bridegroom

Go, Set a Watchman

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As spring weather approaches, we are excited to know that God has a wonderful plan for all who commit themselves to His service. Need we remind you that we are living in a day in which the messages of the prophets must be understood and proclaimed?

All that the Prophets Have Spoken

We know that Jesus lived and preached, constantly under the knowledge that He was fulfilling the words of the prophets. “Then He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, ‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished.’” Luke 18:31. Remember, Jesus upbraided the two disciples on the road to Emmaus for not believing what the prophets spoke. “Then He said unto them, ‘O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Luke 24:25. The Apostle Paul clearly states that the prophets speak to these last days. “Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.’” Acts 3:24.

John the Baptist also understood and preached the message of the prophets. He needed no new revelation, no new doctrine, and no novel truth. He preached from Isaiah! “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is He that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!’” Matthew 3:1-3.

We do not need some new, novel thing for which itching ears now seek. We need to hear what the prophets spoke about this, our day. They were accurate regarding Christ in every detail. They must also be right about their warnings and admonitions to us!

All through the New Testament you see events unfolding in order that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled. “When the evening was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.’” Matthew 8:16, 17. “But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself from thence: and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all; and charged them that they should not make Him known: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet…” Matthew 12:15-17.

A Devastating Vision

Isaiah the prophet saw the glory of Jesus centuries ago; and he preached Christ in his own day. Isaiah not only saw the future Lord and Saviour; he also had a hard, devastating vision of the very days in which we live. His vision in Isaiah 21 must be understood, heeded, and proclaimed! It is a message for this time!

Isaiah begins in 21:2: “A grievous [harsh] vision is declared unto me;” The prophet does not give us the details of this horrifying vision; but his insight into the future was so devastating, it violently agitated him. Isaiah revealed the vision’s impact on him: “Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath turned into fear unto me.” Isaiah 21:3–4.

What caused such convulsions in Isaiah’s body? Why did his heart beat wildly? Why such anguish of soul? He saw a storm roaring in from the desert. It was a massive enemy army; riders, horsemen in pairs, trains of donkeys, and camels. The prophet sees the coming downfall of the Babylonian system. He hears in his spiritual ear, he sees in his spiritual eye the downfall of all that is of this world. He sees the end of pride, ambition, wickedness, and corruption. “Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken unto the ground.” Isaiah 21:9.

Isaiah saw the coming judgment and destruction, and he cried out,”Pay close attention, very close attention.” Isaiah 21:8. “and he harkened diligently with much heed:” He calls out, “Rise up–oil the shields.” “Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.” Isaiah 21:5. But no one is listening! Instead, Isaiah 21:5 says, “They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, and drink…”

Get Ready—Destruction Cometh!

Indescribable judgments are at the door; massive armies are marching outside of the gate; the day of reckoning has come! The prophet is shouting, “Pay attention! Get ready! Oil the shields! Put on the whole armor!” But they ignore the warnings of the prophet! They go about their ways, eating, drinking, making merry, spreading out a feast table of prosperity, success, and entertainment. They are deaf! They do not want to hear about the mounting gloom outside the gate! They have their own “Happy Days” prophets sitting at the head of their tables. While they sit with them on ivory couches, they prophesy smooth things. “…this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: which say to the seers, ‘See not,’ and to the prophets, ‘Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.’” Isaiah 30:9, 10.

What a vivid vision Isaiah had of our present day. Here are alarmed watchmen blowing a trumpet, begging the unconcerned to wake up, to prepare for a day of disaster! But the crowds spread their tables and sit down to feast, dance, and play! It is not just that they ignore him (the prophet), they shout to him, ‘Enough of your doom and gloom! You’ve been on the wall too long! Why don’t you ever give us a good word? Why so rough, so harsh, so negative?”

I ask you, if the watchman keeps quiet, if he gets weary of warning, if he does relent and ease up, will that change anything? Will that stop the destruction? No! Whether or not the people will listen, God is setting His watchmen in place! “For thus hath the Lord said unto me, ‘Go, set a watchman let him declare what he seeth.’” Isaiah 21:6. God has set up faithful watchmen in these troubled times. They see the gathering storm of divine judgment and they are appointed to warn the people.

We know that the Old Testament prophets and shepherds were set as watchmen. Some were called seers because they walked with God so closely they could see what others could not. They could see the approaching enemy; they could see into the future, their warnings came from the very heart of God. God said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.’” Ezekiel 3:17.

The Watchmen on the Walls

God spoke through Isaiah, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day or night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isaiah 62:6, 7.

This should greatly encourage the holy remnant! It should bring hope to all of God’s people who sigh and cry over the abominations in the house of the Lord! Those who claim to be purest and persecuted for righteousness sake when all the time they are covering up their sin. Those who are going around as talebearers should take heed before it is too late. God has set up holy watchmen who will never shut up! Night and day, they will blow the trumpet and warn the people until God’s house is cleansed and awakened!

Some are saying, “This message of impending judgment by self-styled prophets will pass away. These ridiculous warnings, these awesome thunderings, these harsh visions will die out.” Not a chance! God has posted His watchmen! God has instructed them to “Keep not silent!” I will continue to preach, “Repent” from your sin and then receive God’s forgiveness and then be restored to God’s true remnant church. These sin lovers will continue to call God’s servants, self-appointed and misinformed. They can call me any name they choose. However, I will not be hindered in my mission. I have been set in place by divine authority!

The New Testament is a call to every servant of God to watch. “Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, [worldliness] and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.’”

Paul warns the present day ministry, “Watch ye! Stand fast in the faith, act like men, be strong!” 1 Corinthians 16:13. For three years Paul stood watch over the Corinthian church. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Acts 20: 28–32.

Watch! Warn! Cry Night and Day!

To the overseers, to bishops, to pastors, he says the same thing! “Watch! Warn! Everyone, night and day with tears!” Paul said of the true ministers, “They watch for your soul.” That is the test of a true watchman! Does he watch out for his own interests, his own dreams, and his own ambitions? Or does he watch for souls? If Paul had to preach to the ministers of today, he would deliver the same message he gave to young Timothy. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry…” 2 Timothy 4:3–6.

Isaiah’s vision focused on a cry coming to his ears “out of the land of the lawless.” “The oracle [or burden, or cry] concerning Edom…one keeps calling to me from Seir.” Isaiah 21:11. Genesis 36:8 says that Edom is Esau. God said, “And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains [territory] and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” Malachi 1:3. Malachi gives us God’s view of what Edom and Esau represents: “Men shall call them the territory of the lawless, and the people with whom Jehovah hath indignation against until times eternal.” Malachi 1:4 Rotterman’s Original Hebrew.

