Blog Archives - WELCOME TO THE JOY OF TROY

February 29, 2020

2/29/2020

NATIONS ARE ANGRY

        It shall come to pass in that day that a great panic from the Lord will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, and raise his hand against his neighbor's hand.--Zechariah 14:13

    I was instructed that fanaticism similar to that which we were called to meet after the passing of the time in 1844 would come in among us again on the closing days of the message, and that we must meet this evil just as decidedly now as we met it in our early experiences.

    We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange and eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven--events which it was declared should shortly precede the great day of God. Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is hasting greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force--that they hold the four winds until the servants of [our] God are sealed in their foreheads. (Selected Messages, Book 1, 221-222)

    The end is near and every year Satan is drilling his army to develop strong parties to be ready against the battle of the last great conflict. (Manuscript 134, 1908)

REFLECTION: Nations are indeed unsettled, angry, and ready to go to war. Unreasonable leaders of countries are threatening the world with weapons of mass destruction. Financial ruin is becoming more and more common like no other time in history. World leaders are perplexed on what to do. There is no doubt the end is near. Time is short. Turn to God before it is forever too late.

February 28, 2020

2/28/2020

STEADFAST TO THE END

        For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.--Hebrews 3:14

    Before the Son of Man appears in the clouds of heaven, everything in nature will be convulsed. Lightening from heaven, uniting with the fire in the earth, will cause the mountains to burn like a furnace and pour out their floods of lava over villages and cities. Molten masses of rock, thrown into the water by the upheaval of things hidden in the earth, will cause the water to boil, and send forth rocks and earth. There will be mighty earthquakes and great destruction of human life. But as in the days of the great deluge Noah was preserved in the ark that God had prepared for him, so in these days of destruction and calamity, God will be the refuge of His believing ones....

    There is a work to be done at this time by those who believe that we are living in the closing days of this earth's history. Light must be imparted to those who are in darkness. The truths of the Word of God must be brought in straight, clear lines to the people, whether they will receive or whether they will reject them. "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods." Here is represented a class of workers who will not fail nor become discouraged in their work....

    We are warned that in these last days satanic influences will work with such power that if it were possible they would deceive even the very elect. But living amid these opposing forces, we may through the exercise of faith and prayer, call to our side a retinue of heavenly angels, who will guard us from every corrupting influence. The worker who makes the Word of God his guide, will walk in the light of the Lord, and be safe. (Letter 258, August 16, 1907)

REFLECTION: In these last days, it is time to hold on to God and His Word. Don't give up! For we become partakers of Christ IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfastly to the end.

February 27, 2020

2/27/2020

DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY

        Come, for all things are now ready.--Luke 14:17

    It is now as it was when the message was given in Noah's day, and the invitation went forth for all who would to enter the ark. We know not how soon the last message of warning may be given and our cases fixed for eternity....There was hope for all the inhabitants of the Noachic world to enter the ark before the door was closed.

    After it was closed, those who entered were severely tried, for they were in the ark a full week before the rain came. O, what fearful scoffing and mocking and defiance of God there was by those who had refused to enter! But after the week ended, the rain began to fall gently. This was a new thing. The rain continued until every living thing was destroyed from the face of the earth. But one family--the family that entered the ark--was saved.

    We need to be prepared for the closing scenes of this earth's history. Let all search their own hearts diligently, and be converted, that their sins may be pardoned. The world is becoming more and more decidedly opposed to God and the truth of God. All who will do the will of God will be successful in obtaining knowledge, and their experience will be valuable. We must now prepare to do a great work in a short time. We must have an individual experience....

    I have been weighed down as I have thought of the situation of those who have had such great light, and yet have gone steadily on step by step in rejection of light (Letter 84, February 17, 1906)

REFLECTION: Those in Noah's day had plenty of time to get on the ark and were given countless warnings. But, after a while, the door of opportunity was closed. If we as God's last-day people follow the same course and neglect God's warnings, we will also find the door of opportunity closed.

February 26, 2020

2/26/2020

JUDGED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH

        For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.--Psalm 96:13

    The time will come when many will be deprived of the written Word. But if this Word is printed in the memory, no one can take it from us; and it is a talisman that will meet the worst forms of error and evil....

    We are now to make diligent work for eternity. Only for a very short time longer will the Lord bear with the gross wickedness that fills the world. Oh, how suddenly will the end come, surprising the world in their increasing iniquity....

    For the past fifty years I have been receiving intelligence regarding heavenly things....

    We are very sorry to read the article written by Elder Tenney...on the Sanctuary question. The enemy has obtained the victory over one minister. If this minister had remained away from the seducing influences that Satan is exerting at the present time in Battle Creek, he might yet be standing on vantage ground....

