words and what was Daniel’s response? Daniel 10:18, 19.

NOTE: “Daniel was a devoted servant of the Most High. His long life was filled up with noble deeds of service for his Master. His purity of character and unwavering fidelity are equaled only by his humility of heart and his contrition before God. We repeat, The life of Daniel is an inspired illustration of true sanctification.” The Sanctified Life, 52.

12 With what words did Gabriel introduce Daniel’s final revelation from heaven? Daniel 10:20, 21.

NOTE: “‘The Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants and prophets.’ While ‘the secret things belong unto the Lord our God,’ ‘those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.’ Amos 3:7; Deuteronomy 29:29. God has given these things to us, and His blessing will attend the reverent, prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures.” Desire of Ages, 234.

Bible Study Guides – “Understand the Matter and Consider the Vision”

by

September 1, 2001 – September 7, 2001

MEMORY VERSE: “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments.” Daniel 9:4.

STUDY HELP: Prophets and Kings, 698, 699.

Introduction: “As the time approached for the close of the seventy years’ captivity, Daniel’s mind became greatly exercised upon the prophecies of Jeremiah. He saw that the time was at hand when God would give His chosen people another trial; and with fasting, humiliation, and prayer, he importuned the God of heaven in behalf of Israel.” The Sanctified Life, 46.

“The Number of the Years”

1 Because of his vision, what did Daniel set out to study? Daniel 9:1, 2. Compare Jeremiah 25:11, 12.

NOTE: See Prophets and Kings, 554.

2 When did these events take place? Daniel 9:1, 2. Compare Daniel 6.

NOTE: Darius’ reign was very brief and Daniel only mentions his first year. See also Daniel 11:1. It may well be that the prayers that led to Daniel’s experience in the lion’s den were connected with his studies of Jeremiah’s prophecy.

3 What did Daniel decide to do as a result of his study of the Scriptures? Daniel 9:3.

NOTE: “With faith founded on the sure word of prophecy, Daniel pleaded with the Lord for the speedy restoration of the captive exiles to the land of their fathers.” Review and Herald, March 21, 1907.

“Neither Have we Hearkened unto Thy Servants the Prophets”

4 What was the burden of Daniel’s prayer? Daniel 9:4–15, 18, 19.

NOTE: “Notice these words. Daniel does not proclaim his own fidelity before the Lord. Instead of claiming to be pure and holy, he identifies himself with the really sinful of Israel. The wisdom which God imparted to him was as far superior to the wisdom of the wise men of the world as the light of the sun shining in the heavens at noonday is brighter than the feeblest star. Yet ponder the prayer from the lips of this man so highly favored of Heaven. With deep humiliation, with tears, and with rending of heart, he pleads for himself and for his people. He lays his soul open before God, confessing his own vileness, and acknowledging the Lord’s greatness and majesty. What earnestness and fervor characterize his supplications! He is coming nearer and nearer to God. The hand of faith is reached upward to grasp the never-failing promises of the Most High. His soul is wrestling in agony. And he has the evidence that his prayer is heard. He feels that victory is his. If we as a people would pray as Daniel prayed, and wrestle as he wrestled, humbling our souls before God, we should realize as marked answers to our petitions as were granted to Daniel. Hear how he presses his case at the court of Heaven.” Review and Herald, February 8, 1881.

5 What especially was on Daniel’s heart? When was Daniel praying? Daniel 9:16, 17, 21. Compare Daniel 8:14.

NOTE: “Daniel’s heart turns with intense longing to the desolate sanctuary of God. He knows that its prosperity can be restored only as Israel shall repent of their transgressions of God’s law, and become humble, faithful, and obedient.” The Sanctified Life, 47.

“Whiles I was Speaking and Praying”

6 Who came in answer to Daniel’s prayer? Daniel 9:20, 21. Compare Isaiah 65:24.

NOTE: “As Daniel’s prayer is going forth, the angel Gabriel comes sweeping down from the heavenly courts to tell him that his petitions are heard and answered. This mighty angel has been commissioned to give him skill and understanding—to open before him the mysteries of future ages. Thus, while earnestly seeking to know and understand the truth, Daniel was brought into communion with Heaven’s delegated messenger.” The Sanctified Life, 48.

See also Desire of Ages, 234.