What is this cry coming out of the territory of the lawless? It is the very same cry arising out of religious America! We have become the land of the lawless. We are those who have rejected the Lord and against whom God is indignant! Here is the cry from the land of the lawless: “Watchman, how far gone is the night? (NAS) The King James version reads, “Watchman, what is the night?” But the Hebrew text is actually, “How far gone is the night?” Isaiah 21:11.

There was no cry, “What must we do to be redeemed? How can we repent and turn to God? How can we prepare to meet the enemy?” The only question being asked by these deluded, unrepentant children of God was, “How much longer until the good times return? How soon will a new day dawn, so we can return to our feasting and drinking?”

A New Day Dawning

Mark my words, the day has already come. Multitudes of prosperity lovers led by their success preachers share one great concern, to bring in a bright, new day of endless prosperity and bliss. When the darkness of recession and depression begins to fall all around, they cry out, ‘How long will it last? How soon until we are back in the sunlight of good times? How deep, how long will be the darkness? They prophesy great things and prosperous times just ahead. The Scripture that says, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand” means something very different to them. They see that as a promise that God is going to set up His earthly kingdom soon! No imminent return of Christ. No going up to meet the Lord in the air! They have become so earthbound, they cannot see giving it up even to meet Him in glory!

This is the cry of the New Age people! New Age Christians! Or professing Seventh-day Adventists who are hiding in sin. It is the cry of the spreading gospel of the Kingdom Preachers: “A new day is dawning! A day of earthly peace and prosperity!” they boast. “God is going to give us the wealth of the world; we will become kings—take dominion over all government, all science, all law and legislation.” They are no longer for Mark 13:26, which says, “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”

They evidently do not believe the words of Jesus when He warned, “On this earth you will suffer and be persecuted.” They reject Christ’s warning that the church will be “hated and scorned” among men. “And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake.” Luke 21:17. Christ is no longer expected to return. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2. They do not believe Paul’s warning in
1 Thessalonians 5:3, “For when they shall say, ‘Peace and safety;’ then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” Nevertheless, Jesus bluntly said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” His reign is in the hearts of men.

Return and Repent

Hear the answer of the watchmen. “The watchman said, ‘The morning cometh and also the night, if ye will inquire, inquire ye: Return—Come.” Isaiah 21:12. He is saying, “For those who return and repent, there is a new day coming—but for those who are living in the land of the lawless, bound by the spirit of Esau, with its lust and evil, there is nothing but night!”

Isaiah went on to describe what that meant for the backslidden and unconcerned. “For it is a day of trouble [confusion] and the treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.” Isaiah 22:5. Those who live for self, who lust for success, power, and earthly dominion, will awaken to a day of perplexity and unprecedented trouble.

I have received many newsletters from one Seventh-day Adventist physician who talks about all of the mission work he supposedly supports. The fact is, he uses these works to generate support to pay for his own overseas trips, and now to support his adulterous relationship. Yet he portrays himself as a humble purist who is persecuted by all of the other self-supporting workers because of his strong stands. Friends, he is only standing on sinking sand. He is not fooling anyone but himself, for God knows it all.

What makes this so frightening is that Isaiah is speaking of our time! Only a holy, separated remnant will comprise the Holy Zion. The city is coming down from God! While many preach about a new day of earthly might, glory and dominion—it will actually be that dreaded day of perplexity, sorrow, and cries for help!

The preachers of Paradise Restored are deluded prophets. That is easily proven by God’s Word. Here is unshakable proof that God has not sent them, but that they are deceived and speak their own imaginations.

“Then said I, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured [lasting] peace in this place.’ Then the Lord said unto me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in My name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision, and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart [or deception of their own minds.]’”

There are holy watchmen and there are evil watchmen. We live in a day when many watchmen who were once mightily anointed are falling asleep in sin! They are justifying their sin and they continue to live in sin because they are pleasure seekers. They are ruled by their flesh.

Searching for the Bridegroom

Let me share with you one of the saddest indictments against evil watchmen in God’s Word. “By night on my bed I sought Him whom my soul loveth: I sought Him, but I found Him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek Him whom my soul loveth: I sought Him, but I found Him not. The watchmen that go about the city found me: it was but a little that I passed from them, but I found Him whom my soul loveth: I beheld Him and would not let Him go, until I had brought Him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.” Solomon 3:1–4.

Here is the bride—the church—the people of God who are truly hungering and thirsting for their Lord! They want Him! They yearn for His love and presence. It is a seeking people! They do not know how to reach Him! There is a confrontation with certain of the watchmen. If anyone should know where to find Him, the watchman should. Who could miss this Man so well described: “His head is of the most fine gold; His locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers; His lips are like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: His belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely…” Solomon 5:11–16.

Of the watchman she asks, “Have you seen Him whom my soul loveth?” In other words, “Lead me to Him whom my soul longs for! You are the watchman—bring me to Him!”

How sad these words are: “It was but a little that I passed from them; but I have found Him whom my soul loveth.” The bride is confessing, “When I got away from the blind watchmen, then I found Him!”

Blind Watchmen

They could not help me, Isaiah said, “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark: sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” Isaiah 56:10.

Think of it! In Isaiah 21 the watchmen are awake; they are calling the people to action, speaking only the truth; faithful; watching day and night. Now in Isaiah 56 some have fallen asleep. They are lying down like a bunch of lazy dogs. They refuse to blow the trumpet! They have left off warnings! Some are asleep on the wall. They have become spiritually blind and ignorant, with no discernment left.

What happened? Isaiah said they became self-centered! Greedy! Filled with lust and sensuality! They divorce their wives and marry younger ones. They need new thrills. “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. ‘Come ye,’ say thus, ‘I will fetch wine and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.’” Isaiah 56:11, 12.

Isaiah lamented, “The righteous man perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart.” Instead, some became greedy, looking out for themselves—their own dreams and plans—having fallen into lust and love for pleasure. They have opted for comfort, acceptance, and respect among men. They have been corrupted by a lust for power, position, and money.

Look around you today, as many ministers fall! Look at the supposed health educators. They are living for self. They do not hold to the basic principles of marriage, accountability, honesty. The worm of self is eating like a cancer, destroying the love of many. So few now weep for the lost. Fewer yet are taking to heart the backsliding of God’s people! There is greed, self-promotion, self-seeking, and self-indulgence!

God’s Grief

What grief God must carry over the backslidden, blind watchmen! His grief goes beyond their spiritual blindness. Beyond the pride and greed. Beyond sensuality and self-centeredness. It is a two-fold grief!

First, grief because God can never delight in the fall of a single created being. He laments the loss of their love! The loss of their communion! The loss of a chosen son or daughter! The loss of one so important to His work on earth! Saul falls and the prophet Samuel weeps for him. Absolom rebels, is killed in rebellion, yet David laments, “Absolom, my son—my son!” Will not God lament over the loss of His rebellious, fallen watchmen?