    The Sanctuary question is the foundation of our faith....

    There is a sanctuary, and in that sanctuary is the ark, and in the ark are the tables of stone, [on] which is written the law spoken from Sinai amidst scenes of awful grandeur. These tables of stone are in the heavens, and they will be brought forth in that day when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, and men shall be judged according to the things written in the books. They will be judged by the law written by the finger of God, and given to Moses to be deposited in the ark. A record is kept of the deed of all men, and according to his works will every man receive sentence, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. (Manuscript 20, February 7, 1906)

REFLATION: What is the test of true religion? Knowing and doing the word of God, in accordance with every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Manuscript 20, February 20, 1906)

February 25, 2020

2/25/2020

OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN

        Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge."--Acts 4:19

    The people of God will recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment and will teach obedience to it as a sacred duty within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, the word of God must be recognized as above all human legislation. "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for Thus saith the church or the state. The crown of Christ is to be uplifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.

     The principle we are to uphold at this time is the same that was maintained by the adherents of the gospel in the great Reformation....

     The banner of truth and religious liberty which these Reformers held aloft has in this last conflict been committed to us....

    It is possible to be a partial, formal believer, and yet be found wanting and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you lack qualifications essential to Christian character. If you neglect or treat with indifference the warnings that God has given, if you cherish or excuse sin, you are sealing your soul's destiny. You will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. Grace, peace, and pardon will be forever withdrawn; Jesus will have passed by, never again to come within reach of your prayers and entreaties. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 402, 405)

REFLECTION: In the history of prophets and apostles, are many noble examples of loyalty to God. Christ's witnesses have endured imprisonment, torture, and death itself, rather than break God's commands. The record left by Peter and John is as heroic as any in the gospel dispensation. As they stood for the second time before men who seemed bent on their destruction, no fear or hesitation could be discerned in their words or attitude....It was an angel from heaven who delivered them from prison and bade them teach in the temple. In following his directions they were obeying the divine command, and this they must continue to do at whatever cost to themselves. (The Acts of the Apostles, 81-82)

February 24, 2020

2/24/2020

NARROW WAY OR EASY WAY

        Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.--Luke 13:24

    The attention of our churches must be aroused. We are standing upon the borders of the greatest event in the world's history, and Satan must not have power over the people of God, causing them to sleep on. The Papacy will appear in its power. All must now arouse and search the Scriptures; for God will make known to His faithful ones what shall be in the last time. The word of the Lord is to come to His people in power.

    The signs of the end are fast fulfilling. The time of trouble is very near us now. We are to be brought into strait places in a way in which we have not been brought heretofore. The time of trouble is near, and we are to awake to a realization of this. We are to be sure that our feet are in the narrow path.

    We need an experience that we have not yet had, that we may have the assurance that the God of all grace is a very present help in time of need. The time of trouble--trouble such as was not since there was a nation--is right upon us, and we are like the sleeping virgins. We are to awake and ask the Lord Jesus to place underneath us His everlasting arms and carry us through the time of trial before us.

    Let us turn our attention from unimportant things and give ourselves to God. We scarcely dream of the destroying angels that already are permitted to bring disaster and destruction in their path....

    How little we know of what is going on in heaven! What fearful indifference those on this earth show to eternal realities. Souls are unprepared for what is about to take place in our world; the warning must be given, the end of all things is at hand....

    The last message of mercy is to be given to prepare a people to stand in these last days. Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain. (Letter 54, January 30, 1906)

REFLECTION: The path which I have set before you, [Jesus] said, is narrow; the gate is difficult of entrance; for the golden rule excludes all pride and self-seeking. There is, indeed, a wider road; but its end is destruction. If you would climb the path of spiritual life, you must constantly ascend; for it is an upward way. You must go with the few; for the multitude will choose the downward path. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 138)

February 23, 2020

2/23/2020

BUILD UPON THE ROCK

        He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.--Psalms 62:2

    There are many men in our world who are like Cornelius....

    As God worked for Cornelius, so He works for these true standard-bearers. He prepares the way for them to take the place of those who have been given a knowledge of Bible truth, but who have disappointed the Lord our Savior. These men will be true to pure, holy principles in their investigation of the laws, which rule our world. They will obtain a knowledge of God as Cornelius did-through the visitation of angels from heaven. (Letter 197, June 15, 1904

    The testing time is right upon us. We must build upon the Rock that will stand the storm of test and trial. As we see the fulfillment of prophecy we know that the end of all things is at hand....The God who gave Daniel instruction regarding the closing scenes of this earth's history will certainly confirm the testimony of His servants as at the appointed time they give the loud cry.

    All the messages given from 1840 to 1844 are to be made forcible now....