7 How did Gabriel explain his mission to Daniel? Daniel 9:22, 23. Compare Daniel 8:16.

NOTE: “God had bidden His messenger: ‘Make this man to understand the vision.’ That commission must be fulfilled. In obedience to it, the angel, some time afterward, returned to Daniel, saying: ‘I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding;’ ‘therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.’ Daniel 8:27, 16; 9:22, 23, 25–27. There was one important point in the vision of chapter 8 which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time—the period of the 2300 days; therefore the angel, in resuming his explanation, dwells chiefly upon the subject of time.” Great Controversy, 325.

“Seventy Weeks are Determined”

8 What time period did Gabriel begin to explain to the prophet? Daniel 9:24, first part.

NOTE: “The word here translated ‘determined’ literally signifies ‘cut off.’ Seventy weeks, representing 490 years, are declared by the angel to be cut off, as specially pertaining to the Jews. But from what were they cut off? As the 2300 days was the only period of time mentioned in chapter 8, it must be the period from which the seventy weeks were cut off; the seventy weeks must therefore be a part of the 2300 days, and the two periods must begin together.” Great Controversy, 326.

9 What was to take place during that period of time? Daniel 9:24.

NOTE: “The transgression was to be finished; that is, the Jewish people were to fill up the cup of their iniquity, which they did in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ. An end of sins, or of sin-offerings, was to be made. This took place when the great offering was made on Calvary. Reconciliation for iniquity was to be provided. This was made by the sacrificial death of the Son of God. Everlasting righteousness was to be brought in; the righteousness which our Lord manifested in His sinless life. The vision and the prophecy were to be sealed up, or made sure. By the events given to transpire in the seventy weeks, the prophecy is tested. By this the application of the whole vision is determined. If the events of this period are accurately fulfilled, the prophecy is of God and will all be accomplished; and if these seventy weeks are fulfilled as weeks of years, then the 2300 days, of which these are a part, are so many years. Thus the events of the seventy weeks furnish a key to the whole vision. And the ‘most holy’ was to be anointed; the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary.” Smith, Daniel and the Revelation,1918 ed., 217.

10 When was this period to begin? Daniel 9:25, first part.

NOTE: “The seventy weeks were declared by the angel to date from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. If the date of this commandment could be found, then the starting point for the great period of the 2300 days would be ascertained. In the seventh chapter of Ezra the decree is found. Verses 12–26. In its completest form it was issued by Artaxerxes, king of Persia, 457bc. But in Ezra 6:14 the house of the Lord at Jerusalem is said to have been built ‘according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.’ These three kings, in originating, reaffirming, and completing the decree, brought it to the perfection required by the prophecy to mark the beginning of the 2300 years. Taking 457bc, the time when the decree was completed, as the date of the commandment, every specification of the prophecy concerning the seventy weeks was seen to have been fulfilled.” Great Controversy, 326.

11 How long a period was to elapse from the going forth of the commandment until the appearance of Messiah the Prince? How much of this time was to be devoted to rebuilding of the city streets and walls? Daniel 9:25.

NOTE: “‘From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks’—namely, sixty-nine weeks, or 483 years. The decree of Artaxerxes went into effect in the autumn of 457bc. From this date, 483 years extend to the autumn of ad27. (See Appendix) At that time this prophecy was fulfilled. The word ‘Messiah’ signifies ‘the Anointed One.’ In the autumn of ad27 Christ was baptized by John and received the anointing of the Spirit. The apostle Peter testifies that ‘God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.’ Acts 10:38. And the Saviour Himself declared: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.’ Luke 4:18. After His baptism He went into Galilee, ‘preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled.’ Mark 1:14, 15.” Great Controversy, 327.

12 What was to happen during the final part of the prophecy? Daniel 9:26, first part; Daniel 9:27, first part.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 327, 328.

13 What was to be the fate of the city and the sanctuary? Daniel 9:26, last part; Daniel 9:27, last part. Compare Matthew 24:15–20; Luke 21:20–24 and Luke 19:42–44.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 35.

14 When was the remainder of the vision revealed to Daniel? Daniel 10:1.

NOTE: “Upon the occasion just described, the angel Gabriel imparted to Daniel all the instruction which he was then able to receive. A few years afterward, however, the prophet desired to learn more of subjects not yet fully explained, and again set himself to seek light and wisdom from God.” The Sanctified Life, 49.