Second, it is the grief of having to turn corrupted watchmen over to their sins! I call it the dread release. You will find it in Romans 1; but also throughout God’s Word. God never removes His offer of grace and mercy! His mercy is everlasting! But when men who once knew the truth, preached it, embraced it, then became bound and enslaved to creature lusts, and they refuse to let it go, refuse to walk in holiness before a holy God, then God must release them to their sins! You see this dread release in Ezekiel 20:39, “As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God. Go ye, serve ye everyone his idols…”

God is releasing this Christian nation to her idols. He is saying, “Go to your TV idol! Go to your secret lover! Go to your pornographic cassettes! Go to your filthy magazines! Go to your hidden sin! If you will have your idols rather than walk wholly separated in holiness, then go to the object of your desires.”

Tearing Away the Veil

This is the tragic end of the greedy, blind watchmen. “I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn Himself, and was gone: my soul failed when He spake: I sought Him, but I could not find Him; I called Him, but He gave me no answer. The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.” Solomon 5:6, 7.

Can you believe it? The blind watchmen are beating up on the bride! They are wounding the bride! They are tearing off her veil, her covering of modesty. Behind it she can blush, she can close her eyes to all others so she will not behold sin.

Think on the following points:

  1. All of the rock concerts going on in God’s house.
  2. The senseless choreographed dancing.
  3. The blatant entertainment!
  4. The emphasis on materialism, success, and self-improvement.
  5. The cancerous growth of worldliness in the churches.
  6. The lack of grief over sin among believers.
  7. The acceptance of rock, punk, and disco music in God’s house.
  8. The foolishness, the lightness, the off-color joking.
  9. The drinking and fornicating.

These are the fault of the greedy, backslidden watchmen who are tearing at the bride’s veil! Once again the blind watchmen are “taking away the veil…” The blind watchmen became candidates as rulers of darkness and angels of light. They end up preaching another Jesus, another gospel! Notice these very clear warnings. “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2–4.

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according o their works. ” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

What of the Watchmen?

I listen to the so-called doctors, health reformers, as they talk so sweetly about loving Jesus and of their desire to take Him where the world is. They sound so pious, so humble, and so sincere. They say the right words, but their hearts do not belong wholly to the Lord. God says of them, “And the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. Oh, that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons, forever.” Deuteronomy 5:28, 29. NAS.

Some blind watchmen in the Northwest have introduced dancing with others’ spouses in their churches. They dance for hours with the mate of someone else, staring intently into each other’s eyes, calling the affair a spiritual connection. An intricate and evil doctrine has been concocted to support it as a so-called “new move of the Holy Spirit.” It is causing divorces, suicide among the adults, and terror among the children of those caught up in it. Many hundreds are involved, and adultery is rampant among them. The leaders of this diabolical doctrine preach so sweetly about Jesus, about the bride of Christ; and their words at times sound right. But they are the prophecies and doctrines of devils. Those involved are devil-inspired angels of light, come to deceive, if possible, even the elect. These are those referred to in the Song of Solomon who “wound the bride, smite her, and strip her veil from her! God has promised to deal with them with His holy fire of jealousy. “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27.

Thank God, the true and faithful watchmen on the wall will never compromise! They will not stop warning the righteous about the seductions and infiltrations of the wicked one among God’s people. No sincere Christian need be in doubt about who to listen to in these days of many voices.

Tests of the True Prophetic Warnings

There are two very clear and unmistakable tests of all prophetic warnings:

1 True prophecy seeks to turn Christians away from sin. “But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and the evil of their deeds.” Jeremiah 23:22 NAS.

Heed the voice of those who seek to turn you away from wickedness. Avoid those who speak soothing words with no reference to sin. Those who are justifying their own sin. Yet, when you ask them a direct question, they talk in circles. They think they are clever, yet they are only deceived.

2 Prophetic warnings, from the beginning, spoke of judgments upon the wicked. “Yet hear now this word which I am about to speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people! The prophets who were before me and before you from ancient times prophesied against many lands and against great kingdoms, of war and of calamity and of pestilence.” Jeremiah 28:7, 8. NAS.

Those who warn of coming judgment are in good company. They speak the same word of all the prophets “from the beginning.” I declare with all assurance that the warnings now going forth from God’s holy watchmen are the greatest evidences of His love to this generation. He loves His people enough to prepare them; to give them time to repent and prepare the way of the Lord in holiness! Those who love the Lord will be thankful. Those who are at ease in Zion will be repelled and indignant. May God richly bless all of His true children.

Editorial – The Overwhelming Surprise, Part I

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Many times, in these editorials, our attention has been called to the fact that all people, including born-again Christians, are in danger of being surprised by the sudden end of all things earthly. This is the message of the prophets, of Jesus, of the apostles, and of the testimonies of the Holy Spirit in the last days. Because we are all in danger of being surprised, and almost all of us will be totally surprised at the suddenness of the end, our only safety is to be ready at all times. What is involved in being ready for this surprise will be the subject of later editorials in this series.

The following statements show that the end will come as a great surprise:

“When they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them.…And they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

“The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly.…Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one’s interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 335.

“Ought men to be surprised over a sudden and unexpected change in the dealings of the Supreme Ruler with the inhabitants of a fallen world? Ought they to be surprised when punishment follows transgression and increasing crime? Ought they to be surprised that God should bring destruction and death upon those whose ill-gotten gains have been obtained through deception and fraud? Notwithstanding the fact that increasing light regarding God’s requirements has been shining on their pathway, many have refused to recognize Jehovah’s rulership, and have chosen to remain under the black banner of the originator of all rebellion against the government of heaven.” Prophets and Kings, 276.

“Character is revealed by a crisis. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,’ the sleeping virgins roused from their slumbers, and it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares, but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. Character is revealed by circumstances. Emergencies bring out the true metal of character.…It will be made manifest whether or not there is any real faith in the promises of the word of God. It will be made manifest whether or not the soul is sustained by grace, whether there is oil in the vessel with the lamp.” Review and Herald, September 17, 1895.

“We know not when the Master will come to settle the accounts of His servants. Let us be always prepared to meet Him in peace. The probation of any one of us may cease in a moment. Death by accident may suddenly and unexpectedly close our earthly history. How stands our life-record today?” Ibid., July 2, 1901.

“The Lord is anxious to save us. He is anxious that everything separating us from Him should be put away, that our hearts may beat in unison with heaven. It is time to be in harmony with God.…When probation ends it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it. But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us; and finally, if faithful, we shall be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 378.

Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh, Part II

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A key text for people who are living in the last years of time, approaching the end of everything in this world as we know it, is Revelation 12:12: “On account of this, rejoice, O heavens, and those who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea! Because the devil has come down to you having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”

Among different Bible students and scholars, there is a difference of opinion as to what exact time this text in Revelation 12 applies. I am not interested in getting into a controversy about it. I will mention the two positions, and you can study this whole chapter and try to figure it out for yourselves. Some people believe that this applies particularly to 31 a.d., after the resurrection of Jesus. I have no real argument with those people. I personally believe that this Scripture has more particular application to 1798, the end of the 1260 day period. Study it out for yourself and make your own decision. Whichever way it is, we are living in that time now.

With a Whisper

“The devil has come down to you having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.” What does this text predict? This text predicts that as we approach the last years of earth’s history, the controversy between Christ and Satan is going to become more fierce and intense.

Ellen White wrote: “The Lord Jesus Christ came to dispute the usurpation of Satan in the kingdoms of the world. The conflict is not yet ended; and as we draw near the close of time, the battle waxes more intense.” Review and Herald, April 14, 1896. Then she discussed how Satan will personate Jesus Christ and how he will work upon the human imagination. The devil is cunning; even though he has great wrath, sometimes he comes with a whisper.

How does the devil get to your imagination? He can get to it through billboards, magazines, radio, television, novels, plays, videos—all of those are ways the devil can use to introduce things into your imagination and to start working on it. You need to be careful what you are looking at, what you are listening to, and what your imagination is dwelling upon.

After Ellen White says that the battle will wax more intense, she continues: “He will exercise his power, and work upon the human imagination.” Ibid. The devil wants to work on your imagination and on my imagination. We sometimes may not even know we are being tempted. We may think that we are just daydreaming, that we are just enjoying a little reverie, but the devil is working on the imagination.

A special warning is given for the young people: “Through the pleasures and ambitions of the world, the enemy is working to draw the youth into his ranks, and he has much success. As we approach nearer to the close of time, he will invent every possible attraction to draw their minds into worldly channels.” Ibid., February 1, 1912.

Attack upon Marriage

Another sign that the end of this earth is near is the severe attack we see upon marriage. Divorce seems to be used as the solution to a myriad of issues.

A young lady who was contemplating divorce once asked me for counsel. In her situation, I could only tell her, “Jesus said that if you divorce your spouse and marry somebody else, for some reason other than adultery, you are in adultery.” She did not like my answer. She divorced her husband and married somebody else anyway. That is one of the signs of the times.

Ellen White wrote, “A woman may be legally divorced from her husband by the laws of the land, and yet not divorced in the sight of God and according to the higher law. There is only one sin, which is adultery, which can place the husband or wife in a position where they can be free from the marriage vow in the sight of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 159.

When Jesus comes again, there will be many people who have remarried after divorce, with no biblical grounds. It is a problem that we are facing all over the world. It is one of the signs of the times.

Fashionable Sins

Speaking about a certain class of people, Ellen White said, “Those who cannot sustain their position by the Scriptures are stubbornly determined that it shall be sustained at all hazards, and with a malicious spirit they attack the character and motives of those who stand in defense of unpopular truth. Though very unbelieving in regard to the sure word of prophecy, they manifest the utmost credulity in accepting anything detrimental to the Christian integrity of those who dare to reprove fashionable sins. This spirit will increase more and more as we near the close of time.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 292.

If you study history, you will learn that in every period of history in this world there have been certain sins in different cultures that have been acceptable. There are sins today that are acceptable in Adventism. When some of us have decided that we have to write, preach, teach, and say what God says about these fashionable sins, people get angry. There is hatred of those who reprove fashionable sins.

There are sins that were fashionable in other periods of time that are not fashionable today. People fall into fashionable sins because they are looking around at other people, and they may not even realize something is sin, because everybody is doing it.

When we lived in Keene, Texas, my son attended the Keene Adventist Elementary School. One evening when we were talking, I was admonishing him about certain things that he should not do, and he said to me, “But dad, everybody is doing it.”

I was ready for that! I said, “Son, what if all those people who are doing that burn up some day? Would you like to burn up with them?”

There was a time, during Old Testament times, when one of the fashionable sins was the practice of polygamy. Was it a sin? Of course it was a sin. That is not fashionable right now, although today we have consecutive polygamy—we marry and divorce, marry and divorce. We have multiple spouses; we just have them one at a time.

One of the fashionable sins in Adventism today is lewdness. Do you know what lewdness is? Maybe I should use a simpler word: immodesty. Ellen White says that lewdness defiles the conscience. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 454.) Concealed Sin

“As we near the close of time, Satan will work with masterly activity to undermine principle, and corrupt moral character. Sin is committed by many who think their crime is effectually concealed. But there is One who says, ‘I know thy works.’ ‘There is nothing covered, which shall not be revealed; and hid, which shall not be known.’ [Revelation 2:2; Matthew 10:26.] When the mind is infatuated with the idea of sin, there will be deception practiced; lies will be told; for those who commit such sins will not be slow to lie as well. But all sin shall be revealed.” Review and Herald, May 24, 1887.

“The small sins will swell into the greater sins. Impure thoughts, private, impure actions, unrefined, low, and sensual thoughts and actions in the marriage life, the giving loose reins to the baser passions under the marriage vow will lead to every other sin, the transgression of all the commandments of God.” Ibid.

We need to face up to the divine counsel in the Spirit of Prophecy. Impure thoughts lead to impure actions. God has given you the right to eat. He gave Adam and Eve the right to eat, but did He give them the right to eat anything they pleased at any time? No. There was one tree of which God said, “Do not eat.” (Genesis 2:17.)

Whether you are a man or a woman, God has given you the right to get married. That is honorable. The Bible says that marriage is honorable, but just as it is not right for a person to eat anything, any time, any way, so the marriage privileges can be abused.

If you are concerned as to whether or not you and your spouse are living in a way that is honorable and glorifying to God, obtain the book, Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, by Ellen White. In it her counsel and advice is very, very specific.

Lose to Win

Matthew 24:10, 11 has some specific counsel as to what will happen as we approach the end of time: “And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.” These verses say, “many.” How many are these many? Ellen White states very specifically that the majority will forsake us. (Testimonies, vol. 5, 136.)

What is going to happen? She says, “We are living in these last days, when lukewarmness and apostasy abound.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, 171. “The development of those who are not of the truth, will become of more frequent occurrence, as we near the close of time. Many will show that they are not one with Christ, that they are not dead to the world, that they may live with him; and frequent will be the apostasies of men who have occupied responsible positions. To be dead with Christ, means to be dead to all sin,—dead to the pleasures, the enjoyments, the profits, the honors, of the world; and, if we are partakers of Christ’s self-denial and suffering, we shall lose nothing by it, for we shall be partakers with him of his glory. It is at the peril of our souls that we prove unfaithful.” Review and Herald, September 11, 1888.

