The Time of the Working of Satan

THE prophecy of Daniel, and the exposition of Paul, show that the “working of Satan,” of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, was to be developed after 1798, and before the Lord comes. Parallel Between Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 In the 13th chapter of Revelation is given the prophecy of the rise of the power through which this working will be developed. The first part of Revelation 13 is a prophecy relating to the same events as those in Daniel 7, which are spoken of in connection with the little horn power; a brief parallel will show this. 

The Little Horn of Daniel 7

 The Beast of Revelation 13 7:8: the Little Horn has “a mouth speaking great things.” 13:5: the Beast “was given…a mouth speaking great things.” 7:25: the Little Horn “speaks great words against the Most High.” 13:6: the Beast opens “his mouth in blasphemy against God.” 7:21: the Little Horn made “war with the saints, and prevailed against them.” 13:7: the Beast is said to “make war with the saints and overcome them.” 7:25: the Little Horn continues “a time and times and the dividing of time.” [1260 years] 13:5: the Beast is said “to continue forty and two months.” [1260 years] 7:8: the Little Horn succeeds Pagan Rome and the ten kingdoms. 13:1-2: the Beast receives power from the Dragon (Rome), when the ten horns had crowns (kingdoms). 7:26: after the Little Horn continues the allotted time, his dominion is taken away. 13:3, 10: after the Beast continues the same allotted time, he also was to meet with the same fate—he was to be led into captivity, and to be wounded to death, although the deadly wound should be healed. 

All this shows that Revelation 13:1-10 and Daniel 7:20-26 refer to the same identical power, and both alike bring us to 1798, when the Pope was led into captivity and died in captivity—when the Papacy received the deadly wound. But the very next verse in Daniel 7—verse 27—introduces the coming of the Lord and the kingdom given to the saints, whereas in the parallel line of prophecy in Revelation 13 and 14, the coming of the Lord is not introduced until Revelation 14:14.

 The Timing and Location 

It is therefore certain that that portion of prophecy contained in Revelation 13:11-18 and 14:6-13 lies between 1798 and the coming of the Lord, and these passages may with perfect propriety be inserted and read between verses 26 and 27 of Daniel 7. Now as the events prophesied in these parts of Revelation 13 and 14 stand between 1798 and the coming of the Lord; and as Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 2, compared with Daniel 7, show that the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, is also manifested in the last part of this same period, it follows that the power through which the working of Satan will be developed, must arise in this period, and that these scriptures must contain the prophecy which relates to the rise and work of this power.

There is: 1. The kingdom of Babylon,4 which ended 538 BC;

 2. Medo-Persia, which ended 331 BC;

 3. Grecia, which continued till 168 BC; 

4. Rome and the ten kingdoms bring us to 538 AD; 

5. The Papacy,from 538 AD till 1798 AD; 

6. The United States,ending with the coming of the Lord and the end of the world. 

Daniel 7:4. Daniel 7:5-8, 20-26; Revelation 13:1-10. Revelation 13:11-18; 14:9-14. 3.

Miracles to Deceive 

 2 Thessalonians 2 9…with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

 T his will be seen by reference to Revelation 13:13-14, and connecting scriptures: Revelation 13 13 And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do. Here it is said there will be miracles (RV: “signs”) and wonders wrought with power; they will be wonders to deceive, and which will deceive; and that is precisely what Paul refers to by the phrase: 2 Thessalonians 2 9…power and signs [miracles] and lying wonders.

 And they are wrought by, and at the instigation of, Satan too, because he is the only one whose interest it is to deceive people. Satanic agency is the only one by which miracles to deceive can ever be wrought. More than this, we have the plain word of God that these miracles will be wrought by Satanic agency. Notice, they are wrought for the purpose of deceiving people into the worship of the beast and his image: Revelation 13 14 And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast. And when Jesus comes it is said, Revelation 19 :20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image.

 Now the word says, Revelation 14 :9 If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. T he wine of the wrath of God is the seven last plagues, for says the prophet, Revelation 15 1 I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 

The very first of these plagues falls upon… Revelation 16 :2…the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image. The others follow in quick succession, and when the sixth one is poured out, 13 Unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and our of the mouth of the false prophet [the image of the beast]. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And when the very next word is from Christ: Revelation 16 15 Behold, I come as a thief. 

Setting the Stage

 Modern Spiritualism, with its signs and lying wonders, its spirits of devils working miracles, arose in the United States. Here it has developed what power it has, and from here is has spread to all the world. The prophecy is being fast fulfilled. Further, the prophecy says that there should be made an image to the beast—an image of the Papacy. If, therefore, this prophecy be applicable to the United States, and if now is the time when its fulfillment should be looked for, it is proper also to ask, “Is there anything that has appeared which would promise a fulfillment of the prophecy?” Again the answer is, There is decidedly. That is the loud demand that is now being so persistently made for the constitutional establishment of a National religion, which will be in effect the union of Church and State in this Government. 

