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. 2 Timothy 4:3.
Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen, restlessly waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are watching and waiting and working for our Lord’s appearing; while the other party are rapidly falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. They look for a God in humanity, and Satan personifies the one they seek. Multitudes will be so deluded through their rejection of truth, that they will accept the counterfeit. Humanity is hailed as God.
As we near the close of time, there will be greater and still greater external parade of heathen power; heathen deities will manifest their signal power, and will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world; and this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled. By a variety of images the Lord Jesus represented to John the wicked character and seductive influence of those who have been distinguished for their persecution of God’s people. All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of iniquity that figures so largely in the winding up of this earth’s history. . . . In the very time in which we live, the Lord has called His people and has given them a message to bear. He has called them to expose the wickedness of the man of sin who has made the Sunday law a distinctive power, who has thought to change times and laws, and to oppress the people of God who stand firmly to honor Him by keeping the only true Sabbath, the Sabbath of creation. . . .
The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We have no time to lose; God calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give an account.
Maranatha p. 140
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Prayer Requests
—— Pastor Ron Halvorsen – has survived three previous serious attacks of cancer, and has come through with surgery and treatment with good health. But recently he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and would covet our joining him as he asks the Lord to heal him so he can continue his lifetime of preaching the Word. Ron told us recently, “I still have so much work to do.” He has baptized thousands and wants to be strong enough to continue. Please keep him in prayer. —– Maryann has survived serious chemo-therapy and was told that she was told that her cancer was in remission, but it has come back with a vengeance. Please pray.—– Warren Judd, Gerry Chudleigh, and Theodore R. Benson, all well-known, and loved, long-time workers in the Pacific Union, are also undergoing treatment for cancer. Please join their many friends and family who are interceding daily for them. [NAD prayer requests]
—— I was at my side job today and was going up back steps had a terrible pain behind my knee and it went out from under me. Having lots of pain and cannot bend my leg. I am doing natural things at present trying to avoid medical expenses. I would appreciate any and all prayers thank you! Connie
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Jeremiah, the son of a friend of ours, came to visit for a few days. He brought with him two other students from the college where he was going at the time. They were nice young men and we welcomed the opportunity to become acquainted with them. Richard, one of the students, conducted family worship for us one evening, that turned out to be one of the best worships we had had in a very long time. He began by reading 2 Peter 1:19-21 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Then he asked each of us to tell why we think that God’s word is true and how we knew that there is a God. Ronnie Jay who loves history, spoke of how various prophecies were fulfilled so completely. These events could never been the product of guesswork. He gave the example of how God tells us of King Cyrus and what he would do in the future. This was written over 100 years before the man was even born. (Isaiah 44 and 45) What a blessing it was to realize what a great God we serve, Who knows us so intimately even before He forms us in our mother’s womb! He says to us as he said the Jeremiah of old, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jer 1:5 David praises, “thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Ps 139:13-17
Each of us had a turn. Another spoke of creation and the beauties God has given us, things that could never have happened by chance. “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Ps 33:6-9; 19:1-6
Someone else spoke of the many answers to prayer that God has given; of His constant care and closeness to us. We also marveled that the Bible, although written over a period of 1500 years by many different men of many different occupations, is one harmonious whole. Also we spoke of the fact that the sins of the Bible characters are not “smoothed over” but reported as they were. We thought of many other reasons for the hope that is in us.
As we discussed these things, our hearts thrilled at the love and care of God for His erring children, at His great condescension in leaving His grand and glorious kingdom and coming to this world as a helpless baby, living a life of hardship and poverty, going about the countryside bringing healing and hope, and dying on the cross an agonizing death, that we can be saved if we will accept His great offer of love.
May we often take the time to meditate upon God’s Holy Word as did David. (Ps 77:12) May we take comfort in the evidences of God’s working in our life. May we accept our Dear Saviour’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary is my prayer.
Rose