Jeff Pippenger Time of the end 8
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The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man.” The Great Controversy, 640. “The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, . . . Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.” Jeremiah 25:1-2, 9.
“He who presides over His church and the destinies of nations is carrying forward the last work to be accomplished for this world. To His angels He gives the commission to execute His judgments. Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation. The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary. ‘And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, which lieth toward the north and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.’ Read Ezekiel 9:2-10.
The command is, ‘Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.’ Saith God. ‘I will recompense their way upon their head.’ ” Testimonies to Ministers, 431-432. 68 North also identifies the controversy between Satan and Christ which began in heaven, for Satan has longed to take God’s position in the heavenly courts: “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” Isaiah 14:13. The “sides of the north” is God’s church, or His holy mountain: “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2. The king of the north’s reaction to a message from the north is an allusion to Satan’s attempt to usurp God’s position. Not only do east and north represent a message of judgment and the return of Christ, but they identify Christ Himself: “Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. . . .
I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay. Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words. The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.” Isaiah 41:2, 25-27.
This passage of Isaiah identifies Christ as the One who would be raised up from the east and the north. It is the message of Christ’s righteousness, which is the last message of mercy to a dying world–the message of Christ’s character. See Christ’s Object Lessons, 415. In Daniel 11:44 is found the same “good tidings” of Isaiah 41, as well as the “good tidings” which Christ announced at the beginning of His ministry: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.” Isaiah 61:1-2.
The difference with the “tidings” of Daniel 11:44 and the message of Christ while He was on earth is that it was not then “the day of vengeance of our God.” It is the recognition of the “vengeance” connected with the tidings of Daniel 11:44, which makes the king of the north tremble and fear. The “good tidings” of Christ’s righteousness is always accompanied with an outpouring of His Spirit: “What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world.” The Acts of the Apostles, 48. This message of glad tidings will soon be proclaimed once again. This time it will not be in the context of the “risen Saviour,” but in the context of the return of Christ and the close of judgment which precedes “the day of the Lord’s vengeance.” Isaiah 34:8.
This message will bring a response of fear and retaliation from the forces associated with the king of the north. Daniel 11:40-43 portrays the infliction of the deadly wound upon the Papacy in 1798, followed by a three-step returning of the Papacy to its former position of power. It first retaliates against the forces of the king of the south, and then enters the glorious land of the United States. Then all the nations of the world, as symbolized by the land of Egypt, are brought into captivity. After these three obstacles are overcome, we see the king of the north controlling all the finances of the earth, identifying that the Papacy has fully returned to the position which it possessed during the 1260 years of Papal supremacy.
After this, in verse 44, Daniel switches our attention to the final battle between the Papacy and God. The sealing of God’s people begins in verse 41as the Sunday law is enacted in the United States, but verse 44 more directly identifies the sealing message, while also illustrating the Satanic reaction to that message. The sealing message is the message from the east: “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 7:2-3. The message of the sealing angel is the third angel’s message: “I then saw the third angel. Said my accompanying angel, ‘
Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the whole attention.’ ” Early Writings, 118. Through the third angel’s message the church, and then the world–will be tested. It is the message which enrages the king of the north: “When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people 69 of God have accomplished their work.
They have received ‘the latter rain,’ ‘the refreshing from the presence of the Lord,’ and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received ‘the seal of the living God.’ Revelation 7:2. Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, ‘It is done;’ (Revelation 21:6) and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as
He makes the solemn announcement: ‘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 has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; ‘the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ (Daniel 7:27) is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. 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. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.
“A single angel destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians and filled the land with mourning. When David offended against God by numbering the people, one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was punished. The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when He permits. There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere. Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth with woe.
The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked; their anger is kindled against all who have received the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution. When God’s presence was finally withdrawn from the Jewish nation, priests and people knew it not.
Though under the control of Satan, and swayed by the most horrible and malignant passions, they still regarded themselves as the chosen of God. The ministration in the temple continued; sacrifices were offered upon its polluted altars, and daily the divine blessing was invoked upon a people guilty of the blood of God’s dear Son and seeking to slay His ministers and apostles. So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not.