The essential characteristic of the beast—the Papacy—is the union of Church and State, the Church using the civil power for the enforcement of her dogmas. For this Government to be revamped upon that model, would be the making of an image to the beast. And at this moment there is not only such a demand being loudly and persistently made, but there is actual danger that the scheme will be soon accomplished. And although Spiritualism is not, as yet, actively engaged in the work, it is through the success of that movement that Spiritualism and its working of Satan is to be developed to that extent that it will work… 2 Thessalonians 2 9…with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. God’s Answer Once more; if the agency has already arisen and spread abroad in the world by which Satan is to manifest his signs and lying wonders; and if the power—the image of the beast—is already being formed through which Satan’s power is to be manifested to the utmost degree in working… 10 …with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,–then too a proper question to ask would be, “Is there at this time any particular manifestation of the truth of God, specially designed to expose and counteract this working of Satan and the iniquity of the fast-developing image of the Papacy?” To this question also the answer must be decidedly, There is. This truth is embodied in the Third Angel’s Message, of Revelation 14. 

The special and direct purpose of this message is to protect men from the deception of Satan, and from the worship of the beast and his image. T he work of deception is to say to them that dwell upon the earth that they should make an image to the beast, and cause the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the beast; and yet more, both to speak and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed; and to cause all to receive a mark in their right hand or in their forehead. But says the word of God by the Third Angel’s Message: Revelation 14 :9 .If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. In that message is embodied the truth which will save all who receive the love of it. It will not only save them from the worship of the beast and his image, and from the power and deception of Satan, but it will save them with the everlasting salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes in the glory of the Father, and all the holy angels with Him. It is for this that the truth of the message is to fit all who will receive the love of it, for the event which immediately follows the message is the coming of the Lord: 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for you to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And, Matthew 13 39 …the harvest is the end of the world. 

Thus we find by every evidence of Scripture that now is the time when the working of Satan, 2 Thessalonians 2 9…with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish,–is at the very doors. 

Summary of First Quarter Sabbath School Lesson,2026

THE SECRETS OF HEALTH

 

God is Love. 1 John 4:8. At creation, it was not God’s desire that man could fall sick, succumb under terrible pain of diseases and die. We can see this in His plan for the children of Israel, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee”. Exodus 15:26

1. WHICH ARE THE DISEASES OF THE EGYPTIANS?

Some of the curses dealing with disease mentioned in the bible are found in (Deut 28:22,27,35;59, 61 Lev 26:16)

WHAT ARE THERE NAMES?

1. Pestilence = infections, deadly disease like AIDS (vs:22) 2. Consumption = tuberculosis OR a wasting of flesh(vs:22) 3. Fever (vs:22) 4. Inflammation = Edema; anything ending in “itis” like bursitis, arthritis, etc.(vs:22) 5. Extreme Burning = bones; heartburn; etc. (vs:22) 6. Blasting = to prevent from growing like dwarfis,m 7. Botch = a swelling on the skin; growth; ulcers; tumors(vs:27) 8. Emerods = Hemorrhoids(vs:27) 9. Scab = psoriasis, eczema, shingles, etc. (vs:27) 10. Itch = Scabies; athletes foot; dandruff. 11.Madness = Schizophrenia(vs:28) 12. Blindness = loss of sight(vs:28) 13. Astonishment of Heart = heart problems(vs:28) 14. Smitten in the Knees = knee problems(vs:35) 15. Smitten in the legs = leg problems; gait problems (vs:35) 16. A Sore Botch = painful swellings, painful ulcers, painful tumors(vs:35) 17. A Trembling Heart = heart failure; heart attack; cardiac arrest(vs:35) 18. Failing Eyes = vision problems like glaucoma or cataracts(vs:65) 19. Sorrow of Mind = any type of depression or worry(vs:65) 20. Terror = fear; phobia; anxiety(Lev 26:16) 21. Burning Ague = chills; shivering(cold/flu); shock; etc.(Lev 26:16) 22. Disease & Sickness not listed – examples are Mad Cow Disease and Swine Flu (Deut 28:61)

2. CAN WE CONTACT A DISEASE BY CHANCE?

“...the curse causeless shall not come.” (Proverbs 26:2)

CAN GOD LIE ABOUT HIS WORD?

“...God cannot lie...”(Titus 1:2)

If God cannot lie, yet He said He would not put the diseases of the Egyptians on us, yet we have the very same diseases, the question is: WHAT HAPPENED????

3. WHERE CAN WE FIND THE SOLUTION OF ALL PROBLEMS INCLUDING HEALTH RELATED ISSUES?

WE need to go back to the beginning of all things.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”(Gen 1:31)

4. WHAT IS THE GREATEST WISH FROM GOD?

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and BE IN HEALTH, even as thy soul prospereth.”(3 John 2)

5. WHAT OTHER THING SHOULD WE PRAISE THE LORD OF?

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...”(Psalms 139:14)

6. WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LIFE? WHAT PROPORTIONS DOES HE GIVE?

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. John 10:10

1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24. God’s desire is for you to have good health spiritually and physically. Verse 24. He says He will ensure you have the two. Hence He has a plan to keep you healthy.The plan he has is known as GODSPLAN. These are the 8 doctors of health or the natural laws of health. These laws are inscribed in your body. For spiritual health God gave the Ten Commandments. For physical health He gave the 8 laws of health.

7. WHAT ARE THE 8 LAWS OF HEALTH AND THERE SIGNIFICANCE TO OUR HEALTH?

G - Godly Trust - Isaiah 26:3 PERFECT PEACE The Opposite of perfect peace = stress =75 % of disease. Stress increases acid and makes the immunity of the body weak. Live without worry of future. Tell God to protect you and He will: 1Peter 5:7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. Philippians 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.

