The letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day. Esther 3:13.
The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews.
When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof.
The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives; but they will not yield, and trample under their feet the Sabbath of the Lord, and honor an institution of papacy. Satan’s host and wicked men will surround them, and exult over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape for them.
When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death.
I saw the saints suffering great mental anguish. They seemed to be surrounded by the wicked inhabitants of the earth. Every appearance was against them. Some began to fear that God had at last left them to perish by the hand of the wicked. . . .
It was an hour of fearful, terrible agony to the saints. Day and night they cried unto God for deliverance. To outward appearance, there was no possibility of their escape. The wicked had already begun to triumph, crying out, “Why doesn’t your God deliver you out of our hands? Why don’t you go up and save your lives?” But the saints heeded them not.
Maranatha p. 269
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray that God will give my children clear direction. L
—– Jody was taken to the ER. with extreme back and neck pain. her mother will be flying back down there in the morning, she just got back from down there three weeks ago. please pray that it is nothing serious she has 4 children 2, 8, 11, 12. And pray for Joann she is having a rough time now on the 11th the twins will be 33 and a year since Craig passed away, she has a hard time with the twins birthday with Craig not being there to remember that great occasion. She is failing too with her heart and MS. my prayer partner and I have been praying that she will get rid of all of those fairies she collects. thank you .M.
—– I would appreciate your prayers as I report on the GC session. I want to do it with grace, kindness, and truth. Rich
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, the electricity went out nearly every time we had a thunderstorm. My grandparents’ house was big and dark and scarey without any power. It creaked and groaned and we had to grope around between lightning flashes trying to find our way to my grandmother’s bedroom where she kept the tiny, alcohol lamps. I always felt better once they were lit. Even though the lamps were small, they caused the room to glow with a comforting light. At last we could see to walk around the house without bumping into something.
It is the same in our spiritual life. Without Jesus, we have no light. Without Him in our life, we stumble and fall. Without the Holy Spirit, we have no power. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 8:12;15:5 How true! Without the Light of the World, we are in darkness and helplessness. Peter begins his second epistle by speaking of this very thing. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:2-10
When the time came for Jesus to return to Heaven, He led His followers to the summit of the Mount of Olives. His last promise to them was the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power resting upon them. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” Acts 1:8 This power was given for two purposes, to make us fit for His kingdom and to spread the gospel “to the uttermost part of the earth.” Jesus assured His followers, “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 show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:13,14 Precious promise!
Paul declares, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal 5:22-25 Think of it! We are sent by the Commander of the Universe to a world that is in darkness. Through His Power, we “may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Phil 2:15
Yet, we have a part to do. Just as we had to go to my grandmother’s bedroom and light the lamp, so we must come to Jesus through Bible study and prayer that we may become lights in this dark and sinful world. Without the knowledge of God’s Word, we grope in darkness as does the blind. Jesus promised to give the Spirit, so we can witness effectively, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26,27 We have the promise, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps 126:5,6 This task should be our goal. This work should be our joy, for our Dear Saviour has given us a commission. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt 24:14 And when it is finished, we will hear those precious words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt 25:34
May we pray for that outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as we study the Word of Truth. May we cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He makes us fit candidates for His Kingdom. May we and those we have brought to the Light be ready for His glorious returning is my prayer.
Rose