Remember that whatever we lose when we follow Jesus is not really a loss. As we approach the end, we are going to lose everything, from a worldly standpoint. But if we have faith, that is going to be a very exciting time. When it seems as though everyone around us has forsaken us and we lose everything for Jesus’ sake, then we know, if we have faith, that we are going to gain everything.

The day that we lose everything and the day that we gain everything is not the same day. There will be some time when it will appear, from a worldly point of view, that we have lost out on everything completely. Our friends or our relatives who are not in the faith, who are not walking up the narrow road, will think we are absolutely crazy. Some of us have had some experiences like that already.

Accuser of the Brethren

Revelation 12:12 says that as we approach the end of time, “On account of this, rejoice, O heavens, and those who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea! Because the devil has come down to you having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”

Verse 10 says, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Now has come salvation and power, the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ, because the accuser of our brethren has been cast out, the one accusing them before our God day and night.”

The devil is the accuser of the brethren. You can study about that in Zechariah 3. He stood at the right hand of Joshua to oppose him. Ellen White writes, “Satan studies every indication of the frailty of human nature, he marks the sins which each individual is inclined to commit, and then he takes care that opportunities shall not be wanting to gratify the tendency to evil.” The Great Controversy, 555.

As we approach the close of time, she writes that, “Satan commenced his work as an accuser in heaven. This has been his work ever since the fall, and it will be his work in a special sense as we approach nearer to the close of time.” Review and Herald, September 22, 1896. We are going through this right now.

What To Do

What should we do since we are in this situation? Divine counsel has been given. I do not see God’s people doing this very much, but we should start doing it: “Now and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food.” Ibid., February 11, 1904.

This is a very interesting statement. If Ellen White were not inspired, she would not have known to write this. But, you see, we are living in a time when we are the weakest generation there has ever been. There are people all around us who have diabetes and various other health problems, which make it difficult to easily fast. They have to be very careful. I have friends who are on insulin, and they cannot just decide that they are not going to eat anything for a day. They have to be careful.

We are facing a crisis in the church and in the world that we have never before faced. We are not going to make it through these last years successfully unless we have special divine help. I believe that because, as I have prayed, I have been impressed that unless I have special divine help from the Lord, I am not going to make it. Jesus said to the disciples, when they could not cast out the devil, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21.

We will be opposed, in a very short time, by a monolithic worldwide church led by the antichrist. How are we going to make that? It is written in The Great Controversy, 384, that, “The Protestant churches have much of antichrist in them, and are far from being wholly reformed from . . . corruptions and wickedness.” The Seventh-day Adventist church is a Protestant church, and many Adventists will be right along with this worldwide church. We are not going to make it through this time unless we devote some days to fasting and prayer.

What is Happening

A most startling statement is given in Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 379. This is a prediction of what is going to happen in the last years. I believe that we are living in the last years, and I believe this is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes. This quotation explains to me why Adventists are exclaiming, “What is going on? I cannot believe that this is happening.” But it is happening.

“In His Word the Lord declared what He would do for Israel if they would obey His voice. But the leaders of the people yielded to the temptations of Satan, and God could not give them the blessings He designed them to have, because they did not obey His voice but listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer.”

What was the problem? God promised His people, “If you obey My voice, I will do these things for you.” But she continued, “God could not give them the blessings He designed them to have, because they did not obey His voice but listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer.”

That is the setting for the statement that applies to us: “This experience will be repeated in the last years of the history of the people of God, who have been established by His grace and power. Men whom He has greatly honored will in the closing scenes of this earth’s history pattern after ancient Israel.” Ibid.

Who are the people of God in the last years of earth’s history that have been established by God’s grace and power? Seventh-day Adventists.

What happened to Israel? God said, “If you obey My voice, I will do this for you.” They did not obey His voice but listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer. This is why so many things are happening today. People wonder why the Vatican flag was in the Parade of Nations at the General Conference Session. What is happening? Why are Catholic priests giving testimony and monsignors addressing the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? What is happening?

What did Ellen White say would happen in the last years? The experience of leaders of God’s people not obeying His voice but listening to the voice of Lucifer, she said, would be repeated. Just like it happened in ancient Israel, she said, “Men whom He has greatly honored will in the closing scenes of this earth’s history pattern after ancient Israel.”

We are in the closing scenes of this earth’s history, and that is why we see things happening in the church that cause us to say, “What is happening?” We cannot understand it. We cannot believe it. It is so confusing that we cannot make any sense out of anything. That is what is happening.

True or False

One more thing that is going to happen as we approach the end is:

“Falsehood will be so mingled with truth, that only those who have the guidance of the Holy Spirit will be able to distinguish truth from error.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, 359.

This statement is an excellent one to follow after the quotation about listening to the voice of Lucifer. You see, when you listen to the voice of Lucifer, that does not mean that you are not going to hear truth. The devil knows what the truth is, and the devil can teach you a lot of truth. By the way, everything that the antichrist believes is not a lie. Much of what the antichrist teaches is the truth.

Does the antichrist power believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sin? They teach it. Do they believe that you should pray? Yes. They are even teaching now—they did not teach this in the Dark Ages—that you should read your Bible. They believe in missions.

I was given an official Catechism of the Catholic Church. I have looked through it, and it is actually quite amazing, the tremendous amount of truth it contains. But, of course, it is mixed up; it is the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The Book of Revelation predicts that the whole world is going to be deceived by the devil at the end of time. Do not think that all they will believe are lies. A lot of what they believe will be the truth. That is what will make it so deceptive. There will be truth mingled with error, and you will not be able to figure it out unless you have the help of the Holy Spirit.

This perhaps helps you to understand why we need to be praying every day. This is why we pray before we preach. This is why we pray before we study God’s Word. This is why we pray, “Lord, help us to understand the truth,” before we study our Bibles at home.

The devil stands beside some people when they are studying the Bible. He teaches them lots of things—a lot of truth mixed up with error. We cannot tell the error unless the Holy Spirit is working in our mind s. When we understand this, we no longer have self-confidence. Instead, we ask the Lord to keep us. We surrender our lives totally to Him because we recognize that only He can keep us from being deceived.

Lust of the Flesh

What is happening as we approach the end of time, the last years of earth’s history? Ellen White wrote, in the January 2, 1900, Review and Herald, “Many who profess to believe the word of God do not seem to understand the deceptive working of the enemy. They do not realize that the end of time is near; but Satan knows it; and while men sleep, he works. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life are controlling men and women. Satan is at work even among the people of God, to cause disunion. Selfishness, corruption, and evil of every kind are taking a firm hold upon hearts.”