O - Open Air and Cleanliness - Genesis 1:7, 8. Fresh and unpolluted air is mandatory particularly in your Bedroom. Deep breathing exercise every morning. Cleanliness - Leviticus 15:10 Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. He who carries those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 11 "'Whoever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 13 "'When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

D - Daily Exercise - Genesis 2:15 Take 30 Minutes for exercise daily always after meals. Lymphatic fluid is 3 times the volume of blood and the pump for it exercise. Walking and working on the farm are two best exercises that revives the organs of the body that’s why Adam was given Eden to take of it. Idleness brings sickness. When you sweat, the toxins, dirt in the body is removed via the skin hence living your body clean and healthy.

S - Sunshine - Genesis 1:3-4. Bask in the sun to 9am and from 4 pm to sunset for Vitamin D. Ecclesiastes 11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:. VITAMIN D control over 2500 life processes and help in the utilization of the mineral calcium in the body. Without it, your immunity will be impaired.

P - Plenty of Rest - Genesis 2:3 Psalms 104:19-23. Genetic repair happens from 10pm -12 midnight. 8 hours of rest every day and 24 hours of rest every week is the ideal prescription of God for repairing the body. God said: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy from. Leviticus 23:32 Friday sunset to Saturday sun set so shall you keep the Sabbath. Jesus himself kept the Sabbath Holy and God kept him healthy Luke 4:16. Many of the diseases are brought about by disregarding God hence he takes away his protection because we don’t want him in our lives. Since no parent can force himself to their child, God can not force us to do anything but sadly remains far away from us as we reject him Isaiah 59:1, 2 The enemy changed the times and laws Daniel 7:25 and we need to go back to the times and laws of God if we want our bodies to have good health. Many people have left God and following men that’s why we are having many calamities and diseases. Deuteronomy 7:11-15

L - Lots of Water - Ezekiel 4:11. Drink water at set times and by measure. Your body 70% water. A - Always have Temperate and eat Food at a time - Gen 2:16-17. Exercise self- control in everything. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says we should be eating and drinking all to the glory of God. It is because of gluttony that Eve fell into sin Genesis 3:6-11

N - Nutrition - Gen 1:29 and Ezekiel 4:9-10 (grains and fruits with seeds in them) Gen 3:18 and psalms 104:14 (vegetables) Rev 22:1-2 (Fruits and Vegetables.) Before there were drugs there was nature. God knew the right fuel for our bodies. Your body will always be alkaline hence high in immunity and no diseases. Clogging your body with diesel (junk food) is a disaster. Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. There is but one source of disease and that is IMPURE BLOOD. Pure blood is alkaline. The Ph. of the blood ranges between 7.35-7.45. when this range falls below 7 you will be at the risk of suffering acidosis. Parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoans thrive in an acidic blood. WE MUST KNOW that flesh diet, dairy and poultry products, the use of processed sugar, GMO FOODS, processed and refined grains like wheat and rice, confectioneries, beverages, anger, stressful life, strife, jealousy, gossip and unkindness; all results to acidic blood causing an environment for disease to thrive. You need to win evil with good , Romans 12:21. Thru acts of kindness, feeding the hungry, helping the poor and showing compassion to people we gain health. We need further to sustain this alkaline blood by eating proper invigorating diet like: Dark green leafy vegetables, Non GMO foods-grains, fruits and vegetables. We need to be obedient to the Laws of Nature.

Health destroying Habits.

1. Eating between meals or snacking. You should never let any food pass your lips between your regular meals. Eat what you ought, but eat it at one meal, and then wait until the next( after 5 -6 hours)

2. Condition of the Mind at Meals. At meal-time cast off care and taxing thought. Do not be hurried, but eat slowly and with cheerfulness, your heart filled with gratitude to God for all his blessings. Take your time.

3. Hasty Eating. In order to have healthy digestion, food should be eaten slowly. Do not be hurried, but eat slowly and with cheerfulness, your heart filled with gratitude to God for all his blessings

4. Overeating. If more food is eaten than can be digested and appropriated, a decaying mass accumulates in the stomach, causing an offensive breath, and a bad taste in the mouth. The vital powers are exhausted in an effort to throw off the excess, and the brain is robbed of nerve force.

5. Drinking at Meals. Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of the salivary glands; and the colder the water the greater the injury to the stomach. Ice water or iced lemonade, drunk with meals, will arrest digestion until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its work again.drink warm water an hour before mealtime and two hours after mealtime.

6. Liquid Foods. Dry food that requires mastication is far preferable to porridges.

7. Very Hot Foods. Very hot food ought not to be taken into the stomach. Soups, puddings, and other articles of the kind, are often eaten too hot, and as a consequence the stomach is debilitated. Let them become partly cooled before they are eaten.

8. Cold Food. I do not approve of eating much cold food, for the reason that the vitality must be drawn from the system to warm the food until it becomes of the same temperature as the stomach before the work of digestion can be carried on.

9. Rich Diet. Rich and complicated mixtures of food are health destroying. Highly seasoned meats and rich pastry are wearing out the digestive organs of children and the adults.

10. Condiments and spices. They irritate and inflame the delicate coating of the stomach.

11. Spices. Spices at first irritate the tender coating of the stomach, but finally destroy the natural sensitiveness of this delicate membrane. Ongo, Royco mchuzi mix, Royco cubes are deadly.