The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God. As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration.
It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confu- 70 sion and lawlessness. The same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought against Christ by the ‘rulers of the people.’ See Acts 4:8. ‘It is expedient for us,’ said the wily Caiaphas, ‘that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.’ John 11:50.
This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts. “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, 613-616. The loud-cry message begins to be proclaimed in earnest at the passage of a national Sunday law. Persecution increases from that point forward–eventually including martyrdom: “When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ’s sake in standing in defense of the truth.” Maranatha, 199.
“The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventh-day Adventists, because they will not yield homage to the Papacy, by honoring Sunday, the institution of this anti-Christian power. It is the purpose of Satan to cause them to be blotted from the earth, in order that his supremacy of the world may not be disputed.” Review and Herald, August 22, 1893. “The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger–a faith that will not faint though severely tried. . . .
The ‘time of trouble, such as never was,’ (Daniel 12:1) is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal.” The Great Controversy, 621-622.
It is in verse 44 the pope and his allies go out “to destroy and utterly make away many.” The message from the east and north, the third angels message comes to a close as probation for the world closes, and the enemies of God’s people are totally brought under the control of Satan but God’s people are not to fear for power on high will granted to his people in order for them to stand during the crisis. The message from the east and the north, the third angel’s message, comes to a close as probation for the world closes, and the enemies of God’s people are totally brought under the control of the spirit of Satan:
“I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message.”
Early Writings, 279. Visit us at: www.adventtimes.com to access various present truth information and order books, CD’s and DVD’s from our new Advent Stop Shop bookstore Sales@adventtimes.com 71 The Latter Rain The Latter Rain But tidings out of the east and out of the North shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many. Daniel 11:44 In the previous chapter, we identified that the ‘tidings out of the east’ is the message that will anger the King of the North and cause him to make away many.
What causes God’s people to fearlessly proclaim this message with boldness will be the outpouring of the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord. “I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. . . . 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.”–Early Writings 271 (1858). {Last Day Events 186.5} The question of what the latter rain is might strike some people as odd. Though many correctly understand it to be the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, many lack understanding of what will cause the full outpouring that will enable God’s people to stand. Interestingly enough, the Bible likens the latter rain to the Harvest Season, the harvest is used as a type to symbolise the end of the world.
The Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle James tells us: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7 The Lord teaches us heavenly things through nature, the unknown being illustrated by the known, divine truths by earthly things with which people are most familiar. Prior to the fall of the latter rain which ripens the harvest and ushers in the coming of the Lord it is necessary for the early rain to fall. Without one experiencing the former rain, there will be no place for the latter rain to fall. The Lords servant tells us:
“He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain.” In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the fertilizing showers the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. [SEE ZECHARIAH 10:1; HOSEA 6:3; JOEL 2:23, 28.]
As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ. The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.– Testimonies to Ministers 506 (1897). {Last Day Events 183.3}
In this Chapter, not only will we investigate what constitutes to the people of God receiving the latter rain, but we will also explain that through the harvest system, the Lord was demonstrating two separations that will take place between the two classes; and the development of the 144000 who will be the ‘firstfruits’ unto the Lord that will produce the loud cry message through the power of the Holy Spirit. Budding Trees of Spring Budding Trees of Spring “And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and 72 all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you,
This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” Luke 21:29-32 To answer the disciples last and most important question regarding the sign of his coming. Christ gave them the parable in Luke 21:29-30 pointing them to the budding trees of spring. In order to understand this parable and the message Christ was getting across to his people we must analyse is components. In the Bible, Summer is identifies as the harvest:
“He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame” Proverbs 10:5 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” Jeremiah 8:20 And the harvest which is the gathering of the fruit takes place at the end of the world: “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” Matthew 13:39-40 Summer is the harvest time however it is important to understand that summertime is progressive in nature. During the harvest time, the “first fruits” are first gathered out of the field, these are the sweetest and best of the crop, then at the end of the season, the planter will gather the rest of the crops.