The day of probation is not over yet. If selfishness, corruption, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life has a firm hold on your heart, if you cry out to the Lord Jesus, He can set you free from the devil’s firm hold.

From the few things we have addressed in this article, you know that the Lord Jesus can save you if you make a complete surrender and dedication to Him. I hope you understand that it is necessary to make a total surrender to the Lord, because if you do not, the devil is going to get you.

We are living in the shaking period, in the last years of earth’s history. There is going to be a group of people that will be ready when Christ returns. I want to be one of those people. If you want to be one of those people also, make a covenant with the Lord right now; pray, “Lord, I want to make a covenant with You. Whatever I lose in this world, whatever opposition I have, I want to be one of the people that is ready when Jesus comes. Lord, if there is anything in my life that is wrong, please point it out to me. I want every wrinkle, every spot, to come out of my character. Lord, I am really serious about being saved.”

[Bible texts quoted are literal translation.]

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Bible Study Guides – Parables from the Master Teacher – Meeting the Bridegroom

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September 22, 2019 – September 28, 2019

Key Text

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh. … Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping” (Mark 13:35, 36).

Study Help: Christ’s Object Lessons, 405–421.

Introduction

“It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him’ (Matthew 25:6), and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 412.

Sunday

A PARABLE FOR OUR DAY

  • With whom does the Lord compare the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 25:1, 2.

Note: “Christ with His disciples is seated upon the Mount of Olives. The sun has set behind the mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening. In full view is a dwelling house lighted up brilliantly as if for some festive scene. The light streams from the openings, and an expectant company wait around, indicating that a marriage procession is soon to appear. …

“As Christ sat looking upon the party that waited for the bridegroom, He told His disciples the story of the ten virgins, by their experience illustrating the experience of the church that shall live just before His second coming.

“The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 405, 406.

  • What was the difference between the wise and the foolish virgins? Matthew 25:3, 4.

Monday

DO NOT SLEEP AS DO OTHERS

  • What aroused the sleeping virgins? Matthew 25:5, 6. How was their experience repeated by God’s people in 1844?

Note: “By the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the Lord was expected, the disappointment, and the seeming delay. In this time of uncertainty, the interest of the superficial and halfhearted soon began to waver, and their efforts to relax; but those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath their feet, which the waves of disappointment could not wash away.” The Great Controversy, 394.

  • What warning does God give us concerning the times in which we live? Luke 21:36; 1Peter 4:7.

Note: “All we have to do with is this one day. Today we must be faithful to our trust. Today we must love God with all the heart and our neighbor as ourselves. Today we must resist the temptations of the enemy, and through the grace of Christ gain the victory. Thus we shall watch and wait for Christ’s coming. Each day we should live as if we knew that this would be our last day on this earth. If we knew that Christ would come tomorrow, would we not crowd into today all the kind words, all the unselfish deeds, that we could?” In Heavenly Places, 355.

  • What can we do to arouse from our sleeping condition? Romans 13:11–14.

Note: “We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life. When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove. Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous, and fervent than in those early days. Our perils are greater now than then. Souls are more hardened. We need now to be imbued with the spirit of Christ, and we should not rest until we receive it.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 161, 162.

Tuesday

THE NEED FOR OIL

  • What happened when the virgins awoke and went to trim their lamps? Matthew 25:7–9.

Note: “In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him’ (Matthew 25:6), many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 408.

  • What is represented by the lamps and the oil in the parable? Psalm 119:105; Zechariah 4:1–6. What does it mean to be destitute of the Holy Spirit?

Note: “Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 408.

  • How would you describe the foolish virgins today? 2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 3:17.

Note: “The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. … They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 411.

Wednesday

MAKING EXCUSES FOR OUR DEFICIENCIES

  • What happened while the foolish virgins were separated from the wise virgins to buy oil for their lamps? Matthew 25:10.

Note: “The ten virgins are watching in the evening of this earth’s history. All claim to be Christians. All have a call, a name, a lamp, and all profess to be doing God’s service. All apparently wait for Christ’s appearing. But five are unready. Five will be found surprised, dismayed, outside the banquet hall.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 412.

“We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom’ (Matthew 25:6)! and then gathering up our empty lamps to have them replenished. We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives here, and yet be fitted for His companionship in heaven.” Ibid., 413, 414.

  • What did the foolish virgins petition the Lord of the marriage feast to do? Matthew 25:11, 12.
  • How do we often react when we fail God, instead of acknowledging our sins and mistakes? What did Saul do, and what was Samuel’s response? 1 Samuel 15:18–22.

Note: “There is no time to make excuses and blame others for our backslidings; no time now to flatter the soul [that] if circumstances had only been more favorable, how much better, how much easier [it would be] for us to work the works of God. We must tell even those who profess to believe in Christ, that they must cease to offend God by sinful excuses.

“Jesus has provided for every emergency. If they will walk where He leads the way, He will make rough places plain. He, with His experience, will create an atmosphere for the soul. He closes the door and brings the soul into seclusion with God, and the needy soul is to forget everyone and everything, but God. Satan will talk with him, but speak aloud to God and He will drive back the hellish shadow of Satan. With humble, subdued, thankful hearts they will come forth saying, ‘Thy gentleness hath made me great’ (2 Samuel 22:36).” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 336.

Thursday

THE CALL FOR TODAY

  • What call does God have for us today? What promise does He make along with the call? Malachi 3:7, last part; Isaiah 44:22; 55:7.

Note: “Oh, the love, the wondrous love of God! After all our lukewarmness and sins He says, Return unto Me, and I will return unto thee, and will heal all thy backslidings.” Our High Calling, 352.

“Those who will now seek the Lord earnestly, humbling their hearts before Him, and forsaking their sins, will, through the sanctification of the truth, be fitted to unite with the members of the royal family, and will see the King in His beauty.” This Day With God, 248.

  • As we heed the call, what message does He give us to proclaim to the world? Isaiah 40:9.

Note: “The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.

“The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works—in words of truth and deeds of holiness.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 415, 416.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     Who is represented by the two classes of virgins, and why are they called virgins?

2    What can we do in this waiting and watching time to prepare for Jesus’ soon coming?

3    What work does the Holy Spirit do in the life of those who are like the wise virgins?

4    Instead of blaming circumstances for our defects of character, what can we do instead?

5    How can God use us to give His last message of mercy to the world?

 

©2018, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Behold the Bridegroom Cometh

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Behold, the bridegroom cometh.” Matthew 25:6. Christ, with his disciples, is seated upon the Mount of Olives. The sun has set behind the mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening. In full view is a dwelling house lighted up brilliantly as if for some festive occasion. An expectant company mill about, indicating that a marriage procession is soon to appear.

