He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Revelation 22:11.
God has not revealed to us the time when this message [the third angel’s] will close, or when probation will have an end…. Letters have come to me asking me if I have any special light as to the time when probation will close; and I answer that I have only this message to bear, that it is now time to work while the day lasts, for the night cometh in which no man can work.
When Jesus rises up in the most holy place, and lays off His mediatorial garments, and clothes Himself with the garments of vengeance in place of the priestly attire, the work for sinners will be done…. The probation of all closes when the pleading for sinners is ended and the garments of vengeance are put on.
The case of every soul will have been decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin…. Then the restraining Spirit of God is withdrawn from the earth.
In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent …. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.
We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation may close Christ is soon to come.
When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it. But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us; and finally, if faithful, we shall be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.
The Faith I Live By p. 215
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Prayer Requests
—-Unspoken important prayer request. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When I was about seven, my family visited Mrs. Slack who lived on a farm. When her children were young, my mother had spent many happy hours there. Now she was elderly, her children far away, and she lived alone except for two hired hands who lived on the property. While the adults talked, I was allowed to go with one of the hired hands to see the animals. He led me to a brown and white spotted calf that was not more than a few days old. It was a thrill for me. Suddenly the thrill turned to shock mixed with a little fear. That calf had wrapped his sandpaper-like tongue around my thumb and tried to nurse. The hired hand laughed and explained what the calf was doing. It was my turn to laugh, but my laughter was tinged with sadness as I thought of how disappointed the calf must be not to get any milk from my thumb.
How often we are like that calf. We try the various pleasures of this life, but they are as empty and unsatisfying as was my thumb so many years ago. We go from one thing to another, looking for something that will fill the longing of our heart, but nothing does. Isaiah asks the question, “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Is 55:2,3,1
Thank God we do not have to stay empty! Thank God He has provided the way. The Loving Redeemer wants to fill us up to overflowing with His love. Indeed, we are created with a longing within our heart that we may seek for a close and loving relationship with our Great Creator. He assures us, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13 He alone can satisfy the longing of our soul. With Moses we can pray, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Ps 90:14 Isaiah gives us greater insight into the satisfaction of serving our Great Creator: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Is 58:6-11
David sang, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ps 103:2-5
May we find our happiness and fulfillment in our Dear Saviour’s love. May we be complete in Him. May we daily give ourselves fully to Him, to be used by Him to share His salvation with those about us is my prayer.
Rose