Soft Drinks. Sodas, caffeinated drinks in any form should not be introduced into the stomach; for the effect is fearful. It eats the coatings of the stomach, causes inflammation, and frequently poisons the entire system

CONCLUSION

God has given us all things that pertains unto godliness and the principles of life that can make us healthy. The body is able to heal itself when given the right conditions. It is only left with us to stop that which makes us sick and follow that which we have been given by God. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ” 3John 1:3

Disclaimer: this is not to be used to replace directives of the government and medical prescriptions. it is aimed at educating you on how to live a healthy life by making right choices

The Time is Imminent

 The Time is Imminent

But how do we know that now is the time in which this danger is more imminent than it has been at any other time? We shall explain.In the First Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote so much and spoke so plainly of the coming of the Lord, that the brethren, not keeping in mind what he had preached to them when he was there, had drawn from his letter the erroneous conclusion that the coming of the Lord was then immediately at hand.

This erroneous conclusion had been strengthened by the pretended revelations of some, and even by forged letters as from Paul, that it was so. And some had even gone so far wrong that they thought the coming of the Lord was so near that they need do no more work.

Now the Second Letter to the Thessalonians was written expressly to set the disciples right on this point. But so far is he from covering up, or toning down, the reality, the greatness, or the importance of that event, that the first thing after the address, he introduces the coming of the Lord Jesus...

2 Thessalonians 1:7 ...revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2 Thessalonians 3:11. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God,showing himself that he is God. Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

It is plain from this that when Paul was at Thessalonica he talked to them, and told them, about this falling away, and the development of the man of sin, and the self-exaltation of this son of perdition, and his opposition to the Lord. But where did Paul get his knowledge of these things? Upon what authority did he present these things for their acceptance? We read:

Acts 17:1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews; And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.

Where, then, in the Scriptures did Paul learn anything of the rise of a power which he might fitly describe as “that man of sin”  (lawlessness, or transgression of the law) and “the son of perdition” (utter destruction), which should exalt himself so highly and oppose God and His law?

Daniel 7

In the scriptures of the book of Daniel, and in that alone, he found the basis and the authority for his argument on this subject. In Daniel 7:7 he found the prophecy of the rise of a great and terrible beast, which represented Rome. He found that the beast had ten horns, representing ten kingdoms which should rise upon the fall of Rome. After the rise of these ten kingdoms and among them, and by the destruction of three of them, he found another power that was to arise, diverse from the others. He found that this power would “speak great words against the Most High” (“opposes himself” against God), and “wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws” (the man of sin, the lawless one, exalting himself above God). He found there also the prophet saying:

Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit;10 ...the Judgment was set and the books were opened. 11 ...I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame; 

And therefore, with the authority of the word of God, Paul could speak and write to the Thessalonians, that after the falling away, “that Wicked” should…

2 Thessalonians 2:8 ...be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming. And so he could very appropriately call this power…3 ...the son of utter destruction.

Daniel 8 

Again, in Daniel 8. Paul would read of a “little horn which waxed exceeding great,” and which covered the whole work and period of both the beast and the “little horn” of Daniel 7. In this 8th chapter he would read of this little horn that he should...

Daniel 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 

Yea, he magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily [sacrifice] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.  

And:

25 He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without hand.

Therefore Paul could speak and write the Thessalonians that after the falling away, then should arise that man of sin...

2 Thessalonians 2:3 ...the son of perdition; 4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

And that when he should be revealed and run his wicked course, then the Lord would consume him with the spirit of His mouth and destroy him with the brightness of His coming;

9 Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

The Time of the End

The “little horn” power of Daniel 7 was to continue a time, times,and the dividing of time—1,260 years—then:

Daniel 7:26 The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.27 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.

The time of Papal supremacy—the 1,260 years—ended in 1798, at the time the world entered upon the time called in the prophecy, “the time of the end”:

Daniel 8:17 Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

Daniel 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

Daniel 12:4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

The Judgment was set in 1844. His dominion has been taken away to consume and to destroy it unto the end. Soon He shall come whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; and who shall consume “that Wicked” with the spirit of His mouth and destroy him with the brightness of His coming. But before He comes, Satan is to work…

2 Thessalonians 2:9 ...with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Therefore it is certain that we are now living in the time when this working of Satan is to be looked for, and also the time when the truth is to be given, the love of which will save men from the falsehood and deception of the working of Satan. Daniel 7:10; Daniel 8:14; Revelation 14:6-7.