The Bible also employs this concept. “For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches” Isaiah 18:5 “And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.” Exodus 23:16 So the Bible clearly demonstrate that before the full harvest is gathered in, the first fruits are drawn out first. Bible prophecy is also built on this platform relating it to the separation of the two classes in two parts. First we have the harvest of the first fruits which is the 144000 who will play an important role in giving the final message to the world: “
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 14:1- 4 It is the 144000 that will play a prominent role in preaching the 3rd angels messages to gather the rest of the harvest. They have an experience with God based upon their understanding in the prophetic word and a spiritually settling in the truth, therefore they are harvested as the first fruits. At the Sunday law, the nominal Adventists who never brought truth to their heart will be weeded out leaving those that are left to proclaim the warning message to the rest of the world. This is the message that will trouble the King of the North as he sees many converting to Christ’s fold. Notice how the chapter of revelation 14 is structured. Revelation 14:1-5, describes 144000 as the firstfruits of God who are redeemed from the earth. Revelation 14:6-12 describes the 3 angels message being proclaimed with a loud voice and then Revelation 14:14-19, describes the complete harvest at the end of the world after the 3rd angel has done its work. “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud,
Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God Revelation 14:15-19 The Advent Harvest comes first and then harvest of the rest of the world: “When Jesus began His public ministry, He cleansed the Temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Among the last acts of His ministry was the second cleansing of the Temple. So in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches.
The second angel’s message is, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Rev. 14:8). And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, that 73 ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Rev. 18:4, 5)”.– The Review and Herald, Dec. 6, 1892. The message of the angel following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message, and the whole earth will be lighted with the glory of God.—Letter 86, 1900. Last Day Events p208 The Latter Rain The Latter Rain “Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” Acts 3:!9
“The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are “the times of refreshing” to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus.” Acts 3:19, 20. {The Great Controversy 611.3} The term ‘refreshing’ from the Greek is ‘anapsuxis’ which means revival: 403. a recovery of breath, i.e. (fig) revival: – revival (Strong Concordance) We are told that a revival should be our first work and that it comes from an increase of knowledge of prophetic light. Notice what Ellen White writes in the following passages: A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs.
To seek this should be our first work 1 Selected Messages, vol 1, 121 “Let us give more time to the study of the Bible. We do not understand the Word as we should. The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains. . . . When we . . . understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival.” {Faith I Live By 345.4} Moses likens rain to doctrine: “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” Deuteronomy 32:2 Whilst Isaiah likens the refreshing to doctrine and knowledge. “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.…” Isaiah 28:9-12
We are further told that John the Revelator records the messages that are to ripen the harvest. “ To John were opened scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the experience of the church. He saw the position, dangers, conflicts, and final deliverance of the people of God. He records the closing messages which are to ripen the harvest of the earth, either as sheaves for the heavenly garner or as fagots for the fires of destruction. Subjects of vast importance were revealed to him, especially for the last church, that those who should turn from error to truth might be instructed concerning the perils and conflicts before them.
None need be in darkness in regard to what is coming upon the earth. Why, then, this widespread ignorance concerning an important part of Holy Writ? Why this general reluctance to investigate its teachings? It is the result of a studied effort of the prince of darkness to conceal from men that which reveals his deceptions. For this reason, Christ the Revelator, foreseeing the warfare that would be waged against the study of the Revelation, pronounced a blessing upon all who should read, hear, and observe the words of the prophecy.” {Great Controversy 341}
It is the third angels message that will produce the effect of the latter rain which results in the Holy Spirit being poured out. The latter rain is an increase of knowledge: “By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.” Selected Messages, book 2, 105 As mentioned in previous chapters, this increase of knowledge is in regards to the ‘man of sin’ and his final movements on earth which is explained in Daniel 11:40- 74 45 “In the first angel’s message men are called upon to worship God, our Creator, who made the world and all things that are therein. They have paid homage to an institution of the Papacy, making of no effect the Law of Jehovah, but there is to be an increase of knowledge on this subject.”