In many parts of the East, wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth to meet his bride and bring her to his home. By torchlight the bridal party proceeds from the house of the bride’s father to the bridegroom’s house where a feast is provided for the invited guests. In the scene upon which Christ looks, a company is awaiting the parents of the bridal party, intending to join the procession. Lingering near the bride’s house are ten young women robed in white. Each carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for oil. All are anxiously waiting for the appearance of the bridegroom, but there is a delay. Hour after hour passes; the watchers become weary, and they fall asleep. At midnight the cry is heard, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

The sleepers suddenly awake and spring to their feet. They see the procession moving on, bright with torches and glad music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. The ten maidens seize their lamps and begin to trim them in haste to go forth, but five have neglected to fill their flasks with oil. They did not anticipate so long a delay, and they have not prepared for the emergency. In distress, they appeal to their wiser companions, saying, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” Matthew 25:8. But the waiting five with their freshly trimmed lamps have emptied their flagons. They have no oil to spare, and they answered, “[Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Verse 9. While they went to buy, the procession moved on and left them behind. The five with lighted lamps joined the throng and entered the house with the bridal party, and the door was shut. When the foolish virgins reached the banqueting hall, they received an unexpected denial. The master of the feast declared, “I know you not.” They were left standing in the empty street in the blackness of the night.

Christ’s Coming

As Christ sat looking upon the party that waited for the bridegroom, He told His disciples the story of the ten virgins, by their experience illustrating the experience of the church that shall live just before His Second Coming. The disciple Matthew is the only one of the four gospel writers to record the account of the parable of the ten virgins. Having been a Jew who was converted to Christianity, perhaps his focus was now centered on his fellow countrymen, many of whom had embraced the Christian religion.

The parable of the ten virgins is focusing on the coming of the Son of man. The common motif that runs through this parable is readiness for His coming. The parable brings to full view the visible church. It is clear that all who attend church are termed Christians. All who went out to meet the bridegroom were virgins. They all had lamps. They all looked alike. The difference in their character was proved by the results. The folly of the foolish virgins is seen in the fact that at the time of action they were unable to do the work assigned to them.

The story is told of a watchman who was employed at a railway crossing to wave the lantern during the night when the train was coming so the oncoming vehicles could stop. However, one night, unfortunately, the watchman fell asleep. While asleep he heard the train coming. Awaking, he grabbed his lantern and rushed out into the street to wave it before the oncoming vehicles. But the vehicles did not stop. He had to jump out of the roadway, and the vehicles and the train collided.

The watchman was accused of negligence and taken to court. When the judge asked him, “Did you hear the train coming?” He replied, “Yes.” Then the judge asked him, “Did you wave the lantern?” The watchman again said, “Yes,” then continued, “but because I was sleeping while the train was coming, I had no time to light it.” That is why there was a crash.

Jesus spoke this parable of the ten virgins just after concluding the signs that would signal His glorious return. In Matthew 24, in answer to the question of His disciples concerning the signs of His coming and of the end of the world, Christ had pointed out some of the most important events in the history of the world and of the church from His first to His second advent—namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, the great tribulation of the church on the pagan and papal execution, the darkening of the sun, and the falling of the stars. After this, He spoke of His coming and His kingdom, and related the parable described in the two classes of servants who looked for His appearing.

The Shut Door

Chapter 25 of the Book of Matthew opens with, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.” Here is brought to view the church living in the last days, the same that is pointed out in the close of chapter 24. There is a striking parallelism that exists between the early Adventist expectancy imbedded in the Millerite movement and the end time church, and as it relates to the parable of the ten virgins. What do I mean by that? There were the signs, the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom, the midnight cry, the tarrying, the expectancy, the delay, the apostasy. There was also the shut door and the open door experience.

We are told that in 1844 Christ had shut the door of the holy place at the end of His ministration in that apartment, also signifying that some human beings’ probation had been closed as a consequence of their rejection of the present truth then proclaimed. The open door in 1844 by Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, was the opening of the door of the most holy place. Based upon the early Adventist belief, they thought that in 1844 the door of mercy was forever shut. That is how the theory about the shut door was developed, but clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. While it was true that the door of hope and mercy by which men had found access to God was closed, another door was opened, and forgiveness of sins was offered to men through the intercession of Christ in the most holy place.

One part of His ministration had closed only to give place to another. There was still an open door to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ was ministering in the sinner’s behalf. The parable of the ten virgins is specifically applicable to God’s professed people living on the earth just before the return of Jesus. So what we need to understand is that the ten virgins’ parable is specifically referring to Seventh-day Adventists. It is our parable. It is our message. It is our warning.

Read again Matthew 25:1–13. Note verse 13, which says: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The Procession

If I were to ask you which group of followers or which group of virgins you would like to be among—the wise or the foolish—I suspect most people, if not all, would say the wise. That is a very noble response. No one wants to be numbered with the foolish virgins.

However, there is another group associated with the bridegroom that many people have overlooked. I would prefer to be a part of it, and that group is the procession. According to Matthew, the five wise virgins joined the procession at midnight. The procession, however, came at the eleventh hour, while the five wise virgins along with the five foolish virgins were sleeping. At midnight a cry was made, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Who made that cry? It was not the five wise virgins, nor was it the five foolish virgins. I would submit to you that it was the procession that made the cry, the cry that awoke the virgins.

So, the question is, Who is the procession? To answer this question, let us address briefly the time of the latter rain and the loud cry.

The Latter Rain

Concerning the time of trouble and the latter rain, Ellen White stated: “I saw that the holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between the true Israel of God and unbelievers and that the Sabbath is the great question to unite the hearts of God’s dear, waiting saints.

“I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.” Early Writings, 33.

“This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfilment of that view is beginning to be seen. ‘The commencement of that time of trouble,’ here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.” Ibid., 85, 86.

Now, that is the time of the latter rain. Let us connect a few passages with that to give an answer to the question and to show what is the result of the latter rain.

Result of Latter Rain

“I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, ‘It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.’ ” Ibid., 271.

“But I speak not my own words when I say that God’s Spirit will pass by those who have had their day of test and opportunity, but who have not distinguished the voice of God or appreciated the movings of His Spirit. Then thousands in the eleventh hour will see and acknowledge the truth.

“ ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed’ (Amos 9:13).

“These conversions to truth will be made with a rapidity that will surprise the church, and God’s name alone will be glorified.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 16.

“The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience.” The Great Controversy (1888), 612.

Eleventh Hour Workers

Sometimes we give our loved ones or our friends literature to read, but their friends, pastors, or family members discourage them from reading it and may, consequently, prevent them from accepting the truth. We become troubled, but we do not need to become troubled, because the Holy Spirit is doing His work.

“Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.” Ibid. This is referring to the period of the latter rain.

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

It is good to have been in the church a long time, but the question is, Has the truth been in you a long time? What have you done with the truth?