How Some Shall Depart  From Faith

The apostle Paul warns us that "some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." This is what we may expect. Our greatest trials will come because of that class who have once advocated the truth, but who turn from it to the world, and trample it under their feet in hate and derision. God has a work for his faithful servants to do. The attacks of the enemy must be met with the truth of his word. Falsehood must be unmasked, its true character must be revealed, and the light of the law of Jehovah must shine forth into the moral darkness of the world. We are to present the claims of his word. We shall not be held guiltless if we neglect this solemn duty. But while we stand in defense of the truth, let us not stand in defense of self, and make a great ado because we are called to bear reproach and misrepresentation. Let us not pity ourselves, but be very jealous for the law of the Most High.  {RH, January 10, 1888 par. 3}  

Says the apostle, "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." On every side we see men easily led captive by the delusive imaginations of those who make void the word of God; but when the truth is brought before them, they are filled with impatience and anger. But the exhortation of the apostle to the servant of God is, "Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." In his day some left the cause of the Lord. He writes, "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world;" and again, he says, "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom  be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words."  {RH, January 10, 1888 par. 4} 

  Paul continues concerning those who oppose the work of God, comparing them to the men who made war against the faithful in the time of ancient Israel. He says: "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." We know that the time is coming when the folly of warring against God will be revealed. We can afford  to wait in calm patience and trust, no matter how much  maligned and despised; for "nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest," and those who honor God shall be honored by him in the presence of men and angels. We are to share in the sufferings of the reformers. It is written, "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Christ understands our grief. Not one of us is called to bear the cross alone. The suffering Man of Calvary is touched with the feeling of our woes, and as he has suffered being tempted, he is able also to succor them that are in sorrow and trial for his sake. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned."  {RH, January 10, 1888 par. 7}  

 If we look to self, and trust in self, we shall surely fall from our steadfastness. The terrible tempest that is gathering will sweep away our sandy foundation, and leave our house a wreck on the shores of time; but the house that is built upon the rock shall stand forever. We must be "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." The apostle spoke some plain words to his Hebrew brethren, that meet the condition of many of those who profess the truth for this time. "We have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. [They were not quick to discern the things of the Spirit of God.] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." It is positively necessary for those who believe the truth, to be making continual advancement, growing up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. There is no time for backsliding and indifference. Each one must have a living experience in the things of God. Have root in yourselves. Become grounded in the faith, so that having done all you may stand, with unwavering confidence in God, through the time that will try every man's work and character. Exercise your powers in spiritual things, till you can appreciate the deep things of God's word, and go on from strength to strength.  {RH, January 10, 1888 par. 9}  

     The only safety is in rejecting instantly every suggestion of unbelief. Do not open your mind to entertain doubts, for even an instant; bid them a decided refusal as they come to you for admission. Fasten the mind upon the promises of God. Talk of them, rejoice in them; and the peace of God will rule in your hearts.  {RH, January 10, 1888 par. 15} 

If the word of the Lord of heaven and earth is not solid rock upon which to build, then it is in vain to look for a sure foundation. "Heaven and earth shall pass away," but "the word of the Lord endureth forever;" and unwavering faith in his word is the only faith that will endure through the perils of the last days. 

  The work of apostasy begins in some secret rebellion of the heart against the requirements of God's law. Unholy desires, unlawful ambitions, are cherished and indulged, and unbelief and darkness separate the soul from God. If we do not overcome these evils, they will overcome us. Men who have long been advancing in the path of truth, will be tested with trial and temptation. Those who listen to the suggestions of Satan, and swerve from their integrity, begin the downward path, and some masterful temptation hastens them on in the way of apostasy, till their descent is marked and rapid. Sins that were once most repugnant, become attractive, and are welcomed and practiced by those who have cast off the fear of God and their allegiance to his law. But the most pleasurable beginning in transgression, will end in misery, degradation, and ruin.  {RH, May 8, 1888 par. 10}  

We need to be constantly on our guard, to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. The indulgence of spiritual pride, of unholy desires, of evil thoughts, of anything that separates us from an intimate and sacred association with Jesus, imperils our souls. We must have living faith in God. We must "fight the good fight of faith," if we would "lay hold on eternal life." We are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." If the thought of apostasy is grievous to you, and you do not desire to become the enemies of the truth, the accusers of the brethren, then "abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good;" and believe in Him who is "able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.  {RH, May 8, 1888 par. 11}  

ANGELIC ANGELS

 ANGELIC ANGELS

   God assembled the angelic host to take measures to avert the threatened evil. It was decided in heaven's council for angels to visit Eden and warn Adam that he was in danger from the foe. Two angels sped on their way to visit our first parents. ...was the society of the Son of God and the heavenly angels, for they had much to relate to them at every visit, of their new discoveries of the beauties of nature in their lovely Eden home, and they had many questions to ask relative to many things which they could but indistinctly comprehend. {SR 29.2}  

 The angels united with Adam and Eve in holy strains of harmonious music, and as their songs pealed forth from blissful Eden, Satan heard the sound of their strains of joyful adoration to the Father and Son.ibd..

Gen. 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.  

  Angels were commissioned to immediately guard the way of the tree of life. ... But holy angels were sent to debar their way to the tree of life. Around these angels flashed beams of light on every side, which had the appearance of glittering swords. {SR 41.1}  

`...God condescends to send an angel to Cain to converse with him. {SR 53.1}   

God communed with Enoch through His angels and gave him divine instruction. He made known to him that He would not always bear with man in his rebellion--that His purpose was to destroy the sinful race by bringing a flood of waters upon the earth. {SR 57.2}   

 Angels were sent to collect from the forest and field the beasts which God had created. Angels went before these animals, and they followed, two and two, male and female, and clean beasts by sevens.

Three angels called on Abraham. It seems that one of them was God, the other two went to Sodom to save Lot. - 

Gen. 18:1,2;And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;  And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,  

Gen. 19:1,15,16. And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;  And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.  

Jacob met them on his way. - 

Gen. 32:1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  24,And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.  

 Daniel

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  Daniel 6:22

And it came to pass, when I, [even] I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.Daniel 8:15-17.

Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel 9:21-23

And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Daniel 10:10-12 

Zacheus was visited by an angel who showed him respecting his son, John the Baptist. - 

Luke 1:11-17. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 

The Angel Gabriel visits Mary, the mother of Jesus; told her that her son should reign over the house of David forever. 

Luke 1: 26-33.And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

 At the birth of Jesus a multitude of angels appeared to the shepherds by night.

Luke 2:10-15.And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  

 One came to strengthen Jesus;

Luke 22:43. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  

Paul also had one at a special time; his ship-wreck.

 Acts 27:23. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,  

An angel spake to Philip to go down to Gaza. 

 Acts 8:26. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  

 - Heb.1:14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?  

 Now in every case above noticed these angels appeared personally, and visibly, therefore they did minister unto them. And as every real saint of God has an angel that beholds the face of God in Heaven,

Math. 18:6,10.-But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.  

 so they will be sent to minister unto them visibly and instructingly if they need it. If not, they will come invisibly, and the instruction or teaching not understood except the person visited is in vision or dreaming. {1849 JB, SLG 9.6} 

 "Behold I send the promise of my father upon you: tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endowed with power from on high" Luke 24:49. 

"But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26.  

"I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. He shall receive of mine and shew it unto you." 16:12-14. 

Who shall be Able to Stand part 2

 The Working of Satan

The Saviour said that at the time when His coming is at the doors, Matthew 24:24 There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

When falsehood shall have gained such power as that, every person who will not be deceived will have to have such a connection with the truth and with its Author, that falsehood, even in its most powerful manifestation, shall not affect him.

Power, Signs, and Lying Wonders

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul, writing particularly of the second coming of the Lord, says:

2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

In other words, immediately preceding the coming of the Lord, God will give to men full opportunity to accept the truth, the love of which will save them from deception, and from the destruction that will surely come upon all who do not receive the love of the truth.

But many will reject that truth, they will not receive the love of it, and in rejecting the truth they place themselves on the side of falsehood, and in a position where Satan can and will work in them with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. When men reject the truth and will not receive the love of the truth, what then can they receive but lies? what can they love but falsehood?

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

God will send them strong delusion, by simply giving them up to their own delusion, by letting them have their own way. This is shown by Paul’s reference to the heathen of old:

Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, [and] 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventorsof evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.

Now with that read this description of men in the last days:

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more thanlovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:from such turn away.

Thus it is seen that in the last days men having a form of godliness will reach the same condition in which stood the heathen of old; and that they reach that condition by the same means as did the heathen of old:

• They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them up to their own vile affections;

• They would not receive the love of the truth, so God gave them up to their own delusion, that they should believe a lie;

• They “had pleasure in unrighteousness,” and as “all unrighteousness is sin” this is only to say that they had pleasure in sin, therefore God gave them up to their own wishes and their own ways.

As they love sin more than they love God, and then persist in their love of sin by rejecting the very means by which God endeavors to save them, the Lord can do nothing more; it is impossible to reach them; they will have their own way; that way is in the love of sin; and in choosing that way rather than the love of the truth that they might be saved, they give themselves over to Satan, who works in them...

2 Thessalonians 2:9 ...with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.

Who Shall Be Able To Stand?

 Who Shall Be Able to Stand?

The prophet Joel in speaking of the day of the Lord says, Joel 2:11 The day of the Lord is great and very terrible…–and then inquires, …who can abide it?

Numbers 24:33 Out of Jacob shall come He that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remains of the city, [exclaims,] Alas, who shall live when God does this?

Malachi 3 :2 Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appears? And when at last that terrible day shall have come,

Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of His wrath is come... –and in terror they too inquire,17 …who shall be able to stand?

The connection in which these questions are asked shows that they are questions of no slight importance. Who can abide the

1. Who Shall Be Able to Stand? day of the coming of the Lord? Who shall stand when He appears?

Job in viewing that dreadful time exclaimed,

Job 14:13 O that You would hide me in the grave, that You would keepme secret, until your wrath be past.

And Habakkuk, beholding it in vision, said:

Habakkuk 3

16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself,that I might rest in the day of trouble.

This is the time of which Daniel said,

Daniel 12:1 There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.

Some Will Stand

Yet for all this there will be those who may abide the day of His coming; there will be those who shall stand when He appears. Jesus speaks of them, and to them, and exhorts them, saying:

Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

John also speaks to these, saying:

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Isaiah speaks of the same company, and says:

Isaiah 25:9 It shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

And Paul gives a point more in regard to the same ones:

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first;17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

But, although it is certain that there will be a company who will abide the day of His coming, and although from other texts we know that the number will be one hundred and forty-four thousand, the question still remains,

Malachi 3:2 Who shall abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand, when He appears?

“Who shall be able to stand?”

A Personal Connection Required

God spoke by Ezekiel of this time of trouble, saying:

Ezekiel 14:19 If I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast;20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

Noah, the one man only whom the Lord found righteous in the generation before the flood; Daniel, whom God twice called “greatly beloved;” and Job, the one chief example of suffering affliction and of patience—though these three God-chosen men were in this land in this fast-hastening day, no man could be supported by their righteousness or their faithfulness.