{2Selected Messages 106.1}. “The scenes connected with the working of the man of sin are the last features plainly revealed in this earth’s history.” The people now have a special message to give to the world, the third angel’s message. Those who, in their experience, have passed over the ground, and acted a part in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages, are not so liable to be led into false paths as are those who have not had an experimental knowledge of the people of God. . . {2Selected Messages 102.1} Those who reject this new light will find themselves destitute of the latter rain, Christ reveals himself by his word. . “Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them.
They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him.
It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it. At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. Yet these alone will not suffice.
While we cherish the blessing of the early rain, we must not, on the other hand, lose sight of the fact that without the latter rain, to fill out the ears and ripen the grain, the harvest will not be ready for the sickle, and the labor of the sower will have been in vain. Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the work. There is no place for us to rest in a careless attitude. We must never forget the warnings of Christ, “Watch unto prayer,” “Watch, . . . and pray always.”
A connection with the divine agency every moment is essential to our progress. We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door.” {TM 507.2}
This generation This generation shall not pass shall not pass We are the generation that will see Christ come in the clouds with His glory and the glory of His father. “This generation shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled.” Luke 21:32. As the budding trees of spring opened to the Jews for their time from the portion of the book of Daniel. (Daniel 9:24- 27)
They were the ones to witness Christ’s ministry be fulfilled in its entirety on earth beginning with the baptism of John till He be taken to the holy place after the separation of the two classes, leaving the Jews to continue with their useless scarifies. As the budding trees of spring opened to the Millerites after the prophecy of the 2300 days from the book of Daniel was empowered in 1840, they were the ones to witness Christ ministry through faith move from the holy to the most holy place, once again separating the wise virgins from the foolish virgins. And so at the time of the end, the budding trees of spring have now begun, Daniel 11:40-45 is opened to Adventism receiving additional empowerment in 2001. The generation to witness these things will see Christ come with the clouds of heaven. Oh that Adventism may recognise the time of their visitation.
My heart is grieved! “If the truth for this time, if the signs that are thickening on every hand, that testify that the end of all things is at hand, are not sufficient to arouse the sleeping energy of those who profess to know the truth, then darkness proportionate to the light which has been shining will overtake these souls. There is not the semblance of an excuse for their indifference that they will be able to present to God in the great day of final reckoning. There will be no reason to offer as to why they did not live and walk and work in the light of the sacred truth of the Word of God, and thus reveal to a sin-darkened world, through their conduct, their sympathy, and their zeal, that the power and reality of the gospel could not be controverted.” {Ye shall Receive Power. p310.2} 75
Daniel 11 verse 45 describes when the king of the north comes to his end after planting the ‘tabernacles of his palace’ (war tents) between the seas in the glorious holy mountain. The “glorious holy mountain,” is God’s church, according to the following verses: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:2-3.
The “seas” are the people of the world: “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Revelation 17:15. One of the questions most often raised about Daniel 11:40-45, is whether or not the glorious, holy mountain of verse 45 is the same as the glorious land of verse 41. Let us compare them. Both symbols contain the adjective translated as “glorious,” but, if we drop the word “glorious” from both phrases, we see a distinction made between a land and a mountain. A land and a mountain are two different entities even though they are both glorious. The land of verse 41 is where God’s people and truth were placed in order to facilitate the proclamation of the final message of warning. The church which was raised up to proclaim this message is the holy mountain of verse 45.
Both are “glorious,” in their own way, but a church and the country where the church was raised up are two different entities, though they are closely related. Daniel 11:45 is describing when humanity will finally be divided into two groups. The Papacy is portrayed as being in the middle ground between these two groups of people, for the Papacy has been the primary object used by Satan to prevent the people of the world from hearing the last message of warning.
With the Papacy’s position in the middle, the people who reject the last message of warning are on one side while God’s people stand on the other: “There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognized in the judgment– those who violate God’s law, and those who keep His law. Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side bear His signet.