“There will be those who will come in at the eleventh hour, and they will receive an equal reward with those who have long known the truth.” Ibid., July 2, 1889.

Why is this? It is because they will use all their talents to the utmost of their abilities, and bring all their powers to bear on the work of advancing the light of the truth. They come in one hour before the work is over and, realizing the time is short, they put everything into the work. When the truth is brought to their attention, they accept it with joy. They are part of the procession!

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.

Bible Study Guides – The Time of Trouble, Part 111 – The Restoration of the Kingdom of Glory

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July 24, 2005 – July 30, 2005

Memory Verse

“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” Daniel 7:27.

Suggested Reading: Revelation 19:1–9; The Great Controversy, 423–428; 613, 614.

Introduction

In the previous lesson, we learned that the kingdom of glory was in existence from the beginning of time. Its continuance was interrupted by Lucifer’s rebellion and subsequent war in heaven. Then Lucifer (now Satan) led Adam and Eve to sin. Immediately, the kingdom of grace was instituted and later ratified when Jesus died on the cross. We also learned that the kingdom of grace would end with the closing of the sanctuary in heaven (the close of probation) and that the kingdom of glory would be reinstated at the second advent of Christ.

In this lesson, we will study the steps involved with the reestablishing of the kingdom of glory. We will find that the restoration of the kingdom of glory has already begun. We will begin this study with the same sentence that we used last week. It reads: “The number of His subjects is made up; ‘the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.” The Great Controversy, 614.

1 Portions of what two Bible verses are quoted in the above quotation? Hint: One is found in Daniel 7, the other in Revelation 19.

2 What kingdom is referred to in Daniel 7:27? Matthew 25:31, 32, 34.

note: “The kingdom of God’s grace is now being established, as day by day hearts that have been full of sin and rebellion yield to the sovereignty of His love. But the full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world. ‘The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ is to be given to ‘the people of the saints of the Most High.’ Daniel 7:27. They shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them ‘from the foundation of the world.’ Matthew 25:34. And Christ will take to Himself His great power and will reign.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 108.

3 What is the capital of the kingdom referred to in Daniel 7:14? Revelation 21:2.

note: “Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, ‘dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;’ He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.’ Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2.” The Great Controversy, 427.

4 Who gives Christ this kingdom? Daniel 7:9, 13, 14. See Note on Question 3.

5 What is the Holy City—the New Jerusalem, the capital and representative of the kingdom—called? Revelation 21:9, 10.

note: “The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ Said the angel to John: ‘Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ ‘He carried me away in the spirit,’ says the prophet, ‘and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.’ Revelation 21:9, 10.” The Great Controversy, 426, 427.

6 What does the marriage represent? Revelation 19:6, 7.

note: “The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom.” The Great Controversy, 426.

7 When did the bridegroom come to the wedding? Matthew 25:6; Daniel 8:14; 7:13; Malachi 3:1–3.

note: “The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary, brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of Days, as presented in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25. . . .

“The proclamation, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,’ in the summer of 1844, led thousands to expect the immediate advent of the Lord. At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom.” The Great Controversy, 426, 427.

8 When does the wedding, described in Revelation 19:1–7, take place?

note: (1) “The coming of the bridegroom [Matthew 25:6], here brought to view, takes place before the marriage.” The Great Controversy, 426.

(2) “Not now ‘upon the throne of His glory;’ the kingdom of glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God ‘give unto Him the throne of His father David,’ a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end.’ Luke 1:32, 33.” Ibid., 416.

(3) “So the throne of glory represents the kingdom of glory; and this kingdom is referred to in the Saviour’s words: ‘When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations.’ Matthew 25:31, 32. This kingdom is yet future. It is not to be set up until the second advent of Christ.” Ibid., 347. “Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, ‘dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;’ He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.’ Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people . . . .” Ibid., 427.

9 Where does the wedding of the Lamb take place and where are God’s people (the church) during this time?

note: “At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom. ‘They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.’ They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth.” The Great Controversy, 427.

10 What will be the experience of God’s people (the church) while the marriage is taking place in heaven? Jeremiah 30:5–7.

note: “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. ‘Thus saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. . . . All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.’ Jeremiah 30:5–7.” The Great Controversy, 616.

11 How are the people of God represented in the Revelation? Revelation 19:9; Matthew 22:10, 11.

note: “Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride.” The Great Controversy, 427. [Emphasis in original.]

12 What parable is a description of the investigative judgment, and how are the people of God represented in this parable? Matthew 22:1–14.

note: “In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in the sanctuary above.” The Great Controversy, 428.

13 In the sentence from The Great Controversy, 614, that was quoted in the second paragraph of the Introduction, what does the phrase mean that says: “The number of His subjects is made up?” Revelation 11:15–19. See also Revelation 14:6, 7; Daniel 7:9, 10, 13; Matthew 22:1–14.

note: “I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, ‘It is done.’ [Emphasis in original.] And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ [Revelation 22:11.]

“Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.” Early Writings, 279, 280.

[All emphasis supplied unless otherwise noted.]

Editorial – Two Key Texts for Our Time

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There are certain texts in the Bible that have special meaning for a certain time. For example, in the time of the apostle Paul, a key text for the first century Christians to understand was that the righteous man shall live by faith. (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:16, 17.) A key text that was present truth during the days of John Wesley was that without holiness no man will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14.) A key text in 1844 was, “Behold the bridegroom comes; go out to meet Him.” Matthew 25:6.

Two key texts for the last generation living since 1798 are Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 14:12. These two texts point out the chief characteristics of God’s chosen people in the last days of earth’s history. The first one describes God’s people as the remnant, or last of the descendants of the woman; in other words, God’s elect people in the last days, His final movement or church. (Genesis 3:15 distinguishes between the children of God as descendants of the woman, in contrast to the children of the devil who are the descendants of the serpent. They are described as those who: keep the commandments. This means they would have to be Sabbath keepers because if you break one you have broken all. (James 2:8-12.); they have the testimony of Jesus and that is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10.) In other words, the spirit of prophecy has been manifested in their midst.

Revelation 14:12 describes again God’s holy people (saints) in the last days, in contrast to those who worship the beast and his image and receive the beast’s mark in their forehead or in their hand. The faith of Jesus is that religious faith by which a person lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. A person is enabled to have this faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. (See John 14–16 and Romans 8.)

It is stated immediately after the warning of receiving the beast’s mark or worshiping his image, that the holy people of God keep His commandments. This directly implies that the receiving of the beast’s mark, or worshiping his image, involves the breaking of God’s commandments.

The Three Angels’ Messages are the focal point of the latter half of the book of Revelation which describes the very last epochal events in our world. Revelation 14:12 is a key text that everybody who desires to be saved at the end should especially study.