No man can then be delivered but by the righteousness which he himself possesses, nor be sustained in the time of trial, of trouble, of temptation, and of opposition, except by the connection which he himself sustains with God, and by the confidence which is begotten of personal and thorough conviction of the truth of God fixed in the very soul, and witnessed, as it will ever be, by the Spirit of God through an abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Example of Jeremiah

Jeremiah had spoken to all the people in Jerusalem the message of the Lord, that they should be carried captive to Babylon and there remain seventy years. Many of them had already been taken to Babylon, Jeconiah the king among them, and Jeremiah had said that Jeconiah should see his native land no more, but should die in Babylonia.

One day there was a great assembly of all the people and the priests at the house of the Lord. Jeremiah was there among them, and he had on his neck a wooden yoke which he had been wearing for some time as a sign to the people of their doomed servitude to Babylon. A false prophet, Hananiah by name, spoke to Jeremiah directly…

Jeremiah 28:1 ...in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,2 Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon;4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, says the Lord; for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah answered in substance that he would be glad if it could be so, and that he would be glad if the Lord would but do it:

Jeremiah 28:7 Nevertheless, hear now this word that I speak in your ears, and in the ears of all the people;9 The prophet which prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord has truly sent him.

This only roused up Hananiah to greater boldness, and he deliberately walked up to Jeremiah and…

10 ...took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and broke it. 11 And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus says the Lord: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years.

And then the record is:

11 ...And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. He had nothing more to say just then, and so silently walked away. Now when it is understood that all the people were already dead set against Jeremiah, it may be imagined what effect this public and palpable defeat, as they regarded it, of him whom they already hated would have upon the populace. We can fairly hear the scoffs, and hoots, and jeers, and groans, that followed Jeremiah as he edged his way through the crowd. Cries of…

“Ah-h-h, you’re beat, you’re beat, you’re beat,”

“Prophesy again, won’t you?”

“Put another yoke on him,” etc., etc.,

–would fairly split the air. But what did it all amount to, to Jeremiah? Just nothing at all. He was right, and they were all wrong, the whole crowd of them, and though not a person in the whole nation should believe him made not a particle of difference to him so far as the truth or his conviction of it was concerned.

The Example of Paul

Paul stood before the embodiment of worldly power, the Emperor Nero, to answer for his life and especially for his faith. There also, to oppose him and to blind and confuse men’s minds to the truth, stood an apostate from the faith, Alexander the coppersmith; and his opposition was so successful that Paul himself tells us:

2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me.

Added to this all his brethren in Asia were turned away from him:

• those at Antioch for whom he had labored so earnestly;

• those at Iconium, and Lystra, and Derbe for whom he had labored and suffered;

• those at Troas from whom he was so loath to take his farewell;

• those of Ephesus for whose good he had labored three long years, whom he had not ceased to warn night and day with tears, with whom he had talked, and prayed, and wept so tenderly at their final parting;

• those of Galatia, Phrygia, Pisidia, and Pamphylia, all—

2 Timothy 1:15 All they which be in Asia are turned away from me.

And then, as though that could not tell all the greatness of his cause for sorrow, he adds:

15 ...of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

And yet more, added to all this there was his own fellow-laborer, of whom he was compelled to write:

2 Timothy 4:10 Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.

For all this, though his life was in the balance, and though no man stood with him, yet he never faltered, but calmly stood forth alone, saying:

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.

There was the source of his strength. It depended not upon any influence of the world, of men, or of the church—not even upon the moral influence and support of his own intimate brethren—it sprung solely from his own personal, living connection with the Lord Jesus Christ. That alone it was which sustained him in all his trials and afflictions; in all his contradiction and opposition of unbelievers and apostates; and in all the desertions of brethren and fellow-laborers in the faith.

And that alone it is which will sustain any man in the time of trouble, and in the day of the coming of Christ; that alone it is which will enable anyone to stand when He appears. Paul was able to stand unmoved amidst all earth’s vicissitudes because he was able to say from the heart,

2 Timothy 1:12 I know whom I have believed.Not as is too often misquoted, “I know in whom I have believed,” –but, “I know whom I have believed;” –and he used the word “know” in its real, proper sense too. The following from a late number of the Sunday School Times will give an idea of what Paul meant by this use of the word “know:”

“To know” primarily means to have the ability to create or produce; hence it properly includes the idea of a perfect understanding of the innermost nature, or the most intricate parts, of the subject of knowledge.

This is the sense in which Paul used the word “know.” It was a living experience with him. As he expressed it in other words,

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Such as these shall abide the day of Christ’s coming; they shall stand when He appears. And none others can. Are you looking and waiting for that day? Do you know whom you believe? It was written in the prophecy, of those upon whom should come the great tribulation, that:

Daniel 11:32 The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Only the people who do know God and the Lord Jesus Christ shall be able to stand in the day of His wrath; only these may abide the day of His coming; only these shall stand when He appears.

Conclusion

The Time of Trial

 "I will search Jerusalem with candles." No doubt this is the time when God is searching the hearts, and trying the reins of his people. He has also said, "The heart is deceitful above all things," and asks, "Who can know it?"  

Those who are not willing to be tried and tested, not willing to be rebuked and chastened, and feel a spirit of self-justification, do not know their own hearts, and will be likely to be deceived. On the other hand, those who profit by trials, and when reproved, humble themselves with deep self-abasement, the candle of the Lord will shine upon them, and instead of being deceived through the deceitfulness of sin, they will be made like then Saviour, and will be his at his coming. 