    There should be no delay in repeating the message, for the signs of the times are fulfilling. The closing work must be done. A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God's appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony. (Letter 54, January 30, 1906)

REFLECTION: Faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God so that when the testing time shall come and they are brought before councils to answer for their faith they may be able to give reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 780)

February 22, 2020

2/22/2020

DEPARTING FROM THE TRUTH

        Certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.--Jude 4

    The Lord was leading His people back to the real truth. The scriptures show the loss they had sustained and would continue to sustain unless they went back to the word, refusing to let anything they had heard slip from their memory....

    Unless we give the most earnest heed to the Word of God, human minds will work up theories according to their own deficient practices, and will misrepresent and misapply a "Thus saith the Lord." A departure from the great principles Christ has laid down in His teachings, a working out [of] human projects, using the Scriptures to justify a wrong course of action under, will confirm men in misunderstanding; and the truth that they need to keep them from wrong practices will leak out of the soul like water from a leaky vessel.

    Thus it is in our time. A departure from right principles will blind the understanding as to what is truth....

    Those who refuse the testimonies God has sent them are not eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. The character developed tells its history to the end. Through the refusal to receive correct principles, and the corruption of human nature, Satan works by his sophistry to deceive if possible the very elect. (Manuscript 5, January 20, 1904)

REFLECTION: The promise of obedience [some people] appear to fulfill when this involves no sacrifice; but when self-denial and self-sacrifice are required, when they see the cross to be lifted, they draw back. Thus the conviction of duty wears away, and known transgression of God's commandments becomes habit. The ear may hear God's word, but the spiritual perceptive powers have departed. The heart is hardened, the conscience seared. (Christ Object Lessons, 279-280)

It is all too easy to forget the principles that Christ has laid down. When your selfish nature raises up, we will need to be grounded in our connections to Christ, or we will fail.

February 21, 2020

2/21/2020

SEDUCING SPIRITS AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS

        Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."--2 Peter 3:3-4

    In His Word the Lord declared what He would do for Israel if they would obey His voice. But the leaders of the people yielded to the temptations of Satan, and God could not give them the blessings He designed them to have, because they did not obey His voice. This experience will be repeated in the last years of the history of the people of God, who have been established by His grace and power. Men whom He has greatly honored will in the closing scenes of this earth's history pattern after ancient Israel....

    Bear this in mind. History is being repeated. The perils that God's people encountered in past ages, they will encounter again, intensified. Satan has obtained influence over men whom God has honored above all human intelligence....

    The things that had been spoken by priests and rulers had become leavened with erroneous theories. The gospel of the Old Testament had been misinterpreted by the teachers who had desired to fit the presentation with their condition spiritually in the place of exalting truth and laboring to bring the people who claimed to be the chosen of God up to the holy principles given by Him. Christ came to give the gospel in its purity and its true bearing, and all are to show their esteem of His teaching. (Manuscript 5, January 20, 1904)

REFLECTION: Near the close of this earth's history Satan will work with all his powers in the same manner and with the same temptations wherewith he tempted ancient Israel just before their entering the land of promise. He will lay snares for those who claim to keep the commandments of God, and who are almost on the borders of the heavenly Canaan. (The Review and Herald, May 17, 1887)

February 20, 2020

2/20/2020

POWER FROM BENEATH

        He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do.--Revelation 13:13-14

    How long shall the testimonies of warning be rejected for the wisdom of men? There are many things that I have not wanted to specify, but I an compelled to do this.

    I shall now have to be far more explicit than I have been in the past. I shall be compelled to make statements in order to save the flock of God from deceptive influences....

    There may be a necessity of doing the very work that the Lord has in the past inspired His messengers to do, in order to save the largest number of souls from the satanic influences that would lead them astray. The world's opinion will oppose the very work that must be done in order that the safety of the flock of God shall not be imperiled.

    The fact that men whom I might name are imperiled by the sophistries that are coming in at this time, shows that a power from beneath is making its imprint on human minds. Every movement made now is to be carefully guarded; for the forces of Satan have minds under their control and will strive through them to unsettle faith in the experience of the past, which bears the signature of heaven. The delusive influences working upon human minds are of a character to unsettle the faith of the people of God in the testimonies the Lord has given His people. (Manuscript 5, January 20, 1904)

REFLECTION: We are on the verge of the time of trouble, and perplexities that are scarcely dreamed of are before us. A power from beneath is leading men to war against Heaven. Human beings have confederated with satanic agencies to make void the law of God. The inhabitants of the world are fast becoming as the inhabitants of the world in Noah's day, who were swept away by the Flood, and as the inhabitants of Sodom, who were consumed by fire from heaven. The powers of Satan are at work to keep minds diverted from eternal realities. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, 43)