They are obedient to His commands. On the other side stands the prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion.” Review and Herald, May 7, 1901. In the Glorious Holy Mountain In the Glorious Holy Mountain There are many other translations that suggest that verse 45 should be translated as the papacy placing his tabernacles ‘between the seas and the glorious holy mountain’ instead of ‘in the glorious holy mountain.’ But a careful study of Ancient Israel’s history and the circumstances surrounding its final destruction suggests that the Kings James Version is correct and the papacy does stand in the glorious Holy Mountain in attempt to block the loud cry message of the third angel; but he does not breach the walls of the third angel’s message, which is to establish Christianity upon an eternal basis. (This will be discussed as you continue
None to Help None to Help And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. Daniel 11:45. 76 through the chapter) He will meet his final destruction with none to help him. In order to fully understand what is meant by the Papacy placing his tabernacles in the glorious holy mountain we need to understand the history of Israel. In Exodus 3:1 When Moses was by the ‘mountain of God even to Horeb’ the Lord appeared to Moses and told him to take of his shoes from his feet for the ground is holy, indicating that wherever the presence of the Lord dwells, the place is Holy. The presence of the Lord then moves to Mount Sinai where the Lord was to manifest his presence.
Moses was to tell the people that if anybody should touch the mount the penalty was instant death: “…And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust with a dart.” Hebrews 12:20. Ellen White commenting on this episode writes: “The preparations were made according to the command; and in obedience a further injunction, Moses directed that a barrier be placed about the mount, that neither man nor beast might intrude upon the sacred precinct. If any ventured so much as to touch it, the penalty was instant death.” Patriarchs and Prophets p304. So it was not only the actual mount that was holy but the barrier surrounded the mount was also the Lord’s jurisdiction whereas if anyone should touch it the penalty was death. After the Lord’s descent on Mount Sinai, Moses was commanded to make a sanctuary that the Lord may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8).
The presence of the Lord moves from Mount Sinai to the sanctuary in the wilderness where the Lord manifested his presence (Exodus 40:34-35) and then into the city of Jerusalem where a more permanent structure was built. (1Kings 8:10-11). Note that it was not the whole of Palestine that was holy, only the temple where the Lord’s presence dwelt and a few furlongs outside the city walls. Ellen White makes the distinction clear in the following passage: “And the Saviour warned his followers: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.”[MATT. 24:15, 16; LUKE21:20.]
When the idolatrous standards of the Romans should be set up in the holy ground, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight.” Great Controversy P27 It was only when pagan Rome planted its idolatrous standards on the holy ground outside the city walls it was deemed as the ‘abomination that maketh desolate’. Though Rome had been in the land of Palestine for a number of years after conquering Jerusalem in 63BC they still had not ventured into God’s jurisdiction.
It was only when Rome stood on the holy ground which extended outside the city walls, they had entered into God’s jurisdiction and desolations were determined. The second application after the cross is when Rome returns in the form of Papalism. We have Satan working through the Papacy to place his idolatrous standards in God’s church, the Holy City as described in Revelation 11:2: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Revelation 11:1-2 This treading down of the city which is without the temple came as a result of the compromise between paganism and Christianity leading to the development of the “man of sin” foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power,–a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.
The papacy had now placed his idolatrous standards in the church by banning the Bible and setting up its idol Sabbath. We have no literal temple standing; but we have the body of believers that constitute to the temple of God which is a habitation for the spirit: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:20-22
As explained in previous chapters, we proved that it was in 1844, the church experienced a moral fall in consequence of their refusals of the first and second angel’s messages. The idolatrous standards of papal Rome had now been placed in the minds of the foolish virgins who held onto Sunday sacredness, immortality of the soul and other unscriptural doctrines. Satan had now gained vantage ground through the foolish virgins and the abomination of desolation had now been set up in their sanctuary. Describing Christ’s movement from the holy to the most holy place, Ellen White writes:
“I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of 77 God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children.” Early Writings p56
The third application is when the Papacy now enters into the modern day glorious land which we have already proven to be the United States of America. As the Barrier surrounded the mount was holy, and the furlong outside the city walls was holy, so in the spiritual sense, the constitution that was originally set up in America is the barrier that surrounds and protects the temple of God whom giving us the freedom to worship God as he requires.
