And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. Revelation 14:9, 10.
As the ministration of Jesus closed in the holy place, and He passed into the holiest, and stood before the ark containing the law of God, He sent another mighty angel with a third message to the world…. This message was designed to put the children of God upon their guard, by showing them the hour of temptation and anguish that was before them.
This symbol [the beast], as most Protestants have believed, represents the Papacy….
The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas….
As the sign of the authority of the Catholic Church, papist writers cite “the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday.” … What then is the change of the Sabbath, but the sign, or mark, of the authority of the Roman Church—“the mark of the beast”?
Sundaykeeping is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to worship this idol sabbath.
And it is not until the issue is … plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast.”
When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message.
The Faith I Live By p. 286
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Prayer Requests
—-Please say prayers for my husband. Been in Er for last few hrs, very sick. He is being transferred to another hospital, where they can treat him. Kimberly
—-I’m having cataract surgery today at 1pm Pacific time, and am asking for your prayers for peace and an excellent result. Sylvia
—-I go into the hospital for a simple procedure, today. Just praying for no complications, with an attentive medical team. Katherin
—-need prayer for a man named Dave who is having a hard time dealing with the death of his wife. Michael
—-Seeking prayer for my grown daughter who is unequally yoked to a horrible man and has two little boys with him. Baby is 7 months and a two year old. He doesn’t go to work, he smokes pot all day and is very mentally abusive to her. She is about at the end of her rope. She loves the Lord and is trying to do what’s right. Please lift Jessica up in prayer. Shari
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Dear Friends,
For a year or two my mother attended church school in the basement of the church. One day, a new student joined her class. He looked very solemn as he sat at an empty desk. Soon he began to look searchingly at each of his fellow students. Many of the students smiled at him to make him feel welcome, but he did not smile back.
At recess some of the boys invited him to play with them. This made the new student’s eyes sparkle with happiness, but brought no smile to his lips. The students began to think this boy was very odd and began to leave him alone. Seeing what was happening, the teacher invited this boy’s mother to address the class. She explained that her son was born without the ability to smile.
We have all known people who look as solemn as that poor boy. They think that as Christians they should never laugh or be joyful. They consider sternness a virtue, a duty. We have known a few of these joyless Christians who look at others with a severe and censorious eye.
How unlike our Dear Saviour, Whose great heart of love drew others to Himself. Indeed, our Loving Redeemer “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38 He attracted even little children to Himself. Had he been stern and severe, they would have shied away. “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16 As one writer put it, “The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him. Even little children were attracted to Him. They loved to climb upon His knees, and gaze into that pensive face, benignant with love.” Truly, He is “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Isa 9:6; Ex 34:6,7
Our Loving Creator never intended His followers to be aloof and unfeeling. Indeed, as we learn of His great love for us, we cannot help but rejoice. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps 16:10;100
As we look to the One Who gave His life for us, we are filled with thankfulness. And that thankfulness brings joy. Paul says, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 Peter tells us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice….Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9
True joy comes from bringing precious souls to our Great Redeemer. Truly He, Himself, is filled with joy when one lost and wandering sheep returns to Him. Our Great Shepherd said, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:4-8
This rejoicing will reach its culmination when the redeemed of all ages stand before the Good Shepherd as Zephaniah described, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph 3:17 Think of it! The Great King of the Universe will rejoice over us with singing! He will be overflowing with happiness as He sees those who have accepted His great love for them actually in His presence. Our Great Creator, Our Loving Heavenly Father will wrap His mighty arms around us in a joyful embrace, He will wipe away all tears from our eyes, He will answer all of our questions and perplexities. (Rev 21:1-4) Praise the Lord!
May we all be there! May our hearts be filled to overflowing with love for Him! May we “praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:15
Rose
The Last Solemn Warning