If the work of the third angel's message had no trials, no sacrifices, no conflicts attending it, we might then conclude it is not the purifying work that will prepare a people for translation. While the leaders in this work have many burdens to bear, others should not wish to shun trials, but be willing to share with them.

It may seem strange to us that the children of Israel so often murmured against Moses and Aaron; but there is danger in these last days, and in this last work, of our having the same murmuring spirit that brought the judgments of God upon the people. Oh, what need we have to watch and pray that we be not deceived through the deceitfulness of our own hearts.   

C. Byington.   

Union City, Mich. {December 19, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 23.4} 

Christian Mother

CHRISTIAN MOTHER

The Lord has entrusted to parents a solemn, sacred work. They are to cultivate carefully the soil of the heart. Thus they may be laborers together with God. He expects them to guard and tend carefully the garden of their children's hearts. They are to sow the good seed, weeding out every unsightly weed. Every defect in character, every fault in disposition, needs to be cut away; for if allowed to remain, these will mar the beauty of the character. {AH 200.1

 The mother is the queen of the home, and the children are her subjects. She is to rule her household wisely, in the dignity of her motherhood. Her influence in the home is to be paramount; her word, law. If she is a Christian, under God's control, she will command the respect of her children.  {AH 232.1}  

     The children are to be taught to regard their mother, not as a slave whose work it is to wait on them, but as a queen who is to guide and direct them, teaching them line upon line, precept upon precept.  {AH 232.2}

  No work can equal that of the Christian mother. She takes up her work with a sense of what it is to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. How often will she feel her burden's weight heavier than she can bear; and then how precious the privilege of taking it all to her sympathizing Saviour in prayer! She may lay her burden at His feet and find in His presence a strength that will sustain her and give her cheerfulness, hope, courage, and wisdom in the most trying hours. How sweet to the careworn mother is the consciousness of such a friend in all her difficulties! If mothers would go to Christ more frequently and trust Him more fully, their burdens would be easier, and they would find rest to their souls.  {AH 204.3}  

     The God of Heaven Hears Your Prayers.--You cannot bring up your children as you should without divine help; for the fallen nature of Adam always strives for the mastery. The heart must be prepared for the principles of truth, that they may root in the soul and find nourishment in the life.  {AH 205.1}

  The sphere of the mother may be humble; but her influence, united with the father's, is as abiding as eternity. Next to God, the mother's power for good is the strongest known on earth.  {AH 240.1}  

A Christian mother will ever be wide awake to discern the dangers that surround her children. She will keep her own soul in a pure, holy atmosphere; she will regulate her temper and principles by the word of God and will faithfully do her duty, living above the petty temptations which will always assail her.  {AH 241.2}  

TESTIMONY

 A True Christian Mother

It may be feared that Christian mothers of our generation do not pray with then children as in former days. When we see sons and daughters in Christian households growing up with worldly hearts, and swerving from the faith of their parents, we always fear that a mother's heart has not been burdened by their sins, and a mother's prayers and faith have not led them to Christ. Dr. McCrie, the celebrated biographer of Knox, records with filial love and reverence the fidelity of his mother, in training him to a Christian life. One incident in his experience is of rare beauty. {December 19, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 19.2} 

In his sixteenth year he left home to attend the classes of Edinburg University, and his devoted mother, apprehensive of the temptations to which he would be exposed in city life, walked with him a part of the way, to give him her last words of counsel. She parted from him in Coldingham Moor, Before bidding him farewell, she led him to a rock at a little distance from the road, and kneeling behind it, with her hands upon his head, implored, in a fervent prayer, that God would shield him from danger, and make him an intelligent and zealous Christian, useful to the church in his generation. {December 19, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 19.3} 

Such a mother's faith could not go unblessed. Such prayers must secure God's blessing. In a year from that time the mother slept, but the son, over whom she had yearned and prayed, was not forgotten of God. He was converted, and became one of the eminent ministers of Scotland, and the biographer of some of her greatest worthies. {December 19, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 19.4} 

A curious incident is told of his closing life, connected with this prayer of his mother at the roadside. Nearly fifty years had passed. He had lived a life of toil and trial, and success. He was ripe in years, and service and experience. One night, in a dream his mother appeared to him, standing behind the rock on the moor, and beckoned him to follow. He promised to obey her, and the vision passed. Dr. McCrie was not a weak or superstitious man, but he regarded the dream as a warning that his work was nearly done. In a few weeks he was called away, and the mother and son at the Archangel's trump will be united forever in a better world.-Christian Press. {December 19, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 19.5} 

"Galilean, thou hast Conquered." Such was the dying exclamation of Julian, the Roman emperor. Though once a professed Christian, he apostatized from the faith, and employed all his energies for the overthrow of the religion of Jesus and the establishment of idolatry. He shut up Christian sanctuaries, re-opened and patronized heathen temples, and in face of the positive assertion of Christ, that the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem should remain in ruins, impiously attempted to rebuild it. But he contended against One far mightier than himself, and was forced to submit. Wounded in battle by a Persian lance, he took a handful of his blood, and casting it towards Heaven cried, "O Galilean, thou hast conquered!" {December 19, 1865 UrSe, ARSH 19.6} 

Ev.Benard Odhiambo

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