The constitution of America was founded on the fact that Church and state must remain separate. It is the furlong outside the city wall that protects the Church giving them the freedom to worship the Lord as He requires: “In that grand old document which our forefathers set forth as their bill of rights–the Declaration of Independence– they declared: “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” And the Constitution guarantees, in the most explicit terms, the inviolability of conscience:”
No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States.” “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”” {GC295.2} “The framers of the Constitution recognized the eternal principle that man’s relation with his God is above human legislation, and his rights of conscience inalienable. Reasoning was not necessary to establish this truth; we are conscious of it in our own bosoms. It is this consciousness which, in defiance of human laws, has sustained so many martyrs in tortures and flames. They felt that their duty to God was superior to human enactments, and that man could exercise no authority over their consciences. It is an inborn principle which nothing can eradicate.”–Congressional documents (U.S.A.), serial No. 200, document No. 271.
As the tidings spread through the countries of Europe, of a land where every man might enjoy the fruit of his own labor and obey the convictions of his own conscience, thousands flocked to the shores of the New World. Colonies rapidly multiplied . “Massachusetts, by special law, offered free welcome and aid, at the public cost, to Christians of any nationality who might fly beyond the Atlantic ‘to escape from wars or famine, or the oppression of their persecutors.’ Thus the fugitive and the downtrodden were, by statute, made the guests of the commonwealth.”– Martyn, vol. 5, p. 417. “In our own country there are thousands of all nations, and tongues, and peoples who are ignorant and superstitious, having no knowledge of the Bible or its sacred teachings. God’s hand was in their coming to America, that they might be brought under the enlightening influence of the truth revealed in His Word, and become partakers of His saving faith.–Review and Herald, March 1, 1887.”
The constitution was set up by the Lord regarding freedom to worship God without the civil power getting involved. This is based on God’s 10 commandment law, the first tablet dealing with Love for God which is the first four commandments, the second tablet dealing with the last six commandments which deal with love for their fellow neighbour.
In Matt 22:15-22, the Pharisees alongside the Herodians attempt to ‘entangle Jesus in his talk.’ They asked is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not? Jesus perceived their wickedness and gives what it seems to be an ambiguous answer “render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matt 22:21. This indicates that there is a certain allegiance we hold to God which is the first four commandments this is man’s first duty and the second duty we hold to Caesar, i.e. civil government.
The second table of the law is the table that the civil government can use to preserve the harmony of society but they must never enforce the first table of the law into the civil code. When Church and state unite, the consequences are always disastrous, we only need to look at the times of Jesus; it was the Church that united with the civil powers to have him crucified. The same church and state amalgamation happened in the dark ages during the 1260 years of papal rule. Historians estimate over fifty million families were put to the death for the crime of heresy.
It is when the papacy once again makes void the law of God through the union of church and state, it is when Satan through the papacy enters into God’s jurisdiction that is the furlongs that surround the mountain, i.e. the constitution that protects the church. God’s hand was in the setting up of the constitution as it was built on God’s moral law and that is the fact that church and state 78 must remain separate.
This is the land were God’s denominated church was raised as its principles, republicism and Protestantism was the hedge that protected the church and gave them the freedom to worship God as He required. Though the papacy places its tabernacles in the Glorious Holy Mountain, they are not permitted to breach the walls as Pagan Rome did with literal Israel in 70AD. This wall is third angels message which is repaired by the repairers of the breach as described in Isaiah 58:8-14.
Ellen White states this in numerous passages: “Here are given the characteristics of those who shall be reformers, who will bear the banner of the third angel’s message, those who avow themselves God’s commandment- keeping people, and who honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in the sight of all the universe, in building up the old waste places.
Who is it that calls them, The repairers of the breach, The restorers of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their names are registered in heaven as reformers, restorers, as raising the foundations of many generations” Review and Herald Oct. 13, 1891 “Isa. 58:8-14 quoted.] Where do we find the people who are thus addressed? Who is it that shall build the old waste places, and raise up the foundation of many generations? Where are the people who have had light from heaven to see that a breach has been made in the law of God? In the Revelation, John says,
“The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” Rev. 11:19. John saw in vision the Lord’s people looking for His coming and searching for truth. As the temple of God was opened unto His people, the light of the law of God, which was in the ark, shone forth. Those who receive this light are brought to view in the proclamation of the third angel’s message.